People

Arlington: Out of the Classroom and into the Garden

Adding life skills while growing plants.

Fallon Keplinger, or Ms K., as her middle school students and fellow teachers call her, has only been at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington since October of 2014, but she’s jumped in with both feet.

Arlington: 45th District Candidates Struggle To Out-Democrat Each Other

Democratic primary candidates find differences on education and environment.

If residents are having a difficult time differentiating between the platforms of the five Democratic candidates running for the 45th district delegate seat, they are not alone.

Fairfax Station: Landscaping Business Uses Goats

Their names are Alvin, Beau, Cyrano de Bergerac, Ivy, Chuck, Tippy and Valentino. Five of Oakton resident Charlotte Del Duca’s seven “children” are 15 months old. The other two are almost a year. And they weigh between 100 and 130 pounds.

Looking Out for Senior Citizens in Mount Vernon

Barbara Sullivan leads organization that helps residents age in place.

Founded in 2007, Mount Vernon at Home now has almost 200 dues-paying members.

Alexandria: Memorial Day at Rocky Versace Plaza

The sounds of trumpets and flutes rose in the air as the musical prelude to the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Captain Rocky Versace Place began on Monday morning, May 25.

Alexandria People at Work: Nails Can be Artwork

"Pick your color dear." Tracy Jefferson's fingers roam over the bottles of polish and land on "I can't find my Czech book", a vibrant blue for her pedicure at Sugar House Day Spa and Salon on N. Alfred Street.

Mount Vernon: Dougherty Connects Chamber with Community

Focusing on small business and economic development.

Prior to becoming the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce executive director, Dougherty worked for U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Later, she served in several senior positions during the Reagan Administration. This included assignments at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Energy.

Mount Vernon: Goats Enlisted in War against Invasive Plants

The Hollin Meadows Swim and Tennis Club welcomed 60 goats to its property to graze on invasive plants and vegetation on May 11.

Mount Vernon: Annual Gala Supports MVAH

On the banks of the Potomac River just off the Mount Vernon Parkway, the Mount Vernon at Home non-profit senior citizen service organization once again celebrated its annual gala fundraiser at the American Horticulture Society's site, River Farm on May 20.

Alexandria: 2015 Memorial Day in Old Town

Memorial Day ceremonies honor the fallen.

Alexandrians gathered from across the city May 25 to honor the sacrifice of America’s fallen service members in Memorial Day ceremonies held at Alexandria National Cemetery in Old Town.

Business Philanthropy Summit Honors Local Leaders

Nonprofits, businesses recognized for local initiatives.

Community leaders from across the city gathered May 6 for the 17th annual Business Philanthropy Summit to honor the 2015 nonprofit and business philanthropists of the year.

Alexandria: Alfred Street Baptist Church hosts Annual Christian Walk

For the past several years, members of Alfred Street Baptist Church have hosted an annual Christian Walk for members.

Naomi Project Founder Honored

Peggy Ferguson receives Volunteer Fairfax's 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fairfax-based nonprofit Our Daily Bread has announced that Naomi Project Founder Peggy Ferguson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards.

Edison High Student Named 2015 Ron Brown Scholar

Bruke Kifle, a senior at Edison High School, is one of 28 students nationwide named a Ron Brown Scholar, a program for African-American youth, and will receive a $40,000 scholarship to attend college.

Alexandria: Former AEDP Chief Joins Foundation Board

Hawkins to focus on support for veterans.

Just weeks into his retirement from serving as president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Val Hawkins has joined the Military Family Initiative board of directors of the Military Officers Association of America.

The Connection