From Serious to Hilarious
Centreville High presents its One-Act Play Festival.
Comedy, drama and everything in between are on tap during Centreville High’s One-Act Play Festival. It’s slated for Friday, Feb 15, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb 16, at 2 p.m. Tickets, good for both days, are $5 at the door.
Bank Approved For Centreville Site
BB&T is coming to Sully Station Shopping Center.
It’s official — at long last, something is being built on the vacant pad site at the right end of the Sully Station Shopping Center. That something will be a BB&T Bank, which got a thumbs-up, last Tuesday, Jan. 29, from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
‘How Far Should Science Push?’
Westfield High presents “Flowers for Algernon.”
The past two years, Westfield High won a slew of Cappie awards with musicals. But this time, its Cappies show is “Flowers for Algernon,” a thought-provoking drama with a serious message.
CHS Advances To Regionals
School’s thespians win the VHSL One-Act Play District Competition.
Chantilly High’s Theater Department is on a roll; it captured first place in last week’s VHSL One-Act Play District Competition and is now headed to regionals.
Economic Uncertainty Casts Shadow Here
Frey gives details in State of Sully talk.
Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) gave his State of Sully address last week, talking mainly about Fairfax County’s economy and transportation issues.
Recreation, Imaginative Play and Fun
Kid Junction plans to open site in Chantilly.
A place where children can engage in creative play and have birthday parties, too – that’s Kid Junction. And Kreative Minds LLC – the three people who’d own what would be Kid Junction’s first franchise in Virginia – hope to open it in Chantilly.
Choral Cabaret To Be Held Feb. 9 at Centreville High
Live entertainment, refreshments, gift baskets, a raffle, silent auction and an evening of fun are all in store for those attending Centreville High’s Choral Cabaret.
‘She Will Be Missed Every Day’
Family mourns Centreville icon, Marguerite Buckley, 94.
Marguerite Buckley lived a long, full life — but that doesn’t mean her family was ready to say goodbye to her when she died Jan. 8, at age 94.
Food Pantry, Thrift Store Moves to New Locations
WFCM is still on Metrotech Drive, but in two new spots.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) has moved – but not far.
A Ticket to Hollywood
Centreville High senior Maddie Assel is on “American Idol.”
Centreville High senior Maddie Assel is a bubbly, outgoing, 17-year-old. She’s busy with school, friends, college visits and — oh, yes, she’s also a contestant on “American Idol.”
‘Peanuts’ Comic Strip Comes Alive
Fairfax High presents, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder—the whole “Peanuts” gang—shows up for Fairfax High’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Katcham Receives McDonnell Award
Honored for his long-time community service.
Jim Katcham has been serving his community for years, so it’s only fitting that he was honored Monday night with the James D. McDonnell Award for dedicated and outstanding community service.
‘They Treat Him Like One of Their Own’
Centreville High football players mean the world to Juwaan.
Juwaan Espinal, 15, was born with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound. But that doesn’t mean he can’t live a life as full of joy and meaning as possible.
Gaining Confidence for SATs
Educators offer prep seminar.
For high-school students, a great deal rides on doing well on the SAT test. But it can be both a daunting and an intimidating experience. And that’s where Westfield High counselor Dan Harris and English teacher Gregg Greentree come in. Together, they’ve developed an SAT prep course.
Sharing People’s Stories Is Filmmaker’s Passion
Local grad Monica Zinn working on second movie.
Monica Zinn is an independent documentary filmmaker. This Burke resident already has one successful film under her belt and is hard at work on another. She graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in 2011, but attended the Fairfax Academy from 2009-11, and that’s where her talent began to blossom.
Hilarious, Mixed-Up Bedtime Stories
Chantilly High presents children’s play, Feb. 1-3.
Mixed-up tales and laughs galore are in store for those attending Chantilly High’s upcoming children’s play, “Bedtime Stories.” Show times are Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door or at www.chantillyhsdrama.com.
Bull Run Elementary Heritage Night
Students and parents at Bull Run Elementary showed their cultural pride last Thursday, Jan. 17, at the school’s Family Heritage Night. The event included ethnic food, a “museum” displaying items from various countries, plus songs and dances by students wearing outfits reflecting their heritage.
CAC Honors Auxiliary Officer
Thad Palmer praised for his dedication.
APO Palmer was honored as that station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Officer of the Month.
Defining the Dream Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
CPMSAC presents annual celebration Jan. 20.
Each year, the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement (CPMSAC) Committee celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s event is slated for Sunday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m., at Westfield High.
And They’re off to Washington, D.C.
Two local groups will perform at Obama’s inaugural balls.
While most people will have to watch President Barack Obama’s inauguration celebration on TV, Army Sergeant Major (retired) Keith Jarman of Centreville will be there in person.
‘He’s Centreville’s Family Doctor’
Beloved physician, Richard Bowles, retires after 42 years.
Physician Richard Bowles Retires after 42 Years
History’s ‘More Than Boring, Old Facts’
Rocky Run seventh-graders “visit” the Westward Movement.
Rocky Run seventh-grade history teacher Maggie Brown stacked the desks in her classroom on top of each other. She then covered them with brown paper to simulate a sod house and had her students sit on the floor inside it.
Looking Back on a Satisfying Career
Richard Bowles always knew he’d someday be a doctor. “My dad was a doctor and I used to ride on calls with him,” he said. “I think he had a big influence on me. I was around medicine all my life and I looked up to him, so there was never any question about what I wanted to do.”
Robinson Offers Pair of Children’s Shows
Presenting “Waking Sleeping Beauty” and “The Lorax” this weekend.
The only thing better than one children’s show is two children’s shows, and Robinson Secondary’s Production Company class, RoProCo, is presenting a double bill this weekend.
Will Justin Wolfe Be Freed?
Family, friends await court’s action.
In March 2001, Centreville High grad Danny Petrole, 21, was shot and killed outside his Bristow townhouse. The crime involved drug-dealing and money, and the shooter — Chantilly High grad Owen Barber IV, who pleaded guilty — received 38 years in prison.
Politicians Get an Earful
Residents tell LeMunyon, Petersen what’s important to them.
Transportation, guns in schools and Medicaid were among the top issues discussed last week at a town hall meeting in Chantilly. Prior to the Jan. 9 start of the Virginia General Assembly session, Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67th) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th) met with some 65 constituents.
Should There Be Guns in Schools?
“If we don’t pay for the fixes now, we’ll pay for it later with the lives of our children.” —Joe Samaha, father of Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha.
Taking Command
Sully District police commander glad to be at station’s helm.
For police Capt. Ed O’Carroll, taking command of the Sully District Station was like coming home again. He served as a shift supervisor of the evening squad when the station opened in May 2003; and for four months now, he’s been in charge.
Politicians Get an Earful
Residents tell LeMunyon, Petersen what’s important to them.
Transportation, guns in schools and Medicaid were among the top issues discussed last week at a town hall meeting in Chantilly.
Should There Be Guns in Schools?
State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) and Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67) covered many subjects during last week’s town hall meeting. But the topic of guns in the schools proved to be the hot-button issue of the evening, quickly inflaming passions on both sides.
‘Horses in Need of Heroes’
Centreville girls benefit equines via charity.
Caring and compassion can reside in people of all ages. Just 13, Centreville’s Katie Puckett showed that when she created a charity called Horses in Need of Heroes.
Federal Porn Charges for Former Teacher
In June, Fairfax County police charged a special education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. He was immediately suspended without pay, and the school system assured parents that no images of students were found on his computer and school computers were not used.
Order To Release Wolfe Is Stayed
Attorney general intervenes; higher court will decide next step.
Last week, the family of Chantilly High grad Justin Wolfe was hopeful he’d be released from custody after U.S. District Court Judge Raymond Jackson vacated Wolfe’s convictions and sentences for drug distributions and the March 2001 murder of 21-year-old Centreville High grad Danny Petrole.
Theft Yields Unexpected Rewards
Neighbors express appreciation for holiday display.
It’s not nice to steal — and it’s especially not nice to swipe Christmas decorations from an outdoor display that brings pleasure to many people. But that’s what happened recently in a Little Rocky Run neighborhood.
New Elementary and High School Proposed for This Part of County
Many elementary and high schools in the local area are either overcrowded or full to the brim. But relief — although far off — is on the way in the form of a new elementary school and a new high school.
O’Carroll’s Priorities
At the helm of the Sully District Station, police Capt. Ed O’Carroll, 43, has a clear view of his priorities.
Robinson Grad Is in Sully’s Comedy Show
Sully’s Restaurant is the place to be on Friday, Jan. 4, at 8 p.m., when Robinson Secondary grad Matt Mero joins headlining comedian Rob Maher in an evening of comedy. Sully’s is at 14511 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway in Chantilly; cover charge is $5.
Giving Gratitude to Those Who Serve
Chantilly High honors America’s veterans.
Each year, Chantilly High honors America’s armed-services personnel with a dinner and an evening of entertainment. The event is always special, and this year’s Veteran’s Day Dinner was no exception.
Westfield Band Is Pasadena Bound
Will march in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Tuesday morning, Jan. 1, Westfield High marching band members and their parents watched the 124th annual Tournament of Roses Parade on a big screen in the school auditorium. Next year, they’ll be in it.
Bite Me Cancer Kickoff Is Jan. 3
While still in high school, Nikki Ferraro was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer.
Focusing on Drinking and Driving
Plans underway to reduce alcohol-related crashes here.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, from 2006-11, Fairfax County had 1,941 alcohol-related crashes involving drivers ages 15-24. Some 54 percent happened between midnight and 3:59 a.m., and 10 percent more occurred in January than in other months.
Now Comes the Fundraising
Now that Westfield’s marching band has been accepted to participate in next year’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, it must get busy raising the money needed for the trip.
Local Venue Serves Up Laughs
Westfield grad is in Sully’s comedy show.
Sully’s Restaurant is the place to be on Friday, Jan. 4, at 8 p.m., when Westfield High grad Allison Wruk joins headlining comedian Rob Maher in an evening of comedy.
Artistic Talent on Display
Members of the Art Guild of Clifton, in cooperation with the Clifton Betterment Association, held an art show and sale, Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall.
Helping Those in Need
Local teen collects items for the poor and homeless.
“It was a rewarding feeling to know I helped people stay clothed and keep warm.” -Oak Hill resident Nick O’Connell
Family Services Gives Christmas Presents to Families
Santa’s elves come in several forms; and in the local area, many of them are Northern Virginia Family Services volunteers. And this week, they’ll deliver Christmas presents to 589 families — some 2,100 people — in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
Federal Porn Charges for Former Teacher
In June, Fairfax County police charged a special-education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. He was immediately suspended without pay, and the school system assured parents that no images of students were found on his computer and school computers were not used.
A Time for Giving
FACETS helps children give presents to siblings.
All year ’round, FACETS helps people in poverty in Fairfax County. It works with families living in public-housing communities and having an average income under $20,000 for a family of four. It also aids those who are, or recently were, homeless.
Another Arrested in Handyman’s Death
Victim worked for local business-owner.
In June, Reynard Prather was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. On Dec. 7, Tasheik Champean, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and use of a firearm in a crime of violence causing death.
Fundraiser in Honor Of Ryan Lopynski
Goal is to purchase EKG machines
On April 26, 2009, Ryan Lopynski was a freshman at Virginia Tech with his whole life ahead of him. He’d come home to Clifton’s Hampton Chase community to see his family and look for a summer job. But while showering before going to see his sister’s basketball game, he suffered a fatal heart attack. The specific cause of his death is still unknown, although it was discovered posthumously that Ryan had an enlarged heart.