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Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
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April 20-26, 2016
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Great FallsGreat FallsPage 8
Laura Bumpus announces a $50,000endowment to fund scholarships
Great Falls Friends and Neighborscreated for women studying at
George Mason University and North-ern Virginia Community College.
Laura Bumpus announces a $50,000endowment to fund scholarships
Great Falls Friends and Neighborscreated for women studying at
George Mason University and North-ern Virginia Community College.
Women Juggle Work,Families, Education
News, Page 3
Women Juggle Work,Families, Education
News, Page 3
Students HonoredAt Poetry LuncheonA+, Page 8
Eyesore Improves:Bank ComingNews, Page 13
Students HonoredAt Poetry LuncheonA+, Page 8
Eyesore Improves:Bank ComingNews, Page 13
2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Ken Moore
The Connection
George Mason’s Libby Dissauerunderstands students whojuggle raising a family whilepursuing an education, who
have to decide whether to pay rent, buyfood, get gas or pay tuition.
She remembers when she was 24, re-cently divorced and with a child.
“I had a rickety old Honda Accord, Iwasn’t always sure it was going to get meto class,” said Dissauer, assistant directorof Donor Relations at George MasonUniversity’s Office of Advancement andAlumni Relations.
“I worked full time. I’ve worked full timesince I was 19,” she said. “Some days, I’dfigure, ‘I have to make a tuition paymentthis month,’ so, ‘Maybe I don’t buy grocer-ies until Friday,’” she said.
“I believe now and I believed then that acollege education is a key to success,”Dissauer told the membership of Great FallsFriends and Neighbors. “My story is notunique.”
GREAT FALLS FRIENDS AND NEIGH-BORS awarded George Mason Universityand Northern Virginia Community Collegewith a $50,000 endowment ($25,000 foreach college) that will allow the Great Fallsorganization to award scholarships to work-ing mothers who are pursuing degrees.
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors hasmade a commitment to assisting workingwomen who want to continue pursuingtheir education. The endowment was an-nounced at the monthly membership meet-ing at the Great Falls Library on Wednes-day, April 12.
“Scholarships make such a great impact,”said Mary F. Bramley, assistant director ofNorthern Virginia Community College’sEducational Foundation.
Bramley told the Great Falls Friends andNeighbors about one of her students whodrove 54 miles each day to hit the North-ern Virginia Community College campusesto pursue his education.
“He could have gone to any campus hewanted to right after high school. Hecouldn’t afford it,” said Bramley, “His fam-ily couldn’t afford to not have him there, sohe made that choice to stay at NOVA.”
GFFN SCHOLARSHIP BOARD was cre-ated by the Great Falls Woman’s Club in1983 “to raise money and provide scholar-ships to post-college age women who arein need of a scholarship to finish their col-lege education,” said Laura Bumpus, GFFN’sdirector of scholarship awards.
“Through the many years, our club mem-bers have supported this effort by gener-ously donating many volunteer hours andliterally thousands of dollars,” said Bumpus.“These endowments are designed to ensure
many women will continue being supportedthrough scholarships awarded indefinitely.”
It’s a common story at Northern VirginiaCommunity College campuses and atGeorge Mason University.
“Many of our students are still very at-tached to their families, making choices notnecessarily based on what their wants arebut based on what their parents wants areand what their parents need and what theirfamilies need,” said Bramley.
After semesters at NOVA, her former stu-dent earned a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarshipthat pays $40,000 a year for him to attendColumbia University and two years ofgraduate school.
She and Dissauer attended Great FallsFriends and Neighbors meeting to givemembers an understanding of the impacttheir fundraising and efforts have.
“The students are so grateful, that’s whatI have found time and time again,” saidBramley.
“It means so much to us to be able tothank the community for giving back,” saidDissauer.
“We really strive to improve the commu-
nity around Mason and scholarship is criti-cal to that,” said Dissauer. “We are not ableto through state support alone help our stu-dents achieve their goals and becomeworkforce ready.”
LAST YEAR, Great Falls Friends and Neigh-bors awarded scholarships to MartinaAtabong, 35, of Alexandria, who is the firstof her family to attend college and LeaLines, originally from Springfield, who re-enrolled in academia after her youngestenrolled in elementary school.
“My family comes first,” said Lines, whohas a 4.0 grade point average at George Ma-son University, is a member of two honorssocieties and volunteers for her nursing ma-jor and in the community. She plans to be-come a nurse in neonatal intensive care, pe-diatric intensive care or labor and delivery.
On April 24, Great Falls Friends andNeighbors Scholarship Fund will host the2016 Spring Fashion Show at the TysonsCorner Bloomingdales on Sunday, April 24,from 10 a.m. to noon. The money will alsocontribute to this year’s scholarships.
“We will continue to raise money,” saidBumpus.
“We thank the many women before us andour current GFFN club and board memberswho have a great passion for women’s edu-cation because of the impact these gradu-ates will have on their families and theircommunities,” said Bumpus.
The current scholarship board includes:Jan Lane, treasurer; Allison Granstedt, sec-retary; Sally-Anne Andrew-Pyne, director offundraising; Annette Kerlin, director of pub-licity; Kristen Trimble, vice president andRicki Harvey, president.
See www.GFFNSF.org.
Great Falls Friends andNeighbors committedto assisting workingwomen pursuinghigher education.
Women Juggle Work, Families, EducationWhy This Matters
Great Falls Friends and Neighbors has morethan 200 active members.
Through the GFFN Scholarship Fund, the clubprovides scholarships to financially support up tosix women ages 25 or older in Northern Virginiawho are pursuing degrees in higher educationand are attending George Mason University orNorthern Virginia Community College. Eachyear, a scholarship is also given to a GeorgeMason University dance student in the name of aclub founder, Bette Carter.
See http://gffnva.org
Mary F. Bramley, left, is assistant director of Northern Virginia Commu-nity College’s Educational Foundation. Libby Dissauer is assistant direc-tor of donor relations at George Mason University’s Office of Advance-ment and Alumni Relations.
Laura Bumpus (secondfrom left), RickyHarvey, Annette Kerlin,Kristen Trimble andAnne McVey of theGreat Falls Friends andNeighbors presentMary Bramley, left, andLibby Dissauer, right,with a $50,000 endow-ment to be used forannual scholarships foradult women pursuingeducation at NorthernVirginia CommunityCollege and GeorgeMason University.
Laura Bumpuswith LibbyDissauer and MaryBramley to startthe morning. “Itmeans so much tous to be able tothank the commu-nity for givingback,” saidDissauer, left.
4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Fine Hardware,Accent Furniture,
Lamps, Florals,Art, Mirrors, Gifts,Bath Accessories,
and DistinctiveHome Decor…
Like No Place Else!
News
By Christina Tyler Wenks
Reading is imperative for becoming a goodwriter, so community groups are collabo-rating to celebrate reading, writing andwinners. The first ever Youth Writing
Awards Gala will be Saturday, April 30, from 6 to 8p.m. at the Great Falls Library.
or essay about a prompt. This year’s subject is shoes.Sneakers, a toddler’s scuffed leather shoes, ballet slip-pers, military boots caked with dried Afghanistanmud, heels, wedding shoes, and others representingpeople, events, and stages of life — provided par-ticipating students a springboard for their stories.Students from Great Falls Elementary, Forestville El-ementary, Colvin Run Elementary and the PotomacSchool participated.
Judges, including educators and a best-selling au-thor, spent weeks poring through student works. Tenfinalists have been named from which first-, second-, and third-place winners will be awarded cash prizesat the event. Honorable-mention winners receiveprizes, too.
“By recognizing and celebrating the talent of theseyoung writers, we’re sending them the strong signalthat their words add value and vision to the worldthey inhabit. Young people need to know that,” saysKristin Clark Taylor, GFWG founder. “We need to keepencouraging them to write, write, write — not justas a pleasant pastime, but to survive, and thrive in aworld that seems to be placing less and less empha-sis on the written word. Today’s youth can reversethis trend. They must.”
Award-winning author/illustrator Henry Cole to beguest speaker at Youth Writers Gala.
Celebrating Reading, Writing and Winning
Studentslisten intentlyto rules andthe prompt —shoes —before writingstories for theGreat FallWriters Group2016 YouthCreativeWriting Con-test.
Students from Great Falls Elementary,Forestville Elementary, Colvin Run Elemen-tary and the Potomac School participatedin Great Falls Writers Group 2016 YouthCreative Writing Contest. Winners will beannounced on April 30 at the Youth Writ-ing Awards Gala hosted by the Friends ofthe Great Falls Library.
The Friends of the Great FallsLibrary (FGFL) is underwriting thecosts of the event that featuresaward-winning children’s authorand illustrator Henry Cole as guestspeaker. Winners of the secondannual Youth Creative WritingContest, hosted by the Great FallsWriters Group (GFWG), will be an-nounced and read their winningworks.
”Our group missions differ, butour goals align,” says MichelleMiller, FGFL president, about thepartnership to present the gala.
“Many library programs targetpreschoolers learning to read. Pre-teens and young independentreaders are often missed, and wewant to keep them engaged in li-braries.” In the age of technologyand e-readers, the event remindsreaders and researchers of all agesabout the joys, opportunities, anduses of local libraries.
GFWG invited sixth-gradersfrom Great Falls to write a story
Youth Writing Award FinalistsJulia Toloczko, Great Falls Elementary SchoolRiley Luce, Forestville Elementary SchoolKarma Kassem, Forestville Elementary SchoolElisabeth Anderson, Colvin Run Elementary SchoolLuke Tibbs, Forestville Elementary SchoolErin Kearns, Forestville Elementary SchoolCecelia O’Sullivan, Great Falls Elementary SchoolKatherine Stockton, Forestville Elementary SchoolJulia Fremberg, Forestville Elementary SchoolMiky Kassem, Forestville Elementary School
Pho
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School Notes
Send school notes [email protected] by noon onFriday.
Elisabetta Cantatore, of Great Falls,a psychology major, has been named tothe dean’s list for the 2015 fall semesterat George Mason University.
John Poyner of Great Falls, aManagement Information Systems/Finance major, has been named to the
Dean’s List for the 2015 fall semester at TheUniversity of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Vitale Alexander Christy, of Great Falls,graduated from the University of Tampa inFlorida on Jan. 19 with a Bachelor of Arts inTheatre and a minor in Writing.
Maria Kehrli, of Great Falls, qualified forthe Dean’s List at High Point University inNorth Carolina for the Fall 2015 semester.
Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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People
By Lt. j.g. Rylee J. Streff
Commander, Naval Air Forces
Public Affairs
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron(HSM) 75 “Wolf Pack” held its changeof command ceremony March 18, atNaval Air Station North Island in SanDiego in front of distinguished guestsand family members.
Cmdr. John C. Kiefaber relievedCmdr. Jeffrey A. Melody, and assumedcommand of the Wolf Pack.
Melody, a native of Youngstown,Ohio, and a 1996 graduate of the United
States Naval Academy, set the standardof excellence during his 15 months ascommanding officer of the Wolf Pack.Under his leadership, HSM-75 success-fully flew 2,215 sorties.
Amassing 5,095 mishap-free flighthours, Melody departs the Wolf Pack forWashington, D.C., to work in the JointStaff, Policy and Plans Directorate at thePentagon.
“It has been an honor to command themost accomplished helicopter squadronin San Diego,” said Melody. “I started myflying career at the Wolf Pack, and Icould not have imagined a better tour.The hard work and dedication of each
and every Sailor made HSM-75 the out-standing squadron it is today.”
Kiefaber, of Great Falls, assumed com-mand after serving 15 months as thesquadron’s executive officer. He is a 1997graduate of the United States NavalAcademy, and was selected as the HSM-41 Instructor Pilot of the Year in 2005.
“It is a privilege to lead the exceptionalofficers and Sailors of HSM-75,” statedKiefaber “Commander Melody created awinning culture here, and I intend tobuild off of his remarkable leadership.”
HSM-75 is based on Naval Air StationNorth Island in San Diego. The squadronflies the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter for
its primary missions, which include sur-face and anti-submarine warfare. TheMH-60R’s operational capabilities allowthe squadron to conduct all-weather seaoperations in open-ocean and littoralenvironments as an integral part of Car-rier Air Wing 11, in support of the USSNimitz Carrier Strike Group. Thesquadron’s secondary missions include:vertical replenishment, search and res-cue, medical evacuation, and commandand control warfare.
“Thanks to the dedication of the Sailorsof HSM-75, the Wolf Pack will maintainits reputation of excellence and answerthe call of the nation,” said Kiefaber.
Great Falls Sailor Assumes Command of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75
Cmdr. John C. Kiefaber,of Great Falls.
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6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
Adam Torres, charged with murder inthe death of Springfield residentJohn Geer, was the first FairfaxCounty Police officer in the
history of the department to be chargedin such a death. Monday, Torres entereda guilty plea to involuntary manslaugh-ter, with a likely sentence of 12 months, mostof that already served. He has been in jail foreight months.
Geer was a Springfield resident, a remodel-ing contractor and an involved father, alwayson the sidelines of his daughters’ sports games.He was unarmed, standing in the doorway ofhis own home with his hands raised at the timehe was killed.
The police and Fairfax County refused to re-lease any information on the case for more thana year, and only then after repeated court or-ders. Public outrage over Geer’s death wascompounded by obfuscation and silence, thefailure to communicate, and a lack of publicaccountability. Change is in the works, butthere is much work to do.
There is still much to say about the death ofJohn Geer and its aftermath.
But today, the wisdom of his two teenagedaughters is well worth reading and sharing:
APRIL 18, 2016 STATEMENT BY THEDAUGHTERS OF JOHN GEER
“Justice is rarely a simple matter, and it wouldbe easy to vent our anger, our outrage, oursorrow, and voice opposition to the plea bar-gain struck between Adam Torres and the Com-monwealth. Nobody would question the raw-ness of our emotions and our response to it;
we have lost a father, and there can beno substitute, no future moment of af-fection, no further opportunities to beclose the man who should be present
as our greatest supporter. Torres took that awayfrom us, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors andFairfax County Police Department hid the truthof what happened to our dad for over a year,and there is no going back. ...
“Much like Dad’s murder has repercussionsfor his family and the community, lockingTorres in a cell will have an effect on others.Whatever his faults, Torres’ wife and childrendid not murder our father, and it would bewrong to hurt them just to allay our own an-ger and pain. Robbing other children of timewith their father would only make us complicitin another wrong. …
“Where Torres failed to show prudence andmercy, we will show him and his family both.
“As for the Fairfax County Board of Supervi-sors and the Fairfax County Police Department,we remain appalled by their actions in cover-
ing up the truth and putting Torres in the posi-tion to decide life and death given what theyknew about his background. Until such timethat the ad hoc committee’s recommendationsare adopted and the policies of the FCPD arechanged, we fear that these tragic events canoccur again with different victims and differ-ent officers. We call upon the Board to imme-diately adopt and implement the Committee’srecommendations without delay for the goodof the FCPD and the citizens of Fairfax County.
“No family should have to suffer the loss ofa mother, a father, or a loved one under cir-cumstances like ours.”
Send in Mother’s DayPhotos
Mother’s Day is May 8 this year and everyyear at this time this newspaper calls for sub-missions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.
Send photos of mothers, grandmothers,great-grandmothers, with children or withoutchildren in the photos. Please name everyonein the photo, ages of children, the approximatedate, describe what is happening in the photoand include your name, address, email addressand phone number. (We will not print yourcontact information, just names and town ofresidence.) You can upload photos and infor-mation directly to www.connectionnewspapers.com/mothersday/ or email to [email protected].
Geer’s deathexposed “obfuscation …and a lack ofpublic accountability.”
On the Guilty Plea of Adam Torres
Editorial
StormwaterManagementEngagesCommunityTo the Editor:
The Great Falls Citizens Associa-tion would like to thank all thosethat came to the to the StormwaterManagement meeting held onApril 12 at the library. Over 60people were in attendance, show-ing the strong interest in this is-sue. The GFCA Stormwater TaskForce held this meeting to start theprocess of educating the commu-nity on all aspects of stormwatermanagement. The fact that mostpeople stayed past our usual end-ing time of 9:30 p.m. shows thatthose attending realized that pro-tecting the valuable resource is aconcern that is not just local, butcounty, regional and national.
The recent proposals to rezoneand develop Brooks Farm andHill’s Nursery have raised theawareness how lack of stormwatermanagement and deer overpopu-lation are undermining our forestsand fields, leading to flash flood-ing. Too much stormwater runoffshows up when we lose bridgesand when ponds silt up or over-
run their dams. Too muchstormwater shows that our envi-ronment is losing its ability to re-duce runoff and water absorption.Managing these water resources isimportant for communities likeGreat Falls that depend on waterfrom wells for our drinking water.
GFCA’s Stormwater Task Forcemeetings are open to all. GFCA hasrealized that there is much to learnto be able to manage and protectour community’s valuable re-source. Join us if you share thesegoals and visit the GFCA website,www.gfca.org for more informa-tion.
M.Eric Knudsen, PresidentGreat Falls Citizens Association
Dealing withStormwater:PersonalExperienceTo the Editor:
I recently participated in a GreatFalls Citizen Association (GFCA)Town Hall Meeting and spoke, asa panel participant, to my personalexperience living in Great Falls anddealing with Stormwater. I spent19 years working with Fairfax
Letters to the Editor
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Great Falls
County trying to alleviate and re-pair damage from water runoffthrough my property. This was along process with many lessonslearned. Small changes within theneighborhood made visiblechanges to the erosion problembut our neighborhood woodlandsbegan to deteriorate when a newsubdivision was constructed upthe hill from our property, with nothought to controlling water run-off. Six houses with lawns anddriveways and roofs and the roadsupporting them, all slopingdownhill, added a hundred yearslike flood every spring/fall. Thewater runs from this development,across the pipeline which is keptmowed, and continues downhillthrough the woods to my property.
The destruction was very detri-mental. It cut my property downto bedrock and this began towiden. I was very worried aboutlosing our big old shade trees. Icontinued to work with the countybut they could barely keep up withthe changes. From my kitchen win-dow in the winter time I would seethe banks breaking off in chunksjust like a glacier, with the chunksfalling into the bottom of thestream bed. And this was withoutany rain. Our bridge was washedaway. The county continued towork to find and develop state of
the art methods to remediate andrestore the damage and that wouldbe in keeping with and maintainthe rural/woods and beautiful na-ture we have. At long last, they dida beautiful restoration and savedour shade trees. It now looks likean extension of Great Falls Parkwith strategically placed bouldersand stone and catch ponds to slowdown the flow of water and stopthe erosion.
However, given my experience Iam very concerned about the con-tinued development in our com-munity. New houses, more roofs,driveways, lawns, clearing ofbeautiful trees, denuded woodsfrom the deer and developmentwill add an enormous amount ofrunoff and continued destructionof our woods and properties in-cluding bridges, roads and trails,schools, broken dams and drainedponds, exposure of geothermalpipes, and more.
So here’s my take from all ofthis: Educate yourself. Talk to yourneighbors and work with them. Goonline and look at the county plansand new ordinances. Workthrough issues, work together withyour neighbors. If you have ero-sion on your property, get in queuewith the county. It is very helpful
See Letters, Page 7
Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Retail • Restaurant • Office Space • Available for Lease • 703-759-2485 • [email protected]
THE HEART OF THE GREAT FALLSCOMMUNITY & PROUD LOCATION
OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
Follow us on Facebook for event announcements!Facebook.com/GreatFallsVillageCentre
SHOP GREAT FALLS!Great Falls Village Centre
WWW.GFVCCA.COM
Easter Egg Hunt4th of July Parade
Concerts on the GreenHalloween Spooktackular
Celebration of LightsCars and CoffeeFarmers Market
Adeler Jewelers...............................703-759-4076AdGen Telecom..............................703-757-6757Allstate Insurance/Doug White.........703-759-7700Aquarian LLC .................................. 703-438-8838Artists on the Green.........................703-609-3092Arts of Great Falls ............................703-232-1575Capital Realty Services ................... 703-759-4900Dent Asset Management.................703-286-7555Dr. C. Ayers ..................................... 703-757-6445Executive Suites at Great Falls .........703-865-2500First Line Financial, Inc. ...................703-757-7393Georgetown Learning Centers ........ 703-759-3624Great Falls Creamery. .....................703-272-7609Great Falls Cycle Studio..................703-585-5631Great Falls Family Dentistry..............703-759-4707H2O Pools ....................................... 703-250-5585Jinny Beyer Studio...........................703-759-0250Katie’s Coffee House.......................703-759-2759Lauren Liess Interiors........................571-926-7825Loebig Chiropractic........................703-757-5817New Paradigm Capital Mgmt..........703-757-4802Old Brogue Irish Pub........................703-759-3309Pilates Place, LLC............................703-405-3371Pio Pio Restaurant ........................... 703-865-7700Postmodern Foods...........................213-440-2257Robert Mobley, AIA Architect...........703-759-1927School of Theatrical Dance.............703-759-5652Spectrum Property Management .... 703-307-2965The Great Falls Salon.......................703-759-4758Village Centre Mgmt Office ............ 703-759-2485Village Retreat/Massage Therapy....703-638-4852Wells Fargo Bank.............................703-757-1040Wild Ginger Restaurant ................... 703-759-5040
to take pictures and video andsend and show them to the county.If you can, put together your ownneighbor stormwater group, giveyourself a name and present yourown issue or project to the county.Take field trips if you can to neigh-boring counties and see what theyhave done. The more up to speedand organized you are the better.These are community issues. Workwith and support the Great FallsCitizens Association and contactthe Storm Water Task Force [email protected]. Get in-volved and help yourself and ourcommunity.
Beverly GeserickGreat Falls
InappropriateUse of FEMARelief FundsTo the Editor
Your recent article “FairfaxCounty Schools to Apply for FEMARelief Funds” is another exampleof attempting to exploit the Ameri-can taxpayers.
I visualize the typical Americantaxpayer as a middle class coupleliving in the heartland of our coun-try. They have two children. Theygo to church every week. Theydon’t smoke, don’t use illegaldrugs, and use alcohol in modera-tion. Their children go to schooleach school day. They vote in ev-ery election. They must strugglefinancially even when the economyis strong, but they pay their bills,and they pay their taxes. They payfor their children’s education, andthey save for their retirement.
I don’t feel that it is appropriatefor the Federal government, whichconsists of millions of such middleclass families, to pay for the re-moval of snow at Fairfax CountyPublic Schools.
Dave ElmoreGreat Falls
From Page 6
Letters
To have community events listed in theConnection, send to [email protected]. The deadlinefor submissions is at noon on the Fridayprior to publication.
SATURDAY/APRIL 30Bike Collection. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Chesterbrook Elementary, 1753 KirbyRoad, McLean. The class ispartnering with Bikes for the Worldto collect all size bikes to refurbish todonate to the needy in third worldcountries and here in the US. $10donation. [email protected].
Bulletin Board
Cooper Middle PresentsSpring Musical
This April, Cooper Middle School will be holdingtheir annual Spring Musical: “How to Succeed inBusiness Without Really Trying.” The play will be heldon April 27 and 28 at 2:30-4:30 p.m. and April 29 and30 at 7-9 p.m. Tickets can be bought at the door. Theyare $5 for students and $10 for adults. This quirkymusical will keep you on your toes; so if you love thearts, come see the play at Cooper Middle School’scafeteria this April.
The Cooper Middle School Studentspreparing for their play “How To Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying.”
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8 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Steve Hibbard
The Connection
The 2016 Poetry Lun-cheon honoring thewinners of the 34th an-nual Great Falls El-
ementary School Poetry Contestwas held Thursday, April 14 atRiver Bend Golf and Country Clubin Great Falls. The event was spon-sored by the Great Falls Friendsand Neighbors Club, a group of 220women who provide communityevents and social activities for itsmembers.
Nine student winners in grades4-6 were honored with cash prizes($50, $30, and $25 for first, sec-ond and third place winners) andan awards luncheon, along withtheir parents, teachers and schooladministrators. After a lunch thatincluded a trio of egg salad,chicken and tuna salad, studentsrecited their poetry to the audi-ence. A booklet containing all oftheir winners’ poems for first, sec-ond, and third place in grades 4-6was also printed.
“We’re just proud to be able torecognize the young poets, theteachers and welcome the parentsto enjoy the fruits of their accom-plishments,” said Claire Abbott,Poetry Contest chair, on behalf ofthe Great Falls Friends and Neigh-bors.
Anne McVey, president of theGreat Falls Friends and Neighbors,said there were 210 student entriesthis year. “The depth of the con-tent was so varied as compared towhat came out in years past whenmany students wrote about theseasons of the year or their familypet,” said McVey. “The judges re-ally had to look at each of thesepoems from the point of content,continuity, and the beautiful cre-ativity before making their deci-sions.”
SARA HARPER, principal of GreatFalls Elementary, added: “I thinkthat the partnership between theFriends and Neighbors Club andGreat Falls Elementary providesstudents with the perfect opportu-nity to publish their exceptionalpoetry. We appreciate all of the sup-port we’ve received from the cluband are excited to continue thelongstanding partnership.”
Joanne Schilling, reading spe-cialist at Great Falls Elementary,added: “I think the quality of thework is always outstanding. I don’tknow how the judges can come
down with only one selection.”Fourth-grade teacher Lindsay
Compton added: “I think it’s greatthat the students have an opportu-nity to showcase what they’velearned in the classroom and to berecognized for their efforts. I’mvery proud of them.”
Fourth-grader Peyton Walcott, 9,of Great Falls wrote the poem,“Beach Race,” for which he wonfirst place. “I love to run so I wasinspired by running on the beachin the Rock and Roll Half Marathonand 5K in Virginia Beach. I was try-ing to think of how to make otherpeople feel what I felt, so I usedbasic words to describe that feel-ing, like ‘good’ and went to a The-saurus and found unique and fancywords,” he said. After working onit for one to two months, he willhave the poem published in EastBeach Peninsula Magazine in Vir-ginia Beach where his grand-mother lives.
Fourth-grader Claire Kim, 9, ofGreat Falls, wrote the poem,“Ocean Flowers,” for which shewon third place. “I wanted to puttwo things together that don’t gotogether — those were the oceanand flowers. It took me a day anda half,” she said.
Sixth-grader Ava Reilly, 12, ofGreat Falls, wrote the poem,“Gone,” for which she won firstplace. She said she was inspired byreading the book, “The MiraculousJourney of Edward Tulane,” aboutdeath and a rabbit.
Fifth-grader Emma Wolff, 10, ofGreat Falls, wrote the poem,“Friends,” for which she won firstplace. “I started doing the poemabout other things, and then I de-cided on three of them, then de-cided on ‘Friends.’ It took me 30minutes to write it and then 15minutes to edit,” she said. “It’s how(friends) treat me and how I feelabout them and how I feel whenthey’re with me.”
FIFTH-GRADER VanessaDuchauffour, 10, of Great Falls,wrote the poem, “Spring Time,” forwhich she won second place. “I justfelt that spring was starting and Ilooked outside and saw flowers,”she said. “When I saw bees buzz-ing around, it inspired me to writethe poem.” It took her about twoor three weeks to write.
Fifth-grader Julia Moore, 10, ofGreat Falls, wrote the poem, “If IWas the Sun,” for which she wonthird place. “I was on the bus andit was really noisy one day, so Ilooked out the window andthought, if I was the sun,” she said.It took her only five or 10 minutesto write.
Sixth-grader Lexie Perez, 12, ofGreat Falls, wrote the poem, “Intothe Woods,” for which she won sec-ond place. “It was a dream that Ihad before. It’s kind of walkingthrough the woods; I heard a stepbehind me and kept running, thenI started to fall,” she said. It tookabout a half hour to write.
GFFN recognizes Great Falls Elementary students in 34th annual contest.
Students Honored at Poetry Luncheon
Nine student winners from Great Falls Elementary School at the PoetryLuncheon sponsored by the Great Falls Friends and Neighbors. (Picturedare): Fourth Grade Division — Peyton Walcott, 1st; Preston Brown, 2nd;and Claire Kim, 3rd. Fifth Grade Division — Emma Wolff, 1st; VanessaJade Duchauffour, 2nd; and Julia Moore, 3rd. Sixth Grade Division —Ava Reilly, 1st; Lexie Perez, 2nd; and Erin Kalinsky, 3rd.
Great Falls Elementary School fourth-graderPeyton Walcott reads his poem, “Beach Race,”during the Poetry Luncheon sponsored by theGreat Falls Friends and Neighbors.
Pho
to
s by Steve H
ibbard/T
he C
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“Meet the Candidates” in the2016 McLean Community Center
Governing Board elections.
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10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive
By Alexandra Greeley
The Connection
When Mookie’s BBQ opened inGreat Falls recently, barbecuefans must have gone wild. Reallywild, for Northern Virginia does
not boast many smoky, barbecue restaurants.Now, thanks to the devotion of Brian Varani andhis family and friends, what started out as a foodtruck/catering company has burst onto the res-taurant scene.
Oddly enough, said Varani, cooking was not hisprimary life’s passion, although he loved to cookwith his family, which boasts great home cooks.And at the age of 13, he did start working in asmall breakfast/lunch eatery until he went tocollege. Even in college, he worked at other res-taurants to earn his way. But he majored in ac-counting, not cooking, and upon graduation, heworked in the corporate world for several years.
But finally, he said, his love for cooking wasreignited big time when he purchased his firstsmoker. “I loved it,” he said, adding that his wifeobserved that there were all kinds of barbecuecompetitions going on. “So I got together a team,”he said, “and in 2010, we did our first competi-tion. It was mostly just my family and friends work-ing together 6 to 8 times a year.” He admitted thathis barbecue technique is self-taught, learned fromwatching videos and reading articles online.
All that led him to a side business because Varaniwas asked by numerous friends to cater events. “Ifounded the business in 2010,” he said, “but it wasjust a side business that I did for three to four years.”
But as often happens to people, life took a big turn.“I left my day job in 2014 in search of good restau-rant locations,” he said. He had spotted the emptyspace from the former Serbian Crown, but someoneelse had put a bid on the property. So in the mean-time, he along with his brother and cousin built acustomized barbecue vending rig—featured even ontelevision for its unique design—that they used forcatering. “We use it for events,” he said. “It has agiant smoker, a hog roaster, deep fryer and sinks. Itis one of a kind. It took us one year to build.”
But the group kept looking for the proper restau-rant space, some place that would be family friendlyin keeping with their vision. Then Varani found that
his first-choice space was still available, so family,friends, and Varani pulled together a deal and settledon the location. “We had to transform the space backinto a restaurant, putting in all brand new equip-ment and furnishings,” he said. With the work done,Mookie’s BBQ had a quiet opening at the end of Sep-tember 2015.
Since then the business has grown enough so thatthe restaurant now opens for lunch, dinner and Sun-day brunch, and has a bar setting that often attractsfolks who sit and chat. “We have a ton of familieswho are regulars,” he said, which underscores hisfamily-friendly approach.
Of course, the biggest draw is the quality of thefood—everything is made from scratch, he said, noth-ing is frozen or canned. And the most popular dish?Well, the smoky, succulent, meaty baby back ribs.Second place? The brisket burnt ends.
Mookie’s BBQ, 1141 Walker Road, Great Falls.Phone: 703-759-2386. Hours: Lunch and dinner,Tuesday-Sunday; Brunch, Sunday.
Profile: Mookie’s BBQnew on restaurant scene.
Love for CookingBrought to Great Falls
Serves 12
9 large eggs6 cups whole milk2 cups sugar1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon butter1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract6 bananas, peeled and sliced1 box vanilla wafersWhipped cream for serving
Combine the eggs and milk in alarge bowl, and beat together lightly.Stir in the sugar and flour, mixingwell, and pour into a mediumsaucepan. Heat over low heat,whisking constantly until thickened.Remove from the heat, and whisk inthe butter and vanilla. Continuewhisking until the mixture coolsslightly. Place the pudding in a
Scratch Made Banana Puddingcontainer, and refrigerate it to cooland set.
In a 9-x-13-inch pan, layer thewafers, bananas, and pudding.Repeat with a second layer in thesame order. Garnish the top withmore vanilla wafers. Refrigerate forone hour to firm, and serve withwhipped cream.
Photo contributed
Brian Varani of Mookie’s BBQ: Everything ismade from scratch, nothing is frozen orcanned.
Food & Entertainment
www.mcleancenter.org
Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Onstage @ The AldenMermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s
“GoodnightMoon
and TheRunawayBunny”Saturday, Apr. 23, 2 p.m.
Onstage @ The AldenArtsPower’s
“ChickenDance”Saturday,
May 14, 2 p.m.
www.mcleancenter.org
www.aldentheatre.org
5th and 6th Grader Party@ The Old Firehouse
Spring FlingFriday, May 6, 7-9 p.m.
The Old FirehouseDouble Feature at
AMC Tysons CornerFriday, Apr. 29, 3:30-10 p.m.
Insider Knowledge Series
“Jazz Masterswith John Eaton”The Music of Hoagy CarmichaelSaturday, Apr. 30, 1 p.m.
SteveSongsWednesday May 11, 12:30 p.m.
Roger DayWednesday, May 4, 12:30 p.m.
Jammin’ Juniors ConcertsMcLean Central Park
Free admission
Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday at noon for the following week’spaper. Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGSmall Gems Exhibit. Through May 10.
Wednesday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, 10a.m.-1 p.m. Village Green Center, 756Walker Road, Great Falls. Contributedwork no larger than 12 inches square.Sparkling jewelry, bronze sculpture,fiber arts, painting, print and mixedmedia. The exhibit hangs on the wallsand is displayed in cubbies and glasscabinets. Free. greatfallsstudios.com.
”Unnecessary Farce.” Fridays-Sundays. April 29-May 14. AldenTheatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Call for times. Classic farce with acontemporary American plot: thepolice procedural. $18-$20.www.mcleanplayers.org. 866-811-4111.
Driven to Abstraction. April 1-30.Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Features over 20works. 703-757-8560.
April Artist Showcase. April 1-27.Broadway Gallery, 1025-J SenecaRoad, Great Falls. Great Falls Gallerywill feature the paintings of Australianartist Ken Strong.broadwaygalleries.net. 703-450-8005.
“Proof.” March 31-May 8. 1st Stage,1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons.Pulitzer Prize-winning play. $30/$26/$15. 1ststagetysons.org. 703-854-1856.
Time Traveler Tuesdays. 4:30 p.m.March 29-June 7. Colvin Run Mill,10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.This weekly series will takeparticipants on an interactive journeythrough time, focusing on a differentperiod in Virginia history each week.Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill/events.htm.
Weekly Storytime. Wednesday andSaturday. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Themes and Titles vary. Freeadmission.
Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. St. Luke’s CatholicSchool Gymnasium, 7005 GeorgetownPike, McLean. Weekly Tai Chipractice. Group has met for over 20years. Free. FreeTaiChi.org. 703-759-9141.
WEDNESDAY/APRIL 20McLean Newcomers and Neighbors
Monthly Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.Brio Tuscan Grille, 1961 Chain BridgeRoad, McLean. CiCi Williams, foodwriter and author, will speak. $32.RSVP by April 15 [email protected].
THURSDAY/APRIL 21Opening Exhibition Reception. 7
p.m. McLean Project for the Arts,1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Teacher’s exhibition. Free.mpaart.org.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY/APRIL 21-23“Loserville.” 7:30 p.m. George C.
Marshall High School, 7731 LeesburgPike, Falls Church. It’s 1971 and geeksshall inherit the Earth in this high-octane, pop-rock, feel-great musical.$15/$10. Statesmentheatre.org. 703-714-5450.
FRIDAY/APRIL 22Bev Ress. 10 a.m.-noon. McLean
Community Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. McLean Art Societywith artist who does 3D naturedrawings. 703-790-0123.
SATURDAY/APRIL 23Meet Corduroy (Costume character
event). 2 p.m. Barnes and NobleTysons, 7851 L. Tysons Corner Center,McLean. brief Meet & Greet withBiscuit will follow Storytime. http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2238.
“Goodnight Moon and RunawayBunny.” 2 p.m. McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.“Goodnight Moon” is a celebration offamiliar nighttime rituals, while “TheRunaway Bunny” is a pretend tale ofleaving home.Ages 4+. $15/$10.mcleancenter.org.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 23-24Community Art Show. Saturday, 11
a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, noon-4 p.m.Vinson Hall Retirement Community,6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean.Community residents show off theirworks. Free. 703-970-3694.
SUNDAY/APRIL 24Tysons Regional Chamber of
Commerce 5K. 8:30 a.m. NearBloomingdale’s Tysons Corner Center,1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.$25-30+. http://www.tysonscharity5k.com/.
Spring Fashion Show. 10 a.m.-noon.Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, 8100Tysons Corner Center, McLean. By theGreat Falls Friends and NeighborsScholarship Fund, Inc. Proceeds willgo toward schoarlships to post-collegeaged Virginia women. Channel 9 newsanchor Andrea Roane emcees.www.GFFNSF.org.
TUESDAY/APRIL 26Author Event. 7:30 p.m. Great Falls
Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls. Brooke C. Stoddard discusseshis book “Steel: From Mine to Mill,The Metal that Made America.”fairfaxcounty.gov/library. 703-757-8560.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 29-MAY 1“Kaleidoscope” Vale Arts Spring
Art Show. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Vale Schoolhouse, 3124 Fox MillRoad, Oakton. Nine Local artistsexhibit more than 150 fine artpaintings and [email protected]. 703-860-1888.
SATURDAY/APRIL 30“Jazz Masters with John Eaton:
The Music of HoagyCarmichael.” McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Jazz pianist, musicologist andhumourist, John Eaton brings hispopular continuing educationprogram. $12/$5.mcleancenter.org.family5kandfunrun.com.
Bad Bugs! 10:30-11:30 a.m.Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna.Discover how to find and destroy bugsthat are bad news for your plants.Preregistration required. $2.50-$5.Register at NOVAparks.com.
Bike Collection. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Chesterbrook Elementary, 1753 KirbyRoad, McLean. The class is partneringwith Bikes for the World to collect allsize bikes to refurbish to donate to theneedy in third world countries andhere in the US. $10 [email protected].
Calendar
Colonial Beach by Jan Heginbotham
Great Falls Library Showcasesthe Work of Local Artist
Area residents and visitors can find more than books at thelocal library when Painter/Sculptor Jan Heginbotham’s work isexhibited at Great Falls Library from April through June. Herpaintings will be on view for the first time at the library’s smallconference room from March 30 through June. A selection ofsculpture will also be at the library for the month of April in thehall cabinet.
Heginbotham is known in the area as a sculptor, having exhib-ited bronze sculptures locally and nationally for more than threedecades. Her sculptures are in public and private collections,and have won awards in National competitions.
Painting is a newer endeavor, one she has been exploring forthree years. “Painting lets me see the world in new ways,”Heginbotham said. “There is more color in the world than I real-ized.”
She is a Great Falls resident and a native of the Washingtonmetro area. To see Heginbotham’s sculpture and painting, visitGreat Falls Library from April through June.www.JanHeginbotham.com
12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
By Jon Roetman
The Connection
The Langley girls’ lacrosse teamhas a new head coach, one ofits top players is in her first sea-son back after suffering a major
knee injury and its leading goal-scorer in arecent game against South Lakes is in herfirst season with the program.
Through 11 games, however, the Saxonshave squashed any potential growing painsin impeccable fashion.
Langley defeated South Lakes 17-3 onApril 14. Two days later, the Saxons beatBattlefield, 15-10, and Chantilly, 17-6, toimprove their record to 11-0. Ten ofLangley’s victories came by a margin of atleast five goals, and six of their wins cameby double digits.
Entering Tuesday’s action, Langley andRobinson were the only undefeated teamsin the 6A North region.
“I don’t think we’ve even thought about[being undefeated],” Langley assistantcoach Bucky Morris said. “I think we justfocus on the next game.”
Junior midfielder Emma Crooks, a Will-iam & Mary commit, said the Saxons are aconfident group capable of regaining theirfocus prior to a game.
“I think we’re really progressing and Ithink … sometimes we come in maybe alittle too head strong,” Crooks said, “so wealways have a talk before each game kindof like, ‘All right guys, let’s remember whowe are, let’s remember that we’re playingfor Langley and not for ourselves,’ so weusually settle ourselves down.”
Crooks, in her first season with Langleyafter transferring from Connelly School ofthe Holy Child in Potomac, Md., led the
Saxons with four goals during their win overSouth Lakes on April 14.
“I think we have such amazing talent onthis team and it’s all spread out,” Crookssaid. “I just think we have so much poten-tial, too. No matter what team we play, Ithink we can come in and just do what wewant to do and what we know how to doand I think we can succeed.”
Maggie Kovacs, a 2009 Langley HighSchool graduate, is in her first season ashead coach of the Saxons. Kovacs was a two-time first-team all-region selection for theLangley girls’ lacrosse team before playingat the University of Oregon.
“She’s awesome,” senior Halle Duenkelsaid. “She’s developed our game in so manyways. There are things we didn’t even knowwe were capable of as a unit. … She justmakes every single person feel comfortableto be on the field at any given time.”
Kovacs said the Saxons haven’t focusedon being undefeated.
“We focus on ourselves, making sure thateach individual as well as the team as a unit
gets better each and every practice,” Kovacswrote in an email. “We pick one to two skillsor concepts to focus on each practice. If theycontinue working as hard as they have beenand absorbing everything we throw at themthe wins will take care of themselves.”
One of Kovacs’ top weapons is senior at-tacker/midfielder Duenkel, a James Madi-son University signee who scored threegoals during the Saxons’ win over SouthLakes. Duenkel entered the season with 112goals and 53 assists in her high school ca-reer, including a junior season that was cutshort when she suffered a torn ACL in herright knee in May of 2015.
Duenkel said she has a different outlookfor her senior season.
“It’s really a big difference,” she said. “Lastyear I had a lot of different goals. This year,it’s very, very different. I take every gameas a blessing to be back on the field and beable to walk and do the things I love andglorify God on the field. … Last year, I wasworried about a lot of other things like scor-ing records … and this year — I don’t even
know what the records are — I’m justlooking for the team to win a statechampionship.”
Kovacs praised Duenkel.“I first coached Halle when she was
in fifth grade playing for GFLA,”Kovacs wrote. “While she’s still one ofthe most gifted and determined play-ers I have ever coached, I couldn’t bemore proud of her development thisspring. ... She’s elevated her entiregame by becoming a much more stra-tegic player.”
Nine different Saxons scored at leastone goal against South Lakes.
Anna Hofgard finished with threegoals and Sareena Dhillon had two.Rebecca Bair, Marina Smith, Sam Suib,Morgan Kuligowski and AvarieRembert each had one.
Langley finished state runner-up in2012 and 2013 but has yet to win astate championship.
Langley faced Fairfax on Tuesday,after The Connection’s deadline. TheSaxons will travel to face Madison at7:30 p.m. on April 26.
Nine different Saxonsscore at least one goalagainst South Lakes.
Langley Girls’ Lax Team Starts 11-0
Anna Hofgard and the Langley girls’ lacrosse team started the seasonwith 11 straight wins.
Langley senior Halle Duenkel scored three goals during a 17-3 win overSouth Lakes on April 14.
Langley junior Emma Crooks finished with four goals against SouthLakes on April 14.
“I think we have suchamazing talent on thisteam and it’s all spreadout. I just think we haveso much potential, too.No matter what team weplay, I think we can comein and just do what wewant to do and what weknow how to do and Ithink we can succeed.”
— Langley junior Emma Crooks
Pho
to
s by C
raig Sterbutzel/T
he C
on
nectio
n
Great Falls Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman
703-752-4031 or [email protected]
Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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News
By Ken Moore
The Connection
The community called the site of the oldExxon Station, with environmentalcleanup underway, an “eyesore.”
Supervisor John W. Foust agreed.The site is set to become a new TD Bank, and re-
cently, TD Bank razed and cleared remnants of theformer gas station at the corner of Georgetown Pikeand Walker Road, even though construction on thebank isn’t scheduled until the fall.
“I’m extremely grateful to them,” said Foust. “Thesite’s been cleared. It’s a significant aesthetic improve-ment. It’s still not what I call attractive, but it’s somuch better than it was.”
TD Bank is planned to open at 9901 GeorgetownPike in February 2017. The 2,616 square-foot bankwith two drive-thru lanes will replace the 1,781square-foot service station.
GREAT FALLS CITIZENS ASSOCIATION contin-ues to monitor clean-up of the site.
“The demolition of the old Exxon station ...promis[es] the correction of a multi-year eyesore asthe site is cleared for the eventual construction of aTD bank location,” according to the GFCA docu-ments.
The Board of Supervisors approved TD Bank’s spe-cial exception (SE 2013-DR-001) on Feb. 25, 2014.The Planning Commission recommended its approvalon the 27,426 square feet of property the monthbefore, according to county documents.
See http://ldsnet.fairfaxcounty.gov/.“They anticipate starting construction in August
and finishing in January,” said Foust.A major part of the special exception including
ensuring that the special exception did not interferewith the clean-up of the MTBE spill at the formerExxon station.
“This project can not interfere with the clean-upeffort, we made that a condition of the approval ofthe project,” said Foust.
“The old Exxon station site has been the focus ofgroundwater contamination clean-up efforts for thepast few years. Those efforts will continue at thissite, as well as across Walker Road underneath theshopping center parking lot to which the contami-nation has spread,” according to GFCA documents.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE of the Citizens Associa-tion reviewed the groundwater monitoring reportissued for second quarter 2015 by Fairfax Petroleumand its environmental engineering contractor,Kleinfelder East. The report was received from theVirginia Department of Environmental Quality.
At the time, GFCA and Glen Sjoblom, chair of theGFCA special committee, predicted that pumping willneed to continue for another four quarters.
“We will keep being vigilant until the problem goesaway,” said Sjoblom.
Approximately 256 pounds of Methyl Tertiary Bu-tyl Ether (MTBE) have been removed since pump-ing and treatment began in August 2014, accordingto the Great Falls Citizens Association.
Concentrations of the chemical were more than10 times the target level in at least one spot.
Even low levels of MTBE can make groundwaterundrinkable due to its offensive taste and odor, ac-cording to U.S. EPA documents.
Leaks were detected from the vapor recovery unitsat the gas station in 2009, said Sjoblom.
MTBE was the gasoline additive used under direc-tion of the EPA prior to 2006, and a leak releasedthe chemical from the former Exxon Service stationinto groundwater.
The groundwater has been treated by pumping itout for air stripping and by charcoal filtration in aspecial treatment trailer, and the treated water isreleased below discharge limits to the storm drain.
Pumping and treatment of groundwater from wellson the original site began in August 2014 in accor-dance with the Department of Environmental Qual-ity Corrective Action Plan.
“It doesn’t take a very big leak to cause a very bigproblem if you have an area that has private wells,”said Sjoblom.
Construction on TD Bankscheduled for Fall; openingof two-lane drive-thru bankanticipated for February.
Eyesore Improves:Bank Coming
Photo courtesy of Great Falls Citizens Association
DEMOLITION ONE: TD Bank, NationalAssociation and the landowner razedremnants of the former Exxon Station onMarch 31, according to Great Falls CitizensAssociation.
To honor Mom on Mother’s Day, send us your favorite snapshots of you withyour Mom and The Connection will publish them in our Mother’s Day issue. Besure to include some information about what’s going on in the photo, plus yourname and phone number and town of residence. To send digital photos, go to:
www.connectionnewspapers.com/mothersdayOr to mail photo prints, send to:
The Great Falls Connection, “Me and My Mom Photo Gallery,”1606 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Photo prints will be returned to you if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope,but please don’t send us anything irreplaceable. ~Reminder: Father’s Day is June 19~
“Me and My Mom”
14 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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ABC NOTICEAMA, LLC trading as Cafe Monaco, 1800 Old Meadow Rd. Mclean, VA 22102. The
above establishment is apply-ing to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine
and Beer on Premises license to sell or manufacture
alcoholic beverages. Agustin Sanchez, owner
NOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
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ABC NOTICESunoco Retail, LLC trading as Sunoco 7659, 4601 Washing-ton Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA
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Sheryl L. Hess, officerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
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Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
ComparativelySpeaking, It’sAll Relative
Not quite admitting to being any more ofa drag than I already am, but having hadcancer now for seven years and nearly twomonths, has been hard to ignore (believeme, I’ve tried), but easy to embrace. What Imean by that is: There seems to be a sub-conscious “governor” (have you ever renteda U-Haul? A “governor” is a device thatkeeps the engine under control, thereby pre-venting miles-per-hour from exceeding acertain speed) that keeps my emotions frombursting any seams. As much as I try toattempt it, I just don’t/can’t/won’t get asexcited and/or as passionate about things as Iused to, pre-cancer. Oh, I still want the RedSox to win and for Duke to lose, but I don’tsuffer as much when neither scenario playsout.
And while I’m admitting things, it’s notonly my subconscious that is acting out/ con-trolling my behavior, it’s also my consciousmind, as in when I’m in touch/aware of myemotions/actions (or lack thereof). As myoncologist once said to me about cancer, inreply to a question I asked him about blam-ing it for my hair turning prematurely gray:“You can blame the cancer for anything,” hesaid, and so I shall. Nevertheless, having anextraordinarily convenient excuse: cancer,might explain most (but not all) of my behav-ior, and it doesn’t bring me much comfort.And so I rationalize some of that unex-plained behavior as self-preservation. Itdoesn’t make me particularly proud, how-ever. Still, having survived cancer for as longas I have certainly does, but it’s not enoughto put a bounce in my step. (Or maybe that’smerely the neuropathy in my feet flatteningmy gait?)
But it’s probably not my actual steps thatmatter. It’s more likely my attitude while I’mstepping. And though I’d much rather myfeet not hurt, my reality is: I’m alive, quiteunexpectedly (based on my original progno-sis), so damn the neuropathy and full speed(more like half speed) ahead. And though Imay not move as fast as I used to (whoamong us actually can?), I am still movingand breathing. I’m just not the man I used tobe, and I can live with that because I’m stillliving. I just wish I could exercise a bit morecontrol. But if I’ve learned anything duringthis cancer experience, it’s that ceding con-trol and accepting certain realities – withinreason, and without giving in or giving uptoo much – is a prudent course of reactionto an incredibly difficult set of circum-stances: diagnosed with a “terminal” form ofcancer at age 54 and a half; and one forwhich there is no right or wrong pursuit. Anyport in a storm I say, and stage IV non-smallcell lung cancer certainly qualifies as a storm,as challenging as any Mother Nature couldmuster. The difference being, this stormnever ends, it only changes in severity andfrequency. Right now, the storm is constant.Either I learn to live with it or I die trying.And minimizing the bad and maximizing thegood is part of that process.
If only there was a way to find someplace (like “the vault” from “Seinfeld”)where I could store my cancer diagnosis andonly acknowledge it when absolutely neces-sary. Wishful thinking, but hardly rational.But what choice does one have, really?Unless you think outside the box, it may verywell be a box (more like a rectangle, actu-ally) where you’ll soon find yourself notthinking at all.
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16 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 20-26, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.GreatFallsGreatHomes.com
Jan & Dan LaythamDianne Van Volkenburg
Office: 703-757-3222Susan Canis
Associate Realtor9841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 • 703-759-9190Sally Marvin
Associate Realtor
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MIDTOWN
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