diary of a catconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2016/02/2… · 25/02/2016...

Burke Connection ❖ February 25 - March 2, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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online at www.connectionnewspapers.comFebruary 25 - March 2, 2016

BurkeBurke

Pet ConnectionPet Connection

Inside

Diary of a CatPet Connection, Page 9

‘Crossover’ Reportfrom RichmondNews, Page 3

‘Godspell’ atBurke ChurchEntertainment, Page 10

‘Crossover’ Reportfrom RichmondNews, Page 3

‘Godspell’ atBurke ChurchEntertainment, Page 10

Diary of a Cat

Samoa findsher forever

home in Burke.

2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ February 25 - March 2, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Burke, Springfield,Fairfax, LortonFairfax Station

Area StudentsWin ScholasticWriting AwardsCompetition

Fairfax County Public Schoolsstudents at 22 schools won re-gional awards in the 2016 Scho-lastic Writing Awards Competi-tion. FCPS students won 26 re-gional Gold Key awards, 51 Sil-ver Key awards, and 66 Honor-able Mentions.

Gold Key winners include:Sarah Benson of South County

High for dramatic script, poetry, andpersonal essay-memoir. Benson’spersonal essay-memoir is an Ameri-can Voices nominee.

Maya Pearson of Robinson Sec-ondary School for humor

Hanna Un of Lake Braddock Sec-ondary School for short story

Silver Key winners include:Beteel Abuageel of South County

High for poetrySarah Benson of South County

High for short story and writing port-folio

Abbi Conklin of South CountyHigh for poetry and short story

Alexander Davis of Twain MiddleSchool for critical essay

Maya Pearson of Robinson Sec-ondary School for personalessay-memoir

Keighan Speer of South CountyHigh School for poetry

StudentPublicationsFinalists forPacemakerAward

Fairfax County Public Schools(FCPS) student publicationshave been named finalists forthe Pacemaker award, pre-sented by the National Scholas-tic Press Association (NSPA).NSPA’s Pacemaker competitionhas been considered by manyto be student journalism’s high-est honor.

Finalists include:“Sentry,” Robinson Secondary

School (middle school yearbook);Audrey Hicks and Jaskeerat Raheja,editors, and Pat Hinman, adviser.

“Lair,” Lake Braddock SecondarySchool (high school yearbook);Gabriella Troncoso and RachelUngerleider, editors, and KathrynHelmke, adviser.

“Above & Beyond,” Robinson Sec-ondary School (high schoolyearbook); Sam Sturiale, AshaChadha, and Daly Hong, editors, andPat Hinman, adviser.

Winners will be announced at theJournalism Education Association(JEA)-NSPA spring national highschool journalism convention inApril.

School Notes

Fairfax Station native and LakeBraddock Secondary School gradu-ate Candace P. Sharkey received the

Richard J. Kerr Government Award from theIntelligence and National Security Alliance(INSA) at its annual Achievement Awardsceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Candace P. Sharkey, Intelligence ResearchSpecialist (IRS), Drug Enforcement Admin-istration, currently stationed at the U.S.Embassy in Vienna, Austria, is recognizedby her peers and DEA regional managementas a subject matter expert in Balkan andItalian transnational criminal organizations,including their areas of influence, traffick-ing routes, and organizational structure. IRSSharkey has developed an outstanding com-petence in collecting and analyzing largeamounts of information, producing writtenintelligence products, disseminating thatintelligence throughout the agency, andcoordinating overlaps to ensure the great-est disruptive impact on drug traffickingorganizations. Over the past year, IRSSharkey has played a key role in the multi-lateral investigation of the cocaine traffick-ing and money laundering activities of theItalian transnational criminal organization,‘Ndrángheta, culminating in numerous ar-rests. The detriment to this criminalorganization’s infrastructure, top-tier man-

agement, and contacts with corrupt portworkers has left them without a command-and-control element, severely disruptingtheir ability to distribute narcotics through-out Europe. Most significantly, her intelli-gence support during this operation led tomultiple spin-off investigations being con-ducted in the United States, resulting in theidentification and targeting of significantsources in South America that are sendingmulti-ton loads of cocaine to the U.S. andare therefore a threat to national security.

People

Lake Braddock GraduateRecognized as International Expert

Candace P. Sharkey, an intelli-gence research specialist with theDrug Enforcement Administration(DEA), is pictured with INSAChairman Letitia Long (right).

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News

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Tuesday, Feb. 16 marked “cross-over,” the milestone during thecurrent session of the VirginiaGeneral Assembly session in Rich-

mond where bills passed by the House of Del-egates move to the Senate for debate and ei-ther approval or rejection, and vice versa.

While many are just beginning their timein the alternate governing body some fast-tracked bills such as Del. Eileen Filler-Corn’s(D-41) “Return to Learn” bill, that wouldestablish protocols for children who’vebattled cancer to reintegrate back intoschool, have already passed both housesand landed on the desk of Gov. Terry

McAuliffe (D). McAuliffe then can chooseto sign, veto or send the bill back with notes.

Filler-Corn has brought forward similarbills previously for establishing guidelinesfor students with concussions returning tothe classroom. For this new iteration, “Wehad a group of stakeholders, some educa-tors, education consultants come together,”she said, “and said we really do need some-thing like this.”

Reflecting on this session at its midpoint,Del. David Bulova (D-37) said a strongtheme of several hotly contested bills “hascome down to state versus local control.”

Bulova gave two examples, including Sen-ate Bill 549, which constricts localities’ op-tions with regards to rezoning proffers, aswell as one that would put regulatory

framework around the social lodging busi-ness Airbnb. “They want to basically trumpthe ability of localities to further regulatethese businesses,” Bulova said. “But it’seasier to be managed at one level — insteadof by states, by counties. When somethinggoes wrong” with a local customer’s expe-rience, Bulova continued, “they’re not go-ing to go to a state legislator.”

Other legislators are impressed with someof the compromises and progress the twobodies have been able to make, despite theparty line.

Del. Vivian Watts (D-39) is optimisticabout the resolution that was reached con-cerning I-66, including widening the DullesAccess Road to Ballston to relieve the ma-jor bottleneck there. The plan would makeit more integrated with bus and other rapidtransit, including dynamic tolling based onthe time of day and direction of commute.

“We’re all going to look back on this in

ten years, and think regionally, things movebetter,” Watts said. “It’s ‘Compromise, com-promise, compromise,’ rather than ‘Over mydead body.’

Additionally, Del. Mark Sickles (D-43)said the General Assembly has been able tomake less partisan moves to “claw backfrom the cuts we made prior to the reces-sion.” Some of those include allocations forDulles Airport and maintaining the UnitedAirlines hub, capital equipment and expen-ditures at the new Inova Center for Person-alized Health, as well as $7 million of addi-tional funding for Fairfax County PublicSchools, which is looking at a $68 milliondifference between the budget adopted bythe School Board and the County budgetproposed last week by County ExecutiveEdward Long.

“It’s going to help, a lot,” Sickles said, “butnot going to get to the bottom line, at leastwhat the school system is looking for.”

Legislators reflect on battles won, lost andtabled after the General Assembly “Crossover.”

‘Compromise, Rather than Over My Dead Body’

Representatives highlight significantbills that have already “died” or may notmove beyond the second round.

Del. David Bulova (D-37)Senate Bill 734 would allow the Vir-

ginia Board of Education authority overlocal School Boards to establish charterschools, even if that organization isn’t infavor of it. “It’s a classic example of stateversus local control,” Bulova said. “It’s aquestion of whether an unelected bodyat the state level should be able to sec-ond guess those officials.” Though the billnarrowly passed the House, Bulovadoesn’t expect it to reach Gov. McAuliffe.

Del. Paul Krizek (D-44)House Bill 623 died in the Commerce

and Labor Committee, and called for rais-ing the minimum wage beyond the fed-eral mandate to $10.10 per hour, effec-tive July 1, 2016. Krizek’s plan exemptedsmall businesses (with fewer than 15employees) as well as employees youngerthan 25. “I don’t think people working a40-hour work week should be forced toaccept public assistance or charity to sur-vive,” Krizek said. “And that’s what’s hap-pening, especially in northern Virginia.”

ing House Bill 863, that would have requiredpublic Virginia universities to reserve 75percent of undergraduate spots each yearfor residents of Virginia, and House Bill 847,which would have prohibited public univer-sities from using funding from the Common-wealth of Virginia to offer tuition assistanceto non-Virginia students. “We want our kidsto have the opportunity to go to schoolhere,” Hugo said. “They’re only going to letin so many kids from Robinson, Centreville,Westfield, no matter how great the gradesare. It’s a problem. William and Mary andUVA admit approximately 40 percent out ofstate students each year, and that’s wrong.”

Gone, but Not Forgotten

From left, Del. Dave Albo (R-42) welcomes SangsterElementary School student Lanny Huynh and herfamily to his Richmond office. Huynh’s artwork waschosen by her teacher to be hung in Albo’s office,continuing a tradition of displaying constituentstudents’ art Albo has kept for 22 years.

Photos contributed

Center Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) meets withmembers of the volunteer service organization TheLinks, Incorporated who visited Richmond during the2016 General Assembly session.

From left, George Mason studentDonna Imadi, Del. David Bulova(D-37) and Imadi’s classmatesDanielle Melton and Beverly Harp.The students are part of theRoosevelt Institute at GeorgeMason and presented at the Gen-eral Assembly session in Rich-mond, advocating based on policypapers they developed aroundaffordable housing and education.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41)House Bill 474 was tabled in the House

Committee on Rules. It called for requiringa study of criminal background checks forchildcare providers. Though the bill wastabled, a letter is being sent to the Com-missioner of the Department of Social Ser-vices to enact such a study anyway. “In theend, we’re going to provide that study,” saidFiller-Corn, “and do that research, continueto persevere and make a difference.”

Del. Tim Hugo (R-40)Two of Hugo’s education bills were left

dead in the Education Committee, includ-See Highlights, Page 7


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Pet Connection

What started out asa part-time hobbyhas changed mylife forever. Grow-

ing up in Ireland, I never imaginedleaving home, coming to theUnited States and starting a smallbusiness. In 2014, after taking careof friends’ pets occasionally, I re-alized how much I enjoyed meet-ing and caring for my furry friends

(and feathered ones too), meetingnew people with many differentinterests, and being outdoors andphysically active. As a result, Istarted a pet service called “IrishRover Dog Walkers and Pet SittersLLC” that is based in Fairfax Sta-tion. Walking and caring for petsbrings me new, exciting and won-derful experiences every day.

My job allows me to enjoy all the

great trails in the area includingLake Mercer and Burke Lake, thelocal wildlife and the changingseasons. My clients have come totreat me as an extension of theirfamily which is truly the greatestcompliment. In addition, IrishRover allows me to give back tothe community whether it’s beenthrough rescuing one of my owndogs, hiring responsible local stu-

AllisonWaldron, ofFairfax Sta-

tion, withTaylor and

Tucker (thetwo Ts), two

rescuedGolden Re-

triever broth-ers.

A Life-Changing HobbyAllison Waldron, of Fairfax Station, with Millie, a Bernesemountain dog, after an energetic morning walk.

dents and friends for summer andfull-time employment, and spon-soring local school events atSilverbrook Elementary and localathletic teams. My philosophy hasbeen to encourage physical activ-ity and socialization, core values

that I promote for my four leggedfriends. I am very fortunate to bepart of a wonderful and support-ive community in Northern Vir-ginia.

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Elizabeth (Betsy) Nichols, longtimeresident of Springfield (Crestwood)and Burke, passed away on Feb. 4with family members by her side. Shewas 95.

Betsy was born and raised in Mary-land, and earned a bachelor of sci-ence degree from the University ofMaryland in 1942. As a student, sheworked at Gifford’s Ice Cream Storein Silver Spring, Md.

After graduation, she worked for theWar Department in the office that vettedphysicists for the Manhattan Project.

Betsy was married for 25 years toWilliam Nichols, and they moved withtheir three young children, Jim, Patty,and Jeanne, to Springfield in 1953.

She was a founding member of the CrestwoodWomen’s Club, later renamed the Women’s Club ofSpringfield. The club played a major role in the cre-ation of the Richard Byrd Library, where she workedas a library aide in the 1960s.

When she lived briefly out of state in the 1970s,she worked with the Montgomery County Library

System in Maryland. When she re-turned to Springfield, she volunteeredat Richard Byrd. She also volunteeredwith Brownies, Cub Scouts, politicalcampaigns, charitable medical orga-nizations, and the county school sys-tem.

Betsy loved to garden, and heryards were always full of color. Afterretiring, she also grew a vegetablegarden and shared her produce withneighbors.

In 2005, she moved to Burke to asenior living apartment building andmade new friends there.

Through it all, Betsy had a marvel-ous sense of adventure, and traveledwith friends and family throughout

the U.S., Canada, and Europe.She is survived by her three children and their

spouses, two grandchildren and their spouses, andthree great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and neph-ews. A memorial service will be held in April at St.Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Springfield, whereshe was a founding member.

Elizabeth Myrick Nichols, 1920-2016, Dies

Obituary

Photo contributed

Elizabeth MyrickNichols

ICF International, aFairfax-based managementconsulting services company,sponsored community event,in which more than 500 vol-unteers came out for Volun-teer Fairfax’s Annual GiveTogether, a Martin LutherKing, Jr. National Day of Ser-vice at JCC of NoVa. Familieswith school-age children to-gether performed serviceprojects benefiting localnonprofits.

Volunteers Honor Dr. King’s Legacy

From left, KristinaDlugozima, CynthiaPeterson, BryanSmalley, StephanieWasilik, Faith Welling.

Channel 16filming whileVolunteerFairfax thanksICF-from left:Leanna Bailey,Angela SaizaStarling, LynnGarvey Hodge,Bryan Smalley,MariaBernadzikowski,NadiaTzrnadel,JessicaSweeney.

Advertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.

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SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDAR


Opinion

Bad Bills General Assembly has potential to dolots of damage in a short period.

From pressing for use of a barbaricform of execution, the electric chair,to codifying discrimination, to strip-ping localities of the major tool for

ensuring infrastructure is in place for new de-velopment, to hiding more and more criticalpublic information from the public, the VirginiaGeneral Assembly is poised to do harmto the Commonwealth. (We’ll look atgood bills in a future editorial.)

Here are bills that have passed eitherthe House or Senate by crossover, and impor-tant bills that were killed, in no particular or-der. This is by no means a complete list.

HB815, Electric Chair, passed the House 62-33, brings back the electric chair, providing thatif lethal injection is not available as a methodof execution, electrocution shall be used in-stead and vice versa.

SB552 creates secret police departments, andmoves in exactly the wrong direction. Providesthat the names and training records of law-enforcement officers and fire marshals shall beconsidered personnel records and excludedfrom mandatory disclosure under the VirginiaFreedom of Information Act. Passed 25-15.

SB549/HB770 on Proffers, uses a megatonbomb to tie localities’ use of proffers to helppay for infrastructure needs with new devel-opment when what was needed was a study offlyswatters to address specific limited abuses.

HB773/SB41 - Codifies discrimination, pre-vents the state government from taking anyaction against a person or organization thatdiscriminates based on a sincerely held religiousbelief that marriage is or should be recognizedas the union of one man and one woman.

Sanctuary bills: SB705 Makes “sanctuary cit-ies” liable for “full amount of any per-sonal injury or property damage causedby an illegal alien within such local-ity.” SB270 The General Assembly shall

reduce state funding to the extent permittedby state and federal law to any locality foundto be a “sanctuary city.”

Senate killed several bills on title loan over-sight, even after investigative reporting showedinterest charges exceeding 200 percent, baitand switch tactics and many poor Virginianslosing their cars.

HB 2 - No “right to breathe.” Requires theDepartment of Environmental Quality to re-ceive approval from the General Assembly fora state implementation plan to regulate car-bon dioxide emissions from existing powerplants prior to submitting the plan to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency.

HB 1090 - Defunds Planned ParenthoodHB 143 allows high proof grain alcohol sales.HB 560 - Makes it more difficult to convict

someone of brandishing a firearm by requir-ing proof that a person pointing, holding or

brandishing a firearm or similar weapons hadthe intent to induce fear in the mind of an-other.

HB 766 - Allows any protective order to beused as a de facto concealed carry permit, with-out requiring the holder to receive any train-ing in the safe handling of a firearm, or showany proficiency with a firearm. Advocates forvictims of domestic violence say what is neededis to remove weapons from such situations.

Killed SB67, would have added discrimina-tion on the basis of sexual orientation or gen-der identity to the Virginia Fair Housing Lawas an unlawful housing practice.

Killed SB12, would have prohibited discrimi-nation in public employment on the basis ofsexual orientation or gender identity.

Killed bills that would have required notifi-cation of oil spills.

Outlawed living wage requirements for con-tractors of local government.

HB 4 Anti-union, proposed constitutionalamendment putting Right to Work in the con-stitution.

HB 3 - Charter Schools ConstitutionalAmendment - removes local control over localschools and spending, doesn’t belong in theconstitution.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editorial

By Scott Surovell

State Senator (D-36)

As we pass the midpoint ofthis General Assembly ses-sion, many bills are mov-

ing.After a 30-minute debate, the

Senate approved my bill prohibit-ing the use of electronic textbooksin public schools without a planto provide school broadband anddigital devices to every studentrequired to use an electronic text-book.

Virginia’s constitution requiresthat every child receive a free text-book. On the floor, I argued that

without homec o m p u t e r s ,electronic text-books create a

two-tiered education system forthe haves and the have-nots. Sena-tors Adam Ebbin and GeorgeBarker joined me in stressing thateven Northern Virginia’s schoolshave significant low-income stu-dent populations who face disad-vantages in the classroom withouttheir own devices. The bill nowmoves to the House of Delegates.

Also, the Senate passed, 39 to 1my legislation to reverse recentanti-sunshine Virginia SupremeCourt rulings. Last year, the Courtheld that if one sentence of a gov-

ernment docu-ment is ex-empt from theFreedom of In-formation Act(FOIA), thegovernmentcan withholdan entiredocument in-

stead of simply redacting the sen-tence. My legislation requires dis-closure to the public of the text ofthe document that is not redacted.

Additionally, the Court held thatgovernment officials’ decisions towithhold documents are entitledto “great weight.” My legislationrequires judges reviewing FOIAresponses to look at governmentofficials’ decisions in an unbiasedmanner. The House of Delegatespassed identical legislation 99-0and it will be on the Governor’sdesk by the end of the week.

Around 100 people attended ourtown hall meetings this weekendin the Mount Vernon and Lee ar-eas of Fairfax County. The numberone concern raised was publicschool funding. Governor TerryMcAuliffe’s proposed budget has$58 million in new funding forFairfax County and since 2010,Virginia has increased funding toFairfax County Public Schools by48 percent or $208 million. Dur-

ing that same period, FairfaxCounty has only increased localfunds by 15 percent.

There is no question that part ofthe current state public schoolfunding formula hurts areas likeFairfax County because it does notconsider English-language learn-ers, poverty, or disabilities. Legis-lative fixes have been explored,but the vast majority of legislatorsdo not support the changes be-cause it would take hundreds ofmillions of dollars from high pov-erty schools and transfer them towealthy school systems. They can-not vote to cut funds from theirschool systems, jurisdictions thattypically pay teachers $35-45,000per year, while ours pay teachers$55-77,000 per year. Bringing fair-

Electronic Textbooks, Sunshine and Other Bills Moves

Commentary

ness to this funding formula willlikely only happen pursuant to liti-gation, and the short and medium-term solutions to school fundingare at the local level, through ap-proaches like a local meals tax.

We also heard concerns aboutPotomac River oil spills and coalash pollution, skyrocketing collegetuition, protecting women’s repro-ductive rights and strengtheningmental health services. Peoplevoiced support for driver’s licensesfor undocumented Virginians andanger about voting restrictions.

This week, we will debate thestate budget. To share your view,please email me [email protected].

It is an honor to serve as yourstate senator.

The Connection welcomes views on any public issue.The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed.Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are

routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail: [email protected]

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From Page 3

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34)Senate Bill 238 focused on

home-based child care. “Itwould’ve allowed home-basedchild care to keep their busi-nesses,” Petersen said, “and givethem a protection from being shutdown if they have a dispute withtheir Homeowners Association. Iexpect to bring that back.”

Del. Mark Sickles (D-43)House Bill 1029 was intended to

give grants for facilitating teach-ing “critical languages” currentlyin high demand at the U.S. StateDepartment and other interna-tional organizations. It would’vehelped set up classrooms and findthe harder to locate teachers forRussian, Arabic, Hindi and severalother languages not traditionallytaught in school. “I really fell inlove with this bill, Sickles said.“You shouldn’t fall in love withyour bills. There are bonuses andincentives in all our foreign policyagencies if you can speak one ofthe languages that are hard tofind. I thought this was a no-brainer as far as a jobs bill, eco-nomic development bill. I’m goingto keep working on that.”

Del. Vivian Watts (D-39)Del. Watts introduced a number

of bills, a “real full-court press,”in the House of Delegates focusedon reforming problems with theschool funding formula that’sbased more on property valuesand less on per capita income.Though Watts got to address ahearing before two different bud-get committees, they’ve had toughsledding. She sees it as a majorstatewide change that could takefour to five years to push through.

“We need to really deal with theproblem of local taxing power notmatching what the school formulasays is our ability to pay,” Wattssaid. “Forty percent of school chil-dren of my district are entitled tofree and reduced lunch. That’s afed program that has federal defi-nitions of poverty that are thesame in downstate Illinois asNorthern Virginia. You know thesekids aren’t going home to Internetaccess, to a parent that can readthem the bedtime story, or didn’tcome to school with a parent thattook them to see the world. Wereally have a tremendous chal-lenge to work with, with a fund-ing formula based on averages forall of Fairfax County that look likewe can handle it. We’re dealingwith a tax base that dates all theway back to the 1700s.”

News

Highlights


Pet Connection

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Bettejeanne “BJ” Hammond muchprefers the term “body work” tomassage. “Open wine and get outthe candles, that’s what people

think of massage,” she said. “They think it’sto relax, but it’s so much more than that.”

Hammond, who lives just southeast ofCharlottesville, sat on the ground, her handsgently rubbing the paw pads of an immo-bile 16-year-old Shiloh shepherd namedOchi. Ochi began showing symptoms ofdegenerative myopathy eight years ago —when veterinarians gave her a year or twoto live. She’s had a cancerous toe removedand lost the ability to walk last year.

At the limits of conventional medicine andwith vets unwilling to operate on her, Ochi’sowner Monique Anthis-Hunt of Fairfax Sta-tion decided to try a more holistic approach.She began getting acupuncture treatmentsfor Ochi and then added body and energywork with Hammond.

Before the more non-conventional work,Ochi’s condition had worsened to the point“she was scared of her own shadow out-side of the house,” Anthis-Hunt said.

“She’s much more open now, it’s helpedwith her psychology,” she continued.

Ochi panted comfortably while Hammondmoved her hands calmly over her wholebody, beginning distributing energy. Sheworked methodically, from head to tail,breathing with the animal and speaking toher softly.

“At the same time I’m giving to her, she’sdrawing from me,” Hammond said.

FOR HER OWN FITNESS, as well as re-covery from an accident, Hammond startseach day with pilates-type exercises to helpstrengthen and increase flexibility in herback and hip.

“I understand the dynamics of being in-hibited in some way,” she said. “The physi-cal, mental, emotional aspects all have tobe treated.”

Hammond divides her time healing be-tween house visits near her home and theVeterinary Holistic Center in Springfield,which opened in September 2015 andhouses pet chiropractors, Chinese herbal-ists, acupuncturists, physical therapists andbodywork healers.

Fairfax Station resident Dr. Jordan Kocen,director of the center, began his career as ageneral practice veterinarian. In 1990, hebecame the first vet to practice acupunc-ture in the area at a clinic in Burke. Laterhe added homeopathy to his practice andby the mid-90s, all but ten percent of hiswork was doing one of those two non-con-

ventional treatments.Dr. Kocen received more and more refer-

rals from other vets for acupuncture andhomeopathy, and he knew pet owners weregoing to different centers all over the re-gion for other assorted holistic treatments.

“That’s silly,” Kocen remembers thinking.“Let’s put it all in one place. No one wasdoing it, so I thought ‘I guess I have to.’”

The goal, Kocen said, with each therapyis stimulating the body’s own systems asmuch as possible, gradually lowering thedose of whatever treatment is being given.

In 1999, Kocen started a multi-facetedholistic practice at the VCA SouthPaws Vet-erinary Specialists & Emergency Center inSpringfield. He moved with SouthPaws in2005 to Arlington Boulevard. Eventually,Kocen decided the practice needed more

space, independent space.The Veterinary Holistic Center opened in

north Springfield last September with sixexam rooms and a 1600 square-foot multi-purpose room in back. That open space withdense, rubbery flooring is used by variousgroups for classes including obedience train-ing, puppy socialization and “nose work,”a type of competitive odor-identification.

Heidi Meizner, an animal lawyer fromAlexandria, is one of two teachers of a nosework class that involves dogs trying to lo-cate scents of birch and clover in objectstaped to the wall.

“They get to do what they like to do, whatthey’re really good at,” Meizner said. “Thisis a great space for us.”

Kocen, Hammond and the other associ-ates see the practice not as a replacementfor conventional veterinary medicine, butrather an extension.

“It’s very good for what it does,” Kocensaid about conventional medicine, “butthere are limits to what it can offer.”

MAKING SURE those options have beenpursued, Kocen said he will often recom-mend a client get blood work and or X-Raysfor their pet and then call the center back.“We need to know what’s wrong, and thenif there’s anything we can offer.”

This goes for dogs and cats, the vast ma-jority of Kocen’s patients, but holds true forbunnies, squirrels and the occasional duck.

“My job is an animal advocate,” he said.“We want to make it work for you, to workwith the regular vet, to be an integratedpractice.”

For Ochi the Shepherd, options in con-ventional medicine have long since beenexhausted, though her owner Anthis-Huntmaintains “the spirit is willing.”

“She’s a wonderful demonstration that lifeis always present until one decides to let goof it,” Hammond said.

Veterinary Holistic Center offersextension to conventional medicine.The Spirit is Willing

Bettejeanne “Bj” Hammond does body and energy work on “Ochi,” a 16-year-old Shiloh shepherd, at the Veterinary Holistic Center in Spring-field.

Dr. Jordan Kocen opened the Veterinary Holistic Center in Springfield inSeptember 2015 after operating out of VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Spe-cialists & Emergency Center on Arlington Boulevard since 2005.

Karen Irby of Germantown, Md. (right) and her six-year-old Germanshepherd Lola practice “nose work” in the activity space at the Veteri-nary Holistic Center.

Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection


Pet Connection

Diary of a CatBy Rebecca Elliff, 10, Burke

DAY 1It’s just another day at the shelter. I

really hope I get adopted soon. Beingcooped up in this tiny cage really stinks.Anyway, food is being served. Gotta go!

DAY 2A nice man visited me today. He

seemed like he wanted to adopt me. Ireally got my hopes up, but I later sawhim leaving with another cat. Shucks.

DAY 3I think my dream has come true! A

woman visited me, and then I saw herfilling out forms! She left, but I’m prettysure I am one of her favorite kitties!

DAY 4The lady came back! She looked at some other cats,

but then she took me out and put me in a carrier. Weheaded for the car, and I thought, “Oh great, herewe go again!” When I was set in the car, I noticedtwo children. As they talked, I figured out that thewoman’s name was Rachel, and the girls’ names wereRebecca and Charlotte.

DAY 5The people have put me in a room. Last night I

just cowered under the bed. While the humans were

sleeping, I decided to sniff around a little bit. Here iswhat the room looked like: there are two windowsand a large bed. In front of the window there is aperch on which I like to sit. In the bathroom, there isa food and water bowl for me, and a litter box. Imust go, for I am feeling quite tired.

DAY 6I got to go out of the room today! There is a gate

by the stairs, but I think I have enough to explore forthe moment. It turns out there is a third child namedLauren, and a man named Brian. They both seemnice, and I think I have found my forever home! I’mso happy!

Photo contributed

Samoa finds her forever home.

Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We needlong- and short-term fosters for cats of all ages,mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit our website, cl ick on Participate

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Be the first toknow – get yourpaper before ithits the press.

Complete digitalreplica of theprint edition,including photosand ads, deliv-ered weeklyto your e-mailbox.

Questions?E-mail:[email protected]


Entertainment

The Northern Virginia YouthWinds, a division of the City ofFairfax Band Association, was

awarded the Dominion Rising StarAward for their work effectively bring-ing together arts and education.

Linda Sullivan, Virginians for the Artsand president and CEO of the Arts Coun-cil of Fairfax County and Tim Sargeant,manager, State and Local Affairs for Do-minion Resources, presented the $1,000cash prize to the ensemble on Sunday,Dec. 13, 2015, at the opening concert of

their season. The concert took place at W.T.Woodson High School in Fairfax.

“Numerous studies have shown the ben-efits of arts education: Some students willdevelop a passion for music, painting oracting,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Stu-dents with a passion for one subject tendto do better academically across the board– an excitement about learning spills overinto other areas of the curriculum. Even stu-dents who do not develop a lifelong inter-est in the arts benefit from the skills taughtthrough study of the arts – self-discipline,

teamwork, creative thinking and prob-lem-solving.”

The Symphonic Winds (for highschool-age students) and Junior Winds(middle school) are the audition-basedensembles that comprise the NorthernVirginia Youth Winds. They draw frompublic, private and parochial schools,and are lead by Denny Stokes and LindaGammon. For more information aboutthe Northern Virginia Youth Winds, visitwww.northernvirginiayouthwinds.org.

—Tim Peterson

Linda Sullivan, Virginiansfor the Arts and president

and CEO of the Arts Councilof Fairfax County (right)and Tim Sargeant, man-ager, State and Local Af-

fairs for Dominion Re-sources (right of center),presented a $1,000 cash

prize to the NorthernVirginia Youth Winds direc-

tors, from left, DennyStokes and Linda Gammon.

Northern Virginia Youth WindsWin Dominion Rising Star Award

Pho

to

co

ntributed

Burke Presbyterian Church (BPC)youth are presenting “Godspell”(2012 revised version) this weekend, Feb. 25-28. Showtimes are 7

p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, and 3p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but theyouth will collect free will donations to sup-port their various mission projects through-out the year.

The show is based on the Gospel of Mat-thew and was originally performed offBroadway in 1971. BPC’s version is basedon a more recent Broadway revival. Thisshow consists of several “shows within ashow,” featuring Jesus’ most well-knownparables. Many of its songs have becomemainstays of American pop culture, includ-ing “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way ofthe Lord,” “Light of the Word,” and “WeBeseech Thee.”

More than 30 youth are part of the BPCcast and crew, and most attend RobinsonSecondary and Lake Braddock Secondaryschools.

BPC has been presenting musicals since1997, with adult volunteers helping as pro-ducers, directors, band members, musical,set and technical directors and costumedesigners.

Some tickets still are available, especially

‘Godspell’At BurkeChurch

The youth of Burke Presbyterian Church in rehearsal for "Godspell" (2012 revised version), which they’reperforming this weekend, Feb. 25-28.

for the Thursday show, so [email protected] to make yourreservation.

Burke Presbyterian Church is at 5690 OakLeather Drive, Burke. Learn more about thechurch by going to

www.burkepreschurch.org.

—Kim Douglass Marin

Pho

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ck

Accotink Unitarian UniversalistChurch, 10125 LakehavenCourt in Burke, is hosting a

Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI)course on climate solutions titled“Change is Our Choice.” The coursewill help you determine your carbonfootprint and create an action plan toreduce your impact. Then you can joinothers in planning actions to addresslocal issues and to lobby lawmakersfor broader changes. The course ma-terial is available in electronic formatfrom NWEI for $27 (www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books).

Both a daytime and an evening classwill be offered: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. be-ginning on March 1 or Thursdays at1 p.m. beginning on March 3. Theclasses consist of four 1.5 hour ses-sions, starting the first week in Marchand ending the last week in March(skipping the spring break week ofMarch 20 – 26).

Facilitators include Claire Brown,Julie Floyd, Mary Rose Janya andMarsha White. Open to all. 703-503-4579. www.accotinkuuc.org

Climate SolutionsClass: ‘Change isOur Choice’

Week in Burke


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

Sunday Evening – Realtime Worship& Youth 6 PM

Family Night – Wednesday 7:15 PMHome Life Groups & College/Young Adult Ministries

Visit our Website: www.jccag.org4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax

Bill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

JubileeChristian Center

“Loving People to Life”

To Advertise Your Community of Worship, Call 703-778-9418

COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIPLooking for a New Place of Worship?Visit Antioch Baptist Church!

703-425-0710 • www.antioch-church.org

All Are Welcome!Sunday Worship 8, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.Sunday School for Children & Adults 9:30 a.m.Married Couples Sunday School 11:30 a.m.

6531 Little Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Calendar

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call703-778-9416. The deadline is the Fridayprior to the next paper’s publication.Dated announcements should be submit-ted at least two weeks prior to the event.

THURSDAY/FEB. 25Cloud 9. 8-10:30 p.m. George Mason

University-TheatreSpace, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. The time-shifting gender-bending comedy bothparodies and spoofs the VictorianEmpire and its rigid attitudes as itshifts seamlessly between 1880sBritish Africa and 1980s London.$10-$15. http://theater.gmu.edu.703-993-1120.

SATURDAY/FEB. 27Dessert on Broadway. 1:30, 7 p.m.

Lake Braddock High SchoolCafeteria, 9200 Burke Lake Road,Burke. Sweeten up your Saturdaywatching performances from popularBroadway musicals while you delveinto delectable desserts. $20.www.brownpapertickets.com, searchLake Braddock.

Disney “Fantasia:” Live inConcert. 8 p.m. George MasonUniversity Center for the Arts, 4373Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Thisbeloved family classic is orchestratedlive by the Czech National SymphonyOrchestra. $36-$60. cfa.gmu.edu.888-945-2468.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 27-2846th Annual Springpex Stamp

Show. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Robert E.Lee High School, 6540 FranconiaRoad, Springfield. Sales bourse of 26stamp dealers from throughout theEastern U.S., and the Washingtonarea. Special commemorative cachetcovers and postal cancellationscreated by the show sponsors will beavailable. A US Postal Service salesbooth will be available. Free.www.springfieldstampclub.org.

SUNDAY/FEB. 28Seeds of Independence. 1 p.m.

Gunston Hall, 10709, Gunston Road,Lorton. Culinary historian LeniSorensen and members of the MasonNeck community for a program onAfrican-American culinary traditionin Virginia and Mason Neck. Free.Donations appreciated.www.gunstonhall.org. 703-550-9220.

TUESDAY/MARCH 1BHS Presents. 7-8 p.m. Burke Centre

Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke.The Burke Historical Society ispleased to be partnering with BurkeCentre Library to offer a program on

historical inquiry into Patents,Trademarks and Copyrights. [email protected].

SATURDAY/MARCH 5Grow Your Health. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel RunFairfax. Celebrate home gardening,sourcing organic and local food, andnutrition and wellness. This is afamily focused event that includeseducation and entertainment forchildren of all ages. http://www.growyourhealthnova.com/.

Campfire Saturday: Stargazing.6:30 p.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Enjoy a strollalong the shores of the lake and learnabout the constellations, their stories.Our astronomical naturalist willidentify the stars for you, along withhaving some telescopes on hand forfolks to try out. The programconcludes with a campfire s’moresingredients provided, hot dogswelcome. Children must beaccompanied by an adult registeredin the program.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark/rides.htm.

An Evening with Mozart. 7:30 p.m.St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3800Backlick Road, Springfield. TheNorthern Virginia Chorale with theNorthern Virginia CommunityCollege Chorus will perform works byMozart, highlighted by his last work“Requiem.” Free-$20.www.northernvirginiachorale.org.703-239-2180.

SUNDAY/MARCH 6Capitol Steps. 7 p.m. Russell Theatre,

Robinson Secondary School, 5035Sideburn Road, Fairfax. TheRambunctious Theatre Company —

in affiliation with Robinson Drama —is hosting the Capital Steps politicalcomedy fundraiser. $35.www.robinsondrama.org.

WSHS Basket Bingo. 1-4 p.m. WestSpringfield High School Cafeteria,6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.Rowing team will raffle items includeiPad, FitBit, gift cards. https://wscbcbasketbingo.ticketbud.com/CrewBingo. www.spartancrew.org.

Purim-It’s a Laugh. 3-5 p.m. JewishCommunity Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike,Fairfax. Activities include makingyour own hamantaschen with LaurenKatz, of Great Holiday Baking Show;The Great Zucchini; a Purim Parade;making gift bags; and crafts $5. Freeto children under 2. Register atJCCNV.org, code #7343. 703-537-3019.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 9Springfield Christian Women’s

Connection. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Springfield Golf and Country Club,8301 Old Keene Mill Road,Springfield. Program on “Serendipityof Occoquan.” Also, Ernie Parker-Wood, a retired teacher and worldtraveler, will share Weaving aTapestry, the Dark Threads Enhancethe Silver and Gold. $20. Reserve byMarch 4. [email protected].

FRIDAY/MARCH 11Woodbridge Flute Choir “A Touch

of Irish.” 8 p.m. Old Town Hall,3999 University Drive, Fairfax.Twenty-five members who play flute,piccolo, alto flute, bass flute andcontrabass flute. Part of BonitaLestina Performance Series.www.fairfaxva.gov.

ONGOINGPalingenesis. Feb. 19-April 9. Epicure Cafe, 11104 Lee Highway, Fairfax.

New art exhibition. Curated by Mojdeh Rezaeipour and Hannah Son,Palingenesis brings together an eclectic group of local and D.C. artistsworking in a variety of media. 571-212-7227. [email protected].

“Shrek the Musical JR.” April 22, 23, 29, and 30. Burke CommunityChurch, 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Burke. Come see this talented group ofyoung actors ages 8-18 as they travel Far Far Away with everyone’s favoriteogre, a wise-cracking donkey, and a cast of fairy tale misfits. $14.www.nvplayers.com.

Vietnam Combat Art. Through Feb. 29. Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center,10209 Main St., Fairfax. Commemorates the 50th anniversary for the endof the Vietnam War. www.fairfaxva.gov. 703-385-8414.

FUN-Exercise. Thursdays, noon-12:50 p.m. Grace Presbyterian ChurchFamily Room, 7434 Bath St., Springfield. Inova certified exercise instructorleads a moderate level exercise class with music and current eventsconversation. Muscle, Balance, Strength Training using stretch bands andweights both standing and seated exercises. Instructor donation is $5.Contact Chris Moore at [email protected] or 703-499-6133.

Al-Mutanabbi Streets Starts Here DC 2016. Through Feb. 28. GeorgeMason University Art Lab, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. A book arts andcultural festival throughout the Washington, DC, area. Major exhibitions,programs, and events will commemorate the 2007 bombing of Baghdad’shistoric book-selling street, celebrate the free exchange of ideas andknowledge, and stand in solidarity with the people of Iraq.www.workhousearts.org. 703-584-2908.

Deborah Schwartzkopf. Through Feb. 28. W-16 McGuireWoods Gallery,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Seattle ceramic artist DeborahSchwartzkopf sets in motion complex and functional forms with simpleparts. www.workhousearts.org. 703-585-2900.

Adventures in Learning. Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. April 4-May 9.Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. community,personal development, finance, and more. Afternoon breakouts are bookclub, bridge, and canasta. Bring a brown bag lunch. $30. www.scfbva.org.703-426-2824.

Art Classes. Tuesdays. Jan. 30-April 2 and Feb. 2-March 15. WoodsCommunity Centre, 10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke. Winter art classes.Art lesson for youth 8 and up. Drawing plus color 5-8 years. Art workshop/Chinese brush painting for teens and adults. Ongoing enrollment. $11/$15per class. Carol Zeitlin, www.czartlessons.com. 703-250-6930.

Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe). Wednesdays. 8:15-9:15 a.m. Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Shalom(Hello)! Did you always want to converse in Hebrew? Join Na’ama eachweek for conversational Hebrew. You will learn and practice Hebrew in afun and interactive way while learning more about Israel! Free (we askthat you try to attend regularly). RSVP [email protected].

Smoke Free Bingo (with breaks for smoking friends). 7 p.m. Every Friday.Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Freecoffee, entertaining callers, $1,000 jackpot. www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

“Memories and Myth.” Through Feb. 29. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 OxRoad, Lorton. An all-media art exhibit by its Associate Artists in Gallery902. www.workhousearts.org.

Lake Accotink Park Campfire Saturdays. Feb. 27, March 26, April 16,May 14. Starts between 6:30-7 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 AccotinkPark Road, Springfield. Adventure awaits as you explore the woodlandsand Lake Accotink spots where wildlife hides and resides, guided by anaturalist. Program ends with a cozy campfire. Bring whatever you like toroast. S’mores provided. Topics vary each month. $8-$10. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink/.

Royal Lake Campfire Saturdays. March 12, April 30. Starts between6:30-7 p.m. Royal Lake Park, 5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax. Join us foran evening campfire at Royal Lake. Adventure awaits as you explore thewoodlands and lake-front spots where wildlife hides and resides, guided bya naturalist. Program ends with a cozy campfire, bring whatever you like toroast, s’mores provided. Different topics. $8-$10. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/html/psa067-15.htm.

Spring Backyard Burn Trail Running Series. March 6, 13, April 17.Laurel Hill, Lorton; Pohick Bay, Lorton; Hemlock Overlook, Clifton. seriesof 5 and 10 mile trail running races held on some of the best trail networksin the Northern Virginia. http://www.ex2adventures.com/byb-spring.php.

Foon Sham: Culture House. Through April 3. W-16 Vulcan Gallery, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. Foon Sham was born in Hong Kong and receiveda BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts, and a MFA fromVirginia Commonwealth University. He is professor of Art at the Universityof Maryland, College Park. www.workhousearts.org. 703-585-2900.

Annual Mulch Sale. Through March 29. Supports the Robinson SecondarySchool Class of 2016 All Night Grad Party. Bagged, high-quality hardwoodand pine nugget mulch. http://www.robinsonangp.com/mulch.html.

Images courtesy of Disney

Disney “Fantasia:” Live in Concert will be George MasonUniversity’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, Feb. 27.


Sports

The Robinson boys’ and girls’swim teams each won statetitles on Feb. 20 at George Ma-

son University.The boys’ team finished with 235

points, 45 ahead of runner-up Langley.Patriot finished third (178), followed byMcLean (161) and Woodson (146.5).

Robinson’s James Murphy won histhird consecutive state championship inthe 200 freestyle, recording an All-Ameri-can time of 1:37.42. He also took homethe 100 backstroke title with an All-American time of 48.99 seconds.

Teammate James Jones won his thirdconsecutive state title in the 50 free,turning in an All-American time of 20.48seconds, and third straight champion-ship in the 100 free (45.39, All-Ameri-can consideration).

The boys’ 200 free relay (Murphy, PeterBrukx, Roman Lowery, Luke Jones) finishedfirst with an All-American tie of 1:24.79.The Rams’ 400 free relay (Murphy, Lowery,Brukx, Jones) also took home a title(3:08.39, All-American consideration).

In girls’ action, RobinsonRobinson’s Hannah Baker won her third

consecutive 100 freestyle state champion-ship with an All-American time of 50.56.She also won the 50 freestyle champion-ship with a time of 23.41 (All-Americanconsideration).

The Rams’ 200 free relay (Lisa Zangla,Grace Gartman, Livi Schmid, Baker) fin-ished first (1:36.22, All-American con-sideration), and the 400 free relay(Zangla, Gartman, Schmid, Baker) alsowon a championship (3:30.39, All-American consideration).

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

The Lake Braddock boys’ basket-ball team, facing the win-or-go-home reality of the 6A Northregion tournament’s opening

round Tuesday night, leaned on its 6-foot-8pillar of hope.

The Bruins, on the road against Confer-ence 8 runner-up Stonewall Jackson, reliedheavily on James Butler at the offensive endand many times the senior center delivered.

Butler battled in the paint. He scored withpost moves. He dunked. He grabbed offen-sive rebounds. He hit a fade-away. He bur-ied a 3-pointer. He made 7 of 10 free-throwattempts.

Butler finished with 40 points — morethan half of the Bruins’ offensive produc-tion — but it wasn’t enough as StonewallJackson closed the game with a 13-4 runand defeated Lake Braddock 83-76.

Butler, the Conference 7 Player of the Year,made a pair of free throws with 2.4 sec-onds remaining, getting him to the 40-pointmark for the second time this season (hescored 46 against T.C. Williams on Dec. 15).He finished his high school career fightingto keep the Bruins’ season alive.

“If anybody hasn’t watched him play,they’ve missed out on something magical,”Lake Braddock head coach Brian Metresssaid. “He’s had a magical high school ca-reer. We would have liked to have given himone more game. That’s a quality kid who isdedicated to his school and every year got

exponentially better. Everybody in the re-gion should be a fan of that guy.”

Butler will continue his basketball careerat Navy.

“I don’t think it’s really set in,” Butler saidabout his high school career coming to aclose. “It’s pretty upsetting. We have a great

team, great coaching staff. I’m going to missthe heck out of it. The fun times we’ve hadplaying together. We built connections andchemistry, it’s a process and it’s painful tosee that go away. We’ll always have it butfor us as seniors, it’s time to step away now.”

Sophomore guard Jordan Burrage-Cobb

scored on a putback with 4:11 remainingin the fourth quarter, giving Lake Braddocka 72-70 lead, but Stonewall Jackson re-sponded with an 11-0 run to put the gameaway. The Bruins went scoreless for nearly4 minutes before a bucket by senior forwardPeyton Bishop cut the Stonewall Jacksonlead to 81-74 with 12.8 seconds remaining.

“They were just better down the stretch,”Metress said. “[Stonewall Jackson guardKeaton Simmons] is a big-time player andone of the things about being such a goodplayer is the ball is always in his hands andit’s hard to squeeze it out of his hands. Ithought we did a good job in the third quar-ter but not so good of a job at the end ofthe game.”

Simmons led Stonewall Jackson with 29points. Zach Hinton had 18 points andDevin Nordike added 13.

Junior guard Corey Pelham scored 11points for Lake Braddock. Bishop finishedwith nine points, Burrage-Cobb had six andsenior guard Christopher Shammas andfreshman guard Quentin James each addedfive.

Lake Braddock trailed by eight late in thesecond quarter before Pelham drained abuzzer-beater from halfcourt, cutting theBruins’ deficit to 45-40 at halftime.

A 9-0 run gave Lake Braddock a 55-52lead with 1:45 remaining in the third quar-ter. A Bishop bucket in the closing secondsof the period gave the Bruins a 61-59 leadentering the fourth quarter.

Lake Braddock started the season witheight straight victories and finished with a15-9 record. The Bruins entered the Con-ference 7 tournament as the No. 4 seed andadvanced to the semifinals before losing toNo. 1 seed West Springfield, 61-59.

“I told them, ‘Great season,’” Metresssaid. “Fifteen victories in the Patriot Dis-trict, got yourself to the regional tourna-ment, had a chance on the road to win agame: spectacular.”

Bruins fall toStonewall Jacksonin opening roundof regionals.

Lake Braddock’s Butler Scores 40 in Final High School Game

Robinson Boys’, Girls’ Swim Teams Win State Titles

Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

Robinson swimmers celebrate winning states.

Lake Braddock senior James Butlerdunks for two of his 40 pointsduring the Bruins’ 83-76 loss toStonewall Jackson on Tuesday inthe opening round of the 6A Northregion tournament.

Lake Braddock senior James Butlerwill continue his basketball careerat the Naval Academy.

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“If anybody hasn’t watched him play, they’ve missedout on something magical. He’s had a magical highschool career. We would have liked to have given himone more game. That’s a quality kid who is dedicatedto his school and every year got exponentially better.Everybody in the region should be a fan of that guy.”

— Lake Braddock basketball coach Brian Metress


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EmploymentEmployment

ASST. BOOKSTORE MANAGER(Springfield Campus)

Mid $20s401k, 2 wks vacation

Lots of advancement [email protected]

Dental Front Desk/Scheduler

Position in quality general & cosmetic practice in Burke, VA.

Great team, salary & benefitsComputer and dental experience

preferredE-mail: [email protected]

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Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

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CONSOLIDATED PLAN PUBLIC NOTICE

On Friday, March 25, 2016, the Virginia Department of Hous-ing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a public hearing on items relating to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s administration of the Consolidated Action Plan2016-2017 Action Plan.

The public hearing will be held at 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in the 12th Floor North Conference Room of the Main Street Cen-tre, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. DHCD will be taking comments on the proposed 2016-2017 Action Plan including goals and objectives for housing and community development; the projected use of funding; the method fordistributing $7,034,121 in HOME Investment Partnership funds; $2,754,274 in Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds; $745,593 in Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds, and $16,881,481 in Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) funds.

Copies of the plan document may be requested by calling (804) 371-7100, (804) 371-7122, or (804) 371-7084 TDD. Per-sons requiring special accommodations should call (804) 371-7110. The Plan will appear on the agency’s web site at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov under “What’s New.”

The Department will receive written comments and testimony on the proposed 2016-2017 Action Plan through the close of business on April 15, 2016 at the following address:

Virginia Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentAttention: Lyndsi AustinMain Street Centre600 East Main Street, Suite 300Richmond, Virginia 23219

21 Announcements 21 Announcements



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21 Announcements

ABC LICENSE Sunshine Food LLC, trading as Sakura Grill, 6411 Shiplett Blvd, Burke, VA 22015. The above establishment is apply-ing to the VIRGINIA DEPART-MENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEV-ERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Prem-ises; license to sell or manu-facture alcoholic beverages. Wei Chen, OwnerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 dates from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

SHORT-TERM SUBLETBUSINESS OFFICE ON ALEXANDRIA WATERFRONT

Office #1 (12’ x 9.5’) Rent: $1,350/month.Office #2 (12’ x 8.5’). Rent: $1,300/month.Office #3 has a partially divided side room (12” x 7”

plus 12’ x 6’). Rent: $1,450/mo.If all three offices are rented together a discountedrate would be discussed. The offices are locatedwithin the beautifully-decorated office space of a pro-fessional services company in a Class “A” buildinglocated in Old Town, Alexandria. Conference roomcan be reserved on an hourly basis.

Three partiallyfurnished windowoffices availableindividually or asa group for amaximumsix-month period.

If interested please email [email protected]

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Datedannouncements should be submitted at least twoweeks prior to the event.

Lenten Soup Supper. Fridays from Feb. 26-March 18. 5:30-7 p.m. will be offered at HolySpirit School Cafeteria, 8800 Braddock Road,Annandale. Meatless soup suppers on Fridays dur-ing Lent, followed by the Stations of the Cross inthe Church at 7 p.m. Free. Contact Lambie Renner,[email protected].

Fairfax Baptist Temple, at the corner ofFairfax County Parkway and Burke Lake Roads,holds a bible study fellowship at 9 a.m. Sundaysfollowed by a 10 a.m. worship service. Nursery careand children’s church also provided. 6401 Mission-ary Lane, Fairfax Station, 703-323-8100 orwww.fbtministries.org.

The Guhyasamaja Buddhist Center, 10875Main St., Fairfax City provides free classes to bothnewcomers and advanced practitioners of TibetanBuddhism. The center emphasizes working withthe mind and learning how to understand theworkings of the mind, overcoming inner causes ofsuffering, while cultivating causes of happiness.Under the direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, thecenter is a place of study, contemplation and medi-tation. Visit http://www.guhyasamaja.org for moreinformation.

Lord of Life Lutheran offers services at twolocations, in Fairfax at 5114 Twinbrook Road andin Clifton at 13421 Twin Lakes Drive. Services inFairfax are held on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. andSundays at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Services in Clifton areheld on Sundays at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. 703-323-9500 or www.Lordoflifeva.org.

First Baptist Church of Springfield offersSunday school at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30a.m. worship service at 7300 Gary St., Springfield.703-451-1500 or www.fbcspringfield.org.

Faith Notes

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call 703-778-9416. The deadline for submissions is theFriday prior to publication. Dated announcementsshould be submitted at least two weeks prior to theevent.

THURSDAYS/THROUGH MARCH 3Job Seekers Seminar. 7-8:30 p.m. Immanuel

Bible Church, 6991 Braddock Road, Springfield.Looking for a job? Are you confident on how tosearch for one? IBC’s Job Seeker Seminar willequip attendees with the knowledge necessary.$15. 703-220-5165. http://immanuelbible.net/stewardship/job-seekers.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY/FEB. 24-25Christ Presbyterian Preschool Open House.

10-11 a.m. Christ Presbyterian Preschool, 12410Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. Openhouse tours for the current school year and2016-17. www.christpresbyterianpreschool.com.703-691-9120.

TUESDAY/MARCH 1Aging-in-Place Seminar. 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-

3:30 p.m. Hilton Springfield, 6550 LoisdaleRoad, Springfield. Learn about a program,designed for active adults 55 and older, issupported and managed by Goodwin House, amission-driven, nonprofit organization with tworesidential properties in Northern Virginia. Free.RSVP not required but space is limited. Reserveat 703-575-5202 or [email protected].

THURSDAY/MARCH 3“Planning 101: Diary of a Growing

Business.” 8:30 a.m. Spring Hill Suites, 6065Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Karen Urcia ofRenner CPAs will show you how to avoid thepitfalls of starting and growing your business,and how good planning can help to make yourbusiness a success. RSVP [email protected].

Bulletin Board


# 1 in Virginia703-425-8000

Access the Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service: www.searchvirginia.listingbook.com

West Springfield$399,900

Updated End UnitTH in ShannonStation. 3 finishedlevels, 3 bedrooms,2 and 2 half baths.Great CommuterLocation. Close toCommunityAmenities. OpenSunday 1-4.

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Haymarket $583,500Resort lifestyle in this immaculate 3 BR, 3 BA & Regency 55+ com-munity. Porch, deck, patio overlook lush landscape. Hardwoods,granite, Master on main, sitting room, office, loft, unfinished LowerLevel & walkout. See www.marylaroche.com

Mary LaRoche 703-503-4021

Fairfax Station $1,189,000Gorgeous custom home sited on beautiful .83 acre nestled in quietDonovans Ridge Boasts superb craftsmanship and attention todetail throughout!

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Fairfax $509,000Cupcake of a Cape Cod! This beautiful sun filled home has a fantas-tic addition! Features beautiful hardwoods, 2 main level bedroomsand full bath, plus 3 more bedrooms & full bath upstairs. A wonder-ful updated kitchen and breakfast room, and terrific first floor sunroom. Finished lower level could be used as an in-law/au pair suite.Lots of room and charm!

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Lake Anna $699,900A family “Lake House.” 6 BR (2ntc), 3 BA open floor plan, dramaticceilings, gas fireplace, gourmet kitchen, rec room, shop, stone gar-den path & bridge to great waterfront, golf cart path, fabulous newstone fire pit at the water, new solar & generator, 2 car garage &paved driveway. Everything you asked for and more!

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Warrenton $415,000Gorgeous Home w/custom Great Room & Master BedroomAddition. Beautifully updated eat-in Kitchen. Updated Bathrooms.Fresh Paint. Large Yard in Serene Neighborhood. 2 Blocks toCommuter Bus Service, 2 Blocks to Route 29/15. DC side ofWarrenton. Free Home Warranty.

John & Jennifer Boyce 703-425-5646

Haymarket/Bull Run Mountain $339,9002.07 acres. Well-built 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick rambler. Full walk-out basement. 2 fireplaces. Fresh paint. New appliances. Largedecks. 2 large skylights. Large rec room and den/study/bedroom onlower level. Area for garage/patio.

Buzz Jordan 703-850-4501

Lake Anna $499,900Waterfront. Beautiful and private home on 1.7 acres. 4 bedroomsand 3 full baths. Open concept.

Paul Wesche 540-847-3848

Clifton $2,495,000Custom 6 BR estate on 5 acres with gorgeous views pastures, lake &pool. Expert craftsmanship and attention detail throughout! Somany amenities including 7 garage bays, and separate in-law suite!

Carol Hermandorfer 703-216-4949

Haymarket $479,900Join resort lifestyle in Regency’s 55+ community. Finest in onelevel living. 2BR/2BA single family with hardwoods, granite, office,patio & scenic view to wooded common area. Seewww.marylaroche.com.

Mary LaRoche 703-503-4021

Falls Church $499,000This 4 bedroom, 3 full bath home has been fully renovated and anaddition added. The lower level has a private entrance, bedroom,bathroom, living area and kitchen. The possibilities are endless.

Richard Esposito 703-856-2529

Burke $610,0004 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath Colonial in Burke Centre with updated kitchenand baths, Brazilian Cherry Hrdwd flrs in foyer, powder room, familyroom, living, and dining rooms. Fireplace in cozy family room withsliding glass door to large deck. Spacious master BR, master bathwith dual sink vanity, ceramic tile floor, tub, & separate shower.

Judy McGuire 703-581-7679

Fairfax Station $679,500Spacious 4 level split has room for everyone. Featuring 5 bedrooms,3.5 renovated baths, screened porch, multilevel decks and hot tub!Located on a cul de sac, private and wooded 1 acre lot. Sought afterneighborhood w/pool and tennis. Robinson Schools.

Marsha Wolber 703-618-4397

Gainesville $379,900Heritage Hunt 55+. Lovely upgraded Duplex, 3BR, 3BA, Familyroom with gas fireplace, Living room, Dining, Kitchen opens toBreakfast room, hardwoods, Loft, 3 season Sunroom, Deck,Irrigation system, 2 car garage. Backs to common area with trees.

Amanda Scott 703-772-9190

Broad Run $429,900Right out of the Pottery Barn catalog is this fully updated rambleron 5 lovely level acres. New kitchen and bath upgrades as well ashardwood flooring. Custom tile features throughout and three fullbaths. Lower level features bedroom, full bath, game room and rec-reation room with a walkout to the rear yard. Oversized 2 cargarage and a separate storage shed for all your storage needs.

Ellie Wester 703-503-1880

Ashburn $839,900Spectacular Sunset views from large deck overlooking the 9thFairway of Belmont Country Club. Hard to find first floor MasterSuite plus second master bedroom on upper level. 4 BR, 4 1/2 BA,fully finished walk-out lower level. A perfect “10.”

Ann Grainger 703-819-5300

Fairfax Station $799,999Sited on a .31-acre private lot this updated 5BR, 4.5BA home offersover 5,300 finished sq. ft. Featuring a spacious MBR, remodeledMBA & updated kitchen. Lower level includes a full wet bar, recroom w/gas FP, BR & full BA.

Ngoc Do 703-493-9797

Springfield $624,900Open Sunday. Exceptional 4BR/3BA split level in sought-after communityof Lake Forest. Four finished levels of living space include outstandingrenovated kitchen, lovely updated baths, FR w/fireplace & wall of built-ins,awesome all-season porch leading to deck & walkout LL recreation room.Close to shopping, Fairfax County Pkwy, and schools. Home feels like new!

Mary Hovland 703-946-1775Cathy DeLoach 571-276-9421

Fairfax Station $889,000This beautifully updated ranch style home sited on a 6.34 acre pri-vate lot offers over 6,200 finished sq.ft. including an expansive MBRw/balcony, newly renovated MBA and 2nd kitchen. Outdoor featuresinclude expansive deck, gazebo & circular driveway.

Ngoc Do 703-493-9797

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