Stories of Addiction, Pain and Loss

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SeniorLiving

Spring 2019

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Historic Garden

Week in McLean

April 30 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Visitors to the McLean portion of the

Virginia Historic Garden Week will

explore five picturesque gardens

and four private homes spanning

four centuries. Tickets online at

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Inside

Senior Living

Author Pens Journey Through World War II Era ArlingtonEntertainment, Page 11

Proposed School CutsCreate Uproar News, Page 2

Stories of Addiction, Pain and Loss

News, Page 3

Ginny Atwood Lovitt and her brother Chris. In 2013 Lovitt started the Chris Atwood Foundation in Northern Virginia to save lives from opioid addiction and support recovery.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com April 3-9, 2019

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2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 3-9, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Proposed Cuts, Page 5

News

See Students Tell, Page 5

By Eden Brown

The Connection

They walked up to thespeaker’s podium, oneby one: students, par-ents, teachers. Each

one of them had a story to tellabout what had made ArlingtonPublic Schools (APS) special tothem or changed their lives — butwas in danger of being taken away.

Most if not all of the Wakefield,Yorktown, and Washington andLee crew teams were in the crowdto speak about how crew changedtheir lives. The same themes wereheard again and again: Crew is aninclusive sport, the only one whichis a no-cut sport, that takes girlsand boys regardless of experienceor ability, that doesn’t require thatyou start it at age 6. Crew givesstudents a second home. It teachesdiscipline, a strong work ethic, andteamwork. It reached out to handi-capped kids. For some, it’s the rea-son they go to school. For others,it is the only way they could af-ford to attend college. Rebekah

Nance spoke of crew reverently:“I come from a low income fam-ily: the support of the crew teamboosters helped me pay the fees Icouldn’t afford. I got a full ride tocollege because of this sport. “

Speakers noted that a decisionto cut crew — and not other, lessinclusive sports — was a slap inthe face to minority students, andgiven that crew is the least expen-sive sport, per participant, of anyother high school sport in the bud-get, singling it out for cuts washard to understand, particularlysince it was the sport with thehighest college scholarship record.

Next up were the students whoprotested the proposed cut to Mi-nority Achievement counselors orEquity and Excellence coordina-tors. Kristen Alleyne, a Washing-ton and Lee junior, said she ini-tially found herself struggling withadjusting to the Washington andLee environment, where she wasoften the only Black student inmany of her AP courses. “I spentmany afternoons crying in the of-fice of Mr. Sample,” (James

Sample, Equity and ExcellenceCoordinator, Washington andLee), she said. “It was mysafespace ... I surely hope the pres-ence of many minority studentssitting in the first row here tonighthas been noticed by the SchoolBoard ... I truly believe that thesuccess and support of minoritiesin APS is worth way more than the$330,000 saved by cutting thisfrom the budget.”

Other Tier Two cuts which dis-turbed local parents and students:Cutting busing to the ThomasJefferson High School for Scienceand Technology, the VirginiaGovernor’s school to which APSstudents go via bus. The cutswould make that impossible formost students — disproportion-ately for lower income students.Cuts to lIbrarian assistants,who, asLibrarian K.C. Hoffman said, “arenot just keepers of the books, butpart of the whole family. We some-times are the place kids come whodon’t want to go to recess, or wemight fix someone’s hair at thebeginning of the day, or provide

advice.” Many of the cuts, unin-tentionally or not, appeared aimedat the positions which provideemotional and social support tostudents, and many comments

implied the rationale for cuts didnot seem to take into accountqualitative value. Physics teacherDan Carroll noted in his remarks

One formerYo r k t o w nhigh school

(YHS) graduate, CristianCarrillo, who is about tograduate from BucknellUniversity, talked aboutwhat a difference itmade to him to have theEquity and Excellencecoordinator, ShariBenites, to talk to. “I was raisedby a single mother who was Gua-temalan and only studied untilmiddle school. I was supposed toattend Wakefield High but theyredrew the districts so I came intoYHS as a freshman — the demo-graphics were really different — Ihad been at Gunston MiddleSchool which is in south Arling-ton. I was struggling. But I wasintroduced to Mr. Lomax, an as-sistant principal, and he intro-duced me to Ms. Benites (ShariBenites, Equity and Excellencecounselor at Yorktown High).These positions were formed tohelp eliminate the achievementgap. But she played a role in myscholarly development, and alsoprovided me with emotional sup-port. If you had problems youcould go directly to her. She’dpoint you to the right person.

“She played a huge role espe-cially when she nominated me to

Tier II Budget Cuts Proposal Creates UproarCuts threaten Equity and Excellence, crew, TJ access, libraries.

Musse Yimer, in green, captain of the Wakefield Crewteam, and his crew teammates, stood up to support thenext speaker about crew. He said: “Crew taught meconfidence, leadership and collaboration. Coming tothis country only 7 years ago, this sport took me in as afreshman and has built for me friendships and family,and enabled me to get a college scholarship. I alsolearned to care for others: our ‘Athletes without Limits’program for rowers with disabilities taught me how tobe more selfless.”

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Students Tell Their Storythe minority achieve-ment network as aleader. They saw poten-tial in me that I didn’teven see myself. That’swhen I started to see theimpact she had on stu-dents. She’d help peoplefill out forms for schol-arships. I would be thefirst person in my fam-

ily to graduate from college, andno one in my family knew how tofill out forms like that. I got nohelp from anyone but her. I didn’treally know how to navigate allthat. I had no real hope of everbeing able to pay for college with-out financial help. She helped meprepare for interviews, telling meI was a born leader and to just bemyself. No one else was telling methis.

“Even after I got my Posse schol-arship — specifically that comesfrom the Posse Foundation, I re-ally doubted myself. I was worriedabout taking someone else’s spotat Bucknell and failing; it was anelite institution and what if Icouldn’t get through? What if Ifailed? My mother was worriedabout me leaving. She wanted meto stay in the area and apply toNOVA. I had to talk to Ms. Benitesabout it. I was so emotional. She

CristianCarrillo

Arlington Connection ❖ April 3-9, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Road Back, Page 15

NewsArlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

This is the third in a series of articles on opioidaddiction in Arlington County.

Ginny Atwood Lovitt remembersher 12-year-old brother Chriswould bring her breakfast inbed — scrambled eggs, toast,

coffee, jam in those little jars. “He wouldgo all out to make people happy. At Thanks-giving when everyone was in a coma afterdinner he would rub their back, as if youcould feel any better.”

But she says his really soft heart madehim vulnerable to all the pain in the world,to a deep feeling of depression. In his earlyteens he started experimenting with differ-ent drugs, “but we didn’t really know. Hewas mostly acting normal.” She says he gotin trouble a couple of times when he at-tended high school in Arlington, “but he wasa zany, funny person and we thought he wasjust being wild and crazy Chris.”

“I don’t think my parents or I knew at alluntil he got addicted in 2007 to heroin at15. He was losing weight rapidly and hissleeping schedule was off. That’s the firstsign.” Lovitt said Chris was acting sullen soher mother looked around his room andfound a syringe. He had taped it on the in-side of the amp for his electric guitar.

Lovitt said it took a while to really admit

it. “He was in and out of treatment placesfor six years. He would be in a period ofrecovery and then relapse. He was in sixdifferent places, considered to be top notch.But they didn’t get it.”

The programs were abstinence based —spend two weeks or a month, basically indetox and “send you on your way. Don’t dothat again.” Lovitt said, “Now we know ittakes three months at a bare minimum andup to a year.” She said, “My parents did alot of research. We just didn’t know. Andthey didn’t have enough family support.”

She says Chris ended up on medicallyassisted treatment, which is considered thegold standard today but back then there wasa stigma. Lovitt says Chris was doing reallywell with Suboxone and was able to go backto school and finish. He was going to thegym every day. “Unfortunately while there

is marginally more support for medically-assisted treatment today, there is still a pre-vailing stigma against these medications inthe 12-step recovery plan — that you don’tcount, that you wouldn’t fully fit in untilyou went off these medications your doc-tor recommended. That was deadly forsomeone like Chris who was just figuringout life and trying to enter the career world.So he went off his medication early and hedied less than two months later.”

In 2013 Lovitt started the Chris AtwoodFoundation in Northern Virginia to savelives from opioid addiction and support re-

covery. She said, “We know a lot more butif we look at it, it is embarrassing, the slowprogress.” Lovitt has been working to elimi-nate the barriers to distribution and avail-ability of Narcan, the only drug known tobe effective in recovery of opioid overdosevictims. She has been active in getting leg-islation enacted in the Virginia General As-sembly, has equipped 3,000 people to re-verse overdoses and has gone out on thestreets to find people at high risk. “Addictsdon’t put a training session on their calen-dars three weeks in advance.” But she said,“How slow progress moves.”

Stories of Addiction, Pain and LossLovitt leads opioidcrusade after lossof brother.

Ginny Atwood Lovitt and her brother Chris. Pho

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A Resident’s Road Back from Addiction“We relapse — that’s what we know how to do.”

Looking forward to his five-year“locked in clear date” free ofdrugs.

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By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

It’s almost been five years. June 2 willbe one Arlington resident’s “locked inclear date” from when he stopped us-

ing drugs and acknowledged a problem. “Igot drug along the bottom.” If it hadn’t beenfor a parole violation that threatened ac-tual jail time and led him to court-orderedtreatment, “I’d probably be dead today withthe amounts I was using.”

He grew up in Arlington where it allstarted in adolescence, being a part of whathis peers were doing and smoking pot.There were 20 some years of partying “mari-juana and alcohol, acid and ecstasy. “ Hesaid he had a good job, got promotions, paidhis bills. “By outward appearances I seemednormal.”

It wasn’t until his 30’s that he moved toopioids, and it became a habit. “That’s whenI started going into rapid decline.” He said,

“I never had a prescription itself.” But hesays in the 2000’s opioids were very poorlyregulated. He says they were traded on thestreet and “the VA is notorious for overpre-scribing, and veterans sell opioids whenthey are desperate for money.” He added,“In our society we have a pill for every-thing.”

He says the mind of an addict is one ofdenial. “They say I’m just going to drink andsmoke pot.” It took him five trips to socialdetox (non-medical) on Columbia Pike be-fore he acknowledged he had a seriousproblem. But these were two-week sessions,“and your brain chemicals take two yearsto completely stabilize. Even after 90 daysof treatment, craving can cause a physi-ological reaction — your stomach churns,blood pressure responds, sweating.” Prettysoon after these sessions he would returnto using.

When he was finally remanded by thecourt to treatment, “I wasn’t a willing par-

ticipant. Under duress of law I was in thePatient Recovery 90-day inpatient program,then I went to Independence House for ayear. I managed to keep clean.” But evenstarting the process it was about a yeardown the line until he had a wake up call.“People were dying around me. There havebeen a lot of funerals in the time I’ve beenaround.”

“It was really here that he had anepiphany.” He says Independence Housewas a good structured environment. “It hadbeen years since I made my own bed. I hadlost life skills.” He said he had been self-employed. “No, you’re not. They wanted toknow where I was 40 hours a week.”

He says unfortunately there isn’t help foreveryone who needs it. “You have to be will-ing to walk the walk. After almost five yearsoff, I have memory bubbles pop up of us-ing. But I can pretty easily shut them down.”

He says it was a perfect storm that came


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News

By Eden Brown

The Connection

At a meeting of the school board on March 28,advocates of the Outdoor Lab spoke out aboutthe Tier II budget cuts proposed in the

superintendent’s budget document. The staff, buses,and educational programs at the lab are not currentlyfunded.

Students, parents, and teachers who value theOutdoor Lab as a resource spoke out about the cutsat the meeting. “For students with ADHD (AttentionDeficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) physical learn-ing is most impactful; the one thing they will neverforget is the Outdoor Lab,” said Nicole Merlene, whowent through APS K-12 with severe ADHD. “Thephysical nature of the Outdoor Lab was able to teachus in a way that cannot be replicated in any othersetting and that is important as we increasingly relyon screens ….”

MaryAnn Penning retired six years ago from APSafter teaching fifth grade and raising four daughtersin APS. She saw firsthand the effect it had on herstudents and her children. “The lab visits were aunique experience, quite unlike anything else in Ar-lington, especially for the kids in my classroom whohad trouble sitting still. When they got to the lab, Ihad no problems with them.”

“Arlington Public Schools leased the property butthe big joke was that it was a lease for one dollar a

year and they never paid the bill,” Penning said. Theschools provided staff and buses to take students outto the lab. Each year students paid $10 dues to helpdefray the costs. With 6,000 to 9,000 students a yearcoming out, APS helped pay $110,000 of operatingcosts.

The program costs $700,000 to operate. If the bud-get does exclude the lab, the lab itself won’t change,but students won’t be able to come out. The fifthgraders will lose their overnight. The overnight visitis important, said Penning. “It is, in fact, the ‘jewelin the crown.’”

The APS School Board suggested the nature fieldtrips could be continued on a reduced basis with tripsto the Arlington nature centers, specifically GulfBranch and Long Branch centers. Ironically, theCounty Budget specifically cites cuts to those samecenters, and APS visits to them: “Program offeringswould be reduced by up to half with impacts to sum-mer camps, native plant sales, environmental edu-cation programs, birding trips, and specialty visitswithin other DPR and County programs. All Arling-ton Public Schools (APS) visits would be eliminated.”

To express views on cuts to the Outdoor Lab to theschool board, email: [email protected] or call703-228-6015, to leave a voicemail for School Boardand individual board members. Residents with aninterest in the budget process can also visit thearlington county hearings on the budget or email:[email protected].

Paul Diehl (AOEA); Todd Parker, AOEA board president; Scott Kovarovics (AOEA);supporters Sandy Horwitt; Joan Horwitt; Mary Ann Penning (AOEA); Swanson studentHenry Brys and his mother Jamie Brys waited four hours to address School BoardChairman Reid Goldstein during his office hours on the topic of Outdoor Lab cuts.

Outdoor Lab Faces Budget CutVisits to the lab by APS students would cease.

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The bud-get meet-ing wasstandingroom onlywhichincluded acohort ofstudentswho hadbenefitedfrom theprogramssubject toTier IIcuts.

Proposed Cuts Create UproarFrom Page 2

Mark Golden and son waited forhis turn to speak at the budgethearing. He was speaking aboutArlington high school studentshaving access to Thomas JeffersonHigh School for Science and Tech-nology.

JadeNorthover

to the board: “There was a reason youdecided to increase the number of socialworkers at high schools: Do you think thatreason is just gone? It isn’t.”

School Board Chair Reid Goldstein re-minded the attendees that the school bud-get was a proposal, not a finalized docu-ment, and reiterated his appreciation forthose who had come forward to speak. Theupshot of the long meeting was a motionproposed by School Board memberMonique O’Grady to direct School Boardchair Goldstein to convey to the CountyBoard that additional funds would be nec-essary. O’Grady said she looked forward toconsidering more cuts but felt the need toregister concern to the county early in theprocess.

To comment to the School Board aboutthe budget, contact individual board mem-bers or email the board [email protected]. To comment to thecounty on the budget, contact individualcounty board members or email:

Students Tell Their StoryFrom Page 2

told me that it would be difficult, but thatI should stop thinking short term and startthinking long term. I went ahead and ac-cepted the scholarship, went to Bucknell,and developed the potential she thought Ihad. I’ll be graduating and getting a goodjob at Deloitte. I never could have believedI would be capable of taking a job like this10 years ago. This is why I always talk topeople about her because I was so close torejecting a full scholarship and she got meto accept it.

“When a student is able to attend college,it makes such a difference. You start to meetpeople from other backgrounds. Social capi-tal is so important. I’ve made some incred-ible connections through my friends at col-lege. Shari Benites had always said to me:go out and meet new people — and she wasright.”

Jade Northover, a senior at Yorktown Highthis year, said: “Everything Mrs. Benites hasdone in my life is huge. She has helped meall throughout my high school career. She’shelped me when my grades were bad; shehelped me talk to my teachers and find asolution to the problem. She has helped me

with depression; when-ever I was down, Mrs.Benites was the personI would always go totalk to. Honestly, I be-lieve if it wasn’t for Mrs.Benites, I don’t think Iwould be graduatinghigh school this year.

“If I didn’t have Mrs.Benites, I probably

wouldn’t have had all of the opportunitiesthat I have had these past four years, suchas getting interviewed to be on the news,twice, once in English and once in Spanish,being able to go to the MSAN (MinorityStudent Achievement Network) Conferenceand meet some great people. I have gaineda lot of skills, opportunities, and happinessbeing around Mrs. Benites and spendingtime with her everyday. My school counse-lor has also helped me, but the only thingis that Mrs. Benites is more available thancounselors because they have a lot of meet-ings and they have other students to careabout. With Mrs. Benites, I can go to herand if she knows that I need to talk to hershe’ll find me as soon as she is free.”

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[email protected] learn moreabout the county budget see: https://budget.arlingtonva.us/fy-2020-budget-in-formation/.


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Connection

Nowhere To GoCars weaved through Arlington back streets like a spider web, in a diver-sion of traffic around an overturned oil truck on the American LegionBridge on Thursday, March 27 at 2 p.m. Traffic was rerouted around theBeltway onto alternate routes. Bumpers from side streets wedged intomainstream traffic on Glebe Road and sat in the middle of intersectionsthrough successive red lights, blocking traffic on the other side of theroad. A man opened his car door, ran into the dark down the block andreturned to his car a minute or two later. The car was still sitting in thesame location. Some people slept in their cars. One driver reports sittingin traffic on Glebe Road headed toward Chain Bridge for 62 minutesthree blocks from home. Thirteen hours later the truck was removed sotraffic could reopen.

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Kenmore PraisedFor Inclusion Efforts

Kenmore Middle School is receiving recog-nition as a national banner Special OlympicsUnified Champion School for its efforts to pro-vide inclusive sports and activities for studentswith and without disabilities. The SpecialOlympics Unified Champion Schools programis aimed at promoting social inclusion throughintentionally planned and implemented activi-ties affecting systems-wide change.

Kenmore is receiving this honor as a resultof meeting national standards of excellence inthe areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.A banner presentation and unified basketballgame will take place at the school on April 12from 1 to 2 p.m. with Michele Steele fromESPN, Special Olympics Virginia President RickJeffrey and Kenmore Principal David McBride.

Kenmore is among five schools to receive thisdistinction, being chosen specifically from the131 schools to achieve recognition in 2018.They will be presented with a banner to hangin their school and be included on a list of otherschools around the country who have achievedthis status. Visit www.specialolympicsva.org.

Police TargetHuman Trafficking

A two-day joint operation on March 21-22by the Arlington County Police Department andthe FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploi-tation and Human Trafficking Task Force lo-cated victims of human trafficking.

Utilizing various investigative methods toidentify classified ads advertising prostitutionin Arlington County, the operation resulted ineight misdemeanor and two felony charges.

Human trafficking is an issue facing commu-nities throughout the country and the Arling-ton County Police Department is committed tothoroughly investigating all reported incidents.If anyone has information about a potentialtrafficking situation in Arlington County, callthe Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. Informa-tion may also be provided anonymouslythrough the Arlington County Crime Solvershotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Those withinformation about a potential trafficking situ-ation throughout the country, call the NationalHuman Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)at 1-888-373-7888. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to an-swer calls from anywhere in the country, 24hours a day, seven days a week, every day ofthe year related to potential trafficking victims,suspicious behaviors, and/or locations wheretrafficking is suspected to occur.

News

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and art-work welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at leasttwo weeks before event.

NOW THROUGH MAY 6Spring Cleaning for Water Pipes. Crews at the

Washington Aqueduct will begin the temporarydisinfectant switch from chloramine to chlorine. Theannual switch is part of a routine program to cleanand maintain the drinking water systems. Duringthe cleaning, Arlington’s Water, Sewer, StreetsBureau will continually monitor the output for safechlorine levels as well as conduct system-wideflushing to enhance water quality. Concurrently,

staff will also start systematically flushing firehydrants throughout the County. Running the coldwater tap for about two minutes, using water filtersand letting water sit in a container in therefrigerator are generally effective for removingchlorine taste and odor. Visit water.arlingtonva.us/water/ for more.

FRIDAY/APRIL 5Annual Legislative Breakfast. 7-9 a.m. at Army

Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive,Arlington. Leadership Center for Excellence ishosting the 8th Annual Legislative Breakfast. Thelocal legislative delegation will share personalinsights on leadership during the recent Virginia

General Assembly Session and answer audiencequestions. Scott McCaffrey, Managing Editor of theSun Gazette, will moderate the panel. Ticketsinclude breakfast and are available atleadercenter.org.

Monthly Memory Café. 1-3 p.m. at 7910 AndrusRoad, Suite 6 Alexandria. The Memory Café, a socialgathering for individuals living with memory lossand their families, will be held on the first Friday ofevery month. Registration is free and highlyrecommended to reserve a spot, which are open ona first come first served basis. To reserve a spot,please call 571-210-5551 or [email protected]. Visitwww.dementiacareconnections.com/memory-cafe

Bulletin Board

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Local Media Connection LLC

SeniorLivingSpring 2019

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Historic Garden Week in McLeanApril 30 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Visitors to the McLean portion of the Virginia Historic Garden Week will explore five picturesque gardens and four private homes spanning four centuries. Tickets online at www.vagardenweek.org Questions? Google Garden Club of Fairfax or email [email protected].


Senior Living

The Garden Club of Fairfax willhost this year’s House & GardenTour, part of the 86th HistoricGarden Week in Virginia.

McLean is the site for this year’s tour hostedby The Garden Club of Fairfax.

Visitors to the McLean Tour will explorefive picturesque gardens and four privatehomes spanning four centuries. Historybuffs and garden enthusiasts will delight inin the mix of historic, traditional and con-temporary properties.

The McLean tour on Tuesday, April 30,from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. showcases excitinggardens, creative flower arrangements, andunusual private homes, each with intrigu-ing stories behind them.

The tour includes a mix of historic, tradi-tional and contemporary homes rangingfrom a home built in the 1750s with ties tothe Revolution and used as a hospital dur-ing the Civil War, to a contemporary Japa-nese-influenced home built on a hillsidewith terraced gardens, a pool and patio thatare perfect for entertaining.

BIENVENUE, CHURCHILL ROAD,McLean. Previously called “Benvenue,” thename of this 18th century Colonial homewas reportedly changed when GeneralCharles de Gaulle visited and said that thecorrect spelling was “Bienvenue.”

Built in 1754 using sandstone from anearby quarry. Furnishings and decorativeart throughout the home combine historic,contemporary and whimsical pieces col-lected by the homeowner from travels andlocal and international sources. Uniontroops occupied the property during theCivil War when the house served as a fieldhospital. Bullets and a cannonball werefound in the walls, while medicine bottles,surgical instruments and horseshoes werediscovered under the carriage house floorduring renovation. A massive sycamore treenext to the house is believed to be the old-est and largest in Fairfax County. Dr. KarenL. Kierce, owner.

OLD LANGLEY ORDINARY 1101 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Built shortly beforethe Civil War, this Federal Farmhouse stylebuilding served as headquarters for UnionGen. George McCall. After the war it be-came an ordinary, a tavern or meeting-house. Located just a few miles from thePotomac River crossing at Chain Bridge, itwas an important stopping-place for trav-elers and for farmers transporting livestockand wagons to merchants across the riverin Georgetown. The homeowner’s extensivecollection of traditional Americana is dis-played throughout. Wraparound porch withoutdoor living space includes a kitchen anddouble-sided outdoor fireplace. The origi-nal carriage house is now a guest-housewith American flags, painted by the home-owner, displayed on an exterior wall. Gar-den beds surrounding the home feature in-digenous Virginia plantings with roses, se-dum, hydrangea and 900 tulips.

OLD CHESTERBROOK ROAD , McLean.Built on a hillside, the long, clean horizon-tal lines of natural stone, wood and glassin this contemporary home reflect Japaneseinfluence. In addition to subtle indirectlighting throughout the home, a paper chan-delier by artist Oh Mei Ma is suspendedfrom a soaring ceiling above the dining areaand the sitting room has a red ItalianMurano glass chandelier. The focal point atthe top of the hill is a children’s playhousecomplete with Dutch doors, kitchen andskylight. Additional points of interest are aJapanese gate (Torii) built by thehomeowner’s parents, a standing stone Bud-dha and a stone birdbath in the shape of abird in flight.

WOODLEY MILL ROAD, McLean. Builtin 2000, this Italianate villa with yellowstucco has a traditional orange clay barrel-tile roof. The front features European sculp-

tured gardens with boxwood parterres,three arched doorways, balconies and ve-randa. Two fountains greet guests as theyenter the front property. The home’s gal-lery-like foyer features marble floors, a 20-foot ceiling and walls displaying large scalepaintings, Belgian tapestries and a metallicfinish bas-relief. From the pavilion, a wideTennessee buff flagstone path lined on bothsides with carefully maintained topiaries inTuscan style pots leads to a large bronzefountain. Extensive hardscaping with ma-ture evergreens, roses, hydrangeas, crepemyrtles and other plantings creates multiplegarden rooms surrounding the home.

DAVISWOOD DRIVE, McLean. (Gardenonly) More than 40 mature ‘Green Giant’arborvitae provide the background, shad-ing and privacy for this garden oasis. Thisformal garden features multiple gardenrooms showcasing crepe myrtles, hostas,hollies, boxwood, hydrangeas, rhododen-drons and ninebarks with water features,statuary, travertine walkways and a hiddenputting green. The garden’s centerpiece isthe saltwater swimming pool.

Historic Garden Week in McLean is Tues-day, April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with head-quarters at Trinity United Methodist Church,1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean.Advance tickets are $40 per person online atwww.vagardenweek.org, or by mail, untilApril 20. Tickets on the day of tour are $50at headquarters or tour homes.

History buffs and garden enthusiasts will delight in in the mixof historic, traditional and contemporary.

Bienvenue on Churchill Road in McLean was built in 1754 using sand-stone from a nearby quarry. A new wing was added in 1929 to includeindoor water.

Photos by Donna Moulton/Fairfax Garden Club

Historic Garden Tour Comes to McLeanHISTORIC GARDEN WEEK IN MCLEANApril 30 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.Visitors to the McLean portion of the Virginia

Historic Garden Week will explore fivepicturesque gardens and four private homesspanning four centuries.

❖ Headquarters – Trinity United Methodist Church,1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean.Complimentary refreshments served from 10a.m. to 3 p.m.

❖ Tickets: Advance tickets - $40 online atwww.vagardenweek.org, or by mail, until April20, 2019. Tickets Day of Tour - $50 atHeadquarters or Tour Homes

❖ Questions? Google Garden Club of Fairfax oremail [email protected]. For moreinformation on this tour or to see the HistoricGarden Week statewide schedule of tours, go towww.vagardenweek.org.

Home on Woodlea Mill Road includes European sculp-tured gardens. Old Langley Ordinary built just before the Civil War.

Photos by Donna Moulton

is produced by

Connection Newspapers

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


For more information,

call 703-778-9431 or email

[email protected]

Senior LivingArlingtonThe

Connection


‘Flourishing After 55’

“Flourishing After 55” from ArlingtonOffice of Senior Adult Programs for April15-20.

Senior centers: Lee, 5722 LeeHwy.; Langston-Brown Senior Center,2121 N. Culpeper St.; Walter Reed, 2909S. 16th St.; Arlington Mill, 909 S.Dinwiddie St.; Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18thSt.

Senior trips: A Day inFredericksburg, Monday, April 15, $8;Rocky Gap Casino, Cumberland, Md.,Wednesday, April 17, $7; Dollies TeaRoom, Clear Spring, Md., Friday, April19, $45. Call Arlington County 55+Travel, 703-228-4748. Registration re-quired.

NEW PROGRAMS:Tai Chi for beginners, Monday,

April 15, 3:30 p.m., $76/19 sessions,Langston-Brown. Register, 703-228-6300.

Billiards and table tennis, Mon-day through Friday, 10 a.m. – noon,Walter Reed. Practice for senior Olym-pics. Details, 703-228-0955.

Madison Chess Club welcomingnew players, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m., Madison. Details, 703-228-4878.

Writing and sharing work-shops, Tuesday, April 16, 11:30 a.m.,Lee. Details, 703-228-0555.

Rubber Stampers, Tuesday, April

16, 11:30 a.m., Lee. Details, 703-228-0555.

Unplugged music from variousperformers, Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m.,Walter Reed. Details, 703-228-0955.

55+ Biking Group, contact info, 703-228-4771; email,[email protected].

Foreign language conversationgroups, Spanish, French Italian, Ger-man, Langston-Brown. Details,703-228-0955.

Fixed income investments dis-cussion, Tuesday, April 16, 11 a.m.,Arlington Mill. Register, 703-228-7369.

Rubber Stampers group, Tues-day, April 16, 11:30 a.m., Lee. Details,

703-228-0555.Healthy ways to prepare beets,

Tuesday, April 16, 11 a.m.Settling an estate advice ,

Wednesday, April 17, 1:30 p.m., AuroraHills. Register, 703-228-5722.

Healthy Indian dishes, Wednes-day, April 17, 1:30 p.m., Aurora Hills.Register, 703-228-5722.

Earth Day Festival, Wednesday,April 17 10 a.m. – noon, Arlington Mill.Details, 703-228-7369.

In-depth Medicare presenta-tion , Thursday, April 18, 1 p.m.,Arlington Mill. Register, 703-228-7369.

Free blood pressure monitor-ing, Thursday, April 18, 10 -11 a.m.,

Walter Reed. Details, 703-228-0955.Senior trekkers, Thursdays, 9 a.m.,

Arlington Mill. Details, 703-228-7369.Crafting glass bead pendants,

Friday, April 19, 10 a.m., Aurora Hills.Register early, 703-228-5722.

Celebrate National Jazz Appre-ciation month, Friday, April 19, 11a.m., Walter Reed. Register, 703-228-0955.

Latin Dance with popularLatino music, Friday, April 19, 10a.m. – noon, Arlington Mill. Details,703-228-7369.

Sunshine Gang band, Fridays, 1-3 p.m., Walter Reed. Details,703-228-0955.


Senior Living

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Ever since she was in high school,Yashika Mailey has wanted to bea nurse. She put that dream onhold however, when she started a

family at the age of 17. Now that she’s 55and her three children are adults, she’s fi-nally working to turn that dream into a re-ality.

“I’m a full time student and I’m workingfull-time in medical billing,” she said. “I’mstarting by becoming an LPN (licensed prac-tical nurse) first and then we’ll see whathappens.” Whether changing careers to ful-fill a dream, re-entering the workforce outof financial necessity or getting a job to staysocially connected, many Americans of re-tirement age still want to be employed. Infact, a recent Harris survey of workers inthe U.S. between the ages of 54 to 72showed that almost a quarter said that theyplan to work in retirement.

“Obviously a career change or a job search

after 50 will require a different approachthat it would if you were just out of col-lege,” said Hope Navolio, a career coach andformer human resources executive in Alex-andria. “It’s not hopeless in the way thatsome people might think, but there are fac-tors that you have to consider.”

Age bias is a fear that Navolio hears of-ten, but she advises clients to use age totheir advantage. “The thought of compet-ing for a job with people who are youngenough to betheir grand-children canbe intimidat-ing for someolder work-ers,” she said.“But I thinkpeople canview theirage as an as-set and present themselves that way. There’sa level of maturity and insight that onlycomes with age. Many employees are look-ing for someone who’s stable, dependableand who won’t get involved in petty officesquabbling or office politics.”

“One of the first things that I would sayis to make sure you’re web and tech savvy,”said Bethesda headhunter Mara Rappaport.“That might mean that you have to take a

few classes, but you need to be able to usesocial media to your advantage. I wouldthink anyone looking for a job today needsto have a LinkedIn page and cultivate a pro-fessional network, even if the jobs you’relooking for aren’t considered professionalin the traditional sense. You could even starta blog and write about things that interestyou or that are related to the type of jobthat interests you. For example, if you wantto be a fitness coach, blog about current fit-

ness trends.That woulddemonstratethat you’reboth techsavvy andaware ofwhat is goingon in yourfield.”

Moderniz-ing one’s appearance is another suggestionthat Rappaport offers to those who are con-cerned about being too old to get a particu-lar job. “It might sound shallow, but get-ting a makeover can breathe a breath ofyouthful air into your appearance and makea world of difference in a potential employ-ers’ first impression of you,” she said. “I tellpeople to add a few trendy items into theirwardrobe. That doesn’t mean you need to

dress like a 20-year old, but I think you doneed to show that you’re at least aware ofcurrent trends, even if you don’t follow allof them.”

Not limiting oneself of traditional optionswhen contemplating a career change canincrease the chances of finding meaningfulwork, says Navolio. “Don’t think of a careerchange as moving from one boring job toanother,” she said. “If there’s something thatyou enjoy doing as a hobby, consider mak-ing a career out of it. If you’ve always prac-ticed yoga, train to become a yoga teacher.If you love being around young children, ajob at a preschool might interest you.”

Ronald Potts, a former attorney with aknack for numbers and one of Navolio’sclient’s, began working as a seasonal taxpreparer in January. After becoming boredand isolated in retirement, he decided tolook for a job, but he wanted one that re-quired fewer hours and offered more flex-ibility than he had in his law career. “WhenI retired, I didn’t really have a plan for howI was going to fill my time and I got boredwithin a few weeks,” he said. “I thoughtabout all of the things could do and I’vealways been good with math. Now I just dostraightforward tax returns, so the work isstill somewhat challenging, but don’t havethe long days and all the pressure that I hadwhen I was at my firm.”

A Career Change After 50Strategies forjob hunting afterretirement.

“Obviously a career change or ajob search after 50 will require adifferent approach that it would ifyou were just out of college.”

— Hope Navolio.

Be a part of ourWellbeing pages, the firstweek of every month.

Delight in ourHomeLifeStyle sections,the second week of everymonth. Peek at the topreal estate sales, glimpseover-the-top remodelingprojects, get practical sug-gestions for your home.

Celebrate students,camps, schools, enrich-ment programs, collegesand more in our A-plus:Education, Learning, Funpages, the third week ofevery month.

Questions? [email protected] call 703-778-9431


Entertainment

By Senitra McCombs

The Connection

Similar to many other small Americantowns in the spring of 1945, the smallsuburban town of Farnsworth is feel-

ing the ever present effects of World War IIfrom ration coupons to the loss of familyand friends fighting overseas. However, forthree young sisters and their young neigh-bor, the dangers and mysteries of war cometo their own backyards.

Author Jill Carlson’s second novel “TheFugitive’s Concerto” combines the histori-cal aspects of World War II with the magicof music and childhood curiosity.

Set in her childhood community in Ar-lington, “The Fugitive’s Concerto,” centersaround the journey of three musically in-clined sisters and their young neighbor asthey try to discover more about the myste-rious neighbor, the “Bottle Man,” and whythe War Department is suddenly on his trail.

Her inspiration for one of the novel’s maincharacters, the “Bottle Man” came from achildhood memory.

“... I remembered an elusive guy from mychildhood. He was always roaming throughour neighborhood, picking up bottles. Andbecause I have lived and breathed music

from the time Ilearned to talk, itwas a natural togive this man someextraordinary abili-ties,” she said.

Carlson spentseven years devel-oping thenovel. Af-ter writ-

ing “What Are Your Kids Read-ing?”, she longed to write anovel with “all the things andpeople” she found missing inmost Young Adult books.

She hopes readers willgain a “deep satisfaction inthe power of love and for-giveness through the tem-plate of music — and inthe untapped glory of achild’s experience withthat music” after read-ing the book.

At 2 years old,Carlson moved to Arlington withher family. So, it is not surprising that Ar-lington plays a central role in each of thecharacters’ lives.

Some Arlington landmarks readers willrecognize include: the Glebe Theater, Ar-lington Hospital, John Marshall School, andOld Dominion Drive in Rosslyn.

“During the war and for several years af-terward, Arlington grew like bamboo.Washington D.C. and its suburbs was thehub of the universe for the war effort hereat home,” she said.

Writing the novel also brought backmany fond memories from

her adolescence includ-ing her time in the

Washington-Lee HighSchool’s choir.

“And if I could, I’d loveto sing for just a few more

minutes with the Washing-ton-Lee High School Choir,”

she said.Carlson began her profes-

sional career as a high schoolEnglish teacher (full time and

as a substitute). Later on, sheand her husband co-wrote for

the Landowner Newsletter via acontract with the Professional

Farmers of America.In addition, she was a proofreader for a

medical newsletter and did some editing

Author Pens Journey through WWII-Era Arlington

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOING“Masterpieces of the Oral and

Intangible Heritage ofHumanity.” Through April 7, atSignature Theatre, 4200 CampbellAve., Arlington. Three women– — anart restorer, her nurse and theirmilitary captor — –are trapped in aravaged museum during acatastrophic hundred years war.Tasked with restoring a damagedRembrandt painting, the women findcommon shreds of humanity as theytry to save a small symbol of beautyin their broken world. FeaturingHolly Twyford (A Little Night Music,Sex with Strangers) and Felicia Curry(The Scottsboro Boys). Visitwww.sigtheatre.org.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 4-7Little Shop of Horrors. Thursday-

Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. atBishop O’Connell High School, 6600Little Falls Road. Purchase tickets atwww.bishopoconnell.org/the-arts/oconnell-players.

FRIDAY/APRIL 52019 Crystal City 5K Fridays. 6:30

p.m. Run a low key race after workon Friday and meet up for happyhour after the run. Runners willreceive post-race drink tickets thatcan be used at select Crystal Citywatering holes. Individual races $20-$25; series $60-$75. Visitwww.runpacers.com/race/crystal-city-5k-fridays/.

APRIL 5-20Photos with the Easter Bunny. At

Jill Carlson in Arlington

Childhood memories help create novel’s setting.

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City1100 S. Hayes St. Visitors can hop down

the bunny trail near Nordstrom onthe First Level to meet and take egg-

citing photos with the Easter Bunny;skip the line, make an appointmentat simonbunny.com. Families canalso visit Caring Bunny for a sensory-

friendly experience on April 7, 9-11a.m. Visit simon.com/fashioncentreatpentagoncity formore.

SATURDAY/APRIL 6Ball-Sellers Season Opening. 1-4

p.m. at Ball-Sellers House, 5620 3rdSt., South. Celebrate history withcolonial and revolutionary era musicas the oldest house in Arlingtonopens for its 2019 season. Reenactormusicians from the Monumental CityAncient Fife and Drum Corps willperform at 1 p.m. and share musicalfavorites that the 18th centuryresidents would have enjoyed. Freedocent-led house tours and colonialera snacks. Free. Visitarlingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call703-892-4202.

Ballet Performance: Cinderella. 2and 7:30 p.m. at NOVA CommunityCollege, Annandale Campus, 8333Little River Turnpike, Annandale.Audiences of all ages will be dazzledby this full-length production of thisclassical fairy tale Cinderella.Performers from Classical BalletTheatre will tell the story of a younggirl who discovers her prince with alittle help from her fairy godmother.$15. Visit www.cbtnva.org/cinderellaor call 703-573-0182.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 6-7Artist Studios Opening. Saturday, 6-

9 p.m.; Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at ColumbiaPike Artist Studios, 932 S. WalterReed Drive. The Columbia Pike ArtistStudios and Cooperative will offer anopen studio of 26 artists workingacross media: painting, drawing,printmaking, photography andsculpture. A group exhibit will beopening in the gallery. Free, open tothe public. There is metered parking(free on Sundays) and free parking inthe overflow lot behind theMcDonalds. Visitwww.columbiapikeartiststudios.orgfor more.

Spring SOLOSArtists Brian Barr, Emily Campbell, Noel Kassewitz, Greg Stewart, Greta Bergstresser, Jack Warner, and Ying Zhu

will install solo-style exhibitions in AAC’s seven main gallery spaces. The artists tackle timely environmental issues,draw on their own experiences of childhood, and create installations that shift viewers’ perceptions of time, space, andhistory in work that encompasses sculpture, photography, installation, drawing, and painting. April 13-June 7, galleryhours at Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd. An opening reception will take place Saturday, April 13, 6-9 p.m.Visit arlingtonartscenter.org for more.

Brian Barr, Installation View, Fictionhearted, 2018

jobs for her agricultural colleagues. She haspublished over 100 articles and wrote“What Are Your Kids Reading?” and “RunBaby Jake.” Readers can pick up their owncopy of “The Fugitive’s Concerto” at anylocal bookseller as well as through Amazonand Barnes & Noble.


Entertainment

MONDAY/APRIL 8History Presentation. 2:30-4:30 p.m.

at the Arlington County CentralLibrary, 1015 N. Quincy St. Jean S.Moore will take the audience on ajourney through the life and times ofMary Queen of Scots explaining howfate, intrigue and ill conceivedpersonal decisions influenced her life.Moore is a local lawyer and artist andmember of Encore Learning. Thepublic is invited. For moreinformation call Encore Learning at703-228-2144.

TUESDAY/APRIL 9Author Event: Lisa Scottoline. 7

p.m. at One More Page Books, 2200N. Westmoreland St., Suite 101. LisaScottoline is the New York Times-bestselling author and Edgar Award-winning author of 32 novels. Hernew novel, “Someone Knows,”explores the guilt that ripples from a20-year-old tragedy that took oneteenager’s life and forever changedmany others. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com formore.

Tomato Love. 7-8:30 p.m. WestoverLibrary, 1644 N. McKinley Road.Learn about growing tomatoes:understand the many varieties; selectthose that suit your needs; prepare agarden; plant and nurture the plants;and harvest tasty tomatoes. This classis offered by Extension MasterGardeners. Free. Advance registrationrequested at mgnv.org. Call 703-228-6414 or email [email protected] questions.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 10Better Sports Club Dinner. Cash bar

social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed bydinner and program around 7:15. In24 years as head coach atWashington-Lee (following anothersix as JV coach), Doug Grove’s teamswon 286 games and six NationalDistrict Championships, qualifyingfor the regional tournament 20 times.Hear Coach Grove reflect on hiscareer. $25 for BSC members; $30for guests. Reserve [email protected] or 703-241-0390. Or reserve online atBetterSportsClub.org. Specify choiceof entrée: chicken cordon bleu, slicedsirloin or vegetarian plate.

Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at theArlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Balcony and Container GardeningBasics. No room? No problem. Growherbs, native plants, flowers andedibles on a patio, balcony, frontstoop, or back deck. Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/ formore.

THURSDAY/APRIL 11Young Entrepreneurs Academy

Pitch. 6-8 p.m. at MarymountUniversity, Ballston Center, 1000North Glebe Road. Arlington PublicSchools Career Center studentsinvolved in the Arlington Chamber ofCommerce’s Young EntrepreneursAcademy (YEA!) have workeddiligently crafting their businessideas, and now is their chance totransform these ideas into reality.Students will pitch their businessplans before a panel of investors anda public audience for the opportunityto receive startup capital. Visitweb.arlingtonchamber.org/events/YEA-Investor-Panel-2758/details roregister.

Fundraiser: Mother2Mother. Doors,6:30 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m. atArlington Cinema & Drafthouse,2903 Columbia Pike.Mother2Mother, in partnership withSafe Shores—The DC Children’s

Advocacy Center, presents the debutof “Songs of Hope: Voices Raised toEnd Child Abuse” cabaret show.Twice a year, the nonprofitMother2Mother (M2M) supports aWashington, D.C. 501(c)(3)organization that advocates for at-risk women and children. 100percent of proceeds will benefit SafeShores – The DC Children’s AdvocacyCenter. The event is for ages 21+.Full drink and dinner menuavailable. General admission: $20.Visit www.m2m.org for more.



SATURDAY/APRIL 132019 Arlandria Eggstravaganza.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Four MileConservatory Center, 4109 Mt.Vernon Ave. This year’s eventfeatures entertainment by theRainbow Rock Band, Uncle Devin,Kalin Jones, and more with plenty offood, activities, and games for thewhole family. The event also includesmultiple egg hunts specifically fortots, elementary aged children, andteens/adults. A petting zoo, healthservices area, and a pupusa makingcontest are new additions. Free,family-friendly. Visitwww.arlandriaeggstravaganza.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 13-14Arlington Festival of the Arts. 10

a.m.-5 p.m. at 3003 WashingtonBlvd. Washington Boulevard willtransform into an art-lover’s duringthe 7th Annual Arlington Festival ofthe Arts. One hundred and fiftynational and international artists areset to display their fine works fromacross the globe in a prestigious showencompassing fine jewelry, exquisiteworks of art and hand-craftedapparel and decor. Ample parking isavailable and pets on leashes arewelcome. Visit www.artfestival.comfor more.

APRIL 13-JUNE 2Art Exhibit: The Binding Ties.

Gallery hours in the Wyatt ResidentArtists Gallery at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. In TheBinding Ties, Roxana Alger Geffenpresents sculptures created in partwith objects and materials drawnfrom her family, ordinary thingsfound in her own attic or hergrandmother’s junk drawer. Anopening reception will take placeSaturday, April 13, 6-9 p.m. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org for more.

Art Exhibit: Onwards andUpwards. Gallery hours atArlington Arts Center, 3550 WilsonBlvd. Organized by instructorFaylinda Kodis, Onwards andUpwards presents work by H-BWoodlawn seniors who have made acommitment to the visual arts,concentrating on creating a portfoliothroughout their time as high schoolstudents. As they prepare forgraduation and their school movesfrom its longtime location onVacation Lane to a new building inRosslyn, these five students reflect onthe experience of moving on andconsider the history, ideology, andaccomplishments that shape both theschool and their time as students.Visit arlingtonartscenter.org formore.

APRIL 13-JUNE 7Spring SOLOS. Gallery hours in the

Main Galleries at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. ArtistsBrian Barr, Emily Campbell, NoelKassewitz, Greg Stewart, GretaBergstresser, Jack Warner, and YingZhu will install solo-style exhibitionsin AAC’s seven main gallery spaces.The artists tackle timelyenvironmental issues, draw on theirown experiences of childhood, andcreate installations that shift viewers’perceptions of time, space, andhistory in work that encompassessculpture, photography, installation,drawing, and painting. An openingreception will take place Saturday,April 13, 6-9 p.m. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org for more.

TUESDAY/APRIL 16Embrace Your Voice: A Night of

Poetry. 6:30-8:30 p.m. JoinDoorways, Friends of Guest House,and the Alexandria Sexual AssaultCenter for our annual Sexual AssaultAwareness and Prevention Month(#SAAPM) poetry share. This eventis free, but space is limited, so ticketsare required. Specially trainedadvocates will be available foranyone who may be triggered andwould like help with grounding. Ifyou’re interested in speaking orreading your work, please contactAshley Blowe [email protected] or703-746-3118 by March 30. Reservetickets at www.doorwaysva.org/events/event/embrace2019/.

Movie Screening: Grand Hotel. 7p.m. at Shirlington Library, 4200Campbell Ave. Attend a freescreening of the classic film thatinspired the musical Grand Hotel.Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, JohnBarrymore, Lionel Barrymore, andmore star in this beautiful, excitingmovie from the Golden Age ofHollywood. Free, no reservationsrequired. Call 703-228-6545 formore.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 17EarthFest. 10 a.m.-noon at Arlington

Mill Community & Senior Center,909 S. Dinwiddie St. Learn aboutcompost, recycling, energy efficiencyand more. Play recycling games,learn how to compost and createupcycled art. Stations will includerepresentatives from AIRE, VirginiaCooperative Extension,Environmental Services, ArlingtonArt Truck, Remove Invasive Plants,Creative Arts, Fitness, and more. Thisfree activity takes place over springbreak – all ages are invited. Visitparks.arlingtonva.us/events/earthfest/ for more.

Ink on Paper, hand-pulled serigraph print byJanis Sweeney.

Artist Studios OpeningThe Columbia Pike Artist Studios and Cooperative will offer an open studio of

26 artists working across media: painting, drawing, printmaking, photography andsculpture. A group exhibit will be opening in the gallery. There is metered parking(free on Sundays) and free parking in the overflow lot behind the McDonalds.Saturday, April 6, 6-9 p.m.; Sunday, April 7, 2-5 p.m. at Columbia Pike Artist Stu-dios, 932 S. Walter Reed Drive. Free, open to the public. Visitwww.columbiapikeartiststudios.org for more.


Entertainment

Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at theArlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Vegetable Gardening in the Shade.Learn which vegetables appreciateshade during summer’s hot months.Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/ for more.



WEDNESDAY/APRIL 24Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at the

Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the garden (tenniscourt side). Vertical GardenStructures & Protection Techniques.Make better use of limited space anduse cages, trellises, and fencing totrain vegetables – tomatoes,cucumbers, pole beans , peas – togrow upwards rather than sprawl.Learn about structures to protectyour vege tables from squirrels andother critters. Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/ formore.

THURSDAY/APRIL 25Rosslyn Reads! Book Festival. 10

a.m.-10 p.m. at Central Place Plaza,1800 N. Lynn St. In addition tocelebrating community(entertainment, food and drink forall ages) and giving (all proceeds

benefit Turning the Page), thefestival will honor: women’s fight toobtain the right to vote with anauthor talk and book signing withElaine Weiss, author of The Woman’sHour; Bring Your Child to Work Daywith Tunes & Tales (a musical storyhour), craft activities and the Magicof Zain. Visit www.rosslynva.org/do/rosslyn-reads-book-festival for more.

FRIDAY/APRIL 26Digital Preservation. 2-3 p.m. at

Westover Library, 1644 NorthMcKinley Road. Learn how to store,preserve, and organize a photocollection. Join the Center for LocalHistory as they give advice on how tobest care for and preserve bothphysical and digital photo collections.Free. Visit arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/5107879 or call 703-228-6327.

2019 Crystal City 5K Fridays. 6:30p.m. Run a low key race after workon Friday and meet up for happyhour after the run. Runners willreceive post-race drink tickets thatcan be used at select Crystal Citywatering holes. Individual races $20-$25; series $60-$75. Visitwww.runpacers.com/race/crystal-city-5k-fridays/.

SATURDAY/APRIL 27EcoAction Arlington Earth Day

Cleanup. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the BonAir Park Shelter, 850 N. LexingtonSt., Arlington. Join the community incelebration of Earth Day as we bike,walk, and plog (picking up trashwhile jogging) to remove litter fromour parks, trails and streams. Thisevent is free. For registration or moreinformation, visitwww.ecoactionarlington.org.

Bike Rodeo. 10 a.m.-noon at The

Woman’s Club of Arlington ParkingLot, 700 South Buchanan St. Bringchildren and their bikes to participatein: safety helmet check; bikemaintenance check; and games toteach basic biking skills. Two ridingcourses of varying levels; andbalancing bikes available forpreschooler use. Donate unwantedbikes to Phoenix Bikes that day. Free.Call 703-553-5800 or [email protected] formore.

Handmade Arlington 2019. 10 a.m.-

4 p.m. at Swanson Middle School,5800 N. Washington Blvd. HandmadeArlington 2019 will feature morethan 60 high-quality, professionalarts and crafts makers and local foodtrucks: The Big Cheese, RocklandsBarbeque, and Captain Cookie andthe Milkman. Free admission. Visitwww.handmadearlington.com formore.

Arlington Home Show and GardenExpo 2019. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atKenmore Middle School, 200 S.Carlin Spring Road. Come get tips on

how to make a home more beautiful,valuable, and energy efficient.Featuring home remodelers,architects, energy auditors, realtors,master gardeners, banks, nonprofitorganizations and Arlington Countyhousing, zoning and inspectionrepresentatives. Visitwww.arlingtonhomeshow.org or call202-599-0665.

Complete Dogness. 4 p.m. at Theatreon the Run, 3700 S Four Mile RunDrive. A family friendly performanceabout a dog with bad habits wholearns new tricks. Featuring AndiedeVaulx, Kelsey Rohr, Brynna Shank,and Rebecca Weiss of Jane FranklinDance. Tickets $15 adults; $10children under age 10; $45 family offour. Visit www.janefranklin.com orcall 703-933-1111.

ACF Annual Gala. 6-11 p.m. At TheRitz-Carlton Pentagon City, 1250 S.Hayes St., Arlington. Join theArlington Community Foundation’s“Building Bridges for Arlington’sFuture” Annual Spring Gala.Celebrate the community connectionsthat make Arlington a special place.Enjoy a cocktail reception, silent andlive auctions, and live entertainment.$300. Visit www.arlcf.org for more.

Jane Franklin Dance PresentsEyeSoar. 7:30 p.m. at Theatre onthe Run, 3700 S. Four Mile RunDrive. EyeSoar highlights thelandscapes near 3700 S Four MileRun Drive, a somewhat non-gentrified neighborhood that spansacross Nelson Street, the footbridgeand Jennie Dean Park and curvesaround to South Oakland Street.Featuring Carly Miks, Kelsey Rohr,Amy Scaringe, Brynna Shank,Rebecca Weiss with Ken Hays andRichard Nyman. $22-$35. Visitwww.janefranklin.com/eyesoar orcall 703-933-1111.

The ball-Sellers House, Arlington’s oldest building,built c. 1742.

Ball-Sellers Season OpeningCelebrate history with colonial and revolutionary era music as the oldest house

in Arlington opens for its 2019 season. Reenactor musicians from the Monumen-tal City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps will perform at 1 p.m. and share musicalfavorites that the 18th century residents would have enjoyed. Free docent-led housetours and colonial era snacks. Saturday, April 6, 1-4 p.m. at Ball-Sellers House, 56203rd St., South. Free. Visit arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call 703-892-4202.

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News

The last session of the five-week trainingproject for immigrant women was windingup, and 47 women were set to graduate on

Saturday, March 30. This final week is “una discusióncon nuestras emprendedoras,” coordinated by facili-tator Rosalia Fajardo and Andres Tobar, executivedirector for Shirlington Employment and EducationCenter (SEEC).

“How to start your own business” is sponsored bySEEC and funded by local churches, donations, and

other organizations. The sessions are taught by ex-perts and focus on legal requirements for starting abusiness, how to finance a business, financial report-ing requirements, components of a business plan andmarketing a business. Free babysitting is providedduring the sessions.

The program began in 2015 and has trained 180women in six sessions. For more information aboutupcoming sessions [email protected].

“How to start your own business” session for immigrant women was followed bygraduation.

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Ready To Start a Business

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or www.seniorhelpers.com/arlington-alexandria-va for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 6Caregiver Bootcamp. 9:30 a.m.-3

p.m. at Insight Memory Care Center,3953 Pender Drive, #100, Fairfax.Join IMCC for a day-long trainingevent covering many essentialcaregiving topics. A continentalbreakfast and lunch will be providedfree of charge. Sessions include:Dementia 101 & Clinical Trials;Understanding Veterans Benefits;Practical Tools for Caregivers; and APerson-Centered Approach. Registeronline at www.insightmcc.org, orcontact Lindsey Vajpeyi at 703-204-4664 [email protected].

Jennie Dean Park Update. 10:30a.m.-noon at Shirlington Library,

Campbell Room, 4200 Campbell Ave.Based on the Park Master Plan andfeedback from the community, theArlington County Department ofParks and Recreation has puttogether options for various elementsof the new Jennie Dean Park such asthe playgrounds, frontage, restroomsand more. Children’s activitiesavailable. Visitprojects.arlingtonva.us/projects/jennie-dean-park/ for more.

TUESDAY/APRIL 9The Climate Crisis: Impacts and

Solutions. 7-9 p.m. at GeorgeMason University Founders Hall,3351 Fairfax Drive. Former ArlingtonCounty Board Chair and ManagingPartner of DMV Strategic AdvisorsJay Fisette will present the ClimateReality Project, Al Gore’s latest slidedeck on the climate crisis and

solutions. The presentation willconvey the tangible impacts andsignificant challenges we face, theprogress we have made, and the pathforward. A Q&A session will followthe presentation. Register atecoactionarlington.org.

THURSDAY/APRIL 11Jennie Dean Park Update. 7:30-9

p.m. at Charles Drew CommunityCenter, Cafeteria, 3500 23rd St.South. Based on the Park Master Planand feedback from the community,the Arlington County Department ofParks and Recreation has puttogether options for various elementsof the new Jennie Dean Park such asthe playgrounds, frontage, restroomsand more. Children’s activitiesavailable. Visit Friday/May 3

See Bulletin, Page 15


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Being totally honest with my oncologist, that is. I mean, it’s not as if being diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, stage IV isn’t a “terminal” disease.

Oh wait, it is. As my oncologist said to me at the initial Team

Lourie meeting: “I can treat you, but I can’t cure you.”

Huh? Followed fairly soon after by the equally distressing prognosis: “13 months to two years.” Wait. WHAT!? (As Curly Howard of The Three Stooges said years ago while looking into a mirror: “I’m too young to die, too handsome, well, too young anyway.”)

That prognosis – as you regular readers know – is old news, as I recently passed my 10-year anniversary; my oncologist’s “third miracle,” as he characterizes me. And as life goes on, so too do the studies and research and clinical trials.

As much progress as has been realized, still there are few guarantees for lung cancer patients. Although there are many more of us living beyond the years our respective oncologists initially gave us (our wildest dreams, I often say).

Living as a cancer patient/survivor, especially one still undergoing treatment, requires regular sit-downs with one’s oncologist to discuss and/or assess lab work, results from diagnostic scans and side effects – or as I refer to them: “straight-on effects.” At these sit-downs, the oncologist will sit down behind his computer and review my past and inquire about the present, typing away as I respond.

The questions are all too familiar. My answers, maybe familiar as well. Because

if they’re not, they may catch the attention of the doctor. And if they do catch his attention, he likely will probe further into their occurrence; their frequency, their location, their pain, their intensity, etc. And in so doing, he may learn things that could possibly alter/maybe even stop your treatment.

The doctor may become so worried about the symptoms you’re describing, he may focus on the symptom, not the cause. And that’s my fear in being honest: he may stop the treatment. I realize it might be counter-intuitive, but cancer scares the hell out of me. As a direct consequence, dishones-ty sometimes becomes one’s best policy.

Granted, being dishonest, or rather not totally forthcoming, with the person entrusted in extend-ing your life, doesn’t exactly win one the patient-of-the-year award. But when that same one is diagnosed with a “terminal” disease at age 54 and a half, there’s a certain amount of clear thinking that quickly dissipates.

And if that same one is “ambulanced” to the hospital (in August 2013) for a week long stay in SICU (surgical intensive care), the fear of God

judgment. If you live long enough, your judgment im-

proves but so too does your chance of dying. As I

this thing, can I? I mean, I was diagnosed with a ‘terminal’ disease. They don’t call it ‘terminal’ for nothing.” But here I am, 10 years, post diagnosis, and living the dream, so to speak.

So how do I answer the doctor’s questions when doing so honestly might lead to a gruesome outcome: hospitalization, and then, well, you know.

Let me be clear then about my answers. Maybe I’m not so certain about the “straight-on” effects? Maybe, they’re not that bad and continuing the treatment will moderate the effects somehow while continuing to keep the cancer in its current place – without growing or moving?

I don’t mean to understate my condition, but neither do I want to overrate it. Perhaps this mental anguish I’m describing makes no sense. But that’s what cancer seems to do.

Nevertheless, I realize being honest with one’s doctors is kind of important. Still, I may be too afraid of the consequences to be so inclined.

It’s Not As If MyLife Depends On It

News

Road BackFrom Page 3

From Page 14

projects.arlingtonva.us/projects/jennie-dean-park/for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 14Passover Seder for Families with Tots. 5-

6:15 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church ofArlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. Join Rabbi GilahLangner and Tot Shabbat Coordinator AndreaCate for a Passover Seder hosted by Kol Ami,filled with song, story and movement. Great forchildren 0-8 and their families too. No fee, butRSVPs to [email protected] requested.Visit KolAmiVirginia.org for more.

THROUGH APRIL 15Tax Preparation Assistance. Tuesdays, 10

a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atArlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St.AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free totaxpayers with low to moderate income, withspecial attention to those 60 and older. AARPFoundation Tax-Aide is offered in cooperationwith the IRS. No need to be a member of AARPto receive assistance with tax preparation. Someappointments available, call 703-829-6192.

MONDAY/APRIL 15Exhibit Submission Deadline. 11:59 p.m.

Arlington Art Center’s Regional Biennial willtake place for the first time in the fall of 2019.Artists who produce contemporary art in anymedia, and who live or work in the Mid-Atlanticregion (defined as Virginia; Washington, DC;Maryland; West Virginia; Pennsylvania; orDelaware) may submit. Any existing works musthave been completed within the last 3 years inorder to be considered. Artists at any stage oftheir career are welcome to apply. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org/exhibitions/call-for-artist/ for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 20Passover Community Seder. 6-8 p.m. at

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444Arlington Blvd. Kol Ami (the Northern VirginiaReconstructionist Jewish Community) will hosta friendly and inclusive Passover Seder.Congregation member Herb Levy will lead theceremony, supplemented by the activeengagement of those in attendance. A mostlypotluck meal will follow. $20 per adult, $5 perchild, plus a potluck dish. Those who arephysically able are also asked to help with set upor clean up. Reservations must be made inadvance through on a link atwww.KolAmiVirginia.org.

Bulletin Board

together for him, “but I don’t know if I couldweather it again.” He thinks over half offatal overdoses aren’t accidental. “Addictsare so depressed they don’t want to facethe struggle. They say ‘this monster is go-ing to win.’” He says he thinks that labelingit an accidental overdose helps the familybut more of fatal ODs are suicides.” He sayshe thought about OD suicide but he didn’tknow how to do it and he thought aboutthe impact on his family.

“Addiction controls our thinking. We thinkthat help will never work. There is a bar-rier between you and the help. Our headswill rationalize the worst decisions.” Hesaid, “We relapse; that’s what we know howto do. The statistics are pretty depressingwith the amount of relapse.”

Now he is actively involved in educationand peer counseling for other addicts. Hesays talking about it is the most people cando, and collaboration is the key. “There isno magic wand but we need to stop stig-matizing. It won’t stop until we can ac-knowledge the problem.”


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