A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?
Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.
On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
County suspends discarding of library books.
Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.
Letter: Joining Forces to Prevent Homelessness
You can prevent homelessness, you can end chronic homelessness, you can move people rapidly out of homelessness. What you cannot do is stand aside and let people fall. This simple belief—that together we can change the rate and severity of people losing their homes—brings together nonprofits, for-profits, civic leaders and government staff. We each play a special role, depending on our location and mission. For United Community Ministries (UCM), prevention is the key.
Beckford Carries Episcopal Football Past Flint Hill
Senior running back runs for 312 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Episcopal offense looks strong in season opener.
People
Nuptials, Elections, Conventions, and other milestones in the Arlington Community
Two Local Students Feted for Their Writings
Two local girls were among those honored Sunday for their entries in a Grandparents Day writing contest. They are Chantilly High freshman Saru Kalva, who won first place, and Chantilly resident Rashel Bajaj, a Thomas Jefferson High freshman who came in third. The Writers of Chantilly, a local group of professional and aspiring writers, sponsored the competition, which was held over the summer. Students wrote about their grandparents, and the winners were recognized and read their works during a Sept. 8 ceremony at the Chantilly Regional Library. For their efforts, Kalva and Bajaj received certificates and a prize package including a Barnes & Noble gift card. They’ll also have their entries published in an upcoming Writers of Chantilly (WOC) anthology.
‘You Can See the Joy of Learning’
Centreville Elementary’s unconventional summer school.
In one room, students learned about measurement and density by making parfaits. Others were busy reading, some were doing science experiments and others were creating crystals. And in the hallway, a group of children were making roller coasters on the walls. What was happening, July 15-Aug. 2, four hours/day, at Centreville Elementary in no way resembled boring, summer-school programs of the past. These students were having fun while learning things they’d need to succeed in school and in life.
Sunoco Plan Heads To Planning Panel
Alcoholic beverages sales still a concern.
It’s on to the Fairfax County Planning Commission now for Sunoco’s proposed changes to its gas station near the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. And along the way, two local land-use groups have opposed its intention to sell alcoholic beverages in its associated convenience store. Located at 4475 Daly Drive, by Willard Road, the existing Sunoco station — initially a Mobil station — has been at that site since 1989. But after Sunoco acquired more land, it decided to completely revamp the facility and its offerings.
Eat Pizza To Help Local Girl
Paisano’s holding fundraiser for Tara Sankner.
A fundraiser being held by a local pizza chain won’t cure Tara Sankner’s cancer — but it’ll certainly help her parents pay for her medical bills. Called “Let’s Take Care of Tara,” it began Sept. 3 and will run through Sept. 30 at all Paisano’s and Bella Pizza locations. This is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Paisano’s owner and founder, Fouad Qreitem — who has children, himself — wants to do all he can to help this local family. “I would love to see Tara get into remission,” he said. “I met Tara and her mother, Tammy, and they didn’t ask for anything. But I could tell they were a family struggling and in need.” Tara, 8, is now a third-grader at Lees Corner Elementary. Her dad Craig is a letter carrier with the U.S. Post Office in Oak Hill and her mom is a medical biller at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. And in February, their only child was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a treatable but inoperable form of brain cancer. “It would be a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Qreitem. “I have two daughters, 8 and 12, and cannot imagine my family being faced with this situation. So I want to help Tara and her family.”
Gros To Lead Glasgow Middle School
Doctoral candidate to mentor most ethnically diverse school in Alexandria.
On July 1, Penny Gros, 43, of Burke was named the new principal of Glasgow Middle School, an ethnically diverse school in Alexandria. It’s the best fit for the Spanish-speaking doctoral candidate in her 19th year in education. “This school is a perfect fit for my background, experience and passions,” she said. As a true melting pot, Glasgow Middle has 1551 students enrolled who were born in 65 different countries and speak 57 languages — Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, among others. The school demographics are: 46 percent Hispanic, 24 percent White, 15 percent Asian, 11 percent Black, 31 percent ESOL. There are 16 percent of students in the Level 4/Advanced Academics program and 10 percent in the AVID program. And 75 percent of the students are on the free/reduced lunch program. In terms of student counts, Glasgow has 579 in sixth grade, 480 in seventh grade and 492 in eighth grade.
Aldersgate Prepares Annual Fundraising Golf Outing
Event to benefit variety of charities.
Elizabeth King, 12, is setting her sights high for her first-ever golf tournament. “I’ve never done this before. My one hope is that I get a hole in one,” she said. Elizabeth and her family are among those who have signed up for the Aldersgate United Methodist Men’s 5th Annual Golf Outing. The event will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Joint Base Andrews’ West Course. “She’s been wanting to go out and play and this is a great way to do it,” said her father, Bob King. King has been playing in the tournament since it first began. When his son David, 15, became old enough, he joined his dad on the course. Now, Elizabeth will do the same. All three are planning to head out for a day together on the golf course. The family said the event is a great way to spend time together, playing a sport they enjoy in a noncompetitive environment.
Column: An Aside
My wife and I live just a few blocks from George Washington's Mount Vernon home, on land that was once part of his estate. Most mornings, we go out onto the back porch, overlooking beautiful woods, and read the daily newspaper.
Get Ready for Fort Hunt Park Community Day
Event will celebrate — and clean up — local park.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, the first-ever Fort Hunt Park Community Day will take place at the Fort Hunt Community Park, a 197-acre historical park located off the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Alexandria. The non-profit organization, the Friends of Fort Hunt Park, Incorporated, is co-sponsoring the event with the National Park Service and the National Parks Conservation Association to both celebrate the park and for an official clean up. “We want to celebrate Fort Hunt Park as a vital part of the community and to enhance its recreational resources and its rich history,” FFHPI president Dorothy Canter said.
School’s Picnic Brings Family Fun
London Towne welcomes students and parents.
Students at London Towne Elementary eased back into the school year with a back-to-school picnic. The family-friendly event was held the evening of Aug. 29 on the school playground. Among those attending were Emily Horning and sons William and Dimitri, in third and fourth grades, respectively. “We met William’s teacher and she was really nice,” said Horning. “London Towne is family-oriented, always coming up with new activities for the families to do. I’m amazed at how hard the teachers work. Even at this picnic, they were grilling hot dogs.”
‘Gee’s Bend’ at MetroStage
The beauty of regional theatre is that each theatre has its own personality, its own character, both on and off the stage. So when seasons are announced there is usually a common theme, thread, tone that connects the choices made by the Artistic Director, reflecting individual interests, passions and personalities. As scripts cross our desks, actors and directors discover scripts that may be of interest. Media coverage of playwrights and plays are perused and a season slowly takes shape. What may appear as a random series of plays and musicals will ultimately reflect the aesthetic and intent of the theatre company.
Life in the Farce Lane
Cooney’s “Caught in the Net” opens at LTA.
Few will ever compare Ray Cooney to Shakespeare. The king of British bawdiness doesn’t pretend to be the Bard of high-brow literature, but as Britain’s recognized “master of farce,” Cooney’s comic genius is unmatched and on display in “Caught in the Net,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Written as a sequel to “Run for Your Wife,” “Caught in the Net” is a fast-paced farce that finds taxi driver John Smith juggling two families in different parts of London. When his teenaged children discover each other on the internet and decide to meet, John’s already complicated life descends even further into disarray.
Robinson’s Lambert Named Business Teacher of the Year
Chantilly resident founded programming and FBLA clubs.
Earlier this summer, Robinson Secondary School teacher Cara Lambert received a pre-back-to-school surprise. The Virginia Business Education Association had named her the 2013 Al Roane Middle School Business Teacher of the Year. “It was exciting,” said Lambert. “This wasn’t my chosen career to begin with, but it’s a career that I love, so it’s nice to be recognized. Anyone would enjoy winning an award.”
Agility Cats Perform at National Cat Show
Reston woman’s Abyssinian cats are famous for athletic prowess.
Cat trainer and breeder Lisa-Maria Padilla, 52, of Reston, appeared with her blue Abyssinian cats at the National Capital Cat Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly over the weekend, Sept. 7-8. The show featured 450 cats from 40 pedigreed breeds from around the world — Sphynx to Burmese to Maine Coons to Persians — plus hybrids, crossbreeds and mutations. There were six all-breed categories, two specialty rings, household pets in eight rings, plus a display of feline agility. In addition to the cat judging, vendors sold feline products, jewelry, food, and artwork. Cats were also available for adoptions.
Fit Club, Not 'Fight Club'
Some call it back-to-school stress. Others call it a seasonal rush. Either way, early fall is filling up Springfield gyms like TITLE Boxing Club with moms and children ready to punch one of the 58 heavy bags the center houses. Opened in October of last year, TITLE Boxing Club Springfield is attracting members who strive to participate in a challenging, high impact and motivational workout. (No sparring, says co-owner Kate Carski: "It's a fit club, not a fight club.")
Chili Cook-off Winners Announced
Greenspring recently hosted its first Chili Cook-off. The top resident recipe winners were announced and culinary team recipes from around the community were judged. Greenspring resident Clint Lambert and Chef Eric Phipps took home the “Best in Show” titles. Both recipes will be entered into the 2014 DC101 Chili Cook-Off. As a special surprise, Angie Goff from NBC Washington helped Greenspring announce the winners. Now a weekend anchor for News4Today, Goff worked as a production intern at Greenspring in 2001.