People

South County Presents ‘Rock ’n’ Roll’

English teacher leads an all-senior cast and crew in Tom Stoppard play.

The South County High School senior thespians are rocking out ... to British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. For the second year in a row, South County English teacher Dan Deiter is directing a cast and crew comprising exclusively fourth-year drama students.

February is ‘Share The Love’ Month at The Nest Egg

The Nest Egg in Fairfax, one of Northern Virginia's local destinations for unique home furnishings and decorative accents, has pledged to donate a portion of their sales during Valentine's week, Feb. 11-17, to Journey 4 A Cure's iPad Program. The iPad program makes a difference in the lives of youth fighting childhood cancers.

International Infusion

Alexandria designer creates inviting home for passionate world travelers.

>Blending an eclectic mix of home accessories and furnishings to create a harmonious and tasteful interior can pose a decorating conundrum for many homeowners.

Time to Pass Go for a Good Cause

Sixth annual Monopoly Tournament benefits Lorton Food Pantry, offers volunteer opportunities.

You may not get a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, or prime boardwalk property, but Realtors Ron Kowalski and Susan Borrelli, founders of Lorton’s annual Monopoly Tournament, said players of all ages will have a blast competing in the sixth annual game tournament at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Hats Off to Democratic Women of Clifton

DWC celebrates eighth anniversary in style.

Fine millinery was on full display as the Democratic Women of Clifton gathered on Sunday, Feb. 10, to celebrate its eighth anniversary in style. The theme of this year’s party was “Hats Off to Democratic Women!” and members complied by donning an assortment of colorful chapeaus—from the classic fedora, brim snapped and businesslike, to the romantic cloche and the whimsical Victorian.

Washington: ‘First in the Hearts of His Countrymen’

George Washington, “The Father of our Country,” actively promoted prosperity, political and economic freedom for Alexandrians. In so doing, he sowed the seeds that grew to fruition in the winning of the country’s independence from Great Britain and establishing the Constitution.

Burke Florist Unfazed by Valentine’s Day Rush

Flowers ‘n’ Ferns is well prepared for its 33rd rose rodeo.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but when it comes to Valentine’s Day, fresh flowers are a must-have. For area florists like Karen Fountain, the second-generation manager of Flowers ‘n’ Ferns in Burke, the romantic holiday is often the highest grossing single day of the year.

She’s Promoter-of-the-Arts-in Chief

Del Ray Artisans welcomes city’s new arts director.

The arts community turned out in force Feb. 8 to officially welcome Diane Ruggiero to Alexandria as the new director of the Office of the Arts.

Helping Parents Battle Social Media Giants

Parents demand access to son’s Facebook account after his suicide.

Ricky Rash, a self-proclaimed “country boy” and second generation Virginia dairy farmer, enjoyed his bucolic life in Nottoway County. He and his wife, Diane, a nurse, were content to raise their four children in the same house Rash grew up in. The world of social media—Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter—held little interest for the couple who considered faith and family the bedrock of their life. But after their 15-year-old son committed suicide on Jan. 20, 2011, social media became their focus.

Celebrating the Maestro

ASO concerts marks 25th anniversary of Kim Allen Kluge.

Showcasing talent from throughout the city, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra celebrated the 25th anniversary of Maestro Kim Allen Kluge with a weekend of concerts Feb. 9 and 10 that featured the world premiere of River Poem, an original piece by Kluge and his wife Kathryn Vassar Kluge.

A Study in Courage And Compassion

Centreville woman battles cancer; needs community’s help.

Just 38, Centreville’s Debbie Bendorf is a wife, a mother of three young boys and a person fighting the battle of her life against a rare form of cancer. She loves her family, is loyal to her friends and doesn’t complain or ask for anything special for herself — which is why the community is trying to help her and her family.

Giving from the Heart

SYA raising money for family of Westfield coach/administrator.

On the surface, it was a basketball tournament like any other. Boys in colorful uniforms competed against each other in a school gym, while moms sold concessions outside in the hallway. But the whole event, Saturday, Feb. 9, at Westfield High had a much more special and serious purpose.

‘Take Every Day as a Blessing’

Debbie Bendorf may be fighting a tough foe that doesn’t play fair, but that’s not going to stop her from living her life as best she can or spending every minute possible with her family.

Enjoying Arts and Chocolate

The Artists’ Atelier in Great Falls hosts ‘Flowers and Chocolate’ show.

An eventful weekend filled with sweet delights for both the taste buds and the eyes at the Artists’ Atelier Studio reception proved to be a popular outing among Great Falls residents and art enthusiasts alike.

Celebrating 70th Anniversary

Patrick and Adele Russell of McLean wed in February of 1943.

Pat Russell was a handsome young Navy reservist and a student at the University of Minnesota when he met 17-year-old Adele Marie Bissonnette at a friend's house in Minneapolis in 1939.

The Connection