Stories for April 2013

Entertainment

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos welcome. Ongoing The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers” and “The Dream is Alive” through May 23. “Oblivion” will begin with an 8 pm show Thursday, April 18. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule. Throughout the month of April, Our Military Kids has partnered with Glory Days restaurant at 13850 Braddock Road, Centreville. The restaurant is participating, and is donating 10 percent of diners' total receipt to the charity. Diners need only to submit receipts to Our Military Kids, 6861 Elm Street, Suite 2A, McLean, VA 22101. Visit www.ourmilitarykids.org.

Schools

School Notes

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos are welcome. More than 300 JMU students embarked on 30 spring break trips around the country and world. Students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group. The following students participated in alternative spring break: Emma Stewart, Adrienne Lowry and Rachael Donnelly

Success at SkillsUSA Competition

Students in the SkillsUSA District 5 Chantilly Academy, A Governor’s STEM Academy, were honored at the 49th Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skill Conference held in Roanoke on April 20 and 21.

Housing Market: ‘Sell and Buy’ 4/24/2013 CV

Sustained low interest rates and rising prices have energized the marketplace.

The local real estate market is thriving, with Realtors reporting multiple offers on homes in some areas and dwindling inventory of homes for sale. At least two things are contributing to this change in the market. First, interest rates have been in the basement: Freddie Mac reported a 30-year fixed-rate of 3.57 percent for March this year, as opposed to 3.95 percent in March 2012 and 4.84 percent in 2011 (for reference, March 2005 was 5.93 percent).

Classified Advertising April 24, 2013

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Former Astronaut Carl E. Walz

Carl E. Walz had a distinguished career as a NASA astronaut and is a veteran of four space flights, logging a total of 231 days in space. He was a mission specialist on STS-51 (1993), was the Orbiter flight engineer (MS-2) on STS-65 (1994), was a mission specialist on the STS-79 (1996) mission to the Russian Mir Space Station, and served as flight engineer (FE-1) on ISS Expedition 4 (2001-2002).

Former Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson Jr.

Frank Culbertson Jr. was a NASA astronaut for 18 years. He’s flown three space missions and logged more than 144 days in space as a shuttle commander, pilot, and station crewmember. His last mission launched on the Shuttle Endeavor and lasted 129 days, from Aug. 10-Dec. 17, 2001.

Food, Fun and Festivities

Second annual Chantilly Day celebration is May 4

Get ready for fun — the second annual Chantilly Day celebration is slated for Saturday, May 4, at the Sully Place Shopping Center, off Route 50 West in Chantilly. There’ll be children’s activities, live music, food and entertainment — as well as two U.S. astronauts. The festival runs from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Kmart and Babies R Us parking lots, and the day’s events will include onstage performances by the Westfield High Jazz Combo, local rock musicians, a pet adoption, rock climbing, business expo and awards ceremony.

Editorial: Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’

Investigative reporting, in depth coverage, education writing, photography, art, design, sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

The Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, with winners announced on Saturday, April 20, in Norfolk.

Turbo Tutoring Scholarship

Turbo Tutoring, the local SAT accelerated prep company, awarded its first scholarship (for $500) to Kelly Duncan.

Raising Money for Police Unity Tour

Centreville’s Kevin Whalen is bicycling 230 miles, May 10-12, in the Police Unity Tour (PUT) Virginia ride. It raises money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., honoring and remembering officers who’ve died in the line of duty.

Songs, Dances and a Message 4/24/2013

Westfield High presents ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’

Westfield High’s new show, “Urinetown: The Musical,” is about a future time when a severe water shortage forces citizens to pay to pee. And, no pun intended, Director Susie Pike says her actors are “rarin’ to go.”

Songs, Dances and a Message

Westfield High presents ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’

Westfield High’s new show, “Urinetown: The Musical,” is about a future time when a severe water shortage forces citizens to pay to pee. And, no pun intended, Director Susie Pike says her actors are “rarin’ to go.”

Track-a-Thon Tackles Brain Cancer

Students of all ages are invited to participate.

Area residents can get some exercise, have fun and fight brain cancer, all at the same time, by participating in Chantilly High’s annual Team BT Track-a-Thon. It’s slated for this Saturday, April 20, from 6-9 p.m., at the Chantilly High track. Team BT is the nonprofit fundraising organization of Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford, who’s battling a brain tumor, herself, and will be at the event. All proceeds go to Accelerated Brain Cancer Cure and the National Brain Tumor Society.

Tara Sankner, ‘Warrior Princess’

Second-grader battles brain cancer.

That’s because Tara, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is in the fight of her life, battling brain cancer. “My day depends on how she’s doing,” said mom Tammy Sankner. “If she’s having a good day, I’m fine.”

Close Shave at Lees Corner

When second grader Tara Sanker was diagnosed with brain cancer, the staff and faculty at Lees Corner Elementary School got ready to help her through her journey. The first milestone was the day she came into school with a shaved head. Some younger students were confused about the changes Sanker was going through and made some comments and observations that were inadvertently hurtful. Tara’s mom Tammy Sanker, Principal Robert D’Amato and Tara’s teacher Vicki McGorty felt the best way to help Tara was to share her story with the students at Lees Corner Elementary School during the morning news program.

Understanding Autism

In observation of Autism Awareness Month, Union Mill Elementary students participated in a sensory simulation experience during their physical education classes on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5. The activities included an obstacle course which simulated things that children with autism often find to be helpful, such as jumping and bouncing. Other stations included a mirror station that simulated perception confusion, a glove station that simulated fine motor challenges, and a listening station that simulated the filtering of external stimuli, all of which can be challenging for students with autism. The experience gave students a better understanding of autism. The sensory simulation activities were coordinated and led by Union Mill PTA Alternative Education Co-Chairs, Melyssa Plath and Nicole Moore, and PE teachers Jenny Murray and Elizabeth Cross. Several Union Mill parent volunteers were also on hand to assist the students at each station.

Celebrating Erin’s Life

Event promotes her legacy.

Erin Peterson was just 18 when she became a victim of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. But her parents, Centreville’s Grafton and Celeste Peterson, make sure the Westfield High grad’s legacy lives on. They established the Erin Peterson Fund to continue their daughter’s commitment to reaching goals through education and aiding people in need. They also began an annual Gospel Celebration in remembrance of her and to raise money for the fund.

South County Soccer Club Bonds in Bermuda

While other Elite Clubs National League soccer teams took a well-deserved break, one team went on the trip of a lifetime. FC Virginia U14s traveled to Bermuda over the Easter holiday, having the opportunity to experience island life while also playing against the full Bermuda women’s national team, and a high school team from Florida.

Fairfax County Budget Reflects ‘Increasing Needs, Decreasing Revenues’

"We as a board spend a lot of time talking about helping people in need, I can only say that when it came time to tax them, they were sadly forgotten." —Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)

Fenn Convicted of Child Porn Charges

A former special-education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary has been convicted in federal court of two, child-pornography charges. He is Robert C. Fenn, 27, of Emerald Chase Drive in Oak Hill.

What Housing Slump?

Real estate experts explain the rise in luxury condominium sales

When a retired couple decided it was time to leave their sprawling suburban home, they wanted to downsize without giving up luxury. As a result, they purchased a high-end condominium and hired Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design to create a serene and sophisticated space.

Karen Garza Hired as Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools

FCPS Board lauds Garza’s “openness” and “willingness to engage” community.

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved educator Karen Garza of Texas to be the next superintendent of the 181,000 student district at its April 18 school board meeting.

Classified Advertising April 17, 2013

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Centreville Home Sales: March, 2013

In March 2013, 73 Centreville homes sold between $1,070,000-$100,000.

Centreville Home Sales: March, 2013

Chantilly Home Sales: March, 2013

In March 2013, 24 homes sold between $975,000-$55,000 in the Chantilly area.

Chantilly Home Sales: March, 2013

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Sales $650,000~ $699,999

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Sales $700,000~ $749,999

‘It’s Over-the-Top Ridiculous’

Centreville High presents spy spoof, ‘The 39 Steps.’

Presenting a spoof of the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Centreville High will perform “The 39 Steps.” The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, April 26-27 and May 3-4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and via www.theatrecentreville.com.

‘They Love Each Other with All Their Hearts’

Chantilly High presents ‘You Can’t Take it With You.’

A funny and heartwarming story of an American family is portrayed in Chantilly High’s upcoming production of “You Can’t Take It with You.” It’s the school’s Cappies show and, said Director Ed Monk, “It’s double-cast because we have such a huge group of talented juniors and seniors.”

30 Years Prison for Handyman’s Death

Champean sentenced for May 2010 Centreville homicide.

Jose Cardona was a handyman and gardener on a huge, Centreville estate. On May 17, 2010, he also became something else — a hero who died protecting his employer’s son from armed intruders.

Letter to the Editor: Such Evil

Such Evil

To the Editor: It is incredibly hard to fathom that such a brazen act of violence could happen again. It does not feel so long since the Newtown shootings and once again the country’s wounds have been torn open.

Letters to the Editor: At Boston Marathon

At Boston Marathon

To the Editor: The following account is from Centreville resident Kevin Charles Washburn who ran in Monday’s Boston Marathon. Due to cramping, I was 30 - 40 minutes behind the time I thought I would run. That put my finish only 10 minutes before the bomb went off.

Entertainment

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos welcome. Ongoing The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers” and “The Dream is Alive” through May 23. “Oblivion” will begin with an 8 pm show Thursday, April 18. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.

Editorial: Value-added Evaluation?

TJ admissions illustrate growing gap between “haves” and “have-nots.”

More than 181,000 students attend Fairfax County Public Schools. So why do the 480 students who were accepted for next year’s freshman class at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology seem so important? Fairfax County Public Schools have a single elite magnet school, Thomas Jefferson, and TJ is frequently referred to as the top high school in the country. Dramatic disparity in the makeup of admissions at TJ is an indicator of disparity in early identification of students as gifted and talented, of access to advanced classes and enrichment, and in the basic education that the Fairfax County Public school system offers to all of its students.

Wildcats Slug Saxons in Comeback Victory

Centreville averaging more than 8 runs en route to 9-2 record.

The Centreville baseball team scored a season-high 18 runs against Langley on April 13.

Column: A False Sense of Security

Not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, as a four-year, stage IV, non-small-cell lung cancer survivor, it’s amazing to have any security, false or otherwise, whatsoever.

‘We Have Not Forgotten’

Residents rally in Vienna to support stricter gun control measures.

Less than six miles from the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, more than 100 people gathered on the Vienna Town Green Saturday, April 13, to urge Congress to support stricter gun control measures.

Student Peace Award Winner

Mountain View High School selected senior Aracely (Chely) Cifuentes to be its recipient of the Student Peace Award. Originally from Guatemala, Chely believes in the power of mentoring, tutoring, and motivating young people in the foster care system as a means of assuring survival.

Ambassador Scholarship Recipient

University of Mary Washington student Shirley Martey of Centreville, is the recipient of the 2013 Ambassador Summer Scholarship from the Taiwan-U.S. Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA). Martey, chosen to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia, is the first UMW student to be awarded the scholarship.

Liberty Middle To Perform ‘Once Upon a Mattress’

“The audience will come away happy.”

Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 70, Liberty Middle School presents the musical comedy, “Once upon a Mattress.” Show times are Thursday-Saturday, April 18, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door and during school lunches.

Time To Play Ball

SYA baseball held its opening-day ceremony Saturday, April 6, at Cub Run Elementary. Teams carried banners and paraded around the field before playing their games.

‘Oompa, Loompa, Doompety Doo’

“Willy Wonka Jr.” is at Rocky Run Middle.

Get ready for oompa loompas and chocolate; Rocky Run Middle is presenting “Willy Wonka Jr.” The performance dates are Thursday-Friday, April 18-19, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 20, at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door and during school lunches.

Editorial: Voting Again

Every year is election year in Virginia, and it’s a bit much.

The most hotly contested race for statewide office in Virginia, the Republican contest for lieutenant governor, will be decided at a statewide convention on May 18. That’s about a month from now.

Local Real Estate: February 2013 Top Sales

Road-Widening Project Details and Timeline

During the first year of construction, crews will build a northbound detour road parallel to Stringfellow Road between Melville Lane and Point Pleasant Drive. Because of utility relocation, a temporary pedestrian bridge is currently in place over Big Rocky Run on the east side near Greenbriar Park. Phase 1- through Aug. 2014 * Fair Lakes Boulevard to Big Rocky Run: Construct southbound lanes while maintaining traffic on existing roadway. Crews will start in the north and work south.

‘There’ll Be Some Impact to You’

VDOT gears up to begin Stringfellow Road construction phase.

The good thing about Stringfellow Road is that it connects Route 50 in Chantilly to Route 29 in Centreville — and even links to the Town of Clifton. It also provides access to four elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, a regional library, two parks, several athletic fields, churches, shopping centers and highly populated residential areas.

Fundraisers Set for Police Unity Tour

Centreville’s Kevin Whalen is riding for his sixth year in the Police Unity Tour (PUT) Virginia ride, May 10-12. It’s 230 miles from Richmond to Charlottesville to Warrenton to Centreville, and to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Classified Advertising April 10, 2013

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Bulletin Board CV 4/10/2013

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos welcome. Saturday/April 13 Strides for Success Race. 8:30 a.m. at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, 11950 Grand Commons Ave. Enjoy a 5k or 1k family fun run. $35/5k race; $20/adult for the 1k fun run/walk. Children under 10 can register for the 5k or 1k for $15. Register at www.jlnv.org.

Chantilly Robotics Team 612 Honored

Chantilly Robotics Team 612 was presented with the 2013 Judges Award at the DC FIRST Robotics Competition, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 29-30. Each year FIRST challenges students, working with adult mentors, to design a robot to play an original game, and to design and build it in exactly six weeks. This year at the DC FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Regional Competition, robots built by 59 teams faced off in a game called “Ultimate Ascent.”

School Notes CV 4/10/2013

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome. Carolina Sosa, a sophomore at Westfield High School, was among 50 girls from 23 states and Puerto Rico to participate in the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership program.

Mulch Sale Supports After-Grad Party

Mulch Sale Supports After-Grad Party The Centreville High School community rallied around its seniors and bought thousands and thousands of bags during the annual mulch sale March 15-16. The result: 13,500 bags of mulch sold and delivered in two days.

Entertainment

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos welcome. Ongoing The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers” and “The Dream is Alive” through May 23. “Oblivion” will begin with a midnight show Thursday, April 18. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule. Throughout the month of April, Our Military Kids has partnered with Glory Days restaurant at 13850 Braddock Road, Centreville. The restaurant is participating, and is donating 10 percent of diners' total receipt to the charity. Diners need only to submit receipts to Our Military Kids, 6861 Elm Street, Suite 2A, McLean, VA 22101. Visit www.ourmilitarykids.org.

Schools

School Notes

Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos are welcome. More than 300 JMU students embarked on 30 spring break trips around the country and world. Students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group. The following students participated in alternative spring break: Emma Stewart, Adrienne Lowry and Rachael Donnelly

Westfield Girls’ Soccer Edges Centreville

Freshman Kershner’s late goal keeps Bulldogs undefeated.

The Westfield girls' soccer team improved to 7-0.

Virginia Historic Garden Week Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Celebration raises money to restore and preserve Virginia’s historic landmarks.

“Historic Garden Week has transformed the landscape of Virginia over its 80-year history. It's really an incredible accomplishment.” — Karen Cauthen Miller, Historic Garden Week state director

Classified Advertising April 3, 2013

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Ready to Take on the World

Rocky Run students heading to FIRST Lego League championship in St. Louis.

After capturing the FIRST Lego League state championship, Rocky Run’s seventh-grade team, R2D2, is ready to take on the world. The five girls and two boys are heading to St. Louis to participate, April 24-27, in the world championship.

Masonic Lodge Presents Annual Award

Connie Hutchinson, Bill Tirrell recognized with Community Builder award.

The Herndon Masonic Lodge presented their annual Community Builders award Monday, April 1, to Vice Mayor Connie Hutchinson and former councilmember Bill Tirrell. The two were recognized for their contributions to many aspects of the community.

Pitcher Arvo, Centreville Baseball Beat West Potomac

Wolverines’ comeback attempt falls short.

The West Potomac and Centreville baseball teams are 4-2.

Carry on Erin Peterson’s Legacy

Annual Gospel Celebration of Life is Sunday, April 14.

Erin Peterson was a basketball star at Westfield High and was almost finished with her freshman year of college, on April 16, 2007, when she became one of 32 people killed in the Virginia Tech massacre. Just 18, she was sitting in her French class when her life ended.

Centre View Calendar April 3

Information on entertainment events in the Centre View area.

Centre View School Notes April 3

School notes for students from the Centre View area.

Bowling Fundraiser Supports Special Olympics

Participants, family, friends and supporters of Fairfax Adult Softball, Inc. (FAS) united together in January for the 13th Annual Bowling Tournament to benefit Northern Virginia Special Olympics and Fairfax County Park Authority field improvements.

‘Hats Off to Being Bully-Free’

Colin Powell Elementary School held an Anti-Bullying Week, March 18-22.

National Recognition

Artwork by two students from Saint Timothy Catholic School, Josh Romero and Erin Costello, was selected along with 23 other drawings by the national office of the Missionary Childhood Association for its annual Christmas Artwork Contest.

‘These Citizens Are the Heroes’

A mother allegedly high on drugs — and driving 70 mph in a car containing an infant and a 6-year-old without a seatbelt — led to a three-car crash on March 11 that could have ended in tragedy. As it was, it sent five people to the hospital, resulted in the mother’s arrest and brought out the best in public-safety personnel and ordinary citizens who came to the rescue of the children and of police PFC Rockie Akhavan, who was trapped in his cruiser.

‘I Put It in God’s Hands’

Looking at her husband’s badly damaged police cruiser, with the rear end demolished and the passenger side caved in, affected Beverly Akhavan profoundly.

Zero Tolerance For Impaired Drivers

Police detail DUI-related crashes, arrests.

During last week’s ceremony honoring the officers and citizens who helped out after a devastating crash on I-66, police Lt. Rich Morvillo, assistant commander of the Sully District Station, presented some sobering statistics.

‘You Can Taste All the Seasonings’

New Coyote Grille restaurant arrives in Centreville.

Featuring a fusion of southwestern and Bolivian cuisine, Coyote Grille is Centreville’s newest restaurant. Area residents may already be familiar with its Fairfax location, but they may now dine there at 14101 St. Germain Drive in the Centrewood Plaza shopping center.

Westfield High Holds International Night

Featuring a variety of performers representing countries throughout the globe, Westfield High will hold its annual, International Night program this Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m., in the school theater.

Fairfax County’s Homeless Population Declines 12 Percent

Emphasis on rapid re-housing, prevention keys to success.

Despite economic obstacles and fallout from across-the-board sequester cuts, Fairfax County’s number of homeless individuals declined 12 percent decline in the past year, and 26 percent since 2007.