New $1.6 Million Advertising Blitz Seeks to Rebrand Alexandria
First it was Fun Side. Then it was Charmville. Now Alexandria is extraordinary.
First Alexandria was the Fun Side of the Potomac. Then it was Charmville. Now Alexandria is being sold as "extraordinary" in a new $1.6 million destination advertising campaign that hopes to generate overnight stays by targeting people within a five-hour drive radius.
Federal Shutdown Hurts Claude Moore Colonial Farm
Despite being privately funded and operated, farm closed for eight days because of shutdown.
On Monday, Sept. 30, volunteers and staff at Claude Moore Colonial Farm were preparing for their busiest month of the year, with thoughts of a looming federal government shutdown far from their minds. After all, in 1995 and 1996 the property was unaffected by similar shutdowns.
Walk to School Wednesdays at Spring Hill
More than 300 students participate in National Walk to School Day.
Many Spring Hill Elementary Students are used to walking to school every day, but on Wednesday Oct. 9, there was a rush hour of sorts on the paths and sidewalks as more than 300 students participated in National Walk to School Day.
Week in Fairfax
Recycle During Electric Sunday Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes, including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
Requejo Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies
A Fairfax man charged with sexually molesting a child pleaded guilty last week in Fairfax County Circuit Court. He is Eduardo Requejo, 23, of Warwick Avenue, and he’ll be sentenced in February.
Beware of Creatures in the Spooky Forest
Chills and thrills await on the Clifton Haunted Trail.
Surely, the vampires, witches, goblins and ghouls lying in wait for their victims along the Clifton Haunted Trail aren’t real—or are they? One thing’s for sure—they’re deadly serious about scaring people.
Letter: The Choice Is Clear
Within one month, Virginians will head to the polls to elect another governor. The choice is clear. One candidate has no experience in public office and is a partisan operative, while Ken Cuccinelli has dedicated his life to public service by serving as a delegate and as the commonwealth’s highest legal authority, attorney general. Ken worked to improve K-12 public education, took a personal interest in releasing an innocent man from serving 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and protected women on Virginia’s college campuses.
Kids Sending Smiles Around the World
Youth non-profit to hold 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer at Burke Lake Park.
The Court of the 2013 Lee District Lady Fairfax was in session, but there were no royal activities underway. Instead, 11-year-old Samantha Underwood and her friends were busy reminiscing about past events and planning future ones for Kids Sending Smiles (KSS)—the charitable organization they established when a friend of Philippine ancestry told Samantha about the conditions and the poverty, especially among young girls, in the native country of her family.
Westminster at Lake Ridge Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The 20th anniversary of the founding of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a continuing care non-profit community, was held on Saturday, Oct. 5 near historic Occoquan.
Springfield Teacher Honored in Richmond
Governor McDonnell congratulates Melissa Porfirio, 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Governor Bob McDonnell congratulated Fairfax County teacher Melissa A. Porfirio for her selection as Virginia’s 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Porfirio teaches first grade at Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield. Her selection was announced Friday evening, Oct. 11, in Richmond.
Week in Springfield
Week in Springfield
Fairfax County Police are investigating a fatal crash that took place on Franconia Road near the on-ramp for I395/I95 just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Preliminary investigation reveals that an adult woman was crossing Franconia Road, not in a crosswalk, when a 2002 Ford pickup truck struck and killed the pedestrian.
Pierson-El Leads West Potomac Past West Springfield
Wolverines quarterback throws 3 TDs, runs for 3.
West Potomac improved to 2-4.
Battleground Northern Virginia
What role will the region play in the election?
For many years, Northern Virginia has been written off by both parties as a Democratic stronghold — a place where Republicans simply try to cut their losses while they focus on the rest of the commonwealth. But this election cycle may be different. All three of the gubernatorial candidates are from Fairfax County. And recent statewide candidates have not been able to win without picking off selected jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. "As you look at Northern Virginia that's further from Washington, you see a more Republican area — Prince William, western Fairfax, Fauquier," said Stephen Farnsworth, professor at University of Mary Washington. "That's where the real action is in Northern Virginia politics." As Election Day draws closer and television becomes a virtual battlefield for attention, a real battle is brewing on the ground here in Northern Virginia. Candidates and their advisors are looking at the path to victory back in 2009 for Republican Bob McDonnell, who won Prince William County, Fairfax County and Fauquier County. Although this race is likely to be closer than 2009, the importance of Northern Virginia is looming larger than ever.
Local Producer’s ‘No Evidence Of Disease’ To Screen in Bethesda
Doctors in rock band honor their patients.
N.E.D. or “No Evidence of Disease” — the words every patient hopes to hear — is the name of a rock band created by six GYN cancer surgeons who deliver a message and hope with each song they play. Bethesda’s Karen Simon has joined with Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, director Andrea Kalin of Washington D.C.’s Spark Media to produce a documentary that chronicles the lives of the doctors as well as the courage and experiences of their patients. The movie descriptor explains: “As music and medicine join forces in the fight for life, surgeons are transformed into rising rock stars, and their patients and loved ones jump on the bandwagon, infusing the struggle for survival with heart, hope and Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The doctors, irate because gynecological cancers do not receive the publicity that other cancers receive — or the funding — choose to take on the “Below the Belt” cancers. Their songs are original and they play not only for their own satisfaction, but to honor the courage of their female patients and their devoted families and friends, who join in the fight to make others aware of this “silent killer.”
Join Donna E. Driscoll Walk for Dystonia
Event to raise funds for research.
Donna Driscoll is the voice of courage as she discusses dystonia, the disease she has lived with for nine years. “It’s frustrating and debilitating — but I never give up pushing. I feel better when I am trying.” Driscoll’s life was totally altered by this neurological movement disorder that she now battles on a daily basis. She had always been an active person who played competitive USTA team tennis, taught first grade at Garrett Park Elementary and traveled often to visit grandchildren. Because of dystonia, the Potomac resident has been forced to give up tennis, retire from her teaching position and quit walking her dog. She could not accompany her children and grandchildren to Disney World without a wheelchair and she had difficulty with daily tasks such as grocery shopping and walking up and down stairs. Yearly she vows to beat dystonia by raising funds for research and by increasing the public’s awareness. “Researchers have made strides in the treatment of dystonia, and I am determined to raise enough money to solve the mysteries of this disease and find a cure. Researchers have found new procedures and medicines that improve the lives of those with Parkinson’s — a disorder closely related to dystonia. I always say, ‘Parkinson’s has Michael J. Fox, dystonia has me.” Driscoll continues to increase the knowledge about her debilitating disease by trying to mobilize government officials to grant more funds to dystonia research.
Week in Vienna
Vienna Halloween Parade Oct. 23
The 67th annual Vienna Halloween Parade will step off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, on Maple Avenue from Berry Street to Center Street. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating Music and Theatre through the Decades” with Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman serving as Grand Marshal. Once again, the parade will feature the Washington Redskins Marching Band as a special guest.
Helping Pets With Disabilities
Mutts 'n' Munchkins raises $ 2,800 for Pets With Disabilities.
At a Mutts n Munchkins' event on Sunday Sept. 29, 48 pre-registered crafty and volunteering children from Falls Church and surrounding areas were given the platform to set up their own tables and sell their own animal-related products, baked goods, crafts or games which were then purchased by the public for low donation prices.
Flint Hill School Presents Two Nights of An Evening of Laughter
Flint Hill School announces “An Evening of Laughter,” a production of four one-act plays to be held on Nov. 1 and 2. Six upper school students will perform roles in each of four one-act plays. "I love the one-act and short play format for many reasons,” says director and upper school drama teacher Carlo Grossman. “Besides the variety of different pieces the audience gets to enjoy, the actors have an opportunity to stretch their acting skills with roles different plays. In this case, the theme is comedy and the fun is infectious."
Everyone's Got a Story To Tell
Third annual festival brings together storytellers to share films and inspire change.
It's a very simple premise: there's something powerful, almost magic, about stories. Whether it's the friendship formed between a pilot of antique planes and an Indiana farm family, or the struggle for respect for African American soldiers following World War II; an unlikely meeting of a man with nothing left to live for and one struggling to continue; or a family's fight to stay in their home, stories are the common way in which humans relate to and learn from each other. Starting next Wednesday, the Washington West Film Festival strives to not only share tales from around the world, but to create new ones. Brad Russell, president of the festival, said the inspiration for the festival was the surprising lack of one in this area. "I saw a need or opportunity for a great, prestigious film festival," he said.
Picasso and Einstein Meet in Vienna
Vienna Theatre Company presents “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a Steve Martin comedy.
If you smile at Steve Martin’s humor and appreciate high-quality community theatre, you can find both at the Vienna Theatre Company upcoming production of Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” Characterized as a comedy, the 90-minute one-act play incorporates thought-provoking perspectives infused with episodes of levity. In other words, it embodies the essence of Steve Martin’s humor interpretation.