Handling ‘Everything under the Sun’
Animal Control officer talks about his job.
Andy Sanderson has been a police officer for 20 years and an animal control officer for 15, and he recently shared his knowledge and expertise with members of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Westfield Wins VTA Competition
School’s first victory in statewide acting contest.
The local community knows how talented Westfield High’s theater students are; now, so do people in the rest of the state. The young thespians won the school’s first-ever Virginia Theatre Association (VTA) competition, beating out 44 other schools statewide. The event was held Oct. 26-28 at the Reston Hyatt, and Westfield’s victory propels its actors to sectional competition, March 6-10, in Louisville, Ky. There, they’ll vie against some 30 other first-place winners from across the Southeastern U.S. Westfield performed the one-act play, “The Hothouse,” by Harold Pinter and were onstage 45 minutes. And besides the overall championship, students Mitchell Buckley and Madeleine Bloxam took home All-Star Acting awards. “I’m very proud of the work the students did, especially since it was a student-directed piece,” said Westfield Theater Director Susie Pike. “They tackled difficult material — absurdist theater, which is very mature. So it was a great learning experience, and one of my goals here in the department is to provide as many learning and leadership opportunities as I can.”
Boy Scout Food Drive Successful
The annual, Boy Scout “Scouting for Food” Drive was Saturday, Nov. 10. Locally, Scouts collected food donated by residents, sorted it and brought it to WFCM (Western Fairfax Christian Ministries) for its food pantry. Some 58,691 pounds of food was collected in the Sully District – which is 1,700 pounds more than last year.
Remembering Bonnie Huneke - Virginia Run Turkey Trot To Be Run in Huneke’s Honor
Time doesn’t heal — you just call it the new normal.” - Stephen Huneke, widower
Each year, the Virginia Run Turkey Trot is run in honor of a community resident who’s died of cancer, and this year’s Thanksgiving Day event is in memory of Bonnie Huneke. She died Oct. 27, 2011 of breast cancer at age 50. Sixteen-year residents of Centreville’s Virginia Run community, she and her husband Stephen, a government contractor and retired Army major, were married 21 years; their children are Elizabeth, 31, Craig, 26 and Mary, 19. Bonnie’s first husband, Army CWO3 Billy Bolin, preceded her in death. “She was one of those super-friendly people who never met someone she didn’t like,” said Stephen Huneke. “Every day, she’d be out walking our golden retriever and met a lot of neighbors that way.” Bonnie also loved planting flowers and gardening; and as the children grew, she and Stephen enjoyed attending their athletic events in SYA and in high school. She also volunteered at Virginia Run Elementary, Stone Middle and Westfield High and worked at Westfield’s blood drives, too. An active person, she used to be an avid runner until a bone tumor on her right knee, 18 years ago, forced her to have a prosthetic knee. Because of that, several times over the last 15 years, doctors had to remove scar tissue on her knee.
Remembering Bonnie Huneke - Virginia Run Turkey Trot To Be Run in Huneke’s Honor
Time doesn’t heal — you just call it the new normal.” - Stephen Huneke, widower
Each year, the Virginia Run Turkey Trot is run in honor of a community resident who’s died of cancer, and this year’s Thanksgiving Day event is in memory of Bonnie Huneke. She died Oct. 27, 2011 of breast cancer at age 50. Sixteen-year residents of Centreville’s Virginia Run community, she and her husband Stephen, a government contractor and retired Army major, were married 21 years; their children are Elizabeth, 31, Craig, 26 and Mary, 19. Bonnie’s first husband, Army CWO3 Billy Bolin, preceded her in death. “She was one of those super-friendly people who never met someone she didn’t like,” said Stephen Huneke. “Every day, she’d be out walking our golden retriever and met a lot of neighbors that way.” Bonnie also loved planting flowers and gardening; and as the children grew, she and Stephen enjoyed attending their athletic events in SYA and in high school. She also volunteered at Virginia Run Elementary, Stone Middle and Westfield High and worked at Westfield’s blood drives, too. An active person, she used to be an avid runner until a bone tumor on her right knee, 18 years ago, forced her to have a prosthetic knee. Because of that, several times over the last 15 years, doctors had to remove scar tissue on her knee.
Handling ‘Everything under the Sun’
Animal Control officer talks about his job.
Although Fairfax County is a bustling, suburban area with lots businesses, homes and concrete, it still has its share of animals — many of them wild. And both they and people’s pets keeps the police department’s animal control officers busy. Andy Sanderson has been a police officer for 20 years and an animal control officer for 15, and he recently shared his knowledge and expertise with members of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. He said residents may call 703-691-2131 to report an incident and that animal-control officers are on call from 6-12:30 a.m. for emergencies.
‘Thank You for Risking Your Lives’
Colin Powell Elementary honors veterans.
America officially celebrated Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12, and so did the students, teachers and staff of Colin Powell Elementary. They invited local veterans to the school, plus fire and police personnel, for their eighth annual Veterans Day Celebration.
It’s Time for Turkey Trot
Raises money for Life with Cancer.
Each year around this time, many people’s thoughts turn to turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie — and the Virginia Run Turkey Trot. This year’s 24th annual 5K run and 2K walk will be held Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 8 a.m. at the Virginia Run Community Center in Centreville.
ONC Questions and Answers
ONC’s Founder and Executive Director, Kelly Lavin, has put together a list of answers to some frequently asked questions:
Gearing Up for Holidays
Our Neighbor’s Child needs community’s help.
Now in its 21st year, the all-volunteer, nonprofit group has already started on its massive mission of providing holiday happiness for people in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes.
Looking Back and Going Forward
CIF celebrates achievements, past director and future goals.
The Oct. 23 annual meeting of the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) came full circle. Members honored the past year’s accomplishments and the former director of its labor resource center, heard a budget update, installed four board of directors members and planned for the future.
Drug-Dealing Conspiracy Yields Prison Sentences
Pain clinic’s Boccone given 15 years; Brown gets five.
Before Paul Boccone was sentenced last week to 15 years in prison for crimes including distributing narcotics out of the Chantilly Pain Clinic, his attorney John Iweanoge tried rewriting history.
Chantilly Pain Clinic: The Case’s Background
Oxycodone distribution, healthcare, tax fraud.
On Aug. 3, the owner and president of a pain clinic in Chantilly was convicted in Federal Court of conspiring to distribute and actually distributing oxycodone, a controlled drug.
Help Provide Holiday Food Baskets
WFCM serves those in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fairfax Station. And with so many people struggling financially in these tough, economic times, more and more families are coming to WFCM for help.
Community Turns Out to Vote
Economy, jobs, health care important issues.
Tuesday’s weather was cold, but sunny, and people in the local community turned out in droves to vote in the presidential election. At Colin Powell Elementary, the line to vote was steady.
‘This Play Is Satirical and Hilarious’
Rocky Run to perform “The Election.”
Anyone accusing this election’s candidates of acting like schoolchildren would be right. That’s because the characters in Rocky Run Middle School’s play, “The Election,” are high-school students.
‘Things … Work Out in the End’
Westfield High presents “Laughing Stock.”
When The Moose River Playhouse in New Hampshire schedules “Dracula,” “Hamlet” and “Charley's Aunt” for its summer-stock season, something’s bound to go wrong — and it does, hilariously. That’s the premise of Westfield High’s new play, “Laughing Stock,” a comic farce and affectionate glimpse into the world of theater.
Lee Kaiser Is Honored
Named Elementary School Counselor of the Year.
A boyhood tragedy and its aftermath helped shape Lee Kaiser’s life. It influenced him to become a school counselor, and he’s held that job at Centreville Elementary for eight years. He also does it quite well and was recently named Fairfax County Public Schools’ Elementary School Counselor of the Year for 2011-12.
The Daily Life of a School Counselor
It’s not easy being an elementary-school counselor — especially in an ever-changing world — but Centreville Elementary’s Lee Kaiser relishes every challenge.
‘A Win-Win for Everyone’
Traffic signal for Willow Springs Elementary.
The evening of Sept. 6, a group of parents, politicians, a Fairfax County School Board representative, a police captain and two VDOT representatives gathered in Willow Springs Elementary’s cafeteria.
Students Also Question Candidates’ Representatives
Chantilly High students and administration also got to question the presidential candidates’ representatives last week.
Hearing All Sides Of the Election
Campaign representatives come to Chantilly High.
The presidential election came to Chantilly High last week when representatives of the Obama and Romney campaigns, plus the Libertarian and Virginia Constitution Party, spoke at the school.
‘Come to the Cabaret’
Centreville High presents hit Broadway musical.
Show times are Nov 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov 11 at 3 p.m., in the school theater.
Fantasy Pumpkins To Thrill and Delight
Centreville man creates Halloween enchantment.
The glowing spectacle attracts 500 to more than 1,000 visitors each year, and word of his creations has spread internationally.
‘It’s Just Good, Wholesome Fun’
Alliance Theatre presents musical comedy, : “Nunsense.”
That’s the premise of “Nunsense,” The Alliance Theatre’s rollicking new musical comedy. It’s being performed weekends, from Nov. 2-18, at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville.
‘It’s Just Good, Wholesome Fun’
Alliance Theatre presents musical comedy, : “Nunsense.”
When 52 of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, a convent in New Jersey, die after eating bad potato-leek soup, the remaining 19 nuns need to bury them. But first, they have to put on a talent show to raise enough money to do so. That’s the premise of “Nunsense,” The Alliance Theatre’s rollicking new musical comedy. It’s being performed weekends, from Nov. 2-18, at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville. Show times are Friday-Saturday, Nov. 2-3 and Nov. 9-10, and Nov. 16-17, all at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16/adult; $14/child (12 and under); $14/senior citizens; go to boxoffice@thealliancetheatre.org.
Mountain View Teacher Hoffman Is Honored
Mountain View High math teacher Anne Hoffman received the Educator of the Year award Saturday from the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was honored during the opening ceremonies of the Oct. 20 Centreville Day celebration in Centreville’s Historic District. Mountain View Principal Dave Jagels presented her award; but first, he told those attending why Hoffman is so special and why the school chose her to receive this honor.
Man Charged: Drugs, Weapons Crimes
A Centreville man was among more than 100 people arrested recently as part of a nearly year-long operation by three law-enforcement agencies. He is Kevin Young of Bull Run Post Office Road in Centreville. He was charged with two counts of drug distribution and one count of possessing a firearm while in possession of schedule I or II narcotics. He was arrested Aug. 19, but police didn’t release that information until last week, when they released details of the operation. Participating were officers and detectives with the Fairfax County and Prince William County police departments, plus the Virginia State Police.
Ready To Scare
Frights abound along Clifton Haunted Trail.
Screams pierce the night in the middle of a dark and spooky forest, while scary creatures frighten all those brave enough to enter. “It’s only 8 acres — what could possibly happen to you?” That’s the slogan of the Clifton Haunted Trail, and the bloody mayhem is once again ready to be unleashed.
19th Annual Goblin Gallop Is Oct. 28
Benefits families of children with cancer.
As Halloween draws near, it’s time for autumn leaves, pumpkins and the Goblin Gallop. And this year’s 19th annual event is Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
Visiting the Local Fire Station
As part of national Fire Prevention Week, Fair Oaks Fire Station 21 held an open house Saturday, Oct. 13.
Best Buddies Fundraiser Is Big Success
Chantilly’s Eric Latcheran and Centreville’s Kevin Whalen are both participating Oct. 20 in the annual Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. Event proceeds directly benefit local schools — including Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high schools — containing Best Buddies chapters.
Taking a Stand To Save Lives
Rocky Run holds Bullying Awareness Day
It’s important to learn academics in school, but caring, compassion and understanding also have a place. And last Friday, Oct. 12, schools throughout the Chantilly High Pyramid hosted their first Bullying Awareness Day.
‘Celebrating 220 Years of Community’
Centreville Day is this Saturday, Oct. 20.
Step right up and join the parade — or, at least, come watch it. And then head over to Centreville’s Historic District for the 20th annual Centreville Day celebration. The festivities are this Saturday, Oct. 20, and kick off with the Zombie Slouch 5K Run and Walk at 9 a.m., to benefit DC Candlelighters.
‘Storyline Is Absolutely Hilarious’
Chantilly High presents musical comedy, “Urinetown.”
The fight for the freedom to pee for free — that’s the basic premise behind Chantilly High’s upcoming musical comedy, “Urinetown.” It’ll be presented Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 17-20, at 7 p.m.
Job Switch for Peter Noonan
Former Centreville High principal leads Fairfax City Schools.
Since coming to Fairfax County Public Schools in July 2001, Clifton resident Peter Noonan has been on an upward trajectory. He went from being an assistant principal to a principal to a school system assistant superintendent.
Get Ready for Centreville Day
20th annual event features a parade, crafts, music, food and history.
It’s slated for Saturday, Oct. 20, and the good times begin with the Zombie Slouch 5K Run and Walk at 9 a.m., followed by the Centreville Day parade at 9:45 a.m.
Biscuits, Gravy and Good Will
Chantilly High fetes businesses that help its special-ed students.
Some 30 local businesses support Chantilly High’s Special-Education Career Classes. So on Sept. 26, the school held a breakfast in its lecture hall to honor them, and the students and teachers joined in, too.
New Man at Centreville High School’s Helm
Martin Grimm begins first year as principal.
Martin Grimm, Centreville High’s new principal, has spent most of his life coaching, teaching and leading children. So it’s understandable how he ended up in education.
Community Comes Through for School’s Food Drive
On Fridays, these children could go to Centreville’s food-storage area and people would fill their backpacks with weekend snacks.
Officers of Quarter Honored at Sully
Police work reduced crime in Chantilly Lace community.
Two police officers who worked together to reduce drug dealing and other criminal activity in a Chantilly community were honored recently as the Sully District Station’s Officers of the Quarter. They are PFC Adam Jantosciak and MPO Garrett Polowy.
Centreville Labor Center Seeking New Director
Shani Moser leaves for job teaching Spanish.
For the past year, Shani Moser has been using her Spanish-language expertise in her position as director of the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC). Since the majority of the day laborers there are Hispanic, her fluency proved an invaluable asset.
Building Tomorrow’s Cyber Defenders
Students participate in Cybersecurity camp at Chantilly.
“Northrop Grumman is the largest cybersecurity provider to the federal government,” said corporate spokeswoman Marynoele Benson. And the company sent instructors to Chantilly to develop the camp’s curriculum, teach the classes and run the challenges.
Raising Funds for Best Buddies
Eric Latcheran and Kevin Whalen are teaming up again for Best Buddies. Both are participating this month in the annual Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. But before they can do so, they have to raise money to donate to the cause. Toward that end, they’re holding a Bartenders Night fundraiser, Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5-8 p.m., at Glory Days Grill.
Demand for Help Grows Each Year
WFCM celebrates 25th anniversary.
In 1987, a dozen churches in Centreville, Chantilly and Fair Oaks were inundated with people walking in and asking for food and money. Eventually, the pastors discussed it among themselves and devised a plan.
Crafts, Plays, Dance: Events for Fall
Below is a partial listing of autumn events happening in the area:
Family Fun At Cox Farms
Cool, crisp weather, apple cider, pumpkins and changing leaves are sure signs of autumn. In the local area, it also means it’s time for the annual fall festival at Cox Farms.
Get Ready for Clifton Day
45th annual festival is Sunday, Oct. 7.
Live bands, moonbounces, handmade crafts, Civil War re-enactors, food galore, pony rides and a unicyclist — all these things and more will be part of the 45th annual Clifton Day. The festival is slated for Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date is Oct. 14.)