People

Eline Leaves Rocky Run

He’s named new principal of Robinson Secondary School.

Under Matt Eline’s leadership at Rocky Run Middle School, several teams of math and science students have won state and national championships, and the school, itself, received the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, three years in a row.

Military Notes

Navy Seaman Apprentice Alexander L. Tran, son of Kim C. and Scott T. Tran of Centreville, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Tran is a 2012 graduate of Chantilly High School. Army Pvt. Kie Hwan Park has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Park is the son of Sang Sup and Hyun Sook Park of Centreville. He is a 2011 graduate of Westfield High School, Chantilly.

Students Design Greenovation Lab

James K. Polk’s Greenovation Lab, which reopened on June 13, showcases the school’s sustainable energy heating and cooling systems and explains to children how they work. Children across the school district will be able to tour the Greenovation Lab to learn such concepts as how to use ground air — which remains at a constant temperature of 56 degrees — to heat and cool classrooms, or how to harness solar power to heat water.

Out & About

Summer Bounty at the Farmer’s Market

Plump tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, cucumbers, spring onions overflow the tables at the Three Way Farm’s produce stall in the Del Ray Farmer’s Market. The market also features fresh cut flowers, herbs and flowers to plant, Amish cheeses, gourmet pickles, eggs, fresh baked good, organic meats, Hattie’s Pralines, Beth MacKenzie’s Fluffed Up Desserts and much more. The market is open weekly on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at Mount Vernon Avenue & Oxford in Del Ray. Additional Farmers Markets are located at Market Square in Old Town on Saturday and Sunday markets at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria and the West End Farmers Market in the Ben Brenman Park.

ACVA Bids Farewell to Merrie Morris

ACVA, business community bid farewell to Merrie Morris.

The Alexandria business community turned out in force at the Athenaeum June 20 to bid farewell to Merrie Morris, the longtime director of membership and public affairs for the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

Centreville Day Plans Are Now Underway

Event seeking sponsors, vendors, crafters, nonprofits.

Centreville Day isn’t until fall, but event organizer Cheryl Repetti is putting out the call for participants now. Sponsorships, vendor, crafter and nonprofit spaces are available at early-bird pricing through July 31. The one-day, outdoor festival is held in Centreville Park in the Centreville Historic District and includes a variety of fun, activities and entertainment for all ages. This year’s 21st annual event is Oct. 19, and the planning is already beginning.

He Preserved 200-Year-Old Legacy of Citizen Activism

Thomas Y. “Jay” Johnson, Jr. fought for volunteer firefighters.

Thomas Y. “Jay” Young Johnson Jr. hails from a long line of proud volunteer firefighters. His father and uncles were volunteer firefighters in Alexandria, where Jay was born, raised and educated. His early memories include doing his homework at the fire station. Now, 35 years after his father’s generation, he reflects on a distinguished history as president of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to his family, a major influence in Johnson’s life was Mrs. Rigby, a teacher at T.C. Williams High School who arranged a part-time job for him at the Department of the Navy. He worked this job after school and in the summers, and parlayed it into a life-long career. He is now at the Pentagon as the deputy director of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Human Resources and Enterprise Support.

Chantilly Tragedy Described As Family Murder-Suicide

Police say suspect killed brother and himself.

The tragic event in which two men were stabbed and another was shot last week inside a Chantilly home has turned into a murder-suicide. Fairfax County police identified the murder victim as Haseeb Raza, 24. They also said his suspected killer was his 20-year-old brother, Mohammad H. Raza.

Moss Named Rising Star

Jeremy R. Moss, an associate with MercerTrigiani law firm, has been named a 2013 Rising Star by both Virginia Super Lawyers and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. Moss was previously honored as a 2010 and 2012 Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star, however, this is his first-time recognition by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers

Gerald Mann Becomes Director of Middle Schools

Gerald Mann has been appointed the new director of middle schools. He will begin his new job on July 1. Mann formerly served as principal of George Washington 1 Middle School. Previously he served as an assistant principal at George Washington, where he led the Special Education, English Language Learner and Middle Alternative Program for Students departments, and worked with department chairs to provide instructional support and develop strategies to implement school-wide initiatives.

And All That Jazz

Fostering the Future cruise benefits Fund for Alexandria's Child.

More than 225 people donned their finest Great Gatsby attire aboard the Cherry Blossom riverboat for the 10th anniversary of the Fostering the Future cruise June 27 to benefit the Fund for Alexandria's Child.

Olympian Ziegler To Lead Swim Clinic

World Record holder, two-time Olympian, and Great Falls native, Kate Ziegler, is visiting the Virginia Run Riptide Swim Team on June 30. Ziegler, who was a member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympian Teams and currently holds the World Record in the 1500 meter freestyle, is conducting a swim clinic to encourage and inspire young swimmers to reach their greatest potential, while learning to overcome adversity.

Roundups

Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Tuesday, July 9, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

NVTC Hosts Hot Ticket Awards

Annual awards recognize “hot” technology businesses.

Guests at the annual Northern Virginia Technology Council’s annual Hot Ticket Awards came dressed for a beach but weathered a brief summer storm Wednesday, June 26 in McLean.

Great Falls Native Goes ‘72 Hours’

Davina Friedlander tries for $100,000 on reality competition.

When Great Falls native Davina Friedlander got a chance to spend three days in Hawaii, it wasn’t exactly how she envisioned it. Instead of relaxing on a beach, sipping a drink and soaking up some rays, she fought hard to make it across the desolate, uninhabited sections of Lanai.

The Connection