making home accessibleconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/...2019/03/08 ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Page, 5
Making Home AccessibleNews, Page 3
Gathered around Juwaan Espinal (seated) are (from left) Mary Beth and Tom Healy and Juwaan’s mother, Ibis Espinal.
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 20-26, 2019
Spo
rts, P
age
8 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6Photo b
y Bonnie
Hobb
s
Attention Postmaster:
Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 2-21-19
PRSRT STDU.S. Postage
PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
Appreciating AfricanAmerican ArtA+, Page 5
Officer of the MonthNews, Page 2
2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
PFC Darrell L. Haley Jr. was recently selectedas an Officer of the Month for the SullyDistrict Police Station. And as such, he washonored at a meeting of the station’s Citi-
zens Advisory Committee.Police 2nd Lt. Brian Calfee nominated him for Of-
ficer of the Month, explaining why Haley is deserv-ing of this award. He also noted that, from an earlyage, Haley has supported the Fairfax County PoliceDepartment and the community it serves.
“As a teenager, he joined the team as a Police Ex-plorer,” wrote Calfee. “It’s a volunteer program thatprovides opportunity to learn about law enforcement,serve the community through public service andteach important life skills, such as leadership, publicspeaking and self-confidence.”
After that experience, Haley became a police ca-det, learning additional policing fundamentals andbecoming more integrated with the role of a countypolice officer. Then, having graduated from theFairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in 2016,he was assigned to the Sully District Station.
“On a nightly basis, Haley works to make the Sullycommunity safe by providing outstanding police ser-vice,” wrote Calfee. “He works with community mem-bers to find solutions to problems and takes enforce-ment action when warranted. He has establishedhimself as an efficient, productive and energetic of-ficer who has a keen sense for spotting criminal andreckless behavior.”
“His work ethic is sound and is rarely achieved byofficers with similar time in grade,” continued Calfee.“Unexpected chaos can occur at any moment, andofficers like Haley respond without hesitation.” Calfeethen offered a couple examples of what he describedas Haley’s “exemplary behavior.”
One instance occurred while Haley conductedspeed enforcement on the Fairfax County Parkway –“a stretch of road known for excessive speed andreckless driving behavior,” wrote Calfee. “Haley at-tempted to stop a motorist; however, the driver dis-missed the officer and accelerated.
“The motorist’s driving behavior had already placedothers in danger long before he was intercepted bythe officer, and it was clear the driver had no inten-tion of yielding to police or others in the area. Usingsound judgement based on training and experiences,Haley performed a Precision Immobilization Tech-
nique [forcing the driver to lose control of his ve-hicle and stop] just before the offending vehicle en-tered a residential area. Doing so effectively andsafely ended the pursuit and allowed for an appre-hension without injury.”
In another instance, Haley responded to an un-known situation. Initially, officers only knew that awoman was screaming over the phone. “Through atranslator, it was discovered she was frantic becauseher baby had stopped breathing,” wrote Calfee.“Haley was the first to arrive. Alone, he was handeda seemingly lifeless infant.”
But after doing a quick assessment of the baby, heinstinctively started to perform chest compressions.“After what must have seemed like a lifetime, theinfant started to react and show signs of life,” wroteCalfee. “Care of the infant was eventually turned overto Fire and Rescue Department personnel. It wasdetermined that the baby had an adverse reaction toimmunizations, coupled with a probable lung infec-tion.”
In conclusion, Calfee stated that “These examplesof conduct and character demonstrated by Haley,coupled with many other intangible efforts, show hisdedication to our great community.” For all thesereasons, Calfee then nominated Haley to receive theSully District Station’s Officer of the Month award.
Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police
Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspec-tions Tuesday, March 5, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the sta-tion, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should install thechild safety seats themselves so technicians may prop-erly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
Because of time constraints, only the first 35 ve-hicles arriving on each date will be inspected. Thatway, inspectors may have enough time to properlyinstruct the caregiver on the correct use of the childseat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm datesand times.
Drop OffUnused Medications
All Fairfax County Police Stations, including theSully District Station, now have permanent Drug Take
Back boxes. Bring unused or expired medications tothe Sully Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Bou-levard, Chantilly, for a safe, convenient, and respon-sible way to dispose of drugs. Accepted items include:prescription medications, prescription ointments,over-the-counter medications, and medications forpets. Prohibited items include: needles, liquids of anykind, illegal drugs, medications from businesses orclinics, non-prescription ointments and lotions, aero-sol cans, and inhalers.
Meals on WheelsDrivers Sought
Meals on Wheels Drivers pick up meals and de-liver them to individuals on a specific route. Routestake a maximum of two hours to deliver all meals.Deliveries are made midday Monday, Wednesday, andFridays. Deliveries can be made by an individual oras part of a volunteer group. [email protected].
Officer of the Month: Haley
Lt. Ryan Morgan (left) presents the awardto PFC Darrell Haley Jr.
Roundups
Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
It’s tough enough to be asingle mom. Add to that awheelchair-bound son withcerebral palsy and con-
tinual health crises – plus a slewof home renovations gone awry –and you’ve got the plight ofCentreville’s Ibis Espinal.
Enter Clifton’s Tom Healy, whocame to the rescue regarding therenovations, and the house situa-tion now has a happy ending. Butin the midst of it all, Espinal didn’tknow what she was going to do.First came a worsening of her sonJuwaan’s intestinal problems.
“We’ve been through a lot,” saidEspinal. “The past three years, he’sbeen in the hospital 34 times. Hegot really sick and we almost losthim, last March. His intestineswere inverted, and he was hoursfrom passing on. It was heart-breaking.”
A Centreville High grad, Juwaanis 21 and suffers from pseudo ob-struction, which presents like areal blockage in his digestive sys-tem. “Because he has CP, much ofhis nerve system is weak and dam-aged, and his stomach only works10 percent,” said Espinal. “Afterhe’d eat, his stomach and intes-tines would stop working and he’dthrow up everything.”
In late 2015, he had to start eat-ing via a tube bypassing his stom-ach. Doing so alleviated some ofthe problem, but his digestivetroubles continued. More surger-ies followed; and then, lastMarch, Juwaan’s whole bodyswelled up and he was rushed tothe hospital.
“The trauma team said, if hisintestines were dead, he’d onlyhave a few more hours to live,”said Espinal. “But after six hoursof surgery, they removed part ofhis small intestine, which hadtwisted. Doctors said this happensto immobile kids with CP, as ba-bies. But they couldn’t tell us whythis was happening now.”
After that, Juwaan battled sev-eral intestinal infections. “He hassome good days and some reallybad and tough days,” said Espinal.“My mom flew from Ecuador tohelp me with him because I stillget PTSD from what happened.”
She said Juwaan used to lovegoing to Chipotle with his friendsand to IHOP as a family. Now,though, he can only have 2 ouncesof food by mouth – usuallychicken, rice and ice cream – ev-ery other day.
“Through it all, he’s still been thesame, happy-go-lucky boy,” saidEspinal. “But now he’s more sen-timental and tired. And when hedoesn’t see his friends, he’s sad. Hewatches TV and movies to pass thetime, and we take him to the malland bowling – we help him pushthe ball down the lane. We alsowheel him around a roller-skatingrink in Manassas and even playlaser tag with him. And recently,his two best friends, Morgan Asseland Mike Wallace, came to visithim from college and he was sohappy.”
Basically, said Espinal, she livesday to day because she can’t plan.“We never know when Juwaanwill need to go to the hospital,”she said. “I have a bag alreadypacked for us, in case we need to
go there suddenly. But that’s whatyou do as a parent. When he’s sick,he sleeps all the time and doesn’ttalk. [Although nonverbal,Juwaan communicates via com-puter]. The good days, I celebratehim; the bad days, I comfort him.”
They lived in a two-bedroomapartment; but in August, Espinalbought a three-bedroom, two-story townhouse so Juwaan’s oldersister would have her own bed-room when visiting and in case a24-hour nurse is eventuallyneeded. It’s in Compton Village,but they couldn’t move in untilNovember because Juwaan was inthe hospital and the whole househad to be modified for him.
“One bedroom, upstairs, is fullof his medical equipment and theother is his bedroom,” saidEspinal. “We needed a chairlift forthe stairs, and the bathroom hadto be big enough to be converted[to handicap-accessible].” A mort-gage-loan underwriter, she had atight budget. And, she said, “Ittook me a year to find this homethat I could afford.”
Earlier, Espinal had contactedthe National Fair Housing Alliancefor information on grants or loansto help pay for the modifications.The alliance spent $67,000 to helpher get the chairlift and its over-head track, bathroom modifica-tions and other needed items.
Espinal hired a contractor to dothe work. But he didn’t do it cor-
rectly and didn’t do all the thingsshe needed. For example, he putin a non-ADA-compliant ramp outfront, instead of the wheelchair liftJuwaan needed. The alliance paidfor the ramp removal and the lift.
Furthermore, the overheadtrack, or rail, for the chairlift in-side stopped at the top of thestairs, instead of extending toJuwaan’s bedroom and bathroom.That meant that 5-foot-one-inchEspinal had to constantly carry her90-pound son from bedroom tobathroom to staircase and back.
So she called Healy, who’s a con-tractor, himself, and who becamea family friend through SYA foot-ball, which Juwaan followed andHealy coached. He, too, had a sickchild, Elizabeth, who underwenta lung transplant for pulmonaryfibrosis at age 10. But her bodyeventually rejected the new lungsand she died while still a teenager.Afterward, her parents started theElizbeth Ann Healy Foundation(EAH) in her memory. It providesfinancial assistance to families inneed due to their children’s healthproblems.
Espinal contacted Healy, not forfinancial help, but for advice onwho to call to do the revisions rea-sonably. But when he saw howpoorly the work had been done,he decided to fix it, himself, andEAH paid for $25,000 of the$31,000 tab. He installed theneeded extensions to the over-
head track and also replaced thehome’s front door so it’s ADA-compliant with Juwaan’s wheel-chair.
“These two organizations did somuch for Juwaan, and we’re eter-nally grateful and happy,” saidEspinal. “This was life-changingfor him and for his aides and me,too, because we can now get himfrom place to place in this house.There’s even a stairlift that takeshim downstairs to the basementfor physical therapy. He’s now safehere.”
Pleased to help out, Healy said,“It feels good. The foundation’sgoal is to try to make a differencein people’s lives. Our mission state-ment is ‘Living, Loving, Surviving,’and Juwaan is the epitome of that.He still needs help and he’s partof our community.”
Recently, Juwaan’s sisterShanelle made a PowerPoint pre-sentation on his behalf and sent itto Healy and to Sherrill Frost-Brown with the Alliance. Itshowed Juwaan using all the newequipment and contained thismessage from him:
“Because of you, I can hang outon each floor of my house. Thebest part of my day is being ableto go to the living room to watchTV with my family. Because of you,my aides and family can transportme to and from rooms in a safemanner, and I can exit my homesafely. I can go anywhere I wantnow. Thank you all for making myhome accessible for me.”
Two organizations helpyoung Centreville man.
‘Thank You for Making My Home Accessible’
Juwaan Espinal poses beside the chair lift that takes himupstairs to his bedroom via a special rail.
Holding the sling she carries Juwaan in toplace him in the chair lift, Ibis Espinalpoints at the upstairs extension rail thatruns from Juwaan’s room to both thestairway and into the bathroom.
Photos by Bonnie Hobbs
Ibis Espinal shows the new tile floors inthe bathroom and Juwaan’s shower area.
Editor Steven Mauren
703-778-9415 or [email protected]
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@ChantillyConnec
Newspaper ofChantilly
Fair Oaks / Fair LakesA Connection Newspaper
An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.Published by
Local Media Connection LLC
1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314
Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415
Jean CardProduction Editor
Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
A Connection Newspaper
Chantilly
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearlyspecial edition, will publish thelast week of February, and pho-tos and stories of your pets with
you and your family should be submitted byFriday, Feb. 22.
We invite you to send storiesabout your pets, photos of youand your family with your cats,dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies,
hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or what-ever other creatures share your life with you.
Tell us the story of a special bond between achild and a dog, the story of how you came to
adopt your pet, or examples of amazing featsof your creatures.
Do you volunteer at an animal shelter ortherapeutic riding center or take your pet tovisit people in a nursing home? Does your busi-ness have a managing pet? Is your businessabout pets? Have you helped to train an assis-tance dog? Do you or someone in your familydepend on an assistance dog?
Or take this opportunity to memorialize abeloved pet you have lost.
Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favoritepictures include both pets and humans.
Please tell us a little bit about your creature,
identify everyone in the photo, give a briefdescription what is happening in the photo,and include address and phone number (wewill not publish your address or phone num-ber, just your town name).
Email [email protected] orsubmit online atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
For advertising information, [email protected] or call703-778-9431.
— Mary Kimm
Be Part of the Pet Connection
Editorial
Polar Bear Pickle Ball TournamentThe Clifton Betterment Association (CBA) held its first Polar Bear Pickle BallTournament on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Clifton Town Park. Sally Smallwood andMark Harrington were the champions of the Competitive flight, with MichelleStein and Steve Bittner as the runners up. Lynne Saltsman and Jim Witt took tophonors in the Fun flight. Mike Anton and Regan McDonald finished in secondplace. Community pickle ball came to Clifton last year when the CBA purchasedequipment and began hosting pick-up games two times a week in the town’spark. The idea of an outdoor pickle ball competition emerged when the CBA’swinter ping pong tournament was put on hold due to renovation work that tem-porarily closed the Clifton Town Hall until March.
Photo Contributed
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChildren who will be 5 years old on or
before Sept. 30, 2019, are eligible toattend kindergarten. Find the correctneighborhood school by enteringyour address at boundary.fcps.edu/boundary/. Complete a packet ofregistration forms found atwww.fcps.edu/it/forms/enroll.pdf orin the school office. Gathersupporting documents: proof ofresidence in the school boundary, acertified copy of the child’s birthcertificate, parent/guardian photo ID,and any custody orders. Certificate ofphysical exam and immunization willbe required before the student maystart school, but is not required forregistration. Parents who choose todelay enrollment in kindergarten byone year are required to notify theschool in writing of their intent.Learn more at www.fcps.edu/
registration/general-registration-requirements.
❖ Colin Powell Elementary Schoolin Centreville will conduct theirKindergarten registration on Friday,April 5, 9 a.m.-noon; parents mayalso call 571-522-6008 to schedulean appointment. Due to the timerequired to register a child, theyrequest that only parents come toschool for registration.
❖ Greenbriar West ElementarySchool is now accepting informationfor next year’s Kindergarten classes.Families within the school’sboundaries should call the schooloffice at 703-633-6700 as soon aspossible.
❖ Union Mill Elementary is currentlyregistering new students for the2019-20 school year. Findregistration forms in the Union MillElementary office or online atwww.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/
media/forms/enroll_0.pdf. Call 703-322-8500 or email [email protected] make an appointment to bringcompleted registration forms andsupporting documentation to school.Kindergarten Orientation will takeplace on Monday, April 1, 4-5 p.m.
VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or
Railroad History? Considervolunteering at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. The Museumoffers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individualto coordinate the scheduling of thevolunteer staff. Training will beprovided for all positions. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 for opportunities. TheMuseum is located at 11200 FairfaxStation Road in Fairfax Station. It is
open every Sunday, except holidays,from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
INPUT SOUGHTShaping the Future Together.
Fairfax County Government isbeginning a strategic planningprocess with the community to shapethe future together. The goal is tohear all voices and reach all segmentsof the community. This effort willspan most of 2019, but in this firstphase, the community is being askedto visit fairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan and:
❖ Take a short five-question onlinesurvey
❖ Join a community conversation inperson: Feb. 25 – Alexandria; Feb. 26– Fairfax; March 6 – Falls Church.
❖ Share the survey and conversationinvitation with neighbors, co-workersand county family and friends.
FRIDAY/FEB. 22Scholarship Application Deadline.
The Fairfax County Alumnae Chapterof Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.will award scholarships to AfricanAmerican female students whodemonstrate a high degree ofscholarship, leadership, andcommunity service. Applicants musthave a 3.0 or higher grade pointaverage on a 4.0 scale and be aresident of Fairfax County. Downloadan application at www.fcacdst.org/scholarship-application. [email protected] withquestions.
MONDAY/FEB. 25Assistance League Meeting. 10
a.m.-noon at Sully DistrictGovernment Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd., Chantilly. Assistance League ofNorthern Virginia invites communitymembers to attend its regularmonthly meeting. Learn about thenonprofit’s 2018-2019 OperationSchool Bell programs, includingWeekend Food for Kids and ReadingExpress. Pre-meeting social starts at9:30 a.m. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.alnv.org for more.
THROUGH FEB. 23Free Tutoring and Test Prep. Club
Z! Tutoring of Chantilly is celebratingit’s grand opening with special offers,including FREE SAT or ACT testpreparation programs. Families mayfollow the Club Z! Tutoring ofChantilly Facebook page toparticipate in all of its grand openingspecial offers and promotions or call703-879-7693 to register.
Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.Bulletin Board
Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
Despite his predilection for visualarts, Allen Carter, an AfricanAmerican boy growing up inpre-civil rights era Arlington,
might not have been granted entrance intosome the nation’s museums due to segre-gation. Still, he persisted, and years laterhe became a lauded artist, distinguishedteacher and mentor to underprivileged chil-dren. And in February — African AmericanHistory Month — his work is being shownin an exhibit, “Big Al Carter: A Retrospec-tive,” at the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art.While his work is part of the permanent col-lections of both the Smithsonian Institutionand the Corcoran Gallery of Art, this is thefirst exhibit of Carter’s work in the Wash-ington, D.C area since his death in 2008.
“Big Al’s family has given us an incred-ible gift by sharing his art, allowing us tocontinue to reflect on his life, his art andhis message for future generations,” saidMarty Schnider, president of Fred SchniderInvestment Group and founder of FredSchnider Gallery of Art.
As a painter, printmaker, sculptor andmuralist, Carter, also known as “Big Al”drew inspiration from his life experiences,
art history and everyday life. He believedthat his life’s purpose was to use art to heal.“Art is my emotion. Art is my memories. Artis my life. I create the essence,” he once said.
“He paints poor people, he paints peoplewho are fishing or people who are havingdinner at the table … his work is very vast,”said Carter’s daughter, Cecilia Carter.
Carter’s exhibit is particularly notewor-thy to some African-American art histori-ans who point to a recent study showingthat just 2.4 percent of all acquisitions andgifts and 7.6 percent of all exhibitions at30 prominent American museums havebeen of work by African American artists.The recent Andrew W. Mellon FoundationArt Museum Staff Demographic Survey of181 art museums in North America foundthat African Americans are greatly under-represented in mainstream art museums asdirectors, curators, conservators and edu-cators. Those who study African Americanart say that solving this dilemma requires ayear-round approach.
“We can’t just focus on it during BlackHistory Month,” said African American arthistorian Crystal Johnson, Ph.D. “These twostatistics go to hand-in-hand and provewhat we already know. We need more Afri-can American students to explore their ar-
tistic talents and we need more students totake chance on a non-mainstream careerand pursue jobs in museum administration.In order to make any changes, we need tohave a seat at the table.”
One such aspiring decision maker is re-cent a George Mason University graduatewho landed a position as the co-curator ofan exhibit at Howard University. “I’d workedwith an exhibition, but I’ve never had thechance to curate before. I was excited and
Carter’s exhibit, which features rarelyseen artwork from his daughters’ privatecollection, runs through March 3 at the FredSchnider Gallery of Art, 888 N. QuincyStreet, Arlington. Several pieces will beavailable for sale.
“The exhibit and his work reflect every-thing that he’s been through, what he’s seen,and what other people have been throughand seen,” said Big Al’s daughter Flora O.Stone, Carter’s daughter.
Promoting and preserving a part of history.Black History Month: A Look at African American Art
President of Fred Schnider Investment Group, LLCand Founder of the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art,Marty Schnider with Allen “Big Al” Carter’s daugh-ters, Cecilia Carter (left) and Flora O. Stone (right)
nervous,” said KourtneyRiles of the exhibitcalled, “An Examinationof Feminist(s) Subjec-tivity in Modern andContemporary AfricanAmerican Art.”
Art plays a vital, butoften overlooked role inAfrican American his-tory, not just duringBlack History Month,but all year long, ad-vises Angela Black, whohas taught art history.“Art is a way of preserv-ing our history,” shesaid. “It tells our storyand we need more pro-fessionally trained art-ists who can do that.”
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
Monty’s Model Train DisplayLocal model train enthusiast Monty Smith will display his running brick-built
model trains featuring LEGO trains in this two-day event. Saturday, March 2, noon-5 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, noon-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGHistory Volunteers Needed. Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum needshistory buffs. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities inMuseum events, programs andadministration. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 22-24Capital Remodel + Garden Show.
Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.;Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at DullesExpo Center, 4320 ChantillyShopping Center, Chantilly. Withemphasis on gardening andlandscaping, this show will featurefour large gardens showcasinggarden design, landscaping, patios,water feature and furniture.Additionally, more than 300companies will exhibit the latestproducts and services in homeremodeling, renovation, home décor,landscape and garden design. HGTV’s“Fixer Upper” star Clint Harp toheadlines the Capital Remodel +Garden Show. Federal workforceemployee with government ID willreceive free admission throughoutthe show. Single tickets valid for oneday of show: adults, $12 at box office($9 online); children 6-12, $3; 5 andyounger, free. Visitcapitalremodelandgarden.com.
SATURDAY/FEB. 23Cure Wintertime Boredom. 11 a.m.-
12:30 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park,2739 West Ox Road, Herndon. Tiredof being cooped up this winter? Flockover to Frying Pan Farm Park for the“Bored out of your Gourd” birdhouseprogram. Make a new home for yourfeathered friends out of gourds thatwere grown at the farm last year. 7-adult. $14 per person. Onlyregistered participants will receive abirdhouse gourd and decoratingsupplies. Children age 13 andyounger must be accompanied by anadult. Call 703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
Search for Signs of NewAmphibian Life. 4:30-5:30 p.m. atEllanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040Walney Road, Chantilly. Discover thecritical role vernal pools play forwildlife in the park at the “VernalPool Ventures Campfire.” Come byafter-hours and hike the park trailswith a guide to search for signs ofnew amphibian life. Learn about thelife cycle and early development oflocal amphibians. End the evening byroasting s’mores over a campfire. 4-adult. $8 per person. Call 703-631-0013 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
Cabaret. 6:30-10 p.m. at CentrevilleHigh School Cafe, 6001 Union MillRoad, Clifton. The Choral Cabaret isa highlight of the calendar and thebiggest fundraiser for the CentrevilleHigh School Choral Boosters. Thenight is packed with studentperformances, silent auction items,desserts served by chorus-memberwaiters, raffles, and more. $10. Visitwww.facebook.com/Cvhs-Choral-Boosters-890773407795787/.
SUNDAY/FEB. 24Candle Dipping at Sully. 1 and 2
p.m. at Sully Historic Site, 3650
Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. Learnabout early lighting techniquesthrough a hands-on display and alesson in candle-dipping. Discoverhow a candle mold, betty lamp,beeswax and wicking were used inthe olden days. End the session bymaking a hand-dipped candle to takehome. 45-minute program is $5 perperson. Add a guided tour of thehistoric site for $5 per person. Call703-437-1794 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
Hands On Activity Day. 1-4 p.m. 1-4p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Crafts andactivities often in a railroad orhistorical theme will be offered forvisitors to enjoy. Cost of supplies isincluded in the admission. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.
Fire Building and S’mores. 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Ellanor C. LawrencePark, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly.Learn the science and art of firebuilding at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.Discover what it takes to build a fire,and then test new abilities withprimitive fire bows and modern fire-making techniques and then roasts’mores. $8 per person, and childrenmust be accompanied by a registeredadult. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
Live Music: Nothin’ Fancy. 7 p.m.(doors open at 6) at Frying Pan FarmPark Visitor Center, 2739 West OxRoad, Herndon. Make plans to “hitchup the team” and head to Frying PanFarm Park this season for BluegrassBarn. Food and beverages availablefor purchase. $18 in advance, $20 atthe door. Purchase tickets online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or by phoneat 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
The Capitol Steps BenefitPerformance. 7 p.m. at FairfaxHigh School, 3501 Rebel Run Road,Fairfax. Join in for a SILLYariousevening as the Capitol Steps politicalsatire comedy troupe performs ashow to benefit high school theatrefor the Cappies of the NationalCapitol Area. Free parking. Adults,$30; students/senior citizens, $20;children 12 and under, $10; andgroups of 10 or more, $15. [email protected] or visitwww.cappies.com/nca.
MONDAY/FEB. 25Little Hands Work on the Farm at
Frying Pan. 9:45 a.m. (2-3 yearolds); 11 a.m. (3-5 year olds) at
Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West OxRoad, Herndon. Discover whathappens on a farm during the winter.Children will learn about animals,farm chores and how farm lifechanges with the season withactivities such as stories, crafts orgames. $8 per child. Children mustbe accompanied by an adult. Call703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
FRIDAY/MARCH 1Registration Deadline: Fairfax
Adult Softball. Experience first-hand the enjoyment that only FASsoftball offers with play for adultmen and women in a number ofdifferent leagues across FairfaxCounty: Men, Women, Coed,Modified Coed, Social Coed, FastPitch, Men’s 35+, Men’s 50+ andChurch. Team and individualregistration now open. Visit us andregister online atwww.fairfaxadultsoftball.com.
SUNDAY/MARCH 10Game Day Fun. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.The Fairfax Station Railroad Museumwill host a Game Day for all ages andprizes as well. For the little onesthere will be a Thomas the TankEngine game. Older children willhave a sticker scavenger hunt bingogame and there will even be a gamefor the grownups. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
SUNDAY/MARCH 17NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-
4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will hold aN gauge Model Train Display. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
TUESDAY/MARCH 19Live Music: Ryanhood. 7:15 p.m. at
Amphora’s Diner Deluxe, 1151 EldenSt., Herndon. Acoustic duo Ryanhoodgot their first break more than adecade ago as street performers atBoston’s Quincy Market. Ryanhood ison tour promoting their latest album,Early Best. Suggested donation is $10for members; $11 for non-members.Visit restonherndonfolkclub.com.
Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Missing ManFound DeadIn Centreville
Fairfax County Police Department Detec-tives have tentatively identified the bodyfound in the woods near Little Rocky Runon Friday, Feb. 15, as that of missing 79-year-old Guangzhi Cheng, of Centreville.Cheng was reported missing on Feb. 7, ashe was last seen near the 13500 block ofHeathrow Lane.
A citizen discovered his body around 9a.m. The exact manner and cause of deathwill be determined by the Office of theMedical Examiner. At this point foul playis not suspected.
House FireYields $125,000In Damages
On Monday, Feb. 4, at approximately 4p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire andRescue, the City of Fairfax Fire Department,and Prince William County Fire and Res-cue were dispatched for a reported housefire in the 7000 block of Balmoral ForestRoad in Clifton.
Units arrived on scene to find a two-story,single family home with smoke showingfrom the roof line and front door. Crewsfound a fire on the first floor with exten-sion into the second floor and attic. Onedog was rescued by firefighters. There wereno civilian injuries. One firefighter wastransported to an area hospital for evalua-tion.
Two occupants were home at the time ofthe fire. One occupant smelled smoke anddiscovered a fire in the den. The occupantattempted to extinguish the fire while theother called 9-1-1. Both occupants safelyevacuated the home prior to fire departmentarrival. Smoke alarms sounded after the firewas discovered.
Fire Investigators determined the fire wasaccidental in nature and started in the first-floor den. The cause of the fire was an over-loaded power strip.
Red Cross assistance was not needed.Damages as a result of the fire were approxi-mately $125,000.
FCF&RD Photo
Overloaded power strip causedClifton house fire.
News
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
At least that was my intention when I sat down to write this column. I was planning on highlighting a couple of my pet peeves: One was about people who back into parking spac-es, an all-too common practice (which does not make perfect) that irks me no end and often in-conveniences me while idling in my car waiting for the driver to crane his neck and coordinate
space, all while blocking my passage. The second peeve also involves cars, but this
action has potentially far more dangerous con-sequences: Drivers who, while motoring along, completely ignore my car’s blinkers/indicator lights – WHEN THEY’RE FLASHING.
I was taught that when driving a vehicle and needing to turn/switch lanes, I was to indicate that to other drivers by using my blinkers, look into my mirrors and then move right or left accordingly. Moreover, when I observed those
respect their intentions and give them a wide berth. I was not to speed up and interfere with their indications. Unfortunately, the exact oppo-site often happens.
Though I am still respectful when drivers
many of my driving brethren see those lights, they react much the same way as a bull does when he sees red: they SPEED UP, and in their vehicle’s acceleration, they put me and my pas-sengers at risk. If it has happened once – which it has – it has happened a thousand times.
Unfortunately, neither of these car-related “misbehaviors” has been able to block out one of my key cancer anniversaries: Feb. 20, 2009, and as such, I will now be returning to the scene of the semi crime. And though I am not Billy Shears 20 years after the band taught me how to play, I am a lung cancer survivor who 10 years ago on Feb. 20 learned that I had cancer. That was the day when my primary care physician called me at work, about noon-ish on a Thursday to discuss the results of my previous week’s surgical biopsy.
After declining the offer to come to his
he did: the growth was malignant. Dumbfound-ed, I asked for further details, which he politely deferred to an oncologist (a specialty with which I was totally unfamiliar), with whom, while we spoke on the phone, my primary care physician scheduled a Team Lourie appoint-ment for the following Thursday.
which had been going on since I showed up at the Emergency Room on Jan. 1, 2009 complain-ing of pain in my right side, an inability to take
With an inconclusive X-Ray to not corrob-orate, an otherwise healthy patient with no family history of anything relevant – especially cancer, the doctor was perplexed. Fifty days later I learned I had cancer. And so I remember that day/date, a day which will go down in infamy, so to speak – in my family anyway.
The intervening days, as I have written about recently, were spent investigating the cause of my original symptoms. Eventually all test results led to one conclusion: non-small cell lung cancer, stage IV.
Meaning metastatic and inoperable, mean-ing “terminal.” It was Feb. 20 when I learned my fate. (The following Thursday, Feb. 27, is another anniversary; that’s when we met my
life would never be the same, or last nearly as long.)
But yet here I am, alive and reasonably well, writing about nonsense, mostly, instead of cancer, for this week, anyway. Good therapy for sure, and a nice change of pace.
EnoughAbout Cancer
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
The Westfield Bulldogs and
Centreville Wildcats bas-ketball teams met for the third time
this season on Feb. 12, the first two gamesgoing to the Wildcats, this game a confer-ence semi final game with the winner ad-vancing to the conference championship atChantilly High School.
The first 4 minutes of the quarter belongedto the Wildcats, opening an early 7-0 ad-vantage. However, with still 2:39 to play inthe opening quarter Westfield was able toget the game to within a point 7-6. Momentslater the Bulldogs were able to take an 8-7lead. With a little more than a minute toplay the Bulldogs increased that lead to 10-7. Centreville scored the final 5 point in thequarter giving them a 12-10 advantage.
In the second quarter Westfield scored 13points including a Taylor Morin three pointer,while holding the Wildcats to just 6 points,giving the Bulldogs a halftime lead of 23-18.
Centreville overcame that deficit by scor-ing 14 points in the 3rd quarter while hold-ing Westfield to 6 points. Twelve of the Wild-cats points came via four successful threepointers. Chris Kuzemka had two of thosethree pointers while teammates TayshawnHogan and Lance Douglas had the other.
Facing a three-point deficit with a quarterto play, the Bulldogs would not quit. SamJohnson would score 4 points in the quar-ter and teammate Trent Reimonenq wouldscore 5 points including a three pointer asthe Bulldogs were able to send the game
The Concorde District Boys Cham-pionship was a matchup of the#1 seed Centreville Wildcatsand #2 seed Oakton Cougars
with Centreville winning both matchups inthe regular season.
The Cougars scored 14 1st quarter pointswith Micah Johnson-Parrotte scoring 12 ofthem and Centreville scoring 13.
In the 2nd quarter Centreville took thelead for good outscoring Oakton 16-12 togive the Wildcats a 29-26 halftime advan-tage.
The 3rd quarter saw the Wildcats add tothat lead converting on three 3 pointersbringing their total to eight for the gameand giving them a 49-42 advantage with aquarter to play.
In the 4th quarter the Wildcats took fullcommand. Centreville added their ninththree pointer of the game, but most of theirwork in the quarter was done by gettingto the charity stripe where they were suc-cessful on 15 of 16. For the game, the Wild-cats were successful on 22 of their 25 freethrow attempts.
Wildcats Outscore Cougars in District ChampionshipCentreville’s 79-55 win was led by Bryce
Douglas’s 22, Lance Douglas 17 and ChrisKuzemka’s 15 points. Oakton was led byMicah Johnson-Parrotte who had a game high33 points while teammate Garrett Johnsonadded 9 points. Both teams will compete inthe regional tournament. Centreville im-proves to 18-5, Oakton falls to 14-9.
Centreville Beats Westfield in Overtime
The Centreville Wildcats are the Concorde District Champions after defeating theOakton Cougars 79-55
Centreville’sBryce Dou-glas #1 ledCentrevillewith 22points in winover Oakton
Photos by
Will Palenscar
into OT, tied at 41, after holding the Wild-cats to just 9 points.
The Wildcats scored the first four pointsin OT, taking a 45-41 lead. Tahj Summeywas fouled by Lance Douglas sendingSummey to the line with 1:29 to play.Summey would nail both his free throwsnarrowing the lead to 45-43. Soon thereaf-ter Connor Shanton hit two free throws af-ter being fouled, putting Centreville backup 47-43. Trent Reimonenq hit his secondthree pointer of the game to pull Westfield
Photo by Will Palenscar
Centreville’s Tayshawn Hogan #0tries to use his hand to get separa-tion from Westfield’s Gavin Kiley #5.
to within a point with 50 seconds to play.Lance Douglas and John Hunter each addedone free throw in the closing seconds, se-curing Centreville’s bid to the conferencechampionship game with a 49-46 win.
Westfield fell to 3-16 Centreville improvedto 18-5. Westfield was led by TrentReimonenq and Marshall reed’s 10 points.Centreville was led by Bryce Douglas with17 points, and Chris Kuzemka’s 13.
— Will Palenscar
1st Team All District: BoysThe following were named to the Boys Conference1st Team All District: Garrett Johnson, Oakton;John Finney, Madison; AJ Arnolie, Madison; MicahJohnson Parotte, Oakton; Marshall Reed, Westfield;Bryce Douglas, Centreville; Derek Smith , Chantilly;Chris Kuzemka, Centreville; Lance Douglas,Centreville; and Kevin Harris, Coach of the Year,
1st Team All District: GirlsThe following were named to the Girls Conference1st Team All District: Grace Meshanko, Oakton;Hannah Kaloi, Oakton; Meghan O’Brien, Chantilly;Tedi Makrigioros, Madison; Grace Arnolie, Madi-son; Meghan O’Brien, Chantilly, Player of the Year;and Kirsten Stone, Madison, Coach of the Year.
Pho
to
s by W
ill Palen
scar