witter: @ffxconnection holiday sibling shop spreads the spirit...

Fairfax Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

Fo

llow

o

n Tw

itter: @

ffxco

nnectio

nPho

to

by Janelle G

erm

ano

s/T

he C

onnectio

nEntertainm

ent, 0

❖

Spo

rts, Page 12

❖

C

lassified, Page 13

December 19-25, 2013

FairfaxFairfaxServingAreas of BurkeServingAreas of Burke

State, Local Officials RallyBehind FBI in Springfield

News, Page 3

A Year in a Fast LaneNews, Page 7

HolidaySibling ShopSpreads theSpirit of GivingNews, Page 8

HolidaySibling ShopSpreads theSpirit of Giving

HolidaySibling ShopSpreads theSpirit of GivingNews, Page 8

Page 11

Alma Wilsonvolunteers withher daughter at theFACETS HolidaySibling Shop.

2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

On Dec. 2, DelegateEileen Filler-Corn (D-41) co-hosted a forum

with David Anderson, executivedirector for Higher Education, As-sociation of American Publishersand Nada Dabbagh, professor anddirector of Division of LearningTechnologies, George Mason Uni-versity to discuss new technologiesand affordable options for highereducation textbooks. This forum

brought together several impor-tant stakeholders involved withhigher education and the develop-ment and usage of textbooks.

“I was honored to lead this fo-rum that continued the vital dis-cussion of how we can reducecosts for our students and familiesthrough the use of new technol-ogy and resources in textbooksand class materials” said Del.Filler-Corn. “We have continued to

see a rise in the price of textbooksand other auxiliary materials inhigher education. We need to usenew resources as a way to reducecosts and ensure that students aregetting the most out of their highereducation.”

This forum was the result of ayearlong discussion from DelegateFiller-Corn’s 2013 bill, HB 1777,with a goal of creating an OpenEducation Resource Counciltasked with developing and ac-quiring open education resourcesthat could be provided at nocharge to students. This bill was

referred to the Joint Commissionon Technology and Science duringthe 2013 General Assembly ses-sion and has drawn wide interestfrom different parties. The primaryfocus of the forum held at GeorgeMason University was a discussionof Virginia colleges and universi-ties using open education re-sources (OER). OER materials aretextbooks or other auxiliary re-sources developed and producedwith no copyright restrictions. Thismakes them available for anyoneto access and use at their disposal.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) participates in Open Educa-tion Resource Forum on textbooks at George MasonUniversity on Dec. 2.

From right - Del. Eileen Filler-Corn pictured with DavidAnderson, executive director for Higher EducationAssociation of American Publishers, and Nada Dabbagh,professor & director Division of Learning Technologiesat George Mason University.

Del. Filler-Corn Co-hosts Open Resources ForumHow to provide students neweducation resources at no charge.

Pho

to

s co

ntributed

Fairfax Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) joins other high-ranking Virginia politicians in backing the Springfield sitefor the new FBI headquarters. The GSA is expected to announce the site selection in 2015. From left - Secre-tary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, who represented Governor Robert McDonnell; U.S. Rep. Jim Moran(D-8) and Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee).

NewsFairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

A high-ranking delegation of Vir-ginia politicians gathered inSpringfield Tuesday morning ina renewed effort to convince the

Federal Bureau of Investigation to relocateits headquarters to a warehouse site inSpringfield.

The move in the high-stakes, highly com-petitive regional competition comes aftersite selection guidelines eliminated almostall other Northern Virginia locations.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D) and TimKaine (D), U.S. Reps. Jim Moran (D-8),Frank Wolf (R-10) and Gerry Connolly (D-11), Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe (D),State Del. Vivian Watts (D-39), FairfaxCounty Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) andothers held a news conference on Tuesday,Dec. 17 at Northern Virginia CommunityCollege’s Medical Campus Tuesday to senda message that the Springfield site is theideal choice.

IN LATE 2011, the General Services Ad-ministration (GSA), which manages federalproperties, announced plans to move theFBI’s main office out of the run-down, di-lapidated J. Edgar Hoover Building on Penn-sylvania Avenue.

Since then, several jurisdictions across theWashington region have made it clear theyhave the ideal location for the bureau’smove.

But the Virginia delegation made the ar-gument that the federally-owned ware-house in Springfield makes the best loca-tion for the FBI to consolidate as many as11,000 employees for a number of reasons,including the fact that the GSA alreadyowns the warehouse, which guarantees thatfederal government ownership of the cam-pus is both clean and easy.

“Virginia checks every box,” Warner said,“transit accessible, fiber-wired, synergy withFBI Quantico… Many FBI employees livein Virginia, and it is easy for DC and Mary-land residents to commute.”

Citing the bi-partisan display of unity inthe effort, Kaine said he was “brought intothis process by our three members of Con-gress - Connolly, Moran, and Wolf…It ischaracteristic of us in Virginia that we allwork together. “

Wolf, who chairs the appropriations sub-committee overseeing the FBI, said the siteis ideally located, with easy access to theCIA and Quantico.

Connolly agreed: “The FBI’s ability to in-teract with other federal anti-terrorism of-fices located in NoVA is critical.”

Supervisor McKay, whose district is home

He pointed out that airport access willsoon be served by two Metro stations onceRail to Dulles is complete.

Fairfax County would also benefit by high-paying jobs that would come to the area,and redevelopment of the site would spurconstruction of other office projects nearbyand expand commercial tax base.

“You know the site makes perfect sensewhen the entire Northern Virginia Congres-sional Delegation, the Governor, the Gov-ernor-Elect, and State elected and ap-pointed officials – both Democrats and Re-publicans- all agree on something,” McKayadded.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, the deci-sion by the GSA will be made in 2015. Whileother regional sites have been eliminatedfor various reasons, Maryland is still in therunning with its site in Prince GeorgesCounty.

But Connolly predicts the Springfield sitewill be the chosen one.

“We’re going to win this on the merits,not on politics. We had a number of sites inVirginia, but we put our parochial interestaside to support the best site for NorthernVirginia and for our national security.”

Virginia leaders toutmerits of Springfield sitefor FBI HQ relocation.

What More Could FBI Want?

to the warehouse site, said county officialswill do “everything in our power to makesure zoning and other factors are in place.”

McKay said the benefits to the federalgovernment of relocating to Springfield“would be substantial.”

In January 2012, Fairfax County joinedPrince George’s County and the District inplacing its marker on the table in the high-stakes competition soon after the Senatepassed a resolution authorizing the GSA andFBI to seek new headquarters in December

2011.“The FBI needs 2 million square feet of

office space, located within two miles of aMetro station and within 2.5 miles of theBeltway according to the GAO. Redevelop-ing existing sites in DC would be extremelyexpensive, especially given the post-911security features that are now required…Itis adjacent to the Franconia/SpringfieldMetro Station, VRE, AMTRAK, bus service,and every highway except Route 66,” McKaysaid at the time.

A map of the ware-house site in Spring-field shows thelocation’s primeproximity to majortransportation. Thesite is adjacent to theFranconia/Spring-field Metro Station,VRE, AMTRAK, busservice, and everyhighway exceptRoute 66.

“We’re going to win this on the merits, not on politics. We had a numberof sites in Virginia, but we put our parochial interest aside to supportthe best site for Northern Virginia and for our national security.”

— U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11)

“We’re going to win this on the merits, not on politics. We had a numberof sites in Virginia, but we put our parochial interest aside to supportthe best site for Northern Virginia and for our national security.”

— U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11)

Photo by George Burke


News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

As theater teacher and di-rector at Fairfax High,Erich DiCenzo is exactlywhere he wants to be.

“I have a bachelor of fine arts inmusical theater and dance andwas a professional actor for eightyears, so this is a second career,”he said. “I knew I wanted to per-form forever, but not make it myliving.”

DiCenzo acted with some of themost highly regarded theater com-panies throughout the U.S. And forall of 2010, he was a singer-danceron a world cruise exploring 68countries.

But he wanted to do more withhis life and talents.

“I was always drawn to teach-ing and wanted to blend both

worlds,” he explained. “I hoped totake my experience and share itwith youth.”

So in September, DiCenzo, 29,began doing just that at Fairfax,and his style and enthusiasmproved a hit with the students andreinvigorated the theater programthere.

“I talk to the kids as one actorto another,” he said. “We discussthe charactersthey’re play-ing, in depth,so they candiscover themotivationsthat liewithin. It’s allabout the pro-cess; and thestudents are learning that, if theytake the time with it, then theirproduct will be 100 times better.”

DICENZO’S FIRST PRODUC-TION at Fairfax was last month’s“Almost, Maine,” and the audienceloved it. But the preparation forthe show’s success began long be-fore the actors stepped onto thestage.

“Because they know I have suchhigh standards and expectations ofthem, they were off-book [actingwithout their scripts], the secondrehearsal,” he said. “Then we wereable to have fun, play and trulydissect the show.”

And DiCenzo was pleased withhow his students responded, “cre-ating real moments onstage,” andwants to continue “bringing thatrelevance and freshness to them.”

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, hestarted acting in middle school andimmediately connected withtheater’s social aspect.

“I liked theater people,” he said.“They’re a good group of peoplehaving fun just being together.”And, said DiCenzo, it’s also valu-able for teenagers to have thatkind of support system in theirlives.

“The skills high-school kids learntoday, and the support they getfrom the other kids in theater, ismore beneficial than they realize,”he said.

“My students feel that this istheir family and their oasis. It’s asafe place where they won’t getpicked on and judged, as well as aplace where they can take risksand gain strength through theirvulnerabilities.”

This year, said DiCenzo, as afirst-year teacher and an instruc-tor new to Fairfax, his philosophyis to address everything under aprofessional umbrella. “So I’m run-ning this as a professional theater

company would run,” he said. “I’mteaching students the social aspectof theater and how to behave as aprofessional actor and communi-cate – skills they can use in reallife.”

“The fun is in the work and intrying new things,” he continued.“Whether my students want to beBroadway stars or go into busi-ness, they’ll always have to be able

to expressthemse lvessocially.”

DiCenzo’sultimate goal,he said, is “tobuild this pro-gram to bethe best it canbe. We havethe Academy,

and Mike Replogle, who directsthe Professional Musical Theatreand Actor’s Studio, is fantastic.And what’s exciting is that he andI both have practical experienceauditioning and not getting thepart and auditioning again andagain until we did.”

This experience and credibility,said DiCenzo, “transfers when youteach it. So I want to work closelywith Mike to blend our experiencetogether to make Fairfax the placeto be for students in the perform-ing arts.”

He also hopes to do likewisewith Academy dance teacher An-drea Heininge. “She has the prac-tical experience, too,” saidDiCenzo. “We both went to PointPark University in Pittsburgh – aconservatory for performing arts.She was a dance major and I wasa musical-theater major. We didn’tknow each other then; but here,we really clicked.”

So at Fairfax High, he said, “I’vebeen welcomed by like-mindedpeople and visions that match myown. And I really believe that, to-gether, we can take this programto unforeseen places.”

BESIDES DIRECTING theschool plays, DiCenzo also teachesfilm study, theater and technicaltheater. And he couldn’t be hap-pier.

“I’d love to end my career here,never having left,” he said. “I feellike I hit the lottery at Fairfax –it’s beyond what I ever imagined.When I thought of my ideal situa-tion, this was it.

And with the talent of the kids,amazing facilities, camaraderie ofthe creative team here and sup-portive administration that allowsus to take risks on sometimes edgymaterial, the possibilities are end-less.”

DiCenzo Has Bright Vision for FairfaxGetting to knowthe high school’snew theaterdirector.

“Together, we cantake this program tounforeseen places.”

— Erich DiCenzo, Fairfax Hightheater director

Erich DiCenzo is thrilled to be Fairfax High’s theaterdirector.

Pho

to

by Bo

nnie H

obbs/T

he C

on

nectio

n


COME EXPERIENCETHE DIFFERENCE

TODAY.CALL

Custom Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling and Project ManagementVisit Our Showroom at 8934 Burke Lake Rd. in Kings Park Shopping Center

Hours: 9:30 am - 6 pm Mon.-Fri.; 10 am - 3 pm Sat.

Swan I: Fairfax9416 Main St.

Fairfax, VA 22031703-425-7847/703-425-9400

Swan II: Chantilly13655 Lee Jackson Hwy.

Chantilly, VA 20151703-803-8877

Ballet • Pointe • JazzTap • Lyrical • Modern

Hip Hop • Kinderdance &Baby Swans (Ages 2-4)

Beginner to Advance Classes forChildren, Preteens, Teens & Adults

REGISTERING FOR WINTER CLASSES

Registration Ongoing; call Today703-425-9400

www.swanballetdanceschools.com

The Nutcracker Performances

Swan BalletDance Schools

Since 1980

[email protected] Ballet believes that dance is one of the most beautiful and expressive art forms ever conceived.

Our school combines the discipline and technique of dance in a joyful, supportive, and creative environment.

New classes now forming for winter!

Dec. 20th at 7 PM–Freedom H.S. (South Riding, VA)Dec. 22nd at 2 PM & 7 PM–Fairfax High SchoolNutcracker tickets half price with this ad through December

15th. Please call 703-425-9400 to reserve your tickets.

132 Branch Road, S.E. • Vienna, VAVisit www.maplewoodgrill.com for Specials

Maplewood Grill

Live EntertainmentMon thru Sat

703-281-0070

Serving Our Neighbors and Friends for Over 30 Years

Join Us forNew Year’s Eve! Live Entertainment from

8:00 pm into the New Year. See Web Site for Menu.

BrunchEvery

Sunday

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] call 703-778-9416. The deadlinefor submissions is the Friday priorto publication. Dated announce-ments should be submitted at leasttwo weeks prior to the event.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18YA Book Discussion Group. 7-9

p.m. City of Fairfax Library,10360 North Street, Fairfax. Wewill discuss “Island of theAunts,” by Eva Ibbotson.Registration required. Age 10-14.703-293-6227.

THURSDAY/DEC. 19Creative Reading. 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Burke Centre Library, 5935 FredsOak Road, Burke.ºRead a storyaloud as a group, write your ownaddition to the story and drawan illustration. Registrationrequired. Age 6-10. 703-249-1520.

Bulletin Board

News

Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) Superin-tendent Karen K. Garza

has released the results of the thirdannual trust and confidence sur-vey of FCPS parents and taxpay-ers that measured opinions abouta number of issues related to theschool district. The assessmentsurveyed more than 10,700 par-ents and non-parent taxpayers todetermine their overall level oftrust and confidence in the schoolsystem. Survey participants wereasked whether they agreed with anumber of statements about FCPS.A total of 84 percent of parent re-spondents strongly agreed oragreed that FCPS is a trustworthypublic institution, and 65 percentof non-parents strongly agreed oragreed with that statement. Thesenumbers are up slightly from 2012respondents. Approximately 25percent of non-parents say theydon’t have enough information tomake that assessment, a two-pointdecrease from last year, and a posi-tive indicator. Every question hadan increase in the agree-stronglyagree responses, and some hadsignificant increases of four ormore points. Each question alsosaw an improvement in the “don’thave enough information to makean assessment” response, andsome had significant decreases offive or more points, an indicatorof improvement, showing thatfewer people feel they don’t haveenough information to respond.

A significant increase in theagree-strongly agree responseswas “School system leaders make

decisions that reflect thecommunity’s values,” an increasefrom 63 percent to 70 percentamong parents, and from 41 to 47percent among non-parents. Posi-tive responses for the followingitems increased over the 2012 sur-vey: 90 percent of parents and 65percent of non-parents agree thatFCPS respects the cultural diver-sity of students and families, and83 percent of parents and 56 per-cent of non-parents agree thatFCPS teachers are effective in pre-paring students for the future.Eighty-three percent of parent re-spondents also confirmed thatFCPS is providing students withthe right education for the 21stcentury, along with 56 percent ofnon-parent respondents. Addition-ally, 89 percent of parents and 57percent of non-parents indicatedthey receive the information theywant or need about the school sys-tem (an increase of two and threepercentage points, respectively),and 79 percent of parents and 36percent of non-parents feel theyare informed in a timely mannerof major decisions made by FCPS(an increase of 2 percentage pointsby each group).

Trust in School System TestedResults of thethird annualsurvey released.

Respondents indicated an in-crease in awareness in several ar-eas. In the item stating, “The dis-trict has made progress in stu-dents’ gaining essential life skills,”one of the Fairfax County SchoolBoard’s student achievementgoals, an 8 percentage point dropwas posted by parents in the “don’thave enough information to makean assessment” response, alongwith a 7 percentage point drop fornon-parents. For the same essen-tial life skills item, an increase of12 percentage points was seenamong parents who agreed withthe statement, and an increase of6 percentage points was seenamong non-parents who agreed.

Consistent with last year’s find-ings, parents trust these top threesources for factual informationabout FCPS: FCPS official com-munications, 78 percent; the localschool, 73 percent; and FCPS em-ployees, 16 percent. FCPS officialcommunications include theschool district’s website, news re-leases, and three FCPS newslet-ters.

For complete results, visitwww.fcps.edu. To sign up for the FCPScommunity newsletter, visitwww.fcps.edu/kit/.


www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@FfxConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

Published byLocal Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:To discuss ideas and concerns,

Call: 703-778-9410e-mail:

[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Amna RehmatullaEditorial Assistant

703-778-9410 [email protected]

Victoria Ross County Reporter

[email protected]

Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter

[email protected]

Jon RoetmanSports Editor703-778-9410

[email protected]@jonroetman

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

Karen WashburnDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9422

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, 703-778-9411

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]

@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:

Deb Cobb, Louise Krafft,Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]

@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426Circulation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

Fairfax

WriteLetters to the Editor

The Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314

By e-mail: [email protected]

Parents Advocate forClass Size CapsTo the Editor:

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) Superintendent’s (Dr. KarenGarza) conducted a “Listening Tour” meetingat Cooper Middle School in McLean.

Many parents who spoke at the meeting wereconcerned about large class sizes in theirchildren’s schools. This is not a problem in mostFCPS schools - the average elementary schoolclass in FCPS has only 21-22 students, andplenty of FCPS elementary schools average 20or fewer students per class.

However, large class sizes have become thenorm in Vienna, Oakton, McLean and GreatFalls schools. Teachers unlucky enough to beassigned to the 30+ classes are often pushedto the limit in terms of what they can do tocontrol classroom behavior and alleviate stu-dent stress. At Wolftrap Elementary, teachershave even created a “coping couch” for stressedkids to help them escape from the crowded,noisy and chaotic atmosphere that is so ofteninevitable with such excessively large classes.

The school system is looking at county-wideincreases in average class sizes. Without sometype of class size cap, this would create a situ-ation where most of the county’s students hadreasonable class sizes (e.g., 16 to 26 students),but even more students in the Vienna, Oakton,McLean and Great Falls would have more than30 students in their rooms - which are no largerthan the rooms being used to hold 17 or 22students elsewhere in FCPS.

After seeing their children crammed intooversized classes for years, parents formedClass Size Counts last year. The group is work-ing with State Delegate Barbara Comstock toaddress the class size issue at the state level,Supervisor Foust, several School Board mem-bers and Superintendent Garza at the countylevel. The Class Size Counts online petition,with over 1,000 signatures, asks that theFairfax County school system not increase av-erage class sizes without simultaneously imple-menting class size caps:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-oversize-classes-in-fairfax-countyschool/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend .

At Cooper Middle School, Dr. Garza reas-sured parents and teachers in the room thatshe is working to fix this problem, by draftingan FCPS regulation that would impose classsize caps.

Class Size Counts applauds Dr. Garza for tak-ing a stand on implementing caps so that allchildren in FCPS can receive a decent and faireducation.

Interestingly, the School Board memberwhose district includes many schools with thelargest class sizes - Jane Strauss - also told par-ents at a Longfellow PTA meeting that she op-posed a class size cap, and preferred to con-tinue using the FCPS “staffing reserve.” Sev-eral years ago, parents submitted a Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) request for emailsand other documents regarding the staffingreserve. The documents painted a picture of aslush fund with no apparent criteria or controls.

Kim FarrellMother of two FCPS students

Vienna

Karen Garza discusses class size atthe Dec. 7 listening tour in McLean.

Letters to the Editor

Opinion

By Michelle Krocker

And Jim Edmondson

In the latest edition of The Herrity Re-port, Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrityproposed “redirecting developers’ $3 persquare foot contribution for buying rent-

controlled housing units into a trustfund to pay for public school renova-tion and construction.”

The report proceeds to make severalunsubstantiated claims regarding thenumber of people living in subsidized housingand the growth in both the number of subsi-dized units and number of households inFairfax County. However as in the past, TheHerrity Report does not provide the full pic-ture of the housing policy under discussion,and misrepresents the facts.

The Board of Supervisors adopted its hous-ing policy in 2010 as a part of the larger plan

for the redevelopment of Tysons. It is now un-der consideration, at the request of the board,for application in other designated high den-sity, transit and business centers in the rest ofthe county. Called the ‘3-2-1’ policy, the pro-posal by county staff would apply a contribu-tion from commercial development to supportthe construction of workforce housing in thetransit or business area, as it does in the Tysonsplan. The contribution would be applied on asliding scale based on a proposeddevelopment’s proximity to a transit station.This proposal will go before the Planning Com-mission and then the Board of Supervisors inthe first quarter of 2014.

Why is this policy important?❖ To accommodate projected job growth and

remain competitive within the region, it is im-portant to ensure housing opportuni-ties for the workforce of the future atall income levels;

❖ Developing housing at transit sta-tions and adjacent to employment cen-

ters encourages use of mass transit, walkingand biking which can lead to fewer cars, andless congestion; it also enhances Metro revenueand reduces the pressure on local governmentto provide subsidies for the system;

❖ Linking commercial development (jobs)and housing via a linkage program is an ac-knowledged “best practice” in hundreds ofcommunities across the country to ensure an

adequate supply of housing to support jobgrowth.

❖ It recognizes the changing preferences ofworkers/taxpayers/voters, particularly youngpeople, to live near where they work.

The proposed policy anticipates that the con-tributions will be made to a housing trust fundused by the county to leverage private sectorfinancing to develop the needed housing.

The housing that is constructed will not beowned or purchased by the county. In fact, verylittle of the affordable housing in the county isowned by the government.

Securing decent housing that is affordableremains a challenge for Fairfax County house-holds earning less than $60,000.

Meeting the growing needs of our schoolsystem is also an important issue. Both educa-tion and safe, decent housing are fundamen-tal to the well-being of our community, andresidents want leadership that seeks to findworkable solutions. Failing to recognize theimportance of both and pitting one issueagainst the other are not the answers, and thecitizens of Fairfax County deserve better fromelected officials.

Michelle Krocker is executive director,Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance.Jim Edmondson is president of AHOME, whichpromotes affordable housing opportunities forfamilies at all income levels.

Preserve 3-2-1 for HousingHousing for all incomelevels near transitsupports vibrantcommunities and jobgrowth, reduces traffic.

Guest

Editorial


** Stop by and see our Display **

www.kmajunction.com

Lionel Authorized DealerMTH Electric Trains

Christmas Hours:Mon.-Fri.: 10-6Saturday: 10-5Sunday: 12-5

9786 Center St.Manassas, VA 20110

703-257-9860

Model Train Supplies

Trains & Accessories for the Entire FamilyO, O27, HO & N Gauge Trains

ALL O GAUGE ENGINES ON THE RAIL & MORE - SPECIAL SALE!

JapaneseMaples30% OFF

Over 200 Varieties


Over 200 Varieties


Over 200 Varieties


Over 200 Varieties

9023 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax, Virginia

2 miles west of I-495 on Rt. 50. 1 mile from I-66 (Vienna Metro)

Open 7 days a week703-573-5025

Visit our new Web site: www.cravensnursery.com➠

25%-75% OFFTrees, Shrubs & Perennials25%-75% OFFTrees, Shrubs & Perennials25%-75% OFFTrees, Shrubs & Perennials25%-75% OFFTrees, Shrubs & PerennialsTrees, Shrubs & Perennials25%-75% OFF

OFF-SEASONPRICING

FREELandscape &Hardscape Estimates•Patios•Walls•Walkways•Paver Driveways•RR Timber Retaining Walls





•Cut Christmas Trees& Greens

•Poinsettias& Winter Blooms•Amaryllis Bulbs

•Holiday Gift Items















•Holiday Gift ItemsPottery Sale

25-75% Off PotteryLargest Selection

in the DC Area

Pottery Sale25-75% Off Pottery

Largest Selectionin the DC Area

Pottery Sale25-75% Off Pottery

Largest Selectionin the DC Area

News

Construction dominated the scenery on I-95/395 between Garrisonville Road(Route 610) in Stafford County andTurkeycock Park near Edsall Road in the

north as the 95 Express Lanes project crews advancedwork in the 29-mile construction corridor keepingthe project on-track to open to traffic in early 2015.

The 2013 work focused on clearing the roadbedin the median for the new Express Lanes and build-ing new ramps and foundations for nine new bridgesincluding four flyover ramps connecting the ExpressLanes to the general purpose lanes and other I-95/395 overhead crossing roads and two new bridgestructures on the I-95 mainline over streams andcreeks.

One of the major bridge construction efforts wasdemolishing and re-building the Telegraph Roadbridge carrying traffic serving the Quantico, USMCfacilities on both sides of I-95 requiring a 9-monthlong detour. Once the old bridge was demolished,the median ground between 95 north and south wasexcavated to provide room for new 95 Express Lanesand the new Telegraph Road bridge was built overthe summer and will reopen this winter. Currently,new bridges crossing Aquia Creek, ChopawamsicCreek, Russell Road, Joplin Road, Route 1 and Fur-nace Road are under construction and will be com-pleted this year.

Building the new flyover ramps required the place-ment of steel beams over the I-95 lanes and severalmidnight to early morning detours were imple-mented allowing crews access to place steel beamsacross the 95 lanes. The flyover ramp south ofDumfries was done first, followed by the flyover nearAlban Road in Springfield, and the flyover atGarrisonville Road in Stafford County. Beam place-ment for the final flyover ramp at Turkeycock Parknear Edsall Road will be completed in January 2014.At the Fort Belvoir North Area in Springfield, beamswill be placed over I-95 South and Backlick Road inearly January and a detour will be in place for thisovernight activity. Although this is not part of the 95Express Lanes project, it is in the same corridor andwill impact motorists traveling at night.

In 2014, crews will be finishing the flyover rampconnections, placing pavement, installing soundwalls and erecting signs and toll gantry’s through-out the corridor.

A Year in a Fast Lane2013 was a big year fortransportation projects inNorthern Virginia.

Just south of the FairfaxCounty Parkway overpass,workers put decking on areversible express lanesramp in fall 2013.

From the air,decking isnearly com-plete on thereversible 95Express Lanesramp in theNewingtonarea.

Keeping Motorists InformedThroughout the year, Virginia Megaprojects continued its

public outreach program that keeps motorists informed ofconstruction and providing commuters with alternate traveloptions. One popular program has been the WoodbridgeTysons Express buses, the Saturday Metrodirect Bus betweenPotomac Mills Mall and the Springfield-Franconia Metro Sta-tion. Also, the new dynamic travel-time sign comparing HOVtravel times to the general purpose lanes and placement ofadditional message boards and signage are other methods theVDOT Virginia Megaprojects team employs to keep motoristsaware of highway conditions.

Construction impacts are also announced on theMegaprojects e-news, an electronic newspaper that is distrib-uted on a bi-weekly and monthly basis. To sign up for thee-news, email requests to [email protected].

Photo by

Joe Romeo

Photo by

Trevor Wrayton/

VDOT

8 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 Fairfax Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

Select your remodeling products from our MobileKitchen and Bathroom Showroom and Design Center!!

Fully Insured & Class A LicensedEST. 1999

Free Estimates703-969-1179

Celebrating 15 Years in Business!!

Visit our website:www.twopoorteachers.com

Bath PackagesAvailable!!

With the high prices of precious metals,now is the perfect time to sell your gold,

platinum, silver jewelry & coins.

10254 Main St., Fairfax City•T.J.Maxx Shopping Ctr. 703-951-0070

• 20-Year-OldEstablished Business

• Top Prices Paidfor Your Jewelry

HappyHolidays!

A ‘Homeless’ ChurchPresents Living Nativity

Church of the ApostlesAnglican (formerly onPickett Road in

Fairfax) lost their church prop-erty more than two years agoin a dispute with the Episcopaldiocese. While temporarily“homeless” the church (knownfor decades of theatrical anddance performances) has de-cided to bring the show on theroad. Their unique take on a liv-ing nativity will be held in anon-religious atmosphere at theSherwood Community Centerin Fairfax. Admission is free.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 – 8 p.m. atSherwood Community Center(next to Van Dyke Park), 3740Old Lee Highway, Fairfax.

Rev. Joe Acanfora has saidthat even though the economyis recovering, there are stillmany people out there dis-tressed or just coming out of atailspin or still feeling “home-less” and that the circumstancesthis church went through haveactually worked to bring thechurch into the general commu-nity rather than stay withinphysical walls.

Church of the Apostles has anequally different take on the Liv-ing Nativity, as the seeminglyimpromptu dialog shows theharsh realities people faced dur-ing the time of the census thou-sands of years ago.

Rev. Joe Acanfora plays arabbi.

Pho

to

co

ntributed

A church in Oakton (WholeWord Fellowship) hosts theCOAA congregation twice onSundays in the interim. Churchmembers hail from all parts ofFairfax County includingReston, Herndon, Springfield,Annandale, Clifton, andCentreville/Chantilly. For moreinformation visitwww.christmasinbethlehem.org

Christmas InBethlehem

If seeing is believing, come beamong the census crowd inBethlehem for the first Christmasnight in an interactive experience.

*Friday, Dec. 20, 7 – 8 p.m. atSherwood Community Center (nextto Van Dyke Park), 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax.

Presented by Church of theApostles. Admission is free.

Every December, thenonprofit OurNeighbor’s Child’s

(ONC) provides new toysand clothing for families inneed in Chantilly, Clifton,Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes.This year, it’s bringing holi-day joy to more than 700families – including morethan 2,000 children.

Last Thursday, Dec. 12,volunteers helped packagethe thousands of gifts do-nated for them by the lo-cal community. FairfaxHigh grads Leslie Dominyand Mickey McDermottmade sure the right giftswent into the right bagsand checked that they’relabeled with each family’sID number, plus how manybags they’re receiving.ONC’s founder and execu-tive director, Kelly Lavin,also graduated fromFairfax High.

ONC Volunteers Makethe Holidays Bright

Fairfax High grads Leslie Dominyand Mickey McDermott take abreak from working to pose with apenguin.

Pho

to

by Bo

nnie H

obbs/T

he C

on

nectio

n

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

FACETS, a non-profit inFairfax that helps those af-fected by poverty, hosted a

Holiday Sibling Shop on Dec. 16at the Ragan Oaks CommunityCenter that allowed children livingin an affordable housing commu-nity to shop for donated gifts togive to their siblings during theholiday season.

According to James Wilson, acommunity advocate for FACETS,the Holiday Sibling Shops not onlygive children the chance to shopfor gifts, but also reduce stress thefamilies may face.

“More importantly, knowing thattheir kids are going to be able toget gifts for their siblings and it isnot an additional expense the par-ents have to budget in with theother things they have to worryabout such as rent, work, and otherexpenses,” Wilson said.

Gifts at the Holiday SiblingShops are donated and the eventtakes place at FACETS Educationand Community Development lo-cations in the affordable housingcommunities.

“We really enjoy giving gifts tokids that would probably not haveanything,” said Liz Griffith, thedevelopment coordinator for FAC-ETS. “It makes them feel more nor-mal and they don’t feel so left out.”

The Holiday Sibling Shop, whichalso took place at three other af-fordable housing communitiesthroughout the week, includedvolunteers from Bank of America,Deloitte, and INOVA Health.

Edgar Guerra, who works atBank of America in Fairfax andvolunteered at the Holiday SiblingShop, lived in an affordable hous-ing community as a child and re-

members participating in FACETSactivities and services at the com-munity center in his neighborhood.

Guerra grew up in RobinsonSquare, which has a recreation cen-ter serviced by FACETS. He laterbecame a volunteer for FACETS,working as a peer lab assistant anda homework help volunteer. Healso spoke at the FACETS BenefitBreakfast in 2009.

“When I saw the FACETS post-ing, I knew I had to go. FACETShas been a wonderful organization,in my experiences volunteering,”Guerra said.

Guerra said that the communitycenters serviced by FACETS pro-vide important resources and posi-tive reinforcement for children liv-ing in the affordable housing com-munities.

“I was happy that there was apositive place to go to,” Guerrasaid. “It was great to have those

resources available.”Volunteers at the event helped

children pick out gifts for their sib-lings, and also helped wrapped thegifts.

Alma Wilson, who works forBank of America in Alexandria,brought her daughter Kira to theHoliday Sibling Shops because shethought it would be a good experi-ence. “I like the concept that fami-lies are able to get presents. It isnice to help families who cannotafford them,” Wilson said.

Guerra said that he volunteersbecause he wants to give back tothe community and to the cycle ofkindness that he experienced.

“Even if it is just that one thingthat a volunteer will say to a childthat is positive to them, it can carryon forever,” Guerra said. “I remem-ber their faces a little bit, but thatpositive vibe is a wonderful thingto have.

Neyda Lugunes-Loza, 13, helped Jason, 6, pick out a giftfor his brother at the FACETS Holiday Sibling Shop.

Edgar Guerra, who works atBank of America in Fairfax,wraps presents at theFACETS Holiday SiblingShop.

Miguel Reynoso wrapspresents that childrenpicked out for their siblingsat the FACETS HolidaySibling Shop on Dec. 16.

Adrian, 11, picked outLegos at the FACETS Holi-day Sibling Shop for hisbrother.

FACETS Hosts Holiday Siblings ShopFACETS hosts a traditional Holiday Sibling Shop.

Pho

to

s by Jan

elle G

erm

ano

s/T

he C

on

nectio

n

www.lostdogandcatrescue.org

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

owned or known

Helping Animals FindTheir Way Since 2001

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer

Volunteers needed for adoption events, fostering,transportation, adoption center caretaking and more.


JubileeChristian Center

A Caring & Spirit-Filled Church

4650 SHIRLEY GATE ROAD, FAIRFAXBILL FRASNELLI, LEAD PASTOR

703-383-1170VISIT OUR WEB SITE: WWW.JCCAG.ORG

December 15Children’s Musical

“Camel Lot” and Adult Choirpresentation, 11 am.

Holiday Reception follows.

December 24Christmas Eve gathering, 8 pm

December 31International Food Feast and

family activities, 6-10 pm

To Advertise YourCommunity of Worship,

Call 703-778-9422

AnglicanChurch of the Apostles…703-591-1974

Truro Episcopal...703-273-1300

Assembly of GodJubilee Christian Center…

703-383-1170Fairfax Assembly of God…

703-591-4284Way of Faith Assembly of God…

703-573-7221

BaptistBraddock Missionary ... 703-830-4125

Calvary Hill…703-323-1347Fairfax Baptist…703-273-1820Fairfax Circle…703-573-7372

Greater Little Zion…703-764-9111Iglesia Bautista La Gran Comiscica...

703-323-5858Judah Praise Fellowship Christian...703-758-1456Northern Virginia Primitive Baptist...703-255-0637

BuddhistGuhyasamaja Buddhist Center... 703-774-9692

BibleBancroft Bible Church... 703-425-3800

CatholicSt. Leo the Great Catholic... 703-273-5369

St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church...703-978-4141

St. Paul Catholic Church... 703-968-3010

Coptic OrthodoxSt. Mark...703-591-4444

Disciples of ChristFairfax Christian Church... 703-385-3520

JewishCongregation of Olam Tikvah... 703-425-1880

Chabad Lubavitch...703-426-1980

LutheranBethlehem Lutheran...703-978-3131

Christ Lutheran...703-273-4094Kings of Kings...703-378-7272

Lord of Life...703-323-9500

MethodistBruen Chapel United...703-560-1665

Fairfax United...703-591-3120Pender United...703-278-8023

St. George’s United...703-385-4550

Non-DenominationalFair Oaks...703-631-1112

Fairfax Church of Christ..703-631-2100Fairfax Community Church...703-323-0110

Sovereign Grace Church...703-691-0600Jesus Christ Crucified...703-385-9015Metropolitan Community Church…

703-691-0930Salvation Army...703-385-9700

Shepherd’s Heart...703-385-4833Word of Life Church International...

703-978-7101

PentecostalThe Greater Pentecostal Temple...

703-385-9426

PresbyterianChrist Presbyterian Chruch...703-278-8365

Fairfax Presbyterian...703-273-5300Korean Presbyterian...703-321-8090

Providence Presbyterian...703-978-3934New Hope...703-385-9056

Shalom Presbyterian…703-280-2777

Seventh Day AdventistFairfax Seventh Day Adventist…

703-978-3386

United Church of ChristLittle River United Church of Christ…

703-978-3060

COMMUNITIESOF WORSHIP

Looking for a NewPlace of Worship?

Visit Antioch Baptist Church!

All Are Welcome!Sunday Worship 8, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.

Sunday School for Children & Adults 9:30 a.m.Married Couples Sunday School 11:30 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr., Senior Pastor

Antioch Baptist Church6531 Little Ox Road

Fairfax Station, VA 22039703-425-0710 • www.antioch-church.org

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18Travelers’ Christmas Eve. 7:30 p.m.

Messiah United Methodist Church,6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. AChristmas Eve service for thosepersons, especially first responders,doctors and nurses who may have towork on Dec. 24.www.messiahumc.org

FRIDAY/DEC. 20 - SATURDAY/DEC. 21“Oh Holy Night,” a Christmas

Concert. 7:30 p.m. Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Get inthe holiday spirit with somemelodious tunes. Tickets $15 http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/christmas-concert-o-holy-night

SATURDAY/DEC. 21An Irish Christmas – An Nollaig. 8

p.m. GMU Center for the Arts,4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Irish-American fiddler Eileen Ivers bringsthe joy of the holiday season toFairfax with her celebration for thewhole family, a heartwarmingconcert filled with tales of IrishChristmas traditions and favoriteCeltic holiday tunes. Tickets: $25-$50.

Living Nativity. 5:30-7:30 p.m.Safeway Parking Lot, Burke Town

Plaza, at the corner of Old Keene Milland Lee Chapel/Burke CenterParkway. Calvary Christian Church ishosting its annual ‘Living Nativity’. Inaddition to people, sheep, donkeysand even a camel will be there. Hotcocoa, cider and cookies will beprovided.

SUNDAY/DEC. 22Christmas Cantata. 11 a.m. Cranford

United Methodist Church, 9912 OldColchester Road, Lorton. Join the 25member strong Cranford ChancelChoir, led by music director GayleLennon, as they sing to the glories ofthe coming Emmanuel with song.

TUESDAY/DEC. 24Christmas Caroling. 4:30 p.m.

Cranford United Methodist Church,9912 Old Colchester Road, Lorton.Door-to-door caroling.

Candlelight Christmas EveService. 7:30 p.m. Cranford UnitedMethodist Church, 9912 Old

Colchester Road, Lorton. An eveningof music, scripture and quietreflection of the birth of Jesus.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 25J Fest. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. wish

Community Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike,Fairfax. The day includesentertainment, food and fun for allages.

At 3 p.m., the JCCNV will screen thedocumentary “Hava Nagila (TheMovie)” — a romp through thehistory, mystery and meaning of thegreat Jewish standard. Israelidancing with Markid Mark followsthe film. J Fest fee per family (up to6 people): $20/ $15 JCCNV member(includes admission and moviescreening). Film only fee: $9/ $6JCCNV member, senior, student,child. Call (703) 323-0880 for detailsand to register, or visitwww.jccnv.org.

TUESDAY/DEC. 31The Ultimate 80s New Years Eve. 9

p.m. Empire, 6355 Rolling Road,Springfield. $20.

The Ultimate New Year’s EveExperience. 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. HyattFair Lakes Hotel, 12777 Fair LakesCircle, Fairfax. Live entertainment,music, food, and more. Tickets: $159per person.

Cool Cow Comedy Presents: TheNew Years Eve Special. 7 p.m. &9 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601Ox Road, Lorton. Admission: $35.With powerful stand up comedy andhilarious sketch comedy, RahmienMostafavi (DC Improv, KennedyCenter), Jon Mumma (DC Improv,Sirius XM), and Danny Rouhier(106.7 The Fan, DC Improv) will takeyou toward midnight with sidesplitting comedy. For tickets, visit:http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/cool-cow-comedy-presents-nye-special-show.

Eileen Ivers brings the joy of the holiday season toFairfax with her celebration for the whole family, a heart-warming concert filled with tales of Irish Christmastraditions and favorite Celtic holiday tunes on Dec. 21 atGMU’s Center for the Arts.

Holiday Calendar To have community eventslisted, send [email protected] call 703-778-9416 with ques-tions. The deadline forsubmissions is the Friday prior topublication; we recommend sub-mitting your event two weeksahead of time. To see more enter-tainment events, go to: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2013/sep/26/fairfax-county-calendar/.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18- SUNDAY/JAN. 5100 Under 200: 100 Artists

Exhibiting Work PricedLess than $200. WorkhouseArts, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.Free flowing and everchanging; the exhibit will havenew art on view each week.

From the Fire. Workhouse Arts,9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Fivediverse ceramic artistschallenge themselves to createpersonal work for a joint firingin “From the Fire”, aneducational exhibit of 30works and concomitantphotographs and text.

SATURDAY/DEC. 21Ballroom Social Dance. 7:30-

10:30 p.m. 601 Ox Road,Lorton. Admission: $15. http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/ballroom-social-dance-10

FRIDAY/JAN. 3 & SATURDAY/JAN. 4Cabaret Series: Welcome to

the Speakeasy. 8 p.m.Workhouse Arts, 9601 OxRoad, Lorton. A raucousramble through the Jazz Ageas talented performers tacklethe tunes inspired by the gin-joint atmosphere.

SUNDAY/JAN. 5Cabaret Series: Welcome to

the Speakeasy. 1 p.m.Workhouse Arts, 9601 OxRoad, Lorton. A raucousramble through the Jazz Ageas talented performers tacklethe tunes inspired by the gin-joint atmosphere.

ONGOINGFirst Fridays at the Clifton

Art Guild. 6-9 p.m. at CliftonWine Shop, 7145 C Main St.,

Clifton. Enjoy a wine tasting andmix and mingle with the ArtGuild of Clifton artists. 703-830-1480 orwww.artguildofclifton.org/.

Saturday Farmers Market. 8a.m.-1 p.m., at the parking lotat the intersection of West andMain Streets behind WellsFargo Bank in Fairfax. EverySaturday there is freshproduce, goods and wares atthe [email protected] orwww.FairfaxSaturdayMarket.com.

Sunday Farmers Market. 10a.m.-2 p.m., at the parking lotat the intersection of West andMain Streets behind WellsFargo Bank in Fairfax. EverySaturday there is freshproduce, goods and wares atthe [email protected] orwww.FairfaxSundayMarket.com.

Fairfax Mosaic WednesdayNight Freshbikes Rides.6:30 p.m., at Fairfax MosaicFreshbikes, 2910 District Ave.,Fairfax. Weekly bike ridesleave from the Fairfax Mosaicstore, the newest addition tothe Freshbikes family of storesin the area.www.freshbikescycling.com.

Calendar


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Liz Henry is nervous about her up-coming flight to San Francisco. It’snot TSA regulations or long linesthat are causing her anxiety, how-

ever. It is traveling alone with her threechildren — all of whom are under the ageof 6.

“My kids are 5, 3 and 1,” said Henry, wholives in Vienna. “I’m taking them to visit myfamily for Christmas, but they’ve neverflown before. I have a lot of DVDs packed,but I don’t know how far those will get me.I don’t like pacifying my kids with videos,but I don’t think I have a choice.”

Going home for the holidays often meansboarding an airplane with high-energy chil-dren and settling in for a long ride. Parentssuch as Henry scramble to find ways to fillthe time in a way that keeps their child en-tertained without disturbing other passen-gers. Local education experts say there areoptions that don’t involve the last resort ofvideos and electronic games, however.

“Reading is always a good choice, but formany children, it cannot hold their atten-tion for long plane rides,” said Len Annetta,Ph.D., a professor in the College of Educa-tion and Human Development at GeorgeMason University. “Games like Scrabblechallenge players’ literacy skills in a fun way.Crossword puzzles are also fun and engag-ing.”

Annetta, who recently returned from afamily trip to Italy, has first-hand experi-

ence with surviving lengthy plane rides withchildren in tow. “I took the whole family,including my 13- and 11-year-old children,”he said. “My children are older, but weplayed a name the cloud game. Of course,we were above the clouds, so it made it abit more difficult.”

When traveling abroad, a long flight isan ideal time to learn more about the cul-ture or language of your final destination.“My children tried a crash course on Ital-ian,” said Annetta. “They learned a fewwords they used during the week we werethere. This was a free app on the iPod thatwe downloaded before we left.”

Bethesda-based psychotherapist KatieCogan, Ph.D., recommends activities thatengage a child’s imagination, particularlyfor younger children. “You always have yourimagination with you no matter what,” shesaid. “You can say to a child, ‘Tell me a story,’or you can take turns telling stories withyour child. When you’re on the plane, youcan help your child imagine what it will looklike when we get there.”

For young children, Cogan said, “Usingwhat’s inside you to create a world that al-ready exists. It is called active imagination.Use your creativity to do anything. If you’rewith a young child, you can ask ‘How manythings can you think of that are red?’”

Cogan also advises helping children makeup a story, particularly about their final des-tination. “If it is a small kid, give them thefirst part of the story or the first word andlet them take if from there,” she said. “Havepaper with you, and you can have your childtell you the story and either write it downor have your child write the story down andcolor it.”

Annetta said, “Journaling your experienceis a fun way to practice writing while tell-ing the story of where you are going orwhere you’ve been.”

Home for the Holidays:Surviving a Long TripKeeping childrenentertained onlengthy airplane rides.

Photo courtesy of Len Annetta

Len Annetta, Ph.D., of George Mason University traveled to Italy recentlywith his wife, Jennifer, and his children Samantha and Joey. Annettakept his children occupied during the long fight with cloud games andby helping them practice Italian.


West Springfield guard AmyBerglund looked up in thestands and saw her mom holdup two fingers.

The Spartans were hostingMadison on Dec. 7 andBerglund was closing in on1,000 career points. BetsyBerglund signaled to herdaughter, letting the Spartan se-nior know she needed two morepoints to reach the milestone.

With about a minute remain-ing in the fourth quarter,Berglund dropped in a reverselayup, giving her 21 points forthe game and 1,000 for her ca-reer. Along with the personalachievement, Berglund helpedthe West Springfield girls’ bas-ketball team beat Madison, 63-50.

“It was really special scoringmy 1,000th point because itwas a culmination of so muchtime and effort that I have putinto basketball,” Berglundwrote in an email. “It was es-pecially great reaching thatmark in a tough game againsta strong Madison team.”

Berglund is a four-year var-sity starter for the Spartans.She’s been part of two PatriotDistrict championship teams,one Northern Region champi-onship team and twice experi-enced the state tournament,including a trip to the statesemifinals as a freshman. Shewas a first-team all-region se-lection as a junior.

“It became my goal to scorea 1,000 points after my fresh-man year,” Berglund wrote, “be-cause I had scored almost 300that year and I realized it wasdefinitely a reachable goal.”

Berglund averaged 18.4points through WestSpringfield’s first five games

this season. The Spartansstarted 5-0, including a 54-53victory over T.C. Williams onDec. 13, during which Berglundscored 11 points. T.C. Williamswon the Patriot District title lastseason, snapping WestSpringfield’s streak of threeconsecutive district champion-ships.

“The TC game was such anintense game and it was anamazing team win,” Berglundwrote. “We were super excitedto get the win over the toughopponent that TC is. It is a posi-tive step toward our team goalof winning the district title. Ithink that our team still hasmany things to improve on andwe know that every opponentis going to put up a tough fightso we focus on one game at atime.”

West Springfield will travel toface Lake Braddock at 7:30 p.m.on Friday, Dec. 20.

— Jon Roetman

Courtesy photo

West Springfield’s AmyBerglund, seen duringher junior season, re-cently scored her 1,000thcareer point.

West Springfield’s BerglundReaches 1,000 Career Points

Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

Caroline Alcorta fin-ished 16th at the FootLocker Cross CountryChampionships na-

tional meet as a junior in 2012,missing by the slimmest of mar-gins the All-America status thataccompanies a top-15 finish.

Alcorta was disappointed butnot devastated, knowing she’dhave one more shot to crack thetop 15.

This year, Alcorta won the southregional in Charlotte on Nov. 30,earning a trip back to nationals.The West Springfield senior hadher sights set on becoming an All-American, saying a top-15 finishwould be “nifty.”

This time, she left no doubt.

ALCORTA PLACED THIRD atthe Foot Locker national meet onDec. 14, finishing with a time of17:31 at Morley Park in San Di-ego. Last year, Alcorta missed atop-15 finish by less than a second.This year, only two runners werefaster and she finished 22 secondsahead of the 15th-place harrier.

Alcorta said her goal was to fin-ish in the top 15, but her “stretchgoal” was to place in the top five.

“I’m happy with the effort I putinto it and how it turned out,”

Alcorta said. “I couldn’t ask foranything better than a top-five fin-ish.”

As a senior, Alcorta got used toself-motivating as she would buildlarge leads en route to victory.During the VHSL state meet atGreat Meadow, Alcorta won theGroup 6A championship with ameet-record time of 17:13, finish-ing 39 seconds faster than hernearest competitor. Alcorta wonthe 6A North regional meet witha time of 16:31, the third-fastesttime in Burke Lake Park history,and finished 48 seconds ahead ofthe second-place harrier. WestSpringfield coach Chris Pellegrinitold Alcorta to focus on runningher own race without letting anyoutside factors change her ap-proach.

On Saturday, however, Alcortahad to chase a couple harriers,something she said helped her runa better race.

“My coach and I talked abouteven if I couldn’t win I would raceto try and win,” Alcorta said. “That

would push me to do the best Icould. … I know I’m supposed torun my own race, but at the sametime it’s nice to know there arepeople to help you. … Lookingahead to see the people you’re try-ing to catch is really big.”

Tessa Barrett, a senior fromWaverly, Pa., won the event witha time of 17:15.4. Hannah DeBalsi,a sophomore from Westport,Conn., finished second with a timeof 17:25.3.

Alcorta started running crosscountry as a sophomore and con-tinued improving. Shortly beforethe 2013 state meet in mid-No-vember, Alcorta committed to runfor the University of North Caro-lina.

“I started doing cross countrybecause I found a sport that I re-ally love,” Alcorta said. “… I justfollowed what I wanted to do andwhat I really enjoyed doing and itjust turned it really well.”

Alcorta was one of five North-ern Virginia harriers to compete atnationals. Lake Braddock seniorKaty Kunc, who started runningcross country during her junioryear as a way to condition for soc-cer, finished 19th with a time of

18:07.2.“It was a really great experi-

ence,” Kunc said. “I never wouldimagine myself racing at such ahigh level since I just started lastyear.”

Senior Hannah Christen, Kunc’steammate at Lake Braddock, fin-ished 21st with a time of 18:07.3.

Kunc said having Christen at themeet made things “so much morecomfortable.”

IN THE BOYS’ RACE, Edisonsenior Louis Colson finished 32ndwith a time of 15:58.7, and GeorgeC. Marshall senior MackenzieHaight took 34th with a time of16:06.1.

Grant Fisher, a junior fromGrand Blanc, Mich., won the eventwith a time of 15:06.5.

“I’m disappointed with how I fin-

ished,” Haight said. “My goal was(to finish in the) top 15 for All-American. I don’t think I executedmy race how I planned it. I wantedto run an aggressive race and Ifound myself at the back of thepack.”

While Haight wasn’t pleasedwith his finish, he said he enjoyedthe experience. The five NorthernVirginia harriers arrived in SanDiego on Thursday, Dec. 12 andreturned home on Sunday. Kuncsaid the runners felt like “profes-sional athletes” and were treatedlike “royalty.”

“It’s incredible,” said Haight,who will compete for William andMary next year. “The entire expe-rience was surreal — one of thebest weekends I’ve ever had in mylife. I would never trade the expe-rience for anything.”

Lake Braddock’s Kunc, Christencompete at XC nationals.

West Springfield’s Alcorta PlacesThird at Foot Locker Nationals

West Springfield seniorCaroline Alcorta, seen dur-ing the VHSL state meet,placed third at the FootLocker Cross Country Cham-pionships national meet onDec. 14 in San Diego.

Lake Braddock senior KatyKunc, seen during the VHSLstate meet, finished 19th atthe Foot Locker CrossCountry Championshipsnational meet on Dec. 14 inSan Diego.

Lake Braddock seniorHannah Christen, seen dur-ing the VHSL state meet,finished 21st at the FootLocker Cross Country Cham-pionships national meet onDec. 14 in San Diego.

“I’m happy with the effort I put into it andhow it turned out. I couldn’t ask foranything better than a top-five finish.”

— West Springfield senior Caroline Alcorta

Photos by Ed Lull


Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 2: • Burke

• Fairfax • Springfield

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

A CLEANING SERVICESince 1985/Ins & Bonded

Quality Service at a Fair PriceSatisfaction Guaranteed-

Angies List 2011-Super Service Award!Comm/Res. MD VA DC

acleaningserviceinc.com703-892-8648

CLEANING CLEANING

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

PINNACLE SERVICESlic/ins 703-802-0483 free est.email [email protected]: lawnsandgutters.comFriendly Service with a Friendly Price!

GUTTER GUTTER

RCL HOME REPAIRSHandyman Services

Springfld • Burke • KingstowneLight Electrical • Plumbing •

Bathroom Renovation • Ceramic Tile • Drywall Repair

703-922-4190LIC. www.rclhomerepairs.com INS.

SPRINGFIELD HANDYMAN

��Small Home Repairs

��Good Rates

��Experienced

703-971-2164

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

LicensedInsured

We Accept VISA/MC

703-441-8811

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

The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION

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

A&S Landscaping

703-863-7465LICENSED

Serving All of N. Virginia

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

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

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

We Accept All Major Credit CardsLicensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A Lic

Phone: 703-887-3827 Fax: 703-830-3849E-mail: [email protected]

www.rncontractors.com

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

R&N Carpentry

✦BASEMENTS ✦BATHS ✦KITCHENSForeclosure specialist/Power washing

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

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

703-987-5096

Remodeling Interior, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Floors, Ceramic Tile,

Painting, Decks, Fences, Additions.703-863-1086

MOWING, TRIMMING, EDGING,MULCHING & TRIM HEDGES

PINNACLE SERVICES, INC.LAWN SERVICE

Friendly Service for a Friendly Price

703-802-0483703-802-0483

LAWN SERVICE LAWN SERVICE

Quality Tree Service & LandscapingReasonable prices. Licensed & insured

20 yrs. of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Fall Clean Up...Tree removal, topping & pruning,

shrubbery trimming, mulching, leafremoval, planting, hauling, gutter cleaning,

retaining walls, drainage problems, etc.

24 Hour Emergency Tree Service

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

HAULING

AL’S HAULINGJunk & Rubbish

Concrete, furn.,office,yard, construction debris

Low Rates NOVA703-360-4364

703-304-4798 cell

7 DAYS A WEEK

ANGEL’S HAULING

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

Junk Trash Removal, Yard/Construction

Debris, Garage/ Base- ment Clean Out,

Furniture & Appl.

LANDSCAPING

703-863-7465

A&SLANDSCAPING

Planting • Mulching • SoddingPatios • Decks • Driveway Sealing,

Asphalt • Retaining WallsErosion Control • Drainage Solutions

TREE SERVICE

ANGEL’S TREE REMOVAL

Angeltreeslandscaping-hauling.com

Brush & Yard Debris Trimming & Topping

Gutters & Hauling

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

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

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

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

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

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

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

The Mount Vernon Gazette

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

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls

Connection

EmploymentEmployment

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

EducationalInternships

Unusual opportunity tolearn many aspects of thenewspaper business.Internships available inreporting, photography,research, graphics.Opportunities for students,and for adults consideringchange of career. Unpaid.E-mail [email protected]


By Elliot K. Wicks, Ph. D.

Recent news stories have focusedon people who bought healthinsurance in the individual mar-ket, rather than through an em-

ployer, and whose policies have been can-celed. Some then found that coverage avail-able through the new “Obamacare” Market-places (or Exchanges) is more expensive.Their anger is understandable, but the is-sue needs to be put in context.

A great many of those losing coverage andfacing higher premiums were the beneficia-ries of the insurers’ policies that denied cov-erage to the really sick and charged veryhigh rates to the moderately unhealthy.

Without the reforms of the AffordableCare Act, insurers would continue to denycoverage to many thousand of people withpre-existing conditions and chargeunaffordable premiums to older Americansor those with less than stellar health.

The new law prohibits such discrimina-tion in the individual market: no one canbe denied coverage or charged more be-cause of a pre-existing condition, and anolder person cannot be charged more thanthree times as much as a younger person.Thus, differences in premiums for peoplewith different risk levels will be greatly re-duced starting in January.

If we want to ensure that everyone, re-gardless of their age or health condition,can get affordable coverage—whichObamacare promises to do—we have toaccept the possibility that some people willpay more for coverage. The nature of in-surance is that healthy people subsidizesicker people. Healthy people agree to thisarrangement simply because they neverknow when they are going to be part of theunhealthy 10 percent of any populationgroup that accounts for about 70 percentof the costs in any year.

Older or sicker people will incur highermedical expenses. And if they are all nowto get coverage and not be forced to payvery high premiums, other insured people,the younger and healthier, will have to paymore than they did in the past—unless sub-stantially more younger and healthierpeople are brought into the insurance pool.That is why the mandate that everyone havecoverage is so important. The premiumsthese newly insured lower-risk people willpay are necessary to offset the costs of cov-ering the less healthy people who are newlyinsured.

In short, some people may face higherpremiums, but that seems a reasonableprice to pay for enhancing fairness and pre-serving the health of the entire population.

Of course, some people will pay more

because the old insurance policies they hadprovided woefully inadequate protectionthat would have left them deep in debt ifthey had a serious medical event. The Af-fordable Care Act sets minimum standardsfor coverage, and so some people whobought these skimpy individual plans lostthat coverage. Naturally, when they go tothe Marketplace to buy comprehensive re-placement coverage, the premium is oftenhigher.

But it is essential to understand that manyof these people will be eligible for federalsubsidies that make the net cost lower thanwhat they were previously paying. Subsi-dies to make Marketplace coverage afford-able are available to individuals and fami-lies well up the income scale—to all withincomes up to 400 percent of the federalpoverty level ($94,200 for a family of fourin 2013). The size of the subsidy declinesas income increases, but many middle-in-come people will be eligible for some assis-tance.

It is also important to keep the big pic-ture in mind. Most people are covered byemployer-based insurance, not the indi-vidual market. The individual market is asmall part of the total insurance market, andmany who buy such coverage keep it foronly a short period of time, often less thana year. A study by Mathematica Policy Re-search found that during an average month,only 5.3 percent of the under-65 popula-tion had individual coverage, but fewer thanhalf of that population group (2.1 percent)had that coverage for the entire year.

This “churning” is easily explained: manypeople who buy individual insurance do soas a stop-gap strategy to protect themselvesuntil they get a job that provides better, lessexpensive coverage. They are people wholeave a job that provided health insurancebut have not yet found a new job that of-fers coverage, students who graduate andlose their school-based coverage, or 27 yearolds who have “aged out” of their parents’plan.

The fact is that the individual market hasnever worked well, which is why the ACAfocused especially on reforming it. Largepremium increases, loss of coverage, andinstability have always been characteristicof this poorly functioning market.

The lesson is that now is not the time toendorse legislation like that recently passedin the House that would perpetuate a bro-ken and inequitable individual market andjeopardize the reforms that would bringgood, affordable coverage to many thou-sands who until now have been denied suchprotection.

The writer is a Reston resident.

Obama Care and theIndividual Market —Not a Failure

Opinion

Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 2: • Burke

• Fairfax • SpringfieldClassifiedClassified

COMMERCIAL SPACE

AVAILABLE

LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SHIRLEY

GATE AND LEE HWY, AWESOME

VISIBLITY AND ONLY 1 MILE FROM

BOTH ROUTES 50 AND 66.

1000SQFT WITH 2 OFFICES, RESTROOM

AND LARGE BAY, CALL OR STOP IN

TODAY… 703-352-8840 EXT 2

12 Commercial Lease 12 Commercial Lease

IVY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TO HOST ON-SITE VISIT

Ivy Christian College will host a Transnational Association ofChristian colleges and schools on-site evaluation team on 01/07-10 for the purpose of evaluating the college for Accredi-tation Level.

Third party comments are invited and may be addressed to:TRACS, 15935 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551.

TRACS is approved by the U.S. Department of Education as anationally-recognized institutional accrediting agency and ap-pears on the Secretary’s List of Approved Accrediting Agen-cies, which is approved in the Higher Education Directory. TRACS is also recognized by the Council for higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Ivy Christian College9401 Mathy Drive Suite 380Fairfax, Virginia 22031Tell : 703) 425-4143Fax: (703) 425-4148

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed up Slow Computers➣ Troubleshooting➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup

(571) [email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

26 AntiquesWe pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

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

and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.

Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

29 Misc. for Sale

2013 Burley Bicycle Trailer for Two Toddlers. Brand new never been used! Has a clear weather cover with 4-point seat belts. $ 400 new, willing to sell for $250! Call Chris (703) 618-6944 Anytime.

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

CLASSIFIED • CHOOSE 1 TO 6 ZONESE-mail [email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENT • CHOOSE 1 TO 6 ZONESE-mail [email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

An expert is someone who knowssome of the

worst mistakesthat can bemade in his

subject and howto avoid them.

-WernerHeisenberg


You Have Saturdays OffThat’s Exactly Why We Don’t!

ALEXANDRIATOYOTA

POTOMACRIVER

ALEXANDRIATOYOTA

ServiceCentersKeep Your Toyota

a Toyota

27 YEARS OFRECEIVING THIS

HONORLet’s Go Places

TOYOTALIFETIME GUARANTEE

Mufflers•Exhaust Pipes•Shocks•StrutsToyota mufflers, exhaust pipes, shocks, strutsand strut cartridges are guaranteed to theoriginal purchaser for the life of the vehiclewhen installed by an authorized Toyota dealer.See us for full details.

witter: @ffxconnection holiday sibling shop spreads the spirit...

Documents