Caring for People with Alzheimers, Dementia
As the number of senior citizens in Fairfax County continues to rise, so does the need for assisted-living facilities — and especially those focusing on people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. That’s why Artisan Land Group LLC wants to build just that in Chantilly.
Gerhard Honored as Officer of Month
As the Sully District Police Station’s crime-prevention officer, PFC Tara Gerhard normally knows in advance who’ll be honored as the station’s Officer of the Month at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings. But until the Jan. 8 meeting began, that name was kept under wraps. That’s because the person honored last Wednesday was she.
Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress
Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.
Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Roundups
Crime Solvers Needs Help
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is seeking the public’s help in identifying whoever broke into a construction building and trailers in Chantilly and stole at least $15,000 in copper wire and caused about $60,000 in damage to the structures.
Board of Supervisors OKs Roundabout
It’s a go for the controversial roundabout planned for construction at the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection next to Cox Farms in Centreville. Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed Supervisor Michael R. Frey’s (R-Sully) motion of “no opposition” to it, by an 8-2 vote.
Residents Warned of Scam
Residents, beware. There’s a new scam happening in the local area and PFC Tara Gerhard, crime prevention officer with the Sully District Police Station, wants people to know about it.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.
‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award
Glen McCarthy vying for first-ever music-educator honor.
Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then – yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.
‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award
Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then — yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.
Roundups for 1/8/14
Roundups for 1/8/14
Two Fires in Same Night
Local firefighters had their hands full, Saturday, Dec. 28, battling two residential fires in western Centreville on the same night. Both happened between 7 and 8 p.m.
Music Educator Award Details and Prizes
This award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who’ve made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
Celebrating Legacy of Martin Luther King
For 20 years now, the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement (CPMSAC) Committee has celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Chantilly High Students Win State-wide Teen Stylin' Awards
Chantilly High students Mia Rickenbach and Diana Tsoy won design awards recently in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) Teen Stylin’ program. Both created dresses based on museum works of art.
Wrapping up Joy for Christmas
Students, Scouts, police brighten holiday at Hanley Shelter.
The children living in the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter may not have many possessions; but on Christmas Day, they had presents.
Cookies, Cookies Everywhere
Centreville High SGA members brought in and packaged 6,240 cookies on Dec. 12 to donate to Our Neighbor’s Child for local families in need.
Library Has Some Helpful Friends
Everyone needs friends, even a library. And the Friends of the Centreville Regional Library provide an invaluable service by buying items the library needs, but Fairfax County doesn’t fund.
Wrapping up Joy for Christmas
Students, Scouts, police brighten holiday at Hanley Shelter.
The children living in the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter may not have many possessions; but on Christmas Day, they had presents. The gifts were donated by a variety of groups, including the Fair Oaks District Police Station and Chantilly High’s photography students.
‘What’s Better than Helping Someone Have a Home?’
Reston company’s employees help Habitat renovate a house.
Not everyone has the money to buy a home. But thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (HHNV) and some willing volunteers from a company in Reston, a family will be able to buy a house in Centreville at an affordable price. On a recent weekday, 15 people were hard at work renovating and repairing it to make it livable. Built in 1971, it’s a two-story, three-bedroom house.
DiCenzo Has Bright Vision for Fairfax
Getting to know the high school’s new theater director.
As theater teacher and director at Fairfax High, Erich DiCenzo is exactly where he wants to be. "I have a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater and dance and was a professional actor for eight years, so this is a second career," he said. "I knew I wanted to perform forever, but not make it my living."
Encore Dancers Present ‘Switching Christmas’
Fairfax High student is in new, holiday show.
When a precocious, young girl changes places with a playful elf at the North Pole, things are bound to go awry and only Santa can save the day.
‘It’s Not OK to Turn a Blind Eye to Bullying’
Fairfax High students pledge to stand by each other.
Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County and City of Fairfax schools want to do something about it.
Fairfax High’s Musicians Perform at VMEA Event
For the first time in Fairfax High’s history, the school band’s Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) convention. This year’s event was held Friday, Nov. 22, at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va.
Actively Caring Comes to CVHS
Part of Bullying Awareness Week, AC4P recognizes acts of kindness.
Not bullying means more than just not taunting or hitting someone; it also means being kind and considerate. So it was fitting that members of Virginia Tech’s program, Actively Caring for People (AC4P), shared their message Monday, Nov. 18, during the first day of Cluster VII’s Bullying Awareness Week.
It’s Time to Celebrate Christmas in Clifton
Parade, homes tour to be held on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Twinkling lights, the sound of caroling, a parade on horseback and beautifully decorated houses in a storybook setting – all that and more means Christmas in Clifton. And the public’s invited to join in the fun on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Encouraging People to ‘Live Like Nick Did’
Memorial blood drive, Nov. 30, will honor Nick Franca.
If he’d lived, Nick Franca would be celebrating his 24th birthday on Dec. 4. But the Town of Clifton native and 2009 Centreville High grad died of a form of cancer called neuroblastoma, in May 2011, at age 21.
‘Sassy, Modern Twist’ on a Classic Play
Westfield High presents Shakespeare’s comedy, ‘Twelfth Night.’
A love triangle, comedy, colorful costumes, plot twists and swordfighting — it’s all there in Westfield’s production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”
Local Students Offer Mark Twain Classic
Rocky Run Middle presents ‘Tom Sawyer.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 60, Rocky Run Middle will perform Mark Twain’s classic story of “Tom Sawyer.”
Hersey Honored as Officer of the Month
Praised for dedication and professionalism.
MPO Julie L. Hersey was honored recently as the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee’s Officer of the Month for October. Nominating her for this award was her direct supervisor, 2nd Lt. Michael Reser.
Church, School Provide Food for Students
Not everyone in Fairfax County has enough food to eat. And many students receiving free and reduced-price lunches in school go hungry over the weekend.
Scouts, Volunteers Make Food Drive Successful
The Boy Scouts’ annual Scouting for Food drive was Saturday, Nov. 9.
Schools Take Action Against Bullying
Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax pyramids join forces in initiative.
Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County Public Schools wants to do something about it.
Musical with a Message
Journey ‘Into the Woods’ with Woodson High.
Fairytale characters come to life, but in different and unexpected ways in Woodson High’s upcoming musical, "Into the Woods."
‘It’s a Slapstick Comedy – It’s Going to be Hilarious’
Paul VI performs ‘Christmas Carol: Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts.’
Sure, Paul VI is performing "A Dickens Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts."
Stone’s Honor Students Walk for Homeless
They donate money and food to WFCM.
Sometimes, it takes a child to lead the way. And that’s true when it comes to the students in Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).
‘People Will Have Fun Laughing’
Centreville High presents ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’
Get ready to laugh — Centreville High’s upcoming play, “Lend Me a Tenor,” is a zany comedy filled with mistaken identities and a rollicking good time for the actors and audience alike.
‘Politics Is Nasty Stuff — It’s All Messed Up’
Teens’ impressions of the current election.
Students at Rocky Run Middle School aren’t old enough to vote, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have opinions about Virginia’s election. And the eighth-graders even participated last Thursday-Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, in a mock election at their school.
‘Legend of the Bunnyman’
Music from rock musical being performed locally.
The Bunnyman has been a mysterious figure in local lore for more than 40 years, and now Clifton’s Jim Waters has written a rock musical about him called “Legend of the Bunnyman.”
History for Sojourners
Centreville’s Newgate Tavern receives interpretive signs.
The Newgate Tavern played an important role in Centreville’s history, but the average resident knows little about it. Now, though, thanks to three interpretive signs just placed at its former site in the Historic District, people may visit and learn about what happened there.
Alliance Theatre To Present Children’s Show
‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ takes the stage in November.
Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian the Crab and all the other characters from the popular story and movie are in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.”
Centreville Day Citizen of Year
Harsh honored for work with Brain Foundation.
A Centreville resident since 1973 and someone who’s made a difference in the lives of others, Trudy Harsh was honored Saturday as the 2013 Centreville Day Citizen of the Year.
‘Give them Strength, Fortitude and Compassion’
Criminal Justice Academy graduates 43 officers.
The graduates of the 60th session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy included the police department’s first Asian female, a former fire department deputy chief and a Bulgarian immigrant whose family tended vineyards.
Bridge on Route 29 Set for Replacement
Little Rocky Run span is 81 years old.
Work will begin in a few weeks to replace the Route 29 bridge over the Little Rocky Run stream in Centreville. Besides improving the bridge, itself, the project will also result in a new sidewalk and shared-use path.
Chantilly’s Gabe Luebbe Receives National Honor
Senior named to Army All-American Marching Band.
Not only is Gabe Luebbe a talented and accomplished musician, but he’s now been named a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
Cuccinelli Visits Old Stomping Grounds
Virginia Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli came home to the Centreville/Clifton area Tuesday morning, Nov. 5, visiting some local precincts on Election Day.
‘Legend of the Bunnyman’
Music from rock musical being performed locally.
The Bunnyman has been a mysterious figure in local lore for more than 40 years, and now Clifton’s Jim Waters has written a rock musical about him called "Legend of the Bunnyman."
‘It’s a Really Fun Horror Story’
Robinson presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’
Horror, romance, music – and a hungry, man-eating plant – they’re all in Robinson Secondary’s production of "Little Shop of Horrors."
Donating From the Heart
Redskin, pizza-chain owner team up to help local girl.
“Somebody helped me, so I’m happy to have the opportunity to help someone else and continue the cycle.” —Washington Redskin Pierre Garçon
Halloween Fun at Goblin Gallop
The 20th annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 27, at Fairfax Corner.
Robinson Student Stars in Children’s Show
The Alliance Theatre presents “The Little Mermaid Jr.”
Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian the crab and all the other characters from the popular story and movie are in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” And a Robinson Secondary student has one of the starring roles. Performances are Nov. 9-24 (see box for details) at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court (behind Glory Days Grill) in Centreville. The musical features 10 adults and 35 students in grades three through 12, and Director Maggie Swan says they’re all really talented.