Burke Surgeon Gains National Recognition
Richard Derner, DPM, FACFAS, of Burke, is the new secretary and treasurer of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), a national association of over 6,800 foot and ankle surgeons. Dr. Derner was installed to his position at the ACFAS 71st Annual Scientific Conference in Las Vegas.
Burke Youth to Present Musical Esther
Senior and junior high school youth from Burke Presbyterian Church will present the musical Esther from Feb. 28 through March 3. Esther is by local playwrights Martin and Janice Landry. All performances take place at Burke Presbyterian Church, 5960 Oak Leather Drive, Burke.
New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless
County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness on rise.
The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.
‘Two Symphonies and a Dance’ for Area Music Lovers
Virginia Chamber Orchestra to present early Mozart and Mendelssohn works.
There has always been the debate about the role of nature and nurture in a child’s development. This is especially true in child prodigies. Mozart and Mendelssohn were from musical homes and received encouragement in musical studies. Although Gluck sang in his church choir, his interest in music was surely of his own making as he was expected to work in his family’s forestry business.
A Positive Reflection
Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.
On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.
Time to Pass Go for a Good Cause
Sixth annual Monopoly Tournament benefits Lorton Food Pantry, offers volunteer opportunities.
You may not get a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, or prime boardwalk property, but Realtors Ron Kowalski and Susan Borrelli, founders of Lorton’s annual Monopoly Tournament, said players of all ages will have a blast competing in the sixth annual game tournament at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Hats Off to Democratic Women of Clifton
DWC celebrates eighth anniversary in style.
Fine millinery was on full display as the Democratic Women of Clifton gathered on Sunday, Feb. 10, to celebrate its eighth anniversary in style. The theme of this year’s party was “Hats Off to Democratic Women!” and members complied by donning an assortment of colorful chapeaus—from the classic fedora, brim snapped and businesslike, to the romantic cloche and the whimsical Victorian.
Area Roundups
Chantilly High, Fairfax High, Falls Church High, Oakton High, Robinson Secondary, Woodson High, Franklin Middle, Frost Middle, Jackson Middle, Lanier Middle and Rocky Run Middle are all schools involved in the boundary study to relieve overcrowding at Fairfax High and Lanier Middle School.
Letter: Does VRE Need More State Oversight?
Two bills (SB 1210 and HB 2152) before the Virginia General Assembly would give the state two more votes on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board.
Burke Florist Unfazed by Valentine’s Day Rush
Flowers ‘n’ Ferns is well prepared for its 33rd rose rodeo.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but when it comes to Valentine’s Day, fresh flowers are a must-have. For area florists like Karen Fountain, the second-generation manager of Flowers ‘n’ Ferns in Burke, the romantic holiday is often the highest grossing single day of the year.
Helping Parents Battle Social Media Giants
Parents demand access to son’s Facebook account after his suicide.
Ricky Rash, a self-proclaimed “country boy” and second generation Virginia dairy farmer, enjoyed his bucolic life in Nottoway County. He and his wife, Diane, a nurse, were content to raise their four children in the same house Rash grew up in. The world of social media—Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter—held little interest for the couple who considered faith and family the bedrock of their life. But after their 15-year-old son committed suicide on Jan. 20, 2011, social media became their focus.
Rooting for Transparency
Burke-based settlement hot on heels of anti-fraud land title certification.
Two grandmothers, Myrna Keplinger and Betty Reed, decided in 2000 that it would be nice to have an office space of their own. So they opened a realty and settlement office in the Mark Center in Alexandria and the two retired friends happily averaged 40 closings per month. Thirteen years and countless closings later, The Settlement Group grew to become the ninth largest settlement group in the region, with six offices in Northern Virginia, including locations in Burke, Franconia and McLean. As for Keplinger—she had undergone as much professional growth as had her business. She is now treasurer for the Virginia Land Title Association, on the American Land Title Association board of directors and an active member of its communications committee.
'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry
Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.
Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.
From Community Eyesore to Community Asset
Transformation of Kings West Swim Club adds green space.
For several years, neighbors in the Kings Park West subdivision grappled with the problem of what to do with the big hole in the ground that was once the Kings West Swim Club.
Greenspring Republicans Host Pete Snyder
Last year, the Greenspring Republican Club hosted Pete Snyder as the chairman of the Virginia Victory 2012 campaign, a coordinated campaign in support of Republican candidates across the Commonwealth of Virginia. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Snyder was invited again to speak to the Greenspring Republican Club, but this time as a candidate for lieutenant governor.