People

Rites of Fall

Viewpoints: What do you like to do during Fall and before the start of the holidays?

As the foliage reached its peak, Fairfax County residents turned to their favorite fall activities before the mad rush of the holidays. At the Burke Farmers Market, which runs until Nov. 22, John and Nancy Menke, of Burke, found a way to keep the fresh and local fruits and vegetables they love throughout the year.

Alexandria: Caring for Animals

A loud meow hangs in the air as the brown tabby struggles against the small needle inserted in his hind leg. Deidre Seifried, animal care technician, says, "This blood test is part of the intake procedure that also includes vaccines if necessary, inserting a microchip and a ‘snap detail’ physical exam. It starts with the mouth, nose and goes all the way to the end of the tail.

Chantilly: Great Beginnings Hosts Toys for Tots

Chantilly children's store is a drop-off for U.S. Marine Corps' toy collection program.

Tina Coulson, store manager of Great Beginnings Baby & Kids of Chantilly, is conducting a Toys for Tots campaign with the U.S. Marine Corps from now through Dec. 21 at the store located at 13920-B Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Route 50) in the Sully Plaza Shopping Center.

Centreview: Training Canine Companions

Tucked away on a graying back road in Long Island, N.Y., is a different kind of college campus. With wide grassy play yards and kennels instead of dorm rooms, this college is one for the dogs.

Alexandria: ‘I Wanted A Better Life’

Civil Rights pioneer Nelson Greene Sr. dies at 100.

When Nelson Greene Sr. came to Alexandria in 1953, blacks were the target of racial discrimination, schools were segregated and a poll tax was required to vote.

Alexandria: Pets To Line Up with Santa

Come early December, a few well-chosen volunteers at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) will put on a fake beard, hat and a bright red suit and head over to the Olde Towne School for Dogs in Old Town Alexandria to take a shift as Santa for some of the area’s most treasured pets.

Chantilly: Helping the Community

Boy Scout Troop 7369 was asked by Saint Timothy Parish to build an exhibit for the International festival. The troop’s Scoutmaster, Mike Warsocki, brought up the request during a scout meeting.

Potter’s Fire of Herndon is All Fired Up for the Holidays

Business gears up for the season with special dinnerware and holiday decor sets.

Although Potter’s Fire is barely a year old, they are already veterans of the holiday season. The potters and glazers in the shop are busy creating holiday dinnerware and their popular mugs for gift givers who love to buy local.

Promoting Rugby in Great Falls

Proceeds from the weekend tournament will support MedStar National Hospital’s spinal cord injury program.

About a year ago, Gary Coetzee nearly died out on the rugby field behind the Great Falls Library. A freak accident left the former professional rugby player quadriplegic on the grass during a game. On Saturday, Nov. 22, he is hosting the inaugural Great Falls Rugby Tournament to celebrate how far he has come a year after the accident and raise money for MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital’s spinal cord injury program.

Lake Fairfax's Real Jonathan Swift

Kentucky native strikes gold with nonfiction pirate tale.

Robert Prather has spent years trying to figure out the real Jonathan Swift - the man behind the legends of pirates, treasure and mystery. After his most recent visit to Alexandria and Lake Fairfax - two areas that Swift called home during his time - he is piecing together the third edition of The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver.

The Soap Engineers Are a Hit at Lake Anne

Business combines science with a love for pampering.

All of Janette Lew’s and Brooke Goad’s best ideas start with wine. The two created The Soap Engineers, a local company that features high quality bath and body products, after the two chatted over happy hour about their mutual love for making handmade bath salts and fizzies.

McLean Artisans Are Ready for the Holiday Season

Shop supports national and local artists.

Shannon Denny Price has seen her shop, The Artisans, move three times in the last 25 years. As a veteran of the holiday season, the shop co-owner has already begun filling the store with holiday decor as well as gifts and stocking stuffers of all price points. Christmas trees, themed wreaths and ornaments will all be available for purchase.

State Gardens to Host Holiday Open House in Great Falls

Local business will have Christmas trees, themed wreaths and ornaments.

State Gardens is more than plants, according to co-owner Laura Murray. The shop is home to hundreds of giftables for any occasion, particularly the holidays.

Lorton Boy Donates Arrowhead to Smithsonian

Ten-year-old Noah Cordle of Lorton became an overnight celebrity in August after literally stumbling upon a thousands of years-old arrowhead while on vacation in Long Beach Island, N.J. The Asbury Park Press first broke the story and soon national newspapers and television programs were hounding the Cordles for interviews.

Fairfax County-wide Nonprofits Offer Gift Ideas and Civic Engagement

In over 20 years as manager of Burke Lake Park, Charlie Reagle has seen a lot of benches installed. So many in fact that he’s running out of water view locations. And though many people choose to honor deceased family members with a bench, he’s had plenty donated in tribute to the living. One pair of sisters gave a bench as a birthday gift to their mother; it had two plaques, one of which was at ground level so the mother’s dog could see it.

The Connection