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Resident Curator To Renovate Stempson House

News, Page 3

Recount Concludes, Reaffirming Hugo Election VictoryNews, Page 3

Unbuilt Baseball Diamonds Get New VenueNews, Page 4

The Stempson House, a historic property in Lorton, will be the first property renovated under the FCPA’s new Resident Curator Program.

2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 21-27, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

12 2017

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Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 21-27, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Stempson House

NewsLorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Recounts for Virginia’s 40thHouse District concludedThursday, Dec. 14, more thana month after Nov. 7 election.

After the recount reaffirmed his electionvictory over Donte Tanner (D), Del. TimHugo (R) will serve an eighth term in theVirginia House of Delegates. Hugo won by99 votes, less than one half of one percentof more than 30,000 votes cast. On elec-tion night, he was projected to have wonby 106 votes.

“I would like to thank the hardworkingvolunteers and recount officials who made

this recount go smoothlyand without incident,” ac-cording to Hugo. “As I saidduring the campaign, win orlose, we want to make surethat every lawful vote iscounted and this process hasensured just that. I am hon-ored to be re-elected and thank my constitu-ents for their continued trust in me. My fo-cus has always been on improving the livesof those I serve.”

The 40th District includes parts of Fairfaxand Prince William counties, including

Centreville, Fairfax Station and Clifton.Hugo was first elected in a special elec-

tion in 2002. He serves as the House Ma-jority Caucus chairman and served as thevice chairman of the Transportation com-mittee as well as on the Commerce & La-

Recount Concludes, Reaffirming Hugo VictoryWith the House of Delegates at51-49 Republicans over Democrats,recounts are closely watched

bor, Finance, and Privileges and Electionscommittees.

“Our message of service to our commu-nity is why we received such bipartisan sup-port and were ultimately successful. I lookforward to building on our accomplish-ments and finding new ways to improve ourcommunity,” said Hugo.

Tanner offered his congratulations toHugo on Thursday, via Twitter.

“I wish him the best returning to thehouse. It’s been an honor to run for office,and I’m deeply thankful to my staff, volun-teers and supporters of my campaign,” hesaid. “The fight’s not over, and I look for-ward to continuing the fight as a citizen.”

Before the November election, the Vir-ginia House of Delegates was 66-34 Repub-lican, and now appears to be 51-49 Repub-lican with two more races close enough forrecounts planned this week.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, a cer-emonial lease signing was heldbetween the Fairfax County Park

Authority (FCPA) and Resident Curator Lt.Cmdr. Steven J. McCullough in the HerrityBuilding at the Fairfax County GovernmentCenter. The Stempson House, a historicproperty in Lorton, will be the first prop-erty renovated under the FCPA’s new Resi-dent Curator Program. The Resident Cura-tor Program (RCP) is designed to preservehistoric properties by offering long-termleases to qualified tenants who agree to re-habilitate and maintain these historic re-sources in exchange for rent-free accommo-dation. A curator can be a private citizen, anon-profit entity, or a for-profit entity.

McCullough was selected as ResidentCurator for the Stempson House followingan application process and evaluation byFCPA’s multi-disciplined administrative andfinancial team. McCullough plans to reha-bilitate the house, garage and grounds foruse as a private residence. The renovationswill occur over the lease term of approxi-mately nine years, while ensuring construc-tion complies with the terms of an FCPA-approved work plan, as well as the federalstandards for the rehabilitation of historicproperties. McCullough has created a pic-torial blog(www.stempsonhouserestoration.com/) todocument the rehabilitation process alongthe way and will act as an informationalresource for other prospective curators. Dur-ing renovation, the Stempson House willoccasionally be open for public viewing.

THE STEMPSON HOUSE property is lo-cated at 9501 Furnace Road in Lorton, inLaurel Hill Park. It was built in 1937 by in-mates of the nearby Occoquan Workhouse

and Reformatory, later known as the LortonPrison, for use by prison employees as a resi-dence, and later as a security office. Theoriginal construction materials and meth-ods used are typical of residential housingconstruction in the early 1930s. As part ofthe rehabilitation process, the Park Author-ity expects to make an investment in an ar-chaeological survey, electrical upgrades andconnections to public water and sanitarysewer systems at the site.

McCullough has been an Active DutyCoast Guard officer and pilot for more than19 years and is currently assigned to theCoast Guard Headquarters in Washington,D.C., as the Senior Watch Officer of theCoast Guard National Command Center.Growing up in Hagerstown, Md., close tomany Civil War era battlefields, combinedwith having a father who was a history buffand attending school in one of the oldestcities in the country peeked McCullough’sinterest in American History at a young age.He then graduated with a B.A. in historyand economics and lived in Arlington forseveral months before joining the CoastGuard.

Traveling frequently and owning severalhomes along the way, McCullough honedhis do-it-yourself skills and gained experi-ence dealing with aged structures and datedmaterials. His most recent restoration/reno-vation was a 1930s farm house in upstateNew York, which included gutting a bath-room and laundry room, a major kitchenrenovation, creation of a modern luxurymaster suite, hardwood flooring, ceramictile, drywall and roof repair, moldremediation, a carpenter ant infestation andmajor landscape improvements.

McCullough learned of the RCP when hewas looking for homes in the area, afterreceiving orders to report to Coast Guard

First Lease Signed Under Resident Curator ProgramResident Curator Steven J. McCullough to renovate Stempson House

Donte Tanner Tim Hugo

See Stempson House, Page 9A ceremonial lease signing.

Photos courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority


News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

From eight previous rezoning cases,$1,346,459.52 in proffered contri-butions to build baseball diamondsin Springfield remained unused.

But the Fairfax County Park Authority andBoard of Supervisors called up a new Vir-ginia Code that allows for reallocation offunds where construction could go forward.

“I think this is the first time that we’veused this new section of the Virginia Code,”said Springfield District Supervisor PatHerrity.

Virginia Code 15.2-2303.2 “allows a lo-cality to use any cash payments profferedfor capital improvements for alternativeimprovements of the same category withinthe locality in the vicinity of the improve-ments for which the cash payments wereoriginally made.”

The money originally intended to buildbaseball diamonds at Patriot Park at 12111

has community approval,” said Herrity.“The proffers were for baseball fieldsand they are going to be used for base-ball fields in the vicinity of where theywere originally expected to be.”

The Park Authority predicts construc-tion will start in 2019.

“The community’s got a severe short-age of 90-foot diamonds,” said Herrity.“It also clusters with a pair of 60-footdiamonds which makes for a great base-ball facility.”

If the Board didn’t approve the ParkAuthority’s request, “the funds prof-fered to Patriot Park will remain un-

Unbuilt Baseball Diamonds Get New Venueavailable to be used for other improvementsat nearby Patriot Park North and will re-main unutilized until VDOT and FCDOTtransportation improvements, includingroad

alignments that will impact Patriot Park,are finalized,” according to planning andzoning documents.

Development on the original park planwas delayed indefinitely, said SuzianneBattista, of the Department of Planning andZoning, because of uncertainty of VDOTand FCPT road improvements, includinglack of an entrance to the planned base-ball diamonds.

Suzianne Battista,Planning andDevelopmentDivision, ParkAuthority, presentedthe staff report.

Pat Herrity,Springfield Dis-trict Supervisor

A place where commuters inSpringfield can park and rideinto points north came closer to

reality on Nov. 8 when transportationofficials and residents gathered to hashout more details on a multimodal garageacross the street from the current im-promptu slug line area at SpringfieldPlaza.

Currently Fairfax County is leasing 532spaces in the central Springfield area thatare designated commuter spaces but thenew lot will consolidate this effort. Un-der the proposal, the new commuter cen-ter will have increased parking for parkand ride, spaces for bike commuters, apedestrian bridge to Springfield Plazaand community event spaces available

for evening and weekend activities. Cur-rently the lot is in its design phase andconstruction is tentatively scheduled tostart in late 2019 and be completed in2022.

The proposed lot will be a six-levelstructure with 1,100 parking spaces,seven bus bays, a commuter drop off area(i.e. slug line) and short term parkingfor carpoolers. Possible uses for the com-munity event area include SpringfieldDays activities, the bridge walk, a farm-ers market, arts and crafts fairs, BoyScout yard sales, Springfield Chamberevents and yoga classes.

Officials are currently seeking com-ments on the proposal. For more infor-mation, call 703-877-5600.

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Datedannouncements should be submitted at least twoweeks prior to the event.

Christmas Holiday Services at HistoricPohick Episcopal Church, 9301 RichmondHighway Lorton. Visit www.pohick.org or call 703-339-6572.

❖ Sunday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve — at 10 a.m.will be a Service of Lessons and Carols. Eveningservices begin at 6 p.m. with a Family Holy Eucha-rist with Children’s Choirs. At 10:30 p.m. is aChristmas Carol presentation with choir and brassensemble, followed by the 11 p.m. Festival HolyEucharist.

❖ Monday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day — at 10a.m. will be a Christmas Day Holy Eucharist.

Christmas Eve Celebrations. CelebrateChristmas in a positive, welcoming and inclusivespiritual community. Sunday, Dec. 24 — Medita-tion service at 9 a.m., family-oriented service at 11a.m.; candlelight service at 7:30 p.m. at Unity ofFairfax, Oakton. Free. Visitwww.unityoffairfax.org/events.

Christmas Eve Service. Sunday, Dec. 24, 8-9 p.m. at Harvester Presbyterian Church, 7800Rolling Road, Springfield. Join in a traditionalcandlelight Christmas Eve service. Free. Call 703-455-7800 or visit www.harvesterpca.org.

Burning Bowl Ceremony. Sunday, Dec. 31at 9 and 11 a.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Experience this ritual of releas-ing what no longer serves you and envisioning theyear ahead. Free. Visit www.unityoffairfax.org/events.

New Year’s Labyrinth. Monday, Jan. 1 atnoon-4 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Set your intentions for 2018 whilewalking Unity’s indoor labyrinth. Free. Visitwww.unityoffairfax.org/events.

Congregation Adat Reyim, an independentJewish congregation, offers services Friday at 8p.m., Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Maariv minyan at7:30 p.m. Hebrew School is Sundays from 9-11:15for K-6th graders and Mondays from 5:30-7:30

p.m. for 3rd-6th graders. Adat Reyim is located at6500 Westbury Oaks Court in Springfield. 703-569-7577 or www.adatreyim.org.

Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 OakLeather Drive in Burke, worship services are Sun-days at 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 6 p.m.www.BurkePresChurch.org.

One God Ministry Church, 4280/4282Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, offers Early MorningService at 8 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m., Sun-day Worship Service at 11 a.m., and WednesdayBible Study at 7 p.m. Women, Men, and YouthBible Studies are on the third Tuesday of eachmonth at 7 p.m. A Spiritual Gifts Service is the firstFriday of every month at 7 p.m. One God Ministryhas ministries for youth, men, women, couples,music and singles. 703-591-6161 orwww.onegodministry.org.

Faith Communities in Action meets the firstWednesday of every other month from 2-4 p.m. atthe Fairfax County Government Center, ConferenceRooms 2 and 3, 12000 Government Center Park-way, Fairfax.

The Bahá’í Community of Fairfax CountySouthwest offers Interfaith Devotions, Children’sClasses, Junior Youth Groups and Study Cirles,which are open to all. For more information onthese or to know more about the Bahá’í Faith, goto www.bahai.us or 571-320-5274.

St. Leo the Great in Fairfax hosts “Night ofPraise” the first Saturday of each month, featuringpraise music and Eucharist adoration at 7 p.m.Located at 3704 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church,8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, offers atraditional service on Sundays at 8:15 and 11:15a.m. and a contemporary service on Sundays at9:45 a.m. www.stmatthewsumc.org or 703-978-3500.

The Immanuel Bible Church MOPS groupmeets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Immanuel BibleChurch, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. MOPSis for pregnant or parenting mothers of childrenfrom infancy to kindergarten. 703-922-4295 orwww.MOPS.org.

The Lorton Community Action Center isin need this holiday season and is short offood supplies to help feed local residents.Many of the people they help are militaryfamilies or working families that rely onassistance.

Help by donating food items (breakfastcereal, box; canned fruit/apple sauce;canned tuna/chicken; pasta sauce in plas-

Transit Center Moves Closerfor Commuters in Springfield

Artist rendering of the proposed commuter parking lot on OldKeene Mill Road in Springfield.

Food, Grocery Gift Cards Neededtic jars; pasta; 1-2 lb. bags of rice; peanutbutter/jelly; cooking oil; snack foods forchildren) or by donating Grocery GiftCard to Shopper’s Food Warehouse orFood Lion.

Location: 9506 Richmond Highway (be-hind Lorton library); Monday-Friday 10-5;Saturday 11-4; and Sunday 12-4. Visitlortonaction.org/ or call 703-339-5161.

Area Roundups

Braddock Road will now be reallocated tobuild baseball diamonds at Patriot ParkNorth, west of Patriot Park, at the intersec-tion of Braddock Road and Willow SpringsRoad.

“This clearly makes a lot of sense and it

Faith Notes


News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

Parking at the shopping mallcan be challenging at anytime of the year, but duringthe holiday season, it takes

time and a certain amount of work tofind a good spot. There are lots of cars,new rules and entrances, so forgettingwhere the car is happens more than once.

At Tysons, there are 11,500 parkingspaces, divided between a few multi-level parking garages and open air lots.The valet parking specialist at the va-let lot right outside Nordstroms can’tkeep tabs on everyone, so he focuseson the clients that pay the $10 HolidayParking special to use his lot. “Theykeep asking me, they don’t know wherethey parked,” he said.

Diane Peratt came in from Leesburg anddidn’t balk at the $10 special. “I’m very shorton time,” she said, as she looked around atthe big roped off area that was empty on aWednesday afternoon. “I’m glad they havethis option, this number of spots is a bitmuch,” she added.

Over at Springfield Town Center, the num-ber of shoppers waxes and wanes during

the week, but the weekends are big, saidHayden Basse, a college student that oper-ates the valet stand at Springfield. On oneevening shift in early December, he parked75 cars in either the 15 spots up front orthe auxiliary lot that is off along LoisdaleRoad. “You get a lot of families, especiallyin colder weather,” Basse said.

Joshua and Jessica Ball are new to thearea, but have been to Springfield Town

Center a few times. “It’s a nightmare on Fri-days and Saturdays,” Joshua Ball said. Park-

ing on the weekends craziness is nosecret, but Basse is happy to help out,saying: “Our job is to provide conve-nient parking to the mall and restau-rants,” he said. Basse gets the shopper’scell phone number upon arrival, entersit in his iPad and when the customersare ready, a signal is sent and Basse re-trieves their car. “Makes it super quick,”he said.

Valet spots are $6 at the SpringfieldTown Center and $7 at Tysons Corner,but in the Nordstroms lot, the $10 Holi-day Parking Special includes money-saving coupons.

Nordstrom employee Christina Curtisnever has a problem even in the holi-day season. “There’s plenty of spaces,eventually you do find a parkingspace,” she said, but has seen the shop-pers that can’t find their car at the end

of the day. “A lot of people get confused withthe exits, they don’t know where theyparked,” she said.

The Tysons security office is always help-ing find cars. “We do that a lot,” said Secu-rity Officer Rivas.

To accompany all the specialty shops thatopen and close around the holidays, thereare a number of specialty spots for restau-rant patrons, electric vehicles, pregnant

women, military veterans and big spend-ers. What’s an average Joe to do in situa-tions like this? Go to the back of the lot,hope for a spot, and take the hike back tothe shopping center, keeping an eye out fordrivers who aren’t being attentive.

Becca Willcox, the Tysons events and com-munications manager, noted that there area certain number of spaces dedicated toelectric and hybrid vehicles, valet parkingand 20 VIP spots for their top 50 moneyspenders. On the weekends in December,there are “parking directors,” maintainingorder around the lots and for the specialityspots, the Tysons security “patrols them tomake sure they’re [specialty spots] beingused correctly,” Willcox said.

Parking lot safety is another concernaround the holidays. The Fairfax CountyPolice Department has a Christmas Anti-Theft Team, known as the CATT, “watchingfor people breaking in cars and taking mer-chandise,” said officer Bob Otten.

According to the police, “over the 2016holiday season, our teams collectively re-covered over $315,000 in stolen propertyand seized assets.” In addition, there arepolice officers in the lots keeping the peaceand making sure cars are not blocking thefire lanes or illegally parking in the disabledparking spaces, noted with the blue signs.“We ask them to move along,” he said. It’sa $50 ticket if they don’t, said Otten.

Photo by Mike Salmon

At Springfield Town Center, Hayden Bassemonitors valet spaces and uses a cellphone feature to retrieve cars whenneeded.

Parking Comes in Various Forms for Holiday ShoppersFocusing on convenience and security.


Opinion

The pages of the Connection News-papers (including the AlexandriaGazette Packet, the Mount VernonGazette, the Potomac Almanac and

the Centre View) have been full of holiday spiritbeginning before Thanksgiving. Group and in-dividual efforts to help the needy, holiday pa-rades, Santa arriving by boat, Santa arrivingby horse-drawn carriage, Santa arriving at theMalls, tree lightings, Menorah lightings, sto-ries of giving, secular celebrations, religiouscelebrations. Shopping locally. Giving locally.

Christmas is about the birthof Jesus Christ. Whether youbelieve the Christmas story lit-erally or in spirit, you know it

is the story of joy, hope and love, with the prom-ise of redemption.

It is also about embracing the teachings ofJesus: to love thy neighbor as thyself; to helpthe needy; to feed the hungry and clothe thepoor; to care for those who are sick; to inviteand welcome strangers; to treat others as youwould have them treat you.Matthew 7:12:

“So in everything, do to others what youwould have them do to you, for this sums upthe Law and the Prophets.”Matthew 25:35-40:

“For I was hungry and you gave me some-thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a stranger and youinvited me in, I needed clothes and you clothedme, I was sick and you looked after me, I wasin prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,when did we see you hungry and feed you, orthirsty and give you something to drink? Whendid we see you a stranger and invite you in, orneeding clothes and clothe you? When did wesee you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one

of the least of these brothers and sisters ofmine, you did for me.’”

SO LET US SHARE the verse relating thebirth of Jesus from the Bible, Luke 2: 4-19:

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, outof the city ofNazareth, intoJudaea, unto the cityof David, which iscalled Bethlehem;(because he was ofthe house and lin-eage of David:) Tobe taxed with Maryhis espoused wife,being great with child. And so it was, that,while they were there, the days were accom-plished that she should be delivered. And shebrought forth her firstborn son, and wrappedhim in swaddling clothes, and laid him in amanger; because there was no room for themin the inn.

“And there were in the same country, shep-herds abiding in the field, keeping watch overtheir flock by night. And, lo, the angel of theLord came upon them, and the glory of the

Whether you believe the Christmas storyliterally or in spirit, you know it is the story of joy,hope and love, with the promise of redemption.

Merry Christmas

This is our last regular edition of 2017. Nextweek, after Christmas, we will publish our an-nual Children’s Issue, devoted entirely to theartwork and writing of local students. We havemore submissions from local students thanever, and so some children’s and teens’ artworkand writing will spill over into the first weekof the new year.

Our next regular edition will publish Jan. 3-4, 2018, with deadline for content and adver-tising of Dec. 30 (late ads accepted).

In the meantime you can reach the editors

Lord shone round about them: and they weresore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fearnot: for, behold, I bring you good tidings ofgreat joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Andthis shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find thebabe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in amanger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel amultitude of the heavenly host praising God,and saying, Glory to God in the highest, andon earth peace, good will toward men.

“And it came topass, as the angelswere gone awayfrom them intoheaven, the shep-herds said one toanother, Let us nowgo even untoBethlehem, and seethis thing which is

come to pass, which the Lord hath made knownunto us. And they came with haste, and foundMary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a man-ger. And when they had seen it, they madeknown abroad the saying which was told themconcerning this child. And all they that heardit wondered at those things which were toldthem by the shepherds.”

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

“Truly I tell you, whateveryou did for one of the least ofthese brothers and sisters ofmine, you did for me.”Editorial

Editor’s Note About the Rest of 2017at [email protected] andsales/marketing/advertising [email protected].

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Islam RecognizesJesus As aProphetTo the Editor:

I want to wish all my Christianfriends Merry Christmas. I wouldalso use this opportunity to high-light that Islam recognizes Jesus(peace be upon him) as a Prophet.Muslims believe that Jesus was aprophet who was given a specialmessage — the Gospel — to con-vey to all people. This messageboth confirmed what was taughtin the Torah and foretold the com-ing of Prophet Muhammad. Thus,

Jesus has a vital and unique roleto play in the Muslim faith.

The Qur’an mentions Jesus, orIsa, 25 times, but differently eachtime. The Qur’an explains thatJesus was born of the Virgin Mary(19:20–21) and is “highly honoredin this and the next world” (3:45–47). Thus, he is called Isa ibnMaryam, or Jesus son of Mary. TheQur’an also refers to him as ruhmin Allah (“Spirit from God”),mushia bi’l baraka (“the Messiah—someone blessed by God”),kalimah min Allah (“Word from/of God”), and rasul (Prophet-Mes-senger) of God.

It is part of my faith to acceptJesus as a pious and righteous

man. He, like all Prophets of Is-lam, brought a message of peace,love and brotherhood for theworld. While Christians and main-stream Muslims are still waitingfor the second coming of Jesus(peace be upon him), tens of mil-lions of Ahmadi Muslims have ac-cepted Mirza Ghulam Ahmad ofQadian as the Messiah, whoclaimed in 1889 to have come inthe spirit of Jesus to reform theworld.

Nevertheless, the holiday seasonis a source of joy and celebrationfor all Christians. Please accept myhumble wishes for the season. Iwould end my note by reaffirm-ing that Jesus (peace be upon him)

Letters to the Editor

is not only the beloved of Chris-tians, but also of all Muslims.

Sumra ZafarAhmadiyya Muslim Commu-

nity, Virginia

Write The Connectionwelcomes views on any public

issue. The deadline for allmaterial is noon Friday. Send to:

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

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5765-C Burke Centre Pkwy • Burke • 703-239-9324

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

ONGOINGSanta’s Flight Academy. Through

Dec. 24, at various times at at FairOaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall,Fairfax. Santa surrounded by a spacemotif. Visitwww.santaexpresslane.com.

“Peekaboo! A Nativity Play.”Through Dec. 24, 8 p.m. at The JohnSwayze Theatre, New School ofNorthern Virginia, 9431 Silver KingCourt, Fairfax. The Hub Theatrepresents “Peekaboo! A Nativity Play.”Call 703-674-3177 or visitwww.thehubtheatre.org.

THURSDAY/DEC. 21Friday Morning Music Club. noon-1

p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999University Drive, Fairfax. Sponsoredby the City of Fairfax Commission onthe Arts. Call 703-385-7858 or visitwww.fmmc.org.

SUNDAY/DEC. 24Celtic Carols by Candlelight. 9:30-

10 p.m. at St. Andrew;s EpiscopalChurch, 6509 Sydenstricker Road,Burke. Hear Celtic instruments andsing Christmas carols featuring thehammered dulcimer, Irish flute,pennywhistle; harp-guitar, cittern,mandolin, fiddle and Celtic harp.Donations go to FACETS and ECHO.Christmas Vigil Service will follow.Visit www.standrews.net.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY/DEC. 28-29The Nutcracker. 2 and 7 p.m. at the

Ernst Community Cultural Center,8333 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. The Virginia BalletCompany is presenting its 68thannual production of “TheNutcracker.” This is a full-length,professionally-staged ballet. $30 foradults and $20 for children, seniorsand students at VABallet.org. [email protected] or call 703-249-8227.

FRIDAY/DEC. 29B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Call703-219-2200.

SATURDAY/DEC. 30Early New Years Party. 11 a.m.-noon

at Kingstowne Library, 6500Landsdowne Ctr. All ages. Come outa few days early to celebrate the New

Year with arts and crafts and a countdown to noon. Call 703-339-4610.

Art and Lunch. noon-3 p.m. at VillageGallery, 3950 University Drive,Fairfax. Bring lunch and enjoy thecompany of other artists. Free andopen to the public. Visitwww.fairfaxartleague.net or call 703-587-9481.

SUNDAY/DEC. 31Fairfax 4 Miler. 6 p.m. at Pacers

Running Fairfax, 10427 North St.,Fairfax. Celebrating their ninth year,the Fairfax Four is a favorite for itspost-race pizza party and sweatshirtpremium. Call 703-537-0630.

TUESDAYS/JAN. 2-FEB. 13Art Lessons for Youth. 5:15-6:15

p.m at Woods Community Centre,10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke.Instructor Carol Zeitlin drawing andwatercolor. 8 years and older. Visitwww.czartlessons.com. Call 703-250-6930.

TUESDAYS/JAN. 2-FEB. 13Drawing Plus Color Class. 6:15-7

p.m. at Woods Community Centre,10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke.Instructor Carol Zeitlin, drawing andwatercolor. Visitwww.czartlessons.com. For 5-8 yrs.Call 703-250-6930.

FRIDAY/JAN. 5B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Call703-273-3638 or visitwww.fairfaxvfd.com.

SATURDAYS/JAN. 6-FEB. 17Art Lessons for Youth. 9:15-10:30

a.m. at Woods Community Centre,10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke.Instructor Carol Zeitlin drawing andwatercolor. 8 years and older. Visitwww.czartlessons.com. Call 703-250-6930.

SATURDAYS/JAN. 6-FEB. 17Art Workshop for Teens/Adults.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at WoodsCommunity Centre, 10100 WardsGrove Circle, Burke. Instructor CarolZeitlin, drawing, watercolor, ChineseBrush & portfolio development. Visitwww.czartlessons.com. Call 703-250-6930.

MONDAY/JAN. 8Funday Monday. 10:30 a.m. at Old

Town Hall, 3999 University Drive,

Fairfax. Sponsored by the City ofFairfax Commission on the Arts.Funday Monday will offer a variety ofchildren’s activities andentertainment in Old Town Hall.Free. Call 703-385-7858.

MONDAYS/JAN. 8-MARCH 26Exercise Classes. 9:30-10:30 a.m. at

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. $30. Call703-323-4788 or visitwww.scfbva.org.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 10Earth Fare Opens. 7 a.m. at Fairfax

Plaza, 11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax.Specialty organic and natural foodsgrocery store. Visitwww.earthfare.com.

THURSDAY/JAN. 11Art and Lunch. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

at Old Town Hall, 3999 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. The Fairfax Art Leaguewill be hosting, bring lunch andenjoy the company of other artists.Free. Visit www.fairfaxartleague.netor call 703-587-9481.



THURSDAY/JAN. 18Lunch N’ Life. noon-2 p.m. at the

Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723Main St. John Cox, who was a guideat the U.S. Capital Building willspeak on the history of the building.$10. Call 703-323-4788 or visitwww.scfbva.org.



Sherwood Family Movie. 7 p.m. atthe Stacy C. Sherwood CommunityCenter, 3740 Old Lee Highway.Featuring “Smurfs Lost Village.”Participants may bring their ownsnacks. Britepaths will acceptdonations of non perishable food.Call 703-385-7858.

Dance Fest 2018. 7:30-9:30 p.m. atHarris Theatre at George MasonUniversity, George Mason University,4400 University Drive, Fairfax. TheVirginia Dance Coalition presentsDanceFest 2018 Gala Performancehighlighting 12 member companies.Visit www.virginiadancecoalition.org.

“The Nutcracker”On Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28 and 29, The Virginia Ballet Company is presenting its68th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Shows at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Ernst Com-munity Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. This is a full-length,professionally-staged ballet. $30 for adults and $20 for children, seniors and studentsat VABallet.org. Email [email protected] or call 703-249-8227 for more.

Entertainment


Education●Learning●Fun

By Marilyn Campbell

When artist Kathryn Coneway isfeeling overwhelmed by thestress of the holiday season, she

heads outside to find peace and calm innature.

“I get easily overwhelmed by the crowdedparking lots and busy stores,” she said.“When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’ll go toHuntley Meadows Park and walk around.The beauty of nature restores me. You’rewith other people when you’re there, butthere’s still solitude.”

From those who are dashing to finishholiday shopping and those who are finan-cially strapped to those grieving a loss ordreading dealing with strained familial re-lationships, the stretch of time betweenThanksgiving and Christmas is often hecticand emotionally charged. Recharging andinfusing the holidays with joy and peacemight mean redefining the holiday season.

“Research shows increased happiness af-ter thinking of three good things that hap-pened to you today and what caused them,”said Jerome Short, Ph.D., associate profes-sor of psychology at George Mason Univer-sity. “Also, people report improved moodfrom doing fivekind acts in aday, expressinggratitude, pur-suing impor-tant goals, andplaying sports.”

An evening ofmusic and quietcreativity is onemethod thatElizabeth Rees,associate rectorat Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Alex-andria uses to recharge during the holidayseason. The event called “Healing Arts” isheld at the Center for Spiritual Deepeningat St. Aidan’s. “Sometimes for me, medita-tive art helps me to get into a differentspace,” she said. “And with instrumentalcello and guitar music in the background,it [is] beautiful.”

Visual imagery is another technique Reesemploys. “I went to a… prayer-yoga-dancegathering this week, and [the instructor]had us physically pretend to pick up thingsthat we want to let go of or that are weigh-ing us down to place on an imaginary fire,”she said. “I loved the imagery: my burdensand distractions going up in smoke alongwith my prayers rising to God to make spacein me for something new.”

Coneway uses the season’s natural sur-rounding to inspire her art, which is anotherway in which she finds joy and relaxation.“The gift of this time of day is the display oflight and colors of early morning andevening,” she said. “I encourage families togather around the table and [create] arttogether. Whether its parents addressingChristmas cards while children are draw-ing or making a collage out of wrappingpaper or tissue paper, I encourage familiesto work on something together.”

Serving others and expressing gratitudeare research-driven techniques for findinghappiness says Dr. Lois T. Stover, Ed.D.,dean, School of Education and Human Ser-vices at Marymount University.

“Make holiday cards and send them out.It’s fun to drop a word of kindness anony-

mously tosomeone in theneighborhoodand then tellthat person topass along theidea, leavingwords of kind-ness or grati-tude themselvesfor someoneelse,” she said.“Create an ‘I am

thankful for ...’ wall and cover it with stickynotes that complete the sentence as newthoughts come to mind each time you passby.”

There’s plenty of holiday joy that comeswithout a price tag, suggests Stover. “Drivethrough various neighborhoods just afterdark and exclaim ‘Oooh – aah’ over homesor other buildings that have particularly fun

Finding Peace and Joy Relieving stress and findingmeaning in the holiday season.

or beautiful displays of lights,” said Stover.“Listen to holiday music in a variety ofgenres and make play lists of favorites. Singalong loudly. It’s hard to feel down whilebelting out anything from ‘Frosty theSnowman’ to ‘Joy to the World.’”

For those looking to maintain the religiousmeaning of the season, Rees suggests dailydevotions sent electronically. “I’ve found

SylvainRichard, PatKeithly andEileen Myersattended a“HealingArts” event atthe Center forSpiritualDeepening atSt. Aidan’sEpiscopalChurch inAlexandria.Such activi-ties can bringpeace and joyduring ahectic holidayseason.

ArtistKathrynConeway andher familyspend time inHuntleyMeadowsPark whenthey’re feel-ing over-whelmed bythe holidayrush.

Photo courtesyof KathrynConeway

“Moments of quiet and restand being able to be present inthe moment help me to getthrough the frenzy.”

— Elizabeth Rees, Associate Rector, SaintAidan’s Episcopal Church

some wonderful daily prayers that arriveeach day by email. Just a minute or two offocus on what is deep and joyful and holyhelp center me for the day,” she said. “Forme, Ignatian prayer has been speaking tome lately, imagining myself into the storiesof scripture. Moments of quiet and rest andbeing able to be present in the moment helpme to get through the frenzy.”


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headquarters for his last andfinal tour on active duty. Aftersome deliberation, he ulti-mately decided he was inter-ested in and felt well suited forthe program. McCullough is asingle father of a 16-year-olddaughter.

SUPERVISOR Dan Storckthanked McCullough for his ser-vice to this new and innovativeprogram, stating, “I look for-ward to following this project

and hope that you will chronicleyour progress, sharing thesefindings with others who maybe interested in this program,as well as with the local com-munity.”

When asked about the RCP,McCullough said, “This pro-gram is a unique opportunityand I am very excited to be thepilot curator. I look forward tohelping build the program in itsearly stages, as well as, hope-fully, becoming a valued mem-ber of the Fairfax County andLorton communities.”

Monique Craft of the Burke/Fairfax Station office was recog-nized for exceptional performancein November by Mark Ackermann,president of Weichert, Realtors’Capital Region.

Craft led her Weichert sales re-gion, which comprises locationsthroughout Arlington, Fairfax,Fauquier, Loudoun, Orange, PrinceWilliam and Warren counties, inresales for the month.

Craft can be reached inWeichert’s Burke/Fairfax Stationoffice at 9299 Old Keene MillRoad, or call 703-569-7870 formore information.

In recognition of his academicand military performance, CadetCapt. Chimere Jonathan Nzedu,son of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Nzedu,has been named Fishburne Mili-tary School’s Cadet Officer of theMonth for November 2017.

Nzedu, a senior from Lorton, isin his second year at FishburneMilitary School.

The announcement, which readsin part: “Through outstanding per-formance of duty and dedicationto the Corps of Cadets andFishburne Military School, CadetCaptain Chimere Nzedu is herebyawarded Officer of the Month,”was made earlier last week in aformation before the entire as-sembled Corps of Cadets.

Cadet Officer of the Month isselected by a board of Cadet Of-ficers, and is approved by the Com-mandant of Cadets. A Cadet Of-ficer of the Month is selected basedupon his academic, military and

People

Lorton Teen NamedCadet Officer of the Month

community achievementsthroughout the previous month.

Cadets earning Officer of theMonth enjoy special privileges in-cluding 10 Superintendent Merits,10 Commandant Merits, one spe-cial meal and one Four Day Passfrom 6:30 p.m. Thursday to 7 p.m.Monday.

From Page 3

Recognized for‘Exceptional Performance’

Stempson House

Photo contributed

Monique Craft


News

Members of the Board of Supervisorsappointed four new planning com-missioners this month to begin serv-ing on the 12-member commission.

The Planning Commission advises the Board ofSupervisors on all matters related to land use inFairfax County, a particularly busy time right nowreviewing redevelopment along the Silver Line. Thecommission holds public hearings, often multipletimes a week, and often brings together residents,developers and county planners to work throughconcerns and conflicts.

This includes the location and character of publicfacilities; amendments to the Comprehensive Plan;amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, the Public Fa-cilities Ordinance, and the Subdivision Ordinance;rezonings and special exceptions; approvals of finaldevelopment plans; and also sometimes advises theBoard of Zoning Appeals.

Each of the nine supervisory districts has a repre-sentative, and three members are appointed at-large.Planning commissioners are appointed by the Boardof Supervisors for four-year terms on a staggered ba-sis.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine Hudgins ap-pointed John Carter to replace Frank de la Fe as theHunter Mill District Planning Commission. De la Fe,the vice chairman of the commission, served as theHunter Mill planning commissioner since 2001. TheFairfax County Federation of Citizens Associationsnamed him 2001 and 2012 Citizen of the Year.

“Commissioner de la Fe has been involved withevery major task force and committee dealing withplanning and land use,” said Hudgins. “His strengthhas been an ability to hear all sides of an issue andcome to a decision that best serves the communityand Fairfax County.

“Most significantly, he worked with the PlanningCommission on the approvals to bring rail to the DullesCorridor that has changed the culture from a rural/suburban area to a vibrant urban district,” she said.

Carter was a former chief of community-basedplanning in Montgomery County, Md., overseeing thecounty’s master plan and development review pro-cesses, and has more than 35 years experience as aplanner, urban designer and architect, according toHudgins. Carter has a Master of Planning degree fromthe University of Virginia; a Master of Architecturein Urban Design from Virginia Tech and a Bachelorof Architecture with Distinction from Arizona StateUniversity.

“Mr. Carter has lived in the Hunter Mill District forover 44 years and has extensive community involve-ment. I believe Mr. Carter is an excellent choice for

this position,” said Hudgins.

SHARON BULOVA appointed Mary Cortina in No-vember to replace Janyce Hedetniemi as an at-largemember.

Cortina currently serves as vice chairman of theFairfax County Park Authority Board. She grew upin West Springfield in the 1970s, said Bulova.

Cortina is a graduate of George Mason Universitywith a B.S. in Business, majoring in Decision Sci-ences/Management Information Systems and Mar-keting. She also attended the Leadership Develop-ment Program at the Center for Creative Leadershipin Greensboro, N.C.

MOUNT VERNON Supervisor Dan Storck ap-pointed Walter C. Clarke to replace Earl Flanaganon April 18, 2018.

Clarke is a current co-chairman of the EMBARKRichmond Highway Advisory Group and played asubstantive role in the revisions to the Mount VernonComprehensive Plan, according to Storck.

“The selection of Mr. Clarke as the next commis-sioner is a natural next step in his service to theMount Vernon District,” said Storck.

Clarke is also vice president at Burke & HerbertBank and has lived in the Mount Vernon Communityfor more than 15 years.

Current Planning Commissioner Earl Flanagan “hasagreed to work closely with Mr. Clarke over the com-ing months to ensure a smooth transition of upcom-ing matters and continued support, as needed,” saidStorck. “[Flanagan] provided invaluable direction inland use cases for the District. As a steadfast leaderin our community, he is highly respected for his in-depth knowledge of zoning, as well as his ability towork with community leaders, individual residents,working groups and builders.”

SULLY DISTRICT planning commissioner remainsvacant after Karen Keys-Gamarra announced her res-ignation effective Oct. 25, 2017. Keys-Gamarra wona special election in August to fill the at-large SchoolBoard seat vacated by Jeanette Hough.

THE OTHER planning commissioners are:❖ Peter Murphy, chairman, Springfield District,

appointed December 1982 (appointed by MarieTravesky), current term expires December 2018

❖ Jim Hart, at-large, appointed Jan. 2004 (GerryConnolly), term expires December 2019

❖ Tim Sargeant, at-large, appointed January 2007(Connolly), term expires December 2018

❖ John Ulfelder Dranesville, appointed December2013 (John W. Foust), December 2020

❖ Ellen Hurley, Braddock, appointed December2011 (John Cook), December 2019

❖ Julie Strandlie, Mason, appointed December2014 (Penny Gross), December 2018

❖ James Migliaccio, Lee, sworn in July 2010 (JeffMcKay), December 2019

❖ Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, Providence, 2017(Linda Smyth).

Four new membersnamed to Fairfax CountyPlanning Commission; onevacancy remains in Sully.

Planning Commissioners Appointed

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

Students from six Fairfax County pub-lic schools have been named to the 2017All-Virginia Jazz Band and Ensemble.Students named to the 2017 All-Virginia

Jazz Band and Ensemble includeCharlie Gorham from South CountyHigh School.

Vocal musicians from 14 FairfaxCounty public schools have beennamed to the Virginia Honors Choir for2017. Thirty-four Fairfax County Pub-lic Schools (FCPS) students wereselected for the choir, and five students

were named as alternates. This selectchoir is open to the top 125 singersfrom around the Commonwealth ofVirginia, and is the highest honor achoir student can attain during his orher high school career. FCPS studentsnamed to the 2017 Virginia HonorsChoir include: Olivia Chaves andMichael Reinhardt from SouthCounty High School.

School Notes


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Talk about a superfluous statement.I was asleep in bed and awoke to find one of

our five cats, Biscuit, the oldest at 11+, lyingsphinx-like on the front right of our bed. Thoughit was dark, I could see in his yellow eyes that hewas awake.

Wanting to feel a cat against my body, I said,“Biscuit, come here. Come lie against my chest.”No response so I repeated the request. This timewith a bit more conviction: “Biscuit, come here. Iwant to feel you next to me.” Again, noresponse. In fact, no reaction whatsoever. So Imuttered, without thinking even: “OKAY, Biscuit,suit yourself.”

And then I laughed. Of course he’s going tosuit himself. That’s what cats do. I should begrateful he didn’t jump off the bed. After all, hewas minding his own business.

And that business is the entire philosophy ofthe feline species captured in two words. If anyof you has ever owned a cat and been sensitiveto and appreciative of their differences with thecanine population, cats don’t really come whenyou call them. Nor do they respond to a millionother things you ask of them. If you understandand embrace that behavior, you’ll likely begin tosee this non-responsiveness as part of theircharm.

However, when they do come when you callthem, or when they climb uninvited onto yourchest while lying in bed or snuggle with you onthe couch; oh, how special you feel. And if youdon’t feel put upon or tolerated and can insteadsavor the uniqueness of their knead (and do eve-rything you can to encourage its repetition), thenyou can indeed find pleasure and purpose in thatmoment, rare though it may be – or maybe not.

Accepting the perameters of the relationshipwith your cat, and managing your expectations,will go a long way toward understanding whatyour cat is able to give you. And what cats cangive you is companionship and love – on theirterms of course. The mere fact that Biscuit islying on the bed should be enough to make mehappy. Expecting that he would rise due to mybeck and call, at night, especially while he’s cat-napping is unreasonable on my part. Biscuit isnot being difficult in the least. He is simplyadhering to a non-responsive-type behavior thatgenerations of cats – and generations of cat own-ers, should be accustomed to, not questioned oreven curious about.

As an extraordinarily experienced cat owner(almost 40 years), I should have known better.Yet I couldn’t resist the temptation/control theurge to give Biscuit (a cat) the chance to changethe course of presumptive cat history and cometo me when I asked. The problem is, once in ablue moon – or was that a red moon (it certainlyappeared to be above the fold on the front pageof The Washington Post the other day), cats willbreak with historical convention andrespond/react/reply in kind with both word anddeed. They’ll come, they’ll snuggle, they’ll talk,they’ll nuzzle, they might even lick. In fact,they’ll do everything they can to endear them-selves to you.

But it doesn’t happen often or rather it does-n’t happen consistently. Yet it remains the goal ofevery committed (or rather should be) cat ownerto make every attempt to induce their cats tosuccumb to their cat-seducing charms. Like rightnow, Twinkle, our white, five-and-half-years-olddomestic medium hair, is doing everything shecan to get my attention. She’s walking back andforth across my note pad (as I’m trying to write;I’m busy), she’s rubbing her head against my faceand using the top of my pen as some sort of headscratcher, she’s lying on her left side with asmany as four paws outstretched across my leftarm as I use it to block her advance and she’stalking non-stop.

She’s being such a pain, but you have to lovethem. If you can’t appreciate their untimelyintrusions and instead expect some kind of pre-dictable dog-like obedience, you need morethan “The Cat Whisperer,” you need “The CatScreamer,” because it’s NOT HAPPENING.

“Suit Yourself,Biscuit”Business Directory

To Advertise Your Business, Call Karen at 703-778-9422WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

GUTTER GUTTER

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE

TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE

Good is not good, where

better is expected.

-Thomas Fuller

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

HOLIDAY SOBER-RIDEFree Sober Rides. The annual Holiday

SoberRider program will operate 8 p.m.-4 a.m.each night from Friday, Dec. 15, 2017-Monday,Jan. 1, 2018. area residents age 21 and oldercelebrating with alcohol may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter the code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive their no cost (up to$15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s weeklyHoliday SoberRide promo codes will be postedat 2 p.m. on Dec. 15, Dec. 23 and Dec. 31 onwww.SoberRide.com.

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDEDThe American Red Cross urges eligible donors

to give more life by giving blood this December.In December, donations decline but the needs ofpatients remain steady. During the holidayseason, set aside an hour to give the mostimportant gift – give blood and give more life.All those who come to give blood or plateletsDec. 21, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, will receivea long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplieslast. Make an appointment to give blood bydownloading the free Red Cross Blood DonorApp, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

❖ SpringfieldDec. 26: 1-5 p.m., South Run RECenter, 7550

Reservation Drive❖ Fairfax - Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720

Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200 (unless otherwisenoted)

Dec. 21: 12:45-5:45 p.m.Dec. 22: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 23: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 24: 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.Dec. 26: 10:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m.Dec. 27: 12:45-8 p.m.Dec. 28: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pennino Building 10th Floor

Conf Rm, 12011 Government Center ParkwayDec. 28: 12:45-5:45 p.m.Dec. 29: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 30: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 31: 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

TUESDAY/JAN. 9American Legion Post 177 Luncheon. 11:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 177,3939 Oak St., Fairfax. Presentation on“Advanced preparation and arrangement forfuneral/memorial” by Peter Hause, FairfaxMemorial Funeral Home. $11. Call 703-280-2356 for more.

SUPPORT GROUPSShepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke sponsors

a monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth, noon-1:30 p.m., for caregivers to learnand to share with others experiencing similarchallenges. Before attending, contact thefacilitator, Eileen Thompson at 703-451-8626 [email protected].

Haven of Northern Virginia provides support,compassion, information and resources to thebereaved and seriously ill. To become a Havenvolunteer, please call 703-941-7000 to requestan orientation. Volunteers must complete a 30-hour training and commit to one year of serviceanswering Haven phones (2.5 hours weekly).Next training is scheduled for fall 2017.

ONGOINGVolunteers needed at the Fairfax Station

Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road,Fairfax Station. The Museum offers a variety ofexciting volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. [email protected] or 703-945-7483to explore services that will fit your scheduleand interests. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, orcall 703-425-9225 for more.

RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

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