roxanne lypka and dad gerry pose by a 1966 cor- vette...

WellbeingPage 8

Principal’sBack-to-School ReportNews, 2

Probation, Time Served Are Given to HarrisonNews, Page 3

Cool Cars on a Hot DayNews, Page 3

Roxanne Lypka and dad Gerry pose by a 1966 Cor-vette Stingray during the Fairfax City/Clifton Lions Club Labor Day Car Show on Monday, Sept. 3.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com September 6-12, 2018

Opi

nio

n, Pag

e 6 v

Enter

tai

nm

ent, Pag

e 10

v

C

lass

ified

s, P

age

14Photo b

y Bonnie

Hobb

s/T

he

Connec

tio

n

Postal CustomerECR WSS

Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.

Requested in home 9-7-18

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322

2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ September 5-11, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

7/31/18. 7/31/18.

7/31/18.

7/31/18.

7/31/18.

7/31/18. 7/31/18.

7/31/18.

7/31/18.

7/31/18.

ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

Fairfax Connection ❖ September 5-11, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsFairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

The Fairfax City/Clifton Lions Club Labor DayCar Show was Monday, Sept. 3.Cool Cars on a Hot Day

Bob Williams proudly displays his 2019 ZR1 Corvette. Only 1,500 will bemade, and he’s had this car for a week.

Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection

Jay Knakmuhs peruses a 1951 Willys Jeep.

From left, Ian Fromknecht, 9, dad Chris and friend Tom, 9, look at a1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

Dignitaries attending included (from left) former City Councilman JeffGreenfield, Councilman Michael DeMarco, State Sen. George Barker (D-39), U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) and event organizer Jim Chesleyand wife Jennifer.

Opera singer Angela Knight sings the National Anthem at the event.

Marla Trunzo strikes a pose infront of a 1982 DeLorean with aflux capacitator.

Edson Zamorano and son Max, 4,look under the hood of a 1972Plymouth Barracuda.


News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

For a while at least, IshmaelHarrison derailed his own forward progress.

Less than four months awayfrom graduating from Fairfax High, his fu-ture looked bright. He played football andlacrosse for his school and had a scholar-ship to LSU. Then he made threats againsthis school.

Harrison’s action led to an arrest and jailtime. And if he doesn’t walk the straight andnarrow some or all of the suspended prisonsentence he recently received could be im-posed and he’d be back behind bars.

The trouble began Feb. 21, whenHarrison, an 18-year-old senior, sent outanonymous tweets threatening harm, thenext day, to Fairfax High students, schoolpersonnel and police. Fortunately for every-one concerned – including him – he didn’t

carry out his plans. But his threats scaredmany students and parents; and as a result,a large number of students stayed home thatday.

HARRISON’S ACTIONS also constituteda felony. And on June 11, in Fairfax CountyCircuit Court, he pleaded guiltyto making threats to commit se-rious bodily harm to persons onschool property. Answeringspecific questions from JudgePenney Azcarate, the teen ad-mitted that he was entering hisplea because he was, in fact,guilty.

Explaining the prosecution’scase against Harrison, AssistantCommonwealth’s AttorneyGreg Holt said that, on Feb. 21,around 3:45 p.m., Harrisonsent the following tweets – (minus someprofanity, but typed as they appeared) –from his cellphone while on school grounds:

“2/22/18 i am coming and no one canstop me, be prepared. I SWEAR ON MYDAMN LIFE I AM COMING AND THE COPSCAN GET IT TOO.

“I hate that damn school so much. i hatethe people and all the students there. You

guys suspended me for skipping. I have beenplanning this for months now and now iam going to act. Better watch out Fairfax.”

Accompanying the tweets was a pictureof an AR15 assault rifle. And according toFairfax City police, officers found 200rounds of ammunition for an AR15 in

Harrison’s home when theyexecuted a search warrantthere on March 2. Police alsodiscovered a video of Harrisondoing target practice at ashooting range.

Students reading these tweetsimmediately told the school’spolice SRO (school resource of-ficer), administration and theirparents, and police began inves-tigating. But the damage wasdone because Harrison’s chill-ing words sent shockwaves of

fear throughout the school community.“There were dozens of tweets in return,”

said Holt. “And 1,601 students were absentthe following day.” Taking the threats seri-ously, on Feb. 22, police posted officers atall City schools.

ON MARCH 3, police identified Harrisonas the person who’d sent the tweets. Fur-

thermore, they provided his age, descrip-tions of both him and his car, and his li-cense-plate number, to the public. Theyobtained arrest warrants for him, said heshould be considered “armed and danger-ous” and urged anyone seeing him or know-ing where he was to contact them.

In a news release the next day, policeasked Harrison to turn himself in; and onMarch 5, he did. He was then arrested andheld without bond in the Adult DetentionCenter. Police also charged him with onecount of possession of child pornographyafter allegedly finding pornographic imagesof a juvenile on his electronics.

Harrison appeared in General DistrictCourt on April 30 before Judge SusanStoney and waived his right to a prelimi-nary hearing. At that time, his pornogra-phy charge was dropped. But on May 21,he was indicted by the grand jury on thethreat charge.

After Harrison’s guilty plea, Azcarate re-manded him back to jail to await sentenc-ing on Aug. 17. At that time, he returned tocourt and was sentenced to five years inprison, with all of that time suspended, ex-cept for what he’d already served in jail.He was also placed on three years’ super-vised probation.

Student sentenced forthreatening harm atFairfax High.

Probation, Time Served Are Given to Harrison

Ishmael Harrison

By Ken Moore

The Connection

The Board of Supervisors, on July31, reduced the minimum agerequirement at The Woodlands

Retirement Community in Fairfax. Thecase, discussed by the Planning Commis-sion earlier in July, led to a discussionabout impervious surface, parking spacesand seniors who wish to keep their cars.

“As we’ve seen in other cases, seniorliving often needs more cars becausepeople who live there are keeping theircars longer,” said Braddock District Plan-ning Commissioner Ellen Hurley.

Vice Chairman and at-large commis-sioner James Hart asked, “Do we have aformula or other criteria for evaluatinghow many parking spaces are needed forsenior housing generally?”

Hurley said, “I believe that the currentformula is one parking space for fourunits which is found to be way under.”

“Is the formula obsolete,” said Hart?“Do we have a formula that needs to berevisited?” he asked.

Lynne Strobel, land use attorney, rep-resented Woodlands Retirement Commu-nity, in the specific case before the Plan-ning Commission and Board of Supervi-

sors. “So what has happened, and I thinkthis is not just on this property, I’ve seenthis at other locations that I’ve worked on,if someone who is older does not use theircar, they want to have a car, because it’s asymbol of independence. They know it’ssomething they could use it if they wantedto,” said Strobel.

“Parking is such a quality of life issue, itmakes people so angry that there aren’tenough parking spaces and we have enoughapartments or town houses where peopleare fighting about that sort of thing. If theformula is stale, maybe it’s a suggestion toput it on the work program to reevaluate.”

said Hart.More parking will affect environmental

issues too, said Hurley. “When you’re build-ing more parking you now have to balancethe trees versus the storm water.”

“To your point that we’re going to haveto consider this more and more, I think it isa good work plan item,” at-large commis-sioner Timothy Sargeant said.

“If it’s 55 year olds living in apartments,they’re all going to have cars. 85 year oldsin apartments are probably going to havecars, too,” said Hart.

Dranesville Commissioner John Ulfeldersaid, “One of my favorite questions. We’re

dropping the minimum age from 62 to55. So for a married couple, can or doboth have to be 55 to move in?”

“One has to be 55,” said Zachary Foun-tain, county planning staff.

“So the other partner can be younger,”said Ulfelder. “The point here being atage 55 somebody who wishes to maxi-mize their social security in the currentplan would be working for 15 moreyears. So they would be going and com-ing at least on a weekly basis, or a dailybasis, to go to work.

“Does that potential have impact on thetransportation issues, traffic issues?” saidUlfelder.

Seniors needtheir cars.

New Look at Parking for 55-and-up Communities

Residents of retirement communities have more than the one-car-per-four-apartment formula, leading to planners to consider increasing parking.

“If it’s 55 year oldsliving in apartments,they’re all going tohave cars. 85 yearolds in apartmentsare probably goingto have cars, too.”

— James Hart, at-largeplanning commissioner


buffa’sdance

studio

QUALITY INSTRUCTIONIN A QUALITY

ENVIRONMENT

9570-H BURKE RD.BURKE VILLAGE

CENTER II

CALL 703-425-5599

12,000 sq. ft. of performing spacewith professional sprung floors

www.buffas.com • [email protected]

ComeJointhe fun!

(Established in 1980)Home of Burke Civic Ballet

• Pre-School Dance Movement – Ages 3 and 4• Hip Hop • Lyrical/Contemporary • Ballet • Tap• Jazz • Pointe • Modern • Acro • Musical Theater• Aerial Silks • Performing Companies Grades K–12• Beginner to Advanced • Professional Instructors

Celebrating39 Yearsof Dance

Excellence!

Food and Wine FundraiserEarth Fare is holding a food-and-wine sampling fundraiser for FACETS, on Wednesday,

Sept. 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested to participate. Earth Fare is at11052 Lee Hwy. in Fairfax.

11th Congressional District ForumThe public is invited to the Candidate Forum for the 11th Congressional District 11. It’s

set for Sunday, Sept. 16, from 2-4 p.m., at the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 OldLee Hwy. in Fairfax. The three candidates featured are U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D,incumbent); Jeff Dove (R) and Stevan Porter (L). The nonpartisan League of WomenVoters of the Fairfax Area is hosting this event. For more information, go to www.lwv-fairfax.org.

Week in Fairfax

VOTER REGISTRATION AND ID EVENTSThe Fairfax County Office of Elections

(12000 Government Center Parkway Suite 323,Fairfax) is open daily during normal businesshours to provide county residents theopportunity to register to vote or obtain a freevoter photo ID if needed. Applicants will need tocomplete a photo voter ID application, have aphoto taken and sign a digital signature pad.Call 703-222-0776.

The following special events will also provideopportunity to register to vote and/or get aphoto Virginia Voter card.

❖ Tuesday/Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., TheWoodlands Retirement Community, 4320 ForestHill Ct, Fairfax.

❖ Monday/Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., HeatherwoodRetirement Community. 9642 Burke Lake Road,Burke.

❖ Wednesday/Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,Greenspring Retirement Community, 7410Spring Village Drive, Springfield.

❖ Tuesday/Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Burke Healthand Rehab Center, 9640 Burke Lake Road,Burke.

❖ Thursday/Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., LeewoodHealthcare Center, 7120 Braddock Road,Annandale.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDAARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking to

expand its team of volunteers for the upcomingtax season. Tax-Aide, now in its 51st year, offersfree in-person preparation and assistance toanyone, especially those 50 and older, who can’tafford a tax preparation service. Volunteersmake a difference in their communities byassisting many older, lower-income taxpayers,and their families, who might otherwise miss outon the tax credits and deductions they’veearned. To learn about volunteer opportunities,visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277).

Docents Needed. Sundays 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad in Fairfax Station. Greet museum visitorsand tell them about the exhibits, the museumand the its railroad and Civil War history. Ideal

Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 7


Opinion

By Wendy Gradison

CEO PRS

The news of AnthonyBourdain and KateSpade as well as anumber of our own

community members whoselives were stopped short due tosuicide underscores the chal-lenges that exist in preventingsuicide. These stories createdconsiderable grief, and in fact,we saw a significant increase in calls and textsto our PRS CrisisLink hotline.

When losses like these occur, we have anopportunity to change the conversation aboutsuicide from one of loss to one of empower-ment and hope. To keep people talking, we arelaunching the #CallTextLive Campaign duringSeptember, Suicide Prevention Month.

Suicide is a serious issue locally and nation-ally, claiming the lives of nearly 45,000 peopleannually and is the 10th leading cause of deathnationwide and the second leading cause ofdeath for young people aged 15-24. But forevery death, 278 people manage to move pastthoughts of suicide and survive.

At PRS, a nonprofit running PRS CrisisLink,Northern Virginia’s crisis hotline and textline,we know there is more we can do to bringawareness and tools to prevent future suicides.We are inviting the community to get involvedin our 4th annual #CallTextLive Campaign.

Using the hashtag #CallTextLive, the cam-paign works to educate members of the com-munity about resources available and actionsthey can take to bring awareness to suicideprevention and intervention. Campaign high-lights include: an easy to use web-based inter-active event calendar; great tips and resourcesto share via social media; a Facebook Live Q&Awith experts; community training and tour ofthe PRS CrisisLink call center; a Selfie Day; acrowdsourcing fundraiser; t-shirts for pur-chase; and walk events. We will also explorespecial suicide prevention topics related to gunsafety, veterans, older adults, LGBTQ, youth,and survivors.

It’s time to challenge the stigma around is-

sues contributing to suicide and pro-vide each other the tools to get help.#CallTextLive uses social media, ac-tivities and events to drive commu-nity conversation. We want peopleto visit our website—www.prsinc.org— to find simpleways to spark change through the#CallTextLive Campaign. Do one ordo them all…but we definitely wanteveryone to do something.

If we are successful, even morepeople will find their way to com-munity resources, including the PRSCrisisLink program, which handlednearly 80,000 crisis calls and textmessages from the Northern Virginiaregion last year. In fact, a simple call

or text to the crisis hotline or textline — (800)273-TALK [8255] and text “CONNECT” to85511 — provides the empathetic, trainedvoice that someone in crisis needs to reducetheir pain and provide connections to care.Most of these voices are volunteers from ourcommunity — neighbors and friends — whoshare the gift of listening to those who hope tobe heard.

Help us make it okay for more people toseek help. Join the #CallTextLive Campaignto broaden the conversation. Small or big …do something … we are listening and otherswill too.

Wendy Gradison is CEO of PRS, a mentalhealth nonprofit in Northern Virginia.

Do Something Join #CallTextLive Campaign.

By Kenneth R.

“Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-

36)

Sorry, but this isyet anothercolumn on the

continuing effort tod e - g e r r y m a n d e rHouse of Delegatesdistricts in Virginia asdirected by the federal courts. Inthis instance it was the Republi-can Party who in the majority af-ter the 2010 census drew districtlines that were designed to keepthem in the majority until the nextcensus in 2020 when lines mustbe drawn again. They ran intotrouble when to dilute the votesof African Americans who tradi-tionally vote Democratic theypacked them into eleven districtsin the Richmond and HamptonRoads regions. A panel of federaljudges found the practice violatedthe constitutional rights of the in-dividuals involved and ordered thedistricts to be redrawn.

The Governor called the GeneralAssembly into special session lastweek to carry out the court’s di-

rective. The legisla-ture went home with-out success after oneday of effort.

Why is the Republi-can majority failing todo as the court di-rected? The reason isquite simple. If it took

an unconstitutional drawing ofdistrict lines to maintain theirmajority in the House of Del-egates, an undoing of those lineswould likely take away their ma-jority. Is the court favoring Demo-crats in what they are doing? No,the court is protecting the consti-tutional rights of individuals. Thecourt does not take into accountpartisan outcomes. You simplycannot deny equal representationin the legislature of a class ofpeople without running afoul oftheir constitutional protections.

When the court found Virginia’sCongressional districts to be un-constitutional several years ago,the remedy of that situation wasnew districts that resulted in theelection of an additional African

American congressman from thestate that up to that point had onlyone. Both happen also to be Demo-crats.

The court has denied an appealfrom the Republicans of their di-rective to resolve the unconstitu-tional districts. If the General As-sembly fails to carry out the court’smandate, the court will redraw thedistricts themselves. Presumablythere would be special electionsheld right away in the new dis-tricts.

In the meantime, House Demo-crats have proposed a redrawingof the legislative lines to make thedistricts constitutional whichunsurprisingly could result in theelection of as many as five newDemocrats. The authors of the newmaps insist that they did whatneeded to be done to follow thecourt’s directive and not whatwould give them more seats. Theday of the special session wasspent with the Republicans pick-ing apart the proposed map in anattempt to show that it was toopartisan.

Republicans called the maphypocritical, and one of my Demo-cratic colleagues, Del. Steve

Heretick, called it a “self-servingpolitical power grab.”

I draw two conclusions from thelast several months: The courtneeds to take immediate remedialaction to correct the constitutionalproblems with the current dis-tricts, and the General Assemblyat its next legislative session mustpass a constitutional amendmentestablishing a truly independentcommission to do redistricting.The amendment would need topass a second session of the Gen-eral Assembly and a referendumof the people. Legislative bodiessimply cannot rise above their ownself-interests to do the job fairly.

De-Gerrymandering ContinuedCommentary

Write The Connectionwelcomes views on any public

issue. The deadline for all materialis noon Friday. Letters must be

signed. Include home address andhome and business numbers.

Letters are routinely edited forlibel, grammar, good taste and

factual errors. Send to:Letters to the Editor

The Connection1606 King St., Alexandria VA

22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@FfxConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

Published byLocal Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter ❖ 703-778-9438

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

703-778-9431

Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

CIRCULATIONCirculation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

Fairfax


9562 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke

703-455-3100www.flowersnferns.com

flowers ‘n’ ferns

Your HomecomingHeadquarters!• Lake Braddock • Robinson

• West Springfield

Wrist Corsages & Boutonnieres

Fairfax County Parkway Widening Fairfax County

Public Information Meetings

Attend one of three public information meetings near you.

All meeting times are 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Presentation starts at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Willow Springs Elementary School

5400 Willow Springs School Road, Fairfax, VA 22030

Thursday, September 27, 2018 Fairview Elementary School

5815 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Oak View Elementary School

5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032

Find out about plans to widen Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) from

four to six lanes between Route 29 (Lee Highway) and Route 123 (Ox

Road). The proposed project design also includes an interchange at Popes

Head Road and the future Shirley Gate Road extension, improvements to

the existing trail in the Fairfax County Parkway right of way and construc-

tion of a new shared-use path to make the trail continuous within the

project limits.

Stop by between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to view displays and learn more

about the project and its preliminary design, including Popes Head Road

interchange options under consideration. VDOT will hold a presentation

Review project information at the VDOT project website

(www.virginiadot.org/projects), at the information meeting, or during

Drive in Fairfax. Please call ahead at 703-691-6710 or TTY/TDD 711 to

Give your written comments at the meeting, or submit them by Octo-ber 15, 2018 to Mr. Sitaram Kodali, P.E., Virginia Department of Transpor-

tation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, or email meetingcomments@

VDOT.virginia.gov. Please reference “Fairfax County Parkway Widening” in

the subject line.

and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons

703-691-6710 or TTY/TDD 711.

State Project: 0286-029-259, P101, UPC: 107937, Federal: STP-5A01 (775)

From Page 5

for those interested in railroads, theCivil War and Northern Virginiahistory. Training and orientationprovided. Other volunteeropportunities are gardening,publicity and exhibit planning. Call703-945-7483.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESThe Fairfax-Falls Church

Community Services Board’sMerrifield Center offers a newstand-up information kiosk. Part of apilot project, the new feature aims toimprove the customer serviceexperience and decrease wait timesfor individuals who are seekingmental (behavioral) health services.To check in, individuals respond tofive simple questions, then the CSB’s

work cooperatively to bolster theregional economy. Visitwww.bot.org/upcomingevents/dmvbizforum for more.

Gentle Yoga. 12:30-2 p.m. at SentaraSurgery Specialists ComprehensiveBreast Center, 8988 Lorton StationBlvd., Suite 103, Lorton. This yogaprotocol is facilitated by PatFitzsimmons RN, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500,an instructor specifically trained towork with cancer patients who willadapt traditional yoga practices tomeet the physiological andpsychological needs of cancerpatients. No registration required. Itis recommended that participantsdress comfortably and bring a yogamat, towel(s), and water. Visitwww.sentara.com for more.

ESL Class Registration. 7 p.m. at

Patient Track software alerts staff.Based on clinicians’ schedules andavailability, as well as the needs ofthe client, individuals are triaged andseen by the next available staffmember. For more information onavailable services, call the CSB at703-383-8500 (Monday-Friday, 9a.m.-5 p.m.). In an emergency 24/7,call CSB Emergency Services at 703-573-5679 or the Fairfax Detox Centerat 703-502-7000 (TTY 703-322-9080).

THURSDAY/SEPT. 6Capital Region Business Forum.

7:30-9:30 a.m. at Hilton McLeanTysons Corner, 7920 Jones BranchDrive, McLean. Virginia Gov. RalphNortham, Maryland Gov. LarryHogan and D.C. Mayor MurielBowser will discuss their plans to See Bulletin, Page 15

Bulletin Board


Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

“I’ve been doing it since before I retired,”said Rich White, a former accountant wholives in Alexandria. “It’s easier to get upand get it out of the way so I don’t miss

it. Both of my parents died prematurely of heart at-tacks. That’s when I decided to start running to getin shape. Eventually that turned into a habit of dailystrength and aerobic exercise.”

White’s assumptions about preserving his physicalhealth are underscored by a re-port from the Center for theStudy of Aging and Human De-velopment at Duke UniversitySchool of Medicine which foundthat physical decline beginswhen people are in their 50s,much earlier than people mightnotice or expect.

The study looked at 775 adultsranging in age from 30 to 90 toassess changes in fitness abilitieslike endurance, balance, speedand strength. Researchers foundthat exercise efforts must beginbefore the age of 50 in order tohelp halt the decline and main-tain mobility and independencelonger in life.

“Our research reinforces a life-span approach to maintaining physical ability —don’t wait until you are 80 years old and cannot getout of a chair,” said lead author Katherine S. Hall,Ph.D. in releasing the study.

By having participants stand on one leg for 60 sec-onds to measure balance and sit and rise from a chairfor 30 seconds to measure lower body strength, re-searchers were able to detect a decline beginning in

one’s 50s. The findings show the need to understandand preserve muscle strength.

“Most tissues in the body respond to stress placedon them by becoming stronger or adapting to handlethe stimulus you place on them,” said Joel Martin,Ph.D., assistant professor of Kinesiology at GeorgeMason University. “If you lift weights, your musclesget bigger and stronger. If you don’t do any sort ofphysical activity to stimulate your muscles then theyget smaller and become weaker. Use it or lose it.”

Emma Warner, 72, meets her trainer at a Mont-gomery County Recreation Center gym twice a week.Together they perform a combination of exercisesaimed at improving her strength, balance, endur-ance and flexibility.

“We stretch and do yoga poses, sometimes wespeed walk outside and I also do exercises with twoor three pound dumbbells,” she said. “But my motheris 98 and is in pretty good health, so I figure I havegood genes. I just need to work on fitness to main-tain.”

As people age, change and decline is inevitable,but the rate and severity can vary based on geneticsand the level of activity in one’s lifestyle. Regularexercise can have a profound effect on the way inwhich one ages.

“People have their actual age, which they can’t doanything about, and their biological age,” said Mar-

tin. “Someone could be 40years old, live a very inactivelifestyle and not eat very well,which may cause them to becloser to 60 in terms of theirbiological age. And vice versa,someone who is 60 could bevery active and eat a healthydiet and feel like they aremuch younger, perhaps a bio-logical age closer to mid-40s.”

Fitness instructor AmyTraum has clients who run theage gamut from college stu-dents to retirees, but heroverarching advice to gettingin shape is similar. “Everyoneneeds a well-rounded exerciseprogram that includes stretch-ing, balance exercises,

strength and cardio,” she said. “I always begin andend classes with stretching and I try to add strengthand balance elements like a weighted deadlift.”

Those new or newly returning to exercise shouldstart slowly and gradually, says Traum. “It soundslike common sense, but I can’t tell you the numberof people who come to my classes with no experi-ence and try to work way above their fitness level

and either get injured or discouraged,” she said.“There’s nothing wrong with starting out slow, stick-ing with it and making gradual progress. Also makeit fun, like walk or jog with a friends or take a danceor Zumba classes.”

“Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is also im-portant,” added Martin. “The antioxidants in foods,especially fruits and vegetables, can help to preserveand protect tissues from damage that occurs as partof the natural aging process.”

Study shows physicaldeclines can be detectedas early as age 50.

Aiming for Long-Term Fitness

“Someone could be 40 years old, live a very inactive lifestyleand not eat very well, which may cause them to be closer to60 in terms of their biological age. And vice versa, someonewho is 60 could be very active and eat a healthy diet andfeel like they are much younger, perhaps a biological agecloser to mid-40s.”

— Joel Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor of Kinesiology,George Mason University

“Our researchreinforces a life-spanapproach tomaintaining physicalability — don’t waituntil you are 80 yearsold and cannot get outof a chair.”

— Katherine S. Hall, Ph.D.


Select yourproducts from

our MobileShowroomand Design

CenterFully Insured &

Class A LicensedSince 1999

Free Estimates703-214-8384

From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee

Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com

Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel

TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

News

The meeting room in RichardByrd Library was abuzz with girlswaving their hands to answerRiya’s question, “What are the 4lobes in the human brain?” RiyaDabbi, program leader for theGirlsTooCode Program, was test-ing the girls to check theirprogress.

Girls from grades 4 to 12 hadenrolled in the early part of sum-mer when it was announced on thelibrary calendar. The program wasa huge success even before itstarted with enrollment spillingway beyond the planned programsize of 15 girls. Many girls had tobe put on a waitlist for the nextsession of GirlsTooCode.

Earlier in the spring, NationalCouncil for Women in Technologyhonored Riya Dabbi, class of 2019,from Thomas Jefferson HS withNational Runner up Award and aVirginia State Winner Award in theAspirations in Computing pro-gram. Riya was then encouragedby NCWIT, to apply for a grantunder their AspireIT K-12 Out-reach program.

Riya approached Richard ByrdLibrary in Springfield with a planfor the GirlsTooCode Program. Thethen-branch manager LorraineCulhane liked the idea and ap-

proved it to be run from mid-Julyto mid-August for five Saturdays.Isha Bhangui and Ankita Vadiala,rising seniors, from the Academyof Science in Loudoun joined Riyaand helped plan and execute theprogram.

Girls learned Scratch program-ming with fun and interactive sto-ries, games, and animation. Theylearned about the nervous system,how computers can be made tosimulate the brain, Artificial Intel-ligence, and neural networks.

They were introduced to a vari-ety of careers open to women withcoding skills. In the last session,girls showcased their communitychallenge projects culminatingwith an award ceremony. BranchManager Sandy Freund distrib-uted the awards and participationcertificates and congratulated thegirls for successful completion.

Riya Dabbi said, “I love seeingthe wonder in girls’ faces afterlearning something new and inter-esting.”

Girls came from diverse back-grounds and formed new friend-ships. Izzy Myers, a fifth grader,asked Riya, while leaving, “Are yougoing to do the program againnext summer? I want to comeagain!”

‘GirlsTooCode’ Program Held atRichard Byrd Library

Photos contributed

Some of the GirlsTooCode Program attendees with pro-gram leader Riya Dabbi. From left, back row: KyndallJohnson, Gianna Park, Vera Mensah, Isabella Nazari, MiaMartin-Escandarani, Izzy Meyers; Front row: Ana Mensah,Sol Martin-Escandarani, Savannah Phipps

Community Project Award Winners with Library BranchManager. From left: Sandy Freund, Ana Mensah, MiaMartin-Escandarani, Riya Dabbi, Izzy Meyers.


Entertainment

“Mason and his Legacy,” performed inside the mansion as part of a naturalizationceremony.

Citizen Naturalization CeremonyGeorge Mason’s Gunston Hall will partner with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Washington Of-

fice, in naturalizing candidates. Before the ceremony, guests may enjoy activities and crafts and explore Gunston Hall’s grounds.The ceremony is followed by a reception, an opportunity to register to vote, and Gunston Hall’s exclusive theater performance,“Mason and his Legacy,” performed inside the mansion. Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at George Mason’s Gunston Hall,10709 Gunston Road, Lorton. Admission is free until 1 p.m. to all visitors. Call 703-550-9220 ext. 240 or visit gunstonhall.org.

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

ONGOINGPop-Up Art show. Through Dec. 16 at

Gallery 57, 11899 Grand CommonsAve., Fairfax. Emerging ArtistsInitiative and the PetersonCompanies are partnering to bring anartistic and creative facet to theFairfax community. A new pop-up artgallery at Fairfax Corner Center willbe exhibiting paintings and sculptorsby four resident artists in the vacantretail space. Free. [email protected] or visiteaiinc.org.

Second Saturdays. 6-9 p.m. at theWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. TheSecond Saturday Art Walk is theperfect time to meet nearly 85Resident and Associate Artists,creating art in the studios orexhibiting in our galleries.Experience performances of dance,cabaret, comedy, big band, jazz, andtheater. Indulge in classes in the artof mixology or cuisines from aroundthe globe. Enjoy art exhibitions innine galleries of the region’s finestsculpture, painting, glass, ceramics,and fiber art works. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 6History of Belvoir Manor. 7-8:30

p.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000Burke Lake Road, Burke. Learn aboutthe fascinating history of BelvoirManor with Patrick O’Neil from theBurke Historical Society. Discover themansion’s past from its Fairfax familyties to its role in the War of 1812 andcreation of Fort Belvoir. Adults andteens. Free. Call 703-978-5600 orvisitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4454036.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 7B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Allproceeds go to purchasing fire andrescue equipment. Call 703-273-3638or visit www.fairfaxvfd.com.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 8Marketing for Writers. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

at Jubilee Christian Center, 4650Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. JoinCapital Christian Writers for a one-day writers marketing conference.Aspiring writers have their own trackto learn the nuts and bolts of gettingpublished. $75-$115. [email protected] or visitcapitalchristianwriters.org/index.php/2018-conference-marketing-for-writers/.

Annual Crab Feast Dinner. 3:30-6p.m. at Historic Pohick Church, 9301Richmond Highway, Lorton, in theCommon Room. The 26th AnnualCrab Feast, sponsored by theBrotherhood of St Andrew, willinclude crabs, fried fish, steamedshrimp, potato salad, pork andchicken barbecue sandwiches, andhot dogs for children. $30 per adult(ages 18 and older), $15 for childrenages 12-17, and children under theage of 12 are free. Contact RodgerJones, [email protected], orFred Crawford, [email protected], or call the church officeat 703-339-6572.

SEPT. 8-16Workhouse 10th Anniversary. At

Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 OxRoad, Lorton. The Workhouse ArtsCenter invites the residents of FairfaxCounty and guests from throughoutthe region to visit for a week of free

and low-cost events and activities incelebration of its 10th anniversary.Experiences include classes andpresentations, films and music,special tours, and more. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/events/category/10th-anniversary/.

SUNDAY/SEPT. 9Craft Show-Bazaar. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at

Springfield Masonic Temple, 7001Backlick Road, Springfield. Variousvendors inside and outside toshowcase beautiful handmade craft.Shop for friends and family beforethe holiday season rush. There arevendor spaces available. Food anddrinks available for sale. Freeadmission. Call 703-780-6519 or visitwww.nelliecustis.org.

TUESDAY/SEPT. 11Farm to Fairfax Market. 10 a.m.-2

p.m. at Old Town Square, 10415North St., Fairfax. The market, willbe producers-only – meaning that allvendors at the market may only sellwhat they raise on their farms ormake from scratch using localingredients as much as possible. May-September, weather permitting. Call703-385-7893.

Cub Scout Registration. 6-7 p.m. atBurke United Methodist Church,6200 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke.Cub Scout Pack 1347 invites boys,girls and family to “Hooked onScouting Ice Cream Social and Signup Night.” Includes free rafflegiveaway and fun. Hosted by Troop1347. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burke1347.mytroop.us.

Singers Wanted. 7:15 p.m. at theUnited Baptist Church, 7100Columbia Pike, Annandale. WakefieldChorale is looking for men andwomen who like to sing. The choralewelcomes singers of all voice ranges.No audition is required. Rehearsalsare held on Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m.beginning Sept. 11. Call Johanna

Droel at 703-569-0214 or [email protected].



Movies Under the Moon: Matilda.8 p.m. at Van Dyck Park, 3740 OldLee Highway, Fairfax. Enjoy a nightunder the stars in Van Dyck Parkwith family and friends with a moviefor all ages to enjoy. Free admission,bring chairs and blankets.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 15Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet.

14th Annual Merrifield FallFestival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at MosaicDistrict. Presented by the GreaterMerrifield Business Association(GMBA), in conjunction withURBNmarket and Mosaic, and heldwill be in the heart of the MosaicDistrict with food vendors, a beergarden, music and entertainment, aswell as a pre-holiday handmade andvintage market. Children’s activitiesincluding: Vienna Singing Princesses,pumpkin painting, face painting, hairbraiding, sack races, karate, peacemural painting, carnival games andmore. Visit greatermerrifield.org/merrifield-fall-festival.

Citizen Naturalization Ceremony.10 a.m.-1 p.m. at George Mason’sGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Lorton. George Mason’s Gunston Hallwill partner with the United StatesCitizenship and ImmigrationServices, Washington Office, innaturalizing candidates. Before the

ceremony, guests may enjoy activitiesand crafts and explore Gunston Hall’sgrounds. The ceremony is followedby a reception, an opportunity toregister to vote, and Gunston Hall’sexclusive theater performance,“Mason and his Legacy,” performedinside the mansion. Admission is freeuntil 1 p.m. to all visitors. Call 703-550-9220 ext. 240 or visitgunstonhall.org.

CommUnity FunFest. 1-4:30 p.m. atUnity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Fun for the wholefamily with food, games, music,children’s activities, and an auction isopen to everyone. Free, open to all.Call 703-281-1767 or visitwww.unityoffairfax.org/funfest.

Harry Ponder. 2-3:30 p.m. at HiddenPond Nature Center, 8511 GreeleyBlvd., Springfield. While the wizardshead to Hogwarts, the muggles cancelebrate the start of a new schoolyear at Hidden Pond. Learn aboutour magical beasts, make your ownwand, have your fortune told byProfessor Treefroggie, and defendagainst the dark arts of pollution. $7.Email [email protected] call 703-451-9588.

SUNDAY/SEPT. 16NTRAK 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 show. Ages 16and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.

TUESDAY/SEPT. 18Farm to Fairfax Market. 10 a.m.-2

p.m. at Old Town Square, 10415North St., Fairfax. The market, willbe producers-only – meaning that allvendors at the market may only sellwhat they raise on their farms ormake from scratch using local

ingredients as much as possible. May-September, weather permitting. Call703-385-7893.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 20Hometown Thursdays: Sudden M-

Pac. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Old TownSquare, 10415 North St., Fairfax.Third Thursdays in May-September.The new series will host local bandsfrom the Fairfax area. Meet up withfriends, grab dinner at one of themany restaurants in downtown, andlisten to great music. A free, family-friendly event for all ages. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/hometown-thursdays.



SATURDAY/SEPT. 22Mosby Civil War Bus Tour. 8:30

a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sponsored by theStuart - Mosby Historical Society;tour leader will be Don Hakenson,Eric Buckland with special guest TomEvans. The bus will leave TruroParish (10520 Main St., Fairfax City).Will be visiting Mosby’s Grave, CloverHill (supposedly a safe house forNick Carter), Wolf’s Craig (the homeof General Turner Ashby), TheMountain Home in Front Royal. Costfor Stuart-Mosby Historical Societymembers is $65; non members is$75. Reserve a seat by sendingcontact info to Don Hakenson [email protected].

Treasures Revealed. 9:30-11:30 a.m.and 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Army NavyCountry Club, 3315 Old LeeHighway, Fairfax. The SalvationArmy Ladies Auxiliary of FairfaxCounty hosts “Treasures Revealed,”an art and antiques valuation event.Everyone has something they ownthat they are curious about, whetherit is something inherited, received asa gift, built in a collection overdecades, or acquired yesterday in agarage sale. Register and reserve avaluation time slot atGive.virginiasalvationarmy.org/Fairfax-Treasuresrevealed.

Pig Roast. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at AmericanLegion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave.,Springfield. The SpringfieldAmerican Legion is hosting the 2ndAnnual Pig Roast in support of the8th Annual Virginia, State-WideMotorcycle Rally for the LegionRiders. Tickets are $20 until Aug. 22and $25 afterwards. Tickets areavailable at www.facebook.com/Squadron176 (“Events” tab), at thePost lounge, or at the time of theevent. All are welcome and there isample parking. Call 703-440-0336 orvisit www.facebook.com/Squadron176.

Twilight Rock-n-Run 5K, GlowWalk, Kids’ Fun Run. 5:30 p.m.Runners and walkers from acrossFairfax County will converge inLorton for the South County HighSchool Band’s 4th Annual TwilightRock -n- Run 5K. This yearly family-oriented event also features a 1-mileGlow Walk and a Kids’ Fun Run. Theevening event benefits the SouthCounty High School Band program.Visit www.schsbands.org.

SATURDAY-TUESDAY/SEPT. 22-25Lord Fairfax Motorcycle Ride

Fundraiser. Multiple options to joinLord Fairfax and trace the boundariesof the original Lord Fairfax LandGrant with one-, two- and four-dayoptions. Participants will cover theirown expenses. Details andregistration at lordfairfaxride.org.


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbTo Advertise Your

Community of Worship,Call 703-778-9418

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

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

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

Visit our Website: jccag.org

4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

“Loving People to Life”

News

September is Suicide Prevention AwarenessMonth, and National Suicide PreventionWeek is September 9-15; a time to shareresources and events and spotlight activities

and actions people can take to help prevent the trag-edy of suicide. Suicide does not discriminate – it canhappen to anyone – but it can be prevented. Under-standing the issues concerning suicide and mentalhealth is an important way to take part in suicideprevention and help people in emotional crisis. To-gether, we can all help prevent suicide.

Five ways you can get involved in suicide preven-tion in our community.

ACT. Participate in PRS Inc.’s #CallTextLive cam-paign throughout Suicide Prevention Month. PRSInc., a mental health, crisis intervention and suicideprevention nonprofit that runs the local crisis hotlineand textline, has a list of daily actions and activitiesto help inform and erase stigma of suicide. PRS Inc.is a CSB community partner.

WALK. Walk in memory of a loved one...to endstigma...to raise awareness.

❖ Saturday, Sept. 22 – NAMI Northern Virginia’s10th Annual Walk for Mental Health

❖ Saturday, Sept. 29 – American Foundation forSuicide Prevention “Out of the Darkness” FairfaxWalk

VOLUNTEER.❖ Help answer PRS CrisisLink’s 24-hour hotlines.

Apply online.❖ The National Capital Area Chapter of the Ameri-

can Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is look-ing for volunteers to help fulfill their mission to savelives and bring hope to people affected by suicide.Contact Bo Kim with questions.

LEARN the warning signs of suicide.❖ Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.❖ Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as search-

ing online or buying a gun.❖ Talking about feeling hopeless or having no rea-

son to live.❖ Talking about feeling trapped or unbearable

pain.❖ Talking about being a burden to others.

❖ Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.❖ Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.❖ Sleeping too little or too much.❖ Withdrawing or feeling isolated.❖ Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.❖ Displaying extreme mood swings.

SIGN UP for one of CSB’s Mental Health First Aidtraining courses. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/training/mental-health-first-aid

JOIN THE FIGHT. Get involved in the Suicide Pre-vention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN). A part-nership of the CSBs in the Northern Virginia regionand PRS Inc., SPAN promotes confidential, onlinemental health screenings and important mentalhealth resources. www.suicidepreventionnva.org

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless ofage, gender, background, or income; it is the thirdleading cause of death among young people in theCommonwealth of Virginia.

If you or someone you care about may be at risk ofsuicide, reach out for help right away. Remember:suicide can be prevented.

Resources available 24/7 include:❖ CSB Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.❖ Text “CONNECT” to 855-11 to contact PRS

CrisisLink.❖ Call PRS CrisisLink at 703-527-4077.

Source: Fairfax-Falls Church

Community Services Board.

September Is SuicidePrevention Month

“You are not the only onegoing through theseproblems ... you canverbalize them and you cancope with them in a healthyway to get you through.”

– Survivor of a suicideattempt in his teens


News

Principal’s Back-to-School Report.

What’s New, Exciting in Area SchoolsIn the first week of the new school year,

The Connection has asked the area schoolprincipals to respond to three questions:

1 - What are the most exciting develop-ments in your school in the new schoolyear?

2 - What would be your, one-sentence,message to parents, community?

3 - Any upcoming events, activities?

Here are their responses.

Dan Phillips, Principal, ProvidenceElementary School:

1 – We are adding an advanced academ-ics program for our third graders this year,and we are really excited about the oppor-tunity to use these rich curriculum materi-als with all of our students in science andsocial studies this year. Daniels Run inFairfax City is doing the same.

Photo contributed

Dan Phillips, Principal, Providence Elementary School, greeting studentsand parents on the first day of the new school year.

2 – Our focus will be on providing oppor-tunity for every student, making connec-tions with every child and family, and pro-viding solid instruction every day.

3 – Our awesome PTA has many eventsplanned, including a Read-A-Thon in Sep-tember and a book fair and movie underthe stars October. We will also hold ourannual STEAM and Family Heritage Nightsthis fall and winter. We love it when ourfamilies come together at our school!

Photo contributed

Principal Candace Hunstad (right)and Assistant Principal CourtneyKorb

Candace Hunstad, Principal, andCourtney Korb, Assistant Principal,Fairhill Elementary.

1 - Our Tigers are excited for year two ofbeing a partner school with The PositivityProject. Our staff and students really em-body the mindset that Other People Matteras they continue to learn about the 24 char-acter strengths of positive psychology thatwe all possess. As much as other peoplematter, our Tigers will also be learning thatour environment matters as they exploreenvironmental issues. We will build a sus-tainable rain garden and butterfly gardento foster awareness of environmental needsas our students use their critical thinkingskills as one of the key components of Por-trait of a Graduate.

2 - We see you, we welcome you and youbelong here!

3 - Mark your calendars now forFairhill’sºbiggest fundraiser for the 2018-19school year. For the week of Sept. 24-28, TheFairhill PTA is sponsoring a Fairhill FitnessWeek. The entire week will feature lots of

high energy, creative fitness activities, led byour outstanding Physical Education team,and ending with a Pledge Fun RunFundraiser for all Fairhill students. More in-formation (in English and Spanish) is avail-able at http://fairhillpta.org/fundraiser-for-2018-2019-fun-run-fitness-week/

Adam Erbrecht, Lauren Hein, andMichael Parker, Partner Principals,

Daniels Run Elementary:1 - Daniels Run Elementary empowers our

students to develop themselves, inspire oth-ers, and impact society in a positive way.We do this by giving all students access toopportunities that promote deep learningbeyond just the academic curriculum.Through the Positivity Project, Project BasedLearning, and Student Inquiry and Owner-ship, our students find strengths in them-selves and others that foster positive rela-tionships based on their assets rather than

Positivity Project Mega Morning Meeting held at Daniels Run Elementary.

their deficits. They develop a sense of iden-tity, engagement, and well-being. Theylearn that other people matter.

2 - Other People Matter.3 - Our Back to School Night Picnic will

take place on Sept. 13. We invite all ourDaniels Run families. There will be foodtrucks for food purchase or you may bringyour own meals or snacks. Most importantlyit’s an evening to reconnect and connectwith other Daniels Run families. Don’t missthe moon bounce!

Erin B. Lenart, Principal,Fairfax High School:

1 - The visIon of Fairfax HighSchool was crafted by teacherleaders two years ago: Buildone community committed tolifelong learning. Fairfax HighSchool will take a deeper diveinto the learning opportunitieswe provide our students, withour staff working in a structureof shared leadership andchoice-professional develop-ment to improve and enhance classroom in-struction.

With regards to community, we are on amission to make school spirit and culture

Erin B. Lenart

our priority. We excel in aca-demics (Virginia DistinguishedSchool Award recipient lastyear), and though our teach-ers will continue to refine theirteaching practices, we willcontinue to find ways to en-sure that all students find ahome and sense of belonging.We are Fairfax. We are Family.

2 - It will take the hard work,passion, and dedication of all of us to reachevery single student.

3 - Sept. 6 — Back to School Night; Oct.5 — Homecoming.

Sharyn Prindle,Principal, WakefieldForest Elementary:

1 - We are excited to continuethe school-based initiatives ofweekly STEAM instruction, Fri-day electives (grades 5-6), Fri-day Innovation Hour (grades K-4), mindfulness integration, 1:1technology and The Positivity Sharyn Prindle

Project (character education).2 - Wakefield Forest ES is a

school that embraces the de-velopment of the whole child.

3 - Back to School Night isSept. 12, from 6:30 – 8:30p.m.


News

By Carlyn Kranking

The Connection

With a grant of $50,000 overthree years, the FairfaxCounty Farmers Markets will

ensure SNAP (previously called foodstamps) recipients can access fresh localproduce. The farmers markets receivedthis money because they partner withLocal Environmental Agriculture Project(LEAP), which received $1.8 million fromthe USDA through the Food InsecurityNutrition Incentive (FINI).

This money will make a difference forSNAP recipients in Fairfax County, allow-ing them better access to the produce atfarmers markets.

“Most people on SNAP, because they’reso strapped for cash, they only buy pro-cessed foods because they’re very cheap,and healthy food is expensive,” Farmers

Market Coordinator Chelsea Roseberrysaid. “We’re trying to bridge that gap sothat little-income families don’t feel likethis is inaccessible to them.”

At participating farmers markets, thevalue of SNAP dollars is doubled by theVirginia Fresh Match nutrition incentiveprogram – for example, if a personspends $20 in SNAP benefits at a farm-ers market, they will receive $20 moreto spend on fruits and vegetables.

With the grant money, this dollar-matching program will provide up to$100,000 in added revenue to local farmsas SNAP recipients purchase their prod-ucts at markets. In this way, the localeconomy also benefits from the grant.

“Small farms are dying out,” said Assis-tant Market Manager Sue Wolinsky. “A lotof the land is being given over to devel-opment. So, anything we can do to sup-port family farms is in the plus column.”

Photo by Carlyn Kranking/The Connection

The $50,000 USDA grant will help the Fairfax County Farmers Mar-kets ensure that produce is affordable for SNAP recipients.

Ensuring AffordableProduceFairfax County Farmers Markets receive$50,000 grant.

Farmers Market SeasonHow long do the farmers markets remain

open?

Annandale – open through Nov. 1Thursdays, 8 a.m. - Noon6621 Columbia Pike

Burke open through Dec. 22Saturdays, 8 a.m. - Noon5671 Roberts Parkway

Government Center open through Oct. 25Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.12000 Government Center Parkway

Herndon open through Nov. 8Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.700 Block, Lynn St.

Kingstowne open through Oct. 26Fridays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.5870 Kingstowne Towne Center

Lorton open through Nov. 18Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.8990 Lorton Station Boulevard

McCutcheon/Mount Vernon open throughDec. 19

Wednesdays, 8 a.m. - Noon2501 Sherwood Hall Lane

McLean open through Nov. 16Fridays, 8 a.m. - Noon1659 Chain Bridge Road

Oak Marr open through Nov. 14Wednesdays, 8 a.m. - Noon3200 Jermantown Road

Reston open through Dec.1 (closed Sept. 22for Multicultural Festival)

Saturdays, 8 a.m. - Noon11401 North Shore Drive

Wakefield open through Oct. 312 p.m. - 6 p.m.8100 Braddock Road

Liz Bumbrey, Principal, FairfaxVilla Elementary:

1 - This year, Fairfax Villa is excited toprovide advanced math classes in grades 3-6. Students in grades 5 and 6 will take partin the 1:1 Technology Initiative as they aregiven laptops to use as a resource to sup-port instruction. In addition, students willcontinue to learn how to develop positivecharacter through the Positivity Project. Fi-nally, we are introducing a current eventsclass in grades 3 and 4 to support studentsin developing their skills in communication,collaboration, ethical and global citizenship,creative and critical thinking, as well as de-veloping as goal-directed and resilient in-dividuals.

2 - This year Fairfax Villa will continue tobuild success through equitable practices,active engagement, and using positive en-ergy to support all students.

3 - Our PTA is hosting a movie night fea-turing Toy Story on Sept. 7, at 6:45 p.m.Our first PTA meeting is scheduled for Sept.19, at 7 pm. The Advanced Academic Par-ent Information Meeting is scheduled forSept. 26 at 9:30 am.

From left — LizBumbrey(Principal) andKyung-Joo An(AssistantPrincipal).

Mary Thomson-Martin, FinanceTechnician/Admin Assistant,

Greenbriar East Elementary1 — At Greenbriar East Elementary

(GBE), we are thrilled to have beenawarded a Digital Tech grant for equipment,including a green screen, to use in our newsstudio. Our students will be workingcollaboratively together to create digitalmedia that will be broadcasted on the FCPSRed Apple Channel 21.

2 — At GBE, our students are growinginto collaborative communicators, ethicaldigital learners, and global citizens. We lookforward to partnering with parents for ayear of fun and learning!

3 — GBE is excited to once again an-nounce our Fall Festival scheduled for Oct.20. This a fun-filled day for students, par-ents and the surrounding community tocome enjoy games, outdoor activities andour ever popular, Basket Raffle. The Festi-val is hosted by the amazing PTA here atGBE – make plans now to join us!

Frank A. Tranfa, Jr.,Principal, Burke School:

“Burke School is excited toopen the 2018-19 school yearwith a brand new elementaryprogram. We will be support-ing students with IEPs fromacross the county in our smallpublic day school program.With the addition of the newprogram, Burke is home to aK-6 alternative learning center,a K-6 special education publicday school, and a seventh and eighth grade

special education public dayschool.

At Burke School, we love thesupport of the Burke Commu-nity and our partner schools inthe Lake Braddock Pyramid.We are excited to serve ourentire district with the workthat we do to help all studentsachieve. Burke School is a spe-cial place where we are Unique

and United!”

Frank A. Tranfa


News

By David Siegel

The Connection

The powerhouse profes-sional Fairfax SymphonyOrchestra opens its 2018-

2019 season with a special perfor-mance of “La Bohème” in concert.This is the first time the orchestrawill present an entire concert-op-era endeavor. The concert will fea-ture renowned opera stars per-forming Puccini’s beloved master-work about a tragic love affair thathas enthralled audiences for overa century.

The concert also celebrates mu-sic director and conductor Chris-topher Zimmerman’s 10th anniver-sary season with the Fairfax Sym-phony (FSO).

“La Boheme” tells a story of loveand death within a bohemiancircle of friends in 19th centuryParis. The opera is cherished forits arias enfolding a love affairbetween a poor poet and a poorseamstress. Soprano DanielleTalamantes will perform the roleof Mimi, the down-on-her heelsseamstress. Tenor Rolando Sanzwill perform the role of Rodolfo,the broke poet. Colleen Daly isMusetta, as a seemingly carefreesinger.

The FSO performance of “LaBohème” will also feature singersfrom the Potomac Vocal Institutelead by the celebrated opera per-former Elizabeth Bishop.

“The arts are an essential sourceof creativity, education, and eco-nomic impact in Fairfax County,”said Jonathan Kerr, Executive Di-rector, FSO.

“We’re honored to dedicate thisseason to Maestro Zimmerman’s10th Anniversary. Under his lead-ership the Fairfax Symphony isincreasingly recognized as one ofthe leading regional orchestras inthe country.”

Zimmerman has scheduled abroad repertoire for the comingFSO season with a varied andemotional musical experience forpatrons. Zimmerman has a visionthat the FSO “must continue tobuild its programs and reputationin Northern Virginia and the D.C.region, to represent Fairfax Countyas fully and relevantly as possible,and to provide meaningful andhigh-quality artistry.”

Under Zimmerman’s baton, the

FSO has also engaged the North-ern Virginia community by per-forming D.C. area premieres suchas Philip Glass’s “Piano ConcertoNo. 3” written for pianist SimoneDinnerstein, who is an FSO audi-ence favorite.

The Fairfax Symphony Orches-tra also provides a wide spectrumof educational and communityoutreach programs. The FSO haspartnered with Fairfax CountyPublic Schools for more than 50

years. The FSO performs beforeabout 10,000 listeners each year.

The upcoming FSO season in-cludes programs with composersincluding Tchaikovsky &Beethoven; Mozart, Gershwin andEryilmaz; Mendelssohn andSchumann, as well as Verdi. Therewill also be special performancesof “The Nutcracker” with theFairfax Ballet, and Holst’s “ThePlanet” with the Fairfax CountyAll-Stars Youth Orchestra.

‘La Boheme’ for Season OpeningFairfaxSymphony tokick-off newseason Sept. 22.

Music director and conductor Christopher Zimmermanleading the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.

Danielle Talamantes performs the role of Mimi in theFairfax Symphony Orchestra concert of “La Boheme.”

Where and WhenFairfax Symphony Orchestra presents “La Bohème” in concert at George Mason

University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Performance Sept.22 at 8 p.m. Tickets $25, $39, $50, $53, and $65. Student tickets $15. For ticketsvisit www.fairfaxsymphony.org or by phone at 703-993-2787. Note: Pre-Perfor-mance discussions at 7 p.m. with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra conductorChristopher Zimmerman and special guests for insights into the performance.

Rolando Sanz,performs therole of Rodolfoin the FairfaxSymphonyOrchestraconcert of “LaBoheme.”

Pho

to

by N

esh

an

N

altch

ayan

/C

ourtesy FSO

Pho

to

s co

urtesy Fairfax Sym

pho

ny O

rch

estra


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I don’t want to self-indulge too much, but given the potentially life-changing seriousness of my upcoming Sept. 26 CT scan, I’m having a little trouble getting myself started in the morning – and throughout the day also, if you must know the truth? (I realize you all have your own lives to lead so that last sentence-ending question was more rhetorical than actual.)

Nevertheless, if you’re still reading, you’re still interested so I’ll try to string together some “insight-ful commentary and thoughtful humor,” (an original characterization of my columns) to keep you on the page. Although, given the subject of this week’s col-umn, it might be hard to tiptoe through the tulips.

ignore, “totally,” (my mother loved to mimic the generation that popularized that word) the reality of my situation.

Typically, I’ve been able to maintain a relative calm and detached disposition as I go from one cancer-related thing to another. None of the tasks I must perform or the responsibilities I’ve assimilated into a routine (24-hour urine collection, pre-che-motherapy lab work, chemotherapy, quarterly CT scans, annual brain MRI, quarterly appointments with my oncologist, have changed who I like to think I am compared to who I was pre-cancer diag-nosis, 2/27/09; despite having the weight of a “ter-minal” diagnosis/original “13 month to two year” prognosis on my shoulders/literally in my lungs.

To quote Popeye the Sailor Man: “I y’am who I y’am.” (And I still don’t like spinach, certainly not out of a can.)

And though I’ve done a pretty good job of

shoulders like unwanted dandruff, the fact is – as with dandruff shampoo or any other personal hygiene product for that matter – unless one is dili-gent, vigilant and cognizant of its likely recurrence, nothing will change.

Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t quite react that way. It will change and it can overwhelm even your best efforts and can cause harm not only internally

these emotional pressures is challenging and dare I say, presents as many problems as the growth and movement of one’s tumors and the side effects of one’s treatment does.

What makes my present situation feel different and a bit off-putting is that what has happened has

and quiet (I was never characterized as in “remis-sion,” by the way). It seems the possibility of having to go back, so to speak, and return to the scene of

moreover, having to restart the process, ratchets up the stress to previously unknown heights.

And part of me is wondering (worrying actually) if I’m up to the challenge again, emotionally and of course, physically as well; whether my body can

have to reload.I use the word ‘reload’ for a reason. Without

invoking too many war metaphors, being diagnosed with cancer is like being drafted into the Army,

cancer is a battle, it’s more a war against attrition in which the bad guys (cancer) regularly defeat the good guys (people diagnosed with cancer). In

It reminds me of a long-ago M*A*S*H episode in which the doctors operated through a particularly

Blake) and “Hawkeye” (Capt. Pierce) went outside the operating room/tent for some relief. “Hawkeye” clearly agitated over a patient he couldn’t save; Henry tried to offer him some comfort with the following words: “There are certain rules about war. And rule number one is young men die. And rule number two is, doctors can’t change rule number one.”

What scares me about cancer is, it follows no rules and like war, leaves devastation in its wake. I just hope I’m not about to be another causality.

Poise UnderPressure – Or Not

From Page 7

Lord of Life Lutheran Church’s two campuses:Fairfax Campus, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax;or Clifton Campus, 13421 Twin Lakes Drive,Clifton. Registration fee $15; Text book $25.Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9p.m.; start date is on Sept. 11 and ends Nov. 15,2018. Call 703-323-9500 or visitwww.lordoflifeva.org.

Public Hearing. 7 p.m. in the Oaks Room at TwinLakes Golf Course, 6201 Union Mill Road,Clifton. The Fairfax County Park Authority(FCPA) and the Northern Virginia Regional ParkAuthority (NOVA Parks) will hold a joint publichearing on the proposed adoption of anamendment to Park Regulation Section 1.17,Remote-Control Devices and Powered Models orToys. The full text of the proposed amendmentis available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/model-aircrafts-drones. Anyone wishing to speakon this subject may call Judy Pedersen, FCPAPublic Information Officer, at 703-324-8662 oremail [email protected], to be placedon the Speakers’ List.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 8Walter4FCPS Campaign Kickoff. 6-8 p.m. at

The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road,Fairfax. Robert Walter is running to representthe Springfield District on the Fairfax CountySchool Board. With special guest: Donte Tanner.$25. Email [email protected] or visitwww.walter4fcps.com/ for more.

SUNDAY/SEPT. 9One-hour Tours. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station

Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road,Fairfax Station. Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum volunteers will conduct one-hour tours(beginning at 1:15 and 2:45 p.m.) of the areaimmediately around the Museum in the historicFairfax Station village to help visitors learn whatlife was like when it was an active depot. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under, free.Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

THROUGH SEPT. 9Pool Closure: South Run RECenter. Four

Fairfax County Park Authority RECenter poolswill be closing for regular, periodic cleaning andmaintenance next month. Consider trying outanother county pool during the temporaryshutdown. RECenter passes are valid at all ninePark Authority RECenters. Dates are subject tochange. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/recenter for more.

TUESDAY/SEPT. 11NARFE Fairfax 737 Luncheon Meeting. 11:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m., at American Legion Post 177,3939 Oak St., Fairfax. Presentation on “Refuseto be a Victim “ by Lt. Brian Ruck, FairfaxCounty Police. Meetings are held on the secondTuesday of each month from September throughJune, and opened to all active and retiredFederal employees, spouses and guests. Registerfor luncheon ($11) by Sept. 7, 2018 at 703-280-2356.

Engaging the (ADHD) Student in Learning.7-8:30 p.m. at The Oakwood School, 7210Braddock Road, Annandale. Learn six research-based, active study methods that help makestudying engaging, faster and result in learning– even for those with ADHD. This event is partof the CHADD of NoVA/DC Chapter’s“Understanding ADHD” Lecture Series. Free.Email [email protected] or call 703-829-6129. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com, search“Engaging the ADHD Student.”

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 12Christian Women’s Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1

p.m. at Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301Old Keene Road, Springfield. The SpringfieldChristian Women’s Club Luncheon will featureStacey Hawkins presenting “Tea Time: TheHistory of Tea” and inspirational speaker JudyBlevins with “Cheering Even When Life HasGiven You Nothing To Cheer About.” $20.Reserve at 703-922-6438 or [email protected].

Bulletin

roxanne lypka and dad gerry pose by a 1966 cor- vette...

Documents