People

Next Top Author?

Chelsea Hicks Bryan of Arlington, pictured with her husband, ranked 12th this week in the national writing competition America's Next Top Author. With a combination of social media, votes and the jury's discernment, the America's Next Top Author competition compiles nominees, one each week through Nov. 27. Should Bryan get a nomination before Tuesday, Nov. 27, she'll advance to the next round. To read her story, visit Bryan's author page at http://www.ebookmall.com/author/chelsea-hicks-bryan where readers can vote, tweet, review and share the story.

Vienna Resident Completes New Zealand Expedition

Lara Sagatov, 20, of Vienna, recently completed a 77-day expedition in New Zealand with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Barn Dancing in Great Falls

Having fun, supporting children.

Members of the Great Falls Optimist Club enjoyed a night out while attending the club’s 7th Annual Barn Dance in Great Falls on Saturday night. The event featured dinner, a raffle and auction, and music by Bennie Potter and Western Electric. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Great Falls Children’s Fund and Childhood Cancer Charity.

Letter: Hobbs Named Citizen of Year

It is with great pleasure that the Centreville Day Planning Committee announces that the recipient of the Centreville Day Citizen of the Year Award is Bonnie Hobbs in recognition of her service to the Centreville community in her role as a reporter for the Centre View newspaper.

Best Buddies Fundraiser Is Big Success

Chantilly’s Eric Latcheran and Centreville’s Kevin Whalen are both participating Oct. 20 in the annual Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. Event proceeds directly benefit local schools — including Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high schools — containing Best Buddies chapters.

Area Roundups

At his swearing-in ceremony in June, City of Fairfax Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne promised to give every resident an equal opportunity to participate in government.

Artist Loses Freedmen’s Cemetery Commission Because He Used Religious Symbols

Traditional African symbols prompted rejection of winning design.

The Contraband and Freedmen’s Cemetery is no stranger to controversy. Now a new conflict has emerged at the final resting place for dozens of former slaves.

Obituary: Donald T. Rocen

Donald T. Rocen died on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, in Old Town Alexandria.

Alexandria Military Notes: Oct. 17, 2012

Military notes

Dreaming in Chinese

Brothers Robbie and Brad Fried, of Vienna, run Chinese Language Institute.

Three years ago, with a loan from their father, two brothers from Fairfax County founded the Chinese Language Institute (CLI), an educational services company, in Beijing. Today, it’s one of the leading Mandarin language schools in China.

Charlotte Barnwell McCutchen, 67, Dies

Great Falls resident for 16 years and accomplished neurologist dies in San Diego, Calif.

Charlotte Barnwell McCutchen, M.D., died Sept. 11, 2012 in San Diego, Calif., age 67, of complications from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. She was a resident of Great Falls for 16 years, from 1984-2000.

IPAR Recognized by County Arts Council

Arts Impact Award given for IPAR's public art outreach.

The Initiative for Public Art-Reston was recognized by the Arts Council of Fairfax County Friday, Oct. 12 with the Arts Impact Award for their commission and placement of art in public places around the community. Founded in 2007 by local civic organizations and residents, the group created a Public Art Master Plan in 2008 to guide the future of public art.

Home Tour Shows Life on the Edge

Annual home tour features homes next to Reston's features.

This year’s Reston Homes Tour featured the usual assortment of houses featuring exceptional architecture, interior design and other unique designs, but this year’s theme also focused on the adjacent areas. “Living on the Edge,” the theme, was designed to highlight how various Reston residents are making do while living near some kind of community feature.

Sharing Great Falls Ghost Stories

GFHS Oktoberfest features tales of local hauntings.

After moving into one of the oldest houses in Great Falls, Jinny Beyer began thinking something was amiss in her home. For the first six months they lived there, every night at 2 a.m. sharp, Beyer would wake to what she felt was a presence in the room.

“Flourishing After 55”

“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington’s Office of Senior Adult Programs for Oct. 28 - Nov. 3.

The Connection