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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.

‘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.

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.

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.

Closet Hosts Community Picnic

Thrift store kicks off fall shopping season.

The Closet Thrift Store in Herndon hosted a community picnic on Saturday, Sept. 22, paying thanks to their customers, donors and volunteers that have supported the shop during their almost 40-year mission.

Corrieanne Stein Wows Audiences

Wootton Junior performs at Olney.

Corrieanne Stein has already performed for a year in the original production of the Broadway play, ”Billy Elliott the Musical,” acted in the world premiere of “Saving Aimee” at the Signature Theatre and is currently rehearsing for the regional premiere of “Over the Tavern” at Olney Theater Center. She is 16 years old.

Langley High Student Publishes Memoir

Connor Kianpour of Great Falls writes about real world experiences in the school cafeteria and life in general.

In his first book, “Heavy: a recollection,” Great Falls author Connor Kianpour has written a lot about the role the school cafeteria played in his experience with weight gain and loss, but those experiences have nothing to do with school nutrition. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made what the USDA is calling, “the first major changes in school meals in 15 years, . . . the new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools.” Through his writing, Kianpour would like to promote a similar realignment in attitude toward the substance of a person despite what seems to be the real world’s preoccupation with image.

Should Virginia Compensate for Dark Days of Eugenics?

Del. Patrick Hope (D-44) asks governor and General Assembly to form a task force.

The number of victims is unknown in Virginia’s system of forced sterilization, a dark chapter that stretched from the 1920s into the 1970s.

Get Involved: West Montgomery County Citizens Association

Potomac’s umbrella citizens association.

In 1964, the Montgomery County Council adopted the General Plan "On Wedges and Corridors." This plan established land use guidelines for the County and set the standard for local and area master plans. The General Plan "envisioned the Potomac Subregion as a low density residential wedge area, which would complement the developed I-270 corridor."

Students Present STEM Projects

Forward Future hosts summer program for 30 teens.

Thirty children from the Herndon and Reston areas presented a series of projects on Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Herndon United Methodist Church, a result of their summer with Forward Future, a local organization dedicated to youth mentoring.

‘Taste’ Benefits Adoptions Together

Annual event seeks to further “forever families” mission.

This event offers a one-of-a-kind chance to taste delectable dishes from every restaurant in Potomac and bid on items in both the silent auction and the live auction — all to help children find “forever families.”

Support ‘Walkabout Abilities’

Annual event benefits the Abilities Network.

The Abilities Network offers solutions to all these problems and more. The 6th annual “Walkabout Abilities” will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 to raise funds for the contributions that the Abilities Network makes to families in the area and across the United States.

Column: Five Bills Poised to Pass; Two Amendments Adopted

The Virginia legislature is now approaching “crossover” — the day that each body must complete work on its own bills and begin work on bills from the other body.

A Novel Idea

Vienna author focused on love story of two disabled people.

She was impetuous, passionate and a bit on the wild side, a shady past behind her. He was sensitive, introverted, a bit shy, with very little “past” behind him. Like night and day, their lives intersected briefly. Like many star-crossed lovers, they forged a relationship despite obstacles that obstructed their paths. It wasn’t religion, race, class or family feuds that thwarted intimacy. It was their disabilities. And their struggles anchor the plot of a new novel by Vienna author Robert “Bob” Rudney.

Column: Some Thoughts on Transportation

Transportation funding is going to be a big issue this General Assembly session. The Governor has taken the step of agreeing we need more revenue and tax increases to pay for transportation; but the details of his initial proposal are cause for concern.

Column: Progress on U.S. 1 Funding, Redistricting Surprise

Legislation has started to move through the legislation as the hard work of legislating began during the second week of session. First, we made some progress securing state funding for the next study required to widen U.S. 1.

Helping Those in Need

Local teen collects items for the poor and homeless.

In this season of giving, even the generous heart of just one person can make a big difference in other people’s lives. Westfield High junior Nick O’Connell knows this firsthand because he’s now in his fifth year of doing just that.

Robotics Team Brings Home Hardware

After Washington, D.C. regionals, Herndon High School Robotics team competes in St. Louis.

The Herndon High School Robotics team gained several accolades at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) regional robotics competition, punching their ticket for the world championships in St. Louis, Mo., this month.

Higher Taxes, Cuts in Services

Young proposes $626.6 million budget.

An increase in property taxes along with cuts in services to Alexandria residents are part of the $626.6 million General Fund Operating Budget proposed Feb. 26 by City Manager Rashad Young for fiscal year 2014.

Serving More Than a Village

Alisa Cozzens named Rotary Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

The Great Falls Rotary Club named its first Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Alisa Cozzens, executive director of Serve A Village, a Great Falls based nonprofit. Cozzens moved to South Africa as a teenager, and though her travels since have taken her to Northern Virginia, she still continues outreach to the area.

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