Viva Vets! 5K Comes to Area
Event funds scholarships for military veterans.
A 5K race that helps America’s military veterans further their education is coming to the local area. It’s the Viva Vets! 5K Run/Walk, and it is slated for Sunday, Sept. 29, at 8:30 a.m. at Fairfax Corner.
Motor Squad Wins Team Competition in Wisconsin
Eight members of the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad recently traveled to Milwaukee, Wis. for a two-day motorcycle riding safety and skills competition. The event was held at the headquarters of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company and marked its 110th anniversary.
Fairfax Library Foundation Awards Continuing Education Scholarships
Fairfax Library Foundation has awarded three Fairfax County Public Library employees and volunteers with Continuing Education scholarships to foster the professional development of the Fairfax County Public Library team.
Classified Advertising Sept. 18, 2013
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Dr. Esi Joins Dental Associates of Northern Virginia
Dental Associates of Northern Virginia, with six convenient locations in Northern Virginia, welcomes Ejiro Esi, D.D.S., a board-certified orthodontist, to its Fair Oaks practice, located at 12011 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 105, Fairfax.
Robinson Graduate Completes Air Force Basic Training
AB Alexander Marris, son of Randy and Maria Marris of Fairfax, has graduated from Air Force Basic Training. Marris enlisted in the Air Force April 29. He graduated Basic Training in June in the top 10 percent of his graduating class of 600 and received the distinction of Honor Graduate.
Letter: Celebrating Constitution, Citizenship
To the Editor: On Tuesday, Sept. 17, our country celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. During Constitution Week, from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23, more than 18,000 people will become citizens during approximately 180 naturalization ceremonies across the country and overseas.
Short Film Fest Comes to Fairfax
DC Shorts Film Festival to be held at Angelika Film Center.
With its motto, "keeping it short, keeping it reel," the DC Shorts Film Festival returns for its second year at the Angelika Film Center. The multi-day festival gives Fairfax County residents a nearby, easy-to-reach opportunity to sample and enjoy new works right in their own backyard. The Angelika will present short films from Monday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 29.
Dedicated Fans to Win Year of Free Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A will open its newest metro-DC stand-alone restaurant in Fairfax on Sept. 19, giving away free Chick-fil-A for a year to the first 100 adults in line at the new restaurant at 4516 Fair Knoll Drive. It is the first in the region built by the chain to meet the standards of the U.S Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program.
‘Finished on Time, Within Budget’
End of the road for parkway interchange project.
It’s been a long time coming, but the Fair Lakes interchange is just about done. And last Thursday, Sept. 12, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell joined local officials here to cut the ribbon on a project improving travel for drivers on the Fair Lakes and Fairfax County parkways, plus Monument Drive. “It’s great to celebrate these achievements,” he said. “The Fairfax County Parkway has been a lifeline of this county for so long. This was a marvelous story of VDOT and our private-sector construction teams working together, and it will benefit this county for a long time.”
Letter: Taking Exception
To the Editor: Representative Jim Moran's commentary on Syria ["Fear of Action Opens Way for Diplomacy," Connection, Sept. 12-18, 2013] deserves a response.
Fundraiser to Help Stop Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Supervisor John C. Cook (R- Braddock District) invites area residents to join him to raise awareness of domestic violence and help two local charities, Shelter House and Fairfax CASA.
A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?
Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.
On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
County suspends discarding of library books.
Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.
Letter: Joining Forces to Prevent Homelessness
You can prevent homelessness, you can end chronic homelessness, you can move people rapidly out of homelessness. What you cannot do is stand aside and let people fall. This simple belief—that together we can change the rate and severity of people losing their homes—brings together nonprofits, for-profits, civic leaders and government staff. We each play a special role, depending on our location and mission. For United Community Ministries (UCM), prevention is the key.
Gros To Lead Glasgow Middle School
Doctoral candidate to mentor most ethnically diverse school in Alexandria.
On July 1, Penny Gros, 43, of Burke was named the new principal of Glasgow Middle School, an ethnically diverse school in Alexandria. It’s the best fit for the Spanish-speaking doctoral candidate in her 19th year in education. “This school is a perfect fit for my background, experience and passions,” she said. As a true melting pot, Glasgow Middle has 1551 students enrolled who were born in 65 different countries and speak 57 languages — Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, among others. The school demographics are: 46 percent Hispanic, 24 percent White, 15 percent Asian, 11 percent Black, 31 percent ESOL. There are 16 percent of students in the Level 4/Advanced Academics program and 10 percent in the AVID program. And 75 percent of the students are on the free/reduced lunch program. In terms of student counts, Glasgow has 579 in sixth grade, 480 in seventh grade and 492 in eighth grade.
Michael & Son Fun Zone Comes to Fair Oaks Mall
Michael & Son Services, the leading home improvement service in the mid-Atlantic region, will sponsor the new Michael & Son Fun Zone play area at Fair Oaks Mall through 2018. The Michael & Son Fun Zone, now under construction as part of Fair Oaks’ multi-million dollar renovation, is scheduled to open in November of this year.
Eating Pizza Can Help Local Girl
Paisano’s holding fundraiser for Tara Sankner.
A fundraiser being held by a local pizza chain won’t cure Tara Sankner’s cancer—but it’ll certainly help her parents pay for her medical bills. Called “Let’s Take Care of Tara,” it began Sept. 3 and will run through Sept. 30 at all Paisano’s locations.
County News & Notes
Putting Brakes on Neighborhood Speeding
In an effort to get drivers to slow down in residential neighborhoods, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved $350,000 to fund a public awareness campaign and “traffic calming” measures in the county Tuesday, Sept. 10. Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) initiated the measure last year, soliciting constituent support through an online petition, which resulted in more than 250 signatures and hundreds of emails from supporters.
What to See, When to See It
The playwright Tom Stoppard’s existential spinoff from “Hamlet” runs for one night in March 2014. Two relatively minor roles from the bard’s play tirelessly and cleverly weigh their significance in the historic royal plot. The production of the tragic comedy benefits from direction by Tony Award-winner John Rando.