What Makes Centreville Special
I have loved living in Centreville for 24 years, but my family’s history in the village goes back 150 years to the Civil War. In August 1862, my great, great grandfather McGraw marched with New York’s 157th Infantry to the tiny town. The Republican state senator and abolitionist had one goal: end slavery. When Lieutenant McGraw arrived, he found thousands of soldiers bivouacked in the desolate village where a second battle in Manassas had just tinted Bull Run’s water red with the shredded bodies of approximately 25,000 men in blue and gray. Little did he know that his new home — a tent — would transform into a peaceful house for his great, great granddaughter a century later.
Insider’s Perspective
Importance of Neighborhood Spirit
Sully Station II, Centreville, is a very active and friendly community with a lot of great events and programs for all ages. Being Neighborhood Watch Coordinators for Sully Station II and surrounding communities gives us a chance to work with community residents and businesses, the Sully District Police, and Fire Station 438. Crime is really, really low in Sully District thanks to the Fairfax County Police, and having a Neighborhood Watch program helps educate neighbors to be aware and look out for each other. Events like National Night Out, which we have been hosting since 2003, is a great opportunity to show neighborhood spirit and demonstrates our community’s commitment to fight crime.
Insiders’ Tips
Cherishing Franklin Glen
Franklin Glen has been a wonderful place to raise our family. We moved here in 1985 and our children are now grown. Many of the friendships they made here have continued into their adult lives. The swim team was perhaps the greatest "glue" of all. It was a wonderful experience for both children, especially our daughter Molly, who waxed philosophical at her final team cookout at age 18. She had compiled and read aloud numerous nuggets of wisdom entitled "Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned on the Franklin Glen Swim Team." My favorite from that list is "Winning doesn't always mean finishing first." Our children didn't always finish first, but that team was a huge part of the "village" that helped them and so many others to feel like winners.
Nearly 800 Jobs Added to the Local Economy
Information technology firms and professional service companies see growth.
Information technology firms continue to do well in a sluggish economy, according to a new report from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). During the second quarter of 2012, the FCEDA provided services and resources to 33 businesses that are adding almost 800 jobs in Fairfax County. Most of these businesses are in the information technology and professional services sectors and four are foreign-based firms using a Fairfax County location to expand in North America.
Minority-Owned Businesses Prosper in Fairfax County
Companies generate more than $1 billion in revenue and provide more than 1,000 jobs.
Businesses owned by Hispanics, African-Americans and women shine in Fairfax County, according to the latest national rankings for largest or fastest-growing companies. "Fairfax County is proud to be a community in which companies of all descriptions can and do succeed to a greater extent than in the rest of the region, the state or the country," said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, which supports and monitors the growth of local businesses. Eleven Fairfax County-based companies are among the 500 largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the nation based on revenue — more than the total in 40 states, according to a recent report by HispanicBusiness.com. The Fairfax County companies are among 22 from Virginia on the 2012 Hispanic Business 500 list.
Food, Fun And Festivities
Neighbors, firefighters and police celebrate National Night Out.
It could have been just an ordinary Tuesday night — families eating quiet dinners in their homes, behind closed doors. But instead, last Tuesday, Aug. 7, residents of Centreville’s Sully Station II community joined together in four neighborhoods for outdoor block parties.
Centreville Roundups 8/16
Roundups
‘Born to Be an Educator’
Franklin band director retires after 28 years.
Lawrence Walker was at Franklin Middle when it opened in 1984. But now, after 30 years with Fairfax County Public Schools — 28 of them at Franklin — the school’s band director has retired.
Pakistan Festival at Bull Run Park
The Pakistani-American community will celebrate the 65th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence at the Pakistan Festival on Aug. 26 at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.
Making Beautiful Music
Students participate in Franklin’s Band and Orchestra Camp.
Take 710 students, 35 teachers and musical instruments of every size and shape and you get Franklin Middle School’s Band and Orchestra Camp.
Learning History Firsthand
Veterans tell Rocky Run students about WWII.
Each year, WWII comes alive for seventh-graders at Rocky Run Middle School. That’s because, besides what they learn about it from their textbooks, they get to hear firsthand from those who lived through it.
Realizing a Dream
Garrett begins job of deputy fire chief.
Since he was a boy, William Garrett knew he’d grow up to be a firefighter. Although he and his family have lived in Centreville six-and-a-half years, he was born and raised in Alexandria’s Gum Springs community — and that’s where the spark was ignited.
Chantilly Pain Clinic Owner Is Convicted
Oxycodone distribution, healthcare, tax fraud.
The owner and president of a pain clinic in Chantilly was convicted Friday, Aug. 3, in Federal Court of conspiring to distribute and actually distributing oxycodone, a controlled drug.
Something To Cheer About
All-star gym for competitive cheerleading opens in Chantilly.
Susan and Mark Culin and Jelaire Grillo have something to cheer about — literally. They’ve just opened Phase Cheer & Dance, an all-star gym in Chantilly where they’ll train competitive cheerleaders.
Centre View Bulletin Board 8/8/12
Centre View Calendar