Community Notebook: Surry Siren Tests Today, Water Supply Forum Set for Monday

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Don’t be alarmed if you hear the wailing of sirens around 11 a.m. today; the Surry Power Station sirens are being tested for three minutes, starting at 11:10 a.m. On Thursday, the previously cancelled AVAdventure tour of Williamsburg will take place, introducing 2,000 new William and Mary students to the area. Next Monday, J4C will host a forum on the area’s water supply. Read on for more details about community happenings.

Surry Siren to be Tested Today

A full-scale test of the Early Warning Siren System surrounding the Surry Power Station is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. today.

A steady three-minute tone will be sounded at 61 siren locations within a 10-mile radius of the Surry Nuclear Power Station operated by Dominion Virginia Power. The next test is scheduled for Dec. 14.

AVAdventure Rescheduled for Thursday

An interactive orientation tour of Williamsburg cancelled due to Hurricane Irene has been rescheduled for Thursday.

At 7:30 p.m., 2,000 freshman and new students will simultaneously press “play” on their iPod, smart phones or other mobile devices and begin the William and Mary Orientation AVAdventure, co-sponsored by the city of Williamsburg.

The students will learn about their new residence, tour businesses and travel through the city until the finale at 9:30 p.m. on the William and Mary campus. Read more about the planned adventure here.

J4C to Host Water Supply Forum

J4C is hosting “Water Supply: Do We Have Enough,” a forum scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Monday in Room C at the James City County Community Center.

Three guest speakers will discuss the county’s water needs: James City Service Authority General Manager Larry Foster; Don Phillips, a member of the J4C Water Alternatives Committee and retired research scientist at NASA; and a representative from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The forum will present three perspectives on the water supply, with a focus on a projected 40-year supply deficit for the Peninsula. It aims to provide public information in advance of a public hearing scheduled for the Sept. 27 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Moe’s Benefits CHKD on Monday

Any purchase of a Moe Monday special at Moe’s Southwest Grill made on Monday will benefit Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD).

All nine Hampton Roads area Moe’s, including the Williamsburg location, will donate 20 percent from every purchase to CHKD.

The Moe Monday special includes a burrito, chips and salsa for $5.

Senior Services Coalition Committee Meets Friday

The Senior Services Coalition Steering Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Multipurpose room of Olde Towne Medical Center.

The center is located at 5249 Olde Towne Road, inside the James City County Human Services Building. For more information, call 757-220-3480.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hosts Mentor Rally

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula will host a rally for supporters and prospective mentors from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hampton Teen Center.

The rally will be the culminating event of “The Amazing Little Race,” which kicks off at The Great Wolf Lodge. Teams of Bigs and Littles will race to complete challenges at five “pit stops” across Hampton Roads.

The Finale Rally will feature games and snacks, along with music by a free DJ. Prospective mentors will have the opportunity to meet BBBS staff and matches to learn more about volunteering.

4-H Peninsula Offers Therapy Dog Training

4-H Peninsula PetPals Therapy dog training will teach youth how to help their dogs interact safely with nursing home residents, hospital patients, young children and other groups that might benefit from visits with dogs.

The program is open to youth ages 9-18 who have a dog, one year old by November, that gets along with other people and dogs. Participants must be willing to commit at least 15 hours to complete training and conduct club visits.

The training program costs $85, including a $25 deposit that will be returned upon completion of 15 hours of Peninsula PetPals visits. The fee is nonrefundable if a dog does not pass the test.

An information session will be offered from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. The sessions will be held at the same time on Tuesdays from Sept. 20 to Nov. 29, skipping Nov. 22. For more information, contact Extension Agent Jeremy Johnson at 757-564-2170 or email jejohns1@vt.edu.

NetworkWilliamsburg Launches Season of Thanks

NetworkWilliamsburg is honoring the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by launching its “Season of Thanks.”

Beginning Sept. 11 through Nov. 24, NetworkWilliamsburg will give local nonprofits registered with the organization an opportunity to thank the community with a picture and a short “thank you note” on its website. On Nov. 25, all the photos will be shared on NetworkWilliamsburg’s Facebook page. Community members will have a chance to vote for their favorite picture/caption and the nonprofit with the most “likes” will win a cash prize.

Click here for more information.

Dominion Contributes to Hurricane Irene Victims

The Dominion Foundation contributed $210,000 to organizations helping victims of Hurricane Irene in four states, including Virginia.

The contributions include $50,000 to the American Red Cross, Coastal Virginia Chapter, that serves the Historic Triangle, along with $50,000 to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund.

Sign Up Now for Kiwanis Sporting Clays Fundraiser

The Kiwanis Club of the Colonial Capital is sponsoring its third annual Straight Shot Sporting Clays event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 5 at Old Forge Sporting Clays Range in Providence Forge.

Participants compete in teams of four for a fee of $500, which includes all ammunition, clay targets, a gift bag, a box lunch and a barbeque dinner. All of the proceeds fund Kiwanis programs for youth in the Historic Triangle.

To sign up, contact Chris Beal at 787-897-1317 or e-mail crbeal1234@yahoo.com.

Colonial National Historical Park Waives Entrance Fees Sept. 24

All National Park service sites, including Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield, will offer free admission Sept. 24 for National Public Lands Day.

The free entrance is part of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s initiative to encourage Americans to visit national parks.

Cook Joins WCHF as Program Officer

Kyra Cook has joined the staff of the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation as a program officer, the WCHF announced last week. Cook will manage a portfolio of grants and community outreach efforts.

Cook previously served as manager of the Historic Triangle Collaborative, and prior to that, was manager of the Historic Triangle Host Committee that coordinated the 400th anniversary of Jamestown’s founding.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree from the College of William and Mary.