Classifieds, Page 14 Follow on Twitter: @BurkeConnectionconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/.../27/… · 27/02/2018 · it can not be higher than what we advertise

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 28-March 6, 2018

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Pet ConnectionInside

County Budget: New Kids in TownNews, Page 3

Beware of Scams Targeting SeniorsNews, Page 4

Chuck Settles in McLeanPet Connection, Page 8

Chuck has been with his owner, Melissa, since college. She describes him as her

buddy and “just a sweet friend who is always there for me.” The two have moved three

times and have settled in McLean now. The well traveled Chuck even knows a few

tricks, and sits on command for a treat.

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Ken Moore

The Connection

The Board of Supervisors has un-til March 6 to determine if it willadvertise the 2.5-cents real es-tate tax increase proposed by

new County Executive Bryan Hill last Tues-day, Feb. 20.

“When we advertise the tax rate that willbecome the ceiling for what the tax rate canbe. It can be lower, it can be the same, butit can not be higher than what we advertiseon March 6,” said Chairman Sharon Bulova,following Hill’s presentation at the Boardof Supervisors meeting.

The board will officially adopt the FY2019budget on May 1, after a series of commu-nity meetings and public hearings on the$4.29-billion budget. More than 40 commu-nity meetings have already been scheduledin the next month throughout the county.

“This will be an intense process as wework with the community,” said Bulova.

Bulova called Hill’s proposed tax increase“a significant amount.”

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said,“the size of the increase, obviously a concern.”

“Every budget has two sides; you have

the receiving end and the paying end, andif you’re on the receiving end of county ser-vices people will be very happy,” said

Braddock Supervisor John Cook. “When youwalk up to your office, Mr. Hill, at the endof the day, people in the hallways will bevery happy. Every county priority is fullyfunded, schools are fully funded, and that’snot a bad thing, that sounds good, but wehave to remember the other side.”

The other side starts with what Bulovasaid would be an average tax increase of$268 to every homeowner in Fairfax County.

Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity calcu-lates that increase to be five percent, add-ing to a total the last five years of more than26 percent, Herrity said.

“While the tax bills continue to grow inFairfax, wages have not, especially for ourgrowing population of seniors and our dwin-dling population of millennials,” said Herrity.

And various parts of the county will be hitharder than others. Cook suggested that somein his neighborhood each month “will pay$450 to $700-plus more with this budget.”

“While there are many things in this bud-get that I strongly advocated for and fully

County executive proposes budgetthat fully funds schools andcompensation for employees.New Kids in Town

See County, Page 12

County Executive Bryan Hill answered questions along with FCPS Superin-tendent Scott Brabrand. The FCPS budget is fully funded in Hill’s proposal.

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News

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Dranesville District Su-pervisor John Foust’soffice hosted aMcLean Senior Safety

and Scam Day at the McLean Gov-ernment Center on Wednesday,

Feb 21, 2018, for senior residentsand caregivers to help them iden-tify scams and learn about all theresources that are available tothem in Fairfax County.

Melissa Smarr, of Land Develop-ment Services, who highlightedthe county’s Silver Shield programand discussed scammer aware-

ness, said that nationwide 11 per-cent of adults – or 25.6 millionpeople – were victims of a scamduring a one-year study period.Seniors who are 60 or older arethe main targets of these scams,she said. And the financial exploi-tation is usually progressive – if itcontinues, its upwards of hun-

dreds of thousands of dollars.“I’ve sat with widows and wid-

owers who have completely losttheir life savings because of thesecon men and women who havetaken all of their money, and saidthey were doing work when in factthey didn’t,” said Smarr.

Smarr said they’re seeing unli-censed contractors coming fromCulpepper, Fredericksburg, andWarrenton, and preying uponFairfax County residents to basi-cally steal their money.

FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICEDET. Jonathan Loesch said thescam has to start somehow.“Ninety-nine percent of the timeit comes from a knock at the door.Don’t answer the door. If you doanswer the door, ask for the li-cense. Girl Scouts are legal, but ifthey don’t have a license, give thepolice department a call,” he said.

Smarr highlighted some redflags to look for with contractors.Be wary of cash-only agreements,high-pressure tactics, limited-timeoffers, no physical business ad-dress, and statements like “I justhappened to be in the neighbor-hood,” she said.

She offered some tips for deal-ing with solicitors, which include:get references; verify the licensing;get referrals; review contracts andask questions. Get three writtenestimates from three differentcompanies, she said. “If it’s toogood to be true, it probably is,” shesaid. Most legitimate contractorsdo not solicit door to door; theyget business by word of mouth oradvertising on the internetthrough Angie’s List, she said.

Susan Jones, from the FairfaxCounty Office of Consumer Affairs,offered a few tips to stay safe. Shewarns residents to get an I.D. fromcontractors and ask them for asolicitor’s license. Check yourthree credit reports – Equifax,

Dranesville Supervisor Foust holds Senior Safety and Scam Day in McLean.

Beware of Scams Targeting Seniors

See Senior Safety, Page 5

Steve Hibbard/The Connection

Dranesville District Super-visor John Foust whohosted the meeting.


Judy Seiff of N2N – Neigh-bor to Neighbor.


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From Page 4

News

Experian and Trans Union. Sherecommends checking them sepa-rately every four months. “So, youjust have to be very careful,” shesaid.

WYLENG LIEW, of FairfaxCounty Fire and Rescue, spokeabout fire safety and said every 86seconds in the U.S., someone iscalling 911 because they have afire in their house. She said mostcommon fires are cooking-related,electrical-related, and caused fromheating, smoking materials or fireplaces.

“Fires are often preventable inthe home,” she said. “I encourageeveryone to take a survey of thehome and identify fire hazards andeliminate them. Escape planningis a very important part of fire pre-vention…. We want people to dothese important things like havingworking smoke alarms, makingtheir home fire-escape plans, andsleeping with their bedroom doorsclosed,” she said.

JUDY SEIFF of the Neighbor toNeighbor Initiative (N2N), a partof the Board of Supervisors’ 50-

Plus Community Action Plan, saidthere are a lot of reasons that wedon’t know our neighbors any-more.

“People are away from theirhomes many more hours a daybecause of commuting. Sometimesin this area we can barely keep upbecause neighbors change. Peopleare still moving in and out. Thereare reasons kids don’t play outsideanymore, so people don’t meetover the back fence,” she said.

So N2N provides tools and re-sources for neighborhoods to getbetter connected. N2N will speak toyour homeowners’ association orwith a small group of people in theneighborhood. Contact Jenny Phippsat [email protected] toschedule a speaker.


Wyleng Liew of the FairfaxCounty Fire and RescueDepartment.

Senior Safety


Sharon Bulova, chairmanof the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors,

sent the following submissionto the Pet Connection issue:

“Our office fantasy is toadopt an office pet. In ourimagination, we bring back acat, or dog, maybe a bondedpair of guinea pigs. At our lastvisit to the Animal Shelter we

fell in love with a comicallooking lion-headed rabbit.Apparently it is a distinct breed.And then there was a very cutelittle white mouse that someonehad rescued from becoming asnake’s meal at a local pet store.Maybe we could bring them allback.

“The ‘we’ is my wonderfulchairman’s team. We are all big

time animal lovers. In the end,however, we admit that thedream of populating our suite inthe Government Center withcritters is not really practical,much less permitted. Althoughwe can’t bring back all of theanimals, it sure is fun to visit theAnimal Shelter and spend somequality time there with suchcaring staff, dedicated volunteers,

Bulova: Fantasy — To Adopt Office Petand well-tended animals.

“Pets add so much dimen-sion to our lives. While I havenot adopted an office pet, I dohave two wonderful rescuecats at home that make mevery happy.

“To volunteer at the Shelter,please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter for more informa-tion.”

Board of Supervisors ChairmanSharon Bulova in a visit to AnimalShelter.

Photos contributed

Sharon Bulova (front row, middle) with Animal Shelter staff and volun-teers.

Opinion

$400 million. That’s how much the Virginia Sen-ate had to cut from its budget becauseit refused to include Medicaid expan-

sion in the budget.The House of Delegates version of the bud-

get has $400 million more to work with.$400 million is a lot of money.The change in the House of Delegates, a

small miracle, comes with the change voterscreated last November. Republicans had a 66-

34 in the House but lost 15seats after the election.

The economic boost thatcomes with expanding Medic-

aid includes as many as 30,000 new jobs. It’sludicrous that Virginia has bypassed thismoney, this economic boost, this life-savingmeasure for poor Virginians. The Common-wealth has forfeited than $10 billion becauseof ideological, partisan irrationality.

Hope for Expanding Health CareJust say yes to $400 million, thousandsof jobs and health care for 300,000.

Editorial

State Sen. Janet Howell may have capturedthe cause and effect the best in the floor de-bate: “We’ve cut education, both higher andpublic education. We’ve cut student aid, pub-lic safety, mental-health programs, programsfor the disabled, programs to have a reliableelection system. Why have we made these cuts?We’ve made them to deprive low-incomepeople of healthcare.”

More than 10 percent of residents of Arling-ton, Alexandria and Fairfax County have nohealth insurance.

A Harvard Medical School study determinedthat the decision by 25 states to reject the ex-pansion of Medicaid coverage under the Af-fordable Care Act would result in between7,115 and 17,104 more deaths than had allstates opted in.

In Virginia, the number of deaths due to fail-ure to expand Medicaid estimated between 266and 987.

These are wrongful deaths, caused by thewillful action of particular Virginia legislators.

Refusing to accept federal funds to providehealthcare to uninsured Virginians makes nomore sense than declining federal funds fortransportation or education. Imagine the cel-ebration of the economic stimulus of adding$400 million and tens of thousands of new jobsby any other means.

In Virginia, 102,000 uninsured people witha mental illness or substance use disorder couldqualify for coverage if Medicaid were expandedunder the Affordable Care Act.

As Virginia wrestles with heroin and opioidaddiction, expanding Medicaid would allow forexpanding treatment programs. One of the bigobstacles to helping people who are fightingaddiction is the availability of treatment whenit is most needed. More people die of opioidoverdoses in Virginia than in vehicle crashes.

It’s time for a change, and there is hope forchange. Look towards the budget conferencescoming up shortly.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

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Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

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McLean



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

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit our website, cl ick on Participate

Pet Connection

“My name is Dominic and I am10 years old. The picture attachedis of one of the happiest days ofmy life, when we adopted mymaltipoo puppy who I namedRocket. This is the day I became aproud dog owner. I would see dogsplaying and walking with theirowners and would always thinkabout how much fun it would beto have a dog as your best friend/pet. I had no idea that along withthis bundle of cuteness also camea tremendous responsibility whereI would have to teach my puppyeverything. I did not realize thatmy new best friend needed to betrained. Puppies are like childrenand you have to teach them re-

spect, manners, rules of the houseand how to act around strangersand when visiting places. I takeclasses with my puppy so I canteach him to be well-behaved.Rocket does best with a consistentroutine and lots of practice. I wasso happy the day Rocket passedthe test and he achieved the sta-tus of a Good Canine Citizen. I feelI earned the title as much as hedid as I am the one learning howto teach Rocket so he can do hisjob. Rocket and I will continue ourclasses together so he can becomea service dog and not only help mebut, help others too.”

— Granato Family/

McLean

The Best Day of My Life

Best friends: Dominic and Rocket

Bilingual Friend“He’s special because he’smy best friend!” Bruce’sowner and McLean resi-dent, Livia, said whenasked about her dog. Brucealso is bilingual and under-stands Italian and English.

‘The Best Dog You Could Ask for’Lucky is the Pomeranian dog who does notrealize he is actually a dog. He is not inter-ested in going outside when it is raining,doesn’t like getting dirty and would rather siton a chair or couch than the ground. Althougha little quirky, the Schadoff family describeshim as, “the sweetest fluff ball and just thebest dog you could possibly ask for! We defi-nitely feel lucky to have him in our lives!”

Photos contributed


Pet Connection

Dressed for aWalkJames Ue of McLeanmakes sure his caninebest friends, JJ andChewy, are alwaysdressed fashionablywhen they all go out.“They give me uncondi-tional love. They cheerme up and provide afeeling no one else cangive day in and day out.”

‘Best and ClosestBuddies’“The Herd” is how Sue ofMcLean refers to her fourPomeranian pups. This isScarlet, Libby, Miss Oliviaand Delilah taking a ridein their wagon, along withtheir stuffed Pomeranianfriend. Sue describes themas her best and closestbuddies. “They have suchdifferent personalities that

Photo by Jennifer Kaye/The Connection

Photo contributed

I never thought I would have FOURdogs, but I am desperately, hope-lessly in love all 32 pounds of myPomeranian ‘Herd.’”

someone is always doing some-thing that makes me laugh, whilesomeone is always doing some-thing to make me tear my hair out.


Vienna1.50%

$721,135

Fairfax2.46%

Great Falls1.35%

1,052,668

entreville

Chantilly2.68%

$479 051

Annandale2.77%

$464,220

McLean1.78%

$924,703

Reston1.18%

$432,136

9499 Springfie3.41%

$450,30

L2.15%

$407,393

n%

$692,08

Falls Churchh2.72%

62

Herndon2.11%

$488,507

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D)2017 —2018 — $722,600

7 14%

201201

20172018

4.28%

2018 — $611,0601.99%

0.00 %

2017 — $677,9502018 — $691,950

2.07%

201 0,590201

%

2017 — $478,4902018 — $535,750

11.97%

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust (D)2017 —2018 $2,805,330

0 61%

2018 Countywide average for all homes – $547,219, up 2.17%Single family-detached homes – $656,071, up 2.11 percentTownhouse/duplex properties – $409,792, up 2.85 percentCondominiums – $264,974, up 1.68 percent

4%0% Percent Change

Fairfax CountyREAL ESTATE

ZIP CODE AREA 2017 MEAN 2018 MEAN PERCENT CHANGEAlexandria/Mount Vernon 434,746 445,859 2.56Annandale 451,699 464,220 2.77Burke 452,874 467,449 3.22Centreville 391,787 401,327 2.43Chantilly 466,566 479,051 2.68Clifton 668,564 674,195 0.84Fairfax 491,198 503,285 2.46Fairfax Station 649,794 660,767 1.69Falls Church 461,006 473,562 2.72Great Falls 1,038,630 1,052,668 1.35Herndon 478,405 488,507 2.11Lorton 398,803 407,393 2.15McLean 908,497 924,703 1.78Oakton 685,639 692,088 0.94Reston 427,099 432,136 1.18Springfield 435,442 450,304 3.41Vienna 710,459 721,135 1.50

for single family, townhouses and condominiums

2018 Assessments by AreaAlso home values for members of

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

SOURCE: Fairfax County

The average assessed value of asingle family home in Fairfax Countyfor 2018 is $656,071, up 2.11 percent


Free Home Seller Seminar

“Secrets of a Savvy Seller”Presented by Kathy Shea,

Lindene Patton, and Lynn Toloczko of Weichert Realtors, Great Falls.

RSVP by March 1 to 703-626-6669 [email protected]

Learn the secrets of a stress free home sale from the experts including a professional stager, appraiser,

home inspector, photographer, and more!

Sunday, March 4 2-4 p.m.

731-A Walker Road, Great Falls

HOME FOR SALE

SOLD

Calendar

Submit entertainment announce-ments atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The deadline is noon onFriday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOING“Jazz It Up!” Through March 3,

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atVienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Art exhibit. Free andopen to the public. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

“The Farnsworth Invention.”Through March 11, Thursdays-Sundays, various times at 1st Stagein Tysons, 1524 Spring Hill Road,Tysons Corner. In 1929, twoambitious visionaries race againsteach other to invent a device called“television.” $33 general admission,$30 seniors (65+), $15 students andmilitary. Purchase atwww.1ststage.org or 703-854-1856.

Art Exhibit. Through April 7 at VillageGreen Shopping Center, 513 MapleAve. NW, Vienna. Vienna Arts Societypresents First 100 Weeks, paintingsby Deborah Schneider. Free and opento the public. Visitviennaartssociety.org/.

Oakton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmers market inOakton. Local produce, meats/eggs,dairy, baked goods, and more.Admission is free. Visit community-foodworks.org.

Great Falls Farmers Market.Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Music, vendors,fresh produce, fresh prepared food,delightful bakery, spices from aroundthe world, wild-caught fish, grass-fed, free-range meats, organic-fedpoultry and eggs. [email protected] more.

Free Tai Chi. Every Saturday, from7:55-9 a.m., Introduction andBeginners’ Practice, meet on theoutdoor basketball court locateddirectly behind the Dolley MadisonPublic Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.in McLean Central Park, McLean. Call703-759-9141 or visitwww.FreeTaiChi.org for more.

Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. FlameRoom, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. S,Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.

MCC Summer Camps. Plan now toregister children for MCC’s enrichingsummer camp programs for childrenages 3 through 18. Summer CampRegistration begins Monday, Feb. 5,for MCC district residents andMonday, Feb. 12, for all others. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 2-3Library Book Sale. Friday, 11 a.m.-5

p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.;Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Sundayfind books for half price or $10 perbag sale. [email protected] orcall 703-790-4031 or 703-338-3307.

FRIDAY/MARCH 2Intro to Djembe Drumming. 7-8:30

p.m. at at the Old Firehouse TeenCenter 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Join The Alden and masterartist Kofi Dennis for an introductoryto djembe drumming skills andimprovisation. Play as a group in acommunity drum circle. This class isdesigned for children age 8 and olderand it is recommended that familiesparticipate together. $15/$10 forMCC tax district residents. $7 eachadditional person/$5 MCC districtresidents. Fee includes admission and

drum rental for the event. 3053.318.Visit www.mcleancenter.org/classes-n-trips/classes.

SATURDAY/MARCH 3Live Music. 7 p.m. at Jammin’ Java,

227 Maple Ave., Vienna. Nora JanStruthers and The Party Lineperform. Tickets $15-25. Call 877-987-6487 or visitwww.jamminjava.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 4Doktor Kaboom. 2 p.m. at The Old

Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Doktor Kaboom is an over-the-top German physicist with apassion for science that knows nobounds. Sporting chrome goggles,orange lab coat, motorcycle bootsand wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboomtravels the world, thrilling adults andchildren alike with his explosivecomedic style of science experiments.For ages 7 and older. $15/$10 MCCdistrict residents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 571-296-8385.

Awards Banquet. 2:30 p.m. at theMcLean Hilton Hotel, 7920 JonesBranch Drive, McLean. The ExecutiveBoard of the Northern VirginiaFootball Hall of Fame will celebratetheir 28th Annual Awards Banquet.Festivities at 2:30 with dinner at3:30, immediately following. Fortickets, call 571-238-3565 or [email protected].

Winter Traditional CelticConcerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. IONA celebratesthe release of their new album“Signature.” Tickets must bepurchased in advance through thelink at oldbrogue.com. Call 703-759-3309.

MARCH 6-MAY 6Art Exhibition: “Bon Appetit.”

During gallery hours at the ViennaArts Center, 115 Pleasant St., NW,Vienna. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 8Vienna Arts Society Membership

Meeting and Demo. 10:30 a.m. atVienna Arts Society, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Ruth Ensley will discussand show how she builds theintensity of watercolor using

transparent layers and builds thedepth of textures shown in her work.Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

MARCH 9-24“Harvey.” Friday-Saturday, 8-10:30

p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. at the GreatFalls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. The McLean CommunityPlayers will present Mary Chase’sPulitzer Prize-winning comedy,“Harvey.” Matinees on Sundays,March 11 and 18. $18-$20. [email protected] or visitMcLeanPlayers.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 10Spring Bazaar. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 400

Center St., S., Vienna. ViennaVolunteer Fire Department Auxiliarypresents their spring bazaar,featuring crafts, clothing and homebusinesses, as well as home bakedbake sale, and Fire Department cookbooks, tumblers and Vera’s Attic table– offering gently loved attictreasures. [email protected] or call 703-309-3468.

Black History Concert. 3 p.m. atHistoric Pleasant Grove, 8641Lewinsville Road, McLean. HistoricPleasant Grove is hosting theacclaimed Washington Revels JubileeVoices for a free concert celebratingAfrican American musical traditions.This event will take place in a quaint1895 church setting, now an historicsite. Visitwww.HistoricPleasantGrove.org.

Artist Reception. 5:30-8 p.m. at TheFrame Factory, 212 Dominion RoadNE, Vienna. The Landscapes of TenArtists features work by Sheila Blake,Marsha Gallo, Gary Goldberg, LindaGreigg, Barbara Johnson, RobertMcBride, Be Sargent, ThomasXenakis, Susan Yanero, and EllenZeland. Visitwww.theframefactory1.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 11Winter Traditional Celtic

Concerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Al Petteway andAmy White perform fireside. Ticketsmust be purchased in advancethrough the link at oldbrogue.com:$18 general admission/$12 childrenunder 12. Season ticket: $96/$60children. Call 703-759-3309.

Nora Jane StruthersOn stage at Jammin’ Java on Saturday, March 3, Nora Jane Struthers

supports her new album Champion. The 13-song collection is the fol-low-up to 2015’s Wake, which earned Struthers acclaim from majoroutlets like NPR Music, Rolling Stone Country, and “Fresh Air.” Strutherswrote and recorded the album with her longtime road band the PartyLine. 7 p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave., Vienna. Call 877-987-6487 or visit www.jamminjava.com.


From Page 3

News

support, and it’s nice to see, we also have to goback to the people who pay. … In this budget, it’shard to explain to the people paying the bill wherethe restraint was,” Cook said.

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay heads the bud-get committee for the board.

“When you’re stuck with residential taxes as yourmain source of revenue and you can’t control prop-erty values, you can’t control the fact that the high-est percentages are sometimes in the communitiesof this county whose residents can least afford thatincrease,” he said.

HILL TOOK OVER as county executive on Jan. 2;former county executive Ed Long retired Sept. 15,2017.

“Excellent job in a very short period of time,” saidFoust, after Hill’s presentation.

“Fifty-three days, sir,” said Hill, with humor.Bulova called Hill’s budget “outstanding.”“It essentially hits on all the notes that our board

is concerned about, increasing funding for schools,fully funding compensation for our employees andalso addressing Diversion First and increases in whatwe need to fund CSB [County Services Board] andpolice, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera,” said Bulova.

“This is a budget that invests in people and I thinkthat’s the single most important thing we can dothis year, to invest in our school employees and ourcounty employees,” said McKay.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said shewelcomed Hill’s support “embracing initiatives” thatwill allow all families to enjoy what the county hasto offer.

“Fairfax County is a really great place but unfor-tunately there are a lot of folks who are not in agreat place in order to enjoy all of that,” she said.

For example, “School readiness needs to be lookedat with as broad a brush as you can find,” she said.

URGENCY AND WARNING were themes of Hill’spresentation, however.

This year’s budget proposal addresses almost allpriorities and initiatives, but the future will need tobe different, Hill said.

“We’re going to have to change how we do busi-ness here in Fairfax County,” Hill said, predictingpersistent budget shortfalls into the future. “It’s 2020where we really need to tie our shoes a little tighter,”being “more creative and nimble.”

He recommends returning promptly to an analy-sis of county lines of business, looking for efficien-cies and savings in each department.

“You hit the nail on the head,” said Foust. “Wehave to find a way to make county government moreefficient if we are going to continue providing theawesome services that we provide at fair and rea-sonable costs.”

Hill predicts restrained revenue growth for theforeseeable future, with uncertainties in federalspending, the impact of tax reform on property val-ues, state budget contributions and meeting theneeds of Metro.

One continuing issue is that Fairfax County sendsfar more tax money to state coffers than returns,getting just 23 cents back for every dollar, Hill said.

“No matter how many times I say it, people in ourcommunity don’t understand it,” said McKay. “Theythink we get significant help from the state, they

County OpensBudget Debate

FAIRFAX COUNTY TOWN HALL BUDGET MEETINGS❖ Monday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., McLean Budget Meeting,

McLean High School Cafeteria, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean❖ Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m., Sully District Town Hall, Rocky

Run Middle School Little Theater, 4400 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly

❖ Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m., Hunter Mill Community Summit,South Lakes High School Lecture Hall, 11400 South LakesDrive, Reston

❖ Monday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Great Falls Budget Meeting,Great Falls Library Meeting Room, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m., Providence CommunityBudget Meeting, Providence Community Center, First FloorMultipurpose Room, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7:30pm, Braddock District CouncilAnnual Budget Meeting, Location To Be Determined

❖ Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m., Mason District Budget TownMeeting, Mason District Governmental Center, MainCommunity Room, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale

❖ Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m., Lee District Budget Town HallMeeting, Franconia Governmental Center CommunityRoom, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria

❖ Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m., Springfield District BudgetTown Hall Meeting, Springfield Governmental Center,Community Room, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield

❖ April 10-12, Board of Supervisors Public Hearings on FY 2019Budget and FY 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan. Seewww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-form to sign up.

think the schools get significant help from the state,but really the schools are getting significant help fromthe homeowners in Fairfax County.”

THE $4.29-BILLION budget would transfer $2.26billion to the school system, 52 percent of the total.

Hill and new School Superintendent Scott Brabrandpledged to work collaboratively to reach joint priori-ties and efficiencies.

The two new executives stood side by side whenanswering questions about the proposed budget.

“The quality of the school system is directly tiedwith the quality of life in the county,” said Brabrand,who began July 10, 2017. His contract runs throughJune 30, 2021.

“I think it is the first time in recent years that thecounty executive and the superintendent of schoolshave stood side by side to share our budgets and takequestions. I think this change is emblematic of a newapproach to meeting the needs of the residents ofFairfax County,” he said. Hill’s proposed budget wouldfully fund the FCPS request.

Hill’s annual salary is $250,000, Brabrand’s is$290,000.

MORE THAN 18.9 million square feet of office spaceremains vacant in the county.

“Maybe it’s starting to think about different usesfor that instead of the normal,” said Hill. “Leaving itvacant is not a good thing for our tax base. The morepeople we have in our vacant office space … reducesthe burden on our county residents. So we have tobe more creative, we have to be more nimble, andwe have to be cutting edge.”

Hill and numerous supervisors discussed the im-portance of economic development,

“Increasing commercial is a really good story thatcan not be overlooked,” said Foust. “A 3.8 percentincrease in the non-residential assessment is reallygood news.”

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck suggestedovertime expenditure is an area to save money.

And Herrity made his annual appeal for the countyto address pension benefits.

“Every year we put it off, it gets harder,” Herritysaid.

“I am extremely disappointed that we have reachedyet another budget cycle and we have failed to ad-dress our pension issues,” he said. “As I talk with con-stituents throughout the county, they are in disbeliefthat we continue to offer new employees a pensionbenefit more generous than surrounding jurisdictionson top of a county taxpayer paid social security ben-efit as early as age 55. Pension costs alone add 30cents to every payroll dollar and compete for fund-ing with critically needed county services and em-ployee and teacher raises.”


By David Siegel

The Connection

A whimsical comedy, thetimeless Pulitzer Prizewinning “Harvey” is thetale of a middle-aged

bachelor named Elwood P. Dowd;a man with a number of eccentrici-ties. One of his idiosyncrasies ishaving a distinctive friend. Thatfriend is a 6-foot-tall rabbit namedHarvey; invisible to most every-one, but not Elwood.

Harvey the Rabbit and Elwoodhave lively conversations about allsorts of things, even as a daftgroup of relatives and friendsscratch their heads wonderingabout Elwood’s sanity.

For “Harvey” director EleanoreTapscott the show is a joy, “I’menthralled by one of the play’s cen-tral themes; that our dreams or il-lusions are more important thanwe think they are.”

The McLean Community Play-

ers’ (MCP) production of“Harvey” will be performed at theGreat Falls Grange as the McLeanCommunity Center continues itsrenovations. “Harvey” was lastproduced on the Great FallsGrange stage in 1986. Now theMCP will be treating new genera-tions of Great Falls theater-goersto the comical and serious ques-tion; is the talking rabbit seen byDowd, a man who may drink abit, real?

Kevin Dykstra, who playsElwood P. Dowd, said “Elwood’sinnocence and likability will comethrough as he glides along whilesurrounded by hysteria, chaos andsuspicion.”

“Audiences will enjoy the over-

all zaniness of ‘Harvey’ and get akick out of how various charactersreact and relate to Elwood andHarvey,” said Anne Hilleary whoportrays Elwood’s sister. “Theshow demonstrates how patience,kindness, and tolerance towardother people are qualities thatnever go out of style.”

Cast members AmandaSpellman, Louis Lehrman, MichaelHimes and Caroline Peterson, eachinvited the audience to “Harvey”in their own way. For Spellman,“Harvey” is a sharply written showthat is hilarious as it is heartwarm-ing.” Lehrman added; “the audi-ence can expect a comedy of er-rors that asks the serious question;whether it’s better to be smart or

pleasant in life.”“’Harvey’ is a feel-good comedy

where you’ll leave with a smile onyour face,” said Himes. As forPeterson, “Audiences can expect tolaugh. I laugh at the same jokesover and over because they are justthat funny.”

“Harvey” was made possible be-

Rehearsal of “Harvey” by McLean Community PlayersFrom left: Veta (Anne Hilleary) discusses the partyshe is hosting with her daughter Myrtle Mae(Caroline Peterson).

Irish Eyes Photography by Toby/Courtesy McLean Community Players

Where & WhenMcLean Community Players present “Harvey” at Great Falls Grange,

9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Performances: March 9-24, 2018.Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $18-$20.Group rates available. General admission tickets through Brown PaperTickets at 800-838-3006 or visit www.McLeanPlayers.org.

cause of the support of Great Fallsresidents and “the cooperativeposture of the Fairfax County ParkAuthority in making the Grangeavailable,” said Mike Scott, co-pro-ducer.

Be ready for quirky fun as“Harvey” visits the Great FallsGrange.

‘Harvey’ Comes to Great FallsMcLean Community Players presents Pulitzer Prizewinning comedy at Great Falls Grange.

Entertainment


By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Following 3,000 years of customs and tradi-tions, the colorful Nowruz Festival — thePersian New Year celebration — will be heldSunday, March 18, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6

p.m. at Tysons Corner Center. The free event attracts20,000 visitors who come for the music, dance, dra-matic performances, shopping at the Bazaar, andcostumed characters roaming the festival. The festi-val was previously held at the Reston Town Centerand the John Carlyle Square Park in Alexandria.

Nowruz, which normally falls in early spring, iswhen Persian-Americans will join locally to celebratethe new year. There will be 75 vendors offering jew-elry, books, artwork, crafts, and other traditionalPersian products. A main stage will be set up thatprovides entertainment with 50 musicians, vocalists,dancers, DJs, artists, costumed characters, and tra-ditional players. The entertainment begins at 11 a.m.

“Every year more people join this festival,” saidorganizer Shohreh Asemi. “This year instead of res-taurants, a variety of food trucks will be present.”Asemi said what’s new this year will be Persian andnon-Persian food trucks parked outside. There willalso be tents where children can paint eggs and cardsfor free. She said last year’s Nowruz Festival wasvoted Best Cultural Festival for D.C. by the Washing-ton City Paper’s readers.

Why should people attend? “Because it’s a fun dayfor free,” she said. Visitors will be able to watch“beautiful dances, singers and art on stage, go shop-ping at the Bazaar, have lunch with family and learnabout a new culture.”

THE NOWRUZ FESTIVAL is a family-friendly, funevent that celebrates life, love and good will. Of allthe Persian national festivals, the New Year celebra-tions are at once the most important and the mostcolorful.

The venue provides a fun place for people to cel-ebrate with family and friends, to taste Persian foodand enjoy traditional and modern Persian entertain-ment. Among the traditions is a ceremonial tablecalled the cloth of seven dishes (each one beginningwith the Persian letter Sin). The symbolic dishes con-sist of Sabzeh or sprouts, usually wheat or lentil, rep-resenting rebirth. Another is Samanu or a sweet,creamy pudding. Another is Seer, which is garlic inPersian, which represents medicine.

In addition to attracting people from Virginia,Maryland and the District, organizers hope to attractinternational guests from other countries that cel-

ebrate Nowruz, including Turkey, Afghanistan, andTajikistan, among others.

THE GOAL is to share the Nowruz Festival with bothPersians and non-Persians. The event sends out posi-tive messages, like celebrating earth, spring time, loveand peace to the community. Planners want to bringdifferent musicians and dancers from other countriesthat celebrate Nowruz, as well as new musicians thatoffer more variety. They also want to bring differenthistorical and costumed characters from Persia (likeHaji Firuz, a traditional herald of Nowruz dressed ina red costume and tambourine) that interacts withthe crowd.

The 2018 Nowruz Festival will be held Sunday,March 18, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at TysonsCorner Center, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean.For more information, visit the website at http://nowruzfestival.org. Or contact organizer ShohrehAsemi at 202-369-1515 or email Shohreh directly [email protected].

Celebrating the Persian New YearCommunity

The 2018 Nowruz Festival will be heldSunday, March 18, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. at Tysons Corner Center.

The 2018 Nowruz Festival will be heldSunday, March 18, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. at Tysons Corner Center.

Photos Contributed by Ali Khaligh


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Four score and several years ago, in thecourse of human marital events, historywhich had been made/experiencedbetween and husband and a wife was notrecalled quite the same, which likely led toa disagreement. Without there being avideo tape then – or now, or a WarnerWolf, insults and recriminations may haveflown, and not just the coop. Practicallyspeaking, how does one – or two, actually,solve this most unsolvable of problems?

This is not a declaration of independ-ence or the announcement of a change ofaddress from Burtonsville to Gettysburg, butit is a bit of a query as to how one managestimes from one’s relatively distant past.After a substantial while, and I would say 40years qualifies, it’s particularly challengingto remember the facts and the feelings thatcorroborate a memory: Who was there?What was said? How did it sound? Whywas it even happening?

And after all these years, the recollec-tions are not exactly black and white – foreither party. One – or both – are eitherviewing them through the looking glass, aprism, a filter, a haze, or in my case as acancer patient, through a now clinically-confirmed side effect of chemotherapy:“chemo brain.” A consequence of treat-ment which erases/alters memories in somedisputable way. A way in which what wasonce front and center is now back and tothe rear, or not at all. And not only arethese memories irretrievable, when spokenand heard, they are sometimes not believ-able either.

I know what I remember. I’m clear in mythinking. Time and place and context are allfamiliar but the assessment and interpreta-tion of the facts and feelings are different. Irealize that simply remembering where Iwas and what I was doing/saying (or not, tobe fair), doesn’t guarantee accuracy oragreement, but neither should it be dis-counted. I mean, being present andaccounted for counts for something. Thequestion is/remains: What am I missing?

I will admit though, knowing part of theunderlying cause of some of these“recollection-disputes” does minimize thestress of it. Nevertheless, most of the recol-lections to which I’m referring (in theabstract) are not gone (in my opinion), it’smore that they’re rearranged, maybe even“misremembered,” to invoke baseball great,Roger Clemens, in his sworn testimonybefore the House Committee on Oversightand Government Reform, given back inFebruary 2008. The “Rocket’s” situa-tion/status wasn’t resolved then any morethan my situation has been resolved now.It’s a work in progress – for all of us.

But I’m happy and fortunate to say: I canlive with it. As a nearly nine-year stage IV,non-small cell lung cancer survivor; in fact, Iam now my oncologist’s longest living lungcancer patient, I can deal with most thingscancer-affected and/or life-related. Becausein having so obliterated the “13 month totwo year” prognosis I was given back in lateFebruary 2009, I wouldn’t say I’m living onborrowed time exactly, but I would say thatI’m living on unexpected time.

So what’s a few missing memories or afew historical references out of context? Notmuch when you consider the alternative.Besides, life’s too short (don’t I know it) tolong for what I can’t remember or worryabout what I may have forgot.

I Can’t ForgetWhat I Don’tRemember

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept.30? If so,

contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATESThe McLean Community Center (MCC) is

seeking candidates to run for seats on its 2018-2019 Governing Board. A candidate must residein the Center’s tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville). To have their names placed onelection ballots, candidates are required toobtain the signatures of 10 McLean tax districtresidents in their respective categories (eitheradult or youth). Three adult positions and twoyouth positions are open this year. Key ElectionDates:

❖ Friday, March 16: Completed Petition Packets aredue at MCC by 5 p.m.

❖ Monday, March 19: Candidates’ Orientation, 7p.m., The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Rd.

❖ Monday, April 9: Absentee Voting begins at theMCC Administrative Office, 6631 Old DominionDr., and The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Road.

❖ Sunday, May 6: Candidates Meet and Greet, 2-4p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of MCC, at theOld Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road.

❖ Wednesday, May 16: Absentee Voting ends at theMCC Administrative Office and the OldFirehouse Center at 5 p.m.

❖ Saturday, May 19: Elections at McLean Day from10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on the MCC Governing BoardElections, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY:711, or visit the Center’s website: http://bit.ly/2ix7qc1.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 281 Million Cups. 8:30 a.m. networking; 9-10 a.m.

program at Make Offices at Tysons, 1751Pinnacle Drive, Suite 600, McLean. Each week adifferent business owner gives a brief six-minutepresentation about where they are in theirbusiness. They then offer up a challengequestion about a new idea, product, expansionor something they are facing in their business.The group then masterminds solutions. Free andopen to the public. Visitwww.1millioncups.com/.

MCC Governing Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. atMCC Administrative Offices, 6631 Old DominionDrive, McLean. All meetings of the GoverningBoard are open to the public. Tax districtresidents (Dranesville District-1A) who wish tospeak during the “Citizen Comment” portion ofthe meeting, should call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the agenda.Visit www.mcleancenter.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 1Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at

UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Contactfacilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].

Focus and Self-Control. 10 a.m.-noon at theDunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 100, DunnLoring. Mind in the Making - The SevenEssential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Childdevelopment researchers call these skillsexecutive functions of the brain. At eachworkshop learn strategies for improving a skill,the importance of it in children’s lives andactivities to promote each skill. Attend any or allof the workshops in the series. Registrationrequired. Call 703-204-3941 or visitwww.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center.

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