On the Job and Hot on the Trail
Finding people is fun for new, police bloodhound pups.
“We’ll get them out here and acclimate them to the noises — gunfire, [vehicle] brakes and birds,” said Masood. They’ll also be exposed to airplanes, wind, rain, heat, car horns honking, plus obstacles such as fences. And they’ll learn how it feels on their paws to walk in the woods, through brush, on cement, carpet, tile floors, etc. That way, said Clarke, “When they get out on the street, when they’re almost a year old, they’ll be ready.”
Two Cultures Unite at Newington Forest
Japanese and American storytellers perform for Newington Forest Elementary.
The students of Newington Forest Elementary school gathered around in their school library early Friday morning Sept. 27 in anticipation to see two cultures collide: American storyteller Gary Lloyd, and Japanese trained storyteller, Katsura Sunshine. The two were welcomed to the school to put on their own one-man story telling performance for the students and teachers.
Car Wash at Mark Twain Middle
About 70 seventh- and eighth-graders took part in a car wash at Mark Twain Middle School along Franconia Road in a fund-raiser for the school band on Saturday, Sept. 21. The funds will be used to buy instruments and uniforms for the school.
Greenspring Hosts Charity Gala
More than 200 residents and guests attend 14th annual event.
On Friday, Sept. 27, 225 guests and residents attended the 14th annual Benevolent Care Fund Gala at Greenspring retirement community—a sold out event for the fourth consecutive year.
Sharing the Love of Dance
West Springfield graduate wins recognition, scholarships.
Emma Bradley, a recent West Springfield High School graduate, alum of Buffa's Dance Studio in Burke, and a former NRG Prodigy for the NRG Dance Project during her senior year of high school, received four dance scholarships for college. Past performance experience/work includes Capezio 125th Anniversary Gala at City Center in New York City, Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles where she worked with Mandy Moore and Nick Lazzarini; Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala at Skirball Center in New York City, choreographed by Andy Pellick; and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet 360 Installation 2013, directed by Alexandra Damiani.
Willkommen! Guten Tag!
Bulova puts “fun” in fundraiser at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.
Oktoberfest arrived early as more than 300 friends, family and high-profile Democrats gathered at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center Sept. 22 for the 27th annual German-themed political fundraiser hosted by Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Guests enjoyed German beer, a traditional German oompah band and a smorgasbord of Bavarian food, including bratwurst, sauerkraut and German wines, during the afternoon event.
Residential Studios Put on Hold
Supervisors establish committee, plan additional public outreach.
At the recommendation of Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24 deferred its Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposed residential studios (RSUs) amendment to conduct additional community outreach. The board also established a Planning Commission Residential Studios Committee.
Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.
New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty
Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.
McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit
Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.
Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness
Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.
Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.
Week in Springfield
upervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield) signed a proclamation designating Sept. 17 as United States Constitution Day in the Springfield District. The proclamation reminds citizens of the great heritage of the Constitution, which safeguards our liberties and freedoms. Constitution Week is observed annually Sept. 17-23. The photo shows Supervisor Herrity presenting the proclamation to Sue Kennedy, regent of Anna Maria Fitzhugh Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Melissa Porfirio Is Teacher of Year
Crestwood first-grade teacher “humbled” to be singled out for honor.
Melissa Porfirio, 38, of Springfield’s Crestwood neighborhood was named Virginia’s 2014 Region 4 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education. The first- and second-grade teacher at Crestwood Elementary since 2005 will be honored on Friday, Oct. 11, at a banquet and awards program in Richmond.
Springfield’s Renaissance Man
Leonard Kalkwarf publishes book and wins five gold medals from the Senior Olympics.
Leonard Kalkwarf can best be described as a true Renaissance man; an avid history buff, the 85-year-old resident of Greenspring retirement community in Springfield is also an accomplished athlete, an ordained minister, and a published author. His advice to other seniors is simple: keep active and stay positive.
Up to Speed Tutors Puts Focus on Special Education
Lake Braddock graduate Brian Katkin started the company last spring.
When JS Tutoring folded in 2012, one of Arlington resident Brian Katkin’s students with a learning disability wanted to keep having sessions with him. They worked out an arrangement to continue working together, and soon Katkin decided to take on other students as well. Then on the first day of Spring Break the same year, he launched the company Up to Speed Tutors, with himself as the sole instructor.