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ArtStream Performances Return

Inclusive Theater Companies debut original musicals.

This spring, two original theatrical productions are hitting the stage of Gunston Theater One in Arlington. Brought to audiences by the non-profit organization, ArtStream, the productions have casts of talented adults with a range of disabilities.

McAuliffe Talks Medicaid Expansion

Patients share stories at Medicaid expansion roundtable.

Just a few days before the Virginia General Assembly convened in a special session in Richmond to decide on the budget and the possibility of Medicaid expansion, Gov. Terry McAuliffe met with patients of Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services in Arlington, as they shared with him how Medicaid expansion would change their lives for the better.

Commemorate Women’s History in Lorton

Workhouse Prison Museum details the women’s suffrage movement.

March may be designated as Women’s History Month, but the Workhouse Prison Museum, located in Lorton, is open all year long to those who wish to learn more about women’s fight for the right to vote for more than just one month.

Rogers Honored As ‘Driving Force’

Joan Rogers has served as president of Friends of Fairfax Station for 19 years.

Described by members as driven, passionate and a pleasure to work with, Joan Rogers, the outgoing president of the Friends of Fairfax Station, was honored for her contributions at the group’s annual meeting on March 24.

Lee High School Students Visit Port Isobel

IB environmental systems and societies students learn about the Chesapeake Bay.

Before beginning their trip to Port Isobel, an island in the Chesapeake Bay, students in Rachel Clausen’s International Baccalaureate (IB) environmental systems and societies class at Lee High School had to do something that today is almost unheard of: turn in their cell phones and watches and spend some time without technology.

‘We Felt Like We Deserved It’

Vienna teen competed in synchronized ice skating Nationals.

Since age 5, ice skating has been a huge part of Brynn Thomas’s life – and the Madison High freshman wouldn’t have it any other way. She does synchronized skating and, she said, “The thought of going on slippery ice on tiny, thin blades is thrilling to me.” In synchronized skating, team members skate to music in unison while demonstrating their teamwork, speed and ability to perform intricate formations and challenging step sequences. And Thomas and her teammates on the Arlington-based Capitol Steps competed recently in the Synchronized Skating National Competition in Colorado Springs.

Charles "CJ" Soschin, Erin Rose Searer Engaged

Nancy and Alan Soschin of Springfield announced the engagement of their son, Charles Jay to Erin Rose Searer. Charles, "CJ" Soschin is a 2000 graduate of West Springfield High School and a 2005 graduate of George Washington University. Charles earned his J.D. from Widener University School of law in 2009.

GRACE Opens Emerging Visions Exhibit

Art of local high school students on display.

At the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), a new exhibit has opened displaying the art of 62 students from three area high schools, Herndon, Oakton, and South Lakes. The exhibit, “Emerging Visions: Complexities” is the second exhibit GRACE is showing to celebrate Youth Art Month. The gallery is immersed with artwork including drawings, paintings, mixed media works and photography. “I am hoping to go to Rochester Institute of Technology,” said Ellie Hughes, a senior at Oakton High School who has a sculpture piece on display in the exhibit. Hughes also participated in the 2013 art exhibit held at GRACE for high school students. “I am mostly interested in photography,” said Hughes. “That’s her love,” said her father, Jim Hughes who was impressed with the quality of the art exhibit.

Reston Chorale Celebrates Founder Bob Simon

Reston and Bob Simon are celebrated at March 23 concert.

“It is wonderful to be here,” said composer Donald McCullough. “It was a really exciting experience because what Bob has created here is really quite astounding.” McCullough was at the South Lakes High School stage in Reston. He had been commissioned by the Reston Chorale to create a work that musically expresses what makes Reston a special place. On Sunday, March 23, the audience heard the premiere performance of McCullough’s “The Essential Life.”

Churchill Road Science Olympiad Team Wins First Place at the Regional Tournament

The Churchill Road Elementary School Science Olympiad team turned in a fabulous performance at the Virginia Science Olympiad Regional Tournament on Saturday, March 1, at Madison High School in Vienna. Competing against 20 other teams from area elementary and middle schools, Churchill Road’s team won First Place. The school’s fifth and sixth graders competed against other fifth and sixth graders, as well as seventh and eighth graders, in science topics that included Life Science, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Technology and Inquiry and Nature of Science. CRS students placed in the top five in 14 events, and they placed in the top 10 in most other events.

Celebrating Chaplin’s 125th Birthday

The Alden in McLean will celebrate Charlie Chaplin’s 125th birthday with an evening of silent films with live musical accompaniment on Wednesday April 16, at 7:30 p.m. A star of the silent era, Chaplin was a British comic actor, filmmaker and composer who rose to fame with such films as “The Gold Rush,” “City Lights” and “The Great Dictator.” Tickets are $10, $6 for MCC district residents. The theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, inside the McLean Community Center.

Bestselling Author to Keynote Women's Leadership Forum

Christina Daves, author of "PR for Anyone: 100+ Affordable Tips to Easily Create Buzz for Your Business" will keynote the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce's Regional Women's Leadership Forum on Tuesday, April 29. Held at Capital One Bank Headquarters (1680 Capital One Dr, McLean). The event will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Lynn Goldstein Wins Best-In-Show

Two other artists get honorable mention at Workhouse Arts Center’s Collectors Showcase.

Jack Rasmussen, the curator and gallery director of the American University Museum at the Katzen Center in Washington, D.C., recently selected Lynn Goldstein’s pastel painting “Dusting” as best-of-show among the works displayed for the Workhouse Arts Center’s Collectors Showcase.

Groundbreaking Held For Vinehaven Homes

Evergreene Homes to construct houses in downtown Herndon.

“This is the first new development in downtown Herndon in nearly a decade,” said Mayor Lisa Merkel. Merkel participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Vinehaven homes development held March 19. This development is near the W&OD Trail and is located on Vine Street, close to the ArtSpace Herndon, the local community art gallery.

Dance-A-Thon, A Cappella Concert at Floris UMC

There’s going to be music and dancing and more music this weekend at Floris UMC, as the church hosts two fundraising events to support the 2014 Feed A Child campaign. The campaign is a youth initiative by area students under 25 years old to raise $20,000 in support of the children of the Child Rescue Centre and patients of Mercy Hospital, both located in Bo, Sierra Leone. The campaign, which is taking place through a partnership with the non-profit organization Helping Children Worldwide, kicked off on Feb. 16, and will conclude on March 30. All of the money raised will go directly to feeding, educating, clothing and attending to the medical needs of children in Bo.

The Connection