‘a movement of hearts and minds’connectionarchives.com/pdf/2018/103118/centreview.pdf · 2019....
TRANSCRIPT
Afeefa Syeed (left) receives her CIF
gold citizens award from Sully Supervi-
sor Kathy Smith.
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Boy Scouts Will Soon Collect FoodNews, Page 2
‘A Movement Of Hearts and Minds’
News, Page 3
2 ❖ Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
When the Centreville Immi-gration Forum (CIF) re-cently held its annualawards dinner, Executive
Director Terry Angelotti welcomed attend-ees to The Waterford at Fair Oaks. She alsogot straight to the point of the event.
“In an atmosphere in our country whenthere’s so much negativity about immi-grants, you respect immigrants and whatthey bring to the global community,” shesaid. “And you know that they make ourexperiences richer.”
The CIF runs the Centreville Labor Re-source Center (CLRC), which helps localimmigrants obtain work, wages, English-language lessons, job skills and other im-portant life tools enabling them to providefor themselves and their families. And fit-tingly, the theme for the Sept. 21 dinner was“Celebrating our Global Community.”
“This is about telling our story and invit-ing others to be part of it,” said Angelotti.“Our board of directors is responsible forour success – and half the spots on it arefilled by immigrants. They bring their ownexperiences to it and know what it’s like tostand on a street corner, hoping for work.”
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) also ad-dressed the crowd. “America is at a cross-roads again about immigration, and someAmericans have forgotten who they are,”he said. “America is America because ofimmigrants.”
When he first moved to Fairfax County,he said, its foreign-born population was 3percent; today, it’s 28 percent. And althoughsome people initially feared their influxwould adversely affect schools and increasecrime, he said that hasn’t been the case.
“Fairfax County schools are in the top 100in the country and have one of the highestgraduation rates,” said Connolly. “And thecrime rate is the lowest of the top 100 ju-risdictions in the country. We’ve created650,000 jobs and our median income is$106,000 – third in the country.”
He also stressed that chain migration isn’tsomething bad, but rather, leads to familyreunification. He then told the story of how
his Catholic grandmother fled discrimina-tion in Ireland by coming to the U.S.
“Today, her grandson stands before you,a U.S. congressman,” said Connolly. “Youdon’t know what an immigrant will become.Immigration leads to a richer fabric, stron-ger country and more vibrant patriotism.And those who believe in the value of im-migrants need to stand up. It’s a belief infreedom and the right of everyone to enjoyit. And that’s why the CIF is so important –because it’s not just words, it’s actions – andwe need a lot more of it, all over America.”
Anh Phan brought greetings and con-gratulations from U.S. Sen. Mark Warner(D-VA). Noting Centreville’s “rich diversity,”he said, “Our communities are strongerwhen we come together with can-do spiritto make a difference in the lives of others.”
Similarly, Gaston Araoz-Riveros, broughta congratulatory message from U.S. Sen.Tim Kaine (D-VA). Saying the CIF has made“invaluable contributions” to Centreville,Kaine praised its “remarkable advocacywork” on behalf of immigrants and tochange immigration policies. He alsothanked the organization for “creating abetter community.”
CIF Community Organizer John Canonoted the “positive contributions our im-migrant brothers and sisters make in thecommunity. Our mission is to recuperatewages [when employers refuse to pay im-migrants for completed work], educate the
community about immigrants and workwith others at the state level to change leg-islation. Immigrants make communitiesbetter.”
Speaking about immigrant families at theMexican border was CIF Board member andimmigration attorney Lisa Johnson-Firth. “Iwas at a detention facility this summer andinterviewed parents whose children weretaken from them,” she said. “One womanhad her child taken from her arms, and aman’s son was taken while they slept. I wit-nessed firsthand how our legal system isfailing. They moved 300 families with nonotification to their legal counsel.”
She said that, in September 2019,300,000 people in this area will lose theirtemporary, protected status. Besides losingjobs, said Johnson-Firth, the fallout will alsoaffect schoolchildren because “their parentswill lose their homes. Every day, people aredeprived of their rights and liberty by judgeswho order deportation with no adjudica-tion.” So, she said, “We need to get involvedand hold our local leaders responsible. Wealso need to support organizations like theCLRC, CIF and Legal Justice Center that areworking on the front lines for immigrants.Immigrants need our help; and if we allowthe most vulnerable people to have theirrights eroded, all people’s rights will beeroded.” For more information about thenonprofit CIF, or to contribute, go to http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/.
‘Immigration Leads to a Stronger Country’CIF holds its annualawards dinner.
Gerry Connolly John Cano
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By Bonnie Hobbs
Fairfax County is one of the richestareas in the country. Yet, every night,there are people who go to bed hun-
gry. That’s where Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries’ (WFCM) food pantry comes in,providing critical food for families in needin the local area.
But WFCM can only do so much alone; itdepends on the generosity of the commu-nity to help keep its pantry stocked. Andlocal residents can lend a hand by contrib-uting canned and boxed food items to theupcoming, Sully District Scouting for Fooddrive which benefits the pantry.
This weekend, Boy Scouts will be out inneighborhoods in Centreville and Chantilly,delivering empty grocery bags with a flyerasking for food donations for WFCM. Thehope is that the recipients will fill up thebags with food and then place them out-side their front door, Saturday, Nov. 10, at8:30 a.m., for pick-up.
“Many individuals and families do notearn enough to meet basic, monthly ex-penses such as food, housing and transpor-tation,” said Jennie Bush, WFCM’s Commu-nity Outreach Manager. “They are food-in-secure, which means they don’t alwaysknow where their next meal is coming from.As a result, thousands of people in our com-munity are hungry – and almost half of themare children. And the need is growing ev-
ery day.”That’s why Bush and others associated
with WFCM are hoping that as many resi-dents as possible will help alleviate this needby participating in the largest food drive ofthe year for its food pantry. Centreville’sMichael Adere, who’s organized the Scout-ing for Food drive for 13 years, explains whythe Boy Scouts take part in this annual ef-fort.
In the Boy Scout Oath, he said, “A Scoutpromises to help other people at all times.By participating in the Scouting for Fooddrive, Scouts are able to put action to thosepromises.” Adere also has a big job, includ-ing arranging for the sorting site and boxtrucks – which transport the collected foodto WFCM’s pantry – to coordinating the in-volvement of the various Boy Scout, CubScout and Girl Scout troops.
Last year’s drive yielded some 65,000pounds of food, and WFCM hopes to receivethat much or more, this year. The Scoutswill be collecting nonperishable items, suchas canned soup, meats, vegetables, fruit,cereal, rice, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese,pasta and sauce (no glass jars), peanut but-ter, jelly, dried beans and canned tomatoes.
“Without the Boy Scouts’ efforts and allthe volunteers who support Scouting forFood, this food drive would not be possible,”said Bush. “It takes hundreds of people todo the huge task of gathering and sortingthe food, so more than 150 youth and adult
volunteers are needed to help throughoutthe day.”
On Nov. 10, shifts are available at the sort-ing site in Chantilly, between 10 a.m. and 4p.m., for set up and tear down, sorting, crat-ing and transporting the food to the pantry,as well as unloading it there. Anyone inter-ested in helping should contact WFCM at
[email protected].“This volunteer event is ideal for individu-
als, small groups, families, service clubs andstudents needing community-servicehours,” said Bush. “Thank you so much, inadvance, for your help in restocking ourfood pantry for hungry families in the com-munity.”
Boy Scouts Will Soon Collect Food Donated items areearmarked for WFCM.
Sorting canned goods last year with Girl Scout Troop 3327 ofChantilly are (back row, from left) Brianna Mosely, mom TaneshaMosely, Jeanine Blomberg and Ruth Moran, and (front row, from left)sisters Morgan and Phoebe Blomberg.
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Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
During the Centreville Immigra-tion Forum’s (CIF) annualawards dinner, the organiza-tion presented gold citizens’
awards to three immigrants contributing totheir communities and bringing about realchange. They are Rodrigo Velasquez, IlryongMoon and Afeefa Syeed.
RODRIGO VELASQUEZVelasquez is Del. Kathy Tran’s (D-42) chief
legislative aide and was the former head ofDreamers at GMU. Thanking everyone for“this incredible honor,” he said life wasn’talways so rosy for him — especially whengrowing up in a home marred by domesticviolence.
“Nine years ago, I thought I was going toget deported because I called the police,needing help, and was undocumented,” hesaid. “I was just a sophomore in high school,but I had to help my family. I was fearfulfor myself, my mom and my brothers.”
Luckily, things worked out for Velasquezand, he said, “The one person who’s nevergiven up on me – my mom – said I had tocontinue forward. So I began the long pro-cess of being a father to my younger sib-lings. I worked full time, while going to highschool, to provide for them.
“But what my mom told me was engravedin my heart. She and I now have green cardsand will eventually submit citizenship ap-plications. We live in very troubling times –Muslim Americans, LGBTQ people andwomen are being attacked. But we’re stron-ger than any attack, and we will continueforward.”
ILRYONG MOON Ilryong Moon is an attorney and has
served on the Fairfax County School Board– including two terms as president – formore than 20 years. He, too, shared hisbackground with the dinner attendees.
“When I first came to the U.S. from Ko-rea, 44 years ago, in 1974, I was a high-school student,” he said. “And for about 20months, I didn’t go to a barber shop becauseI didn’t think I could express myself enoughto tell a barber what I wanted.”
Moon’s father came to America, a yearearlier. “Because we were so poor in Korea,we saw no future there,” said Moon. “Sixor seven families lived together under oneroof, with no hot water, and one outhousefor about 30 people. And my mother had tosell her rings for tuition so I could go tomiddle school.”
Now, proud of his two decades on theSchool Board, he said he and his colleagueshave worked hard to see that almost190,000 students a year are educated. “Iattend meetings and events, and people ask,‘What keeps you going?’” he said. “My an-swer is, ‘The students, who are trying sohard to be successful.’”
Noting that his mother worked as a clean-ing lady when the family first came to the
U.S., Moon said, “America is great becausesomeone like me can serve on the schoolboard of a place with 190,000 students. Andpeople think that, if there’s an Asian amongthe leadership of Fairfax County PublicSchools, there can be other Asians in simi-lar positions elsewhere.”
AFEEFA SYEEDAfeefa Syeed founded Al Fatih Academy
– focused on peace education – at theADAMS Center. She’s senior advisor for cul-ture and development at the U.S. Agencyfor International Development, which ad-ministers civilian foreign aid and develop-ment assistance. Introducing her at the din-ner was her son, Zaki Albarzinji.
He said his mother came from Kashmir,India at age 5 and has “served humanityacross the globe. She looks for the commondecency and humanity in everyone.” Still,he said, after 9/11, because he was a Mus-lim, he didn’t want to draw attention to him-self. “But that all changed when she ran forthe Loudoun County Board of Supervisors,”said Albarzinji. “And she showed me howto build bridges through conversation andcompassion.”
Syeed, a naturalized citizen who’s livedin the U.S. since 1975, said her internationalwork taught her that “it all starts on thelocal level. So I really appreciate what youdo. I didn’t consider myself an immigrant,but an American.”
In the 1960s, her father was a politicalactivist in Kashmir, working for politicalfreedom. At that time, the Kashmiris werepersecuted, and their language forbidden.“From 1967-69, he became a political pris-oner,” said Syeed. “Then when he was re-leased, he saw how dismal the situationwas.”
She said her father and others in Kash-mir “heard about a man landing on themoon, and something stirred in him. But aMuslim scholar put out an edict saying itdidn’t happen and people couldn’t believe
it. Suddenly, my father realized they neededto free their minds.”
Her father had received two scholarships– one to the Soviet Union and one to theU.S. – and he chose the latter. “He wantedto be part of a place where people could befree, and where it was important to them,”said Syeed. “I was 5 then and spoke threelanguages, but he told us we were Ameri-cans and could not speak Kashmiri any-more.” Then, in fifth grade, she said, “I criedwhen I heard about Christopher Columbusand the Native Americans and rejectedAmerican things. In 1988 – for the first timesince we’d left – we returned to Kashmir. Ithought we’d be accepted and would behome. But people there considered me anAmerican, so there was no identity for me.”
Instead, Syeed had to figure out for her-self what it meant to be an American. “Andthat’s what immigrants do,” she said. “We’redaring, we take risks and we make choices.My religion also became important to me. Istudied all religions to figure out what made
me who I am. And I’m able to now teach ata school and teach about Columbus in adifferent way.”
Still, challenges loomed, but she over-came them. “When I was going door-to-door, running for county supervisor, a dooropened and I saw a Confederate flag and astereotypical, shaved-head person with tat-toos and no shirt,” said Syeed. “I introducedmyself and said, ‘I’d like to hear your issuesand concerns.’”
He told her the Potomac River was sopolluted, he couldn’t fish there, and theyhad a 25-minute conversation. “I’m a cul-tural anthropologist, trained not to havestereotypes, but I initially did, that night,”said Syeed. “But we went past that.”
She said she’s inspired that, in Arabic, theword “migration” means to go from oneplace to another, but that “The more diffi-cult migration to make is a migration of themind to a state of positivity and optimism.And we can all do something and not beafraid of change.”
So, said Syeed, “Migration means a move-ment of your heart and mind. And if wecould then be in the same place – wherewe’re all connected – we can go beyond justtolerating each other to sharing that aspectof what we are.”
Proceeds from the dinner support theCentreville Labor Resource Center, the CIF’sCommission for Labor Justice and its im-migrant-advocacy work in Fairfax Countyand Virginia. And after the awards andspeeches were presented, CIF PresidentAlice Foltz addressed the crowd.
“I know you’re inspired by the stories weheard – stories that shape our lives,” shesaid. “And I hope you’ll support CIF’s vision.Let’s make this a movement of our hearts –we will go past this [current divisiveness inthe U.S.].” Then, Foltz had everyone saytogether, “Sí se puede – we can do it.”
‘A Movement of Hearts and Minds’Immigrants share their stories of struggle and success.
Supervisor Kathy Smith (D-Sully)presents CIF award to RodrigoVelasquez.
Sully District Supervisor KathySmith gives Ilryong Moon hisaward.
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Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully Dis-
trict Police Station will perform free, childsafety carseat inspections Tuesday, Nov. 13,from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves sotechnicians may properly inspect and ad-just them, as needed.
Because of time constraints, only the first35 vehicles arriving on each date will beinspected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct thecaregiver on the correct use of the child seat.Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.
Volunteers NeededVolunteers are needed to help with the
annual Boy Scout “Scouting for Food” Driveto benefit Western Fairfax Christian Minis-
tries’ Food Pantry. It’s set for Saturday, Nov.10, at the parking garage at 14280 ParkMeadow Drive in Chantilly. Students, fami-lies and other groups are welcome to lenda hand. Strong arms/backs are helpful tolift crates of food and to also be a truck-driver helper. Three-hour shifts are avail-able between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Formore information and to sign up, go to:[email protected].
Food Instead of FinesDuring the month of November, residents
are asked to bring nonperishable food itemsto their local libraries. In return, the librarywill waive $1 in fines people owe, for eachitem they bring in, with a maximum of $15in reduced fines per person. Even if peopledon’t owe fines to their library, they’re en-couraged to donate food. All food collectedwill go to Food for Others, a nonprofit foodpantry helping people in need in NorthernVirginia.
Roundups
4 ❖ Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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A Connection Newspaper
As others have said, the election Tues-day, Nov. 6, 2018, may be the mostimportant in our lifetime. But thereis no reason to wait until Tuesday.
More than 50,000 Fairfax County residentshave already voted, and you can join thembetween now and Saturday, Nov. 3, if youqualify for one of 20 reasons.
Absentee voting continues to be very busy.Last Saturday, Oct. 27, alone, 3,746 in-per-
son voters voted at one of 10absentee in-person voting loca-tions.
If you can’t vote early, makea specific plan about what time you will vote,who you will go with or meet at the polls. Don’tlet the end of the day sneak up on you.
Polls are open on Election Day, Nov. 6, from6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m.,you have the right to vote, no matter how longit takes.
Vote early, in-person absentee, by appearingin person by 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
If you qualify for any of about 20 reasons tovote absentee, there is no reason to wait untilElection Day Nov. 6 to vote.
One of the 20 reasons is if you might beworking and commuting to and from home for11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.on Election Day, which could be most of us ona bad traffic day. Check the Virginia Depart-ment of Elections list to see if you are eligible:https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-
ballot/absentee-voting/index.html
Early Voting Locations, Dates andHours
Through Saturday, Nov. 3 at the governmentcenter and satellite locations.
Fairfax County Government Center, 12000Government Center Parkway, ConferenceRoom 2/3, Fairfax, VA, 22035
Through-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Satellite Locations Are Open UntilSaturday, Nov. 3
Weekdays: Thru Friday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.❖ Franconia Governmental Center, 6121
Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310❖ Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway,
Lorton, VA 22079❖ Mason Governmental Center, 6507 Colum-
bia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003❖ McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls
Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101❖ Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511
Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306❖ North County Governmental Center, 1801
Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190❖ Providence Community Center, 3001
Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031❖ Sully Governmental Center, 4900
Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA 20151❖ West Springfield Governmental Center,
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152
Virginia Voter Id RequiredYou must show identification to vote. Accept-
able forms of valid identification: Virginia
driver’s license, Virginia DMV-issued photo ID,United States passport, Employer-issued photoID, Student photo ID issued by a school, col-lege, or university located in Virginia, OtherU.S. or Virginia government-issued photo ID,Tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID, orVirginia Voter Photo ID card
Need a photo ID? If you don’t have an ID, goto your voter registration office to get a freeVoter Photo ID, even on Election Day. You willbe required to complete an photo ID applica-tion, have your photo taken and to sign a digi-tal signature pad.
Forgot your ID on Election Day? If you getto your polling place without acceptable photoID, you can vote a provisional ballot. Ask for itand instructions on what to do so your votecan count. A voter will have until noon on theFriday following the election to deliver a copyof the identification to the local electoral boardor to appear in person to apply for a VirginiaVoter Photo ID Card.
For more information on voting inFairfax County:
Fairfax County Office of Elections12000 Government Center Parkway Suite
323Fairfax, VA, 22035Voter Registration: 703-222-0776, TTY 711Absentee Fax: 703-324-3725Email: [email protected] Officer Info: 703-324-4735, TTY
711For 24-hour recorded information call 703-
324-4700— Mary Kimm,
Most Important Election, So Far?Make a plan to to votewith friends and family.
Editorial
By Maddy Rubin
Langley High School
Lights, camera, “Chicago.”The audience leaned forward in their seats as the
curtain opened to reveal a singlesilhouette. From the moment thecurtain opened till the cast’s finalbow, the audience watched with
bated breath as thetalented cast told astory of corruptionand charm.
Combining darkslapstick humor with the show-bizand sequins of the Jazz Age,Chantilly High School’s Oct. 26production of “Chicago (HighSchool Edition)” was a sight tobehold. The classic musical wasbased on a 1926 play, and featuresa book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse,with music and lyrics by JohnKander and Fred Ebb. The showboasts the second longest run of ashow on Broadway and a best-pic-ture winning movie adaptation.
Set in the Roaring 20’s, the show
ability, along with a few gimmickssuch as unicycling and plate spin-ning.
Aside from impressive perfor-mances, the production also fea-tures many brilliant technical el-ements. The two-story set com-bines art deco influences with thestreets of Jazz Age Chicago, inte-grated with a vibrant lighting de-sign. The lighting design alsoadded humor to the show, as thecheeky spotlight mocks the char-acters in several numbers. The
An Alluring and Artistic ‘Chicago’tells the story of a murderess whois desperate to get acquitted. Af-ter murdering her lover, the ener-getic nobody Roxie Hart, playedby Lauren Spiers, is transformedinto a starlet who will do anythingfor attention. The puppeteer be-hind Hart’s rise to fame is the sil-ver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn,played by Alex Yee. As Roxie gainsthe attention of the press andFlynn, fellow murderess VelmaKelly (Elise McCue) watches withjealousy. McCue’s biting tone andbombshell personality wowed theaudience as the rivalry betweenthe two turned into a grudgingpartnership.
The unlikely star of the show isRoxie’s husband, Amos Hart,played by Suryanshu Kommoju.His solo number, “Mr. Cellophane,”charmed and amused the sympa-thetic audience, whose heartswere stolen by his earnest andbashful attitude.
Just as intriguing and talentedas the principal characters was thesizable ensemble, who play every-
costume design mixed period andmodern influences, with each en-semble member having a uniquecostume that fit seamlessly withthe rest of the cast’s wardrobe.Also notable was the stage man-agement team (Valerie Mellardand Annabelle Kirkendall), whosemeticulous attention to detail en-sured that not a single cue wasdropped.
Alluring and artistic, ChantillyHigh School’s production of “Chi-cago” really was “All that Jazz.”
Elise McCue (Velma Kelly) with featureddancers.
Cappies
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thing fromdancing mur-deresses top o p c o r n -m u n c h i n gjury mem-bers tos m a r t l y -dressed re-porters. Thestudent cho-reographerswere able tos h o w c a s eeveryone ’ s
Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Mass Shooting, Page 7
News
By Marti Moore
On Consecration Sunday at the CentrevilleUnited Methodist Church at 6400 OldCentreville Road, about 85 people at-
tended the 11 a.m. traditional worship service Oct.28 and listened to a planned sermon by associatepastor Dr. Michelle Holmes Chaney about the “Graceof Giving” in the fall harvest season.
Following her message, lead pastor Rev. Will Mont-gomery prayed for the victims and survivors of an-other mass shooting the previous day that made therecord books as the worst of its kind.
Chaney commented about the tragic loss after theservice: “We can’t lose sight of the truth, which is,that God is in control.”
She added, “It leaves it for us, particularly as achurch, to listen for God’s voice so we know how torespond.”
“We believe this is the deadliest attack on the Jew-ish community in the history of the United States,”said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defa-mation League in his remarks on the civil rights andhuman relations organization’s website.
The ADL participated in a digital vigil since themass shooting occurred Saturday morning during theShabbat services at the Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha —a conservative Jewish congregation in Pittsburgh —where 11 people were slain and six injured by a gun-man charged Oct. 27 with federal murder and as-sault by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Western Penn-sylvania, according to the U.S. Department of Jus-tice.
The gunman, Robert Bowers, appeared in federalcourt Monday. He is in jail without bond. A hearingis scheduled for Nov. 1, according to a statement byU.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady, whose office is investi-gating these hate crimes.
The attack occurred within a year of a churchshooting Nov. 5, 2017 in Texas, where 26 churchgo-ers were murdered and 20 wounded in the sanctu-ary of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.
It was logged as the worst mass shooting in Texashistory.
“We simply cannot accept this violence as a nor-mal part of American life,” says Pennsylvania Gov.Tom Wolf at a press conference Oct. 27.
“These senseless acts of violence are not who weare as Pennsylvanians,” and adds “They’re not whowe are as Americans.”
Wolf states “We must take action to prevent thesetragedies in the future.”
Rabbi Kenneth Block of Temple Beth Torah, a Re-form Jewish congregation in Chantilly, believes thepolarizing rhetoric of our nation’s leadership appealsto the base motives of hate groups that target mi-norities like Jews and Muslims.
He recalls how Republicans were focused on fami-lies in the 1990s. Yet this political party is silenced
At the 11 a.m. traditional Sunday worship service Oct. 28 in Centreville United Meth-odist Church at 6400 Old Centreville Road, lead pastor Rev. Will Montgomery praysfor the victims and survivors of a mass shooting at a synagogue the previous morningin Western Pennsylvania, where a gunman entered the Tree of Life Congregation inPittsburgh and killed 11 people and wounded 6.
Reflecting on Latest Mass ShootingWorst attack onJews in U.S. history.
Falls Church activist Carol P. Luten handsout postcards to participants of the Aug. 4March on NRA protest at 11250 WaplesMill Road in Fairfax. The direct mail piecefeatures two Bible passages from the OldTestament: one of the Ten Commandmentsin Exodus 20:13 and a poem of King Davidin Psalm 34:13. Luten said she and sixother grassroots activists from NorthernVirginia hand-delivered the postcards onCapitol Hill in September and October“because God doesn’t use stamps, and Goddoesn’t need an address.” The area con-cerned citizens groups against gun vio-lence designed their message as a re-minder from a higher authority to urgeCongress to pass “sensible gun legisla-tion.”
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6 ❖ Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
Only a week ago, the atmosphere was crazyat Francis Dall Stadium when crosstownrival Centreville visited. The outcome was
a 21-0 victory for the Bulldogs. On Oct. 26 WestPotomac came in for the Bulldogs’ final regular sea-son home game with heavy rain forecast.
In the opening quarter Westfield scored when JoeClancy rushed in from 17 yards out with 6:15 left.Later in the first quarter Eugene Asante went un-touched for a 39-yard touchdown, and Westfield wasup 14-0, with 1:28 to play in the quarter.
In the second quarter Westfield would score fivetimes; on a safety, two touchdown runs, a fumble,and a kickoff return. The first of which was a safetywhen four Westfield defenders converged on the WestPotomac QB in the end zone. Following the WestPotomac kick off, Saadiq Hinton would take the ball75 yards for a Westfield score with 10:46 to play inthe second quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 23-0 ad-vantage.
Isaiah Daniel would then run in from 1 yard outwith 9:07 remaining making it 30-0. Later CalebWheatland would scoop up a fumble after an errantWest Potomac fumble that rolled into the end zoneand was recovered for a TD, Westfield’s lead became37-0. But the Bulldogs were not finished, with twoseconds remaining, Isaiah Daniel would score hissecond touchdown of the game however Westfieldwas unable to get the extra point and the score athalftime was 43-0.
Fifteen seconds into the third quarter SaadiqHinton once again took the ball 77 yards for his sec-ond touchdown of the game and Westfield was up50-0.
Westfield would elevate their score to 57-0 with4:52 left when Jacob Susko recovered a fumble inthe endzone for their final touchdown of the game.
Westfield improves to (9-0) (3-0) with their 33rd
consecutive victory, Westfield will play at Chantilly(3-5) (1-2) on Nov. 2 in their regular season finale.West Potomac falls to (2-7) (0-3) and will play atMt. Vernon (7-2) (1-1).
Saadiq Hinton # 3 returns a kickoff 75 yards for his first TD.
Compiling a 57-0 Victory
Davis Jackson #44 puts a hit on IsaiahDaniel #23 after Daniel put Westfieldinside the 5 yard line.
Joe Clancy #6 put Westfield on the boardwith 6:15 to play in the opening quarteron this 17 yard touchdown.
Westfield rushed for 228 yards on 38 carries and 4touchdowns. Leading the way was Joe Clancy andIsaiah Daniel who both carried the ball 6 times for57 yards. Clancy had a touchdown and Daniel hadtwo.
— Will Palenscar
Pho
to
s by W
ill Palen
scar
Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
As I sit and attempt to write next week’s column, I do so on Saturday, Oct. 27. Aside from being my close friend, Cheryl’s, birthday, and the day before my brother, Richard’s, birthday, it is a date (the 27th), to invoke our 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, that “will live in infamy.” It is the date that Team Lourie, such as it is: my wife, Dina; my brother, Richard; and
learn what my previous week’s “malignant” biopsy actually meant.
the stomach. Not literally of course, but hearing such terrible, unexpected news, it certainly took our breath away.
After we all regained our composure, we tried to sort out what we had just heard and ask some intelligent questions (quite a challenge at that moment, I have to admit).
which Team Lourie had zero personal experience, having had no immediate family history other than my mother’s very treatable skin cancer. As such, in talking with the oncologist, we were all at a disadvantage. In addition to never having met, neither did we know exactly what we were to be discussing until we
Throw in the shock value of what we were hearing
since we were still standing; sitting, actually), we
processing what we were hearing: “13 months to two years,” out of the blue, basically.
We might have understood “the macro,” to steal one of my brother’s favorite expressions, but we were having a little trouble grasping “the micro” – meaning me.
Certainly we were clear that my life going forward was going to be different, but we had no idea, really, what we were all in for, collectively. Though a sort of handbook called “The Five Questions” was provided to us, it was hardly a GPS that guided you step by step. At that point, you stumble and stammer and don’t exactly know what to ask next.
evolved called a “nurse navigator.” This person is assigned to help you maneuver through the cancer/twilight zone of tests, treatments and appointments that you have just entered: labs, scans, infusion schedule, and oncology appointments; plus miscellaneous other
(aromatherapist, acupuncturist, nutritionist, pulmonologist, nephrologist, internal medicine doctor, thoracic surgeon, ophthalmologist, urologist, dermatologist, psychologist, pharmacist) and a few others that
chemotherapy – has likely caused me to forget. It’s no wonder new cancer patients begin to melt
been infused.And not that I need reminding, but the 27th does
of sorts on what I’ve been doing and why and how much longer I’m likely to be doing it. And that, of course, is the rub, because in the cancer business, there are very few guarantees, any of which is constantly rubbing you in various directions. Directions
and try to hang on for dear life. Because so far as most of us know, this life is pretty dear and we kind of think we want to hang on to it for awhile.
And I’m one of the lucky ones, a survivor, that is. Many of my fellow “diagnosees” have not been nearly as fortunate as I have been. Ten years, come Feb. 20, 2019, the anniversary of the actual date when my Internal Medicine doctor called me to tell me the results of the previous week’s biopsy. I remember where I was and what I was doing when I received that call.
That I’ll never forget.
As It SoHappens
News
From Page 5
Mass Shooting
RemembranceProgram
George Mason University studentspresent their annual “Expressions of theHolocaust” remembrance program Sunday,Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in Merten Hall at 4441George Mason Blvd. in Fairfax.
This year’s discussion is “The Power ofLove and The Power of Hate.” Keynotespeaker is Dr. Marc Gopin, director of theCenter for World Religions, Diplomacy andConflict Resolution.
Honored guests are survivors of the Ho-locaust.
Admission is free. Parking is available atthe Rappahannock deck on UniversityDrive. Call 703-993-3321 and register inadvance at [email protected] so organizerscan provide enough food for everyone attheir Kosher dinner.
by the issue of gun control legislation ev-ery time families are torn apart in the wakeof each mass shooting that occurs since the10-year federal ban on manufacture of as-sault weapons and large capacity magazineswas allowed to expire in 2004.
“It’s about power and control,” said the73-year-old rabbi. “We’ve seen this beforethroughout history.”
Block, who has served TBT for more thantwo decades, wants conservative Christiansto read what Jesus preached about the “TheSheep and the Goats” in the New TestamentBook of Matthew 25:31-46. He believes aChristian will “know Jesus by the way youtreat the least among us.”
The rabbi says his son lives in the Squir-rel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh — a 5-minute walk from the Tree of Life Congre-gation — and is afraid of being singled outand not protected by the government.
“Prayers without action are worthless.Prayers with action will fix our problems,”states Block, 73.
That’s why Falls Church activist Carol P.Luten has worked with lawmakers fornearly six years since the massacre at theSandy Hook Elementary School inNewtown, Conn. She and other grassrootsvolunteers helped create a movement forchange with a new Virginia license platethat urges motorists to help “Stop Gun Vio-lence.”
Also in the past couple of months, theypersonally delivered a “postcard from God”to all legislative offices on Capitol Hill andmet staffers who work on gun control leg-islation. The direct mail pieces are printedwith two Bible passages from the Old Tes-tament: one of the Ten Commandments inExodus 20:13 and a poem of King David inPsalm 34:13. Luten said she and six othergrassroots activists from Northern Virginiahand-delivered the postcards “because Goddoesn’t use stamps, and God doesn’t needan address.”
They all agree everyone should vote inthe upcoming midterm election Nov. 6.
8 ❖ Centre View ❖ October 31 - November 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Special thank to
Entertainment
Hands OnActivity Day
A fun, educational Hands On Day fea-turing railroad, modeling and localhistory activities and games for all ages.Donations for Britepaths, formerly OurDaily Bread will also be accepted. Itemsneeded include non-perishable fooditems such as cereal, oil, cannedchicken, rice, snack foods for children’slunches such as granola bars, pretzels,popcorn, peanut butter, jelly, pastasauce in cans, canned fruit in its ownjuice. Toiletries needed: diapers size 6and Pull Ups, any size. $10 to $20 foodstore gift cards are helpful for familiesto purchase milk and meats. Sunday,Nov. 4, 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Sta-tion Road, Fairfax Station. Ages 16 andolder, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free.Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call703-425-9225.
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGCox Farms’ Fall Festival. Open
daily, through Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.(5 p.m. in November). The FallFestival features favorite attractionsincluding hayrides, giant slides, ropeswings, the Cornundrum Cornfieldadventure, the Imaginature Trail,Foamhenge, the Tractor Museum,and all sorts of farm animals andtheir babies. Admission varies $6-$20. Last admission one hour beforeclosing. Visit www.coxfarms.com formore.
History Volunteers Needed. FairfaxStation Railroad Museum needshistory buffs. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities inMuseum events, programs andadministration. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 to exploreopportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225.
WEDNESDAY/OCT. 31Halloween Storytime. 1-2 p.m. at
Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly.Join inHalloween-themed stories, songs,and some trick-or-treating around thelibrary. Costumes welcome. Ages: 3to 5. Call 703-502-3883, TTY 711 oremail [email protected].
Frankentoys. 7-9 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Bring along a senseof destructive creativity as you makeyour own creepy toy. Grades: 7 to 12.Call 703-502-3883, TTY 711 or [email protected].
SATURDAY/NOV. 3A Walk in the Park. 8-10 a.m. at the
Walney Visitor Center, 5040 WalneyRoad, Chantilly. Join SupervisorKathy Smith for an active two-milewalk through historic Ellanor C.Lawrence Park. Take advantage ofthe beautiful fall foliage, and learnabout the park’s upcoming eventsand community resources. All agesand fitness levels are welcome.Connect with Supervisor Smith andher staff as they traverse the trailsusing hashtag#SmithsWalkInThePark. Follow onFacebook Live Connect during thewalk. Navigate with the Trail BuddyApp. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
Canstruction. Local architects builteight new structures at WashingtonDulles International Airport – entirelyof canned foods. The structures willbe on public display at the airportthrough Nov. 3 and then will be de-canstructed and donated to theArlington Food Assistance Center(AFAC), a non-profit organizationproviding supplemental groceries tofamilies in need. Visitwww.canstruction.org for more.
SUNDAY/NOV. 4Wine Social. 1-4 p.m. at Paradise
Springs Winery, 13219 Yates FordRoad, Clifton. Assistance League ofNorthern Virginia is hosting a fallfundraising Wine Social at thisfamily-run winery. Tickets, availableat the door or for advance purchase,include two glasses of wine and horsd’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit the non-profit’s children’s programs. $25.Visit www.alnv.org for more.
Hands On Activity Day. 1-4 p.m. atthe Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,
11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. A fun, educational Hands OnDay featuring railroad, modeling andlocal history activities and games forall ages. Donations for Britepaths,formerly Our Daily Bread will also beaccepted. Items needed include non-perishable food items such as cereal,oil, canned chicken, rice, snack foodsfor children’s lunches such as granolabars, pretzels, popcorn, peanutbutter, jelly, pasta sauce in cans,canned fruit in its own juice.Toiletries needed: diapers size 6 andPull Ups, any size. $10 to $20 foodstore gift cards are helpful forfamilies to purchase milk and meats.Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Walk in the Footsteps of a SovietEra Spy. 2-3 p.m. at Walney Pond atEllanor C. Lawrence Park is locatedat 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Whyjust read spy stories? Take the “SpyWalk” at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.Hear a spellbinding tale of espionageand secret payments. On this walk-and-talk, learn about a spy who usedEllanor C. Lawrence Park as a drop-off location during the end of theSoviet Union in the 1980s. $6 perperson, and the program is designedfor participants age 12-adult. Call703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
WEDNESDAY/NOV. 7Free Singing Lessons. 7:30-9 p.m. At
Lord of Life Church, 13421 TwinLakes Drive, Clifton. Free singinglessons for men of all ages. Come jointhe Fairfax Jubil-Aires and directorRichard Lewellen for a night of funand song. Lessons available on Nov.7, 14, 28 and Dec. 5. Contact AaronWatts at [email protected]. 703-731-2764 or visit the website:www.fairfaxjubilaires.org
SATURDAY/NOV. 10HomeAid Northern Virginia’s 17th
Annual Gala & Auction. 6:30p.m. at Lansdowne Resort & Spa,44050 Woodridge Pkwy, Leesburg.Celebrate a successful year ofbuilding better lives for thoseexperiencing homelessness in our
community with Chantilly-basedHomeAid’s “Give me Shelter” Cirquethemed gala. $225. Call 571-283-6300 or visit www.homeaidnova.orgfor more.
SUNDAY/NOV. 11Railroad Museum Exhibits. 1-4 p.m.
at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Take a stepback in time and discover the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum and therole it played in the history ofNorthern Virginia. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.
SATURDAY/NOV. 17Civil War Tour. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum andsites in Clifton, Centreville, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Blake Myers, noted Civil WarHistorian, will lead a history tour ofinteresting Civil War sites in andaround Fairfax, Clifton andCentreville. Meet at the Museum.Wear comfortable walking shoes andappropriate clothing for walkingthrough wooded areas. Museummembers, $20; non-members, $30.Register in advance and pay bySquare at squareup.com/store/fairfax-station-railroad-museum.com.Payment may also be made the dayof the Tour with cash, check orcredit. Register [email protected]. Call703-425-9225 or visit www.fairfax-station.org.
Develop a Love for History Early.10-10:45 a.m. at Sully Historic Site,3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly.Open young minds to the wonders ofhistory this fall. In the “History forSmall Fries” program at SullyHistoric Site, children age 1-5 willenjoy a story and craft as theydiscover how things were in theolden days. Through their senses,children can experience howdifferent things smelled, looked orworked. $8 per child, and childrenmust be accompanied by an adult.Call 703-437-1794 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
Achievement Week Luncheon. 2p.m. at The Waterford Fair Oaks,12025 Lee Jackson MemorialHighway, Fairfax. Baltimore RavensGeneral Manager Ozzie Newsomewill be the guest of honor for theOmicron Kappa Kappa (OKK)Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’sAchievement Week Luncheon torecognize individuals at the local andinternational level who havecontributed to community uplift.OKK’s 2018 award recipients areVirginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, whowill be honored as Citizen of theYear; Westfield High School footballcoach Kyle Simmons, Sportsman ofthe Year, and Reston Chamber ofCommerce President and CEO MarkIngrao, who will receive theCommunity Service Award. Chapteraward recipients are Gordon Person,Omega Man of the Year; Earl Smith,Superior Service, and Roscoe Nance,Founders Award. Visit www.okk-ques.org.
PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. at
Petco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.