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Stuffing the Bus to Help Hungry Kids News, Page 3

Volunteers Give Together On Dr. King’s Birthday

News, Page 6

Burning off StressAt SkyZone

News, 0

Furloughed federal employee Kim Siko-

ra climbs the wall. Climbing, dodge-

ball and more are free for furloughed federal government

employees every Thursday in Janu-

ary at the SkyZone in north Springfield.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 24-30, 2019

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2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

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Springfield Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

The seasonal warm and fuzzyfeelings that help local foodpantries and nonprofits collectand distribute food and other

staple items for our less fortunate neigh-bors may also start to fade as the “seasonof giving” comes to an end, and the day-to-day of life takes hold once more.

“That’s exactly why we’re out here today,”said Fairfax County Board of SupervisorsChairman Sharon Bulova, standing in theentrance of the Giant food store in the FoxMill shopping plaza in Herndon.

“After Christmas, the cupboards start toget bare, but our neighbors still need ourhelp. The ‘Stuff the Bus’ initiative is a realboost to replenishing those dwindling sup-plies at local food pantries and other placeswhere our citizens go for this most basicassistance.”

FAIRFAX COUNTY AND PARTNERShave been “stuffing the buses” around theregion for nine years, and Bulova has beenparticipating since the beginning.

“It’s a priority for me. I always make roomon my schedule to personally participate inone or two of the collections.”

So do a lot of others. Ben Boxer, the Com-munications Director for Fairfax CountyNeighborhood and Community Services(NCS), practically brought his own bus fullof volunteers to this collection that will ben-efit Reston-based Helping Hungry Kids. Bendid a lot of coordinating, while his wife Caraand daughters Penny and Chloe handed outflyers and “wish lists” to shoppers, and sonsLeland, Tony and Tyson did a bit of thesame, as well as lending some muscle tomoving goods from boxes to bus.

“It makes me feel productive,” said 12-year-old Leland. “This is important,” agreed“almost 15” Tony.

Lakeshia Lewis, also with the county’sNCS, didn’t have to ask daughter Kendallor son Justin twice if they wanted to get inon the action again this year. The young-sters have been doing just that for the last“four or five years” said Justin, “it’s fun anda good thing to to.” An impressive lengthof service given that the siblings are onlyten and eleven years of age.

The enthusiasm of the volunteers andtheir dedication to the cause inspired a lotof the Saturday shoppers.

“Couldn’t resist,” said Ellen McAvoy ofReston, as she added her donation ofapplesauce, granola bars and canned raviolito one of the carts. “I see their bright,healthy faces and what they are doing on aSaturday morning to help others, and I hadto help, too.”

One gentleman shopper, who preferredto remain anonymous, grabbed a cart whenhe found out what all the commotion at the

store’s entrance was about and simply saidto the volunteers, “fill it up with whateveryou need.”

“That cart came to about $300 worth ofdonations,” said Chairman Bulova. “Thegenerosity of the people of Fairfax Countydoesn’t surprise me, but it continues tomake me feel so happy to be a part of thiscaring community.”

“Don’t forget to mention the folks here atthis Giant,” reminded Capt. ThomasJohnson of nearby Fire Station 301, whowas doing a bit of shopping – and donating- himself along with some of his colleagues.

“They always help out,” he said, addingthat the Giant provides the firefighters andfirst responders with pallets of water andGatorade in the summer months, something

that is “much appreciated when we do ourwork in the heat. They are really greatpeople.”

Fox Mill Giant manager Larry Merritt sayshe’s “just happy to support this awesome,great community” any way they can. Merrittand the Giant crew had already been hardat work several days before the event, col-lecting more than 127 cases of ravioli,ramen soups and other items to “give thema head start.”

OVER THE YEARS the “Stuff the Bus”partners have collected more than 250,000pounds of food, provided more than170,000 meals, and aided more than 32local food pantries in their winter collec-tions – all with the assistance of more than5,000 community volunteers who contrib-uted some 15,000 hours of service.

Their efforts will continue around thecounty through Feb. 18, so it’s not too lateto do your part, and keep some of that holi-day spirit going.

Next up will be the Tysons Walmart onSaturday, Feb. 2, and the Village Center atthe Dulles Giant on Centreville Road inHerndon, where the Fastran buses will bewaiting with doors open for your donations.

Check out the county’s website atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov, search “stuff thebus,” for more information and other op-portunities to get on board.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2Tysons Walmart - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

1500-B Cornerside Blvd, ViennaBenefits Committee Helping Others

Village Center at Dulles Giant – 9:30 a.m. to 3p.m.2425 Centreville Road, HerndonBenefits LINK

SATURDAY, FEB. 9Annandale Giant – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

7137 Columbia Pike, AnnandaleBenefits Annandale Christian Community forAction

Clifton Giant – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.5740 Union Mill Road, CliftonBenefits Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Upcoming Stuff the Bus eventsSATURDAY, FEB. 16Fairfax Walmart – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

11181 Lee Highway, FairfaxBenefits Britepaths

Falls Church Giant – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Falls Plaza, 1230 W. Broad Street, Falls ChurchBenefits Falls Church Community ServiceCouncil

Manchester Lakes Shoppers – 9:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m.7005 Manchester Boulevard, AlexandriaBenefits Koinonia Foundation

MONDAY, FEB. 18Cardinal Forest Giant – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

8320 Old Keene Mill Road, SpringfieldBenefits Ecumenical Community Helping Others

County and community unite for neighbors in need.

Stuffing the Bus to Help Hungry Kids

Larry Merritt, the store manager at the Fox Mill Gianttakes a breather from loading boxes onto the buswith Lakeshia Lewis from Fairfax County’s depart-ment of Neighborhood and Community Services.“This is an awesome community. We are really happyto help any way we can,” said Merritt. He and hisgang helped the bus-stuffers get a head start byhaving more than 127 cases of needed food itemsalready collected before the event even started.

The Boxers get to work. Tyson, Leland and Tony Boxerup front, with sisters Chloe and Penny gave hours tothe event, handing out flyers, encouraging donationsand even helping to load the goods on to the bus. DadBen Boxer works for Fairfax County Neighborhoodand Community Services, but the kids said that nei-ther their dad, nor mom Cara who was also workingthe front lines, had to convince them to help out.Their dad’s line of work “has shown us how manypeople need our help. We’re happy to be here.”

Photos by Andrea

Worker/The Connection


Opinion

There were big changes in the Vir-ginia House of Delegates after lastyear’s elections, but Democrats fellone coin flip (actually name out of

a hat) short of controlling the legislative body.No doubt the electoral swing delivered one

of the most important changes in recent his-tory, the expansion of Medicaid to cover hun-dreds of thousands of Virginians who had pre-viously lived without health coverage.

But as Del. Ken Plum (D-36) wrote in hiscolumn this week: “In light of the last electionfor House seats, I approached this legislative

session with the hope that theremight be more flexibility in theHouse leadership that mightresult in the consideration of

bills that had been summarily defeated in pastsessions. My hopes have already been dashed.”

A groundswell of public support for Virginiabeing the 38th and final state needed to ratifythe Equal Rights Amendment led to the Sen-ate passing a resolution for ratification.

The subcommittee of the House Privilegesand Election Committee Tuesday morning de-feated a resolution to ratify the Equal RightAmendment on a vote of 4 to 2. Four membersof the House are blocking a vote by the 100members of the House.

“A major struggle seems to be looming be-

tween the two houses on the ERA which mightneed to be resolved by the voters at electiontime,” Plum wrote.

Yes, that time is November, with primaryvoting likely in June.

The question of nonpartisan redistricting istoo important to leave until after the next elec-tion.

The Senate has passed a bill to establish sucha process while House leadership is express-ing opposition. Since the legislation is a con-stitutional amendment, it is important that aresolution be passed this year and next to goto a popular referendum in 2020 in time forredistricting after the 2020 census results areknown.

Be Part of thePet Connection

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly specialedition, will publish the last week of February,and photos and stories of your pets with youand your family should be submitted by Fri-day, Feb. 22.

We invite you to send stories about your pets,photos of you and your family with your cats,dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters, snakes,lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other crea-

tures share your life with you.Tell us the story of a special bond between a

child and a dog, the story of how you came toadopt your pet, or examples of amazing featsof your creatures.

Do you volunteer at an animal shelter ortherapeutic riding center or take your pet tovisit people in a nursing home? Does your busi-ness have a managing pet? Is your businessabout pets? Have you helped to train an assis-tance dog? Do you or someone in your familydepend on an assistance dog?

Or take this opportunity to memorialize abeloved pet you have lost.

Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favoritepictures include both pets and humans.

Please tell us a little bit about your creature,identify everyone in the photo, give a briefdescription what is happening in the photo,and include address and phone number (wewill not publish your address or phone num-ber, just your town name).

Email to [email protected] submit online atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.

For advertising information, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Current General Assembly session generates frustrations.

‘My Hopes Have Already Been Dashed’

Editorial

Viewpoints

Shutdown: Local Perspective Photos contributed

George Becerra, Burke“I’m a furloughed federal employee, home

with no pay. I’ve been proactive; paid all billsup to date in December. I limited holidayspending, didn’t splurge. I’m not paying an-nual memberships due in January to organi-zations and my HOA. My wife is a governmentcontractor. The solution would be LindseyGraham. Reopen the government for threeweeks. Get people back to work and politi-cians can hash it out.”

Kathryn Oakley, retired Coast Guard,Town of Herndon

“Our active duty members in the UnitedStates Coast Guard get paid every two weeks.The last time was Dec. 31, 2018. For CoastGuard retirees, it is not clear if we will get acheck because funds are tied to AppropriationsFunding. The Coast Guard is under the U.S.Department of Homeland Security. I went toNavy Federal Credit Union, and they sharedinformation about their Government Shut-down Assistance, 0% APR Loan. I’m not wor-ried about myself. I’m worried about the young men and women in theCoast Guard, working without pay. They cannot get a part-time job.

There are two bills introduced. In the Senate, Bill 21, “Pay Our CoastGuard Act” and in the House of Representatives (HR) 367, “Pay ourCoast Guard Parity Act.” We are small and do not have visibility.”

Keven Leblanc, Town of Herndon “Federal employees are no doubt impacted.

Federal Contractors suffer significantly. Ifpeople on contract can’t report, they have totake leave without pay or be furloughed. Ashutdown this long can drive small businessesout of business if all their work is tied to Fed-eral contracts. Large companies have share-holders they are accountable to and mustmaintain a profit. The economic ripples thenextend to the larger community, as the eco-nomic base no longer has money to buy goods

or services or eat at restaurants. For some who live paycheck to pay-check, whether a federal employee, contractor or private employee ina federal-employment concentration, it can mean defaulting on loansor rent, not eating, not getting required medicines or healthcare or theheat and safety from the cold they require.”

Cher Muzyk, Nokesville, Md.”I’m the wife of a government attorney who

has been furloughed but is deemed essential.He will eventually receive the back pay, butthere are bills to pay now. We have a two-month nest egg for payments as long as wecut back. We called the credit union. My solu-tion is simple. I don’t understand why the bor-der wall has to be coupled with the budget.Separate those two arguments. Resolve thebudget. Get working families paid and backto work. I would support anything, even tem-

porary. Eighty-three percent of Americans are not affected, so there isno sense of urgency. There is a need for a human face on it. The uncer-tainty is terrifying.”

Kevin Powell, Reston“It seems like Congress resolved itself to government shutdowns as par for the course. With Trump

and a divided Congress, I didn’t think it would get better. My action plan has been to limit myspending. As a government contractor, I ran into this in the past. I’m job searching so I can get outof government contracting. The shutdown has impacted my marriage and my family. I wish legisla-tors would think country first, constituents second-those who would vote for them.”

No photo

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

Published byLocal Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

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ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

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Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

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Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

CIRCULATIONCirculation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

Springfield


Your “Nicely Done” Kitchen or Bath is Right Around the Corner!A “One-Stop Shop” That Goes Above and Beyond Your Imagination

Kings’s Park Shopping Center8934 Burke Lake Road, Springfield VA 22151703-764-3748 www.nicelydonekitchens.com

Find us on Houzz,Facebook, & Angie’s List!

See Bulletin, Page 7

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

NEWPrescription Drug Take Back Box

Program. Fairfax Countyannounced the expansion of thePrescription Drug Take Back BoxProgram Countywide. The boxes areavailable 24/7/365 at each districtpolice station for any person toanonymously and safely dispose oftheir prescription medications 24/7/365 - no questions asked. It isimportant to get unused medicines,especially opioids, out of yourmedicine cabinets to preventaccidental or illicit use. SeveralFairfax County pharmacies also takeback unused prescription drugs. For acurrent list, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/4-ways-to-safely-dispose-of-unused-medications/.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or

Railroad History? Considervolunteering at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. The Museumoffers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individualto coordinate the scheduling of thevolunteer staff. Training will beprovided for all positions. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 for opportunities. TheMuseum is located at 11200 FairfaxStation Road in Fairfax Station. It isopen every Sunday, except holidays,

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News

Volunteers Give Together onDr. King’s Birthday

Volunteer Sydney Harris ofLorton reaches to post herthoughts on the MLK Dayreflection board duringVolunteer Fairfax’s 10thannual Give Together,Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, atthe Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginiain Fairfax. Several hundredvolunteers took part in theevent held in observance ofthe Martin Luther King Jr.National Day of Service.Give Together featuredseveral fun, hands-onprojects that will benefitseveral local nonprofits.After taking part in theprojects volunteers wereinvited to write about theirexperiences and post themon the giant board.

Springfield DistrictSupervisor PatHerrity, center, talkswith volunteerCaleen Sullivan ofthe Educational andCharitable Founda-tion, right, Monday,Jan. 21, 2019, duringVolunteer Fairfax’s10th annual GiveTogether at the at theJewish CommunityCenter of NorthernVirginia in Fairfax.Several hundredvolunteers took partin the event held inobservance of theMartin Luther KingJr. National Day ofService.

Lee District SupervisorJeff McKay and hisfamily take part inVolunteer Fairfax’s10th annual GiveTogether, Monday, Jan.21, 2019, at the Jew-ish Community Centerof Northern Virginiain Fairfax. Severalhundred volunteerstook part in the eventheld in observance ofthe Martin LutherKing Jr. National Dayof Service. Give To-gether featured sev-eral fun, hands-onprojects that willbenefit several localnonprofits.

Photos by Rob Paine/

Volunteer Fairfax


From Page 5

Bulletin Board

from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke needs volunteer drivers fortrips to medical appointments(Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) withinthe Fairfax-Burke area and in theSouth County area (west of Route 1,Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB(Olley Glen) office to schedule rides.Bilingual volunteers (English andSpanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email ShavaunWall at [email protected] or call703-323-4788.

INPUT SOUGHTUnmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Program. Fairfax County isdeveloping a comprehensive PublicSafety Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS) program and would like tohear from residents. Each of sixpublic information meetings willinclude a static display of unmannedaircraft followed by a presentationoutlining the program. After thepresentation, there will be anopportunity to ask questions. Theformal presentation will begin at 7p.m. To find out more about the UASprogram go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Sendfeedback or questions [email protected] or throughthe link located on the UAS webpage.Written comments on the draftprogram must be received by theclose of business Feb. 8, 2019, to beincluded in the official public record.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

at McLean District GovernmentalCenter, 1437 Balls Hill Road,McLean.

❖ Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. atSully District Governmental Center,4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly.

❖ Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, 6:30-8:30p.m. at Reston Community Center –Hunter Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at Braddock Hall – Kings ParkLibrary, 9002 Burke Lake Road,Burke.

TUESDAYS THROUGH FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the

Making. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at DunnLoring Center for Parent Services,2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in theMaking: The Seven Essential LifeSkills Every Child Needs by EllenGalinsky, encompasses an evidence-based list of life skills that areessential for children to succeedsocially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and longterm.

Participants may register for one or all ofthe workshops and do not need toattend the previous class.Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more or toregister.

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 29 – MakingConnections (part 4)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 5 – Critical Thinking(part 5)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Taking onChallenges (part 6)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed,Engaged Learning (part 7)


Woodbury aka Silas Burke House

‘If These Walls Could Talk’Burke Historical Society President Jon Vrana will give a presentation called “If These Walls Could Talk,” examining the

19th-century history of Woodbury—also known as the Silas Burke House. Sunday, Jan. 27, 3:30-5 p.m. at Pohick RegionalLibrary, 6540 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Free. Email [email protected] or visit www.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

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

ONGOINGFounding Artists Exhibition.

Through Feb. 3 at The WorkhouseArts Center, Vulcan Muse Gallery,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center presents agroup exhibition highlighting Studioand Arches artists that have been apart of the organization for its 10-year span. In honor of theirdedication and support, theexhibition will survey their works invarious mediums including painting,sculpture, fiber, glass, preciousmetals, and mixed media. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

Workhouse Student-FacultyExhibition. Through Feb. 10 atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. TheWorkhouse Arts Center Student andFaculty Exhibition will survey worksfrom course instructors, faculty andtheir students. Explore the numerouspaintings, drawings, glass works, clayworks and fiber art created inWorkhouse’s classes and workshops.Call 703-584-2900 or visitworkhousearts.org.

Art Exhibit: Amazing Art Jam.Through Feb. 24, gallery hours at theVulcan Gallery, Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Workhouse Arts Center hoststhe third iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Visit www.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam.

Exhibit: Purchased Lives. ThroughFeb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (exceptmajor holidays) at the FairfaxMuseum and Visitor Center, 10209Main St., Fairfax. Purchased Lives isa traveling exhibition from theHistoric New Orleans Collection. Theexhibit examines a complex anddivisive period of American historyand educating about the far-reachingeconomic and heartbreaking personalimpact of the domestic slave trade.Look for The Washington Home ofthe Philippine Suffrage MovementMarch 3-31. Call 703-385-8414.

Fine Arts Enrichment Camps. TheYouth Arts Camp & EducationOutreach (ages 13-17) programs atthe Workhouse provide richexperiences in fine arts year-round.Campers work alongside professionalartists and professional educators toexcel in different mediums, learningvarious techniques, and creatingquality artwork with every visit. Findupcoming camps atreservations.workhousearts.org.

FRIDAY/JAN. 25B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

Bonita Lestina PerformanceSeries. 8 p.m. in Old Town Hall,3999 University Drive. With IONACeltic Fusion. Doors open 7:30 p.m.Free. Visit fairfaxva.gov/culturalartsor call 703-352-ARTS.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JAN. 25-26Chinese Food Fest. Friday, 11 a.m.-7

p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. atWegmans Fairfax, 11620 MonumentDrive, Fairfax. Attendees can tastePeking duck Wegmans-style, fresh

dumplings, Chinese hot pot, andbubble tea. Wegmans chefs will docooking demonstrations throughoutthe event. Dumpling-making classesfor children will be held at 5 p.m. onFriday and noon and 3 p.m. onSaturday. Free admission; dumplingclasses cost $10 per child withparent, and tickets are available atCustomer Service. Class space islimited. Visit www.wegmans.com/events/2019/01/chinese-food-fest.html.

SATURDAY/JAN. 26Book Event: “The War Outside My

Window.” 2 p.m. at the Civil WarInterpretive Center at HistoricBlenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Editor Jan Croon, will bepresenting and signing copies of TheWar Outside My Window: The CivilWar Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham,1860-1865. As a young child,Gresham suffered a horrific leg andback injury that left him an invalid.Educated, inquisitive, perceptive, andexceptionally witty, the 12-year-oldbegan keeping a journal in 1860 –just before secession and Civil Wartore the country and his world apart.Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/government/historic-resources/civil-war-interpretive-center.

Reminiscences. 7-8 p.m. atProvidence Presbyterian Church,9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.After winning first prize at theGolden Classical Music AwardsInternational Music Competition andmaking his debut performance atCarnegie Hall, concert pianist MarkIrchai returns to the DC-metro area.He will offer “Reminiscences” – a solopiano recital of music written bycomposers in reflection on theirpasts. Free. Visit markirchai.com.

Opening Reception: Amazing ArtJam. 7-11 p.m. at the VulcanGallery, Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center hosts thethird iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Visit www.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam.

SUNDAY/JAN. 27Reading Circle and Craft Day. 1-4

p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. “My LittleBook of Trains” will be featured in areading circle. Train locomotives andtenders will be explored during theactivities that day. Participants maymake their own ongoing journal forthe year’s reading circles andinformation learned about trains andrailroading. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

Burke Historical Society. 3:30-5p.m. at Pohick Regional Library,6540 Sydenstricker Road, Burke.After a brief review of the Society’sactivities over the past year, BHSPresident Jon Vrana will give apresentation called “If These WallsCould Talk,” examining the 19th-century history of Woodbury—betterknown today as the Silas BurkeHouse. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

TUESDAY/JAN. 29Fairfax Gratefulness Gathering. 7-

8:30 p.m. at Richard Byrd PublicLibrary, 7250 Commerce St.,Springfield. A program ofGratefulness.org. Bring gratitude tolife in the community, be present toopportunities always available;opportunities to learn and grow andextend oneself with care andcompassion. Free. [email protected].

THURSDAY/JAN. 31Adults’ BYOG Night. 7-8:30 p.m. at

Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke LakeRoad, Burke. BYOG = Bring yourOwn Game – come to the library withyour favorite board game or cardgame to share. Adults only. Free. Call703-978-5600 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4741919.

FRIDAY/FEB. 1B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.com

or call 703-273-3638.

SATURDAY/FEB. 2Dog Park Grand Opening. 9 a.m. at

the Fairfax City Dog Park, 11000Berry St., Fairfax. City residents, bothtwo-legged and four-legged, areinvited to the grand openingceremony for the Fairfax City dogpark on the former WestmoreElementary School site. All dogs withcurrent licenses are welcome. Thepark will include a fenced exercise/run area (fence is a gift fromAffectionate Pet Care), park benches,and trash and recycling receptacles.Waste bags and a receptacle will beprovided at the dog park. Call 703-385-7858.

Chinese New Year Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Luther Jackson MiddleSchool, 3020 Gallows Road, FallsChurch. The 12th Annual ChineseNew Year Festival hosted by theAsian Community Service Centerfeaturing live performances,including Dragon and Lion dances,Han Costume Fashion show, Asianfood, the writing of Chinese names,language, craft and business booths,children world, and also a lunar newyear dragon parade. Free admission.Visit ChineseNewYearFestival.org.

Winter Music and Dance Festival.7:30-9:30 p.m. at Workhouse ArtsW3 Theatre, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Next Reflex Dance Collectivepresents the Winter Music and DanceFestival featuring performances fromarea musicians and dancers. $10-$25(reserved seating). Visitinsidenovatix.com/events/next-reflex-dance-collective-winter-music-and-dance-festival for tickets.

SATURDAY/FEB. 3Author Event: Tiffany Foo-Garcia.

Noon-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble-FairLakes, 12193 Fair Lakes PromenadeDrive, Fairfax. Tiffany Foo-Garciawill be holding a reading and signingfor the first book of her new middlegrade culinary adventure series,“Ruby Foo and the TravellingKitchen: Finding the Foo Identity.”Visit rubyfookitchen.com.

Make a Valentine Card Craft. 1-4p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The FairfaxStation Railroad Museum will have aValentine’s Day Make and Takeevent. Visitors will create their own

Valentine’s cards to take home withthem. The cost of supplies is includedwith admission.. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

TUESDAY/FEB. 5Parktykes: Explore the Natural

World. 1:30-2:15 p.m. at LakeAccotink Park, 7500 Accotink ParkRoad, Springfield. Adults withtoddlers are invited to join anaturalist in the classroom andoutdoors to discover the wonders ofthe natural world. Designed foryoung explorers, age 1-3, and anadult. $9 per child. Meet at thevisitor center. Call 703-569-3464 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink.

Burke Historical Society. 7-9 p.m. atBurke Centre Library, 5935 FredsOak Road, Burke. Local authors,Mary Lipsey and Cindy Bennett, willshare their experiences and tips onthe process of researching, writing,and publishing a historical book.Free. visit burkehistoricalsociety.orgor mail [email protected].

TUESDAYS/FEB. 5-26Try Girl Scouts. 6-7 p.m. at West

Springfield Elementary School, 6802Deland Drive, Springfield. Make newfriends, learn about Girl Scouts, andmeet the requirements for two newcybersecurity badges. $25 for fourweeks. Email [email protected] orcall 703-372-4341.

FRIDAY/FEB. 8Gunston Hall Game Night. 6-9 p.m.

at Gunston Hall, 10709 GunstonRoad, Mason Neck. Gunston Hall isopening its doors after-hours towelcome game enthusiasts toimmerse themselves in a variety of18th-century card, board, and dicegames. $35 registration includesbeverages and heavy hors d'oevoures,including some items made from18th-century recipes. Visitwww.gunstonhall.org.

B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Visitwww.fairfaxvfd.com or call 703-273-3638.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 8-9Small Plates Choreography

Festival. 8 p.m. at Building W-3(Theatre), Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. SmallPlates creates a growth environmentby holding guided Q&A feedbacksessions with the audience after eachperformance. The Fridayperformance will feature pre-professional dance created by studentchoreographers, or by professionalchoreographers performed bystudents. Saturday’s performance willmainly feature professional artists.$15-$20. Call 703-584-2900 or visitworkhousearts.org.

SATURDAY/FEB. 9Animal Sweetheart’s Dance. 2-4

p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center,8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield.Dance, laugh, and learn at the socialevent of the winter season. Spacelimited, register online (tinyurl.com/y9nz9q48) or call 703-451-9588 tosave a spot. $9.

Winter Wonderland Family Dance.5-8 p.m. at Stacy C. SherwoodCommunity Center, 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Bring the wholefamily for an evening of magic andwonder with dinner, special guestcharacters, crafts, dancing and more.All families are welcome. $30 peradult, $20 per child. Visitfairfaxva.gov/parksrec or call 703-385-7858.


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4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

“Loving People to Life”

See Concerto, Page 11

News

By David Siegel

The Connection

Sumptuous music from com-posers Mendelssohn andSchumann, will create an

evening ”rich in emotional and in-tellectual music content,” saidChristopher Zimmerman, Conduc-tor, FSO. The FSO evening eventincludes guest violinist Chee-Yunperforming Mendelssohn’s “ViolinConcerto” and the FSO orchestraplaying Mendelssohn’s “HebridesOverture” and Schumann’s “Sym-

Guest Violinist at Mason StageChee-Yunjoins FairfaxSymphonyOrchestrafor a perfor-mance at theCenter forthe Arts.

Chee-Yun, guest violinist performing Mendelssohn’sViolin Concerto with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.

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News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

When the SkyZone in Springfieldopened their doors on Thursday,Jan. 17, free to the government fur-loughed workers, Adam Ferguson

put down his Chinese textbooks and headed overwith his wife Natalie. Adam is a State Departmentemployee who is learning Chinese for his next as-signment in China when the government is funded.

“It’s kind of a mess, we’re headed to China,” hesaid. While out of work, he’s meeting with others inthe class to keep up on the curriculum and they ap-preciate support from the outside, like SkyZone.

“It’s so nice to know that businesses care about uswhen the government doesn’t seem to,” said Natalie.

They are from Arlington and attended anotherevent with Chef Jose Andres for dinner one night.“We went with our family and they fed all of us,” shesaid.

Over at SkyZone, a gym-like place where partici-pants can play dodgeball, climb, jump, and balance

on platforms high in the sky, “we support familiesimpacted by the government shutdown,” their infor-mation stated. “Federal government employees cur-rently without pay and up to three immediate fam-ily members are invited to Sky Zone Park for onefree 60-minute jump every Thursday until Jan. 31,2019.”

SkyZone general manager Terry Fife likes the con-tact he gets with the furloughed workers. “We wantmembers of the community to know we’re here forthem,” he said.

Burke father Rob Gates came in with the family totake part. He’s furloughed too. “Being out of workfor 27 days causes stress, this is good to burn offstress,” he said. They’ve been “cutting back on ex-tras, if it goes much longer, more stuff,” he said, add-ing that “the outpouring of everyone is amazing.”

Arlington residents Kim Sikora and her husbandare both government employees, and she’s been toSkyZone before, but came back for this perk. “WhenI heard about this I figured it would be a treat tocome back again,” she said, right before getting onthe climbing wall.

Furloughed Government EmployeesBurn off Stress at SkyZoneClimbing, dodgeball and more are free for furloughedemployees every Thursday in January.

Clara Meyers, 6, was notafraid to jump off theplatform 20 feet in the air.

Adam and Natalie Ferguson are happy SkyZone has afurlough day.

Colors and padded equipment dominate the SkyZone in north Springfield.

Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Not that there’s anything wrong with me – other than having cancer that is – but I’ve been going to see doctors – other than my oncologist – fairly regularly in the past few months: internal medicine, three times; otolaryngologist, two times.

The reason/symptoms vary, but in general, nearly 10 years into my “13 month to two-year” prognosis,

and scheduling appointments with doctors as often

after all, it’s the dumbest part – if you have cancer.

were not cancer-related, they were life-related. Meaning, they had nothing to do at all with my have cancer and/or its progression, and everything to do with living life outside of the bubble.

However, surviving life inside the cancer world for as long as I have has now made me a bit trigger

any other reason, I am scheduling an appointment -

Henceforth, I am going to let the professionals

worry about. It has become time for me to no longer fool around with my health presuming that whatev-er ails me is merely a blip when in fact it could be a sign of things potentially to follow.

might even be too little, too late.

as such. Knowing there’s only so much I can do to preempt (some of which I’ve been doing) what trouble possibly awaits, at the very least I shouldn’t be stupid or stubborn anymore. Instead I have to be vigilant and proactive.

much about what the doctor might say when I show up at my appointment with less-than-life altering/cancer-connected symptoms. Until they tell me otherwise, which they haven’t yet, I will continue to

there was nothing to matter, I’ve often felt the need

which I realize is very valuable. But they would hear none of it. Instead, they have encouraged me

the need arise.

arise.’

life-related, and should I act differently depending

these questions and simply schedule appointments as soon as possible because, as I was advised years

now, Kenny.”-

ing from, I believe it has something to do with my switching to an immunotherapy drug – which we’ve been discussing for a few months, and being aware of the many possible side effects. Side effects which, should they manifest, I am to contact my oncologist immediately.

and that’s what scares me. Moreover, I’m afraid we might not be able to stop what we’ve already started.

Granted, it’s all speculation, and it’s all prema-ture.

Either the side effects prevent me from infusing

doctors during my treatment, so be it. This is no time to wait and see. It’s time to be

seen without waiting.

Worried About What Awaits

News

ConcertoFrom Page 9

phony No. 2.”“To my knowledge, the FSO has never

focused on these two contemporaneouscomposers in one concert. They are tower-ing figures of the early Romantic period inmusic who set the 19th century ablaze inthe wake of Beethoven.” addedZimmerman.

Mendelssohn and Schumann are “com-posers who characterize the essence of ‘ro-manticism’ in music. Both were prodigiousgeniuses with an unrelenting need to writemusic,” added Zimmerman.

“Audiences should come to the perfor-mance because the music is wonderful,”noted Zimmerman. “And Chee-Yun has anextraordinarily mesmeric stage-presenceand engaging personality matched, frankly,only by the brilliance and virtuosity of herplaying.”

Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides Overture”was inspired by a visit he made in 1830 tothe barren and windswept Hebrides islandsoff the Northwest coast of Scotland. Laterthat year he wrote this piece, evocative ofwhat he experienced: the power of the sea

Where and WhenFairfax Symphony Orchestra performing

Mendelssohn and Schumann with guest violinistChee Yun at George Mason University, Center forthe Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Perfor-mance Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 at 8 p.m. Tickets:$65, $43, $39, and $25, with $15 student tickets.Purchase tickets online atwww.fairfaxsymphony.org or by phone 703-993-2787. Note: Before the concert at 7 p.m. adiscussion with the artists and FSO music directorChristopher Zimmerman.

that surrounded him and its constant ebband flow, at times threatening.

Schumann’s music is very different inemotional content according toZimmerman. Schumann was severelymanic-depressive, ultimately dying at theage of 45. His music often reflects the viru-lent bouts of torment alternating with joythat he experienced. “Symphony No.2” hasabrupt and ever-shifting changes of mood,sometimes serene, sometimes combative. “Itis a dramatic journey from despair to eu-phoria-against-the-odds,” said Zimmerman.

Chee-Yun’s first public performance at ageeight took place in her native Seoul aftershe won the Grand Prize of the KoreanTimes Competition. At 13, she came to theUnited States to perform. Since then shehas performed with many of the world’sforemost American and international or-chestras and conductors. Chee-Yun teachesmaster classes as well.

Playing her flawless 350 year old violinfor the virtuoso three movement, nearly 30minute concerto, Chee-Yun said, “I want totransport audience with a journey of emo-tions with the much beloved Mendelssohn‘Concerto.’ I want the audience to have agreat experience. To be enthralled andtransported as I play.”

In times of personal and communitystress, Zimmerman added that “classicalmusic can provide great meaning and sat-isfaction, even perhaps be a healer.”

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