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Pet ConnectionInside

SeniorLiving

Page 9

City Adopts Its 2035Comprehensive PlanNews, Page 3

‘A Whole World Of Diverse Cuisines’News, Page 4

Loyalty With No Bounds

Pet Connection, Page 2

Ron Gird shares a photo taken during a winter storm in Fairfax in their front yard: “Our daughter, Michelle, and her loyal companion, Fen-way, love to go out into the snow to play and enjoy the ‘white stuff.’ Fenway follows Michelle everywhere she goes. Even though Fenway would rather sit in her lap in front of the warm fireplace watching TV, loyalty has no bounds and no limits.”

2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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“Loving People to Life”

Fairfax-based cat adoptiongroup, Pets Bring Joy, haslaunched a brand-new adoptionhabitat called CatnipHaven at thePet Supplies Plus retail store at11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax. The8 x 10 screened enclosure providesa comfortable setting for rescuecats and kittens and human visi-tors alike to interact in hopes offinding a “purrfect” match.

Just six years ago, Fairfax countyresident Jacquie Barker estab-lished Pets Bring Joy, the non-profit (501)(c)(3) rescue organi-zation. Inception to date, PetsBring Joy has rescued and foundloving forever homes for morethan 1,500 homeless animals.

The new adoption center at PetSupplies Plus in Fairfax is whatBarker hopes to be just the begin-ning of a larger, granderCatnipHaven™, possibly in avenue of its own. A larger cage-free shelter and adoption centerwill enable the group to host com-munity service events as well asto establish sources of businessincome to complementfundraising efforts.

A spacious environment like theCatnipHaven™ adoption habitat ismuch healthier for a cat than one

where cats live in small cage en-closures, says Barker. “Visitingmultiple cats and kittens in a re-laxed, communal environmentwill make it easier for prospectiveadopters than having to go fromfoster home to foster home in

Pets Bring Joy Launches New Cat Adoption Venue

search of the perfect kitty compan-ion, which has been the case pre-viously,” she said. “If you love cats,please plan on visiting our newvenue – we hope that you’ll findthe purrfect feline companion toadopt or foster.”

Pet Connection

Photos contributed

The first two cats enjoying a new adoption venue at PetSupplies Plus at 11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax.

Moppy Goes Shopping “Our little Maltese mix, Moppy loves to accompanyus on errands and waits patiently in the car.” —Shari and John Zamarra of Fairfax

Fairfax Connection ❖ February 28 - March 6, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsFairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Comprehensive Plan, Page 10

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

In the City of Fairfax, it’s the PlanningCommission’s responsibility to planfor the City’s future development.Toward that end – and after three

years of work, information-gathering, inputfrom a wide variety of sources and count-less revisions – it created Fairfax’s 2035Comprehensive Plan.

The extensive document even comes withan implementation guide, advising Cityentities on how best to carry out its recom-mendations. And following a Feb. 12 pub-lic hearing, the City Council adopted it.

Planning Commission Chair JanetJaworski officially presented the document,saying, “We believe this is truly a forward-thinking, aspirational plan that’ll guide theCity in achieving its vision over the next 15-20 years.”

Mayor David Meyer then thanked thePlanning Commission and everyone elsewho worked on this detailed roadmap forthe Fairfax’s future, saying, “This has beena long journey.” And the City’s PlanningDivision Chief, Paul Nabti, explained themain components of the plan to the Coun-cil members.

He said its creation was a team effort bythe Planning Commission, City Council,Community Development and Planningstaff, City boards and commissions, resi-dents, business owners and other stakehold-ers, such as GMU. In fact, one of the rec-ommendations is for Fairfax and GMU toformalize an agreement between them-selves.

The Comprehensive Plan’s overall visionstatement is: “In 2035, the City of Fairfaxhas a strong, sustainable economy to sup-port a vibrant 21st-century community.” Inthe document, 14 guiding principles areorganized into five chapters: Land Use,Multimodal Transportation, Environmentand Sustainability, Economic Vitality, andCommunity Services.

HIGHLIGHTS of the 14 principles and rec-ommended actions to achieve them are asfollows:

*Land Use: A mix of development types,plus high-quality design, should maintainthe City’s unique character as it evolves.They should complement the surroundingsand contribute to an “attractive, accessibleand economically viable” place.

*Neighborhoods: Preserve the variousneighborhoods’ appeal by making sure infillhousing fits in with the surroundings andexpanding pedestrian networks to increaseconnectivity.

*Commercial Corridors and Activity Cen-ters: Flourishing centers of commercial andmixed-use activities including restaurants,cafés, grocery stores, entertainment venues,retail stores, offices and housing. Five ex-isting commercial centers are targeted forredevelopment.

“The [former] mixed-use designation wasreplaced by ‘activity center,’” said Nabti.“The Northfax and Old Town activity cen-ters are considered the most important fordevelopment.”

*Housing: Renovate current housingstock and develop housing types not heavilyrepresented. Implement policies and pro-grams encouraging affordable housing, andexpand options for older adults and peoplewith disabilities. Said Nabti: “This plan rec-ommends specific tools to achieve more af-fordable housing in the City.”

*Community Design and Historic Preser-vation: Protect and preserve buildings ofhistoric or architectural significance andensure that adjacent redevelopment doesn’tdetract from them.

*Multimodal Transportation: Continueimproving all modes of transportation soresidents may easily, safely and efficientlymove within and between neighborhoods,either by walking, bicycling, taking publictransportation or driving. Said Nabti: “EachCity street is now listed as a particular typeand takes into consideration bicyclists andpedestrians, too.”

*Natural Environment: Implement pro-tective measures to safeguard the City’s air,water, vegetation and wildlife from devel-opment impacts and better prepare Fairfax

for natural and man-made hazards.*Sustainability Initiatives: Establish a

green building-policy for the City andachieve 100-percent renewable energy us-age in government buildings by 2035, andthe same thing, communitywide, by 2050.

*Economic Vitality: Promote develop-ment and redevelopment of CommercialCorridors and Activity Centers, plus attractnew businesses and diversity businessescitywide.

*Education: Continue offering first-classinstruction and facilities for students, pluseducational opportunities for residents ofall ages.

*Parks and Recreation: Monitor needsand opportunities for new and expandedparks and recreation facilities; and enhanceand widen program offerings.

*Cultural Arts: Study the need for newand expanded facilities and programs toserve the arts program.

*Government and Public Safety: Continueproviding high-quality services to residentsand businesses with first-class facilities andequipment.

*Infrastructure and Utilities: Exploreimplementation of advanced technologieswith regard to the City’s water, sewer, en-ergy, telecommunications, waste-removaland transportation systems.

During the public-comment portion of thepublic hearing, residents weighed in on thePlan. “I think this Plan will be a north starfor our community,” said Tom Ross, repre-senting Fairfax City Citizens for SmarterGrowth. “It’s extremely well-done and rec-ognizes the immense change going on in

and around us.” He also suggested the Cityhold an informal, annual meeting to evalu-ate how well it’s doing.

However, several residents were upsetthat, per City Council’s request, a dedicatedfunding source for the Housing Trust Fundfor affordable housing was removed fromthe Plan. Betsy Bicknell, who served on theMayor’s Advisory Committee on Housing,was one of them, and urged that it be rein-stated.

She also said the Plan should contain anumerical target for the creation of new,affordable units. “It’s impossible to measureour progress without a goal,” she explained.Noting that all the neighboring jurisdictionshave adopted affordable dwelling unit(ADU) ordinances, she said the City shouldadopt one, too.

“Provide a portion of the real-estate taxevery year to sustain a robust and dedicatedHousing Trust Fund,” said Bicknell. “It couldbe used to rehabilitate and preserve exist-ing affordable housing or to help leverageother funding streams for new construc-tion.”

She also encouraged City Council to ap-prove development projects containingADUs and to partner with ADU developersto build affordable housing. “Our target foradditional affordable housing is more than600 units,” said Bicknell. “To get anywherenear [that] requires building [them]. TheHousing Trust fund might be used to ac-quire land.”

This map shows the future land-use plan for the City of Fairfax.

Blueprint willguide futureCouncil decisions.

City Adopts Its 2035 Comprehensive Plan


News

See Restaurent Week, Page 7

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Grab your taste buds and cometo the City of Fairfax for its second annual Restaurant Week.Running from March 3-9, it will

enable diners to experience and enjoy awide range of delicious and imaginativecuisine from all over the world.

“This year, 23 restaurants are participat-ing,” said Danette Nguyen with the Officeof Economic Development. “We’ve got awonderful representation of the City, show-casing its diverse culinary scene. People canfeast on everything from classic Americanto Korean to Italian to Indian to Latin cui-sine and more.”

Participating restaurants include:ºHighSide, Hamrock’s, 21 Great American Bistro,

Coyote Grille, Crazy Crab, Bellissimo, TheAuld Shebeen, The Wine House, Marumen,Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar,Curry Mantra, Ornery Beer Co., TandooriNights, Kim’s Kitchen & Bar, Zandra’sTaqueria, Pampa Sa-Zone, 29 Diner, Patri-ots Pub & Grill, Epicure Café, SeniorTequila’s, P.J. Skidoos, Courtside Thai andMeojka Meojka.

During Restaurant Week, which beginsthis coming Sunday, each restaurant will beoffering special, fixed-priced menus. Thesethree-course meals will cost $20 for lunchand $35 for dinner. For details of what eachrestaurant will serve, go to https://www.fairfaxcityrestaurantweek.com/.

“Restaurants are places where people ex-perience community, where they spend timewith their families and friends when hav-

ing a meal together,” said Fairfax MayorDavid Meyer. “These eating establishmentsare perfect for our City because Fairfax is aplace where people do, in fact, affirm andcelebrate being with each other – especiallyaround a table with great food.”

“Fairfax has become a destination forhigh-quality dining for the region,” he con-tinued. “The restaurants in our City repre-sent an important part of our local economyand a significant investment by the own-ers, who decided to locate here becausethere is synergy in this creative, dining lo-cale.”

Besides all that, said Nguyen, “What alsosets our Restaurant Week apart – in addi-tion to the diverse types of cuisine – are the

Fairfax City’s 2nd annualRestaurant Week is March 3-9.‘A Whole World of Diverse Cuisines’

John Chun grills marinated ribs fora Galbi dish at Meojka Meojka.º

These steaming-hot skillet fajitasare served at Zandra’s Taqueria. Ornery Beer Co.’s Nashville Pork.

Vietnamese Steak Shabu is amongthe offerings at Kim’s Kitchen. A dish of scallops at Dolce Vita.

Photos Courtesy of Danette Nguyen


Filler-Corn’sConstitutionalAmendment forDisabledVeterans ClearsFirst Hurdle

This past Friday, Del. EileenFiller-Corn’s (D-41) amendmentcleared its first hurdle towardsbeing added to Virginia’s Consti-tution. HJ 676 would provide thatone motor vehicle of a veteranwho has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and totaldisability shall be exempt fromstate and local taxes. The amend-ment would also provide that onlyautomobiles and pickup trucksqualify for the exemption. This leg-islation was a major priority ofVirginia’s Joint Leadership Coun-cil of Veterans Services Organiza-tions and was a bipartisan effort.

“I consider it a privilege to carrylegislation for such important po-tential change to our constitution,”said Filler-Corn. “My district ishome to a large military and vet-eran population. Ensuring that myconstituents and other Virginianswho have made tremendous sac-rifices to defend our freedom canhave the independence they de-serve is a top priority for me.” TheDelegate, a member of the Gen-eral Assembly Military and Veter-ans Caucus and Leader of theHouse Democrats has also been alongtime champion of disability-related issues.

In order to change the VirginiaConstitution, amendments mustfirst pass the House and Senateduring two consecutive legislativesessions. The language cannotchange. Following General Assem-bly action, the amendment be-comes a referendum and is addedas a question on the ballot. If amajority of voters approve the ini-tiative, then the amendment to theconstitution is ratified. The earli-est this amendment could appearon a Virginia ballot is the Novem-ber 2020 election.

Photo contributed

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41)

News


Opinion

By Jenny Harrop

What would you say to having a greyhound as a pet?It needs too much space.I could never give it

enough exercise. That’s not the dog forme. That is what I thought too. Please re-consider. This past November, Florida vot-ers voted to close all of the state’s grey-hound racing tracks by the year 2020.There are 11 tracks in Florida, each withhundreds of dogs, many of whom willneed homes. So, if you are thinking ofadding a dog to your family in the nextyear, please consider a greyhound.

Many of the commonly held assumptionsabout the breed are just not true, in fact, quitethe opposite. The greyhounds have a nicknameof the “40 MPH couch potato.” While they cango 40 MPH on the track, once they retire theyare very content to lounge around the house.My greyhound gets a short walk in the morn-ing, a 30-minute mid-day walk, and a shortwalk in the evening.

People think greyhounds need a lot of spaceand fenced in yards. Would you believe theyare on the American Kennel Club’s list of bestapartment dogs? We live in a townhouse andour greyhound does just fine. They do need tobe kept on a lead when they are outside. Theyare sighthounds and can bolt after squirrels orbirds.

There are two other aspects of the breed I’dlike to highlight. First, they are incredibly sweet

and docile. People thinkotherwise because they areoften pictured in theirmuzzles at the track. Theywear these because they have very fragile skinand the muzzles protect them from injuries.Second, in terms of grooming they are verylow maintenance. A bath a couple times a yearand some brushing does the trick. They do havefast growing nails that need regular trimming,and as mouth breathers, they require regulardental care. Because they are bred and raisedat the tracks they are used to being handledby humans so vet visits are not an issue.

It is surprisingly easy to meet and adopt agreyhound. The local adoptions groups – listedbelow – frequently have “meet and greets”where you can ask questions and see somegreyhounds. Once you adopt your greyhound,the groups are very supportive. My early owner

questions were answered within 24 hours,sometimes by multiple volunteers.

So please, if you might be getting a dog soon– be sure to meet a greyhound and researchthe breed a bit. They make wonderful pets andthere are many who will need homes in thenot too distant future.

Local Greyhound Adoption Groups:Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption –

www.brga.orgVirginia greyhound Adoption –

www.virginiagreyhounds.orgJames River Greyhounds –

www.jamesrivergreyhounds.orgGreyhound Pets of America – Northern

Virginia www.gpa-nova.org

Consider a Greyhound

Photo by Joan Brady

Dutch Julie: Retiredracing greyhound.

Jenny and Ken Harrop with Julie on her “gotcha day.”

See Bulletin, Page 11

Meeting SpriteI recently visited the

Fairfax County AnimalShelter to drop off some petfood donations. In additionto seeing bunnies and themost adorable bonded pairof kittens, I also met a littlewhite rat named Sprite. Ihad no idea that rats couldbe so affectionate, curiousand sweet. Turns out ratsmake great pets and you caneven teach them tricks. Ifyou are looking for a newpet but don’t have a lot ofroom, consider stopping bythe Fairfax County AnimalShelter to see if Sprite stillneeds a home.

— Sharon Bulova

Chairman of the Fairfax

County Board of Supervi-

sors

Sharon Bulovaand Sprite

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

WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold weather

drop-in centers and shelters thatserve Northern Virginia atwww.novaregion.org/174/Homeless-Shelter-Lists.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChildren who will be 5 years old on or

before Sept. 30, 2019, are eligible toattend kindergarten. Find the correctneighborhood school by enteringyour address at boundary.fcps.edu/boundary/. Complete a packet ofregistration forms found atwww.fcps.edu/it/forms/enroll.pdf orin the school office. Gathersupporting documents: proof ofresidence in the school boundary, acertified copy of the child’s birthcertificate, parent/guardian photo ID,and any custody orders. Certificate ofphysical exam and immunization willbe required before the student maystart school, but is not required forregistration. Parents who choose todelay enrollment in kindergarten byone year are required to notify theschool in writing of their intent.Learn more at www.fcps.edu/registration/general-registration-requirements.

Bulletin Board

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@FfxConnection

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Fairfax


News

From Page 4

themed events planned for eachnight:

*Sunday, March 3 – ParticipantAppreciation: Each participatingrestaurant will beºvisited by a rep-resentative from the event spon-sors – Greater Fairfax Chamber ofCommerce, Fairfax City EconomicDevelopment Authority and/or theMayor and City Council members– and will receive aºRestaurantWeek participation plaque andfirsthand thank-yous.

*Monday, March 4 – MasonMonday: Participatingºrestaurantswill offer special, Restaurant Weekmenu prices of $18, lunch, and$30, dinner, to those who showtheir George Mason University I.D.or wear GMU gear toºlunchorºdinner.

*Tuesday, March 5 – Local Prod-uct Features: Locally sourced prod-ucts will be highlighted on themenus and in the restaurants.º

*Wednesday, March 6 – Meet theMakers: Diners will be introducedto the “makers” behind a brand orproduct used in each restaurant.

*Thursday, March 7 – CharitableGiving: Participatingºrestaurantswill donate 20 percent of that day’sgift-card sales to a local charity.

*Friday, March 8 – Live Enter-tainment: Diners will be able to

enjoy various live performers ateach restaurant.º

*Saturday, March 9 – Drink Pair-ings: A special-value, add-on,drink-pairing menu will be avail-able to diners.

Adding to the festivities, a newFairfax City Restaurant Week Appfor iPhone users will launch aheadof this year’s event. Diners mayearn points through the app everytime they eat out at a participat-ing restaurant or share their ex-periences with a social-mediashout-out. Diners who reach 10points can earn a $25 gift cardfrom a participating restaurant.º

“We want to showcase FairfaxCity as a regional dining destina-tion,” said Nguyen. “And last year’sevent was so successful that wewant to continue it and solidifyFairfax City’s great culinary repu-tation even more.”

Economic Development DirectorChris Bruno is also eagerly look-ing forward to Restaurant Week.“In Fairfax, you’re guaranteed todiscover a range of family-friendlyexperiences, independent chef-driven restaurants and a wholeworld of diverse cuisines packedinto one, historic city. Join us toexperience something new in ourcommunity, to support local andindependent restaurants and,most of all, to have fun.”

Restaurant Week

An assortment of some of Tandoori Nights’ Indian cuisine.Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection

Photo Courtesy of Danette Nguyen

Epicure Café’s entrée of falafel-hearted artichokes.


Calendar

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

THURSDAY/FEB. 28Screening: The Unafraid. 7:30-10

p.m. at Johnson Center Cinema -George Mason University, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. GMUVisiting Filmmakers Series: TheUnafraid with Heather Courtney. Thedocumentary follows three DACAstudents in Georgia over four years,growing up both American andundocumented in the United States.Free. Call 703-993-2768 or visitfams.gmu.edu/events/8588 for more.

THURSDAY/FEB. 28-SUNDAY/MARCH 3Really Really. Thursday-Saturday, 8

p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. atGMU’s deLaski Performing ArtsBuilding, A105, TheaterSpace,Fairfax Campus. When morning-aftergossip about privileged Davis andambitious Leigh turns ugly, self-interest collides with the truth, andthe resulting storm of ambiguitymakes it hard to discern just who’s avictim, who’s a predator, and who’s aFuture Leader of America. Containsadult language and situations, anddepictions of sexual violence. $20Adult, $10 students, staff, seniorsand groups. Visitcfa.calendar.gmu.edu/really-really.

FRIDAY/MARCH 1Registration Deadline: Fairfax

Adult Softball. Experience first-hand the enjoyment that only FASsoftball offers with play for adultmen and women in a number ofdifferent leagues across FairfaxCounty: Men, Women, Coed,Modified Coed, Social Coed, FastPitch, Men’s 35+, Men’s 50+ andChurch. Team and individualregistration now open. Visit us andregister online atwww.fairfaxadultsoftball.com.

Hope for the Warriors Workshop.9 a.m.-3 p.m. In Springfield. A one-day military caregiver workshop thatfocuses on self-care and mindfulnesswith activities that include: arttherapy, applied theater experiential,therapeutic yoga by Pamela StokesEggleston of Yoga2Sleep, share timewith other caregivers. Hope For TheWarriors assists veterans, servicemembers and military families with avariety of programming includingclinical health and wellness, sportsand recreation and transitionservices. Pre-registration is requiredand can be completed by emailing orcalling Dana Thompson at 646-937-1622 [email protected].

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.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 1-2Mark Morris Group. 8 p.m. Friday,

and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. AtGMU Center for the Arts, 4373Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. MarkMorris Dance Group (MMDG), one ofthe most revered contemporarydance companies performing today,returns to their Northern Virginiahome at the Center. This influentialdance company performs to livemusic by the MMDG Music Ensemblein a diverse program that includesLittle Britten; The Trout, a brand newwork set to music from Schubert’sTrout Quintet; and another of Morris’

newest works, Numerator. Cost is$50, $43, and $30. A pre-performance discussion with amember of the company begins 45minutes prior to the performance.

SATURDAY/MARCH 2Spring Brunch. 2-3:30 p.m. at Kings

Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road,Burke. Join Chef Cal Kraft towelcome spring. He’ll help plan andhost a special brunch to celebrate theseason. Adults, Teens. Free. Call703-978-5600 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/5020831 for more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 2-3Monty’s Model Train Display.

Saturday, noon-5 p.m. and Sunday,noon-4 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road, Fairfax Station. Localmodel train enthusiast Monty Smithwill display his running brick-builtmodel trains featuring LEGO trainsin this two-day event. Ages 16 andolder, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,

free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.

MARCH 2-31The Explorer’s Club. Friday-

Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. London,1879. The prestigious Explorers Clubis in crisis: their acting presidentwants to admit a woman, and theirbartender is terrible. True, thisfemale candidate is brilliant,beautiful, and has discovered alegendary Lost City, but the decisionto let in a woman could shake thevery foundation of the BritishEmpire, and how does one make sucha decision without a decent drink?This is the area premier of TheExplorer’s Club by Nell Benjamin,directed by Frank Shutts. $20-$30.Visit www.workhousearts.org formore.

SUNDAY/MARCH 3Historical Society of Fairfax

County Meeting. 2-4 p.m. at

Fairfax County Public SafetyHeadquarters, 12099 GovernmentCenter Pkwy., Fairfax. Come join theFairfax County Historical Society as ittours the new Fairfax County Fire &Police Museum. View vintageuniforms, firearms, patches, andmemorabilia. Free parking in thegarage. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.fairfaxhistoricalsociety.org formore.

Basket Bingo. 2-5 p.m. at WestSpringfield High School – Cafeteria,6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.Doors open at 1 p.m. Twenty Bingogames will be played for prizes.There will be a door prize raffle,three special games, and three raffleticket drawings. Prizes includeelectronics, a gift card tree, andmore. Food and drinks will beavailable for purchase. $25 inadvance; $30 at the door. There is noATM on site, bring cash or checks.Visit www.spartancrew.org or [email protected] for more.

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium. 2 p.m.and 4 p.m. at GMU’s Center for theArts, Concert Hall, Fairfax Campus.

Erth’s Prehistoric AquariumAdventure is an immersiveexperience that invites everyone tojump in and explore unknown oceandepths where prehistoric marinereptiles lived eons ago—and maybelive still today. $15 for Adults/$10Children. Family-Friendly.Recommended for ages 5 and up.Visit cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/erth-39-s-prehistoric-aquarium-adventure.

MONDAY/MARCH 4Mason Symphony Orchestra

Concerto Concert. 8 p.m. atGMU’s Center for the Arts, ConcertHall, Fairfax Campus. Under thedirection of, Dr. Dennis Layendecker,the Mason Symphony Orchestra iscomprised of string, wind, andpercussion players from throughoutthe School of Music, but is open forparticipation by all qualifiedmusicians pursuing any major atGeorge Mason University. $20 adults,$15 seniors, $5 youth through grade12. Visit cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/mason-symphony-orchestra-concerto-concert.

By David Siegel

The Connection

Something unique is in store for patrons of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. It is to a music and danceprogram “way off the beaten track.

I wanted to combine traditional classicalmusic with music quite removed from thosespecific traditions,” said ChristopherZimmerman, conductor and music director,Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO).

“We are collaborating with the area’s pre-mier contemporary dance company, BowenMcCauley Dance Company, whose dancerswill perform alongside three of the six piecesin the music program,” noted Zimmerman.“The choreography will be newly created forthis collaboration by their founder and ar-tistic director, Lucy Bowen McCauley.”

The FSO will be performing well-knownworks such as the Mozart Clarinet concerto,two short Sibelius pieces and an arrangementof Gershwin preludes. Then the performance“culminates in music by the young, provoca-tive Turkish composer, Erberk Eryilmaz,whose two pieces ‘concerto for wind instru-

music of his native land and its immediateneighbor, Turkey.”

Lumanovski indicated that the FSO con-cert “will be very interesting and challeng-ing at the same time. There will be threetotally different styles of the clarinet per-formed in one night with three differentclarinets. From the pureness of sound andexpression by Mozart, to the loose andswingy mood by Gershwin, and intriguingfast-changing time signatures with exquis-ite orchestration by composer Eryilmaz.”

For choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauleythe event “will be very special.” She hasdanced to Sibelius in her career. “It’s ter-rific to approach the same piece as a Chore-ographer.” Using the Gershwin piece cho-reographically is “an opportunity to hear atwist on the arrangement by the FSO.”

Bowen McCauley described composerEryilmaz’s “yogurt-maker” composition asa “very challenging piece…that’s intricateand sophisticated. Our dancers are trulyenjoying the challenge. For me, it’s a privi-lege to work with a living composer.”

Far from the traditional awaits patrons atthis distinctive Fairfax Symphony evening.

ment, piano, percussion, strings and imaginaryfolk dancers’ and ‘dances of the yogurt maker’combine the rawness and fierce rhythmic in-tensity of Turkish folk music with more estab-lished classical traditions,” said Zimmerman.

Composer Eryilmaz will be at the FSO per-formances, both overseeing his compositions’recreations and performing on piano.

Also performing with the FSO will beMacedonian clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski.Zimmerman described Lumanovski as “an art-ist of jaw-dropping technical abilities on hisinstrument(s) (he plays three types of clari-nets for this concert) and equally accomplishedin both the classical repertoire and the folk

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra brings special guests to GMU.

New Musical and Dance Journey

Photo courtesy of Jeff Malet

Bowen McCauley Dance Company’s Alicia Curtis andSidney Hampton.

Photo courtesy Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

Clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski performing with theFairfax Symphony Orchestra on March 9 at Center forthe Arts.

Where and WhenFairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) performs with

special guests the Lucy Bowen McCauley DanceCompany and clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski atGeorge Mason University, Center for the Arts, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. Performance: Saturday,March 9, 2019 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $65, $43, $39, and$25, with $15 student tickets. Purchase ticketsonline at www.fairfaxsymphony.org or by phone703-993-2787. Note: Before the concert at 7 p.m. adiscussion with the artists and FSO music directorChristopher Zimmerman.


By Marilyn Campbell

Tracy Palmer didn’t see the acci-dent, but she received a franticcall that every parent dreads:her 11-year-old son had been hit

by a car.“We were on vacation visiting my brother

and I’d gone to get coffee and my phonerang,” she said. “Mybrother told that an82-year old womanhit my son while heand a few of his cous-ins were sitting just offthe driveway drawingwith chalk. She neversaw the kids and whenshe hit my son shethought she’d hit aball, so she kept going.Thank God one of theneighbors saw it andstopped her.”

After eight days inthe intensive careunit, Palmer’s son ison the mend, but Palmer who works as anattorney in Arlington, however, is furiousthat the elderly driver was allowed behindthe wheel of a car in the first place.

Monitoring one’s driving abilities is anessential part of our overall healthcare, es-pecially as one ages. “There’s no cutoff agefor when a person should stop driving. Butas we age, our joints can become stiff, ourreflexes slow down and our ability to makesplit-second judgement calls or stop on adime can become impaired,” said DanaKilgore, MSPT. “Our bodies also become

more frail as we age,so the impact of a caraccident would prob-ably do more harm toa 85-year old than a25-year old.”

It is important forseniors and their fami-lies to pay close to at-tention to the warningsigns that it’s time toreduce one’s drivingor stop it all together,says psychologistDonna Goldstein,Psy.D. “If you noticean increased numberscratches or dents on

that mom or dad’s car, especially if they’vealways been a good driver, that could be anindicator,” she said. “Getting traffic tickets,getting lost frequently, running stop signs

or traffic lights, those are all signs that itmight be time to leave the driving to some-one else.”

Accepting the fact that it’s time to stopdriving can be difficult. “A driver’s licenseisn’t just a plastic card with a bad picturethat you keep in your wallet,” said LisaDombo, LPC, Ed.D, a marriage and familytherapist in McLean. “It means freedom andindependence. It’s hard for anyone to wantto give that up. That’s one of the reasonswhy it can be so hard for people to con-vince someone that they need to stop driv-ing.”

That is a lesson that Naomi O’Connerlearned one weekend this winter when shemade plans with friends to take in a de-signer sample sale that was happeningabout two-miles from her house. Her 86-year old mother had agreed to babysit her7 and 9-year old children. But the weathertook a frosty turn and threw her plans intoa tailspin.

“My mom lives a mile away from me andhas always been my most dependable back-up babysitter for weeknights, but when thesnow started falling, I knew that I could notlet her get on the road in that weather,” saidO’Conner who lives in Bethesda. “It was forher safety and everybody else who’d be onroad. Unfortunately, she kept insisting that

Recognizing warning signs thatit might be time to stop driving.Giving Up the Car Keys?

she would be fine and even became a littlepeeved that I was suggesting that she wastoo old. Too keep her off the road, I had toconcoct a story about one of my friendsgetting sick and canceling the plans.”

The thought of suggesting to a loved onethat it’s time to give up their car keys can bedaunting. Dombo says that there are stepsthat one can take to make such a conversa-tion less intimidating. “This is a very sensi-tive issue for many people because it meansdramatic change in lifestyle and having lesscontrol over ourselves,” she said. “It’s im-portant to be respectful and not talk to themlike they are a child. Give specific examplesinstead of making general statements andtry not to have the conversation alone. It’susually more effective to have the conver-sation with a group of family members.”

Demonstrating an understand of the whatreduced driving means is also important,suggests Goldstein. “You must show empa-thy,” she said. “This type of transition canlead to depression for some seniors. Offer-ing alternatives like gift certificates for cabrides or Uber or Lyft can be good. Comingup with a plan to remain socially active andto run errands and get to doctor’s appoint-ments. But this type of life transition is noteasy, but it is possible to live a rich, full lifewithout a car.”

Senior Living

“... a very sensitiveissue for manypeople because itmeans dramaticchange in lifestyleand having less con-trol over ourselves.”

— Lisa Dombo, LPC, Ed.D


From Page 3

News

AGREEING with her, Jim Gillespie said the great-est housing need in the City is for families earningbelow 60 percent of the area median income of$108,600. He then suggested working with FairfaxCounty to obtain more ADUs. And GMU student Jo-seph Fernando urged the Council to “Keep in mindcollege-age students who suffer from housing insta-bility.”

Diane Henn agreed with Bicknell and Gillespie,but didn’t want “too-dense development, as well asthe traffic it would bring.” And, she added, “A morevibrant center of town should be built next to theHistoric District to attract more visitors to the Cityand its businesses, southeast of Main Street, off Uni-versity Drive.”

Gary Bottorff was pleased about formalizing anagreement between Fairfax and GMU, “or else theuniversity may develop in a way we don’t like.” ColinRiley said the Plan’s objective should be improvingthe citizens’ quality of life, and he worried that theamount of new residential development consideredwould be too dense.

Afterward, Councilman Michael DeMarco made amotion to adopt the Plan, seconded by Council-woman Janice Miller. “This plan had a lot of citizen

input,” said DeMarco. “It sets the stage for the futureand will guide our – and future Councils’ – decisions,going forward. And the implementation guide givesus the ability to adapt and make changes withouthaving to amend the whole Comprehensive Plan.”

Miller thanked the Planning Commission, planningstaff and citizens for all their hard work. Council-woman Jennifer Passey said the Planning Commis-sion will keep the City in line with the new Plan. Shealso called the process creating the document “a truetestament to the close-knit community we are.”

Like DeMarco, Councilman Sang Yi said, “We needto be able to adapt and re-prioritize as the environ-ment changes, and this Plan gives us flexibility.” Coun-cilwoman So Lim said the Plan will “make our Citymore vibrant and economically viable, while main-taining its charm.” And Councilman Jon Stehle waspleased that City residents were part of the Plan’screation, from the start.

“This Comprehensive Plan doesn’t satisfy every-one,” said Meyer. “I believe the funding for afford-able housing will be addressed through the budgetprocess. And I believe the ADU ordinance will beadopted; staff is currently working on this.” Then,before the Council unanimously approved the Plan,he said, “This will be the roadmap by which we andother councils will make our decisions.”

Comprehensive Plan Adopted


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Although you can adjust your television set, it’s probably wise to have juiced the battery in your cellular phone. Better still, use your landline – if you have one – thereby prevent-ing a dropped call right in the middle of your interminable hold. Because the call you’re about

going to be made to the correct number or the correct person or at the correct time or even to the correct department.

And should you be lucky enough to reach an actual person with your call, the explanation for your call/the problem you’re attempting to resolve, will no doubt result in a transfer which most likely will not be to the correct number, the correct person, at the correct time or even to the correct department.

Unfortunately, after perusing the govern-ment’s website, you’re just not smart enough to

to call. (Is anyone that smart?) And therefore you are likely going to experience this loop-de-loop – without the upset stomach.

And what makes your attempt even worse? Hanging up, since your call might be “answered in the order in which it was received.”

Now presuming/assuming that a less-than-im-mediate solution will not be at hand, there are a few steps one should take in preparation to not make a bad situation worse:

* Allow for plenty of time. Do not make this call when you’re in a hurry, on break/at lunch or have a limited window of opportunity to complete your task. You will need to be in for the long haul, so to speak.

* Try to make this call when you’re able to sit/stand comfortably – for long periods of time. Moreover, make sure you have the privacy you need so that anything you say will not be heard (or held against you in a court of law) and any movements your body makes will likewise not be seen.

There’s something about being stuck on the phone for long periods of time waiting, waiting, waiting; talking, talking, talking; hoping (you’ll note I didn’t say expecting) to reach the right per-son and/or resolve the problem/get the answer

rarely brings out the best in the person on hold. Quite frankly, it’s been my personal experience that it brings out the worst.

In addition to having the time and the place, one must also have the patience. That patience comes from proper preparation. And by “proper preparation” I mean the creature comforts: food, water and access to a bathroom.

The order really should be reversed with

time and place, and then making the effort to navigate the government’s website looking for the proper person, phone number, department and then in the midst of any success you might have accomplishing this Herculean feat, to have that very personal need interrupt the proceedings

Common sense has to prevail or the conse-quences may be dire; you might have to start your calling process all over again. I wouldn’t wish that on any one.

There is no greater satisfaction than surviving making one of these calls, and having done so because you put all of your adult Boy Scout skills to work. There really should be badge of honor one can earn after completing this dreaded and arduous task.

In fact, there should be some kind of reward. Although I imagine reaching nirvana (not listen-ing to Nirvana) is its own reward.

Nevertheless, having survived the ordeal and endured the suffering for as many minutes as I care not to remember, I can say with absolute certainty, it’s a hell of a feeling. I wish you all well in your next pursuit of truth and justice despite the American Way.

The Following is a Test

From Page 6

Union Mill Elementary is currently registeringnew students for the 2019-20 school year. Findregistration forms in the Union Mill Elementaryoffice or online at www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/enroll_0.pdf. Call 703-322-8500 or email [email protected] to make anappointment to bring completed registrationforms and supporting documentation to school.Kindergarten Orientation will take place onMonday, April 1, 4-5 p.m.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or Railroad

History? Consider volunteering at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum. The Museum offers avariety of volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individual tocoordinate the scheduling of the volunteer staff.Training will be provided for all positions. [email protected] or call 703-945-7483 for opportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station.It is open every Sunday, except holidays, from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burkeneeds volunteer drivers for trips to medicalappointments (Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) within the Fairfax-Burke area and in the South County area (westof Route 1, Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingual volunteers(English and Spanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.

INPUT SOUGHTShaping the Future Together. Fairfax County

Government is beginning a strategic planningprocess with the community to shape the futuretogether. The goal is to hear all voices and reachall segments of the community. This effort willspan most of 2019, but in this first phase, thecommunity is being asked to visitfairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan and:

❖ Take a short five-question online survey❖ Join a community conversation in person: March

6 – Falls Church.❖ Share the survey and conversation invitation with

neighbors, co-workers and county family andfriends.

FRIDAY/MARCH 1Technology 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 1 - Technology to Support Reading andWriting: Encouraging Independence and StudentSuccess

❖ 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 2Sibshops. 9 a.m.-noon at Providence Community

Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax. The Sibshopworkshops are for children in grades 2-5 whohave siblings with special needs enrolled inFairfax County Public Schools. Meet othersiblings in a fun, recreational setting; celebratesiblings; share sibling experiences and receivepeer support; play games and more. A snack willbe provided. Registration is free, donations willbe accepted to support the cost of materials andfood. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center or call theFCPS Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941to register.

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