Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com July 4-10, 2018
Opi
nio
n, Pag
e 8 v
Enter
tai
nm
ent, Pag
e 4 v
C
lass
ified
s, P
age
6Photo b
y Jen
net
h D
yck/T
he
Connec
tio
n
Postal CustomerECR WSS
Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 7-5-18
PRSRT STDU.S. Postage
PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
‘Going Everywhere’ In Local LibrariesNews, Page 2
Young Vienna Pianist Earns Paderewski MedalNews, Page 3
Serving Meals andBlessings to Homeless
News, Page 3
Karen Curtis, John Holley, Faith Dougherty, Karen Holley and Jaydan Michael prepare
food donations to the Lamb Center.
WellbeingPage 5
2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Select yourproducts from
our MobileShowroomand Design
CenterFully Insured &
Class A LicensedSince 1999
Free Estimates703-214-8384
From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee
Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com
Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel
TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the
past 17 years
10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the
past 17 years
Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We need long- and short-termfosters for cats of all ages, mothers with litters and kittens on their own.
Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org
Consider Fostering
You Can Make a Difference
visit our website,cl ick on Participate
By Carlyn Kranking
The Connection
The room smells of popcorn, but it isn’t amovie theater – it’s apublic library. Patrick
Henry Library Youth Services As-sistant Erin Guyer wears a tiara asshe tidies the room after thesummer’s first family movie mati-nee.
“Today we had Beauty and theBeast,” Guyer said. “The original– because I’m sorry, but EmmaWatson is Hermione.”
This summer, public librarieswill put on a variety of programsfor children, teens and adults thatinclude movies, storytimes, musicand animals in the library.
“It’s to get the library seen asmore of a community center,” saidAlicia Rocconi, Youth ServicesManager at Patrick Henry Library.“It’s another way to just get peoplein so they can become familiarwith the library itself and not seeit as so intimidating.”
Though many events are di-rected at younger children, thereis plenty of teen programming aswell. The “Life Hacks Series” atPatrick Henry Library teachesteens skills that include medita-tion, interviewing, dating and per-sonal safety. There will also be aTriassic World Escape Room at theend of the summer in which par-ticipants imagine they are in a “Ju-rassic Park”-like scenario and mustfind a sedative to calm the dino-saurs. There are different timeslots for families and teens.
Guyer said these programs giveteens the chance to experience the
library in an atypical way.“You don’t think, ‘Okay, I’m go-
ing to go eat Laffy Taffy, play boardgames and read manga in the li-brary,’” Guyer said. “You wouldn’tthink about having to figure outhow to calm dinosaurs in the li-brary.”
THE LIBRARIES also have a pro-gram called the Summer ReadingAdventure to encourage readingoutside school. Between June 15and Sept. 1, children and teens canparticipate in the program to earna coupon booklet as a prize. Ba-bies through third graders mustread or have read to them 15books, fourth and fifth gradersmust read 10, and sixth throughtwelfth graders must read fivetheoretically longer books to earnthe prize.
According to Rocconi, summerreading helps prevent the “sum-mer slide,” which is when kids loseskills over the summer, sinceschool is not in session.
“There’s such a long time thatschools are off,” Rocconi said.“[Reading] just kind of helps[kids] to keep their skills up… sothat when they go back to schoolthey don’t have to relearn a littlebit of what they learned last year.”
This summer’s reading programtheme is “reading takes you every-where.” At the Oakton branch, thattheme is seen through librarydecorations.
“When the kids come in to gettheir reading logs, they’ll see thecheck-in station as if they weregoing to an airport,” Oakton
Public libraries offer a variety ofsummer programs.
‘Going Everywhere’in Local Libraries
See Libraries, Page 6
Photo by Carlyn Kranking/The Connection
Youth Services Manager Alicia Rocconi places books on adog-themed display at Patrick Henry Library.
News
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsVienna/Oakton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Jenneth Dyck
The Connection
The minivan comes to a stop inone of the few remaining parking spaces outside the LambCenter in Fairfax. Seatbelts pop
and side doors roll open as a handful ofmembers from Antioch Christian Churchclimb out of the gray-green vehicle to helpunload the back.
Three crockpots full of homemade chiliand nearly 100 baked potatoes are nestledin the back of the van, all prepared specifi-cally for the homeless people who frequentthe Lamb Center — a Christian-based min-istry that serves people experiencing home-less in Fairfax County.
“As soon as we come in with these[crockpots] they know [Antioch’s here],”said Karen Holley, volunteer with the out-reach program.
Dutifully helping alongside her fellowchurch members is Karen Curtis, a retirednurse from 34 years of service at Fairfax
Hospital who heads up the outreach minis-try at Antioch. She has been helping withthe ministry for a full year since Food Dona-tion Connection contacted the church ask-ing for help delivering food to the Center.
“It’s definitely her calling,” said Holley.“She’s very good at caring for people. She’salways been like that.”
CURTIS has had the desire to help othersher entire life, whether that be people orwounded animals she’d find when she wasyoung. “I used to bring birds with brokenwings home,” she said. “From the time Iknew what a nurse was, I wanted to be anurse.”
After retirement, Curtis spearheaded thebeginning outreach program. While Antiochhad previously been involved with the LambCenter, Curtis wrote a proposal to thechurch board for a food donation budget.
Much of the donated food comes from theMaple Avenue Outback in Vienna. ThatWednesday, Outback’s nearly 100 bakedpotatoes and two gallons of clam chowder
made up over half of Antioch’s food dona-tion.
Outback also provided the church with afreezer to store donations.
“We couldn’t do what we’re able to do ifit wasn’t for them,” said Curtis.
Curtis also made three crockpots of chilito go with the Outback donations, andKaren Holley, her husband John, and FaithDougherty prepared loaded baked potatotoppings.
“We don’t cheap on this food,” said Curtis.“I fix this food the same way as if some-body was coming to my table and eatingmy food at home.”
The Lamb Center averages 115 guests aday, according to executive director JohnMacPherson in a video posted on the LambCenter’s website.
THE CENTER provides basic needs suchas showers, laundry, a clothing closet,medical help, and two hot meals a day totheir guests.
In addition to aiding physical needs, theCenter also provides for spiritual needs.Each meal begins with prayer over the food,and guests are invited to attend a Biblestudy held afterwards to read Scripture andunderstand key elements of Salvation andChristianity.
For Karen Curtis, helping with lunch forthe Lamb Center visitors is a special sort ofblessing. “I get just as much out of servingthem as they do receiving the nourishment,”she said. “When they come through thelines, they’ve got smiles on their faces. Theygreet you just as you greet them.”
Her ministry at the Lamb Center is justone of many instances Curtis has shown hercompassion for others. When asked why sheloves helping those around her, Curtis pointsto her own faith and calls her passion her“spiritual gift.”
“The Bible tells you that you’re supposedto serve others, just as Christ served us anddied for our sins. And God gave us grace.We’re charged to do this.”
Serving Meals andBlessings to Homeless
Karen Curtis of Antioch Christian Churchhelps feed 100+ visitors of the Lamb Center,a Fairfax homeless ministry.
Karen Curtis, Parish Nurse of Antioch Christian Church in Vienna, begancooking meals for the Lamb Center visitors one year ago, after creatingan outreach ministry at her church.
Photos by Jenneth Dyck/The Connection
Karen Curtis, John Holley, and Karen Holley prepare to load nearly 100donated baked potatoes from Outback into Curtis’s minivan.
By Carlyn Kranking
The Connection
From when he was born,there has always been apiano in Jonathan
Schwartz’s house. Both of his par-ents and his brother played piano,and Jonathan began to play at avery young age.
This year, Jonathan earned thePaderewski Medal, the highest
award that the National Guild ofPiano Teachers gives to students.To do this, he memorized andplayed 10 pieces a year in front ofjudges for 10 consecutive yearsand received a superior score eachtime. He also had to demonstrateskills like scales, arpeggios, ca-dences and sightreading.
When he learned he had gotten
Young Vienna Pianist Earns Paderewski MedalMadison High School graduate Jonathan Schwartz wins prestigious piano award.
Marilynne Jost, Jonathan’spiano teacher of ten years
JonathanSchwartzpracticespiano duringhis senior yearof high school.
Photos courtesy of Shari Schwartz
See Pianist, Page 6
4 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGArt Exhibit: “Exploring Colors &
Textures.” Through July 31, galleryhours at IACC, Pars Place, 2236-CGallows Road, Vienna. A solopainting exhibition by RaminAbrahim. [email protected] or call703-314-7240 gallery hours.
Art Exhibit: Country Places.Through Aug. 4, gallery hours atVillage Green Shopping Center , 513Maple Ave. NW, Vienna. Artist LibbyEckert’s exhibit Country Places is ondisplay. Free and open to the public.Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 45K, Parade and Hometown
Celebration. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at GreatFalls Village Centre. 5K Walk/Runbegins promptly at 8 am. See theregistration site for the route mapdetails. INOVA Blood Drive at GreatFalls Volunteer Fire Department, 8a.m.-1:30 p.m. Little Patriot Paradeat the Gazebo, 9 a.m. Babies andToddlers up to age 5 are welcome toparade their finest patriotic display.Main Parade at the Great FallsVillage Centre, 10 a.m. See the floats,horses, antique cars and pets makinga loop in the Main Parade. Festivities,Food & Fun at the Village CentreGreen, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Enjoyburgers, dogs and snow-cones alongwith music, field games andfestivities on the Village CentreGreen with your Great Fallsneighbors. Visit
www.celebrategreatfalls.org/4th-of-july-celebration-parade.
Journey to the Potomac River.10:30 a.m. at Riverbend Park, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. This90-minute program includes a wagonride through the woods and along theriver. Learn about Riverbend Park’swildlife and the American Indianswho once lived there. $7 per person.Children must be accompanied by anadult registered for the program. Call703-759-9018 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend to register.
Sprinklers and Sparklers. 2-4 p.m.at the Vienna Community Center,120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna. Childrencan enjoy a makeshift waterpark onthe Vienna Community Centergrounds that offers a variety ofwater-based and other amusements.Water slides, slip ‘n slides, snowcones, balloon twisting, and more areteed up for a good time. Be warned:participants will get wet. Visitviennava.gov.
Fireworks & Fun. 6 p.m. at TurnerFarm Park, Great Falls. Pack up thefamily and come tailgate withneighbors at Turner Farm Park. Livemusic, games, contests and foodtrucks will entertain until the BigShow gets underway just after dusk.Visit www.celebrategreatfalls.org/4th-of-july-celebration-parade.
Fireworks Celebration. 6:30 p.m. atChurchill Road Elementary School,7100 Churchill Road, McLean. TheMcLean Community Center (MCC)will present its 4th of July Fireworksand Independence Day Celebration.Fireworks show begins at sunset,approximately 9:15 p.m. There willbe musical entertainment and foodtrucks. Parking is not available atChurchill Road Elementary or CooperMiddle School. Beginning at 6:25
p.m., free shuttle buses will run toand from three satellite parking sites.Admission is free. Call 703-790-0123,TTY 711, or visit mcleancenter.org/special-events.
Fireworks and Festivities. 7:15 p.m.at Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Drive SW,Vienna. Celebrate with live music byMars Rodeo. The Vienna LittleLeague concession stand will be openfor business. Fireworks blast off atapproximately 9:30 p.m. Bring chairsand blankets to enjoy the show, butno alcohol or pets please. Visitviennava.gov.
THURSDAY/JULY 5Nottoway Nights. 7:30-8:30 p.m. at
Nottoway Park, 9537 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Featuring LyutiChushki (Bulgarian music). Bringblankets and chairs and enjoy musicfrom around the world everyThursday evening at Nottoway Park.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/nottoway-nights.
FRIDAY/JULY 6Tysons Concert Series: O-Town.
6:30-8 p.m. on the Plaza at TysonsCorner Center. Tysons CornerCenter’s 5th annual free SummerConcert Series offers a variety ofmusical guests and has proven to bea popular event for families, couplesand teenagers. The Plaza is locatedoff of The Tysons Corner MetroStation of the Silver Line. Guests areencouraged to arrive early. Visitwww.tysonscornercenter.com/events/SummerConcertSeries2018.
Summer on the Green: The Earlsof Kent. 6:30 p.m. area residentscan catch a new and diverse musicalact at the Town Green or at Chillin’on Church. Bring blankets and chairs,but please leave Fido and any otherpets at home. The concerts are freeand open to the public. Visitwww.viennava.gov.
Contest Entry Deadline. 11:59 p.m.Singers are invited to submit anacapella video singing The NationalAnthem [email protected]. Thetop three submissions will be invitedto perform in front of a panel ofindustry judges and live audience atthe Ocean Park Standoff concert onTysons Corner Center Plaza, Friday,July 20. The winner will perform theNational Anthem at NationalsStadium prior to the Sept. 3 gameversus the St. Louis Cardinals. Visitwww.tysonscornercenter.com/Events/NationalAnthemComp.
SUNDAY/JULY 8Concert for Everytown. 1-3 p.m. at
Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E,
Vienna. Join local high schoolers fora fun concert, while also supportingan important movement. Help breakthe cycle of gun violence. Allproceeds will go to Everytown forGun Safety. $15. [email protected].
TUESDAY/JULY 10Author Event: Michelle Fondin.
7:30-9 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library,101 Maple Ave. E, Vienna. Learnfrom Vedic and Author MichelleFondin how to improve energy andvitality with “Chakra Healing forVibrant Energy” practices andmeditations. Books for sale andsigning. Free. Call 703-938-0405 oremaillibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4023585.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 11Summer Stories, Songs, and
Sprinklers. 1 p.m. on the lawn ofthe Freeman Store, 131 Church St.NE, Vienna. Young children andfamilies are invited to listen to astory, tune into some favorite songs,then have a little casual fun withwater sprinklers at 1 p.m.Wednesdays, through Aug. 8. Freeand appropriate for all ages. Visitwww.viennava.gov.
SATURDAY/JULY 12Used Book Collection. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
at SunTrust Bank, 515 Maple Ave., E,Vienna. Used books, CDs, DVDs,software, children’s books, records,and recent books will be accepted.No encyclopedias, VHS oraudiotapes. The Book Sale will beheld on Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the SpringHill Recreation Center. The saleproceeds benefit scholarships forwomen. Questions:[email protected] or 703-527-4206.
Nottoway Nights. 7:30-8:30 p.m. atNottoway Park, 9537 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Featuring The HotLanes Big Band (Big Band/Jazz).Bring blankets and chairs and enjoymusic from around the world everyThursday evening at Nottoway Park.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/nottoway-nights.
JULY 12-22Logan Festival of Solo
Performance. At 1st Stage, 1524Spring Hill Road, Tysons. The festivalwill gather solo performers fromacross the country for two-weeks ofperformances, workshops,discussions, and events. The mainstage festival schedule features: “TheAbsolute Brightness of Leonard
Pelkey” written by James Lecesne;“Where Did We Sit On The Bus?”written and performed by BrianQuijada; and “Brahman/i” written byAditi Brennan Kapil. Generaladmission $20; students $10; festivalpasses, $50. Purchase online atwww.1ststagetysons.org or 703-854-1856.
FRIDAY/JULY 13Tysons Concert Series: Matt
Nathanson. 6:30-8 p.m. on thePlaza at Tysons Corner Center.Tysons Corner Center’s 5th annualfree Summer Concert Series offers avariety of musical guests and hasproven to be a popular event forfamilies, couples and teenagers. ThePlaza is located off of The TysonsCorner Metro Station of the SilverLine. Guests are encouraged to arriveearly. Visitwww.tysonscornercenter.com/events/SummerConcertSeries2018.
Summer on the Green: Mary Lou& the Drugstore Lovers. 6:30p.m. area residents can catch a newand diverse musical act at the TownGreen or at Chillin’ on Church. Bringblankets and chairs, but please leaveFido and any other pets at home. Theconcerts are free and open to thepublic. Visit www.viennava.gov.
SATURDAY/JULY 14Teddy Bear Picnic. 10:30-noon at
Freeman Store and Museum, 131Church St., NE, Vienna. Bring ablanket and your favorite bear orother stuffed creature (dolls arewelcome, too) and picnic on theFreeman Store grounds with a lunchjust for Bear Lovers. Partake in Bear-Friendly activities. Aged 9 and under.$5 per child; no charge for Bears.Parents are asked to stay toaccompany their child. Call 703-938-5187 or email [email protected] and prepaymentrequired by Wednesday, July 11.
Model Railroaders Open House. 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth and on Vienna celebrationdays, including Viva! Vienna and theVienna Holiday Stroll. Freeadmission. Visit www.nvmr.org.
SUNDAY/JULY 15Alden Summer Concerts: Oh He
Dead. 5 p.m. in McLean CentralPark, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd. Freeparking at Dolley Madison Library,1244 Oak Ridge Ave. The Alden’s2018 Summer Sunday Concerts inthe Park expand this year to includea “welcome, summer” concert onSunday, June 3, and then sevenconcerts from July 1 through Aug.12. Visit www.aldentheatre.org.
Concerts on the Green: TheUnfinished. 6-8 p.m. on the GreatFalls Village Centre Green. Sundaysthroughout the summer, bring apicnic and chairs for an evening offree, live music. Visitwww.celebrategreatfalls.org.
TUESDAY/JULY 17Harmony Heritage Singers. 10
a.m.-1 p.m. at The Christ the KingLutheran Church, 10550 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. The Great FallsSenior Center (GFSC) event featuresthe Harmony Heritage Singers, amen’s chorus founded in 1996 bymembers of the AlexandriaHarmonizers singing familiar songssung from memory and withoutaccompaniment in the rich harmoniesthat are the barbershop tradition.Lunch included for those who makereservations with Polly Fitzgerald [email protected] or call 703-759-4345. A contribution will beappreciated. Visit gfseniors.org.
Calendar
Courtesy of NVMR
The picture is one of the HO gauge steam engines stop-ping at the Salisbury station. This is an award winningmodel of the real station in Salisbury, NC.
Open HouseNorthern Virginia Model Railroaders hold an open house at the Vienna Depot
each month and on Vienna celebration days, including Viva! Vienna and the ViennaHoliday Stroll. Free admission. Saturday, July 14, 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot,231 Dominion Road NE. Call 703-938-5157 or visit www.nvmr.org.
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Wellbeing
By Marilyn Campbell
Blazing heat and sky rocketing temperaturesoften mean cooling off with a dip in thepool. As the summer is in full swing, safetyofficials are reminding the public of drown-
ing risks and prevention methods.”Learning to swim at any early age is all about
being safe in and around the water,” said GinaBewersdorf, owner of Goldfish Swim School inReston, Falls Church and Alexandria. “Undeniablywe all will have an opportunity to visit a pool, lakeor ocean at some point, and our goal is to equip ourswimmers with water safety skills early on.”
The Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention (CDC) citesa lack of swimming ability, fail-ure to wear life jackets, alcoholuse and a lack of close supervi-sion while swimming as someof the top factors that affectdrowning risk. According to theCDC, from 2005 to 2014 therewas an average of 3,536 unin-tentional drownings. One in fivepeople who die from drowningare children 14 and younger.
“A person can drown in a matter of seconds,” saidAaron Schultz, a lifeguard in Arlington. “When I’m
Supervision and learningto swim are top waysto prevent drowning.
Summer Water Safety
A lack ofswimmingskills is oneof the topfactorsincreasingthe risk ofdrowning.
at the pool, I notice that parents are often textingwhile trying to watch their children, but even if chil-dren look like their playing they could easily go un-der and be in danger a less than a minute. This isespecially important to remember at the beach.”
Taking part in formal swimming lessons reducesthe risk of drowning among children between oneand four years old, but many people lack basic swim-ming skills, according to the CDC. “Beginning for-malized lessons as early as 4 months old has shownbenefit in children developing a love for water andfoundation upon which to build water safety skills,”said Bewersdorf.
American Red Cross swimming safety tips such asalways swimming in a designated area attended bylifeguards, avoiding swimming alone, wearing lifejackets, securing a pool with barriers and makingsure everyone in your family is a strong swimmer,are among those that Mary Anderson of the Mont-gomery County Office of Health and Human Servicessays the county is reinforcing.
“There’s a website that we puttogether called ‘Summer ofSafety’, and it’s got everythingfrom A to Z with summer safetyand swimming pool safety.”
Other suggestions include en-rolling in courses to learn CPR,having appropriate equipmentsuch as a first aid kit and cellphone to make emergency calls.
“If someone is around waterand discovers that their child ismissing, it’s a good idea to check
the water first because even seconds can make a bigdifference in stopping a drowning,” said Schultz.
“Learning to swim atany early age is allabout being safe inand around the water.”
— Gina Bewersdorf, GoldfishSwim School
Photo by Marilyn
Campbell
6 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Libraries
the scores necessary to earn themedal, Jonathan said, he was sim-ply relieved.
“Every year I was solid on 10pieces, but it might be like a small[part] in one I was not sure about,”Jonathan said. “For the final year,it wasn’t a small [part]; it was twowhole pieces that I was like, ‘Idon’t even know if I can get to theend.’”
When Jonathan was very young,his piano teacher moved out of thecountry, leaving his parentssearching for a new instructor. In2008, Jonathan and his brother,Daniel, became students of Oaktonteacher Marilynne Jost.
Jost began teaching in 1958 andtakes great pride in her ability tobuild personal connections withher students.
“I try to look at them as human,”Jost said. “So many teachers justlook at them as dollar signs.”
She understands when her stu-
dents have had a hard day atschool, will listen to them vent andthen will often suggest doingsomething fun and not so difficulton those days. Jost says that somestudents come into their lessonand ask her for a hug on hard days.She says she is like everybody’sgrandmother.
Jonathan’s parents agree thatJost was more than just a teacherfor the Schwartz family.
“We celebrated Jonathan’s highschool graduation by going out tobrunch the next day, and the onlynon-family member that we in-vited to join us was Ms. Jost,” SidSchwartz, Jonathan’s father, said.
Under Jost’s tutelage, Jonathanwent from being a beginner toplaying much more advancedpieces. He had one lesson perweek with Jost and would prac-tice on his own between three andfour hours each week.
“The kid, he just does not giveup,” Jonathan’s mother ShariSchwartz said. “There was a point
in time that he actually crumpledup a piece of music, because hegot so frustrated with it. Hedoesn’t do that anymore… He stillgets frustrated, but he just per-sists.”
Though Shari and Sid agreethat they were very proud of theirson when he won the award,Shari adds that her proudest mo-ments come not from Jonathan’smusical talent, but from his char-acter.
“He has a very good heart, andhe’s the kid who if he sees anotherkid being left out or picked on, hedoesn’t like that,” Shari said. “Sofor example, there was anotherstudent in band who no onewanted to room with, no onewanted to be paired up with himat an amusement park, and soJonathan did. And the mother ac-tually came and thanked me forit. So my proudest thing aboutJonathan, aside from all his manyachievements, is that he has a re-ally good soul.”
From Page 3
From Page 2
Branch Manager Lisa Kern said. “We have a playairport for the kids to also get them excited aboutthe theme. We have pictures of different countries,postcards; we have our Oakton International Air-port signs up.”
OAKTON LIBRARY and Patrick Henry Libraryjoined the Chantilly, City of Fairfax and Tysons-Pimmit regional libraries this summer in a librarypassport challenge – if children present their library
passport at any of these five branches, then they willreceive a stamp as though it were international travel.If a child earns all five stamps, they will be enteredinto a lottery for a prize.
Kern said her favorite part of the summer readingprogram is seeing the kids’ excitement as they com-plete their reading logs.
“They get excited to sign up, they get excited totell us what book they’ve been reading – they’re justso proud,” Kern said. “We love making a big deal withevery single kid, because they’re so happy, and sowe’re so happy.”
The Otter divers of Oakton prevailed in their firstNVSL Division 3 meet of the summer season, beat-ing Mantua with a final score of 37 to 33. Four Otterdivers placed first in their respective categories: JonAnthony Montel in Freshman Boys with a score of60.95; Katie Vaughan in Junior Girls with a score of114.60; Molly Estes in Intermediate Girls with a scoreof 108.70; and Liam Klopfenstein in Senior Boys witha score of 140.00.
The Otters swept the category of Freshman Boys(James Hayden in second and Leo Estes in third).The other Otters who placed were: Samantha Shuster(Freshman Girls, third); Christina Angelicchio (Jun-ior Girls, third); Brendan Doe (Junior Boys, second);Riley McGatlin (Junior Boys, third); Kalina Montel(Intermediate Girls, third); Josh Shipley (Intermedi-ate Boys, second); and Kyla Straker (Senior Girls,second).
Otter Divers Win First Meet of the Season
Photos by by Ed Messina
Liam KlopfensteinChristina Angelicchio
Sports
Pianist
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 4Free Sober Rides. Wednesday, July 4, 7 p.m.
through Thursday, July 5, 4 a.m. Area residents,21 and older, may download Lyft to theirphones, then enter a code in the app’s “Promo”section to receive a no cost (up to $15) safe ridehome. WRAP’s Independence Day SoberRidepromo code will be posted at 5 p.m. on July 4on www.SoberRide.com. The SoberRide code isvalid for the first 1,500 Lyft users who enter thecode.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESThe Fairfax-Falls Church Community
Services Board’s Merrifield Center offers anew stand-up information kiosk. Part of a pilotproject, the new feature aims to improve thecustomer service experience and decrease waittimes for individuals who are seeking mental(behavioral) health services. To check in,individuals respond to five simple questions,then the CSB’s Patient Track software alertsstaff. Based on clinicians’ schedules andavailability, as well as the needs of the client,individuals are triaged and seen by the nextavailable staff member. For more information onavailable services, call the CSB at 703-383-8500(Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). In anemergency 24/7, call CSB Emergency Services at703-573-5679 or the Fairfax Detox Center at703-502-7000 (TTY 703-322-9080).
TUESDAY/JULY 10Story Time: Focus and Self-Control. 10-11
a.m. at The Parent Resource Center Library,2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105,Dunn Loring. This Story Time will highlightbooks and activities to support focus and self-control in young children. Focus and self-controlis an evidence-based executive functioning skillthat involves paying attention, following therules, thinking flexibly, and exercising selfcontrol. Registration is limited and required forchildren ages 4-6 and their parents. Visitwww.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more.
WEDNESDAY/JULY 11Public Information Hearing. 5-8 p.m. at Spring
Hill Elementary School Cafeteria, 8201Lewinsville Road, McLean. The MetropolitanWashington Airports Authority is hosting apublic hearing to inform and solicit commentsfrom the community about proposed toll rateincreases along the Dulles Toll Road. There willbe informational exhibits related to the DullesToll Road and planned improvements that maybe made, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail SilverLine Extension Project, the revenue projectionsassociated with the proposed toll rate increasesand how this additional revenue will be spent.Representatives from the Airports Authority willbe present to discuss these items. Visitwww.mwaa.com for more.
THURSDAY/JULY 12Story Time: Perspective Taking. 10-11 a.m. at
The Parent Resource Center Library, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105, DunnLoring. This Story Time will highlight books andactivities to support perspective taking in youngchildren. Perspective taking is an evidence-basedexecutive functioning skill that forms the basisfor children’s understanding of their parents’,teachers’, and friends’ intentions. Registration islimited and required for children ages 4-6 andtheir parents. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore.
TUESDAY/JULY 17Story Time: Making Connections. 10-11 a.m.
at The Parent Resource Center Library, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105, DunnLoring. Making Connections is at the heart oflearning. This Story Time will highlight booksand activities to support this evidence-basedexecutive functioning skill in young children.Registration is limited and required for childrenages 4-6 and their parents. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more.
Bulletin
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
-
-
Well BlowMe Down
8 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ July 4-10, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
One member of Connection Newspapers staff is Kemal Kurspahic,who shares with us his first-handexperience of running a newspa-
per from a war zone when information wasdesperately needed by the besieged residentsof Sarajevo. Kemal Kurspahic is managing edi-tor for The Connection Newspapers. He wasthe editor-in-chief of the Bosnian dailyOslobodjenje in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina,1988-94. Under his leadership the paper pub-lished every day from an atomic bomb shelterduring the siege of Sarajevo, maintaining highprofessional standards and Bosnian culture andtradition of ethnic and religious tolerance in
the midst of terror. The paperpublished the names of thosekilled each day in Sarajevo.
He experienced first hand thehorror of having staff members killed while outon assignment. He was critically injured him-self when a vehicle taking him to his news-room crashed as it traveled at high speed down“sniper alley.” The International Press Institutenamed Kurspahic one of its first 50 World PressFreedom Heroes in 2000.
Journalism is a dangerous occupation inmany other countries, usually not here in theU.S.
I tell this story now because of the newlyminted fear that many journalists feel after themurders of five in the newsroom of the Capi-tal Gazette in Annapolis. Police and survivorssay the shooter had long held a grudge againstthe newspaper, and had sued for defamation.The targeted attack came very close to home.
The dead were Gerald Fischman, 61, edito-rial page editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, editor andfeatures columnist; John McNamara, 56, sportsreporter and editor for the local weekly pa-pers; Wendi Winters, 65, a local news reporterand community columnist; and Rebecca Smith,a sales assistant.
The shooter had restraining orders againsthim because of violent threats made in a dif-ferent situation, but restraining orders appar-ently do not result in restricting gun purchases.He was still able to buy the gun he used in theattack. This is a loophole that desperatelyneeds to be closed. A person subject to a re-straining order of any type or duration formaking threats should certainly not be able tobuy a gun.
Every newspaper editor knows the experi-ence of talking to a subject, source or readerwho is irate over something the paper pub-lished. If we aren’t making anyone angry, it’sprobably because we aren’t writing about any-thing important. But my conversations withpeople who object to something we’ve reportedhave always had a subtext of respect. Manycomplaints have resulted in greater under-standing on all sides that can create more last-ing connections. Other times have resulted inagreeing to disagree.
Now, we lock the doors at least for now,knowing that there could likely be copy catattacks, as school shootings began with onehigh profile attack. But we are not afraid.
We will continue to publish our 15 weeklypapers.
The threat to survival for most local papersis the decline in advertising, compounded nowby a tariff on newsprint. Don’t forget that ifyou have an advertising or marketing budget,you should spend some of those dollars withlocal newspapers.
— Mary Kimm
About This Week’s PapersOur papers go to press a day early due to
the July 4th holiday. That means that thisweek’s papers will not contain coverage of July4th events. Watch for coverage next week.
Submit Your Photos for thePet Connection Now
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edi-tion, will publish the last week of July, and photosand stories of your pets with you and your familyshould be submitted by Friday, July 20.
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 whatever other creatures share yourlife with you.
Tell us the story of a special bond between a childand a dog, the story of how you came to adopt yourpet, or examples of amazing feats of your creatures.
Do you volunteer at an animal shelter or thera-peutic riding center or take your pet to visit peoplein a nursing home? Does your business have a man-aging pet? Is your business about pets? Have youhelped to train an assistance dog? Do you or some-one in your family depend on an assistance dog?
Or take this opportunity to memorialize a belovedpet you have lost.
Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favorite picturesinclude both pets and their humans.
Please tell us a little bit about your creature, iden-tify everyone in the photo, give a brief descriptionwhat is happening in the photo, and include ad-dress and phone number (we will not publish youraddress or phone number, just your town name).
Email to [email protected] orsubmit online at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.
For advertising information, email [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.
Need to addressrestraining ordersand gun violence.
Local Newspapers Under Siege
Editorial
By Supervisor John C. Cook
Braddock District Supervisor
One of Fairfax County’s greatest strengths is in being ahome to over a million
people from all walks of life. While wehave made great strides in bringingthe community together, adults with develop-mental and intellectual disabilities can find it
very challenging to partici-pate fully in communitylife. After they leave schoolor home, many rely on em-
ployment or day services to integrate them intosociety and allow them to contribute by work-ing or through other activities. This popula-tion is growing and deserves a seat at the table.Current services are helpful, but there remainsa great deal of work if we want a truly inclu-sive society.
The Fairfax Falls Church CommunityServices Board established the Wel-coming Inclusion Network (WIN) col-laborative to address these pressing is-sues and devise long-term solutions tocreate an environment where every-one is valued.
I have the honor of chairing WIN,but the real work is done by my operations co-chair Lori Stillman, who is a former CSB offi-cial and parent. Joining us on the steering com-mittee are a number of experts who have a greatrange of experiences with developmental andintellectual disability services. WIN stakehold-ers include county staff, parents of those withdisabilities, special needs services providers,self-advocates, and employers. Together wework to achieve WIN’s four key goals:
❖ NETWORK: Build opportunities for in-creased information and resource sharing
❖ DESIGN: Ensure service equity and effi-
ciency through community-designed services❖ EMPLOYMENT: Boost employment oppor-
tunities through existing and new service mod-els
❖ INCLUSION: Identify and address otherchallenges to full community inclusion
WIN stakeholders meet regularly at theFairfax County Government Center for presen-tations and working sessions. Each meeting hasa new topic of discussion and breakout ses-sions to delve deeper into the obstacles forinclusivity and to find effective solutions. Thenext WIN meeting is on July 9 from 6:30 – 8p.m. and will be in the Fairfax County Govern-ment Center. Anyone interested in learningmore about day and employment services forpeople with developmental and intellectualdisabilities is welcome to attend.
It is up to all of us in the end to make theworld a more accessible place for those of uswith different abilities. I hope you will join mein supporting this important cause and thehardworking stakeholders seeking to make ourcounty a better place for all.
Making Fairfax County accessible to all abilities.
The Welcoming Inclusion Network
Commentary
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.Published by
Local Media Connection LLC
1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314
Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
Jean CardProduction Editor
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Don ParkDisplay Advertising
Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
Vienna & Oakton
