chantilly high chargers on parade
TRANSCRIPT
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com October 9-15, 2019
Photo b
y Bonnie
Hobb
s/T
he
Connec
tio
n
Attention Postmaster:
Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 10-10-19
PRSRT STDU.S. Postage
PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
Opi
nio
n, Pag
e 4 v
Enter
tai
nm
ent, Pag
e 8 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6
HomeLifeStylePage, 5
Comedy with ‘Lots of Swashbuckling Fun’News, Page 6
Almost Time for Centreville DayNews, Page 3
ChantillyHigh Chargers
On ParadeNews, Page 2
The Chantilly Acade-my’s Air Force JROTC leads the parade.
2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Chantilly Show Stoppers show their spirit.
Chantilly High Chargers on ParadeC h a n t i l l y
High’s Home-coming Paradewas Friday, Oct.4, in Greenbriar.
Sophomorecheerleadersenjoying the
parade.
The swimand diveteam ridesatop a truck.
Some ofthe Senior
Courtroyalty.
The Chantilly Academy’s Air Force JROTC leads theparade.
Some members of the school’s Photo Club.
Girls Scout Troop 56029 on parade.
Band members march down Majestic Lane.
Pho
to
s by Bo
nn
ie H
obbs/T
he C
on
nectio
n
Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
Fun and games, history and achance to enjoy a fall day out-doors with friends and family –that’s the 27th annual Centreville
Day celebration. It’s slated for Saturday, Oct.19, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in HistoricCentreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road(off Braddock Road, across Route 29 fromthe IHOP).
The festivities include a parade, live mu-sic, children’s activities, food, crafts, a petpageant, dancing, martial arts and swords-men, plus opportunities to learn aboutCentreville’s history. Admission is free, asare parking and shuttles available at TheTrinity Centre, 5860 Trinity Parkway, offRoute 29.
Friends of Historic Centreville puts onCentreville Day in partnership with theFairfax County Park Authority, with theCentreville Day Planning Committee han-dling the details.
“We’re very excited aboutCentreville Day this year,” saidevent organizer CherylRepetti. “The Safety Expo, or-ganized by Steve Hunter, hasreally taken off and becomesomething special. We gettruly outstanding supportfrom the Sully District policeand local fire stations, butthere’s also Washington Gas,Waste Management and orga-nizations concerned with se-niors or domestic violence. It’sa wide variety of communityservices that people shouldknow about.”
Besides that, she said, “TheRotary Club Pet Pageant is cel-ebrating its fifth year. It’s somuch fun to see folks inmatching costumes with theirpets, but it isn’t required. Youcould walk with your goldfish,if you want.”
Opening ceremonies are at10 a.m. at the main stage nearSt. John’s Episcopal Church,5649 Mount Gilead Road. TheFairfax Choral Society YouthChoir will sing the NationalAnthem and Supervisor KathySmith (D-Sully) will presentthe Centreville Day Citizens ofthe Year awards.
Parade, Food,Children’s Games
Organized by American Legion Post 1995,the parade assembles near Wharton ParkCourt at 10:30 a.m. It’ll kick off fromWharton Lane at 11 a.m., passing the stageshortly before noon and continuing alongMt. Gilead Road to Braddock Road.
The Chantilly Academy’s Air Force JROTC
people who will be the event deejays andwill also perform. At 10:30 a.m. will bedance group, Sunday on Tap, followed byperformers from the Harmony Roadsschool.
After the parade, Bach2Rock will takethe stage at 11:45 a.m. Next will comethe Centreville Dance Academy at 12:30p.m. Also entertaining will be Har-monica and autoharp players from theKorean Senior Center, plus martial art-ists from the Northern Virginia Wu ShuAcademy. Capping off the entertainmentwill be a hula-hoop endurance contest.For more in format ion , go towww.CentrevilleDay.org.
At the Safety Expo, attendees will meetfirst responders and other public-safety per-sonnel, learn about the services they pro-vide and how to handle emergencies.Sheriff’s Office members will make childI.D.s, and police and fire-and-rescue ve-hicles will be on display, along with trucksfrom Washington Gas.
Pet Pageant,Historical Tours
The Rotary Club Pet Pageant is at 2 p.m.on the main stage; pets should be regis-tered at the stage beginning at 1:30 p.m.Families may bring more than one pet;prizes will be awarded, and pets may bephotographed with McGruff the Crime Dogand Sandy Dog from Sandy Spring Bank.The Rev. Carol Hancock will bless pets onthe lawn of St. John’s Episcopal Church,before and after the pageant. A brief pre-sentation by Paws4Vets will precede thepageant.
St. John’s Church will be open for tours.And down the street, people may visit theSpindle Sears House, purchased in 1933from a Sears catalog and shipped here bytrain. E.C. Lawrence Park staff will shareits story. Tours will also be available at theOld Stone Church, Havener House, Stuart-Mosby Calvary Museum and the MountGilead house.
The history train, driven by Sully His-toric Site’s Matt McNeal, will transportpeople between sites; stations will be onthe lawn at Mount Gilead and onBraddock Road. Visitors may disembarkat the Braddock Road stop and strolldownhill to the Old Stone Church (Churchof the Ascension). or visit Havener Houseand the museum – which features a re-construction of a Civil War winter cabin.Afterward, visitors may follow the trailbehind the museum back to Mount Gileador walk up Braddock Road to return bytrain.
Looking forward to the event, Repettisaid, “We have such a dedicated planningcommittee and supportive sponsors. Every-one works hard to make each CentrevilleDay a bit different and a bit better, and wejust hope that everyone comes out to cel-ebrate Centreville.”
will lead it; among the participants are fireand police, Girl Scouts and the Fairfax Cho-ral Society. Individuals and families are wel-come to join; costumes are encouraged, andprizes will be awarded. Groups should reg-ister in advance at www.CentrevilleDay.org.
Food Court offerings include barbecue,pulled pork, seafood, shawarmas, baklava,Thai food and macaroni-and-cheese bowls.In addition, the Korean Central Presbyte-rian Church will give out free popcorn.
The Marketplace will feature jewelry, bath
items, pet crafts and services,health and home businesses,churches and nonprofits. Andchildren may break out theirHalloween costumes and col-lect candy along the trick-or-treat trail at locations display-ing pumpkin signs.
Other free, children’s activi-ties include a climbing walland inflatable obstacle coursesponsored by Wegmans, plushistory-train rides sponsoredby Sandy Spring Bank. Alsoplanned are rolling hoops, atug-of-war and a maze on thelawn at Mount Gilead.
Children and adults will en-joy hands-on history at MountGilead, built as a tavern in1785. It’s open for guidedtours and, on its lawn, peoplemay try their hand at colonialwoodworking or work withvolunteers from Ellanor C.Lawrence Park to transformhumble corn stalks into dolls.Centreville Day’s perennialswashbuckler, Charlie Ander-son, will return to delight thecrowd with his swordplay, andthe organizers are also hopingto add a blacksmith at work.
For free face-painting, fami-lies may take the train and
stroll down Braddock Road to the Old StoneChurch. Also there will be a 19th-centuryphilosopher with amazing curiosities andwonders, as well as a bake sale andploughman’s lunch offered by the church.
Onstage Performers,Safety Expo
New on the Goodwill Stage this year willbe Bach2Rock, a school for talented, young
27th annual celebration isSaturday, Oct. 19Almost Time for Centreville Day
Courtesy of Cheryl Repetti
Map of Centreville Day 2019 attractions and activities.
Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View
Children try their luck at the climbing wall.
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Phil Niedzielski-Eichner and
Adrian L. Steel Jr.
Just in time for the Oct. 8 fourth anni-versary of the 2015 release of theFairfax County Ad Hoc Police Prac-tices Review Commission Final Re-
port, the Board of Supervisors approved fullimplementation of body worn cameras (BWC)by the Fairfax County Police Department(FCPD). This is one of the Commission’s mostsignificant and consequential recommenda-tions. While a potential aid to criminal pros-ecution, the body worn camera’s equally im-portant contribution is to foster greater trans-parency and accountability of all parties dur-ing the interactions of the police with the pub-lic. Full implementation will begin in May 2020and take three years to phase in countywide.
The Board’s decision followed the comple-tion of a 2018 pilot study chartered by PoliceChief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. and conducted bythe American University, which found thatthere was “… overwhelming support amongcommunity members for the widespread adop-tion of body worn cameras….” and “…consen-sus among the officers involved in the pilot thatbody worn cameras will increase the gather-ing of evidence and help settle complaintsagainst officers.”
The Board’s decision is a fitting capstone toa four-year successful effort by the Board tooversee the transformation of the Police Depart-ment from one that was excellent to now be-ing on a clear path to becoming “best in class.”
The Commission’s formation by the Boardof Supervisors followed a few high-profile po-
lice use of force incidents, with the ultimatecatalyst being the August 2013 shooting deathof unarmed Springfield resident John Geer inhis doorway.
Board Chair Bulova formed the Ad Hoc Com-mission and her office closely oversaw theCommission’s work over an intensive five-month period in 2015. Charged with “…assess-ing the (Fairfax County) Police Department’sperformance against national best practices,”the Commission made more than 200 recom-mendations for strengthening the public’s trustand confidence in the Department.
Public Safety Committee Chair SupervisorJohn Cook combined forces with Board ChairBulova and Chief Roessler to drive the Boardand Police Department to embrace the Ad HocCommission’s recommendations. As they com-plete their many years of service to our com-munity, Bulova’s and Cook’s police-reform ef-forts will certainly be a key legacy.
The significant reforms for which all can beproud will increase police accountability, di-vert those who suffer from mental illness intotreatment rather than incarceration, reduceuse-of-force injuries and deaths, open publicaccess to incident information, and engenderpublic confidence.
Body worn cameras will now complementthe dashboard cameras mounted in each FCPDpatrol vehicle. The Department’s policy en-shrines sanctity of human life as an organiz-ing principle, with de-escalation as the strat-egy of first resort when confronted with athreat rather than the use of force. Constraintsand strengthened supervisory oversight arenow in place on police use of vehicle pursuit.
“Diversion First” offers alternatives to incar-ceration for people with mental illness or de-velopmental disabilities.
An Independent Police Auditor (IPA) automati-cally reviews investigations of death or seriousinjury cases as well as uses of force when a citi-zen complaint is filed. A Civilian Review Panelreviews investigations of civilian complaints re-garding “abuse of authority” or “serious miscon-duct” by an FCPD officer and holds public fo-rums to hear from the community. Policies re-garding release of information provide for in-creased public visibility into the Department’sdaily activities and performance, with a predis-position to disclose information, regardless ofincident controversy. Intense efforts are under-way to recruit talented personnel that betterreflect Fairfax County’s population diversity.
Sustained effort and energy are still requiredto move decades-old engrained practices intoa “new normal.” Further, those who are “best-in-class” constantly seek to improve.
Tough questions still need to be asked as theCounty implements body worn cameras.Should an agency other than the Department,for example, control access to the massiveamount of data to be collected? Should the IPAor an independent third party audit the pro-gram? Heightened expectations alone shouldgive our policymakers pause, particularly whenwe know that no technology deployment ismistake and error free. Not collecting videodata during a controversial use of force inci-dent is bad, missing video data under theDepartment’s control is worse.
Capstone to Four-Years of Police Reform
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
Four hundred years ago is along time, but what hap-pened four centuries ago
has implications for us today. Vir-ginia is in the midst of a year-longseries of programs and experi-ences based on events that hap-pened a dozen years after the firstpermanent English colony wassettled at Jamestown in 1607. All the ac-tivities taken together are referred to asAmerican Evolution 1619-2019. There aremany events scheduled for the remainderof this year. (americanevolution2019.com).
The planners of the commemoration areto be commended for recognizing that whilethe historic events that occurred are note-worthy and interesting, the real lessons tobe learned come after the actual dates ofhistoric events as we discuss and considertheir resulting impact. Many references aremade to America’s beginning as being 1776,but it can be argued that the beginning ofAmerica as a representative democracy be-gan in the Virginia colony with the meeting
of the first representative bodymeeting in Jamestown in 1619.Remembering that date in 1619should cause us to reflect allthat has happened after thatdate that led us to the societyand government we haveevolved into today.
Similarly, the arrival of 20 orso Africans at Old Point Comfort just down theJames River from Jamestown Island four hun-dred years ago in August of 1619 must benoted. They came not with steamer trunks offancy dress; they came in shackles having beencaptured in Africa and brought here at the be-ginning of a slave trade that would fuel theeconomy of the colony and then the Common-wealth of Virginia for the next 250 years. Tolook at African Americans then and now with-out an examination of what happened in be-tween is to miss a tragic part of our evolvinghistory—the racism that gripped our countryfor its entire history and is still with us today.
Those Africans who arrived in 1619 wereslaves. Soon after their arrival that first legis-
lative body passed laws that defined theirenslavement and the limitations on theirvery existence. The few efforts like NatTurner’s rebellion that attempted to gainfreedom for slaves were put down harshlywith further slave codes being passed tolimit them from being taught how to readand write and allow for more cruel punish-ments to keep them in line. When the con-stitution was written for the new countryafter the Revolution, slaves were to becounted as three-fifths of a person, despiteJefferson’s words in the Declaration of In-dependence proclaiming that “all men arecreated equal.” It was not until the CivilRights movement of the 1960s that the de-scendants of the slaves of 1619 could claimanything close to equality.
We did not start with a perfect union; wehave not achieved one today. We have beenon an arc of history that in another contextsuggests that it is bent towards justice. TheAmerican Evolution 1619-2019 program isproviding an important context for under-standing the stream of history that is ourpast and upon which we must strive to builda more perfect union.
Evolution of American Democracy
See Police Reform, Page 7
Commentary
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@ChantillyConnec
Newspaper ofChantilly
Fair Oaks / Fair LakesA Connection Newspaper
An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.Published by
Local Media Connection LLC
1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314
Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Jean CardProduction Editor
Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
A Connection Newspaper
Chantilly
Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
4th AnnualHoliday in October Craft Bazaar
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 9AM to 4PM
Local Artisans & Handmade Items!
Free Admission! Balloon Animals for kids!
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
A few of the area’s top interior designerswere tapped to transform a grand homeinto a showcase house to raise money forcharity. Designers Quintece Hill-
Mattauszek of Studio Q Designs, Rhonald Angelo ofRhonald Angelo Interiors and Sheryl McLean ofMcLean and Tircuit Designs will unleash their col-lective creative talent to create a library, a teenagegirl’s bedroom and a lounge space for a family of six.
“I envision this to be a sophisticated … entertain-ing space, but not necessarily a man-cave,” said Al-exandria-based Hill-Mattauszek, who used vintagefinds to bring-to life ‘The Boys’ Club,” the space shewas tasked with transforming. “I envision pokernights [and] Oscar parties.”
“I designed the library for how a family of six willactually function within it,” said Angelo. “New wal-nut flooring and paint changed the look. The roomfelt unbalanced beforehand, which I corrected in thefinal design.”
Sheryl McLean of Bethesda, Md. added bold art-work and vibrant colors to the home’s sitting room.
Interior design aficionados who are up for a shortroad trip can see the creations of the three local de-signers and others during the Historic Ellicott City,Inc.’s 33rd Annual Decorator Show House. Proceedsgo toward preserving historic sites including a stopalong the Underground Railroad and one of the firstpublic schools for African Americans.
Twenty-one designers decorated 24 rooms andspaces in the stately French Provincial private homethat is the future home to a couple with four youngchildren.
The house will be open to visitors through Oct.
20, 2019 with hours Wednesday through Saturdayfrom 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Tickets are $35 at the door or online are availableonline at http://historicec.com/show-houses/
HomeLifeStyle
Proceeds will help preserve historic sites such asan Underground Railroad stop and one of the firstpublic schools for African Americans.
Local Designers CreateDream Home for Charity
Bethesda-based designer Sheryl McLean,of McLean and Tircuit Designs, createdthis sitting room.
Alexandria based designer Quintece Hill-Mattauszek designed this “Boys Club” spaceusing vintage finds.
Pho
to
s by Stacy Z
arin
G
oldberg
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
A comedy with music and a love story,“Peter and the Starcatcher” is theprequelto “Peter Pan” and is WestfieldHigh’s up-coming play. It also marks the
debut of Enza Giannone-Hosig as the school’s newtheater director.
Show times are Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19, at 7p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.; and Friday-Satur-day, Oct. 25-26, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door,or $10 with a student I.D. or viawww.westfieldtheatre.com.
In the story, Peter and two other orphans, Prentissand Ted, are sold into slavery on a pirate ship calledthe Neverland. Meanwhile, Lord Aster is on a shipcalled the Wasp. His goal is to collect and destroystarstuff because it’s so powerful; it lets people bewhatever they want and can cause evil and destruc-tion. His daughter, Molly, is on Peter’s ship. After ahurricane and a battle, Peter is thrown overboard,and the other boys and Molly follow him to an is-land later named Neverland, and adventures ensue.
“There’s lots of swashbuckling fun and a gentlelove story,” said Giannone-Hosig. “It’s true to thosefirst feelings of love, when you’re 12 or 13 and real-ize someone could be more than a friend, and you’rethinking of someone else’s needs.” She explained thatstarstuff are magic particles that fall from the starsand become stardust – or what Molly calls “star stuff.”Molly’s father is a starcatcher and she’s a starcatcherin training.
She said audiences will love the show’s “playfulnature. They’ll never stop laughing and will connectto their inner child as they watch it. Peter says, ‘Guys,this is gonna be one, awfully big adventure’ – andthe play really is. It’ll take the audience on an ad-venture, from the time the lights go down, until theycome up again.”
THE PLAY features a cast and crew of 45, andGiannone-Hosig called them “committed and dedi-cated.” And, she said, “It’s a great show because it’san ensemble piece and I was able to cast studentsfrom every grade, representing many parts of theTheater Department. I’m so excited to be workingwith teens passionate about theater and willing totake risks in their performances.”
This show is in the style of story theater, wherethe actors narrate the story as it’s unfolding. So, saidGiannone-Hosig, “They’re jumping in and out ofmany, different characters. They also become partsof the set – which lends itself to playful, physicalacting. And I’m hoping this play connects us all tothe joy of childhood, when children can see thingsand turn them into something else in their minds.”
Sophomore Jason Tongarm portrays Peter, 13. “He’sshy, doesn’t even have a name and doesn’t knowmuch,” said Tongarm. “He doesn’t even know whata bedtime story is. He goes through hardships andeventually realizes there are other people to careabout besides himself. And by the end of the story,he becomes a hero.”
Tongarm likes his role because “Peter’s in the same
situation as Prentiss and Ted – and in real life, they’resome of my closest friends. It’s my first lead role, soit’s both interesting and scary, but I’m excited andthankful to perform in this show. It’s fun playingsomeone so different from me; he lashes out a lotbecause he has lots of pent-up anger, so I get to gooff on people and be angry.”
He said people will enjoy “the sense of friendshipamong the main characters, the heroism that comeswith each character and how they grow up and ma-ture throughout the play.”
Playing Molly, 13, is freshman Kylee Weimeister.“Molly’s headstrong, knows what she wants, is pas-sionate and dedicated,” said Weimeister. “Shechanges during the show and becomes more of amother figure to the Lost Boys and starts to developfeelings for Peter.”
Weimeister also loves her part. “It’s incredible toget such a large role, my freshman year,” she said.“She’s similar to me in her dedication and passion,but different in her stubbornness. And I get to havea British accent and go up gangways and throughtunnels and interact with the ensemble.”
She said the audience “will love how Neverland isan inclusive community where everyone can feel likea child, whether they are or not. They’ll also like theshow’s comedic edge, stunts and swordfighting.”
SOPHOMORE Chloe Jornales is part of the en-semble of mollusks and sailors. “We’re shells in themermaid song and back up the pirate, FightingPrawn, in a fight scene,” she explained. “We sing,‘Mermaid Outta Me,’ and I enjoy it because I’m sing-ing the melody. But for the majority of the show, I’ma sailor on the Neverland. We clean the ship, hoistthe sails and try to keep the ship together becauseit’s old and rundown.”
She likes her roles because “We get to highlightthe leads and help make the story run. And we use
Westfield High presents‘Peter and the Starcatcher.’
Comedy with ‘Lots ofSwashbuckling Fun’
Photo Courtesy of Kat Thomas
Performing in Westfield High’s “Peter andthe Starcatcher” are (top row, from left)Matthew Krelovich (Black Stache) andBeverly D’Andrea (Smee); (middle) KyleeWeimeister (Molly); and (bottom row, fromleft) Julia Manser (Ted), Jason Tongarm(Peter) and Cassandra White (Prentiss).
See Play, Page 7
News
Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
As to the revised vehicular pursuit and stop-ping policies, it will be important for theFCPD to provide a detailed report to theBoard and the public in early 2020 as tothe effects of the revised policies, details of2019 pursuits and vehicle stops, andwhether any further changes are needed.It will also be important for the Board tomonitor and take any appropriate actionwith respect to the racial disparity studyunderway by the Independent Police Audi-tor.
On this fourth anniversary of the Ad HocCommission Report, Fairfax County and itsPolice Department have achieved many re-forms of which to be proud. The tempta-tion will be to declare the mission accom-plished. This would be a mistake. The newBoard of Supervisors come January mustprovide vigilant monitoring through perfor-mance expectations and progress reports.Not because enough has not been accom-plished, though more improvements areneeded, but because that’s the norm forbest-in-class police departments.
Niedzielski-Eichner and Steel were chairand vice-chair of the Ad Hoc Commission’sUse of Force Subcommittee and spent manyhours with a small, loosely configured groupof former Commission members dedicated toimplementing Commission recommendations,working with FCPD leadership. Steel oversawas chair the formation of the Civilian ReviewPanel.
From Page 4
Police Reform
From Page 6
our bodies to create the passageways andtunnels on the ship. And it fits well withthe play because all the characters are chil-dren creating a story.”
It’s a fun-filled show, said Jornales, because“The comedy is hilarious, and not only willchildren love it, but adults, as well. It’ll takethem back to when they were children usingtheir own imaginations. And the sets are awe-some because they’ll look like playgroundsthat the children turn into pirate ships.”
Portraying Black Stache is junior MatthewKrelovich. His character is the Wasp’s pi-rate leader and eventually becomes Capt.Hook. “He’s flamboyant,” said Krelovich.“He tries to be as serious and scary as pos-sible but doesn’t always come across thatway. His righthand man, Smee, is constantlycorrecting all the words he messes up.”
It’s a fun role, said Krelovich, because “Iget to explore different types of acting andgo from serious and scary, one minute, tocomical, the next. It’s physically challeng-ing since he’s so animated and moves arounda lot. But he’s unique, and it’s always fun toplay a comedic part where I get to add myown charm and character voice.”
“Overall, this show is just a good time,”he added. “It’s fast-paced, with somethingalways going on. There are lots of referencesto pop culture and it’s really entertaining.”
News
Play
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Let me get this out of my system because until I do, I won’t be able to write about anything else. Not to worry. This is not a cancer column. I am
every eight weeks after my bi-monthly CT scan tells the tale of the tape.
No, this column is about my lack of under-standing and business acumen which twice has led me down the garden path only to be asked to leave before I got to smell any of the pretty
dated to approximately 1750, according to a plaque the previous owner hung to the right of
now older house.
will make this short and not particularly sweet. Without getting into the lead paint, bathrooms, roof, door and window issues, it always per-plexed me that if I could afford to pay $1800 per month at 6.75% interest, I could probably afford to pay $1400 per month at 3.75% interest. However, and this is where my lack of common banking sense manifests itself; my presumptive inability to pay $400 less per month was prob-lematic for the lenders to be. And an over 800 credit rating did nothing to dissuade the lender’s
exhibited over the previous 30-plus years was irrelevant borrowing forward.
As concerns the current issue: the reverse
its approval might be a bit of an exaggeration, but not if you’re in my shoes, even occasionally. I can understand the need for the installation of safety rails on the left and right side of the stair-case going down to the basement. And grudging-ly, I can understand the need for the structural
sitting atop the cracked concrete slab which
the house from falling forward. But I can’t under-stand why the old stable matters so much to the appraiser/underwriter.
It is not used or functional in any way other than as a repository for junk and as a landing spot/vantage point for the Turkey Vultures who nest there. This building is approximately 50 yards from our house and 10 to 15 yards from our neighbor’s house. If it fell, like our barn did years ago, it would land on part of our two acres. Given its age, likely over 100 years, it was not, nor has it ever been covered by our home owner’s insurance. “Too old,” they said. The structural engineer who submitted the report about our house did a-walk-around the stable with me and made note of its peculiar structural
rocks. However, in response to my “What do I do?” question; his answer: “We don’t certify the structural integrity of 100 year-old buildings.” Now I’m being told by my reverse-mortgage
the stable or else the deal is likely dead. Dead over an out-building that nobody uses and was likely built before two century’s turned?
The whole point of this application was to spend nothing and get something. It was not to spend something and get nothing. This stable, either structurally sound or not provides me
into it. Nor are we selling the property. We’re here for the duration. The stable, if it matters at
-nancial remains, and since we have no children, those ‘remains’ are not really our concern. Yet according to the most recent email I received, either I make it my concern or stew in my own juices and slowly wither away.
When I began this process, I had hoped there would be an end in sight. I didn’t realize it would be my own.
Apparently, Not a Stable Genius
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ October 9-15, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGCrafters Wanted for 2nd Annual
Fall Craft Show. The FairfaxStation Railroad Museum will holdits 2nd Annual Fall Craft Show andLEGO (TM) Train Show on Saturday,Oct. 12, 2019 ,10 a.m.-4 p.m. Forcrafters interested in joining theevent, booth space is enough roomfor a 10x10 canopy and cost is $50per space. Email [email protected] for an application andfurther information. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Chantilly Farmers Market.Thursdays, 3:30-7 p.m., through Nov.11 in the parking lot at St. VeronicaCatholic Church, 3460 CentrevilleRoad, Chantilly. The farmers marketis a family-friendly weekly eventwhere everyone can access localfoods around, and build connectionswith local farmers, small businessowners, and their neighbors. Farmersand vendors bring locally raisedfruits, vegetables, breads and bakedgoods, meats and eggs, local honey,wine, soaps, prepared foods, andmore each week. Free admission.Visit www.community-foodworks.org/chantilly for more.
SATURDAY/OCT. 12Walk Like MADD 5K Dash/ Bark
Like MADD. 9 a.m.-noon atHerndon Police Department, 397Herndon Parkway, #300, Herndon.Walk Like MADD is MADD’ssignature fundraising event to helpus raise both awareness and funds toeliminate drunk and drugged driving.$25. [email protected] or visitwww.walklikemadd.org.
Book Release and Signing. 1-3 p.m.At Centreville Library, Centreville.Centreville author/Illustrator MissySheldrake announces the upcomingrelease of Mya, book one of HisMajesty’s Elite, prequel series to heraward-winning Keepers of theWellsprings series.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 12-13Model Train Show and Craft Fair.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday,noon-5 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road, Fairfax Station. TheWashington D.C. Metropolitan AreaLEGO (R) Train Club (WamaL TC)will hold a two-day display at theFairfax Station Railroad Museum. Inaddition, Saturday will feature aCraft Fair with local artisansdisplaying and selling their crafts.Bring any unwanted LEGO pieces andsets for donation. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
SUNDAY/OCT. 13Clifton Day Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in
the Town of Clifton, 7144 Main St.,Clifton. The 2019 Clifton Day Festivalwill feature a marketplace witharound 150 vendors. Live music,train rides, children’s activities anddelicious food and beverages will addto the fun. Clifton Day is the only dayof the year when the train stops inthe town. Admission is free. Parkingstarts at $5 per car. Call 703-968-0740 or visit www.cliftonday.com.
SATURDAY/OCT. 191940s Hangar Dance Fundraiser.
6-11 p.m. At the Freedom Museum,Manassas Regional Airport, 10600Harry Parrish Blvd., Manassas. Theevening includes dinner and dancing
The Westfield Bulldogs(4-0) travelled toFairfax to take on WT
Woodson (3-1) on Oct. 4.The Bulldogs started early
when Mikall Legall rushed infrom 2 yards out. A missed ex-tra point left the score at 6-0.Later in the 1st Noah Kim wouldfind wide receiver AveryHoward for an 88-yard TD, add-ing to the Westfield lead 13-0.
In the 2nd quarter Kim againhit the speedy Howard for a 30-yard TD. The PAT was success-ful, and Westfield was now 20-0. Isaiah Daniels would run infrom a few yards out, PAT wasagain successful, and the Bull-dogs were up 27-0. With 2:01left until half the Cavalierswould get on the board whenKyle Garvis kicked a 42-yardfield goal, the scoreboard now
reading 27-3. However,Westfield was not done theywould score twice on touch-downs. The first was ET Bushra,who took the ball 85 yards with1:46 to play in the half, theBulldogs now up 34-3.Westfield’s Eli Soto would scoreon a short touchdown pass giv-ing them a 40-3 advantage.
Westfield would add twomore scores in the 3rd quarter.ET Bushra had another longkickoff return to start the 3rd
quarter giving the Bulldogs a47-3 lead. Then Mikal Legalscored from 3 yards out to capgame scoring at 53-3.
Westfield (5-0) will faceMadison (4-2). WT Woodson(3-2) will travel to SouthCounty (5-0).
—Will Palenscar
Westfield BeatsWoodson, 53-3
Photos by Will Palenscar/The Connection
Mikal Legall #28 runs the ball for Westfield.
Richie Aguilar #99 and Abdul Montoya #71
to the music of the 1940s and 1950swith the big band Swing Machine, ashort swing dance lesson, as well aslive and silent auctions for one-of-a-kind treasures. Vintage aircraft andvehicles will be on display. Admissionis $125 for a single ticket and $200per couple. Tickets and sponsorinformation are atfreedommuseum.org and theFacebook page.
SUNDAY/OCT. 20Secret Mission Vietnam. 2-5 p.m. At
Old Bust Head Brewery, 7134 FarmStation Road, Vint Hill. Cost is $35.Discussion on the Army SecurityAgency’s Secret War in Vietnam1961-1973. Presenters Lonnie Longand Gary Blackburn, formerintelligence professionals, will drawfrom their book to tell the story of asecret, ongoing intelligence missionduring the Vietnam War..Visit thewebsite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/by-order-of-the-president-the-army-security-agencys-secret-war-in-vietnam-1961-1973-tickets-67896055931
MONDAY/OCT. 21Centreville Garden Club Meets. 7-9
p.m. At Sully Government Center,4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly.Centreville Garden Club monthlymeeting with guest speaker DavidYost, “Putting Our Gardens ToSleep.” Come learn some helpful tipsto prepare your garden for winter.Meeting generally third Monday eachmonth. Learn more atCentrevilleGardenClub.blogspot.com.Visitors and new members welcome.Email:[email protected].
SATURDAY/OCT. 26Chantilly High Haunted House. 1-5
p.m. (less scary) and 6-10 p.m. (forbraver goblins). At Chantilly HighSchool, Stringfellow Road, Chantilly.The fun includes chills and thrills,games/crafts, a hypnotist, hot foodand a bake sale. Fundraiser for girls’soccer and field hockey teams.Tickets are $10 in advance from anyCHS girls’ soccer or field hockeyplayer or viawww.chshauntedhouse.com. Alimited amount of tickets will be soldat the door for $12.
Family Costume Party. 6:30-8:30p.m. At the Children’s Science CenterLab in Fair Oaks Mall. Join in afrightfully good time. Enjoy theHaunted Lab after hours and wearyour favorite costume. Prizes will beawarded for creative and originalideas. Your family will engage in
multiple not-so-spooky scienceactivities including Boo Bubbles andCob Web Slime. Eat, drink and bescary! Light refreshments will beserved.
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. [email protected] or call703-322-4475 for more.
History Volunteers Needed. FairfaxStation Railroad Museum needshistory buffs. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities inMuseum events, programs andadministration. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. 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. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilairs.org for more.
Mondays are Family Night. 5-7p.m. at Villagio, 7145 Main St. $45for a family of four. Call 703-543-2030 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 andactivities included. Age 2 withcaregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.
Railroad MuseumThe Fairfax Station Railroad Museum holds events most Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Ages
16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. The Fairfax Station Railroad Mu-seum is located at 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.