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SALT Holds Annual Advocacy ConferenceNews, Page 3

Trends in Gift GivingGift Guide, 1

If a Tree Falls on the Road …

News, Page 12

HolidayEntertainment

Page 9

This branch on Newington Road could pose a problem. All around Northern Virginia, there are probably dozens of situations like this, so it conjures the “what if,” question.

2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ November 16-22, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

THE NUTCRACKER

Saturday, November 18th at 2:00 & 6:00 p.m.& Sunday, November 19th at 1:00 & 5:00 p.m.

Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater • NVCC Annandale CampusAdults – $28 • Children/Seniors – $20

For organized groups (10+) andhandicapped seating, [email protected]

Come share in the magic of the holiday tradition!Featuring 3-year-old miniature dolls to professional

dancers courtesy of Colorado Ballet, this production willenchant all ages. Be mesmerized by a growing tree,

magic tricks, leaping mice, toy soldiers, falling snow,authentic costumes made in the Ukraine, seventy-fivedancing flowers and delectable confections from the

Kingdom of Sweets. Treat yourself and friendsto a wonderful entrée to the spirit of the season.

Makes a perfect holiday gift!Order your tickets online at www.buffas.com

presented by

The Burke Civic Ballet

Burke Connection ❖ November 16-22, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Andrea Worker

The Gazette

The agenda was full at the 2017Social Action Linking Together(SALT) Fall Advocacy Confer-ence. The annual forum was

held at the Virginia International Univer-sity in Fairfax on Saturday, Nov. 11 with apacked house in attendance.

SALT is a non-partisan faith-based net-work of individuals and organizations withthe goal of bringing “the social and eco-nomic justice teachings of their faith to bearon public policy and legislation.” Whatstarted as eight socially conscious peopleabout 20 years ago, has grown to abase of about 1,300, who educatethemselves and the public on thefacts surrounding social issues, andthe actions that can be taken to ad-dress them.

“It’s education, it’s advocacy,building relationships with legisla-tors, and bringing people togetherto strengthen the voices of all,” saidSALT Founder and Coordinator JohnHorejsi, who is no stranger to thehalls of the Commonwealth’s gov-ernmental chambers and offices inRichmond.

Each year, SALT selects new pri-ority issues, or continues to addressissues in progress, and rallies itstroops to raise awareness and rec-ommend actions. Horejsi was par-ticularly pleased to announce thatlargely through the efforts of SALT mem-bers, many more Virginians in need will nowbenefit from the TANF (Temporary Assis-tance for Needy Families) program, simplyby having consolidated the TANF catego-ries.

Additional improvements to TANF, includ-ing an associated scholarship program isone of SALT’s priorities for the 2018 Vir-ginia legislative session.

THE GROUP has identified several otherpriorities upon which they will focus theirattention in the coming year, including:

❖ Ending school lunch shaming: SALTsupports legislation that would prohibitidentifying – and stigmatizing – childrenwho are unable to pay for school meals.

❖ Legislation to provide video visitationservices to inmates, and not to ban in-per-son visits where video visits are provided.

❖ Limiting, and ultimately eliminatingsolitary confinement in prisons.

❖ Opposing block grants for all humanservice programs opposing block grants forMedicaid.

❖ Supporting greater equity in KinshipGuardian situations, granting more fundsto family members caring for children —where foster carers now receive, in some

cases, almost five times the funds allottedto family carers.

To illustrate the scope of the needs of thecitizens of Virginia, Horejsi recruited SisterSimone Campbell and state Del. Ken Plum(D-36) as speakers for the forum.

Sister Campbell, a member of the inter-national Roman Catholic religious congre-gation Sisters of Social Service is often re-ferred to as one of the “Nuns on a Bus.” Asthe director of NETWORK, a Catholic ad-vocacy group for social justice, SisterCampbell leads a group of nuns who, since2012, conduct bus tours around the coun-try as part of their advocacy work, educat-ing and leading discussions on a variety ofissues, from healthcare to immigration,voter suppression to advocating for a “liv-ing wage” for all.

The need to provide a “living wage” wasa central element in Sister Campbell’s key-note address on “21st Century Poverty.”

Sister Campbell advised the audience tothrow away the old stereotypes of the “typi-cally impoverished.” Today’s poor are in-creasingly “the working poor,” she said, re-counting the story of a young woman sheencountered at a special White House lun-cheon. The woman was filled with excite-ment for having been chosen to attend the

event, yet before the end of the meal,she confessed that despite having a“good, full-time job” at a well-knownretailer, she lived at a homeless shel-ter because she couldn’t afford thehigh cost of rents in the D.C. area.Her dream was to work and save herway out of this dilemma.

Sister Campbell doesn’t believethat anyone working a full-time job– and some working more than onejob – should not be earning enoughto pay for a place to live and themeans to exist.

“There’s something wrong here.We say we are a nation based on fam-ily, yet we do so little to support fami-lies and hardworking individuals.”

The “nun on a bus” expressed herscepticism regarding the tax reform

proposals currently being put forth on theHill. “Trickle down does not work. We havealready proven this, time and again. Andyou know the definition of insanity, right?Doing the same thing over and over, expect-ing a different result.”

Before concluding her remarks, SisterCampbell challenged the attendees to em-brace certain “virtues,” including remem-bering to keep a “modicum of joy” in yourefforts.

Secondly, she added to “use your ‘holycuriosity,’ by asking people about them-selves and their situations as the way totruly know the face of 21st century poverty.Practice “sacred gossip” by sharing the sto-ries that you hear and encouraging othersto take action, and finally, just figuring outwhat your part is and doing it.”

Sister Campbell cautioned against tryingto “do it all” or needing to take charge.“Learn whether you’re the head, the feet,the hands, whatever you do best to contrib-ute.”

She says it took awhile, but now sheknows what she does best and where shefits in. “I am the stomach acid … there tochurn everybody and everything up.”

Plum followed Sister Campbell’s address,giving a mini-history of the Commonwealth,

particularly in relation to slavery, the birthof a culture of racism, and the reasons whyhe feels the issue of monuments to Confed-erate war participants is far from over.

“Virginia has more such monuments thanany other state,” said Plum, “with 223, al-most all of them built in either the early1900s or during the Civil Rights movementof the 1960s. What’s the message there?”

Like Sister Campbell, Plum also addressedthe issue of poverty and the widening gapbetween the wealthy and the less fortunate,using a series of charts and graphs that il-lustrated how statistics may not tell thewhole story, unless you look a little deeper.

Despite always being categorized as oneof the richest states in the union, Plumshowed how the “real” numbers show onegeographically small portion of Virginia, the“Golden Crescent” of Northern Virginia toHampton Roads, having a median incomeof $150,000. “For the rest of Virginia, thatnumber is closer to $40,000. What do wedo with that information? We have to findways to share economic opportunities andall that comes with it to rural Virginia, aswell.”

LOOKING AHEAD to the 2018 legislativesession, Plum thinks redistricting could bea hot topic — and that it should be. Fight-ing for more school funding and the expan-sion of Medicaid is also on his agenda.“$10.4 billion by not expanding it. Wholeaves that kind of money on the table, es-pecially in ‘fiscally conservative’ Virginia?”

Plum warns that it “might not be pretty”when the session begins, as both partiesreadjust after the Democratic wins in theNov. 7 election, but the delegate is hopefulthat all the new faces bring fresh new per-spectives and new solutions.

The final speaker at the forum was GayGardner, from Interfaith Action for HumanRights, (IAHR) speaking about herorganization’s efforts to “make solitary con-finement truly a last resort.”

Gardner cited numerous studies that at-test to the physical and mental harm doneby long-term solitary confinement.

Kimberly Jenkins-Snodgrass, a boardmember with IAHR spoke briefly about herown son, an inmate who has been kept insolitary for four years. Other prisoners theyhave contact with have been held in isola-tion for even longer, one for 14 years.

“Getting a straight answer as to why thesemen have been so confined is not easy,”Gardner said. Sometimes, solitary is em-ployed as a response to an inmate who ex-hibits signs of mental illness or distress, “butsolitary confinement only makes the con-dition worse.”

A question-and-answer session followedthe speakers’ presentations. Horejsi notedthat the energy in the room remained high,despite the almost overwhelming numberof issues that had been brought to the table.“Must be that joy that Sister Simone toldus to keep handy,” he said, before adjourn-ing the forum and exhorting attendees to“Go and do good.”

Social justice advocatestold: “Go and do good.”

SALT Holds Annual Advocacy Conference

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Gazette

Sister Simone Campbell — often referred to as “the nun on the bus” forthe bus tours she and other nuns undertake on their mission to bringabout social justice — was the keynote speaker at the SALT conference.

Social Action Linking Together (SALT) founderand coordinator John Horejsi welcomes at-tendees to the organization’s 2017 Fall Advo-cacy Conference.

Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


Fairfax County ParkwayWidening

Fairfax CountyPublic Information Meeting

Thursday, December 7, 20176:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Presentation starts at 7 p.m.

VDOT Northern Virginia District BuildingPotomac Conference Room

4975 Alliance DriveFairfax, VA 22030

If the event is cancelled due to inclement weather, the alternate date will be Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

Find out about plans to widen Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) from four to six lanes between Route 29 (Lee Highway) and Route 123 (Ox Road). The project will also include an interchange that will consolidate Popes Head Road and/or the future Shirley Gate Road extension, improvements to the existing Fairfax

gaps along the existing trail.

Stop by between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to view displays and learn more about the project and its preliminary design, including interchange options. VDOT will hold a presentation beginning at

Review project information at the VDOT project website (www.virginiadot.org/projects), at the information meeting, or during

4975 Alliance Drive in Fairfax. Please call ahead at 703-259-2377 or TTY/TDD 711 to ensure appropriate personnel are available

Give your written comments at the meeting, or submit them by December 17, 2017 to Ms. Angel Tao, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, or email [email protected]. Please reference “Fairfax County Parkway Widening” in the subject line.

programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English

or TTY/TDD 711.

State Project: 0286-029-259, P101UPC: 107937

News

See Future Quest, Page 5

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Future Quest, a free col-lege and career confer-ence that attracts thou-sands of local middle and

high school students with disabili-ties, will be held at George MasonUniversity on Saturday, Dec. 2from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It featuresmore than 40 workshops and ex-hibits related to successful life af-ter high school and is organizedby GMU and the Northern VirginiaTransition Coalition.

Future Quest is a resource fairand networking event held everytwo years where people can inter-

“We want all of our students with disabilities toknow there are many possibilities for them as theytransition into adulthood and we want them to takeadvantage of the opportunities that are available,”said Hammer. “Our goal is to help connect our stu-dents to those resources.”

THIS YEAR’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER is JoshuaAnton, a self-advocate who has an ADHD learningdisability. He has a business degree from the Univer-sity of Virginia and developed his own successful appcompany.

Hammer said they want students and families tostart planning as early as possible for their transi-tion into adulthood. “We have young adults who havealready graduated high school who attend as well,”she said.

The event will feature different universities thathave programs for students with disabilities thatmight be a bridge between high school and collegethat provide additional levels of support, said Ham-mer.

There will be 44 concurrent sessions in the resourcefair, about eight at a time, and people can choose

Event will feature 40-plus workshops and exhibits.

Future Quest Designed forStudents with Disabilities

The resource fair booths from Future Quest at GMU in 2015.

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Deborah Hammer, co-orga-nizer of Future Quest 2017.

Contributed/The Connection

Future Quest 2017 keynotespeaker Joshua Anton.

Steve Hibbard/The Connection

act with representatives from different agencies andcolleges from all over the country, as well as organi-zations that assist young adults. The organizer, theNorthern Virginia Transition Coalition, helps youthwith disabilities successfully transition from highschool to the next stage of their lives.

The event is spearheaded by Deborah Hammer, 47,of Alexandria, an autism specialist with ArlingtonPublic Schools, along with co-chairman LeanneKidwell. “The goal is to help as many students andfamilies and professionals as we can to understandthe opportunities and resources that are available.We want to provide speakers who can educate ourtarget population on a variety of topics related totransition, including funding for college, what kindof supports are available, and careers that don’t re-quire college because not all of our students will goto college,” said Hammer.

Future Quest specifically targets students with anydisability. They include the blind or visually impaired,deaf or hard of hearing, learning disabilities, ortho-pedic disabilities, intellectual disabilities, traumaticbrain injuries, or other health impairments and emo-tional disabilities. Students who attend come fromall over Northern Virginia, Maryland, the District,and West Virginia.


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From Page 4

News

what interests them specifically.There are different strands relatedto topics to make the event mean-ingful for all individuals, such asautism or self-advocacy. This in-cludes strands specifically foryouth, like living with a room-mate, or for parents, like financ-ing college.

“We will have agencies and or-ganizations that will assist stu-dents with everything from trans-portation to assistive technologyto financial aide to leisure activi-ties like therapeutic recreation. Sothere will be a wide variety ofvenders,” she said.

Some of the confirmed sessionsinclude the following: SuccessfulTransition from High School toCollege for Students with Learn-ing Disabilities; Finding the Careerthat Matches Me; Organize YourLife with Google; Adulting for Life:Five Tips for Success; and EstatePlanning and Guardianship forIndividuals with Disabilities.

In addition, there will be a BookFair inside the Johnson CenterBook Store with a special displayrelated to transition, careers andcollege. Some of the accommoda-tions if they are required includebraille programs, interpreters orlistening devices for the deaf, anda calming room for sensory breaks.

“Parents may want to go becausethey may be anxious about whathappens when their childrengraduate from high school,” saidHammer. “Students will want toattend so that they can learn whatoptions are available for college,what it’s really like to be an adultwith a disability, to be able to talkto other youth with disabilities,and feel empowered to make de-cisions for themselves.”

Future Quest will be held Saturday,Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at GMU’sJohnson Center, 4400 University Drive,Fairfax. It is free and open to any studentwith a disability as well as their parents,teachers and other professionals. There isfree parking in Lot K, or in the MasonPond Parking Garage for $8. Visitww.futurequestgmu.org to register. Ham-mer urges people to pre-register early.Email [email protected].

FutureQuest

The Future Quest 2015 Key-note Speaker Justin Graves.

Photo contributed


Opinion

Editorial

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org. Nonprofit providingsupport and advocacy for those in need of food,shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, andother human services. Programs and servicesinclude the Embry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry, Hypothermia PreventionProgram, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Gifts for Kidsand annual Coat Drive. Gifts will be collected atCornerstones main office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road,Suite 210, Reston, VA 20190 on Thursday, Dec. 7and Friday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec.9, 9 a.m. – noon. Contact Nate King, Donations andDrives Coordinator, at 571-323-9569.

❖ Share of McLean operates a food pantry; providesassistance to families to avoid eviction, keep utilitieson and meet other needs in a crisis. Share ofMcLean will provide holiday assistance to more than250 needy families (630-plus people) this year. Helpneighbors in need by donating money, fulfilling awish or donating Walmart, Target, Giant, orSafeway gift cards. Share’s Furniture Program is inmajor need of drivers and helpers. Visit theFurniture Program page. The Food Pantry is inmajor need of supplies; visit the Food Pantry pageand check Facebook to see how to help the FoodPantry. Visit www.shareofmclean.org for more infoabout Share.

❖ Herndon-Reston FISH (Friendly InstantSympathetic Help), 336 Victory Drive, Herndon,703-391-0105, herndonrestonfish.org. Herndon-Reston FISH has assisted local residents in short-term crises by since 1969. FISH provides FriendlyInstant Sympathetic Help by responding toemergency requests for rent, transportation,utilities, medical prescriptions and other needs.FISH operates The Bargain Loft, a thrift store, whichneeds donations of good quality saleable items,accepting and selling art, furniture, jewelry,household linens, dishes, pots and pans, books,women’s designer clothing (clean and on hangers),puzzles, games, collectibles, small electronics andmore. If you have store questions, call 703-437-0600. Herndon-Reston FISH also provides HolidayFood & Gift Baskets during the November andDecember season.

❖ LINK, serving Herndon, Chantilly, Loudoun andmore. Every year the goal is to provide each familywith a week’s worth of non-perishable food inNovember and again in December. When fundsallow, grocery gift cards are also included. InNovember, clients also receive a voucher for coatsand warm clothing. In December, children 16 andunder receive gifts. [email protected] www.linkagainsthunger.org.

❖ Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of churches andindividuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Oakton,Vienna community to provide simple, loving charityto those in need. Last year 450 children had aspecial Christmas through the annual ChristmasStore. 703-281-7614, www.cho-va.com

❖ Northern Virginia Family Service. Just $50provides a complete holiday meal to a family offour. Donate at give.nvfs.org/holidaydonation or viacheck payable to “NVFS” with “Operation Turkey”on the memo line, or send grocery store gift cards.

Northern Virginia Family Service, attn: HolidayInitiatives, 10455 White Granite, Drive, Suite 100,Oakton, VA 22124.

❖ Second Story — Abused and Homeless Children’sRefuge, 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182.703-506-9191, second-story.org. Second Story(formerly Alternative House) provides shelter andservices for homeless, runaway or abused teenagers,unaccompanied youth, and young mothers and theirchildren. Requests for food and clothing are upmore than 50 percent.

❖ Shepherd’s Center of Oakton Vienna providingservices, personal enrichment, volunteeropportunities for adults 50 and over. Currentlyserving 3,000+ mature adults in the region. 703-281-0538, www.scov.org.

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is a nonprofitorganization whose mission is to educate children tohave giving hearts. www.touchingheart.com, 703-901-7355.

❖ Western Fairfax Christian Ministries — foodpantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly. Formore information or to sponsor a family, call 703-988-9656, ext. 105. To mail gift cards or senddonations by check, add a note saying “food basketprogram” and send them to: WFCM, P.O. Box220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.

❖ HomeAid builds and renovates facilities that housethe homeless, and partners with many localorganizations to do so. 3684 Centerview Drive,Suite 110B, Chantilly, VA 20151.www.homeaidnova.org.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their children andindividuals who suffer the effects of poverty in theFairfax area, a partner in efforts to endhomelessness in Fairfax County. FACETS is alwaysin need of volunteers, and offers a variety of one-time and ongoing opportunities. 703-865-4251,[email protected] or www.facetscares.org.10640 Page Ave., Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030.

❖ Britepaths will have 3,000 individuals and familiesin need of holiday assistance list this fall. Sponsor afamily or donate to provide a family with aThanksgiving meal, December holiday meal and/orgifts for their children. britepaths.org.

❖ Fairfax City Area FISH (For ImmediateSympathetic Help) helps local people who are intemporary need of life’s basic necessities such asfood, clothing, and financial assistance for rent,mortgage payments, utilities, and medicaltreatments. FISH also provides limitedtransportation for doctor appointments and fooddelivery. 703-222-0880, fairfaxfish.org.

❖ Lamb Center, day center for homeless, Fairfax.703-691-3178, www.thelambcenter.org.

❖ Food for Others provides a safety net for peoplewho suddenly face unforeseen emergencies such asa family illness or the loss of a job or a spouse.Located at 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031,703-207-9173, [email protected] orwww.foodforothers.org. Hours: Monday-Friday,9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

❖ Ecumenical Community Helping Others(ECHO). 703-569-9160, www.foodforothers.org.Open to receive donations at 7205 Old Keene MillRoad, Springfield. Provides food and financialassistance to those in short-term emergencies, andprovides clothing and household goods to low

income families, helping more than 5,000 peoplelast year.

❖ Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) willprovide Thanksgiving and Holiday assistance tomore than 450 families this year. Thanksgiving andChristmas food baskets along with fulfilling giftwishes for more than 1,000 children and teens willhelp low-income families More information atlortonaction.org/seasonal-assistance/. Volunteersare needed for these events as well. Register onlineat lortonaction.org or call 703-339-5161, ext. 140 oremail [email protected]. Mailing address:LCAC, P.O. Box 154, Lorton, VA 22199-0154.

❖ Assistance League of Northern Virginia is anall-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need. AssistanceLeague’s philanthropic programs touch the lives ofthousands of children at 11 Title I schools inNorthern Virginia, serving children most in need atselected schools in Fairfax and Prince Williamcounties and the City of Alexandria. To learn moreabout volunteer and sponsorship opportunities,email [email protected] or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

❖ Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services(CAUSE) ensures that recuperating service membershave opportunities for recreation and socialinteraction and receive concrete signs ofappreciation for all that they have done. 1100 NGlebe Road, Suite 373, Arlington, VA 22201.703-591-4968, cause-usa.org.

❖ Shelter House provides crisis intervention, safehousing and supportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families and victims ofdomestic violence in Fairfax County.www.shelterhouse.org/

❖ United Community Ministries, Mount Vernon,703-768-7106, 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, VA22306 assists low-income families and individualsliving along the Route 1 Corridor, UCM providesfour different housing programs as well as aWorkforce Development Center to help preparepeople for moving forward with their jobs. For theholidays, donations of nearly 10,000 toys, books,games, clothing, and other gifts ensured a joy-filledholiday for more than 1,200 children in 600families. 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria VA 22306.www.ucmagency.org

Donations of cash/checks and gift cards are alsowelcome.

❖ National Capital Food Bank, 6833 Hill ParkDrive, Lorton, serving all of Northern Virginia. 703-541-3063, www.capitalareafoodbank.org.

❖ Homestretch is the largest provider of transitionalhousing in Fairfax County and offers a services tohelp the homeless better their lives througheducation. Email [email protected];703-237-2035 x125; homestretchva.org/.

❖ Pathway Homes focuses on providing housing andsupport services to individuals with serious mentalillnesses, with the mission to help these individualsreach their full potential and lead stable lives. Theyoffer both in-home programs, semi-independenthouses and assisted living facilities. 10201 FairfaxBoulevard, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. 703-876-

Give Locally in Fairfax CountySchool holidays canbring uncertainty andhunger for tens ofthousands of poorchildren in our area.

The holidays are about giving, and giv-ing thanks. The holidays are aboutchildren and family. The holidays are

about sharing, about joy. The holidays areabout being thankful and about faith and ap-preciation. The holidays are about alleviatingsuffering for others.

Northern Virginia is among the wealthiest

areas in the country. Many if not most of us gothrough our daily and seasonal routines with-out encountering evidence of the needy fami-lies among us.

In Fairfax County, more than 52,000 (28percent) of FCPS students are are poorenough to receive free or subsidizedmeals.

The median family income in FairfaxCounty rose to $129,800. But among familieswith children, 6 percent have income belowthe poverty level. That’s $20,420 for a familyof three. That’s about $1,700 a month. Medianrent in Fairfax County is $1,747, meaning thecost for half the rentals is more than that.

These are children living in families who maybe on the brink of homelessness, families whomust choose between medical bills, car repair,heat and food. Some of these are children who

may not be sure that they will have a mealbetween the meals they get in school.

School holidays can bring uncertainty andhunger — a far cry from the celebrations, giftsand plenty that we associate with Thanksgiv-

ing and Christmas.Hundreds of homeless students at-

tend the public schools, and their needsare greater.

Many nonprofits in the county need yourhelp to provide a holiday meal for Thanksgiv-ing or Christmas, to provide children with gifts.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season. Hereare a few ideas. We will rerun this list againafter Thanksgiving, so please let us know whatwe have missed.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Where to Give Locally

See Give Locally, Page 15

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Burke


By Brianna Handford

Wakefield School

A scream pierces thenight as a knife findsits target, the trembling fingers of the

murderer now coated with freshblood... The creative Japanese spinon Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” en-raptured the crowds Saturdaynight at Lake Braddock Secondary.The author, William Shakespeare,wrote “Macbeth” to show thatruthless ambition faces inevitableconsequences. “Shogun Macbeth”stars J. Carlin Decker III asMacbeth, where he confidentlyfulfills the role of a man drivenmad by murder and greed. Pro-nouncing each word with care,Decker puts his all into the role,bringing us to ancient Japan.

The lights open on a simple,symmetrical, and traditional set.The plot unravels as Macbeth isconfronted by the three “Yojo” (astunning performance by ErinMullins, Gillian Church, andNatalie Hill) and they tell him aprophecy – that he will one daytake the throne for his own.“Fujin” (Lady) Macbeth’s (playedby the endearing Emily Smith)greed and impatience overpowerthe uncertainty of Macbeth, andhe commits the murder of theShogun, washing the blood off hishands. Thus, Macbeth takes overthe throne.

Overcome with greed, he ordersthe murder of anyone who posesa threat to his royal authority, in-cluding Banquo (Roger Clanton),Fujin Macduff (Carolyn Willmore),and her son. Soon, his lust forpower fades into insanity as heenvisions Banquo’s ghost at hisdinner table. Driven mad by guilt,Fujin Macbeth murders herself,followed closely by the death ofMacbeth, who is beheaded by thebitter Macduff, revenge for themurder of his wife and son.

Pulling off the Shakespeare playwith Japanese twists is no easyfeat, a task the cast took on withdetermination. The Japanese ele-ments of the play are seamlesslywoven into the plot line, with cre-ative costumes, Japanese lan-guage, and traditional scenery.The scenery helps emphasize theclassic Japanese elements whilestill staying true to the story.

The makeup, especially on thethree Yojo, was thoroughly

thought out and creative, stand-ing out with a definite “pop.” Thelines are flawlessly memorized –there wasn’t a single stutter, pause,or “um” among the cast, some-thing that deserves credit, espe-cially when dealing with the intri-cate language of Shakespeare. Allof the voices are crisp and clear,even without the aid of micro-phones. The cast often comes offstage, intermingling with the au-dience, compelling the audience tolean in closer.

The costume transitions onMacbeth demonstrate his decreas-ing sanity, dark grays replacing thefiery oranges; a simple but creative

touch to add to the drama. Theblood is highly realistic and wellexecuted in the fighting scenes,causing several gasps from thecrowd. The special effects are wellabove average for a high schoolplay, and helped bring the audi-ence in closer to the action.

Three actresses stood out as su-perb – the three Yojo. All three ofthem truly fulfilled the role andstayed in character consistently.They brought fluid dancing, dehu-manized voices, and original char-acter to the stage. Their dynamicbody movements, the precision oftheir synchronization, and energythey put into the roles was trulystellar. They acted not as individu-als but as a single body, workinglike parts of a machine. They flowstealthily across the stage, walk-ing in a spider-like fashion to theirvictim, deadly accurate and mer-ciless.

Lake Braddock Secondary deliv-ered Shakespeare in a way thatwas both traditional and original.The cast brought Shakespeare tolife in a distinct and riveting waythat couldn’t be easily duplicated.In all, a thumbs up performancewith superb acting, a charming set,and awe-inducing special effects.

Lake Braddock Secondary presents“Shogun Macbeth.”

Shakespeare withJapanese Twists

Cappies Review

Photo by Jaime Grove

From left: Emily Smith andGillian Church


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By Marilyn Campbell

On a sunny, fall day a group of 10-year-old children sit around an antiquecherry wood table in Arlington. Theboys are wearing navy blazers, pressed

khakis and shiny loafers. The girls have donned theirmost festive dresses, nude stockings and have gros-grain ribbons in their neatly combed hair. They’vearrived at the home for a lesson in etiquette. Most ofthem would rather be some place else.

“I have to leave early for asoccer game,” said Jimmy, whohas a hard time disguising hisglee.

In an era when it’s common-place to order pizza on asmartphone and coordinateplay dates by text, old-fashioned etiquette can ap-pear obsolete. A recent survey of teachers shows that73 percent of instructors believe that students areless polite than when the teachers themselves werestudents. In the age high-tech conveniences, childrencan become over scheduled and under socialized,which has led to an uptick in the number of parentswho are enrolling their children in etiquette classes,say protocol instructors.

“Parents have a tremendous interest in etiquetteclasses because so many parents realize that they

don’t have that knowledge themselves,” saidDorothea Johnson, who founded the Protocol Schoolof Washington and is the author of the book “Mod-ern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top,” whichshe co-authored with her granddaughter actress LivTyler.

“I think most parents know that good manners andetiquette will be important to their [children’s] fu-ture,” added Henryette Neal who teaches etiquetteclasses for children through the Fairfax County ParkAuthority. “Young people will be educated, but with-

out proper social skills theywill not be able to presentthemselves properly.” Neal isalso the owner of owner ofSteppin Out Charm and Imag-ing Studio.

The result of fast-pacedlifestyles combined with overloaded schedules is ageneration of children who place more value on so-cial media savvy than on knowledge of social graces.Family dinners are replaced by fast food, says oneparent. “Who needs good manners to gobble down aslice of pizza,” said Carole Mincey of Alexandriawhose 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old sonhave taken etiquette and ballroom dance fromSimpson’s Classes, one of the area’s invitation-only

Manners in the Tech AgeEtiquette classes aim to teach the lost art of manners.

Fairfax CountyEtiquette Classes

parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/

See Manners, Page 14


NOV. 16-18Christmas Craft Show. Thursday and

Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m.-4 p.m. at the Oakton Church ofthe Brethren, 10025 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Oakton Church of theBrethren’s 24th Annual ChristmasCraft Show is a three-day eventfeaturing a wide variety of handmadecreations and craft supplies forpurchase, plus a soup and sandwichlunch and bake sale. Visitwww.oaktonbrethren.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/NOV. 18-19Burke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker.

Saturday, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday,1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ernst Theater onNorthern Virginia CommunityCollege’s campus, 8333 Little RiverTurnpike, Annandale. Featuring 3-year-old miniature dolls toprofessional dancers courtesy ofColorado Ballet, this production ofthe Nutcracker will enchant all ages.Be mesmerized by a growing tree,magic tricks, leaping mice, toysoldiers, falling snow, authenticcostumes made in Ukraine, 75dancing flowers and delectableconfections from the Kingdom ofSweets. $20-$28, buy tickets atbuffas.com/burke-civic-ballet/nutcracker-tickets-buy-now/.

SATURDAY/NOV. 18Santa Fest. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at

Springfield Town Center, 6500Springfield Mall. Welcome Santa toSpringfield Town Center enjoy snacksstraight from the North Pole, craftactivities, face painting andentertainment and photos withSanta, all in Grand Court, located onthe first level of Spring Town Center.Visit springfieldtowncenter.com.

5th Annual Snowflake Stampede.5:30 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park,7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Atthe Bull Run Festival of Lights, a 2.5mile fun run or walk for holidayenthusiasts of all ages. Enjoy aspecial preview of the Festival ofLights on foot, and take a picturewith your favorite display. Parkingand check in are at the corporatebarn pavilion; follow the signs for theSnowflake Stampede. $22 per adult(13 and older); $17 per child (3-12);2 and younger, free. Visitticketfly.com to sign up (searchSnowflake Stampede). Prepaymentrequired. More atwww.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights/snowflake-stampede.

SUNDAY/NOV. 19Turkey Trot. 8 a.m. Start and finish at

the Vienna Volunteer Fire Dept., 400Center St. S., Vienna. Visitwww.viennaturkeytrot.org/.

NOV. 22-JAN. 7Bull Run Festival of Lights.

Monday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.,$15 per car; Fridays-Sundays andholidays, 5:30-10 p.m., $20 per car.Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 BullRun Drive, Centreville. The Bull RunFestival of Lights is more than just alight show. After enjoying two and ahalf miles of light displays, stop atthe Holiday Village, complete withbonfires, s’mores, holidaymerchandise and free activities, theHoliday Village is fun for the wholefamily. Have a photo taken withSanta. Call 703-631-0550 or visitwww.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights.

SATURDAY/NOV. 25The Nutcracker. 2 and 7 p.m. in the

Centreville High School Auditorium,6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton. Theentirely student and volunteer

production features Little Rocky Runresidents, MSB alumnae dancers andcurrent students from Mia SaundersSchool of Ballet. [email protected].

NOV. 24-26Thanksgiving Weekend Show.

Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Spring HillReCenter, 1239 Spring Hill Road,McLean. Approximately 80 juriedartisans offering original, handmadearts and crafts, including decorativepainting, fused, etched, painted andstained glass, ceramics and pottery,hand-painted silk, woodworkinghandweaving, photography, paintingsand drawings,clothing and functionaltextiles, jewelry and much more. Allof the artists and artisans will be onhand to answer questions and talkabout their work. $5, Free forchildren 12 and under. [email protected] or call703-391-5611.

NOV. 25-26Fairfax Ballet Company’s

Nutcracker. Nov. 25, 2 p.m. and 7p.m., and Nov. 26, 2 p.m. at W.T.Woodson High School, 9525 MainSt., Fairfax. Fairfax Ballet Seniorcompany member Ana Victoria Smithof Clifton, dances the role of Clara.Company members, along withstudents from the Russell School ofBallet and professional guest artists.Email [email protected] orcall 703-665-9427.

FRIDAY/DEC. 1Guitarist Peter Griggs Holiday

Concert. 7 p.m. at GracePresbyterian Church, 7434 Bath St.,Springfield. Show is called “MusicFor An Old English Christmas.” Visitwww.gracepresby.org or call 703-451-2900.

Tree Lighting in Clifton. 7 p.m. atChapel Road and Main Street inClifton. Set the holiday season inmotion with the official lighting ofthe town Christmas Tree. Carol, drink

hot chocolate, roast s’mores over thefire, and join in the holiday spirit.Visit clifton-va.com.

SATURDAY/DEC. 2Annual Holiday Train Show. 10

a.m.-5 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road, Fairfax Station. Bringbroken locomotives to the “TrainDoctor” to fix or advise on otheroptions. Stop and admire the antiquecars visiting for this event, weatherpermitting. Visit the gift shop forholiday gift items and Santa may stopby to visit. Museum members andages 4 and under, free; 5-15, $2; 16and older, $5. Visit www.fairfax-station.org.

Holiday Sing-A-Long Luncheon.11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Springfield Golfand Country Club, 8301 Old KeeneMill Road, Springfield. $20. Call 703-922-6438 or [email protected].

Festival of Lights and Carols. 2-7p.m. at 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Children ages 12 and undercan enjoy lunch with Santa atSherwood Community Center. Lunchseatings will be offered at 11:30a.m., and 12:30 p.m., must pre-register. Listen to live holiday musicand enjoy s’mores and hot cider atOld Town Square from 2-7 p.m.Enjoy caroling and lighting of theChristmas Tree at Old Town Squareat 6 p.m. Visit fairfaxva.gov/about-us/special-events/festival-of-lights-and-carols.

Christmas in Brass. 3 p.m. atKirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield.Featuring the Barclay Brass Quintet.This stellar ensemble will present aprogram of secular and sacredseasonal music that will appeal to abroad audience of all ages. [email protected], visitwww.kirkwoodpres.com, or call thechurch office at 703-451-5320.

Town of Clifton Holiday HomesTour. 4-7 p.m. at 12644 ChapelRoad, Clifton. Five homes in Townand a bonus home outside of Town,in addition to the caboose and two

historic churches that will be open tothe public. Free admission.Call 703-517-7703.

SUNDAY/DEC. 3Home for the Holidays Concert. 4-

6 p.m. at Lanier Middle School, 3801Jermantown Road, Fairfax. MainStreet Community Band plays a mixof seasonal favorites. Visitwww.fairfaxband.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 8Flutist in Concert. 8 p.m. at Old

Town Hall, 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Celebrate the Sounds of theSeason with the Columbia FluteChoir in the Christmas Concert. Free.Call 703-385-7858 or visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

DEC. 8-9Christmas Store Help Needed.

Friday night for set up and Saturdayto escort shoppers at ViennaPresbyterian Church, 124 Park St.NE. Call 703-938-7213.

SATURDAY/DEC. 9Lunch with Santa. 11:30 a.m. and

12:30 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999University Drive, Fairfax. Childrenages 10 and under can enjoy lunchwith Santa. $6. Call 703-385-7858 orvisit www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. 4-9p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. $5 per person; children 5and under ride free with adult.Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 10Holiday Ornament Craft Day. 1-4

p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Museummembers and ages 4 and under, free;5-15, $2; 16 and older, $4. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org.

SATURDAY/DEC. 16Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. 4-9

p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. $5 per person; children 5and under ride free with adult.Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 17Handel’s “Messiah.” 9 a.m. and 11

a.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Enjoy a freeperformance of Handel’s “Messiah”by the choirs of Unity of Fairfax andthe Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax Visitwww.unityoffairfax.org/events.

Mini-Train Rides. noon-4 p.m. atReston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt. Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.

SATURDAY/DEC. 23Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. 4-9

p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. $5 per person; children 5and under ride free with adult.Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 24Christmas Eve Celebrations.

Celebrate Christmas in a positive,welcoming and inclusive spiritualcommunity. Meditation service at 9a.m., family-oriented service at 11a.m.; candlelight service at 7:30 p.m.at Unity of Fairfax, Oakton. Free.Visit www.unityoffairfax.org/events.

THROUGH DEC. 24Santa’s Flight Academy. Various

times at at Fair Oaks Mall, 11750Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. Santasurrounded by a space motif. Visitwww.santaexpresslane.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 31Burning Bowl Ceremony. 9 and 11

a.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Experience thisritual of releasing what no longerserves you and envisioning the yearahead. Free. Visit unityoffairfax.org.

New Year’s Eve Scramble. 10 a.m.at Herndon Centennial Golf Course,909 Ferndale Ave., Herndon.Shotgun start. Entry fee includesgreen fee, cart fee, range balls andprizes. $60 per player. Call 703-471-5769 or visit www.herndongolf.com.

MONDAY/JAN. 1New Year’s Labyrinth. noon-4 p.m.

at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Set your intentions for2018 while walking Unity’s indoorlabyrinth. Free. Visitwww.unityoffairfax.org/events.

New Year’s Day 5K. 10 a.m. atReston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt., Reston. Music, food, awards, andfun celebration following the race.Presented by Potomac River Running.Call 703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.

THROUGH EARLY JANUARYWinter Walk of Lights. At

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna.The garden is transformed into ahalf-mile, walk of lights. Revisitperennial favorites such as theanimated Lakeside Lights, theFountain of Lights, and the HolidayNature Walk – and look for newdisplays each year. Round out a visitroasting marshmallows and sippingon hot beverages, available forpurchase. Visit www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights.

Holiday Celebrations

Burke Civic Ballet’s NutcrackerBurke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker features 3-year-old miniature dolls to professionaldancers courtesy of Colorado Ballet. Be mesmerized by a growing tree, magic tricks,leaping mice, toy soldiers, falling snow, authentic costumes made in Ukraine, 75 danc-ing flowers and delectable confections from the Kingdom of Sweets. Saturday, Nov. 18,2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ernst Theater on NorthernVirginia Community College’s campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $20-$28,buy tickets at www.buffas.com.


Entertainment

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGSanta’s Flight Academy. Through

Dec. 24, at various times at at FairOaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall,Fairfax. Santa surrounded by a spacemotif. Visitwww.santaexpresslane.com.

THURSDAY/NOV. 16Spy Lecture. 7 p.m. at the Braddock

District Supervisor’s Office, 9002Burke Lake Road, Burke. Retired FBIAgent Lydia Jechorek discusses herpresentation “From Teaching Art toChasing Spies.” Free. Call 703-764-8061.

NOV. 17-18International Holiday Bazaar. 8:30

a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church,6911 Braddock Road, Springfield.Hosted by Bethany House ofNorthern Virginia. Friday from 4-8p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Proceeds go to Bethany House ofNorthern Virginia which providesemergency shelter and supportiveservices to victims of domesticviolence throughout NorthernVirginia and the surrounding DCmetro communities.$5. Visitwww.bhnv.org.

St. Matthews Annual Craft Fair &Children’s Show. Friday 10 a.m.-6p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atSt. Matthews United MethodistChurch, 8617 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. More than 40 vendorsand children’s author and entertainerEdward Allan Faine (a.k.a. “How-toCowboy) will teach attendees how towhistle through their tongues, playhand trumpet, talk like Donald Duckand Darth Vader, and perform othertricks. Free. Visit stmatthewsumc.org.

SATURDAY/NOV. 18Santa Fest. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at

Springfield Town Center, 6500Springfield Mall. Welcome Santa toSpringfield Town Center, enjoysnacks straight from the North Pole,craft activities, face painting andentertainment and photos withSanta, all in Grand Court located onthe first level of Spring Town Center.Visit springfieldtowncenter.com.

SUNDAY/NOV. 19Model Train Show. 1-4 p.m. at The

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. The NTRAK group with adisplay of running N Gauge modeltrains. Museum members and ages 4and under, free; 5-15, $2; 16 andolder, $4. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

Crop Hunger Walk. 2 p.m. at FairfaxPresbyterian Church, 10723 Main St.,Fairfax. 25th annual Burke/FairfaxCROP Hunger Walk to raise fundsand awareness to combat hunger andprovide disaster relief. Visitwww.burkecropwalk.org.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner.5-7 p.m. at the Franconia UnitedMethodist Church, 6037 FranconiaRoad, Alexandria. The 5th annual“pre-Thanksgiving” dinner with allthe trimmings. The event is free andopen to all. Visit franconiaumc.org.

MONDAY/NOV. 20Mason Jazz Vocals. 8-10 p.m. at the

Center for the Arts, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. George MasonUniversity presents an evening of jazzvocals, soloists, the Mason Jazz VocalEnsemble and special guests,Herndon High School Jazz Choir. $12

Concert. 7 p.m. at GracePresbyterian Church, 7434 Bath St.,Springfield. Show is called “MusicFor An Old English Christmas.” Visitwww.gracepresby.org or call 703-451-2900.

SATURDAY/DEC. 2Christmas Traditions Concert.

9:30-11 a.m. at St. Stephens UnitedMethodist Church, 9203 BraddockRoad, Burke. The St. Stephen’sUnited Methodist Women MaranathaSingers will present a morning ofholiday music. Free. Call 703-250-5013.

Holiday Sing-A-Long Luncheon.11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Springfield Golfand Country Club, 8301 Old KeeneMill Road, Springfield. $20. Call 703-922- 6438 or [email protected].

Festival of Lights and Carols. 2-7p.m. at 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Children ages 12 and undercan enjoy lunch with Santa atSherwood Community Center. Lunchseatings will be offered at 11:30a.m., and 12:30 p.m., must pre-register. Listen to live holiday musicand enjoy s’mores and hot cider atOld Town Square from 2-7 p.m.Enjoy caroling and lighting of theChristmas Tree at Old Town Squareat 6 p.m. Visit fairfaxva.gov/about-us/special-events/festival-of-lights-and-carols.

Christmas in Brass. 3 p.m. atKirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield.Featuring the Barclay Brass Quintet.This ensemble will present a programof secular and sacred seasonal musicthat will appeal to a broad audienceof all ages. Visit kirkwoodpres.com,or call 703-451-5320.

Historic Clifton Holiday HomesTour . 4-7 p.m. at Clifton BaptistChurch, 7152 Main St., Clifton. $25adult; $5 child; credit cards aremore. Visit clifton-va.com.

DEC. 2-3Arts and Crafts Show. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sundayat the Audrey Moore RECenter, 8100Braddock Road, Annandale. Call 703-321-7081.

SUNDAY/DEC. 3“Hansel and Gretel” Opera. 2 and 5

p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999University Drive, Fairfax. MasonOpera will present EngelbertHumperdinck’s take on the BrothersGrimm fairytale “Hansel and Gretel.”Tickets: $12, $8, $5. Call 703-385-7858 or visit www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

Home for the Holidays Concert. 4-6 p.m. at Lanier Middle School, 3801Jermantown Road, Fairfax. MainStreet Community Band plays a mixof seasonal favorites. Visitwww.fairfaxband.org.

MONDAY/DEC. 4Funday Monday. 10:30 a.m. at Old

Town Hall, 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Fun with Mr. Skip. Free. Call703-385-7858 or visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

FRIDAY/DEC. 8B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax.Smoke free, all proceeds go topurchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

Flutist in Concert. 8 p.m. at OldTown Hall, 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Celebrate the Sounds of theSeason with the Columbia FluteChoir in the Christmas Concert. Free.Call 703-385-7858 or visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

By David Siegel

The Connection

If you believe opera is only about farawayplaces with strange sounding names, the veryAmerican, “The Girl of the Golden West” is

coming to town courtesy of Virginia Opera, theofficial opera company of Virginia. The VirginiaOpera was also a recent recipient of several “ArtsInspiration Awards” from the Virginia Commissionfor the Arts.

“Puccini’s ‘The Girl of the Golden West’ is a col-orful opera about just regular people during theCalifornia Gold Rush of 1849,” said Jake Gardnerwho sings the role of the good hearted Sheriff JackRance in the production. “With sumptuous musiccomposed by Puccini [“La Boehme” later adaptedto become the urban musical “Rent”] the operaeven sounds at times like music from Western mov-ies many will recall.”

“The Girl of theGolden West” has asweeping score that isPuccini’s interpretationof the rough and toughrural American WildWest. Including cigars,whiskey, mud, andeven a dog. The opera’sthemes include unre-quited love, jealousy, betrayal, and redemption.

There are miners trying to make their fortunes,a mysterious bandit and a sheriff out to get hisman.

Opera in the Gold Rush DaysVirginia Opera’s “The Girl of the Golden West”at the Center for the Arts.

The story line follows the travails of Minnie, thesaloon owner. She is the object of desire for manyof the home-sick, card-playing patrons of her es-tablishment. But, Minnie has her own thoughtsabout that, especially after a mysterious strangerarrives.

Jill Gardner sings the role of Minnie. She de-scribes Minnie as a “woman of dignity who hap-pens to run a high class saloon. It is a beautifullove story with its theme of redemption.”

The major role of Ramerrez (alias DickJohnson), the bandit who steals Minnie’s heart isportrayed by acclaimed veteran tenor, RogerHoneywell. Virginia Opera’s production of “TheGirl of the Golden West” is directed by LillianGroag who created and first directed the operafor the world famous Glimmerglass Opera. TheVirginia Opera’s production will be under the ba-ton of musical director Andrew Bisantz.

In a recent interview,Jill Gardner and JakeGardner, married in reallife, spoke of “the greatjoy of working together.We are even able to as-sist one another in per-forming such a greatwork of art as ‘The Girlof the Golden West.’”

Inviting audiences tothe opera, Jill Gardner said, “If you enjoy the mu-sic from a composer like Andrew Lloyd Weber,please take in ‘The Girl of the Golden West.’ Themusic is sumptuous.”

From left:MarkWalters,JillGardnerand RogerHoneywellin “TheGirl of theGoldenWest.”

Photo by

Ben Schill

Photography/

Courtesy

Virginia Opera

Where & WhenVirginia Opera presents “The Girl of the Golden West”

at Center for the Arts, George Mason University, 444 Uni-versity Drive, Fairfax. Performances: Dec. 2, 2017 at 8 p.m.and Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $54, $90 and$110. Call 888-945-2468 or visit www.cfa.gmu.edu. Note:Sung in Italian with projected English supertitles. Pre-per-formance discussion 45 minutes before the curtain with“Dr. Opera” Glenn Winters.

adults $8 seniors $5 youth throughgrade 12. Visit http://cfa.gmu.edu.

NOV. 20-DEC. 10Toy Collection. Sheehy Auto Stores

throughout the Washington, D.C.-metro area will collect new andunwrapped toys as part of thecompany’s annual Sheehy Cares ToyCollection to benefit the U.S. MarineCorps Reserve Toys for Tots Program,which will distribute those toys asChristmas gifts to less fortunatechildren in the community in which

the campaign is conducted. Sheehy’sToys for Tots drop-off locationsinclude:

❖ Sheehy Volkswagen of Springfield,6601 Backlick Road, Springfield

❖ Sheehy Ford of Springfield, 6727Loisdale Road, Springfield

❖ Sheehy Subaru of Springfield, 6571Backlick Road, Springfield

❖ Patriot Harley-Davidson, 9739 FairfaxBoulevard, Fairfax

NOV. 25-26Fairfax Ballet Company’s

Nutcracker. Nov. 25, 2 p.m. and 7p.m., and Nov. 26, 2 p.m. at W.T.Woodson High School, 9525 MainSt., Fairfax. Fairfax Ballet Seniorcompany member Ana Victoria Smithof Clifton, dances the role of Clara.Company members, along withstudents from the Russell School ofBallet and professional guest artists.Email [email protected] orcall 703-665-9427.

FRIDAY/DEC. 1Guitarist Peter Griggs Holiday


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbWorship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AM

Sunday School 10:10 AMSun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PM

Family Night – Wednesday 7:15 PMHome Life Groups, College/Young Adult

Ministries, and Living Free Support GroupsVisit our Website: www.jccag.org

4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

To Advertise YourCommunity of Worship,

Call 703-778-9418

“Loving People to Life”

Build Your CommunitySupport Your Local

Businesses.

www.connectionnewspapers.com

NOV 24 & 25: 10 AM – 5 PM

NOV 26: 11 AM – 4 PM

Spring Hill RECenter1239 Spring Hill Road

McLean, VA

$5 Admission

with Free Return Free Parking

Get Setfor the Holidays

At our Retirement SaleGifts! Party clothes!

NEW DISCOUNTS30-70% storewide

Twinbrooke Centre • 9565 Braddock RoadOpen 7 Days • 703-425-1855 • Like us on Facebook

Gift Guide

See Gift Guide, Page 12

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Consider eco-friendly gifts that are con-structed from recycled materials.

“Items made from reclaimedmaterials are a great way to give a

unique gift,” said Courtney Thomas of the PicketFence in Burke. “Reclaimed wood is especially popu-lar.”

Solemate Socks are another colorful option. Theyare made by repurposing recycled cotton yarn thatis then spun into vibrant, patterned socks. Thomasalso recommends decorative items made from re-claimed wood. “We have some beautiful churchesmade from wood salvaged from barns in Alabama,”she said.

Ornaments made from reclaimed paper are another

environmentally conscious option. “Not only arethese beautiful decorations, but they help providejobs for people in third-world countries,” said Tho-mas.

Kevin Sweitzer of Thos. Moser, Handmade Ameri-can Furniture recommends items made from sustain-able North American hardwoods, “Namely cherryfrom the Allegheny Plateau in Pennsylvania and

Photo courtesy of The Picket Fence

Ornaments made from recycled paper,such as these from The Picket Fence inBurke, make eco-friendly holiday gifts.

From charitable tosustainable, shoppingideas to please eventhe pickiest.

Trends inGift Giving


From Page 11

walnut from the riverbanks ofMissouri.”

Examples include stacks offood-safe wooden bowls, whichare “are sustainable and reus-able, [make] a perfect hostessgift … and a great conversationpiece.”

GIFTS THAT MAKE A DIF-FERENCE in the lives of oth-ers are also on trend this year.

One example is StarlingProject candles. Proceeds fromthe sales of these scentedcandles are donated to UNICEFto help provide solar energy tounder-resourced countries.

“Products that support acause are also a great way toboth give a meaningful gift andhelp those in need,” said Tho-mas. “We have pottery orna-ments that are made in Ala-bama by women escaping do-mestic violence.”

Vintage-inspired gifts aretrendy this season, says SusanNelson from Home onCameron in Alexandria.“Wooden toys, [for example]appeal to all ages, as do vin-tage items such as magnifying

glasses,” she said. “Gifts thatare unique and offer a uniqueexperience are popular rightnow.”

Handmade gifts are anotherconsideration, adds ToddMartz, also from Home onCameron. “Visitors … love thehandmade items for gifts, suchas felt flowers from Nepal, handpainted vases, and the custompillows [which come] in a vari-ety of colors and patterns.

GIVING PRACTICAL GIFTSthat the recipient will actuallyuse can minimize the need forgift returns. Merchants who areon the receiving end of after-season holiday gift returns sug-gest customers think aboutwhat it will be like for the re-cipient to actually own the gift,rather than the moment of re-ceiving the gift.

One example, says MadelineFairbanks of Country CasualTeak, “are accessories for thosewho entertain regularly such as… wine stopper or winecaddy,” she said. “Purchaserslike the thoughtfulness of theitems and the durability of theproducts because they last formany years.”

Gift Giving

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] orcall 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday.Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior tothe event.

Jubilee Christian Center willhave a Patriotic Service on Sunday, May28, 8:45 and 11 a.m., featuring specialmusic and message. Jubilee is located at4650 Shirley Gate Rd., Fairfax. Therewill be no 6 p.m. service on May 28. Forinformation, call 703-383-1170, or seewww.jccag.org

The Fairfax Church of Christ,3901 Rugby Road in Fairfax, has facili-tators available to help those who areexperiencing a separation or divorce.

Eco-friendly giftideas include

decorative itemssuch as these

churches whichare wood sal-

vaged from, saysCourtney Thomas

of the PicketFence in Burke.

Photo courtesy of

The Picket Fence

703-631-2100 or www.fxcc.org.

The Unitarian Universalist Con-gregation of Fairfax, 2709 HunterMill Road in Oakton, offers services dur-ing the summer on Sundays at 10 a.m.The regular schedule, Sundays at 9:15and 11:15 a.m., resumes Sept. 11.www.uucf.org.

Congregation Adat Reyim, anindependent Jewish congregation, of-fers services Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdayat 9:30 a.m. and Maariv minyan at 7:30p.m. Hebrew School is Sundays from 9-11:15 for K-6th graders and Mondaysfrom 5:30-7:30 p.m. for 3rd-6th graders.Adat Reyim is located at 6500 WestburyOaks Court in Springfield. 703-569-7577 or www.adatreyim.org.

Faith Notes

News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

Drivers using the Newington cut-through,from I-95 to Telegraph Road in south-ern Fairfax County, pass under a branchthat could cause some serious damage

if it fell. Although the tree looks healthy, wind or icecould put extra stress on this branch, and the resultscould be fatal.

All around Northern Virginia, there are probablydozens of situations like this, so it conjures the “whatif,” question. Paranoia?

According to John Townsend, the manager of Pub-lic & Government Affairs at the Mid-Atlantic divi-sion of the American Automobile Association, it doeshappen.

“In September 2016, a Northern Virginia man waskilled when a tree fell near his pickup truck inWoodstock after a mighty gust of wind knocked thetree down. The three passengers were outside thetruck when the tree fell onto them, killing the vic-tim,” said Townsend.

On July 17, 2012, a “64-year-old Reston man waskilled when a 100-foot oak tree” fell on his car inGreat Falls, crushing him to death, added Townsend.

Is it an “act of God?” in the insurance world, or isanyone responsible? According to Townsend, treelimbs that fall on a house or other insured structureson the property would be covered for both the dam-age the tree(s) inflicts on the house and the cost ofremoving the tree(s), generally up to about $500. Inaddition, if a tree fell on a house or car, and the owneris insured, in most cases they’re covered. If a treefalls on a house, homeowners insurance will coverremoval of the tree and home repairs. However, if atree falls in the yard, but doesn’t hit anything, thehomeowner would pay for its removal in most cases.

The county and state have an eye on trees too,along with drivers, said Jennifer McCord at the Vir-ginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). If adriver or resident sees something alarming on theroadside, they can report it to VDOT atmy.vdot.virginia.gov, or 800-367-7623.

Also the assorted VDOT maintenance teams thatare out on the road every day report issues as they

ride the roads, said McCord. “We also have an ar-borist who examines and marks trees of concern formaintenance or tree contractors to address,” she said.

On the VDOT website, there is a list of “OrdinaryMaintenance Criteria and Timeliness Requirements”that addresses trees, talking about sight distance,overhang limits, deadfall, and whether the trees im-pact inspection areas on bridges, structures or utili-ties. “Trees/brush affecting sight distance to regula-tory signs and/or creating a safety hazard shall beremoved within 48 hours of notification,” the guide-line states.

There are eyes on the trees on the county level aswell, said Keith Cline, director of the Fairfax CountyUrban Forest Management Division. In the countycode, 46-1-1, “trees or parts thereof in danger of fall-ing” are listed under health or safety menaces. “Wedo investigate it if it’s threatening to the public atlarge,” Cline said. The county also addresses treedanger “on a complaint basis,” said Cline, and workswith VDOT to remedy the situation near roads.

If the tree is on private property, they work withthe property owner, and on rare occasions, call in acontractor to cut it back, and then they bill the ho-meowner. “This doesn’t happen very often,” saidCline.

James Donegan at Donegan Tree Service hasworked with Fairfax County to take care of roadsidetree hazards, and cited the ash tree problem withthe emerald ash borer pests that have decimated theash tree population in the county.

This branch on Newington Road couldpose a problem.

Although drivers andtrees avoid each other,a fall could be fatal.

If a Tree Fallson the Road …

This car was notso lucky during a

past storm thatroared throughFairfax County.

Photos by

Mike Salmon

The Connection


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etiquette schools. “Because everyone is so busy andtechnology is so advanced, reality television showsare setting standards of behavior and handwrittenthank you notes have been replaced by emails andeven texts.”

GOOD MANNERS are as important to a child’s fu-ture success as academics, says another parent. “Ifeel like if people know what do to do in social situ-ations it empowers them,” said Sarah Henry of ChevyChase, mother of a 10-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. “If you’re unsure of what to do, it canmake you feel intimidated. So it’s all about empow-ering children with knowledge. And it’s good forthem to be exposed to proper etiquette in case they’renot getting it at home. And if they are getting it athome, etiquette classes can reinforce it.”

Interactive class sessions help keep their childrenengaged in the etiquette lessons. “The key is to keepthe children occupied,” said Johnson. “For example,when teaching proper introductions, I would call twochildren up to the front of the room and have themintroduce themselves to each other.”

In addition to learning such common courtesiessuch as saying “Please,” “Thank you” and “You’rewelcome,” children learn to write thank-you notesand introduce themselves to others by making di-rect eye contact and offering a firm handshake.

Henry says that in a class that she coordinated forher daughter’s Girl Scout troop, part of the curricu-lum included having the children form a receivingline with parents where they practiced handshakesand eye contact.

“We also printed proper table setting samplesonline and give the girls plastic forks spoons, knives,

From Page 8

Manners in the Tech Age

Photo courtesy of Fairfax County

Henryette Neal teaches etiquette classesfor children through the Fairfax CountyPark Authority.

napkins and a copy of the place setting,” said Henry.“We talked about the placement of the utensils, howto hold a knife and fork properly. One of my pet peevesis watching people hold a knife like it’s a stick.”

These are good life lessons, says Neal. “Etiquetteclasses are important because people still need to berespectful of others, and it starts with our children,”she said. “A simple please and thank you is important.”

Teaming Up To BenefitToys For Tots

For the past 13 years Fairfax County Fire andRescue Department has been a partner with theUnited States Marines Toys for Tots Program. Thisyear, G&C Express Tire and Auto Service at 14008Willard Road in Chantilly will serve as a hub forbusinesses that want to help collect toys. G&Cwill also serve as a toy drop off site. Representa-tives of businesses that want to be a collectionsite may stop by G&C for a box and poster. Thefire stations in Fairfax County will start collect-ing Toys for Tots on Friday, Nov. 24.

U.S. Marines and BattalionChief Willie Bailey flankG&C owners Gregg andChristina Caldwell.

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline is Thursday at noon,at least two weeks before event.

DEADLINE NOV. 19Future Lorton Community Center.

The project is currently entering theinitial design stage and is targeted forcompletion by early 2022. FairfaxCounty is seeking public input toensure that this new facility isdesigned to meet the needs andinterests of the communities theyserve. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

THURSDAY/NOV. 30Rolling Road Widening Project

Public Information Meeting.6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rolling ValleyElementary School located at 6703Barnack Drive, Springfield. VisitVirginiaDOT.org for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 2Future Quest. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at GMU’s

Johnson Center, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. College and careerconference for area middle and highschool students with disabilities, as

well as their parents, teachers andother professionals. Free. There isfree parking in Lot K, or in the MasonPond Parking Garage for $8. Visitww.futurequestgmu.org to register oremail [email protected].

Coffee with Del. David Bulova. 9-11a.m. at Main Street Bagel, 10268Main St., City of Fairfax. Del.DavidBulova (D-37) will continue atradition started in 2006 by holdinginformal office hours, constituentsare invited to talk about issues ofinterest and to ask questions aboutlegislation affecting the community.Visit www.davidbulova.com.

Bulletin Board


Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Recently, as in a few weeks ago, Mindy, whonone of you regular readers know, died of lungcancer. She was my decade’s long best friend’swife. And she was my friend too, going backalmost 40 years. Married to my oldest friend (star-ting in 10th grade), Cary, for over 35 years, Mindywas originally classified as stage I five years ago.Cary didn’t tell me for a year or so after becausehe didn’t want to burden me with another pieceof bad news, and Mindy being diagnosed withlung cancer would most definitely have been badnews. She had a lobectomy (part of the lung issurgically removed), back then and that’s prettymuch all I know about the beginning stages. Afterthe surgery however, she was told she was cancerfree.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend Mindy’sfuneral. I had my own post-scan appointment onthe Monday morning following the Sundayfuneral and night-time shiva and the logistics oftraveling back and forth from Washington, D.C.,to Boston and back were unworkable. Two week-ends later, last weekend in fact, I flew up toBoston and spent four days with Cary, just himand me in the house – without Mindy, of course.We shared an awful lot about Mindy and life,reminiscing backward and contemplating for-ward. One afternoon, along with Mindy’s firstcousin, Julie, Cary and I visited Mindy’s grave,about 20 minutes from the house, where I wasable to pay my respects and say a few words inprivate. After standing alongside the grave site fora few minutes, Cary took out his smart phone,bent over toward the ground and played “their”song, sniffling and wiping away tears in the proc-ess. A very touching moment. Another afternoon,I sat with Cary at their kitchen table and readthrough all the condolence cards with Caryexplaining all the relationships to Mindy. Onenight, Cary and I went to dinner with his twosons, Jonathan and Jordon (along with Jon’s girl-friend, Coleen and Jordy’s wife, Lauren). At din-ner, I shared two jokes with the boys that Mindyhad told years ago, that to this day, I keep in myrepertoire; they had not heard them before. Oneinvolved an elephant, another had to do withJesus Christ becoming a bell ringer. Cary’s third -and oldest son, Jeffrey, was not present as he hadflown back to California on Tuesday where, afterspending three weeks at home with his father andbrothers watching his mother struggle to survive,he returned a few days after the funeral.

As for me, I teared up throughout the week-end. Over the years, especially after my parentsmoved to Florida, I didn’t see Cary and Mindy asregularly as I had while my parents were still liv-ing in Massachusetts (four times a year, generally).From 1989 on, maybe we visited one another adozen times in person: high school reunions, barmitzvahs, a couple of Celtic’s games and the oddoccasion where the timing/opportunity presenteditself. All the while, going on 45 years now, wespoke/speak every couple of weeks, picking up inconversation without ever missing a beat.

What was particularly/uniquely difficult for me– and I don’t think it is as difficult as losing one’s“soul mate,” as Cary described Mindy, just as theywere beginning to embark on their final journeytogether: retirement – was that I too have lungcancer. As such, it was a peculiar position inwhich I found myself. Not only was I grieving theloss of a close friend: Mindy, way too young; shewas younger than me by a couple of years, andthe effect it had on my best friend, Cary, I wasalso witnessing first hand, up close and extremelypersonally, the ravages and devastating impact ofa lung cancer diagnosis, a diagnosis with which Iam all to familiar. Of course, I felt bad for Carylosing his beautiful wife. Of course, I felt bad forthe boys losing a fabulous, devoted mother. Butthere was a part of me that felt bad for me. As acancer survivor, it’s easy to pretend that this dis-ease isn’t killing you until you attend afuneral/spend time with the family of someonewho has succumbed to this terrible disease. Thenit hits home, with a vengeance. “Cancer sucks,”as so many of us know, but life must go on, as dif-ficult as it sometimes is.

Not About Me,MostlyBusiness Directory

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0390, [email protected],www.pathwayhomes.org,www.pathwayhomes.org/support-pathway/.

❖ Good Shepherd Housing and FamilyServices, 8305-17B Richmond Highway, POBox 15096, Alexandria, VA, 22309. 703-768-9419, www.goodhousing.org/. The mission ofGood Shepherd Housing (GSH) is to reducehomelessness, increase community support, andpromote self-sufficiency. GSH housing managesmore than 70 housing units.

❖ Boys and Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington Fairfax Area operates clubs intwo of the neediest areas of the county, Culmoreand Mount Vernon/ Route 1 corridor, focusingon character and academic success.www.bgcgw.org/fairfax.

❖ Christian Relief Services, 8301 RIchmondHighway, Suite 900, Alexandria, VA 22309, 703-317-9086, 703-317-9690, christianrelief.org/

❖ Friends of Guest House Northern Virginiaoffers structure, supervision, support andassistance to female ex-offenders who want toimprove their lives and break the cycle ofincarceration. Friends of Guest House offers theonly program for women of its kind in NorthernVirginia. One East Luray Ave., Alexandria, VA22301-2025, 703-549-8072,[email protected],friendsofguesthouse.org/

❖ Wright to Read 703-299-9854,www.wrighttoread.org. Provides volunteer-based, one-to-one tutoring and mentoring toCity of Alexandria public elementary schoolchildren in need. Funds are needed to providefield trips and enrichment activities, books andother resources. For more information aboutWright to Read and becoming a “Tutor/Mentor”see website.

❖ Habitat for Humanity of NorthernVirginia transforms the lives of lower-incomefamilies in need by providing affordablehomeownership opportunities in Alexandria,Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church. Learn moreat www.habitatnova.org.

❖ Alice’s Kids (@alicewillhelp) aliceskids.orgP.O. Box 60, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 When achild is raised in poverty they suffer bothpublicly and privately. When there is no food inthe refrigerator, no electricity nor heat, these arehardships that they can keep hidden from theirpeers. But, when that same child can’t afford topay for the band field trip, a pair of glasses, achorus outfit or a new pair of shoes, these areindignities that are evident to their classmates.Alice’s Kids pays for these relatively inexpensiveitems in the hopes of preserving the dignity ofthe child. Alice’s Kids helps children from allover the Mount Vernon area through small actsof kindness.

❖ The Community Foundation of NorthernVirginia has launched its Permanent Fundcampaign, a community endowment which is aforever source to provide critical support forthose in need in the Northern Virginia region;Consider leaving a legacy through a current orplanned gift to the Permanent Fund at theCommunity Foundation for Northern Virginia.www.cfnova.org/permanentfund.

From Page 6

Give Locally

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

THURSDAY/NOV. 16Police-Public forum. 7-9 p.m. Heritage Human

Resources Center, 7611 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. The forums will provide informationon the Panel as well as the Independent PoliceAuditor, the scope of their responsibilities, howcomplaints can be submitted, and howcomplaints will be investigated and processed.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/ for more.

Community Meeting. 7:30 at RavensworthBaptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road,Annandale. Community meeting focused on theRavensworth Road intersection of BraddockRoad. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/braddockroadmmstudy/.

SATURDAY/NOV. 18Healthy You Summit. 4-6 p.m. at the West

Springfield Government Center, CommunityRoom, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. FairfaxCounty Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma ThetaSorority, Inc. to discuss investing in your healthand well-being. Visit www.fcacdst.org/health-care-summit for more.

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