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Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight

Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.

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Review: ‘Come Blow Your Horn’

The American Century Theater dazzles with Neil Simon classic.

It’s been more than half a century since Neil Simon’s “Come Blow Your Horn” made its Broadway debut, launching one of the most successful playwriting careers in the history of the American stage. Filled with what would become Simon’s trademark wisecracking repartee, the autobiographical portrait of a young man leaving home to experience the swinging single lifestyle of the ’60s is performed to perfection by The American Century Theater at Gunston Arts Center Theatre Two in Arlington.

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Review: A Stitch in Time

Powerful “Gee’s Bend” debuts at MetroStage.

It’s officially known as Boykin, Ala., with a population of 275. But the former slave plantation on the banks of the Alabama River gained prominence as Gee’s Bend, an isolated African American community known for the role its folk art quilts played in the struggle for Civil Rights.

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Review: Mean Girls

"The Children’s Hour” at Port City Playhouse.

In 1809, a girls’ boarding school opened in Edinburgh, Scotland, closing a few months later amid rumors involving two of its teachers. The decades-long lawsuit that followed was the inspiration for playwright Lillian Hellman, who more than a century later penned the critically acclaimed “The Children’s Hour,” now playing at Port City Playhouse.

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One Step at a Time

TC grad makes 3,600-mile run for veterans.

When Brendan O'Toole was in high school, he and his friends repeatedly watched “Forrest Gump,” with O'Toole joking that one day he was going to recreate the film character's run across the country. For most young men, the conversation would end there but for O'Toole, a 2007 graduate of T.C. Williams, it was just the beginning.

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Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home

Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.

“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield

Springfield Area Roundups

Key Center is introducing two new classes during the 2013-14 school year to help students expand knowledge of their surroundings. Passport to Adventure will offer students the opportunity to become educated travelers. In an effort to learn about different countries, students will research specific travel destinations, including history, culture, famous people and events, and current events in each country. Classes will learn about famous and historical landmarks and experience aspects of each country’s music, food, and art. Also new is My Class, a course designed to strengthen students’ social skills while enhancing peer relations; encouraging self-management; and increasing academic, compliance, and assertion skills.

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Lee High Graduate Helps Make Coast Guard Rescue

Former Springfield resident Lt. Brian Ward piloted a helicopter as part of a “textbook” response.

On Friday afternoon, Sept. 6, a garbled mayday call from a commercial fishing vessel roughly 40 miles off Cape Mendocino, Calif., meant Coast Guard Lt. Brian Ward would get a rare chance at a major rescue. The excitement for his four-man helicopter team was palpable. These cases only come along about once a month. But with extensive training on his side, Ward, a 2000 Robert E. Lee High School graduate, kept a cool head and executed a textbook, successful rescue mission as aircraft commander.

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Car Show at Edison High

Junior class holds fundraiser with games, booths, bagpiper.

Edison High School’s junior class held a car show and community sale last Saturday, Sept. 14, as a fundraiser. The event brought out the community for games, booth vendors selling books and jewelry, inflatables and even a bagpiper.

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Local Business Leaders Spotlight Opportunities for UK Companies

Fairfax County EDA organizes Sept. 26 seminar in London.

Fairfax County’s Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) officials announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that local executives will speak at a London seminar to spotlight opportunities for British companies interested in homeland security business opportunities in the United States.

Robberies in Area May Be Linked; Suspects Sought

Police are investigating a series of robberies that have taken place over recent weeks. The most recent robbery took place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at around 1 p.m. Two men entered the convenience store at 6550 Edsall Road, approached the clerk with items as if to pay, assaulted the cashier, took money and fled.

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North Springfield Volunteers, Dignitaries at Tree Planting

Vivian Watts, Sharon Bulova, and John Cook & BSA T-990. Also attending are VDOT representatives at the tree and shrub planting along the Beltway Wall on Leesville Blvd. and Joplin Street in north Springfield. Norma Heck, president of NSCA, is on Sharon Bulova's left, and in front of John Cook. Vivian Watts is to the right of Sharon Bulova.

Obituary: Arthur Woodrow Beveridge, 70, Springfield Musician, Dies

Art Beveridge, a popular musician from Springfield, died Aug. 7, at the age of 70. He died at Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, where three weeks earlier doctors had performed a 6X bypass operation in a heroic effort to revive his failing heart. His wife, son, brother and several close friends were present when he passed.

Area Roundups

The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs approximately 2,200 election officers—particularly bilingual ones—for the Nov. 5 general election, and it’s seeking the public’s help. Election officers must be registered voters in Virginia and must complete required training and forms. Applicants may choose to accept the $175 payment for a full day’s work or volunteer their time.

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Lorton Scout Receives National Recognition

The Boy Scouts of America presented the National Certificate of Merit to Lorton resident James "Ike" Hughes, 9. Ike, who attends Halley Elementary school as a fourth grader, was instrumental in saving his father’s life this past summer. He quickly recognized what turned out to be early symptoms of a heart attack, and was able to use his Cub Scout training gained over the three previous years of scouting. Ike remained calm, assessed the situation and got help. The presentation was given at the monthly Pack 2000 meeting held at Halley Elementary school on Sept. 5, by Jim Stewart, Boy Scouts district commissioner for the Old Dominion District. Accompanying the presentation was the area's Unit Commissioner Byron Ing.