online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Opinion, Page 8 ❖ Entertainment, Page 10 ❖ Sports, Page 16 ❖ Classifieds, Page 18 December 7-13, 2016 Photo by Fallon Forbush/The Connection Great Falls Great Falls ‘Unguarded’ at Langley High News, Page 12 Preventing Underage Drinking During the Holidays Wellbeing, Page 14 Great Falls Lights Up For Christmas News, Page 3 Great Falls Lights Up For Christmas News, Page 3 Inside Holiday Entertainment Holiday Entertainment Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to the Great Falls Village Centre for the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Sunday and wave to the crowd that gathered around the Christmas Tree.
Transcript
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
Opinio
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Entertainm
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December 7-13, 2016
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Great FallsGreat Falls
‘Unguarded’ at Langley HighNews, Page 12
Preventing UnderageDrinking During the HolidaysWellbeing, Page 14
Great Falls Lights UpFor Christmas
News, Page 3
Great Falls Lights UpFor Christmas
News, Page 3
Inside
Holiday
Entertainment
Holiday
Entertainment
Santa and Mrs. Clausarrive to the Great
Falls Village Centre forthe community’s
annual Christmas treelighting on Sunday
and wave to the crowdthat gathered around
the Christmas Tree.
2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Hundreds of people assembledin the field of the Great FallsVillage Centre for thecommunity’s annual Christ-
mas tree lighting on Sunday.Kids were busy during the three-hour
event.Children’s choral groups sang seasonal
songs in front of the tree as they waited forSanta and Mrs. Claus to arrive.
“I love how universal it is,” says PatBudwig, who owns Starshine Theater inGreat Falls. “It includes everyone.”
She has been attending the celebrationfor the last 25 years and played guitar forthe performance by the King’s Kids Pre-school of Christ the King Lutheran Church.They sang “Twinkle, Twinkle ChristmasStar,” “Angel Band,” “We Wish You A MerryChristmas,” and an original song, “HappyBirthday Baby Jesus.”
Students of the St. Francis Creche of theSt. Francis Episcopal Church, the VillageGreen Day School, the Forestville ElementarySchool, the Great Falls Elementary School andthe Colvin Run Elementary School also per-formed in front of the Christmas tree.
When children weren’t singing, they weregetting up in close with llamas, alpacas,goats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks,chickens and other animals at a petting zooput on by Squeals on Wheels.
“We like the way the town of Great Fallskicks off the season,” says Jill Phillips, whoowns the petting zoo business with her hus-band John. “It’s very family-oriented andwe look forward to it.”
Great Falls LightsUp for Christmas
Brooke Barlow, 2, is helped onto amixed-breed Shetland pony byemployees of Ponies Plus duringthe Celebration of Lights. Theponies—Lucky, Jelly Bean, Beautyand Boots—were driven in fromNokesville for the event.
Santa and Mrs. Claus lit the Christ-mas Tree in white lights, whichstands in the field of the GreatFalls Village Centre.
For the fourth year in a row, TraceyWhysong of Ponies Plus brought her mixed-breed Shetland ponies from Nokesville forchildren to ride. This year children couldchoose between ponies named Lucky, JellyBean, Beauty and Boots.
“I bet we do over 100 rides in just a fewhours,” Whysong says.
By nightfall, Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrivedby antique fire truck to light the tree. Chil-dren and parents who were waiting in longlines could meet with them to talk abouttheir wish lists and to take photos.
The celebration ended with a live nativ-ity scene put on by an all-female cast of stu-dents of the Black Hill Stables in Great Falls.Sarah Kirk, owner of the Saddlery in GreatFalls, also played the role of Joseph.
This is the way the celebration has fin-ished for the last 16 years, says MargaretJohnson, who used to run the Great FallsHorse Center.
“I’m a Christian and Christmas means wecelebrate the birth of Christ,” says Johnson.“I was brave and approached [organizers]about the celebration and said, ‘It’s Christ-mas, let’s have a nativity pageant.’”
Now that Johnson is retired, Claire Abbottof Great Falls organizes the celebration’sfinale. She has had a lot of practice sinceshe has been involved in the pageant un-der Johnson’s leadership for many years,even playing the role of Mary.
“It’s a Christmas gift to the community,”Abbott says.
But Johnson still played a part in the tra-dition that she started by narrating the pag-eant from behind the scenes.
Students of the St. Francis Creche, an Episcopal preschool at St. FrancisEpiscopal Church in Great Falls, sing in front of the Christmas Tree asthey wait for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive.
Sarah Kirk, owner of the Saddlery in Great Falls (left), her donkey Pixeyand Joyce Kilmer Middle School student Anabela Eriksen-Brottet, 12(right), portray Joseph and Mary during the live nativity scene whenthey make their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in Jerusalem.
Great Falls Elementary School students sing in the light of theChristmas tree.
Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection
4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Great Falls Historical Society toHost Holiday Gathering
The Great Falls Historical Society is inviting the community tojoin their Holiday Gathering, a neighborly celebration and pot-luck dinner, on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the GreatFalls Grange Hall at 9818 Georgetown Pike.
Call for Nominations for theJean Tibbetts History Award
The Jean Tibbetts History Award honors outstanding contribu-tors to the research, articulation, dissemination and preservationof the history of life along the Potomac River corridor from McLeanto west of Dranesville and south through Herndon. Candidatesfor the Jean Tibbetts History Award are selected from annual nomi-nations to the Great Falls Historical Society and the award car-ries a stipend of $200. The awardees name is placed on the GreatFalls Historians plaque, displayed in the Great Falls Library. Nomi-nations should include a brief resume of the nominee; a listing ofsignificant achievements, such as leading publications, notewor-thy accomplishments; and a summary of the significance of thenominee’s overall record of contributions. Deadline for submis-sion for the 2017 award is Dec. 15, 2016. Mail nominations, withcomplete documentation to GFHS History Award Committee, P.O.Box 56, Great Falls, VA 22066 or by email to Greg Haymans, Chair,Tibbetts History Award Selection Committee,[email protected]. Jean Tibbetts herself was a writer of GreatFalls history, who recognized and displayed excellence in histori-cal research. The Great Falls Historical Society is proud to com-memorate her memory with this award and appreciates commu-nity support. Donations may be made to: Great Falls HistoricalSociety, Attention: Treasurer, P.O. Box 56, Great Falls, VA 22066.
Week in Great FallsNews
The Eagle Scout must demonstrate leadership ofothers while performing a project for the benefit ofhis community. Troop 55 Boy Scouts Tim Fahlgrenand Nick Hodge both found unique ways to servethe Great Falls community, use valuable scout skills,and provide opportunity for other scouts to make adifference.
Fahlgren, a Junior at the Potomac School inMcLean, learned that the trophy case at Great FallsSwim and Tennis was too small to display the ac-complishments of the Club. Fahlgren designed andled the construction of a new display case. Fahlgrenwas able to utilize the existing trophy case, and buildtwo larger symmetrical cases to accompany it. Thefinal project, completed with the woodworking ex-perience and assistance of Dr. Carlton Brown, andmanpower from Troop 55 scouts, tripled the size ofthe display area for trophies and memorabilia.
Hodge, a sophomore at Langley High School, chosea project to help the preschool at Christ the KingLutheran Church in Great Falls. King’s Kids Preschooldirector Heidi Toloczko was concerned that the pathleading from the school to the playground was some-times difficult for preschoolers to navigate, especiallywhen raining. Hodge worked with the Property Chair,Tom Cooper, to design a series of terraced steps andled more than twenty Boy Scouts in the constructionof a new path.
Troop 55 Life ScoutsImprove Their CommunityOn Their Way To Eagle
Troop 55 Scouts JP Diaz, James Ye, ArvindNachiappan, Gordon Rissing and PatrickFouse work on the terraced steps at Christthe King Lutheran Church, Great Falls.
Tim Fahlgren presents the keys for thenewly installed display cases to Rob Cox,Board member of Great Falls Swim andTennis.
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Langley High School Varsityrower Erin Pierce commits torow for Division 1 SouthernMethodist University in Dal-
las, Texas. Pierce will attend SMU on afull athletic scholarship.
Jenna Rosen has committed to theUniversity of Southern California’swomen’s rowing team as a coxswainstarting in the fall of 2017. Both ath-letes signed their Letters of Intent in aceremony at Langley High School onNov. 10.
Pierce was in the 2015 Virginia StateChampion J8+, placing 10th at theScholastic Rowing Association ofAmerica’s National Championship Re-gatta. In the off-season, she rows forResilient Rowing Club out of Occoquan,Va., competing in nationally recognizedregattas such as the Head of the Charles andUSRowing Club Nationals. She is excited to beginher studies in Biology and Russian at SMU, and can’twait to be a member of the Mustang Rowing Team.
Rosen has had success at the high school and clublevel, coxing her high school JR8+ to a win at theVA State Championships, and twice to semifinals atthe SRAA National and Stotesbury Regattas. Withthe highly competitive TBC Racing club team Rosen
Langley Crew AthletesCommitted to Row in College
Photo contributed
Erin Pierce (left) and Jenna Rosen with Julie Sutliff,Women’s Head Coach for Langley Crew.
has won 2 Silver medals at Club Nationals, and mul-tiple wins at regional regattas. She also coxed herTBC Racing boats to 2nd and 3rd place finishes atthe Canadian Henley Regatta, and this fall she coxedthe women’s 1st 8+ at the Head of the Charles.Rosen is a member of the National Honor Societyand has been recognized as a National Merit Com-mended Scholar.
Rosen is very excited to join the Women of Troy.
6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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RESTON • 1480 North Point Village • 703-733-3860
WORLD’S BEST S INCE 1957
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With Christmas just around the corner,now is the time to start thinkingabout how to get those holiday giftsto their destinations securely and on-
time. It does no good to shop till you drop and thenpack out of whack. And whether it’s a child’s firsttrain set or a 17-foot kayak, trained professionals atThe UPS Store in Great Falls Center are prepared tohelp consumers with all their packing and shippingneeds.
The experts at The UPS Store™ in Great Falls Cen-
ter never tire of helping customers understand thatproper packing is the best way to ensure the safeand secure delivery of packages. A recent study com-missioned by The UPS Store revealed that more thanhalf (51 percent) of Americans make the mistake ofpacking fragile gifts in crumpled newspaper or wrap-ping paper that doesn’t adequately protect items forshipping.
Packages need to be protected against three pri-mary factors: compression, shock and vibration, sayMarat Metoff and Marlon Barrera, Owners of TheUPS Store in Great Falls Center. The more fragile theitem, the more care and expertise is required to en-sure it arrives at its destination intact.
“The best recommendation we can give consum-ers this holiday season is to heed the advice of trainedprofessionals,” Metoff said. “If customers are uncer-tain about their packing skills, they might wait toseal their boxes until they arrive at our store. Thenwe can ensure everything’s appropriately packed. Thelast thing we want to see is a gift arriving damageddue to improper packaging.”
With that in mind, Barrera offers the following sixsimple guidelines to ensure safe delivery of packagesthis holiday season:
1. For the best value, ship as early as possible.Those who plan ahead can save money and avoid
The UPS Store in GreatFalls Center aims to makeshopping-to-shippingtransition easier.
Tips from the Pros MakeHoliday Shipping Simple
Holiday Working HoursBe sure to visit the folks at The UPS Store in Great Falls
Center, 9893 Georgetown Pike, for any additional holidaypacking and shipping information. You may also visit themat www.theupsstorelocal.com/6725. And, don’t forget -AAA members receive 5 percent off shipping. BeginningMonday, Dec. 12 The UPS Store in Great Falls Center willoffer extended Holiday Hours - Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. –8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.
News
Photo contributed
Joe Kehrli, 17, of Great Falls has been recognized by co-owners as UPS Store in Great Falls “best associate.”See Holiday Shipping, Page 7
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
& Film Art Galleryat&t WirelessbluemercuryBow Tie CinemasCharles SchwabChico’sCigar TownCrunch FitnessDavelle ClothiersEyewear GalleryFrancesca’s CollectionsGreater Reston Arts CenterHyatt Regency RestonIce Skating Pavilion
(seasonal)Jos. A. Banks ClothiersJouvence AvedaKendra ScottL’OccitaneLou LouMadewellMayflowersMidtown JewelersOriginsPNC BankPotomac River RunningPottery BarnPR at PartnersPR BarbersPrime CleanersSouth Moon UnderTalbotsVictoria’s SecretWells FargoWhite House Black MarketWilliams-SonomaThe Wise Investor Group
DINE!American Tap RoomBen & Jerry’sBig BowlBRB: Be Right BurgerBusara Thai RestaurantChipotle Mexican GrillThe CounterEdibles Incredible!Il FornaioM&S GrillNeylaObi SushiPotbelly Sandwich WorksTasting Room WineBar & ShopTavern64Ted’s BulletinUncle Julio’sWorld of Beer
...and much more!
RESTON TOWN CENTER
HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!Community Holiday PerformancesFOUNTAIN SQUAREDecember 8 Fairfax Christian School, 12:30 pm9 Oak Hill 6th Grade Chorus, 7 pm14 Sunrise Valley Elementary School Chorus, 6:30 pm15 Apostolic Faith Church, 7 pm 16 KISD Honor Choir, 5:30 pm17 Calvary Temple Church, 12 pm
THE PROMENADEDecember 10 The Reston Chorale, 1 pm & 2 pm
Northern Virginia Ukulele Society, 3:30 pm11 Northern Virginia Ukulele Society, 12 pm
The Reston Chorale, 2 pm & 3 pm17 Tenor Tim McKee, 12 pm & 1 pm
Mini-Train RidesSUNDAYS, December 11 & 18, 12 - 4 pm
All proceeds from rides benefit local charities
Reston Town Center Ice Skating PavilionNovember until MarchOpen daily; extended hours on holidays
College Night Skate on ThursdaysRock N Skate on FridaysCartoon Skate on Saturdays
See more at restontowncenter.com/events
From Page 6
the stress of shipping holiday gifts at thelast minute by using UPS Ground and ship-ping by Dec. 10. Procrastinators can shipUPS as late as Dec. 22 for Christmas Evedelivery.
2. Don’t dumpster dive for old boxes.Contrary to popular belief corrugated boxesdo not have 9 lives. Used boxes can breakapart in shipping, and leftover shipping la-bels can create confusion about a package’sdestination. Always use a new corrugatedbox to ship gifts and never wrap the outerbox in kraft paper or string, which can po-tentially get caught in the package sortingequipment and rip off the shipping label.
3. Pack like a pro. For die hard do-it-yourselfers, we have all the proper packag-ing materials for your convenience. Useappropriate packaging techniques and ma-terials, such as bubble cushioning, polysty-rene “peanuts,” corrugated dividers or plas-tic foam, to provide proper cushioning andinternal protection. Be sure to provide atleast two inches of packing materials on allsides of each item, use proper tape to sealthe package and give it the “shaker proof”test, no noises when vigorously shaking thebox. Better yet...
4. Leave it to the experts. The UPS Storeassociates receive specialized training sothey can handle any packing challenge. Weknow every technique to pack your precious
gifts, saving you time and effort.5. Shipping to home or office or their
nearest The UPS Store? We live in a worldwhere there are fewer and fewer folks whostay at home during the day. If you knowsomeone who works during the day, youmay want to consider sending your gift tothem at work, rather than to a home ad-dress — 99 percent of deliveries made tooffices are successful on the first deliveryattempt. Also consider taking advantage ofour mailbox services at The UPS Store,where we accept mail and packages fromany carrier. We even offer 24-hour mailboxaccess and you can call in to find out if apackage has arrived.
6. Track your package. Choose a shippingoption, like UPS, that provides a packagetracking number. Tracking also lets younotify recipients when to expect a deliveryand affords you peace of mind that yourpackage will arrive on time. You can alwaystrack your shipments online atwww.theupsstore.com, by calling 1-800-PICK-UPS or via wireless access atUPS.com/wireless.
The best protection for your package isproper packing, but UPS provides automaticprotection against loss or damage up to$100. However, it is important to note thisprotection does not extend to improper orinsufficient packing.
For additional information, please visitwww.theupsstore.com
Amy, Tim and TimmySteigleman wanted to sharetheir Patriotic Family Christ-mas Tree that they have
decorated in their front yard at 849 Sen-eca Road in Great Falls.
“My husband and I love to drivearound the neighborhoods this time ofyear and look at everyone’s Christmaslights, but we’ve never seen any red whiteand blue displays. We have decorated ourindoor tree with red, white and bluelights for the last 3 years, and we decidedwe wanted to take it outdoors and shareit with the neighbors. All of whom wouldsee it as they drive by daily, since we areon a main road. Our tree is 45 feet talland has over 7,000 lights .
We had to rent a huge man lift for thecompany to use to hang the lights and ittook them 7 1/2 hours.
We are so proud of our Patriotic Christ-mas Tree and just wanted to share it withthe Great Falls community residents,”said Amy Steigleman.
The Steiglemanfamily of Great Fallsshares their PatrioticChristmas Tree withthe community.
Colors of Pride
Patriotic Christmas Tree at 849Seneca Road in Great Falls is 45feet tall and has over 7,000 lights.
Photo contributed
News
Holiday Shipping
8 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
The National Conference of
State Legislatures sponsors a“Legislators Back to School Day” each
year as a way to promote the idea that morelegislators should visit their local schools tosee the good work they are doing as well as tounderstand the challenges that school admin-istrators and teachers face. I take advantageof that opportunity and other times I am in-vited to visit schools in my district and some-times to visit schools in other areas to learnabout special programs. For me the visits arevery positive experiences. I continue to be im-pressed with the outstanding work that ourschools are doing especially considering thethousands of children—more than 180,000 inFairfax County—they have to educate. Ensur-ing that every child reaches his or her full po-tential is a continual challenge, but I find ad-ministrators and teachers at every level work-ing earnestly and diligently to make sure ithappens. The children in our community areamazing! They are for the most part eagerlearners who are full of questions and curios-ity. And they are good citizens.
One question that I get from children that
may be a curiosity of some adults aswell is just what is a delegate. I dis-cuss with the students the meaningof “to be delegate” and explain that Iam given a delegation of responsibil-ity by the voters of my district to goto the state capitol each year to rep-resent their interests. In most states and at thefederal level, members of one house of the leg-islature are called representatives; they repre-sent their constituents in the legislature justas I am delegated to do by the people who livein my legislative district.
Their follow-up question is a key one thatmust be answered appropriately if our repre-sentative form of government or republic is tobe successful: How do I know the interests ofmy constituents? I give several explanations.My term of office is for two years. When I standfor re-election every two years I tell the votersin my district what I stand for and believe in.Their vote for me is an affirmation that I standfor the kind of things that they want in theirgovernment. If I do not represent the interestsof my voters, they have an opportunity everytwo years to take back the delegation of re-sponsibility they have given to me and give itto someone else.
Secondly, I know many of the interests of
my constituents because I am out andabout in the community all the time.I listen to a lot of people. I encouragepeople to call or write to me. I try tostay very active in the community tounderstand my constituents and theirneeds. I encourage people to respond
to my annual constituent survey which you cando at www.kenplum.com. Along with SenatorJanet Howell I hold public meetings; the nextone is Monday, Dec. 19, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., atthe Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.Please come and participate.
Being a delegate is supposed to be a part-time job in Virginia; for me it is a full-timejob and a half, but I am very honored tohave been entrusted with this delegationof responsibility.
To Be a Delegate Commentary
By Scott Surovell
State Senator (D-36)
Virginia is represented byDemocrats in all fivestatewide offices, hasvoted for a Democratic
president three times, yet the Vir-ginia House of Delegates has 66Republicans and 34 Democrats.
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heardarguments on the legality and constitutional-ity of the last redistricting of Virginia House ofDelegates’ districts. The court’s decision couldbe monumental for all Virginia voters.
If I could fix one thing to make our govern-ment work better at every level, I would re-form redistricting. Partisan redistricting abusehas been around since the beginning of Ameri-can democracy. The term “gerrymander” origi-nates from an 1812 attempt to draw districtsfavoring Massachusetts Gov. Eldridge Gerry. Tobe clear, both parties do it, but in the last twodecades, gerrymandering has become espe-cially powerful for a few reasons.
First, America is more partisan. Due to mul-tiple and growing sources of information avail-able in today’s world, voters are able to self-select their news sources and are exposed tofewer alternative perspectives. This has drivenup partisan identification and led to fewer vot-ers who are willing to split their votes betweenpolitical parties.
Second, and more importantly, computer-enabled mapping software has made it pos-sible to draw districts that are finely crafted.When redistricting was done with index cardsshifting precincts days because of ancillary ef-fects and the need to recalculate and balance
district populations.Today, computing technology
analyzes data by census block andin a few seconds can draw a com-prehensive set of districts to elect apredicted number from a specificpolitical party while maximizing
majority-minority districts.Over the last 30 years, these political con-
siderations have caused district lines to con-stantly shift. Many areas constantly move be-tween congressmen, senators and delegatesevery redistricting cycle. Changed lines leavepeople confused about their representatives.Census level analysis leaves precincts split re-quiring local governments to redraw precinctlines to avoid polling places with multiple bal-lots. This costs taxpayers money and leavesvoters confused about their polling place.
Resulting districts are not communities ofinterest. The 36th Senate district that I repre-sent stretches 60 miles across three countiesand two area codes. The 1st Congressional Dis-trict crosses the 36th District and stretches fromManassas to near Norfolk. Districts shouldminimize jurisdictional splits, use natural geo-graphical boundaries like rivers and be trulycompact and contiguous.
Together, this creates a series of hyper-par-tisan districts, both Republican and Demo-cratic, which are so safe in general electionsthat they incentivize incumbents to focus ongalvanizing primary voters’ support and notthe broader electorate. This distorts publicpolicy and increases partisanship when it istime to legislate.
There are two solutions to this problem. First,the legislature could give up redistrictingpower and transfer it to a bipartisan or non-partisan commission. Incumbent legislatorsshould not pick their voters. I have always sup-ported nonpartisan redistricting and the Vir-ginia State Senate has passed it several times,but it always dies in the hyper-gerrymanderedHouse of Delegates. A legislative solution ishighly unlikely.
The real opportunity to remedy this situa-tion lies in the courts. Some courts have thrownout hyper gerrymandered seats using VotingRights Act provisions. While valuable, this lawis not a comprehensive tool because it is lim-ited to preventing racial discrimination anddoes not address other problems with parti-san redistricting. A Wisconsin federal courtrecently used an analysis based on the 1st and14th Amendments to invalidate partisan redis-tricting by focusing on “wasted votes,” but didnot recommend a remedy.
Courts can often better resolve issues thatlegislatures cannot. For example, in 1962, nu-merous legislatures, including Virginia’s, re-fused to redraw districts recognizing the boom-ing suburban populations. The U.S. SupremeCourt required Virginia and other states todraw districts based on actual population byadopting the “one man, one vote” rule of theBaker v. Carr case.
Today, it is similarly time for the courts torestore democracy to our country and our com-monwealth. Hopefully, they will use the Vir-ginia House of Delegates case argued this weekto restore democracy to America.
It is an honor to serve as your state senator.If you have any feedback, you can always con-tact me at [email protected].
Court Should Overturn Partisan RedistrictingCommentary
Write The Connection welcomes views onany public issue. The deadline for all material is
noon Friday. Send to:
Letters to the EditorThe Connection
1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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On Labor Day in 2017,students at FairfaxCounty PublicSchools will have al-
ready returned to classes. In theirDec. 1 meeting, members of theschool board approved the 2017-2018 calendar which sets the firstday of school as Aug. 28, 2017 andthe last day as Friday, June 15,2018.
“These changes are being madeto provide more instructional timebefore winter break,” a statementfrom the school system said, “en-hanced flexibility to help studentsand school staff members meetcollege application deadlines, andto end the school year earlier inJune.”
Students will again see a solidtwo-week winter break that lastsfrom Dec. 18, 2017 to Jan.1, 2018,
School board approves 2017-2018calendar at Dec. 1 meeting
Fairfax County PublicSchools to Start BeforeLabor Day in 2017
Glasgow Middle School teacher Lindsay Mulcahy and sev-enth grade students at the Dec. 1 school board meeting.
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PS
and a one-week spring break fromMarch 26-30, 2018.
The change comes after theschool board learned FCPS wasqualified for a Virginia Depart-ment of Education waiver to startclasses before Labor Day due toweather conditions.
Over the last decade, the FCPSstatement said, the school systemhas had five years when therewere more than eight days can-celed due to snow.
FCPS said it received more than36,000 responses from a surveysent to all parents and staff onMarch 30, 2016 asking for feed-back on starting before Labor Day.
The new calendar is availableonline at https://www.fcps.edu/news-and-calendars/calendars-and-events/
Faith Notes are for announcements andevents in the faith community. Send [email protected] is Friday at noon.
Great Falls United MethodistChurch will be holding its annual Liv-ing Nativity on Dec.18. Three 20minute, one act plays of this gloriousevent will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 6p.m. Come listen to the story, sing somecarols, pet the animals, enjoy refresh-ments, and rekindle your joy forChristmas. 10100 Georgetown PikeGreat Falls www.greatfallsumc.org
Questions? Call 703-759-3705.
St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church atthe intersection of Lewinsville andBrook Roads in McLean, just a mile westof Tysons, invites you for a casual Sat-urday Service at 5 p.m., followed byconversation and fellowship or for Sun-
day Services at 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. Sun-day School for Youth and Children takesplace during the 10 a.m. Service. Lookfor our Pumpkin Patch this October, andcheck www.stthomasmcleanva.org forSpecial Events and Services through theyear. St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church,8991 Brook Road, McLean, 703-442-0330.
Church of the Holy Comforter,543 Beulah Road, NE, Vienna offers amonthly Healing Eucharist with the Lay-ing on of Hands and Anointing forHealing (first Sunday of the month, 5p.m. at St. Mary’s Chapel.. The HealingMinistry is led by the Rev. Valerie Hayesand Alexandra MacCracken and in-cludes a team of lay healers who havegone through intentional training andformation. Questions? Please contactthe Rev. Valerie Hayes [email protected].
Faith Notes
10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar
See Calendar, Page 11
Send announcements toconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.Deadline is Friday at noon for thefollowing week’s paper. Photos/artworkencouraged.
ONGOINGGreat Falls Farmers Market in the
parking lot at 778 Walker Road,Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thefarmers market moves indoors intothe historic Great Falls Grange Hall,9818 Georgetown Pike on Saturday,Dec. 10 for the winter. We wish youa happy Thanksgiving.
CHO Food, New Toy, and BikeDrive Nov. 1 - Dec. 31 at variouslocations around Vienna. Dish soap,canned fruit, chili, canned beef stew,diapers and wipes, canned salmon,Spam, tuna, tomato sauce, andlaundry detergent are in particularneed. CHO requests that no food beexpired.
Drop-off boxes are available at TownHall, 127 Center Street S; PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E;Bikes @ Vienna, 128 Church StreetNW; Caffe Amouri, 107 ChurchStreet NE; Doctors Covel, Stack, andHenon, 120 Beulah Road NE;Evolution Fitness, 216 DominionRoad NE; Rexall Drug Store, 150Maple Avenue W; Vienna ArtsCenter, 115 Pleasant Street NE.
Winter Walk of Lights atMeadowlark Botanical Gardensopen every day through Jan. 8, 2017.Open Thanksgiving, Christmas andNew Year’s, too. The walk of lightsruns daily from 5:30 - 10 p.m. Lasttickets sold at 9:30 p.m. This family-friendly six-week winter wonderlandof spectacle is only a few years oldbut has garnered a loyal followingfrom throughout the NorthernVirginia area, particularly Vienna andits environs. To buy timed ticketsonline: https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights
Great Falls Farmers Market.Saturdays, 9 - 1 p.m., 778 WalkerRoad Great Falls.greatfallsfarmersmarket.org
Fishing Rod Rentals 8700 PotomacHills Street, Great Falls. Rentalsavailable during visitor center hours.Fishing tackle and live bait areavailable for purchase. Reservationsrequired for group rentals. $6/rental(2hr max). Valid driver’s licenserequired. Our rod/reel combinationsare perfect for beginners andchildren. A Virginia or Marylandfreshwater fishing license is requiredfor persons 16 years or older. Thepark does not sell fishing licenses.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/
Great Falls Studios Virtual GalleryOpen online 24/7 at http://www.greatfallsstudios.com/copy-of-virtual-gallery for the month ofOctober. The gallery features themember artists participating in theGreat Falls Studios 2016 Art Tour.During the month of October, in theLarge Meeting room at the GreatFalls Community Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, GF, member artistsparticipating in the Art Tour are ondisplay. The exhibit will be openduring regular library hours.
Colvin Run Mill open 11 - 4 p.m.daily, closed Tuesday. 10017 ColvinRun Rd, Great Falls. Fairfax County’soperational 19th century waterpowered gristmill, offers recreationaland educational activities for all agesthrough daily tours, school programsand special events. Fees: $7/adult,$6 students 16+ with ID, $5 children& seniors. Winter Hours: January &February, 11am-4pm, last tour 3pm.Admission to park is FREE except forsome special events.
Art Walk in the Village: FirstFridays beginning Sept. 9, 6 - 9p.m. through Dec.31 at 756 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Admission free andopen to the public. greatfallsart.org/artwalk/
Holiday Decorating Contest Weencourage all Great Falls businesses,organizations and neighborhoods tolight up the night this December. Thewinner will receive $200 and will befeatured in an ad in the Great FallsConnection.
THURSDAY/DEC. 8Giant’s In-Store Nutritionists
Promote Community Wellness10 a.m. Agewise At The AshbyApartments Nutrition Club. Giantnutritionist Amanda Barnes invitesresidents to community wellnessclasses, store events and in-storeconsultations. In a world full of foodoptions and different diet trends, anutritionist has the training andexpertise needed to sort throughindividual information to providetheir clients with a plan that suitstheir needs. A nutritionist’s primaryjob is to help advise customers whenit comes to their health and whatthey consume. Through setting upconsultations and creatingspecialized diets, nutritionists canhelp with various concerns, likeweight loss, diabetes and otherhealth issues where diet isparticularly important.
FRIDAY/DEC. 9Carrie Newcomer at Jammin Java
Doors open: 6 p.m. Show 7 p.m. 227Maple Ave East, Vienna. She recentlyreleased her 16th CD, The BeautifulNot Yet, and will be performing atJammin’ Java.www.jamminjava.com/
Swing Dance with KING TEDDY.Colvin Run Dance Hall, 10201 ColvinRun Road, Great Falls, 8:30-9 p.m.drop-in beginner swing lesson; 9p.m.-12 midnight dance. $15. TheRockin’ Bones stay true to theoriginal classic rockabilly styles ofsuch artists as Gene Vincent and theBlue Caps, Eddie Cochran, JohnnyBurnette and the Rock and Roll Trio,Carl Perkins and early Elvis Presley.The Rockin’ Bones do not parodyrockabilly heroes; they are not anoldies band. Instead, they strive tocapture the essence of swinging,beat-crazy music.
SATURDAY/DEC. 10BASIS Independent McLean’s
Open House 10 a.m. 8000 JonesBranch Road, McLean.Grades 1 - 10:At our Open House, a representationof our teaching staff will be availablefor a “Meet & Greet” and to sharetheir
vision of the classroom.Wish List Project Drop Off Event
10 – 1:00 p.m. The Perez FamilyHome at 10440 Down Patrick Lane,Great Falls. Directly help families inneed in area shelters, localelementary schools, alternativehousing and children in foster care.New this year — The Wish ListProject has partnered with BuzzAldrin, Herndon and Hutchison
Elementary schools for students whoqualify for the free/reduced mealprogram. Your generosity andsupport will perpetuate the essenceof the holiday season. It is importantthat ALL DONATIONS be received nolater than the 10th as schoolcounselors, social workers andshelter directors will be picking upthe following day.
If you have a conflict with the 10th, atime for drop-off can be arranged theweek prior. Gift receipts areencouraged to be included with thepresents you purchase.
Please contact Christie Shumadine at703-405-8561 [email protected] with anyquestions. All gifts are tax deductibleand forms will be available at thedriveway during drop off.
McLean AAUW Event 12 - 2:30 p.m.375 Walker Road, Great Falls. ErinGarland, a National Museum forWomen in the Arts docent, presentson works of artists in the museum’scollection who had interesting,unusual, and humorous DC areaconnections. Admission: $35 775-762-8016 [email protected]
Reach for the Stars at Riverbend’sAstronomy Festival 5 - 6 p.m.Riverbend Park is located at 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Therewill be guided star-gazing and achance to peek at the stars through atelescope. Learn more about what’stwinkling in the sky at night as youlisten to ancient stories about theconstellations around the campfire.Enjoy games and activities, and if youget a little hungry, there will be hotchocolate and snacks available forpurchase. Cost: $6 online $7 at door.http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/. This eventwill be canceled if it’s raining orsnowing.
SUNDAY/DEC. 11Blue Christmas Service A non-
traditional service of remembranceand hope for those who are stressed,lonely or grieving. 3:30 p.m. atKatie’s Coffee House, 760 Walker Rd,Great Falls. Sponsored by the GreatFalls Area Ministries. For moreinformation contact Carol Blackwell,[email protected].
Colonial Wassail 1 - 4 p.m. TheClaude Moore Colonial Farm 6310Georgetown Pike, McLean. Standfast, root! Bear well, top!( God sendus a howling crop! In the winter theapple trees need encouragement tobear fruit during the coming year.Gather in the Claude Moore ColonialFarm’s orchard to wassail the treeswith singing, dancing and chants toensure “a howling crop.Ó Enjoy hotspiced cider, sugar cakes, a roaringbonfire and 18th century games. Funand educational activity for all. Cost:Adults: $3; Children 3-12 andSeniors: $2; Children under 3complimentary admission. AAA andmilitary discounts. Free parking.
Living Nativity at Great FallsUnited Methodist ChurchGreat Falls United Methodist Church will be holding itsannual Living Nativity on Dec.18. Three 20 minute, oneact plays of this glorious event will begin at 5 p.m. andend at 6 p.m. Come listen to the story, sing some carols,pet the animals, enjoy refreshments, and rekindle yourjoy for Christmas. 10100 Georgetown Pike Great Fallswww.greatfallsumc.org
Photo courtesy of McLean Community Center
‘Fancy Nancy’ at Alden Theatre"Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas" cast. McLeanCommunity Center presents “Fancy Nancy’s SplendiferousChristmas” performed by Vital Theatre at the AldenTheatre, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave,McLean. Performance: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 at 1 p.m.Tickets: $15/$10 for MCC tax district residents. Call: 703-790-0123 or visit www.mcleancommunitycenter.comNote: Length of performance is approximately 60 min-utes. Best for children 4+
Photo by Donna Manz/The Connection
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens becomes ablaze with ahalf-a-million colorful sparkling lights in its annualWinter Walk of Lights, beginning on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016,through Jan. 8, 2017.
Plan Ahead Great FallsSATURDAY/JAN. 7The Capitol Steps at The Alden 8 p.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, VA 22101.
To recover from this off-the-wall election cycle, remain calm and walk, do notrun, to The Alden and shelter-in-place with these master political satirists. $50/$35 MCC tax district residents.Visit: www.aldentheatre.org.
SUNDAY/JAN.8Concert: Opera Celebration 4 - 6 p.m. Saint Francis Episcopal Church 9220
Georgetown Pike Great Falls VA 22066. The new year is the traditional time torevel in the beauty of the voice. Beloved Amadeus pianist-in-residence FrankConlon brings together spectacular talent in solos and ensembles, as well as hisincomparable storytelling. Cost: Season pass $150 or $30 at the door. Visit: http://amadeusconcerts.com/
SUNDAY/ JAN. 15Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at The Alden Center: Chuck D 2
p.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, VA 22101. Best known as leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group, Public Enemy, Chuck D redefined rap musicand hip hop culture with the release of Public Enemy’s explosive debut album,“Yo Bum Rush The Show,” in 1987. Speaker subject to change. Cost: $20/$10MCC tax district residents. Visit: www.aldentheatre.org.
Photo contributed
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
For a free digi-tal subscriptionto one or allof the 15ConnectionNewspapers,go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
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Fancy Nancy SplendiferousChristmas” at 1 & 4 p.m. 1234Ingleside Ave, McLean. For ages 4+.What could be fancier thanChristmas? This year, Nancy isespecially excited. She has enoughmoney to buy a brand-new sparklyChristmas-tree topper. But whenthings don’t turn out the way Nancyplanned, will Christmas still besplendiferous? Admission: $15/$10MCC tax district residents/ http://mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre
Great Falls Children’s ChristmasProgram A potluck supper followsthe program at 5:00 p.m. Christ theKing Lutheran Church,10550Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Opento the community, features theChristmas story told throughnarration, scripture and Christmascarols. The cast of children bring theNativity scene to life with Mary,Joseph, animals, angels andshepherds. Admission: Free.
Handel’s Messiah Concert onSunday 4 p.m. at Vienna PresbyterianChurch, 124 Park Street. TheChristmas story in music by the VPCSanctuary Choir, with special guestsMetropolitan Opera soprano DanielleTalamantes and organist Terry Sisk,and with commentary by Pastor PeteJames.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 14Great Falls Historical Society
Holiday Gathering: Message ofNeighborliness, Great Falls GrangeHall, 6:30 p.m. This is a Free-Admission, Potluck Dinner Event.Please reserve your place at
www.gfhs.org to ensure seating forall.
SATURDAY/DEC. 17Holiday Express and Visit with
Santa at Clemyjontri Park 10 - 3p.m. Clemyjontri Park is located at6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Visitwith Santa, go for a ride on theHoliday Express train, and take aspin on the unique carousel that’swheelchair accessible. There will alsobe holiday pictures for children tocolor. Stay for a while and let thekids play on the specially-designedplayground that allows children of allabilities to have fun side-by-side.Train rides: $5 Carousel rides: $3.Photo with Santa: $5 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/
Puppy Nativity Vienna Church 10 -2 p.m. in the parking lot of thechurch at 2351 Hunter Mill Road,Vienna. Bring your puppies and dogsto take part in the Live PuppyNativity. This will be fun for thecommunity and may make greatholiday pictures. Costumes and treatswill be provided for pets. Hotchocolate will be served, and thechurch’s youth group will be on handto accept community donations forthe Britepaths Holiday Program tohelp needy families https://britepaths.org/our-programs/holiday-program
“John Eaton’s Holiday Songbook”2 p.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean.Jazz pianist and musicologist JohnEaton’s first-ever holiday concert lastyear was such a hit that we’rebringing it back! Hear your GreatAmerican Songbook favorites with ayuletide twist. Admission: $35/$20MCC tax district residents. http://mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre
12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Fallon Forbush
The Connection
Washington Redskins startingquarterback Kirk Cousinskicked off the “PhonesDown. Touchdown.” safe
driving campaign in McLean to spreadawareness of the dangers and consequencesof using cellphones while driving.
“I’ve made a career out of playing offenseplaying quarterback,” Cousins said duringthe press conference. “When I’m behind thewheel, I drive defensively. I don’t text orlook at my phone while driving because it’sdangerous. No text or phone is worth risk-ing your life or the lives of others.”
Texting for just five seconds behind thewheel is like driving blindfolded across anentire football field, he said.
“If I get sacked in a game, I can get backup and move onto the next play—for themost part,” he said. “But when you text anddrive, you might not get back up.”
He encouraged people to apply positivepeer pressure when they see the foul beingcommitted.
“Speak up and tell them to put the PhonesDown,” he said. “Tell them to wait. If you’rein the car, don’t let a distracted driver makean excuse. No matter the call or the text,it’s not worth it.”
FRIENDS WHO HAVE DIED in car acci-dents is part of the reason Cousins was will-ing to be the face of the campaign. His col-lege teammate and former Michigan Statepunter Mike Sadler, 24, died in a car acci-dent in Wisconsin in July.
“Mike is one of a few people close to mewho have been lost due to a car accident,”Cousins says. “If we can even save one lifeby putting this message out, it’s a worth-
while message.”While distracted driving may not have
been the reason for his friend’s fatal acci-dent, it is a trend among young drivers.
According to the National Highway Traf-fic Safety Administration, 10 percent of alldrivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatalcrashes were reported as distracted at thetime of the crashes.
“I’ve been up here for 12 years and at least16 troopers in those 12 years have beenstruck on the sides of the interstate in North-ern Virginia for drivers that were distractedby various reasons,” Cpt. Jim De Ford, com-mander of the Fairfax Division of the Vir-ginia State Police, said during the press con-ference. “It is a real problem and it is onethat affects us every day.”
“Distracted driving has become an epi-demic and one too many people are toowilling to accept as the norm, and too manypeople are willing to be a part of the prob-lem rather than be the solution,” he said.“By the solution I mean ignore the phone,and that’s even hard for me to do I’ll admit,but I try to do it.”
If drivers fail to ignore their phones whiledriving, De Ford said that he and his offic-ers will not be ignoring them.
“I can assure you that if a Virginia statepolice trooper observes you texting whiledriving or determines that your textingcaused a crash, then you will be cited,” hesaid.
Fairfax County has not been immune tothe epidemic.
“In 2016 year-to-date, [Fairfax County is]at 35,000 crashes approximately and 29percent of those have been attributed todistracted driving,” Cpt. Bob Blakley, com-mander of the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment Traffic Division, said during the pressconference.
Redskins’ quarterback urges region to putphones down while behind the wheel.
Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock District), right, who is also the chairof the board’s Public Safety Committee, took the pledge to commit tokeeping his Phones Down while behind the wheel. Cook, who attendedthe press conference with Kirk Cousins (left) is the author of the “SlowDown” campaign, which helps alert motorists to the dangers of speeding.
Washington Redskins starting quarterback Kirk Cousins answers ques-tions from the media during a press conference for the campaign’s kick-off on Nov. 29. Drivers who share the “Phones Down. Touchdown.”graphic on social media with the hashtag #PhoneDownTouchdown will beentered to win a month of free travel on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.
Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection Photo courtesy of the Office of Supervisor Cook
That’s more than 10,000 car accidents sofar this year due to distracted driving, andeven more citations.
POLICE OFFICERS have issued more than13,000 citations to drivers in the county fordistracted driving, Blakley said. But Blakleysaid enforcement alone is not the answerto the problem.
“It’s a combination of aggressive enforce-ment but more importantly a huge educa-tion and awareness campaign,” he said.“This is what will truly make the differ-ence.”
He encouraged the public to take the timeto take the campaign’s pledge atwww.phonedowntouchdown.com and to
talk about their experiences with textingwhile driving.
The “Phones Down. Touchdown.” Cam-paign is sponsored by Transurban, whichmanages and develops toll road networksin the U.S. and Australia. The company,which hosted the press conference at itsMcLean office, operates the 495 and 95Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.
According to Mike McGurk, a spokesper-son for Transurban, drivers who share the“Phones Down. Touchdown.” graphic onsocial media with the hashtag#PhoneDownTouchdown will be entered towin a month of free travel on the ExpressLanes. A new winner will be selected everyweek throughout December and January.
Do you thinkthe campaignwill makeus safer?
Viewpoints
Del. Marcus Simon(D-53)
“I think that having a niceand easy-to-remember catchphrase will keep it front ofmind. Having a celebritywill get the kids involved.My son will catch melooking at my phone [whiledriving] and it’s not safe.”
Cpt. Jim De Ford,commander of theFairfax Division of theVirginia State Police
“You don’t have to wear auniform to see the dangers andtoo often deadly consequencesof distracted driving on thehighway, but we see it everyday … This is caused by peoplewho fail to do their jobs whenthey’re on the highway andthat’s just simply driving a carwhile they’re behind the wheel… the Virginia State Policeproudly supports this trafficsafety initiative … This is apledge to do the right thing.”
Cpt. Bob Blakley,commander of theFairfax CountyPolice DepartmentTraffic Division
“The problem is growing… so we definitely needhelp from everybody to getit under control … Year todate, we have issued morethan 13,000 citations forfailing to pay full time andattention which includestexting while driving inFairfax County … Butenforcement’s not theanswer to the problem. It’s acombination of aggressiveenforcement but moreimportantly a huge educa-tion and awarenesscampaign. This is what willtruly make the difference.”
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
See Destination, Page 15
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
One hundred twenty-five children withlife-challenging illnesses, their familiesand a support team of doctors, nursesand volunteers, for a total of 216
people, arrived at Gate 7, Terminal D at Dulles In-ternational Airport, Dec. 3, and headed for the hot-test destination of the season.
Children’s Hospice International, located in Alex-andria, in partnership with United Airlines had in-vited children and their families to experience a spe-cial trip. Earlier that morning each person hadchecked in at the United Airlines counter and re-ceived a complimentary ticket aboard Flight 2135,IAD-NTP, non-stop service from Washington to theNorth Pole, aboard Fantasy Flight 2016, call signSleigh Ride One.
They lined up at the boarding gate shortly before8:30 a.m., awaiting an adventure so many familieshad anticipated for months. Going down the jetbridge, parents lifted their children out of wheelchairsleaving the chairs behind for the support crew. Oth-ers held the hands of their ill child and the hands oftheir other children as the line moved forward toenter the plane.
The flight crew greeted the passengers as theyboarded the plane for their all-expense paid trip tothe North Pole and personal visits with Santa Claus.
Sparkling garland hung on the overhead compart-ments and cut out snowflakes dangled from the ceil-ing.
HOLIDAY MAGIC, a mix of community spirit andcare, fueled this year’s United Airlines Fantasy Flight2016, a program in its 27th year of operation. Throughthe support of United Airlines, its partnership withChildren’s Hospice International, the giving of doz-ens of local and regional corporations and hundredsof volunteers including United employees who do-nated their time and talent, United’s Flight to theNorth Pole prepared to depart.
Francis Parker and her husband had eagerly an-ticipated this day since May when the youngest oftheir four sons, Case, age 2, was diagnosed with can-
cer. While waiting to board Fantasy Flight 2016,Parker’s boys had crayoned letters to Santa andmailed them with the help from members of HerndonRotary Club. Paul Williams, Rotarian, said, “It’s ahappy time here today, to celebrate with the fami-lies.”
As the boys colored, Parker said, “Case is receivingtreatment at Walter Reed. His nurses told us aboutthe flight when Case was diagnosed. We woke themup this morning, put them in the car and didn’t tellthem where they were going until we got to the air-port. Everybody’s been wonderful.” Looking around,she added: “What a great opportunity this is.”
Although Case’s brothers had flown before, thiswas to be Case’s first flight, as it was for many chil-dren aboard Fantasy Flight 2016. While the flightattendants helped the families settle in, UnitedAirline’s Captain “Bubba” welcomed everyoneaboard. He explained that there were some very spe-cial rules on the nonstop flight to the North Pole.
“Window blinds have to remain down,” he said,adding that the plane uses a very special fuel, mak-ing it travel so fast it’ll be extremely bright outside.“And everyone knows, where Santa lives,” CaptainBubba said, “is a secret, only United has clearancefrom Santa Claus” to land at the North Pole.
The flight is real and so is the destination. SandySteinmeyer, a United Airlines flight attendant andkey organizer of the Dulles Fantasy Flights said: “AllFantasy Flights across the United States and Guam,a total of 14 flights, will really take off this year.”
According to Randy Cox, managing director UnitedAirlines, United Airlines donates the fuel for theflights while employees, flight attendants, crews andsupport teams donate their time.
Julia Wislocka, United Airlines staff representativecorporate communication, commented that there isno doubt in her mind Fantasy Flight is the most amaz-ing event of United Airlines. She said, “It’s a greatexample of employees and the community comingtogether. The event, takes hundreds of volunteers,and the concourse where the families will arrive,really is transformed to be the North Pole.”
Terry Edwards, a United employee for 27 years,was Mrs. Santa. Before the plane departed, sheagreed and said, “In their mindset, the children areat the North Pole. They buy into it 100 percent.”
While Sleigh Ride One traveled at near warp speed,it made quick time to the North Pole but not beforeflight attendants could treat everyone to apple slicesand sweets. As Fantasy Flight 2016 prepared to land,Captain Bubba came on the intercom one last time.To everyone on board, he wished: “Fill your dayswith laughter; fill them with peace and with joy.Welcome to the North Pole.”
In spirit of season,community organizationsand businesses donatehundreds of service hoursand supplies.
Taking a Fantasy Flight to the North Pole
Oak Hill Herndon FantasyFlight 2016: Children withlife-challenging illnesses andtheir families board SleighRide One, nonstop service tothe North Pole, for a day ofholiday cheer and a privatevisit with Santa Clause.United Airlines hosted theday with the support ofhundreds of volunteers andregional businesses.
Photos by Anthony C. Tsantrizos
14 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
As Bridget O’Brien took inventoryof her liquor supply recently, shechecked off vanilla rum, whitechocolate liqueur, peppermint
schnapps, Champagne and Crème de cassis.These fanciful ingredients would be the keyingredients of the signature drinks — candycane cocktails and kir royale — that guestshad come to anticipate at her family’s an-nual Christmas caroling party. This year,however, there was a new item on herchecklist: keeping a close eye on her 13-year-old daughter, 16-year-old son and theirfriends, who would be among the guests atthe family-friendly affair.
“The party begins at our house and westroll to the end of the street singing car-ols,” said O’Brien. “There are so manypeople, that it would be easy for kids towander off back to the house where they’dbe alone with the alcohol. They’re startingto want more independence now, so wenaturally lose some of the control that wehad when they were younger.”
Flowing drinks are as much a part of someholiday parties as decadent desserts. As aresult, yuletide festivities increase access toalcoholic beverages for underage drinkers.According to experts, underage drinkers areresponsible for between 10 and 20 percentof all alcohol consumed. During the holi-day season, they also make up the highestpercentage of impaired drivers. The temp-tation among tweens and teens to experi-ment and give into peer pressure, combinedwith the availability of alcoholic beveragescan be a deadly combination, says safetyexperts. They encourage parents to haveconversations with their children.
“A lot of parents would be surprised thattheir child would drink, but there are a lotof ways for children to get alcohol,” saidAllen Lomax, executive director of the Sub-stance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alex-andria. “It’s easy for them to get alcoholfrom their parents’ home if it’s not lockedup. You have to constantly monitor partiesin your home when teens are there becausethere’s a good chance that someone, evenif it’s not your own child, could have alco-hol.”
A child’s inquisitiveness about alcohol isa sign that it’s time for a parent to begin adialogue about the dangers and conse-quences of underage consumption, saysLinda R. Cote-Reilly, a developmental psy-chologist, certified family life educator andprofessor at Marymount University in Ar-lington. It is best to start the conversation… long before the child might be in a situ-ation where they partake in underage drink-ing. … It’s not that different from conver-sations about sexual activity. One big dif-
ference, though, is that the child will haveobserved his or her own parents’ alcoholuse, so parents should be prepared to …answer pointed questions.”
In fact, personal experiences, even thosethat are unpleasant, can be teachable mo-ments and should not be avoided or sugar-coated, says Cote Reilly. “Some children willhave an alcoholic in the family, and parentsshould always address that situation hon-estly and in child appropriate language. Forexample, a child might say, ‘Why did UncleJim fall asleep during Thanksgiving dinner?’and the parent could respond, ‘Because hedrank too much alcohol.’”
Because alcohol is a legal substance thatchildren often observe parents and otheradults consuming, and that they might le-gally consume themselves later in life, theissue can be confusing. While parents wantto curb underage drinking to keep their highschool children safe and avoid legal penal-ties, said Amy L. Best, professor and chair,Department of Sociology and Anthropology,George Mason University. “On the otherhand, parents also need to lay the ground-work for their children to consume alcoholresponsibly in early adulthood.”
Unfortunately, straight alcohol bans dolittle to protect young people as they moveout from under the yoke of parental super-vision. For students transitioning to college,it is very important they have the tools andresources to manage situations where bingedrinking is more common.
Engaging in a straightforward discussionthat is void of mandates and hard-linedrules is the most effective approach in get-ting children to be receptive, advised Best.“I think parents do well when they engagein honest and reasoned discussions withtheir children about alcohol and that theseconversations be ongoing, informal andstructured so their children can feel com-fortable talking about what they are observ-
ing around them,” she said.“Research suggests that when parents fo-
cus on rules and discipline, adolescents tendto be more likely to engage in surreptitiousdrinking and succumb to peer pressure,”agreed Shannon N. Davis, associate profes-sor of sociology at George Mason Univer-sity, In fact, parents who talk to their ado-lescents about drinking as something thatis forbidden might actually be enhancingits desirability, says Davis.
“Instead, [discuss it] as something thatin moderation is part of adult life; [thesediscussions] are more likely to have theirchildren express ideas about moderation intheir own subsequent alcohol consump-tion,” she said. “This is not to say that par-ents should encourage their adolescents tobreak the law. Instead, rather than focus-ing on the illegality of the behavior and therules around drinking, parents should havehonest conversations about drinking, theconsequences on bodies of drinking, andexplain why the rules exist in general.”
Honest conversations also help clear upmisconceptions. “Children often harborideas about alcohol that are downrightwrong,” said Best. “Sometimes this means
parents just listen and then can sharetheir own observations, as well as thestrategies they used to navigate thecomplex world of adolescent andadult drinking.”
It is important that parents set clearboundaries. “I also think parents dowell when they set clear guidelinesand follow them,” said Best. “It is im-portant that teens have the means toforge a sense of self that is separatefrom their parents. That is the funda-mental developmental project of ado-lescence. When teens have productivemeans to forge a sense of self inde-pendence of parent(s), alcohol holdsless appeal.”
It also holds less appeal to confidentteens. “Most importantly, parents wantto ensure that their adolescents havehigh levels of self-esteem that allowthem to feel comfortable saying ‘no’to any circumstance where they areuncomfortable or pressured by theirfriends,” said Davis. “Reminding ado-lescents that it is OK to be different isa hard thing, and it is a hard thing forthe adolescents to hear.”
Experts suggestholding honestconversations.
Wellbeing
Preventing Underage Drinking During the Holidays
Photo by Marilyn Campbell
The holidays and the resulting increase in celebrations and partiescreate opportunities for underage drinking.
“Instead, rather thanfocusing on theillegality of the behaviorand the rules arounddrinking, parentsshould have honestconversations aboutdrinking, theconsequences onbodies of drinking, andexplain why the rulesexist in general.”
—Shannon N. Davis,associate professor of sociology at
George Mason University
Combating that holiday period which theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationsays is a “dangerous time to be on the road dueto a high number of drunk drivers behind thewheel,” a local nonprofit organization an-nounced hat free cab rides will be offered towould-be drunk drivers throughout the Wash-ington-metropolitan area during the winterholidays.
Offered by the nonprofit Washington Re-gional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the annual
Holiday SoberRide® program will operate be-tween 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. each evening betweenFriday, Dec. 16, 2016 and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017as a way to keep local roads safe from impaireddrivers during this traditionally high-risk, holi-day period.
During the evening hours, between Dec. 16and Jan. 1, Washington-metropolitan area resi-dents celebrating with alcohol may call thetoll-free SoberRide phone number 1–800–200–TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to $ 30fare), safe way home. (AT&T wireless users candial #WRAP for the same service.)
More information about WRAP’s SoberRideinitiative can be found at www.soberride.com.
Free Holiday Cab RidesOffered to PreventDrunk Driving
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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From Page 13
News
The children, their families and the support teamsdeplaned. They headed up the jet bridge to the con-course. There, much to their surprise, with eyes wideopen, storybook characters, Minions, Storm Troop-ers and hundreds of volunteers had formed a gaunt-let, and were applauding their arrival. High fives wereslapped; children hugged Minions and the Red, Whiteand Blues band played. Even the Racing Presidentsof the Washington Nationals stepped up to the chil-dren and gave out hugs.
Earlier, Cox described the effort it took to trans-form the concourse to be the North Pole; “We begindecorating the night before at 6 p.m. It takes 350volunteers to decorate the North Pole. All the workand the decorations are donated.”
Jim Lynch from Michigan attended the event withhis teenage daughter Emily. Lynch said, “Emily com-pleted a weeklong research program at NIH. This isa fun day. And to just walk off that plane, we wereblown away.”
Another element of the day is the impact the eventhas for the siblings of a challenged child. Wislockasaid, “Today’s event is so important for the sick kids,but also for their siblings because their parents’ fo-cus has been on the sick child. United Airline em-ployees and our volunteers make sure the siblingsget just as much attention and love.”
Xin Huang’s 3-year old daughter, Heidi, attendsthe Maryland School for the Deaf and Blind. WhileHeidi rested in her wheelchair, Huang said that thiswas the second time they had attended the event.She added, “It’s an important family event. Last year,every other month, Heidi’s brother, Leon, would askabout it. He absolutely believes we are at the NorthPole.”
DURING THEIR VISIT to the North Pole, guestsexperienced an entertainment line up of 13 bands;various support groups such as Summit TherapyAnimals and Red Door Salon and entertainers likeAerial Graffiti Jugglers, who all donated their timeand talents for the cause.
But the event everyone waited for was his or herpersonal visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each childhad an extended time with Santa and received a bagfull of age-appropriate toys or items, purchased spe-cifically for that child.
At 21, Montel Flipping was the oldest invitee. Hesat in his wheelchair, eyes alert. His mother, SonjaFlipping said, “Montel was diagnosed with pediatricbrain cancer at Children’s Hospital. This has been a4-year journey, and God is awesome.” She added thatMontel, her only child, had been accepted into thePolice Cadet Program one month prior to his diag-nosis. “Where trust is, is what matters most,” shesaid as they left to get in line for Montel’s visit withSanta.
Ashtin Parker from West Springfield High Schooland Bryson McDaniels from Lake Braddock HighSchool were two of the gift purchasers for the event.Parker said, “This year we got to buy 800 toys.”
McDaniels added: “We got toys every child wouldlike, from ages newborn to 21. If we can make adifference, we will do this any day.” Both Parker andMcDaniels had formed gift and fund drives, Ashtin’sdrive was named Ashtin’s Angels and McDaniel’s wasBryson’s Blessings.
McDaniel’s added: “We really put a lot of thoughtinto what to buy, headphones, books, puzzles, thenhe added: “The headphones are for the 21-year old.”
For more information about Fantasy Flight, con-tact United Airlines. For more information aboutChildren’s Hospice International that ensures medi-cal, psychological, social, and spiritual support to allchildren with life-threatening conditions and theirfamilies, contact www.CHIonline.org.
Destination:North Pole
Photo by Anthony C. Tsantrizos
A child at United Airlines Fantasy Flightknows the best gift of any season, is awelcoming hug.
16 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Fallon Forbush
The Connection
Chris Herren’s dream came trueat age 22 when he was sched-uled to play his first game forthe Boston Celtics, his home-
town team. On game day, announcers saidthe words that he had always wanted tohear his entire life: He was introduced asthe starting point guard.
“I grew up with that dream,” he said. “Ipretended I was a Celtic in my driveway.”
But he has no recollection of the game orhis name being announced as he walked outof the stadium’s tunnel. He was too highon OxyContin.
Herren’s life has been spent battling ad-dictions to alcohol, cocaine, painkillers andheroin. Now that he is sober, he tours thecountry as a motivational speaker with hisnonprofit organization, the Herren Project.
He visited Langley High School in McLeanon Wednesday, Nov. 30, to speak to an au-ditorium full of students, parents, coachesand teachers.
The former NBA player for the DenverNuggets and the Boston Celtics had a clearmessage for parents who provide spaces fortheir kids to drink alcohol. He had a strongopinion about parents who think it’s OK toallow it as long as their kids are safe anddon’t drive home because he grew up withparents who thought that it was OK.
Out of the 15 kids on his high school bas-ketball team who drank in basements dur-ing parent-sanctioned house parties, sevenbecame heroin addicts, he said.
That way of thinking fails kids miserably,he said. Instead, he urged them to question
day one and know the reason their kids feelthe need to drink or use drugs.
Why in the world would kids need drugsto hang out with their friends? he asked thecrowd.
HIS ADDICTION started at age 14 whenhe started drinking his father’s beer.
“I grew up in a household where my fa-ther liked Miller Lites more than he likedcoming home,” he said. “Growing up as achild, I always knew in my heart that myfather’s drinking was destroying my fam-ily.”
“I remember like it was yesterday, cryingat night listening to my mom and dad fight.I remember praying he would come homeright from work and not stop at the bar withhis friends.”
By the time he was 18 years old, he triedcocaine with college roommates as a fresh-man at Boston College. He attributed it topeer pressure.
“I said to myself, ‘I’ll try this drug one timeand I’ll never do it again.’ … I had no ideaat 18 years old when I promised myself justone time that … it would take 14 years towalk away from.”
He lost his scholarship and was expelledfrom college for failing drug tests. But hewas given a second chance at CaliforniaState University, Fresno.
By 21, he was in rehab for his cocaineaddiction. After 30 days of treatment, hefinished his senior season and was the 33rd
pick of the NBA draft for the Denver Nug-gets. He was sober for that rookie season.
By 22, he tried OxyContin. One 40-milli-gram pill turned into 1,600 milligrams perday, a $2,500 a month habit.
By age 28, heroin “had him hostage” andhe could no longer play basketball. For thenext four years, his addiction ran his world.
“I was a street junkie,” he says. “You couldfind me hustling heroin on street cornersin my hometown, breaking into houses,bouncing checks, scrapping metal, collect-ing cans—whatever it took.”
By the time he was 32 years old, he couldno longer afford heroin.
“I fell in love with vodka because vodka—as some of you know—is amazing at help-ing you forget,” he says.
But as soon as he got his hands on heroinagain, it resulted in his fourth overdose andnear-death experience.
Herren’s story of addiction has been cap-tured in the book, “Basketball Junkie” andthe ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded.”
Langley High School athletic coachesheard Herren’s story first hand when theyattended Herren’s presentation at RiversideHigh School in Lansdowne in February.
Since then, the coaches worked to raisethe funds to bring him to Fairfax County.
In the end, the Fairfax County PublicSchools, the Wilbert Tucker Woodson HighSchool, McLean High School and LangleyHigh School parent teacher student asso-ciations and the McLean High School andLangley High School athletic departmentspulled together to sponsor Herren’s visit.
Fairfax County’sStory
“Drug and alcohol is an issue at the highschool level,” says Langley High SchoolBasketball Coach Mike O’Brien. “I’m afraidit’s starting at an even earlier age.”
Langley High School Football Coach BrianLambe agrees.
“It’s a problem that Langley and McLeanis facing,” Lambe says. “Whether parents
want to admit it or not, it’s a problem inthe county and pretending it’s not a prob-lem won’t fix it. Having a conversation anda dialogue will help.”
When O’Brien has suspicion that his stu-dents are struggling with substance abuseor suicidal thoughts, or if students confidesin him that they are struggling with theseissues, he tries to provide intervention byreferring them to school counselors.
“I’m not adept with the issues, but I try toget the kids and parents involved,” he says.
He hopes Herren’s story resonates withhis kids so that he can avoid the interven-tion altogether. “If we can get through tojust one kid, it’s worth it to me.”
He also hopes students who are under-going stressful situations and hardships willfind other outlets after hearing aboutHerren’s painful struggles with substanceabuse and addiction.
Alcohol is the most commonly used sub-stance by Fairfax County youth, accordingto the 2015 Fairfax County Youth Survey ofeighth, 10th and 12th grade students, whichwas published in the fall.
More than one-third of the students,nearly 36 percent, reported drinking alco-hol at least once in their lifetime, and 16percent reported drinking it in the monthprior to the survey. Approximately 8 per-cent of the students reported binge drink-ing.
As students age, the rates of alcohol useincreased, rising to over half of the 12th-grade students, nearly 57 percent, drink-ing alcohol at least once in their lifetime,and almost one-third, 32 percent, drinkingit within the past month.
Marijuana was the second most com-monly used substance by Fairfax Countyyouth, with almost one in five, 19 percent,reporting that they have used it at least once
Former NBA player talks to McLean aboutcountywide drug problem.
‘Unguarded’ atLangley High
Chris Herren has been drug-free and alcohol-free since Aug. 1, 2008.
Langley HighSchool Basket-ball CoachMike O’Brien(left) andFootball CoachBrian Lambe(right) intro-duce ChrisHerren.
Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection
See Addiction, Page 17
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 17www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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From Page 16
News
Addiction Is Not‘Somewhere Else’
in their lifetime, and 10 percent using it in the pastmonth.
Rates of use also increased by grade level, risingto 36 percent of 12th-grade students reporting life-time use, and 20 percent indicating use in the pastmonth.
Fairfax County youth reported lower rates of usethan those seen nationally for many of the investi-gated substances, according to the survey. Overallrates of use of alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and allforms of tobacco were lower than the national rates.
However, Fairfax County youth were slightly morelikely than their peers nationally to report past monthLSD, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin use.
Alison Senold, who volunteered with the LangleyHigh School Parent Teacher Student Association toorganize the Herren event, says substance abuseamong county teens is more of an issue than parentsrealize.
“I think families tend to look around McLean andLangley and Woodson districts and they go, ‘Theseare really nice neighborhoods. We don’t have a prob-lem with drugs and alcohol. We send our kids to thebest schools in the country.’ Yeah, they are the bestschools in the country, but that doesn’t mean kidsaren’t still confronted with those decisions arounddrug and alcohol use on a regular basis. And theystill need the tools to make good decisions as theygo through adolescence.”
Herren confirmed her theory.“I’m going to be honest with you,” he said. “The
wealthier the community, the worse the problem—by far.”
Senold, who is the parent of two high school boys,says she has ongoing conversations with her kidsabout the topic.
“They hear the conversations that go on and areaware of the parties that get thrown and they knowwhat their friends are doing, and it takes a lot oftalking and support as a parent to guide themthrough those decisions,” she says. “It’s not a oneand done thing. You can’t just check the box.”
Lucy Caldwell, spokesperson for the Fairfax-FallsChurch Community Services Board, a public agencythat helps people with mental illness and substanceuse disorders, says this parental support system iswhat Herren was urging parents to provide.
“[Herren’s] message was targeting parents to notlook the other way, to pay attention and know what’sgoing on with their child and that it’s not just a beer,”Caldwell says “It’s not about a beer or pot, but it’sabout why, and that’s absolutely part of the issue.”
Caldwell was on site manning a resource table forthe CSB during the event and was available to an-swer any questions about addiction and mental ill-ness.
“Sadly, it’s not just about the beer. Many people doend up becoming addicted,” she says. “His messagewas very clear and very strong and sometimes thatmakes people uncomfortable.”
In her line of work, she has seen that most every-one with heroin or opioid dependency started byabusing marijuana or alcohol at a younger age.
“They don’t need to understand worst day, theyneed to understand first day,” Herren told parents inresponse to an audience question.
“I find it awfully sad when a young child loses theability to be themselves 24-7,” he said. “When all ofa sudden, a child needs a substance to get through
the day; that’s not good. That’s sad.”He told the crowd that the main point of his story
was not just about drugs and alcohol.“It’s more about self-esteem and self-worth,” he
said. “It’s about confidence and feeling comfortable.It’s about recognizing when your anxiety is high andyour self-esteem is low. But nobody talks about this.”
There were some tears in the audience as his talkstirred up painful emotions for some who have ex-perience with the struggles of addiction.
As Herren walked off the stage, he let out a loudsigh of relief that reliving his troubled past was over.
Viewpoint
What impression didhis story have on you?
McLean High Schoolsophomore ImaniMcCormick, 15
“I think it was an influen-tial and powerful speech. I’vealways been against sub-stance abuse. It made mehate it a bit more.”
McLean High Schoolsophomore Aaron
Choi, 16“It’s cliché to say, but he
spoke from the bottom of hisheart. Peer pressure andeverything he talked about …I’ll think of his words nexttime I’m in that situation.”
Langley High Schoolsophomore HannanMumtaz, 15
“It was very powerful andsomething this communityneeds to hear. I know a lot ofpeople that get themselvesinto these circumstances.Every party here will offeryou drugs or alcohol, butparents won’t discourage it.”
Gregg Monday“It was a powerful speech. I
watched the ESPN special onhim. I had to do a lot of self-reflecting about what kind ofparent I was” [when his adultchildren were younger].
Matt Haley“I don’t think it changed
my perception of substanceabuse as much as it changedthe conversation I need tohave with my daughter[sophomore at Langley HighSchool]. If you don’t focus onthe beginning, the end resultcould happen. The firstyellow pill … the initialchoice to just try it.”
18 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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OBITUARY
Joseph Gerald Teresa, age 75, died suddenly at home on November 22.
He leaves his wife of 36 years, Anne (Hancock) Teresa, their son Benjamin Teresa, daughter- in- law Erica Sims, and grand-daughter Eleanor of Richmond, Virginia; a nephew Carl Wil-liamson of Frederick, Maryland; and his mother -in- law, Euge-nia Hancock of the home.
Born and raised in Monrovia, California, Joe was the son of Carl and Frances (Bonfiglio)Teresa.
From his early years on he loved and excelled at mathematics. He obtained a B.S in Biology and a M.S. in Mathematics, and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to the Uni-versity of Michigan, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Education.
He taught at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for several years, co-authoring a number of studies and books published by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. In 1976 he joined the U.S. Department of Education as a senior statisti-cian. He spent 24 years at the Department designing, con-ducting and contributing to large-scale national education stud-ies, including the National Assessment of Educational Prog-ress (NAEP). He held teaching positions at the University of Arkansas at Monticello; Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA; The University of Maryland; and George Mason University. Joe was passionate about teaching and loved working with stu-dents of all ages.
In 1980 he married the former Anne Hancock of Bluefield, West Virginia. They moved to Vienna, Virginia in 1988 where they raised their son, Benjamin, born in 1982. Joe was a true family man, reflecting his Italian heritage, and spent many years as a Boy Scout leader with Troop 152 in Vienna.
In 2011 Joe and Anne moved to Shepherdstown where he made many close friends and truly enjoyed the beauty of the area. He volunteered with the Good Shepherd Caregivers and was a member of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. He was a friend to all animals, loved to travel, and never met a cookie he did not like.
A celebration of life will be held at the Shepherdstown Presby-terian Church in Shepherdstown, WV on December 17 at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church; the Good Shepherd Caregivers of Shepherdstown, WV; or the Sons of Italy Foundation.
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Mary Marchetti, President of the managing corporationNOTE: Objections to the
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ABC LICENSEGong & Yuan, LLC trading as Hunan Gate, 4233 Fairfax Dr.
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ABC LICENSEFun Eats and Drinks, LLC
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beverages, Michael R. Kelly, Manager
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ABC LICENSEK. Rob Krupicka, Jr. trading as
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Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Rocking theChair
Not that I was ever a CB person (CitizensBand radio), good buddy, but right now, Iam in the middle of both my four-to-fiveweek infusion interval and my quarterly-scan interval. Far enough past that I don’thave any residual food or emotional issuesand not close enough that I have any anxi-ety about the food and emotional issuesthat will inevitably occur. I am between arock and a hard place, and I mean that inan atypical way: I am under no pressure,but no illusions either, oddly enough. I amsailing smooth and riding high, mindful ofmy reality, but appreciative of the relative— and comparative calm with which thisinterval affords.
Not that I can be normal (not a cancer“diagnosee”), but this is as close to ‘normal’as it gets — for me. After all, I do have a“terminal” form of cancer (non-small celllung cancer, stage IV), not a cold, so it’s notas if it will go away with time. Nevertheless,I am grateful for the particularly good times— now, while trying to manage my expec-tations for the bad times — later, after thishoneymoon-type period ends. But sincethere have been many more good timesthan bad since I was diagnosed in lateFebruary 2009, I am not bogged down,emotionally by my circumstances, althoughI am somewhat compromised, physically.Nothing I can’t live with, however. Actually,I’m thrilled to live with any of it, ‘live’ beingthe operative word.
At this juncture, nearly eight years postinitial symptoms (New Year’s Day 2009),mostly I can handle what happens to me, sofar any way. But when similar stuff happensto others: death, disease, disability, demen-tia; I feel their pain, sort of; and suffer emo-tionally. It’s not as if I take in all their anxi-ety, but in a way, the weight of it does affectme. And sometimes, I get weepy over it. AsI’ve written before, and heard many timesas well in the cancer world, negative any-thing is extremely harmful to cancerpatients — or most other “terminal”patients I would imagine as well. From myown experience though, I certainly under-stand the difficult circumstances underwhich all us patients/survivors endure;remaining positive and being surrounded bypositivity is key as is humor, encourage-ment, compliments, congratulations, com-passion and empathy. All are crucial to ourcore. Healthy bodies we may no longerhave, but healthy minds we have to main-tain. And the stronger and healthier thatmind is, the more it will help us to mind ourown business and do so in a manner thatwill prevent the cancer from taking overthose minds.
Just as The United Negro College Fund“slogans” “A mind is a terrible thing towaste;” in the cancer world, it’s terriblewhen patients are unable to use their mindsto fight their disease. In many cases, canceris a killer, there’s no doubt about that, butallowing negative emotions to take over isreally unhelpful. Accentuating the positive(like the subject of this column) and mini-mizing the negative has to be the order ofthe day — and the night, too. You have tofind the good or the funny and embrace it,exaggerate it, extend it, elongate it, andreinforce it. Anything to make sure it mat-ters more than the bad. Bad is bad enoughon its own. It doesn’t need any help fromus. Focusing on what I can enjoy hopefullywill enable me to keep on trekking, and to“Live long and prosper.”
Come back.
An expert is someone who knowssome of the
worst mistakesthat can bemade in his
subject and howto avoid them.
-WernerHeisenberg
The biggest things are always the easiest to do because there
is no competition.-William Van Horne
Light tomorrowwith today!.
-Elizabeth Barret Browing
Great Falls Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 19www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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When Richard Marzan opened HouseDoctors in the fall of 2015, it was becausehe saw an opportunity to meet two needs:he wanted to begin a new career after re-tiring from the Army and the communityneeded a trustworthy, professional handy-man service. Now Marzan and his team cel-ebrate the one-year anniversary of HouseDoctors of McLean.
“The first year of a new business is al-ways a building year and we’ve done that.Now, with a solid foundation, we are mov-ing forward with plenty of lessons learnedand a bright future. We exceeded all expec-tations and we’re receiving strong commu-nity support – I’m very excited about yeartwo,” Marzan said.
House Doctors of McLean offers profes-sional handyman services in Dunn Loring,Falls Church, Great Falls, McLean, Arling-ton, Oakton, Tysons and Vienna as well asthe surrounding areas.
Marzan, a retired Lieutenant Colonel,served in the United States Army for morethan 27 years. He is an ROTC DistinguishedMilitary Graduate and a 1995 graduate ofthe Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox,Ky. Marzan earned his Bachelor’s degree inIndustrial Management from the Polytech-nic University of Puerto Rico and hisMaster’s degree in Administration fromCentral Michigan University. He is also a
graduate from the Captains Career Courseand the United States Army Command andGeneral Staff College. Marzan’s awards anddecorations include the Defense Meritori-ous Service Medal, Meritorious ServiceMedal, Iraq and Afghanistan CampaignMedals, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATOMedal, and the Parachutist and RiggerBadge.
“I retired from the military in 2015 and Ididn’t want to transition into an office jobor government contracting work. With thehelp of the Army Retirement Services, I metwith a business coach who opened my eyesto franchising. When I talked to the folks atHouse Doctors, I knew this business wouldbe a good fit for me and for the region I callhome,” Marzan said. “House Doctors is aprofessional handyman service and thatmeans any repair we do will be done right.”
House Doctors’ technicians specialize inprojects that take two hours to two days tocomplete, such as light remodeling and re-pairs of decks, doors, bathrooms and kitch-ens; repairing drywall; painting; exteriorrepairs; making home modifications andmuch more.
For more information about House Doc-tors of McLean or for an estimate on yourproject, call 703-639-0391, [email protected] or visit http://housedoctors.com/handyman-mclean/.
House Doctors of McLean CelebratesOne Year Anniversary
THROUGH DEC. 18The Container Store Annual Holiday Hugs
Program in Partnership with Children’sNational Health System Collections aregoing on now through December 18th and giftswill be delivered to the hospital the week ofDecember 19th. The Container Store is thrilled tocontinue its annual, nationwide signature givingprogram, Holiday Hugs. In each of ourWashington, DC-area stores, we are partneringwith Children’s National Health System tocollect and deliver new, unwrapped gifts to theiryoung patients who are spending the holidays inthe hospital. Customers can participate in theHoliday Hugs program by dropping off new,unwrapped books, small toys and games,toiletries, gift cards and kid-friendly stockingstuffers in collection bins at our Washington,DC, Arlington, VA, Reston, Tysons Corner andRockville locations
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 7Decluttering Seminar. The Retiree Real Estate
Education Association announces free publicservice seminar for December, 2016, onDecluttering (McLean High School, 7 p.m.). Theseminar is a part of a series of 8 free seminarson real estate issues unique to retirees. Seminarsare free, in the evenings at County publicschools. Retiree- RealEstate.org.
FRIDAY/DEC. 9Bring New Unwrapped Toys to Vienna
Presbyterian Church 9:30 - noon, fordistribution by CHO. Please also if possible bringgift cards from Target for teens.
SATURDAY/DEC. 10Wish List Project Drop Off Event 10 – 1:00
p.m. The Perez Family Home at 10440 DownPatrick Lane, Great Falls. Directly help familiesin need in area shelters, local elementaryschools, alternative housing and children infoster care. New this year — The Wish ListProject has partnered with Buzz Aldrin, Herndonand Hutchison Elementary schools for studentswho qualify for the free/reduced meal program.Your generosity and support will perpetuate theessence of the holiday season. It is importantthat ALL DONATIONS be received no later thanthe 10th as school counselors, social workersand shelter directors will be picking up the
following day.If you have a conflict with the 10th, a time for drop-
off can be arranged the week prior. Gift receiptsare encouraged to be included with the presentsyou purchase.
Please contact Christie Shumadine at 703-405-8561or [email protected] with any questions.All gifts are tax deductible and forms will beavailable at the driveway during drop off.
TUESDAY/DEC. 13Aging in Place Seminars. The Retiree Real
Estate Education Association announces freepublic service seminar for December, 2016, onAging in Place (Falls Church H.S., 7 p.m.). Theseminar is a part of a series of 8 free seminarson real estate issues unique to retirees. Seminarsare free, in the evenings at County publicschools. For more information and semi- narregistration go to Retiree- RealEstate.org.
ONGOING17th Annual Wish List Angels Project Wish
List Angels directly help families in localelementary schools, area shelters, alternativehousing and children in foster care. Yourgenerosity and support will perpetuate theessence of the holiday season. New this year -The Wish List Project has partnered with BuzzAldrin, Herndon and Hutchison elementaryschools when we learned that there were somany students struggling to make ends meetincluding basic needs.
In conjunction with the school guidance counselorsand social workers, we happily addedindividuals to our Wish List Project to helpspread some holiday cheer. Some of their storieswere difficult to hear – the father in need of aheart transplant, the child battling leukemia, themother fighting cancer, the teenage girl whosurvived mental and physical abuse working onher college degree in psychology to help others.The list goes on and once again, we reach out toour Wish List Angels to work their magic thisholiday season.
Last year our community generously granted wishesto over 400 individuals in our community duringthe holiday season.
Please look at the wish lists and take thisopportunity to spread some cheer thisDecember.
