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Check One off the Bucket List
Local woman to compete in Ironman World Championship.
Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford has participated in two Ironman competitions in Lake Placid, N.Y., and in several half-Ironman events. But for her, being accepted into the upcoming Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, is the top of the mountain.
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1,550 Backpacks Are Needed
WFCM asks community to help local students.
It’s summertime outside, but Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is already focused on September. It’s collecting backpacks for students attending 23 elementary, middle and high schools in Centreville, Chantilly and Clifton.
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Old Firehouse Teen Center Block Party Set for Aug. 24
McLean Teens Got Talent returns for third year, along with games, history exhibit.
The Old Firehouse Teen Center will host its annual Block Party Saturday, Aug. 24, welcoming teens and families to an afternoon of live performances, living history exhibits and other activities all through the center.
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Looking Into Herndon’s Future
Downtown, Metro development in store for Herndon.
Long known as a destination for several of Herndon’s signature restaurants, the historic downtown is beginning to shape up into a focal point for people of all kinds.
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Making a Joyful Noise for Her Alma Matter
Holy Child alumna Stephanie Falcone will perform a benefit concert for Holy Child school this Friday.
She didn't grow up in the bayou or surrounded by fields, but Stephanie Falcone's heart is in the country — country music, at least.
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Reston Youth Swim, Bike, Run
Amy’s Amigos host annual Reston Youth Triathlon
Swimmers were able to hit the water at the Ridge Heights Pool Sunday, May 12, a few weeks before the scheduled Memorial Day pool opening, but there was a catch: they had to cycle and run as well. The annual Reston Youth Triathlon took triathletes age 6 to 15 through the pool and on the streets surrounding South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. Participants ages 6 to 8 swam 50 meters, biked 1.03 miles and ran a third-mile, ages 9 to 11 swam 100 meters, biked three miles and ran 1.11 miles and ages 12 to 15 swam 150 meters, biked five miles and ran 1.51 miles.
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Unlocking the Door to Affordable Housing
County considers establishment of residential studio option to assist with housing affordability.
Like most areas that have seen explosive growth in the past 30 years, Fairfax County’s stock of affordable housing has dwindled as it’s grown into one of the nation’s wealthiest counties.
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Michael Porter Denker
Obituary
Michael Porter Denker, 66, co-owner of Hopkins & Porter Construction, a residential design/build firm based in Potomac, died May 22, 2013, at Casey House in Gaithersburg. He had been diagnosed with melanoma in the summer.
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McLean Central Park Draft Plan Presented
Draft plan features new access points, amphitheater.
The Fairfax County Park Authority presented a draft of the Master Plan revision for McLean Central Park Monday, June 8 at the McLean Community Center.
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Express Lanes Construction Could Impact Travel on I-95
As the construction on the 95 Express Lanes project increases over the summer, motorists traveling to Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks in North Carolina as well as other points south should be aware that the HOV lanes will be closed overnight on weekdays and occasional weekends throughout the summer, and there will be intermittent lane closures overnight for steel erection and other work, making travel on the general purpose lanes challenging. In addition to the 95 Express Lanes project, there is also a shoulder improvement project underway on I-95 in Prince William County and a BRAC-related ramp work from the HOV lanes to the Fort Belvoir North Area that may impact travel.
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Forum Highlights Domestic Violence
Cook holds gathering to “Stop the Silence—End the Violence.”
Oct. 17. The back patio at Kilroy’s Restaurant and Sports Bar on Port Royal Road in Springfield was the scene of a gathering described by host Fairfax County Supervisor John C. Cook (R- Braddock), as “part of an effort to shine the light on the oft-hidden and denied blight on our families … of domestic violence.” Cook was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in February to be their liaison to the Domestic Violence Prevention, Policy and Coordinating Council. “The name may be a mouthful,” admitted Cook in an interview during the event, “but the people you need to get things done are all right in the room,” he said. “This group gets things done.”
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Creating a Fantasy in Pumpkins
Halloween display ranges from zombies to cartoon characters.
Halloween is next Thursday, Oct. 31, and that means more than 1,000 people will flock to Noel Dickover’s home in Centreville to see the latest fantasy pumpkins he and his crew have created.
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McLean Hits Meals Milestone
One millionth meal packed at Stop Hunger Now event Nov. 3.
Several years ago, Bob Hahne was attending a Rotary Club district conference when he learned about an organization called Stop Hunger Now. The nonprofit hosts community meal-packing events that provide nonperishable, nutritious meals to hungry people around the world.
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Learning in the Way of the Future
iSchool for the Future practices STEM and SEL learning.
Students at Forestville Elementary School were the first to experience the rewards of a new hands-on science program currently being implemented by iSchool for the Future, a nonprofit organization based in Great Falls.
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Becoming a High School Diplomat
"How to Apply" The HSD application is now available at highschooldiplomats.com, and all parts must be postmarked and sent by January 8th, 2014. The program runs from July 29 to August 9, 2014. Questions can be directed to Celine Zapolski, the American HSD director, at celinezepolski@highschooldiplomats.com.
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Music, Dancing, Exercise Help Local Community
Zumbathon in Chantilly to raise money for WFCM.
Chantilly’s Kelly Joedicke-Lawrence is a certified Zumba instructor and, for the past few years, she’s held a Zumbathon fundraiser for breast-cancer research. But this year, her Zumba group voted to instead help a local charity.
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Kids Sending Smiles Around the World
Youth non-profit to hold 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer at Burke Lake Park.
The Court of the 2013 Lee District Lady Fairfax was in session, but there were no royal activities underway. Instead, 11-year-old Samantha Underwood and her friends were busy reminiscing about past events and planning future ones for Kids Sending Smiles (KSS)—the charitable organization they established when a friend of Philippine ancestry told Samantha about the conditions and the poverty, especially among young girls, in the native country of her family.
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‘Really Strong Dancers, Powerhouse Singers’
Oakton High senior is in the musical, ‘Cats.’
If Oakton High senior Shanelucas Ramsey has been acting a bit catlike recently, there’s a good reason. He has a featured role in the Fairfax Academy’s upcoming production of “Cats.” Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 85, it will burst upon the Fairfax High stage in what promises to be a treat for both the eyes and ears. It’s directed by Mike Replogle, director of the Musical Theatre Academy, and choreographed by Andrea Heininge, who heads the Dance Academy.
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Education, Transportation, Mental Health
Del. Bulova unveils his legislative priorities.
Greetings from Richmond! The 2014 General Assembly is now in full swing. In addition to considering nearly 2,000 bills, we will adopt Virginia’s biennial budget, which must be balanced as required by Virginia’s constitution. Thanks to everyone who has contacted me about issues throughout the year. This session I have introduced 13 bills and several budget amendments. Below is a summary of issues and initiatives I will be working on during the 2014 session.
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Walk, Dance, Play, Help
WFCM fundraiser is Sept. 29 at the nZone.
Local residents can have a good time while helping people in their own neighborhoods. On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9-11 a.m., Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is holding a “Help the Homeless” Community Walk, Zumba Class and Family Fun event.