People

EMT Wins Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award

Elliot Zaret is this year's recipient of the Fairfax County 2012 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year Award. In addition to his patient care and mentoring, Elliot spent countless hours utilizing his woodworking skills crafting a table that now graces the new firestation.

Following in His Dad’s Footsteps

Ben Sisson is county’s Volunteer Rookie Firefighter of the Year.

Ben Sisson is just 20, but he’s just been honored as Fairfax County’s 2012 Volunteer Rookie Firefighter of the Year. He received the recognition and a plaque last Tuesday, Feb. 12, along with other volunteer firefighters, during a ceremony before the Board of Supervisors.

Officer of the Year

Shields honored at Sully District Station.

It takes a great deal to become a police station’s Officer of the Year, but PFC Joe Shields has what it takes. And last Wednesday, Feb. 13, he received that honor for 2012 during a meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

New Manager at Potomac Library

Nancy Savas has librarian roots reaching to her childhood.

Nancy Savas, the new Potomac Library manager comes to her new position with a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and knowledge.

Debbie Bendorf, 38, Loses Cancer Fight

Cancer doesn’t care if a person is a wife and mother loved by friends and family, is only 38 and isn’t finished living, yet.

Uncommon Valor

Survivors reunite for 68th anniversary of Iwo Jima.

The morning of Feb. 19, 1945, dawned eerily quiet as Private First Class Carl Norton made his way toward the shores of the remote Japanese island of Iwo Jima. But in an instant, the 20-millimeter dual purpose guns buried in the side of Mount Suribachi exploded, erupting into one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history.

A Positive Reflection

Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.

On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.

Editorial: On Transportation

Compromise, in the works, should include indexing the gas tax to inflation.

Virginia needs more options, not fewer, in developing revenue to pay for roads and transportation. Compromise on a plan to increase transportation revenue should not include making Virginia the only state in the nation without a gas tax. The current, ridiculously low gas tax should be indexed to inflation. The last thing the commonwealth needs is to do away with an existing, major source of money for roads.

Area Roundups - Springfield

Man Struck by Train in North Springfield Area, Lee High Library Accepting Donated Books, Citizens Fire and Rescue Academy, Recycle During Electric Sunday, and School Boundary Meetings Set

Lee Social Worker Wins Outstanding Mentor Award

Marcella Fulmore connects African American high school students with Springfield Elementary mentees.

When she started college at Norfolk State University in Virginia, Marcella Fulmore was an engineering major. She loved the math, but impersonal labs and the prospect of a cold, money-driven career forced her to make a decision. When considering her transition, she remembered how in high school, people would come to her with their problems. “I just thought, ‘I could help people,’” Fulmore said. “That’s it.”

‘These Are a Few of My Favorite Things’

Springfield man is starring in “The Sound of Music.”

The hills may not be alive with “The Sound of Music,” but Centreville Presbyterian Church sure will be when its community theater presents this classic, Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

Renner celebrated as chamber board chairman.

With a theme of “Catch the Wave,” the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce officially celebrated John J. Renner II as its incoming board chairman Feb. 9 at the annual Chairman's Gala.

The Connection