People

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.

Centreville: Life with Cancer Helps Families

An interview with Vanessa Spiller.

Most years, the Virginia Run Turkey Trot is dedicated to a community resident who’s died of cancer in the months preceding the race. But this year, it’s being held in honor of those affected by cancer.

Potomac: Humane Group Seeks Forever Homes

Friends’ luncheon raises funds.

“There’s no better way to go than adoption,” said Dottie Fitzgerald at the Friends of Montgomery County Animals’ fall luncheon with boutiques at TPC at Avenel on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Thriving in Arlington

Local nonprofit fights to offset funding loss from Fannie Mae. jump

The reactive approach to homelessness isn’t working. For Thrive, an Arlington-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance to local citizens in need, the aim is to end homelessness by keeping it from happening in the first place.

Arlington: 100,000th Bike Donated

In honor of America Recycles Day, a national initiative of nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, Arlington-based nonprofit Bikes for the World donated its 100,000th bike for reuse on Saturday, Nov. 15, at a ceremonial loading of the bike into a shipping container headed to a community in Costa Rica.

Arlington: Scout Project Rolls On

Eye-catching homemade signs caught more than eyes. They also caught a large number of donors living in the Nottingham area, thanks to Marcus Ayoub. Marcus organized nine other members of Troop 647, Boy Scouts of America, sponsored by the local Church of the Covenant, in a bicycle collection project to earn his Eagle Rank.

Girl Scout Presents ‘The Backyard History of Vienna’

Last week on Tuesday and Thursday nights, Nov. 11 and 13, Kara Coxe, a junior at James Madison High School, presented her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, “The Backyard History of Vienna” to the adult students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at the Vienna Presbyterian Church.

The Antioch Christian Church to Celebrate Homecoming

The Antioch Christian Church will Celebrate Homecoming Weekend on Sunday, Nov. 23. The church is located at 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna. One combined worship service will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Oakton High School Presents 'Fahrenheit 451'

Featuring a cast and crew of 35, Oakton High presents the thought-provoking drama, “Fahrenheit 451.” The curtain rises Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door only.

‘We Need to Keep Our Children Fed’

Vienna CROP Walk raises more than $30,000.

Many of those participating in Vienna’s 10th Annual CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk had done so for several years. Others, like resident Martha Nichols, were walking in it for the first time.

The Connection