Opinion, Page 4 ❖ Entertainment, Page 6 ❖ Classifieds, Page 6 Photo by Fallon Forbush/The Connection June 28 - July 4, 2017 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Reston Reston Page 8 Family Connection Family Connection Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, or ADAMS Center, in Ster- ling invited one of Nabra Hassanen’s sisters to the stage. “I just want to thank everybody for your love and support, and I just want to say to Nabra, I love you and will always miss you,” she said. Farewell to ‘Always Seahawks’ News, Page 2 Stay with Paris Climate Agreement Commentary, Page 4 Farewell to ‘Always Seahawks’ Stay with Paris Climate Agreement Commentary, Page 4 Community Lays Nabra To Rest News, Page 3 Community Lays Nabra To Rest News, Page 3
Transcript
Reston Connection ❖ June 28 - July 4, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinio
n, Page 4
❖
Entertainm
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❖
C
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Pho
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June 28 - July 4, 2017 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
RestonRestonPage 8
Family
Connection
Family
Connection
Imam Mohamed Magidof the All Dulles Area
Muslim Society, orADAMS Center, in Ster-
ling invited one ofNabra Hassanen’s
sisters to the stage. “Ijust want to thank
everybody for your loveand support, and I justwant to say to Nabra, I
love you and will alwaysmiss you,” she said.
Farewell to‘Always Seahawks’News, Page 2
Stay with ParisClimate AgreementCommentary, Page 4
Farewell to‘Always Seahawks’
Stay with ParisClimate AgreementCommentary, Page 4
Community LaysNabra To Rest
News, Page 3
Community LaysNabra To Rest
News, Page 3
2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ June 28 - July 4, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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On Tuesday, June 20, the South Lakes HighSchool Class of 2017 walked across thestage at the Eagle Bank Arena to receive
their diplomas. The South Lakes Band played “Pompand Circumstance” as the students entered the arena.This was followed by the Presentation of Colors bythe Army JROTC Color Guard, and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Class of 2017 Cho-rus Members. The chorus also performed “The Climb”by Miley Cyrus, the Senior Class Song.
Graduation began with Class President MollySheets. Sheets thanked those who helped the Classof 2017 reach their moment of commencement. “Fouryears ago, graduation seemed like a distant dream,”Sheets said. Before the graduates walked across thestage to receive their diplomas, South Lakes teacherLawrence Ward gave the keynote address.
Ward began his keynote speech by asking thegraduates, “Are you ready?” Ward, English depart-ment chair of South Lakes High School, went on tospeak about the new world the Class of 2017 wouldbe entering, and what they will need to bring withthem.
Confidence, courage, and compassion were Ward’s
three most important qualities to bring into the newpost-graduation world, along with their diplomas.Referencing “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard ofOz,” Winston Churchill, and “Catch-22,” Ward re-minded the graduates of the importance of bothspeaking and listening. He also emphasized lendinga helping hand. “You probably can’t help them all,”he said. “Pick one.”
Before Ward gave his keynote speech, KatherineBae addressed her fellow classmates as the studentspeaker. She spoke of growth, community, and spirit.Of her school and the Class of 2017, she said, “Thisspirit, this community, goes unmatched for miles.”
Bae recognized that graduation was both a big andsmall moment. Despite seeming big now, it wouldbecome a small moment in time as their lives con-tinued. “Hold your breath, don’t blink, because youmight miss it,” Bae said. She ended her speech witha simple phrase, repeated often by the graduationspeakers, “Once a Seahawk, always a Seahawk.”
Kimberly Retzer, South Lakes Principal, awardedthe Bruce Butler Leadership award to JennaHirshfeld. Retzer also recognized the 178 honorgraduates, who received a GPA of 4.0 or higher, andthe three graduates who will be attending militaryacademies. Assistant Principal, Class of 2017, GregLuongo, had advice for the graduates as well. “Focuson the hopes and dreams you have inside of you,”Luongo said.
The ceremony concluded with the parting wordsof Lawrence Ward serving as a sum of the evening.“Class of 2017, working with you has been a privi-lege, an honor, and a treat. Farewell.”
Farewell to ‘Always Seahawks’South Lakes Highgraduates told to “focuson hopes and dreams.”
Katherine Bae was the student speaker for graduation.
Lawrence Ward, English department chair, delivered thekeynote address.
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Nabra Hassanen, 17, of Restonwas laid to rest as a martyron the same day the commu-nity flocked to Lake Anne
Plaza in Reston for her vigil on Wednesday,June 21.
The “Vigil for Nabra” was organized bythe South Lakes High School Student Mus-lim Association and featured heartwarmingspeeches by interfaith leaders from the com-munity, prayers and readings from theQuran, as well as performances and trib-utes from her close friends and family mem-bers.
The vigil was held in the evening afterNabra’s Muslim community gathered andspent the afternoon in their mosque in Ster-ling praying for her Janazah, an Islamicfuneral ritual involving prayers to pardonthe deceased.
The procession then proceeded to theSterling Cemetery, a hearse carrying herbody escorted by police officers from theLoudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which wasfollowed by a long line of buses carryingthose mourning her death.
“We’re standing here today, burying oneof the finest young ladies of our commu-nity,” a voice said loudly over a loudspeakerin the cemetery after Hassanen’s body wasburied, family members and loved oneseach pouring three handfuls of soil into hergrave. “The way she passed away is consid-ered in Islam as being a martyr, or shahid.The shahid is a person that Allah acceptsand forgives their sin.”
“I would like you today, as you leave, tothink about the good legacy and memoryof this young lady,” the voice concluded.
Hours later, large crowds assembled inReston at the Lake Anne Plaza and did justthat.
still don’t think it should be happening.”Edwards, a classmate at South Lakes High
School, knew Hassanen since they were inmiddle school together.
“It was sort of chaotic because everyone
was trying not to believe it, but when wenoticed it actually happened, we were allcrying,” she said, describing how she andher classmates felt when Hassanen didn’tshow up for the last week of school of hersophomore year before summer vacation.
“She was a nice girl who always had asmile on her face,” Edwards added. “Shewas such a mellow person, always down toearth, always smiling and never sad,” sheconcluded, holding two red roses for herslain friend.
This was a theme during the vigil —Nabra’s contagious and comforting smile.
“Whenever I picked up coffee, Nabra wasalways smiling,” said Kinza Raufgeorge,describing her encounters with Hassanenat a McDonald’s in Reston where she usedto work.
Nabra’s uplifting demeanor was noticedby all who crossed paths with her.
“Nabra was a young lady who carriedherself with dignity and grace,” South LakesHigh School Principal Kimberly Retzer saidduring the vigil. “She never missed an op-portunity to say hello or good morning, and
her smile radiated our hallways. Nabra hada joyful disposition that lifted others up eachday. She was the young lady who wouldgravitate to others and have the innate abil-ity to support and nurture her friendsthrough all things.”
Hassanen’s smile was sorely missed by herfriends and loved ones who spoke at a po-dium peddled with hundreds of flowers androses that were brought to the stage by com-munity members in what Imam MohamedMagid described as a “gathering of love,” a“gathering of care.”
Magid, the imam of the All Dulles AreaMuslim Society, or ADAMS Center, in Ster-ling, addressed the crowd, which respondedin silence, listening and hanging onto ev-ery word the spiritual leader was saying.
“I cannot express my mixed feeling ofgreat admiration for the family of Nabra forhow they really hold together in this diffi-cult time,” he said. “I cannot imagine orpretend, even to think, I can put myself inthe shoes of a father and a mother who losttheir child the night they thought theywould see her in the morning. A loving and
caring child,” he added.He told the large gathering of people that
he saw Nabra — a “loving,” “caring” and“very warm person” of his Muslim commu-nity — in the crowd.
“As an imam of that community, I wouldsay you represent the spirit of Nabra,” hesaid while pointing to the crowd. “This isNabra. This Nabra that we love, that Nabrawe know, it multiplied to hundreds of thou-sands of millions of people [across theglobe].”
He then invited one of Nabra’s two sis-ters, whose names were not used at thefamily’s request, to the stage, who asked theimam to help her send a message to thecrowd.
“I just want to thank everybody for yourlove and support, and I just want to say toNabra, I love you and will always miss you,”she said, the crowd reacting in loud ap-plause and scattered quiet sniffles and tears.
He had a special message for the youthof his Muslim community and the largeryouth community: “You know I love you …we love you,” he said. “Stay strong. Con-tinue to pray for your friend because prayeris powerful.”
He finished by telling the youth that evenif their loved ones are not with them, theycan hear their prayers.
“Keep praying the prayer of peace,” hesaid. “Keep praying the prayer of hope. Keeppraying the prayer of love because this com-munity represents all of that.”
‘Hope For Peace’Afeefa Syeed of Sterling, a past board
member of the ADAMS Center mosque andactive member of the community, stood inthe back of the vigil wearing a bright bluehijab. As crowds dispersed, she could beseen near the Lake Anne Dock hanging updelicate pieces of white paper under a stringof white lights.
“These are peace doves that people aremaking in origami style from paper andwriting messages in them for peace forthemselves, each other, for Nabra’s parentsand for Nabra,” Syeed said. “Nabra also hassisters, so some of these messages are forthem as well.”
Mohmoud Hassanen, the father of Nabra, ar-rives at Lake Anne Plaza for the vigil and weepsat the sight of Nabra’s close friends and family,including Hadar Abdalla, 22 (right), of Restonwho comforts him.
Safeia Ali, 13, of Reston tears up as a prayer isrecited during the vigil.
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10) placed abouquet of white roses on the stage at LakeAnne Plaza during the vigil for Nabra beforeshe gestured the sign of the cross.
Community Lays Nabra To Rest
Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, or ADAMSCenter, in Sterling, addressed the crowd. “I would say you represent thespirit of Nabra,” he said while pointing to the crowd. “This is Nabra.This Nabra that we love, that Nabra we know, it multiplied to hundredsof thousands of millions of people [across the globe].”
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Opinion
The U.S. Senate bill to repeal the Af-fordable Care Act would take morethan $600 billion (yes with a B)from poor children, poor elders and
people with disabilities to give a tax cut topeople who make more than $200,000 a year.Households with income of $1 million, wouldgain $50,000 in tax cuts per year. It is a mas-sive transfer of wealth to the wealthiest house-holds in America taken from the most vulner-able and neediest people. It would lead to moresick people and thousands of preventabledeaths every year.
While much of the damage isdone by massive cuts to Medic-aid, affecting poor children,people with disabilities and
most people in nursing homes, some of thechanges will result in damage to the quality ofinsurance for those who get their insurancefrom their employers as well.
What could go wrong?❖ Millions of people lose their health insur-
ance — 22 million fewer would have healthinsurance by 2026 according to the Congres-sional Budget Office analysis.
❖ Loss of coverage for pre-existing condi-tions, including cancer survivors, people whohad transplants, people with asthma, arthri-tis, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity,mental health issues, ADD, etc.
❖ States could opt out of the law’s essential
Killing the Poor to Pay MillionairesEven employer provided insurance would suffer;coverage caps and exclusions of pre-existingconditions could return.
Editorial
health benefits measure, which requires insur-ers to cover 10 main benefits, including hospi-talization, prescription drugs and other ser-vices. That is, companies could sell health in-surance that wouldn’t actually be health in-surance. Would Virginia be a state that optsout? Quite likely.
❖ Ending annual and lifetime coverage capswould also impact people who get health in-surance from their employers and the privateinsurance market. For example, a serious acci-dent or an illness that requires repeated sur-geries or bone marrow transplants could putany one of us over the coverage cap.
❖ Medicaid pays public schools for many ser-vices for special education students, but theSenate bill removes schools from eligible Med-icaid providers, costing Virginia an estimated$40 million annually; $3 million in FairfaxCounty; $2 million in the City of Alexandria.
❖ $800 billion plus in cuts to Medicaid putsthe funding for most people who are currentlyin nursing homes at risk. Many of these arepeople who were middle class and but outlivedtheir savings and coverage.
❖ In Virginia, the proposed changes to Med-icaid would cost the state $1.4 billion overseven years.
❖ Medicaid pays for much of the fight againstopioid addiction, including treatment. Cutswould be devastating to efforts to counter thewave of overdose deaths and other effects of
addiction.❖ Coverage for mental health treatment, in-
cluding addiction treatment, is threatened bothby cuts to Medicaid and by changes in the pri-vate insurance market.
❖ There will be greater need for Medicaidover time. More seniors will be poor, as fewerpeople who are retiring have pensions or ad-equate retirement savings. The demand fornursing home beds will be increasing as thepopulation ages.
(This is by no means a comprehensive list ofproblems.)
If a version of the Senate bill were to pass,the results will be harmful to tens of millionsof Americans. Call your senators. Virginia’s U.S.Senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, are bothDemocrats in the forefront of pushing backagainst this bill. But let them know you expectthem to do the extraordinary to hold this up.Call the senators listed below and tell them tovote against it.
Ask family and friends to call their senatorstoday.
If you have family or friends who live in WestVirginia, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, Alaskaor Ohio, their calls are especially important.Senators Shelley Capito (R-WV); Bill Cassidy(R-LA); Susan Collins (R-ME); Dean Heller (R-NV); Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); Rob Portman (R-OH) are among those reported to be possibleopponents of this proposal.
The U.S. Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121, and a switchboard operator willconnect you directly with the Senate office yourequest.
With the conclusion ofthe political party pri-maries last week the
general election is now teed up forNov. 7. There were some surprisescoming out of the Democratic andRepublican primaries. Lt. Gov.Ralph Northam easily won theDemocratic primary to be thenominee for governor even though
there was dis-cussion be-forehand thatpolls indicated
a tight race. Polling for primariesis notorious for being inaccuratebecause with a typically light turn-out the universe of potential vot-ers is almost impossible to deter-mine. Former one-term U.S. Rep.Tom Perriello has a great deal tooffer and will hopefully stay on thescene for future opportunities. Al-though the term “establishment”was grossly over-used in describ-ing Ralph Northam, his service in
the state senateplus his active roleas lieutenant gov-ernor made himwell known andgreatly admiredthroughout thestate.
Justin Fairfax gained everyone’sadmiration after a primary loss toAttorney General Mark Herringfour years ago led to his activecampaigning during the interimtime making him well known forthis primary. He was also wellknown for his work as an attor-ney.
If you review the areas whereRalph Northam did well and com-pare them with where JustinFairfax was strongest, you createa strong statewide team that willbe nearly impossible to defeat.Attorney General Mark Herringwas not challenged in a primaryand will be on the ballot to suc-ceed himself in November. Thereis no one-term limitation with theattorney general and the lieuten-
ant governor as there is with thegovernor.
The greatest surprise of the pri-maries may have been on the Re-publican side to pick a candidatefor governor. Ed Gillespie who hasbeen mentioned for years as thenext Republican governor of Vir-ginia barely got through the pri-mary with a shockingly strongshowing by Corey Stewart who isknown for his anti-immigrant workin Prince William County and forcampaigning with a Confederateflag. He has the distinction of be-ing so over the top that he was firedby the Trump campaign. Turnoutwas especially low in the Republi-can primary, and Stewart was justover a percentage point in takingout Gillespie. It will be interestingto see if the folks who voted forStewart will vote in the generalelection or decide to stay home.
The Republican primary for lieu-tenant governor was a slug-festbetween two state senators withJill Vogel winning after a mud-slinging campaign that left neither
candidate looking good.All 100 seats for the House of
Delegates are up for election thisfall with a record number of con-tested elections. Historically it hasbeen difficult to recruit candidatesto run for the House of Delegates,but events of the past year havebrought forth more candidatesthan ever before. There was arecord number 27 seats where thecandidates were determined bythe primary because there was somuch interest in running. Demo-crats will certainly pick up seatsin the House of Delegates gettingcloser to shifting or sharing powerin that legislative body.
While I am uncontested in myrace for the House of Delegates youcan still expect to see me cam-paigning. It is a good way to stayin touch with constituents and toincrease turn-out for the statewideelections. Expect a busy fall of cam-paigning leading up to the fall elec-tions in Virginia that will send asignal to the nation as to thepublic’s reaction to national events.
November General Elections
Commentary
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News
Shahed Mohamed, 15, of Reston, Nabra’s close friend,embraces Mohmoud Hassanen, Nabra’s father, when hearrives at the plaza for the vigil.
From Page 3
‘Gathering of Love’At Lake Anne
The display brought smiles topassersby who joined in and in-scribed hopeful messages withinthe paper wings.
“We were thinking of differentways to remember Nabra and tohave everybody have a way to con-tribute to that,” Syeed said. “So,we were thinking about whatsomeone’s young life means andit does mean a hope for peace.”
Panthea Mohtasham of McLeancrafted a paper dove and carefullyhung it onto a strand of string.
“She’s going to be very muchmissed,” Mohtasham said. “Theamount of love pouring out ofhere, you know Nabra was a greatperson.”
JusticeFor Nabra
Since Darwin Martinez Torres,22, was arrested and charged withkilling Hassanen, more informa-tion about the murder investiga-tion has been shared with the pub-lic.
The U.S. Immigration and Cus-toms Enforcement agency, an armof the U.S. Department of Home-land Security, lodged a detainerrequest on Torres, who is a citizenof El Salvador who was living inSterling without legal permission,according to Carissa Cutrell, aspokesperson for the agency.
ICE lodges detainers on peopleliving in the country without legal
permission who have been ar-rested on local criminal chargeswhen the agency has probablecause to deport them, accordingto Cutrell.
Torres had no prior encounterswith ICE, according to Cutrell.
Despite the federal agencies de-sire to deport Torres, the FairfaxCounty Police Department an-nounced that it will continue tolead the murder investigation. Pre-viously, the department was un-sure whether it or the LoudounCounty Sheriff’s Office would trythe criminal case because assaultswere committed against Hassanenin both Fairfax and Loudoun coun-ties, according to the police.
Though the ICE detainer requestwas sent to the Fairfax CountyAdult Detention Center whereTorres is being held without bailon June 19, according to Cutrell,the FCPD said in a blog post thatwas published on June 20 that itwould “continue to work along-side the Fairfax CountyCommonwealth’s Attorney” as thecriminal case moves forward.
In the meantime, a nationwide#JusticeForNabra movement hastrended on social media and mani-fested in vigils across the country.Those participating are demand-ing Torres get the harshest pun-ishment and that the country re-spond to the tragic incident bybanding together instead of divid-ing into hateful factions, manycalling for the murder to be el-evated to a bias-related crime.
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Send entertainment announcements towww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calen-dar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGJazz in the City Exhibit. Various
times at ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center St., Herndon. Kristine Kellerand Robert Gilbert paint with aninterest in New York. Call 703-956-9560 or visit artspaceherndon.com.
Art Exhibition. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. throughJune 29 at U. S. Geological Survey,12201 Sunrise Valley Drive. Exhibit“H. K. Anne Presents The AmericanLandscape,” will be on exhibit at theUSGS National Center is a public
building, parking is available in thevisitor’s lot outside the visitor’sentrance. Photo ID is required toenter. Visit HKAnneFineArt.com.
Lake Anne Exhibit. Through July 2 atthe Reston Community Center atLake Anne, 1609 Washington PlazaN. Exhibit features work by membersof the Reston Photographic Society.Visit www.leagueofrestonartists.org/rps or call 703-476-4500.
Cardboard Boat Regatta.Registration now open for race onAug. 12, 2-6 p.m. at Lake Anna,Reston. Participating teams of allages will construct and decorate theirown life-size cardboard boats. Formore information or to register ateam, visit www.restonmuseum.org/
cardboard. Team sponsorships beginat $100 for adults and families or$40 for students (ages 10-18 years ofage). email [email protected] call 703-709-7700.
DEADLINE JUNE 30Call for Artists. at the US Geological
Survey, National Gallery, 12201Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Eligibleworks are paintings, mixed media,and two-dimensional works suitablefor wall hanging (no photography).The exhibit will be on display fromJuly 3-28. Artwork that reflectsUSGS’s environmental mission isencouraged. Enter works herewww.leagueofrestonartists.org.
EntertainmentClassifiedTo Advertise in This Paper, Call by Monday 11:00 am 703-778-9411
Admitting ClerkMedical Records PositionMclean Surgery Center is looking for a
positive, hardworking individual who can work well in a team environment. We are a small
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possess excellent customer service skills, experience working within a medical/health
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Employment
Reston Connection ❖ June 28 - July 4, 2017 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
SATURDAY/JULY 1Independence Day Celebration. 10 a.m. at
Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive,Reston. Water Mine opens 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; boatrentals open 1:30-2:30 p.m.; puppet show 3–9:15 p.m.; live music 9:15 p.m. (approximately)Fireworks show $10/car. Food vendors will setup near the park main office. Campgrounds areavailable for an overnight stay. Reservationsrecommended, call 703-471-5415.
Deanna Bogart Band Concert. 7:30-10 p.m. atReston Town Center, 11900 Market St. A nightof dancing to the jump blues of this pianist/saxophonist/vocalist. Call 703-912-4062 or visitwww.restontowncenter.com/concerts for more.
MONDAY/JULY 3Mr. Knick Knack Performs. 10:30-11:15 a.m. in
the pavilion at the Reston Town Center, RestonTown Center, 11900 Market St. Music for thechildren, part of musical Mondays program. Call703-912-4062 or visit restontowncenter.com.
TUESDAY/JULY 4Firecracker 5K. 8-10 a.m. Reston Town Center,
Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St. Livemusic and American flags while rooting for therunners in the “Battle of the Branches”competition. Call 703-912-4062 or visitwww.restontowncenter.com for more.
Herndon Independence Day Celebration.6:30-9:30 p.m. in Bready Park at the HerndonCommunity Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Family-fun event featuring games, patriotic arts andcraft activities, live music, family games, bingo,food, balloon artists and more. Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation/special-events/4th-of-july.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 5Blue Sky Puppet Theater. 10-11 a.m. at the
Visitor Center Pavilion 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. Wednesday Morning Children’s Series.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov
THURSDAY/JULY 6The Annandale Brass (American Popular
SATURDAY/JULY 8Lake Anne Roots Music Festival. noon-8 p.m.
at Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront), 1609Washington Plaza, Reston. Bands includeCatchin Toads, noon; Old Town Traditions, 1p.m.; Snakehead Run Jug Band, 2 p.m.; SplitString Soup, 3 p.m.; Eli Pafumi, 4 p.m.; TheWoodshedders, 5 p.m.. Visitwww.lakeanneplaza.com for more.
Summer Movie Series. 2 p.m. at RestonRegional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.A musical about a Harlem schoolteacher,Dorothy. When she tries to save her dog from astorm, she’s whisked away to an urban fantasyland called Oz. Free. Call 703-689-2700.
8:30 p.m. at Kidwell Farm, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. Thursday Evening Concert Series.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
FRIDAY/JULY 14Mac and Cheese Night. 6:30-9 p.m. at The Lake
House, 11450 Baron Cameron Ave., Reston. July14 is National Mac and Cheese Day and TheLake House is celebrating with a macaroni craft,noodle games, and food. $15 in advance, $20 atthe door. Email [email protected] or call 703-435-7995 for more.
SUNDAY/JULY 16Le Hotclub de Biglic Concert. 4-6 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon.Gypsy Jazz style of music. Call 703-956-9560 orvisit www.artspaceherndon.com for more.
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The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Four weeks out of every five, it appears asif I don’t have cancer. Fortunately, I don’t lookthe part. Nor do I act the part – in my opin-ion. However, there is one week out of everyfive when I most definitely feel the part: theweek after my chemotherapy infusion, wheneating is a particular challenge. The look, feel,taste and thought of food and/or drink isnearly impossible to swallow – literally andfiguratively. And though I’m not in any painduring this post-chemotherapy weak, I amcompromised nonetheless.
Friends and family who are familiar withmy “normal” eating habits (I’d order off thechildren’s menu if I could) have joked thatsince I’m unable to eat any of the usual andcustomary Kenny selections, perhaps I shouldtry eating foods that I would never select:Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, tuna fish in a can,fresh fish on a platter, all condiments otherthan mayonnaise, all legumes and a millionother foods that you probably love. Plain andboring is how I roll (a potato roll is my prefer-ence), repeatedly.
The problem is that when I’m post chemo,nothing satiates: salty, sweet or “snacky;” hot,cold or medium; fast or slow; store-bought,home-made or restaurant-ready. It’s allmerely a variation on a theme where myback stiffens, my head tilts back and downand my eating mind says “no.” It’s been thisway for about two and a half years now. Andthough I don’t look the least bit undernour-ished, I am overwhelmed by these week-longpost-chemotherapy eating fits and non-starts.
Naturally I have discussed this side effectwith my oncologist. When asked how longthis situation lasts, my seven-ish day struggleseems about average, according to my doctor,maybe even slightly shorter than some otherpatients he treats who are infused with thesame chemotherapy drug as I am. Apparently,there are other patients where the eatingchallenges last even longer than mine. Andsince there’s nothing to be prescribed/rec-ommended to affect this eating problem/lackof outcome, all I can do is live with the con-sequences of my treatment. Live being theoperative word. So unless I stop treatment,this eating challenge will persist, presumably.(Although, there’s scant clinical informationregarding side effects on stage IV, non-smallcell lung cancer patients still living after eightyears and four months as we’re a patientpopulation that doesn’t much exist. We’re notexactly unicorns, but neither are we ponies atthe Fair.)
Fairness – and normalcy for me was offi-cially gone on Feb. 27, 2009, the date of mydiagnosis and the initial Team Lourie meetingwith my oncologist. But so what. As of thatdate, my perspective/orientation becameabout living forward, not recriminating back-ward. Sure, the present was important, butthe future was more important, and the past,well, it had passed. No more could I afford toconsider who, what, where, when, why andhow I ended up in this predicament. My goalwas to remain positive, take the bad withgood, survive until the next drug approval bythe FDA (of which there have been half adozen in the last two years specifically for thetreatment of lung cancer) and try not toimpose my problems on anyone else.
Which I believe I’ve succeeded in doing.Oh sure, I’ve imposed myself on you regularreaders, but what I’ve imposed on you havebeen my experiences. Considering the con-text, I’d like to think I’ve shared, not self-indulged. Moreover, I’d like to think we’re allbetter off for the ‘experience.’ I know I am.
Infusing isRarelyAmusing
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ June 28 - July 4, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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FRIDAY/JUNE 30Independence Fireworks. 6-9:45
p.m. at George Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Fireworks withMansion Tour: $34 for adults; $24for youth; No Mansion Tour: $30 foradults; $20 for youth. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.
SATURDAY/JULY 1Fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park. 10
a.m.-10 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park,1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. TheWater Mine Park, boat rentals, livemusic, food, puppet show, campingand fireworks. $10 per car. The raindate is Sunday, July 2. Call 703-471-5414 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/.
Workhouse Arts Center Festivities.5-9:30 p.m. at The Workhouse, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. $20. Golfcourse lecture, hole-in-one challenge,fireworks. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.
Independence Fireworks. 6-9:45p.m. at George Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Fireworks withMansion Tour: $34 for adults; $24for youth; No Mansion Tour: $30 foradults; $20 for youth. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.
MONDAY/JULY 3History Day Tours. Tours at 11 a.m.
through 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site,3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly.Test your knowledge of U.S. historyat Sully Historic Site with politicaltrivia, games and fun facts. $7 foradults, $6 for students, and $5 forseniors and children. Call 703-437-1794 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
TUESDAY/JULY 4Firecracker 5K. 8-10 a.m. Reston
Town Center, Reston Town Center,11900 Market St. Live music andAmerican flags while rooting for therunners in the “Battle of theBranches” competition. Call 703-912-4062 or visit restontowncenter.com.
Autism Speaks 5K. 8 a.m. at PotomacLibrary, 10101 Glenolden Drive,Potomac, Md. Fundraiser for autism.Registration, packet pick up at 6:30a.m. Call 202-955-3111 or [email protected].
Great Falls HometownCelebration. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at atGreat Falls Village Centre, 776Walker Road, Great Falls. Great Falls5K Walk/Run starts at 8 a.m. andthen view the floats, antique cars,
horses and the bike brigade in the4th of July Parade at 10 a.m. Afterthe parade, food, music, field gamesand festivities on the Village CentreGreen. At 6 p.m., the gates open atTurner Farm Park featuring music,games, contests and food trucks untilthe Fireworks Show gets underwayjust after dusk. Visitwww.celebrategreatfalls.org.
Mount Vernon Independence Day.9 a.m.-5 p.m. at George Washington’sMount Vernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Troop inspection,wreath laying, citizen naturalization,music, fireworks and cake. Call 703-780-2000 or visitwww.mountvernon.org.
Fairfax Independence Day Parade.10 a.m. On Main Street in downtownFairfax. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/about-us/special-events/independence-day-celebration.
City of Fairfax Evening Show. 5:30p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501Rebel Run. Children’s activities(inflatables, face painting, andballoon artists), Oon-stageentertainment with a fireworksdisplay that follows. The rain date forthe fireworks only is July 5. Itemsthat may puncture the synthetic turf,smoking, alcohol and animals (exceptservice animals) are not permitted onthe football field. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7855.
Fairfax Station Holiday CraftsDay. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road in Fairfax Station.Crafts will highlight the holiday andthe railroads. Museum members andages 4 and under, free; ages 5-15,$2; ages 16 and older, $4. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org, or call 703-425-9225.
Great Falls Fireworks. 6 p.m. atChrist the King Lutheran Church,10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.As part of the Village of Great FallsIndependence Day celebration, Christthe King Lutheran Church invitesmembers, friends, and members ofthe community to gather on thechurch’s front lawn to enjoy thefireworks from this premium vantagepoint. Visit www.gflutheran.org orcall 703-759-6068.
Arlington Independence Day. 5-10p.m. at the Long Bridge Park, 475Long Bridge Drive, Arlington. Family-friendly activities including livemusic, food vendors, games, and aview of the Washington, D.C.,fireworks display. Games andactivities will include face painting,balloon art, moon bounces (weatherpermitting), cornhole, bocce, andmore. No on-site parking at theevent. Free event shuttles will runcontinuously from 4:30-10:30 p.m.between Long Bridge Park and the
Pentagon City and Crystal City Metrostations. Free. Visitparks.arlingtonva.us/july-4th/.
Vienna July 4 Festival andFireworks. 6:30 p.m. at at YeonasPark, 1319 Ross Drive SW, Vienna.Food available from the Vienna LittleLeague snack bar, those who registercan get their taste of America in theform of two eating contests: Childrenages 5-10 can sign up onsite toparticipate in a pie-eating contest.Adults can give their chomping skillsa try in Vienna’s second annual hotdog-eating contest. Visitviennava.gov or call 703-255-6360.
McLean Independence Day. 6:30p.m. at Churchill Road ElementarySchool, 7100 Churchill Road,McLean. Musical entertainment by alocal disc jockey, as well as foodtrucks selling a variety of entrees andsnacks. Off-site parking and shuttlesavailable. Admission is free. In caseof inclement weather, the fireworksshow will be presented at 8 p.m. onthe rain date, Wednesday, July 5.Call 703-790-0123, or visitwww.mcleancenter.org.
Herndon Independence DayCelebration. 6:30-9:30 p.m. inBready Park at the HerndonCommunity Center, 814 FerndaleAve. Family-fun event featuringgames, patriotic arts and craftactivities, live music, family games,
bingo, food, balloon artists and more.Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation/special-events/4th-of-july.
Falls Church Celebration. 7-10 p.m.at George Mason High School, 7124Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Livemusic. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/.
Montgomery County Sparkles. 7:30p.m., Albert Einstein High School,11135 Newport Mill Road,Kensington. Montgomery Countycelebrates Independence Day withlive music featuring Gringo Jingo.Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m. Shuttlebus at Westfield Wheaton NorthBuilding. Handicap parking onlyavailable at Einstein High School.Food vendors on site. Raindate isJuly 5 for fireworks only. Call 240-777-0311.
Free Sober Rides. Tuesday, July 4, 7p.m. through Wednesday, July 5, 2a.m. Area residents, 21 and older,may download Lyft to their phones,then enter the code SOBERJULY4 inthe app’s “Promo” section to receive ano cost (up to $15) safe ride home.The SoberRide code is valid for thefirst 1,500 Lyft users who enter thecode. Visit www.soberride.com.
THURSDAY/JULY 6Patriotic Music. 1-2 p.m. at Holiday
Park Senior Center, 3950 FerraraDrive, Wheaton. $2 or free forresidents. Visit www.holidaypark.us/.
Summer Under the Stars Concert.8 p.m. Veterans Amphitheater(adjacent to City Hall), 10455Armstrong Street, Fairfax. MainStreet Community Band. Visitfairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7855.
SATURDAY/JULY 8USA/Alexandria Birthday
Celebration. 5-10 p.m. at OronocoBay Park, 100 Madison St. Event tocelebrate the 241st birthday of theUSA and the 268th birthday of theCity of Alexandria, featuringentertainment, cannon salute duringthe 1812 Overture, food andbeverage sales, and fireworks at9:30. Call 703-746-5592 or visitwww.visitalexandriava.com/alx-bday/.
Riverfront Fundraiser. 7:30-10:30p.m. Del. Mark Levine’s house, at 805Rivergate Place, Alexandria.Refreshments include “impeachmentpunch,” “Orange Russians,” wine andbeer, soft drinks, and food. And greatviews of the fireworks which begin at9:30 p.m.
Come early to get a good lawn seat orcome later after the festivities nextdoor at Oronoco Park.
A Week of Area Independence Day Celebrations
Celebrate Independence Day at 144 MapleAve. E., Vienna. Food, water games, pieeating contest and more. Visitwww.viennava.gov or call 703-255-6360.
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People capture the firework display oncell phones and cameras during the 2016celebration of Alexandria’s birthday.
