launching 50th anniversary -...

McLean Connection ❖ February 29 - March 6, 2012 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLeanPRSRT STD

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Attention Postmaster:

Time sensitive material.

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McLean

February 29-March 6, 2012

Launching 50thAnniversaryCelebrationNews, Page 10

Launching 50thAnniversaryCelebrationNews, Page 10

From left, Julie LansawWarrin and BariLivingston of theMcLean Project for theArts at the group’s“pop-up” party indowntown McLeanFriday, Feb. 24. Theevent was the first in aseries celebrating theMPA’s 50th anniversary.

Kaine Touts‘Talent

Economy’News, Page 4

Kaine Touts‘Talent

Economy’News, Page 4

LangleyLeads

RecyclingEfforts

News, Page 3

LangleyLeads

RecyclingEfforts

News, Page 3

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ February 29 - March 6, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News Oakcrest SchoolPresentsSeussical

Oakcrest School, an inde-pendent school for girlsgrades 6-12 in McLean, isshowcasing its Upper SchoolShow, Seussical, the Musical,in the G. Lloyd Bunting, Sr.Theatre at Oakcrest on

Friday, March 2, at 7:30p.m. and Saturday, March 3,at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating its 35th Anni-versary this year, Oakcrestcontinues its tradition of pro-moting fine arts and creativ-ity among its students andperforming shows for the en-tire community, year afteryear. Oakcrest students areinvolved in the show as ac-tresses, singers, dancers, setdesigners, lighting andsound crew, stage crew, andstudent mentors assistingwith character development,dance captaining, and musi-cal direction.

This show captures thespirit of imagination, whileteaching lessons about thepowers of friendship, loyalty,family, and community.Seussical, the Musical, is di-rected by Oakcrest theatrearts director, Jessica ErinCarey, and Oakcrest musicaldirector, Anne Miller, withchoreography by KendraSlatt.

Seussical brings to life allof favorite Dr. Seuss charac-ters, including Horton theElephant, The Cat in the Hat,Gertrude McFuzz, LazyMayzie, and Jojo, a little boywith a big imagination.

The story centers aroundHorton the Elephant, whofinds himself faced with adouble-challenge: how canhe protect his new friend,Jojo, and all the citizens ofthe tiny planet Who, whilecaring

for the egg of his irrespon-sible friend, Mayzie?Through changing seasons,being captured by the circus,and great danger, Hortonmust protect his friends andhis egg because, after all: “A

Person’s a Person, No Mat-ter How Small,” Dr. Seusssaid.

Tickets for Friday and Sat-urday night are $10 adult, $5student. For the Saturdaymatinee only, there will be aFamily Special Rate of $30per family. Join the cast andcrew for a talk-back after theSaturday matinee. Box officeopens an hour before perfor-mances begin.

By Lori Baker

The Connection

There were only a fewtears among the cheersand smiles at the recent Cub Scout Pin-

ewood Derby in McLean. The boysof McLean’s Cub Scout Pack 1144are familiar with the possibilitiesfor victory or disappointment. Butmostly, the 169 Cub Scouts thatmake up the Pack are full of smilesas they gather each year for a dayof friendly competition and racing.

This year’s Pinewood Derby washeld Saturday, Feb. 11, at AndrewChapel United Methodist Church,which sponsors the Pack. The largeground-floor meeting room wastransformed into a racing arena,with a long four-lane track nearlyspanning the length of the room.

THE BOYS, representing 16 CubScout dens drawn from Colvin RunElementary School, Spring Hill El-ementary School, and the LangleySchool, watched with concentra-tion as their homemade cars,weighing no more than five grams,raced each other in an eliminationtournament. Hours later, a finalchampion was finally named. Thetop three placers in the grand fi-nal race were Tyler Donohue ofSpring Hill Elementary (firstplace), Jack Bush of Colvin RunElementary (second place), andJoseph Smith of Colvin Run El-ementary (third place).

“It’s a great community event,”said Kelly Wilson, mother of afourth-grade Cub Scout from Spring

Hill Elementary. “We’ve done it thelast three years. It’s something thatmy husband and son work on ev-ery year. Something they get to cre-ate on their own. Boys and cars arealways a big event. They love torace against their own teammatesand Cub Scouts.”

Each year in late December, theCub Scouts of Pack 1144, made upof first through fifth graders, aregiven a small box containing thelong-awaited Pinewood Derby kit.In the kit are a small woodenblock, not quite the size of a brick,along with plastic wheels andmetal axels. The boys, typicallywith help from a parent, turn thecontents of the kit into a racingvehicle in the period of about sixweeks. There is plenty of room forcreativity as the boys design, shapeand decorate a vehicle they hopewill not only reflect their intendeddesign, but will be built for speed.

THE PINEWOOD DERBY is anationwide Cub Scout traditiondating back to 1953. It was thenthat Cub master, Don Murphy,from Manhattan Beach, Calif.,came up with the idea. Murphy’sson was too young to participatein the Soap Box Derby, which wasa race for the older Boy Scouts. SoMurphy designed the PinewoodDerby to give the younger boystheir own race. The idea caughton immediately, and has been oneof the most beloved events on theCub Scout calendar ever since.

Third-grader Chris Stewartfrom the Langley School looksforward to the race every year.

Race Fans Gather in McLeanMcLean Cub Scouts participate inannual Pinewood Derby.

Ryan Wilson and Joshua Guinn, fourth-graders fromSpring Hill Elementary School, took first and secondplace in their den’s competition.

Third-grade Cub Scouts, Andrew Ruggeri, Will Denton,Grant Baker, and Logan Hanson, from Langley Schoolafter the race. Will Denton won first place for his den.

Fourth-grader Bobby Svirskas of Colvin Run ElementarySchool and his brother Drew: Bobby’s “angry birds”vehicle took first place in his den.

The Cub Scouts of Pack 1144 watched each race closely toscout the competition.

“For me it’s special when you’remaking it because it’s good fam-ily time. It’s fun getting to carveout and sand and do all that fun

stuff. And after that it’s fun torace. And once you’re done youcan always play with it,” he said.“It always makes a good toy.”

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NewsMcLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

Langley High School will

serve as a pilot programfor Fairfax County whenit comes to recycling on the

athletic fields during sporting events.The Langley Eco School club is spear-heading the initiative, collecting grantmoney to purchase the recycling cans tobe placed next to the regular trash cans.

Elaine Tholen, environmental educa-tion manager for Fairfax County PublicSchools, said the initiative is part of thecounty’s effort to demonstrate environ-mental stewardship on all levels.

“We want to make sure students haveaccurate information about being green,but we also want to make sure there’san action component to that,” she said.“If our goal is to graduate environmen-tal stewards, we need to make sure weback that up with knowledge. I feel likethe Langley Eco School club is able tolook at that area of being green beyondthe classroom.”

LANGLEY SCIENCE TEACHERDeanna Den Hartog said the school isalso aiming to continue environmentaleducation across all age groups.

“I think we do a good job of providingenvironmental education in elementaryschools, but once students get to middle and highschools, sometimes there’s just not an opportunity,”she said. “That’s not the message we’d like to send,that it’s good when you’re younger, but not whenyou’re older.”

Using the county’s Get2Green module located onthe Blackboard site, students and administrators canconnect to both internal and external resources. JillBaker, who founded the Eco School club with herdaughter, a Langley student, says Get2Green hashelped the club track down grant funding for therecycling cans.

“The fields are so extensive we needed three dif-ferent sources of funding to get all the cans,” saidJill Baker. “Fairfax County recycles a lot of materi-als, but we’re focusing on cans, bottles and paper.We’ll be putting a recycling can next to each trashcan, because we think the only way this will work isif every time someone goes to throw something out,the option to recycle is right there.”

The club sent out questionnaires to all of the FairfaxCounty high schools to get an impression of whatrecycling was going on, but many schools weren’teven able to respond.

While several schools have programs in place,Tholen says it’s her hope that Langley can provide areproducible model that any school that desires canpick up.

“We don’t want to re-invent the wheel, but if Lan-gley can find out where to get the cans, what cans

Langley Leads Recycling EffortsSchool will serve aspilot program forathleticfield recycling.

Showing Off Green EffortsThe Langley High School Eco School club will participate

in the Nova Outside Green Schools Expo Saturday, March 3at George Mason University. The event will take place from10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the George Mason Student UnionII Ballroom (The Hub), 4400 University Drive, Fairfax.

Langley will be among several county schools showcas-ing their green efforts and investigating what other schoolscan do to go green.

More information is available at www.novaoutside.org.

Members of Langley High School’s Eco School clubwill be putting out cans for recycling at the school’sathletic fields. The Langley program will serve as thepilot program for the county recycling at all theirathletic fields.

work, what placements work, then they can put allthat out to other schools who will have all the infor-mation in front of them should they want to start aprogram,” she said. “With all of our sporting events,the amount of recyclables that end up in the trash isincredible, and we’re hoping by testing this programout in the Spring, that by Fall, when the busy foot-ball season starts, we’ll have the program in place.”

THE CLUB will be using metal cans with a mesh-like design, so wind can pass through them while onthe field instead of knocking them over. The Springsports season officially starts March 3 at Langley, andthe blue recycling cans will be found next to eachgreen trash can.

Students are currently involved in spreading theword on the program, writing a script for the the-ater department to film a spot showing what can andcan’t be recycled as well as creating flyers to placearound the school.

This spring, students at TheLangley School will bring a newgenre of theatre to the Langleystage – the first-ever MiddleSchool musical. “The PhantomTollbooth” will run Thursday,March 8 through Saturday,March 10.

The show includes 73 cast,crew, and pit orchestra mem-bers in grades 6-8, making it thebiggest Langley productionever. Students are involved inall aspects of the show, servingas actors on stage or musiciansin the pit orchestra and assist-ing with sound, lighting, setdesign, props, costumes, hairand makeup, ushering, andchoreography.

Based on Norton Juster’s clas-sic children’s book written in1961, this new musical is themodern tale of a boy, Milo, whomust save the princesses Rhymeand Reason and reunite thebrother kings who rule over thecities of Dictionopolis andDigitopolis. Aided by a trustytime-keeping dog, Tock, Milosuccessfully brings harmony tothe Land of Wisdom and learnsmany things about words andnumbers along his journey. Per-haps the most important lessonhe takes with him, however, isthat everything we learn has apurpose and whatever we do

affects everything and every-one.

The family-friendly show in-cludes 15 musical numbers, themajority of which are solo,duet, or small group selections.Five of the numbers are per-formed by the entire ensemble,complete with choreographeddances designed by student andfaculty choreographers. A livestudent pit orchestra will ac-company each musical selec-tion. To prepare students for theexperience of singing on stage,Musical Director Dana Litkeheld a series of audition work-shops.

The show takes place in mod-ern times, and the cast and crewhave added clever nods to popculture throughout such as acharacter inspired by LadyGaga, for example. And the set,which was created by Langley’sscenery crew elective class, sug-gests a variety of different artmovements.

When & Where“The Phantom Tollbooth” will run

Thursday, March 8 through Satur-day, March 10 at 7:30 p.m., with amatinee performance at 1 p.m. onSaturday, March 10, in the school’sJeffrey J. Sherman Arts Center at1411 Balls Hill Road in McLean.Tickets are on sale now for $8 eachat www.langleyschool.org.

The Langley School Presents‘The Phantom Tollbooth’

“The Phantom Tollbooth” show includes 73 cast,crew, and pit orchestra members in grades 6-8,making it the biggest Langley production ever.

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‘Ireland andIncamminati’ atKatie’s Coffee

At Katie’s Coffee, next to the OldBrogue Irish Pub, March 5-31, artistJudith St. Ledger-Roty will hold hershow “Ireland and Incamminati” fea-turing paintings of Ireland she began orconceived of when she was there a fewyears ago, and drawings and paintings she has done since, while studyingart in the tradition of the Old Master’s, starting with drawing and progress-ing from there. Every one is invited to a reception to meet the artist on March10, from 1 to 3 p.m. The address is 730C Walker Road in the Great FallsCenter of Great Falls, Virginia.


The County Line

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

Fairfax County’s secondannual Stuff the Buscampaign roared to the

finish line last week, collectingmore than 25,604 pounds offood and $3,483 – a 26 percentincrease in food, and a 236 per-cent increase in cash over 2011totals.

See Donations, Page 7

The Bus Was StuffedLocal food pantries receiverecord donations from 2nd annualStuff the Bus campaign.

Michael Artson, chief planner with the County’s Neigh-borhood and Community Services (NCS) Department,shows his appreciation for the record amount of dona-tions when the bus was parked at the McLean Giant.

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All donations went directly tolocal nonprofit organizationsthat help feed needy familiesand individuals in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community.

“The residents of Fairfax andour partners, like MV Transpor-tation and Frank & Co., havereally come out in support ofthe food pantries this year,” saidMichael Artson, chief planner

JANUARY 16Mount Vernon Plaza Shoppers Food

Warehouse7660 Richmond Highway, Alexandria1,320 pounds of food was collected

and donated to UnitedCommunity Ministries.

JANUARY 21Vienna Giant359 Maple Avenue East, Vienna1,198 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Committee forHelping Others.

Village Center at Dulles ShoppersFood Warehouse

2425 Centreville Road, Herndon1,907 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Reston Interfaith.

JANUARY 28Fox Mill Giant2551 John Milton Drive, Herndon1,746 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Helping HungryKids.

Lorton Giant8941 Ox Road, Lorton2,158 pounds of food was collected

and donated to LortonCommunity Action Center.

FEBRUARY 4McLean Giant1454 Chain Bridge Road, McLean6,221 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Share, Inc.Clifton Giant5740 Union Mill Road, Clifton3,487 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Western FairfaxChristian Ministries.

FEBRUARY 11Fair City Mall Shoppers Food

Warehouse9622 Main Street, Fairfax2,708 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Food for Others.Kingstowne Giant5870 Kingstowne Blvd., Alexandria1,574 pounds of food was collected

and donated to KoinoniaFoundation.

FEBRUARY 18Fair City Mall Shoppers Food

Warehouse9622 Main Street, Fairfax2,009 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Our Daily Bread.Seven Corners Center Shoppers Food

Warehouse6360 Seven Corners Center, Falls

Church1,274 pounds of food was collected

and donated to Falls ChurchCommunity Service Council.

FOOD TOTALS FOR

STUFF THE BUS CAMPAIGN

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

During a campaign stop at a Fairfaxworkforce development company onThursday, former Virginia Gov. TimKaine (D) emphasized the need to

foster a “talent economy” that will rebootAmerica’s drive to the top of the economic ladder.

Kaine spoke to about 50 staff and students atMultivision, Inc., an information technology (IT)consulting company, about giving American work-ers opportunities to acquire 21st century techni-cal skills to keep pace with the evolving demandsof global employers.

“I really believe - big-picture, national-policy now- that America will be stronger if we win the talentwar, and we will have problems if we lose the talentwar, to put it bluntly,” Kaine said.

THE VISIT was one of several economic roundtablesKaine has been holding across the state in his bid tofill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. JimWebb. Kaine is being challenged by former Republi-can Governor George Allen.

Kaine said his focus on “talent issues,” means threethings: ensuring that education systems are worldclass from pre-K to higher-education; providing op-portunities for retraining and workforce develop-ment; and an immigration system that allows thebest and brightest to come to America to create jobsand contribute to the economy.

“For many years our country was number one inthe world in percentage of our adult population get-ting some kind of degree after high school, but to-day we’re 16th and we’re slipping,” he said.

Kaine told the group that Multivision caught hisattention last fall when he met founder and presi-dent Srikanth Ramachandran, who came to America14 years ago from India to pursue the “AmericanDream.” Kaine said he was impressed that, since2009, Multivision has provided training and jobcoaching that resulted in jobs for more than 45 un-employed Americans.

“What you’re doing here at Multivision is a won-derful bridge for people who have the talent anddesire, but not always the sufficient skills to be suc-cessful,” Kaine said, adding that bridging the gaprequires a scaled-up partnership between business,government and educational institutions.

Now a U.S. citizen, Ramachandran said he startedthe Fairfax-based Multivision in 2002; by 2007, thecompany employed 200 people and netted $32 mil-lion a year. But when the economy started to sputterin late 2008, Multivision struggled to find veterantalent in the rapidly evolving IT industry.

“We were astounded to find out how many unem-ployed did not have skills in the latest technologies.There was a huge gap between their skills and therequired skills,” Ramachandran said. “There wasclearly a need to retrain workers in the latest tech-nologies.”

The company tackles unemployment by providingfree, full-time IT programming to unemployed andunderemployed during an intense 8-week, 40-hourprogram that Ramachandran described as “much likea boot camp.”

“We provide training across different age-groupsand ethnicity. About 40 percent of our students areabove 50…The success of our training model dependson constant retraining,” he said.

Ramachandran said it was “a pleasant surprise totalk to politician who is totally in touch with reality.I was impressed by his humility, intellect and clearunderstanding of the unemployed.”

Kaine said one of the most common stories he hearsin his travels across the Commonwealth is from un-employed workers who have a degree but not theadvanced technology skills to find a job.

KAINE DESCRIBED a recent visit to a Kraft Foodsplant in Winchester, where he talked to a managerwho said he had five jobs available but could notfind someone with the right skills to hire.

In bid for U.S. Senate seat,Kaine holdseconomic roundtables.

Kaine Touts ‘Talent Economy’

Former Virginia Gov. TimKaine, who is campaigningfor the U.S. Senate seatvacated by Democrat JimWebb, visited Multivision inFairfax on Thursday, Feb. 23.He spoke with students andstaff, and said he was moti-vated to visit the workforcedevelopment company aftermeeting founder and presi-dent Srikanth Ramachandran(right) last fall.

Former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who iscampaigning for the U.S. Senate seat vacatedby Democrat Jim Webb, visited Multivision,Inc. in Fairfax on Thursday, Feb. 23. Hespoke with student Charles Snow about theneed to build a “talent economy.”

See Kaine, Page 7

Photos by

Victoria Ross/

The Connection


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To have community events listed in theConnection, send [email protected] is Friday.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 29Public Meeting on Proposed

Redevelopment of LewinsvilleSenior Center. 7:30 p.m.Lewinsville Senior Center, Room 103,1609 Great Falls St., McLean. WithSupervisor John Foust. [email protected].

FRIDAY/MARCH 2Greater McLean Chamber of

Commerce Winter Gala &Board of Directors Installation.6:30 p.m. Gannett WorldwideHeadquarters, 7950 Jones BranchDrive, McLean. Music during dinnerby the McLean Orchestra, open bar,sit-down dinner, silent auction andafter-dinner dancing. $75 Chambermembers, $95 non-members.www.mcleanchamber.org or 703-356-5424.

SATURDAY/MARCH 3Recycling at Northside Property

Yard. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. NorthsideProperty Yard, 600 Mill St. N.E.,Vienna. Vienna residents may recycleused automotive items, motor oil,antifreeze, and car batteries.Sponsored by the Department ofPublic Works. 703-255-6380 orwww.viennava.gov.

Healthy Responses to Anger. 9:30a.m. The Women’s Center, 127 ParkSt. N.E., Vienna. Recognize angertriggers and identify coping skills.$35-$45. Register atwww.thewomenscenter.org or 703-281-4928.

SUNDAY/MARCH 4Wealthism. 12:45 p.m. Fairfax

Unitarian Church, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. The term “wealthism”describes the inadvertent orpurposeful influence towardconsolidation of wealth and power ina smaller and smaller minority ofpeople.

MONDAY/MARCH 5Haven of Northern Virginia New

Volunteers Training. 9:30 a.m.Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606Ravensworth Road, Annandale.Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridaysthrough March 16. Volunteers needto commit to one year of serviceanswering Haven’s phones 2.5 hoursweekly. Registration required at 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org.

Great Falls Historical Society. 1-5p.m. Great Falls Library MeetingRoom, 9830 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls. Meeting Mondays throughApril. www.gfhs.org.

TUESDAY/MARCH 6Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber

of Commerce TIPS Luncheon.12:15 p.m. Shula’s Steakhouse, 8028Leesburg Pike, in the Tysons CornerMarriott. Every Tuesday. 703-862-4895.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 7Chronic Disease Self-Management

Workshop. 10 a.m. UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.Weekly meetings for older adultswith chronic health problems such asarthritis, diabetes, lupus, thyroiddisease, osteoporosis and heartdisease. Sponsored by TheShepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna.703-281-0538.

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Schools

Churchill Road students incorporated en-vironmental studies with their science uniton weather when they learned about thepower of wind as an alternative energysource. Debra Maes, Churchill’s environmen-tal studies coordinator, introduced the con-cept using some hands-on activities. Duringtheir weather unit, students in Jan Clark’skindergarten class made wind gauges withassistance from Mr. Jinhai’s 6th grade class.Second graders in Jacqueline Laurenzi’s

class tested the viability of wind turbines asan energy source. They discovered that theeffectiveness of wind is dependent onweather patterns, and that an area such asNorthern Virginia is not an ideal location.They also learned that such factors as windspeed and the size and shape of blades areimportant variables. Students had the op-portunity to test firsthand a handheld windturbine to see if it could generate enoughpower to illuminate an LED light.

Churchill Road 2ndgraders NolanHarrison, Oliver Tu,Katherine Senich,Neil Bajaj, AidanNguyen and SalmaSaout look on withinterest as DebraMaes demonstrateshow a wind turbinecan be used to poweran LED light.

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First Baptist of Ballston...703-525-7824

Mt. Zion Baptist Church...703-979-7411

Churches -Baptist-Free Will Bloss Memorial Free Will

Baptist Church...703-527-7040

Churches -Christian ScienceMcLean-First Church of Christ, Scientist

...703-356-1391

First Church of Christ,

Scientist, Arlington...

703-534-0020

Churches- PresbyterianArlington Presbyterian

Church...703-920-5660

Church of Covenant

...703-524-4115

Clarendon Presbyterian Church

703-527-9513

Little Falls Presbyterian Church

703-538-5230

Trinity Presbyterian Church...

703-536-5600

Westminster Presbyterian ...

703-549-4766

Churches- UnitarianUniversalist

Unitarian Universalist Church

of Arlington 703-892-2565

To highlight your Faith Community call Karen at 703-778-9422

DAILY EUCHARIST:WeekdaysMonday-Friday, 6:30 AM & 8:30 AMSaturday, 8:30 AM

SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE:Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PMSunday: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spanish Liturgy5312 North 10th StreetArlington Virginia 22205Parish Office: (703) 528-6276

PARISH WEBSITE:www.rc.net/arlington/stann

All AreWelcome!

Churches-United MethodistArlington United Methodist Church

...703-979-7527

Trinity United Methodist Church

of McLean...703-356-3312

Charles Wesley United Methdist...703-356-6336

Calvary United Methdist...703-892-5185

Cherrydale United Methodist...703-527-2621

Chesterbrook United Methodist

...703-356-7100

Clarendon United Methodist...703-527-8574

Community United Methodist...703-527-1085

Mt. Olivet United Methodist...703-527-3934

Walker Chapel United Methodist

...703-538-5200

Churches- United Church of ChristBethel United Church of Christ...703-528-0937

Rock Spring Congregational

United Church of Christ...703-538-4886

Non-Denominational New Life Christian Church - McLean Campus

...571-294-8306

Celebration Center for Spiritual Living

...703-560-2030

Metaphysical Arlington Metaphysical Chapel ...703-276-8738

Presbyterian Churchin America Churches

Christ Church of Arlington...703-527-0420

Synagogues - Conservative Congregation Etz Hayim...703-979-4466

Synagogues - OrthodoxFort Myer Minyan...703-863-4520

Chabad Luvavitch of Alexandria-Arlington

...703-370-2774

Synagogue - ReconstructionistKol Ami, the North Virginia

Reconstructionist Community

... 571-271-8387

From Page 4

From Page 4

with the County’s Neighborhoodand Community Services (NCS)Department, one of the fooddrive’s organizers.

The annual campaign is a part-nership between NCS, FairfaxCounty’s Office of Public PrivatePartnerships (OP3) and MV Trans-portation Inc., which operates theFASTRAN buses and provides vol-unteers, as well as local grocerystore chains Giant and ShoppersFood Warehouse.

“In our first year, 2011, we col-lected more than 20,000 poundsof food valued at more than$34,000; the total value of thefood, goods and services donatedby all the public and private part-ners was valued at more than$56,000,” said Patricia Stevens,executive director of OP3.

She said the “Stuff the Bus” cam-paign is intentionally scheduledbetween Martin Luther King Day

News

“There are a lot of companiesthat have manufacturing jobs andwant to hire. I hear from peoplewho say they know how to workthe machines, but companies wantto hire people to program the ma-chines, so the old skills are notsufficient. This is what made mewant to come to MultiVision,”Kaine told the group.

Kaine said he was particularlymoved by the story of a 55-year-old man he met that afternoonwho is completing Multivision’straining program.

“That was a poignant story. Thisman is unemployed and his son isgoing to Thomas Jefferson HighSchool for Science and Technol-ogy. That is the kind of talent storywe should be telling,” Kaine said.

Instead, he said the Virginia tal-ent story is getting obscured by theGOP’s focus on social issues.

Kaine Comes to Area

Record Donations

“I am worried…Are we reallytalking about the legality of birthcontrol,” Kaine said after his visitto Multivision.

“This is no time to be compla-cent about the economy. When Isaid to the group that Virginiawent from 38th in the nation (inper capita income) to being 7th,it’s clear we didn’t excel by gettingbogged down in divisive social is-sues.”

Kaine noted that when he wasgovernor from 2006 to 2010, com-panies such as Northrop Grummanand Volkswagen of North America,decided to headquarter in Virginia,mainly because of people and tal-ent.

“What I hear from our businessleaders and owners is that they aretired of partisan games and dis-tractions causing uncertainty andmaking it hard to be successful,”Kaine said in a recent conferencecall with reporters.

in January and Presidents Day inFebruary, because donations typi-cally decrease during the first fewmonths of the new year, after theseasonal dose of good will.

Many Fairfax County pantries,including Our Daily Bread, FAC-ETS, the Lorton Action Commu-nity Center and Food for Others,report that during the fall and holi-day season, food pantries arestocked and brimming with dona-tions from the community.

“But by February, our suppliesare often running low even thoughthe need for food is greater thanever,” said Lisa Whetzel, executivedirector of Our Daily Bread inFairfax.

She said ODB collected 2,000pounds of food and more than$500 in cash and grocery cardswhen Stuff the Bus was parked atShoppers Food Warehouse at FairCity Mall on Feb. 18, and much ofthe food went directly to clientsthe next day.

Former Virginia Gov. TimKaine, who is campaign-ing for the U.S. Senateseat vacated by DemocratJim Webb, visitedMultivision in Fairfax onThursday, Feb. 23. Kaineaddressed students andstaff at the IT workforcedevelopment company.

Photo by

Victoria Ross/

The Connection

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McLean

By Sharon Bulova

Chairman of the Board

And Jeff McKay

Lee District Supervisor and Transporta-

tion Committee Chairman

Maybe we should rename ourCounty The Bank of Last Re-sort. At our Board of Supervi-sors retreat in early February,

board members and staff discussed the toolsavailable to local government to narrow thechasm between growing needs and shrinkingresources. As the state and federal govern-ments continue to slash programs and fundsto localities, the needs in areas like human ser-vices, education, public safety, and transpor-tation continue to grow.

Fairfax County is at ground zero in all theseareas. We’re home to a growing population ofseniors in need of basic services; our top notchschools are growing fast; and our first respond-ers keep our community safe despite beingasked to do more with less.

The current debate over transportation re-sponsibilities is instructive. The Commonwealthof Virginia has primary transportation respon-sibilities that go back to the years of the GreatDepression when the state took on all publicroad maintenance and construction for all coun-ties except for Arlington and Henrico. In re-cent years, we’ve seen the fraying of this tradi-tional responsibility and core function of stategovernment as the state’s failure to act has leftmany of our most well-traveled roads in de-plorable condition. Saying, “Can’t afford it any-more, it’s your problem” seems to be the Gen-eral Assembly’s solution. That’s not reasonableand it’s certainly not responsible governance.

The current proposals in the General Assem-bly are either devolution-lite or the camel’snose under the tent. Either way, they amountto an abdication of the state’s moral and legalresponsibility to maintain our roads. Any ef-fort by the state that does not result in a long-term dedicated revenue stream is a decision

to sidestep our transportation challenges.Fairfax County should not be forced to choosebetween its citizens’ important needs simplybecause the state government is looking to takethe easy way out. And keep in mind — asFairfax County’s fortunes go, so goes the Com-monwealth. Our economic vitality supportsand funds the rest of the state. A crumblingtransportation infrastructure here will ulti-mately show up on the wrong side of the led-ger downstate.

As elected leaders, we have the responsibil-ity to listen and respond to the needs of ourconstituents. Time after time we hear thattransportation is one of our residents’ top con-cerns and key to our economic fortunes. FairfaxCounty has a creative and solutions-orientedlocal government. We believe that our trans-portation problems can be solved. Identifyinga dedicated transportation revenue stream isthe first and most important step in findingthat solution and we ask that the Governor andthe General Assembly meet their responsibil-ity and identify that stream.

State Shirks Transportation ResponsibilityCommentary

Letters to the Editor

Wolf’s CrusadeArticleTo the Editor:

Alex McVeigh’s article on Rep.Wolf ’s book “Prisoner of Con-science” [“Wolf’s Crusade,” Con-nection, February 15-21, 2012] isvery much worth acknowledgingas his constituents and other con-stituents of neighboring districtsare not well informed about Rep.Wolf’s commitment to this issue ofglobal human rights. I have livedhere in Northern Virginia for 30years and that is how long Rep.Wolf has been in Congress repre-senting the 10th district. It is alsoparallel to my 30 years of citizenactivism and being a responsiblecitizen. Through the years I havelived in Arlington, Oakton andReston. Rep. Wolf has been mycongressman for many of thoseyears. Due to boundary changesetc, I am not in the 10th Districtnow. Our citizen advocacy organi-zation has worked closely withRep. Wolf over these 30 years. Werecall his life changing visit toEthiopia and how we were veryproud of him. He has supportedprograms of UNICEF and ChildSurvival funding that really makea difference.

In 1984, in the “State of theWorld’s Children Report” pub-lished annually by UNICEF, thenumber of child deaths (prevent-able) was 40,000 daily. In thesepast 30 years the number currentlyaccording to UNICEF is down to24,000 daily. That is still a scan-dalous number but also showsprogress in fighting human rightsviolations of hunger and disease

that is preventable. Rep. Wolf saysin your article that back in the ’80sthere was more bipartisan supportfor human rights in Congress thanhe sees now. Isn’t that shamefulthat “partisan politics” negates thecommitment we all have to suchfundamental rights. I really don’tbelieve that Republican or Demo-crat really sees this as a politicalissue but a “human rights issue.”Rep. Wolf shows an ongoing com-mitment and feels frustrated thatchange is possible but he says itwill take a “shift in attitude” andthat speaking out and advocatingprograms that make a differenceis a responsibility for us as well asCongress.

Len ChorazyRESULTS Coordinator, Virginia

Reston

Equal HumanRights for AllTo the Editor:

The most recent edition of TheConnection [Feb 15-21, 2012],included an article about Rep.Frank Wolf ’s humanitarian cru-sade, and highlighted a book hehas written about his experiences.Rep. Wolf ’s work is exemplary,and worthy of our praise. How-ever, it behooves me to point outa glaring void in Mr. Wolf’s work:as strong an advocate for humanrights as Mr. Wolf has been, he hasbeen an equally staunch oppo-nent of equal human rights forgays and lesbians here in thiscountry.

The Connection article endswith a quote from Rep. Wolf:

“The Declaration of Indepen-dence says all men are createdequal, and have a right to life, lib-erty and the pursuit of happiness,”he said. “I think when we advo-cate and speak out, it really canmake a tremendous difference topeople all over the world, as wewould want someone to do if wewere in the same situation.”

I would say to Rep. Wolf, we AREin the same situation. A largegroup of Americans, who are ex-pected to pay taxes and adhere tothe laws of this land, are consis-tently being denied the most ba-sic privileges and protections ofthose laws. The Declaration of In-dependence says “all” men, notjust those that you prefer. I urgeRep Wolf to consider his ownwords, and follow the course thathe himself advocates for othercountries. Be a true humanitarian,Rep. Wolf, not a selective one.

Sarah O’NeilGreat Falls

Not the VirginiaWe Voted ForTo the Editor:

Barbara Comstock, our 34th Dis-trict Delegate, has just sent out her“Crossover” newsletter with thestatus of bills she has sponsored.What she isn’t telling us in hernewsletter is her voting record onbills that are so harmful towomen’s rights and health thatVirginia is making national head-lines. These bills include:

HB1 - the so called “personhoodbill.” If this bill becomes law, yourright to have access to in-vitro fer-

tilization, most forms of contra-ception, and abortion regardless ofwhether the woman’s life is in dan-ger, could be severely restricted inVirginia.

HB 462 – before a woman canhave an abortion she must submitto an invasive and medically un-necessary transvaginal ultrasoundand be required to see the imageand that image kept on file forseven years. I wonder if Del.Comstock or anyone she knowshas had this procedure or wouldwant this process for any othermedical procedure. This is unfairto any woman who has to makethe already very personal andstressful decision to terminate anunwanted pregnancy - a rightguaranteed by the Supreme Court.

HB 1112 – eliminates Medicaidfunding for the HPV inoculationprogram that protects youngwomen against a virus that is aknown agent for cervical cancer.This discriminates against youngwomen who do not have access tohealth care plans and may not beable to afford to pay for this pro-tection.

If this legislation, sponsored bymen who will never bear children,passes, it gives the governmentmore power than ever overwomen’s bodies and pusheswomen’s rights back into the DarkAges. Perhaps Del. Comstock willreconsider her position followingthe demonstrations at the statecapital and the delayed vote on HB462.

This is not the Virginia we votedfor.

Barbara BaronMcLean


Great Falls United MethodistChurch, 10100 Georgetown Pike inGreat Falls, has announced their sermonseries for the Feb. 26-April 8 10 a.m.services will be “Journey to Hope.” 703-759-3705 or [email protected].

❖ Sunday, March 4. Identity and self-esteem can make or break the journey.

❖ Sunday, March 11. How work itselfcan be realized as a joyful destination.

❖ Sunday, March 18. When we gettired along the way, it is tempting tostop or turn around.

❖ Sunday, March 25. Do you have ahealthy relationship with money?

❖ Sunday, April 1. Would we havestarted this journey, if we had realizedthe pain along the way?

❖ Thursday, April 5. Maundy Thurs-day. As we remember this importantgathering, we too share the cup andbreak bread in an experiential Lord’sSupper.

❖ Friday, April 6. Good Friday ser-vices. Recognize our shortcomings andthe message that in the darkest of times,God’s light still beckons us to Hope.

❖ Sunday, April 8. Easter services.When all hope feels lost, it has truly justbegun.

St. Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls,offers three Sunday services and a hostof musical, educational, outreach, andfellowship ministries to enrich spiritualgrowth. 7:45 a.m. Worship Service with-out music; 9 a.m. Worship Service,Children’s Chapel and Children’s Choirs;10 a.m. Sunday School and Adult Fo-rum; and 11 a.m. Worship Service with

Adult Choir. 703-759-2082.

Trinity United MethodistChurch, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd.,McLean, Sunday worship services are at8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School foradults is at 9:30 a.m. and for childrenduring the 10:30 a.m. worship service.Youth Group for grades 7-12 meets Sun-days at 6 p.m. A 20-minute service ofHoly Communion is held each Wednes-day at 12 p.m. 703-356-3312 orumtrinity.org.

The Jewish Social ServicesAgency (JSSA) offers a wide variety ofsupport groups for those with emo-tional, social, and physical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.

HAVEN of Northern Virginia of-fers a variety of free bereavementsupport groups, meeting on a weeklybasis. Contact 703-941-7000 orwww.havenofnova.org for schedulesand registration information.

McLean Bible Church FitnessClass at Body & Soul Fitness. Balanceis key, energy is renewed and strengthis gained. 9:45 a.m. Mondays and Fri-days. Free childcare for registereds t u d e n t s [email protected].

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center of-fers ongoing classes on meditation andBuddhist philosophy, Mondays at 7 p.m.at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 or www.meditation-dc.org.

Faith

Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send [email protected]. Deadline is Friday.

10 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ February 29 - March 6, 2012 McLean Connection ❖ February 29 - March 6, 2012 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

Fifty years ago, the McLean Project for theArts began as a way for local artists to gettogether, meet the local community and sella few paintings while they are at it. The or-

ganization has undergone many changes since then,establishing a gallery at the McLean Community Cen-ter and putting on several signature events per year,but it remains the same at its core.

To kick off the celebration of their 50th year, theMPA hosted a “pop-up” party, turning an empty spotin the Langley Shopping Center into downtownMcLean’s hottest night spot.

“For our 50th anniversary, we wanted to do some-thing fun, because that was the spirit that startedeverything,” said Bari Levingston, one of the event’schairs. “This is more of a friend-raiser than afundraiser, we just want everyone to have a goodtime.”

What had been a bare storefront in the shoppingcenter was transformed with decorations, local art,lighting and more to create a club-like atmosphere.

Local businesses contributed a variety of food,drinks and dessert to the event. Smooth Ambler spir-its provided a cocktail for the event, the vodka ab-stract, made up of vodka, lemon and rosemary. Nour-

ish Market, J. Gilbert’s, McLean 1910 and 2941 alsoprovided food and drinks for the party.

“Part of our challenge was to create something outof nothing,” Livingston said. “Everybody involved re-ally rolled up their sleeves to put this on, and wecouldn’t have done it without so much help from lo-cal merchants. Even Lamps Unlimited next doorhelped, they ordered the lights that are all around.”

The art was provided by MPA artists, who performed“Flash Art,” creating their pieces in a short amount oftime. The pieces were bid on by the more than 150attendees.

“This goes back to the MPA’s roots, where it wasjust a handful of women hosting informal events,bringing art to the people of McLean whenever theycould,” said Julie Lansaw Warrin, the event’s otherco-chair. “We even did some dumpster diving, that’s

where we got a lot of the wood we used to decorate.”Dan Smoot, owner of the Langley Shopping Center

was the one who allowed the MPA to take over thevacant space.

“I’m always happy to participate in anything thatbrings the community together like this,” he said. “AndI’m very pleased with how the place looks, it turnedout really well.”

More information on the McLean Project for theArts, including future 50th anniversary activities, canbe found at www.mpaart.org.

MPA Begins 50th Anniversary CelebrationOrganization hosts “pop-up”party in downtown McLean.

Guests at the McLean Project for the Arts’ “pop-up” partyenjoy a decorated space that was previously empty in theLangley Shopping Center Friday, Feb. 24.

Pete DiCenso of the Dead Cat Bounce Band presents JulieLansaw Warrin with a hat commemorating the McLeanProject for the Arts 50th anniversary Friday, Feb. 24. DiCensoand his band performed the music for the evening.

From left, Julie Lansaw Warrin and Bari Livingston of theMcLean Project for the Arts and Dan Smoot, owner of theLangley Shopping Center. The MPA hosted a “pop-up”party at an empty space in the shopping center to kick offtheir 50th anniversary celebrations Friday, Feb. 24.

The Dead Cat Bounce Band performs at the McLean Project for the Arts“pop-up” party Friday, Feb. 24.

HOW TO GET YOURORGANIZATION’S SPECIALEVENTS IN THE CONNECTION

Calendar ListingsThe Connection Newspapers contain a Calendar ofUpcoming Events every week. While we cannot guaranteethat every event we receive information about will belisted, here is the information we need for your upcomingevent to be considered for the Calendar. We welcomephotographs of similar events held previously, whichsometimes appear with Calendar items.

Name of Event:Day of the Week, Date and Time:Name of the Place Event will Be Held:Address of the Place Event Will Be Held:Name and Phone Number for More Information:Three Sentences Describing the Event:

Please submit your calendar information at leasttwo weeks before your event. Clear photographs fromsimilar previous events are always welcome.All events should be open to the public. We givefirst priority to free events. E-mail listings to:

[email protected] mail to:Calendar, Connection Newspapers1606 King StreetAlexandria, VA 22314.

For more information, call 703-778-9410.

www.connectionnewspapers.com


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Obituary

Joanne Virginia DonohueWatson, age 85, passed awaypeacefully on Friday Feb. 17, 2012at Stonehenge Assisted Living inBlairsville, Ga. Joanne resided inBlairsville for the past five years.Born in Petaluma, Calif., on Nov.26, 1926 the daughter of the lateEmmett Ignatius Donohue andDoris Rockwell, she was pro-ceeded in death by her husbandJohn Rollin Watson, Jr. (1995) andher son John Rollin Watson III(1999) and her brother JamesLockwood Donohue. She was arecent member of the First Bap-tist Church of Blairsville, Ga.While in Georgia she was activein Faith Sunday School Class, andthe Beacon Mission Team. Joannehad a heart for missions.

Before coming to Blairsville,Joanne lived 47 years in NorthernVirginia. While living in Great Fallsshe was an active member of theLewinsville Presbyterian Church inMcLean, where she served as anelder; a deacon; chair of the mis-sion committee, where she oversawthe relocation and settlement of arefugee family with five childrenfrom Laos; worked in the Clothing

Joanne Virginia Donohue Watson, 85, DiesCloset; active in Christmas in April(was one of the best painters on theteam); made communion bread; astoryteller; and acted in manychurch and local plays.

While in Herndon, she was amember of the Herndon UnitedMethodist Church.

Before coming to Northern Vir-ginia Joanne traveled the four cor-ners of the world with her husbandliving in Alaska (before it was astate), Cambodia (before thewars), and Costa Rica. She wasraised in California living in manycities (sixteen- but who’s count-ing) up and down the west coast,some including San Francisco,Carmel, San Diego, Monterey andPasadena. Her love for the oceanand beach were known by all, shewas an avid traveler, and “nevermet a stranger.”

Survivors include: daughter andson-in-law Janice and CharlesCoon of Bluemont, Va.; daughterand son-in-law Patricia and MikeBaldwin of Blairsville, Ga.; and sonand daughter-in-law William andVirginia Watson of Little Washing-ton, Va.; grandchildren JasonWatson and wife Jessica (New

York, NY); Captain ChristopherBaldwin (US Army) and wifeErika; Sarah Steel (Herndon, Va.);Timothy Baldwin and JenniferPeterson (Palm Beach Gardens,Fla.); Kelly Steel and fiancé HenryBrooks (Sterling, Va.); and twogreat grandsons Marcello andJavier Watson. Survived also byher brothers Emmett Donohue(Dolores, Colo.) and, F. MartinDonohue (Melbourne, Fla.) and bynumerous much-loved nieces andnephews around the world.

Services in Northern Virginiawill be on Saturday March 3, at 3p.m. at the Lewinsville Presbyte-rian Church, 1724 ChainbridgeRoad, McLean, VA 22101 led Rev.Justin White and Rev. DeborahMcKinley. Interment and receptionto follow the service.

In her memory if you wish todonate funds or time at your localshelter or food bank or a missionproject donations may be made toLewinsville Foundation 1724Chainbridge Road, McLean, VA22101 or Herndon United Meth-odist Church, VIM (Volunteer inMission) scholarship, 701 BennettStreet, Herndon, VA 20170.

Delight in ourHomeLifeStylesections, thesecond week ofevery month.Peek at the topreal estate sales,glimpse over-the-top remodelingprojects, get prac-tical suggestionsfor your home.

Celebratestudents, camps,schools,enrichmentprograms,colleges andmore in ourA-plus:Education,Learning, Funpages, the thirdweek of everymonth.

Be a part of ournew Wellbeingpages, the firstweek of everymonth.Questions? [email protected]

Suggestions? [email protected]

Follow us on

Mary Kimm, Publisher@MaryKimm

Connection News Desk@FollowFairfax

Michael Lee Pope, Reporter@MichaelLeePope

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Jon Roetman, Reporter@jonroetman


News

By Monika Bapna

The Connection

The dimming lights and theconsequent hush that fellover the auditorium at

sharply 6:45 p.m. on WednesdayFeb.15 signaled the start ofMarshall’s annual InternationalNight.

International Night is an eventthat celebrates the cultural diver-sity at Marshall High. With over20 countries and their culturesshowcased, the night offered food,information boards and a varietyof cultural performances.

Parent volunteer CherisseMungal created tri-fold boards forall of the Caribbean countries rep-resented for the night. In her 4thyear as a volunteer, Mungal de-scribed the night as a “chance toshowcase cultures that won’t nor-mally be recognized.”

The size and scope of the event,therefore, mandated the collabo-ration of teachers, students, clubsand parent volunteers to achieveits large-scale goals.

Teacher participants included anew face of history teacher SeanRolon who succeeded MatthewAxelrod as in charge of the enter-tainment for the event.

The logistics of the event wereprimarily handled by parent vol-unteers. Sharyn Quirk, CeciliaWatson and Barbara Leiber-Klotzmanaged various aspects of thenight.

Quirk, who was the chair for theevent, credited the success of theevening to her fellow volunteers.

“In order for International Nightto occur I needed people to takeon various roles,” she said. “Thisamazing team and many parent

volunteers have prepared a veryspecial evening for the Marshallcommunity.”

The performances, which werelargely self choreographed andrehearsed, proved to be very di-verse, according to Rolon. Theyincluded dances like Kathak, a tra-ditional Indian dance done bysophomore Supraja Chattari anda rendition of I Still Call AustraliaMy Home from the musical “TheBoy from Oz,” by junior JoshuaJones.

The Can Can dance that con-cluded the event with ear splittingapplause was prepared by themembers of French Club with thehelp of French teacher SylvieRosenbaum.

“I was very impressed by the CanCan dance,” Sophomore JoshnaSeelam, who performed manyBollywood numbers at the event,said. “It was apparent that they puta lot of effort in.”

Additionally, the Internationalclub members who have mainlybeen in charge of assisting theteachers and parents, volunteeredto take on the extra responsibilityof advertising the event, clubpresident junior AlisaChirachaturaphak said.

Parent Susan Pierce, who at-tended the event with her daugh-ter sophomore Marieka Pierce,called the night a “great success.”

According to Pierce, the successstemmed from uniting these di-verse cultures through the food,performance and an overall ambi-ance of fun and learning. “I reallyhope they continue this next year,”she said. “Maybe they can have aprofessional videographer, and sellcome CD’s because these perfor-mances were totally worth it.”

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

This fall, voters across Virginia willbe confronted with a hotly debatedamendment to the Virginia Constitutionthat seeks to limit the ability of local gov-

ernments to use the power of eminent domain. Ac-cording to various sides of the debate, the measurewould either be a disastrous move that would dras-tically increase the price of transportation projects,an empty measure that’s intended to appeal to vot-ers or a bold way to prevent local governments fromabusing the power of eminent domain.

“Voters tend to view eminent domain negatively,”said Jeff Skelley, political analyst with the VirginiaCenter for Politics. “So delegates and senators whovoted for it probably just gave themselves a littlemore cover.”

The lopsided nature of support for the effort inthe General Assembly certainly speaks to the politi-cal popularity of being seen as tough on eminentdomain. The state Senate approved the amendment23 to 17, and the House of Delegates passed themeasure with an 80 to 18 vote. Essentially, theamendment would allow busi-ness owners to seek damagesfrom local governments if theycould prove that property takenunder eminent domain resultedin a loss of profits or loss of ac-cess, the definitions of which arelaid out in a separate bill nowworking its way through theGeneral Assembly. Althoughmany feared that the implemen-tation could allow lawsuits forsomething as simple as remov-ing a left turn lane, the legisla-tion outlining how it would workis crafted very narrowly to focuson actual land being taken. Nevertheless, some saythe final version would create a hardship for the Vir-ginia Department of Transportation.

“It’s not as bad as it was, but it is still a very trouble-some piece of legislation and should not havepassed,” said state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), whovoted against the amendment and the implement-ing legislation. “I think it’s going to be very chal-lenging for VDOT to be able to acquire private right-of-way to put into public use without paying an in-credibly inordinate amount of money.”

THE DEBATE ABOUT eminent domain snappedinto the public conscious back in 2005 when the U.S.Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Kelo versusCity of New London. The majority in that case ruledthat the government taking of property from oneprivate owner to give to another for economic de-velopment constitutes a permissible public use un-der the Fifth Amendment. That ruling created a mas-sive backlash, including 2007 legislation in the Vir-ginia General Assembly that defined “public use” ina way that narrowed how eminent domain could beused in the commonwealth.

“This is legislation that closed the Kelo loophole,but every year people come to Richmond and try toweaken it,” said John Taylor, president of the Vir-

ginia Institute for Public Policy. “That’s whya constitutional amendment is necessary.”

Taylor and other supporters began work-ing years ago to set the pieces in place for a constitu-tional amendment to Virginia’s Constitution. Lastyear, the effort was given preliminary approval bythe House and Senate. But because the way theamendment process works in Virginia, the text of theamendment had to be approved again the next yearwith an intervening election. Now that identical textof the amendment has been approved for a secondtime, the amendment is on the way to RepublicanGov. Bob McDonnell.

“The right to own property was codified by ourfounding fathers and is a part of what makes up thefabric of our nation,” said Jeff Caldwell, press secre-tary to the governor in an email response to ques-tions. “Ensuring that individual property rights areprotected, maintained and not threatened by gov-ernment use for non-core services was part of thegovernor’s agenda this year, along with Republicansfrom the General Assembly.”

Supporters say the effort is aimed at ensuring thatproperty owners are compensated if they are sub-

jected to eminent domain. Op-ponents say the amendmentcould cost the state an extra$100 million each year by mak-ing transportation projects moreexpensive. It’s a debate that hascreated difficulty by some law-makers. Sen. George Barker (D-39), for example, voted for theamendment last year in an effortto strip out language adding theability of property owners toseek interest on top of the lossof profits and loss of access. Thisyear, he voted against the bill,which he says he opposed all

along.“It’s nowhere near as bad as the proposal that came

out of committee last year,” said Barker. “But it stillhas very significant negative consequences in termsof cost, and it’s also something that would be verydifficult to change.”

THE IMPLEMENTING legislation may have under-cut at least some of the opposition. Now that theability of businesses to collect for an action not in-volving land acquisition, the thrust of the amend-ment is now aimed squarely at cases that involveactual condemnation. Because existing law is alreadyclear on how that works, some have interpreted theimplementing legislation unveiling the effort as anaked attempt to capitalize on a politically popularissue.

“If this determination is being made, it seems tome that it somewhat negates the need for a constitu-tional amendment,” said Alexandria Vice Mayor KerryDonley. “Is the constitutional amendment intendedto be a politician’s brochure?”

“I’m shocked that anyone would even raise the factthat we might pass a political measure,” respondedstate Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34), who voted in favorof the amendment. “Frankly, I think the impact willbe minimal.”

Now that House and Senate have approved eminentdomain amendment, voters to have final say.

An Eminent Choice

Richmond

Report

“The right to ownproperty was codifiedby our foundingfathers and is a partof what makes up thefabric of our nation.”— Jeff Caldwell, press secretary

to Gov. Bob McDonnell

Photo contributed

World Cultures Meetat Marshall HighTwenty countries represented atInternational Night.

From left, Marshall High Sophomores Shalini Ranaand Joshna Seelam performed a variety of Bollywooddances for the school’s International Night.


Send announcements [email protected] is Thursday for the followingweek’s paper. Photos/artwork encour-aged. For additional listings, visitwww.connectionnewspapers.com

THURSDAY/MARCH 1Company of Thieves. 7:30 p.m.

Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave EVienna. www.jamminjava.com.

“Three Bears.” 12 p.m. 1st Stage,1524 Spring Hill Road, TysonsCorner. A brand-new play with acomedic twist on the classic fairy talesends the Three Bears and a golden-haired friend on an a cappellamusical adventure. Fast-paced fun forage 5 and up. Tickets $15 atwww.1ststagetysons.org or 703-854-1856.

Making, Marketing, and CollectingArt in the 21st Century. 7 p.m.McLean Project for the Arts, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. With JayBarrows, curator for the Sydney andFrances Lewis Private Art Collectionin Richmond. Free. Reserve [email protected] or 703-790-1953.

Peter Yarrow with Mustard’sRetreat. 8 p.m. The Barns atWolftrap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Folk music. $25. www.wolftap.org.

FRIDAY/MARCH 2Family Skate Night. 6:30-8 p.m.

Vienna Community Center, 120Cherry St., Vienna. Admission $1.Bring your own roller skates or in-line skates (no scooters) and safetyequipment. Parents required to staywith their children. 703-255-6360 orwww.viennava.

Anais Mitchell CD Release andRachel Ries. 7 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave E Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

“Seussical, the Musical.” 7:30 p.m.Oakcrest School, 850 Balls Hill Road,McLean. With all your favorite Dr.Seuss characters. $10 adult, $5student. 703-790-5450.

SATURDAY/MARCH 3Ballet Folklórico De Antioquia,

Colombia. 8 p.m. George MasonUniversity’s Center for the ArtsConcert Hall, 4400 University Drive,Fairfax. Sharing the richness anddiversity of Colombian culturethrough authentic music, ritualisticdance, and physical theateraccentuated with brilliantly-coloredcostumes. $23-$46. www.gmu.edu.

Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival.Various locations in Old TownFairfax. The Taste of Chocolate,featuring chocolate vendors sellingtheir wares; the Chocolate Challenge,an arts extravaganza where themedium is chocolate; the KiwanisPancake Breakfast featuringchocolate chip pancakes, historic re-enactments, children’s activities,open houses at historic buildings andmore. www.chocolatefestival.net.

”Seussical, the Musical.” 11 a.m.and 7:30 p.m. Oakcrest School, 850Balls Hill Road, McLean. With allyour favorite Dr. Seuss characters.$10 adult, $5 student. $30 perfamily. Cast and crew talk-back afterthe matinee. 703-790-5450.


Buskin & Batteau. 7:30 p.m. TheBarns at Wolftrap, 1551 Trap Road,Vienna. Folk duo. $22.www.wolftrap.org.

Celtic Woman. 8 p.m. George MasonUniversity Patriot Center, 4500

Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Celtic music.Tickets $43-$73, available atwww.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating available forpatrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035.

VTRCC 19th Annual Casino Nightand Taste of the Town. 7:30 p.m.Westwood Country Club, 800 MapleAve., East, Vienna. A Monte Carlo-themed event with a cash bar, silentauction and casino games. $85-$95.703-281-1333 or www.vtrcc.org.

Northern Virginia CountryWestern Dance Association.Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020Gallows Rd., Falls Church. Linedance lesson 7:30 p.m., couplesdance lesson 8 p.m., open dancing8:30-11 p.m. Admission $5-$12.Refreshments available.www.nvcwda.org or 703-860-4941.

26th Annual Fairfax Jazz & TapDance Festival. 8 p.m. NorthernVirginia Community CollegeAnnandale Campus Theatre, 8333Little River Turnpike, Annandale.With performances by the Dancin’Unlimited Jazz Dance Company,Encore Performers, Center StageDance, Capitol Movement, Impulseand MYTE. Supported and funded inpart by the Arts Council of FairfaxCounty. $20 in advance, $22 at thedoor. www.dujdc.org.

SUNDAY/MARCH 4Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Adoption

Event. 1-4 p.m. PetSmart, 8204Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner.Adoption events every Sunday. http://lostdogrescue.org/ and click onAdoptions.

Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival.Various locations in Old TownFairfax. The Taste of Chocolate,

featuring chocolate vendors sellingtheir wares; the Chocolate Challenge,an arts extravaganza where themedium is chocolate; the KiwanisPancake Breakfast featuringchocolate chip pancakes, historic re-enactments, children’s activities,open houses at historic buildings andmore. www.chocolatefestival.net.


Glen Phillips. 7:30 p.m. The Barns atWolftrap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket.$20. www.wolftrap.org.

Vienna Community Band SpringConcert. 7 p.m. Vienna CommunityCenter, 120 Cherry St. SE. Selectionsinclude “The Magic of Andrew LloydWebber”, “Lerner and Loewe inConcert” and “L’Arlesienne/Farandole”. Free.www.viennacommunityband.org.

Maple Syrup Boil-Down. 12-2 p.m.Colvin Run Mill Historic Site, 10017Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Watchand learn as sap from maple trees isboiled down into sweet syrup over anopen fire. Sample maple syrup andcornbread. $3. 703-631-0013.

26th Annual Fairfax Jazz & TapDance Festival. 4 p.m. NorthernVirginia Community CollegeAnnandale Campus Theatre, 8333Little River Turnpike, Annandale.With performances by the Dancin’Unlimited Jazz Dance Company,Encore Performers, Center StageDance, Capitol Movement, Impulse

The Vienna Boys Choir will perform on Sunday, March 11at 4 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for theArts, 4400 University Drive in Fairfax. The program willinclude “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”;Brahms’ 13th Psalm; Strauss’ “Tausend und eine Nacht”(Arabian Nights); Ennio Morricone’s “Nella Fantasia” (InMy Fantasy); and a medley of songs from the 1992 film“Sister Act.” Italian conductor Manolo Cagnin will serveas choirmaster for this performance. Tickets $23-$46,youth through grade 12 half price, available at 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.

Entertainment

and MYTE. Supported and funded inpart by the Arts Council of FairfaxCounty. $20 in advance, $22 at thedoor. www.dujdc.org.

McLean Symphony Spotlight onYouth. 3 p.m. Alden Theatre,McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. WithBrendan Conway playing the ViolinConcerto No. 5 in A Minor Op. 37 “LeGretry” by Henri Francois Vieuxtemp,student compositions by area youth,Michael Ream’s Fanfare for Forty No.3, Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to“Candide”, Duke Ellington’s Harlemand Howard Hanson’s Symphony No2 (Romantic)[email protected].

MONDAY/MARCH 5The Milk Carton Kids. 7:30 p.m.

Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave EVienna. www.jamminjava.com.

Introduction to Modern DanceWorkshop. 8 p.m. McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. For age 14 and up.Conducted by Christopher K. [email protected].

Ocean Acidification. 7 p.m. PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East,Vienna. Join the Great Falls Group ofthe Sierra Club for the movie “AcidTest,” narrated by Sigourney Weaver.Discussion lead by Dr. Schopf,Professor of Oceanography at GeorgeMason University. Free. 703-506-4310 or [email protected].

TUESDAY/MARCH 6Dance Every Tuesday. 7:15 p.m.

Colvin Run Dance Hall, 10201 ColvinRun Road, Great Falls. Introductorydance lesson 7:15 p.m., dancing 8-10:30 p.m. Swing, Latin, waltz,country and more. $10 per person,includes lesson and snacks. Nopartner necessary. colvinrun.org. orEd [email protected].

A Great Big Pile of Leaves, YoungStatues and The Baby Grand.7:30 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 MapleAve E Vienna. www.jamminjava.com.

Irish band Altan. 8 p.m. The Barns atWolftrap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.$25. www.wolftrap.org.

Woman’s Club of McLean MonthlyMeeting. 1 p.m. Trinity UnitedMethodist Church, 1205 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean. Lecture byPaul Polski, engineer and retiredexecutive of the U.S. TransportationSecurity Administration’s Office ofSecurity Technology, which hasdeployed $1 billion worth oftechnology each year since the 9/11terrorist attacks. Free and open to thepublic. 703-556-0197.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 72012 Run The Show Tour: Tribal

Seeds, Fortunate Youth andBimini Rd. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave E Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Vienna Photographic SocietyMeeting. 7:30 p.m. Thoreau MiddleSchool, 2505 Cedar Lane, Vienna.Chuck Veatch, nature photographerand Chairman of Nature’s BestPublishing, will show and discusswinning images from this year’sWindland Smith Rice InternationalPhotography Contest. 703-451-7298.

Great Falls TrailBlazers. 7:30 p.m.Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. How yourneighborhood can be connected tothe community via trails. Learnabout trail easements, understandwhy some trails don’t go anywhereand how trails can benefit aneighborhood. 703-757-8560.

Bat White-nose Syndrome: Thereis a New Fungus Among Us. 7p.m. USGS Headquarters, 12201Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Dr.David Blehert will discuss theprofound impacts white-nose

syndrome may have in the 21stcentury. Since first discovered in2007 in New York, white-nosesyndrome has spread to 16 states andfour Canadian provinces. The diseaseis estimated to have killed over fivemillion hibernating bats. Federalfacility, photo Id irequired. Free andopen to the public. Follow this eventlive @USGSLive. 703-648-7770.

Friends of the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter Fundraiser. 6-8:30 p.m. Whole Foods Market, 143Maple Ave., Vienna. 5% of all salesfrom the Café Bar will be donated toFFCAS. www.facebook.com/events/27398201933851/?context=create

THURSDAY/MARCH 8“The Phantom Tollbooth.” 7:30

p.m. The Langley School, 1411 BallsHill Road McLean. Based on NortonJuster’s classic children’s book. $8.www.langleyschool.org.

Guest Bartender Night. 6-11 p.m.Brix American Bistro, 1025-I SenecaRoad, Great Falls. With live music byDC Traffic starting at 8:30 p.m. Tenpercent of all proceeds donated toChildhelp DC. Sponsored byChildhelp DC and Brix AmericanBistro. [email protected].

Dangermuffin and Cris JacobsBand. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave E Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Karl Scully. 8 p.m. The Barns atWolftrap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Classical and Irish music. $25.www.wolftrap.org.

McLean Historical Society. 7:30p.m. McLean Community Center,1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Alecture on Civil War medicine byPatrick O’Neill. All welcome,refreshments provided. 703-980-0885 or [email protected].

FRIDAY/MARCH 9Family Skate Night. 6:30-8 p.m.

Vienna Community Center, 120Cherry St., Vienna. Admission $1.Bring your own roller skates or in-line skates (no scooters) and safetyequipment. Parents required to staywith their children. 703-255-6360 orwww.viennava.

Sing Me Insomnia andForeverisforever (acoustic) at 7p.m.; SNRG at 10 p.m. Jammin’Java, 227 Maple Ave E Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

The Amazing Kreskin. 8 p.m. TheBarns at Wolftrap, 1551 Trap Road,Vienna. Illusions and comedy withaudience participation.$25.www.wolftrap.org.

“The Phantom Tollbooth.” 7:30p.m. The Langley School, 1411 BallsHill Road McLean. Based on NortonJuster’s classic children’s book. $8.www.langleyschool.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 10Titanic Tea and Fashion Show. 2

p.m. Falls Church PresbyterianChurch Fellowship Hall, 225 E. BroadSt., Falls Church. Join the VictorianSociety at Falls Church in acommemoration of the 100thanniversary of the sailing of the RMSTitanic. Full sit-down tea,entertainment and fashion show.$35. Reservations required.www.victoriansocietyatfallschurch.comor 703-534-8394.

School Boy Humor, Rookie of theYear and Fourth QuarterComeback at 6 p.m.; Unity - a311 Day Tribute at 10 p.m.Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave EVienna. www.jamminjava.com.

Kids’ Clothing, Toy, andEquipment Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020Gallows Road, Falls Church.Sponsored by Northern VirginiaParents of Multiples.www.nvpom.org [email protected].


SportsMcLean Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders

703-224-3031 or [email protected]

By Rich Sanders

The Connection

The McLean Highboys’ basketballsquad, under headcoach Kevin Roller,

had one of the best teams inschool history this season, en-joying an outstanding regularseason followed by apostseason in which the High-landers captured the LibertyDistrict tournament title and ul-timately went all the way to theNorthern Region tournamentsemifinals.

McLean’s season ended lastSaturday night, Feb. 25 whenit lost a region tournament fi-nal four game to WestfieldHigh, 55-41, at Robinson Sec-ondary School. The game wasclose through three quarterswith the Highlanders, whotrailed just 24-22 at halftime,behind by just a 42-39 deficit.But Westfield, which featuresthe region’s top big man playerin 6-foot-11 inch senior centerZach Elcano, outscored theHighlanders by a 13-2 marginin the final quarter to go on tothe playoff victory.

McLean, which reached the16-team regional semifinalswith home victories earlier last week overboth Lake Braddock, 54-45, and Centreville,62-47, finished the season with a pulsating24-4 overall record.

UP UNTIL THE LAST several years,McLean basketball had, for the most part,been a struggling program in the regionback to its days in the old Great Falls Dis-trict in the 1970s and 80s and on into itstime as part of the Liberty. But under coachRoller the Highlanders, in the past coupleof seasons in particular, have emerged intoone of the better teams across the region.

Last year, McLean finished a solid 13-9but lost its first round region playoff gameto Yorktown, 74-42. A year before that, theteam went 10-11 with a first round regionplayoff setback to Oakton in February of2010. In the 2009 region playoffs, the High-landers lost to T.C. Williams in the firstround to conclude an 8-16 season. And Inthe 2008 postseason, McLean, under Roller,got all the way to the district tournamentfinals before losing to Langley in the cham-pionship game. In the following week’sregionals, the Highlanders lost a first roundheart-breaker at Mount Vernon High, 54-52, to finish that season 14-12.

So this winter’s playoff success, includ-ing a district title and a couple of regionplayoff wins, was an accomplishment whichhad been elusive for the program.

This year’s McLean team, like others un-

der Roller, played together as a unit. Butalong with that team attribute, the High-landers were able to become a region forcebecause they were made up of seasoned,determined players on their roster and ahandful of stars. Players knew and acceptedtheir roles and played hard from start tofinish in games. The result was a season inwhich wins became the normal outcomeand losses were quite few.

An early season 10-game win streak,which began with a 50-48 win at eventualregion finalist Westfield on Dec. 9 and alsoincluded victories over perennial regionforce Chantilly (the 2010 region champi-ons) and talented cross-town private schoolopponent Potomac School (this year’s MidAtlantic Conference champions), gotMcLean off to a 12-1 start.

The long win streak was snapped by adistrict home loss to Fairfax, 59-53, on Jan.13. The Rebels, like McLean, would ulti-mately go as far as the region semifinals.Following the loss to Fairfax, McLean alsofell at local and district rival Langley, thethree-time defending district championswho defeated the visiting Highlanders, 55-52, in an overtime affair on Jan. 17.

But McLean did not lose another regularseason game thereafter, winning its nextseven games and entering the district tour-nament with a 19-2 record and the No. 2-seed at the district tournament.

In McLean’s final two regular season

games, it defeated Fairfax and Langley toavenge the earlier losses to both.

AT DISTRICTS, McLean continued its redhot play with decisive victories over No. 7-seed Madison, 60-39, and No. 6 Jefferson,52-38. The Colonials, in their first roundgame, had upset No. 3 South Lakes.

In the district finals, McLean faced anupstart Fairfax team under first year coachMike Barbee which had upset top seed Lan-gley, 56-49, in a district semifinals game.

The Rebels and Highlanders, inone of the most exciting gamesin the Northern Region this win-ter, played a thrilling doubleovertime affair won by McLean,60-57. McLean senior pointguard Gordon Rogo earnedtournament MVP honors andteammate Thomas Van Wazer,a senior forward, also made thesix-member All-Tourney squad.

With the three district tour-nament wins, McLean wasriding another 10-game winstreak going into last week’sregion tournament. The High-landers, who for so long hadbeen looking to finally attain abreakthrough first round regionplayoff win, got it when theydefeated an always tough LakeBraddock squad, 54-45, athome last Monday, Feb. 20.

In front of its vocal, fired-upstudent body, McLean over-came a slow start in which it fellbehind 8-2 after one quarterand trailed 25-20 at halftime tothe underdog Bruins (14-10),the Patriot District team underhighly regarded head coachBrian Mettress. But the High-landers were dominant in thesecond half, outscoring theirguests 34-20, on way to thecomeback win.

Van Wazer (22 points) andsenior guard Sango Amolo (16)

led the Highlanders, while Rogo was alsoin double figures with 10 points.

McLean, two days later, won aquarterfinals round contest over guestCentreville High (Concorde District), 62-47. In that game, it was the Highlanderswho took early control, grabbing a 19-7lead after one quarter and holding a 28-18advantage at the half. The Highlanders ef-fectively put the game away in the thirdquarter when they outscored the Wildcats(11-14), 20-9. Van Wazer and Rogo, bothFirst Team All-Liberty District selectionsthis season, scored 19 and 17 points, re-spectively, and John Pascoe, a junior cen-ter, contributed 12 points.

The win advanced McLean into the Re-gion Final Four where it faced Westfieldlast Saturday. McLean’s leading scorers inthe season-ending loss were Rogo (16points), Amolo (10), and senior forwardKevin Lastova (9). Westfield (23-4), theConcorde District champions who advancedto a region title game meeting with Edison,had big games from point guard Julius Rosa(14 points), big man Elcano (13), andChauncey Beckett (11).

The loss prevented McLean from reach-ing the finals and qualifying for the upcom-ing eight-team state AAA playoffs. Never-theless, it was a remarkable breakout sea-son for the Highlanders who will always belooked upon as one of the best McLean Highteams ever.

End of a Remarkable Basketball Season for McLean Boys

McLean High frontcourt player John Pascoe(12) made his presence known defensively inthe Highlanders’ region semifinals gameagainst Westfield on Saturday night.

Gordon Rogo puts up an acrobatic shot overWestfield center Zach Elcano during theboys’ basketball Final Four game played atRobinson Secondary.

Highlanders go 24-4, capture Liberty crown, and reach region Final Four.

McLean High head coach KevinRoller, talking strategy with histeam on Saturday, saw his Highland-ers reach great heights this season.

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The Renegades can be contacted through…GM Pat Gaffney at (703) 599-2181 or [email protected] more team information, you can find us at http://www.virginiarenegades.org

Tryouts for 15U Scholarships going on NOW !We are NOVA’s Finest College Baseball Development Program

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Send School Notes to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday.

John SextonJr. of McLean hasbeen admitted tothe professionalprogram at the Au-burn UniversityCollege of Veteri-nary Medicine as amember of the classof 2015. Sextonearned an animalscience degree in 2011 from AuburnUniversity and is a 2007 graduate ofLangley High School.

Ten Langley High School studentshave been named as 2011 NationalMerit Scholarship Semifinalists:Allison S. Brady, SabaEskandarian, Jimmy J. Fang,Jamison G. Fox-Canning,Nathaniel C. Howe, Dylan J. Kriz,Debbie R. Pan, Spencer C.Shabshab, Holliday L. Shuler andAndrew J. Stewart.

Six McLean High School studentshave been named as 2011 NationalMerit Scholarship Semifinalists: Nana-Kwabena A. Abrefah, Daniel J.Lee, Eric R. Leimkuhler, Eliza-beth McGrady, Justin Nam andBrian Tong.

Michael P. DeSantis of thePotomac School has been named as a2011 National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalist.

Michelle May of McLean has beennamed to the spring 2011 dean’s list at

The Johns Hopkins University. Thedaughter of Michael and Ivonne May ismajoring in political science.

Eli Raneses of McLean has beennamed to the spring 2011 dean’s list atThe Johns Hopkins University. The sonof Tom and Mary Raneses is majoring inpublic health studies.

Olindi Wijesekera of McLean hasbeen named to the spring 2011 dean’slist at The Johns Hopkins University.The daughter of Duminda and DevikaWijesekera is majoring in neuroscience.

Juliet Abtahi of McLean has been

Schools

named to the summer 2011 dean’s listat Berklee College of Music of Boston,Mass.

Lola E. Keyes of McLean has re-ceived a master of science in publicrelations from Boston University of Bos-ton, Mass.

Gurden Batra of Mclean has beennamed to the fall 2011 dean’s list at theGeorgia Institute of Technology of At-lanta, Ga.

Flannery Hourican of McLean hasbeen named to the fall 2011 dean’s listat Gettysburg College of Gettysburg, Pa.

OPEN HOUSESSATURDAY/SUNDAY, MARCH 3 & 4

Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times.

When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in thisConnection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com & click the Real Estate links on the right side.

11668 Gilman Lane, Herndon • $749,900Open Sunday 1-4 p.m. • Jacqueline McMahon,

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Ashburn20470 Fordham Terr..........$369,900........Sun 1-4..................Diana Miller..............Century 21....571-218-9095

Burke10041 Marshall Pond Rd...$524,900........Sun 1-4......Carol Hermandorfer.........Long & Foster....703-503-1812

Fairfax8610 Chandler St .............. $799,900........Sun 1-4 ................... Dane Work..................RE/MAX....703-869-4567

Herndon11668 Gilman Ln...............$749,900........Sun 1-4....Jacqueline McMahon.........Long & Foster....571-722-260112124 Eddyspark Dr..........$485,000........Sun 1-4 ............... Mike Pearson..................RE/MAX....703-677-6900

Kingstowne/Alexandria6904 Ellingham Cir. #E ...... $320,000........Sun 1-4 ............... Brian Murphy......Coldwell Banker....703-731-5799

Oak Hill13302 Glen Taylor Ln ........ $599,900........Sun 1-3................Bernie Kagan........Samson Props....703-216-0985

Oakton11111 Deville Estates Dr ... $899,000.......Sun 2-4...................Scott Koval ........Samson Props....703-625-344611441 Norwegian Mill Ct...$984,500........Sun 1-4................Tonya Nelson.................Weichert....703-975-15703473 Loyd Hill Ct............$1,300,000........Sun 1-4..........Surrie Armstrong ......... TTR Sothebys....703-930-0318

Potomac Falls20420 Tappahannock Pl .... $685,000........Sun 1-4.................Glynis Canto........Keller Williams....703-395-2355

Reston2431 Albot Rd...................$719,900.......Sun. 1-4 ........... Eileen Summers.........Long & Foster....703-759-91901279 Lamplighter Way ...... $695,000........Sun 1-4................Lou Casciano.........Long & Foster....703-669-9812

Springfield8614 Victoria Rd ............... $459,000........Sun 1-4......Carol Hermandorfer.........Long & Foster....703-503-1812

Vienna408 Park St., SE.............$1,199,000........Sun 1-3..................Gary Alcorn.........Long & Foster....703-556-860010110 Mill Wheel Ln ......... $849,000........Sun 1-4..............Jenifer Justice .................Weichert....703-623-8373

To add your FREE Realtor representedOpen House to these weekly listings,

please contact Trisha at 703-778-9419, [email protected]

All listings are due by Monday at 3 P.M.

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Wedidn’tinherittheearthfromourparents.We’reborrow-ing itfromourchil-dren.—Chief Seattle

(1788-1866)Suquamish/

Duwamishchief


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

OBITUARYMORAN, C.M.F., REV. THOMAS

Rev. Thomas D. Moran, died on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, IL, after complications from pneumonia. Father Moran was born on January 27, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. The son of Thomas and Mary (nee Roach) Moran, he grew up in a family of four children on the south side of Chicago. Fr. Moran is survived by his two remaining living sisters, Joan McGoldrick and Mar-ie Tarpey; beloved uncle of many. The fourth sibling, his brother Roger is also deceased. Father made his first profes-sion as a Claretian Missionary in 1947, perpetual profession in 1950 and was ordained a priest on June 9, 1955.

After his ordination, Fr. Moran served as a teacher and Prin-cipal at the Saint Jude High School Seminary in Momence, Il-linois from 1955-1967. At the suggestion of his then Superi-or, Fr. Moran was assigned to mission in Guatemala, where he spent approximately 25 years of his religious life as a mis-sionary. During his time in Central America, he constantly championed for the rights of the indigenous and working peo-ple of the towns of El Estor and Livingston. Fr. Moran says his ministry on behalf of the impoverished Indian families en-compassed “the happiest and some of the saddest years of my life as a priest.” He was instrumental in helping to estab-lish and promote an elementary school for children who could not write or speak in Spanish, the country’s native lan-guage. His work in advancing the cause of education result-ed in a new Indian school being named in his honor in Living-ston.

After returning from Guatemala in 1982, and taking a 2 year sabbatical, Fr. Moran was then assigned to St. Mary of Sor-rows Church in Fairfax, Virginia as parish priest from 1984-1990. In 1990, he returned to Guatemala for a second tour of duty for nine years. In 1999 when he returned to the Unit-ed States, he was assigned as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on the south side of Chicago, where he served up until December of 2011.Visitation on Tuesday, February 27 from 2-9pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 3200 E. 91st Street, Chicago, IL 60617 with a prayer service at 8pm. On Wednesday, February 28 viewing at 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 a.m. In-terment Queen of Heaven Cemetery – Hillside, IL. Elmwood Chapel Chicago, IL in charge of arrangement. 773-731-2749. www.elmwoodchapel.com

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

Public Notice – Environmental Permit

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on two draft permits from the Department of Environmental Quality to limit air pollution emitted by two facilities in Arlington, Virginia.

Public comment period: March 1, 2012 to March 30, 2012

Permit name: Two State Operating Permits issued by DEQ, under the authority of the Air Pollution Control Board

APPLICANT Name, address and registration number: Vornado Charles E. Smith- 1901 South Bell Street and 1750 Crystal Drive in Arlington, Virginia 22202 Reg #’s 73979 and 71707.

Project description: Vornado Charles E. Smith has applied for two new permits for two emergency generators one at 1801 South Bell Street, and one at 251 18th Street South in Arling-ton, Virginia 22202.

The permit would allow the source to operate two engine gen-erator sets.

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEAR-ING: DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing by e-mail, fax or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment peri-od. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and of all per-sons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues rele-vant to the permit.

Contact for public comments, document requests and addition-al information: Mr. Thomas Valentour; Northern Regional Of-fice, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193; Phone: (703) 583-3931; E-mail: [email protected]; Fax: (703) 583-3821. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appoint-ment, or may request copies of the documents from the con-tact person listed above.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

FINAL Interior Designer Moving Sale!!

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

50%-70% Off!

March 2nd- March 4th

Noon - 5pm

Bring your truck!

14740-A Flint Lee Road

Chantilly, VA. 20151

28 Yard Sales 28 Yard Sales

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry

and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.

Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

CompletePrint EditionsOnline!

The full print editions of all 15Connection Newspapers are nowavailable on our Web Site in PDFformat, page by page, identicalto our weekly newsprint editions,including print advertising. Go toConnectionNewspapers.comand click on “Print Editions.”

Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday 11 a.m.

703-917-6464


• McLean • Vienna/OaktonEmploymentEmployment

Accounting ManagerMBA/MS Acctg/Finance +2yr exp. Manage acctg dept

Job Location: Vienna VAResume to: (AM-R16716) R.

Llames, Enterprise Solutions,Inc., 8000 Towers Crescent Dr.

Ste 1350, Vienna, VA 22182

DENTAL ASSISTANT35 hrs/wk, M-Th, no eves/wknds. Good salary. Benefits. Mature, hard working. Experience and computer skills helpful. Opportunity for growth.

Fax resume (703) 273-4212Nysmith Schoolfor the Gifted Herndon, VA

Accounting/Admin AssistantResponsible for AP/AR functions, order supplies, data entry,front office team member and all other duties as assigned. Job isa 10-month position with a few additional days in the summer.

Qualifications:1. Posses accounting degree or 2+ years of relevant accounting work experience2. Proficiency in Quickbooks, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook3. Be able to work independently and as a team4. Possess good organization and time management skills5. Pay excellent attention to detail6. Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with a positive and professional demeanor7. Be able to maintain confidential information8. Ability to multitask and meet deadlines

703-713-3332

P/T BOOKKEEPER/RECEPTSmall management firm in McLean,

Virginia seeks detail oriented part-time bookkeeper/receptionist Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Appli-

cant will oversee all aspects of front desk administration. Excellent accounting,

organizational and communication skills required. Call 703-356-2041.

Sr. Software Engineer(Masters deg & 3 yrs of exp. or Bachelors deg & 5 yrs of exp. or other suitable quali-fications) – Great Falls, VA. Job involves working with & requires experience in Oracle Database, Weblogic, Apache, Java, EJB, JSP, Spring, UML, Ant, Hudson, Eclipse, Informatica, Crystal Reports, Business Objects, Junit, HTML, Perl on Unix, Linux and Windows Platform. Relo-cation and travel to unanticipated loca-tions within USA possible. Send resumes to HR, Great Falls Software Solutions Inc., 1000 Evonshire Lane, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Bach to Rock Expanding

Looking for 3-4 owners inVienna, Great Falls, and Fairfax.

Contact Ralph Rillon [email protected]

or toll free at (855)-227-7570.

www.b2rmusic.com/franchise

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6........................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 5, 6...........................Tues @ 11:00Zones 1, 3.............................Tues @ 4:00Zone 2.................................Wed @ 11:00Zone 4...................................Wed @ 1:00

E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon Gazette

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls

Connection


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-917-6400


• McLean • Vienna/Oakton

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

LICENSED INSURED

Residential & Commercial10% Senior Citizen Discount

CARE _ MORECLEANING SOLUTIONS

703-862-5904or

703-780-6749caremorecleaning.com

CLEANING CLEANING

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

AFFORDABLE QUALITYROOFING & GUTTERS

Repair, Replace, Local Refs.

703-794-8513

GUTTER GUTTER

LicensedInsured

We Accept VISA/MC

703-441-8811

You have tried the rest - NOW CALL THE BEST!!Proudly serving Northern VA - 46 yrs. exp.

The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION

BATHROOM REMODELING, DRYWALL,PAINTING, CERAMIC TILE, CARPENTRY,POWER WASHING & MUCH MORE

A&S Landscaping

703-863-7465LICENSED

Serving All of N. Virginia

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

www.oakhillbuilding.com703-591-1200

Members of National Association ofthe Remodeling Industry (NARI)

Since 1978Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Specializing in:• Additions• Kitchens• Baths• Basements• 2nd Story Pop-ups• Renovations• Custom Homes• Tear Down/Rebuild on your Lot• Design/Build

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

R.N. CONTRACTORS, INC.Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, Painting

We Accept All Major Credit CardsLicensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A LicPhone: 703-887-3827 Fax: 703-830-3849

E-mail: rncontractorsinc@gmail

Rotten Wood, Wind Damage, Siding, PowerWashing, Framing, Drop Down Stairs, ForeclosureSpecialists, Painting, Handyman Work, Windows,

Doors, Deck, Stairs, Siding Repairs.Licensed, Bonded, Insured

703-266-1233

M. C. LynchHome Improvement

Family Owned & Opererated

R&N Carpentry

✦BASEMENTS ✦BATHS ✦KITCHENSForeclosure specialist/Power washing

✦Exterior Wood Rot More!Deck & Fence repair, Screen Porches

No jobs too large or smallFree est. 37 yrs exp. Licensed, Insured

703-987-5096

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

•Patios •Walkways•Retaining Walls

•Drainage Problems•Landscape MakeoversCall: 703-912-6886

Free Estimates

J.E.S ServicesLANDSCAPE & CONSTRUCTION

MASONRY MASONRY

Custom Masonry703-768-3900

www.custommasonry.infoPatios, Walkways, Stoops, Steps, DrivewaysRepairs & New Installs•All Work Guranteed

BRICK AND STONE

MASONRY MASONRY

GUTTER

HAULING

ANGEL’STRASH REMOVAL

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

•Junk & Rubbish •Furn.,Yard, Construction

Debris • Garage & Basement Clean Up

AL’S HAULINGJunk & Rubbish

Concrete, furn.,office,yard, construction debris

Low Rates NOVA703-360-4364

703-304-4798 cell

7 DAYS A WEEK

LANDSCAPING

703-863-7465

A&SLANDSCAPING

Planting • Mulching • SoddingPatios • Decks • Driveway Sealing,

Asphalt • Retaining WallsErosion Control • Drainage Solutions

•Trimming •Leaf & Snow •Removal •Yard Clearing •Hauling •Tree Work

ANGEL’SLAWN MOWING

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

PAINTING

PATRIOTPAINTINGwww.PatriotPainting.net

Wallpaper Removal,Carpentry,

Power Washing.Int/Ext Painting

Free Est. • Satisfaction Guar.!Lic./Ins. Int./Ext.

703-502-7840Cell

571-283-4883

ROOFING

Falcon RoofingRoofing &

Siding(All Types)

703-975-2375falconroofinginc.com

Soffit & Fascia WrappingNew Gutters

Chimney CrownsLeaks Repaired

No job too small

TREE SERVICE

ANGEL’S TREE REMOVAL

Angeltreeslandscaping-hauling.com

Brush & Yard Debris Trimming & Topping

Gutters & Hauling

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

CompletePrint EditionsOnline!

The full print editions of all 15Connection Newspapers are nowavailable on our Web Site in PDFformat, page by page, identicalto our weekly newsprint editions,including print advertising. Go toConnectionNewspapers.comand click on “Print Editions.”

I suppose, as a cancer patient, there’s apresumption/understanding that not givinginto cancer and its potential ravages is anongoing battle – to the death, if you will.And I imagine, on many levels, some truerthan others, it is. War is indeed waged – soto speak, in hopes of defeating this horribledisease (enemy).

Personally, I don’t view what I do – sur-viving as a cancer patient: following doc-tor’s orders, filling prescriptions, ingestingmedications, enduring chemotherapy,scheduling and then being diagnosticallyscanned, making food and lifestyle changes,adding miscellaneous supplements to mydiet; in general, trying to live healthier andbe a “compliant” patient, as anything morethan common sense. It’s not a battle – tome, it’s simply what you do. As the SouthKorean widow said to Hawkeye Pierce on aM*A*S*H episode way back when, respon-ding to his question about how she couldwalk so far to get water: “Because that’swhere the water is,” she answered.

And so a while back, it struck me as oddthat a woman to whom I was introduced –and who knew of my less-than-ideal healthcircumstances, straight-forwardly and mostsincerely (having recently been widowedherself when her husband succumbed to acancer diagnosis) asked: “I understandyou’re battling cancer.” It was in fact thefirst time in my nearly three years of being acancer patient/survivor that I had ever beenasked that exact question.

It was not her directness that was off-putting. Nor was it her presuming a famili-arity – between us, that did not exist, thatsuch a potentially intrusive, certainly pri-vate/personal subject could be so casuallyraised – by a relative stranger, in the middleof a 27-person Christmas dinner. No. It sim-ply caught me by surprise, and I believe myanswer/reaction likewise caught her by sur-prise and may have even made her a bituncomfortable and apologetic for havinginquired (although it was certainly not myintention). I laughed at her question andsaid: “I suppose so.” To which she replied:“I didn’t mean to ... .” “No problem,” I said,as the commotion of the occasion sort ofended our conversation.

One other time I was present when this“battling cancer” phrase was invoked.Although this time, it was a former femaleco-worker greeted by another former co-worker at our company Christmas partywho asked, innocently enough of her, howshe was doing: “I’m battling cancer” cameher reply. I snickered then when I heard it,and even commented to our Publisher,Mary Kimm, also a cancer survivor, whowas standing alongside me at the time andwitnessed the entire exchange: “You knowMary, I’ve never said that – or felt that.” Ayear later this “battling cancer” answer wasquestioned to me.

I don’t really have any objections toeither of these exchanges. I guess if had tosummarize my feelings, however, aboutwhat I heard answered and what I wasasked, I would say it’s probably me trying tomake light of a very heavy set of circum-stances, and on some occasions, the lesssaid about it, the better. It’s awkward, sortof. Although, I don’t really mind. Still;sometimes, I just don’t feel the need.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“Battling Cancer”

launching 50th anniversary -...

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