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Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.

Requested in home 12-19-19

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PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322

Gifts for Children Whose Parents Are IncarceratedPage 6

Art as ExpressionPage 5

Wreaths Across

America And Around Our Hearts

Page 3

Page, 5

Jim Mogle, a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, and Nancy Mogle of Leesburg placed a wreath at Nancy’s father’s grave in Section 60 of Arling-ton National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America Dec. 14. CAPT Silas R. Johnson Sr. was a pilot in the U.S. Navy for 32 years and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

More than 38,000 volunteersfrom across the nationbraved rainy skies to partici-pate in Wreaths Across

America Dec. 14 at Arlington National Cem-etery, marking the 27th year for the annualritual of placing wreaths at the headstonesof America’s veterans.

With more than 254,000 wreaths donatedby the Worcester Wreath Company ofHarrington, Maine, and the Wreaths AcrossAmerica nonprofit, each gravesite in Arling-ton was honored with a wreath with cer-emonies being held at the Tomb of the Un-knowns and the gravesite of President JohnF. Kennedy.

Wreaths Across America Founder MorrillWorcester and the Worcester Wreath Com-pany sent more than 700,000 wreaths toeach state, where simultaneous wreath-lay-ing ceremonies were held across the coun-try.

In total more than 2,158 locations inall 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad par-ticipated in honoring 2.2 million ofAmerica’s veterans.

— Jeanne Theismann

The pages of the Connection (includ-ing the Alexandria Gazette Packet,the Mount Vernon Gazette, the

Potomac Almanac and the Centre View)have been full of holiday spirit, beginningbefore Thanksgiving. Help for the needy,holiday parades, Santa and more Santa; treelightings, stories of giving, the Nutcracker.

Christmas is about the birth of JesusChrist. Whether you believe the Christmasstory literally or in spirit, you know it is thestory of joy, hope and love, with the prom-ise of redemption.

It is also about embracing the teachingsof Jesus: to love thy neighbor as thyself; tohelp the needy; to feed the hungry andclothe the poor; to care for those who aresick; to invite and welcome strangers; totreat others as you would have them treatyou.

Matthew 7:12:“So in everything, do to others what you

would have them do to you.”

Matthew 25:35-40:“For I was hungry and you gave me some-

thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a stranger andyou invited me in, I needed clothes and youclothed me, I was sick and you looked after

me, I was in prison and you came to visitme.’

“Then the righteous will answer him,‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feedyou, or thirsty and give you something todrink? When did we see you a stranger andinvite you in, or needing clothes and clotheyou? When did we see you sick or in prisonand go to visit you?’

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did forone of the least of these brothers and sis-ters of mine, you did for me.’”

SO SHARE the verse relating the birthof Jesus from the Bible, Luke 2: 4-19:

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee,out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,unto the city of David, which is calledBethlehem; (because he was of the houseand lineage of David.) To be taxed withMary his espoused wife, being great withchild. And so it was, that, while they werethere, the days were accomplished that sheshould be delivered. And she brought forthher firstborn son, and wrapped him in swad-dling clothes, and laid him in a manger;because there was no room for them in theinn.

“And there were in the same country,shepherds abiding in the field, keepingwatch over their flock by night. And, lo, the

angel of the Lord came upon them, and theglory of the Lord shone round about them:and they were sore afraid. And the angelsaid unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bringyou good tidings of great joy, which shallbe to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the cityof David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shallfind the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,lying in a manger.

“And suddenly there was with the angela multitude of the heavenly host praisingGod, and saying, Glory to God in the high-est, and on earth peace, good will towardmen.

“And it came to pass, as the angels weregone away from them into heaven, the shep-herds said one to another, Let us now goeven unto Bethlehem, and see this thingwhich is come to pass, which the Lord hathmade known unto us. And they came withhaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and thebabe lying in a manger. And when they hadseen it, they made known abroad the say-ing which was told them concerning thischild. And all they that heard it wonderedat those things which were told them bythe shepherds.”

— Mary Kimm

mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com

Editor’s Note About theRest of 2019

This is our last regular edition of 2019.Next week, after Christmas, we willpublish our annual Children’s Issue,devoted entirely to the artwork andwriting of local students. You’ll be able tofind this online at http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/Scroll down to Children’s.

Our next regular edition will publishJan. 8, 2020, with deadline for contentand advertising of Jan. 3 (late ads ac-cepted).

In the meantime you can email theeditors ateditors@connectionnewspapers.com. Youcan reach sales/marketing/advertising atsales@connectionnewspapers.com.

Digital replica editions of the mostrecent week’s papers are available atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs

Past issues of the Connection back to2008 are available atconnectionarchives.com/PDF/

Sign up for a free digital subscription atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/subscribe

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the leastof these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Merry Christmas

Volunteers honorAmerica’s veterans.

Wreaths Across America

Photo by Greta Langweg

Nancy Mogle of Leesburg places a wreath at herfather’s grave in Section 60 of Arlington NationalCemetery during Wreaths Across America. CAPT SilasR. Johnson, Sr. was a pilot in the U.S. Navy for 32years and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Photo by Nancy Mogle

Greta Langweg of Herndon stands beside her great-grandfather’s grave in Section 60 of Arlington NationalCemetery Dec. 14 during Wreaths Across America.CAPT Silas R. Johnson, Sr. was a pilot in the U.S. Navyfor 32 years and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

4 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Holiday Entertainment

Submit entertainment announce-ments atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGMah Jongg Cards. Now thru Jan. 15,

2020. At Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100Westmoreland Street, Falls Church.2020 Mah Jongg cards for sale. Cardswill be mailed to the address on theorder in late March or early April.Cost: $8 standard card; $9 largecard. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/mahjonggcards2020. Contact IvaGresko, iva.gresko@gmail.com.

Historical Holiday Exhibit. Nowthru Feb. 1, 2020, from 1-4 p.m. AtArlington Historical Museum, 1805South Arlington Ridge Road,Arlington. Visit the ArlingtonHistorical Museum to see the annualholiday exhibit, this year featuringpromotional items that localArlington businesses gave away tocustomers to encourage customers tospend money. “Gimmes” were useful,fanciful, or designed to be constantlyon display or carried by thecustomer. Often the gimme had littleto do with the business or product.The exhibit contains items from thebeginning of the 20th century tomodern objects. Visit free duringmuseum hours: Fri.-Sun. 1-4 p.m.Visit the website: https://arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org

Art Exhibit: Borrowed from Dust.Through Dec. 22, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. (or byappointment) at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. ArlingtonArts Center presents Borrowed fromDust, a solo exhibition of new workby AAC resident artist Marissa Long.This exhibition is Long’s first soloshow in AAC’s Wyatt Resident ArtistsGallery. Borrowed from Dust is ameditation on memory, loss, andimpermanence. Visitwww.arlingtonartscenter.org or call703-248-6800.

ÓA Chorus Line.Ó Through Jan. 5,2020. At Signature Theatre, 4200Campbell Ave., Arlington. Winner ofnine Tony Awards and the PulitzerPrize, overflowing with sensationalballet, tap and jazz dance numbers,this non-stop showcase features theacclaimed songs “At the Ballet,” “TheMusic and the Mirror,” “What I Didfor Love” and more. With one of thelargest casts in Signature history, AChorus Line is the one singularsensation for the holiday season.Choreographed by Denis Jones anddirected by Matthew Gardiner. Visitwww.sigtheatre.org.

Forty+ Dance Project. Through Jan.14, 2020, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. AtTheatre on the Run, 3700 S FourMile Run Drive, Arlington. Cost is$160. Forty+ Project is an eightweek series of creative rehearsals todevelop new dance work. Directed byprofessional dance choreographer,Carly Johnson, Forty+ celebrates thecollective creativity of people past theage of 40. Forty+ is frequently seenin concerts presented by JaneFranklin Dance and for organizationsserving older adults. This projectculminates with a performance atTheatre on the Run on Jan. 25, 2020.The project is open to people of allphysical facilities. No previousperformance experience is necessary.Visit the website: https://www.janefranklin.com/adult-dance/forty-plus

NOW THRU DEC. 24Festival of the Trees. At Fashion

Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 S.Hayes Street, Arlington. Will includea variety of Christmas treesdecorated by local nonprofits,including Arlington Food AssistanceCenter, Animal Welfare League of

Arlington, Doorways for Women andFamilies, Arlington Artists Alliance,District Veteran Braintrust, SimonYouth Foundation, Susan G. Komenand the White House HistoricalAssociation. Every Saturday from 5-7p.m. a different charity will befeatured where guests can meet withorganization representatives, warmup at the hot chocolate station,create cheerful crafts, enjoy livemusic and more. Visit simon.com/fashioncentreatpentagoncity

THURSDAY/DEC. 19Deep Dive: Wintertime Economics.

8-9 p.m. At Gulf Branch NatureCenter, Arlington. Adults. Take aDeep Dive into a natural history topicthat scratches more than just thesurface. What are the trade-offs towinter survival strategies? How muchdoes a tiny chickadee need to eat tosurvive the cold winter nights? Whatare the advantages for cold-bloodedanimals that spend winterunderwater? There’s more tosurviving winter than just eating orsleeping a lot. Call 703-228-3403.

FRIDAY/DEC. 20Snowflake Art. 4-5 p.m. At Long

Branch Nature Center, Arlington.Ages 6 to 10. Big, little and even claysnowflakes! Like in nature each flakewill be unique and beautiful.Participants can make snowflakedecorations and ornaments from avariety of materials to bring home forthe holidays. We’ll even thrown in alittle snowflake science. Call 703-228-6535.

SATURDAY/DEC. 21Ugly Sweaterasana. 10:30 a.m. At

New District Brewing Company, 2709S. Oakland Street, Arlington. Theclass will move through an all-level(and all reindeer approved) vinyasayoga class with a special soundtrackof the season and will follow up withdrinks (must be 21+ to drink). The$20 ticket price (online; walk-ins are$25) includes the class and your firstpint of refreshing craft beer. BYOmat. Ugly holiday sweaters highlyencouraged.

Gifts for Wildlife. 2:30-4 p.m. AtLong Branch Nature Center,Arlington. Families ages 4 and up.Register children and adults; childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. This time of year, is the giving

season! With food being scarce thelocal birds and wildlife could usesome kindness too. Join us as wemake edible garlands and ornamentsto hang on trees outside. You caneven make an ornament to takehome for the wildlife in yourbackyard. We’ll also learn other waysto help wildlife year-round. Call 703-228-6535.

Flying Squirrel Lore & More. 5-6p.m. At Long Branch Nature Center,Arlington. Families ages 4 and up.Register children and adults; childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. Flying squirrels are foundthroughout the woodedneighborhoods of Arlington but areseldom seen. Join us to learn aboutthese engaging nocturnal acrobats.After an indoor presentation, we’lltiptoe outside to see these little pixiesglide in for an evening meal. Thesecreatures are truly one of the naturalwonders of the Arlington! Call 703-228-6535.

Movie Night — “Elf.” 5:30 p.m. AtBallston Exchange, 4201 WilsonBlvd., Second Floor, Arlington.Free.“Elf” — Buddy was accidentallytransported to the North Pole as atoddler and raised among Santa’selves. Unable to shake the feelingthat he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddytravels to New York in search of hisreal father. Each movie will be heldin the pop-up theater in BallstonExchange. Guests will enjoy freepopcorn, candy, juice, and soda. Forthe adults in the family, this event isBYOB!

Solstice Eve Hike & Campfire. 7-8p.m. At Gulf Branch Nature Center,Arlington. Families ages 3 and up.Register children and adults; childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. Celebrate the longest night ofthe year with candle making androasting marshmallows for s’mores!Then we’ll take a night hike underthe stars. Call 703-228-3403.

SUNDAY/DEC. 22Getting Ready For Winter Walk. 2-

3:30 p.m. At Long Branch NatureCenter, Arlington. Families ages 5and up. Register children and adults;children must be accompanied by aregistered adult. As the days getshorter and colder the animals livingin Glencarlyn Park are getting readyfor winter. We’ll take a walk throughvarious habitats to learn about what

different species do to survive thewinter; sleep, fly away or go out inthe cold. Call 703-228-6535.

DEC. 23, DEC. 27, DEC. 30Winter Day Camps. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At Arlington County Cultural AffairsBuilding, 3700 S. Four Mile RunDrive, Arlington. At Jane FranklinDance, build physical skill andchallenge creativity while exploringmovement,theatre technique, andvisual art. The day long explorationincludes movement, a fun visual artproject, performance practice, andweather permitting, a trip outdoorsto a nearby park. Cost: $75 for theday, $10 for just the AM, $15 for justthe PM. Visit the website: https://www.janefranklin.com/winter-break-camps

FRIDAY/DEC. 27Flying Squirrel Lore & More. 5-6

p.m. At Long Branch Nature Center,Arlington. Families ages 4 and up.Register children and adults; childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. Flying squirrels are foundthroughout the woodedneighborhoods of Arlington but areseldom seen. Join us to learn aboutthese engaging nocturnal acrobats.After an indoor presentation, we’lltiptoe outside to see these little pixiesglide in for an evening meal. Thesecreatures are truly one of the naturalwonders of the Arlington. Call 703-228-6535.

SATURDAY/JAN. 4Fort C.F. Smith Park Walking

Tour. 9 - 10 a.m. At Fort C.F. SmithPark & Historic Site, 2411 N. 24thStreet, Arlington. Families ages 7 andup. Register children and adults;children must be accompanied by aregistered adult. Fort C.F. Smith wasone of the last Union forts built toprotect Washington during the CivilWar. We’ll learn about the park’shistory, the role of the fort and thesoldiers stationed there in the CivilWar. Dress for the weather. Terrainwill be uneven and possibly muddy.Call 703-228-4775. Free. #622750-B

Civil War Discoveries: InfantryDrills. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. At Fort C.F.Smith Park & Historic Site, 2411 N.24th Street, Arlington. Ages 7 to 11.They’ll drill like Union soldiers bypracticing our marches and turns, as

well as how to “load in nine times”with replica wood rifles. Call 703-228-4775. Cost is $5. #622720-A

Civil War Discoveries: ArtilleryDrills. 1-2 p.m. At Fort C.F. SmithPark & Historic Site, 2411 N. 24thStreet, Arlington. Ages 7 to 11. Workas a team practicing the steps to loadand aim a replica Civil War cannon.We’ll talk about different types ofartillery and put our skills to the test.Call 703-228-4775. Cost is $5.#622720-B

Fort Ethan Allen Park WalkingTour. 3 - 3:45 p.m. At Fort EthanAllen Park, 3829 N. Stafford Street,Arlington. Families ages 7 and up.Register children and adults; childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. Fort Ethan Allen was built bythe Union Army in September 1861to command the approach to ChainBridge and has the most extensiveremaining features of any Civil Warfort in Arlington. We’ll explore theearthworks and discuss how and whythe fort was built. Dress for theweather. Terrain will be uneven andpossibly muddy. Call 703-228-4775.Free. #622750-E

SATURDAYS, JAN. 4 TO FEB. 1, 2020Adult Technique Series. 9:30-11

a.m. At Theatre on the Run, 3700 SFour Mile Run, Arlington. Studydifferent approaches to movementand technique through a 5 classMaster Series with Kelsey Rohr.Sample modern dance, post-modernand contemporary themes thataddress physical articulation,improve balance, range of motion,strength, coordination and mentalagility. Drop-in for a class or enrollfor a series. Cost is $100 for the 5class master series; $25 single class.Visit the website: https://www.janefranklin.com/adult-dance

SUNDAY/JAN. 5VA State Symbols: The Big-eared

Bat. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. At Gulf BranchNature Center, 3608 N. MilitaryRoad, Arlington. Families ages 7 andup. Register children and adults;children must be accompanied by aregistered adult. We’ll learn all aboutbats in Virginia, how they surviveand how they’ve become endangered.Then, we’ll do a bat-themed craft.Call 703-228-3403. $5 fee. #622850-K

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 8Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk.

8:30 - 11 a.m. At Long Branch NatureCenter, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road,Arlington. Join members of theNorthern Virginia Bird Club forinformal walks through GlencarlynPark in search of resident andmigratory birds. Experienced andbeginning birders welcomed. Bringbinoculars and field guides if youhave them. Call 703-228-6535. Free.#622940-B

THURSDAY/JAN. 9Guerilla Gardening. 7-8:30 p.m. At

Westover Library, 1644 NorthMcKinley Road, Arlington. See youryard anew through fresh, guerillagardening eyes. Learn how thosedifficult, abandoned, or underutilizedparts of your yard can betransformed into successful gardenspaces that provide natural beauty,healthy foods, and important supportfor pollinators and other beneficialinsects. We’ll show you bestpractices, tools, and techniques totransform your yard’s missedopportunities into attractive andproductive gardens – by workingwith Mother Nature and not againsther. This class is offered by ExtensionMaster Gardeners. Free. Advanceregistration requested at mgnv.org.Call 703-228-6414 or emailmgarlalex@gmail.com.

The Historical Holiday Exhibit will be up through Feb. 1, 2020 at the Arlington Histori-cal Museum.

Historical Holiday ExhibitNow thru Feb. 1, 2020, 1-4 p.m. At Arlington Historical Museum, 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington. Visit the

Arlington Historical Museum to see the annual holiday exhibit, this year featuring promotional items that local Arlington busi-nesses gave away to customers to encourage customers to spend money. “Gimmes” were useful, fanciful, or designed to beconstantly on display or carried by the customer. Often the gimme had little to do with the business or product. The exhibitcontains items from the beginning of the 20th century to modern objects. Visit free during museum hours: Fri.-Sun. 1-4 p.m.The exhibit will be up through January 2020. Free parking. Visit the website: https://arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org

Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Textured papers, glue, candles and foliageare materials that local artist KathrynConeway uses to teach her students toexpress some of the thoughts and feel-

ings that arise during the holiday season. Whethercreating a sense of calm amid the holiday bustle,dealing with intense emotions or simply providing atime to spend with family and friends, making artcan bring about a space for self-expression.

“It allows a time for us to be still and connect withfamily without worrying about buying presents or be-ing perfect,” said Coneway, who is also an art therapistand author of the book “Collette, A Collage Adventure.”“You can just spend time together making Christmasdecorations or holiday presents without judgement. Itallows us to be fully present to those we love.”

One family-crafting making project that Conewayteaches involves tissue paper glued to mason jars becomecandle holders and gifts to give during the holidays.

In Conway’s classes, which include collage and claylabyrinth making, students aren taught to use art asa form of meditation. “I also encourage students tofind materials in nature like leaves or branches, saidConeway who teachers classes and workshops inMount Vernon, Alexandria and Great Falls. “My ownfamily made garland out of papers and other deco-rations with natural items we found in our backyard.”

Fresh mixed evergreen, berries and pine cones tiedwith a ribbon, were the materials used in a wreath-making class at Falls Church Arts, said Barb Cram,president of the organization. “We’re [also] offeringa holiday-themed collage class,” said she said. “Wehave folks in their own classes like Abstract Expres-sionism, (or process painting) and watercolor do theirown painting of [holiday] subject matter as well.”

Creating art is a form of self-expression which canlead to self-awareness and a connection to others, twopractices which are particularly important duringtimes of stress, like the holiday season. “As a lifelongartist [and] educator, I love hearing stories about stu-dents who participate in … a holiday arts fundraiser

Local artists say tis theseason for creativity togive the gift of harmony.

Holiday Art OffersPeace and Calm

Artist Kathryn Coneway encouragestudents to create art using naturalmaterials such as this wreath made ofacorns and felt.

[or] exhibition,” said David Epstein, dean of NOVAarts,the arts program at Northern Virginia Community Col-lege. “This shows the impact of the arts and the reachit has in our communities. The arts connects us to ourhuman spirit and brings people together.”

Even those who are not professionally trained art-ists can benefit from using art as a distraction fromthe chaotic or less-than-merry aspects or the holidayseason, advises Coneway. “Creative practice opensup spaces to live together with uncertainty and vul-nerability and to connect through allowing ourselvesto be seen and heard,” she said.

Creating candle holders such as these areitems that artist Kathryn Coneway saysbrings families together for a break fromthe holiday bustle while also makingfestive holiday presents.

Photos courtesy of Kathryn Coneway

6 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

The Undercroft Room at St Andrew’s Epis-copal Church is buzzing with anticipationon Dec. 11 for the OAR Winter CheerWrapping Party, presents for children who

have a parent incarcerated locally. Tables are stackedwith colorful wrapping paper and rolls of tape. Peoplemunch on slices of pizza while they wait for the en-velopes to be passed out with the name and wish listof their designated child.

Donated toys are arranged on tables by age groupswith the 6-8 year-old table offering something foreveryone from Glam Nail Stampers, soccer balls, rain-bow loom and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” This year OARis providing gifts for 300 children, and each child willget three gifts. OAR has been collecting presents inboxes located around the community for childrenfrom newborn-18 years old since early October.

More than 200 volunteers crowd the room to choosethe gifts for their designated child, wrap them andinclude the handwritten note from the parent. Manyof the volunteers have made this a family tradition.

Volunteers wrap presents for 300 children who haveparents incarcerated locally.

Good to Give and Receive and OARWinter Cheer Wrapping Party

Krista O’Connell and Chris Jones said they had beencoming to this event for the last five years. O’Connellsays, “I am so busy at this time of the year but I hadto come. This is one of my favorite things of the year.”She adds, “I love it that the gifts are from the familywith a handwritten note from the incarcerated par-ent to the child. That makes it special.”

OAR does this in an effort to bridge the gap be-tween individuals experiencing incarceration andtheir children as these relationships are often strainedand challenged during incarceration. Jones says, “It’sa meaningful experience. I like to pick out toys. Thechildren’s lists tell you a little bit about what the kidsare like.”

Volunteer drivers will deliver the toys to the chil-dren before Christmas.

OAR is a private non-profit 503(c) (3) organizationthat serves Arlington County and the cities of Alexan-dria and Falls Church. OAR’s mission is to provide com-munity-managed programs aimed at restoring the in-dividual offender as a responsible member of the com-munity by providing alternatives to incarceration, pro-grams to inmates and services to ex-offenders.

More than two hundred volunteers pack St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Dec. 11 towrap presents for 300 children who have parents incarcerated locally.

Krista O’Connelland Chris Joneshave been volun-teering for theOAR gift wrap-ping event for thelast five years.

Photos by

Shirley Ruhe

Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Having re-read what I wrote in last week’s col-umn: “Still Processing,” I can’t say it made me feel a whole lot better than when I wrote it. Granted, it was a column that had to be written given my

-stantly) and the possible crossroads that I may be entering. Nevertheless, if part of the underlying rea-son why I take up this space every week is to vent and share, as a means, hopefully not to a premature end, I suppose there was stress released there. But the subject matter was so third-rail-ish that even though I’ve tried to avoid it, I feel adversely affected by the experience.

The subject to which I so ambiguously refer is my own death. Aside from not wanting it to happen, if I don’t plan in advance for it having happened, the chaos that will ensue and envelop my wife, Dina, is both unfair and inconsiderate. You see, in our relationship, she’s been the social director and I’ve been the business manager. To quote my late father: “and neither the twain shall meet except on the twack.” If I were indeed to predecease my wife, a fairly distinct possibility, not only would there be no twain, there would be no “twack” as well. There would only be trouble, and that’s ‘trouble’ with a capital “T.”

It’s not so much that there are complications lurking, so far as I understand them: there are no children, no blended family, no special needs situa-tions, no multi-layered business entanglements, no offshore anything (heck, there’s very little onshore), our home and bank accounts are jointly owned, no

and few liabilities; really not much out of the ordi-nary. However, I get that ordinary is in the eye of the surviving beholder, which is likely not to be me. Therefore, if I want to contribute to my wife’s quality of life after I’ve departed dearly (and to her peace of mind now, quite frankly), apparently a road map of

about control; it’s more about initiative.)I guess there’s something in me that feels I

need to get it out on paper so that I might act on it in person. Maybe writing about such a grim task minimizes its grimness, sort of like dipping your toe in the water before you jump? Maybe thinking and writing about the anxiety I’m feeling concerning what my wife will have to do after I’ve died is kind of a mental ice breaker. Not that I’m getting into any details here, it’s more of a broad brush,” to once again quote my brother, Richard, about the need for consideration and fairness. The underlying problem is that getting into all this after I’m-dead stuff seems and feels incredibly negative. And I try to ignore negativity. In fact, it may very well have been my positivity which has kept me alive all these live-long days.

I’m sure I’m rationalizing (maybe more like “irrationalizing”), as an excuse for not doing what needs to be done, but I’ve always been good at that. In addition, I keep coming back to it’s my life; I’m the one with “the cancer,” to quote “Forrest, Forrest Gump,” describing his mother’s cause of death, as a means of justifying my stubbornness/unwillingness to make certain arrangements. I mean, when you think of it, having cancer is a heck of an excuse. And though I’ve rarely used it as one, I’ve always felt it. And with respect to planning for a future I don’t have, I have to blame the cancer. It makes you do and think things you might not otherwise do and think. It’s not as if anyone is ever prepared for a cancer/serious health diagnosis. Quite the opposite in fact. As such, you either learn to roll with the punches or get knocked down by them.

This recent/current experience hasn’t knocked me down or out exactly, but it has made me a little wobbly emotionally, and reminded me just how in-

time in years, I seem to be at greater risk than ever. I suppose with risk comes opportunities. Having my

targeted medicine seems to be present just such an opportunity; exactly what the doctor ordered, literally.

CatharsisNews

Toy and Coat DriveFor 400 Children

Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics(VHCP), formerly Arlington Pediatric Cen-ter, is partnering with Kaiser Permanenteto conduct a joint toy and coat drive fol-lowed by a gift-giving celebration for morethan 400 children and their families on Fri-day, Dec. 20. Throughout December, localcommunity organizations, businesses andindividuals have made donations big andsmall, resulting in a significant number oftoys that will benefit kids at VHCP, includ-ing art supplies, athletic equipment, smallelectronics and more. Santa will be givingout gifts to the children, who will also be en-joying face painting, live music, a craft table(hosted by Kaiser Permanente), and refresh-ments. In total, more than $25,000 has beendonated to make this event possible.

WHO: Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics, Kai-ser Permanente, Arlington County PoliceDepartment, Arlington County Transportation andthe Paul Mitchell School

WHAT: Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics Toyand Coat Drive Gift-Giving Celebration (sponsoredby Kaiser Permanente)

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 20 from 2 – 5 p.m.WHERE: Arlington Mill Community Center, 909

S Dinwiddie St Arlington, VA 22204VHCP serves Arlington families with children

that don’t have insurance or have Medicaid whowouldn’t have access to care anywhere else.

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

Board Membersto be Sworn-in

The public is invited to join the Arlington CountyBoard at the swearing-in of Board Members KatieCristol and Christian Dorsey on Thursday, Dec. 19,2019. Paul Ferguson, Clerk of the Circuit Court ofArlington and the City of Falls Church, will offici-ate. Ms. Cristol and Mr. Dorsey were re-elected tofour-year terms on the County Board on Nov. 5,2019. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. and willbe followed by a reception in the third-floor atriumoutside the Board Room, Room 307 in the Ellen M.Bozman Government Center, 2100 ClarendonBlvd. The ceremony will be live-streamed on theCounty website. You can also watch it on Arling-ton TV’s (ATV) YouTube Channel or on theCounty’s cable channel, on Comcast 1085 (HD) andVerizon FiOs 39 and 40.

TUESDAY/DEC. 17Talk on Gunston Bubble. 7-8:30 p.m. At

Gunston Middle School, 2700 S. Lang Street,Arlington. The Gunston Bubble is beingrenovated so that it is more energy efficient andreliable. This Parks Maintenance Capital projectwill design and construct the athletic facility(bubble), site circulation, electrics and lighting,heating, drainage, stormwater management andlandscaping. No new amenities are planned forthis project, which is funded by the CapitalImprovement Plan.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18TJ Upper Field Turf Conversion Community

Meeting. 7 p.m. At Thomas JeffersonCommunity Center, 3501 2nd Street S,Arlington. It’s time to plan the conversion of TJ’sUpper Rectangular field to synthetic turf. Basedon the recommendation in the Public SpacesMaster Plan and approved by the County Boardin the Adopted FY 2019-2028 CapitalImprovement Plan, the goal of this project is toconvert the existing natural grass field tosynthetic turf; add spectator seating, signage,site furnishings, athletic equipment, pathways,landscaping; remove invasive plants, and makeADA and stormwater managementimprovements.

Bulletin Board

8 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

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11/30/19.