People

Reaching for Stars

Flint Hill student from Oakton is an aspiring professional athlete.

Carlyn Baldwin, a 16-year-old student-athlete from Oakton, hopes that she is well on her way to her dream of playing for the United States National Women’s soccer team. Baldwin’s soccer career began at the age of four-and-a-half when her mom signed her up for a local team. Since then, Baldwin has committed her life to soccer and received a plethora of individual awards and recognitions. At the National Championships in the summer of 2012, she was named to the Best 11 for the u16 (under age sixteen) all-tournament team. She was nominated for and attended multiple United States Soccer Training Centers, which are used for youth national team identification.

Community in Concert

McLean Orchestra hosts musical mixer.

Judging by the number in attendance, the business cards exchanged, the buzz of conversation and the sounds of laughter, all accompanied by some lively music, the third “McLean Orchestra is Instrumental to Business” (i2B) mixer held at Clyde’s in Tysons Corner on Jan. 23 was a ringing success. The gatherings are part of a multi-purpose outreach program, providing a taste of what audiences can expect from their concert series and allowing the orchestra to showcase its value to business as a resource for networking—all for free.

Chloupek To Be Honored with ‘Special Love Award’

Gala planned for Feb. 2.

Larry Chloupek is training to run the DC Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on March 16. Not too amazing for many athletes — except that Chloupek has only one leg and he will run the marathon using crutches.

‘She Will Be Missed Every Day’

Family mourns Centreville icon, Marguerite Buckley, 94.

Marguerite Buckley lived a long, full life — but that doesn’t mean her family was ready to say goodbye to her when she died Jan. 8, at age 94.

Burke Resident in ‘Death Race’

Lance Sanson prepares for June’s Spartan Death Race in Pittsfield, Vt.

For those who find marathons too mundane and “century” bike rides just too casual, a new breed of extreme competitions is rapidly gaining popularity. With intimidating names like Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash and Rugged Maniac, these obstacle races offer unusual combinations of challenges that test the mental as well as physical dexterity of athletes. Atop them all—at least according to its own website and registered competitor Lance Sanson—is the Spartan Death Race, taking place this June in Pittsfield, Vt.

Springfield Rotary Supports Edison Academy

The Rotary Club of Springfield recently donated a complete video camera recording system to Edison Academy for use by students and faculty members.

Local Business Supports Operation Gratitude

Vienna, Springfield business owner promotes another opportunity for a random act of kindness.

It all started with a “tweet” from NBC News Correspondent Ann Curry last month suggesting a creative way to honor the 26 lives that were lost at a Newtown, Conn. elementary school. Why can’t we all try to perform at least 26 random acts of kindness this next year?

GOP Women Discuss Property Rights, Elections

Martha Boneta, Virginia farmer and property rights advocate, spoke to the Republican Women of Clifton (RWC) watched by Congressman Artur Davis, who also talked to the group, RWC President Alice Butler-Short and best-selling author of Agenda 21, Environmental Piracy, Dr. Ileana Johnson.

Area Roundups

Clifton Town Council meeting and Workhouse Studio artists and instructor get published

Girl Scout Flowers, Butterflies at InovaCares for Seniors Center

Residents of the InovaCares for Seniors Center in Fairfax will enjoy a season of beautiful flowers and butterflies in the coming spring.

A Chorus of Praise

Fairfax County mentors celebrated during National Mentor Month.

Can we get an “amen?” The joyful noise coming from the David R. Pinn Center in Fairfax on Saturday wasn’t a gospel revival, but it was just as inspiring and enlightening.

Column: A Simple Question

I don’t quite know how to start this column so I’ll begin with its ending: “I’m fine.”

Nazi Commonwealth

Bipartisan team seeks compensation for victims of forced sterilization.

Nobody knows how many people are survivors of Virginia’s forced sterilization program, which targeted people with mental illness, mental retardation or epilepsy. But a bipartisan effort now under consideration in Richmond would hand each and every one of them a $50,000 check from the people of Virginia. According to one calculation, that could mean as much as $73 million.

MLK Foundation Celebrates Diversity

Organization welcomes member of Tuskeegee Airmen.

The Martin Luther King Cultural Foundaion hosted a celebration of cultural diversity Saturday, Jan. 26, at ArtSpace in Herndon. The Reston-based organization provides thousands of dollars per year to send local students to college.

Getting Their Market Share

Langley Sophomore market school, nonprofit events.

While sitting in their Introduction to Marketing Class, several Langley High School sophomores decided that they enjoyed it so much, they would try it in real life. Almost a year later, the members of the Pyramid Marketing Group are finding success working to promote local charity and school events.

The Connection