United States Air Force Hits the Mark at Paul VI
Not all assemblies are the same, and Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax recently hosted one for the record books. By 11 a.m. on Sept. 25, Air Force trucks and vans had converged to the school’s back parking lot, and AF personnel were busy moving equipment in bags and anvil cases into the school. Meanwhile, PVI’s Music Boosters set out a reception for the 75 arriving Air Force personnel. In the Student Activity Center, mats were laid out, chairs and stands placed, sound system checked and rechecked, and soon it was time. At 1:15, the Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base D.C. began an awe-inspiring concert for participating teachers and classes.
Woodson Cavaliers March Along
Woodson High’s homecoming parade was Friday, Oct. 4.
Eye Level Opens in Jermantown Square
Eye Level has opened a new learning center in the Jermantown Square Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Jermantown Road and Lee Highway in Fairfax.
Fairfax Marching Rebels Win Band Competitions
The school year has barely started and already Fairfax High’s Marching Rebels band is winning top honors for its musicianship and showmanship in competitions against other schools. On Sept. 16 at the Bands of America event in Monroe, Pa., the Rebels came in first in their class and third overall, out of 13 bands.
Walking to Feed the Hungry
n mutual cooperation, the administrations of three states, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. all signed proclamations officially declaring the period of Sept. 15-29, 2013 as The Day to Serve and as a time to initiate activities that would assist the poor in our area and combat hunger. One of the more successful activities held was a 3K walk (1.8 miles) on Saturday, Sept. 28, starting from Robinson Secondary School in the Burke area of Fairfax County through the shaded streets and past the manicured yards of the local neighborhood. Food donations from the participants were distributed to the local food banks.
Raising Awareness, Money To Stop Domestic Violence
A woman battered and bruised by her abusive husband leaves one night to escape. Unable to find a safe place to stay, she is forced to go back, time and time again. Across town another woman flees with her children. Not knowing where to go, they sleep in the woods despite freezing temperatures. In a third house, a child pulls the blankets over her head, trying to drown out the sound of yelling and punching down the hall. It’s a sad American truth that one in three women murdered are killed by an intimate partner. In Fairfax County 57 percent.
Community Concert Assists Local Food Banks
On Sunday, Sept. 29 at Fairfax High School, Grammy nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and the Mormon Choir of Washington, D.C. held a concert as part of the annual “Day to Serve” initiative to feed the hungry. A crowd of 800 people came out and donated approximately 1,600 pounds of nonperishable goods. This food will be put to good use by local area food banks that are responding to unprecedented demand from those in need.
Offering Special Needs Training
Christ Presbyterian Church holds autism workshops for lay people on Oct. 18-19.
Christ Presbyterian Church is offering a free Special Needs Ministry Training Workshop Oct. 18-19, for Sunday School teachers, lay people, and volunteers who minister to children and youth with autism and other conditions. It features presentations from local ministry leaders, DVDs by experts, and training in classroom management. The workshops are at 12410 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. “The goal is to bring awareness to the unique opportunity people have in ministering to families of special needs,” said Pastor Geoff McLean, 40. “We’re looking to build a cadre of folks to support each other in this kind of ministry.” McLean said a lot of people come to church and they find it an unwelcoming place if they have special needs. And because most folks are going through their own individual struggles, he wants to bring them together to be resources for each other. “So if they have an issue, they can talk to others and find ways to connect,” he said.
Active Seniors Compete for Glory
fter 11 days of more than 50 events held Sept. 7-19, the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics finished with a golf event at Forest Greens Golf Course in Triangle, Va. Other events ranged from cycling, swimming and pickle ball to Mexican train dominos and Scrabble.
Leadership Fairfax Honors Community Leaders Who Make a Difference
Leadership Fairfax (LFI) has chosen the 2013 Northern Virginia Leadership Awards (NVLA) recipients via a panel of community and business leaders evaluating nominations submitted by Leadership Fairfax alumni and the general public. The award recipients will be honored at the Northern Virginia Leadership Awards luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Westwood Country Club in Vienna.
Minority Chambers of Commerce to Host Candidates’ Forum
The recently formed alliance of Northern Virginia Minority Chambers of Commerce will give members of the fast growing minority business community the opportunity to meet with the commonwealth’s gubernatorial and statewide candidates at the first-ever joint Candidates’ Forum, Sunday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus.
On the Job and Hot on the Trail
Finding people is fun for new, police bloodhound pups.
“We’ll get them out here and acclimate them to the noises — gunfire, [vehicle] brakes and birds,” said Masood. They’ll also be exposed to airplanes, wind, rain, heat, car horns honking, plus obstacles such as fences. And they’ll learn how it feels on their paws to walk in the woods, through brush, on cement, carpet, tile floors, etc. That way, said Clarke, “When they get out on the street, when they’re almost a year old, they’ll be ready.”
Paul VI Freshman Takes Silver at National Skating Competition
Clifton ninth-grader LaDan Nemati earned the silver medal at the Solo Ice Dance National Championships at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo. last weekend. The 14-year-old Nemati bested most of the field of 25 skaters from across the country who qualified to compete at the bronze level with an elegant performance of the "Willow Waltz."
Week in Fairfax
Richard Walker, 32, of Fair Oaks, was killed last week after his car crashed into a tree on Popes Head Read. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1:52 p.m., near the Fairfax County Parkway. According to Fairfax County police, preliminary investigation indicates that he was driving a 2012 Mercedes sedan westbound on Popes Head Road “at an excessive speed” as he approached a curve. He was unable to negotiate the curve, ran off the road to the right and struck a tree.