Comments Welcome Regarding Housing and Community Development Consolidated Annual Report

Residents are invited to submit their comments on the City of Falls Church’s housing and community development consolidated annual report through September 8. The FY2010 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, details the City’s housing and community development activities and programs implemented in FY2010. A copy of the report is available at the Mary Riley Styles Library and at the Housing and Human Services Division in City Hall, and can be viewed on the City’s website at http://www.fallschurchva.gov (click on News & Announcements).

Comments may be submitted in writing to City of Falls Church, Housing and Human Services Div., 300 Park Ave., 100W, Falls Church, VA 22046, or by contacting Dana Lewis 703-248-5170 (TTY 711), fax 703-248-5149, or email: dlewis@fallschurchva.gov .

Sewer Rehabilitation Work in Great Falls Street

On Thursday, August 26, Am-Liner East will rehabilitate sanitary sewer mains in the 500 block of Great Falls Street.

This work is expected to take place from 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. During the work, a portion of the southbound lane of Great Falls Street will be closed just north of its intersection with West Street, and again approximately 300 feet to the south.

Periodically through the day, there will also be flagmen stationed at the Great Falls Street and West Street intersection.

Questions may be addressed to the Public Utilities Division at 703-248-5070.

Lost Dog in Winter Hill Area

A newly adopted rescue dog, “Candy,” slipped out of her collar and ran away from her new owner mid-day on Friday, August 13, in the vicinity of West Annandale Road and Broad Street.  While very timid and skittish, she is friendly and approaches dogs willingly.  She may or may not respond to her name, but loves treats.  If sighted or found, please call 703-534-2839 with her whereabouts.

FRIDAY 8/13: Deadline to Register for Rape Aggression Defense Course

The City of Falls Church Police Department is offering a free Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women, 12 years of age and older. The course is offered in four, three-hour sessions. Classes will be held at Columbia Baptist Church (103 W. Columbia St.) on Aug. 16, 17, 19 and 23 from 6-9 p.m. Participants are required to attend all four sessions.

The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that addresses awareness, prevention, risk reduction, risk avoidance, and the basics of hands-on self-defense training. R.A.D. is not a martial arts program. Nationally certified R.A.D. instructors from the City Police Department teach the course.

The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 13. For more information and to register, e-mail ksdempsey@verizon.net or call 703-241-5061.

A.C. Miller, Former City Resident and FCT Contributor

SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

August 2, 2010

A.C. Miller, 61, resident of West Tisbury, MA, died at his home near Lambert’s Cove on Martha’s Vineyard, Thursday, July 22. He passed peacefully just before sunset, surrounded by his loving wife June, their Westie Marley, family, and friends.

Born in 1948 to Loretta Hunsberger and Clifford Eugene Miller in Clay Center, Kansas, A.C. (his formal name, though also known as “Ace”) lived a loving life that embraced family, business, world events, politics, and a passion for the present moment. He will be greatly missed and remembered as a loving and steadfast inspiration to all who were fortunate to know him.

After growing up in Kansas and Colorado, A. C. received a degree in political science from Southern Colorado State College in 1970 and earned a Masters in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado in 1973.  He subsequently served in the Peace Corps in Kabul, Afghanistan from 1977 to 1979 as a teacher of computer science and English. His service in Afghanistan established a lifelong passion for social justice, democracy, and politics.

After ten years working for the U.S. Department of Commerce and then as a telecommunications consultant in Boulder, Colorado, A.C. relocated to Falls Church, Virginia, where he worked for American Mobile Systems before forming Spectrum Resources. With savvy vision and good timing under A.C.’s leadership, he and his partners succeeded in business, capitalizing on the exploding radio and telecommunications industry by obtaining hundreds of radio spectrum licenses throughout the U.S., which later contributed to the foundation of the national cellular phone system. Subsequently, the same team went on to build a very successful radio tower company which owned over 100 communications towers at the time it was very successfully sold. In Virginia, A.C. also served local government on the Falls Church City’s Economic Development Authority.

He was well known as a coach and supporter of many youth sports teams, especially at George Mason High School and High Point Pool. He embraced many passions, especially the academic and athletic achievements of his kids and their friends. A.C. was devoted to physical fitness and completed a triathalon and several Marine Corps marathons, as well as being an avid golfer. His love of the New York Times crosswords, driving his M5, and traveling throughout the world gave him great pleasure.

A.C. became a full-time resident of Martha’s Vineyard in 2009 where he was the Executive Director of the Men’s Bereavement Group of Martha’s Vineyard – a fitting final life’s coda that combined his passion for business with the desire to help those in need.

He is survived by his loving wife, June Myers Miller of West Tisbury, MA; his daughter, Rory Leraris and her husband Mike of New York, NY; his son, Robin and his wife Katelyn of Columbus, OH; his stepsons, Justin and Tobias Myers, Tobias’ wife, Leslie, and Tobias and Leslie’s children, Lily and Tanner of Martha’s Vineyard, MA. He is also survived by his mother, Loretta Miller of Keytesville, MO, and his former wife, Barbara Grable Miller of Washington, DC. A.C. was preceded in death by his father, his sister, Patricia Simmons of Palm Desert, CA, his brother, Dr. William Miller of Keytesville, MO, and his loyal Newfie, Huckleberry.

In lieu of flowers or other tokens of love, A.C.’s family asks that donations be made to Island Hospice, P.O. Box 4188, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Celebrations of A.C.’s life are being planned for the fall on Martha’s Vineyard and in Falls Church, VA.

Editor’s Note: A.C. Miller was an early contributor to the Falls Church Times, writing a series about the CBC – Citizens for a Better City – A Member’s Perspective“ and ”CBC — A Member’s Perspective — Part Two.”

Free to a Good Home

Three cats and three 6-month old kittens are looking for a good home in the Falls Church area. They were born wild, but have been tamed and are good with humans. All but one of the cats gets along with other animals. Another cat will have kittens in the coming weeks. If interested in giving one or more of these cats a good and loving home, please contact Andrew Finein by email at afinein@gmail.com

SATURDAY 7/24: Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The City is hosting the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Property Yard, 7100 Gordon Road.

Household hazardous waste refers to used or leftover contents of consumer products that contain materials with one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste: toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive. Household hazardous wastes, such as cleaners, automotive fluids, herbicides, pesticides, oil-based paints, and thinners should not be disposed with regular trash. Improper disposal of even a small amount of hazardous waste can have major adverse impacts on our air, water, and soil and may result in death or serious bodily injury.

The safest way for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste is to bring it to one of the City’s collection events or to the permanent collection facility in Fairfax County, free of charge. (The City’s fee to dispose of residential refuse at the Fairfax County Transfer Station entitles City residents to use the Fairfax County Facility.) The household hazardous waste is disposed or recycled according to local, state and federal regulations.

Items marked “YES” in the second column may be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Permanent Collection Site or to a Collection Event.

Material Accepted at HHW Collection

or Permanent Facility? Additional Instructions

Acids YES

Aerosol sprays YES

Ammunition or explosives NO Call the City Police Department 703-241-5053

Automotive: gasoline, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil YES* *diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil may be recycled in the used motor oil area of the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Batteries: alkaline (A, AA, C, D etc.), carbon zinc NO Dispose of alkaline and carbon zinc batteries in the regular trash

Batteries: button (hearing aid and watch), rechargeable (NiCd, Ni-MH, Li-ion) YES Rechargeable batteries may also be taken to the collection box under the Police Dispatch window in City Hall

Batteries: Lead acid (SSLA, Pb), including vehicle (car, boat, motorcycle) YES* Recycle at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Bathroom and kitchen cleaning products:ammonia based cleaners, drain cleaners, most bathroom cleaners NO Pour ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners and most bathroom cleaners down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains or on the ground.

Cleaning products: polishes, rust removers, floor care products YES

Coal tar products (driveway, foundation and roof sealers) YES

Compressed gas cylinders NO Return to point of purchase. Also see “Gas Propane Tanks.”

Computers, TVs and Electronics NO Bring them to a City of Falls Church Recycling Extravaganza or a Fairfax County Event.

Creosote products (wood treatment products, wood sealers) YES

Fireworks and Flares NO Dispose of legal fireworks and flares in trash after first soaking in water. Contact the Fire Department, 703-221-0106, regarding illegal fireworks.

Fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and compact) YES

Gas propane tanks, small hand-type torches YES* *Tanks up to 20 pounds such as those used on gas grills may be recycled at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax) for a fee.

*Return to point of purchase. Tanks over 20 pounds are not accepted at the Permanent Collection Facility.

Glue, solvent-based YES

Glue, water-based NO Dispose of in the trash.

Home renovation: varnish and stains, driveway sealers YES Also see “Paint”

Inks and dyes YES

Medicines NO DO NOT flush unused medicines down the toilet. NEVER pour products down storm drains or dump on the ground. Throw unwanted medicines in the trash. Cross out your name and phone number, duct-tape the container closed and place in the trash as close to collection time as possible. Do not put containers containing medicine in the recycling. Also see “Syringes, needles and other medical sharps”.

Mercury products YES

Moth balls YES

Nail polish, nail polish remover YES

Oven cleaner YES

Paint, latex (water-based) NO DRY latex paint may be safely disposed of in the regular trash. To dry the paint, add sand, kitty litter, or a paint hardener to the can. Place dry paint cans next to your trash can on collection day. NEVER leave wet paint out for collection.

Paint, oil-based and paint thinner YES

Photographic mixes NO Diluted developers, fixers, etc. can be poured down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains.

Poisons YES

Pool chemicals YES

Radioactive materials NO

See Fairfax County’s list of Hazardous Waste Disposal Companies under Business Hazardous Waste.

Shoe Polish NO Dispose of in the trash.

Smoke alarms NO Dispose of in the trash or send back to the manufacturer. Recycle rechargeable batteries contained inside. Also see “Batteries, rechargeable.”

Syringes, needles and other medical sharps NO Dispose of in the trash after placing them in an empty jar with screw-on lid or a soda bottle with a screw-on lid. Mark the container “residential sharps.”

Yard care products: fertilizers (lawn and garden, tree spikes) NO Dispose of in the trash. NEVER put products down storm drains.

Yard care products: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, weed killers YES

Permanent Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility

4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA

703-324-5068 (TTY 711)

Directions: take I-66 west to Route 50 west. Continue west and then go south on West Ox Road. Located on the right, just past the county’s Fire Training Academy and before Costco.

Hours of Operation

Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Waste should not be left at the facility at any other time.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

City of Falls Church Recycling Center and Property Yard (217 Gordon Road) 703-248-5176 (TTY 711)

Directions: Heading west on Route 7, go through the traffic light at Birch Street and turn left onto Gordon Road. The Property Yard is on the right. Gordon Road is directly across from the West Falls Shopping Center (Giant) and next to the Don Beyer Volvo Dealer on Route 7.

Next Event: July 24, 2010, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Procedures for Packing and Transporting Household Hazardous Waste

• Keep products in their original containers. Do not mix products. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. Label materials that are not in their original containers.

• Place leaking containers in a larger, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

• Secure products upright in a cardboard box. Do not transport products in plastic bags.

• Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported in car passenger compartment.

• Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition. Do not smoke.

SATURDAY 7/24: White Elephant Sale, Luncheon at Masonic Lodge

The public is invited to a white elephant sale and luncheon on Saturday, July 24, from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Kemper-Macon Ware Lodge, 411 Little Falls Street. The event is sponsored by Unity #201 Order of the Eastern Star. Donations are welcome.

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