Celebrating ‘Everyday’ Heroes
Molina Healthcare honors local residents for making a difference in the community.
In the 1980s, Vienna resident John Horejsi and a “ragtag” group of social justice pioneers learned that Virginia was charging sales tax on food stamps. They discovered the sales tax boosted the state’s coffers by $9.5 million every year, money that they believed belonged to poor families for food or other necessary items.
Quick Takes
Q&A with Pastor King Rhodes.
Pastor King Rhodes is founder and senior pastor of His Church International Christian Center (HCICC) in Springfield, and has been involved in Christian ministry and community outreach for more than 20 years. As a longtime advocate for foster youth, Rhodes and his ministry help support the mission of Fairfax Families4Kids, a foster-mentoring program for teens in Fairfax County. On Saturday, May 18, Rhodes’ church will sponsor the organization’s 5-K Walk during Foster Care Appreciation Month.
‘Day Prom’ Celebrated
Eight high schools participate in daytime prom for special needs students.
Prom is pretty intimidating as it is: date, hair, dress, food, limo, flowers, dancing... gasp. But the annual event is also a privilege, a rite of high school passage that bonds students through shared experience for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, many students with special needs will never share that experience with their peers. Their physical or intellectual disabilities can make participating in such a large and emotional gathering overwhelming, uncomfortable, and in some cases, simply impossible.
Brief: Boyd School Celebrates Diversity at International Festival
The Boyd School hosted their annual International Children’s Festival on Saturday, May 4, and students, parents, staff and friends participated in the celebration of diversity of the school and the neighboring community.
Brief: Tigerlily Founder Maimah Karmo Receives Global Sisterhood Award
Maimah Karmo, who founded the nonprofit Tigerlily Foundation in Reston that serves women and girls nationally and globally, is one of four pioneering female leaders who will receive recognition for the dynamic work she is doing in her community. Karmo will receive the Sisterhood Agenda Global Partner Award, now in its third year, as presented by the Sisterhood Agenda at the SHE: Sisters Healthy & Empowered event in celebration of National Women’s Health Week on Friday, May 17, in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Reston Youth Swim, Bike, Run
Amy’s Amigos host annual Reston Youth Triathlon
Swimmers were able to hit the water at the Ridge Heights Pool Sunday, May 12, a few weeks before the scheduled Memorial Day pool opening, but there was a catch: they had to cycle and run as well. The annual Reston Youth Triathlon took triathletes age 6 to 15 through the pool and on the streets surrounding South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. Participants ages 6 to 8 swam 50 meters, biked 1.03 miles and ran a third-mile, ages 9 to 11 swam 100 meters, biked three miles and ran 1.11 miles and ages 12 to 15 swam 150 meters, biked five miles and ran 1.51 miles.
Residents Discuss Baron Cameron Priorities
The Fairfax County Park Authority has started the master planning process for Baron Cameron Park, a 60-acre park at the northwest corner of the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue.
‘Day Prom’ Celebrated
On Thursday, May 9, Herndon High School hosted a very special prom at the Waterford at Fair Oaks in Fairfax. Called the “Day Prom” the event is held for students with special needs that might not be able to attend their general education prom.
Week in Reston
The ninth Ultimate NOVA Business Expo is taking place on May 17, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at QINETQ Building, 11091 Sunset Hills, Suite No. 800 in Reston, with some 100 exhibitors and hundreds of additional guests. This is the perfect place for business owners and other professionals to promote and grow their businesses.
Students, Teachers Exhibit Together
Art reception at Lake Anne Reston Community Center.
On Sunday, May 5, students and teachers in Reston Community Center’s visual arts program assembled in a reception to meet with friends and relatives. The work is on display now at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.
Reston Girl Competes for Miss Virginia Title
Sara S. Gouda, the daughter of Sabri A. Gouda of Reston, is a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant. She will compete with other pre-teen aged girls from across Virginia at the Reston Hyatt July 25-27 of this summer. Sara—who plays piano, games, soccer and volleyball—also likes reading, singing and spending time with her family.
Natasha Parnian and Andrew Farms Engaged
Natasha Parnian, of Reston, and Andrew Farms, of Chantilly, are engaged and plan to wed Saturday, June 15.
Absentee Voting Starts Now for Democratic Primaries
Primaries held for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The State Board of Elections reported Monday, May 6, that absentee voting began for the June 11, 2013 primary and all localities met the required 45-day deadline for mailing absentee ballots to voters.
Helping Those Who ‘Can’t Catch a Break’
Community support for Northern Virginia Family Services grows during tough economic times.
“Most of us here lead privileged lives. You can and should make a difference in Northern Virginia.” —Earle Williams
Women Mean Business
In the two months since the much-hyped and dreaded sequester took effect, the daily economic forecast has been almost as painful as the slow grinding of bureaucratic wheels. But here’s some good economic news, especially for aspiring female entrepreneurs: the numbers are in your favor.