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Emily Siqveland offers REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Educa-tion training to community attendees.

2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ March 13-19, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Bulletin, Page 10

The County Board will hold a pub-lic hearing on a proposed per-formance agreement with Ama-zon and consider other items at

its Saturday, March 16, meeting. The meet-ing will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Due to anticipated public interest in theproposed performance agreement withAmazon, the board encourages those whowish to comment at the public hearing tosign up in advance online. Advance sign-up will close at 4 p.m. on March 15. Ad-vance online sign-up speakers will be calledfirst, in the order in which they are received.Speaker forms will be available at the meet-ing starting at 8 a.m., and may be submit-ted to the Clerk before the first speaker onthe agenda item is called.

The board meets in Room 307 on the thirdfloor at the Ellen M. Bozman GovernmentCenter, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

All County Board meetings are live-streamed on the county website, and broad-cast live on the county’s cable channel, ATV,with live captioning. Residents can watchthe board meetings on Comcast 25 & 1085(HD), and Verizon FiOS 39 & 40, or live-streamed on YouTube. Videos of Board meet-ings are archived on the county website(with captions and reports) and on YouTube.

The board will hold a public hearing, at 1p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, andconsider adopting a pay-for-performance in-centive package for Amazon. In November,2018, the company announced its plans tobuild a second headquarters in Arlington.

If approved, the performance packagewould grant the company up to 15 percentof net new hotel tax revenues associated withincreased business travel to Arlington relatedto the Amazon headquarters. The grant willbegin to be paid out in the second year ofthe performance period. Its total value over15 years is estimated to be $23 million. Thetax is paid by tourists or business travelerson the total cost paid on hotel rooms or otherpaid lodging in the county.

The county also would agree to set asideup to 50 percent of the growth in incremen-tal tax revenue in the existing Crystal City,Potomac Yard and Pentagon City Tax Incre-ment Financing Area for up to 10 years tofinance public infrastructure projects serv-ing, or near, Amazon’s headquarters. Thevalue of this revenue is projected to be $28million over 10 years. Amazon is expectedto create 25,000 jobs with an average an-nual salary of $150,000, and to occupy 4million square feet of office space in Arling-ton by 2030. The county estimates that the

16-year cumulative gross tax benefit to Ar-lington from Amazon’s expected growthhere will be $342.26 million.

The board also will hear public testimonyand consider adopting changes to the Zon-ing Ordinance and local child care codesrelated to the county’s Child Care Initiative.

The proposed Zoning Ordinance changesaddress topics related to center-based andfamily-based child care programs including:child care definitions; maximum number ofchildren and development review processfor family day care homes; family day carehome use standards; child care center park-ing requirements; and other changes.

The proposed changes to Chapter 52 ofthe Arlington County Code incorporate theVirginia Department of Social Services(VDSS) Standards for Licensed Child DayCenters (with the exception of teacher-to-child ratios, group sizes, and lead teacher

qualifications). The proposed changes toChapter 59 of the Arlington County Codeincorporate the VDSS Standards for Li-censed Family Day Homes (with the excep-tion of teacher-to-child ratios).

The board also will consider authorizing ad-vertisement of public hearings before the Plan-ning Commission and the board in April on theproposed update of the Master TransportationPlan’s Bicycle Element, and to amend the MTPMap section “Arlington County Bike and TrailNetwork.” The Bicycle Element of the MTPguides long-term transportation planning, in-cluding future project concepts for Arlington’sbicycle transportation infrastructure.

The board also will consider a proposedlicensing agreement with WMATA that willallow Arlington to run ads for the county’spublic art, and cultural events such as theRosslyn Jazz Festival, on new digital screensin Metro stations.

Estimated $51 million pay-for-performance incentive package proposed.Board To Hear Comments on Amazon HQ at Public Hearing

SOBER-RIDE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAYFree Sober Rides. Sunday, March 17, 4 p.m.

through Monday, March 18, 4 a.m. Arearesidents, 21 and older, may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost (up to $15)

safe ride home. WRAP’s St. Patrick’s DaySoberRide promo code will be posted at 3 p.m.on March 17 on www.SoberRide.com.

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

Bulletin Board

Arlington Connection ❖ March 13-19, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsArlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

See Narcan, Page 11

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

A dummy stretches out on a longtable in the front of the trainingroom in the Fairlington Commu-nity Center. Twenty-three attend-

ees filter in to REVIVE! Opioid Overdose andNaloxone Education for Virginia, which istraining offered by the Virginia Departmentof Behavioral Health and DevelopmentalServices. Folders on training and informa-tion are waiting for them.

“We get the Naloxone (Narcan) from thestate for free and if you stay the whole train-ing, we give you two doses to take with you.Narcan is the only effective response toopioid overdose. However, it doesn’t workon non-opioids such as cocaine,” EmilySiqveland said. “You are required to fill outa form so the state can keep track but feelfree to use an alias. I’ve given Narcan toMickey Mouse a couple of times.” Siqvelandis assistant program manager, SA Residen-tial Services & Office Based Opioid Treat-ment for the Arlington County Departmentof Human Services (DHS.)

Since the first of July last year she hashosted 25 Narcan training sessions with atotal of 367 individuals.

They have trained drug court treatmentclients, Shelter residents and staff, DHSstaff, Marymount public safety and studentsas well as held open trainings five times foranyone in the community. She says the goalis to train everyone in Arlington. “We trainanyone. We don’t ask why they are here,”Siqveland said. “We are willing to scheduletrainings for any groups of communitymembers or organizations. We just ask thatthere be five people at the training.”

Opioids are a class of highly addictivedrugs used to reduce pain. They includeprescription opioids like oxycodone, mor-phine and fentanyl as well as illegal opio-ids like heroin — or the street names likemonkey, apache, fizzles, smack or kicker.

In 2014, “we weren’t even tracking opioidoverdoses,” Siqveland said. “In 2015 therewere 10 overdoses with four fatal but by2016 there was a huge spike all the way to45 with 12 fatal and by 2017 that numberwas 74 with 19 fatalities. I’m happy to sharein 2018 the number was down to 53 totalwith 42 non fatal overdoses and 11 fatali-ties-we think because of the use of Narcan.”

Detective Charles (Ed) Bane who discov-ered the surprising increase in opioid num-bers in 2015 credits the ready availabilityof Narcan: “We’re seeing more and moreNarcan on OD victims and others arrested.”But he also credited outreach that makesthe public more aware.

Siqveland said: “The overdoses cut acrossgender, age and ethnicity with 22202,22204 and 22207 as the Arlington zip codeswith the largest number. It cuts across north

and south Arlington, too.” She says highschool students have pill parties where theybring a pill from their parents’ medicine

cabinets and pass them around. “They don’tknow what they are getting.” She points outArlington County has three permanent se-cure drug take-back boxes at police head-quarters and two fire stations which acceptmedications and prescriptions. They are away for residents to clean out the unneces-sary pills from a medicine cabinet.

Siqveland says American Society of Ad-diction Medicine defines addiction as aswitch from a positive to a negative rein-forcement, transition from “want” to use to“need” to use, development of tolerance andpsychological dependency, and as a chronicand relapsing disease. Today’s training is notjust about how to administer Narcan butabout recognizing the symptoms of an over-dose, how Narcan works, and how to re-spond.

SIQVELAND EXPLAINS state laws pro-vide protection from civil liability if a per-son administers Narcan and things don’t gowell. Another law allows law enforcementofficials to carry Narcan. However, she ex-plains, Arlington County police don’t carryit because all EMTs have it, and they arrivefirst on the scene.

Siqveland says there are three ways toadminister Narcan. She demonstratesENZIO, an auto injector that is insertedagainst the middle of the inner thigh,through clothing if necessary, and held forfive seconds. There are two nasal alterna-tives but the preferred option is NARCANNasal Spray, which is administered to theperson while on their back, head tilted withfull dose administered in one nostril. Wheneffective, this puts the OD victim into in-stant withdrawal “which is very unpleas-ant.”

Ann Marsh, EMT/Fire battalion com-

mander for Arlington County, said, “OurEMTs titrate the dose of Narcan so the vic-tim starts breathing again but to avoid theimmersion reaction of instant withdrawal.They work it up from .4 to 2.0.

Martha Andom who assists with the train-ing explains the myths about overdose re-versal. She says there are a lot of things seenon TV shows that are bad advice.

OVERDOSE MYTHS:❖ Do not put the person in water or an

ice bath.❖ Do not induce vomiting because they

aren’t conscious and could choke.❖ Do not try to stimulate the person with

a hard slap or kick.❖ Do not inject with foreign substances

like salt or milk.Andom says Narcan works by having

stronger affinity to the opioid receptors thanthe opioid so it knocks the opioid off for ashort time and lets the person breathe again.It has no potential for abuse and will haveno effect if accidentally administered or self-administered as in the case of a child.

Siqveland says NARCAN Nasal Spray isavailable at pharmacies in Arlington and allacross Virginia without a prescription. Butshe adds that some pharmacies don’t knowthat. She holds up a sheet of paper, whichshe advises a person to bring to the phar-macy. It indicates that due to the naloxonestatewide standing order pharmacists canfill NARCAN Nasal Spray without an indi

Symptoms of Overdose❖ Pale, clammy skin❖ Breathing infrequent or stopped❖ Deep snoring or gurgling (death rattle)❖ Unresponsive to any stimuli❖ Slow or no heart rate or pulse❖ Blue lips and/or fingertips

How to Respond❖ Check for responsiveness by pinchingan earlobe or rubbing the sternum.❖ If no response, administer naloxonewith a needle or nose spray, which willlast 35-40 minutes.❖ Place individual in a recovery positionon the side to enhance breathing andprohibit choking.❖ Call 911 and tell them as much as youcan.❖ Turn person over on back and initiaterescue breathing 1 breath every fiveseconds for three minutes if person hasnot yet started breathing.❖ Assess recovery and administer secondnaloxone if needed.❖ Apply “I have received Naloxone”sticker to the person’s hair or clothing.Be prepared to comfort them until helparrives because if the treatment is work-ing the person will go into withdrawaland may vomit, start swearing, or comeout punching.

The role of Narcanin opioid overdoses.

Narcan Saves Lives in Arlington

REVIVE! Training gives a freedouble dose of Narcan to eachattendee who finishes the class.

An attendee at Narcan trainingdemonstrates the procedure foradministering Narcan to an over-dose victim.

Emily Siqveland holds up a fact sheet that indicates anyone in Virginiacan get Narcan without a prescription from a pharmacy.


Opinion

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@ArlConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Steven MaurenEditor

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Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

Shirley RuheContributing Photographer

and [email protected]

Eden BrownContributing Writer

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ADVERTISING:For advertising information

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Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales

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David GriffinMarketing Assistant

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Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

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Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

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Editor in ChiefSteven MaurenArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John Heinly,Ali Khaligh

Production Manager:Geovani Flores

[email protected]

ArlingtonThe

Connection

De Vere or not De Vere? That wasthe question at the March 6 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Arling-ton when it hosted former journal-

ist and Shakespearean scholar, Robert Meyers,as its guest speaker. Meyers, a member of theShakespeare Oxford Fellowship, delivered apresentation on the Shakespeare AuthorshipQuestion, and proposed that the true authorof the Shakespearean canon was in fact Ed-ward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, writingunder the pseudonym of Wm. Shakespeare.

“Meyers presented a fascinating speech to acrowd of 35 members,” said Linda Chandler,president-elect of Arlington Kiwanis. “His pre-sentation style was fabulous, laying out hispremise of the profile of the real author.”

Meyers had a 50-year career as a journalistand foundation administrator. He served for19 years as president of the National PressFoundation, and for two years as director ofits Washington Journalism Center. From 1989to 1993, Meyers was director of the HarvardJournalism Fellowship for Advanced Studiesin Public Health. He is a former reporter forThe Washington Post, and a former assistantcity editor at the San Diego Union. He has pub-

lished two books with health-related themes.“(Meyers) included academic research and

humor to keep the attention of the group,”Chandler said.

Meyers’ presentation focused on the lack ofany historical evidence connecting WilliamShaksper of Stratford to any literary life. Hepointed out that there is no evidence that theman from Stratford could even read or write.No books, no manuscripts, and not even oneletter or note from the Stratford man has beenfound. Six very different signatures that doexist in the historical record suggest that hehad trouble even writing his own name. The

literary case for the Earl of Oxford, however,is vast and extensive, said Meyers.

After the presentation, Meyers remained toanswer questions about the long history of theShakespeare Authorship Question, and theevidence for Oxford’s authorship of the works,including many specific recorded incidents inOxford’s life that are paralleled in the variousplays and poems in the Shakespeare canon.

“Many people came up to me afterwards andasked individual questions,” said Meyers.

“On behalf of our club, we thank Bob(Meyers) for his presentation,” said Chandler.

Kiwanis Club of Arlington meets noon to1:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Knights of Co-lumbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington.Breakfast meetings are 7:30 to 9 a.m. the lastWednesday of the month. The club welcomesspeakers from the local area and beyond toshare information, organizations, happenings,and events. Club members participate in a va-riety of philanthropic programs in the commu-nity, including the Arlington Food AssistanceCenter, Dinner for Doorways, Read AcrossAmerica, iCan Shine, and others. Newcomersand visitors are welcome.

The Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship is a non-profit educational organization devoted to re-search and discussion of the Shakespeare Au-thorship Question. The Shakespeare OxfordFellowship Speakers Bureau offers free presen-tations to community groups, service clubs,schools, libraries, and more. Info:www.shakespeareoxfordfellowship.org.

To questions aboutauthorship ofShakespearean writings.

Kiwanis Club Opens Minds

Photo by Dan Perry

Robert Meyers, retired journalist andShakespearean scholar, delivers apresentation on the ShakespeareAuthorship Question to the KiwanisClub of Arlington.

Where Is It?See answer, page 10.

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Not MereAfterthoughtsTo the Editor:

On March 14 the Arlington School Board willconsider an assessment of the diversity infra-structure of Arlington Public Schools as it re-lates to curriculum, professional development,policies/procedures, and community engage-ment. The assessment was based on discussionswith APS stakeholders to “define and concep-tualize the desired state of ‘community engage-ment’ around issues of diversity.”

Ironically, almost two-thirds of those inter-viewed for a process targeted to communityengagement were affiliated not with the com-munity but with APS. The only representativesof the community were a teacher, a PTA offi-cial, and two entities engaged in affordablehousing. The composition of those interviewed

leads one to believe APS places its highest pri-ority on talking with itself rather than engag-ing the community. The dynamics of the re-naming process (which was governed by astaff-only committee) lends credence to thattheory.

The author of the report noted “one centraltheme throughout this assessment is that thereare still questions within APS on whether allcommunities of internal/external stakeholdersare seen as equals within the conversationsaround diversity and inclusion.” Clearly thatis not the case. There can be no meaningfuldiscussion of diversity and inclusion until theSchool Board realizes that as opposed to be-ing mere afterthoughts, neighborhoods areequal partners in the process of educatingArlington’s children.

Jacqueline CoachmanArlington

Letter to the Editor

Senior centers: Lee, 5722 Lee Hwy.; Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St.; WalterReed, 2909 S. 16th St.; Arlington Mill, 909 S.Dinwiddie St.; Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18th St.

Senior trips: Fulton Regional Theatre, Lancaster,Pa.,”Once the Musical,” Thursday, March 28, $97 (in-cludes lunch); National Building Museum, D.C.,Manhattan Project exhibit, Friday, March 29, $16. CallArlington County 55+ Travel, 703-228-4748. Registra-tion required.

NEW PROGRAMS:Scale Down weight loss group to host Open

House, Monday, March 25, 11:15 a.m., Lee. Details,703-228-0555.

Podcast followers to meet, Monday, March 25,1 p.m., Langston-Brown. Details, 703-228-6300.

Walter Reed Garden Group to focus on veg-etable gardening, Monday, March 25, 1 p.m. Details,703-228-0955.

Medicare updates, Monday, March 25, 1 a.m.,Langston-Brown. Register, 703-228-6300.

55+ Biking Group, contact info, 703-228-4771;email, [email protected].

New perspective on works by Claude Monet,Tuesday, March 26, 1:30 p.m., $6, Lee. Register, 703-228-0555.

Hearing screenings by appointment, Tues-day, March 26, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Walter Reed. Register,703-228-0955.

Intro to genealogy, Wednesday, March 27, 1p.m., Aurora Hills. Register, 703-228-5722.

Pickleball, level II, Wednesday, March 27, 9 a.m.,$24/4 sessions, Walter Reed. Register, 703-228-0955.

Foreign language conversation groups,Spanish, French Italian, German, Langston-Brown.Details, 703-228-0955.

Men’s 55+ basketball, drop-in, Wednesdays,11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m., Walter Reed. Details, 703-228-0955.

Senior trekkers, Thursdays, 9 a.m., ArlingtonMill. Details, 703-228-7369.

Decluttering plan demo, Thursday, Dec. 28, 11a.m., Langston-Brown. Register, 703-228-6300.

DHS rep answers questions about services,Thursday, March 28, 10 a.m., Walter Reed. Details,703-228-0955.

“Flourishing After 55” from Arlington Office of Senior Adult Programs for March 24-30.‘Flourishing After 55’


Photos contributed

Whitlow’s on Wilson

People

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

The “magic hour” is when PeterVanderPoel gets the best light topaint, and that time is about twohours after sunrise or two hours

before sunset. There’s “something moredramatic about it,” VanderPoelsaid.

Using that philosophy,VanderPoel has captured somescenes around Arlington thathave a certain sense of famil-iarity, like a row of houses onArlington Boulevard. “I justdrive around,” he said, “I seethings that move me.”

Other paintings focus on thecorner of a balcony or the sideof a 1950s-era house that iscommon in Arlington. “There’ssomething about the light,” he said.

VanderPoel started out as a practicingarchitect registered in Maryland, Virginia,and Washington D.C. He started drawing,as a fine art, in 2001 while studying for aMaster’s degree in Architecture at VirginiaTech’s Washington Alexandria ArchitecturalCenter. For nine years, he taught architec-

ture at Howard University where he real-ized the connection architecture has withart, and then went on to the Torpedo Fac-tory to take art lessons.

Since then, VanderPoel has worked withdifferent media including painting withwatercolors, oil on canvas, printmaking andphotography. His work is often informed by

his background in architecture.“I do etching as well,” he said.Although watercolor is a fre-quent medium he uses, for therow of Arlington houses he usedoil paints.

Carson Harrington of “Out ofBounds Exhibitions” sawVanderPoel’s work on display atJava Shack and suggested himfor the upcoming Rosslyn Caféshow. “Peter draws and paintsin almost perfect perspective so,there’s an architect’s precision

in that but, the atmosphere and buildingsthemselves have a gentleness that is veryinviting,” she wrote.

VanderPoel has a special studio in hisbackyard where he does the architecturework on the first floor, and has a balconyon the second level for he and his wife’sartistic talents. The studio is “off-grid,”

VanderPoel to be featured in Rosslyn Café Spring Community Arts and Entertainment Series.

Local Artist Focuses on Local Sights and Light

though, and he uses solar panels to chargethe batteries and make smaller footprint inthe environmental impacts. “Both my wifeand I paint on the mezzanine,” he said.

When not in the backyard, off-grid stu-dio, VanderPoel also has a architectural stu-

dio in Old Town, Alexandria where he rentsa space at an architectural firm. He likesthe change of scenery that the backyarddoes not provide.

“There’s an advantage of having otherpeople around,” he said.

Peter VanderPoel When in his backyard studio, he’s“off-grid,” using solar energy topower batteries for electricity.

On ExhibitOn March 22, Peter VanderPoel’s art

will be part of the Rosslyn BusinessImprovement District’s Rosslyn CaféSpring Community Arts and Entertain-ment Series at the Rosslyn Café at BennettPark Atrium ,1601 Clarendon Blvd.


Entertainment

Rachel Schmidt, “Distort Displace,” 2018, Lawn Installation

Art Exhibit: Distort DisplaceDistort Displace reflects Rachel Schmidt’s ongoing exploration of future landscapes, climate change, and artificial habi-

tats, as well as her interest in the response to the drastic changes human activity has brought about in the natural environment.Every year, massive ice shelves break apart and reform at the poles, a dramatic and violent, naturally occurring process thatis accelerating and shifting due to climate change. Distort Displace introduces the cracking forms of an ice shelf onto the groundsof AAC, prompting viewers to ponder the dissolution and instability of the very ground beneath their feet. Through March 30at Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org.

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

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Over, Under, Forward,

Back. Through March 30, galleryhours at Arlington Arts Center, 3550Wilson Blvd. AAC presents Over,Under, Forward, Back, an exhibitionfeaturing ten contemporary artistsworking in fibers, textiles, andrelated materials whose workembodies and reflects on labor, time,and history. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org for more.

Rinse, Recycle, Repeat by JennyWu. Through March 30, atMarymount University’s BarryGallery, 2807 North Glebe Road,Arlington. A solo exhibition of JennyWu’s sculptural work, installation,video and participatory projects. Bornin China, Wu integrates animmigrant’s perspective to currentevents into her work and letscuriosity lead the way in her studio.Visit www.marymount.edu/barrygallery.

“Retrospective.” Through March 30,at Gallery Clarendon, 2800Clarendon Blvd., Arlington. Featuringworks by Marina Troy. Marina’spaintings are inner expressions ofchildhood beaches and baremountains. Marina’s work is executedin acrylic, with her own technique ofpaint applied in wide strokes withexpired credit cards, edited withvarious brushes. Visitwww.galleryclarendon.org.

“Masterpieces of the Oral andIntangible Heritage ofHumanity.” Through April 7, atSignature Theatre, 4200 CampbellAve., Arlington. Three women– — anart restorer, her nurse and theirmilitary captor — –are trapped in aravaged museum during acatastrophic hundred years war.Tasked with restoring a damagedRembrandt painting, the women findcommon shreds of humanity as theytry to save a small symbol of beautyin their broken world. FeaturingHolly Twyford (A Little Night Music,Sex with Strangers) and Felicia Curry(The Scottsboro Boys). Visitwww.sigtheatre.org.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 13Fun With Minerals. 3-4 p.m. At Gulf

Branch Nature Center, 3608 MilitaryRoad, Arlington. Ages 7 to 10.Minerals are found in all sevencontinents of the world. FromAmethyst to Zircon and everything inbetween, learn all about minerals inthe classroom and then see howmany can be found on a hike. Cost is$5. Call 703-228-3403.

Calling Baseball Enthusiasts. 7p.m. At One More Page Books, 2200N. Westmoreland St., Arlington. Joina discussion with Cesar Brioso abouthis new book, Last Seasons inHavana: The Castro Revolution andthe End of Professional Baseball inCuba. Explore the intersectionbetween Cuba and America’spastime, from the late 1950s to theearly 1960s, when Fidel Castrooverthrew Cuban dictator FulgencioBatista. Brioso takes the readerthrough the triumph of therevolution in 1959 and its impact onprofessional baseball in the followingseasons. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com.

THURSDAY/MARCH 14Artist Talk with Rachel Schmidt.

6:30 p.m. At Arlington Arts Center,3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Joinformer Arlington Arts Center (AAC)resident artist Rachel Schmidt andAAC’s Curator of Exhibitions Blair

Murphy for a discussion of Schmidt’swork, including the development ofDistort Displace, currently installedon AAC’s lawn. Distort Displacereflects Rachel Schmidt’s ongoingexploration of future landscapes,climate change, and artificialhabitats, as well as her interest in ourresponse to the drastic changeshuman activity has brought about inthe natural environment.

Sears Houses in Arlington. 7 p.m.At Reinsch Library, MarymountUniversity, Arlington. Kathy HoltSpringston, Arlington’s Sears Houseexpert, discusses the mail-order “kithouses” that were sold by Sears from1908 to 1940. Relatively rarenationwide, Arlington was home tohundreds. Visitwww.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org orcall 703-892-4204.

Deep Dive: Amphibian Eggs. 8-9p.m. At Gulf Branch Nature Center,3608 Military Road, Arlington. Takea Deep Dive into natural history thatscratches more than just the surface.Amphibian eggs are different fromthe eggs we eat for breakfast. Whatare the advantages of aquatic eggsfor a terrestrial animal? How dothese soft eggs differ from the firmeggs of birds? Cost is $5. Call 703-228-3403.

SATURDAY/MARCH 16Bird Walk for Beginners. 9-10 a.m.

at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S.Carlin Springs Road, Arlington.Families ages 6 and up. Registerchildren and adults; children must beaccompanied by a registered adult.Bird watching is a great familyactivity. Learn the basics ofbinoculars, field guides, identificationand finding birds. Then get a littlebirding practice around the naturecenter and be ready for springmigration next year. Loanerbinoculars are available. Call 703-228-6535.

Stories of Migration. 1-3 p.m. AtArlington Arts Center, 3550 WilsonBlvd., Arlington. A family friendly,community workshop and artist talkwith Over, Under, Forward, Backartist Natalia Nakazawa and curatorBlair Murphy. Nakazawa exploreshuman movement through art objectsand storytelling. In this workshop,participants are invited to embroider

their own ancestral, present, andfuture paths onto the surface of aworld map tapestry, which has beenconstructed with open source digitalimages mined from online museumcollections. RSVP online atwww.eventbrite.com/e/our-stories-of-migration-with-natalia-nakazawa-tickets-56945305943.

MOVE ME Festival. 1-4 p.m. AtKenmore Middle School, 200 S.Carlin Springs Road, Arlington.Bowen McCauley Dance Company iscelebrating its 10th Annual MOVEME Festival, which includes a rosterof local artists, musicians and dancecompanies that will join thisprofessional company. Local artistsselected for the 2019 Festival includeThe Arlingtones, El Tayrona(Colombian Folklore DanceEnsemble), Encore Stage and Studio,Everybody Dance, Halau O ‘Aulani,Joy of Motion Dance Youth,Kalavaridhi Center for PerformingArts, Old Dominion Cloggers,Potomac Harmony, Prio Bangla,Utpalasia, Zumbini with KidovationStage and Zumbini with Heidi. Visitwww.bmdc.org.

Spring Ready Event. 1-5 p.m. AtFashion Centre at Pentagon City,1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington. Free.Guests can explore fresh beauty,clothing and accessory trendsthrough fashion displays, pop-upmakeover stations and more. Favoritebrands, including Coach, Macy’s, katespade new york and Nordstrom, willalso offer a variety of samples tosavvy shoppers. As a special bonus,shoppers who spend $150 or more atany Fashion Centre at Pentagon Citystore will receive a fashionistacosmetic tote filled withcomplimentary goodies, availablewhile supplies last at Guest Services.Visit simon.com/fashioncentreatpentagoncity.

Native American Games. 3:30 - 5p.m. At Long Branch Nature Center,625 S. Carlin Springs Road,Arlington. Ages 8-12. Young hunterswould hone their skills with games toprepare themselves for survival in thewilderness. Come try it out withspear throwing, relay races in thewoods and other challenges. Cost is$5. Call 703-228-6535.

Crosshairs Garage Races. 4-9 p.m.At 201 12th St. South, G4 Level,Crystal City, Arlington. Crosshairs

Garage Races challenges amateurand elite cyclists to compete weeklyfor points and prizes. Race categoriesare available for all riding levelsincluding Beginners, Intermediates,and the Petty Cup Race for elites(including a women’s only field).During the fifth week of the series, amore festive scene dominates withspecialty races including Feds versusContractors, the Cargo/Tandem/Bikeshare Show-Down, and the everpopular Fixed-Gear Finale. Unusualrides, tricked out bicycles, and crazycostumes are common andencouraged for this final Saturday inMarch. Visit www.crystalcity.org.

Family Skate Nights. 6:30-9 p.m. AtThomas Jefferson Community Center,3501 2nd St., South, Arlington. Timeto add roller skating to the calendarof weekend evening fun. Enjoy a liveDJ, moon bounce and fun on wheels.The cafe will be open for snacks./ $2per person; skate rental is $3. This isa cash only event.

Singing Frogs & Toads Campfire.7-8 p.m. at Gulf Branch NatureCenter, 3608 Military Road,Arlington. Families. Register childrenand adults; children must beaccompanied by a registered adult.The whole family is invited to join inthe fire ring for lots of old-fashionedfun. This engaging program will befilled with entertaining activities thatmay include stories, special animalguests, games, songs and S’mores.Call 703-228-3403. Cost is $5.#632859-A.

Family Game Night. 7-9 p.m. at St.John’s Episcopal Church, 415 S.Lexington St., Arlington. Play afavorite board, strategy or kids gamewith family, friends or newacquaintances at St. John’s familygame night. Games will be availableor bring a favorite. Bring a non-perishable food item (can or box offood) to donate to AFAC, theArlington Food Assistance Center.Visit www.stjohnsarlingtonva.org.

SUNDAY/MARCH 17R.I.P. - Remove Invasive Plants. 2-

4 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center,625 S. Carlin Springs Road,Arlington. Adults, teens and familiesages 8 and up. Want to restorehabitat and increase native speciesdiversity right here in Arlington?

Work parties are held every monthand are making a difference with thereturn of ferns, wildflowers and theanimals that depend on them toareas once covered in destructiveinvasive plants. Call 703-228-6535.

Family Nature Hike. 2-3:30 p.m. AtLong Branch Nature Center, 625 S.Carlin Springs Road, Arlington.Families ages 6 and up. Registerchildren and adults; children must beaccompanied by a registered adult.Come hunt for signs of luck andspring while participants traverse thehillsides of Glencarlyn Park. Wearsturdy shoes, dress for ephemeralspring weather, and bring a waterbottle. Cost is $5. Call 703-228-6535.

Weenie Roast Campfire. 5-6 p.m. AtLong Branch Nature Center, 625 S.Carlin Springs Road, Arlington.Families ages 4 and up. Registerchildren and adults; children must beaccompanied by a registered adult.The whole family is welcome togather round for an old-fashionedweenie roast. Hot dogs, buns,topping and sides provided. Bring adrink. Hear a few fireside tales andsing a tune while dinner cooks overthe fire. Cost is $7. Call 703-228-3535.

MONDAY/MARCH 18Screenagers Documentary

Screening 7-9 p.m. At St. AnnParish Hall, 5300 N. 10th St.,Arlington. St. Ann Catholic Schoolpresents “Screenagers: Growing Upin the Digital Age.” A documentaryaddressing the most pervasiveparenting issue and depicting teenstruggles over social media, videogames and internet addiction. Thefilm empowers kids to best navigatethe digital world and providespractical resources to help. Cost is$5. Visit impactflow.com/event/presented-by-saint-ann-catholic-school-9963.

TUESDAYS/MARCH 19-MAY 7Forty+ Project. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

at Jane Franklin Dance, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Forty+ dancersperform a repertory by multiplechoreographers to celebrate thecollective creativity of people past theage of 40. Projects culminate withperformances at Theatre on the Run.$160. Visit www.janefranklin.com.

MARCH 19-23“Hansel and Gretel.” 2 p.m. At

Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125South Glebe Road, Arlington.Presented by Opera Nova. Childrenfrom area schools will be brought byschool bus for a one-hour productionthat follows the familiar fairy tale oftwo children who wander throughthe woods and are captured by awitch. Artistic Director Jose Sacinwill also have musicians explain andplay their orchestral instruments. Apubic performance for adults andchildren will be held on Saturday,March 23 at 2 p.m., at a cost of $4.Make reservations [email protected],www.operanova.org or 703-536-7557.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20Pizza with the Police. 5-6:30 p.m. At

Pizza Boli’s, 6033 Wilson Blvd.,Arlington. The Arlington CountyPolice Department is committed toengaging with the public to build andmaintain strong communitypartnerships with those they serve.Pizza with the Police, similar to theCoffee with a Cop series, is aninformal event designed forArlington’s residential and businesscommunities to meet and interactwith members of the police


Entertainment

Joining violinist/artistic director Leo Sushansky will becellist Sean Neidlinger and pianist Carlos CesarRodriguez.

The Viennese ClassicsExperience the National Chamber Ensemble with three masters all working in

Vienna: Josef Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Onthe program: Haydn’s Piano Trio No.39 in G Major “Gypsy”, Mozart’s Sonata forViolin and Piano No. 32 in B flat Major K. 454, and Beethoven’s Piano Trio Op.70“Ghost.” Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. At Gunston Arts Center (Theater One), 2700South Lang St., Arlington. Tickets: $36 adult, $18 student. Visitwww.NationalChamberEnsemble.org.

department, ask questions, discuss theirpublic safety concerns and get toknow their neighbors.

Young Adult Sci-Fi and FantasyPanel. 7 p.m. at One More PageBooks, 2200 N. Westmoreland St.,#101. The Young Adult Sci-Fi andFantasy Panel features JessicaSpotswood (TOIL & TROUBLE),Kristina Perez (SWEET BLACKWAVES), and Katherine Locke (THESPY WITH THE RED BALLOON). Theauthors will talk about writing for aYA audience, read excerpts, andanswer questions from readers. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com or call703-300-9746.

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 20-23Fundraiser: Fresh Citrus and

Maple Syrup. Wednesday, noon-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. andSaturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at theOverlee Pool (Bath House - LowerLevel), 6030 Lee Highway, Arlington,LOWER Entrance off John MarshallDrive. The Lions of NorthwestArlington Lions Club/Charities arepreparing for another delivery forfresh Florida, California and Texascitrus, and Vermont maple syrup.Call 703-528-1130 for more.

THURSDAY/MARCH 21“Shut Up & Write.” 7 p.m. at

Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St. Join the bimonthly panelseries “Shut Up & Write” at ArlingtonCentral Library. Founded by local YAauthors Jon Skovron (HOPE ANDRED) and Jessica Spotswood (THELAST SUMMER OF THE GARRETTGIRLS), the authors will takequestions from the audience as theydiscuss the ins and outs of writing YA

fiction. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com or call703-300-9746.

FRIDAY/MARCH 22Opening Reception. 6-8 p.m. At

Marymount University’s BarryGallery, 2807 North Glebe Road,Arlington. For “Rinse, Recycle,Repeat,” a solo exhibition of JennyWu’s sculptural work, installation,video and participatory projects. Bornin China, Wu integrates animmigrant’s perspective to currentevents into her work and letscuriosity lead the way in her studio.Visit www.marymount.edu/barrygallery

SATURDAY/MARCH 23Families Unplugged: Eric Carle

Animals. 10 a.m.-noon. AtArlington Mill Community & SeniorCenter, 909 S. Dinwiddie St.,Arlington. Do you love books like“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” asmuch as we do? At this program andyour family will create amazinganimals just like the ones found inEric Carle’s classic children books.This program is open to all ages, butrecommended for ages 3 and up. $8per person (resident), $9.20 perperson (non-resident).

Forest Meditation Walk. 10 a.m.-noon. At Long Branch Nature Center,625 S. Carlin Springs Road,Arlington. Inspired by the JapaneseShinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing,explore the forest through ameditation style walk. Go off thebeaten path and move slowly,experiencing the forest through onessenses with meditation. Participantsshould be ready to sit on the groundand be dressed for the weather. Call

703-228-6535. Free event. Activitycode #632949-D.

Backyard Critters Reception. 2-4p.m. At Cherrydale Library, 2190Military Road, Arlington. Sightings offoxes, deer, hawks, owls, and evenflying squirrels have proliferated inArlington and especially in the outersuburbs in recent years. This exhibitcomprises photographs taken bythree local photographers – KimAbod, Robin Kent, and Cherrydale’sScott Springston – illustrating thisphenomenon, using a variety ofequipment and techniques. Call 703-228-6330.

Crosshairs Garage Races. 4-9 p.m.At 201 12th St. South, G4 Level,

Crystal City, Arlington. CrosshairsGarage Races challenges amateurand elite cyclists to compete weeklyfor points and prizes. Race categoriesare available for all riding levelsincluding Beginners, Intermediates,and the Petty Cup Race for elites(including a women’s only field).Unusual rides, tricked out bicycles,and crazy costumes are common andencouraged for the final Saturday inMarch. Visit www.crystalcity.org.

Family Skate Nights. 6:30-9 p.m. AtThomas Jefferson Community Center,3501 2nd St., South, Arlington. Timeto add roller skating to the calendarof weekend evening fun. Enjoy a liveDJ, moon bounce and fun on wheels.

The cafe will be open for snacks./ $2per person; skate rental is $3. This isa cash only event.

SUNDAY/MARCH 24Author Event: Brad Parks. 2 p.m. at

One More Page Books, 2200 N.Westmoreland St., #101. One MorePage welcomes back store favoriteand bestselling thriller writer BradParks for his new standalone novel,THE LAST ACT. Hired by the FBI togo undercover in a West Virginiaprison, struggling actor Tommy Jumpquickly finds himself in over hishead. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com or call703-300-9746.

SATURDAY/MARCH 30NoVaTEEN Book Festival. 9:30 a.m.

at Marshall High School, 7731Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. TheNoVaTEEN Book Festival is back witha day full of panels, games, andsignings with over 30 bestselling andemerging Young Adult authors. Learnmore on the official festival website.The event is free and open to to thepublic; tickets and a full schedule areavailable atnovateenbookfestival.com.

Sketch Walk Arlington. 10 a.m.-12p.m. at Clarendon Central Park, 3140Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Come tocreate and hone powers ofobservation while exploringArlington during this open sketchsession in Clarendon. Experts fromSketching the District will start thewalk with an introduction tosketching followed by an explorationof Clarendon led by WalkArlingtonthat includes multiple sketchingstops. See www.walkarlington.com/event/sketch-walk-arlington/.


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News

Annual showcase of language learning emphasizes presentation skills.World Languages Celebrated at Arlington Career Center

School Superintendent PatrickMurphy and School Boardmember Reid Goldstein watchthe performances.

Photos by Eden Brown/The Connection

Gunston Middle School glee cluband French students collaborate tosing “Chante.”

Samantha Wiener signs a song fromthe musical, “Alexander Hamilton.”

Leah Pollack sings her song “Descalza Dorada.”

Cordelia Medrick sings“Standchen” by Schubert.

Key Elementary School students act out the two fables: “La Liebre y laTortuga and El León y el Raton (The Tortoise and the Hare and the Lionand the Rat).”

“Descalza Dorada.” Michelle Letts, Ameri-can Sign Language (ASL) teacher at Wash-ington-Lee High School also mentioned the

job skills aspect of language learning: ASLhas grown from 2 to 6 teachers, and has anASL honor society with 17 students in it.

“This is a great thing to be able to put on ajob application,” she said.

March 3-9 was National Foreign LanguageWeek. For more information on learningforeign languages, see: https://www.apsva.us/world-languages/.

By Eden Brown

The Connection

As Reid Goldstein, ArlingtonSchool Board member said, “Iwouldn’t miss this. I come ev-ery year. It’s great.” School Su-

perintendent Patrick Murphy agreed. Theywere at Arlington Career Center to watchthe annual showcase of language learningin APS, from second graders to seniors.

Elisabeth Harrington, APS’ World Lan-guage supervisor told the crowd: “Our lan-guage programs focus on presentation skills.Students in the more advanced classes haveto learn to speak for two minutes withoutstopping. Try that sometime in your ownlanguage. It’s not easy.” The presentationskills are useful to APS students in laterpursuits: it’s a job skill to stand up in frontof a group and perform.

Among the students performing in a for-eign language on March 6 were CordeliaMedrick, who sang a Schubert song in Ger-man, Discovery Elementary’s 3rd and 5thgrades reading letters from their pen palexperience with students in Ecuador,Samantha Wiener who “sang” a song fromHamilton in sign language, and AymeeBuzzi, an AP Spanish literature student whosang a song she wrote herself called


Home LifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

For pet owners, creating a homedécor that’s both aesthetically ap-pealing and pet-friendly can be adelicate balance. From muddy

paw prints on an heirloom area rug to avelvet sofa covered in cat hair, three localdesigners — all of whom own pets — sharetheir best advice for addressing animal di-lemmas and styling a chic interior that ac-commodates both man and his best friend.

“There are so many ways that pets en-hance our quality of life in the same waythat a serene, well-designed home might bea sanctuary for relaxation after a long day,”said Karen McBride of Inspired Spaces. “Thegood news is that you really don’t have tochoose one or the other. The key is to makesure everything is durable and easilycleaned.”

Flooring that can withstand paws withclaws top the list of considerations forMcBride. “Hardwood floors are beautiful,but they’re easily scratched and dinged,” shesaid. “Stone or ceramic tile flooring are idealfor pets owners. You can wipe up puddlesand mop up muddy paw prints easily. Hard-wood requires immediate cleaning becausethey absorb liquids and odor.”

Rugs with patterns that can hide pet stainsare what designer Rochelle Clark uses in

the Fairfax home that she shares with hertwo Italian Greyhounds, Lola and Fiona.“My dogs are not housebroken, so I have touse indoor-outdoor rugs made of polypro-pylene because I can just hose them downwhen they get dirty, which is often,” shesaid. “Rugs made from sisal are also goodchoices if you have pets. I encourage mypet-owning clients to purchase inexpensiverugs because if you have dogs or cats, rugstains are inevitable. It’s just a waste ofmoney to invest in a high-end rug if you

Pet ownersshould lookfor stain-resistant anddurableupholsteryfabrics whencreating astylish andanimal-friendlyinterior.

Pet-owning designers offer advice on practicaldesign choices that don’t sacrifice style.

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Pet-Friendly Decor

have pets. There so many ways that theycan be ruined and there are plenty of rugsthat don’t cost a lot, but have a high-endlook to them.”

When choosing fabrics for furniture orthrow pillows, pet owners should steer clearof textures like velvet or chenille, which canbe magnets for pet hair, advises designerand corgi owner, Tami Evers of The SimplyElegant Home. “You also want to avoid silkand other delicate fabrics that could teareasily,” she said. “There are so many op-

tions now for durable, stain resistant up-holstery fabric that’s as elegant and taste-ful as its more traditional counterparts.Believe it or not, I finished a project for aclient who had two giant labradoodles, andher living room furniture is entirely ofSunbrella fabric.”

Other durable and easy to clean optionsthat Evers recommends include leather andCrypton. “The only issue with leather is thatit will scratch easily if you have pets withsharp nails, but some people think scratchedleather has character,” she said. “Cryptoncan withstand almost anything. If you havea dog or cat that barfs a lot or has lots ofaccidents, Cyrpton is the way to go. It’sstain-proof, tear-proof and comes in a widerange of patterns and colors.”

Built-in eating spaces and pet beds for hertwo Bichon Frises are ways that personalhome organizer Becca Anderson of TheOrganized Life streamlines her pet spacesto maintain her home’s aesthetic.

“Pet owners love their animals, but no onewants their home to look and smell like it’sbeen overrun with animals,” she said. “Iadvised one of my clients to add a custom,built-in litter box space to her laundry roomfor her three cats.

She even invested in a self-cleaning litterbox, and those two features were transfor-mative.”


From Page 2

Here It IsCherrydale Volunteer Fire Department firehouse,3900 Lee Hwy.

Photo by Michael McMorrow/The Connection

WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold weather

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

DONATIONSPet Food Bank. AWLA is establishing a

Pet Food Bank to serve qualifyingresidents of Arlington County and theCity of Falls Church. In considerationof the effect financial obstacles haveon a pet owner’s ability to afford petcare, the AWLA Pet Food Bankprogram’s goal is to keep family pets

out of shelters. If you are anArlington County or City of FallsChurch resident and are in need ofassistance in feeding your pet, followthis link and fill out a pre-registrationform. Visit goo.gl/forms/s2FuFdaYWdZm4tPw2

MONDAY/MARCH 18Community Engagement Forum.

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at MarymountUniversity Ballston Center, 1000 N.Glebe Road. Focused on The Futureof Aging in Arlington. Hear from theexperts, followed by time to shareideas. Light refreshments provided.Free. Email [email protected] orcall 703-228-1747.

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 11


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Every morning, at the very least, I look into the bathroom mirror to brush my teeth and shave my stub-ble. And there, right below my Adam’s apple, in plain site, is the tumor we’re attempting to stabilize, and in a perfect scenario: shrink.

As I’ve said many times before during my 10 years of treatment: “I can live with ‘stable,’” and/or “Stable

out if my lung cancer tumors are stable/have shrunk/grown is when my oncologist tells me/I read the radiologist’s report.

During this quarterly interval between scans, I’m like Sergeant Schultz from “Hogan’s Heroes: “I see nothing.” The tumors in my lungs are “like weeds,” (meaning they’re everywhere), said my oncologist at the initial Team Lourie meeting in response to one of my wife, Dina’s, questions about whether surgery was an option; “no” was that answer. But obviously, I can’t see them and what feelings I’ve experienced in my mediastinum have likely been scar tissue forming (according to my oncologist) and not indicative of too much too often.

So, I’ve learned to not overreact to any discomfort I might experience. It might mean something or it might mean nothing. I’ve been to both places already.

However, the “Adam’s apple” tumor is front and center. When I brush my teeth, I see it. When I shave I have to nearly shave over it. It’s impossible to miss. It’s not exactly a goiter but it’s more than a lump.

It’s not painful, but it’s completely opposite to the tumors in my lungs; they’re out of sight and because of that, occasionally out of mind. The “Adam’s apple” tumor is totally in sight and because of that, is always

my evening. And in the hours between, I’m touching my throat to feel what I can feel and hope what I can hope. The effect is I’m reinforcing a negative every time I touch the tumor.

If I can’t see the tumor (like the ones in my lungs), and I can’t touch the tumors (like I can the “Adam’s apple” tumor), I can delude myself more easily into not thinking/remembering I even have cancer; and more importantly, not thinking that I’m “terminal” as my oncologist characterized me all those years ago when he gave me a “13 month to two year” prognosis – on Feb. 27, 2009. Then I can pretend to live life as if the Sword of Damocles is not hanging over my head.

But, being able to touch the very thing that might be shortening my life makes it more real than it’s ever been. And it’s that reality that is making Kenny a very dull boy (no comments from the peanut gallery, please?).

have had since I began the immunotherapy. That’s when we’ll have our usual post-scan appointment with my oncologist to learn results and discuss alter-natives, if necessary.

Surgery, as we’ve inquired about previously is out of the question. Therefore, we’ll either continue to do what we’ve been doing, or start doing something we’ve never done before (you have to keep the cancer guessing).

On my most recent appointment, when asked by yours truly, my oncologist said we have lots of non-surgical options should change be warrant-ed. (There was a time in the past when I asked my oncologist a similar question and he was not nearly so encouraging. In fact, he was downright discourag-ing when he told me that the drug he was giving me at the time was the last drug he had for me.) Having been dangling previously at a near end, I’m sure you can appreciate how a patient knowing there are other choices available should a drug fail to stop the growth, is very reassuring.

Nevertheless, facing off with this tumor every day and being able to touch it morning, noon and night, presents a real problem: how do I avoid thinking I have cancer?

It’s always been my goal to try and assimilate the facts and hope not to be overwhelmed by the feelings. But how do I think it’s nothing when it’s obviously something?

I mean, it wouldn’t be there if it was just minding its own business, would it?

Talk AboutWishful Thinking

From Page 3

News

vidualized prescription. “Anyone can go inand get it. It wouldn’t hurt a baby.”

Ginny Atwood Lovitt is on a mission. Shecame home in 2013 and found her brotherunconscious from a heroin overdose after6 years of struggling with addiction. “Hedidn’t have Narcan. He has gone to six topnotch treatment places and none of themor the hospital told us about Narcan. It couldhave saved his life,” she said.

Lovitt decided to take matters into herown hands and established The ChrisAtwood Foundation to save lives fromopioid addiction and to support recoveryby tackling the obstacles that prohibit wide-spread distribution of Narcan: perceptionof liability, cost, ignorance, massive regula-tions, stigma. “What’s so distressing to meis what was missing 10 years ago is stillmissing today,” she said.

In the last several years she has been ac-tive in getting legislation enacted in the Vir-ginia General Assembly to allow commu-nity-based organizations like hers to dis-pense Narcan, to make a less expensive in-tramuscular Narcan injection available, toreduce the lengthy training required for newprograms to dispense Narcan.

“You can see the General Assembly thinksthe opioid problem is important,” she said.But still no luck with hospital emergencyrooms. That is the goal for the coming year.“They see ‘the junkies” in and out repeat-edly and get compassion fatigue.”

NARCAN Nasal Spray costs approximately$120 for two doses. Ninety-four percent ofthose insured in the U.S. have coverage andmost insurance companies offer a co-pay of$10 or less. The Alexandria Health Depart-ment offers free Narcan and Narcan coun-seling with no ID required at any of its clin-ics at 4480 King St. during regular businesshours.

Naloxone is available for free by attendinga REVIVE! training. Contact Siqveland at 703-228-4216 or [email protected]. Inaddition, The Chris Atwood Foundation of-ficers Narcan training and information [email protected] or 703-662-8689.

This is the second in a series on theopioid addiction in Arlington. The nextarticle will focus on solutions.

Narcan

From Page 10

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20Women in STEM. 7:30-9:30 a.m. At U.Group,

2231 Crystal Drive, #401, Arlington. The CrystalCity BID, in partnership with U.Group andAxios, will host a panel discussion surroundingthe issue of Women in STEM. To purchasetickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-stem-tickets-55983259436.

Supporting Teens in Making HealthyChoices. 7-8:30 p.m. at Yorktown High SchoolCafeteria, 5200 Yorktown Blvd. The ArlingtonREADY Coalition and the Yorktown High SchoolPTA invites parents and teens to start theconversation now. Tips and strategies to helpteens with tough choices. Learn and practicehaving meaningful conversations about drugs,alcohol, vaping (and other things too). All arewelcome, from any school. Resource tables andinformation available from 6:30-9. Register atwww.apcyf.org.

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