Centreville Business Notes
The Washington Redskins have opened its newest Redskins Team Store at the Fair Oaks Mall.
Column: George’s Advice on Role of Party
In his Farewell Address in 1796, giving his final counsel to his country, after two terms as President, George Washington warned:
Editorial: Happy New Year, Keep in Touch
Reflecting and reinforcing the sense of community.
As a local, weekly newspaper, the Gazette Packet’s mission is to bring the news you need about your community, to give you the information you need to enjoy the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to call attention to unmet needs, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in community and people’s lives.
Column: Legacy Of Life
Dec. 12 marked an historic occasion in Inova Alexandria Hospital’s long and distinguished history: the 140th anniversary of the hospital’s founding by Julia Johns and a committed group of Alexandria women.
Letter to the Editor: My Year In the USA
Why are we doing this? Why are we going away from our families for one year and move into a family's house we don't know?
School Board Appoints Adusumilli
The Arlington School Board approved the appointment of Rajesh Adusumilli as assistant superintendent for information services at its Dec. 20 meeting.
Fairfax Rotary Club Awards Global Grant Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Fairfax, a part of Rotary District 7610 in Northern Virginia, recently awarded the Global Grant Scholarship to a young woman from Fairfax City. Sophie McManus learned she was the winner of the competitive scholarship on Nov. 4, nudging out many other young people from the area.
Welcoming Scouts
Willow Springs Elementary holds Girl Scouts Investiture/Rededication Ceremony.
The Willow Springs Elementary School Girl Scouts held an investiture/rededication ceremony on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. Investiture welcomes new members into the Girl Scout family for the first time.
Artistic Talent on Display
Members of the Art Guild of Clifton, in cooperation with the Clifton Betterment Association, held an art show and sale, Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall.
Paco Peña 'Flamenco Vivo' at GMU
Flamenco guitar legend appears with The Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company.
Named the “Best Flamenco Guitarist” by America’s Guitar magazine for five consecutive years, Paco Peña brings his troupe of flamenco singers, musicians and dancers to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 at 8 p.m. for a tour through the history of flamenco.
Fair Oaks Hospital Receives National Recognition
One Virginia hospital was among The Leapfrog Group’s annual class of “Top Hospitals” announced in Baltimore, Md. on Dec. 4. Inova Fair Oaks Hospital’s management and staffs for the first time completed the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, being transparent on patient safety and achieving the "Top Hospital" award.
Capturing 50 Years of Christmas History
Springfield resident Al Nielsen has photographed the National Christmas Tree every year since 1963.
In December 1963, Al Nielsen drove his wife and four children to Washington, D.C. to see the National Christmas Tree, a red spruce from West Virginia. That year, the lighting of the tree was delayed due to the mourning period following the assassination of President Kennedy. Being without a tripod, Nielsen placed his camera atop his car and captured the first photo of what would become a long-standing annual tradition. Now 90-years-old, Nielsen recently photographed the 2012 National Christmas Tree, making this the 50th consecutive year that he has captured history in the nation’s capital.
Thieves Target Cars in Parks
Detectives are investigating an apparent series of credit card thefts from vehicles parked at area parks. Many of the crimes have taken place at Burke Lake Park, but there were others at Wakefield and South Run Recreation Center. Detectives from the West Springfield Police District Criminal Investigation Section are working collaboratively with the Financial Crimes Unit to apprehend suspects on over two dozen cases; with the most recent six taking place at Burke Lake Park since Thanksgiving.
Burke Man Sentenced to 360 Months for Producing Child Pornography
Jason Laposay, 40, of Burke, was sentenced to 360 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for producing child pornography by filming someone under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit activity.
Selling the Idea of Reston
Panel discusses the marketing and progress of early Reston.
“This was a tremendous opportunity to meet people from all over the world,” said McCandless, who arrived in Reston in 1963 as the town’s 25th employer and a member of the town’s original Public Relations team, following the opening statements. “The joy of Reston is its universality.”
A Silver Line Train for the Holidays
As I drove across the Wiehle Avenue Bridge over the Dulles Access Road a couple of weeks ago, I was sure I saw a Metro railcar on the brand new Silver Line tracks. I hurried to the post office and returned to the scene, parked my car in a nearby lot, and walked to the bridge to record the historic moment. By then it was dusk, and search as I might I could not find a railcar. I began to doubt myself. Had I worked on the project so long that I was seeing things?
Week in Herndon
Find out what's happening this week in Herndon.
Bigelman, Eganhouse Wed
Kara Anne Bigelman and Matthew Colin Eganhouse were married Aug. 25 in San Diego, Calif. Kara is the daughter of Paul and Kathleen Bigelman of Clifton. Matthew is the son of Bob Eganhouse and Trina Billingsley of Herndon.
Pet Supermarket Supports Warrior Canine Connection
Dog-training program helps veterans.
Deb Weber of Weber’s Pet Supermarket in Herndon wants everyone to “Send in the dirty dogs.” Her mission is to help non-profits raise funds—the pet supply store has built three state-of-the-art stainless steel self-service pet bath tubs and thus, during inclement weather, pet owners can scrub their favorite furry friend. The cost per bath is $16—and Weber donates $10 from each bath to help charities with their mission. Warrior Canine Connection will be the charity receiving the funds generated from the pet baths from Dec. 17 through Jan. 5.
Helping Those in Need
Local teen collects items for the poor and homeless.
“It was a rewarding feeling to know I helped people stay clothed and keep warm.” -Oak Hill resident Nick O’Connell