sledding day at keene mill -...

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Backpacking the World Lands a Couple in AlexandriaNews, Page 7

Local Goods on the Menu At Springfield Town Center

Dining, Page 9

Shayna and Daisy Dixon from Springfield start out on a ride that took them across the creek, nearly to Old Keene Mill Road. The hill at Keene Mill Elemen-tary is a favorite for the local sledding crowd.

Sledding Day at Keene MillNews, Page 3

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 17-23, 2019

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2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ January 17-23, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Springfield Connection ❖ January 17-23, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Emily Holter

And Madison Manske

Capital News Service

Faculty members from colleges anduniversities across Virginia con-verged on the Capitol on Thurs-

day, Jan. 10, urging legislators to pro-vide more funding for higher educationand ensure affordable college degrees forfuture generations of students.

Higher Education Advocacy Day drewprofessors like Brian Turner who chairsthe political science department atRandolph-Macon College. He noted thatthe State Council of Higher Education forVirginia has developed a plan to guidethe colleges and universities in the com-monwealth.

“The Virginia Plan for HigherEducation’s goal for Virginia is to bethe best-educated state by 2030,”Turner said.

To make that a reality, faculty membersasked members of the General Assembly toallocate money for salary increases, boosttuition assistance and increase student ac-cess to higher education.

In December, Gov. Ralph Northam pro-posed amending the state budget by giving$1 billion to higher education, includingincreasing tuition aid. Many public institu-tions in Virginia are hoping that with highersalaries, they will be able to offer a higher-quality education to students.

Low salaries make it hard to compete forprominent faculty members with other well-known institutions, Turner said.

As a group, Virginia’s college and univer-sity faculty members said they support a billby Del. David Bulova, (D-Fairfax) to in-crease transparency and ensure gifts thatpublic institutions receive are subject to theFreedom of Information Act.

Turner said House Bill 2386 wouldhelp ensure that donations enhance the

curriculum and provide more account-ability on how institutions spend theirmoney.

Speaking with delegates and senators,some faculty members also expressed theirconcerns over Title IX policies. Some havequestions about legislation sponsored byDel. Joseph Lindsey, D-Norfolk, pertainingto accusations of sexual violence on cam-pus.

Lindsey has introduced two bills (HB1830 and HB 1831) that would allow stu-dents to have attorneys present at any cam-pus disciplinary hearing or sexual assaulthearing.

Another higher education issue is a billproposed by Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Peters-burg, that would prohibit public collegesand universities from asking student appli-cants about their criminal history. Under HB2471, schools could not “deny admissionto any applicant on the basis of any crimi-nal history information.”

“Your criminal history should not bedeterring you from being able to pursueeducation. And in my bill, there’s a linethat says this is really about the applica-tion,” Aird said. “If they do get admittedand let’s say, for some instance, you havea student that wants to live in on-cam-pus housing, the institution can then re-quest their criminal history.”

In making the rounds at CapitolSquare, participants in Higher EducationAdvocacy Day spoke with Sen. RichardStuart, R-Fredericksburg, about his billto give students a voice on tuition in-creases.

Under SB 1204, “No increase of un-dergraduate tuition or mandatory feesapproved by a governing board of a pub-lic institution of higher education shalltake effect unless such increase receivesan affirmative vote of at least two-thirdsof undergraduate students enrolled insuch institution.”

Faculty members fear that would makeit impossible to raise tuition.

“I don’t think you could round up two-thirds of the student body to vote for freebeer,” Turner said.

Focus on reform, plus money for salary increases, boosting tuitionassistance and increasing student access to higher education.

Faculty Members Lobby Legislators on Higher Education

The hill at Keene Mill Elementary is a favorite for thelocal sledding crowd in the Springfield-Burke area.

A Snow Day TurnsInto a Sledding Day

Dylan Lavinder, 10, of Springfield, getsaerial on a jump.

Snowboards are gaining in popularity onthe hill.

Ashley, 8, and Makenzie Dixon, 10, of Burke try out thesnowboards at the hill at Keene Mill Elementary.

Shayna andDaisy Dixonfrom Spring-field start outon a ride thattook themacross thecreek, nearly toOld Keene MillRoad. The hillat Keene MillElementary is afavorite for thelocal sleddingcrowd in theSpringfield-Burke area.

The photoops wereendlessduring thesledding dayMonday atthe hill atKeene MillElementary.

Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection


Opinion

A week is already completed in theshort (45-day) session of the Vir-ginia General Assembly, and somany important things are in the

works, in danger of happening or not happen-ing, that no one can have a clear view of it all.

An example: The Senate Courts of JusticeCommittee voted for a bill 8-6 that would barthe execution of people with serious mentalillnesses. Possibly you didn’t realize that it islegal to execute someone with serious mentalillness, because it makes no sense. But this billfailed last year.

Another success for the moment: increasingthe minimum wage to $15 over several yearsalso cleared Senate committee.

Do you know who your Virginia delegate andsenator are? Every resident of Virginia gets oneof each. Enter your address here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ to findout all of your representatives, plus contactinformation. Call and tell them, or leave amessage, about what matters to you. Send anemail. Connect to them on Facebook and watchfor live Q&A sessions.

Here you can search legislation by bill num-ber or keyword, find video and streaming:https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/

Last week’s editorial, a long legislative wishlist, http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2019/jan/08/opinion-editorial-wish-list-things-session-general/ still omitted many im-portant actions, despite its length. One in par-ticular made it into some editions and not oth-ers: To establish equal rights for LGBT Virgin-

ians, especially in housing and public employ-ment.

Here are a few more important items:The Virginia State Conference NAACP Crimi-

nal Justice Committee supports the passage ofthe following bills that are up for debate inthis legislative session:

❖ HB 1651 - Raises grand larceny limit from$500 to $750 (Del Hayes)

❖ HB 1642 - Increases data collection on useof solitary confinement (Del Hope)

❖ SB 1013 - Repeals suspension of driverslicences for not paying fines (Sen Stanley; DelKory)

❖ SB 1053 and HB 1745 - Makes juvenileoffenders sentenced to life automatically eli-gible for parole after serving 25 years. (SenMarsden; Del Lindsey)

❖ HB 2616 - Raises the minimum age a childcan be tried as an adult from 14 to 16 (DelGuzman) (And this is still far too low.)

❖ SB 1551, HB 1685, HB 1873 and HB 1688- Limits the scope of what School Resource Of-ficers can get involved, prohibits students frombeing charged with disorderly conduct, andmandates data collection of use of force againststudents. (Sen Surovell, Del Schuyler T.VanValkenburg, Del Bourne; Del Mullin)

❖ SB 997 - Decriminalizes simple marijuanapossession. (Sen Ebbin)

❖ SB 1008 - Bans mechanical devices de-signed to increase rate of bullets firing. (SenEbbin)

❖ SB 1013 - Repeals the requirement thatthe driver’s license of a person convicted of

any violation of the law who fails or refuses toprovide payment of fines be suspended. (SenStanley)

❖ SB 1034 - Prohibits any person who is nota licensed firearms dealer from purchasingmore than one handgun in a 30-day period.(Sen Locke)

❖ HB 1991 - Labels violent hate groups asdomestic terrorists (Del Price)

❖ HB 2472 - Adds gender, disability, genderidentity, and sexual orientation to the catego-ries of victims whose intentional selection fora hate crime results in a higher criminal pen-alty for the offense. (Del. Kenneth R. Plum)

House Courts of Justice members: Robert B.Bell (chairman), Leftwich (vice chair), Kilgore,Gilbert, L.R. Adams, J.L. Campbell, Collins,Miyares, Ransone, R.R. Campbell, Watts,Toscano, Herring, Hope, Mullin, Bourne,Simon, Carroll Foy.

Senate Courts of Justice members:Obenshain (chairman), Saslaw, Norment,Howell, Lucas, Edwards, McDougle, Stuart,Stanley, Reeves, Chafin, Deeds, Sturtevant,Petersen, and Peake.Find contact information https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/

See our websitewww.ConnectionNewspapers.com for manystories from the General Assembly from theCapital News Service, written by journalismstudents from VCU.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Thousands of bills considered over 45 days could havea big impact on your life, for better or for worse.

Pay Attention, State Legislature Not Gridlocked

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

In a recent social media post,I indicated that the annualGeneral Assembly session

would be underway very soon.AutoCorrect changed the text tobe “underwater very soon.” Myson alerted me to the change, andI made what I thought was a cor-rection. As the General Assemblysession has gotten underway I am starting towonder if AutoCorrect knew something that Iam now coming to realize: The General As-sembly may well be underwater! The sessionis scheduled to go until Feb. 22. Meeting fivedays a week means 38 actual days for work onmore than 2,000 bills and resolutions. While Ihave highlighted big issues like redistrictingreform, preventing gun violence and ERA rati-fication, there are many more issues large andsmall that make up the agenda for the session.

Virginia has always conformed its incometax policies to the federal system. With themassive changes that have been made in fed-eral tax law, the General Assembly will wrestlewith what we will do in Virginia. There will

be an effort to resolve the issueearly in the session to accommo-date taxpayers who want to filetheir returns early. Part of the taxpolicy debate will be making theEarned Income Tax Credit (EITC)refundable as promoted by theGovernor in a bill that I have in-troduced. The purpose would be

to allow persons of low income to keep moreof the money they earn and be more self-sup-porting.

As a Dillon Rule State meaning local gov-ernments have only the powers granted tothem by the state, dozens of bills, called localbills, are introduced to extend powers some ofwhich are very minor to a particular locality.Another group of bills is called housekeepingto make corrections or clarifications to legisla-tion that passed in previous sessions. All thesebills are important but add to the workload ofa session.

Challenging environmental issues will becoming before the legislature many of whichrelate to energy. There are proposals to increase

the required uses of alternative and renewablefuels. Cleaning up from the past use of fossilsfuels and the resulting growth in coal ash pondswill be taken up.

There is strong need to deal with the degra-dation of water quality in the Chesapeake Bayarea. The Tidewater area is subject to recur-rent flooding coming about with climatechange that needs addressing now rather thanlater.

There are many bills dealing with criminaljustice reform including bills intended to re-duce the school to prison pipeline. The Gover-nor has announced his support of decriminal-izing possession of small quantities of mari-juana. A bill that has been introduced wouldallow casino and sports gambling.

There will be a number of dog and cat billsthat include high levels of emotion from inter-ested parties. Being able to limit dogs runningacross the properties of land owners is a bigconcern in rural areas.

To review all the bills on the agenda of theGeneral Assembly go to http://lis.virginia.gov

If you have not done so already, let me knowyour positions on issues by going to my website(www.kenplum.com). Click on Legislative Ses-sion Survey.

General Assembly AgendaCommentary

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News

By Saffeya Ahmed


Virginians are divided on whether theywould support legislation to train schoolteachers and administrators to be armedon school grounds, according to a poll

conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University.“It was almost split right down the middle,” said

Robyn McDougle, director for the Center for PublicPolicy in VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Govern-ment and Public Affairs, which conducted the study.

The 2018-19 Winter Public Policy Poll asked a ran-dom sample of 805 adult Virginians: “Would you fa-vor or oppose a state law allowing localities to trainteachers and administrators to be armed in schools?”

About 47 percent of Virginians are strongly orsomewhat in favor of such training while 49 percentare strongly or somewhat opposed, the poll found.The survey’s margin of error was 3.45 percentagepoints.

Republicans were far more likely than Democratsto favor the legislation. A little more than half ofwhite people responded that they would supporttraining teachers and administrators to carry weap-ons, compared with 34 percent of minorities. Resi-dents of western Virginia supported arming teach-ers more than any other region in the state, with 63percent strongly or somewhat favoring the proposedlegislation.

Forty hearty souls and twosnowmen protested in front ofthe NRA headquarters in Fairfaxon Monday, Jan. 14. Neithersnow, rain, heat nor ice hasstopped this monthly vigilwhich began seven years agoimmediately following the mas-sacre at Sandy Hook, Dec 14,2012. The vigil is held the 14thof each month in memory of thevictims of Sandy Hook and ofall the victims of gun violence.It will continue until there are

common sense changes likeuniversal background checks,banning bump stocks and keep-ing guns out of the hands ofdomestic abusers.

Next vigil—Valentines Day,Feb. 14, 2019. Sponsored by:Reston Herndon Alliance to EndGun Violence, Concerned Citi-zens Against Gun Violence,Brady Campaign Northern Vir-ginia, Virginia Coalition for GunViolence Prevention and Coali-tion to Stop Gun Violence.

Dozens Brave Snow, Ice toProtest Gun Violence

Photo by Ben Zuhl

Dozens protest in front of the NRA headquarters inFairfax on Monday, Jan. 14.

Reflecting geographic differences.

Virginians Are Split on Arming TeachersMcDougle said the results show

that “the commonwealth is stillvery much a split state around the

importance of Second Amendment rights.” She saidVirginia is “not a state where we’re one side or theother — it’s still a hotly debated topic.”

The idea of arming school teachers most recentlycirculated after the 2018 mass shooting at MarjoryStoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Theshooting killed 17 and injured 17 others. In 2018alone, there were at least 24 school shootings re-sulting in 113 deaths, according to research con-ducted by Education Week.

Arming teachers and administrative staff at schoolsis not an idea unknown to Virginia. In August, LeeCounty, in southwestern Virginia, approved a planto arm teachers in an effort to increase security. At-torney General Mark Herring denounced LeeCounty’s plan as illegal.

“But when Parkland happened … the coach wasshot while he was trying to protect his students,”Brian Austin, superintendent of Lee County PublicSchools, told NPR. “We had the incident in Indiana,where the young teacher was trying to defend hisstudents and got shot. And some school boardsstarted issuing buckets of rocks and bats. And wethought we could do better than that.”

In addition to arming teachers, the poll also askedVirginians if they supported people carrying firearmsat large public assemblies — such as concerts, pro-tests or festivals. Sixty-two percent said they wouldfavor maintaining public safety, even if it meant re-stricting people from carrying guns.


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By Marilyn Campbell

Jessica DeBoer’s 13-year-old son just re-turned to school after a six-day suspensionbecause he was caught vaping in the boysbathroom of his elite private school. Until

she received a call from one of the school’s adminis-trators, DeBoer was not familiar with the practiceand never dreamed her son would partake in it.

“Now I feel like I might have been naive consider-ing how widespread it seems to be,” she said. “Myson told me that many of the kids in his school havetried vaping and some even do it regularly.”

Vaping is the use of e-cigarettes to inhale and ex-hale an aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which isproduced by an e-cigarette orsimilar device. The term is usedbecause e-cigarettes produce anaerosol that consists of fine par-ticles, many of which containvarying amounts of toxic chemi-cals.

For parents like Deboer, keep-ing the line of communicationopen is a key weapon in keep-ing kids away from e-cigarettes,says therapist Lisa Baguio,LCSW. “Before talking with yourteen about vaping, or any sensitive issue for thatmatter, educate yourself and make sure you knowwhat you’re talking about,” she said. “Kids know morethan we give them credit for. Be prepared with unre-futable facts and scientific evidence because you canguarantee yourself that your kids will have their ownset of facts, which are often false.”

Once you have those facts, be prepared to sharethem during a conversation with your teen. “It’s im-portant that parents are open and honest with their

children,” said child psychologist Laurie Jones,Psy.D. “You first have to tell them your expec-tations. For example, ‘In our family, we havezero tolerance for e-cigarette or tobacco use ofany kind.’ You then should explain the dan-gers and risks involved and make sure that your

teen knows that this is not your just opinion, butproven hazards.”

A teen might be less likely to engage in vaping ifthey can connect it to negative consequences thataffect them personally, advised marriage and familycounselor Joyce McCarry, M.A. ”One thing that teensvalue is their image among their peer group,” shesaid. “If vaping a substance causes bad breath, thatwill deter a teen from using it. If getting caughtvaping means that they are kicked off a sports team,that will be a deterrent.”

A parent’s best tactic is creating an environmentwhere one’s teen feels comfortable sharing informa-tion about vaping and working with them

collaboratively to find ways toavoid it, says McCarry. “Youwant your child to let you knowif they’re vaping or have friendswho are doing it,” she said. “Youcan also let them know that ifthey’re ever in a situation wherethey’re being offered an e-ciga-rette, real cigarettes or drugs oranything dangerous, that theycan call you and you will pickthem up immediately with noquestions asked.”

“You also want you to give your child a way to getout of a risky social situation without feeling embar-rassed,” continued McCarry. “I have a patient whoseparents tell him to text them a numerical code when-ever he’s in a precarious situation with friends. Theparents know to call his cell phone and tell him thatthere’s a family emergency and he needs to comehome right away. This gives the child an excuse toleave without feeling embarrassed or like he’ll be ridi-culed for not engaging in risky behavior.”

How to Talk About VapingApproaching conversationabout dangers of e-cigarettes.

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“You also want you togive your child a way toget out of a risky socialsituation withoutfeeling embarrassed.”

— Joyce McCarry, M.A.


People

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

Shannon and Sergio Morales are aCalifornia couple that got rid of ev-erything, including their office jobs,and now live out of their back-

packs, house-sitting their way around theworld in pursuit of the happiness that thiskind of freedom brings. They are nowhousesitting in Alexandria, working com-puter contracting jobs on their laptops andtaking care of the homeowner’s two catsuntil the end of February, when they’ll beoff to their next stop in this whirlwindlifestyle. “We couldn’t see ourselves settlingdown,” said Shannon.

They’ve taken their lifestyle discussion tothe web, and have a website, “Screw theAverage, be an outlier,” full of pictures, ablog, and an explanation.

“We’ve been called frugal, minimalists,environmentalists, and adventurists. Welike to think of ourselves as different, asoutliers,” their explanation reads on theirwebsite “Screwtheaverage.com.” An “out-lier,” is defined as “a person whose residenceand place of business are at a distance.” Thename of their website might seem to besnubbing their noses at a conventionallifestyle, but they insist that’s not the case.“Why be average when we can push it alittle further?” Shannon asked. The websitephoto album shows them in various places

in this country as well as the United King-dom, Ireland, Turkey, Belgium, Italy, Mo-rocco and more. They’ve house sat in down-town Vienna, Austria, and Athens, Greece“three or four blocks from the palace,” saidSergio. Shannon often finds herself atStarbucks with her laptop, working for vari-ous computer companies she’s gotten con-tracts to support. “I’ve been to Starbucksall over the world,” she said. KingstowneStarbucks is within walking distance to theircurrent residence, although it is over a mile.Walking is part of the plan as well.

IN EARLY 2016, they had this lifestyle ontheir radar screen and worked towards theday when they gave up their apartment, andsold their car in fall of 2016 and left theUnited States in November. At that point,their plan was to housesit in Europe, butthat extended into Asia and Africa too be-fore they came back in 2017 and landed inBoise, Idaho before getting another house-sitting gig in Portland. “It’s crazy doingtaxes,” said Shannon, referring to all theout-of-state type forms they use.

The travel life with a laptop computer andno permanent roots is the topic of“Vegabonding Life,” a travel blog thatGeorge Rodgers has been part since headopted this lifestyle. He’s been travelingaround the world for the past 12 years be-ing a “digital nomad,” on a laptop, like theMorales’s are doing. “That location-inde-pendent lifestyle is very common in theplaces I travel,” he said, naming far-awayplaces he calls “digital nomad hubs,” suchas Chiang Mai in Thailand, Tulum inMexico, and Bali. “All offer warm climates,inexpensive living, and networking withother travelers and online entrepreneurs,”he said. “I did one of those housesitting gigs

myself for two months down in Mexico, si-multaneously working with my laptop,”Rodgers said.

Although the Morales’s goal is to behappy, another roundabout goal goes by theacronym of FIRE – Financially Independent,Retire Early. The Morales’s got further in-volved when they were in Colorado wherethey met the “NoCo Mustachians,” commu-nity. The guru of this financial freedommeetup was a character called “Mr. MoneyMoustache.” While the FIRE people areworking long hours to get to that point, theMorales’s want their happiness to be themain focus.

“We both put in our time,” said Shannon,

“for us it isn’t working the 9-5 job.” Travelis a motivator for them, but the FIRE con-cept is still a long-term goal.

THIS LIFESTYLE is not all about sittingon a sun-drenched beach with a laptop andfrozen cocktail, like some of the ads por-tray. At each house, there is usually pets thatneed taking care of, and they walk a lotsince they have no car. For work, they scourthe job boards, and frequently log on totrustedhousesitters.com to find their nextstay. At this point in January, they don’t haveanything set up for the end of Februarywhen the current homeowners will return,but they’re not concerned.

Shannon and Sergio babysitting pets in Canada. Shannon and Sergio Morales in Egypt.

Backpacking the World Landed a Couple in AlexandriaHouse-sitting andlaptop computerjobs became theirway of life.

For Shannon andSergio Morales,Kingstowne iswalkable from theirtemporary home.

Photo by

Mike Salmon

The Connection

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Entertainment

Burke Historical SocietyLocal authors, Mary Lipsey and Cindy Bennett, will share

their experiences and tips on the process of researching, writ-ing, and publishing a historical book. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7-9 p.m.at Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Free.Email [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org for more.

Author Event:Tiffany Foo-Garcia

Tiffany Foo-Garcia will be holding areading and signing for the first book ofher new middle grade culinary adven-ture series, “Ruby Foo and theTravelling Kitchen: Finding the FooIdentity.” Saturday, Feb. 3, Noon-3 p.m.at Barnes & Noble-Fair Lakes, 12193Fair Lakes Promenade Drive, Fairfax.Visit rubyfookitchen.com for more.

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Founding Artists ExhibitionWorkhouse Arts Center presents a group exhibition high-

lighting Studio and Arches artists that have been a part of theorganization for its 10-year span. In honor of their dedicationand support, the exhibition will survey their works in variousmediums including painting, sculpture, fiber, glass, preciousmetals, and mixed media. Through Feb. 3 at The WorkhouseArts Center, Vulcan Muse Gallery, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Visit www.workhousearts.org for more.

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

ONGOINGFounding Artists Exhibition.

Through Feb. 3 at The WorkhouseArts Center, Vulcan Muse Gallery,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center presents agroup exhibition highlighting Studioand Arches artists that have been apart of the organization for its 10-year span. In honor of theirdedication and support, theexhibition will survey their works invarious mediums including painting,sculpture, fiber, glass, preciousmetals, and mixed media. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

Exhibit: Purchased Lives. ThroughFeb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (exceptmajor holidays) at the FairfaxMuseum and Visitor Center, 10209Main St., Fairfax. Purchased Lives isa traveling exhibition from theHistoric New Orleans Collection. Theexhibit examines a complex anddivisive period of American historyand educating about the far-reachingeconomic and heartbreaking personalimpact of the domestic slave trade.Look for The Washington Home ofthe Philippine Suffrage MovementMarch 3-31. Call 703-385-8414.

FRIDAY/JAN. 11B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

Bonita Lestina PerformanceSeries. 8 p.m. in Old Town Hall,3999 University Drive. Performer tobe announced. Doors open 7:30 p.m.Free. Visit fairfaxva.gov/culturalartsor call 703-352-ARTS.

FRIDAY/JAN. 18Family Movie Night: “Paddington

2.” Lights go down at 7 p.m. atSherwood Community Center, 3740Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Enjoy afree, family friendly (movies are PG)movie night. Participants may bringtheir own snacks. An adult mustaccompany anyone under the age of14. Britepaths will accept donationsof non-perishable food until 9 p.m.Call 703-385-7858.

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

SATURDAY/JAN. 19Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet.

Country-Western Dance. 6-9:30 p.m.at Accotink Universalist UnitarianChurch, 10125 Lakehaven Court,Burke. The Northern VirginiaCountry-Western Dance Associationwill hold a dance with lessons, 6-7p.m. and open dancing, 7-9:30 p.m.A DJ provides music. Couples andsingles of all ages welcome.Admission for NVCWDA members

$10; non-members $12; childrenunder 18 accompanied by a payingadult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free.BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org.

SUNDAY/JAN. 20Garden Gauge (G Scale) Model

Train Show. 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.The Washington, Virginia, andMaryland Garden Railway Societywill hold their annual Garden GaugeModel Train Show at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.

Big Band Concert. 4-5:30 p.m. at St.Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6509Sydenstricker Road, Burke. TheWhite House Band All-Stars willpresent a traditional Big Band,Bebop, Fusion, Swing and Latinconcert. The group is made up ofService Band musicians who haveperformed at the White House. Freeadmission. Childcare provided.Reception to follow. Free. Call 703-455-2500 or visitwww.standrews.net.

FRIDAY/JAN. 25B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,


Bonita Lestina PerformanceSeries. 8 p.m. in Old Town Hall,

3999 University Drive. With IONACeltic Fusion. Doors open 7:30 p.m.Free. Visit fairfaxva.gov/culturalartsor call 703-352-ARTS.

SATURDAY/JAN. 26Learn from History Lectures. 2

p.m. at Historic Blenheim, 3610 OldLee Highway. The War Outside MyWindow: The Civil War Journals ofLeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1860-1865.Call 703-591-0560.

Reminiscences. 7-8 p.m. atProvidence Presbyterian Church,9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.After winning first prize at theGolden Classical Music AwardsInternational Music Competition andmaking his debut performance atCarnegie Hall, concert pianist MarkIrchai returns to the DC-metro area.He will offer “Reminiscences” – a solopiano recital of music written bycomposers in reflection on theirpasts. Free. Visit markirchai.com.

SUNDAY/JAN. 27Reading Circle and Craft Day. 1-4

p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. “My LittleBook of Trains” will be featured in areading circle. Train locomotives andtenders will be explored during theactivities that day. Participants maymake their own ongoing journal forthe year’s reading circles andinformation learned about trains andrailroading. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

Burke Historical Society. 3:30-5p.m. at Pohick Regional Library,6540 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. BHSPresident Jon Vrana will give a

presentation called “If These WallsCould Talk,” examining the 19th-century history of Woodbury—alsoknown as the Silas Burke House.Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

MONDAY/JAN. 29Fairfax Gratefulness Gathering. 7-

8:30 p.m. at Richard Byrd PublicLibrary, 7250 Commerce St.,Springfield. A program ofGratefulness.org Bring gratitude tolife in the community, be present toopportunities always available;opportunities to learn and grow andextend oneself with care andcompassion. Free. [email protected].

THURSDAY/JAN. 31Adults’ BYOG Night. 7-8:30 p.m. at

Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke LakeRoad, Burke. BYOG = Bring yourOwn Game – come to the library withyour favorite board game or cardgame to share. Adults only. Free. Call703-978-5600 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4741919.

FRIDAY/FEB. 1B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,


SATURDAY/FEB. 2Dog Park Grand Opening. 9 a.m. at

the Fairfax City Dog Park, 11000Berry St., Fairfax. City residents, bothtwo-legged and four-legged, areinvited to the grand openingceremony for the Fairfax City dogpark on the former WestmoreElementary School site. The new dogpark will be open daily from dawn todusk. All dogs with current licensesare welcome. The park will include afenced exercise/run area (fence is agift from Affectionate Pet Care), parkbenches, and trash and recyclingreceptacles. Waste bags and areceptacle will be provided at the dog

park. Call 703-385-7858.Chinese New Year Festival. 10 a.m.-

6 p.m. at Luther Jackson MiddleSchool, 3020 Gallows Road, FallsChurch. The 12th Annual ChineseNew Year Festival hosted by theAsian Community Service Centerfeaturing live performances,including Dragon and Lion dances,Han Costume Fashion show, Asianfood, the writing of Chinese names,language, craft and business booths,children world, and also a lunar newyear dragon parade. Free admission.Visitwww.ChineseNewYearFestival.org.

SATURDAY/FEB. 3Author Event: Tiffany Foo-Garcia.

Noon-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble-FairLakes, 12193 Fair Lakes PromenadeDrive, Fairfax. Tiffany Foo-Garciawill be holding a reading and signingfor the first book of her new middlegrade culinary adventure series,“Ruby Foo and the TravellingKitchen: Finding the Foo Identity.”Visit rubyfookitchen.com.

Make a Valentine Card Craft. 1-4p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The FairfaxStation Railroad Museum will have aValentine’s Day Make and Takeevent. Visitors will create their ownValentine’s cards to take home withthem. The cost of supplies is includedwith admission.. Ages 16 and older,$4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

TUESDAY/FEB. 5Burke Historical Society. 7-9 p.m. at

Burke Centre Library, 5935 FredsOak Road, Burke. Local authors,Mary Lipsey and Cindy Bennett, willshare their experiences and tips onthe process of researching, writing,and publishing a historical book.Free. Email [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

TUESDAYS/FEB. 5-26Try Girl Scouts. 6-7 p.m. at West

Springfield Elementary School, 6802Deland Drive, Springfield. Make newfriends, learn about Girl Scouts, andmeet the requirements for two newcybersecurity badges. $25 for fourweeks. Email [email protected] orcall 703-372-4341.

FRIDAY/FEB. 8B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,


SATURDAY/FEB. 9Animal Sweetheart’s Dance. 2-4

p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center,8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield.Dance, laugh, and learn at the socialevent of the winter season. Spacelimited, register online (tinyurl.com/y9nz9q48) or call 703-451-9588 tosave a spot. $9. [email protected] or call703-451-9588.

Winter Wonderland Family Dance.5-8 p.m. at Stacy C. SherwoodCommunity Center, 3740 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. Bring the wholefamily for an evening of magic andwonder with dinner, special guestcharacters, crafts, dancing and more.All families are welcome. $30 peradult, $20 per child. Visitfairfaxva.gov/parksrec or call 703-385-7858.


Dining

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

In February, diners at Spring-field Town Center will haveanother entrée on their listof dining choices when

Maggie McFly’s opens. The Con-necticut-based restaurant special-izes in a teriyaki bowl, pot roast,jambalaya and fresh turkey witha side of house-made apple stuff-ing, made with locally-grown in-gredients.

“We’re huge on local and fresh,”said Carrie Koscal, the marketingmanager. They use Suite Sophia,honey from Lake Ridge, cupcakesfrom Soul Cakes, in Woodbridge,beer from Port City, in Alexandriaand coffee from Servantes, inSpringfield, among a list of otherlocally sourced products.

Maggie McFly’s opened its firstbar and restaurant in 1993 inMiddlebury, Conn. It currently hasfive Connecticut locations and onein Virginia Beach. They pickedSpringfield to “expand the brandin the direction we’re looking togo,” said Koscal. The Springfield

location will be a 6,800 square feetspace, that seats 217 inside and 52on the patio.

Although they have one locationin Brookfield, Conn. with abackroom golf-themed facility thathas a computer interactive aspect,the Springfield restaurant will bevery much like the Virginia Beachlocation, with a central bar,booths, lots of glass and greenneon lettering out front. Construc-tion is finishing up at their loca-tion between LA Fitness andZinburger on the Loisdale Roadside. Like some other restaurantsat the town center, it will only beaccessed from the outside, not theshopping interior.

Although Virginia Beach isknown for the summer vacationcrowd, Maggie McFly’s is locatedin Lynnhaven Mall there and ca-ters to the locals. “It’s super mili-tary heavy,” Koscal said of the cli-entele, and noted their location inproximity to Naval Air StationOceana. There’s an aviation themethat will be present at Springfieldas well.

Mike Jay works out at LA Fitness

and has watched the restaurantconstruction as he comes andgoes. He grew up in Philadelphiaand goes to Maggiano’s at thetown center a lot, but feels MaggieMcFly’s will attract diners on res-taurant row in Springfield. “It fits

the destination mode,” he said.The founder, Ray Harper, looks

to be part of the community aswell, working with charities anddonations. “In Connecticut, we doa lot of soup kitchens,” said Koscal.

Don Cordeiro will be the new

manager, and he got his start atthe Virginia Beach location, as didsome of the others on the newstaff. They are hiring as well, look-ing for “amazing people that couldcontribute something great to theteam,” Koscal said.

The centrally-located bar features wrap-around stools that are reminis-cent of a 1960s design. The front will face the Springfield Hilton and Loisdale Road.

Local Goods on the Menu at Springfield Town CenterFreshness and locally sourced foods to highlight menu at new restaurant Maggie McFly’s.

Booths are on the outer rim with industrial ceilingsthroughout.

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“Loving People to Life”


See Bulletin, Page 11

News

By Saffeya Ahmed


Immigrant rights advocatesurged legislators Wednesday,Jan. 9, to provide driving

privileges, wage theft protectionand in-state tuition to immigrantswho reside in Virginia withoutdocumentation.

The Virginia Coalition for Immi-grant Rights — composed of morethan 20 immigrant justice organi-zations — laid out its legislativeagenda on behalf of the state’s es-timated 270,000 residents withoutlegal permission to live in the U.S.

Some advocates, includingHaziel Andrade of the Virginia In-tercollegiate Immigrant Alliance,shared personal stories about whyissues such as college tuition andthe ability to drive affect Virginia’simmigrant communities.

“As I share part of my story,”Andrade said, “I’d like anyone lis-tening to look at me as a humanbeing, not by my immigration status.”

Andrade arrived in the U.S. from Colombia at 3years old. Currently a temporary resident under theDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, shestudies computer science at Virginia CommonwealthUniversity. Andrade asked legislators to let Virgin-ians lacking proper documentation pay in-state tu-ition rates.

“Now more than ever, I’m being targeted becauseof my immigration status. And I feel as though noone cares about my education,” Andrade said. “Whatmakes my education any different from any otherVirginian student?”

Of the 270,000 Virginians residing in the U.S. with-out permission, at least 12,000 were minors whoqualified for DACA in 2017, according to U.S. Citi-zenship and Immigration Services. But not everyonebelieves DACA recipients should receive in-state tu-ition.

Ira Mehlman, media directorwith the Federation for AmericanImmigration Reform, called sub-sidizing tuition for those living inthe U.S. illegally a “zero-sumgame.”

“Money that is given to subsidizecollege educations for people whoare in the country illegally ismoney that is not given to some-one else,” Mehlman said. He saidthe Virginia Coalition for Immi-grant Rights wants “to allocatescarce public resources to benefita group of people who are in thecountry illegally, and it’s comingat the expense of other people whoneed those benefits.”

BESIDES IN-STATE TUITION,members of the coalition discussedthe need for legal permission todrive a motor vehicle. ElenaCamacho told her story in Span-ish, translated by VACIR ExecutiveDirector Monica Sarmiento.

“The first example I’ll list is anundocumented friend I have who has a special needsson,” Camacho said. “She needs to drive her son toand from the doctor’s office. ... She has this dailyneed, but she isn’t able to fulfill it.”

But Mehlman said driving privileges are just that— a privilege.

“The idea that you are in the country illegally —you have no legal right to be here — [and] you shouldbe awarded the privilege of driving … it simplydoesn’t make much sense,” Mehlman said. “The stateof Virginia should not be facilitating people violat-ing federal immigration law.”

Camacho described driving as a need, not a want.“The ability to have driving privileges is absolutely

essential,” Sarmiento translated. “Some people seea basic necessity as being able to have food, to havehealth care. Driving privileges should be seen in thatparticular way because it is an access to all thoseavenues.”

Advocates Seek Laws to HelpImmigrants Drive, Study

Steve Yoo, campaign coor-dinator for The NationalKorean American Service &Education Consortium,spoke about his experi-ences as an immigrantillegally residing in the U.S.

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by Saffeya A

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Submit civic/community an-nouncements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calen-dar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at leasttwo weeks before event.Prescription Drug Take Back

Box Program. Fairfax Countyannounced the expansion of thePrescription Drug Take Back BoxProgram Countywide. The boxesare available 24/7/365 at eachdistrict police station for anyperson to anonymously andsafely dispose of theirprescription medications 24/7/365 - no questions asked. It isimportant to get unusedmedicines, especially opioids, outof your medicine cabinets toprevent accidental or illicit use.Several Fairfax Countypharmacies also take backunused prescription drugs. For acurrent list, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/4-ways-to-safely-dispose-of-

unused-medications/.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or

Railroad History? Considervolunteering at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. The Museumoffers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an individualto coordinate the scheduling of thevolunteer staff. Training will beprovided for all positions. [email protected] or call703-945-7483 for opportunities. TheMuseum is located at 11200 FairfaxStation Road in Fairfax Station. It isopen every Sunday, except holidays,from 1-4 p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke needs volunteer drivers fortrips to medical appointments(Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) withinthe Fairfax-Burke area and in the

South County area (west of Route1, Alexandria). Office volunteersare also needed to work in theSCFB (Olley Glen) office toschedule rides. Bilingualvolunteers (English and Spanish)are needed as drivers and officevolunteers. Email Shavaun Wallat [email protected] or call703-323-4788.

INPUT SOUGHTUnmanned Aircraft Systems

(UAS) Program. Fairfax Countyis developing a comprehensivePublic Safety Unmanned AircraftSystems (UAS) program andwould like to hear from residents.Each of six public informationmeetings will include a staticdisplay of unmanned aircraftfollowed by a presentationoutlining the program. After thepresentation, there will be anopportunity to ask questions. Theformal presentation will begin at

Bulletin Board


News

Free Meals forFurloughed Workers

To help furloughed workers having a dif-ficult time making ends meet, Christ Churchis providing free, Wednesday night dinnersfor them and their families until the fur-lough is lifted. The next one will be Jan. 23from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Christ Church is at7600 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. For moreinformation, contact Associate Pastor RyanLaRock at [email protected] orcall 703-425-3580.

From Page 10

Bulletin Board

7 p.m. To find out more about the UAS program goto www.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Send feedbackor questions to [email protected] orthrough the link located on the UAS webpage.Written comments on the draft program must bereceived by the close of business Feb. 8, 2019, tobe included in the official public record.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at SouthCounty Governmental Center (Room 221C),8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at McLeanDistrict Governmental Center, 1437 Balls HillRoad, McLean.

❖ Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at SullyDistrict Governmental Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd, Chantilly.

❖ Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at RestonCommunity Center – Hunter Woods, 2310 ColtsNeck Road.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at BraddockHall – Kings Park Library, 9002 Burke LakeRoad, Burke.

TUESDAYS THROUGH FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the Making. 6:30-

8:30 p.m. at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in the Making:The Seven Essential Life Skills Every ChildNeeds by Ellen Galinsky, encompasses anevidence-based list of life skills that are essentialfor children to succeed socially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and long term.Participants may register for one or all of theworkshops and do not need to attend theprevious class. Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore or to register.

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 22 – Communicating (part 3)❖ Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Making Connections (part 4)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 5 – Critical Thinking (part 5)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Taking on Challenges (part 6)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed, Engaged

Learning (part 7)

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 16Park Fees, Public Comment Meeting. 7 p.m.

in Room 106 of the Herrity Building, 12055Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. TheFairfax County Park Authority has scheduled itsannual public comment meeting on the agency’sproposed fee adjustments. The public is invitedto share their perspectives on the proposals withthe Park Authority Board either at the meeting,via correspondence or by email. The publicmeeting agenda includes a brief presentation onthe fee process followed by an opportunity forpublic comment. Information outlining allproposed fee changes is available online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/feemeeting, atthe Park Authority’s main office in the HerrityBuilding and at staffed park facilities, includingRECenters, golf courses, nature centers andhistoric sites.

FRIDAY/JAN. 18Conversation with Kerry Hannon. 10:30 a.m.-

1 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 CommerceSt., Springfield. “A Conversation with KerryHannon: Empower Yourself Personally,Professionally and Financially.” Richard ByrdLibrary is parterning with the Life PlanningNetwork to present Hannon, a best sellingauthor and an expert on career transitions,personal finance, entrepreneurship andretirement. Free. Call 703-451-8055 for more.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Today, Jan. 12, 2019 is National Glazed Donut Day and the day after my most recent post-scan appointment with my oncologist. A day when, if I’m lucky – as I have been for the past 10 years – my world will change for the better (donut consumption notwithstanding). However, the ‘world’ to which I refer is one fraught with danger and offers no more guarantees than I’ve been accustomed to.

To invoke the late, great Rod Serling: I am now entering “The Immunotherapy Zone.”

Yes, a brand new – for me – treatment protocol: new drug, new side effects, new frequency, new lifestyle/fewer hassles (potentially), and most impor-tantly: shrinkage (possibly), of my tumors, especially my “Adams Apple” tumor, as I’ve come to nickname the mass just below my Adams Apple (which is sort of bothering me, if you want to know the truth).

The nature of cancer treatment as I’ve experi-enced it – and learned from my oncologist is – if the drug is working, you continue it until it isn’t (sounds simple I know). When it stops working, you change

-cer cells are smart that way.)

Generally speaking, the cancer drug doesn’t start working (shrinking, stabilizing) after it has stopped working (growth). Over my nearly 10 years, I have switched drugs upwards of a dozen times.

Now, I am switching again: to Opdivo, an immu-notherapy drug, a class of drugs that didn’t even

and one that has only been approved for the treatment of lung cancer since 2015. A drug that, to quote the television advertisement: “offers a chance at longer life.”

And so, Team Lourie, two-thirds of it anyway,

Friday, I will be infused into the great unknown.From what my oncologist explained yester-

some potentially unpleasant side effects. However, continuing with my present infusion drug, Alimta, now that there’s been some growth, is also likely to produce some unpleasant side effects: growth and movement.

And more growth/movement is the worst side effect, relatively and comparatively speaking. So we

cancer works). If we opt for Opdivo, maybe there won’t be growth, and maybe there might even be some shrinkage (the good kind).

As for lifestyle changes, there are, according to my oncologist, some quality of life improvements as well, or at least, more weeks in the month when potentially I’ll be less impacted by my disease/treatment. Which along with my quality of life has always been a concern of my oncologist.

And, without getting into the details, I’m ready for a change.

-age and fewer/different side effects (some patients report few side effects from Opdivo), I wouldn’t say switching to an immunotherapy drug was enticing/a “no-brainer,” but it does offer an alternative of sorts. And given where I’ve been treated from and where I’ll be treated now, I am ready for something different.

improve my life or it could make matters worse, a ‘worse’ from which quite frankly I might not recover (do you remember my yo-yo down-the-stairs visual from a few columns ago?). And I am familiar, unfor-tunately, with some less-than-encouraging accounts of patients not faring so well.

I just hope there’s not a hole in my thinking. Oh wait. That’s a hole in my donut. No worries. I’m happy to buy the donut and I never complain about the hole. That’s the trade-off. I’m hoping, given the

trade-off with side effects. My philosophy has always been to take the good

with the bad – and vice versa, and after almost 10 years of rolling with the punches, I see no reason to change now.

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