ellie’s hats celebrates - ellington...
TRANSCRIPT
WellbeingPage, 2
Managing Screen TimeFor ChildrenWellbeing, Page 2
Ellie’s Hats Celebrates
Fifth AnniversaryNews, Page 3
From left are Ellie Whitfield, her mom Jennica, and Ellie’s
Hats founder Jay Coakley.
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 6-12, 2019
Cla
ssifi
eds, P
age
6 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6Photo b
y Bonnie
Hobb
s
Attention Postmaster:
Time sensitive material.
Requested in home
3-7-19
PRSRT STDU.S. Postage
PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
703-830-6377EyeStreetOptical.comIndependently owned and operated.
Chantilly Professional Building3910 Centreville Road, Suite 100, Chantilly VA
• Repairs• Designer frames• Sunglasses• Children frames• Difficult prescriptions filled
accurately• Eye exams…and much more!
Experienced Licensed OpticiansProfessional advice with a focus on your
individual style and visual needs. We have a full-service optical lab on the premises.
Goodtime to
use FlexFunds
Expires April 30, 2019
1 Complete Pair of Prescription Eyeglasses.Offer not valid on Costa del Mar RX sunglasses,Oakley RX sunglasses, Maui Jim RX Sunglasses,
Wiley X, RX swim and sport Goggles,non prescription sunglasses, or previous orders.
Offer also not valid with other discounts or insurance.
20192019Celebrating
32 YearsServing
Chantilly andCentreville
Wellbeing
By Marilyn Campbell
Julia Wires purchased an iPhone for her 12-year-old daughter in part she says, becausemany of the girls at her Potomac, Md. schoolhave smartphones that they bring to cam-
pus daily. Wires and her husband were initially hesi-tant to make the purchase because their daughterwas diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder (ADHD) and Anxiety Disorder at the endof 2018.
“First , there’s the social pressureshe feels because all of her friendshave iPhones. Then there’s the is-sue of her dad and I being able tokeep in touch with her now thatshe has more freedom to go placeson her own,” said Wires. “Both ofthose [factors] are juxtaposedagainst the fact that she hastrouble staying focused and calm-ing down when she needs to. Thatmade the decision tough for us.”
Too much time spent on gaming,smartphones and watching televi-sion could exacerbate symptoms inchildren who’ve been diagnosedwith ADHD, according to a new study by research-ers at San Diego State University and the Universityof Georgia. The report showed that even after onehour of screen time, children and teens may beginto have lower self-control, less emotional stabilityand a greater inability to finish tasks.
“Kids with ADHD have trouble keeping track oftime, so they could spend hours on their tablet with-out realizing it. Screen time can make bedtime rou-
tines more difficult and parents might have an addi-tional struggle getting their kids to fall asleep,” saidchild psychologist Adele Schwartz, Ph.D, of McLean,who was not involved in the study. “Kids with ADHDalso might be more likely to ignore parental guide-lines and I would worry more about them engagingin risky behavior online.”
Helping a child with ADHD transition from playinga video game to doing their homework could requirespecial handling, advises Sarah Bryant, LCSW. “Insteadof telling your child that they have to stop watchingtelevision at six o’clock or that they have five moreminutes on a video game, try telling them that theyhave to stop at the next commercial break or at thenend of the round in a video game,” she said.
Working collaboratively with one’s child will re-duce the chance of a power struggle, says Bryant.“You and your child can work together to list all of
the things that need to get done,like homework, time spent outside,doing sports, chores and other ac-tivities and come up with a sched-ule,” she said. “Figure out howmuch time is left for things likevideo games and television. Hangthe schedule somewhere that’s vis-ible to both of you. Your child willsee how little time is left for play-ing video games and since theywere part of the process, they’ll feellike they’re part of a team ratherthan a subordinate with no controlover their life.”
“Parents of kids with ADHDshould definitely make use of parental controls ontablets, smart phones and television, especially dur-ing school hours or when kids should be doing theirhomework,” added Schwartz. “It’s also important thatchildren, especially those with ADHD not use elec-tronics at least an hour before bedtime. And it al-most goes without saying that parents should modelthe behavior that they want their children to haveby limiting their own screen time.”
Working collaborativelywith one’s child candecrease the struggle.
Managing Screen Time
A new study shows that even after one hour spent on electronic devices each day,children and teens may begin to have less emotional stability and a greater inabilityto finish tasks.
Pho
to
co
ntributed
“... parents shouldmodel the behaviorthat they want theirchildren to have bylimiting their ownscreen time.”
— Adele Schwartz, childpsychologist
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Learn aboutAnimal Protection
Animal protection is the topic of thenext meeting of the Sully District PoliceStation’s Citizens Advisory Committee.It’s set for Wednesday, March 13, at 7:30p.m., in the Sully District GovernmentalCenter, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. inChantilly.
Meeting attendees will learn aboutthe duties of an Animal Protection Po-lice Officer and how people becomethis type of officer. They’ll also receiveinformation on what types of animalincidents should be reported to thepolice, what types of investigations
(i.e., cruelty, hoarding and neglect) aredone, and when wildlife encountersshould be reported.
Free CarseatInspections
Certified technicians from the Sully Dis-trict Police Station will perform free, childsafety carseat inspections Tuesday, March19, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves sotechnicians may properly inspect and ad-just them, as needed.
Because of time constraints, only the first
35 vehicles arriving on each date will beinspected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct thecaregiver on the correct use of the child seat.Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.
WFCM Looking forVolunteers
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries(WFCM), a Chantilly-based nonprofit serv-ing local families in need with food andemergency financial services, is seekingvolunteers to fill several positions. They are:
❖ Costco Food Pick-up (Chantilly), 8:30-9:30 a.m., every Tuesday;
❖ Harris Teeter Pick-up (Fair Oaks),8:30-9:30 a.m., every Thursday;
❖ Admin., WFCM front desk, 10-2:30p.m., every Friday (Will consider jobsharing every other week);
❖ Admin., front desk, 2:30-4:30 p.m.,every Tuesday;
❖ Admin., front desk, 2:30-4:30 p.m.,every Thursday;
❖ Fill-In/Substitute Pantry Volunteers- Placed on an on-call list (Training willbe provided); and
❖ Fill-In/Substitute Admin. Front desk- Placed on an on-call list (Training willbe provided).
Those interested should contact DebCulbertson at [email protected] 571-599-2871.
See Ellie’s Hats, Page 5
By Bonnie Hobbs
During the fifth-anniversary cel-ebration for Ellie’s Hats, chil-dren ran around playing witheach other, munched on cake
pops and built a tall tower of Jenga blocks.But not too long ago, some of these samechildren were in hospitals being treated forcancer.
So when the organization’s president andfounder, Jay Coakley, addressed the crowdfor a few minutes, he had the children comestand beside him. Then, pointing at them,he said, “They’re what it’s all about.”
And that’s exactly right, because hestarted his hat effort to help one child. Butseeing the difference it made in her life, hecouldn’t stop there. And now, with supportfrom partners, sponsors and volunteers,Ellie’s Hats has donatedthousands of hats to chil-dren throughout the U.S.
Ellie Whitfield was diag-nosed with acute lympho-blastic leukemia in 2013;and by the time she startedkindergarten at WoodburnElementary, she’d lost herhair and was wearing hatsto school every day. HerP.E. teacher, Coakley, no-ticed how happy the hatsmade Ellie and organizeda hat drive for her.
He also wanted to bring that same joy toother children suffering from cancer, whileraising awareness of the disease, so hefounded Ellie’s Hats. Most come from hatdrives held by schools and groups, such aschurches and Scouts – and in every state,plus Canada and South Africa, people knitand crochet hats for the nonprofit.
The organization’s motto is “More ThanJust a Hat,” and it’s easy to see why. Be-
sides raising the hat recipi-ents’ self-esteem, Ellie’sHats also helps their finan-cially struggling familiesand contributes to hospi-tals and clinics treatingpediatric cancer patients.Besides monetary dona-tions, it gives them itemsincluding iPads, TVs, DVDplayers and gift cards.
And on Sunday, Feb. 17,the nonprofit Ellie’s Hatscelebrated its fifth anniver-
sary at Mustang Sally Brewing Co. inChantilly. Owner Sean Hunt met Coakleywhen he opened his business, and Ellie’sHats was the first group for which Hunt helda fundraiser. So he was delighted to hostits latest event, called “Beers & Cheers.”
Also attending the festivities was red-haired Ellie, herself, now 10 and in the fifthgrade. “She finished treatment in 2015 andis in remission and doing well,” said her
mom, Jennica Whitfield. “She does plays inschool, is learning basketball skills and en-joys playing with her girlfriends in theneighborhood.”
Although a bit “overwhelmed” seeingsuch a large crowd – some 75 people – atthe event, Whitfield said, “It’s also excitingto see how the organization’s grown – Inever expected it to be so big. But it’s prettywonderful to see so many people who’vesupported the organization, our family andother families, as well.”
Furthermore, said Whitfield, “It repre-sents strong community, and while Ellie wasvery sick, one of the most important thingsfor us was to have families come around usin support. And I know Ellie’s Hats is doingthis for other families in similar situations.We’re just very thankful for Ellie and forEllie’s Hats.”
So is Stephanie Snapkoski, whose sonDrew, now 6, was diagnosed with high-risk,acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) inMarch 2018 and has a 3-1/2-year treatment
plan. He had a cold that wouldn’t go away,plus tiredness and lethargy. And after histhird doctor’s visit in a week, his blood wastested and doctors broke the news to hisparents.
“It was hard to process, at first; I wasnumb,” said Snapkoski. “Then I went intoaggressive research mode. We were luckyto be connected to the Leukemia & Lym-phoma Society, which connected us to fivetop doctors for second opinions. Drew hada rare mutation in one of his genes, so therewasn’t a lot of research into its treatmentor prognosis.”
Since then, he’s had a great deal of che-motherapy, but it was difficult for his par-ents. “You want to treat your child aggres-sively, but don’t want to expose him to a lotof toxins,” said his mother. “He had ninemonths of aggressive treatment, in and outof the hospital. And my husband Michael –whose job kept him busy traveling – quit itso he could be home with us. Now, Drew ison maintenance treatment for 2-1/2 years,until June 20, 2021, when he’s 9.”
Meanwhile, said Snapkoski, “Within daysof Drew being diagnosed, Jay came to us atInova Fairfax Hospital and quickly becamea longtime, family friend. The first visit, hebrought hats, plus a backpack of toys andactivities to keep Drew busy in the hospital– so it was more than a hat.”
And whenever Drew was hospitalized,Coakley visited him and arranged for “StarWars”-costumed people to come by, too. Healso dropped by their home to see Drew.“The hats and visits helped break up theisolation and gave us another source of sup-port,” said Snapkoski.
Glad to be at the anniversary celebration,she said, “I’m so proud of Jay, and anythingwe can do to support him and Ellie’s Hats,we’re happy to do. And it’s great to connectwith other families [like us], too.”
While in the hospital, Drew met and be-came good friends with another young can-cer patient, Ella Borowski, and so did theirmothers. So they were delighted to see each
Ellie’s Hats celebratesits fifth anniversary.
‘Source of Support’ for Sick Children
Photo by Bonnie Hobbs
Volunteer Fairfax members (from left) Barbara Small, Michelle Jacobsand Katrice Saddler man the Ellie’s Hats fundraising table selling hatsand T-shirts.
“The hats andvisits helpedbreak up theisolation and gaveus another sourceof support.”
— Stephanie Snapkoski
Roundups
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
Every year is election year in Virginia.Add in primaries and special elec-tions, and there are many more elec-tions every year, all with conse-
quences.Control of this year’s Virginia General Assem-
bly came down to pulling a name out of bowl(literally). In 2019, every seat in the House ofDelegates and Virginia Senate will be on theballot.
While some good things didhappen in this year’s session ofthe General Assembly, (evictionprotections, foster care reform,
step towards menstrual equity, to name some),other important legislation stalled because ofparty politics and ideology, including reform-ing fines and effects on drivers licenses; seatbelt laws and legislation on distracted driving.
A huge number of candidates will seek seatson the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors andSchool Board as well, with the direction andtone of the future hanging in the balance.
Results of 2019 Elections will matter in manyways.
Are you registered to vote? Check here:https://vote.e lect ions.v irginia.gov/
VoterInformation
Upcoming Elections:May 7, 2019 - Vienna Town Council Elec-
tionsJune 11, 2019 - Primary ElectionsNov. 5, 2019 - General & Special Elections
2019 Elections Include:Filing deadline for parties, March 28Primary if held: June 11General Election Nov. 5Virginia Senate (4-year term)House of Delegates (2-year term)Soil and Water Directors (4-year term)Board of SupervisorsSchool BoardCounties: 4-year terms:❖ Commonwealth’s Attorney❖ Sheriff❖ Commissioner of Revenue❖ TreasurerVienna Town Council
In case you wonder what will be on the bal-lot next, here is a guide.
Virginia has a General Election every yearon the Tuesday following the first Monday inNovember.
❖ Federal offices are elected in even-num-bered years.
❖ State and Local offices are elected in odd-numbered years.
❖ Clifton Mayor and Town Council areelected in even-number years on the first Tues-day in May.
❖ Herndon Mayor and Town Council areelected in even-number years on the Tuesdayfollowing the first Monday in November.
❖ Vienna Mayor and 3 Town Council mem-bers are elected in even-numbered years onthe first Tuesday in May.
❖ 3 Vienna Town Council members areelected in odd-numbered years on the firstTuesday in May.
❖ If primaries are called by the political par-ties, they are held on the second Tuesday inJune.
— Mary Kimm,
But this year is supposed to be an improvement.2019
Editorial
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]
Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415
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
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
A Connection Newspaper
Chantilly
By Tim Hugo
Delegate (R-40)
The 2019 session of the Vir-ginia General Assemblyhas come to an end, and I
am particularly proud of our workto provide tax relief, balance thebudget, improve school safety, andpass non-partisan redistricting leg-islation.
The last time I wrote in, I hadrecently introduced my plan to reformVirginia’s tax code and prevent an unnecessarytax increase. Today, I am happy to say that leg-islation, HB 2529, is now law. HB 2529 is themost significant tax relief plan in 15 years, thesecond largest tax cut in
ments in Virginia’s future.At the recommendation of the House Select
Committee on School Safety, we also priori-tized school safety in the 2019 budget with$12 million in new funding for school resourceofficers, infrastructure, and other initiativesdesigned to keep our kids safe. That fundingis in addition to over a dozen bills aimed atmaking our schools safer through counselingrealignment, increased mental health services,and more training for our school personnel.These are common sense investments towardsproviding a safer atmosphere for our childrenat school.
Last but not least, I am proud to have votedfor, and been a Co-Patron of, HJ 615 which isnon-partisan redistricting legislation that willcreate an independent map making commis-sion. As a constitutional amendment, this billwill need to pass one more session of the Gen-eral Assembly before it can be presented toVirginia voters as a referendum, but I ampleased to have started that process this ses-sion. Ending partisan gerrymandering is a com-mon sense and good government measure thatI believe we should all applaud and one I lookforward to working on in the future.
In addition to these efforts, I have a numberof bills important to our district which are cur-rently awaiting the Governor’s signature. Oneof those bills, HB 2527, would prevent tollsfrom being placed on Fairfax and Prince Will-iam County Parkways. I encourage you to learnmore about
that legislation, and my other bills, by visitinglis.virginia.gov or by contacting my office directlyat 703-815-1201 or [email protected] session over, I also look forward to
engaging you here at home and discussingthese and other important issues facing ourcommunity and state.
Virginia history, and will provideVirginia taxpayers with nearly $1billion in tax relief. Most impor-tantly, it will put your hard-earnedmoney back where it belongs —in your pocket.
Equally important, our GeneralAssembly delivered on its consti-tutional requirement to pass abalanced budget. Our 2019 statebudget includes a 5 percent payraise for our teachers, $85.7 mil-
lion in new funding for K-12 education, $57million to freeze tuition at our colleges, $19million for broadband funding, and $13.5 mil-lion for workforce training and development.While no budget is perfect, we were able toprovide vital services and makes smart invest-
Balanced Budget with Tax Relief
The New Boy in ClassThere was a new boy in class today,his name was Greg.He wore a red hat and grinned a lotand had a huge white brace on his leg.
He read poetry during science class,did history instead of math.He thought Jamie was a boyand thus incurred her wrath.
When the final bell rang,he hopped on the buswhere he sat eating his snackwithout much of a fuss!
— Om Desai
A 6th grader at Greenbriar West, Om Desai wrote this ballad and illustrated it for Anita Mohan’spoetry workshop held at the Chantilly Regional Library.
Illustratio
n by O
m D
esai
Words & Pictures
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 3
News
other at the party. Now 6-1/2,Ella was diagnosed in May 2018with acute myeloid leukemia(AML).
“We thought she had allergies be-cause she was really congested andwas having trouble breathing,” saidher mom, Kate Borowski. “She alsohad swollen gums and was lethar-gic, so we took her to her pediatri-cian. We got her bloodwork back,the next day, and they told us totake her immediately to InovaFairfax.”
Ella’s the middle child and hasbrothers, 9 and 2. And when herpediatrician told her parents whatshe had, said Borowski, “I felt likeI was punched in the stomach. I didn’t knowanything about this disease or that therewere different types of leukemia. I thoughtcancer happens to other people, not us.”
With her husband away on business, shehad to quickly arrange for childcare for hersons so she could take Ella to the hospital.“My husband flew home that night and metus at the hospital,” she said. “And his par-ents drove from Michigan that night towatch the boys.”
As with Drew, Ella’s cancer was alsotreated aggressively. “She was bombarded
with four rounds of harsh chemo,” saidBorowski. “Her last round took 6-1/2weeks. She was treated from May until theend of October. After the first round, theydid another bone-marrow test and said shewas in remission. Now she has monthlyblood counts, for at least a year.”
Borowski met Coakley, their second dayin the hospital. “Another mom there withher child told him about Ella, and he camein with a bunch of hats and a WonderWoman backpack full of toys for her,” saidBorowski. “She now uses that backpack for
school. He brought hats and toysfor the boys, too, and came backcontinuously with toys and tovisit. One time, he even came withthe basketball players from GMU.And later, he arranged for us togo to a GMU basketball game, andwe all had a blast and even got tomeet the team.”
“We were so overwhelmed andhumbled that there are people outthere who take the time out oftheir lives to do this,” she contin-ued. “It was nice that Jay thoughtof the siblings, as well. And a lotof the families he helps then getinvolved in Ellie’s Hats, too. I’mproud of this organization, andI’m happy to attend and celebrate
with him to bring awareness to Ellie’s Hats.”As for Coakley, he said, “It’s great seeing
some of the families we’ve helped and someof the sponsors. But it’s sad that we can’tclose up shop and that we’re still doing this[because so many children have cancer].”
“It’s also nice to see the kids I first met inthe hospital now playing and doing so well,”he continued. “Even some former studentsof mine came back for the celebration.”
One of them was Kristen Dallhoff. Coakleywas her high-school P.E. teacher, and theynow live in the same neighborhood. “Wereconnected five years ago when I was look-
ing to participate in something that meantsomething and to give back,” she said. “Sohe told me about Ellie’s Hats and I startedhelping.”
Initially, she donated hats, plus clothingto sick children’s siblings when the familywas in need. Then she became a boardmember. “Every spring, at the pancake-breakfast fundraiser, I’m in charge of theraffle, which generates several thousandsof dollars.”
Dallhoff also spreads the word aboutEllie’s Hats to bring it recognition. “Most ofthe hat donations come from other kids whohold hat drives at school or ask guests tobring hats to their birthday parties, in lieuof gifts,” she said. “So it’s kids helping kids.And our business sponsors also donate hatsand help us financially.”
Whenever they learn about a newly diag-nosed child, said Dallhoff, they also askabout the siblings’ interests so they can getthem the cartoon characters, superheroesor sports-team hats they’d like and wouldactually wear. Pleased to be part of Ellie’sHats, she, too, was thrilled to attend theanniversary festivities.
“I can’t believe it’s been five years,” saidDallhoff. “Now, so many people around hereknow what Ellie’s Hats is, and it’s also in-creasing awareness of childhood cancer andways that children can help. This gives theman easy way to give back.”
Ellie’s Hats Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary
Photo by Bonnie Hobbs
Michael, Stephanie and Drew Snapkoski
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
SATURDAY/MARCH 9Maker Day. The Fairfax County Public
Library is joining the makermovement with the first annual FCPLMaker Day. Several branches arehosting events that are gearedtoward inventing, creating, andtinkering, with the goal of helpingchildren learn through doing. Someevents require registration, so checkbefore going.
❖ Centreville Regional Library: How toBuild a Robot, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
❖ Chantilly Regional Library: Arduinos,10:30-11:30 a.m.; Create!, 3-4:30p.m.
For the full schedule of FCPL Maker Dayevents, visit tinyurl.com/y3bswcl6.
Taking the Wraps Off. 1-2 p.m. AtSully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. On this tour,visitors will walk freely with theirguides through the home of RichardBland Lee, the first congressmanfrom Northern Virginia. The usualmuseum barriers will be down. Thistour is designed for visitors age 5 toadult. $7 per person. Call 703-437-1794 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
SUNDAY/MARCH 10Game Day Fun. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.The Fairfax Station Railroad Museumwill host a Game Day for all ages andprizes as well. For the little onesthere will be a Thomas the TankEngine game. Older children willhave a sticker scavenger hunt bingogame and there will even be a gamefor the grownups. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
SATURDAY/MARCH 16St. Patrick’s Day / St. Joseph’s
Day Party. 6-9:30 p.m. at St.Veronica’s Church parish hall, 3460Centreville Road, Chantilly. This is afamily event that includes food,drink, sing-alongs, Irish dancers andplenty of smiling Irish eyes. Adults$8, Children $6, drinks extra. Visitwww.stveronica.net/ or call 703-773-2000.
SUNDAY/MARCH 17NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-
4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will hold aN gauge Model Train Display. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
TUESDAY/MARCH 19Live Music: Ryanhood. 7:15 p.m. at
Amphora’s Diner Deluxe, 1151 EldenSt., Herndon. Acoustic duo Ryanhoodgot their first break more than adecade ago as street performers atBoston’s Quincy Market. Ryanhood ison tour promoting their latest album,Early Best. Suggested donation is $10for members of the Folk Club ofReston/Herndon and $11 for non-members. Visitwww.restonherndonfolkclub.com.
SUNDAY/MARCH 24Spring Make ‘n Take Activity. 1-4
p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Make tissuepaper flowers to welcome spring.Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4
and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
Live Music: Valerie Smith &Liberty Pike. 7 p.m. (doors open at6) at Frying Pan Farm Park VisitorCenter, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. Make plans to “hitch up theteam” and head to Frying Pan FarmPark this season for Bluegrass Barn.Food and beverages available forpurchase. $18 in advance, $20 at thedoor. Purchase tickets online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or by phoneat 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
SUNDAY/MARCH 31Learn about the “Tender Cars” on
Trains. 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Learn about the “Tender Cars” a typeof railroad car on trains. Story boardsand a craft will begin the series ofactivities to learn about the differenttypes of cars on trains. Ages 16 andolder, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.
MONDAYS STARTING APRIL 1Program for Homeschoolers. 1-
2:30 p.m. At E.C. Lawrence Park,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Flockto Ellanor C. Lawrence Park forHomeschool Biology-Birds wherestudents receive hands-on instructionin wild bird identification, migration,habitats and conservation throughcitizen science. Instructors usepreserved species, and wild birds toillustrate the concepts. All lessons arestructured around the VirginiaStandards of Learning. The programmeets every Monday from 1-2:30p.m. except April 15. This program isgeared for students ages 8-15. Call703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
THURSDAYS STARTING APRIL 4Program for Homeschoolers. 2-
3:30 p.m. At E.C. Lawrence Park,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Take apage out of an old book and becomea Homeschool Historian. ExploreFairfax County history with hands-onactivities and games in this four-weekcourse. Week 1: Textiles: StayingWarm and Cool. Week 2: Technologyof food production for the NativeAmericans and Machens. Week 3:Life of a soldier. Week 4: Digging thePast. The program begins on April 4
and meets Thursdays from 2-3:30p.m. This program is appropriate forchildren ages 7-13. Call 703-631-0013 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
SUNDAY/APRIL 7Author Event: Missy Sheldrake.
Noon-2 p.m. at Barnes and Noble inFair Lakes. Missy Sheldrake, ofCentreville, is the author/illustratorof the “Keepers of the Wellsprings”young adult fantasy series and will besigning books. Visitwww.missysheldrake.com.
SUNDAY/APRIL 14Live Music: Becky Buller Band. 7
p.m. (doors open at 6) at Frying PanFarm Park Visitor Center, 2739 WestOx Road, Herndon. Make plans to“hitch up the team” and head toFrying Pan Farm Park this season forBluegrass Barn. Food and beveragesavailable for purchase. $18 inadvance, $20 at the door. Purchasetickets online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or by phoneat 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
SATURDAY/APRIL 27Springfest 2019. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Springfest is aonce a year, an environmentalfestival that strives to educateNorthern Virginia residents,businesses and students on thebenefits of helping our planet.Springfest strives to celebrate ourplanet and participate in theobservance of Earth Day. [email protected] or visitSpringfestfairfax.org.
TUESDAYS STARTING MAY 7Program for Homeschoolers. 1-
2:30 p.m. At E.C. Lawrence Park,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Learna new skill with Homeschool AnimalVets. Students get hands-onexperience caring for animals in thevisitor center and park. They willexplore the lives of birds, reptiles,amphibians and mammals. Feed andrefresh tanks for exhibit animals andexplore the park to see what staffdoes to assist wildlife. The programmeets every Tuesday from 1 until2:30 p.m. It is appropriate foryoungsters ages 8 to 15. Call 703-631-0013 or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence
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.
Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
No Spring inMy Future Step
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChildren who will be 5 years old on or before Sept.
30, 2019, are eligible to attend kindergarten.Find the correct neighborhood school byentering your address at boundary.fcps.edu/boundary/. Complete a packet of registrationforms found at www.fcps.edu/it/forms/enroll.pdf or in the school office. Gathersupporting documents: proof of residence in theschool boundary, a certified copy of the child’sbirth certificate, parent/guardian photo ID, andany custody orders. Certificate of physical examand immunization will be required before thestudent may start school, but is not required forregistration. Parents who choose to delayenrollment in kindergarten by one year arerequired to notify the school in writing of theirintent. Learn more at www.fcps.edu/registration/general-registration-requirements.
❖ Colin Powell Elementary School inCentreville will conduct their Kindergartenregistration on Friday, April 5, 9 a.m.-noon;parents may also call 571-522-6008 to schedulean appointment. Due to the time required toregister a child, they request that only parentscome to school for registration.
❖ Greenbriar East Elementary School is nowaccepting registration paperwork for risingKindergarteners. Visit greenbriareastes.fcps.eduto make an appointment or call the school officeat 703-633-6400. The Kindergartenerinformation session is scheduled for Friday,April 5 from 10-11 a.m.
❖ Greenbriar West Elementary School is nowaccepting information for next year’sKindergarten classes. Families within theschool’s boundaries should call the school officeat 703-633-6700 as soon as possible.
❖ Union Mill Elementary is currentlyregistering new students for the 2019-20 schoolyear. Find registration forms in the Union MillElementary office or online at www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/enroll_0.pdf.Call 703-322-8500 or email [email protected] tomake an appointment to bring completedregistration forms and supportingdocumentation to school. KindergartenOrientation will take place on Monday, April 1,4-5 p.m.
TUESDAY/MARCH 12Community Meeting. 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of
Centre Ridge Elementary School, 14400 NewBraddock Road, Centreville. Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation will hold a publicmeeting on the Route 28 widening project,providing an update on progress made over thepast year on the project. The meeting willinclude an open house at 7 p.m., presentation at7:30 and time afterward for questions andanswers. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation for more.
WEDNESDAY/MARCH 13Sully District Budget Town Hall. 7 p.m. at
Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. Those unable to make it to themeeting may always submit comments on thebudget to [email protected] or by phone703-814-7100.
SATURDAY/MARCH 16Power Up Women’s Conference. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
at at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles,14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. ThePower Up Women’s Conference attractsattendees from all over the United States andCanada. This year, Daphne Maxwell Reid, iconicTV mom of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and thefirst woman of color to appear on the cover ofGlamour Magazine will be the conferenceheadliner. Registration is $99 and includesaccess to the conference, meals and allconference materials. Visitwww.powerupwomensconference.com/register.
MONDAY/MARCH 18Assistance League Meeting. 10 a.m.-12 noon.
At Sully District Government Center, 4900Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Free. Volunteer tohelp in the community. Assistance League ofNorthern Virginia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.Individuals looking to stay in touch with thecommunity are invited to learn more about theorganization’s programs. Pre-meeting socialstarts at 9:30 a.m. Visit the website:www.alnv.org.
Bulletin Board
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By John Foong,
Troop 159,
Powhatan District, NCAC, BSA
This was anything but your typi-cal Scout meeting. A group gath-ered around a table, an unmis-takable excitement in the air.
They were just getting started, and wereraring to go. Chatter filled the room theywere in about uniforms, supplies, upcom-ing outings and more. There was an opti-mism and energy in their conversation thatseemed hard to find today.
Oh, and they were girls. This is Troop 7,a Scouts BSA all-girls troop and one of thefirst in the Powhatan district that servesChantilly, Great Falls, Herndon, Oakton, andReston. The official program with ScoutsBSA girls’ troops started on Feb. 1 — al-though the Scouts, adult Scouters, and theirparents were up and moving long beforethat. The BSA has been a boys-only Troopsand Packs option for the longest time —although BSA Venture Crews and ExplorerPosts have allowed girls for decades — sothat begs the question; what’s the differ-ence now between a Scouts BSA boys’ anda Scouts BSA girls’ troop? And how doesthis accomplish anything?
Troop 7 Scoutmaster Steve Conner hasserved in BSA Scouting for 14 years with ason who earned Eagle a few years ago —he believes that the move by BSA to allowgirls to participate in Scouts BSA Troops wasnothing but positive. He said, “I wanted tobe a part of forging this path forward andgive a group of ambitious girls the sameopportunities that were afforded to my sonand the millions of boys who have had theprivilege of being part of BSA.” Steve ini-tially thought that a Scouts BSA girls’ troopwould struggle to gain acceptance in thecommunity — “but to the contrary, my ex-perience to date has been exactly the oppo-site.” According to him, Troop 7 has had anoverall positive response from other Scoutsand the community at large.
One of Troop 7’s Assistant Scoutmasters,Karen Downs, also saw the potential in al-lowing girls to join Scouts BSA through herson’s participation in the program. Besidesdeveloping his self-confidence and maturity,she noted that the friends he made saw himthrough some really difficult times. Over theyears of her involvement as a parent andvolunteer, she’d wished “that my olderdaughter could have had similar experi-ences … Even though it is too late for mydaughter, I am excited to support the girlswho want to participate in this great pro-gram.” Despite her son going to college thisyear, what she saw him learn convinced herthat supporting a Scouts BSA girls’ troopwas the right decision.
These newfound opportunities for girlsare making waves in the area, and Troop 7itself is already 16 Scouts strong — withthe bridging over of another Scout from theCub Scout program, that number will con-tinue to grow. According to Sarah E. — astudent from Navy Elementary School andone of these new recruits —observing what
7 but was attracted to what the previouslyboys-only program could offer her, and thechance to interact with BSA Scouts of dif-ferent ages as peers. Despite being a seniorat South Lakes HS, she is aiming for thechallenge of Eagle Scout. The requirementsare the same for boys and girls, but there isa temporary transition rule available tonewly joined youth over 16 years old thatgives them a time extension to earn theirEagle.
Even with the overwhelming response,Scouts BSA Troop 7 is still open for newScouts to join — and for those interested,there is an upcoming opportunity to findout for yourself. The troop is hosting a 30-minute welcoming event on Thursday,March 7 at 7 p.m. in Floris United Method-
ist Church. You can meet the girls who makeup Scouts BSA Troop 7 and practice basicScout BSA skills.
In the time it took you to read this ar-ticle, Scout BSA Troop 7’s girls had un-packed several crates’ worth of cooking sup-plies. Gaby, a student at Franklin MiddleSchool and the troop’s Quartermaster, tookthe lead directing the others in sorting thepiles of pots and utensils- a sign of whatwas in store for the Scouts, and the excite-ment fueling them. The journey they wouldundergo on the trail to Eagle would be longand arduous, but it was clear that they weregoing to make the most of their chance.
More information about Scouts BSA Troop 7can be found at www.Troop7va.org. To join orfind a troop in your neighborhood, please visithttps://BeAScout.org.
Community
Scouts BSA opens up new opportunity to girls.New Girls on the Block
Assistant Scoutmaster Karen Downs helps Scouts sortthrough the troop’s cooking supplies.
Troop 7 working their way through the trees.
Pho
to
s co
ntributed
By Alexandra Greeley
Taking a wild guess, probably doz-ens and dozens of Chinese res-taurants in Northern Virginia
serve up their noodles and wontons,roasted duck and tofu with veggies. Andthink of all the fried rice dishes that usu-ally glamorize Chinese menus.
With so many choicesaround, picking the mostgenuine eatery may seemchallenging. But, for the
devotee of totally real Chinese eats, oneChantilly restaurant hits it home: Taste@ Hong Kong. For those of us who haveactually lived in Hong Kong, finding thislittle (well, large) gem in Metrotech Cen-ter is a culinary dream come true.
According to the new owners, who tookover in the past few months, this is true HKfood — or rather, Cantonese food plus a mixof other regional fare — which is the basisfor the local cuisine in many HK restaurants.The restaurant’s extensive menu is obvi-ously an appeal to a large local Chinesecommunity — which is why reservations,or coming in for an early lunch or dinner, isone way to be sure to get seated. And muchof the background chitchat from thecrowded tables is in one or another Chinesedialect, for sure.
For Chinese food aficionados, picking outlunch or dinner dishes is not challenging,for the menu takes patrons from the typi-cal appetizers of spring rolls and soupsthrough to hot pot dishes of pork, chicken,beef, or seafood; Hunan and Szechuan spe-
cialties, such as Kung Pao chicken and porkwith garlic sauce; casseroles, such as thefrog and Chinese sausage casserole; andlengthy selections of beef, pork, chicken,duck, seafood or vegetable entrées. Everyday midday the restaurant features dim sumservice for patrons who love to try out bitsof this and that wheeled around in metalcarts.
The kitchen also has a special selectionof noodle- or rice-based entrées, bowls ofcongee (like rice soup), and Hong Kongbarbecued meats with sides of cooked pork,duck, and chicken hanging from a rack infront of the kitchen.
Lunch choices are much more limited,including clay pot dishes of rice topped witha choice meat or seafood; chicken, pork, andbeef entrées; and rice bowls. But whenever
you stop by, try the Kung Pao chicken;sweet and sour pork; ma po tofu; andSzechuan shrimp. At dinnertime, you canfactor in orange beef, and a whole or halfPeking duck. And if you are up for it,though probably few Westerners are,their steamed frog legs with cordycepsflowers.
Portions are large, probably enough fortake-home boxes. Good advice: comewith one or several friends, and some-one will still get some take-home treatsanyway. And despite the large portions,many patrons may wish for dessert …chances are you will get a fortune cookieinstead.
Taste @ Hong Kong, 13912 Lee JacksonMemorial Hwy., Chantilly, Va.Phone: 703-378-7680. Hours: Lunch anddinner daily.
Exploring Taste @ Hong Kong in Chantilly
Dining Out
her brother had learned inScouts “intrigued her … itwas an opportunity tolearn wilderness and lifeskills.” Another Scout, Me-lissa, was already a Ven-turer before joining Troop