Mystical Arts of Tibet Visits Unity
Monks create elaborate mandala sand painting with multiple meanings.
For five days last week, Unity of Fairfax Church hosted The Mystical Arts of Tibet, a touring group of 11 Tibetan Buddhist monks who worked in shifts to create a mandala sand painting on a template etched on a 4x4-foot wooden platform. They are from the Drepung Loseling Monastery near Lhasa, Tibet, but cannot return due to Chinese oppression.
Week in Vienna
Vienna farmers market to host special programs and wine spectator honors Bazin’s on Church.
Friends of W&OD Hold 10K Race
‘Green Race’ nets $3,500 for upkeep and maintenance of trail.
ome 320 runners took part in the seventh annual Friends of the W&OD 10K Race in the Town of Vienna on Saturday, July 27, helping to raise $3,500. The Washington area’s only “Green Race” started at the caboose at the old Vienna Train Station and proceeded along the 12-foot wide W&OD Trail.
Elton John’s ‘Aida’ Comes to Vienna
Vienna Youth Players, celebrating 20 years of performances, takes on a Broadway hit musical.
It took two knighted Brits, Elton John and Tim Rice, to create a contemporary musical production based on an Italian opera composed in the late 1800s, set in Egypt of the pharaohs, interpreted with rock music and dance. But John and Rice did, and “Aida” re-interpreted became a Broadway hit. Now, “Aida,” with its elaborate period and not-so-period costuming and modern music and dance is coming to Vienna, performed by the Vienna Youth Players.
Great Falls Senior Center Holds Luncheon at Chez Francois
The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) held its first member luncheon Wednesday, July 24 at L’Auberge Chez Francois. Attended by a capacity guest list, the luncheon is viewed as the first in a series for those who become members of the center.
Roosters Men's Grooming Opens at Franklin Farm Village
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center (MGC) opened Monday, July 29, at 13346B Franklin Farm Road in the Franklin Farm Village Shopping Center.
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.
Brother’s Brother Comes to Merrifield
Brother’s Brother Foundation (BFF) celebrated the grand opening of its Northern Virginia warehouse on Saturday.
Unlocking the Door to Affordable Housing
County considers establishment of residential studio option to assist with housing affordability.
Like most areas that have seen explosive growth in the past 30 years, Fairfax County’s stock of affordable housing has dwindled as it’s grown into one of the nation’s wealthiest counties.
Petersen Plays FDR in ‘Annie’
City of Fairfax Theatre Company produces “Annie,” the popular “rags-to-riches” Broadway musical, with surprising ties to Fairfax County.
Lanier Middle School was packed this weekend as nearly 400 people turned out to see local families, a state senator—and even a mayor—in The City of Fairfax Theatre Company’s production and performance of “Annie.”
From Dental Chair to Pool Party
Dr. Stephan Tisseront, specialist in orthodontics in Reston, held his 11th annual Pool Party for patients on Friday, July 19 at Lake Newport Pool in Reston.
Joining Marines
Brandon A. Clifner, 18, of Reston, joined the United States Marine Corps on Monday July 22.
Much Remains to Be Done
Commentary
I grew up in my early years in a racially segregated Virginia. The State Constitution had a provision stating, “Mixed schools prohibited. White and colored children shall not be taught in the same school.”
Tom Wilkins— A Reston Special
Not long after I retired from the Foreign Service in 1994, I volunteered for the Democratic Party and found myself working the polls at Dogwood Elementary School on Election Day. That is where I met Dr. Thomas A. Wilkins.
Weichert, Realtors Recognizes Reston/Herndon Top Representative
The Reston/Herndon office was recognized for outstanding performance in June, according to Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors.
Miniature Horses Parade at Frying Pan
Miniature Horse Club Show held at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.
From Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21 the Old Dominion Miniature Horse Club met at Frying Pan Farm Park’s equestrian center in Herndon for their Summer Sizzle club show.
Summer Fun Camps Continue in Herndon
The Summer Fun Camps are held outdoors at Bready Park and indoors at the Herndon Community Center.
At the end of June, the Herndon Summer Fun Camps began operations at Herndon Community Center, with Harriet Van De Riet and a team of trained counselors directing. “All of our counselors have enrolled in college,” said Van De Riet.
Roessler Named County Police Chief
New police chief vows focus on diversity.
Edwin C. Roessler, named Fairfax County's police chief at Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, promised to launch a Diversity Council in an effort to recruit, promote and respond to Fairfax County's increasingly diverse community.
Helping Children in Need
Local teenagers start Children’s Trust Fund.
While most high school seniors spend their time thinking about the SATs, prom and college, Celia Islam of Vienna is thinking about how to help others. Islam, a rising senior at George C. Marshall High School, is the founder and president of Children’s Trust Fund (CTFund)—a nonprofit organization that seeks to aid impoverished children in developing nations.
Quilt Show Displays ‘Sacred Threads’
Some 231 handmade quilts exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing were displayed during the biennial Sacred Threads exhibition, July 10-28, at Floris United Methodist Church in Oak Hill.