online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Opinion, Page 6 ❖ Entertainment, Page 11 ❖ Sports, Page 12 ❖ Classifieds, Page 14 February 10-16, 2016 Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection Members of the Langley boys’ swim and dive team celebrate winning the 6A North region championship on Feb. 6 at Oak Marr Recreation Center. HomeLifeStyle HomeLifeStyle Page 8 Home Life Style Great Falls Teen Brings Organ Back People, Page 5 School Board Approves $2.67 Billion ‘No Cuts’ Budget News, Page 10 Great Falls Teen Brings Organ Back People, Page 5 School Board Approves $2.67 Billion ‘No Cuts’ Budget News, Page 10 Region Champs Sports, Page 12 Region Champs Sports, Page 12 Great Falls Great Falls
Transcript
Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
Opinio
n, Page 6
❖
Entertainm
ent, Page 11 ❖
Spo
rts, Page 12
❖
C
lassifieds, Page 14
February 10-16, 2016
Pho
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by C
raig Sterbutzel/T
he C
onnectio
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Members of the Langley boys’ swimand dive team celebrate winning the
6A North region championship onFeb. 6 at Oak Marr Recreation Center.
HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 8
HomeLifeStyleGreat Falls TeenBrings Organ BackPeople, Page 5
School Board Approves $2.67Billion ‘No Cuts’ BudgetNews, Page 10
Great Falls TeenBrings Organ BackPeople, Page 5
School Board Approves $2.67Billion ‘No Cuts’ BudgetNews, Page 10
Region ChampsSports, Page 12
Region ChampsSports, Page 12
Great FallsGreat Falls
2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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The Langley High School Crew ex-celled at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints, thelargest indoor rowing event for juniors(18 years or younger) in the UnitedStates.
From Langley, Mason Liddell tookhome the gold in the Junior LightweightMen 1500m (age 15), Taylor Kuligowskitook home the gold in the Junior Women1500m (age 15), and Sophie Rogers tookhome the silver Junior LightweightWomen 2k (age 17). Also, competing for
Langley and placing well in their catego-ries were: Stephen Kalinsky, Eliza Pastore,Emily Elkas, Helen Chambers, LeahDamelin, Katie Slade, Nick Stankey, PaulGorka, Justin Meeker and Erin Pierce.
The Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints includedmore than 2,000 competitors from over 100clubs, with athletes ranging in age from fiveyears to over eighty. It is the largest satel-lite-qualifying event for the World IndoorRowing Championships (C.R.A.S.H.-Bs)which will take place in Boston on Feb. 27.
Langley Rowers Win Two Gold, One Silver
Photo contributed
From left — Mason Liddell, Taylor Kuligowski and Sophie Rogers.
Patty Rojas, 11, onGreat Falls, took thesepictures of the familydog Annie during therecent Blizzard inGreat Falls.
By Ken Moore
The Connection
“What a difference a weekmakes,” said CountyChairman SharonBulova (D), in case
anybody had moved on from the 29.3 inchesof measured snow at Dulles Airport duringlast week’s blizzard.
The Board of Supervisors will hold aSnowzilla Summit on March 1, to discuss“what went well, what lessons were learned,and what can be done in future events,”Bulova said at the Board’s regularly sched-uled meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2, nine days af-ter the storm.
“It’s not like this never happens,” saidSupervisor John Cook (R-Braddock). “Weknow we’re going to have a significantstorm every few years.
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville)remembers the last big storm and countysummit when the county analyzed its re-sponse overall and neighborhood by neigh-borhood, street by street. “I intend to dothat again this year,” he said. “I look at thesesnow summits on a macro and a microlevel.”
Foust wants the police to be invited, andto hear analysis of the number of accidentsafter streets had begun to be plowed andtreated.
“As great a job as VDOT did, one area thatconcerns me the most is the hazardous situ-ations they left when they thought theywere done,” he said.
Supervisor Cook wants the school systemto join, too. Many residents called asking ifthey could help shovel sidewalks that werecovered by many feet of snow in some ar-eas that VDOT cleared from the roads. Thatwill be studied.
“We don’t want our children to be out ofschool an entire week,” said newly electedMount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck (D).
“I had far more compliments than com-plaints,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “It seemed to be contractordependent. If a contractor came out withgood equipment, they didn’t give up.”
People underappreciated in this storm werealso the repairmen fixing the equipment dur-ing the blizzard and cleanup, he said.
vised and be presented on the web so countyresidents can watch.
Backing out to the macro level, Supervi-sor Penelope Gross (D-Mason) gave a lastbit of perspective.
“Let’s consider the amount of snow wewere dealing with. VDOT did an outstand-ing job,” she said.
Animal ShelterNamed to Honor Frey
Supervisor Pat Herrity requested that thecounty animal shelter be named after just-retired Supervisor Michael Frey, who spent24 years as the Sully District Supervisor.
“I will not go over his many accomplish-ments as a supervisor of supporting schools,local sports programs, historic districts,parks and public safety, but rather focus onhis love for animals. Over the years, Mikehas been the proud owner of many rescueGerman Shepherds – Mosby and Marley inthe past, and now Boomer,” said Herrity.
The Board voted unanimously to renamethe Fairfax County Animal Shelter for Frey.
“This is an outstanding tribute to him, andI want to fully support this,” said McKay.
Herrity said Frey oversaw the creation ofdog parks, was largely responsible” for therenovation of the animal shelter, “workedtirelessly with veterinarians and sheltervolunteers to fight for better living condi-tions for animals in need,” and continuesto work for animal welfare in the countyeven after his “post-supervisor days.”
“Since Mike announced he would retirefrom the board, we’ve talked about this. I’mpleased,” said Bulova.
The motion passed unanimously, but italso sponsored a further resolution by theBoard to develop criteria for naming countybuildings, entities and anything else afterpeople.
“I’ve always been an advocate for notnaming anything for anybody until theyhave passed from this earth,” said Supervi-sor Penelope Gross. “There should be crite-ria for naming things for people.”
Currently, the Board does not have suchcriteria, said Chairman Sharon Bulova, “butthe Park Authority does, the schools do, ...but we don’t and we probably should.”
Board names Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter for Michael Frey.Snowzilla Summit Ahead
This was also the first storm since Super-visor Kathy Smith (D-Sully) took office. Thesnow cleanup and preparedness is “an im-portant conversation to have with the com-munity.”
Consistency was the problem she said herresidents told her about.
She used technology to make automaticcalls to residents in her magisterial district,giving the option for anyone who answeredto press a button to be connected to some-one in her office.
“It moves at a pace where you can receiveincoming calls as fast as you make outgo-ing calls,” she said. “Putting out an offer tohelp resulted in a 14-times increase in the
number of people calling us,” she said.Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence)
said the map alerting residents to VDOTprogress “just wasn’t accurate.”
Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) mentionedthat Herndon Park and Recreation Depart-ment offered a full day program for chil-dren during the cleanup days.
“Let’s evaluate Herndon’s program to seeif Fairfax County can do something simi-lar,” he said.
“It’s a pretty innovative way to make ac-tivities available to children and enablingparents to put in work hours on a snow day,”said Bulova.
She said Snowzilla Summit will be tele-
Experiencing
Blizzard in
Great Falls
4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
People
By Ashley Simpson
The Connection
Sixteen-year-old organistJack Wood can pinpointthe exact moment whenthe grand instrument
piqued his interest. The youngmusician, who has to date playedmore than 40 different organs forconcerts and church services, saidthat when he was just four yearsold, a conversation he heard be-tween his parents and his child-hood church’s music directorabout the shortage of young or-ganists struck a chord.
Although Wood did not startpursuing the organ seriously until2014, the Great Falls resident andHerndon High School junior is ona mission to take organists out ofthe endangered musician category.
“I began to really like the organafter listening to hymns onYouTube,” Wood said, recalling
Wood is completely comfortabletaking the initiative in findingthese opportunities, considering ita privilege to play for every con-gregation and audience.
“What I’ll do is reach out to theMusic Directors, then we meet,and if they like what I do, thenthey book me for church services,”Wood said. “Usually, at first I thinkthey are a little skeptical becauseI’m a teenager asking if I can playthese prized, grand organs. OnceI play for them, they do realize thatI’m a serious organist.”
Wood, who is ready and willingto play the organ for any localchurch service, said he credits hisorgan instructor, Dr. KimberlyHess, for fine-tuning and develop-ing his skill.
Hess, an Instructor of Music His-tory and Music Theory atMarymount University, has beenworking with Jack for the last yearand a half. She said such intenseappreciation for the organ is rareamong the youth, and that Jack isan extremely talented organistwith the passion it takes to go far.
“I love working with Jack,” Hesssaid. “It’s rare, but people who findtheir way into the field of playing
Jack Wood
Pho
to
co
ntributed
Jack Wood, 16, is on a mission totake organists out of theendangered musician category.
Great Falls Teen Brings Organ Back
how his interest snowballed intoa passion. “Knowing in the backof my head that there was a scar-city of organists made me want todo it even more. I had been play-ing the piano for years, and theorgan was like the piano, but morecomplicated. I liked the fact it wasa challenge. My goal now is tomajor in organ performance incollege and to one day be the mu-sic director and organist of achurch.”
Wood, who practices “anywherebetween one to five hours per day”is well on his way to turning hismusical passion into his career. Todate, Wood has headlined in fourconcerts open to the public.
Since he splits his time betweenhis father’s house in Great Fallsand his mother’s Middleburghome, he has been able to play forboth Catholic and Protestantchurch services in both Fairfax andLoudoun Counties. At just 16,
the organ seem to love it and be-come very intense with it. Therearen’t very many young people likehim.”
Before beginning lessons withHess, Wood said actually hecouldn’t read music, in spite of ahistory playing piano. After spend-ing years learning piano songs byear, Hess said Jack learned to readmusic in just a year and half.
Hess said Wood’s resourceful-ness and commitment takes stepsfurther than raw talent wouldalone.
“As unusual as young organistsare, it’s also rare for students to
have an organ in each of theirhomes,” Hess noted. “He’s veryresourceful. He was able to find afree organ on Craigslist for hismom’s house.”
Jack Wood’s father, John Woodof Great Falls, said that his old-est son has always shown musi-cal promise. He also recalls theday that Jack first heard about alack of rising organists, but saysit has been relatively recent thathe realized this instrument wasnot going to be a fleeting inter-est for Jack.
See Organist, Page 7
6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
In Virginia, a Dillon Rule state, local gov-ernments have only the powers explic-itly granted by the General Assembly.And what the assembly gives, the assem-
bly can take away.It’s the reason, for example, that localities
have limited means of raising revenue and lim-ited taxing authority. And those limited meansare one reason localities have turned to prof-fers, payments and improvements to infrastruc-ture agreed to by builders as part ofapproval and zoning changes for newdevelopment.
Members of the General Assembly, in-cluding many who represent only FairfaxCounty districts, agree with builders that inmany places, the way local governments areusing proffers is unfair, even out of control.
Many point to Loudoun County, where build-ers pay substantial cash proffers, as an ex-ample. And to other counties where large, offsite intersection improvements were required.
Everyone seems to agree that the “abuses”are not taking place in Fairfax, Arlington andAlexandria. But the restrictions apply to theseareas as well.
How are local governments supposed to payfor the costs of growth? Should the lion’s sharebe paid by existing residents through increase
property taxes?This is a complex question, not one that
should be rushed.But right now, the General Assembly is rush-
ing to restrict proffers and to give developersand builders substantial clout in legal chal-lenges to local government action. And theyare doing this without any consideration tohow localities will replace the resources theywill lose.
It’s time to slow this process down,and for a reasoned consideration. Whatexactly are the abuses that require ac-tion? Look at specific examples and
address the specifics.Local delegates voting in favor of the bill
restricting local proffer authority includedDave Albo (R-42), Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41),Charniele Herring (D-46), Patrick Hope (D-47), Tim Hugo (R-40), Paul Krizek (D-44),Mark Levine (D-45), Ken Plum (D-36) andVivian Watts (D-39).
Local delegates who voted against the billincluded Jennifer Boysko (D-86), David Bulova(D-37), Mark Keam (D-35), Kaye Kory (D-38),Jim LeMunyon (R-67), Alfonso Lopez (D-49),Kathleen Murphy (D-34), Mark Sickles (D-43),and Marcus Simon (D-53).
The Virginia Senate was expected to vote for
an amended version of the bill on Tuesday, Feb. 9.Reasonable action will fall to the conferees
in reconciling the House and Senate versions,and to the governor, who would be able toamend the bill before signing or veto.
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly specialedition, will publish on Feb. 24, and photosand stories of your pets with you and your fam-ily should be submitted by Feb. 17.
We invite you to send us stories about yourpets, photos of you and/or your family withyour cats, dogs, llamas, alpacas, hamsters,snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whateverother creatures share your home or yard withyou.
Please tell us a little bit about your creature,identify everyone in the photo, give a briefdescription what is happening in the photo,and include address and phone number (wewill not publish your address or phone num-ber, just your town name).
Email to [email protected] oronline at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
For advertising information, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.
Assembly rushes bill limiting proffers withoutaddressing who will pay for infrastructure.
Limiting Local Authority
Editorial
To the Editor:I have been a resident of Great
Falls for 26 years and my fatherhas lived here for 36. I have spentthe last decade thinking I was sup-posed to be somewhere else. Ironi-cally, through my recent processof de-cluttering, I have read thingsfrom long ago and come to therealization that I have been think-ing I was supposed to be some-where else for much longer thanthe last decade!
I think we all have a similarstruggle, the struggle is real right- as my teenage children remindme. One of my struggles is obvi-ously about where I live. Others Iknow struggle with food, alcohol,
exercise, work, you get the pic-ture.
For the new beginning that is thenew moon and the Chinese NewYear, Fire Monkey, I have decidedto let go of the anger and clutterwhich are the poisons I have beendrinking and expecting others todie. Anger about not living whereI think I am supposed to and clut-ter because I am moving right!?
Since all of our brains arehardwired to assume the worst(think cavemen), tell ourselves astory and then write a stormy firstdraft (Brene Brown) born fromthat process. I have decided that Iwould rather edit, update andbuild on that first draft rather than
run with it, with all those wrongassumptions. I don’t have to be-lieve everything I think!
Joining Great Falls writers groupis one of the best things I have everdone. It is a safe space to take cre-ative leaps. It is also a space tolearn and grow, especially in edit-ing our first drafts.
When I get out of my own way,I realize I am exactly where I amsupposed to be, beautiful GreatFalls. I live on the property my fa-ther bought in 1980, where mysister lived in her teenage yearsand drove her 1965 cherry redconvertible Pontiac GTO to HoltonArms (an irony she loved), wheremy husband and I had our wed-ding reception in 1993, where webuilt our log cabin in 1995, where
our children have lived since birthand where our address has had thesame phone number since the1950s.
I was agnostic until my sisterdied on June 7, 2008. When shedied, I felt her presence in me al-most immediately. She is now myhigher power and I am so gratefulfor it. Knowing and rememberingthat there is something greaterthan myself in control helps me toget out of my own way and diveinto the life I have been given andlet go of the one I thought I wassupposed to have.
Thank you Great Falls and GreatFalls writing group.
Hope JamesGreat Falls
A Safe Space for Creative LeapsLetters to the Editor
Fairfax County’s free FamilyCaregiver Telephone SupportGroup meets by phone on Tues-day, March 8, 7-8 p.m. to discussIncontinence Issues and Caregiving.Join us to discuss your concerns andlearn more about making this issuemore manageable. Register before-hand at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on TelephoneCaregiver Support Group. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711.
The Fairfax Commission onAging meet s on Wednesday,March 16 at noon at the HunterMill District Office, 1801 CameronGlen Dr., Reston. The public is wel-come to a t tend and jo in in thecomment period that begins eachsess ion . F ind out more a tw w w . f a i r f a x c o u n t y . g o v / d f s /olderadultservices/coa.htm. Call703-324-5403, TTY 711 for meet-ing access needs.
The Lewinsville Senior Cen-ter in McLean needs instructorsfor the fo l lowing c las ses : LineDance ,Zumba Gold , CertifiedArthr i t i s Exerc ise , SquareDance , Basic Guitar , Art, andBasic Spanish . For these andother volunteer opportunities, call703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutions.
Respite Care volunteers givefamily caregivers of a frail olderadult a well-deserved break so theycan go shopping, attend a doctor’sappointment or just have coffeewith a friend. Volunteers visit andoversee the safety of the older adultfor a few hours each month. Sup-port and training are provided.Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577 , TTY 711, [email protected].
Volunteer Events and Opportunities
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From Page 5
John said that he has enjoyedwatching Jack evolve into a moreserious, accomplished musicianand has come to really grasp justhow talented Jack really is. Jack’sfamily, which includes twoyounger sisters and a youngerbrother, has watched him play notonly in Virginia churches, but alsoat the helm of organs in otherstates. No matter where the Woodsgo, Music Directors all relay thesame message to Jack’s parents:he’s the real deal.
“We’ve taken him all over,” Johnsaid. “When we are in New Jerseyvisiting my parents, I take him tochurches there. Music directors arealways impressed. Also we rent ahouse on the beach in New Jerseyevery year, and one summer I re-member visiting this small churchin this small town calledStrathmere, where the people en-couraged us to take him to achurch in Ocean City with a reallylarge organ. Jack played for a fewdays with the music director there,too. At all these places, I alwaysask if he’s any good. They alwayssay, ‘Wow. He is awesome.’”
John said his son has neverasked for money, but is often toldthat he is too talented to play forfree.
Meanwhile, Jack said that hedoes not yet charge for tickets tohis concerts or set prices for play-ing at church services because hefeels lucky for already knowing hiscalling.
In terms of specific goals, Jacksaid he is working on masteringwhat he said is considered one ofthe hardest pieces for an organistto tackle.
“At some point I would like tocomplete ‘Widor’s Toccata’ [a sym-phony for the organ],” Jack said.“Once you can play that, you’re thereal deal. I’ve tried, but it’s prettyhard to get.”
Jack said that as he pursues hisdreams and continues taking thesteps toward becoming a careerorganist, he hopes he can inspireother young keyboardists to thinkabout similar paths. As fun as theivories are, he said that addingpedals to the mix can be a thrill-ing challenge.
“My advice to any accomplishedyoung pianists is that, if you likethis article and if the organ inter-ests you at all, become an organ-ist,” Jack said. “We need moreyoung organists. It would be aw-ful if there came a day wherechurches had to be without organmusic. Rock music and guitars canbe good, but that isn’t traditionalchurch music.”
For any inquiries about Jack andhis music, visit his Facebook pageat https://www.facebook.com/NVAOrganist or email him directlyat [email protected].
Organist
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HomeLifeStyle
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
Fresh flowers and candlesare an easy way to addelegance and romance to
a Valentine’s Day table. Fromdramatic to understated, localtastemakers offer suggestionsfor setting the mood for amemorable dinner.
“Candles are key to set a ro-mantic atmosphere,” saidMarika Meyer of Marika MeyerInteriors in Bethesda, Md. “Softlighting is flattering to all of usand creates a sense of intimacyfor conversations.”
The ambience is enhanced,says Meyer, when the candle-light glints off of metallic acces-sories like candlestick holders.“You can use silver, mercury,glass or even gold or brass tohelp move the light,” she said.
In fact, gold accents are a cur-rent trend, says Angela Phelpsof Le Village Marche in Arling-ton. “They pair well with pinks,reds, and fuchsias,” she said.“So, as you’re planning a roman-tic dinner at home, think aboutincorporating china, vases,candle votives, trays, and glass-ware with a gold trim for a stun-ning table.”
Metallics combined with a fewpops of a soft color help createan elegant setting. “White andsilver tables can be very roman-tic — for example, a white table-cloth, mirrored or silverplacemats, silver flatware andcrystal stemware,” said FayJohnson, an interior designerwith J.T. Interiors in Potomac,Md. “The centerpiece [could be]a silver ice bucket with whiteand blush colored roses and a
mance than contrasting colors,”said Wilson-Vertin. She recom-mends using “red roses withdeep burgundy mini carnationsto vary the size of the flowerhead and texture. Mini carna-tions have ruffled texture.”
For the ultimate in texture andcolor variety, “think English gar-den, like roses, hydrangeas,lisianthus and snapdragons,”said Wilson-Vertin. “Add berriesand eucalyptus” to complete thiselegant floral arrangement.”
Linen napkins offer a finish-ing touch to an elegant tablesetting, says Kelley Proxmire ofKelley Interior Design inBethesda, Md.
“Use pretty salt and peppershakers, festive napkin rings,and if you have fancy water orwine glasses, now is the timeto use them,” she said. “Anddon’t forget the champagnebucket nearby for cooling whitewine or champagne.”
Flowers and candles create romantic designs.
Stylish Valentine’s Day Table Settings
Photo courtesy of
Merrifield Garden Center
array of assorted size candles andvotives.”
For a more traditional table,Johnson stated that “a black, whiteand red table can be very dramati-cally romantic. A black and whitetablecloth [such as] a houndstoothor herringbone … pattern with red,glass stemware, white dinner plate,a ruby-red glass salad plate andsilver flatware.”
Johnson suggests completing thelook with a crystal or silver vasefilled with red roses and accentedwith few red glass votive candles.
Johnson believes that not all cen-terpieces need to be flowers. Shesuggests filling three compotedishes, graduating in size, withchocolates and red and pink rosepetals for table design with a touchof whimsy.
A vase can add a powerful styleimpact. “A vase is like a frame for
a picture,” said Linda Wilson-Vertin, floral designer withMerrifield Garden Center in FairOaks. “A clear vase is like not hav-ing a frame on the picture.”
Instead, choose a vase that hasvisual interest or one that is mean-ingful on a personal level. “I likeusing things that are special to theindividual,” said Wilson-Vertin. “Iask clients to bring in a containerthat they like so that I can createan arrangement that works withit.”
While red is often the go-to flo-ral color for Valentine’s Day, Wil-son-Vertin says that shades of pink,peach and purple can offer el-egance and romance. “Go withwhat works for you and whatworks in your home,” she said. “Forexample, red doesn’t work in myhome, so I use watermelon andapricot.”
Consistency adds an unexpectedtouch of enchantment. A mono-chromatic palette conveys more ro-
KelleyProxmirecreated anintimate tablesetting with avariety ofglasses,candles andfresh flowers.
Photo courtesy of Ivy Lane
A table setting by Alexan-dria-based Ivy Lane’s AlexDeringer and Courtney Coxincorporates fresh flowers.
Photo by
Angie Seckinger
“As you’re planning aromantic dinner athome, think about
incorporating china,vases, candle votives,
trays and glasswarewith a gold trim for a
stunning table.”— Angela Phelps of
Le Village Marche
While red is oftenthe go-to floralcolor for Valentine’sDay, shades of pink,peach and purplecan offer eleganceand romance.
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
Wires, cable boxes,soccer cleats, petbowls and otheritems are life’s ne-
cessities, but they can be unsightlyand disrupt the aesthetic of an el-egant living space. From texturedbaskets to custom-made furniture,local architects and designers be-lieve that everyday items can beconcealed, maintaining the designintegrity of a space while incorpo-rating the household items thatmake daily life run smoothly.
For pet owners, a kitchen reno-vation is an ideal time to consideradding a custom space for petbowls and beds. Hidden drawersnear the bottom of a kitchen cabi-net can keep pet supplies out ofsight.
“When designing kitchens andbaths, we always consider the bestways to store essentials in a neat,aesthetically pleasing way,” saidJim Rill, principal of Rill Architectsin Bethesda, Md.
The kitchen is also an ideal roomfor carving out storage space forelectronics and charging stations.“Add an outlet to a small drawerin the kitchen for charging phonesso the cords … are not all over thecountertop,” said Michael Winn,principal of Winn Design Build inFalls Church. “Use flip, pop-up andother types of hidden outlets inkitchen countertops, like thoseused in some offices.”
Winn says outlets can be hiddenin spaces such as fake drawerfronts, under cabinet lighting or a
countertop edge. “Use a built-inwireless phone charger on a table,”he said. “The Holy Grail is wire-less electricity. It’s not a stretch toimagine that the homes we’ll bebuilding a decade or so from nowwill have this technology.”
Interior designer Molly Bruno,owner of Molly Bruno Interiors,suggests choosing one area as the“hot zone” for high-tech devices. “Aspecific place where your family’sphones, iPads and tablets can allcharge together. A central spot iskey … someplace away from bed-rooms, possibly a corner of the
Bringing Order toHousehold Chaos
Wentworth designed and built an entertainment systemaround the TV that includes pullout cabinets for electronics.
”When designingkitchens and baths,we always considerthe best ways tostore essentials in aneat, aestheticallypleasing way.”
— Jim Rill, Rill Architects
kitchen or a designated tray onyour desk.”
Mudrooms have evolved into anessential space for inclusion inhome design, says Rill. “[They]provide a drop-off spot for coats,hats, keys, and more when enter-ing a home and [are] often hiddenfrom view,” he said.
Interspersing closed storage withopen is a design strategy that BruceWentworth, president ofWentworth, Inc. uses to hide fre-quently used household products.“Closed storage to conceal the ne-cessities of life that are not alwaysso attractive and open shelving to
display personal treasures andbooks,” he said.
From soccer cleats and shinguards to basketballs, corrallingclutter becomes less daunting withtextured baskets, says Bruno. “Pot-tery Barn’s beachcomber basketsare great placed at the end of acouch for extra blankets and pil-lows or by the back door for shoesor sporting equipment.”
These also work in a linencloset or bathroom. “Roll up sev-eral clean towels, place them ver-tically in the basket and you’llhave fresh towels at the ready”for family and guests.
Photo by Geoffrey Hodgdon
Rill Architects designed a spice rack drawer to keep spiceshandy and organized.
Photo by Jamie Corbel
Rill Architects designed this butler’s pantry in Potomac,Md., with pocket doors.
Photo by Ron Blunt
Clever designsolutions forhiding clutter.
10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service
Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service
The Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran
703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org
1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston
ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston
Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive
Final SixPerformances!
AMERICA’S PRIZE-WINNING MUSICAL!
1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)All performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th St. NY, NY 10019
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm. Sundays at 2pm
Tickets 866.811.4111 OR www.McLeanPlayers.org
FEB. 5 – 21, 2016Alden Theatre • McLean Community Center
Original production directed by Peter Hunt. Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow
Music and Lyrics by
Sherman EdwardsBased on a Concept by
Sherman EdwardsBook by
Peter Stone
News
By Tim Peterson
The Connection
Members of theFairfax CountySchool Boardhave taken the
next step in realizing Superinten-dent Dr. Karen Garza’s vision of noadditional cuts in the Fiscal Year2017 school system operating bud-get. The $2.67 billion budget, a$121 million or 4.8 percent in-crease over the FY 2016 approvedbudget was supported unani-mously at the board’s Feb. 4 regu-lar business meeting.
Highlights of the new budgetinclude a step and one percentmarket scale adjustment salaryincrease for all FCPS employees,as well as another $40 millionearmarked for making teachersalaries more competitive andreducing class sizes in elemen-tary schools.
“The Superintendent’s BudgetTask Force spent many hours overseveral weeks last summer and falldeveloping a list of potential pro-gram cuts and new fees,” BoardChairman Pat Hynes said in astatement. “Those cuts and fees
are not in the Advertised Budgetbecause they would fundamen-tally change the quality and char-acter of FCPS. I did not leave theclassroom to serve on the SchoolBoard so that I could preside overthe dismantling of this world classschool system. Potential cuts will,sadly, have to be consideredshould we not receive the revenueour schools need.”
BUDGET COMMITTEE chairand School Board member JanieStrauss introduced the motion toapprove the budget.
“This budget reflects the basicneeds of our schools and is criti-cal to maintaining an essentialquality education for our chil-dren,” she said in a statement.“Community support for this bud-get is critical to the future of ourschools, our children, and theoverall strength and reputation ofFairfax County.”
At-large member JeanetteHough, a new addition to theboard, presented a lone amend-ment to the advertised budget. Sheproposed reducing the transferrequest from Fairfax County by$4.3 million, in part through rec-
ognizing additional funding fromthe Commonwealth of Virginia andalso absorbing some employee liv-ing wage expenditures into the Foodand Nutrition Services fund.
Increased funding from the state,a potential $3.2 million, is part ofGov. Terry McAuliffe’s proposedbudget, which the General Assem-bly has yet to approve. This uncer-tainty caused most other boardmembers to vote against the motion.
“It’s still a proposal of theGovernor’s, not in hand by anymeans,” said Vice Chairman andMason District representative SandyEvans. “It’s also a best case scenario.These chickens are far from hatch-ing.”
There was also concern over theeffect Hough’s proposal would haveon developing a higher quality foodprogram.
“As we try to improve nutrition forour young people, I don’t want toput more pressure on that fund rightnow,” said Strauss.
Though each member congratu-lated Hough on her effort to dig intothe budget and make an attempt toimprove it despite her short time onthe board, Springfield representa-tive Elizabeth Schultz and the new
Calls for general salary raises andadditional $40 million for teachers,lowering elementary class sizes.
School Board Approves $2.67 Billion ‘No Cuts’ Budget
Jeanette Hough, a newlyelected at-large school boardmember, introduced an un-successful amendment thatwould have reduced theproposed Fairfax Countytransfer to the school systemby $4.3 million.
Photo courtesy of FCPS
Sully member Tom Wilson were theonly other members to vote in theamendment’s favor.
“In the Virginia state code, there’sa requirement for board membersto run school systems with ‘the ut-most efficiency,’” said Schultz, whowent on to address the Food andNutrition Services aspect of theamendment: “This is an incrediblymodest way to recognize a self-sus-taining fund that numbers bear outover time is already provided for inthe budget.
“The best face we can put forwardis that we have done all theappropropriate things to recognizesavings when we can,” Schultzadded.
what this $3.2 million is, it’s justanother assumption we’re basingour budget on.”
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORShas scheduled public hearings onthe budget on April 5-7. More in-formation about participating andthe complete budget calendar isavailable online at www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/budgetcalendar.shtml.Additional info on the FY 2017 bud-get can be found online atwww.fcps.edu/news/fy2017.shtml.
Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar
Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday for the following week’s paper.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGMcMurry Artist Showcase. Feb. 1-
24. Broadway Gallery Fine Art andFraming, 1025-J-Seneca Road, GreatFalls. Local artist Richard McMurry’sstylized landscape paintings will beon display.www.broadwaygallery.net. 703-450-8005.
Macdonald Fine Arts ScholarshipDeadline. Friday, Feb. 12. Eachyear, the McLean Community Centerrecognizes the hard work and talentof young performing artists throughthe James C. Macdonald PerformingArts Scholarship Competition.Following a preliminary audition anda final round of competition, prizesare awarded in each of fourcategories: Dance, InstrumentalMusic, Vocal Music and Theatre.High school students who reside orattend school in the McLean taxdistrict (Small District 1A-Dranesville) are eligible to apply.mcleancenter.org. 703-790-0123.
“When the Rain Stops Falling.” Feb.4-28. 1st Stage Tysons, 1524 SpringHill Road, Tysons Corner. Epic inscope and poetic in language, thisbeautiful, haunting play crossescontinents and challenges theboundaries of time to tell the story ofone family and the events that bringthem together and drive them apart.$15—$30. www.1ststagetysons.org.703-854-1856.
Pigments of My Imagination. Jan.4-March 31. Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Longtime Great Falls resident DonnaBarnako, has created over a dozencolorful and whimsical small works.Her subjects are varied, from pigs topuppies and cowboy boots.
Weekly Storytime. Wednesday andSaturday. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Themes and Titles vary.Free admission.
”1776.” Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.Sundays, 2 p.m. Through Feb. 21.Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. The founding fathers whoparticipated in the creation andsigning of one of the most importantdocuments in our nation’s history arepresented in a humorous way, withtheir human foibles and failings.Directed by Annie O’Neill Galvin;produced by Jerry Gideon and JeanMatich. $23-$25. mcleanplayers.org.866-811-4111.
Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. St. Luke’sCatholic School Gymnasium, 7005Georgetown Pike, McLean. WeeklyTai Chi practice. Group has met forover 20 years. Free. FreeTaiChi.org.703-759-9141.
THURSDAY/FEB. 11Valentine Making and Champagne
Tasting. 7:30-9:30 p.m. McLeanProject for the Arts, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. The Valentine Makingworkshop will be led by one ofMcLean Project for the Arts’experienced faculty members, andthe tasting will be special curatedselections of champagne andprosecco provided by The Vineyard.$35/$30. 703-790-1953.
Gallery Talk. 7 p.m. McLean Projectfor the Arts, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. Join us for storytelling andpoetry. Artists, Nasrin and NahidNavab, will share stories behind theircollaborate exhibit “Hushed Revolt.”Poetry reading by Safia Elhillo fromSplit This Rock. Free.www.mpaart.org. 703-790-1953.
Valentine’s and Champagne. 7:30-9p.m. McLean Project for the Arts,1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Put the
ART in HEART this Valentine’s Day.Create one-of-a-kind Valentines whiletasting special champagnes andproseccos from The Vineyard.Workshop led by one of ourexperienced instructors. $35/$30.www.mpaart.org. 703-790-1953.
SATURDAY/FEB. 13Coffee and Roses. 9:30-11 a.m.
StarNut Gourmet, 1445 LaughlinAve., McLean. Coffee discussion,“Selection, Sources and Rose Care.”Hosts Frank Polk and Pam Powers.arlingtonrose.org. 703-371-9351.
Great Falls Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Great Falls Grange, 9818Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Valentine’s Market.www.greatfallsfarmersmarket.org.
Chinese Lunar New YearCelebration. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. TysonsCorner Center, 1961 Chain BridgeRoad, Mclean. Showcasing uniquecultural performances from The JowGa Shaolin Institute continuing withmore fun family festivities, crafts andentertainment. Free. 703-997-0977.
SUNDAY/FEB. 14Smooth Jazz Brunch. Noon-2:30
p.m. Maggianno’s Little Italy, 2001International Drive, McLean. JoinTony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front andKen Navarro as they touch heartsthrough music. Ticket prices includeBrunch Buffet and a $10 giftcertificate to Maggiano’s. $60.www.tonycraddockjr.com/jazzbrunch. 703-398-6171.
Grain Grinding Demonstrations.Noon-3 p.m. Colvin Run Mill, 10017Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls. $7 foradults, $6 for students, $ for childrenand seniors. 703-759-2771.
MONDAY-TUESDAY/FEB. 15-16Graham Nash. 8 p.m. The Barns at
Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.Singer/songwriter and foundingmember of iconic bands Crosby, Stillsand Nash and The Hollies, GrahamNash is a two-time Rock and RollHall of Fame and Songwriter Hall ofFame inductee, a Grammy Awardwinner, a New York Times bestsellingauthor, and an Officer of the Order ofthe British Empire. $80-$90.www.wolftrap.org.
FRIDAY/FEB. 19Kevin Griffin of Better than Ezra. 8
p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635Trap Road, Vienna. Frontman of thealt-rock band Better Than Ezra, thisprolific singer/songwriter has pennednumerous hits for Train, Sugarland,James Blunt, Howie Day, MissyHiggins, Blondie, and more. $25-$27.www.wolftrap.org.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 19-21Hope on Ice. 3-8 p.m. Tysons Skate
Rink, 1961 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Community ice skatingextravaganza benefiting AmericanCancer Society and honoring cancersurvivors. DJ Civil, live music,entertainment and Luminaria on iceceremony. First 50 cancer survivorsreceive commemorative T-shirt. [email protected]. 703-673-8044.
SATURDAY/FEB. 20Puppetry Festival. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Jim WestPuppets and Crabgrass Puppets willpresent and perform. Children canenjoy two puppet shows and learnhow to make their own puppets.$15/$10. http://ow.ly/WLmhq. 703-790-0123.
Winter Wine Tasting. 7-10 p.m. RiverBend Golf and Country Club, 375Walker Road, Great Falls. Minglewith and join your neighbors for adelicious selection of hors d’oeuvres,cheeses and fine wines. $75. http://www.celebrategreatfalls.org/winter-wine-tasting/.
SUNDAY/FEB. 21Hula Dance Master Class. 3 p.m.
The Center for Education, 1645 TrapRoad, Vienna. Take a trip to thefascinating Hawaiian islands in thisfun-filled hula dance master class.Learn the beautiful footwork andgraceful hand motions of a hula‘auana, modern hula, to a specialmele, Hawaiian song. Ages 13 toadult. $20. www.wolftrap.org.
FRIDAY/FEB. 26Itamar Zorman, Kwan Yi. 7:30 p.m.
The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 TrapRoad, Vienna. Violin and pianopieces by Mozart (“Sonata in B-flatMajor K. 378”), Crumb(“Nocturnes”), Brahms (“Sonata in AMajor”), Bartok (“Sonata no. 1 forViolin and Piano”). $35.www.wolftrap.org.
227 Maple Ave., E, Vienna. Staunton,Va. native, singer songwriter andfarmer. www.jamminjava.com.
John Eaton, The Swingin’ ’30s. 8p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635Trap Road, Vienna. Join renownedpianist and vocalist John Eaton as heinterprets the Great AmericanSongbook. $25-$27.www.wolftrap.org.
Puppeteer Jim Westperforms at theMcLean CommunityCenter on Saturday,Feb. 20.
Photo
contributed
12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
By Jon Roetman
The Connection
The defending statechampion McLeangymnastics team
earned a regional berth with arunner-up finish at the Confer-ence 6 meet on Feb. 5 at Wash-ington-Lee HighSchool.
McLean fin-ished with a scoreof 139.6.Yorktown wonthe team champi-onship with a to-tal of 146.225,snapping theH i g h l a n d e r s ’streak of fourconsecutive dis-trict/conferencetitles.
While McLeanis used to finish-ing atop the Lib-erty District/Con-ference 6, theH i g h l a n d e r smanaged to qualify forregionals despite the gradua-tion of multiple key contribu-tors from last year’s state cham-pionship team, including LizzyBrown-Kaiser and JacquelineGreen.
“It’s really great,” head coachCourtney Lesson said. “I feel
like this year we have a youngerteam, so [we had to get] themunderstanding the concept ofhow things go.”
McLean sophomore CarolynBrown-Kaiser qualified forregionals in the all-around witha score of 35.825. She placedsecond on vault (9.3), sixth on
floor (9.2), sev-enth on bars(8.75) and tiedfor 12th on beam(8.575).
“She’s reallymotivated,” Les-son said. “Sheknows what shewas to do to getthe job done. …She’s really goodat motivating theteam.”
M c L e a n ’ sCalista Parduequalified forregionals in twoevents, tying forfourth on beam(9.025) and plac-
ing fifth on floor (9.225). AnnaBrower qualified for regionalson vault with a third-place fin-ish (9.25), and Aliyah Cheva-lier tied for seventh on floor(8.9).
The regional meet will beheld Saturday, Feb. 13 at PatriotHigh School.
McLean GymnasticsQualifies for Regionals
Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection
Carolyn Brown-Kaiser and the McLean gymnasticsteam qualified for regionals during the Conference 6championship meet on Feb. 5.
By Jon Roetman
The Connection
The Langley boys’ swim anddive team entered the seasonhoping for a top-three finishat regionals and states.
After a championship performance lastweek, the Saxons’ goals have shifted.
The Langley boys won the 6A Northregion championship on Saturday, Feb.6 at Oak Marr Recreation Center. TheSaxons finished with a score of 229.5,holding off runner-up Patriot (215).
Langley head coach Ryan Jackson saidthe Saxons put themselves in positionto win with a strong performance on Fri-day during prelims.
“It sunk in last night when I wenthome and scored out how we did in pre-lims,” Jackson said. “We did well lastnight. We put ourselves in position,event after event in prelims, to be in theplace to score points. We had all threerelays in the top eight. We had swim-mers come back in every event. We hadpoints coming from diving from Wednes-day. We really had a complete team showup and we swam great.”
Langley’s victory came one week af-ter the Saxons took home the Confer-ence 6 title on Jan. 30 at Washington-Lee High School.
Sophomore Casey Storch had a strong regionalmeet, winning the 200 IM with an All-American-qualifying time of 1:49.29.
“I feel that was a strong race,” he said. “Going intoit, I was a little scared of all the other guys comingback. I ended up going out really fast in the first halfbut I felt strong the whole time.”
Storch also placed third in the 100 breaststrokewith an All-American time of 56.1, which also bestedthe previous meet record of 56.5, and helped the200 medley and 400 free relays finish third.
“He’s just so talented,” Jackson said about Storch.“It looks effortless, but he just gives 100 percent. Heanchored the [400] free relay right after the breast-stroke, he split a 45 low — just incredible. That’sright up there with the big boys in the 100 free —and right after swimming the breaststroke. He’s defi-nitely talented and he has a lot of poise, as well.”
The Langley 200 medley relay (Ryan Ha, Storch,Devin Truong, Carter Bennett) finished with a timeof 1:33.92 (All-American) and the 400 free relay(Chase Bradshaw, Truong, Justin Rose, Storch)posted a time of 3:09.14 (All-American consider-ation). The 200 free relay (Bennett, Adam Fischer,William Wingo, Justin Rose) also took third, finish-ing with a time of 1:26.46.
Rose, a senior, placed fifth in the 100 butterfly(50.99) and 100 backstroke (51.12, All-Americanconsideration).
Bennett, a senior, tied for fifth in the 50 free witha time of 20.99 (All-American consideration) andfinished 10th in the 100 free (47.26).
After Saturday’s region championship, Jackson, whoannounced to the team earlier this season that he willtake a break from coaching after 12 years with Lan-gley, said the Saxons’ outlook for states has changed.
“I think our goals have shifted a little bit in termsof a top-three finish,” he said. “Maybe we’re going totry to take a sweep.”
The defending state champion Langley girls’ teamfinished runner-up at regionals with a score of 194.Robinson won the title with a score of 222.
Langley junior Isabella Rongione placed second inthe 500 free with an All-American time of 4:46, fin-ishing four-tenths of a second behind Oakton seniorMegan Byrnes. Rongione placed fourth in the 200free (1:49.87, All-American consideration) andhelped the 200 free and 400 free relays place third.
The 200 free relay (Micaela Grassi, Celeste Pace,Rongione, Michelle Owens) turned in a time of1:37.79, and the 400 free relay (Grassi, Joanne Fu,Owens, Rongione) recorded an All-American-consid-eration time of 3:30.28.
Fu, a junior, placed second in the 100 butterfly(56.03) and eighth in the 200 IM (2:08.4).
Owens, a junior, placed fourth in the 500 free(4:53.01, All-American consideration) and fifth inthe 200 free (1:50.46, All-American consideration).
The 6A state diving championship is scheduledfor Feb. 19 at Oak Marr. The 6A state swimmingchampionship meet will be held Feb. 20 at GeorgeMason University.
Saxon girls finishregion runner-up.
Langley Boys’ Swim and DiveWins Region Championship
“She knowswhat she wasto do to getthe job done.… She’s reallygood atmotivating theteam.”
—Head coach
Courtney Lesson on
Carolyn Brown-Kaiser
The Langley boys’ swim and dive team won the 6ANorth region championship.
The Langley girls’ swim and dive team finishedrunner-up at the 6A North region meet.
Photos by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection
Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
14 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
LEGAL NOTICENOTICE TO John Doe, father of Zikell (male) born on 5/16/05 to M.P. in parts unknown.
A petition has been filed seeking: Committment of minor child of the above named or vested cus-tody and care of said child of the above named in a lawful, pri-vate or public agency or a suitable and worthy person.
The petition, whereby the courts decision can affect your per-sonal rights, if any, regarding minor child will be heard on 2/11/2016 at 9:45am at 20 Franklin Sq. 3rd Fl. New Britain, CT 06051.
Therefore it is ordered, that notice of the hearing of this petition be given by publishing this Order of Notice once, immediately upon receipt, in the Arlington, VA, a newspaper having a circu-lation in the city of Arlington, VA. Hon. Stephen F. Frazzini, Signed Melissa C. Lapent 1/15/16
ABC LICENSEPainerya LLC trading as Pio Pio Peruvian Cuisine, 762 Walker Rd, Ste A, Great Falls, VA 22066. The above estab-lishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL(ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises and Mixed Beverages license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Benazur Pain,President.NOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date fo the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Not Snow Fast
As an originally diagnosed-as-terminal,lung cancer patient, I try not to panic or worryunnecessarily or be a harbinger of doom or apurveyor of gloom. Unfortunately, the provid-ers of the news/weather reports of “accumula-ting” (that seems to be the popular phrase oflate) snow in the forecast currently and ingeneral, apparently are of the opposite opin-ion. Rather than make light of the inches pre-dicted, the common (as if they’re all readingfrom the same script) presentation is typicallyfraught with inferences of impending disasterand/or catastrophic loss. Not only is the mes-sage tiresome, its redundancy is downrightdistressing, as if the goal is to strike such fearinto the local population that toilet paper,bread, water, and batteries aside; it’s themedia that will be the most important must-have.
Do you know what my most important“must-have” is? Sanity, and calm in the face ofadversity; logical and rational behavior in themidst of over-the-top reporting of events(maker that snow/weather predictions) des-tined to change lives – of the media, for themost part. Granted, there’s lots of valuableinformation that must be disseminated whena storm of generational proportions smothersthe area. Nevertheless, don’t burden us withemotional baggage in the interim. The weightof the snow, especially for us manual shovel-ers, will do more than enough to keep us“sheltered in place.” Sometimes, the messageis lost in the hyperbole, or in the “emergency”programming as seen on the non-stop, ’roundthe clock reporting. The sheer volume of itdiminishes its impact. Quite frankly, less ismore, and more manageable, too.
What us viewers and listeners endure inthe Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Area, orwhat it has increasingly become known as:“The D.M.V;” (yet another media creationforced upon us residents) is above andbeyond the call of citizen duty. Being called asa juror appeals to me more than being sub-jected to the media maelstrom that precedes(and of course, follows), these “weatherevents.”
Yet here I sit and write, approximately twoweeks after the “Blizzard of 2016,” trying tofilter out fact from fiction concerning nextweek’s “snowcast.” And even though the two-plus feet of snow is mostly long gone (but notforgotten), I fear its effect on our preparationsand predictions will inhibit us for years:fueled in no small way by the media’s fascina-tion with itself and its presumptive place inthe world as well as its presumptive place inthe lives of thousands of local residents forwhom they feel uniquely responsible.
Not that I totally understand many of theulterior motives behind the means and meth-ods of communication when snow is in theatmosphere, but the pattern seems familiar:create the fear, report the fear, and then coverthe effects of the fear; and then in anotheroccasional adjunct: the after-the-fact self-analysis of the fear that was created, thereporting of that fear, and then a post-mortemon all the fear and its consequences.
I have to tell you; as a cancer patient, Ican’t live my life this way. Every day, I have tobuck up and not look for trouble – and notmake any trouble, either; not exactly the mis-sion of the media. Ergo, I don’t need to makematters any worse than they might otherwisebe, nor can I presume and anticipate theworst, or create consequences in advance ofthem being consequential. Since I’m a greatbeliever in context, having an incurable formof cancer (NSCLC, stage IV) may make meless tolerant of the snow coverage by themedia. Then again, maybe I’m just a victim ofcircumstance, tired of being made to feel likethe victim.
An expert is someone who knowssome of the
worst mistakesthat can bemade in his
subject and howto avoid them.
-WernerHeisenberg
Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try
to be that perfectly.-St. Francis de Sales
To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected]. Thedeadline for submissions is the Friday prior to pub-lication.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 10“Dwelling Detective: Researching the
History of Your Fairfax County House.” 7p.m. Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Presented by Susan Hellman,Architectural Historian, Great Falls HistoricalSociety Program. She is the Historic SiteManager for the Carlyle House Historic Site inAlexandria. 703-757-8560.
Monthly Meeting Advisory Committee forStudents with Disabilities. 7:30 p.m.Gatehouse Administrative Center, 8115Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, Room 1600.Guests welcome to observe, comment. http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ACSD.
Great Falls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Valentine’s Market.www.greatfallsfarmersmarket.org.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 17McLean Newcomers and Neighbors Monthly
Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Nostos, 81 Boone Blvd.,Vienna. Vienna. Ruth Robbins, senior programcoordinator of the Smithsonian Associates, willdescribe programs she has organized withluminaries like Sonia Sotomayor, HenryKissinger, Tom Brokaw and Martin Sheen. RSVPby Feb. 12 to [email protected]. $38. Non-members welcome.www.McleanNewcomers.org.
ONGOINGThe Northern Virginia Long Term Care
Ombudsman Program needs volunteeradvocates for residents in nursing homes andassisted living facilities. Contact Lisa Callahan at703-324-5861, TTY 711 or [email protected] . Also visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/.
Faith Notes are for announcements and eventsin the faith community. Send [email protected]. Deadline isFriday.
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550Georgetown Pike, Great Falls: ExperienceLent in a New Way. Each Thursday, Feb. 18through March 17, partake of a free supper of na-tive foods, discuss how those who lack food,money, or resources in five countries are copingand how the Evangelical Lutheran Church inAmerica is assisting, and join in prayer and remem-brance of those in need. Visitors are welcome tocome for one or all meals: 6 – 7:15 p.m. Thursdays,Feb. 18 (Bolivia), Feb. 25 (Cambodia), March 3(Colombia), March 10 (Costa Rica), and March 17(Egypt). For information: 703-759-6068 or http://www.gflutheran.org/
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 ChainBridge Road in Vienna will hold a drive-thru ser-vice that quickly provides ashes and prayer toChristian observers of Ash Wednesday in thechurch parking lot on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8:45 a.m. For more infomation, go towww.elcvienna.org or call 703-938-2119.
St. Francis Episcopal Church , 9220Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, offers musical,educational, outreach and fellowship ministries inaddition to worship services, including a 7:45 a.m.worship service without music; 9 a.m. worship ser-vice, children’s chapel and children’s choirs; 10a.m. Sunday school and adult forum; and 11 a.m.worship service with adult choir. 703-759-2082.
The Antioch Christian Church offers a timeof Prayer and Healing on Wednesday evenings at6:30 p.m. for anyone wanting encouragement andhealing through prayers. People are available topray with you or for you. Antioch Christian Churchis located at 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna.www.antiochdoc.org
The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA)offers a wide variety of support groups for thosewith emotional, social, and physical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.
Faith Notes
Bulletin Board
16 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ February 10-16, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.GreatFallsGreatHomes.com
Jan & Dan LaythamDianne Van Volkenburg
Office: 703-757-3222Susan Canis
Associate Realtor9841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 • 703-759-9190Sally Marvin
