People

Pay Now, Bye Later

Contrary to last week’s column, if I do pay for it now (things I can’t afford), then I’ll be so in debt later that I may end up saying “bye” anyway--from the stress of it. And if that were to happen; dying with a smile on my face, so to speak, would I be truly better off now anticipating that later was not going to be my problem? Do I want to be a modern day version of George Raft, the American actor from the 1930s and 40s best known for his portrayals of mobsters, who said about his Hollywood money: “I must have gone through $10 million during my career. Part of the loot went for gambling, part for horses and part for women. The rest I spent foolishly.”

School Notes

Vocal musicians from 14 Fairfax County public schools have been named to the Virginia Honors Choir for 2012.

Military Notes

Francis J. Rechner has been awarded an Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend a host college or university.

Fireworks In February?

Court of Special Appeals rejects county on Brickyard; legality of school board lease to be argued early next year.

Chief Judge Peter B. Krauser and the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland on Dec. 7, 2012 rejected Montgomery County’s motion that would have allowed moving forward with development of soccer fields on Brickyard Road.

She Leads Model Organization of American States

Holy Child’s Andrea Manchester elected assembly’s president.

Andrea Manchester has extensive experience in diplomatic relations, debating, creating solutions and setting public policy — and she is only a junior in high school. In 7th grade, she took part in the Model United Nations in New York City. She was the first Holy Child freshman involved with the Model Organization of American States — and this December, she was elected to the position of president of MOAS at the Model Assembly held at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington DC.

Another Arrested in Handyman’s Death

Victim worked for local business-owner.

In June, Reynard Prather was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. On Dec. 7, Tasheik Champean, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and use of a firearm in a crime of violence causing death.

Fundraiser in Honor Of Ryan Lopynski

Goal is to purchase EKG machines

On April 26, 2009, Ryan Lopynski was a freshman at Virginia Tech with his whole life ahead of him. He’d come home to Clifton’s Hampton Chase community to see his family and look for a summer job. But while showering before going to see his sister’s basketball game, he suffered a fatal heart attack. The specific cause of his death is still unknown, although it was discovered posthumously that Ryan had an enlarged heart.

Crime Reports

The Arlington Police Department reported the following incidents: BANK ROBBERY, 3600 block of S. Glebe Road. At 4:02 p.m. on Dec. 11, an unknown subject entered a Bank of America branch and demanded money from the teller. After receiving a sum of money, the subject fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’11” tall and 165 lbs.

Immigrants Gain Influence in Virginia

Immigrants make significant gains in influencing political system.

On Election Night Nov. 6, Keisy Chavez’s nerves were frayed. The Fairfax single mom had been campaigning hard for Democrats since the official launch of Latinos for Obama last April.

Leaders for 2013 at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors

There were multiple transfers of the torch at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Installation Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 6 at NVAR Headquarters in Fairfax. Officers, directors, outstanding contributors and Realtors—many from Fairfax County—were awarded, inducted and recognized at the ceremony.

Norwood School Raises Money for Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Participants raise more than $4,000 to help purchase books, rugs, easels and bookcases.

More than 200 Norwood School students, parents, teachers and staff members walked the grounds of the school’s Potomac campus earlier this month to raise money for schools devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Going Casual for a Cause

Nearly 10,000 people and 130-plus organizations participate in Jeans Day 2012 to help end homelessness.

Nearly 10,000 residents representing 130 businesses, Fairfax County agencies, schools and organizations pulled on their favorite jeans Friday, Dec. 14 for the second annual Jeans Day—a powerful community initiative that aims to “Put the ZIP on Homelessness” through building awareness and fundraising.

Preventing Holiday Weight Gain

Nutritionists say merriment doesn’t have to lead to bulge.

Festive holidays are filled with sweet treats from eggnog and cider to fruitcake and chocolate bonbons.

Brief: Detective Sylmar Graduates from the Leadership in Police Program

Brief: Detective Arturo E. Sylmar graduated from the Leadership in Police Organizations program on Dec. 7.

Brief: Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Installs New Leadership

Brief: There were multiple transfers of the torch at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Installation Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 6 at NVAR Headquarters in Fairfax

The Connection