Don’t Be Among the Missing
Last time Virginia elected a governor, 1.7 million voters failed to vote after voting the previous year.
In 2008, 74.5 percent of Virginia’s registered voters turned out to vote in the presidential election. In 2009, the last time Virginians elected a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates, just 40.4 percent of registered voters came out to vote. That is to say that 1.7 million voters went missing in the Commonwealth.
Unconventional Camp Ideas
Suggestions for parents still searching for summer activities
Lauralie Kennedy has been knee-deep in frantic online searches. School ends next month and the Alexandria mother has yet to enroll her 6-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter in summer camp. “I just haven’t put together a plan yet,” she said. “I have a spread sheet with all of the things I’d like for them to do, but I haven’t done anything with it. I am hoping that there will be slots open somewhere.”
100 New Citizens Sworn In
Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova, Delegate Keam participate in naturalization ceremony in Fairfax.
The new citizens, accompanied by many family members, filled the Government Center's auditorium for the naturalization ceremony held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova and Delegate Keam addressed the group, each describing in their words what it meant to be an American.
Brief:Amazon Web Services to Expand in Fairfax County
Company will add 500 IT-focused jobs.
Governor Bob McDonnell announced last week that Amazon Web Services, Inc., (AWS), an Amazon.com company, will expand in Fairfax County and add 500 new jobs to the county economy.
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.
Tea Party Ticket
Republican convention selects conservative slate of candidates for November.
Perhaps the biggest sign that the Tea Party has taken control of the Republican Party of Virginia was the yellow Gadsden flag emblem that appeared on placards distributed by supporters of Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, who was one of seven candidates vying to be the nominee for lieutenant governor last weekend at a raucous convention in Richmond. Davis, who represented Fairfax County for a decade in the General Assembly, has a reputation as being a moderate.
Residents Meet Police Officers And K-9s
Local residents attending a recent meeting of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee learned about the work done by the K-9 officers and their dogs. Officers Matthew Kunstel and Marshal Thielen talked to the crowd and children enjoyed petting their dogs.
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.
Calendar-CV
Ongoing The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.
CES’s 7th Annual Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance
The girls from Centreville Elementary School danced the night away at the Black and White Ball in April, with their fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles and in one case, an older brother. Since its beginning seven years ago, the dance has grown and this year had the biggest turnout of attendees in the dance’s history. This year’s theme was a Black and White Ball and the girls and their dates came decked out in true princess fashion. DJ Patrick Fitzgerald from BossHogg Entertainment kept the girls and their dates dancing well into the night. The girls also took home a souvenir photo courtesy of YanzEvents Photo Booths. CES noted the support of local businesses: Chipotle, Virginia Tire and Auto, Guapos, Manhattan Bagel, Baskin Robbins, Brick’s Pizza, Centreville Tire and Auto, Domino’s Pizza, Centreville Dance, and Amanda Lauser with Lia Sophia.
Racing in the Clifton Caboose Twilight Run
The 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run included a 1-mile fun run/walk at 6 p.m., and the 5K at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.
School Notes
Aun Kei Hong of Centreville graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in computer engineering from RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering in the winter 2012-13 quarter. Thoa Jennifer M. Tran, of Centreville, received the Dr. Clyde S. & Pauline F. Stine Scholarship from Millersville University. Daniel Deskin Nicoll graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a B.A. in history. A graduate of Bishop Ireton High School, he is the son of Scott and Colleen Nicoll of Centreville.
School Notes
Christine Quetsch from Chantilly High School is a recipient of a 2013 Celebrate Fairfax Community Spirit Scholarship. Andrew Criminski, the son of Scott and Charmain Criminski of Oak Hill, and Therese Criminski of San Diego, has been named to Randolph-Macon Academy's dean's list for the third quarter of the 2012-13 school year. Andrew is a senior at Randolph-Macon.
Buisness Notes
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics formerly the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. The Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia. The study is celebrating its 20th year. Four more retailers have opened their doors at Fair Oaks Mall. The Art of Shaving, Clarks, Sports Zone Elite and Zumiez are joining the expanding lineup at the area’s premier shopping destination.