Top-to-Bottom Makeover Embraces Longterm Horizons
The Hollis family wanted a house that would work better today — and long into the future.
Sometimes it’s not limited square footage that makes a house feel inadequate — it’s how that square footage is configured.
Lambert Named Teacher of the Year
Earlier this summer, Robinson Secondary School teacher Cara Lambert received a pre-back-to-school surprise. The Virginia Business Education Association (VBEA) 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.”
Jubilee! to Help Libraries
A Library Jubilee! to raise funds for Library programs.
Fairfax Library Foundation will be hosting its fifth annual Library Jubilee, with this year’s theme, “Let Loose in the Library!” Oct. 5, 5-8 p.m. at the Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Thanks to many sponsors, especially Signature Guardian Sponsor, the Friends of Burke Centre Library, the Jubilee is the foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year, and all proceeds will help enhance programs and services offered by Fairfax County Public Library including: Changing Lives Through Literature, Early Literacy Outreach, programs and presentations, scholarships, and books and materials. Last year’s Jubilee raised a record amount of $130,000.
Week in Burke
Police are investigating an incident that occurred Friday evening, Aug. 23. Around 6:50 p.m., a 37-year-old woman answered a knock on her door in the 10200 block of Scarborough Commons Court. A man standing at the door spoke briefly with the victim and then attempted to push his way inside the residence. The suspect also struck the victim in the upper body. The victim was able to slam the door shut and the suspect fled on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require transport to a hospital.
Like Magic
New plan in built-out 1940s colonial gains vital square footage as young family looks ahead.
In the end, a skillful spatial reconfiguration is like a deft magician's trick — you've seen it with your own eyes, but you still can't figure out how they did it. “Really, I don't know how this plan created so much more usable space,” Alexandria resident Alice Goulet said, discussing a recent reconfiguration to several rooms in the family's 1,800-square-foot center-hall Colonial.
Tiny Dancers Voted 'Best Ballet'
Tiny Dancers, located on Main Street in Fairfax, has been voted “Best Ballet or Dance Studio” by readers of Washington Family Magazine. This is the fourth year in a row that the company received the honor. In addition, Tiny Dancers was previously named among the Best in Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine and Best of NoVa by Northern Virginia Magazine. Commenting on the surveys, studio manager Beth Melton said, "Naturally, we're very excited. We work hard to provide the best learning environment possible for young dancers, and it's great to know that the effort is having an impact on our students."
Gros to Lead Glasgow Middle
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.
Thousands Attend Burke Centre Festival
Free event provides entertainment, a wine garden and children’s activities.
Thousands attended the Burke Centre Festival last Saturday and Sunday at the Burke Centre Conservancy festival grounds. The free event off Burke Centre Parkway included live entertainment, bands, dancers, puppet shows, interactive wildlife shows, a wine garden, amusement rides, arts and crafts show, a blood drive, children’s activities and special appearances by the Angry Birds, SpongeBob and Elmo.
Letter: Good Cause, Bad Practice
[Reference to “Hitting the Streets to Fill the Boot,” front page photo and story on page 7, Burke Connection, Sept. 5-11, 2013]: I applaud the efforts of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue staff in their support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The annual "Fill the Boot" drive raises a lot of money each year; it's a good cause.
Northern Virginia Designers Awarded Rooms in Showhouse Event
Northern Virginia/metro area interior designers Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design and Wayne Breeden of E. Wayne Breeden Design are among 17 designers awarded rooms at the benefit Winchester Showhouse & Gardens, open to the public through Sept. 29.
Sun Design Named One of U.S.’s Fastest Growing Private Companies
Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc., of Fairfax, was named by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the fourth time the magazine has included Sun Design on its annual Inc. 5000 list.
Home Tour Raises Funds for Easter Seals Veteran Staffing Network
Easter Seals presents the Home of Distinction by Sidd Kashyap Custom Home Builder. This home will showcase the latest in building products and design trends during the public tour, which will raise funds for the Veteran Staffing Network.
Week in Reston
Police responded to the area of Virginia Center Boulevard and Baronhurst Drive on Monday, Sept. 9 shortly after 3:30 p.m. for the report of a crash involving a motorcycle. Initial responding officers summoned Crash Reconstruction Detectives to the scene.
Reston Strikes Blue Win First Tournament
The Great Falls and Reston U11 girls of the Reston Strikers Blue team played and won their first tournament of the season. They got a new coach (Georgiou Apostolos) this year as well as a couple of new players to round out the team. This tournament was the first time they stepped on the field together as a team. To note—Coach Apostolos also coaches his daughter's U14 Team (they are currently ranked No. 1 in WAGS—Washington Area Girls Soccer). They also won in this same tournament. The tournament was the OBGC Capital Cup Labor Day Tournament, which is one of the top rated Labor Day tournaments in the region.
Reston Strikers Win at OBGC Capital Cup
The Reston Strikers stepped onto the field in their first tournament Saturday, Aug. 31 to play in one of the top rated Labor Day tournaments in the region, the OBGC Capital Cup. The tournament included top teams from mostly Virginia and Maryland, ages U9-U19. The debut game for the Strikers ended in a 3-3 tie, awarding them one point in the bracket rankings. In their second game, the Strikers confidence grew with an easy 8-0 win. The Strikers had to beat the first place team in order to make it into the championship game. A tie would mean it was over. The Strikers won 2-1, and then faced off with the winners of bracket B on Monday, Sept. 2nd. The Reston Strikers won in a 2-0 victory.
Reston Association Holds Biannual Yard Sale
The Reston Association held a biannual yard sale at the parking lot near the organization’s office at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive on Sept. 7. Shoppers and vendors mingled from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., enjoying the nice weather. The event organizer, Ashley Soloff, developed the idea of a community yard sale sponsored by the Reston Association. The idea was well received, as some neighborhoods in Reston do not permit individual yard sales.
Lockheed Employees Show Generous Spirit to Lake Anne ES
Employees of Lockheed Martin who work for the HRAccess Program (Human Resources for TSA) donated supplies to Lake Anne Elementary School; the "Recruiting and Hiring Team" as well as the "Personnel, Payroll and Benefits Team" contributed to the cause. These employees pooled their own money and one individual took the money and went school supply shopping specifically for the Lake Anne school. Her name is Renee McPherson and she is pictured above at Lake Anne Elementary School with school Administrative Assistant Michelle Claude.
Reston Native Unearths the Past in Spain
South Lakes High 2011 graduate explores ancient sites, archeology.
A former baseball player for South Lakes High School in Reston, Ben Raymond is used to spending time playing in the dirt. But this summer, his time in the dirt took on a whole new meaning.
Bulletin Board
Upcoming goings-on in Arlington
Commentary: Lessons to Be Learned From Others
For many years I used North Carolina as a state that I thought Virginia should emulate. As another southern state, North Carolina was showing Virginia up in its commitment to improving the quality of life of its residents through investments, particularly in education. North Carolina’s appropriation for its university system was at least quadruple the amount per student as Virginia’s. Its preschool program was a model for the country. The state recognized early the importance of the high technology industries and was very successful in attracting new businesses to the Research Triangle.