Sexual Battery Is Charged

Centreville — City of Fairfax police have charged a local man with sexual battery. He is Mahmood Qalandari, 37, of Cool Fountain Lane in Centreville.

Police say that, on Nov. 15, a 21-year-old Woodbridge woman told police she’d gone to the Shell gas station at 11175 Lee Highway in Fairfax to discuss the possible purchase of a vehicle from Qalandari, the station owner. She reported that, while they were in his vehicle, he allegedly touched her several times, despite her objections.

Following an investigation by the Patrol Division, Qalandari was arrested last Friday, Nov. 23. He was transported to Fairfax County’s Adult Detention Center and held on $4,500 bond.

Man Charged with Embezzling

A Centreville man was one of two people charged by City of Fairfax police with embezzling from their employer. He is Hassan Ali Yousufi, 29, of Four Chimney Drive.

According to police, on Nov. 26, a manager at the Fairfax Kia at 10601 Fairfax Blvd. reported that, since February 2012, two salespersons there had allegedly been stealing money from the dealership. The manager said the suspects had reportedly received cash payments from customers without turning in the money to the firm.

Arrested besides Yousufi was Robert Najib Zaber, 38, of Potomac Highlands Circle in Triangle. After being charged with embezzlement, both were released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on their own recognizance.

Free Carseat Inspections

Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Nov. 29, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.

Clifton Horse Parade

The holidays begin in the Town of Clifton this Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m., with a parade of horses and riders decorated in Christmas finery. Sponsored by the Clifton Horse Society, it travels up Main Street, goes through town and along Chapel Street to a field where participants and spectators gather for cookies and the awarding of prizes. The public is invited to share in the festivities.

CLRC Open House Dec. 1

The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) will celebrate its first anniversary with an open house on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2-4 p.m., at the center at 5956 Centreville Crest Lane. It’s beside Brick Pizza on the lower level of the Centreville Square Shopping Center; it faces Route 29 and the Route 28 onramp.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova will help the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) recognize supporters who made the center’s success possible during its first year of operation. Awardees include developer A.J. Dwoskin and Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey.

Refreshments will be served and the community is invited. There’ll be tours of the CLRC office and training area, with staff and volunteers describing CLRC’s work. Assisting with the event will be volunteers from Alpha Delta Kappa-Beta Zeta, the honorary teachers’ sorority, plus the Westfield High Spanish Honor Society.

FCPS Superintendent Search

FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale is retiring on June 30, 2013, and the county School Board is actively seeking his replacement. To start with, it’s gathering community input via an online survey about the important characteristics of an effective superintendent. The survey opened Nov. 26 and will be open until Jan. 18, 2013. Go to https://survey-admin.ecragroup.com/index.php?sid=57779&lang=en.

In addition, a public meeting about the search is slated for Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., in the Chantilly High cafeteria, 4201 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.

Police Collect Children’s Gifts

As the holiday season begins, Sully District Police Station personnel are collecting new, unwrapped gift donations for children in Inova Fairfax Hospital and for children in the community who might not otherwise have a cheerful holiday season. Donations of new toys, books and games will be accepted at the station until Monday, Dec. 10, at 9 p.m.

“We need the community’s help,” said PFC Tara Fruecht. “We would greatly appreciate any donations people are able to give.” For more information, contact her at SulCPO@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-814-7018.

Adopt a Shelter Animal

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is offering a free spay or neuter for the first 100 cats, kittens, dogs or puppies adopted from the shelter through Dec. 31. The special offer is part of the shelter’s annual Home for the Holidays adoption celebration to help homeless animals leave the shelter for stable, new homes in time for the holidays.

The shelter has cats and dogs available for adoption, in addition to rabbits, small mammals, reptiles and birds. To view animals available for adoption, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/animalservices/ and click on adoption. The shelter is at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax. Regular adoption hours are Tuesday-Friday, noon-6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-830-1100.

Centreville Elementary Seeks Grant

Centreville Elementary has been nominated by its PTA for a $50,000

Clorox Bright Futures Grant. If awarded, the grant will be used to support the school's healthy movement initiative.The school will install a running/walking track for the students and community. This is a nationwide competition, and the entity with the most votes will win.

Anyone from the community may vote twice a day (once online at https://powerabrightfuture.clorox.com/nominees/detail/?nid=2099 and once by texting 2099pbf to 95248). Anyone 13 and older may vote every day until Dec. 19. So Centreville counselor Lee Kaiser is asking residents to “please vote, and tell your friends and family to do it, too.”

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department crews distributed Christmas tree safety tags to holiday tree lot vendors during the week before Thanksgiving. These tags provide valuable, fire-safety tips for residents when purchasing a tree.

Residents should keep the tree base immersed in water; not allow smoking near the tree; use only lights approved by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.); use flame-retardant decorations and paper; inspect lights for frayed or cracked wiring, broken plugs and defective sockets; unplug lights at night and when leaving the home; and remove the tree soon after the holidays, before the needles dry out.

WFCM Seeks Food, Volunteers

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of oil (48 oz. or smaller); flour (2-5 lb. bag); sugar (2-5 lb. bag); rice; canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned beets and collard greens; canned soup and beans; dry pasta and beans; ketchup, mustard, pancake mix and syrup; hot and cold cereal and coffee. In addition, the Food Pantry would appreciate fresh produce, such as tomatoes, from local gardens.

Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and diapers (sizes 4, 5 & 6). WFCM clients are also in great need of gasoline cards.

Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive (near Backyard Grill and Bar) in Chantilly. Volunteers are also needed:

Thrift store: Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., to receive donations. Contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.

Food pantry: Regular volunteers are needed needed to pick up donated food from Costco on Thursday mornings and from Harris Teeter on Fridays between 9-10 a.m.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers

Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.

Women's Self Defense Program

The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.

The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.

The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.