Celebrating the Fourth At Chantilly Mosque
Food, fun, politicians and gratitude.
There were hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelons, children’s games, politicians and speeches — a typical, American celebration of the Fourth of July. But this one last Thursday was at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, home of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Before Going Forward, Taking a Look Back
Centreville High seniors open elementary-school time capsule.
Before a group of Centreville High seniors graduated in June, they returned to their elementary school, Union Mill, to reunite with their classmates and take a trip down memory lane.
Road Projects Moving Forward
Frey updates Sully District Council.
Transportation was the topic last week when Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) addressed the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations, updating the panel and audience on local road projects. “We have a fair amount of transportation improvements coming in the next two years,” he said last Wednesday, June 26. “And for the first time in awhile, there’s some optimism that we’ll be able to [carry them out] because of the passage of the transportation bill.”
Eline Leaves Rocky Run
He’s named new principal of Robinson Secondary School.
Under Matt Eline’s leadership at Rocky Run Middle School, several teams of math and science students have won state and national championships, and the school, itself, received the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, three years in a row.
Military Notes
Navy Seaman Apprentice Alexander L. Tran, son of Kim C. and Scott T. Tran of Centreville, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Tran is a 2012 graduate of Chantilly High School. Army Pvt. Kie Hwan Park has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Park is the son of Sang Sup and Hyun Sook Park of Centreville. He is a 2011 graduate of Westfield High School, Chantilly.
Centreville Day Plans Are Now Underway
Event seeking sponsors, vendors, crafters, nonprofits.
Centreville Day isn’t until fall, but event organizer Cheryl Repetti is putting out the call for participants now. Sponsorships, vendor, crafter and nonprofit spaces are available at early-bird pricing through July 31. The one-day, outdoor festival is held in Centreville Park in the Centreville Historic District and includes a variety of fun, activities and entertainment for all ages. This year’s 21st annual event is Oct. 19, and the planning is already beginning.
Chantilly Tragedy Described As Family Murder-Suicide
Police say suspect killed brother and himself.
The tragic event in which two men were stabbed and another was shot last week inside a Chantilly home has turned into a murder-suicide. Fairfax County police identified the murder victim as Haseeb Raza, 24. They also said his suspected killer was his 20-year-old brother, Mohammad H. Raza.
Olympian Ziegler To Lead Swim Clinic
World Record holder, two-time Olympian, and Great Falls native, Kate Ziegler, is visiting the Virginia Run Riptide Swim Team on June 30. Ziegler, who was a member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympian Teams and currently holds the World Record in the 1500 meter freestyle, is conducting a swim clinic to encourage and inspire young swimmers to reach their greatest potential, while learning to overcome adversity.
Roundups
Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Tuesday, July 9, 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.
Housing’s Roaring Rebound?
Pent-up demand creates seller’s market for Northern Virginia real estate.
In February, Patricia Stack, a broker with Weichert Realtors, held an open house for a single-family home for sale in Vienna just listed for $739,000. Within three hours, more than 70 people toured the home. “The home went under contract substantially above list price,” Stack said. “2013 has started with a bang in Northern Virginia real estate. In fact, it appears to be a market more like 2005-2006 than anything we've seen since,” Stack said.
School Notes
Andrew Jackman was named to Sacred Heart University's dean's list.
Roundups
In hopes of encouraging people to adopt cats and kittens, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has designated July as “Extravacatza.” Adoptive families will receive half-off adoption fees, plus free spay and neuter, on cats and kittens. Senior cat adopters will receive gift bags.
Opinion: Editorials
Ready for Your Pet’s Close-up? The Pet Centre View, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish July 24. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
Letter to the Editor: Intersection Needs Improving
This is in response to your letter [“Why Is Project Fast-Tracked?”] regarding the proposed improvement to the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Braddock Road. You have asked several questions which I will attempt to answer. However, this is not a Fairfax County project but a Virginia Department of Transportation initiative and some of your questions are better answered by VDOT.
Union Mill Elementary End of the Year Barbecure
Union Mill Elementary school held an end-of-year barbecue on Monday, June 17, for all of its students. The students ate lunch outside on the blacktop on beach towels and blankets. The school’s Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) volunteers grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs, and helped distribute the food, drinks and ice cream to students. A DJ played music, while students danced and hula-hooped.