People

Week in Fairfax

Body Found in Fair Oaks and Apple, Vantria Federal Credit Unions Announce Merger

Jewish Film Festival Opens on April 18

Festival opens with “Hava Nagila: The Movie” at Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax.

The Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival (NVJFF) will celebrate its 13th year of Culture, Community and Chutzpah as it screens 13 films from April 18-28. Presented by the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia and Angelika Film Center & Café at Mosaic, the festival committee previewed more than 70 Jewish-themed or Israeli-made films to comprise this year’s selections.

Enjoying Frozen Treats to Help Fairfax Girl

Rita’s Italian Ice raises money for Tara Sankner.

Standing on a crate behind the counter of Rita’s Italian Ice, 8-year-old Tara Sankner of Fairfax scooped the cool, frosty treat into cups for customers. Some came there Monday evening because the weather was warm and they enjoy Rita’s offerings. Many others came because the Fairfax location was holding a fundraiser for Tara, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

History, Up Close and Personal

West Springfield High School students interview veterans at World War II Memorial.

The heat is palpable and the buzz of tourists is mesmerizing but Courtney Simmons is focused on Carmel Whetzel’s account of his World War II experience. Whetzel is a veteran and Simmons, a current freshman at George Mason University and a West Springfield High School graduate, is interviewing him as part of “Capturing the Voices of World War II: A Student Interview Project.”

Police Receive Alarming Number of Tax Fraud Reports

As annual tax returns are being calculated and submitted in a last-minute furor across the country, Fairfax County Police have received an alarming report of 75 to 100 cases of tax identification fraud in recent weeks. Detectives are warning residents of the scam and urge them to take precautions to prevent being victimized.

Robinson Students Commit to 26 Acts of Kindness

The number 26 is in honor of the 20 students and six staffers killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Even if only 10 percent of Robinson Secondary School’s almost four thousand students accept the Student Government Association (SGA)’s 26 Acts of Kindness Challenge during the month of April, that would still mean 10,400 random acts of kindness and courtesy added to the world. Not a bad achievement.

Burke Rotary, Library Foundation Partner to Provide Community Scholarships

Fairfax Library Foundation will be able to provide more scholarships to the community this year—thanks to the Rotary Club of Burke. The Burke Rotary, an affiliate of Rotary International since 1984, has contributed a $3,000 gift to fund additional undergraduate scholarships for the foundation’s scholarship program in 2013.

Theresa Marie Patchan “Terre” of Burke Dies

Theresa Marie Patchan “Terre” of Burke died Wednesday, April 3, unexpectedly at her home.

Second Chances

Helping ex-offenders who have no place to turn.

Consider these facts: One in 31 Americans is in prison or jail or on probation or parole. Some 2,000 citizens have managed to find jobs in northern Virginia and this is a low seven percent increase over last year.

Preparing for the Dance

All week long, members of Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble are rehearsing for their upcoming performance on April 20 at the Gunston Arts Center Theater One. Los Quetzales is a non-profit arts organization, comprised mostly of teenagers, children and adults, performing traditional dances of Mexico, and wearing traditional costumes representing different regions.

‘Everyone Feels Included’

Marymount University hosts 16th Special Olympic games.

“Who cares who wins, it’s the interactions with the players that make this so special.” — Dr. Douglas Ball, professor of education at Marymount University and faculty sponsor for the Council for Exceptional Children. Athletic all-stars sunk shots and hit the court in a show of sportsmanship at the 16th Marymount University Special Olympic Games, held Saturday April 6. Bleachers were filled with cheering fans in a show of support for the 10 Northern Virginia teams.

Arlington School Notes

School Notes

Email announcements to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome. Ava Oaxaca, a senior at H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, will perform the Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone by Andre Waignein with the George Mason University Wind Symphony on April 14 at 2 p.m. Oaxaca won the 2012 John Philip Sousa Foundation National Young Artists Solo Competition. The award is a solo performance with a large university or military band ensemble. Her performance with the George Mason University Wind Symphony will take place at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall, on GMU’s Fairfax campus.

Bulletin Board

Email announcements to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Tuesday/April 23 Open House. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Har Shalom. Tour the building, visit classrooms and meet the staff. 11510 Falls Road. Call 301-299-7087.

A Place to Read

Family turns cluttered “catch-all” into elegant library.

When a family of four, which includes two young daughters, decided to create dedicated reading space in their home, the wanted to blend serenity and style. The couple enlisted the help of interior designer Debbie Wiener of Design Solutions.

School’s 8th Graders Debate Gun Control

Touched by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, the 8th grade at Christ Episcopal School studied gun violence in America and around the world. The early discussions centered around the question of whether there should be a federal law restricting gun ownership.

The Connection