celebrating the persian new year - ellington...

WellbeingPage, 8

McLean Community Center Seeks Program IdeasNews, Page 3

Langley and CooperPresent Pyramid ConcertNews, Page 3

Celebrating thePersian New Year

News, Page 10

Persian dancers celebrate the Nowruz Festival last year in Tysons Corner Center.

This year’s Festival is March 17.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 6-12, 2019

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2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ March 6-12, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Having recently completed therenovation and expansion ofits Ingleside Ave. facility, theMcLean Community Center (MCC) isnow asking residents what kinds of pro-grams and services they would like to seeoffered. MCC’s Public Hearing on FY2021 Programs will be held at 7:30 p.m.on Wednesday, March 27. All meetingsof the board are open to the public. MCCis located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.

The MCC Governing Board wants to hearfrom residents of Small District 1A-Dranesville, who pay a real estate surchargeto support the center. The hearing is the firststep in planning for the FY 2021 budgetcycle, which begins July 1, 2020 and endsJune 30, 2021. The center’s divisions in-clude the Robert Ames Alden Theatre andThe Old Firehouse Center.

Tax district residents who wish to speakat the hearing are asked to call the Center

By Alex MontanoSenior, Langley High School

Continuing an exceptional sea-son, the Langley High SchoolOrchestra under maestros Dr.Scott McCormick and AdamWillett delivered a splendid performance ofchallenging Hungarian repertoire on Tues-day night, Feb. 26; this time, they werejoined by the talented Cooper MiddleSchool Orchestra playing various Americanand European music in the annual PyramidConcert. Ensembles from both schools im-pressed the audience by featuring the rhyth-mic and melodic characteristics of musicfrom Hungary. The night began with theLangley Concert Orchestra’s strong and ex-pressive rendition of one of the world’s mostfamous Hungarian-themed pieces: Brahms’“Hungarian Dance No. 5.” This piece’s dis-tinctive, folk-inspired melody delightedconcertgoers and was a wonderful way toget the full auditorium in the right spirit.

THE COOPER CHAMBER ORCHESTRAcontinued the concert with a well-executedperformance of “Allegro Gustoso,” a livelypiece composed in the classical tradition,conducted by music director ElizabethLeung. This was the first of two Cooperensembles to play, and a good opportunity

to hear some of the musicians that will even-tually comprise the Langley orchestra in thecoming years.

Following these performances, the inter-mission gave the audience the chance topartake in a silent auction, where a varietyof special products and services were up forbidding. Many families were able to pur-chase things such as gift certificates andtickets generously donated by families andbusinesses in the community.

The music continued after the break withthree ensembles performing some very spe-cial music. The Langley SymphonicOrchestra’s performance of Berlioz’s

“Rakoczi March” con-tinued the Hungariantheme, featuring amelody that was for-merly a state anthemof Hungary. Next,Cooper MiddleSchool’s second en-semble, the CooperSymphonic Orchestratook the stage, firstpresenting “DarkenedShadows” byReznicow. This haunt-ing piece left a greatimpression on the au-dience, but it was their

performance of “Hungarian Rhapsody No.2” by Liszt that drew the most praise. Theensemble’s mature playing and techniquewas evident throughout the piece. Seniorviolinist Kevin Cheng of the Langley Philhar-monic Orchestra noted, “Our program’s fu-ture is in good hands — the musicianship ofthe Cooper Symphonic was impressive.”

CAPPING OFF A NIGHT of great music,the Langley Philharmonic Orchestra deliv-ered two Hungarian pieces noted for boththeir difficulty and rarity. Dohnanyi’s “Ser-enade Op. 10” was well received for its ex-citing contrasts between slow, melodic pas-

sages and virtuosic, fast sections. This wasfollowed by “Divertimento No. 2” by LeoWeiner. A musical gem, this work is obscureeven amongst professional classical musi-cians. However, members of the LangleyPhilharmonic Orchestra enjoyed playing thischarming yet powerful work. Senior cellistRobbie Hamilton remarked, “This piece’smoving melodies and rich orchestrationmakes me think it should be performed moreoften.” Another aspect of this piece is its par-ticularly demanding music for the viola sec-tion. Senior violinist Daniel Lee of the Lan-gley Philharmonic said, “That section had agreat performance tonight; you can tell a lotof practice went into learning their music.”

With less than three weeks remaininguntil the District XII Orchestra Assessments,both the Langley and Cooper Orchestras willcontinue to polish these pieces until theyare ready to be performed for a panel ofprofessional judges. Notably, the LangleyPhilharmonic Orchestra will attempt to win“Superior” ratings for the eleventh year ina row, a feat that has never been accom-plished in the state of Virginia by a highschool orchestra. Afterwards, the LangleyOrchestra will travel to Hungary as part oftheir music trip to Europe in April, and havethe opportunity to play some of these piecesin the same country where they were com-posed over a century ago.

Langley and Cooper Present Pyramid Concert

Photos by Helen BecknerElizabeth Leung conducting the Cooper MiddleSchool Orchestra.

Adam Willett conducts the Langley Symphonic Orchestra playingRakoczi March.

Dr. Scott McCormick leads the Langley Concert Orchestra playing Hun-garian Dance No. 5.

at 703-744-9348, TTY: 711, to have theirnames placed on the speakers list; how-ever, speakers are not required to sign upin order to speak. Residents also may sub-mit comments by mail, fax (703-556-0547)email ([email protected]) orin person up to seven days after the hear-ing.

For more information, call the Center at703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit: https://bit.ly/2tGi5IC.

Public Hearing on Programs is Wednesday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center Seeks Residents’ Ideas

Open at last. After 18 months ofrenovations and additions, theMcLean Community Center re-opened to the public with anOpen House on Jan. 5.

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News

See Vision, Page 5

By Andrea WorkerThe Connection

The last full review of the county’sComprehensive Plan as it appliesto McLean took place in 1998.After the Board of Supervisorsauthorized review of the Plan in regards tothe approximately 230-acre “central” area,county, consultants and residents have beenhard at work. Through a series of work-shops, public hearings, dozens of meetingsand the formation of a task force compris-ing McLean residents and representativesof civic groups, a draft Vision Plan was pre-sented to the public in December of 2018.Working with that plan, the McLean Com-munity Business Center (MCBC) task forceis still at it, defining, fine-tuning, and gath-ering community input for consideration onupdates to the Comprehensive Plan – themanual for the county’s planning and de-velopment.

At their eighth meeting on Monday, March4 at the McLean Governmental Center, thecollaborative group of residents and countystaff had put forth what seemed to be amodest, four-item agenda. Kim Dorgan, the

task force chair, partnering with KatrinaNewtson with the Fairfax County Depart-ment of Planning and Zoning had lined upa clarifying review of the zones that com-prise the MCBC to be followed by a discus-sion of the 10 submitted suggestions forland use change received via a public com-mentary period, before ending with a dis-cussion of the transect zones.

The “transect” is defined as a “series ofzones that form the transition from less-densely populated portions of a definedarea, leading to a denser, urban-type core.”The transect concept is a key element in the“smart growth” movement being used to re-think and re-develop population centers likeMcLean, or neighboring Tysons Corner.

Despite their best efforts, the membersnever got much past that clarificationagenda item and the boundaries involved.Discussion of transects and the submissionswould have to wait until the next meeting,scheduled for March 18.

FROM THEIR COMMENTARY and theirquestions, it’s obvious that the task forcemembers have been doing their homework.There are a few members with significant

Map courtesy of Fairfax CountyA map showing the submitted suggestions for changes to the Compre-hensive Plan for the McLean Community Business Center. Ten submis-sions were made before the November 2018 deadline; the MCBC TaskForce will discuss them at their March 18 meeting.

Vision Plan Task Force meets to further define potential land uses to shape the McLeanCommunity Business Center.

Tackling the Boundaries of the Future


From Page 4

News

related experience on their professional re-sumes, but not everyone in the group cameon board with extensive knowledge of landuse planning and even the county staffwould be hard-pressed to claim an ency-clopedic comprehension of the currentFairfax County Comprehensive Plan and themany related guidelines, legalities and sci-entific considerations that weave togetherto inform urban planning decisions.

Previous related experience or not, themembers all come armed with an amazingknowledge of their place on the map – his-tory, geographic highlights, and an orien-tation that would be the envy of any driverforced to work without a satellite naviga-tion system. They must also possess a truededication to their community. The amountof work and the time needed to fully un-derstand the current situation and to de-velop and consider alternatives for futuregrowth – even with the guidance and workof consultants Streetsense and county staffand experts – places the emphasis on thefirst word in the “task force” name of theirgroup.

The county gets credit for starting themout with “Real Estate, Development, Designand Market Economics 101” workshops asthe topics of the first two meetings in Juneof 2018 to ensure that the participants were

all starting from a common point of refer-ence and basic understanding of the com-plexities.

Still, as this latest meeting demonstrated,even with all that preparation and dedica-tion, moving forward can be a difficult andfrustratingly slow process. The review ofwhat type of land use is allowable withineach zone – “Center,” “General,” or “Edge”– was fairly straightforward, but thingsslowed down when the members began dis-cussing the boundaries of each zone, wherethey might overlap and where and how toallow “bonus development” of higher struc-tures when accompanied by agreed upongreen or other public-use space.

Member Jack Wilburn proposes a “float-ing” bonus plan that allows more flexibilitybut avoids the scenario where “everyone isCenter Zone” - possibly creating over-de-velopment and the loss of green space.Wilburn, member William Sudow and oth-ers also cautioned against stretching theCenter Zone, which contains the majorityof the commercial and higher density de-velopments, fearing that such expansionwould erode the “town center” concept andinhibit the accessibility and connectivitythat forms the basis of the Vision Plan whichmet with general approval at the last pub-lic feedback session in December.

“You could wind up with these separatedpockets of development, defeating the pur-

pose and the plan,” said Wilburn. “We needto define the bonus areas to encourage stra-tegic, connected assembly of development,”added Sudow.

“We need to condense the Center Zone,not spread it out,” agreed member KellyGreen Kahn. “That would defeat the pur-pose of a town center where people gather.”Kahn also put in a plug to keep service sta-tions safe, regardless of zoning.

MORE WALKABLE OR NOT, residentsstill need their cars and the convenience ofnearby filling stations.

Things bogged down a bit further whenthe notion of “caps” on height and densityentered the discussion. One member re-minded the group that public feedbackseems to heavily favor capping both in fu-ture developments, while others, includingSudow, answered that a key principle of thestudy was to find ways to attract qualitydevelopment not only with clear guidelines,but with opportunities for developers tocreate economically viable projects.

Task force chair Dorgan worked to keepthe meeting on target, going around thetable and asking for a non-official vote fromeach member on the designation of eacharea within the study parameters, withroom for changes as the discussions con-tinue and the submissions are reviewed.

Center, General and Edge zones were

eventually marked – if not unanimouslyagreed upon – and the revised working mapwill be available on the County’s MCBCwebsite shortly.

Although he gave his opinion on the re-finements, member Ed Murn expressed con-cern that some of these designations andother decisions being put forth were notrealistic options for developers and in somecases cost prohibitive for them. “Weshouldn’t make willy-nilly designations justto categorize.”

Murn foresees future frustrations aheadif the county and the community’s plan of-fers something that really cannot beachieved or as member Rick Salopek putsit, is “actually disingenuous.”

Planning and Zoning’s Newtson acknowl-edged the need for as much accuracy aspossible – particularly for the county to runvalid test models on the impacts of anychanges to the Comprehensive Plan andzoning ordinances and to develop mitiga-tion recommendations for any potentialnegative side effects.

A senior staff member from the FairfaxCounty Department of Transportation sup-plied additional information which tookmany by surprise, saying that for the trans-portation test modelling, realistic founda-tions were critical since “there can only be

Vision Plan for McLean ‘a Work in Progress’

See Task Force, Page 7


Opinion

Every year is election year in Virginia.Add in primaries and special elec-tions, and there are many more elec-tions every year, all with conse-quences.

Control of this year’s Virginia General Assem-bly came down to pulling a name out of bowl(literally). In 2019, every seat in the House ofDelegates and Virginia Senate will be on the

ballot.While some good things did

happen in this year’s session ofthe General Assembly, (eviction

protections, foster care reform, step towardsmenstrual equity, to name some), other impor-tant legislation stalled because of party poli-tics and ideology, including reforming fines andeffects on drivers licenses; seat belt laws andlegislation on distracted driving.

A huge number of candidates will seek seatson the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors andSchool Board as well, with the direction andtone of the future hanging in the balance.

Results of 2019 Elections will matter in manyways.

Are you registered to vote? Check here:https://vote.e lect ions.v irginia.gov/

VoterInformation

Upcoming Elections:May 7, 2019 - Vienna Town Council Elec-

tionsJune 11, 2019 - Primary ElectionsNov. 5, 2019 - General & Special Elections

2019 Elections Include:Filing deadline for parties, March 28Primary if held: June 11General Election Nov. 5Virginia Senate (4-year term)House of Delegates (2-year term)Soil and Water Directors (4-year term)Board of SupervisorsSchool BoardCounties: 4-year terms:❖ Commonwealth’s Attorney❖ Sheriff❖ Commissioner of Revenue❖ TreasurerVienna Town Council

In case you wonder what will be on the bal-lot next, here is a guide.

Virginia has a General Election every yearon the Tuesday following the first Monday inNovember.

❖ Federal offices are elected in even-num-bered years.

❖ State and Local offices are elected in odd-numbered years.

❖ Clifton Mayor and Town Council areelected in even-number years on the first Tues-day in May.

❖ Herndon Mayor and Town Council areelected in even-number years on the Tuesdayfollowing the first Monday in November.

❖ Vienna Mayor and 3 Town Council mem-bers are elected in even-numbered years onthe first Tuesday in May.

❖ 3 Vienna Town Council members areelected in odd-numbered years on the firstTuesday in May.

❖ If primaries are called by the political par-ties, they are held on the second Tuesday inJune.

— Mary Kimm,[email protected]

But this year is supposed to be an improvement.2019

Editorial

New Ways ofBeing HeardTo the Editor:

Karl Marx was a passionate ide-alist from nineteenth century in-dustrial era. Factory workerswould commit to their jobs despitepossible oppression, while theiremployers oversaw the work envi-ronment become increasingly filledwith lost souls. This is occurringat a wider scale in today’s govern-ment, and seen across the worldespecially in places whose rightsdon’t provide them the same lib-erties that America has. While try-ing to reach the government toexpress a concern, one may findthemselves in a never-endingbattle with a voicemail, or prere-corded machine. This parallelswith Marx and his belief of unequalrelationships between commonpeople and their superiors. Hope-fully enough people can unite witha similar agony and anticipatechange from those who run ourlives. Working citizens should beable to express their concerns in-stead of being consistently turnedaway. No longer do we have to goon strike to show disapproval withthe process. Now, we can use plat-forms like twitter to voice our opin-ions in an effort to be heard by ourgovernment officials.

Jessica SeppiMcLean

James Madison UniversityFreshman

Letters to the Editor

Out of TouchTo the Editor:

In response to the opinion ar-ticle by Kenneth Lourie from Feb.27, 2019, (“The Following Is aTest,”) I find it truly sad how diffi-cult it is to communicate with gov-ernment representatives and howseparated the elected officials arefrom the everyday person.

After all, they are supposed tobe the representation of thepeople’s opinions and ideas. Thereis no real intimate relationshipbetween politicians and the peoplethey represent, citizens vote forthem based on a generalized plat-form that is displayed, but to someextent, there is no transparency inthe work of politicians unless theymake a major news headline. Andto hear that attempts by citizensto close that gap between them-selves and government officials toaddress concerns or share ideas isalmost impossible as if politiciansare trying to prevent others fromreaching out is concerning. Themore power that is taken out ofthe hands of the masses and intofew, the less this country will op-erate as a true democracy and willinstead become more centralizedlike other countries where citizensare blindly lead by an isolated gov-ernment.

Linsey WenkMcLean

James Madison UniversityFreshman

Scouts,IntegratedTo the Editor:

The article of “New Girls on theBlock” (Connection, Feb. 27,2019) sparked my interest – as aformer member of a local troop ofthe Girl Scouts, I never thoughtthat girls would be included in theBoy Scouts. Since adding the abil-ity for girls to join, they renamedthemselves Scouts BSA.

The integration of girls into ScoutsBSA is seeming to go smoothly inHerndon. Since this is a nationalaction to add the girl into the ScoutsBSA, I wonder if areas that are morehesitant of the idea of adding girlsto the program are having as muchsuccess integrating. This inclusivityis beneficial to the girls in other ar-eas who want to participate, givinggirls the ability to define themselves.Girls are now able to attain the high-est level of Scouts BSA, Eagle, whichwas not available to them before thisrecent change in 2018.

My last consideration with theaddition to girls being able to joinis what will happen to the GirlScouts? Does this take probablecandidates for the Girls Scouts anddirect them to the Scouts BSA in-stead? Also, what happens if a boywants to join the Girl Scouts?

Some thoughts and consider-ations on how this change will af-fect all Scouts in the future.

Morgan HoskinsReston

LifesavingLegislationTo the Editor:

Did Virginia voters ever thinktheir Senators Tim Kaine and MarkWarner and Governor Northamwould sanction infanticide?

It is a matter of common senseand basic human decency to re-quire, as Senate bill 311, Born-Alive survivors protection actwould have, that any health carepractitioner present when a childis born alive following an abortionbe given the same degree of careto preserve the life and health ofthe child as would be given to anyother newborn. It is an outragethat Virginia’s U.S. SenatorsWarner and Kaine voted againstthis critical lifesaving legislation.This is not an abortion rights is-sue. This is protecting the weakand most vulnerable among us.

Ethel Pascal RNGreat Falls

WriteThe Connection welcomes views

on any public issue. Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Trisha HamiltonDisplay Advertising

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

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Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

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Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

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Geovani Flores

[email protected]

McLean


From Page 7

one transportation test” be-cause of costs and time in-volved.

There were 10 “submissions”(suggestions, recommenda-tions, comments from the pub-lic received during the submis-sion period which ended inNovember) slated for discus-sion, but which were moved toagenda items on March 18,when the task force meetsagain.

INCLUDED IN THE SUB-MISSIONS were recommen-dations that street widths benarrowed in front of stores,smaller pocket parks be consid-ered in lieu of one or two largergreen spaces, and that residen-tial, office and hotel usageshould not be dictated on par-ticular sites (MCBC-10).

Brian Clifford submittedMCBC-4, recommending in-creasing the FAR (the relation-ship between the size of thebuilding and the size of the landparcel) intensity from .5 to 2.0which would allow for mixed-use development versus onlyoffice and ground floor retail inthe general location of 6861Elm Street.

All of the submissions can beviewed on the county’s websiteat www.fairfaxcounty.gov andcitizens are encouraged to re-view them along with all of theattendant documents.

The task force meetings areopen to the public. “We wantto hear from everyone,” saidchair Dorgan.

The Vision Plan for thegrowth and possible transfor-mation of McLean is still justthat, but as Dorgan and thetask force crew attest, “wehave to make a start in orderto get there.”

Task ForceNews

On Monday, April 1, the SafeCommunity Coalition (SCC) willhost an event program titled “Re-ducing Anxiety: Strategies to In-terrupt the Worry Cycle,” featur-ing Lynn Lyons, from 7 p.m. to8:30 at the McLean CommunityCenter’s Alden Theater.

Lyons, LICSW is the author ofthe groundbreaking book “AnxiousKids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways toStop the Worry Cycle and RaiseCourageous and IndependentChildren.” In it, she provides fami-lies with, step-by-step plan to solve

the puzzle of anxious, avoidantchildren. It explains the differencebetween healthy worrying and de-bilitating anxiety and provides thetools to help children and teensface their challenges and stop thecycle of fear.

Based in Concord, N.H., Lyonshas more than 28 years of experi-ence working with parents andchildren with anxiety. This eventis part of the Safe CommunityCoalition’s yearlong focus onyouth anxiety.

Tickets are available at https://reducinganxiety.brownpapertickets.com/.

Step-by-Step Plan to Deal with Anxiety

Langley PyramidHosts Art Show

Art students from the LangleyPyramid schools (Langley HighSchool, Cooper Middle School,Churchill Road, Colvin Run,Forestville, Great Falls, and SpringHill Elementary Schools) will havetheir artwork on display in theMcLean Project for the Arts pro-fessional gallery,MPA@ChainBridge Gallery, 1446Chain Bridge Road, McLean,March 7-19. Reception on Tuesday,

Week in McLean

Photo courtesy of SCCLynn Lyons

March 12, 4:30-6 p.m. Galleryhours Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10a.m. – 4 p.m. mpaart.org

Share toHold MeetingOpen to All

Share, Inc. will hold a GeneralMeeting open to all on Thursday,March 7 at 7:30 - 9 p.m. atLewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.

Agenda: Call to order; Invoca-tion; Treasurer’s report; Reportsfrom program chairs; Committeereports, as needed; New business;Adjourn/

SOBER-RIDE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAYFree Sober Rides. Sunday, March 17,

4 p.m. through Monday, March 18, 4a.m. Area residents, 21 and older,may download Lyft to their phones,then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost(up to $15) safe ride home. WRAP’s

St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide promocode will be posted at 3 p.m. onMarch 17 on www.SoberRide.com.

WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold weather

drop-in centers and shelters that

serve Northern Virginia atwww.novaregion.org/174/Homeless-Shelter-Lists.

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

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 15


Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

Julia Wires purchased an iPhone for her 12-year-old daughter in part she says, becausemany of the girls at her Potomac, Md. schoolhave smartphones that they bring to cam-pus daily. Wires and her husband were initially hesi-tant to make the purchase because their daughterwas diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder (ADHD) and Anxiety Disorder at the endof 2018.

“First , there’s the social pressureshe feels because all of her friendshave iPhones. Then there’s the is-sue of her dad and I being able tokeep in touch with her now thatshe has more freedom to go placeson her own,” said Wires. “Both ofthose [factors] are juxtaposedagainst the fact that she hastrouble staying focused and calm-ing down when she needs to. Thatmade the decision tough for us.”

Too much time spent on gaming,smartphones and watching televi-sion could exacerbate symptoms inchildren who’ve been diagnosedwith ADHD, according to a new study by research-ers at San Diego State University and the Universityof Georgia. The report showed that even after onehour of screen time, children and teens may beginto have lower self-control, less emotional stabilityand a greater inability to finish tasks.

“Kids with ADHD have trouble keeping track oftime, so they could spend hours on their tablet with-out realizing it. Screen time can make bedtime rou-

tines more difficult and parents might have an addi-tional struggle getting their kids to fall asleep,” saidchild psychologist Adele Schwartz, Ph.D, of McLean,who was not involved in the study. “Kids with ADHDalso might be more likely to ignore parental guide-lines and I would worry more about them engagingin risky behavior online.”

Helping a child with ADHD transition from playinga video game to doing their homework could requirespecial handling, advises Sarah Bryant, LCSW. “Insteadof telling your child that they have to stop watchingtelevision at six o’clock or that they have five moreminutes on a video game, try telling them that theyhave to stop at the next commercial break or at thenend of the round in a video game,” she said.

Working collaboratively with one’s child will re-duce the chance of a power struggle, says Bryant.“You and your child can work together to list all of

the things that need to get done,like homework, time spent outside,doing sports, chores and other ac-tivities and come up with a sched-ule,” she said. “Figure out howmuch time is left for things likevideo games and television. Hangthe schedule somewhere that’s vis-ible to both of you. Your child willsee how little time is left for play-ing video games and since theywere part of the process, they’ll feellike they’re part of a team ratherthan a subordinate with no controlover their life.”

“Parents of kids with ADHDshould definitely make use of parental controls ontablets, smart phones and television, especially dur-ing school hours or when kids should be doing theirhomework,” added Schwartz. “It’s also important thatchildren, especially those with ADHD not use elec-tronics at least an hour before bedtime. And it al-most goes without saying that parents should modelthe behavior that they want their children to haveby limiting their own screen time.”

Working collaborativelywith one’s child candecrease the struggle.

Managing Screen Time

A new study shows that even after one hour spent on electronic devices each day,children and teens may begin to have less emotional stability and a greater inabilityto finish tasks.

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“... parents shouldmodel the behaviorthat they want theirchildren to have bylimiting their ownscreen time.”

— Adele Schwartz, childpsychologist


News

B efore David B. Langcame to Reston as ar-tistic director of TheReston Chorale, he wasalready known among Washing-ton-area music circles as a lead-ing professional keyboard artist,concert organist, vocal coach andchoral director. Among otherposts, he had served as director ofmusic for Saint John the Belovedin McLean and Saint Catherine ofSiena in Great Falls, and as princi-pal organist for Saint John’s Epis-copal Church-Lafayette Square(Church of the Presidents) inWashington, DC.

Now celebrating his 10th seasonwith The Reston Chorale, Lang willbe featured as organ soloist whenthe Chorale presents Reflections,a concert of choral and organworks on Sunday, March 17. The4 p.m. concert will take place atSaint Luke Roman Catholic

Church in McLean, known for itsbeautiful acoustics and grand pipeorgan. Lang will perform FrancisPoulenc’s Concerto for Organ,Strings and Timpani with mem-bers of the Piedmont SymphonyOrchestra.

Reflections will also feature theDuruflé Requiem, excerpts ofPergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and thepremieres of two new choralworks: the world premiere ofAllan Laino’s Gloria %commis-sioned by The Reston Chorale%and the Washington, D.C. pre-miere of Maarten Spruijt’sThurémin.

The Reston Chorale will bejoined by organist PaulSkevington; soloists Gloria Parvin,mezzo soprano and RobertQuittmeyer, baritone; treble voicesfrom several local churches, andguest conductor Allan Laino.

Discounted tickets for Reflec-

Concert features choral and organmasterworks and new compositions.

The Reston Chorale toPerform in McLean

tions are available online atwww.RestonChorale.org throughSaturday, March 16. Full-pricetickets will be available at the doorone hour before the concert: $25for seniors (62+), $30 for adults

Artistic director David B. Lang will also be featured as organ soloist when the Choralepresents Reflections, a concert of choral and organ works.

The Reston Chorale will perform on Sunday, March 17, at Saint Luke Roman CatholicChurch in McLean,

Photos by Michael Olson

(18-61) and free for active dutymilitary and youth 17 and under,with an adult or senior ticketholder. Doors will open at 3:30pm.

Established in 1966 by Dr. James

Christian Pfohl, The Reston Cho-rale is a mixed-voice, auditionedchorus with a broad repertoire in-cluding pops, masterworks, Ameri-can classics, and new works.

More at www.restonchorale.org


News

By Steve HibbardThe Connection

Following 3,000 years of customs and tradi-tions, the colorful Nowruz Festival — thePersian New Year celebration — will be heldSunday, March 17, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. at Tysons Corner Center. The free event attracts20,000 visitors who come for the music, dance, dra-matic performances, shopping at the Bazaar, andcostumed characters roaming the festival.

Nowruz, which normally falls in early spring, iswhen Persian-Americans will join locally to celebratethe new year. The festival was previously held at theReston Town Center and the John Carlyle Square Parkin Alexandria.

According to organizer Shohreh Asemi, what’s newthis year is a larger and taller stage that will accom-modate musicians, vocalists, dancers, DJs, artists,costumed characters, and traditional players. Theentertainment begins at 11 a.m.

She said they will have around 50 tents offeringjewelry, books, artwork, crafts, and other traditionalPersian products. Three tents will introduce Persianculture and two tents are just for kids to have fun. Inaddition, there will be lots of tasty food sold by avariety of food trucks. There will also be a raffle fortwo airline tickets by Turkish Airlines. Asemi saidthe Nowruz Festival has been voted Best CulturalFestival for D.C. by the Washington City Paper’s read-ers in year’s past.

THE NOWRUZ FESTIVAL is a free, family-friendly,fun event that celebrates life, love and good will. Ofall the Persian national festivals, the New Year cel-ebrations are at once the most important and themost colorful.

The venue provides a fun place for people to cel-ebrate with family and friends, to taste Persian foodand enjoy traditional and modern Persian entertain-ment. Among the traditions is a ceremonial tablecalled the cloth of seven dishes (each one beginningwith the Persian letter Sin). The symbolic dishes con-sist of Sabzeh or sprouts, usually wheat or lentil, rep-resenting rebirth. Another is Samanu or a sweet,creamy pudding. There’s Senjed, the sweet, dry fruitof the Lotus tree, which represents love. And anotheris Seer, which is garlic in Persian, representing medi-cine.

In addition to attracting people from Virginia,Maryland and the District, organizers hope to attractinternational guests from other countries that cel-ebrate Nowruz, including Turkey, Afghanistan, andTajikistan, among others.

THE GOAL is to share the Nowruz Festival with bothPersians and non-Persians. The event sends out posi-tive messages, like celebrating earth, spring time, loveand peace to the community. Planners want to bringdifferent musicians and dancers from other countriesthat celebrate Nowruz, as well as new musicians that

offer more variety. They also want to bring differenthistorical and costumed characters from Persia (likeHaji Firuz, a traditional herald of Nowruz dressed ina red costume and tambourine) that interacts withthe crowd.

The 2019 Nowruz Festival will be held Sunday,March 17, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at TysonsCorner Center, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean.For more information, visit the website athttp://nowruzfestival.org. Or contact organizer ShohrehAsemi at 202-369-1515 or email Shohreh directly [email protected].

BASIS Independent McLean(BIM) held its annual LunarNew Year Celebration, cel-ebrating its Mandarin cur-riculum and honoring theYear of the Pig. Students of allages performed skits, songs,dance and Kung Fu demon-strations commemoratingChinese culture.

BIM Mandarin teachersMaggie Li, Carrie Tozzi, andHao Wang directed the studentperformances.Traditional Chi-nese food was enjoyed after-ward, hosted by BIM parents.At BIM, students in PreKthrough grade 4 take Mandarin.

After two years of Latin, grade7 students may choose Manda-rin as their language to studythrough high school.

“Our Lunar New Year celebra-tion brings our school togethernot only in song and dance, butit highlights our robust Manda-rin program,” said TiffanyConroy, head of school for BA-SIS Independent McLean. “As aschool dedicated to global edu-cation, we think it’s importantto explore and engage with glo-bal cultures,” said Conroy.

For more information, visitbasisindependent.com orbasiscurriculumschools.com.

BASIS Independent McLeanCelebrates Lunar New Year

PreK Kung Fu Club – BIM students, from left: AureliaWhite, Milena Arze-Habal, Ella Su and Anna Li.

BIM Mandarin teachers-Ms. Hao Wangand Ms. Carrie Tozzi with BIM students -Rebecca Tanesi and Evelyn Zheng.

BIM Students Performing during BIM Lunar YearCelebration.

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Nowruz Festival to be heldMarch 17, 2019 atTysons Corner Center.

Celebrating the PersianNew Year

Sabzeh or sprouts representing rebirth atlast year’s Nowruz Festival.

Persian dancers celebrate the NowruzFestival last year in Tysons Corner Center.

Persian dancers at last year’s festival inTysons Corner Center. Planners want tobring different musicians and dancersfrom other countries that celebrateNowruz, as well as new musicians thatoffer more variety.

Photos by Ali Khaligh/The Connection


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“W e want everyone to beginthinking of Tysons as a vibrantand far-ranging musicaldestination,” said Douglas C.Lovejoy, President, Virginia Chamber Orchestra Boardof Trustees. Working together with 1st Stage, “we arealways on the lookout for performers who will at-tract audiences to Tysons.

“Our partnership with 1st Stage goes back to theopening of the Silver Line in July, 2015. There are anumber of dark stage evenings for 1st Stage that theVCO uses to bring music to Tysons,” said Lovejoy.

As for scheduling Backbeat Underground, “afterlistening to their music, it became obvious that thiswas an opportunity to introduce a unique sound at1st Stage. Backbeat Underground will give us theopportunity to attract a unique segment of live mu-sic consumers in the area.”

Backbeat Underground’s musical genre is describedthis way by Satya Thallam, one of the group’s mem-bers: “We call it souljazz. It’s informed by the deepfunk tradition of DC, the idioms and structure of jazz,and pioneers of the neo-soul movement. Above allit’s built on ‘groove.’ We like to say it glitters likesteel wool!”

Backbeat Underground was formed in 2012. Thegroup plays to crowds all over the DC area, fromsmaller, hidden-gem venues up to the well-knownUnion Stage, the Kennedy Center and Lincoln The-ater.

All the Backbeat Underground members have beenbased in the DC area for years. The band is SatyaThallam (saxophone and percussion), Brad Booth(keyboards), RJ James (drums), Gerald Pierce (bass),and John Wedeles (guitar).

Pierce who attended McLean High School and TheLangley School before that, credits the excellentmusic programs at both schools for contributing to-wards his lifelong passion.

The group regularly lays down tracks; either in-strumental songs or tunes featuring a variety of guest

vocalists. “The band delivers tight, energetic setssteeped in fresh improvisation and head-bopping,booty-shaking pockets,” said Thallam.

As for what to expect for the evening at 1st Stage;“expect sophisticated originals as well as a mix ofclassic soul and modern rock covers, filtered throughthe band’s unique interpretations,” said Pierce.

“We hope people will come away thinking of funkand soul in a new way,” said Thallam. “We love theclassics, and look to them for inspiration, but we hopeaudiences see them in a new, vibrant, vital light.”

As for drummer James, he was clear; “Expect afunky good time! Let’s have fun!”

Backbeat Underground presented by VirginiaChamber Orchestra at 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Rd,Tysons, Friday, March 15, 2019 at 8 p.m.

Where and WhenBackbeat Underground presented by Virginia Chamber

Orchestra at 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Rd, Tysons.Performance: Friday, March 15, 2019 at 8 p.m. Tickets $25at the door; Seniors and advance purchase $20; Studentsand military $15. For tickets go to www.vco.events/

Note: Meet the Backbeat Underground musicians in achampagne reception following the performance.

Photo by Todd Bell/Courtesy Backbeat UndergroundBackbeat Underground (from left): BradBooth, John Wedeles, Satya Thallam,Gerald Pierce, RJ James

Soul-jazz group in a specialmusical event at Tysons.

Backbeat UndergroundComes to 1st Stage

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

THURSDAY/MARCH 7International Women’s Day

Market. 4-9 p.m. at CabooseCommons, 2918 Eskridge Road,Fairfax. Caboose Commons will behosting a pop-up market consisting oflocal, women-run businesses in thecommunity. Limited edition womenempowerment merchandise for saleand pop-ups from Park Story, Skipsand Flutters, Oddxii, Color Street,doTerra essential oils, BeautyCounter, and more. Visitwww.CabooseBrewing.com.

Mah Jongg Lessons. 6:30-9:30 p.m.at Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100Westmoreland St., Falls Church.Three-session Mah Jongg class forbeginners taught by Iva Gresko. Planto attend all three sessions (March 7,14, 21). Enrollment is limited. $85,includes nine hours of lessons andincludes the 2018 National MahJongg League Playing Card. Toregister, send a check made out toWoTRS to Iva Gresko, 2100Westmoreland St., Falls Church, VA22043. Include your email address,home address, and home and cellphone numbers. Your check is yourregistration. Contact Iva Gresko 703-532-2217.

Live Music: House of Hamill. 7 p.m.at Maggiano’s Little Italy – TysonsCorner, 2001 International Drive,McLean. Maggiano’s Concert Serieswill present an early St. Patrick’s Dayperformance with national touringartists, House of Hamill. Showtime is7 p.m. with the option of a pre-concert early admission experience at6. 18 and older. $25-$45. Call 703-893-5810 or reserve tickets atwww.eventbrite.com (search Houseof Hamill).

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 7-9Oleanna. 8-10 p.m. At the Italian Cafe,

7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church.“Oleanna” – The Providence Players,in partnership with the Italian Caférestaurant in Falls Church, perform aspecial theater engagement of DavidMamet’s Oleanna. Originally stagedduring the aftermath of the Anita Hillhearings, David Mamet’s 1992Oleanna electrified and enragedaudiences. Cost is $10. Visitwww.providenceplayers.org.

FRIDAY/MARCH 8Be My Neighbor? 7:30-10:30 p.m. At

Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Movie Night: Won’tYou Be My Neighbor? Join Unity ofFairfax on the second Friday of themonth for mindful movies. “Won’tYou Be My Neighbor” is adocumentary about the lasting legacyof Mister Fred Rogers. Free. Visitwww.eventbrite.com/e/mystical-movie-night-wont-you-be-my-neighbor-tickets-57048925873

International Women’s DayCelebration, Lake Anne Plaza,Reston Community Center, Jo AnnRose Gallery, 1609 WashingtonPlaza, Reston 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. –Gallery Reception 8:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.– Panel Discussion and Q&Awww.lakeanneplaza.com

SATURDAY/MARCH 9Women’s History Panel

Discussion. 10 a.m.-noon at KingsPark Community Library, 9000 BurkeLake Road, Burke. Presented byNAACP Fairfax County, the programwill provide a platform for women ofcolor, from all over Fairfax in variousleadership roles and positions tocome together as one to developstrategic, actionable ways to buildand maximize economic and political

power – for the betterment ofwomen, their families, communities,and future. Collecting donations forBRAW (www.BRAWS.org). Join atwww.fairfaxnaacp.org/about/women-in-naacp/.

Meet The Maker. 2-5 p.m. atBalducci’s McLean Store, 6655 OldDominion Drive, McLean. The tasteof the Smoky Mountains, both ruggedand haute cuisine, is presented byBlackberry Farm in a collection ofjams, cheese and beer. Meet theFarmstead Manager, Dustin Busby.Free. Visit balduccis.com/events.

Author Event: Sarah Strassberg.2:30-3:30 p.m. at Great Falls Library,9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Local author Sarah Strassbergdiscusses her debut novel, The QueenAnne Society. For Ages 9-14. Free.Email [email protected].

SUNDAY/MARCH 10Grand Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m.

at the Freeman Store and Museum,131 Church St. NE, Vienna. HistoricVienna Inc announces the grandopening reception for two newexhibits: 1. Upstairs, “Vienna and the’50s.” Come experience Vienna in the50s through an exciting multimediaexhibit. 2. Downstairs, “WomenCreating a More Perfect Democracy:100 Years of the League of WomenVoters.” Visit historicviennainc.org/.

Washington Saxophone Quartet. 4p.m. At Saint Francis EpiscopalChurch, 9220 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Tickets are $40 and maybe purchased at the door or online atwww.amadeusconcerts.com.Students 17 and under and activemilitary are admitted free of charge.A pre-concert lecture by MusicDirector A. Scott Wood will begin at3:15 p.m. A reception will follow theconcert, at which attendees maymeet and chat with the performersand fellow music lovers.

Winter Concerts: Beth Patterson. 4and 6 p.m. seatings at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. The Old BrogueIrish Pub of Great Falls and BarnabyProductions, Inc. present the 30thseason of family friendly, WinterTraditional Celtic Concerts performedin a listening room by the fireside.Tickets must be purchased inadvance at oldbrogue.com: $18general admission; $12 children. Visitwww.oldbrogue.com or call the OldBrogue at 703-759-3309.

The Glory of France. 4:30 p.m. atSaint Luke Catholic Church, 7001Georgetown Pike, McLean. The City

Choir of Washington’s celebrates theGreat Tradition of French ChoralMusic, with guest artist MetropolitanOpera Soprano Danielle Talamantes,who is a graduate of McLean HighSchool. For more information or topurchase tickets, visitwww.thecitychoirofwashington.org.

MONDAY/MARCH 11Internet and Net Neutrality. 7-8:30

p.m. At Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave., E, Vienna. Free. In 2017,the FCC decided to eliminate openInternet access, firing widespreadspeculation about whether this wouldresult in an Internet lacking in rulesand consumer protections. Hearabout the debate, how the FCC’saction will affect Internet users, andwhat happens next. Visitibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4708859.

SCOV Lunch n Life. At EmmanuelLutheran Church, 2589 Chain BridgeRoad, Vienna. Cost: $15/personpayment due by March 4, 2019.RSVP to SCOV [email protected] –703-281-0538.

TUESDAY/MARCH 121950s Civil Rights Issues. 7:30 p.m.

in the Town Council Chamber ofVienna’s Town Hall, 127 Center St.,Vienna. Colbert King is coming toVienna to talk about 1950s civilrights issues. A Pulitzer Prize winningWashington Post journalist, he willspeak at the Historic Vienna Incmeeting in connection with HistoricVienna Inc’s new exhibit “Vienna inthe 1950s.” Refreshments will beserved. Free and open to the public.Visit historicviennainc.org/.

McLean Historical SocietyMeeting. 7:30 p.m. at the McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Phyllis Verhalen whowill present “The Life of Julia Grant,Wife of President Ulysses Grant.”Call Carole Herrick at 703-356-8223.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 13Movie Series: New Disney

Classics. 12:30 p.m. at The AldenCommunity Hall, McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.The Alden is kicking off a new filmseries with “new Disney Classics” –those that were loved during the1990s. The films will be shown at12:30 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday ofthe month through June. Freeadmission. Visit mcleancenter.org/performing-arts.

Holy HappyHour RecitalSeries

Featuring Seán Heely, aU.S National Scottish FiddleChampion, the 30-minutemusical offering will be fol-lowed by wine, hor d’oeuvresand fellowship. Wednesday,March 27, 6:15 p.m. atLewinsville PresbyterianChurch, 1724 Chain BridgeRoad, McLean. Free and opento the public; a good will of-fering to support the musicdepartment will be taken.Visit www.Lewinsville.org orcall 703-356-7200.

Entertainment


THURSDAY/MARCH 14National Pi Day Celebration.

Amphora Bakeries celebrate NationalPi Day with iconic pies in theirVienna and Herndon locations. Call703-964-0500 to pre-order or visitamphorabakery.com/pie-landing-page.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 14-16Oleanna. 8-10 p.m. At the Italian Cafe.

7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church.“Oleanna” – The Providence Players,in partnership with the Italian Caférestaurant in Falls Church, perform aspecial theater engagement of DavidMamet’s Oleanna. Originally stagedduring the aftermath of the Anita Hillhearings, David Mamet’s 1992Oleanna electrified and enragedaudiences and was described as “abuzz saw of gender, sex, and power”.Oleanna takes on new life in the#metoo movement and the power ofthis production will be enhanced bythe intimate setting of the ItalianCafé restaurant itself. Cost is $10.Visit the website:www.providenceplayers.org.

FRIDAY/MARCH 15Game Night. 7 p.m. in the Chapel at

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Game night for adults in their 20sand 30s. Board games and cardgames, and snacks will be provided.Free and open to all young adults inthe area. Contact the Rev. AnnamarieGoeneneboom at 703-356-7200 [email protected].

SATURDAY/MARCH 16Taking Better Photos with a

Smartphone. 1-2 p.m. at OaktonLibrary, 10304 Lynnhaven Place,Oakton. Learn from a teacher andavid amateur photographer how totake better pictures with asmartphone and to enhance use ofthis handy and versatile camera. Noregistration necessary. Free. [email protected] visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/.

Model Railroaders Open House. 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth and on Vienna celebrationdays, including Viva! Vienna and theVienna Holiday Stroll. Freeadmission. Call 703-938-5157 or visitwww.nvmr.org.

Humanities Lecture HighlightsCicero. 7 p.m. at Oakcrest School.Oakcrest classical languages teacherPaula Rondon-Burgos will deliver the

school’s Fifth Annual O’DonovanHumanities Lecture on “The SecondGreatest Story Ever Told: The Life ofCicero—Roman Statesman,Philosopher, and Friend.” Rondon-Burgos will reflect on the writings ofMarcus Tullius Cicero, a first-centuryB.C. Roman politician and author.Register at bit.ly/OSHumanitiesLecture.

SUNDAY/MARCH 17Made to Move. 9 a.m. at The Church

of the Good Shepherd (UnitedMethodist), Fellowship Hall, 2351Hunter Mill Road, Vienna. All bodies,all abilities and all ages are invited toparticipate in Made to Move, anintergenerational class led by fitnessexpert and author Wendy LeBolt,PhD. LeBolt, an educator and sportscientist, is the author of the newlyreleased book Made to Move:Knowing and Loving God ThroughOur Bodies. Good Shepherd also isdoing a six-week Lenten study ofLeBolt’s book on Thursday morningsfrom March 7-April 11. Call thechurch office at 703-281-3987 orvisit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.

Purim Carnival. 9:45-10:45 a.m. atLewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Lewinsville Presbyterian Church ishosting a family Purim Carnival inFellowship Hall on the lower level.For children ages 4 through grade 6and their parents. Free and open tothe public; you do not need to be amember of Lewinsville to attend. Call703-356-7200 or visitwww.lewinsville.org.

March Theater Festival. 3-7 p.m. atThe Madeira School - ChapelAuditorium, 8328 Georgetown Pike,McLean. Traveling Players Ensemblepresents Alice in Wonderland (3p.m., ages 6-12) and The Merchantof Venice (4:15 p.m., age 10 and up).After The Merchant of Venice, theaudience will be joined by peace &equity activist Barbara Wien for adiscussion about the themes of theplay and its resonance in modernlives. $10, $5 for kids under 6. Call703-987-1712 or visittravelingplayers.org/performances/.

Capitol Steps. 4-6 p.m. at JamesMadison High School - Auditorium,2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna.The Capitol Steps performs songsfrom their newest album “MakeAmerica Grin Again” in thisfundraiser for Madison Crew.Advance tickets, $25-$30; at door,$35-$40. Visitwww.brownpapertickets.com/event/3915612. [email protected] orcall 703-938-9615.

Reflections. 4-6 p.m. At Saint LukeRoman Catholic Church, 7001Georgetown Pike, McLean. Join The

Reston Chorale for an afternoon ofchoral and organ works, includingthe Duruflé “Requiem” and excerptsof Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” Alsofeatured: Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto”with Piedmont Symphony Orchestraand Organist David B. Lang. Tickets:$0-$30. Tickets and information atwww.RestonChorale.org.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20McLean Newcomers and

Neighbors Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.at Nostos Restaurant, 8100 BooneBlvd., Vienna. Prospective membersare invited. No reservations will beaccepted after Friday, March 15. $40per person. To attend, pay atsquareup.com/market/mclean-newcomers-club. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.

Dining with Dorothy. 12:30 p.m. AtP.J. Skidoos, 9908 Fairfax Blvd.,Fairfax. Join with your friends ormake new ones. Newcomers arealways welcome. To reserve yourspace, contact event chair DorothyFlood at [email protected]

TEDxTysons OpenMic Night. 7-9:30p.m. At McLean Community Center’sAlden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave.,McLean. In an “American Idol” meetsStorySLAM-style evening, aspiringTEDx Talkers will present their 2-3minute pitch to a full house... and atthe end of the evening one speakerwill be selected to develop andpresent a full TEDxTysons talk. ForTED fans or someone who loves abehind the curtain glimpse. This is anall-ages event. A reception followsfeaturing McLean Project for the Artsartists. Tickets $16/$12 MCC taxdistrict residents. Visit the websitemcleancenter.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 23The Joshua Show (Family

Friendly). 1 p.m. at The AldenTheatre at McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.This award-winning familyproduction features a modern-dayMr. Rogers with hipster appeal, livemusic, tap dancing, physical comedyand multiple styles of puppetry totake the audience on a journey tofind the joy in being yourself. Cost is$15/$10 MCC tax district residents.Visit www.aldentheatre.org.

MONDAY/MARCH 25Ayr Hill Garden Club Event. 12:45-

2:30 p.m. At Emmanuel LutheranChurch, 2589 Chain Bridge Road,Vienna. Free. Speaker, FairfaxCounty Master Gardener, MollyO’Boyle, presents “All About GrowingVegetables and Herbs in Containers.”Molly will share strategies thatinclude best plants to use, containerselection, fertilizer do’s and don’ts,etc. Email Emilie Larson [email protected].

SATURDAY/MARCH 30Sophocles’ “Antigone.” 2 p.m. at

The Alden Theatre at McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Sophocles’s dramafrom 441 B.C. holds startlingrelevance today, examining divinity,obedience, and law—and how loveovercomes them all. Cost is $40/$30MCC tax district residents. Visitwww.aldentheatre.org.

Shakespeare’s “The Comedy ofErrors”. 7:30 p.m. at The AldenTheatre at McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Two long-separated twins, their twotricky servants (also twins), a jealouswife, and her lovelorn sister rompthrough this fast-paced comedy. Costis $40/$30 MCC tax districtresidents. Visitwww.aldentheatre.org.

Entertainment

The Glory ofFrance

The City Choir of Washington’scelebrates the Great Tradition ofFrench Choral Music, with guest art-ist Metropolitan Opera SopranoDanielle Talamantes, who is a gradu-ate of McLean High School. Sunday,March 10, 4:30 p.m. at Saint LukeCatholic Church, 7001 GeorgetownPike, McLean. For more informationor to purchase tickets, visitwww.thecitychoirofwashington.org.


Photo by Will Palenscar/The ConnectionMarshall’s Jack Taylor #1 elevates overPatriot’s Yusef Salih #23.

Marshall scored 19 points in the final quarter.Daniel Deaver again scored 8 points. Ilias Hwangscored 5 points, and Jack Taylor added 2 three point-ers. Hagen Vandiver led Patriot in scoring for thequarter. Vandiver would score 6 of those points fromthe charity stripe while converting on Patriot’s onlysuccessful three pointer of the quarter.

Patriot was led by Vandiver with 21 points, andBlue’s 17. Marshall was led by Deaver who scored29 points, and Jack Taylor’s 16. For the game Patriotmade 10 field goals and 10 three pointers.

— Will Palenscar

Sports

The Westfield Bulldogs took on the MarshallStatesmen in a second round regional playoff game in Falls Church on Feb. 22. Westfieldadvanced to the game having defeated Washington-Lee in the first round 58-55.Marshall advanced defeatingOsbourn Park 74-42.

Marshall started off with 11 firstquarter points, led by RyanSchlaffer’s 9 points, while Westfieldmanaged only 4 points all of whichcame from Trent Reimonenq.

In the 2nd quarter Marshall bal-anced their scoring with DanielDeavers scoring 8, Ryan Schlaffer6 and Alex Pigeon scoring 3.Westfield’s Marshall Reed scored 9points in the quarter with team-mate Tahj Summey adding theother 4 Westfield points. Halfwaythrough the game neither team hadbeen successful on a three pointer,yet Marshall led by double digits,32-17 at the halfway point.

In the 3rd quarter Marshall in-creased their lead margin anothertwo points, with all but four of theMarshall 15 points coming fromDaniel Deaver. Deaver would tally

Hagen Vandiver scored 21 points includ-ing 4 three pointers and Zack Blueadded 17 for the Patriot Pioneers as thePioneers held on for a 61-54 victoryover the Marshall Statesmen on Feb. 25 in the semi-finals of the Northern Region 6D tournament.

Vandiver connected on the first of his three point-ers in the 1st quarter and scored half of his team’s10 points. Teammate Yusef Salih also sank a shotfrom long distance, but it was Marshall who openeda 13-10 first quarter advantage behind DanielDeaver’s 10, 1st quarter points. Jack Taylor added a3 pointer.

In the 2nd quarter, Patriot made 9 field goals, fiveof which were three pointers. Jackson Ford, YusefSalih, and Zach Blue each connected from long rangewith a three, while Vandiver scored 5 points in whichhe was successful on two from downtown. Thatshooting was enough for Patriot to overcome theearly deficit and to take a 34-21 advantage. JackTaylor’s 5 points paced Marshall for the quarter.

Marshall would go back to Deaver who add 8 morepoints to his total. The Statesmen’s Ryan Schlafferwould score 4 points in the 3rd quarter helpingMarshall to narrow their deficit to 45-35 by quarter’send. Hagen Vandiver again led the Pioneers in scor-ing for the quarter accumulating 5 points. JacksonFord added another 3 pointer for the Pioneers. De-von Parrish added his fourth basket of the game inthe quarter.

In regional playoff.

Marshall Takes Down Westfield, 64-45

Pioneers DefeatStatesmen inSemifinals

11 in the quarter. Westfield’s Sam Johnson scored 6points in the quarter while teammate Marshall Reedadded 4, and Gavin Kiley added a basket.

With just eight minutes to play and trailing 47-29in regulation Westfield still had fight in them andoutscored the Statesmen 17-16, but were not able tostage a comeback. Marshall closed out the game with

a 64-45 victory. Westfield’sMarshall Reed scored 8 points inthe quarter, including two 3 point-ers to give him a game high 25points, and Trent Reimonenqadded another three pointer. Tay-lor Morin and Robert Black eachadded a basket. Marshall’s DanielDeaver scored 6 points in the quar-ter for a team high of 23 points.Jack Taylor added 5 points andended the game with 9 points.Ryan Schlaffer scored two pointsand ended up with 17 for the game.

Marshall (22-6) moves on to thethird round where they will face Pa-triot High School, who defeatedMcLean High School 65-56. Westfieldended their season at 4-22.

For the game Marshall convertedon 12 of their 15 free throws.Westfield sank the game’s only 3pointers, all in the 4th quarter.

— Will Palenscar

Will Palenscar/The ConnectionMarshall’s Ryan Schlafferlays in two of his 17points for Marshall in the2nd round regional gamewith Westfield


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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No Spring inMy Future Step

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WEDNESDAY/MARCH 6Lent Services. 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. At

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Worshipers will have theopportunity to receive the imposition of ashes.At the evening service, the sacrament of theLord’s Supper will be celebrated. This event isfree and open to the public.

“Drive-Thru Ashes.” 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at TheChurch of the Good Shepherd (UnitedMethodist), 2351 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna. The20th annual Devotions for Lent publication willbe distributed to commuters and area residentswho take part in its “Drive-Thru Ashes” event.Pastor Eric Song will administer ashes anddistribute the booklets. A traditional AshWednesday service will take place at the churchat 7:30 p.m. Call 703-281-3987 or visitwww.GoodShepherdVA.com for more.

THURSDAY/MARCH 7Shape of the Region Conference. 8-11:45 a.m.

at Valo Park in Tysons Corner, 7950 JonesBranch Drive, McLean. The CommunityFoundation for Northern Virginia, the NorthernVirginia Chamber of Commerce, the NorthernVirginia Regional Commission and the NorthernVirginia Technology Council will co-host theShape of the Region Conference. This event willexamine “The Business Case for EconomicMobility in Northern Virginia” and explorestrategies to ensure all communities benefitfrom our strong local economy. Registration is$65 and includes continental breakfast. Visitwww.cfnova.org/shape-region to register.

Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. atUUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Contactfacilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].

Memory Cafe. 2-4 p.m. at Andrew Chapel UnitedMethodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna.Connect with others living with loved ones withdementia. Helping those with dementia andtheir caregivers find fun, resources and “family.”Email Carol Blackwell at [email protected] orcall at 571-236-6933.

FRIDAY/MARCH 8Technology Fridays in March. 10 a.m.-noon at

the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services,2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, Entrance 1,Room 100. Join the Parent Resource Center forthis series of technology workshops presented byFCPS Assistive Technology Services. Register forone or all of the workshops. Explore a variety oftechnology tools to support student success andindependence with reading and writing in thedigital classroom and at home. Register atwww.fcps.edu/index.php/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center. Call 703-204-3941 or email [email protected] for more.

❖ March 8 - Exploring Early Childhood AT Home:Assistive Technology for Preschool

❖ March 15 - Technology Tools to SupportExecutive Functioning

❖ March 22 - Assistive Technology to SupportCommunication

SATURDAY/MARCH 9Fairfax County NAACP General Membership

Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon at Kings ParkCommunity Library, Braddock DistrictSupervisor’s Conference Room, 9000 Burke LakeRoad, Burke. Fairfax County NAACP holds theirmonthly meeting. A brief business meeting willbe followed by the Women’s History PanelDiscussion. Visit www.fairfaxnaacp.org formore.

SUNDAY/MARCH 10Guest Pastor Rev. Dr. Paul Smith. At

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Smith will preach at the8:30 a.m. service and the 11 a.m. service ofworship followed by a conversation aboutissues related to racial reconciliation at 12:15p.m. Smith is a retired PC(USA) pastor, havingserved congregations in Buffalo, St. Louis,Atlanta, and Brooklyn Heights, New York. Healso worked in higher education, serving as anadministrator at Washington University in St.Louis and as vice president of MorehouseCollege in Atlanta. Call 703-356-7200 or visitwww.lewinsville.org for more.

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