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Springfield Connection ❖ January 26 - February 1, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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January 26 - February 1, 2017

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SpringfieldSpringfieldFranconia❖Kingstowne❖NewingtonFranconia❖Kingstowne❖Newington

Community

Outlook 2017Page 3

Winter Fun & EntertainmentInside

The large warehouse off Loisdale Roadin Springfield is still a candidate forfuture home of FBI headquarters. Thebuilding, owned by the General ServicesAdministration (GSA) is competing withsites in Greenbelt and Landover.

NeighborhoodDevelopment Update

Outlook, Page 3

NeighborhoodDevelopment Update

Outlook, Page 3

Is Wider Better?News, Page 4

Is Wider Better?News, Page 4

Mental Illness TakesCenter Stage in RichmondNews, Page 8

Mental Illness TakesCenter Stage in RichmondNews, Page 8

2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ January 26 - February 1, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

More than 100 Fairfax County Police officers were part of the securitydetail as Donald Trump is sworn in Jan. 20 as 45th president of theUnited States.

Inauguration Day Photos by Mark Mogle/The Connection

Fairfax County police officers, in foreground, providesecurity to President Donald Trump’s limousine as itmakes its way through the streets of Washington dur-ing the Inauguration Day parade Jan. 20. More than3,000 officers from across the country were sworn in toassist with Inauguration activities, including 105 offic-ers from the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

By Jeanne Theismann

The Connection

More than 100 officers fromthe Fairfax County PoliceDepartment assisted in se-curity during Inauguration

Day activities Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.as Donald Trump was sworn in as 45th Presi-

Local officers provide securityfor inaugural events.dent of the United States.

The 105 FPD officers were among themore than 3,000 local law enforcement of-ficials sworn in to help with security

throughout the day. FPD officers began ar-riving in DC around 2:30 a.m. and workedthroughout the day, ending their shiftaround 10 p.m. that night.

“Although it was a long day, we are proudof the exemplary professionalism displayedby each one of them,” posted the FPD onits Facebook page.


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Lorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor

Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Tim Peterson

The Connection keeps a runninglist of land use projects beingplanned, under constructionand nearing completion in the

community. The list is updated quarterly.

Burke Lake Golf Course — 7315 Ox RoadA new clubhouse and expanded driving

range and parking lot highlight upgradesto the Burke Lake Golf Course in FairfaxStation that’s more than 40 years old. Theclubhouse will be more than doubled in sizeto 4,000 square feet. Construction is under-way, including work to make the drivingrange two stories. The driving range is ex-pected to re-open by this summer, with theclubhouse following by October. The club-house remains open during construction.

Ox Road Estates — Adare Drive and OxRoad An infill project of ten single familyhomes is under construction.

Corbet Manor — Around 7717 GambrillRoad

Seven single-family homes by ChristopherCompanies are going into 4.5 acres of whatwere previously unconsolidated parcels ofland. Construction began in July 2016. Themodel home is set to be completed by Feb-ruary.

Laurel Hill Adaptive Reuse Area — Lib-erty Crest at Laurel Hill 8400 Lorton Road

Phase I of transforming the 80-acreformer reformatory property — scheduledto be completed in Spring 2017 — includessetting up 165 apartments in former prisoncells and common spaces, building out 107homes and modernizing the infrastructure.Phase II will add more apartments, condosand 110,000 square-feet of retail space.

Springfield Town Center 6500 SpringfieldMall

New stores and restaurants are continu-

ing to open in the 1.35 million square-footrevitalized shopping center. Later stages ofredevelopment planning for the area in-clude residential, office and hotel space —the timing of which is all market-dictated.

Vulcan Materials Graham Quarry —10000 Ox Road

Fairfax Water is planning to reconfigurethe quarry as a reservoir in two phases:Phase I will establish storage of around 1.8billion gallons 2035, while Phase II shouldadd another 15 billion gallons of storagecapacity by 2085.

Woodglen Lake Dredging — Southeast ofSideburn Run and Zion Drive

The project began with fish relocation toLake Accotink in November 2014 and is nowcomplete. The contractor added vegetativeplugs to the bottom of the lake that willsupport a new fish population. Over thesummer 2016, the Department of Game andInland Fisheries began restocking the lakewith fish, the first in a three-year cycle. This

year restocking will be donewith different species. Workwill continue for two moreyears.

Dominion Power Substation— Off Ox Road, near RoselandDrive

Dominion is planning tobuild a new security fencearound the existing power sub-station. The action has beenapproved by the land use com-mittee but hasn’t yet come be-fore the Fairfax County Plan-ning Commission or Board ofSupervisors.

Sources: Supervisor John Cook(R-Braddock) and land use aide,Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and land use aide,Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) andland use aide.

Neighborhood Development Update

Ongoing AreaDevelopments1 Burke Lake Golf Course —

7315 Ox Road

2 Ox Road Estates — AdareDrive and Ox Road

3 Corbet Manor — Around7717 Gambrill Road

4 Laurel Hill Adaptive ReuseArea — Liberty Crest at LaurelHill 8400 Lorton Road

5 Springfield Town Center —6500 Springfield Mall

6 Vulcan Materials GrahamQuarry — 10000 Ox Road

7 Woodglen Lake Dredging —Southeast of Sideburn Runand Zion Drive

Community Outlook 2017

Image courtesy of Fairfax CountyA site plan shows the footprint of the new Burke Lake golf course club-house and driving range. Image courtesy of Fairfax County

The current driving range will be expanded to two levels.

Photo by Tim Peterson/The Connection(Left) Scott Carver of Oakton, Director of DCRegion and Northern Virginia for the Liberty Crestat Laurel Hill general contractor Southway Build-ers, Inc., explains how a “finger” building offormer jail cells is being converted into apart-ments.


News

Inova staff members gather with Anna (center left) andSadie Lauer (center right) outside The Woods commu-nity center in Burke, after completing the sixth annualFriends of Sadie Blood Drive in 2015.

Friends of Sadie BloodDrive Returns Feb. 12.T

he eighth annual Friendsof Sadie Blood Drive isscheduled for Sunday,

Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.In early 2010, friends of the

Lauer family in Burke first orga-nized a blood drive for Sadie Lauerwho was three months old at thetime. Sadie had been diagnosedwith neuroblastoma and under-went several surgeries to removea cancerous mass in her neck. Theprocedures required quite a bit ofreplacement blood, inspiring thefriends to act and reach out to thecommunity for help.

The first drive was so success-ful, an annual drive in Sadie’shonor was established. Sadie isalive and in remission.

“Friends of Sadie” organizershope to continue raising aware-ness of childhood cancer, as wellas supplying Inova Blood DonorServices with much-needed blood.

The drive will take place at theWoods Community Center inBurke, 10100 Wards Grove Circle.A photo ID is required to donate.Donors should allow one hour forthe process.

There will be free childcare andactivities offered, as well as a bakesale with all proceeds going to TheTruth 365. For more information,contact INOVA at 1-866-256-6372, sponsor code 7637, or visitwww.friendsofsadie.org.

—Tim Peterson

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No Ban on a Plastic YardWaste Bag in County

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the public hear-ing to consider an ordinance to amend and readopt Chapter109.1 of the Fairfax County Code on the prohibition of plasticbags for yard waste was deferred indefinitely. The Board of Su-pervisors also voted unanimously to approve Supervisor Herrity’smotion to immediately communicate to the citizens, trash haul-ers, and lawn service companies that there is currently no ap-proved ban in Fairfax County.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) stated, “I am glad ourresidents will have the ability to weigh in on any attempt to banplastic bags for yard waste and that the County is clarifying thatno ban currently exists.

I believe a ban would negatively impact our residents and ourrecycling efforts.”

West Springfield High to HostValentine’s Fundraiser

American Cancer Society Crop/Craft — “Make Your Own Val-entines Table” — will be held Saturday, Feb 4, 9 - 5 p.m. withFun Vendor Shop: 2 - 4 p.m. at the West Springfield High SchoolCafeteria (6100 Rolling Road, Springfield). Vendors include:Stella & Dot, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Karinas Kreations,Tupperware, Stampin’ Up, LuLaRoe, Thirty-One Gifts, CreativeMemories, Scentsy. All donations go to American Cancer Soci-ety. Call Leslie Carlin at 703-866-4962 or [email protected] for info.

Area Roundups

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Next month, residents willhear an update on thestatus of the Braddock

Road Multimodal Study. The pur-pose of the study is to examineways to relieve traffic congestionalong the major corridor fromGuinea Road to the Beltway. Thosecould include intersection im-provements, lane additions, pedes-trian improvements, “and the is-sue of whether or not to do a tran-sit center,” said supervisor JohnCook (R-Braddock).

Cook previously formed aBraddock Road Task Force citizencouncil to give input and reviewthese potential improvements tothe corridor. Recommendationsfrom the task force will also bepresented at the Feb. 6 communitymeeting, scheduled from 6:30p.m. to 9 p.m. in the LakeBraddock Secondary School caf-eteria.

“The study shows some prettysignificant improvements comingfrom what are fairly modest im-provements,” Cook said.

Some of the options beinglooked at include a series of inter-section improvements fromGuinea to the Beltway, makingsome of those right in-right outand taking out the traffic light atKings Park Drive.

“The question is, by adding HOVor a general purpose lane, doesthat help more?” said Cook. “We’llbe talking about that in the Feb-ruary meeting.”

Addressing congestion is hardlylimited to that stretch of BraddockRoad. Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) said there are plansto “turn dirt” on expanding thecapacity of I-66 this year, which hecalls “big news for the west end ofmy district for sure.”

Part of the Fairfax County Park-way is due to be widened, as wellon Rolling Road.

Even in Clifton, which MayorBill Holloway said has been a vic-tim to some extent of its own suc-cess in attracting more visitors andshoppers, is looking at redesign-ing the scape of its historic MainStreet.

“People are there all the time,weekends, evenings — it’s lookinglike a beach town without the

beach,” Holloway said. “It’s reallyheartening to me to see it’s soalive.”

Unique to Clifton, they hope toslow down traffic and improvesafety through town, improvingpedestrian and parking issues aspart of managing an expandedcapacity.

Ed Zolnik, an associate profes-sor in the George Mason Univer-sity Schar School of Policy andGovernment, said these projectsfor increasing capacity withoutadding new roads are nothingnew.

“Widening seen as more imme-diate,” Zolnik said, “to add morecapacity, which is necessary, withmost people making their trips ina private vehicle.”

Though Zolnik said theBraddock Road multimodal studyis on-trend with urban planningthat’s attempting to provide masstransit alternatives to individualvehicles, building new roads andexpanding existing ones is un-avoidable.

“From a public purpose perspec-tive, it’s what we encounter on adaily basis,” he said, “everyonesees that.”

And with expanding capacity,Zolnik said the cynical planningviewpoint is that solution to con-

gestion is antiquated, though“there’s an immediacy to this kindof problem.”

“Just using the argument ‘Wehave to reduce congestion,’ it’s avicious cycle,” he said, “as it couldengender much more congestiongoing forward.”

Working on a multimodal solu-tion is consistent with how transitplanning has evolved, the profes-sor said. And as more transporta-tion choices are offered in theBraddock Road corridor and otherroadways around Fairfax County,it should help mitigate the ulti-mate limitations of the roadwaysfor private vehicles.

“People are adapting to the en-vironment they’re in, as much asimposing their will,” Zolnik said.“This is not new, but there’s a longtimespan this takes to get online,operating.”

The Braddock Road communitymeeting is scheduled for Feb. 6from 6:30 to 9 p.m.in the cafete-ria of Lake Braddock SecondarySchool. At 6:30, attendees can di-rect questions to Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation(FCDOT) staff and review infor-mation at various stations. At 7:30,attendees will hear recommenda-tions from the Braddock Road TaskForce.

Is Wider Better?ReducingBraddock Roadcongestion to bediscussed Feb. 6

Next month, residents will hear an update on the statusof the Braddock Road Multimodal Study. The purpose ofthe study is to examine ways to relieve traffic congestionalong the major corridor from Guinea Road to theBeltway. Those could include intersection improvements,lane additions, pedestrian improvements, “and the issueof whether or not to do a transit center,” said supervisorJohn Cook (R-Braddock).

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Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Datedannouncements should be submitted atleast two weeks prior to the event.

Tara Ackerman, graduate of LakeBraddock Secondary School and residentof Burke earned semester honors fromKansas State University in the fall semes-ter of 2016. Students earning a gradepoint average of 3.75 or above on at least12 credit hours receive semester honorsalong with commendations from theirdeans.

Meredith Elaine Shock, Burke, VAresident, has been named to the dean’s listat James Madison University for the fall2016 semester. Students who earn dean’slist honors must carry at least 12 gradedcredit hours and earn a GPA of between3.5 and 3.899. Shock is scheduled tograduate in 2017 and is majoring in writ-ing, rhetoric & technical communication.

Nabila A. Guled is a senior majoringin organizational leadership. Nabila hasbeen named to the Fort Hays State Uni-versity Dean’s Honor Roll for the fall 2016semester.

Ms Meghan Chandler Presing ofFairfax earned a MSW - Master of SocialWork at the University of Wisconsin-Mil-waukee. UWM is the second largestuniversity in the State of Wisconsin, withapproximately 26,000 undergraduate andgraduate students.

James Hua Lau a senior atHampden-Sydney College, has been rec-ognized as an outstanding campus leaderin the 2016 edition of Who’s Who AmongStudents in American Universities and Col-leges. James is the son of Mr. and Mrs.Michael N. Lau of Springfield, VA.

Fourty-three students from Hampden-Sydney College were selected for thisyear’s edition. Students are nominated byseniors, administrators, faculty, andcoaches based on their academic achieve-ment, service to the community,leadership in extracurricular activities,and potential for continued success. Theyjoin a select group of students from morethan 2000 institutions of higher learningin all fifty states, the District of Columbia,and several foreign nations.

A private college for men, Hampden-Sydney is ranked nationally by U.S. News& World Report. The College is known forits liberal arts curriculum, the Honor Codewhich stresses individual and collectiveresponsibility, and a focus on the educa-tion of young men.

Three Fairfax County residents havebeen recognized for academic excellenceduring the fall 2016 semester at NewRiver Community College.

Justin Luu of Fairfax made thePresident’s List

Elisa Stephano of Burke made thePresident’s List

Cristian Rice of McLean made theDean’s List

To be placed on the President’s List, astudent must have taken 12 college-levelsemester hours or more, attained a gradepoint average of 3.5 for any one semester,and earned a minimum of 20 semesterhours at New River Community College.A Dean’s List student is one who has taken12 college-level semester hours of creditor more and attained a grade point aver-age of 3.2 for any one semester. NewRiver Community College is located inDublin, Virginia and is one of theCommonwealth’s 23 community colleges.

Honor Students from Fairfax at BaylorUniversity in Waco, Texas

Ho Yeon Kim, College of Arts andSciences

Vincent Lorenzo Rimanelli, Col-lege of Arts and Sciences

To be named to the Dean’s List, a stu-dent must be an undergraduate with aminimum grade-point average of 3.7,while enrolled in a minimum of 12 semes-ter hours.

School Notes


Opinion

The hiring freeze announced earlierthis week, will not help the localeconomy which has struggled inrecent years due to the sequester,

automatic cuts and limits to federal spending.The federal government is a critical part of thelocal economy and had helped recession-proofthe Northern Virginia area, but more recentlyit has been a negative.

Kudos to U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10)for speaking out against a foolish freeze onfederal hiring. As the lone Republican repre-senting Northern Virginia in Congress, heropposition is important.

“The federal budget cannot be balanced onthe backs of our federal workforce. I don’t sup-port this type of across-the-board freeze andthink it is better to look at priorities and areaswhere appropriate cuts can be made and wherewe can consolidate efforts or identify unnec-essary costs that can be eliminated,” Comstockwrote. “As the General Accounting Office haspreviously reported, past hiring freezes in bothRepublican and Democrat administrations havecost the federal government money in the long-run because of staffing problems, or problemsin recruiting or disruption of key governmentoperations and required services to the Ameri-can people. We will be monitoring and high-lighting the results of this freeze and how it isimpacting the mission of various agencies.”

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) identifiesthe freeze as one of many “anti-federalworkforce policies” in the works.

“An across-the-board federal hiring freeze isa mindless way to manage. ... It fails to takeinto account the need to actually beef up cer-tain capabilities in the federal government, likecybersecurity,” Connolly said. “This ExecutiveOrder, coupled with many of other anti-fed-eral workforce policies being proposed in Con-gress, will have a depressing effect on our abil-ity to recruit and retain the next generation offederal workers.”

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) calls it

scapegoating. “The number of federal work-ers is at its lowest level since the 1960s, andover 30 percent will be eligible to retire in thenext year,” Beyer said. “A report by the Gen-eral Accounting Office (GAO) on previous fed-eral hiring freezes stated such freezes are notan effective strategy for shrinking the size ofthe workforce, and only serve to disrupt agencyoperations and in the long-term increase thecost of government operations.”

Federal hiring freezewill have rippling effect.

Not Helping the Local Economy

Bills to Watch in General AssemblyIn no particular order, more to come next

week:❖ SB 1005 Community services boards and

behavioral health authorities; services to beprovided, in particular, access to same-dayaccess to mental health screening services.

❖ SB 923 raises felony larceny threshold to$500 ($1,000 would have been better).

❖ SB 1379 that discourages universitiesfrom stockpiling cash, and instead lowerstuition for Virginia students and families.

❖ SB 931 removes the exemption for“working papers and correspondence” foruniversity presidents.

❖ SB 1376, requires a 30-day notice fromthe Board of Visitors before tuition can beraised.

❖ SB 1102, records of closed investiga-tions of unattended deaths were not exemptfrom the state Freedom of Information Act.

❖ SB 1442, requires the Department ofCriminal Justice Services to identify anevidence-based, standardized instrument formental health screening for anyone incarcer-ated in local, regional, and communitycorrectional facilities.

❖ Various proposals for nonpartisanredistricting.

“Past hiring freezes in both Republican and Democratadministrations have cost the federal government moneyin the long-run because of staffing problems, or problemsin recruiting or disruption of key government operationsand required services to the American people.”

— U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA10)

Protesting VoteSuppressionTo the Editor:

I am fed up with gerrymander-ing and other tactics politiciansuse to stack the votes in their fa-vor! Gerrymandering distorts theelectoral process, undermines de-mocracy, and renders legislativeelections a

meaningless exercise. I am a tax-paying citizen of Virginia, but myone vote does not count as onevote. Here in Virginia, state legis-lators redraw district lines, whichmeans that the party in power ofthe State House and Senate candraw the lines to serve their owninterests, not those of our commu-nities. Since Virginia has been Re-publican controlled, that meansthat my Democratic vote has lessvalue in my district than a Repub-lican vote does in another district.

According to Governing.com,Virginia is ranked as one of themost gerrymandered states in thecountry (fifth worst!), both on thecongressional and state levels

based on the lack of compactnessand contiguity of its districts.Throughout the State, countiesand cities are broken in half or intomultiple pieces to create heavilypartisan districts. Most of the“elections” in Virginia thereforeresult in no change in party be-cause of these gerrymandered dis-tricts!

With Republicans in control ofthe Virginia House and Senate, thegerrymandering, not only sup-presses Democrat votes, but hashad a detrimental impact on per-sons of color causing distinct ech-oes of Jim Crow laws. Are we go-ing to allow discriminatory disen-franchisement to proceed un-checked in our State? I urge allVirginians and Virginian Represen-tatives to support changes to theVirginia constitution and enact-ment of laws that wouldstrengthen voting rights, make vot-ing easier and fairer, and eliminateunfair redistricting that politiciansuse to keep themselves in power.

Nancy BlethenSpringfield

Letters to the Editor

Area Residents Join March onWashingtonOne of thethousands ofsigns displayedat theSaturday’sMarch onWashington,D.C. TheWomen’s Marchon Washingtonturned out tobe one of thelargest demon-strations in thecity’s history,according tocity officials,drawing morethan 500,000participants.The march wasscheduled tofollow on the heels of Friday’s Inauguration of the45th president, Donald Trump.

Photo courtesy of John Lovaas

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Opinion

By Jean Jianos

Growing up in America in the1950s and 1960s, many chil-dren watched television only inblack and white. Some children

believed that the world beyond where theycould see was only black and white, devoidof color even though their homes, theirneighborhoods, their schools, their crayonboxes were filled with colors.

Families watched “The Wizard of Oz”annually on television in black and white.While some parents and grandparentsmay have remembered the awe and won-der of seeing Dorothy step out of hertwister ravaged, black and white homeinto a Technicolor world, the children hadnever seen “The Wizard of Oz” on a moviescreen. Although the children could ap-preciate that something new and differ-ent was happening to Dorothy, theycouldn’t experience that for themselves.Imagine the exhilaration, and the shock,of seeing “The Wizard of Oz” for the firsttime on a color TV. Imagine the bewilder-ment of parents and grandparents at thereaction of those children. “Do you mean,

you never knew that Oz was a world ofmany colors?”

Such was the realization in watching thetelevised images from the inauguration ofthe 45th President of the United States ofAmerica. This monochromatic view is whatmany Americans had been seeing on tele-vision, at the movies, in the news. Ameri-cans were seeing a black and white America,devoid of color, and came to expect, if notaccept, that leaders can’t be women andpeople of color, even though their homes,their neighborhoods, their schools are filledwith strong and courageous women, andstrong and courageous people of color.American women and Americans of colorknow what is happening at each presiden-tial inauguration, but until the inaugura-tion of the 44th President of the UnitedStates, people of color could not experiencethat for themselves.

Imagine the shock of seeing a world ofmany colors when you have been raised inblack and white. There were some Ameri-cans who were content to continue to watchtelevision in black and white, and who couldnot see the sense of spending more moneyon a color TV, but eventually every Ameri-

can began watching television in color.Some may have waited until their black andwhite televisions were broken and could notbe repaired or replaced in kind, but oncethey experienced color television for them-selves, they accepted, and expected, a morevibrant and realistic view of the world.

Imagine the bewilderment at the televised

America in Black & White

Are you interested in making FairfaxCounty more bike-friendly? On Feb. 4,2017, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling(FABB) is hosting a free workshop thatwill provide attendees the basic tools andstrategies needed to help make bicyclingconditions better in Fairfax County. Theworkshop will be held on Saturday, Feb.4, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. atPrince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304Old Keene Mill Rd in Springfield (acrossthe street from the Springfield Golf andCountry Club).

There is no charge for the workshop;however, participants are asked to pre-register before Jan. 29, 2017 (www.fabb-bikes.org). Lunch will be provided. Top-ics include: components of a successfuladvocacy campaign, developing an ad-

Bicycle Advocacy Workshop Feb. 4

images from the inauguration of the 45th

President among the majority of Americanswho thought we had left our black andwhite mindsets behind and moved, to-gether, into a world of many colors.

The writer is a local freelance reporter andcontributor to the Connection Newspapers.

vocacy plan, online advocacy tools, andwhy citizen advocates make a difference.Attendees will have time to develop theirown campaigns. Presenters are local citi-zens with a proven record of leadingadvocacy campaigns: FABB membersSonya Breehey, Bruce Wright, and AlanYoung, and Fionnuala Quinn of The Bu-reau of Good Roads.

FABB is an all-volunteer nonprofit or-ganization dedicated to improving con-ditions for bicyclists of all ages, nation-alities, and walks of life. Over the pastdecade FABB has played a key role inadvancing bicycling in Fairfax County.More information about the organizationand workshop can be found at www.fabb-bikes.org or by contacting Bruce Wrightat [email protected] or 703-328-9619.

Send notes to the Connection at [email protected] or call 703-778-9416.Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

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.

Grace Presbyterian Church offers Sundayschool for all ages at 9:15, and a blended worshipservice 10:30 a.m. every Sunday morning. Coffeeand fellowship follows worship. Nursery care isprovided from 9:00-11:45. 7434 Bath Street,Springfield. 703-451-2900 orwww.gracepresby.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 both tra-ditional and contemporary worship services at10:30 a.m. at 7300 Gary St., Springfield. 703-451-1500 or www.fbcspringfield.org.

Clifton Presbyterian Church , 12748Richards Lane, Clifton, offers Sunday worship ser-vices at 10 a.m. and Cup of Fellowship at 11 a.m.Nursery care is provided from 9:45-11:15 a.m.Christian education for all ages is at 9:45 a.m. 703-

830-3175.

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church,6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton, conducts Sundaymasses at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., Latin mass at 10:30a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It also offers a Saturday vigilat 5:30 p.m. and a Thursday Latin mass at 7 p.m.Additional mass offered Monday-Friday at 6:30a.m. (except on Federal holidays) and 8:45 a.m.703-817-1770 or www.st-andrew.org.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, offers casualworship services on Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m.featuring contemporary music. More traditionalservices take place on Sunday mornings at 8:15and 11 a.m. Sunday School is from 9:45-10:45 a.m.for children and adults. The church also offers dis-cussion groups for adults. 703-451-5855 orwww.poplc.org.

JCCNV Mothers Circle program, for womenwho are not Jewish but are raising Jewish children.Free education in Jewish rituals, practices and val-ues, while respecting the participant’s choice toretain her own religious identity. Jewish Commu-nity Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little RiverTurnpike in Fairfax. Contact Laurie Albert, 703-537-3064 or HYPERLINK“ m a i l t o : L a u r i e . A l b e r t @ j c c n v . o r g ”[email protected].

Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037Franconia Road, Alexandria, offers traditional Sun-day church services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. plusSunday School classes for all ages at 9:45 a.m.Childcare is available 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 703-971-5151 or [email protected] orwww.franconiaumc.org.

RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation ofAdults, is for people interested in becomingCatholic or learning about the Catholic Church.RCIA classes are held on Tuesdays beginning Sep-tember 15 and continuing through April. Theclasses are usually from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm andthey meet in the Guadalupe Room in the ParishHall, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. A group willbegin meeting every Wednesday starting Septem-ber. Sessions are in the Old Parish Hall. All arewelcome. Contact Carolyn Smith at 703-273-5369or [email protected].

Faith Notes

8 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ January 26 - February 1, 2017 Springfield Connection ❖ January 26 - February 1, 2017 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Photo contributed

Hayfield Secondary School students traveled to Rich-mond to talk with (center) Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30)about the VA STAR (Virginia Student Training andRefurbishment) program.

Photo contributed

Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) welcomed members of GirlScouts of America Troop 797 to Richmond and intro-duced them on the floor of the House of Delegates.

Residents Go to RichmondWith the Virginia General Assembly underway, many individu-

als and groups are traveling to the capital of the Commonwealthto lobby lawmakers.

Photo contributed

Bonnie Brae residents Anna Kim, Jonah Kim, SamuelKim, Gabriel Kim, Jacob Snawder and Bela Kekesi aremembers of the 4-H Club and a group called Sala-mander Savers. They traveled to Richmond to meetwith (center) Del. David Bulova (D-37).

News

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

The death of a womanwho struggled withmental illness at theFairfax County jail is

among the many recent controver-sies in Virginia correctional facili-ties, a reform effort that spans fromchanging how deaths behind barsare investigated to how law-en-forcement officers interact withsuspects who suffer from mentalillness.

“When you talk to pilots aboutplanes crashing, they don’t say it’sany one thing that happens. It’s amultitude of things,” said Del.Patrick Hope (D-47). “And eachpiece of legislation that we havewill have some sort of stop gap tomake sure that it doesn’t happenagain.”

Back in 2015, an African-Ameri-can woman diagnosed with schizo-phrenia named Natasha McKennadied after being hit four times atthe Fairfax jail with a Taser stungun while she was restrained. Themedical examiner eventually ruledthat she died from “excited de-lirium,” although critics say that’sa designation created to protectlaw-enforcement officials.

More recently, an inmate at theHampton Roads Regional Jailnamed Jamycheal Mitchell, whoalso had mental illness, died ofstarvation. His family was in Rich-mond last week lobbying lawmak-ers to take action now.

“We plead with legislators to en-sure that changes are made in the

law to better protect young menlike Jamycheal who suffer frommental illness,” said RoxanneAdams, his aunt, during a pressconference in Richmond last week.“We ask that real changes be imple-mented at Virginia jails to preventanother mentally ill young manlike Jamycheal Mitchell from dy-ing.”

MENTAL-HEALTH REFORM isat the top of the agenda of lawmak-ers on both sides of the aisle yetagain, prompted by the most recentcycle of tragedy and reform. Butit’s an old story, one that dates backto the deinstitutionalization of psy-chiatric hospitals decades ago. Thelast major round of reforms cameafter state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-

25) was attacked by his son, whostruggled with mental illness anddied from suicide immediately af-ter the attack on his father. Deedssought help for his son on the dayof the attack but was turned away.

Since that time, Deeds has beenengaged in an ongoing effort toreform mental health services, in-cluding reshaping the communityservice boards that provide thoseservices in the Commonwealth.

“Because the changes are signifi-cant and costly, we have adopteda staged approach to implementa-tion,” said Deeds in a written state-ment. “The first step is to requiresame day access to service.”

Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffeput mental-health reform at the topof his agenda this year, mention-

ing it first in his list of prioritiesfor the year. The governor’s bud-get includes new funding to allowcommunity services boards acrossthe commonwealth to offer same-day service for people in the midstof a behavioral-health crisis.McAuliffe says that will allow themto serve Virginians rather thanturning them away, as happened inthe Deeds case.

“One result of our challengedmental health system is that toomany individuals who suffer frombehavioral health disorders windup in jail, where there are notenough resources to properly carefor them,” said McAuliffe. “To solvethat problem, I have proposed leg-islation and funding to expandmental health screenings in local

and regional jails.”

THE INTERSECTION of law-en-forcement officials and people whosuffer from mental illness is a ma-jor theme of legislation this year.One of the changes that’s alreadyreceiving agreement from bothsides of the aisle examines howthese deaths are investigated. ARepublican senator from Chesa-peake is pushing for the state De-partment of Corrections to investi-gate all deaths behind bars, whichhe says will provide some consis-tency to a haphazard system thatvaries greatly from urban areas torural parts of the commonwealth.

“It’s not trying to point fingers,”said Sen. John Cosgrove (R-14).“It’s just trying to find out whatmay have gone wrong. Was therenegligence on anybody’s part?”

Cosgrove’s bill, which has bipar-tisan support, would require theVirginia Department of Correctionsto investigate all deaths, write awritten report and submit it to theGeneral Assembly and the gover-nor. That would apply for all deathsbehind bars, which could clear upsome of the confusion and ambi-guity caused by investigations thathappen behind closed doors andwithout accountability. The bill hasreceived no opposition from sher-iffs or police chiefs so far.

“There appeared to be an ab-sence of responsibility and ac-countability for those reviews andinvestigations” said Brian Moran,secretary of Homeland Securityand Public Safety. “So the gover-nor has led with the Board of Cor-

rections. They have expertise cur-rently. They have some relationshipwith jails.”

ONE OF THE BILLS would rep-licate the concept of FairfaxCounty’s Diversion First programat the state level, giving law-en-forcement officials more discretionto help a suspect find help ratherthan locking them up behind bars.The bill, introduced by Hope,would give officers the ability totransport suspects to a crisis-stabi-lization unit in misdemeanor casesif the officer believes the suspectsuffers from mental illness. Thatwould include misdemeanor caseswhen victims want to presscharges.

“This is a bipartisan effort, and Ican’t stress that point enough,” saidHope. “We’ve had a number ofdeaths over the last year and a halfthat we know about, and whoknows if there are others in thepast. This is too much, and manyof it is preventable.”

Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31) hasintroduced a bill that would re-quire mental health training for allcorrectional officers at Virginiajails. The idea is that they wouldbe able to recognize the signs ofmental illness — signs like NatashaMcKenna biting Alexandria offic-ers who responded to a call for ser-vice or Jamycheal Mitchell slowlystarving behind bars after beingincarcerated for stealing $5 worthof snacks.

“Now is the opportunity for usto make our voices heard,” saidFavola. “It’s sometimes so unfortu-nate we have to suffer a horrifictragedy to move the policy agendaforward.”

Death of Fairfax County inmate among recent controversies prompting action.

Mental Illness Takes Center Stage in Richmond

Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies restrain Natasha McKenna at the Fairfax CountyJail, where she was hit with a Taser stun gun four timeswhile restrained. Her death led to questions about howdeaths behind bars are investigated and how law-enforce-ment officers interact with people who suffer from mentalillness.

“We’ve had anumber of deathsover the last yearand a half that weknow about, andwho knows if thereare others in thepast. This is toomuch, and many ofit is preventable.”

— Del. Patrick Hope (D-47)

Nuclear DeterrenceSen. Chap Petersen (D-34) called it the

“nuclear option,” an idea floated by Sen. Rich-ard Stuart (R-38) that the city of Alexandriashould lose all state funding unless it cleans up itssewage problem by 2020. Stuart and other law-makers expressed frustrations that Alexandria con-tinues to dump 13 million gallons of raw sewageinto the Potomac River each year without a clearplan to fix the problem.

As it turns out, the nuclear option was a goodnegotiating point.

Behind the scenes, Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30)worked with Stuart to craft a compromise — Alex-andria agrees to clean up the mess by 2025 in ex-change for state funding. Ebbin first announcedthe compromise to Connection Newspapers dur-ing a Facebook Live video.

“We will have an accelerated timetable,” said Ebbinon Facebook Live. “But I expect no loss of state funds,which is super important to me, and I’m happy I wasable to work that away.”

Studying Internet LoansThe Wild West of internet loans may be getting a

bit tamer, although lawmakers on both sides of theaisle say there’s more they need to know about thegrowing trend. Over the course of the last week, mem-bers of the House and Senate both moved towardhaving state regulators take a look at internet com-panies that offer consumer finance loans over theinternet. The move comes after charges that compa-nies from across the globe and some companies af-filiated with Indian tribes were evading Virginia lawdesigned to protect consumers.

“There have been some questions raised by not the

companies that this intended to regulate but the com-panies who are already regulated,” said Sen. ScottSurovell (D-30), who introduced the legislation onthe Senate side. “The Bureau of Financial Institutionshas indicated they’d like to take a deep dive into thisand make some recommendations to us for next year.”

Pro PubliusLetters to the editor are one of the most-read parts

of every newspaper. That’s just as true today as it wasback in the summer of 1787, when newspapers wereflooded with letters for and against ratification of theConstitution. Some of the letters in support were writ-ten under the pseudonym Publius became famousand are now known collectively as the Federalist Pa-pers — a group of op-ed columns written byAlexander Hamilton, James Madison and JohnJay.

This week, lawmakers in Richmond moved to-ward requiring that the Federalist Papers be taughtin public schools. Del. Tag Greason (R-32) sayshe took a look at the Federalist Papers before heintroduced the bill, and he says he sees some mod-ern parallels.

“Today I would say it’s more like maybe a docu-ment you might get from a lobbyist,” said Greason.“I have this vision of Hamilton running around say-ing, ‘Hey have you heard about this thing, the Con-stitution? Here let me explain it to you. Let meexplain why I support it. Let me tell you why Isupport it.”

Critics say public schools should also considerteaching articles written that were critical of theConstitution, which led to the creation of the firstten amendments, better known as the Bill of Rights.

— Michael Lee Pope

In Session

On Dec. 12, 2016,Lake BraddockSecondary School’s

former star football player,Lamont Atkins, was an-nounced as the 2016-2017Gatorade Virginia Player of theYear. The Gatorade Companyselects one winner from eachstate based on athletic excel-lence, academic achievement,and exemplary character.Atkins was given the opportu-nity, through Gatorade’s Play itForward program, to select anational or local youth sportsorganization to receive a$1,000 donation. After playingmultiple sports as a youth inthe Springfield South CountyYouth Club, he decided to payit forward by giving the$1,000 donation to theSpringfield South CountyYouth Club.

After graduating from LakeBraddock early, Lamont Atkins

enrolled at the University ofVirginia as a mid-term enrolleeand started classes andfootball practice on Jan. 18,2017. A standout in multiplesports, he left Lake Braddockas the all-time leading rusherwith 3,656 rushing yards and56 touchdowns. In addition tothe Gatorade Virginia Player ofthe Year award, Atkins wasselected to the WashingtonPost’s All-Met Team, and theVirginia High School League’s6A All-State Team both as arunning back and a linebacker.A standout on both sides ofthe football, he was recog-nized as the 6A Patriot All-Conference Offensive andDefensive Player of the Year.Most recently, Atkins wasselected for induction into theNorthern Virginia Hall ofFame. The induction ceremonyis scheduled for March 5,2017.

Atkins starts classes, footballpractice at University of Virginia.

Lake Braddock’s AtkinsSelected Virginia Playerof the Year

Photos contributed

Lamont Atkins, Lake Braddock Secondary School’sformer star football player, was announced as the2016-2017 Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year.


Send notes to the Connection atconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ orcall 703-778-9416. The deadline is theFriday prior to the next paper’s publica-tion at noon. Dated announcementsshould be submitted at least two weeksprior to the event.

THURSDAY/JAN. 26Lake Braddock Secondary

School’s production ofCarousel 7:30 p.m. 9200 BurkeLake Rd, Burke. This classic musicalby Rodgers and Hammerstein wasonce named “the musical of thecentury” by Time magazine. Openingnight is January 26 and the cast willhave a dress rehearsal on Jan. 21st ifyou would like to get some photos ofstudents in costumes. Cost:Ticketsstart at $12 and are available fromwww.brownpapertickets.com.

FRIDAY/JAN. 27Lake Braddock Secondary

School’s production ofCarousel 7:30 p.m. 9200 BurkeLake Rd, Burke.

SATURDAY/JAN. 28Lake Braddock Secondary

School’s production ofCarousel shows at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke.

History Lecture on Parson MasonLocke Weems 1 - 2 p.m. at PohickEpiscopal Church 9301 RichmondHighway in Lorton, on U.S. Route 1between Telegraph Road and PohickRoad. The staff of the Weems-BottsMuseum in Dumfries will be giving alecture on the colorful andcontroversial figure of Parson MasonLocke Weems. Weems served astemporary Minister at Pohick Churchfrom about 1800 to 1817. He was thewriter of the biography of GeorgeWashington that contains the famous“Cherry Tree Story.” 703-928-8184or [email protected].

SUNDAY/JAN. 29Lake Braddock Secondary

School’s production ofCarousel 3 p.m. 9200 Burke LakeRd, Burke.

Virginia Dance Coalition DanceFestival 10 - 8 p.m. Ernst CulturalCenter on the Northern VirginiaCommunity College’s AnnandaleCampus 8333 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. The program includesthree Master Classes (Ballet, Modern,and African) along with dancerwellness and career seminars. Thereare two performances – an InformalShowcase for emerging companiesand artists, and a Gala EveningPerformance for the professional andpre-professional groups.Registrationinfo atwww.VirginiaDanceCoalition.org703-409-7988.

1898 Looting of Burke 4:30 - 6Abiding Presence Lutheran Church6304 Lee Chapel Rd, Burke. CindyBennett, BHS Treasurer, will speakon the 1898 looting of Burke bytroops from Camp Alger during theSpanish-American War. Cost: [email protected]

Concert by the Havenwood Trio 6p.m. Calvary Hill Baptist Church,9301 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.703-323-1347.

TUESDAY/JAN.31Writer Liane Kupferberg Carter at

the Jewish Community Centerof Northern Virginia 7 p.m. 8900Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Theinsightful author will speak about hermemoir, Ketchup is My FavoriteVegetable: A Family Grows Up withAutism, an unflinching portrait of

bpt.me/2740223. 703-323-0880jccnv.org.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 1Fairfax Pets on Wheels New

Volunteer Orientation FirstWednesday of each month. 7:30 - 9p.m. 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax. Anorientation for new volunteersinterested in visiting residents ofnursing homes and assisted livingfacilities with their approved petsthrough the Fairfax Pets On Wheelsprogram is held the first Wednesdayof every month starting at 7:30 p.m.Please check our website,www.fpow.org for each month’slocation. Prior to attending, pleasecomplete the online applicationfound at http://www.fpow.org/volunteer. Please do NOT bring yourpets to this orientation. Also, seeweather policy for possiblecancellations. www.fpow.org 703-324-5424.

A Sacred Walk 7:15 p.m.Sydenstricker United MethodistChurch, 8508 Hooes Rd., Springfield.703-451-8223,sydenstrickerumc.org/sacred-walkDonna Authers will guide youthrough the pages of her book, ASacred Walk. If you fear death or thedying process or you would like toknow how best to provide practical,emotional, and spiritual support to afriend or loved one living with a lifethreatening illness, this evening andthis book are for you.sydenstrickerumc.org/sacred-walk

FRIDAY/FEB. 3Early Release LEGO Workshop 2 - 5

p.m. Sherwood Community Center,3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax.Ages: 6 - 11. Spend your afternoonhaving a great time building andplaying with thousands of specialtypieces and dozens of mini figures.Fee: $30/day. Registration Forms areavailable in office or online atwww.fairfaxva.gov/[email protected] 703-385-1695.

SATURDAY/FEB. 4Make Your Own Valentines Table.

American Cancer Society Crop/Craft:9-5 p.m.with Fun Vendor Shop: 2-4.West Springfield High SchoolCafeteria (6100 Rolling Road,Springfield). Vendors: Stella & Dot,Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, KarinasKreations, Tupperware, Stampin’ Up,LuLaRoe, Thirty-One Gifts, CreativeMemories, Scentsy. All donations goto American Cancer Society. CallLeslie Carlin at 703.866.4962 oremail [email protected] forinfo.

ONGOINGSenior Line Dancing 1 - 2 p.m. Little

RIver Glen Senior Center 4001Barker Ct, Fairfax. Line Dancing is agentle, social form of aerobic activity.

Studies have shown it aids inwarding off Alzheimer’s disease. Noprevious experience needed. Cost: $5per 8 week [email protected] 703-524-3739

Fairfax Pets on Wheels NewVolunteer Orientation FirstWednesday of each month. 7:30 - 9p.m. 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax. Anorientation for new volunteersinterested in visiting residents ofnursing homes and assisted livingfacilities with their approved petsthrough the Fairfax Pets On Wheelsprogram is held the first Wednesdayof every month starting at 7:30 p.m.Please check our website,www.fpow.org for each month’slocation. Prior to attending, pleasecomplete the online applicationfound at http://www.fpow.org/volunteer. Please do NOT bring yourpets to this orientation. Also, seeweather policy for possiblecancellations. www.fpow.org [email protected]

Fairfax Rotary Club Meeting 12:15-1:30 p.m. Mondays. AmericanLegion, 3939 Oak St., Fairfax.Meetings with luncheon andprogram. fairfaxrotary.org.

Carolina Shag. Wednesdays. 6:30-10p.m. Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge,8421 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Freelessons at 7:30 p.m. No partnersneeded. Dinner menu. $8. Under 21free. nvshag.org.

FUN-Exercise Thursdays, noon - 12:50p.m. Grace Presbyterian ChurchFamily Room, 7434 Bath St.,Springfield. Inova certified exerciseinstructor leads a moderate levelexercise class with music and currentevents conversation. Muscle, Balance,Strength Training using stretch bandsand weights both standing andseated exercises. Instructor donationis $5. [email protected] or 703-499-6133.

“Out of the Blue…” Art ShowWorkhouse Arts Center February8 to March 8 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Building 9 Hours: Wednesday- Sunday 11 - 6 p.m. Part of theWorkhouse Arts Center 2nd SaturdayArtwalk. “Out of the Blue…” is thefeatured artist show of Karen Chin.Her collection of pieces are “Out ofthe Blue” unrelated topics andrepresent a collection of subjectmatter that has been accumulatingon her art to-do list. The showincludes a nod to the hearts, reds andpinks of February.

EXERCISE PROGRAM Mondays andFridays at 9:30 a.m. year-round atLord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114Twinbrook Rd. Fairfax. The exercisesare for strength, balance andmaintaining limberness. ContactSCFB office at 703-426-2824 formore information.

Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe). Wednesdays.8:15-9:15 a.m. Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginia, 8900Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Shalom

Winter Fun & Entertainment

Lake Braddock Secondary School’s production of Carou-sel kicks off Thursday, Jan. 26 and will have showingsthrough Sunday, Jan. 29. This classic musical by Rodgersand Hammerstein was once named “the musical of thecentury” by Time magazine. Tickets start at $12 and areavailable from www.brownpapertickets.com.

Mystery at WorkhouseJason Krage, featured in the mystery ‘Solitary Con-finement’ at the Workhouse Arts Center, W-3 Theatre,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Performances:Through Feb. 12, 2017. Friday & Saturdays at 8 p.m.,Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20 (students/seniors) -$30 (general admission). Call 703-584-2900 or visitwww.workhousearts.org

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There will be a LEGO Workshop for children ages 6through 11 on Friday, Feb. 3 from 2 - 5 p.m. The work-shop will take place at the Sherwood Community Center,located at 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Fee: $30/day.Registration Forms are available in office or online atwww.fairfaxva.gov/parksrec. [email protected].

See Calendar, Page 11

family life, and a look at what hasreally gone on in the two decadesafter her son’s diagnosis. Tickets: $11

General Admission, $8 for JCCNVmembers, persons 65+ and under30. Tickets are available at http://


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COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

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

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

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

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

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By David Siegel

The Connection

“It’s a suspenseful thriller,with passionateromance and thestruggle between good

and evil.” That is how AdamTurner, principal conductor, Vir-ginia Opera, described “The MagicMarksman,” the Opera’s next of-fering at the Center for the Arts.

“It’s basically a story of “boyloves girl, girl loves boy, but boymust win shooting competition towin the girl, but because of hisrecent bad luck he decides to bar-gain with the Devil, in exchangefor a perfect shot…” Turner added.

With a haunting score by CarlMaria von Weber, the “The MagicMarksman” (Der Freischütz) is “ahighly entertaining opera, full ofspooky, suspenseful, supernaturalelements, with the central themeof a man’s passionate struggle,”said Turner. “It has a ‘Legend ofSleepy Hollow’-like mood to it.”

The von Weber’s score is dra-matic, suspenseful, and colorful.“Our audiences will be chilled tothe bone by Weber’s unique or-chestration.” Weber paved the wayfor composers of the EuropeanRomantic Era.

To make the opera even moreaccessible to audience members,the opera will be sung in English.The Virginia Opera commissioneda new English translation courtesyof “The Magic Marksman” direc-tor Stephen Lawless and writingpartner Dan Dooner. “It has a sty-listic approach mirroring that of19th-century American authorWashington Irving.” said Turner.

The Center for the Arts pre-show“Opera UpClose” discussion will be

(hello) Did you always want toconverse in Hebrew? Join Na’amaeach week for conversationalHebrew. You will learn andpractice Hebrew in a fun andinteractive way while learningmore about Israel. Free, howeverwe ask that you try to attendregularly. [email protected].

Smoke Free Bingo (with breaks forsmoking friends). 7 p.m. EveryFriday. Fairfax Volunteer FireDepartment, 4081 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. Free coffee,entertaining callers, $1,000jackpot. www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

NARFE Monthly Meeting EverySecond Tuesday 11:30 a.m.American Legion Post 177 locatedat 3939 Oak Street, Fairfax.NARFE Fairfax 737 monthlyluncheon meeting. Enjoy lunchaccompanied by a special program.Lunch at noon. Cost: $11 Speaker/Program-12:[email protected] 703-501-0020

English Conversation Groupsweekly at George Mason, BurkeCentre, and Lorton LibrariesPractice and improve your English.Day and start times vary. Visit:https://va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp

First Sunday Jazz Brunch 11 - 2p.m. Recurring monthly on the 1stSunday at Bazin’s on Church 111Church St N.W., Vienna. Enjoybrunch accompanied by the softjazz sounds of Virginia MusicAdventure. Visit: http://www.fxva.com/listing/bazins-on-church/1686/

Stories From Strawberry Park 10- 11 a.m. Tuesdays in Mosaic -Strawberry Park 2910 District

Winter Fun & Entertainment

“The Magic Marksman” from Virginia Opera atFairfax’s Center for the Arts.

Dramatic, Suspenseful, Colorful

Where and WhenVirginia Opera presents “The Magic Marksman” at George Mason University,

Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performances: Saturday, Feb.4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $54-$90-$110. Call 888-945-2468 or visit: www.cfa.gmu.edu. Note: “Opera UpClose” 45 minutes beforeeach performance; a “behind the scenes” discussion with Dr. Glenn Winters.Sponsored by Friends of the Center for the Arts.

Photo by Lucid Frame Productions/Courtesy of Virginia Opera

Corey Bix and Joseph Barron featured in Virginia Opera’s‘The Magic Marksman.’

once again led by Dr. GlennWinters. “I tailor my discus-sions to illustrate that operacomposers can employ allthe same literary devicesused by novelists: point ofview, foreshadowing, sym-bolism and so forth. I alsoenjoy pointing out how op-eratic music can reveal psy-chology of the characters orserve as a mirror of the soci-ety and era in which it wascreated.”

Winters noted that in itsown way “The Magic Marks-man” could be seen as thegreat-grandfather of “Star WarsEpisode IV: The Empire StrikesBack” with Luke Skywalker, Yoda

and Darth Vader. He will explainthat in his up-coming preshowchat.

Performers featured in“The Magic Marksman” in-clude Corey Bix, seen in lastyear’s Virginia Opera produc-tion of another supernaturalthriller, “The Flying Dutch-man” and dramatic sopranoKara Shay Thomson, whowill make her Virginia Operadebut joining opera favoritesKatherine Polit and JakeGardner.

“The Magic Marksman”may be a less well knownopera, but Turner made clearthat with its reality twists,

forays into the supernatural andlush dramatic music, it will mes-merize.

Corey Bix ap-pearing in Vir-ginia Opera’s‘The MagicMarksman.’

Kara ShayThomson appear-ing in VirginiaOpera’s ‘TheMagic Marksman.’

Avenue, Fairfax. Enjoy a liveinteractive performance each weektaught by a group of uniquestorytellers. For ages 10 andunder. Held outside in StrawberryPark. In inclement weather andOctober through April, storytimewill be held in Angelika FilmCenter. Recurring weekly onTuesday. Visit: http://www.fxva.com/listing/mosaic-district/2326/

Plan Ahead EventsBFLSMONDAY/FEB. 13GMU Visiting Filmmakers

Series: 13th withcinematographer Hans Charles4:30 p.m. Johnson Center Cinema4400 University Dr, Fairfax.sponsored by Film and MediaStudies, Film and Video Studies,African and African AmericanStudies, Women and GenderStudies, BSA, DKA, and UniversityLife. 703-993-2768 http://www.fxva.com/event/

SATURDAY/FEB. 18Valentine’s Day Banquet. Greater

Zion Baptist Church will hostFamily Ministry 2017 Valentine’sDay Banquet, 6:30—11 p.m. atWaterford Receptions atSpringfield, 6715 Commerce Streetin Springfield. Cost: $50 perperson. Contacts: Anthony andTerri Bazemore @GLZBC (703-764-9111);[email protected];terrib6@verizon. net

Special features: Dinner Buffet, Music& Dancing. Paymend deadline:Feb. 12.

From

Calendar


People

By David Miller

University of Alabama

Conner Salisbury was destinedfor a career in the U.S. Navy.His father, Keith, was a NavySEAL and continues to be the

strongest influence in his life.“My pop-pop (grandfather) was a Marine

and served in Vietnam, but I got all of mymilitary influence from my dad,” Salisburysaid. “I’d always dress in military costumesfor Halloween. He’d show me military land-marks, like the obstacle course at Coronado(San Diego).”

Salisbury’s father later became the stron-gest influence on convincing him to followa career in the Army, specifically throughthe Army ROTC program at The Universityof Alabama.

Shortly before he graduated from SouthCounty High School in Fairfax, Virginia,Salisbury learned he wasn’t cleared medi-cally to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Hewas disappointed. It was the path his fa-ther took to becoming a SEAL; it was thepath he’d always envisioned for himself.

“I was going to Key West the next day,either way, to celebrate or get over it,”Salisbury said. “I got the letter when I gothome … I received a congressional nomi-nation, but I didn’t get a medical waiver. Ididn’t know what to do. I put on my run-ning shoes and ran … four miles as fast as Icould. I looked at my watch, and my timeand the pace was the fastest it’s ever been.”

Like most high school seniors, Salisburyhad back-up plans. Salisbury, an all-statewrestler, had options to wrestle at smallschools in Virginia. Or, he could attend UA.He and his father discussed UA while onvacation, and the family later visited thecampus.

“The campus was beautiful, and of coursethere’s football,” Salisbury said. “I just fellin love with it.”

The military was still on his mind, butnow in the back of it. Salisbury decided he’dapply for OCS once he graduated, until helearned about the Army ROTC program andthe Army’s Ranger and Delta Force units,considered the Army equivalent of the NavySEALS.

A self-described workout junkie, Salisburywas recruited by ROTC leaders to try outthe Ranger Challenge team, a select groupof cadets who train and compete in suchArmy-related events as weapons assembly,land navigation and fitness. Salisbury wassold. After serving as an alternate his fresh-man year, Salisbury has played a prominentrole in leading the team to the 2017 Bri-gade Ranger Challenge, Saturday, Jan. 21,at Camp Blanding in Starke, Fa. UA’s teamwill face the winners from six Southeast-ern states and Puerto Rico. The winner of

this regional will compete in an interna-tional competition at the U.S. Military Acad-emy at West Point.

“I had no clue this competition existedwhen I got here,” Salisbury said. “My firstyear, I performed at a high level, physically;I could do more pushups and sit-ups thananyone, but tactically I was young andwasn’t up to par with them. When I heard Ididn’t make the starting nine last year, itgot to me. I went from being the alternateor 10th or 11th man to being one of the guysrecognized for helping our team win thestate competition this year.”

Salisbury helps lead the pace for the ruckmarch and typically scores around a 370 inthe PT test. He runs a sub 12-minute clip inthe two-mile run and can knock out 106pushups. His most significant gains, havebeen in his focus and performance in tacti-cal events, which are a direct result of theteam’s unity, said Brandon Sinnott, cadetand team commander.

“His work ethic is superior to many, manycadets, including myself, especially in physi-cal events,” Sinnott said. “He has highestfitness scores, consistently. He’s also ma-tured over the year. Last year, he maybedidn’t know how he fit in, but this year, heunderstands where he is in the team andhow to help everyone else perform at a highlevel.”

UA ROTC scholarship monies from theArmy total more than $800,000 a year.Some ROTC cadets earn scholarships priorto enrolling; others work toward scholar-ships once they enroll. Salisbury, despite hishigh school credentials, had to meet schol-arship benchmarks during his freshmanyear.

“I sat down and had to prove myself fromDay 1,” said Salisbury, a communicationmajor. “Some people came in with four-yearscholarships, and in my class, not everyonehas continued with it.

Who you are on paper can only tell youso much. When I got here, I scored high onmy PT test, but I wanted to make an im-pression. I got in class and tried to learnmore and more. The classroom is where I’mweakest, but I’m hungry and I keep learn-ing.

“Now I’m contracted to the Army, and Ican’t wait to make a career out of it.”

Reprinted with permission from UA News

Salisbury Helps Lead UA Army ROTC to CompetitionSouth County gradu-ate excels at the Uni-versity of Alabama.

Salisbury earned an Army ROTC scholarship after his freshman year inthe program.

Latest: UA WinsRanger Challenge

UA won the Brigade Ranger Challenge —a regional tournament involving the winnersof five Southeastern states and Puerto Rico— Saturday at Camp Blanding Joint Train-ing Center in Starke, Fla. UA won five events:fitness, weapons qualification, hand grenadeassault course, casualty care and the ruckmarch. The team also took fourth in weap-ons assembly and third in the one-ropebridge.

UA’s Ranger Challenge team will competefor the first time in the finals at theSandhurst Competition at the U.S. MilitaryAcademy in West Point, where they’ll facethe winners of eight other brigades, interna-tional teams and teams from West Point. TheSandhurst Competition will be April 7-8.

Conner Salisbury,a Fairfax, Virginia,native, has helped

lead the RangerChallenge team atThe University of

Alabama to theBrigade Chal-

lenge, Saturday atCamp Blanding in

Starke, Florida.

iBOT Brainiacs, a team of stu-dents from Lorton StationElementary and South CountyMiddle Schools, beat 108 ofVirginia and Washington, D.C.’sbest teams to earn a bid to theWorld Festival in St. Louis, Mo

Lorton Area iBOTBrainiacs Go to World Festival

Lorton area First Lego League(FLL) team known as the iBOTBrainiacs, a team of students

from Lorton Station Elementary andSouth County Middle Schools, coachedby Carey Hancey-Shier, won top honorsat the FLL Robotics State Tournamentheld at James Madison University. Teammembers Bryson Shier, Shreyas Mayya,Jay Rajurkar, Arjun Kumar, and BaylorShier competed in the two-day event. Onthe first day of competition, entries werejudged in the following categories: Ro-bot Design, Project Solution, and CoreValues. The second day of competitionincluded participation in the RobotGame, which involved programmingtheir robot to do more than ten missionsin two and a half minutes. This team beat108 of Virginia and Washington, D.C.’sbest teams from all the regional tourna-ments to earn a bid to the World Festi-val in St. Louis, Mo. At the World Festi-

val, which will occur in April, the iBOTBrainiacs will compete against champi-ons from all the states as well as from82 other countries.

Pho

to

co

ntributed


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November 8, 2016NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTLead Agency: Department of Army

Title of Proposed Action: Supplemental Environmental Assessment ofCommunications Line Extension, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Affected Jurisdiction: Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Prepared By: Directorate of Public Works, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Approved By: Colonel Angie K. Holbrook, Commander, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Abstract: This Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) documents potential impacts tothe physical, biological and human environments associated with the extension of a new under-ground communications line from the main garrison area of Fort Belvoir to Davison Army Air-field (DAAF). The proposed ductbank is required to provide enhanced voice and data telecom-munications connectivity to DAAF from the existing communications network within Fort Bel-voir. After evaluating communications network needs at DAAF, Fort Belvoir network personnel identified a single viable alternative, extending the ductbank along the Poe Road corridor (Pro-posed Action). This Poe Road Alternative was selected based upon the location and availability of existing network infrastructure connection hubs at either end of the alignment and required communication system diversity needs. The No Action Alternative was evaluated to provide a baseline for evaluating impacts of the Proposed Action. None of the impacts associated with the Proposed Action are considered significant. As a result, it is anticipated that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) will be published in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Review Period: Interested parties are invited to review and comment onthe EA and draft FNSI during a 30 day period. Please submit any comments to Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, Attention: Directorate of Public Works, Building 1442, 9430Jackson Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5116 or email your comments to:[email protected].

The EA and draft FNSI were available for review on the internet at:http://www.belvoir.army.mil/environdocssection2.asp. Documents werealso provided for public review at the following libraries for a period of 30 days:

Fairfax County LibraryLorton Branch9520 Richmond HighwayLorton, VA 22079-2124

Fairfax County LibrarySherwood Regional Branch2501 Sherwood Hall LaneAlexandria, VA 22306-2799

Fairfax County LibraryKingstowne Branch6500 Landsdowne CentreAlexandria, VA 22315-5011

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News

By Dave Ryan

OLLI Outreach Director

Many Northern Virginiansprobably think of guerillafighting as a relativelymodern phenomenon, ex-

emplified by the fighting units of the VietCong in Vietnam and Fidel Castro in theSierra Maestra Mountains as he sought tooverthrow the Batista regime in Cuba.

Yet over 150 years ago, right here in ourown backyard, Colonel John SingletonMosby, a Confederate army cavalry battal-ion commander nicknamed the “GrayGhost,” used similar guerrilla tactics to ter-rorize the Union Army stationed in North-ern Virginia.

The exploits of Col Mosby are being re-counted by CIA veteran Patrick Diehl in a3-week course beginning Jan. 25 at theOsher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) atGeorge Mason University.

From 1863-65, Mosby led a small (usu-ally 150-200 men) but daring group of cav-alry that operated behind Union lines inFairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, andFauquier counties, as well as areas aroundthe Shenandoah Valley. Loudoun andFauquier counties, in fact, known as“Mosby’s Confederacy” because it was sorisky for Union soldiers to travel there.

Mosby’s “Rangers” struck isolated Uniondetachments without warning, and usuallycaptured most of the men and their horses.Then the Rangers would seemingly vanishinto the countryside, not to be found bypursuing Union forces. The secret to this

successful disappearing act wasMosby’s recognition of guerrillawarfare principles, a perceptionalmost unique in the Civil Warera. The most important prin-ciple being that sympathetic ci-vilians in Loudoun andFauquier counties housed andfed Mosby’s men on their farm-steads. Thus the Rangers be-came virtually indistinguishablefrom the locals, and the Unionsoldiers never really knewwhom to take into custody.Other Mosby innovations covered in thecourse include: (1) Relying on revolvers incombat instead of the traditional cavalrysaber; and (2) Setting up a network of longrange scouting parties along theShenandoah River and the Potomac Riverin Fairfax, providing Mosby with early warn-ing of Union troop movements.

The course also highlights some ofMosby’s most celebrated attacks. These in-clude the nighttime capture of a Union gen-eral and other officers at Fairfax CourtHouse in 1863. Then there was the famousWagon Train raid at Berryville, Virginia in1864 when the Rangers captured and de-stroyed over 200 wagons supplying the di-visions of Union General Philip Sheridan.

Or how about the Great TrainRobbery outside of HarpersFerry, West Virginia, whenMosby captured Sheridan’spayroll of $176,000.

Mosby also provided excel-lent intelligence to Robert E.Lee and Jeb Stuart on Uniontroop movements headingsouth to Richmond. Mosbywas regarded as the finestscouting source for Lee’s Armyof Northern Virginia.

Mosby’s activities were a se-rious thorn in the side of the Union au-thorities trying to control the NorthernVirginia counties. At one point there were10 Union regiments pursuing him, andthere were approximately 60 military en-gagements from 1863-64. The Rangers suf-fered a total of 85 killed in action and 200prisoners at war’s end. By contrast, histo-rians generally estimate Union losses ataround 2900 killed, wounded and cap-tured and a total of 3500 horses and mulesstolen.

OLLI provides first-rate educational, so-cial, and cultural opportunities for citizensof Northern Virginia. More informationabout its program and events can be foundat olli.gmu.edu

The exploits ofCol John Mosby arebeing recounted in a3-week course.

‘Gray Ghost’ Revisited

SATURDAY/FEB. 11Town Hall Meeting. Del. David Bulova (D-37)

and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) will hold a townhall meeting, from 9-11 a.m., at Fairfax CityHall, 10455 Armstrong St. in Fairfax. All arewelcome to attend, hear about their legislativeagenda, ask questions and share concerns.

FEB. 11 - 12, FEB. 18-19, AND FEB. 26Loudoun Freedom Girls Basketball TryoutsTryouts to form girls’ teams from 2nd grade

through 11th grade for the 2017 season will beheld the weekends of Feb. 11 - 12, Feb. 18-19,and Feb. 26. If you are interested in yourdaughter playing at a higher competitive leveland developing into a great player, considertrying out. See www.loudounfreedom.com forthe full schedule, how to register [email protected]

ONGOINGFairfax-based non-profit Britepaths offers

free Financial Education Classes Sessionsat various locations in the Fairfax County area tolow- and middle-income adults who residethroughout Northern Virginia. The offerings arefree and open to the public, but reservations arerequired.https://britepaths.org/news/get-financially-fit-new-year

“Thrifty Thursdays” Basic BudgetingClasses in Annandale, Chantilly and Alexandria7-9 p.m. Heritage Building 7611 Little RiverTurnpike, East Wing 1st Floor Conference RoomD Annandale. Thursday, January 19, 2017 &Thursday, April 20, 2017.

South County Government Center7-9 p.m. 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria.

Thursday, February 16, 2017 (Room 220) &Thursday, May 18, 2017 (Room 220) ChantillyHigh School 7-9 p.m. 4201 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. Thursday, March 16, 2017 (Room253) & Thursday, June 15, 2017 (Room 253)

For All Sessions, RSVP to: Carole Rogers [email protected] or 703-273-8829

Register Now for Free Parenting Classes — SessionsBegin Jan. 23, 2017

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services’Parenting Education Programs is enrollingfamilies for several upcoming parenting classes.These programs are special in that both parentsand children attend the classes together but aretaught in separate classrooms. Classes are freefor Fairfax County residents. Depending on thecurriculum, classes meet once a week from 5:30p.m. to 8 p.m. for 12, 13, 18, or 24 weeks. Freechildcare and dinner are provided each night.There are a variety of classes availablethroughout the year, but the following three

classes will start this month:❖ January 23, 2017 through June 26, 2017 – Ages

0 to 4 – Curriculum taught in Spanish. Mondays,5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Main StreetDevelopment Center in Fairfax.

❖ January 23, 2017 through May 1, 2017 – Ages 5to 11 – Curriculum taught in English. Mondays,5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Church ofChrist.

❖ January 31, 2017 through May 9, 2017 – Ages 5to 11 – Curriculum taught in Spanish. Tuesdays,5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Churchin Springfield.

Registration is required, so please register as soonas possible. If you have any questions, pleasefeel free to contact Raiza Barraza by phone at(703) 324-7745, or by email [email protected]. You mayalso contact Natalie Bailey by phone at (703)324-3617 or via email [email protected].

Reminder Crime Prevention – Please contact theFairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131 (non-emergency) to report ANY suspiciousactivity, no matter how small or insignificant itmay seem at the time. It is better if police reportscan be called in while the suspicious activity is inprogress to the extent possible.

Mort Kunstler, galleryoflimitededitions.com

Mosby and men on Fairfax CourthouseRaid, 9 March 1863.

Photographer unknown

John Singleton Mosby.

Photographer

unknown

John S. Mosby.

Bulletin Board Send notes to the Connection at connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ or call 703-778-9416.The deadline for submissions is the Friday prior to publication. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.


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