"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Chess Phenomenon Combines Talent and Hard Work

Greenbriar West Elementary student places second in international chess tournament.

Aasa Dommalapati, 10, of Centreville, a rising fifth grade student at Greenbriar West Elementary School in Fairfax, won the silver medal in the Girls Under 10 category at the 2014 Pan-American Youth Chess Festival held in Mexico.

‘Don’t Be Afraid to be Different’

Robinson grad performs 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.” And right there with them will be Robinson Secondary graduate Spencer Boyd.

The End of an Era

After 33 years, Robinson’s Chip Rome retires.

It’s the end of an era at Robinson Secondary: Legendary Theater Director Chip Rome has retired. In 1981, he became the fourth drama teacher the school hired that year, and he more than provided stability. He spent all 33 years of his FCPS career there.

Week in Fairfax

Weekly happenings in Fairfax.

Commentary: Fairfax County Takes Steps To Improve Senior Services

Fairfax County is actively working to improve services to seniors and make the County friendlier to those growing older in our communities. One of the most prominent advancements has been the 50 + Action Plan developed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

The Cellular Connection to Host Backpack Giveaway

Residents in Springfield are about to benefit from a national backpack giveaway campaign. The Cellular Connection, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., in a joint effort with its customers, will be donating 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through its School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

LTA Stages ‘Spamalot’

Musical comedy is based on “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

The Little Theater of Alexandria is staging the musical comedy “Spamalot” Aug. 2-23. The irreverent play, which won three Tony Awards, including the Tony for Best Musical in 2005, is adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It originally starred Tim Curry as King Arthur, David Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin and Hank Azaria as Sir Lancelot on Broadway.

Hosting Safetypalooza

Boy Scouts, professionals teach children how to avoid trouble.

Thanks to 15-year-old Boy Scout Alex Battani, several local children know more about bike, bus and fire safety, as well as avoiding strangers. A rising junior at Westfield High, he put on a Safetypalooza at the Sully District Police Station. Also participating was police Crime Prevention Specialist Tara Gerhard, with that station, plus firefighters from the Springfield District Station and members of the Blue Suit Pacers Cycling Team.

Ireton Grad Cunningham To Play Lax at Rhodes College

Former Wolverine helped Cardinals win WCAC, VISAA titles.

Kendall Cunningham started her high school lacrosse career as a standout freshman at West Potomac. She transferred to Bishop Ireton prior to her sophomore season, and spent the next three years helping the Cardinals become a championship program.

Creative Dance Center, Pat Mitchell Unite

Spotlight Theater Camp starts Aug. 4.

There’s a new, local theater program with a familiar face at the helm. Westfield High grad and theater alumnus Pat Mitchell is partnering with Creative Dance Center (CDC) to put on Spotlight Theater Camp. The camp will run Aug. 4-8, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at CDC, 14155-E Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly. For more information and to register, go to www.cdctheater.com. Mitchell’s excited about it and is hoping for a good turnout.

WGCC Swim Team Wins Division-A Championship

Lightning swimmers break several records.

Last year, the WGCC Lightning swimmers lost the Country Club Swimming and Diving Association championship title by a half a point to Kenwood. Had any one WGCC swimmer finished one place higher during the two-day league championship meet, the team would have won. Many of the team's swimmers trained hard all winter with that half-point on their minds. This past week, the team moved three steps closer to claiming that title with decisive victories in three of their biggest meets this season.

Springfield Shortlisted for FBI Headquarters

Other locations are Greenbelt and Landover.

Springfield could very well be the next site of the FBI headquarters. The General Services Administration and FBI announced Tuesday that Springfield was included on the shortlist for the new FBI headquarters.

Sunflowers for Wildlife

The peak bloom of 25 acres of sunflowers off River Road is past, but the fading flowers will leave seeds that attract songbirds and other wildlife for some time to come. Goldfinches and Indigo Buntings are visible by the the dozen as the sunflower seeds mature.

An African Dance and Drum demonstration was one of several performances during the event.

History

Alexandrians vs. British Raiders – June 1814

At 5:30 on the evening of Tuesday, June 21, 1814, a number of Alexandria cavalrymen were sitting on their horses on a hill overlooking the village of Benedict, Md. on the Patuxent River, about 40 miles southeast of Washington. Below them, they could see several British barges and ships anchored in the river near the village.

Repairing People's Shoes

The counter was piled high with an assortment of shoes. Joe Johnson, owner of Bradlee Shoe Repair, was in the back trimming a sole on a men's cordovan loafer.

Commentary: Jefferson-Houston’s Journey through Re-Segregation

“Alexandria quietly is making plans for a model community-centered facility to replace its least integrated elementary school, Charles Houston,” The Washington Post reported in January 1968. “But present indications are that the new Jefferson-Houston Elementary School will be as segregated as the old one.” To what extent is today’s new school facility, the ongoing construction and failing academics a continuation of yesterday?

House Fire Causes $50,000 in Damages

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire on Tuesday, July 29, at approximately 9:45 a.m., in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.

Seniors Struggling with Hunger

Senior Hunger is real, and, according to information provided by the Meals on Wheels Association, 8.8 million of America’s seniors or nearly 1 in 6 may not know where their next meal is coming from. Programs like Meals on Wheels are critical to solving this national crisis. In the State of Virginia over 124,000 seniors are struggling with hunger and only 22 percent are receiving help through Meals on Wheels.

Letter: Bee Safe Neighborhoods

Letter to the Editor

Sort By

Date