mclean loves its pets - ellington...

McLean Connection ❖ February 25 - March 3, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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February 25 - March 3, 2015

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McLeanMcLean

Pet Connection

Inside

McLean LovesIts Pets

News, Page 8

Stalled LaborMarket Slows

County BudgetNews, Page 3

McLean High GymnastsState Champions

Sports, Page 12

McLean ninth graders, Caroline Garcia andJamie Baker, with Caroline’s cat, Zeus.

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ February 25 - March 3, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ February 25 - March 3, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed outthe irony in County Executive EdLong’s proposed $3.8 billion bud-get. Three planning positions

would be eliminated from the budget eventhough Long suggested the county needsmore efforts to raise revenue from commer-cial and industrial venues.

“A timely planning process in revitaliza-tion is important in economic develop-ment,” said McKay after Long’s 30-minutepresentation to the Board of Supervisors onTuesday, Feb. 17. “The planner piece is notgoing in the same direction as the economicdevelopment question.”

McKay pointed to redevelopment alongthe Route 1 corridor as a source of economicgrowth that would require extra input fromplanning. Long agreed that the county ur-gently needs to expand the nonresidentialtax base in the county.

Commercial assessments dropped 0.6percent, while residential assessments in-creased 3.4 percent. Commercial vacancyrates are higher than they have been since1991. Although the U.S. economy grew atan estimated rate of 2.6 percent during thefourth quarter of 2014, “we are clearlyunderperforming the national economy,”Long told the Supervisors, mostly due tothe sequester and reductions in federalspending and contracting.

“Our economy is very dependent onpeople buying cars, buying houses andshopping,” Long said.

Long forecasts no significant improve-ments in the short term future. “We cannotfund all our priorities and investments.”Most departments, aside from public safety,will see some expenditure reduction.

Just 5,100 jobs were created in NorthernVirginia in 2014, less than half of the 11,900jobs created in 2013, which is half the num-ber of jobs (25,250) created on average in2011 and 2012.

“It is a bit sobering,” said Hunter MillSupervisor Catherine Hudgins.

Stalled Labor Market Slows County BudgetProposed budget callsfor no real estate tax rateincrease, but averagehomeowner would pay$184 more.

Budget Town HallMeetingsHunter Mill District Budget MeetingFrying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road,

HerndonSaturday, Feb. 28, 9 a.m.

Dranesville District Budget Meeting 1Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown

Pike, Great FallsWednesday, March 4, 7 p.m.

Dranesville District Budget Meeting 2McLean Community Center, 1234

Ingleside Avenue, McLeanWednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.

Providence District Budget MeetingProvidence Community Center, 3001

Vaden Drive, Fairfax - Multi-Purpose Room 2

Wednesday, March 11, 7 p.m.

Chairman Bulova’s CommunityDialogue on the Budget

Fairfax County Government Center,12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax - ConferenceRoom 9/10

Saturday, March 14, 2:30 p.m.

Sully District Budget MeetingRocky Run Middle School - Cafeteria -

4400 Stringfellow Road, ChantillyWednesday, March 25, 7 p.m.

Braddock District Budget MeetingBraddock Government Center, 9002

Burke Lake Road, Burke - BraddockHall

Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.

Chairman Bulova’s CommunityDialogue on the Budget, South

South County Center, 8350 RichmondHighway, Alexandria - Room 221

Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.

Budget ScheduleMarch 3: Board advertises FY 2016 tax rateApril 7-9: Public hearingsApril 21: Budget markupApril 28: Budget adoption

To sign up to speak at one of the public hear-ings, call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at703-324-3151 or 703- 324-2391 (TTY 711) or toaccess the form to sign up to speak, go to https://w w w . f a i r f a x c o u n t y . g o v / b o s c l e r k /speaker_bos.htm The public can send written tes-timony or communicate with the Clerk’s Office byemail at: [email protected]

Courtesy of Fairfax County Government

This pie chart shows sources of county revenue, with 64 percent coming fromreal estate taxes.

Courtesy of Fairfax County Government

This pie chart shows county expenditures, with 52.8 percent going to FairfaxCounty Public Schools, and 12 percent to public safety.

5 Things toKnow about theBudget

❖ One penny change in thereal estate tax rate, currently$1.09, is worth $22.6 million.

❖ The average 2014 homeselling price, $517,000, has stillnot reached its previous peakvalue of $543,271 achieved in2005.

❖ Direct office vacancy ratewas 15.2 percent as of mid-year2014, the highest office vacancyrate since 1991.

❖ Fairfax County PublicSchools request $14 millionmore than is in the current pro-posed budget. Schools ask for a3.99 percent increase; the cur-rent county budget proposalincludes 3.43 percent increaseover last year.

❖ School Age Child Care(SACC) fees restructured togenerate revenue and to betterreflect income levels andaffordability for participatingfamilies. Full paying familieswill see an increase of 8 per-cent.


Pet Connection

By Lori Baker

The Connection

When it comes to pets,McLean is much like othercommunities. Our pets arepampered, doted on, and

loved. And with good reason. According tothese McLean pet owners, the unconditionallove they give in return is immeasurable.

McLean’s Phillip Schneider was very clear.He did not want a pet. His three children,however, Peter, Sami, and Farah, did. Evenhis wife Fatima agreed with the kids. Need-less to say, the Schneiders now have aloveable, and very loved dog.

Tibby is a short-legged, slightly roundishBeagle/King Spaniel mix who greets visi-tors with a full body-wag. She came to theSchneiders when Phillip popped into ananimal shelter one day, sensing the inevi-table. Tibby was not at the shelter that day,but they discovered her at a PetSmart adop-tion day in Fair Lakes soon after, seeminglywaiting for the Schneider family to arrive.

“She fell in love with us the first time shesaw us,” said Fatima. “I held her, and shedid not want to let go. She just rested onmy shoulder.”

“On the first day of school when they askif you have any siblings, I always say I havetwo sisters and a dog,” said Peter. Sami andFarah agreed that she is a good “cuddlebuddy.” The whole family enjoys the walksthat Tibby has inspired, and the compan-ionship she brings to the family.

MCLEAN SIXTH GRADER, Greg Kopp,and his family got their Labradoodle, Cocowhen she was 6 weeks old. Because the littleblonde pup had recently undergone surgery,the Kopps would carry her up and down 14stairs every time she needed to go out.Months went by, and she still never learnedhow to go up and down stairs. “She wouldjust stand there waiting,” Greg’s mom,Carole Kopp laughed. The first time we

boarded her, they couldn’t believe it, shesaid. “Needless to say when we picked herup, she knew how to go down the stairs.”

Coco is not so little anymore, but still justas loveable. She is soft and friendly, andfollows her family around the house, espe-cially if there is food involved.

Greg is an avid baseball player and spendsquite a bit of time at the baseball field. SoGreg’s mom often brings Coco along. “We’realways there,” she said. “I would bring herto practice and walk her and she couldn’twait to get off her leash and run.” She vis-its with the kids after practice, and loves tobe chased.

One afternoon, one of the kids celebratedhis birthday by sharing donuts with theteam. Coco managed to snag at least a fewdonuts. If she could, she would surely saythat the only thing better than baseball prac-tice is baseball practice with donuts.

Several years ago, McLean ninth grader,Caroline Garcia, brought a small kittenhome from the barn where she used to ride

horses. They named him Zeus, and he fit injust fine with her family, which includes fourkids, parents, and at that time, just one dog;a Bichon/Poodle mix, named Junior. Sincethen, the Garcia family has rescued a thirdpet. This time, a small golden mixed-breednamed Lily.

The pets all get along great, with a sur-prisingly small amount of discord. Junioroften eats Zeus’ cat food. Zeus waits pa-tiently for Junior to finish. And from thelooks of it, they both are getting ample nu-trition. Meanwhile, Caroline’s siblings havecome home from school to find Lily with adog treat bag over her head, having scarfeda fair share of those.

These resourceful pets have found a lov-ing home with the Garcias. The Garciasappreciate their pets too. “They keep youcompany all the time,” said Caroline.“They’re always there for you.”

Sixth–grader, Jack Leahy and his eighth-grade sister, Katherine, are driven toMcLean’s Langley School each day by their2-year-old golden retriever, Sadie. Actually,

their mother, Kristin does the driving. ButSadie is such a well-known part of the ritualthat one can almost picture her buckled inwith her paw on the passenger-seat arm-rest. “Her favorite thing is to ride to school,”Kristin said. “She gets depressed on the daysshe can’t go to school.”

One of Sadie’s other favorite things iswhat her family calls “shinys.” Sadie lovesshiny reflections on the wall; especiallythose that reflect off of a computer screen,or come from a flashlight. She seems deter-mined to one-day catch one.

Sadie loves “shinys” so much thatKatherine’s science fair project involvedconstructing a self-walking dog machine.Katherine made a dog-friendly contraptionthat would shine tiny light beams in frontof the dog. Theoretically, Sadie would wear

Pets connect owners to thewild world around them.McLean Loves its Pets

See Best Friends, Page 5

Photos by Lori Baker/The Connection

McLean ninth graders, Caroline Garcia and Jamie Baker, with Caroline’scat, Zeus.The Schneider family of McLean - Farah, Phillip, Fatima, Peter and Sami -

with their King Spaniel/Beagle mix, Tibby.

McLean sixth grader, Greg Kopp,and his Labradoodle, Coco.

Two-year-old golden retriever,Sadie, with her Falls Church family,Katherine and Jack Leahy.

Photo by by Lois Lefkowitz

Jacques’ family says he is knownas a “Big Scruffy.”


Pet Connection

From Page 4

it and follow the lights. But when she triedit, she was so mesmerized that she just stoodat attention, focused on the “shinys.”

WITH HER IN THE FAMILY, “it’s hard toget bored,” said Jack. She loves to play withrocks, and “oinks” when she’s especiallyhappy. “She’s highly entertaining,” her momsaid. “We call it fluff therapy.”

McLean residents Lois Lefkowitz and herhusband, Paul Schneider have fosteredmany dogs. Lefkowitz has been a volunteerfor Homeward Trails, a local rescue organi-zation, for nearly ten years. Her two dogsare rescues. Both are mixed-breeds, andboth started out as foster pets.

Ren is a very friendly hound mix. He wasrescued from an animal-hoarding situationwhere he lived with an astounding 300-plusdogs. Lefkowitz met Ren and agreed to fos-ter him. He was shy, but she said it didn’ttake long for him to gain confidence. Heloves people, especially women, and otherdogs. “He’s not the smartest in the pack,”she said. “But he’s a really sweet boy with areally good disposition.”

Jacques is a fluffy mixed-breed. Lefkowitzsaid she is often asked what he is, but sheand her husband just don’t know. They sim-

ply refer to him as a “big scruffy.” He is a“very happy affectionate dog,” she said.

As a volunteer, she worries about thenumber of homeless animals that areeuthanized each year. But she is also en-couraged by the fact that the number ofpeople who adopt rescue pets has grownslightly, and that more pet owners spay andneuter their pets.

One thing that all of these McLean petowners agree on is that pets are a wonder-ful addition to the family. “It’s a connectionto nature and the wild world around you,”Lefkowitz said. “They’re lovely to have.”

Best Friends of McLean

Photo by by Lois Lefkowitz

Ren started as a shy foster pet, butis now a very friendly part of thefamily. The McLean Community Foundation

partnered with Redeemer Renaissance Af-ter-School Program for the purchase of abus. Since 2008, Renaissance has beenproviding hundred of families with local,reliable after-school care. An indepen-dently-operated, secular program, Renais-sance was established by RedeemerLutheran after Fairfax County’s SchoolAge Child Care (SACC) program was un-able to meet the demand for after-schoolcare and the County reached out to com-munity organizations for help. Initially,the County allowed buses to make extrastops to take children to Renaissance and

other similar programs. In 2013, however,Renaissance was notified that some of thespecial bus routes would no longer beavailable, leaving some children with notransportation and others on buses for anhour to travel just 2 miles. The McLeanCommunity Foundation was able to re-spond with a grant to Renaissance thatwas used to help purchase a bus. TheCommunity Foundation funds non-profitefforts that benefit McLean residents andwas happy to have this opportunity to sup-port working families. To find out moreabout your community foundation and tomake a donation, visit their website,mcleancommunityfoundation.org.

Helping Renaissance

From left -MCF BoardMemberWinniePizzano,ReedemerRenaissanceAfter SchoolDirectorRobertaPittmanm,MCF BoardMemberJoannBerkson andMCF presi-dent AmeeBurgoyne.

Courtesy photo


Opinion

A national report released on Feb. 11highlighted the prevalence of peoplewith mental illness incarcerated inlocal jails.

“Serious mental illness, which includes bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and major de-pression, affects an estimated 14.5 per-cent of men and 31 percent of womenin jails — rates that are four to six timeshigher than in the general population.… While most people with serious mental ill-ness in jails, both men and women, enter jailcharged with minor, nonviolent crimes, theyend up staying in jail for longer periods oftime.” See vera.org.

Natasha McKenna, a woman with a long his-tory of severe mental illness, died on Feb. 8,five days after being repeatedly shocked witha taser, restrained, hooded and forcibly re-moved from her cell by six deputy sheriffs “pur-suant to its protocols for managing combativeinmates.”

McKenna, a small woman according to press

reports, had been held in the Fairfax CountyDetention Center since Jan. 26, on a warrantfrom the City of Alexandria. Fairfax deputieswere forcibly extracting her from her cell soshe could be transported to the Alexandria jail.

Here is part of the police release on the inci-dent:

“During the struggle to restrain McKenna, amember of the Sheriff’s Emergency ResponseTeam deployed a conducted energy weapon(Taser) on McKenna. While being restrained,deputies placed a spit net (which is designedto restrict and prevent spitting) on McKenna.

A nurse from the ADC medical staff waspresent at that time to check on herprior to transport and cleared her fortransport. Deputies attempted to put

her in a medical transport chair, but McKennacontinued to be combative and was moved toa restraint chair for transport.”

To understand a little of what was happen-ing, search for images of “spit net” and “pris-oner restraint chair.”

When the emergency response team wasgetting ready to load McKenna into a vehicle,“medical personnel from the Fairfax CountySheriff’s Office checked McKenna and deter-mined she was experiencing a medical emer-gency.”

McKenna never regained consciousness.

Natasha McKenna’sdeath provides windowon national concern.

Managing Mental Illness in JailsThe incident was recorded on video, but “the

video is currently retained as evidence by de-tectives from the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment and will not be released at this time.”

Less than two weeks after McKenna’s death,the public knows a lot more about the detailsof this incident than previous cases involvingthe Fairfax County Police, but questions of whathappened, how and why, greatly outnumberanswers.

It is standard operating procedure in theUnited States to warehouse disruptive peoplewith mental illness in jails. A 2006 SpecialReport by the Bureau of Justice Statistics esti-mated that 705,600 mentally ill adults wereincarcerated in state prisons, 78,800 in Fed-eral prisons and 479,900 in local jails, accord-ing to the National Institute for Corrections.

We have to ask what constitutes humane,effective treatment for people with mental ill-ness, and often substance use disorders, whoend up in jails. Are the brutal images of NatashaMcKenna’s handling a common experience forpeople with severe mental illness in jails? Whiledeaths resulting from such incidents are rare,they do occur. What can be done to providetreatment?

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editorial

To the Editor:Our family’s beloved

dog, Rocky has been lostsince Saturday at 5 p.m.– last seen in Mclean (in-tersection of OldDominon Drive andLinway Terrace). Whileon a walk, Rocky beganchasing an SUV and afterhis leash became tangledin the wheel, the leashbecame unhooked. We’rehoping Rocky isn’t tooinjured, because he wasterrified and able to runaway. Neighbors reportedseeing him late Saturday,but we haven’t seen himsince then.

Rocky is shy, and isprobably very scaredright now, so the best wayto try to get him to comeis with food and then togently put fingersthrough his collars whenhe comes near to grab thefood. If found, anyonecan contact Sean Kim at703-489-7600 [email protected].

Suejin KimMcLean

Photo contributed

Vital Info: Name — Rocky,Age: 6, Weight: 35 Lbs, Breed:Cattle Dog Mix, Color: whitewith a large brown spot overhis right eye and ear, smallbrown spots all over.

Help Find Rocky

Letters to the Editor

OversightNeeded in PoliceShooting CasesTo the Editor:

Kudos and thanks for your re-cent editorials voicing the concernof many Fairfax County citizens inconnection with the investigationof police shootings.

James Madison said of govern-ment that we must “oblige it tocontrol itself ” through checksand balances, including vigilantoversight of administration. It isdi f f icult to conceive whereBoard of Supervisors oversightis more needed than over agroup—even a group as honor-able and courageous as our po-lice officers—entrusted to exer-cise coercive powers, up to andincluding life and death. TheBoard of Supervisors should ful-fill that oversight function, start-ing with investigative hearingsinto the reasons for the secrecyshrouding the shootings identi-fied in your editorial. State Sen.Barbara Favola and our new Del.Kathleen Murphy may also wishto consider whether to proposestatutory changes to the VirginiaFreedom of Information Act.

Bruce Ellis FeinGreat Falls

Supporting DeerManagementTo the Editor:

Thank you for the excellent ar-ticle on deer management inFairfax County (“A Time to Hunt?”- Connection, February 18-24,2015). One deer can carry 1,000ticks, and approximately 25 per-cent of ticks in our county carryan infectious agent. In addition toborrelia burgdorferi, the tick cancarry babesiosis, bartonella, andother pathogens. Current methodsof testing humans for such dis-eases are unreliable, resulting inpossibly thousands of undiag-nosed patients in our county. Na-tionwide, 300,000 new cases ofLyme disease were estimated bythe CDC last year, a 10-fold in-crease over prior estimates. As aformer Lyme sufferer, supportgroup leader and current patientadvocate, I see the devastationthese diseases cause to our resi-dents. From bedridden children tosuicidal teens to failed marriagesand economic ruin, these diseasestake a toll on more than just one’scar and garden.

I appreciate all the county isdoing to reduce the number ofdeer in our yard!

Marjorie VeigaVienna

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SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDAR

When SamMet Frodo

“Sam and Frodo are both res-cue cats. Frodo, the big orangeguy with the furry feet, camefrom Home Alone Feline Rescuein 2011. He is part Maine Coonand part American bobtail. Louand I had been thinking aboutgetting a second cat as a com-panion for Frodo when I ran intoLee District School Board mem-ber Tammy Koufax at a commu-nity event in Springfield in Au-gust 2013. Tammy and her kidswere fostering a litter of feralkittens that had been found be-hind a restaurant in WashingtonD.C. When Lou and I sawTammy’s photo of the smallestkitten, a tiny tiger tabby, we fellin love. Eventually, so did Frodo,once she got over Sam trying tosteal his toys and occasionallysnatching his treats away. Welove watching the two cats chaseeach other around. Animals addso much to your life!”

— Sharon Bulova,

chairman of the Fairfax

County Board of Supervisors

Photo contributed

Sharon Bulova with her cats Frodo and Sam.

Pet Connection

On the night ofWednesday, Jan.28, a cat invited itself into the home of

a McLean resident, bringing with ita mystery spanning several monthsand almost a hundred miles. AnODAHC client watched with awe asa friendly black cat with a whitechest, or “Tuxedo” cat, walked inthrough her garage and made itselfat home. When she saw that her visi-tor was sneezing, had an infectionin both of its eyes, and was suffer-ing from a recent puncture woundthrough its ear, the kind-hearted cli-ent knew she had to take action: shecalled and made an appointment.

During the visit with Dr. AndreaNewman, the cat was scanned, aroutine procedure for stray ani-mals, to ascertain whether it had amicrochip. The results shockedboth the staff and the client whobrought in the cat: the microchipdatabase company notified themthat the cat, named “Rhudy,” had

been reported as missing since Mayof 2014. Even more astonishingwas that the cat had disappearedin Edinburg, Va., a town situatedover 90 miles from the client’shome in McLean. The animal hos-pital placed phone calls to all fourof the numbers provided by themicrochip database, but only onestill worked. A voice on the answer-ing machine mentioned the name“Penny,” matching the name of theowner as provided by the micro-chip database company.

MICROCHIPPING PETS is apractice that has reunited tens ofthousands of pets with their own-ers since its inception. The simpleprocedure involves injecting a tiny,glass-encased radio frequency tran-sponder under the skin between theshoulder blades of the animal.When a lost pet is brought into ananimal shelter or animal hospital,the staff uses a special scanner toread the microchip. The hospital

staff can then call a national petmicrochip database, which storescontact information for pet owners,and enables animal shelters andhospitals to give owners the goodnews about their pets. While Rhudyhad been fitted with a microchipthat would allow him to complywith the travel regulations of almostany country in the world, he neededthe microchip simply to get home.

Despite its obvious medical is-sues, the cat appeared to be sur-prisingly clean and well-fed. Aftera thorough examination, Dr.Newman administered an injectionof long-lasting antibiotics to treatthe animal’s respiratory infectionand ear, and prescribed an appro-priate medication for its eyes. Hav-ing pets of her own that might be-come ill if they came in contactwith the visiting cat, the Good Sa-maritan left Rhudy in the care ofthe staff at the animal hospital.

That night, after the hospital hadclosed and the night nurse was car-

ing for Rhudy, Penny Nixon left herown voicemail on Old DominionAnimal Health Center’s answeringmachine. With a voice filled withemotion, she said, “I got your mes-sage. . . . you don’t know how muchthis means to me!” She called againas soon as the animal hospital hadopened the next morning, and toldhospital staff that she was on herway up from her new home inGalax, over 300 miles from McLean.

Nixon told Old Dominion staffthat she had gotten Rhudy whenhe was a kitten, after hearing hisplaintive mews while cleaning upafter a yard sale. Now a 10-year-old cat, Rhudy had always been ahomebody, Nixon explained, untilthey moved to a new home, where-upon he demanded to go outside.He was let out, and was last seenwalking over a nearby hill.

THE CAT gazed placidly intoNixon’s face as she approached themedical isolation room in which he

Microchip Reunites Pet With Ownerhad stayed at the hospital, and al-lowed himself to be petted. “Hi,Rhudy!” she exclaimed. “He recog-nizes me,” murmured Nixon, whilecaressing his thick, black fur. Allud-ing to how the microchip had madeit possible for her to be reunited withher beloved pet, she said “Now I haveto get my other cat microchipped!”

It was a joyously tearful reunion,thanks to a microchip and a phonecall. The question remains, how-ever: how did Rhudy end up 90miles away from his home? Hospi-tal staff members guessed thatRhudy might have jumped into ahome contracting van and fallenasleep, jumping out once he arrivedin Northern Virginia. Only Rhudyknows the full story, and he showsno indication that he will ever tell:after his 9-month odyssey, he is sim-ply content to be once again in thearms of his owner. Dr. Newmanunderscored the importance of thattiny microchip: “He’d never havemade it home without it.”

Rhudy andPenny Nixon

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Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We need long- and short-termfosters for cats of all ages, mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit our website,cl ick on Participate


2ND ANNUAL

Friday, March 6, 2015The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

The Boys & Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington/Fairfax Region helphundreds of at-risk youth every dayright here in Fairfax County.

We invite your organization to consider sponsorshipopportunities for our 2nd Annual Boys and Girls Clubsof Greater Washington, Fairfax Region Casino Night.

Casino Night is a fun-filled evening featuring:• Full complement of staffed gaming tables including Texas Hold ’em, Black Jack and Craps, Roulette• Fabulous dinner buffet * open bar * amazing raffles, live and silent auction• Celebrity Emcee with music and dancing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, Virginia 22102 • On the Silver Line

Friday, March 6, 20156:30-11:30pm

Tickets: $95.00 per person,$175.00 per couple

Special Overnight Guest Room Rateat the Ritz-Carlton for

Friday March 6, 2015 -- $119.00

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington/Fairfax Region help boysand girls of all backgrounds build confidence, develop character, and acquireskills fundamental to becoming productive, civic-minded, responsible adults.

BGCGW provides a safe and positive environment for our youth.

Tickets: www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/casino-night/

Boys & Girls Club Fairfax Casino Night

OF GREATER WASHINGTONFAIRFAX COUNTY REGION

Calendar

See Calendar, Page 11

THROUGH WEDNESDAY/MARCH 11Ice Skating at Tysons Corner

Center. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. -9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.TysonsCorner Outdoor Center, 1961 ChainBridge Road, Tysons. Adults,$10;Child/Senior/Military, $9; SkateRental, $6; Group of 10+, $12 andincludes skates

FRIDAY/FEB. 27Concert: John Eaton. 8 p.m. Wolf

Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. 8p.m. Renowned pianist, vocalist,musicologist, and humorist deliversrendition of cherished Americansongs. Tommy Cecil, Bass. Tickets$25-27.

Ice Skating. 3:30 - 10 p.m. OldFirehouse Teen Center, 1440 ChainBridge Road, McLean.

SATURDAY/FEB. 28Mardi Gras Gala. 8 p.m. American

Legion Post 180 Patriot Hall, 330 N.Center Street, Vienna. Music by TerryLee Ryan (New Orleans’ own). HeavyHors D’oeuvres Costumes optional.Prize for best costume. Tickets: $35can be purchased at Post 180 orOnline at http://Legion180.net Opento the public.

Concert: Big Sam’s Funky Nation.8 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road,Vienna. 8 p.m. Join these NewOrleans “hot purveyors of funk,(Miami News Times) for urban funkelectrified by distinct trombone riffsand rhythmic, jazzy beats. Tickets$24.

SUNDAY/MARCH 1125th Anniversary Town of Vienna

Concert. 7 p.m. Vienna Community

Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna.A free concert featuring musiccelebrating the 125th anniversary ofthe Town of Vienna. The band willperform Johann Strauss’s “RadetskyMarch,” Franz von Suppe’s “Morning,Noon, and Night in Vienna,” AaronCopland’s “Down a Country Lane,”Pavel Tschesnokoff’s “Salvation isCreated,” Stephen Bull’s “Bond . . .James Bond,” and other favorites. Formore information, visitwww.viennacommunityband.org orcall 703-403-9179.

TUESDAY/MARCH 3Speaker on Honoring Military at

Arlington Cemetery. 12:15 p.m.Trinity United Methodist Church,

McLean. The McLean Woman’s Clubwill host as speaker Paula McKinley,chairman of The Arlington Ladies, agroup that honors fallen militarymembers during burial at Arlingtonand supports their families.Reservations: 703-356-3646.

FRIDAY/MARCH 6Antigone Rising. 8 p.m. Jammin’

Java, 227 Maple Avenue E, Vienna.The girls will be bringing theirtrademark sound - a fusion ofcountry, pop, rock and folk. Tickets:$15-$18.

Altan. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1551 TrapRoad, Vienna. One of Ireland’s mostrespected traditional Celtic musicacts blends lively strings and ethereal

vocals to transport listeners to theheart of the Emerald Isle.

Tickets: $25.

SATURDAY/MARCH 7Great Falls Grange Reopening

Ceremony. 10 a.m. 9818Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. JohnFoust, Dranesville District Supervisor,and the Fairfax County ParkAuthority hold the Re-OpeningCeremony of the Great Falls Grange.The ceremony will be held during theGreat Falls Farmers Market.

Pancake Breakfast. Vienna VolunteerFire Department, 400 Center StreetSouth, Vienna. 8 a.m. - Noon. All youcan eat pancakes, sausage, bacon,juice and coffee. Adults $8, Seniors65+ $7, Children under 12 $6,Children under 4 free. There will alsobe tours of the fire equipmentavailable. All proceeds go to theVienna Volunteer Fire Department toassist in purchasing life saving fireequipment. Come have a deliciousbreakfast, spend time with themembers of the VVFD and thecommunity. For more informationcontact: [email protected]

Salon Simone and Med SpaCultura. 6-10 p.m. Tysons CornerMall, 1961 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Come by and bring a friendor two for a sip, a bite and mingle atTyson’s Corner Center’s newest salonand spa.

SUNDAY/MARCH 8Keaton Simons. 7:30 p.m. Jammin’

Java, 227 Maple Avenue E, Vienna.Keaton Simons’ music has been heardin dozens of feature films andtelevision shows, including PrivatePractice, NCIS, Malcolm in the Middle,Crash, Hollywood Heights and Sons of

Anarchy. He has also worked as awriter, musical director, singer,bassist and guitarist with notable actslike Gnarls Barkley, Black Eyed Peas,Snoop Dogg, and Tre Hardson of ThePharcyde. His guitar playing is highlysought-after, so much so that friendsand peers like Ben Harper and JoshKelley have asked him to join themon tour and on live TV.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 11Buckwheat Zydeco. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap,

1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Join a“Swamp-boogie joy ride” (People) asthis Grammy-winning zydeco bandserves up their vibrant brand ofCreole music. Tickets: $28

Great Falls Historical SocietyMarch Program. 6 p.m.Celebration of the Grange,refreshments; local memories of theGreat Falls Grange, film.

THURSDAY/MARCH 12Artist’s Demonstration. 10:30 a.m. -

12:30 p.m. Vienna Art Center, 115Pleasant St. NW, Vienna. The ViennaArts Society invites the public todiscover how Potomac artist JackHarding creates subtle texturaleffects with watercolors on distressedrice paper. Free. 703-319-3971.

FRIDAY/MARCH 13Weather or Not. Vienna Art Center,

115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna.Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. March 3 – April 4.Members ofthe Vienna Arts Society bring MotherNature. Meet the artists, to includeNational Gallery of Art copyist DickNeff and featured artist Ginger

Catch Antigone Rising playing on March 6 at Jammin’Java. The girls will be bringing their trademark sound - afusion of country, pop, rock and folk.

Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Fridayfor the following week’s paper. Photos/artwork encouraged.

AssistantEditor

Full-time assistant editor tohelp with all aspects of pro-ducing award-winningweekly newspapers, includ-ing daily web and socialmedia updates.

Must be a prolific, efficient,accurate writer/rewriter withgood basic knowledge of APstyle and clean copy. Self-starter with excellent timemanagement skills who canto work independently andcollaboratively with strongorganizational skills, high pro-ductivity, attention to detail.Exciting opportunity to learnfrom excellent editors.Essential Responsibilities:

Generating local contentdaily for print and online,including calendar & enter-tainment listings, news briefs,crime reports, businessbriefs, school and educationnotes, faith notes, photo gal-leries, etc.

Monitor never-endingemail, prioritize, download,edit, compile, post.

Community engagement,communication with readersand sources. Continuouslyseeking new sources of localinformation.

Copy editing, fact check-ing, familiarity with AP Style.

Design and paginateweekly entertainment, calen-dar and notes pages for mul-tiple papers.

Update websites daily, postto social media.

Stay on top of local break-ing news, work with editorand reporters to update.

Help transition to digitalfirst workflow.

Salary approximately $30K,health insurance, paid vaca-tion. Office is 2 blocks fromKing Street Metro station.Free parking.

Send letter, resume, threeclips or examples of work [email protected]


132 Branch Road, S.E. • Vienna, VAVisit www.maplewoodgrill.com for Menu

Maplewood Grill

Live EntertainmentWed. thru Sat.

Serving Our Neighborsand Friends for Over 30 Years

703-281-0070

Formerly Le Canard • Family Owned & Operated

BrunchEvery

Sunday!

A Taste of BavariaWednesday, March 4th

$35 per person not including Tax or TipReservations Highly Recommended

Buffet Dinner Starting @ 6:30 pm

From

Calendar

Sanaie, at a reception Friday, March 13,7 – 9 p.m. Free and open to thepublic.

FRIDAY/MARCH 20Enter the Haggis. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap,

1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Experimental roots-rock stalwartspush the boundaries of Celtic musicwith vigorous performances andinventive albums. Tickets: $28.

TUESDAY/MARCH 24Annual Children’s Printmaking

Workshop. 4-5 p.m. Patrick Henry

Library, 101 Maple Avenue E,Vienna. The Vienna Arts Societyinvites children ages 7 - 12 to createprints using fish, vegetables, andmore at a workshop. To register, callthe Children’s Librarian at 703-938-0405.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 25Karla Bonoff. Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap

Road, Vienna. A velvety-voiced, folk-pop singer/songwriter whoseheartfelt ballads have been coveredby Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt andWynonna Judd. Tickets: $27.

ONGOING

Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Through March 21. Free Tai Chibeginners’ practice. Open to all.Every Saturday, 8-9 a.m. St.Luke’s Catholic SchoolGymnasium, 7005 GeorgetownPike, McLean.

Free Comedy Showcase. Thursdays8:30 p.m., at Kalypso’s SportsTavern, 1617 Washington Plaza N.,Lake Anne Village Center, Reston.Kalypso’s hosts weekly comedy showsthat feature some of the best nationaltouring and local comedians in thearea. Free of charge.

Family Fun Entertainment Series.Saturdays 10-10:45 a.m., at RestonTown Square Park, 11990 Market St.,Reston.


By Jon Roetman

The Connection

McLean junior Conor Grammesentered Friday’s VHSL statewrestling tournament with a

different mindset and left with a differ-ent result.

Disappointed with his performances atthe 2013 and 2014 state tournaments,Grammes approached the 2015 compe-tition with a cool confidence. After a gru-eling victory in the semifinals, Grammescaptured what he came for.

Grammes took home the 6A 152-pound state championship, beating

ished runner-up in the 160-poundbracket, losing to Oscar Smith’s SeldonWright in the final via third-period tech-nical fall, 26-11.

McLean finished seventh in the teamstandings with a score of 32. ColonialForge dominated the competition, win-ning the team title with a score of 147.Centreville finished runner-up (57.5),followed by Robinson (51), Westfield(48), Battlefield (47) and Oscar Smith(37.5).

Due to inclement weather concerns,the VHSL condensed the two-day eventinto a one-day tournament. Friday’s com-petition lasted past midnight.

Other 6A individual winners included:Centreville’s Victor Echeverria (113) andTyler Love (195), Westfield’s JustinYorkdale (132) and Austin Knies (285),and Robinson’s Austin Riggs (145) andCole DePasquale (182).

Junior’s confidentapproach pays offwith championship.

McLean Wrestler Grammes Wins 152-Pound State Title

Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

McLean wrestler Conor Grammes,top, won the 6A 152-pound statechampionship on Feb. 20 atRobinson Secondary School.

South County’s Jacob Wassif via 5-2 deci-sion in the final on Feb. 20 at Robinson Sec-ondary School.

“It feels pretty good to be honest,” saidGrammes, who also won Conference 6 and

6A North region titles in 2015. “Both of thelast two years [were] kind of upsetting atstates — I struggled a little bit. … Going inmy freshman and sophomore year, I wasreally nervous. I didn’t really focus as muchon warming up properly because I was ner-vous.

“This state tournament, I went in confi-dent, thinking that I deserved to be a statechampion and it made it a big difference inthe way I wrestled.”

Grammes earned a trip to the 152-poundfinal by defeating Herndon’s SamuelMilligan in the semifinals, 6-3.

“In my mind, that was my finals match,”Grammes said. “I knew that was going tobe a real grind-out. Me and Sam, we’ve beenwrestling together since we were in firstgrade. … I was gassed [toward the end ofthe match]. I had no energy left. It wasstraight who wanted it more.”

Fellow McLean wrestler Gavin Legg fin-

Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

The McLean gymnastics teampulled off the trifecta Friday.

After winning their fourthconsecutive Conference 6/Lib-

erty District championship and capturingthe 6A North region title, the Highlandersfinished the 2014-15 season by winning thestate championship on Feb. 20 at PatriotHigh School.

McLean posted a score of 145, edgingStafford (144.75) to win the team title.Ocean Lakes finished third (143.9) andBattlefield took fourth (139.175).

“It was such an exciting experience!”McLean gymnast Jacqueline Green wrotein an email. “We had no idea what the out-come would be throughout the competitionso we were surprised and thrilled by thenews. We have all worked so hard to get tothis point and it feels great to finish my se-nior year first in the state.”

McLean, led by head coach Courtney Les-son, is the first Fairfax County school to wina VHSL state gymnastics title since Langleyaccomplished the feat in 2004.

“We really had not competed againstmany of the teams at the state competitionbut we knew they were all stacked with tal-ent, so that was definitely intimidating,”McLean senior Lizzy Brown-Kaiser wrote inan email. “Going into the competition, theentire team was really focused on hittingour routines and having fun while doing it.”

MCLEAN CAME CLOSE to winning it alllast season. After winning their conference

and finishing region runner-up to Washing-ton-Lee for the third straight season, theHighlanders placed second at the 2014 statemeet, finishing 1.225 points behind FrankW. Cox.

“We were all motivated to live up to thehigh expectations that we set for ourselvesafter last year,” Green wrote. “We wantedto make this season even better than the

last.”“This year we had a lot of depth with the

addition of several talented freshmen to theteam,” Brown-Kaiser wrote. “I think every-one on the team improved immenselythroughout the course of the competitiveseason and peaked at states. We all becamea lot more consistent and confident withour skills with the help of our coach,

Courtney Lesson.”Green and Brown-Kaiser were two pri-

mary reasons McLean captured its first statetitle. Green finished with the Highlanders’top score on floor (9.525), vault (9.425)and beam (9.35). She also scored 8.8 onbars.

“I felt great about the meet,” Green wrote.“I had my best individual all-around scoreof the season. It was a great way to finishup my last meet with the team. It feels verygratifying to have all of our hard work payoff. … We knew that we needed to haveour best meet of the season to pull off firstplace. It was an incredible team effort andI am very proud of everyone.”

Brown-Kaiser scored 9.15 or better ineach event, including 9.425 on floor. Shescored 9.3 on vault, 9.25 on beam and 9.15on bars.

“Personally, I was very satisfied with myindividual performance but I was especiallyproud of the team,” Brown-Kaiser wrote. “Iwas really happy that I could contribute toour team score.”

Calista Parude (floor, 9.275), CarolynBrown-Kaiser (vault, 9.15) and MathildeLarose (vault, 9.05) each scored 9 or betterin an event for the Highlanders.

Madison Schumann (8.675) and DelaneyGallagher (8.6) competed on beam forMcLean.

THE INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION,originally scheduled for Feb. 21, was post-poned until noon on Saturday, Feb. 28 atPatriot High School due to inclementweather concerns. Lizzy Brown-Kaiser willcompete in the all-around. Green will com-pete on floor and vault, and Carolyn Brown-Kaiser qualified on vault.

“I hope to do some of my best routines ofthe season,” Green wrote. “I want to finishoff my high school career on a good note!”

Highlanders first Fairfax Countychamp since Langley in 2004.

McLean Gymnastics Wins 6A State Championship

The McLeangymnasticsteam won the2015 6A statechampionshipon Feb. 20 atPatriot HighSchool.

Photo by

Mike Gallagher

McLean Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]


Three Local Keller Williams Teams AmongTop 100 in USA

Ron Cathell, the owner and operating principal, and Amina Basic, CEOof Keller Williams McLean/Great Falls office, announced three teams made2014 “TOP 100 Teams” Nationwide for Keller Williams. The followingteams made it to the top 100 nationally: The Belt Team, HBC Realty Groupand Ron Cathell Team ranked among the best in the country out of morethan 100,000 associates. All three teams consist of a long time area resi-dents. “This ranking affords them access not only to tools, technolo-gies, and resources that uniquely benefit their clients. That’s a win-winfor us and for our clients. Our company motto is ‘God, Family, Busi-ness.’ We live by that. And so it’s even more gratifying to be able tohelp so many clients find that ‘perfect home,’ as well as help them selltheir properties quickly and for the highest price possible, so they canmake their dreams come true. All three teams are family businessesand they treat their clients like family,” said Basic.

Keller Williams McLean/Great Falls office is ranked #17 in the countryby production. For more information call Amina Basic at 703-672-0687.

Weichert, Realtors Recognizes TopRegional Associate

Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, an-nounced Sales Associate J.D. Callander of the McLean/Dolley Madisonoffice was individually recognized for her exceptional industry successduring the month of January. A top producer, Callander led the region,which comprised offices throughout Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier andDelaware counties, for resale listings and resale dollar volume.

She can be reached in Weichert’s McLean/Dolley Madison office at1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard or by phone at (703) 760-8880.

A Home Sellers Seminar in Great FallsKeller Williams Realty, 774A Walker Rd, Great Falls,will host a free

Home sellers seminar on Sunday, March 1, 2-4 p.m. RSVP:[email protected] or 703-795-3946

Real Estate Notes


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

LEGAL NOTICEAnyone knowing the whereabouts of MARIA AUXILIO

CAMBRON-GARCIA or MARIA CAMBRON please contact: Colleen W. Hunter, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 2464,

Morgan City LA 70381; Phone: (985) 385-5022; [email protected].

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements




25 Sales & Auctions 25 Sales & Auctions

PRIVATE SWORDCOLLECTION FOR SALEAntique swords from the United

States and United Kingdom. Call 703-371-1765

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

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

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSESmitten Boutique Salon II LLC trading as Primp by Smitten: A Styling Studio, 3000 Washing-ton Blvd. Suite F, Arlington, VA 22201. The above estab-lishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Day Spa license to sell or manufac-ture alcoholic beverages. Mel-anie St. Clair & Lisa Rittiner/ownerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be

submitted to ABC no later that 30 days from the publishing

date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

objections should be regis-tered at www.abc.virginia.gov

or 800-552-3200.

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE,

PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.Schefer Antiques

[email protected]

102 Instruction

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home $10 per hr. 703-378-1714 Mary

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

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINES

Zones 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

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

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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

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

EmploymentEmployment

MW seeks

Head of Strategic Dvlpmt, Mergers & Acquisitions, resp for overseeing the identified negotiations of

acquisitions, mergers, licenses & alliances while ensuring that the target's engineer-ing & tech credentials are suitable for the

needs of planned growth and expansion of operations for MW in the designated

0Region. Act as the strategic tech conduit between MW & ASG's Board of Directors. Job location: Vienna, Virginia. Require-ment: Master Ind Eng + 3yrs of exp in rel occupation. Int'l & domestic travel

required. Resume: Millennium Weavers LLC, 3331 Box Dr., Dalton, GA 30720.

BUSINESS OPP

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Editorial Assistant/Assistant EditorFull-time assistant editor to help with allaspects of producing award-winning weeklynewspapers, including daily web and socialmedia updates.Must be a prolific, efficient, accuratewriter/rewriter with good basic knowledgeof AP style and clean copy. Self-starter withexcellent time management skills who can towork independently and collaboratively withstrong organizational skills, high productivity,attention to detail. Exciting opportunity tolearn from excellent editors.Essential Responsibilities:Generating local content daily for print andonline, including calendar & entertainmentlistings, news briefs, crime reports, businessbriefs, school and education notes, faith notes,photo galleries, etc.Monitor never-ending email, prioritize,download, edit, compile, post.Community engagement, communicationwith readers and sources. Continuouslyseeking new sources of local information.Copy editing, fact checking, familiarity withAP Style.Design and paginate weekly entertainment,calendar and notes pages for multiple papers.Update websites daily, post to social media.Stay on top of local breaking news, work witheditor and reporters to update.Help transition to digital first workflow.Salary approximately $30K, health insurance,paid vacation. Office is 2 blocks from KingStreet Metro station. Free parking.Send letter, resume, three clips or examples ofwork to [email protected]

Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learn manyaspects of the newspaper business.Internships available in reporting,photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and foradults considering change of career.Unpaid. E-mail [email protected]

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703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

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Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

CLEANING CLEANING

Recessed LightingCeiling FansPhone/CATVComputer Network CablingService UpgradesHot Tubs, etc…

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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

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HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

LicensedInsured

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The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION

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

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

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24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

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SUPER SERVICE

Mr. WindowsWindows Cleaning * Deck Cleaning * Power Washing

Mike McLaughlin (703) 447-8268

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WINDOWS & GLASS WINDOWS & GLASS

HAULING

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Do what you can, with

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But real-time once again: February 20,11 hours, approximately, after ourregularly-scheduled, post-scan meetingwith the oncologist at 10:00 this morning.The news could have been better, andrealistically assessing, it could have beenworse. But since it wasn’t better, it wasdefinitely worse. Something “fluffy” (myoncologist’s description) has appeared andbegun to take some kind of shape in myleft lung. It’s not exactly a nodule or atumor yet, but it’s something that wasn’tthere previously. Oddly enough, all theother tumors that we’ve been monitoringdidn’t grow, nor were there any fluid issuesto consider. Nevertheless, something newseems to be forming.

In discussing its appearance with myoncologist, he said if the mass was smaller,he wouldn’t be too concerned and if it waslarger he’d be more concerned. But its sizeis in the middle. Compounding his level ofconcern – and complicating his medicalopinion, is that I remain relatively asymp-tomatic, giving him no clues and/or indica-tions to corroborate a malignancy or evena possible pneumonia. Consequently, thisappointment became a serious discussionabout varying options to determine a pru-dent course of action treating forward; thekind of appointment which we haven’thad for over 18 months, since I was lasthospitalized in August, 2013.

To say we’ve been living on easy street,accordingly, this past year and a half is abit of an oversimplification. To say we’veoccasionally taken for granted my amazinggood fortune is likewise a bit of a pre-sumption. We have, however, gottenaccustomed to an ebb and flow, focusingmore on the good and less on the bad. Butsince an updated determination concern-ing this growth can’t be made for twomonths, until my next CT Scan (advancedby one month due to these new circum-stances), waiting, wondering and worryingwill be the inescapable order of the day,week and months ahead; a bit of a differ-ent mindset than we’ve been used to oflate. Over this interval, my treatment willcontinue on as usual: chemotherapy everythree weeks with Alimta, so long as mykidney function allows it. In the short-terminterim, I have been prescribed five daysof antibiotics in case this growth is pneu-monia, not cancer. Regardless, we stillwon’t know anything for a few months,unless, of course, I develop some newsymptoms.

I can’t deny that receiving this newsearlier today was discouraging. I’ll proba-bly need some time to assimilate it, ration-alize it, understand it and ultimately dealwith it. But “it” is definitely now top ofmind once again, not where I want it andcertainly not where I need it.

Still, life goes on, as I often say, and it’sa life I’ve been extremely fortunate tohave had, given the “13-month to two-year” prognosis I received back in lateFebruary, 2009. (I always put the “progn-osis” in quotes because that’s what myoncologist told Team Lourie.) In fact, nextFriday is February 27th, my six-year anni-versary of surviving a terminal diagnosis,I’m proud to point out. And even thoughI’ve been there and done that years longerthan anticipated, doing this doesn’t getany easier.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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