page 10 langley girls advance to...

Wellbeing0

Full Conversation Requires Money On the TableNews, Page 3

Outstanding Volunteer HonoredNews, Page 4

Langley Girls Advance to State

QuarterfinalsSports, Page 6

The Langley Saxon girls (19-7) defeated Woodbridge Vikings (21-4) in the first round of state championship series. Langley’s Rana Azad scored 15 points.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 7-13, 2018

Opi

nio

n, Pag

e 8 v

Enter

tai

nm

ent, Pag

e 12

v

C

lass

ified

s, P

age

14Foll

ow

on T

wit

ter

: @

BurkeC

onnec

tio

nPhoto b

y W

ill

Pal

ensc

ar

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

Sharon Bulova indicated that theBoard of Supervisors will advertisethe tax rate March 6 with the full2.5-cent increase proposed in

County Executive Bryan Hill’s budget.“That’s not to say that’s what we will end

up with,” she said during a joint budgetmeeting with the Board of Supervisors andSchool Board on Feb. 27. School Superin-tendent Scott Brabrand also attended.

Hill’s proposed budget would fully fundthe school’s budget request, fully fund com-pensation increases for county employees,and many county priorities.

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay headsthe supervisors’ budget committee. “I thinkwe need to make sure we are able to have afull conversation with ourcommunity about thebudget that’s on the tableand knowing that the bud-get funds our highest pri-orities, but the only wayto do that is to implementa tax increase,” he said.

Bulova said she under-stands the impact the taxrate would have. “We are concerned aboutthat,” she said.

“When we advertise the tax rate, that willbecome the ceiling for what the tax rate canbe. It can be lower, it can be the same, butit cannot be higher than what we advertise

on March 6,” said Bulova.The board will officially adopt the FY2019

budget on May 1 after a series of commu-nity meetings and public hearings on the$4.29-billion budget.

If the Board of Supervisors were to adoptthe full 2.5 cent tax rate increase, it wouldamount to an additional $268 on the aver-

age homeowner’s annualtax bill.

Sully Supervisor KathySmith said she fears talk-ing about an average in-crease when allhomeowners will have dif-ferent property bills andproperty assessments.“When talking about aver-

ages, I also think it’s useful to talk aboutmedians,” she said.

Hill came on board as county executiveon Jan. 2, 2018.

“We cannot sustain what we are doing.In my view, this is a one year deal that al-

Board intends to keep options open for a full conversation by advertising tax increase.

Money on the Table Required

❖ Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m., Sully DistrictTown Hall, Rocky Run Middle School LittleTheater, 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly

❖ Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m., Hunter MillCommunity Summit, South Lakes High SchoolLecture Hall, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston

❖ Monday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Great FallsBudget Meeting, Great Falls Library MeetingRoom, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m., ProvidenceCommunity Budget Meeting, ProvidenceCommunity Center, First Floor MultipurposeRoom, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7:30pm, BraddockDistrict Council Annual Budget Meeting,Location To Be Determined

❖ Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m., Mason DistrictBudget Town Meeting, Mason District

FAIRFAX COUNTY TOWN HALL BUDGET MEETINGSGovernmental Center, Main Community Room,6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale

❖ Monday, March 19, 7 p.m., Mount VernonDistrict Budget Town Hall, Location to bedetermined

❖ Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m., Lee DistrictBudget Town Hall Meeting, FranconiaGovernmental Center Community Room, 6121Franconia Road, Alexandria

❖ Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m., SpringfieldDistrict Budget Town Hall Meeting, SpringfieldGovernmental Center, Community Room, 6140Rolling Road, Springfield

❖ April 10-12, Board of Supervisors PublicHearings on FY 2019 Budget and FY 2019-2023Capital Improvement Plan. Seewww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-formto sign up.

lows us to have a five year strategic lookforward,” he said.

”It is key that we become a prioritizedcounty so we can effectuate the change thatwe need to go forward.”

The budget would transfer $2.26 billionto the school system, 52 percent of the to-tal. Funding the school’s proposed budget

would bring teacher salaries closer to mar-ket rates, said Brabrand.

“Every year we wait is a year teachers canmake a choice to go elsewhere,” saidBrabrand.

See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget formore.

“That’s not to saythat’s what we’llend up with.”— Chairman Sharon Bulova

on proposed rate increase

School Superintendent ScottBrabrand’s budget would eliminatea $50 extracurricular activity fee that

went into effect this year. Eliminating thefee will cost the schools $1 million, butBrabrand said it was important.

“I believe that extracurricular activities inFairfax County are the secret sauce of suc-cess for our kids,” Brabrand said, during ajoint budget committee meeting held withmembers of the Board of Supervisors andSchool Board on Feb. 27.

Brabrand said he conducted grade pointaverage research every year when he was aprincipal. “Welooked at everykid, and regard-less of back-ground, regard-less of race,” hesaid, when stu-dents were in-

volved in extracurricular activities they hadhigher grade point averages.

“Frankly, our kids that do get involved insports and extracurricular activities alreadypay a mountain of fees as part of travel, aspart of going places and being a part ofbooster clubs,” said Brabrand. “So I don’tthink an additional fee does anything butset up a barrier for our kids to participate.”

Brabrand said two other fees were imple-mented by the school system for FY2018.Fees will still be mandated for familieswhose children transfer out of boundary toanother school and for students who take

more than six Ad-vanced Place-ment or I.B. tests.

“The school sys-tem pays for thefirst six,” he said.

— Ken

Moore

Photo by Will Palenscar/The Connection

The Oakton Cougars defeated the Westfield Bulldogs 59-54 to win theConcorde District Championship on Feb. 16. This year, students whoparticipated in extracurricular activities like sports paid a $50 fee, butthe superintendent of schools proposes eliminating the fee.

Superintendent’s budget eliminatesbarrier of $50 activity fee.

Extracurriculars: Secret Sauce of Success

Sharon Bulova Jeff McKay Kathy Smith Bryan Hill Scott Brabrand

File pho

to

s

“Extracurricular activities… are the secret sauce ofsuccess for our kids.”— Scott Brabrand, School Superintendent

Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer

owned or known

AdoptDonate

VolunteerVolunteers needed for

adoption events,fostering,

transportation,adoption center

caretaking and more.

News

The McLean CommunityCenter (MCC) hasawarded its top honorfor volunteers, the

2017 H. Gordon Randall Out-standing Volunteer Service Award,to Melanie Sanders-Smith. Theaward was presented at theCenter’s annual Volunteer Appre-ciation Luncheon on Sunday, Feb.25, at Seasons 52 Restaurant atTysons Corner Center. MCC’sIngleside Avenue facility is under

renovation.Temporary administra-tive offices are located at 6631 OldDominion Dr.

A McLean tax district resident,Sanders-Smith works as an inde-pendent consultant in interna-tional development. She wasnominated for the award by MCCSpecial Events Manager CatherineNesbitt. According to Nesbitt, overthe last two years Sanders-Smithhas volunteered for the Center andhas provided more than 20 volun-

teers at a time for various MCCevents from among the missionar-ies serving for the Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints (LDS)in McLean. These volunteers havehelped at many of the events theCenter produces, including theMcLean Holiday Crafts Show, theSpring and Fall Community Ga-rage Sales, McLean Day and theIndependence Day Celebration.

“Melanie and her LDS youth

In presenting the award, MCCExecutive Director George Sachsthanked all the Center’s volunteersfor their continued support. OfSanders-Smith he said, “Melanie’svolunteer efforts have made MCCprograms better, which ultimatelymakes our community a betterplace to live.”

For more information, call theCenter at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711,or visit www.mcleancenter.org.

McLean Community Center names Melanie Sanders-SmithIts 2017 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Winner.

Outstanding Volunteer

MCC Executive Director George Sachs with 2017 H. Gordon RandallOutstanding Volunteer Service Award recipient Melanie Sanders-Smithwith MCC Governing Board Chair Laurelie Wallace and Vice-Chair PaulKohlenberger.

Photos courtesy of McLean Community Center

McLean Community Center’s 2017 H. Gordon Randall Outstanding Volun-teer Service Award recipient Melanie Sanders-Smith with MCC ExecutiveDirector George Sachs.

group have worked all day in theblaring heat and in the cold rainimproving the quality of our eventsand making our events better-staffed,” said Nesbitt. “She hasworked with her LDS youth group,passing on valuable knowledgeand training to ensure the positionsthey fill are performed at theirhighest capacity, displaying stellarvolunteerism and, in turn, enhanc-ing MCC programs and initiatives.”


Sports

The Langley Saxon girls (19-7)faced the Woodbridge Vikings(21-4) girls in the first roundof the Class 6 VHSL Champion-

ship on 3-3 at Robinson Secondary. Lan-gley would move on to the quarterfinalswith a 47-46 win and face TC Williams whoadvanced after defeating Marshall 50-27.The quarterfinal game will be played atRobinson on March 6. The winner of thatgame will take on the winner of Landstown-Cosby at the Siegel Center on the campusof Virginia Commonwealth on March 8.

The first quarter Langley came out withan early 11-7 advantage but with secondsto play Rana Azad from Langley convertedon a long range three pointer to add 3 more

Langley Girls Move toState Quarterfinals

to her point total giving her 11 for the quar-ter single handedly outscoring Woodbridge.

The second quarter Woodbridge foughtback, outscoring the Lady Saxons 13-9 topull within 3 at halftime, 23-20.

In the 3rd quarter, four Woodbridge play-ers scored at least 2 points, yet Langley stillheld a 36-35 lead with a quarter to play.

In the fourth quarter both teams added11 more points and Langley moved on tothe quarterfinals with a 47-46 win.

Langley was led by Rana Azad’s 15 pointsand Jordyn Callaghan’s 12. Hailey Chapmanand Carly Britt each added 7 points.Woodbridge was led by Jasmine Forte ‘s 12points . Aaliyah Pitts and Paris McBride eachadded 9.

Photo by Will Palenscar

Final score, 47-46: Langley players celebrate.

The Langley Saxon girls (19-7)defeated Woodbridge Vikings (21-4) in the first round of state cham-pionship, 47-46. Langley’s JordynCallaghan scored 12 points.

Langley’s Jordyn Callaghan inaction against Woodbridge. In aquarterfinal game Langley faces TCWilliams who advanced afterdefeating Marshall 50-27.


CM0307


Opinion

By Monte F. Bourjaily, IV

In the aftermath of the horrific schoolshooting in Parkland, Florida, the Presi-dent of the United States and the headof the National Rifle Association, have

advocated arming teachers and hardeningschools in other ways. These are shriveled, re-active measures that appeal to fear and relyon the false statement that “to stop a bad guywith a gun, you need a good guy with a gun.”

Introducing guns into the classroom doesn’tdemonstrate the virtue of the Second Amend-ment, it poisons the educational environment,increases the risk that innocents will be hurtand simply challenges “the bad guy” to cre-atively get around the armed target. We canuphold the Second Amendment, and the ruleof law, and ensure Americans’ safety and senseof security with common sense measures, likerepealing the Dickey Amendment, that focuson preventing unsafe and malevolent use offirearms.

Arming teachers is a terrible idea. First, itchanges the dynamic in a classroom, placing

the weapon between the teacher and the stu-dents. Even if its purpose is to protect students,the weapon is a distraction and a barrier. Sec-ond, and more importantly, you are introduc-ing more projectile weapons into a chaotic en-vironment, dramatically increasing the likeli-hood of friendly fire killing children, otherteachers and law enforcement seeking to as-sist. How well do police and soldiers performin the high stress conditions of an actual con-frontation? Does the stress and opportunity forerrors increase or decrease when multipleshooters (friend and foe) are added to a situa-tion? Third, in response to the argument thata shooter will avoid schools knowing thatteachers are armed, what is to prevent theshooter from wearing body armor? It is easyto buy. We need to stop reacting and problem-solve and innovate, which is our true nature.

Guns are tools, like cars, that can cause seri-ous injury or death when used improperly orwith ill-intent. I also am a hunter who grewup respecting guns.

Why is there a “gag rule” (the Dickey Amend-ment of 1996) on Centers for Disease Controlresearch into the effects of gun violence? Howare guns different than cars? The NationalHighway Transportation Safety Commissioncollects data on motor vehicle fatalities throughthe Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

Gun owners have a Second Amendment rightto own and use guns responsibly, not uncondi-tionally. All Americans have a right to gain abetter understanding of how guns are used inways that harm other Americans and in waysthat can pose a risk to all of us.

We must respect the Second Amendment,like we uphold all of the Constitution as therule of law. However, there are few absolutesunder the Constitution, including how far weinterpret the right to bear arms. Freedom ofReligion does not permit the practice of hu-man sacrifice and Freedom of Speech does notpermit fighting words. In short, my right toswing my arms ends at the tip of your nose.We Americans are at our best as problem solv-ers and innovators. We use data and commonsense to find solutions. We confront threats,rather than fearfully wait for them. Can wefind common ground on reasonable gun con-trol by listening to each other and recognizingreasonable rights and reasonably acceptingcertain limits in respectful recognition of therights of others?

Monte F. Bourjaily, IV is a lawyer whoteaches US Government, American History andPhilosophy at Thomas Jefferson High Schoolfor Science and Technology. All submissionsare in his personal capacity.

Gun safety is anAmerican value.

No Guns in the Classroom

Not PayingAttention inLogic ClassTo the Editor:

I was very surprised at the hon-esty of the headline on your Feb.21-27 editorial, but then someonepointed out to me that “AnotherAssault on Common Sense” prob-ably wasn’t referring to the con-tent of your editorial. My mistake.

Since I was wrong about that,maybe I don’t understand the car-toon either. As I understand it, aderanged individual murdered 17people in a school in Florida; manyof that person’s peers “knew” thathe was dangerous, but apparentlydid not mention that to school au-thorities until after the shooting;school authorities considered himdangerous, but did not go to po-lice; police made dozens of visitsto his house, but two investigatorsconcluded that he was not a dan-ger to himself or others; the adultswith whom he was living did notnotice the aberrant behavior thatso many others saw; the FBI was“unable to identify” him as theauthor of a post indicating hewanted to be a school shooter, andwhen the FBI received two sepa-rate tips actually naming him asdangerous and threatening to be-come a school shooter, the Bureauignored one, and failed to send the

second to the local Field Office foraction, and when he became theschool shooter he said that hewanted to be, the Broward Countydeputy on duty at the school failedto do his duty and remained out-side the building where the shoot-ing was taking place, where hewas joined by other Browarddeputies who also did not enterthe building – and so the NRA wasresponsible for the atrocity.

I must not have been paying at-tention in Logic Class.

H. M. PadonGreat Falls

ConversationStopperTo the Editor:

If I hear the word “conversation”in the media one more time, inrelation to another massacre ofhumans, I might be driven to vio-lence. “Conversation” is not a so-lution to any of our social diseases.It is particularly unnerving whenthe calls for a “conversation” usu-ally relate to gun control, andcome from folks who don’t evenknow the meaning of the wordsthey are chanting. “Automatic”weapons have already beenbanned for decades. “AssaultRifles” have the same capability asmany other guns, but they are justdesigned to look cool. They are a

legal version of a rifle that a vet-eran can own as a reminder of theautomatic rifle he carried whilerisking his life for his country.

But the demands for a “conver-sation,” or for the President to dosomething rather than nothing,keep getting louder and louder.The hysteria usually includes man-tras about the NRA having toomuch influence. Yet no one seemsto grasp the idea that maybe it’sthe influence of the National Edu-cation Association (NEA) that istoo weak and misdirected regard-ing the interests of teachers whocan easily identify kids, as early asfirst grade, who should never haveaccess to a gun. Maybe the NEAshould lobby harder for increasedregulation of dysfunctional kids,and the parents that are irrespon-sible. Even without access to guns,these kids can eventually get adriver’s license, and propel a caror a truck into their schoolmatesduring a fire drill.

Gene PhillipGreat Falls

Cowardice andComplicityTo the Editor,

I’m one of the lucky parents. Likemost parents, I worked hard dur-ing the 18 to 20 or so years it takesto raise my children, educate

them, instill values, help them be-come productive adults and, hope-fully, parents themselves. All thoseplaydates, sports practices, trips tothe library, school events, collegevisits, illnesses, successes, and dis-appointments we gladly workthrough, enjoy, suffer through,and, if we’re lucky, our childrenactually survive and move on. Ican think of nothing worse forparents than to have their child,their gift to the future and imageof themselves, taken horribly be-fore his or her time.

A parent should never outlivehis child. Even a nuclear holocaustis preferable, because then we’d alldie, and the parent would not haveto pretend to celebrate thememory of what might have beenhad the promise of this nationbeen kept. That’s right, the corepromise of this nation is embod-ied in our elected representative’soath of office to protect its citizensfrom enemies, both foreign anddomestic.

I call out every Republican in Con-gress and the President and VicePresident for violating their oath,sworn on a bible. If they had anyintegrity, they would resign. Thereis a moral duty to act to save a lifewhen you have the opportunity, abil-ity and means. Failing to act is cow-ardice, and worse, complicity.

Les HalpernHerndon

Letters to the Editor

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Trisha HamiltonDisplay Advertising

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

[email protected]

McLean


Attorney/Accountant,Former IRS Attorney

Admitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars

All Types of Federal, State,Local & Foreign Taxes

Individual • BusinessTrusts • Estates • Wills

Amended & Late ReturnsBack Taxes • IRS Audits

• Civil LitigationBusiness Law • Contracts

Robert Beatson II

703-798-3590 or301-340-2951

www.beatsonlaw.com

Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

Helping parents who are grappling with their children’sfeelings of anger and fear following the recent Florida

school shooting and subsequent fallout wasa recent topic that Lisa Jackson-Cherry,Ph.D., department chair and program co-ordinator, Pastoral Clinical Mental HealthCounseling & Pastoral and Spiritual Careprograms at Marymount University, hadwith her graduate students. The class dis-cussed how high profile acts of violence canfrighten children who might feel as thoughthey or someone they love could become avictim or find themselves in danger. Frommass shootings to natural disasters, an opendialogue with children is key to dealing withthoughts and feelings.

“In most instances, talking about the in-cident helps to gain some control over whatis not controlled,” said Jackson-Cherry.“Normalizing feelings and thoughts likefear, sadness, anger, and confusion can helpchildren know they are not abnormal in howthey are feeling or thinking.”

“First ask what they heard rather thanstarting by telling them about it,” addedJoanne Bagshaw, Ph.D., professor of psy-

chology at Montgomery College. “I wouldn’tget too stuck on the details. Just get a senseof what they know and make sure it’s accu-rate.”

In fact, exploration is key. “Encouragechildren to express their feelings and vali-date them, “ said Bagshaw. “You can startby saying, ‘I can understand why you’refeeling that.’”

Monitor both the amount and source ofinformation that children receive about highprofile incidents, advises Bagshaw. “I wouldreally limit their social media and news in-take about the violence,” she said. “Videosabout the shooting are too traumatic, andwatching them can be too traumatizing andtoo dramatic.”

Reviewing the family’s safety plan canhelp children feel secure, advises Bagshaw.It’s something she did in her own family.“At my daughter’s middle school, you can’tjust walk into a building like they did inFlorida,” she said. “I reminded my daugh-ter of this and explained the safety differ-ences between her school and the school inFlorida. One thing that you don’t want tosay is that ‘That will never happen here.’You want to focus on what’s real and what’srealistic.”

Maintaining a sense of normalcy follow-

ing a public display of violence can helpquell fear that children might be feeling,advises Jerome Short, Ph.D., associate pro-fessor of psychology at George Mason Uni-versity and a licensed clinical psychologist.“Parents play a key role by staying calm,maintaining household routines, explainingthat many events we worry about seldomhappen, and stating that we will cope withwhatever happens,” he said. “Parents shouldplace the highest priority on helping chil-dren stay safe.”

“I would caution against using leadingquestions like, ‘Are you scared?’ because thisquestion already implies they should bescared of something and that may not beaccurate,” continued Jackson-Cherry. “De-pending on their answers, parents can as-sist in having the child integrate aspects ofpower and control in a situation where theymay not be in control.”

While putting national events into per-spective in a way that children can under-stand, Short also advises parents to exploreemotions. “Ask children what they are feel-ing and empathize and validate what theysay. Ask children how they feel aboutschool,” he said. “Is there anything at schoolthat worries them? Be reassuring that youwill help protect them.”

Reviewing safety guidelines can help chil-dren feel secure, says Short. “Parents [cansay that] local police are working to keepthe community safe. We need to look outfor each other,” he said. “Say that high-pro-file violence is unlikely to happen at localschools because of safety procedures. Forexample, there are more than 130,000 el-ementary and secondary schools, and wefocus on relatively few schools whereshootings have occurred.”

Even those children who don’t expressemotions or appear unaffected by news re-ports of violence might still be anxiousabout the event. “Many children may notdisplay outward anger or fear but that doesnot mean they are not fearful, angry, or sadabout what they have heard or experi-enced,” said Jackson-Cherry. “I think in mostcircumstances, parents asking about achild’s knowledge of the event would be agood way to start.”

Limit a child’s exposure to media cover-age of acts of violence and discuss it in anage appropriate manner, advises Jackson-Cherry. “If the parent is watching or listen-ing to the news together with their child,try asking, ‘What are you thinking or feel-ing about what just happened or was re-ported?’” she said. “I asked my 15 year old,‘Has the school discussed the shooting inFlorida? Have you had drill in case it wereto happen?’”

Open dialogue is key to quelling fear, say mental health professionals.

Discussing School Shootingswith Children


McLean CommunityCenter to HoldHearing on Programs

The McLean Community Center Govern-ing Board is anticipating the completion ofthe renovation of its Ingleside Avenue fa-cility later this year. Once completed, therewill be additional multipurpose rooms andan enclosed courtyard, among other en-hancements. In anticipation of the moveback, the Board is asking Dranesville dis-trict residents, “What kinds of additionalprograms and services would the commu-nity like?

The Board invites residents of Small Dis-trict 1A-Dranesville to a Public Hearing onFY 2020 Programs to be held at 7:30 p.m.on Wednesday, March 28, at the Center’stemporary administrative office, 6631 OldDominion Dr. The hearing will be followedby the Board’s regular monthly meeting forMarch. All meetings of the board are opento the public. The hearing is one step inplanning for the FY 2020 budget cycle,which begins July 1, 2019 and ends June30, 2020. The Center’s divisions include theRobert Ames Alden Theatre and The OldFirehouse, located at 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.Residents of the Center’s tax district whoattend the meeting can voice their opinionson current Center offerings and make sug-gestions for improving current programs oradding new initiatives.

Residents who wish to speak at the hear-ing may call the Center at 703-790-0123,

TTY: 711, to have their names placed onthe speakers’ list. They also may submitcomments by mail, fax (703-556-0547)email ([email protected]) orin person up to seven days after the hear-ing. Residents who want to find out if theylive within the Center’s tax district or whowant more information, may call the Cen-ter at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit:www.mcleancenter.org.

Sunrise Senior LivingRanks Highest inCustomer Satisfaction

Sunrise Senior Living, an internationalcompany with its local headquarters inMcLean, is the first-ever senior living pro-vider to earn the distinction from J.D. Powerof highest in customer satisfaction amongsenior living communities. Sunrise openedits first community in Fairfax, Virginia morethan 35 years ago to create alternative liv-ing options for seniors that emphasize qual-ity of life. Today, Sunrise operates 322 com-munities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Sunrise operates approximately threedozen communities in the D.C./NorthernVirginia/Maryland area, including the re-cently opened Sunrise at Silas Burke House.Communities in Bethesda and Chevy Chaseare on track to open next month. In addi-tion to providing care to seniors in thismarket, Sunrise provides local job oppor-tunities for the area’s workforce.

Week in McLean


Select yourproducts from

our MobileShowroomand Design

CenterFully Insured &

Class A LicensedSince 1999

Free Estimates703-214-8384

From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee

Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com

Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel

TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

First Church of Christ, Scientist1683 Chain Bridge Road,

McLean, VA 22101Sunday 10:30 a.m. , Wednesday 8:00 a.m.

All are welcomed

To learn more about Christian Science visit:spirituality.com, ChristianScience.comchristianscienceDC.org

World Disturbances-Quieted by the Law of God

Calendar

See Calendar, Page 13

ONGOING“The Farnsworth Invention.”

Through March 11, Thursdays-Sundays, various times at 1st Stagein Tysons, 1524 Spring Hill Road,Tysons Corner. Writer Aaron Sorkin’ssignature style lends itself to thestory of the invention that changedour lives. In 1929, two ambitiousvisionaries race against each other toinvent a device called “television.”Who will unlock the key to thegreatest innovation of the 20thcentury: the ruthless media mogul, orthe self-taught Idaho farm boy? $33general admission, $30 seniors(65+), $15 students and military.Purchase at www.1ststage.org or703-854-1856.

Oakton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmers market inOakton. Local produce, meats/eggs,dairy, baked goods, and more.Admission is free. Visit community-foodworks.org.

Great Falls Farmers Market.Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Music, vendors,fresh produce, fresh prepared food,delightful bakery, spices, fish, grass-fed, free-range meats, organic-fedpoultry and eggs. [email protected]

Free Tai Chi. Every Saturday, from7:55-9 a.m., Introduction andBeginners’ Practice, meet on theoutdoor basketball court locateddirectly behind the Dolley MadisonPublic Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.in McLean Central Park, McLean. Call703-759-9141 or visitwww.FreeTaiChi.org for more.

The Golden Girls of NorthernVirginia, a senior women’s softballleague, is looking for players through

April. Any woman over the age of 40is encouraged to join. All skill levelsare welcome. Games are onWednesday evenings and Saturdaymornings in Vienna. Visitwww.goldengirls.org.

Colvin Run Mill open 11-4 p.m. daily,closed Tuesday. 10017 Colvin RunRoad, Great Falls. Fairfax County’soperational 19th century waterpowered gristmill, offers recreationaland educational activities for all agesthrough daily tours, school programsand special events. Fees: $7/adult,$6 students 16+ with ID, $5 children& seniors. Admission to park is freeexcept for some special events.

MCC Summer Camps. Plan now toregister children for MCC’s enrichingsummer camp programs for childrenages 3 through 18. Summer CampRegistration begins Monday, Feb. 5,for MCC district residents andMonday, Feb. 12, for all others. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 8Vienna Arts Society Membership

Meeting and Demo. 10:30 a.m. atVienna Arts Society, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Ruth Ensley will discussand show how she builds theintensity of watercolor usingtransparent layers and builds thedepth of textures shown in her work.Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

MARCH 9-24“Harvey.” Friday-Saturday, 8-10:30

p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. at the GreatFalls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. The McLean CommunityPlayers will present Mary Chase’sPulitzer Prize-winning comedy,“Harvey.” Matinees on Sundays,

March 11 and 18. $18-$20. [email protected] or visitMcLeanPlayers.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 10Spring Bazaar. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 400

Center St., S., Vienna. ViennaVolunteer Fire Department Auxiliarypresents their spring bazaar,featuring crafts, clothing and homebusinesses, as well as home bakedbake sale, and Fire Department cookbooks, and Vera’s Attic table – [email protected] or call 703-309-3468.

Black History Concert. 3 p.m. atHistoric Pleasant Grove, 8641Lewinsville Road, McLean. HistoricPleasant Grove is hosting theacclaimed Washington Revels JubileeVoices for a free concert celebratingAfrican American musical traditions.This event will take place in 1895church setting, now an historic site.Visit www.HistoricPleasantGrove.org.

Artist Reception. 5:30-8 p.m. at TheFrame Factory, 212 Dominion RoadNE, Vienna. The Landscapes of TenArtists. Visitwww.theframefactory1.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 10-11“The Snow White Variety Show.” 2

p.m. at The Old Firehouse, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. All thefun of every TV genre jam-packedinto this wild, fast-paced comedy.This is a part-talk-show, part-realityshow dramatic retelling of a classicstory performed by talented localyoung actors! The dwarves sharetheir own side of Snow White’s story.$10-$15. For ages 6 and older. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for tickets.

Submit entertainment announcements at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.


From Page 12

Calendar

See Calendar, Page 14

‘Harvey’ Comes to Great FallsMcLean Community Players present “Harvey” atGreat Falls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls. In rehearsal photo, from left: Veta (AnneHilleary) discusses the party she is hosting with herdaughter Myrtle Mae (Caroline Peterson). Perfor-mances: March 9-24, 2018. Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $18-$20. Grouprates available. General admission tickets throughBrown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006 or visitwww.McLeanPlayers.org.

Pho

to

by Irish

Eyes Pho

to

graph

y by To

by/C

ourtesy M

cLean

C

om

mun

ity Players

SUNDAY/MARCH 11“Something Old! Something New.”

4 p.m. at Vienna PresbyterianChurch, 124 Park St. NE, Vienna. TheMcLean Symphony presents its springconcert, “Something Old! SomethingNew!” Marvin Camacho Villegas,renowned Costa Rican composer,gives the McLean Symphony thehonor of performing the worldpremiere of Ritual y Celebración.This piece brings together music,nature, and the sounds of therainforest. Guest pianist ThomasPandolfi performs a trio of pieces.Students $15; adults $25; seniors$20; children 12 and under free. Gettickts at mclean-symphony.org and atthe door.

Winter Traditional CelticConcerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Al Petteway andAmy White perform fireside. Ticketsmust be purchased in advancethrough the link at oldbrogue.com:$18 general admission/$12 childrenunder 12. Season ticket: $96/$60children. Call 703-759-3309.

TUESDAY/MARCH 13A Civil Life in an Uncivil Time. 7

p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave. E, Vienna. Paula Whitacrediscusses A Civil Life in an UncivilTime: Julia Wilbur’s Struggle forPurpose. Learn about thisabolitionist’s/suffragette’scommitment to equal rights in the19th century and her impact ontoday’s world. Free. The public isinvited. Visit vienna-va.aauw.net/.

McLean Historical Society. 7:30p.m. at the Old Firehouse TeenCenter 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. The program will featuregenealogist Elaine McRay who willdiscuss “Family Research on theInternet.” The public is invited. Call703-356-8223.

THURSDAY/MARCH 15Bunco Fundraiser. 7-9 p.m. at the

Vienna Arts Center, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Vienna Art SocietyBunco fundraiser. $20 reserves a seat


To highlight your Faith Community, call Don at 703-778-9420

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

SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE:Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PMSunday: 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spanish Liturgy

5312 North 10th Street,Arlington, Virginia 22205Parish Office: 703-528-6276

PARISH WEBSITE:www.stannchurch.org

All AreWelcome!

From Page 13

Calendar

for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, beer,wine, prizes, 50/50 raffle, and ofcourse a game of Bunco. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 17Model Railroaders Open House. 1-

5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth. Free admission. Call 703-938-5157 or visit www.nvmr.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 17-18“The Snow White Variety Show.” 2

p.m. at The Old Firehouse, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. All thefun of just about every TV showgenre you can imagine is jam-packedinto this wild and fast-paced comedy.This is a part-talk-show, part-realityshow dramatic retelling of a classicstory you thought you knewperformed by talented local youngactors! The dwarves team up to sharetheir own side of Snow White’s story.$10-$15. For ages 6 and older. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for tickets.

SUNDAY/MARCH 18Breakfast Buffet. 8 a.m.-noon at

Vienna American Legion Post 180,330 Center St., N., Vienna. Getomelets, scrambled eggs, blueberrypancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuitsand gravy and more. Adults $9,children 12 and under $3. Call 703-938-6580.

Joy Stember Judaica Trunk Show.10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Temple RodefShalom, 2100 Westmoreland St.,Falls Church. Metal-smith JoyStember will be featured at thetPassoverPalooza trunk show. HerJudaica, made from pewter, bronze,brass, silver and copper is sold inmuseum stores and synagoguesnationwide.Contact Faith [email protected].

Nowruz Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. atTysons Corner Center, 8100 TysonsCorner Center, McLean. Persianfestival will feature family-friendlyfun and food trucks. Visitnowruzfestival.org.

“Winnie the Pooh & Friends.” 3p.m. in the Chapel Auditorium at TheMadeira School, at 8328 GeorgetownPike, McLean. The play is a worldpremiere of Judith Walsh White’snew adaptation of A. A. Milnes’classic “The House at Pooh Corner”with original songs with lyrics byWhite and music by MichaelOosterhout. Pooh’s pleasant routinegets bounced into chaos when therambunctious Tigger shows up in theHundred Acre Wood. $10 at thedoor, and $5 for children 6 andunder. Visitwww.travelingplayers.org or call703-987-1712.

“The Trojan Women.” 4 p.m. in theChapel Auditorium at The MadeiraSchool, 8328 Georgetown Pike,McLean. The Trojan Women byEuripides is widely consideredhistory’s oldest existing anti-warplay, as well as one of literature’sgreatest tragedies, depicting thesuffering and enslavement of womensurviving the destruction of Troy.Tickets are $10 at the door, and $5for children 6 and under.Recommended for ages 13 and up.Visit www.travelingplayers.org or call703-987-1712.

Spring Fling. 12:30-2:30 p.m. atBloomingdale’s Tysons Corner. TheNew Dominion Women’s Club willhost the 11th annual Spring Flingbenefit fashion show. Enjoy deliciousfood and drink as well as bid on araffle while viewing the newesttrends in spring casual, business, andresort fashion. Visit www.ndwc.org.


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

A few weeks back at my last post CT-scanappointment with my oncologist (when allcontinued to be amazingly stable), he finallyasked me the question I’ve been wondering ifhe’d ever ask: “Mr. Lourie, I talk about you allthe time, how well you’re doing; is there any-thing I can tell people about what you’redoing that might help them?”

My first reaction was to laugh and then askif I even have cancer. I mean, typically, onediagnosed with an incurable disease doesn’tjust live life merrily along as if the diagnosiswas a mere inconvenience, no matter what heor she may or may not be doing. My oncolo-gist assured me that I indeed have cancer andeven offered up some news about my tumorswith which I was totally unfamiliar.

Five years ago when I was hospitalized(due to excessive fluid in my lungs), in thecourse of the procedure, the thoracic surgeondid a DNA profile of my tumors to determineif I had a specific mutation (allowing for moretargeted treatment). Unfortunately, the ALKand ROS-1 mutations were not confirmed. Inpursuit of more current information, morerecently, I had a liquid biopsy (a blood test)which tested for the EGFR and T790 muta-tions. Again, no confirmation. As it standsnow, I am as unclassified. For the nine-yearmoment then, I remain in treatment withoutthe targeted precision so many of my fellowcancer survivors have been extraordinarily for-tunate to have. Yet life goes on.

So what am I doing? Other than laughingin the face of death (my best attribute), whichif anecdotal reports are to be believed, truly isthe best medicine, a bit more. Remainingpositive and generally upbeat is a parallel cor-ollary to humoring yourself and those aroundyou.

But more specifically and perhapsuniquely, I am supplementing my standard ofcare with some non-Western care: alkalinewater, organic apple cider vinegar, and about60 pills a day, most chosen for their qualitiesof strengthening my immune system and/oreliminating the toxins from my body. I can’tsay I’m eating really right, but neither will Iadmit to not eating totally wrong. Reducingstress and exercising are popular advisories inmy control. One out of two will have to do.

However, as I told my oncologist, whateverI’m doing I’ve been told to do by my holistichealth and fitness coach. She knows what,how and why. (I might as well be SergeantSchulz from “Hogan’s Heros: “I know noth-ing.”) I don’t feel qualified to speak to any ofwhat I do.

Yes, I’ve survived but, I’m a sports andchocolate guy not a science and medicineman. All I can do is list what I’m doing. I can’tchapter and verse any of it. I’m not NIKE, butI just do it. It’s a routine and I rarely stray. I doadd stuff occasionally but to think any of whatI do might have a bearing on another cancerpatient’s survivability? Not hardly, and that’swhat I told my oncologist. Dina suggested thealkaline water. I suggested my “coach.”

I guess I’m just not that deep of a thinker. Itrust people the same way that as a salesman Iwant them to trust me. I’m not leading any-body astray, and I’m providing them the bestavailable knowledge. I’m not manipulating.Nor am I maneuvering. I’m simply managingdos, don’ts, maybes, what ifs and why nots.

Moreover, I’m trying to think outside thebox while respecting and appreciating that thebox has its purpose as well.

Heck, for all I know, my non-Western stuffhas had minimal impact on my life expectancyand the standard of care from my oncologisthas provided the most.

Maybe I’m just an anomaly, pure and sim-ple: a nine-year-plus non small cell lung can-cer survivor. What am I doing? Trying not toabuse the privilege, that’s what.

ReflectionsSubmit civic/community announcements at

ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

SOBER-RIDE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAYFree Sober Rides. Saturday, March 17, 4 p.m.

through Sunday, March 18, 4 a.m. Arearesidents, 21 and older, may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost (up to $15)safe ride home. WRAP’s St. Patrick’s DaySoberRide promo code will be posted at 2 p.m.on March 17 on www.SoberRide.com. TheSoberRide code is valid for the first 1,500 Lyftusers who enter the code.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept. 30? If so,

contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATESThe McLean Community Center (MCC) is

seeking candidates to run for seats on its 2018-2019 Governing Board. A candidate must residein the Center’s tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville). To have their names placed onelection ballots, candidates are required toobtain the signatures of 10 McLean tax districtresidents in their respective categories (eitheradult or youth). Three adult positions and twoyouth positions are open this year. Key ElectionDates:

❖ Friday, March 16: Completed Petition Packets aredue at MCC by 5 p.m.

❖ Monday, March 19: Candidates’ Orientation, 7p.m., The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Rd.

❖ Monday, April 9: Absentee Voting begins at theMCC Administrative Office, 6631 Old DominionDr., and The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Road.

❖ Sunday, May 6: Candidates Meet and Greet, 2-4p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of MCC, at theOld Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road.

❖ Wednesday, May 16: Absentee Voting ends at theMCC Administrative Office and the OldFirehouse Center at 5 p.m.

❖ Saturday, May 19: Elections at McLean Day from10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on the MCC Governing BoardElections, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY:711, or visit the Center’s website: http://bit.ly/2ix7qc1.

MONDAY-THURSDAY/MARCH 7-8Unclaimed Property. Virginians can visit any of

the four events below and find their unclaimedproperty. This free public service is facilitated byThe Virginia Department of Treasury. Learnmore at www.VaMoneysearch.org.

❖ Wednesday, March 7, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at FairfaxCounty Jennings Judicial Center Cafeteria, 4110Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax

❖ Thursday, March 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hollins HallSenior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road,Alexandria

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 71 Million Cups. 8:30 a.m. networking; 9-10 a.m.

program at Make Offices at Tysons, 1751Pinnacle Drive, Suite 600, McLean. Each week adifferent business owner gives a brief six-minutepresentation about where they are in theirbusiness. They then offer up a challengequestion about a new idea, product, expansionor something they are facing in their business.The group then masterminds solutions. Free andopen to the public. Visitwww.1millioncups.com/.

Members Coffee. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. LukeOrthodox Church, 6801 Georgetown Pike,McLean. McLean Newcomers and Neighbors willhost a coffee for members and for non-memberswho might be interested in joining. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.

Bulletin

page 10 langley girls advance to...

Documents