Wootton, Whitman Win Cappie Awards
Two local schools won acting awards at the 14th annual Cappies Gala, Sunday night, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
CPMSAC Presents 28th Annual Youth Awards Program
Before the start of Saturday’s 28th annual Youth Motivation and Academic Awards program for middle- and high-school students, Johnny Nelson texted his two grown children.
Two Students Win Best in Show Awards
Students Shine in Ceramics Competition
Centreville High School students won three of the 15 awards presented recently at an annual, high-school ceramics competition sponsored by The Clay Connection. These included two out of the three Best in Show honors.
Eyes on the Prize: Angel Fund Goals
Angel Fund President Lu Ann McNabb thought of Reema Samaha as a daughter so, for her, the annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema is personal. It also raises money for a cause hoping to help young people deal with mental-health issues, thereby averting any future tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.
Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is June 15.
The annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is a time when people honor the memory of a talented young woman who died in the Virginia Tech tragedy. It’s also an evening packed with singing, dancing, comedy sketches and fun.
Adam’s Angels Hosts 5K Fundraiser
Raises money for scholarships and heart research.
With his life stretched out before him, this would have been the spring Adam Seymour graduated from Lynchburg College. Instead, it’s time for an annual 5K race in his memory—but one whose proceeds may help save other lives.
Bite Me Cancer Fundraiser
Fun activities planned for children and adults.
When she was 17, Chantilly’s Nikki Ferraro was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. It wasn’t what she’d planned, but she attacked it head-on and continued fighting for others battling the same disease.
A Time of Remembrance
Memorial Day ceremony held at Ox Hill Battlefield Park.
The Battle of Ox Hill was fought Sept. 1, 1862 in a torrential thunderstorm. When it ended, two key Union generals were dead and more than 1,500 soldiers had been killed or wounded. It’s the only major Civil War battle that occurred in Fairfax County.
Bus-Transfer Building and Project Details
Part of the Stringfellow Road park-and-ride lot expansion will be the construction of a 1,345-square-foot bus-transfer building. Architect John Wirth, of Ritter Architects, talked about it during last week’s public meeting.
‘We’re Making All the Sacrifices’
Residents say Stringfellow Road park-and-ride expansion will worsen traffic troubles.
At first glance, Fairfax County’s plan to expand the park-and-ride lot at Stringfellow Road and Fair Lakes Boulevard in Chantilly doesn’t seem controversial. The idea is to add more parking spaces, three new bus bays and a small, transit-center building.
Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter
Wine-tasting event slated for June 9.
Each year, the nonprofit Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FFCAS) raises money to pay for things the shelter can’t afford. And in June, it holds a wine tasting and invites the public to participate.
A Time of Remembrance
Memorial Day ceremony held at Ox Hill Battlefield Park.
The Battle of Ox Hill was fought Sept. 1, 1862 in a torrential thunderstorm. When it ended, two key Union generals were dead and more than 1,500 soldiers had been killed or wounded.
Robinson Student Receives Scholarship
Maritza Villarroel honored by Hispanic Leadership Alliance.
Just 18, Robinson Secondary senior Maritza Villarroel plans to go to college and someday become a nurse. And thanks to a scholarship from the Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA), she’ll soon start her journey.
Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter
Each year, the nonprofit Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FFCAS) raises money to pay for things the shelter can’t afford. And in June, it holds a wine-tasting and invites the public to participate. In past years, it’s been at a beverage store. “But this time, we’re doing something totally different,” said FFCAS President Evelyn Grieve. “We’re having it at Paradise Springs Winery. And besides the wine-tasting, there’ll be appetizers, desserts and a raffle.”
The Power of Persistence
New laws will deal with mental health, campus safety.
In a little over a month, two new bills dealing with mental health and college safety will take effect in Virginia. And both are a result of the work of two members of the Angel Fund board and a small group of politicians.
From the Performers’ Point of View
Singers, musicians talk about Chantilly’s upcoming show.
Performing in Chantilly High’s annual Jazz & Pizzazz show is more than being a student entertaining the community; it’s also about carrying on a tradition for more than a quarter of a century.
Centreville, Westfield Garner Cappies Nods
‘Cabaret’ and ‘Flowers for Algernon’ are honored.
When the winners are announced during the 14th annual Cappies Gala, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., students from Centreville and Westfield high schools will be there, eager for the results.
Family and Friends Mourn Trish Stach
Centreville woman dies on Mother’s Day.
It’s bad enough to lose a wife and mother; having her die on Mother’s Day only makes it worse. But on Sunday, May 12, Centreville’s Trish Stach lost her battle with breast cancer at age 59. She’d fought the disease for 15 years and ultimately died of complications from it.
Singers, Dancers, Musicians Galore
Chantilly’s annual Jazz & Pizzazz is May 29-June 1.
Chantilly High’s Jazz & Pizzazz isn’t just any musical-entertainment show. It’s a high-octane, raise-the-roof extravaganza featuring award-winning singers and dancers in colorful and energetic spectacle. This year’s event, the 27th annual, runs Wednesday-Saturday, May 29, 30 and 31 and June 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at www.ChantillyChoral.org. They’re also available at the door, but Friday and Saturday nights usually sell out, so advance purchases are recommended for those shows.
Three Musicals Garner Cappies Nods
Fairfax, Woodson, Paul VI are all recognized.
When the winners are announced during the 14th annual Cappies Gala, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., students from Fairfax, Woodson and Paul VI high schools will be there, eager for the results. That’s because each school was nominated for awards for their musicals.
Chantilly’s Next Stop: The Kennedy Center
Funny, heartwarming play receives 11 Cappie nominations.
Chantilly High’s Cappies play was called, “You Can’t Take It with You.” But if all goes well for the school at next month’s Cappies ceremony, Chantilly could take home some trophies for its side-splitting play. It received 11 nominations, and all the high-school theater winners will be unveiled, June 9, during the 14th annual Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Centreville, Westfield Garner Cappies Nods
‘Cabaret’ and ‘Flowers for Algernon’ are honored.
When the winners are announced during the 14th annual Cappies Gala, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., students from Centreville and Westfield high schools will be there, eager for the results. That’s because both schools were nominated for awards for their Cappies shows. Centreville received nominations for its high-spirited musical, “Cabaret,” and Westfield was recognized for its touching play, “Flowers for Algernon.”
It’s on to The Kennedy Center
Robinson’s musical, “Hairspray,” nominated for eight Cappies.
Each year, the Cappies program honors the best in high-school theater, and Robinson Secondary’s high-octane musical, “Hairspray,” has been nominated for eight awards.
Telford Receives Weinberg Triumph of Spirit Award
The annual Race for Hope in Washington, D.C., raises money for brain tumor research and, for 10 years now, the Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Triumph of Spirit Award has been given at that event to a deserving recipient.
Music, Food, Entertainment and Fun
Israel Street Festival this Sunday at Fairfax Corner.
The Fairfax Corner shopping center is the place to be this Sunday, May 19, from noon-5 p.m., when the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia holds its 2013 Israel Street Festival. Music, food, children’s activities and a martial-arts demonstration are among the highlights.
BIG Fun Ride
Tall, short, stocky, thin, disabled or not, children love to play—and that’s the premise behind Chessie’s BIG Backyard in Lee District Park in Alexandria. It’s a family recreation area that opened last summer and is fully accessible.
Celebrating Chantilly Day
The second annual Chantilly Day celebration was Saturday, May 4, in the Sully Place Shopping Center.
Walker Meets Conviction After 2012 Murder
He killed Centreville woman in January 2012
Right from the start, Benjamin Luke Walker admitted he’d done wrong. He took the life of a 22-year-old Centreville woman and, for that, he was sentenced to nearly a half-century behind bars.
Telford Receives Spirit Award
Fair Lakes resident honored at Race for Hope.
The annual Race for Hope in Washington, D.C., raises money for brain-tumor research and, for 10 years now, the Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Triumph of Spirit Award has been given at that event to a deserving recipient. This year, the award was presented May 5 at the race’s starting line to Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford. Although battling brain cancer, herself, she created her own fundraising organization, Team BT, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
STEM Scholarships Presented
Systems Furniture Gallery sponsored the education awards given during the Saturday, May 4, Chantilly Day celebration. Owner Bob Kessler presented three, $1,000 STEM scholarships (science, technology, engineering and math) to local, graduating seniors.
PUT Riders Return Home
The annual Police Unity Tour bike ride was May 10-12, from Richmond to Charlottesville, Warrenton and Centreville and on to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. It raised money and awareness for the Memorial fund and National Law Enforcement Museum honoring federal, state and local law enforcement officers who’ve died in the line of duty.
Music, Food and Entertainment
Israel Street Festival this Sunday at Fairfax Corner.
The Fairfax Corner shopping center is the place to be this Sunday, May 19, from noon-5 p.m., when the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia holds its 2013 Israel Street Festival. Music, food, children’s activities and a martial-arts demonstration are among the highlights.
Responding to Explosive Situation
An example of a case in which the bomb squad is called.
The Centreville homeowner had been making homemade fireworks for several years. But when a July 15, 2007 explosion blew a hole in his roof — and the resulting fire caused $200,000 damage to his house – his hobby came to the attention of Fairfax County fire officials.
Kicking up Their Heels
Students enjoy Day Prom at The Waterford.
At last week’s Day Prom at The Waterford in Fair Oaks, it didn’t matter if some of the students attending couldn’t walk or talk. For a few hours, they were just like all the other students in their high schools — they were at their school prom.
Police Officers, Robots and K-9s
CAC learns about the bomb squad’s work.
Each month, members of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee learn about a different facet of the work done by the station’s police officers. In April, the topic was the bomb squad.
Eating Chicken for a Good Cause
The Chantilly Chick-Fil-A held a fundraiser last Thursday, May 2, for Team BT, spearheaded by Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford.
Tara Sankner: Princess for an Evening
Tara Sankner, 8, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is battling brain cancer. But for awhile last week, she got to feel like a princess. Family and friends — especially Tattoo Tom Mitchell of StillBrave Childhood Cancer Foundation — staged a flash mob for her.
Bicycling 230 Miles In Remembrance: Police Unity Tour Raises Awareness and Funds
Police Unity Tour is this weekend.
Centreville’s Kevin Whalen has bicycled in five Police Unity Tour (PUT) rides, but this year was going to be different. Then tragedy struck and changed his mind. He’s a federal agent with the Treasury Department, and his partner there, Tammy Anzenberger, is married to a Prince William County police officer. And that’s how Whalen learned about Chris Yung, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 31, 2012 — and in whose honor Whalen will ride this weekend.
Welcome to the World of Imaginary Friends
Chantilly High debuts new children’s play.
A little boy with a big imagination takes playgoers on a funny and exciting journey in Chantilly High’s new children’s show, “Imagine If.”
Clifton Spring Homes Tour
An English garden, 18th-century furnishings and a pool with waterfalls are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 41st annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the fun includes a marketplace and silent auction at the Paradise Springs Winery. The silent auction ends at 5 p.m., but the marketplace goes until 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 on tour day; single-home admission is $10.
Celebrating Chantilly Day
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 18.
Runners don’t have to get up early to compete in the Town of Clifton’s annual 5K race. They can sleep in, enjoy their afternoon and then head to town for the 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run.
Candle Causes Fire at Clifton Home
Fairfax County fire officials say a house fire, early Sunday morning, caused an estimated $150,000 damage to a Clifton home. The incident occurred May 5, around 12:45 a.m., at 5597 Cavalier Woods Lane.
A Race, Picnic, Music and Fun
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 18.
Runners don’t have to get up early to compete in the Town of Clifton’s annual 5K race. They can sleep in, enjoy their afternoon and then head to town for the 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run.
Eating Chicken for a Good Cause
The Chantilly Chick-Fil-A held a fundraiser last Thursday, May 2, for Team BT, spearheaded by Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford. The organization raises money for the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
Police Charge Local Man With Burglary
Fairfax County police have charged a Fairfax man with burglary and destruction of property. He is Monte Tobias Moyer, 27, of Aristotle Drive. Police responded to a home in the 11300 block of Aristotle Drive on Tuesday, April 30, shortly before 9 a.m., for a report of a break-in there.
Clifton Homeowners Welcome Visitors
It’s time for the 41st annual Spring Homes Tour.
An English garden, 18th-century furnishings and a pool with waterfalls are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 41st annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the fun includes a marketplace and silent auction at the Paradise Springs Winery.
Honoring Jeffrey; Helping Others
Angel Kisses 5K/2K is this Sunday.
Jeffrey Virostek was 2 when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). He went into remission after aggressive treatment and a bone-marrow transplant; and for nine months, he was able to just be a little boy again, playing with friends and enjoying his family.
Is Traffic Relief On the Way?
Residents examine designs to fix the I-66/Route 28 interchange.
As things are now, rush hour traffic on Route 28 in Centreville is more than the traffic signals at Braddock/Walney roads, the entrance to E.C. Lawrence Park and the ramp to I-66 East can handle. This situation results in traffic backups, delays and safety hazards.
Warner Named Officer of Month
PFC Jared Warner is the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month. He was honored at the April 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory committee.
