People

Sullivan Honored as Officer of Quarter

Award presented at CAC meeting.

Whether trying to outsmart a shooter or figure out where a lost child might go, Fairfax County police PFC Gerald Sullivan gives the effort his all. As a result, he was recently honored as the Sully District Station’s Officer of the Quarter.

Great Falls Seniors Group Sets First Event

Great Falls United Methodist Church will host July 10 event.

The Seniors Group of the Great Falls Citizens Association will host its first event Tuesday, July 10, by celebrating the community’s longest tenured residents.

Outgoing MCA President Honored

Rob Jackson named Lord of Fairfax for Dranesvile District.

Rob Jackson, who served the most terms as president in the history of the McLean Citizens Association, was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as Lord of Fairfax for the Dranesville District. Jackson, the outgoing president, became involved in community affairs after a random encounter years ago.

LINK Celebrates 40th Anniversary

A Herndon-based nonprofit aims to deliver food to those in need.

In 1972, a group of churches in Sterling and eastern Loudoun County got together with the idea of providing food for the needy, with members storing donated food in their basement. Three years later, they made inroads into Fairfax County and it was eventually chartered as a nonprofit. Forty years later, the group consists of 17 member churches in Herndon, Sterling Chantilly and Potomac Falls and has provided tens of thousands of families with assistance.

Express Care Teaches Essential Skills

Program aims to educate immigrants on health care, technology

In 1995, Naila Alam arrived to the United Stated from Pakistan to study hotel management. Soon she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that almost proved fatal, and with her husband back in Pakistan, she had only her sister to help her navigate through a foreign country’s health care, as well as maintaining her educational studies and working.

‘London Calling’ at Mormon Prom

On May 12, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) hosted a Mormon prom for approximately 700 teens at the LDS stake center in Annandale. Many of those in attendance were from Springfield and adjacent areas of Fairfax County.

Local Bowhunting Group Hosts Young Archers

On Sunday, June 3, the Appalachian Bowhunters Association (ABA), a northern Virginia group established in 1987, hosted over fifty young people during its bi-annual Youth Day held at the home of Byron and Cheryl Wates, 13212 Wates Spring Place in Clifton. Seventeen ABA members volunteered their time to produce the event.

DAR Recognizes Local Area Students

Anna Maria Fitzhugh Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, recently presented several awards at local schools.

Silverthorne Sworn In as City of Fairfax Mayor

Promises diversity, accountability as city moves forward with economic growth.

Speaking at swearing-in ceremony, R. Scott Silverthorne promised to recognize and reflect the city’s growing diversity as he became the 10th person to serve as mayor of the City of Fairfax on Wednesday, June 27.

Music for Wounded Warriors

Charles Croner shares healing power of music.

Potomac’s Charles (Chuck) Croner has been making the world a bit brighter for wounded warriors, their families and the staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by playing and singing a variety of gospel, bluegrass, country and patriotic songs. Croner, a Potomac resident for more than 20 years, finds that sharing his music has a special meaning for him.

Dads, Sons Discuss Serious Child’s Play

Besides police and sheriffs, some Fairfax fathers and sons also attended last week’s press conference on replica weapons. The sons hadn’t done anything wrong, but they regularly use these weapons to play a popular game called Airsoft.

When Dangerous Games Turn Deadly

Police warn public about replica firearms.

It was shortly before midnight when City of Fairfax police rushed to an apartment complex after receiving a report of a man there carrying a gun. He’d already pointed his weapon at several people when officers confronted him, had him drop the gun and arrested him.

‘Save West Springfield Car Care’ Petition Ignites Community Interest

Nearly 500 supporters sign petition in less than one week.

More than 500 local residents have signed a Change.org petition to Governor Bob McDonnell in an attempt to stop the closing of locally-owned West Springfield Car Care, an auto repair shop that has operated for 12 years at 8400 Old Keene Mill Road.

Robinson Students Place Second in the Nation

A team from James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, recently placed second in the Nation in Systems Control Technology. The competition was held in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Resort on June 24.

Finding a Home for the Golden Years

Experts offer advice on choosing a retirement community.

When Jim Upp’s wife Jeannie died in 2006, the Fairfax senior citizen found himself surrounded by a lifetime of memories in the spacious home where the couple had raised three children.

The Connection