Classifieds, Page 14 Entertainment, Page 12 Opinion, Page ...connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/... · A Show to Blow You Away News, Page 11 ‘Freedom Doesn’t Come

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‘Real Work of Advocacy Begins Again’News, Page 7

A Show to Blow You AwayNews, Page 11

‘Freedom Doesn’t Come Without Sacrifice, Courage’

News, Page 4

Participants gather for a group photo after Sunday’s Veterans Day ceremony

at American Legion Post 177.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com November 15-21, 2018

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2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ November 15-21, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

THE NUTCRACKER

Saturday, November 17th at 2:00 & 6:00 p.m.& Sunday, November 18th at 1:00 & 5:00 p.m.

Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater • NVCC Annandale CampusAdults – $28 • Children/Seniors – $20

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People

Eagle Scout Nathan Hanson ofTroop 1346 at Burke PresbyterianChurch is a senior at RobinsonSecondary School. He is a mem-ber of Fairfax Community Church;donates time in the kitchen of theLamb Center for assisting the

homeless; plays varsity lacrosse atRobinson Secondary School.Nathan’s parents are Jennifer &Captain Kevin Hanson (USN).

Nathan’s Eagle Scout Projectwas construction of trail stairwayat Lake Royal Park.

Constructing TrailStairway at Lake Royal Park

Eagle ScoutNathanHanson,Troop 1346,Burke

Photo Courtesy

of Mark

Blanchard

Fairfax Connection ❖ November 15-21, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Fairfax County’s Veterans Day/100th Anniversary Commemoration of WWI Armistice ceremony was heldSunday, Nov. 11, at the Old Fairfax County Courthouse in the City of Fairfax.

County Remembers itsMilitary Veterans

From left, Lecia Dorfler, Rosemary Smith, Regent CathySampson and Donna Hoenscheid, members of theProvidence Chapter of the National Society of theDaughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), par-ticipate in the wreath-laying ceremony, honoring thosewho died in WW1.

From left, Noah Collins (Cub Scout Pack 41), Caleb Collins(Boy Scout Troop 1865), Grayson Bulova (Cub Scout Pack41) and Sam Laikin (Boy Scout Troop 1865) pose in frontof the WW1 marker, honoring the 27 Fairfax Countyresidents killed in WW1. Outside the Old Fairfax CountyCourthouse in Fairfax, it was erected by the FairfaxCounty Chapter of the NSDAR in 1926. During Sunday’sWWI Armistice Commemoration, all 27 names were readaloud, and a wreath was laid at the memorial.

The FairfaxCountySheriff’sOffice ColorGuard.

Wreaths and a flag honorthe 27 Fairfax Countyresidents who died in WWIand whose names areengraved on this marker.

Comprising theevent’s planningcommittee are(from left)Heather Bollinger,Fairfax CircuitCourt HistoricRecords; LauraWickstead, Vir-ginia Room,Fairfax CountyPublic Library;and Mary Lipseyand GretchenBulova, FairfaxCounty HistoryCommission.

Photos Courtesy of

Heather Bollinger


News

See Veterans, Page 14

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

State and local dignitaries, residentsand veterans alike gathered Sun-day morning, Nov. 11, outsideAmerican Legion Post 177 for the

annual Veterans Day ceremony in the Cityof Fairfax. Post 177 and Veterans of ForeignWars Post 8469 sponsored the event, whichsignificantly ended at 11 a.m. – the exacttime, a century ago, on Nov. 11, 1918, thatWWI was declared officially over.

In his opening prayer, Mike Semenec,VFW Post 8469 adjutant, said, “AlmightyGod, today we remember those who re-sponded and went forward to serve, thefamilies who shared their loved ones andwaited, the gallant ones who gave theirlives, the families who grieve still. And to-day, those who serve in dangerous placesand their families who await the days ofreunion. May we have blessings on our na-tion and our people.”

Semenec said Veterans Day is a time tosay thank you and pay tribute to the mil-lions who served and continue serving inthe military. He also explained what theVFW and American Legion do to helpAmerica’s veterans.

Originally chartered as an organizationfocusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the AmericanLegion evolved into one of the most influ-ential nonprofits in the U.S. It now has morethan 2 million members in more than13,000 posts worldwide and has influencedconsiderable social change. Semenec saidit’s won “hundreds of benefits for veteransand produced many important programs forchildren and youth.”

Also a nonprofit servingveterans, the VFW was ini-tially founded by veterans ofthe Spanish-American Warand Philippine Insurrectionwanting to obtain pensionsand medical care for their ill-nesses and injuries sustainedin those wars. Now withsome 1.7 million members,the VFW was instrumental inestablishing the Veterans Ad-ministration and nationalcemetery system.

It also fought for compen-sation for Vietnam vets ex-posed to agent orange andfor those later diagnosedwith Gulf War Syndrome.And in 2008, it helped pass a modern-dayG.I. Bill, providing expanded educationalbenefits to active-duty service members andthose in the National Guard and reserves.Furthermore, the VFW helped fund the cre-ation of the many memorials honoring U.S.veterans.

U.S. REP. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-11)was the first speaker during Sunday’s ob-servance. “One hundred years ago, the ‘Warto end all wars’ ended,” he said. “WWI wasone of the longest, ugliest chapters in U.S.history, with millions of people dead. To-day, we can honor those dead by taking careof all of our veterans and their families.”

Speaking directly to the children in at-tendance, Fairfax Mayor David Meyer said,“It is our hope and prayer that you’re thegeneration that doesn’t have to grow upwith the horrors of wars. But oftentimes,our nation is called on to protect the values

we hold dear.”“We think positively about our

country’s future because of our citizens’commitment to freedom, democracy andour civil liberties,” he continued. Then, tothe veterans present, Meyer said, “Thankyou for your sacrifice, your service and forensuring that the values of our country aresustained.”

Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaidcalled it “a privilege and an honor to re-member those veterans who’ve made theultimate sacrifice and those who continueto serve. On behalf of all the members ofthe Sheriff’s Office, we thank you.”

Next, American Legion Post 177 Cmdr.Jeff White told the youth in the audienceto “become good citizens and vote, everychance you get. Those rights have beenobtained and protected for you by veter-ans. And don’t forget to keep thanking vet-erans for what they’ve done.”

The main guest speakerwas Col. (ret.) Chris Conrad,a Fairfax resident who served28 years in the Army, prima-rily with troop units in Korea,Vietnam, Germany and theU.S. He mainly commandedarmored, cavalry units and,later, worked in the ArmyChief of Staff ’s office. Helater earned a Master’s inenvironmental engineeringand worked on improving theenvironment.

“Today we pay tribute to allthose who’ve worn, withhonor and pride, the militaryuniforms of our nation,” hesaid. Conrad then relatedwhat happened last Decem-ber while he and his grand-sons were laying wreaths onsoldiers’ graves in ArlingtonNational Cemetery.

“One of my grandsonsasked me why so many of the

stones had the same, last dates of Nov. 9and 10, 1918,” he said. “I told them it wasbecause so many of the soldiers died in thesame battle – the Argonne Offensive, or100-Day Offensive – that ended the war.”

DURING WWI, said Conrad, there were192,000 American casualties – almost 2,000a day. “That’s why Armistice Day [Nov. 11]was welcomed with relief as a day of thanks-giving,” he explained. “But freedom doesn’tcome without effort, sacrifice, courage andcommitment.”

He said American veterans are sworn toprotect the Constitution’s values of justice,freedom, responsibility, courage and integ-rity. “And they’re why every generationthroughout history has been the best our

America’s veterans honoredon Armistice Day.

‘Freedom Doesn’t Come without Sacrifice, Courage’

David Meyer Stacey KincaidGerry Connolly

Mike Semenec Guest speaker,Army Col. (ret.)Chris Conrad

Jeff White

Dignitaries attending included (from left) City Council members So Lim,Sang Yi and Janice Miller; Mayor David Meyer; County Sheriff StaceyKincaid, Rep. Gerry Connolly and Army Col. (ret.) Chris Conrad.

Boy Scouts from Troop 1131 participate in the Veterans Day ceremony.In back, on left, are City Mayor David Meyer and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid.

Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection


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Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

HOLIDAY DONATIONSFood Collection. Through Friday,

Nov. 16, PenFed is collecting boxedand canned foods at all of its DC areabranch locations. PenFed, NBC4,Telemundo44 and The Boys and GirlsClub of Greater Washington willcollect the boxes and assemble over4,000 turkey baskets to bedistributed to local families, seniors,veterans and others in need. Visitvisit PenFed.org. PenFed branchlocations collecting donation itemsinclude:

❖ Kingstowne – 5775 Barclay Drive,Alexandria

❖ Fort Belvoir – 9651 Gunston Road,Bldg 1152, Fort Belvoir

❖ National Geospatial-IntelligenceAgency – 7500 Geoint Drive,Springfield

Blanket and Coat Drive. ThroughDec. 8. Organized by NOVA ReliefCenter, blankets and coats will besent to refugees in three camps inJordan this winter. Blankets andcoats should be new or gently worn.Monetary donations are also neededand may be made to NOVA ReliefCenter online and at some drop-offlocations. For drop-off sites or tomake a tax-deductible donation, visitnovareliefcenter.org.

Holiday Basket Donation.Thanksgiving basket donations byNov. 19 and Christmas baskets byDec. 17. Preparing a special holidaymeal and joining one’s family aroundthe table to give thanks are visionsthat come to mind when we think ofThanksgiving and Christmas dinner.For many families and individuals,enjoying a special holiday meal whenfinances are tight is just not possible.Visit www.koinoniacares.org/holiday-baskets.html for suggestionsand to sign up to donate a basket.

News

See Bulletin, Page 15

Bulletin Board

Rob StalzerNamed NewCity Manager

Rob Stalzer, Fairfax County’sdeputy county executive for the past18 years, has been named the newcity manager for the City of Fairfax.He’ll replace David Hodgkins, who’sbeen the acting city manager sincelongtime city manager, Bob Sisson,retired June 30. Stalzer will takeover on Jan. 7.

For the county, he served as thedeputy for public safety, planningand development (2000-2012)and the deputy for planning anddevelopment (2012-present).

Pleased to now be joining asmaller municipality, Stalzer said,“Fairfax City has an incredible repu-tation in the region for its small-cityfeel, with award-winning parks,services and a vibrant business sec-tor – and it’s home to the largestuniversity in the commonwealth,George Mason. I can’t wait to helpmake this an even better place tolive, work and do business.”


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FairfaxOpinion

Amazon this week announced that itwould split its much-discussed “sec-ond headquarters” between NewYork City and Crystal City in Arlington.

Amazon will invest $5 billion and createmore than 50,000 jobs across the two new lo-cations, with more than 25,000 employeeseach in New York City and Arlington. The newlocations will join Seattle as the company’sthree headquarters in North America.

Amazon’s investments in each new head-quarters will spur the creation of tens of thou-sands of additional jobs in the surroundingcommunities. Hiring at both the newheadquarters will begin in 2019.

“These two locations will allow us toattract world-class talent that will helpus to continue inventing for customers for yearsto come,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO ofAmazon, called the world’s wealthiest human.“The team did a great job selecting these sites,and we look forward to becoming an even big-ger part of these communities.”

“This is fantastic news for our region,” saidSharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors. “We look forward towelcoming Amazon as our newest corporateneighbor.”

There are no companies in Northern Virginia

with close to as many employees as Amazonwill have over the next 5-10 years. Inova HealthSystems is the only company with more than10,000 employees.

But the Pentagon, likely one of Amazon’sclosest neighbors in Arlington, has 26,000employees.

Fairfax County Public Schools has 24,137full-time employees, dispersed around thecounty. Fairfax County government employsmore than 12,000.

The 25,000 Amazon jobs in Arlington willpay better on average than most local govern-

ment jobs, with an average wage ofmore than $150,000. Those employeeswill live with their families all over theNorthern Virginia and DC area.

Amazon will receive performance-based di-rect incentives of $573 million based on thecompany creating 25,000 jobs with an aver-age wage of over $150,000 in Arlington. Thisincludes a workforce cash grant from the Com-monwealth of Virginia of up to $550 millionbased on $22,000 for each job created overthe next 12 years. (Amazon will only receivethis incentive if it creates the forecasted high-paying jobs.) The company will also receive acash grant from Arlington of $23 million over15 years based on the incremental growth of

the existing local Transient Occupancy Tax, atax on hotel rooms.

Amazon will invest in 4 million square feetof office space, with the opportunity to expandto 8 million.

Fairfax County and the Commonwealth werevery cautious in the incentives packages thatwere offered to Amazon, said Gerald L. Gor-don, Ph.D., president and CEO of the EconomicDevelopment Authority in Fairfax County.

“The clear conclusion was that, over time,the returns in terms of tax base would morethan offset the offering,” Gordon said. “Thosediscussions were based on assumptions aboutthe increased demand for public education andother public services versus the returns to thetax base.

The Commonwealth of Virginia will benefitin terms of income tax generation because ofthe much higher-than-average income levelsthat Amazon will pay. Localities do not collectincome tax in Virginia.

But, “local governments will benefit from theincreases in the real estate tax base and taxeson the business’ equipment,” Gordon said.“Historically, companies have contributed farmore to the tax base than they take in the formof public services and that helps to reduce thetax burden for residents.”

I personally will resist the “rebranding” ofCrystal City to “National Landing.” It’s stillNational Airport, and it’s still Crystal City.

— Mary Kimm

Amazon’s “second headquarters” in Arlingtonwill bring benefits to Fairfax County.

Half Might Be Perfect

Editorial

By Scott Surovell

State Senator (D-36)

On Nov. 17, 2017, coming home fromwork around 10 p.m., I saw policelights at the end of Alexandria Av-

enue where it intersects with Fort Hunt Roadin the Mount Vernon area near my home. I as-sumed there was an accident.

The next morning, I learned that an accoun-tant from McLean, Bijan Ghaisar, had been shotby two U.S. Park Police officers after he droveaway after being rear-ended by an Uber driveron the George Washington Memorial Parkwaynear Slater’s Lane. Very little about the ParkPolice’s official story made sense to me the nextmorning.

About two weeks later, I sent a letter to theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asking aseries of questions. I received a cursory re-sponse.

About two months after the incident, theFairfax County Police Department (FCPD) re-leased a dash cam video of the incident start-ing near Dyke Overlook on the George Wash-ington Memorial Parkway. The video showedGhaisar driving down the Parkway slightly overthe speed limit trailed by two U.S. Park Policecruisers. Anyone who drives the Parkwayknows that without adequate shoulders there

are few places to pull over.Mr. Ghaisar stopped his car on the hill up to

Morningside Lane and the officers drew theirguns and shouted commands. Ghaisar thendrove away at a normal rate of speed. As hedrove away, one officer slammed the butt ofhis pistol on Ghaisar’s trunk in frustration while

shouting at him.Ghaisar exited the Parkway after the stone

bridge and turn west onto West BoulevardDrive and then left onto Alexandria Avenue.As Ghaisar approached a Fairfax County Po-lice cruiser partially blocking Alexandria Av-enue at Fort Hunt Road, Ghaisar slowed,stopped and then began to slowly move hiscar around the right side of the FCPD cruiserafter the Park Police officers again drew theirweapons.

The Park Police officers then suddenly firednine shots into Ghaisar’s vehicle striking himfour times in the head. Thanks to a report is-sued by FCPD two weeks ago, we now knowthat the police found no weapon. We also knowthat the U.S. Park Police officers violated offi-cial chase and weapons policies.

While the U.S. Park Police took the positivestep of referring the matter to the FBI for anindependent investigation, neither the ParkPolice nor the FBI has released a report. Ar-lington County has not released the 911 tape.It is very troubling that as the one-year anni-versary approaches, we still do not know thenames of the officers who shot Ghaisar, theirexplanation for the shooting or whether anyde-escalation measures were used.

A year after McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar was shotand killed neither the Park Police nor the FBI hasreleased a report on what happened.

We NeedAnswers

Last week, one hundred MountVernon residents joined BijanGhaisar’s family in a candlelight vigilat the shooting site. The GhaisarFamily is holding another vigil on theone-year anniversary of their son’sdeath on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m.at the Lincoln Memorial. More atwww.facebook.com/wearebijan/

See Surovell, Page 15


News

See SALT, Page 8

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

“The elections are behind us.Now it’s time for the realwork of advocacy to startagain,” said Social Action

Linking Together (SALT) founder JohnHorejsi as he welcomed the attendees to theSALT Fall advocacy conference at VirginiaInternational University in Fairfax on Sat-urday, Nov. 10.

SALT is a faith-based network of organi-zations and individuals who join forces ona number of social issues, “trying to bringthe social and economic justice teachingsof their faith to bear on public policy andlegislation, especially at the local and statelevels.” The non-partisan group (“We focuson issues, not candidates”) formed some 20years ago with a core of eight socially-con-scious people and has grown over the yearsto a base of about 1,300.

Keynote speaker John “Jack” Calhoun,author of several books about social justiceand engagement, brought considerable hu-mor to his presentation, “Finding Hope andJoy in the Broken Places: Keepin’ on, Keepin’on,” despite the often sobering stories andstatistics that he has faced in his work andthat he recounts.

“Jesus liked a party,” he joked. “We needto find joy and fun in what we are about.”

CALHOUN, a senior consultant with theU.S. Department of Justice and Develop-ment Service Group, Inc., for National Fo-rum on Youth Violence Prevention has spenta lifetime working inside and out of gov-ernment institutions to “improve the livesof those who live on society’s edges, fragile

families and the neighborhoods from whichthey come” focusing heavily on vulnerablechildren and adolescents.

“We need to name and claim our kids,”said Calhoun, who helped write the land-mark Child Welfare and Adoption Act of1980, or “other negative influencers likegangs will do so.”

Calhoun offered several tips on success-ful engagement, including “Policy Walking”and “Programs, Policy and the Personal” asthe three essential elements for a templatefor “really getting something accomplished.It starts with walking, not fixing or talking.”

Bringing the work needed to be done tothe local level was Virginia Del. Ken Plum(D-36), introduced by Horejsi as the long-est serving delegate in the Virginia Legisla-ture and “an advocate for social justice andcivic engagement since day one.” Plum wasjoined on the dais by Karrie Delaney (D-67) who completed her first term this year.

Plum’s illuminating presentation wasaptly titled the “Uncommonwealth of Vir-ginia.” To understand the work that needsto be done and how best to achieve it, saysPlum, it is first necessary to understand theeconomic gaps and disparity in opportuni-ties that exist between the regions of theCommonwealth.

“We are a state of extremes,” said thedelegate, with Northern Virginia beingamong the nation’s wealthiest in personalincome and property value, while the Southand the Southwest regions rank “the actualpoorest, lower than the state of Mississippiin these economic indicators.”

Plum acknowledged that there are manywho resent the portion of their tax dol-

Annual SALT conference celebrates 2018achievements, outlines 2019 priorities.

‘Real Work of AdvocacyBegins Again’

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection

The panel, representing faith-based social justice organizations andVirginia’s elected officials, address the attendees at the annual confer-ence of Social Action Linking Together.


Fall meeting materials will be available at:http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/planning/fallmeetings/ beginning October 15, 2018.

*Please note that these dates have been changed from previous listings.

Comments will be accepted until December 13, 2018.

The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in,

Public MeetingsFall Transportation Meetings: Updated Schedule

You are invited to participate in public meetings held by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The meetings will begin with an open house followed by a public comment period. At the open house you can learn about various transportation initiatives, as well as Virginia’s project prioritization process (SMART SCALE), Virginia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, and the VTrans Multimodal Transportation Plan. Representatives from the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation will be in attendance to highlight their transportation programs and discuss your ideas and concerns about Virginia’s transportation network. The open house will be followed by a public comment period, where you can provide comments about the various initiatives. Comments will be accepted at the meeting and may also be submitted via email or online at www.CTB.Virginia.gov.

Updated Schedule: Area Public Meetings will be held at the dates, locations and times listed below:

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.* NOVA District Office

Potomac Conference Room 4975 Alliance Drive Fairfax, VA 22030

Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 4 p.m.*

Fredericksburg District Office Auditorium 86 Deacon Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send your comments on highway projects to Infrastructure Investment Director, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

You may send comments on rail, public transportation, and transportation demand management to Public Information Officer, DRPT, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

From Page 7

lars being used to support otherareas of the state, often hearingthat “our money should be usedto improve our schools, our ser-vices,” but he makes the case thatnot only is it the morally rightthing to do to help our neighborsin need, but it makes sense that“we all do well when everyonedoes so.”

SALT made great strides towardsthe goals they set at last year’sconference. Having advocated foryears for the expansion of Medic-aid in Virginia, the group was ec-static when Gov. Northam signedthe new state budget that willbring health care coverage to upto 400,000 Virginians starting Jan.1, 2019. Enrollment is going onnow.

Horejsi was also excited that hehad been invited to attend thesigning of the bill, sponsored byDel. Patrick Hope and Sen. Bar-bara Favola to “End School LunchShaming.”

Also in the “celebrate” columnare bills to allow video visitationswithout replacing in-person fam-ily visits for prison inmates, andthe Kinship Guardian Program,which allows guardians likegrandparents to become regis-tered Foster Parents, giving thechildren in their care “some sixtimes more benefits,” saidHorejsi, than they could receiveotherwise.

ON THE AGENDA for the 2019Virginia Legislative agenda:

❖ More improvements to TANF(Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies), including a TANF schol-arship pilot program to “give theseyoung people a chance to becomesuccessfully employed.”

❖ Supporting the Governor’smission to make Earned IncomeTax Credits refundable for lowerand moderate-income workingfamilies.

❖ Limiting and ending solitaryconfinement of the incarcerated.Speaker Gay Gardner with Inter-faith Action for Human Rights isworking to present a bill demand-ing transparency and accountabil-ity and real measurement by theVirginia Department of Correc-tions. “There are fewer inmates insolitary confinement today,” shesaid, but with no measurement,and simply changing the name ofthis action to “restrictive housing,”Gardner says that this is an advo-cacy that must continue and needsmore attention.

❖ Continuing to oppose BlockGrants for all human services pro-grams, as grants are shown to typi-cally shrink in funding over theyears.

The issues discussed at the con-ference and on the SALT radar canbe complex. The group welcomesquestions and comments and anyopportunity to educate and assist,providing factual, non-partisaninformation on their website atwww.s-a-l-t.org or by contactingSALT coordinator and founderJohn Horejsi at jhorejsi@coxnet.

SALT Outlines 2019 PrioritiesThe changing demographics and

shifts in population need to informhow we develop programs and al-locate funds and “how we willimprove the lives of all Virginians.”

THE AUDIENCE was also treatedto a snapshot of the daily doingsof the “Nuns on a Bus” and theirrecently completed 2018 tour,which took them from SantaMonica, California, across the na-tion to the Trump resort Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

“A fitting place to do an endingdrive-by” said Sister QuincyHoward who was one of the bus“riders,” since the main objectiveof this year’s bus trip was “firstlyto learn and listen, secondly toeducate and inform on the impactsof the 2017 Republican Tax Cutsand Job Acts.”

The nuns organized or attendedmore than 50 events in 21 statesfrom Oct. 7 until Nov. 2. They metwith local lawmakers, attendedTown Halls, and joined in ralliesaround the country, trying to showjust how much, or little, differentgroups would benefit from the taxcuts. According to their organiza-tion, NETWORK, Advocates forJustice, Inspired by Catholic Sis-ters, the wealthiest and corpora-tions would be the real recipientsof any positive effect from the taxlaws, while the less fortunate andthe struggling middle classeswould actually “take steps back-wards from the days of the Reagantax cuts” because of threats to theprograms that many of them de-pend on, like Social Security, SNAPand CHIP programs, Medicare andMedicaid, and “even infrastructureand emergency recovery re-sources.”

Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, who wasSister Howard’s “bus mate,” de-tailed events on the tour, describ-ing some of the “touching and in-spiring site visits” the group made,where “we saw the direct, positiveoutcomes of people helping eachother.” Lacy said they were par-ticularly impressed by programsthat employed a holistic approach,rather than focusing on just onepiece of the puzzle.

“We saw programs that weremore collaborative, less competi-tive,” so that she says theyachieved a greater outcome in thegoal of bringing “dignity and eco-nomic mobility” to people andfamilies.

“We voted. We won,” saidLacy, breaking for a momentwith the non-partisan modelwhen she urged the audience to“now support and educate andwork with ”these new lawmak-ers and representatives.

The SALT conference’s key-note speaker, John “Jack”Calhoun, served his remarkswith humor. “That’s one keyelement to the principles of‘Keepin’ On’ when engaged inthis very serious and impor-tant work.” Calhoun spokeencouragingly of “FindingHope and Joy in BrokenPlaces” with stories of suc-cess when faith-based groupswork together and work withthe community at large.

Photo by Andrea Worker/

The Connection

News


HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

Some of the area’s most talented tastemakersare donating their time and creativity tobenefit a local hospital. From feathers andyarn to seashells and tree branches, local

interior designers and artists are creating holidaytrees, mantel and table displays, wreaths, menorahsand artwork for the second annual Light Up the Sea-son fundraising event for Children’s National Medi-cal Center on Dec. 16.

“When decorating for the holidays, let your imagi-nation take over and don’t be afraid to combine ele-ments that may at first seem unlikely companions,”said Sarah Hayes of Sarah Hayes Design, who cre-ated a console table display with her 17-year-old pa-tient. “And, as Caoilinn and I would both agree, themore twinkle lights, the merrier.”

“Also, make decorations together with and for yourchildren so they can be a part of the fun,” addedBiletnikoff.

Offering hints at what awaits those who visit the

Event teams young patients with designers and artists.

Lighting Up the Season

Photo courtesy of Mary

Biletnikoff

A mixture of dark red andwhite flowers along withholiday greenery and blackand white ribbon are ele-ments that designer MaryBiletnikoff will use tocreate a wreath for LightUp the Season.

Photo courtesy of Marika Meyers

Marika Meyer Textiles willbe used to create the gar-land and tree skirt for aholiday tree that Meyer isdesigning for Light Up theSeason.

Designers were paired with chil-dren who are patients atChildren’s. Throughout the cre-ative process, the artistic creationsunfolded as the patient-designerrelationships grew. “Our designwas inspired by the warmth of theholiday season, the onset of win-ter, and the magical imaginationof 7-year-old Johnny our patient...,” said Jeff Akseizer of AkseizerDesign Group in Alexandria. “Inour interview with him, his mindexploded with all the colors, tex-tures, and characters he loves tosee at the holiday season, his fa-vorite being the Grinch. “

Akseizer is creating a holidaytree with designer Jamie Brown,also with Akseizer Design Group.“Johnny is a true inspiration,” saidBrown. “He plays wheelchair bas-ketball and sled hockey. We tookmuch of the spirit from our inter-view with him and plugged it intoour creative minds to come upwith something that would surelywow.”

The holiday decor will be cre-ated to reflect the personality andspirit of each child. “My patientartist, Savannah, inspired mywreath design for this year’sevent,” said designer MaryBiletnikoff. “She is a sweet, 6-year-old girl who loves to draw, makesnow angels and snowmen .... shecelebrates Christmas and lovesChristmas lights,” she said. “Mywreath is named ‘Savannah theSnow Girl’ and is a modern day

displays, Ashley Greer of AtelierAshley Flowers in Alexandria said,“I have teamed up with a sweet ...patient to create a classic, wood-lands-inspired holiday tree ....Along with my crew of talentedvolunteers, we’ve designed dozensof handmade wreaths that willadorn the tree along with beauti-ful glass and felt ornaments ....This tree will bring our theme —Over the River and Through theWoods — to life.”

“We’re inspired by our É patientpartner who loves horses, uni-corns, magic, pink, and purple,”added Rachel and Charles Gang ofHelen Olivia Flowers, also in Al-exandria. “She lives in the coun-try with her family so being out-doors is a part of her life. We’reincorporating nature, plants, andpastel colors into our enchanteddesign.”

Metallic animals, feathers andother natural elements are whatdesigner Marika Meyer of MarikaMeyer Interiors and Marika MeyerTextiles in Bethesda is using to cre-ate a safari-themed tree. “We’llincorporate some my MarikaMeyer Textiles to create the gar-land and tree skirt using a customcolorway,” she said. “It will be afestive and fun way to celebratethe holidays.”

Other designers participating inLight Up the Season who are in thearea include Lauren and DavidLiess of Lauren Liess in Great Falls,Wendy Danziger of Danziger De-

take on the traditional snowman. I chose this themebecause girls need to grow up knowing that they arestrong, kind, smart and creative just like my patientartist.”

“My patient partner loves fun, color and sparkle,so we created a vibrant wreath that reflects her per-sonality,” said Wendy Danziger of Danziger Designin Bethesda.

From traditional colors to hues that stretch theimagination, ideas for creating festive designs willabound at year’s event, says Biletnikoff. “I hope thatvisitors will be inspired to incorporate some fun andlightheartedness in their own home,” she said. “Ifyou are decorating for the holidays, I want people toconsider elements that make them smile and maybeeven chuckle. Design is about incorporating what youlike, not what you think you should have.”

sign in Potomac, and Sascha Roth of Urban Countryin Bethesda.

All of the holiday trees, mantelpieces, wreaths,menorahs and artwork on display will be availablefor purchase. Proceeds benefit Children’s National.Light Up The Season will be on Sunday, Dec. 16,from 12-4 p.m. at Four Seasons Hotel Washington,D.C. Family activities include holiday cookie deco-rating, ornament making, musical performances andvisits from Santa. Tickets for the event are $50 perchild 16 and under, $85 per adult for the family and$250 per family of four (two adults and two chil-dren 16 and under).

For more information, including how to purchasetickets and how to be a sponsor, go tochildrensnational.org/lightuptheseason or [email protected].

Sunday, Dec. 16, from 12-4 p.m.Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.For more information and tickets visit:childrensnational.org/lightuptheseason oremail [email protected].

Details


News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

The Osher Lifelong Learning In-stitute (OLLI) in Fairfax has aspecial place in its heart forAmerica’s veterans. And last Fri-

day, Nov. 9, it honored them for the fourthyear in a row with a special ceremony ac-knowledging their service to their country.

Following the presentation of the colorsby the Fairfax County Police Color Guardand the singing of the national anthem,Army Col. (ret.) Mike McNamara read anoriginal poem he wrote for the occasion.Then songs representing each branch of theservice were played, with veterans stand-ing for their particular anthem.

“We are here today to commemorate the100th anniversary of the armistice endingWWI,” said OLLI’S Jim Dunphy. “On Sun-day, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., Americans acrossthe nation will toll bells in remembrance ofthose who served and sacrificed.”

Among those at Friday’s event were WWIIveterans Chester Myslicki and AdrianPelzner. Myslicki, 98, was a sergeant in theAir Force Signal Corps; and Pelzner, 92, wasa motor machinist in the Navy. And theyand the others enjoyed patriotic songs per-formed by Sympatico, a barbershop quar-tet that’s part of the Fairfax Jubil-Aires.

Attendees also watched the documentaryfilm, “The Hello Girls,” which premiered inMarch at the Women in Military Service forAmerica Memorial. Narrated mainly by theirgranddaughters, it told the story of the 223uniformed women in the U.S. Army SignalCorps who went to France in WWI to serveas switchboard operators.

THEIR EFFORTS allowed Army person-nel to make calls and connect to their partyin just 10 seconds. By the end of the war,they’d connected more than 26 million calls.But when they came home, they were told,“You were never soldiers,” and it took 60years for them to get their proper recogni-tion.

Ultimately, the law turned out to be that,because the Army gave them uniforms andtold the women to wear them, they wereconsidered soldiers. In November 1977,they were finally recognized as being in the

Army, and President Jimmy Carter signedlegislation to that effect. Sadly, though, twoof them died overseas, serving their coun-try, and most of the others never receivedtheir full, military honors until after theirdeaths.

Prior to OLLI’s Veterans Day program,McNamara spoke with The Connectionabout his life in the military. By his side washis wife of 62 years, Julie. He served 30years in the Army, beginning in 1959. “I wasin the ROTC at Rutgers; and since we weregetting married, I wanted to enter as anofficer, rather than an enlisted man,” hesaid.

McNamara was an infantry officer, aranger and a parachutist; he commanded abattalion in Texas, served 15 months inKorea and spent two tours in Vietnam. Hewas also a member of the Old Guard at FortMeyer and Fort McNair. When Pres. John F.Kennedy died, Nov. 22, 1963, he was oneof six officers in charge of funerals.

“I was in charge of all the ceremonies tak-ing place for him at St. Matthew’s Cathe-dral,” said McNamara. “We’d rehearsedstate funerals for other past presidents and

five-star generals, but not for Kennedy, be-cause he was so young. So we had to createone for him, from scratch.”

McNamara was a captain then and hadto brief all the joint chiefs of staffs on theplans. “I didn’t sleep for three days,” he said.“Everybody in the Old Guard loved Kennedyand held him in high regard – not just as apresident, but as a man. The night beforethe ceremonies, I had to re-brief CardinalCushing. Originally, the family was goingto limit the funeral to immediate family andfriends, but people wanted to attend fromall over the world, so it grew larger.”

One of the most iconic photos fromKennedy’s funeral shows his 3-year-old son,John John, saluting as his father’s casketleft the cathedral, en route to ArlingtonNational Cemetery. “I was 10 feet away fromhim,” said McNamara. “We were all salut-ing, so he did, too.”

Another career highlight was whenMcNamara was a senior advisor to a Viet-namese ranger battalion. He later taughtROTC at the University of Hawaii while work-ing on his Master’s in English Literature.

McNamara then returned to the Vietnam-

ese Delta in 1968-69. “I was executive of-ficer of an American Riverine Battalion,which was part of the 9th Infantry Division,”he said. “We were transported by Navy shipsto do strike operations in the Mekong Delta,just south of Saigon.”

So, he continued, “I got to experience thewar from both sides. But the hardest partwas being away from my family – includ-ing a son and daughter in grade school – ata time when the war wasn’t too well-thought-of.”

Afterward, McNamara attended Com-mand and Staff College at FortLeavenworth, Kan., and finished hisMaster’s at the University of Kansas. He thenflew Boeing 707s with the U.S. Air Force inEngland and was the officer in charge ofsending emergency-action messages.

Next, he commanded a battalion at FortHood in Texas, under Gen. George Patton’sson, who made McNamara the division’sinspector general. He then attended theRoyal College of Defense Studies in Lon-don before going to NATO as a staff officerdoing logistics and briefing people.

McNamara was then slated to be an Armyattache’ in London. “But our son had leu-kemia, so we came back to the U.S. to bewith him until he was better, about a yearlater,” he said. “Then around 1987, I wentto work in the Pentagon in the Secretary ofDefense’s office, preparing briefing papersfor any U.S. negotiations with the Britishand, later, with Turkey.”

RETIRING IN 1989, he began workingfor his former boss to try to get continuedmilitary aid and equipment for the Turks.After that, he kept tabs on Bosnian equip-ment and training by the Americans andother governments.

“Then I did the same thing, trying to getmoney from Congress in support of equip-ping and training the Afghans,” saidMcNamara. “But when they asked me to goto Iraq and do it there, too, my wife saidshe’d shoot me. So I retired and taughtShakespeare, military issues and interna-tional poetry at OLLI.”

And each year, he writes and reads anoriginal poem for OLLI’s Veterans Day cer-emony, which he called “a means of recog-nizing good service.” But quoting Plato, headded, “‘Only the dead have seen the lastof war.’ War is dirty business, but we alwaysbetter be prepared.”

‘War is dirty business, but we better be prepared.’

OLLI Honors Veterans with Annual Celebration

Women in the U.S. Army Signal Corps served in France as switchboardoperators during WWI.

Julie and ArmyCol. (ret.) MikeMcNamaraattended OLLI’sceremony.

Sympatico, abarbershopquartet with theFairfax Jubil-Aires, performspatriotic songs.

Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection


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News

By David Siegel

The Connection

Listening to parents in the localarea, the Center for the Arts (CFA)introduced a new Family Series ofperformances meant for all ages;

but especially children. The Family Seriesaims to provide lively and engaging pro-grams for families to explore live perfor-mance together.

On the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend,the Family Series will headline “Mutts GoneNuts,” a blend of physical comedy and cir-cus arts for families and for everyone wholoves a dog. “I think audience members canexpect to be blown away by what these dogscan do. This will be a high-energy show,where award-winning canines perform avariety of entertaining tricks and routines,”said Adrienne Bryant Godwin, Program-ming Manager, George Mason University,CFA.

“Many longtime CFA patrons told us howexcited they are to be able to share theirlove of the arts with their family,” saidGodwin. “If you’re looking for an entertain-ing and cost-effective way to spend the af-ternoon with your family, ‘Mutts Gone Nuts’is for you. Be forewarned, you’ll fall in lovewith these pups!” said Godwin.

For “Mutts Gone Nuts,” the husband andwife duo Scott and Joan Houghton willbring a dog-centered show full of Frisbeeand barrel tricks, to dance and jump roperoutines. The talented canines were rescuedfrom shelters. The Houghtons use positive,reward-based training methods for thedogs. “We look for what our dogs like to donaturally, and cultivate those talents.”

According to the Houghtons there areeven two world record holders performing.Feather, a greyhound, set the standard for

highest canine jump and cattle dog mixGeronimo holds two world records indouble-dutch jump rope.

In addition to the performance the audi-ence will have the opportunity to have apicture taken with one of the “cast mem-ber” pups and at the same time support alocal organization, Homeward Trails Ani-mal Rescue in Fairfax Station.

“The Family Series at the Center for theArts is a great opportunity to serve the fam-ily population in Northern Virginia lookingfor high-quality artistic and educationalactivities to experience together.” saidGodwin. “In addition to parents and chil-dren, the Family Series is a great way forgrandparents to spend time with theirgrandchildren.

“Our Family Series has been received withwarm enthusiasm, and we at the Center forthe Arts look forward to programming it forfuture years,” added Godwin.

Center for the Arts presents “Mutts GoneNuts” at George Mason University, ConcertHall, Center for the Arts, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. Sunday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m.and 4 p.m. Tickets: $18 for adults/$10 forchildren. Call 703-993-2787 or visitwww.cfa.gmu.edu.

Where and WhenCenter for the Arts presents “Mutts Gone Nuts”

at George Mason University, Concert Hall,Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive,Fairfax. Sunday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.Tickets: $18 for adults/$10 for children. Call703-993-2787 or visit www.cfa.gmu.edu.

Note: After the performance, a canine castmember will be available for a photo opportunityon stage. Photos are $10 each. Proceeds supportHomeward Trails Animal Rescue, FairfaxStation. “Mutts Gone Nuts” dogs were adoptedfrom animal shelters or from rescue groups.

Family Series performances bring‘Mutts Gone Nuts’ to Center for the Artson Thanksgiving weekend.

A Show to Blow You Away

Photo courtesy GMU/Center for the Arts

Mutts Gone Nuts – “Selfie”.


Entertainment

FlowerDesign Show

Fairfax Ferns Garden Club presents aSmall Standard Flower Show – “Stroll-ing Through Historic Fairfax City.” Itwill include flower design, horticulture,nature photography and educationalexhibit. Plant related items for sale. Freeadmission. Sunday, Nov. 18, noon-4p.m. at Blenheim Civil War Interpreta-tive Center, 3610 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Email [email protected] orcall 703-591-5305 for more.

Burke Civic Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”Share in the magic of this holiday tradition. Featuring 3-year old miniature dolls

to professional dancers, this 25th Anniversary production will enchant all ages.Saturday, Nov. 17, 2 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 18, 1 and 5 p.m. at Ernst Commu-nity Cultural Center Theater, Northern Virginia Community College, AnnandaleCampus. Visit www.buffas.com email [email protected] for tickets.

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Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

THURSDAY/NOV. 15Historic Pohick Church Christmas

Mart. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at PohickEpiscopal Church, 9301 RichmondHighway, Lorton. The Parish Houseand the Vestry House will betransformed into a festive Christmasatmosphere with rooms filled withAttic Treasures, a Consignment Shop,fresh baked goods, homemade candyand apple butter, and frozencasseroles made by the women ofPohick Church. Booths will featurethe work of artisans showcasinghandmade jewelry, stained glass,Christmas decorations and manyother crafts. Colonial-attired ladieswill serve luncheon at three sittings(11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.) for $13.The Docent Guild will be leadingtours of the historic colonial churchand the Golden Dove Gift Shop willbe open. Admission to the ChristmasMart is free. Visit www.pohick.org orcall 703-339-6572.

Lunch N’ Life. 12-2 p.m. at JubileeChristian Center, 4650 Shirley GateRoad, Fairfax. Steve Friedman, theguest author and lecturer, willpresent a program about Broadwaymusical theater. Sponsored by theShepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke.For reservations, call Bea Stephensonat 703-273-5730 by Nov. 9. Cost$10.00; checks payable to SCFB. Iftransportation is needed, call theSCFB office 703-323-4788. Visitwww.scfbva.org.

SATURDAY/NOV. 17Civil War Tour. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum andsites in Clifton, Centreville, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Blake Myers, noted Civil WarHistorian, will lead a history tour ofinteresting Civil War sites in andaround Fairfax, Clifton andCentreville. Meet at the Museum.Wear comfortable walking shoes andappropriate clothing for walkingthrough wooded areas. Museummembers, $20; non-members, $30.Register in advance and pay bySquare at squareup.com/store/fairfax-station-railroad-museum.com.Payment may also be made the dayof the Tour with cash, check orcredit. Register [email protected]. Call703-425-9225 or visit www.fairfax-station.org.

Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet for more.

“Ever the Gray Ghost.” 2 p.m. atHistoric Blenheim, 3610 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Free. “Ever theGray Ghost: Colonel John SingletonMosby and the Lincoln Conspiracies.”How much did Mosby know, and washe complicit in an attempt to murderthe President of the United States? Inhis new book, author Dave Goetz –the first author to examine Mosby’spossible in the conspiracy – offersnew insights and focuses onnumerous attempts to capture or killLincoln. Call 703-591-0560.

2018 Evening of Elegance withJazz and Advocacy Gala. 6-11p.m. at the Waterford ReceptionCenter, 6715 Commerce St.,Springfield. The National Coalition of100 Black Women, Incorporated,Northern Virginia Chapter (NCBWNOVA) welcomes Dr. KimberlyJeffries Leonard, 17th NationalPresident of The Links, Incorporated,

as the Keynote Speaker at theirinaugural Evening of Elegance withJazz and Advocacy Gala. $75.Purchase directly from coalitionmembers or through Eventbrite atwww.eventbrite.com/e/national-coalition-of-100-black-women-nova-presents-an-evening-of-elegance-tickets-49268297805.

Jazz4Justice. 8 p.m. at GMU’s Centerfor the Arts, Fairfax. George MasonUniversity’s School of Music presentsthe 17th annual Jazz4Justice liveconcert and fundraiser. The eventsraise funds to support vital legalservices and the George MasonUniversity Jazz Studies program.Tickets available at 703-993 2787, orat cfa.gmu.edu.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/NOV. 17-18Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show. 10

a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Sunday. At The HUB Ballroom, GMU,4400 University Drive, Fairfax.Admission $6/adults; kids free.Presented by the Northern VirginiaClub, Inc. and sponsored by the Dept.of Atmospheric, Oceanic and earthSciences at GMU. Featuring over 20dealers. Also demos, door prizes,exhibits and kids’ activities includingmini-mines for kids to dig in and getfree minerals and fossils. ContactTom Taaffe at rockcllctr@gmail orvisit www.novamineralclub.org.

Burke Civic Ballet’s “TheNutcracker.” Saturday, 2 and 6p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m. at ErnstCommunity Cultural Center Theater,Northern Virginia CommunityCollege, Annandale Campus. Share inthe magic of this holiday tradition.Featuring 3-year old miniature dollsto professional dancers, this 25thAnniversary production will enchantall ages. Visit www.buffas.com toorder tickets or [email protected].

SUNDAY/NOV. 18Flower Design Show. Noon-4 p.m. at

Blenheim Civil War InterpretativeCenter, 3610 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Fairfax Ferns Garden Clubpresents a Small Standard FlowerShow – “Strolling Through Historic

Fairfax City.” It will include flowerdesign, horticulture, naturephotography and educational exhibit.Plant related items for sale. Freeadmission. Email [email protected] call 703-591-5305 for more.

CROP Walk. The walk begins and endsat Fairfax Presbyterian Church,10723 Main St., Fairfax. Participantsmay choose either the 5K or shorterGolden Mile option. This is a family-friendly walk, not a race, and fun forall ages including babies in strollersand pets. Registration begins at 1:15and the walk starts at 2 p.m. A fun“End of Walk Celebration” will beheld at 3:30 p.m. at FairfaxPresbyterian Church (live music,refreshments, fun awards, andprizes). Registration/Sponsorenvelopes can be obtained fromparticipating groups, or by contactingJanet Smith at 703-455-9025 [email protected]. Walkerscan also register online atwww.crophungerwalk.org/burkeva.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner.5-8 p.m. at Franconia UnitedMethodist Church, 6037 FranconiaRoad, Alexandria. Join FranconiaUnited Methodist Church for a freecommunity Thanksgiving Dinner.Turkey and all the trimmings will beprovided and the entire family iswelcome. Free. Call 703-971-5151 orvisit www.franconiaumc.org formore.

THURSDAY/NOV. 22Turkey Trot for Parkinson’s. 9 a.m.

at the Workhouse Arts Center,Lorton. Join Thanksgiving morningfor the Turkey Trot for Parkinson’s5K Run/1 Mile Gobble Wobble. Allrace proceeds benefit The Michael J.Fox Foundation for Parkinson’sResearch and 100 percent of everypenny donated will go directly tohigh-impact research programs tohelp speed a cure. Visitfundraise.michaeljfox.org/turkey-trot-for-parkinsons for more.

Turkey Scramble. 10 a.m. at BurkeLake Golf Course, 7315 Ox Road,Fairfax Station. This competition isfor players age 7- adult. Teams oftwo compete in an 18-hole, scrambleformat with a shotgun start at 10

a.m. There will be closest-to-the-pincontests and prizes for first-, second-and third-place teams in two agedivisions: Adult/Junior 7-12; andAdult/Junior 13-17. Registration islimited to the first 48 teams. $70 perteam includes lunch. There is no raindate. Call 703-323-1641 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/burke-lake.

SATURDAY/NOV. 24Build a Gingerbread House. Noon-

1:30 and 2-3:30 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Roland Mesnier and Mark Ramsdell,former White House Pastry Chefs,will be guiding visitors throughconstructing their own gingerbreadhouses in this special event. $40 ($35for museum members). Reservationsand advance payment are required.Purchase at squareup.com/store/fairfax-station-railroad-museum or byemailing [email protected] name, number of houses topurchase and seating time. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/NOV. 24-25Fairfax Ballet Company’s

Nutcracker. Saturday, 2 and 7p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. at W.T.Woodson High School, Fairfax. TheFairfax Ballet Company presents thefull-length production of “TheNutcracker,” the family-friendlyholiday tradition. Companymembers, along with students fromthe Russell School of Ballet andGeorge Mason University, andprofessional guest artists, join Claraand her Nutcracker Prince in amagical journey through a winterwonderland. $15-$30. Tickets areavailable atfairfaxnutcracker2018.brownpapertickets.comor at the door beginning one hourbefore each show. [email protected] or call 703-665-9427 for more.

Fairfax City-opoly. Shop local withthe Fairfax City-opoly game for achance to win a $600 cash prize and$100 gift card to Twin’s Ace

Hardware. Participation is free. Call703-385-7944 or visitfairfaxcityconnected.com/fairfaxcityopoly for more.

SUNDAY/NOV. 25Burke Historical Society Meeting.

3:30-5 at Pohick Regional Library,6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Dr.Mike Johnson will discuss thegeological and human history of goldin the area. Learn about the geologyof gold veins in the area, as well asthe archaeological evidence forhuman interaction with this metalover the past 13,000 years. Free.Email [email protected] orvisit www.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

THURSDAY/NOV. 29Geneology Workshop. 6:30-9 p.m. at

Pohick Library, 6450 SydenstrickerRoad, Burke. Anna Maria FitzhughChapter, NSDAR, will have aGenealogy Workshop. ProspectiveDAR members will receive assistancewith the application process. Contact703-690-7136 for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 1Holiday Extravaganza. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

at South County High School, 8501Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Santaarrives at 8:30 a.m. courtesy of theLorton Volunteer Fire Departmentkicking off the Candy Cane Kids FunRun for kids age 12 and under. At 9a.m., 170 vendors featuring all sortsof handcrafted items will offereverything from handmade glassornaments and jewelry to soaps,lotions, clothing, and holiday décor.Cookies with Santa, free, 9:30-12;Fairfax Co Sheriff, Child ID andfingerprinting, free, 9-3; Santa’s BookEmporium, 9-3. Proceeds benefit theSCHS All Night Grad Party, PTSO,Band Boosters and Athletic Boosters.Free, $3. Visitwww.southcountyptso.org.

Advent Festival. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at St.Stephen’s United Methodist Church,9203 Braddock Road, Burke. Open toall and designed with busy families inmind. Includes a Fair TradeChristmas Market, Christmas Concert(11 a.m.), Food Trucks, DIY Adventcraft stations, free coffee and cookiesand more. Free admission. Visitststephensfairfax.org.

Christmastide at Gunston Hall. 10a.m.-7 p.m. at George Mason’sGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Mason Neck. A full day of holidayactivities starts with a visit fromSanta to games and crafts for allages. The evening hours provide aromantic holiday experience bycandlelight as visitors sample periodfood in the kitchen and explore thegrounds by candlelight. $15 foradults; $10 for children. Visitwww.gunstonhall.org/ or call 703-550-9220.

A Cathedral Brass Christmas. 6p.m. at Living Savior LutheranChurch, 5500 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. The Cathedral Brass willpresent “Christmas Cheer!” – a festiveprogram of holiday favorites from alleras. The Cathedral Brass is a 23-player symphonic brass ensemble. Allare welcome. Free. Visitwww.livingsaviorlutheran.org orcathedralbrass.org for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 2Concert: for King & Country. 6-10

p.m. at Eagle Bank Arena, 4500Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Two-timeGRAMMY Award winners for King &Country hit the road with theirChristmas tour. Joining the duo ontour is special guest Zach Williams.$28., $40., $42.5 Reserved, $78.50VIP. Call 703-993-3000 or visitwww.TheConcertSpot.com fortickets.


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News

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

Bill Woolf, executive director of JustAsk Prevention Project, receivedthe 2018 Presidential Medal forExtraordinary Efforts to Combat

Trafficking in Persons. Secretary of StateMike Pompeo placed the silver medalaround Woolf’s neck in a ceremony Oct. 11at the White House.

The ceremony took place at a meeting ofthe President’s Interagency Task Force toMonitor and Combat Trafficking in Personsthat was attended by President Trump aswell as Cabinet officials. The medal dis-played a gold star with an array of 13 lesserpoints around a blue motto scroll with thewords Prohibitio Praesidium Prosecutio insilver metal.

Woolf explains the five-pointed star rep-resents the recipient’s dedication to thecountry and the 13 rays illustrate the ev-eryday fight against human trafficking. Thewords translate to Prevention, Protection,Prosecution. The award was presented “inrecognition for Mr. Woolf’s tireless effortsto advance equality and respect for all per-

sons and their inherentrights through combattinghuman trafficking.”

Woolf ’s work in thisarea first began in 2009when he was a gang de-tective in Northern Vir-ginia and discovered ayoung victim of sex traf-ficking inside the gang. In2010 he had an aha mo-ment and realized humantrafficking was going onright here in Northern Vir-ginia. That discovery ledto his involvement inhunting down those whoprey on the young and re-covering victims.

He was assigned towork on the Fairfax County PoliceDepartment’s Gang Investigation Unit andbecame aware of an emerging and worsen-ing problem in the region. Sex traffickerspick up teenagers as young as 12 years oldat malls, by infiltrating local high schoolsor online. The process of recruiting and ma-nipulation is gradual and often the victims

don’t know what is happening until theyare trapped.

Woolf went on to work with state repre-sentatives to strengthen Virginia laws andincrease penalties for traffickers. In addi-tion, he worked with Fairfax County edu-cators to create educational materials forthe school curriculum to increase awareness

by students of what washappening around them.

After 15 years in lawenforcement, Woolf hasbecome full time execu-tive director of Just AskPrevention Project to de-velop a systematic ap-proach and analytic toolsfor bringing awarenesstraining to communities.He is a speaker locally andinternationally andreaches out to communityforums, law enforcementtraining programs, and asan adjunct professor atGeorge Washington Uni-versity in Criminology.

Just Ask, a non-profitorganization, focuses on ending human traf-ficking in the U.S. and around the worldthrough education, prevention and inter-vention. Its motto is “With Your Help There’sHope,” stating “We believe that well in-formed citizens will decrease sex traffick-ers ability to operate in our area, while en-suring that victims and survivors feel safeto come forward and ask for help.”

Volunteers are needed. To get involvedcontact [email protected]. or 1-833.ASK2END.

Volunteers needed to expandprevention effort.

Woolf Receives National Honor for Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Bill Woolf receives PresidentialMedal for Human Traffickingefforts from Secretary of StateMike Pompeo

The Presidential Medalrepresents the everydayfight against human traf-ficking.

Pho

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From Page 4

News

nation has to offer,” said Conrad.“Our flag waves over our troopseverywhere they serve, and in thehearts of every American veteran,long after their time in uniform isgone.

“American warriors never break,never bend and never ever yield,”he continued. “Armistice Day is aday based on love of country, andwe must take care of our veteransand honor their service. May Godbless you and bless these UnitedStates.”

Then, in his closing prayer,Semenec prayed that all veteransfeel appropriately honored, nonefeel forgotten or neglected, andthat every one of them feel the“deep and enduring gratitude ofour nation and its inhabitants.”

Veterans Honored on Armistice Day

The American LegionPost 177 Color Guardbegins Fairfax City’sVeterans Day celebration.

Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/

The Connection


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Now that I’m back to every-three-week-che-motherapy infusions, getting through the “holi-day” season becomes very tricky. One week delay due to unacceptable lab results can have a cas-cade effect on one’s ability to spread any cheer.

And given that I’m scheduled to be infused rather aggressively, a direct result of tumor growth indicated on my most recent CT scan, delaying an infusion to accommodate my non-chemotherapy schedule seems like a non starter. After all, we’re trying to keep me alive here.

Therefore, it seems counter-intuitive almost to push my treatment ahead one or two weeks just so I can enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey.

In the scheme of things, enjoying a meal pales in comparison to enjoying a life. And shrinking and/or stabilizing tumors trumps mashed potatoes and gravy. Missing a festive occasion/not being able to taste/eat anything is much less important than beating back my sworn enemy: cancer.

However, considering the unpredictability of my actually-receiving-chemotherapy on the two scheduled infusion dates before Christmas: 11/16/18 and 12/7/18, and the effect of resched-uling one or the other by one or two weeks, depending on lab results, gives pre-holiday chemotherapy infusions a bad name and an even worse connotation.

The patient (in this context, me), is either damned if you do (side effects) and/or damned if you don’t (tumor growth, potentially). I need way more than a Festivus miracle.

To invoke Tiny Tim, I need to tiptoe through the tulips, so to speak; to have my chemotherapy infusions allow me to eat/satiate my meals, travel when necessary without having to double-back for chemotherapy (yes, my infusion center is open on Friday, Nov. 23, as well as the day before Christmas and the day after, with their schedule repeating itself for New Year’s) and navigate an

be capped off by a Jan. 2 CT scan followed up by a Jan. 11 face-to-face appointment with my on-cologist to discuss the results of the January scan.

I can hardly wait. Although I have to, and of course, think about the what-if constantly.

Nearly two months of scheduling twists and turns impacting one’s quality of life during the most stressful time of the year: Thanksgiving through New Year’s followed by learning one’s fate: stay the course or as Yogi Berra said: “Come to the fork in the road and take it.” And if I do take it (Immunotherapy), it won’t simply be the road less traveled, it will be the road never traveled – by me. Although many other cancer patients have blazed the trail, the prospect of yours truly blazing the next trail (line) scares me, hopefully not to death.

It might not be so bad – and extremely per-sonal, if my best friend’s wife hadn’t succumbed to her lung cancer within a year or so after being prescribed one of the drugs that my oncologist and I have discussed if my next scan continues to show tumor growth.

I get so emotional at the mere mention of the drug that I can’t even pronounce it through my tears. So my oncologist knows my preference and he’s content to respect my wishes especially considering that according to his experiences, the drugs are fairly similar in their effect/success.

me in a positive frame of mind is the goal. But I’m getting way ahead of myself here; it’s only November. This discussion won’t occur for almost nine weeks, Jan. 11, 2019.

The only problem is, the next nine weeks present challenges unlike any similar period during the year. Throw in a few lab tests, a couple of chemotherapy infusions, a diagnostic scan and a few weeks to wait for all of it to shake out and what you’re left with is your life hanging in the balance and death rearing its ugly head.

“Cancer sucks” – especially during the holi-days.

Airing of a Grievance

From Page 5

Food for Fines. Nov. 1-30. Fairfax County PublicLibrary will be hosting a food drive called “Foodfor Fines.” Canned goods and other non-perishable items collected during the drive willbe donated to Food for Others, a not-for-profitfood pantry and food rescue operation thatserves Fairfax County. Each item donated willerase $1 from a patron’s overdue fines up to amaximum of $15. Customers may donate even ifthere are no fines accrued. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/food-fines formore.

Toys for Tots Drive. Nov. 19-Dec. 10. AreaSheehy Auto Stores will collect new andunwrapped toys to benefit the U.S. Marine CorpsReserve Toys for Tots Program, which willdistribute those toys as gifts to less fortunatechildren in the community in which thecampaign is conducted. Sheehy’s Toys for Totsdrop-off locations include:

❖ Sheehy Volkswagen of Springfield. 6601 BacklickRoad, Springfield

❖ Sheehy Ford of Springfield, 6727 Loisdale Road,Springfield

❖ Sheehy Subaru of Springfield, 6571 BacklickRoad, Springfield

❖ Patriot Harley-Davidson, 9739 Fairfax Boulevard,Fairfax

Christmas Wish Donations and Volunteers.Koinonia is now accepting donations ofunwrapped Christmas gifts so that their clientscan pick out gifts for their families. This yearChristmas wishes will be held at FranconiaUnited Methodist Church from Dec. 10-12.Donations will be accepted through Dec. 10.Visit www.koinoniacares.org for a list ofsuggested toys and gift cards. Volunteers neededDec. 9-12, call 703-971-1991.

Mr. Ghaisar leaves behind two grievingparents and a sister who still have no ex-planation for why their family member waskilled, despite their numerous requests.

A community’s faith in law enforcementrequires transparency in officer-involvedshootings. Recent cell phone, dash cameraand body camera videos have shown thepublic how officers are often presented withdifficult situations and are required to makesplit-second judgment calls that can be thedifference between life and death and vid-eos provide context. However, the video thatwe have seen shows that the Ghaisar situa-tion presented zero threat to the police orpublic safety.

Very disturbing is the complete lack oftransparency by the federal governmentabout what happened. Congressman DonBeyer has demanded answers.

If an officer had been shot, the publicwould have been briefed that night andcharges would have been announced thenext day. The Turkish Government has pro-vided better transparency on the Khashoggikilling than our own government has righthere in our community.

Last week, one hundred Mount Vernonresidents and Bijan Ghaisar’s family joinedme in a candlelight vigil at the shooting site.The Ghaisar Family is holding another vigilon the one-year anniversary of their son’sdeath on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at theLincoln Memorial. More atwww.facebook.com/wearebijan/

Our community deserves answers and Iintend to get them.

Please email me [email protected] with your sugges-tions and feedback.

From Page 6

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