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Don’t be afraid to give varieties other than roses in
a Valentine’s Day bouquet, advises Amanda Mertins of
Patina Polished Living.
Valentine’sGifts
Page 6
Effort to Force Diversity at TJ FailsNews, Page 6
Buildings’ Repurposing DebatedNews, Page 3
Gifts for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, Page 6
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 1-7, 2018
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2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Andrea Worker
The Connection
Across the county, since the endof 2016, an estimated 18 millionsquare feet of office space isdeemed functionally vacant. A
hearing at the Fairfax County GovernmentCenter on Jan. 29 sought to gather publicopinion on proposed guidelines which couldstreamline the application process forrepurposing such properties in SuburbanNeighborhoods and Low Density Residen-tial Areas.
At the hearing, members of the audiencekept steering the conversation away fromthe specifics of the proposed Plan Amend-ment 2017-CW-5CP, and more towards thedesire to see repurposing include commu-nity service and affordable housing poten-tial.
In December, the Board of Supervisorsauthorized a similar Plan Amendment thataddresses the repurposing application pro-cess for “activity centers” like Tysons andMerrifield, and in transit station and indus-trial areas. At that time, they directed staffto consider expanding the guidelines be-yond these “activity centers.” Outside ofthese larger, mixed-use and industrial ar-eas, an inventory shows in excess of607,000 square feet of vacant office space.
OFFICIALS see the guidelines as support-ing the county’s Economic Success Plan. AComprehensive Plan Amendment on a site-by-site basis would not be automaticallyrequired as long as applicants still meetstrict zoning regulations and establishedPerformance Criteria. County planners feel
that the shortened application process couldencourage owners or developers to makemodifications to these properties.
Fairfax County Department of Planningand Zoning (DPZ) Director Fred Seldenfielded the majority of the questions andcomments from the public at the hearing.Selden said that most of the buildings inquestion were the smaller townhouse style,or two-or-three story buildings that oftenhouse small individual businesses. “Doctors,dentists, insurance agents, Realtors, and thelike,” and the county believes that stream-lining the repurpose process could be a realeconomic boon to a community, adding ser-vices and consumers.
The proposal was explained by AaronKlibaner with the Planning Division whooutlined the seven potential repurposinguses that the county identifies in the pro-posed Plan Amendment: Hotels, Light In-dustrial, Urban Agriculture, Institutional,Public Facilities, Residential Live/Work, andRetail or other commercial functions, andgave examples of the Performance Criteriathat would be applied to applicants seek-ing to repurpose a property.
“Proposals would be reviewed for factorssuch as compatibility with the surrounding
existing or planned development,” saidKlibaner. Transportation needs and impactswould also be considered, as well as the sitedesign, impacts on schools, parks, publicfacilities, historic preservation and environ-mental considerations. “Those requirementsstay the same.”
After the explanatory presentation andclarifying questions about the proposal,Klibaner and colleague Meghan D. VanDam, chief, Policy and Plan DevelopmentBranch, asked the audience to divide intotwo groups to discuss the pros and cons ofeach usage type “to give adequate consid-eration to all the potential types and to besure that all voices are heard,” said VanDam.
The audience had other plans.There was general agreement that the
question of what purpose would best suit aparticular building could only be answeredon a case-by-case basis, although the “Ho-tel” category seemed to raise the only im-mediate concern, with an opposition to thetransient nature of the occupants beingadded to a smaller residential environment.
Instead of talking about categories, mostin the audience wanted to talk about waysthat vacant or under-utilized properties
could be redeveloped to meet urgent needsin the community.
Several attendees voiced concerns overthe county’s critical shortage of affordablehousing: “Not just low-income housing, butunits that our service providers like ourteachers, police, and firefighters can afford.”A woman from the Annandale area addedthat housing for the disabled and mentallychallenged is also much needed, and thatrepurposing buildings could offer “live andwork” opportunities for these members ofthe community.
Day Care and senior centers were alsomentioned, as were county-supported orsubsidized light industrial businesses thatwould bring employment opportunitiesalong with economic gains for the county.Tax incentives and public-private partner-ships were suggested as ways to encourageowners to repurpose with community needsin mind.
Selden acknowledged that, to date, thecounty hadn’t really given much thought to“these good ideas.” He reminded the audi-ence that PA 2017-CW-5CP speaks only toprivately owned structures. The county canapprove or deny applications and can ne-gotiate and put forth recommendations, butwhat use the property owner seeks to em-ploy in its repurposing is “their businessdecision.” He did add, however, that all ofthe comments and suggestions would beconsidered as the process of the proposedPlan Amendment moved forward.
AT THE END of the two-hour event, animpromptu “straw poll” vote by a show ofhands indicated that a majority of thosepresent supported the proposal, but themajority also agreed that the county shouldlook to those structures for their own ef-forts to meet the needs of their citizens.
Another Planning Commission public hear-ing is scheduled for March 22. The PlanAmendment is currently on the agenda forthe Board of Supervisors on May 1. The pub-lic can find more information on the county’swebsite by searching “Repurposing Phase 2,”or by contacting Aaron Klibaner at the DPZat [email protected].
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)is a training program administered through theauspices of the county fire and rescue department.The training prepares residents to help themselves,their families and neighbors in the event of a di-saster in their community. Through CERT, resi-dents can learn about disaster preparedness andreceive training in basic disaster response skillssuch as fire safety, light search and rescue, anddisaster medical operations, according to FairfaxCounty Fire & Rescue Department.
At this time, the next available CERT Class isscheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 26 at the TheOaks Community Center 5708 Oak Leather Drive,Burke. There is one session each week on Mon-
days, 7-10 p.m., that run until April 23. The class is28 hours in length, plus the final practical exercise.The final exercise is on Saturday, April 28.
CERT training is free of charge and basic gear isprovided. The minimum requirements to participatein CERT training at any level is that residents be 16years of age or older, and either be a Fairfax Countyresident, or work in the county.
To learn more about CERT, go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/community-emer-gency-response-team-cert
To sign up, go to volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=1380&class=OppDetails&oppGuid={861895E1-FFEB-46DF-9F6F-AF3E9B9AFBD0}&t=CERT-133-at-the-Burke-Centre-Conservancy.
Free Training In Basic Disaster Response Skills
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department
The next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)Class is scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 26.
Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection
Fred Selden, director of the county’s Department of Planning and Zon-ing, answers questions and listens to comments from the public at ameeting to discuss Plan Amendment 2017-CW-5CP — guidelines designedto streamline the application process to repurpose existing vacant officebuildings in suburban and low density residential areas of the county.
County considersvacant office spacerepurposing guidelines;public offers some“good ideas.”
Buildings’ Repurposing Debated
4 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By John Cook
Braddock District Supervisor (R)
Fairfax County is joining the biparti-san, nationwide movement of Crimi-nal Justice Reform. In 2015 thecounty introduced its Diversion First
program, which provides treatment instead ofincarceration for those with mental health chal-lenges or developmental disabilities who comeinto contact with the criminal justice systemfor low level offenses. This initiative is just onestep in a national movement to make the crimi-nal justice system better serve the Americanpeople. Criminal justice reform, broadly speak-
ing, is supported by as di-verse range of public offi-cials as U.S. Senators RandPaul and Kamala Harris. It
is well past time for Virginia to dive in as well.Since ancient times society has recognized
five purposes to the criminal justice system.One of these is “deterrence,” which is the ef-fort to persuade an offender or potential of-fender not to commit a crime. Another pur-pose is retribution, which is society exactingpunishment to make up for the pain or dam-age caused by the crime. Incapacitation meansremoving a criminal from the rest of society sohe or she cannot commit more crimes. Reha-bilitation refers to changing an offender so heor she does not commit more crimes. Restitu-tion is the payment for damage caused bycrime. All of these purposes must be presentand well represented for a fair and effective
Time for Criminal Justice Reformcriminal justice sys-tem.
In the UnitedStates, our systemhas focused on longjail sentences forcrimes. Jail servesdeterrence, retribu-tion, and incapacita-tion in cases of vio-lent crime. However,it does not serve re-
habilitation or restitution particularly well.And, in the case of mentally ill offenders, jailfails to serve deterrence.
When someone with mental illness engagesin crime, it is not due to evil intent, but his orher illness. Retribution does not seem fit forsomeone who is ill and committing crimes.Incapacitation is accomplished, but what wehave done is make our local jails expensivesubstitutes for psychiatric hospitals.
The expense of jail is no small matter. A yearin the Fairfax jail costs the taxpayers about$82,000. A year of residential psychiatric treat-ment costs about $24,000. One year of outpa-tient treatment costs about $8,200. Whensomeone with a mental illness, who is often oflimited wealth, is arrested, this person oftenspends up to four months in jail awaiting trialfor minor crimes (trespassing, disorderly con-duct, petty theft) where the final sentencewould generally be far less. Someone withregular income would post bond at $500 cashand spend no more than two or three nights in
jail. Altogether the government and taxpayersare spending millions of dollars to hold peoplein jail before they are even convicted. Is thissystem really helping anyone?
We have learned in the juvenile justice sys-tem that incarceration actually creates crimi-nals out of youth who may be only misdirectedor who make stupid mistakes. Twenty yearsago, our juvenile detention center held 1,509youth. In 2017 that number fell to 533, whichis a 60 percent decrease. In those two decadeswe learned a great deal about the benefits ofjail alternatives for children. Instead of lock-ing these children up, we are reforming, teach-ing, and mentoring youth and turning themaway from crime. And this prevents futurecrimes from occurring. The same can be saidfor non-violent crimes by adults. Simply put-ting people in jail, where they lose their jobsand family contacts, does not necessarily cre-ate better citizens when they are released. Inthe case of mental illness, jail can actually makethings worse. There is a better way.
Criminal Justice Reform is not about “goingeasy” on criminals. It’s about finding tech-niques that stop people from continuing tocommit crimes. It’s about turning lives around.Oh, and it can save a boatload of money. Vio-lent criminals, murderers, gang members andthe like still need long jail sentences. But manyother lesser offenders can be turned aroundinto productive, working, self-sufficient citi-zens. It takes some work, but the payoff is asociety with less crime, lower jail costs, andmore productive citizens.
Commentary
Rewarding HighestAchieversTo the Editor:
With all due respect, state Sen. Scott Surovellis looking at the wrong end of the horse (Edi-torial, “What’s Wrong with This Picture” – Con-nection, Jan. 24). The admissions to ThomasJefferson High School for Science and Tech-nology should be determined solely based onmerit. Gender, ethnicity, race and economicstatus should be totally ignored.
TJ should provide the most rewarding pro-grams possible to the highest achievers. Sena-tor Surovell should focus on programs to in-crease the admission scores of African Ameri-cans and Latinos. Let’s not dilute the poten-tials of TJ’s classes by mandating quotas. Theanalogy would be to require that a certain per-centage of varsity basketball players be whiteor Asian American, regardless of their abili-ties. That would be unwise.
David ElmoreGreat Falls
Incomplete PictureTo the Editor:
Mary Kimm’s editorial (“What’s Wrong withThis Picture?” - Connection, Jan. 24) about thedemographics of the Thomas Jefferson HighSchool for Science and Technology (commonlyknown as TJ) leaves out an important statis-tic, and that is that 70 percent of its students
are Asian, many of whom are first generationAmericans. Many of the remaining 30 percentare also first-generation, and have family back-grounds from Iran, Arab and African countries,Russia, and Eastern Europe, or are biracial.
Is the heavily immigrant nature of TJ what’s“wrong with this picture”? State Sen. ScottSurovell’s SB787 bill’s method to increasingenrollment of black and Hispanic students isto impose quotas on middle schools and byeconomic background. This is a resentmentand punishment approach to trying to achievethat goal, and should be rejected as such.
Cindy GersonyGreat Falls
How to ‘Fix’ DisparitiesTo the Editor:
I did not compete in the Olympics, gain ad-mission to Mensa, or play professional sports.Why? Because I didn’t qualify for any of those.I understand we cannot qualify for everything.However, Mary Kimm’s article, “What’s Wrongwith This Picture?” (Connection, Jan. 24) pre-sents the idea that non-inclusion in a program“needs to be fixed.”
Ms. Kimm indicates that the Fairfax CountySchool System (FCPS) should “fix” its admis-sion policies to its one magnet high school,Thomas Jefferson (TJ), due to “demographicdisparities” and we should commend Sen. ScottSurovell for pushing for that change.
The problem with Ms. Kimm’s and Sen.Surovell’s ideas is they miss the mark on real-
ity for many reasons, some of which are:❖ Forcing demographic balance at TJ for po-
litical correctness is as much nonsense as re-quiring Julliard to admit everyone.
❖ Identifying that some minorities and lowincome students are not represented at TJ stu-dent population does not logically reflect aprejudice. It means they did not qualify, pe-riod.
❖ Ignoring the total admission picture doesnot represent many non-minority students whoapply and also do not achieve admission.
❖ Disregarding the rigorous qualificationsfor TJ slants the presented view.
Do Ms. Kimm’s and Sen. Surovell’s ideas sup-port qualified students being turned away justso non-qualified students be admitted, all fordemographic balance? How would Ms. Kimmand Sen. Surovell feel if their jobs were re-placed by non-qualified employees?
For improvements in demographic represen-tation, Ms. Kimm and Sen. Surovell shouldexplore reasons why some minorities are notrepresented.
They probably would find, as many teach-ers know, emphasis on academic excellencebegins at home. Therefore, a better solutionto change demographic depiction in school pro-grams is to start at the elementary, through alllevels, helping all families make education apriority. That would achieve the overall atti-tude of striving for excellence, which aids allstudents in the long run.
Shannon MorganBurke
Letters to the Editor
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6 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Photo courtesy of The Picket Fence
Accessories like Moon Melt Lotion Barsby Moon Valley Organics at The PicketFence in Burke might appeal to thosewho want to create to a spa at home.
Photo courtesy of Home on Cameron
A bouquet of felt flowers in assortedcolors like these that were handmade inNepal, is a gift with a charitable flairfrom Home on Cameron in Alexandria.
By Marilyn Campbell
One of the most heavily gifted holidays isValentine’s Day. In fact, much of the funis the anticipation. In preparation for
Cupid’s Day, a few local style aficionados offer upideas to sweeten the celebration.
For those deserving some pampering, create a spaexperience at home with NW Rainforest Body Cream,advises Isabel Chiotti of Sonoran Rose in Potomac.
“Soaps and candles alsomake great gifts,” she said.
“It can also be fun to thinkoutside the box,” said CourtneyThomas of The Picket Fence inBurke. “Surprise your Valentinewith a gift certificate for a spaday or a shopping spree at herfavorite store. Put together abasket of a few of her favorite things.”
Among the things that Thomas suggests areMoon Melt Lotion Bars by Moon Valley Organics.Decadent and indulgent, these scented moisturiz-ers combine herbs and beeswax to help fight dryskin, she says.
For the romantics, Susan Nelson and Todd Martzof Home on Cameron in Alexandria suggest a bou-quet of felt flowers in assorted colors, handmadein Nepal. These eye-catching, fair trade buds offerbursts of color and benefit women artisans whoare heads of households.
For the bedhead, Amanda Mertins of Patina Pol-ished Living in Old Town Alexandria recommendssilk charmeuse pillowcases by Branche. “These
wonderful pillowcases help preserve one’s hairdoand help to keep away wrinkles,” she said.
For the stylish, a fur neck warmer is a cozy sug-gestion that Mertins offers. And for the tradition-alists, “Flowers are always welcome and, of course,the color red being very popular as it conveys deepemotion,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to give variet-ies other than roses.”
For the nostalgic, Kevin Sweitzer of Thos. Moser,Handmade American Furniture, believes that anheirloom quality beacon box to hold keepsakes
would be ideal. “[It’s] meantto be passed down from gen-eration to generation,” hesaid. “A really nice and memo-rable Valentine’s gift.”
For the entertainers, Nelsonand Martz suggest all natural,hand blown glass candles,while Mertins says bar acces-
sories work as gifts for mixologists.For those with a sweet tooth, Chiotti recom-
mends hot cocoa by the Cocoa Company, brownsugar toffee by Gearharts Fine Chocolates or cara-mels by Big Picture Farm.
For almost everyone, Suzie Clayton of DaltonBrody suggests picture frames. “From wood toLucite to silver, there’s something for everyone,”she said. “It’s more about finding the right thingfor the right person.”
“Some of the most meaningful gifts are those whichare handmade including cards and a home-cookedromantic dinner,” added Mertins. “Don’t forget thebubbly and always lots and lots of chocolate.”
Gifts for Valentine’s DayLocal tastemakers offer thoughtful giving suggestions.
Photo courtesy of Sonoran Rose
A basket of spa items like NW RainforestBody Cream from Sonoran Rose in Potomacis an indulgent Valentine’s Day gift.
Susan Nelsonand ToddMartz ofHome onCameronsuggest allnatural, handblown glasscandles.
Photo courtesy
of Home on
Cameron
Valentine’s Day
“It can be fun to thinkoutside the box.”
— Courtney Thomas,The Picket Fence
News
By Michael Lee Pope
The Connection
Don’t fix what’s not bro-ken. That was the message last week from abipartisan group of
state senators, who rejected a billfrom state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) that would have re-quired Thomas JeffersonSchool of Science andTechnology to admit morestudents who live in pov-erty. Surovell’s bill hadonly one yes vote on theSenate committee that re-jected it, state Sen. MamieLocke (D-2), an African-American senator fromHampton Roads. The vastmajority of the senators onthe Education and HealthCommittee, which in-cludes several prominentmembers from FairfaxCounty, rejected the idea.
“Quotas are a politicallycharged topic, and I don’tthink we should be goingthere,” said state Sen.Janet Howell (D-32). “Idon’t think we down herehave any business med-dling with the decisions ofthe Fairfax County SchoolBoard on this issue.”
Concerns over the admissionspolicy have been festering for yearsat the school, which currently ad-mits about 2 percent of its studentswho live in poverty. Back in 2012,the NAACP worked with a groupknown as the Coalition of Silenceto file a civil rights complaint withthe U.S. Department of Educationabout admissions policy at theschool, which has 2 percent His-panic students and 1.5 percent Af-rican-American students. The com-plaint charged that black andLatino students are being shut outof TJ because of systematic failurein the public schools to identifygifted students who live in poverty.
The complaint didn’t amount tomuch, Surovell said, which is whyhe said he filed the bill.
“The local school system hasn’tdealt with it. And the School Boardwon’t deal with it,” said Surovell.“Given that my School Board seemscompletely incapable of dealingwith the problem I figured it was
time for the legislature to do some-thing about it.”
THE BILL would have requiredthe school to admit about 15 per-cent of students who live in pov-erty. It would also put an admis-sions cap on 15 students perschool, an effort to prevent certainschools from dominating the ad-missions roster.
Plus it would have required thatthe school admit five students fromevery middle school in its area, arequirement that would boost ad-missions from Surovell’s part of thethe county which is currentlyunderrepresented in admissions tothe school. Critics of the school’s
admissions policy is that it createsa pipeline from schools such asRachel Carson Middle School whileignoring schools in the Route 1 cor-ridor.
“People move right before sev-enth grade to get into Carson sothat they can go to TJ,” said formerteacher Patricia Hyning. “There are
parents who are buying their kidsa seat at TJ, and not all childrenhave this same opportunity butthey have the aptitude.”
Recent years have seen growingconcern that parents are gamingthe system, investing in expensivetutoring programs and using theirwealth to attend schools that havea better chance of getting into TJ.That’s led to some reform efforts,including organizational changesat Fairfax County Public Schoolsthat has senior officials focused onmaking sure all students have thesame opportunities regardless ofwhat schools they attend. Never-theless, senators believe that highachievers will be able to make their
way into the TJ regardless of wherethey live.
“Kids that come up throughFairfax County public schools oftenget steered into advanced studiesprograms at certain middle schools,”said state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). “And so that’s why certainmiddle schools are going to have 60,70 or 80 kids. It doesn’t mean nec-essarily that the other middleschools are failing. It’s just that thebest and brightest kids get steeredinto the best middle schools.”
SCHOOL OFFICIALSrejected the idea that law-makers in Richmondneeded to take action toaddress problems inFairfax County. They saidthat the new superinten-dent is making efforts toincrease availability of ac-celerated math and sci-ence experiences to partsof the county that cur-rently don’t have them.The idea that the GeneralAssembly might institute arigid quota about howmany students who live inpoverty should be ac-cepted — or how manystudents from specificschools should be ac-cepted — is anathema tothe merit-based admis-sions policy they say hashas worked well for years.
“The reality is that TJ isa highly competitive school, andonly about 17 percent of all appli-cants get in,” said Michael Molloy,director of government relationsfor Fairfax County Public Schools.“We welcome this discussion, butwe don’t think this is the rightvenue for it. This discussion shouldbe held among our constituents,among our stakeholders.”
Surovell says he remains frus-trated that his constituents can’tseem to get their students into theschool.
“I don’t think the kids in my partof the county are any dumber thanthe kids in the rest of the county,”said Surovell. “But apparently theyjust can’t get into TJ.”
Lawmakers reject bill that would have requiredgovernor’s school to admit poor students.
Effort to Force Diversity at TJ Fails
State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) wanted to force Thomas JeffersonSchool of Science and Technology to accept more students who live inpoverty. But a bipartisan groups of senators, including several fromFairfax County, rejected the idea.
Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Datedannouncements should be submitted atleast two weeks prior to the event.
Kylie T. LeBlanc, of Clifton, wasrecently named to the dean’s list for thefall 2017 semester at Kent State Univer-sity in Kent, Ohio. LeBlanc was alsonames Defensive Player of the Week for
the MAC Conference for D1 FieldHockey. LeBlanc is a freshman.
Xavia Alimah Batchelo, of Lorton,was named to the dean’s academic honorroll for the 2017 fall semester at BaylorUniversity (Waco, Texas).
Ryan Baier, of Fairfax Station,earned the distinction of faculty honorsfor spring 2017 at the Georgia Institute
of Technology.
Jayanth Devanathan, of Clifton,earned the distinction of faculty honorsfor spring 2017 at the Georgia Instituteof Technology.
Meghan Pollard, of Clifton, earnedthe distinction of faculty honors forspring 2017 at the Georgia Institute ofTechnology.
University of Alabama studentAdrian Robertson, of Fairfax Station,participated in the Cooperative Educa-tion Program during the summer of 2017through Hoar Construction.
Christopher McGowan, a native ofFairfax Station, has enrolled at the Uni-versity of Iowa for fall 2017 semester.
School Notes
8 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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ONGOING“Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Through Feb. 4, at Church of the GoodShepherd, 9350 Braddock Road, Burke. GoodShepherd presents the musical “Jospeh and theAmazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a fun familyshow, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.Sensory-friendly performance on Thursday, Feb.1, 7:30 p.m. $15 adult; $10 atudents. Visitgoodshepherdplayers.com.
Second Saturdays. 6-9 p.m. at the WorkhouseArts Center, 9518 Workhouse Road, Lorton. TheSecond Saturday Art Walk is the perfect time tomeet nearly 85 Resident and Associate Artists,creating art in the studios or exhibiting in ourgalleries. Experience performances of dance,cabaret, comedy, big band, jazz, and theater.Indulge in classes in the art of mixology orcuisines from around the globe. Enjoy artexhibitions in nine galleries of the region’s finestsculpture, painting, glass, ceramics, and fiber artworks. Visit www.workhousearts.org/.
FUN-Exercise Thursdays, noon-12:50 p.m. atGrace Presbyterian Church Family Room, 7434Bath St., Springfield. Inova certified exerciseinstructor leads a moderate level exercise classwith music and current events conversation.Muscle, Balance, Strength Training using stretchbands and weights both standing and seatedexercises. Instructor donation is [email protected] or 703-499-6133.
Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe). Wednesdays. 8:15-9:15 a.m. Jewish Community Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.Shalom (hello) Join Na’ama each week forconversational Hebrew. You will learn andpractice Hebrew in a fun and interactive waywhile learning more about Israel. Free, howeverwe ask that you try to attend regularly. [email protected].
Smoke Free Bingo. 7 p.m. Every Friday. FairfaxVolunteer Fire Department, 4081 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. Free coffee, entertaining callers,$1,000 jackpot (with breaks for smokingfriends). www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.
English Conversation Groups weekly atGeorge Mason, Burke Centre, and LortonLibraries Practice and improve your English. Dayand start times vary. Visit: va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp
FEB. 2-4Chocolate Lovers Festival. Various times in
Historic Downtown Fairfax. Chocolate-orientedactivities all weekend, including a KiwanisChocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast. The “love ofchocolate” is the unifying theme. Visitwww.chocolatefestival.net for a currentschedule of activities or call 703-385-7858.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. at George
Mason University, Center for Arts, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. 22-year-old Koreanstring virtuoso, In Mo Yang and the premiere ofthe 2018 Fairfax County All-Stars YouthOrchestra. Tickets are $39, $53 and $65. Call703-993-8888 or visit www.cfa.gmu.edu.
Mason Cabaret. 8 p.m. at Harris Theatre, 4373Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Mason Cabaretoffering showstoppers, ballads and duets fromthe Great White Way. $30 general admission insupport of Mason’s Musical Theater Program.Call 703-993-8888 or visit cfa.gmu.edu.
SUNDAY/FEB. 4Railroad Story and Craft. 1-4 p.m. at Fairfax
Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Activities and crafts witha Valentine’s Day twist. Museum members andages 4 and under, free; ages 5-15, $2; ages 16and older, $4. Activities and craft suppliesincluded in admission. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
MONDAY/FEB. 5Funday Monday. 10:30 a.m. at Old Town Hall,
3999 University Drive, Fairfax. There will bemusic, movement, story telling, performances,crafts for children of all ages. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts for more.
THURSDAY/FEB. 8Art and Lunch. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Old
Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Bringlunch and enjoy the company of other artists.Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts for more.
Artist Reception. 7-9 p.m. at Old Town Hall,3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Come and enjoyrefreshments, meet the featured artist and be apart of your local artist community. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts for more.
FRIDAY/FEB. 9Bingo. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 4081 University
Drive, Fairfax. Enjoy free coffee, entertainingcallers, a friendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chest progressiveraffles, and good food available for purchase. Allproceeds go to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.com or call703-273-3638 for more.
The Bonita Lestina Old Town HallPerformance Series. 8 p.m. at Old TownHall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. “TheNearness of You” featuring Darden Purcell, aWashington D.C. based jazz vocalist. Call 703-385-7858 or visit www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.
SATURDAY/FEB. 10Champagne and Chocolates Fundraiser. 4-7
p.m. at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Lorton. Champagne, small plate hors d’oeuvres,desserts, mansion tours by costumed historicalinterpreters, raffle and live auction to benefiteducational programs for George Mason’sGunston Hall. Music by Robinson High SchoolString Quartet. Cocktail attire. $50 per person.RSVP by Feb. 3 at bit.ly/champagneandchocolates2018. Call 703-550-9220.
Artist Reception. 6-9 p.m. in W-9 in the ArchesGallery, Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. In her show, “MobileViews” Kathy Strauss explores the ‘fine art’ ofcellphone photography. Visitwww.imagewerks.net orwww.workhousearts.org.
FEB. 10-14Singing Valentines. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Throughout
Northern Virginia. Surprise a special someone.Singing telegrams delivered to a NorthernVirginia or D.C. location of one’s choice by an acappella quartet from the Fairfax Jubil-Airesbarbershop chorus. $60 and up. Call 571-418-3840 or visit www.fairfaxjubilaires.org
SUNDAY/FEB. 11Table Top N Gauge Model Train Show. 1-4
p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Museum members and ages 4 and under, free;ages 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Design Workshop. 2-4 p.m. at Merrifield GardenCenter- Fair Oaks location. 12101 Lee Highway.Create hand tied European rose arrangementsfor your sweetheart with Floral Designer TriciaSmith. Door prizes. Light refreshments. $5 at thedoor for ARF members, $20 for non-ARFmembers which includes a 2018 membership.Bring pruners, a medium tall wide mouth vaseand a box to transport the bouquet. To reserve aseat, call 703-371-9351.
Beau Soir Concert. 4-5:30 at St. Andrew’sEpiscopal Church, 6509 Sydenstricker Road,Burke. DC-based trio of flute, harp, and violastandard and contemporary repertoire spanninga variety of musical genres. Reception to follow.Childcare provided. Free. Call 703-455-2500 orvisit www.standrews.net.
TUESDAY/FEB. 13Pancake Supper. 5:30-7 p.m. at Grace
Presbyterian Church, 7434 Bath St., Springfield.Join Grace Presbyterian Church for a pancakes.There will be a pancake race. Call 703-451-2900or visit gracepresby.org.
“Sweatheart” Dance Party. 6:30-8:30 p.m. atMott Community Center, 12111 Braddock Road,Fairfax. Fairfax Jazzercise and Fairfax Zumbahost a double workout to celebrate Valentine’sDay 6:30pm (Jazzercise) and 7:30 pm (Zumba)If you’ve never tried these workouts, come andtake a class for free.Wear workout clothes andshoes. Email [email protected] or call703-909-6449.
Calendar
Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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On Wednesday, Feb. 7, Eva Schloss willshare her experiences as the childhoodfriend and step sister of Anne Frank,including accounts of the publishing of
Anne’s diary.The presentation will take place at the George
Mason University Center For The Arts at 7 p.m. andwill be suitable for people of all ages including teen-agers. Families of all faiths are invited to attend. Thisis an opportunity to hear a first-hand account fromsomeone whose life intersected with a historical fig-ure.
Chabad of Reston-Herndon is a sponsor for theevent. Partners for the evening include:
❖ The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington❖ JCC of Northern Virginia❖ George Mason University❖ Gesher Jewish Day School❖ Washington Jewish Week❖ Fairfax County Public SchoolsIn 1938, Germany invaded Austria, causing many
Jewish families to flee Austria to avoid persecution.Among the emigrants was 8-year-old Eva Geiringer,who with her mother, brother, and father moved firstto Belgium and then to Holland, where one of herneighbors was a German Jewish girl of the same age.
The two girls became friends and playmates
(though, as Eva would say many years later, the girlwas “much more grown-up and mature than me”).They passed the time by skipping, playing hopscotchand marbles, and drinking lemonade that the girl’smother prepared.
Ultimately, both girls and their families were de-ported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Laterthey would become step sisters.
Eva survived her concentration camp experienceand made her way to England, where she marriedZvi Schloss and raised three daughters. She workedas a studio photographer and ran an antique shop.
Her step-sister did not survive Auschwitz, but kepta diary that did. Her name was Anne Frank.
Since 1985, Eva Schloss has devoted herself toholocaust education and global peace. She has re-counted her wartime experiences in more than onethousand speaking engagements. She has written twobooks and has had a play written about her life. In1999 she signed the Anne Frank Peace Declarationalong with United Nations Secretary General KofiAnnan and the niece of Raoul Wallenberg, who res-cued thousands of Jews in Budapest.
Tickets for students are free, $10 for adults and$360 for VIP which includes two tickets to a VIP re-ception and reserved seating. Reservations can bemade at www.chabadrh.org.
Presented by the Chabad centers of Northern Virginia.
An Evening with Eva Schloss
10 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
The Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Vir-ginia was Give Together
Headquarters on Jan. 15, Dr. Mar-tin Luther King Day, when Volun-teer Fairfax welcomed hundreds ofvolunteers, tall and small, whocame enthusiastic and ready toserve.
Service projects planned for theday were designed with youngvolunteers in mind. They included:making Doggie Chew Toys forHomeward Trails Animal Rescue;creating Valentines for Foster Careto Success (FC2S); assemblingSensory Bags for UCM of Alexan-dria; making warm fleece scarvesfor the DC VA Medical Center; andcompiling Financial Literacy Class-room Kits for Junior Achievement.
Special guests supporting theevent included Supervisor John C.Cook (R-Braddock District), andSchool Board Members DaliaPalchik (Providence District), RyanMcElveen (At-Large) and KarenKeys-Gamarra (At-Large).
Volunteer Fairfax acknowledgesevent support from Points of Lightand Kaiser Permanente.
Most of all, the volunteer cen-ter appreciates the moms and dadswho brought their families out ona chilly January day to help localnonprofits. Additional apprecia-tion goes to the event assistantsand to the volunteers fromschools, clubs, Scout Troops, so-rorities and business. Specialacknowledgement goes to WaplesMill Elementary parent Sara AHoltz who brought her young fam-ily to Give Together for the eighthconsecutive time.
Join Volunteer Fairfax every yearon MLK Day for Give Together.And, save the date forVolunteerFest, another family-friendly event taking place on Na-tional Make A Difference Day, onOct. 27, 2018.
For more information aboutways to serve the community, visitwww.volunteerfairfax.org.
Braddock District Supervisor John Cook (R)speaks at the event.
Volunteer Fairfax welcomed hundreds of volunteers whocame ready to serve.
Give Together EngagesHundreds of Volunteers
Pho
to
s co
ntributed
Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
As a follow up to last week’s column titled“Lost in Space,” I have a few recommenda-tions for the medical profession, oncologistsparticularly, as it relates to their comings andgoings and the effect it might have on theirpatients, many of whom have been charac-terized as “terminal,” as I was.
Respecting and appreciating the fact thaton a good day, our anxiety level is likely offthe chart, we need you to work with us, notagainst us.
And though I can certainly recall how Iwas encouraged to reach out – either byphone or electronically, whenever we hadquestions or concerns, I believe there needsto be an upgrade to that advisory. That‘encouragement’ works fine when you’rehere/on site. However, based on my mostrecent experience, I need that ‘advisory’ towork equally fine when you’re not here.
Ergo: I want to meet and develop somekind of relationship with the oncologist whowill be covering for you when you’re absent.I want that oncologist’s name, email addressand phone number (none of which I hadduring this most recent experience). I wantsome assurance/acknowledgment that thisoncologist knows who I am, how I’m treatedand is familiar with any special circumstancespertaining to my care and feeding. Moreover,I want “t.l.c.,”. because I definitely deserve it.
As for the oncologist’s goings; on theoccasions when, for whatever reason, you’reaway from your office. I want to knowbefore, not after. I don’t want to learn aboutit by reading a default email saying you’re outof the office. Though I appreciate knowingafter, it’s not good enough. I want to know allthe time. In fact, every time you’re away, Iwant to know. Whether or not I have anymedical activities (lab work, infusion, scans)planned, I want to know, just in case some-thing unexpected – or even expected,happens.
This would help me to prepare, antici-pate, assimilate and coordinate any and allfuture medical activities so that I could deter-mine in advance, if necessary, an action plan.One that would proactively solve/prevent aproblem rather than reacting to one as mostrecently happened to me. I don’t want anymore surprises. I don’t want to experienceany lack of communication at any time. Idon’t care about how or why. I simply wantto know ahead of any potentially complicat-ing circumstances, not behind. I’m alreadyfeeling some relief just writing about it.
How can this be implemented?Electronically of course. I don’t need anycalls. A don’t-reply email is fine. I know thatsystem/process works when I want to com-municate with you and/or review informationwhich has been posted online. What I wantto know next is the doctor’s schedule, nothourly, maybe not even daily (although Iwouldn’t be averse to it), but weekly for sure,electronically in my inbox first thing Mondaymorning.
Knowing the doctor’s availability will helpme manage my expectations and minimizemy stress. As a cancer patient, I never knowwhat I’ll want or when I’ll want it. But findingout the easy way (in advance) is certainlypreferable to finding out the hard way(during/after).
Medically speaking, I don’t want to missanything nor do I, living forward, want any-thing to be missed. If you can email an after-appointment summary, you can certainlyemail me a pre-appointment schedule ofwhen and where my primary care physicians(oncologist and internal medicine) will be.Because out of sight unfortunately doesn’tmean out of mind, unless I know otherwise.
And that’s my goal: to mind my own busi-ness and not have to worry about yours.
Space In WhichI Wouldn’tGet LostSubmit civic/community announcements at
ConnectionNewspapers.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.
THURSDAY/FEB. 1Comment Period Closes. The public is invited
to share their perspectives on the proposals withthe Park Authority Board either at the meeting,via correspondence or by email. Informationoutlining all proposed fee changes is nowavailable for review online, at the ParkAuthority’s main office in the Herrity Buildingand at staffed park facilities, includingRECenters, golf courses, nature centers andhistoric sites. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/feemeeting for more.
Registration Opens: Two-way andImmersion Programs. Fairfax County PublicSchools’ (FCPS) online registration for thecounty-wide lottery. Current prekindergartenstudents may apply for the kindergartenimmersion program and current kindergartenstudents may apply for the first grade immersionprograms for the 2018-19 school year.Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. onThursday, March 1, for the first grade immersionprogram and by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, forthe kindergarten immersion program. Visitwww.fcps.edu/registration/world-language-immersion-programs-registration.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Job Fair. FCPS is searching for educators with a
strong academic background and a passion formaking a difference. To meet increased hiringneeds FCPS is hosting an invitation only job fairduring which they will be interviewingcandidates in all instructional areas. The fairwill be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, with a snowmakeup date of Feb. 24. To learn how to beconsidered for an invitation, visit www.fcps.edu.
TUESDAY/FEB. 6Community Meeting. 7-8:30 p.m. at the
Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 RollingRoad, West Springfield. The VirginiaDepartment of Transportation and FairfaxCounty Department of Transportation will host ameeting to discuss this year’s paving andrestriping efforts in the Springfield District.Comments will be accepted through Feb. 23.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2018-paving-and-restriping.
THURSDAY/FEB. 8Award Nomination Deadline. 5 p.m. Nominate
a volunteer or volunteer group that has made apositive impact on the Fairfax Countycommunity at www.volunteerfairfax.org. TheFairfax County Volunteer Service Awards is acommunity-wide celebration of volunteerism.For a complete list of categories and guidelines,visit www.volunteerfairfax.org or call KristenMoore at Volunteer Fairfax at 703-246-3531.
SATURDAY/FEB. 10Stuff the Bus. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Shoppers -
Fair City, 9622 Main St., Fairfax. SupportBritepaths’ Stuff the Bus food drive andhelp the families they serve.
TUESDAY/FEB. 13REVIVE Trainings. 11:30 a.m. at CSB’s Merrifield
Center, 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive(Room LL-419/425 Lower Level East), Fairfax.Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Boardwill dispense free Naloxone at upcoming freeREVIVE trainings. Naloxone, a drug thatreverses the effects of opioid/heroin overdose.Trainings approximately one hour long, and areoffered at numerous locations and times.Advance registration is not required. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/news/2018/free-naloxone-revive-trainings.
Bulletin
12 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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