'Well Earned and Well Deserved'
Mountain View High presents special awards
A Reunion Decades in the Making
Local Man Finally Finds his Family
Born in Vietnam to an American father serving in the Navy and a Vietnamese mother, Joe Nguyen was raised by his mom.
'I Felt 'At Least I'm Somebody"
Centreville woman meets birth father after 45 years.
Tina Diep Carmichael and Joe Nguyen reunited.
Saffoori Honored as Officer of the Month
PFC Ramsy Saffoori has been selected as an Officer of the Month for the Sully District Police Station.
'Its Sadly Still Very Relevant'
Westfield High presents “The Laramie Project.”
In October 1998 in a prairie outside Laramie, Wy., college student Matthew Shepard, 21, was tied to a fence and beaten because he was gay.
Peanuts Characters Come to Life
CVHS presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Centreville High’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” will resonate with children and adults alike.
Meet Labor Resource Center's Jasmine Blaine
New director hopes to improve workers’ lives.
Jasmine Blaine, the director of the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) is helping connect day laborers with jobs.
‘Hard Work and Tireless Effort’
Police Det. Steven Kitzerow honored as Officer of the Month.
Det. Steven Kitzerow has been selected as the Sully District Station's Officer of the Month for December.
Chantilly High presents “Goldilocks on Trial”
A Children’s Show with Attitude
Picture Goldilocks and Baby Bear as a teenager and a preteen, respectively, and imagine Goldilocks being prosecuted for breaking into the three bears’ house. That’s the premise of Chantilly High’s upcoming children’s show, “Goldilocks on Trial.”
Centreville High Guitarists, Performers Present 30th Gumbo Concert
‘They Rise to Another Level’
Take some talented guitarists, add other musicians and singers and stir well, and the result is a Centreville High tradition: The school’s annual Gumbo Concert.
Hoping to Improve Local Bicycling
FABB shares information, solicits community input.
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) is an all-volunteer group that advocates for more bike lanes, bike trails and neighborhood connections.
‘What If a Garden Could Teach, Inspire Children?’
Lees Corner Elementary celebrates its outdoor classroom.
Lees Corner Elementary’s outdoor classroom.
Our Neighbor's Child Makes Deliveries for Christmas
Thanks to Our Neighbor’s Child, more than 800 local families in need received new toys and clothes for the holidays.
Making Spirits Brighter at Hanley Shelter
The Katherine Hanley Family Shelter serves homeless mothers and their young children.
Extraordinary Chantilly Enterprise that’s Changing Lives
DRCE helps people with disabilities drive adapted vehicles.
Owned by two military veterans, Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence helps people with disabilities drive adapted vehicles — and change their lives.
Providing Immigrants with Jobs, Safety and Dignity in Centreville
Centreville Labor Resource Center celebrates fifth anniversary
When the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) holds a celebration, it does so with people, food, music and fun.
Centreville Labor Center to Celebrate Five Years
Public invited to event this Sunday
When the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) opened its doors, five years ago, to serve the community’s immigrant population, it was hoped that it would be a success.
Ways to Help Our Neighbor’s Child in Centreville and Chantilly
The nonprofit Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) provides financially struggling, local families with new toys and clothes for the holidays.
Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and Hanukkah in Chantilly
Westfield High to present ‘Ho Ho Holiday Show.’
Sugarplum fairies, the Grinch, Charlie Brown, the Muppets and even “Back to the Future’s” Marty McFly are all in Westfield High’s upcoming “Ho Ho Holiday Show.”
Getting into the Holiday Spirit in Annandale
Just the thing to put people into the holiday spirit is “Christmas Undercover.”
How To Help Our Neighbor’s Child in Centreville
Now in its 25th year, the nonprofit Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) provides financially struggling, local families with new toys and clothes for the holidays.
Centreville UMC Mission Work Helps the Community
Provides food, household items, diapers, English classes.
Most churches are involved in various missions, and Centreville United Methodist Church (CUMC) is no exception. Describing the church’s congregation as “generous and mission-driven,” its mission director, Michelle Formica, recently discussed several of the church’s missions.
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.