People

Arts Competition Winners Honored

South County student Rachel Kim among the winners.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly announced the winners of the sixth annual 11th District Congressional Arts Competition on May 3. This year, a record number of submissions were received. Students from Fairfax County public schools received the top honors, including Mimi Shang of James Madison High School, Lizzie Wright of J.E.B. Staurt High School, Madison Phillips of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and Doi Kim of James Madison High School, and Rachel Kim of South County High School. According to Connolly, 184 students from Fairfax and Prince William County participated in the contest.

Andreana Joan Maxwell Engaged to Thomas Franklin Dawson III

Dan and Kerry Maxwell of Springfield are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Andreana Joan Maxwell to Thomas Franklin Dawson III, son of Ginger Dawson and the late Thomas F. Dawson Jr. of Winchester, Va. Andreana graduated from West Springfield High School and The College of William and Mary. Andreana is an Associate at Booz, Allen, Hamiliton. She is pursuing her MBA at Virginia Tech. Tommy graduated from John Handley High School in Winchester, Va. and received his CPA from Virginia Tech. He is currently an IT Controller, at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The happy couple will be married in July at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va.

City Council Approves Spending $8.1 Million

It’s full speed ahead for some major projects in the City of Fairfax. On April 22, the City Council approved spending $8.1 million to develop and improve City-owned downtown properties and to renovate and expand the Police Department’s Firearms Training Center.

City of Fairfax Adopts Budget

Real-estate tax rate is lowered by two cents.

The Fairfax City Council adopted the City’s FY 2014-15 budget last week, lowered the existing real-estate tax rate by two cents and gave raises to the city employees. In a special meeting, last Wednesday, April 30, the Council set City residents’ new real-estate tax rate at $1.04 per $100 assessed value, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

22 Years in Prison For Child’s Death

A Fair Lakes woman has been sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for murdering an 11-month-old boy in Vienna, nearly three years ago. She is Carol Nadine Lutsky, 22, of Summit Manor Court.

Woman Convicted of Tax and Wire Fraud

Fair Oaks tax preparer filed false returns with the IRS.

Thuy Tien Le, 40, pleaded guilty last week in federal court to preparing false income tax returns and committing wire fraud. She admitted that she did so while running her Fair Oaks-based, tax-return preparation business called T2 Advantage Services LLC. She was convicted last Wednesday, April 30, in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

The Things My Mom Taught Me

Growing up my mom went from asking me what was one nice thing I did for someone to inspiring me to think differently and change the community and even the world around me. That has led me to my purpose in life. To go beyond help or charity and work towards fundamentally changing the lives of others. She would always remind me that the success of our family did not come on our own. It was the grace of God, the support of friends, and the encouragement of a community.

A Rolling Tradition

Annual event brings thousands of motorcyclists, spectators to streets of Fairfax for Memorial Day celebration.

When it first began, the Ride of the Patriots was a few friends getting together to honor Memorial Day and those who served, riding down to Washington, D.C. to join the national Rolling Thunder parade.

Easing Overcrowded Roadway

A key section of Route 1 is finally getting some relief. Chronic congestion, compounded by the 2005 BRAC decision which brought an influx of nearly 13,000 new military and civilian personnel, plus a brand new hospital that can receive many more new visitors, has made commuting in this part of Fairfax County more difficult.

Storck Sets Office Hours

Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District School Board member for Fairfax County Public Schools, will host Community Office Hours at the Lorton Library in the Conference Room on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, and at the Sherwood Regional Library, Conference Room 3, on Saturday, May 10, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

QuinTango Honored for Artistic Excellence

Alexandria-based QuinTango will be honored May 13 with the 2014 award for Artistic Excellence at the GALA Hispanic Theatre’s annual Noche de Estrellas benefit recognizing arts, community and philanthropic leaders from the Washington region.

Cougar Clash Victors

The Demarini Stars Prime won the first annual Cougar Clash as sponsored by Oakton High School.

Cook to Host Neighborhood College

Beginning in May, Supervisor John Cook (R- Braddock) will be hosting a new Neighborhood College program. This program is a civic engagement program open to residents interested in learning about Fairfax County and how to work with neighbors, community organizations and local government. The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will be supporting this program presentation.

View Beautiful Clifton Homes

Clifton Homes Tour is May 15.

The Clifton Homes Tour and Marketplace, sponsored by the Clifton Community Woman’s Club, will be held on May 15. Net proceeds from the Clifton Homes Tour go to the organization’s charitable trust.

Enjoy a Classic Clifton Experience

17th Annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is May 17.

Gary Anderson, chairman of the Clifton Caboose Twilight Run, isn’t entirely sure why the run was originally chosen to take place at twilight. It was already a twilight run when he became chairman in 2005, and he liked it that way. “It’s a classic Clifton experience and is sure to be a great time,” Anderson said. The 17th Annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is May 17 at 6 p.m., and features a 5K and a one-mile fun run.

The Connection