pomegranates on fire win battle of the bandsconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2019/061919/burke.pdf ·...

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Burke Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud And Drug ChargesNews, Page 3

Free Meals for Children During Summer Break

News, Page 9

Pomegranates on Fire Win Battle of the Bands

News, Page 6

Syd (Sydney Denardo) singing her heart out in the crowd at the barn: Pomegranates on Fire - a band of Robinson students from Burke-Fairfax-Clifton area, just won one and prepares for another Battle of the Bands.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com June 20-26, 2019

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2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ June 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Burke Connection ❖ June 20-26, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Fairfax-based Britepaths wasnamed Nonprofit of theYear by the Northern Vir-

ginia Chamber of Commerce, June7, at the Greater Washington GoodBusiness Awards. Accepting theaward for Britepaths was its execu-tive director, Lisa Whetzel.

“We were humbled to be in theimpressive pool of nonprofit nomi-nees and are so honored to havebeen named Nonprofit of theYear,” she said. “This award is atestament to the fantastic work ofBritepaths’ staff and board, and toour community who supports ourwork.”

Britepaths is in its 35th yearºofproviding help and hope to strug-gling residents in Fairfax Countyand helping them thrive. It offers

resilience programs, including fi-nancial literacy and workforce-development services at Britepathsand at the Financial Empower-ment Center at South County. Andall these programs help their cli-ents plan for their financial futureand obtain better jobs.

In addition, its stability services,emergency and short-term foodassistance, plus financial assis-tance grants, help families stay intheir homes while they workthrough a crisis. And Britepaths’seasonal supports, back-to-schooland holiday assistance programsprovide further help to local fami-lies in need during a time of cri-sis.

— Bonnie Hobbs

Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel (second from right) pictured with all theGreater Washington Good Business Award recipients, including Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (second from left).

Britepaths Named Nonprofit of the Year

Detectives are asking for the public’s helpidentifying a pair responsible for a lar-ceny at the Sally Beauty Supply Store inthe 6000 block of Burke Commons Road

in Burke earlier this month. The woman entered thestore distracting the clerk and then signaled to a manwho was waiting outside. The man quickly enteredthe store and stole several high-end clippers and ra-zors.

If you recognize the suspects or have any informa-

Suspects caught on camera.

Detectives Ask for HelpIdentifying Duo in Salon Theft

tion about the crime, contact Detective Richards atthe West Springfield District Police Station at 703-644-5047.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through CrimeSolvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS. They can also be sent in via text by texting“TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). TextSTOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 forhelp. Message and data rates may apply.

A Burke woman pleadedguilty on Wednesday,June 12, to bank fraud,

aggravated identity theft, andpossession with intent to distrib-ute methamphetamine.

According to court docu-ments, Shawnirah M. Mickens,35, acquired stolen personalidentification information ofmore than 300 people who livedthroughout the United States.Mickens used the stolen infor-mation to open multiple bankaccounts and would subse-quently fund those accountswith minimal cash deposits andlarge counterfeit corporatechecks. The bank would imme-diately make available a portionof the deposited checks.Mickens would then quicklywithdraw cash, make point ofsale purchases, or conduct wiretransfers of the floated fundsbefore the bank could deter-mine that the accounts werefraudulent and the checks wereworthless. Once the banklearned of the fraud it wouldclose the account and Mickenswould move on to the next ac-count and the next victim. Theloss amount is in the $250,000to $550,000 range.

Additionally, during thecourse of the investigation,agents recovered a package con-taining approximately 120grams of methamphetamine be-ing mailed to P.O. Box rented byMickens and used to further thebank fraud scheme. WhenMickens was arrested in May,agents conducted a search of

her residence and recoveredevidence relating to the bankfraud as well as another 150grams of methamphetamine.

Mickens pleaded guilty to onecount of bank fraud, one countof aggravated identity theft, andone count of possession withintent to distribute metham-phetamine. Mickens faces amaximum penalty of 30 yearsin prison for the bank fraud, twoadditional years in prison forthe aggravated identity theft,and a mandatory minimum of5 years but not more than 40years in prison for possessionwith intent to distribute meth-amphetamine when sentencedon Sept. 6. Actual sentences forfederal crimes are typically lessthan the maximum penalties. Afederal district court judge willdetermine any sentence aftertaking into account the U.S.Sentencing Guidelines andother statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S.Attorney for the Eastern Districtof Virginia, Charles Dayoub,Acting Special Agent in Charge,Criminal Division, FBI Washing-ton Field Office, Peter R.Rendina, Inspector in Charge ofthe Washington Division of theU.S. Postal Inspection Service,and Colonel Edwin C. RoesslerJr., Fairfax County Chief of Po-lice, made the announcementafter U.S. District Judge LeonieM. Brinkema accepted the plea.Assistant U.S. Attorney WilliamFitzpatrick and Special Assis-tant U.S. Attorney Brendan P.Geary are prosecuting the case.

Burke Woman Pleads GuiltyTo Fraud and Drug Charges

Burke Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


Opinion

One thing we know for sure,Fairfax County is about to losea lot of institutional knowledgeon the Board of Supervisors.

Here are a few suggestions for areas wherethose who might find themselves on a fully re-constituted Board of Supervisors should boneup.

❖ Affordable Housing: The market is notgoing to produce the affordable housing weneed on its own. Mixed income apartments and

condos that serve workforcehousing all the way downthrough vouchers and sup-ported housing managed local

by nonprofits, all in the same building, mustbe leveraged by subsidizing infrastructure, pro-viding partnerships, land and bonus densities.Move outside the box. Let large employersbuild housing, next to, on top of, in the park-ing areas, of their buildings. Let churches makeroom for housing. Put mixed income housingon top of every government building includ-ing libraries, community centers, governmentcenters. Make room for housing in vast countyparking lots. Try everything.

❖ Homelessness: While in many ways,

Fairfax County has succeeded in reducinghomelessness as much as possible, preventinga continuing cycle of homelessness will requiremore attention. Fairfax County Public Schoolscounted 2,600 students experiencinghomelessness at the end of the school year,most of them Latino. The county’s Office toPrevent and End Homelessness counted some-what fewer, most of them African American.The definition is different, and the differencesreveal places for improvement. The board islosing two major advocates for affordable hous-ing and ending homelessness in ChairmanSharon Bulova and Hunter Mill SupervisorCathy Hudgins.

❖ Roads: We are on the cusp of unprec-edented innovation in transportation.Overdesigning roads now will continue to di-vide communities, suburban and urban, in thefuture even with a decline in vehicles on theroad and car ownership. Think ahead. Self-driving cars. Ride sharing. Service for peoplewith disabilities and older residents.

❖ One Fairfax: Data and other efforts re-lated to equity and One Fairfax are alreadyrevealing expected and unexpected issues.

❖ Police Reform: While Fairfax Countynow has two forms of independent oversightof police, consider that the police have chosento remain silent on recommendations and re-ports by both the Independent Police Auditor

and the Civilian Review Panel. Members of thecurrent Board of Supervisors acknowledge thatthey assumed the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment would make a public response to suchoversight, but apparently it will need to be anexplicit requirement. Transparency remains aconcern.

❖ Criminal Justice Reform: Don’t for-get what voters told you on June 11 about theimportance of a progressive approach to crimi-nal justice reform. Figure out and heed whatleads to racial injustice in the criminal justicesystem.

❖ Demographics: Residents of FairfaxCounty are getting older. Schools are gettingmore diverse. Data will offer many clues aboutwhat the county will look like in 10 years.

❖ Change: We are on the cusp of unprec-edented innovation. Don’t double down andlock in solutions for yesterday’s problems in away that precludes more elegant technologi-cal solutions later.

Transportation is the most obvious of these.But anything that reduces barriers to entry willchange the landscape.

Better meetings via camera, including medi-cal appointments, therapy, drug treatment,business meetings. You can be face to face withanyone anywhere. Soon it will be seamless andgenerally available. There are many other ex-amples.

New Majority on Board of SupervisorsEight things to study,get up to speed.

Editorial

By Lolita Youmans

PRS CrisisLink Volunteer

I was treated like royalty thispast month by PRS, a localnonprofit that helps people

facing life crises and mental healthchallenges, as part of a variety ofvolunteer appreciation events. Al-though I appreciated being recog-nized, my work with PRS has be-come more than a volunteerjob…it is a calling.

My journey to become a PRSvolunteer started a few years agowhen I lost three people in my lifeto suicide within 18 months. Thefirst was a coworker who had justsurvived a heart attack in the sum-mer, and came back to work fullof energy. He died by suicide overLabor Day weekend. The next wasa young friend of my daughter.They were all in their first semes-ter of college. Her death by sui-cide was devastating. She hadbeen a cheerleader, active in youthgroups and just a sweet free spirit.The third death by suicide was adear friend of mine, a few daysbefore her 50th birthday.

Each of these heightened myawareness of suicide, and igniteda feeling that I should do some-thing. I don’t have a background

in social work or counseling, so Iwas lost as to what I could do. Oneday a song came on the radioabout the suicide hotline, “1-800-273-TALK” by Logic, and that’swhen I knew.

I called PRS and signed up tovolunteer for their CrisisLink pro-gram, which runs NorthernVirginia’s 24/7 suicide preventionand crisis intervention hotline.

From the first day of training, Ifelt like I was in the right place. Itis so gratifying. Crisis workersserve as the containers into whichcallers pour their deepest hurtsand disappointments about life.We don’t try to fix things; we offera safe haven for people to sharetheir feelings without fear ofjudgement.

As I got involved, the biggestsurprise for me was the vast rangeof circumstances that lead some-one to consider suicide. We getcalls from older adults who feelisolated; young children bucklingfrom the pressures of school andtheir families; and successfulpeople who feel they haveachieved great professional suc-cess and come home to an emptyhouse.

Last year during the holidays, Itook a call from an older gentle-

man. He was in a nursing homeand didn’t have family to check onhim.

He talked about feeling lonelyand didn’t see any reason to keepliving. He told me about his loveof music. We started talking aboutall his musical interests, and Icould sense his mood lifting. As wewere wrapping up, he sang “LetThere Be Peace on Earth.” It wasbeautiful and peaceful…and rein-forced for me that I was in theright place.

I answered the call, but it’s so

much more. Now other crisisworkers have become friends,bonded by our shared desire toserve. After having been here fora year, I know that I have foundmy “tribe!” Of course, the need isgreat, and we always need moreto join our tribe.

PRS CrisisLink is available 24hours a day, 7 days a week – 1-800-273-TALK, 703-527-4077 ortext ‘CONNECT’ to 855-11. Tolearn more about becoming a cri-sis worker, visit www.prsinc.org/crisislink.

Answering the Call

The CrisisLInk runs Northern Virginia’s 24/7 suicideprevention and crisis intervention hotline.

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@BurkeConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

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Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

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CIRCULATIONCirculation Manager:

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Burke


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

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

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

lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer

owned or known

AdoptDonate

VolunteerVolunteers needed for

adoption events,fostering,

transportation,adoption center

caretaking and more.

News

Approximately 29 percent of students inFCPS qualify for free and reduced-pricemeals. That’s more than 54,000 studentswho usually have access to breakfast and

lunch at school each day.Fairfax County Public Schools will participate in

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2019summer food service program for children, a pro-gram established to ensure that students who qualifyfor free and reduced-price meals during the school

year continue to receive nutritious meals when schoolis not in session. Free meals that meet federal nutri-tion guidelines will be provided to children at ap-proved sites throughout Fairfax County.

Meals will be provided to all children withoutcharge on a first-come, first-served basis. There willnot be meal service on July 4 or 5.

See Summer Food Program Chart,

Page 9

Free Meals for ChildrenDuring Summer Break

SOBER-RIDE FOR JULY 4Free Sober Rides. Thursday, July 4, 7

p.m. through Friday, July 5, 2 a.m.Area residents, 21 and older, maydownload Lyft to their phones, thenenter a code in the app’s “Promo”section to receive a no cost (up to$15) safe ride home. WRAP’sIndependence Day SoberRide promocode will be posted at 6 p.m. on July4 on www.SoberRide.com.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDSTEM Professionals Needed.

Volunteers are needed to assist K-12STEM teachers in northern Virginiaas part of the American Associationfor the Advancement of Science’sSTEM Volunteer Program,stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-

20 school year, beginning inSeptember. Please contact Don Reaat 571-551-2488 [email protected].

CAMPSArt Camp Registration. Summer Art

Camp in Burke for 5-8 year olds, 8years and up, and teens/adults.Camp is held through Burke CentreConservancy at the WoodsCommunity Center, 10100 WardsGrove Circle, Burke. Camp weeks runJuly 22-26; July 29-Aug. 2; and Aug.5-9. Call 703-250-6930 or visitwww.czartlessons.com.

❖ Fine Arts & Crafts Camp (8 years & up)❖ Drawing Camp (8 years & up)❖ Drawing Plus Color & Craft Fun Camp

(5-8 year olds)

❖ Art Boot Camp for teens/adultsCall instructor at 703-250-6930 or visit

www.czartlessons.com.Vacation Bible School. Monday-

Friday, July 8-12, 9 a.m.-noon atFellowship Baptist Church, 5936Rolling Road, Springfield. VacationBible School with an “In the Wild”theme. Free. Call 571-337-0209 orvisit honoringgod.org.

Summer Bible Camp. Monday-Friday, July 8-12, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.at Harvester Presbyterian Church,7800 Rolling Road, Springfield.Children will be able to have fun, besafe, and hear about the love thatGod has for them. For children ingrades K-6. Free. Call 703-455-7800or visit www.harvesterpca.org.

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

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 11


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbTo Advertise Your

Community of Worship,Call 703-778-9418

Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM

Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PMFamily Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM

Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups

Visit our Website: jccag.org

4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

“Loving People to Life”

News

Pomegranates on Fire, a rock bandmade up of high school studentsfrom Robinson Secondary Schooland Colgan High School, recently

won the battle of the bands in the GarageBand category during First Friday June atHarris Pavilion in Manassas. The studentsplayed a show the following day at the barnin Clifton to an energetic group of studentsand adults.

The event in Clifton started with an open-ing band from George Mason, Epitope. Thetrio warmed up the crowd and ended theircrowd pleasing set with a mashup of themelody from Wham’s “Careless Whisper”and lyrics from Smash Mouth’s “All Star.” Itcan only be called, Careless All Star.

Pomegranates took the stage like a bandthat just won an award to an enthusiasticcrowd. The singer, Syd, has a strong sweetvoice that is effective on angsty songs suchas “Creep” by Radio Head and their origi-nal, “Emergency Zone.” Other songs suchas “Blitzgrieg Bop” by the Ramones and“Brand New Cadillac” by the Clash got thecrowd dancing. The band kept the crowdexcited for almost an hour and a half be-fore ending the show at 9:30. Everyone wasgone by 10 p.m.

Times change, today punk has become anacceptable form of expression. In this case,a wholesome choice of parents looking fora safe place for their kids.

There are five members Sydney Denardo(vocals), Abby Clark (bass), Marshall

Lockey (guitar), Brock Flanders (guitar),and Terra RussekRobbins (drums) and theycall their music pop punk. They practiceabout once a week in the “Sweets” or“Suites” the attic practice space attached tothe bedroom of the drummer’s home in

Clifton.The band has a gig at the Baltimore Sound

Stage on June 30. This show presents a spe-cial problem for the band. How do you getyour fans, most of which can’t drive up toBaltimore? The inventive nature of thisband solved the problem by renting a ve-hicle to bring their fans with them. In or-der to ensure a seat on the bus, [email protected] on Instagram and@pomegranatefire on Twitter. POF can alsobe contacted via Facebook. Tickets to theshow are $10

Their biggest challengers coming on July5 at the battle of the bands at Jammin Javain Vienna. Four days of preliminary battlesagainst bands with more age and experi-ence. If they can get enough fans to showup they may have a shot at the finals. Fivebands will be chosen from the preliminar-ies to face the finals on Aug. 30.

“I hope we can just make it to the finals.I mean, I believe we could win but I amexcited just to play,” says Terra. They havereceived at lot of positive feedback, but dothey have what it takes to be a finalist atthe Mid Atlantic Band Battle? Come toVienna and find out on July 5. Rememberto shout, “Pomegranates on Fire!”

Pomegranates on Fire is, from right, Terra, Marshall, Syd, Brock and Abby. Syd (lead vocals), Terra (drums) and Abby (bass).

Pomegranates on Fire Win Battle of the BandsArea students - from Burke, Fairfax, Clifton area - to perform in Baltimore and Vienna.

Syd on mic and Marshall on lead guitar playing Creep by RadioHead.

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Welcome Zaher Aymach, D.D.S.Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics

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Celebrating Life’s Little Pleasures

Our 23rd Year in Burke, 1996-2019

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

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

During the summer, Glenda HernándezBaca and her children can be found inthe kitchen measuring and mixing, stir-ring and sautéing. They cook together

as a family, but what the children don’t realize how-ever, is that their mother is helping them maintaintheir math and reading skills.

“You can do math no matter what you are doing,and cooking is also a great way to do math,” saidHernández Baca, Ph.D. of the School of Educationat Montgomery College. “My kids love to cook withme and they help me with the recipes. We engage inreading, organizing and sorting, and discussing andanalyzing fractions and conversions. They are doingso much learning but they do not know it.”

The key to preventing that reversal, say educators,is finding creative ways to make learning fun whilemaintaining the light-hearted and carefree nature ofvacations, camps and trips to the pool.

“The more students practice their academic skillsin the summer, the more prepared they will be forthe next school year and the less review and relearn-ing they will need to do,” said Hernández Baca.

For students who don’t enjoy reading, infuse read-ing with drama, suggests Ana Lado, Ph.D., Professorof Education at Marymount University in Arlington,Va. “Pick … books with lots of dialogue and eitherlots of active verbs or actionable scenes,” she said.“You and the child read the parts as dramatically asyou can together … totally exaggerating the spokenparts as well as the actions as much as possible.”

“Have them make a video with their favorite scenesin a book,” continued Lado. “It forces them to readfor scenes that have drama and to reread as theyrehearse. It gives them a goal and making a film is aconcrete goal. As they read through the book look-ing for drama and action let them put a sticky noteon each good page they find.”

In fact, infusing reading with drama can changethe mindset of a child who doesn’t enjoy reading.“Some students will benefit if they watch a movieversion of a classic text like something by JaneAusten, for example, while they are reading it,” M.A.Mahoney, Dean of Academics and Faculty at theMadeira School in McLean, Va. “This approach issometimes the gateway to a lifetime of reading plea-sure of an author.”

For children who have challenges or difficultiesreading, Hernández Baca suggests choosing shortpassages that allow them to explore a subject thatpiques their curiosity. “Consider cutting out an ar-ticle or something shorter about an interest they havesuch as a band, music [or] sports,” she said.

Everyday conversations can lead to math, scienceand language learning opportunities. “Often, chil-dren will make comments about something they arecurious about such as how something grows or whythe sky is changing colors, Hernández Baca said.“Maximize that opportunity and tell them what greatquestions they have and look up information. Youcould even make it a library trip to learn together.This is a wonderful way to show and model that weas parents, are always learning, too.”

Even a short car ride or setting money goals canhelp support math skills, says Hernández Baca. “Talkabout how much money a certain toy costs and howmuch they would need to purchase it. Have themcome up with different equations that would helpthem reach that goal and talk about it. ...

“You can do math no matter what you are doing,”she continued. “For example, in the car you can counthow many trucks you see or how many blue cars.”

Another way to practice math is to engage chil-dren in predictions and estimates, says HernándezBaca. “Asking ‘How long do you think it will take usto get there?’ or ‘How many steps does it take towalk to the car or to the house?’ You can then breakit down and ask questions such as, ‘Why do you thinkmommy had to take fewer steps?’ or ‘How many milesan hour would we have to go if we needed to reducethe trip time to get here?’

A family vacation can provide an opportunity topractice language and writing. “Keep a vacation jour-nal by printing out your child’s favorite photos andhave them write about them,”said Carly Flanigan,Lower School Learning Specialist at St. Stephen’s andSt. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va

When parents model a positive attitude towardreading, a child might find it more pleasurable “Havea family book club [and] meet once a month ateveryone’s favorite restaurant,” said Flanigan “Makeconnections about books you and your child read orlisten to. Ask questions about characters, setting andaction in the plot … Have your child read one ofyour favorite books that you love.”

“Read aloud no matter the age of the child,” saidElizabeth McConnel, Lower School Learning Special-ist, also at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School. “Makethis a fun family event. Utilize different genres oftext including magazines for your child’s reading.Use audio books, Audible, or podcasts.”

Current events can provide fodder for mentalstimulation. “I always encourage students and fami-lies to read an editorial daily from a news source,and then to discuss it at a family meal,” said Mahoney.“This builds reading comprehension skills, civil dis-course skills, and increases familiarity with essayconstruction, not to mention making meal time morelively.”

No matter the method, parents should be inten-tional about prioritizing and setting summer learn-ing goals for their children, advises Hernández Baca.“Your kids do not need to know your structure orplan, but it will help you stay consistent with activi-ties that specifically target learning in reading, writ-ing, math, science or anything else.”

And other fun ways topreserve skills duringthe summer.

Cooking, Counting, Drama

Photo courtesy of Madeira School

M.A. Mahoney of Madeira School believesthat during the summer, students candevelop a lifetime of reading pleasure.


Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork en-couraged.

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Somewhere Between You and

Me. Through July 20, Fridays and Saturdays, 11a.m.-3 p.m. at Olly Olly, 10417 Main St., 2ndFloor, Fairfax. In Somewhere Between You andMe, young nonbinary transgender artistsintimately seek to understand and bringunderstanding to what it means to experiencelife as a nonbinary person. Call 703-789-6144 orvisit ollyollyart.com for more.

Art Exhibition: Virginia Watercolor Society.Through Aug. 2, gallery hours in theMcGuireWoods Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center,Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Virginia Watercolor Society (VWS) isorganizing its 40 th annual juried paintingexhibition with about 85 paintings on display.Free and open to the public. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/ orwww.virginiawatercolorsociety.org for more.

Crafters Wanted for 2nd Annual Fall CraftShow. The Fairfax Station Railroad Museumwill hold its 2nd Annual Fall Craft Show andLEGO (TM) Train Show on Saturday, Oct. 12,2019 ,10 a.m.-4 p.m. For crafters interested injoining the event, booth space is enough roomfor a 10x10 canopy and cost is $50 per space.Email [email protected] for anapplication and further information. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

Kingstowne Farmers Market. Fridays, throughOct. 25, 4-7 p.m. in the Giant parking lot, 5870Kingstowne Towne Center, Alexandria. Farmfresh eggs, local honey, berries, fresh pickedvegetables, fresh local fruits, baked breads andtreats, chicken, tamales, salsa, hummus,gourmet sausage, fresh roasted coffee beans,and more. Call 703-642-0128 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/kingstowne.

Wakefield Farmers Market. Wednesdays, 2-6p.m. through Oct. 30, at Wakefield Park, 8100Braddock Road, Annandale. Eleven local farmersand producers will sell fresh produce and fruits;meats; breads and pastries; jams; dairy productsand eggs; herbs; flowers, and more. Allproducts are grown or produced by the vendorsand come from within 125 miles. MasterGardeners will provide horticultural informationto home gardeners in Fairfax County. Call 703-642-0128 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/wakefield.

Lorton Farmers Market. Sundays, 9 a.m.-noon,through Nov. 17, in the VRE Parking Lot, 8990Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton. Eleven localfarmers and producers sell fresh produce andfruits; meats; breads and pastries; jams; dairyproducts and eggs; herbs; flowers, and more.All products are grown or produced by thevendors and come from within 125 miles.Master Gardeners will provide horticulturalinformation to home gardeners. Call 703-642-0128 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/lorton.

Springfield Farmers Market. Saturdays,through Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at SpringfieldTown Center, 6699 Spring Mall Drive,Springfield. Visit www.community-foodworks.org or call 202-697-7768.

Burke Farmers Market. Through Dec. 21, 8a.m.-noon at the VRE parking lot, 5671 RobertsParkway, Burke. Fresh produce, baked goods,seafood, and dairy. All vendors make their ownfood or grow it locally within 125 miles. Call703-642-0128 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/burke

FRIDAY/JUNE 21B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 4081

University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoy free coffee,entertaining callers, a friendly atmosphere,$1,000 guaranteed jackpot, progressive raffles,and good food for purchase. All proceeds helppurchase fire and rescue equipment.www.fairfaxvfd.com or call 703-273-3638

Celebrate the Year’s Longest Day. 9-9:55 p.m.at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. Cozy up to a campfire at a “SummerSolstice Campfire.” Learn to separate fact andfiction regarding celestial events. Head out on ahike while waiting wait for the sun to set andenjoy roasting marshmallows around a campfire.The minimum age to attend this program is 6years. $7. Call 703-323-6600 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake

FRIDAY/JUNE 21-SATURDAY/JULY 6

Be the Art. ARTSFAIRFAX launches its thirdImagine Art Here project on June 21. ImagineArt Here: INOUT:Springfield, a public artinstallation will feature interactive cuboids thatcollect community feedback and projectcommunity photos, temporarily installed July13-Aug. 9 at Old Keene Mill Shopping Centerand Aug. 10-23 at Springfield Town Center. Thepublic will be able to take their picture,individually, as a group, with pets or with theirfamily, and answer six questions about their rolein the community and their opinions on art. Visitwww.INOUTEXPERIENCE.com.

Photo booths will be Pop Up at the followinglocations:

❖ June 21, 4-7 p.m., Kingstowne Farmers Market❖ June 23, 1-4 p.m., Springfield Town Center❖ June 26, 5-6 p.m., Lee District RECenter❖ June 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Summer Concert in the

Park❖ June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Greenspring Retirement

Community❖ June 29, noon-2 p.m., Richard Byrd Library❖ June 30, 4-6 p.m.Tower Shopping Center❖ July 6, 6-8 p.m., Old Keene Mill Shopping Center

SATURDAY/JUNE 22Music in the Parks - “Feast for Young Ears.”

10 a.m. at Mason District Park, 6621 ColumbiaPike, Annandale. The Fairfax SymphonyOrchestra is partnering with Fairfax CountyParks to provide free Music in the Parkschildren’s concerts. The performances areengaging and interactive experiences; perfect foryoung, first-time concert-goers. Each concertoffers an introduction to the musicians, theirinstruments, their roles in creating the music,and features a wide variety of musical selectionsfrom classical music to the familiar music oftoday. Visit www.fairfaxsymphony.org/concerts-in-the-parks.

Children’s Entertainment Series. 10-10:45a.m. at Burke Lake Park Ampitheater, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Featuring 123 Andrés(children’s songs) Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/springfield-nights.

WhoDunit Mystery Letterboxing. 11 a.m.-3p.m. at Kings Park Community Library, 9000Burke Lake Road, Burke. Celebrate the GoldenAge of Detective Novels by solving mysterypuzzles while seeking letterboxes through a cluehunt. Letterboxing is a scavenger hunt game.Adults and teens. Free. Call 703-978-5600 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at GunstonHall, 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton. JoinGunston Hall each Saturday in summer, stop byfor a historic adventure. Call 703-550-9220 orvisit www.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

Movie Night: Fantastic Mr. Fox. Dusk. LibertyLorton, the former prison turned newdevelopment, is hosting a series of events thatincludes barnyard yoga, outdoor movie nights,and the second annual Turkey Trot. Events areopen to residents and non-residents of Liberty.Visit thelibertylife.com for more.

Mosaic Harmony Choir. 7-8:15 p.m. at HolyTrinity Lutheran Church, 3022 Woodlawn Ave.Fairfax-based Mosaic Harmony celebratesdiversity and inclusiveness through song. Thegroup has performed at the White House andWashington National Cathedral. Free. Visitwww.holytrinityfallschurch.org/music.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/JUNE 22-23Wireless Society Field Day 2019. Starts 2 p.m.

on Saturday, running 24 hours to 2 p.m. onSunday at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road,

Fairfax Station. Members of the Vienna WirelessSociety will be participating in Field Day atBurke Lake Park. The club will demonstrateradio communications, use satellitecommunications, and have a station wherevisitors may operate and talk on the air andexperience the fun of amateur radio. Free. Call703-395-6721 or visit www.viennawireless.net.

SUNDAY/JUNE 23Hands On Activities. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax

Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Operating model trains,decoding and writing telegraph messages as wellas observing Tom Boltz demonstrate how an oldtrain order hoop was used by the railroads sothat the train engineer and a train stationemployee could communicate. Ages 16 andolder, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

Films in the Park: Mary Poppins Returns(2018). 7 p.m. at Strawberry Park in Mosaic,Fairfax. Mosaic’s summer movie lineup hassomething for the whole family. Grab a blanket,friends and family and watch favorite filmsunderneath the stars. Visit mosaicdistrict.com/events/event/films-in-the-park-2/.

FRIDAY/JUNE 28B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 4081

University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoy free coffee,entertaining callers, a friendly atmosphere,$1,000 guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good food available forpurchase. All proceeds go to purchasing fire andrescue equipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.com orcall 703-273-3638 for more.

SATURDAY/JUNE 29Children’s Entertainment Series. 10-10:45

a.m. at Burke Lake Park Ampitheater, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Featuring The GoodlifeTheater (puppets) Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/springfield-nights.

Stuff the Bus. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Safeway at PanAm, 3043 Nutley St., Fairfax (benefitting Foodfor Others) and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at FairfaxWalmart, 11181 Lee Highway, Fairfax(benefitting Britepaths). Hunger becomes moreacute in the summer when children no longerget school meals. Help area food pantriesrestock; their shelves run low. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/stuff-the-bus for more.

Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at GunstonHall, 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton. Stop by for ahistoric adventure. Call 703-550-9220 or visitwww.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

Goat Yoga. Noon. Liberty Lorton, the formerprison turned new development, is hosting aseries of events that includes barnyard yoga,outdoor movie nights. Events are open toresidents and non-residents of Liberty alike. Visitthelibertylife.com

Jailhouse Rock Range Party. Doors open, 5p.m.; concert, 6-9 p.m. at Laurel Hill Golf Club,8701 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton. Laurel Hill GolfClub will be hosting its first concert, JailhouseRock on the Range. Bring lawn chairs and find aseat on the range to enjoy live music providedby alternative and rock cover bands Rusty Cageand Skeleton Crew. Food and beverages will beavailable for purchase. No outside food or drinkpermitted. Adults, $15; youth, $10. Proceedsbenefit the First Tee of Greater Washington.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/laurel-hill.

Kidsave Benefit Concert. 7 p.m. at St. George’sUMC, 4910 Ox Road, Fairfax. Concert to benefitKidsave. Kidsave International is a non profitorganization that helps kids in foster care findtheir forever families. Singer-Songwriter PaigePowell and friends, including “Gracious Me” andKim Gilliam. Free, donations appreciated. [email protected] or visit kidsave.org.

SUNDAY/JUNE 30Dog Days of Summer Craft Day. 1-4 p.m. at

the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Learnabout Adopt Don’t Shop for finding a new pet.Make pull toys out of old jeans and fleece to bedonated to pups waiting for their furever home.Donate old jeans or fleece. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

Burke Historical Society Meeting. 3:30-5 p.m.at Pohick Regional Library, 6540 SydenstrickerRoad, Burke. Ann Shields shares her research onthe WWII-era camps for German prisoners ofwar at Fort Meade, Fairfax, and Fort Hunt,within the context of the national POW-internment program. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org for more.

A Hometown Celebration. 5 p.m. at VeteransAmphitheater, on the grounds of City Hall,Fairfax. Kick-off “A Hometown Celebration” withgames, food trucks (from Fairfax Citybusinesses) and a concert by the award-winningCity of Fairfax Band beginning at 7 p.m. In caseof rain the event will be relocated to the StacyC. Sherwood Community Center; food venderswill also be on-site. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/independence-day-celebration for more.

Films in the Park: Free Willy (1999). 7 p.m.at Strawberry Park in Mosaic, Fairfax. Mosaic’ssummer movie lineup has something for thewhole family. Grab a blanket, friends and familyand watch favorite films underneath the stars.Visit mosaicdistrict.com/events/event/films-in-the-park-2/

Entertainment

Springfield Farmers MarketVendors include Cascade Beverage, Celestial/Fossil Farms, Chilanga Tortilla, Conecopia, Greenwich

Farms, Iganacio’s Produce, Kingdom Gourmet, Lola’s Kusina, Lund’s Produce, Smiths Mecklenburg, TasteOld Country, Three Puppies,Tyson Farm, and Windmill Meadows. Saturdays, through Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Springfield Town Center, 6699 Spring Mall Drive, Springfield. Visitwww.community-foodworks.org or call 202-697-7768.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

SATURDAY/JUNE 29Workhouse Fireworks. 5-10 p.m. at Workhouse

Art Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Thisyear, the US Navy Band Sea Chanters – theUnited States Navy’s official chorus – will treatguests to a performance that ranges fromtraditional choral music to opera, Broadway,and contemporary music. Guests at WorkhouseFireworks will also be able to enjoy local foodtrucks and craft beer and fine wine, as well assoft drinks. Free admission; $25 per vehicleparking (purchase in advance online). Visitworkhousearts.org/fireworks.

THURSDAY/JULY 4City of Fairfax Independence Day. The 53rd

Annual Independence Day Celebration. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/independence-day-celebration

❖ Independence Day Parade, 10 a.m.-noon,Downtown Fairfax (rain or shine)

❖ Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center Open House, 9a.m.-4 p.m., 10209 Main St.

❖ Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House Tours, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., 10386 Main St. - free guided tours of the1812 and the 1927 sections of the house.

❖ Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day, noon, 4081University Drive - firefighter competition, food &beverages, fun for the kids.

❖ Evening Show & Fireworks, 6:30-10:30 p.m.,Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run;

rain date - July 5th (fireworks only). Children’sactivities, live music by the Darby Brothers, andaward presentations. Fireworks begin at 9:30.

Declaration of Independence Reading.Noon-1:30 p.m. in Historic Pohick Church, 9301Richmond Highway, Lorton. The community isinvited to a reading of the Declaration ofIndependence in Historic Pohick Church byhistorical re-enactor, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Costa,portraying the Rev. Mr. Massey, rector of PohickChurch in 1776. Free. Call 703-339-6572, orvisit www.pohick.org .

4th of July in Clifton. 4 p.m. Join the CliftonBetterment Association for 4th of July in Clifton.Parade begins at 4 p.m. with a BBQ Potluck(bring a side dish or dessert) and games in thepark beginning at 5 p.m. Volunteers needed,sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4fafa92ca57-4thofjuly3. Visitwww.cliftonva.org for more.


Free Meals for Children During Summer BreakApproximately 29 percent of students in

FCPS qualify for free and reduced-pricemeals. That’s more than 54,000 studentswho usually have access to breakfast andlunch at school each day.

Fairfax County Public Schools will partici-pate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s(USDA) 2019 summer food service programfor children, a program established to en-sure that students who qualify for free and

reduced-price meals during the school yearcontinue to receive nutritious meals whenschool is not in session. Free meals thatmeet federal nutrition guidelines will beprovided to children at approved sites

throughout Fairfax County.Meals will be provided to all children

without charge on a first-come, first-servedbasis. There will not be meal service onJuly 4 or 5.

Summer Food Program

SOURCE: Fairfax County Public School


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

6/30/19.

6/30/19.


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

After a second successful week of navigating government and private sector websites, I have reached the promised, albeit familiar land: only worrying about the fact that I have non-small cell lung cancer, stage IV. Oh well. What else is new?

Nothing much thankfully so I can continue to try and live the Vulcan philosophy: “Live long and prosper.” (Although, I could never manipu-

Dina, can however, with ease but she’s not a logical person).

I have to be a logical person. If I am to endure the ups and downs and all-

arounds of a “terminal” cancer diagnosis, I have to think as unemotionally as possible about any news or assessments I may receive.

Cancer is too insidious to give it any help

anecdotal evidence exists, providing cancer as inhospitable an environment as possible is said to help.

And aside from maintaining a positive atti-tude and a good sense of humor, keeping cancer things – good or bad, in some kind of perspec-tive/context, is a trek worth taking. One should be reminded of the never-say-die mantra of the 1978 NBA World Champion Washington Bullets: “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.”

In addition, all us cancer survivors should remember the famous words of Bluto (John Belushi) from 1980’s “Animal House” when he implored his fellow Delta Fraternity brothers: “What? Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is. Was it over when the Ger-mans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! ...”

And not that cancer survivors can control our disease any more than the Germans can control this mistaken narrative, funny and famous though it is, but we have to try and laugh – and joke, because it sure beats the alternative. Con-trol? ‘Hell no!’

And now that I’ve completed the arduous and tedious – for me – tasks of the last two weeks, I feel as if I’ve taken back some control.

Cancer, schmancer. I’ve survived the multi-step process required

of the Virginia Employment Commission, the

-

Besides me, and anybody who knows me: Who says I can’t step my way through this morass of websites, user names, passwords, mouse clicks

miracle if there ever was one. Now life can return to abnormal. But it’s an

‘abnormal’ with which I’m totally familiar.

-han upon her early return to the 4077th from her honeymoon hearing her awkwardly describe a mishap in the shower: “There’s nothing new

For a long-time cancer survivor, there’s noth-ing new, really. One’s life is likely to be more of the same, only different. And I can live with same – or the different – because after a decade, I’ve been there and pretty much done that.

Now I can add: succeeded in navigating

1997’s “Good Will Hunting”) thought impossible to do. No more do I have to worry about what I need to do, but rather I can bask in the glow of what I’ve done.

us cancer patients need to do: reinforce our

(failures). As many of us attempt to take all this cancer stuff in stride, the truth of it is we’re often

to quote the late Ken Beatrice, on which “you wouldn’t want to live.”

A Few Weaks Off, Finally

From Page 5

SATURDAY/JUNE 22Retirement Planning Event. 9-10 a.m. at Living

Savior Lutheran Church, 5500 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. A retirement planning educationalevent, including topics: five keys to retiringfearlessly; securing and preserving a retirementstrategy; and Social Security: timing iseverything. Free. Refreshments will be served.Contact Mark Knauff at 703-209-2406 [email protected] to reserve a space.

Environmental Education Conference. 9a.m.-3 p.m. at Fairfax County GovernmentCenter, 12000 Government Center Parkway,Fairfax. High school and college students fromaround Virginia will learn effectiveenvironmental education games and teachingskills to prepare them to educate kids in theircommunity. They will have the opportunity toparticipate in workshops with experiencedenvironmental educators, enjoy a sustainablemeal, and join a network of students passionateabout the environment. The event is free forstudents, but donations are appreciated. Visitwww.eslileaders.org for more.

Messy Church. 5-6:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s in theWoods, 5911 Fairview Woods Drive, FairfaxStation. Join St. Peter’s in the Woods for theirmonthly Messy Church. It’s a worshipingcommunity especially geared towards familiesand young children, but welcoming to all. FunBible themed crafts and activities, casualworship and a free, family-style dinner. Call703-503-9210 for more. Registration isappreciated, visit www.stpetersinthewoods.org/events.

TUESDAY/JUNE 25FCPS Career Fair. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 9200 Burke

Lake Road, Burke. Fairfax County Public Schools(FCPS) will host a Career Fair for individualsinterested in learning more about instructionaland operational positions with the schooldistrict. There will also be four breakout sessionsoffered: benefits, the application process, andresume writing and interviewing. Particularneeds include teachers, instructional assistants,special education teachers, substitute teachers,HVAC mechanics, school bus drivers,maintenance technicians, and professionals ininformation technology, human resources,procurement and finance, and safety andsecurity. Visit www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-host-career-fair-instructional-and-operational-personnel to RSVP or learn more.

MONDAY/JULY 1Application Deadline. Each year, the

Community Foundation for Northern Virginiaprovides a grant opportunity to help publicschools encourage healthy lifestyles throughincreased exercise and better nutrition. Grantsup to $2,000 are awarded in a competitive grantprocess. Public elementary, middle and highschools located in Northern Virginia are alleligible to apply. Visit www.cfnova.org/for-grant-seekers/healthy-kids-grants for more.

MONDAYS/JULY 1-AUG. 5Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.

1-3 p.m. at George Mason Regional Library,7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. FairfaxCounty and Inova Health System are offeringworkshops to help people manage their chronicillnesses (arthritis, diabetes, heart problems,asthma, or any other chronic condition).Caregivers are welcome. Register atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and clickon Chronic Disease Self-Mgmt. Call 703-324-7721, TTY 711.

SATURDAY/JULY 6Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group. 2-4

p.m. at Mason District Governmental Center,6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The PeripheralNeuropathy Support Group for greaterWashington meets the first Saturday of themonth. All are welcome. RSVP for availableseating. Call 301-263-0616 or visitwww.dcpnsupport.org for more.

TUESDAY/JULY 9Family Caregiver Telephone Support Group.

7-8 p.m. Fairfax County’s Family CaregiverTelephone Support Group meets by phone onTuesday, February 13, 7-8 p.m. This month’stopic is After Hospitalization: What’s Next? Call703-324-5484, TTY 711 to register.

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