opinion, page 4 ‘night out’connectionarchives.com/pdf/2018/080818/fairfax.pdf · her own...

‘He Just Wanted to Kill Someone’News, Page 2

Family, Friends Mourn Fairfax’s Dee SchmidtNews, Page 6

Middleridge Celebrates ‘Night Out’

News, Page 3

HomeLifeStylePage 7

Sophia Bellomo, decked out in her own ‘Birthday Girl’ tank top, celebrates her 11th birth-day at Middleridge’s National Night Out party, ‘the largest in Fairfax County.’

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com August 9-15, 2018

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2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ August 9-15, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Jenneth Dyck

The Connection

The smell of grilled burger andsmoking coals mixed in the airwith live music Tuesday night inMiddleridge Park during the

community’s National Night Out. Hundredsof Middleridge locals came to celebrate theircommunity at the Middleridge CivicAssociation’s annual picnic and festival.

“My kids are having a blast. [They’ve got]snow cones, they’ve got fireman helmets,they’ve got badges from the police,” JennyScherff listed, a new resident in Middleridgefrom Alexandria City.

The evening was free for attendees, of-fering free rides, a bouncy house, ice cream,drinks, face painting, meet and greet localfirst responders, and more. The yearly eventis intended to “take back the night” by bring-ing neighbors together, promoting local or-ganizations, and opposing crime in neigh-borhoods, according to Catie Morales,former president of the MCA.

“You can’t beat free. You can’t beat twohours of family fun,” she said. “It brings

The Middleridge Civic Associationputs on the largest National NightOut party in Fairfax County.

Middleridge Celebrates ‘Night Out’

An estimated 500 people attend Middleridge’s National Night Out tobond as a community and relax for a summer’s evening.

Pet Rock performs live music throughout the evening including numberssuch as “Surfin USA.”

people together.”“[My favorite part of the night is] seeing

all my neighbors and all the kids that aregrowing up so quick and just meeting withpeople. It’s a wonderful night. Great mu-sic, good food, free sodas, and just watch-ing the kids have a good time,” said RickJones, past president of the MCA.

Middleridge does not have a homeowner’sassociation, so instead the Civic Associationwas founded in 1973. According to theirwebsite, the MCA’s purpose is to protect “theinterests of homeowners” and be a “voicefor [the] community to local and state gov-ernments.” Voluntary members are asked togive $25 in dues yearly to help supportevents like the National Night Out,halloween parades, Easter egg hunts, Christ-mas house lights contests, and movie nights.

“I love that there’s no homeowners asso-ciation. That was actually a huge draw forme. But that said, to me this is a big thingthat the Civic Association manages to puttogether, and it’s impressive what they do,”said Scherff.

For the Middleridge National Night Out,the civic dues and donations from local ven-

News

dors and sponsors helped make the nightpossible.

“We do very well. We’re very fortunate.We have a very high membership rate andwith that money, we run these and otheractivities throughout the year,” said Jones.

David Simon, a 3-year-resident and cur-rent MCA president, praised the

From right — Daniel Scherff, 4 � , and his brother Micah, 3, whittle awayat their frozen snow cones after visiting the local firefighters who visitedMiddleridge Park.

Catie Morales, former president of the MCA, grabs a quick bite to eatfrom Richard Esposito before mingling with the community.

From left — Bill Edwardsand Richard Espositoprepare hot dogs andhamburgers on the grillfor attendees.

Middleridge community for being a safe,family-friendly neighborhood. He creditsthe National Night Out and the MCA vol-unteers as responsible.

“It’s such a great opportunity. I wish morecommunities would do it. I think we wouldhave less problems in our communities ifwe had more nights out together.”

Photos by Jenneth Dyck/

The Connection

Fairfax Connection ❖ August 9-15, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsFairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Honoring, Page 10

Kenan Ozcan The victim,Maria Ascencio

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Kenan Ozcan was determined to kill someone. He was angry and upset about hislife and decided to take it out on someone he didn’t know.

At first, said the prosecutor, he wanted to kill afamily. But when he saw an elderly woman crossinga road on foot, he targeted her instead, intentionallystriking her with his vehicle – not once, but twice.

The tragedy occurred April 14, 2017, shortly be-fore 10:15 a.m., near the intersection of Route 50and Rugby Road in Fair Oaks.The victim, Maria Amaya deAscencio, was crossing RugbyRoad, eastbound, when shewas struck by a 2016 DodgeDart driven by Ozcan, travel-ing south on Rugby.

Ascencio, 75, of Fair Oaks,died at the scene, and Ozcanfled. But police arrested hima few hours later. And lastTuesday, July 31, in FairfaxCounty Circuit Court, he was convicted of murder.

But even then, Ozcan, 33, of Fairfax, didn’t fullytake responsibility for his actions. Instead of plead-ing guilty, he entered an Alford plea of guilt – notadmitting any wrongdoing, but simply acknowledg-ing that the prosecution has enough evidence to con-vict him of the crime of which he’s accused.

“Are you entering this plea both freely and volun-tarily?” asked Judge Thomas Mann. “Yes, sir,” repliedOzcan. Mann also asked him the highest level he’dachieved in school, and Ozcan said he has a master’sdegree in biology.

Then Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney BrandonSloane presented what the prosecution’s case wouldhave been, had it gone to trial. He said police dis-patched to the scene discovered the victim lying facedown in the intersection.

“Several witnesses described a small, gray sedanbeing in the intersection while the pedestrian was init and hitting her in the middle of Rugby Road,” saidSloane. “They said the impact threw her in the air,10-15 feet. Then the vehicle made a U-turn and ac-celerated through the intersection to hit her againbefore fleeing north on Rugby.”

A LOOKOUT was given for the car, and a policeofficer later saw a vehicle with front-end damagestuck in traffic on the Fairfax County Parkway. Theofficer also noted that the driver was suspiciouslywatching him as he passed by the officer. But ini-tially, police weren’t certain of the car’s make andcolor, so that vehicle wasn’t pulled over.

Then, at 12:45 p.m., police were called to Every-body Fitness Center on Fair Ridge Drive in Fair Oaksfor a report of a robbery. “A customer there saw thedefendant behind the counter and told him he wasn’tan employee and didn’t belong there,” said Sloane.“She tried to photograph him with her phone, andhe assaulted her; he took her phone and ripped hershirt.”

Sloane said Ozcan was apprehended in a restroomthere, and key fobs to three different vehicles werefound on him. “He said he owned the gym, but hehad no ID on him and wouldn’t tell police where hisown vehicle was,” said the prosecutor. “So an officerwent into the parking lot to find the cars responding

to the key fobs.”According to Sloane, Ozcan had keys to his

mother’s vehicle – which was being repaired – pluskeys he’d stolen earlier from someone at the gym.“But he couldn’t figure out how the pushbutton startworked, so he had to get a rental car,” said Sloane.“And the car in the parking lot that responded to thekey fob turned out to be a car he’d rented that morn-ing,”

It was a gray, Dodge Dart with front-end damage.“Police obtained strands of hair from the windshieldwipers and human biological material from the un-dercarriage,” said Sloane. “It was later compared to

the victim and was a match.The coroner determined thatshe died of blunt-force traumato the head, torso and ex-tremities.”

Furthermore, said Sloane,the police officer who’d foundthe car at the gym spoke withthe officer who’d seen the sus-picious vehicle stuck in traf-fic, and they concluded thatit was Ozcan and the Dodge

Dart, both times. In addition, while in jail, Ozcanshared further details with another inmate.

“He told his cellmate the victim’s head hit his ve-hicle and he ran over her again to make sure shewas dead,” said the prosecutor. “He said he justwanted to kill someone because he was upset aboutother things in his life, such as his mother losing hishouse.”

“He said he’d planned it for two days and that,initially, he wanted to kill a family – maybe a vanfull of children,” continued Sloane. “Then he saw[Ascencio] and thought she’d be a perfect victim. Hesaid, after he hit her, he saw her still moving, so hestruck her again.”

Sloane said Ozcan told his cellmate he’d “robbedpeople before and wanted to know what it was liketo kill someone. He also said he was going to pre-tend he was crazy to try to beat the charge.”

JUDGE MANN then asked Ozcan, “Are you enter-ing your Alford plea because you don’t want to riskgoing to trial and being found guilty beyond a rea-sonable doubt?” Ozcan replied affirmatively. In re-sponse to another question from Mann, Ozcan saidthat, at the time of this incident, he was on proba-tion for committing a previous offense. So the judgetold him that, as a result of this new conviction, partor all of his probation could be revoked.

Mann further advised him that he could receive amaximum of 40 years in prison and must serve atleast 85 percent of his sentence. He noted, as well,that several other charges against Ozcan will bedropped in exchange for his guilty plea. But hestressed that no agreement has been made regard-ing his sentencing.

The judge asked Ozcan, “Do you understand that,even though the [state sentencing] guidelines maycall for a shorter period of probation or incarcera-tion, I can exceed them and give you the maximumof 40 years – and you won’t be able to withdrawyour plea or appeal to a higher court?” Ozcan saidhe did.

Mann then officially accepted Ozcan’s plea andfound him guilty of felony murder. He ordered apresentencing report be made and the defendantreturned to jail to await sentencing on Nov. 16.

‘He Just Wanted to Kill Someone’

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Longtime City residentand community activistDee Schmidt died Sun-

day, July 29, at age 78, after along battle with cancer. But shewill continue to live on in thehearts and minds of all whoknew and loved her.

“My mother was truly a spe-cial person,” said her daughter,Ellie Schmidt. “She was a lov-ing mother, grandmother andgreat-grandmother and taughtus well. She always put her fam-ily first.”

And, said Schmidt, “Whilesome thought her to be critical,she was really pushing for herchildren, grandchildren and thepeople she worked with to bethe best that they could be, tomake the community the bestit could be. She instilled in usthe importance of communityservice and love of country.

“Mom did a tremendousamount of work in the commu-nity,” continued Schmidt. “She

was not motivated by recogni-tion, but by making a positiveimpact. From the importance ofhistoric preservation to volun-teering and giving back, Mominspired me to follow in herfootsteps of service to the com-munity.” And that’s exactlywhat Ellie Schmidt did, servingin many volunteer and leader-ship positions in Fairfax formore than 40 years, includingfour terms on City Council.

* Visitations celebrating DeeSchmidt’s life will be held atDemaine Funeral Home inFairfax, 10565 Main St., on Fri-day, Aug. 10, from 6-8 p.m., andSaturday, Aug. 11, from 10-11a.m. A memorial service is setfor Aug. 11 from 11 a.m.-noon.

There’ll be a brief, private,graveside service with family,followed by a reception at theFairfax Volunteer Fire Station,4081 University Drive inFairfax. Schmidt supportedInova Schar Cancer Instituteand the Fairfax Volunteer FireDepartment and would bepleased with contributions toboth.

ObituaryDee Schmidt’s official obitu-

ary, written by her family, fol-lows:

Born May 21, 1940, to thelate D.C. and Margaret

Family, FriendsMourn Fairfax’sDee SchmidtShe leaves a legacy of decadesof community service.

Photos Courtesy of Ellie Schmidt

Dee Schmidt with her beloved dog, Cassie.

From left, Dee and EllieSchmidt last December.


By Supervisor John C.

Cook

Braddock District

The sleepy days of summer are coming to anend. In a few weekschildren will don their

backpacks and step into yellowbuses when the Fairfax CountyPublic Schools start on Aug. 28.Back to School season is a hectictime for many Fairfax families. This increasein activity means we all must take extra pre-cautions to keep our children and neighborssafe, especially on the road.

Our entire community should be aware dur-ing the morning and afternoon school com-mutes. This time of day will bring a flurry ofbuses, carpools, cyclists and pedestrians allacross the county. Morning commutes will bemore crowded as more than 1,700 school busesget back on the road. Drivers should leave afew minutes earlier to allow for more time intheir commute.

School buses carry thousands of children toschool and back every morning and afternoon.Please respect their important role in our com-munity. When a school bus is stopped with redflashing lights, all cars must stop unless they

are in another lane divided by amedian. So if you are traveling ina two lane roadway that has nomedian, all cars going both direc-tions have to stop when the bus isloading or unloading. The samegoes for a two lane roadway witha center turn lane and a four laneroadway without a median sepa-ration. The only time you can con-

tinue driving when a bus is stopped is if youare driving on the other side of the median.

It is important to also keep in mind that manychildren will be walking to school and to neigh-borhood bus stops. Make sure to yield to chil-dren crossing the streets, especially nearschools. Look out for crossing guards and fol-low their instructions. Keep your car off thecross walk when stopped. Be prepared to stopfor children who may make unexpected move-ments into roadways. And finally, follow theschool zone speed limits when the signs areflashing. Most school zones have a 25 mphspeed limit, but they may vary.

Parents, please remind your children aboutstreet, pedestrian, and bus safety. Try to get tothe bus stop early so no one gets hurt whilerushing to catch the bus. If you are crossing a

roadway, make sure that cars are stopped inboth directions before crossing. Teach them touse designated crosswalks if they are availableand only approach the bus once it has come toa full stop. If you have young drivers in thefamily, take time to review the rules aboutschool zones and school buses.

Every Fairfax County child has the right toan education. We all must work together toprotect that right by making sure studentstravel safely to and from school. Please helpus keep Fairfax County students safe this year.

Back to School Safety Tips

Opinion

Adapted from a 2016 editorial ...

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“Loving People to Life”

Rohil and Samik Bhinge (ages 14 and 13) got backlast month from Berlin, Germany, where they repre-sented the State of Virginia at the International Ge-ography Bee World Championship. ABC 7 channelaired an interview with the family the day beforethey flew to Berlin.The Bhinge brothers, who are bothFirst Place United States National Champions in theInternational Geography Bee, brought home a totalof 6 medals – 2 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronzes.

Students from 21 countries competed in six indi-vidual and four team events at this weeklong WorldChampionships. The events consisted of Jeopardy-style buzzer competitions, written exams and teamevents.

One of the fun team events was a Treasure Huntwhere students had to travel extensively on the Ber-lin Metro locating historical landmarks and takingquizzes to earn points. David Madden is the founderof the International Geography Bee. Madden won19 consecutive days at Jeopardy in 2005 for a win-ning total of $432,400 (all time seventh highest).

Both Rohil and Samik have been interested in Ge-ography since their pre-school days.They are currentschool champions and they both have competed atthe State and National levels at various geographycompetitions.

After the Berlin championships, the boys spent aday in Istanbul (Turkey) and then Rohil and his fa-

ther, Deepak went backpacking to Athens andThessaloniki (Greece) and Sofia (Bulgaria). Rohil’sbest moment of this trip was a 1-hour scooter ride inthe Greek Island of Aegina. Samik enjoyed riding theBerlin Metro during the competition and visiting theOlympic Stadium and Potsdam Palaces.

Rohil is a rising 10th grader at the Woodson HighSchool and he loves to travel all over the world. Hehas visited 38 US States and 16 countries. As a fresh-man, Rohil competed in the “It’s Academic” compe-tition on NBC and helped his high school team winthe first-round playoff in January 2018.

Samik is a rising eighth grader in Frost MiddleSchool and he loves violin, squash and math. Samik’sschool CyberPatriot team finished third in the 2018Virginia National CyberSecurity Tournament inFairfax.

News

Rohil and Samik Bhinge (ages 14 and 13)

Brothers from FairfaxParticipate in InternationalGeography Bee

Pho

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ntributed


News

By Marti Moore

The Connection

Hundreds of activists gatheredSaturday for three hours at11250 Waples Mill Rd. inFairfax to protest gun vio-

lence at a youth-led rally called March onNRA.

The event was held on the birthday ofJoachim Oliver, a student who was fatallyshot on Valentine’s Day earlier this year atthe Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schoolin Parkland, Fla. Seventeen people lost theirlives to a gunman too young to buy beeryet old enough to buy an AR-15 assault riflehe purchased legally last year, according topolice reports of the Broward CountySheriff’s Office.

Oliver would have turned 18 on Aug. 4and be old enough to vote on Election Day2018. A graffiti mural was spray paintedSaturday afternoon in his honor and par-ticipants wrote their names and messageson the wall. Around 1:30 p.m., a crowd sang“Happy Birthday” and cake was served toprotesters.

HIS PARENTS, Patricia and Manuel Oliver,stood in front of the newly-painted muralin their son’s honor with another grievingMarjory Stoneman Douglas parent, FredGuttenberg, the father of 14-year-old JaimeGuttenberg.

Also at the rally: Anna Gonzalez andDavid Hogg, who survived the ParklandShooting then turned their anger into ac-tion as founding members of Never AgainMSD. Their speeches, and 6 minutes and20 seconds of silence last spring at theMarch for Our Lives rally in Washington,D.C., moved people from all walks of life tojoin the hurting teenagers in a nationwidemovement for change.

Alex Heckel, 13, his mother AndreaHeckel and younger brother MatthewHeckel, 10, of Alexandria listened tospeeches Aug. 4 near the same spot whereMatthew Heckel spoke against gun violenceat another youth-led NRA protest April 14.Both boys will attend George WashingtonMiddle School in the City of Alexandria,where a student resource officer acciden-tally discharged his firearm March 13. AlexHeckel said the SRO, who is on administra-tive leave without pay, is well-liked by stu-dents. Alex Heckel believes the incident wasan honest mistake. “Every kid forgives youat the school,” he said, “and wants you tocome back.”

Falls Church activist Kris Gregory of theConcerned Citizens Against Gun Violenceis no stranger to the sidewalk along WaplesMill Road between the north and south en-trances to the NRA parking lot. Each monthsince the Dec. 14, 2012 killing of 20 school

it over,” Luten realized last spring.Teenagers sparked a movement and have

been taking their message all over America,with support from other newly-formed stu-dent groups — like March for NRA — whoare eager to help them change laws thatprevent future deaths to gun violence.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship in which wehave the expertise and they have the trac-tion,” states Luten, who believes the prepa-ration of her group and others before hers— like the Brady Campaign To Prevent GunViolence — is key in their hope for change.

Gregory appreciated the size and diver-sity of the crowd Aug. 4 March on NRA.She said the protest was wonderful.

“We need everybody involved,” she saidSaturday afternoon.

Although student organizers anticipatedat least 2,000 participants, about a thou-sand showed up on this hot and humid Sat-urday afternoon, which offered protesterslots of sun. And sunflowers.

According to organizers, one of the lastthings Joachim Oliver did for his girlfriend,Tori Gonzalez, was buy her sunflowers.Bouquets decorated the street and organiz-ers handed out sunflowers, bottled waterand ice cream to participants as they lis-tened to speeches, cooled off beneath shadetrees along the sidewalk or engaged in aheated exchange of words with nearly 50counter-protesters cordoned off on thenorth side of Waples Mill Road at the Inter-state 66 overpass.

COUNTER PROTESTERS were dis-pleased they weren’t allowed to stand alongWaples Mill Road in front of the NRA officebuilding during the rally. Paul Brockman,50, of Annapolis of the gun rights group ThePatriot Picket believes it’s their right to pro-test under the First Amendment of the U.S.Constitution.

“We’re just here to support the NRA andthe Second Amendment,” he said before therally started.

A buffer zone set up and monitored bythe Fairfax County Police Department at thenorth end of the NRA parking lot kept bothgroups separate but within shouting dis-tance.

“I think the police did exactly the rightthing,” says U.S. Rep. Gerry E. Connolly (D-11), who attended the rally Saturday. Hebelieves we learned the hard way last yearin Charlottesville, Va., what happens whenlaw enforcement officers stay on the side-lines and are not actively involved in crowdcontrol.

“We don’t want that in Fairfax County,”said the Congressman, who is running forhis sixth term in the U.S. House of Repre-sentatives against Republican challengerJeff A. Dove Jr. and Libertarian candidateStevan M. Porter.

“Today is my son’s birthday,” said PatriciaOliver. In lieu of discussion about politicalissues, the grieving mother just wants togive her son “love, justice and tolerance.”And sunflowers.

“We are here for a reason,” she adds, “tomake a change.”

Youth-led Protest at NRA Draws HundredsExpertise plus tractionequals movementfor change.

Photo courtesy Carol P. Luten

A buffer zone across Waples MillRoad in Fairfax keeps nearly 50gun rights proponents in a statewith open carry handgun lawsfrom clashing with hundreds ofparticipants at the March on NRArally Aug. 4 in Fairfax. Both campsare within shouting distance fromeach other on this hot summer day.Counter protesters use bull hornsto provoke March on NRA activists,who argue with them. FairfaxCounty Police officers monitor thiswar of words.

From left: South Florida residents Fred Guttenberg, and Patricia andManuel Oliver support each other Saturday afternoon at the March onNRA protest in Fairfax. Guttenberg lost his 14-year-old daughter JaimeGuttenberg, to a mass shooter Valentine’s Day at the Marjory StonemanDouglas High School in Parkland, Fla. — where the Oliver’s son, JoachimOliver, also was killed. Aug. 4 would have been Joachim’s 18th birthdayand his life was celebrated with song, cake and a graffiti wall spraypainted during the rally with his image and the message: “We demandto blow out our candles.”

Fairfax resident Ashleigh Conrad, 28, center, holds a protest sign shemade for the March on NRA rally Saturday at the National Rifle Associa-tion headquarters in Fairfax at 11250 Waples Mill Rd. Conrad believesthe NRA is not a non-profit but a lobbying firm “and Congress shouldrevoke their tax-exemption status,” she says Aug. 4

Photos by Marti Moore/The Connection

children and six adults inside the SandyHook Elementary School in Newtown,Conn., Gregory and other grassroots activ-ists in Northern Virginia have organized asmall protest at the NRA in which partici-pants stand along the walkway and holdup signs that decry gun violence and thenation’s largest gun rights lobby.

For more than five years, this alliance hasworked with elected officials to introducewhat they call “common sense” firearmsafety bills — which eventually are killedby majority lawmakers both in the VirginiaGeneral Assembly and Congress.

“We’re all poised to attack,” says Carol P.Luten of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violencea few days before a student-led protest atthe NRA April 14. At the time, she and fel-low activists were awestruck by a new citi-zens’ group mad as hell by gun violence:Teenagers. They sprang into action withnational student walkouts and the Marchfor Our Lives rally with sister protests acrossthe country.

“Oh my gosh, this is what’s going to push


HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

The sight of store shelves overflowingwith school glue sticks and crayons sig-nals that the beginning of school is justaround the corner. While squeezing in

one last vacation, the thought of turning an eye togetting one’s home in order before the school bellrings might be met with dread.

“It can feel like a daunting task to organize whenartwork overflows from school or small trinkets comehome from birthday parties, the end of summer is agreat time to purge a lot of unnecessary items to makeway for new school year ahead,” said Allie Mann,designer-senior interiors specialist, Case Design/Re-modeling. “And it’s always a great time to donategently used items as well.”

“Especially now as families are preparing to getback to school, it’s so important to get organized,”added Anne M. Walker, Esq., Allied ASID, Owner +Principal Anne Walker Design LLC. “Nothing is morestressful than searching for something when you’realready five minutes late, it’s pouring down rain, it’spicture day at school, and you have a big work meet-ing in 45 minutes.”

Now that organization is often considered a partof interior design, the tools and hacks available aremore stylish and innovative than ever, say local de-signers. “In a kitchen in Old Town, Alexandria I in-stalled four shallow drawers underneath thecountertop at the island — one for each family mem-ber,” said Sarah Glenn, interior designer and projectmanager, Braswell Design+Build, Alexandria. “I de-signed the drawers to be just large enough to storeschool papers and a laptop so that each family mem-ber would have a dedicated temporary storage spacewithout creating four individual junk drawers.”

A Potomac, Md. family recently enlisted Walker’shelp in redesigning and reorganizing their home fromtop to bottom with an eye toward all things chic andstylish. She began in the bedrooms of the family’steenage daughter, creating custom closets.

“After the new closet was installed, I spent the bet-ter part of two days helping this teen fill the closetwith all of her belongings, putting things where theywere visible and readily accessible,” she said. “Orga-nization is important primarily because of the timeit saves. If you can find what you need to get out thedoor right away, you can sleep 20 minutes later.”

A similar closet was created for the family’s middleschool aged son. “Amazing how even young childrencan keep their rooms tidy as long as there’s a systemin place that they can understand and is practicalenough for them to use,” said Walker. “If you knowexactly where all of your clothes are, and exactlywhere to put them back after laundering them, itwill seem like you just won the lottery. You won’tbelieve how many things you have, many of whichhave been long forgotten, stuffed in the back of somedrawer or under the bed.”

One of the most important tasks on Walker’sagenda was organizing a large basement space withabundant shelving to create a home office. “In anoffice this size, children could easily use it for home-work while the parent was working there, also,” shesaid. “Sometimes it’s calming and comforting just tobe in the same space, even if you aren’t actually help-ing the child with their work.”

A home’s mudroom is supposed to serve as a gate-way into the main house, creating order and keep-ing clutter from overflowing into the home’s inte-rior, but often that isn’t the case as clutter overtakesthe space. In a recent mudroom project, Mann in-corporated elements into the design that addressedthe family’s lifestyle. “Cubbies and bench storage forsports and after-school activities for older childrenare a must,” she said. “If space allows, allocating adesignated cubbie for each child is best to keep thingsseparated and from getting lost.”

“With organization, you are constantly trying tostrike a balance between carving out enough spacefor a specific function without over-organizing to thepoint that you lose flexibility to change what youstore as your life evolves,” added Glenn.

Home organizing savesspace and time.

Preparing for New School Year

Hooks for backpacks and jackets, like thisone by Allie Mann of Case Design/Remod-eling, are a must for an organized mud-room.

Pho

to

by Stacy Z

arin

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oldberg

Photo courtesy of Nicely Done Kitchens and Baths

This kitchen by Nicely Done Kitchens andBaths features custom cabinets of paintedMaplewood and quartz countertops. Anabundance of drawer space helps withorganization.

Photo courtesy of Anne Walker

Interior designer Anne Walker installed acustom closet by Capitol Closet Design inthe bedroom of this Potomac. Md. home tocreate an organized space in time forschool.


News

The City of Fairfax hosts threefarmers markets each week.The Tuesday market, at OldTown Square, 10415 North St.,

runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Saturdayand Sunday markets are both at 10500Page Avenue and run from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.and 10 a.m.-2 p.m., respectively. Thesephotos were taken at the Saturday, Aug.4, market.

Tomatoes, Peaches, Flowers, Squash, Baklava and Crepes

Misty Zani chooses ripe, red tomatoes fromTyson Farms at the Fairfax farmers market.

Sima Mahboubi purchases white hydrangeas,squash and bell peppers.

Ida Beylee, owner of Havabite Eatery onMain Street, is ready to serve baklava andstuffed cabbage.

(From left) Co-owners of Baku Delicious, Namig and Natavan Bahadur,and Sevda Tahirli, general manager, offer a pistachio treat calleddolama, plus walnut baklava, at their stand selling Azerbaijani, Turkishand Russian foods. Vivian Nguyen of Viet Lotus sells Vietnamese vases.

Customers peruse the flowers andproduce at the Valdez Brothers’stand at the Fairfax farmers market.

Angela Williams holds a banana-Nutella crepe freshly made by theowners of Joie de Vivre Fine Foods.

Photos By Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection


Entertainment

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

CAMPYouth Arts Summer Camps. At

Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. Multiplesessions available for ages 3-17.Themes include Doodle Tots (ages 3-5), Visual Arts Explorers (ages 6-10),Fine Arts Innovators (ages 11-13),Summer Arts Intensive for YoungAdults (ages 14-17), Short Film, andGame Design. New Music andTheatre Camps include Let’s PlayGuitar Camp, Vocal Arts Camp,Performing Arts Summer CampChallenge, and Experimental TheatreProject Camp. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Free Beer (and other

lies). Through Sept. 2, at ArchesGallery at Workhouse Arts Center,Building 9, 9518 Workhouse Way.,Lorton. Featuring works by JohnHartt, who is known for his quirky oilpaintings which have been describedas strangely comforting. His latestkooky collection, “Free Beer (andother lies),” explores some of theconcepts and stories surroundingbeer, drunkenness and lies as onlyHartt can interpret them. Visitwww.workhousearts.org. For moreinformation about John Hartt, visitwww.jortt.com.

The Sunday Farmers’ Market.Through Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at10500 Page Ave., Fairfax — oneblock from West and Main streetsbehind the Wells Fargo Bank andadjacent to the Historic FairfaxCounty Courthouse. Visitwww.fairfaxsundaymarket.com.

Saturday Community Farmers’Market. Through Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-1p.m. at 10500 Page Ave., Fairfax —one block from West and Mainstreets behind the Wells Fargo Bankand adjacent to the Historic FairfaxCounty Courthouse. Visitwww.fairfaxsaturdaymarket.com.

Farmers Market. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m. at Springfield Town Center,6699 Spring Mall Drive, Springfield.Visit www.facebook.com/SpringfieldFoodworks/.

THURSDAY/AUG. 9Evenings on the Ellipse with

Robin and Linda Williams. 5:30-7 p.m. at the Fairfax CountyGovernment Center, 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.The Evenings on the Ellipse summerconcert series is a family-friendlyevent featuring a wide range ofmusical genres. Paradise SpringsWinery and The Winery at Bull Runwill be providing complimentarytastings; glasses of wine and fullbottles available for purchase. AFarmers Market (2:30-6:30 p.m.) willalso be on site selling fresh fruit andsavory snacks. Rain or shine. Free.Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

Hometown Thursdays: LessonZero. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Old TownSquare, 10415 North St., Fairfax.Third Thursdays in May-September.The new series will host local bandsfrom the Fairfax area. Meet up withfriends, grab dinner at one of themany restaurants in downtown, andlisten to great music. A free, family-friendly event for all ages. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/hometown-thursdays.

FRIDAY/AUG. 10Burke Lake Golf Center Junior

Club Championship. 8 a.m. at

Burke Lake Park, 6915 Ox Road,Fairfax Station. Junior golfers age 7-17 will compete in this season-endingtournament from 8 a.m. to noon.This is an 18-hole, individual stroketournament for all age divisions: 10& under, 11-13, and 14-17. Therewill be closest-to-the-pin contests andprizes for first-, second- and third-place in all three divisions, plus aspecial prize for overall low-grosschampion. $20 for junior programmembers and $30 for non-juniorprogram players; includes lunch. Call703-323-6600 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake.

B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

Movies Under the Moon: Moana. 8p.m. at Van Dyck Park, 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Enjoy a nightunder the stars in Van Dyck Parkwith family and friends with a moviefor all ages to enjoy. Free admission,bring chairs and blankets.

SATURDAY/AUG. 11Community Family Safety Day. 10

a.m.-2 p.m. at 11230 Waples MillRoad, Fairfax. Sponsored by JubileeChristian Center, Focus FamilyMartial Arts, and other localbusinesses and organizations. Freeactivities, including: inflatables,demonstrations on how to keepchildren safe, and sno-cones. Foodvendors will be on-site. Call 703-383-1170 or visit www.jccag.org.

Opening Reception: Free Beer(and other lies). 6-9 p.m. atArches Gallery at Workhouse ArtsCenter, Building 9, 9518 WorkhouseWay., Lorton. Artist John Hartt isknown for his quirky oil paintingswhich have been described asstrangely comforting. His latestkooky collection, “Free Beer (andother lies),” explores some of theconcepts and stories surroundingbeer, drunkenness and lies as onlyHartt can interpret them. Visit

www.workhousearts.org. For moreinformation about John Hartt, visitwww.jortt.com.

Mount Vernon Nights. 7 p.m. atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. This seriesof free, public concerts features avariety of musical performancesreflecting Fairfax County’s diversity,culture and community spirit. Bring apicnic dinner and a blanket and enjoyone of Fairfax County’s specialsummer traditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights.

MONDAY/AUG. 13Donation Deadline. During bank

hours at Sonabank, 10855 FairfaxBlvd, Fairfax. Sonabank is collectingschool supplies at all branches,including: notebook paper, three-ringbinders, spiral notebooks,composition notebooks, No. 2pencils, pencil pouches, coloredpencils, calculators, crayons, pencilerasers, dry erase marker, glue sticks,bottle glue, pocket folders, three-prong folders, pocket dictionaries,markers, highlighters, rulers, tissues,hand sanitizers, copy paper, stickynotes, backpacks and blunt-endsafety scissors. Visitwww.sonabank.com.

TUESDAY/AUG.14Farm to Fairfax Market. 10 a.m.-2

p.m. at Old Town Square, 10415North St., Fairfax. The market, willbe producers-only – meaning that allvendors at the market may only sellwhat they raise on their farms ormake from scratch using localingredients as much as possible. May-September, weather permitting. Call703-385-7893.

Erin’s Epic Stories. 10:30 a.m. at OldTown Square, 10415 North St.,Fairfax. A variety of children’sactivities and entertainment in OldTown Square at the pergola,Tuesdays June-August. Weatherpermitting. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/old-town-square.

Wagging Tails and Dogfish Ale.11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. at Dogfish HeadAlehouse, 13041 Lee JacksonMemorial Highway, Fairfax. Dogfish

Head Alehouse will donate 15percent of proceeds to Guiding Eyesfor the Blind. There will also be araffle and silent auction. Visitwww.dogfishalehouse.com.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 15Springfield Nights. 7 p.m. at Burke

Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. Featuring: Dr. FU (Rock/Cover Band). Bring a picnic dinner,blankets, your dog, and lawn chairsand relax with friends and family.Beer and food will be available forpurchase. Call 703-451-8873.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY/AUG. 15-16Studio Ghibli: Howl’s Moving

Castle. Wednesday, 7 p.m.(Japanese with English subtitles);Thursday, 11 a.m. (English dubbed)at Angelika Film Center – Mosaic,2911 District Ave., Fairfax. TheAngelika Mosaic will featureanimated films from the celebratedStudio Ghibli praised for theiroriginality, stunning animation, andambitious storytelling. All tickets areregular admission. Visitwww.AngleikaFilmCenter.com.

THURSDAY/AUG. 16Evenings on the Ellipse with Doc

Scantlin and his ImperialPalms Orchestra. 5:30-7 p.m. atthe Fairfax County GovernmentCenter, 12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax. The Evenings onthe Ellipse summer concert series is afamily-friendly event featuring awide range of musical genres.Paradise Springs Winery and TheWinery at Bull Run will be providingcomplimentary tastings; glasses ofwine and full bottles available forpurchase. A Farmers Market (2:30-6:30 p.m.) will also be on site sellingfresh fruit and savory snacks. Rain orshine. Free. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

Aviation and World War II. 7-8:30p.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000Burke Lake Road, Burke. World WarII marked a new era in aviationtechnology, weaponry and strategy.Christian Godart of the National, Airand Space Museum’s Stephen F.Udvar-Hazy Center will discuss the

important role aviation played in theBattle of Britain. Intended audience:adults and teens. Free. Call KingsPark Library Information at 703-978-5600 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/3545032.

FRIDAY/AUG. 17B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

SATURDAY/AUG. 18The Holy Yoga Experience. 9 a.m.-1

p.m. at Living Savior LutheranChurch, 5500 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. The half-day event includesHoly Yoga practice, instruction, Biblestudy, worship and fellowship. It’s anopportunity for people of all levels ofyoga experience to engage with thelocal Holy Yoga community. $15. Call571-239-3416 or visitwww.holyyoga.net.

Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet.

Mount Vernon Nights. 7 p.m. atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. This seriesof free, public concerts features avariety of musical performancesreflecting Fairfax County’s diversity,culture and community spirit. Bring apicnic dinner and a blanket and enjoyone of Fairfax County’s specialsummer traditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights.

SUNDAY/AUG. 19Table Top N Gauge Model Train

Display. 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Table Top N Gauge Model Trains(TTRAK) will be on display andrunning. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15,$2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.

TUESDAY/AUG. 21Farm to Fairfax Market. 10 a.m.-2

p.m. at Old Town Square, 10415North St., Fairfax. The market, willbe producers-only – meaning that allvendors at the market may only sellwhat they raise on their farms ormake from scratch using localingredients as much as possible. May-September, weather permitting. Call703-385-7893.

Erin’s Epic Stories. 10:30 a.m. at OldTown Square, 10415 North St.,Fairfax. A variety of children’sactivities and entertainment in OldTown Square at the pergola,Tuesdays June-August. Weatherpermitting. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/old-town-square.

Burke Lake 4.5 Mile Race. 6:45-8p.m. at Burke Lake Park, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Chip-timed 4.5mile race around beautiful BurkeLake. Sponsored by D.C. RoadRunners, this race will have awardsand refreshments at the post-racecelebration. $10 in advance; $15 on-site registration. Visitwww.dcroadrunners.org/sign-up/thurston for more information.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum celebrates with First Responders Day.

First Responders DayVolunteer Fire and Rescue personnel as well as Fairfax County Police Officers will bring emergency vehicles for display

and offer hands-on activities to demonstrate the critical role played by modern day first responders. Civil War Re-enactorswill help visitors learn about medical and relief practices then and now. Fairfax Station was the site of a massive relief effortduring the Battles of Ox Hill and Second Manassas in August 1862. Sunday, Aug. 26, 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.


From Page 3

Honoring Dee Schmidt

Dee Schmidt (at far right) with family members (fromleft) daughters Ellie Schmidt and Bridget Shepard, grand-daughter Jessica Thornton, grandson Rick Schmidt Jr.and son Rick Schmidt.

Ransone, she’s survived by herbrother, Dennis Ransone; children,Eleanor Schmidt, RoderickSchmidt and Bridget Shepard;grandchildren, Roderick SchmidtJr. and Jessica Thornton; great-grandson Harrison Thornton andSwedish son, Henrik Johansson.

Dee Schmidt mainly grew up inthe Kansas City area. After attend-ing college in Colorado, she andher husband had three childrenand moved to Fairfax City in 1969,Dee immediately became involvedwith the community when shejoined the George Mason JuniorWomen’s Club. She served aspresident and in other leadershiproles and received recognition formany of the club projects she led.

Dee later transitioned to theWoman’s Club of Fairfax where shecontinued her community servicethrough club projects to includehelping coordinate the Fairfax CityBicentennial Ball celebrating thenation’s 200th birthday. As a clubrepresentative, she was activelyinvolved in establishing theInterservice Service Club Councilin 1977.

In recent years, she served inseveral, Woman’s Club leadershippositions, including president. Shecoordinated the establishment ofthe club Website and Facebookpresence and also served on thefundraising committee that’s pro-duced successful fashion shows tofund its scholarship program.

Always keeping a watchful eyeon Fairfax City happenings, Deeexpanded her service to the com-munity by getting involved inFairfax City boards and commis-sions. Beginning with the Commu-nity Appearance Committee, sheworked to increase focus on clean-ing up the community and pre-venting litter, while helping theCity establish the original recy-cling center on Pickett Road.

During this time, the City re-ceived its first recognition fromKeep America Beautiful and KeepVirginia Beautiful. Dee was thenappointed to the City of FairfaxPlanning Commission, servingfrom 1976 through 1994. She waschairman for many years and wasquietly amused by a political car-

toon in a 1989 Fairfax Connectiondepicting her as “Batman” duringthe transition to televised PlanningCommission meetings.

Always keeping the greater goodof the community at heart, thenecessary needling of local politi-cians – with the goal of keepingthem in line – was a service sheprovided, without public recogni-tion or compensation, besides a bitof private pride (and sometimes,amusement).

Some secrets go beyond thegrave, but mysterious happeningsin City of Fairfax political lore mayor may not have a connection toDee Schmidt. She appreciated theart of tossing balls in the air andwatching to see where theylanded.

Besides her community service,she was always involved in volun-teer activities relating to her threechildren. Among other things, sheserved as room mother, Girl Scoutleader, Cub Scout den mother andFairfax Little League snack-barcoordinator while her childrenwere in school.

Planning and development werealways a passion. Beginning hercareer in the late 1970s, Dee wasemployed at local law firms in thearea of commercial and residen-tial real estate. After working fora commercial lending institution,she joined a real-estate develop-ment company before retiring 10years ago.

Her adventurous spirit neverdulled, and she found great joy intravel, especially to Europe and toChristmas markets to hunt fortreasures and to sample the warm,mulled wine. She enjoyed the the-ater and availed herself of theWashington, D.C., offerings, fromold-time classic like “Camelot” ornewer productions of “KinkyBoots” or the “Book of Mormon.”

Dee was a loving mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother.She always put family first andtruly enjoyed big, family gather-ings. She could be hard to predictbut was absolutely one of a kindand will be missed by her friendsand family. She found the perfectbalance of proper and irreverent;and those who knew her wellknew she carried that balance withdignity and grace to the end.


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

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDAARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking to

expand its team of volunteers for the upcomingtax season. Tax-Aide, now in its 51st year, offersfree in-person preparation and assistance toanyone, especially those 50 and older, who can’tafford a tax preparation service. Volunteersmake a difference in their communities byassisting many older, lower-income taxpayers,and their families, who might otherwise miss outon the tax credits and deductions they’veearned. To learn about volunteer opportunities,visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277).

Docents Needed. Sundays 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad in Fairfax Station. Greet museum visitorsand tell them about the exhibits, the museumand the its railroad and Civil War history. Idealfor those interested in railroads, the Civil Warand Northern Virginia history. Training andorientation provided. Other volunteeropportunities are gardening, publicity andexhibit planning. Call 703-945-7483.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESThe Fairfax-Falls Church Community

Services Board’s Merrifield Center offers anew stand-up information kiosk. Part of a pilotproject, the new feature aims to improve thecustomer service experience and decrease waittimes for individuals who are seeking mental(behavioral) health services. To check in,individuals respond to five simple questions,then the CSB’s Patient Track software alertsstaff. Based on clinicians’ schedules andavailability, as well as the needs of the client,individuals are triaged and seen by the nextavailable staff member. For more information onavailable services, call the CSB at 703-383-8500(Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). In anemergency 24/7, call CSB Emergency Services at703-573-5679 or the Fairfax Detox Center at703-502-7000 (TTY 703-322-9080).

SUNDAY/AUG. 12Spiritual Prosperity Workshop. 1:30-4 p.m. at

Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. Learn how to make changes in life usingspiritual laws of abundance in this workshopwith nationally-known author and speakerEdwene Gaines. Workshop is offered on a loveoffering (donation) basis. Call 703-281-1767 orvisit www.unityoffairfax.org/four-spiritual-laws-prosperity-workshop-s for more.

AUG. 13-SEPT. 9Pool Closure: South Run RECenter. Four

Fairfax County Park Authority RECenter poolswill be closing for regular, periodic cleaning andmaintenance next month. Consider trying outanother county pool during the temporaryshutdown. RECenter passes are valid at all ninePark Authority RECenters. Dates are subject tochange. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/recenter for more.

SATURDAY/AUG. 18Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. 9-11 a.m. at NOVA

Family Church, 9461 Silver King Court, Fairfax.Faith, civic and community members are invitedto join together to pray for the community andnation. On this day, join with Muslim friends tohonor Eid-al-Adha, a holy day that celebratesAbraham’s faith. Guest speakers includeMuhammad Irfan Qureshi and Fr. Bayo Adrian.The event is hosted by the American ClergyLeadership Conference of Virginia (ACLC).Donations appreciated. [email protected] or call 240-274-1744 formore.

TUESDAY/AUG. 21Lions Dinner Meeting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at

American Legion Post 177, 3939 Oak St.,Fairfax. Lions Club meets the 1st and 3rdTuesdays of each month. Guests are welcome tolean about the mission of the Lions Clubs “WeServe,” meet club members and learn to helpserve the community. Free to first time guests.Email [email protected] or visitwww.fairfaxlions.org for more.

Bulletin


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ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

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