Santa’s Ride Celebrates 30 Years Delivering Toys to Children News, Page 6 McLean WinterFest Parade Set for Dec. 2 News, Page 3 Hands-On Approach Feeds Small Business Saturday News, Page 3 Lily Costa, right, holds a wedding dress with her mother on Small Business Satur- day at Mae’s Dress Boutique in McLean. Holiday Entertainment Pages 9-10 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com November 28-December 4, 2018 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, Page 9 v Classifieds, Page 10 Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 11-29-18 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322
Transcript
Santa’s Ride Celebrates 30 YearsDelivering Toys to ChildrenNews, Page 6
McLean WinterFest Parade Set for Dec. 2News, Page 3
Hands-On Approach Feeds Small Business Saturday
News, Page 3
Lily Costa, right, holds a wedding dress with her mother on Small Business Satur-
day at Mae’s Dress Boutique in McLean.
Holiday EntertainmentPages 9-10
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com November 28-December 4, 2018
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Postal CustomerECR WSS
Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 11-29-18
PRSRT STDU.S. Postage
PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
On Sunday, Dec. 2, McLean willwelcome in the holidays as funand fancy entries proceed down
Old Chain Bridge Road for the 10th an-nual WinterFest parade. The stage will beset in the Langley Shopping Center, withPeggy Fox from WUSA Channel 9, againcalling the parade. Parade entries will be-gin at Fleetwood Road and proceed downOld Chain Bridge Road to Elm Street if ina vehicle, or turn up Curran Street if march-ing. Old Chain Bridge Road will be closedto all traffic from 2 to 5 p.m. on the day ofthe parade. Langley Shopping Center park-ing lot, as well as all other business lotsand shopping centers on the parade route,will be closed to all traffic as of 2 p.m. un-til the conclusion of the parade. TheSafeway parking lot will be accessible onlyfrom Chain Bridge Road.
Entertainment prior to the parade at 2:30p.m.will include performances by studentsfrom Spring Hill and Kent Gardens Elemen-tary Schools and The TEA Center. Bach toRock students will also perform prior to theparade.
Food vendors will be available in the Lan-gley Shopping Center parking lot and willinclude Mama’s Donut Bites, Crepe Loveand Rockland’s BBQ.
As in years past, the organizers ask thatparade observers bring a gift card for foodor merchandise they will pass along toShare of McLean. There will be a giant holi-day stocking in the front of the stage forgift cards or cash donations to Share.
The parade steps off promptly at 3:30p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.
This year is the WinterFest parade’s 10th
anniversary and will be bigger and better than
McLean WinterFest Parade Set for Dec. 2
By Mike Salmon
The Connection
On Saturday morning, LilyCosta and her mother Nievesleft the house with two mis-sions in mind – Lily is get-
ting married on Dec. 31 so she needs adress, and they wanted to support SmallBusiness Saturday, so they had both objec-tives in mind when they stopped at Mae’sDress Boutique in McLean.
“We even gave ourselves a pat on the backbefore we left,” Lily said.
All the attention in the back of the shopwas on the wedding dress, and that’s thebeauty of that small, independent dressshop. Mae’s is known around the area, andhas a steady client base from the surround-ing community, especially those who pre-fer to avoid the busy Tysons.
“They come here because they get 100percent service here,” said owner MaeShipe, who’s owned local dress shops in thearea for 37 years. Shipe calls all the shotsat her small business so she curates her in-ventory according to the time of year andthe client’s needs. “There’s a big void forthis kind of products,” she said, admiring ablack dress on a manikin. “Black tie all theway,” she said of the dress.
A few doors down, at the Red TomatoPizzeria, owner Hamid Jadali was aware ofthe small business event, but the rain out-side might have kept some diners at home.“Best pizza in McLean,” he said. Their cus-tomer base is “a lot of locals and officesaround Tysons Corner, we cater and do de-livery,” he said. His secret recipe was simple:“crust, cheese and tomato sauce, everythingis fresh,” he said. He did know one thingabout Small Business Saturday is “right af-ter Black Friday,” which was nothing spe-cial around the pizzeria.
Small Business Saturday was kicked off
Santa Claus rides on top of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department’sfire truck in WinterFest Parade 2016.
Hands-On Approach Feeds Small Business Saturday
in 2010 by American Express and the U.S.Small Business Administration (SBA) tosupport the neighborhood mom and pop
stores that have a local angle, and is part ofa larger “Shop Small Movement.”
“Small businesses provide a character to
communities,” said Jack Spirakes, the pub-lic information officer for the WashingtonMetropolitan Area District office of the SBA.Last year, 108 million consumers shoppedat small businesses on Small Business Sat-urday, spending a combined $12 billion atindependent neighborhood retailers andrestaurants, the SBA said. Locally, SBA par-ticipates in a monthly workshop with theFairfax County Economic Development Au-thority aimed at local entrepreneurs.
“It’s a chance for communities to rallyaround these businesses,” added CarolWilkerson, an SBA spokesperson out of thenational office in Washington, D.C.
Editor’s note: Of course, every day is SmallBusiness Day at the Connection.
Hamid Jadali holds signature pizzaat his Red Tomato Pizzeria.
ever. Go to the parade web site atwww.mcleanwinterfest.org to see the localbusinesses that have donated to WinterFest
to help make it a success. You can also findadditional parade information such asparking options and the parade route map.
In the windows aroundMcLean, the buzz wasbuilding for retail.
Lily Costa, right, holds a weddingdress with her mother on SmallBusiness Saturday at Mae’s DressBoutique in McLean.
A party dress at Mae’s Dress Bou-tique in McLean.
Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection
Arch
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4 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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During the last week of each year,this newspaper devotes its pagesto the creativity of local studentsand children. The annual Children’s
Connection (including Children’s Gazette,Children’s Almanac and Children’s Centre View)is a tradition of well over a decade.
We welcome contributions from pub-lic and private schools, art classes, in-dividuals and homeschoolers. We pub-lish artwork, poetry, essays, creative writing,opinion pieces, short stories, photography,photos of sculpture or gardens or other cre-ative efforts.
We ask that all submissions be digital so theycan be sent through email or delivered on flashdrive. Writing should be submitted in text for-mat. Artwork should be photographed orscanned and provided in jpeg format.
Some suggestions:❖ Drawings or paintings or photographs of
your family, friends, pets or some favorite ac-tivity. These should be photographed orscanned and submitted in jpeg format. Photosof sculpture or larger art projects are also wel-come.
❖ Short answers (50 to 100 words) to someof the following questions: If you could giveyour parents, family or friends any gift thatdidn’t cost money what would that gift be?What are you most looking forward to in theupcoming year? What do you want to be when
you grow up? What is your favoriteanimal? What is your favorite toy?What makes a good friend?
❖ Your opinion (50 to 100 words)about traffic, sports, restaurants, video games,toys, trends, politics, etc.
❖ Poetry or other creative writing.❖ News stories from school newspapers.❖ Photos and text about activities or events.To be published, we must have the full first
and last name of the student artist/writer.Identify each piece of writing or art, includ-
ing the student’s full name, age, grade andtown of residence, plus the name of theschool, name of teacher and town of school
location. Home schoolers’ contributions arewelcomed.
To send flash drives containing artwork andtyped, electronic submissions, mark themclearly by school and hometown and mail theflash drive to: Children’s Connection (includ-ing Children’s Gazette, Children’s Almanac andChildren’s Centre View), 1606 King Street, Al-exandria, VA 22314.
Please send all submissions by Monday, Dec.3, 2018. The Children’s Edition will publishthe last week of 2018.
You can see last year’s editions by visitingwww.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ andscroll down to Children’s Edition.
Email submissions for the Children’s Editionto the following editors:
For Burke, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station,Great Falls, Herndon, Lorton, McLean,Reston, or Springfield, email to KemalKurspahic [email protected].
For Arlington, Potomac, CentreView,Chantilly, Alexandria and Mount Vernon,email to Steven Mauren,[email protected]
Get creative and sendart, poetry and more.
Call for Submissions to Children’s Edition 2018
Editorial
By Joe Fay
Executive Director, FACETS
Fifteen years ago, twoFairfax men froze to deathduring the fall. At the
time, FACETS was a nonprofit thatwas primarily serving meals to thecounty’s homeless in partnershipwith several churches. FACETS’leaders knew that feeding peopleonly to send them back into the extreme coldwas not a great answer for the growing num-ber of people who were homeless in the com-munity.
That winter FACETS responded by offeringtemporary shelter in conjunction with its part-ner churches, the Lamb Center, and SalvationArmy to get people in from the cold. The firstyear, these hypothermia shelters rotated toseveral different churches and only openedwhen the temperatures dropped below freez-ing. Soon the centers were serving up to 60people on cold nights.
The program has evolved as the region’spopulation has grown. In 2006, FACETS
worked on policies and proce-dures with the county and for-mally began managing centralFairfax’s Hypothermia Preventionand Response Program. This year36 churches will be host sites forthe program with more than 50churches and other faith commu-nities providing volunteers.
These faith community partnersrotate when opening their doors
to provide shelter. In anticipation, churches andtemples are preparing their facilities to welcomepeople in need during the cold months ahead— cleaning, getting supplies, and preparing thespace. Other volunteers are planning menus.Unique partnerships have formed as a result ofthe program as Christians, Muslims, Jews, andmore join together to help the homeless and inthe process learn about each other.
The effort also matured beyond just provid-ing safe haven. Guests now receive life-chang-ing case management. By interacting withguests at the shelters, FACETS’ case managersare able to address their needs in a very per-sonal way by gaining their trust and connect-
ing them with housing solutions and criticalservices. They also receive a variety of servicesfrom the county.
Last year 283 guests were given shelter fromthe biting cold. More than 3,800 people vol-unteered 33,000 hours last season to care forthese guests who are homeless. By the end ofseason, 41 of these people had lefthomelessness behind and were housed.
This year’s Hypothermia Response and Pre-vention Program began the Sunday of Thanks-giving weekend and runs seven nights a weekthrough April 1. With the projected cold andforecasts of a very snowy winter season, de-mand is expected to grow.
The hypothermia program continues toadapt to the times to meet the needs of strug-gling neighbors. Through a coordinated effortthat involves broad cross sections of this car-ing community, we are able to strengthen thecommunity and save lives. To learn more, do-nate or volunteer, visit us atwww.FACETSCares.org.
FACETS is a Fairfax-based nonprofit workingto prevent and end homelessness.
This year 36 churches will be host sites for the hypothermia program withmore than 50 churches and other faith communities providing volunteers.
Bringing People in from the Cold
DowntownMcLean: A GreatOpportunity’To the Editor:
I recently read the article aboutthe Vision for Downtown Mclean
(McLean Connection, November14-20, 2018). I’m so excited tohear that there is possibly going tobe a new community business cen-ter. Centers like these have beenvery successful in the past, such asthe Mosaic District. So many jobopportunities will come out of de-veloping and building a commu-
nity business center and the newbusinesses who will need to hireemployees. This is a great oppor-tunity for the people of McLean.As Colin Greene, senior director ofplanning, said “Connectivity iskey.” He’s right, this is going to beable to bring together everyonewho lives there and everyone will
be able to benefit from the successof this center. I hope this commu-nity business center gets approvedbecause it will offer so many op-portunities to people they mightnot have had in the past.
Sophia SperoAnnandale
Letters to the Editor
McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Protecting OurDiversityTo the Editor:
I want to thank you for publishing thearticle about the Fairfax For All coalition’srecent activities (“Advocating for ImmigrantProtection”).
As the daughter of two immigrants, immi-gration policy has always been important tome — especially as the debate over deporta-tion and ICE has escalated. My parents werefortunate enough to be able to immigrate le-gally, and have been citizens for about 10 years,but in examining the data I’ve come to see thatthat’s most likely to do with the fact that theyare white and had college degrees. Our town
is so beautifully diverse, and I believe that we’relosing an important part of our culture whenimmigrants are scared to participate in thecommunity for fear of deportation.
If what Fairfax For All says is true, thenthere is an entire group of people in ourtown who are being excluded from impor-tant decisions, prevented from seeking medi-cal attention, and afraid to participate in thecommunity — all out of fear. I’m learningjust how important these relationships to thecommunity, or social ties, are. They allowindividuals a sense of purpose and help themto feel assimilated into this community thatwe like to profess as being so diverse.
Emma SteinhobelHerndon
Letters
WriteThe Connection welcomes views on any public issue.
The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed. Include home address andhome and business numbers. Letters are routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and
6 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We need long- and short-termfosters for cats of all ages, mothers with litters and kittens on their own.
Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org
Consider Fostering
You Can Make a Difference
visit our website,cl ick on Participate
News
As Christmas approaches, childrenwill be watching the skies forSanta Claus. Here in FairfaxCounty some very special chil-
dren won’t have to wait until Christmas Eve.Since 1988, Santa and his elves have been
rumbling down the streets of Fairfax Countyon motorcycles picking up and deliveringtoys to children in local hospitals. In 1987,motor officers Buddy Skeley and JohnBurdette were invited to join MontgomeryCounty Police Department’s motor squad intheir Santa’s Ride which delivered presentsto a D.C. hospital. The next year, theybrought this event to Fairfax and began nu-merous traditions that are carried on to-day. They started by placing decorated toycollection boxes in all of the police stations.In their third year, the motor unit decidedto keep the ride local and began visitingand delivering gifts to INOVA Fairfax Hos-pital.
Once again this year, Santa will tempo-rarily trade in his sleigh and reindeer for aHarley-Davidson motorcycle and police es-cort. The Fairfax County Police MotorSquad, along with the Fairfax CountySheriff ’s Office, Virginia State Police,Fairfax City Police, the Town of Vienna Po-lice, Fall Church Sheriff ’s Office, and theHerndon Police will escort Santa on his
annual “Ride for Children.”During the second week of December,
Santa and his elves will collect donated toysfrom local police stations, other governmentfacilities, and eight Fairfax County schools.On Dec. 12 and 13, Santa and his helpers
Santa’s Ride Celebrates 30 Years of Delivering Toys to Children
Santa’s Ride: the early yearsSanta’s Ride 2017
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will deliver toys to children at INOVAChildren’s Hospital Child – Life ServicesCenter and the Georgetown HospitalLombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.Some of the toys that are not handed out onthe day of Santa’s visit are left with the Child
Life programs at each hospital. Those toysare used throughout the year to provide thechildren something to keep their mind offbeing in the hospital. Toys will also go tovarious local charities including INOVA Lifewith Cancer.
Officer Buddy Skeley, now retired, re-
flects on the past 30 years: “Year after yearthe popularity of the ride grew and we col-lected more toys than we knew what to dowith. I remember on our first ride I sponta-neously rode through the front parking lotof Navy Vale elementary school. It hap-pened to be lunch time and you could see
a couple of hundred faces inthe cafeteria windows jump-ing up and down waving toSanta and his elves on policemotorcycles. The next year weprearranged the stop with theprincipal who had the entireschool outside to greet us.Luckily someone thought tobring bags of candy caneswith us to pass out. It was abig hit and became a regularstop on our way to FairfaxHospital.”
Anyone wishing to make adonation can bring a new, un-wrapped toy, game, book, orother gift to any Fairfax CountyPolice Station, Fairfax CountyPublic Safety Headquarters,Fairfax County Print Shop atthe Government Center, or thelobbies of the Pennino andHerrity Office Buildings. All
donations should be made before 9 a.m.Monday, Dec. 10.
For ongoing updates, read the blog andfollow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagramat @FairfaxCountyPD.
— FCPD Media Relations Bureau
Share of McLean is looking for donorsto sponsor Share individuals’ andfamilies’ wishes during the holidays. Ifyou would like to fulfill the wish of aneighbor in need, please send an emailto [email protected]. Pleaseinclude how many wishes you wouldlike to fulfill, if you have a preferencefor age/gender/family size, and if youhave a preference for purchasing giftitems or gift cards. Gifts will be due byThursday, Dec. 6. Share is also lookingfor cookie and mini muffin bakers.Please send an email if you are inter-ested, and let us know how manydozen you can provide. The goodies aredue on Friday, Dec. 7.
Share Needs Donors to Make Wishes Come True
8 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
People
Assistance League of Northern Virginia’sWeekend Food for Kids program was thefeatured volunteer service activity for the
“Feed Your Future Volunteer Relay” that took placeduring the recent Allstate Insurance Company Re-gional Advisory Board conference in Washington,D.C. Lynn Barron and Karen Amster, board mem-bers with the all-volunteer ALNV, were invited toattend and speak about Assistance League’simpactful program that increases food security inthree local school districts in the region. AssistanceLeague provides bags of nonperishable food forat-risk children to take home on the weekendswhen school meals are not available who other-wise could be hungry.
Following the keynote presentation, the eventturned competitive. Executives, regional advisoryboard members — exclusive agents and exclusivefinancial specialists from D.C., Delaware, Mary-land, Virginia and West Virginia — participatedin a volunteer relay, packing food for hungry chil-dren. Allstate Senior Communication ConsultantCaitlyn Barron coordinated the resources and pur-chased the nonperishable food items to supportThe Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in theCommunity group volunteer event. A team ofmore than 40 volunteers packed 500+ bags offood for at-risk children whose families struggle
to put food on the table on weekends when schoolmeals are not available.
This partnership provided an opportunity tosatisfy an immediate need for food assistance attwo Title I elementary schools not currently sup-ported by the Weekend Food for Kids program.
A certain young boy didn’t know the word“philanthropy” during a recent interviewwith the Connection, but he knew the im-
portance of caring, generosity and accomplishingthings through his actions.
Hudson Mostashari of Great Falls recently cel-ebrated his tenth birthday. He asked for no gifts.Mostashari did invite eight friends to celebrate theday with him, but instead of giving him gifts, he askedif they’d make a monetary gift contribution to buyfood for the homeless in Washington D.C.
Although Mostashari’s friends were somewhatshocked at the request, they all went along with it.His mother Meredith Mostashari arranged for the an-ticipated funds to be donated directly to the BarberaFoundation in Reston. Hudson Mostashari raised ap-proximately $200 through his no-gifts for me, foodfor the homeless birthday campaign, said his mother.
“It is very impressive that Hudson, a 10-year-old,thought about others on his birthday, a day whenmost of us think about ourselves,” said Kevin Barbera,Barbera Foundation, CEO & Founder. “Hudson hasinspired me and many others to be more engaged incharitable efforts to change our community for thebetter.” Mostashari hinted he got the beginnings ofthe no gift birthday when he and his parents helpedfellow volunteers for the Barbera Foundation sortschool supplies for underprivileged children this fall.His actions made a difference, and it made him happytoo. Mostashari told how he also attends the Leader-ship Training Program led by Fr Andrew Gronotte,
LC. Mostashari said he and his family planned to joinGronotte and Fr Michael Sliney at the Thanksgiv-ing/Christ the King Family Mission in WashingtonD.C. to help support the homeless. Together theywould hand out pizza to the homeless living on Penn-sylvania Avenue. Asked in the interview if he wouldhave a slice pizza, Mostashari looked surprised andsaid no. That would mean a homeless personwouldn’t get it and that person would be hungry.
“Hudson is doing a great job living out the virtuesthat we are trained to teach him in the LTP program.Not only are his actions effective to those he directlycomes in contact with but also with the people look-ing in from the outside,” wrote Fr Andrew Gronottein an email to the Connection.
“I am very impressed with Hudson’s actions,”Gronotte added. “I hope many others can follow thepath that he is paving.”
Leading by ExampleGreat Falls boy inspiresothers to be kind andsocially conscious.
Meredith and Shaw Mostashari of GreatFalls are proud of their son Hudson, 10, ayoung philanthropist in his own right.Hudson decided he would forfeit birthdaygifts and instead ask his friends andfamily to make donations for the purchaseof food and supplies for the homelessliving on the streets in Washington D.C.
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McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Holiday Entertainment
Children dance in McLean’s 2017 Winterfest Parade.
WinterFest Holiday ParadeThis will be the 10th year for WinterFest. The viewing stand will be at Langley Shopping Center with a variety of food
trucks. Sunday, Dec. 2, pre-parade entertainment, 2:30 p.m.; parade, 3:30 p.m. on Old Chain Bridge Road, from Fleetwoodto Elm Street in McLean. To be an entry in the parade, one must register at www.mcleanwinterfest.org. Questions about reg-istration or sponsorships can be directed to Trish Butler at [email protected].
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.
ONGOINGChanukah Bazaar. Through Dec. 2, at
Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100Westmoreland Street, Falls Church.Ready, Set, Go to Chanukah Bazaarsponsored by Women of TRS.Everything you could possibly wantto celebrate the Festival of Lights willbe on display in the Grand Foyer.Choose from a large assortment ofmenorahs, Safed and beeswaxcandles, dreidels, books, crafts andtoys, party goods and nut-free gelt.Hot items such as Chanukah socksand slippers plus fun children’smenorahs have been restocked. Shopearly – popular items go quickly.Proceeds from this event are donatedto the Temple as well as Jewish andcommunity charitable organizations.Dates and times: Sunday, Dec. 2,8:45 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 27,from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Wednesday,Nov. 28, from 4:15-6:30 p.m. [email protected].
Santa HQ. Through Dec. 24, TysonsCorner Center, 1961 Chain BridgeRoad, Tysons Corner. HGTV’s SantaHQ is located in Fashion Court nearNordstrom on the Lower Level. Thisyear Tysons Corner Center is againpartnering with HGTV to present theincomparable, immersive “SantaHQ.” Families are invited to explorethe wonder of Santa in the digitalage. Interactive technologytransforms and customizes theexperience. Guests can makereservations to spend less time inline. Shoppers are invited to bring anunwrapped toy and participate in our‘Help Through Holiday Giving’ toydrive benefitting Second Story(formerly Alternative House). Visitwww.santa-hq.com.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY/NOV. 29-30Tiny Tots Concerts. Thursday, 10
a.m. and 7 p.m. (“jammy-friendlyshow”); Friday, 10 a.m. at JamesMadison High School, 2500 James
Madison Drive, Vienna. The JMHSBand Program presents a concertcelebration featuring a widespectrum of seasonal music.Costumed performers include oldfriends and surprise guests. Theaudience can sing, clap and dancealong with the band. Advancepurchase is highly recommended. $9per person at james-madison-band.ticketleap.com/tinytots2018/.Admission is free for babies in arms(under 1). If available, tickets may bepurchased in the lobby by check, cashor credit card 30 minutes prior to theshow for $10 per person. [email protected].
THURSDAY/NOV. 29-SATURDAY/DEC. 1Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues.” At
Langley High School, 6520Georgetown Pike, McLean. SaxonStage Theatre begins its 2018-2019season with a production of “BiloxiBlues,” a semi-autobiographicalcoming-of-age story by Neil Simonpacked with wit and charm promisedto please all ages. Visit www.Saxon-Stage.com.
THURSDAY/NOV. 29-SUNDAY/DEC. 2BalletNova presents The
Nutcracker. Thursday-Friday, 7:30p.m.; Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m.;Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. at GeorgeMason High School Theatre, 7124Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.BalletNova’s Nutcracker has becomea holiday tradition. BalletNovapresents a brand-new production ofthe holiday classic with newcostumes, new characters and newchoreography. The Sugar Plum Fairyis being danced by Willa Frantz, ofFairfax.$18-42. Call 703-778-3008 orvisit www.BalletNova.org.
THURSDAY/NOV. 29-SUNDAY/DEC. 23A Civil War Christmas: An
American Musical Celebration.Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8p.m.; Saturdays 2 and 8 p.m.; andSundays, 2 p.m. at 1st Stage inTysons, 1524 Spring Hill Road,
Tysons Corner. It’s 1864 andWashington, D.C. is settling down tothe coldest Christmas Eve in years inthis pageant of carols by Paula Vogel.Stories of many intertwining lives–spanning from the battlegrounds ofNorthern Virginia to the halls of theWhite House– demonstrate that thegladness of one’s heart is the best giftof all. Visit www.1stStage.org for theschedule of CommunityConversations, captioned and audiodescribed performances. Tickets:general admission, $39; senior(65+), $36; student and military,$15 at www.1ststage.org or at 703-854-1856.
FRIDAY/NOV. 30Nighttime Walk on the Wildlife
Side. 5-7 p.m. at Riverbend Park,8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls.Wrap up the month of Novemberwith a wildlife walk after dark atRiverbend Park. Participants age 3-adult will take a nighttime walk witha naturalist to search for wildlife andsee what’s happening at Riverbendafter the sun sets. After the hike, it’stime to gather around a campfire andenjoy s’mores. Register for the “NightHike Campfire” program. $8 perperson. Children must beaccompanied by an adult registeredin the program. Call 703-759-9018 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
FRIDAY/NOV. 30-SUNDAY/DEC. 2Tysons Library Book Sale. Friday,
11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. atTysons-Pimmit Regional Library,7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Large selection of books and mediafor all ages and interests. Half price/$10 per bag on Sunday. [email protected] orcall 703-790-4031 or 703-338-3307.
SATURDAY/DEC. 1Breakfast With Santa. 8:30-10:30
a.m. St. Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.
10 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
Puppy NativityCelebrate the holiday season with third annual Puppy Nativity, where dogs play
dress up as part of the nativity (costumes provided). The church’s youth group willbe on hand to accept donations for Britepaths (britepaths.org). The “Peace Like aRiver” art exhibit also will be open in The Gallery at the church during the event.Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd (United Meth-odist), 2351 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna. Free. Visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.
Free community event open to all tobenefit Housing Up and SamaritanMinistry. Suggested donation is anew, unwrapped toy for boys or girlsfrom infant-aged through 12 yearsold. Toy suggestions include puzzles,games, cars, and dolls (African-American dolls are preferred). Visitwww.stfrancisgreatfalls.org.
Holiday Sing-A-Long. 4 p.m. at WolfTrap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. TheMarine Band, led by AssistantDirector Capt. Ryan Nowlin, willperform at Wolf Trap’s AnnualHoliday Sing-A-Long. Free, no ticketsrequired. Free parking is available.Visit www.marineband.marines.mil.
a.m.-5 p.m. and 8-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9a.m.-1 p.m. at Sheraton TysonsCorner, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Tysons.18th Annual The Enchanted Forestfeaturing live entertainment, JuniorLeagues’ Kids in the Kitchenactivities, a visit from Santa, crafts,premium events for all, and a silentauction of over 80 themed trees andwreaths. $10 general admission foradults, $15 child general admission.Visit www.jlnv.org/tef/.
SUNDAY/DEC. 2Holiday Gift Shopping. 8:30 a.m.-2
p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100Westmoreland St., Falls Church.Judy’s Place, a Temple Rodef Shalomtradition for 20 years, provides anon-denominational and convenientshopping experience for childrenages 2-13 that lets your child, withthe help of volunteers, choose fromamong over 100 gift items ranging inprice from $1 to $15 to surpriseparents, siblings, grandparents andpets. Contact Jackie Rockman [email protected].
WinterFest Holiday Parade. Pre-parade entertainment, 2:30 p.m.;parade, 3:30 p.m. on Old ChainBridge Road, from Fleetwood to ElmStreet in McLean. This will be the10th year for WinterFest. Theviewing stand will be at LangleyShopping Center with a variety offood trucks. To be an entry in theparade, one must register atwww.mcleanwinterfest.org.Questions about registration orsponsorships can be directed to TrishButler [email protected].
Celebration of Lights. 4-6:30 p.m. atGreat Falls Village Field. Celebratethe beginning of the season withGreat Falls’ Annual Christmas TreeLighting. The petting zoo and ponyrides will keep children busy untilMr. and Mrs. Claus arrive by antiquefire truck. Held rain or shine. Visitcelebrategreatfalls.org/event/celebration-of-lights.
TUESDAY/DEC. 4Mah Jongg Lessons. 1-4 p.m. Other
dates are Dec. 11 and 18. Join in athree-session Mah Jongg class forbeginners. Plan to attend all threesessions. Enrollment is limited, soregister now. $85 (9 hours of lessonsand includes the 2018 National MahJongg League Playing Card). Toregister, send a check made out toWoTRS to Iva Gresko, 120 N. FairfaxStreet, Falls Church, VA 22046.Include e-mail address, homeaddress, and your home and celltelephone numbers. Contact: IvaGresko, [email protected].
THURSDAY/DEC. 652nd annual Holiday Homes Tour.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tour four large,festively decorated homes in theMcLean neighborhoods of LangleyForest, River Oaks, Odrick’s Cornerand McLean Hamlet. Jewelry andholiday boutique and high-end raffle
at house in River Oaks. $30 beforeDec. 6 at Mesmeralda’s in McLean,Karin’s Florist in Vienna, and GreatDogs of Great Falls. $35 at the tourhouses on Dec. 6. Call 703-556-0197or visit www.mcleanwomansclub.org.
Movie Screening: “Angst: RaisingAwareness Around Anxiety.” 7p.m. in the McLean High SchoolAuditorium, 1633 Davidson Road,McLean. This documentary featuresstudents affected by anxiety, mentalhealth professionals, and Olympicathlete and mental health advocateMichael Phelps. Following the movie,a panel of mental healthprofessionals from McLean HighSchool and the community will lead apanel discussion and question andanswer session to provide furtherinformation. Friends, neighbors andanyone sixth grade and above arewelcome to the free event. Visitmcleanscc.org/.
FRIDAY/DEC. 7Meet the Artist: Fleurs et Fruits. 6-
7 p.m. at TD Bank, 9901 WalkerRoad, Great Falls Village. JanHeginbotham presents “Les Fleurs etles Fruits,” still life paintings in oiland gouache. Portraits of freshflowers and handsome fruits andveggies. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.JanHeginbotham.com.
at Langley High School, 6520Georgetown Pike, McLean. LangleyHigh School’s choirs are busyrehearsing for the 16th annualRenaissance Feaste, which takesplace in the school’s “Langley Halle.”Choir students in full medieval attire– dressed as jesters, minstrels, andmusicians – will serenade guests withholiday carols, entertaining themwith performances straight out ofMerrie Olde England. Guests willdine on authentic medieval Englishfare, including meat pie (or chickenor vegetarian), potatoes, and Englishcustard topped with apple crisp. Fortickets, available through Nov. 30,visit www.brownpapertickets.com,and search for “feaste” (with “e” at
the end).
SATURDAY/DEC. 8Annual Holiday Bazaar. 10 a.m.-3
p.m. at McLean High School, 1633Davidson Road, McLean. The McLeanHigh School Annual Holiday BazaarFundraiser features many returningand new vendors this year.Complimentary gift wrapping. Freeadmission for shoppers and freeparking. Food available to purchase.Learn more at mcleanboosters.org.
SUNDAY/DEC. 9Fair Trade Fair. 9:15 a.m.-noon at
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Ten Thousand Villages is an all-fair-trade store in Alexandria withproducts crafted by artisans fromaround the world — brought toLewinsville’s St. Andrews Hall. Shopfor stocking stuffers, larger Christmasgifts, or treats for oneself. Sponsoredby the Mission and Service MinistryGroup. Free admission. Visitlewinsville.org or call 703-356-7200.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 6p.m. at Lewinsville PresbyterianChurch, 1724 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. The Choirs of LewinsvillePresbyterian Church present: “Amahland the Night Visitors” by Gian CarloMenotti. A prelude of choral andhandbell Advent and Christmas musicwill begin at 6 p.m. The productionwill begin at 6:30. Reception tofollow in St. Andrews Hall. Free andopen to the public. Visitlewinsville.org or call 703-356-7200.
SATURDAY/DEC. 15Parents’ Day Out. 9 a.m.-noon at
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Annual Parents’ Day Out event forchildren in Kindergarten throughGrade 6. Children will spend timewatching Christmas movies, makingcrafts, decorating Christmas cookies,and playing games while parentsprepare for the holidays. Free andopen to the public. Sign up atwww.lewinsville.org/event-items/parents-day-out/ or [email protected].
McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
... Not gently by the stream, and not by yours truly, either. Yet another task that seems beyond this homeowner’s ability.
that which that doesn’t make me happy. Throw in a lung cancer diagnosis and the last thing my re-
to do is anything which doesn’t put a smile on my
work ranks up there with most household tasks that a typical able-bodied homeowner takes pride
Sharp objects, mechanical objects and/or electrical/spinning/rotating objects, objects with
pliers, etc. No power tools. Nothing electrical that re-
-
they didn’t really realize what they were missing.
and hung on a nail in the bathroom down the hall
-
passed on their instincts and priorities to the their
home repairs, yard work, tools and what to do
other homeowner-type tasks. -
-
as a salesman.
and other than taking out the trash and the rub-
skills.
-
Mow, Mow, Mow Your Grass ...
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
HOLIDAY DONATIONSFood for Fines. Through Nov. 30. Fairfax County
Public Library will be hosting a food drive called“Food for Fines.” Canned goods and other non-perishable items collected during the drive willbe donated to Food for Others, a not-for-profitfood pantry and food rescue operation thatserves Fairfax County. Each item donated willerase $1 from a patron’s overdue fines up to amaximum of $15. Customers may donate even ifthere are no fines accrued. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/food-fines
Blanket and Coat Drive. Through Dec. 8.Organized by NOVA Relief Center, blankets andcoats will be sent to refugees in three camps inJordan this winter. Blankets and coats should benew or gently worn. Monetary donations arealso needed and may be made to NOVA ReliefCenter online and at some drop-off locations.For drop-off sites or to make a tax-deductibledonation, visit novareliefcenter.org.
Volunteers Needed: CHO Christmas Store &Bike Program. Friday, Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon(set up); Saturday, Dec. 8, 8:30 a.m.-noon(shop) at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 ParkSt. NE, Vienna.
CHO’s 2018 Christmas Store is an annual event thatinvites our less fortunate neighbors to “shop” forgifts for their families and provides holidayextras that many take for granted. CHO(Committee for Helping Others) will beaccepting donations of new unwrapped gifts foryoung children, gift cards for teens, as well asfood gift certificates from Giant and Safeway. Italso will be accepting new or like new jacketsand coats.
Clothing and other donations can be dropped at theCHO Clothes Closet at Vienna Court Condos,133 Park St. NE, across from the ViennaPresbyterian Church, any Monday morning or byappointment. Call 703-281-7614; leave amessage in Box # 1. The “bike distributionprogram,” will be collecting bikes on Saturday,Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Vienna Presbyterianparking lot and at Antioch Christian Church,1860 Beulah Road.
Toys for Tots Drive. Through Dec. 10. AreaSheehy Auto Stores will collect new andunwrapped toys to benefit the U.S. Marine CorpsReserve Toys for Tots Program, which willdistribute those toys as gifts to less fortunatechildren in the community in which thecampaign is conducted. Sheehy’s Toys for Totsdrop-off locations include:
❖ Sheehy INFINITI of Tysons, 8527 Leesburg Pike,Vienna
Toy Drive. Through Friday, Dec. 14 at localWeichert, Realtors offices. Members of thecommunity are invited to drop off new,unwrapped toys at the company’s sales offices.The toys will be delivered throughout theholidays in conjunction with local charities thatassist financially and physically disadvantagedchildren. To find your local office, go towww.weichert.com/offices/.
WEDNESDAY/NOV. 28Fairfax Commission on Aging Meeting. 10
a.m.-noon at the Hunter Mill District Office,Community Room A, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive,Reston. The public is welcome to attend and joinin the comment period that begins each session.Find out more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/coa.htm. Call 703-324-5403,TTY 711 for meeting access needs.
Medicare Enrollment Event. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. atDar Al-Hijrah, 3159 Row St., Falls Church. Learnthe facts about health insurance for older adults.Registration required, call 703-531-2905, TTY711. Find out more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on Insurance Counseling-VICAP.
THURSDAY/NOV. 29Dyslexia Open House. 10 a.m.-noon at Dunn
Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 GallowsRoad, Entrance 1 – Room 100, Dunn Loring.Join the FCPS Office of Special EducationInstruction and the Parent Resource Center forthe 4th Annual Dyslexia Open House. MeetCarrie Leestma, FCPS dyslexia specialist, browseexhibit tables, and learn about next steps forFCPS students with dyslexia. Free to parents,educators and community members. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center
Bulletin
12 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ November 28 - December 4, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
