Helping Centreville Families During Holidays
Our Neighbor’s Child provides toys and clothing.
When Centreville’s Kelly Lavin and some friends got together in 1991 to provide Christmas gifts for some families in need in their community, they did so for 15 children. Fast forward to now, and that number has grown to 1,876 children.
‘A Blessing for All Involved’
WFCM provides families with food for the holidays.
Christmas dinner is always a highlight of the holiday season. But for people who are hungry and have little or no food in their kitchen, it can be devastating.
Scouting for Food for WFCM Pantry
Volunteers still needed for this Saturday.
Many people in Fairfax County are surprised to learn that there are hungry families right in their midst.
Grocery Gift Cards, Sponsors Sought
WFCM to provide holiday food for families in need.
It’ll soon be time for the holidays, and many local families in need will receive Thanksgiving or Christmas food as recipients of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) Holiday Food Program.
Voters Make Their Wishes Known
Local turnout is steady and heavy.
At Greenbriar East Elementary, as at many polling places throughout the country, voters flocked to the polls in droves Tuesday to vote on national, state and local issues.
Awards and Reminiscences
Kirby looks back while preparing for the future.
During Pete Kirby’s retirement celebration Saturday night, a video highlighting his career was shown. He then received several awards.
Murder Charge Goes to Grand Jury
Caterer stabbed after E.C. Lawrence Park wedding.
On the surface, an argument over folding chairs after an Aug. 6 wedding at Cabell’s Mill in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park led a woman’s fatal stabbing and a man charged with murder.
Getting into Holiday Spirit
Lord of Life Lutheran Church presents “White Christmas.”
With their former, WWII Army commander in danger of losing his country inn in Vermont, song-and-dance team Bob Wallace and Phil Davis come to the rescue.
Quenching ‘Fires,’ Saving ‘Kittens’
Children enjoy Oct. 15 open house at Fire Station 17 in Centreville.
Wigging Out at Union Mill
Teachers, staff wear colorful hair in support of Melissa Kees.
Sure, teachers at Union Mill Elementary wear candy-colored wigs on Fridays. But that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about educating their students — it shows they’re standing by a colleague.
Having Adventures, Finding a Family
Alliance Theatre presents “James and the Giant Peach Jr.”
To Go Show times are: Nov. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Lane (off Braddock Road) in Centreville. For ticket prices and other information, go to www.thealliancetheatre.org.
Seeing the Childhood of an Iconic Character
Chantilly High presents “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Most people are familiar with the story of “Peter Pan,” but don’t know how he became the boy who never grew up. So Chantilly High is telling his prequel in its upcoming play, “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Gathering Against Hunger
They measure, weigh and package food for Stop Hunger Now.
Besides feeding the soul, churches can also feed the body — literally. And on Sunday, Sept. 25, members of Centreville United Methodist Church (CUMC) did just that.
ONC, Kim Recognized at Centreville Day
Each year, the Centreville Day Planning Committee recognizes individuals or organizations making a difference in Centreville. This year’s awards, presented by Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) on Saturday, Oct. 15, went to Yom Chu Kim, Citizen of the Year, and Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC), Nonprofit Citizen of the Year.
Centreville: ‘A Great Resource in our Community’
CIF event celebrates diversity, honors achievement.
The Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) is dedicated to helping local immigrants find work and better their lives. So it was fitting that the theme for its second annual dinner was “Celebrating Our Global Community.”
Come One, Come All to Centreville Day
Fun-filled, community celebration is this Saturday.
A fusion of community camaraderie, history and fun for all ages, the 24th annual Centreville Day celebration is this Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP).
Centreville Day: Parade, Pets, Music, Children’s Games
24th annual Centreville Day is Saturday, Oct. 15.
It’s time for sweaters, autumn leaves, pumpkin-spice lattes — and Centreville Day. This year’s event, the 24th annual, will be Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP).
Got a Hankering for Craft Beer?
Chantilly’s first annual BrewFest will quench that thirst.
Take six breweries, four bands, four food trucks, add a large dash of fun and the result is Fairfax County’s first-ever Craft BrewFest.
First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton
Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'
Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.
Chantilly: Fast-Food Restaurant Proposed
Chantilly Place Shopping Center needs county’s OK for drive-through window.
A new, fast-food restaurant is planned for the Chantilly Place Shopping Center on Willard Road, east of Route 28. It just needs Fairfax County’s approval for a drive-through use associated with it.
Policing with Compassion
Building trust between residents and police.
Most residents aren’t even aware that Fairfax County has a Communities of Trust (COT) Committee. But it held a Town Hall Meeting last Saturday, Sept. 10, at Centreville Baptist Church with the theme, “Communities Working Together: Justice, Unity and Peace.”
Chantilly: From 80 Students to 625
Walker reflects on the camp’s strengths.
Lawrence Walker retired in 2012 after being Franklin Middle School’s band director for 28 years. But each summer, he returns to direct its Band and Orchestra Camp.
Chantilly: ‘You Make Friends and Learn a Lot’
Franklin Middle holds 30th annual Band and Orchestra Camp.
Daniel Starykh has been playing trumpet for a year and came to Franklin Middle School’s 30th annual Band and Orchestra Camp so he could improve. Happy with his decision, he said, “My teachers are really nice and they help a lot.”
Chantilly: Frey To Lead Study Group
Dulles Suburban Area Study Advisory Group formed.
For the first time in 23 years, the Dulles Suburban Center is getting a thorough review. Work has already begun to document what’s there now and consider recommendations for potential land-use changes and future development. And now, Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) has established the Dulles Suburban Area Study Advisory Group to help with this task. She’s also named former Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey as its chairman.
Chantilly: Big Day for Eric Latcheran
Chantilly resident proud to wear Knights of Columbus uniform.
Eric Latcheran, 29, of Chantilly’s Poplar Tree Estates community, is a busy person. He holds down two jobs, performs in bands, has strong friendships — including a girlfriend — and raises money for Best Buddies, which promotes friendships with and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities.
Centreville/Chantilly: ‘Inspiration’ to Animal Shelter
Local girls raise money for the facility.
Tara Sankner and Shelby Mysel are two youths with big hearts and a love for animals. And for the second year in a row, they held a fundraiser for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
‘Getting Arrested … a Blessing’
Former gang member reveals what that life is really like.
According to police Capt. Bob Blakley, “Eighty percent of the property crimes in the Sully District are gang-related or done by their affiliates. And even a higher percentage of the violent crimes here are done at the hands of gang members – and that’s a huge problem. This year, we’ve had three, drive-by shootings into occupied dwellings, one in Chantilly and two in Centreville.”
Centreville/Chantilly: Building Trust in the Community
Residents, police and firefighters join together during National Night Out.
Hot dogs, ice cream, water games, laughter and fun were all part of last week’s annual National Night Out celebration in the local area. It was held Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, and enabled community residents and public-safety personnel to meet each other, mingle and share some time together in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.
Police Charge Clifton Man with Murder
Caterer dies from stabbing after E.C. Lawrence Park wedding.
Weddings are normally happy affairs that don’t end in tragedy. But an argument over folding chairs after a Saturday wedding in Chantilly’s Ellanor C. Lawrence Park resulted in a woman’s death and a man being charged with murder.
Chantilly: ‘A Great Addition to Our Community’
New townhouse development is coming to Chantilly.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors put out the welcome mat last week for a rezoning that’ll bring two dozen new townhouses to Chantilly. The community will be at Elmwood and Vernon streets and will be called Rockland Village Green.
Centreville: Infusion of Cash for I-66/Route 28 Improvements
Agency allocates $300 million for I-66/Route 28.
Good news for drivers who take the I-66/Route 28 exits and entrances in Centreville — and in this area, that’s pretty much everyone. A fix for the congestion, especially during rush hours, just took a giant step toward becoming a reality.
A Tale of Drug-Dealing, Money and Murder
On March 15, 2001, Centreville High grad Danny Petrole, 21, was shot and killed outside his Bristow townhouse. The crime involved drug-dealing and money, and the shooter – Chantilly High grad Owen Barber IV, 21, who pleaded guilty in court – received 38 years in prison.
Wolfe Sentenced to 41 Years in Prison
Convicted of the March 2001 murder of Danny Petrole.
Except for the prosecutors, no one involved in Justin Wolfe’s murder sentencing last week left the courtroom happy. The victim’s family still grieves a son, Wolfe’s family continues to have a hole in it and Wolfe, himself, has decades more to serve in prison.
WFCM Seeks Community’s Help Providing Backpacks
Hoping to furnish them for 2,000 local schoolchildren.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is once more collecting new backpacks for local students in need. It hopes to provide nearly 2,000 backpacks for qualified, low- income children attending 23 different schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids, plus Mountain View High.
Chantilly: Pirates and Mermaids and Parrots, Oh, My!
Chantilly High presents funny and swashbuckling children’s play.
An 8-year-old boy’s pirate adventures on the high seas will elicit laughter in Chantilly High’s children’s show, “Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard.”
Chantilly: Jason Deal Selected as Officer of Month
Each month, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Sully District Police Station honors one of the station’s officers for his or her outstanding service to the police and to the community. And Officer Jason Deal was selected as Officer of the Month for May.
‘76 Trombones Led the Big Parade’
Centreville resident has a leading role in “The Music Man.”
When fast-talking Harold Hill comes to River City, Iowa with a grand plan to create the finest band in America, the townspeople are thrilled. But straight-laced librarian Marian Paroo thinks it’s all just a scam.
Making History Come to Life
For Andrew Dilworth, Rocky Run’s “iWitness to History Day” came full circle. “I went to this program as a student here,” he said. “I’m a substitute teacher at Rocky Run this year and I was hired full-time as an eighth-grade civics teacher for the coming year.”
Rocky Run Presents iWitness to History
Learning about the past from those who lived it.
Before Rocky Run Middle seventh-graders headed off for summer, they traveled back to the past via their school’s “World War II Oral History Day.” And this year’s event, the 15th annual, even had a new name, “iWitness to History Day.”
‘You’re the One that I Want’
Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical, “Grease.”
Break out the black leather jackets and poodle skirts — Westfield Summer Stage is presenting the musical, “Grease.” It features a cast and crew of more than 80 students from middle and high schools across the county, including Westfield, Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax high schools.
A Safe Place To Buy and Sell
Sully District Police Station now has an Exchange Zone.
Purchases made online can sometimes be a dicey proposition. When it comes time to meet an unknown buyer or seller to exchange an item for money, it’s best to do so in a safe environment.
Helping People in Crisis
Police learn to de-escalate situations.
Mental illness is a bigger problem in the U.S. than most people realize, and police come in contact with many people suffering from some form of it.
Mountain View Honors Students
Three seniors recognized during graduation ceremony.
During Mountain View’s spring commencement last week, three graduating seniors were honored with special awards from the faculty.
Mountain View: ‘Struggle Develops Your Strength’
Mountain View grads share stories of perseverance.
Mountain View High is a school full of heart, and it’s openly on display at every graduation.
Drinkwater, Pelegrin Honored
Sully names Officers of Month.
The Sully District Police Station and its Citizens Advisory Committee have recognized two Officers of the Month for April. They are Sgt. Justin Drinkwater and Auxiliary Officer Antonio Pelegrin.
Helping Students onto a Better Path in Life
Mountain View celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Mountain View is a small high school, but the impact it’s had upon its students’ lives has been huge. And last Friday, June 17, it marked two decades of existence and achievement.
Chantilly: ‘Caring, Creative, Fun, Kind and Inspiring’
Monk’s students explain his impact upon them.
Chantilly High’s Ed Monk is one of the most popular and effective theater teachers/directors around. And some of his seniors recently shared their thoughts about him.
End of an Era at Chantilly High
Theater Director Ed Monk is retiring.
It’s the end of an era; Chantilly High Theater Director Ed Monk is retiring. He’s bringing down the curtain on his career here after 31 years with Fairfax County Public Schools — 26 of them at Chantilly.
Chantilly High is Ready to Take the Stage
Chantilly High’s 30th annual Jazz & Pizzazz is this week.
Every year, Chantilly High’s springtime extravaganza, Jazz & Pizzazz, is a special event filled with singing, dancing and music. And the 2016 show promises to be another one to remember because it’s the school’s 30th annual.
Broadway Tunes Comes to Centreville’s Stage
Annual, summer choral concert this week.
Come one, come all to the Centreville High Choral Department’s annual “Broadway Pops” concert. It’s this Thursday-Friday, June 9-10, at 7:30 p.m., in the school’s Skip A. Maiden Theatre. Admission is free.