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‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’

News, Page 2

Millie (Lauren Spiers, on right) chats with best friend Dorothy (Kylee Downie) during Chantilly High’s “Thor-oughly Modern Millie.”

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Public Safety Committee Focuses on ICENews, Page 3

2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Roundup, Page 4

By Bonnie Hobbs

Featuring a cast of 40 anda crew of 25, “ThoroughlyModern Millie” will soonburst upon the Chantilly

High stage. And Director AndyShaw says this lively, musical com-edy is sure to entertain.

“The characters are big and goofy,and the production showcases allthe different types of musical-the-ater songs,” he said. “It’s a fun mu-sical and a really sweet love storyabout how two people looking forcompletely different things in lifeend up finding each other.”

The story takes place in New YorkCity in 1922, and Vogue magazinehas said that modern girls marrytheir bosses, so Millie picks onewho’s handsome and rich. But when shemeets Jimmy, who likes to party and havefun, she gets distracted and falls in love withhim.

The curtain rises Thursday, Friday, Satur-day, April 19-21, and Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, April 25-27, at 7 p.m. Tickets are$12 at the door or viawww.chantillyhsdrama.com.

“We really have strong, hardworking ac-tors and singers, and a great tech team, too,”said Shaw. “And our choreographer, seniorCarolan Corcoran, did all the numbers.She’s been amazing to work with and com-manded the students’ respect, and they loveher. This show has numbers ranging fromtap to ballet, Charleston and ballroom, andshe did a wonderful job teaching to all thedifferent levels of dancers we have.”

The boys will be dressed in classic, pe-riod suits, and the girls will have bobbedhairstyles and wear flapper dresses withfringe, long beads, fur shawls and hats. Thescenes will take place at a two-story hotelcomplete with an elevator, plus Millie’sworkplace, and attendees will also see theNew York skyline.

Junior Lauren Spiers portrays Millie. (Herunderstudy, Haley Herman, will perform inthe April 25 show). “Millie’s 22 and deter-

mined to get what she wants,” said Spiers.“She’s not afraid to put herself out thereand always follows her goals, no matterwhat it takes. She wants to get a job andmarry someone rich — her boss. She’s justmoved from Kansas and wants to succeedin New York.”

Spiers loves her role because, she, too,has strong self-determination. “Millie’s alsoa very enthusiastic character,” she said. “Andit’s fun to work with the other castmates —everyone’s so supportive.”

Her favorite song is the opening number,“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” in which sheand the entire ensemble sing and dance to-gether. “Millie’s admiring her new city andall the modern women she aspires to belike,” said Spiers. “It’s an upbeat number,so we have fun doing it; and it’s the intro-duction to the show, so everyone’s smilingand enthusiastic.”

She said people will be able to relate tomany of the play’s situations, such as thescene where Millie is trying to get her bossto like her, but she’s bad at flirting. “They’llalso like the contrasting characters,” saidSpiers. “For example, Millie is poor andoverthinks things, but her best friend Dor-othy is rich, over-the-top and vibrant.”

Playing Dorothy is junior Kylee Downie.

“She’s the archetypal damsel in distress,except she isn’t afraid to take control of thesituation,” said Downie. “She’s very muchthe master of her own fate. She’s adventur-ous and all about trying new things andmeeting new people. She’s kind of an old-fashioned girl, but tries to bend the rules alittle. She’s used to an aristocratic lifestylein California, but comes to New York to dis-cover what it’s like to be an average womanin the 1920s.”

Downie likes playing Dorothy because“She’s bubbly, quirky and strong, unlikemost women of that time. And she’s notafraid to speak her mind. Dorothy and Milliesing the song, ‘How the Other Half Lives,’when they come together as friends. Theyrealize how much they can help each otherand how much potential their friendshiphas.”

As for the show, Downie says it has some-thing for everyone. “It’s packed with com-edy and relatable content, and it’s very en-gaging, both musically and visually,” shesaid. “And we have a variety of characters.”

Senior Christine Moon portrays Mrs.Meers, an ex-actress who’s turned to crime.“She’s driven by money and is a tough busi-nesswoman who runs a hotel for poor ac-tresses,” said Moon. “She pretends to care

about these girls, but really has anevil purpose.”

Moon says she’s fun to play be-cause “She’s very out there andmischievous, and I get to add myown, little touches to her charac-ter. I also get to make large, over-the-top movements and have afunny voice. And I like singing,‘They Don’t Know,’ about how theactresses don’t know she’s an evil,scheming person. And because ofthat, she thinks she’s the best ac-tress in the world. But she showsher true colors and intentions tothe audience.”

She said audiences will enjoyseeing all the glamorous, flashycostumes, and “The set will beamazing. They’ll also like thestrong dynamic of the characters,ranging from evil to kindhearted.The choreography is great, and ourcast members have very goodchemistry with each other. And thestory of a girl coming to New Yorkto follow her dreams is very inspir-ing.”

Playing Jimmy Smith is sopho-more Matthew Mendoza. “He’s 23

and has lived in New York for several years,”said Mendoza. “He’s charismatic and triesto make his life as fun and memorable aspossible. He’s also a playboy and flirts withas many girls as he can — and he’s well-known for this. One day, he meets Millieand then his character’s dynamic and repu-tation start to change as he falls in love withher.”

Thrilled to have his first leading role,Mendoza said, “I like the challenge. Andunlike my past characters, Jimmy has con-fidence. There are many, different ways tohave fun with this character, connect withthe audience and let them know he’s notjust a playboy. There’s also this sincere partof him that he rarely shows.”

Mendoza’s favorite song is “What Do INeed with Love?” which he sings. “It’s asneak peek at his true personality and whatJimmy’s character is truly about. It also hasa variety of tempos; it starts slow and thenturns into something you could jam with.”

Overall, he said, this show is “upbeat anda fun night to spend with your family. Atthe end, they’ll be singing the songs in theirheads because of how catchy they are. Andall the songs have a purpose — to tell thecharacters’ stories.”

‘Packed with Comedy and Very Engaging’Chantilly Highpresents“ThoroughlyModern Millie.”

Rehearsing a scene are (standing, from left) Emily Draut, Annie Silva, Elise McCue,Valerie Mellard and Molly Marsh, and (seated, from left) Caroline Woodson, LaurenSpiers and Kylee Downie.

Learn What CERT DoesThe Fairfax County Community Emergency Response

Team (CERT) program prepares regular citizens to safelyhelp themselves, their families and their communities dur-ing major emergencies where first responders are delayed.And residents may learn more about them and what theydo during the next meeting of the Sully District PoliceStation’s Citizens Advisory Committee. It’s set for Wednes-day, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., in the Sully District Govern-mental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly.

Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police Sta-

tion will perform free, child safety carseat inspectionsThursday, April 12, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary.But residents should install the child safety seats them-selves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them,as needed.Because of time constraints, only the first 35vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way,inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the

caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.

Bulova to Address WFCCAFairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon

Bulova will be the guest speaker at the quarterly meetingof the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA).It’s slated for Monday, April 16, at 7 p.m., in the Sully Dis

Roundups

Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Committee, Page 5

By Ken Moore

Dranesville District SupervisorJohn Foust asked a series ofquestions to try to elicit an an-swer from county law enforce-

ment about whether Immigration and Cus-toms Enforcement officers sometimes de-tain and arrest people on civil warrantswhen assisting county officers on criminalinvestigations.

“Fairfax County gang task force does nothave a member of ICEparticipating on it, isthat correct?” saidFoust.

Chief of FairfaxCounty Police, Col.Edwin C. Chief Roessler,answered first. “We’repart of the Northern Vir-ginia gang task forceand there is a criminalelement of ICE associ-ated with that taskforce,” he said, “so toanswer the question, wedo associate with ICE inthat task force for crimi-nal investigations.”

Foust continued: “My question is, whatrole does ICE play on the gang task force?If a crime is committed, you don’t need ICEthere to enforce the law, correct?’”

“We can investigate on our own,” Roesslersaid, but “these gang members don’t adhereto boundaries, so to conduct an investiga-tion we have to cross boundaries. So, attimes it’s prudent to use the task force anda criminal investigator from ICE or the FBIor other federal agencies to hunt thesecriminals down and arrest them.”

“If there is an ICE officer on your gangtask force, and I understand criminal side,do you have a standing policy that says thatthey shall not make an arrest for a civil de-tainer while participating on your taskforce?” asked Foust.

Roessler said, “It’s our goal and our gen-eral orders dictate what our police officersin Fairfax County can and can’t do for thecivil side of that, And it’s not my goal asyour chief to go out and enforce the civilportion of that.

“That’s not the business that we’re in,”he said.

“That’s what I’m trying to get at,” saidFoust. “Because what I perceive is you’re

out in the community with one or more ICEagents who are arresting people while par-ticipating on your task force for non-crimi-nal conduct.”

“And that’s what we don’t want,” saidRoessler.

THE BOARD’S PUBLIC SAFETY com-mittee met Tuesday, April 3, to discuss theseissues together.

“Our board was looking forward to afrank and open discussion with ICE abouttheir enforcement activities in Fairfax

County, which is whatICE had agreed to origi-nally. It is unfortunatethat this opportunitywas derailed,” saidChairman SharonBulova.

ICE didn’t take a seat,although Adonnis T.Smith Sr., WashingtonField Office Enforce-ment and Removal Op-erations, was listed onthe agenda along withBarbara M. Gonzalez,assistant director,Stakeholder Engage-ment – Victims of Immi-

gration Crime Engagement (VOICE).“There was a lot of disagreement about

federal participation today,” said PublicSafety Committee chairman and BraddockDistrict Supervisor John Cook.

ICE officers spoke from the audience tosay that they werepresent and ready tospeak at two points dur-ing the meeting.

“We appreciate youbeing here,” saidBulova. “There were alot of organizations thatactually asked to have aseat at the table, includ-ing ICE and includingVOICE. There were oth-ers [immigrant advo-cates] who believed thatthis was going to be apublic forum or a public hearing which it isnot. This is a committee meeting of theBoard of Supervisors.”

Bulova said later on Facebook: “ICE thenasked that a representative from the Vic-tims of Immigration Crime Engagement(VOICE) Office be at the table as well. Since

VOICE’s mission (giving voice to victims ofcrimes by illegal immigrants), while admi-rable, was not germane to the subject ofthis meeting, I asked they not be a part ofthe discussion. ICE then presented us withan ultimatum — hear from all of us or noneof us. ICE representatives chose instead tosit in the audience,” Bulova wrote.

“Prior to this meeting my office also heardfrom pro-immigrant rights groups whowished to have a seat at thetable during the meeting.They were told ‘sorry’ for asimilar reason — their is-sues were off topic and thiswas a Board CommitteeMeeting and not a publicforum.”

Springfield District Su-pervisor Pat Herrity dis-agreed. “I think they areour law enforcement part-ners and I think they shouldbe able to participate, butI’ll respect the decision of the chairs,” saidHerrity. Still, ICE and its partnership withlocal law enforcement continued as thetopic of the meeting.

FOUST QUESTIONED Col. Douglas W.Keen, Chief of Police, City of Manassas, andchairman of the Northern Virginia RegionalGang Task Force.

“Do you allow ICE agents participatingon the task force with your officers to makearrests for non-criminal conduct?”

Keen answered: “There are no ICE agentsassigned to the taskforce. It is a local andstate task force. Wewill work with ICE,just as the captainsaid, as another tooljust like the FBI, DEA,Secret Service or anyothers. There aretimes we may ask forICE assistance andthey will help us onthat criminal investi-gation.”

“I think we’re allcomfortable with the criminal side,” saidFoust. “What you seem to be evading is, dothey take into custody while participatingon your task force persons presumed or as-sumed to be in violation of non-criminalimmigration rules.”

“I don’t dictate what ICE does,” answered

Keen. “That would be their policy. Whenthey are a member of the task force, theyare there for criminal apprehension pur-poses. “ICE, it would probably be best if theyexplained, if they had an opportunity, theyhave two different divisions, they have acriminal division and they have a civil divi-sion. The criminal division is working withus,” said Keen. Roessler said: “We don’twant the community to be looking at us as

if we’re using a criminal asa proxy to get into a houseand say, ‘You, you and you,come with me.’”

“I hope that’s exactly ac-curate because that is notconsistent with what I wasled to believe, which wasthat these ICE agents doindeed take people intocustody while on raidswith you for violations thatare not criminal activities,”said Foust.

ICE had been active in Route 1 area, saidRoessler, and the FCPD asked ICE to alertthem when and where they are conductingraids in the county so that police know ifthey get a call for example for a home inva-sion or robbery, they won’t respond.

“Obviously, they are federal law enforce-ment officers and they have absolute rightto go into that community, I as a chief can-not override that federal right and that’swhere the confusion is in the community.It’s not your police department in FairfaxCounty that’s conducting the civil raids, it’sICE, and that’s their job.”

SHERIFF STACEY A. KINCAID informedICE in January that the Sheriff ’s Officewould terminate its intergovernmental ser-vice agreement (IGSA) with ICE on May 23,following the required 120-day notice.

The “Sheriff’s Office will no longer holdinmates past their release date unless anICE administrative request to detain theinmate is accompanied by a criminal de-tainer issued by a court,” according toKincaid. The City of Alexandria, on May 23,will be the only one of 123 jurisdictions inVirginia to maintain its intergovernmentalservice agreement with ICE, said Kincaid.

“Our compliance with Code of Virginiawill not be compromised,” she said. “Ourconclusion to terminate this agreement wasdone after a thorough very intensive pro-cess.”

Foust Bulova Cook McKay Kincaid Herrity Roessler Keen

Confusion, Anger, Agenda DifficultiesPublic safety committee meeting focuses on ICE, without ICE at the table.

“ICE then presentedus with an ultimatum— hear from all of usor none of us. ICErepresentativeschose instead to sitin the audience.”

— Sharon Bulova, Chairman,Board of Supervisors

“It’s not my goal asyour chief to go outand enforce the civilportion of that. That’snot the business thatwe’re in.”

— Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr.

“I think we needto continuecooperating withICE to the fullestextent possible.”

— Pat Herrity,Springfield Supervisor

4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

Adventurous children, pirates anda boy who can fly are among thedelights in store for people attending Liberty Middle School’s

upcoming play. It’s the Broadway versionof the musical, “Peter Pan Jr.”

Show times are Thursday, Friday and Sat-urday, April 26, 27 and 28, at 7 p.m. Tick-ets are $6 at the door and during schoollunches, starting April 18. And the cast andcrew of 60 have been rehearsing since Oc-tober.

Director/Choreographer Jody Scott saysher actors are not only “talented, smart andtake direction well, but they also look outfor each other and work together as a team.They’re a happy group of kids and are allready and excited to perform this show.”

She also praised Music Director GaryVerhagen and Costume Coordinator LauraBellis for their efforts, saying, “They’ve gen-erously given of their time to do whatever’sneeded to help put on this play, but theylove it.”

It takes place in the early 1900s. Peter isa boy who never ages and grows up, but helongs to have a mother and someone who’lltake care of him and tell him stories. So hevisits the home of the Darling family, whosemother reads stories to the children.

But he’s also mischievous, so he convincesthe children to fly to Neverland with himand says the oldest one, Wendy, can be theirmother. There, they encounter Capt. Hook,the Lost Boys, Brave Girls and a crocodile,and the adventure unfolds.

“This show is high-spirited and really en-tertaining,” said Scott. “And the musicalnumbers are upbeat, toe-tapping andhappy; people will leave with the songs intheir heads. The pirates are hystericallyfunny, the Brave Girls are strong and smart,and everybody can see themselves in theLost Boys, who love to have fun. The Dar-ling children are eager to have an adven-ture, Capt. Hook is a commanding presenceonstage and our Peter Pan really embodiesthe role.”

The scenes take place in the Darlingchildren’s London bedroom, in Neverlandforest, in the Lost Boys’ underground homeon Neverland Island and on a pirate ship.Peter Pan wears a forest-green outfit withmatching tights, and Capt. Hook wears avelvet jacket with lace shirt sleeves, a red-velvet hat with white plume and a long,curly, black wig. The Lost Boys have scruffyclothing, the Brave Girls are in earth tonesand the pirates have beards and mustachesand wear bright, jewel-tone colors.

Portraying Peter Pan is seventh-graderKatie Wood. “He’s very stubborn and doesn’tlike people telling him what he needs to do,”she said. “He’s energetic and, when he’sexcited about something and puts his mindto it, he gets it done. He’s friendly and out-going, but hard to approach, because hethinks he’s the best and is in charge of ev-eryone on Neverland. So he has the powerand responsibility.”

Katie says it’s fun playing someone “asenergetic as I am. He also puts on many,different personalities and faces. And it’sfantastic having a lead role — I really loveit. I’m happy Ms. Scott gave me the chance.In the end, I’m going to be proud of howhard we all worked to make this show amaz-ing.” Her favorite number is “I’m Flying,”which she sings with the Darling siblings,Wendy (Madison Bui), Michael (CaitlynBarnes) and John (Kaitlyn Briest). “I lovethe choreography because we get to singon the railings, and it’s a blast to do it withall my best friends,” said Katie. “It’s reallycheery, and Peter’s saying how magical anddreamy it is to fly.”

She said the audience will like the story’sadventure and suspense and the cast’s en-ergy. “They’ll also enjoy all the musical num-bers and the choreography and how every-one portrays their characters in ways thatmake them unique,” said Katie. “And dur-

ing the play, many of the characters changethe way they feel.”

Eighth-grader Joseph Buono plays Capt.Hook. “He doesn’t like children, or even hispirates,” said Joseph. “But he needs peopleto help take care of him, so he forces themto work. He’s angry and mean because Pe-ter Pan has been getting in the way of hisbusiness. He’s also English, so he’s properand thinks he’s better than everyone else.”

Joseph’s having fun because acting issomething new for him. He also likes hispart because “Capt. Hook is the villain, hasenemies, is smart and witty and has a bigrole. And I like singing ‘Hook’s Waltz.’ It hasa variety of tones and it tells a little abouthis personality.”

He said people will enjoy the show’s ac-tion and fights, plus the “sad and happyscenes, the songs and the very talented ac-tors. And they’ll love all the characters.”

His sister, seventh-grader Beth Buono,portrays Tiger Lily, who lives on Neverland.“She’s a brave, strong, serious, independent,young lady,” said Beth. “She likes being incontrol of the Brave Girls. They stick to-gether and she’s happy about it. I auditionedfor this role because she’s more focused onprotecting others, although she usuallydoesn’t get to have as much fun as they do.”

Beth especially likes the song, “Ugh-a-Wug,” which she sings with Peter Pan. “It’s

a chance for Tiger Lily to have more fun,get out of her comfort zone a little and be-come one with the Lost Boys and BraveGirls,” she said. As for the show, she said,“The audience will really like our facial ex-pressions, movement, dancing and singing,plus the comedy.”

Playing Wendy is eighth-grader MadisonBui. “She’s 14 and from an aristocratic fam-ily, so she starts off as proper,” said Madi-son. “But then she goes off with a bunch ofboys and learns to let loose and becomemotherly toward them. She has a lot ofmood changes. She idolizes her mother andwants to be a mom. She’s sweet and gentlewith the Lost Boys and is boy-crazy overPeter, but in a subtle and mature way.”

Madison enjoys her role because “I feellike she’s the most dynamic of all the char-acters. She goes from being uptight, primand proper, to someone who can have fun,go with the flow and be more optimistic.”

Her favorite number is her solo, “TenderShepherd,” the nighttime lullabye of Wendyand her brothers. “It’s mellow and sooth-ing and carries a lot of meaning,” said Madi-son. “We’re inviting the audience to see itand share our lives.” Overall, she said, “Thisshow is about kids who don’t want to growup, and it’s touching and heartfelt. It’s alsohumorous and lighthearted, and all ageswill enjoy it.”

A ‘High-Spirited and Entertaining’ Show Liberty Middlepresents “Peter Pan Jr.”

The cast of Liberty Middle School’s “Peter Pan Jr.” wearing their commemorative T-shirts advertising theirshow.

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Roundups

From Page 2

trict Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., inChantilly.

Clean Out Medicine CabinetsTake advantage of a free, convenient, confidential, and

safe disposal of unused or expired medications duringOperation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout on Saturday, April28. Drop off medications (pills or liquids only, no pressur-ized canisters or needles) at the Fair Oaks District Station,12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax, or the SullyDistrict Station, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, be-tween 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Volunteer Drivers SoughtMeals on Wheels Drivers pick up meals and deliver them

to individuals on a specific route. Routes take a maximumof two hours to deliver all meals. Deliveries are made mid-day Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Deliveries can bemade by an individual or as part of a volunteer group.Email volunteersolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We needlong- and short-term fosters for cats of all ages,mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Email cats@lostdogrescue.org.

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer atwww.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit the website, cl ick on Participate

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Departmentunits were dispatched on Sunday, April 1,at approximately 9:16 p.m., to a reportedhouse fire in the 12800 block of MountRoyal Lane in the Greenbriar section of thecounty.

Units arrived on scene of a two-story,single family home with smoke showingfrom the rear of the house. Crews broughtthe fire under control despite hoarding con-ditions found throughout the house. Onecanine was removed from the home andgiven oxygen via a pet mask but did notsurvive.

There were two occupants home at thetime of the fire. One occupant discoveredthe fire while cooking on the kitchen stove.

Firefightersrespond to ahouse fire inthe 12800block ofMount RoyalLane.

Cooking Oil Ignites House FireShe alerted the second occupant prior tothe smoke alarms sounding. The occupantthen unsuccessfully attempted to extinguishthe fire. Both occupants then escaped thehome prior to the arrival of the fire depart-ment units.

Fire Investigators determined that the firewas accidental in nature and started in thekitchen. The cause was a flash fire involv-ing cooking oil on the stove top. A total oftwo occupants were displaced as a result ofthe fire. Red Cross assistance was offeredand accepted. One occupant was trans-ported to an area hospital for a check-up.There were no reported firefighter injuries.Damages as a result of the fire were approxi-mately $93,750.

News

Committee Focuses on ICEFrom Page 3

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay askedif the decision would impact criminal in-vestigations of the gang task force.

“Little to no impact on the gang taskforce,” answered Keen.

“Little to no impact, make sure everybodyheard that,” said McKay, “because factsmatter and facts really matter when you aredealing with people’s emotions. And whenyou’re trying to scare people in FairfaxCounty into believing things that are hap-pening that are not happening.”

THE MAJORITY of the board supportedKincaid’s decision.

“When you terminated the ISA, it wasundoubtedly predictable on your part thatthere would be those who would try tomake a political issue out of this, would tryto scare people. I appreciate the courageyou showed, you did the right thing,” saidFoust. “It was the right decision to make,”said McKay.

“I’ve got to tell you, from all the officersthat I’ve talked to and from my years onthis board the number one most powerfultool we have in Fairfax County is a commu-nity that can trust and will talk to law en-forcement to solve our crimes,” said McKay.“What’s happening at the federal level andthe misinformation that’s being put out ...about the decision the Sheriff made is mak-

ing that a lot harder.“We’re one of the safest jurisdictions in

the country because our people trust, be-lieve, and speak to us and help us solvecrimes,” McKay said. “And if we scare peoplethat’s not going to happen.”

Bulova commented that it is very confus-ing to the immigrant community and dam-aging to the trust in county police that ICEagents are conducting raids in the countywearing uniforms that say “POLICE” in largeletters across the back.

“It confuses and scares people when theysee a uniform that says police and it’s notpolice at all. It’s ICE,” said Bulova. “It maysay ICE somewhere on that uniform butpeople see police and think it’s our FairfaxCounty police who are actually serving asmembers of ICE.”

HERRITY SPOKE for the minority. He wasnot in support of Sheriff Kincaid’s decisionto terminate the agreement with ICE.

“I think we need to continue cooperatingwith ICE to the fullest extent possible,” hesaid. “This is about protecting our immi-grant community,” said Herrity. “It’s humantrafficking, it’s drugs, it’s murders, it’s crimeand we ought to be doing everything wecan to get them off the street,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed that we invitedthem here, we have them on the agenda,and they’re not able to speak,” said Herrity.

6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

See Bulletin, Page 11

The most important, impactful ac-complishment of the Virginia Gen-eral Assembly session for 2018 isset for Wednesday, April 11, after

our newspapers’ presstime. In agreeing on abudget, assembly members are expected toapprove expanding Medicaid which would pro-

vide health insurance some200,000 to 400,000 Virginianswho have been living withoutcoverage, and consequently

mostly without health care.More than 10 percent of residents of Arling-

ton, Alexandria and Fairfax County do not have

health insurance.The benefits are huge. A celebratory press

release goes out any time 10 or more jobs cometo any place in Virginia. But estimates are thatfinally accepting the available federal moneyto expand Medicaid under the Affordable CareAct would generate about 30,000 jobs.

It will make all of us who live and work inVirginia healthier by ensuring that our fellowresidents have access to healthcare, to medi-cations to treat contagious illnesses, to vacci-nations, to preventive and acute care. We don’twant the people who ride with us on the Metroor wait in line at motor vehicles to be sick with-out a reasonable way to be treated. We wantthe people around us to be healthy. It makeseveryone healthier.

Virginia has bypassed about $10 billion bynot having expanded Medicaid since it waspossible.

Now is the time.So many advocates have pressed for this for

so long, that it seems almost surreal as the

possibility approaches. While I don’t often prayfor particular outcomes, I think a prayer forhundreds of thousands of people to receive life-affirming health care is in order.

Del. Ken Plum of Reston wrote in his weeklycolumn: “By the time you are reading this col-umn I will be back in Richmond for the seri-ous work of the legislature of passing a bud-get for the next biennium. The outstanding is-sue to be resolved is the expansion of Medic-aid to nearly 400,000 Virginians who do nothave health care even though taxes are beingcollected in Virginia to pay for the program. Isupport the Governor in his insistence that weapprove the expansion. Thanks to all the citi-zens who have been calling and writing sup-porting the program. I will be back with de-tails on the budget issue as soon as it is re-solved.”

Fingers crossed.

— Mary Kimm,

mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com

Expansion of Health Care in Virginia?After years of hoping,it’s possible Medicaidexpansion will come onApril 11; say a prayer.

Editorial

Review CountyRetirement SystemTo the Editor:

The following open letter is addressed to SharonBulova, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and KathySmith, Sully District supervisor.

My wife and I have been homeowners andtaxpayers in Fairfax County since 1968. Again,we protest the increases in the overall countybudget and real estate taxes. As usual, theboard plans to raise the county budget and thereal estate rate along with the assessment in-crease more than twice the inflation rate forFY 2019. The FY19 General Fund Disburse-ments will increase $181.48 million or 4.42percent over the FY2018 Adopted Budgetwhich will be $4.288 billion. According toKiplinger’s News Letter February 2018, the of-ficial consumer price index (inflation rate) in-creased 2.1 percent for calendar year 2017.With the rate increase and the real estate as-sessment increase, the overall increase in realestate taxes is projected to be almost an aver-age of 5 percent. For the last five years, realestate taxes have increased 26 percent whichis almost three times the inflation rate for thatperiod.

The Educational Employees SupplementaryRetirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC)is an additional supplemental plan that appliesto Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) em-ployees who are on the Virginia RetirementSystem (VRS) and are paid the same amountof Social Security (SS) that he or she wouldreceive at age 66. So if a teacher retires at 55with 30 years of service, that teacher receives75 percent of his or her retirement based onthe highest three years of service and includesthe SS supplement as if they were already onSS until they reach the SS age. No other countyor city in the metropolitan area offers this verygenerous ERFC system. The proposed budgetfor ERFC is $94.6 million for FY 2019. Thisprogram should be phased out for those FCPSemployees less than 40 years of age and ter-minated for all new employees.

The Deferred Retirement Option Program(DROP) allows employees retirement pay-ments prior to actual retirement. DROP allowsthe employee to continue to work and receivetheir salary for a period of up to three years.During the DROP period, the pension plan ac-cumulates the monthly benefit in an accountbalance identified as payable to the memberonly at the end of the DROP period. Themonthly benefit that is credited to the DROP

participant’s account balance is calculated us-ing service and final compensation as the dateof entry in DROP, and the employee does notearn service credit toward retirement trustfunds during the DROP period. In FY 2017,approximately $43.6 million in retirement ben-efits were paid out of the retirement trust fundsas DROP lump sum payments. For FY 2019,the DROP budget is approximately $37 mil-lion. It is time to drop the DROP!

It is time for county officials to look at thecostly defined benefit retirement systems andcarefully review what the Federal Governmentdid over 30 years ago when they went to ahybrid system called the Federal EmployeesRetirement System.

In addition, the county should raise the re-tirement age to 67, which is the SS age to re-tire, for all new employees which is the sameposition of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alli-ance (FCTA). Last, but certainly not least, isthe Fairfax County Unfunded Pension Liabilityof $5.6 billion which seems to be ignored bythe County Board.

I look forward to your written responses.

Charles and Linda McAndrewFCTA Board Member

Oak Hill

Letters to the Editor

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

PARENTS HELPING PARENTSParent Support Partners, a service

of the Healthy Minds Fairfaxinitiative, are all parents who havereceived training and are qualitied tooffer education, support andassistance at no cost to families orcaregivers. They provide reliableinformation that families can use indecision-making and are familiarwith services and resources that canhelp families in distress. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-

support.html.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDOperation Paws for Homes, a

Virginia based 501(c)(3)organization seeks volunteers,especially to foster dogs. Seewww.ophrescue.org for informationand all volunteer opportunities.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept.

30? If so, contact your child’s schoolto make arrangements forkindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting informationtogether now for parents of incomingkindergartners, and many host anorientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day

and located in FCPS elementaryschools. Check your school’s webpageor contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information anddates of orientationor visitwww.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

Colin Powell Elementary School isholding kindergarten registrationMonday, April 16, 9 a.m.-noon. Dueto the time required to registerchildren, the school requests thatonly parents come for registration.Forms and other information areavailable online at: www.fcps.edu/registration/general-registration-requirements.

Brookfield Elementary School willhost a kindergarten registration forthe 2018-2019 school year onMonday, April 16. Parents of childrenwho will be five years old on or

before Sept.30, 2018, and are livingwithin the Brookfield ElementarySchool boundaries, should contactthe school at 703-814-8700 in orderto make a registration appointment.

Greenbriar East ElementarySchool is now accepting registrationpaperwork for rising Kindergarteners.The Kindergartener informationsession is scheduled for Monday,April 16 from 2-3 p.m. Families wholive within the school’s boundariesand have a child who will turn 5years of age by Sept.30, 2018, shouldvisit greenbriareastes.fcps.edu or call703-633-6400 to make anappointment.

Centre Ridge Elementary School inCentreville is open for kindergartenregistration for the school year 2018-

Bulletin Board

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Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Diversity, Page 8

By Bonnie Hobbs

Those attending the 8th annualCentreville International Show-case will get to travel ’round the

world via singing, dancing and cuisine. Thisentertaining event is slated for Saturday,April 21, from 5:30-9 p.m., at the KoreanCentral Presbyterian Church, 15451 LeeHighway (Route 29) in Centreville, nearBull Run Elementary.

The Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)sponsors this festival and invites the com-

Diversity Displayed via Songs, Dances, FoodCIF holds annualCentrevilleInternational Showcase.

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Chantilly High community ispassionate about its traditions.When the message shed outsidethe school was suddenly torn

down, students, alumni and parentsmourned the loss. And now that Chantilly’sShow Choir course – and, therefore, its be-loved Jazz & Pizzazz show – is in jeopardy,people are feeling the same way.

For 31 years, this four-night musical eventhas been a valued and integral part of theschool and community. But on Wednesday,April 4, Director of Student Services RobynLady, who’s also Chantilly’s Performing Artsadministrator, sent a letter to those con-nected to ShowStoppers, the show choirthat performs in Jazz & Pizzazz. She wrote,“Given the declining interest in Show Choir… we will not be offering this class nextyear.”

She said Director Evan Ayars will still beteaching full-time, but that Show Choir stu-dents would have to choose other choralclasses, instead. Word spread like wildfirevia social media, and one of the current stu-dents started an online petition to saveShow Choir.

The petition said it’s “completely unfairto deprive current and future members ofthe love and support Show Choir offeredmany generations before, and even moreunfair to the department and the commu-nity for discontinuing this tradition that hasbrought many people and families joy overthe years.” By Monday morning, April 9,more than 1,500 people had signed it.

Tomoko Liu said her daughter Sophi is aShowStoppers member and transferredfrom South Lakes High to Chantilly to be inShow Choir here. “It was the class that

helped my daughter survivestressful, high-school life,”wrote Liu. She added that thissudden decision would have a“huge, negative affect,” notonly on the Chantilly musicfamilies, but also on the com-munity.

Signer Harrison W. stressedthat “Show Choir was huge inChantilly long before [TVshow] ‘Glee’ came on the air.Sad to see an organizationthat was once namedAmerica’s Top Show Choir beswept under the rug to com-pletely cease to exist.”

Margaret Anne Helmick, a1998 Chantilly grad andformer member of the Touchof Class Show Choir(ShowStoppers’ previousname), said she’s “one ofmany who benefited from theChantillyºshow choirs.ºAfterhigh school, I attended theOberlin Music Conservatoryand Manhattan School of Mu-sic on vocal scholarships.”She’s also won many nationalvocal competitions and heldleading roles in national andinternational musical produc-tions and credits Chantilly’s Show Choirprogram for preparing her so well for theseperformances.

Caught in the crosshairs of all this con-troversy is Scott Poole, who’s beenChantilly’s principal since October and wasunaware of Jazz & Pizzazz and its storiedtradition at the school and in the commu-nity. He said Lady presented him with datashowing that enrollment in the Show Choircourse has been low, the past three years.

“And if you go back seven or eight years,it’s really come down,” said Poole. “Therearen’t many show choirs in the county; itseems like student tastes have changed. Wehave 22 kids signed up for next year, and

what kind of a show can you have with 22kids? Nobody wants to cut the program, butif [student interest] is just not there, it’s notthere.”

So he approved her letter and, after itwent out, the petition arose and parents andSchool Board members began contactinghim. Friday night, he called former ChantillyPrincipal Teresa Johnson for some contextand background on the Show Choir.

Poole said Johnson told him Show Choir“had low numbers last year, but she decidedthe school needed to talk about it over ayear. But then she left [Chantilly] and noth-ing happened.” He also hadn’t realized thatno one had touched base with the students

and parents about cuttingShow Choir before the letterwent out. But, he added, “It’sa good problem to have, inthat people care.”

His conversation withJohnson opened his eyes. “Ididn’t fully grasp how long ahistory the Show Choir hashad here,” said Poole. “And Ididn’t appreciate the emo-tional connection parents, stu-dents and the community hadwith this program.”

Saturday morning, he wroteto Lady and to the entire Per-forming Arts Department. Hesaid the school will put its de-cision on hold for now andtake a closer look at the wholeissue before deciding, in amonth or so, what to do. Healso sent a letter to concernedstudents and parents, explain-ing about the declining ShowChoir enrollment, but also say-ing nothing is final, yet, andapologizing for how thingshad evolved.

“In retrospect, we handledthis matter badly,” wrotePoole. “We abruptly sent a let-ter to the community without

discussing the situation with students andparents, eliciting their feedback regardingsolutions, or giving everyone involved timeto process it. I didn’t ask the right questionsor do my homework before approving theelimination of the program, and I take re-sponsibility for my actions.”

“In short, we need to have the discussionswith students and parents that we shouldhave had, before making any decision aboutthe future of the program,” he continued.“If we do anything less, we will diminishthe relationship of trust and respect thatmakes the connection between our Perform-ing Arts Department and our community sostrong.”º

Will Show Choir Class at Chantilly be Cut?After communityoutcry, decision isput on hold for now.

The finale of the 2015 Jazz & Pizzazz extravaganza.

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munity to share in the experience. It fea-tures food from local restaurants, perfor-mances by representatives of their variouscountries, a silent auction and a 50/50raffle. This family-friendly, cultural celebra-tion will also offer cuisine and entertain-ment from places such as Guatemala, In-dia, Honduras, Peru, Ghana, Korea and Ire-land.

The idea is to bring together the commu-nity for a lively and colorful evening of fel-lowship and fun. No admission is charged,but the showcase raises funds for CIFthrough a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, foodsales and donations during the event.

The festivities kick off with a 5:30 p.m.opening ceremony, followed by a variety ofinternational entertainment. Encore perfor

Young Korean dancers from the JUB Cultural Center in Centreville.

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8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

Springfest is Fairfax County’s official EarthDay and Arbor Day celebration; and fromnow on, it’s being held at the Sully HistoricSite, 3650 Historic Sully Way, in Chantilly.

It’s slated for Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,rain or shine.

Put on by the Clean Fairfax Council and the FairfaxCounty Park Authority, it offers workshops, vendorsand activities to help area residents improve theirhealth and the environment. Accordingly, the themefor 2018 is “Healthy Planet-Healthy People.”

This event normally attracts nearly 5,000 peoplefrom across the county, and this year should be noexception, as a variety of fun-filled activities areplanned for people of all ages. Admission is free;parking is $5.

Entertainment includes the Recycling Pirates pup-pet show, poetry contest showcase, petting zoo,Touch-a-Truck, and food trucks. Festival attendeesmay also learn about Fairfax parks, pet an alpaca,run through an environmental obstacle course andparticipate in environmental crafts. In addition, theycan check out the bees and the trees, consult withmaster gardeners and buy plants for their gardens.For more information, go towww.springfestfairfax.org.

More than 75 vendors, exhibitors and food truckswill participate. The food vendors include: Gordon’s

Grill, Danibelle’s Lebanese Cuisine, Mali’s Kitchen,Smash & Shake, Nader’s Food Services, ColonialKettle Corn, Nitro’s Creamery ice cream, Dirty SouthDeli, PokeMan Hawaiian food truck, Casero CreationsBolivian food, Dave’s Dogs, Borek-G and Stay Cheesy.

The nonprofit Clean Fairfax Council works to keepthe region clean, green and sustainable. Learn moreabout Clean Fairfax at www.cleanfairfax.org or call703-324-5471 or email: cfc@cleanfairfax.org. Vol-unteers are needed to assist throughout the day in avariety of capacities. See the Springfest or CleanFairfax websites to sign up.

Puppets, Petting Zoo, Music, Food TrucksSpringfest comes to Sully Historic Site in Chantilly.

Operating the sidearm loader of this Fairfax Countytrash truck at a 2016 Touch-A-Truck event in Chantillyis Arnold Reyes, then 10. Touch-A-Truck will be part ofSpringfest.

Springfest StageSCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10 a.m. - Ted Garber – A multi-instrumentalist whocaptivates audiences with his genre-bending,“BluesAmericanaRock” style and classic showman-ship.

10:30 a.m. - Poetry Contest11 a.m. - Recycling Pirates Puppet Show – Join

Capt. Jack Sparetire as he leads a quest across theurban seas, looking for things to recycle, reuse, re-duce and repair.

Noon - Tree Proclamation12:30 p.m. - Ted Garber1 p.m. - Recycling Pirates Puppet Show2 p.m. - Fun Fitness Demonstration2:30 p.m. - Ted Garber

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From Page 7

Diversity Displayed via Songs, Dances, Food

Precision drum-mers from the JUB

Cultural Center.

mances will be presented by the McNeill-James School of Irish Dance and Kofi Den-nis and Friends African Drumming, as wellas several other groups. They include theHuellas Hondureñas dance troupe, JUBKorean Cultural Center, the WashingtonArea Senior Harmonica Ensemble, TinkuyMusic of the Andes, and the Korean Cen-tral Senior Center Autoharp Players.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with internationalfood dishes such as tamales, pupusas,kimbap and pollo a la brasa. Among thelocal restaurants returning are ChickenLatino, Two Amigos, Ciao Osteria, Guapo’s,El Quetzal Grill and The Auld Shebeen. Par-

ticipating, as well, will be My Thai Placeand Cuna del Sol,

For more information, and to see the lat-est updates about the entertainment andfood, seewww.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org.Also go to the website to purchase dinnertickets, see the early-bird specials and re-serve a table in advance to enjoy the per-formers up close.

Use Pay Pal or mail a check payable toCentreville Immigration Forum to:Centreville Labor Resource Center, 5956Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, VA20121, and specify that it’s for the show-case.

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Ongoing

Fitness for 50+. Daytime hours,Monday-Friday at Sully SeniorCenter, 14426 Albemarle PointPlace, Chantilly. Jazzercise Lite,Zumba Gold, Hot Hula Fitness(dancing Polynesian style),Strength Training, Qi Gong, TaiChi and more. Membership is $48a year, and waivers are available.Emaillynne.lott@fairfaxcounty.gov orcall 703-322-4475 for more.

History Volunteers Needed.Fairfax Station Railroad Museumneeds history buffs. The Museum

offers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. Emailvolunteers@fairfax-station.org or call703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225.

Art Guild of Clifton Exhibit. 10a.m.-8 p.m. at Clifton Wine Shop,7145 Main St., Clifton. Includes oilpaintings of European settings;

doors, windows, and flower shops.Free. Call 703-409-0919 for more.

Carolina Shag Dance. Wednesdays,6:30-10 p.m. at Arlington/FairfaxElks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax. Free lessons at 7:30 p.m.; nopartners needed; dinner menu at6:45 p.m. Tickets are $8. Visitwww.nvshag.org for more.

Open Rehearsal. Wednesdays, 7:30p.m. at Lord of Life church, 13421Twin Lakes Drive, Centreville. TheFairfax Jubil-Aires barbershop chorusinvites men of all ages who enjoysinging. Free. Visit

www.fairfaxjubilairs.org for more.Live After Five. Fridays at 5:30 p.m. at

The Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway, Centreville. Every Fridaynight a band plays on the patio of thewinery. Free to attend. Visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com for a fullschedule.

LIBRARY FUNToddlin’ Twos. Tuesdays, 10:30 and

11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. Earlyliteracy storytime with songs and

activities included. Age 2 withcaregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.

Storytime for Three to Fives.Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. at theChantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Stories andactivities for children age 3-5with caregiver. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.

Plant Clinic. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.at the Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Free. Call703-502-3883 to reserve a space.

Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

One of the most anticipated rites ofspring is the vibrancy of the firstblooms on flowers and trees. However,this beauty can only be savored after

the weeding, pruning and planting are finished. Whilepreparing and planning a spring garden is not an ef-fortless endeavor, local landscaping gurus say thatan organized plan can make it more manageable.

“The first thing you need to do is cut back anyornamental grasses like Liriope two to four inchesoff the ground so the brown, tired-looking leaves aregone before the new leaves start to grow,” said DavidWatkins, general manager of Merrifield Garden Cen-ter. “If you wait too long it’s tough to separate oldfrom new and you end up getting brown on the newleaves.”

Removing all of the leaves and other debris fromthe flowerbed is the next step, advises Haynes Davisof American Plant in Bethesda. “Cut back any peren-nials or ornamental grasses that have not alreadybeen cut back and prune out any dead branches fromexisting shrubs,” he said. “I fertilize at this point with… a slow-release, organic fertilizer that works forblooming and evergreen plants. Lastly I put down afresh layer of mulch and then thebeds are ready for spring.”

Preparing to have a perfectlymanicured lawn for spring beginsby raking removing all of thefallen leaves, adds Davis. “Havingyour PH tested would be a goodidea because now would be thetime to put down lime to get yoursoil to the correct acidity levelwhich is 5.8 to 6.5,” he said. “Thisis also the time to put down pre-emergent [herbicides] to keep theweeds from coming up, but youhave to remember, if you putdown a pre-emergent you cannotover seed for six to 12 weeks, de-pending on the product you areusing.”

Cutting away dead or over-grown branches to stimulate newgrowth comes next, says Watkins.“I would prune any branches on

shrubs and trees that are crisscrossingand rubbing against each other,” he said.“Then edge, mulch and fertilize yourplants. Remove old mulch first and putdown two to three inches of new mulch,but make sure you don’t put it too close

to the trunk of the plant.”When whipping a garden into shape for spring,

Alexandria-based landscape designer Ruth Tinsleybelieves in engaging the senses. “If you plant fra-grant spring flowers like Honeysuckle, Phlox, But-terfly Bush and roses, they will give you a pleasantaroma when you are walking through your yard orgarden,” she said. “Plant them in large swaths to getthe biggest impact.”

Butterfly Bush and Stock are two flowering plantsthat do double-duty, advises Tinsley. “They not onlyhave a nice fragrance, but they will add beautifulcolor to your yard or garden. Butterfly bush is rela-tively hearty and has vibrant pink and purple blooms,and Stock comes in a vivid, dark-red color.”

Until temperatures are warm on a consistent ba-sis, Davis offers a caveat about planting flowers. “Iwould only plant Pansies and Violas for flowers out-side,” he said. “They will give you good color all theway up to the time to plant summer annuals, whichis when we have sustained night time temps around55 degrees, usually around mid-April. For perenni-als about the only thing you can plant now would behellebores.”

“Forsythia bushes are blooming now. They’re oneof the first to bloom,” addedWatkins. “Shortly Camellias andAzaleas will start to bloom.

Options for plants that can tol-erate cooler temperatures areplentiful, advises Watkins. “All ofyour trees and shrubs can beplanted now and it’s great to getyour garden started early sothere’s less maintenance in thesummer,” he said. “All of our or-namental trees like Cherry, Red-bud, Crabapple and Dogwood canbe planted now.”

“As for shrubs, you can plantanything right now as long as ithas been acclimated and does nothave new tender growth,” addedDavis. “We have all of our plantsthat are tender either in ourgreenhouses or covered with frostblankets until the temperatureswarm up.”

Spring in BloomPreparing and planning a colorfulwarm-weather garden.

Photo American Plant

Preparing a spring garden includes prun-ing, mulching and fertilizing, says HaynesDavis of American Plant in Bethesda.

Photo Merrifield Garden Center

The colors of Camellia blooms can beenjoyed now, says David Watkins ofMerrifield Garden Center.

Pansies and Violas can beplanted now to offer brightcolors to a spring garden,says Haynes Davis of Ameri-can Plant in Bethesda.

Photo American Plant

10 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded on Fri-day, April 6, at approximately 8:37 p.m. to reportsof a fire in a clubhouse in the 5400 block of Cala-mint Court in Centreville.

Upon arrival, units observed fire coming from theclubhouse. Crews fought and extinguished the ma-jority of the fire from outside. A small natural gasfed fire remained under control until the gas com-pany arrived and turned off an underground valve.There were no reported firefighter or civilian inju-ries.

No one was in the clubhouse at the time of thefire. A passerby called 911 after seeing flames com-ing from the structure.

The fire originated on the exterior of the structurewithin the trash can corral. The cause of the fire isaccidental in nature. Significant damage to the club-house was attributed to the outside fire causing afailure of the gas meter lines. The natural gas fuelfire was rapidly propelled through the structure dueto the high winds. Damages are estimated at$120,000.

Damagesto theclubhousein the 5400block ofCalamintCourt areestimatedat$120,000.

Fire Damages Clubhouse

LineDance4You owner, Danielle Schill will be lead-ing a team of dancers in the National Cherry Blos-som Parade on April 14. Based in Herndon,LineDance4You was founded in 2005 and providesfree line dance lessons all over the DC area with itsflagship venue at Revolution Darts & Billiards (for-merly Fast Eddies) in Centreville.

Schill will be leading a group of 64 dancers as theyperform line and patterned partner dances with na-tional recording artist Ty Herndon and rising coun-try stars Temecula Road. The parade will broadcastnationwide on ABC affiliates beginning at 10 a.m.Dancers will perform a montage of known couplesdances and Schill’s own choreography, written spe-cifically for this event.

The dancers performing attend regular classes inCentreville, Leesburg, Manassas, or Bunker Hill, W.Va.

“We have such a dynamic and fun loving group ofdancers. They’re personalities show through whenthey dance which makes it so much fun to watch!”Schill said.

LineDance4You offers free line dance lessons at DCarea venues four nights/week and at multiple eventsin Northern Virginia with three staff instructors. Theyhave been featured on Let’s Talk Live onNewsChannel8 and two segments of “Dancing atDawn” on WJLA/ABC7. Schill and her students haveperformed alongside Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift andKeith Anderson to name a few. Her company per-forms annually at Joe Gibbs’ Country Fair & Auctionsas well events for Relay for Life, The Robert DuvallChildren’s Fund and many others over their 13-yeartenure. To learn more about LineDance4You, seewww.LineDance4You.com.

Performing in Cherry Blossom Parade

Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 6

Bulletin Board

19. Forms and other information are available online at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration. They are alsoavailable in the front office. Call 703-227-2600with questions.

Greenbriar West Elementary School is nowaccepting information for next year’sKindergarten classes. Families who live withinthe school’sr boundaries and have a child whowill turn 5 years of age by Sept. 30, 2018, callthe school office at 703-633-6700.

THURSDAY/APRIL 12FY 2019 Budget Meetings. 1 p.m. at the Fairfax

County Government Center (Board Auditorium),12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.The advertised budget plan can be found atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/advertised-budget-plan. Sign up to speak at the publichearings on the FY 2019 budget atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-formor call 703-324-3151.

FRIDAY/APRIL 13ALDI Hiring Event. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at ALDI,

13920A Lee Jackson Memorial Highway,Chantilly. ALDI will host hiring events for its itsstores in Fair Lakes. Known for offering market-leading wages and health insurance, ALDI is oneof the fastest growing retailers in the U.S.,creating new opportunities for people locallyand nationwide. Visit careers.aldi.us.

Collaborative IEP Meetings: Parents asPartners. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Dunn LoringCenter for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road,Entrance 1 - Room 100, Dunn Loring. Parentsare essential partners in the special educationprocess. Join us for this important workshop tolearn more about the IEP process and it’scomponents, your role in the IEP meeting,responsibilities of the IEP team members, andplanning for your child’s IEP meeting. Visitwww.fcps.edu/node/28279.

SATURDAY/APRIL 14Self Defense for All Women. 12:30-2:30 p.m.

at Sully Government Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd., Chantilly. Delta Defense: A CompleteGuide to Self Defense for All Women – join theFairfax County Alumnae Chapter of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. for a free workshop on self-defense. The event is free and open to thepublic. Register at www.fcacdst.org.

MONDAY/APRIL 16Assistance League Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon at

Sully Government Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd., Chantilly. Assistance League of NorthernVirginia invites community members to attendits Regular Monthly Meeting. New memberswelcome. Learn about the nonprofit’s 2017-2018programs, including Weekend Food for Kids andReading Express. Pre-meeting social starts at9:30 a.m. Free email gronbiz@aol.com or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

SUNDAY/APRIL 18REVIVE! Training. 3 p.m. at 4213 Walney Road,

Chantilly. REVIVE! trains individuals on what todo and not do in an overdose situation, how toadminister naloxone, and what to do afterwards.Each attendee also receives a free REVIVE! kit,which includes all the supplies needed toadminister naloxone. The medication itself canbe acquired at a pharmacy after completing thetraining. Attendees also receive a safety plan tohelp individuals prevent overdose if theyrelapse. REVIVE! is a program of theCommonwealth of Virginia that makes naloxone(Narcan) available to lay rescuers to reverseopioid overdoses. Opioids include licitmedications like hydrocodone and oxycodone, inaddition to illicit drugs like heroin. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/facility/a-new-beginning for moreinformation. Advance registration required at703 502-7021 or 703 502-7016.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/APRIL 20-21Westfield Mulch Delivery. Mulch delivery was

postponed due to inclement weather. Deliverywill take place Friday, April 20 and Saturday,April 21.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

... that the green, cotton, chino-typecasual-Friday pants I often wear on -in-the-office-Thursdays, lasted as long as they did.Given the number of years I’ve been stuffingmyself into them (not every Thursday mindyou, but very regularly), and the weight I’vegained, especially since the ultra low pointduring heavy duty chemotherapy nine yearsago, the miracle is that these pants hadn’t splitwide open on any number of previousoccasions.

As it actually happened yesterday, the splitwas gradual, not along a seam and not offen-sive to anybody, least of all, me.

And though the tear was understandable,given the psi (pounds per square inch) of pres-sure they were under, the loss howeverexpected was sad nonetheless. For someonewho exults in a limited wardrobe as much as Ido, the reduction in available garments Ichoose to wear – repeatedly, is impactful.

Hardly do I have too many other go-to-pants in the closet. Considering my lack ofinterest, lack of need and lack of properly fit-ting alternatives hanging in the balance, whena split occurs, such as the one I’ve described“heretofore,” (Ben Affleck in “Good WillHunting”), not only is the loss palpable, it isdownright inconvenient. Now what? Not thatmy appearance is ever a priority, but I’d rathernot dress for failure.

The problem is, when your clothingoptions can be characterized as “either or,”you’re in a bind which, given the pounds thathave been added over the winter (let’s behonest; more like the preceding fall, summer,spring, winter and fall), you’re constantly chal-lenged, especially when attempting to zip upyour fly and/or button your pants. Talk about apointless effort.

If there was a cash reward for such failure,I’d be basking somewhere warm, in semiretirement – with an elastic waistband to domy bidding.

“But alas, poor Yurick.” No such rewardexists, but thankfully, elastic waistbands do,and not just on underwear, bathing suits,shorts and sweatpants. The question becomesthen: How committed do I want to become tosuch elasticity? Isn’t it kind of a slippery slopeto rubberize my waistline? My fear is, once Igo elastic, I may never go back, and in nevergoing back, I’m also afraid there may be nostopping me, if you know what I mean? And ifI’m not to be stopped then am I prepared tolive with myself, my ever-expanding self, thatis?

I imagine my oncologist wouldn’t approve.And I know my internal medicine doctorwouldn’t approve (I’ve already received someelectronic advisories to that effect); and Iknow with 100 percent certainty that my wife,Dina wouldn’t approve. She might have mar-ried me “in sickness and health, and thick andthin,” but she’d much rather I be thin thanthick.

Granted, I may be mixing metaphors here,but I trust you get my point. She liked me theway I was, and sort of likes me the way I am,but I’m doubtful she would like me nearly asmuch if I were to morph into another being.

Ergo, the future is now. Do I continue topack on the pounds and have less and lessclothing that fits – and fewer and fewerexcuses as to why that old thing seems to bethat same old thing, again; buy new clothesthat reflect and lock in my girth, or bite thebullet – not the Entenmann’s Pop’ems,Hostess CupCakes, Oreo Mega Stuf cookies orM&M’s plain/peanut butter candy and try tolose weight and save some face, literally?

I believe I know the answer. I’m just notsure of the start date. It better be soonbecause the underwear I bought myself forChristmas is beginning to lose its shape andI’m pretty sure I know the reason; and it’s nota manufacturer’s defect.

It’s A Miracle(Not a Cancer

Column) ...

12 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

ONGOINGFitness for 50+. Daytime hours,

Monday-Friday at Sully SeniorCenter, 14426 Albemarle Point Place,Chantilly. Jazzercise Lite, ZumbaGold, Hot Hula Fitness (dancingPolynesian style), Strength Training,Qi Gong, Tai Chi and more.Membership is $48 a year, andwaivers are available. Emaillynne.lott@fairfaxcounty.gov or call703-322-4475 for more.

FRIDAY/APRIL 13Home School Day. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390Air & Space Museum Parkway,Chantilly. Homeschooling families:experience educational programmingin aviation and aerospace at Udvar-Hazy’s first Home School Day.Experience STEAM lessons andresources and participate in hands-oneducational workshops with otherhomeschool families. Open to homeschool students, pre-K through highschool. Students must beaccompanied by an adult chaperone.Free, parking is $15. Register atairandspace.si.edu/events/home-school-day.

SATURDAY/APRIL 14Sensory-Friendly Music and

Motion. 3:30-4:15 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Mr. Matt presents aninclusive music class designed toengage special kids through songs,movement, and stories. All ages. Visit

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/chantilly-regional for more.

SUNDAY/APRIL 15The Great British Fly-In. 10 a.m.-4

p.m. at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center,14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway,Chantilly. The British are coming tonorthern Virginia. The Steven F.Udvar-Hazy Center will hold “TheGreat British Fly-In” in partnershipwith Great Britain’s Royal Air Force(RAF) as part of the 100thanniversary celebration of the RAF,the oldest air force in the world. Theevent will feature over a dozenformer RAF and other militaryaircraft, flown in for one day only.Call 703-572-4118 or visitairandspace.si.edu/events/great-british-fly-in.

Railroad Technology Exhibit. 1-4p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. A specialexhibit highlighting the impact oftechnology improvements inrailroading, including advancesintroduced by area residents. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.

MONDAY/APRIL 16Gardening Presentation. 7 p.m. at

Sully Government Center, 4900Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly.Centreville Garden Club presents“Herb Gardening & Culinary Uses.”Meetings are generally the 3rdMonday of each month. Visitors &new members welcome. Learn moreatcentrevillegardenclub.blogspot.comor email

centrevillegardenclub@gmail.com.

SATURDAY/APRIL 21SpringFest Fairfax. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at

Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Participate in aday full of free, environmental, and

health-focused family-friendlyactivities and games at this year’sSpringFest Fairfax –a celebration ofEarth and Arbor Days. Admission isfree and parking is $5 per car. Call703-324-5470 or 571-338-6710 orvisit www.springfestfairfax.org.

Student Poetry: Celebrate the

Senses. 10:30 a.m. at Sully HistoricSite, 3650 Historic Sully Way,Chantilly. To honor National PoetryMonth in April, the Park Authorityasked young people in grades K-8 tosubmit poems inspired by what theysee, hear, touch, smell or taste inFairfax County parks. The twowinners in each grade category (K-2,3-5 and 6-8) will share their works atthe Springfest Poetry Showcase. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Centreville InternationalShowcase. 5:30-9 p.m. at KoreanCentral Presbyterian Church, 8514Forrester Blvd. Springfield. The 8thAnnual Centreville InternationalShowcase will feature food, song anddance reflecting the cultural heritageof Centreville residents includingGuatemala, Ireland, India, Ghana,Peru and Korea. Admission is free.The showcase raises money for CIFthrough the Showcase Silent Auction,50/50 Raffle, food sales, anddonations during the evening.Contact the Centreville LaborResource Center atcontact@CentrevilleLRC.org, 703-543-6272 orcentrevilleimmigrationforum.org/.

SUNDAY/APRIL 22NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-

4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will holdan N gauge model train show. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 25Adventures in Art. 7-8 p.m. at

Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Explorethe world of art through stories andart projects. Come dressed to getmessy. Ages 4-7 with a caregiver.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/chantilly-regional for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 28Fairfax Run for the Children. 8 a.m.

at Fairfax County CourthouseComplex, 4110 Chain Bridge Road,Fairfax. Join Fairfax Court AppointedSpecial Advocates (CASA) for the 8thAnnual 8K and 3K races. Thesuperhero-themed race attractsnearly 1,000 runners and walkers,250 volunteers, and raises almost$85,000 each year to support FairfaxCASA’s advocacy work with abusedand neglected children in thecommunity. Visitwww.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com/.

Entertainment

At 4 a.m., Meghan Bryan, the waitress, falls asleep, asextreme shoppers Meghan Hawley (left) and ElizabethColandene wonder what to do next, in David MacGregor’scomedy, “Black Friday.”

10 x 10 x InfinityShort ComedyPlay Festival

An interfering mother attempts to“out” her gay son…A scientist createsthe ‘perfect’ woman, who thinks she’stoo good for him …. In the wee hours ofBlack Friday, two sisters plot, in militaryprecision, their shopping strategy for theday, while their waitress falls asleep intheir scrambled eggs…. Infinity Stagepresents its 2018 10 x 10 x Infinity ShortComedy Play festival — ten 10-minutecomedies selected from over 350 sub-missions. Friday, April 20-Saturday,April 21, mixer at 7 p.m.; show starts at8 p.m. both nights at Epicure Café,11104 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Purchasefood and drink before the show andduring intermission. Seating is limited.Tickets are $20 atwww.infinitystage.com.

C E N T R E V I L L ECOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

To highlightyour faith

community,callDonat

703-778-9420

bThe Church of the Ascension

Traditional Anglican Catholic Services1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,

and the King James Bible with Apocrypha

www.ascension-acc.org (703) 830-3176

Holy Communion 10 a.m. Sundays (with Church School and Nursery)

13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120

in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville

The Church of the Ascension(703) 830-3176 www.ascension-acc.org

Centreville Baptist Church(703) 830-3333 www.cbcva.org

Centreville UnitedMethodist Church

(703) 830-2684 www.Centreville-UMC.org