People

Author Finds Mystery in Great Falls Park

John Dibble’s first novel, "Difficult Run," features murder and mystery in Great Falls Park.

John Dibble is used to finding solace in Great Falls Park. He often walks the paths of the park with his dog Noochie. His familiarity with the park made it the perfect setting for his first novel, the mystery thriller "Difficult Run," named for the stream that first inspired him.

Gallery 65 Hosts Performance Art

Artist Christine Walters paints two pictures to music during live art event.

A steady thump of electronic drums could be heard at the Langley Shopping Center Thursday, July 18. The sounds were aimed to draw people into the Color Wheel Gallery 65 to get a glimpse of live art being created.

Obituary: Dr. Thomas Wilkins Dies at 83

For more than 40 years, Wilkins worked to better lives of those around Reston.

When Dr. Thomas Wilkins moved to Reston in 1969, he said he did so because it was “an island of equality in a sea of inequality.” Wilkins passed away Saturday, July 20 at the age of 83, having spent 44 years trying to make Reston a stronger community.

Lake Anne Goes to the Dogs for Charity Dog Wash

Annual Dogtopia charity wash raises funds to train service dogs.

Trina Shaughnessy was with her dog Macro on their usual Sunday afternoon walk on North Shore Drive last weekend, when she heard an unmistakable sound coming from Lake Anne Plaza.

Vienna Teen Attends Student Leaders Program

Akila Prayaga, rising senior of Langley High, interns with YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

Akila Prayaga, of Vienna, rising senior of Langley High School, was one of five Greater Washington students recently selected to participate in the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s 2013 Student Leaders program.

Lost Dog: Helping Save Lives, One Pet at a Time

Area residents explain their dedication to the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation.

Behind every adoption successfully completed by the Arlington-based Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, there's a volunteer with a happy heart.

Piece of Cake

It was a party 264 years in the making as Alexandria celebrated its birthday July 13 with a day of fun and entertainment that culminated with a fireworks display over the Potomac River accompanied by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra's playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Genuario Elected President of Home Builders Association

Second generation home builder to lead state-wide association

Louis Genuario, Jr., a native of Mount Vernon and second generation home builder and developer, has been elected by his peers in the home building industry to lead the 3,237-member Home Builders Association of Virginia. His election comes at a critical juncture in the history of the association because of economic, regulatory, and political issues.

Elizabeth Kruse Leads WIHS Junior Committee as Youth Ambassador

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, has chosen Elizabeth Kruse of McLean as youth ambassador of the 2013 show.

Encouraging Volunteering by Example

Queenie Cox, a native of Gum Springs, has served for many years — and continues to serve — as an advocate on behalf of the Gum Springs community and for the betterment of the entire Mount Vernon area in a leadership role on various committees of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations.

Bench Warmers

Local judge spearheads Substitute Judges Institute.

Attorneys from across Northern Virginia gathered July 9 at Manassas Regional Airport to participate in the Institute for Substitute Judges, a seminar designed by Alexandria General District Court Chief Judge Becky Moore to provide intensive training to better prepare attorneys to serve on the bench.

Mount Vernon Military Notes

School Notes

Steven Bowen was named to the spring 2013 dean's list at Creighton University. Grace McKnight, a rising senior at Chantilly and a member of the Chantilly Academy Air Force Junior ROTC program, has been selected to attend the Leadership Laboratory Activity. The encampment will take place at the end of June at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

‘It’s Irreverent … and Entertaining’

Westfield Summer Stage Presents ‘The Producers’

With a cast and crew of more than 100, Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical that won more Tony awards than any other show in Broadway history, “The Producers.” The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, July 19-20 and July 26-27, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m., at Westfield High, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Seats are reserved; tickets are $12 at www.westfieldtheatreboosters.com and $15 at the door.

‘For Service Beyond the Call of Duty’

Police MPO Gubesch is Officer of Month for June.

An 18-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department, MPO Mike Gubesch is the Sully District Station’s Officer of the Month for June. And he was honored recently at a meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

The Connection