Murder Case Goes to Grand Jury
Testimony heard about Centreville woman’s death.
Dressed in the green outfit of a Fairfax County prisoner, Benjamin Luke Walker listened in court last week while others testified during his preliminary hearing. When they were done, Judge Michael Cassidy sent Walker back to jail and certified the murder case against him to the grand jury.
‘Glimmer of Hope for the Future’
Local man in May 5 VisionWalk.
Centreville’s John McKeown has never seen his children’s faces and he always pictures his wife as being 28. That’s because retinitis pigmentosa (RP) — a genetic condition causing degeneration of the retina and eventual vision loss — caused him to go blind.
Social Change Expands Charitable Giving
After hosting a 7th bake sale in two years and raising over $10,000 for Cookies for Kids Cancer, Centreville resident Julie Sussman decided that it was time to turn the table, so to speak, on her generous and loyal bake sale friends, and allow them to raise money for something they believed in.
Kim Gets Three Years Probation for Marriage Fraud
Centreville resident Yong Hyon Kim, 50, was sentenced in federal court to probation following his conviction for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements to federal agents.
Reading, Writing and eCybermission at Rocky Run Middle School
Not only did Rocky Run Middle School’s eighth-grade eCybermission team win the Virginia state championship, it also captured first place in the Northeastern U.S. Regionals and will compete in nationals in June.
It’s a Race and a Picnic
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 12.
Anyone can hold a 5K race early in the morning, but the Town of Clifton does things differently. Its 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is Saturday, May 12, with the 1-mile fun run/walk starting at 6 p.m., and the 5K, at 6:30 p.m.
Clifton Celebrates Its 110th Birthday
Bench dedicated in couple’s memory.
With balloons, two cakes and a bench-dedication, residents gathered Saturday afternoon, April 21, in the town park to celebrate Clifton’s 110th birthday. Attendees included state Sen. George Barker (D-39th); Peter Noonan, FCPS Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services, and former town Mayor Jim Chesley, all of whom live in Clifton.
Chantilly Day Creator Saharnaz Farivar Describes Goals
After becoming the chairwoman for the Chantilly-Centreville Chamber Committee, I had to take a proactive role in the wellbeing of our community. Monthly meetings and networking did not seem to generate the energy and stimulation for a better community and economy. Businesses thrive in a community with a strong sense of place and identity that leads while attracting bigger challenges.
Get Ready for Chantilly Day
Area’s first celebration is taking shape.
Promising fun for the whole family, the area’s first-ever Chantilly Day will burst upon the scene Saturday, May 12, at the Sully Place Shopping Center, off Route 50 West. There’ll be a parade, children’s activities, a car show, live music, food and entertainment galore.
Three Years Probation For Marriage Fraud
Centreville resident Yong Hyon Kim, 50, was sentenced in federal court to probation following his conviction for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements to federal agents.
It’s a Race and a Picnic
Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 12
Anyone can hold a 5K race early in the morning, but the Town of Clifton does things differently. Its 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is Saturday, May 12, with the 1-mile fun run/walk starting at 6 p.m., and the 5K, at 6:30 p.m. It’ll happen rain or shine; and in this competition, not only the winners receive prizes, but the last-place, or caboose, finisher also gets an award.
In Case of Emergency
A look at Fairfax County’s 911 center.
Being a dispatcher in Fairfax County’s state-of-the-art, 911 center sounds like an exciting job. It’s also stressful, tiring, rewarding and, at times, harrowing.
‘Glimmer of Hope for the Future’
Local Man in May 5 VisionWalk.
Centreville’s John McKeown has never seen his children’s faces and he always pictures his wife as being 28. That’s because retinitis pigmentosa (RP) – a genetic condition causing degeneration of the retina and eventual vision loss – caused him to go blind.
Local Man Bikes in Police Unity Tour
The motto of the Police Unity Tour (PUT) is "We Ride for Those Who Died."
Audition Workshop Set for Westfield Summer Stage
Westfield Summer Stage celebrates 12 years of summer musicals with the classic musical comedy, “Anything Goes,” to be performed in late July at Westfield High. Auditions will begin in a few weeks, so an audition workshop for prospective cast members will be held Monday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m., where material for the vocal and dance auditions will be taught.
Spotlight Shines on Local Talent
Alliance Theatre To Present Musical Showcase
Shining a spotlight on the local community’s youth, The Alliance Theatre presents its inaugural Musical Showcase, Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, at Mountain View High. The event is a fund-raiser for Mountain View to purchase additional lighting, sound and window covers for its auditorium.
Fund-Raiser Planned for Animal Shelter
Wine-tasting event is May 5.
Like a Statue of Liberty for animals, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter is a place of refuge for animals needing care. They often arrive ill or injured, and many have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
Come to the ‘State Fair’ at Liberty Middle School
Featuring a cast and crew of 90, Liberty Middle School presents the classic, Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “State Fair.” Show times are Thursday-Friday-Saturday, May 3, 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Two More Weeks to Chantilly Day
Fun, food, music, a car show, children’s fair and parade — they’ll all be part of the first-ever Chantilly Day.
Audition Workshop Set for Westfield Summer Stage
Westfield Summer Stage celebrates 12 years of summer musicals with the classic musical comedy, "Anything Goes," to be performed in late July at Westfield High.
Spotlight Shines on Local Talent
Shining a spotlight on the local community’s youth, The Alliance Theatre presents its inaugural Musical Showcase, Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, at Mountain View High.
Car Show Slated for April 29
All proceeds benefit children’s hospital.
Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.
Clifton Celebrates its 110th Birthday
With balloons, two cakes and a bench-dedication, residents gathered Saturday afternoon, April 21, in the town park to celebrate Clifton’s 110th birthday.
Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter
Wine-tasting event is May 5.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is a place of refuge for animals needing care. They often arrive ill or injured, and many have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
‘Step Through the Looking Glass’
Woodson presents ‘Alice in Wonderland in Steampunk.’
To say Woodson High’s play, "Alice in Wonderland in Steampunk" is something special would be a huge understatement.
Student Sleuth Takes the Stage at Rocky Run Middle
Presents “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective.”
Granted, says Theater Director Julie Wharton, “Nobody’s ever heard of this show, ‘Brenda Bly: Teen Detective,’ but it’s funny and the characters are charming.” And soon, local residents will be able to enjoy it, too, at Rocky Run Middle School.
Police Unity Tour Fund-Raisers Set
The 16th annual Police Unity Tour (PUT) ride will be May 10-12, and Centreville’s Kevin Whalen is already busily raising funds for the cause.
Commemorating A Young Life
Erin Peterson honored in song and dance.
A day before the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, two local victims — Westfield High grads Erin Peterson and Reema Samaha — were honored and remembered at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville.
Car Show Slated for April 29 in Clifton
Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.
Car Show Slated for April 29
All proceeds benefit children’s hospital.
Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.
Raising Money to Educate Children
Project LIFE 2K/5K is Sunday, April 22.
Priya Khanna is still in high school, but she’s the chairman and CEO of a nonprofit organization, The Hollow Trunk. Comprising students from Westfield, Chantilly, Fairfax and Thomas Jefferson high schools, plus Robinson Secondary, it raises money for worthy causes.
Back to the Sixties
Robinson presents ‘How to Succeed in Business…’
t’s been a movie, a Broadway play – currently in revival – and now "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying" is coming to the Robinson Secondary stage.
Fund-Raiser Set for Centreville Boy
Kyle Hahne, 7, is a baseball-loving second-grader at Cub Run Elementary. The Centreville boy is also battling leukemia.
It’s OK, Come ‘Into the Woods’
Audiences throughout the country are currently enjoying two TV shows and a movie based on fairytales, so Chantilly High’s upcoming play, "Into the Woods," should receive an enthusiastic reception here.
Raising Money To Educate Children in India
Priya Khanna is still in high school, but she’s the chairman and CEO of a nonprofit organization, The Hollow Trunk.
CVHS To Present ‘Radium Girls’
In Orange, N.Y., from 1924 to the late 1930s, the U.S. Radium Corp. employed hundreds of women to paint the faces of watches and clocks.
Virginia Tech Tragedy: Five Years Later
Erin Peterson’s family then and now.
For Celeste and Grafton Peterson, on April 16, 2007, the world as they knew it changed forever. That was the day their daughter — and only child — Erin was killed in the massacre at Virginia Tech.
Kidney Walk To Raise Funds, Awareness
Chantilly resident Jummy Olabanji has the distinction of being an on-air reporter with WJLA, the local ABC TV affiliate; and in 2002, she was part of the first class to graduate from Westfield High.
Gershwin Songs, Dazzling Dancing
Westfield presents the musical, “Crazy for You.”
Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Westfield High presents its Cappies entry, the George Gershwin musical, “Crazy for You.”
Music, Murder and Pie-Making
Fairfax High presents “Sweeney Todd.”
Combine murder, revenge, pies and music, and the result is Fairfax High’s upcoming play, “Sweeney Todd.” The musical thriller takes place in Victorian London during the Industrial Revolution and will be performed over two weekends.
Rollicking Musical Comes to Life
Paul VI presents ‘Hello, Dolly!’
The romance of 1880s New York will come to life on stage when Paul VI presents its Cappies play, “Hello Dolly!” It features a cast and crew of 70, plus a full orchestra. The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, April 20-21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, adults; $10, students and senior citizens; at the door or at www.paulvi.net.
Local Man Charged: Online Solicitation
Arrested in statewide sting targeting child predators.
Anarug Sharma, 35, of Fairfax, was one of 20 people across Virginia arrested last week as a result of “Operation Phalanx” – an undercover operation targeting alleged child predators. It was a collaborative effort between Virginia's two Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces and the attorney general’s office.
Raising Money, Awareness of Kidney Disease
Local resident, TV reporter in 2012 Kidney Walk.
Chantilly resident Jummy Olabanji has the distinction of being an on-air reporter with WJLA, the local ABC TV affiliate; and in 2002, she was part of the first class to graduate from Westfield High.
Supervisors OK Pohanka’s Plan in Chantilly
Pohanka Honda is coming to Chantilly. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently gave its building proposal a checkered flag, clearing the way for it to build a Honda dealership here.
Two Grieving Mothers Seek Answers
Kim Nelson goes to bed at night hoping she’ll someday see her daughter again; Gil Harrington knows she’ll never be able to because her own daughter is gone forever. Saturday, March 31, they were together in Fairfax seeking information about what happened to their girls and doing what they could to prevent similar tragedies from befalling someone else’s child.
Two Years in Prison for Conspiracy, Tax Crimes
A Fair Oaks man was sentenced last week in federal court to two years in prison for secretly conspiring to act as an agent of the Pakistani government in the U.S., without telling federal authorities about this affiliation, as required by law. He is Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, 62, a U.S. citizen and resident of the Penderbrook community.
Centre View Roundups April 4
Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 5 and April 19, 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. However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Lawson Honored as Officer of Quarter
Police officers don’t have to be out on the streets to make a difference in their communities. School Resource Officers (SRO)s make an impact every day, and for all he’s done in that capacity, PFC Steve Lawson was honored recently as the Sully District Station’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s Officer of the Quarter.
Remembering Erin Peterson
Joyful music will fill the air when the Fifth Annual Erin Peterson Fund Gospel Celebration is held Sunday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville. Erin worshiped with her family here and, after she died in the April 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, her own family and her church family celebrated her life together.
Westfield’s Dezelick Receives National Honorable Mention
When it comes to talent, those who’ve seen Westfield High senior Colby Dezelick perform — first as a dancer with Encore Theatrical Arts Project in Chantilly and then as an actor on the Westfield stage — know he’s got what it takes to succeed. And now it’s official.