Fairfax People

Concert Series Kicks Off at Fairfax Government Center

Bluegrass band Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie played for an enthusiastic crowd.

Despite the hurricane warnings and the dismal weather, area residents turned out for the first Ellipse Summer concert at the Fairfax Government Center last Thursday, July 3. Originally planned for the government center “backyard” lawn, the bluegrass band Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie moved to the lobby of the government center instead, proving that the concert would go on come rain or shine.

Beloved Children’s Book Comes to Life on Stage

‘Pippi Longstocking’ to be presented in Fairfax.

A children’s classic comes to life when The City of Fairfax Theatre Company and Truro Anglican Church present “Pippi Longstocking: The Family Musical.”

You Can Run, But You Can’t Win?

Fairfax County fires attorney for winning city council seat.

Like many lifelong City of Fairfax residents, Nancy Fry Loftus is proud of her hometown’s character and charm — a Norman Rockwell postcard of small-town life in the heart of an increasingly urban, diverse and bustling region.

‘Thank You for Your Time and Dedication’

City bids farewell to Councilmen Drummond and Stombres.

The City of Fairfax bid farewell last week to outgoing City Councilmen Dan Drummond and Steve Stombres in a special ceremony on the City Hall lawn. Each has served for six years, and the June 24 event included Boy Scouts, the City of Fairfax band, and the City Police and Fire Department Joint Honor Guard.

Council, School Board Look to the Future

Swearing-in ceremony at Veterans Amphitheater.

Before friends, family, colleagues and guests, City of Fairfax Mayor Scott Silverthorne and members of the City Council and School Board were sworn in last Tuesday, June 24, in the Veterans Amphitheater outside City Hall.

Youth Suicide Prevention Training Offered Online

Interactive training helps adults deal with serious issues.

Following several incidents in the community involving youth and suicide, Laura Yager, the director of partnership and resource development for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, said the community has recognized the need for youth suicide prevention.

CFTC Offers Children’s Summer Theater Camp

The City of Fairfax Theatre Company (CFTC) hopes to replace children’s summertime blues with a chance to not only learn about acting, but perform onstage.

National Championship for Fairfax High School

Robotics team captures first place in Mini-Urban Challenge.

Fairfax High School is a national champion. On June 14, at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., its robotics team won a national competition called the Mini-Urban Challenge.

Marching Bands, Music, Fireworks and a Parade

City of Fairfax plans rip-roarin,’ rousing Fourth of July celebration.

For fun, music, fireworks and a rousing parade, the City of Fairfax is the place to spend the Fourth of July. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a parade through the downtown Fairfax Historic District, continue with open houses and a firefighters’ competition and culminate with rock music and colorful fireworks at Fairfax High.

What’s Offensive about Redskins Pride?

Absolutely nothing, if you’re state Sen. Chap Petersen.

A lifelong Redskins fan, Fairfax state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) has had it up to here with all the talk about the need to change the name of his beloved football team. He vented his frustration and indignation on his blog — Ox Road South — but said he was leery of tackling what he deemed the forces of political correctness in the "War Against the Redskins" until June 18, when the Federal Patent Office blocked the team’s Redskins trademarks, declaring that the name was "disparaging" to Native Americans at the time the trademarks were registered — as far back as 1967. That action pushed Petersen off the sidelines to lead an offensive attack.

Fairfax County Retired Educators Award Scholarships

Seven aspiring educators from Fairfax County receive awards.

Aspiring educators from across Fairfax County were honored for their accomplishments and presented with scholarships to help them begin their teaching careers at a luncheon and ceremony held by the Fairfax County Retired Educators on June 12 in Fairfax. Every year, FCRE awards students interested in teaching careers with $2,000 scholarships. This year, the seven students were either graduates or soon-to-be graduates of high schools throughout Fairfax County, including Robinson, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, Marshall, Mclean and James Madison.

City Council Honors PVI Hoops Teams

The Fairfax City Council recently recognized Paul VI’s boys and girls basketball teams for winning both the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and Virginia Division 1 titles. It was only the second time in WCAC history that both the boys and girls teams won the conference title in the same year.

‘A World-Class Place to Live, Work, Dine’

Fairfax Circle Plaza will be redeveloped.

The Fairfax City Council has taken the first step toward revitalizing the Fairfax Circle Plaza. At its May 27 meeting, the Council approved a huge, new, mixed-use project there, entailing a grocery store, retail businesses and multifamily housing.

Korean-Language Students Translate City Brochure

Nine students from the Fairfax Academy’s Korean 4 class have translated the City of Fairfax Commission for Women’s brochure into Korean. Guided by their teacher, Song Johnston, they spent five weeks translating, proofreading and revising the document. This brochure may now be used by the City to help Korean speakers when they visit the area. This is the second time the Korean 4 class has taken on such a project. Three years ago, the students translated information from the Historic Blenheim Civil War Interpretive Center into Korean and made a photo book from it, using pictures they personally took at the center. They then donated the book to the City of Fairfax.

Celebrate Fairfax! Returns In Grand Fashion

Citizens enjoy variety of entertainment at Festival in spite of heat, difficult parking.

The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival returned to the Fairfax County Government Center grounds for its thirty-seventh year last Friday through Sunday. According to about.com, this year’s Festival saw the participation of over 120 musical performances on eight stages, as well as more than 400 exhibitors, venders and craters in the Community Marketplace.

Fairfax Connection