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Parks

County opens two new turf fields

The Fairfax County Park Authority opened synthetic turf sports fields Saturday in Baileys Crossroads and Chantilly. The park system now has 22 turf fields, all of which have been installed since 2003.

A 180-foot by 340-foot soccer field opened at Baileys Elementary School, at 6111 Knollwood Drive in Falls Church, and an oversized multi-sport field is now in place at Greenbriar Park, at 4601 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly. The two fields cost $1.9 million to construct and were funded with park bonds.

Reston

LED streetlights in test phase

Ten streetlights in Reston will serve as the testing ground for more energy-efficient lighting. Fairfax County is replacing existing metal halide streetlights with those using light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.

LED lighting is considered more environmentally friendly because it uses less electricity and does not contain toxins, therefore making it easier to recycle, according to Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), who advocated the test project. County officials will use the pilot program to determine if the lighting also saves money.

The lights will be installed on Bluemont Way between Library Street and Reston Parkway later this month.

County

Apply to join managed

deer hunt

Fairfax County is accepting applications from hunters through Nov. 1 to participate in two managed deer hunts in December. Managed hunts are one component of the county's deer management program, which was developed in the late 1990s.

Deer overpopulation in the county harms foliage in forests and private property, contributes to the spread of Lyme disease and often results in property damage, according to the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council's 2008 annual report. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 deer-vehicle collisions a year occur in the county.

The hunts will be Dec. 4 at Meadowood Farm and Dec. 16 at Riverbend Park.

Participants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid hunting license and take a safety course. Participants will be selected via lottery. See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/deer/managed-hunts.htm for full details about the hunt.

McLean

New support group

for adult caregivers

Home Care Assistance in McLean has recently formed a support group for adult children providing care for elderly parents. Meetings are scheduled for the last Wednesday of every month, beginning at 7 p.m. at 6723 Curran St., McLean. The first meeting is Oct. 28. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Monday, by e-mail at smilligan@homecare

assistance.com or by phone, 703-356-4333. Home Care Assistance is a non-medical, in-home care agency servicing Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Fairfax

Inova Hospital

given top marks

If you plan on getting sick anytime soon, Fairfax County is a great place to be. That's the word from Healthgrades, an independent health care-ratings organization that recently ranked Inova Fairfax Hospital among the nation's best for cardiac, stroke and gastrointestinal care.

According to the Healthgrades study, Inova Fairfax is the top facility in Virginia to visit if you've suffered a heart attack or stroke. The 2010 hospital ratings and more information about the study can be found at www.healthgrades.com.

Parks

We all scream

for ‘Howloween'

The Fairfax County Park Authority is calling all costumed canines to a "Howloween" Dog Costume Contest between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday at Lake Accotink Park, at 7500 Accotink Park Road, in Springfield. Pet owners can show off their dogs' talents and sense of style, then walk the canines through the "bone yard" to sniff out well-earned treats. The cost is $6 per dog; all dogs must be leashed. Humans can play a round of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf from 6 to 9 p.m., ride the spooky carousel and join in storytelling over a cup of hot chocolate around a lakeside bonfire. The fee is $6 per person. Call 703-569-0285.

Annandale

Food, fun on tap

at Fall Festival

Bring your appetite and a trusty pair of sneakers to the Annandale Fall Festival and Parade from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot in front of Safeway on Little River Turnpike. The parade steps off from 10 a.m. to noon up Columbia Pike. Sample culinary dishes from all over the globe at the festival's food court, better known as the Taste of Annandale. Activities include a sticky wall, moon bounce and obstacle course, and more adventurous types can try bungee jumping or riding a mechanical bull. The event is sponsored by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Annandale. Visit www.annandale

chamber.com for more information.