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Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.

New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty

Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.

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McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit

Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.

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Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness

Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.

Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.

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Week in Springfield

upervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield) signed a proclamation designating Sept. 17 as United States Constitution Day in the Springfield District. The proclamation reminds citizens of the great heritage of the Constitution, which safeguards our liberties and freedoms. Constitution Week is observed annually Sept. 17-23. The photo shows Supervisor Herrity presenting the proclamation to Sue Kennedy, regent of Anna Maria Fitzhugh Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Springfield’s Renaissance Man

Leonard Kalkwarf publishes book and wins five gold medals from the Senior Olympics.

Leonard Kalkwarf can best be described as a true Renaissance man; an avid history buff, the 85-year-old resident of Greenspring retirement community in Springfield is also an accomplished athlete, an ordained minister, and a published author. His advice to other seniors is simple: keep active and stay positive.

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Art of Movement Thrives at Workhouse

Lesley Spalding runs 15 exercise classes for 250 people a week.

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton offers Art of Movement classes in vibrant formats that are “off the beaten path.” The fall season started Sept. 16 with 19 certified instructors teaching everything from Pilates to yoga to hula to zumba to jazzercise to “strong graceful body.” About 250 people of all ages can sign up for eight-week classes, six days a week, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The next session starts Nov. 11. “We’re always seeking and reaching out to make sure we’re on top of our game with the latest information,” said Program Director Lesley Spalding, 51, of Rolling Valley in Springfield. “We’re all certified in every aspect.”

Run Around Lake for Wounded Warriors

The 7th Annual Run Around the Lake—Run for Wounded Warriors will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., run starts at 8 a.m. at the Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station.

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Crafts, Plays, Dance: Fun Events for Fall

Below is a partial listing of some autumn events happening in the local area: Oct. 12—The Fairfax Fall Festival, held throughout the streets of downtown Fairfax, will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There’ll be crafts galore, plus food, music and fun for children. Oct. 12—Encore Theatrical Arts Project will be among 12 dance companies performing in the fourth annual Fairfax County Dance Coalition Gala Showcase. “A Celebration of Dance” is slated for Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m., in the theater of NOVA’s Annandale campus.

Dr. Gregory Sibley to Lead Virginia Cancer Specialists Radiation Oncology Center

Gregory S. Sibley, M.D., experienced Washington, D.C. area radiation oncologist, has been selected to head the Virginia Cancer Specialists (VCS) Radiation Oncology Center in Fairfax. VCS is Northern Virginia’s premier cancer care center, providing 40 years of service to patients battling cancer and blood diseases and affiliated with The US Oncology Network.

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A Show That ‘Rocks’

Providence Players of Fairfax open 16th season with musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.”

With fresh faces, the Providence Players open the theater season with only the second musical the company has done in its 16 years. It is the brash, bright, delightfully dark musical comedy, "Little Shop of Horrors."

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Half of Fairfax Schools Accredited with Warning are in Mount Vernon Area

Students up and down the Route 1 corridor struggle to meet minimum standards in science.

Poor and Latino students clustered along the Route 1 corridor are struggling to keep up with standardized test scores, according to a report issued last week by the Virginia Department of Education.

Recalling Defining Moments at Fairfax High School

Former teacher there returns for class’s 50-year reunion.

In the foreword to her book, “One Moment,” Joan Williamson Higgs writes, “The moments that define us are almost never predictable or expected. We go through life thinking we are immune to its inevitable tragedies and its heartbreaking surprises.”

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Long-distance Cycling for Campus Safety

Gran Fondo to raise money, awareness for VTV Family Outreach Foundation.

Gran Fondos are long-distance, group cycling rides that originated in Italy. And on Saturday, Oct. 5, the new Mosaic District in Fairfax will host the third annual VTV Gran Fondo for Campus Safety.

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Up to Speed Tutors Puts Focus on Special Education

Lake Braddock graduate Brian Katkin started the company last spring.

When JS Tutoring folded in 2012, one of Arlington resident Brian Katkin’s students with a learning disability wanted to keep having sessions with him. They worked out an arrangement to continue working together, and soon Katkin decided to take on other students as well. Then on the first day of Spring Break the same year, he launched the company Up to Speed Tutors, with himself as the sole instructor.