Chantilly: ‘Only Excellence Is Good Enough’
CPMSAC celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) has come a long way in 30 years — and there’s more work to be done. But Sunday night, it took time out to celebrate three decades of dedication to area youth.
Scouting for Food in Centreville
The annual Boy Scouts Scouting for Food drive was Saturday, Nov. 8. More than 900 Boy Scouts plus more than 800 other volunteers collected, packed and delivered nearly 59,000 pounds of food to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries for its food pantry for local families in need.
Chantilly: ‘And Then There Were None’
Westfield High presents Agatha Christie mystery.
Something is definitely amiss after 10 people are invited to a party on an isolated island in Maine and are killed off, one by one. That’s the premise of the classic mystery by Agatha Christie, and it’s Westfield High’s upcoming play.
Vienna Honors Parade Winners
The Vienna Town Council and the Vienna Business Assn. honored the winners of the Town’s Halloween Parade at the Nov. 3 Council meeting.
Vienna Little League, Town Join Forces
Will both chip in to renovate Glyndon Park baseball field.
On Oct. 27, the Town of Vienna and Vienna Little League representatives met with the neighbors living by Glyndon Park to discuss plans to renovate and improve the baseball field there.
Haunted House and Carnival in Chantilly
Screams and laughter were both part of Westfield High’s Haunted House and Carnival
Screams and laughter were both part of Westfield High’s Haunted House and Carnival, Oct. 29-30.
‘It’s a Privilege and an Honor’
Hosted by local church, Guatemalans visit Fairfax preschool.
For the past 10 years, the women of Fairfax Presbyterian Church have made a mission trip/cultural exchange to Guatemala. And in mid-October, some of the Guatemalan women they met came here to visit.
Steady Voter Turnout at Fairfax's Greenbriar East
More than a third of those registered there voted Tuesday.
Most voters at Greenbriar East Elementary (GBE) didn’t want to reveal specifics about which candidates they voted for on Tuesday, but they did share their reasons for casting their ballots, in general.
Restaurants and Apartments Planned for Church Street
Now vacant lot proposed for redevelopment.
Arrington Properties LLC owns the site at 120 Church St. N.W. in Vienna and it has plans to redevelop with a building containing both residential and commercial uses. Details were presented during the Oct. 20 meeting of the Vienna Town Council.
WWII History and a Mystery Unveiled
Fairfax volunteer’s book, “South Pacific Cauldron,” is published.
To patrons of the Fairfax Regional Library, Alan Rems is a familiar face. A 10-year volunteer there, he’s in the Virginia Room every Tuesday, helping people with genealogy matters. And last year, he received a pin for putting in 1,000 volunteer hours.
Proposal to Swap Offices for Condos
Part of a plan to redevelop Mantua Professional Center.
Nearly four acres of the Mantua Professional Center on Pickett Road are available for development, and the IDI Group Cos. hopes to build 80 condos there off Silver King Court. Details of the plan were presented during the Oct. 7 work session of the Fairfax City Council.
Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop
The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.
Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop
The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.
The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.
Up Where the Air Is Rare
Chantilly yearbook adviser is in Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
Mary Kay Downes has won her share of awards over the years; but now, she’s seemingly reached the pinnacle. On Oct. 15 in Charlottesville, she was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
Arbors of Chantilly Gets a Thumbs-Up
Assisted-Living facility would focus on Alzheimer’s patients.
It’s on to the Board of Supervisors now for a proposed, elder-care facility in Chantilly. The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave it a thumbs-up last Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Vienna Man Guilty of Wire Fraud
Bilked investment clients out of more than $1 million.
A Vienna man is facing possible decades in prison after pleading guilty last week in federal court to defrauding clients that he advised about financial investments. He is Ismail Elmas, 49.
Witches, Goblins and Pumpkins, Oh, My!
Vienna’s annual Family Halloween Party was Saturday, Oct. 18, outside the community center.
Follin Lane Project Is Still Worrisome
Residents question safety and need for long turn lane.
The Town of Vienna is moving full-speed ahead with its plan to widen Follin Lane from two to three lanes. And last Monday, Oct. 20, it awarded $59,000 to Urban Ltd. for additional engineering services associated with the project.
‘An Awesome Experience’
Chantilly High student attends Governor’s German Immersion Academy.
Chantilly High senior Kate Meyer is such a fan of German culture and language that she spent three weeks of her summer immersed in it. She attended the Virginia Governor’s German Immersion Academy at Washington and Lee University in Lexington.
It’s ‘Like a Dream Come True’
Fairfax Police Chief Carl Pardiny eager to groom future leaders.
Col. Carl Pardiny was born and raised in Pittsburgh, but has spent nearly his entire, adult life with the City of Fairfax Police Department. He started its K-9 and Bike Patrol programs and was twice selected as the Department’s Officer of the Year.
City of Fairfax is Virginia’s eCity
The City of Fairfax was named last week by Google Corp. as the eCity for the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was selected for inclusion on a list of “digital capitals of America” for 2014.
‘We Owed that to the Victim’
Police charge Jesse Matthew with 2005 Fairfax crimes.
The wheels of justice may turn slowly – but, apparently, they keep on turning. And now, nine years after a young Fairfax woman was attacked in her own neighborhood by an unknown assailant, a suspect has been charged with the crime.
Roundups
A car crash in Chantilly last week took the life of a 27-year-old Sterling man. Fairfax County police identified him as Jordan Douglas. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday, Oct. 15, shortly before 5 p.m.
Holiday Food Drive For Needy Families
Teaming Up To Help Needy
The holidays are almost here, with all the joy of family gatherings and tasty meals around the table.
Featured Artist
Lorrie Herman’s watercolor, “Le Fountaine Bleu,” was on display, Oct. 3-5, at the Vale Schoolhouse in Oakton during ValeArts’ 19th annual fall art show, “Transitions.”
18-24-Year-Olds Needed for Survey
To meet its grant requirement for a Virginia Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant, the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) needs to gather at least 300 surveys in a 30-day time fra.m.e that ends Nov. 15.
Homecoming Parade for Westfield
Westfield High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Centreville.
Centreville Wildcats on Parade
Centreville High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Little Rocky Run.
‘Kids Can Be Themselves Here’
Vienna Teen Center celebrates 15th anniversary.
A place to hang out with friends after school, play sports and games, do arts and crafts and just have fun – that’s the Vienna Teen Center. Called Club Phoenix, it’s on the bottom floor of the Vienna Community Center, and it just celebrated its 15th anniversary.
‘Hands-On History’
Students participate in E.C. Lawrence archaeological dig.
Area students got to be part of history recently when they participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.
Qreitem: Business Citizen of Year
The Centreville Day Business Citizen of the Year is Paisano’s Pizza (and Bella Pizza) owner and CEO, Fouad Qreitem. He was honored by the Centreville Day Planning Committee at the Oct. 11 festivities.
‘A Side-Splitting Comedy’
Chantilly High presents “Funny Thing Happened on Way to Forum.”
Featuring a cast and crew of 45, Chantilly High presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
21st Annual Goblin Gallop Nears
Goblin Gallop To Benefit Families of Children with Cancer
When the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes crisp, Halloween soon follows. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event, the 21st annual, is slated for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
21st Annual Goblin Gallop is Oct. 26
Benefits families of children with cancer.
When the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes crisp, Halloween soon follows. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event, the 21st annual, is slated for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
‘It’s Hands-On History’
Oakton High student participates in archaeological dig.
Oakton High junior Corina Gribble got to be part of history recently when she participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.
Residents Receive Community Enhancement Awards
On Sept. 22, the Vienna Town Council presented Community Enhancement, Beauty and Sustainability awards to four sets of local residents.
CureSearch Walk at Fairfax Corner
Fairfax’s Tara Sankner is a friendly, softball-playing 9-year-old. She also has an astrocytoma, a treatable but inoperable form of brain cancer.
Children Have Fun at Safety Day
The City of Fairfax Police Department held Kids’ Safety Day on Saturday morning, Sept. 20, outside police headquarters.
‘I Realized I Could Conquer This’
Fairfax fire captain is Honored Hero in Light the Night Walk.
City of Fairfax Fire Capt. Joe Schumacher beat cancer not once, but twice. And he’ll soon serve as an Honored Hero for this year’s Light the Night Walks in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
It’s Officially Fire Prevention Week
The City of Fairfax officially proclaims Oct. 5-11 “Fire Prevention Week.”
Vienna Teen Honored for Poetry Writing
Megan Do just writes poetry in her spare time — and as a junior as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, she has precious little of it. Yet one of her recent efforts won second place for poetry in a competition sponsored by the Writers of Chantilly.
Green Light for MAC Zoning
Town Council approves Maple Avenue ordinance.
It’s taken a great deal of time, effort, research and wrangling; but last Monday, the Vienna Town Council approved the ordinance defining the Maple Avenue Commercial Zone regulations. The ordinance is now set to be formally adopted Oct. 20.
Fairfax Fall Festival Means Family Fun
Children’s rides, crafts, food and entertainment.
When it comes to family fun, it’s hard to beat the Fairfax Fall Festival. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 11 (rain date, Oct. 12), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and features a cornucopia of entertainment, including Journey and Bruce Springsteen tribute bands, a lumberjack competition, food, crafts and carnival rides.
Centreville Day 2014: Celebration Returns Oct. 11
Zombie Slouch 5K, parade, food, pets in costume, music and more.
Featuring everything from a charity 5K to a parade, music, history tours, a costume contest for pets and a swordsman, the upcoming Centreville Day celebration promises something for everyone. The 22nd annual event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP).
Community Mourns Local Girl, 16
Missing since Sunday, Cara Golias was found dead in a park.
Just a month before her 17th birthday, friends, family members and classmates from Chantilly, Centreville and Fairfax are mourning the loss of a local girl. The body of Cara Lynn Golias, 16, of the City of Fairfax, was found Monday afternoon in Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton.
City Approves Money for Charrette
Focus will be on Fairfax’s downtown development.
It’s full speed ahead for a planning workshop, or charrette, the City of Fairfax will hold in November. It’ll do so along with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) and the focus will be on the downtown area. It’s a hands-on, design-oriented event and will involve both professionals and residents.
Community Mourns Girl, 16
Missing since Sunday, she was found dead in park.
Just a month before her 17th birthday, friends, family members and classmates from Chantilly, Centreville and Fairfax are mourning the loss of a local girl.
‘15,000 Hot Dogs To Break Even’
Permit costs spur gas station’s request to sell alcohol, too.
Raj Gupta just wanted an OK to add hot dogs to his convenience store’s offerings at the Centre Ridge Exxon station.
Crafts, Festivals and Dancing
A sampling of local, fun events this fall.
Below is a partial listing of some fun and exciting autumn events happening in the local area:
It’s Almost Time for Fairfax Fall Festival
Crafts, food, music, children’s rides and lumberjacks.
There’s something for everyone at the Fairfax Fall Festival. This year’s event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11 (rain date, Oct. 12), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offers everything from crafts to food, music, children’s activities, rides, four stages of entertainment and lumberjacks.