inside pet connectionconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/... · 2018. 2....
TRANSCRIPT
Rescue CatsPets, Page 4
County Opens Budget DebateNews, Page 3
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
Cal
endar
, Pag
e 8 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6Photo C
ontrib
uted
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018 25 CENTS NEWSSTAND PRICE
Pet ConnectionInside
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova adopted Frodo from a foster mother in Fairfax Station.
2 ❖ Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Ken Moore
The Board of Supervisors has un-til March 6 to determine if it willadvertise the 2.5-cents real es-tate tax increase proposed by
new County Executive Bryan Hill last Tues-day, Feb. 20.
“When we advertise the tax rate that willbecome the ceiling for what the tax rate canbe. It can be lower, it can be the same, butit can not be higher than what we advertiseon March 6,” said Chairman Sharon Bulova,following Hill’s presentation at the Boardof Supervisors meeting.
The board will officially adopt the FY2019budget on May 1, after a series of commu-nity meetings and public hearings on the$4.29-billion budget. More than 40 commu-nity meetings have already been scheduledin the next month throughout the county.
“This will be an intense process as wework with the community,” said Bulova.
Bulova called Hill’s proposed tax increase“a significant amount.”
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said,
“the size of the increase, obviously a concern.”“Every budget has two sides; you have
the receiving end and the paying end, and
if you’re on the receiving end of county ser-vices people will be very happy,” saidBraddock Supervisor John Cook. “When you
walk up to your office, Mr. Hill, at the endof the day, people in the hallways will bevery happy. Every county priority is fullyfunded, schools are fully funded, and that’snot a bad thing, that sounds good, but wehave to remember the other side.”
The other side starts with what Bulovasaid would be an average tax increase of$268 to every homeowner in Fairfax County.
Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity calcu-lates that increase to be five percent, add-ing to a total the last five years of more than26 percent, Herrity said.
“While the tax bills continue to grow inFairfax, wages have not, especially for ourgrowing population of seniors and our dwin-dling population of millennials,” said Herrity.
And various parts of the county will be hitharder than others. Cook suggested that somein his neighborhood each month “will pay$450 to $700-plus more with this budget.”
“While there are many things in this bud-get that I strongly advocated for and fullysupport, and it’s nice to see, we also have
County executive proposes budgetthat fully funds schools andcompensation for employees.New Kids in Town
See County, Page 5
County Executive Bryan Hill answered questions along with FCPS Superin-tendent Scott Brabrand. FCPS budget is fully funded in Hill’s proposal.
Pho
to
by M
ary K
im
mn
4 ❖ Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
$400 million. That’s how much the Virginia Sen-ate had to cut from its budget becauseit refused to include Medicaid expan-
sion in the budget.The House of Delegates version of the bud-
get has $400 million more to work with.$400 million is a lot of money.The change in the House of Delegates, a
small miracle, comes with the change voterscreated last November. Republicans had a 66-
34 in the House but lost 15seats after the election.
The economic boost thatcomes with expanding Medic-
aid includes as many as 30,000 new jobs. It’sludicrous that Virginia has bypassed thismoney, this economic boost, this life-savingmeasure for poor Virginians. The Common-wealth has forfeited than $10 billion becauseof ideological, partisan irrationality.
Hope for Expanding Health CareJust say yes to $400 million, thousandsof jobs and health care for 300,000.
Editorial
State Sen. Janet Howell may have capturedthe cause and effect the best in the floor de-bate: “We’ve cut education, both higher andpublic education. We’ve cut student aid, pub-lic safety, mental-health programs, programsfor the disabled, programs to have a reliableelection system. Why have we made these cuts?We’ve made them to deprive low-incomepeople of healthcare.”
More than 10 percent of residents of Arling-ton, Alexandria and Fairfax County have nohealth insurance.
A Harvard Medical School study determinedthat the decision by 25 states to reject the ex-pansion of Medicaid coverage under the Af-fordable Care Act would result in between7,115 and 17,104 more deaths than had allstates opted in.
In Virginia, the number of deaths due to fail-ure to expand Medicaid estimated between 266and 987.
These are wrongful deaths, caused by thewillful action of particular Virginia legislators.
Refusing to accept federal funds to providehealthcare to uninsured Virginians makes nomore sense than declining federal funds fortransportation or education. Imagine the cel-ebration of the economic stimulus of adding$400 million and tens of thousands of new jobsby any other means.
In Virginia, 102,000 uninsured people witha mental illness or substance use disorder couldqualify for coverage if Medicaid were expandedunder the Affordable Care Act.
As Virginia wrestles with heroin and opioidaddiction, expanding Medicaid would allow forexpanding treatment programs. One of the bigobstacles to helping people who are fightingaddiction is the availability of treatment whenit is most needed. More people die of opioidoverdoses in Virginia than in vehicle crashes.
It’s time for a change, and there is hope forchange. Look towards the budget conferencescoming up shortly.
— Mary Kimm
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@CentreView
Newspaper ofCentreville
Little Rocky RunA Connection Newspaper
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]
Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415
Jean CardProduction Editor
Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
A Connection Newspaper
Pet Connection
By Rebecca Dodge
Brookfield Elementary
As I’ve taught my kinder-garten and first gradeclasses through the
years, I’ve always told themabout Susie the dog.
I’ve told them she is a verysmart dog. When I am goneduring the day, she sits andblogs on her laptop … muchlike the dog on the kids TVshow, “Dog with a Blog.” Sheoften has a cup of tea and reads.That’s how I “convince” them Iwill have no problem teachingthem to read if I can teach a dogto read! They always ask me if
Susie the Dog … A Very Smart Dog
Susie the dog with glasses
Rebecca Dodge’s 1st Grade Class with Susie.
Pho
to
C
on
tributed
she can “really” talk. I always say… Yes! It’s a fun gag we all enjoy!Parents and students alike knowand love “Susie the dog.”
Every Spring I bring her to meetthe students. When they ask if shewill talk or read while she is here,I always say “Absolutely not!” Doyou think I would risk someonehearing her and risk her movingto Hollywood and away from me?
They love it!On special holidays, students get
a photo of Susie the dog, alongwith their teacher, of course, tokeep! They write about Susie intheir journals and feel like they“know” Susie by the end of theyear! She truly is our class pet!
Rescuing FrodoAnd Sammi
Fairfax Board of SupervisorsChairman Sharon Bulova share thesephotos of her two rescue cats: top isSammi and the big orange guy belowis Frodo. “Frodo came from a fostermother in Fairfax Station. He had hada difficult time being adopted.Sometimes he will nip when hedoesn’t want to be handled and thatmay have been the problem. He isvery sweet and affectionate though.Sammi was part of a feral litter ofkittens living behind a restaurant inD.C. Tammy Kaufax (Lee DistrictSchool Board Member) and her twokids took care of the kittens as part ofa school project. I adopted Sammi butTammy and the kids couldn’t partwith the other two.”
Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 3
News
to go back to the people who pay. … In this bud-get, it’s hard to explain to the people paying the billwhere the restraint was,” Cook said.
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay heads the bud-get committee for the board.
“When you’re stuck with residential taxes as yourmain source of revenue and you can’t control prop-erty values, you can’t control the fact that the high-est percentages are sometimes in the communitiesof this county whose residents can least afford thatincrease,” he said.
HILL TOOK OVER as county executive on Jan. 2;former county executive Ed Long retired Sept. 15,2017.
“Excellent job in a very short period of time,” saidFoust, after Hill’s presentation.
“Fifty-three days, sir,” said Hill, with humor.Bulova called Hill’s budget “outstanding.”“It essentially hits on all the
notes that our board is con-cerned about, increasing fund-ing for schools, fully fundingcompensation for our employ-ees and also addressing Diver-sion First and increases in whatwe need to fund CSB [CountyServices Board] and police, et-cetera, etcetera, etcetera,” saidBulova.
“This is a budget that investsin people and I think that’s thesingle most important thing wecan do this year, to invest in our school employeesand our county employees,” said McKay.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said shewelcomed Hill’s support “embracing initiatives” thatwill allow all families to enjoy what the county hasto offer.
“Fairfax County is a really great place but unfor-tunately there are a lot of folks who are not in agreat place in order to enjoy all of that,” she said.
For example, “School readiness needs to be lookedat with as broad a brush as you can find,” she said.
URGENCY AND WARNING were themes of Hill’spresentation, however.
This year’s budget proposal addresses almost allpriorities and initiatives, but the future will need tobe different, Hill said.
“We’re going to have to change how we do busi-ness here in Fairfax County,” Hill said, predictingpersistent budget shortfalls into the future. “It’s 2020where we really need to tie our shoes a little tighter,”being “more creative and nimble.”
He recommends returning promptly to an analy-sis of county lines of business, looking for efficien-cies and savings in each department.
“You hit the nail on the head,” said Foust. “Wehave to find a way to make county government moreefficient if we are going to continue providing theawesome services that we provide at fair and rea-sonable costs.”
Hill predicts restrained revenue growth for theforeseeable future, with uncertainties in federalspending, the impact of tax reform on property val-ues, state budget contributions and meeting theneeds of Metro.
One continuing issue is that Fairfax County sendsfar more tax money to state coffers than returns,getting just 23 cents back for every dollar, Hill said.
“No matter how many times I say it, people in our
County Opens Budget DebateBUDGET MEETINGS❖ Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m., Sully District Town Hall,
Rocky Run Middle School Little Theater, 4400Stringfellow Road, Chantilly
❖ April 10-12, Board of Supervisors Public Hearings onFY 2019 Budget and FY 2019-2023 CapitalImprovement Plan. See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-form to sign up.
community don’t understand it,” said McKay. “Theythink we get significant help from the state, they thinkthe schools get significant help from the state, butreally the schools are getting significant help fromthe homeowners in Fairfax County.”
THE $4.29-BILLION budget would transfer $2.26billion to the school system, 52 percent of the total.
Hill and new School Superintendent Scott Brabrandpledged to work collaboratively to reach joint priori-ties and efficiencies.
The two new executives stood side by side whenanswering questions about theproposed budget.
“The quality of the school sys-tem is directly tied with thequality of life in the county,”said Brabrand, who began July10, 2017. His contract runsthrough June 30, 2021.
“I think it is the first time inrecent years that the county ex-ecutive and the superintendentof schools have stood side byside to share our budgets andtake questions. I think this
change is emblematic of a new approach to meetingthe needs of the residents of Fairfax County,” he said.Hill’s proposed budget would fully fund the FCPSrequest.
Hill’s annual salary is $250,000, Brabrand’s is$290,000.
MORE THAN 18.9 million square feet of office spaceremains vacant in the county.
“Maybe it’s starting to think about different usesfor that instead of the normal,” said Hill. “Leaving itvacant is not a good thing for our tax base. The morepeople we have in our vacant office space … reducesthe burden on our county residents. So we have tobe more creative, we have to be more nimble, andwe have to be cutting edge.”
Hill and numerous supervisors discussed the im-portance of economic development,
“Increasing commercial is a really good story thatcan not be overlooked,” said Foust. “A 3.8 percentincrease in the non-residential assessment is reallygood news.”
Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck suggestedovertime expenditure is an area to save money.
And Herrity made his annual appeal for the countyto address pension benefits.
“Every year we put it off, it gets harder,” Herritysaid.
“I am extremely disappointed that we have reachedyet another budget cycle and we have failed to ad-dress our pension issues,” he said. “As I talk with con-stituents throughout the county, they are in disbeliefthat we continue to offer new employees a pensionbenefit more generous than surrounding jurisdictionson top of a county taxpayer paid social security ben-efit as early as age 55. Pension costs alone add 30cents to every payroll dollar and compete for fund-ing with critically needed county services and em-ployee and teacher raises.”
“We’re going tohave to change howwe do business herein Fairfax County.”
— County ExecutiveBryan Hill
6 ❖ Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
The Westfield Bulldog boys faced the visiting Stonewall Jackson Raiders on Feb. 20in the 1st round of the 6D Regional.
After both teams scored 15 first quarter points, thehome team Bulldogs were able to repeat that whileholding the visitors to just 13.
Trailing 30-28 in the 3rd quarter, Stonewall Jack-son would overcome that deficit and and take thelead 45-44 with eight minutes to play in regulation.
After the two were knotted up at 53 midwaythrough the 4th, the Raiders would build a 65-58lead with 48.5 seconds to play. After a Bulldog three-pointer with 34.5 seconds and another StonewallJackson score, Westfield still trailed 67-61. Westfieldwas not finished. Another successful three-pointerthe score was 67-64. The Raiders again scored totake the lead to 69-64 with 29.4 seconds to play.Westfield’s Jordan Hairston would convert on anotherthree-pointer with the score now 69-67. Westfieldwould then foul Antonio Warner who made one ofhis two free throws giving the visitors a lead of 70-67 with 9 seconds to play. Westfield would hurrydown the court and find Marshall Reed on the farcorner of the baseline nearest to the Stonewall Jack-son fans. Reed would convert his fifth successful threeof the game to send the game to overtime, 70-70.
In the overtime after both teams had scored a bas-ket, Westfield was able to capitalize and take a 74-73 advantage with just 1:31 to play. StonewallJackson’s Jordan Warner then converted a shot fromthe top of the key to give them a 75-74 lead with24.3 seconds. Westfield again went to Reed who this
time used his strength to muscle in the paint andbank in the game winner with 11.4 seconds remain-ing.
Westfield was led by Jordan Hairston’s 31 points.Marshall Reed added 23 points. Both Reed andHairston converted on 5 three pointers. StonewallJackson was led by Jordan Gibson’s 30 points. andIsaiah Folk’s 20.
After advancing to the 2nd round of the 6D Re-gion the Bulldogs traveled to take on South Lakeson Feb. 23.
Halfway through the game Westfield would lead33-24. South Lakes would outscore the Bulldogs 35-26 in the second half to force overtime for the sec-ond time in as many games for Westfield. With thegamed knotted at 59 to start overtime, Westfieldwould get 4 points from both Jordan Hairston andAaron Opoku , and DJ Gregory and Taylor Morin theother 3 points and Westfield would survive to thesemifinals of the Region Tournament to take on Madi-son. Westfield was led by Marshall with 24 points.Cameron Savage led South Lakes with 14.
In the semi finals of the Region 6D, Madison wouldopen the 1st quarter with a 14-4 lead and Westfieldwould never recover, losing 61-46 and ending theirseason. Madison advanced to play the BattlefieldBobcats for the Region Final. Westfield was led byJordan Hairston’s 16 points and DJ Gregory’s 9points. Madison was led by Aaron Darab with 23points and John Finney’s 18.
— Will Palenscar
Win Two, Lose in Semi-Final
DJ Gregorylays in twoof his nine
pointsagainst
South Lakeson Feb. 21.
JordanHairston #2has companyfrom aStonewallJacksondefender inFeb. 20game.
Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Four score and several years ago, in thecourse of human marital events, historywhich had been made/experiencedbetween and husband and a wife was notrecalled quite the same, which likely led toa disagreement. Without there being avideo tape then – or now, or a WarnerWolf, insults and recriminations may haveflown, and not just the coop. Practicallyspeaking, how does one – or two, actually,solve this most unsolvable of problems?
This is not a declaration of independ-ence or the announcement of a change ofaddress from Burtonsville to Gettysburg, butit is a bit of a query as to how one managestimes from one’s relatively distant past.After a substantial while, and I would say 40years qualifies, it’s particularly challengingto remember the facts and the feelings thatcorroborate a memory: Who was there?What was said? How did it sound? Whywas it even happening?
And after all these years, the recollec-tions are not exactly black and white – foreither party. One – or both – are eitherviewing them through the looking glass, aprism, a filter, a haze, or in my case as acancer patient, through a now clinically-confirmed side effect of chemotherapy:“chemo brain.” A consequence of treat-ment which erases/alters memories in somedisputable way. A way in which what wasonce front and center is now back and tothe rear, or not at all. And not only arethese memories irretrievable, when spokenand heard, they are sometimes not believ-able either.
I know what I remember. I’m clear in mythinking. Time and place and context are allfamiliar but the assessment and interpreta-tion of the facts and feelings are different. Irealize that simply remembering where Iwas and what I was doing/saying (or not, tobe fair), doesn’t guarantee accuracy oragreement, but neither should it be dis-counted. I mean, being present andaccounted for counts for something. Thequestion is/remains: What am I missing?
I will admit though, knowing part of theunderlying cause of some of these“recollection-disputes” does minimize thestress of it. Nevertheless, most of the recol-lections to which I’m referring (in theabstract) are not gone (in my opinion), it’smore that they’re rearranged, maybe even“misremembered,” to invoke baseball great,Roger Clemens, in his sworn testimonybefore the House Committee on Oversightand Government Reform, given back inFebruary 2008. The “Rocket’s” situa-tion/status wasn’t resolved then any morethan my situation has been resolved now.It’s a work in progress – for all of us.
But I’m happy and fortunate to say: I canlive with it. As a nearly nine-year stage IV,non-small cell lung cancer survivor; in fact, Iam now my oncologist’s longest living lungcancer patient, I can deal with most thingscancer-affected and/or life-related. Becausein having so obliterated the “13 month totwo year” prognosis I was given back in lateFebruary 2009, I wouldn’t say I’m living onborrowed time exactly, but I would say thatI’m living on unexpected time.
So what’s a few missing memories or afew historical references out of context? Notmuch when you consider the alternative.Besides, life’s too short (don’t I know it) tolong for what I can’t remember or worryabout what I may have forgot.
I Can’t ForgetWhat I Don’tRemember
Sports
Westfield jumped out to anearly 20-10 advantage afterplaying 8 minutes in the 1stround 6D Regional game on
Feb. 20 in Chantilly.In the 2nd quarter it was much of the
same as Westfield would increase its leadto 25, 41-16 at the halfway point of thegame.
In the 3rd quarter Stonewall Jacksonwould score 12 points , but Westfield wouldadd 15 more giving Westfield a 56-28 lead.
In the 4th quarter Westfield Coach NoelKlippenstein substituted many from thebench and rested many of her starters. Infact 10 players scored at least two pointsfor Westfield. Westfield was led by WannaWardak who had a game high 20 pointsincluding four, 3 pointers. Nicki McNamaraand Gabby Reed each had 8 points. SamiKnox added 6 points both 3 pointers. Stone-wall Jackson was led by Alyssa Sweeneywith 17 points including two, 3 pointers.Yanessa Cabrera added 10.
Westfield advances to the 2nd round withthe 66-44 win, and faced Langley on Feb.21.
In the first two quarters Westfield wouldtrail Langley by 10 points heading into the3rd quarter, 24-14. However, Westfieldwould fight back outscoring Langley 12-2in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter Langleynarrowly escaped the upset bid by Westfieldand defeated the Lady Bulldogs 42-39.
With the loss Westfield ends its sea-son. Kirah Johnson scored 13 points tolead Westfield and Hannah Williamsadded 10. Langley was led by JordynCallaghan’s 14 points.
— Will Palenscar
Win OverStonewall,Loss to Langley
Photo by Will Palenscar
Gabby Reed #24 fires off a lastsecond shot of the 1st half ofWestfield’s 1st Round 6D Regionalmatchup with Stonewall Jackson.Reed would account for 8 points
8 ❖ Centre View ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
C E N T R E V I L L ECOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP
To highlightyour faith
community,callDonat
703-778-9420
bThe Church of the Ascension
Traditional Anglican Catholic Services1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,
and the King James Bible with Apocrypha
www.ascension-acc.org (703) 830-3176
Holy Communion 10 a.m. Sundays (with Church School and Nursery)
13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120
in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville
The Church of the Ascension(703) 830-3176 www.ascension-acc.org
Centreville Baptist Church(703) 830-3333 www.cbcva.org
Centreville UnitedMethodist Church
(703) 830-2684 www.Centreville-UMC.org
Entertainment
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.
ONGOINGVolunteers Needed. Fairfax Station
Railroad Museum needs history buffs.The Museum offers a variety ofvolunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration.Email [email protected] call 703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225.
LIBRARY FUNToddlin’ Twos. Tuesdays, 10:30 and
11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. Earlyliteracy storytime with songs andactivities included. Age 2 withcaregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.
Storytime for Three to Fives.Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Stories and activities for children age3-5 with caregiver. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.
Plant Clinic. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. A neighborhoodplant clinic with horticultural tips,
information, techniques, and advice.Free. Call 703-502-3883 for a space.
Lego Block Party. Every otherSaturday at 10:30 a.m. at theChantilly Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Legos will be provided for anafternoon of building. Grades 3-6.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspot.
Duplo Storytime. Every otherWednesday, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Develop andreinforce early literacy skills forreading success. Ages 1-3 with adult.Free. Call 703-502-3883 for a spot.
Legos Kids Club. Every otherTuesday, 10:30 a.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Thousands ofLegos for children to play with. Ages6-12. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.
Starlight Storytime. Every otherWednesday, 7 p.m. at the CentrevilleRegional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive. Stories under the stars for ages4-8. Wear pajamas and bring stuffedfriends. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.
PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Dog. Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
at PetSmart, 12971 Fair LakesCenter, Fairfax. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.
SUNDAY/MARCH 4Railroad Tools. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.There will be demonstrations andhands on activities with tools onceused to maintain railroads. 5-15, $2;ages 16 and older, $4. All craftsupplies included with admissioncost. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.
Outdoor Kids at E.C. Lawrence. 2p.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. In thisprogram, children ages 4-6 exploredifferent habitats, trails, wild animalsand wild places. Topics vary bymonth. $6 in-county or $8 out-of-county. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
WEDNESDAY/MARCH 7History Tots at E.C. Lawrence. 9:45
and 11 a.m. at Ellanor C. LawrencePark, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly.In this program, youngsters ages 1-3will explore history through sight,sound, taste and touch. Topics varyby month. $6 in-county or $8 out-of-county. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
SATURDAY/MARCH 10History Tots at E.C. Lawrence. 10
a.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. In thisprogram, youngsters ages 1-3 willexplore history through sight, sound,taste and touch. Topics vary bymonth. $6 in-county or $8 out-of-county. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
Walking Tour. 11 a.m.-noon at EllanorC. Lawrence Park, 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly. From the 1700s topresent day, women have played animportant role in the history ofEllanor C. Lawrence Park and FairfaxCounty as a whole. Learn about theircontributions on the Women ofWalney Walking Tour. Forparticipants age 6 to adult. $6 perperson. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
NVFS’ Bowl-a-Thon. 1-4 p.m. at BowlAmerica Manassas, 9000 Mathis Ave.,Manassas. Join NVFS at BowlAmerica Manassas for an afternoonof bowling and fundraising that’sperfect for the entire family. Forinformation please visitwww.nvfs.org/events/bowl-a-thon/.All Bowl-a-Thon proceeds benefitNVFS’ #SERVECampus. Minimum of$275 raised by each team. Call 571-748-2537 or visit www.nvfs.org/events/bowl-a-thon/.
SUNDAY/MARCH 11Hands On Day. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.have a Hands On Day with artifactsand models of railroad equipment. 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4. Allcraft supplies included withadmission cost. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
WEDNESDAY/MARCH 14Nature Tots at E.C. Lawrence. 9:45
and 11 a.m. at Ellanor C. LawrencePark, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly.In this program, youngsters ages 1-3a chance to explore the greatoutdoors. Topics vary by month. $6in-county or $8 out-of-county. Call703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
SUNDAY/MARCH 18NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-
4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will hold aN gauge model train show.Admission, Museum members andage 4 and under, free; ages 5-15, $2and 16 and older, $4. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
SATURDAY/MARCH 19St. Patrick’s Day / St. Joseph’s
Day Party. 6-9:30 p.m. at St.Veronica’s Church parish hall, 3460Centreville Road, Chantilly. This is afamily event that includes food,drink, sing-alongs, Irish dancers andplenty of smiling Irish eyes. Adults$7, Children $5, drinks extra. Visitwww.stveronica.net/ or 703-773-2000.
TUESDAY/MARCH 20New Book Club. 2:30-4 p.m. at Sully
Senior Center, 14426 AlbemarlePoint Place, Chantilly. Book club forthose 50 and older who love to read.Group will choose the first book atthis meeting. Group will meet the 3rdTuesday every month to discuss.Snacks and beverages provided. Free.Call 703-322-4475.
SUNDAY/MARCH 25Spring Reading Circle. 1-4 p.m. at
the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. The museum will feature aSpring Reading Circle and ActivityDay. 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4.Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call703-425-9225.