opinion, page 4 meet new principal of fairview...

WellbeingPage, 6

Sheltering Homeless Neighbors News, Page 3

Be Part of thePet Connection Opinion, Page 4

Meet New Principal Of Fairview Elementary

News, Page 5

Sara Van Aalst is the new principal of Fair-view Elementary, one of the oldest schools in Fairfax County – dating back to 1899.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 7-13, 2019

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Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ February 7-13, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

The polar vortex swept downupon the region all last week,with near-record cold temperatures and accumulations of

snow and ice to make life less-than-pleas-ant.

For most, the effects of that artic blastwere at worst uncomfortable and annoy-ing, causing chaotic schedule changes withschool closures and hazardous road condi-tions, but at least most were able to turnup the thermostats in their homes, huddlearound fireplaces, or turn on the electricblankets and space heaters to keep them-selves cozy despite the elements at playoutside.

For some of area neighbors, however —like the homeless and the more vulnerable— the effects of winter weather are moredire, even life-threatening.

Even before the worst of the weather hitthe region, Fairfax County Police were in-vestigating three apparent weather-relateddeaths. An 86-year-old resident of a Restonsenior living facility was found outside thehousing center by local police officers,called in to assist in a search when the eld-erly woman was determined to be missing.

A 47-year-old man, with no fixed address,was found asleep in the laundry room ofan apartment complex. He was pronounceddead by Fairfax County Fire and Rescuewhen they arrived on the scene.

On Jan. 14, officers arrived at the assistedliving center in Great Falls, responding to aCPR call for an 88-year-old resident whowas found outside the facility and suc-cumbed to the effects of the cold.

“It doesn’t take long for a person to be-come endangered by exposure to coldweather,” said Brenda Dushko.

Dushko is the director of development forFACETS, a nonprofit that has been servingour neighbors in need since 2003 and afounding and active partner in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Pre-vent and End Homelessness.

FACETS works year-round to help breakthe cycle of poverty and homelessness, buta major portion of their mission is dedicatedto running the Hypothermia Prevention andResponse Program for the county’s HumanServices Region 4 - Western County/Fairfaxand Centreville areas.

HYPOTHERMIA is a life-threatening con-dition, brought on when the body tempera-ture drops below 95 degrees – not far be-low the average normal temperature. Witha warm coat, gloves and a hat, a warm carto travel in and a warm home to avoid pro-longed exposure to the cold, hypothermia

doesn’t present a problem for most.“But if you spend much of your time out-

doors, looking for a warm place to stay,that’s another story,” said Dushko. “Nowimagine being outside for hours overnightand you can quickly see why our homelessare in extreme danger, even more thanusual, during these winter months.”

Dushko spoke on Friday, Feb. 1, during atour of the temporary hypothermia shelterat St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church onHanover Lane in Springfield.

“The good people of St. Christopher’shave been running their week-long shelteras part of the program for 15 years, rightfrom the very beginning,” she said.

From November through March eachyear, between 30-45 faith communitiesgather a small army of volunteercongregants and open their doors for aseven-day stretch to offer hot meals, a warmplace to sleep, other items of need, and com-panionship.

Christina Manning is one of the St. Chris-topher volunteers and she has been givingher time to this cause for all 15 years that

the church has been involved.“It’s really just helping out a friend,” she

said in between stirring a steaming pot onthe church’s kitchen stove, unwrappingother food items, and mixing up some maca-roni and cheese. “So many of us are justone step away from being in the same situ-ation. I talk with a lot of our visitors whohave full-time jobs, but circumstances andthe lack of affordable housing in our areahave brought them to this place.”

Volunteering runs in the family, as Man-ning was joined in her kitchen duties by her15-year-old son, Zach. “He’s been cominghere since before he was actually born,”laughed Manning, “then he came in hisstroller, and eventually he became a full-blown helper.”

On this night at St. Christopher’s, Zachwasn’t the only young person doing theirpart to help others: 16-year-old SarahWilsey was also doing food preparation atthe steel kitchen work table, while her fa-ther, David Wilsey, worked the roux on thestove.

“The people who come here, they are just

like us, just in a bad situation,” said Sarah.Dad David has been volunteering at the St.Christopher’s shelter event for the last 10years. “This is something I can do to giveback, to help others – and I can cook.”

Katy Dunlap, who organizes St.Christopher’s turn as a shelter, says it takesabout 15 people per day to keep things run-ning. In addition to those who cook, serveand clean, there are people who help withintake, the overnight volunteers who staywith the guests, and those “who just comefor a while to talk to our visitors.

NOT EVERYONE wants to talk, but somedo and seem to just be happy to have a con-versation, to be seen and listened to.”

“J” – a young woman who is hamperedby a brain injury that affects her memoryand other cognitive abilities – was shylywilling to talk a bit about herself. “J” whowas once employed as a teacher and alsoworked in retail, has been moving fromshelter to shelter since the cold weather de-scended.

“I am really trying to make it, to find astable living situation and get back to work,”she said. She is being aided in herendeavours by a FACETS caseworker, butthe fact that she was turned down initiallyfor any disability assistance is making hertransition to “normal life” (as she puts it)difficult to say the least. “But I won’t giveup. And I really appreciate all these peoplewho care and help.”

“A” was also employed before, working fora grocery store. “It was pretty good. I likedit.” He even had housing accommodation,but was suddenly left homeless again whena change at the place where he lived left noroom for him. Now on dialysis, “A” is backon the streets, but working with a case man-ager and hopeful that his situation will im-prove. He, too, says he is grateful for thepeople who open their doors to help.

“It gets lonely sometimes, people don’twant to see you. Some are afraid of you, soit’s nice to be here, have a good meal andpeople to talk with.”

The lay volunteers at the participatingchurches are supported by trained FACETSstaff and volunteers, also on sight overnightand offering guidance and resources to theclients. During the season, Dushko notedthat some 3,800 volunteers donate morethan 33,000 hours to running the shelters,providing transportation and other servicesto their neighbors in need.

The extreme cold has seen the numbersof clients at all of the county’s shelters, boththe permanent and the temporary, risesharply, Dushko reported. Last year, thecounty assisted almost 1,100 people in needof shelter during the winter months.

“We had about 40 people here last night,”said St. Christopher’s pastor, PeterAckerman, and a line had already formedoutside the doors by 4:30, although the of-ficial opening hours don’t begin until 5 p.m.

Sheltering Homeless Neighbors

Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection

Some of the St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church hypothermia sheltervolunteers (from left): Rev. Peter Ackerman, Zach Manning, ChristinaManning, Kathy Barnard, Sarah Wilsey, David Wilsey, Debbie Brant, andPam Branstetter.

Where To Find HelpSeveral other partners join FACETS in the

mission to prevent and end homeless and tokeep the homeless from being another FairfaxCounty Police Department statistic during thecold.

In Human Services Region 1– the SouthCounty – New Hope Housing operates theEleanor U. Kennedy Shelter in Ft. Belvoir as wellas managing the temporary shelters in the area.Call 703-799-0200 or visit the websitewww.newhopehousing.org/programs/shelter formore information on Region 1 assistance.

Human Services Region 2– EasternCounty/Falls Church/Annandale – is also servedby New Hope Housing with a year-roundshelter at Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelterand the rotating faith community facilities. Call703-820-7621 or the New Hope Housingwebsite.

Human Services Region 3– North County/Reston and Herndon is served by Corner-stones operating the Hypothermia Program andthe year-round Embry Rucker CommunityShelter. See the website atwww.cornerstonesva.org or call 703-437-1975.

The City of Falls Church is also under theassistance umbrella of New Hope Housingwith contact available through the website or bycalling 703-799-0200.

Visiting the Fairfax County website for theOffice to Prevent and End Homelessness will alsoalso yield related information and resources.

Citizens are urged to check on vulnerablerelatives and neighbors. When seeing someonewho is unsheltered and may been in distress, callthe non-emergency police phone number at 703-691-2131 (TTY 711) and a police officer willrespond and so a wellness check on the indi-vidual in question, transporting them for medicalassistance or to shelter as required.

Extreme cold seesincreased need.

Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


Opinion

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

The 2019 session of the General Assembly has reached its mid-point,or crossover, when the two housesstart to consider bills that have sur-

vived the other house. It also represents the finalaction on many bills giving an indication of whatthe ultimate legislation for the session is likely

to be. In the back of mostlegislators’ minds is the factthat when the legislature ad-journs sine die (until another

day) the election season will begin. The thoughtof going home to meet their voters motivatesmany votes. After all, that is the way it should bein a representative democracy. The results, how-ever, create some absurdities.

Republicans appear to be planning to focusonce again on abortion. Although Roe v Wadedecided in 1973 was supposed to set the rulesfor abortions, the debate still goes on. This weekin a massive media campaign linked tofundraising, the opponents accused Governor

Ralph Northam who is a pediatrician and firstterm Delegate Kathy Tran, a mother of four theyoungest of whom she was nursing during ses-sion last year, of favoring infanticide! I wit-nessed the verbal ambush by some of the mostskilled lawyers in the House who with someediting of the tape of their cross-examinationof her created a false impression of her bill andwhat it did. Calling the episode absurd is a milddescription; I think Governor Northam camecloser to an accurate description when he calledit disgusting. (Read more at https://wapo.st/2GduVpd?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.814210c15403)

Thirty-seven states have ratified the Equal RightsAmendment. It is looking doubtful that Virginiawill join that group this year. In floor speeches onthe amendment one of the women opposing theamendment said that she did not need “words ona piece of paper” to get what she wanted.

Bills that would have created an independentredistricting commission including my perennialbill have been defeated in the House. A bill in-troduced by the Speaker of the House that wouldcreate a commission to redistrict the legislatureis far from independent in that it still has legis-

lators picking their voters in order to protectincumbents and hold onto the majority. If thebill makes it through the legislature it will beamended or vetoed by the governor. It remainsdifficult for the majority to play fair especiallywhen it holds control by such a slim sliver ofpower. A two-vote shift in both houses wouldput Democrats in charge of the legislature.

Major divisions continue to exist between theparties on finalizing the budget. Republicansfavor a plan that continues the federal approachof giving tax breaks to those with the highestincome. My bill to establish a partially refund-able Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was de-feated. About half the states have used an EITCto help raise the income of working families.There is a slight possibility that GovernorNortham could get the EITC in a compromisebudget as he is a strong proponent of it.

Several weeks remain for the legislature towork its will. Some good bills are passing thatwill be favorable to the people of the Common-wealth, and I will discuss these in future col-umns. With an election looming in the fall, wemay still see more absurdities!

Week of Absurdities

Commentary

AssistanceLeagueReceives GrantTo the Editor:

Assistance League of NorthernVirginia recognizes The AllstateFoundation and Allstate volunteersfor being positive forces for changein our community. Twenty-twoAllstate volunteers came togetherto host a day of community servicethat enabled the all-volunteer, non-profit organization to secure a$22,000 Helping Hands Grant.

Allstate volunteers, includingDavid Akers, Christine Angles,Rudolf Alston, Jose Bernal,David Bowen, Sharon Driscoll,Shelley Driscoll, Kevin Dupree,Matthew Henaghan, Joyia Lytle,Mike Mazri, Sharon Neighoff,Jason Passarell, Ricardo PazSoldan, Chris topher Ruby,Tonya Semones, JasonSengpiehl, William Simkins,Miguel Vi l legas , MichaelWallach, William Waughn andDon Wright, gave their time tosupport the nonprofit’s programthat reduces hunger in our vul-nerable communities.

For more than 60 years, theAllstate Foundation has beenbringing out the good in millionsof lives, committing financial andhuman resources where they canmake the most impact. WeekendFood for Kids was selected as thefeatured service activity for the“Feed Your Future Volunteer Re-lay” that took place in Washing-ton, D.C., in October 2018. Assis-tance League was honored to beincluded as a partner providinginnovative and lasting solutions toenhance the community’s well-being.

The Allstate Foundation sup-ports the causes that its employ-ees care about most. Allstate ex-ecutives and regional advisoryboard members, including exclu-sive agents and exclusive finan-cial specialists from D.C., Dela-ware, Maryland, Virginia, andWest Virginia, participated in arelay race to pack more than 500bags of nonperishable food forless advantaged children in ourregion.

Allstate senior communicationconsultant, Caitlyn Barron, andAllstate exclusive agent, Chris-tine Angles, organized the groupactivity and orchestrated the

group grant.“This is all beyond outstanding!

We are so proud to hear that ourefforts benefited some of the mostvulnerable in our society - our chil-dren,” said Shaundra TurnerJones, Allstate corporate relationsmanager. “This impactful eventhas our hearts full and we lookforward to being involved in manymore,” she added.

The Allstate Foundation HelpingHands Grant will help AssistanceLeague advance its missiontoºtransform the lives of childrenand strengthen our community.The funds will be used to purchasethree-months’ worth of food forunderprivileged children in sixpartner schools enrolled in the2019-20 Weekend Food for Kidsprogram.

Allstate Foundation and Allstatevolunteers bring out the good intheir community, helping organi-zations like Assistance Leaguebring important programs to thosemost in need. To learn more, visitwww.alnv.org.

Karen Smith AmsterVP Resource Development

Assistance League of NorthernVirginia

Letters to the Editor

ExtremelyDisappointedTo the Editor:

I graduated from college in 1986.I went to the University of Missis-sippi my freshman year and half ofmy sophomore year. My freshmanyear (1982), the school was stillwaving Confederate flags at footballgames and was in the process oftransitioning to using a flag that justsaid, “Ole Miss” in red on a bluebackground. To protest, the Ku KluxKlan showed up at at least one foot-ball game. It was terrifying. The KKKis not funny. Not even a little bit.

I am extremely disappointed todiscover that Mr. Northam partici-pated in photo wearing Blackfacewith someone in a KKK outfit. Heknew better. I voted for Mr.Northam, so this makes the discov-ery even more painful.

Everyone does stupid things incollege. This was not stupid. It wasmean and it wasn’t funny. Mr.Northam should resign in order toshow respect for his Black constitu-ents and, really, all Virginia voters.

Amy DicksonSpringfield

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publishthe last week of February, and pho-tos and stories of your pets withyou and your family should be sub-mitted by Friday, Feb. 22.

We invite you to send storiesabout your pets, photos of you and

your family with your cats, dogs,llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters,snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, orwhatever other creatures shareyour life with you.

Tell us the story of a special bondbetween a child and a dog, thestory of how you came to adopt

your pet, or examples of amazingfeats of your creatures.

Just a cute photo is fine too. Ourfavorite pictures include both petsand humans.

Please tell us a little bit aboutyour creature, identify everyone inthe photo, give a brief descriptionwhat is happening in the photo,and include address and phone

Be Part of the Pet Connection number (we will not publish youraddress or phone number, just yourtown name).

Email to [email protected] or submitonline at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.

For advertising information, [email protected] call 703-778-9431.

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Fairfax Station,Lorton & Clifton


News

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Sara Van Aalst, 40, of Manassas became thenew principal of Fairview Elementary Schoolin Fairfax Station on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019.With 18 years in education, she replaces

Lynn Mayer who retired after 31 years.Aalst is thrilled to be working at the Fairview School

site off Ox Road, which is one of the oldest in FairfaxCounty — dating back to 1899. “I knew I wanted tobe an educator as a child and I frequently talkedabout wanting to teach in a one-room schoolhouse,even as an undergraduate. But returning to FairfaxCounty to teach, that opportunity was not going topresent itself. So, when I found out the history ofFairview, I felt a great calling to serve its commu-nity,” she said.

She continued: “From what I know of the school,Fairview continues to serve its community just as itdid as a one room schoolhouse. There are very strongconnections between the teachers, students and theirfamilies. At the end of my first year of teaching atFranklin Sherman, I was given a photo of a one-roomschoolhouse and I put that in my office. I just hopeto continue that legacy that was started at that school

house in 1899.”

THIS YEAR, Aalst will lead the Falcons (mascot)with 700 students and a staff of about 100. The de-mographic breakdown of Fairview is: 8.9 percent

Sara Van Aalst will lead theFalcons with 700 studentsand a staff of about 100.

New Principal at Fairview Elementary

Sara Van Aalst is the new principal ofFairview Elementary, one of the oldestschools in Fairfax County – dating backto 1899.

Photo by Steve Hibbard/The Connection

See New Principal, Page 10


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fruits and vegetables. Commit to eight hours [ofsleep] a night and drink eight glasses of water eachday.”

While African-American have one of the highestrates of heart disease, the American Heart Associa-tion reports that anyone at any age can be affectedby cardiovascular diseases and 80 percent of cardiacevents can be prevented.

“Even making small changes like getting 30 min-utes of exercise a day can improve not just your hearthealth, but your overall health as well,” said fitnesstrainer Brendan Moore. “Find a type of exercise thatyou enjoy enough to do for 30 minutes that also getsyou to break a sweat and do it everyday. The impor-tant thing is that you get your heart rate up. If youstart to break a sweat, you know that you’re exert-ing enough energy to have an impact.”

Small dietary changes can be made gradually.“Watching your salt intake is really important,” saiddietician Caroline Knowles. “There are so many waysto prepare meals by using spices instead of salt sothat you don’t compromise the taste. With slow cook-ers and instant cookers there are so many optionsthat you no longer have to fry food to enjoy thatsatisfying taste.”

Finding creative but tasteful ways to add vibrantlycolored fruit and vegetables to one’s diet can helpprevent heart disease.

By Marilyn Campbell

Each time the doorbell rang, a guestarrived, wearingred and bringing

with her a new flavorful dishwith an aroma that filled thealready pungent air inCassandra Pope’s Arlingtonhome. One by one friendsstrolled through the livingroom and into the kitchenbearing dishes like balsamic-grilled chicken breast, cur-ried cauliflower steak andfreshly made hummus. Theyhad arrived for a potluckdinner and the theme thatevening was heart health.

“My father died of a heartattack when he was 62, andwhen he was 57 he had astroke,” said Pope. “All nineof his siblings had massiveheart attacks and all of themdied of a heart-related ill-ness. So I know that I needto focus eating better and ex-ercising and losing weight.My friends always get to-gether for dinner about onceor twice a month and usu-ally we have a theme. ForFebruary, we decided tocombine Valentine’s Day andheart health. We exchangedrecipes so that we all have astash of new recipes to try.“

Cardiovascular disease re-mains one of the leadingcause of death in the UnitedStates, and after decades of a steady decline in thiscountry, it is once again on the rise, according to astudy by the American Heart Association. The re-search also shows that approximately 80 percent ofall cardiovascular disease can be prevented by adopt-ing a healthy lifestyle and controlling high blood pres-sure, diabetes and high cholesterol. During Febru-ary, American Heart Month, health care profession-als are working to raise awareness of the importanceof making healthy lifestyle choices and managingtheir health conditions.

“February is É also Black History Month and thesetwo recognitions go hand-in-hand,” said NikkiaWilkens, Fairfax County Health Department commu-nity outreach professional. “African Americans havesome of the highest rates of hypertension and heartdisease, [but] with the right steps, we can improveour heart health.”

Some of the heart-smart lifestyle adjustments thatWilkens and other health care professionals adviseinclude staying active and exercising regularly andmonitoring one’s salt intake. “Incorporate movementinto your everyday activities, such as taking the stairsinstead of an elevator,” said Wilkens. “Maintain ahealthy diet and skip the fried foods, and eat lots of

Making healthy diet and exercise choicesare two keys to preventing heart disease.

American Heart MonthWellbeing

Photo Contributed


Wellbeing

By Andrew Gionfriddo

Capital News Service

The Virginia Senate and House ofDelegates on Tuesday, Feb. 5,each passed bills prohibitingmotorists from touching their

cellphones while driving.The Senate approved SB 1341 on a vote

of 34-6, and the House passed HB 1811,69-27. The bills would explicitly ban usinga hand-held communication device, unlessit is in hands-free mode, while operating avehicle.

State law currently prohibits only read-ing email or text messages or manually en-tering letters or text in a hand-held personalcommunications device while driving. Thelegislation would extend that ban to usingthe device for making phone calls, check-ing social media and other purposes.

“It is unlawful for any person, while driv-ing a moving motor vehicle on the high-ways in the Commonwealth, to hold ahandheld personal communications de-vice,” the bills state.

Drivers would still be able to operate theirphones if they are lawfully parked orstopped or are reporting an emergency.

The chief sponsors of the House bill wereRepublican Dels. Christopher Collins of

Frederick County and Michael Webert ofFauquier County and Democratic Del.Michael Mullin of Newport News.

Speaking as a former police officer, Collinssaid the existing law needed improvements.

“Our current texting while driving stat-ute has just not been enforced,” he said.“The enforcement numbers went way downduring the last several years.”

The penalty for a first offense is a $125fine that rises to $250 for a second or sub-sequent violation.

“This is going to be straight up — if youhave your phone in your hand, you are inviolation of a law,” Collins said.

The Senate bill was sponsored by Repub-lican Sens. Richard Stuart of King GeorgeCounty and Frank Wagner of Virginia Beachand Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell ofFairfax. Under the legislation, the ban onusing hand-held devices would not applyto citizens band radios. The bills also wouldexempt hand-held communication devicesthat are physically connected to the vehicleand used for navigation or audio transmis-sions. Although the House and Senate billsare identical, the legislation still hasn’tcleared the final hurdles. Now, the Housemust pass the Senate bill, or the Senatemust pass the House bill, and then the gov-ernor must sign the legislation.

Bans on holding cellphones while driving.Focus on Safer Driving


Entertainment

By David Siegel

The Connection

Time for some lightening up courtesy ofthe Virginia Opera. The comic opera “TheElixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti will

be bringing a plentitude of remedies for the Feb-ruary cold. “Elixir” is an operatic romantic com-edy about the pursuit of love with help from avery special tonic.

Donizetti’s charming “The Elixir of Love” is per-formed in the bel canto opera style in which ex-pressive voices transport the audience into a bub-bly, vibrant tale of comedic misunderstandings andendearing characters.

What is “The Elixir of Love” about? It is cen-tered upon a shy peasant named Nemorino whois secretly enthralled with a rather feisty socialiteAdina. Alas, Adina has her eyes on a dashing mili-tary man, Sergeant Belcore. Nemorino decides alove potion is his best hope to win over Adina. Heuses his paltry savings to purchase a special po-tion from a very skillful traveling salesman namedDulcamara.

Nemorino is convinced the potion is magical andwill make Adina fall in love with him. But, willthe elixir help love find its way? Will the path tolove be simple?

Directed by Kyle Lang, “The Elixir of Love” fea-tures sumptuous arias, beautiful musical melodiesand scenes with rapid-fire comic pattern. AdamTurner, Virginia Opera’s artistic director will con-duct the Donizetti score. The opera features oneof the more celebrated tenor aria, “Una furtivalagrima.” (“a furtive tear”). In the song Nemorinovividly recalls a tear on his beloved Adina’s check;he convinces himself that she loves him.

The cast features Cecilia Violetta López nameda rising star by “Opera News” as Adina. Recent

Sparkling Wit, Magical Love Potion

Cecilia Violetta Lopez as Adina andCarlos Enrique Santelli as Nemorino inVirginia Opera’s “The Elixir of Love.”

Virginia Opera brings‘The Elixir of Love’ to theCenter for the Arts.

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winner of the 2018 Metropolitan Opera NationalCouncil Auditions, tenor Carlos Enrique Santellimakes his Virginia Opera mainstage debut appear-ing as lovelorn Nemorino. Bass-baritone MatthewBurns is Dulcamar the animated purveyor of themagical love potions. Corey Crider sings the roleof the dashing military man Belcore.

In an interview, Burns, originally from Richmondand a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-versity, discussed his character of Dulcamar as notunlike a traveling salesman selling “the virtues ofa dark looking drink as a cure to fix anything.”When singing rapid fire comic songs his characterDulcamar is like “a modern day rapper, able torattle off lyrics and names in quick seconds.”

“The Elixir of Love,” is one of the most per-formed operas worldwide. Visit the Virginia Op-era production to enjoy its happy endings.

Virginia Opera presents “The Elixir of Love” atthe George Mason University, Center for the Arts,4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performances: Sat-urday, Feb 16, 2019 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb 17,2019 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $110, $90, $54. Call 888-945-2468, or visit www.cfa.gmu.edu. Note: Sungin Italian with English subtitles. A pre-performancediscussion featuring “Dr. Opera,” Glenn Wintersbegins 45 minutes prior to the performance.

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

ONGOINGWorkhouse Student-Faculty

Exhibition. Through Feb. 10 atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. TheWorkhouse Arts Center Student andFaculty Exhibition will survey worksfrom course instructors, faculty andtheir students. Explore paintings,drawings, glass works, clay worksand fiber art created in Workhouse’sclasses and workshops. Call 703-584-2900 or visit workhousearts.org.

Art Exhibit: Amazing Art Jam.Through Feb. 24, gallery hours at theVulcan Gallery, Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Workhouse Arts Center hoststhe third iteration of the Amazing ArtJam. This pop-up exhibition offersfresh perspectives by exploringseveral young, contemporary themesincluding street art, anime, Marveliconography and hip-hop culture.Curated by Ackshun Jackson, theshow will feature works in variousmediums including interactive,sculpture, murals, paintings andworks on paper from over 40regional artists. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam for more.

Winter Golf. Through Feb. 28, skip thetraffic with the Afternoon Drivespecial at the heated and coveredranges at Burke Lake Golf Center andthe newly renovated Oak Marr GolfComplex. All buckets are $2 off,Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. untilclosing. Or try the indoor studio atPinecrest Golf Course’s Valis FamilyGolf Learning Center. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf.

Fine Arts Enrichment Camps. TheYouth Arts Camp & EducationOutreach (ages 13-17) programs atthe Workhouse provide richexperiences in fine arts year-round.Campers work alongside professionalartists and professional educators toexcel in different mediums, learningvarious techniques, and creatingquality artwork with every visit. Findupcoming camps atreservations.workhousearts.org.

FRIDAY/FEB. 8Gunston Hall Game Night. 6-9 p.m.

at Gunston Hall, 10709 GunstonRoad, Mason Neck. Gunston Hall isopening its doors after-hours towelcome game enthusiasts toimmerse themselves in a variety of18th-century card, board, and dicegames. $35 registration includesbeverages and heavy hors devours,including some items made from18th-century recipes. Visitwww.gunstonhall.org for more.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 8-9Small Plates Choreography

Festival. 8 p.m. at Building W-3(Theatre), Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. SmallPlates creates a growth environmentby holding guided Q&A feedbacksessions with the audience after eachperformance. The Fridayperformance will feature pre-professional dance created by studentchoreographers, or by professionalchoreographers performed bystudents. Saturday’s performance willmainly feature professional artistswith limited space for pre-professional work. $15-$20. Call 703-584-2900 or visit workhousearts.org.

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

p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center,8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield.Dance, laugh, and learn at the social

event of the winter season. Spacelimited, register online (tinyurl.com/y9nz9q48) or call 703-451-9588 tosave a spot. $9. [email protected] or call703-451-9588 for more.

Lorton Community Blood Drive.3:30-7:30 p.m. at the WorkhouseArts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Register online to donate.The INOVA Donation Bus which willbe located right outside WorkhouseBuilding W-16. After donating, stayfor the monthly, free SecondSaturday Art Walk, with the chanceto meet nearly 100 Workhouseartists. Make an appointment attinyurl.com/y7q7samt.

Create + Sip: Recreating Escher.4-6 p.m. at the Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Way,Lorton. Monthly afternoons of wineand fun offer more than justpainting. Each Create + Sip is taughtby one of Workhouse’s studio artists,offering techniques, plus fiber, glassand clay. With Workhouse artistWendy Anderson, explore the uniqueworld of tessellation via its modernmaster, M.C. Escher. Tessellationswill be created on wooden artpalettes with paint. $35. Visitinsidenovatix.com/events/create-sip-

recreating-escher for tickets.Chili Cook Off and Bingo Night. 6-9

p.m. at Historic Pohick EpiscopalChurch, 9301 Richmond Highway,Lorton. The Ann Mason Guild ofPohick Church will hold their annualChili Cook Off and Bingo event.Tickets are $10 per person (without achili entry) and $5 per person (withchili entry). Children 10 and underare free. Hot dogs will also beavailable. Contact: Wendy Remaly [email protected] or AngelaEdgemon at [email protected], orcall 703-339-6572 or visitwww.pohick.org.

SUNDAY/FEB. 10T-TRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-

4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia T-TRAK members will hold aN gauge Model Train Display. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

Handbell Dessert Concert. 3 and 6p.m. at St. Matthews UnitedMethodist Church, 8617 Little RiverTurnpike, Annandale. Be serenaded

by handbell choirs at theirfundraising event while enjoyingdessert at a candle lit table. Adults,$15; ages 7-17, $12; age 6 andunder, $8. Tickets [email protected]. [email protected] for more.

SATURDAY/FEB. 16“One Woman, One Vote.” 10 a.m. at

Sydenstricker United MethodistChurch, 8508 Hooes Road,Springfield. All are welcome to theshowing of the PBS video “OneWoman, One Vote.” The filmdocuments the 70-year battle forwomen’s suffrage in the UnitedStates, culminating in the passage ofthe 19th Amendment to theConstitution. The film, narrated bySusan Sarandon, is part of thegeneral meeting of the Springfield-Annandale branch of the AmericanAssociation of University Women.Contact Irene McGhee at 703-628-4048.

Valentine’s Day Banquet. 6:30-11p.m. at Waterford Receptions atSpringfield, 6715 Commerce St.,Springfield. The Family Ministry ofthe Greater Little Zion Baptist Churchin Fairfax is sponsoring their Annual

Valentine’s Day Banquet. All couplesand singles are invited to fellowshipand to enjoy an evening of finedining, music, dancing and featuredentertainment. $60 per person(payment deadline is Feb. 10).Contact Anthony or Terri Bazemoreat 703-239-9111.

Country-Western Dance. Lessons, 6-7 p.m.; open dancing 7-9:30 p.m. atAccotink Universalist UnitarianChurch, 10125 Lakehaven Court,Burke. The Northern VirginiaCountry-Western Dance Associationwill hold a dance. A DJ providesmusic. Couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for NVCWDAmembers $10; non-members $12;children under 18 accompanied by apaying adult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free. BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org.

Art for the Heart. 7-10:30 p.m. in theParish Hall at Church of the Nativity,2400 Nativity Lane, Burke. TheKnights of Columbus Fr. SikoraCouncil 7992 is holding their AnnualArt Auction. Join in a festive eveningof viewing and bidding on a varietyof fine art, memorabilia, andcollectibles while enjoyingcomplementary wine and specialtyhors d’oeuvres prepared by A BitMore Catering. $15 per person. Fortickets contact Tom Savage at 512-983-5641 or [email protected].

SUNDAY/FEB. 17NTRAK Scale Model Train Show. 1-

4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The NorthernVirginia NTRAK members will hold aN gauge Model Train Display at theFairfax Station Railroad Museum.Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

TUESDAY/FEB. 19Serve Up Dinner for the Animals.

4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hidden PondNature Center, 8511 GreeleyBoulevard, Springfield. It may not beeveryone’s idea of dinner, but wormsand insects are considered finedining for the nature center’s exhibitanimals. Help a naturalist care forand feed the animals. Ages 3-adult.$6 per person. Call 703-451-9588 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hidden-pond for more.

SATURDAY/FEB. 23Orienteering Workshop. 10 a.m.-

noon at Burke Lake Park, 7315 OxRoad, Fairfax Station. Put down theGPS and get around the old-fashioned way. Orienteering is thesport of navigation with map andcompass. It’s easy to learn but alwayspresents challenges. Participants inthis program will learn how to use acompass, read a topographic mapand navigate orienteering courses. Acompass is required. Designed forparticipants age 8-adult. $31 perperson. Call 703-323-6600 or visitfairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake.

Reception: Amazing Art Jam. 7-11p.m. at the Vulcan Gallery,Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. WorkhouseArts Center hosts the third iterationof the Amazing Art Jam. This pop-upexhibition offers fresh perspectives byexploring several young,contemporary themes includingstreet art, anime, Marvel iconographyand hip-hop culture. Curated byAckshun Jackson, the show willfeature works in various mediumsincluding interactive, sculpture,murals, paintings and works on paperfrom over 40 regional artists. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/event/amazing-art-jam for more.


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News

New Principal at Fairview Elementary

WINTER SHELTERSFind homeless and cold

weather drop-in centers andshelters that serve NorthernVirginia at www.novaregion.org/174/Homeless-Shelter-Lists.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDInterested in local Civil War or

Railroad History? Considervolunteering at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. The Museumoffers a variety of volunteeropportunities in Museum events,programs and administration. TheMuseum is also seeking an

individual to coordinate thescheduling of the volunteer staff.Training will be provided for allpositions. Email [email protected] or call 703-945-7483 foropportunities. The Museum is locatedat 11200 Fairfax Station Road inFairfax Station. It is open everySunday, except holidays, from 1-4p.m. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.

The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke needs volunteer drivers fortrips to medical appointments

(Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday)within the Fairfax-Burke area andin the South County area (west ofRoute 1, Alexandria). Officevolunteers are also needed towork in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingualvolunteers (English and Spanish)are needed as drivers and officevolunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.

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

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 11

Asian; 5.74 percent Black; 12.21percent Hispanic; 65 percentWhite; and 8.6 percent Other.There are 86 percent of studentsin General Education; 14.26 per-cent in Special Education; and6.62 percent in Advanced Academ-ics, Level IV. Some 9.26 percent ofstudents are on Free or ReducedFees on Meal plan.

“From what I know of the de-mographics, our goal at Fairviewis to provide vigorous and relevantinstruction and an inclusive envi-ronment, and at the same time wewant to be ensuring that all of ourstudents are developing high self-esteem and learning how to beresilient,” she said.

She said that Fairview, which isin the Robinson Pyramid, offers alocal Level IV program for studentswho have qualified for advancedacademic instruction in all contentareas based on a screening processestablished by Fairfax County.

As far as new challenges, besidesbeing on the job for a week, she’s looking forward to“having consistency in the school day so I have theopportunity to be in the classroom to see all thewonderful learning that’s occurring. I’m just eagerfor the opportunity to get to know students as indi-viduals,” she said.

She added: “I am a lifelong learner and want toprovide the opportunity for my staff to continue tofeed their passions for learning about teaching. So, Ithink targeted professional development is somethingI want to continue to provide. I am very passionateabout being an advocate for every student and I thinkit’s important that we consider each child’s individualneeds and help that child obtain high levels of suc-cess.”

What she loves most about the job is “I get to seethe K-6 grade spectrum on any given day and to seea student’s progress through all those academic years– it’s really an incredible experience,” she said.

She is also looking forward to partnering with theschool’s PTA. “They provide a wealth of enrichmentopportunities for our students as well as a cadre ofvolunteers that support our teacher’s work, and I lookforward to being able to nurture that relationshipthat has been established and continue to look forways to partner with our families,” she said.

According to Jessica Boger, Spe-cial Ed. teacher at Willow SpringsElementary: “Sara Van Aalst willbe a great principal because of herwillingness to be in the trencheswith teachers, students, and par-ents. On many occasions Sara hascome into my special educationresource classroom to get to knowstudents, not because I asked herto, not because of a behavior is-sue, but to build strong relation-ships with children.”

VAN AALST grew up in FallsChurch and attended FairfaxCounty Public Schools for her en-tire K-12 education. She gradu-ated from Randolph-MaconWoman’s College in 2000 with abachelor of arts; and a master’sfrom George Mason University in2008; as well as an administra-tion and supervision certificatefrom UVA in 2009.

While at Randolph-Macon, sheworked at a preschool on campusall four years. “That was a greatexperience in early childhood edu-

cation and offered an experience to be a part ofchildren’s early development in language, their so-cial skills and early academics. I think it gave me agood grounding for the work that I’ve done as aneducator and I have wonderful memories of the greatpassion that the preschool teachers had, and I’mthankful for them allowing me to be part of theirclassrooms.”

She began her Fairfax County career in 2000, teach-ing second-, fifth-, and sixth-grades, as well as serv-ing as an afterschool remediation and Jump StartCoordinator. In 2010, she was appointed assistantprincipal, serving at Laurel Ridge Elementary School,Bull Run Elementary School, and Willow Springs El-ementary School. At Laurel Ridge, she initiated amentor program between staff and identified stu-dents; at Bull Run, she developed and opened a Fam-ily Resource Center in collaboration with the Officeof Communication and Community Relations and col-laborated with Special Services, Procedural Support,and Special Education teachers to implement spe-cialized reading programs aligned with studentneeds.

Sara is married to husband Neil, 45, who worksfor the Department of Homeland Security. They havea daughter named Cecilia, age 2.

From Page 5

Steve Hibbard/The Connection

Sara Van Aalst is the newprincipal of Fairview El-ementary, one of the oldestschools in Fairfax County –dating back to 1899.


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

As it happens every year around this time, the monthly calendar turns to February, and I am remind-ed of the goings on in my life Jan. 1 through Feb. 27, 2009.

I was not, as yet, in the throws of having been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, stage

shortness of breath and stinging pain in my side that

Cancer was the last word I expected to hear in

Until I received that call from my primary care physi-cian on Thursday, Feb. 20, advising me that the tissue biopsy was indeed malignant, I had been, since that New Year’s Day visit to the Emergency Room, in a diagnostic dalliance to determine what had caused an otherwise, healthy 54-and-half-year-old man, to present with such symptoms.

The Emergency Room doctor was perplexed as the chest X-Ray I had taken that day was inconclu-sive. In addition, I offered no pertinent medical histo-ry to account for the symptoms I was experiencing.

Eventually I was released and it was suggested that I return in a week, have another chest X-Ray then and see a pulmonary doctor. And so I did. After reviewing both X-Rays, and examining me, the pulm-onologist was equally perplexed. I was healthy by all appearances and I had no family history of anything.

Out of curiosity – or bewilderment – the doctor told me to get a CT scan, which I did, approximately two weeks later, at the earliest available time. Within a day of having been CT-scanned, I was called by the pulmonologist and advised to schedule an appoint-ment with a thoracic surgeon, a specialty with which I was totally unfamiliar.

I saw the surgeon. Equally befuddled, by his own admission, after reviewing my two X-Rays and recent CT scan, he equivocated on the next step: ordering a P.E.T. scan, which he did not – until a few days later when he changed his mind and told me to make the arrangements; which of course I did, and again, it was approximately two weeks later that an appoint-ment was available.

After receiving the results, the thoracic surgeon called me. He said, among other things: “Your scan lit up like a Christmas tree.”

Not good as I later learned.And so, a surgical biopsy was scheduled, upon

availability, about two weeks later, which presumably would determine the cause of my original discomfort

had been about.Within a few days of my procedure, I received a

phone call at work from my internal medicine doctor.

Sure enough, it was. He told me that the sample was malignant.

Stunned by the news, I remember asking: “What does that mean?” He might have mentioned cancer, I can’t recall. He instead deferred and referred me to an oncologist, actually making the appointment for me for the following Thursday, only a week later.

Nearly two months had passed since the original Jan. 1 visit to the E.R.

been going on – from an oncologist. And sure enough, on that following Thursday, my new-best-friend-to-be, lowered the boom: “Lung cancer.”

My prognosis he said: “13 months to two years.” Moreover, he advised: He “could treat me,” but he “couldn’t cure me.” In simple terms, he told me I was “terminal.”

Not that I don’t already think about having cancer every minute of every day but especially so at this time of the year. This is when my world, as I knew it, came crashing down. Over and over, I review the

with my oncologist and the impact the diagnosis has had on my life.

Granted, it’s nothing to laugh about, but given that I’ve survived so long, it’s certainly something to be grateful about.

My Own Sort of Groundhog Day

From Page 10

INPUT SOUGHTShaping the Future Together. Fairfax County

Government is beginning a strategic planningprocess with the community to shape the futuretogether. The goal is to hear all voices and reachall segments of the community. This effort willspan most of 2019, but in this first phase, thecommunity is being asked to visitfairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan and:

❖ Take a short five-question online survey❖ Join a community conversation in person: Feb.

13 – Reston; Feb. 25 – Alexandria; Feb. 26 –Fairfax; March 6 – Falls Church.

❖ Share the survey and conversation invitation withneighbors, co-workers and county family andfriends.

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

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

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Taking on Challenges (part 6)❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed, Engaged

Learning (part 7)

THURSDAY/FEB. 7Public Hearing on E-Bikes on Park Trails. 7

p.m. at The Jean R. Packard Center at OccoquanRegional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Lorton. A publichearing will be held on proposed changes toregulations on the use of Electrically AssistedBicycles, or e-bikes, in Fairfax County and NOVAParks. Under the proposal, the regulation woulddefine an e-bike and clarify distinctions betweene-bikes and mopeds. Draft guidelines for the useof e-bikes within Fairfax and NOVA Parks’ willbe presented. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/e-bikes for more.

FRIDAY/FEB. 8“Why Won’t My Child Go to School?” 10

a.m.-noon at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Dr. Lisa Batemen, ofNeuroscience, Inc., presents this workshopsharing information on school refusal.Highlights include symptoms of school refusal,including behavioral symptoms, and patterns ofbehavior. Batemen will also share informationon the differences between school refusal andtruancy, causes of school refusal, strategies forparents and resources to help support students.Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more or to register.

SATURDAY/FEB. 9Fairfax County NAACP Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon

at West Springfield Government Center, 6140Rolling Road, West Springfield. Join FairfaxCounty NAACP for their monthly meeting toreview and discuss their 2019 Advocacy Agenda.The Youth Council will also host a food drive forthe Capital Area Food Bank. Light refreshmentswill be served. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-agenda-presentation-and-meeting-tickets-55144018243. Visit www.fairfaxnaacp.org/ formore.

Hannah P. Clark Open House. Noon-3 p.m. atthe historic Hannah P. Clark (Enyedi) propertylocated at 10605 Furnace Road, Lorton. TheResident Curator Program provides theopportunity for individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations to secure long-term leaseagreements in beautiful public park settingssuch as Hannah P. Clark (Enyedi) in FairfaxCounty. The curator leases are without charge inexchange for a financial commitment towardsapproved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’sunderutilized historic properties. Visit onlinewww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resident-curator-program or contact Stephanie Langton at 703-324-8791.

Bulletin

opinion, page 4 meet new principal of fairview...

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