I didn’t see “Life of Pi” at the theater, I saw it on DVD last night. However, I think it was meant to be seen like a moving painting – a kaleidoscope of the trials of life. Director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) earned his best director Oscar as did Cinematographer Claudio Miranda (TRON: Legacy).

I did not read the book, but we all saw the trailer. It’s a movie about a guy who is stuck on a life raft with a tiger. The book was based on the story of a Jewish-German refugee who crossed the Atlantic Ocean while sharing his boat with a jaguar. And yeah, it was made with bits of light and magic known as CGI, but it was used to enhance the story and never to impress or distract from the experience.


MANASSAS, Va. — Nearly 40 performances and showcases are planned for one of the area’s largest arts festivals, taking place at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Arts Alive! 2013 starts at noon Saturday, and festival goers will find everything from signing, dancing, stage performances, and, yes, even belly dancing.


New Chief has 14 Years Experience

QUANTICO, Va. — Local officials and Quantico town residents gathered to swear-in the new Quantico Chief of Police, John P. Clair. The ceremony, held at the Quantico Virginia Railway Express Station, was swelling with excitement as the Town Council held a brief meeting.


Submitted News

In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day, Prince William Health System will host two public forums on Monday, April 15, to discuss advance care planning, including advance directives. Nationally, only three in 10 adults have taken the time to create an advance directive; however, 60 percent of individuals state they do not want to burden their families with end-of-life decisions.


MANASSAS, Va. — The big finish for Arts Alive! 2013—a free, family-friendly arts festival on Saturday, April 13—will include two special events: presentation of the Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence and a concert by the U.S. Air Force Band. The awards program and concert will begin at 8 p.m. in the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas.

• The U.S. Air Force Concert Band and vocalists from the Singing Sergeants will perform patriotic, classical and other favorite compositions. The U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants are part of The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. Based at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, this is the Air Force’s premier musical organization. The general public is welcome to attend this free concert.


Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD).

As a participating organization, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Virginia state laws. These resources are available online and on nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org


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