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Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 6-12, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

March 6, 2014Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

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WellbeingPage 21

See Draft Dyke, Page 20 See Students, Page 22

See Higher Tax, Page 22

Last Snowfall of the Season?The George Washington Parkway is barely recognizable during the March 3 stormthat dumped several inches of snow on the region.

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By Janelle Germanos

The Gazette

The draft Dyke Marsh Res-toration Plan and Long-Term Management Plan/

Environmental Impact Statementis available for public commentuntil March 18.

The National Park Service pre-sented three options for the resto-ration and long-term managementof Dyke Marsh at a public meet-ing on Feb. 26. NPS is recommend-ing alternative C, which wouldrestore up to 245 acres of wetland.This alternative allows for DykeMarsh to be restored as much aspossible, using hydrologic restora-tion.

In October 2013, the U.S. De-partment of the Interior an-nounced that Dyke Marsh wouldreceive $25 million for restoration.

“What we witnessed during Hur-ricane Sandy was that our publiclands and other natural areas areoften the best defense againstMother Nature,” Secretary of theInterior Sally Jewell said in a state-ment in October. “By stabilizingmarshes and beaches, restoringwetlands, and improving the re-siliency of coastal areas, we notonly create opportunities forpeople to connect with nature andsupport jobs through increasedoutdoor recreation, but we canalso provide an effective bufferthat protects local communitiesfrom powerful storm surges anddevastating floods when a stormlike Sandy hits.”

Dyke Marsh lost about 270 acresof wetland from 1940-1972, as itwas dredged for sand and gravel.According to NPS, the restorationis necessary to halt shoreline ero-sion of 1.5 to 2.0 acres per year.

Mount Vernon resident GlendaBooth, who is president of Friendsof Dyke Marsh, said she is in favorof full restoration of the marsh.

“We believe the restored marsh

The Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors voted 8-2Tuesday to advertise a

higher real estate tax rate thatcould add about $100 to annualtax bills, which will be on top ofthe $332 county homeowners willsee this year as a result of higherreal estate assessments.

Setting the advertised tax rateformally begins the two-monthpublic process to adopt the FiscalYear 2015 budget, and the raterepresents the maximum potentialtax rate for FY2015.

“Advertising a higher rate sets anupper threshold as budget deci-sions are considered,” said BoardChairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large).

“Our action today does notmean that the advertised rate isnecessarily what will be adoptedin April when the board ‘marks up’and formally adopts the Fiscal Year2015 Budget,” Bulova said, add-ing that the higher rate gives theboard some flexibility “so that de-bate and discussion is not cut offat the very beginning of the bud-get process.”

According to the CountyExecutive’s proposed budget, onepenny of the tax rate is equal toroughly $21.9 million in generalfund revenue and $50 for the av-erage Fairfax County residentialtax bill.

“This year, the board must takeinto account that property ownersare seeing an average increase of

By Janelle Germanos

The Gazette

The Student PeaceAwards of FairfaxCounty, presented bythe Herndon Friends

Meeting, honored a group of 22juniors and seniors who werenominated for their dedication topeace and conflict resolution onMarch 2.

The students, involved in activi-ties such as Amnesty International,Best Buddies, Gay Straight Alli-ance, Girl Scouts, Student Govern-ment, Islamic Presence Club, mis-sion trips, and much more, wererecognized for promoting peaceand working to remove the effectsof war in the community.

Barbara Wien, a peace educatorand human rights activist, was theguest speaker.

Wien spoke about her experi-ences as an advocate for peace,including her role in protectingcivilians in Colombia from a deathsquad, and reminded students that

war is not an inevitable part ofhuman nature and can be eradi-cated.

“Many children are also raisedto believe that war is inevitable.They’re raised to believe that thehuman race is inherently violentand will always live with war. Well,I’m here to challenge that notion,”Wien said.

STUDENTS WERE AWARDED$150 and were also able to donate$100 to an organization of theirchoice. They also received a copyof the book “Sweet Fruit from aBitter Tree,” by Mark Andreas.

Margaret Fischer, the receptioncoordinator, read each student’saccomplishments and contribu-tions to the community as theyreceived their award from SharonBulova, chairman of the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors, andProvidence District School Boardmember Patty Reed.

“Our last presentation demon-strates the bittersweet nature of

How BestTo RestoreDyke Marsh?Full restorationoption willrestore 245acres of wetland.

SupervisorsPick HigherTax RateRate givesboard flexibility,options indeterminingfinal budget.

Honored for Promoting PeaceThe Student Peace Awards ofFairfax County honors 22 students.

West Potomac High studentPamela Molnar was recog-nized with a Student PeaceAward. Molnar, who is anactive participant in theBest Buddies program atWest Potomac, was hon-ored for making a substan-tial contribution to “under-standing, peacemaking,and conflict resolution.”

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2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 6-12, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Photo by Veronica Bruno/The Gazette

Del. Mark Sickles outlined theinitiatives he worked on in his 11years of service to his constituents.He underlined the transportationand infrastructure projects hemade possible and the endorse-ments he’s received by severallocal boards within the community.Sickles explained that the “deci-sions on what we’re going to buildare going to be made right here bypeople and local government.” Hefurther asked the crowd to “cometogether and make things hap-pen.”

News

Former ambassador Donald Beyerwon the first straw poll battle forthe outgoing U.S. Rep. JimMoran’s 8th district seat on Sat-

urday night, March 1 with 25 percent ofthe vote (105 votes). Community leaderLavern Chatman came in second with 20percent of the vote, and Del. Patrick Hopeof Arlington received 19 percent. 419 ofthose in attendance coast their votes in theprimary straw poll and about 470 Demo-cratic activists attended the event. BruceShuttleworth did not attend because of aprevious engagement.

Further straw poll results showed theother primary candidates with the follow-ing votes: Del. Mark Sickles (12 percent);Sen. Adam Ebbin (10 percent); Del.Charniele Herring (3 percent); AlexandriaMayor Bill Euille and Del. Alfonso Lopez (2

Beyer Wins MVDCC Straw Poll

Photo by Mary Paden

The straw poll and fundraising event alsoincluded a tribute to U.S. Rep. Jim Moranwith presentations and songs. MVDDCCommittee members wrote new lyrics toand performed two songs: “Stay (a LittleBit Longer),” and “This Man is Our Man,”(to the tune of “This Land is Your Land).”Singers with Moran include DawnDrennan, Karen Stallings, LauraSonnenmark and Kate Spears .

Photo by Mary Paden

U.S. Rep. Moran surrounded by MVDDCcommittee members event co-chairs Des-tiny Agibe and Kate Spears (left) as well asKaren Stallings and Laura Sonnenmark onthe right.


Democratic primary candidatesMark Levine and Derek Hyra talktogether after the two-minutespeeches. Photo by Veronica Bruno/The Gazette

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille gavethe first candidate speech. Hehighlighted his long career inpublic service to the area. “I wasborn and raised in Alexandria,”Euille said. He mentioned themany constituent services heworked on and congratulated U.S.Rep. Jim Moran on his “long-timeservice” to the community.


U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, who washonored at the Mardi-Gras themedevent, with candidate LavernChatman, who came in second with20 percent in the straw poll results.


Community leader Lavern Chatmanemphasized her community rootsduring her speech. Her father hadbeen an auto mechanic and hermother a postal worker here, stillliving in the Mount Vernon area.Chatman said she will employ a“new approach” to “get thingsdone in the government. I’ve beengetting things done in the commu-nity and now I want to do it in theHouse. If we put a communityorganizer in the White House, wecan put a community leader in theHouse.”


State Sen. Adam Ebbin talkedabout the projects he had workedon, including ending the hybrid tax— an effort coordinated with Del.Scott Surovell, expanding Medicaidfor immigrant mothers, raising theminimum wage, increasing pay forfederal workers, and making pre-Kindergarten schooling universal.Ebbin emphasized, “I’m going tostand up for anyone who’s got ittough.”

See Beyer, Page 4

Veronica Bruno/The Gazette

Former ambassador andformer Lieutenant Gover-nor Don Beyer told thecrowd at the straw pollevent: “We’re each put onthis earth to build some-thing larger than ourselvesand to serve others.” Heoffered “real, practicalsolutions as long as wehave the courage to leadand the courage to act.”Among the issues he saidhe would fight for includedincreasing pay for federalemployees, enhancedfirearms backgroundchecks, and protectingwomen’s reproductiverights.


Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) an-nounces the winners of the silentauction items. The event raisedfunds for the Mount Vernon Dis-trict Democratic Committee.

Veronica Bruno/The Gazette

Del. Charniele Herring —the first African-Americanto be elected chair of theDemocratic Party of Vir-ginia — made a case for hercandidacy by highlightingher initiatives: providinghousing services to familieswho need it, growing theeconomy along Route 1,and extending the YellowLine to this area. Herringadded, “I know how tofight and get things done.”


From Page 3

News

percent); and Derek Hyra, Mark Levine, andBruce Shuttleworth with less than 2 per-cent.

Eleven people are vying for the seat be-ing vacated by Moran. The Mardi-Grasevent was sponsored by the Mount VernonDistrict Democratic Committee and in-cluded a tribute to Moran with presenta-tions and songs.

This was the sixth year the primary strawpoll was held at the Mount Vernon DistrictDemocratic Committee’s annual fundraiser.The fundraiser included a silent and liveauction and was held at the Don Beyer Volvoshowroom on Route1 in the Mount VernonDistrict for the fourth year in a row.

The next MVDDC-sponsored moderatedpublic forum will take placed on April 12at Mount Vernon High School.

— Veronica Bruno

Beyer Wins Democrats’ Straw Poll


Candidate Derek Hyra outlined his4 E platform: the economy, educa-tion, the environment, and equity.The crowd laughed as he men-tioned taking his children to ChuckE Cheeses along Route 1. Using hisAlexandria Planning Commissionexperience, he is looking to “eco-nomically stimulate this area in anequitable way.” Among his initia


Del. Patrick Hope spoke about theneed to “generate economic activ-ity” and “invest more in ourschools.” Hope advocated for moreinvestment in the Fairfax Countyschool system, health care improve-ment, extending the Yellow Line,and regulating pay day loan busi-nesses. “It’s time for a new genera-tion of progressive leadership.”


Radio personality and former chieflegislative counsel to U.S. Rep.Barney Frank (D-Mass.) MarkLevine introduced himself as the“aggressive progressive” and toldthe crowd he would “challenge theDemocratic party” from the left.He spoke about students “drown-ing in debt” and wants to subsidizestudent loans. He would like toexpand social security, make iteasy and affordable for students togo to school, and help ensure thatfederal workers get a raise. “If youwork full time, you should not livein poverty in America.”


Del. Alfonso Lopez told the crowdhe would fight for Virginia fami-lies. Lopez talked about hisfather’s immigrant roots and howeducation and hard work made abig difference in their lives. “Mydad fought for me to have a betterlife.” Lopez said he will “continueto fight for families who work hardand play by the rules but feel theAmerican dream is slippingthrough their fingers. Together wecan build the brighter future we alldeserve.”


Del. Patrick Hope’s wife, KristenAnne Satariano, and their threechildren, share a light momentduring his speech. The theme ofthe fundraiser was Mardi Gras andHope’s children had fun dressingfor the occasion.


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News

Several Special Awards were given out,sponsored by different groups. ElizabethKelly shows her first place CitizenshipHistory medal awarded by the VirginiaSociety of the Sons of the American Revo-lution. Her winning Jr. Individual Exhibitwas focused on “Coercive Acts of 1774.”

Lilllian Garland (left), as historicalfigure Elizabeth Keckey, was the emceefor the Awards Ceremony. Here, shecongratulates Annette Schlitt whose Jr.Individual Website “Nellie Bly” wasawarded first place.

Photos by

Renée Ruggles

The Gazette

Robert Marchibroda (left) and Nick Phan share theirSenior Group Exhibit. They are interested in economicsand spent two months on research for their project. Thisis their first time entering and their “Breaking the Bank:How the failure of the U.S. banking system was respon-sible for the Great Depression” display took third place.

Abdullah Choudhury wasawarded first place for hisrotating, interactive SeniorIndividual Exhibit. Hisproject focused on “TheRole of Japanese Ameri-cans In World War II.” Healso submitted entries tothe TSA competition beingheld in another part of thebuilding.

MVHS HostsHistory DayCompetition

Kate Castle (left) andOlivia Morton presenttheir history exhibit tothe judges, during theNational History DayCompetition held March1 at Mount Vernon HighSchool. Students com-peted in several catego-ries, with projects in-spired by the theme“Rights and Responsibili-ties in History.”


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See Braunstein, Page 22

News

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

George Braunstein said he enteredthe field of mental health servicesalmost accidentally.

“My first college degree was in history andeducation. I was going to be a high schoolhistory teacher,” Braunstein said.

His plans changed after finishing with theCoast Guard during the Vietnam War, andthere weren’t as many teaching jobs avail-able as he expected.

“I had always had a desire to do someform of public service. Somebody sug-gested, why don’t you try nursing? I didn’tthink I had any aptitude for anything to dowith the medical field, but I tried it, and Idid fairly well,” Braunstein said.

Braunstein’s first job was working as anurse in a multi-county inpatient mentalhealth facility in Wisconsin, eventually be-coming the administrator and manager in1986.

“I ended up eventually running the placebecause I had some previous managementexperiences,” he said.

Now, Braunstein is retiring from his roleas executive director of the Fairfax-Falls

Church Commu-nity ServicesBoard, a publicagency that pro-vides services formembers of thecommunity withmental illness,substance use dis-orders, and intel-lectual disabili-ties.

Since becoming CSB’s director in 2008,colleagues say Braunstein has worked tire-lessly to inform the public of the need forcommunity mental health services.

“George is a master at being able to suc-cinctly describe for news reporters and forthe general public the big picture and theimportance of what we do at the Commu-nity Services Board and how importantthese services are for the most vulnerablepeople in our local community,” saidBelinda Buescher, communications directorfor the CSB.

Braunstein’s ability to remain calm andfocused in stressful times was evident inNovember 2013, when Buescher said the

Braunstein Retiring from CSBHe led agency through transformation,advocated for mental health services.

Braunstein

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Opinion

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is right to makeexpansion of health coverage partof the budget process. Any mea-sure that would create 30,000 jobs,

that could save $1 billion in the state budgetover 12 years, that could provide health insur-ance for 35,000 people who don’t haveit in Fairfax County alone, that is sup-ported overwhelmingly by the businesscommunity and hospitals, actually de-serves to be a part of the budget. Asmany as 400,000 people in Virginia currentlywithout health insurance could be covered.

Under the Affordable Care Act, if states optin to the expansion of Medicaid, Federal dol-lars would pay the costs for five years to coverpeople with incomes up to 138 percent of pov-

erty, $15,856 for an individual or $26,951 fora family of three in 2013. After five years, fed-eral dollars would still cover 90 percent.

Under the Affordable Care Act, people withincomes 100 - 400 percent of poverty qualifyfor subsidies on their health insurance premi-

ums when they purchase coveragethrough a Marketplace. The amount ofthe subsidy, provided via tax credit, isbased on income and the cost of insur-ance, and are only available to people

who are not eligible for other coverage, suchas Medicaid/CHIP, Medicare, or employer cov-erage, and who are citizens or lawfully-presentimmigrants. Because the Affordable Care Actenvisioned low-income people receiving cov-erage through Medicaid, people below poverty

are not eligible for Marketplace subsidies. Atleast 190,000, and as many as 400,000 adultsin Virginia fall into the coverage gap becausethey don’t qualify for Medicaid under Virginia’srules, among the most stringent in the nation,but earn less than the poverty rate, so notenough to qualify for subsidies. [Source: Kai-ser Family Foundation]

Elections have consequences. McAuliffemade expansion of Medicaid a key element ofhis campaign, and Virginia voters choseMcAuliffe. The Virginia Senate approved a planto expand health coverage using Medicaid dol-lars to purchase private health insurance.

There must be a way forward that doesn’tinvolve stifling economic growth and the healthof poor Virginians.

No downside to gaining healthcare for 200,000 or more; 30,000jobs and millions of dollars for hos-pitals from expansion of Medicaid.

Take the Money

Editorial

Snapshot

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By Scott A. Surovell

Delegate (D-44)

We have one more week before theGeneral Assembly Session is scheduled to adjourn, and pressure is

mounting to finish our work.On Friday, live on WTOP, Governor McAuliffe

signed legislation repealing the $64 per yearHybrid Tax and mandating refunds to every-one who paid. I am pleased that we will nolonger be taxing virtuous conduct and that thewishes of 7,700 Virginians expressed in thepetition I circulated with Sen. Adam Ebbinwere honored.

Closing the healthcare coverage gap or theMedicaid expansion continues to dominate thediscussion in Richmond. Republicans in theState Senate have proposed a compromise planwhich would use federal monies to fund a state

insurance program to coversome, but not all of the in-dividuals currently not in-sured. It is not as compre-hensive as a full Medicaidexpansion, but it is at leastsomething.

Unfortunately,the House of Del-egates has contin-ued to refuse to

negotiate on expanding Medicaid and contin-ued to insist that we need to go slow. Families’lack of health insurance is an urgent matteralong with escalating health insurance premi-ums. Virginians are also paying a whole seriesof new taxes due to the Affordable Care Actthat are being diverted around the U.S. I alsodo not think it is right to fund a $400 millionnew office building for ourselves while telling400,000 Virginians we cannot afford to expandhealth coverage at virtually no cost to Virginiataxpayers.

Both sides are now threatening to refuse topass a budget which means our session willeither go into overtime or we will adjourn andimmediately convene a special session to con-sider a budget.

We also continued work on ethics legislationlast week. The House Republicans agreed toinclude my proposal to limit gifts to the Gov-ernor and Attorney General during litigation.However, they limited it to tangible gifts andstill allowed intangible gifts so Johnnie Will-iams’ $1,500 turkey dinner for Ken Cuccinelliwill still be allowed. Also, the Senate is push-ing back on restrictions on the House’s versionof ethics reform. I am concerned that the billthat ultimately emerges might not be strictenough.

We also passed legislation last week reduc-ing the number of Standards of Learning (SOL)exams. SOL reform has been a bipartisan goalthis year. That moves closer to reality.

Legislation attempting to make “revengeporn” a misdemeanor was approved this week.

I voted against this legislation a number ofreasons. First, nearly all “revenge porn”websites are outside Virginia andCommonwealth’s Attorneys rarely extradictaccused person’s charged with misdemeanors.The legislation also could have unintendedconsequences, and the crime is extremely dif-

ficult to prove as a matter of evi-dence. The better course of actionwas a civil cause of action instead ofinvolving our Commonwealth’s At-

torneys in one more series of crimes that arevery time-intensive and difficult to prove. Ihave written a fuller explanation on my onlinenewsletter at scottsurovell.blogspot.com.

Some of my government efficiency legisla-tion is closer to law. For five years, I have beenpressing legislation allowing Fairfax County tocharge a $5 per ticket fee to fund software andequipment that will allow police computers tocommunicate directly with court computerswhen writing tickets. This will keep police of-ficers’ out of danger on highway shoulders. Itwill also improve ticket accuracy and free upeight Fairfax County Police employees who cur-rently are required to hand-enter over 200,000summonses per year to focus on actual law en-forcement.

Finally, the Governor also signed my legisla-tion clarifying the control of a real estate bro-kerage upon death of the owner. This will pro-tect consumers from nasty collateral familydisputes when selling or buying real estate.This bill was suggested to me by 44thºDistrictresident and Estates Attorney DeborahMatthews.

There is still much to be done during thislast week of session as we continue to recon-cile competing bills. The budget is the biggestdispute, but ethics legislation, A-F schoolsgrades, SOL reforms, and judge allocationsremain outstanding.

If you have any feedback, always feel free tosend email to me at [email protected] you for allowing me to serve as yourstate delegate.

One Week Left for General Assembly

Commentary

1:45 p.m., Feb. 24,

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See Letters, Page 12

DividedMVCCATo the Editor:

Last week, the MVCCA suffereda mini-implosion resulting fromthe controversial request by Fur-nace Associates, Inc. for a SpecialExemption Amendment (SEA)permitting them to continue op-erating a landfill in the Lorton areauntil the year 2040, 22 years be-yond the deadline imposed by thecurrent Special Exemption. At lastWednesday’s MVCCA’s Councilmeeting, a resolution originatingfrom its Environment & Recreation(E&R) Committee was debatedand passed, after a contentiousdebate, by the slim margin of 10-9. The resolution was in opposi-tion to the proposed SEA. Note-worthy to me is the fact that theMVCCA resolution makes no men-tion whatsoever of the position ofthe South County Federation(SCF) in opposition to the pro-posed SEA. During my brief timeas chairman of the MVCCA’s Plan-ning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee,it was my strict policy to defer tothe wishes of the SCF concerningany land use issues on lands in theSouth County area where its resi-dents were most directly im-pacted. The MVCCA’s continuingpaternalistic attitude toward theSCF and its member associationsand residents significantly reducesthe MVCCA’s influence concerningsuch issues. This needs to change.

Moreover, the 2010 decision ofthe U.S. District Court for the East-ern District of Virginia in the NewCingular Wireless PCS case madeit clear that the most closely adja-cent residents to a proposed de-velopment carry the most weightconcerning governmental deci-sions regarding those proposeddevelopments. In that case, theMVCCA favored placement of acell tower at the Masonic Lodgeon Fort Hunt Road. The proposedcell tower was opposed by the ad-jacent residents on Plymouth Roadwho did not even have a citizens’association nor were they mem-bers of the MVCCA. JudgeBrinkema sided with the PlymouthRoad residents and her decisionwas affirmed by the 4th CircuitCourt of Appeals in Richmond.Thus, the MVCCA may as wellhave simply ratified the SCF’s po-sition on the issue since the SCF’sposition in opposition to the SEAis the one the Board of Supervi-sors and any Court would abideby.

The MVCCA currently has 55member associations and requires1/5 of them (11) to be present toconstitute a quorum. As such, theMVCCA vote, split almost down

Letter


Opinion

From Page 11

Letter to the Editor

By Linda T. “Toddy” Puller

State Senator (D-36)

As Session winds down, we turn ourfocus to the budget. House Appro-priations Chairman, Del. Chris

Jones said it best — we are so close, wecould knock this out in a day or two. Sadly,the chairman and other Republicans arethreatening to hold the budget, and theCommonwealth’s financial health, hostageunless the Senate caves to their demands

that we give our hard-earned tax dollars up toother states and force400,000 Virginians —

many of whom are veterans and children— to continue to live in fear of getting sickbecause they don’t have health insurance.

I understand many in our Commonwealthbelieve expanding health care coverage toall our citizens, and accepting federal dol-lars to do so, is not the best course of ac-tion. However, I have been a strong advo-cate for Medicaid expansion and the Afford-able Care Act since the beginning. I fail tounderstand how we can accept upwards of21 percent of our revenue funds from thefederal government for defense, agricultureand other industries while rejecting billionsfor health care.

Governor McDonnell first included healthcare expansion in his 2011 budget. He laidout a plan that would have closed the cov-erage gap with his proposed 2012-2014budget. Governor McAuliffe made it clearin his State of the Commonwealth Addressthat he believes closing the coverage gapby expanding Medicaid is a moral and eco-nomic imperative. I completely agree. Manyof the uninsured are children. By providingthese children insurance and access to doc-tors, we give them a path to lifelong health.

The uninsured will be able stop using theemergency room as their primary care. Theconstant use of ERs causes unnecessaryburdens on the entire health care system.When families are handed outlandish bills

they cannot pay, theydefault on their bills,face bankruptcy andlosing their homes, sim-ply because eventhough they work hardand pay their taxes, theyare not offered healthinsurance through their

employers and cannot afford it on theirown. And who pays for these bills? All ofus — the hospitals, people with insurancewho see their premiums go up and busi-nesses who must make the hard decision ofwhether or not to keep offering insurancefor their employees. By accepting realitythat the Affordable Care Act is the law ofthe land and coming up with a sensible so-lution we can stop these scenarios fromhappening and affecting our economy.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce isasking us to do something. The hospitalsare asking us to do something. My constitu-ents email and call me daily asking for usto find a solution. We need to keep our hardearned tax dollars in the state and workingfor the benefit of Virginians. ExpandingMedicaid will expand our job base and eco-nomic opportunities. I’m hard pressed toremember a time this esteemed legislatureargued against economic opportunities forVirginia. The Senate budget provides amarket-based path toward accepting federalfunds to close the coverage gap. It will serveas a foundation for covering more peopleand,ºover the biennium, will save the state$306 million. It could save as much as $1billion over the next eight years. We muststop saying “no” and make sure that we holdthe line with the Senate budget and includehealth care expansion.

As always I am honored to represent the36th senatorial district of Virginia and lookforward to working hard for my constitu-ents. Anyone with an issue or concernshould contact my office in Richmond [email protected] or by phone:804-698-7536.

Take Care of the Unisured

Commentay

the middle, did not even have as many pro-ponents as minimally required for a quo-rum. The split vote in and of itself renderedthe MVCCA resolution inconsequential.

After that vote took place, MVCCA Trans-portation Committee Chairman CatherineVoorhees proposed an alternative resolutionfavoring the proposed SEA. That proposalfailed on a 9-9 vote.

Last Thursday, the Planning Commissiontook up the SEA for consideration and vote.E&R Chairman Elizabeth Martin requestedthat she be permitted to represent theMVCCA’s position at the Planning Commis-sion meeting. The MVCCA co-chairs deniedthe request. This is not surprising since avote of barely 1/3 the members of theMVCCA, split down the middle as it was,evidences a lack of consensus on the issue.The appropriate course of action was to letthe resolution speak for itself. Moreover, itremains surprising that the MVCCA Boardcontinues to allow Ms. Martin to continue

in her role as E&R Chairman while she si-multaneously serves on the County Wet-lands Board. This is in clear violation of theMVCCA’s Bylaws which forbid a member oftheir board from simultaneously serving ona policy determining board of the County.

In the aftermath of Wednesday’s MVCCA’sCouncil meeting, one of its three co-chairsChristopher Low resigned his position as didthe MVCCA Secretary Carol Coyle and Trea-surer Patricia Gowland. Now the questionis who will replace these resignees, particu-larly for the co-chair position? In recentyears, co-chair positions have operated likea revolving door. Each co-chair is permit-ted to serve only three consecutive yearsand then must cycle out. Thus, co-chairsoften serve for up to three years, wait aperiod of time, and then cycle back in. Itwould be refreshing if the MVCCA Boardchose new blood. We will soon see.

H. Jay Spiegel Mount Vernon

Parents lined the walkways of the school, to watchtheir children go by.

Teachers andstudents camedressed as theirfavoritestorybook char-acters on Feb. 28as they cel-ebratedthe birthday ofDr. Seuss with abook paradearound HollinMeadows El-ementary School.

Storybookcharactersof all types

could befound in the

parade.

Students andteachers,showing a lotof spirit and awide range ofinterests, withtheir choice ofparade cos-tumes.

Photos by

Renée Ruggles

The Gazette

Celebrating Birthday of Dr. Seuss

14 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 6-12, 2014 Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ March 6-12, 2014 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Email announcements to [email protected]. Photos andartwork are encouraged. Deadline isThursday at noon.

ONGOINGCelebrate Black History Month. 9

a.m.-4 p.m.Through Feb. 28 atMount Vernon Estate. In observanceof Black History Month, GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernonhighlights the lives and contributionsof the slaves who built and operatedthe plantation home of George andMartha Washington. A wreathlayingand presentation occurs daily at theslave memorial site throughout themonth of February. Black HistoryMonth activities are included inadmission: adults, $18; seniorcitizens, $17; children age 6-11,when accompanied by an adult, $9;and children under age 5, free. Visitwww.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.

Songwriter’s Showcase. EveryTuesday at 8 p.m. at The Old TownTheater, 815 1/2 King St. Features adifferent Songwriter’s Association ofWashington artist each week. Visitwww.theoldtowntheater.com fortickets.

Art Exhibit. See “Songs of the Shore,”archival inkjet prints by Chantillyresident Peter Toth in the MargaretW. and Joseph L. Fisher Art Gallery,of the Rachel M. Schlesinger ConcertHall & Arts Center, 3001 N.Beauregard St. Runs through March16. Visit www.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter/gallery.html.

Art Exhibit. See Katie Runnerstrom’sdrawings and paintings throughMarch 16 at the Athenaeum, 201Prince St. The show reflects herexploration of several areas ofscience such as mycology and thestudy of jellyfish. Free. Visitnvfaa.org or 703-548-0035.

Theater Performance. See “EllaFitzgerald: First Lady of Song” atMetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St.,throught March 16. Performances areThursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.,Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ticketsmay be ordered by calling 1-800-494-8497 or online atboxofficetickets.com. For group salesand information call the theatre at703-548-9044. Visitwww.metrostage.org for more.

Art Exhibit. See “7th and H Streets,NW: The Hidden Refrain of InnerCity DC” by Fred Zafran at MultipleExposures Gallery, in the TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union St. Runs Feb.18-March 30. Visitwww.multipleexposuresgallery.com.

Occupied City: Life in Civil WarAlexandria Exhibition. At TheLyceum, 201 South Washington St.,through Sunday, March 23. Thisexhibit traces life in Alexandriafollowing Virginia’s decision tosecede from the Union in May 1861.The Lyceum is open Monday throughSaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. andSunday, 1-5 p.m. Suggestedadmission is $2. Visitwww.alexandriahistory.org or call703-746-4994.

Exhibition Fundraiser. From March8-23 at the Target Gallery in the

Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St.The exhibition features nearly 200panels of artwork created by localartists. $150/panel. The panels willbe for sale and proceeds will benefitMarch of Dimes and the TargetGallery’s outreach programming.Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Art Exhibit. “Portraits of Pop Cultureart exhibit will be on display at DelRay Artisans, 2704 Mount VernonAve. Come see artists’ interpretationof pop culture, featuring compellingcartoons, lampoons and caricaturesof celebrities, politicians, pundits andother pop figures. Show runs March7-30. Visit www.thedelraartisans.orgfor more.

Woodlawn Exhibit. See work ofneedlers from across the country,including objects created by FirstLadies and First Family members,including items by Edith Roosevelt,Dolley Madison and Barbara Bush.The exhibit runs March 1-31 atWoodlawn, 9000 RichmondHighway. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,Wednesday through Monday. Lunchis available from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.for a fee. Admission is $10/adult;$5/student. Visitwww.woodlawnpopeleighey.org.

Art Exhibit. See photographer E.E.McCollum transform the figure in“The Cocoon Series” March 13through April 7 in the Art LeagueGallery at the Torpedo Factory, 105N. Union St. Through a series ofblack and white photographs,McCollum transforms the humanfigure by using nylon tubing toencase the body. Free. Visitwww.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.

Art Exhibit. See “REVOLUTION: Artand Technology” art exhibit fromApril 4-27 at Del Ray Artisans, 2704Mount Vernon Ave. Artists exploretheir relationship with technology incomputer-created art, digitallymanipulated art, art made fromelectronic parts, mixed-media piecesexpressing feelings about technology,and more. Hours are Thursdaysnoon-6 p.m.; Friday & Saturdaynoon-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org formore.

Art Exhibit. See “LOULOUDI Flower/To Flower” at The Athenaeum, 201Prince St. The exhibit explores thenatural process of flowering and itsmetaphorical context through objectmaking and installation. Free. Theexhibit runs March 20-May 4. Call703-548-0035 or visitwww.nvfaa.org.

Art Exhibit. See “Spirit of Place: DykeMarsh,” an exhibition of photographyby Anthony Peritore and sculpturalworks by Megan Peritore from March26 through May 18 in the CrossroadsGallery, located in Goodwin HouseBailey’s Crossroads, 3440 S. JeffersonSt., Falls Church. Free.

Attics and Alleys Tour. Tickets arenow on sale for the Attics and Alleystour, a three-hour walking tourfeaturing rarely seen spaces of foursites — the Lee-Fendall House,Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, TheStabler-Leadbeater ApothecaryMuseum and Carlyle House. Tourswill be offered Saturdays in May, 9a.m.-noon. $35/peron. Reservations

required. Visit shop.alexandriava.govor 703-746-4242.

Art Exhibit. “Women Legends ofAlexandria: 2007-2013” art exhibitwill be on display at PrudentialPenFed Realty, 300 N. WashingtonSt., suite 100. The exhibit willshowcase portraits from the LivingLegends of Alexandria project withselected works from the Del RayArtisans. Show runs March 3-June27. Hours are Mondays-Fridays 9a.m.-5 p.m. Visitwww.thedelrayartisans.org for more.

New Exhibit. Mount Vernon invitesvisitors to explore GeorgeWashington’s design for the groundsof his estate, through a newexhibition, “Gardens & Groves:George Washington’s Landscape” atMount Vernon opening Feb. 22through Jan. 12, 2016. Gardens &Groves is the first museum exhibitionto focus specifically on Washington’slandmark achievements as alandscape designer combining rarely-seen original documents, artwork,and books with period garden tools,landscape photography, and a scalemodel of the Mount Vernon estate.Included in admission $18/adult;$17/senior citizen; $9/child age 6-11; children under 5 are free. Visitwww.mountvernon.org for more.

George Washington’s MountVernon has joined ThomasJefferson’s Monticello and JamesMadison’s Montpelier to expand the“Presidents Passport,” Virginia’spremier presidential trail. As anadded bonus to this year’s program,visitors to the Alexandria VisitorsCenter at 221 King St. showing orpurchasing a ticket to any of thethree presidential estates will, uponrequest, receive for free Alexandria’s“Key to the City” pass, which grantsaccess into nine historic sites andmuseums in Alexandria - a $26added value. Learn more atPresPassport.Monticello.org.

Art Exhibit. See “Sit Down and Take aStand: Samuel W. Tucker and the1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In” at the

Alexandria Black History Museum,902 Wythe St. The exhibit focuses onthe life of famed civil rights attorneySamuel Wilber Tucker, and highlightsthe role of Robert Strange, who wasa runner between the library andTucker’s office, keeping Tuckerabreast of developments. The exhibitruns through August. Free. 703-746-4356.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPSMetro Club After-School Program.

Through June, the MetropolitanSchool of Arts presents an after-school program for grades 1-6. Theprogram is located at both the Lortonstudio at Workhouse Arts Center,9517 Workhouse Way and inAlexandria at 5775 Barclay Drive.Programs will focus on the arts,including music, dance, theatre, yogaand academics, as well as designatedhomework time. The program willrun Mondays, 1-6 p.m., and Tuesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. Tuition runs from$130-150. Call 703-339-0444 or visitwww.metropolitanarts.org.

Life Drawing. Del Ray Artisans offers arange of open life drawing sessionsfor anyone to develop life-drawingskills further. Just drop-in for thesession and bring your supplies todraw or paint our live models. Feeranges from $8-$12. All skill levelsare welcome. Del Ray Artisans islocated at 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org fora schedule.

Photography Workshop. 10:30 a.m.-noon at Multiple Exposures Galleryon 105 N. Union Street.Photographers and enthusiasts of allskill levels are invited to share work,ideas, and questions at this freeworkshop held on the last Sunday ofeach month, except December. Noreservations. Call 703-683-2205.

SUMMER CAMPCamp Offering. Mount Vernon

Community Children’s Theatre will

hold sessions starting June 30 toAug. 22. There are two-week sessionswith morning, afternoon or all daysessions, and one-week sessions thatgo all day. To register, visitwww.mvcct.org.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FUNCherry Blossom Food Tour. On

Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. andSaturdays at 2 p.m., take a guidedtour of Alexandria, exploring thearchitecture, while pausing in locally-owned eateries to sample cherry-centric dishes and learn about cherryblossom history. $49/person. RunsMarch 22-April 12. Visitwww.dcmetrofoodtours.com/cherry_blossom_food_tour.html formore.

Blossoms by Bike River Ride. OnFridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1p.m., enjoy a three-hour bike touralong the Mount Vernon Trail, intoDC and around the tidal basin to seethe blossoms up close. Runs March22-April 13. $40/person age 13 andolder. Visit www.bikethesites.com/tours for reservations.

Cherry Blossom Boat Tour.Departing Saturdays and Sundays at11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. or5:30 p.m. at Cameron and UnionStreets. Take a boat cruise and viewthe blossoms along the river. RunsMarch 29-April 13. $26/adult; $14/child age 2-11. Visitwww.potomacriverboatco.com/blossoms2014.php to register.

THURSDAY/MARCH 6Children’s Concert. 7:30 pm. at

Northern Virginia CommunityCollege, Rachel M. SchlesingerConcert Hall and Arts Center, 3001N. Beauregard St. The NOVAAlexandria Band and the John AdamsElementary Orff Ensemble willperform a variety of selections. Free.703-845-6252 or [email protected] for more.

Music Performance. 8 p.m. at The

Modern DanceThe Choreographers Collaboration Project presents their Spring Modern DanceConcert on Saturday, March 8 at the Athenaeum, 901 Prince St. This concert willfeature works in progress by CCP choreographers, guest artist ACW Dances andwill include performances by CCP’s youth dancers. Adults $10; 12-17 $5; 12 andyounger free. Visit www.ccpdance.org, email [email protected], or call 703-683-2070.

Entertainment

Supporting Boys & Girls ClubsBoys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Fairfax County Region will hold

its inaugural Casino Night fundraiser March 7, 6:30-11:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tyson’s Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean. The Fairfax RegionalBoard will bring a bit of friendly Vegas-like fun to support the programmingfor the region’s two Clubs.

To purchase tickets for Casino Night and for more about Fairfax Regionof Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington visit: www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/casino-night. The evening includes Ritz-Carlton dinner buffet, open bar,casino games, raffle, dancing, DJ and more, for $95 a person or $175 percouple. Special overnight room rate of $119 available.


Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. TheUnited States Air Force Band willperform music for for the jazzquartet. Free. Visitwww.usafband.af.mil or 202-767-5658.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 6-9Ikebana Show. The Art League Gallery

in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. UnionSt., will be host to The SogestuSchool, which promotes Ikebana, theart of Japanese flower arranging.Sogetsu members have selectedworks of art by Art League andTorpedo Factory artists to inspire andcomplete their harmoniousinstallations. There will be areception from 6-9 on March 6,performances on March 8 at 2 p.m.and flower arranging demonstrationon March 9 at 2 p.m. Free. Visitwww.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.

FRIDAY/MARCH 7Reception. Meet some of the artists of

“Portraits of Pop Culture” from 7-10p.m. at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 MountVernon Ave. Come see artists’interpretation of pop culture,featuring compelling cartoons,lampoons and caricatures ofcelebrities, politicians, pundits andother pop figures. Show runs March7-30. Visit www.thedelrayartisans.org for more.

Theater Performance. 7:30 p.m. atSt. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School,Chapel/Performing Arts Center, 1000St. Stephen’s Road. See a productionof “Once Upon a Mattress.” $5/person. Visit www.sssas.org/arts or703-212-2950.

Casino Night Fundraiser. 6:30-11:30 p.m. at Ritz-Carlton, Tysons

Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean.The Boys & Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington’s Fairfax County Regionwill hold live and silent auctions,dinner, casino-like games, dancingand more. $95/person; $175/couple.To purchase tickets for Casino Nightand for more about Fairfax Region ofBoys & Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington visit: www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/casino-night.

SATURDAY/MARCH 8Celebration. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Christ

Church, 118 N. Washington St.Celebrate women and theirachievements in the entrepreneurialworld. Enjoy stories, art, homemadeEgyptian food and more. $12/person.RSVP by calling 571-312-4781.

Swordsmen’s Rendezvous. Noon-4p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern, 138 N.Royal St. Enjoy a re-enactment of18th-century swordplay, displays,discussions and more. Includesaudience participation. $6/person.Reservations required,shop.alexandriava.gov or 703-746-4242.

Music Performance. Alexandriaresident Marquita Renee Ntim willperform from noon-3 p.m. at theJohn 3:16 Christian Bookstore, 7953Annapolis Road, Lanham, Md. Free.Visit www.tatemusicgroup.com/epk/?id=14752 for more.

“A Talent of Women” Arts &Crafts Show. 2-5 p.m. at 1451Belle Haven Road, #420. Browsecrafts, photography, art, jewelry andmore. Free. Complimentary wine andhors d’ oeuvres.

Symphony Ball and Auction. 6 p.m.at the Westin Hotel, 400 CourthouseSquare. The Symphony OrchestraLeague of Alexandria is celebrating70 years with an auction, food,

dancing and more. $200/person. E-mail Anna Russi for tickets [email protected].

Music Performance. 7 p.m. at St.Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531Riverside Road. Country/folk singerKate Campbell will perform with JeepRosenberg. $18/general; $15/advance. Visit www.focusmusic.org.

Music Performance. 7-9 p.m. at TheLyceum, 201 S. Washington St.Adolphe Sax Bicentennial Concert.$17/advance; $20/door. Visitclassicalsaxophonist.com or 703-244-3710.

Spring Modern Dance Concert. 7p.m. at The Athenaeum, 201 PrinceSt. The concert will feature works inprogress by ChoreographersCollaboration Project. $10/adult; $5/child age 12-17; free/child under 12.Visit www.ccpdance.org for more.

Theater Performance. 7:30 p.m. atSt. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School,Chapel/Performing Arts Center, 1000St. Stephen’s Road. See a productionof “Once Upon a Mattress.” $5/person. Visit www.sssas.org/arts or703-212-2950.

Fundraising Gala. 8 p.m. atConvergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane.Alexandria Choral Society willperform Dvorak’s Mass in D Major inits original version for choir, soli, andorgan. A reception and silent auctionwill follow. $25/adult; $15/senior,military; $10/student. Youth age 13and under are free. Visitwww.alexandriachoralsociety.org.

International Women’s Day. TenThousand Villages, 915 King St., willhonor women by donating 15 percentof proceeds to the City ofAlexandria’s Women’s Initiatives andtheir programs to prevent domesticviolence. Visit www.alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com or 703-684-1435.

“Ella” cast members Roz White, Freda Payne andWynonna Smith with Julian Bond after Saturday’sperformance.

‘Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song’Julian Bond, former chairman of the NAACP, and his wife Pamela at-

tended “Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song” Saturday, March 1. The showis in its final two weeks. Shows are selling out, and cannot be extendedbecause Freda Payne will head to London for her next engagement. Thereare a few tickets left for select performances. Call the theatre box office at703-548-9044.

Entertainment

SUNDAY/MARCH 9Talk. 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Estate. A

symposium will discuss “Women witha View,” about three women who

were instrumental in preservingMount Vernon. $30 includes a tour ofthe View and Mount Vernon andreception. Visitwww.mountvernon.org/womenwithaview to register.


Casino for a Cause

Still Life Techniques. 2 p.m. at TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince St. Childrenage 8 and older can learn basic stilllife painting techniques. Free. RSVPto [email protected].

Winter Warmer Tea. 3-4:30 p.m. atGadsby’s Tavern, 138 N. Royal St. Eatperiod-inspired delicacies whileenjoying tea and American HeritageChocolate. A historic guest will bevisiting. $35/person and is allinclusive. Reservations required,shop.alexandriava.gov or 703-746-4242.

Show and Auction. 5 p.m. atMetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St. Enjoy“Ella! First Lady of Song” with theParent Leadership Training Instituteof Alexandria. There will also be adinner buffet and silent auction. $75/person. Visit www.plti-alex.org/ella.html for information.

Choral Evensong. 7 p.m. at St. Paul’sEpiscopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St.Grant Hellmers, organist-choirmasterof St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, willdirect the adult choir in a chorallenten evensong. This will bepreceded by mezzo soprano BarbaraHollinshead and lutenist HowardBass performing devotional songs by16th century English composer JohnDowland. Free, with donations goingto St. Paul’s Lazarus Ministry. Areception will follow. Contact GrantHellmers at 703-549-3312 or [email protected].

Buy Cookies. During store hours,Together We Bake will set-up a pop-up store and sell cookies at TenThousand Villages, 915 King St.Together We Bake is a workforcetraining and personal developmentprogram for women in need of asecond chance, run in collaborationwith Friends of Guest House, atransitional housing program inAlexandria. Together We Bake is

centered around a micro-bakingbusiness. Visit www.alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com or 703-684-1435.

MONDAY/MARCH 10Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at

Westminster Presbyterian Church,2701 Cameron Mills Road. the DukeUniversity Chorale will perform afree concert. 703-549-4766.

Poetry Reading. 8 p.m. at at DuncanLibrary, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.Del Ray resident Jodi Hollander

will read selections from her collectionof poetry published under the title,“The Humane Society.” Copies of thebook will be available for sale at theLibrary. Free, open to the public.Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call703-746-1705.

THURSDAY/MARCH 13Toast to Fashion. 6:30-10 p.m. at

Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 FortHunt Road. Hosted by the JuniorFriends of the Campagna Center, theevent features a fashion show,marketplace, raffle, cocktailreception. All the proceeds willbenefit programs operated by thecenter. $55/advance or $65/door.Visit www.campagnacenter.org.

Opening Reception. 6:30-8 p.m.,meet the photographer of “TheCocoon Series” E.E. McCollum, in theArt League Gallery at the TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union St. Through aseries of black and whitephotographs, McCollum transformsthe human figure by using nylontubing to encase the body. Free. Visitwww.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.

Music Performance. 8 p.m. at TheLyceum, 201 S. Washington St. TheUnited States Air Force Band willperform music for mixed chamberwind ensembles. Free. Visitwww.usafband.af.mil or 202-767-5658.

FRIDAY/MARCH 14Art Party. 7-10 p.m. in Target Gallery

at Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St.Meet the artists who created panels,enjoy prizes, food, wing-offcompetition and more. Panels willcost $100 at the event, with proceedsbenefiting March of Dimes and theTarget Gallery’s outreachprogramming. $15/advance or $20/door. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Performance. 7 p.m. at Convergence,1801 N. Quaker Lane. The Singers’Theater of Washington presents“Suor Angelica,” a one-act operafrom Giacomo Puccini’s “Il Trittico.”$20/general; $15/student, senior,group. Visit www.singerstheater.comfor tickets.

Music Performance. 8 p.m. at TheOld Town Theater, 815 1/2 King St.Patty Reese Band will perform. Visitwww.theoldtowntheater.com fortickets.

SATURDAY/MARCH 15Touch-a-Truck Event. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

at Walt Whitman Middle School,2500 Parkers Lane. Children canexplore, climb and press buttons ontrucks of all sizes. $5/person olderthan 2 years of age. Visitwww.forthuntpreschool.com/events.html for more.

Vegetable Gardening 101. 10 a.m.-1p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701Seminary Road. Horticultural agentKirsten Buhls, assisted by Master

Gardeners of Arlington/Alexandria,will discuss the basics of vegetablegardening including seed starting,soil preparation and when and whereto plant. Free. Registration isrequested, [email protected] or 703-228-6414.

Children’s Program. 11 a.m. at theOld Town Theater, 815 1/2 King St.“Dezmo & the Secret Power ofKnowledge.” There will be music,dancing, audience participation andmore. Visitwww.theoldtowntheater.com formore.

Country-Western Dance. 7:30-10p.m. at Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710N. Chambliss St. Lessons begin at6:30 p.m. Couples and singleswelcome. $10/member;$12nonmember; $5/child under 18.Bring your own refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org or 703-860-4941.

SUNDAY/MARCH 16Special Tours and

Demonstrations. 1-4 p.m. atStabler-Leadbeater ApothecaryMuseum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St.Discover items from poison bottles todragon’s blood and find out how theywere used and if they worked. Therewill also be demonstrations.Recommended for children in 3rdgrade and older. $6/person.Reservations recommended. Visitshop.alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3852.

Music. 2 p.m. at The Athenaeum, 201Prince St. Cynthia Marie willperform. Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org.

Music Performance. 4 p.m. atBeverley Hills Community UMChurch, 3512 Old Dominion Blvd.The folk duo Simple Gifts willperform. All ages. Free. Visit

‘Early Music’ atSt. Paul’s Old Town

Barbara Hollinshead, mezzo soprano, andHoward Bass, lutenist, will perform a programof Devotional Songs by 16th century Englishcomposer, John Dowland at St. Paul’s, at thecorner of Duke and Pitt streets, on Sunday,March 9, 7 p.m. The performance is free to thepublic. It will precede a Lenten Choral Evensongservice at St. Paul’s Old Town, directed by GrantHellmers, organist-choirmaster. Evensong is anevening service with a musical focus in additionto prayers and scripture reading, and it may bewith or without a sermon. Free-will donationswill go to St. Paul’s Lazarus Ministry which pro-vides hope and help to people in crisis. Areception will follow the evensong.

BarbaraHollinshead andHoward Bass

Entertainment

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www.bhcumc.org for more.Dance Performance. 4:30 p.m. at

The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. JaneFranklin Dance will perform “Mousein House,” adapted from the book“The Mouse of Amherst” by ElizabethSpires. $12/adult; $10/child. Visitwww.janefranklin.com for tickets.

Music Performance. 7 p.m. atEpiscopal Church of the Resurrection,2280 N. Beauregard St. Folk duoMustard’s Retreat will perform withKipyn Martin. $18/general; $15/advance. Visit www.focusmusic.orgor 703-380-3151.

TUESDAY/MARCH 18Music Performance. Don Williams

will perform at the Birchmere MusicHall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave.$59.50/person. Visitwww.birchmere.com for tickets.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 19Music Performance. The Marshall

Tucker Band will perform at 7:30p.m. at The Birchmere Music Hall,3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Visitwww.birchmere.com or call 703-549-7500 for tickets.

Talk. 7:30 p.m. at the Lloyd House, 220N. Washington St. Wanda S. Dowellwill discuss the daily lives of womenin Union-occupied Alexandria duringthe Civil War. Free. 703-746-4554.

THURSDAY/MARCH 20Reception. 6 p.m. at Patent &

Trademark Office, 600 Dulany St.“Meet the Legends” reception. $45/by March 19; $55/door. Register atmeet-the-legends.eventbrite.com.

Music Performance. 8 p.m. at TheLyceum, 201 S. Washington St. The

United States Air Force Band willplay music for the String Quartet.Free. Visit www.usafband.af.mil or202-767-5658.

FRIDAY/MARCH 21Community Dance. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at

Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500Shenandoah Road. Enjoy music bythe Mount Vernon Swing Band. $4.703-765-4573 TTY: 711.

Theater Performance. 7:30 p.m. atBryant High School, 2709 PopkinsLane. See “Once Upon a Mattress.”$12. Visit mvcct.org for more.

SATURDAY/MARCH 22Bus Tour on the Civil War

Defenses of Washington. 8:30a.m.-5 p.m., meet at Fort Ward, 4301W. Braddock Road. The itineraryincludes Forts Reno, DeRussy andTotten, and highlights Fort Stevensand Battleground National Cemetery.Pre-registration required, $85/members of the Friends of Fort Ward;

$100/non-member. Call the Museumat 703-746-4848 to register.

Reptiles Alive! Noon at the Old TownTheater, 815 1/2 King St. See snakes,crocodiles and more. Fun for thefamily. Visit www.theoldtowntheater.com for tickets and more.

Theater Performance. 6:30 p.m. See“The Foreigner” at Lee Center, 1108Jefferson St. Proceeds benefitEmpowers, Inc., an after-schoolprogram for at-risk children andyouth of the area. Appropriate forchildren age 11 and older. $12/online. Increased cost at the door.Buy tickets at showtix4u.com or 703-855-4444.

Cheesetopia Event. 2-5 p.m. atBalducci’s Food Lover’s Market, 600Franklin St. Taste gourmet cheeses,enjoy demos, meet renownedtastemakers, a raffle and more. Free.Visit www.balduccis.com.

Theater Performance. 7:30 p.m. atBryant High School, 2709 PopkinsLane. See “Once Upon a Mattress.”$12. Visit mvcct.org for more.

Toast to FashionThe Junior Friends of The Campagna Center presents the 15th Annual

Toast to Fashion on Thursday, March 13, 6:30-10 p.m. at Belle Haven Coun-try Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road. This annual event combines a fashion show,marketplace, raffle, and cocktail reception. For the fourth year, ABC-7/WJLAand NewsChannel 8’s Britt McHenry will serve as emcee. Proceeds from thisevent help support programs of The Campagna Center. For nearly 70 years,The Campagna Center has been committed to fostering a dedication to learn-ing for Alexandria’s children and families. Through effective and visionaryleadership, the Center has responded to the changing needs of the commu-nity with quality programming and services. Visit www.campagnacenter.org/events/toast-fashion. Advance tickets are $55 online through March 7 or $65at the door.

Entertainment


News

Draft Dyke Marsh Restoration Plan Available for CommentFrom Page 1

Ryan Stewart and Andrea Reese of the Northern Virginia ConservationTrust read a sign explaining the draft Dyke Marsh Restoration Plan andLong-Term Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement at apublic meeting on Feb. 26

National Park Service RangerMiguel Robertson shows BelleView Elementary School studentsa beaver pelt. Beavers maketheir home in Dyke Marsh.

National Park Service Ranger Miguel Robertson shows Belle View El-ementary School students a beaver pelt. Beavers make their home inDyke Marsh.

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Rob Young admiressailboats from theDyke Marsh pathway.

One of theeducationalsigns along thetrail at DykeMarsh.

Everyone’slooking for food.

Photos by

Sally B. Macklin

The Gazette

can be what’s called a natural defense,which helps buffer against storms, and re-duces the likelihood of flooding, becausewetlands act as natural sponges. They cansoak up a lot of floodwaters. Therefore, arestored marsh can do a better job withthat,” Booth said

Booth said the plan is well-thought outscientifically, pointing to the U.S. Geologi-cal Survey Study released in 2010 that dem-onstrated the severe erosion occurring inthe mash.

“Wetlands also are natural filters of pol-lutants,” Booth said. “We know the PotomacRiver and Fairfax county streams are in verybad shape, so it would be helpful in thatregard. We believe that this plan is very wellthought out scientifically and has a strongscientific base.”

Ned Stone, vice president of Friends ofDyke Marsh, has noticed the erosion at themarsh. Stone often kayaks at Dyke Marsh.

“One of the things that I am very wellaware of, having been out there since I re-tired in the last six years or so, going upand down the shores, is that the shores aregoing back. They are retreating at an enor-mous rate. It’s just appalling to see how theyare going back,” Stone said. “We constantlysee shorelines, some of which are fairly solidgravel, but many of which are muck, justbeing washed gradually away and every-thing going gradually back,” Stone said.“I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

Friends of Dyke Marsh has been pushingto get some sort of restoration to take placefor a while, Stone said.

“We’re somewhat ecstatic, somewhat anx-ious, as to whether this can actually bepulled off,” Stone said. ”It looks like we sim-ply need to move ahead in linear time. Idon’t see the park service changing verymuch on the basis of present comments,”Stone said.

The plan is available for comment ath t t p : / / p a r k p l a n n i n g . n p s . g o v /projectHome.cfm?projectID=20293. NPS isexpected to prepare and release the finalplan in Summer/Fall 2014.

Upcoming Friends ofDyke Marsh events:❖ Spring Cleanup, April 5❖ Spring Walk, April 19❖ Earth Day, Raptor Rapture, April 26


Wellbeing

See Keeping Family, Page 27

By Marilyn Campbell

The Gazette

As Elizabeth Rees drove her daugh-ter and two of her daughter’s friendsto a library reading group recently,

the Alexandria mother of three admits thatshe felt like a chauffeur at first. But she hada change of heart after hearing sounds oflaughter.

“They were giggling and so sweet in theback,” said Rees, the associate rector atSaint Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Alexan-dria. “Suddenly that moment of graceturned it all around and I felt privileged tobe there. I think that sort of thing happensall the time if only we are paying attention.”

What are the keys to paying attention andcreating a happier family life? Experts sayit’s important to stop trying to do everything100 percent and make other things a prior-ity. They offer their top tips for creatingbalance.

“With three young kids, a two-careermarriage and way too many activities, I findthis balance as hard as everyone else andam absolutely preaching to myself,” saidRees.

EXPERTS SAY living in a competitive arealike the Washington, D.C., region can makecreating balance even more challenging. “Isee children who are stressed to always bethe best,” said Dr. Bruce Pfeffer, a Potomac,Md.-based child psychiatrist.

Parents play a critical role in helping chil-dren create a healthy balance of work and

play, he added, explaining that “parentsmust serve as rudders to guide their chil-dren [toward the] peace of mind that comeswith a supportive home environment, em-phasis on gaining joy in life, along withappropriate goals and achieving.”

Michael Moynihan, head of the UpperSchool at The Heights School in Potomac,Md., agrees. “The most significant obstaclesto harmonious family life today are overscheduling and over connectedness … re-sulting in families that are pulled in manydifferent directions for activities, and whenthey have those brief moments together, areoften plugged into various electronic de-vices,” he said.

Make finding uninterrupted family timea priority. “The solution is to schedule fam-ily time such as meals together — withoutelectronic devices — and to protect this timefrom other activities,” said Moynihan.

Rees suggests being present and engaged.“So much of life is spent in work and prepa-ration and accomplishments that it’s hardsometimes to live in the moment,” she said.“Maybe some days the only time you havetogether is in the car. ... Try to remember tomake the most of even those moments.”

Bethany Letiecq, Ph.D., an associate pro-fessor of human development and familyscience at George Mason University, said“It’s also important to find joy in the mun-dane and to give one’s self and others abreak ... to be patient, empathic and com-passionate with yourself and with yourcoparent. ...But that doesn’t mean not hold-ing everyone accountable to the family sys-tem, which is also critical.”

“Parents might consider the importanceof quality time versus quantity of time spenttogether and prioritize what they valuemost,” said Colleen Vesely, Ph.D., an assis-tant professor of early childhood education

Elizabeth Rees, the associate rector at Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church inAlexandria, says laughter, forgiveness and gratitude are among thefactors that create a harmonious family life. Here she is pictured on afamily vacation with her daughter Maya, 3; her husband HoldenHoofnagle; her son Dylan, 7; and daughter Sophia, 10.

Keeping Family Life HappyLocal expertsoffer tips forcreating harmony.

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From Page 1

Students Receive Peace Awards

The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County on March 2 honored 22juniors and seniors for their work of promoting peace and removing thecauses of war in the community.

2014 Award RecipientsMalaz Namir

Junior, Chantilly High SchoolEmma Celeste Munis

Senior, Thomas A. Edison High SchoolAndrew Jhu

Junior, Fairfax High SchoolHamima Nasrin

Hayfield Secondary SchoolJohn Strangfeld

Senior, Herndon High SchoolAdam Abutaa

Senior, The Islamic Saudi AcademyHuong ‘Helen’ Tran

Langley High SchoolMelissa Schwartz

Senior, Robert E. Lee High SchoolKaylee McGuffin

Senior, James Madison High SchoolKareem El-Ghazawi

Senior, George C. Marshall High SchoolBrooke Inglese

Senior, McLean High SchoolNora Elshiekh

Senior, Mount Vernon High SchoolMountain View Brave Girls Club

Mountain View High SchoolHannah Piester

Junior, Oakton High SchoolMary Krolicki

Senior, Paul VI Catholic High SchoolDaniel Bermudez

Senior, Quander Road SchoolBeau Sloane

Senior, South County High SchoolSeema Sethi

Senior, South Lakes High SchoolAnwar Omeish

Senior, Thomas Jefferson High School forScience and Technology

Pamela MolnarSenior, West Potomac High School

Elizabeth Maria HiattSenior, Westfield High School

Jordan FeltcornSenior, W.T. Woodson High School

working for peace,” said Fischer of theaward to Woodson High School senior Jor-dan Feltcorn, who was recognized for hisrestoration of Woodson’s Students AgainstDestructive Decisions Club.

Felcorn said he began his involvementwith the club after observing bullying at hisschool, as well as volunteering with FairfaxCounty Medical Services and responding tocalls including on drugs and drunk driving.

“The club works towards trying to pre-vent teens from making decisions such asdrinking and driving, bullying, distracteddriving, drug use and abuse, and suicide,”Feltcorn said. “Unfortunately, this past weekat my high school, W.T. Woodson, we expe-rienced the tragic loss of life of two stu-dents.”

Feltcorn asked the audience to observe amoment of silence in remembrance of twoWoodson students who died the week be-fore.

West Potomac High School senior PamelaMolnar was among the students honoredfor promoting peace in the community.Molnar helped to start and grow the WestPotomac chapter of Best Buddies, an orga-nization that advocates for people with dis-

abilities. “My mom is a special educationteacher, which has inspired me,” Molnarsaid. “I think the group has had a big im-pact on the school.”

FOR THE FIRST TIME since the StudentPeace Awards began, a school nominated agroup of students for the award.The Mountain View Brave Girls Club of

Higher Tax RateFrom Page 1

$330 in property tax assessments due to a recov-ery in the housing market,” Bulova said.

“When we adopt the budget, the Board of Su-pervisors will be challenged with funding essen-tial services such as our top-tier school systemand keeping taxes affordable for residents.”

A public hearing on the effective tax rate willbe held on Tuesday, April 8 at 3 p.m. in the FairfaxCounty Government Center Board Auditorium.

In addition, public hearings on the proposedFY 2015 Budget, the advertised capital improve-ment plan (CIP) and the proposed tax rate areTuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, April 9,at 3 p.m.; and Thursday, April 10, at 3 p.m.

Those wishing to speak at a public hearing cansign up online to place their name on the speak-ers list, or contact the Office of the Clerk to theBoard at 703-324-3151, TTY 703-324-3903.

The public hearings will be held in the BoardAuditorium, Fairfax County Government Center,and will be televised live on Fairfax County Gov-ernment Channel 16.

Town hall meetings are being held throughoutthe county to give residents the opportunity toask questions and provide input. The Board ofSupervisors will hold public hearings April 8, 9,and 10, and will formally adopt a budget on April29.

For information on public hearings, town halls,and opportunities to participate in the budgetprocess, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb. Resi-dents may also provide feedback and commentson the proposed budget through mid-April [email protected].

— Victoria Ross

Braunstein Retiring as CSB DirectorFrom Page 8

unfortunate Creigh Deeds tragedy gaveBraunstein the opportunity to putthings in perspective for reporters andthe community.

“He was able to remind people thatindividuals with serious mental illnessare far more likely to wind up beingvictims of violent crime, rather thanperpetrators, and to remind peopleabout the importance of putting inplace community services that can helppeople before they reach a crisis stage,”Buescher said. “He was able to put anissue like the importance of havingemergency psychiatric hospital beds,which is important, into perspectiveand remind people that it is not the onlysolution to our problems with not hav-ing sufficient services for people withmental illness.”

According to Jane Woods, a boardmember of the Fairfax-Falls ChurchCommunity Services Board, Braunsteinhas worked tirelessly with staff ontransforming the mindset of the agencyand making the client the center of ser-vices.

“The essence of the changes we’vedone in Fairfax in the last five years iscreating an environment that supportsgetting people who are homeless intohousing, providing a wrap-around ser-vice for those people, providing morejob training, and providing more inte-grated health care, so that people whohaven’t been to a primary care doctorfor years can get primary care services,”Braunstein said.

Braunstein’s most satisfying experi-ence at CSB has been working with whathe describes as dedicated, skilled andcaring staff and providers.

“The Fairfax providers are so skilledand so effective. They deal with someof the most challenging situations be-cause of where we are in the greaterD.C. area. We have a lot of folks withvery complex problems, a combinationof urban and suburban issues, and thestaff is just fantastic to work with, bothin administration and the service deliv-ery areas,” he said.

According to Braunstein, governmentofficials like Chairman Sharon Bulovaunderstand the need for local fundingfor mental health services.

“Not all local government officials getit. This is really unique here. Even com-pared to some other surrounding locali-ties, Fairfax for the most part gets whatis important about serving these veryvulnerable people,” Braunstein said. “It’sreally rare for someone in the public sec-tor to find local government officialswho understand.”

Bulova presented Braunstein with aproclamation honoring his contributionsto the CSB, and declared Feb. 27, 2014to be George Braunstein day in FairfaxCounty.

According to Bulova’s proclamation,Braunstein “has steered the CSB througha major organizational transformation,pioneered nationally recognized bestpractices throughout the service system,and advocated with courage, skill andtenacity for services to meet the needs

of the most vulnerable people in ourcommunity.”

Braunstein said a frustrating part ofworking in the mental health field hasbeen challenging the idea that problemssuch as drug and alcohol addiction area weakness of character.

“Probably the most difficult part ofworking in the mental health field isthat it has taken an awful long timeeven making short strides so that peopleunderstand the legitimacy of the ser-vices that we do, and see it as equallyvalid as any other services in the healthcare field,” he said.

Mary Ann Bergeron, the executive di-rector of the Virginia Association ofCommunity Services Board, saidBraunstein has been a great leader eversince moving to Virginia in 2000.

“He is a master at taking very com-plex issues, and being able to identifysolutions to an issue,” Bergeron said.“He’s been a wonderful source of inspi-ration.”

Braunstein’s colleagues say his lead-ership and guidance will be missed.

“George was at the helm of the CSB’stransformation from a siloed systemthat offered specific services for certaindiagnoses into an integrated systembased that supports the whole personbased upon the level of care he or sheneeds, with a focus on helping all indi-viduals gain access to cross-cutting ser-vices such as primary care, housing,employment and peer supports,” saidJeannie Cummins, investment and de-velopment manager at the CSB.

Mountain View High School was recognizedfor its work of supporting others throughmaking “truth cards,” which provide mes-sages of support and are sent to womenthroughout the community, including theBethany House of Northern Virginia, theCancer Center at Lake Manassas, sex traf-ficking victims, and Mountain View facultyand students during turbulent times.


Schools

Visiting experts came from West Potomac High School and the Geological Society of America. WPHS scienceteachers Kathy Bowdring and Steve Rezendez accompanied a group of WPHS advanced academic sciencestudents to Stratford Landing Elementary School.

Students talk with Dr. Jessica Ball.

Under the Seaprovided a livetouch tank andocean artifacts.

Stratford Landing Hosts Annual Science and Engineering Fair

Stratford Landing ElementarySchool students presented304 projects at the annual

Science and Engineering Fair onTuesday, Feb. 25. Students dis-played and explained their inves-tigations to 25 visiting experts fromWest Potomac High School and theGeological Society of America.

All of the visiting experts engagein teaching and studying advancedbiology, chemistry, geology, andphysics. In addition, visiting dem-onstrators presented hands-on ac-tivities for the SLES students. Un-der the Sea presented a live touchtank and ocean artifacts.

WPHS Electronics I students dis-played their agile, wrestling, LegoNXT Mindstorm robots. WPHS APEnvironmental Science studentscreated a tornado in a box. The PTA

provided the financial supportfor the event, including t-shirtsfor all of the participants fea-turing a student-created de-sign.

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At Science OlympiadThe Carl Sandburg Middle School Science Olympiadteam participated in the regional competition inCharlottesville on Saturday, Feb. 22. The two teamsthat participated placed 5th overall in the middleschool division. The teams also took home awards inthe following categories: Anatomy, boomilever, ex-perimental design, heredity, mystery architecture,rocks and minerals, rotor egg drop, sounds of music,and wheeled vehicles. In the event Shock Value, CarlSandburg placed second in their division. The teamwill be moving onto the state competition later thismonth. Above are 8th grader Brain Trigg (left), 7thgrade Life Science teacher Samantha Wilson, and 7thgrader Austin Houck.

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Learning about State GovernmentDel. Scott Surovell hosted the fourth annual Amundson Institute — named after itsfounder former Del. Kris Amundson which offers student leaders in the 44thDistrict the opportunity to learn about state government first hand. The groupincluded Regine Victoria, junior at Mount Vernon High School; Colleen Grady,senior at West Potomac High School; Dorothy Bowerfind, junior at West PotomacHigh School; Nia White, junior at West Potomac High School, and Carla CastroClaure, senior at Edison High School. The students visited with two cabinet mem-bers: Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran and the Secretary of the Common-wealth Levar Stoney. They also met with state Sen. Linda “Toddy” Puller and stateSen. Adam Ebbin along with Amundson and former Del. Chris Saxman, and anumber of government relations professionals. Above, from left are: Carla CasstroClaure, Jane O’Hara, Colleen Grady, former Del. Kris Amundson, Regine Victoria,Del. Scott Surovell, Nia White, Dorothy Bowerfind, and former Del. Chris Saxman.

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Storck SetsCommunityOffice Hours

Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District SchoolBoard Member for Fairfax County PublicSchools will host community office hoursat the Sherwood Regional Library, Confer-ence Room 3, on Saturday, March 8, from12:30-2:30 p.m. Members of the commu-nity are invited to stop by to ask questionsor to discuss concerns, no appointment nec-essary. Those with questions about the com-munity office hours should contact Storckat [email protected] or his assistant,Mary Ellen Hook at [email protected].

WPHS StudentsNamed To All DistrictHonor Bands

The following West Potomac High Schoolstudents successfully auditioned into the AllDistrict Honor Bands:

All District Symphonic BandJuliana Sprague, Sami Al-Saadawi*, Sean

Franklin, Connor Hayes, Grace Callahan,Maxwell Jenkins, Zoe Mann, AlexandraBurgard, Alex Richwine, Lucas Makinen,Jake Tupitza, Tom Kanuch, David Joo,Nathan Pho*, Susan Chatfield, Jake Raman,and Jarod Worden

All District Wind EnsembleKiersten Jenne*, Erika Larsen*, Rachel

Wiley, Rene Bundy, Pablo O’Connell*, MiaGenuario, Jennifer Fiedler, Lillian Michaud,Kruti Shah, Pam Molnar, Karly Clayton*,Patrick Rhoads*, Cambry Cohen, AlexandraWoodbury, Kendell Haywood*, and PhilipDrembus

* denotes first chair.


SportsMount Vernon Gazette Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-224-3015 or [email protected]

By Jon Roetman

The Gazette

The Mount Vernon girls’ basket-ball team qualified for the statetournament with a 56-47 winover Potomac on Feb. 27 in the

5A North region semifinals. Two nightslater, the Majors faced Edison in the regionchampionship game. It was the fourth meet-ing between the schools this season and forthe fourth time, Edison came out on top.

Now, Mount Vernon is working towardone more chance to knock off the Eagles.

Mount Vernon will travel for its state semi-final contest this week, but as of Tuesdaynight, the Majors were unsure of when,where and who they would play. Inclementweather pushed the 5A South region cham-pionship game back to Wednesday. TheMajors will face the winner of Princess Anneand Highland Springs. The game will beheld March 7 or 8 at either VCU or OldDominion, with time to be announced.

The loser of Princess Anne-HighlandSprings will face Edison in the other semi-final matchup at 1:45 p.m. on March 8 atRobinson Secondary School.

Mount Vernon’s state tournament berthis believed to be its first in more than a de-cade. The Majors have had talented teamsin recent years, but they fell short in theregion tournament.

“It definitely feels good,” Mount Vernonhead coach Courtney Coffer said. “At thesame time, we know that we didn’t play ourbest the other night, but we took care ofbusiness when we needed to … to play in

the state final four. … [We’re] definitelyhappy to be here but we’re not satisfied.”

Mount Vernon won three straight gamesin the region tournament to qualify forstates. The Majors defeated Tuscarora 69-46 in the opening round on Feb. 24, beatAlbemarle 88-65 in the quarterfinals on Feb.25 and knocked off Potomac in the semifi-nals. If Mount Vernon can win one more,the Majors could face Edison for a fifth timein the state championship game.

The Majors lost to the Eagles twice dur-ing the regular season (62-39 on Jan. 10and 59-54 on Feb. 4), fell short in the Con-ference 13 championship game (59-43 onFeb. 21) and lost in the region final (65-47on March 1). Coffer said most of the gameswere close entering the fourth quarter.

“We just haven’t played well against thatteam,” Coffer said.

Coffer said the Majors have less talentthan other Mount Vernon squads, but havebecome a better team. Unlike past seasons,where Mount Vernon dominated much of

its competition and ended up peaking tooearly, this year’s group has taken somelumps along the way, which has helped keepthe Majors focused.

Mount Vernon opened the season with a60-32 loss at Centreville. The Majors lostto a strong Eleanor Roosevelt team in aholiday tournament final and fell shortagainst Edison four times. However, MountVernon continued to bounce back and has

a 22-6 record. “For me, it’s an incrediblething that these kids are doing,” Coffer said.“… I’m extremely proud of these kids andwhat they’ve accomplished. The sky is thelimit … moving forward. … This team haspeaked at the right time.”

Senior post Samantha Porter earned first-team all-region honors for Mount Vernon.Senior point guard DJ Jean-Pierre wasnamed second-team all-region.

Mount Vernon Girls’ Basketball Qualifies for StatesMajors finished5A North regionrunner-up to Edison.

Mount Vernon’s Elisa Solomon (5) and Chanel Shan-non swarm a Wakefield player while Mount Vernonhead coach Courtney Coffer watches frpm the sidelineduring the teams’ regular-season finale on Feb. 15.

Mount Vernonsenior

SamanthaPorter earnedfirst-team all-region honors

this season.

Photos by

Craig Sterbutzel

The Gazette

Named toAll-VirginiaBandThe followingWest PotomacHigh Schoolstudents wereselected for the2014 All-Vir-ginia Band, from left, Patrick Rhoads, alto saxophone;Kendell Haywood, percussion, and Erika Larsen, flute.These students auditioned for the 2014 All-VirginiaBand at James Madison University, in Harrisonburg,on Feb. 22. The band will meet in Blacksburg, April 3 -5, and will perform a concert at the Moss Arts Centerat Virginia Tech on the final day of rehearsal, April 5.The following WPHS students also auditioned for the2014 All-Virginia Band: Kiersten Jenne (piccolo), ReneBundy (flute), Rachel Wiley (flute), Mia Genuario(clarinet), Jenny Fiedler (clarinet), Lilly Michaud(clarinet), Pablo O’Connell (oboe, English horn) andSami Al Sadaawi (bassoon).

Bound for Polar Bear RegattaThe Mount Vernon crew team will open the 2014 season at the Polar Bear Regattaon March 22 at Sandy Run Regional Park.

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WOODLAWNLITTLE LEAGUE

SOFTBALL(formerly MVYAA-Softball)

Registration is Now Open

Serving Alexandria, Fort Belvoir,East Springfield, Lortonand Mount Vernon Areas

C-Ball, 12U and 18U Divisions

Join the fun! Learn the game! Live the dream!

TO REGISTER, VISIT: www.woodlawnlittleleague.orgor our previous Website at www.mvyaasoftball.orgOR LIVE REGISTRATION sessions to be posted on our WebsitesSKILL EVALUATION: MVHS Field (or Woodley Hills ES Gym ifbad weather) – SUNDAY, MARCH 9. 1:00-2:00 for coach-pitch,2:00-3:30 for 12u, and 3:30-5:00 for 18u.

Special thanks to

Happy St. Catrick’s Day!

Join us atLost Dog Café-McLean

Saturday, March 15, 3-7 p.m.Enjoy snacks & soft drinks while

learning how you can help.1690 Anderson Road, McLean

(near Safeway)www.lostdogandcatrescue.org

You’ve heard about St. Patrick who drove thesnakes out of Ireland‚ but did you know about

St. Catrick, who saved the kittens out of shelters?Now’s your chance to find out! Join Lost Dog & CatRescue Foundation for a St. Catrick’s Day celebration,

and learn how you can help save lives.

= Foster Crew Members will answerquestions about the mostimportant thing you can do tohelp.

= Adoption Center Coordinators willprovide information aboutvolunteering at PetSmart centers.

= Our Transport Coordinator willexplain how you can help withlittle more than some time and acar.

Charl ie, delivered by St. Catrick,is available for adoption

Can’t make it, but still want to help?Email [email protected] for more information

News

The Friends of UCM hosted a sold-out crowdat Knights of Columbus Hall in Alexandriafor the 22nd annual Capitol Steps Benefit

for UCM on Jan. 26. The event raised more than$66,500 for UCM to help impoverished families andindividuals in the community.

The presenting sponsor was Doug and EileenKennett. Other event sponsors included AnniversaryPartners: Fairfax County Professional Firefighters &Paramedics I.A.F.F. Local 2068, Gigi Hyland and ChrisRevere, Information Technology Solutions & Consult-ing, LLC (ITSC), and Elaine Kolish and DavidFitzGerald — as well as founder sponsor Drs. Jamesand Melissa Thiel.

The full list of sponsors is available at the UCMwebsite at www.ucmagency.org.

UCM is celebrating its 45th anniversary of serviceto the community in 2014. The Friends of UCM arehosting the 45th Anniversary Spring Gala on Satur-day, March 29, at the Madison Atrium, U.S. Patentand Trademark Office, in Old Town Alexandria. Theevent includes cocktails, silent and live auction, a

Shirley Marshall (right),UCM executive director,accepts a check from TheFriends of UCM, host ofthe 22nd annual CapitolSteps performancebenefiting UCM in Janu-ary. Representing TheFriends of UCM are(from left) event co-chairs Janice Surovelland Priscilla Flattery,along with Sandy Doyle.More than $66,500 wasraised at the event.

Capitol Steps Raises Funds for UCMBenefit yields morethan $66,500.

Friend of UCM Suzy Coffey and husbandJack of Alexandria enjoy the sold-outbenefit show at Knights of Columbus Hall.

raffle for a resort vacation, dinner, and dancing withTower House. Tickets can be purchased online viawww.ucmagency.org and event sponsorships — rang-ing from $500 to $10,000 — are available. For moreinformation about sponsoring the Gala, contact UCMDevelopment and Communications Director Chris-tine Lucas at [email protected].

Pho

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on

tributed

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline isThursday at noon.

TAX HELPAARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest

free tax preparation and taxcounseling volunteer program startsits free Tax Preparation Services Feb.1. The program, sponsored by theIRS, is staffed with Certified IRS TaxCounselors and use IRS computersand software to prepare and eFile taxreturns for low to middle incomefamilies and elderly citizens. Pleasebring Government-issued picture IDs,and social security cards for allpersons that will be included in yourtax return. Also bring a printed copyof last year’s tax return, if youitemized. Located at SherwoodLibrary, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane,Mondays-Saturdays from 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m. and Mondays-Thursdays from5-8 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. Visitwww.aarp.org/taxaide.

THURSDAY/MARCH 6Business Lunch and Discussion.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at SpringhillSuites, 6065 Richmond Highway.Alexandra Piotrowski will discuss“Affordable Care Act and SmallBusiness: From Payments to TaxCredits.” $10/advance; $20/door.Lunch will be provided by Roy

Rogers Restaurants. To register visitwww.MtVernon-LeeChamber.org orcall 703-360-6925.

SATURDAY/MARCH 8Journey into Sound Healing. Triz

Remedios a master musician will leadthree “Sound Healing Circle”workshops at Mount VernonUnitarian Church, 1909 WindmillLane. The workshops are: Yoga andSound, 2-3:30 p.m., $30; Intro toSound Healing, 4-5:30 p.m., $50;and Sound Healing Circle, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $50. Register by March5. Contact Jeneen Piccuirro, 202-288-2370, [email protected] or visitwww.studiointhewoods.com.

THURSDAY/MARCH 13Talk. 10 a.m. at Hollin Hall Senior

Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. EdRaduazo will talk about differenttypes of mushrooms and how to growthem at home. Free. 703-765-4573.

Tax Relief Program. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500Shenandoah Road. Seniors 65 andolder and citizens who arepermanently and totally disabled maybe able to reduce their FairfaxCounty real estate and personalproperty taxes. Applicants must meetcertain income and asset eligibilityrequirements. Free, open to thepublic. Registration required, call

703-765-4573.Information Program. 11 a.m. at

Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500Shenandoah Road. Fairfax CountyPolice crime prevention officer GregKotteman will present a program onsenior scams and frauds. Free. 703-324-4600.

FRIDAY/MARCH 14Speaker Series. 8:30 a.m. at

SpringHill Suites, 6065 RichmondHIghway. “Creating BusinessOpportunities in Southeast Fairfax”will discuss how to start a businessall the way to managing a successfulfranchise. Free. E-mail [email protected] RSVP. Visit www.sfdc.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 15Reception. 1-3 p.m. at Hollin Hall

Senior Center, 1500 ShenandoahRoad. Meet some of the artistsdisplaying their work at the center.Free. 703-765-4573.

MONDAY/MARCH 17Sober Ride. 4 p.m. Monday-4 a.m.

Tuesday Washington RegionalAlcohol Program will offers free cabrides (up to a $30 value) to would-bedrunk drivers in the metro-Washington, D.C. area. Call 1-800-200-TAXI (8294). Visitwww.soberride.com for more.

Bulletin Board


21 Announcements 21 Announcements

Zone 3 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 3: • Alexandria

• Mount VernonClassifiedClassified

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

LEGAL NOTICERoute 1 Public Meeting on March 26

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will host its second public meeting for the Route 1

(Richmond Highway) Multimodal Transportation Alternatives Analysis on Wednesday, March 26 from 6-8 pm, at the

South County Government Center, located at 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. The public is invited to

participate and learn the latest on this study to improve transit, bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular travel along a 15-mile segment of Route 1 from Woodbridge to I-495. Project

partners include Fairfax County, Prince William County, Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Office of

Intermodal Planning and Investment. For more information, visit route1multimodalaa.com or call 804-786-4440.

DRPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on

the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For additional information on DRPT’s nondiscrimination policies and

procedures or to file a complaint, please visit the website at www.drpt.virginia.gov or contact the Title VI Compliance Officer, Linda Balderson, 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102,

Richmond, VA 23219.



NOTICEAuction to be held At Holly Hill Self Storage on March 19,2014

at 12:00 pm.ph# 703-765-3115units to be auctioned- 6235,7120,7123,7238,7243.


OBITUARY

Joseph Francis Dodd (aged 78) of Alexandria, VA passed away on February 19, 2014. Mr. Dodd was born in Alexandria, VA on July 16, 1935. He was the youngest son of 6 boys and one daughter of Joseph Wilford Dodd, Jr. and Effie Victoria Rawlings Dodd of Alexandria, VA. Joe was a graduate of George Washington High School in Alexandria. He spent 10 years with the U.S .Navy, followed by a career with Hahn Shoe Company. He was an avid patron of the Alexandria Public Li-brary. Married to the late Geraldine Brennan Dodd in 1959 by whom he had two sons before they divorced in 1978. He mar-ried his second wife, Carol Vodra Dodd, on April 11, 1981 at Christ Church, Alexandria. Joseph lived his entire life, except for his time spent with the Navy, in Alexandria.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Dodd; step-son William W. Vodra II (Stacie) and step granddaughter Courtney Vodra of Laytonsville, MD; his sons from his first marriage Gregory Francis Dodd (Mary) of Colonial Beach; Eric Laren Dodd; 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Joseph was prede-ceased by five brothers and one sister.

He was cremated at the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home; a pri-vate service will be at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Alexandria Library Foundation at 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria 22304-2903.




HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed up Slow Computers➣ Troubleshooting➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup

(571) [email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

3 RE for Rent

CONDO IN ALEXANDRIA,

1 BR, 1 Ba, all utils incl.

Newly renovated off street parking.

$1275/mo301-367-8780

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSESamurai Hibachi & Sushi Bar,

LLC trading as Samurai Hibachi & Sushi Bar, 4603 Duke St. Alexandria, VA

22304.The above establishment is

applying to the VIRGINIA DE-PARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer on Prem-ises, Mixed Beverage Restau-rant license to sell or manufac-

ture alcoholic beverages. Kuang Hui Li, owner

NOTE: Objections to the issu-nace of this license must be

submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing

date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at

www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry

and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.

Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6........................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 5, 6...........................Tues @ 11:00Zones 1, 3.............................Tues @ 4:00Zone 2.................................Wed @ 11:00Zone 4...................................Wed @ 1:00

E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon Gazette

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls

Connection

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICEPursuant to the provision ofsection 4-1-16 of the code of

the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Department

located at 3600 WheelerAvenue, Alexandria, VA 22304

is now in possession ofunclaimed bicycles, mopeds,

lawn equipment, money,scooters, and other items. Allpersons having valid claim to

the property should file a claimto the property with

reasonable proof of ownershipor the items will be sold,destroyed, converted or

donated. For a completelisting go to

http://alexandriava.gov/police/and contact the

Police Property Section at(703) 746-6709.

EmploymentEmployment

SALES HELP WANTEDOld Town boutique looking for someone 3-4 days /wk. Student or mature person

welcome. Some weekend work necessary. Computer knowledge prefer-

red Call Mrs. Lasker in the evening at 703-765-7583.

Seasonal Garden Center

Merchandiser

Bell Nursery, a nationally recognized grower/vendor is looking for hardwork-ing people to work at a garden center near you. Must be flexible for weekend work. For job descriptions and locations go to www.bellnursery.com/jobs.

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

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BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

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Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learn many aspects ofthe newspaper business. Internships availablein reporting, photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and for adultsconsidering change of career. Unpaid. [email protected]


Zone 3 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 3: • Alexandria

• Mount Vernon

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

PINNACLE SERVICESlic/ins 703-802-0483 free est.email [email protected]: lawnsandgutters.comFriendly Service with a Friendly Price!

GUTTER GUTTER

General RemodelingResidential & Commercial

Specializing in:Kitchen/Bathroom/Basement RemodelingPlumbing • Electrical • Custom Carpentry

Doors Windows • Hardwood FloorsCrown Molding • House Cleaning

Interior/Exterior Painting • Brick/Stone WorkCeramic Tile • Decks, Fences, Patios

HOA Maintenance, Granite Counter TopsRealtors Work and Much More

Hand and HandHandyman

Licensed and Insured Serving Northern Virginia

703-296-6409

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

LicensedInsured

We Accept VISA/MC

703-441-8811

You have tried the rest - NOW CALL THE BEST!!Proudly serving Northern VA - 46 yrs. exp.

The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION

BATHROOM REMODELING, DRYWALL,PAINTING, CERAMIC TILE, CARPENTRY,POWER WASHING & MUCH MORE

IMPROVEMENTS

R.N. CONTRACTORS, INC.Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, Painting

We Accept All Major Credit CardsLicensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A Lic

Phone: 703-887-3827 Fax: 703-830-3849E-mail: [email protected]

www.rncontractors.com

R&N Carpentry

✦BASEMENTS ✦BATHS ✦KITCHENSForeclosure specialist/Power washing

✦Exterior Wood Rot More!Deck & Fence repair, Screen Porches

No jobs too large or smallFree est. 37 yrs exp. Licensed, Insured

703-987-5096

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

Remodeling Interior, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Floors, Ceramic Tile,

Painting, Decks, Fences, Additions.703-863-1086

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

MOWING, TRIMMING, EDGING,MULCHING & TRIM HEDGES

PINNACLE SERVICES, INC.LAWN SERVICE

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potomac-masonry.com

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shrubbery trimming, mulching, leafremoval, planting, hauling, gutter cleaning,

retaining walls, drainage problems, etc.

24 Hour Emergency Tree Service

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

FIREWOOD

FIREWOODMixed Seasoned Hardwood

$130 half cord$220 full cord

Call Joe at301-856-4436

301-602-9528 Cell

HAULING

AL’S HAULINGJunk & Rubbish

Concrete, furn.,office,yard, construction debris

Low Rates NOVA703-360-4364

703-304-4798 cell

7 DAYS A WEEK

ANGEL’S HAULING

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

Junk Trash Removal, Yard/Construction

Debris, Garage/ Base- ment Clean Out,

Furniture & Appl.

TREE SERVICE

ANGEL’S TREE REMOVAL

Angeltreeslandscaping-hauling.com

Brush & Yard Debris Trimming & Topping

Gutters & Hauling

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

HAULING

Wellbeing

Keeping Family Life HappyFrom Page 21

and human development and family scienceat George Mason University. “Be purpose-ful. Children will likely remember qualitytime spent with a parent who was fullypresent than whether the house was per-fect or the laundry folded.”

Rees encourages stressed parents to givethemselves time alone as well. “I am partof a prayer and listening group on Tuesdaynights. We come together and have a timeof silence and sharewhere we are in ourlives. For me, that’s mychance for renewal, re-freshment, and it makesme return home with acompletely different at-titude. … For others, itmight be a walk in thewoods or coffee with agood friend, or an hourat the gym. It’s hard tomake space for yourself,but it can make a big dif-ference in how you treatthe people around you.”

When it comes tobuilding a harmoniousfamily life, which ele-ments matter most?“Love, obviously, is es-sential,” said Rees. “Butthat’s a big and amor-phous word and reallyhas to be much moreabout how we live thanwhat we feel when itcomes to daily relation-ships. When we arestressed or worried ortired, our closest rela-tionships are the onesthat take the biggest hit.It is in those all-too-fre-quent moments that wehave to work the hard-est at things like kindness, respect, think-ing of how the other person feels.”

The willingness to forgive oneself andone’s family members is also vital to familyharmony. “We all do and say things with-out thinking all the time with our families,”said Rees. “They bear the brunt of all theweight we carry. Try to remember that inthe heat of the moment and put aside pettygrudges.”

Sometimes, says Rees, it’s small, oftenoverlooked actions that can have a majorimpact. “Little things matter so much infamily life,” she said. “Replacing the soapin the soap dish, or asking someone abouttheir day and really caring about the an-swer, or giving a hand when you see some-one struggling. When my husband hears mycar in the driveway when I return from thegrocery store and comes out to help carrythe bags … I notice and I feel cared for.”

Letiecq said, “With myriad external stres-sors and pressures on family systems, it isreally important that families … work to-gether to model positive coping strategiesand moderate conflict and anxiety levels.Parents can model healthy conflict resolu-

tion practices and support their children’spositive coping and adaptation. This oftentakes a lot of work, learning skills that wemay not have picked up from our own fam-ily systems [such as] practice, cooperationand patience.”

“Learn and implement effective commu-nication skills,” said Rees. “Share what youare feeling with those all-important ‘I state-ments’ that we know about but find so hardto use in the heat of the moment. Stop what

we are doing whenthere is something wereally need to listen to,and then really listenwith empathy and love.… Not just thinking it,but saying ‘I love you,’‘I’m sorry,’ ‘I forgiveyou,’ ‘thank you.’”

Manage expecta-tions. “Reasonable ex-pectations seem like abig piece of this, forourselves, for our kids,for our partners,” saidRees. “Remember tostep back and thinkabout what really mat-ters and try to place lessimportance on therest.” Parents are achild’s best role modelsfor dealing with set-backs. “Parents musthelp their children beresilient when goals arenot met,” said Pfeffer.“Sometimes the bestgrowth can be gainedby resilience after a dis-appointment.”

LAUGHTER HELPS ALOT, too. “Try not totake things so seriouslyand to see the humor

even in the mistakes and the impossiblemoments,” said Rees. Practice gratitude.“Lately, I keep reading about the link be-tween practicing gratitude and feeling hap-piness. I find it true in my own life,” saidRees. “When I consciously look for thingsto be grateful for, I am much more awareof the moments of love and beauty in mylife. So practice gratitude for each memberof our families, for the good that we see inthem, for the moments that we have withthem. When, after a long day, I get to sitdown and read a book with my arms aroundmy kids, I try to remember to thank Godfor that moment. “There really is not one‘right’ way to parent a child or engage infamily life,” said Letiecq . “Every parent-child relationship, every family system isunique in terms of what each person bringsto the relationship: temperaments, interests,skill-sets, personality traits, personal histo-ries, past familial experience, health issues,etc. … There is a range of parenting styles,but what seems most important is to dowhat works best with your child’s tempera-ment and what is going to be most support-ive and least stressful for the entire family.”

“The most significantobstacles toharmonious familylife today are overscheduling and overconnectedness.…The solution is toschedule family timesuch as mealstogether — withoutelectronic devices tointerrupt beingpresent to each other— and to protectthis time from otheractivities.”

— Michael Moynihan,head of Upper School,

The Heights School


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You Have Saturdays OffThat’s Exactly Why We Don’t!

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