People

Our Daily Bread Receives Grant

Our Daily Bread (ODB) is always helping people in need; now it’s receiving a helping hand to continue carrying on its work. The Fairfax nonprofit has just been awarded a $25,000 grant by the United Way of the National Capital Area (NCA). The money will expand ODB’s ability to provide grocery cards via its Food Bridge Program. These cards are given to Fairfax County residents participating in ODB’s supplemental delivered-food program, as well as to people referred to the organization for emergency food assistance.

Baking a Difference for Children

Icing Smiles to be featured at cake show in Fairfax.

Icing Smiles, an organization that provides custom cakes for critically ill children, will be highlighted at The National Capital Area Cake Show at Fairfax High School.

Drummond Is ‘Hitting the Pause Button’

Fairfax Councilman not running for re-election.

It wasn’t a conclusion he reached easily. But after much consideration, Dan Drummond’s decided not to run for re-election to the Fairfax City Council.

Helping Students Fully Recover

New concussion legislation goes before the Governor for signature.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill, HB 1096, which places language for "Return to Learn" protocol into the Virginia Board of Education’s concussion guidelines passed the House of Delegates and Senate unanimously this General Assembly Session. It will now go before the Governor for signature. Current guidelines spell out protocol for student athletes returning to the playing field, but do not include information for the students returning to the classroom.

Children of Eden at the Burke Stage

Burke youth wow community audiences at the Burke Presbyterian Church.

Senior and junior high school youth from Burke Presbyterian Church presented the musical Children of Eden in four performances on March 13-16. The free events were open to the community. The Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, and other stories of the Old Testament were brought to life on the stage

Having Fun, Raising Money

Life Time holding Zumba-Latin Fusion dance class for MDA.

Peter Callas is living a happy and productive life, both personally and professionally. But it wouldn’t have been possible without his own determination, the love of his family and support from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

‘Unsung Heroes of the School’

Robinson students create yearbooks year after year.

Although they’ve faced multiple snow days this year, staff members of Above and Beyond, Robinson Secondary School’s high school yearbook, are well on their way to completing the 2014 edition.

Community Welcomes Homeless Into New Homes

FACETS TRIUMPH II Housing is part of the 100,000 homes campaign.

As part of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, FACETS welcomed 18 previously chronically homeless individuals into housing on March 18 at a housewarming celebration.

Seven Scouts Achieve Eagle Rank

The largest group of Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 167 in Arlington to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout was honored for their achievement on March 1 at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church. Those attaining Eagle Rank were: * Brian Claeys – junior, Gonzaga College High School, * Spencer Cobb – senior, Yorktown High School, * Nicholas Goryachev – junior, Yorktown High School, * Ross Kocher – junior, Yorktown High School, * Callan Rogers – senior, HB Woodlawn Secondary Program, * Andrew Schweser – senior, Wakefield High School, * David V. Wein-Kandil – senior, HB Woodlawn Secondary Program. The Scouts have been friends for several years and elected to participate together in the Eagle Court of Honor — the first time in the troop’s history to so honor a group of young men.

Obituary: Adrian Eugene Miller

Adrian Eugene Miller, 75, of Lake Monticello, died on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Hospice House in Charlottesville. Born on April 2, 1938 in Alexandria, he was the son of the late Clancie Hope Hamilton Miller and David M. Miller. He was also predeceased by his brother Richard M. Miller.After eight years in the National Guard as a Spec4, he worked for 37 years as an insurance agent and manager for Peoples Life Insurance, now Monumental Life. In 2002, he and his wife retired to Lake Monticello, after working and raising their family in the Alexandria area. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and belonged to many clubs including the Gold Hounds, of which he was treasurer.

Honoring Sully’s Steve Pollard Wednesday, March 12

Steve Pollard, former co-chair of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee was honored during the Wednesday, March 12, CAC meeting.

Never Giving Up

New play at Workhouse about Alice Paul and the Suffragettes.

"When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down until you get to the end of the row." American Suffragette and life-long crusader for Women's voting rights Alice Paul (1885-1977) used this phrase as her watch words. It was a metaphor for never giving up.

A Tribute to Bob Simon

Reston Community Orchestra Concert celebrates 100th birthday of Reston’s founder.

On Sunday, March 16, approximately 200 people went to Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods to an afternoon performance by the Reston Community Orchestra. The event was an early celebration of the 100th birthday of Reston founder Robert "Bob" Simon. Also attending the event were Delegate Ken Plum (D-36), state senator Janet Howell (D-32), and Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill).

Column: Making the Grade

At a time when quality reviews and accountability measures result in more activities being given a letter grade, it is appropriate that legislative sessions receive the same treatment. At the risk of seeming to cop-out, I give the session an "I" for incomplete because we have not yet completed the basic requirement of passing a biennium budget in the even-numbered years. We are back in Richmond in special session now to meet that requirement. Taking the budget out of the equation, I would give the session a "B"—a higher grade than I would have given sessions in recent years. Some important work got done. Growing out of the recent tragedy of Senator Deed’s family and with lingering memories of Virginia Tech, mental health laws were strengthened. Legislation extends the time a person can be held involuntarily under a temporary detention order from 48 to 72 hours. The state will maintain a "real time" online registry of available psychiatric beds in public and private hospitals. Emergency custody orders will be extended from six to 12 hours with the state assuming responsibility to find a bed for a patient after eight hours. A four-year study will be undertaken to determine what other reforms are needed.

Column: Are You Ready for Spring in Reston?

It’s St. Patrick’s Day. So, faith and begorrah, spring cannot be far behind. I love snow, but even I have pretty much had enough!

The Connection