Centreville Day: Swordsmen, Parade, Music and Tightrope Walker
Centreville Day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
The leaves are starting to change colors and the weather’s turning cooler. That means it’s time for the 23rd annual Centreville Day celebration.
Fairfax Fall Festival on Oct. 10
Come one, come all to the 39th annual Fairfax Fall Festival. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., (rain date, Oct. 11) in downtown City of Fairfax and promises fun for everyone.
Marsh Leads Fair Oaks District Police Station
Keeping officers happy and the community safe.
The Fair Oaks District Police Station running smoothly, due to its officers as well as the man at the helm, Capt. Chris Marsh.
‘We Made a Difference’
Girls raise money for animal shelter.
Take two girls, add in compassion, determination and a love for animals, and the result is a successful fundraiser for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Chantilly Snapshot: Officer of the Month
PFC Brian Rochefort (on left) receives the Officer of the Month certificate from 1st Lt. Matt Owens.
Centreville/Chantilly: ‘I’ll See You in the Community’
Flanking Supervisor Frey are his staff members Kathy Buckley and Mike Coyle.
Overwhelmed after hearing the lavish praised bestowed on him by the community Friday night for his 24 years of service, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) stepped to the podium to respond.
Centreville/Chantilly: ‘The Epitome of a Leader’
Michael Frey honored as Sully’s longtime supervisor.
Heartfelt accolades, fond memories and good-natured ribbing marked Friday night’s Roast and Boast for Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully).
Fairfax: Keeping Officers Happy and the Community Safe
Capt. Chris Marsh leads Fair Oaks District Station.
The Fair Oaks District Police Station is humming along smoothly, due to its officers as well as the man at the helm, Capt. Chris Marsh. Altogether, he’s worked nearly 23 years in the Fairfax County Police Department.
Fairfax: Council Hears about Two Road Projects
Both are geared toward future development.
In 2014, Gov. McAuliffe signed House Bill 2 (HB2) into law. It requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to develop a prioritization process for making funding decisions for the statewide Six Year Improvement Program.
Duck Donuts Opens in the City of Fairfax
At first glance, Duck Donuts seems like a funny name for a doughnut shop. But those familiar with the legendary doughnut store in Duck, N.C. – from which it gets its name – know it’s the real deal.
Fairfax City Council Approves Project to Build 80 Condos
Although there were problems along the way, the Fairfax City Council last week gave the go-ahead for a residential development called The Enclave to be built at the Mantua Professional Center on Pickett Road.
Mountain View High School: Helping Students Reach Their Goals
Gary Morris takes the reins at Mountain View High.
Gary Morris is Mountain View High School’s new principal. But before he became an educator, he was a professional football player.
Chantilly's Sully Historical Site: Where History Is ‘Touchable’
Celebrating 40th anniversary of Sully Historic Site’s restoration.
The Sully Historic Site in Chantilly provides a window into late 18th-century life in Northern Virginia. And on Sunday, Sept. 6, volunteers, visitors and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its restoration.
Fairfax: Enjoying Music, Relaxation and Fun
Customers create like crazy at Paint Your Own Pottery.
Sporting the slogan, “Create Like Crazy,” Paint Your Own Pottery is proving to be popular with both individuals and groups as a destination for fun. And it’s right in downtown Fairfax.
Fairfax: ‘Privileged to Join the Lanier Family’
Lenart takes reins at middle school.
Erin Lenart, Lanier Middle School’s new principal, always pictured herself as an educator. Raised in Tennessee, her first dream was to become a teacher.
Centreville/Chantilly: The Sweet Sounds of Summer
Franklin Middle holds annual band and orchestra camp.
Each summer, students flock to Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp to fine-tune their musical skills and learn new ones. And Camp Director Lawrence Walker bases one of his philosophies for it on a simple proverb.
Centreville/Chantilly: Students Improve Music Skills, Make New Friends at Orchestra Camp
Learning’s fun at band and orchestra camp.
Whatever their reasons were for attending Franklin Middle School’s Band & Orchestra Camp, the results for the students were the same — knowledge, improvement and fun. Rocky Run Middle seventh-grader Alexander Alvarez and his sister Christina, a Poplar Tree Elementary sixth-grader, attended for the first time. Both play clarinet and had a great time there.
Centreville: ‘He Fought with Honor, Dignity’
Sully Police Sgt. Ryan Lindenbaum loses battle with cancer.
Friends, family and the Fairfax County Police Department said goodbye to one of their own this week when Sgt. Ryan Matthew Lindenbaum was laid to rest.
Chantilly: A Glimpse of the Horizon
Homes, shops, restaurants and a Wegmans are proposed.
With the downturn in the office market, developers are looking at vacant parcels of land in the Westfields area of Chantilly as a place for residential and other uses, instead.
Centreville/Chantilly: Moving Forward with Local Road Projects
What’s planned for I-66, Routes 28 and 29, Stone, Walney, etc.
Several local road projects are either underway, in the pipeline or nearing completion.
Oak Hill: Sharing Stories and Emotions in Quilts
The Sacred Threads quilts exhibition comes every two years to Oak Hill’s Floris United Methodist Church. Within each work, the artists tell stories of love, loss, joy, hope, healing and inspiration. The display ran July 10-26.
City of Fairfax Fire Chief Dave Rohr Retires
When Dave Rohr says he and his brothers were “always interested in public safety,” it’s definitely an understatement. All three have had long careers with the Fairfax County Fire Department, and now Rohr, 55, just retired as the City of Fairfax’s fire chief.
Fairfax: Social Painting Can Be an Art
City of Fairfax resident mixes food, drink, art lessons and fun.
When Luc Atangana came to the U.S. from his native Cameroon, Africa, little did he expect to someday make his living as an artist. But that’s exactly what the City of Fairfax resident is doing.
Centre View: Wegmans Grocery Store Proposed
Residents are pleased, but worry about traffic troubles.
The Wegmans grocery store in Fair Oaks has proved to be a hit with local residents. And now plans are afoot to bring a Wegmans to Chantilly, too.
Centre View: ‘It’s Like a Giant Family’
Fair Oaks, Sully districts celebrate National Night Out.
Take some firefighters, law-enforcement personnel and local residents; add in food, fun, handshakes and conversation in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere. Mix well, and the result is National Night Out.
Fairfax City Council Greenlights Old Lee Highway Survey
Questions about project’s scope still remain.
The results are in and City of Fairfax residents have now given their opinions on how best to improve Old Lee Highway. So the Fairfax City Council has authorized a survey of the entire corridor to obtain more information before going further with the project.
Fairfax City Intends to Rewrite its Comprehensive Plan
The City of Fairfax’s Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for future development.
Fairfax: ‘Master Plan Wasn’t Finished Document’
City Council, Planning Commission discuss Fairfax Boulevard’s future.
In April 2012, the City of Fairfax adopted the Master Plan vision for the redevelopment of Fairfax Boulevard. It transformed this 3.5-mile corridor from transportation-oriented to more pedestrian friendly.
Fairfax: New Funding Rules for Road Projects
City must amend its Comprehensive Plan to qualify for state money.
There are now new rules jurisdictions have to follow to get state money for transportation projects. So if the City of Fairfax wants to obtain future funding, it’ll have to make some changes.
Centreville: Homes Instead of Offices at Trinity Centre
Developer wants to build 355 apartments at the Trinity Centre.
As the area office market continues to stall, more and more land-use applications are proposing to replace planned office uses with residential communities. One of the latest proposals is at the Trinity Centre, off Route 29, in Centreville.
Chantilly: Getting a Look At Officer Training
Residents tour county’s Criminal Justice Academy.
About 30 local residents recently got a behind-the-scenes look at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy. They learned what recruits go through to become police officers and participated in a training scenario.
Centre View: ‘Impeccable Work Ethic’
Police PFC Earl Culbertson is honored as the Officer of the Month.
Reliable, a team player and a skilled motorcycle rider — that’s how Lt. Tim Burgess describes police PFC Earl D. Culbertson. In fact, as Culbertson’s supervisor, Burgess thinks so highly of him that he nominated him for Officer of the Month.
Fairfax Residents Have Concerns about 80-Condo Project
Worried about water runoff, building height and view.
Although IDI-RJL Development LLC hoped the Fairfax City Council would green-light its condo project in June, both the Council members and local residents voiced many concerns.
Centre View: Wanted: 2,300 School Backpacks
WFCM asks community to help local children in need.
Once again, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting new backpacks for local students in need. Its goal is to provide backpacks for 2,300 qualified, low- income children attending schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids.
Centreville/Chantilly: Recognizing Local Police and Firefighters
A look at Centreville High’s First Responders Support Club.
High schools offer a variety of extracurricular clubs for students, such as chess, language and robotics. But at Centreville High, students may also join the First Responders Support Club.
Fairfax: Family, Friends Raise Cancer-Research Funds in Jimmy Breslin’s Name
A Fairfax County firefighter for 28 years, Jimmy Breslin died of cancer last year at age 55, but he’s never far from the thoughts of his friends and family. And in tribute to him, they raise money for and participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Lower Water Bills for City of Fairfax Residents
Fairfax Water equalizes rates 18 months earlier than expected.
Usually, as time goes on, people end up paying higher prices for everything. But that’s not the case for residents of the City of Fairfax. From now on, their water bills will be lower.
Centreville: Commendation for ‘Job Well Done’
APO Tony Gul is honored as Officer of the Month.
Auxiliary Police Officer Tauheed “Tony) Gul” was recently honored as the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee Officer of the Month. And in the letter nominating him, his supervisor, Lt. Tim Burgess, explained why. “APO Gul has demonstrated strong teamwork traits, contributing significantly to community activities in the Sully District,” wrote Burgess. “He volunteered 298 hours of time in 2014, including events like Touch a Truck, DWI checkpoints and patrols.”
Centreville: Music, Laughter and a Flying Car
Alliance Theatre presents “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts rescues an old race car from a junk heap, he decides to restore it with his children’s help. Little does he know then that it has the magical ability to fly and float. And once word gets out, an evil baron tries to get the car for himself.
Centreville: ‘She Started Shoving Me’
Kathy Smith assaulted while campaigning; woman arrested.
Add political campaigning to the list of things that can be hazardous to one’s health. At least that’s what Fairfax County Board of Supervisors hopeful Kathy Smith found out last Saturday. “I’m OK,” she said afterward. “But it was a scary situation.” So scary, in fact, that a local woman was arrested and charged with assaulting her and preventing her from making a 911 call.
City of Fairfax Theatre Company Presents “Hairspray”
Good morning, Baltimore. It’s 1962 and overweight white teen Tracy Turnblad is thrilled when her dancing talent lands her a spot on the Corny Collins TV show.
Fairfax: ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ Plus Magic
Robinson senior has title role in “Mary Poppins.”
Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 50, Westfield Summer Stage is bringing the beloved Disney musical, “Mary Poppins,” to life. And playing the lead role is a rising senior at Robinson Secondary School.
Centreville/Chantilly: Frey Says, ‘It’s Been A Good Run’
Frey gives his final “State of Sully” address.
With Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) opting not to run for re-election, his recent State of Sully address may well be his last one. He gave it June 24 to the Sully District Council of Citizens Association.
Chantilly: ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ Plus Magic
Westfield Summer Stage presents “Mary Poppins.”
Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 50, Westfield Summer Stage is bringing the Disney musical, “Mary Poppins,” to life. This production also marks 15 years of summer musicals for this local, theater group.
Residents Mull Proposed Options to Improve Old Lee Highway
Since Old Lee Highway is one of the main streets of the City of Fairfax, its citizens have a vested interest in how well it looks and functions. So they’re being involved in its revitalization.
Fairfax: Fireworks, Firefighters and Fun
Fairfax Fourth of July includes a parade and music, too.
Come one, come all, to the City of Fairfax’s 49th annual Fourth of July celebration. The festivities include a gigantic parade, a Firefighters’ Muster, live music and a spectacular fireworks display.
Centreville: ‘Let Your Experience Shape Your Future’
Centreville High Class of 2015 graduates.
Dave Jagels has only been Centreville High’s principal since January, but he’s already become a proud Wildcat. And his feelings were evident during the school’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, at GMU’s Patriot Center.
Centre View: Angel Fund Receives $10,000
During the June 13 Remembrance Cabaret for Westfield High grad/Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha, New York Life presented a $10,000 grant to Angel Fund.
‘Always a Part of the Family’
Students graduate from Mountain View High.
Mountain View High graduations always tug at the heartstrings. That’s because the students have had to overcome so much to reach that finish line.
Chantilly: Remembering Reema in Song and Dance
8th Annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha was June 13 at Westfield High.