Chantilly’s Gabe Luebbe Receives National Honor
Senior named to Army All-American Marching Band.
Not only is Gabe Luebbe a talented and accomplished musician, but he’s now been named a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
Creating a Fantasy in Pumpkins
Halloween display ranges from zombies to cartoon characters.
Halloween is next Thursday, Oct. 31, and that means more than 1,000 people will flock to Noel Dickover’s home in Centreville to see the latest fantasy pumpkins he and his crew have created.
‘As Long As I’m Able to Run …’
Telford preps for Marine Corps Marathon and ‘Over the Edge.’
BethAnn Telford has a brain tumor, but it doesn’t have her. Through the pain, the medication, the bad days and the setbacks, she not only keeps on going, she rises above it all and shines.
Honor Students Walk for Homeless
Students in Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society will participate in a Help the Homeless Walk, next Thursday, Oct. 24, to raise money for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM).
Residents Learn about Police Honor Guard
Group’s supervisor speaks at CAC meeting.
The Fairfax County Police Honor Guard was established in 1980, and Sgt. Dave Kuhar has been part of it for the past 18 years. He’s now the Honor Guard’s supervisor and recently explained the group’s duties during a meeting of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
Beware of Spooky Forest
Chills and thrills await on the Clifton Haunted Trail.
Surely, the vampires, witches, goblins and ghouls lying in wait for their victims along the Clifton Haunted Trail aren’t real — or are they? One thing’s for sure — they’re deadly serious about scaring people.
The Other Side of the Story
The case for those favoring the roundabout.
In an Oct. 15 message to their constituents, Loudoun Del. David Ramadan (R-87) and Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau explained why they’re fighting so hard to build a roundabout in Centreville.
Centreville Day Is Saturday, Oct. 19
Children’s games, music, parade, food and crafts.
Centreville’s Historic District is the place to be this Saturday, Oct. 19. That’s when residents will be treated to a parade, a 5K race, children’s activities, food, crafts vendors and live entertainment during the 21st annual Centreville Day celebration.
Hot on the Trail
The newest members of the Fairfax County Police Department don’t wear badges or carry guns. But they’re officers, just the same — and they’re awfully cute.
Crowd Enjoys Clifton Day 2013
Crowds flocked to the 46th annual Clifton Day, Sunday, Oct. 13.
Crowds flocked to the 46th annual Clifton Day, Sunday, Oct. 13.
Music, Dancing, Exercise Help Local Community
Zumbathon in Chantilly to raise money for WFCM.
Chantilly’s Kelly Joedicke-Lawrence is a certified Zumba instructor and, for the past few years, she’s held a Zumbathon fundraiser for breast-cancer research. But this year, her Zumba group voted to instead help a local charity.
‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina’
Chantilly High presents the musical, ‘Evita.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 70, Chantilly High presents the musical, “Evita,” about the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron. The curtain rises Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 16-19, at 7 p.m.
Centreville Day 2013: Parade, Children’s Activities, Crafts, Music and Food
Get ready — the 21st annual Centreville Day celebration is almost here. Slated for Saturday, Oct. 19, in Centreville’s Historic District, it features a parade, music, a 5K, live entertainment, crafts, children’s games and rides, food — who’s up for fried Oreos? — and fun for all ages.
Crash Kills Man and Causes Baby’s Death
A car crash early Sunday morning on the Fairfax County Parkway killed a Manassas man and caused a pregnant woman to deliver her baby early. Authorities say the newborn did not survive. The incident happened Sept. 29, at 1:40 a.m., just north of Braddock Road.
VTV Family Outreach Given Grant Money
Funds will be used to make schools safer.
After the April, 16, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, the families and survivors joined together and created a nonprofit foundation dedicated to making America’s schools safer and assisting victims of mass tragedies.
Candidates Have Their Say
Hugo, Foltz, LeMunyon and Nguyen discuss the issues.
With the general election just a month away, a Candidates Night was held last Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Chantilly. Presented by the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and the League of Woman Voters of the Fairfax Area, it let residents meet local incumbents and challengers and hear their positions on various issues.
Boy Named ‘Honored Hero’
Billind Salhi, 8, will participate in Light The Night Walk.
Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) holds Light The Night Walks to raise money for research and patient services. Locally, a walk will be held this Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Reston Town Center — and an 8-year-old Centreville boy will be one of the event’s Honored Heroes.
Ready to Fight: Intersection Controversy Intensifies
Design public hearing on roundabout is Oct. 9 at Stone Middle.
In the long-distant past, Civil War soldiers from the North and South fought in the Centreville area. And although the newest battle brewing on the horizon doesn’t involve weapons, it’s a bitter fight, nonetheless. In it, Fairfax County is pitted against Loudoun County. The issue is the roundabout proposed for the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads — and an upcoming meeting about it promises to be anything but civil.
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.”
Two Local Students Feted for Their Writings
Two local girls were among those honored Sunday for their entries in a Grandparents Day writing contest. They are Chantilly High freshman Saru Kalva, who won first place, and Chantilly resident Rashel Bajaj, a Thomas Jefferson High freshman who came in third. The Writers of Chantilly, a local group of professional and aspiring writers, sponsored the competition, which was held over the summer. Students wrote about their grandparents, and the winners were recognized and read their works during a Sept. 8 ceremony at the Chantilly Regional Library. For their efforts, Kalva and Bajaj received certificates and a prize package including a Barnes & Noble gift card. They’ll also have their entries published in an upcoming Writers of Chantilly (WOC) anthology.
‘You Can See the Joy of Learning’
Centreville Elementary’s unconventional summer school.
In one room, students learned about measurement and density by making parfaits. Others were busy reading, some were doing science experiments and others were creating crystals. And in the hallway, a group of children were making roller coasters on the walls. What was happening, July 15-Aug. 2, four hours/day, at Centreville Elementary in no way resembled boring, summer-school programs of the past. These students were having fun while learning things they’d need to succeed in school and in life.
Sunoco Plan Heads To Planning Panel
Alcoholic beverages sales still a concern.
It’s on to the Fairfax County Planning Commission now for Sunoco’s proposed changes to its gas station near the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. And along the way, two local land-use groups have opposed its intention to sell alcoholic beverages in its associated convenience store. Located at 4475 Daly Drive, by Willard Road, the existing Sunoco station — initially a Mobil station — has been at that site since 1989. But after Sunoco acquired more land, it decided to completely revamp the facility and its offerings.
Eat Pizza To 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 and Bella Pizza locations. This is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Paisano’s owner and founder, Fouad Qreitem — who has children, himself — wants to do all he can to help this local family. “I would love to see Tara get into remission,” he said. “I met Tara and her mother, Tammy, and they didn’t ask for anything. But I could tell they were a family struggling and in need.” Tara, 8, is now a third-grader at Lees Corner Elementary. Her dad Craig is a letter carrier with the U.S. Post Office in Oak Hill and her mom is a medical biller at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. And in February, their only child was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a treatable but inoperable form of brain cancer. “It would be a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Qreitem. “I have two daughters, 8 and 12, and cannot imagine my family being faced with this situation. So I want to help Tara and her family.”
School’s Picnic Brings Family Fun
London Towne welcomes students and parents.
Students at London Towne Elementary eased back into the school year with a back-to-school picnic. The family-friendly event was held the evening of Aug. 29 on the school playground. Among those attending were Emily Horning and sons William and Dimitri, in third and fourth grades, respectively. “We met William’s teacher and she was really nice,” said Horning. “London Towne is family-oriented, always coming up with new activities for the families to do. I’m amazed at how hard the teachers work. Even at this picnic, they were grilling hot dogs.”
Creating Jobs, Helping Community
CLRC workers learn new skills building garden boxes for sale.
Guided by summer intern Tori Jameson, 13 workers at the Centreville Labor Resource Center have learned how to build raised, garden boxes. The project was part of their continual education learning new skills and is hoped to yield both funds and jobs for the center.
Fine Tuning Songwriting Skills
Chantilly teen attends Grammy Camp in California.
This fall, junior Jason Saitta will be one of the leads in Chantilly High’s musical, “Evita.” But his summer was also none too shabby.
‘Read – A Need You Can Feed’
Church members read with London Towne Elementary students.
London Towne Elementary’s summer reading program was called, “Read — A Need You Can Feed.” And that need was met in two ways. When children came to brush up their reading skills, they were fed literally, getting to enjoy treats such as pizza, hot dogs, chips, juice and pudding. Their minds were also fed, as volunteers from Centreville Presbyterian Church (CPC) came to school and read stories with them.
‘My Crew Chief and Medic Saved Lives’
Vietnam veterans also share their stories.
Each year, Rocky Run Middle School invites veterans to participate in its annual World War II day. This year, it extended an invitation to veterans of more recent wars, as well, and they, too, enjoyed imparting their knowledge and reminiscences to the students.
Veterans Share Their Stories
Rocky Run Middle holds annual WWII Day.
A veteran of three wars, Russell O’Connell helped protect Gen. George Patton. Elmer Smith flew President Roosevelt to the “Big Three” meeting with Stalin and Churchill. And Ruth Erno was a Navy communications officer. They were among the more than 80 veterans who participated in June in Rocky Run Middle School’s annual World War II Day. It’s hosted each year by the seventh-grade class and organized by history teacher Jamie Sawatzky.
New County Police Chief Named
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning Aug. 6, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Police advise residents how to protect themselves.
With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Roessler Named Police Chief
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Roessler’s Resume with FCPD
Before Lt. Col. Edwin Roessler became acting and then full-fledged chief of police for Fairfax County, he served in every rank as he’s moved up the ladder. Since 2010, he was deputy chief of patrol managing Animal Services, plus crime-fighting efforts across eight district stations.
How to Make a Difference
WFCM needs people to participate in Homeless Walks.
On the surface, it seems as if the residents of Fairfax County are pretty well-off. But the real truth is that more than 1,500 of them are homeless — and they need help from those able to give it.
Local Students Learn by Doing
Centreville Elementary fourth-graders create living map of Virginia.
It’s one thing to tell children about their state — its shape, geography and crops — and another thing to have them re-create it in an interactive scale model. But that’s what happened at Centreville Elementary.
WFCM Gears up for Backpack Collection
1,682 backpacks needed for local students.
It may seem early to think about returning to school, but Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is already busy collecting backpacks for local students attending 23 elementary, middle and high schools. “These backpacks are given to students whose parents can’t afford all the school supplies it takes to send a child to school, let alone backpacks,” said Jennie Bush, WFCM’s community outreach manager. “Often, these families must decide between putting food on the table and gasoline in the car.” So WFCM has partnered with Collect for Kids, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Kids are First to help these students. Kids R First provides the school supplies needed at each grade level, and WFCM contributes the new backpacks.
Expo Sunoco Eyes Expansion
Alcoholic beverages sales concern WFCCA.
Sunoco plans to expand its gas station near the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly.
22 Years Prison for Handyman’s Death
Victim died protecting his boss’s son.
Jose Cardona wasn’t famous and didn’t hold an impressive, white-collar job. He worked as a handyman and gardener for a wealthy businessman in Centreville. But that didn’t make his life any less important than any other human being’s. And when the time came, he more than proved his value as a person by giving up his own life to protect that of his employer’s son.
Solving a Real-World Problem
Rocky Run students win a national science competition.
A team of three, seventh-grade girls from Rocky Run Middle School just won the national championship in the U.S. Army’s 11th annual eCybermission competition.
Slow Down on Roundabout Plan
WFCCA asks supervisors, Park Authority for public hearings on roundabout.
To VDOT’s way of thinking, a roundabout should be built at the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads in Centreville. But a vocal and determined group of local residents wants to put the brakes on this project.
Behind the Scenes at Police Academy
Local residents get a glimpse of weapons and vehicle training.
Police officers firing weapons and forcing a vehicle off the road during a high-speed pursuit — these are some of the things local residents recently got to see as part of a demonstration sponsored by the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee at Fairfax County’s police academy in Chantilly.
‘It’s Irreverent … and Entertaining’
Westfield Summer Stage Presents ‘The Producers’
With a cast and crew of more than 100, Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical that won more Tony awards than any other show in Broadway history, “The Producers.” The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, July 19-20 and July 26-27, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m., at Westfield High, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Seats are reserved; tickets are $12 at www.westfieldtheatreboosters.com and $15 at the door.
‘For Service Beyond the Call of Duty’
Police MPO Gubesch is Officer of Month for June.
An 18-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department, MPO Mike Gubesch is the Sully District Station’s Officer of the Month for June. And he was honored recently at a meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Helping Teens Bounce Back from Adversity
Look for their strengths and build on them.
It’s not easy being a teenager. And in today’s world — where a fragile psyche can be crushed by thoughtless, callous and hurtful words by an online bully — it’s important to endow teens with the tools they need to have confidence in themselves, shake off the insults and bounce back.
Police Corral Wayward Cow in Centreville
Fairfax County Animal Control Officers are used to dealing with dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons and other critters. But it’s not every day they’re called upon to capture a cow on the run in the streets of Centreville.
Electrical Fire Engulfs Clifton Townhouse
A townhouse fire, early last Wednesday, July 10, caused an estimated $25,000 damage to a townhouse near New Braddock Road in Clifton.
Young Students Tackle Real-World Problems
Rocky Run eighth-graders learn via their science projects.
To the untrained eye, they looked like science-fair projects. But Ileana Rodriguez, eighth-grade science teacher and Science Department chair at Rocky Run Middle School, said her students created experimental-design displays.
Celebrating the Fourth At Chantilly Mosque
Food, fun, politicians and gratitude.
There were hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelons, children’s games, politicians and speeches — a typical, American celebration of the Fourth of July. But this one last Thursday was at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, home of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Before Going Forward, Taking a Look Back
Centreville High seniors open elementary-school time capsule.
Before a group of Centreville High seniors graduated in June, they returned to their elementary school, Union Mill, to reunite with their classmates and take a trip down memory lane.
Alliance Theatre presents ‘Grease.’
It’s high school 1959, and the students at Rydell High are busy with their classes, music and love lives. And with a rockin’ beat underscoring the story, the audience will see the blossoming romance of tough guy Danny and nice girl Sandy.