Fourth Annual Running to Remember Josh
Josh Anderson Foundation remembers teen, aims to prevent teenage suicide.
On March 18, 2009, the world lost Joshua Lee Anderson—a beloved son, brother and friend—to suicide. He was 17 years old. The Josh Anderson Foundation (JAF) was formed for two purposes: to keep Josh's memory alive and to collect funds for the education and prevention of teenage suicide. JAF's goal is to promote youth mental health awareness by bringing innovative, creative and effective programs directly into high schools. By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, JAF will have funded programs in eleven schools and impacted over 17,000 students.
A Passion for Dance
Richmond Ballet II to perform and teach master class.
The importance of dance is clear to Stoner Winslett, artistic director of the Richmond Ballet. "Dance is the expression of the human spirit through movement. It is the instinctive language of our hearts and minds," she wrote.
Robinson Gives Back
School’s Music Honor Society holds annual benefit concert at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax.
For Robinson senior and trumpet player Matt McMahon, just pulling off Saturday’s Robinson Gives Back concert will be a success in and of itself. The president of the secondary school’s 90-member Tri-M music honor society assumed most of the responsibility for organizing the annual event this year when the faculty sponsor and choral director Michael Horanski took paternity leave.
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.
Area Roundups
Police and fire department personnel responded to the report of an apparent explosion and fire at 9504 Richmond Highway in Lorton on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at about 10:30 a.m.
Union Mill Says 'We Love You'
As part of Union Mill Elementary’s community outreach efforts, the school Parent Teacher Association asked students to make Valentine's Day cards and drawings for nursing home residents for Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14.
Washington Capitals' Slapshot Cheers Union Mill on to Health
The Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot visited Union Mill Elementary on Thursday, Feb. 7, to deliver a message of fitness, fun, and nutrition to all UMES students.
South County Presents ‘Rock ’n’ Roll’
English teacher leads an all-senior cast and crew in Tom Stoppard play.
The South County High School senior thespians are rocking out ... to British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. For the second year in a row, South County English teacher Dan Deiter is directing a cast and crew comprising exclusively fourth-year drama students.
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.
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.
'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.
Packing up Power Packs
Union Mill Elementary students assemble 248 weekend meal-packs.
Fifth-graders from Union Mill Elementary assembled 248 Weekend Power Packs for FCPS students who would not otherwise have meals to eat on weekends.