del. eileen filler-corn (d-41), governor ralph...

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com May 24-30, 2018

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What a Day for a 5KNews, Page 7

Sink or Float at the Cardboard Boat Regatta

Summer Fun, Page 9

Signing a Bill on Boundaries of Privacy

News, Page 2

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), Governor Ralph Northam and the Farbstein family at the signing cere-mony for Filler-Corn’s bill requiring family life educa-tion curriculum to incorporate teaching on personal privacy and personal boundaries of other individuals.

2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ May 24-30, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

On Wednesday, May 16, Governor Ralph Northam signedDel. Eileen Filler-Corn’s (D-41) bill, HB 45 in the Cabinet

Conference Room of the Patrick HenryBuilding in Richmond.

This legislation will require any fam-ily life education curriculum offered inany elementary school, middle school, orhigh school to incorporate age-appropri-ate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the importance of thepersonal privacy and personal bound-aries of other individuals and tools for astudent to use to respect the personal

privacy and personal boundaries of otherindividuals.

This legislation builds upon Del. Filler-Corn’s legislation signed into law from pre-vious years including HB 2257 (2017),which provides that schools can teach aboutthe law and meaning of consent, HB 1709(2017), which requires principals to notifyparents if their child is a part of a bullyinginvestigation, as well as HB 659 (2016),which requires any high school family lifeeducation curriculum offered by a localschool division to incorporate age-appropri-ate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the prevention of dat-

ing violence, domestic abuse, sexual harass-ment, and sexual violence.

“HB 45 tackles two major priorities ofmine, combating sexual assault and bully-ing,” said Filler-Corn. “This bill is all aboutprevention,” she added, remarking that ifthe first time students learn about these is-sues is a college orientation, then it is toolate.

Filler-Corn was joined in Richmond byBrandon Farbstein, a young activist whoseharrowing tale of being bullied was a par-tial impetus for this bill. Representativesfrom the Sexual Assault Resource Agency,the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence

Action Alliance, YWCA Richmond andHanover Safe Place were also on hand forthe signing.

This is not the first time Filler-Corn hasintroduced this bill. She introduced a simi-lar measure in 2017 (HB 2406), whichmade it to the floor of the House of Del-egates before being re-referred to the HouseEducation Committee where it was left forthe duration of the Session. However, thisyear was different. HB 45 passed out of theHouse of Delegates and the Senate floorsunanimously during the 2018 General As-sembly Session. The law will take effect onJuly 1, 2018.

Governor Signs Del. Filler-Corn’s Privacy, Boundaries Bill

Del. Filler-Corn, Governor Ralph Northam and the Farbstein family atthe signing ceremony for Filler-Corn’s bill.

Del. Filler-Corn (right) watching as Governor Northam signs her bill.State Sen. Jennifer McClellan is on the left.

Photos contributed

Burke Connection ❖ May 24-30, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Ashley Claire Simpson

The Connection

Despite the surge in parentingadvice and information resources, some of the mostspirit-breaking defeats happen

when plans go astray, leaving parents sud-denly without the means to meet even themost basic needs of their children. Parentsin these situations count on community sup-port.

And for a considerable number of moms,this kind of support comes from the nationalmoving company Two Men and a Truck.Every spring, in the weeks leading up toMother’s Day, Two Men and a Truck loca-tions all over the country — including thethree Northern Virginia franchises — holdtheir Movers for Moms campaigns. Throughthis charity drive, they collect donations formothers in shelters.

“During this year’s Moving for Moms cam-paign, we collected around 1,200 dona-tions.” said Gabby Bonilla, marketing coor-dinator for Two Men and a Truck. “It wasan overall really successful charity drive thatended May 4, so we were able to drop offall the donated items to the shelters wepartnered with, all in time for Mother’s Day.They were thrilled because this isn’t the timeof year when they get a lot of donations.We were happy to provide things so thatmoms could have a decent Mother’s Day.”

BONILLA organized Movers for Moms thisyear on behalf of all three Northern Virginialocations of Two Men and a Truck — in Ar-lington, Herndon and Springfield. A na-tional franchise, the business has had a lo-cal presence since the Springfield locationopened in 2013. The local team held its firstMovers for Moms campaign in 2014, so itdidn’t take the local franchise long to startconducting nonprofit work alongside thegrowing business.

“One of my favorite quotes is RonaldReagan’s line, ‘We can’t help everyone, buteveryone can help someone,’” Bonilla said.“This is my second year hosting the drivein this area and what I love about it, be-sides making a difference in the commu-nity and helping those in need, is getting tomeet more people and businesses in theNorthern Virginia area with my team. Lastyear, our team collected a little over 1,000donations. Our goal this year was to sur-pass that, and next year, even more so.”

As part of this movement to honor moth-ers, Two Men and a Truck partners withbusinesses that then become designateddonation drop-off locations. This year, therewere 19 of these spots around the area.

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

On the other side of the equation, TwoMen and a Truck also partners with localhomeless shelters, where the donations willultimately go. For the campaign, they askfor everyday items — the things so manypeople take for granted.

“With Northern Virginia being such a highincome metropolitan area, our communityis able to help by donating items that weuse every day,” she said. “Something as littleas canned food, or toiletries, can make ahuge difference in someone else’s world.This year we got a lot of baby wipes. Weknew the shelters we partnered with neededa lot of baby care items and perishable food,so we specified this need to the community.”

The shelters they worked with this yearare run by FACETS and Bridges to Indepen-dence, both non-profit organizations de-voted combating poverty and assisting thosein the throes of it.

“Sullivan House provides individuals andfamilies with a safe, supportive place tostay,” said Jeanette Norton, director of de-

velopment for Bridges to Independence,said. “Sullivan House is Arlington County’slargest emergency shelter for families ex-periencing homelessness. The shelter, with10 one- and two-bedroom apartments, canaccommodate up to approximately 14 fami-lies at a time. The median length of stay isthree months. While at Sullivan House,families not only receive the support theyneed during a time of crisis, but the toolsand resources that will propel them towarda better future.”

According to Bridges to Independence,homelessness is often an “episodic” plight.The staff and volunteers work hard to ad-dress the root of the problem so that whenthe people they directly help move awayfrom homelessness, it will remain in therearview mirror. The whole process startswith meeting people’s basic needs, so themany donations from Two Men and a Truckthey welcomed this month were significant.

“The path from homelessness to indepen-dence is not easy, and requires ongoing sup-

port and assistance,” Norton said. “This isBridges’ third year as a beneficiary of theMovers for Moms campaign. We’re verygrateful to Two Men and a Truck for theircontinued support of our mission and ourcommunity’s most vulnerable families. Lastyear, Sullivan House provided a safe havenfor 40 families, and we’ve already surpassedthat number this year. Donations like thosegiven through the Movers for Moms cam-paign are critical to supporting our mission.”

THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR that TwoMen and a Truck contributed to FACETS.While this added partnership was indeed asuccess, Bonilla sights are set on an evenmore impactful drive next year.

“This year went great, and I know it’llcontinue to get better every year we dothis,” Bonilla said. “Now that we’ve wrappedthis year’s Movers for Moms, I’m hoping toaffect more mothers in shelters, and I’mhoping to establish more donation loca-tions. We’d also like to host more eventsnext year, similar to one we did this yearwith the Boys Scouts of the Capital Area.I’d like to plan more of these events becauseit’s a good way to get a lot of the commu-nity behind the cause.”

It was one mother’s idea that launchedTwo Men and a Truck as a business morethan 10 years ago, so it’s only fitting thatthe company would pour so much heart intoa nationwide initiative for moms.

“Two Men and a Truck was started by amom, Mary Ellen Sheets, whose sons wouldassist the local neighbors with their mov-ing needs in a pickup truck,” Bonilla said.“The first profit she made, she donated to alocal women’s shelter. Even though it’scalled Two Men and a Truck, it’s mainly runby women, who hold management andownership titles within the company. It’ssymbolic, really, because none of us wouldbe here without our moms.”

Annual campaigncoordinated byTwo Men and a Truckfranchises.

Movers for Moms Supports Families in Shelters

Local franchises of Two Men and a Truck conducted its Movers for Momscampaign to collect donations for mothers living in shelters.

The nonprofit Bridges to Independence in Arlingtonreceived donations from the Movers for Momscampaign.

The nonprofit FACETS received donation from theMovers for Moms campaign.


By Andrea Worker

The Connection

“Things went so well last year,so we’re back! Bigger andbetter than ever!” said MegHart, office manager for

Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART),and one of the organizers of the Pups andPints 5k and the Dogfish Head AlehouseAfter Party held on Sunday, May 20, to ben-efit the Fairfax Station-based nonprofit.

Event co-chairs Carolyn and Thom Jonesstarted this HART fundraiser to honor theirbeloved dog Marigold, a HART “alum,” whosuccumbed to lymphoma in 2011. “It’s away to remember a great friend and helpother animals find their forever homes,”said Carolyn.

THINGS GOT STARTED back in 2012,when Dogfish Head Alehouse at 13041 LeeJackson Highway in the Greenbriar TownCenter generously agreed to partner up withHART in Marigold’s memory. Thom Jones,who works at the casual dining restaurant,said that the first time out, three hours weredevoted to raising funds for the charity.

“Dogfish Head has been a real supporter,”said Thom. For the 2018 edition of theevent, the Alehouse turned over 10 percentof their day’s proceeds, from 10 a.m. – 10p.m.

In addition to the dollars from sales, Dog-fish Head turned the parking lot in front oftheir establishment into a street fair scene.Tents to cover bars, live music, a raffle formultiple prizes, games, and plenty of foodand drink on offer to make supporting a

worthy cause all the more enjoyable.Co-chair Carolyn, who works at Praxis

Engineering Technologies in Chantilly, wasproud to give kudos to her company. LikeDogfish Head Alehouse, Praxis has beensupporting this HART event for years. Withdonations from Praxis, HART is able to of-fer customized t-shirts for sale with the pic-tures of shelter animals who have beenwaiting the longest to find an adoptive fam-ily. This year’s t-shirt features a sun-glass-wearing, 14 year-old “over-looked friend”named Tiger Lilly.

Of course, before the “after party” – whichwas open to the public - could begin, themain event of the day had to take place:the Pups and Pints 5K.

Again, encouraged by how well their in-augural attempt at running a race had gonelast year, the HART group opened registra-tion beyond the 2017 cap of 200. Accord-ing to the staff at Race Wire who handledthe timing duties, about 250 runners hit the

starting line. Also new to this year’s eventwas the addition of four-legged runners and“cheerleaders.”

The race took off and ended behind theTotal Wine and More store, and the 5kcourse was supervised by Fairfax CountyPolice officers for the safety of the runnersof both species.

Some of the furry participants had beenin training for today’s race, like 3 year-oldRosie, another adoptee from HART, whowore her own race bib as she ran the coursewith her human partner, Karen Orozco, for-merly of Centreville.

Some of the canine contestants lookedlike they were born for the competition,despite the heat and humidity of race day.Others had to be encouraged. “Ok. She wasawful,” laughed Sean Smyth, about runningcompanion Lily, causing his family to con-tradict him vociferously. “Really. I’m sure Icould have finished first if I didn’t have todrag her along,” he joked.

STILL OTHERS got to enjoy the outingwithout lifting a paw as they were wheeledalong the course in strollers and carts, likeBella, the bulldog.

However they crossed the finish line -running, walking, or wheeled - there wasa bottle or bowl of water and a commemo-rative button awaiting the finishers.

HART is a 501(c)(3) charitable organi-zation. They are a no-kill animal rescue/support group, working with local veteri-narians, foster homes, kennels and trainersto provide temporary housing and carewhile they seek out “loving, carefullyscreened forever homes.”

“With volunteers, donations, and gener-ous support at events like these, we canuse almost all of our funds directly on theanimals,” says Meg Hart, noting that in thelast fiscal reporting period, 98.1 percentof those funds went directly to benefit thethe dogs and cats.

All-day event benefitsFairfax Station-basedHomeless AnimalRescue Team.

Pups and Pints 5k and After Party

News

And they’re off! Two and four-legged race contestants start the 5k Pupsand Pints race to benefit HART – the Homeless Animal Rescue Team –and continue caring for and re-homing dogs and cats.

Rosie wore her own bib for the 5k race. After all, HART is her ‘almamater,’ though these days she shares a home with Karen Orozco, for-merly of Centreville, who drove over from Leesburg for the event.

Co-chairs of the event, Meg Hart from HART, andCarolyn Jones cheer the runners to the finish line.Jones started this fundraiser with her husband Thom,to honor their dog Marigold, a HART adoptee, whopassed away in 2011.

And the winner – by a longshot – of the 2018 HARTPups and Pints 5k was Steven Voltz of Richmond, whosaid visiting his nearby family “was nice, but I’mreally here for the race and the good cause!”

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection


Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

Victoria Figueroa came tothe South County softball program in 2015 asa shy freshman search-

ing for her voice.During her four seasons as a

varsity starter, Figueroa has foundthat the long ball is her preferredmethod of self-expression.

Now a senior, Figueroa, SouthCounty’s all-time home run leader,used the championship stage toshare her talents with rival LakeBraddock..

Figueroa’s fifth-inning grandslam erased a two-run deficit,Briana Cole drove in the winningrun in the bottom of the seventhand the Stallions captured the Pa-triot District title with a 5-4 vic-tory over Lake Braddock on Mon-day at South County High School.

THE STALLIONS trailed 2-0 inthe bottom of the fifth inningwhen Figueroa stepped to theplate with the bases loaded and

two outs. She jumped on a first-pitch change up from Bruinssophomore Mia Haynes andlaunched it over the fence in left-center field.

“I saw that she had been throw-ing a lot of girls change ups firstpitch, and if she knows who I amas a batter, she knows change upsaren’t my favorite pitch,” Figueroasaid. “I kind of had something inmy head tell me, hey, watch thechange up first pitch. I made surethat I saw the pitch all the way

through in the perfect spot to loadback and hit it as hard as I can.”

The blast sailed more than 220feet and out of one of the deepestparks in the region, giving the Stal-lions a 4-2 lead.

It was Figueroa’s fourth homerun of the season and the 15th ofher career — the most ever by aSouth County player.

“[Setting the South Countyhome run record] was probablymy biggest goal to achieve in myentire high school career,” she

said. “I remember coming in as afreshman being very intimidatedby the older seniors playing var-sity for the first year and I knew Ihad to make a voice. I had to showmyself [and] explain who I am. ÉI [went] from the shy girl who didnot speak at all my freshman yearÉ to someone who wants to makea stand (and) make my nameknown.”

Figueroa’s blast energized theStallions, who to that point hadbeen shut out and managed justthree hits off Haynes.

“From the first few innings when[the Bruins] were up, we werekind of down, didn’t have the en-ergy to pick it back up,” SouthCounty catcher Emma Yates said.“And then once Vic hit it out, wewere up in the dugout, we werescreaming for whoever was up. Wejust got a lot of momentum afterthat and a lot energy which car-ried us [through the game].”

Figueroa would be named Pa-triot District tournament MostValuable Player.

“She just sees the ball really

well,” South County head coachGary Dillow said. “É Everythingshe swings at she swings at witheverything she’s got, but she’s gotsuch a good eye. She doesn’t swingat bad pitches.”

While Figueroa’s blast wasclutch, it was not a game-winner.Lake Braddock tied the score at 4-all in the top of the sixth whenoutfielder Erica Brasher delivereda two-run single. South Countyloaded the bases in the bottom halfof the inning but failed to score.

The Stallions again loaded thebases in the bottom of the seventh— this time with nobody out —and Cole drove in the winning runwith a grounder to the right sideof the infield.

It was South County’s first dis-trict/conference championshipsince 2016.

SOUTH COUNTY will host thewinner of Mount Vernon andWoodbridge in the second roundof the Region C tournament at6:30 p.m. on Friday. LakeBraddock was scheduled to hostT.C. Williams in the opening roundon Wednesday, after TheConnection’s deadline.

Figueroa’s Grand Slam Revives SoCo in District Championship GameStallions overcome early deficit to beat Lake Braddock on Monday.

Photo by Jon Roetman

The South County softball team won the Patriot Districtchampionship with a 5-4 victory over Lake Braddock onMonday.


Opinion

By John C. Cook

Braddock District Supervisor

Prom and graduation sea-sons are upon us, andthese are the biggestlandmarks in our teens’

lives so far. While it is certainly atime for celebration, it is also atime for parents to ensure thesafety of these young adults. Iwant to ask all parents to keep our communitysafe by not hosting parties teen parties withalcohol and speaking to your children aboutthe dangers of drunk driving.

The way parents raise their own kids in theprivacy of their homes is their business. How-ever, when other children are involved andgiven alcohol, it becomes a community con-cern and threat to public safety. Through amotion I presented, the Board of Supervisorsunanimously directed our Police Department

to arrest parents who host partiesfor minors where alcohol isserved. If you are caught hostingone of these parties then you willbe arrested and sent to jail.

There is no responsible way tohost a teen party with alcohol. Notonly are teens underage, but teenbrains are more negatively im-

pacted by alcohol than an adult’s. The devel-oping mind already has a tendency to take risksand not perceive consequences for their ac-tions. When one introduces alcohol to this situ-ation, the risky behavior goes into overdriveand puts our young people in a dangerousposition. Teens are also more likely to bingedrink, which creates an even greater risk totheir health in the short and long term. At itsworst, teen drinking can result in drunk driv-

ing, assault, drug use, teen pregnancy, injury,or even death. When parents provide youthwith alcohol, they are jeopardizing thesechildren’s lives.

Every year we hear stories about devastat-ing accidents caused by teens driving underthe influence after prom or graduation. It isnot something that just happens in other neigh-borhoods. These accidents happen in our ownbackyards. Nationally, 10,497 people died in2016 from drunk driving accidents. Fifteenpercent of those accidents were caused by driv-ers under 21. A single accident like this is onetoo many.

That is why it is up to us as parents to setgood examples to our children. We have toset clear rules and expectations for them tofollow in this season of celebrations. Talk toyour teens about the dangers of drinking.Make it clear that if they drink and drive orgo to these underage drinking parties they arerisking their future.

Keep Teens Safe for SummerCommentary

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

As the General Assemblyheads back into SpecialSession on May 23 to con-

tinue work on the biennium bud-get impasse, I looked back at howlong we’ve been fighting to ex-pand Medicaid — the major stick-ing point in our current budgetstandoff. Here’s what I wrote inSeptember 2014 — nearly fouryears ago!

“Recently the New York Times editorial boardwrote about the ‘health care showdown in Vir-ginia.’ Their comments were not favorable. ‘InVirginia, there are 400,000 low-income peoplewho can’t afford health care coverage but don’tqualify for federal subsidies,’ they wrote. ‘Ifthey lived across the state line in Maryland,West Virginia or Kentucky, which have ex-panded their Medicaid programs, they couldget the coverage they need.’ The reason theycannot; ‘a group of recalcitrant Republicans inthe House of Delegate’ have blocked Medicaidexpansion at every opportunity.”

Highly regarded retired editorial writer forthe Virginian Pilot, Margaret Edds, wrote aboutthe current impasse in Virginia two weeks ago.Drawing on her extensive command ofVirginia’s history, Edds points out that Virginiawas the last state to join Social Security in the1930s. She argues that there is a moral im-perative that “we cannot afford to take thisrisk” of not expanding Medicaid. She writesthat “designing a health care system that em-braces everyone is the right thing to do.” Restonresident, Elliot Wicks, in a recent letter to theeditor makes the same argument that closingthe coverage gap morally is the right thing todo.

In an unprecedented move, theVirginia Chapter of the AmericanAssociation of Retired People(AARP) called a press conferenceto announce that letters sent bythe Speaker of the House andother Republican lawmakers totheir constituents over age 60 con-tained “inaccurate informationabout changes in Medicare.”

These letters from Speaker Howell and otherlawmakers implied that expanding Medicaidin Virginia would hurt Medicare beneficiaries.“Expanding Medicaid to uninsured Virginianswon’t harm the Medicare program or its ben-eficiaries,” the AARP spokesperson said.

Revenues for the Commonwealth are ex-pected to fall short of projection for this yearby as much as $300 million. Ironically, Virginiais losing $5 million a day amounting now tothree-fourths of a billion dollars paid by Vir-ginians that could be returned to the statethrough Medicaid expansion. The money could

not be used to balance the budget in the cur-rent year, but in future years more than $200million that Virginia pays for indigent care fromits general tax revenue could be paid by Med-icaid.

State and local chambers of commerce, medi-cal and health care associations, and editorialboards of the major newspapers in the statehave endorsed Medicaid expansion. A majorcompromise in the form of Marketplace Vir-ginia, proposed by three Republican senatorsand endorsed by all Democratic legislators, hasbeen introduced. The compromise proposed inMarketplace Virginia addresses the Republi-cans’ stated concerns by including a provisionto discontinue the program if the federal gov-ernment reneges on its commitments. It is timefor Republicans in the House of Delegates toagree to the compromise. Their insistence onseparating Medicaid from the state budget is acostly stalling tactic that is hurting a large num-ber of Virginians and threatens to hurt evenmore if the budget stalemate continues.

While the players have changed—it’s nowSenate Republicans resisting Medicaid expan-sion—the song remains the same.

The More Things Change,the More They Stay the Same

Commentary

Send Father’s Day PhotosFather’s Day is Sunday, June 17, and once again this newspaper will publish a gallery

of Father’s Day photos.Every year at this time, we put out the call for photographs of fathers and their

children, grandfathers and their children and grandchildren.Send in photos with the following information: the town where you live, the names

of everyone in the picture, the approximate date the picture was taken, the ages of thechildren and a sentence or two about what is happening and where the photograph wastaken. Be sure to tell us your town name and neighborhood. Photos are due by June 12.

You can submit your photos online at www.connectionnewspapers.com/fathersday.You can also email photos to [email protected].

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T A B E R N A C L E

By Taylor J. Gouterman

The Connection

There were gray skies accompanying a Saturday morning full of rain, muddy terrain and a run down a 3.1-mile lane, butthe spirits remained high for the coordi-

nators and runners. The cause: The Phillips Programsfor Children and Families hosted its first ever 5K tosupport one of their programs, Food for Thought.

Phillips is a non-profit organization that accom-modates families and children with special challengesin a school setting, tailoring classrooms and facili-ties to fit individual student needs. There are 360students who attend the four locations in NorthernVirginia and in Maryland.

The Food for Thought program helps provide foodfor families below the poverty line.

According to Director of Development DebiAlexander from McLean, more than half of thePhillips students live below the poverty line.

“School lunch programs are provided by the De-partment of Agriculture,” Alexander said. “So, thefees we get from the government cover a bulk of our

funding, but we still need to raise the $30,000 a year.”The winner of the 5K was Dennis Billings, from

Woodbridge, who finished the run in 23 minutes and47 seconds. He received a first-place medal that was3-D printed by some of the Phillips students, as wellas $50 cash.

Ben King, 16, is a student from Alexandria withinone of the Phillips facilities also ran in the 5K. Hefinished with the fourth-highest time among all malerunners, clocking in at 30:15.

“I’ve been trying to be physical, be active,” Bensaid. “It’s about doing well, staying active — it’s justthe thrill of doing it.”

Abby Williams, who came up four hours fromHuddleston, Va., placed first in the women’s divisionat 27:50. She said she decided to participate in therace while coming up to see her brother.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Williams said. “I really enjoy run-ning, and it’s something I do every weekend. I’m try-ing to bring down my time and keep winning.”

One runner, Uma Marques from Leesburg, cameto represent a family whose daughter recently diedin a forest fire in India.

“She was someone who was interested in specialeducation for children,” Marques said. “Her wholefamily is out at a 5K in India in order to thank Debiand Phillips for this honor.”

The next Phillips 5K will take place during the fallof 2019 at Accotink Park in Springfield.

“It’s just down the street from our school, so that’swhy we’re moving it there,” Alexander said.

Phillips hosts 5K atBurke Lake Park forFood for Thought.

What a Day for a 5K

Abby Williams, fromHuddleston, won firstplace among women’srunners in Phillips’ 5Kbenefiting Food forThought.

Uma Marques, from Leesburg, eagerlyanticipates running in Phillips’ 5K onbehalf of Anu Vidya, who advocated forchildren with special needs but died in aforest fire in India.

Dennis Billings accepts first place forwinning the Phillips organization’s firstever 5K, shaking hands with Director ofDevelopment Debi Alexander, from McLean.

News

Photo by Taylor J. Gouterman/The Connection


Calendar

See Calendar, Page 11

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

ONGOINGFree Fitness Classes. May is National

Fitness and Sports Month. Tocelebrate, Fairfax Jazzercise isoffering seven days of fitness at nocharge through May 31. Participantspick their start date. The seven daysdo not have to be consecutive. Thisoffer is good at all three locations:Mott Community Center, 12111Braddock Road; Gesher Jewish DaySchool, 4800 Mattie Moore Court;and the JCC, 8900 Little RiverTurnpike. This offer also includesFairfax Zumba at the MottCommunity Center. For

more info call 703-909-6449, [email protected], or visit

www.jazzercise.com.Art Exhibit: House, Sky and Abyss.

Through June 24, gallery hours atWorkhouse Arts Center’s VulcanMuse Gallery, 1st Floor, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. House, Skyand Abyss is a solo exhibitionfeaturing Gerardo Camargochronicling the relationship betweennatural environment and socialconstructs. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

Art Exhibit: Candy for the Eye,Food for the Soul. Through July 8,gallery hours at Workhouse ArtsCenter’s Warrior Way Gallery, 1stFloor, 9518 Workhouse Road, Lorton.Gene Moty, a retired Air Forceofficer, creates contemplative,whimsical paintings using traditionalmaterials. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

The Sunday Farmers’ Market.Through Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at

10500 Page Ave., Fairfax — oneblock from West and Main streetsbehind the Wells Fargo Bank andadjacent to the Historic FairfaxCounty Courthouse. Visitwww.fairfaxsundaymarket.com.

Saturday Community Farmers’Market. Through Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-1p.m. at 10500 Page Ave., Fairfax —one block from West and Mainstreets behind the Wells Fargo Bankand adjacent to the Historic FairfaxCounty Courthouse. Visitwww.fairfaxsaturdaymarket.com.

Farmers Market. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m. at Springfield Town Center.6699 Spring Mall Drive, Springfield.Visit www.facebook.com/SpringfieldFoodworks/.

Second Saturdays. 6-9 p.m. at theWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. The

Second 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: $5

per 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 funand 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.

FRIDAY/MAY 25Rock the Block: Reagan Years.

6:30-9:30 p.m. at Old Town Square,3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Thisfamily-friendly, free concert series,takes place fourth Fridays, May-October, and features live bands,

Providence Players Present‘California Suite’Liz Mykietyn as Millie Michaels and Dave Wright asMarvin Michaels in the Providence Players production ofthe Neil Simon comedy “California Suite” on stage at theJames Lee Community Center Theater June 1 thru June16, 2018.

Photo by Chip Gertzog,

Providence Players


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Celebrating Life’s Little Pleasures

Our 22nd Year in Burke, 1996-2018

Serving BreakfastSaturday 8-11 AM & Sunday 8 AM-3PM

New Location Opening Soon!

Crazy watercrafts will again be put to thetest as Lake Accotink Park hosts the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on SundayJune 3, 2018.

Who will sink and who will float? Come to thepark to find out which of the wacky creations willsail to victory.

Boats assembled for the cardboard flotilla will bejudged between 9 and 10:30 a.m. on their creativity,design and crew members. The judging categorieswill be: Most Likely to Float, Titanic (most likely tosink), Best Costume (most creative attire and boat),Team Spirit (most spirited team), and Pride of theRegatta (most spectacular cardboard boat entry).

Awards will be presented between 10:45 and 11a.m., and the races will immediately follow from 11a.m. to about 2 p.m.

To register a cardboard boat, visit the Park Author-ity website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink/ and download the registration form.Fill out the form and fax or mail it to Lake AccotinkPark along with your registration fee. The form canalso be found on the Springfield Days website.

Due to anticipated crowds, a one-day parking feeof $5 applies to all vehicles entering Lake AccotinkPark the day of the regatta. Due to the scale of theevent, no vehicles will be permitted in the parkinglot at the marina.

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park

Road in Springfield. For more information call 703-569-0285.

Web: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/park-news/2018/psa130

It’s Time to Sink or Float at theCardboard Boat Regatta

Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection

The anaconda-themed “Snakeinator,”made it back to the beach, and the sailorskept dry in Cardboard Boat Regatta 2017.

Summer Fun


National Trails Day this year will featurea ribbon-cutting ceremony for Chessie’sTrail at the Lee District Family Recreation Area. This event will also mark

the completion of the fully-accessible, award-win-ning park facility that is designed to assure thatpeople of all ages and abilities can play together.

Members of the public are invited to attend theribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 2, 2018,at 2 p.m. It will include brief remarks by park offi-cials and light refreshments.

Chessie’s Trail is an interactive and fully accessiblepark trail designed specifically for children but canbe enjoyed by all. It includes stepping blocks, a mu-sic garden, rock steps, a nest seating area, spinningrocks, a stone abacus, a log stone secret path, and aboardwalk. You can stop along the trail and discoveranimals native to the Chesapeake Bay area and ani-mal tracks as you enjoy a quiet walk through thewoods.

The Lee District Family Recreation Area also offersOur Special Harbor sprayground, an accessibletreehouse, Chessie’s Big Backyard playground, a car-ousel with a Chesapeake Bay theme that allows chil-dren in wheelchairs to move up and down, as wellas ‘round and ‘round, and several picnic shelters.

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the NationalTrails System Act as well as the Wild and Scenic Riv-ers Act. Join the celebration by simply getting outon the trail.

Partial funding for Chessie’s Trail was made avail-

able from the Federal Land and Water ConservationFund which annually funds parkland acquisitions anddevelopment throughout the United States and isadministered by the Virginia Department of Conser-vation and Recreation

The Lee District Family Recreation Area is testi-mony to the power of Park Authority partnershipswith the community. More than 80,000 people en-joy Our Special Harbor every summer thanks to thehelp of the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund, which hasbeen supporting county parks for 20 years throughcontributions to the Park Foundation. This year, theorganization is adding four new attractions to thewater playground to help celebrate its 20th anniver-sary.

“We are an immensely proud partner of Paola andBob Pizzano, founders of the Joey Pizzano Memo-rial Fund (JPMF) in loving memory of their son,Joey,” said Park Foundation Executive Director BobbiLongworth. “Hundreds of individuals combined mod-est donations totaling $10,000 to dedicate ‘Soar,’ theChessie’s Carousel eagle as an expression of appre-ciation for JPMF’s outreach through our parks.”

The Lee District Family Recreation Area is locatedat 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. For more infor-mation about the park, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/recenter/lee-district/family-recreation-area. For more information aboutthe ribbon-cutting, please contact the Public Infor-mation Office at 703-324-8662 or [email protected].

Fully-accessible park designed for people of all agesand abilities to play together.

Celebrate National Trails Day atNew Children’s Trail June 2

News


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

As I sat on the couch Saturday morning withmy wife, Dina, and pretended not to watch orlisten – too attentively, anyway, to the “fairy tale”wedding of the former Meghan Markle and thecurrent Prince Harry, in Windsor Castle on May19, I was reminded of my own wedding, pro-posal, courtship and introduction to Dina, datingback to November 1976 when we first met. (I’lltry not to self-indulge too much; it’s boring Iknow.)

After graduating undergraduate school in May1976, I moved back home to Boston, and beganlooking for work. Upon receiving an offer fromthe now-defunct Prince Georges Post to write aweekly column, I returned back to Maryland inlate summer and moved in with my brother,Richard. Unfortunately, after meeting with theEditor-in-Chief, I was informed that due to arevenue shortfall, the tabloid was shrinking itspage count to 32 from 40, and with it my col-umn and budget for it was shrunk as well. At thatmoment, my Art Buchwald-type dream was over.

Though living with Richard in his one bed-room apartment and sleeping on his living roomcouch was not costing me much money, it washardly the ideal transition to post-college life Ihad anticipated. I needed to find a job and myown place to live. Soon after speaking with mycollege buddy, “Mot,” my housing and job statuswould change. I moved in with him into a grouphouse in Potomac, where one of his roommates,Rick, was a lunch manager at the Sir WalterRaleigh Inn Restaurant in upper Georgetown.

Always looking for daytime staff, I was imme-diately hired and within days began my new job.On my first day, I drove in with Rick. After park-ing behind the restaurant, we walked in the backdoor, through the kitchen and into the diningroom. Rick looked around at the various employ-ees doing their pre-lunch set-up, saw Dina to hisright and said: “Dina, train the new man.” Afterspending the morning together, she thought I wasweird; I thought she was stuck-up. Amazing howlittle has changed. Six months later we weredating.

I remember the exact circumstance when Itold Dina that I loved her. We were driving northon Connecticut Avenue past the Avalon Theatreheading into Chevy Chase Circle. While round-ing the Circle, it just hit me so I said it: “Dina, Ithink I love you.” I don’t recall how Dinaresponded but my ill-timed delivery didn’t seemto be a problem.

A few months after that, another awkwardprogression toward our getting married. We weresitting in a sub/pizza place called C.J.’s located inthe Cabin John Shopping Center having a casuallunch. While we were talking and eating, itstruck me that I wanted to ask Dina to be mywife. Without too much thought or preparation –and with no ring – I grabbed my paper placematand wrote a proposal on it – in the margins, if Irecall, and then slid it around toward Dina forher to read. Again, I don’t remember too muchabout her reaction other than her answer was“Yes.”

A year or so later, we were married – twice.Due to our differences in religion, we agreed tobe married by a judge, for whom Dina’s mater-nal grandmother had once worked. Five weeksafter the invitations had been mailed and fivedays before the wedding, we went to visit thejudge to discuss the service. After we made ourin-person introductions and exchanged pleasant-ries, the judge says to us with as serious a look ashe could muster: “I can’t marry you on Sunday.”

A moment of silence/horror passed betweenus. “What!?,” we murmured politely. Then hesmiles reassuringly and says: “I’m a Pennsylvaniajudge. I can’t legally marry you in Delaware onSunday. (Another collective gasp as we’re tryingto process what we’re hearing.) He goes on: “Justcome by my chambers on Friday and we’ll do itlegally. Then on Sunday, I’ll do it for show.” Theresult: two wedding-anniversaries, Oct. 20 and22, one year though: 1978.

Harry and Meghan may have their “fairytale,” but we have our funny tale; still being toldalmost 40 years later.

Oh Happy Daze

From Page 8

Calendar

beer garden, and city restaurant vendor booths.Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Childrencan wear swim suits and bring towels and enjoythe spray pad. No Pets allowed except serviceanimals. Call 703-385-7858 or visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/rocktheblock.

B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 4081University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoy free coffee,entertaining callers, a friendly atmosphere,$1,000 guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good food available forpurchase. All proceeds go to purchasing fire andrescue equipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.com orcall 703-273-3638 for more.

Friday Night Campfires. 7:30-9 p.m. at HiddenPond Nature Center is located at 8511 GreeleyBoulevard, Springfield. Each campfire event willfeature a new topic and a different area of thepark will be explored. Learn about animals,insects, plants and more. End the evening withs’mores by the campfire. $8 per person. Call703-451-9588 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hidden-pond.

SATURDAY/MAY 26Vegetable Plant Clinics. 10 a.m.-noon at

Franconia Park, 6432 Bowie Drive, Springfield.Learn about growing nightshade plants(tomatoes, etc.). Fairfax County MasterGardeners will add a focus on vegetablegardening to their Plant Clinic program.Sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension.Contact the VCE Fairfax County MasterGardener Help Desk at 703-324-8556

SUNDAY/MAY 27Ride of the Patriots. Meets at Patriot Harley-

Davidson on Lee Highway in Fairfax. Some4,000 motorcyclists will gather to pay tribute toAmerica’s servicemen, women, and veterans toraise awareness of American POW and MIAsoldiers of all wars. The parade of bikers willfollow a route to the Pentagon where it will joinwith thousands of other bikers from around thecountry and the world for the 31st annual“Rolling Thunder.” The Ride of the Patriots isorganized by the Fairfax Harley Owners’ Groupand Patriot Harley-Davidson. Visitwww.rideofthepatriots.com.

Reading Circle and Activities. 1:15 p.m. and2:30 p.m. At the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. Reading circle for “That DadblamedUnion Cow,” the children’s story based on a real-life case of a cow that adopted Union soldiersduring the Civil War. The museum will be openfrom 1-4 p.m. Admission: Museum members andages 4 and under, free; ages 5-15, $2, ages 16and older, $4. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR. Call 703-425-9225.

BHS General Meeting. 3:30-5 p.m. at PohickRegional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road,Burke. Jon Vrana will present “Accotink — Mill,Village,

Creek, and Camp.” Learn about this creek as well asthe mill and village that developed alongside.Free. Email [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

TUESDAY/MAY 29Storytime in the Park. 10:30 a.m. in Old Town

Square, 10415 North St., Fairfax. In associationwith Fairfax County Public Library. Weatherpermitting. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov for more.

“Genealogy In-Depth.” 7 p.m. in the largemeeting room of Burke Centre Library, 5935Freds Oak Road, Burke. Beach Carré will finishup his “Genealogy In-Depth” series. In keepingwith the centennial exploration of World War I,he’ll cover military records, pension records, andsome odds and ends. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

THURSDAY/MAY 31-SATURDAY/JUNE 2Summer Book Sale. Thursday, 1-3 p.m. (Friends’

members only – join at the door), 3 - 9 p.m.open to all; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10a.m.-5 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250Commerce St., Springfield. Get books forsummer reading at bargain prices. Thousands oflike new books. Funds raised support adult andchildren’s programming at the Richard ByrdLibrary. Admission is free. Call 703-451-8055 ormail [email protected]


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