Shark Tank Racing Squad Swims for Cancer Awareness
The team raised $18,900 for breast cancer research.
Patty Friedman, a coach and co-founder of the Shark Tank Racing Squad, shared some alarming statistics at the beginning of the team’s breast cancer marathon on March 2 at the South Run Rec Center in Springfield.
Local Author Publishes ‘Meditations of the Heart’
Q and A with Burke resident Deborah Gibson.
Deborah Gibson is a professional counselor and pastor at Sup of the Lord Church, a bilingual church in Springfield. She has lived in Burke for 28 years. Gibson recently published a book, “Meditations of the Heart,” and shares her story below.
Koinonia Foundation Provides Emergency Assistance
New executive director uses sales background to help others, increase awareness
The Koinonia Foundation, located in a building behind Franconia United Methodist Church, has been serving the Springfield area since the early 1960s. Many area residents, however, are unaware of Koinonia’s role in the community of providing assistance to those in need.
Hayfield Senior Excels in Automotive Technology
Danielle McCarther will compete in state competition in April.
When automotive technology instructor John Terrien saw the name of Hayfield Secondary School senior Danielle McCarther on his class roster this year, he was thrilled. “I was happy to have her in the class,” Terrien said.
Lorton Landfill May Operate Until 2040
Debate over EnviroSolutions application continues.
South County Federation members began discussing the closure of the Lorton landfill with EnviroSolutions, the landfill’s owner, in 2006.
Listening Tour Concludes at Lake Braddock
Superintendent listens as community members voice their concerns.
Lake Braddock Secondary School hosted Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza for the final stop of her listening tour.
Robinson High Student Attends College, Inspires Others
Rachel Keith will graduate from NOVA and Robinson this spring.
Rachel Keith, a 17-year-old Fairfax Station resident and senior at Robinson Secondary School, has been thinking about college long before many of her peers. It was this forward-thinking that led Keith to take college classes at Northern Virginia Community College as a dual-enrolled student.
Holy Yoga in Burke
Participants enjoy the physical and spiritual benefits of the class.
Tracie Willstatter of Burke is among several participants of Holy Yoga looking to combine the exercise’s physical benefits, including relaxation, with Christian prayer and worship. “I enjoy the exercise, the people and the socializing,” Willstatter said. “And especially the focus on Christ.”
Delegate Filler-Corn Up Close and Personal
Eileen Filler-Corn meets constituents over bagels and coffee
Residents of the Burke area visiting local bagel and coffee shops may have found themselves meeting a busy state legislator over the last couple weeks. Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) has been holding office hours at locations such as Caribou Coffee and Einstein Brothers Bagels in order to connect with constituents and listen to their concerns
Heading to Junior Olympics
Q and A with Fairfax Station resident and air rifle competitor Caitlyn Ford.
Robinson Secondary School senior Caitlyn Ford, a member of the school’s rifle team, will be heading to Colorado in April to compete in the Junior Olympics.
Superintendent Visits Twain Middle School
The stop is the next to last on Garza’s Listening Tour
The school board has already approved their FY 2015 budget, but concerned teachers and parents continue to voice their concerns as the process to receive county funding moves on. The budget was among several topics addressed at Twain Middle School on Feb. 17, a stop on Superintendent Karen Garza’s listening tour.
Snowstorm Hits the Area
School closures and road conditions among major concerns
Fairfax Station resident Lia Keith said she was lucky this year in terms of snow days. “They plowed our road early, which is unusual,” Keith said. “I was also off work and didn’t have to go in until Thursday, which was fortunate.”
Helping Those With Disabilities
Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program serves hundreds
Although it’s been bone-chillingly cold this winter, volunteers still show up for their weekly shifts at the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Clifton. “The horses still need to be fed, even when it snows,” said NVTRP interim executive director Kelsey Gallagher.
Schools’ Band Director Honored
Jane Morgan, the band director at Stratford Landing Elementary School and Waynewood Elementary School, has been named the 2013-14 Elementary Band Director of the Year by the Fairfax County Band Directors Association. Morgan has been teaching band at Stratford Landing since 1999, and said she has learned a great deal from her students. It is her students that have brought her the most joy in her position, Morgan said. “It’s great to see what the kids accomplish and how far they go,” Morgan said. “They just keep me fresh every day.” Morgan has also taught middle and high school students.
Quilters Give Back to Community
Springfield Quilters’ Unlimited donate to those in need.
For members of Springfield Quilters’ Unlimited, quilting is more than just a hobby. The group provides opportunities for meeting others, as well as giving back to the community.
Elected Officials Hold Town Halls
Mental health reform, women’s health, health care and transportation were major topics at the Southern Fairfax Town Hall Meeting held in Kingstowne on Feb. 1.
‘Nerdicus’ Advances to State Finals
West Springfield High School attends finals second year in a row.
After West Springfield High School won the Virginia High School League district, regional and state one-act contests last year with the play “The Other Room” under the leadership of Bernie DeLeo, it became clear to the drama director that he wanted to write a play that demonstrated a less tragic side to autism.
Robinson Student Receives DAR Good Citizen Award
Katie Rogers awarded for patriotism, service, leadership and dependability.
Judy Erickson, a member of the Thomas Lee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has known for years that Katie Rogers would make a great candidate for the group’s Good Citizen award. Erickson met Rogers and her mother, Mariana Vervena, when Rogers was a child. The two are neighbors in Fairfax, and Rogers sold Erickson Girl Scout cookies for years.
UCM Marks 45th Anniversary
Organization will increase outreach this year
Many people think of United Community Ministries as just a food bank and a thrift store, executive director Shirley Marshall said. “That is all they know about us. A lot of what we are trying to do this year, on our 45th anniversary, is say, there’s a little more to us than that actually,” Marshall said. As UCM marks its 45th anniversary, Marshall said the organization is increasing outreach efforts to make sure they are known in the community.
School Board Votes For Longer SLEEP
Money saved from annual bus route review will be earmarked for implementation of later start times.
According to SLEEP, a local group advocating for later high school start times in Fairfax County, 72 out of 92 counties in Virginia have a high school start time of 8 a.m. or later.
It’s Time to Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus campaign continues in February.
Fairfax County residents can do more than just shop when they go to the grocery store this month.
Superintendent Comes to West Springfield
Karen Garza continues listening tour.
Superintendent Karen Garza continued her listening tour of Fairfax County Public Schools this week with a stop at West Springfield High School on Feb. 4. Garza was joined by Springfield District School Board member Elizabeth Schultz.
‘Gazpacho for Nacho’
Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.
Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.
Learning about Foster Care and Adoption
Children need permanent families in Fairfax County.
In Fairfax County, there are 265 children in Foster Care. That number may sound like a lot, said Nannette Bowler, director of Fairfax County Department of Family services, but that number was at over 3,000 children 10 years ago.
Hyland Leads Annual ‘Tour’
Economy, development and budget among major topics.
Instead of a bus, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland took community members on a virtual smart car tour this year at the district’s 27th annual town hall.
Students Celebrate African American Pride Week
West Potomac’s Black Student Union spreads awareness.
Students at West Potomac High School are spreading awareness of African American History Month by hosting events and activities that promote African American culture and history.
Winter Fun at the Mount Vernon RECenter
Get in shape and learn to skate this winter.
Although it’s open all year round, the Mount Vernon RECenter is perfect for the winter months.
Honoring Beautification Efforts Along Route 1
SFDC presents businesses with Mary Thonen Awards.
Mehr is among several other business owners along Richmond Highway who were honored for their beautification efforts at the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation Open House and Mary Thonen Awards.
Major General Marcia Anderson
Highest-ranking African-American female Army officer reflects on achievements.
Major General Marcia Anderson of the Army Reserve at Fort Belvoir is the Army’s highest-ranking African-American female.
State Legislators Head to Richmond
Proposed bills and priorities include ethics reform and ABC transformation
As the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 8, several delegates from Fairfax County have written bills that tackle some of the issues they believe are important to Virginians.
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