Springfield People

St. Patrick’s with Connolly

Hundreds attend U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly’s St. Patrick’s Day Fete.

Friday evening, hundreds and hundreds of friends and supporters of Rep. Gerry Connolly filled the Kena Shriners Hall on Arlington Blvd. for a St. Patrick’s Day Fete.

A Mission of Mercy Helps Hundreds

More than 800 residents receive free dental services during two-day event.

The triage center at Saturday’s Mission of Mercy Dental health clinic resembled a modern-day MASH unit.

Captain Honored for Community Service

Fire and Rescue’s Willie Bailey recognized for 1,000 volunteer hours.

It was supposed to be a one-time event, a toy drive to help 50 struggling families in the Gum Springs community along the Route 1 corridor. But that was 15 years ago.

Fairfax Supervisors Vote to Increase Advertised Tax Rate by 1 cent

Each 1 cent increase raises taxpayer bill by $45.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 6-3 Tuesday, March 6, to advertise the real estate tax rate for FY 2013 as $1.08 per $100 of assessed value. The current FY 2012 rate is $1.07.

On Thursday Feb. 8, the students of Lynbrook Elementary School received the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy School Award for most participants in the event for the eleventh consecutive year. In what has become a popular school tradition, 300 students participated in the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run on Oct. 29, 2011, an event that was marked with the worst weather in recent memory.

Springfield’s Immanuel Bible Church Installs New Pastor

Nearly 3,000 attend ceremony for Jesse Johnson.

Jesse Johnson, formerly Pastor for Outreach at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif., was installed as Lead Teaching Pastor at Springfield’s Immanuel Bible Church during three services on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Springfield Connection Carrier of the Year Honored

Among The Connection’s many excellent carriers, Marie Laverdiere is honored for her service, reliability and dedication as 2011 Springfield Connection Carrier of the Year.

On Nepal, With Love

Recent Nepalese immigrant uses Public Access TV Show to bring about positive change.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are more than 9,400 Nepalese living in the U.S. Krishna Sharma of Springfield, founder and CEO of Vision for Nepal, hopes to reach many of these immigrants and others sympathetic to Nepal through his TV program, "American Conversations," which airs on Fairfax Public Access Channel 30 on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m.

A Heartfelt Anniversary

Greenspring couple celebrates 65 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day.

At 89, Ray Wright is as quick with a quip as Jack Benny.

People of Faith Gather to Support Marriage Equality

Holding red heart balloons and handing out candles and flowers, nearly 200 guests gathered in the shadow of the historic Fairfax County Courthouse to celebrate the union of a one couple on Valentine’s Day.

Honoring Grads Who Choose to Serve

Burke moms lobby school board to recognize enlistees during graduation ceremonies.

When Carolyn Kellam’s 17-year-old son, Danny, asked for permission to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps last year, she said "the mom in me was scared to death, but the citizen in me was very proud."

Fairfax County Considers Meals Tax Referendum

Revenue would be earmarked for transportation projects.

Last week, it looked as if the Virginia General Assembly might give Fairfax County a new funding tool: the right to generate new revenue through user fees, such as tax on restaurant meals, which would drive down the County’s reliance on property taxes.

Veterans Honor Area Residents

Local students, teacher, public safety officials, businesses recognized.

Paarth Jain, a sixth grader at Keene Mill Elementary, woke up early on Sunday to catch his 4 a.m. flight with his family from Miami to arrive at home in Springfield for a very special event he could not miss: the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7327 and the Ladies Auxiliary awards ceremony honoring local students, a teacher, public safety officials and businesses at JW & Friends Restaurant in Springfield on Sunday, Feb. 12.

President Announces Homeowners Bill of Rights

Local homeowners, housing advocates say president’s plan gives homeowners important safeguards.

Tina Kotson of Springfield, a homeowner of five years, said she thought it would be fairly easy to refinance her current 5.65 percent mortgage and take advantage of today’s lower rates.

Two Students Receive $10,000 Scholarships

Eight local area businesses are helping make the dream of a college education a reality for two high school seniors.

Springfield Connection