Williamsburg Notebook: Holiday Fire Safety Tips, Pita Pit Open for Business

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, December 23, 2011

It’s officially time to celebrate the holidays, but the Williamsburg Fire Department has some helpful tips for fire safety to make sure the season stays merry and bright. Pita Pit hosted a ribbon cutting this past week, and is open for business in Tribe Square. Read on for more details.

City Offers Holiday Fire Prevention Tips

More fires occur at home during the holidays than any other time of the year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The Williamsburg Fire Department offers some simple tips for keeping your home and family safe:

• Don’t place real trees near heat sources, including fireplaces or heat vents. The heat dries the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited.

• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. Leave trees curbside before 7 a.m. on Jan. 2 or 9 for free city pickup.

• Don’t link more than three light strands unless directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Periodically check the wires to ensure they are not warm to the touch.

• Before using a turkey fryer, read the guidelines for safety.

• Avoid using lit candles, but if you do, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down.

• Never leave the house with candles burning, and never put lit candles on a tree.

• Do not go near a live Christmas tree with an open flame.

Pita Pit Opens with Ribbon Cutting

Pita Pit opened its doors in Tribe Square last week, offering Mediterranean-inspired food served in pita pockets.

The restaurant also has a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, along with self-serve frozen yogurt. It faces Richmond Road on the ground floor of Tribe Square, a mixed-use retail and college residential development located across the street from The College of William and Mary’s main campus.

Tribe Square has free parking behind the building. Pictured in the photo, left to right, are owners Sue Twine, Kimberly Felt and Brandon Twine with Nancy Buchanan, executive director of the William and Mary Real Estate Foundation, and Williamsburg Vice Mayor Paul Freiling.

Youth Dance Classes Available

The Winter 2012 schedule for Youth Dance Classes is now available on Williamsburg’s Parks and Recreation website.

Classes include Pre-Ballet for ages 3-4; Pre-Tap for ages 3-4; Ballet for ages 5 to 9; and Tap for ages 5 to 9. Pre-Ballet and Ballet classes are filled from a waiting list. To be placed on the waiting list, call 259-3760. Priority registration is given to existing students.