Pioneering Change For Autism
University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”
Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.
Chantilly: That ‘It’ Moment
Mighty Marching Chargers compete at regional competition.
The 170-student strong Mighty Marching Chargers, Chantilly High School’s marching band, competed in the Bands of America Regional Championship at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del. on Saturday, Oct. 15. Twenty-seven marching bands from nine states participated in the competition. The Mighty Marching Chargers placed fourth in their class and tenth in the finals round. They earned the highest score the band has ever earned in 15 years of competing in Band of America events.
Cabin John Kids Run
The Cabin John Kids Run was held Sunday, Sept. 28 at Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac.
Hollywood Comes to Fairfax
How to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph adoptable animals.
Animals at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter were given the celebrity treatment on Feb. 23 when a team from the non-profit Shelter Art Foundation taught shelter staff and volunteers how to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph their adoptable animals.
‘Old Fashioned Holiday’ at Frying Pan
Brisk weather was not a deterrent to the hundreds who came out to celebrate the ‘Old Fashioned Holiday on the Farm’ at Frying Pan Farm Park on Dec. 7. Hundreds enjoyed the holiday music, pictures with Santa, close-up meetings with farm animals, roasted marshmallows, crafts, food, hayrides and pony rides.
Clinton, McAuliffe Come to Herndon
Former President Bill Clinton and gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe came to Herndon Middle School for an Oct. 28 election event. Clinton is spending several days in Virginia campaigning with McAuliffe.
Family Celebrates 50th Foster Puppy
What does the Fairfax County Animal Shelter do when it takes in an extremely young animal, one too young to adopt out? It finds a foster family willing to take on the responsibility of nurturing the sometimes days-old animal until it is old enough to be adopted permanently.
Record Crowds, Record Fundraising in Dulles Day Plane Pull
More than $226,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia.
A record-breaking crowd—more than 16,000—turned out for the Sept. 14 Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull at Dulles International Airport. In its 21st year, the event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia, pitting teams of 25 against one another to see who can pull an 82-ton, 164,000-pound airplane the fastest. Seventy teams registered to participate in the event, raising over $226,000—a record amount for the event. A new addition to the festivities this year was an early morning 5K on the Dulles runway, in which 2,000 runners participated. A highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of an FA2 fighter attack sea harrier jet, which demonstrated its vertical take off and landing capabilities to a rapt crowd.
One Dead Dog is One Too Many
In an effort to deal with an outbreak of a yet-unidentified upper respiratory infection that has resulted in the death of one dog and sickened a dozen more, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has temporarily suspended the intake of owner-surrendered dogs as of Friday, July 27 until the shelter can be decontaminated and sanitized. Owners wanting to surrender dogs are being sent to other shelters.
Robinson Graduates Offered ‘Tips for Success’
Robinson High School seniors received their diplomas at the 2013 Commencement Ceremony held at the Patriot Center. Not only notable for its size, the graduates received over $4 million in scholarship money for their continuing education.
Fairfax Welcomes Patriots
The 15th Ride of the Patriots brings an estimated 4,000 bikers to the City of Fairfax.
The 15th Ride of the Patriots brought an estimated 4,000 bikers to the City of Fairfax on May 26, to ride together to Rolling Thunder at the Pentagon in Arlington. The event honors America’s veterans, servicemen and women, and raises awareness of American POW and MIA soldiers of all wars. The event is sponsored by Patriot Harley-Davidson and the Fairfax VA Chapter, Harley Owners Group.
‘Day Prom’ Celebrated
On Thursday, May 9, Herndon High School hosted a very special prom at the Waterford at Fair Oaks in Fairfax. Called the “Day Prom” the event is held for students with special needs that might not be able to attend their general education prom.
Lost Sheep, Looking for Bo Peep?
Fairfax County teachers are used to shepherding their students though many challenges during the school year, so perhaps it wasn’t too much of a stretch for Lees Corner fourth grade teacher Katie Talbot to come to the aid of some lost sheep in her Virginia Run neighborhood on April 13.
Elephant Artist Inspires Youth
On Thursday, April 11, 30 children from The Apple Tree School of Fairfax had the opportunity to paint alongside Kelly Ann, a 17-year-old Asian elephant with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, at the George Mason University Patriot Center.
Close Shave at Lees Corner
When second grader Tara Sanker was diagnosed with brain cancer, the staff and faculty at Lees Corner Elementary School got ready to help her through her journey. The first milestone was the day she came into school with a shaved head. Some younger students were confused about the changes Sanker was going through and made some comments and observations that were inadvertently hurtful. Tara’s mom Tammy Sanker, Principal Robert D’Amato and Tara’s teacher Vicki McGorty felt the best way to help Tara was to share her story with the students at Lees Corner Elementary School during the morning news program.
Breaking a Sweat for Homeless Pets
<On Sunday, April 14, the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, a nonprofit that assists the animal shelter, in conjunction with Metro Run & Walk and Olde Towne Pet Resort, held a race at Burke Lake Park to raise funds for the shelter. Over 200 people, many with their dogs, participated in the event and several dogs available for adoption also participat
Kite Class at Frying Pan Farm Park
The weather was perfect on Saturday, April 6, for Frying Pan Farm Park’s annual kite class.
International Night at Chantilly High
International Night was held at Chantilly High School on March 13.
CHS Hosts Cut-A-Thon
In an effort to raise money for Captial Caring, a regional palliative care provider, current and former students of the Chantilly Academy Cosmetology program held a Cut-A-Thon at Chantilly High School on Feb. 26.
Holidays on the Farm
Frying Pan Farm Park hosts old-fashioned holiday celebration.
Four thousand people came to celebrate the season at Frying Pan Farm Park, for the park’s annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Obama, Clinton, Kaine Fire Up Virginia Crowd
Campaign rally in Bristow, Va. attracts 24,000 supporters.
President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate hopeful Tim Kaine gather supporters at a Virginia rally.
Redskin Visits Lees Corner
Damian Parson, a sixth grader at Lees Corner Elementary School, won a contest sponsored by talk radio station ESPN980 and the fast food chain Wendy’s that brought Redskins Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, #91, to the school for a visit on Oct. 23.
A Day at Reston Dog Park
Residents and their dogs enjoy a day at the Reston Dog Park.
Sober Boating at Pohick Bay
On Saturday, July 14, the Fairfax County Police Marine Patrol Unit conducted a sobriety checkpoint at the Pohick Bay Regional Park boat ramp to deter and apprehend intoxicated drivers.
‘Better Be Ready’
Animal Control in action in Fairfax County.
When the call came from dispatch late in the Tuesday July 17 shift, Animal Control Officer Kim England turned her truck towards Centreville, to respond to a suspected “hot” or rabid skunk.
Responding to Underwater Scenario
“911. What’s your emergency?” “I just saw a guy’s boat sink in the reservoir, I think he went under with it.” This fictional 911 call describes the scenario for a joint training exercise between the Fairfax County Underwater Search and Recovery Team, the Fairfax County Police Marine Patrol Unit and the Prince William County Police Underwater Search and Recovery Unit that took place on June 13 in the Occoquan Reservoir near Fountainhead Regional Park
Fitness Center Members Receive Lifesaving Award
On June 18, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Ed Brinkley presented Life Saving certificates to Mary Butler, Damian Hawkins, Nick Taktak, Sandy Weaver, Minh Huynh and Chuck Wright for their efforts to help save the life of fellow Fairfax County employee Gary Oswald on Feb. 24.
Daily Patrols Take to the Water
Memorial Day weekend launches boating season.
The warm holiday weekend brought the opening of boating season on the Potomac watershed and Fairfax County’s inland lakes and waterways.
Volunteering on ‘Red Day’
The agents of Keller Williams Realty of Chantilly/Centreville put on their work gloves Thursday, May 10 to help remove invasive garlic mustard plants from Eleanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. Their efforts were part of the company’s “Red Day” when agents take a day off and volunteer in their communities.
Police Unity Tour
U.S. Treasury Agent Kevin Whalen of Centreville points to the cheering crowd lining Route 29 at the intersection with Route 28 on Saturday, May 12 as the Region IV Police Unity Tour riders make the last leg of their 3-day journey through Centerville from Richmond to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington D.C. In its 16th year, the Tour has the goal of raising awareness of fallen police officers and raising money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund. This is the second year that Chapter IV has had a team on the ride.
Bull Riding Comes to Frying Pan Park
On Saturday April 28, the Friends of Frying Pan Park, in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority, sponsored a professional Bull Riding Event at Frying Pan’s Indoor Arena. Dozens of bulls and riders entertained a sold-out crowd of 1,200 fans with their feats of athleticism.
Displaying Strength and Flexibility
Twenty competitors — 14 amateurs and six professional pole dancers — participated in the Ms. Virginia Pole Dance Fitness Competition held Saturday, April 28 at the Hilton Crystal City.
Area Welcomes Discovery
A famed pace Shuttle finds home in Chantilly.
The Washington area kept its eyes to the sky on Tuesday morning April 17, for a special over-flight by the Space Shuttle Discovery docked to its 747 carrier aircraft. The Discovery is moving to its new home at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. The Discovery has flown 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, and was the longest-serving orbiter in NASA’s shuttle program.
Operation Enduring Collaboration
From March 19-21, the Fairfax County government held a three-day emergency exercise called Operation: Enduring Collaboration during which county agencies and partners worked through worst-case scenarios relating to a major tornado outbreak in Fairfax County.
‘Express Yourself’ at Herndon High
Herndon High School Fashion Show features 14 designers, 125 other students.
On Wednesday, March 14, student designers at Herndon High School expressed themselves in the Fashion Marketing program’s annual fashion show.
At Engineering Fair
Megan McKinney, a junior at Mount Vernon High School, stands next to her finished project board in the Robinson Secondary School field house just before the start of the 57th Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 16.
Healthiest School
Marine Corps Marathon honors Lynbrook Elementary.
On Thursday Feb. 8, the students of Lynbrook Elementary School received the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy School Award for most participants in the event for the eleventh consecutive year. In what has become a popular school tradition, 300 students participated in the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run on Oct. 29, 2011, an event that was marked with the worst weather in recent memory.
Sounds of Excellence in Vienna
American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras play with members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra at Vienna Presbyterian Church.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras had a rare opportunity to rehearse with 28 members of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in preparation for a side-by-side performance on Feb. 26 at Vienna Presbyterian Church.
Krazy for K9s at Frying Pan
Krazy for K9s 4H Club meets at Frying Pan Park weekly. The club practices basic obedience, agility, and canine freestyle (dancing to music).
Freezin’ for a Reason at Lake Anne
On Saturday, Feb. 4, 185 hearty souls jumped into the 40 degree water of Lake Anne at Lake Anne Plaza.
‘King and I’ at Key Middle
After three months of preparation, the Key Middle School Theater presented ‘The King and I’ on Jan. 26, 27 and 28.
Lees Corner Elementary School Colonial Day
The fourth grade students at Lees Corner Elementary School turned in their jeans for knickers, bonnets, tri-corner hats and aprons to celebrate Colonial Day on Thursday, Jan. 19
Lees Corner Elementary School Winter Strings Concert
Demonstrating Strings Skills
The cafeteria at Lees Corner Elementary School was converted into a concert hall on Wednesday, Jan. 18, for the Music Department’s Winter Strings Concert; 142 children participated in the concert: 81 fourth graders, 36 fifth graders, and 32 sixth graders.
Dragon Dance at West Springfield
On Sunday, Jan. 22, the parents, students and educators of Wei Hwa Chinese School celebrated their opening at West Springfield High School.
Robinson Stages Fashion Show
On Jan. 11, the students of the Robinson Secondary School DECA club, a chapter of an international organization aimed at preparing high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, held its sixth annual DECA Fashion Show, showcasing the designs and fashion-stylings of DECA members at Robinson.