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Page 1: connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.comconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2018/0… · 10/04/2018  · two ART bus routes and $500,000 to scale back the Lee

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com April 11-17, 2018

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Captain Sarah Marchegiani (left) demonstrates how to rescue someone choking for Elena Ogbe (center) and Imari Poindexter (right).

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2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

By Vernon Miles

The Connection

“Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive,stayin’ alive .…”

You’re probably hearingthe refrain from the hit 1977

Bee Gees song in your head. At 104 beatsper minute, the tune falls within the 100and 120 chest compressions per minute rec-ommended by the British Heart Foundationfor CPR.

On April 5, firefighters and medics fromArlington and Alexandria worked with theVirginia Hospital Center for five hours toteach Wakefield High School students howto recognize a cardiac arrest victim and howto potentially help save a life.

“It’s important to know when to stop andwhen to start,” said Imron Saeed, a studentat the school who says he’s had two peoplepass out near him before. “Things happen.People pass out.”

Mayra Ramirez, a Wakefield student,said she learned that when someonepasses out, the first thing you do is checkfor consciousness and, if not, to begin pro-

cedures for CPR.One of the other lessons from the day was

to always know where the nearest auto-mated external defibrillator (AED) is. Thecourse instructor, Lt. Robert Bowen with theArlington Fire Department, said at one pointfirefighters responded to a school where astudent was going into cardiac arrest andthe student’s peers were all standing aroundwatching a few feet away from a defibrilla-tor that could have saved the student’s life.

“I don’t want students to worry aboutbreaking ribs, I don’t want them to worryabout being sued,” said Bowen. “Help some-one who needs your help.”

Bowen said teens are equally as vulner-able to heart attacks as anyone else, andthey might encounter someone in their fam-ily or other students experiencing a heartattack.

“It’s about feeling confident doing CPR,”said Bowen. “A lot of people hesitate andworry that they won’t do it right or theymight hurt someone.”

CPR training has stepped up across Vir-ginia after a bill was passed in 2013 requir-ing all high school students to undergo CPRtraining before graduation.

“It’s important to create a team aspect tohelp them save a life before emergencymedical services gets there,” said TarynOverman from the Virginia Hospital Cen-ter. “It’s about closing the loop.”

Overman said part of the importance ofteaching CPR at a high school level was thatthe students were more likely to absorb theinformation than adults would be, andmight be able to take that home and share

Wakefield High School studentsundergo CPR training.Stayin’ Alive

Hillary Lindsay from the Alexandria Fire Department teaching CPR.Lt. Robert Bowen from the Arlington Fire Department teaching CPR.

Jerry Parr with the Arlington FireDepartment demonstrates how torescue someone choking.

it with others.“This school has been great about getting

invested,” said Overman. “Havingfirefighters and EMTs here giving this coursereally gives it weight.”

Captain Sarah Marchegian (left)watches Imari Poindexter (right)perform CPR while Elena Ogbe(center) prepares the defibrillator.

Photos by Vernon Miles /The Connection

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Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsArlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Vernon Miles

The Connection

Fresh out of a contentious approvalby the School Board, ArlingtonPublic Schools’ proposed budgethad its County Board debut. In a

joint School Board-County Board work ses-sion on April 6, elected officials looked overthe approved budgets and compared cuts.

School Board Chair Barbara Kanninensaid some of the biggest cuts for schoolswere coming to the school’s planning. With$4.77 million in reductions, Kanninen saidthe schools will see class size increases forgrades 4 through 12, a reduction in theMontessori program and foreign languagein elementary schools, and cuts to clericaloffices at a high school level. A further $1.3million in reductions came from postpon-ing “Growth and Whole Child Initiatives”and $1.8 million in teaching reductions.

Among those, Kanninen said the hardestwas decision to cut paid parental leave.

“Arlington was the first jurisdiction in Vir-ginia to have paid parental leave,” saidKanninen. “It’s difficult to sustain that. It’sa very painful thing to cut.”

But moments later, a review of the CountyBoard budget showed a similar strain. Ac-cording to County Manager Mark Schwartz,the county will face $8.4 million in totalreductions to ongoing programs. Some ofthis involves reductions and eliminations ofcounty offices, like $483,238 for the elimi-nation of the Office of Community Healthand $825,584 to reduce the county’s Em-ployment Services. Others are reductions incounty services, like $356,771 to eliminatetwo ART bus routes and $500,000 to scaleback the Lee Highway Planning Process, a

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

Bring your sleeping bag, pillow andcomputer skills to ExpeditionHackathons in Arlington on April 14-

15. Technology strategy firm BlueCompassºand George Mason University’sSchar School of Policy and Government-Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corrup-tion Center (TraCCC) will host this pro bonoevent addressing the issues of human traf-ficking.

The hackathon will focus on the challengeof creating a solution toºhelp combat hu-man trafficking or assist its victims, usingartificial intelligence/machine learning,predictive modeling, or anything else.

Christine Jung, CEO of Blue Compass,says on the first morning of the two-dayevent, people will talk to independent ex-perts, then come up with their own ideasand bounce them off experts in the FBI,DHS, State Department, National Center for

Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)and other organizations with a role in pre-venting human trafficking. She says, forinstance, the participants might come upwith an app or predictive program by usingdata or pictures. Some of the hackers willpresent their data to a panel of judges.

Jung says there is very little coordinationbetween Federal, state and local “boots onthe ground” to address the trafficking prob-lem. “People who have the skills can bringthings together. Some people choose tospend the night. Each piece is part of a big-ger solution and we might not know it atthe time but as we all learn together, itbrings results.”

Jung says Blue Compass has runhackathons around the country for the Fed-eral government in a number of areas. “Thepublic likes to interact with the Federal gov-ernment.” Their human trafficking effortstarted when Blue Compass did an event

See Help Stop, Page 10

See Cuts, Page 10

School Board and County Boardcommiserate over cuts.Uncertain Future

Members of the School Board and County Board discuss budget cuts.

Arlington County budget reductions

Arlington School Board budget reductions

Photo Contributed

People work in teams and build out their data ideas in a Sunnyvale,Calif. hackathon in 2016.

Use Computers to Help Stop Human Trafficking

Pho

to

co

ntributed

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4 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@ArlConnection

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]

Steven MaurenEditor

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

Vernon MilesReporter

[email protected]

Eden Brown, Shirley RuheContributing Writers

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven MaurenArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John Heinly,Ali Khaligh

Production Manager:Geovani Flores

[email protected]

ArlingtonThe

Connection

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

Rosie Gordon-Mochizukiand her husband, ShojiMochizuki, are in the12th lap of their 20-lap

fundraising marathon. Since theyare celebrating their 20th year ofowning Sushi Zen on HarrisonStreet, they are sponsoring 20fundraisers for non-profit organi-zations this year to give back tothe community. Each organizationreceives a percent of the proceedsfor the evening.

Their first fundraiser was heldin June of 2017 for the Educa-tional Theatre Company. The lastfundraiser is scheduled for June2018. Number 12 is the April 4fundraiser for Doorways forWomen and Families, created in 1978. LinleyBeckbridge, communications director of Door-ways, is sitting at the front door to greet visi-tors. She says Doorways provides services forfamilies and youth experiencing homelessnessas well as domestic violence. She added, “Wehave the only 24-hour hotline for domestic vio-

lence in Arlington and run two shelters as wellfor survivors.”

Janet and Liana Stein are the first to arriveand order small bowls of udon soup, withtempura for Liana and California roll with fishroe platter for Janet. Behind the prep bar thesushi chefs prepare sweet potato rolls and un-

Halfway through the Race, Still RunningSushi Zen sponsors 20 fundraisers for nonprofits.

roll seaweed for spicy tuna rolls forthe next customers flowing in tofill the tables.

Rosie Gordon-Mochizuki says,“During this effort I have met so amazingpeople and learned more about what each ofthe nonprofit organizations do. I am proud tobe part of this community. Arlington is a verygiving community.”

April 18 is the next nonprofit fundraiser —for the Animal Welfare League.

Sushi Zen chefsJanet and Liana Stein chatwith Rosie Gordon-Mochizuki over tempuraand California Rolls atSushi Zen Fundraiser.

Linley Beckbridge andVeronica Floyd from Door-ways greet supporters atSushi Zen fundraiser.

Photo by Shirley Ruhe/The Connection

Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR)will host its 10th Annual SecondChance Fundraising Breakfast on

Tuesday, April 24 from 7:45-9 a.m. at the Crys-tal Gateway Marriott Hotel.

This year’s guest speaker is Harold Clarke,director of the Virginia Department of Correc-tions with state Sen. Barbara Favola and stateSen. Adam Ebbin as honorary chairs for theevent.

Clarke, a leader in seeking solutions to as-sist with prisoner reentry, says the major ob-stacle right now is employment because a num-ber of employers are reluctant to provide em-ployment because they are concerned aboutthe criminal history. Clarke adds researchshows that people with a criminal history ahave a 40 percent less chance of securing em-ployment.

Guests must RSVP to attend since the break-fast is generally at capacity with 600 guests.Guests can RSVP on the website atwww.oaronline.org/breakfast-rsvp-form-2028.Attending the breakfast is free, but the eventis a fundraiser so guests are asked to considermaking a donation.

OAR was founded in 1974. They providereentry services to previously incarcerated in-dividuals including transition assistance andemployment coaching. The OAR Reentry Ser-vices Department serves nearly 800 post-re-lease participants annually and nearly 400pre-release participants at the ArlingtonCounty Detention Facility, the Alexandria De-

tention Center and Coffeewood CorrectionalCenter.

The breakfast highlights the challengesof prisoner reentry with transition back

into the community and showcases someof the successes of the OAR program andthe lives impacted.

— Shirley Ruhe

OAR To Celebrate 10 Years with Fundraiser

File Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Offender Aid and Restoration’s annual Second Chance Fundraising Breakfastwill be April 24.

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Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Celebrate National Library Week(April 8-14) by strollingthrough the history ofArlington’s women pioneers

from 1900-1975 at the new online exhibi-tion at the Arlington Library. Visit http://arlingtonwomenshistory.org

This new exhibition, “Women’s Work: Sto-ries of Persistence and Influence,” is takenfrom the Center for Local History’s (CLH)Community Archives which contains exten-sive information on women’s pioneeringroles and accomplishments in ArlingtonCounty. Many of these women worked be-hind the scenes and against stereotypes intheir era to found Arlington’s first hospital,the local libraries and were movers behindeducational advances and conservation ef-forts.

The exhibition highlights the accomplish-ments of several Arlington women includ-ing political activist Gertrude Crocker whoheaded a national movement that led towomen’s right to vote in every state, realestate entrepreneur Margarite Syphaxwhose dream to create affordable housingfor African-Americans grew into a multi-million-dollar affordable housing enter-prise, and science educator Dr. Phoebe HallKnipling who founded the Outdoor Labo-ratory in Arlington. In addition it focuseson a number of women who organized in-

dependent libraries in their neighborhoodsleading to the establishment of the Arling-ton Public Library.

“All these women were active in almostevery aspect of civic life and their contribu-tions were instrumental in influencing thecharacter of Arlington and beyond,” saidLibrary Director Diane Kresh.

This event heralds the beginning of ayear-long series of community exhibitionsand events as well as additional stories ofearly women pioneers.

— Shirley Ruhe

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Thursday atnoon. Photos are welcome.

Nicole Barnes, of Arlington, was named to theChamplain College (Burlington, Vt.) president’s listfor the fall 2017 semester.

Tyler McTague, of Arlington, was named tothe fall 2017 dean’s list at Ohio Wesleyan Univer-sity (Delaware, Ohio).

Connar Mulcahy, of Arlington, was named tothe fall 2017 dean’s list at Ohio Wesleyan Univer-sity (Delaware, Ohio).

Robert Moffett Powell, of Arlington, wasnamed to the Iowa State University dean’s list forfall 2017.

Rachel Lauren Cummins, of Arlington, wasnamed to the Baylor University (Waco, Texas)dean’s list for fall 2017.

Sally Gustafson, a freshman major at GroveCity College (Pa.), has been named to the dean’slist with high distinction for the fall 2017 semes-ter. Gustafson is a 2017 graduate of WashingtonLee High School and is the daughter of The Hon.and Mrs. David Gustafson (Sharon) from Arlington.

School Notes

... of Arlington women.

Walk Through History

Gertrude Crocker

Photos courtesy of the Center for Local History, Arlington Public Library.

Phoebe Knipling with students at the Science Fair.

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6 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Calendar, Page 7

See ‘Sweeney Todd,’ Page 11

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: “Spring Break.” Through April 27,

gallery hours at Gallery Underground, in theCrystal City Shops at 2100 Crystal Drive. “SpringBreak,” a seasonally-themed and colorfulmember show features works depicting scenes ofspring and vacation locales. Also featured, alongwith new works by Gallery members, is artworkby Marsha Brown, a painter, sculptor andceramic artist in the local area. Visitwww.galleryunderground.org or call 571-483-0652.

“John.” Through April 29, at Signature Theatre,4200 Campbell Ave., Annie Baker’s “John” at theTony-winning Signature Theatre plays for fourweeks, running April 3 through April 29, 2018.Visit SigTheatre.org.

Healthy Lifestyle Runs. Saturdays, 9 a.m. atRoosevelt Island, George Washington MemorialParkway. American Cancer Society partners withparkrun USA to promote fitness in the fightagainst cancer. Free. Visit www.parkrun.us/rooseveltislanddc/ for more.

Arlington’s Historical Museum Open onFirst Wednesdays. The Arlington HistoricalMuseum is open to the public on the firstWednesday of every month from 12:30-3:30p.m. The museum consists of exhibitschronicling Arlington County’s history fromNative American settlements up to the presentday. The museum will continue to be open onSaturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Admissionis free. The museum is located in the former1891 Hume School building at 1805 S. ArlingtonRidge Road. Contact Garrett Peck at 571-243-

1113 or at [email protected].

Invasive Plants Removal. Work parties are heldevery month to keep the parks free ofdestructive invasive plants. Teens, adults andfamilies welcome. Every second Sunday of themonth 2-4:30 p.m. at Gulf Branch NatureCenter, 3608 Military Road; call 703-228-3403.Every third Sunday of the month 2-5 p.m. atLong Branch Nature Center, 625 S. CarlinSprings Road; call 703-228-6535 or Visitregistration.arlingtonva.us. Free, no registrationrequired.

Storytime. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30-11a.m. at Kinder Haus Toys, 1220 N. Fillmore St.Storytime with Ms. Laura. Call 703-527-5929.

Lego Club. Monthly on the first Wednesday. 4-5p.m. Glencarlyn Branch Library, 300 S.Kensington St. The library provides tubs of legosand a special challenge and after the programthe creations are displayed for everyone to see.No registration required. Call 703-228-6548 formore.

Crystal City Sparket. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. onWednesdays at 1900 Crystal Drive. Sparket — ACreative Market is an extension of DC’s EasternMarket with arts, crafts, and handmade goods.Free to attend. Visit www.crystalcity.org.

Art for Life. Third Thursday of each month. TheHyatt Regency Crystal City’s “Art for Life”Partnership with National Kidney Foundationbrings a new artist each month to The Hyatt fora reception. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Brunch at Freddie’s. Third Saturday of every

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

The Arlington Players (TAP) ispresenting the musical thriller“Sweeney Todd” — The DemonBarber of Fleet Street, from

April 13-28. The play is a tale of obsession,love, murder, and revenge that is darkly hu-morous. With music and lyrics by StephenSondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, thestory is based on the play by ChristopherBond. It opened on Broadway in 1979 andwon the Tony Award for Best Musical.

TAP Director Clare Shaffer said part of hergoal was to create an abstracted, skeletalLondon teeming with city life. “While‘Sweeny Todd’ is predominantly a story ofrevenge, obsession, and murder, it is alsodeeply rooted in socioeconomic inequalityand urban anonymity that emerged duringthe British Industrial Revolution. During thistime manufacturing, business, and the num-ber of wage laborers skyrocketed — as didsocioeconomic tensions and urban povertyand overpopulation,” she said.

“The show is rife with themes of classismand we aim to highlight the gap betweenthe bourgeois and the blue-collar in ourdesign and staging. From Sweeney’s initialimprisonment, to the crowd of uneducatedpassersby being swindled by Pirelli, to thecommitment of Johanna, we see again andagain ‘how civilized men behave’ and findourselves almost rooting for Sweeney’s lit-

eral and cultural cannibalism.”Brian Lyons-Burke plays the role of Judge

Turpin, the great villain of the story. “It ishis actions that denied freedom to Sweeneyand tore his family apart. He is a man thatfeels justified in taking what he wants whenhe wants, partly by virtue of his exaltedposition as a judge and pillar of the com-munity, partly because at heart, he is an evil,grasping man. He is the focus for Sweeney’sdesire for vengeance,” he said.

He said the character himself is a bit of achallenge. “This is a man who is extremelyamoral and venal, driven by his desires withno empathy for others. While I have playedevil characters in the past, Turpin is in a

league of his own. It is a real challenge toreach for such a dark and creepy character,especially in a musical,” he said.

He added: “Sweeney Todd is almost aGreek tragedy set to music. This is a darktale of revenge and madness — even thecomedy is dark! This is often called a musi-cal thriller — and I hope that the audiencewill be thrilled — and touched deeply bythe tragic elements of the show.”

Judy Lewis plays the role of the beggarwoman, a sort of a victim of a #MeToo situ-ation, in a tragic way. “However, and maybefortunately for her sake, she doesn’t remem-ber much of her past and has gone quitemad — not entirely bonkers crazy, but off

enough to wander the streets switchingmoods on a dime. She does, however, haveanimal instincts about bad stuff and badpeople, and that comes into play further intothe show,” she said.

Her biggest challenge was the vocals asher character sings in about three differentranges. “We’ve decided not to make her toopretty with the vocals, so it’s a matter offinding that sweet spot for her sound,” shesaid.

Alden Michels plays the role of BeadleBamford, the head law enforcement officeroutside of the court — a mix between asheriff and a bailiff. “The Beadle has a verydemanding singing range and that is just achallenge of vocal athleticism,” he said. “Asfar as acting, he has a lot of fun stuff toplay, but the key for him is to bring out bothhow insufferably pompous, hypocritical,and savage he is without turning him intoan absolute cartoon — he has to feel like areal guy for the audience to really hate himas they should.”

As far as audience takeaways, he said: “Ihope it scares and delights them and getsthem to think about some larger culturalthings: capitalism, revenge, stratified soci-ety ... it’s all in the script and score — so Ihope we’re able to conjure that.”

Bob McGrath plays the role of SweeneyTodd, a man who has returned to Londonafter escaping the penal colony where hewas falsely imprisoned for 15 years. “Uponarrival, he finds out that his despairing wifehad poisoned herself and his daughter isnow the ward of the judge who had himtransported. This knowledge, and his feel-ings of guilt for not having prevented it,propel him on a quest for retribution that

Sondheim musical isstory of revenge,obsession, and murder.

Entertainment

TAP Serves Up ‘Sweeney Todd’

Photo by Steven Yates

TAP is presenting “Sweeney Todd” from April 13-28 at the ThomasJefferson Community Theatre in Arlington.

CalendarSubmit entertainment announcements at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.

The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

‘The BigMeow’

Join Jane FranklinDance for a perfor-mance of “The BigMeow,” a story ofhope, disappoint-ment, courage andthe need for belong-ing. These simplethemes are part of ev-ery neighborhood, butin this wonderful taletold through the expe-riences of Little Cat, apotential weakness isa unique strength.The performance in-corporates spokenword, movement,music, and an interac-tive participatoryintroduction foryoung children. Sat-urday, April 14, 4-5p.m. at Theatre on theRun, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. $15Adults/$10 Childrenunder age 10. Call703-933-1111 or visitwww.janefranklin.com.

Photo by Gail Bingham

Jane Franklin Dance presents “The Big Meow.”

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Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 6

month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Freddie’sBeach Bar, 555 23rd St. TheArlington Gay and Lesbian Alliancegathers for an all-you-can-eatbreakfast buffet ($9.99). All arewelcome. No reservation is required.Visit www.facebook.com/events/700174390103305.

GYMNASTICS OPEN TRYOUTSArlington Gymnastics are holding

tryouts for both girls (Aerials) andboys (Tigers) competitive teamsduring April and May. For age 4 andolder. Tryouts are free. Visitwww.arlingtonaerials.org andsites.google.com/site/arlingtontigersva.

❖ Aerials Level 3 Tryouts – Saturday,April 14, 5-8 p.m.

❖ Aerials Pre-Team Tryouts – Saturday,April 21, 5-8 p.m.

❖ Aerials Xcel Gold Tryouts – Saturday,May 12, 5-7 p.m.

❖ Tigers Pre-team & Level 4 Tryouts –Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.-noon

THURSDAY/APRIL 12Shark Attack. 10-11 a.m. at Gulf

Branch Nature Center, 3608 N.Military Road. Sharks play asignificant role in the ocean’s foodweb. Study this important apex oceanpredator, examine a shark’s jaw,learn about their skin, and more.Ages 3-5. Parents are invited to stayand observe, or those with youngersiblings may visit the rest of thebuilding during the program. Parentsmust remain on-site. $5 per person.Registration required. Register onlineor call 703-228-4747, using activitycode 632818. Call 703-228-3403 formore information.

Nando’s PERi-PERi Fundraiser. 11a.m.-10 p.m. At 1800 North Lynn St.,Rosslyn. Six D.C. United soccer starswill flip PERi-PERi chicken and servedishes to fans. Player appearancesfrom 2-8 p.m. Nando’s will donate100% of proceeds to D.C. United’scharity partner DC Scores.

Unearthing History. 7-9 p.m. atReinsch Library Auditorium,Marymount University, 2807 N.Glebe Road. The archaeological

excavations at the Ball-SellersHouse–, the oldest building inArlington County–, recoveredthousands of artifacts relating to thedaily life on the property for morethan 270 years. Archaeologicalfindings with Patrick O’Neill. Freeand open to the public. Visitwww.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org orcall 703-892-4204.

Deep Dive: Spring Ephemerals. 8-9p.m. Gulf Branch Nature Center,3608 N. Military Road. Take a DeepDive into natural history thatscratches more than just the surface.Wildflowers that bloom quickly inspring before the trees leaf outdepend on a variety of adaptations.What physical structures help themsurvive in early spring? What other

a.m. at NRECA, 4301 Wilson Blvd.Join A-SPAN’s 5th Annual ComingHome Breakfast and learn about A-SPAN’s new program initiativesoffered in partnership with existingservices at the Homeless ServicesCenter. Explore A-SPAN’s new jobSTART internship program toaugment housing, shelter andnursing services. The event is free toattend and will include a lightbreakfast. RSVP to [email protected].

Raise A Tadpole. 4-5 p.m. GulfBranch Nature Center, 3608 N.Military Road. Get ready totemporarily own a tadpole. Learn allabout wood frogs and how to raise ahealthy tadpole into a frog. GulfBranch Nature Center will provideeverything, including a few tadpoles.Supplies and the metamorphosedfroglet must be returned when it’sready for release in the Gulf Branchwoods. Ages 9-14. $5 per person.Registration required. Register onlineor call 703-228-4747, using activitycode 632828-H. Learn more here.

Opening Reception: Spring SOLOS2018. 6-9 p.m. at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. ArlingtonArts Center (AAC) presents SpringSOLOS 2018, the second SOLOSpresentation of its 2017-2018 season.The artists included in Spring SOLOS2018 are Sean Derry, Adam Griffiths,Phaan Howng, Giulia Piera Livi, NickPrimo, and Jerry Truong. Openingreception for exhibitions on all threelevels and open studios with residentartists. Visit arlingtonartscenter.org.

Parents’ Night Out. 6-10 p.m. atWalter Reed Community Center,2909 16th St. S. Children will enjoyan evening of games, art and fun.Teens came up with this program asone way to help parents and giveback to the community. Brought toyou by Teens Making A Difference.$25 per child. Registration required.Register online or call 703-228-4747,using activity code 720118-G.

“Border.” 7:30 p.m. at Theatre on theRun, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive.Individuals describe barriersexperienced through career, racial,gender or ethnic prejudice. $22. Call703-933-1111 or visitwww.janefranklin.com/.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/APRIL 13-14Used Book Sale. Friday, 9 a.m.-9

p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at FallsChurch Community Center, 223 LittleFalls St., Falls Church. The book salebenefits scholarship/grant programsfor women, including local FallsChurch high school girls. Sponsoredby Falls Church American Associationof University Women. Visitfallschurcharea-va.aauw.net/booksale.

Calendar

Arlington HomeShow and GardenExpo

Learn about remodeling kitchens andbaths, finishing or waterproofing base-ments, replacing windows, doors,flooring, roofing and siding, securitysystems and more from a wide variety oftop-rated companies. A rich program offree classes awaits visitors. The LandlordSeminar is back and only this classneeds registration at tiny.cc/LLS2018.Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atKenmore Middle School, 200 S. CarlinSprings Road. Call 703-228-3765, or theHome Expo team at 202-599-0665 orvisit arlingtonhomeshow.org/.

Arlington ReadsInvestigative journalist Katherine Boo, au-

thor of “Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life,Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity,” de-scribes Annawadi, a slum of Mumbai, India,where she follows the interconnected lives ofseveral residents, including a young trashpicker, a female slumlord and a college stu-dent. Wednesday, April 18, 7-9 p.m. atArlington Central Library, 1015 North QuincySt. Meet the author and get your book signed.Visit library.arlingtonva.us/arlington-reads/

organisms have symbioticrelationships with springephemerals? Ages 18 and older. $5per person. Registration required.Register online or call 703-228-4747,using activity code 632848-B.

FRIDAY/APRIL 13Coming Home Breakfast. 7:30-9

Live Comedy:Pablo Francisco

Pablo Francisco draws his audi-ence into his vivid imagination andtakes them on a wild ride as theyexperience his spontaneous out-bursts, clever insights and some ofthe funniest rapid fire comedy, everunleashed. Friday, April 20, 7:30and 10 p.m.; Saturday, April 21, 7and 9:30 p.m. at Arlington Cinemaand Drafthouse, 2903 ColumbiaPike. $30-$35. VisitArlingtonDrafthouse.com.

Photo by Tomas Whitehouse

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8 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Winter sports state finalists with Arlington School Board and staff.

Pho

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by Fran

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ols

State FinalistsWASHINGTON-LEEIndoor TrackJabari Bennett: Shot Put (1st)Rebecca Stewart: Triple jump (6th)Swim & DiveJaya Kambhampaty: 100 Back (3rd)Jack Mowery, Jaya Kambhampaty, Lachlan

Flatin, Kai Green: 200 Free Relay (3rd)

WAKEFIELDIndoor TrackJoshua Sutton: High Jump (5th)Xavier Taylor: 300m Dash (3rd)Xavier Taylor: 500m Dash (4th)WrestlingLoranzo Rajaonarivelo: 160 pound (3rd)

Vincent Galang: 145 pound (6th)Swim & DiveJustin Clark: Boys Diving (1st)Jack Kumashiro: Boys Diving (3rd)Antonia Kotliarov: Girls Diving (5th)Boys BasketballNational District Runner-up; Region 5C Cham-

pions; VHSL Class 5 State Runner-up

YORKTOWNSwim & DiveHannah Karlin, Annika Creedon, Mary Kate

Reicherter, Kayle Park, Victoria Huske, EmilyBrooks, Natalie English, Charlotte Thomson, andEmily Larsen: Girls Swim Team (2nd)

Hannah Karlin: Diving (2nd)Mary Kate Reicherter, Kayle Park, Victoria

Huske, and Emily Brooks: 200 Medley Relay (1st)

Victoria Huske: 50 Free (1st)Victoria Huske: 100 Fly (1st)Kayle Park, Victoria Huske, Mary Kate

Reicherter, and Natalie English: 400 Free Relay(1st)

Kayle Park: 200 IM (4th)Annika Creedon: Diving (5th)Kayle Park: 100 Breast (5th)Mary Kate Reicherter: 100 Backstroke (3rd)Sam Ellison: 50 Free (6th)Ryan Soh, Zach Rosenthal, Thomas Outlaw, and

Sam Ellison: 200 Medley Relay (2nd)WrestlingClay Chadwick: Heavyweight Division Runner-

upGymnasticsJulia Hays: Floor (1st)Katya Olsen: Vault: (1st)

News

Plan to be inspired at the fifth an-nual A-SPAN Coming Home break-fast on Friday, April 13 with regis-

tration at 7:30 a.m. and the program from8-9 a.m.

Keynote speaker will be ChristianDorsey, Arlington County Board vice-chair.

This free breakfast fundraiser is A-SPAN’s largest event of the season. RSVPto reserve one of the few remaining seatsat [email protected]. The event will beheld at the NRECA building at 4301 Wash-ington Boulevard.

A-SPAN is a nonprofit organizationwhose mission is to end homelessness inArlington by securing permanent housingand providing life-sustaining services forArlington’s most vulnerable citizens.

— Shirley Ruhe

Minutes into its regular meet-ing on April 5, the Arling-ton County School Boardpaused to recognize stu-

dent-athletes from its public high schools:Wakefield, Washington-Lee and Yorktown.All the young men and women were final-ists in state-wide winter sports, which in-cluded swimming, diving, wrestling, gym-nastics, indoor track and basketball.

Special note was taken of the achieve-ment of four young women from Yorktown:Mary Kate Reicherter (sophomore), KaylePark (junior), Victoria Huske (freshman)and Emily Brooks (senior). On the way tobecoming this year’s champion, the quartetset an all-time state record for the 200 Med-ley Relay.

Their coach, Torey Ortmayer, observedthat each swimmer was talented, but all alsodemonstrated a willingness to work hardin every practice.

Ortmayer said he had confidence hissquad could win the event this year, so muchso that he “could stand back and enjoy therace knowing they would take care of busi-ness.”

Seven other state championships wereclaimed by Arlington students: JabariBennett, Washington-Lee - Shot Put; JustinClark, Wakefield - Diving; Julia Hays,Yorktown – Gymnastics (floor); KatyaOlsen, Yorktown – Gymnastics (vault);Victoria Huske, Yorktown – 50 Freestyle and100 Butterfly; and Kayle Park, VictoriaHuske, Mary Kate Reicherter and NatalieEnglish, Yorktown – 400 Freestyle Relay(Tie).

— Michael McMorrow

State finalists inwinter sportscelebrated.

Annual Breakfast Supports A-SPAN

File photo by Shirley Ruhe/The Connection

A-SPAN Coming Home breakfast

THROUGH APRIL 17Tax Assistance. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-

7 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.at Arlington Central Library, 1015N. Quincy St. AARP FoundationTax-Aide has helped low- tomoderate-income individuals formore than 40 years in every stateand the District of Columbia.AARP Foundation Tax-Aide isoffered in cooperation with theIRS. No need to be a member ofAARP to receive help withcompleting taxes. Someappointments available. Call 703-829-6192 for more.

THURSDAY/APRIL 12YEA! Investor Panel. 6-8 p.m. at

Marymount University (BallstonCenter), 2807 N. Glebe Road.

Watch as YEA! students pitchtheir business ideas to a panel ofinvestors for a chance to receivestart-up capital to launch theirbusiness. Two investor panelistseats remain. Contact theChamber today to participate.Visit arlingtonchamber.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 14Potomac River Watershed

Cleanup. 10 a.m.-noon. JoinACE for the 30th Annual PotomacWatershed Cleanup. ACE isjoining a multi-state network ofsupporters working with the AliceFerguson Foundation to make thewatershed cleaner and raiseawareness about the problem oflitter in our region. Register atarlingtonenvironment.org.

Bulletin Board

School Board Praises Athletes’ Achievements

Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

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Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

To highlight your Faith Community, call Don at 703-778-9420

DAILY EUCHARIST:WeekdaysMonday-Friday, 8:30 AMSaturday, 8:30 AM

SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE:Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PMSunday: 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spanish Liturgy

5312 North 10th Street,Arlington, Virginia 22205Parish Office: 703-528-6276

PARISH WEBSITE:www.stannchurch.org

All AreWelcome!

Railroading in West VA, July 10-12 . ......................................................$599Includes coach transportation from Vienna, McLean Metro Or Rockville; 2 nights

hotel with breakfast & dinner daily & 1 lunch, Sightseeing & train rides on The Cheat

Mountain Salamander &. The Durbin Rocket.

Cape Cod Motorcoach Trip, Aug. 10-13 ................................................$969Includes coach from Vienna, 3 nights hotel in Hyannis with daily breakfast & dinner.

Sightseeing & performance of the Boston Pops Orchestra!

Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 21-24 ....................................$2,399Includes air from Dulles, 5-nights hotel with breakfast, 2 dinners, daily sightseeing & Balloon Fiesta!

703.242-2204 1-800-556-8646100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180

Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.comfor a listing of all our upcoming trips and socials.

SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB

HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

One of the most anticipated rites ofspring is the vibrancy of the firstblooms on flowers and trees. However,this beauty can only be savored after

the weeding, pruning and planting are finished. Whilepreparing and planning a spring garden is not an ef-fortless endeavor, local landscaping gurus say thatan organized plan can make it more manageable.

“The first thing you need to do is cut back anyornamental grasses like Liriope two to four inchesoff the ground so the brown, tired-looking leaves aregone before the new leaves start to grow,” said DavidWatkins, general manager of Merrifield Garden Cen-ter. “If you wait too long it’s tough to separate oldfrom new and you end up getting brown on the newleaves.”

Removing all of the leaves and other debris fromthe flowerbed is the next step, advises Haynes Davisof American Plant in Bethesda. “Cut back any peren-nials or ornamental grasses that have not alreadybeen cut back and prune out any dead branches fromexisting shrubs,” he said. “I fertilize at this point with… a slow-release, organic fertilizer that works forblooming and evergreen plants. Lastly I put down afresh layer of mulch and then thebeds are ready for spring.”

Preparing to have a perfectlymanicured lawn for spring beginsby raking removing all of thefallen leaves, adds Davis. “Havingyour PH tested would be a goodidea because now would be thetime to put down lime to get yoursoil to the correct acidity levelwhich is 5.8 to 6.5,” he said. “Thisis also the time to put down pre-emergent [herbicides] to keep theweeds from coming up, but youhave to remember, if you putdown a pre-emergent you cannotover seed for six to 12 weeks, de-pending on the product you areusing.”

Cutting away dead or over-grown branches to stimulate newgrowth comes next, says Watkins.“I would prune any branches on

shrubs and trees that are crisscrossingand rubbing against each other,” he said.“Then edge, mulch and fertilize yourplants. Remove old mulch first and putdown two to three inches of new mulch,but make sure you don’t put it too close

to the trunk of the plant.”When whipping a garden into shape for spring,

Alexandria-based landscape designer Ruth Tinsleybelieves in engaging the senses. “If you plant fra-grant spring flowers like Honeysuckle, Phlox, But-terfly Bush and roses, they will give you a pleasantaroma when you are walking through your yard orgarden,” she said. “Plant them in large swaths to getthe biggest impact.”

Butterfly Bush and Stock are two flowering plantsthat do double-duty, advises Tinsley. “They not onlyhave a nice fragrance, but they will add beautifulcolor to your yard or garden. Butterfly bush is rela-tively hearty and has vibrant pink and purple blooms,and Stock comes in a vivid, dark-red color.”

Until temperatures are warm on a consistent ba-sis, Davis offers a caveat about planting flowers. “Iwould only plant Pansies and Violas for flowers out-side,” he said. “They will give you good color all theway up to the time to plant summer annuals, whichis when we have sustained night time temps around55 degrees, usually around mid-April. For perenni-als about the only thing you can plant now would behellebores.”

“Forsythia bushes are blooming now. They’re oneof the first to bloom,” addedWatkins. “Shortly Camellias andAzaleas will start to bloom.

Options for plants that can tol-erate cooler temperatures areplentiful, advises Watkins. “All ofyour trees and shrubs can beplanted now and it’s great to getyour garden started early sothere’s less maintenance in thesummer,” he said. “All of our or-namental trees like Cherry, Red-bud, Crabapple and Dogwood canbe planted now.”

“As for shrubs, you can plantanything right now as long as ithas been acclimated and does nothave new tender growth,” addedDavis. “We have all of our plantsthat are tender either in ourgreenhouses or covered with frostblankets until the temperatureswarm up.”

Spring in BloomPreparing and planning a colorfulwarm-weather garden.

Photo American Plant

Preparing a spring garden includes prun-ing, mulching and fertilizing, says HaynesDavis of American Plant in Bethesda.

Photo Merrifield Garden Center

The colors of Camellia blooms can beenjoyed now, says David Watkins ofMerrifield Garden Center.

Pansies and Violas can beplanted now to offer brightcolors to a spring garden,says Haynes Davis of Ameri-can Plant in Bethesda.

Photo American Plant

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10 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 3

News

From Page 3

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

Senior trips: Cirque Du Soleil,Tysons Corner, Sunday, April 15,matinee, $101; U.S. NavalAcademy Tour & Tea, Annapolis,Monday, April 16, $61; MarylandLive, Hanover, Tuesday, April 17,$9; Walters Art Museum, Balti-more, Russian crafts, Thursday,April 19, $15; Leesburg Flower &Garden Show, Saturday, April 21,$6. Call Arlington County 55+Travel, 703-228-4748. Registrationrequired.

NEW PROGRAMS:Prevent heart disease

through nutrition, Monday,April 16, 11 a.m., Walter Reed.

Register, 703-228-0955.Seeing art as artists do,

Monday, April 16, 11:30 a.m.,Langston-Brown. Register, 703-228-6300.

Just Playin’ Country, Monday,April 16, 11:15 a.m., Lee. Details,703-228-0555.

Reduce chances of becoming avictim, Tuesday, April 17, 11 a.m.,Langston-Brown. Register, 703-228-6300.

Pet Chatz, new technology toconnect pets with owners, Tuesday,April 17, 1 p.m., Walter Reed.Register, 703-228-0955.

What to consider whenpreparing a will, Wednesday, April18, 11 a.m., Langston-Brown.Register, 703-228-6300.

Free hearing screenings,Wednesday, April 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,Walter Reed. Call for appointment,703-228-0955.

Arlington Walking Club totravel to Dunbarton OaksPark, D.C., Wednesday, April 18,9:30 a.m., $4. Register, 703-228-4403.

How to maximize photoand editing apps onSmartphones, Wednesday, April18, 6:30 p.m., Arlington Mill.Register,703-228-7369.

55+ Foodies group, Thurs-day, April 18, 6 p.m., CentralLibrary. Register, 703-228-5946.

Open Latino dancing, Friday,April 20, 10 a.m.-noon, ArlingtonMill. Details, 703-228-7369.

Ballroom dance, Friday, April20, 1 p.m., Lee Details, 703-228-0555.

Creative art exhibit open tothe public, Saturday, April 21, 2-4 p.m., Walter Reed. Free parking.Details, 703-228-0955.

“Flourishing After 55”

for Polaris, a nonprofit organization which operatesthe National Human Trafficking Hotline. “We didn’twant to write a check and be done with it.” Thisevent is sponsored in conjunction with George Ma-son University and held at their Arlington campus.“We’ve hoping to find donors so we can continuethis effort in the future.”

Human trafficking is one of the most profitablecriminal businesses in the world. And in the DC re-gion, it continues to be a growing serious problemwith trafficking reports up 13 percent last year.NCMEC reported that one out of five endangeredand runaway children in Virginia in 2015 became a

victim of sex trafficking. Experts sayºthere is evidenceof teen sex trafficking in every high school in the re-gion. As a result, both the Arlington Public SchoolSystem and the Fairfax County School System haverecently designed new curriculums which have beenincorporated into regular lessons for middle schooland high school students stressing awareness of hu-man trafficking and prevention.

The event will be held at George Mason UniversityArlington Campus in Founders Hall at 3351 NorthFairfax Drive. It is also possible to attend in-studio inWashington D.C. by phone. It starts at 9 a.m. April14 and ends at 6 p.m. April 15. This Human Traffick-ing event is part of ºExpedition Hackathon’s SocialImpact Series.

move Schwartz says has faced stiff opposition fromlocal neighbors.

“As you can see from the manager’s presentation,you’re not walking that route alone,” said CountyBoard member Christian Dorsey. “We thank you forthat. Understand that this is a reality that exists inArlington and elsewhere. It’s important to note thatthere is still growth in the student budget.”

Dorsey noted that a 3.5 percent increase in thethe county transfer to schools accounted for enroll-ment growth and a good percentage of the expectedpay increases for staff. But School Board memberNancy Van Doren, who was the lone vote againstthe school budget at the previous night’s meeting,said the budget is insufficient to meet the needs ofthe schools.

“I believe we do need to bring you needs basedbudget,” said Van Doren. “We need $4.7 million. Ibelieve we are on a very dangerous path of erodingthe quality of education that we have a hallmark ofin this community, part of the driver of our economicself sufficiency. When we make these kinds of cuts,falls more heavily on our neighborhood schools…That is beginning down a path of inequity.”

Van Doren explained that optional schools can al-

ways maintain their student populations at certainquotas, while neighborhood schools do not have theoption of turning students away. Van Doren also notedthat the schools will be using half of their reserves tofund needs in the FY 2019 budget.

“That’s not sustainable,” said Van Doren. “We needto reconsider revenue sharing principles and invest-ment in schools.”

While it’s unlikely for Arlington Schools to receivemore than they requested from a County Board thathas already established a no tax-rate increase, VanDoren’s comments did find some agreement on theCounty Board.

“Van Doren summarized very ably the history ofthis county and community and what makes usstrong,” said County Board member Erik Gutshall.“This budget is not as tough as next year’s will beand that’s a sobering thought .… We’re fighting overcrumbs, and I’m not sure that’s where we want to beon these critical issues. [We face] fundamental struc-ture problems on local basis, also degradation of ser-vices for support for most vulnerable at a nationallevel that all fall down on us. We have to really beeyes wide open to what’s coming in front of us.”

The County Budget is set for approval on April 21.The final School Board budget will be adopted onMay 3.

Commiserating over Cuts

Help Stop Human Trafficking

“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington Office of Senior AdultPrograms for April 15-21.

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Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 6

reap the most dire consequences for him-self, those who wronged him as well as in-nocent people,” he said.

He said it’s a challenge to be terrifyingand sympathetic at the same time and nothave one cancel out the other. “He does allthese horrible things but he is the play’sprotagonist, so the audience has to relateto (on some level) this man who only truststhe objects that help him murder. They needto feel his pain. Otherwise, they won’t staywith you,” he said.

AnnaBelle Lowe plays the role ofJohanna, Sweeney’s daughter who wasseparated from him as an infant and thenadopted by Judge Turpin. “She is a youngwoman who is beginning to challenge thestrict ideals of her upbringing when shebecomes enamored of Anthony. Johanna isfaced with her father figure, the judge, in-tending to marry her himself, so she andAnthony attempt to take control of their fatetogether,” she said.

She added: “If Sweeney Todd is a parable,then I think it’s about being blinded by ob-session. As a Sondheim-obsessive, it painsme to say it, but his characters often strivefor a single outcome, only to be punishedfor it. If it isn’t, then maybe Sweeney Toddis about the morbid fun of watching char-acters struggle with what you know andthey don’t.”

As music director, Paige Rammelkampsaid her main challenge was to respect andinterpret the work of Sondheim. “In a playwhere the music is the main vessel of emo-tion, character, and symbolism, it’s impor-tant to make sure all of that shines throughwhile still honoring the director’s vision aswell as everything new our actors bring tothe table,” she said.

She added: “The most fascinating thingabout this lush score is how each characteris directly controlling the music, rather thanvice versa — every time Sweeney sings, themusic moves to match his objectives, nomatter how ‘insane.’”

As the producer, Janet Bordeaux said herbiggest challenge is finding enough volun-teers to assist the designers. “TAP is alwayslooking for people who have carpentry ex-perience, can use a paint roller and brush,and can assist the costumer with sewing.Everything you experience at a TAP produc-tion is done by a volunteer — from the di-rectors and designers to the actors to ev-eryone behind the scenes. It is the passionthat these volunteers have for theater thatwill make ‘Sweeney Todd’ a remarkableexperience for the audience,” she said.

The Arlington Players (TAP) is present-ing “Sweeney Todd” — The Demon Barberof Fleet Street, from April 13-28. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.;Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are$25/adult; $22/senior/military; and $15/child/student. The venue is the ThomasJefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. OldGlebe Road, Arlington. Visitwww.thearlingtonplayers.org.

‘SweeneyTodd’

Entertainment

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

... that the green, cotton, chino-typecasual-Friday pants I often wear on -in-the-office-Thursdays, lasted as long as they did.Given the number of years I’ve been stuffingmyself into them (not every Thursday mindyou, but very regularly), and the weight I’vegained, especially since the ultra low pointduring heavy duty chemotherapy nine yearsago, the miracle is that these pants hadn’t splitwide open on any number of previousoccasions.

As it actually happened yesterday, the splitwas gradual, not along a seam and not offen-sive to anybody, least of all, me.

And though the tear was understandable,given the psi (pounds per square inch) of pres-sure they were under, the loss howeverexpected was sad nonetheless. For someonewho exults in a limited wardrobe as much as Ido, the reduction in available garments Ichoose to wear – repeatedly, is impactful.

Hardly do I have too many other go-to-pants in the closet. Considering my lack ofinterest, lack of need and lack of properly fit-ting alternatives hanging in the balance, whena split occurs, such as the one I’ve described“heretofore,” (Ben Affleck in “Good WillHunting”), not only is the loss palpable, it isdownright inconvenient. Now what? Not thatmy appearance is ever a priority, but I’d rathernot dress for failure.

The problem is, when your clothingoptions can be characterized as “either or,”you’re in a bind which, given the pounds thathave been added over the winter (let’s behonest; more like the preceding fall, summer,spring, winter and fall), you’re constantly chal-lenged, especially when attempting to zip upyour fly and/or button your pants. Talk about apointless effort.

If there was a cash reward for such failure,I’d be basking somewhere warm, in semiretirement – with an elastic waistband to domy bidding.

“But alas, poor Yurick.” No such rewardexists, but thankfully, elastic waistbands do,and not just on underwear, bathing suits,shorts and sweatpants. The question becomesthen: How committed do I want to become tosuch elasticity? Isn’t it kind of a slippery slopeto rubberize my waistline? My fear is, once Igo elastic, I may never go back, and in nevergoing back, I’m also afraid there may be nostopping me, if you know what I mean? And ifI’m not to be stopped then am I prepared tolive with myself, my ever-expanding self, thatis?

I imagine my oncologist wouldn’t approve.And I know my internal medicine doctorwouldn’t approve (I’ve already received someelectronic advisories to that effect); and Iknow with 100 percent certainty that my wife,Dina wouldn’t approve. She might have mar-ried me “in sickness and health, and thick andthin,” but she’d much rather I be thin thanthick.

Granted, I may be mixing metaphors here,but I trust you get my point. She liked me theway I was, and sort of likes me the way I am,but I’m doubtful she would like me nearly asmuch if I were to morph into another being.

Ergo, the future is now. Do I continue topack on the pounds and have less and lessclothing that fits – and fewer and fewerexcuses as to why that old thing seems to bethat same old thing, again; buy new clothesthat reflect and lock in my girth, or bite thebullet – not the Entenmann’s Pop’ems,Hostess CupCakes, Oreo Mega Stuf cookies orM&M’s plain/peanut butter candy and try tolose weight and save some face, literally?

I believe I know the answer. I’m just notsure of the start date. It better be soonbecause the underwear I bought myself forChristmas is beginning to lose its shape andI’m pretty sure I know the reason; and it’s nota manufacturer’s defect.

It’s A Miracle(Not a Cancer

Column) ...

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12 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Gabriella Lucchetti, a junior atBishop O’Connell High School,won first place in the Joseph S.Rumbaugh Oration Contest spon-sored by the Colonel WilliamGrayson Chapter, Virginia SocietySons of the American Revolution(VASSAR). She received a $100check, a National Society SAR Ora-tion bronze medal, and a certifi-cate.

Gabriella also won third placein the Virginia SAR statewide ora-tion contest. She competed againstcontestants representing 27 chap-ters throughout the Common-wealth of Virginia. She was re-cently selected to representVASSAR at the National SocietySAR Oration Contest at the SARNational Congress in Houston,Texas in July 2018.

The topic of her oration was“The Green Mountain Boys,” the

The Arlington County PoliceDepartment is seeking thepublic’s assistance in locatinga suspect wanted for robberyof the Wells Fargo Bank locatedat 1701 N. McKinley Road onDec. 22, 2017.

Christopher Lee Hicks, 42, ofno fixed address is wanted inArlington County on one countof robbery. Anyone with infor-mation on the whereabouts ofHicks should contact DetectiveC. Riccio at 703-228-4180 [email protected]. Ifseen, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The suspect entered theWells Fargo Bank on Dec. 22and passed the teller a note,demanding money. After ob-taining an undisclosed amountof money, he left the bank and

Police Seek Public’s Help inLocating Suspect

Hicks

fled on foot heading towardsWashington Boulevard.Thesuspect is described as a whitemale, 40-50 years old, approxi-mately 5’3” – 5’6” tall. He waswearing a gray winter hat, darkred coat and blue jeans at thetime of the incident.

From left: Colonel William Grayson Chapter Vice Presi-dent Barry Schwoerer, Gabriella Lucchetti and her motherKaren Lucchetti.

Lucchetti WinsOration Contest

story of a Vermont Militia unitcommanded by Ethan Allen, andtheir relationship with GeneralBenedict Arnold, soon to be a turn-coat. The oration examines the

role of The Green Mountain Boysin the capture of Fort Ticonderogaand eventual success of the Revo-lutionaries to stop a British inva-sion from Canada.

Bulletin Board

SUNDAY/APRIL 15Essay Contest Submission Deadline. The

Arlington Historical Society, in partnership withColumbia Lodge No.285, is pleased to announcesupport for their 2018 8th grade and high schoolstudent historical writing contest. The topic forthis year’s essay is: 2018 marks the 100th year

anniversary of the armistice ending World War I.World War I has been called the “forgotten war”by some historians. Have we forgotten this warin Arlington? Why or why not? Essays should besubmitted to Max Gross([email protected]). Essays receivedafter this date will not be considered. Visitwww.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

MONDAY/APRIL 16Blood Drive. 3-7:30 p.m. at Shirlington Branch

Library, 4200 Campbell Ave. The American RedCross encourages eligible donors to give bloodduring National Volunteer Month this April.Donating blood is a simple way for those whoare short on time to make a life-changing

difference. Volunteer donors are the only sourceof blood products for those in need oftransfusions. Donors of all blood types areneeded to help meet patient needs this spring.Make an appointment to donate atRedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).