People

Holiday Wishes Come True in Great Falls

The Wish List Project sending 325 homeless children holiday gifts.

Because of Ginger Mahon, more than 300 homeless and foster care children and teens will wake up to presents on Christmas. The Wish List Project, which turns 15 this year, will deliver donated personalized gifts to six organizations throughout the county, playing Santa for hundreds of children.

Alexandria Domestic Violence Shelters Offer Relief Year-round

Local nonprofits Bethany House and ALIVE face challenges during holiday season.

“I thought if I loved him enough, he would change.” Jasmine Witcher, interim executive director for the Bethany House domestic violence shelter, says she hears these words all the time.

The Great Gadsby in Alexandria

A weekend at Alexandria’s Gadsby Tavern

Supposedly, The Hunt Ball at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria took place the evening of Nov. 22, 2014. But inside, there was nothing to indicate it was not Nov. 22, 1800.

Mount Vernon: Storck Sets Office Hours

Fairfax County School Board Member Dan Storck will host Saturday Community Office Hours in December and January:

People At Work: Crafting a Floral Centerpiece in Alexandria

The art of flower arrangement

Scott Marchand puts hanging amaryllis in the green foam oasis rings. “See how it is giving it a kind of cascading look. I put my greens in first, “ he says. “This is going to be an open, airy floral arrangement in fall tones as a centerpiece for a table.

Glory Days in Alexandria

ASC celebrates Old Oaken Bucket rivalry.

From George Washington High School’s opening in 1935 until 1968, Thanksgiving mornings were synonymous with the pinnacle matchup of Virginia high school football. Residents and visitors braved plummeting temperatures and postponed culinary preparations to attend the grand spectacle of talent and grit known as the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry between GW and Arlington’s Washington-Lee High School.

Hand & Stone Opens in Chantilly

Spa offers facials, massage, waxings.

A new Chantilly Hand & Stone Spa opened in the Greenbriar Town Center behind the Starbucks along Route 50 on Oct. 12.

Alexandria Letter to the Editor: A Better Life … But Not Today?

I was moved and humbled by the tribute to Nelson Greene Sr. on the front page of the Nov. 20 edition of the Alexandria Gazette Packet. It served as a subtle reminder of the city’s morally corrupt treatment of the African American community even after passage of the Civil Rights Act.

Centreview: Turbo Tutoring Helps Ellie’s Hats

Dan Harris and Gregg Greentree, co-owners of Turbo Tutoring LLC, are conducting a hat drive for Ellie's Hats in conjunction with their SAT prep seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Stone Bridge High School, Room 303, at 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn, VA 20147.

Centreview: NOVEC To Collect Toys for Tots at Co-op Offices

The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative's non-profit organization, NOVEC HELPS, is collecting new, unwrapped toys through Thursday, Dec. 16 for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

Stephanie Maxwell Engaged to Matthew Hurtz

Daniel and Kerry Maxwell of Springfield, are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Laura Maxwell to Matthew Neil Hurtz, son of Michael and Kathy Hurtz of Midlothian, Va.

Giving Thanks by Giving Back in Alexandria

For 10 years before each Thanksgiving, Nathan Carter has been on a mission. With the help of his mother and siblings, he provides free turkeys to low-income residents of Alexandria as a way of giving thanks and giving back.

Patient First Facility Heading to Fairfax

Will also provide inter-parcel access to shopping center.

Patient First is opening a walk-in medical facility in the City of Fairfax. It got the go-ahead last Tuesday, Nov. 18, from the Fairfax City Council, following a public hearing.

TC Hosts Holiday Craft Show in Alexandria

Girls from the TC varsity softball team greeted shoppers to the annual school craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 22. More than 40 artists and craftsmen set up booths in the school cafeteria offering a selection of home and gift ideas.

Chantilly: ‘She Eats, Sleeps and Breathes Music’

Chantilly High student to perform with Army’s All-American Marching Band.

Chantilly High senior Mari Takeda has an extra-special reason to look forward to the holidays. On Jan. 3, 2015, she’ll join an elite group of musicians who’ll perform at halftime of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

The Connection