‘she eats, sleeps and breathes music’

Chantilly Connection ❖ November 27 - December 3, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Walney Road WideningMeeting Set for Dec. 1News, Page 4

Briney HonoredAs Officer of MonthNews, Page 5

Walney Road WideningMeeting Set for Dec. 1News, Page 4

Briney HonoredAs Officer of MonthNews, Page 5

‘She Eats, SleepsAnd Breathes Music’

News, Page 3

‘She Eats, SleepsAnd Breathes Music’

News, Page 3

November 27 - December 3, 2014 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes

Chantilly

Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes

Chantilly Army Staff Sgts. Joseph Clinkenbeard and JefferyWallace with All-American Band member Mari Takedaof Chantilly High. On Jan. 3, 2015, she’ll join an elitegroup of musicians who’ll perform at halftime of the

U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ November 27 - December 3, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Chantilly High senior MariTakeda has an extra-specialreason to look forward to theholidays. On Jan. 3, 2015,

she’ll join an elite group of musicians who’llperform at halftime of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

A percussionist, Takeda, 17 was selectedto be part of the 2015 U.S. Army All-Ameri-can Marching Band. That honor also recog-nizes her as one of the top 125 high-schoolsenior marching musicians and color-guardmembers in the country. And on Oct. 29,she received her official invitation from fourArmy members during a ceremony at herschool.

“It’s amazing to be recognized at this higha level; I didn’t expect it,” she said. “But Ithink it’s great for them to provide this op-portunity.”

In front of her fellow band members, StaffSgt. Joshua Smith said those chosen for thishonor must possess exceptional musician-ship, character, achievement and leader-ship. “It takes a special person to wear theArmy colors, and their loyalty, dedicationto duty, self-respect, integrity and personalstrength earned them [this] right,” he said.“Mari embodies these characteristics andwe’re proud to welcome her to the band.”

“I couldn’t have achieved this great honorwithout the strong support from my friends,family and teachers,” said Takeda. She thenthanked Chantilly Band Directors DougMaloney and Chris Singleton, plus formerband Director Drew Ross, “for pushing theband to its limit and helping us realize thepotential in the band and in ourselves.”

She also thanked her private teachers, P.J.Fadoul and John Kilkenny, and her parents

and that’s opened up more opportunities forpeople to play percussion,” she said. “Thisschool really supports its marching arts, soI’m proud to be part of it.”

At Chantilly, she said, “I realized the im-portance of time and how long you havewith each person — whether it’s a teacheror a best friend in marching band — and totreasure that time before moving on to col-lege. Marching band had a really success-ful year and a successful Bands of Americacompetition, and everyone in the band isproud of what we achieved.”

Takeda applied for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band in May, sent threeaudition tapes and was nominated byMaloney. About 2,000 students applied andthe National Assn. for Music Education se-lected the All-Americans. “I had no idea ifI’d make it, but I knew it was an awesomeprogram.”

She found out in July. “I was really ex-cited and immediately called Gabe Luebbe,who’s my best friend and who got it lastyear,” she said. “But I couldn’t tell anyoneelse officially — no social media — untilthe presentation.” At that time, she receivedan “Army Strong” cap, All-American March-ing Band jacket, a plaque and an officialinvitation.

Takeda’s already begun practicing themusic — an entire, 10-minute show. “It’spretty surreal to know I’m going to SanAntonio to meet other All-Americans, andwe’ll all be there with the same attitude andskill level,” she said. “And being broughttogether for one week will be an amazingexperience. It’ll definitely be a trip I’ll re-member for the rest of my life.”

‘She Eats, Sleeps and Breathes Music’Chantilly studentto perform withArmy’s All-AmericanMarching Band.

Surrounded by (from left) Staff Sgts. Marcos Batista, JosephClinkenbeard, Joshua Smith and Jeffery Wallace, Mari Takeda wears theArmy All-American Marching Band jacket and cap.

Mari Takeda with her parents(from left) Yoshi and MakikoTakeda.

Holding a plaque is Chantilly Band Director Doug Maloney with (fromleft) Staff Sgts. Marcos Batista, Joseph Clinkenbeard and Jeffery Wallace.

From leftareChantillyBandDirectorsChrisSingletonand DougMaloneywith MariTakedaand schoolPrincipalTeresaJohnson.

“for encouraging me to follow my passion.Being in band has been life-changing —from meeting inspiring people to experienc-ing the beauty of music, itself.” Takedanoted that, after seeing her older brotherYoshi perform the show, “Sandscapes,” withChantilly’s marching band, a few years ago,she “instantly knew” she wanted to join.

“Worthwhile things only come from hardwork,” said Maloney. “[And] Mari’s indus-trious nature certainly served as a corner-stone for each of her musical successes.She’s the epitome of someone who eats,sleeps and breathes music — [whether]she’s practicing the marimba outside, re-hearsing with our Symphonic Winds orworking on percussion rudiments to im-prove her musical precision and expres-sion.”

When Takeda’s not busy rehearsing withthe marching band, said Maloney, she’s giv-ing private instruction to elementary-schoolpercussionists, preparing for auditions orperforming with ensembles such as the

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.“Mari, we’re so blessed to have you as a

member of the Chantilly Band,” he said.“We’re incredibly proud of your well-de-served recognition. We can’t wait to see youperform in January and we’re even moreexcited to see where your passion, talentand dedication carry you in your futuremusical endeavors.”

A resident of the Chantilly Highlandscommunity, Takeda played violin threeyears before switching to percussion to trysomething different. “When I heard a ma-rimba for the first time, I knew I wanted toplay it — I loved the sound,” she said.

Besides performing all four years withChantilly’s marching band, she’s also partof the American Youth Symphonic Orches-tra in Alexandria and the Peabody YouthOrchestra in Baltimore. She’s applied toseveral prestigious colleges and wants tomajor in music performance and eventuallybecome a professional chamber or orches-tral musician.

Percussion’s much more than just drums,said Takeda. “There’s now a huge empha-sis on marching percussion and drumline,


News

See Roundups, Page 11

Artist’s rendition of a widened, Walney Road Bridge, with inset photo of currentbridge.

Walney Road Widening Meeting SetWork is scheduledto begin Dec. 2.

Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) and VDOTare co-hosting a “Pardon Our Dust” meetingfor the Walney Road widening and bridge re-

placement. It’s set for Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., inthe Sully District Governmental Center, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.

Residents will be able to meet VDOT’S project teamand learn more about construction and traffic im-pacts, including detours for the four-and-one-half-month closure of Walney Road.

Crews are slated to start work Tuesday, Dec. 2, onthe $14.8 million project to improve safety and easecongestion by widening Walney Road from two tofour lanes near Willard Road. The work will includeadding 5-foot-wide bike lanes on both the north-

bound and southbound lanes. Also planned are asidewalk on the west side and a shared-use path onthe east side.

The project will also replace and widen the 85-foot-long Walney Road Bridge over Flatlick Branch.Beginning in mid-April 2015, Walney Road will beclosed from Westfields Boulevard to Mariah Courtfor relocation of the existing sanitary sewer line andfor bridge construction. The road will re-open to onelane of traffic in each direction on Sept. 1, 2015.

Drivers will be detoured via Westfields Boulevard,Route 28 and Willard Road. However, access to alladjacent properties will be maintained throughoutthe duration of the project. VDOT will announce thisclosure again in the spring.

The work is expected to be finished in December2015. For more details on this project, go to

h t tp : / /www.Vi rg in i aDOT.o rg/p ro j e c t s /n o r t h e r n v i r g i n i a /walney_road_over_flatlick_branch.asp.

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

For many local families, the holidays are a timeof hunger. So the Sully District Police Station,Westfields Business Owners Association and

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) teamedup to help feed them. And with donations of non-perishable food items from the community, they col-lected more than 2,500 pounds of food.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 15, volunteers gathered atthe Sully District Police Station to pack up bright-red bags full of food to give to 40 families in need.

Holiday Food DriveFor Needy FamiliesPolice and communityanswer the call.

See Holiday Food, Page 5

Lending a hand are (from left) KaraBlakley, 11; Kasey Blakley, 9, SarahO’Carroll, 12; and Kiyah Calvo, 6.

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Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will

perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Dec. 4,from 5 p.m. to dusk, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. inChantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves so technicians may prop-erly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

Because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arrivingon each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct useof the child seat. (The inspection may be cancelled in the eventof inclement weather). Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.

Police, Fire Games Help NeededThe 2015 World Police and Fire Games will need upwards of

3,000 people to take on a wide variety of roles across the Na-tional Capital Region. These include welcoming visitors, trans-porting athletes, joining the medical team, assisting sports coor-dinators, helping out behind the scenes on the technology team.For more information or to volunteer, go to http://fairfax2015.com/volunteer.

Volunteering Made EasyFairfax County introduces its new volunteer management sys-

tem, paving the way for easier navigation of county volunteeropportunities. People may visit volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov, fillout one application and search for opportunities meeting theirinterests by geographic location, dates, type of people or pro-gram type. They may view positions from a variety of agenciestrack their hours and review upcoming volunteer jobs. They mayeven volunteer to serve during emergencies.

Give Caregivers a BreakFairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the

county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-de-served break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the olderadult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched withfamilies in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and train-ing is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711,or [email protected].

Helping Immigrant ChildrenThe Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) is collecting

donations for the 70 immigrant children and 15 young mothersbeing housed at a secure facility in Bristow while awaiting hear-ings. The children need health and hygiene supplies, clothingand bedding. Donations may be brought to CLRC, 5956 CentrevilleCrest Lane in Centreville.

Especially needed are clothing and underwear for both boysand girls, ages 7-17; white towels, twin-sized blankets, sheetsand bedspreads; new pillows and personal-hygiene products in-cluding shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, lotion, deodorant, hairbrushes and accessories, tooth paste and toothbrushes, and dis-posable diapers.

For more information call CLRC Director Roberto Fernández at703-543-6272, Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m.-noon, or Foltzat 703-346-6030.

Food Donations for WFCMWestern Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs

donations of canned fruits and vegetables (except for greenbeans), cereal, canned pasta, crackers, canned tomatoes, pan-cake mix, rice and noodle mixes, cooking oil, Jello, and cannedtuna and chicken. Also needed are toiletries, which WFCM cli-ents cannot purchase with food stamps. Especially needed aretoothpaste, bars of soap and toilet paper.

Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and

Roundups


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News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

PFC Shannon Briney has been a Fairfax Countypolice officer for 12 years and, for the pastthree, she’s been assigned to the Sully Dis-

trict Station. Now, based on her exemplary job per-formance, she’s been selected as the station’s Citi-zens Advisory Committee’s (CAC) Officer of theMonth for October.

“PFC Briney is a proactive patrol officer and oper-ates at a very high level,” wrote her supervisor, Sgt.Brad Avery, in his nomination letter. “She routinelyhandles complex events with little to no directionneeded from her supervisors.”

He also noted that her reports detailing what hap-pened, her investigation and the outcome are writ-ten “in a manner well above the average patrol of-ficer.” And, he added, besides her supervisors observ-ing her attention to detail, investigative aptitude andability to draft an excellent report, a supervisor fromthe Major Crimes Division has also acknowledgedher superior work.

“PFC Briney maintains the demanding certifica-tions associated with being an EMT-paramedic with-out impacting her primary responsibility to patrol,”continued Avery. “She then utilizes these specialized

skills by supplementing the Helicopter Division’s criti-cal mission.”

He said she’s demonstrated her knowledge andskills on several, joint Police and Fire Departmentevents. And as a result, “Her abilities are widely rec-ognized by the Fire Department’s EMT-paramedicswho work within the Sully District.”

Briney also assists with squad administrative tasks.“She willingly steps up to coordinate squad staffing,ensuring minimum numbers are met,” said Avery.“She works with new officers assigned to the squadto ease their transition to the station. These tasksare all self-initiated and evidence of her devotion toduty. PFC Briney is a reliable employee and mostdeserving of this recognition.”

She was formally honored at a recent CAC meet-ing. Capt. Ed O’Carroll, commander of the Sully Dis-trict Station, said Briney’s on permanent night shiftthere. “She has an outstanding work ethic, puts de-tail in her crime reports and maintains a positive at-titude,” he said. “She has the ability to get the jobdone, and her leadership on her squad is a shiningexample to others.” “I’ve relied on her here at Sully,”said O’Carroll. “And the community has definitelybenefitted – she’s saved lives.”

Accepting her certificate from him, Briney said, “Itruly appreciate it; I did not expect it.”

From left are Capt. Ed O’Carroll, CAC’s Leslie Jenuleson, PFC Shannon Briney, SalSpeziale and Crime Prevention Officer Tara Gerhard. Speziale, owner of Ciao Osteriain Centreville, gave Briney a gift certificate to his restaurant.

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Holiday Food Dive for Needy Families

From left: Sully District police Bob Blakley,Tara Gerhard and Ed O’Carroll unpackboxes of donated food.

Also participating was Target, which donated thefood bags, as well as canned goods.

The packaging turned out to be a family affair. Theworkers included station commander Capt. EdO’Carroll and his daughter Sarah, assistant stationcommander Capt. Bob Blakley and his daughters,Kara and Kasey, plus station Crime Prevention Of-ficer Tara Gerhard. Also pitching in were ChantillyTarget employee Iris Calvo and her daughter, Kiyah.

“This is awesome,” said O’Carroll. “The donationshave been overwhelming.”

“Justice Federal Credit Union in Westfields was abig contributor,” said Gerhard. “And members of theSully Station I Homeowners Assn. brought 400pounds of food.”

In addition, she said, “The squads at this stationalso did food drives. They had a competition to seewhich one could bring in the most food, and theEvening A Shift won with 663 pounds of food. Fortheir prize, Chick-fil-A of Chantilly donated a cateredlunch to the winning group.”

But everyone’s real reward was knowing that thefood was going to people who really need it. Police

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officers planned to deliver it, Nov. 22-25, to familiesin need throughout Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton andFairfax Station. They’re either WFCM clients or localcrime victims.

All in all, said Gerhard, “It was a lot of fun; we hada good time.”

“It’s a humbling opportunity for our officers to beinvolved in,” added O’Carroll. “And it gives us theopportunity to help out others in need.”


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Chantilly

The holidays are about giving, andgiving thanks. The holidays areabout children and family. The holi-days are about sharing, about joy.

The holidays are about being thankful andabout faith and appreciation. The holidays areabout alleviating suffering for others.

Surrounded by the bounty in so many neigh-borhoods in Northern Virginia, many of us seelittle signs of the massive unmet needs here.But in Fairfax County Public Schools, more than

52,000 of the students are poorenough to receive free or sub-sidized meals, a significantmeasure of poverty.

In Arlington more than 32 percent of the stu-dents are poor enough to receive free or subsi-dized meals; that’s 7,452 students at last count.

In Alexandria, 8,582 students are poorenough to receive free or subsidized meals.That’s 60 percent of the 14,222 students en-rolled.

These are children who are living in familieswho may be on the brink of homelessness, fami-lies who must choose between medical bills, carrepair, heat and food. These are children whomay not be sure that they will have a meal be-tween the meals they get in school. School holi-days can bring uncertainty and hunger, a farcry from the celebrations, gifts and plenty thatwe associate with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Hundreds of homeless students attend thepublic schools, and their needs are greater.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season. Hereare a few ideas. We will rerun this list againduring the holiday, so let us know what wehave missed.

— Mary Kimm,

[email protected]

Give thanks and share;tens of thousandsof families around usare in need.

Holidays AreAbout Giving

In no particular order:Our Daily Bread — has been serving needy families

in Fairfax County for 25 years. The Holiday Programhelps those in need with food for the holidays andgifts for their children, making last year’s holidayseason brighter for approximately 3,000 families.For more information on their holiday programs,including how to sponsor a family, go towww.odbfairfax.com/holiday

Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org. Programs and servicesinclude the Embry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry, Hypothermia PreventionProgram and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

FACETS helps parents, their children and individualswho suffer the effects of poverty in the Fairfax area.FACETS is always in need of volunteers, and offers avariety of one-time and ongoing opportunities. 703-865-4251 or [email protected]. 10640 Page Avenue, Suite300, Fairfax VA 22030

The Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, 13525 DullesTechnology Drive, Herndon, VA 20171, 571-235-3577. Last year, 139 community volunteers —nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians — gavemore than 1,300 hours of their time to see patients.jsfreeclinic.org.

Alternative House — Abused and HomelessChildren’s Refuge, 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA22182, 703-506-9191.www.thealternativehouse.org.

SHARE of McLean seeks donations of grocery giftcards and more. Checks and gift cards can be sentto: Holiday Celebration, Share, Inc. PO Box 210,McLean, VA 22101. 703-284-2179.www.SHAREofMcLean.org

LINK, serving Herndon, Chantilly, Loudoun and more,needs contributions of food, coats and holiday toysfor children, plus volunteers. More than 4,000adults and children have signed up for help withThanksgiving and Christmas meals. 703-437-1776www.linkagainsthunger.org

Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of concerned churchesand individuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield,Oakton, Vienna community to provide simple,loving charity to those in need. 14th AnnualThanksgiving Interfaith Service is Tuesday, Nov. 20,7:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589Chain Bridge Road. Vienna 703-281-7614 http://www.cho-va.com

Fairfax City Area FISH (For Immediate SympatheticHelp), working with the Office of CoordinatedServices Planning, Fairfax County Department ofHuman Services, FISH helps local citizens who arein temporary need of life’s basic necessities such asfood, clothing, and financial assistance for rent,mortgage payments, utilities, and medicaltreatments. FISH also provides limitedtransportation for doctor appointments and fooddelivery. 703-222-0880 http://fairfaxfish.org/

Herndon-Reston FISH (For Immediate SympatheticHelp), 336 Victory Drive, Herndon, 703-391-0105http://herndonrestonfish.org

Lamb Center, www.thelambcenter.org, Day centerfor homeless, Fairfax 703-691-3178

Northern Virginia Family Service, 10455 WhiteGranite Drive Suite 100, Oakton, VA 22124 703-385-3267 http://www.nvfs.org/

United Community Ministries, Mount Vernon,

Where to Give Locally in Fairfax County703-768-7106, 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria,22306http://www.ucmagency.org/

Food for Others distributed more than 2.4 millionpounds of free food to families in need in NorthernVirginia in the year ending June 30, 2012, The non-profit provides a safety net for people who suddenlyface unforeseen emergencies such as a family illnessor the loss of a job or a spouse. Located at 2938Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031, 703-207-9173.www.foodforothers.com

Ecumenical Community Helping Others(ECHO), 703-569-9160. Open to receive donationsat 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Providesfood and financial assistance to those in short-termemergencies, and provides clothing and householdgoods to low income families, helping more than5,000 people last year. www.echo-inc.org.

Lorton Community Action Center operates theAct ll Thrift Shop at 9506 Richmond Highway,Lorton. Sales from the shop generate funds forLCAC and clients also shop there. Now collectinggift cards and food baskets for Thanksgiving, giftsand food baskets for Christmas, and warm coats.703-339-8611 www.lortonaction.org.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington FairfaxArea operates clubs in two of the neediest areas ofthe county, Culmore and the Route 1 corridor,focusing on character and academic success. http://www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/

Office to End and Prevent Homelessness needsjust a few thousand dollars more in contributionsfor Jeans Day (in October) to qualify for a matchinggrant from the Phillip L. Graham Fund, turningmany $5 and greater donations into $50,000 to helpthousands of homeless in FairfaxCounty.www.ziphomelessness.com

12 Ways of Giving: Fairfax County Office of PublicPrivate Partnerships “12 Ways of Giving” campaignis an annual event that showcases many ways formeaningful, local giving during the holiday season,highlighting nonprofits in Fairfax County.www.fairfaxcountypartnerships.org

Assistance League of Northern Virginia is an all-volunteer organization that clothes, feeds, educatesand nurtures those in need focusing five of theneediest elementary schools. Volunteers and donorsare always needed. [email protected] or seewww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org

Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services(CAUSE) — ensures that recuperating servicemembers have opportunities for recreation andsocial interaction and receive concrete signs ofappreciation for all that they have done. 4114Legato Road Suite B, Fairfax, VA 22033, 703-591-4968, cause-usa.org

National Capital Food Bank, 6833 Hill Park Drive,Lorton, serving all of Northern Virginia, 703-541-3063. www.capitalareafoodbank.org

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries — foodpantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly (nearBackyard Grill and Bar). For more information or tosponsor a family, call 703-988-9656, ext. 105. Tomail gift cards or send donations by check, add anote saying “food basket program” and send themto: WFCM, P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.703-988-9656.

Touching Heart in Herndon is a nonprofitorganization whose mission is to educate children tohave giving hearts. http://www.touchingheart.com,703-901-7355

Editorial

Many ReasonsTo Give ThanksTo he Editor:

Gobble, gobble, it’s nearthat time of year again. Thetime we all check ourSmartphones to see who hasreceived the most likes ontheir turkey feast. Eventhough that may be one of themany modern customs wehave created for ThanksgivingDay, some may tend to forgetthe true purpose of why wehave this grand celebration.

Like many other Americans, Itoo celebrate this glorious occa-sion with family and friends. Weindulge ourselves in a heartythanksgiving meal and all gathertogether in the living room whilestill in our food comas to play cha-rades. However, being an Ameri-can Muslim I do not stop thank-ing God after this one day haspassed each year. Every day isThanksgiving in my household.Before eating any meal, snack ordrink we give thanks. We pray fivetimes throughout the day to giveour thanks. God says in the HolyQuran, “If you are grateful, I will,

surely, bestow more favors onyou” (14:8). This verse makesme feel ungrateful consideringthe fact that God gives to uscontinuously.

To me, Thanksgiving is one ofthose holidays that everyone inthe world can come togetherand celebrate with family andfriends because it gives us a re-ality check to reflect on all thepeople and things we are sur-rounded by.

Mariam Sadia SosanMalik

Chantilly

Letter


See Bulletin Board, Page 9

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

HOLIDAY GIVINGFamilies in Crisis Program Seeks

Gift Cards. The Families in Crisisprogram at Westfield works withcounselors to support current WHSfamilies facing immediate financialhardships and is seeking donations ofgift cards in any $5 increment. Largedonations should be split amongmultiple smaller denomination cards,as opposed to one large one. Sendany donations to the main office ormail to: WHS-Families in Crisis, Attn:Meg Crossett, 4700 StonecroftBoulevard, Chantilly.

TUESDAY/NOV. 25English Conversation Group. 10:30

a.m. Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. PracticeEnglish with other students. Adults.Call 703-502-3883 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce for more.

WEDNESDAY/NOV. 26eBook Help. 1 p.m. Chantilly Regional

Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. Get eBook questionsanswered. No prior experiencerequired. Bring tablet or e-reader andlibrary card. Adults. Telephone 703-502-3883 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY/NOV. 27-28Library Closed. Fairfax County Public

Libraries are closed for theThanksgiving Holiday.

SATURDAY/NOV. 29ESL Book Club. 11 a.m. Chantilly

Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Adults learningEnglish meet to discuss a bookchosen by the group. Ask for title.Adults. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or call 703-502-3883.

SUNDAY/NOV. 30Blood Drive. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at St.

Andrew Catholic Church,6720 UnionMill Road, Clifton. Appointments arepreferred. [email protected] for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 6Christmas VBS. 10 a.m. -2 p.m. at

Pender United Methodist Church,12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax.Children will have wonderful timelearning about the true meaning ofChristmas while moving throughdifferent rotations of Christmas story,craft, music and recreation. Ticketsare $10 per child. Visitwww.penderumc.org/christmasvbsfor more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 7Annual Fundraising Gala. 7 p.m. at

Stacy C. Sherwood Center, 3740 OldLee Highway, Fairfax. The eveningprogram will feature internationalentertainer Daniel Cainer. TrusteeMembers celebrating five years ofgiving will be honored and theEleanor Sue Finkelstein Award forSpecial Needs will be presented to

Bulletin Board


Email announcements to [email protected]. Photoswelcome.

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) hasexpanded the Chantilly EnvironmentalGroup.

Pamela L. Oelerich, LEED GA, hasjoined ECS as an environmental seniorproject manager. She brings theChantilly office more than 13 years ofexperience as an environmental profes-sional. A LEED Green Associate (GA),Oelerich holds a B.S. in Civil Engineeringfrom the University of New Hampshire.She is a member of the NYC Chapter ofthe United States Green Building Coun-cil.

Jennifer A. Dietzen, a new seniorproject manager in the EnvironmentalGroup, will also be based in the Chantillyoffice. She has B. S. in biology, ecologyoption from The Pennsylvania State Uni-versity. Dietzen has more than eightyears of experience in wetland andstream delineations and federal and statepermitting throughout Pennsylvania,West Virginia, and Ohio. She performsbiological assessments, and has preparedClean Water Act Section 401/404 Permitapplications, PASPGP-4 General Permitapplications, and USACE NationwidePermit applications for industrial andcommercial projects. Additional experi-ence includes preparation of detailedenvironmental impact assessments, alter-native analyses, and mitigation plans.Dietzen will continue her work coordi-nating with federal and state agenciesfrom pre-application meetings to resolu-tion of alternatives, mitigation measures,and public hearings to ensure clients arein compliance with the Clean Water Act,Endangered Species Act, and the Na-tional Historic Preservation Act.

Diana D. Krass has joined ECSChantilly as an environmental projectmanager. She has more than six years ofexperience as an industrial hygienist andenvironmental consultant. Krass per-forms mold and water intrusionassessments, indoor air quality testing,asbestos surveys and HAZMAT surveys.She holds an M.S. in environmental stud-ies from C.W. Post Long Island Universityand a B.S. in marine vertebrate biologyfrom Stony Brook University. She hasexperience conducting microbial sam-pling, mold inspections, indoor airquality testing, asbestos surveys; projectmonitoring and air sampling for asbestosabatement projects. She has developedsite-specific remedial strategies and pro-vided oversight of remedial activities toensure both cost effectiveness and com-pliance with applicable regulations andindustry standard practices.

Richard Bennett has joined Bow-man Consulting’s Richmond office asDirector of Right of Way and Utility Co-ordination Services. Bennett brings morethan 46 years of experience in the trans-portation and utility sectors, 37 of whichhe served in various capacities at the Vir-ginia Department of Transportation. Hewill be actively involved in Bowman’sright of way acquisition efforts, reloca-tion consulting, utility coordination andrailroad coordination. Bowman Consult-ing is headquartered in Chantily.

Jonathan Bondi, PLA, ISA CA, hasjoined Pennoni Associates, an award-winning multidiscipline engineering,design, and consulting firm, as a seniorlandscape architect in the land develop-ment division of the firm’s Chantillyoffice. He previously worked as a seniorproject manager at Bowman Consulting.

Senior security technician James K.Powell Jr. and his company, CorbettTechnology Solutions of Chantilly, wererecognized as the Electronic Security As-sociation of Virginia’s Member of the Yearduring the group’s annual conference.

Business Notes

The Northern Virginia ElectricCooperative’s non-profit organiza-tion, NOVEC HELPS, is collecting

new, unwrapped toys through Thursday, Dec.16 for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys forTots program. HELPS is also participating withthe Toys for Tots Cruise-in Drive, organized byseveral local car clubs.

Toys may be dropped off at these NOVECoffices:

❖ 10323 Lomond Drive, Manassas❖ 5399 Wellington Branch Drive, Gainesville❖ 14500 Minnieville Road, WoodbridgeHours are 8:15 a.m.– 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

The organizations that NOVEC HELPS supportsfocus on health, education, youth programs,the community, and the arts, and it is tax-ex-empt under IRS section 501(c) (3). For moreinformation, call 703-335-0500 or toll free 1-888-335-0500.

NOVEC, headquartered in Manassas, is anot-for-profit corporation that supplies anddistributes electricity and provides energy-related services to approximately 157,000customers in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun,Prince William, Stafford and Clarke coun-ties, the City of Manassas Park, and theTown of Clifton.

NOVEC To Collect Toys for Tots at Co-op OfficesThe Marine Corps in Quantico will distrib-

ute the toys to underprivileged children inNorthern Virginia.

According to the Marine Toys for Tots Foun-dation website, www.toysfortots.org, the pri-mary goal of the program is to deliver, througha new toy at Christmas, a message of hope toless fortunate youngsters that will assist themin becoming responsible, productive, patrioticcitizens.

NOVEC HELPS is a 501(c) (3) organizationthat assists charitable and community organi-zations financially or with the volunteer re-sources of NOVEC employees and customers.

Business

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

A new Chantilly Hand &Stone Spa opened inthe Greenbriar TownCenter behind the

Starbucks along Route 50 on Oct.12. Owned by Darielle Danver, 25,and her father Eric Danver, 52, ofMedford, N.J., the franchise spadecorated in warm earth tones andambient lighting specializes in fa-cials, hot stone massages, skinpeels, waxing, eyebrows, handtherapy, and hot towel foot treat-ments with scrubs and lotions.

“It’s a five-star spa experience ata one-star price,” said DarielleDanver, who recently moved toFairfax to start her new business.“It’s a spa environment as opposedto a clinical environment.”

She added: “Everybody wants tofeel good, and we’re bringing thatto them at a very affordable price... You can come in and feel pam-pered and not break your bankwhile doing that.”

The Signature Service is a 50-minute hot stone massage usingriver stones where the stones areheated to 120 degrees. The thera-pist uses the stones as an exten-sion of their hands; they helpbreak down lactic acid in muscles.“The heat from the stones drawsout stress and tension,” saidDarielle Danver. “It’s a whole bodymassage; everywhere their handgoes, the stone will go as well.”

The spa offers Clarity andDermalogica Facials. After anaesthetician does a full analysis ofthe skin, they determine if thereare any problem areas, and canrecommend customized upgrades.They do cleansing, exfoliation,steaming, extractions as well as a

decollege massage of the neck andupper shoulders. In addition, theyoffer anti-aging facials, sensitiveskin facials, and detox facials foracne-proned skin. “They are al-ways customized for whatever skincondition the client has going on,”said Danver.

For sun-damaged and dry skin,there’s a hydrating facial. For au-tumn, there’s a pumpkin facialwith pumpkin enzymes to helppeel away the years. For acne-prone skin, there’s the MediBacline that targets bacteria.

The spa provides upgradesbased on the aesthetician’s recom-mendations for the client’s skin:the ultra-calming line is used forskin with problems like rosaehea;the MediBac line for acne and oilyskin; the Age-Smart line forprematuring skin and the GreyLine for normal skin.

In addition, the spa does hairremoval and waxing, using NuFreeHard Wax, which sticks to the hair

follicle and lifts the hair from theroot.

Hand & Stone was founded byphysical therapist John Marco inTom’s River, N.J., in 2004. It has160 locations nationwide. With astaff of 12, the Chantilly locationhas 2,300 square feet with eightdifferent rooms — twoaesthetician rooms, five massagerooms, and one couple’s room. TheDanvers plan to expand to theSouth Lakes Shopping Center inReston in mid-January, plus fiveother Hand & Stone spas in thecommunities of Vienna, FallsChurch, Burke and Ashburn.

Eric Danver, who owns 22 PapaJohns Pizzas in New Jersey andDelaware, has the franchise back-ground, and daughter Darielle isin charge of the day-to-day run-ning of the spa. “I was a customerin New Jersey for a couple ofyears; I was fascinated with thebusiness and wanted to do mul-tiple spas in the area,” he said.

Manager and operations direc-tor Kristina Lovelace, 29, whomoved to Fairfax from New Jersey,has 10 years of experience in thespa business. “Hand & Stone spais meant to be its own private oa-sis — a place for clients to escapeand relax and come to clear theirminds from the day-to-day chaos,”said Lovelace.

“I fell in love with Hand & Stonebecause of the extensive servicesit offers; they are more customizedand therapeutic,” said KayHechler, 52, who owns a Hand &Stone franchise with her husbandJohn Phillips in Gaithersburg, andwho was at the soft-opening ofDanvers’ store. “It’s based onwellness principles; the servicesare very solid and I don’t thinkthere’s anything like this inChantilly.”

Hand & Stone Opens in ChantillySpa offers facials,massage, waxings.

The staff of the Chantilly Hand & Stone Spa (from left):Jecica Choe, Meredith Williams, Gayatri Sharma, KristinaLovelace, Darielle Danver, Louis Diaz, and Briana Marcey.

Hand & Stone Spa ownersDarielle Danver, 25, andher father Eric Danver, 52.

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From Page 7

Bulletin Board

Jerry Hulick. Tickets are $218. Visitwww.jccnv.org for more.

TUESDAY/DEC. 9Temple Beth Torah Ladies’ Book

Club. 7:30 p.m. at 4212-CTechnology Court · Chantilly. This isa “pot-luck” style book club thatmeets every other second Tuesday ofthe month. Open to all women. Bringa drink or appetizer to share.Discussing “The History of Love” byNicole Krauss. Call Jennifer Harding703-217-8938 or visitwww.BethTorah.net.

Telephone Support Group. 7-8 p.m.

on the second Tuesday of the month.For family caregivers of older adults.Discuss “The Good, the Bad and theUgly-Caregiving with Family andFriends.” Share experiences, gainsupport and get information withouthaving to travel. Free.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 10Fairfax County Park Authority

Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. in theHerrity Building, 12055 GovernmentCenter Parkway, Fairfax. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/boardagn2.htm for meetingmaterials, archives and more. Call

703-324-8662.

MONDAY-TUESDAY/DEC. 15-16Mental Health First Aid. 8:30 a.m.-

1:30 p.m. at the Pennino Building,12011 Government Center Parkway,Fairfax. Public education programfrom the Fairfax-Falls ChurchCommunity Services Board Wellnessand Health Promotion. Over a two-day course, certified instructors helppeople learn to assist someonedeveloping or experiencing a mentalhealth problem or crisis. $25. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/hscode/ereg/Registration.aspx?groupID=47.

TUESDAY/MARCH 3Listening Tour. 6:30 p.m. at Chantilly

High School, 4201 Stringfellow Road.Fairfax County Public SchoolsSuperintendent Karen K. Garza willhold a series of listening tours duringthe 2014-15 school year, and invitesstudents, parents, employees andcommunity members to participate inthese upcoming sessions. Visitwww.fcps.edu/news/listening-2014-15.shtml for more.

WHITE HOUSE ORNAMENT SALEThe Western Fairfax County Woman’s

Club is selling 2014 White HouseChristmas ornaments in honor of

the 29th President Warren G.Harding. This two piece trainornament is a reminder of Harding’suse of trains during his campaign andWhite Hour years. Ornaments cost$20 and proceeds benefit charity.Order by calling 703-378-6841.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLINGResidents can now “e-cycle” at the

I-66 transfer station. It is free butresidents may be asked to show proofof residency. Personal waste only.The I-66 station is located at 4618West Ox Road, Fairfax and open from8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/electric-sunday.htm.


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Whether one’s taste in tablesettings is subtle or over-the-top, it is possible to givethanks in style. From cen-

terpieces to table runners, local designerssay the right combination of accessories cancreate a Thanksgiving table that guests willremember long after the holiday.

“Start with candles,” said Susan Taylor ofDesign for You in Centreville. “They aresimple, clean and classic and affordable. Youcan use traditional candelabras on yourtable and place small floral arrangementsevenly spaced between each one. For a rus-tic or romantic look, place candles downthe table on a bed of greenery, especiallyfragrant greenery like holly.”

When using greenery, warns Taylor, makesure the flames cannot touch the greeneryor anything that can start a fire.

Candles always set the mood on the table,said Sallie Kjos of Grey Hunt Interiors inChantilly.

“Have a collection of different heights,possibly different colors for added interest,”she said. “If you want to go with an elegantlook, go for the burlap, white pumpkin, anduse all of your metallics such as bronze,champagnes and golds.”

Ideas for table décor can found almostanywhere, even in a supermarket, saysSharon Kleinman of Transitions by SharonKleinman in Potomac, Md. “While there, Iget inspiration from their beautiful produceand flowers,” she said. “The persimmonswere such a lovely shade of orange I knewI wanted to use them in my table decor. Idecided to cut the bottoms off, scoop outpart of the inside and fill them with fall flow-ers for individual arrangements at eachplace setting. I also purchased some brightorange pyracantha branches figuring I coulduse then in my table arrangement. “

Options for runners and tablecloths runthe gamut from rustic to elegant. “Use yourtablecloth and a runner, doing a burlap tablecloth is a very inexpensive way to get a fallcolor, but it doesn’t mean you have to gorustic,” said Kjos. “Any runner on top of thetablecloth adds texture. Consider gettingtwo runners and running them the widthof the table verses the length.”

Accessories you already own can be up-dated easily. “In my stash of holiday decor Ihave three ceramic pumpkins that are re-ally quite elegant and anchor my center-piece. This year I purchased some beauti-ful napkins in the same rust and plum tones”said Kleinman. “To create an eye catchingcenterpiece, I used the largest pumpkin in

the center and placed thetwo smaller pumpkins ap-proximately 24 inches tothe right and left of the cen-ter. In the space betweenthe pumpkins and on eachend I layered the dried ber-ries, magnolia leaves, pyra-cantha and dried flowers. Itucked fresh flowersamong the dried flowersand branches. I keep themfresh by using the plastictubes the florist sends withlong stem roses that I al-ways save.”

Kjos has a centerpieceidea that focuses on themeaning of the holiday.“For each center piece,wrap up a little box,” shesaid. “Inside the box usefall colored craft paper andwrite down five thingsabout that guest that youare thankful for. The boxcan be wrapped in bronzepaper, gold, whatever youlike that is fall looking andgoes with your decor, thentie up with a ribbon ortwine and add a leaf to thetop with their name is me-tallic sharpie for a placesetting.”

Kleinman visited a localnursery to gather foliage. “Ipicked up some burlap ribbon to tie up mynapkins, dried berries, fake magnolia leavesthat looked real and some dried exotic flow-ers,” she said. “My last purchase was fourapple cinnamon scented candles encased ina plum glass.”

The combination of scented candlelight,fresh flowers, dried flowers and berries,fresh produce and fine linens feels color-

Ideas for giving thanks in style.Thanksgiving TablescapesThanksgiving

Sallie Kjos of Grey Hunt Interiorsin Chantilly says metallic accesso-ries in colors such as bronze,champagne and gold create anelegant setting.

Sharon Kleinman of Potomac uses both freshand faux foliage in her Thanksgiving table décor.

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By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

If you’re planning to be a guest ratherthan a host for Thanksgiving dinner thisyear, you don’t want to arrive empty

handed. For those who are still searchingfor the perfect hostess gift, local tastemakerscome to the rescue with presents that arestylish and thoughtful.

Candles in seasonal fragrances are amongthe popular hostess gifts. “Our Rosy RingsSpicy Apple Botanical candle has the fra-grance of an apple pie cooling on a win-dowsill,” said Ann O’Shields of The Nest Eggin Fairfax.

“A 200 hour burn time and made withapple slices, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks,rosehips, essential and high quality fra-grance oils,” said O’Shields. “Customers

await our first shipment ev-ery fall.”

“Fragrances like pumpkinor cinnamon are popularthis time of year and cancarry through the holidayseason,” said Courtney Tho-mas of the Picket Fence inBurke.

Cocktail napkins aresomething that every hostcan use, said Thomas.

“A couple packs in a deco-rative holder make a greatand useful gift,” she said.“Many people choose onefall and one holiday designso they can be usedthroughout the holidays.”

Terri Downs, owner of JT

Stylish ideas for saying thank you.Gifts for the Hostess

Luxurious white marble and natural woodmake these cheese boards an elegant gift.

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Interiors in Potomac, Md., says she has anarray of items for the hostess including,“candles and potpourri.”

Food items always make a nice gift. “Puttogether a little goodie bag of snack items— peanuts, cheese biscuits or candies forthe hostess to enjoy after all the festivitiesare over,” said Thomas.

A marble-and-wood, monogrammedcheese board and spreader is a thoughtfuland personal idea, said O’Shields.

“These fabulous boards come in handy foreveryone who entertains,” she said. “Theyare great for serving cheese, fruit and more.The monogram makes it a personal gift andthe natural wood and marble easily fit intoall décor styles.

For a larger gift you could include a pack-age of cocktail napkins, wine, cheese andcrackers for an instant appetizer.

ful, bountiful and elegant but understated,said Kleinman.

“The best part of creating a lovely tablesetting is that it shows family and friendsthat you care,” she said. “For me preparinga beautiful table is just as important as pre-paring a delicious meal. It is my way ofshowing family and friends that I’m thank-ful for them.”


Visit www.ODBfairfax.org

Standing together to stop Domestic and Sexual Violence

Find us on Facebookand become a fan!www.Facebook.com/

connectionnewspapers

From Page 4

Roundups

Kumon Learning Center, inChantilly’s Sully Place ShoppingCenter. A volunteer stocker/bag-ger is needed Wednesdays, 4-6p.m. Contact Annette Bosley at703-988-9656, ext. 110, [email protected].

How to HireCLRC Workers

The Centreville Labor ResourceCenter (CLRC) serves businessesand homeowners needing helpwith just about any home remod-eling or maintenance project. Andlocal residents who’d like to hirea worker from the CLRC may doso easily. Either call 703-543-6272or go to www.centrevilleLRC.organd click on the “How to Hire”link. Tell what kind of work is re-quired, how many workers areneeded and when.

The CLRC will match the needsto its registered workers’ skills andset up the job. The price for workwill be negotiated. After the job iscompleted, employers are encour-aged to provide the CLRC withfeedback to ensure that the workwas done well and to their satis-faction and to make sure the work-ers are fairly paid.

Meals on WheelsVolunteers

Fairfax County needs Meals onWheels drivers in Chantilly andgroup Meals on Wheels coordina-tors in both Chantilly and Fairfax.Contact Volunteer Solutions at703-324-5406, TTY 711,[email protected] visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.

Long-TermCare Advocates

The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programneeds volunteer advocates for resi-dents in assisted living and nurs-ing facilities. Training is providedin March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY711 or [email protected].


Sports

As a junior, Johnny Pace was thefirst Westfield harrier in 10 yearsto qualify for the state meet. Thisyear, Pace has been one of the top

runners in Virginia.Pace finished runner-up at the Conference

5 meet on Oct. 30 at Burke Lake Park,placed fifth at the 6A North region meet onNov. 5 and earned all-state with a fifth-placefinish in the 6A race during the VHSL statemeet on Nov. 15 at Great Meadow. Pace fin-

ished with a time of 15:28.Pace recently participated in a

Q&A via email, sharing some in-sight about his Thanksgiving plans.

Q: What are your plans for Thanks-giving?

Pace: This year, most of my Thanksgivingwill be spent driving down to Charlotte,N.C., for the Foot Locker South RegionalMeet on Saturday. I’m hoping we’ll arriveearly enough that we won’t have to resortto eating drive-thru Thanksgiving dinnerwhile on the road to Charlotte.

Q: Do you or your family have anyannual Thanksgiving traditions?

Pace: My family and I have run the Vir-ginia Run Turkey Trot every year since I was6. That’s an 11-year streak! I will be run-ning it nice and slow just to keep the streakgoing but don’t be surprised if you see merunning the same time I ran when I was 6!As much as I’d like to run hard, I have tokeep my fresh legs for the Footlocker meet.

Q: Does your family incorporatesports into Thanksgiving? If so,how?

Pace: Like I said, year in and year out,my family has made the early morning trekto the Turkey Trot starting line and doingso has provided us with reason enough toenjoy eating up during dinnertime.

Q: What is your favorite thing toeat on Thanksgiving?

Pace: It is impossible to pick one singleitem. Like a good work of art, Thanksgiv-ing dinner is all in how one chooses to meldand interpret the various components to

craft a single magnificent menagerie of de-liciousness. Trying to select a single foodwould be like trying to paint with one color;it simply can’t compare to the blending ofthe full food spectrum.

Q: You finished fifth at the statemeet. How do you feel you per-formed?

Pace: I’m happy with my race execution.I dropped my time by 30 seconds from lastyear’s state meet, although I have somethings to work out in the last mile, which Iknow could lead to even faster times. I’mlooking forward to seeing everything cometogether this week at Foot Locker and I amhoping I can really leave everything outthere and do something special.

Q: Do you compete in any othersports at Westfield?

Pace: I am a four-year member of themarching band and have enjoyed the jour-ney of being selected to play in the 2014Rose Parade. It was an experience I will re-member for the rest of my life. Moreover, Iam a three-season runner, participating incross country, indoor track, and outdoortrack, where I have been a varsity memberof the two-time indoor/outdoor regionalchampion teams.

Q: What is your favorite sportsmoment during your Westfieldcareer?

Pace: My junior year, I became the firstmale Westfield runner to qualify for statesin 10 years. The year before, I had been aJV runner and the emotion of having comeso far in one year was enough to solidifythat meet as one I would never forget.

Q: You were named Westfieldhomecoming king. What was thatexperience like?

Pace: It was a very flattering experience,to say the least. I never would have imag-ined I would have the privilege of beingselected by my peers for king and it cer-tainly made me proud to be a Bulldog. For-tunately, the other class officers and I hadbeen working on a castle float for theCandyland homecoming parade, so thewhole king thing fit very nicely with thefloat.

Q: What are your college plans?Will you run for the school you’reattending?

Pace: I am still looking at colleges nearand far but I know that collegiate runningis something I definitely want to pursue. Iam being careful to assess schools based onacademic strength first and then hopefully,they have a strong athletic program to fol-low. People will tell you the college searchprocess is stressful, but I have enjoyed ev-ery step of it! I just hope I will choose aplace I feel comfortable being and can growas both a student and an athlete.

Q: Who is your favorite musicartist? Why?

Pace: Kids these days seem to be alignedwith the hip hop scene so I tend to culturemyself with the likes of wordsmiths such asKanye West, although I can certainly appre-ciate Queen, Stevie Wonder, and most otherartists.

Q: What is your favorite movie?Why?

Pace: Few movies have had such endur-ing legacies of enjoyment in my own mindas “Napoleon Dynamite.” The film’s simplic-ity coupled with its sophisticated level ofhumor has provided for endless quotabilityin my lifetime and for the purchase of agenuine pair of American flag workoutpants as a result of one of its most iconicscenes.

Q: What location is the farthestyou have traveled from the Wash-ington, D.C. area?

Pace: I traveled with the Westfield march-ing band to Pasadena, Calif., for the 125thTournament of Roses Rose Parade last year.It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experienceand if anything can justify the work thatgoes into a marching band, it would cer-tainly be the feeling of rounding the televi-sion corner to look down Colorado Boule-vard at hundreds of thousands of cheeringobservers. Truly indescribable.

Q: Who are your favorite prosports teams?

Pace: While I can’t call myself an avidsports fan, I have always been a supporterof the Washington Redskins.

Q: Who are your favorite proathletes?

Pace: I am an admirer of RG3 for his ac-tivism in the community. To see the goodhe has done in the local area alone is enoughto make me proud of his accomplishments,regardless of his recent mistakes on thefield. It is character that defines who I lookup to, not solely his or her athletic accom-plishments.

— Jon Roetman

Pace Headed to Charlotte for Foot Locker SouthWestfield senior competes in annual Turkey Trot with family.

Westfieldsenior Johnny

Pace crossesthe finish line

at the 6A Northregion champi-onship meet onNov. 5 at Burke

Lake Park.

Q&A

Connection

file photo

Centreville, Westfield FootballTo Host Region Semifinals

The Centreville and Westfield football teams will host 6A Northregion semifinal matchups at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Centreville, the region’s top seed, will host No. 4 Battlefield.No. 2 Westfield will host No. 3 Lake Braddock.

Centreville defeated Stonewall Jackson in last season’s semifi-nal round before defeating Westfield in the region final and OscarSmith in the state championship game.

Westfield came from behind to beat Lake Braddock in the 2013region semifinals.

Sports Brief School Notes

Email announcements [email protected] is Thursday at noon. Photos arewelcome.

Student publications from 14 FairfaxCounty public schools recently earnedTrophy Class rankings, the top honor inthe Virginia High School League (VHSL)Publications Evaluation Service. TrophyClass rankings were awarded to:

The Purple Tide, Chantilly HighSchool, Clare Gartlan, adviser in theNewspaper division.

Odyssey, Chantilly High School,Mary Kay Downes, adviser; and TheGuardian, Westfield High School, An-

thony Whitten, adviser, in the Yearbookdivision.

Christina Cardamone , ofHerndon, is a member of the Universityof Iowa’s class of 2018.

Fifty-nine Fairfax County PublicSchools teachers have been recognizedwith the Gold Star Award from Workingin Support of Education (WISE) for theirstudents’ performance on the 2013-14WISE Financial Literacy CertificationTest.

The test—a national, standardizedtest—measures students’ knowledge ofpersonal finance and pronounces them

financially capable when they graduatefrom high school.

The Gold Star Award designates thatthe teacher achieved a 90 percent passrate in at least one of his or her classeson the 2013-14 WISE Financial LiteracyCertification Test. FCPS Gold StarAward winning teachers are:Catherine Casares, JaniceFindley, Melissa Guerro, JanetJohnston, Scott Loube andMarcella Setness of Chantilly High;and Cathy Cespedes, SonjaClelland, Rhonda Dumont, CherylEdwards and Anthony Whitten ofWestfield High.


SPECIAL CONNECTIONSCALENDAR

Advertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday.

DECEMBERWellbeing.......................................................12/3/14

HomeLifeStyle: Home for the Holidays...12/10/14

Hanukkah begins December 16.

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Publishing

E-mail [email protected] for more information.

Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households• Alexandria Gazette Packet• Arlington Connection• Burke Connection• Centre View• Chantilly Connection

• Fairfax Connection• Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection• Great Falls Connection• McLean Connection• Mount Vernon Gazette

• Oak Hill/Herndon Connection• Potomac Almanac• Reston Connection• Springfield Connection• Vienna/Oakton Connection

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Lending a HandSaint Timothy Parish asked Boy Scout Troop 7369 to build an exhibit for the interna-tional festival taking place at the end of September. The troop’s Scouts came to a con-sensus to build a monkey bridge, where the only place to walk on is a single rope.Roughly half of the nearly 70-Scout troop took part in the early construction of thebridge. This required the construction of three A-frame lashings that were made with12-foot long logs, a one-inch thick rope to walk on, and guide lines. The result was amonkey bridge 70 feet long and with the main rope 6 feet off the ground. At the festi-val, the Scouts rebuilt the bridge, used ladders to help children (and adults) on and offthe bridge, and had two spotters for every participant. Some Scouts made doughnutsand sold them next to the bridge to help earn more money for the parish.

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Results! Why,man, I havegotten a lot of results.

I know severalthousand thingsthat won't work.

-Thomas A. Edison

Not exactly “like a frightened turtle” as“similed” on a long-ago Seinfeld episodeby Jerry himself; this shrinkage is the goodkind, the kind you hope a radiologicaloncologist characterizes when viewing yourCT Scan (computed tomography).Specifically, the exact kind of scan I getevery three months to assess and evaluatethe tumors, and fluid, in my stage IV, non-small cell cancer-affected lungs. The actualscanning itself takes about 30 seconds of“breathe in,” “hold it,” and “breathe out”to determine if my life is on hold – in agood way – or in jeopardy (not a belatedreference back to last week’s column). Theweek-long wait until we have our face-to-face appointment with my oncologist tolearn the results is not as interminable asyou might think. Over time, we have got-ten used to the experience. After all, livingwith cancer means living, not dying, andadapting and compartmentalizing cancer’seffects – mentally, physically and spiritually;all keys to surviving and enduring the good,bad and ugly that daily can traumatizethose of us “characterized as terminal” whofrequent the Infusion Centers hoping for amiracle cure.

Since March, 2009, I’ve been treatedwith nearly non-stop chemotherapy,infused mostly, except for 12 months or sowhen I was able to take a targeted therapypill at home and only had to show up atthe Center for scans and doctor’s appoint-ments. Six years ago almost, this processbegan; I can’t say it seems like yesterday,because there are yesterdays – due to theeffect of chemotherapy – that I simplydon’t remember (“chemo brain” is theaccepted condition/characterization), buttime flies when you’re having fun or rather,you’re still alive against all odds. And so itseems as if I still have a few tomorrows.Tomorrows that were hardly promised tome back at the original Team Lourie meet-ing in late February, 2009. Somehow,through a variety of fits and starts, I havesurvived: my DNA, my family history, myattitude, my pills, my supplements, myalkaline water, my diet and lifestylechanges, my above-average luck, whatever,however, I am still present and accountedfor. And though “stable” is a radiologist’s/oncologist’s description I have come tohope and pray for and embrace over thesepast six years, “shrinkage” is a description“most welcome” as Hercule Poirot mightsay and one I rarely anticipated hearing –considering my stage IV circumstances.

But I can take it. Though I’m not cancer-free and certainly not in remission, I amdoing reasonably well. I am, as a goodfriend says: “in pretty good shape for theshape I’m in.” The scan results are resultswith which I can live (Duh!) and so I intendto – until three months hence when we dothis scan dance all over again. Granted, thiscycle of gloom and doom and results-not-soon-enough is hardly ideal, but it is a liv-ing and a living I was not “prognosed” tohave (“13 months to two years” was theoriginal prognosis) when first diagnosed.I’m nowhere near home free; I’m still in forthe fight of my life – for my life, but for themoment, at least, for this quarter, due tothe shrinkage, I can take a bit of a break,which if you want to know the truth, I cancertainly use.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“Shrinkage”

Give me where to stand, and I will move the earth.

-Archimedes


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OBITUARYPamela Wallace, passed away at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ surrounded by her loving family. They invite everyone to attend the memorial service celebrating her life at the Christ Episcopal Church, 74 Park Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 11 AM where she wed her husband, Bob, forty-five years ago. Please omit flowers but memorial contributions to ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 (www.ASPCA.ORG) or the American Stroke Foundation (AMERICANSTROKE.ORG) would be greatly appreciated.

Born in Michigan City, Indiana, Pam lived in Clifton, VA for twenty-five years raising her family then moving to Lewes, DE several years ago. She received her teaching degree from Windham College, Putney, VT and her Masters in teaching from the University of VA. Pamela retired three years ago after sixteen years as a high school English/Special Education teacher within the Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools.

In addition to her husband Bob, she is survived by her sons Chris and wife Jessica, Scott and wife Melissa and Andrew and wife Ashley; she is also survived by her five wonderful grandchildren and her loving sister Molly Emiliani, husband Vincent and their five children

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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SupportingU.S. TroopsPreschool andelementary schoolstudents from eightChesterbrook Acad-emy schools inNorthern Virginiaworked together onNov. 7 to gather andsort more than1,000 pieces ofcandy for U.S.troops. Studentsfrom ChesterbrookAcademy locationsin Centreville,Chantilly, Clifton,Fairfax and Herndongathered atChesterbrook Acad-emy Kids Campus inChantilly to sort thecandy and packageit for delivery. Each

year in honor of Veterans Day, Chesterbrook Academy schools par-ticipate in the project, called Operation Gratitude, as a token oftheir appreciation for servicemen and women. The candy will bedistributed to USO locations in the Baltimore-Washington metro areaand to children who have parents deployed in war zones.

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Dan Harris and Gregg Greentree, co-owners of Turbo Tutoring LLC, areconducting a hat drive for Ellie’s

Hats in conjunction with their SAT prepseminar on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 6:30to 9 p.m. at Stone Bridge High School,Room 303, at 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn,VA 20147.

Students who take the two-and-a-half-hour SAT prep class for $175 are encour-aged to bring in hats, which will then bedonated to area hospitals and clinics for kidswho are undergoing chemo treatments forpediatric cancer. “Students are encouragedto take our class and bring in a hat to do-nate to area clinics for kids who are under-going chemo treatments,” said Harris.

The Westfield High School Englishteacher and school counselor have been inthe tutoring business for two years. To en-courage kids to bring in those hats, they arehaving raffle items with Clyde’s gift cards,

and other gift cards. “We’re going to raffleoff some prizes to give kids and familiesincentive to give back,” said Harris.

He added: “We’ve developed a really funprep class for kids,” said Harris. “We’ve hada lot of success with kids’ scores going upafter our class. Kids feel like they learn alot from our class that they can apply toother classes.

Ellie’s Hats was started by retired FairfaxCounty P.E. teacher Jay Coakley with whomHarris once worked. The program donateshats to kids with cancer at local hospitals,Ronald McDonald Houses, NIH and a can-cer clinic in Falls Church.

“I think we all reflect at this time of year.Giving something as small as a hat, to achild battling pediatric cancer, hopefullywill help brighten their day, and put a smileon their face in such a difficult time forthem,” said Harris.

— Steve Hibbard

Dan Harrisand GreggGreentree, co-owners andco-teachers ofthe local SATPrep program,Turbo Tutor-ing. Theirwebsite iswww.turbo-tutoring.com

Turbo Tutoring Helps Ellie’s Hats


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C E N T R E V I L L EThe Anglican Church of the Ascension

TraditionalAnglican Services

1928 Book ofCommon Prayer

1940 Hymnal

13941 Braddock Road, (north off Rte. 29) Centreville, VA703-830-3176 • www.ascension-acc.org

Holy Communion 10 A.M. Sundays(with Church School and Nursery)

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Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGThe Airbus IMAX Theater at

National Air and SpaceMuseum Udvar-Hazy Center,14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway,is showing movies including“Interstellar”, “D-Day: Normandy1944”, “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,”“Hidden Universe” and “The Dream isAlive.” Visit airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy or call 703-572-4118 forthe movie schedule or to schedule anIMAX On Demand show for groups of50 or more.

Sully Historic Site. 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Enjoy guidedtours of the 1794 home of NorthernVirginia’s first Congressman, RichardBland Lee. $7/adult; $6/student; $5/senior and child. Hours are 11 a.m.-4p.m. 703-437-1794.

Exhibit of Colorful Nutcrackers atHistoric Sully. Through Jan. 31.Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. See an array ofnutcrackers, both old and new, in acolorful case exhibit. This holidayexhibit is included in a guided tour ofthe 1794 house. Sully, the home ofRichard Bland Lee, northernVirginia’s first congressman, will bedecorated for the holiday seasonfrom Dec. 3-22. 703-437-1794 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully

Singing. 7:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. The Fairfax Jubil-Aires

rehearse every Wednesday whichincludes training by an award-winning director. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.

PET ADOPTIONSPet Adoptions. Friday, Nov. 28, 10

a.m.-4 p.m. at The Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road.Fees for pet adoptions for animalswith black fur only will be waived.Call 703-830-1100 for more.

Adopt a Dog. Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. at PetSmart,12971 Fair Lakes Center, Fairfax.Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.

WEDNESDAY/NOV. 19-SUNDAY/JAN. 4Lights Festival. 7700 Bull Run Drive,

Centreville. Almost two and a halfmiles of light displays and a HolidayVillage to celebrate the season. Visitwww.bullrunfestivaloflights.com.

THURSDAY/NOV. 27Turkey Trot. 8 a.m. at Virginia Run

Community Center,15355Wetherburn Court, Centreville.Spend Thanksgiving morning at thisrace. Visit www.varunturkeytrot.wix.com/2014 for more.

FRIDAY/NOV. 28Swing Dance. 8:30-9 p.m. drop-in

beginner swing lesson, 9-12 p.mdance. Hilton Washington Dulles

Airport, 13869 Park Center Road,Herndon. $20 in advance, $30 at thedoor. A night of swing dance funwith music by London’s Jive Aces.www.gottaswing.com or 703-359-9882.

SATURDAY/NOV. 29Fairfax Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”

2 and 7 p.m.at W.T. Woodson HighSchool, 9525 Main St., Fairfax.Members of the Fairfax Ballet’sCompany, along with students fromthe Russell School of Ballet and guestartists from around the world willperform. Tickets are available forpurchase atfairfaxnutcracker2014.brownpapertickets.com.Tickets will also be available at thedoor beginning one hour before eachshow. [email protected] or call 703-439-9788 for more.

SUNDAY/NOV. 30Fairfax Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”

2 p.m. at W.T. Woodson High School,9525 Main St., Fairfax. Members ofthe Fairfax Ballet’s Company, alongwith students from the Russell Schoolof Ballet and guest artists fromaround the world will perform.Tickets are available for purchase atfairfaxnutcracker2014.brownpapertickets.com/Tickets will also be available at thedoor beginning one hour before eachshow. [email protected] or call 703-439-9788 for more.

TUESDAY/DEC. 2Public Concert-Holiday Kick-Off

Event. 11:30 a.m. SmithsonianNational Air & Space Museum,Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390

Air & Space Museum Parkway,Chantilly. The United States AirForce Band concert. Free, tickets notrequired. Free bus parking, $15parking for private vehicles.www.usafband.af.mil or 202-767-5658.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC.5-7Christmas Musical Drama. 7:30

p.m. at Jubilee Christian Center,4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax.Enjoy the musical drama, “The Gift”depicting the story of a soldier andfamily at the end of WW II. Call 703-383-1170 for more.

Holiday Performance. Friday, 7:30p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 3p.m. at Mountain View High School,5775 Spindle Court, Centreville.Enjoy “Twas the Night BeforeChristmas” by special arrangementwith Samuel French, followed byChristmas caroling, and anopportunity to sit with and take yourown pictures with Santa. VisitTheAllianceTheatre.org for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 6Champagne Holiday Breakfast. 8

a.m.-2 p.m. at Judy Ryan of Fairfax,9565 Braddock Road, Fairfax. Kickoff the season with Judy Ryan ofFairfax. Enjoy a continentalbreakfast, complete with champagneand mimosas and storewide savings.Judy’s elves will wrap gifts. Call 703-425-1855.

Decorating with Fresh Greens andFlowers. 10 a.m. at MerrifieldGarden Center, Fair Oaks MeetingRoom, 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax.See how to use fresh cut pine, holly,cedar, boxwood, magnolia and otherplants to fill a home with thefragrance and beauty of the season.Call 703-968-9600 or visitmerrifieldgardencenter.com for more.

Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair. 11a.m. - 3 p.m. at BrookfieldElementary, 4200 Lees Corner Road,Chantilly. Enjoy pictures with Santaand local craft vendors offeringpotential gift ideas. Contact 703-814-8700 for more.

St. Nicholas Workshop. 1-4 p.m. atSaint Raphael Orthodox Church,4429 Brookfield Corporate Drive,Suite 500, Chantilly. Children canmake crafts and gifts. Free,registration is required. Call 703-426-8719 for more.

Holiday Art Show. 2-6 p.m. at CliftonTown Meeting Hall, 12641 ChapelRoad. Enjoy shopping for quality,original art, made entirely by Cliftonartists. Visitwww.artguildofclifton.org for more.

Entertainment

‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’A fun filled family holiday event, presented by The Alliance Theater, begins with

a performance of Ken Ludwig’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” by special ar-rangement with Samuel French, followed by Christmas caroling, and bring a camerafor an opportunity to sit with and take pictures with Santa

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is the tale of Amos the mouse whose housegets missed by Santa. He and his two friends, an elf named Calliope and a spunkylittle girl, Emily, go to great lengths to ensure that Santa doesn’t miss him again.They set off on wild adventures that involve a heist, a crazy airplane flight, and anelf’s stint as a secret agent in this playful tribute to the holiday season.

All performances will be held at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court,Centreville. Show dates are Friday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 and 7:30p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 3and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. Visit TheAllianceTheatre.org.

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Larry Keeling and Noah Fraize rehearse for The AllianceTheater’s production of “’Twas the Night Before Christ-mas.”

‘she eats, sleeps and breathes music’

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