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Inside New Sully DistrictCommunity CenterNews, Page 3
A Princess, Magic Tricks
And Fun News, Page 6
From left: Carla Perez and daughter Lia, 2, pose with Westfield High junior Sarah Luffy, portraying a princess. Carla is not a Mountain View student, but her mom is Tina Perez, administra-tive assistant to Mountain View’s principal.
2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.lostdogandcatrescue.org
lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer
owned or known
Helping Animals FindTheir Way Since 2001
Adopt/Donate/Volunteer
Volunteers needed for adoption events, fostering,transportation, adoption center caretaking and more.
By Marilyn Campbell
Jessica DeBoer’s 13-year-old son just re-turned to school after a six-day suspensionbecause he was caught vaping in the boysbathroom of his elite private school. Until
she received a call from one of the school’s adminis-trators, DeBoer was not familiar with the practiceand never dreamed her son would partake in it.
“Now I feel like I might have been naive consider-ing how widespread it seems to be,” she said. “Myson told me that many of the kids in his school havetried vaping and some even do it regularly.”
Vaping is the use of e-cigarettes to inhale and ex-hale an aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which isproduced by an e-cigarette orsimilar device. The term is usedbecause e-cigarettes produce anaerosol that consists of fine par-ticles, many of which containvarying amounts of toxic chemi-cals.
For parents like Deboer, keep-ing the line of communicationopen is a key weapon in keep-ing kids away from e-cigarettes,says therapist Lisa Baguio,LCSW. “Before talking with yourteen about vaping, or any sensitive issue for thatmatter, educate yourself and make sure you knowwhat you’re talking about,” she said. “Kids know morethan we give them credit for. Be prepared with unre-futable facts and scientific evidence because you canguarantee yourself that your kids will have their ownset of facts, which are often false.”
Once you have those facts, be prepared to sharethem during a conversation with your teen. “It’s im-portant that parents are open and honest with their
children,” said child psychologist Laurie Jones,Psy.D. “You first have to tell them your expec-tations. For example, ‘In our family, we havezero tolerance for e-cigarette or tobacco use ofany kind.’ You then should explain the dan-gers and risks involved and make sure that your
teen knows that this is not your just opinion, butproven hazards.”
A teen might be less likely to engage in vaping ifthey can connect it to negative consequences thataffect them personally, advised marriage and familycounselor Joyce McCarry, M.A. ”One thing that teensvalue is their image among their peer group,” shesaid. “If vaping a substance causes bad breath, thatwill deter a teen from using it. If getting caughtvaping means that they are kicked off a sports team,that will be a deterrent.”
A parent’s best tactic is creating an environmentwhere one’s teen feels comfortable sharing informa-tion about vaping and working with them
collaboratively to find ways toavoid it, says McCarry. “Youwant your child to let you knowif they’re vaping or have friendswho are doing it,” she said. “Youcan also let them know that ifthey’re ever in a situation wherethey’re being offered an e-ciga-rette, real cigarettes or drugs oranything dangerous, that theycan call you and you will pickthem up immediately with noquestions asked.”
“You also want you to give your child a way to getout of a risky social situation without feeling embar-rassed,” continued McCarry. “I have a patient whoseparents tell him to text them a numerical code when-ever he’s in a precarious situation with friends. Theparents know to call his cell phone and tell him thatthere’s a family emergency and he needs to comehome right away. This gives the child an excuse toleave without feeling embarrassed or like he’ll be ridi-culed for not engaging in risky behavior.”
How to Talk About VapingApproaching conversationabout dangers of e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes come in a variety of forms.
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“You also want you togive your child a way toget out of a risky socialsituation withoutfeeling embarrassed.”
— Joyce McCarry, M.A.
Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
Local residents recently got theirinitial glimpse of the new commu-nity center planned for the SullyDistrict. And Hana Chang was
first to address the nearly 70 people attend-ing an informational meeting in Sully’s Gov-ernmental Center.
“We’ve been working on the design of hisbuilding, and we’re excited to share it withyou,” said Chang, with Fairfax County’sDepartment of Public Works and Environ-mental Services. “It’s one story, about30,000 square feet and is on a 5-acre site[bounded by Wall Road and Air and SpaceMuseum Parkway in Chantilly].”
She said a 2017 community survey – towhich more than 700 residents responded– guided what elements will go into this
county project that hasan estimated $20 mil-lion price tag. And shetold residents it’s sched-uled for completion bysummer 2022.
Evan Braff, a regionalmanager with thecounty’s Neighborhoodand Community Ser-vices, presented furtherdetails. “I live in the
Sully District, so I’ve been waiting for this,”he said. “This will be Fairfax County’s 10th
community center, and we want to get feed-back from the community about the typesof programs and services they want there.”
Braff said three, multipurpose rooms areproposed for a variety of uses, as well asprograms both day and evening. Alsoplanned are an arts-and-crafts room, gameroom, exercise room, offices, kitchen andpantry. And moving there will be SullyDistrict’s senior center, which is currentlyoperating in a temporary location in anothersection of Chantilly.
“Seniors will be able to get a meal andtransportation, if necessary,” said Braff.“We’re partnering with Shepherd’s Center,
and seniors can callthem for rides to doc-tors’ appointments andto get groceries.”
However, he added,“It’ll be anintergenerational centerwith programs for youthin the afternoons [afterschool] and during thesummer. And it will pro-vide a meeting place for
groups and organizations.” This space maybe used by community associations and
clubs and for classes and so-cial gatherings.
The facility will also featurea gym with two basketballcourts. “We partnered with the[county] Park Authority,which gave the additionalfunding for the second court,”said Braff. “And the county willuse it on Sundays. We’re go-ing to have a plethora of ac-tivities serving all kinds ofpeople, including people withdisabilities.”
Since it’s geared for all ages,some examples of the pro-grams and services to be of-fered include: Fitness classes;gym sports such as volleyball,pickleball and badminton;STEAM, technology and com-puter instruction; therapeuticrecreation; and Park Author-ity specialty camps.
Also speaking at the meet-ing was Keith Leonard, prin-cipal with RRMM LukmireArchitects, which designed thecommunity center. He said itwill be constructed adjacent to the SullyHighlands Park, with access off Wall Roadand about 180 parking spaces.
“There’ll be a generous, drop-off area forbuses and cars, plus access to the park forshared parking,” said Leonard. “And there’llbe pedestrian connections from the devel-opment to the north.”
Discussing the building’s amenities, he
said one side of the double gym would havebleachers and, “In theory, you could havefour, different activities going on at the sametime.”
“The main lobby will have seating areasand a reception desk,” continued Leonard.“The building is divided into active and
First glimpse of new SullyDistrict Community Center.‘I’ve Been Waiting for This’
The floorplanof the newSully DistrictCommunityCenter.
Evan Braff
KeithLeonard
The site layout of the community center to bebuilt in Chantilly.
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Artist’s rendition of the Sully District Community Center in Chantilly.
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
A week is already completed in theshort (45-day) session of the Vir-ginia General Assembly, and somany important things are in the
works, in danger of happening or not happen-ing, that no one can have a clear view of it all.
An example: The Senate Courts of JusticeCommittee voted for a bill 8-6 that would barthe execution of people with serious mentalillnesses. Possibly you didn’t realize that it islegal to execute someone with serious mentalillness, because it makes no sense. But this billfailed last year.
Another success for the moment: increasingthe minimum wage to $15 over several years
also cleared Senate com-mittee.
Do you know who yourVirginia delegate and sena-
tor are? Every resident of Virginia gets one ofeach. Enter your address here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ to findout all of your representatives, plus contactinformation. Call and tell them, or leave amessage, about what matters to you. Send anemail. Connect to them on Facebook and watchfor live Q&A sessions.
Here you can search legislation by bill num-ber or keyword, find video and streaming:https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Last week’s editorial, a long legislative wishlist, http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2019/jan/08/opinion-editorial-wish-list-things-session-general/ still omitted many im-portant actions, despite its length. One in par-
ticular made it into some editions and not oth-ers: To establish equal rights for LGBT Virgin-ians, especially in housing and public employ-ment.
Here are a few more important items:The Virginia State Conference NAACP Crimi-
nal Justice Committee supports the passage ofthe following bills that are up for debate inthis legislative session:
❖ HB 1651 - Raises grand larceny limit from$500 to $750 (Del Hayes)
❖ HB 1642 - Increases data collection on useof solitary confinement (Del Hope)
❖ SB 1013 - Repeals suspension of driverslicences for not paying fines (Sen Stanley; DelKory)
❖ SB 1053 and HB 1745 - Makes juvenileoffenders sentenced to life automatically eli-gible for parole after serving 25 years. (SenMarsden; Del Lindsey)
❖ HB 2616 - Raises the minimum age a childcan be tried as an adult from 14 to 16 (DelGuzman) (And this is still far too low.)
❖ SB 1551, HB 1685, HB 1873 and HB 1688- Limits the scope of what School ResourceOfficers can get involved, prohibits studentsfrom being charged with disorderly conduct,and mandates data collection of use of forceagainst students. (Sen Surovell, Del SchuylerT. VanValkenburg, Del Bourne; Del Mullin)
❖ SB 997 - Decriminalizes simple marijuanapossession. (Sen Ebbin)
❖ SB 1008 - Bans mechanical devices de-signed to increase rate of bullets firing. (SenEbbin)
❖ SB 1013 - Repeals the requirement thatthe driver’s license of a person convicted ofany violation of the law who fails or refuses toprovide payment of fines be suspended. (SenStanley)
❖ SB 1034 - Prohibits any person who is nota licensed firearms dealer from purchasingmore than one handgun in a 30-day period.(Sen Locke)
❖ HB 1991 - Labels violent hate groups asdomestic terrorists (Del Price)
❖ HB 2472 - Adds gender, disability, genderidentity, and sexual orientation to the catego-ries of victims whose intentional selection fora hate crime results in a higher criminal pen-alty for the offense. (Del. Kenneth R. Plum)
Contact House Courts of Justice members:Robert B. Bell (chairman), Leftwich (vicechair), Kilgore, Gilbert, L.R. Adams, J.L.Campbell, Collins, Miyares, Ransone, R.R.Campbell, Watts, Toscano, Herring, Hope,Mullin, Bourne, Simon, Carroll Foy.
Senate Courts of Justice members:Obenshain (chairman), Saslaw, Norment,Howell, Lucas, Edwards, McDougle, Stuart,Stanley, Reeves, Chafin, Deeds, Sturtevant,Petersen, and Peake. Find contact informationhttps://virginiageneralassembly.gov/
See our websitewww.ConnectionNewspapers.com for manystories from the General Assembly from theCapital News Service, written by journalismstudents from VCU.
— Mary Kimm
Pay Attention, State Legislature Not GridlockedThousands of bills considered over 45 days could havea big impact on your life, for better or for worse.
Commentary
Cultural Excellence WinnerThe Children’s Science Center (CSC), a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to inspire a love of learning Science, Technology, Engineering andMath (STEM) by providing opportunities to explore and create, recently wasawarded a $15,000 Cultural Excellence grant from the Wells Fargo Foun-dation. This award was given to support the youth outreach and educationprograms, including the Family Science Night Program, that the Children’sScience Center facilitates during each school year. Each year, 50,000 visi-tors explore the Children’s Science Center Lab located at Fair Oaks Mall inFairfax, and another 20,000 visitors experience its programs delivered atschools, libraries and other venues throughout the region. Above are, fromleft, Nene Spivy (CSC), Preeti Sarnik, Rebecca Ray and Michael Butterfieldof Wells Fargo, and Jenn Brunner (CSC).
Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.
NEWPrescription Drug Take Back Box
Program. Fairfax Countyannounced the expansion of thePrescription Drug Take Back BoxProgram Countywide. The boxes areavailable 24/7/365 at each districtpolice station for any person toanonymously and safely dispose oftheir prescription medications 24/7/365 - no questions asked. It isimportant to get unused medicines,especially opioids, out of yourmedicine cabinets to preventaccidental or illicit use. SeveralFairfax County pharmacies also takeback unused prescription drugs. For acurrent list, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/4-ways-to-safely-dispose-of-unused-medications/.
VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or
Railroad History? Considervolunteering at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. The Museumoffers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individualto coordinate the scheduling of thevolunteer staff. Training will beprovided for all positions. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 for opportunities. The
Museum is located at 11200 FairfaxStation Road in Fairfax Station. It isopen every Sunday, except holidays,from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
INPUT SOUGHTUnmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Program. Fairfax County isdeveloping a comprehensive PublicSafety Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS) program and would like tohear from residents. Each of sixpublic information meetings willinclude a static display of unmannedaircraft followed by a presentationoutlining the program. After thepresentation, there will be anopportunity to ask questions. Theformal presentation will begin at 7p.m. To find out more about the UASprogram go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Sendfeedback or questions [email protected] or throughthe link located on the UAS webpage.Written comments on the draftprogram must be received by theclose of business Feb. 8, 2019, to beincluded in the official public record.
❖ Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at South County GovernmentalCenter (Room 221C), 8350Richmond Highway, Alexandria.
❖ Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at McLean District GovernmentalCenter, 1437 Balls Hill Road,McLean.
❖ Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. atSully District Governmental Center,4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly.
Bulletin Board
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Fair Oaks / Fair LakesA Connection Newspaper
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to homes and businesses.Published by
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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415
Jean CardProduction Editor
Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
A Connection Newspaper
Chantilly
Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Entertainment
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. at
Petco, 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.
Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JAN. 18-20Home + Remodeling Show. Friday-
Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10a.m.-6 p.m. at Dulles Expo Center,4320 Chantilly Shopping Center,Chantilly. More than 300 companieswill be on hand to showcase thelatest products and services in homeremodeling, renovation, home décorand redesign. TLC’s Trading Spaces’John Gidding and HGTV DesignStar’s Tyler Wisler will headline theevent. $12 at box office; $9 online,$3 children 6-12, free for 5 andyounger. Purchase tickets athomeandremodelingshow.com/show-features.
FRIDAY/JAN. 18Family Movie: Disney’s “Frozen.”
2-3:30 p.m. at Centreville RegionalLibrary, 14200 St. Germain Drive,Centreville. It’s an early release dayfrom school. The whole family iswelcome to this PG favorite. Bring ablanket and/or pillow to sit on. Lightsnacks and drinks provided or feel
free to bring something from home.All ages. Call 703-830-2223, TTY 711or email [email protected].
SATURDAY/JAN. 19Word Sculpting Fundamentals.
1:30-2:30 p.m. at CentrevilleRegional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive, Centreville. Learn from expertCarla Bass how to write to grab andmaintain the reader’s attention.Grades: 9 to adult. Call 703-830-2223, TTY 711 or [email protected].
SUNDAY/JAN. 20Garden Gauge (G Scale) Model
Train Show. 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.The Washington, Virginia, andMaryland Garden Railway Societywill hold their annual Garden GaugeModel Train Show at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.
FRIDAY/JAN. 25Journey to the Past. 9-11 a.m. at
Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Treat a favoritedoll to a visit to the past. Bring thedoll to the “All-American Girl: LivingDolls” program at Sully Historic Siteand explore the life of an Americangirl from an era in history throughfun activities, costumes, crafts andthemed games in a beautiful historicsetting. For children age 5-9. $30 perchild. Bring a snack and drink. Call703-437-1794 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
Animal Tricks for Staying Warm.4:30-5:30 p.m. at Ellanor C.Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road,Chantilly. Bundle up in winter wearand learn animal strategies formaking it through the winter at the“Winter Wonder Campfire.” Meetsome exhibit animals at the park andsee first-hand how they beat the cold.Warm up by the campfire and enjoys’mores, too. Designed forparticipants age 4-adult. $8 perperson. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
SATURDAY/JAN. 26“Making Stone Soup.” 10-11:30 a.m.
in the historic Floris Schoolhousekitchen at Frying Pan Farm Park,2739 West Ox Road, Herndon.Discover how easy and satisfying it isto prepare home-cooked soups inwinter. Learn the history and originsof several different ethnic soup stylesand sample each style featured.Create a new soup with members ofthe group based on the story of“Stone Soup.” Participants will get totake home a serving of “Stone Soup”to enjoy. $10 per person, designedfor participants age 7-adult. Call 703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
SUNDAY/JAN. 27Reading Circle and Craft Day. 1-4
p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. “My LittleBook of Trains” will be featured in areading circle. Train locomotives andtenders will be explored during theactivities that day. Participants maymake their own ongoing journal for
the year’s reading circles andinformation learned about trains andrailroading. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.
Live Music: Only Lonesome. 7 p.m.(doors open at 6) at Frying Pan FarmPark Visitor Center, 2739 West OxRoad, Herndon. Make plans to “hitchup the team” and head to Frying PanFarm Park this season for BluegrassBarn. Food and beverages availablefor purchase. $18 in advance, $20 atthe door. Purchase tickets online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or by phoneat 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
SUNDAY/FEB. 3Make a Valentine Card Craft. 1-4
p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The FairfaxStation Railroad Museum will have aValentine’s Day Make and Takeevent. Visitors will create their ownValentine’s cards to take home withthem. The cost of supplies is includedwith admission.. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
MONDAY/FEB. 4Journey to the Past. 9-11 a.m. at
Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Treat a favoritedoll to a visit to the past. Bring thedoll to the “All-American Girl: LivingDolls” program at Sully Historic Siteand explore the life of an Americangirl from an era in history throughfun activities, costumes, crafts andthemed games in a beautiful historic
setting. For children age 5-9. $30 perchild. Bring a snack and drink. Call703-437-1794 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
SUNDAY/FEB. 10T-TRAK Scale Model Train Show.
1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road, Fairfax Station. TheNorthern Virginia T-TRAK memberswill hold a N gauge Model TrainDisplay. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15,$2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Live Music: Laurie Lewis & theRight Hands. 7 p.m. (doors open at6) at Frying Pan Farm Park VisitorCenter, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. Make plans to “hitch up theteam” and head to Frying Pan FarmPark this season for Bluegrass Barn.Food and beverages available forpurchase. $18 in advance, $20 at thedoor. Purchase tickets online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or by phoneat 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
THURSDAY/FEB. 14Make Art Inspired by History. 10
a.m. or 5:30 p.m. at Ellanor C.Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road,Chantilly. This Valentine’s Day,gather friends and family together atthe park to create art inspired byhistory. The artwork created willreflect the season or month, and theprojects are designed for artists age6-adult. The park will be offeringtwo, one-hour sessions. $8 perperson. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Children and parents enjoying The Great Zucchini’s (EricKnaus, on right, in blue T-shirt) magic tricks.
Mountain View senior JuliaHenriquez with son Jacob,3, playing with a toy at theparty.
A Princess, Magic Tricks and FunM
ountain View High held a holiday party,Dec. 19, for its pregnant and parentingstudents in the school’s Project Opportu-
nity program. Centreville Presbyterian Church pro-vided a magician, The Great Zucchini, a princess andsnacks. And The Life Church provided gifts for theparents to give their children at Christmas.
Jojo Woolard, 4, daughter of math teacherEmily Woolard, helps The Great Zucchinido a magic trick.
Children reach for a banana that wastransformed from soap bubbles by magi-cian Eric Knaus.
Matthew Martinez, 2, isexcited to see a GreatZucchini magic trick upclose. His mom, Ashley, is aMountain View senior.
Magician Eric Knaus explains one of his tricks to JimenaChavez, 6.
Photos by
Bonnie Hobbs
Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Today, Jan. 12, 2019 is National Glazed Donut Day and the day after my most recent post-scan appointment with my oncologist. A day when, if I’m lucky – as I have been for the past 10 years – my world will change for the better (donut consumption notwithstanding). However, the ‘world’ to which I refer is one fraught with danger and offers no more guarantees than I’ve been accustomed to.
To invoke the late, great Rod Serling: I am now entering “The Immunotherapy Zone.”
Yes, a brand new – for me – treatment protocol: new drug, new side effects, new frequency, new lifestyle/fewer hassles (potentially), and most impor-tantly: shrinkage (possibly), of my tumors, especially my “Adams Apple” tumor, as I’ve come to nickname the mass just below my Adams Apple (which is sort of bothering me, if you want to know the truth).
The nature of cancer treatment as I’ve experi-enced it – and learned from my oncologist is – if the drug is working, you continue it until it isn’t (sounds simple I know). When it stops working, you change
-cer cells are smart that way.)
Generally speaking, the cancer drug doesn’t start working (shrinking, stabilizing) after it has stopped working (growth). Over my nearly 10 years, I have switched drugs upwards of a dozen times.
Now, I am switching again: to Opdivo, an immu-notherapy drug, a class of drugs that didn’t even
and one that has only been approved for the treatment of lung cancer since 2015. A drug that, to quote the television advertisement: “offers a chance at longer life.”
And so, Team Lourie, two-thirds of it anyway,
Friday, I will be infused into the great unknown.From what my oncologist explained yester-
some potentially unpleasant side effects. However, continuing with my present infusion drug, Alimta, now that there’s been some growth, is also likely to produce some unpleasant side effects: growth and movement.
And more growth/movement is the worst side effect, relatively and comparatively speaking. So we
cancer works). If we opt for Opdivo, maybe there won’t be growth, and maybe there might even be some shrinkage (the good kind).
As for lifestyle changes, there are, according to my oncologist, some quality of life improvements as well, or at least, more weeks in the month when potentially I’ll be less impacted by my disease/treatment. Which along with my quality of life has always been a concern of my oncologist.
And, without getting into the details, I’m ready for a change.
-age and fewer/different side effects (some patients report few side effects from Opdivo), I wouldn’t say switching to an immunotherapy drug was enticing/a “no-brainer,” but it does offer an alternative of sorts. And given where I’ve been treated from and where I’ll be treated now, I am ready for something different.
improve my life or it could make matters worse, a ‘worse’ from which quite frankly I might not recover (do you remember my yo-yo down-the-stairs visual from a few columns ago?). And I am familiar, unfor-tunately, with some less-than-encouraging accounts of patients not faring so well.
I just hope there’s not a hole in my thinking. Oh wait. That’s a hole in my donut. No worries. I’m happy to buy the donut and I never complain about the hole. That’s the trade-off. I’m hoping, given the
trade-off with side effects. My philosophy has always been to take the good
with the bad – and vice versa, and after almost 10 years of rolling with the punches, I see no reason to change now.
What To Right About
quiet areas – for things like arts and crafts.The game room could have video games,table tennis, pool, etc. And the exerciseroom will have, for example, treadmills andfree weights – but on a small scale, so asnot to compete with the Cub Run Rec Cen-ter in Chantilly, 10 minutes away.”
He said the three, multipurpose roomswill each be 1,600 square feet. One willhave a wood, sprung floor conducive toyoga and aerobics. It’ll have plenty of stor-age for equipment, but may also be used atnight for meetings. Leonard said it’s an ex-ample of how important “efficiency andflexibility” are in this facility. He also notedthat the building will be “mainly brick, plussome metal, with lots of glass in the lobby.”
Resident Mark Hall asked what would beoffered for people with disabilities. “Mybackground is in therapeutic recreation, sothe atmosphere will be welcoming and in-clusive for people with disabilities,” repliedBraff. “And activities will be adapted so theycan participate, too.”
Hours of operation will be Mondaythrough Saturday, from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-days will be for Park Authority rentals only.And there’ll be bike racks and WiFi.
Braff said the programs already in opera-tion at the current senior center will bemoved to the new one “pretty much intact”and at the same cost. “There’s a fee for thesenior center, but there’s not a general-membership fee to join the community cen-ter,” he said. “However, classes might range,for example, from $5 for an 8-week, tai chiclass to as high as $70/week for somethingelse.”
He said the building’s entrance will be“zero incline,” so people may enter easily.And, added Braff, “We’ll have a meal pro-gram, not just for seniors, but for kids onfree-and-reduced-price lunches. We havescholarships for those who want to partici-pate, but need some financial help. Andwe’ll have buses go into neighborhoods topick up kids and bring them to the centerso they can be in a safe place after school.”
A woman asked if there could be an edu-cational component, too, such as lecturesby guest speakers. “A lot of our program-ming is driven by what the communitywants,” answered Braff. “So we could part-ner with someone to do this.”
He said the county is also exploring thepossibility of having a community gardenthere. And when a man asked about walk-ing trails on the grounds, Leonard said, “It’ssomething we’re designing in the nextphase.”
For more information, go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-com-munity-services/sully-community-center.
News
First Glimpse
A ground-level view of what thecommunity center will look like.
From Page 3
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Fa i r f a xCountyP u b l i cSchools
(FCPS) Superinten-dent Scott S.Brabrand presented a$3.0 billion FiscalYear (FY) 2020 Pro-posed Budget, with afocus on employeecompensation, to the Fairfax County SchoolBoard at its business meeting on Jan. 10.The FY 2020 Proposed Budget representsan increase of $117.4 million, or 4.1 per-cent, over the FY 2019 Approved Budget.
“Student success begins and ends with ahighly qualified teacher in every classroom,which is why the FY 2020 Proposed Budgetcontinues to focus on our strategic priorityof recruiting and retaining great teachersthrough market competitive compensation,”said Brabrand. “The proposed budget in-
cludes a $55.2 million investment in theteacher salary scales which is the final phaseof a multi-year plan to bring teacher sala-ries to the market average and includes a1.0 percent market scale adjustment. Ourgoal is to ensure that every student–byname and by need–receives an excellent andequitable education in a 21st- century learn-ing environment with the very best teach-ers.” “The FY 2020 Proposed Budget takesus closer to aligning with the four key pri-orities in our strategic plan – Student Suc-cess, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce,and Resource Stewardship,” said Brabrand.“Resources are allocated to maximize stu-dent achievement and support classroomefforts to achieve Portrait of a Graduateoutcomes for every FCPS student. We arereaffirming our commitment to keep thefocus on students, teachers, and classroominstruction.”
THE PROPOSED BUDGET includes
Strategic Priority: Recruiting Great TeachersSuperintendent presents public schools’ budget for FY 2020.
Scott S.Brabrand
Co
urtesy o
f FC
PS
$46.8 million for a step increase for eligibleemployees, and $8.2 million for a 1.0 per-cent market scale adjustment for employ-ees who are not teachers. An additional$12.0 million is provided for instructionalprograms, which includes funding to dis-tribute a laptop to every high school stu-dent as part of the FCPSOn 1-to-1 initiativeto prepare students for college and careers.
The budget also realigns the elementarystaffing standard which will result in anoverall average class size reduction of 1.4students at elementary schools during theprimary hiring season. “Since becomingsuperintendent, I have made it a priority toestablish and maintain a cooperative andcollaborative relationship with our countyfunding partners - the Board of Supervisorsand the County Executive,” Brabrand con-tinued. “In FY 2019, we received full fund-ing for the first time in more than 20 yearsand we will continue to work in tandemwith the County to address the investment
needs of our school division.” The budgetassumes a slight decrease in student enroll-ment which will result in savings of $6.3million. Overall, the FY 2020 budget allo-cates 86 percent of available funding to in-structional programs with more than 93percent of employees school-based. Whenaligned to the FCPS Strategic Plan, Ignite,53 percent of FCPS programs have beenidentified as supporting Student Success.
The presentation of the FY 2020 ProposedBudget is the starting point of the budgetprocess, which ends in May with the SchoolBoard’s adoption of the Approved Budget.The 2020 fiscal year begins July 1, 2019.
The Fairfax County School Board will holdwork sessions on the FY 2020 budget onTuesday, Jan. 22, and Thursday, Jan. 31,along with a public hearing on Monday, Jan,28 (and Jan. 29 and 30, if needed).
The School Board will adopt its Adver-tised Budget on Feb. 7 and present the bud-get to the Board of Supervisors on April 9.
By Daniel Berti
Capital News Service
Before this year’s elections, a federalcourt is working to redraw 11 Vir-ginia House of Delegates districts
that were ruled unconstitutional in 2017 forviolating racial gerrymandering laws.
Bernard Grofman, a “special master” ap-pointed by the U.S. District Court in Rich-mond to oversee the redistricting process,has presented judges with a plethora of al-ternatives to the current map. The courthasn’t reached a decision on which one itwill use, if any.
At a hearing Thursday, Jan. 7, in U.S. Dis-trict Court in Richmond, judges gaveGrofman until the end of this week to sub-mit a complete recommendation. Parties inthe case will have time to respond to hisfinal report, and the recommendation couldbe sent back to the special master for addi-tional changes.
Toby Heytens, counsel for the VirginiaState Board of Elections, said he hopeschanges to the current legislative map arefinalized by the end of January. All seats inthe Virginia House are up for election inNovember, and the political parties maychoose their nominees during June prima-ries.
The Virginia General Assembly and Gov.Ralph Northam were given an opportunityto redraw the map themselves by Oct. 30,but Democrats and Republicans couldn’tagree on new boundaries for the districts.The task of redrawing the unconstitutional
districts was thenpassed to the judicialbranch.
The Office of the At-torney General recom-mended Grofman, a po-litical science professorat the University of Cali-fornia, Irvine, becausehe redrew Virginia’s 3rdCongressional District,which includes Hampton Roads, in 2015after it was found to have violated racialgerrymandering laws.
Changes to the 3rd Congressional Districtmade the 4th Congressional District, whichincludes Richmond and Southside Virginia,more Democratic and resulted in the elec-tion of Donald McEachin in 2016. McEachinwon the 4th District with 58 percent of thevote. Republican J. Randy Forbes held the4th District from 2001-2017.
The 11 Virginia House districts being re-drawn in this case are located primarily inthe eastern part of the state, between Rich-mond and Hampton Roads, and touch anadditional 20 districts.
Last Thursday’s hearing gave attorneysand interested parties on both sides an op-portunity to comment on Grofman’s pro-posed remedial maps. Attorneys were alsoable to question Grofman on the witnessstand.
Grofman spent most of the morning de-fending his methodology against criticismsfrom attorneys for House Republicans.
Mark Braden, attorney for House SpeakerKirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, attempted toshow that Grofman acted improperly byusing racial data to create the new districts,an allegation that Grofman flatly denied.
Grofman repeatedly said that race wasnot taken into account and that he relied
solely on traditional redistricting criteriasuch as compactness, locality boundaries,election results and contiguity to redraw the11 unconstitutional districts.
Katherine McKnight, also an attorney forCox, contended that the remedial mapsdrawn by Grofman violated the Constitu-tion by using racial data to create new dis-trict boundaries. McKnight said Grofman’smaps showed “a fundamental misunder-standing of what needs to be remedied.”
Judge Robert E. Payne pushed backagainst McKnight’s remarks, however, andquestioned her characterization of the spe-cial master’s proposed changes.
“If there was no intentional applicationof race in [Grofman’s] process, how can itviolate the Constitution?” Payne asked.
Attorneys for Cox stated a preference forredistricting changes proposed in HB 7002,a bill proposed during a special legislativesession last year, instead of the remedialmaps proffered by Grofman. They say thatHB 7002 remedies the constitutional viola-tions in the 11 racially gerrymandered dis-tricts while impacting the fewest possiblevoters.
Kevin Hamilton, an attorney for the Afri-can-American voters who brought the case,equated HB 7002 with “tidying up a crimescene.”
Allison Riggs, an attorney representingthe Virginia State Conference of the NAACP,said the proposed remedial maps were animprovement from the existing lines butdidn’t go far enough in addressing racialgerrymandering.
In its initial ruling in the years-long case,the U.S. Supreme Court found that the dis-tricts in question had been racially gerry-mandered by the 2011 General Assemblyto dilute the voting power of African-Ameri-can voters.
Legislators lost the authority to draw thenew district lines, at least for the time be-ing, because they couldn’t reach a dealquickly enough.
Republicans appealed the U.S. SupremeCourt’s ruling and asked the court to delaythe redrawing until it hears their appeallater this spring. The Supreme Court deniedthat request, giving the U.S. District Courtthe green light to continue redrawing thedistrict maps.
The District Court’s final decision willimpact only the 2019 election. District lineswill be redrawn statewide after the U.S.Census Bureau releases new demographicdata in 2020.
Several lawmakers have introduced leg-islation to create an independent redistrict-ing commission that would take the pro-cess out of the hands of lawmakers.
Those legislators include Democrats suchas Del. Steve Heretick of Portsmouth andSen. Creigh Deeds of Bath as well as Re-publicans like Del. Mark Cole ofFredericksburg and Sen. Emmett Hanger ofAugusta.
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, afair redistricting advocacy group, has takenan interest in the redistricting process inVirginia. In 2018, the group created anopen-source data project that incorporatedall the proposed remedial maps from theGeneral Assembly. It has since been updatedto include the special master’s proposals.
“The Virginia state legislature has one ofthe strongest gerrymanders from the parti-san standpoint in the country,” director SamWang said.
“I think that, from a good governmentstandpoint, it will lead to greater stabilityand greater competition if there are routesfound that make redistricting either inde-pendent or nonpartisan.”
U.S. District Court Sets Deadline for Redistricting ‘Special Master’Recommendationswould affect 2019elections.
BernardGrofman
