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Track-a-Thon Tackles Brain Cancer

Students of all ages are invited to participate.

Area residents can get some exercise, have fun and fight brain cancer, all at the same time, by participating in Chantilly High’s annual Team BT Track-a-Thon. It’s slated for this Saturday, April 20, from 6-9 p.m., at the Chantilly High track. Team BT is the nonprofit fundraising organization of Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford, who’s battling a brain tumor, herself, and will be at the event. All proceeds go to Accelerated Brain Cancer Cure and the National Brain Tumor Society.

Hazel Poole Receives Service Award From Volunteer Fairfax

Greenspring resident Hazel Poole was recently honored at the 2013 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax. The awards recognize “individuals, groups and organizations that have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs” throughout the county. Poole received the award in the “Adult Volunteer 250 Hours and Over” category.

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Saratoga Students Discuss Oil Spill on Earth Day

Disaster response subject matter experts from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), spoke to 100 students at Saratoga Elementary School in Springfield on Wednesday, April 17, about how NGA assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which dumped more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Tara Sankner, ‘Warrior Princess’

Second-grader battles brain cancer.

That’s because Tara, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is in the fight of her life, battling brain cancer. “My day depends on how she’s doing,” said mom Tammy Sankner. “If she’s having a good day, I’m fine.”

Close Shave at Lees Corner

When second grader Tara Sanker was diagnosed with brain cancer, the staff and faculty at Lees Corner Elementary School got ready to help her through her journey. The first milestone was the day she came into school with a shaved head. Some younger students were confused about the changes Sanker was going through and made some comments and observations that were inadvertently hurtful. Tara’s mom Tammy Sanker, Principal Robert D’Amato and Tara’s teacher Vicki McGorty felt the best way to help Tara was to share her story with the students at Lees Corner Elementary School during the morning news program.

Grace Thomas, 82, Formerly of Springfield, Dies

Grace Thomas died on Friday, April 19, 2013, in Haverhill, Mass., of natural causes. She was 82. Thomas was born on June 13, 1930, in Saunderstown, R.I. Formerly known as Grace Lorena Matterson, she married Walter R. Thomas in 1950. They were married for 59 years.

Understanding Autism

In observation of Autism Awareness Month, Union Mill Elementary students participated in a sensory simulation experience during their physical education classes on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5. The activities included an obstacle course which simulated things that children with autism often find to be helpful, such as jumping and bouncing. Other stations included a mirror station that simulated perception confusion, a glove station that simulated fine motor challenges, and a listening station that simulated the filtering of external stimuli, all of which can be challenging for students with autism. The experience gave students a better understanding of autism. The sensory simulation activities were coordinated and led by Union Mill PTA Alternative Education Co-Chairs, Melyssa Plath and Nicole Moore, and PE teachers Jenny Murray and Elizabeth Cross. Several Union Mill parent volunteers were also on hand to assist the students at each station.

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Boxing out Boring

Free classes, spiking membership at The TITLE Boxing Club of Springfield.

Kate Carski, owner of TITLE Boxing Club of West Springfield, has been enjoying the benefits of warm weather lately.

Celebrating Erin’s Life

Event promotes her legacy.

Erin Peterson was just 18 when she became a victim of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. But her parents, Centreville’s Grafton and Celeste Peterson, make sure the Westfield High grad’s legacy lives on. They established the Erin Peterson Fund to continue their daughter’s commitment to reaching goals through education and aiding people in need. They also began an annual Gospel Celebration in remembrance of her and to raise money for the fund.

Get Ready to Shop!

LCAC Purse & Prom Sale starts Friday.

The Lorton Community Action Center will host its annual Purse & Prom Sale starting this Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28.

Entertainment MV 4/17/2013

Calendar

The National Philharmonic Singers, under the direction of conductors Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, will present a free spring concert on Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 107 South Washington Street, Rockville. The concert will feature Benjamin Britten’s "Choral Dances" from Gloriana, which was composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. The Singers will also perform the Coronation Anthem No. 1, "Zadok the Priest," by George Frideric Handel. Three modern settings of “Ubi Caritas” by Maurice Duruflé, Ola Gjeilo, and Paul Mealor are also on the program. Music by Vaughan Williams and contemporary arranger/jazz pianist Larry Farrow round out the program with settings of English folksong and spirituals, including “Deep River” and “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.” The concert is free, but donations in support of the Community Ministries of Rockville will be accepted. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-493-9283, ext. 116.

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Studio BE Pilates Hosts 'Grand Re-opening' in Fairfax Corner

Studio BE Pilates is planning a "Grand Re-opening Day" on Thursday, April 25, in celebration of its new location in Fairfax Corner.

Hot Exhaust Causes $231,500 House Fire

A house fire April 10 in the Fairfax Center area caused an estimated $231,500 worth of damage. Fairfax County fire officials say it began accidentally when the hot exhaust of a riding lawn tractor ignited nearby dry ground cover. Flames then quickly spread, catching the home’s siding on fire, as well.

Farina Promoted to Regional Role

Kim Farina has assumed the role of regional vice president at Weichert, Realtors. Farina will be responsible for the management and growth of eight Weichert sales offices that are located in Montgomery and Prince George counties in Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia.

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Raising Money for Police Unity Tour

The Police Unity Tour (PUT) is a 230-mile bike ride, May 10-12, and City of Fairfax police officers ride with Fairfax County’s PUT Chapter IV.