online at www.connectionnewspapers.com October 3-10, 2018 Opinion, Page 6 v Entertainment, Page 12 v Classifieds, Page 18 Photo by Eden Brown/The Connection Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 10-4-18 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Local Media Connection LLC Vienna Vienna and Oakton and Oakton Senior Living Senior Living Senior Living FALL 2018 Inside Senior Living ‘E-Day’ Is on the Horizon News, Page 3 Vienna Police Highlights News, Page 4 Runners Raise $178,105 News, Page 16 Tysons Corner residents Zena Mikdadi and her sister, Lina Ka- naan, came to the race to support UNRWA, a relief organization which focuses on Palestinian refu- gee children.
Transcript
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com October 3-10, 2018
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online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
Local Media Connection LLC
ViennaVienna
and Oaktonand Oakton
SeniorLivingSeniorLivingSeniorLivingFALL 2018
Inside
Senior Living
‘E-Day’ Is on the HorizonNews, Page 3
Vienna Police HighlightsNews, Page 4
Runners Raise $178,105 News, Page 16
Tysons Corner residents Zena
Mikdadi and her sister, Lina Ka-
naan, came to the race to support
UNRWA, a relief organization
which focuses on Palestinian refu-
gee children.
2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Blast from the Past, Page 14
News
By Michael Lee PopeThe Connection
Elections rarely get do-overs. Winnersmake victory speeches, and losersslink away to become consultants.
But this year’s election for U.S. Senate fea-tures two key players in the 2016 presiden-tial election that upended American poli-tics. For both sides, it’s become a proxy ofsorts. Democrats are eager to undo whatthey see as the damage that happened twoyears ago. And Republicans are aiming toimprove on their lack-luster performance inVirginia. And yet eventhough voters will beconfronted by a ballotthat includes DemocratTim Kaine and Republi-can Corey Stewart, it’slikely that voters willview this race squarelyas a referendum onPresident DonaldTrump.
“This is a presidentwho’s really dominatingthe narrative every newscycle,” said StephenFarnsworth, director ofthe Center for Leader-ship and Media Studiesat the University ofMary Washington. “Thatcreates a very difficultenvironment for candi-dates to be heard intheir own voice, be theyDemocrats or Republi-cans this year.”
Kaine, a former gover-nor, worked his way upin Virginia politics byserving as mayor ofRichmond and lieutenant governor beforebecoming governor and ultimately U.S.senator. Stewart is a chairman of the PrinceWilliam Board of Supervisors who becamea lightning rod in the immigration debateafter leading the charge to have officers inhis county check the citizenship for every-one suspected of violating state or local law.Kaine was on the ticket in 2016 as HillaryClinton’s running mate. Stewart served asthe chairman of Trump’s campaign in Vir-ginia until he was fired after leading a pro-test at the Republican National Committee.
“When Corey Stewart says ‘Take VirginiaBack,’ Virginians don’t want to go back,”said Kaine during a recent debate in North-ern Virginia. “There’s nothing in the rear-view mirror that looks better to Virginiathan what we can see in the windshieldgoing forward.”
Stewart has been trailing in the polls formonths, and the latest poll from the Uni-versity of Mary Washington has Kaine lead-ing the race by 16 points. Kaine has a 15-to-1 fundraising advantage, in part becausea lot of the big-money Republican donorsare staying away from Corey Stewart —people like the Koch brothers, for example,or the National Republican Senate Commit-tee. And as the campaign stretches into thefinal few weeks heading into Election Day,Stewart is amping up the rhetoric and vow-ing to live up to the promise he made be-fore securing the Republican nominationthat he would run a “vicious”campaignagainst Kaine.
“What about the $17 million you paid inhush money to the 268separate complaints,senator, against you andother members of theU.S. Congress?” Stewartasked Kaine during theNorthern VirginiaChamber of Commercedebate in Tysons Corner.
“You just tried to slipin that there were com-plaints against me,”Kaine shot back. “Andthat is completely false.”
“Well how do weknow that?” repliedStewart.
“Oh, so you think youcan just make it up with-out any facts,” re-sponded Kaine.
After the debate wasover, both candidatestook questions from themedia at the CapitolOne Center. Stewart waspressed for any evidencethat anyone had everfiled any kind of com-plaint against Kaine. Hewas unable to present
any, an indication that the final few weeksof the campaign might end up being a wildride for Republicans. Earlier this year, theparty’s chamber-of-commerce faction failedto gain any traction against the Trump wingof the party that Stewart has been leadingsince long before the New York developerand reality TV star announced for president.
“You had the same battle with OliverNorth. You had the same battle with KenCuccinelli,” said Republican consultant DanScandling. “It’s a long-standing, long-run
Senate Election IsBlast from the PastKaine and Stewart both played key roles in 2016, now they’re at the top of the ballot this year.
“This is a presidentwho’s reallydominating thenarrative every newscycle. That creates avery difficultenvironment forcandidates to beheard in their ownvoice, be theyDemocrats orRepublicans thisyear.”
— Stephen Farnsworth, direc-tor of the Center for Leader-
ship and Media Studies at theUniversity of Mary Washington
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Andrea WorkerThe Connection
On Tuesday, Nov. 6,voters will go to thepolls to choose aUnited States Sena-
tor, representatives for Congress,Town officials in Herndon, andvote on several referendums.
The Fairfax County ElectoralBoard held a Media Briefing ses-sion on Sept,17 to provide impor-tant information regarding theelection process and voting inFairfax County. With “E-Day” onthe horizon, they want to helpvoters avoid any confusions orpitfalls that could cause unneces-sary inconvenience or even thedenial of their vote.
In-person absentee voting forthe midterm elections began onFriday, Sept. 21, at the FairfaxCounty Government Center at12000 Government Center Park-way in Fairfax and the first mail-ing of absentee ballots is sched-uled to go out on the same date.The Office of Elections is ready,even as they continue prepara-tions for actual election day ac-tion.
“Thank goodness we just gotthe ballots in,” said Electoral Board Secre-tary Kate Hanley. “They came from NewBern, North Carolina!” a town particularlydevastated by Hurricane Florence.
Election officials want to be sure that vot-ers are ready to exercise their right to vote.
To that end, a voter information noticeincluding a sample ballot, precinct locationsand other pertinent information is beingmailed to both active and inactive registeredvoters - but that won’t do you much goodif you haven’t yet registered to vote.
Hanley reminds that the deadline to reg-ister to vote is Oct. 15. To be eligible to reg-ister, you must be a citizen of the UnitedStates, a resident of Virginia, and at least18 years of age by the next general elec-tion. Voters will need to provide a validphoto ID to vote in person.
New registrants can obtain the voter ap-plication form from a myriad of places, in-cluding the Elections Office in GovernmentCenter, DMV offices, and public libraries.The registration application must then bemailed as instructed to the Office of Elec-tions. Registrants can also apply online atwww.vote.elections.virginia.gov. TheCounty reports that 95 percent of voter reg-istrations are now done electronically.
VOTING can be done in person on Elec-tion Day, by in-person absentee voting orvia a mail-in absentee ballot. There are 20valid reasons accepted to vote absentee inVirginia and several different time rangesthat apply, depending on a person’s circum-stances. All of these requirements areclearly outlined on the
www.elections.virginia.gov website. If vot-ers determine they meet the absentee vot-ing criteria, the application for the absen-tee ballot can be downloaded from the siteand there is even a video on the site show-ing how to fill out the application.
“It’s important to realize that the ballotitself is still mailed to you,” noted ElectoralBoard Chairman Stephen Hunt. “Somepeople just keep hitting the ‘Apply’ button,waiting for the ballot to download. Itdoesn’t work that way.”
Hunt wants voters to plan for that andgive themselves ample time to receive theabsentee ballot, complete it, and send itback. As of Sept.17, the County reports hav-ing received almost 8,000 mail-in ballotapplications. The deadline to apply for amail-in absentee voting ballot is Oct. 30 at5 p.m., but that doesn’t leave much timefor your ballot to be received by ElectionDay. Mailed-in absentee ballots are countedon election night in the Central AbsenteePrecinct.
Regardless of how you plan to cast yourvote, the first port of call should be thatwww.vote.elections.virginia.gov website tocheck your voter status and to update yourinformation if need be.
Hunt said that there have been instanceswhere address changes or other incorrectinformation have caused problems for thevoter. “Check everything in advance.”
In addition to the Government Centerlocation, registered voters can vote in-per-son absentee before Election Day at 9 othersatellite locations: The Lorton Library; TheProvidence Community Center; the Govern-
mental Centers of: Franconia, Mason,McLean, Mount Vernon, North County(Reston), Sully, West Springfield
The Government Center Offices will beclosed on Oct. 8 for Columbus Day. All lo-cations are closed on Sundays and the hoursfor each are posted on the County websiteat www.fairfaxcounty.gov.elections/absen-tee.
Other than the deadlines, voting require-ments, and where to find the necessary in-formation, the Electoral Board membershad a few other cautionary notes and re-minders.
Some of those reminders were aimed atcollege students, possibly living away fromhome on Election Day.
Using George Mason University as an ex-ample, Hunt and Hanley said that eventhough there is a voting poll on campus,students cannot vote there if they are reg-istered elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
“Several hundred denials have resultedfrom voters attempting to vote at a precinctdifferent from where they are registered,”said Hunt.
The chances of being able to race fromthe wrong polling place to the correct onein time are fairly slim. Mail-in ballots canbe sent to any address, but in-person vot-ing must take place where the voter is reg-istered – still another good reason to checkyour information on the Virginia voter’swebsite.
Also, said Fairfax County InformationOfficer Lisa Connors, “remind students tobring stamps!” Lack of access to stamps ora post office was reported as a problem
when the County held a collegeintern brainstorming session thissummer.
Hunt also took time to assureresidents that while there havebeen incidents of missassignedvoters, every effort is made toavoid those mistakes, includingclose collaboration with the De-partment of Motor Vehicles, theCounty departments involved ingeographic information systems,and “a lot of manual checking anddouble-checking.” Hunt said thateven one voter denied their vot-ing rights because of clerical er-ror “is one too many.”
THE BALLOTS are printed withinstructions and information inSpanish, Korean and Vietnamese.There are also translators onphone “standby” that can assistvoters at the polls.
Also on hand at the meetingwas Travis Potter, Acting IT Man-ager, and a handout was availableon “Voting System Security.” TheElectoral Board assures votersthat the County’s voting systemshave been “rigorouslytested…and certified by the U.S.Assistance Commission and Vir-ginia Department of Elections.”
No part of the certified system is connectedto the internet – no modems, no Wi-Fi ca-pabilities to allow hacking. Elections resultsare never transmitted but instead, are calledinto the office.
It’s also important to note that electionnight results are not considered “official”until County election officers review themachine tapes for every ballot scanner andcompare that information with the resultsreported.
Before the briefing concluded, SecretaryHanley updated the media on the Board’sposition to move the June primaries to thethird Tuesday in the month. The Board of-ficially adopted this position in July, andsent a letter of recommendation to theBoard of Supervisors, the Fairfax CountySchool Board, and the members of theFairfax Delegation to the General Assem-bly in August.
Hanley said, “165 of the County’s 243precincts are located in schools.” Numer-ous reasons, not the least being the call forincreased security at schools in recent times,have convinced the Electoral Board that forthe June primaries, it is in the best inter-ests of students and voters to move the dateto when most schools have already finishedthe academic year.
“I think the recommendation is gainingtraction,” reported Hanley.
There’s a lot of information involved inthe act of casting your vote.
The Elections Office of Fairfax County isthere to help on the web, by email [email protected], in person, or bycalling their offices at 703-222-0776.
County readies for Nov. 6 elections.‘E-Day’ on the Horizon
From left: Fairfax County General Registrar Gary Scott, Kate Hanley, Secretary of theFairfax County Electoral Board, Board Chairman Stephen Hunt, and Vice-ChairmanBettina Lawton host members of the media at a meeting on Sept, 17.
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Vienna/Oakton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic703-778-9414 or [email protected]
4 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
The following summary contains variousincidents of general interest as well as ve-hicular crashes handled by the Town ofVienna Police Department from Sept. 21 –Sept. 27, 2018.
INCIDENTSSuspicious Event — AT&T Wireless 211
Maple Avenue, East Between May 1 at 9a.m. and Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. An em-ployee reported that during an inventoryof the store they discovered a display phonewas missing. Suspicious Event — ViennaBaptist Church 541 Marshall Road, SWSept. 14 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. OnSept.24 an employee at the Church reportedthat on Sept. 14 she observed a vehicle inthe parking lot near the tree line occupiedby several men. She stated one of the menexited the vehicle and began to urinatealong the tree line.
Animal Case – Quarantine — 500 BlockKramer Drive, SE Sept. 16, 12 p.m. A resi-dent, who works at an animal hospital inFairfax County, was bitten on the hand bythe cat during a medical procedure. The catresides in Fairfax County. Fairfax CountyAnimal Control will follow up on this quar-antine. Suspicious Event — Commons Driveand Nutley Street, NW Between Sept. 17 at9:30 a.m. and Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. A resident
reported teenage juveniles frequenting theplayground area of the townhome commu-nity and believes they may be trespassing.
Animal Case — 800 Block Follin Lane, SESept. 21, 6:17 a.m. A citizen found a dogrunning at large on Follin Lane and broughtthe dog to the Vienna Police Station. Offic-ers were unable to locate an owner for thedog.
The dog was transported to the FairfaxCounty Animal Shelter.
Burglary — 500 Block Stephen Circle, SWSept. 21 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. A resi-dent reported that an unknown person en-tered the residence and rummaged throughsome of the rooms. A few items were no-ticed missing from one of the resident’spurses.
Arrest – Drunk In Public — 8616 ParkStreet, Sept. 21, 10:21 a.m. Officers weresearching the area for a man who was re-ported to be intoxicated. Ofc. Nesbitt lo-cated the man at the 7-11, and upon hisinteraction with the man, the officer de-tected signs of impairment.
The 36-year-old man, who had no fixedaddress, was arrested on the charge ofDrunk In Public.
He was transported to the Fairfax CountyAdult Detention Center where he was to beheld until he was sober.
Vienna Police Highlights
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
The Shepherd’s Center ofOakton-Vienna (SCOV)recently hosted their an-
nual Volunteer Appreciation Lun-cheon at St. Mark Catholic Churchwhere SCOV had the opportunityto thank the many volunteers thatplay a significant part in the suc-cess of the charity’s mission.
The event was supported, inpart, by Brightview Senior Living/Great Falls.
The SCOV Pin Award for out-standing service was presented tovolunteers Leigh Banducci; BillGrove; Mary Harrigan; MartaLinares; Scott Schroth; Ann Streb,and Jayne Young. In addition,SCOV chose this opportunity torecognize the continued support ofDel. Mark Keam by presenting himwith the SCOV Certificate of Ap-preciation.
Founded in 1998, and celebrat-ing its 20th anniversary this year,the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna is a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated toproviding opportunities for adults(50+) to seek rewarding lives andto live independently in theirhomes for as long as possible. Theapproach employed by the agency
also allows for mature adults tovolunteer their time providing vi-tal services to the more vulnerableseniors needing assistance.
As the country’s population isliving longer and oftentimes iso-lated from family support, “agingin place” becomes a challenge. Theconcept of “Seniors Helping Se-niors” truly defines the spirit andpurpose of the Shepherd’s Centerof Oakton-Vienna. Their personalenrichment and volunteer oppor-tunities reaches more than 3,000older adults (50+) in the region.
Each year more than 250 volun-teers at SCOV serve as medicaldrivers, companion drivers,friendly callers and visitors, healthand wellness educators, office as-sistants, fundraisers, and grantwriters. Volunteers also run pro-grams such as SCOV’s Lunch n’Life, Adventures in Learning, tripsand outings, special events, andthe caregivers’ support group.
SCOV will be hosting their 20th
Anniversary Gala on Sunday Oct.21, at the Westwood Country Clubin Vienna. Tickets and detailsabout the event can be found athttp://www.scov.org/fundraiser-anniversary-gala.
From left — Alex Robbins, Congressman Gerald E.Connolly’s Office; Michelle Scott, ED, SCOV and BillFarrell, SCOV Board Chair. Robbins presented a Certifi-cate from the U.S. House of Representatives as entered inthe Congressional Record in recognition of the 20th Anni-versary of the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna.
Michelle Scott, Executive Director SCOV, center, and castmembers from the afternoon’s entertainment provided byVienna Singing Princesses.
Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Honors Volunteers
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6 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
S eptember was Suicide PreventionMonth, and the Connection spon-sored outreach efforts of PRS, the lo-cal nonprofit that provides CrisisLink
service and trained staff to answer the “hotline”in Northern Virginia.
It’s clear that demand is increasing for crisiscall services, but resources are not.
When Kate Spade died of suicide on June 5this year, and Anthony Bourdain died of sui-cide June 8, crisis calls spiked around the coun-try. High profile deaths locally and of celebri-ties will always trigger more calls and morepeople seeking help.
PRS CrisisLink programhandled nearly 80,000 crisiscalls and text messages fromthe Northern Virginia region
last year, said CEO Wendy Gradison, and thosenumbers will continue to increase with suc-cessful outreach.
PRS provides a variety of mental health ser-vices. Crisis calls and texts are answered mostlyby volunteers who can respond with the em-pathy and understanding that someone in cri-sis needs right then. Answering local callsmeans these volunteers can connect those inneed of crisis help to local resources for care.“Most of these voices are volunteers from ourcommunity — neighbors and friends — whoshare the gift of listening to those who hope tobe heard,” Gradison said.
Call or text to the crisis hotline or textline:(800) 273-TALK [8255] or text “CONNECT”to 85511.
PRS is the northern Virginia call center torespond to the National Suicide Prevention linewhen calls come in to 1-800-273-TALK fromlocal area codes.
Centers like PRS CrisisLink are provided an
annual stipend to provide the Lifeline and relyheavily on local government, donations and avolunteer workforce to offset the financial chal-lenges centers face to participate in the Life-line. If centers like PRS CrisisLink are unableto answer the calls distributed to the centerfrom the Lifeline, a caller will wait longer andlonger each time the call is queued or sent toanother center, usually outside the state. When
sent out of state, callers are not necessarilyconnected with local resources.
And the efforts to provide help in a crisis savelives. For every death, more than 275 peoplewho attempt suicide or have thoughts of sui-cide survive and recover.
Beginning on Oct. 1, Virgin-ians will be able to obtainthrough the local offices of
the Department of Motor Vehiclesa REAL ID that complies with fed-eral regulations to prove theiridentity. While having state-issued,federally-approved identificationto prove who you are is offensiveto many, the practical use of theREAL ID will result in most if notall complying with its require-ments.
The REAL ID came about fromrecommendations of the 9/11Commission studying ways to im-prove security to prevent otherhorrible terrorist acts from hap-pening. Half of the Sept. 11 hijack-ers had received driver’s licensesin Virginia. Congress passed an actto help prevent terrorist attacks
and to reducethe number of li-censes issued toundocumentedresidents. It es-tablished the requirements forstates to follow in issuing driver’slicenses, and the program is imple-mented by the Department ofHomeland Security. Under thecongressionally passed law, statesare required to issue licenses onlyto applicants who provide in-per-son proof of their identity and le-gal U.S. residency. The new cardsmust use the latest counterfeit-re-sistant security features.
Half the states are now in com-pliance with the new federal law,and others like Virginia have beenworking hard to put the new sys-tem into place. Beginning in thefall of 2020, persons who want toboard a commercial flight mustpresent a REAL ID or an alterna-
tive form of acceptable identifica-tion. Likewise, persons enteringfederal facilities must present aREAL ID. The DMV-issued creden-tial will meet the requirement ofREAL ID and will allow holders toaccess federal buildings, includingmilitary installations, and boardcommercial flights.
Obtaining a REAL ID when yourenew your driver’s license is vol-untary. That is what I intend to do.I do not want to have to remem-ber to make a special trip to theDMV in the future to prove myidentity for a REAL ID when I cando it as part of renewing mydriver’s license.
To get a REAL ID you must ap-ply in person and provide DMVwith physical documentation ofidentity, such as an unexpired U.S.passport or a U.S. birth certificateand provide your legal presencethrough the same documentation.
And yes, there is an additionalone-time fee of $10 to help pay forthe new cards. Hopefully you canvisit a DMV office when they arenot too busy. But you do need togo in person and take the time tomeet the requirements.
Important news for those whodo not drive and hence do nothave a driver’s license: You can geta REAL ID through the same pro-cess just described to use for en-tering federal facilities, boardingcommercial flights and voting.
Need more information? The DMVwebsite is filled with full details,https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/driv-ers/#real_id.asp Check my interviewwith Commissioner Rick Holcomb ofthe DMV on You Tube after Oct. 10or watch it on Reston Comcast Chan-nel 28 for public service program-ming or Verizon Channel 1981 at7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 or at10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Who Are You? Commentary
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.comLocal Media Connection LLC
ViennaViennaand Oaktonand Oakton
SeniorLivingSeniorLivingSeniorLivingFALL 2018
8 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Fall’s Line-up ofLearningOpportunities
Some of the best adult learning opportu-nities in the country are available this fallin Fairfax County. Contact these programsearly for best choice of courses, clubs, lec-tures and tours.
Adult and Community Education,Fairfax County Public Schools.The fall line-up features cooking classes
(Mediterranean Diet, French Desserts, Japa-nese Soups), a series on Alzheimer’s Dis-ease, as well as classes on Social Securityand Baby Boomer Retirement Planning.Check out their wide range of classes fo-cusing on job training and personal enrich-ment offered throughout the county oronline. 703-658-1201, https://aceclasses.fcps.edu
Fairfax County Park Authority offersa wide array of classes including genealogy,golf, gardening, dance, sewing, fitness andmore. Classes are held throughout thecounty. Check out the popular fall tours in-cluding one to the Shenandoah Skyline.703-222-4664
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes
Fairfax County Public Library pro-vides workshops on a variety of topics as See Briefs, Page 11
Senior Livingwell as author talks, wellness activities,reading programs, lectures, technologyworkshops and more. Call your local libraryfor class availability or visit the librarywebpage. 703-324-3100,www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library
Fairfax County Senior Centers offerclasses, trips
and tours, health and wellness programsand opportunities to socialize with neigh-bors. 703-324-4600,www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs
Green Spring Gardens offers pro-grams in arts and crafts, gardening, yoga,historical workshops, tastings and teas, so-cial programs, trips and more. Classes areheld throughout the year.
703-642-5173w w w. f a i r f a x c o u n t y. g o v / p a r k s /
greenspring
Jewish Community Center ofNorthern Virginia’s Adult Learning In-stitute offers social and self-
development programs and activities foradults of all backgrounds and ages. 703-323-0880, www.jccnv.org
Lifetime Learning Institute ofNorthern Virginia begins a new seasonof classes (from Understanding Opera to Re-modeling for Retirement), lectures andtours this fall. Classes include health, art,
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Senior Living
By Mary Jane DyeGolden Gazette
“He leaned and I didn’t,”says 93-year-old DixonHemphill, appraisinglast year’s upset loss in
the 60-meter dash.The race took place at the 2017 USA Na-
tional Masters Indoor Track and FieldChampionship in New Mexico. Hemphillwas facing just one competitor, OrvilleRogers. Hemphill had already beaten Orvillein four other events. A YouTube video,which went viral, continues to tell the storyof the 60-meter dash. At the shotgun start,Hemphill blazes ahead, confident andsteady. Suddenly, 99-year-old Rogers kicksit up a bit, and ... they are neck and neck.As they near the finish line, Hemphill clearlyremembers thinking he’d still win.
But then, Orville stretches his upper bodyforward, just a bit, and edges him out by afraction of a second. The winning time forOrville was 18.00 seconds to Dixon’s 18.05.
Runner’s World wrote about the race andrivalry, posting the video under the head-line, “99-Year-Old Upsets 92-Year-Old inThrilling Sprint.”
HEMPHILL SAYS THAT, despite the loss,he was impressed that a man seven yearshis senior could beat him. Nevertheless, los-ing by a mere fraction of a second immedi-ately nagged at him. Dixon wanted arematch. “I was not going to let Orville beatme ever again.”
So, he began to strategize for the nextrace. “It’s just the way I am. I knew that Icould improve.” Hence, the sport’s newestand oldest rivalry would continue inLandover, Md. at the 2018 National Mas-ters Indoor Track and Field Championships.
According to Hemphill, the two WorldWar II Navy veterans genuinely like eachother. When possible, they go out to din-ner. They discuss future races via email. “Hebought my dinner after I lost the race inAlbuquerque. He’s a good guy. We care
about each other.”Originally from Connecticut, Dixon is
practically a native to Fairfax arriving in1965. He spent many years owning andoperating two running centers—one inFairfax and one in Alexandria, while alsoraising four children with his wife. Afterselling his businesses, he went into racemanagement.
Since age 50, he has competed in morethan 60 triathlons and won many champi-onships. Before that, he played a little golfand tennis, however in his youth, he was acollege athlete.
At 74, he was hit by a car while trainingon his bike for a triathlon. He spent morethan a month in the hospital, but that didnot deflate his enthusiasm for running.
“I was seriously injured, but knew I’d com-pete again.
“You know, you can get a lot done fromage 50 to 90,” he laughs.
Laurie Strickland, fitness director at SouthRun Rec Center, says Dixon has a shufflewhen he runs; common for older runners.To address this, she said, “I helped him toincrease the length of his stride by improv-ing flexibility.”
Obviously he did something right. Be-cause when the rematch took place lastMarch he beat Rogers handily.
“I knew he had slowed down,” he said.“After all, he is 100 now.”
With no longevity in his genes, Dixon at-tributes his full and long life to always hav-ing a goal along with a positive attitude. “Ireally see the glass as half full.” Hemphilllikes to talk with groups about exercise, diet,hobbies and the importance of attitude.
“You are never too old to start somethingnew.” In fact, at 94, he turned his hobby ofconverting wind-up clocks into electric oneshas turned into a business.
“Why not?” he says.For information on services, recreational
activities and volunteer opportunities, go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults. Youwill also find a subscription link to the freemonthly Golden Gazette.
Run, Dixon, RunDixon Hemphill with Laurie Strickland, fitness director at South Run RecCenter in Springfield.
10 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection
The Herndon Senior Center, Fairfax County Department ofNeighborhood and Community Services is one of 14county senior centers, all of which provide a welcomingand safe environment for older adults to socialize andengage.
Senior Living
By Mercia Hobson The Connection
This week is the Connec-tion Newspapers Se-nior Living Focus edi-tion. The Connection
invited local senior programspecialist(s) and citizens of all agesto engage in open conversation onhow seniors experience well-beingon a personal level, how best topromote well-being later in lifeand what factors might be culpritsfor lower well-being.
The following were possible‘Conversation Starters given toDonna Lopez, Assistant Director atthe Herndon Senior Center, FairfaxCounty Department of Neighbor-hood and Community Services onSaturday, Sept. 29, 2018, as sheworked with seniors at the center.
❖ Although you are as only asold as you feel, what age do youconsider to be the senior-citizenthreshold and why?
❖ What factors might be cul-prits for lower well being, thosethat have the most substantialnegative impact on a senior’s well-being?
❖ How best in the local com-munity, are factors such as physi-cal, mental and spiritual needs, themore “subjective factors of asenior’s well-being,” met or notmet? What about more objectiveneeds, such as financial stability/wellbeing
❖ On a scale of 1-10, how welldo you think a senior’s voice andopinions, talents and skills are so-
Senior Centers, Partof County’s 50-PlusCommunity Plan
licited and respected in the com-munity and ultimately incorpo-rated?
Donna Lopez is Assistant Direc-tor at the Herndon Senior Center,
Fa i r f a xC o u n t yDepart-ment ofN e i g h -borhooda n dCommu-nity Ser-v i c e s .The fol-l o w i n gref lectsFa i r f a xCounty’s5 0 +
Community Action Plan, as well asthe broader variety of programsnot only at the Herndon SeniorCenter but at all of the county’s14 senior centers including theSully Senior Center, as presentedby Lopez.
Fairfax County’s population ofadults aged 50 and older is esti-mated to reach around 452,000 by2040 – that’s about 33 percent ofthe total county population. Withthis trend in mind, Fairfax Countyhas adopted the 50+ CommunityAction Plan to identify and addressthe needs and interests of olderadults 50 and over, and to plan fortheir continued engagement in thecommunity.
In the September 2017 report ofthe 50+ Community Action Plan,
Donna Lopez,Assistant Directorat the HerndonSenior Center
See next Page
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several of the common challengesfacing older adults in FairfaxCounty include health-related is-sues, isolation and loneliness,mobility and transportation, lim-ited financial resources and beingthe target of criminal activity.
Fairfax County’s 14 senior cen-ters provide a welcoming and safeenvironment for older adults tosocialize and engage.
Programs, activities and events– each tailored to the specific in-terests and needs of the center’ssurrounding community – affordolder adults opportunities to pur-sue hobbies, set and achievehealth and fitness goals, learn newskills, and cultivate friendshipswith others in the community.
All centers offer inclusion ser-vices, which provide assistance toparticipants with minor cognitiveand physical disabilities to partici-pate in day-to-day activities as wellas offer guidance and referrals toadditional programs and servicesthat meet evolving needs. We pro-vide participants with options fortransportation and meals as well.
Each senior centers has a par-ticipant-led advisory council,which offers insight into the needsand interests of each community.Together with our advisory coun-cils, our center staff plan activities,guest speakers and workshops toaddress a myriad of topics such aslearning about how to use asmartphone or email, understand-ing Medicare, or even learning toprotect themselves from potentialscammers.
Speaking for Fairfax County’ssenior centers, we certainly valueour participants’ talents and wel-come their suggestions and en-gagement. The opportunities weprovide are the result of constantcollaboration and partnership withthe communities we serve, and wemake every effort to ensure thatour spaces afford everyone, re-gardless of age, background orability, the chance to share theirtalents, cultivate new ones andenjoy being part of a communityof fellowship. We welcome anyand all suggestions and questions,just contact your local senior cen-ter to learn more.
You can find us online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov, just usethe search tool and look for seniorcenters.
For more information on ser-vices, recreational activities andvolunteer opportunities, go tow w w. f a i r f a x c o u n t y. g o v /OlderAdults. You will also find asubscription link to the freemonthly Golden Gazette.
Senior Living
50-PlusFrom Previous Page
science, Learning Opportuni-ties personal development andmore. 703-503-0600, http://lli.nova.org
Osher Lifelong LearningInstitute at George MasonUniversity offers diverse intel-lectual, social and cultural ex-periences with daytime coursesand special events. After Aug.,24, registration is still availablebut selection may be limited.703-503-3384, olli.gmu.edu
Shepherd’s Centers ofFairfax/Burke, Oakton/ Viennaand Annandale/Springfield offerthe popular Adventures in Learn-ing programs and Lunch n’ Life lec-tures. Topics cover the gamut ofart, travel computer skills, finan-cial security issues and more.
Workhouse Arts Center of-fers courses in visual, performingand culinary arts, as well as artevents and lectures. 703-584-2900, www.workhousearts.org
Free Medicare101 Workshops
Register now for the county’sfree Medicare 101 Workshops andlearn how to get the most out ofthe 2019 Medicare coverage.Medicare’s annual election seasonfor changing health and prescrip-tion plans runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7.Registration required. Use thephone numbers below to register.For more information and dates,go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults andclick Insurance Counseling–VICAP.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 12:30 – 2:30p.m.McLean Community Center
Sydney Duberstein, 703-790-0123
From Page 8
Senior Briefs
12 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
EntertainmentSubmit entertainment announcements
at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGArt Exhibition: Colors in Memory.
Through Oct. 26, allery hours atAryan Gallery, 2236-C Gallows Road,Vienna. Colors in Memory featuringart by Rafat is open to all. Openingreception Sunday, Sept. 30, 5-8 p.m.is limited to adults. Call 202-391-1669 or visit www.rafatart.com.
Vienna Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, through Nov. 3 atVienna Community Center, 120Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. The ViennaFarmers Market, hosted by theOptimist Club of Greater Vienna, hasmore than 30 vendors from acrossthe region, the Vienna FarmersMarket provides locally-sourced fruitsand vegetables and homemade eats.Throughout the year, great musicwill be featured. Visitoptimistclubofgreatervienna.org/.
Oakton Farmers Market. Saturdays,9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Unity of FairfaxChurch, 2854 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. Year-round weekly farmersmarket in Oakton. Local produce,meats/eggs, dairy, baked goods, andmore. Admission is free. Visitcommunity-foodworks.org.
The Freeman Store & MuseumWednesday through Sunday noon-4p.m. 131 Church St. NE, Vienna. TheFreeman Store & Museum isdedicated to Preserving andpromoting Vienna’s heritage throughthe identification, preservation, andinterpretation of history significantplaces, events, and persons.Historicviennainc.org
Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. FlameRoom, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. S,Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.
Gentle Yoga. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.Emmaus United Church of Christ,900 E Maple Ave. E., Vienna.Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.Gentle Kundalini Yoga, one freeintroductory session, seniordiscounts. Increase flexibility,improve breathing and health, reducestress. Ravi Kaur has 15 yearsexperience teaching yoga. $15 persession. www.edimprovement.org.571-213-3192.
WEDNESDAY/OCT. 3Author Event: Nancy MacLean.
7:30-9 p.m. at the UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.Nancy MacLean will give apresentation on her new book“Democracy in Chains:The DeepHistory of the Radical Right’s StealthPlan for America.” The bookdiscusses an organized campaign byradical libertarians to seize theagendas of the nation’s universitiesand political institutions, aided bymoney from the Koch brothers. Free.Tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/nancy-maclean-on-democracy-in-chains-tickets-49888104664.
THURSDAY/OCT. 4Hitchcocktober: Rear Window
(1954). 7 p.m. at Angelika FilmCenter – Mosaic, 2911 District Ave.,Fairfax. Every Thursday night inOctober a classic film by Sir AlfredHitchcock will be featured with abonus screening of PSYCHO onHalloween. Tickets are $10. Visitangelikafilmcenter.com.
HVI Fall Membership Meeting.7:30 p.m. in Patriot Hall, AmericanLegion Post 180, 330 Center St.North, Vienna. “Finding Treasures onyour Bookshelves” with speaker
Cameron Rittenhouse-Smith,antiquarian book dealer. There willbe a brief Historic Vienna, Inc.business meeting. Refreshments willbe served. Visitwww.historicviennainc.org, [email protected] or call703-938-5187.
FRIDAY/OCT. 5Raise Region Gala. 6:30-10 p.m. at
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920Jones Branch Drive, McLean. Join600 business, philanthropic, andcommunity leaders to celebrate theCommunity Foundation for NorthernVirginia’s 40th Anniversary at theannual Raise the Region Gala eventrecognizing the growth ofphilanthropy in the area and itspotential to help shape the future ofthe region. $300. Call 703-879-7636or visit www.cfnova.org/gala.
SATURDAY/OCT. 6Toy Train Show. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at
Vienna Firehouse, 400 Center St. S.,Vienna. Annual Toy Train Show atVienna Firehouse; all gauges for sale;new and used; trains appraised andrepaired; train parts available andrunning train layout; door prizes. $5per adult; free for children under 12.Call 571-445-3662 or visit www.wba-tca-eastern.org.
2018 DC-Metro Modern HomeTour. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The 9 homeson this year’s tour are located in thefollowing towns and neighborhoods:Takoma Park, Bethesda, ChevyChase, Pinehurst Parkway Park,Arlington, and McLean. ModernHome Tours give people a chance toexplore and view examples ofmodern architecture via a self-guidedtour. 12 and older. $40. Visitwww.dcmetromodernhometour.com.
Author Event: Kim Ventrella. 1-2:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library,101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. KimVentrella, who worked at PatrickHenry Library, is now a Scholastic-published book author of TheSkeleton Tree. Learn more aboutStanly Stainwright’s life and theinexplicable presence of a bonegrowing in his backyard. Booksavailable for sale and signing. Grades3 and up. Free. Call 703-938-0405 orvisitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4122764.
Live Music: Hot Lanes Big Band. 1p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 MapleAve. E., Vienna. Performance willfeature all original music bybandleader Bobby Jasinski. Visitwww.jamminjava.com.
Oktoberfest. 6-9 p.m. at Claude MooreColonial Farm, The Pavilions ofTurkey Run, 6310 Georgetown Pike,McLean. Enjoy a Bavarian-themedfestive event with all proceeds
benefitting the local living historymuseum and working 18th centuryfarm. DJ, music and dancing. Ciderand beer tasting. Catered meal andcash bar. Silent auction. Adults, $35;farm volunteers, $25; children 6-12,$12; children under 6, free. Purchasetickets in advance at 1771.org/events-item/oktoberfest/ or e-mailCatherine Anderson [email protected].
Live Music: Nora Jane Struthers.7:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Aperformance by Nora Jane and herband is full to the brim withunexpected arrangements that blurthe lines between folk, roots, androck. $15-25. Visitwww.jamminjava.com.
Saturday, 2 p.m. at Vinson HallCommunity Buildling Ballroom, 1735Kirby Road, McLean. The McLeanCommunity Players will present “ATuna Christmas” by Jaston Williams,Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. “A TunaChristmas” is the second in a series ofcomedic plays set in the fictionaltown of Tuna, the third-smallesttown in Texas. MCP’s cast of sevenwill play 22 roles. $18-$20 at 1-800-838-3006, www.McLeanPlayers.orgor at the door.
SUNDAY/OCT. 7MPAartfest 2018. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in
McLean Central Park, 1468 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean. During theone-day juried fine art show and sale,McLean Central Park is transformedinto a landscape of mini art galleriesshowcasing and offering for sale thework of over 35 artists from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.MPAartfest offers food from localrestaurants and a variety of arts andSTEAM (STEM+Art) activities toengage creative minds and captivateart-lovers of all ages. Free admission.Visit www.mpaart.org/ or call 703-790-1953.
Vienna CROP Hunger Walk.Registration, 1:15 p.m.; walk, 2 p.m.at the Town Green, 144 Maple Ave.E., Vienna. The Vienna CROP HungerWalk seeks 150 Walkers committedto end hunger and poverty locallyand worldwide. The Walk’s goal is toraise $35,000 from those whosponsor a walker (or themselves) andfrom online donations. VisitCROPHungerWalk.org/viennava.
SUNDAY-MONDAY/OCT. 7-8First Time Campers Program.
Sunday, 8 a.m. through Monday, 4p.m. at Wolf Trap National Park(Filenes Center), 1551 Trap Road,Vienna. The Wolf Trap NPS First
Toy Train ShowAnnual Toy Train Show at Vienna Firehouse; all gauges for sale; new and used;
trains appraised and repaired; train parts available and running train layout; doorprizes. Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Vienna Firehouse, 400 Center St. S.,Vienna. $5 per adult; free for children under 12. Call 571-445-3662 or visitwww.wba-tca-eastern.org for more.
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Entertainment
Author EventKim Ventrella, who worked
at Patrick Henry Library, isnow a Scholastic-publishedbook author of The SkeletonTree. Learn more about StanlyStainwright’s life and the inex-plicable presence of a bonegrowing in his backyard. Booksavailable for sale and signing.Grades 3 and up. Sunday, Oct.6, 1-2:30 p.m. at Patrick HenryLibrary, 101 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Free. Call 703-938-0405 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4122764 for more.
Time Campers Program offers anopportunity for students in 5th and6th grade to gain confidence incamping, nature and great outdoors.This program is designed for novicecampers with an emphasis on thedevelopment of their outdoor skillsand confidence. Scholarships areavailable for underserved youth.Participant registration at fall2018-ftcp-campers.bpt.me. Learn more atwww.fowt.info or contact the CampDirector at [email protected].
MONDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 8-14Vienna Wireless Society
Celebrates. This year marks the55th anniversary of the ViennaWireless Society (VWS), the premierAmateur Radio Club in NorthernVirginia. The club will commemorateits “birthday” with “on the air” radiocontacts, a dinner for members andguests, and other events. Using thespecial callsign, W4V (V for Vienna),issued by the FederalCommunications Commissionspecifically for the event period, theclub will publicize its anniversary andstrong affiliation with the Town ofVienna with various operating eventsfrom Oct. 8-14. Learn more aboutamateur radio or VWS atviennawireless.net.
THURSDAY/OCT. 11Dig Pink Event. 4-9 p.m. at Oakton
High School, 2900 Sutton Road,Vienna. Oakton High School will hostits 10th annual Dig Pink event insupport of the Side-Out Foundation.Varsity, junior varsity, and freshmanvolleyball teams will come togetherto play Westfield High School tosupport bringing more awareness andfunding for stage IV breast cancer.The players, coaches and schooladministrators welcome all membersof the community to attend. $5.Email [email protected] orcall 301-523-8926.
Hitchcocktober: Shadow of aDoubt (1943). 7 p.m. at AngelikaFilm Center – Mosaic, 2911 DistrictAve., Fairfax. Every Thursday nightin October a classic film by Sir AlfredHitchcock will be featured with abonus screening of PSYCHO onHalloween. Tickets are $10. Visitangelikafilmcenter.com.
FRIDAY/OCT. 12Riverbend Bird Walks. 8-10 a.m. at
Riverbend Park - Visitor Center, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls.Riverbend Park is offering freebirding walks in October. Participantsshould be prepared to walk abouttwo miles in comfortable, closed-toedshoes. There likely will be gentleuphill and downhill stretches on
slightly uneven terrain. Bringbinoculars. Rain or shine. Call 703-759-9018, or stop by the Visitors’Center front desk to register.
SATURDAY/OCT. 13Bulb Sale. 8 a.m.-noon at Town of
Vienna Farmers Market, on thegrounds of the Vienna CommunityCenter. The Ayr Hill Garden Clubpresents its annual bulb salesupporting the community gardeningefforts of the Ayr Hill Garden Club.Email [email protected].
LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. 10 a.m.-4p.m. at all Fairfax County FireStations. In celebration of FirePrevention Week, all Fairfax CountyFire and Rescue Stations will behosting an Open House. Stop by alocal station that day to meetfirefighters, see the fire trucks, join inthe activities and learn about firesafety. Find a local Fairfax CountyFire & Rescue Department FireStation at bit.ly/2ReXaHk.
Halloween on the Green. 10:30a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the Town Green.The Town of Vienna is getting inearly on spooky fun for children ages2-10. Costumed kiddos are invited tohaunt away at Halloween on theGreen. The fun includes crafts, gamesand prizes, storytelling, moonbounces, a petting zoo, goodies, twoVienna Singing Princesses, and achance to carve or paint pumpkins.Free and open to the public. In theevent of inclement weather, call 703-255-7842 for event status.
14th Annual Merrifield FallFestival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at MosaicDistrict. Presented by the GreaterMerrifield Business Association(GMBA), in conjunction withURBNmarket and Mosaic, and heldwill be in the heart of the MosaicDistrict with food vendors, a beergarden, music and entertainment, as
well as a pre-holiday handmade andvintage market. Children’s activitiesincluding: Vienna Singing Princesses,pumpkin painting, face painting, hairbraiding, sack races, karate, peacemural painting, carnival games andmore. Visit greatermerrifield.org/merrifield-fall-festival.
Model Railroaders Open House. 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth and on Vienna celebrationdays, including Viva! Vienna and theVienna Holiday Stroll. Freeadmission. Call 703-938-5157 or visitwww.nvmr.org.
Indie Author Day Celebration. 3-5p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave. E., Vienna. NorthernVirginia is fertile ground for writers.Drop in and meet some of them. Findnew books and authors. Learn aboutthe experiences of independentwriters in developing their craft andgetting their work published.Featured authors include: RussellGinns (Children’s Fiction), Joyce C.Grand (Fiction); Aimee Hix (MYS),Margaret Placentia Johnston(Religion); Donna Migliaccio(Fantasy), and Martin Wilsey (SciFi).All ages. Call 703-938-0405 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4402316.
SUNDAY/OCT. 14Live Music: Bobby Long. 7:30 p.m.
at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. British singer-songwriterBobby Long(www.musicbobbylong.com/) hasestablished a reputation as aconsistently engaging performersince relocating to New York nineyears ago. Visitwww.jamminjava.com.
14 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
O n Oct. 10, New YorkTimes bestselling au-thor Immaculée
Ilibagiza will speak at OakcrestSchool about finding God in themidst of the horrors of theRwandan genocide. Ilibagiza willshare her odyssey of hope andhealing in the wake of tragedy, andexplain how she found thestrength to forgive those who tookeverything away from her. Thiswill be Immaculée’s second visit toOakcrest. In 2008, she deliveredthe commencement address forthe school’s graduating class.
Immaculée Ilibagiza is a survi-vor of the 1994 Rwandan genocidethat took the lives of nearly onemillion Tutsis. Men, women andchildren, including her entire fam-ily except for one of her brothers,were massacred at the hands ofHutu marauders. Immaculéefound shelter at a pastor’s home,where she and seven other womenhid from the deadly rebel mob ina 3-by-4-foot bathroom for 91days. During those 91 days of un-imaginable suffering, Immaculéefound her faith, taught herselfEnglish, and most incredibly, com-mitted herself to a life of peace,hope and forgiveness, even for
those who had murdered her fam-ily. Immaculée’s first book, “Left toTell; Discovering God Amidst theRwandan Holocaust” (Hay House)was released in March of 2006 andquickly became a New York Timesbestseller. To date, it has beentranslated into seventeen lan-guages and has sold over two mil-lion copies. Immaculée has goneon to work at the United Nations,receive five honorary doctoral de-grees, write six more books abouther faith and her life journey, andis the recipient of the MahatmaGandhi International Award forReconciliation and Peace.
This event is free and open tothe public, and there will be a booksigning after the Oct. 10 program.Seating is limited, so those inter-ested must pre-register at bit.ly/oakcrestimmaculee.
Oakcrest School is an indepen-dent school for girls in grades 6-12 guided by the teachings of theCatholic Church. For over 40years, the school has provided anexceptional liberal arts educationto girls of all faiths while fulfillingits mission to grow, challenge andinspire its students to thrive incollege and throughout their lives.Learn more at Oakcrest.org.
Immaculée Ilibagiza.
Pho
to
co
ntributed
Rwandan Genocide Survivor and BestsellingAuthor to Speak at Oakcrest School
Blast from the PastFrom Page 2
ning arch-conservative versus the quote-unquoteestablishment conservative.”
BEHIND THE RHETORIC and the insults, muchof the campaign is a rather garden variety contestbetween red and blue. Kaine supports universal back-ground checks for gun purchases while Stewart sup-ports ditching gun-free zones. Kaine supports theongoing investigation into Russia’s role in influenc-ing the 2016 election; Stewart invited a round ofunintentional laughter during a debate earlier thisyear when he suggested Trump was “standing up toRussia.” Perhaps one of the starkest policy distinc-tions is international trade, a topic where Stewart ison board with the president’s tariffs.
“Go visit the Ikea plant in Danville,” Kaine said toStewart at one debate earlier this year. “Go visit otheradvanced manufacturing facilities in Danville that Iworked on when I was governor. I know that youhaven’t.”
In response to that moment on the campaign trail,Stewart scheduled a press conference in Danville.Standing in front of a shuttered factory, Stewartdefended the president’s protectionist policies.
“We’ve had enough,” Stewart said. “And let theword go out there on behalf of the president of theUnited States and all those who are standing up forAmerican workers: We’ve had enough, and we’rebringing back manufacturing to Danville and in factall of the United States of America.”
It’s that sense of urban versus rural that is at theheart of the campaign between Kaine and Stewart.Polling suggests that Kaine is doing well in the popu-
lation centers, especially along the Interstate 95 cor-ridor or east of it. These are places where Democratshave picked up popularity and support since 2016.Stewart, on the other hand, is doing well in South-west Virginia. That’s a part of the state that’s actu-ally experiencing somewhat of a “red wave.” Lastyear’s election returns showed this part of Virginiahas actually become more Republican since Trumpwas elected.
“He’s doing very well in places where there aren’tas many people,” said Farnsworth. “That’s not a recipefor a statewide election victory.”
KAINE AND STEWART are not the only names onthe ballot. Libertarian Matt Waters is also on the bal-lot, but he’s struggling to raise money and gain at-tention. The University of Mary Washington poll hasWaters at 6 percent, and campaign finance recordsshow he’s raised about $30,000. Election returns fromrecent statewide elections show Libertarians endingup with anywhere from 7 percent to 1 percent of thevote. Back in 2014 Libertarian Robert Sarvis received2.4 percent during his bid for U.S. Senate. On thecampaign trail, Waters has advocated doing awaywith restrictions on guns and abolishing the federalincome tax. “I want to give American workers a sevento 10 percent pay raise by ending the federal incometax and replacing it with nothing,” said Waters in hiscampaign announcement. “Which is more important,being forced to pay for the Department of Educationand Agriculture, or keeping more of our hard-earnedmoney? Our paychecks do not belong to Washing-ton. They belong to us. It is our money, our prop-erty.”
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
SOBER-RIDE FOR HALLOWEENFree Sober Rides. Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 p.m.
through Sunday, Oct. 28, 4 a.m. Area residents,21 and older, may download Lyft to theirphones, then enter a code in the app’s “Promo”section to receive a no cost (up to $15) safe ridehome. WRAP’s Halloween SoberRide promocode will be posted at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 onwww.SoberRide.com, valid for the first 1,500Lyft users who enter the code.
VOTER REGISTRATION AND ID EVENTSThe Fairfax County Office of Elections
(12000 Government Center Parkway Suite 323,Fairfax) is open daily during normal businesshours to provide county residents theopportunity to register to vote or obtain a freevoter photo ID if needed. Applicants will need tocomplete a photo voter ID application, have aphoto taken and sign a digital signature pad.Call 703-222-0776.
The following special events will also provideopportunity to register to vote and/or get aphoto Virginia Voter card.
❖ Tuesday/Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Arleigh BurkePavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community,1739 Kirby Road, McLean.
MONDAY-FRIDAY/OCT. 1-5Road Closures. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Valley Wood Road/
37th Street North between North KensingtonStreet and Vermont Avenue will be closed tothrough traffic (weather permitting) each dayfor culvert replacement, according to theVirginia Department of Transportation.
WEDNESDAY/OCT 3CarFit. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Vienna Volunteer Fire
Department (parking lot), 400 Center St. S.,Vienna. Program offers older adults theopportunity to check how well their personalvehicles “fit” them (by adjusting the car’s safetyfeatures). Schedule an appointment at 703-255-7801. www.car-fit.org.
THURSDAY/OCT. 4Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at
UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Contact facilitatorJack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].
Enjoy Your Strong-Willed Child. 7-8:30 p.m.at Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 100, DunnLoring. In this workshop with Celebrate Calm’sKirk Martin, learn specific strategies to:understand a strong-willed child; motivatewithout power struggles; stop yelling, lecturing,and nagging. For parents of children ages 2-22.Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center to register.
FRIDAY/OCT. 5Enjoy Your Strong-Willed Child. 10 a.m.-noon
See above.
SATURDAY/OCT. 6Unity of Fairfax Labyrinth Opening. 2-4 p.m.
at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. Unity of Fairfax is happy to announcethe official opening of their outdoor Breamorelabyrinth plaza. Community members andlabyrinth enthusiasts are welcome to attend thecelebration. Plan to walk the labyrinth and stayfor refreshments and a tour of the church. Thecanvas labyrinth will also be on display in theSanctuary. Free (donations appreciated). Call703-239-2471 or visit unityoffairfax.org
SUNDAY/OCT. 7Lox and Lecture. 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at
Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland St.,Falls Church. Women of Temple Rodef Shalompresent Everything You Need to Know AboutMid-Term Elections. Panelists include JodyRabhan, National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW) and Darcy Hirsh, Jewish CommunityRelations Council, (JCRC) to discuss local andnational issues important to our Jewishcommunity. Lox and bagel brunch precedes theprogram. Enrollment is limited. $7 WoTRSmembers; $10 non-members, guests. Walk-ins$12 (if space permits). RSVP atloxandlecturemidterms.eventbrite.com by Oct 3.
Bulletin
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Having checked my email inbox fairly regularly (that’s an understatement if there ever was one) since my Wednesday morning CT scan
fact that it’s Saturday morning and my column is requested to be in-house on Friday mornings, I am compelled nonetheless to submit one despite its incompleteness.
I would expect that by the time the newspa-pers go to press (Tuesday) and you regulars read this column (sometime after), to invoke Mark Twain – the results of my scan will not have been exaggerated. They will have been made known via email, with the radiologist’s report likely attached, for my review (at least that’s what happened the last time, in July).
Not that this method of communication and/or these daze of waiting is atypical of the process. It’s not. It is the process.
And not that I’m unable to function/maintain my focus/keep my sense of humor, I am.
It’s more that when the stakes are higher than they’ve been in a few years, this one’s ability to
almost as if there’s an emotional-governor embed-ded in my brain to control my speed, so to speak. I just can’t break out in uncontrollable laughter. Somehow, I’m refrained/disinclined from doing so.
I imagine my subconscious is involved but I’d
believe he’s seeing patients any more.Still, in the midst of this information void, I feel
duty bound to put pen to paper – literally – and try to write some “thoughtful commentary and insightful humor” as my columns have been char-acterized by great friend and fellow writer, E.A. Faine rather than writing “Everything in general about nothing in particular,” as I once described them.
-umns I’ve published since June 2009, they’ve rare-ly been about “nothing in particular.” Nor have they been about “everything in general.” They’ve been about one thing in particular: cancer, and
And while I’ve re-mentioned cancer, I’ve just taken another moment to check my inbox again to see if there’s any Saturday-morning news, but unfortunately there’s not. I’m still in the dark, sort of, even though the lights are on in the room where I’m writing.
However, all is not lost. “Chino,” the brother of “Biscuit,” the other of the buff-colored brothers we rescued back in May 2007, is cuddled up against my left forearm as I block his desire to roll on top of my writing tablet. And in his desire to be with me at this stressful time, I am able to draw some comfort as her purrs himself to sleep.
Now let me ask you all a few questions: How many times/how often should I check
my inbox for results? Do I presume my oncologist
me? Is he even aware, given how many patients he cares for, of the time-sensitivity of me wanting to know my results before the weekend? Not knowing the answer to any of these questions, is it possible for me to stop wondering about the answers and get on with my life and let the chips fall where they inevitably will?
If you can’t answer any of these questions either then you know how I feel.
I’ve been down this road before though. It’s sort of like mental gymnastics. Trying to contort myself emotionally into positions/moods from which there’s no rational escape. Occasionally I will get blue and feel the weight of the worry, but mostly, I’m able to put one foot in front of the other and try not to take two steps forward while taking one step backward.
No News is No News
16 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 3-9, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Eden BrownThe Connection
Arlington resident Janine Ali wasstanding at the starting line atthe Gaza 5K race on Saturdaymorning, Sept. 22, to support her
son and grandson. Ali is a Palestinian-American, born in Dearborn, Mich. Her son,Jehad Ali, now lives in Centreville. A 2002graduate of Yorktown High School, wherehe was on the varsity football team, JehadAli reminisced fondly about his coach atYHS, Bruce Hanson, and wondered if hewere still the coach there; he also remem-bered how, being at YHS on 9/11 meant hehad to deal with some stereotyping, espe-cially given his name. His son, Faris, almost2, got up early to come to the race and wasone of the youngest over the finish line.
The Gaza 5K was a fun, family friendlyevent with many families walking withstrollers or running the 5 kilometers alongthe Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. The river wasoverflowing its banks in sections along theroute. Despite the rainy morning, the at-mosphere was like a family reunion — oldfriends reuniting, good-natured humorabout fitness levels and stories of how sum-mers were spent, a playlist of Arab hits blast-ing out over the muddy park. But there wasalso commentary about the U.S.administration’s decision to cease fundingfor UNRWA, a relief organization which fo-cuses on Palestinian refugee children.
Waliha Gani, of Fairfax, said she has al-ways been passionate about the Palestin-ian cause although she is of Pakistani ori-gin. She went to Palestine last month after
teaching English in Qatar. That experiencebrought home the reality of the Palestinianpeople’s suffering, so she wanted to raisefunds for the children of Gaza. She also did“Teach for America” for a year.
Tysons Corner residents Zena Mikdadi,her son, and her sister, Lina Kanaan, cameto the race to support UNRWA given the cutsin funding. The two sisters’ parents wereborn in Nablus and Jerusalem, and whenthey were forced out of their land in 1948,they moved to Jordan to be close to homeand to await the time when they could re-turn. They refused to leave Jordan for theU.S. because they believed they would beable to go home to reclaim their land. Both
Mental health for Palestinian children is focusof Gaza 5K this year.
Runners Raise $178,105
Waliha Gani, of Fairfax, said shehas always been passionate aboutthe Palestinian cause although sheis of Pakistani origin. She went toPalestine last month after teachingEnglish in Qatar.
Arlington resident Janine Ali andher son and grandson, Jehad Aliand Faris Ali.
Traditional Palestinian breakfast ofhummus, flatbread, olives, andpickles.
UNRWA tables offered posters anda quiz about Palestine.
Photos by Eden Brown/The Connection
Tysons Corner residents ZenaMikdadi and her sister, LinaKanaan, came to the race to sup-port UNRWA, a relief organizationwhich focuses on Palestinianrefugee children.
parents died in Jordan. Kanaan was the lastmember of the family to come to the U.S.Her sister had petitioned for her 14 yearsearlier; that is how long it took for the im-migrant visa to be approved.
The Gaza 5K takes place in several U.S.cities — Houston, Washington, and NewYork. Supporters from Fairfax, McLean,Vienna, Arlington, Centreville, and Restoncame out to run and walk, dance the“Dabke,” and eat a breakfast of hummus,
olives, pickles and flat bread. There was anUNRWA trivia quiz for those who wantedto enter a raffle for a Palestinian cookbook.Participants were buoyant as they notedUNRWA, despite the U.S. defunding, wouldcontinue to be financed by other U.N. mem-bers and events like this fundraiser, whichraised over $160,000 of its $200,000 goalto support mental health efforts for childrenin the war-torn Gaza strip. For more infor-mation, or to donate: see: https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/event/2018-dc-gaza-5k.
Dancing the traditional Palestinian “Dabke.”
“They told us when they tried to get rid of usthat the old will die and the young will forgetbut it didn’t work, as you can see here today.”— Palestinian American Professor and Comedian Amer Zahr, Gaza
5K DC Master of Ceremony
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