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Guest Violinist At Mason StageNews, Page 9
Local Teen Charged:Child PornographyNews, Page 5
Calling All Chocolate LoversNews, Page 3
From left, friends Michelle, 8, and Hunter, 6, enjoy white-chocolate gelato and choc-olate-covered marshmallows at Fairfax’s
Chocolate Lovers Festival 2017.
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 24-30, 2019
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2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA
FOR YOUR TOYOTA
WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE
SPECIAL SAVINGS
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Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
Calling all chocolate lovers: Forchocolate treats in pretty muchevery form imaginable, FairfaxCity’s 27th annual Chocolate
Lovers Festival is the place to be.Set for Friday, Feb. 1, from 6-8 p.m.; Sat-
urday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; andSunday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., it of-fers everything from candy to cupcakes,cookies, fudge, ice cream, cakes and even achocolate fountain.
“The festival, as always, will be a blast foranyone who has a sweet tooth,” said MikeMcCarthy, City communications and market-ing director. “Not only is Liquid Chocolateback this year – think everything from choco-late wines and beers to cocktail-and-dessertpairings – but it’ll be two days, starting Fri-day night and rolling into Saturday.”
“We’ll have the Taste of Chocolate in OldTown Hall, and our silent auction on Sun-day promises to be bigger and better thanever,” he said. “The best part is that admis-sion to everything is free; attendees simplypay for the sips and sweets as they go.”
In fact, for six years in a row – every yearthis survey has been held – Fairfax’s Choco-late Lovers Festival has placed first in thecategory, Best Food Festivals in the North-ern Region, by readers of Virginia Livingmagazine.
The highlight is the Taste of Chocolate,where attendees purchase samples of deli-cious chocolate treats from two floors ofvendors in Old Town Hall. Anothershowstopping event is the Chocolate Chal-lenge, in which both professionals andhome cooks compete to see who can makethe most beautiful and creative chocolatesculptures, cakes and cupcakes. (Website:ChocolateFestival.net).
But that’s not all. Throughout the festi-val, there’s a full slate of fun-filled activi-ties for children and adults alike. There’llbe magic, juggling, musical performances,
face-painting, fairy tales, a cake walk, fire-safety puppet show, Chocolate Caper mocktrial, cupcake-decorating and open housesin historic buildings.
All venues are handicap-accessible, butonly certified service animals are allowedinside any event site.
Liquid Chocolate,Barbecue Lunch
The Feb. 1, Liquid Chocolate event goesfrom 6-8 p.m. and features an intriguing as-sortment of chocolate libations. It’ll be heldinside a heated tent on Old Town Square’supper parking lot, 3999 University Drive.And because it’s so much fun, it’ll return onSaturday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
There’ll be beverages for all ages, rang-ing from chocolate soda, hot chocolate andchocolate tea for children to chocolatewines, beers and martinis for adults. Ad-mission is free; alcohol tastings are $2 each,nonalcoholic tastings, $1 each.
Participating will be: Twin’s ACE Hard-ware, offering chocolate soda; The WineHouse; Adroit Theory Brewing Co., choco-late stout beer; MurLarkey Distilled Spir-its; Freddy’s, chocolate milkshakes; andRiver-Sea Chocolates, chocolate tea andcacao juice.
A new, food event will be held Saturday,Feb. 2, when the Kiwanis Club of Fairfaxoffers barbecue lunches and ice cream sun-daes, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fire Station3, at 4081 University Drive.
Taste of ChocolateThe festival’s signature event, the Taste
of Chocolate, will be held Feb. 2, from 10a.m.-5 p.m., and Feb. 3, from noon-4 p.m.,in Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive(corner of Main Street and UniversityDrive). Strollers may be left on the front
NewsFairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
See Chocolate Lovers, Page 10
Fairfax’s 27th annualfestival is Feb. 1-3.Calling All Chocolate Lovers
Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection
Vendor Hanadi Eljari of Le Papiyon Chocolatier will return this year.Michael Pearce and Dinah Herring of The Wine House pour Italian des-sert wine at a previous Liquid Chocolate event.
The 2019 Chocolate Lovers Festival event map
4 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
There were big changes in the Vir-ginia House of Delegates after lastyear’s elections, but Democrats fellone coin flip (actually name out of
a hat) short of controlling the legislative body.No doubt the electoral swing delivered one
of the most important changes in recent his-tory, the expansion of Medicaid to cover hun-dreds of thousands of Virginians who had pre-viously lived without health coverage.
But as Del. Ken Plum (D-36) wrote in hiscolumn this week: “In light of the last electionfor House seats, I approached this legislative
session with the hope that theremight be more flexibility in theHouse leadership that mightresult in the consideration of
bills that had been summarily defeated in pastsessions. My hopes have already been dashed.”
A groundswell of public support for Virginiabeing the 38th and final state needed to ratifythe Equal Rights Amendment led to the Sen-ate passing a resolution for ratification.
The subcommittee of the House Privilegesand Election Committee Tuesday morning de-feated a resolution to ratify the Equal RightAmendment on a vote of 4 to 2. Four membersof the House are blocking a vote by the 100members of the House.
“A major struggle seems to be looming be-
tween the two houses on the ERA which mightneed to be resolved by the voters at electiontime,” Plum wrote.
Yes, that time is November, with primaryvoting likely in June.
The question of nonpartisan redistricting istoo important to leave until after the next elec-tion.
The Senate has passed a bill to establish sucha process while House leadership is express-ing opposition. Since the legislation is a con-stitutional amendment, it is important that aresolution be passed this year and next to goto a popular referendum in 2020 in time forredistricting after the 2020 census results areknown.
Be Part of thePet Connection
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly specialedition, will publish the last week of February,and photos and stories of your pets with youand your family should be submitted by Fri-day, Feb. 22.
We invite you to send stories about your pets,photos of you and your family with your cats,dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters, snakes,lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other crea-
tures share your life with you.Tell us the story of a special bond between a
child and a dog, the story of how you came toadopt your pet, or examples of amazing featsof your creatures.
Do you volunteer at an animal shelter ortherapeutic riding center or take your pet tovisit people in a nursing home? Does your busi-ness have a managing pet? Is your businessabout pets? Have you helped to train an assis-tance dog? Do you or someone in your familydepend on an assistance dog?
Or take this opportunity to memorialize abeloved pet you have lost.
Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favoritepictures include both pets and humans.
Please tell us a little bit about your creature,identify everyone in the photo, give a briefdescription what is happening in the photo,and include address and phone number (wewill not publish your address or phone num-ber, just your town name).
Email to [email protected] submit online atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
For advertising information, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.
— Mary Kimm
Current General Assembly session generates frustrations.
‘My Hopes Have Already Been Dashed’
Editorial
Viewpoints
Shutdown: Local Perspective Photos contributed
George Becerra, Burke“I’m a furloughed federal employee, home
with no pay. I’ve been proactive; paid all billsup to date in December. I limited holidayspending, didn’t splurge. I’m not paying an-nual memberships due in January to organi-zations and my HOA. My wife is a governmentcontractor. The solution would be LindseyGraham. Reopen the government for threeweeks. Get people back to work and politi-cians can hash it out.”
Kathryn Oakley, retired Coast Guard,Town of Herndon
“Our active duty members in the UnitedStates Coast Guard get paid every two weeks.The last time was Dec. 31, 2018. For CoastGuard retirees, it is not clear if we will get acheck because funds are tied to AppropriationsFunding. The Coast Guard is under the U.S.Department of Homeland Security. I went toNavy Federal Credit Union, and they sharedinformation about their Government Shut-down Assistance, 0% APR Loan. I’m not wor-ried about myself. I’m worried about the young men and women in theCoast Guard, working without pay. They cannot get a part-time job.
There are two bills introduced. In the Senate, Bill 21, “Pay Our CoastGuard Act” and in the House of Representatives (HR) 367, “Pay ourCoast Guard Parity Act.” We are small and do not have visibility.”
Keven Leblanc, Town of Herndon “Federal employees are no doubt impacted.
Federal Contractors suffer significantly. Ifpeople on contract can’t report, they have totake leave without pay or be furloughed. Ashutdown this long can drive small businessesout of business if all their work is tied to Fed-eral contracts. Large companies have share-holders they are accountable to and mustmaintain a profit. The economic ripples thenextend to the larger community, as the eco-nomic base no longer has money to buy goods
or services or eat at restaurants. For some who live paycheck to pay-check, whether a federal employee, contractor or private employee ina federal-employment concentration, it can mean defaulting on loansor rent, not eating, not getting required medicines or healthcare or theheat and safety from the cold they require.”
Cher Muzyk, Nokesville, Md.”I’m the wife of a government attorney who
has been furloughed but is deemed essential.He will eventually receive the back pay, butthere are bills to pay now. We have a two-month nest egg for payments as long as wecut back. We called the credit union. My solu-tion is simple. I don’t understand why the bor-der wall has to be coupled with the budget.Separate those two arguments. Resolve thebudget. Get working families paid and backto work. I would support anything, even tem-
porary. Eighty-three percent of Americans are not affected, so there isno sense of urgency. There is a need for a human face on it. The uncer-tainty is terrifying.”
Kevin Powell, Reston“It seems like Congress resolved itself to government shutdowns as par for the course. With Trump
and a divided Congress, I didn’t think it would get better. My action plan has been to limit myspending. As a government contractor, I ran into this in the past. I’m job searching so I can get outof government contracting. The shutdown has impacted my marriage and my family. I wish legisla-tors would think country first, constituents second-those who would vote for them.”
No photo
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Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
See Week, Page 7
Fairfax County police havecharged an 18-year-old Fairfaxresident with five counts of pos-session of child pornography. Heis Ergi Masati, and police say il-licit images of teenage girls wereallegedly found on a file-sharingaccount belonging to him.
According to police, a schoolresource officer at Westfield HighSchool in Chantilly received ananonymous letter, Sept. 10, 2018,providing information about twoDropBox accounts that reportedlycontained numerous nude images.Police arrested Masati, Oct. 23,2018, in connection with theseaccounts after a lengthy investiga-tion by the Child Exploitation Unit.
However, authorities didn’t re-
lease any information about hisarrest until Jan. 17 because detec-tives first had to positively iden-tify and notify all the alleged vic-tims. Masati is a 2017 Fairfax Highgrad. Police say the girls attendedseveral Fairfax County highschools, from 2015 to 2017, andhave all now graduated.
Masati was released on $5,000bond, the same day he was ar-rested.
Taking pornographic images ofpeople under age 18 are a crime. Sopolice advice the public, “If you re-ceive unsolicited sexting messages,you should contact our non-emer-gency number, 703-691-2131.”
— Bonnie Hobbs
Local Teen Charged:Child Pornography
Man Dead after ShootingHimself in Hospital Room
Detectives from FCPD Major Crimes Bureau continue to investigateafter a man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at INOVA FairfaxHospital. Officers responded at 8:47 pn Monday, Jan. 22, to 3300 Gal-lows Road where a patient on the fourth floor of the hospital’s Heart
Week in Fairfax
6 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Volunteers Give Together onDr. King’s Birthday
Volunteer Sydney Harris ofLorton reaches to post herthoughts on the MLK Dayreflection board duringVolunteer Fairfax’s 10thannual Give Together,Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, atthe Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginiain Fairfax. Several hundredvolunteers took part in theevent held in observance ofthe Martin Luther King Jr.National Day of Service.Give Together featuredseveral fun, hands-onprojects that will benefitseveral local nonprofits.After taking part in theprojects volunteers wereinvited to write about theirexperiences and post themon the giant board.
Springfield DistrictSupervisor PatHerrity, center, talkswith volunteerCaleen Sullivan ofthe Educational andCharitable Founda-tion, right, Monday,Jan. 21, 2019, duringVolunteer Fairfax’s10th annual GiveTogether at the at theJewish CommunityCenter of NorthernVirginia in Fairfax.Several hundredvolunteers took partin the event held inobservance of theMartin Luther KingJr. National Day ofService.
Lee District SupervisorJeff McKay and hisfamily take part inVolunteer Fairfax’s10th annual GiveTogether, Monday, Jan.21, 2019, at the Jew-ish Community Centerof Northern Virginiain Fairfax. Severalhundred volunteerstook part in the eventheld in observance ofthe Martin LutherKing Jr. National Dayof Service. Give To-gether featured sev-eral fun, hands-onprojects that willbenefit several localnonprofits.
Photos by Rob Paine/
Volunteer Fairfax
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 5
and Vascular Institute was re-ported to have a gun. Prior to of-ficers’ arrival, the patient, 64-year-old Thomas Wimmer, of Ashburn,shot himself at-least once in theupper body. Officers arrived on-scene a short time later and foundWimmer alone in his hospitalroom. He was initially responsivebut non-compliant to officer com-mands and refused to surrenderhis firearm. Approximately anhour later, officers were able tosafely enter Wimmer’s room andimmediately rendered medicalaid. Wimmer was taken to thehospital’s trauma center where hedied a short time later. The Officeof the Chief Medical Examiner willbe conducting an autopsy to con-firm cause of death. No other in-juries were reported as a result ofthis incident - according to FCPDMedia Relations Bureau.
Town HallMeeting Feb. 2
Del. David Bulova (D-37) andState Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34)will hold a Town Hall meeting Sat-urday, Feb. 2, from 9-11 a.m. It willbe at Fairfax City Hall, 10455Armstrong St. in Fairfax.
Week in Fairfax
8 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Woodbury aka Silas Burke House
‘If These Walls Could Talk’Burke Historical Society President Jon Vrana will give a presentation called “If These Walls Could Talk,” examining the
19th-century history of Woodbury—also known as the Silas Burke House. Sunday, Jan. 27, 3:30-5 p.m. at Pohick RegionalLibrary, 6540 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Free. Email [email protected] or visit www.burkehistoricalsociety.org.
Entertainment
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Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGFounding Artists Exhibition.
Through Feb. 3 at The WorkhouseArts Center, Vulcan Muse Gallery,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center presents agroup exhibition highlighting Studioand Arches artists that have been apart of the organization for its 10-year span. In honor of theirdedication and support, theexhibition will survey their works invarious mediums including painting,sculpture, fiber, glass, preciousmetals, and mixed media. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.
Workhouse Student-FacultyExhibition. Through Feb. 10 atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. TheWorkhouse Arts Center Student andFaculty Exhibition will survey worksfrom course instructors, faculty andtheir students. Explore the numerouspaintings, drawings, glass works, clayworks and fiber art created inWorkhouse’s classes and workshops.Call 703-584-2900 or visitworkhousearts.org.
Art Exhibit: Amazing Art Jam.Through Feb. 24, gallery hours at theVulcan Gallery, Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Workhouse Arts Center hoststhe third iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Visit www.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam.
Exhibit: Purchased Lives. ThroughFeb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (exceptmajor holidays) at the FairfaxMuseum and Visitor Center, 10209Main St., Fairfax. Purchased Lives isa traveling exhibition from theHistoric New Orleans Collection. Theexhibit examines a complex anddivisive period of American historyand educating about the far-reachingeconomic and heartbreaking personalimpact of the domestic slave trade.Look for The Washington Home ofthe Philippine Suffrage MovementMarch 3-31. Call 703-385-8414.
Fine Arts Enrichment Camps. TheYouth Arts Camp & EducationOutreach (ages 13-17) programs atthe Workhouse provide richexperiences in fine arts year-round.Campers work alongside professionalartists and professional educators toexcel in different mediums, learningvarious techniques, and creatingquality artwork with every visit. Findupcoming camps atreservations.workhousearts.org.
FRIDAY/JAN. 25B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,
4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.
Bonita Lestina PerformanceSeries. 8 p.m. in Old Town Hall,3999 University Drive. With IONACeltic Fusion. Doors open 7:30 p.m.Free. Visit fairfaxva.gov/culturalartsor call 703-352-ARTS.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JAN. 25-26Chinese Food Fest. Friday, 11 a.m.-7
p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. atWegmans Fairfax, 11620 MonumentDrive, Fairfax. Attendees can tastePeking duck Wegmans-style, fresh
dumplings, Chinese hot pot, andbubble tea. Wegmans chefs will docooking demonstrations throughoutthe event. Dumpling-making classesfor children will be held at 5 p.m. onFriday and noon and 3 p.m. onSaturday. Free admission; dumplingclasses cost $10 per child withparent, and tickets are available atCustomer Service. Class space islimited. Visit www.wegmans.com/events/2019/01/chinese-food-fest.html.
SATURDAY/JAN. 26Book Event: “The War Outside My
Window.” 2 p.m. at the Civil WarInterpretive Center at HistoricBlenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Editor Jan Croon, will bepresenting and signing copies of TheWar Outside My Window: The CivilWar Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham,1860-1865. As a young child,Gresham suffered a horrific leg andback injury that left him an invalid.Educated, inquisitive, perceptive, andexceptionally witty, the 12-year-oldbegan keeping a journal in 1860 –just before secession and Civil Wartore the country and his world apart.Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/government/historic-resources/civil-war-interpretive-center.
Reminiscences. 7-8 p.m. atProvidence Presbyterian Church,9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.After winning first prize at theGolden Classical Music AwardsInternational Music Competition andmaking his debut performance atCarnegie Hall, concert pianist MarkIrchai returns to the DC-metro area.He will offer “Reminiscences” – a solopiano recital of music written bycomposers in reflection on theirpasts. Free. Visit markirchai.com.
Opening Reception: Amazing ArtJam. 7-11 p.m. at the VulcanGallery, Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center hosts thethird iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Visit www.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam.
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 forthe 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 or call 703-425-9225.
Burke Historical Society. 3:30-5p.m. at Pohick Regional Library,6540 Sydenstricker Road, Burke.After a brief review of the Society’sactivities over the past year, BHSPresident Jon Vrana will give apresentation called “If These WallsCould Talk,” examining the 19th-century history of Woodbury—betterknown today as the Silas BurkeHouse. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.
TUESDAY/JAN. 29Fairfax Gratefulness Gathering. 7-
8:30 p.m. at Richard Byrd PublicLibrary, 7250 Commerce St.,Springfield. A program ofGratefulness.org. Bring gratitude tolife in the community, be present toopportunities always available;opportunities to learn and grow andextend oneself with care andcompassion. Free. [email protected].
THURSDAY/JAN. 31Adults’ BYOG Night. 7-8:30 p.m. at
Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke LakeRoad, Burke. BYOG = Bring yourOwn Game – come to the library withyour favorite board game or cardgame to share. Adults only. Free. Call703-978-5600 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4741919.
FRIDAY/FEB. 1B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,
4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.com
or call 703-273-3638.
SATURDAY/FEB. 2Dog Park Grand Opening. 9 a.m. at
the Fairfax City Dog Park, 11000Berry St., Fairfax. City residents, bothtwo-legged and four-legged, areinvited to the grand openingceremony for the Fairfax City dogpark on the former WestmoreElementary School site. All dogs withcurrent licenses are welcome. Thepark will include a fenced exercise/run area (fence is a gift fromAffectionate Pet Care), park benches,and trash and recycling receptacles.Waste bags and a receptacle will beprovided at the dog park. Call 703-385-7858.
Chinese New Year Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Luther Jackson MiddleSchool, 3020 Gallows Road, FallsChurch. The 12th Annual ChineseNew Year Festival hosted by theAsian Community Service Centerfeaturing live performances,including Dragon and Lion dances,Han Costume Fashion show, Asianfood, the writing of Chinese names,language, craft and business booths,children world, and also a lunar newyear dragon parade. Free admission.Visit ChineseNewYearFestival.org.
Winter Music and Dance Festival.7:30-9:30 p.m. at Workhouse ArtsW3 Theatre, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Next Reflex Dance Collectivepresents the Winter Music and DanceFestival featuring performances fromarea musicians and dancers. $10-$25(reserved seating). Visitinsidenovatix.com/events/next-reflex-dance-collective-winter-music-and-dance-festival for tickets.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Author Event: Tiffany Foo-Garcia.
Noon-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble-FairLakes, 12193 Fair Lakes PromenadeDrive, Fairfax. Tiffany Foo-Garciawill be holding a reading and signingfor the first book of her new middlegrade culinary adventure series,“Ruby Foo and the TravellingKitchen: Finding the Foo Identity.”Visit rubyfookitchen.com.
Make a Valentine Card Craft. 1-4p.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 own
Valentine’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.
TUESDAY/FEB. 5Parktykes: Explore the Natural
World. 1:30-2:15 p.m. at LakeAccotink Park, 7500 Accotink ParkRoad, Springfield. Adults withtoddlers are invited to join anaturalist in the classroom andoutdoors to discover the wonders ofthe natural world. Designed foryoung explorers, age 1-3, and anadult. $9 per child. Meet at thevisitor center. Call 703-569-3464 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink.
Burke Historical Society. 7-9 p.m. atBurke Centre Library, 5935 FredsOak Road, Burke. Local authors,Mary Lipsey and Cindy Bennett, willshare their experiences and tips onthe process of researching, writing,and publishing a historical book.Free. visit burkehistoricalsociety.orgor mail [email protected].
TUESDAYS/FEB. 5-26Try Girl Scouts. 6-7 p.m. at West
Springfield Elementary School, 6802Deland Drive, Springfield. Make newfriends, learn about Girl Scouts, andmeet the requirements for two newcybersecurity badges. $25 for fourweeks. Email [email protected] orcall 703-372-4341.
FRIDAY/FEB. 8Gunston Hall Game Night. 6-9 p.m.
at Gunston Hall, 10709 GunstonRoad, Mason Neck. Gunston Hall isopening its doors after-hours towelcome game enthusiasts toimmerse themselves in a variety of18th-century card, board, and dicegames. $35 registration includesbeverages and heavy hors d'oevoures,including some items made from18th-century recipes. Visitwww.gunstonhall.org.
B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Visitwww.fairfaxvfd.com or call 703-273-3638.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 8-9Small Plates Choreography
Festival. 8 p.m. at Building W-3(Theatre), Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. SmallPlates creates a growth environmentby holding guided Q&A feedbacksessions with the audience after eachperformance. The Fridayperformance will feature pre-professional dance created by studentchoreographers, or by professionalchoreographers performed bystudents. Saturday’s performance willmainly feature professional artists.$15-$20. Call 703-584-2900 or visitworkhousearts.org.
SATURDAY/FEB. 9Animal Sweetheart’s Dance. 2-4
p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center,8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield.Dance, laugh, and learn at the socialevent of the winter season. Spacelimited, register online (tinyurl.com/y9nz9q48) or call 703-451-9588 tosave a spot. $9.
Winter Wonderland Family Dance.5-8 p.m. at Stacy C. SherwoodCommunity Center, 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Bring the wholefamily for an evening of magic andwonder with dinner, special guestcharacters, crafts, dancing and more.All families are welcome. $30 peradult, $20 per child. Visitfairfaxva.gov/parksrec or call 703-385-7858.
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM
Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PMFamily Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM
Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups
Visit our Website: jccag.org
4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170
“Loving People to Life”
News
By David Siegel
The Connection
Sumptuous music fromcomposers Mendelssohnand Schumann, will cre-ate an evening “rich in
emotional and intellectual musiccontent,” said ChristopherZimmerman, Conductor, FSO. TheFSO evening event includes guestviolinist Chee-Yun performingMendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto”and the FSO orchestra playingMendelssohn’s “Hebrides Over-ture” and Schumann’s “SymphonyNo. 2.”
“To my knowledge, the FSO hasnever focused on these two con-temporaneous composers in oneconcert. They are towering figuresof the early Romantic period inmusic who set the 19th centuryablaze in the wake of Beethoven.”added Zimmerman.
Mendelssohn and Schumann are“composers whoºcharacterize theessence of ‘romanticism’ in music.
Both were prodigious geniuseswith an unrelenting need to writemusic,” added Zimmerman.
“Audiences should come to theperformance because the music iswonderful,” noted Zimmerman.“And Chee-Yun has an extraordi-narily mesmeric stage-presenceand engaging personalitymatched, frankly, only by the bril-liance and virtuosity of her play-ing.”
Mendelssohn’s “The HebridesOverture” wasºinspired by a visithe made in 1830 to the barren andwindswept Hebrides islands offthe Northwest coast of Scotland.Later that year he wrote this piece,evocative of what he
Chee-Yun joins Fairfax Symphony Orchestra for aperformance at the Center for the Arts.
Guest Violinist at Mason Stage
experienced:ºthe power of the seathat surrounded him and its con-stant ebb and flow, at times threat-ening.
Schumann’s music is very differ-ent in emotional content accord-ing to Zimmerman.ºSchumannwas severely manic-depressive,ultimately dying at the age of 45.His music often reflects the viru-lent bouts of torment alternatingwith joy that he experienced.“Symphony No.2” has abrupt andever-shifting changes of mood,sometimes serene, sometimescombative. “It is a dramatic jour-ney from despair to euphoria-against-the-odds,” saidZimmerman.
Chee-Yun’s first public perfor-mance at age eight took place inher native Seoul after she won theGrand Prize of the Korean TimesCompetition. At 13, she came tothe United States to perform. Sincethen she has performed with manyof the world’s foremost Americanand international orchestras andconductors. Chee-Yun teachesmaster classes as well.
Playing her flawless 350 year oldviolin for the virtuoso three move-
ment, nearly 30 minute concerto,Chee-Yun said, “I want to transportaudience with a journey of emo-tions with the much belovedMendelssohn ‘Concerto.’ I wantthe audience to have a great ex-perience. To be enthralled andtransported as I play.”
In times of personal and com-munity stress, Zimmerman addedthat “classical music can providegreat meaning and satisfaction,even perhaps be a healer.”
Where and WhenFairfax Symphony Orchestra performing Mendelssohn and Schumann
with guest violinist Chee Yun at George Mason University, Center for theArts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performance Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019at 8 p.m. Tickets: $65, $43, $39, and $25, with $15 student tickets.Purchase tickets online at www.fairfaxsymphony.org or by phone 703-993-2787. Note: Before the concert at 7 p.m. a discussion with the artistsand FSO music director Christopher Zimmerman.º
Chee-Yun, guestviolinist per-formingMendelssohn’sViolin Concertowith FairfaxSymphonyOrchestra.
Photo by
Cheho Lee/Courtesy
Fairfax Symphony
Orchestra
10 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
From Page 3
porch; a fully accessible entrance is at the door onMain Street.
Admission is free; visitors buy pogs for $1 eachand then browse vendors’ tables to see the wide ar-ray of chocolate treats being offered. They purchasethem with pogs and may buy as many pogs as theywant from roaming volunteers in red aprons.
Heaven for chocolate lovers, the variety of good-ies includes chocolate candies, bars, brownies, cakesand fudge, chocolate-covered strawberries and icecream. And one of the biggest hits each year are thechocolate fountains into which customers may dipfruit, cream-filled doughnut holes or marshmallows.
The vendors will be: Cameron’s Coffee & Choco-lates, The Capital Candy Jar, Capitol Chocolate Foun-tains, Chocotenango, Confection Connection, Dave’sCandy Kitchen, El Ceibo/Diestro, HB+M Chocolate,Le Papiyon Chocolatier, Marinucci’s Gelato & Pastry,Mike’s Fudge, Pacari Chocolate, Schokolat, SugarMama’s Ice Cream and The Sweet Life Cakery. Choco-late Moonshine, Cardinal Chocolates, River-SeaChocolate and The Dough Jar.
Chocolate Challenge,Cake Walks
The Chocolate Challenge is a display of creativeand imaginative chocolate sculptures, cakes andcupcakes. It runs Feb. 2, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., andFeb. 3, from noon-4 p.m., and is in a new locationthis year at 10426 Main St. Admission is $1/adults;children under 18 are free. A designated stroller-parking area is outside the building.
Both professionals and amateurs participate, andentries are judged in various categories. This year’sjudgesºinclude Cathy Salgado, Megan DuBois, DawnHicks and Jennifer Rose. And visitors may use theiradmission ticket to vote for the People’s ChoiceAward winner and participate in the silent action ofchallenge entries, plus items from local businesses.
In addition, cake walks will be held Saturday at 1,2 and 3 p.m. in Old Town Square, but may be movedindoors if there’s inclement weather. Participants willhave the chance to win cakes.
Cookbooks and ValentinesChocolate Lovers Festival Cookbooks ($10) may
be purchased at both the Kiwanis barbecue lunchand the Taste of Chocolate. Or get them at the Fairfax
Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St. (703-385-8414). Commemorative T-shirts will also be soldat the festival.
The official, 2019 festival valentine features Ameri-can Legion Post 177. Drawn by local artist Jackie Liedl,these limited-edition valentines cost $5. Each includesa coupon for five, $1 pogs to use at the Taste of Choco-late. Or buy the valentines in advance at City Hall,10455 Armstrong St., room 123 (Parks and Recre-ation Dept., 703-385-7858);ºFairfax Museum and Visi-tor Center, 10209 Main St. or from any member ofthe Independence Day Celebration Committee.
Golden Ticket ContestThe City of Fairfax Office of Economic Development
and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce aresponsoring the Golden Ticket Contest. Inspired bythe book and movie, “Charlie and the Chocolate Fac-tory,” three golden tickets will be hidden within 1,500chocolate bars made by local chocolatier, Cameron’sCoffee & Chocolates. Some 27 businesses in the OldTown area will sell the chocolate bars for $2 eachfrom Feb.1-10. Lucky finders of the golden ticket willbe rewarded with a Chocolate Lovers Gift Basket anda tour of the Cameron’s facility.
Grant RecipientsEach year, the Chocolate Lovers Festival Commit-
tee chooses a charitable organization to receive partof the festival proceeds. The honorees are entities thatcontribute to the common good and the communityat large. This year, three recipients were selected: TheNorthern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, FairfaxLaw Foundation – Northern Virginia Pro Bono LawCenter, and the City of Fairfax Band Assn.
Free parking is available atºthe followinglocations, with handicapped parking offered atall sites:
❖ Bank of America, 10440 Main St.(accessible from Route 236 and North Street).
❖ City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. (acces-sible from Route 123/Chain Bridge Road andGeorge Mason Boulevard).
❖ City of Fairfax Regional Library,10360 North St. (accessible from UniversityDrive and Old Lee Highway).
❖ East Street parking lot (accessible fromRoute 236/Main Street and East Street).
❖ Fairfax County Courthouse Garage B,4400 Chain Bridge Road (accessible from PageAvenue).
❖ Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center,10209 Main St.
❖ Fire Station 3, 4081 University Drive.❖ Old Town Plaza, 3955 Chain Bridge Road
(accessible from Route 123/Chain Bridge Roadand University Drive).
❖ Old Town Village (behind Pacer’s, 10427North St.) Open at noon Saturday and all daySunday; (accessible from University Drive).
❖ Sager Avenue parking lot (accessiblefrom Sager Avenue and University Drive).
Where to Park for Festival
Chocolate Lovers FestivalReturns Feb. 1-3
This tower ofcupcakes wasin last year’sChocolateChallenge.
Bonnie Hobbs/
The Connection
Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Not that there’s anything wrong with me – other than having cancer that is – but I’ve been going to see doctors – other than my oncologist – fairly regularly in the past few months: internal medicine, three times; otolaryngologist, two times.
The reason/symptoms vary, but in general, nearly 10 years into my “13 month to two-year” prognosis,
and scheduling appointments with doctors as often
after all, it’s the dumbest part – if you have cancer.
were not cancer-related, they were life-related. Meaning, they had nothing to do at all with my have cancer and/or its progression, and everything to do with living life outside of the bubble.
However, surviving life inside the cancer world for as long as I have has now made me a bit trigger
any other reason, I am scheduling an appointment -
Henceforth, I am going to let the professionals
worry about. It has become time for me to no longer fool around with my health presuming that whatev-er ails me is merely a blip when in fact it could be a sign of things potentially to follow.
might even be too little, too late.
as such. Knowing there’s only so much I can do to preempt (some of which I’ve been doing) what trouble possibly awaits, at the very least I shouldn’t be stupid or stubborn anymore. Instead I have to be vigilant and proactive.
much about what the doctor might say when I show up at my appointment with less-than-life altering/cancer-connected symptoms. Until they tell me otherwise, which they haven’t yet, I will continue to
there was nothing to matter, I’ve often felt the need
which I realize is very valuable. But they would hear none of it. Instead, they have encouraged me
the need arise.
arise.’
life-related, and should I act differently depending
these questions and simply schedule appointments as soon as possible because, as I was advised years
now, Kenny.”-
ing from, I believe it has something to do with my switching to an immunotherapy drug – which we’ve been discussing for a few months, and being aware of the many possible side effects. Side effects which, should they manifest, I am to contact my oncologist immediately.
and that’s what scares me. Moreover, I’m afraid we might not be able to stop what we’ve already started.
Granted, it’s all speculation, and it’s all prema-ture.
Either the side effects prevent me from infusing
doctors during my treatment, so be it. This is no time to wait and see. It’s time to be
seen without waiting.
Worried About What AwaitsSubmit civic/community announcements at
ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
NEWPrescription Drug Take Back Box Program.
Fairfax County announced the expansion of thePrescription Drug Take Back Box ProgramCountywide. The boxes are available 24/7/365at each district police station for any person toanonymously and safely dispose of theirprescription medications 24/7/365 - noquestions asked. It is important to get unusedmedicines, especially opioids, out of yourmedicine cabinets to prevent accidental or illicituse. Several Fairfax County pharmacies also takeback unused prescription drugs. For a currentlist, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/4-ways-to-safely-dispose-of-unused-medications/.
VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or Railroad
History? Consider volunteering at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individual tocoordinate the scheduling of the volunteer staff.Training will be provided for all positions. [email protected] or call 703-945-7483 for opportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station.It is open every Sunday, except holidays, from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burkeneeds volunteer drivers for trips to medicalappointments (Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) within the Fairfax-Burke area and in the South County area (westof Route 1, Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingual volunteers(English and Spanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.
INPUT SOUGHTUnmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program.
Fairfax County is developing a comprehensivePublic Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)program and would like to hear from residents.Each of six public information meetings willinclude a static display of unmanned aircraftfollowed by a presentation outlining theprogram. After the presentation, there will be anopportunity to ask questions. The formalpresentation will begin at 7 p.m. To find outmore about the UAS program go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Send feedback orquestions to [email protected] or throughthe link located on the UAS webpage. Writtencomments on the draft program must bereceived by the close of business Feb. 8, 2019, tobe included in the official public record.
❖ Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at McLeanDistrict Governmental Center, 1437 Balls HillRoad, McLean.
❖ Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at SullyDistrict Governmental Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd, Chantilly.
❖ Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at RestonCommunity Center – Hunter Woods, 2310 ColtsNeck Road.
❖ Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at BraddockHall – Kings Park Library, 9002 Burke LakeRoad, Burke.
TUESDAYS THROUGH FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the Making. 6:30-
8:30 p.m. at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in the Making:The Seven Essential Life Skills Every ChildNeeds by Ellen Galinsky, encompasses anevidence-based list of life skills that are essentialfor children to succeed socially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and long term.Participants may register for one or all of theworkshops and do not need to attend theprevious class. Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore or to register.
❖ Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Making Connections (part 4)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 5 – Critical Thinking (part 5)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Taking on Challenges (part 6)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed, Engaged
Learning (part 7)
Bulletin Board
12 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 24-30, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
