burke honored for witter: @burkeconnection citizenship

Burke Connection ❖ February 13-19, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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February 13-19, 2014

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BurkeBurke

Valentine’s Day Funin the Burke Area

Entertainment, Page 11

Valentine’s Day Funin the Burke Area

Entertainment, Page 11

‘Friends’ CreateCommunity of HopeNews, Page 3

‘Friends’ CreateCommunity of HopeNews, Page 3

Robinson SecondarySchool Senior KatieRogers is the recipi-ent of the ThomasLee Chapter of theDaughters of theAmerican RevolutionGood Citizen Award.

Honored forCitizenship

News, Page 8

Honored forCitizenship

News, Page 8

Home LifeStylePage 8

Home LifeStyleHome LifeStylePage 8

2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ February 13-19, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


NewsBurke Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Hope, Page 7

Viewpoints

Why do you think it’s important todonate blood?

Lori Haussermann, Burke“We think it’s a great cause and

donating blood sets a good examplefor your children. We’ve participatedin several charity events for theFriends of Sadie. It’s a wonderfulgroup.”

Alyssa Haussermann, 7, Burke“If you give blood, it can help

people with injuries, and maybe savetheir lives.”

Ellie Mulvenon, 11, Friends ofSadie volunteer, a sixth grader atFairview Elementary

”When I turn 16, I will be able todonate blood. It just takes a fewminutes, and you can help a lot ofpeople who need it.”

Elizabeth Wickham, 14, Friendsof Sadie volunteer, a freshman atRobinson Secondary

“I’ve learned that you don’t have tobe afraid to give blood. Just oneperson can save the lives of threepeople when you donate blood. It’s agreat experience knowing that you cansave someone’s life.”

Brady Wickham, 11, Friends ofSadie volunteer, a sixth grader atFairview Elementary

“Our family has known Sadie’sfamily since before she was born, andwe all wanted to help Sadie when welearned she had cancer. It’s soimportant to give blood so that peoplewho need it can have it.”

Wayne Chiles, Burke“I got to know Sadie’s family

through the Burke United MethodistChurch. I wouldn’t miss this opportu-nity. There are people whodesperately need blood in our area,and Friends of Sadie gives people awelcoming place to donate for a greatcause.”

Madeline Huggins, 23, FairfaxStation, with Sadie’s mother, Erin-Morrisey-Lauer

“You wouldn’t think that donatingblood can be fun, but it is. The Friendsof Sadie makes this a welcomingatmosphere for anyone to donate. Youfeel good knowing that you’ve helpeda child battling cancer.”

Supervisor John Cook(R-Braddock)

“The Friends of Sadie havedone a great job educating thecommunity on the importanceof donating blood. Manypeople come back year afteryear to give blood, and becausethis is a family-friendly event,their children are learning howcrucial it is to donate blood. It’sheartwarming to see.”

Photos by Victoria Ross/

The Connection

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

Under dozens of rainbow-colored heartsand tables laden with Valentine’s treats,friends and family greeted each otherwith hugs and kisses as children chased

each other through the halls of the Woods Commu-nity Center on Sunday, Feb. 9.

The noisy, festive atmosphere was more like a fam-ily reunion than a community blood drive.

And in many ways, it was.For the fifth year, hundreds of friends, neighbors

and family turned out for the Friends of SadieValentine’s Blood Drive, which has become a family-friendly, community celebration of hope and inspi-ration.

On Sunday, the group collected 245 units of blood,a record amount.

“We have been blown away by the community sup-port year after year,” said Amy Dozier, a foundingmember of the Friends of Sadie. “We live in an amaz-ing neighborhood. We celebrate with each other; wegrieve with each other, and we help each other out.We’ve created a family out of our neighbors andfriends.”

IN 2010, six Burke moms created the organizationwhen they learned that Sadie, the youngest daugh-ter of friends Ethan and Erin Lauer, was diagnosedwith a life-threatening cancer called Neuroblastomaat three months.

To help Sadie and other children battling cancer,they organized their first Valentine’s Day Blood Driveat the Woods Community Center in February 2010.

Their timing could not have been worse, theythought.

The event was planned in the middle of the his-tory-making blizzard known as Snowmaggedon thatburied the region in more than three feet of snow.Despite their concerns that no one would show up,the Burke community rallied. More than 115 turnedout, and the group collected 103 pints of blood.

“Not only did they generate blood donations, theycreated a welcoming community of friends and fam-ily,” said Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock), whocomes out every year to donate blood.

Friends of Sadie collect record number of blood dona-tions at fifth annual blood drive for childhood cancer.

‘Friends’ Create Community of Hope

Sadie, now a thriving, healthy “almostfive” year-old, gives friend BradyWickham, 11, a kiss at her kissing boothduring the 5th annual Friends of SadieValentine Blood Drive on Sunday, Feb. 9.Sadie’s mom, Erin Morrissey-Lauer, saidher daughter created the kissing booth toshow her appreciation for her extendedfamily of friends and neighbors.

Amy Dozier, founding member of theFriends of Sadie gives a thumbs-up todonors along with Rebecca Manarchuck,with Inova Blood Donor Services and CarynFranca of Clifton, who formed Band ofParents in honor of her son, Nick, who diedof Neuroblastoma in May 2011 at age 21.

Photo by Victoria Ross/The Connection

Laurie Florence, a member of the Friendsof Sadie Planning Committee, displays thecolorful paper hearts blood donors weregiven at the blood drive to write down thereasons why they were giving blood.


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Send Your Photos & Stories Now [email protected]

or complete our online form at burkeconnection.comBe sure to include your name, address and phone number, and identify

all people and pets in photos. Submission deadline is February 20.

Be Part of ThePet Connection in February

By Sal Ruibal

The Connection

If you drive anywhere in Burke andSpringfield, you’ll see their faces onfamiliar red, white and blue Re/Maxrealty signs on lawns, at intersections,

parking lots and pretty much everywhere.When you shop at any of the major gro-

cery stores along Old Keene Mill Road, yourgrocery cart probably will have that samecolor scheme along with a color photo oftwo smiling people. In the course of a year,you may see those faces a thousand times,maybe more. You don’t have to read thewords because you know who that happycouple is: “Bruce & Tanya.”

Next to Washington political powercouples such as the Obamas and theClintons, Bruce and Tanya Tyburski areamong the most familiar married couplesin this area.

What you may not know is that there is awonderful romance story behind thosesigns.

THEIR LAWN SIGNS don’t give youthe full perspective: Bruce is 6-feet-6and Tanya is 5-2, give or take the sizeof her high heels. Bruce is calm and abit serious, while Tanya is like spar-kling champagne, bubbly and effer-vescent, tossing out ideas and memo-ries of their life together.

She grew up in Vallejo, Calif., a few milesfrom the famous Napa Valley vineyards andwineries. During the summer months, Tanyaworked in the fruit orchards where shelearned the virtues of hard work.

Meanwhile, laconic Bruce was workinghis way through the ranks of the MarriottCorporation, eventually becoming theyoungest general manager at the company’sflagship restaurant in Berkeley, Calif.

While in college, Tanya applied to workat Bruce’s restaurant. There was an imme-diate attraction between the couple, butbecause Marriott had rules forbidding man-agers from dating workers, Bruce wouldhave lost his job had their romance beendiscovered.

So in 1983, he fired Tanya. In 1984, hemarried her.

That may have been Bruce’s best decisionever.

After deciding to move back to Bruce’s

Couple Excels TogetherNews

See Couple, Page 5

Bruce and TanyaTyburski succeed inmarriage and real estate.


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From Page 4

native Northern Virginia, Tanyaworked as a waitress at night andin the daytime she was a windowdesigner at the Woodward andLothrop department store.

Tanya decided to go to real es-tate school, where she says, “I wasaddicted from the very first class.I didn’t realize you didn’t have tohave $112,000 cash to buy a$112,000 house.”

They had their second child,Max, in 1989 and Bruce decidedhe had enough of the restaurantbusiness, as his 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.schedule made it hard for him tosee their children. He took a six-month hiatus to figure out whathe wanted to do. Because Tanya was doing so wellin real estate, Bruce could think about his futurewhile being a stay-at-home father.

After three months, Tanya had enough of Brucehanging around while her business was booming, soin 1991 she convinced him to help her out. Shecouldn’t train him, so he went to another firm fortraining.

“His first year, he surpassed me in sales,” Tanyasays. “That was it. We had to team up.”

THEY STARTED ADVERTISING in the Connec-tion newspapers and the business began to boom.

CoupleNews

Photo by Sal Ruibal

Tanya and Bruce Tyburskisucceed in marriage andreal estate in the WestSpringfield and Burkeareas and beyond.

Then came the idea of puttingtheir names and faces on theirsigns.

“Tanya’s a very visual person,”Bruce says. “The signs were suc-cessful because people could seeour faces. In real life we are a‘ying-yang’ couple because she’s 5-2 and I’m 6-6. People rememberthat.”

They started out finding housesfor friends and acquaintances inthe West Springfield and Burke ar-eas. They have expanded, but stillfocus on those areas.

Tanya’s visual sense is whatmakes Bruce & Tanya seem like amuch bigger company.

“We concentrate along OldKeene Mill and other roads in our

area,” she says, but those signs are simple directionalsigns that guide potential buyers directly to thehomes we list.

“That’s the same for the grocery carts. It seems likewe have a million of them but we just target the threebiggest grocery stores in our immediate area.”

“She’s a marketing genius,” Bruce says.As their fourth and youngest child, Angela, is set

to graduate high school this year, the couple is con-templating what to do with their own lives. But theyare determined to remain a strong couple.

“We’re like Sonny and Cher,” Bruce says. “I got youbabe!”


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BurkeOpinion

While the General Assembly ismaking progress in fixing someof the egregious shortcomingsof the way Virginia provides

emergency services to people in mental healthcrisis, many fewer people are receiv-ing mental health services in NorthernVirginia.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds’ son died ofsuicide late last year after the limitations inboth the law and local communication resultedin him being released while still in the midstof crisis.

Deeds reports the progress on the bill thathas passed the State Senate: “The omnibus billwill require subjects be held up to 24 hoursunder an emergency custody order, create adatabase of available psychiatric beds, andensure people in need of hospitalization can-not be ‘streeted’ by establishing state hospitalsas providers of last resort.”

These are important steps.Services to people with mental illness are

provided on the local level by community ser-vices boards, and in Fairfax County in particu-lar, those services have been dramatically cutback.

Reporter Michael Pope reports this week thatsince 2009, the number of people receivingmental health services in Fairfax County hasdeclined by 39 percent. Alcohol and drug ser-vice have dropped 43 percent. Services for

those with intellectual disability havedeclined 39 percent.

Officials quoted cite the recessionand declining property tax revenues in

explaining the reductions, along with somechanges in the way services are counted.

No matter how services are counted, thereis no question that they have been reduced sig-nificantly during a recession, a time when re-search shows the need for mental health ser-vices and alcohol and drug services actuallyincreases.

In Arlington, the number of people who re-ceive mental health services has declined by 6percent. The number of people who receivesubstance abuse services has decreased by 13percent.

“Stresses associated with rising unemploy-ment, poverty and social insecurity will leadto upward trends in many national suiciderates, as well as to less readily charted increasesin the prevalence of psychiatric illness, alco-

hol-related disorders and illicit drug use,” ac-cording to a 2011 overview study on economicrecession and mental health cited by the Na-tional Institutes of Health. “At the same time,mental health services are being cut back aspart of government austerity programs. Bud-get cuts will thus affect psychiatric servicesadversely just when economic stressors areraising the levels of need and demand in af-fected populations.”

As for blaming the budget, it’s hard to seefrom raw numbers why the most vulnerableshould be suffering. In 2009, before the effectsof the recession, Fairfax County’s budget ex-penditures were $5.36 billion. The adopted2014 budget calls for expenditures of $6.75billion.

“Proactive fiscal and social policies could,however, help to mitigate the health conse-quences of recession,” the overview study re-ports. “Economic mental health care could bestbe achieved, not by decimating services but byplanning and deploying these to meet theneeds of defined area populations.”

Elected officials and others in county gov-ernment who have signed off on a set of pri-orities that punishes the most vulnerable popu-lations have some moral accounting to do.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Why are localities providing so much less forpeople who need mental health services?

Addressing Mental Health

Editorial

School Budget:How to Pay?To the Editor:

Every year this paper publishesliberals’ letters about the FairfaxCounty school budget, which in-creases yearly without exception.One year it is teacher pay, the nextyear class enrollment, this yearrenovation costs.

The implication is that if theschools don’t get what their ad-ministrators demand, FairfaxCounty will collapse. This despitea continuous decline in studentperformance. Furthermore, thereis no quid pro quo; it is my way orthe highway by those who claimsanctimonious justification.

However, like the Federal gov-ernment, no consideration is evermade for how to pay for this; un-like the Federal government,Fairfax County cannot printmoney. So what will it be? Raisetaxes, the favored Fairfax Countyschool administrator way? Borrowmoney, another favored FC schooladministrator way? Or what willyou cut from your budget to payfor these needed renovations, notthe Fairfax County school admin-istration way? Something has togive. Fairfax County is run byDemocrat politicians for favored

Democrat constituencies.One point all should recognize:

there is a reason for the increas-ing student enrollment, one I havediscussed with my delegate andfor which the state legislature hasstatistics to confirm. There are onaverage 6,000 illegal alien chil-dren in the Fairfax County PublicSchools. Now these children mustbe educated, will be educated andthat is not in dispute by any saneperson. However, that is where thegrowth is and in fact without thesechildren, the school enrollmentwould decrease such that certainschools in places like Bailey’sCrossroads, the Route One corri-dor in Mount Vernon, Herndonand elsewhere would actually beseriously viewed for closing.

Fairfax County should requirethat every child being enrolled inthe public schools have one par-ent prove their legal residency, notjust in the county but the country.The purpose of such is not to denyschooling to these children. Ratherit is for Fairfax County schools tobe able to calculate and present abill to the Federal government de-manding reimbursement for eachchild’s education whose parent(s)are not in the county or countrylegally.

Finally, who believes that edu-cation bureaucrats are good stew-

ards of the tax-payers’ moneyother than the usual suspects?Clearly, they did not go into theteaching profession with muchrespect or understanding for the

Letters to the Editor

See Letters, Page 14

capitalist economic system thathas brought this nation the great-est prosperity on the globe.

Christopher ThompsonWest Springfield

Taking Exception onMedicaid Expansion

To the Editor:The Connection editorial [“Ex-

tend Health Coverage in Virginia,”(January 23-29, 2014) accuses theRepublicans in the Virginia Gen-eral Assembly of failing to acceptincreased taxes that would be as-sessed to pay the cost of MedicaidExpansion in Virginia. The edito-rial states that the cost of the Med-icaid Expansion would be paidwith federal funding for at leastten years so the expansion wouldbe free to Virginia taxpayers forthe immediate future. What theConnection avoids saying is thatthe federal funding is all derivedfrom the taxes paid by the resi-dents of the states including Vir-ginia. In actuality 100 percent ofthe cost for expanding Medicaidin Virginia would be funded by thetaxpayers of Virginia from dayone.

Of the three branches of stategovernment in Richmond, the del-

egates to the General Assemblymost closely represent the posi-tions of the residents across theentire state. The delegates are justthe messengers of their constitu-ency to the legislature in Rich-mond. It is a cop out to accuseany General Assembly delegate ofbeing an obstructionist of whenthe member is faithfully represent-ing the will of the constituency.

Instead of inciting GovernorTerry McAuliffe to revolt againstestablished authority in Rich-mond, the Connection should en-courage the Governor to gain thetrust and support of Virginiansacross the state. By winning therecent election, he earned the titleof Governor, a rent free furnishedoffice, and prepaid phone card,but he did not earn the consent ofthe governed, which is the basisof any democracy. McAuliffe re-


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From Page 3

News

“Being here, you just feel thelove and generosity from thepeople around you,” said ElizabethWickham, 14, whose mom,Heather, is on the Friends of SadiePlanning Committee.

Educating the public about thecritical need for blood donors, andtaking the fear out of the donat-ing, is a primary goal of the group.

“Before Sadie got sick, I was notaware of the importance of blooddonation, especially donationsfrom a person like me who hasCMV negative blood and is O nega-tive,” said Mary Mulvenon, afounding member of the Friendsof Sadie Planning Committee.

Unlike many “tribute” blooddrives that lose momentum afterthe first year, the Friends of SadieBlood Drive has increased both thenumber of donors and the pints ofblood collected. According to theAmerican Red Cross, just one do-nation can help save up to threelives, and every two seconds,someone in the U.S. needs blood.

“We need donors more thanever,” said Rebecca Manarchuck,marketing manager of Inova BloodDonor Services. “Today the de-mand for blood is increasing whileblood donation levels are decreas-ing. There is no substitute for hu-man blood. It can only come fromone place - a volunteer blood do-nor.”

Manarchuck said Inova BloodDonor Services must collect morethan 250 units of blood and bloodproducts daily to meet the needsof patients in Virginia, Marylandand Washington.

Dozier said the group’s successhas inspired them to create a blooddrive kit that other organizationscan use to launch their own blooddrive. “That’s our next project. Wewant to ‘pay it forward’,” she said.

Now held every year on the Sun-day closest to Valentine’s Day, theannual Valentine Blood Drive hasbecome a family-friendly, commu-nity celebration of hope.

“Giving blood is universal, andeveryone can give the gift of life,”said Caryn Franca of Clifton,whose son, Nick, died of Neuro-blastoma in May 2011 at age 21.“This is an amazing group ofwomen,” Franca said at the event.

“Our kids have learned that can-cer isn’t just for old people, friendsrally around each other in goodtimes and bad, they have a voiceand can contribute in their ownway and so much more,” saidLaurie Florence, Friends of SadiePlanning Committee.

“From the day my mom first toldme about the idea of a blood drive,I have gained so much moreknowledge about cancer and howdonating blood can help the pa-tients battling it,” ElizabethWickham said.

“We all love Sadie,” said BradyWickham, 11, Elizabeth’s brother.“Everyone wants to support her,and other children who needblood donations.”

FOR MORE DETAILS aboutFriends of Sadie, and to learn moreabout donating blood, go to http://www.friendsofsadie.org/ or visitInova.org/donateblood.

Hope Floats in Burke

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] call 703-778-9416. The dead-line for submissions is the Fridayprior to publication. Dated an-nouncements should be submittedat least two weeks prior to theevent.

SATURDAY/FEB. 15Dog Adoption. 12-3 p.m.

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Bulletin Board

8 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ February 13-19, 2014 Burke Connection ❖ February 13-19, 2014 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Remodeling industry professionals spend their dayshelping clients create

dream homes, adding quartzitecounter tops and outdoor, stackedstone fireplaces, turning ideas andphotos into functional, chic livingspaces.

But what about their homes?What materials do they choose forthemselves? How do they make themost of their living spaces? Threelocal professionals from BOWABuilders, Inc. opened their doorsand shared the secrets of theirrenovations.

When principal and ownerGeorge Hodges-Fulton and hiswife, Alexandra, decided to re-model the galley kitchen in theirReston home, they decided to ex-pand and change the flow of traf-fic, keeping the safety of their 6-and 10-year-old daughters in mind.

“We wanted to open the houseup more,” said George Hodges-Fulton. “We took out a wall be-tween kitchen and the diningroom.”

Alexandra Hodges-Fulton, a se-rious cook, added, “The sink andthe stove were across from eachother. Now the sink and the stoveare next to each other, so I don’thave to walk across the kitchencarrying hot pasta.”

Plus, the new farmhouse sink iscustom-made from honed granite.“I originally wanted soapstone, butover time that can scratch,” shesaid.

The new kitchen also includesadditional counter space. “I havemore prep space,” she said. “Andeverything I need is within arm’sreach.”

When it came to choosing fin-ishes, “everything came from want-ing to work with the [existingmaple] floor,” said George Hodges-Fulton. “We wanted to choose clas-sic colors that weren’t going to goout of style.”

“I spent a huge amount of timelooking at pictures of kitchens,”said Alexandra Hodges-Fulton.“We added white Carrara marblecountertops. … We added a marblebacksplash in a black, white andgrey circular mosaic. That’s thething that everybody comments onwhen they come into the kitchen.”

The project took a mere fiveweeks to complete. “Everythinghappened perfectly,” added GeorgeHodges-Fulton. “Having on-sitesupervision and knowing the endgoal helped.”

He says that having undergonehis own renovation project, he nowhas additional insight when advis-ing clients. “It makes a significantdifference,” he said. “We can say‘In my house I did this.’ or ‘I didthis wrong in my house, so youmight consider this.’”

When principal and owner SteveKirstein first moved into hisPotomac, Md., home with his wifeand three children, he spotted sev-eral missed design opportunities.“We needed some of the spaces todo different things,” said Kirstein.“We wanted a family gatheringspace and a display space upstairs.”

The home had a two-story foyer,which Kirstein saw as the perfectlocation for a second floor familyroom. He added “flooring,sheetrock walls, built-in bookcasesand display cases. Now it’s a gath-ering space for the family upstairsand we still have a dramatic foyerdownstairs.”

could eventually enjoy.”He advises his clients to similarly

plan ahead and think about howtheir needs might evolve. “To makeit a long-term home is to not thinkabout just what you need now, butwhat you might need in the fu-ture,” he said. “We designed a guestsuite on the first floor with the ideathat my wife and I could live onone floor once we’re empty nest-ers.” There is enough space forfriends and extended family.

Baker said each time he and hiswife updated the house, they did

those spaces. In our master bed-room, for example, we focused onwalk-in closets. Even our masterbathroom is spacious, but it is notvast.” The Bakers designed theiroutdoor landscape to accommo-date their penchant for relaxed en-tertaining. “We’re informal folks,”said Baker. “We like to entertain,so we developed our landscapingto include an expansive entertain-ing area and a swimming pool. Wehave a lot of outdoor parties. Wecan accommodate a large group inour yard as well.”

Home Design: What the Pros KnowHome LifeStyle

A look inside thehomes of some ofthe area’s topbuilders.

View from theinterior ofBOWA founderJosh Baker’sGreat Fallshome. Casualentertainingspaces includethe open firstfloor and pool.

Hodges-Fulton Kirstein Baker

Next, Kirstein turned what hecalled, “a big wasted space” adja-cent to the garage into a mudroom.“We put a cubby and drawer foreach child and a bench for takingoff shoes. We added a half wallacross from the cubbies so youcan’t see all of the cleats and la-crosse sticks all over the floor. Wealso added a powder room.”

Kirstein also transformed hisbackyard into an oasis. “We addeda pool and entertaining area,” hesaid. “We redid every finish in thehouse. I liked those small touchesbecause they were simple and easyand changed the way the houselooked.”

Founder, cochairman and ownerJosh Baker grew up in Great Fallsand when it came time to raise hisfamily, he remained there. He evenbuilt a custom home where heplans to live long-term. “A lot ofplanning went into the future,”said Baker. “The concept behind itwas we would create a fun spacefor our children that their children

so judiciously. “We made smartdecisions about small things thatmake a big difference. For example,we changed tiles to make it up-to-date without a huge remodel,” hesaid.

Baker’s experience as a builderhelped him decide on the roomsizes and layout of the house. “Interms of design, a lot of our househas a focus on lines of sight, infor-mality and lots of light. … On ourfirst floor, there are no partitionwalls in the common area.”

The rooms in the house are gen-erous and comfortable and spacewas used wisely, Baker said. “Wefocused on the feeling and func-tionality of the room rather thanthe size of the room,” he said.“None of the rooms are oversized,but they are functional.”

Wise use of space is another les-son he shares with clients. “At onetime, bedrooms with sitting roomswere very popular,” said Baker.“But … a lot of our clients don’tuse them so we’re repurposing

Photos

courtesy of

BOWA Builders, Inc.

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

Judy Erickson, a memberof the Thomas Lee Chap-ter of the Daughters of

the American Revolution, hasknown for years that KatieRogers would make a great can-didate for the group’s Good Citi-zen award.

Erickson met Rogers and hermother, Mariana Vervena, whenRogers was a child. The two areneighbors in Fairfax, and Rogerssold Erickson Girl Scout cook-ies for years.

“Every year I go down to theladies on my street to sell themGirl Scout cookies, and a fewyears ago, Mrs. Erickson hadmentioned to me that they givethis award every year,” Rogerssaid. “Since she has known memy whole life, she told me shewould nominate me when I wasold enough. She officially askedif I would like to do it this year.”

Rogers is a senior enrolled inthe International Baccalaureateprogram at Robinson SecondarySchool and is involved in nu-merous activities, including theschool’s dance team and dramadepartment. She has been thelead in several school produc-tions and won a Cappie awardlast spring.

Erickson said all of Rogers’ ac-

tivities and the success she has withthem made her a great candidatefor the award. “I’ve seen her per-form, I’ve seen her dance, I’veheard her sing. She’s been sellingme Girl Scout cookies since I canremember. Everything she does atschool and at church, she does itall so beautifully. She wouldn’t dothese things if she didn’t want to.I’m very proud of her, and I’m onlya neighbor,” Erickson said.

According to DAR member SarahDickens, Rogers represents all ofthe characteristics of a good citi-zen, including leadership, depend-ability, patriotism and service.Rogers also participated in theGood Citizen national essay con-test, which Dickens said was agreat testament to Rogers’ patrio-tism. “It really demonstrated herreal understanding of our nation’shistory,” Dickens said.

Rogers said she is thankful toreceive the award and to grow up

in an area with so many oppor-tunities to pursue the activitiesof her choice.

“Right now, my favorite thingthat I’m doing, in both dramaand dance, is being in a teacher-assistant position. I get to helpwith the class and help theteacher run the class. It’s beenalready such a great experience.Being on the other side of thingsand letting myself be a rolemodel for the younger kids isthe best experience to have,”she said. Rogers said she is in-spired by both of her parents todo well in school. Her motherwas her Girl Scout leader, whichpushed Rogers to give back toher community.

“I have so many great adultsin my life to guide me,” she said.

Rogers has a 4.296 gradepoint average and will attendthe University of Virginia in thefall.

DAR member Sarah Dickens presents Katie Rogers with the DAR Good Citizenaward, as DAR member Dori Stewart looks on.

Katie Rogers, a senior at Robinson, stands with hermother Mariana Vervena after receiving the DAR GoodCitizen award.

Robinson Student ReceivesDAR Good Citizen AwardKatie Rogersawarded forpatriotism, ser-vice, leadershipand dependabil-ity.

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The Connection

Address .................................... BR FB HB ..... Postal City ..... Sold Price .. Type ....... Lot AC .. PostalCode ........ Subdivision .......... Date Sold

2 6512 STALLION RD .................. 5 .. 6 .. 0 ......... CLIFTON ..... $1,850,000 ... Detached ... 5.27 ........ 20124 CLOVERLEAF FARM ESTATES 12/03/13

2 6151 REZA CT ......................... 6 .. 4 .. 2 ...... SPRINGFIELD .. $1,392,649 ... Detached ... 0.35 ........ 22152 .......CARDINAL ESTATES ...... 11/07/13

3 11100 DEVEREUX STATION LN .. 4 .. 4 .. 1 ... FAIRFAX STATION $1,225,000 ... Detached ... 5.01 ........ 22039 ...... DEVEREUX STATION ..... 12/05/13

4 10600 SANDY RUN TRL ............ 5 .. 3 .. 1 ... FAIRFAX STATION $1,225,000 ... Detached ... 6.03 ........ 22039 ........... SHADOWALK .......... 12/16/13

5 3442 PRESERVATION DR ........... 5 .. 4 .. 1 .......... FAIRFAX ...... $1,180,000 ... Detached ... 0.17 ........ 22031 ...... PICKETT’S RESERVE ...... 11/27/13

6 11133 SANDY MANOR DR ........ 5 .. 4 .. 1 ... FAIRFAX STATION $1,050,000 ... Detached ... 5.00 ........ 22039 SANDY RUN FOREST ESTATES11/20/13

7 10608 KILCORMAC WAY ........... 5 .. 5 .. 1 ... FAIRFAX STATION $1,000,000 ... Detached ... 5.00 ........ 22039 ............. KILLARNEY ............ 11/21/13

8 10707 SCOTT DR ..................... 4 .. 3 .. 1 .......... FAIRFAX ......... $974,900 ... Detached ... 0.51 ........ 22030 ............ BFA MYERS ............ 12/20/13

9 10509 CENTER ST .................... 5 .. 3 .. 1 .......... FAIRFAX ......... $965,000 ... Detached ... 0.61 ........ 22030 ...... CARRIAGE LANDING ..... 11/05/13

10 13554 POINT PLEASANT DR ..... 5 .. 3 .. 1 ........ CHANTILLY ....... $675,000 ... Detached ... 0.26 ........ 20151 .... POPLAR TREE ESTATES ... 11/22/13

11 5915 CLERMONT LANDING CT . 4 .. 2 .. 1 ........... BURKE .......... $635,011 ... Detached ... 0.19 ........ 22015 ......... BURKE CENTRE ......... 11/08/13

12 6700 BAY VALLEY LN ................ 5 .. 4 .. 0 ...... CENTREVILLE ..... $630,000 ... Detached ... 0.26 ........ 20121 .......... GREEN TRAILS ......... 11/15/13

Copyright 2014 RealEstate Business Intelligence. Source: MRIS as of January 15, 2014.

Local REAL ESTATETop Sales inNovember andDecember, 2013

7

6

1

4

89 5

3

211

12

© Google Map data

10

6 11133 Sandy Manor Drive,Fairfax Station — $1,050,000

7 10608 Kilcorma Way,Fairfax Station — $1,000,000

9 10509 Center Street,Fairfax — $965,000

10 13554 Point Pleasant Drive,Chantilly — $675,000 11 5915 Clermont Landing Court,

Burke — $635,01112 6700 Bay Valley Lane,Centreville — $630,000


To Advertise Your Community ofWorship, Call 703-778-9418

COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

www.calvaryfamily.com“Continuing the ministry of

Christ on earth”

9800 Old Keene Mill Rd.703-455-7041Sunday School

9:15 AM Worship Service

10:30 AM

Realtime Worship - Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM

Sunday Evening - Realtime Worship& Youth 6 PM

Family Night - Wednesday 7:15 PMCall for our Home Life Group schedule

visit our website: www.jccag.org4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax

Bill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

JubileeChristian Center“Experience the Difference”

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Spend Valentine’s Day weekend at Burke Lake Park.

News

Although it’s only milesaway from Fairfax Countyparkway and Ox Road,

visitors to Paradise Springs Win-ery will find themselves with abeautiful view and a variety of finedining and wine options.

As Valentine’s Day approaches,the winery is offering a variety ofspecials, making a romantic week-end only a short drive away.

Paradise Springs Winery is theclosest winery to Washington, D.C.and is offering several events thisweekend.

Saturday, Feb. 15 is the annualValentine’s Day weekend wine din-ner, which features four courses,along with Paradise Springs wine.

If the Valentine’s Day weekenddinner is out of the question, thoselooking to visit the winery cancheck out the wine and chocolatepairing, which is available nowuntil Feb. 17. Chocolates fromaround the world are paired withParadise Springs Wines, includingtheir sparkling wine and Swagger,the winery’s signature port stylewine.

“We’ll have live, local music allweekend,” said Paradise Springsowner and Clifton resident KirkWiles. “The winery is a good spotfor a Valentine’s Day date, whetherit’s an anniversary or a first date.A glass of wine can break the ice.”

Paradise Springs also offers aWine Club, which will be cappedand a waiting list will be started.

Those looking for a family eventthis Valentine’s Day weekend canparticipate in the “Share the Love”14K Run and 4K Run and Walk atBurke Lake Park. Proceeds benefitThe Assistance League ofNorthern Virginia.

Paradise Springs WineryLive Music: Every Friday, 5-9 p.m.

“The Paradise Springs Winery Experi-

ence” Production Tour and Tasting: Sat-urdays, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Sundays, 3p . m .Chocolate and Wine Pairing/Tasting:Everyday through Feb. 17.Valentine’s Wine Dinner: Saturday, Feb.15 at 8 p.m. Reservations required.

‘Share the Love’ 14k Run

Valentine’s Day Fun in the Burke AreaCheck out these events in southern Fairfax County.

Check out Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton for theirValentine’s Day weekend dinner on Feb. 15.

and 4k Run/WalkThe Amphitheatre at Burke Lake Park

9:00 a.m.Net proceeds benefit The Assis-

tance League of Northern Virginiafor their Weekend Food for Kidsprogram, specifically targetingLynbrook and Garfield Elemen-tary Schools in Springfield.

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Send notes to the Connection [email protected] orcall 703-778-9416. The deadline isthe Friday prior to the next paper’spublication. Dated announcementsshould be submitted at least twoweeks prior to the event.

SATURDAY/FEB. 15, 22Laurel Grove “Colored” School

Open House. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.6840 Beulah Street, Alexandria.Laurel Grove School is a oneroom school that served AfricanAmerican students in theFranconia Community of FairfaxCounty from 1882 to 1932. Visitthe school to learn about familiescoming together to build a school

and the importance of educatingtheir children.

SATURDAY/FEB. 15Movie & Pizza Night. 6 p.m. Hidden

Pond Park, 8511 Greeley Boulevard,Springfield. Friends of Hidden Pondare having a movie and pizza night inthe Hidden Pond nature center. Pizzaand drinks will be for sale followedby a showing of Over the Hedge(PG)on the big screen. RSVP [email protected].

SATURDAY/FEB. 22Mae Hernon & Celtic Font. 12-4

p.m. Auld Shebeen Restaurant & Pub,3971 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax.

Traditional Irish singer will beperforming alongside with anotherband.

7th Annual Lorton MonopolyTournament. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 OxRoad, Gallery Building 16 - 2ndFloor, Lorton. Proceeds benefit theLorton Community Action Center,a local human services nonprofitthat assists individuals andfamilies with emergency food andfinancial assistance, resources forimproving life skills, tutoring andafter-school programs.Registration Fee: $25 (by Feb.19). At the Door Fee: $35.Minimum player age: 8. Maximumplayer age: None.LortonMonopoly.com

Calendar


Sports

Woodson Gets NewFootball Coach

W.T. Woodson High School recentlynamed Mike Dougherty its new headfootball coach.

Dougherty spent the last six seasonsas head coach at Stonewall Jackson HighSchool in Prince William County. Lastseason, as the No. 13 seed, Doughertyled the Raiders to the 6A North regionsemifinals, where they lost to eventualstate champion Centreville.

Prior to Stonewall, Dougherty was thehead coach at Dominion High School inLoudoun County for five seasons.

Dougherty takes over for Joe Dishun,who compiled a 7-23 record in three sea-sons as head coach of the Cavaliers. Prior

to Dishun’s arrival, Woodson finished 3-7 in 2010 under then-head coach TreyTaylor. The program’s last winning sea-son was 2009, when Taylor led the Cava-liers to a 13-2 mark and a trip to theNorthern Region championship game.

Lee Diver HodgesPlaces Third atRegionals

Lee High School sophomore GeraldHodges recently placed third at the 5ANorth region dive competition. It is hisfirst time qualifying for a VHSL stateevent.

Hodges, a sophomore, placed fifth dur-ing the Conference 13 meet.

Sports Roundups

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

A talented freshman and asenior in her final confer-ence meet helped theRobinson gymnastics team

capture its second championship inthree seasons.

Caroline Burda placed second in theall-around and Sarah Gross tied forthird, leading Robinson to the Confer-ence 5 gymnastics title on Feb. 6 atCentreville High School. The Ramswon, or tied for first, in each of thefour events and produced a total scoreof 135.4. Oakton finished second witha score of 132.575, followed byWestfield (130.575), Chantilly(129.65), Herndon (122.45) andCentreville (105.375). The top twoteams, Robinson and Oakton, quali-fied for the 6A North region meet.

Robinson won the Concorde Districtchampionship in 2012. The six schoolsbecame Conference 5 after the VHSL’ssix-class realignment prior to the2013-14 school year.

“They definitely performed verywell today,” first-year Robinson headcoach Charlotte Edwards said. “Theywere more consistent than they nor-mally are. … They’re definitely peak-ing at the right time. Our first couplemeets weren’t that successful.”

Burda, a freshman, placed secondin the all-around with a score of 34.9.She finished first on beam (9.15),third on bars (8.625), fourth on vault(8.75) and tied for eighth on floor(8.375).

“She is only a freshman and she dida great job,” Edwards said, “but there’sdefinitely some things we’re going towork on before regionals, so when welook at their score sheets we’ll see ifwe can make some more adjustmentsso she can get a couple more pointson some event.”

Burda said beam was her best event.

She was one of just three gymnasts to scorea 9 or better.

“I thought that I did the best I could andI’m really proud of myself,” Burda said.“This has been my best meet so far this sea-son.”

Robinson’s Sarah Gross, a senior, tied withHerndon’s Alexa Bradley for third in the all-around with a score of 34.5. Gross placedthird on floor (9) and vault (8.85), tied forfifth on beam (8.8) and finished 11th onbars (8).

“She performed very well,” Edwards said.“Even on her [least]-favorite event, balancebeam, she had a solid routine, so that wasvery exciting and I think that made a bigdifference in her all-around score.”

Robinson freshman Emily Gross placedthird on vault (8.85) and tied for sixth onfloor (8.4). Junior Bailey Young tied for sec-ond on beam with a score of 9.

The top eight individuals and any othergymnasts who scored at least a 9 qualifiedfor regionals in each event. In the all-around, the top four finishers and any othergymnasts with a score of 35 or better earneda regional berth. Westfield senior Katie Freixrepeated as all-around champion with ascore of 36.925. She placed first on floor(9.525), vault (9.5) and bars (9.1), and tiedfor fifth on beam (8.8).

“I had probably close to my best perfor-mances on all my events, except for beam,”Freix said. “… I definitely had my best barroutine. I’ve been having trouble hittingbars recently, so it was really cool to actu-

ally hit the bar routine.”Oakton advanced to regionals with a run-

ner-up team finish despite having the small-est roster in the conference with just eighthealthy competitors.

“We feel that’s where we differ from a lotof teams, especially being the smallestsquad in our conference,” Oakton headcoach Frankie Orbacz wrote in an email.“Everyone has a ton of talent and everyonecontributed equally to our fantastic teamscore. Most other teams have a few

Robinson Wins Conference 5Gymnastics ChampionshipFreshman Burda,senior Gross finishtop four in all-around.

Photo by Jon Roetman/The Connection

The Robinson gymnastics team won the Conference 5 championship onFeb. 6 at Centreville High School.

Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

Robinson freshman Caroline Burdaplaced second in the all-aroundand first on the beam (9.15) at theConference 5 gymnastics meet onFeb. 6 at Centreville High School.

“It’s amazing. We’veworked so hard thisseason. It’s just great tohave it all come together.”— Robinson freshman Caroline Burda

standouts that lead the team and sweep themedals, but we really have so much talentin every girl. We are very well-rounded.Standings-wise, four of our eight girlsmedaled and placed, which means half ofour team would have advanced to regionsif we hadn’t made it as a team. We were soimpressed! That’s a pretty fantastic show-ing.”

The 6A North region meet was scheduledfor Wednesday, Feb. 12, after TheConnection’s deadline. The state meet isscheduled for Feb. 21-22 at Salem HighSchool in Virginia Beach.

“It’s amazing,” Burda said of winning theConference 5 championship. “We’ve workedso hard this season. It’s just great to have itall come together.”


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EmploymentEmployment

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From Page 6

Letters

ceived a majority of the votes in about 20of the 96 counties in Virginia. The finalvote tally shows that McAuliffe collected1,069,789 votes, which is less than 20 per-cent of the approximately 6,000,000 eligiblevoters in Virginia.

An analysis of the voting results shows aclear split between rich counties and poorcounties, between consumers and provid-ers, and between cities and rural areas.McAuliffe was supported by a small major-ity in the richer counties and cities whilehis positions were opposed 3 to 1 in sev-eral of the rural counties. He needs to fo-cus his energy on gaining consent of theremaining 80 percent of all Virginians andpreventing further division between thedemographic groups.

The Connection editorial implies that theGovernor need not consider the cost of ex-panding Medicaid before he stuffs the billinto a can and tosses it across the fence sothe Federal government can kick the candown the road for payment by our grand-children.

The Governor would like to add the costof services Virginians use today on top ofthe tax bill for the services needed by ourgrandchildren when they become taxpay-ers.

What gives him that right? He needs towork with our senators and representativesin Congress to prioritize programs, identifyprograms to be cut, and enable the federaland state to fund Medicaid Expansion inVirginia without adding to the rapidly grow-ing national debt. Simply adding the billto the national debt for future payment isno longer acceptable.

Imposing yet another tax increase on Vir-ginians is counterproductive; you can’t taxpeople into prosperity. Does Governor TerryMcAuliffe have the courage to make thehard decisions that will fund the highestpriority programs while protecting ourgrandchildren from being taxed to pay thebills that come due in 2014? If not him,then who?

Edward MillsFairfax Station

SupportingSafe Hunting

To the Editor:The bill before the State Senate to allow

hunting on Sundays applies only to privateproperty and will not impinge on anyone’senjoyment of public lands. Most of us onlyget the weekends off of work and it is sillyto prevent landowners from hunting ontheir own property during half of their freetime.

Hunting brings numerous economic andenvironmental benefits to all Virginians andI encourage the editors and readers to viewthe Virginia Department of Game and In-land Fisheries list at: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/benefits/

The safe practice of hunting should besupported rather than discouraged.

Christopher YuraskoBurke


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BARBARA NOWAK& GERRY STAUDTE“My Virginia Home Team”703-473-1803, 703-309-8948

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JUDY SEMLER703-503-1885

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MARSHA WOLBERLifetime Member NVAR Top ProducersTop 5% of Agents Nationallywww.marshawolber.comCell: 703-618-4397

Sheila Adams703-503-1895Life Member, NVAR Multi–MillionDollar Sales ClubLife Member,NVAR TOP PRODUCERS

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David [email protected] Virginia’s

Finest Homes

Act while the mortgagerates remain low and

before prices rise!I will help you through

the process.

Herndon $249,900Updated 3rd floor condo with almost 1000 sq. feet finished space.Hardwood floors in the living and dining room areas, upgraded kitchen,washer and dryer in unit. Walk to pool, weight room and club room.Minutes to Park and Ride on Monroe Street. New Metro coming in 2018.

Call me. Let me guide you intaking advantage of this market!

Your REALTORS*Next Door

Mary Hovland703-946-1775Cathy DeLoach571-276-9421

View more photos at www.hermandorfer.com

Clifton – $899,000Beautiful home on 5 acre equestrian property w/ 6 stall stable

Clifton – $645,000Terrific rambler w/ full lower level suite on stunning 5 acres

Rent in Burke!2 BR + Den/3rd BR Condo in lovely Burke Cove Community.Avail on or about Feb. 25th. Enjoy many Burke Centre Amenities.Newer appliances. $1600/mo. Call for additional details

STEVE CHILDRESS“Experience…withInnovation!”Life Member NVAR Top ProducersBuyer Broker since 1973!703-981-3277

Mt. Vernon Area$625,000CUSTOMBUILT!!!

Large 5 Bedrm,3.5 bathColonial onbeautiful half-acre wooded lot!Located near

end of quiet cul-de-sac, this 3 level home has an oversized2 car garage + additional off street parking. Many extrasincluding Sun Rm, Fam. Rm w/ Fireplace off Gourmetkitchen, Deck, Finished basement, and Master suite w/walk-in closet and luxury bath! 703-981-3277.

Watch this space for some great Properties,coming on the market in February and March

when Spring is just around the corner.The excitement is building!

Call Kay Hart for advice on listingyour home and advertising it in this space

or for buying a new home this Spring.Kay Hart 703-503-1860

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Fairfax$625,000

Newly updatedcenter hallColonial offersboth space andconvenience!This wonder-ful floor planfeatures 3 fin-ished levels to

include 4BRs, 3.5BAs, multiple living entertainment areas,and 2-car garage. Move-in ready - freshly painted, new carpet-ing, hardwoods, & more! Close to metrobus, VRE, GMU,shopping & top rated schools!

Lorton Station $525,000Picture perfect, 3 BR, 3.5 BAs, gleaming hardwoods on 2 lev-els! Fenced yard w/patio. Walk to Lorton Station and VRE!Move in perfect!

Another Burke Centre Home sold byRichard Esposito. For information on your

home and Burke Centre, Call Richard today!

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SELLING IN 2014?CALL SHEILA!

Sheila’s office is right here on BurkeCentre Pkwy. I am your Neighbor, I havebeen marketing the Burke/Fairfax area forover 35+ years. Sheila’s skills, marketingtechniques and experience are top notch.Want the best, call Sheila. 703-503-1895 [email protected]

Stafford $275,500Great Starter Home

This SF detached home, located on a half-acre lot, features 3 BR,2FB, large LR/DR with vaulted ceiling and sliding glass door todeck and spacious yard, plus 2-car garage and extra carport.

SOLD

Lorton $539,900Upgraded Colonial with 3 finishedlevels, 4 bedrooms, 4.4 baths, freshneutral paint, new carpet and gourmeteat-in kitchen with granite, island, SSappliances. Terrific location.

Call Judy @ 703-503-1885.

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burke honored for witter: @burkeconnection citizenship

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