People

Alexandria Snapshot: Holiday Entertaining

“Santa” Steve Czechansky walks up and down the sidewalk at Centre Plaza on Quaker Lane, popping into the small stores on the strip to play Christmas songs on his accordion.

Alexandria Snapshot: Springtime for Christmas

Cherry blossoms bloom at the corner of Duke and Holland Lane, across from the Whole Foods.

Obituary: Helen J. Evans

Helen J. Evans, 88 of Alexandria, died at her home on Dec. 10, 2015. She was born June 13, 1927 to the late William and Margaret Peevely of Speedwell, Tenn.

Are you ready to be jolly? Would you like to help seniors and low-income families during this winter season? If so, consider becoming a Snow Buddy. Volunteer Alexandria, in collaboration with the City of Alexandria, implements Snow Buddies, a program in which volunteers register to help others by shoveling snow when winter decides to throw on its white coat. Last year, 30 Snow Buddy volunteers helped more than 35 families who needed snow removal assistance during the snow season. "Snow Buddies has been great!” said volunteer Eric Dillon. “The best part is the seniors. All of them offer me something warm to drink or say ‘thanks’ in person and it truly shows their gratitude.” If interested in volunteering as a Snow Buddy, register at www.VolunteerAlexandria.org and search Snow Buddies. Once registered, you will be matched with a senior or family that needs assistance. “Snow days for my peers are like holidays where everyone stays warm and drinks wine, but I know these days are anything but little vacations for my seniors,” Dillon added. “These events adversely affect their lives. Hopefully, I'm being a part of the solution for them."

Herndon: Fresh, Healthy Food in Season at GreenFare

The restaurant is bringing plant-based food to the masses.

There’s one green sign that stands out amid a sea of red in the K-Mart shopping center these days. “GREENFARE,” it reads, the storefront nestled in a corner of the plaza.

Alexandria: Carson, Napoli Engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Eugene Carson III and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Paul Napoli announce the engagement of Carl E. “Forthe” Carson IV of Alexandria, to Megan Marjan Napoli of Wilmette, Ill.

McLean/Vienna: Tysons Ice Rink is Open for the Season

The new 6,000 square foot Tysons Corner Ice Rink has officially opened this season on Friday, Nov. 13, and will run through March 6, 2016.

Vienna: Area Students Honored

Oakton High senior Allan Phillips receives two awards.

Two Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students are among 21 students in the Washington, D.C., region who have been recognized by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the White House in 1987.

Vienna: Crime Reports

Notable incidents from Dec. 4-10.

Suspicious Event - 400 Block Plum St., SW. Between Aug. 1, 2012 at 9 a.m. and Dec. 7, 2015 at 3:13 p.m. A resident reported she had been having issues with a former co-worker since 2012.

McLean/Great Falls: Our Military Kids, Responding to the Need

McLean based organization helps thousands across the country, especially at Christmas.

McLean’s Linda Davidson co-founded Our Military Kids with 11 grants in 2004. “When I started, it was a volunteer program offering to support families in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.,” she said.

Alexandria: Firefighters Provide Toys For Local Children

Christmas arrived early for more than 250 children from local Head Start programs as they picked out toys and visited with Santa and Superhero Flash Max during the annual Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue toy drive distribution day Dec. 15 at Penn Daw Fire Station 11.

Participating in Hour of Code Lessons

Churchill Road librarian Sari Warren and technology specialist Jordan Craig Kuhn spent Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13), helping students participate in the worldwide Hour of Code lessons.

McLean High School Student Wins Student-Athlete Achievement Award

McLean High School senior Autumn Brenner is one of four students in Virginia awarded the Student-Athlete of the Year award by the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Great Falls Farmers Market Applauds Local Talent

Saturday, Dec. 12, was our first day this winter inside the Grange and we were excited to have two young culinary talents join us: Annie Santos of Annie's Goodies, and Steven Kurtz of Whippourwill.

‘Messages of Light’ from the Faith Traditions of Great Falls Residents

The Great Falls Historical Society holds holiday gathering.

At our annual holiday celebrations over the last few years, we have noted the increasingly diverse community that Great Falls has become, as families from cultures around the world have journeyed by plane to Great Falls - as compared with travel by foot or horse-and-carriage more than 100 years ago – to live and work nearby.

The Connection