Centreville Day: Who Is Mrs. Spindle, Anyway?
And why are pirates roaming around at Centreville Day?
Mrs. Spindle has become something of a Centreville Day mascot, but the Friends of Historic Centreville, who organize the event, have no idea who she really is. Her photograph was taken in March of 1862, days after the Confederate Army had left Centreville. The Union Army claimed the town. Travelling with them was photographer George Barnard who worked in Mathew Brady’s studio.
Mount Vernon: Quander Road School provides flexible, family-like special education experience
Within the first week of the 2016-2017 school year, teachers at the Quander Road School in Mount Vernon had already finished their jobs for five students. For that select group, they were ready to return to their base high school and transition back to a less restrictive educational experience.
Clifton: Whitehall Farms Opens Second Fall Fun Days
Pumpkin. Slingshot. The imposing medieval-esque wooden structure Whitehall Farms business owner Jeff Waters built by hand stands ready to launch seasonal gourds 250 to 300 feet past a grazing area of chickens into a vast grassy expanse. Next year, Waters said, there will be a proper trebuchet.
Art, craft and food festival Clifton Day returns Oct. 9
In 2005, Frank Burdell of Fairfax started blowing glass. He was driving back from Niagara Falls with his family when they stopped randomly in Corning, New York and decided to take a few short classes in blowing, fused glass and etching.
Fairfax County: Call for Civility in Schools’ LGBTQ Discussion
School board Board also receives Opening of Schools report, votes on challenged materials review committee.
Robert Rigby stood before the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 22 wearing a red polo shirt, typically a sign of unity at board meetings among parents and community members who have opposed recent policy updates in the school system surrounding students who identify as transgender.
Editorial: Independent Police Auditor Marks History
Kudos to Board of Supervisors for unanimous approval of independent police auditor; now on to the Civilian Review Panel.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to create the position and office of independent police auditor on Tuesday, Sept. 20, creating the first civilian, independent oversight of law enforcement in Fairfax County. The unanimous vote demonstrated the board’s commitment to the ongoing process that began early in 2015 when Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova established the 32-member Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Snapshot: Chantilly Homecoming Court
Members of the Chantilly Homecoming Court gather at the Chantilly-Herndon football game on Friday, Sept. 23: (From left) Lindsay Barnes, Siobhan Reardon, Jill Cymerman, Alexis Weeren, Caroline Barnes, TJ Walter, Zach Cummins, Karim Shoorbajee, and Ken Roberts.
Centreville’s Jesse Kraft Leads Coates Elementary
With 21 years in education, former Providence Elementary principal moves into new role.
With 21 years in education, Jesse Kraft, age 42, of Centreville was named the new principal of Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School on River Birch Road in Herndon, on July 7. He is replacing former principal Toni Rose who moved into administration with Fairfax County Public Schools. He will be overseeing 740 students with a staff of about 95, including five full-time ESOL teachers. Coates is a part of the Westfield Pyramid.
Centreville Snapshot: Talk on Addiction
On Saturday, the Chris Atwood Foundation conducted an educational program at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13421 Twin Lakes Drive, Centreville about substance misuse and Addiction.
Forum To Chew on Meals Tax
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) will sponsor a Meals Tax Forum at the auditorium of Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. The forum will feature panelists on both sides of the issue. The panel will also take written questions from the audience. Questions may also be submitted in advance by writing to league@lwv-fairfax.org.
State of the Race: 10th Congressional District
National political and media attention focus on race for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.
As LuAnn Bennett, the Democratic challenger for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District seat, spoke to supporters at a political “house party” in Herndon, a New York Times reporter stood to one side, taking notes.
Centreville/Chantilly: Fall Festival for All
90-acre autumn wonderland at Cox Farms.
The 90-acre autumn wonderland that is Cox Farms is holding its 44th annual Fall Festival. The festival is open daily through Oct. 31 and Nov. 4-8 at 15621 Braddock Road, off Pleasant Valley Road in Centreville.
Chantilly Snapshot: Combat Wounded
Peterson Companies has partnered with Wounded Warriors Family Support, a national non-profit veterans’ organization, and are implementing the organization’s national parking program (Combat Wounded signs) at several of their shopping centers including Fairfax Corner, East Market, and Fair Lakes Center.
Chantilly Letter: Importance of Veterans ID Card
Letter to the Editor
Our veterans have sacrificed much to protect us. It is only fitting that we help protect them as best we can on the home front.
Chantilly Brief: Field Hockey To Host ‘Pink Out’
Last year with a matching donation the teams raised $1,000 to help women in the community battling breast cancer.
Chantilly Brief: Flu Shot Express Clinic Offered
MinuteClinic will hold a Flu Shot Express Clinic inside the CVS Pharmacy at 24795 Pinebrook Road in Chantilly on Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. During the clinics, additional providers will be on hand to administer flu shots and to expedite the patient vaccination process.
Got a Hankering for Craft Beer?
Chantilly’s first annual BrewFest will quench that thirst.
Take six breweries, four bands, four food trucks, add a large dash of fun and the result is Fairfax County’s first-ever Craft BrewFest.
Walk to Prevent Suicide
Walk supports survivors of suicide loss and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The Out of the Darkness Walks are American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s largest fundraiser, producing millions for suicide prevention programs, and works to unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are “smart about mental health.”
Homework Overload
Some educators say less can be more, stress balance when it comes to homework.
Paula DeMarco dreads one time of day the most: weekday evenings at 5:30. It’s the time she has set aside for her children begin their homework. That means no screen time, music or other distractions.
‘Sextortion’ Victims Are Mostly Men
Photos, video used to demand money from victims.
Detectives of the Major Crimes Division of Fairfax County Police report a trend in an unsavory type of financial scam. Sexual extortion scams, commonly referred to as “sextortion,” involve meeting someone the victim believes is a real person online who coaxes him or her into feeling a sense of connection and intimacy, and then sending risque photos or video.