Thursday, February 28
Centreville Girls’ Basketball Reaches Region Semifinals
Centreville won first district title since 1993.
Mountain View Winter Departmental Awards
Mountain View High School presented its winter departmental awards Feb. 1 to the following students:
3-D Printing, Palliative Care Programs at Library
The Chantilly Regional Library is holding two, upcoming programs of interest to the local community. This Saturday, March 2, at 2:30 p.m., NovaLabs Makerspace is doing a program on 3-D Printing for ages 10 through adults.
BZA Approves Play-and-Party Site for Chantilly
Kid Junction is coming to town.
If all goes well, sometime in May, local children will have a place to go where they can climb, play dress up, use their imaginations in a pretend town setting and even celebrate their birthdays. That place is Kid Junction and it will open in Chantilly.
Centreview Entertainment Calendar Feb. 28
Entertainment calendar for the Centreview area.
Training a Guiding Eyes Dog
Mixed emotions of raising and letting go.
When Guiding Eyes for the Blind dropped off Saki at Bridget Kennerley’s house, they made sure to tell her what to expect from the young golden retriever on that first night. What they couldn’t tell her, however, was how different her life would be every night after.
Centreview Bulletin Board Feb. 27
Bulletin board for the Centreview area.
‘All about Our Children’
Parents discuss three school-boundary scenarios.
The goal of the Fairfax High/Lanier Middle School boundary study is to remove 300 students from Fairfax and 150 from Lanier and send them elsewhere to relieve overcrowding at those two schools. But how best to do it has not yet been decided.
Why Change Is Needed
Fairfax High has a building capacity of 2,412 students and a current enrollment of 2,659 — meaning a 110-percent building utilization. But if nothing changes, it’s projected to have 3,011 student bodies by the 2017-18 school year and a 125-percent building utilization.
Classified Advertising Feb. 27, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
Wednesday, February 27
CHS Hosts Cut-A-Thon
In an effort to raise money for Captial Caring, a regional palliative care provider, current and former students of the Chantilly Academy Cosmetology program held a Cut-A-Thon at Chantilly High School on Feb. 26.
Roundups
Fairfax County police charged a Centreville man with several offenses – including felony hit-and-run – after he allegedly tailgated and struck another vehicle and then fled. He is 25-year-old Juan Carlos Gudiel.
CSI Sully District Station
Detective discusses fingerprint forensics.
Forensics can be a fascinating field, and members of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee recently got a glimpse into the world of fingerprint analysis from Det. Derek Hardy. A 20-year police officer, he’s spent 14 years in forensics and is a member of the station’s Crime Scene Section.
Turner Is Sully’s Officer of Month
Police Det. John Turner is the Sully District Station’s Officer of the Month for February. He was honored at the station’s Feb. 13 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting for his accomplishments in January.
On to States for Team Robowiz
Rocky Run students compete Sunday in FIRST Tech Challenge finals.
On Jan. 12 at UVA, Rocky Run Middle School’s Robowiz team was a finalist in three FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) categories and triumphed in one of them. And this Sunday, March 3, the team will participate in the state finals at VCU.
Saturday, February 23
Classified Advertising Feb. 20, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
Friday, February 22
Column: Definition of “Slippery Slope”
Figuratively speaking, of course. That definition being: a late stage cancer patient/survivor previously characterized as “terminal” awaiting the results of their most recent diagnostic scan. A scan that will indicate whether the tumors have grown, moved or God forbid, appeared somewhere new. If your life hung in the balance before the scan, waiting for results of this however-many-months-interval-scan will most assuredly loosen your figurative grip on your equilibrium and your most literal grip on your sanity. This is a domain, unlike the one referred to in one of the more infamous Seinfeld episodes, that one cannot master. To invoke and slightly rework Dan Patrick’s “catch” phrase: You can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it.
Thursday, February 21
Centreville Home Sales: January, 2013
In January 2013, 50 Centreville homes sold between $781,000-$139,000.
Centreville Home Sales: January, 2013
Chantilly Home Sales: January, 2013
In January 2013, 11 homes sold between $650,000-$46,500 in the Chantilly area.
Chantilly Home Sales: January, 2013
New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless
County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness on rise.
The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.
‘Two Symphonies and a Dance’ for Area Music Lovers
Virginia Chamber Orchestra to present early Mozart and Mendelssohn works.
There has always been the debate about the role of nature and nurture in a child’s development. This is especially true in child prodigies. Mozart and Mendelssohn were from musical homes and received encouragement in musical studies. Although Gluck sang in his church choir, his interest in music was surely of his own making as he was expected to work in his family’s forestry business.
Wednesday, February 20
Police Charge Three in Vehicle Vandalisms
Last month, police from the Sully District Station began investigating a number of property destructions and larcenies that happened Jan. 10, between 1-5 a.m.
Centreview Roundups Wednesday, Feb. 20
Roundups for the Centreview area.
Following in His Dad’s Footsteps
Ben Sisson is county’s Volunteer Rookie Firefighter of the Year.
Ben Sisson is just 20, but he’s just been honored as Fairfax County’s 2012 Volunteer Rookie Firefighter of the Year. He received the recognition and a plaque last Tuesday, Feb. 12, along with other volunteer firefighters, during a ceremony before the Board of Supervisors.
Pancakes, Coffee and Donations
Centreville IHOP Holds Leukemia, Lymphoma Fundraiser
Pancakes and syrup make a tasty meal; but at the Centreville IHOP, they’re also a way to raise money. And that’s what happened Feb. 5 when the restaurant held a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Officer of the Year
Shields honored at Sully District Station.
It takes a great deal to become a police station’s Officer of the Year, but PFC Joe Shields has what it takes. And last Wednesday, Feb. 13, he received that honor for 2012 during a meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Column: Seeing Progress on U.S. 1
As we move to the end of the General Assembly session, we are engaged in intense negotiations on the major issues. Also, we have had significant progress on U.S. 1.
Man Pleads Guilty to Murder
Walker killed Centreville woman in January 2012.
One year ago, Benjamin Luke Walker walked into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center’s pre-release center and confessed to killing his roommate, a 22-year-old Centreville woman.
Four Plead Guilty: Real Estate Fraud
Chantilly woman faces five years in prison.
Four people pleaded guilty Tuesday, Feb. 19, in federal court in Alexandria to conspiring to fraudulently take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge, selling those homes and keeping the profit. Among those entering a plea was Melissa McWilliams, 35, of Chantilly.
Centreview Entertainment Calendar Wednesday, Feb. 20
Entertainment calendar for the Centreview area.
Centreview School Notes Wednesday, Feb. 20
School notes for the Centreville and Chantilly areas.
Grand Champions
The Chantilly High School Charger Dance Team competed on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Gar-Field Sweetheart Invitational.
Career & Technical Educator of the Year
Jennifer Howe, dental careers teacher at the Chantilly Academy, A Governor's STEM Academy, was recognized and honored as the Career & Technical Education "Educator of the Year."
nZone American Karate Athletes Victorious
More than 650 martial arts competitors, including teams from Bermuda, Russia, and Kazakhstan, vied for titles at the World Cup Finals at the Sheraton Reston hotel last month.
Celebrating Irish Heritage
Supervisor Michael R. Frey honored Wild West Irish Tours of Springfield along with vocalist Cathy Jordan (Sligo, Ireland) with a proclamation declaring Dec. 13 as "Cathy Jordan/Wild West Irish Tours Day" in Fairfax County.
From Chantilly to New York
The Missionary Ministry of Chantilly Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Bryant is the pastor, reached out to the residents in the Redfern Housing Development located in Far Rockaway, N.Y. after Hurricane Sandy.
Column: To ‘Get That Vote We All Deserve’
From Fix Gun Checks tour to White House.
After my sister Reema was killed at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 our lives changed forever. I say “our lives” changed forever because gun violence doesn’t just affect the direct family of the person killed, but an entire community.
Letter to the Editor: The Right Influence
As a young Muslim girl growing up in the West, it can be hard to find a role model who is famous for helping others, especially in a sea of celebrities and reality stars.
Inventors Need Community’s Votes
Rocky Run X-BOTS team vies for innovation award.
A team of students mainly from Rocky Run Middle School is vying for an award for an app it created to help senior citizens. And area residents can help the students win by voting for their creation.
Centreview Bulletin Board Wednesday, Feb. 20
Centreview bulletin board for February through May
CES To Hold Parent Workshops
Centreville Elementary is holding an evening of parent workshops, Thursday, Feb. 28, and any parent in the community is welcome to attend.
Neil Simon Comedy at CHS
Theater students present “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
If it’s a Neil Simon comedy, it’s bound to be hilarious. And that’s what Chantilly High’s presenting this week in its production of Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
Thursday, February 14
Classified Advertising Feb. 13, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
Wednesday, February 13
Westfield’s Donahue Reaches 200 Victories
Senior captures third Northern Region title.
The Westfield wrestling team finished runner-up at the Northern Region wrestling tournament.
Oakton Boys’ Basketball Secures Concorde’s No. 2 Seed
Cougars beat Westfield in regular-season finale.
The Oakton boys' basketball team earned a first-round bye in the Concorde District tournament by beating Westfield on Feb. 8.
A Positive Reflection
Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.
Editorial: On Transportation
Compromise, in the works, should include indexing the gas tax to inflation.
Virginia needs more options, not fewer, in developing revenue to pay for roads and transportation. Compromise on a plan to increase transportation revenue should not include making Virginia the only state in the nation without a gas tax. The current, ridiculously low gas tax should be indexed to inflation. The last thing the commonwealth needs is to do away with an existing, major source of money for roads.
‘A Few of My Favorite Things’
‘The Sound of Music’ presented by Centreville Presbyterian Church.
The hills may not be alive with “The Sound of Music,” but Centreville Presbyterian Church will be when its community theater presents this classic, Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
Roundups February 13
Roundups for February
‘Go Live the Life You Dreamed’
Principal Jagels addresses graduating seniors.
Addressing Mountain View High’s winter graduates last Tuesday, Feb. 5, Principal Dave Jagels asked them to take a moment and think back to kindergarten.
February-March Entertainment Calendar
Entertainment Calendar for February and March
Pathways to a Successful Future
Local students can enroll in Cybersecurity and Engineering Technology programs.
In the coming weeks, freshmen, sophomores and juniors in Fairfax and Woodson high schools and Robinson Secondary School will be planning their class schedules for fall. And before they do, Joan Ozdogan, career experience specialist at Chantilly Academy—a Governor’s STEM Academy—wants them to know about two new programs they might want to take.
Column: Sex Trafficking Here in Northern Virginia
A couple of years ago, I became aware that sex trafficking of children was not solely an international issue, but one that was happening in our own backyard.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Capital Home and Garden Show set for Feb. 22-24 at Dulles Expo Center.
Since Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day earlier this month, spring might be around the corner. But whether one believes in folklore or not, the winter chill will soon give way to warm weather blooms.
A Study in Courage And Compassion
Centreville woman battles cancer; needs community’s help.
Just 38, Centreville’s Debbie Bendorf is a wife, a mother of three young boys and a person fighting the battle of her life against a rare form of cancer. She loves her family, is loyal to her friends and doesn’t complain or ask for anything special for herself — which is why the community is trying to help her and her family.
Giving from the Heart
SYA raising money for family of Westfield coach/administrator.
On the surface, it was a basketball tournament like any other. Boys in colorful uniforms competed against each other in a school gym, while moms sold concessions outside in the hallway. But the whole event, Saturday, Feb. 9, at Westfield High had a much more special and serious purpose.
‘Take Every Day as a Blessing’
Debbie Bendorf may be fighting a tough foe that doesn’t play fair, but that’s not going to stop her from living her life as best she can or spending every minute possible with her family.
Let’s Hear it for the Girls
Six Centreville High female athletes will play NCAA sports.
Move over, boys. Six Centreville High student-athletes last week signed National Letters of Intent to play sports in NCAA Division I colleges — and all of them are girls.
Friday, February 8
Classified Advertising Feb. 6, 2013
Read the latest ad here!
Wednesday, February 6
February Is Heart Month
Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.
When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.
Column: A Complicated Answer
And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least
Making the Difference Between Struggle and Success
Carmen Jordan of Reston has been a mentor for Fairfax Families4 Kids for six years. She is considered one of the most experienced mentors in the program. In addition to working full-time as a marquee account manager at Deltek in Herndon, Jordan makes herself available to “trouble-shoot” for the children and families she mentors. In the following column, she details her experiences with the program, and at-risk foster youth.
'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry
Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.
Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.
Roundups February 6
Roundups for February sixth.
‘They’re Coming to America’
Rocky Run students ‘become’ immigrants at Ellis Island.
Sitting on the floor, jammed together in a narrow locker area, the Rocky Run seventh-graders pretended they were immigrants packed into a boat from Europe to America. They watched a video of the approach to New York Harbor while listening to Neil Diamond sing, “Coming to America.”
Learning about Lacrosse
On Jan. 24 and 25, students at Union Mill Elementary learned about lacrosse.
Watch D.O.G.S.
Union Mill Elementary has the Watch D.O.G.S. program at its school for the 2012-2013 school year.
Teens Charged in Fire Bomb Incident
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department investigators have charged 15 Herndon and Chantilly juveniles with the manufacture and use of fire bombs or other explosive devices.
20 Years in Business
Centreville Square Animal Hospital, part of Northern Virginia Veterinary Associates, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Chantilly Students Sparkle at Science Fair
Chantilly High’s 29th annual Science Fair was held Wednesday, Jan. 23. The event showcased 442 projects from nearly 600 students.
The winners of Chantilly High’s 29th annual Science Fair Competition, held Jan. 23, are listed below.
Chantilly Pyramid Dinner, Choral Concert
Dinner and a choral concert are on tap next week at Chantilly High.
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.