<lst>Stephen Bagnoli of Fairfax appeared in lights on Broadway on Sunday, Sept. 29, as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's awareness campaign to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities. The photo of Stephen, 2, who has Down syndrome, was selected from almost a thousand entries in the NDSS nationwide call for photos. Approximately 200 pictures will appear in a video production to be shown on the larger-than-life NBC Astrovision by Panasonic, located in the heart of Times Square. Panasonic has donated 40 minutes of time on the Times Square Astrovision in honor of October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the residents of Syracuse Circle hosted their 40th consecutive annual block party. The residents, three of whom have lived on Syracuse Circle for the last 40 years, commemorated this event with a children's parade, games with prizes, a presentation by Merrifield fire station including fire fighting and emergency vehicles that firefighters explained to both passers-by and plenty of food. Fairfax County board of supervisors chairman Katherine Hanley (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Gerald Connolly (D-Providence), were in attendance.