People

Honored for Enthusiasm and Dedication

West Springfield Senior Natalia Rivero Nogales recognized by Hispanic Leadership Alliance.

When Natalia Rivero Nogales graduates in a month from West Springfield High School, she plans on majoring in psychology so she can become a counselor and help people, something that she says is her goal in life.

Bringing Hope and Health to Lorton

Hope and Health Festival provides health information and screenings for area residents.

In the south county area, many residents have trouble receiving health care, says Linda Patterson, executive director of the Lorton Community Action Center. It was this struggle to access care that was behind the motivation for the Hope and Health Festival, a collaborative effort between the Lorton Community Action Center, South County Church, and the Lorton Library.

Potomac Almanac Wins Awards

Kenny Lourie won first place for sports column writing in the 2013 Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association contest. The awards were announced on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the MDDC Press awards luncheon. Lourie’s column was entitled “This Spud’s for You,” and addressed the controversy over the Washington’s NFL team’s name. Lourie suggests: “I would like propose a name-compromise of sorts. Why not change the name to The Washington Redskin Potatoes?” Read his column here: http://www.potomacalmanac.com/news/2013/nov/06/column-spuds-you/

‘Look Around and See the Smiles’

Special-ed students enjoy Day Prom at the Waterford.

Last Thursday, May 8, some 400 students got all dressed up and went to their prom at the Waterford in Fair Oaks. Once there, they had professional photos taken, ate pizza, sang karaoke, laughed and hung out with their friends. And when the music played their favorite songs, they filled the dance floor and showed off their coolest moves.

Three Generations Sing Togather

On May 3, Choir Recognition Sunday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Suzanne Brock, her daughter Lisa, and two grandchildren all sang at the same service; and at times, all three choirs were singing at the same time.

Helping the Earth and Having Fun

Visitors flock to Vienna’s sixth annual Green Expo.

The Vienna Community Center recently hosted the sixth annual Green Expo, in which some three dozen, earth-friendly exhibitors showed those attending how to achieve a green lifestyle. There were spiffy cars that use alternative fuel, plus people providing information about everything from water conservation to ways to protect the environment, how to recycle and even opportunities to go on eco-adventures.

Reston Community Orchestra Holds Season Finale

Concert features two young pianists.

The afternoon of Sunday, May 18, at Reston Community Center CenterStage, the Reston Community Orchestra (RCO) preformed their final concert of the 2013-2014 with a performance featuring two young pianists. Pianists Mark Dang and Matthew Geier performed Haydn’s “Piano Concerto in D Major.” The program also included Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite #2” and selections from “Forest Gump.” Conducting the orchestra was Dingwall Fleary, a maestro who has directed Reston Community Orchestra for 16 years.

Giving Circle of Hope Honors 2013 Nonprofit Partners

Connections for Hope Partnership of Herndon receives first ever Impact Grant Award of $25,000.

Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston was the venue on May 14 for the Giving Circle of Hope’s annual gathering to showcase the nonprofit partners to whom the organization’s members have chosen to award grants for the coming year. Each fall, eligible members of the Circle – persons who have contributed at least $1 per day for the year to the Grant Fund – review applications and vote to award grants for specific projects that help people in need in Northern Virginia.

Vienna Public Works Day Draws Crowds

Preschoolers have opportunity to climb on heavy equipment.

To a young child, there’s no question --- the bigger, the better. Witness the euphoria and unbridled enthusiasm of hundreds of preschoolers who climbed onboard heavy equipment, from front-loaders to ditch-diggers, at the Town of Vienna’s annual (and very popular) Public Works Day open house on May 15. Kids had the opportunity to sit in police vehicles, crawl into the animal compartment of the police department’s animal control truck, get tattoos, and grab loads of complimentary packaged snacks, as well. The congenial staff of the Public Works Department was there on-hand to boost the children into equipment cabs and ensure their safety.

Column: Post-Game Analysis

While I enjoy watching college athletic competitions, I do not watch many professional sports on television. For sure I do not watch any of the post-game shows. Panels for these shows seem carefully selected to ensure controversy and banter to fill the time slot.

Vienna Man Going to Federal Prison

Given nearly seven years for McLean teen’s death.

Kyle Alifom, 20, of Vienna was sentenced last Friday to nearly seven years in federal prison in connection with the death of a 16-year-old McLean girl. The victim was Emylee Lonczak, a McLean High student whose body he hid after she overdosed on heroin. Charged with tampering with evidence, Alifom was convicted of that offense Feb. 10 in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. A statement of facts filed with his plea made it clear that – not only did he try to prevent anyone from finding Lonczak – he also did nothing to obtain medical help for her while she was still alive.

Few Roll Through Town

Bike to Work Day sees low participation due to heavy rain.

Bike to Work Day was a washout at many event locations this year.

Biking to Work Despite Rain

Bike To Work Day highlights alternative travel in Fairfax County.

On Friday morning rainy weather hit Northern Virginia, yet volunteers at 14 bike stations throughout Fairfax County still assisted bicyclists for the annual Bike To Work Day. Coordinated by Commuter Connections and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the Bike to Work Day event attracts participants from around the Washington metropolitan region. This year’s theme was “Get your workout before you get your work in.”

Rebranding Their Passion

10th annual Technology and the Arts Awards presented.

Think S.T.E.A.M, not S.T.E.M. That was the message Leidos Director of Advertising, Branding and Creative Chris Green told a group of student artists at the 10th Annual Technology and the Arts Competition Awards at the ASCE World Headquarters in Reston on May 14.

Books for a Bargain at the Great Falls Sale

Literary pickings made their way from the shelves of Great Falls families’ homes to the tables of the Great Falls Book Sale last weekend, for a biannual fundraising event held by the Friends of the Great Falls Library.

The Connection