‘Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again’
Chantilly’s Emily Price has come a long way. In 2006, at age 14, she played Dorothy in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Now 22, she’s performing in the Broadway national tour of “Mamma Mia!” The hit musical will be at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., March 4-9. In the story, a young woman named Sophie is getting married in Greece. She wants to learn who her father is, so she invites three former suitors of her mother’s to the wedding. “I play Ali, one of Sophie’s best friends, who’s come to the Greek island as a bridesmaid,” said Price. “Ali’s quirky, funny and excited to be reunited with Sophie. I love it; I get to jump around and have a blast every night with wonderful performers. The audience loves the show — we always get a great reaction.” Price was drawn to acting as a child. “I was shy, so this was a great outlet for me,” she said. “I also fell in love with the idea of diving into someone else’s shoes and getting into their feelings and lives on stage.” Her first show was Alliance’s “Oliver” in 2003, followed by “The Music Man” in 2004. “I grew up with [Alliance founder] Elaine Wilson as my director,” said Price. “She allowed the ensemble members to work together to create something artistic. I remember having a lot of fun — it was like theater camp for me. I was also a counselor during their summer production of ‘Willy Wonka.’”
Westfield High To Present One-Act Play Festival.
Postponed because of snow, Westfield High’s Winter One-Act Play Festival has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 9 in the school theater. On the bill are comedy, drama and even a full-length musical. Here’s what’s on tap:
Theater Workshops Offered from the Professionals
Broadway comes to Fairfax with the arrival of actress Candi Boyd, currently appearing on Broadway in the play, “Jersey Boys.” On Sunday, March 9, she’ll present a musical-theater workshop, “Broadway: Behind the Curtain,” at Fairfax High – and it’s open to all area high-school students. It’ll run from noon-4:30 p.m. in the auditorium, with a limited number of spots available. Tickets range from $10-$40, depending on level of participation. The event’s a fundraiser for Fairfax High’s theater program, and school Theater Director Erich DiCenzo hopes to make it an annual tradition. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to have exposure to professional and talented artists,” he said. “Anyone with any interest in this field is welcome. Attendees don’t have to be theater students.”
Mountain View Department Awards
Mountain View High presented the following Department Awards, Feb. 5, to graduating seniors: English, Nina Iandolo; Business, Alexis Kharin Arriola; P.E., Reynaldo Gonzalez Martinez; Art, Nina Iandolo, Joshua Todd McDow, Trong LeDuc Bui; EFE, Aya Elhadi Abdelhalim; Family and Consumer Science, Chakoda Lanora Robinson. ESOL: Level 1, Jose Ramos Cantarero; Level 2, Ting Shi Zhong; Level 3, Evelin Clavel Delgado, Reynaldo Gonzalez Martinez; Level 4, Milton Fernandez Lemus, Maria Villafuerte Pineda.
Vandalism Suspects Arrested
Police have arrested three adults and obtained petitions charging two juveniles in connection with the recent series of vehicle vandalisms in Centreville. The apprehensions came about after a resident called police Friday, Feb. 21, around 4 a.m., to report a loud noise and a suspicious vehicle in the area of Bull Run Post Office Road. Responding officers from the Sully District Station found the vehicle and stopped it on Bull Run Post Office Road near Sudley Road. Several smashed mailboxes were also discovered in the area. Further investigation led officers to identify five people they believe were responsible for the Centreville vehicle vandalisms.
‘We Will Not Tolerate Unsafe Driving’
Police want motorists to get the message from their new cruiser.
There’s a new weapon in the Fairfax County Police Department’s arsenal, but this one has four tires and an engine. It’s a new cruiser covered with messages warning people not to drive impaired or distracted. It was unveiled on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Sully District Station, and the station’s commander, Capt. Ed O’Carroll, explained its significance.
Roundups
House Fire: $100,000 Damage A house fire over the weekend caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a single-family home in Centreville. Fire investigators say the blaze was accidental. They blamed it on an electrical anomaly in the air-conditioning wall unit in the garage that had been converted into a daycare center. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded Sunday, Feb. 16, around 2:15 p.m. to 7105 Ordway Road. First-arriving firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the garage. They brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. Working smoke alarms provided early warning and allowed the home’s occupants to escape unharmed before the firefighters arrived. No one was injured, but the fire displaced four adults and three children.
‘To Be Graceful and Fast’
Westfield High freshman Nicole Bachman isn’t an Olympian, but she is an accomplished ice skater. And on Feb. 27, she and Team Ashburn will compete in the Synchronized Skating National Competition in Colorado Springs. A resident of Centreville’s Virginia Run community, Bachman’s among five girls from Fairfax County on the 15-member team. They skate at the Intermediate Level — the U.S. Figure Skating Assciation’s most competitive level. And this is the first time an Intermediate team from the Washington Metropolitan area has made Nationals.
Just Chillin’ in the Snow
Two snowstorms, Feb. 12-13, brought 14 inches of snow initially, plus 4 more inches later, to the local area, bringing dogs and people out to play.
Women of Faith Discuss Peace
Concerned about unrest in the world and wanting to do something about it, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith event. Held Feb. 8 at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, it gave women from different walks of life the chance to discuss their perspectives on peace. The event was called “World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.” And during its course, the women presented their ideas on: * How to save the world from destruction, * How to create true peace and harmony in the world, and * What’s the role of religion in promoting justice, freedom, human rights and peace?
Man Charged with Setting Home Fire
A Centreville man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at the home where he was a renter. He is Giancarlo Deleon, 25, and the fire was at a single-family home on Scotch Run Court. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded there last Thursday, Feb. 13, around 12:30 a.m. And despite heavy snow and dangerous driving conditions, firefighters arrived at the scene quickly. They encountered flames coming from the basement of the three-story house and spreading to a neighboring home.
'This School Was My Safe Place'
Mountain View High holds winter graduation.
61 Mountain View students donned caps and gowns, Friday, Feb. 7, and filed into Centreville High’s auditorium for their school’s winter graduation.
Don’t Ever Give Up — Ever
Principal offers advice to graduating seniors.
Before Mountain View’s graduating seniors received their diplomas last week, Principal Dave Jagels shared some words of wisdom with them.
CVHS Art Students Win 33 Awards
Centreville High students won a total of 33 awards in the recent Fairfax County Public Schools Regional Scholastic Art competition.
Local Man Charged with Setting Fires
Occupants were home asleep at the time.
Culminating months of work, investigators from the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office have charged a local man with two felonies for allegedly setting fires in homes while their occupants were asleep.
Comedy, Drama and a Musical
Westfield High presents Winter One-Act Play Festival
WHS presents One-Act Plays.
New Grocery Opens in Fair Lakes
Features organic and all-natural products.
A new grocery store, aimed at customers interested in buying natural and organic foods, has opened for business in Fair Lakes.
Road Projects Take Step Forward
Supervisors approve six-year transportation funds.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week approved $1.4 billion to fund transportation projects for FY 2015 to FY 2020.
How to Fix I-66?
More lanes, bus rapid transit, rail, spot improvements proposed.
It’s said that nothing’s certain but death and taxes – but most of the time, traffic congestion on I-66 can be added to that list. So VDOT’s seeking input from the public on how best to alleviate it.
Roundups: Crime Solvers Seeks Vandals
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is asking the public to help identify the people responsible for vandalizing vehicles in the Sully Police District. Between Sunday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb.18, at least 100 parked vehicles were struck by BB-type projectiles. Police say the suspects are apparently driving through neighborhoods shooting the BBs at parked cars, breaking the windows and causing damage. Many of the vehicles were parked on or near Old Centreville Road, Skipton Court, Federation Drive, Singleton’s Way and Compton Lane.
An Interview with Michael League
Following Snarky Puppy’s Jan. 26 Grammy victory for Best R&B Performance, the band’s founder, Centreville High grad Michael League, responded to the following question.
Centreville High School Graduate Wins Grammy
R&B Performance: Michael League and band Snarky Puppy.
Sometimes, good guys do finish first — and Centreville High grad Michael League and his band Snarky Puppy are proof. Besides making music, they pass on their knowledge to young musicians worldwide. And Sunday, Jan. 26, they won a Grammy award for Best R&B Performance.
CVHS Choral Cabaret Nears
Event includes music, silent auction, raffle and desserts.
Featuring young, musical talent and homemade desserts in a cozy, intimate atmosphere, Centreville High presents its 10th annual Choral Cabaret.
‘A Children’s Story Come to Life’
“It’s about a dragon who wants to write poetry and not fight, and the little girls who becomes his friend,” said Monk. “But the townspeople think all dragons are bad and want to slay him.”
Roundups: Chantilly/Centreville — Jan. 22, 2014
News briefs and community notes.
CYA Collects Presents for Pediatric Party
CYA and DC Candlelighters united to make the holidays brighter for pediatric oncology patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital. CYA collected more than 300 presents for the DC Candlelighter families whose children are fighting cancer.
‘We Investigate Crime Scenes and Accidents’
Police detective discusses the job of the Crash Reconstruction Unit.
Fairfax County Police Det. Josh David minored in physics at GMU, and it’s come in handy in his job. A 13-year member of the Police Department, he’s been with the Crash Reconstruction Unit for five years now. And, he said, “I realized how much math, physics and science is involved in what I do.”
Chantilly Speech Team Takes District Title
The Chantilly High Speech Team won the district title for the second year in a row, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Westfield High.
Challenges of a Lean Economy
Could Meals Tax Be Answer To Fund Schools?
The school budget, roads and money were the main topics Monday night, Jan. 20, when Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) gave his annual, “State of Sully” address.
Investigating Crime Scenes
Police detective discusses the job of the Crash Reconstruction Unit.
Fairfax County Police Det. Josh David minored in physics at GMU, and it’s come in handy in his job. A 13-year member of the Police Department, he’s been with the Crash Reconstruction Unit for five years now. And, he said, “I realized how much math, physics and science is involved in what I do.”
Caring for People with Alzheimers, Dementia
As the number of senior citizens in Fairfax County continues to rise, so does the need for assisted-living facilities — and especially those focusing on people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. That’s why Artisan Land Group LLC wants to build just that in Chantilly.
Gerhard Honored as Officer of Month
As the Sully District Police Station’s crime-prevention officer, PFC Tara Gerhard normally knows in advance who’ll be honored as the station’s Officer of the Month at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings. But until the Jan. 8 meeting began, that name was kept under wraps. That’s because the person honored last Wednesday was she.
Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress
Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.
Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Roundups
Crime Solvers Needs Help
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is seeking the public’s help in identifying whoever broke into a construction building and trailers in Chantilly and stole at least $15,000 in copper wire and caused about $60,000 in damage to the structures.
Board of Supervisors OKs Roundabout
It’s a go for the controversial roundabout planned for construction at the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection next to Cox Farms in Centreville. Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed Supervisor Michael R. Frey’s (R-Sully) motion of “no opposition” to it, by an 8-2 vote.
Residents Warned of Scam
Residents, beware. There’s a new scam happening in the local area and PFC Tara Gerhard, crime prevention officer with the Sully District Police Station, wants people to know about it.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.
‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award
Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then — yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.
Roundups for 1/8/14
Roundups for 1/8/14
Two Fires in Same Night
Local firefighters had their hands full, Saturday, Dec. 28, battling two residential fires in western Centreville on the same night. Both happened between 7 and 8 p.m.
Music Educator Award Details and Prizes
This award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who’ve made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
Celebrating Legacy of Martin Luther King
For 20 years now, the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement (CPMSAC) Committee has celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Chantilly High Students Win State-wide Teen Stylin' Awards
Chantilly High students Mia Rickenbach and Diana Tsoy won design awards recently in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) Teen Stylin’ program. Both created dresses based on museum works of art.
Wrapping up Joy for Christmas
Students, Scouts, police brighten holiday at Hanley Shelter.
The children living in the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter may not have many possessions; but on Christmas Day, they had presents.
Cookies, Cookies Everywhere
Centreville High SGA members brought in and packaged 6,240 cookies on Dec. 12 to donate to Our Neighbor’s Child for local families in need.
Library Has Some Helpful Friends
Everyone needs friends, even a library. And the Friends of the Centreville Regional Library provide an invaluable service by buying items the library needs, but Fairfax County doesn’t fund.
Actively Caring Comes to CVHS
Part of Bullying Awareness Week, AC4P recognizes acts of kindness.
Not bullying means more than just not taunting or hitting someone; it also means being kind and considerate. So it was fitting that members of Virginia Tech’s program, Actively Caring for People (AC4P), shared their message Monday, Nov. 18, during the first day of Cluster VII’s Bullying Awareness Week.
Local Students Offer Mark Twain Classic
Rocky Run Middle presents ‘Tom Sawyer.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 60, Rocky Run Middle will perform Mark Twain’s classic story of “Tom Sawyer.”
Hersey Honored as Officer of the Month
Praised for dedication and professionalism.
MPO Julie L. Hersey was honored recently as the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee’s Officer of the Month for October. Nominating her for this award was her direct supervisor, 2nd Lt. Michael Reser.
Church, School Provide Food for Students
Not everyone in Fairfax County has enough food to eat. And many students receiving free and reduced-price lunches in school go hungry over the weekend.