People

Fairfax Mayor for a Day

Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne recently hosted Providence Elementary second-grader Thomas Simione as Mayor for a Day. The son of Cindy and Robert Simione of the Mosby Woods community, Thomas got to visit various City departments to see how they’re run. And during the April 22 City Council meeting, Thomas and Providence kindergartner Abby Killian helped proclaim April as Spring Cleanup Month. Unlike Silverthorne, who was recently re-elected to office, Thomas won the mayor’s role in a raffle.

Netcasters Reborn

The ecumenical music group from the Springfield-Burke area was originally formed over 30 years ago.

You hear about babies being born in the back seats of cars, but sometimes good ideas are, too. Six months ago on the way back from singing at a church service in Romney, W. Va., a small group of vocalists and musicians that had formerly sung together decided that the there was simply too much harmony between them to let it go. With that, The Netcasters were reborn.

Del. Filler-Corn Appointed to State Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) was appointed to the Virginia Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation in April. This Commission is comprised of members of the General Assembly to promote the Commonwealth’s interest between other states and the federal government. The Commission formulates proposals for cooperation between Virginia and other states as well as formulating proposals concerning interstate contracts and conferences. Additionally, the Commission monitors and makes recommendations concerning federal policies that are of concern to the Commonwealth.

Keeping Youth Happy and Healthy

NEXUS Conference discusses best strategies.

According to the Fairfax County 2012-2013 Youth Survey, youth with fewer assets were more likely to be depressed. These assets include high integrity, extra-curricular activities, help from parents, and more. This topic, along with ways to promote positive health for children and youth, was discussed at this year’s NEXUS conference at the Virginia Hills Center on May 9. The conference centered on ways to keep youth mentally and physical happy and healthy.

Landfill Decision Deferred to June 17

If approved by Board of Supervisors, Lorton landfill will operate until 2034.

Before a public hearing on May 13 in which over 99 people signed up before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors regarding an application to extend the life of the Lorton landfill until 2034, Frank McDermott, an attorney representing EnviroSolutions, said he had never experienced such nastiness and misrepresentation in a land use case. The EnviroSolutions application to extend operation of their construction landfill until 2034 has led to controversy in the Lorton community and beyond. Despite months of debate, the decision was deferred by the Board of Supervisors to June 17.

Raising Awareness, Funds for Fragile X

Second Annual Fragile X Walk is May 17 at Burke Lake Park.

Throughout the United States, over 1,000,000 individuals are at risk of developing or already have a Fragile X disorder. Despite the numbers, many people still remain uneducated about Fragile X. The Fragile X Families of Northern Virginia are working to raise awareness and money for research and education on this syndrome with their second annual Fragile X walk, coming this Saturday, May 17 to Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station.

Celebrating 50 Years of Strong Community

Supervisor Cook honors Little Run Citizen’s Association.

With a strong neighborhood watch program, a 4th of July parade, and a hayride, the Little Run Citizen’s Association has had a productive 50 years.

Cheering On at Cherry Run

Every year since Cathy Brown has been an early childhood special education teacher at Cherry Run Elementary School, a baseball game and picnic has been held in celebration of the end of the year for the older preschoolers

‘Disguised Learning’ with Bricks 4 Kidz

Lorton residents use Legos to reinforce education, fun.

It’s no secret that kids love building with Legos. But the fun can also be educational, as Lorton residents Jenny and Paul Ahn have recently discovered. The Ahns have been integrating the fun of Legos with educational concepts since starting a Bricks 4 Kidz franchise in the area in March.

Young Musicians, Safety Patrols Awarded

Woman’s Club honors middle- and elementary-school students.

The musicianship of four students at Cooper and Longfellow Middle Schools in McLean was recognized by the Woman’s Club of McLean at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, where the students also performed on their instruments. Tracy McConnaughay, of Cooper Middle School, played “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” by Edvard Grieg, on the euphonium. Min Lee, also of Cooper Middle School, played Concerto No. 3, k. 216, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, on the violin, accompanied by Myunghee Lee. Ji In Park, of Longfellow Middle School, performed the Concerto in G, 1st Movement, by Carl Stamitz, on the flute, accompanied by Hee Ra Son. Finally, Nadia Jo, also of Longfellow, performed the Concerto in A Minor, 1st Movement, by Camille Saint-Saens, on the cello, accompanied by Jade Sohn. The four students each received an award of $100 from the Woman’s Club.

Helping Rwandans

A prominent D.C.- area ophthalmologist from Vienna recently returned from a 10-day trip to East Africa where he performed and assisted with hundreds of surgeries on local residents and those from neighboring countries, many of whom traveled two or three days and lined up and waited for another day or two for their turn. Dr. Alex Melamud of The Retina Group of Washington recently made his third visit to the Kabgayi Eye Hospital in Rwanda, the first facility in the country to provide free retinal care. He and the hospital’s one ophthalmologist did as many as 40 surgeries a day, treating trauma injuries resulting from machete wounds and animal attacks, retinal detachments, cataracts and many extremely advanced cases of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Do Your Best; Raise the Bar

Chantilly High named a Virginia Honor Band.

Being designated a “Virginia Honor Band” is the most prestigious title bestowed upon school bands by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association. And Chantilly High’s band has just received this recognition for the 12th time.

Art Taking Over Town Center

Popular fine arts festival this weekend, May 16-18.

One of the largest outdoor festivals on the East Coast will come alive in Reston Town Center this weekend. The 23rd annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will fill the streets with more than 200 artists and street performers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18, to raise money for Greater Reston Arts Center.

Paladar Brings Latin-inspired Cuisine to Vienna

Restaurant launches with benefit for Food for Others, plans to be good neighbor in community.

Mix innovative Latin “comfort” food with a twist, a rum bar with more than 60 rums from throughout the Caribbean and South America, gracious staff, and a mission to be a friend to the community, and you have Vienna’s newest good neighbor, Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar. On May 8, Paladar hosted a benefit dinner on behalf of Food for Others, donating the proceeds to the Northern Virginia-area charity. It opened its doors to an enthusiastic public the following evening.

Local Man Going to Prison Again

27 months incarceration for cheating government.

True, Henry Washington Yeh’s parents helped him file a fraudulent tax return. But it was his fault, in the first place, for involving them in his illegal activities. And last week in federal court, he was the only one of the three Vienna residents sentenced to prison – 27 months. For Yeh, it wasn’t the first time a family member ended up in legal trouble because of him. And when he goes to prison, that won’t be for the first time, either. In Philadelphia in October 2009, Yeh was convicted of drug distribution and later sentenced to 15 months behind bars.

The Connection