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Centre View ❖ November 23-29, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

25 CENTS Newsstand PriceNOVEMBER 23-29, 2016

Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run

Calendar, Page 8

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CUMC Mission WorkHelps the CommunityNews, Page 4

Thinking Beyond Serving MealsSharing, Page 9

CUMC Mission WorkHelps the CommunityNews, Page 4

Thinking Beyond Serving MealsSharing, Page 9

Helping Local FamiliesNews, Page 3

Helping Local FamiliesNews, Page 3

Students at StoneMiddle School makingthis year’s gift-wishornaments for OurNeighbor’s Child.

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ November 23-29, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Bulletin, Page 12

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ROTARY CLUBChantilly/Centreville Rotary Club,

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. every Tuesdayat Eggspectation Restaurant, 5009Westone Plaza, Chantilly. Join themen and women of the Rotary Clubfor their weekly luncheon meetingand meal. Rotary is a service clubactively involved in the community.Email [email protected] join the group as their guest.

THROUGH NOVEMBERAqua Exercise Flex Passes will be

on sale throughout the month ofNovember at Fairfax County ParkAuthority RECenters and online. Passholders can use the flex passes toattend any water exercise class, spacepermitting, at the county’s nineRECenters. The Park Authority isoffering a 10 percent discount on thepurchase of a 20-visit pass and a 15percent discount on a 30-visit pass.The passes are valid for four monthsfrom the date of purchase.

NOV. 21-DEC. 9Sheehy Cares Toy Collection. At

Sheehy Infiniti of Chantilly, 4145Auto Park Circle, Chantilly.Collection of new, unwrapped toys aspart of the company’s annual SheehyCares Toy Collection to benefit theU.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys forTots Program.

NOV. 28INOVA Fitness Session. at Inova

HealthSource, 2700 Prosperity Ave.,Suite 100. Registration is open forthe next Inova Fitness class sessions,take advantage and stay healthythrough the holidays. inova.org/creg703 698 2441

TUESDAY/NOV. 29Registration Open House. 9:30-

11:30 a.m. at Clifton Children’sAcademy, 14315 Compton Road,Centreville. Bring your child andcome take a tour of the campus.Clifton Children’s Academy will beholding registration for spring andfall 2017.Call 703-968-8455 formore.

FRIDAY/DEC. 2Registration Open House. 9:30-


SATURDAY/DEC. 3St. Andrew Lutheran Church Craft

Fair & Bazaar Crafters needed.Bazaar will be at St. Andrew, 14640Soucy Place, For more informationon how to participate, call 703-830-2768 or go towww.saintandrewlc.org.

THURSDAY/DEC. 8Registration Open House. 9:30-


ELECTRONICS RECYCLINGResidents Can “E-cycle” at the I-66

transfer station. It is free butresidents may be asked to show proofof residency. Personal waste only.The I-66 station is located at 4618West Ox Road, Fairfax and open from8 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday-Saturdayand from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/electric-sunday.htm formore.

DONATIONSThe Student Auto Sales Program

operating from Centreville HighSchool works in conjunction with theCVHS automotive technology classesto bring in donated automobiles,boats and motorcycles for students towork on. Some refurbished vehiclesare sold, with 75 percent of theproceeds going back to the auto techprogram. The program is in need ofcars, trucks or motorcycles, which arefully tax deductible, for studenttraining. Contact Lyman Rose at 703-802-5588 or by [email protected] for more.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is acceptingdonations of old cellphones so thattroops can call home. Patrons maydrop off donations at 14215ECentreville Square, Centreville.

SUPPORT GROUPSupport Groups. Jubilee Christian

Center of Fairfax is having its “LivingFree” support groups for the springon Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. Thesupport groups are free, and willcover “Stepping into Freedom,”

Bulletin Board

C E N T R E V I L L ECOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

To highlightyour faith

community,call

Karenat

703-778-9422

bThe Church of the Ascension

Traditional Anglican Catholic Services1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,

and the King James Bible with Apocrypha

www.ascension-acc.org (703) 830-3176

Holy Communion 10 a.m. Sundays (with Church School and Nursery)

13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120

in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville

The Church of the Ascension(703) 830-3176 www.ascension-acc.org

Centreville Baptist Church(703) 830-3333 www.cbcva.org

Centreville UnitedMethodist Church

(703) 830-2684 www.Centreville-UMC.org


News

❖ On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9-11 a.m.,Stone Middle School’s National JuniorHonor Society will hold a Panther Drop-Off gift collection. People may drop offdonations of brand-new toys, books,games and clothing at the school, 5500Sully Park Drive in Centreville. Alsoneeded are board games for ages 12 andup; blankets; gifts for teens, such as co-logne, makeup, jewelry and gift cards.Donations should be unwrapped.

“Anyone in the community who’d liketo contribute can do it here,” said ONCfounder Kelly Lavin. “And it’s great forthe students to see their community’sgenerosity.”

In addition, ONC especially needs asmany volunteers as possible for gift pack-aging and delivery days (see below):

❖ Sunday, Dec. 11, from noon-2 p.m.,set-up day at the warehouse.

❖ Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 12-13, from3:30-6:30 p.m., Westfield, Centrevilleand Chantilly high school SGAs - ware-house gift drop-off.

❖ Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 3:30-6:30

p.m., bag check and shopping night.❖ Thursday, Dec. 15, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,

packaging day.❖ Thursday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,

Cookie drop-off at the Virginia Run Com-munity Center, 15355 Wetherburn Court,off Route 29 and Pleasant Valley Road, inCentreville. ONC will deliver approximately20,000 homemade cookies along with thegifts, so plenty of baking help is needed.Each family gets a mixed assortment of twodozen cookies; bring the cookies in dispos-able containers.

❖ Sunday, Dec. 18, from 1-4 p.m., deliv-ery day.

❖ Wednesday, Dec. 21, from noon-2 p.m.,warehouse clean up.

2016 Giving TreeLocations

Association Management Group, Inc.Bowl AmericaCrossroads Family Counseling CenterDisability Determination Services North-

ern Virginia Regional OfficeFairfax Counseling Group, LLCFairfax Memorial Funeral HomeFerguson EnterprisesGold’s GymHensel Phelps Construction CoJobin Realty - BurkeKeller Williams - ChantillyKeller Williams - Fairfax GatewayManTech International CorporationMcLean Mortgage CorporationMVB BankOBC William E. Crutchfield, DDSPennoni Associates, Inc.Privia Medical GroupQuest DiagnosticsScott Long ConstructionStudio BE Pilates Co.Webb MasonCentreville Baptist ChurchCentreville Presbyterian ChurchCentreville United MethodistClifton Presbyterian Pre-SchoolKing of Kings Lutheran ChurchNew Life Christian ChurchPleasant Valley United Methodist

Presbyterian Women at Christ Presby-terian Church Fairfax

St. Andrew the Apostle CatholicChurch

St. Andrews Lutheran ChurchSt. John’s Episcopal ChurchBull Run Elementary SchoolChesterbrook Academy formerly

McNairChesterbrookCreative Dance Center (CDC)Cub Run ElementaryCub Run Elementary TeachersDeer Park FacultyFlint Hill SchoolIgnite Kids ClubImagiNation Learning Center #1Machine Aquatics Swim TeamMinnieland Academy at South RidingMinnieland Academy at Sully StationMinnieland at Centreville Square IIPotomac Marlins Swim TeamThe Appletree SchoolVirginia Run ElementaryWestfield High SchoolWinwood Childrens Center

How To Help ONC Help Others

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

When Centreville’s Kelly Lavinand some friends got together in 1991 to provideChristmas gifts for some

families in need in their community, theydid so for 15 children. Fast forward to now,and that number has grown to 1,876 chil-dren.

Good thing that Lavin founded a wholeorganization to serve them. Now in its 25th

year, Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) makessure that financially struggling, local fami-lies receive new toys and clothes for theholidays. Each child under 12 also receivesa brand-new book, and every recipient fam-ily is given two dozen, home-baked cook-ies made by the local high schools.

But this grassroots nonprofit can’t do itwithout help from the community. “We’restill processing the last batch of referralsfrom the school counselors and social work-ers, and we already have 799 families onour list,” said Lavin. “And we just got in newfamilies from Centre Ridge Elementary andCentreville High that haven’t yet beencounted.”

And in this time of Thanksgiving, insteadof complaining about the huge task facingONC, she’s thankful for all those who help

make the organization’s efforts possible. Forexample, she said, “I’m really grateful forall the school counselors and social work-ers who give of their time to make thesereferrals. They know which families needhelp, but that’s just the beginning.”

“They have to input all the data — eachfamily’s name, the sex and ages of the chil-dren, their address and phone number, thegift wish list, etc,” continued Lavin. “Andthe more referrals they have, the more work

they have to do — and I appreciate it.”And besides Lavin, herself, there’s a core

group of five other people who work full-time for ONC from September through De-cember. One of them is John O’Neill, whodevelops software enabling ONC to preventduplication of services between it and othernonprofits. “We could not serve the num-bers of families we do, otherwise,” saidLavin. “And we couldn’t deliver gifts to 800families in three hours without the software

system he designed for us.”Another is Nicole Rogers, who Lavin calls

an unsung hero. “She’s quiet, dedicated andwill do whatever it takes to get every childserved,” said Lavin. “She’s our databasemanager who uses the software — and it’sa huge job. People constantly give us newphone numbers or become homeless andget new addresses. So Nicole’s continuallydealing with these changes.”

Rogers is also available at ONC’s ware-house to answer volunteers’ questions. Andshe coordinates with Genesys of Chantilly,an automated-dialing company, which callsthe hundreds of recipient families to tellthem when their gifts will be delivered. And,added Lavin, “If, for example, we had a bliz-zard on delivery day, all those familieswould have to be called again; we couldn’tdo it without them.”

She said Denise McInerney is also invalu-able, The gift-partner manager, McInerneyreaches out to all the businesses, churchesand schools in October to see if they’ll stillhelp. She also asks how many gift-wish or-naments they’ll take to put on their givingtrees or if they’ll do a general gift drive.

“It’s a daily job for her, and then she comesin and works in the warehouse,” said Lavin.“Others volunteer in our warehouse, too,to sort and package donations, make surethe gifts are there for each family and shopfor those items that haven’t been donated.Some 15 people comprise our core, ware-house staff.”

Meanwhile, clothing coordinatorStephanie Somers “adopts out” the

Our Neighbor’s Childprovides toysand clothing.

Helping Local Families During Holidays

Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View

From left are Nicole Rogers, Kelly Lavin and John O’Neill at the OurNeighbor’s Child booth at Centreville Day.

See Helping, Page 5

Centre View Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]


See Roundups, Page 6

Dine Out ToBenefit UPC

Eating out on Nov. 29 could support theUnified Prevention Coalition (UPC) ofFairfax County. All six Glory Days Grill res-taurants — Burke, Centreville, Fairfax,Herndon, Lorton and Reston — are partici-pating.

Glory Days Grill is donating to UPC10 percent of its food and beveragesales at its restaurants on Nov. 29. UPCseeks to prevent abuse of alcohol, pre-

scription drugs, heroin and other drugsby youth and young adults. See http://www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org./donation-form.html.

Learn aboutSubstance Abuse

Unified Prevention Coalition (UPC) ofFairfax County will present its “ProtectAgainst Substance Abuse” forum at 7p.m.on Monday, Dec. 5 at the Fairfax CountyPublic Schools Gatehouse Administration

Center, First Floor Cafe, 8115 GatehouseRoad, Falls Church. A resource fair withcommunity organizations will be held from6:30 to 7 p.m. Free parking is in the bot-tom of the garage.

Parents/guardians and their middleschool and high school students are invitedand encouraged to attend together.

The event is free, but register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/protect-against-substance-abuse-tickets-29418546665.

This is an opportunity to hear the per-sonal stories of parents, young adults andprofessionals about the dangers of sub-

stance abuse, the signs and symptoms ofteenage drug abuse, preventive actions par-ents can take, and supportive resources.

Joint Meeting onLand Use

The next Sully District Joint Sully DistrictCouncil of Citizens Associations and WestFairfax County Citizens Association LandUse and Transportation Committee is Tues

Roundups

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Most churches are involved invarious missions, andCentreville United Method-ist Church (CUMC) is no ex-

ception. Describing the church’s congrega-tion as “generous and mission-driven,” itsmission director, Michelle Formica, recentlydiscussed several of the church’s missions.

One of them is GRACE Ministries, an out-reach program serving low-income, immi-grant families in the local community. Onthe second Saturday of each month, theycome to the church and receive food, cloth-ing, diapers, household items, toys andchildren’s books.

“We serve 100-200 families a month –some 400-700 people,” said Formica. “Ittakes 80-100 volunteers, and we’re able todo it because of the community’s donationsof both items and money. People learn aboutit through word-of-mouth, and we acceptdonations, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,the week before the second Saturday.”

Then, the Friday before the big day, vol-unteers get up early and sort the donations,set up tables and rooms with items in vari-ous categories, such as food, toys, diapers,etc. At 6 a.m., they prepare a light break-fast for the families who’ll be attending.

Since 95 percent ofGrace Ministries cli-ents speak Spanish,the registration teamchecking in eachfamily is bilingualand fluent in Span-ish. And the childrendo crafts projectswhile their parentsare registering.

Then, after thefamilies havebrowsed around and chosen what theyneed, volunteers help distribute the itemsto them and bring them to their cars. “It’slike a yard sale, but free,” said Formica. Thevolunteers come from throughout the com-munity and range from middle-school stu-dents through adults.

“Right now, we’re taking donationsof fall and winter clothes,” saidFormica. “And we especially needstrollers because they go quickly.Many parents we help don’t havetransportation and have to walk, in-stead. Grace Ministries is very suc-cessful; but without the donationsfrom the church and community, wewouldn’t be able to serve people inneed.”

CUMC also partners with WesternFairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)to collect food each week for WFCM’sfood pantry. “And we collected morethan 200 backpacks for three localschools before school started in Sep-tember,” said Formica.

“We’ll also partner with them tofeed hungry families over the holi-days,” she said. “We’ll provide 180food baskets at Thanksgiving and180 for Christmas. This program isrun by our lead volunteer, ChrisGranberg. Because of his leadershipand passion, he gets more than 200 volun-teers to package and deliver everything.And last year, he raised more than $26,000,just for those holidays, plus staple items toget the families through for a week.”

Each summer, a CUMC mission team ofyouth and adults travels to Sneedville, Tenn.

It’s a small town inone of the poorestcounties in the U.S.,and the volunteersserve throughout thecommunity, wher-ever help is needed.And for the holidays,they do angel trees tofulfill gift wishes forSneedville childrenand nursing-homeresidents.

They do the same for Our Neighbor’sChild, which provides new toys and cloth-ing for low-income families in theCentreville-Chantilly area. Meredith Smithis the volunteer lead, also overseeingCUMC’s angel-tree efforts for Leland Housein Centreville. Leland House provides short-

term intervention and stabilization for chil-dren, 12-17, who are in crisis and can’t re-main in their homes or current residentialsettings.

“The reason CUMC’s mission is so success-ful is because everyone in our church is in-volved,” said Formica. “We also have a pre-school, the Centreville Day School, thatmeets here, under Director PatriciaGranberg. It participates in mission everymonth, collecting items for different mis-sion programs throughout the year, includ-ing the Thanksgiving food baskets.”

In addition, said Formica, “Our children’sand youth ministries and United MethodistWomen and Men — and all of our smallgroups — participate in mission, too, andthat’s what brings our church together.”

ESL classes comprise another successful,local mission, with 100 students attendingTuesday and Thursday in the mornings and100 in the evenings. Sessions run from Sep-tember-December and January-April.Patricia Franck and Marvana Bennett arethe lead volunteers who direct the classes,with help from volunteer teachers from bothCUMC and the community.

“One of our largest local missions is UFO,You Feed Others,” said Formica. “It’s a week-end, backpack, meal program for CentreRidge, Deer Park and Bull Run elementaries.We provide enough food to fill 900 back-packs. Each child receives two breakfasts,lunches and dinners, two snacks and adrink.”

But it wouldn’t be possible, she said, with-out the efforts of Jean Josefson, who spear-heads it. She’s also a CUMC volunteer staffmember and, under her guidance, a teamdelivers the food to the schools. “We alsodeliver to the children’s homes duringspring break and summer vacations,” saidFormica. “The spring deliveries are coolbecause we also deliver fresh produce andmilk, along with other staple food items;it’s called UFO-XL.”

“The families are so humble and appre-ciative,” she continued. “And even thoughthere’s sometimes a language barrier, youcan tell how much it means to them andthat they don’t take it for granted.”

Formica said many of CUMC’s volunteershave been working in mission programs foryears. “They find their niche and their pas-sion,” she said. “We also partner with FAC-ETS to prepare and deliver hot meals to thehomeless in Fairfax City. FACETS has threestops within the city, and we do it the thirdTuesday of each month. We serve a hearty,beef-vegetable soup, cookies and a banana.Other churches do it, too, so different foodis provided each day.”

CUMC also does international missions.It partners with Helping Haitian Angels,which helps a school in Haiti. “We suppliedmany books for their library and helped theefforts to build the school and keep it run-ning,” said Formica. “Jeanne Furcron is ourvolunteer leader, and she and her volun-teers do a great job of raising funds. We’recurrently collecting notebooks and coloredpencils for their Christmas totes.”

Pleased with the generous spirit of hiscongregation, CUMC lead pastor Will Mont-gomery said, “When I ask people what thechurch is known for, they say, ‘Missions.’Some 70 percent of our volunteers go tothis church or have attended here; another30 percent come from the community.”

Anyone wishing to participate may con-tact Formica at [email protected] or 703-830-2684 or come to wor-ship services at 6400 Old Centreville Road,Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Provides food, household items,diapers, English classes.

CUMC Mission Work Helps the Community

Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View

Michelle Formica holds some of the foodto go into school backpacks.

“The reason CUMC’smission is so successfulis because everyone inour church is involved.”

— Michelle Formica,Mission Director,

Centreville United Methodist Church

News


WEEKDAYS • SATURDAYS • EVENINGS 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CAREMET LIFE, DELTA, BCBS/CAREFIRST, & UNITED CONCORDIA PROVIDER

Saint AndrewLutheran Church

14640 Soucy Place, Centreville, VAOn Braddock Rd, next to Stone Middle School

Holiday Craft Fair & BazaarSaturday Dec 3, 2016

9am to 2pm Free Admission!Hand-Made Crafts, Baked Goods,

Holiday Items, Art, Merchants and Jewelry!BBQ Lunch served 11–2pm

www.saintandrewlc.org

From Page 3

News

See Helping, Page 7

children’s clothing wishes. Shethen follows up with the clothingdonors to give them the sizes andneeds of each child they’re takingcare of and reminds them of theclothing drop-off days.

Another big helper is LisaRennyson, who’s involved in thegift-giving effort from start to fin-ish. She begins as the ornament-making coordinator, working withStone Middle School students whocreate more than 5,000 paper or-naments for ONC’s giving-treepartners. She then hosts a label-ing party at her home where Vir-ginia Run Elementary students at-tach to the ornaments labelsprinted with the recipientchildren’s gift wishes.

Rennyson is also in charge of ateam that maintains the givingtrees at the Walmarts in Chantillyand Fair Lakes and regularly picksup the donated gifts. Then she andher children sort and package giftsin the warehouse. And, said Lavin,“They’ve done that for years.”

Selecting games for children during last year’s packagingday are Geri Lightburn (left) and Kris Colangelo.

Helping Local Families

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Opinion

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@CentreView

Newspaper ofCentreville

Little Rocky RunA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

Mike SalmonAssistant Editor

[email protected]

Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Karen WashburnDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9422

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, [email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

A Connection Newspaper

From Page 4

day, Dec. 6.One of the topics will be riding and board-

ing stable on Bull Run Post Office Road. Allmeetings start at 7 p.m. at the Sully DistrictGovernmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Bou-levard, Chantilly.

Apply for Citizens’Police Academy

Interested in learning more about locallaw enforcement? The Citizens’ Police Acad-emy (CPA) is designed to give participantsa look behind the badge and to provide in-formation about training, policies, and allthe different units and divisions within theFairfax County Police Department.

Applications are now being accepted forthe spring session. The academy is a 10-week educational program that is free ofcharge for anyone who lives or works in

Fairfax County. The spring session will run fromMarch 16 – May 20, 2017. Classes will be heldon Thursday nights from 6:30-10 p.m., exceptthe last class, that will be on Saturday, May20, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The class loca-tions will rotate to our various police facili-ties, giving residents a look at all the differentareas we cover in Fairfax County.

Class size is limited to 40 participants all ofwhom are required to undergo a backgroundcheck. Applicants should submit their applica-tion no later than Dec. 15. Applications maybe sent to [email protected] or FairfaxCounty Police Department Citizens Police Acad-emy I/C Operations Support Bureau 3911Woodburn Road Annandale, VA 22003.

Free CarseatInspections

Certified technicians from the Sully DistrictPolice Station will perform free, child safetycarseat inspections Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5-

8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 StonecroftBlvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is nec-essary. But residents should install the childsafety seats themselves so technicians mayproperly inspect and adjust them, asneeded.

Because of time constraints, only the first35 vehicles arriving on each date will be in-spected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct thecaregiver on the correct use of the child seat.Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.

Volunteer DriversAre Needed

Fairfax County needs volunteers to driveolder adults to medical appointments andwellness programs. For these and other vol-unteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 orgo to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutions.

Roundups

There is a joy to participating in com-munity traditions and celebrationsduring the holidays, from walkingalong a sidewalk with the streets

decked out for the holidays, to shopping inlocal stores, to being greeted by someone likelyto be the owner of the store, to finding giftsthat are not mass-produced.

One way to be sure holidayshopping comes with someholiday spirit is to do a portionof your shopping in some of the

area’s locally owned stores. There is specialholiday ambiance available by shopping in theheart of a town that is decked out for the sea-son. Small retail shops are part of defining anycommunity. Their livelihood depends on thelivability and quality of the neighborhoodsaround them. A small business owner pays at-tention to every detail in his or her business ina way that is otherwise unmatched.

We all benefit when local stores thrive, whenlocal business districts beckon. An effort tosupport locally owned businesses has resultedin the recognition of Small Business Saturday,the Saturday after Thanksgiving, also calledShop Small. This year that day is Nov. 26.

Locally owned retail shops, services, restau-rants depend on vibrant local communities tothrive, and communities depend on those busi-nesses as well. Most small, locally owned busi-nesses invest in community, helping to trans-form our towns and communities with a senseof place.

Frequently, it is the small retail person whois active in fundraising for local charities, ad-vocating for improvements, for fire and res-cue service, for local schools and in organiz-ing holiday events.

Local retail stores, mom-and-pop stores, face

tough challenges right now. Competition frombig box stores and online sellers makes theholiday shopping season all the more impor-tant to locally owned retailers. But local fami-lies will literally spend millions of dollars toshop and exchange gifts during the next monthin a variety of places.

Everyone will do some of their shopping atthe mall. Everyone will shop online. Many willanswer the call of the big box. But local shop-pers should be sure to do some celebrating,shopping and dining locally. We promise itbrings more joy.

Be sure to go to some of the hometownChristmas events coming up. Visit our holidaycalendars to find more.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Go LocalAttend some hometown holidayevents:❖ Bull Run Festival of Lights and Holiday

Village, Nov. 23, 2016 - Jan. 8, 2017, 7700 BullRun Drive, Centreville. A 2.5 mile stretch will beilluminated by holiday light displays. Drive thefestival route from the comfort of your car; turn outyour headlights and just follow the magical glow.After viewing the lights, bring family and friends tothe holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, andof course, photos with Santa Claus. The cost ofdriving through the light show is Monday-Thursday,$15 per car; Friday-Sunday & Holidays, $20 per car.

❖ Historic Clifton Holiday Homes Tour,Saturday, Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m. at the Town of Clifton.Tickets available from Town of Clifton merchants.Presale ticket pricing for cash or check sales: $25adult; $5 children under 13. Presale ticket pricingfor credit card sales – Belle Jar only: $30 adult; $5children under 13. Day of event pricing for cash,check or credit (credit at Belle Jar only): $35 adult;$5 children under 13 and/or [email protected] no later than Dec. 1.

❖ Clifton Horse Society Parade and Caroling,Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. at the Town of Clifton.Arrive and Decorate 12:30-1 p.m. Meet at the FloodPlain 1:30. Kick off the holiday season by paradingthrough the town to Lustre’s Field for the costumejudging and to share refreshments. The CliftonHorse Society is looking for parade participants(adults and children). Horse not needed, decorated

wagons and golf carts encouraged. Lynn Henderson,571-224-4925 and/or email [email protected]

❖ Art Guild of Clifton Holiday Art Show withHistoric Candlelight Homes Tour, Saturday,Dec. 3, 2-7 p.m. at Clifton Presbyterian Church,12748 Richard’s Lane. Fine art paintings, jewelry,pottery, nature photography. Art show admission isfree. www.artguildofclifton.org and www.clifton-va.com

❖ Interfaith Christmas Choir Concert, Sunday,Dec. 4, 6-7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, 14150 Upperridge Drive.Refreshments served after concert. 703-932-7197

❖ “The Nutcracker,” Saturday-Sunday, Dec 10-11, 3p.m. at Centreville High School Theater, 6001Union Mill Road, Centreville. Proceeds will benefitCVHS Drama Scholarships and St. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital. [email protected].

Children’s ConnectionDuring the last week of each year, Centre

View devotes its entire issue to the creativityof local students and children. It is a keepsakeedition for many families. The annualChildren’s Connection is a tradition of well overa decade.

We publish artwork, poetry, essays, creativewriting, opinion pieces, short stories, photog-raphy, photos of sculpture or other creativeefforts.

We ask that all submissions be digital so theycan be sent through email or delivered on CDor flash drive. Writing should be submitted inrich text format (.rtf). Artwork should be pho-tographed or scanned and provided in jpegformat.

We welcome contributions from public andprivate schools, individuals andhomeschoolers. To be published, we must havefirst and last name of the student. Please in-clude the student’s age and/or grade, schoolattended and town of residence, plus the nameof the school, name of teacher and town ofschool location. Please provide submissions byFriday, Dec. 2.

Email submissions for the Children’s Connec-tion to [email protected].

Every day can be“small business day.”

Celebrate, Shop, Dine Locally

Editorial


How can you help?

www.foha.org

Adoptone of our lovable

cats or dogs.

Volunteeryour time or

services.

Donatemoney orsuppliesfor theShelter.

Turn your Houseinto a Home

Comet WreeseWreeseEmmy LouEmmy Lou

From Page 5

News

To participate, people may either emailONC at vo [email protected] or sign up via itswebsite, www.ourneighborschild.org,and click on “volunteer” at the top ofthe page. They may help with whateverappeals to them; they can bake cook-ies, shop, package gifts, deliver gifts,

or set up or clean up the warehouse.All this work “takes its toll sometimes,”

said Lavin, but is immensely fulfilling. Eachyear, Stone Middle National Junior HonorSociety students host a clothing drop-off forONC, and Lavin recently explained to themwhat her organization does. And, she said,“It was wonderful watching their faces tak-ing it in and then getting excited aboutmaking a difference.”

Helping Local FamiliesLavin also appreciates everything all the

local residents, businesses, churches andother groups due to bring the annual giftdrive and delivery to fruition.

“It’s not ONC providing all these gifts, it’sthe community,” said Lavin. “We’re just co-ordinating their efforts. And we’re able todo that because of people who care and arehelping out because it’s the right thing todo.”

Volunteer Opportunities

Respite Care volunteers give family caregiversof a frail older adult a break so they can goshopping, attend a doctor’s appointment or justhave coffee with a friend. Volunteers visit andoversee the safety of the older adult for a fewhours each month. Support and training areprovided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, [email protected].

The Shepherd’s Center of Western FairfaxCounty (SCWFC) needs volunteer drivers formedical/foodbank appointments. SCWFC servesage 50+ residents in Chantilly, Centreville,Clifton, and western Fairfax/Fairfax Stationhelping them remain independent and age inplace at home. Visit www.scwfc.org or contact703-266-3548or [email protected].


Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGWhite House Ornament Sale.

GFWC Western Fairfax CountyWoman’s Club is selling 2016 WhiteHouse Christmas ornaments. Thisyear’s ornament honors our 31stPresident, Herbert Hoover. Theornament, inspired by a White Housefire on Christmas Eve, 1929, is a firetruck carrying a Christmas tree.Ornaments are $21. Call 703-378-6841 or 703-378- 6216. It is possibleto order previous years’ ornaments.

Carolina Shag Dance. Wednesdays,6:30-10 p.m. at Arlington/FairfaxElks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax. Free lessons at 7:30 p.m.; nopartners needed; dinner menu at6:45 p.m. Tickets are $8. Visitwww.nvshag.org for more.

Open Rehearsal. Wednesdays, 7:30p.m. at Lord of Life church, 13421Twin Lakes Drive, Centreville. TheFairfax Jubil-Aires barbershop chorusinvites men of all ages who enjoysinging. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilairs.org for more.

Legos Kids Club. Every otherTuesday, 10:30 a.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Thousands ofLegos for children to play with. Ages6-12. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.

Starlight Storytime. Every otherWednesday, 7 p.m. at the CentrevilleRegional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive. Stories under the stars for ages4-8. Wear pajamas and bring stuffed

friends. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.

PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Cat or Dog. Fridays, 6:30-

8:30 p.m. at PetSmart, 12971 FairLakes Center, Fairfax. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

THURSDAY/NOV. 24VaRun Turkey Trot. 8 a.m. at

Virginia Run Community Center,15355 Wetherburn Court,Centreville. All proceeds go to LifeWith Cancer. This year’s event is inmemory of Centreville residentsSteve Logan and Michael Ziegler, 1stLieutenant. Tickets are $10-35. Visitvarunturkeytrot.wixsite.com/2016.

FRIDAY/NOV. 25Children’s Science Center. The

Children’s Science Center will behosting a $5 Family Fun Day at theChildren’s Science Center Labpromoting family learning. ContactDorothy Ready at 703-963-6699 [email protected].

SATURDAY/NOV. 26Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party. At

Little Rocky Run Recreation Center 3,13900 Stonefield Drive, Clifton. The

event will feature a performance bythe cast of this year’s Nutcrackerproduction, light tea party snacksand treats, games and an appearanceby the Sugar Plum Fairy. Ages 3 andolder, [email protected].

Walk Like a Turkey at Ellanor C.Lawrence Park. 10 a.m. at EllanorC. Lawrence Park, 5040 WalneyRoad. Discover the wild turkey’shabitats and secret ways during awalk in the cedar forest. Learn thesigns of wild turkeys and how to findone in the woods. $5. 703-631-0013

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/NOV. 26-27Nutcracker 25th Anniversary

Show. The Fairfax Ballet Companystages the “The Nutcracker” at W.T.Woodson High School, on Saturday,Nov. 26, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., andSunday, Nov. 27, 2 p.m. Visitfairfaxnutcracker2016.bpt.me, [email protected] or call 703-439- 9788.

TUESDAY/NOV. 29Giving Tuesday, A Global Day of

Giving. All day at 13850 BraddockRoad A, Centreville. The UnifiedPrevention Coalition of FairfaxCounty is again participating. GloryDays Grill has agreed to donate toUPC 10 percent of its food andbeverage sales at its six FairfaxCounty restaurants to UnifiedPrevention Coalition of FairfaxCounty. Call 703-938-8723, [email protected] or visitwww.unifiedpreventioncoalition.orgfor more.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 1-3Centreville Library Holiday Used

Book Sale. At the CentrevilleRegional Library, 14220 St. GermainDrive, Centreville. Thursday, Dec. 1,5-9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-6p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-5p.m. 703-830- 2223,www.friendsofcentrevillelibrary.blogspot.com.

SATURDAY/DEC. 3Crafters Needed. St. Andrew Lutheran

Church, 14640 Soucy Place.$40 entree fee. Registration at

www.saintandrewlc.org,[email protected] or 703-830-2768.

Our Neighbor’s Child Gift Drive. 9-11 a.m. at Stone Middle School, 5500Sully Park Drive, Centreville. TheNational Junior Honor Society isworking with Our Neighbor’s Childon a gift drive for the holiday season.Community members are welcome todrop off gifts at the school. 703-631-5500 www2.fcps.edu/StoneMS/

Historic Clifton Holiday HomesTour. 4-7 p.m. at the Town ofClifton. Tickets available from Townof Clifton merchants. Presale ticketpricing for cash or check sales: $25adult; $5 children under 13. Presaleticket pricing for credit card sales –Belle Jar only: $30 adult; $5 childrenunder 13. Day of event pricing forcash, check or credit (credit at BelleJar only): $35 adult; $5 childrenunder 13 and/or [email protected] no later thanDec. 1.

Clifton Horse Society Parade andCaroling. 2 p.m. at the Town ofClifton. Arrive and Decorate 12:30-1p.m. Meet at the Flood Plain 1:30.Kick off the holiday season byparading through the town toLustre’s Field for the costume judgingand to share refreshments. TheClifton Horse Society is looking for

parade participants (adults andchildren). Horse not needed,decorated wagons and golf cartsencouraged. Lynn Henderson, 571-224-4925 and/or [email protected]

SATURDAY & SUNDAY/DEC. 3-4Holiday Train Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road. Adults 16 andover - $5; children 5 to 15- $2; 4 andunder – free; museum members –free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org orcall 703-425-9225.

SUNDAY/DEC. 4Interfaith Christmas Choir

Concert. 6-7 p.m. at The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,14150 Upperridge Drive.Refreshments served after concert.703-932-7197

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 8-10“Guys and Dolls” Musical.

Thursday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m.;Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Thursdayperformance is presale tickets only atStone Middle School, 5500 Sully ParkDrive. $7. [email protected] 703-631-5500

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC 10-11“The Nutcracker.” 3 p.m. at

Centreville High School Theater,6001 Union Mill Road, Centreville.Proceeds will benefit CVHS DramaScholarships and St. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital. [email protected].

Entertainment


By Marilyn Campbell

Centre View

During this season of givingthanks, opportunities for ex-pressions of gratitude canseem ubiquitous. It’s also a

good opportunity to demonstrate philan-thropy for children, from food and toy drivesto serving hot meals in soup kitchens.

“Charitable organizations rely on the in-credible support of volunteers who dedicatetime and provide supplies,” particularly atthis time of year, said Yvonne Esipila, vol-unteer and outreach coordinator for Inter-faith Works, a nonprofit organization thatserves the homeless and the poor. “Withoutvolunteers we would not be able to offermany of the services that are performed ordelivered daily.”

Youth volunteerism can be complicated,however, when it comes to matching skillsand abilities with opportunities and inter-ests. For example, feeding the homelessmight seem like an ideal way to give chil-dren a real-world view of those in need.However, hot stoves and sharp knives canpose dangers to young children. The key isfinding the right fit before committing.

“We have a variety of opportunities forour ever-increasing diverse pool of volun-teers,” said Esipila.

An example of children volunteering forthe same cause, but with different activitiesmatched with their varying skill levels, is akindergarten through eighth grade, effort bystudents at Norwood School in Potomac,Md., to support Manna Food Center. LeanneGill, a spokeswoman for the school, says allstudents can donate healthy food items, butthat older students get more involved.

“A group of our eighth graders visits theManna warehouse … to help sort throughand organize food donations,” said Gill.

Older children are often better suited toparticipate in food preparation efforts with-out the need for close supervision. For ex-ample, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School

(SSSAS) in Alexandria holds an annual tra-dition the day before Thanksgiving calledSaintsgiving. High school students volun-teer to make sandwiches for the clients ofMartha’s Table, a Washington, D.C.-basednonprofit that provides meals to low-incomeand homeless residents of the region.

“Last year we had a record turnout, andour volunteers made 4,600 sandwiches injust one hour,” said Mandi Sapp, communi-cations coordinator at St. Stephen’s & St.Agnes School.

When children are too young for solo foodpreparation, Esipila recommends that fami-lies make food together and bring it to shel-ters.

“Great opportunities [include] … makingbagged lunches at home as a family activ-ity, wrapping them and taking them to ourshelters,” said Esipila. “They can even in-clude a small encouraging note.”

They also need more than food. Provid-ing social opportunities for the homelesspeople, who might not otherwise have themis a much-needed volunteer service appro-priate for families with children of all ages,added Esipila. “Creating crafts with or play-ing Bingo with or planning and hosting abirthday party for the homeless are alwaysappreciated.”

Charities also need basic supplies likesoap, deodorant, toothpaste and tooth-brushes, which many homeless people des-perately need, added Esipila. “Considerholding a mini-drive to collect these items,”she said. “We also welcome other creativeideas that volunteers may have. My goal isto inspire a lifetime of service.”

Sometimes giving means bringing joy.Sapp sites a volunteer effort by fourth gradestudents at the SSSAS that brings smiles tothe faces of sick children. For the past 23years, students have baked cookies, cakes,brownies and other treats at home andbrought them to school for a bake sale. Pro-ceeds are used to purchase toys for patientsand their siblings at Children’s NationalMedical Center in D.C.

Experts advise finding age-appropriateways for children to give back.

Thinking Beyond Serving Meals

Photo courtesy of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School

On the day before Thanksgiving 2015, students at St. Stephen’s and St.Agnes School make sandwiches for the homeless.

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By KENNETH B. LOURIE

TFTT: TurkeyFor the Turkey

Thanksgiving might be my most favoriteday of the year. It is a day when I can eat/feelmost normal. (Cancer issues notwithstanding.)To assure that this day would indeed satiatemy savage beast, I changed/rearranged mychemotherapy infusion interval so the feastwould not occur on the first Thursday follow-ing my previous Friday infusion but rather 13days hence — on the second Thursday. Thiswill, if my most recent pattern follows —going on for nearly two years now, enableme to eat/have no eating issues (other thanthe many non-cancer related ones I’vehad/maintained my entire life) whatsoeverrelating to my chemotherapy and enjoy theday — and night without any challenges otherthan buckling my belt.

Not that I look the least bit undernour-ished, but I don’t eat like a normal adulteither. Heck, I don’t eat like a normal childand I’m not referring to whether I eat using sil-verware — which I do, or hold silverwaremore like an “entrenching tool” (“FiresignTheatre”) which I don’t. If I had my druthers,I’d order off the children’s menu. That’s not tosay I’d be properly-mannered sitting at aDownton Abbey dinner, but at least I’d knowenough to select my silverware from theoutside-in and likely not embarrass myself inthe process; that is until I return every portionback to the kitchen untouched. Andtherein lies my problem.

I don’t like anything. I eat the same thingsover and over and over again. I don’t view thisas a problem, more like a continuing opportu-nity. To say, as I often do, that I eat 10 things,might be hard to digest, but not for me. Inaddition to not eating much variety, I won’t tryanything, and if I am compelled to do so,won’t do so in front of anybody, that’s forsure. If I don’t like the food’s appearance, tex-ture, color, smell, description, lineage, heri-tage, place of origin, birthplace, where it’sbeen, with whom it’s been, even its name andgeneral unfamiliarity, I won’t touch it “with a10-foot Pole. Stretch Polansky, tallest Pole Iever saw,” (to quote Hawkeye Pierce from along-ago M*A*S*H episode).

Not that this juvenile behavior has stuntedmy girth. Hardly. But it has narrowed my “co-nfinement beam” (“Star Trek”) so to speak. Ieat a lot of very little. Thanksgiving however, isthe lot of which I eat. Not so much the des-serts, which are usually a variety of pies andsuch which generally don’t interest me (andbesides, unlike the turkey, I’m stuffed after themeal) but the main course: white meat turkey,potatoes, “stuffing/filling/dressing”, gravy(nowadays), vegetables, hot rolls and evencranberry sauce. If there’s anything I’m leavingoff my plate, it’s probably not on my short list.And when it comes to my eating hab-its/choices, as you’ve presumably come toread, it’s an extremely short list.

Fortunately, for me and my peculiarities,we have almost always spent Thanksgiving atfamily or friends; all of whom are extraordi-narily capable in the kitchen and given ourclose association over the years, well-acquainted with and somewhat amused bymy food issues. Never more so than when mywife, Dina’s cousin, Gary makes a big produc-tion of pouring himself a glass of milk at thetable. Nevertheless, I’ve always felt a welcomeaddition and never uncomfortable (althoughsometimes I’ve eaten at the children’s table).

I wouldn’t say I’m counting the days untilThanksgiving; I already did that weeks agowhen I made the decision to change my pre-Thanksgiving infusion date to Nov. 11th fromNov. 18th, but I’m certainly monitoring thecalendar very closely. My oncologist regularlyencourages me to find quality in my life.Thanksgiving is quality — and quantity — Ivalue in my life, and I’m damn lucky to stillhave it.


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Sports

The Westfield Bulldogs and SouthCounty Stallions collided for thesecond time this season and fourth

time in two seasons for a second round play-off game in Chantilly on Friday evening,Nov. 18. Westfield won the last two includ-ing the regional final 40-8 at South Countylast season.

After a scoreless 1st quarter. South Countyopened scoring with 11:43 to play in the2nd quarter when Steven Ariquette kickeda 30-yard field goal. Later in the 2nd,Westfield kicker and UVA commit BrianDelaney tied things up when he kicked a24-yard field to knot things back up. Eu-gene Asante would run in from 11 yards,

with 1:36 in the half, to give the Bulldogs a10-3 lead.

In the 3rd quarter, with 8:13, Delaneykicked his second field goal of the game togive Westfield a 13-3 lead. Later in the 3rd,Sean Eckert took a Rehman Johnson pass76 yards for a touchdown with 5:00 to playin the 3rd. Neither team would score in the4th.

Westfield improves to (10-2) and willtravel to Madison High School on Saturdayat 1:30 p.m. to play the Warhawks (11-1)who defeated West Potomac 21-14. TheWarhawks’ only loss this season came fromSouth Lakes 21-13. South County ends itsseason at (8-4)

Westfield’s Cole Roberson #42 forces the fumble of South Countyreceiver Seth Dunn #81.

Bulldogs Break Stallions

Westfield’s Sean Eckert #2 takes this Rehman Johnson pass 74 yards fora touchdown.

Pho

to

s by W

ill Palen

scar

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News

The Northern Virginia Elec-tric Cooperative’s group ofemployee volunteers,

NOVEC HELPS, is collecting newunwrapped toys, gift bags, andwrapping paper for the UnitedStates Marine Corps Reserve Toysfor Tots project through Dec. 9.

Donations may be dropped offat its NOVEC office on 10323Lomond Drive

Manassas. Hours are 8:15 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday-Friday

The Marine Corps Reserve is a501(c)(3) organization that usesthe annual charity drive to “moti-vate less fortunate children togrow into responsible, productive,patriotic citizens and communityleaders.”

This year, John Deitle, a retiredMarine who has coordinated theregion’s Toys for Tots drive for sev-eral years, says the organizationespecially needs gifts for area ado-lescents and teens: “We alwaysreceive lots of toys for toddlers andchildren under 10, but we needgifts for older children. They of-ten have to watch their youngerbrothers and sisters open giftswhile there’s nothing for them.”

Deitle, a NOVEC employee, alsopoints out that gifts do not haveto be toys: “Many youngsters lovebooks, and they often need win-ter hats, scarves, and gloves.”

The local Marine Reservists saythey need gift bags — especiallyextra-large bags that can cover abicycle or tricycle — wrappingpaper, tape, and ribbon.

Charity Navigator, an indepen-dent watchdog organization thatevaluates charitable organizationsin the U.S., lists the Toys for TotsFoundation as a top-rated charity.Last year, 96 percent of all dona-tions went toward providing toys,books, and other gifts to less for-tunate children. Less than 4 per-cent was spent on fundraising andoverhead.

NOVEC is a not-for-profit elec-tric utility corporation that sup-plies and distributes electricity andenergy-related services to almost164,000 metered customers inFairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, PrinceWilliam, Stafford, and Clarkecounties, the Town of Clifton, andthe City of Manassas Park. Formore information, visitwww.novec.com.

NOVEC CollectingFor Toys for Tots

From Page 2

Bulletin Board

“Concerned Persons Group” (for familyand friends of addicts), “The Imageof God in You,” and “Handling Lossand Grief.” There are also supportgroups on Sundays, 10:10 a.m. 4650Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Forinformation or to register, call 703-383-1170, email [email protected] see www.jccag.org.

Telephone Support Group forFamily Caregivers of OlderAdults. 7 p.m. every second Tuesdayof the month. This telephone supportgroup is designed to help caregiversof older adults share experiences,gain support and get importantinformation without having to travel.These are one-hour free sessions.Find out more and register atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ and click on

Caregiver Telephone Support Group.Fair Oaks Parkinson’s Support

Group for people living withParkinson’s disease, caregivers andfamily, meets on the fourth Saturdaymonthly, 10 a.m.-noon at Sunrise atFair Oaks, 3750 Joseph SiewickDrive, Fairfax. Call 703-378-7221 orvisit www.fairoaksparkinsons.com formore.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDVolunteers Needed as Bird

Counters. Volunteers are needed inthe field and as feeder watchers. Thecount circle includes ManassasNational Battlefield, Bull RunRegional Park, undeveloped areassouth of Dulles Airport, and manyother locations. [email protected]

Email announcements to [email protected]. Photos arewelcome.

Valeria Diaz, of Centreville, hasgraduated from the University of NewHaven (West Haven, Conn.). Diazearned both a Bachelor of Arts, in psy-chology with a concentration incommunity clinical, from the College ofArts and Sciences, and a Bachelor ofScience, in criminal justice with a con-centration in forensic psychology, fromthe Henry C. Lee College of CriminalJustice and Forensic Sciences.

Sam Willett was one of five FCPSstudents named finalists in individualcontests by the National Scholastic PressAssociation (NSPA). He was named asa finalist in Illustration for Westfield’s“The Watchdog.”

Thirty-one FCPS students have beennamed to the Virginia Honors Choir for2016. They include Rebecca Brittain,Pooja Karandikar, and KobieTurner from Centreville High School;and Emily Rakes, Evan Kohnstam,and Jonathan Cottrell fromWestfield High School. This select choiris open only to the top 125 singers fromaround the Commonwealth of Virginia,and is the highest honor a choir studentcan attain during his or her high schoolcareer.

Empress Marshall of Centreville,was among 17 Cadets from the Com-monwealth Challenge Youth Academyto earn Silver Phase, a distinguishedhonor, for their sustained progress andleadership, during the first Silver Phaseceremony of Class 46 on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

School Notes

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