Thursday, June 27
Centre View Bulletin
Centreville Toastmasters. 7 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive. Overcome your fear of public speaking in a proven program that has helped thousands over the last 89 years. All welcome.
Housing’s Roaring Rebound?
Pent-up demand creates seller’s market for Northern Virginia real estate.
In February, Patricia Stack, a broker with Weichert Realtors, held an open house for a single-family home for sale in Vienna just listed for $739,000. Within three hours, more than 70 people toured the home. “The home went under contract substantially above list price,” Stack said. “2013 has started with a bang in Northern Virginia real estate. In fact, it appears to be a market more like 2005-2006 than anything we've seen since,” Stack said.
School Notes
Andrew Jackman was named to Sacred Heart University's dean's list.
Roundups
In hopes of encouraging people to adopt cats and kittens, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has designated July as “Extravacatza.” Adoptive families will receive half-off adoption fees, plus free spay and neuter, on cats and kittens. Senior cat adopters will receive gift bags.
Centre View Calendar
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”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.
Making Maps to Solve Problems
Centreville High students apply geospatial analysis to solve real-life dilemmas.
When Centreville High seniors Antonio Choi and Brooke Peterson presented their culminating, final-exam project, they did so at their school’s first-ever GIS (geographic information system) Fair. And Tish McKinstry, their Geospatial Analysis teacher, couldn’t have been prouder of them and their classmates.
Police Call Chantilly Tragedy ‘Domestic in Nature’
It’s not yet known what touched off the fight among the three men, Tuesday morning, inside a Chantilly home used as a childcare center. And at press time, the victims’ names hadn’t been released.
Opinion: Editorials
Ready for Your Pet’s Close-up? The Pet Centre View, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish July 24. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
Letter to the Editor: Intersection Needs Improving
This is in response to your letter [“Why Is Project Fast-Tracked?”] regarding the proposed improvement to the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Braddock Road. You have asked several questions which I will attempt to answer. However, this is not a Fairfax County project but a Virginia Department of Transportation initiative and some of your questions are better answered by VDOT.
Union Mill Elementary End of the Year Barbecure
Union Mill Elementary school held an end-of-year barbecue on Monday, June 17, for all of its students. The students ate lunch outside on the blacktop on beach towels and blankets. The school’s Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) volunteers grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs, and helped distribute the food, drinks and ice cream to students. A DJ played music, while students danced and hula-hooped.
Union Mill Elementary Spring Concert
Band students at Union Mill Elementary performed their Spring Concert on Wednesday, June 12. The Union Mill band, which is comprised of 120 fifth and sixth grade students, performed Chuck Elledge’s “Dr. Rock,” “Party Rock Anthem,” Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy,” Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite,” “Mickey Mouse March,” Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” and “Let’s Go Band,” by Andrew Balent. The Union Mill Elementary band is directed by Laura Seifried.
Union Mill Elementary Orchestra Spring Concert
Fourth, fifth and sixth grade strings students performed their Spring Concert on Thursday, June 13. The fourth grade students began the concert with “Hot Cross Buns,” Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy,” and Offenbach’s “Can-Can.” The fourth graders finished their portion of the program with the traditional “French Folk Song.” Next, fifth and sixth grade strings students performed “Finale from the First Symphony,” by Brahms, followed by “Classical Bash,” a medley of several famous classical pieces including Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, “Surprise Symphony” by Haydn, Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” and “Ode to Joy.” The concert concluded with a final piece in which the entire 125-student orchestra performed Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” as the audience kept the beat of the song. The Union Mill Elementary orchestra is directed by Melissa Brown.
CVHS Honors its Thespians
Actors and techs were honored June 13 during Centreville High’s 25th annual Thespie Awards ceremony; 14 students were inducted into Centreville Troupe 4510 of the International Thespian Society.
People
Lindsay Lucas and Chris Somerville Wed
Lindsay Ayers Lucas and Matthew Christopher Somerville were married at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013 at River Farm in Alexandria, Va. The Rev. Alan Felumlee of Centreville United Methodist Church officiated.
10 Years Incarceration For Former Teacher
He was convicted of child-porn offenses.
Little more than a year ago, Oak Hill resident Robert C. Fenn was about to finish his first year of teaching at Poplar Tree Elementary, where he taught special-ed students in kindergarten through third grade. But it all ended June 12, 2012, when Fairfax County police arrested him at the school on child-pornography charges.
‘His Life Mattered’
Westfield teacher, students raise money to honor Matt Peterson.
Matt Peterson was just 16 when his father inexplicably killed him, his mother and younger brother in their Herndon home before taking his own life.
Sacred Threads: Quilt Exhibit with Meaning
Besides being beautiful to look at, handmade quilts can convey powerful messages. Such are the quilts that will be on display during Sacred Threads 2013.
Wednesday, June 26
Column: No Shame in Crying
Nor is it a crying shame. But something has changed, dare I say affected my tear duct production. I can’t say with certainty – or even specify a particular moment in time for sure – when the tears began to flow more easily, but I’ll guess the change occurred sometime on or around February 27, 2009, the day I first met my oncologist; the day I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), “prognosed” to live 13 months to two years. If that kind of shocking, terminal-type news doesn’t upset your apple cart – permanently, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” And so it has, as reflected in my frequent “salty discharge” (to quote Jerry Seinfeld).
Editorial: Ready for Your Pet’s Close-up?
The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish July 24. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
Tuesday, June 25
Paving ‘Virginia’s Road to the Future’
Transportation Authority solicits public input on first year of proposed projects.
City Hall in the City of Fairfax was the location of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) June 20 Open House and Public Hearing, seeking public opinion on proposed regional transportation projects. The Authority was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2002 to provide a common voice for all Northern Virginia stakeholders on transportation and related issues. The Authority is made up of representatives from the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, and one representative for the towns of Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, Dumfries and Vienna. The group also includes several members of the Virginia Assembly, governor appointees and non-voting representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
Monday, June 24
Housing’s Roaring Rebound?
Pent-up demand creates seller’s market for Northern Virginia real estate.
In February, Patricia Stack, a broker with Weichert Realtors, held an open house for a single-family home for sale in Vienna just listed for $739,000. Within three hours, more than 70 people toured the home.
Thursday, June 20
Classified Advertising June 19, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
‘Mountain View Dramatically Changed My Life’
Students overcome adversity and persevere to graduate.
Student Ana-Lycia Pena was just about to sing the last word of the National Anthem during Mountain View High’s graduation last Friday at Oakton High, when the auditorium went dark.
Lobbying for Children’s Cancer Treatment
Centreville’s Crossett lobbies Congress to improve children’s cancer treatments.
It’s too late to save her own child. Meg Crossett’s daughter Rachel died of a cancer called neuroblastoma on July 3, 2001, at age 6. But she’s doing her best to improve the quality of care for other children battling the same disease that took Rachel’s life.
Cox Farms Owners Honored
Eric Cox, wife Gina Richard named Sully Lord and Lady.
In 1979 Eric Cox and his wife Gina Richard purchased 116 acres in western Fairfax County. Having founded Cox farms with his brother seven years previously, the new property was considered by some to be too remote to be successful.
Roundups
Fair Oaks Townhouse Fire Fire officials say a blaze last week at a Fair Oaks townhouse caused an estimated $50,000 damage. The single-family home is at 4815 Green Duck Lane, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Letter: Valuing Education
To the Editor:
Many of us will go great lengths in the pursuit of education. Sometimes these sacrifices may be small things for others, but big things for us. For me, it was taking a summer class when I really could use vacation time after a rough spring semester.
Real Estate Fraud: Two Years Prison
Chantilly woman is sentenced.
A Chantilly woman has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than half a million dollars in restitution for her part in a real-estate fraud. She is Melissa McWilliams, 35. She was among four people who pleaded guilty Feb. 19, in federal court in Alexandria to conspiring to fraudulently take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge, selling those homes and keeping the profit.
Bulletin Board
Centreville Bulletin Board
Editorial: Discussion Necessary to Ensure Safety
Reducing drug-and-alcohol-related fatalities.
The pages and covers of most of this week’s Connection Newspapers including the Centre View show the joy and accomplishment associated with high school graduation. The day celebrates graduates who accomplished much just by finishing, graduates headed to college and more.
Centre View Calendar
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”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.
Wednesday, June 19
Express Lanes Construction Could Impact Travel on I-95
As the construction on the 95 Express Lanes project increases over the summer, motorists traveling to Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks in North Carolina as well as other points south should be aware that the HOV lanes will be closed overnight on weekdays and occasional weekends throughout the summer, and there will be intermittent lane closures overnight for steel erection and other work, making travel on the general purpose lanes challenging. In addition to the 95 Express Lanes project, there is also a shoulder improvement project underway on I-95 in Prince William County and a BRAC-related ramp work from the HOV lanes to the Fort Belvoir North Area that may impact travel.
Rising to Boys & Girls Clubs ‘Youth of the Year’
With help of Boys & Girls Clubs, local immigrant student receives full college scholarship.
Today, Henry Lopez has a bright future, complete with a full scholarship to college. It wasn’t always that way, however, and he remembers being a preschool student in a foreign country, unfamiliar with the language and culture, fighting to learn, to fit in, to avoid falling into a gang.
Tuesday, June 18
New Healthcare Facility Opens in Herndon
Clinic is first in Fairfax County to receive Affordable Healthcare Act funding.
HealthWorks for Northern Virginia opened a new healthcare center in Herndon Tuesday, June 11, the first such facility in Fairfax County that will receive funding from the federal government via the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Herndon Garden Tour Set for June 23
Annual tour features four local gardens.
The Herndon Garden Tour will be held Sunday, June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. The annual tour will feature four local residences and allow visitors to explore and learn about their gardens.
Thursday, June 13
Classified Advertising June 12, 2013
Read the lastest ads here!
Column: Full Circle
I hope it’s not a wrap though. I’d like to continue rolling along just like I rolled into college in late August, 1972, matriculating to the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Oddly/coincidentally enough, there have been and continue to be some recent occurrences in my life that hearken back to yesteryear, the olden days of the early 1970s, when I freshmen-oriented myself to a major university for the first time.
Designing a Colorful World
Local interior design experts offer suggestions for choosing paint colors for one’s home.
Choosing paint for one’s home can be a daunting task. Colors often look different on paint chips and fan decks than they do on interior walls. What are some of the secrets to making the right choices? Local interior designers offer suggestions.
Rock the Pink at Occoquan
The two day event featured over one hundred teams, with hundreds of players participating in the fundraiser. The goal was to raise $50,000 for breast cancer research.
School Notes
Saint Timothy Catholic School’s yearbook program has been named a 2013 Jostens National Yearbook Program of Excellence by Jostens, a leading producer of yearbooks. Jostens recognizes dynamic school yearbook programs and yearbook staff who work hard to create and engaging yearbook.
School Notes
The following students were named to the dean’s list at Bridgewater College: Sean Douglass, a sophomore majoring in applied physics; Matt Pisarcik, a sophomore majoring in applied physics; and Taylor A. Riley, a sophomore majoring in business administration.
Centreville Calendar
Centreville Calendar
Chantilly, Westfield Win Cappie Awards
Regional recognition for student performances.
Chantilly and Westfield high schools each won two awards at the 14th annual Cappies Gala, Sunday night, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
‘This Doesn’t Work for Us’
Pleasant Valley/Braddock roundabout: To be or not to be?
As far as the folks at VDOT are concerned, a roundabout at the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Braddock roads in Centreville is a swell idea.
Alliance Offers Summer Workshops
The Alliance Theatre has a 10-year tradition of working with young people in the arts, and it’s continuing this summer.
Braddock/Pleasant Valley Project Details and Background
The Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection is near the Fairfax/Loudoun border and regularly backs up at rush hour. Surrounding it are Cox Farms and Fairfax County Park Authority land containing wetlands. There’s poor drainage, rare plant life and utility poles that would cost about $80,000 each to relocate. And Cox Farms is in an agricultural/forestall district, which has its own restrictions.
Danger on the Roadways
Inspection team places nearly one-third of big-rig trucks out of service.
It wasn’t rush hour, but I-66 east was backed up as far as the eye could see, as big-rig truckers warned their buddies about a commercial-truck inspection happening on Route 28 in Centreville.
Clifton to Host Painting Festival
The Art Guild of Clifton is hosting The First Annual Clifton Plein Air (outdoor) Painting Festival, rain or shine, Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23.
Letter: Why Is Project Fast-Tracked?
The following open letter is addressed to Supervisor Michael Frey (R–Sully). Supervisor Frey: First, I appreciate your facilitation of the June 5 meeting with VDOT (Bud Siegel) to discuss the proposed "improvements" to the subject intersection. Special thanks to Mr. Siegel for his professionalism in his exchanges with a challenging group. As a follow on to the meeting, I look to you to ensure that there are prompt responses to the many questions posed during the meeting. I am specifically seeking clarity on the project funding:
Centre View Bulletin
Thursday/June 13 6th Annual Erin Peterson Fund Tournament. Held at Westfields Golf Club, 13940 Balmoral Greens Ave., Clifton. Tournament registration and breakfast is at 7 am, shotgun start at 8 a.m., cocktails at 1 p.m., and lunch and the awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. To register visit www.erinpetersonfund.org.
Poem: A Key to Jewish Hell
Gates to open a Holocaust, A Holocaust only leading Jews to Hell Caused by Hitler and his Nazis. The years went by and by. Then World War II began. It was like all Hell broke free Battle after blazing battle. We are here behind these gates. Now we're just skeletons standing where man used to dwell. I draw my last breath right here.
Roundups
Remembrance Cabaret for Reema The annual Remembrance Cabaret for Westfield High grad and Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha will be held this Saturday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at Westfield High. (It actually begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and bake sale that continue during intermission).
Competition sponsored by Library of Congress
Student Wins Contest for Literature Letter
A Rocky Run Middle eighth-grader, Christine Wang, has won first place (for grades six through eight) in the Letters about Literature contest sponsored by the Library of Congress. She wrote her award-winning letter about the book, “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang.
Misuse of Federal Funds?
Residents sa.y project will worsen traffic problems
Residents who live in the vicinity of the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection have a multitude of reasons why they don’t want it made quicker by constructing a roundabout. “Once you improve it, more traffic will come down Pleasant Valley,” said Virginia Run’s Walt Dougherty at last week’s meeting. “Then its speed limit would have to be reduced to 25 mph because there are a lot of children and bikes.”
Wednesday, June 12
On the Campaign Trail
Turnout for Tuesday's primary was abysmally low, with only 140,000 participating in the voting.
Establishment Wins Democratic Primary
State senators beat out first-time candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Two first-time candidates had a hard time beating back the establishment this week, as two state senators won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and attorney general Tuesday night.
Fairfax Celebrated
The Celebrate Fairfax Festival on June 8 gave a wide variety of fun exhibits and activities for everyone, human and non-human alike.
Thursday, June 6
Calender
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”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.
Encore Dance Show Is This Weekend
Encore Theatrical Arts Project will be performing in “Style, A celebration in Dance,” this Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 9, at 3 p.m., at NOVA’s Ernst Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike in Annandale.
On Her Way to Carnegie Hall
Maggie Kirtley Rocky Run Middle School student.
As a finalist in the American Fine Arts Festival competition, Maggie Kirtley, has earned the opportunity to perform piano in Carnegie Hall in New York City.
State Title
Chantilly High's Alex Watson and Jonah Williams won the Virginia State Title for Public Forum Debate at the VHSL State Debate Tournament.
Koons, DeBlass Engaged
John and Katrina Koons of Centreville have announced the engagement of their son, Matthew “Tyler” Koons, of Centreville, to Allison Jacobs DeBlass, of Williamsburg.
Bulletin Board
Overcome your fear of public speaking in a proven program that has helped thousands over the last 89 years.
Review: CHS’s ‘You Can't Take It With You’
As father makes fireworks in the basement, xylophone rings through the living room, mom writes her latest play, Essie learns to dance and Grandpa saunters in after a day at the circus. Just a typical day at home for the Sycamore family in 1930s New York City.
CPMSAC Presents 28th Annual Youth Awards Program
Before the start of Saturday’s 28th annual Youth Motivation and Academic Awards program for middle- and high-school students, Johnny Nelson texted his two grown children.
Two Students Win Best in Show Awards
Students Shine in Ceramics Competition
Centreville High School students won three of the 15 awards presented recently at an annual, high-school ceramics competition sponsored by The Clay Connection. These included two out of the three Best in Show honors.
Eyes on the Prize: Angel Fund Goals
Angel Fund President Lu Ann McNabb thought of Reema Samaha as a daughter so, for her, the annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema is personal. It also raises money for a cause hoping to help young people deal with mental-health issues, thereby averting any future tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.
Wednesday, June 5
Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is June 15.
The annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is a time when people honor the memory of a talented young woman who died in the Virginia Tech tragedy. It’s also an evening packed with singing, dancing, comedy sketches and fun.
Centre View School Notes
School notes for the Centre View area.
Military Notes
Information on members of the military from the Centre View area.
Centre View Business Notes
Information on Centre View area businesses.
Pilates Grand Reopening
Studio BE Pilates recently celebrated its grand reopening of its new location in Fairfax Corner.
‘Age in Place’ to Satisfy Evolving Needs
A common “aging in place” transition involves adding an accessible master suite to the first floor.
Many couples are seizing the opportunity to transform their beloved home into a space that fits their specific short- and long-term needs.
Herndon High School Step Team Crowned National Champs
Herndon High School Step Team wins second national championship in three years.
The Herndon High School Step team stood onstage holding hands, waiting anxiously for the results in the 2013 Youth Step USA National Championships Saturday, May 25. As the names of the top five finishers started coming in, coach Gary Bushrod started hearing every name but theirs.
Tuesday, June 4
And the Winners Are …
Cappies Gala on Sunday, June 9, at Kennedy Center.
The 14th Annual Cappies Gala will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, in the 2,400-seat Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Commentary: Respecting Parents’ Roles
Parental notice is key to school discipline reform.
Most Fairfax County parents assume that they will be called before their child is questioned for something that could ruin their academic career, just as they are when their kid is sick or injured. That is not the case.
Monday, June 3
Brief: Reston Hospital Center Awards County Students Scholarships
Reston Hospital Center awarded scholarships to 11 Fairfax County High School seniors in recognition of their academic excellence and excitement for pursuing a career in healthcare.