Thursday, December 7, 2006

Stargazers Invited to See Geminid Meteor Shower

Stargazers can gather from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cub Run RECenter's Sully Woodlands, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, to view the Geminid meteor shower. The park offers one of the darkest locations in the area, and the moon will be waning.

If the weather is clear, those conditions will allow observers to see many meteors.

The Geminids, which seem to radiate from Gemini, appear during the second week of December. During the peak Wednesday, as many as 160 shooting stars may be seen each hour. The cost is $4 per child and $2 per adult; reservations are required.

For information, call 703-817-9407. Bring a flashlight.

Updating and strengthening the state plan for vocational rehabilitation and allied programs run by the Department of Rehabilitative Services will be the topic of a public hearing from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Conference Rooms 2 and 3 of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy.

The plan describes how employment and rehabilitative services are provided. Public input will be helpful in developing priorities and shaping the plan for 2008. Sign language services will be provided.

The state plan can be reviewed at http://www.vadrs.org/stateplan.htm. Written feedback must be sent by March 15 to elizabeth.smith@drs.virginia.gov.

For information, call Elizabeth Smith at 800-552-5019, TTY 804-662-9040.

Registration for adult and community education (ACE) classes at Fairfax public schools in winter and spring is underway. The course catalog is also available at ACE registration centers and at the county's public libraries. Class information may also be found at http://www.fcps.edu/aceclasses.

The Fairfax County Park Authority board has adopted the 2006-10 strategic plan.

The document was developed through workshops with the Park Authority's board and staff members. The plan is at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/strategicplan0610.htm. For information, call 703-324-8665.

A law enforcement and corrections career fair is to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, 14601 Lee Rd., Chantilly.

Recruiters from the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office and the Fairfax County, Herndon and Vienna police departments will be present. Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese translators will be on-site.

The career fair is being hosted in conjunction with a Criminal Justice Academy open house, featuring tours of academy facilities and displays of equipment.