opinion, page 4 oakton girls become district...

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Northern Virginia’s Report Card UnveiledNews, Page 3

An Entertaining Evening and MoreEntertainment, Page 8

Oakton Girls Become District Champions

Sports, 2

Madison’s Katy Sharon #44 drives past Oakton’s Peyton Perine #40. The Oakton

High girls basketball team defeated the Madison Warhawks 50-38 for the

Concorde District Championship on Feb. 16.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 21-27, 2018

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2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Sports

Following a ceremony recognizing thefour senior members of the Warhawk var-sity squad, the Warhawks started “the battleof the birds of prey” against the FreedomEagles. Just 23 seconds into the first, For-ward Justin Shayne tipped in a shot fromthe point by Defender Justin Machovina.Building off that momentum Forward JayStephens blasted in a pass from CaptainJason Calem. Late in the first periodDefenseman Nick Willey rushed from theredline to back hand an unassisted shot five

hole catching the Freedom goalie by sur-prise. The Eagles mounted a brief comebackattempt in the second, scoring their onlygoal. Forward Luke Pohlman answered backwith a goal from the front of the net, as-sisted by Forward Jeffrey Hunter. Goalie BenD’Haiti turned away 16 shots and theWarhawks outshot the Eagles 34 to 17. Withthis win the Warhawks qualify for the North-ern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League(NVSHL) playoffs which will begin on Fri-day, Feb. 23.

Warhawk Ice Hockey DefeatsFreedom, Earns Playoff Spot

Forwards Michael Crespy and Tom Hetherington look for an openingin the Freedom Eagles defensive line. The Warhawk Varsity IceHockey team defeated the Freedom Eagles 4-1 qualifying them forthe NVSHL playoffs.

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Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

The Community Foundation forNorthern Virginia (CFNOVA),partnering with the NorthernVirginia Chamber of Commerce,

filled an auditorium on Feb. 15 at Valo Parkin Tysons Corner with representatives fromnonprofits, public office, academia and busi-ness to “unveil a new, dynamic data tool”and to encourage “a deep dive” into thechallenges facing the region.

CFNOVA has been connecting donors tocommunity needs throughout Northern Vir-ginia since 1978. In conjunction with its 40th

anniversary, the foundation commissioneda report from the Commonwealth Institutefor Fiscal Analysis to provide detailed dataabout the region today, and the changes thathave taken place to demographics,economy, education and community andcivic life. The result of that research andreporting is the Opportunity Index forNorthern Virginia.

The data, like the CFNOVA, encompassesthe entire region: Arlington, Fairfax,Loudoun and Prince William counties andthe cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, FallsChurch, Manassas and Manassas Park, andexamines 26 indicators of local social, eco-nomic, educational and civic wellbeing. Theonline report can filter its information byrace, ethnicity, age, nativity and jurisdiction,and by date range. According to leadershipat the CFNOVA, the Index serves as some-thing of a “report card” for the region, high-lighting where progress toward opportunityfor all Northern Virginians has been made,and where it would be fair to grade the cur-rent state of affairs a “Needs Improvement,”and in some cases disturbingly close to fail-ure.

Kevin DeSanto, chairman of the CFNOVAboard of directors commented in his open-ing remarks that the Index “tells big, im-portant stories about our region.” The con-ference focused on only two of the mostcritical — workforce development chal-lenges and opportunities, and the region’sgrowing income inequality — but before thespeakers and the panel discussions began,Michael Cassidy, president and CEO of theCommonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analy-sis introduced the Index and highlightedseveral of the findings to “set the stage andprovide the background.”

FORTY-SEVEN PERCENT of youngstersin Northern Virginia are living with at leastone foreign-born parent/guardian — a per-centage that is significantly higher than therest of the state or even of the nation. “Thatmeans the region’s future depends in parton the ability of the children of immigrantsto flourish.”

The research indicates that if currenttrends continue, the Minority-MajorityTransition, where people of color will be-come the majority as a share of the region’spopulation will take place as soon as 2020.In 1980, 85 percent of Northern Virginiansidentified as Non-Hispanic White. In 2015,from when the most recent figures are avail-able, that number is now 40 percent.

Cassidy gave a demonstration of the In-dex in action, showing how to maneuverthrough the site, and how to filter the data.He also challenged the attendees to a “mini-quiz,” asking them to use instant audiencesurvey devices to test their knowledge onsome of the collected statistics. In mostcases, the majority of the audience missed

the mark.Cassidy was followed at the podium by

Richard Reeves, senior fellow of economicstudies and co-director of Center on Chil-dren and Families for the Brookings Insti-tution. Speaking on “Economic Mobility andthe American Dream,” Reeves congratulatedthe event organizers for including so manymembers of the business community, say-ing that too often business leaders wereexcluded as being “part of the problem ofincome equality, when, in fact, they are amajor contributor to the solution whenbrought to the table.”

In a series of slides and charts, Reeves, aBritish-American, offered proof that for “thebottom 80 percent on the economic scale

there has been no real change in incomegrowth or quality” while the top 20 percentare pulling further and further away. “Basi-cally, poor people are staying poor, richpeople are staying rich, and in many cases,getting richer.” Worse, says Reeves,America’s class system, most evident in edu-cational opportunities, helps create a self-perpetuating barrier to opportunity formany. Showing a graph that illustrates “Col-lege Attendance Rates vs. Parent IncomeRank in the U.S.,” Reeves called it “one ofthe most beautiful and terrifying charts.”As a Brit, Reeves states that he “knows a bitabout a class system” and that it does existin the U.S. — the country where he becamea citizen in 2016. “And it’s every bit as ruth-less as the class system in the U.K. — justless acknowledged.”

The second phase of the conference fea-tured two panels, the first focusing on “Op-portunity and Inequality” in the local edu-cation system and the second on “Tappingthe Workforce Assets in our Own Backyard.”The panelists all acknowledged the chal-lenges being faced in both those arenas, butoffered some creative actions that they aretaking in their areas of influence, from pub-lic education to workforce skill develop-ment, and inside major area employers.

One critical necessity that all of the pan-elists in the Workforce discussion agreedupon was the need to “upskill in place,” asKen Eisner, senior manager, Worldwide Edu-cation Programs Amazon Web Services de-scribed it. “It’s getting harder and harderto get in [to our region] and with the lackof affordable housing.”

Scott Ralls, president of Northern VirginiaCommunity College agreed that it was im-perative to enhance the skills and abilitiesof the people already in our communities.

AFTER THE CONFERENCE, some of theattendees reacted to the event.

Lisa Whetzel, of Fairfax City, is the execu-tive director of nonprofit Britepaths. Sheadmitted that even with her in-depth asso-ciation with the most vulnerable of theregion’s populace, some of the data fromthe Opportunity Index still came as a sur-prise, “but this is just the kind of informa-tion we all need. It’s local, granular.”

Whetzel also found the event “inspiringand uplifting. Together we can do things.”Immediately following the conference,Whetzel attended the quarterly meeting ofher peers in other nonprofits. “The confer-ence got us going with great conversationand idea exchanges. We will be really look-ing to see if we have taken a deep enoughdive through the equity lens.”

Martha Wilson, of Fairfax, was a repre-sentative of the business community at theconference, as a vice president withEagleBank in Tysons Corner. “EagleBank isalready a major philanthropic organization,doing quite a lot for the community. It’s amajor reason why I joined them, but I see

See Report Card, Page 5

“Shape of the Region” Conference reviews area’s Opportunity Indexand gathers leaders to discuss successes and challenges.

Northern Virginia’s Report Card Unveiled

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection

Attendees at the “Shape of the Region” Conference, hosted by the Com-munity Foundation for Northern Virginia with the Northern VirginiaChamber of Commerce, are introduced to the Opportunity Index – aninteractive reporting system offering detailed statistics on the area’ssocial and economic wellbeing.

Holly Seibold (left), of Vienna,founder and executive director ofnonprofit BRAWS and LisaWhetzel, executive director ofBritepaths, share some “shop talk”before the conference.

Martha Wilson, VP, C&I relation-ship manager for EagleBank, asksa question of a conference speaker.Wilson says the event “gave me anidea on how EagleBank might evenfurther enhance their philan-thropic corporate culture.”


Opinion

You can feel the change in the air. Thistime the victims — teenagers — areoutraged out loud about the deathsand wounding of their fellow stu-

dents, the terror, horror and trauma that willhaunt each of them in different ways for therest of their lives.

Instant activists from last week’s schoolshooting massacre in Florida, now connectedto so many others around the country, knowthat this was preventable, that mass shootings

can be stopped.Common sense tells them

that the shooter, a former class-mate, shouldn’t have had access

to guns of any kind, never mind an assault rifle.Common sense tells them that the absence ofthe most reasonable safeguards is a failure ofelected officials at both the federal and statelevel. Common sense tells them it’s time forreal accountability.

Gun control of course will be complicated.No one is trying to take guns away from themillions of Americans who are gun owners, butthe mavens of divisiveness, seeking to stokethe ire of gun owners, will tell them that whatactivists, what Democrats, what moms want isto take their guns away. It’s not true. But gunreform is more complicated and runs deeperthan donations from the NRA to elected offi-cials.

Anyone with common sense knows that ifwe don’t have systems in place to keep weap-ons capable of so much carnage in three min-utes out of the hands of someone so openlytroubled as the teenage shooter in Florida lastweek, then we are doomed to relive that dayin other tragedies, over and over.

“Wash, Rinse, Repeat.”

Steve A

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Another Assault on Common SensePerhaps this timemight be different.

Demonstrations of hundreds of protestersturned out in multiple places in the last fewdays. At NRA headquarters in Fairfax, atGeorge Mason High School for a candlelightvigil, in front of the White House.

“I’m with hundreds of Northern Virginiansat the NRA headquarters to mourn those lostat Parkland and to demand common sense gunsafety measures to protect our children frommassacre and violence,” U.S. Rep. GerryConnolly tweeted from the demonstration

there. “As a nation, how can we continue toallow this to happen?”

“I’m with the students calling for gun reformoutside the White House,” said U.S. Rep. DonBeyer. “So proud to see America’s young peopleleading the way. Stay mad, and stay focused.… Don’t let anyone tell you that there isn’thope, that we can’t fight for change and win.There is and we can.”

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Congress’sFailure onMass ShootingsTo the Editor:

Congress sits on its hands whilethe latest school shooting takes thelives of more innocent childrenand school personnel.

If members of Congress do notbelieve in protecting the health,safety and welfare of the Ameri-can people, why do they hold theiroffice? They swore to defend theUnited States against all enemies,foreign and domestic – “So helpme God.”

We need legislation, not hollowplatitudes. Congressmen can sup-port the Second Amendment andstill support reasonable gun con-trol, such as universal backgroundchecks, and controls on automaticweapons and bump stocks.

The vast majority of Americans

– Democrats, Republicans andNRA members alike – all supportsuch policies. But members of Con-gress are too afraid of the NRA’sthreats to fund a primary candi-date against them lest the Con-gressmen even talk about any formof gun control.

Congressmen should get wiseand relish such a debate, becausethe voters would support them.

If Congress does not do anythingthen We The People certainly can.We can exert our own Constitu-tional power and vote for candi-dates in the upcoming 2018 elec-tion who have the courage to standup to the NRA.

Barbara GlakasHerndon

Terrifying TalkTo the Editor:

I remember having drills in myschool when I was young, hiding

Letters to the Editor

under desks in case a nuclear at-tack was unleashed. I rememberwondering if my family would bealright and if they could find meafter the bomb, and if my deskwould protect me.

And now we have these nervousand easily irritated world leaderswho talk so casually about start-ing a nuclear exchange. Terrifying.Let us hope that cooler heads willprevail. There are no desks bigenough to protect us from anuclear war.

Meg WallaceHerndon

ProtectionsDismantledTo the Editor:

The following open letter was addressedto Our Elected Representative:

It is not hysterical to suggestthat every protection the aver-

age American has is being sys-tematically dismantled. The en-vironment, civil liberties, healthcare, safe infrastructure guaran-tees, financial oversight – every-thing of value that we haveachieved is being thrown opento the markets, which are notnoted for considering anythingbeyond profit.

Please vote your consciencewhen it comes to leaving behinda world in which your childrencan live and prosper. Our futuresare in immediate jeopardy. Weneed to be guided by somethingother than greed. This is a timefor statesmen, not yes men orwomen.

There is only one America.Please protect what keeps usunique and irreplaceable inthe world.

Lynn MobleyGreat Falls

Editorial

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Vienna & Oakton


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From Page 3

that we can do even more if weget the word out about our efforts,especially to our own employees.”

She also has an idea about theinternships that Reeves discussedduring the conference. Reevesnoted that employers highly valueinternships when making hiringdecisions, but many less-advantaged youth and youngadults cannot afford to take un-paid internships while theystruggle to pay for their educationand for the basics of daily life. “Ihave a suggestion on how we canhelp those young people, and pos-sibly assist some of our area non-profits at the same time.” Wilsonplans to get with her managementcolleagues at EagleBank and try toput her proposal into action.

Holly Seibold of Vienna is thefounder and executive director ofBRAWS — Bringing Resources toWomen’s Shelters and to low in-come and homeless youngwomen. Seibold found the eventmotivational. “It was a great event.Right after it was over, I sent anemail to Dr. McDade [superinten-dent of Manassas Park PublicSchools and a panelist at the con-ference] asking if his school dis-

trict would like to pilot a programwhere BRAWS would provide freefeminine hygiene products in therestrooms, at no cost to theschools.”

Julien Bois of Springfield, a part-ner with JustinBradley, a financialexecutive search, recruiting andinterim staffing company, gave theconference a thumbs up, and ku-dos to speaker Reeves for his “can-did responses to my questions.”

As the CommonwealthInstitute’s Cassidy reminded theconference attendees, the Oppor-tunity Index wasn’t developed tojust tell a static story about thegreater community, but rather asa tool that will help engaged citi-zens shape the future they wantto see in Northern Virginia. TheIndex is available on line and ac-cess is free at www.cfnova.org/opportunityindex.

News

Report Card Unveiled

Hudgins Hosts Town Hall MeetingsSupervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) will host two District Town

Halls on the FY2019 Budget. This is an opportunity to get an updateon the County and Fairfax County Public School FY 2019 Budgets, aswell as to participate in dialogue and discussions. Hudgins will hostthe Town Halls with presentations by County Executive Brian Hill, andstaff from Fairfax County Schools.

The first Town Hall will be on Saturday, Feb. 24, and will take placeat James Madison High School, 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna.The event starts at 9 a.m.

The second Town Hall will be on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m., atSouth Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston.

In addition, Department of Tax Administration staff will be availableto provide one-on-one consultation to senior and disabled residents ontax relief opportunities during the town hall hours.

For questions regarding the meetings, contact the Hunter Mill Dis-trict Office at 703-478-0283, or email to [email protected].

Virginia Heart Celebrates 25 YearsVirginia Heart is celebrating 25 years in its Park Street office location

and 40th year of serving patients in the Vienna community and sur-rounding area. Originally established by Robert Herron, D.O., and thenjoined by Carey Marder, M.D., Dean Pollock, M.D., Robert Shor, M.D.,and Pradeep Nayak, M.D. in the 1980s and 1990s, Virginia Heart (for-mally The Cardiovascular Group, P.C) serves the entire Northern Vir-ginia area through its nine offices and 45 physicians.

The Park Street office is now also served by Stuart Sheifer, M.D whojoined the group in 2000 and by Jennifer Shea, M.D. who joined in2016. Shea is one of five female cardiologists at Virginia Heart whofocuses on the needs of women’s heart care.

Virginia Heart just recently renovated the Park Street office into astate of the art facility in honor of their 25 years. The Vienna office islocated at 130 Park St., S.E., just south of Maple Avenue.

Week in Vienna

Julien Bois,of Spring-field, part-ner withJustinBradley,had posi-tive feed-back forthe event.


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News

By Marti Moore

The Connection

It’s Friday night in Fairfax.

Instead of going out for a weekend eveningof fun in Northern Virginia, more than 300people gathered outdoors on both sides of the

street at 11250 Waples Mill Road in front of theNational Rifle Association headquarters to lightcandles for the lives lost to gun violence.

For nearly an hour, they stood in the dark, coldnight to mourn the loss of 14 students and three fac-ulty members killed Feb. 14 in a South Florida highschool shortly before classes ended for the day.

According to the seven-page booking report at theBroward County Sheriff’s Office, Nikolas Jacob Cruz,19, entered the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HighSchool in Parkland, Fla., where he killed 17 peoplewith an AR-15 assault rifle he purchased a year ago.He was charged with 17 counts of first-degree pre-meditated murder following his capture and heldwithout bond, police records state.

“We should not be mourning yet another schoolshooting,” said Martina Leinz, president of the North-ern Virginia Chapter of the Brady Campaign To Pre-vent Gun Violence.

“Seventeen people murdered, 14 injured with amilitary-style assault weapon that has no businesson American streets, should never be in civilianhands,” she said.

“It was easier for this shooter to get a gun that hadthat firepower legally, than it would be to buy a six-pack of beer,” she said, “because he wasn’t old enoughfor the beer.”

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violenceclaims a law called an “Extreme Risk Protection Or-der” can remove guns temporarily from troubled in-dividuals like Cruz via court order. Florida does nothave this law, according to the Brady Campaignwebsite.

U.S. Rep.Gerry Connolly (D-11) also expressed hisdisdain at the Feb. 16 candlelight vigil by adding “the

NRA does have blood on its hands. They kill our chil-dren.”

He called for action, in three measures to protectthe American public: A ban on assault weapons, uni-versal background checks and close the gun showloophole.

“And those three things will make America moresafe,” he said.

Connolly says the reason we don’t have universalbackground checks is “because of the NRA and theirblood money.”

“And members of Congress and state legislatorswho are enthralled to that blood money, and havesacrificed our children at the altar of the NRA,” headded.

Connolly’s staff says the congressman knows theNRA is based in his district and rates lawmakers witha report card according to their voting record. In aprepared statement Connolly said: “Every year theNRA gives me an ‘F’ rating … and I couldn’t beprouder of that ‘F’.”

Photo by Marti Moore/The Connection

“We are not afraid,” is the phrase U.S.Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) sings Feb. 16with other participants. The group closeda candlelight vigil with Civil Rights an-them “We Shall Overcome” in front of theNational Rifle Association headquarters inFairfax.

Candlelight Vigil forFlorida Shooting VictimsProtesters at NRAheadquarters decrykillings, demand lawsto stem gun violence.


By Marilyn Campbell

Throughout the year, but more in-tensely during February, VincentIntondi, Ph.D., uses literature toteach aspects of African Ameri-

can history that are often overlooked orforgotten.

While slavery and the Civil Rights Move-ment are two of the most poignant periodsof Black history, Intondi, a professor of his-tory and the director of the Institute forRace, Justice, and Community Engagementat Montgomery College, and other educa-tors say reading books about lesser knownfigures and periods in African American his-tory is one way to paint a complete picture,not only of the history of African Americans,but American history as a whole.

“For example, while we focus on MalcolmX, after spending time with his daughter,Ilyasah, I came to realize just how muchhis wife Betty did and what she meant tothe family. Therefore having a book thatfocuses on her is important,” said Intondi,who is the author of “African AmericansAgainst the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Colo-nialism, and the Black Freedom Movement.”

“One could argue that there wouldn’t

have been a March on Washington were itnot for Bayard Rustin, but we don’t learnabout him because he was gay,” continuedIntondi. “So part of what’s important aboutthese books is not only that they are wellwritten and have amazing illustrations, butbecause of who they specifically focus on.”

Infusing reading with dramatization andmemorization, particularly with young chil-dren, is a technique that Ana Lado, Ph.D.,professor of Education at Marymount Uni-versity uses in her lessons. “I like to recom-mend award-winning books or books by

award-winning authors,” she said. “I alsopick books that can be part of a program[and] can be recited, can be dramatized,can be retold.”

“Books that I made students memorize[include] ‘I, Too, Am American’ and ‘MyPeople,’ both books of poetry by LangstonHughes; ‘I Have a Dream,’ [speech by Mar-tin Luther King, Jr. published as a book];‘Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,’ [speech byPresident Abraham Lincoln published as abook], ‘Martin’s Big Words: The Life ofMartin Luther King, Jr.,’ ‘Tar Beach’ and‘Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in theSky,’ [both by Faith Ringgold] and ‘If a BusCould Talk, the Story of Rosa Parks’ are bookthat my youngest students can dramatize,”said Lado.

“Underground: Finding the Light to Free-dom” by Shane W. Evans is another bookthat Lado encourages students to read. “Thisis the absolute easiest way to dramatize theUnderground Railroad,” she said. “I evenuse it with students with special needs andbeginning English learners.”

One quality to look for is books aboutmodern day African American heroes whowill likely go down in history. When com-piling recommend books for African History

Month displays, Henrik Sundqvist of theArlington Public Library said, “We try to picktitles which have been published within thelast five years.”

Among the books Arlington County Li-braries is recommending are: “Firebird: Bal-lerina Misty Copeland Shows a Young GirlHow to Dance Like a Firebird” by Copeland.

One book that offers a historical perspec-tive and deeper understanding of a currentissue, says Intond, is “The John CarlosStory” by Dave Zirin and John Carlos.“There is arguably no one better to writeabout sports, race, and politics than DaveZirin,” he said. “The book is great for a widerange of audiences. If one wants to under-stand Colin Kaepernick and what is happen-ing today in sports then they should readthis book.”

Using such narratives offers a deeper un-derstanding of America’s past and puts cur-rent happenings into perspective. “Studentscan learn and appreciate those who camebefore them, sacrificed, fought, put them-selves on the line and paid with their free-dom and lives for equality,” said Intondi.“Students will learn that they are part ofthe long movement for freedom and theytoo can change the world.”

Local educators suggest books to read in celebration of African American History Month.

Diving into Black History with Books

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

ONGOING“Jazz It Up!” Through March 3,

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atVienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Art exhibit. Free andopen to the public. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

Oakton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmers market inOakton. Local produce, meats/eggs,dairy, baked goods, and more.Admission is free. Visit community-foodworks.org.

THURSDAY/FEB. 22National Chili Day. 7 a.m.-midnight

at The Vienna Inn, 120 East MapleAve., Vienna. The Vienna Inn iscelebrating its 58th Anniversary.Vienna Inn will be creating newmemories for the remainder of themonth and will be offering specialsending in .58 on drinks and theirworld-famous chili dogs. Visitwww.ViennaInn.com.

Successful Writing Collaborations.7:30-9 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library,101 Maple Ave., E., Vienna. Learnfrom experienced mystery short storywriter and anthology collaborator,Josh Pachter. Find out about thisgrowing trend and how thecollaboration process works. JamesPatterson, Clive Cussler andCatherine Coulter, among others, arenow working with lesser knownauthors in collaborations that extendtheir reach and give “a leg up” tonew talent. Adults. Free. Call 703-938-0405 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/3756858.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 22-25Captioned Performances of “The

Farnsworth Invention.” Seedetailed schedule online. 1st Stage inTysons, 1524 Spring Hill Road,Tysons Corner. Writer Aaron Sorkin’ssignature style lends itself to thestory of the invention that changedour lives. $33 general admission,$30 seniors (65+), $15 students andmilitary. Purchase atwww.1ststage.org or 703-854-1856.

FRIDAY/FEB. 23Art Society Meeting. 9 a.m.-noon at

the Dolley Madison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Ave. Glen Kessler, arenowned pet portrait artist will bethe featured demonstrator. Hisartwork is collected internationallyand he has won many prizesincluding The Elizabeth GreenshieldsGrant for outstanding figure work.Guests are welcome. Call 703-653-9519.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 23-24“Little Women.” Friday, 7:30 p.m.;

Saturday, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. atThe Stage at Holy Trinity Church,850 Balls Hill Road, McLean.Oakcrest School presents“LittleWomen.” In celebration of 40 yearsof theatre, Oakcrest is offering freetickets to the matinee performanceon Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.Tickets available online or at thedoor: $15 general admission, flat rateof $50 for families of six or more.Free for 13 and under at theSaturday matinee are only availableonline atoakcrestuslittlewomen.eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY/FEB. 24Ric Ocasek: Abstract Reality. 7-9

p.m. at Wentworth Gallery, TysonsGalleria, 1807 U. International Drive,Tysons. Wentworth Galleries presentsRic Ocasek: Abstract Reality. Thecollection will be on exhibition andavailable for acquisition. Ric Ocasekof The Cars will make an in-personartist appearance. Complimentaryand open to the public, with RSVPsstrongly suggested. Visitwww.wentworthgallery.com.

SUNDAY/FEB. 25Yoga for Dogs. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

at SourceCore Studio, 144 Church StNW #102, Vienna. SourceCoreStudio is hosting a “Donations forDogs” yoga fundraiser for the LostDog & Cat Rescue Foundation. “Pawsand reflect” in this all-levels classdedicated to functional movementand wellness. Free, the event isdonation-based. Call 703-755-0891or visit www.sourcecorestudio.com/workshops for more.

Maple Syrup Boil-Down. Noon-2p.m. at Colvin Run Mill, 10017Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Thesap is rising and the maple trees aretapped. Now it’s sugaring time atColvin Run Mill. Watch and learn assap is boiled down into sweet syrupover an open fire. This is an outdoorprogram, dress for the weather. $5per person. No reservations required.Call 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill/maple-syrup.

Winter Traditional CelticConcerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Robin Bullock andSue Richards perform fireside.Tickets must be purchased inadvance through the link atoldbrogue.com: $18 generaladmission/$12 children under 12.Season ticket: $96/$60 children. Call703-759-3309.

Artist Reception. 5-7 p.m. at 1stStage in Tysons, 1524 Spring HillRoad, Tysons Corner. Artist receptionwith featured 10th Anniversarygallery artists. All are welcome. $33general admission, $30 seniors(65+), $15 students and military.Purchase at www.1ststage.org or703-854-1856.

MONDAY/FEB. 26Garden Club Meeting. 12:45

refreshments, 1 p.m. program atEmmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589Chain Bridge Road, Vienna. The AyrHill Garden Club (AHGC) presents“How To Choose And Prune Roses.”Guests are encouraged to attend.Learn more at www.facebook.com/ayrhillgardenclub/.

Navigating News Sources. 7-8 p.m.at Tysons Pimmit Regional Library,7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Learn tips for navigating the array ofnews sources and practice usingrespectful and positivecommunication techniques when

discussing hot button issues. Free.Call 703-790-8088 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/3958904.

TUESDAY/FEB. 27Beatrix Potter Tea. noon-1:30 p.m. at

Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Learn about thefamous author who brought PeterRabbit and his family to life at aBeatrix Potter Tea. Nibble oncupcakes and sip fruit punch or teawhile enjoying stories about Potter’sprecocious bunny family. Childrenage 2-6 will have a chance to meet areal white tail rabbit and learn whatwild bunnies do in the winter. $15per child; children must beaccompanied by an adult. Call 703-759-9018.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 2-3Library Book Sale. Friday, 11 a.m.-5

p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.;Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Largeselection of books and media for allages and interests. Sunday find booksfor half price or $10 per bag sale.Email [email protected] or call 703-790-4031.

SATURDAY/MARCH 3Live Music. 7 p.m. at Jammin’ Java,

227 Maple Ave., Vienna. Nora JanStruthers and The Party Lineperform. Tickets $15-25. Call 877-987-6487 or visit jamminjava.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 4Awards Banquet. 2:30 p.m. at the

McLean Hilton Hotel, 7920 JonesBranch Drive, McLean. The ExecutiveBoard of the Northern VirginiaFootball Hall of Fame will celebratetheir 28th Annual Awards Banquet.Festivities will begin with a socialgathering at 2:30 with dinner at3:30. The awards ceremony willimmediately follow. This event drawscelebrities and supporters from allover the area. For tickets, call 571-238-3565 or [email protected]. Forgeneral info., call 703-273-3216 oremail [email protected].

Winter Traditional CelticConcerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. IONA celebratesthe release of their new album“Signature.” Tickets must bepurchased in advance through thelink at oldbrogue.com: $18 generaladmission/$12 children under 12.Season ticket: $96/$60 children. Call703-759-3309.

MARCH 6-MAY 6Art Exhibition: “Bon Appetit.”

During gallery hours at the ViennaArts Center, 115 Pleasant St., NW,Vienna. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

By David Siegel

The Connection

Full of clever interac-tions and sharp dia-logue, the 1st Stageproduction of “The

Farnsworth Invention” is alively, fictional drama for a wideaudience. It is not only historybuffs who can find the produc-tion rousing entertainment. Forthose who have become im-mersed in current issues sur-rounding the growth of theinternet as a source of enter-tainment and news can becomeengrossed too.

“The Farnsworth Invention”was written by Aaron Sorkin(“The West Wing” and “TheSocial Network”). Under AlexLevy’s fluid direction, there is atheatrical tension to what mighthave been a mere lesson aboutthe past. In a regional premiere,Levy has taken Sorkin’s mul-tiple narrators and alternativeversions of the truth to becomea lively battle between two ti-tans of invention. They areDavid Sarnoff and PhiloFarnsworth.

Sarnoff (portrayed with de-termined gusto by Jonathan LeeTaylor) is an immigrant toAmerica from the strife of Rus-sia. He is now a self-made NewYork City media mogul.Farnsworth (played by SamLudwig as a driven individualwith an “Oh Gosh” tempera-ment) is a self-taught technicalgenius who grew up in Idahoand Utah. Each of these twocould see a future world otherscould not.

Beyond Ludwig and Taylor,Levy has cast a diverse en-semble of a dozen who performwith zest dozens-upon-dozensof roles. The other characters in“The Farnsworth Invention”surround, support, enable and

survive Sarnoff and Farnsworth.Two to mention are the ulti-mately disappointed wives:Lizette Sarnoff played by LizMamana and Pem Farnworthportrayed by Amanda Forstrom.There are also comic scenes thatbring well-deserved laughter.

Kathyrn Kawecki’s industrialdesign, two-story, metal scaf-folding of a set provides anopen, airy structure to the show.With the energy provided byappropriate hassled-appearingmovements (Amanda Forstrom)and a streaming ambient sounddesign by Ethan Balis, there isadded visual and aural interest.

There is a lot to take in at“The Farnsworth Invention” asit bends facts about who willgain the final hand to developcommercially viable televisionavailable for more than an up-per-class toy. There is plenty oflively personal commentary onthe 20th century period thatFarnsworth and Sarnoff inhabit;including who should controlthe airwaves.

In its last scene, “TheFarnsworth Invention” is morethan just an entertainingevening looking backwards.The show becomes a parallelinquiry to the building of thecommercially viable internetand social media.

Where & When1st Stage presents “The

Farnsworth Invention” at 1524Spring Hill Road, McLean.Performances through March 11,2018. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.;Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 7p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m.Tickets: Adult general admission$33, seniors $30, students/military$15. Note: 1st Stage recentlyreceived 10 Helen Hayes nomina-tions for professional theaterexcellence. Nominations includetwo for “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’Train,” six for “Ma Rainey’s BlackBottom,” and two for “Trevor.”

‘The Farnsworth Invention’ at1st Stage in Tysons

An EntertainingEvening, and More

Jacob Yeh, Sam Ludwig,Matthew Sparacino,

Tendo Nsubuga, JeremyKeith Hunter, Caroline

Wolfson, MichaelCrowley, Gary Dubreuil,

Katrina Clark, FrankBritton, Edward Chris-

tian, and AmandaForstrom in “The

Farnsworth Invention”at 1st Stage.

Photo by Teresa Castracane/Courtesy of 1st Stage

Yoga for DogsSourceCore Studio is hosting a

“Donations for Dogs” yogafundraiser for the Lost Dog & CatRescue Foundation. “Paws andreflect” in this all-levels classdedicated to functional movementand wellness. Free, the event isdonation-based. Sunday, Feb. 25,11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. atSourceCore Studio, 144 Church StNW #102, Vienna. Call 703-755-0891 or visitwww.sourcecorestudio.com/workshops for more.

Calendar


Address .............................. BR FB HB .... Postal City ....Sold Price .... Type ............ Lot AC . PostalCode ..................... Subdivision10308 MYSTIC MEADOW WAY... 4 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON...... $1,240,000 .... Detached .......... 0.90 ....... 22124 ..................... HUNTERBROOKE10300 MYSTIC MEADOW WAY... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON...... $1,180,000 .... Detached .......... 1.46 ....... 22124 ..................... HUNTERBROOKE1491 BROADSTONE PL .............. 5 ... 4 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ...... $1,150,000 .... Detached .......... 0.26 ....... 22182 .......................... CARRINGTON8407 TYSONS TRACE CT ........... 4 ... 5 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ...... $1,145,000 .... Detached .......... 0.18 ....... 22182 ........................ TYSONS TRACE11219 SORREL RIDGE LN .......... 5 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON...... $1,090,000 .... Detached .......... 2.01 ....... 22124 ................................. FOX LAKE201 PLEASANT ST SW ............... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ...... $1,050,000 .... Detached .......... 1.23 ....... 22180 ......... ANDREW MINOR ESTATE2771 OAKTON PLANTATION LN .... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ...... $1,050,000 .... Detached .......... 0.25 ....... 22181 ............. OAKTON PLANTATION10001 CLOVERDALE PL ............. 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ...... $1,025,000 .... Detached .......... 0.63 ....... 22182 ........................ CARPERS FARM10032 SCENIC VIEW TER ........... 4 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $990,000 .... Detached .......... 0.54 ....... 22182 ........................ CARPERS FARM10305 LYNNHAVEN PL ............... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $946,000 .... Detached .......... 0.15 ....... 22124 .. HEARTHSTONE VILLAGE OAK9814 MEADOW VALLEY DR ....... 6 ... 4 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $872,500 .... Detached .......... 0.37 ....... 22181 ..................... GUNNELL FARMS9505 LAURLIN CT ...................... 6 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $860,000 .... Detached .......... 0.66 ....... 22182 .............................BEAU RIDGE1905 TRUMPET CT .................... 4 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $830,000 .... Detached .......... 0.36 ....... 22182 ............ SYMPHONY HILL WEST211 CERET CT SW ..................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $815,000 .... Detached .......... 0.31 ....... 22180 ..................... WILSON ESTATES8429 HUNT VALLEY DR ............. 4 ... 2 ... 2 ........ VIENNA ......... $815,000 .... Detached .......... 0.22 ....... 22182 .............. WESTWOOD ESTATES3318 MILLER HEIGHTS RD ........ 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $814,000 .... Detached .......... 0.60 ....... 22124 ............................. TATTERSALL1757 NEVAR CT ......................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $810,000 .... Detached .......... 0.52 ....... 22182 ............................. SUN VALLEY2105 KEDGE DR ........................ 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $788,250 .... Detached .......... 0.37 ....... 22181 .............................. BALMORAL2814 SAINT CROIX DR ............... 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ VIENNA ......... $765,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.04 ....... 22180 .................. PROVIDENCE PARK8102 MADRILLON CT ................ 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $765,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.05 ....... 22182 ...... COLONIES OF MADRILLON9206 BOIS AVE .......................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $750,000 .... Detached .......... 0.35 ....... 22182 ............................. TRAILS THE10178 CASTLEWOOD LN ........... 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ OAKTON......... $730,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.07 ....... 22124 ................... WYANT PROPERTY2918 MELANIE LN ..................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $724,900 .... Detached .......... 0.50 ....... 22124 ..................... MILLER HEIGHTS8816 HUNTING LODGE CT ........ 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $715,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.02 ....... 22182 ..................... TYSONS VILLAGE8261 ELECTRIC AVE .................. 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ VIENNA ......... $710,000 .... Detached .......... 0.14 ....... 22182 ......... WEDDERBURN HEIGHTS2713 CURZON CT ...................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $690,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.07 ....... 22181 .................... VIRGINIA CENTER408 WALKER ST SW .................. 4 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $627,000 .... Detached .......... 0.28 ....... 22180 ...................... VIENNA WOODS12105 WAYLAND ST .................. 5 ... 4 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $625,000 .... Detached .......... 0.49 ....... 22124 ................ VALEWOOD MANOR2916 ELMRIDGE CT ................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $611,000 .... Detached .......... 0.08 ....... 22124 ................. OAK MARR COURTS515 KIBLER CIR SW ................... 4 ... 3 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $610,000 .... Detached .......... 0.23 ....... 22180 ...................... VIENNA WOODS9540 DANIEL LEWIS LN ............. 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $610,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.07 ....... 22181 ......... FAIRFAX METRO SQUARE1110 PEKAY ST SW .................... 4 ... 3 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $600,000 .... Detached .......... 0.25 ....... 22180 ...................... VIENNA WOODS9646 SCOTCH HAVEN DR .......... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ VIENNA ......... $579,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.04 ....... 22181 ..................... COUNTRY CREEK205 PATRICK ST SW ................... 3 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $565,000 .... Detached .......... 0.24 ....... 22180 ...................... VIENNA WOODS2813 OAKTON MANOR CT ........ 4 ... 3 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $535,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.14 ....... 22124 ..................... OAKTON MANOR10614 HUNTER STATION RD ..... 0 ... 0 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $512,500 .... Detached .......... 2.15 ....... 22181 ............. PINEY CREEK ESTATES3201 WHITE FLINT CT ............... 4 ... 2 ... 2 ........ OAKTON......... $497,500 .... Townhouse ....... 0.06 ....... 22124 ............................ ARROWOOD3226 WHITE FLINT CT ............... 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ OAKTON......... $491,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.06 ....... 22124 ............................ ARROWOOD10458 WHITE GRANITE CT ........ 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $489,900 .... Townhouse ....... 0.04 ....... 22124 ............................ ARROWOOD2971 BORGE ST ......................... 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ OAKTON......... $474,500 .... Townhouse ....... 0.04 ....... 22124 .......... CHERRYWOOD SQUARE10401 HUNTER STATION RD ..... 3 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $450,000 .... Detached .......... 0.83 ....... 22181 .................... HUNTER STATION10317 BUSHMAN DR ................. 3 ... 2 ... 2 ........ OAKTON......... $445,000 .... Townhouse ....... 0.03 ....... 22124 ............... EVERGREEN SQUARE10347 GRANITE CREEK LN ........ 3 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $437,650 .... Townhouse ....... 0.06 ....... 22124 ... FLINT HILL MANOR TOWNHSE2908 JERMANTOWN RD #24 .... 4 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON......... $426,000 .... Townhouse ...................... 22124 .......................... TREEBROOKE2765 CENTERBORO DR #466 .... 2 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $407,500 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22181 . MARQUIS AT VIENNA STATION2791 CENTERBORO DR #471 .... 2 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $390,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22181 .... MARQUIS AT VIENNA STATN10300 BUSHMAN DR #104 ........ 3 ... 2 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $337,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22124 .......................... TREEBROOKE10206C ASHBROOKE CT #15 .... 2 ... 2 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $322,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22124 ....................... TREVOR HOUSE2711 BELLFOREST CT #308 ...... 2 ... 2 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $315,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22180 ............................. WESTBRIAR10122 OAKTON TERRACE RD .... 2 ... 2 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $300,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22124 ........................... THE OAKTON2791 CENTERBORO DR #270 .... 1 ... 1 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $247,500 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22181 .... MARQUIS AT VIENNA STATN2710 BELLFOREST CT #105 ...... 1 ... 1 ... 0 ........ VIENNA ......... $231,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22180 ............................. WESTBRIAR3176 SUMMIT SQ DR #4-E4 ...... 1 ... 1 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $220,000 .... Penthouse ........................ 22124 ........ FOUR WINDS AT OAKTON3175 SUMMIT SQ DR #5-C4 ...... 1 ... 1 ... 0 ........ OAKTON......... $211,000 .... Garden 1-4 Floors ............. 22124 ........ FOUR WINDS AT OAKTON

Copyright 2018 MarketStats for ShowingTime. Source: Bright MLS as of February 15, 2018.

Home Sales In January 2018, 54 homes sold between $1,240,000-$211,000 inthe Vienna and Oakton area.

The American Association ofUniversity Women (AAUW)Vienna Branch’s February pro-gram, featuring Sister SimoneCampbell, author of “A Nun onthe Bus,” was attended by atleast 175 people on Saturday,Feb. 10 at the newly-reopenedVienna Community Center. TheCommunity Center donatedtheir large meeting room for theevent and Patrick Henry Libraryco-sponsored the program.

Sister Simone’s warmth andcompassion connected with theaudience as she focused on theproblems of poverty in the U.S.She explained that between1949 and 1979, the income ofpeople in every economic cat-egory doubled. However, thisshared experience changedthereafter, with the largest in-come increases (accounting for inflation) goingto the top 20 percent income category and the

lowest 20 percent income cat-egory experiencing a 9 percentdecline in income. However, thetop 5 percent and 1 percent ofincome earners experienced a100.6 percent and 170 percentincrease in income, respectively.

The Sister discussed severalreasons for this change andurged that every person needsto do their part, by finding arole and beginning to talk witheach other – even those wedon’t agree with and even in thegrocery store. She pointed outthat if individuals are not con-nected with each other, there isa failure of hope. Also, eachperson should continuouslycommunicate their views on is-sues to their U.S. Representa-tive and Senators.

Sister Simone emphasized thatour Nation can only heal when the lowest incomeearners do better.

‘A Nun on the Bus’Author Speaks in Vienna

Photo contributed

Sister Simone Campbell


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors an-nounced they are hosting a series of free 2018 TaxRelief Workshops for older adults and people withdisabilities in late February and March at several lo-cations throughout the county. Both real estate andvehicle tax relief are available for adults over 65 yearsof age and people with disabilities who meet certainqualifications.

The fairfaxcounty.gov website states staff from theFairfax County Department of Tax Administration(DTA) will be at the locations to assist with fillingout the application form, as well as answering ques-tions. No appointment is necessary.

Two workshops will be hosted by Supervisor JohnW. Foust (D-Dranesville), March 12 and March 14,10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the McLean District Office, 1437Balls Hill Road, McLean. Call 703-356-0551.

Three workshops will be hosted by SupervisorCatherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), two in Restonand one in Vienna. The Reston workshops are March8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400South Lakes Drive, Reston - 703-478-0283 and onMarch 20, 10 a.m. to noon at the North County Gov-ernment Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston.A Vienna workshop is on Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.at Madison High School (Lecture Hall), 2500 JamesMadison Drive in Vienna.

According to the Fairfax County Government, “Toqualify for real estate tax relief, you must be at least65 years of age, or permanently and totallydisabled...The gross income from all sources of theowners of the dwelling and any relatives of the own-ers who reside in the dwelling may not exceed$72,000...The total combined net assets of ownersof the dwelling and of the spouse of any owner whoresides in the dwelling may not be greater than$340,000, not including the value of the home, itsfurnishings and the homesite (up to one acre of land).

Renters, who meet the age, disability, residency,and income requirements, as well as other require-

Tax Relief Workshops To Be Held inMcLean, Reston and Vienna

Send school notes to [email protected] by noonon Friday.

Thomas House, of Vienna, wasnamed to the East Stroudsburg Uni-versity (Pa.) fall 2017 dean’s list.House is a senior majoring in busi-ness management.

Mamie Henshaw, of Vienna, anexercise and sport science major, wasnamed to the fall 2017 dean’s list atCoastal Carolina University(Conway, S.C.).

Michael Kerr, of Vienna, a hos-pitality, resort, and tourismmanagement major, was named tothe fall 2017 dean’s list at CoastalCarolina University (Conway, S.C.).

Nicole Papathanassiou, ofVienna, a marine science major, wasnamed to the fall 2017 dean’s list atCoastal Carolina University(Conway, S.C.).

Charles Welling, a resident ofVienna, has been named to theEmerson College (Boston, Mass.)dean’s list for the fall 2017 semester.Welling is majoring in media artsproduction.

Cathleen Pfeiff, of Oakton, wasnamed to the dean’s honor list for thefall semester of the 2017-2018 academicyear.

Sophia Deguzman, of Vienna, wasnamed to the dean’s list for the fall se-mester of the 2017-2018 academic year.

Eva Glick, of Vienna, was named tothe dean’s list for the fall semester of the2017-2018 academic year.

Douglas Streeten, of Vienna, wasnamed to the dean’s honor list for thefall semester of the 2017-2018 academicyear.

Katharine Olson, of Vienna, wasnamed to the dean’s list at Furman Uni-versity (Greenville, S.C.) for the fall2017 semester. Olson is the daughter ofDeborah Malac and Ronald Olson.

Longfellow Middle School’sModel United Nations Club earnedthe Outstanding School Award at the13th annual Gar-Field High SchoolModel UN conference in Woodbridge.

Delegates sought resolution to issuessuch as the world-wide poaching crisisand the South China Sea conflict alongwith one committee set in the futurefocused on the potential of life in space.In addition to the United Nations com-

mittees, there was one centered onthe Justice League.

Individual awards includedChanyoo Lee, Outstanding Del-egate award as Superman on theJustice League committee; on theUNI Space 2068 committee: ErikaLi and Valerie Li, Outstanding Del-egate representing Chile, and KacyLee and Odessa Zhang, honorablemention for their representation ofthe Russian Federation; on the UNOffice on Drugs and Crime, NylaMarcott and Anna Raymondearned a verbal commendation rep-resenting the Philippines; honorablementions went to Eve Ginsbergand Cathy Zhang for representingCuba, Jin Shin and Kyra Li for rep-resenting Colombia, and Julia Tanand Cynthia Ma for representingthe United Kingdom. In the SpecialPolitical and Decolonization commit-tee: Justin Dong and Jeanie Qiearned the Best Delegate award forrepresenting France; Blaire Zhaoand James Hoadley earned a ver-bal commendation for representingthe United Arab Emirates, and hon-orable mentions went to YusufGunter-Rahman and SimalMann, who represented the UnitedStates, and Kevin Fan and ElliottLee, who represented Japan.

ments, can qualify for taxrelief under the Tax ReliefProgram. The county re-minds applicants when theycome to a workshop to besure to bring with them acopy of their lease agree-ment and rental receipts orcanceled checks for eachmonth of the previous yeardocumenting the amount ofrent paid.

As for vehicle (“car”) taxrelief, the county states ap-plicants must be at least 65years of age, or perma-nently and totally disabled,as of Jan. 1 of the applica-tion year and reside inFairfax County; the ex-empted vehicle must beowned and used primarilyby the applicant, and taxrelief will only be grantedon one vehicle. Also, thegross income of the appli-cant may not exceed$22,000. The total com-bined net assets of the ap-

plicant and spouse may not exceed $75,000. Otherconditions also apply.

Tax relief is available on mobile homes used asfull-time residences.

Fairfax County reminds individuals that returningapplicants must file between January 1 and April 1.

For more detailed information and qualificationsgo to fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/relief/tax-relief-se-niors-people-with-disabilities.

— Mercia Hobson

DranesvilleDistrict Supervi-sor John Foust(D)

Hunter MillSupervisor CathyHudgins (D)

School Notes


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Either it was the programming on CBS wewere “demanding,” or the recorded pro-gramming we were watching from PBS; butfor the week it was, repeatedly, and I meanREPEATEDLY, we were subjected to the samecommercials over and over again. Torturedoesn’t begin to describe the excruciatingreaction I had every time I saw the samepeople saying the same words. Instead ofturning me on to the product or services, ithad quite the opposite effect: it tuned meoff. Buy what they were selling? More likegood-bye.

Not that I understand the strategy behindtelevision and/or radio advertising/promotingas I have zero experience. But I do havesome experience, 21 years in fact, sellingnewspaper/display advertising. And whatknowledge I’ve gained says advertising fre-quently in multiple media platforms is thekey to success. Picking and choosing resultsin hitting and missing. But hitting me con-stantly without missing a beat is hard to taketoo, and not necessarily managing the consis-tency desirable for most businesses to thrive.Moreover, bludgeoning me into submis-sion/buying is not creating a positive experi-ence either and one not likely to lead torepeat business.

With respect to this test – of will power, Ican’t help wondering if there’s a tippingpoint of sorts when the con-sumer/watcher/listener becomes less inter-ested/more antagonistic to the message andby association, perhaps even less tolerant ofthe medium. Not that one can, generallyspeaking, blame the messenger, but whenunder the constant barrage of repetition,which in this instance I was forced to endure(“on demand” disables the fast-forward func-tion so it forces you to sit and squirm), youwant to blame someone, anyone. Too muchof a good thing is not, after awhile, a goodthing; and I’m being kind in mycharacterization.

Having seen the same commercial forwhat seemed like a dozen times, over a con-densed period of time, during nearly everycommercial break, I can’t imagine how Icould place my head on this pillow and notsee this man from Minnesota, his warehousestaff, and most disturbingly, his presencewhen I open my medicine cabinet. Sleep?Hardly. More like shock and not awe as I laymy head down to rest. Visions of sugar plumfairies or sheep prancing over a fence I’maccustomed to, but a man with a moustachetelling me what he knew he would about myreaction to his pillow, I can’t quite abide.

Relax? More like reacts. Presumably if themessage, messenger or medium is somehowdisturbing in its consumer/market penetra-tion; rather than being clear, concise andeffective, all that was hoped to have beengained is lost in the muddle. And preciousdollars wasted in the process. I imagine thequestion becomes: How much is too much,and how much is not enough? (Other thansports and chocolate, I wouldn’t know.)

All I know is what my reaction has beento seeing and hearing endless (or so itseemed) repetition: almost visceral. I’m sortof angry and put upon for having had to lis-ten so much to learn so little. And though Ican certainly appreciate its context and pre-sumptive strategy, I still can’t help feeling likea victim of sorts; the cost of doing business, Isuppose. I understand that watching what Iwant requires watching some of what I don’twant; it’s a trade. A trade I can balanceexcept when what I don’t want to watch hasa stronger/more negative impact on me thandoes the programming I want to watch.

Remember the goal is to capture myattention, not abuse it.

His PillowSubmit civic/community announcements at

ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

THURSDAY/FEB. 22Leading from the Inside Out. 7-9 p.m. at

Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland St.,Falls Church. Energy Management: Leading withIntention and Purpose-learn how to: identifywhat fills and depletes your energy tanks. $25-40. To RSVP visitwotrsleadinginsideout.eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY/FEB. 24Town Hall Meeting. 9-11 a.m. at James Madison

High School, 2500 James Madison Drive,Vienna. Supervisor Hudgins will host a TownHall Meeting on this year’s budget. Hearpresentations from County and Public Schoolsstaff on their respective budget plans forFY2019. Q&A will follow the presentations. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill.

Monthly Meeting. 10 a.m. at the McLeanCommunity Center Temporary Space, 6645 OldDominion Drive, McLean (located in theshopping center with Balducci’s). The McLeanArea AAUW Branch will host its monthlymeeting, featuring Rebecca Baird, archivist forthe Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Baird willhelp celebrate the birthday of our first presidentby sharing the story of one woman whomanaged to buy his run down home and turn itin to the visitor and research center, MountVernon. All are welcome. Visit mclean-va.aauw.net.

Financial Planning and Medical Directives.10-11:30 a.m. at Charles Wesley UnitedMethodist Church, The Hunger Church, 6817Dean Drive, McLean. Local professional speakersto walk participants through the process ofputting affairs in order and to answer questions.Free. Visit www.TheHungerChurch.org.

MONDAY/FEB. 26Citizens Information Meeting. 7 p.m. at

Franklin Sherman Elementary School Cafeteria,6633 Brawner St., McLean. The McLean CitizensAssociation will host Dr. Scott Brabrand, thenew Superintendant of Fairfax County PublicSchools. Brabrand will discuss his priorities andchallenges and provide residents with anopportunity to ask questions. Contact David Lee,[email protected], for more.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 281 Million Cups. 8:30 a.m. networking; 9-10 a.m.

program at Make Offices at Tysons, 1751Pinnacle Drive, Suite 600, McLean. Each week adifferent business owner gives a brief six-minutepresentation about where they are in theirbusiness. They then offer up a challengequestion about a new idea, product, expansionor something they are facing in their business.The group then masterminds solutions. Free andopen to the public. Visit 1millioncups.com/.

MCC Governing Board Meeting. 7:30 p.m. atMCC Administrative Offices, 6631 Old DominionDrive, McLean. All meetings of the GoverningBoard are open to the public. Tax districtresidents (Dranesville District-1A) who wish tospeak during the “Citizen Comment” portion ofthe meeting, should call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the agenda.Visit www.mcleancenter.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 1Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at

UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adult familymembers with dementia. First and thirdThursdays of every month. Hosted by Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org. Call 703-821-6838 or email [email protected].

SATURDAY/MARCH 3Nomination Deadline. The Town of Vienna is

calling on members of the community tonominate both peers as well as local businesseswho, through efforts large and small, makeVienna a better community in which to live.Those wishing to recognize a hometown hero,anyone who volunteers their time or offersassistance in any way to enhance communitylife, should complete the volunteer nominationform at viennava.gov/volunteers.

Bulletin


Sports

The Oakton High girls basketballteam defeated the MadisonWarhawks 50-38 at Chantilly High

School for the Concorde District Champi-onship on Feb. 16.

Madison established an early 12-8 advan-tage after the first 8 minutes of play.

Oakton outscored Madison 11-10 in the2nd quarter to cut into the Madison lead,but Madison would take a 22-19 halftimeadvantage.

In the 3rd quarter Oakton would nearlytriple Madison’s production 20-7, to takethe lead for good and give the Lady Cou-gars a 39-29 advantage with a quarter toplay.

The 4th quarter saw Oakton outscore theLady Warhawks,11-9.

Oakton was led by Emma Coleman’s 13points while teammates Hannah Kaloi andKate Vietmeyer each added 10. Madisonwas led by Caroline Trotter with 12 pointsand Diana Miskell’s 10.

Both teams advance to the Regional Tour-nament. Oakton has a first round bye andwill play the winner of South Lakes-Battle-field on Feb. 21. Madison will face Yorktownon Feb. 20 in the first round. Marshall willtake on Centreville, Patriot will take onHerndon and Stonewall Jackson will takeon Westfield. The winner of the Westfield-Stonewall Jackson will play Langley in thesecond round and the winner of Madison-Yorktown will play at Osbourn Park.

— Will Palenscar

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue De-partment has announced that Lt. MarcDavidson, Training Academy, has beenselected as recipient of the 2017Governor’s Fire Service Award forFirefighter of the Year. The Governor’sFire Service Awards were established asa formal recognition of excellence inVirginia’s Fire Services.

Davidson was recognized for his tire-less efforts to enhance a number of cer-tification courses and officer develop-ment training in the department. He haswritten curriculum for several coursesand was the driving force behind a con-tinuing education series titled “RidingThe Seat.” This series is so popular thatfire and rescue personnel from across the

region are requesting to attend.Davidson was also instrumental in gain-

ing delegated authority from the VirginiaDepartment of Fire Programs which allowsthe department to deliver and certify alltraining courses delivered at the Academy.

The 2017 Governor’s Awards will be pre-sented during the Opening Ceremonies ofthe 2018 Virginia Fire-Rescue Conferenceon Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. The ceremo-nies will commence at 8:30 a.m.

Oakton Girls BecomeDistrict Champions

Oakton’s Mina Mori #14 dribblesthe ball up the court whileMadison’s Katy Sharon #44 appliespressure.

Madison’s Katy Sharon #44 drivespast Oakton’s Peyton Perine #40.

The Concorde District All Conference Team, from left, includes CoachNoel Klippenstein (Westfield); Player of the Year, Nicki McNamara(Westfield); Katy Sharon (Madison); Meghan O’Brien (Chantilly); PeytonPerine (Oakton); and Callie Doyle (Centreville).

The Oakton Cougars defeated the Madison Warhawks 50-38 to earn theConcorde District Tournament Championship.

Photos by Will Palenscar

Firefighter of the Year

From left: Fire Chief Rich-ard Bowers, Battalion Chief

Kelly, Battalion Chief Will-iams, Lt. Marc Davidson,Deputy Chief Duke, andBattalion Chief Hunter.

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