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online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 22-28, 2018

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Science Fair, Invention Convention At Sangster Elementary News, 0

Brain Injury Services Honors Survivors, Volunteers

News, Page 3

‘When Is Passover Supposed to Be?’

Opinion, Page 4

Michelle Thyen, left, presents the Volunteer of the

Year Award to Cindy Furman at the 2018 Annual

Reception of Brain Injury Services.

2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ March 22-28, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Springfield Connection ❖ March 22-28, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsSpringfield Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

A few hundred people attended theannual reception for The BrainInjury Services on Monday,March 19, 2018, at The

Waterford in Springfield. Using a “Wizardof Oz” theme, the evening honored volun-teers, clients, caregivers and staff from BrainInjury Services as well as key corporate part-nerships.

Started in 1989, the organization basedin Springfield helps more than 600 childrenand adults with brain injuries build the skillsand confidence they need to lead produc-tive lives. They offer services through theirclubhouse/day program, case managementand pediatric programs.

“We are honoring our volunteers whohave given back so much to the commu-nity; volunteers who themselves have abrain injury; volunteers who want to helppeople with a brain injury,” said DeniseHyater, Executive Director. “It’s about rec-ognizing them, thanking them, and hopingthat they are able to continue to support somany people in Northern Virginia with braininjuries.”

MICHELLE THYEN, Director of Volunteerand Community Engagement, said:“Tonight’s event is an annual reception thatwe put on every year in honor of Brain In-jury Awareness Month, in particular tohonor all of the community volunteers, theconsumers who are survivors of brain in-jury, and the community partners, the cor-porate partners that help Brain Injury Ser-vices to propel survivors forward in theirrecovery process.”

Added Samuel Knight, Vocational Special-ist: “What we’re doing today is acknowledg-ing our volunteers, and everyone who wentthrough our Volunteer Placement Program,PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors), Per-son-Centered (Volunteer Program) and alsoacknowledging the people who worked inthe Supported Employment Program with

Brain Injury Services.”The first to be recognized was the

Speaker’s Bureau, comprising 16 survivorswho inspire and educate the community onbrain injury, stroke, and concussion throughtheir stories. Speaker Amy Hobbs shared herstory of recovery.

“They speak at universities, rehab centers,hospitals and corporations. They want theirstories to matter and to make a difference.By sharing their experiences, other survi-

vors have been inspired to speak out for thefirst time,” said Thyen.

Other programs that were honored werethe PALS Program, which enables clients todevelop a mutually enriching friendshipwith a community volunteer; the Person-Centered Volunteers that enables clients todevelop a friendship with a volunteer whileengaging in an activity; the Volunteer Place-ment Program, which helps clients securefulfilling volunteer work in the community;and the Supported Employment Programthat helps survivors achieve their employ-ment goals by transitioning from volunteer-ing to returning to work. The OutstandingCommunity Partners and volunteers werehonored as well as Cindy Furman, who won

the Volunteer of the Year Award.

DURING THE RECEPTION, CristabelleBraden, a brain injury survivor who is alsoa singer/songwriter, entertained guests andtold her story. “I had a traumatic brain in-jury a little over 10 years ago and doctorssaid I’d never finish high school. I had tore-learn how to get dressed and take ashower and all these things that were oncesimple,” she said.

After her rehabilitation, she began towrite music and share her story of braininjury awareness. She has a CD called “HopeSurvives” about her journey with brain in-jury and tours nationally. “I believe it’s allby the grace of the Lord that I was able tofinish high school and I went on to gradu-ate from Lebanon Valley College. Now I tournationally as a singer/songwriter and ad-vocate and speaker for brain injury aware-ness. I do concerts at hospitals, rehab cen-ters, prison ministries, homeless sheltersand I do a lot of church concerts.”

Scott Perry, a PALS Volunteer who is alsoa corporate sponsor through his law firm,Perry Charnoff, added: “We have a person(Diana) that we meet with at least once amonth and we’ve actually become very goodfriends with her family and our family. Andwe love to take these family outings and goto local parks. And we find that while wedo it for volunteer work, we get just as muchout of it as hopefully they do.” Attendingthe banquet was Kelly Radford, 39, a braininjury survivor from Alexandria. After a caraccident in 2000 that left him disabled, hehas been volunteering at the Adapt Club-house in Alexandria as well as MountVernon Estate where he stamps the adven-ture maps for the kids and provides wheel-chairs and listening devices to tourists fromall over the world. “I still go to the AdaptClubhouse where we do things like garden-ing and cook, and still go to George Wash-ington University where I help with thespeech and hearing Master’s Program,” hesaid. For more about the organization, visitthe website http://braininjurysvcs.org.

A few hundred people attended the 2018 Annual Reception of BrainInjury Services on Monday, March 19, 2018, at The Waterford inSpringfield. Members of the West Springfield High School Gypsy Jazz Combo.

Brain Injury Services Honors Survivors, VolunteersHonors stroke, concussion, brain injury survivors, and volunteers and corporate sponsors.

Michelle Thyen, right, with MaryHofer of Burke, who volunteerswith six PALS, Providing a Link forSurvivors, which enables client ofBrain Injury Services to develop amutually enriching friendship witha community volunteer.

Tracy Martin, a brain injury survi-vor who volunteers with WETABrainline.

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Opinion

By Rabbi Leibel Fajnland

Director Chabad of Reston-

Herndon

This was the question re-cently asked of me bya close friend who isnot Jewish. I, of course,

was totally caught off guard by thequestion. I had no idea what hewas asking. So, I asked him whathe meant.

He replied: “Well, I have lots ofJewish friends. And over the last nearly twodecades I have attended many Passover Seders.Almost every year, the conversation turns toeither how ‘early or late’ Passover is that par-ticular year. So, if every year Passover is either‘early or late’, when is Passover supposed tobe?”

For the uninitiated, the ancient Hebrewswere enslaved to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, a littleover 3,300 years ago. Passover commemoratesthe miraculous redemption from this slaveryand the birth of the Jewish nation. Though theevents took place a very long time ago, webelieve that not only do they provide us witheternal lessons and instructions on how to liveour lives, even in the most modern of times.We believe that they are also events that areto be relived and re-experienced by every oneof us, in every time and place. So, to me, thequestion runs deeper:

“When, indeed is Passover sup-posed to be?”

Well, it turns out, the Hebrewword for Egypt, Mitzrayim, comes

from the same root as the word for “limita-tions or boundaries.” Read this way, we canexperience an “Exodus from Egypt” by “eman-cipating ourselves from our limitations andboundaries.”

Every day we are faced with self, or societal-imposed limitations. It may be as big as someworld-changing cause with which we wouldlike to get involved, but feel like it is “beyondus.” Or, it may be something as simple as asmile and a “hello” to someone next to us inline at the market, or in an elevator. Irrespec-tive of the deed, it is our “limitations” whichhold us back from a myriad of acts of good-ness and kindness. And yet, it is precisely theseacts which can change the world forever, andusher in an era of humanity, understanding andpeace, exceeding our wildest dreams.

So, it seems that the correct answer to thequestion is: Passover is supposed to be every

‘When Is Passover Supposed to Be?’Herndon-Reston Community Seder

This year, join friends and family at the Chabad Community Passover Seder.Relive the exodus, discover the eternal meaning of the Haggadah, and enjoy a community

Seder complete with hand-baked Matzah, wine, and a wonderful dinner spiced with songs &insights.

First Seder Night Friday, March 30, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.In the Herndon Kmart Center. 396 Elden St. Herndon 20170For more information or to reserve (a must) call 703-476-1829 email [email protected]. or

visit www.chabadrh.org

minute, of every day. And, one certainly doesnot have to be Jewish, or celebrating Passoverto experience their own “Exodus.”

How about we start right now? Think ofsomething noble and great you have hesitatedto do, and do it. And watch the world changearound you, for good!

Happy Passover to all!❖ ❖ ❖

Passover observances include conducting aSeder. The Seder is a fifteen step, family ori-ented, tradition and ritual packed feast.

The focal points of the Seder are:❖ Eating Matzah.❖ Eating bitter herbs6 to commemorate the

bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.❖ Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice6,

a royal drink, to celebrate the newfound free-dom.

❖ The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgythat describes in detail the story of the Exodusfrom Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment ofthe biblical obligation to recount to our childrenthe story of the Exodus on the night of Passover.

Alzheimer’s Is aGrowing PublicHealth CrisisTo the Editor:

According to the Alzheimer’sAssociation, 140,000 Virginiansover the age of 65 live withAlzheimer’s. Additionally, Latinosare at one and a half times greaterrisk of Alzheimer’s than olderwhites. Alzheimer’s is the mostexpensive disease in the UnitedStates. Alzheimer’s costs the coun-try more than $259 billion a year.

My grandfather, my “Abuelito” inSpanish, was an outgoing, social,and active man and a caring grand-father. One day, he was wanderingnearby on surrounding streets,unable to find his way home afterone of his daily walks. Luckily, aneighbor recognized him andknew where we lived. She broughthim back to our house. My parentscould not afford the increasing carehe needed as a person living withAlzheimer’s. My family decided hewould return to Peru, where myaunts served as his caregivers.

I remember Abuelito sometimespicked me up from school. Everyonce in a while, we walked toMcDonald’s to get his favorite BigMac meal and he would buy me a

Happy Meal, too. We used to gotrick-or-treating together everyHalloween. He gladly held myplastic pumpkin filled with candy.Due to Alzheimer’s, I was unableto spend more quality time withmy grandfather. We could not takeday trips together to Luray Cav-erns or to the National Aquarium.I missed out on listening to himtell stories about his life experi-ences and family history.

Please join me in calling on U.S.Rep. Don Beyer to support an ad-ditional $425 million forAlzheimer’s research funding atthe National Institutes of Health,with the goal of achieving break-throughs in prevention and treat-ment. Together, we can endAlzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org/nca for more information.

Jacqueline CalderonAlzheimer’s advocate

Falls Church

Objecting toMedicaidExpansionTo the Editor:

I am writing to voice my objec-tion to expanding Medicaid in Vir-ginia.

Unfortunately, this will burdenour state spending without anyhelp from the Federal Govern-ment. States that have expandedObamacare’s Medicaid programhave experienced a massive in-crease in their spending with noevidence of health improvementsfor new enrollees. Twenty percentof our state’s doctors will not evenaccept Medicaid.

If we join this program, Virgin-ians will have to fund billions ofdollars per year. Let’s spend it onsomething that has been proven toimprove health for our citizens.Tragically, we know how this willturn out based on other state’sexperiences.

Jamie DurkovicFairfax Station

Change inRichmondBrings MetroFundingTo the Editor:

As a long-term resident ofNorthern Virginia, I have beenfrustrated year after year to hearof a funding crisis for Metro orbreakdowns affecting safety and

Letters to the Editor

reliability. In Virginia we were al-ways faced with a hostile legisla-ture that was controlled by down-state interests who did not seevalue in supporting mass transit.Meanwhile Metro suffered fromthe lack of a secure fundingsource.

This year we see a different pic-ture with the results of lastNovember’s election which foundthe Democrats just one vote shortof winning control of the Houseof Delegates. Elections matter andnow we see the real impact of anelection that empowers the North-ern Virginia delegation to deliversupport for Metro funding.

I was pleased to see the North-ern Virginia delegation in theHouse and Senate take leadershipon the Metro funding issue.

Sue BoucherFalls Church

Write The Connectionwelcomes views on any public

issue. The deadline for allmaterial is noon Friday. Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@SprConnect

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Springfield


Your “Nicely Done” Kitchen or Bath is Right Around the Corner!A “One-Stop Shop” That Goes Above and Beyond Your Imagination

Kings’s Park Shopping Center8934 Burke Lake Road, Springfield VA 22151703-764-3748 www.nicelydonekitchens.com

Find us on Houzz,Facebook, & Angie’s List!

News

Blood DonationOpportunities

Though spring has officially arrived,the American Red Cross blood supply isstill recovering from severe winterstorms in March. Donors of all bloodtypes are urged to roll up a sleeve andhelp save lives.

Volunteer blood donors from acrossthe country are needed to help ensurelifesaving blood products are availablefor patients this spring. Make an ap-pointment to donate blood bydownloading the free Red Cross BloodDonor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.orgor calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportuni-ties in the area, March 20 to April 15

Fairfax3/20/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.,

Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

3/21/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m.,Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

3/22/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.,Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200

3/23/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.,Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200


3/25/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.,Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200












4/6/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., FairfaxBlood Donation Center, 2720 ProsperityAvenue, Suite 200

4/7/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., FairfaxBlood Donation Center, 2720 ProsperityAvenue, Suite 200








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By Marilyn Campbell

On a sunny, autumn day a group of 10-year-old children sat around an a for-mal dining room table at a home inArlington. The boys wore blazers,

pressed khakis and shiny loafers, while the girls havedonned festive dresses, nude stockings and woregrosgrain ribbons in their neatly combed hair. Theyhad arrived at the home for a lesson in etiquette, butmost of them would have rather been someplace else.

“I have to leave early for a soccer game,” saidJimmy, who didn’t bother hiding his glee over miss-ing part of the class.

In an era when it’s commonplace to order pizzaon a smartphone and coordinate play dates by text,old-fashioned etiquette can appear obsolete. A re-cent survey of teachers shows that 73 percent of in-structors believe that students are less polite thanwhen the teachers themselves were students. In theage high-tech conveniences, children can becomeover scheduled and under socialized, which has ledto an uptick in the number of parents who are en-rolling their children in etiquette classes, say proto-col instructors.

“Parents have a tremendous interest in etiquetteclasses because so many parents realize that theydon’t have that knowledge themselves, said DorotheaJohnson, who founded the Protocol School of Wash-ington and is the author of the book “Modern Man-ners: Tools to Take You to the Top,” which she co-authored with her granddaughter actress Liv Tyler.

“I think most parents know that good manners andetiquette will be important to their [children’s] fu-ture,” added Henryette Neal who teaches etiquetteclasses for children through the Fairfax County ParkAuthority. “Young people will be educated, but with-out proper social skills they willnot be able to present themselvesproperly.” Neal is also the ownerof owner of Steppin Out Charmand Imaging Studio.

The result of fast-pacedlifestyles combined with over-loaded schedules is a generationof children who place more valueon social media savvy than onknowledge of social graces. Fam-ily dinners are replaced by fastfood, says one parent. “Whoneeds good manners to gobbledown a slice of pizza,” said CaroleMincey of Alexandria, whose 14-year old daughter and 11-year old son have takenetiquette and ballroom dance from Mrs. Simpson’sClasses, one of the area’s invitation-only etiquetteschools. “Because everyone is so busy and technol-ogy is so advanced, reality television shows are set-ting standards of behavior and handwritten thankyou notes have been replaced by emails and texts.”

Good manners are as important to a child’s futuresuccess as academics, says another parent. “I feel likeif people know what do to do in social situations itempowers them,” said Sarah Henry of Chevy Chase,mother of a 10-year old daughter and a 12-year oldson. “If you’re unsure of what to do it can make youfeel intimidated. So it’s all about empowering chil-

dren with knowledge. And it’s good for them to beexposed to proper etiquette in case they’re not get-ting it at home. And if they are getting it at home,etiquette classes can reinforce it.”

Interactive class sessions help keep their childrenengaged in the etiquette lessons. “They key is to keepthe children occupied,” said Johnson. “For example,when teaching proper introductions, I would call twochildren up to the front of the room and have themintroduce themselves to each other.”

In addition to learning such common courtesiessuch as saying “Please,” “Thank you” and “You’rewelcome,” children learn to write thank-you notesand introduce themselves to others by making di-

rect eye contact and offering afirm handshake.

“Knowing how to give a properhandshake is important. When Itook my seven-year-old grand-daughter Liv to formal events, herlittle hand went out as she wasbeing introduced to someone,”said Johnson. “I could take heranywhere because she had im-peccable manners.”

Henry says that in a class thatshe coordinated for herdaughter’s Girl Scout troop, partof the curriculum included hav-ing the children form a receiving

line with parents where they practiced handshakesand eye contact.

“We also printed proper table setting samplesonline and give the girls n plastic forks spoons, knives,napkins and a copy of the place setting,” said Henry.“We talked about how to talked about the placementof the utensils, how to hold a knife and fork prop-erly. One of my pet peeves is watching people hold aknife like it’s a stick.”

These are good life lessons, says Neal. “Etiquetteclasses are important because people still needto be respectful of others, and it starts with ourchildren,” she said. “A simple please and thankyou is important.”

Etiquette classes aim toteach lost art of manners.

Manners in the Tech Age

Photo courtesy of Fairfax County

Henryette Neal teaches etiquette classesfor children.

“Young people will beeducated, butwithout good socialskills they will not beable to presentthemselves properly.”

— Henryette Neal,etiquette instructor


CalendarSubmit entertainment announcements

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

ONGOINGArtists & Poets: Freedom of

Expression-Freedom of thePress. Through March 31, 5 p.m.-midnight, daily, at Epicure Café,11104 Lee Highway, Fairfax. NasrinNavab and Epicure Cafe present:Artists & Poets: Freedom ofExpression-Freedom of the Press.Instigated by Helen Frederick, the DCart community came together twoyears ago in solidarity with people ofIraq and the Middle East to supportthe “Al Mutanabbi Street StartsHere!” Project. Al-Mutanabbi Street isBaghdad’s bookselling street that hascreated space for books for hundredsof years. In 2007, the street wasdestroyed in a car bombing. Visitwww.epicurecafe.org/.

Second Saturdays. 6-9 p.m. at theWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. TheSecond Saturday Art Walk is theperfect time to meet nearly 85Resident and Associate Artists,creating art in the studios orexhibiting in our galleries.Experience performances of dance,cabaret, comedy, big band, jazz, andtheater. Indulge in classes in the artof mixology or cuisines from aroundthe globe. Enjoy art exhibitions innine galleries of the region’s finestsculpture, painting, glass, ceramics,and fiber art works. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/.

Senior Line Dancing. Mondays, 1p.m.; Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m. at LittleRIver Glen Senior Center, 4001Barker Court, Fairfax. Line Dancing isa gentle, social form of aerobicactivity. Studies have shown it aids inwarding off Alzheimer’s disease. Noprevious experience needed. Cost: $5per 8-week session. [email protected] or call 703-524-3739.

Fairfax Pets on Wheels NewVolunteer Orientation. Anorientation for new volunteersinterested in visiting residents ofnursing homes and assisted livingfacilities with their approved petsthrough the Fairfax Pets On Wheelsprogram is held the first Wednesdayof every month starting at 7:30 p.m.Visit www.fpow.org for each month’slocation. Prior to attending, pleasecomplete the online applicationfound at www.fpow.org/volunteer.www.fpow.org, 703-324-5424 [email protected].

Carolina Shag. Wednesdays, 6:30-10p.m. at Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge,8421 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Freelessons at 7:30 p.m. No partnersneeded. Dinner menu. $8. Under 21free. nvshag.org.

FUN-Exercise Thursdays, noon-12:50p.m. at Grace Presbyterian ChurchFamily Room, 7434 Bath St.,Springfield. Inova certified exerciseinstructor leads a moderate levelexercise class with music and currentevents conversation. Muscle, Balance,Strength Training using stretch bandsand weights both standing andseated exercises. Instructor donationis $5. [email protected] or 703-499-6133.

Exercise Program Mondays andFridays at 9:30 a.m. year-round atLord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. Theexercises are for strength, balanceand maintaining limberness. ContactSCFB office at 703-426-2824 formore information.

Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe).Wednesdays. 8:15-9:15 a.m. JewishCommunity Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike,Fairfax. Shalom (hello) Did youalways want to converse in Hebrew?Join Na’ama each week forconversational Hebrew. You willlearn and practice Hebrew in a fun

and interactive way while learningmore about Israel. Free, however weask that you try to attend regularly.RSVP [email protected].

Smoke Free Bingo. 7 p.m. EveryFriday. Fairfax Volunteer FireDepartment, 4081 University Drive,Fairfax. Free coffee, entertainingcallers, $1,000 jackpot (with breaksfor smoking friends).www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

English Conversation Groupsweekly at George Mason, BurkeCentre, and Lorton Libraries Practiceand improve your English. Day andstart times vary. Visit:va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp

Funday Monday 10:30 a.m., everyMonday at Old Town Hall, 3999University Drive, Fairfax. There willbe music, movement, storytelling,performances, crafts, and more. It isopen to children of all ages, howeverespecially for those who haven’t yetstarted school. Programs are free andopen to the public, donations aregratefully appreciated. There isample free parking in the downtownarea, and stroller access at the rear ofOld Town Hall on Main St. 703-385-7858 www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 21-25Junior Golf Tournament. The

Hurricane Junior Golf Tour will hostthe Laurel Hill Jr. Shootout at theLaurel Hill Golf Club. This year theLaurel Hill Jr. Shootout will hold anactive field of 72 players. Thetournament will consist of a 36-holetwo-day format and golfers willcompete in six divisions. The event isopen to the public and free forspectators. Visit www.hjgt.org, call407-614-2962, or [email protected].

THURSDAY/MARCH 22Teacher Basketball Game. 6:45-

8:15 p.m. at Fairfax High School,3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. The stafffrom two different elementaryschools will play a basketball game toraise money for charity. $3. Visitwww2.fcps.edu/MosbyWoodsES/ orcall 703-937-11600.

FRIDAY/MARCH 23Sushi Fest. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Bluefin

Tuna cutting, noon; at Wegmans,11620 Monument Drive, Fairfax.Sushi Fest, a celebration of Japanesecuisine at Wegmans, is bringing theexcitement of Tokyo’s famed Tsukijifish market to customers in the store.A large space within the Market Caféwill be transformed by ice tablesfilled with stunning displays of exotic

fresh fish flown in overnight fromTokyo. Admission is free. Visitwww.wegmans.com/events/0318/sushi-fest.html.

B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638 for more.

Family Movie Night: “DespicableMe 3.” 7 p.m. at SherwoodCommunity Center, 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Enjoy a free,family friendly (movies are PG)movie night. An adult mustaccompany anyone under the age of14. “Britepaths” Food Drive at FamilyFun Nights. Britepaths is a volunteer-based organization that identifiesand addresses the unmetfundamental needs of Fairfax arearesidents. Call 703-385-7858.

The Bonita Lestina Old Town HallPerformance Series. 8 p.m. at OldTown Hall, 3999 University Drive,Fairfax. Marc Ramirez and OliviaHajioff form the violin and violin/viola duo Marcolivia. Free and opento the public, first-come, first-servedbasis. Call 703-385-7858 or visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 23-24The 2018 Mason School of Dance

Gala Concert. 8 p.m. at GeorgeMason University Center for the Arts,4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax.George Mason University’s School ofDance presents its 2018 MasonSchool of Dance Gala Concert, whichis the Mason Dance Company’scrowning season event. The programfeatures four exceptional works fromthe contemporary repertoire: Mass byDoug Varone, Within Reach by YinYue, Flesh by Iván Pérez, and ABrahms Symphony by Lar Lubovitch.$25 for adults; $15 for students,staff, and seniors; and $10 for groupsof 10 or more. Visit cfa.gmu.edu fortickets.

SATURDAY/MARCH 24Easter Egg Hunt. 9 a.m.-noon at

Franconia United Methodist Church,6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria.Come Join FUMC for a freecommunity Easter Egg Hunt withcandy, refreshments, and a bake sale.Toddlers (5-7 years old) will huntfirst around 9:30, followed by earlyelementary school children (8-10)and finally the older school children(11-12). Free. Call 703-971-5151 orvisit franconiaumc.org.

By David Siegel

The Connection

Performing works byrenowned choreographers, the MasonDance Company’s

crowning season event is com-ing to the Center for the Artsfor two performances the eve-nings of March 23 and 24. TheMason performances will be fullevenings of dance by talentedMason students performingtechnically demanding, in-tensely driven works

“We are excited to show thepublic what Mason dancers cando,” said Professor of DanceSusan Shields. Before Mason,Shields had a career that in-cluded dancing with MikhailBaryshnikov’s White Oak DanceProject as well as the LarLubovitch Dance Company andthe Mark Morris Dance Group.

Mason’s Dance Gala Concertwill feature four contemporaryworks including Massºby DougVarone,ºWithin Reachºby YinYue,ºFleshºby Iván Pérez,andºA Brahms SymphonyºbyLar Lubovitch. These four “pro-vide our Mason students withthe opportunity to learn differ-ent dance languages, tech-niques and working methods,”said Shields.

Doug Varone’sº“Mass” is anintensely intimate, emotionallyinsightful work, said Shields.Beyond work for his own dancecompany, Doug Varone andDancers, he has been commis-sioned to develop choreographyby notable dance companiesincluding the Martha GrahamDance Company and Paul Tay-lor Dance Company.

“Within Reach”ºis by chore-ographer and performer YinYue who is originally fromChina. She is now the Artistic

Director of her own the NewYork-based company calledYYDC. Recipient of manyawards and fellowships, Yin Yueis known for originating the“Folk Contemporary” style in-spired by earthy elements ofroot, wood, water, fire, andmetal.

Spanish choreographer IvanPérez’s emotional work, ”Flesh”was inspired by Keith Douglas’spoem “Knife.” It has a narrativeabout memory, loss, andlove.ºPerez has helmed his ownNetherlands-based dance com-pany INNS. Next season, he willserve as Artistic Director, DanceTheater Heidelberg (Germany).

The Mason Dance Concert’sgrand finale isº“A BrahmsSymphony”ºby Lar Lubovitch.It is a masterwork that pre-miered three decades ago, andset to Johannes Brahms’s “Sym-phony No. 3.” Lubovitch haschoreographed more than 100works for his company, as wellas done creative work for filmand musical theater produc-tions.

George Mason Universitydance student and Virginia na-tive Julianne Kannon, praisedthe Mason School of Dance forbeing challenging. “I rememberthinkingºhowºlucky I would beif I got into the program. I am sothankful to have been given theopportunity to perform” at thisyear’s Mason Dance Concert.

Mason Dance Gala ConcertReady for Prime Time

Lighting Up the Stage

Where and When2018 George Mason University

School of Dance Gala Concertfeaturing the Mason Dance Com-

pany at Center for the Arts, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. Perfor-mances: March 23 and March 24, at8 p.m. Tickets $25 for adults; $15 forstudents, staff, and seniors; and $10for groups of 10 or more. To pur-chase tickets visitºwww.cfa.gmu.eduor call 703-993-8888.

Susan Shields,Professor ofDance, GeorgeMason Univer-sity, College ofVisual andPerforming Arts

Photo by

Evan Cantwell/

Courtesy George

Mason University

Fairfax Band ConcertThe City of Fairfax Band presents a program designed to make you want to get

on your feet and dance away the winter blues. Selections range from Weinberger’sclassic Polka and Fugue from “Schwanda the Bagpiper” to Ira Hearshen’s Aragon:1945-1952, a collection of popular dances from the post-WWII swing era. $10-15,students free. Saturday, March 24, 7:30-9 p.m. at Ernst Cultural Center, 8333 LittleRiver Turnpike, Annandale. Call 571-336-2322 or visit www.fairfaxband.org.

Photo courtesy of CFBA


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News

On a recent Saturday, Deloitteprofessionals volunteered theirtime and expertise to help areaindividuals and families file 2017tax returns at their 11th AnnualCommunity Tax Assistance Day.The event was held at the FairfaxSkillSource Center in Annandale.

Each year the mission of theevent is the same: To ensure thatqualified earners claim all taxcredit to which they are entitledand enjoy the cost savings of nothaving to pay out-of-pocket for theservice. And, there’s more to thatstory.

Amir, a young professional juststarting out in the computer busi-ness, came to the event with hismom. With his return in hand, he

stopped at the Volunteer Fairfaxtable. He pronounced with a bigsmile, “I am so happy with thisservice today! I want to volunteer!I want to give back!” Amir’s momfollowed up saying, “I drove Mealson Wheels all through college.Maybe we can do that.”

To learn how everyone canserve, visitwww.volunteerfairfax.org.

For those unable to attend theDeloitte sponsored Volunteer In-come Tax Assistance program,VITA is active throughout the in-come tax filing season. In North-ern Virginia, VITA is marketed asthe CASH campaign. For moreinformation, visitwww.nvacash.org.

The event was held at the Fairfax SkillSource Center inAnnandale.

Deloitte Community Tax AssistanceDay:More than 90 Returns Filed

Pho

to

by A

ngela Starlin

g


News

Robert Allen Law IV, ofSpringfield, has earned the BoyScouts of America’s highest ad-vancement award, the EagleScout Award. A member ofTroop 1518, Law is one of onlyapproximately five percent ofall Boy Scouts who attain theEagle rank.

Law earned his Eagle rank onJan. 29, 2018.

His Eagle Scout Court of

Honor was held Feb. 25, 2018 atthe Pentagon.

Law is a parishioner at NativityCatholic Church, Burke, and is amember of the football team, crewteam, and orchestra at WestSpringfield High School, where heis a sophomore.

He is the son of Col. Robert Law,Eagle Scout, and Sandy Law, andbrother of Nicholas and MatthewLaw, also scouts.

Springfield’s New Eagle Scout

Robert Law

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ntributed

Sangster Elementary Schoolheld its 3rd annual PTA sponsoredScience Fair and Invention Con-vention on Thursday eveningMarch 15. More than 180 studentsfrom kindergarten through sixthgrade participated in preparing130 science projects. Topics in-cluded: “Teeth Destroying Drinks,”“French Fry Fun,” ”Home Made

Radar,” “Bath Bomb Bonanza” and“Lenticular Science.”

Maj. Gen. Charles Frank BoldenJr., (USMC-Ret.) former NASAHead Administrator and spaceshuttle pilot, was the honoredguest at the fair.

He signed autographs, viewedscience projects and had a 30minute “Q&A” session with the stu-

dents.NASA educational outreach

brought activity sheets, patchesand drawstring bags.

Other activities/booths includeddisplays from the Northern Vir-ginia Mineral Club, Origami in sci-ence, the US Patent and Trade-mark office and hands-on plasmaball demonstrations.

Maj. Gen. Charles FrankBolden Jr., (USMC-Ret.)former NASA Head Ad-ministrator and spaceshuttle pilot, was thehonored guest

More than 180 students from kindergarten throughsixth grade participated in Sangster Elementary Sci-ence Fair and Invention Convention.

SangsterElementaryHolds ScienceFair and Inven-tion Convention

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ntributed


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

... was the length of time during which wewere powerless a few weeks back when thewind nearly brought down the house; yet it wasno laughing matter. I might have written thiscolumn sooner but until Tuesday, March 6 –when the power finally came back on, we weresemi-frozen to the bone. The old-fashionedthermostat in our living room indicated 42degrees at its most frigid.

Aside from the obvious physical discomfort– made a bit more bearable while wearing hats,gloves, coats and scarfs – inside, the toll thecold took on my mental acuity was much lessmanageable. My brain still worked, but notovertime. It was, to invoke a “Star Trek” refer-ence: “On impulse power,” somewherebetween barely functioning and imminentdanger.

This power outage was the most significantwe had experienced at “Belly Acres” in the 26years since we took ownership in late May1992. And though this four-day non-sojournwas difficult, it was for us not a return downpower-outage lane. We have been lucky in ourtime here; very little has upset the apple cart.Considering the hundreds of trees that surroundour house, and the many thuds they all madeas they fell and hit the ground that extremelylate Friday night/early Saturday morning, themiracle is that not one of them hit the house, oreither of our two cars parked in the driveway.

I wouldn’t say I woke up in the morning tofind our house relatively unscathed because asof 3:30 a.m. when I felt the house shudder forthe first time, I never was able to fall backasleep as I kept bracing myself for incomingtrees and limbs. Given the potential damageand hassle a direct hit likely would havecaused, a power outage seemed a minor incon-venience, all things considered.

As it happened, when the power came backon, I was not at home. I was en route to theGlenmont Metro station in Wheaton to pick upDina. When I came to a stop at “Kiss andRide,” I looked at my cell phone and noticed a“missed call” from one of my neighbors. Iimmediately called back and soon heard myneighbor, Helene, singing “We’re in heaven,...,” with the explanation – not in verse – thatpower had returned to New BirminghamManor (the official name of our 10-home dead-end street). BG&E, our utility company, hadfinally come by to cut/trim the tree that hadbeen uprooted in the storm and fallen acrossthe power line which electrifies ourneighborhood.

As difficult as it had been for some of us, ithad not been nearly as difficult for the fourneighbors who had generators and thus wereprepared and able to keep the lights on and theheat circulating. One of whom was kindenough to call around the neighborhood andoffer hot showers as well as refrigerator andfreezer storage to anyone interested. Given thatthe previous week was a post-chemotherapyweek for me when I’m not eating much andshopping at supermarkets even less, we hadminimal food in the freezer - all of whichended up being a loss, and a bit less than usualin the refrigerator which, after putting the con-tents into two coolers filled with ice, ended upbeing a gain.

Oddly enough, I haven’t re-inventoried therefrigerator/freezer as yet. I don’t know if I’mbeing paranoid or just plain lazy, but I haven’tfelt inclined to stop and shop, not even at theGiant. I imagine the feeling will pass becauseafter eating out every night; some fast, someslow, over the last week or so, I’m probably wayover our imaginary budget and way under pre-pared for the next go around. But as is oftenheard on basketball courts on playgrounds allover America: “No harm. No foul.”

The four days without power weren’t par-ticularly pleasant but we survived the ordealnonetheless and may have even learned some-thing in the process: our long underwear stillfits.

Almost ExactlyFour Days ...

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

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept.30? If so,

contact your child’s school to make arrangementsfor kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begingetting information together now for parents ofincoming kindergartners, and many host anorientation or open house. All kindergartenprograms are full-day and located in FCPSelementary schools. Check your school’s webpageor contact the school directly for specificenrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDThe Fairfax Station Railroad Museum needs

volunteer docents on Sunday afternoons from 1-4p.m. Greet museum visitors and tell them aboutthe exhibits, the Museum and the its railroad andCivil War history. Training and orientationprovided. Other volunteer opportunities aregardening, publicity and exhibit planning. TheMuseum is located at 11200 Fairfax Station Roadin Fairfax Station. Call Michael at 703-945-7483for more information.

THURSDAY/MARCH 22Hire Vets Now Networking Reception. 11:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Fort Belvoir CommunityCenter, 10300 Taylor Road. Transitioning servicemembers and veterans will have the opportunityto connect with many of Virginia’s top civilianemployers in high growth industries such asmedical, IT and cyber security at the Hire VetsNow hiring and networking event. Free. Includesa free “Grab and Go” lunch. Walk-ins welcome orregister at www.vachamber.com/hirevetsmarch22.

Springfield CBC Commuter Parking GarageMeeting. 7 p.m. at Edison High School,Cafeteria A, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. Todiscuss the Springfield Community BusinessCenter (CBC) Commuter Parking Garage project.County staff will present the revised ground floorplan and answer questions. Sponsored by FairfaxCounty Department of Transportation andDepartment of Public Works and EnvironmentalServices. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/projects/springfield-garage.

Springfield District Budget Town Hall. 7 p.m.at Springfield Governmental Center, CommunityRoom, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. The newCounty Executive and CFO will be in attendance.

Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/fy-2019-budget-town-hall-meetings.

FRIDAY/MARCH 23Good Friday Meditation. 7-8 p.m. at Unity

Spiritual Center of Springfield, 8136 Old KeeneMill Road, Suite B205, Springfield. Meditation toa Compline Service with sacred music. Free. Call703-623-5400 or visitunityspiritualcenterofspringfieldva.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 25Palm Sunday Experience. 10:30-11:30 a.m. at

Unity Spiritual Center of Springfield, 8136 OldKeene Mill Road, Suite 205, Springfield. A specialexperience celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entryinto Jerusalem and the major events of HolyThursday. Special music provided. Free. Visitunityspiritualcenterofspringfieldva.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 25-SUNDAY/APRIL 1Holy Week Worship. At King of Kings Lutheran

Church, 4025 Kings Way, Fairfax. Palm Sunday,March 25 - 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; MaundyThursday, March 29 - 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March30 - 12:15 and 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday, April 1 - 8a.m. and 10 a.m. Visit www.kofk.org or contactthe church office 703-378-7272.

MONDAY/MARCH 26Learn About Becoming a Foster Parent. 7-

8:30 p.m. at Lorton Library, 9520 RichmondHighway, Lorton. For those who have made thedecision to open their home to a child or simplywant to learn more. To foster or adopt, peoplemust be 18 or older; may be married, single, ordivorced; may work outside the home; and mustbe able to provide a safe, loving home. Call 703-324-7919.

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