Student Sleuth Takes the Stage at Rocky Run Middle
Presents “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective.”
Granted, says Theater Director Julie Wharton, “Nobody’s ever heard of this show, ‘Brenda Bly: Teen Detective,’ but it’s funny and the characters are charming.” And soon, local residents will be able to enjoy it, too, at Rocky Run Middle School.
Police Unity Tour Fund-Raisers Set
The 16th annual Police Unity Tour (PUT) ride will be May 10-12, and Centreville’s Kevin Whalen is already busily raising funds for the cause.
Commemorating A Young Life
Erin Peterson honored in song and dance.
A day before the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, two local victims — Westfield High grads Erin Peterson and Reema Samaha — were honored and remembered at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville.
Car Show Slated for April 29 in Clifton
Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.
Fund-Raiser Set for Centreville Boy
Kyle Hahne, 7, is a baseball-loving second-grader at Cub Run Elementary. The Centreville boy is also battling leukemia.
It’s OK, Come ‘Into the Woods’
Audiences throughout the country are currently enjoying two TV shows and a movie based on fairytales, so Chantilly High’s upcoming play, "Into the Woods," should receive an enthusiastic reception here.
Raising Money To Educate Children in India
Priya Khanna is still in high school, but she’s the chairman and CEO of a nonprofit organization, The Hollow Trunk.
CVHS To Present ‘Radium Girls’
In Orange, N.Y., from 1924 to the late 1930s, the U.S. Radium Corp. employed hundreds of women to paint the faces of watches and clocks.
Virginia Tech Tragedy: Five Years Later
Erin Peterson’s family then and now.
For Celeste and Grafton Peterson, on April 16, 2007, the world as they knew it changed forever. That was the day their daughter — and only child — Erin was killed in the massacre at Virginia Tech.
Kidney Walk To Raise Funds, Awareness
Chantilly resident Jummy Olabanji has the distinction of being an on-air reporter with WJLA, the local ABC TV affiliate; and in 2002, she was part of the first class to graduate from Westfield High.
Gershwin Songs, Dazzling Dancing
Westfield presents the musical, “Crazy for You.”
Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Westfield High presents its Cappies entry, the George Gershwin musical, “Crazy for You.”
Supervisors OK Pohanka’s Plan in Chantilly
Pohanka Honda is coming to Chantilly. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently gave its building proposal a checkered flag, clearing the way for it to build a Honda dealership here.
Two Grieving Mothers Seek Answers
Kim Nelson goes to bed at night hoping she’ll someday see her daughter again; Gil Harrington knows she’ll never be able to because her own daughter is gone forever. Saturday, March 31, they were together in Fairfax seeking information about what happened to their girls and doing what they could to prevent similar tragedies from befalling someone else’s child.
Two Years in Prison for Conspiracy, Tax Crimes
A Fair Oaks man was sentenced last week in federal court to two years in prison for secretly conspiring to act as an agent of the Pakistani government in the U.S., without telling federal authorities about this affiliation, as required by law. He is Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, 62, a U.S. citizen and resident of the Penderbrook community.
Centre View Roundups April 4
Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 5 and April 19, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed. However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Lawson Honored as Officer of Quarter
Police officers don’t have to be out on the streets to make a difference in their communities. School Resource Officers (SRO)s make an impact every day, and for all he’s done in that capacity, PFC Steve Lawson was honored recently as the Sully District Station’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s Officer of the Quarter.
Remembering Erin Peterson
Joyful music will fill the air when the Fifth Annual Erin Peterson Fund Gospel Celebration is held Sunday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville. Erin worshiped with her family here and, after she died in the April 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, her own family and her church family celebrated her life together.
Westfield’s Dezelick Receives National Honorable Mention
When it comes to talent, those who’ve seen Westfield High senior Colby Dezelick perform — first as a dancer with Encore Theatrical Arts Project in Chantilly and then as an actor on the Westfield stage — know he’s got what it takes to succeed. And now it’s official.
Fair Lakes Girl Honored at Ball
She’s a leukemia survivor.
Skyler Hundley, a 9-and-a-half-year-old fourth-grader at Poplar Tree Elementary, lives with her parents, John and Stacey, twin sister Jordan and little brother Christian, 5, in Fair Lakes. An active girl, she likes riding her bike and scooter, jumping on a trampoline and playing CYA soccer.
Centreville High Celebrates Its Diversity
Centreville High celebrated its cultural and ethnic diversity, Friday, March 23, with an International Night showcasing student talent.
Fairfax Assists in Murder Investigation
On July 14, 1996, Thelma Scroggins was found dead in her home on Batna Road in Lignum (Culpeper County), Virginia. Scroggins was shot multiple times and died as a result of her injuries. Raymond Morrogh, the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney, has been appointed as a special prosecutor in the case. The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office along with the assistance of the Fairfax County Police Department is currently investigating the death of Scroggins.
Clifton Man Also To Be Honored
Two battles with lymphoma.
David Timko became the executive director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Washington, D.C., chapter in 1987 and, the following year, helped create the fund-raising Leukemia Ball. Little did he know then that he’d someday be one of the event’s patient heroes.
Budget, Budget, Toil and Trouble
Fairfax County funding is less than desired.
To the average person, $6.7 billion seems like lots of money. But for Fairfax County — home to more than 1 million people — it’s still not enough to fund everything its residents want. But county representatives say they’re doing the best they can in a difficult economy.
Anyone for Bike Riding?
Fairfax County’s creating a Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Besides being fun and good exercise, bicycle riding can also help improve transportation in Fairfax County. So the county’s Department of Transportation (DOT) is holding a series of meetings to further develop a countywide Bicycle Transportation Plan.
To Soldiers from Chantilly with Love
Chantilly High National Honor Society students spearheaded a communitywide drive to collect snacks and toiletries to send to U.S. soldiers overseas.
Residents Speak Out about What They Want in Bike Plan
Local residents had their say recently about Fairfax County’s plan to create a practical and workable bicycle-transportation network.
Fairfax County’s Creating Bicycle Transportation Plan
Besides being fun and good exercise, bicycle riding can also help improve transportation in Fairfax County.
Chantilly Students Are On A Roll
Ninety are honored for their achievements.
Some 90 students were honored recently for their academic growth and achievement at Chantilly High’s second-quarter On-A-Roll ceremony. But it meant much more than the certificate they received.
Centre View Roundups March 21
Fatal Crash in Chantilly A 56-year-old Ashburn man died Tuesday following a car crash on the Fairfax County Parkway near Franklin Farm Road. The incident occurred March 20 shortly before 1 p.m. Fairfax County police say the man was driving southbound on the parkway and, for unknown reasons, left the roadway just past Franklin Farm Road and struck the sound wall.
Local Girl Scout Troops Celebrate 100th Anniversary
Last Monday, March 12, was the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, and that afternoon, seven troops that meet at Virginia Run Elementary gathered to celebrate the centennial together.
Virginia Tech Found Culpable in 2007 Massacre
Sued for wrongful death by Erin Peterson’s parents.
All the money in the world won’t bring back their daughter Erin, but Celeste and Grafton Peterson at least have the satisfaction of knowing that Virginia Tech was officially found partly culpable in the April 16, 2007 massacre that killed 32 students.
Ryan Dillon Dies at 22
Life stacked the deck against Ryan Dillon. He was autistic and had bone cancer and lived just to age 22.
Run a Race, Help Save Lives
5K in honor of two local women.
After surviving breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation, Centreville’s Vanessa Spiller is doing well and hopes to soon receive a clean bill of health from her doctor. Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford was diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor in 2005, and is still fighting for her life.
Two Capture Regional Acting Awards
Chaz Coffin is an award-winning actor. Not only did he receive a Cappie last year as part of the ensemble in Westfield High’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” but he’s now the proud owner of a WATCH
A Meal and a Play: ‘Maid for Dogs’
Clifton Dinner Theater presents original comedy.
Actors are often advised not to perform with children or animals because they’ll be upstaged. But in The Clifton Dinner Theater’s play, “Maid for Dogs,” the animals — gray, standard poodles — are well-behaved and the show is hilarious.
5K in Honor of Two Local Women
After surviving breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation, Centreville’s Vanessa Spiller is doing well and hopes to soon receive a clean bill of health from her doctor. Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford was diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor in 2005, and is still fighting for her life.
Food, Fashion and Fun in Fair Oaks
Salvation Army fund-raiser includes lunch, silent auction.
Food, stylish clothing and fun are on the menu for the Fairfax Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s upcoming fund-raiser. It’s slated for Friday, March 30, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (across from Fair Oaks Mall).
Centre View Roundups March 15-22
St. Baldrick’s Day Celebration On Saturday, March 17, Centreville’s eighth annual St. Baldrick’s Day celebration will be held at Fast Eddie’s in the Newgate Shopping Center at Routes 28/29.
Chantilly Students Create Care Packages for Soldiers
Life lessons don’t always come from books. National Honor Society (NHS) students at Chantilly High are learning that firsthand, showing care and compassion by collecting items to send to U.S. soldiers overseas. Students at other Chantilly Pyramid schools are collecting, too, as part of the America's Adopt-A-Soldier program.
A Place for Artists in Clifton
The Art Guild of Clifton is forming.
The members of the Art Guild of Clifton don’t yet have a permanent space or funding, but both are in the works. They’ve got participating artists, talent and enthusiasm and, on Saturday, March 17, they’re having a grand opening in the Town of Clifton.
Shaving Away Childhood Cancer
St. Baldrick’s Fund-Raiser Is March 17
Every year, 160,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. It also kills more children in Canada and the U.S. than any other disease. So the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has dedicated itself to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. And a group of determined and enthusiastic local residents is helping.
Chantilly Library: The Renewal Project
“A wonderful place for our community."
Just as the writing of a book begins with an idea, so did the renovations of the Chantilly Regional Library. It started around 2004, when then Branch Manager Bonnie Worcester and her staff first discussed how to improve customer service there.
Chantilly Library Turns a Page
Ribbon-cutting signals start of new chapter.
When the ribbon was cut last week to celebrate the changes at the Chantilly Regional Library, it marked the beginning of a new era there. It was also the culmination of years of planning and work.
Centre View Roundups March 8-14
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, March 8, and March 22, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
Trophy Time For Westfield
Thespians win VHSL One-Act Play State Championship.
There’s rejoicing at Westfield High. The school’s thespians captured a state championship Saturday, March 3, at the VHSL One-Act Play competition in Charlottesville.
Alliance Theatre’s ‘Laughing Stock’
A comedic look at putting on a show.
Everything that can go wrong does go wrong in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “Laughing Stock.” But that’s the way it’s supposed to be as the local thespians portray members of a theater company putting on three different plays during their summer season.
Hot Music, Cool Vibe at Chantilly
Invitational Jazz Festival is March 16-17.
The sounds of smooth, cool jazz will fill the air during the 32nd annual Chantilly High Invitational Jazz Festival. It’s slated for Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, in the school auditorium.
Examining Causes of Domestic Violence
There have been three homicides in the Sully District since Capt. Purvis Dawson became commander of the Sully District Police Station, in April 2010 — and all three had domestic components.
It’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at Franklin Middle School
Featuring a cast and crew of 125, Franklin Middle School presents the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Show times are Wednesday, March 14, at 2:45 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16 and 17, at 7 p.m. each night Tickets are $8 at the door and during school lunches.
Examining Causes of Domestic Violence
What it is, the dangers and what to do about it.
There have been three homicides in the Sully District since Capt. Purvis Dawson became commander of the Sully District Police Station, in April 2010 — and all three had domestic components.