Remembering Ryan Dillon
Burke resident dies at age 22.
Life stacked the deck against Ryan Dillon. He was autistic and had bone cancer and just lived to age 22.
Run a Race, Help Save Lives
5K in honor of two local women.
After surviving breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation, Centreville’s Vanessa Spiller is doing well and hopes to soon receive a clean bill of health from her doctor. Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford was diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor in 2005, and is still fighting for her life.
Two Capture Regional Acting Awards
Chaz Coffin is an award-winning actor. Not only did he receive a Cappie last year as part of the ensemble in Westfield High’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” but he’s now the proud owner of a WATCH
A Meal and a Play: ‘Maid for Dogs’
Clifton Dinner Theater presents original comedy.
Actors are often advised not to perform with children or animals because they’ll be upstaged. But in The Clifton Dinner Theater’s play, “Maid for Dogs,” the animals — gray, standard poodles — are well-behaved and the show is hilarious.
5K in Honor of Two Local Women
After surviving breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation, Centreville’s Vanessa Spiller is doing well and hopes to soon receive a clean bill of health from her doctor. Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford was diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor in 2005, and is still fighting for her life.
Food, Fashion and Fun in Fair Oaks
Salvation Army fund-raiser includes lunch, silent auction.
Food, stylish clothing and fun are on the menu for the Fairfax Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s upcoming fund-raiser. It’s slated for Friday, March 30, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (across from Fair Oaks Mall).
Centre View Roundups March 15-22
St. Baldrick’s Day Celebration On Saturday, March 17, Centreville’s eighth annual St. Baldrick’s Day celebration will be held at Fast Eddie’s in the Newgate Shopping Center at Routes 28/29.
Chantilly Students Create Care Packages for Soldiers
Life lessons don’t always come from books. National Honor Society (NHS) students at Chantilly High are learning that firsthand, showing care and compassion by collecting items to send to U.S. soldiers overseas. Students at other Chantilly Pyramid schools are collecting, too, as part of the America's Adopt-A-Soldier program.
A Place for Artists in Clifton
The Art Guild of Clifton is forming.
The members of the Art Guild of Clifton don’t yet have a permanent space or funding, but both are in the works. They’ve got participating artists, talent and enthusiasm and, on Saturday, March 17, they’re having a grand opening in the Town of Clifton.
Food, Fashion and Fun in Fair Oaks
Salvation Army fund-raiser includes lunch, silent auction.
Food, stylish clothing and fun are on the menu for the Fairfax Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s upcoming fund-raiser. It’s slated for Friday, March 30, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (across from Fair Oaks Mall).
Run a Race, Help Save Lives
5K in honor of two local women.
After surviving breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation, Centreville’s Vanessa Spiller is doing well and hopes to soon receive a clean bill of health from her doctor.
Hot Music, Cool Vibe
Local students performing in Chantilly Invitational Jazz Festival.
The sounds of smooth, cool jazz will fill the air during the 32nd annual Chantilly High Invitational Jazz Festival. It’s slated for Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, in the school auditorium, 4201 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.
A Meal and a Play at Clifton Dinner Theater
Actors are often advised not to perform with children or animals because they’ll be upstaged.
Shaving Away Childhood Cancer
St. Baldrick’s Fund-Raiser Is March 17
Every year, 160,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. It also kills more children in Canada and the U.S. than any other disease. So the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has dedicated itself to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. And a group of determined and enthusiastic local residents is helping.
Chantilly Library: The Renewal Project
“A wonderful place for our community."
Just as the writing of a book begins with an idea, so did the renovations of the Chantilly Regional Library. It started around 2004, when then Branch Manager Bonnie Worcester and her staff first discussed how to improve customer service there.
Chantilly Library Turns a Page
Ribbon-cutting signals start of new chapter.
When the ribbon was cut last week to celebrate the changes at the Chantilly Regional Library, it marked the beginning of a new era there. It was also the culmination of years of planning and work.
Centre View Roundups March 8-14
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, March 8, and March 22, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
Trophy Time For Westfield
Thespians win VHSL One-Act Play State Championship.
There’s rejoicing at Westfield High. The school’s thespians captured a state championship Saturday, March 3, at the VHSL One-Act Play competition in Charlottesville.
Alliance Theatre’s ‘Laughing Stock’
A comedic look at putting on a show.
Everything that can go wrong does go wrong in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “Laughing Stock.” But that’s the way it’s supposed to be as the local thespians portray members of a theater company putting on three different plays during their summer season.
Hot Music, Cool Vibe at Chantilly
Invitational Jazz Festival is March 16-17.
The sounds of smooth, cool jazz will fill the air during the 32nd annual Chantilly High Invitational Jazz Festival. It’s slated for Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, in the school auditorium.
Examining Causes of Domestic Violence
There have been three homicides in the Sully District since Capt. Purvis Dawson became commander of the Sully District Police Station, in April 2010 — and all three had domestic components.
It’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at Franklin Middle School
Featuring a cast and crew of 125, Franklin Middle School presents the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Show times are Wednesday, March 14, at 2:45 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16 and 17, at 7 p.m. each night Tickets are $8 at the door and during school lunches.
A Place for Artists
The Art Guild of Clifton is forming.
The members of the Art Guild of Clifton don’t yet have a permanent space or funding, but both are in the works. They’ve got participating artists, talent and enthusiasm and, on Saturday, March 17, they’re having a grand opening in the Town of Clifton.
Alliance Theatre’s ‘Laughing Stock’
A hilarious look at putting on a show.
Everything that can go wrong does go wrong in The Alliance Theatre’s production of "Laughing Stock." But that’s the way it’s supposed to be as the local thespians portray members of a theater company putting on three different plays during their summer season.
Examining Causes of Domestic Violence
What it is, the dangers and what to do about it.
There have been three homicides in the Sully District since Capt. Purvis Dawson became commander of the Sully District Police Station, in April 2010 — and all three had domestic components.
It’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at Franklin Middle
Featuring a cast and crew of 125, Franklin Middle School presents the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Show times are Wednesday, March 14, at 2:45 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16 and 17, at 7 p.m. each night Tickets are $8 at the door and during school lunches.
Centre View Roundups March 1-7
VDOT will re-open the third lane on eastbound Route 50 between Stonecroft Boulevard and Route 28 which closed to traffic last weekend as part of the Route 50 widening project in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The one-mile lane closure has caused lengthy delays on eastbound Route 50 and surrounding roads, this week, during the morning rush. The lane will re-open by March 5, weather permitting.
Fire Ravages Centreville Home
Damage estimated at $750,000
Nine-year-old William Wilson was outside playing football with his dad, Monday evening, in Centreville’s Hunt Chase Estates community, when they saw smoke coming from the house next door and the occupants fleeing.
Man Pleads Guilty: Robbery, Using Gun
Reynard Lazaro Prather, 23, of Oxon Hill, Md., has been convicted for his role in the May 2010 murder of workman Jose Cardona at a Centreville home. Last Wednesday, Feb. 22, in federal court in Alexandria, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and using a firearm in the commission of that crime.
Centreville Man Pleads Guilty to Soliciting
A Centreville man who used to be the band director at Robinson Secondary School was convicted in court Tuesday, Feb. 28, of computer solicitation of a child under age 15. He is Michael Keith Cook, 43 of Climbing Rose Way.
Chantilly Day Plans Marching Along
Community event is slated for spring.
Plans are marching along for the first-ever, Chantilly Day. The celebration is set for Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the parking lot of the Sully Place Shopping Center in Chantilly.
Bicycle Master Plan Meeting March 6
Area residents can help set the course to make Fairfax County a bicycle-friendly community by attending a public meeting on the countywide Bicycle Transportation Master Plan. It’s slated for Tuesday, March 6, from 6:30-9 p.m., at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. People may drop in anytime, and there’ll be a presentation at 7:30 p.m.
Planning Approves Pohanka Proposal
Honda dealership planned to open in Chantilly.
It’s on to the Board of Supervisors now for Pohanka Automotive Group’s proposal to construct a Honda dealership in Chantilly. It got a green light recently from the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
25 Years Prison for Portillo-Saravilla
He raped girl, 8.
A man who entered the country illegally, raped an 8-year-old Centreville girl and then fled the state was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison. He is 30-year-old Salvador Portillo-Saravia.
Eat Food, See Clothing, Raise Money
Fashion show, luncheon, silent auction slated for Fairfax Salvation Army.
Since 1960, the Fairfax Salvation Army has provided residents with utility and rent assistance, food, clothing and furniture on an emergency basis. It also provides toys and bicycles to needy children during the Christmas holidays. In 2011, it assisted 1,250 families.
Choe Is Sully Police Officer of Year
Korean heritage helpful in his job.
There were smiles all around when PFC Roy Choe was honored Tuesday night as the Sully District Police Station’s 2011 Officer of the Year. He was selected by the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and feted in front of his family and colleagues.There were smiles all around when PFC Roy Choe was honored Tuesday night as the Sully District Police Station’s 2011 Officer of the Year. He was selected by the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and feted in front of his family and colleagues.
Choe Is Surprised, Happy about Honor
Ever since he was a young boy, Roy Choe wanted to be a police officer. “My uncle was a firefighter in Korea and, when I saw his uniform, I thought it was beautiful,” he said.
Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Entrepreneurship students gain real experience.
Buying and selling merchandise, using skills they learned in class and having a good time doing it, Chantilly Academy entrepreneurship students recently participated in the third annual Entrepreneurship Market Day.
Peeps and Positive Behavior
Candies are part of Franklin’s anti-bullying program.
Marshmallow Peeps are soft, tasty candies popular during holidays throughout the year. They’re also playing a role in Franklin Middle School’s efforts to encourage positive behavior in its students.
Peeps and Positive Behavior
Candies are part of Franklin’s anti-bullying program.
Marshmallow Peeps are soft, tasty candies popular during holidays throughout the year. They’re also playing a role in Franklin Middle School’s efforts to encourage positive behavior in its students.
Overcoming Hardships to Graduate at Mountain View
At the outset of Mountain View High’s winter graduation last week, Assistant Principal and emcee Gary Morris told students about to receive their diplomas to be strong.
Jagels and Jobs: Words of Wisdom
Principal Dave Jagels began his address to Mountain View’s graduating seniors by relating a story about the Great Blondin, who invented the high-wire act. He said the story spoke to him about the journey that many of them had to take to reach where they are today.
PJammin for a Cause
Schools raise almost $5,000 for childhood-cancer research.
When it comes to raising money for a good cause, even the youngest schoolchildren can help. And last week, students at Centreville High, Liberty Middle and Centreville Elementary raised nearly $5,000 for childhood-cancer research.
Statistics Show Less Crime in Sully, Fair Oaks
When it comes to places to live, the Sully and Fair Oaks districts are among the tops in Fairfax County. And four public-safety officers presented crime statistics to back it up at the Jan. 25 meeting of the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations.
‘Coming to America’ at Robinson Middle
It’s one thing to read about history in a textbook, but another thing entirely to experience it "firsthand."
Public Safety in the Local Area
Sheriff’s Office, State Police representatives speak.
Public safety and traffic were among the topics when representatives from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police spoke recently in Centreville. They addressed the Jan. 25 meeting of the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations.
30 Years in Prison for Wife’s Murder
‘There’s nothing to defend this crime.’
Consumed by his own irrational fears and demons, Chantilly’s Tony Tong had threatened to kill his wife for years. In October 2010, he did so; and last week in Fairfax County Circuit Court, he was sentenced to 30 years in pri
Roundups
Free Carseat Inspections
The Play’s the Thing
Chantilly, Westfield finish first, second in one-act competition.
Local students showed off their acting chops last week when Chantilly and Westfield high schools finished first and second, respectively, in the Concorde District portion of the VHSL One-Act Play Competition. It was held Monday, Jan. 30, at Herndon High.
Details of the Offense
In January 2011, Tony Tong had a preliminary hearing in connection with the death of his wife, Kathleen Tran. Homicide Det. Brian Colligan explained the events leading up to the Oct. 22, 2010 tragedy. He said Tran had driven their son John home from a friend’s house and, some time after 1 a.m., they arrived home to find Tong, then 43, furious.