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Centreville High School Graduate Wins Grammy

R&B Performance: Michael League and band Snarky Puppy.

Sometimes, good guys do finish first — and Centreville High grad Michael League and his band Snarky Puppy are proof. Besides making music, they pass on their knowledge to young musicians worldwide. And Sunday, Jan. 26, they won a Grammy award for Best R&B Performance.

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‘Realizing that Being Different Is OK’

Vienna, Oakton residents perform in ‘Shrek the Musical.’

A big green ogre, a princess, a wisecracking donkey and a love-struck dragon – they’ll all be onstage when The Alliance Theatre’s Summer Stars program presents “Shrek the Musical.”

‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award

Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then — yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.

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Cannons, Hayrides Music and Fun at Fairfax's Civil War Day

Civil War Day set for Historic Bleinheim on April 25.

Civil War camp life and weapon-firing demonstrations are among the highlights of the 15th annual Fairfax Civil War Day. It’s set for Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Historic Blenheim Estate, 3610 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. Courtesy of the City of Fairfax, Historic Fairfax City Inc. and the Fairfax Rifles – Company D of the 17th Virginia Infantry Living History Organization – residents will be able to step back in time for a glimpse of life here in the early 1860s.

Woodson High Premieres Musical 'Waiting'

Seated right onstage, the audience becomes part of the action when Woodson High presents an original musical, “Waiting.” It presents a slice of teenage life, as seen through the eyes of servers at a diner. The cast and crew of nearly 70 have been rehearsing since February, and the show is the world premiere of a play by Sarah Motes Ashley. She and Woodson Director Terri Hobson attended Woodson together as teens.

Fairfax City Council Adopts FY 2016 Budget

Real-estate tax rate will rise slightly.

Last week’s City Council meeting often seemed more like a work session, with members still haggling about the real-estate tax rate. But after much discussion, some failed motions and several votes, they finally came to a consensus.

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Work Starts on Roundabout in Centreville

Work starts on controversial roundabout in Centreville.

Despite the objections of many local residents, work is now beginning on the roundabout at the Braddock /Pleasant Valley roads intersection beside Cox Farms in Centreville.

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Chantilly Takes Virginia Economic Championship

Third state victory in a row and sixth altogether.

For the third year in a row, a team from Chantilly High has won the state championship in economics. The four students took first place in the Adam Smith Division (advanced economics) of the 2015 Governor’s Challenge in Economics and Personal Finance.

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Chantilly: Otal Named Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Brookfield’s Otal Honored

Brookfield Elementary counselor Carole Zendle wanted to nominate Kathleen Otal, the previous school year, for the FCPS Elementary School Counselor of the Year. But, saying she doesn’t do her job for recognition, Otal wouldn’t let her. This school year, though, Otal — also at Brookfield — relented. Zendle nominated her and Otal won.

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Hail to the Champions

Chantilly High wins VHSL One-Act State Competition.

Long known for its outstanding theater program, Chantilly High just added another award to its collection. On Saturday, March 7, the theater students became state champions, winning the VHSL One-Act State Competition.

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Patient First Facility Heading to Fairfax

Will also provide inter-parcel access to shopping center.

Patient First is opening a walk-in medical facility in the City of Fairfax. It got the go-ahead last Tuesday, Nov. 18, from the Fairfax City Council, following a public hearing.

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Vienna Community Center Renovation Details Revealed

Slated to open in April 2016, the enlarged and renovated Vienna Community Center will be a state-of-the-art facility with a new, regulation-sized gym. And on Nov. 17, the Vienna Town Council approved its revised site plan.

Tell Teens ‘Things Will Get Better’

Fairfax High hosts meeting about youth suicide.

In light of recent suicides by students from Fairfax, Woodson and Langley high schools, Fairfax High hosted a meeting Nov. 19 to discuss the problem and search for solutions. The idea was to begin an ongoing exchange between parents, students, staff, community members and mental-health professionals.

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‘It’s Nice to Shop Outdoors’

Farmers Market at Government Center is a hit with the customers.

Whether customers are looking for juicy peaches, ripe tomatoes, coconut cupcakes or homemade ice cream, they’ll find all those things and more at the farmers market at the Fairfax County Government Center.

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Attending Classes in a Foreign Country

Fairfax Academy student will spend school year in Korea.

Normally, Serena Gregory would have just begun her last year at Chantilly High, caught up in the excitement of new classes, old friends and the thrill of being a senior.

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Attending Classes in Korea

Fairfax Academy student will spend school year there.

Normally, Serena Gregory would have just begun her last year at Chantilly High, caught up in the excitement of new classes, old friends and the thrill of being a senior. She’d also be playing volleyball, basketball and lacrosse for the Chargers. Instead, the former Korean-language student at the Fairfax Academy is now in another part of the world, spending the school year in Korea.

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Deadly Dangers of Drugs

Narcotics officer shares information with parents.

Lt. Jim Cox is a 26-year member of the Fairfax County Police Department. From 1995-2001, he was a detective in the Organized Crime and Narcotics (OCN) Division; and since 2004, he’s been an OCN supervisor. “I know a lot about narcotics,” he said. “But every day, something new comes on the market.”

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Chief Rick Rappoport: Taking a Look Back

Led City of Fairfax police more than 13 years.

Rick Rappoport finished one job and began another without missing a beat.

Mixed-Used Development Proposed for Chantilly

Multifamily homes, retail, restaurants in Westfields Corporate Center.

The Westfields Corporate Center has attracted top-quality firms — including the federal government — to its business park in Chantilly. So it’s not surprising then that Akridge wants to join them.

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Bonsai Show at Garden Center

Learn about, see and vote for favorite trees.

The Northern Virginia Bonsai Society will hold its Spring Show this weekend at the Merrifield Garden Center. It’s at 12101 Lee Hwy. in Fairfax and the free show runs Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bonsai experts will give demonstrations, and attendees may vote on the trees they believe should then compete at the Potomac Bonsai Association show at the National Arboretum.