online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 6-12, 2019 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, Page 8 v Classifieds, Page 10 Photo by Teresa Castracane/Courtesy of 1st Stage Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 2-7-19 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322 ‘A Decade of Transformation – a Future of Opportunity’ News, Page 3 Sheltering Our Homeless Neighbors News, Page 6 Wellbeing Page, 9 Wrapped in Family, Faith and Anguish News, Page 8 Gary-Kayi Fletcher in “The Brothers Size” at 1st Stage. The show runs through Feb. 24 in Tysons Corner.
Transcript
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 6-12, 2019
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‘A Decade of Transformation – a Future of Opportunity’News, Page 3
Sheltering OurHomeless NeighborsNews, Page 6
WellbeingPage, 9
Wrapped in Family,Faith and Anguish
News, Page 8
Gary-Kayi Fletcher in “The Brothers Size” at 1st Stage. The show runs through Feb. 24 in Tysons Corner.
2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
On Feb. 9, Oakcrest will sendthree teams to compete at the re-gional Science Olympiad at FairfaxHigh School. Students will partici-pate in twenty-five different eventsbased on STEM principles, includ-ing life sciences, physical sciences,engineering, scientific inquiry, andearth and space science. Oakcrestis the only all-girls school that com-petes in the state of Virginia.
Oakcrest has two high schoolteams (one with fourteen studentsand one with nine) and a middleschool team of seven students. Foreach event at Science Olympiad,two or three students from eachOakcrest team vie with representa-tives from twenty-five otherschools. “This year, we have utilizedboth our allotted club times andSaturday meetings to prepare for the competitionwith our partners in the labs,” says Oakcrest scienceteacher Dr. Kat Hussmann. “We are excited to be ableto represent Oakcrest for the fourth year at this com-petition.”
Science Olympiad is a school-based program forstudents from third grade through their senior yearin high school. It offers students the opportunity toimprove their understanding in science, technology,engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to worktogether in teams to learn new skills. Virginia sci-
ence Olympiad (VASO) is a non-profit organizationengaging and challenging students in these disci-plines through team-based competitive tournamentsin Virginia.
Oakcrest School is an independent school for girlsin grades 6-12 guided by the teachings of the Catho-lic Church. For more than 40 years, the school hasprovided an exceptional liberal arts education to girlsof all faiths while fulfilling its mission to grow, chal-lenge and inspire its students to thrive in college andthroughout their lives. Learn more at Oakcrest.org.
Oakcrest to Send Only All-Girls Team toScience Olympiad
Courtesy photo
Claire Falatko (‘20) and Frances North (‘20) with theirmousetrap vehicle, which earned them 4th place at theregional competition last year.
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Amazon. The government shut-down. Workforce recruitment,education and retention. All hottopics of the day and all included
in the 27th Annual Regional Economic Con-ference.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Com-merce, with long-time partners UnitedBank, George Mason University and theWashington Business Journal and BronzeSponsor Basis Independent School McLean,filled the ballroom of the Hilton McLeanTysons Corner on Jan. 31 with a crowdready to hear a who’s who of local businessleaders, influencers and students of theregion’s growth and economy reflect on a“Decade of Transformation” and offer theirthoughts on a “Future of Opportunity.”
Gov. Ralph Northam was also on hand toadd his comments on where we have beenand where we are heading in the region.
WELCOMING REMARKS were offered bythe Chamber’s president and CEO, JulieCoons, event mc Kevin Reynolds, regionalpresident with United Bank, and GeorgeMason University President Dr. AngelCabrera.
Cabrera informed the attendees that inDecember GMU had not only just gradu-ated the largest class ever, but that the uni-versity, ranked as one of the 300 best in theworld, had just completed a record-settingfundraising campaign.
“We were told that our $500 million goalmight be a bit ambitious,” said Cabrera, “butwe surprised us all by hitting $690 million.”
Some of those monies will aid in the ex-pansion of GMU’s campus in Arlington, andfund other programs in the school’s exten-sive academic catalog that have helpedGMU achieve Research 1 status – a categorythat the Carnegie Classification of Institu-tions of Higher Education uses to describeuniversities engaged in comprehensive re-search activities. “And we are the youngestschool to have ever done so,” Cabrera said.
Keynote speaker Tamika Tremaglio,Greater Washington managing principal atDeloitte, praised the Chamber, its partnersand its members for “harnessing the powerof Northern Virginia.”
Tremaglio says Northern Virginia is al-ready doing a lot right, as witnessed by theregion’s selection as a second headquartersfor Amazon.
“We checked a lot of the boxes,” sheadded, with a stable and welcoming atmo-sphere, an urban or suburban location withaccess and activities, a highly-educatedworkforce, strong partnerships with top-tiereducational institutions and with local gov-ernment, and a diverse population.
Tremaglio focused much of her remarkson what companies should be doing, andhow to meet the challenges of the “Fourth
Industrial Revolution” – the term coined byKlaus Schwab, executive chairmen of theWorld Economic Forum, and highlighted atthe 2016 World Economic Forum Meeting.This “new age” is less about the actual ad-vances in technology and more about com-munication, connectivity, and the embed-ding of technology in human life, and evenin the human body.
To even stay afloat in the coming years,Tremaglio says business needs to addressthe skills gap, to “step up and invest” bydeeper engagement with “new breeds ofschools.” That requires monetary invest-ment, assisting in the design of curriculumsthat will educate for the jobs of the imme-diate and further-distant future, and a per-sonal investment, via mentoring, intern-ships and sponsorships.
“And we need to start making that con-nection at a younger age,” she added.Deloitte now has a middle school STEMoutreach program to do just that.
Kindness and inclusion should also be toppriorities for today’s companies, though that“may sound simple,” and that means morethan training and traditional companyteam-building programs.
“Prosperity with purpose, not merely prof-its” is the key to success in Tremaglio’s ex-perience. She urges business leaders to re-ally “think about the people in your com-pany or office.” To achieve true inclusion,narrow the success gap and retain greatemployees, leaders need to consider assist-ing their workers with “the right exposureand their image,” as well as their perfor-mance.
According to Tremaglio, society – andtoday’s workforce – also expect more frombusinesses on a social scale.
“They are demanding that we give back
É that we lean in and help solve thecommunity’s problems.” Companies likethat attract and retain the best, “so it’s goodfor all.”
The task of explaining the “Decade ofTransformation” fell chiefly to Dr. StephenFuller, director of the Stephen S. Fuller In-stitute for Research on the WashingtonRegion’s Economic Future.
“Transformation takes a really long time,”Fuller said he learned. Referring to numer-ous statistical graphs in his presentation,Fuller showed that in this decade “we onlyfound our footing again in 2017.”
From 2010 until 2017, the Washingtonregion lagged behind the nation in growthand recovery from the recession.
“We ranked dead last among the top 15economic centers in the country É even be-hind Detroit.”
Sequestration, says Fuller, was a key con-tributor to that economic malaise. “It basi-cally cut us off at the knees in 2013 and weare only just coming back.” Being a “com-pany town” has its good and bad aspects,he continued, with the region being lessnegatively impacted by the initial recession,but then more affected than the rest of thecountry when sequestration hit.
2018 was the “best year in a decade,” hestated, adding that 2019 looks to be “good,but not as good.”
Fuller presented numerous statisticalgraphs that outlined the region’s growth inwages and effect on GDP and highlightedin what categories jobs have increased ordecreased. Professional and Business Ser-vices, Education and Health Services andLeisure and Hospitality are the sectorswhere the region has seen the most growth,and Fuller predicts that trend to continuebetween 2018 and 2030.
In the previous 10 years, the fact that theregion replaced lost government jobs withlower paying positions contributed heavilyto the decrease in GRP Value of private sec-tor jobs since the recession, despite a changefrom -180.5k jobs during the recession toan addition of 344.8k jobs from 2010 –2018. Fuller sees rising wages in the grow-ing sectors as possibly offsetting that trendin the future.
Fuller’s advice on “how to stay ahead ofthe curve” going forward echoed TamikaTremaglio’s recommendations – “Developtalent. That requires continuing education.”
After the speakers’ presentations, theWashington Business Journal’s PeterAbrahams moderated a discussion with pan-elists Jordan Goldstein, regional managingprincipal, Gensler; Kim Horn, president,Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-AtlanticStates; Catherine Meloy, president and CEO,Goodwill of Greater Washington; and MarcWilson, co-founder of Appian, the cloudcomputing software developers who are inthe process of a $28.4M expansion to newheadquarters in Valo Park in McLean.
ALL FOUR PANELISTS expressed “excite-ment for the future” of the region, and reit-erated the need for people development andcommunity engagement that had been citedby previous speakers. All four also look for-ward to the arrival of Amazon to the re-gion, even Appian.
Although Amazon could be viewed ascompetition for Appian, Wilson thinks hav-ing Amazon as a neighbor will actually helprecruit people to the area.
Meloy says she, too, welcomes Amazon,as it will increase opportunities for their job-seeking clients in the business that will sup-
See Regional Economy, Page 10
NoVa Chamber hosts 27th Annual Economic Conference.
‘A Decade of Transformation – a Future of Opportunity’
A panel representing different segments of business in the region an-swered questions about the arrival of Amazon, the impact of the govern-ment shutdown, and how they viewed the economy going into 2019.From left, moderator Peter Abrahams, the Washington Business Journal;Jordan Goldstein, regional managing principal, Gensler; Marc Wilson,SVP global partnerships & industries and co-founder, Appian; Kim Horn,president, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States; andCatherine Meloy, president and CEO, Goodwill of Greater Washington.
Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection
Tamika Tremaglio, Greater Wash-ington managing principal,Deloitte, delivers the keynoteaddress at the Northern VirginiaChamber of Commerce 27th AnnualEconomic Forum.
4 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
The 2019 session of theGeneral Assembly hasreached its mid-point,or crossover, when the
two houses start to consider billsthat have survived the otherhouse. It also represents the finalaction on many bills giving an in-dication of what the ultimate leg-islation for the session is likely to be. In theback of most legislators’ minds is the fact thatwhen the legislature adjourns sine die (until
another day) the electionseason will begin. Thethought of going home tomeet their voters motivates
many votes. After all, that is the way it shouldbe in a representative democracy. The results,however, create some absurdities.
Republicans appear to be planning to focusonce again on abortion. Although Roe v Wadedecided in 1973 was supposed to set the rulesfor abortions, the debate still goes on. Thisweek in a massive media campaign linked tofundraising, the opponents accused Governor
Ralph Northam who is a pediatri-cian and first term Delegate KathyTran, a mother of four the young-est of whom she was nursing dur-ing session last year, of favoringinfanticide! I witnessed the verbalambush by some of the mostskilled lawyers in the House whowith some editing of the tape oftheir cross-examination of her cre-ated a false impression of her billand what it did. Calling the epi-
sode absurd is a mild description; I think Gov-ernor Northam came closer to an accurate de-scription when he called it disgusting. (Readmore at https://wapo.st/2GduVpd?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.814210c15403)
Thirty-seven states have ratified the EqualRights Amendment. It is looking doubtful thatVirginia will join that group this year. In floorspeeches on the amendment one of the womenopposing the amendment said that she did notneed “words on a piece of paper” to get whatshe wanted.
Bills that would have created an indepen-dent redistricting commission including myperennial bill have been defeated in the House.A bill introduced by the Speaker of the House
that would create a commission to redistrictthe legislature is far from independent in thatit still has legislators picking their voters inorder to protect incumbents and hold onto themajority. If the bill makes it through the legis-lature it will be amended or vetoed by the gov-ernor. It remains difficult for the majority toplay fair especially when it holds control bysuch a slim sliver of power. A two-vote shift inboth houses would put Democrats in chargeof the legislature.
Major divisions continue to exist between theparties on finalizing the budget. Republicansfavor a plan that continues the federal approachof giving tax breaks to those with the highestincome. My bill to establish a partially refund-able Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was de-feated. About half the states have used an EITCto help raise the income of working families.There is a slight possibility that GovernorNortham could get the EITC in a compromisebudget as he is a strong proponent of it.
Several weeks remain for the legislature towork its will. Some good bills are passing thatwill be favorable to the people of the Common-wealth, and I will discuss these in future col-umns. With an election looming in the fall, wemay still see more absurdities!
Week of Absurdities
Commentary
AssistanceLeagueReceives GrantTo the Editor:
Assistance League of NorthernVirginia recognizes The AllstateFoundation and Allstate volun-teers for being positive forces forchange in our community. Twenty-two Allstate volunteers came to-gether to host a day of communityservice that enabled the all-volun-teer, nonprofit organization to se-cure a $22,000 Helping HandsGrant.º
Allstate volunteers, includingDavid Akers, Christine Angles,Rudolf Alston, Jose Bernal, DavidBowen, Sharon Driscoll, ShelleyDriscoll, Kevin Dupree, MatthewHenaghan, Joyia Lytle, MikeMazri, Sharon Neighoff, JasonPassarell, Ricardo Paz Soldan,Christopher Ruby, Tonya Semones,Jason Sengpiehl, William Simkins,Miguel Villegas, Michael Wallach,William Waughn and Don Wright,gave their time to support thenonprofit’s program that reduceshunger in our vulnerable commu-nities.
For more than 60 years, theAllstate Foundation has beenbringing out the good in millionsof lives,ºcommitting financial andhuman resources where they canmake the most impact. WeekendFood for Kids was selected as the
featured service activity for the“Feed Your Future Volunteer Re-lay” that took place in Washing-ton, D.C., in October 2018. Assis-tance League was honored to beincluded as a partner providinginnovative and lasting solutions toenhance the community’s well-being.
The Allstate Foundation sup-ports the causes that its employ-ees care about most. Allstate ex-ecutives and regional advisoryboard members, including exclu-sive agents and exclusive financialspecialists from D.C., Delaware,Maryland, Virginia, and West Vir-ginia, participated in a relay raceto pack more than 500 bags ofnonperishable food for lessadvantaged children in our region.
Allstateºsenior communicationconsultant,ºCaitlyn Barron,andºAllstate exclusiveagent,ºChristine Angles, organizedthe group activity and orches-trated the group grant.ºº
“This is all beyond outstanding!We are so proud to hear that ourefforts benefited some of the mostvulnerable in our society - our chil-dren,” said Shaundra TurnerJones, Allstate corporate relationsmanager. “This impactful eventhas our hearts full and we lookforward to being involved in manymore,” she added.
The Allstate Foundation HelpingHands Grantºwill help AssistanceLeague advance its missiontoºtransform the lives of children
and strengthen our community.The funds willºbe used to purchasethree-months’ worth of food forunderprivileged children in sixpartner schools enrolled in the2019-20 Weekend Food for Kidsprogram.
Allstate Foundation and Allstatevolunteers bring out the good intheir community, helping organi-zations like Assistance Leaguebring important programs to thosemost in need. To learn more, visitwww.alnv.org.
Karen Smith AmsterVP Resource Development
Assistance League of NorthernVirginia
ProtectingHuman RightsAdvocatesTo the Editor:
It has come to my attention thatthe legal director and litigationdirector of Al Otro Lado, an orga-nization that provides direct legalrepresentation to detained asylumseekers in Southern California,have been removed from Mexicobecause the US government issuedsecurity alerts on their passportsto prevent them from traveling.
The Border Rights Project docu-ments human rights violationscommitted against asylum seekersat the port-of-entry and inside
Letters to the Editor
immigration detention, and theproject’s data have been cited byAmnesty International, HumanRights Watch, and Human RightsFirst.
I want to know what our Con-gressional leaders, U.S. Rep.Connolly and Senators Kaine andWarner, can do to ensure the pro-tection of these human rights ad-vocates and to prevent our admin-istration from interfering with or-ganizations that are doing theirbest to assist both individuals whochoose to remain in Mexico andthose who wish to seek asylum inthe United States.
Sue GleasonVienna
WriteThe Connection welcomes views
on any public issue.The deadline for all material isnoon Friday. Letters must besigned. Include home address
and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinelyedited for libel, grammar, good
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Celebratingour 54th
Anniversary
See Police, Page 7
The following summary contains vari-ous incidents of general interest as well asvehicular crashes handled by the Town ofVienna, Virginia Police Department fromJan. 25 – Jan. 31, 2019.
INCIDENTSAssault — Oakton Vienna Animal
Hospital 320 Maple Avenue, East be-tween Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. and Jan. 18at 4:30 p.m. A citizen, whose employ-ment was recently terminated from theanimal hospital, came to the police sta-tion to report that one of the otheremployees assaulted her on three sepa-rate occasions. The citizen was advisedof the warrant process should she wishto pursue charges.
Lost Property — Northwest Federal
Credit Union 231 Maple Avenue, EastJan. 19 11 a.m. A citizen lost her licenseat the bank.
Animal Case – Quarantine — 1000Block Westwood Drive, NE Jan. 19, 3p.m. A resident advised his dog walkerwas bitten on the leg by his dog. The dogwas placed on a 10-day quarantine.
Found Property — 164 Maple Av-enue, West Jan. 21, 5:55 p.m. A citizenfound a wallet in the parking lot behindthe shopping center. He brought thewallet to the Vienna Police Station to bereleased to the owner.
Assist EMS — 1000 Block PickettPlace, SW Jan. 26, 2:10 a.m. A residentrequested rescue personnel, stating thatshe did not feel well after consuming toomuch alcohol. The resident was trans-
ported by rescue personnel to an areahospital for treatment.
Police Service — 500 Block BeulahRoad, NE Jan. 26, 1:26 p.m. A residentrequested assistance with a child cus-tody issue.
Noise Violation — The Bey Lounge303 Mill Street, NE Jan. 27, 12:07 a.m.A resident complained of noise comingfrom The Bey Lounge. An officerchecked the area around the resident’shome and the area of The Bey Lounge.The officer did not hear any noise orobserve any violations.
Death – Unknown Cause — 100 BlockOak Street, SW Between Jan. 26 at 10p.m. and Jan. 27 at 7:20 a.m. Officers
Vienna Police Highlights
6 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Same Company, Same Employees,Same Great Value - Now Celebrating 20 Years!
News
By Andrea Worker
The Connection
The polar vortex swept downupon the region all last week,with near-record cold temperatures and accumulations of
snow and ice to make life less-than-pleas-ant.
For most, the effects of that artic blastwere at worst uncomfortable and annoy-ing, causing chaotic schedule changes withschool closures and hazardous road condi-tions, but at least most were able to turnup the thermostats in their homes, huddlearound fireplaces, or turn on the electricblankets and space heaters to keep them-selves cozy despite the elements at playoutside.
For some of area neighbors, however —like the homeless and the more vulnerable— the effects of winter weather are moredire, even life-threatening.
Even before the worst of the weather hitthe region, Fairfax County Police were in-vestigating three apparent weather-relateddeaths. An 86-year-old resident of a Restonsenior living facility was found outside thehousing center by local police officers,called in to assist in a search when the eld-erly woman was determined to be missing.
A 47-year-old man, with no fixed address,was found asleep in the laundry room ofan apartment complex. He was pronounceddead by Fairfax County Fire and Rescuewhen they arrived on the scene.
On Jan. 14, officers arrived at the assistedliving center in Great Falls, responding to aCPR call for an 88-year-old resident whowas found outside the facility and suc-cumbed to the effects of the cold.
“It doesn’t take long for a person to be-come endangered by exposure to coldweather,” said Brenda Dushko.
Dushko is the director of development forFACETS, a nonprofit that has been servingour neighbors in need since 2003 and afounding and active partner in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Pre-vent and End Homelessness.
FACETS works year-round to help breakthe cycle of poverty and homelessness, buta major portion of their mission is dedicatedto running the Hypothermia Prevention and
Response Program for the county’s HumanServices Region 4 - Western County/Fairfaxand Centreville areas.
HYPOTHERMIA is a life-threatening con-dition, brought on when the body tempera-ture drops below 95 degrees – not far be-low the average normal temperature. Witha warm coat, gloves and a hat, a warm carto travel in and a warm home to avoid pro-
longed exposure to the cold, hypothermiadoesn’t present a problem for most.
“But if you spend much of your time out-doors, looking for a warm place to stay,that’s another story,” said Dushko. “Nowimagine being outside for hours overnightand you can quickly see why our homelessare in extreme danger, even more thanusual, during these winter months.”
Dushko spoke on Friday, Feb. 1, during a
tour of the temporary hypothermia shelterat St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church onHanover Lane in Springfield.
“The good people of St. Christopher’shave been running their week-long shelteras part of the program for 15 years, rightfrom the very beginning,” she said.
From November through March eachyear, between 30-45 faith communitiesgather a small army of volunteercongregants and open their doors for aseven-day stretch to offer hot meals, a warmplace to sleep, other items of need, and com-panionship.
Christina Manning is one of the St. Chris-topher volunteers and she has been givingher time to this cause for all 15 years thatthe church has been involved.
“It’s really just helping out a friend,” shesaid in between stirring a steaming pot onthe church’s kitchen stove, unwrappingother food items, and mixing up some maca-roni and cheese. “So many of us are justone step away from being in the same situ-ation. I talk with a lot of our visitors whohave full-time jobs, but circumstances andthe lack of affordable housing in our areahave brought them to this place.”
Volunteering runs in the family, as Man-ning was joined in her kitchen duties by her15-year-old son, Zach. “He’s been cominghere since before he was actually born,”laughed Manning, “then he came in hisstroller, and eventually he became a full-blown helper.”
On this night at St. Christopher’s, Zachwasn’t the only young person doing theirpart to help others: 16-year-old SarahWilsey was also doing food preparation atthe steel kitchen work table, while her fa-ther, David Wilsey, worked the roux on thestove.
“The people who come here, they are justlike us, just in a bad situation,” said Sarah.Dad David has been volunteering at the St.Christopher’s shelter event for the last 10years. “This is something I can do to giveback, to help others – and I can cook.”
Katy Dunlap, who organizes St.Christopher’s turn as a shelter, says it takesabout 15 people per day to keep things run-ning. In addition to those who cook, serve
Extreme cold sees increased need.Sheltering Homeless Neighbors
Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection
Some of the St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church hypothermia sheltervolunteers (from left): Rev. Peter Ackerman, Zach Manning, ChristinaManning, Kathy Barnard, Sarah Wilsey, David Wilsey, Debbie Brant, andPam Branstetter.
Where To Find HelpSeveral other partners join FACETS in the
mission to prevent and end homeless and tokeep the homeless from being another FairfaxCounty Police Department statistic during thecold.
In Human Services Region 1– the SouthCounty – New Hope Housing operates theEleanor U. Kennedy Shelter in Ft. Belvoir as wellas managing the temporary shelters in the area.Call 703-799-0200 or visit the websitewww.newhopehousing.org/programs/shelter formore information on Region 1 assistance.
Human Services Region 2– EasternCounty/Falls Church/Annandale – is also servedby New Hope Housing with a year-roundshelter at Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelterand the rotating faith community facilities. Call703-820-7621 or the New Hope Housingwebsite.
Human Services Region 3– North County/Reston and Herndon is served by Corner-stones operating the Hypothermia Program andthe year-round Embry Rucker CommunityShelter. See the website atwww.cornerstonesva.org or call 703-437-1975.
The City of Falls Church is also under theassistance umbrella of New Hope Housingwith contact available through the website or bycalling 703-799-0200.
Visiting the Fairfax County website for theOffice to Prevent and End Homelessness will alsoalso yield related information and resources.
Citizens are urged to check on vulnerablerelatives and neighbors. When seeing someonewho is unsheltered and may been in distress, callthe non-emergency police phone number at 703-691-2131 (TTY 711) and a police officer willrespond and so a wellness check on the indi-vidual in question, transporting them for medicalassistance or to shelter as required.
See Homeless, Page 10
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 5
See Police, Page 12
responded with rescue personnel for aman who was unresponsive in his home.Rescue personnel determined the man,who suffered from medical issues, wasdeceased. Suspicious Event — 200 BlockGlen Avenue, SW Jan. 27, 2:03 p.m. Aresident noticed a screen had fallen outof one of her windows and a chair hadbeen moved from her porch to the areaunder the window.
Assist EMS — 400 Block GlyndonStreet, NE Jan. 27, 3:33 p.m. Officersresponded with rescue personnel for anelderly woman who was unresponsive inher home. The woman was transportedto an area hospital.
Suspicious Event — 200 Block ParkTerrace Court, SE Jan. 27, 11:17 p.m.Two residents reported being continu-ously harassed by a neighbor. Theresidents were advised of the warrantprocess should they wish to pursuecharges.
Police Service - 200 Block Park Ter-race Court, SE Jan. 27, 11:56 p.m. Aresident reported a noise complaintfrom the unit below hers. An officer re-sponded to the resident’s home but didnot observe any violations. Vehicle Tam-pering — 300 Block Owaissa Road, SEJan. 27, 8:18 a.m. Two residents re-ported that someone poured a whitegranular substance in the gas tanks oftheir vehicles. Tacks were left under thetires of both vehicles. Suspicious Event— 700 Block Tapawingo Road, SW Jan.28, 1:40 p.m. A resident reported hear-ing footsteps in her house. Officerschecked the residence, finding the exte-rior secure and no sign that anyone hadentered the home.
Suspicious Event — Wolftrap Hotel430 Maple Avenue, West Jan. 29, 12:22
a.m. A citizen called to report that hehad been threatened. When officers ar-rived, the citizen refused to speak withthem.
Police Service — Vienna Police Sta-tion 215 Center Street, S Jan. 30, 3:53a.m. A taxi driver drove to the ViennaPolice Station with a customer. Thedriver advised the customer appeared tobe confused, and he was concerned forthe safety of the customer. Ofc. Farrspoke to the man who appeared to bephysically stable. However, his thoughtswere disorganized. The officer was ableto make arrangements for the man at anarea shelter and transported him to thefacility.
CRASHESWest Street and Pleasant Street, NW
— Jan. 18, 8:11 p.m. An unknown ve-hicle struck a vehicle that was legallyparked, unattended, on Lewis Street.The driver left the scene without stop-ping.
900 Block Maple Avenue, East — Jan.24, 6:17 p.m. Three vehicles were trav-eling westbound in the left lane ofMaple Avenue. Vehicle-1 ran into therear of Vehicle-2, causing Vehicle-2 tostrike the rear of Vehicle-3. Driver-1 wasissued a summons charging Failure toPay Full Time and Attention. 400 BlockMaple Avenue, East — Jan. 25, 1:59p.m. Vehicle-2 was traveling westboundin the right lane of Maple Avenue. Ve-hicle-1 was eastbound on Maple in thecenter turn lane, waiting to make a leftinto a parking lot. As Vehicle-1 at-tempted to make the turn, it was struckby Vehicle-2.
137 Church Street, NW — Jan. 27, 2p.m. An unknown vehicle struck the rear
Vienna Police Highlights
8 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
Ayreheart – Ronn McFarlane on lute, Will Morris on fretless bass, violin and colascione,and Mattias Rucht on percussion – is a progressive folk trio founded by McFarlane.
Winter ConcertsThe Old Brogue Irish Pub of Great Falls, VA and Barnaby Productions, Inc. present the 30th season of family friendly, Winter
Traditional Celtic Concerts performed in a listening room by the fireside. Featuring Ayreheart, Sunday, Feb. 10, 4 and 6 p.m.seatings at The Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls. A third seating will be added if the first two sell out.Tickets must be purchased in advance at oldbrogue.com: $18 general admission; $12 children.
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGWinter Golf. Through Feb. 28, skip the
traffic with the Afternoon Drivespecial at the heated and coveredrange at the newly renovated OakMarr Golf Complex. All buckets are$2 off, Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.until closing. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf.
The Golden Girls of NorthernVirginia, a senior women’s softballleague, is looking for players. Anywoman over the age of 40 isencouraged to join. All skill levels arewelcome. Games are on Wednesdayevenings and Saturday mornings inVienna, April-October. Otheractivities during the year. Visitwww.goldengirls.org.
Free Tai Chi. Saturdays through March30, from 7:55-9 a.m., Introductionand Beginners’ Practice, meet in theLangley Hall at Trinity UnitedMethodist Church, 1205 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean. All arewelcome. Call 703-759-9141 or visitwww.FreeTaiChi.org.
Trivia Night. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. at LostDog Cafe - McLean, 1690 AndersonRoad, McLean. Trivia featuringmultiple winners and fun door prizes.Free to play. Visitwww.facebook.com/EarthTriviaDc/.
Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. FlameRoom, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. S,Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 6Newcomers and Neighbors Coffee.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the McLeanProject for the Arts, 1446 ChainBridge Road, McLean. McLeanNewcomers and Neighbors will host acoffee for its members and those whomight be interested in joining. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.
FRIDAY/FEB. 8Movie Night: IANYN. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
at Unity of Fairfax, Sanctuary, 2854Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Explorethe racial divide in America with afree viewing of the documentary “IAm Not Your Negro,” followed by adiscussion led by Unity of Fairfax’sSocial Justice Team. This modernexploration of race in America isbased on an unfinished book byJames Baldwin about the lives andassassinations of Medgar Evers,Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King,Jr. Free. RSVP atunitymovienight.eventbrite.com.
Concert Chorus DebutPerformance. 8 p.m. at St. ThomasMore Cathedral, 3901 CathedralLane, Arlington. Oakcrest School’sConcert Chorus will perform its firstever full-length concert with thepremier of an original piececomposed for them by BerkleeCollege of Music CompositionProfessor Arnold Friedman – a settingof the poem “Pied Beauty” by GerardManley Hopkins. Meet theperformers at a post-concertreception. Visitwww.cathedralstm.org/music-ministries/cathedral-concerts.
SATURDAY/FEB. 9Tea Seminar – The Sweet Side of
Tea. 1-3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill,10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.This interactive focused tastingseminar explores the many flavors ofhoney and maple syrup and how theycan enhance a variety of green, black,and herbal teas. Taste some treatsmade with these three straight fromnature ingredients. A take home tea
sampler included. $35 per person.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill to register.
SUNDAY/FEB. 10Maple Syrup Fresh from the Trees.
Noon-2 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill,10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.See sap dripping into collection pailson the trees, and discover thesurprising amount of sap it takes tomake just a little syrup. Taste thecombination of maple syrup overcornbread made from the mill’scornmeal, while supplies last. $5 perperson for visitors age 3-adult. Noreservations are required. This is anoutdoor program, dress for theweather. Call 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill.
Winter Concerts: Ayreheart. 4 and6 p.m. seatings at The Old BrogueIrish Pub, 760-C Walker Road, GreatFalls. The Old Brogue Irish Pub ofGreat Falls, VA and BarnabyProductions, Inc. present the 30thseason of family friendly, WinterTraditional Celtic Concerts performedin a listening room by the fireside.Tickets must be purchased inadvance at oldbrogue.com: $18general admission; $12 children.
Annual Salzman Lecture. 6 p.m. inthe Sanctuary at LewinsvillePresbyterian Church, 1724 ChainBridge Road, McLean. This year’sspeaker will be Susan Wharton Gates,PhD, author of “Days of Slaughter:Inside the Fall of Freddie Mac – andWhy It Could Happen Again.” Shewill share experiences and insights asa former vice president of publicpolicy at Freddie Mac in the lead upto the 30-percent collapse of houseprices and subsequent governmenttakeover of her company in 2008.Visit www.lewinsville.org.
All Night Grad Party Fundraiser. 7p.m. in the Langley High Schoolauditorium, 6520 Georgetown Pike,McLean. The Capitol Steps use songparodies and skits to bring bi-partisan levity to major issues of theday. Audience members will need tobe well-versed in current events tokeep up with the humor, as it’s fast,fresh, and funny. Proceeds from theshow will help to pay for Langley’sClass of 2019 All Night Grad Party.Open to the general public. Ticketsare $35 each atwww.ptsalangley.org/all-night-grad-party, under the ANGP Capitol Steps
banner, or on Brown Paper Tickets,lhs19capitolstepsfundraiser.bpt.com.
TUESDAY/FEB. 12Tibbetts Award Dinner. 6:30 p.m. at
The Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road,Great Falls. The Great Falls HistoricalSociety will honor Jacque Olin as the2019 Tibbetts Award Honoree. TheSociety applauds Olin’s advocacy onbehalf of numerous communityprojects in Great Falls for more than48 years. The award will bepresented at the Annual TibbettsAward Dinner. Register by Feb. 6.Visit www.gfhs.org.
McLean Historical SocietyMeeting. 7:30 p.m. in the McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAvenue, McLean. The program willfeature world renown historian JohnGaudet who will discuss “The Originsof Ancient Paper and the First Bible.”Everyone is welcome. Contact CaroleHerrick at 703-356-8223.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 13Movie Series: New Disney
Classics. 12:30 p.m. at The Alden
Community Hall, McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.The Alden is kicking off a new filmseries with “new Disney Classics” –those that were loved during the1990s. The films will be shown at12:30 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday ofthe month through June. Freeadmission. Visit mcleancenter.org/performing-arts.
SATURDAY/FEB. 16Model 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.
Spice Up Your Life. 3:30-4:30 p.m. atOakton Library, 10304 LynnhavenPlace, Oakton. Learn fromNutritionist Kristin McGill whyspices/herbs are important in ahealthy diet. Food samples andrecipes are included. Free. Visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Astronomy Festival. 6-9 p.m. atTurner Farm, 925 Springvale Road,Great Falls. After the sun sets, soakup some starshine at an “AstronomyFestival” that will include guidedstargazing and telescope viewing.Listen to ancient stories about theconstellations around the campfire,and participate in other activities andgames throughout the evening. $8per person. Hot chocolate and snackswill be available for purchase.Canceled if it rains or snows. Call703-324-8618 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm.
SUNDAY/FEB. 17Breakfast Buffet. 8 a.m.-noon at
Vienna American Legion Post 180,330 Center St., N. Vienna. Getomelets, scrambled eggs, blueberrypancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuitsand gravy and more. Adults $10,children 12 and under $4. Call 703-938-6580.
FRIDAY/FEB. 22Waterfowl Wintering Along the
Potomac. 9-11 a.m. at RiverbendPark, 8700 Potomac Hills St., GreatFalls. Take the “Winter WaterfowlHike” at Riverbend Park to see whatavian creatures are making theirresidence here over the winter. Hikewith a naturalist at the park to searchfor winter waterfowl along the UpperPotomac River. Bring binoculars andspotting scopes. 14-adult. $8 perperson. Call 703-759-9018 or visitfairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
BRAWS Hosts Mardi Bras. AtWestwood Country Club, 800 MapleAve. E, Vienna. More than 500 guestsare expected at Mardi Bras, which isthe largest annual fundraiser forBRAWS, a volunteer-driven,community-based 501(c)3 nonprofitorganization that provides homelesswomen and children with necessitiesincluding new bras and underwear aswell as menstrual supplies. Ticketsare on sale now at www.braws.org/mardi-bras-2019.html for $100,which includes hors d’oeuvres, twodrinks, raffles, silent auction, music,photo booth, swag bags, specialguests and more. BRAWS is seekingevent sponsorships as well asdonations of items for the raffles andsilent auction. More information canbe found at www.braws.org.
SATURDAY/FEB. 23Touch Visitors from Space. 11 a.m.-
noon at Observatory Park at TurnerFarm, 925 Springvale Road, GreatFalls. “Meteorites: Explore Visitorsfrom Space” will be held in the roll-top observatory classroom.Participants will also have theopportunity to touch and examineactual meteorites, includingspecimens from the moon and Mars.Designed for participants age 5-11and runs from 11 a.m. to noon. $8per person. Call 703-324-8618 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm.
The Okee Dokee Brothers. 1 p.m., 4p.m. and 6:30 p.m. At The Alden,1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Cost is$20/$15 MCC district residents. Aschildhood friends growing up inDenver, CO, Joe Mailander andJustin Lansing were always exploringthe outdoors. Now, as the GrammyAward-winning Okee Dokee Brothers,they have put this passion for theoutdoors at the heart of their music.Visit www.mcleancenter.org.
Winter Wine and Beer Tasting. 7-10 p.m. at the Great Falls Grange,9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Sample a variety of red wines, whitewines and four locally crafted beersfrom Lost Rhino Brewery inLeesburg. $50. Tickets are availablethrough Feb. 21 (or until sold out).Visit celebrategreatfalls.org.
Concert Chorus Debut PerformanceVienna’s Oakcrest School’s Concert Chorus will perform its first ever full-length
concert with the premier of an original piece composed for them by Berklee Col-lege of Music Composition Professor Arnold Friedman – a setting of the poem “PiedBeauty” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Friday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. at St. Thomas MoreCathedral, 3901 Cathedral Lane, Arlington. Meet the performers at a post-concertreception. Visit www.cathedralstm.org/music-min
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
fruits and vegetables. Commit to eight hours [ofsleep] a night and drink eight glasses of water eachday.”
While African-American have one of the highestrates of heart disease, the American Heart Associa-tion reports that anyone at any age can be affectedby cardiovascular diseases and 80 percent of cardiacevents can be prevented.
“Even making small changes like getting 30 min-utes of exercise a day can improve not just your hearthealth, but your overall health as well,” said fitnesstrainer Brendan Moore. “Find a type of exercise thatyou enjoy enough to do for 30 minutes that also getsyou to break a sweat and do it everyday. The impor-tant thing is that you get your heart rate up. If youstart to break a sweat, you know that you’re exert-ing enough energy to have an impact.”
Small dietary changes can be made gradually.“Watching your salt intake is really important,” saiddietician Caroline Knowles. “There are so many waysto prepare meals by using spices instead of salt sothat you don’t compromise the taste. With slow cook-ers and instant cookers there are so many optionsthat you no longer have to fry food to enjoy thatsatisfying taste.”
Finding creative but tasteful ways to add vibrantlycolored fruit and vegetables to one’s diet can helpprevent heart disease.
By Marilyn Campbell
Each time the doorbell rang, a guestarrived, wearingred and bringing
with her a new flavorful dishwith an aroma that filled thealready pungent air inCassandra Pope’s Arlingtonhome. One by one friendsstrolled through the livingroom and into the kitchenbearing dishes like balsamic-grilled chicken breast, cur-ried cauliflower steak andfreshly made hummus. Theyhad arrived for a potluckdinner and the theme thatevening was heart health.
“My father died of a heartattack when he was 62, andwhen he was 57 he had astroke,” said Pope. “All nineof his siblings had massiveheart attacks and all of themdied of a heart-related ill-ness. So I know that I needto focus eating better and ex-ercising and losing weight.My friends always get to-gether for dinner about onceor twice a month and usu-ally we have a theme. ForFebruary, we decided tocombine Valentine’s Day andheart health. We exchangedrecipes so that we all have astash of new recipes to try.“
Cardiovascular disease re-mains one of the leadingcause of death in the UnitedStates, and after decades of a steady decline in thiscountry, it is once again on the rise, according to astudy by the American Heart Association. The re-search also shows that approximately 80 percent ofall cardiovascular disease can be prevented by adopt-ing a healthy lifestyle and controlling high blood pres-sure, diabetes and high cholesterol. During Febru-ary, American Heart Month, health care profession-als are working to raise awareness of the importanceof making healthy lifestyle choices and managingtheir health conditions.
“February is É also Black History Month and thesetwo recognitions go hand-in-hand,” said NikkiaWilkens, Fairfax County Health Department commu-nity outreach professional. “African Americans havesome of the highest rates of hypertension and heartdisease, [but] with the right steps, we can improveour heart health.”
Some of the heart-smart lifestyle adjustments thatWilkens and other health care professionals adviseinclude staying active and exercising regularly andmonitoring one’s salt intake. “Incorporate movementinto your everyday activities, such as taking the stairsinstead of an elevator,” said Wilkens. “Maintain ahealthy diet and skip the fried foods, and eat lots of
Making healthy diet and exercise choicesare two keys to preventing heart disease.
American Heart MonthWellbeing
Photo Contributed
10 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
port Amazon.The speakers and the panelists all denounced the
recent government shutdown, and acknowledgedthat the true and complete impact is yet to be known.Horn said that Kaiser locations had seen more stress-related usage at their medical facilities.
Meloy was answered by a round of applause whenshe noted that Goodwill, a contractor that will notsee any payback of lost funds with the government’sre-opening, still paid their workers who were fur-loughed.
She waved off the accolades. “It was somethingwe had to do. Most of these employees are develop-mentally or physically challenged, working as custo-dians or other support personnel. They can’t make it
News
BASIS Independent McLean(BIM) 10th grader Justin Ward ofVienna recently won first place inthe 2019 Northern Virginia HistoryBowl Junior Varsity Division, as asolo competitor against teams.This advances Ward to the Na-tional History Bee and BowlChampionship in Washington,D.C. Ward is also on BIM’s QuizBowl team.
Last year, Ward placed second inthe 2018 National History Bowl forsmall high schools. He was a solocompetitor against teams. In thejunior varsity division of the Na-tional History Bee for individuals,he was a quarterfinalist, out of
more than 140 national finalists.The 2019 Varsity and Junior Var-
sity National History Bee and BowlChampionships will be held April26 to April 28 in Washington, D.C.and Arlington.
“We’re so proud of Justin’s con-tinued hard work and focus on theHistory Bees,” says Tiffany Conroy,head of school for BASIS Indepen-dent McLean. “His passion anddedication for history is excep-tional and we’re thrilled to havehim represent BASIS IndependentMcLean,” said Conroy.
For more information on BASISIndependent McLean visit https://mclean.basisindependent.com/
Local 10th Grader Wins 2019 Virginia History Bowl
Justin Ward, 10th grader atBASIS Independent McLeanwins first place at No. Va.History Bowl.
From Page 6
From Page 3 without that paycheck.”The panelists also agreed that the region – the
entire DMV — was stronger when it spoke with onevoice and came together to accomplish an objectiveor to solve problems.
Viewing the region as a whole, beyond the bor-ders of Northern Virginia, “helps all of us competenationally and internationally,” said Gensler’sGoldstein.
“It helps build the ‘smart cities’ that will be theway of the future,” added Kaiser Permanente’s Horn.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce rep-resents about 700 companies and 500,000 employ-ees around the region. Find out more atwww.novachamber.org, and visit www.sfullerinstitute.gmu.edu for continuously updated information andanalysis about the region’s economy.
and clean, there are people who help with intake, theovernight volunteers who stay with the guests, andthose “who just come for a while to talk to our visitors.
NOT EVERYONE wants to talk, but some do andseem to just be happy to have a conversation, to beseen and listened to.”
“J” – a young woman who is hampered by a braininjury that affects her memory and other cognitiveabilities – was shyly willing to talk a bit about her-self. “J” who was once employed as a teacher andalso worked in retail, has been moving from shelterto shelter since the cold weather descended.
“I am really trying to make it, to find a stable liv-ing situation and get back to work,” she said. She isbeing aided in her endeavours by a FACETS case-worker, but the fact that she was turned down ini-tially for any disability assistance is making her tran-sition to “normal life” (as she puts it) difficult to saythe least. “But I won’t give up. And I really appreci-ate all these people who care and help.”
“A” was also employed before, working for a gro-cery store. “It was pretty good. I liked it.” He evenhad housing accommodation, but was suddenly left
homeless again when a change at the place wherehe lived left no room for him. Now on dialysis, “A” isback on the streets, but working with a case man-ager and hopeful that his situation will improve. He,too, says he is grateful for the people who open theirdoors to help.
“It gets lonely sometimes, people don’t want to seeyou. Some are afraid of you, so it’s nice to be here,have a good meal and people to talk with.”
The lay volunteers at the participating churchesare supported by trained FACETS staff and volun-teers, also on sight overnight and offering guidanceand resources to the clients. During the season,Dushko noted that some 3,800 volunteers donatemore than 33,000 hours to running the shelters, pro-viding transportation and other services to theirneighbors in need.
The extreme cold has seen the numbers of clientsat all of the county’s shelters, both the permanentand the temporary, rise sharply, Dushko reported. Lastyear, the county assisted almost 1,100 people in needof shelter during the winter months.
“We had about 40 people here last night,” said St.Christopher’s pastor, Peter Ackerman, and a line hadalready formed outside the doors by 4:30, althoughthe official opening hours don’t begin until 5 p.m.
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Sheltering Homeless
Regional Economy:‘Excitement for the Future’
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
As it happens every year around this time, the monthly calendar turns to February, and I am remind-ed of the goings on in my life Jan. 1 through Feb. 27, 2009.
I was not, as yet, in the throws of having been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, stage
shortness of breath and stinging pain in my side that
Cancer was the last word I expected to hear in
Until I received that call from my primary care physi-cian on Thursday, Feb. 20, advising me that the tissue biopsy was indeed malignant, I had been, since that New Year’s Day visit to the Emergency Room, in a diagnostic dalliance to determine what had caused an otherwise, healthy 54-and-half-year-old man, to present with such symptoms.
The Emergency Room doctor was perplexed as the chest X-Ray I had taken that day was inconclu-sive. In addition, I offered no pertinent medical histo-ry to account for the symptoms I was experiencing.
Eventually I was released and it was suggested that I return in a week, have another chest X-Ray then and see a pulmonary doctor. And so I did. After reviewing both X-Rays, and examining me, the pulm-onologist was equally perplexed. I was healthy by all appearances and I had no family history of anything.
Out of curiosity – or bewilderment – the doctor told me to get a CT scan, which I did, approximately two weeks later, at the earliest available time. Within a day of having been CT-scanned, I was called by the pulmonologist and advised to schedule an appoint-ment with a thoracic surgeon, a specialty with which I was totally unfamiliar.
I saw the surgeon. Equally befuddled, by his own admission, after reviewing my two X-Rays and recent CT scan, he equivocated on the next step: ordering a P.E.T. scan, which he did not – until a few days later when he changed his mind and told me to make the arrangements; which of course I did, and again, it was approximately two weeks later that an appoint-ment was available.
After receiving the results, the thoracic surgeon called me. He said, among other things: “Your scan lit up like a Christmas tree.”
Not good as I later learned.And so, a surgical biopsy was scheduled, upon
availability, about two weeks later, which presumably would determine the cause of my original discomfort
had been about.Within a few days of my procedure, I received a
phone call at work from my internal medicine doctor.
Sure enough, it was. He told me that the sample was malignant.
Stunned by the news, I remember asking: “What does that mean?” He might have mentioned cancer, I can’t recall. He instead deferred and referred me to an oncologist, actually making the appointment for me for the following Thursday, only a week later.
Nearly two months had passed since the original Jan. 1 visit to the E.R.
been going on – from an oncologist. And sure enough, on that following Thursday, my new-best-friend-to-be, lowered the boom: “Lung cancer.”
My prognosis he said: “13 months to two years.” Moreover, he advised: He “could treat me,” but he “couldn’t cure me.” In simple terms, he told me I was “terminal.”
Not that I don’t already think about having cancer every minute of every day but especially so at this time of the year. This is when my world, as I knew it, came crashing down. Over and over, I review the
with my oncologist and the impact the diagnosis has had on my life.
Granted, it’s nothing to laugh about, but given that I’ve survived so long, it’s certainly something to be grateful about.
My Own Sort of Groundhog Day
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold weather drop-in
centers and shelters that serve Northern Virginiaat www.novaregion.org/174/Homeless-Shelter-Lists.
INPUT SOUGHTShaping the Future Together. Fairfax County
Government is beginning a strategic planningprocess with the community to shape the futuretogether. The goal is to hear all voices and reachall segments of the community. This effort willspan most of 2019, but in this first phase, thecommunity is being asked to visitfairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan and:
❖ Take a short five-question online survey❖ Join a community conversation in person: Feb.
❖ Share the survey and conversation invitation withneighbors, co-workers and county family andfriends.
TUESDAYS THROUGH FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the Making. 6:30-
8:30 p.m. at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in the Making:The Seven Essential Life Skills Every ChildNeeds by Ellen Galinsky, encompasses anevidence-based list of life skills that are essentialfor children to succeed socially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and long term.Participants may register for one or all of theworkshops and do not need to attend theprevious class. Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore or to register.
THURSDAY/FEB. 7Caregivers 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. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Contactfacilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].
Memory Cafe. 2-4 p.m. at Andrew Chapel UnitedMethodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna.Connect with others living with loved ones withdementia. Helping those with dementia andtheir caregivers find fun, resources and “family.”Email Carol Blackwell at [email protected] orcall at 571-236-6933.
FRIDAY/FEB. 8“Why Won’t My Child Go to School?” 10
a.m.-noon at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Dr. Lisa Batemen, ofNeuroscience, Inc., presents this workshopsharing information on school refusal.Highlights include symptoms of school refusal,including behavioral symptoms, and patterns ofbehavior. Batemen will also share informationon the differences between school refusal andtruancy, causes of school refusal, strategies forparents and resources to help support students.Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more or to register.
SATURDAY/FEB. 9Fairfax County NAACP Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon
at West Springfield Government Center, 6140Rolling Road, West Springfield. Join FairfaxCounty NAACP for their monthly meeting toreview and discuss their 2019 Advocacy Agenda.The Youth Council will also host a food drive forthe Capital Area Food Bank. Light refreshmentswill be served. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-agenda-presentation-and-meeting-tickets-55144018243. Visit www.fairfaxnaacp.org/ formore.
Bulletin
12 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 7
of a vehicle that was legally parked in aparking lot. The driver left the scenewithout providing their information.
Lawyers Road near Maple Avenue,NW 1— Jan. 28, 1:49 p.m. Vehicle-1made a right onto Lawyers Road fromwestbound Maple Avenue. Driver-1 leftthe roadway and struck a light pole.Driver-1 was issued a summons charg-ing Failure to Maintain Control.
Tapawingo Road and Cottage Street,SW — Jan. 28 7:40 p.m. Vehicle-2 wastraveling westbound on TapawingoRoad, stopped at the stop sign for Cot-tage Street. Vehicle-1 was traveling
southbound on Cottage Street, attempt-ing to turn right onto Tapawingo. AsDriver-1 entered the intersection, shestruck Vehicle-2. Driver-1 was issued asummons charging Failure to YieldRight of Way.
Locust Street and Park Street, SE —Jan. 29, 1:45 p.m. Vehicle-2 was travel-ing westbound on Locust Street,entering the traffic circle to turn leftonto southbound Park Street. Vehicle-1was traveling south on Park Street andentered the traffic circle without yield-ing to the right of way of Vehicle-2, whowas already in the circle, causing thecollision. Driver-1 was issued a sum-mons charging Failure to Yield.
Vienna Police Highlights
On Dec. 7, 2018, Town of Vienna Police Department DetectiveSteve Simon and Master Police Officer Juan Vazquez graduatedfrom the Leadership in Police Organizations program. The pro-gram was held in conjunction with the Fairfax County CriminalJustice Academy. The Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO)training program is based on a behavioral science approach toleadership. The original course material was developed and taughtfor many years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Thethree-week course focuses on the systematic development of lead-ers at all levels of an organization. The concept is “every officer isa leader.” The Leadership in Police Organizations program washeld at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly.The class included personnel from a total of seven Virginia arealaw enforcement agencies. Detective Steve Simon has been a po-lice officer with the Vienna Police Department since 2004 and iscurrently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Section. MPOJuan Vazquez has been with the Vienna Police Department since2007 and is currently the Public Information Officer for the ViennaPolice Department.
Detective Steve Simon and MasterPolice Officer Juan VazquezGraduate from the Leadership inPolice Organizations Program
The Madison Warhawks and Westfield Bulldogs battled it out on the hardwood inChantilly on Feb. 2. The game was a re-scheduled game that was postponed due
to inclement weather on Jan. 30.The home team Bulldogs started off with an early
7-4 lead after playing the first eight minutes.Westfield’s Tahj Summey scored 5 points, includinga 3 pointer and two from the charity stripe. AJ Arnolieled Madison with two early baskets.
In the 2nd quarter Madison scored 20 points andheld the Bulldogs to 14 giving the Warhawks a 24-21 halftime advantage. AJ Arnolie paced theWarhawks with 6 points in the quarter while TJ Ulrichadded 5, including a 3 pointer. Westfield was led byMarshall Reed’s 7 points, and Sam Johnson addedWestfield’s second three pointer of the game.
In the 3rd quarter Westfield was once againoutscored by Madison, 22-13. Again, Westfield’s Reedled Westfield with 8 of his teams 13 points, but sixMadison players scored at least 2 points, including 8points from Soren Almquist.
Down 46-34 starting the 4th quarter, Westfield didnot pull any closer. Madison outscored the Bulldogs15-10 to take a 61-44 win. With the win Madisonimproved to 10-9. Westfield fell to 2-17. Madisonwas led by AJ Arnolie who scored 18. TJ Ulrich andSoren Almquist added 9 each.Westfield was led by Marshall reeds17 points. Tahj Summey scored 8and Sam Johnson and TrentReimonenq added 7.
— Will Palenscar
Warhawks Vanquish Bulldogsin 61-44 Win
Westfield’s Nicholas Lottchea #20 andMadison’s Bo Kuhblank #3 battle forthe ball.
Madison’s SorenAlmquist #33 is de-fended by Westfield’sTahj Summey #11 andSam Johnson #33.
Madison’s TJ Ulrich#22 dribbles theball up the courttrying to avoid thefull court pressureof Westfield.
