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HomeLifeStylePage 7
E-bikes:Friend or FoeNews, Page 3
Be Part of thePet Connection
Opinion, Page 6
Springfield Country ClubUndergoes Renovation
News, Page 2
Membership director Dawn Siebenhaar, left, General Manager Bassam B. Medawar and Jennifer Kasmi, the di-rector of catering and special events at Springfield Country Club: The club is undergo-ing an interior renovation to keep up with the times and cater to new clientele.
2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Mike Salmon
The Connection
The classic dark wood look of theSpringfield Country Club is onits way out soon, as the clubundergoes an interior renova-
tion to keep up with the times and cater tonew clientele on the horizon.
Tiling is replacing the carpets, old classiclight fixtures are being replaced and thebathroom tiles are being replaced by fauxstone finishes from 2019. It’s a brightermore colorful look than in the past.
“Bringing us more into the times,” saidGeneral Manager Bassam B. Medawar. Thewood paneling had a “very masculine look,and we’re going away from that,” he said.
“This is more of a facelift,” added Jenni-fer Kasmi, the director of catering and spe-cial events.
Inside the front door, the floors are allcovered with paper and plastic drop clothes,the room on the left is void of all furnitureand the front desk area on the right is be-
ing refurbished. There are ladders scatteredaround in various spots and the private din-ing space looking out on the 18th green isempty as well, the fireplace turned off. Thenew paint is a color called “Revere Pewter,”a light grey in appearance.
Along with the interior work, the backporch is getting updated as well, and theyare putting in a few heaters to keep thisarea popular in the late fall. “We want toextend the outside season,” said Medawar.
The club is still open and the restaurantoperations are taking place in the secondfloor grill, where board member Robert
McNamara was having a lunch meeting.The new chairs in the boardroom are up todate, and McNamara explained the designat a recent board meeting.
“They did understand that this is thetrend,” he said. McNamara lives in Burkeand has been a member at the club since1996.
Nearly 20 years ago, the old club housewas demolished and they built an entirelynew building that looks less like a schoolthan the original structure. Reston residentKaren Altschuler at CFO, Inc. did the origi-nal interior design work, and now she is
back for the $1 million renovation as well.Aside from the work at the clubhouse,
Springfield Country Club is installing a newsystem where members can make tee timeswith an app as well as dinner reservations.On certain days during the week, they haveadopted a golf system called “The Chal-lenge,” where the tee is temporarily relo-cated depending on the golfers level of playso there is less pressure on the beginners.“We’re trying to keep the focus on the in-terpersonal connections,” said DawnSiebenhaar, the membership director.
Even though it’s a private club, they havedone some events with area clubs andschools like class reunions and West Spring-field High School’s end year teacher lun-cheons, as well as events for the WestSpringfield Rotary Club, the Greater Spring-field Chamber of Commerce and the Spring-field Women’s Connection, to name a few.
Last June when the Washington Capitalshockey team was in the Stanley Cup, theclub brought in a big television screen andset it up near one of the tees so everyoneon the back deck could watch the game. Atone point, Alex Ovechkin was playing golfand “had his first hole in one at this golfcourse,” said Kazmi. The renovation isscheduled to be completed in April, and onApril 30 this spring, they are hosting theU.S. Open Women’s Qualifiers.
Springfield Country Club Undergoes RenovationDesign and colorsconsistent with theneed for new.
DawnSiebenhaar,left, andJenniferKasmi dis-cuss theproject withdesignerKarenAltschuler,center.
Photo by
Mike Salmon/
The Connection
Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
“Electric-assist bikes are not coming, theyare here,” said Chris Pauley, directorof park operations, Northern VirginiaRegional Park Authority (NOVA Parks).
The recent popularity in electric-assist bicycles, e-bikes and the fact they are not allowed on trails inFairfax County and NOVA Parks prompted NOVAParks and Fairfax County Park Authority to take stepsto understand the issues and then share facts withthe public and listen to their comments.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, NOVA Parks and FairfaxCounty Park Authority Northern Virginia came to-gether at a joint public meeting in Lorton to presenttheir proposed recommendation to modifying §1.14B. (3) of the Park Authority Regulations. “Becauseboth state law and technology changes, we have toupdate our regulations, and that’s why we are heretonight,” said Michael Nardolilli, chairman and rep-resenting Arlington on the board of directors forNOVA Parks, addressing the gathered crowd of ap-proximately 80 individuals. “We are seeing a posi-tive shift in society where bikes are not just for fit-ness and fun, but increasingly for transportation,”he said.
As the presenter for the public meeting, Pauleydescribed to the crowd how e-bikes are replacing tra-ditional bicycles for both recreation and transporta-tion. “(They) create an inclusive environment fromthe recreation perspective. People from all ages andabilities are being reintroduced to riding ... As a trans-portation option, people are riding further and ridingmore often if they have an e-bike,” Pauley said.
PAULEY EXPLAINED the steps taken on the issueas it relates to the parks. NOVA Parks worked withToole Design Group, a consulting agency with 16years of experience. Its stated focus is “... develop-ing creative yet practical solutions that move people
more efficiently while improving the quality of lifeof the community.”
According to Pauley, one of the most critical issues
Parks agencies presentproposed changes allowinge-bikes on their trails.
E-bikes: Friend or Foe
Proposed AmendmentThe Altered Sections of the Proposed Amendment Read:1.14 Motor Vehicles and Traffic:B: Prohibited Vehicles.(3) Mopeds are permitted only in areas where motor
vehicles are permitted.(Added)E. E-Bikes. Electric power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes)
equipped with pedals that allow propulsion by humanpower are considered bicycles and non-motorized vehiclesfor the purpose of these regulations and are allowed in thesame places that traditional, pedal-powered only bicyclesare allowed.
Presenter Chris Pauley, director of ParksRecreation NOVA, describes the recre-ational and lifestyle benefits of e-bikesduring the Fairfax County Park Authorityand Northern Virginia Regional ParkAuthority joint public meeting on Thurs-day, Feb. 7, on proposed changes to regu-lation on the use of e-bikes on park trailsin northern Virginia.
Attendees atthe NOVAParks andFairfax CountyPark Authorityjoint publicmeeting listento PresenterChris Pauley ashe describesthe proposedchanges.
Photos by
Mercia Hobson/
The Connection
See E-bikes, Page 10
Comments from the Public
Viewpoints
Alexis Glenn, Fairfax Alliance forBetter Bicycling (FABB)
“It is my position as a resident of thecounty and position of FABB to supportNOVA Parks proposal to permit Class 1and Class 2 e-bikes in the same parksanywhere traditional pedal-poweredbikes are allowed … Safety on bicycleswill always come down to educationand culture and not the types of bikeswe ride … Bad behavior is equated tothe individual, not the equipment.”
Steve Jones, Clifton“The Bull Run Occoquan Trail is a
single track, and even the new im-proved sections of the trail have suchtight turns and short sight lines thatyou can’t see what’s coming around thenext bend ... The Trail at Fountainhead(Regional Park) shouldn’t be a multi-use trail until you correct it. I havebeen frightened by e-bikes comingaround a sharp turn.”
Susan Arango, Burke“As a teenager, I was fine riding my
bike. Fast forward 40 years and badknees ... I’m on an e-bike. I’m discover-ing so many cool neighborhoods, somany ponds, so many lakes ... If morepeople can become happy people,happy residents, happy cyclists, likemyself, let’s make the world a happierplace by accepting this proposal.”
Cary Petrovich, Lorton“The e-bike has given me this whole new level to go riding
with my friends. I had a knee issue … that’s why I acquired mye-bike. It allowed me to do everything I wanted to do and stillenjoy the outdoors … I ride at a lower (tire) pressure. Mymountain bike tires do not rip up the trails. It is not a throttle.It is pedal-assisted.”
4 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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“Loving People to Life”
News
See Kidsafe, Page 5
By Andrea Worker
The Connection
Robin Hill knows something about kids,safety, and preparing for emergencies.The mother of six and having been fostermom to another forty-seven or so – the
“kids” part - Hill and her team run an Allstate-affili-ate insurance agency at 5222 Rolling Road in Burke– and that covers the safety and emergency-prepared-ness bit. On Friday, Feb. 8, she combined both areasof expertise and commitment with the ribbon-cut-ting that made her agency add “Operation KidsafeYear-Round Child Safety Center” to the list of whatshe and the team offer to the community.
Effective immediately, Hill and company will beoffering a digital photo and fingerprint record ser-vice for children and vulnerable adults, at no cost tothe families.
The equipment, which includes the digital cam-era, fingerprinting unit and printer to produce theidentification card that results from the captureddata, is provided by Operation Kidsafe International,a company based in Springfield, Ill., founded by MarkBott. Bott worked for four years with John Walsh,the father who was instrumental in creating the Na-
tional Center for Missing and Exploited Children andwho dedicated himself to victim’s rights and childsafety advocacy after the murder of his six-year-oldson Adam in 1981. The two worked together onWalsh’s reality television series “America’s MostWanted.”
Bott himself was a force behind the establishmentof the Amber Alert system and has spearheaded anumber of child-safety initiatives in the United Statesand Canada. With Operation Kidsafe International,Bott recruits community partners to sponsor theSafety Centers and events where children and vul-nerable adults can have the uniform, Amber Alert-ready identification card prepared for free.
Hill, along with her husband Shak who is a finan-cial planner, author, motivational speaker and ownerof Guiding Light Publishing, answered the call forfamilies in Northern Virginia, agreeing to the annualfee to maintain sponsorship, and to being ready, will-ing, and able to market the service and utilize it tohelp keep local children safe.
AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT, where ShakHill handled the role of emcee, local officials, mem-bers of law enforcement, faith communities,children’s organizations, and the Fairfax CountyPublic Schools systems gathered to celebrate theaddition of this latest tool in the child safety arse-nal and to thank Robin, her husband, and her teamfor their willingness to step up for the sake of thecommunity’s kids.
Robin Hill Insurancesponsors Virginia’s FirstOperation Kidsafe Center.
Kidsafe Center Opens in Burke
Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection
It’s official – Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity helpsRobin Hill of Robin Hill Insurance – along with a host oflaw enforcement, school and community organizationpartners - cut the ribbon, making her agency the first tosponsor an Operation Kidsafe Center in Virginia.
Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 4
News
Noting the increase in online child preda-tor activity and in human trafficking in ourown area, Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Spring-field) remarked “this program is an impor-tant addition to the fight against thesecrimes.” He added that “no one program,organization or effort can meet this chal-lenge alone,” thanking Hill for serving as acommunity partner on an issue of criticalimportance.
Tom Vaccarello, Dir. of Safety and Secu-rity for Fairfax County Public Schools alsospoke at the event, saying that the intro-duction of the Operation Kidsafe Programis “a great thing, and needed to help keepour kids, and the community, safer.’
Hill seemed more comfortable out of thelimelight, cutting the cake made especiallyfor the occasion with the Operation Kidsafelogo, and operating the equipment to dem-onstrate the speed and ease of its use. Butshe was persuaded to speak a few words tothe attendees.
“Just that minute when you don’t see yourchild in the store – it’s sudden, terrifyingpanic,” she said, evoking a nightmare mo-ment for parents everywhere. She hopes thatno one she works with will ever have to makeuse of the identification cards, “but to be pre-pared in case is everything,” since she saysin that panic-filled moment even the most
Kidsafe in Burkefamiliar detail about yourchild or adult loved onecan be difficult to recall.The card is ready with allthe pertinent informationthat law enforcement needto start their search and in-vestigation.
“I am really just grate-ful to have this opportu-nity to further contributeto the safety of our kids,”she said.
Even before getting in-volved with the identifica-tion system service, Hillwas already doing herpart, working with lawenforcement on theirchild car seat checkinginitiative and securing agrant from Allstate for thepurchase of car seats forthose less able to affordthem. Hill acknowledged that local law en-forcement resources are already stretched,so “if we all do just a little, we can makethings better together for everyone.”
FOLLOWING THE BRIEF SPEECHES,Hill demonstrated the system, with Super-visor Herrity offering to be the first volun-teer. In just over 60 seconds, Herrity was
handed his identification card, with his digi-tal photo and copy of all ten fingerprints.
“Now, don’t fill out any of the personalinformation until you get home,” cautionedHill. That is something she will tell all whoparticipate.
“None of this information is recorded. It’scompletely private, not shared with anyone.You get the only copy of the photo and the
Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection
Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) accepts the invitation tobe the first volunteer, allowing Operation Kidsafe sponsorRobin Hill to demonstrate the system. Taking just over aminute, with no fingerprint ink mess, a private Amber Alert-ready identification card is prepared. None of the informationis recorded.
fingerprints,” she stated.“But you don’t want to in-clude the personal infountil you can put thissomewhere safe. Youwouldn’t want to lose thison your way home.”
Operation Kidsafe In-ternational has alreadyprocessed more than onemillion children. RobinHill and her family andteam are ready to add tothose rolls. Hill says callto make an appointmentto process your child orvulnerable adult at theoffice, or to discuss ar-rangements for the equip-ment to be offered at anevent, a faith community,or wherever appropriate.The equipment is mobile,easy to set up, requiring
little space and just an electric outlet forpower. Since this is the only such center inVirginia at this time, Hill is willing to takeher traveling safety resources within a 50-mile radius.
Call 703-425-5600 or [email protected] to sched-ule your appointment, learn more, or ar-range a mobile event.
6 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearlyspecial edition, will publish the lastweek of February, and photos andstories of your pets with you and your
family should be submitted by Friday, Feb. 22.We invite you to send stories about your pets,
photos of you and your family with your cats,dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters, snakes,lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whateverother creatures share your life withyou.
Tell us the story of a special bondbetween a child and a dog, the story of howyou came to adopt your pet, or examples ofamazing feats of your creatures.
Do you volunteer at an animal shelter ortherapeutic riding center or take your pet tovisit people in a nursing home? Does your busi-
ness have a managing pet? Is your businessabout pets? Have you helped to train an assis-tance dog? Do you or someone in your familydepend on an assistance dog?
Or take this opportunity to memorialize abeloved pet you have lost.
Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favoritepictures include both pets and humans.
Please tell us a little bit about yourcreature, identify everyone in thephoto, give a brief description what ishappening in the photo, and include
address and phone number (we will not pub-lish your address or phone number, just yourtown name).
Email to [email protected] submit online atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
Be Part of the Pet Connection
For advertising information, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.
— Mary Kimm
Editorial
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
Despite all the distractionassociated with events inRichmond these days, the
General Assembly is staying ontask dealing with legislative andbudgetary issues it faces. Eachhouse of the legislature has startedto work on legislation passed bythe other with conflicts resolvedin conference committees made up of mem-bers from both houses. The really big confer-ence committee is that working to resolve dif-ferences on the budget. The big differences onthe budget are between the Democrats and Re-publicans and not the two houses—how to dealwith additional revenues coming to the statefrom the federal tax changes. Stay tuned forthe differences on the budget because they willnot be resolved until the last few days of thesession that is scheduled to adjourn on Feb.23.
Some good news is emerging from the ses-sion. Requiring hands-free phones in cars thathas been required in most other states manyyears ago may finally be coming to Virginia.
Research shows that the greatestcause of auto accidents is dis-tracted driving with calls andtexting being the chief reason.
I remember the many sessionsthat it took to pass requirementsfor smoke-free areas. Richmond asthe cigarette manufacturing capi-tal was finally over-ridden bypopular sentiments, and smoke-
free areas were legislated. Amazingly but hap-pily the age to buy cigarettes and the latestcraze of buying electronic vaping devices isbeing raised from age 18 to 21.
Efforts to legalize gambling establishmentsin areas of the state as diverse as Portsmouth,Bedford and Danville failed this year in favorof a year-long study to determine state policy.I predict we will see casinos established in thestate in a few years as some regions see themas economic development and a source of newrevenue offsetting anemic state funding. Ivoted to let a study go forward but would notsupport public financing of a stadium or gam-bling establishment. Bills that would have de-criminalized marijuana did not make it out of
committee in either house. My bill introducedat the suggestion of the Chris Atwood Founda-tion to make Naloxone more available to re-duce deaths from drug overdoses passed.
Different bills passed that purport to createa fairer way to draw legislative district bound-aries, but neither comes close to the indepen-dent processes that the public has been seek-ing to end gerrymandering.
On the environment, bills to require Domin-ion to clean up their coal-ash ponds passedboth houses with endorsement by major envi-ronmental groups. A bill I voted for that wouldhave established an ambitious agenda forcleaning up the environment in Virginia failedin the House.
The Senate passed a bill to require publicschools to teach a class on the Bible! I will notbe voting for it if it makes its way through com-mittee.
All the gun safety bills were defeated in bothhouses. A bill to make it easier to get a con-cealed weapon if you are from another statepassed with a likely veto by the governor.
Yes, there are other big challenges in thecapital these days. I will be addressing themin future columns as the facts involved becomebetter known.
Staying on TaskCommentary
Re-thinkSprayingDear Editor,
On Jan. 24, Fairfax and PrinceWilliam County spokesmen urgeda Virginia House of Delegates sub-committee to allow localities tocontinue to kill caterpillars withbroadcast spraying. At issue isAlsophila pometaria, the inch-worm or fall cankerworm, a na-tive insect that in its larval stageis a caterpillar, a major foodsource for spring breeding andmigrating birds. Some view thiscaterpillar as a “nuisance” when
it spins down from trees on asilken thread.
A coalition is trying to stop thisspraying, which kills not just thetarget species but all butterfly andmoth caterpillars exposed to thespray, Bacillus thuringiensis var.kurstaki (Btk). “This collateraldamage is much too high a priceto pay, when the focal animal is anatural element of Virginia’s for-est ecology,” wrote the Universityof Connecticut’s Dr. DavidWagner, a world caterpillar ex-pert.
Some spraying advocates con-tend that inchworms defoliate
Letters to the Editor
and kill trees. Opponents arguethat it takes several years of se-vere defoliation to kill a tree,which is rare; that most treesreleaf in one season; and that treemortality has many, often unde-termined causes.
Del. Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax) of-fered a compromise to her origi-nal bill to require residents to optinto the spray program, a reversalof these counties’ current opt-outprograms. The subcommittee re-jected the bill on a party-line fiveto four vote.
The inchworm is a native insect,part of the natural ecosystem, not
a destructive invasive like thegypsy moth. Government officialsat all levels should understand thevalue of native insects and theirrole, critters that noted biologistE.O. Wilson said are “the littlethings that run the world.” Killingcaterpillars without documenta-tion of real harm or without un-derstanding their importance isinexcusable.
Ashley C. Kennedy, MSPhD Candidate, Tallamy Lab
Dept. of Entomology andWildlife Ecology
University of Delaware
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Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
HomeLifeStyle
By Marilyn Campbell
A breeze of warm air to heat thewinter chill is how some design-ers are describing one of thetrendiest colors on tap for this
year. “Living Coral” was selected as the 2019Color of the Year by the Pantone Color In-stitute, the self-described global authorityof color. It’s a shade that is expected to havea prominent presence in interior design,home accessories and fashion this year.
“It works well with most of the founda-tion colors everyone has in their homes in-cluding white, taupe, gray, and brown,” saiddesigner Amanda Mertins of Patina PolishedLiving in Alexandria. “If you choose to paint,it can help to brighten a space lacking natu-ral light.”
Described as a nurturing color that canbe found in nature, Living Coral is a shadeof orange with a golden undertone. “It canbe used as a wonderful accent color,” saidMertins. “Introduce it with artwork, tosspillows, rugs and throws.”
Life-affirming and reminiscent of coralreefs, Living Coral is credited with the abil-ity to breathe life into any space in one’shome. “[It’s] is vibrant, energizing shade… that can be incorporated as a light ac-cent or bold statement in both a kitchen orbath,” said designer Natalia Fabisiak ofNicely Done Kitchens and Baths in Spring-field. “As the timeless trend of white kitch-ens continues, Living Coral offers the per-fect pop of color an all-white kitchen mayneed.”
“Coffee mugs, dish towels, trays and triv-ets are an easy and inexpensive way to in-troduce the trending color of the year intoyour kitchen,” added Fabisiak.
Home accent pieces are the way that de-
signer Julie Ackerman of Home Polish inBethesda recommends using the Pantonepick. “Dishware, serveware or decorativeaccent pieces and porcelain figurines, likethose by Herend are a great way to incor-porate Living Coral into your home,” shesaid.
For a more long-term commitment,Fabisiak says, “In a bathroom, Living Coralcan be used as a wall color that can be eas-ily paired with neutral tile and fixtures. Ifpainting the walls is too drastic, bath ac-cents like coral towels or a rug can brightenup the space beautifully as well.
In announcing the selection, LeatriceEiseman, executive director of the PantoneColor Institute, said, “Color is an equaliz-
Photo courtesy of Patina Polished Living
Living Coral can be introduced intoone’s home through art, saysdesigner Amanda Mertins.
ing lens through which we experience ournatural and digital realities and this is par-ticularly true for Living Coral. With consum-ers craving human interaction and socialconnection, the humanizing and hearten-ing qualities displayed by the convivialPantone Living Coral hit a responsivechord.”
Each year, the Pantone Color Institutemakes a prediction about the color that willbe on trend for the upcoming year. The se-lection process, which takes about ninemonths, has color gurus at Pantone span-ning the globe, taking note of the trends inindustries that run the gamut from rangingfrom film and entertainment to art and in-terior design.
“... can help tobrighten a spacelacking natural light.”
‘Living Coral’ Named 2019 Color of the YearWhen used on awall in akitchen orbathroom,Living Coral canmake a boldstatement, saysdesigner NataliaFabisiak ofNicely DoneKitchens andBaths.
Photo courtesy of Nicely Done Kitchens and Baths
8 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By David Siegel
The Connection
The Center for the Arts is thrilled to besharing Cirque Mechanics with ourcommunity. Audiences of all ages will
be mesmerized by the acrobatic feats performed,and the humor inherent in the clowning ensurespatrons are engaged and entertained,” saidAdrienne Godwin, Programming Manager, Cen-ter for the Arts (CFA).
“Cirque Mechanics takes a unique approach byincluding innovative mechanical staging that youdon’t see with other American circus troupes,which means that circus novices and aficionadosalike will see something new and inspiring,” addedGodwin.
Cirque Mechanics, an American circus, wasfounded in 2004 with roots for its performancesin the mechanical. At the CFA performance pa-trons will experience “42FT-A Menagerie of Me-chanical Marvels.” It is a singular blend of acro-batics as well as impressive array of mechanicalmarvels including a stunningly lifelike mechani-cal horse. There will be plenty of clowning andthe ageless wonder of circus artistry such as tra-ditional circus acts like the Strongman and jug-gling.
“We create circus shows that showcase the rela-tionship between the mechanical and the acro-batic worlds. The Center for the Arts show has allthe big wow moments we expect from a circusshow with a great story and a unique stage setthat allows us to see the action in the ring andbehind the scenes,” said Chris Lashua, Founderand Creative Director,Cirque Mechanics.
Cirque Mechanics:“42FT-A Menagerie ofMechanical Marvels”displays life in a circustent show. It will followthe story of a down andout roustabout filledwith wanderlust and enamored with the circus,willing to persevere in order to reach his dreamof performing under the big top. It takes place inan rotating tent frame.
“In ‘42ft’ we sought to pay tribute to the classic
“Cirque Mechanics: 42FT-A Menagerie ofMechanical Marvels” in performance atthe George Mason University, Center forthe Arts on Feb. 22, 2019.
Circus Life Comes AliveCirque Mechanics comesto Center for the Arts.
one ring circus. The central element of the circushas been the circus ring itself (42’ in diameter),and this ring provides the perfect boundary to al-low an acrobat to perform tricks on horseback at
a full gallop,” addedLashua.
Lashua is a circus per-former in his own right.He created and per-formed visionary circusacts using an innovativeaerial apparatus beforeforming his own circus
company, Cirque Mechanics. Before the circus,Lashua was in professional bicycle freestyle com-petitions and performance.
Cirque Mechanics is “to be enjoyed by audiencesof all ages,” said Lashua.
Pho
to
by M
eike Sch
ultz
Where and WhenGeorge Mason University, Center for the Arts presents
“Cirque Mechanics: 42FT-A Menagerie of Mechanical Mar-vels” at 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.Performance Saturday, February 22, 2019 at 8 p.m. Tick-ets: $48, $41, $29. Call 888-945-2468, or visitwww.cfa.gmu.edu.
“
Entertainment
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.
ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Amazing Art Jam.
Through Feb. 24, gallery hours at theVulcan Gallery, Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Workhouse Arts Center hoststhe third iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Visit www.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam for more.
Winter Golf. Through Feb. 28, skip thetraffic with the Afternoon Drivespecial at the heated and coveredranges at Burke Lake Golf Center. Allbuckets are $2 off, Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. until closing. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf.
Exhibit: Purchased Lives. ThroughFeb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (exceptmajor holidays) at the FairfaxMuseum and Visitor Center, 10209Main St., Fairfax. Purchased Lives isa traveling exhibition from theHistoric New Orleans Collection. Theexhibit examines a complex anddivisive period of American historyand educating about the far-reachingeconomic and heartbreaking personalimpact of the domestic slave trade.Call 703-385-8414.
FRIDAY/FEB. 15B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,
4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Visitwww.fairfaxvfd.com or call 703-273-3638 for more.
SATURDAY/FEB. 16“One Woman, One Vote.” 10 a.m. at
Sydenstricker United MethodistChurch, 8508 Hooes Road,Springfield. All are welcome to theshowing of the PBS video “OneWoman, One Vote.” The filmdocuments the 70-year battle forwomen’s suffrage in the UnitedStates, culminating in the passage ofthe 19th Amendment to theConstitution. The film, narrated bySusan Sarandon, is part of thegeneral meeting of the Springfield-Annandale branch of the AmericanAssociation of University Women.Call Irene McGhee at 703-628-4048.
Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visit fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet for more.
CatnipHaven Grand Opening. 11a.m.-4 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus,11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Fairfax-based cat adoption group, Pets BringJoy, is launching a brand-newadoption habitat called CatnipHaven.The 8 x 10 screened enclosureprovides a comfortable setting forrescue cats and kittens and humanvisitors alike to interact in hopes offinding a “purrfect” match. Visitpetsbringjoy.org/ for more.
Valentine’s Day Banquet. 6:30-11p.m. at Waterford Receptions atSpringfield, 6715 Commerce St.,Springfield. The Family Ministry ofthe Greater Little Zion Baptist Churchin Fairfax is sponsoring their AnnualValentine’s Day Banquet. All couplesand singles are invited to fellowshipand to enjoy an evening of finedining, music, dancing and featuredentertainment. $60 per person(payment deadline is Feb. 10).Contact Anthony or Terri Bazemoreat 703-239-9111.
Country-Western Dance. Lessons, 6-7 p.m.; open dancing 7-9:30 p.m. atAccotink Universalist Unitarian
Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court,Burke. The Northern VirginiaCountry-Western Dance Associationwill hold a dance. A DJ providesmusic. Couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for NVCWDAmembers $10; non-members $12;children under 18 accompanied by apaying adult $5. Smoke-free andalcohol-free. BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org.
Art for the Heart. 7-10:30 p.m. in theParish Hall at Church of the Nativity,2400 Nativity Lane, Burke. TheKnights of Columbus Fr. SikoraCouncil 7992 is holding their AnnualArt Auction. Join in a festive eveningof viewing and bidding on a varietyof fine art, memorabilia, andcollectibles while enjoyingcomplementary wine and specialty
hors d’oeuvres prepared by A BitMore Catering. $15 per person. Fortickets contact Tom Savage at 512-983-5641 or [email protected].
SUNDAY/FEB. 17NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-
4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will hold aN gauge Model Train Display at theFairfax Station Railroad Museum.Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
TUESDAY/FEB. 19Serve Up Dinner for the Animals.
4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hidden PondNature Center, 8511 GreeleyBoulevard, Springfield. It may not beeveryone’s idea of dinner, but wormsand insects are considered finedining for the nature center’s exhibitanimals. Ages 3-adult. $6 per person.Call 703-451-9588 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hidden-pond for more.
THURSDAY/FEB. 21Burke Historical Society Speaker.
7 p.m. at George Mason RegionalLibrary, 7001 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. Learn about the manyspooky legends of the region — andtheir historical background — asCindy Bennett presents “Ghosts,Goons, and a Bunny Man.” Visit
burkehistoricalsociety.org for more.
FRIDAY/FEB. 22B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,
4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Visitwww.fairfaxvfd.com or call 703-273-3638 for more.
SATURDAY/FEB. 23Fairfax Genealogy Society. 9:30
a.m. at Dunn Loring Volunteer FireStation Hall, 2148 Gallows Road,Vienna. Michael Donovan will discussthe 1958 explosions at the nikemissile launch site in Middletown,N.J., and the genealogical researchon the 10 victims. Visit www.fxgs.orgfor more.
Orienteering Workshop. 10 a.m.-noon at Burke Lake Park, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Put down theGPS and get around the old-fashioned way. Orienteering is thesport of navigation with map andcompass. It’s easy to learn but alwayspresents challenges. Participants inthis program will learn how to use acompass, read a topographic mapand navigate orienteering courses. Acompass is required. Designed forparticipants age 8-adult. $31 perperson. Call 703-323-6600 or visitfairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake.
Reception: Amazing Art Jam. 7-11p.m. at the Vulcan Gallery,Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. WorkhouseArts Center hosts the third iterationof the Amazing Art Jam. This pop-upexhibition offers fresh perspectives byexploring several young,contemporary themes includingstreet art, anime, Marvel iconographyand hip-hop culture. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam for more.
SUNDAY/FEB. 24Hands On Activity Day. 1-4 p.m. 1-4
p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Crafts andactivities often in a railroad orhistorical theme will be offered forvisitors to enjoy. Cost of supplies isincluded in the admission. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.
MainStreet Band Concert. 4-5:30p.m. at Sidney Lanier Middle School,3801 Jermantown Road, Fairfax.10th anniversary celebration. Medleyof Beatles hits, a Romantic-eracomposition by Camille Saint-Saëns,and selections from favorite moviemusicals and birthday cake tocelebrate the band’s decade ofsuccess. Free. Visit fairfaxband.org orcall 571-336-CFBA (2322).
Pohick Church CoffeehouseFundraiser. 5-7 p.m. at HistoricPohick Episcopal Church, 9301Richmond Highway, Lorton. Comefor an evening of entertainment,snacks, coffee and hot chocolate.Performers will include youth, adultsand local musicians. All are welcome.The event is free, but donations areencouraged: all proceeds go towardthe summer Sr. High Mission Trip.Contact Rusty Booth at 703-339-6572 or [email protected], or visitwww.pohick.org for more.
The Capitol Steps BenefitPerformance. 7 p.m. at FairfaxHigh School, 3501 Rebel Run Road,Fairfax. Join in for a SILLYariousevening as the Capitol Steps politicalsatire comedy troupe performs ashow to benefit high school theatrefor the Cappies of the NationalCapitol Area. Free parking. Adults,$30; students/senior citizens, $20;children 12 and under, $10; andgroups of 10 or more, $15. [email protected] or visitwww.cappies.com/nca.
Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Returning to Rotary Club of SpringfieldM. Siddique Sheikh, a former member of the Rotary Club of Springfield (RCS), receivesa book certificate from RCS President E. Sean Lanier. Sheikh spoke to the Club of hisnearly 50 years in the United States, having come from Pakistan. This coming Octoberwill mark his 50 years here. In Pakistan, he was an Eagle Scout. Sheikh rose from anhourly wage job to owning many service stations. He is Founder and Chair of thePakistan American Business Association (PABA) which organization meets with manywell-known local, State, and Federal government leaders.
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10 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 3
was to look at user and safety behavior, as it wasnot something other localities had done yet. “We areon the cutting edge,” said Pauley.
Fairfax County Park Authority took a different ap-proach, Pauley said. They established a staff led e-bike study team, which, among other things, re-viewed jurisdictional practices. It also “... looked atlocal bike associations and talked with them aboutwhat they saw.. .(and) the different impacts on theirfacilities,” said Pauley. H
e added that the county developed recommenda-tions in concert with state law by working with thecounty attorney. “A pretty involved process from bothends,” he emphasized.
Pauley circled back to user behavior. He requotedkey monikers stated in comments provided by peoplewho were opposed to e-bikes on the trails: “The trailsare too crowded; these bikes are too fast.” Pauleydisputed the concerns. He stressed their white pa-per studies showed e-bike cyclists and traditionalcyclists behave the same. “They don’t behave anydifferently. They don’t behave any better, but alsodon’t behave any worse,” Pauley said.
Pauley confirmed that on the roads e-bikes tend togo a little faster than traditional bicycles but he sur-prised many in the audience when he said, “On multi-use trails, they are a little slower.” Crash rates are simi-lar he added. As for other people on the trail, Pauleyrevealed people did not recognize when an e-bike wason a trail with them. “Studies showed that most peopleif you didn’t tell them there was an e-bike on the trail,didn’t know that it was there,” he said.
Pauley highlighted the Virginia Code authorizes thepark authorities to regulate uses of all land and fa-cilities under control of the authority. “But there is acaveat. We can’t create any regulation that is in con-flict with state law … state law is at the top; it’s theking of everything,” said Pauley. “Park regulations fallin the middle ...The way it works is our park regula-tions are enforceable by law. It is a Class IV misde-meanor. So technically someone riding an e-bike yes-terday could be cited with a Class IV misdemeanor.That’s probably not where we want to be.”
STATE LAW is pretty wide-open, said Pauley. Hecautioned, “That might not be the best fit for some ofour trails from the perspective of safety.” Pauley saidthe proposal they were presenting that evening wasto strike the motor-assist piece to clearly define mo-peds are not permitted on trails, only where motorvehicles are allowed to go.
Pauley stated that they added a section that woulddefine what a power-assist or e-bike would be. “That’sbasically operable pedals, with an assist motor,” hesaid. “The proposal would be to discount the e-bikeas a motorized vehicle thereby allowing it to travelany place a traditional bike would be able to go,”Pauley said.
In the draft guidelines, Pauley said they defined ane-bike, its performance level, where e-bikes can beoperated and how it can be used. “This is a signifi-cant first step, a positive step to get these people backon the trails, get them into the parks, get them to beinclusive in their recreation, help them with thelifestyle they want to live and get them back on thebike to enjoy themselves,” said Pauley.
E-bikes to Come to Area Trails
News
Members of the NOVABoard listen to the pre-sentation during theFairfax County ParkAuthority and NorthernVirginia Regional ParkAuthority joint publicmeeting on Thursday,Feb. 7.
Photos by Mercia Hobson/
The Connection
Comments from the PublicViewpoints
Beth Meyer, Co-owner, Green LizardCycling, Herndon
“I was asked byNVRPA to bring acouple of differentstyles of e-bikes thatcomply with the recom-mended guidelines inthat they are less than750 watts, don’t go over20 mph and do not have a throttle but requirethe rider to pedal in order to get any benefitfrom the electric motor.”
Todd Ketch, Owner,Pedego ElectricBikes, Alexandria
“(E-bikes) open thedoor for more people ofall ages to ride a bike,more often and forlonger distances anddurations. Fantasticopportunity for exerciseenjoyment of the out-
doors and alternative transportation … We musthold them (e-bikes) to the same rules as thoseon conventional bikes.”
Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
premature.
ence.
So Far,So Good
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold weather drop-in
centers and shelters that serve Northern Virginiaat www.novaregion.org/174/Homeless-Shelter-Lists.
VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or Railroad
History? Consider volunteering at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individual tocoordinate the scheduling of the volunteer staff.Training will be provided for all positions. [email protected] or call 703-945-7483 for opportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station.It is open every Sunday, except holidays, from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.
The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burkeneeds volunteer drivers for trips to medicalappointments (Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) within the Fairfax-Burke area and in the South County area (westof Route 1, Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingual volunteers(English and Spanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.
INPUT SOUGHTShaping the Future Together. Fairfax County
Government is beginning a strategic planningprocess with the community to shape the futuretogether. The goal is to hear all voices and reachall segments of the community. This effort willspan most of 2019, but in this first phase, thecommunity is being asked to visitfairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan and:
❖ Take a short five-question online survey❖ Join a community conversation in person: Feb.
25 – Alexandria; Feb. 26 – Fairfax; March 6 –Falls Church.
❖ Share the survey and conversation invitation withneighbors, co-workers and county family andfriends.
TUESDAYS THROUGH FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the Making. 6:30-
8:30 p.m. at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in the Making:The Seven Essential Life Skills Every ChildNeeds by Ellen Galinsky, encompasses anevidence-based list of life skills that are essentialfor children to succeed socially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and long term.Participants may register for one or all of theworkshops and do not need to attend theprevious class. Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore or to register.
❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed, EngagedLearning (part 7)
FRIDAY/FEB. 14Grant Application Deadline. 5 p.m.
ARTSFAIRFAX is accepting nominations for itseighth annual Arts Awards recognizing visionarycontributions that the arts bring to FairfaxCounty and the Cities of Fairfax and FallsChurch. This year’s awards categories includeEmerging Arts, Arts Achievement and ArtsPhilanthropy. Visit artsfairfax.org for more.
FRIDAY/FEB. 15Black History Month Celebration: “Know
the Past, Shape the Future.” 6 p.m.,reception; 7 p.m., program begins at the FairfaxCounty Government Center, 12000 GovernmentCenter Parkway, Fairfax. Virginia’s LieutenantGovernor Justin E. Fairfax and Fairfax CountyExecutive Bryan Hill will be part of the freeBlack History Month Celebration. The programalso includes recognition of historically blackchurches in Fairfax County. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicaffairs/know-past-shape-future-black-history-month-celebration-0for more.
Bulletin Board
12 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 14-20, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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