Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and...

Centre View ❖ December 7-13, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

25 CENTS Newsstand PriceDECEMBER 7-13, 2016

Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run

Calendar, Page 8

❖

C

lassifieds, 0

Pho

to

by Bo

nnie H

obbs/T

he C

onnectio

n

WellbeingWellbeingPage 7

Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch,Christmas and Hanukkah

News, Page 3

Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch,Christmas and Hanukkah

News, Page 3

Ways to Help OurNeighbor’s Child News, Page 6

Centreville Labor CenterTo Celebrate Five YearsNews, Page 5

Next for Bulldogs:State Championship GameSports, Page 16

Ways to Help OurNeighbor’s Child News, Page 6

Centreville Labor CenterTo Celebrate Five YearsNews, Page 5

Next for Bulldogs:State Championship GameSports, Page 16

Pages 8-9

Holiday Entertainment

& Gift Guide


& Gift Guide

The directors ofWestfield High’s “HoHo Holiday Show” are(back row, from left)Marty Bernier, IanBalderston, DrewTobin and CharlieParsons; (second row,from left) KaleyHaller, AubreyCervarich and SaraBresnahan; (thirdrow, from left) RubyTippl, Maya Hossainand Allie Bush; and(in front) stage man-ager Lauryn Bailey.(Not pictured: MilesJosephh and NateRiester).

The directors ofWestfield High’s “HoHo Holiday Show” are(back row, from left)Marty Bernier, IanBalderston, DrewTobin and CharlieParsons; (second row,from left) KaleyHaller, AubreyCervarich and SaraBresnahan; (thirdrow, from left) RubyTippl, Maya Hossainand Allie Bush; and(in front) stage man-ager Lauryn Bailey.(Not pictured: MilesJosephh and NateRiester).

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Mercia Hobson

Centre View

One hundred twenty-five chi-ldren with life-challenging ill-nesses, their families and asupport team of doctors,

nurses and volunteers, for a total of 216people, arrived at Gate 7, Terminal D atDulles International Airport, Dec. 3, andheaded for the hottest destination of theseason.

Children’s Hospice International, locatedin Alexandria, in partnership with UnitedAirlines had invited children and their fami-lies to experience a special trip. Earlier thatmorning each person had checked in at theUnited Airlines counter and received a com-plimentary ticket aboard Flight 2135, IAD-NTP, non-stop service from Washington tothe North Pole, aboard Fantasy Flight 2016,call sign Sleigh Ride One.

They lined up at the boarding gate shortlybefore 8:30 a.m., awaiting an adventure somany families had anticipated for months.Going down the jet bridge, parents liftedtheir children out of wheelchairs leaving thechairs behind for the support crew. Othersheld the hands of their ill child and thehands of their other children as the linemoved forward to enter the plane.

The flight crew greeted the passengers asthey boarded the plane for their all-expensepaid trip to the North Pole and personal vis-its with Santa Claus.

Sparkling garland hung on the overheadcompartments and cut out snowflakesdangled from the ceiling.

HOLIDAY MAGIC, a mix of communityspirit and care, fueled this year’s UnitedAirlines Fantasy Flight 2016, a program inits 27th year of operation. Through the sup-port of United Airlines, its partnership withChildren’s Hospice International, the givingof dozens of local and regional corporationsand hundreds of volunteers includingUnited employees who donated their timeand talent, United’s Flight to the North Poleprepared to depart.

Francis Parker and her husband had ea-gerly anticipated this day since May whenthe youngest of their four sons, Case, age2, was diagnosed with cancer. While wait-ing to board Fantasy Flight 2016, Parker’sboys had crayoned letters to Santa andmailed them with the help from membersof Herndon Rotary Club. Paul Williams,Rotarian, said, “It’s a happy time here to-day, to celebrate with the families.”

As the boys colored, Parker said, “Case isreceiving treatment at Walter Reed. Hisnurses told us about the flight when Casewas diagnosed. We woke them up thismorning, put them in the car and didn’t tellthem where they were going until we got

to the airport. Everybody’s been wonder-ful.” Looking around, she added: “What agreat opportunity this is.”

Although Case’s brothers had flown be-fore, this was to be Case’s first flight, as itwas for many children aboard Fantasy Flight2016. While the flight attendants helped thefamilies settle in, United Airline’s Captain“Bubba” welcomed everyone aboard. Heexplained that there were some very spe-cial rules on the nonstop flight to the NorthPole.

“Window blinds have to remain down,”he said, adding that the plane uses a veryspecial fuel, making it travel so fast it’ll beextremely bright outside. “And everyoneknows, where Santa lives,” Captain Bubbasaid, “is a secret, only United has clearancefrom Santa Claus” to land at the North Pole.

The flight is real and so is the destina-tion. Sandy Steinmeyer, a United Airlinesflight attendant and key organizer of theDulles Fantasy Flights said: “All FantasyFlights across the United States and Guam,a total of 14 flights, will really take off thisyear.”

According to Randy Cox, managing direc-tor United Airlines, United Airlines donatesthe fuel for the flights while employees,flight attendants, crews and support teamsdonate their time.

Julia Wislocka, United Airlines staff rep-resentative corporate communication, com-mented that there is no doubt in her mindFantasy Flight is the most amazing event ofUnited Airlines. She said, “It’s a great ex-ample of employees and the communitycoming together. The event, takes hundredsof volunteers, and the concourse where thefamilies will arrive, really is transformed tobe the North Pole.”

Terry Edwards, a United employee for 27years, was Mrs. Santa. Before the planedeparted, she agreed and said, “In theirmindset, the children are at the North Pole.They buy into it 100 percent.”

While Sleigh Ride One traveled at nearwarp speed, it made quick time to the NorthPole but not before flight attendants couldtreat everyone to apple slices and sweets.As Fantasy Flight 2016 prepared to land,Captain Bubba came on the intercom onelast time. To everyone on board, he wished:“Fill your days with laughter; fill them withpeace and with joy. Welcome to the NorthPole.”

The children, their families and the sup-port teams deplaned. They headed up thejet bridge to the concourse. There, much totheir surprise, with eyes wide open,storybook characters, Minions, StormTroopers and hundreds of volunteers hadformed a gauntlet, and were applaudingtheir arrival. High fives were slapped; chil-dren hugged Minions and the Red, Whiteand Blues band played. Even the RacingPresidents of the Washington Nationalsstepped up to the children and gave outhugs.

Earlier, Cox described the effort it tookto transform the concourse to be the NorthPole; “We begin decorating the night beforeat 6 p.m. It takes 350 volunteers to deco-rate the North Pole. All the work and thedecorations are donated.”

Jim Lynch from Michigan attended theevent with his teenage daughter Emily.Lynch said, “Emily completed a weeklongresearch program at NIH. This is a fun day.And to just walk off that plane, we wereblown away.”

Another element of the day is the impactthe event has for the siblings of a challengedchild. Wislocka said, “Today’s event is soimportant for the sick kids, but also for theirsiblings because their parents’ focus hasbeen on the sick child. United Airline em-ployees and our volunteers make sure thesiblings get just as much attention and love.”

Xin Huang’s 3-year old daughter, Heidi,attends the Maryland School for the Deafand Blind. While Heidi rested in her wheel-chair, Huang said that this was the secondtime they had attended the event. She

added, “It’s an important family event. Lastyear, every other month, Heidi’s brother,Leon, would ask about it. He absolutelybelieves we are at the North Pole.”

DURING THEIR VISIT to the North Pole,guests experienced an entertainment lineup of 13 bands; various support groups suchas Summit Therapy Animals and Red DoorSalon and entertainers like Aerial GraffitiJugglers, who all donated their time andtalents for the cause.

But the event everyone waited for washis or her personal visit with Santa and Mrs.Claus. Each child had an extended time withSanta and received a bag full of age-appro-priate toys or items, purchased specificallyfor that child.

At 21, Montel Flipping was the oldest in-vitee. He sat in his wheelchair, eyes alert.His mother, Sonja Flipping said, “Montelwas diagnosed with pediatric brain cancerat Children’s Hospital. This has been a 4-year journey, and God is awesome.” Sheadded that Montel, her only child, had beenaccepted into the Police Cadet Program onemonth prior to his diagnosis. “Where trustis, is what matters most,” she said as theyleft to get in line for Montel’s visit withSanta.

Ashtin Parker from West Springfield HighSchool and Bryson McDaniels from LakeBraddock High School were two of the giftpurchasers for the event. Parker said, “Thisyear we got to buy 800 toys.”

McDaniels added: “We got toys everychild would like, from ages newborn to 21.If we can make a difference, we will do thisany day.” Both Parker and McDaniels hadformed gift and fund drives, Ashtin’s drivewas named Ashtin’s Angels and McDaniel’swas Bryson’s Blessings.

McDaniel’s added: “We really put a lot ofthought into what to buy, headphones,books, puzzles, then he added: “The head-phones are for the 21-year old.”

For more information about FantasyFlight, contact United Airlines. For moreinformation about Children’s Hospice Inter-national that ensures medical, psychologi-cal, social, and spiritual support to all chil-dren with life-threatening conditions andtheir families, contact www.CHIonline.org.

Taking a Fantasy Flight to the North PoleIn spirit of season, community organizationsand businesses donate hundredsof service hours and supplies.

Oak Hill HerndonFantasy Flight 2016:Children with life-challenging illnessesand their familiesboard Sleigh Ride One,nonstop service to theNorth Pole, for a dayof holiday cheer and aprivate visit withSanta Clause. UnitedAirlines hosted the daywith the support ofhundreds of volun-teers and regionalbusinesses.

Pho

to

s by A

ntho

ny C

. T

san

trizo

s

Montel Flipping and Mrs. Minne-sota, Morgan Bredde, enjoy amoment together during festivitiessponsored by United Airlines attheir Fantasy Flight celebration.Bredde is an Ambassador forChildren’s Hospice International(CHI), a non-profit organizationthat partnered with United Air-lines. CHI completes the circle ofcare and improves the quality oflife for children with life-alteringillnesses.


News

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Sugarplum fairies, theGrinch, Charlie Brown,the Muppets and even“Back to the Future’s”

Marty McFly are all in WestfieldHigh’s upcoming “Ho Ho HolidayShow.” Student-directed, it’s com-prised of five short plays andtakes the stage Friday, Dec. 16,at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 17,at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are$5 at the door, and attendees areencouraged to bring new, un-wrapped toys for Toys for Tots.Here’s what’s on tap:

‘Hanukkah Story – Back tothe Maccabees’

Directed by Miles Josephh,Marty Bernier and Nate Riester,“Hanukkah Story – Back to theMaccabees” is based on themovie, “Back to the Future,” ex-cept that the characters will travel to 200B.C. to the time of the Maccabees and thefirst Hanukkah.

The cast of nine features John Henry asMarty McFly, Nathan Marshak as DocBrown, Josh Moore as Biff Antiochus, AjaRene as Lorraine, and Braeden Andersonas George. “When they go back in time,Marty runs over Mathias and Judah withthe DeLorean, so Doc and Marty have topretend to be them,” said Josephh.

“They’re trying to save Hanukkah fromthe Greek oppressors,” said Bernier. “Martydrops and loses a copy of the Torah, andBiff picks it up and uses it to try to preventHanukkah from coming.” Bernier and thisplay’s stage manager, Pressley Johnson, co-wrote the script.

“Every year, we try to do something dif-ferent with the Hanukkah story,” saidJosephh.

“After last year’s show, we joked aboutwhat it could be for the next year, and werealized that ‘Back to the Future’ could ac-tually work,” added Bernier. “We have agreat cast, and the actors are really figur-ing out and getting into their characters.”

“This is a comedy, and we wanted to ap-peal to the whole audience, not just kids,”said Josephh. “The parents will be familiarwith the movie, and we’ll also introduce itto a new generation, while teaching themabout Hanukkah.”

‘The Muppets’ Christmas Carol’With a cast of 16, seniors Charlie Parsons

and Maya Hossain are directing “The

Muppets’ Christmas Carol.” The story is toldby Muppets Gonzo (Kaili Fox) and Rizzo(Nora Lewis). Harry Schlatter portraysKermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, HaydenCutler plays Scrooge, and Cassie White isbaby Kermit as Tiny Tim.

“I really appreciate how open they are totrying new things and making strong char-acter decisions,” said Parsons. “A lot of thecast are underclassmen, but they’ve gottenright into being Muppets.”

Although it’s his first time directing, he’sin his fourth year of theater at Westfield.And, said Parsons, “It’s nice to pass downthat knowledge to others, as well as to beon the other side of production. Directingis a lot about how you interact with people.And you have to think about the process asa whole — for example, how the costumesand set will fit into the scene — and notjust directing the actors.”

This show is the traditional “ChristmasCarol” story by Charles Dickens, but por-trayed by Muppets. “That makes it funnierand more entertaining to kids,” said Par-sons. “People will like the genuine goodtime the cast members are having playingMuppets, and that really translates to howmuch fun it’ll be for the audience to watch.”

‘Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown’Featuring the characters from the “Pea-

nuts” comic strips and TV cartoons, “MerryChristmas, Charlie Brown” is co-directed byKaley Haller and Ruby Tippl. The cast of 17includes Ryan Kirby as Charlie Brown,Diana Witt as Lucy, Anna Krelovich as Sally,

Paul Lee as Linus, and Sean Egan as Snoopy.“The cool thing is that we have a lot of

underclassmen, so this show gives them anacting opportunity,” said Haller. “It’s goodto see fresh, new faces, and they each haveat least one line to speak. They’re reallyexcited about being on the Westfield stage.”

This play is the familiar story of “A CharlieBrown Christmas,” but condensed. “But itstill has the iconic theme song and the foot-ball kick,” said Haller. “The audience willlike the energy the actors are bringing to it,and there’s always something going ononstage.”

Calling the storyline “heartwarming,”Haller said it will “bring people back to theiryouth. And it’s fun to watch because, thistime, it’s all right for the actors to becartoonish onstage — because that’s theessence of Charlie Brown.”

As a director, she’s been making sure thateach actor gets his or her moment to shine.“I’ve also learned how much wiggle roomthere is in directing a play while, at the sametime, staying true to the story,” said Haller.“I’m also Westfield’s thespian [chapter]president, so I’m happy to give some of ourunderclassmen their start in their theatercareers here.”

‘The Grinch’It wouldn’t be the holidays without the

story of “The Grinch,” and co-directing itare Allie Bush and Ian Balderston. The castof 10 features Valerie Spiegelthal in the titlerole; Hana Hossain plays Max the dog, andLauren Levine is Cindy Lou Who. The Whos

of Whoville sing “Dahoo Dores” andDrew Tobin sings “You’re a MeanOne, Mr. Grinch.”

“Things are going well,” said Bush.“The cast is very easy to work withand are happy to be part of thisshow, so I’m excited to see how it’sall going to work out. And Valerie’sdoing a great job acting like a per-son she wouldn’t normally act likein real life.”

Bush has acted in the Ho Ho show,the past three years, so she’s enjoy-ing getting to direct now. “I learnedthat you think you’re organized, andthen things happen that you don’texpect and have to adapt to,” shesaid. “So you have to listen to theideas of the other directors and themembers of your cast.”

“This is a very fun show,” saidBush. “The Grinch has unique waysof moving around the stage, and thisis a classic Christmas show, so manypeople have watched the movie andare familiar with the story. All theWhos wear pajamas and have theirown personalities, which will be re-flected in the types and colors oftheir pajamas. We also have funprops, such as Christmas packages,a chimney and a Christmas tree. Andwhen the Whos eat ‘Who Pudding,’they’ll eat snack packs.”

‘Twas the Night’An all-dance production, ’Twas the Night’

is co-directed by Aubrey Cervarich and SaraBresnahan. The 20-person cast featuresfreshman Keeley Rogers as the SugarplumFairy, sophomore Bridgette Carey asRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and jun-ior Gene Kim as the Nutcracker.

“It’s a great cast, and Nik Glover narratesthe story,” said Cervarich. “He reads thepoem, ‘’Twas the Night before Christmas,’while the children are dreaming of the Nut-cracker and act out that story with the fair-ies and the mice. And then Rudolph andthe other mice join in.”

Cervarich is also happy to be directing.“The students who’ve played the SugarplumFairy and Rudolph get to direct this showas seniors, so it’s something Sara and I haveboth been looking forward to and carryingon the tradition.”

“We do ballet and jazz dancing and usethe same choreography every year,” shecontinued. “But each director puts their ownspin on it and tailors the choreography tothe strengths of the dancers. The actors arealso making this story their own, and it’scool to see the different generations do thisstory at Westfield. They play different roleseach year as the legacy of this show herelives on.”

She said the audience will enjoy seeingthis production. “It’s really fun,” saidCervarich. “They’ll get to see ballet and jazz,beautiful fairies, scary mice and lovable re-indeer — and it’s all very high-energy.”

Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and HanukkahWestfield Highto present ‘HoHo HolidayShow.’

Pho

to

by Bo

nn

ie H

obbs/C

en

tre View

The directors of Westfield High’s “Ho Ho Holiday Show” get into the spirit of theseason.


People

By Ashley Claire Simpson

Centre View

About a decade ago, the publicfound out that Pluto was nolonger considered one of thenine major planets in the solar

system. In 2006, the International Astro-nomical Union demoted the small planet,the furthest of thenine away fromthe sun, to “dwarfplanet” status, cit-ing Pluto’s sizeand location asthe reason for itsrevised status.

Clifton scientistDr. Michael Sum-mers, also a pro-fessor of PlanetaryScience and As-tronomy atGeorge MasonUniversity, said hestill considersPluto one of the nine major planets in thesolar system. One of the foremost expertson Pluto, Summers is part of the New Hori-zons mission team, which has spent the lastdecade designing, preparing and maneuver-ing a space probe for the first ever close-upobservation of Pluto.

“In its basic form, a space probe is an in-dependent robotic vehicle carrying a set ofinstruments that is launched via high powerrocket into deep space,” Summers said. “Itcommunicates with ground control by ra-dio communications. Typically, a spacecrafthas onboard computers controlling activi-ties, but its activities can be controlled byscientists on Earth if that is needed.”

Summers’ role on the mission team is farfrom over, despite the probe’s having passedby Pluto last year.

“My role on the team has been in plan-ning and carrying out atmospheric scienceobservations and analysis,” he said. “Plutohas a very complex atmosphere, much morecomplex and difficult to understand thanwe expected. So I spent many of the earlyyears helping to plan the atmospheric sci-ence observations, then years of modelingPluto’s atmosphere in order to makebaseline predictions for the team. After thelaunch we had to put together a detailedencounter plan. Throughout this missionI’ve been the Deputy Lead of the Atmo-spheric Science Theme Team.”

Summers and his 23 other team memberslaunched the probe from Cape Canaveralon Jan. 19, 2006. However, it didn’t reachfly by Pluto until nearly a decade later. Thelength of the mission speaks to how faraway Pluto is from Earth, especially con-sidering that New Horizons was launchedat a speed of 38,000 miles per hour.

“By the time I flew home to Clifton fromCape Canaveral after the launch, the probehad passed the orbit of the moon,” Sum-mers recalled. “A month later, it had passedMars’ orbit, so that gives you an idea just

how far away Pluto really is. We were actu-ally able to cut the time of the trip by di-recting the spacecraft to a close flyby of theplanet Jupiter in February 2007. We usedJupiter’s gravity to slingshot the spacecraft,speeding it up, but, even so, it took us untilJuly 14, 2015 to get to Pluto. And, NewHorizons was the fastest spacecraft everlaunched from Earth.”

IN THE TIME it took the probe to reachPluto’s orbit, two members of the originalteam died, and a couple others moved onto different positions. Still, Pluto’s distancewasn’t the only factor that made the mis-sion so complicated.

“There are actually numerous spaceprobes, called satellites, in Earth’s orbit thatoperate pretty much the same way as NewHorizons,” Summer said, “but deep spacemissions are much, much more difficult formany reasons. Just one example is the timedelay for communication. For the New Ho-rizons spacecraft at Pluto, the time delayfor radio signals to get to Earth was aboutfour and a half hours. So any signal sentfrom the spacecraft took that long to get tous to let us know what was going on withthe mission.”

The New Horizons mission provided thefirst images of Pluto that humans had everseen — resulting in groundbreaking discov-eries that refuted previous assumptionsabout Pluto’s terrain, atmosphere, interior,and its five moons.

“We were incredibly surprised to see whatwe did see on Pluto,” Summers said. “Weexpected it to be cold and dead — muchlike the Earth’s moon — but it really was ageologically active and diverse place.”

He added that while the other eight plan-ets are categorized into two classes — ter-restrial and gas giants — Pluto, as a dwarfice planet, is in a third class of its own.

“We’re finding out that many of the most

interesting places in the solar system areout there in the region of Pluto’s orbit,” hesaid. “There are 100,000 objects like Pluto,called Kuiper Belt objects, in that region ofour solar system. We know they exist, andthat they have enormous amounts of waterand other resources. Utilizing all those re-sources will be crucial for the future ofhumanity’s exploration of deep space. Wefound that Pluto has an ocean of water be-low an ice crust that we think is about sixmiles thick. There may be more liquid wa-ter inside Pluto than in all of Earth’s oceanscombined. And, of course, there has to bethe energy inside Pluto to keep all that wa-ter in liquid form. Energy, raw materials andliquid water are all required for life, andPluto has plenty of them.”

The small size of Pluto, with a diameterless than 20 percent of Earth’s, does notmean that Pluto is in any way less interest-ing as a planet.

“There have been so many discoveries, it’salmost exhausting to see something newevery time we study the observations,” hesaid. “We are having to rewrite planetarytextbooks, and write the first books ever ondwarf ice planets. What we learn doesn’tjust help us understand Pluto, it also helpsus understand the other planets and eventhe Earth. The New Horizons missionchanged how we think about the solar sys-tem..”

While experts sift through all the discov-eries, the New Horizons spacecraft contin-ues to work for its creators. The NationalAeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) approved a detour for the spaceprobe to check out a neighbor, relativelyspeaking, of Pluto.

“We are flying by another dwarf ice planetin about two years from now,” Summerssaid. “It’s a complete bonus. We knew it wasa possibility, but the spacecraft is completelyhealthy and has plenty of fuel and energy

on board, so we decided to propose to NASAto continue the mission and fly by anotherdwarf planet that was near the spacecraft’strajectory. It will reach that body on NewYear’s Day, 2019. What we know is that thisobject very small and may be more rockyand metallic than Pluto. We don’t knowwhether or not it has an atmosphere.”

Summers was studying Pluto long beforeNew Horizons first began its journey morethan a decade ago. He began his researchon Pluto in graduate school at Caltech in1982, and, in the late 1990s, he and his fel-low future New Horizons mission colleaguesbegan planning for a Pluto mission to pro-pose to NASA. And, long before he studiedthe solar system in any official capacity,Summers was just a boy in western Ken-tucky whose interest in outer space piquedduring America’s space race with Russia.

“I’ve been interested in space since I was7 years old when my parents gave me myfirst telescope,” he said. “I was able to seefour of the major planets even with such asmall telescope, including Saturn with itsrings, so that hooked me on astronomy.”

IN ADDITION to conducting his own re-search on Pluto, he also works with GeorgeMason University students who are doingresearch about the planet.

Adam Jacobs, a Ph.D. student in physicsand also Summers’ research assistant, saidthat Summers has certainly influenced hiscourse of study.

“Dr. Summers is my dissertation researchadvisor,” Jacobs said. “Working with him isdefinitely a privilege. As a young scientist,it is critical that you get guidance and ad-vice from an experienced scientist that notonly knows their stuff but also is approach-able and great at communicating ideas andgoals. I found this with him. The other in-teresting thing that I get to be exposed to isthe work dynamic and pace of a NASA sci-ence team. When the New Horizons datastarted coming, the culmination of so muchhard work, patience, frustration, and entirecareers even, started to come together. I’mnot part of the team, but being able to wit-ness just glimpses of that is exciting and atestament to the modern scientific process.”

Summers has spent more than 30 yearsporing over Pluto, and his work is nowherenear done. The years that Summers and hiscolleagues have devoted to Pluto have pro-duced just as many questions as it has con-clusions.

“Many Pluto mysteries that came out ofthis mission,” Summers said. “For example,what is the internal heat source? There mustbe an energy source that we just haven’tidentified. Elements of the atmosphere outthere were much more unusual than weexpected, and there were just so manythings we’d never seen before. Recently, wefinally got all the data back from the space-craft, and I can tell you that we will bestudying this information for years. Hun-dreds of scientific papers will come out ofthis mission. It’s a scientific bonanza in away.”

Clifton resident’s pursuit of Pluto’s secrets.Distance Learning

Dr. Michael Summers at a NASA press conference about the New Hori-zons mission.

Dr. MichaelSummers

Pluto: In a class of its own.

Pho

to

s C

on

tributed


For a free digi-tal subscriptionto one or allof the 15ConnectionNewspapers,go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Be the first toknow – get yourpaper before ithits the press.

Complete digitalreplica of theprint edition,including photosand ads, deliv-ered weeklyto your e-mailbox.

Questions?E-mail:[email protected]

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

When the Centreville LaborResource Center (CLRC)opened its doors, five yearsago, to serve the

community’s immigrant population, it washoped that it would be a success. But noone knew for sure.

Now, though, it’s safe to say that thingsare going well for this local job center.

And that’s thanks to the workers, them-selves, and to the dedicated volunteers ofthe Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF),which runs the daily operations of theCLRC.

It’s also due to the local residents whohave come to embrace the center and hireits workers regularly to perform a variety ofjobs, both inside and outside the home. Soit’s only fitting that the public is invited tohelp the CLRC celebrate its fifth anniversary,this Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2:30-6:30 p.m.

The festivities will be held at the centerat 5956 Centreville Crest Lane in the lower

level of the Centreville Square ShoppingCenter. The fun includes a professional,Guatemalan marimba band performing

throughout the afternoon, traditional foodprovided by the worker community, and apiñata.

“In the 5 years since opening the center,the workers, volunteers and staff there —more than 1,000 of us — have not only sur-vived, we have thrived,” said CIF PresidentAlice Foltz. “Joining our talents together tobe a local solution to a local problem, CIFcreated a space that has served more than900 residents who needed to hire tempo-rary labor.”

The center has become a communityhome for immigrants from Central America,South America, the middle East, Ghana andSierra Leone, Korea and Afghanistan. Work-ers have learned trade skills and the En-glish language while also learning abouthealth, finances and traveling in NorthernVirginia. Even unemployed, life-long resi-dents have benefited from the CLRC jobofferings.

CLRC is the only trade-skill-based, indoorjob and job-training site in Northern Vir-ginia. Workers who obtain jobs through thecenter are protected from wage theft by theCLRC staff, and employers know the skillsof the workers they’re hiring. And, addedFoltz, “We pride ourselves on customer ser-vice and follow-up.”

For more information, or to hire a worker,call the center at 703-543-6272. DirectorJasmine Blaine or one of her assistants willbe glad to answer questions.

Centreville Labor Center To Celebrate Five YearsNews

Public invited to eventthis Sunday.

Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View

Preparing to cut the ribbon when the center officially opened in Decem-ber 2011 are (from left) Alice Foltz, workers Alejandro Santiago and MikiCarrillo, former Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey and landlord A.J.Dwoskin.


www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@CentreView

Newspaper ofCentreville

Little Rocky RunA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

Mike SalmonAssistant Editor

[email protected]

Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Karen WashburnDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9422

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, [email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

A Connection Newspaper

Opinion

The nonprofit OurNeighbor’s Child(ONC) provides fi–nancially struggling,

local families with new toys andclothes for the holidays. Childrenunder 12 also receive brand-newbooks, and every family gets twodozen, home-baked cookies madeby the local high schools.

“Fairfax County is an expensiveplace to live; and for many resi-dents, it’s hard to make endsmeet,” said ONC Executive Direc-tor Kelly Lavin. “So our efforts re-lieve stress on what are mostlysingle moms worrying about howthey’ll provide for their childrenfor the holidays. And in mostcases, we’re preventing them fromusing next month’s electric-billpayment or rent money for it, in-stead.”

This year, ONC will brightenChristmas for some 800 families— but that’s a big task, and it can’tdo it alone. It really needs the com-munity to step up and lend a handtoward the effort. Here’s howpeople may help:

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

❖ Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 12-13,from 3:30-6:30 p.m., Westfield,Centreville and Chantilly highschool SGAs - warehouse gift drop-off.

❖ Wednesday, Dec. 14, from3:30-6:30 p.m., bag check andshopping night.

❖ Thursday, Dec. 15, from 9a.m.-6 p.m., packaging day.

❖ Thursday, Dec. 15, from 10a.m.-4 p.m., Cookie drop-off at theVirginia Run Community Center,15355 Wetherburn Court, offRoute 29 and Pleasant ValleyRoad, in Centreville. ONC will de-liver approximately 20,000 home-made cookies along with the gifts,so plenty of baking help is needed.Each family gets a mixed assort-ment; bring the cookies in dispos-able containers.

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

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

To help with any of these things,people may email ONC [email protected] sign up atwww.ourneighborschild.org, andclick on “volunteer” at the top ofthe page. They may pick whateverappeals to them; baking cookies,shopping, packaging gifts, deliver-ing gifts, or setting up or cleaningup the warehouse.

— Bonnie Hobbs

Ways to Help Our Neighbor’s Child

Last Saturday, Dec. 3,students in Stone MiddleSchool’s National JuniorHonor Society held aPanther Drop-Off giftcollection for OurNeighbor’s Child. Commu-nity members broughtdonations of brand-newtoys, books, games andclothing to the school, andthe students packaged itall up and loaded it in atruck for transport toONC’s warehouse.

Stone Middlestudents prepare

to place thedonated items in

a truck.

The studentshelp loaddonations forONC recipientfamilies intothis truck fortransport.

Photos by

Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View


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

SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180

703-242-2204 1-800-556-8646Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com

for a listing of all our upcoming trips and socials.

Celebratingour 50th

Anniversary

Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day, March 15-18...............................................$1135Includes Motorcoach from Vienna, Grosvenor Metro or McLean Metro, 3 nightshotel on Tybee Island, Daily breakfast, 3 Dinners, Sightseeing, Private seating onparade route, Complimentary wine, beer, bloody Mary’s & Irish whiskeyOn St. Pat’s Day! Call for details.

Ocean City with Branson Entertainment, March 14-17. ..............................$899Includes Motorcoach transportation from Vienna, McLean or Grosvenor Metros,3 nights oceanfront hotel with daily breakfast, 3 dinners. Call for details.

Croatia Explorer, April 4-12...........................................................................$3195Includes air from Dulles, 7-nights hotel with daily breakfast, 5 dinners, Sightseeing,Transfers & Porterage. Call for detailed itinerary.

703-830-6377EyeStreetOptical.comIndependently owned and operated.

Chantilly Professional Building3910 Centreville Road, Suite 100, Chantilly VA

• Repairs• Same-day service on most single

vision lenses• Fashionable eyeglasses

• Designer frames• Sunglasses• Children frames• Digitally engineered

progressive lenses toprovide superior vision

• Contact lenses• Difficult prescriptions filled

accurately• Eye exams…and much more!

Experienced Licensed OpticiansProfessional advice with a focus on your

individual style and visual needs. We have a full-service optical lab on the premises.

Highest-rated optician in Fairfax County by a local consumer magazine.

Goodtime to

use FlexFunds

Celebrating30 YearsServing

Chantilly andCentreville

1 Complete Pair of Prescription Eyeglasses.Offer not valid on Costa del Mar RX sunglasses,Oakley RX sunglasses, Maui Jim RX Sunglasses,

Wiley X, RX swim and sport Goggles,non prescription sunglasses, or previous orders.

Offer also not valid with other discounts or insurance.Expires January 31, 2017

Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

As Bridget O’Brien took inventory of her liquorsupply recently, she checked off vanilla rum,white chocolate liqueur, peppermint

schnapps, Champagne and Crème de cassis. Thesefanciful ingredients would be the key ingredients ofthe signature drinks — candy cane cocktails and kirroyale — that guests had come to expect at herfamily’s annual Christmas carolingparty. This year, however, therewas a new item on her checklist:keeping a close eye on her 13-year-old daughter, 16-year-old son andtheir friends, who would be amongthe guests at the family-friendly af-fair.

“The party begins at our houseand we stroll to the end of thestreet singing carols,” said O’Brien.“There are so many people that itwould be easy for kids to wanderoff back to the house where they’dbe alone with the alcohol. They’restarting to want more indepen-dence now, so we naturally losesome of the control that we had when they wereyounger.”

A recent study from the Substance Abuse and Men-tal Health Services Administration shows that in-creased access to alcoholic beverages for underagedrinkers, combined with less oversight from dis-tracted adults and mixed messages from parents mayfuel surges in underage drinking during the holidays.

“A lot of parents would be surprised that their childwould drink, but there are a lot of ways for childrento get alcohol,” said Allen Lomax, executive directorof the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Al-exandria. “It’s easy for them to get alcohol from theirparents’ home if it’s not locked up. You have to con-stantly monitor parties in your home when teens arethere because there’s a good chance that someone,even if it’s not your own child, could have alcohol.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, underage drinkers are responsible forbetween 10 and 20 percent of all alcohol consumed.They also make up the highest percentage of im-paired drivers, and during the holiday season, twoto three times more people die in alcohol-relatedcrashes than they do during the rest of the year. Infact, 40 percent of traffic fatalities during this pe-riod involve a driver who is under the influence ofalcohol. As a result, child safety advocates encour-age parents to have frequent conversations with theirchildren about alcohol.

“It is best to start the conversation … long beforethe child might be in a situation where they partakein underage drinking,” said Linda R. Cote-Reilly,Ph.D., a developmental psychologist, certified fam-ily life educator and professor at Marymount Uni-versity in Arlington. It’s not that different from con-versations about sexual activity. One big difference,though, is that the child will have observed his orher own parents’ alcohol use, so parents should beprepared to … answer pointed questions.”

In fact, personal experiences, even those that areunpleasant, can be teachable moments and shouldnot be avoided or sugarcoated, said Cote-Reilly. In-form older children of any family history of alcohol-ism or alcohol abuse. “Some children will have an

alcoholic in the family, and parents should alwaysaddress that situation honestly and in child appro-priate language. For example, a child might say, ‘Whydid Uncle Jim fall asleep during Thanksgiving din-ner?’ and the parent could respond, ‘Because hedrank too much alcohol.’”

Because alcohol is a legal substance that childrenoften observe adults consuming, and that they them-selves might legally consume themselves later in life,the issue can be confusing.

Cote-Reilly advises parents to start by mulling overtheir own views on alcohol. “Parents values will vary,”she said. “If the child is an older adolescent, parents

can explain why they made thechoices they did, for example, to bea teetotaler, regular drinker or some-where in between.”

While parents want to curb under-age drinking to keep their highschool children safe and avoid legalpenalties, rather than simply ban-ning alcohol, parents “need to laythe groundwork for their children toconsume alcohol responsibly inearly adulthood,” said Amy L. Best,Ph.D., professor and chair, Depart-ment of Sociology and Anthropol-ogy, George Mason University. Thisis especially important for studentstransitioning to college, where binge

drinking is more common.Engaging in a straightforward discussion that is

void of mandates and hard-lined rules is the mosteffective approach in getting children to be recep-tive, advised Best.

“Research suggests that when parents focus onrules and discipline, adolescents tend to be morelikely to engage in surreptitious drinking and suc-cumb to peer pressure,” agreed Shannon N. Davis,Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at GeorgeMason University. In fact, parents who talk to theiradolescents about drinking as something that is for-bidden might actually enhancing its desirability. In-stead, [discuss it] as something that in moderationis part of adult life.

“Children often harbor ideas about alcohol that aredownright wrong,” said Best. “Sometimes this meansparents just listen and then can share their own ob-servations, as well as the strategies they used to navi-gate the complex world of adolescent and adultdrinking.”

Ask a child to research the consequences of un-derage drinking, both legal and safety, and reviewthat list with your child. Develop a family positionon alcohol consumption, set clear boundaries andask your child to commit to those standards. Decideon consequences for breaking the commitment andmake sure children understand those repercussions.

“It is important that teens have the means to forgea sense of self that is separate from their parents,”said Best. “That is the fundamental developmentalproject of adolescence. When teens have productivemeans to forge a sense of self independent ofparent(s), alcohol holds less appeal.”

One overarching factor that affects not only un-derage drinking, but other adolescent temptationsis the process of developing a healthy sense of self-worth. “Parents want to ensure that their adolescentshave high levels of self-esteem that allow them tofeel comfortable saying ‘no’ to any circumstancewhere they are uncomfortable or pressured by theirfriends,” said Davis. “Reminding adolescents that itis OK to be different is a hard thing, and it is a hardthing for the adolescents to hear.”

Preventing Underage DrinkingExperts suggest holdinghonest conversations.

The holidays and the re-sulting increase in celebra-tions and parties createopportunities for underagedrinking.

Pho

to

by M

arilyn

C

am

pbell


UNTIL DEC. 31Holiday Giving Projects. The

Democratic Women of Clifton andNorthern Virginia kicked off it’sannual Holiday Giving project andchose Britepaths (britepaths.org) andFairfax Firefighters and Friends tothe Rescue (www.ffandfriends2therescue.org) to receive donations.Dll donations are tax deductible.Donations to Britepaths, a localnonprofit organization that providesassistance to Northern Virginiafamilies experiencing financialhardship, will be distributed to thefamilies in January. Grocery store giftcards as well as checks for theorganization to purchase cards,should be made out to Britepaths andsent to: DWCNV, P.O. Box 143,Clifton, VA 20124. Donations will beaccepted until Dec. 31, 2016 forJanuary [email protected]

Sheehy Cares Toy Collection.Through Dec. 9, Sheehy Auto Storesin Chantilly will collect new,unwrapped toys as part of thecompany’s annual Sheehy Cares ToyCollection to benefit the U.S. MarineCorps Reserve Toys for Tots Programat 25 dealership locations. SheehyCares Toy Collection drop-offlocation in Chantilly: Sheehy Infinitiof Chantilly, 4145 Auto Park Circle

HomeAid NOVA Year-EndDonation. Help with a year-enddonation of $100, $200, $500,$1,000 or more, and make adifference in the lives of the morethan 5,000 homeless men, women,and children living in NorthernVirginia. [email protected],571-283-6300 HomeAid NorthernVirginia, 3684 Centerview Drive,Suite 110B, Chantilly, VA 20151.

Long & Foster, Toys for Tots.

Through Dec. 14, Long & Foster RealEstate in Chantilly is once againparticipating in the U.S. MarineCorps Reserve in its Toys for Totsprogram. Community members maydrop off new, unwrapped toys.Employees at the company’scorporate headquarters are alsoparticipating in the annual initiative,collecting donations at the buildinglocated at 14501 George Carter Way.

FRIDAY/DEC. 9“A Fairfax Nutcracker.” 8 p.m. at

GMU Center for the Arts ConcertHall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax.The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra andthe Fairfax Ballet Company, based inChantilly, have created “A FairfaxNutcracker.” Fairfax Ballet Companymember Lilah Fortin will dance themajor role of Clara, the young girlwho dreams of magical moments onChristmas Eve. Dancing with Fortinwill be artistic staff and studentsfrom Fairfax Ballet and experiencedprofessional dancers. 888-945-2468or visit www.fairfaxsymphony.org/nutcracker-1/

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

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

SATURDAY/DEC. 10Christmas Open House. 11 a.m.-3

p.m. at Oakton Baptist Church ofChantilly, 14001 Sullyfield Circle.This will include a tour of the church,free hot chocolate, and three food

trucks selling Taco/Latin, GrilledCheese, and a Carnival/Kid-Friendlytruck. Children 12 and under canparticipate in Christmas shopping inthe Fellowship Hall with new andgently used wrapped items whilesupplies last. A small donation willbe accepted for each item.

www.facebook.com/OaktonBaptistChurch

SUNDAY/DEC. 11Family Advent Workshop 3-5 p.m.

at Centreville United MethodistChurch, 6400 Old Centreville Road.

Event for the entire family thatfocuses on the birth of Jesus andhomemade crafts. Free. Call 703-830-2684.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 14Blue Christmas Service. 7 p.m. at

King of Kings Lutheran Church, 4025Kings Way. Prayers, scripture, candlelighting and music. 703-378-7272

BEFORE DEC. 15U.S. Postal Service Letters from

Santa Program. The U.S. PostalService can help with Santa replies toa child’s letter — complete with aNorth Pole postmark. Visitabout.usps.com/holidaynews/letters-from-santa.htm to learn how a childcan get a letter back from Santa. .

SATURDAY/DEC. 17Candlelight Events at Sully

Historic Site. 4:45-8 p.m. at SullyHistoric Site, 3650 Historic SullyWay. Meet Sully’s Santa and hear areading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”See a Christmas tree decoratedaccording to an 1885 memory, andmake a decoration. Take the 45-minute house tour with start timesevery 15 minutes from 4:45-7 p.m.Stay to enjoy outdoor festivities until8 p.m. $10. 703-437-1794www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/

SUNDAY/DEC. 1835th Annual Manassas-Bull Run

Christmas Bird Count. 7-11:30a.m. at Various points aroundCentreville. Birders of all skill levelsare invited to participate.audubonva.org/contact-bob

‘A Fairfax Nutcracker’The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and the FairfaxBallet Company, based in Chantilly, have created “AFairfax Nutcracker” 8 p.m. at GMU Center for theArts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax.

Photo contributed



We didn’tinheritthe earthfrom ourparents.We’re bor-rowing itfrom ourchildren.

—Chief Seattle(1788-1866)Suquamish/

Duwamish chief

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date, time, location, de-scription and contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadlineis Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

ONGOINGWhite House Ornament Sale. GFWC Western

Fairfax County Woman’s Club is selling 2016White House Christmas ornaments. This year’sornament honors our 31st President, HerbertHoover. The ornament, inspired by a WhiteHouse fire on Christmas Eve, 1929, is a firetruck carrying a Christmas tree. Ornaments are$21. Call 703-378-6841 or 703-378- 6216. It ispossible to order previous years’ ornaments.

Art Guild of Clifton Exhibit. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. atClifton Wine Shop, 7145 Main St., Clifton.Includes oil paintings of European settings;doors, windows, and flower shops. Free. Call703-409-0919 for more.

Lego Block Party. Every other Tuesday, 3 p.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Legos will be provided for an afternoon ofbuilding. Grades 3-6. Free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.

Duplo Storytime. Every other Wednesday, 10:30and 11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Develop and reinforce earlyliteracy skills for reading success. Ages 1-3 withadult. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.

PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Cat or Dog. Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at

PetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center, Fairfax. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. at Petco,13053 Lee Jackson Highway. Visit hart90.org formore.

Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. at Petco, 13053Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy. Adopt a puppy ordog.Visit aforeverhome.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. at PetSmart,12971 Fair Lakes Center, Fairfax. Adopt a puppyor dog. Visit www.lostdogrescue.org for more.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 8-10“Guys and Dolls” Musical. Thursday, Dec. 8 at

2:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Thursday performance ispresale tickets only at Stone Middle School,5500 Sully Park Drive. [email protected] or 703-631-5500

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 9-10A Madrigal Feaste Renaissance Dinner. 6:30

p.m. at Centreville United Methodist Church,6400 Old Centreville Road. A four-coursedinner, comedic drama, music by brassensemble and harp, concert by the Royal Court;all presented by costumed performers. Tickets:$30. Call 703-830-2684.

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

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

SATURDAY/DEC. 10Christmas Open House. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at

Oakton Baptist Church of Chantilly, 14001Sullyfield Circle. This will include a tour of thechurch, free hot chocolate, and three food trucksselling Taco/Latin, Grilled Cheese, and aCarnival/Kid-Friendly truck. Children 12 andunder can participate in Christmas shopping inthe Fellowship Hall with new and gently usedwrapped items while supplies last. A smalldonation will be accepted for each item.www.facebook.com/OaktonBaptistChurch

SUNDAY/DEC. 11Arts and Crafts Activities. 1-4 p.m. at the

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road. A volunteer in Civil War attire willdo candle dipping. Lead acrylic painting,painting wooden train ornaments and othercrafts may be offered that day. Most activitiesare appropriate for ages 8 and above. Supplycosts included with admission. Museummembers and children 4 and under, free; ages 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4. www.fairfax-station.org, 703-425-9225

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 14Blue Christmas Service. 7 p.m. at King of Kings

Lutheran Church, 4025 Kings Way. Prayers,scripture, candle lighting and music. 703-378-7272

THURSDAY-FRIDAY/DEC. 15-16INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Auxiliary $5

Jewelry and Accessory Sale. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.at the Hospital Atrium 3600 Joseph SiewickDrive.

SUNDAY/DEC. 1835th Annual Manassas-Bull Run Christmas

Bird Count. 7-11:30 a.m. at Various points in a15-mile diameter circle around Centreville.Birders of all skill levels are invited toparticipate in the 35th Annual Manassas-BullRun Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by theAudubon Society of Northern Virginia.audubonva.org/contact-bob

MONDAY/DEC. 19PTA Spirit Event. noon-11 p.m. at Buffalo Wild

Wings, 11204 Swart Circle. 10 percent of thetotal bill (food, all beverages, carry-out anddine-in) goes to Centreville Elementary School’sPTA. Don’t forget to mention, “CentrevilleElementary School.” [email protected]

THROUGH DEC. 31Local Author Gives. Local author K.L. Kranes

book “The Travelers,” is set in the fictitious FallsCity, Virginia, follows Dagny and Marc, 16-year-olds who meet by chance and fall in love. Theyare forced to hide their relationship from theirfamilies or else face dire consequences. Aportion of the proceeds from book sales throughDec. 31, 2016 will go to charities that promotereading and discourse through [email protected], 703-966-2336www.klkranes.com



Zone 4 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 4:

• CentrevilleClassifiedClassified

COMPUTER

Oberthur Technologies of America Corp. has an oppty in Chantilly, VA for a

Local Technical Conslt.Exp w/Java, C/C++ reqd. Mail resume to

Attn: HR, 4250 Pleasant Valley Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, Ref #CHAJCE. Must

be legally auth to work in the U.S. w/o spnsrshp. EOE

21 Announcements 21 Announcements



21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements


21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEOno Brewing Company Corp.,

trading as Ono Brewing Company, 4520 Daly Dr.Suite 102, Chantilly, VA 20151. The

above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

CONTROL (ABC) for a Brewery license to sell or

manufacture alcoholic beverages,

Scott Hoffman, PresidentNOTE: Objections to the

issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later

than 30 days from the publish-ing date of the first of two required newspaper legal

notices. Objections should be registered at

www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6............................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4 ...........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to:[email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6............................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4 ...........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to:[email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/

Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon GazetteZone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/Oakton ConnectionThe McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls Connection

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

Zone 4 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 4:

• Centreville

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

PINNACLE SERVICESlic/ins 703-802-0483 free est.email [email protected]: lawnsandgutters.comFriendly Service with a Friendly Price!

GUTTER GUTTER

A&S Landscaping

703-863-7465LICENSED

Serving All of N. Virginia

• All Concrete work• Retaining Walls • Patios• Decks • Porches (incl. screened) • Erosion & Grading Solutions• French Drains • Sump Pumps• Driveway Asphalt Sealing

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,

Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, PaintingWe Accept All Major Credit Cards

Licensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A Lic

RN. CONTRACTORS, INC.

Phone: 703-887-3827E-mail: [email protected]

www.rncontractors.com

J.E.S. ServicesYour neighborhood company since 1987

703-912-6886

Landscaping & Construction

All work Guaranteed

• Planting & Landscaping Design• Drainage & Water Problems• Concrete Driveways, Replacement or New• Patios and Walks • Masonry Work or Dry Laid• Paver, Flagstone, Brick, any style you choose• Retaining walls of all types

Free Estimates - Fully Licensed & Insured

LAWN SERVICE LAWN SERVICE

GOLDY BRICKCONSTRUCTION

Walkways, Patios, Driveways,Flagstone, ConcreteFREE ESTIMATES

Licensed, Insured, Bonded

703-250-6231

PAVING PAVING

Partial or Full. Kit. Floors, Backsplashes.Specializing in Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass Tiles

and Natural Stones. Also repair work. 35 yrs exp.

BATHROOM REMODELING

703-250-2872Licensed • Bonded • Insured

www.brennan-tile.com

by Brennan Bath and Tile

TILE/MARBLE TILE/MARBLE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

25 years of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Summer Cleanup...Tree removal, topping & pruning,shrubbery trimming, mulching,leaf removal, planting, hauling,gutter cleaning, retaining walls,

drainage problems, etc.

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

FIREWOOD

703-327-4224

FIREWOODDouble Shredded Hardwood

FirewoodFull Cord GuarAll HardwoodFree Delivery

& Dumped

LANDSCAPING

SOD, Mulch, Clean-UpLeaf Removal

Hauling.703-863-7465

A&S CONSTRUCTION

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

Recessed LightingCeiling FansPhone/CATVComputer Network CablingService UpgradesHot Tubs, etc…

Office 703-335-0654Mobile 703-499-0522

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

[email protected]

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Rocking theChair

Not that I was ever a CB person (CitizensBand radio), good buddy, but right now, Iam in the middle of both my four-to-fiveweek infusion interval and my quarterly-scan interval. Far enough past that I don’thave any residual food or emotional issuesand not close enough that I have any anxi-ety about the food and emotional issuesthat will inevitably occur. I am between arock and a hard place, and I mean that inan atypical way: I am under no pressure,but no illusions either, oddly enough. I amsailing smooth and riding high, mindful ofmy reality, but appreciative of the relative— and comparative calm with which thisinterval affords.

Not that I can be normal (not a cancer“diagnosee”), but this is as close to ‘normal’as it gets — for me. After all, I do have a“terminal” form of cancer (non-small celllung cancer, stage IV), not a cold, so it’s notas if it will go away with time. Nevertheless,I am grateful for the particularly good times— now, while trying to manage my expec-tations for the bad times — later, after thishoneymoon-type period ends. But sincethere have been many more good timesthan bad since I was diagnosed in lateFebruary 2009, I am not bogged down,emotionally by my circumstances, althoughI am somewhat compromised, physically.Nothing I can’t live with, however. Actually,I’m thrilled to live with any of it, ‘live’ beingthe operative word.

At this juncture, nearly eight years postinitial symptoms (New Year’s Day 2009),mostly I can handle what happens to me, sofar any way. But when similar stuff happensto others: death, disease, disability, demen-tia; I feel their pain, sort of; and suffer emo-tionally. It’s not as if I take in all their anxi-ety, but in a way, the weight of it does affectme. And sometimes, I get weepy over it. AsI’ve written before, and heard many timesas well in the cancer world, negative any-thing is extremely harmful to cancerpatients — or most other “terminal”patients I would imagine as well. From myown experience though, I certainly under-stand the difficult circumstances underwhich all us patients/survivors endure;remaining positive and being surrounded bypositivity is key as is humor, encourage-ment, compliments, congratulations, com-passion and empathy. All are crucial to ourcore. Healthy bodies we may no longerhave, but healthy minds we have to main-tain. And the stronger and healthier thatmind is, the more it will help us to mind ourown business and do so in a manner thatwill prevent the cancer from taking overthose minds.

Just as The United Negro College Fund“slogans” “A mind is a terrible thing towaste;” in the cancer world, it’s terriblewhen patients are unable to use their mindsto fight their disease. In many cases, canceris a killer, there’s no doubt about that, butallowing negative emotions to take over isreally unhelpful. Accentuating the positive(like the subject of this column) and mini-mizing the negative has to be the order ofthe day — and the night, too. You have tofind the good or the funny and embrace it,exaggerate it, extend it, elongate it, andreinforce it. Anything to make sure it mat-ters more than the bad. Bad is bad enoughon its own. It doesn’t need any help fromus. Focusing on what I can enjoy hopefullywill enable me to keep on trekking, and to“Live long and prosper.”

Come back.

EmploymentEmployment

Jr. Kindergarden Team Teacher

KIDDIE COUNTRYDevelopmental Learning Center

Burke, VA 22015 [email protected] Fax: 703-644-0073 Phone: 703-644-0066

Kiddie Country is accepting applications for a co-teaching position is one of our Jr.

Kindergarten programs. 6-8 hours per day, M-F. Applicant must have a degree

in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. Team teachers will work together to appropriately conduct a planned semi-structured program

supported by a curriculm specialist. Please apply if you are caring, motivated and committed to high quality education for preschool learners. Applicants are

invited to call Kiddie Country directly for further information or an appointment.

EOE

EducationalInternships

Unusual opportunity tolearn many aspects of thenewspaper business.Internships available inreporting, photography,research, graphics.Opportunities for students,and for adults consideringchange of career. Unpaid.E-mail [email protected]

Find us on Facebookand become a fan!

www.Facebook.com/connectionnewspapers

www.connectionnewspapers.com

News

The Northern Virginia Electric Co-operative board of directors hasapproved returning $3.1 millionin CashBack to customer-own-

ers during the December billing cycle.NOVEC will also give power-cost-adjust-ment credits to customers in 2017.

As a not-for-profit business, NOVEC an-nually allocates back to customers revenuethe co-op receives over and above the costof doing business. Such margins are heldin CashBack accounts for each customer inproportion to the kilowatt-hours (kWh) ofelectricity purchased. NOVEC retains a por-tion of the margins to fund electric-systeminfrastructure upgrades and expansions,and to fund service restorations when ma-jor power outages occur, such as during se-vere winter storms.

Current customers will see their share ofthe return as a credit on their Decemberbills. Former customers will receive checksin the mail.

In addition to receiving CashBack cred-its, NOVEC will give customers power-cost-adjustment (PCA) credits on each monthlybill in 2017. Pending final Virginia StateCorporation Commission approval, the PCAfactor will be just over $0.008 per kilowatt-hour consumed. As a result, customers whoconsume an average of 1,300 kWh permonth will receive a credit of a little morethan $10 each month.

NOVEC customers will be paying less perkilowatt-hour for energy they consume in2017 than they did in 2009 when NOVECtook over power-supply responsibility.

NOVEC, headquartered in Manassas, is anot-for-profit electric utility corporationthat supplies and distributes electricity andenergy-related services to approximately164,000 customers in Fairfax, Fauquier,Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, andClarke counties, the Town of Clifton, andthe City of Manassas Park. Seewww.novec.com.

Help withToys for Tots

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue De-partment is participating in this year’s An-nual National Capital Region Fire and EMSDepartments’ 2016 Toys for Tots Campaign.The intent of the campaign is to “bring holi-day joy and deliver a message of hope tochildren.”

Last year, thanks to the generosity of thosewho live and work in Fairfax County, theFire and Rescue Department collected morethan 13,000 toys.

Children who are served by this campaigninclude toddlers and youths through age 17.The campaign will only accept new un-wrapped toys and they can be dropped offat any of fire and rescue station. Toys usedas weapons or considered to be weapons(i.e., toy guns or knives of any kind) willnot be accepted. Checks or money ordersfor donations must be made payable to Toysfor Tots.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue stationswill accept donations through Friday, Dec.16.

Free CarseatInspections

Certified technicians from the Sully Dis-trict Police Station will perform free, childsafety carseat inspections Thursday, Dec. 8,from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves sotechnicians may properly inspect and ad-just them, as needed.

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

dates and times.

Apply for Citizens’Police Academy

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

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

Class size is limited to 40 participants allof whom are required to undergo a back-ground check. Applicants should submittheir application no later than Dec. 15. Ap-plications may be sent [email protected] or Fairfax CountyPolice Department Citizens Police AcademyI/C Operations Support Bureau 3911Woodburn Road Annandale, VA 22003.

Food DonationsFor WFCM

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ foodpantry needs donations of 1-2 pound bagsof rice; fruit juice; jelly; red, white or blackbeans (can or bagged); canned vegetables(no green beans of corn needed); macaroniand cheese; can pasta; pasta sauce; andpasta (spaghetti, rotini, elbow, etc.).

Toiletries needed, which WFCM clientscannot purchase with food stamps, includediapers, toothpaste, shampoo and solid de-odorant. Bring all items to WFCM’S foodpantry’s new location at 4511 Daly Dr. SuiteJ, Chantilly from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mon-days through Fridays.

Contact Terri Kelly at [email protected] willing to coordinate a food drive.

Roundups

NOVEC Approves CashBack Payout


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

To highlight your faithcommunity,call Karen at703-778-9422b

The Church of the AscensionTraditional Anglican Catholic Services

1928 Book of Common Prayer, 1940 Hymnal,and the King James Bible with Apocrypha

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

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

13941 Braddock RoadCentreville VA 20120

in the “Old Stone Church”of Historic Centreville

Sports

By Will Palenscar

The Westfield Bulldogs andSouth Lakes Seahawksbattled in the 6A North

Regional Final — with Westfieldsecuring the trip to Hampton Uni-versity, on Dec. 10 for the Virginia6A State Championship.

In the 1st quarter Sean Eckertopened scoring with 7:44 remain-ing in the quarter when RehmanJohnson connected with him from

7 yards out. After Brian Delaney’spoint after, Westfield took an early7-0 advantage. Johnson wouldthrow his second touchdown passwith 5:41 to play in the 1st whenhe hit Ivory Frimpong for a 35-yard TD. Westfield now led 14-0after another Delaney PAT. Later,with: 24 seconds to play in the 1st,Johnson would score from 2 yardsout and Westfield’s third touch-down in the opening quarter.Delaney again was successful with

his third PAT of the opening quar-ter.

In the 2nd quarter Johnson wentto the air again. Once again it wasEckert. The score covered 80yards. With 7:22 to play in thequarter. Johnson had now thrownhis third touchdown pass of thefirst half. Following anotherDelaney PAT, Westfield was up 28-0. Eckert and Delaney were notfinished. The duo would onceagain connect for Johnson’s fourth

TD pass of the game and Eckert’sthird TD reception, this one from8 yards out with 19 seconds to playin the 2nd.

Now leading 35-0, Westfieldwould score their final points withjust 2:07 to play in the 3rd whenSaadiq Hinton crossed the goalline, and Westfield would go up42-0.

In the 4th quarter South Lakescontinued to battle even withWestfield resting many of their

starters. Albert Mensah burst fora 45-yard touchdown run just 52seconds into the 4th. The extrapoint was blocked by the Westfieldspecial teams and the score was42-6. South Lake’s Mensah wouldscore once again on a 2-yardtouchdown run with Westfieldthen leading 42-12. On the ensu-ing 2-point conversion, it wasKevin Petrillo who put a hit on TreVenable on the 1 yard line, thwart-ing the Seahawks 2-point conver-sion. The hit could be heardthroughout the stands and reso-nated in the crowd’s reaction.Petrillo also intercepted a pass ear-lier in the game.

Statistically, Westfield was led byQB Rehman Johnson who ran fora TD, completed 11-14 passes withfour TDs and one interception.Eckert caught six passes for 176yards and three scores. IvoryFrimpong, caught three passes for84 yards and a TD.

Westfield used five players toaccount for just over 100 yardsrushing. Devin Miles, QB for SouthLakes completed 9 of 19 passes for80 yards and two interceptions.Spencer Alston and Albert Mensahtogether carried the ball 22 timesfor 141 yards and two touch-downs. South Lakes ends the yearwith a (12-2) record. Westfieldimproves to (12-2) and will playOscar Smith (13-1), of Chesa-peake, whose only loss came inweek 1 when DeMatha defeatedthem, 42-7. This will be the sec-ond consecutive year thatWestfield and Oscar Smith willplay for the Virginia 6A title.Westfield won last year’s meeting49-42 in three overtimes.

Westfield’s basketball team alsowon the state title last season, de-feating Oscar Smith 74-56. OscarSmith will travel 27 miles toHampton while Westfield willtravel 180 miles. The 6A Champi-onship will be played on Dec. 10at Armstrong Stadium at 4:07 p.m.

Ivory Frimpong #4 catches one of his three receptions.

Rehman Johnson runsfor yardage againstSouth Lakes.

Westfield Coach Kyle Simmons holds the 6A NothernRegion trophy.

Next for Bulldogs: State Championship Game

Pho

to

s by W

ill Palen

scar

Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and...

Documents

Transcript of Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and...