People

Mount Vernon, Alexandria Communities Mourns Death of Herb Harris

Former member of Congress, district supervisor.

Former Mount Vernon Supervisor and U.S. Rep. Herbert Harris died at his home in Mount Vernon on Dec. 24, 2014. He was 88 years old.

Alexandria: Saved from Dog Meat Farm

Rescued dogs from Korea arrive at animal shelter.

The vans pulled up a little after 8 p.m. at the delivery doors of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter on Monday evening, Jan. 5. Eleven large traveling crates were removed and brought indoors.

Metro School of Arts Students Present ‘The Last Five Years’

Students of the Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria and Lorton will debut their first, student-directed, produced performance on Fri., Jan., 16 at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Atlas Performing Arts Theatre at 1333 H Street., NE, in Washington, D.C.

Dort Duffy, 81, of Fairfax City, Dies

Loving wife, mother and friend to many, Dort Duffy, of Fairfax, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1, 2015. She was born in Troy, Ohio to parents Eugene and Carrie Brown. She graduated from Troy High School and went to work at Ohio Bell. She married her high school sweetheart Dennis in 1954.

Was Downtown Traffic Switch Successful?

City Council hears results of professional study.

To create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown area, in August 2006, the City of Fairfax reconfigured Main and North Streets from one-way to two-way. Now, though, the City Council wants to know whether it was a good decision or if it’s been detrimental to the Old Town area.

Christmas Comes to the Hanley Shelter

Police officers from the Fair Oaks District Station, plus students from Chantilly and Centreville high schools, helped bring Christmas to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. On Dec. 19, they brought new, unwrapped toys to the Fairfax shelter, which serves mothers and young children.

Important Issues Facing the City of Fairfax

For its first issue of 2015, the Connection asked various local leaders what are the most significant issues and/or events facing the City of Fairfax in the coming year.

Answering the Call to Action

Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke helps Haitians.

Sixteen years ago Father Martin, the pastor of the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke, asked hypothetically, “How much money could be raised if each parishioner donated a small amount each week of Lent?”

Celebrating the Holidays with Alexandria Seaport Foundation

Staff, friends and supporters of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation gathered for a final holiday party in the Duke Street workshop at the Robinson Terminal South on Dec. 9. The boats in progress were decked out with festive greens as the work tables were laden with food and wine. The ASF will vacate the current premises later in 2015 when demolition for redevelopment begins at the terminal.

Warm Welcome in Alexandria

Owner Laurent Janowsky, left, welcomes California winemaker Merry Edwards to La Bergerie restaurant Dec. 9.

Ushering in the New Year in Alexandria

First Night fireworks light up Alexandria.

Fireworks lit up the sky over the Potomac River to usher in 2015 as part of the 20th anniversary of First Night Alexandria.

Alexandria Civil Rights Pioneer Ferdinand Day Dies

The force behind the philosophy of “Every Student Counts.”

When Ferdinand Day was born in 1918, Virginia had just passed its first compulsory school attendance law for children ages 8-12. But with legalized segregation, funding for the education of African American students was sorely limited, with only four black public high schools in the entire state. It would take decades before one existed in Alexandria.

Secret Santas in Alexandria

Departmental Progressive Club collects toys for Jefferson-Houston families

Members of the Departmental Progressive Club stopped by Jefferson-Houston Elementary School Dec. 15 to deliver more than 100 toys for students in need. “We are so thankful for what the Departmental Progressive Club has done,” said Jefferson-Houston principal Chris Phillips. “Each toy here means one more kid will wake up happy.”

Bollywood Bistro Finds Home in Great Falls

Restaurant adds spice to shopping center.

Great Falls loves lamb - at least according to Bollywood Bistro owner Pankaj Sharma. The restaurant has been open for two months and already has regular clientele, he said.

Chanukah Celebrated At Downtown Herndon

Chabad of Reston-Herndon holds community celebration.

The Sunday evening of Dec. 21 members of the community assembled at the Herndon Town Square to celebrate Chanukah with the Chabad of Reston-Herndon. The event was open to the public and more than 35 persons came to attend.

The Connection