great fallsconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2017/031517/great falls.pdf · fairfax, from anti-bullying to...

Great Falls Connection ❖ March 15-21, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Easton, MD

PERMIT #322

Postal Customer

ECR WSS

Attention Postmaster:

Time sensitive material.

Requested in home 3-16-17

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

Opinio

n, Page 6

❖

Entertainm

ent, 2

❖

C

lassifieds, Page 14

March 15-21, 2017

Pho

to

by T

im

Peterso

n/T

he C

onnectio

n

Great FallsGreat Falls Committed toPeacemaking

News, Page 3

New Trees Coming ToGreat Falls Village CenterNews, Page 13

Rabid Fox Attacks inGreat FallsNews, Page 5

Langley seniors Chrissie Ivanova and Donya Momenian (not pictured) co-founded a chapter of the Girl Up Club at Langley, growing it from two to 30members.

Page 8

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ March 15-21, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Reston $639,000Spectacular, Sun-Filled End-Unit Townhome...

Located Heart of Reston Town Center!Rarely-available END-Unit Townhome in sought-after West Market community. Fully Renovated, immaculate condition with 3 Bedrooms & 2.5 Baths. Bright & open throughout with walls of windows & full Southern-exposure. Open Kitchen / Family Room layout with balcony. Newly updated Kitchen w/ Granite countertops & Stainless-Steel appliances. Luxurious Master Suite w/ Vaulted Ceiling, 2 Walk-In Closets & lavish Master Bath. Wonderful “West Market” Amenities– including Clubhouse, Fitness Center, Pool & More. Immediately adjacent to W&OD Trail. Desirable Reston Town Center location, just minutes to new Metro Silver Line. An incredible lifestyle … both vibrant & ultra-convenient! Great Falls $2,149,000

Spectacular Estate Home… Located in Upscale Great Falls Neighborhood!

Dramatic architecture & exquisite finishes define this most distinctive home. Custom-built & lavishly upgraded by high-end interior designers, the property offers an extraordinary level of elegance & grandeur. 3 fully-finished levels w/ total of 5 Bedrooms (all ensuite), 5 Full Bathrooms & 2 Half-Bathrooms. 2-story Foyer w/ double staircase, glorious Sunroom, Morning Room, temperature-controlled Wine / Tasting Room, fully-equipped Theatre Room, Billiards Room, full entertaining Bar… and so much more. Outside, the property boasts an expansive tiered brick

patio w/ 2 covered Gazebos, tranquil fountains & a fully-fenced backyard— all enhanced by extensive professional landscaping lighting & plantings. Top-rated Langley HS district.

Great Falls $2,150,000Majestic “Southdown Meadow Farm”…

Incredible 7.9 Acre Estate in Great Falls! Quintessential Great Falls estate offering pastoral views & pictur-esque vistas at every turn. Majestically-sited on a gentle knoll over-looking 7.9 acres of rolling, fenced pastures. Idyllic charm & vin-tage character throughout. Original stone house graced with large custom addition built by BOWA Builders — artistically melding the charm of yesteryear with the most exquisite amenities of today. Dramatic architectural design & endless walls of windows creating an extraordinarily bright & open floorplan. Over 7,400 square feet of finished space boasting 5 Bedrooms, 6 Full-Bathrooms & 2 Half-Bathrooms — including private In-Law / Nanny Suite over 3-car Garage. Outside, additional amenities include beautiful in-ground pool with flagstone patios, 2 Barns & full Tack Room. Nes-tled in one of Great Falls’ most beloved equestrian communities. A truly one-of-a-kind property… the home of a lifetime!

JUST L

ISTE

D

COMIN

G

SOON

COMIN

G

SOON


By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Suraya Sadeed said hearing morethan 20 stories of students promot-ing peace in and out of theirschools made her believe “there is

still hope for a brighter future.”Sadeed is a native of Kabul, Afghanistan

who made a new home in the United Statesin 1982, fleeing the aftermath of the Sovietinvasion. She founded the non-governmentorganization Help the Afghan Children andis author of “Forbidden Lessons in a KabulGuesthouse.”

The former owner of a real estate com-pany, Sadeed has risked dangerous situa-tions to deliver humanitarian aid to womenand children in war-torn Afghanistan. OnSunday, March 12, she addressed highschool students from around Fairfax Countybeing honored at the Student Peace Awards.

Sadeed spoke about the importance ofpromoting peace through education, as apreventative measure against bullying, ha-tred and violence later in life.

“The cost of providing peace educationto 8 million children in Afghanistan is less,”she said, “than buying one military plane.”

The student peace awards are offered inall Fairfax County public high schools andsome private schools. Schools choose theirwinners based on their work to promotepeace as well as prevent causes of violence:poverty, discrimination and injustice.

Each of the individual or groups of stu-dents not only took action for peace, butdid so with creative, entrepreneurial energy— founding clubs, organizing charityprojects, leading training sessions or creat-ing documentary films.

Fairfax County School Board chair SandyEvans said she was deeply impressed withthe work of the students being honored atthe Stacy Sherwood Community Center inFairfax, from anti-bullying to human traf-

ficking awareness to anti-genocide.“Few goals are more important in the

world today,” Evans said, “than promotingpeace, acceptance, kindness and tolerance.”

Evans was joined in congratulating thestudents by fellow board members RyanMcElveen (at-large) and Dalia Palchik(Providence).

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors vicechairman and Mason District representativePenny Gross (D) read a letter of recogni-tion from board chairman Sharon Bulovathat thanked the students for their commit-ment to peacemaking.

All the students have come together, Grossread from Bulova’s letter, “in one goal,strengthening peace and unity.”

Del. Kenneth Plum (D-36) joined the

other elected officials in congratulating theaward-winners.

The 2017 Student Peace Awards of FairfaxCounty winners are as follows, bios accord-ing to the event program:Ethan Mirani, junior at the CedarLane School in Vienna

Mirani was a member of the school’s Anti-Bullying Commitee for two years andworked to grow the group as well as planactivities and keep things organized.Jasmine Howard, senior atCentreville High School

Howard organized members of theCentreville Key Club to sell 240 wristbandsfrom Guatemala, made out of leather andpieces of coconut shell with colored string,raising $1,700 in sales and donations thatwent back to the wristband artisans and

disadvantaged foreign youth.Shaan Chudasama, senior atChantilly High School

Chudasama co-founded and is vice presi-dent of Young at Art, a non-profit organiza-tion using art-related activities to improvethe quality of life of seniors, less fortunatechildren and veterans. With his sister, theother co-founder, they’ve partnered with theSpecial Olympics and Sunrise Assisted Liv-ing.Vanessas Mae Avendano, senior atFalls Church High School

Avendano is vice president of FallsChurch’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andTransgender club and also founded FallsChurch High School United, a group of clubsunited to spread peace and acceptance. Thegroup has produced a series of videos deal-ing with anti-bullying and giving respect.Sabah Munshi, senior at HayfieldSecondary School

Munshi helped organize a project calledWalking for Water and raised both aware-ness of the world’s water crisis and morethan $2,000 for the Tap Project by UNICEF.She has also volunteered at Virginia Hospi-tal Center in the renal unit.Surabhi Khanal, senior at HerndonHigh School

Khanal has been a member of theHerndon Leo Club and founded MedLove,Inc, a non-profit organization with the mis-sion of helping rescue women in the UnitedStates and abroad who are human traffick-ing victims. Through the Key Club, Khanaland other students also organized a benefitgala to raise awareness of local traffickingand $3,000 for combatting HIV and AIDSin her native Nepal.Naba Khan and Shafia Tala, juniorsat King Abdullah Academy inHerndon

Khan and Talat founded the organization

See Peace Awards, Page 4

Student Peace Awards of Fairfax Countyreception honors activists and advocates.Committed to Peacemaking

News

As a member of James Madison High School Amnesty International Club,senior Sean Doyle coordinates activism with others on such issues asabolishing the death penalty, reducing gun violence and police brutality,and convincing the Vienna Town Council to make Vienna an “I WelcomeRefugees” town.

Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection

Marshall senior Aidan Kemp (center) is the lead senior mentor for theMarshall Freshman Transition program and does community servicework through St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean.

Marshall senior Aidan Kemp (cen-ter) is the lead senior mentor forthe Marshall Freshman Transitionprogram and does communityservice work through St. ThomasEpiscopal Church in McLean.

Suraya Sadeed said hearing thestories of students promotingpeace in and out of their schools,it made her believe “there is stillhope for a brighter future.”

Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


From Page 3

News

Women of the World (WOW) to promotewomen’s rights and help women strugglingwith homelessness, hunger, oppression orabuse. Some of their projects include open-ing a sewing institute in Nalgona, India andfundraisers involving the whole studentbody.Jamie Hunstad, senior at LakeBraddock Secondary School

Hunstad set up a Special Olympics pro-gram at Lake Braddock, starting with a bas-ketball team and adding track and field. Shecoaches both teams, and also helped theRachel’s Challenge program find a presenceat her school. Rachel’s Challenge deals withstomping out bullying and promoting tol-erance and inclusion.Donya Momenian and ChrissieIvanova, seniors at Langley HighSchool

The two seniors co-founded a chapter ofthe Girl Up Club at Langley, growing it fromtwo to 30 members who meet bi-monthly.The national and international club empow-ers young women in education, fundraising,advocacy and service, as well as runs de-velopment programs in Guatemala, India,Liberia, Malawi, Uganda and Ethiopia.Naomi Soquar, senior at Robert E.Lee High School

Soquar helped found a chapter of theAmnesty International Club at Lee — shecurrently serves as its president. She ledclub members and volunteers in writing let-ters against human rights violations, whichin one case contributed to two political pris-oners in the Democratic Republic of Congobeing released. Soquar also serves with GirlsLearn International, the Capital Area FoodBank and Habitat for Humanity.Sean Doyle, senior at James Madi-son High School

A member of Madison’s Amnesty Inter-national Club Doyle is coordinating activ-ism with others on such issues as abolish-ing the death penalty, reducing gun violenceand police brutality, and convincing theVienna Town Council to make Vienna a “IWelcome Refugees” town.Aidan Kemp, senior at George CMarshall High School

Kemp is the lead senior mentor for theMarshall Freshman Transition program anddoes community service work through St.Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean.Josh Leong and Sam Gollob, jun-iors at McLean High School

The two juniors created a 10-minute filmdocumenting the struggles of HermanWainggai, a human rights advocate fromWest Papua who escape political imprison-ment by taking a boat to Australia. “HermanWainggai: A Hidden Genocide” premieredat the Garifuna Indigenous Film Festival inLos Angeles in April, 2016.Yosaph Boku, senior at Mount

PeaceAwardsPresented

Vernon High SchoolBoku helped create a program that

teaches disadvantaged youth and adults inhis community computer skills. The senioralso gives groups of counselors feedback,suggestions for encouraging more minor-ity students to take advantage of advancedcourses.Roza Al Barznji, senior at Moun-tain View Alternative High School

Al Barznji came to the United States threeyears ago as a refugee from Northern Iraq,and works to help her classmates under-stand her Kurdish heritage using photogra-phy. She’s also published seven stories abouther own journey becoming a Kurdish Ameri-can, the people of Syria and refugees inAmerican communities, as well as made adocumentary about American Thanksgivingtraditions.Members of Blossoming Beautiesat Quander Road School

Young women in the Blossoming Beau-ties program work on both becoming morewell-rounded and confident, as well as car-

rying out school and community projectstogether. In 2016, the group raised moneyfor Bethany House shelter for female vic-tims of domestic abuse; they’ve also alsoproduced fleece blankets for New HopeHousing and their mission to endhomelessness. In 2017, Blossoming Beau-ties is collaborating with A Space of HerOwn to target and support fifth grade girlsavoiding delinquency.Narjes Bencheikh, senior at SouthCounty High School

The South County senior helped co-founda Muslim Student Association and Interna-tional Club at her school. The 50-personMuslim Student Association carries out role-playing exercises and discusses issues en-countered in the community.Emily Lockwood, senior at SouthLakes High School

Lockwood mentors freshmentransitioning to high school and coachestrack for children with special needs. For aschool assignment, she worked with theInstitute of Peace in Washington, D.C., to

find primary and secondary sources look-ing at improving state and societal relationsin Myanmar (Burma).Maiss Mohamed and DeemaAlharthi, juniors at JEB Stuart HighSchool

The Stuart juniors revitalized theirschool’s Model United Nations Club andhave become active with Students in Train-ing for Advocacy and Responsibility. Theyalso participate in Key Club, Girls Up andInteract, and volunteer with groups includ-ing the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organi-zation.Members of TJ Minds Matter,Thomas Jefferson High School forScience and Technology

The student-led group offers support forhandling stress and disappointment, andprovides resources for learning how to en-gage with someone in a crisis and non-cri-sis situation. TJ Minds Matter hosted aMental Wellness Week in January this year,including days dedicated to random acts ofkindness and stomping out stigma (sur-rounding mental illness).Students with Combatting Intoler-ance at West Potomac High School

The Fairfax County class Combatting In-tolerance was created in 2015 — WestPotomac teacher Robert Kerr molds the cur-riculum around social justice topics, racism,sexism, welcoming immigrant and refugeestudents, and advocating for the rights oflesbian, gay, transgender and asexual stu-dents, staff and other people in the com-munity. The 22-member class raises moneyto support small local non-profits and spon-sored a school-wide Diversity Week.Rodney Wrice, senior, and AudreyWever, junior, West SpringfieldHigh School

Friends Wrice and Wever started a kindnesscampaign using candy bars and sticky notesto encourage positive messaging around thetime of the 2016 Presidential election.

The Student Peace Awards are offered in all Fairfax County public high schools and some private schools.Schools choose their winners based on their work to promote peace as well as prevent causes of violence:poverty, discrimination and injustice. This year’s awards were given out March 12 at the Stacy SherwoodCommunity Center in Fairfax.

South Lakes senior Emily Lockwood mentors freshmen transitioning tohigh school and coaches track for children with special needs.

Pho

to

s by Tim

Peterso

n/T

he C

on

nectio

n


Introducing to Great Falls, its newest therapeutic spa…

Massage Special: $49/hr.

Conveniently locate at the intersection of Walker Rd. and Georgetown Pike

731-D2 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066

Open: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

OFFERING SKIN CARE AND THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE TREATMENTS

FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL:

(703) 438-8688

Vi sit us on the Web at:

www.PureSpaGreat Falls.com

Gladly Accepting VISA, MasterCard, and American Express

A 71-year-old GreatFalls woman was bittenmultiple times by a rabidfox on Tuesday, March 7.

She was taken to thehospital with serious inju-ries that were not life-threatening, according tothe Fairfax County PoliceDepartment.

The woman was walk-ing in the 600 block of AdHoc Road in Great Fallsaround 3 p.m. when thefox approached her frombehind and bit her mul-tiple times in the lowerbody. She turned to fightthe fox off and was bittena few more times beforeshe went to a nearbyneighbor’s home andcalled police.

Approximately one hour

Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department

Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department AnimalServices Division euthanized the fox and took it to the HealthDepartment for rabies testing, which came back positive, ac-cording to police.

Rabid Fox Attacks in Great Falls

News

later, officers from the FCPD Animal Services Divi-sion received another call about a fox attacking acat in the 400 block of Chesapeake Drive, about threemiles from Ad Hoc Road.

Officers believe the same fox was involved in bothincidents.

The cat’s owner, a 54-year-old woman, kicked thefox away from her cat. She and her husband thentrapped the fox and held it until officers arrived. The

cat’s owners were unharmed, but the cat remains inquarantine, according to police.

Officers euthanized the fox and took it to the HealthDepartment for rabies testing, which came back posi-tive, according to police.

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from thesaliva of infected animals. Virginia law requires alldogs and cats more than 4 months old to be vacci-nated for rabies.


Opinion

By U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) and

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11)

Republicans hold control of all threebranches of government, and therefore have a responsibility to leadthe civil service that employs mil-

lions of Americans, and every American reliesupon for myriad services. The overwhelmingmajority of federal workers are hardworkingpeople who devote themselves to public ser-vice. They secure borders, keep food safe, ad-vance scientific and medical research, deliverour mail, and provide care to many of us, in-cluding our veterans.

Republican leaders have repaid this servicewith repeated attacks.

In 2013, they shut down the government asa political stunt, and came hours away fromdoing it again in 2015 at the Department ofHomeland Security. They enacted the BudgetControl Act, which ultimately led to Seques-tration, cutting the budget of every federalagency with the surgical precision of a meat-ax.

But since Republicans acquired total controlover government, their treatment of federalworkers has been beyond the pale.

On the first day of the new Congress, HouseRepublicans passed a rules package over ourloud objections containing a reinstatement ofthe Holman Rule, which would potentially al-low Congress to engage in political retributionagainst federal workers by reducing any givenemployee’s salary to $1. Only three Republi-cans opposed the measure on the floor, nonefrom Virginia or Maryland.

The Holman Rule was especially troublingin light of the new administration’s so-called“enemies list” of employees who had worked

on specific policy areas for the Obama Admin-istration, such as climate policy.

As one of his first actions, President Trumpannounced a hiring freeze for federal work-ers. This is terrible policy and a mindless ap-proach to management that dodges hard deci-sions.

The Government Accountability Office stud-ied past hiring freezes and found them “noteffective.” The government is more likely torely on overtime and contract work, which of-ten costs taxpayers more. Meanwhile, tens ofthousands of Americans have total uncertaintyin their professional lives. Agencies are unableto make efficient, long term plans, driving upcosts and hurting morale. Over time, Ameri-cans trying to manage social security benefits,travel in airports, or secure healthcare will seethe impact of this freeze when benefits are notmailed or airport security lines move muchmore slowly.

Two other classes of citizen are hit particu-larly hard: people with disabilities and veter-ans.

In 2015, due to Obama Administration ini-tiatives, 19 percent of the federalgovernment’s new hires were people with dis-abilities. The federal government has hired

109,000 people with disabilities in the pastfive years.

Veterans stand to be among those hardesthit by the hiring freeze. The Veterans Admin-istration is one of the largest federal employ-ers, but is also significantly understaffed. De-livering the care promised to those who servedin the armed forces depends on having effec-tive staff to deliver that care.

Over 30 percent of the civilian federalworkforce is made up of veterans, a numberwhich has grown consistently as agencies pri-oritized hiring vets. Many of the positions heldvacant by the hiring freeze would have goneto vets, and the progress we have made onveteran unemployment will be halted.

Contrary to this administration’s claims, thefederal workforce is dwindling as a share ofthe population. And 85 percent of federal work-ers are located outside the beltway. It is alsoaging, and over a third of the current feds willbe eligible for retirement by September. Fed-eral workers have been treated as a piggy bankby Congress for years now, their pay raisesdelayed or denied, they’ve been furloughed andhad their benefits cut. Now their morale is hitby politicians who make them a politicalpunching bag. A bill just proposed in Congresswould make all federal workers “at-will” em-ployees, exposing them to political retributionand punishment by a hostile administrationwithout recourse.

The federal workforce is not, as Mr. Trumphas said, a “swamp.” It is a group of commit-ted Americans who serve us, and they deservebetter from Congress. The Republican Party hastotal control over the levers of government.Will any of its leaders have the decency or thecourage to fight for the civil service whichserves us all?

Stop Bullying Federal Workers

ConnollyBeyer

Who PaysTaxes?To the Editor:

It is tax time again and one’sthoughts turn to the question ofjust who in America is paying thetaxes that keep our country run-ning. Who pays the expenses forthe White House and the Presi-dent as well as the security pro-tection for him and his familyhere and on their worldwidetrips? Who pays the salaries andbenefits of our elected officialsand their staffs? Who pays forour schools and libraries and forour roads and infrastructure?Who pays for police and fire pro-tection? Who pays for govern-ment agencies and for our mili-tary and our veterans? Who paysfor wars and walls and prisons?Who pays for public transporta-tion? Who pays to help stateswhen a natural disaster occurs?Who pays profitable businessesto move to our city, county or

Letters to the Editor

Preparing to combat that timeof year when, according to theNational Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), nearlyone-third of all U.S. traffic deathsare caused by drunk drivers, freeLyft rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout theWashington-metropolitan areanext Friday, March 17, 2017 (St.Patrick’s Day).

Offered by the nonprofit Wash-ington Regional Alcohol Program(WRAP), the 2017 St. Patty’s DaySoberRide program will be in op-eration beginning at 4 p.m. on Fri-day, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day)and continue until 4 a.m. on Sat-urday, March 18 as a way to keeplocal roads safe from impaired

drivers during this traditionallyhigh-risk holiday.

During this 12-hour period, arearesidents celebrating with alcoholmay download Lyft to theirphones, then enter the codeSOBERRIDE in the app’s ‘Promo’section to receive their no cost (upto $ 20) safe transportation home.The SoberRide code is valid fornew and existing Lyft users.

Last year, 250 persons in theWashington-metropolitan areaused WRAP’s St. Patrick’s DaySoberRide program rather thanpossibly driving home impaired.The charity also offers itsSoberRide program on Cinco deMayo, Independence Day, Hallow-een and the winter holidays this

Free St. Patrick’s Day Lyft Rides Offered in Areayear starting on Dec. 15, 2017 andoperating through and includingNew Year’s Eve.

Lyft will provide SoberRide tripsthroughout the Washington-met-ropolitan area to local residentsage 21 and older who otherwisemay have attempted to drive homeafter drinking.

SoberRide is offered throughoutLyft’s Washington, D.C. coveragearea which includes all or parts of:the District of Columbia; the Mary-land counties of Montgomery andPrince George’s; and the NorthernVirginia counties of Arlington,Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William.

More information about WRAP’sSoberRide initiative can be foundat www.soberride.com.

state or to stop them from leav-ing? The list goes on and on andon.

Big business tries to pay as littletax as possible with the help ofloopholes or a move to another

country or both. Rich people, withthe help of tax laws, hire accoun-tants and lawyers to help them payas little tax as possible in this lifeand even when they’re dead. Heck,even our President pays no taxes

and is very proud of that fact.So, who is left to pay? The

people who can least afford it!

Rebecca HorahanMcLean

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Fallon ForbushReporter

[email protected]

Mike SalmonEditorial Assistant

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Salome Howard-GaiblerDisplay Advertising

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

Great Falls


The PGA will be hosting the2017 KitchenAid Senior PGAChampionship at Trump NationalGolf Course in Potomac Falls, Va.from May 23-28, 2017. GFCA hasmet with representatives of thePGA, and has arranged a publicTown Hall meeting to give GreatFalls residents an opportunity tolearn about the event’s impact onGreat Falls, ask questions, and pro-vide input to the organizers of theevent and to Fairfax County offi-cials. This meeting will be held onMarch 20, 7:30 p.m., at the GreatFalls Library. GFCA members, resi-dents near Trump National, andthe general Great Falls public arewelcome.

Many citizens are concernedabout the potential impact of thisevent on residents of westernGreat Falls, especially along Sen-eca Road. Here are some details:

❖ The tournament will be heldMemorial Day weekend.

❖ 50,000+ spectators are ex-pected, with perhaps 12-14,000 onthe busiest day.

❖ Official hotels for the eventare in Reston, and most parkingfor the event will be at Dulles Air-port and One Loudoun (Route 7in Loudoun County). Access to thegolf course by private vehicles andcab will be via Algonquian Park-way and Lowes Island Blvd.

❖ There is a proposal for spec-tator buses to be routed from theoff-site parking areas to the Clubin a loop. Inbound buses to thecourse would be routed north onSeneca Road in Great Falls, andthen outbound from the Golf Clubon Lowes Island Blvd. This wouldput buses running (at peak times)perhaps every 15 minutes north-bound on Seneca Road; at non-peak times they would run 1-2 perhour; buses would operate from 5a.m. through early evening.

❖ For security and traffic con-trol, Seneca Regional Park may beclosed during the event. Non-resi-dent traffic northbound on Senecawould probably be stopped at anappropriate point (e.g. Beach MillRoad) to avoid the congestion ofturnarounds at the end of Senecanear the Golf Club. GFCA was as-sured that this routing would onlybe for spectator buses, and not forshuttles or any other “official”event traffic.

Residents of Seneca are con-cerned about the impact on trafficand access to/from their homes.Other citizens have expressed con-cerns about possible restrictions atSeneca Regional Park.

Visit gfca.org for more.

Discuss GolfTournamentImpact on Area

Community


Fairfax County Departmentof Transportation

Walkway Improvement ProjectGeorgetown Pike Walkway Project (Route 193)

Phases III & IVFalls Chase Court to Seneca Road

Fairfax County, Virginia

Citizens’ Information MeetingWednesday, March 22, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

(Formal presentation at 7:30)Great Falls Library

9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia

Project Description:In January of 2001, the Board of Supervisors entered into anagreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) toconstruct a pedestrian walkway along the north side of GeorgetownPike from River Bend Road westward to Seneca Road, a distance ofapproximately 4.2 miles. Phase I, located in the Village Center andPhase II, between Utterback Store Road and Falls Chase Court, havebeen completed.

Phase III will complete a 250’ long section between Falls ChaseCourt and Falls Bridge Lane. This segment of the trail is the recipientof federal funds.Because of the federal funding, and because Georgetown Pike itselfis listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this segment of thetrail must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic PreservationAct. In addition to presenting design features, FCDOT is activelysoliciting comments regarding what effect, if any, the proposedtrail is likely to have on historic resources in the vicinity.

Phase IV will complete a 1200’ long section between Falls BridgeLane and Seneca Road. Local funds are utilized for this project.Design elements of the trail will be discussed at this meeting.

When these two phases are completed, the trail will be continuousfrom Falls Chase Court to Seneca Road, a distance of approximately0.4 miles.

Review the proposed project plans at the Citizens’ InformationMeeting, or at FCDOT’s office at 4050 Legato Road, 4th Floor, Fairfax,Virginia, 22033. Please call 703-877-5600 to ensure the availability ofpersonnel to answer your questions.

Provide your written comments at the meeting or submit themby April 14, 2017 to Mr. Douglas Miller, Fairfax County Department ofTransportation, at 4050 Legato Road, Fairfax Virginia, 22033. You mayalso e-mail your comments to [email protected] order to be considered, the comments for Phase III and Phase IVmust be made separately. These comments can be on the samecomment sheet, but it should be clearly stated which phase of theproject the comment refers to.Fairfax County ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activitiesin accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.For information call (703) 877-5600.

FCDOT Project No. 1400130-2013 (PH III)FCDOT Project No. 2G40-088-036 (PH IV).

VDOT Project No. 0193-029-123 UPC #60337 (PH III)

Kyle Knight Ins Agcy IncKyle Knight, Agent11736 Bowman Green DriveReston, VA 20190

ACROSS FROM RESTON TOWN CENTERWWW.KYLEKNIGHT.ORG703-435-2300

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

When Linda Gulyn’s sonreached high school ageand asked to quit hisclarinet lessons, the Ar-

lington mother of four declined his re-quest.

“My son Timmy is an excellent clari-net player. The philosophy I’ve estab-lished in my house is that music is partof your overall education like scienceor math, so you can’t just quit,” saidGulyn, saxophonist, former musicteacher and professor of psychology atMarymount University.

During the month of March, which isdesignated at Music in our SchoolsMonth, educators highlight the benefitsof quality music education programs.Part of a music education is practice,encouraging that in children can bedaunting for some parents.

For children who play a musical instrument, regu-lar practice is not only a path toward proficiency, ithelps establish discipline that is useful in other ar-eas of one life’s. This habit, however, must be estab-lished purposefully says John Kilkenny, assistant pro-fessor of music at George Mason University. “Treatpractice time like a part of child’s daily routine,” hesaid. “They have to have a consistent time for prac-tice. For example, they come home from school eachday, have a snack and practice for30 minutes.”

One key to keeping childrenmotivated to practice is settinggoals, be they long-term or for thecurrent practice session. “Goal-oriented practice for youngerkids, like a recital to work toward,for example is a good motivator,”said Kilkenny. “The biggest thingis consistency, practicing at ornear the same time every day justlike everything else they do sothat it becomes part of their rou-tine.”

For practice sessions to be effec-tive, they must be organized andpurposeful. This is another areawhere goal setting can be usefulsays, Ann McCoy, who teaches pi-ano and violin in her Bethesda,Md. home. “Maybe a goal for achild who is working on a particu-larly difficult piece of music couldbe to spend their practice time perfecting three orfour measures,” she said. “Rather than focusing onpracticing for a set amount of time, they could prac-tice until the can play the three measures perfectlyand then they’re finished for the day. That is moreeffective than saying sitting for 30 minutes withoutaccomplishing something specific.”

Adding a light-hearted element to practice, whichcan be seen by some children as laborious, also en-

courages students to practice. “There should be somesense that playing the instrument is supposed to befun and students should … have some flexibility be-yond a rigid experiences,” said Kilkenny. “It shouldn’tfeel like it’s a negative experience.”

For parents who have trouble getting a child tostart a practice session, McCoy recommends tryingdifferent times of the day. “For example, I had onemother who had screaming matches with her chil-

dren to get them to practice af-ter they’d finished their home-work in the evening,” she said.“She changed their practicetime to the mornings afterbreakfast, but before they leftfor school. That made a hugedifference in their willingness topractice because they wererested and in a better mood.”

Parents should be realisticabout their child’s temperamentand musical talent said Gulyn.“A child is only going to enjoyplaying an instrument if they’regood at it and parents have tobe realistic about that,” saidGulyn. “Music isn’t easy for ev-eryone.”

Choosing a teacher who is agood fit for one’s child can havean effect on their desire to prac-tice.

“Ask around for recommenda-tions, but find a teacher who inspires their students,”said Gulyn.

“It’s important to make sure the teacher is some-body who is credentialed and has degrees in musicand also that they’re continuing to be engaged pro-fessionally as teachers and performers,” addedKilkenny. “Usually in terms of choosing a teacher,parents and children should have an opportunity totry a sample private lesson.”

Local educators share strategies forgetting children to practice music.

Practice Makes Perfect

Twelve-year-old ChristopherGulyn prepares for an audi-tion with the Arlington JuniorHonors Orchestra.

Photos courtesy of Linda Gulyn

Fifteen-year-old Timothy Gulyn plays Christmasmusic with fellow clarinetists. His teacher bringstogether all her clarinet students to perform witheach other several times a year.


Select yourproducts from

our MobileShowroomand Design

CenterFully Insured &

Class A LicensedSince 1999

Free Estimates703-999-2928

From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee

Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com

Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel

TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

Attorney/Accountant,Former IRS Attorney

Admitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars

All Types of Federal, State,Local & Foreign Taxes

Individual • BusinessTrusts • Estates • Wills

Amended & Late ReturnsBack Taxes • IRS Audits

• Civil LitigationBusiness Law • Contracts

Robert Beatson II

703-798-3590 or301-340-2951

www.beatsonlaw.com


• Non-SurgicalBody Contouring

• Cellulite Reduction

• Wrinkle Reduction

• CircumferencialReduction

• Skin Tightening

• Stretch MarkReduction

Patients Love DermaPen!

BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER

• Minimal Downtime • Minimal Discomfort• Affordable • Safe for All Skin Types• Acne Scars, Photoaging, Fine Lines, Stretch Marks

BEFORE AFTER

By Appointment Only Mon-Sat: 9 am-7 pm

Look Your Best All Year Round

Other Services:Facial, Chemical Peels, Massage, MicroPen,

Venus Freeze, Venus Legacy, B-12 Shots,Kybella, Sclerotherapy, Whitening,

Invisalign, Botox and Fillers FREEZE TIMEREVERSE AGING

BEFORE AFTER

Cannot be combined with any other offers.Expires 3/30/17

$400 OFF$400 OFF

ThroughThermal Magnetic

Rejuvenation for Face,Neck and Body

VenusLegacy

Treatment

(New Customer)

VenusLegacy

Treatment

(New Customer)

News

See Fairfax Falcons, Page 11

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

A fierce competition was unfolding on the bas-ketball court last Saturday morning. Nosneaker squeaks were heard. Instead, the

clanks of colliding metal echoed throughout theJames Lee Community Center gymnasium.

The Fairfax Falcons were using the Falls Churchgymnasium to practice for the biggest event of theteam’s year: The 2017 National Wheelchair Basket-ball Tournament in Louisville, Ky., from March 30 toApril 2.

Kids from every corner of northern Virginia andinto Maryland come to play for the team, which isthe only wheelchair basketball team between Rich-mond and Baltimore.

“It’s more physical than people realize and it’s justas competitive,” said Lisa Rode, one of the team’sfour coaches, including her husband Eric, who playedon the team when he was a kid.

The wheelchair is considered part of the player’sbody and the games are often hard-hitting, even tothe point where players tip over and fall out of theirchairs. The rest is like able-bodied basketball.

A wheelchair basketball player may wheel the chairand bounce the ball simultaneously If the ball ispicked up and/or placed on the player’s lap, he orshe is only allowed to push twice before they areobligated to shoot, pass, or dribble the ball again.However, there is no double dribble rule in wheel-chair basketball. A traveling violation occurs if theplayer takes more than two pushes while in posses-

sion of the ball without dribbling.

THE FALCONS have three levels of play:❖ Novice: Children 8 and under learn chair skills

and ball handling fundamentals❖ Prep: Children 13 and under play with an 8.5-

foot hoop and 27.5-inch ball❖ Varsity: High school seniors and under play with

a 10-foot hoop and a regulation-sized ballThe Falcons’ Prep team is ranked No. 1 in the na-

tion among National Wheelchair Basketball Associa-tion teams. Its Varsity team ranks No. 16.

The top 16 ranked NWBA teams in both varsityand prep were invited to play in the Varsity and PrepNational Championships in the Junior Division of thetournament.

“It’s the only place my son is the majority becausehe’s in a wheelchair,” said Amy Watson of Lorton.“It’s about so much more than basketball.”

Jake Watson, 18, is the only student who relies ona wheelchair at South County High School in Lorton.He has been a Falcon for the past four years.

The first time Jake saw the sport being played wasduring a Tampa Bay Strong Dogs game in Florida.The adult team was on the court and it made himnervous.

“It was the scariest thing I’ve seen in my life,” Jakesaid. “They gym was full of burning metal, rubberand sweat.”

He joined the team’s youth league and fell in lovewith the sport. When the Watsons had to move to

Fairfax Falcons Championship Bound


News

From Page 10

northern Virginia, finding a wheelchairbasketball team was top priority.

“When we moved here, that was the mostimportant thing,” said Amy Watson, whosefamily searched and found the Fairfax Fal-cons before they looked for a house.

“It’s a sport that I can do from the chair,”Jake said. “It’s a connection with others likeme.”

There is a connection among athletes’parents as well, who can relate to what it’slike to live or care for someone facing com-plications from a disability. This can meantalking about surgeries that many of theathletes face off the court, Amy Watson said.

“For parents, it’s therapy,” she said in be-tween cheering from her seat on the bleach-ers as the team scrimmages.

Any child with a permanent, lower-ex-tremity disability can play for the team, evenif they are capable of walking.

“The most common misconception is thatyou don’t have to be in a chair all of thetime to play,” Rode said. “It’s for kids whocannot play on an able-bodied team.”

The team is supported by the Therapeu-tic Recreation Services branch of the FairfaxCounty Department of Neighborhood andCommunity Services that is dedicated tohelping people with disabilities participatein recreation and leisure programs.

While this provides free access to countyfacilities for games and practices, the teamis run by four volunteer coaches: Lisa Rode,Eric Rode, Danny Malloy and Melissa Buck-les.

These coaches are making sure they cansend both of their teams to the tournament,which includes fundraising to make thecosts less burdensome.

“It costs $2,000 for each wheelchair andthe club pays for that,” Rode said.

FOR THE TOURNAMENT, the teampaid $1,000 in registration costs and travelexpenses will be funded entirely by parents.

The team started a “Falcons WheelchairBasketball” fundraiser on GoFundMe, anonline social fundraising platform at

www.gofundme.com. It has raised morethan $4,600 of its $10,000 goal so far.

The Adult Division of the tournament willfeature the best players in the world, Rodesaid.

“For our kids to see them play, they lookup to them,” she said.

This will be the third time the prep teamhas competed and the second time the var-sity team has competed in the tournament,but this year holds a special meaning forthe players who are dedicating their com-petition to their teammate Alex Green whodied of cancer last summer at age 12.

“It hit the kids really hard,” Rode said.“The last time they played with him was atnationals.”

The yellow shirts the team will be wear-ing are a tribute to Alex’s Army, a childhoodcancer foundation run by his parents, Jenniand Derek Green.

“We’re really fighting for him,” she said.

Eric Rode, a volunteer coach andFairfax Falcon alumnus, watchesthe ball to see if one of his playersmade their shot during a scrim-mage.

Kidus Ali maneuvers around teammates as he dribbles the ball towardsthe basket.

Pho

to

s by Fallo

n Fo

rbush

/T

he C

on

nectio

n


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA450 ORCHARD STREET, NW

VIENNA, VA 22180703-938-8525

email: [email protected]

SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 10:00 AMCHRISTIAN LEARNING ACADEMY (SUN.) 9:00AM-9:45AM

MIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM

Visit These Houses of WorshipTo Highlight Your Faith Community,

call Karen at 703-917-6468

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7

10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service

The Rev. John C. N. Hall, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran

703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org

1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston

Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive

Send announcements toconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.Deadline is Friday at noon for thefollowing week’s paper. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOINGStuff-a-Bus Food Drive. Through

April 15, various times at Christ theKing Lutheran Church, 10550Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. A fooddrive for non-perishable items tosupport Arlington Food AssistanceCenter. There will be drop off boxesfor donations of non-perishable foodthroughout the church. Then, onApril 1, look for the school busparked in front of the church. Call703-759-6068.

Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. St. Luke’sCatholic School Gymnasium, 7005Georgetown Pike, McLean. WeeklyTai Chi practice. Group has met forover 20 years. Free. FreeTaiChi.org.703-759-9141.

Fishing Rod Rentals 8700 PotomacHills St., Great Falls. Rentalsavailable during visitor center hours.Fishing tackle and live bait areavailable for purchase. Reservationsrequired for group rentals. $6/rental(2 hour max). Valid driver’s licenserequired. Rod/reel combinations areperfect for beginners and children. AVirginia or Maryland freshwaterfishing license is required for those16 years or older. The park does notsell fishing licenses.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/

FRIDAY/MARCH 17Children’s St. Paddy’s Party. 7-9

p.m. at the Old Firehouse, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Music,dancing, games, free catered food,videos and various attractions, 5thand 6th graders only. $35/$25McLean District residents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 703-448-8336 for more.

MARCH 18-19Sponsors Work Day. 9 a.m.-noon at

The Claude Moore Colonial Farm,6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean.McLean Trees Foundation needsvolunteers to help edge, mulch, andprune 30 trees along Chain BridgeRoad at Lewinsville Park, lunchprovided. Email [email protected] orvisit www.1771.org for more.

McLean Youth Production. 3 p.m. atthe Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain BridgeRoad, McLean. “The Stinky CheeseMan and Other Fairly Stupid Tales”adaptations. $15/$10 McLean districtresidents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 703-448-8336 for more.

SUNDAY/MARCH 19The National Brass Quintet. 3 p.m.

at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715Georgetown Pike McLean. Works byHandel, Bach, Bozza, McKee,Bernstein, Barnes and a special multi-media tribute to veterans. Visitwww.stjohnsmclean.org/ for more.

Opening Reception. 3-5 p.m. atArtSpace Herndon, the Art Galleryand Performance Space, 750 CenterStreet, Herndon. There’s No PlaceLike Home exhibit by members of theGreat Falls Studios, on display March14,–April 8. VisitArtSpaceHerndon.com for more.

Uppity Women. 3 p.m. at ChapelAuditorium, Madeira School, 8328Georgetown Pike, McLean. TravelingPlayers Ensemble celebrates strongand difficult women with its “UppityWomen Festival,” a double bill of“The Wizard of Oz,” and “TheTaming of the Shrew.” Visit visitwww.travelingplayers.org or call703-987-1712 for more.

TUESDAY/MARCH 21Meet the Author. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at

Calendar

Great Falls United Methodist Church,10100 Georgetown Pike. Laura M.Elliott, local author, is the guestspeaker. Call 703-759-3705 for more.

Italian Renaissance Art. 5 p.m. atDante’s Ristorante, 1148 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Dr. Gianni Cicaliwill speak on the topic will be “TheInfluence of the Legend of the Crosson Italian Renaissance Art”. RSVP toDeeda Calderazzo at 703-759-4605by March 16.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 22Groundbreaking Ceremony. 10 a.m.

at the McLean Community Center,1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.celebrate the start of the $8 millionrenovation of its Ingleside Avenuefacility. A reception will follow theceremony in the Center’s CommunityHall. Contact Sabrina Anwah [email protected] or703-744-9363 for more.

FRIDAY/MARCH 24Atomic Trampoline & Movie. 8

a.m.-6 p.m. at the Old Firehouse,1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Bounce on 40 interconnectingtrampolines and foam pits and thensee a PG or PG-13 movie. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 703-448-8336 for more.

McLean Art Society. 10 a.m.-noon atDolly Madison Library, 1244 OakRidge Ave. Joyce McCarten, a painterof abstract oils, will be the featuredpresenter. Call 703-356-9770 formore.

SpiritMind and Drum Circle. 7-9p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Join this mind-body-heart-spirit experience andgathering where participants areguided in co-creating a sacred spacethrough chanting, singing,meditating, and drumming. $20. VisitUnityoffairfax.org or call 703-281-1767 for more.

SATURDAY/MARCH 25Hosting a Bee Hive. 10-11 a.m. at

Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Learn about theselocal pollinators and the role they

play. Ages 6 and up. $8. Call 703-759-9018 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/.

Amadeus Benefit Concert andAuction. 4 p.m. at St. FrancisEpiscopal Church, 9220 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Visitwww.stfrancisgreatfalls.org/ formore.

Christian Band. 7 p.m. at SmithChapel, 11318 Beach Mill Road,Great Falls. Join Pastor Dave and theSmith Chapel family for an eveningof music and fellowship withneighbors and friends. [email protected] for more.

MONDAY/MARCH 27Ayr Hill Garden Club. 12:45 p.m. at

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589Chain Bridge Road, Vienna. Topic:“Getting to Know Your Fellow AyrHill Garden Club Members ThroughTheir Love of Plants.” Visitwww.viennava.gov/resourcedirectoryfor more.

GOP Committee Fundraiser. 7 p.m.at Nouvelle, 7911 West Park Drive,Tysons. 11th Congressional DistrictGOP Committee Fundraiser with EricCantor. Visit www.vagop11.org/ formore.

TUESDAY/MARCH 28Writer’s Panel. 7:30-9 p.m. at the

Patrick Henry Library, 101 MapleAve. E., Vienna. Sisters in Crime:Local Mystery Writers’ Panel. Visitfairfaxcounty.gov/library or call 703-938-0405 for more.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 29Historic Vienna Membership

Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at Vienna TownHall, 127 Center St. S., Vienna.Features of the meeting will bepresentation of the Annual HeritagePreservation Award and the telling ofa Civil War Love Story. call 703-994-9054 or visit https://www.viennava.gov/.

Photo contributed

On Thursday, April 13, the Shephard’s Center is having anopen house to highlight the Adventures in Learningseries, 10 a.m.-noon at Oakton-Vienna. 541 Marshall RoadSW, Vienna. Using laughter and entertainment in learn-ing. Visit www.scov.org or contact the office at 703-281-0538, [email protected].


By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

The Great Falls Garden Club and theCelebrate Great Falls Foundationare working to beautify the

streetscape at the Village Center at WalkerRoad.

The organizations will be planting 14trees along both sides of Walker Road, fromGeorgetown Pike to the edge of the com-mercial district.

“Our town center has lost a lot of trees,so that’s really changing the appearance oftown,” said Candace Campbell, a gardenclub member and past president.

One of the massive oak trees located nearthe intersection of Georgetown Pike andWalker Road fell in the summer of 2012,killing Albert Carl Roeth III while he wasdriving. The tree was more than 100 yearsold and was showing signs of aging.

Three other oak trees along the roadwaywere removed following the incident as aprecaution, according to Campbell.

Another oak tree did not survive the pe-destrian safety and traffic flow improve-ments to the roadway that the Virginia De-partment of Transportation constructed.

The process of bringing trees back to thearea has been more complicated than thegarden club would have ever guessed.

“It’s taken us like 15 or 16 months to getall of our ducks in order,” Campbell said.“There’s a lot of balls in the air. It’s reallyamazing. You would think, ‘Ah, so simple.Just plant some trees down Walker Road.’But, it’s not simple.”

THE GARDEN CLUB met with FairfaxCounty and Dranesville District arborists todetermine which trees would fare well inthe area.

“They knew information about bugs anddiseases so that we didn’t pick trees that

would succumb to something that we didn’tknow about five years from now,” she said.

The trees the group selected to plant aresourwood, American plum, fringe, downyserviceberry and American hornbeam —which are all native to the area.

“There’s been a big push to use nativetrees, shrubs and flowers because it’s bet-ter for wildlife and the environment,”Campbell said. “The non-native stuff isbeautiful, but it’s not home or food for any-body. If you’re going to plant a tree, youmight as well plant a native.”

The garden club also made sure they re-ceived a permit and approval from VDOT,since it owns the land. However, plans mayhave to change as they work around utili-ties, which they forgot to consider.

The group arranged to plant hornbeams,which the United States Department of Ag-riculture said can grow up to 30 feet tall,near above-ground power lines.

“Now we’re investigating smaller treesthat would still fit all the other criteria andwould prevent Dominion from comingthrough and butchering them in five yearswhen they’re mature,” she said.

THE FINAL HURDLE is funding thestreetscape project to the amount of$20,000. About $6,000 will buy and plantthe trees; another $6,000 will be spent onmaintenance for the trees’ first year; andmore will be used as a contingency in casetrees need to be replaced or watering isneeded next summer, according toCampbell. “We need to water them to makesure they get established and so they don’tjust bake in July and August and die.”

The group hopes to start planting in Apriland is encouraging community members topitch in to support their work.

Information about donating atwww.celebrategreatfalls.org/great-falls-streetscape.

News

Photo courtesy of Candace Campbell

The initial plans call for planting sourwood, American plum, fringe,downy serviceberry and American hornbeam trees — which are allnative to the area. However, the hornbeam trees may need to be re-placed because they would grow too tall for power lines along WalkerRoad.

New Trees for Village Centerw

ww

.lost

doga

ndca

tres

cue.

org

Ado

pt/D

onat

e/Vo

lunt

eer

For a free digi-tal subscriptionto one or allof the 15ConnectionNewspapers,go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Be the first toknow – get yourpaper before ithits the press.

Complete digitalreplica of theprint edition,including photosand ads, deliv-ered weeklyto your e-mailbox.

Questions?E-mail:[email protected]


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/Oakton

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

Recessed LightingCeiling FansPhone/CATVComputer Network CablingService UpgradesHot Tubs, etc…

Office 703-335-0654Mobile 703-499-0522

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

[email protected]

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

PINNACLE SERVICESlic/ins 703-802-0483 free est.email [email protected]: lawnsandgutters.comFriendly Service with a Friendly Price!

GUTTER GUTTER

Quality Builds Trust(703) 587-7762

www.mainstreet-home-improvement.com

Windows & Doors • Roofing • Gutters

Our Prices Are Tough to BeatOur Quality is Guaranteed!

IMPROVEMENTS

A&S Landscaping

703-863-7465LICENSED

Serving All of N. Virginia

• All Concrete work• Retaining Walls • Patios• Decks • Porches (incl. screened) • Erosion & Grading Solutions• French Drains • Sump Pumps• Driveway Asphalt Sealing

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

Power WashingGo from green to clean, do you have

mold on your siding rotten wood that’sa hoa voilation? We do houses, decks,fences, side walks, etc. Deck and fence

repair, deck staining and sealing.Licensed & Insured • Free Estimates

email: [email protected]

703-987-5096


Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,

Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, PaintingWe Accept All Major Credit Cards

Licensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A Lic

RN. CONTRACTORS, INC.

Phone: 703-887-3827E-mail: [email protected]

www.rncontractors.com


J.E.S. ServicesYour neighborhood company since 1987

703-912-6886

Landscaping & Construction

All work Guaranteed

• Planting & Landscaping Design• Drainage & Water Problems• Concrete Driveways, Replacement or New• Patios and Walks • Masonry Work or Dry Laid• Paver, Flagstone, Brick, any style you choose• Retaining walls of all types

Free Estimates - Fully Licensed & Insured

LAWN SERVICE LAWN SERVICE

GOLDY BRICKCONSTRUCTION

Walkways, Patios, Driveways,Flagstone, ConcreteFREE ESTIMATES

Licensed, Insured, Bonded

703-250-6231

PAVING PAVING

Partial or Full. Kit. Floors, Backsplashes.Specializing in Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass Tiles

and Natural Stones. Also repair work. 35 yrs exp.

BATHROOM REMODELING

703-250-2872Licensed • Bonded • Insured

www.brennan-tile.com

by Brennan Bath and Tile

TILE/MARBLE TILE/MARBLE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

25 years of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Summer Cleanup...Tree removal, topping & pruning,shrubbery trimming, mulching,leaf removal, planting, hauling,gutter cleaning, retaining walls,

drainage problems, etc.

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE LANDSCAPING

SOD, Mulch, Clean-UpLeaf Removal

Hauling.703-863-7465

A&S CONSTRUCTION

Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday 11 a.m.

703-778-9411


• McLean • Vienna/OaktonEmploymentEmployment

• NOW HIRING SEASONAL EMPLOYEES up to 6 Months!• WORK 30-40 HOURS DURING SEASON!• $10.00-$11.00 per hour PLUS OVERTIME• RETURNING SEASONAL BONUS!• REWARDING PHYSICAL WORK THAT WILL KEEP YOU IN SHAPE!

**EARN EXTRA INCOME**SEASONAL/PART-TIME

Northern VA, Garden Center Merchandiser

Apply Online at our Website:

www.bellnursery.com/careers/

Bell Nursery, a nationally recognized grower/ vendor is looking forhardworking people to stock our products at a garden center near you.

Looking to join Team Purple?Do you love nature, plant life, the outdoors

and beautiful blooming flowers?Your journey to becoming a part of our team starts here!

Be apart of our AMAZING team!

Perfect for students, retirees, teachers, or anyone else who is looking fora generous extra paycheck while working alongside a world class team!

We are hiring several seasonal positions.

It’s Never Too Early to schedule your pool opening for 2017

Call Jonathan Ruhe & Teamat Anthony & Sylvan Pools

Opening and Closing Packages(4th season free if booked before April 1)

Annual Pool Maintenance Contracts 10% OFF if booked by April.

703-803-7374 Ext. 3140

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

PLUMBING PLUMBING

Water HeatersSump PumpsFaucetsToiletsDrain CleaningWater Leaks

703-388-6601www.hightideplumbingofva.comherb@hightideplumbingofva.com

Residential & Commercial

IMPROVEMENTS

Find us on Facebookand become a fan!

www.Facebook.com/connectionnewspapers

www.connectionnewspapers.com


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411


• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

Novella Chism Bender, 97, was called Home byher Savior on March 2, 2017. A memorial service willbe held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00AM atMabel White Baptist Church, 1415 Bass Road,Macon, GA 31210. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to Mabel White (for Nigerian mission work).Novella was predeceased by her husband, WilliamBender. She served for thirty-one years as mission-ary to Nigeria after ministering with her husband inthe pastorate of Bon Air Baptist Church of Arlington.Her life of service was marked by her gifts of teach-ing, hospitality, and generosity.Novella is survived by her daughters, MarciHutchinson (Stan) of Macon, GA, and Angie Smith(Jim) of Seattle, WA; son, Phil Bender (Mary) ofLexington; eleven grandchildren, twenty-one greatgrandchildren; and three siblings.Sign guest book on-line at www.hartsmort.com.Hart’s Mortuary at the Cupola (Macon, GA) hascharge of arrangements.

Obituary

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 91’) on building at 2425 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (20170103). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments re-garding potential effects on historic properties.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE, PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.

Schefer Antiques703-241-0790

[email protected]

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

JENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed Up SlowComputers

➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup➣ Help with Windows 8 & 10

571-265-2038

HDICOMPUTER SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

21 AnnouncementsABC LICENSE

Sugar Factory PFC, LLC trad-ing as Sugar Factory (and Sugar Factory American

Brasserie), 1100 South Hayes Street, #H37, Arlington, VA

22202. The above establishment is

applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine

and Beer On; Mixed Beverage (seating capacity 151 seats or

more) license to sell or manufacture alcoholic

beverages, John L. Sullivan, ManagerNOTE: Objections to the

issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later

than 30 days from the publish-ing date of the first of two required newspaper legal

notices. Objections should be registered at

www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ABC LICENSETSKAAB, LLC trading as The Black Squirrel, 2670 I Avenir

Place, Vienna, VA 22180. The above establishment is apply-ing to the VIRGINIA DEPART-

MENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC)

for a Beer & Wine, On & Off Premises & Mixed Beverageslicense to sell or manufacture

alcoholic beverages. Thomas S. Knott, managing

memberNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be

submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing

date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be regis-tered at www.abc.virginia.gov

or 800-552-3200.

CLASSIFIED

NEWSPAPERS

For AllYour

AdvertisingNeeds…

It Works.Week

After Week.

703917-6400

PlaceYourAd

Today!

to your community

For Local…

•Employment•Employees•Services•Entertainment•Announcements•Real Estate•Cars•Trucks•Vans•RV’s•Boats•Pets•Yard Sales•Crafts•Hobbies•And More!

Please Check Kenneth B.

ColumnNext Week!

An expert is someone who knowssome of the

worst mistakesthat can bemade in his

subject and howto avoid them.

-WernerHeisenberg

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, visit connectionnews papers.com/Calendar/.The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday.

THURSDAY/MARCH 16Caregivers’ Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax(UUCF) - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Contact Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 or [email protected].

Fairfax County 2018 Budgets. 7:30 p.m. at theMcLean Community Center Community Hall,1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean. A conversationon Fairfax County and Fairfax County PublicSchools 2018 Budgets, with speakers includingJohn Foust, Dranesville District Supervisor andJoe Mondoro, CFO, Fairfax County. Visitmcleancitizens.org/ for more.

SATURDAY/MARCH 18Job Fair for Teens. 1-3 p.m. at Oakton High

School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. Localbusinesses and agencies will be on hand to offera range of opportunities including part-timejobs, internships, and volunteer work. Registerat www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/teenjobfair.htm.

TUESDAY/MARCH 21Tax Relief Workshops. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at

McLean Governmental Center, CommunityRoom, 1437 Balls Hills Road, McLean. Eachyear, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisorshosts a series of tax relief workshops. Real estatetax relief is available for older adults and peoplewith disabilities who meet certain qualifications;individuals may be eligible for car tax relief andtax relief for renters. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta or call 703-222-8234 (TTY 703-222-7594).

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 22Meal with a Message. 11:30 a.m. at the Juke

Box Diner, 46900 Community Plaza, Sterling.Dranesville Church of the Brethren sponsorsMeal with a Message is held the fourthWednesday of the month at a local restaurant.RSVP to Joy Trickett,[email protected] or MaryvonneBeavers, [email protected] or DranesvilleChurch of the Brethren, 703-430-7872.

You Can Afford College Workshop. 5:30-7:30p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave.E., Vienna. Virginia Society of CPAs offers acollege affordability workshop that covers topicssuch as savings plans, financial aid, grants,scholarships and loans. One-on-one counselingand additional resources will be available. Free.Contact David Bass at [email protected] or 804-612-9440 or visit www.vscpa.com/college.

Georgetown Pike Trail Community Meeting.7:-9 p.m. at Great Falls Library, Large MeetingRoom, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. TheFairfax County Department of Transportation(FCDOT) is holding a community meetingconcerning the Georgetown Pike Trail Phase IIIand Phase IV projects. There will be apresentation by County Staff at 7:30 p.m.,followed by a brief question and answer session.Public comments will be accepted through April14, 2017. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/georgetownpiketrail.htm.

TUESDAY/MARCH 28Tax Relief Workshops. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at

McLean Governmental Center, CommunityRoom, 1437 Balls Hills Road, McLean. Eachyear, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisorshosts a series of tax relief workshops. Real estatetax relief is available for older adults and peoplewith disabilities who meet certain qualifications;individuals may be eligible for car tax relief andtax relief for renters. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta or call 703-222-8234 (TTY 703-222-7594).

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 29Public Safety Preparedness Program. 7 p.m.

at American Legion McLean Post 270, 1355 BallsHill Road, McLean. Public Safety PreparednessProgram, co-sponsored by the Greater McLeanChamber, the McLean Citizens Association, theGreat Falls Citizens Association and the FairfaxCounty Federation of Citizens Associations. Visitwww.mcleanpost270.org for more.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDShepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-

Falls Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd.,McLean continues to have an urgent need fornew volunteers to help area senior citizens getto and from their medical and therapyappointments. To find out more about theShepherd’s Center and how you can volunteer toprovide transportation and other services, callthe Center at 703-506-2199 or e-mail the Centerat [email protected]. The Center’s website iswww.scmafc.org

THROUGHOUT MARCH 2017Free Public Service Seminars. March 1, 8, 15,

21, 29, at 7 p.m. on Selling Your Home, Aging inPlace, Downsizing, Retirement CommunitiesSeminars. Free public service seminars onSelling Your Home (March 1, McLean HighSchool, 1633 Davidson Rd., McLean), WorkingWith Builders (March 8, Falls Church HS, 7521Jaguar Trail, Falls Church), Financing YourRetirement (March 15, Marshall HS, 7731Leesburg Pike, Falls Church), Tax & EstatePlanning (March 21, Madison HS, 2500 JamesMadison Dr., Vienna), and Decluttering &Organizing (March 29, Oakton HS, 2900 SuttonRd., Vienna). For more information and seminarregistration go to RetireeRealEstate.org, or call703-772-3033.

ONGOINGMaster Gardener Training. The Fairfax County

Master Gardener Association offers plant clinics,home turf training or speakers for homeowner’smeetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.orgor call Dora Lockwood at 401-864-4778.

Passages DivorceCare If you are experiencingthe pain of separation or divorce, the caringcommunity at Vienna Presbyterian Churchinvites you to attend Passages DivorceCare. Thisprogram offers a path toward healing. The next15-week DivorceCare series will be heldTuesdays from 6:45 to 9 p.m. beginning on Feb.21. Vienna Presbyterian Church is located on thecorner of Maple Avenue (Rt. 123) and ParkStreet in Vienna. Cost to cover materials is $20,scholarships available. For more information orto register call 703-938-9050, go towww.viennapres.org, or send an email [email protected].

Are You A Caregiver? Shepherd’s Center ofOakton Vienna Caregivers’ SupportGroup takes place first & third Thursday ofeach month. February 2nd and 16th, 2017 from10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join us at theUnitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax(UUCF) - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRd, Oakton, VA. Contact facilitator, Jack Tarr,703-821-6838 [email protected].

Volunteers Needed. PRS is looking forempathetic and caring volunteers to make phonecalls to older adults who may be feeling sociallyisolated. The commitment is one 3-hour shift perweek for one year. Located in Arlington. Ages 21& up. Intensive training provided. Learn moreand apply: https://prsinc.org/carering-volunteering/. Questions? [email protected].

The Northern Virginia Long Term CareOmbudsman Program needs volunteeradvocates for residents in nursing homes andassisted living facilities. Contact Lisa Callahan at703-324-5861, TTY 711 or [email protected]. Also visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/.

Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive olderadults to medical appointments andwellness programs. For these and othervolunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutions.

Respite Care volunteers give family caregivers ofa frail older adult a well-deserved break so theycan go shopping, attend a doctor’s appointmentor just have coffee with a friend. Volunteers visitand oversee the safety of the older adult for afew hours each month. Support and training areprovided. Contact 703-324-7577, TTY 711, [email protected].

The Lewinsville Senior Center in McLeanneeds a Certified Arthritis ExerciseInstructor. For these and other volunteeropportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Bulletin Board


www. GreatFallsGreatHomes.comJan & Dan Laytham Dianne Van Volkenburg

Susan CanisAssociate Realtor

Sally MarvinAssociate Realtor

Jan & Dan LaythamDianne Van Volkenburg

Office: 703-757-32229841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 • 703-759-9190Justin Scango

Associate Realtor

Reston $1,275,000

Great Falls $899,000

Horse

Prope

rty

Great Falls $1,399,000




Just

List

ed



Reduc

ed

100K


Renov

ated




Just

List

ed


Pool &

Sport

Court

Pool &

3 Priv

ate Acre

s

12,0

00

Fin.

Sq.

Ft


Modern

Contem

porar

y


Resor

t

Livi

ngJust

Reduc

ed

great fallsconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2017/031517/great falls.pdf · fairfax, from anti-bullying to...

Documents