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Springfield Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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December 19-25, 2013

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Franconia ❖ Kingstowne ❖ Newington

SpringfieldSpringfield

Franconia ❖ Kingstowne ❖ NewingtonPage 8

State, Local Officials RallyBehind FBI in Springfield

News, Page 3

Alcorta Places ThirdAt Foot Locker NationalsSports, Page 12

RecognizingCitizenship

News, Page 5

RecognizingCitizenshipRecognizingCitizenship

News, Page 5

Joanne Thompson and ConnieBeatty of the Rose Hill CivicAssociation attended the LeeDistrict Association of CivicOrganizations’ Banquet for thefirst time this year. Beatty haslived in Rose Hill since 1954.

2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ December 19-25, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Man Robbedin Clifton

Fairfax County police are seek-ing the people who robbed a man,Friday night, in the 6100 block ofClifton Road. According to police,the victim had just parked his ve-hicle, at 9:50 p.m., when two menapproached and demandedmoney. One of the men displayeda handgun and shot out a windowon the victim’s vehicle.

Both men then stole cash andproperty from the victim and fledin a blue sedan. There were noinjuries. The suspects were de-scribed as black, ages 17-20, andwearing black clothing and masks.

Don’t Drinkand Drive

As the holidays approach,Fairfax County police reminds ev-eryone not to drink and drive.SoberRide is offering a free cabride home every night from nowuntil Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Soanyone heading out to enjoy aholiday gathering is urged to des-ignate a driver or call SoberRideat 1-800-200-TAXI between 10p.m. and 6 a.m. to get home safely.(AT&T customers dial #9727). Formore information, go to http://www.wrap.org/soberride/.

Area Roundups

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.

SATURDAY/DEC. 21Dog Adoption. 12-3 p.m. PETCO

Greenbriar Towncenter, 13053 LeeJackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax.www.hart90.org

MONDAY/DEC. 23Pohick Prose Society. 7-8:30 p.m.

Pohick Regional Library, 6450Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Teenstalk about books. Persepolis byMarjane Satrapi. Registrationrequired. Book discussion for age 13-18. 703-644-7333.

THURSDAY/DEC. 26Polar Bear Reading Club. 10 a.m.

Pohick Regional Library, 6450Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Join theclub. Read five books and choose aprize from the treasure chest. Do itagain and again in January andFebruary. Age birth-12. 703-644-7333.

FRIDAY/DEC. 27Polar Bear Reading Club. 10 a.m.

Pohick Regional Library, 6450Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Join theclub. Read five books and choose aprize from the treasure chest. Do itagain and again in January andFebruary. Age birth-12. 703-644-7333.

Fun Flicks. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Watchmovies based on children’s books.Call for the titles. Cosponsored by theFriends of the Pohick RegionalLibrary. Registration required. Allages. 703-644-7333.

Bulletin Board

Church of the Apostles Anglican(formerly on Pickett Road inFairfax) lost their church propertymore than two years ago in a dis-pute with the Episcopal diocese.While temporarily “homeless” thechurch (known for decades of the-atrical and dance performances)has decided to bring the show onthe road. Their unique take on aliving nativity will be held in anon-religious atmosphere at theSherwood Community Center inFairfax. Admission is free.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 – 8 p.m. at

Sherwood Community Center(next to Van Dyke Park), 3740 OldLee Highway, Fairfax.

Rev. Joe Acanfora has said thateven though the economy is recov-ering, there are still many people outthere distressed or just coming outof a tailspin or still feeling “home-less” and that the circumstances thischurch went through have actuallyworked to bring the church into thegeneral community rather than staywithin physical walls.

Church of the Apostles has anequally different take on the Liv-

ing Nativity, as the seemingly im-promptu dialog shows the harshrealities people faced during thetime of the census thousands ofyears ago.

A church in Oakton (WholeWord Fellowship) hosts the COAAcongregation twice on Sundays inthe interim. Church members hailfrom all parts of Fairfax Countyincluding Reston, Herndon,Springfield, Annandale, Clifton,and Centreville/Chantilly. Formore information visitwww.christmasinbethlehem.org

A ‘Homeless’ Church Presents Living Nativity

Photo contributed

Rev. Joe Acanfora plays arabbi.


U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) joins other high-ranking Virginia politicians in backing the Springfield sitefor the new FBI headquarters. The GSA is expected to announce the site selection in 2015. From left - Secre-tary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, who represented Governor Robert McDonnell; U.S. Rep. Jim Moran(D-8) and Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee).

News

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

A high-ranking delegation of Vir-ginia politicians gathered inSpringfield Tuesday morning ina renewed effort to convince the

Federal Bureau of Investigation to relocateits headquarters to a warehouse site inSpringfield.

The move in the high-stakes, highly com-petitive regional competition comes aftersite selection guidelines eliminated almostall other Northern Virginia locations.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D) and TimKaine (D), U.S. Reps. Jim Moran (D-8),Frank Wolf (R-10) and Gerry Connolly (D-11), Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe (D),State Del. Vivian Watts (D-39), FairfaxCounty Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) andothers held a news conference on Tuesday,Dec. 17 at Northern Virginia CommunityCollege’s Medical Campus Tuesday to senda message that the Springfield site is theideal choice.

IN LATE 2011, the General Services Ad-ministration (GSA), which manages federalproperties, announced plans to move theFBI’s main office out of the run-down, di-lapidated J. Edgar Hoover Building on Penn-sylvania Avenue.

Since then, several jurisdictions across theWashington region have made it clear theyhave the ideal location for the bureau’smove.

But the Virginia delegation made the ar-gument that the federally-owned ware-house in Springfield makes the best loca-tion for the FBI to consolidate as many as11,000 employees for a number of reasons,including the fact that the GSA alreadyowns the warehouse, which guarantees thatfederal government ownership of the cam-pus is both clean and easy.

“Virginia checks every box,” Warner said,“transit accessible, fiber-wired, synergy withFBI Quantico… Many FBI employees livein Virginia, and it is easy for DC and Mary-land residents to commute.”

Citing the bi-partisan display of unity inthe effort, Kaine said he was “brought intothis process by our three members of Con-gress - Connolly, Moran, and Wolf…It ischaracteristic of us in Virginia that we allwork together. “

Wolf, who chairs the appropriations sub-committee overseeing the FBI, said the siteis ideally located, with easy access to theCIA and Quantico.

Connolly agreed: “The FBI’s ability to in-teract with other federal anti-terrorism of-fices located in NoVA is critical.”

Supervisor McKay, whose district is home

He pointed out that airport access willsoon be served by two Metro stations onceRail to Dulles is complete.

Fairfax County would also benefit by high-paying jobs that would come to the area,and redevelopment of the site would spurconstruction of other office projects nearbyand expand commercial tax base.

“You know the site makes perfect sensewhen the entire Northern Virginia Congres-sional Delegation, the Governor, the Gov-ernor-Elect, and State elected and ap-pointed officials – both Democrats and Re-publicans- all agree on something,” McKayadded.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, the deci-sion by the GSA will be made in 2015. Whileother regional sites have been eliminatedfor various reasons, Maryland is still in therunning with its site in Prince GeorgesCounty.

But Connolly predicts the Springfield sitewill be the chosen one.

“We’re going to win this on the merits,not on politics. We had a number of sites inVirginia, but we put our parochial interestaside to support the best site for NorthernVirginia and for our national security.”

Virginia leaders toutmerits of Springfield sitefor FBI HQ relocation.

What More Could FBI Want?

to the warehouse site, said county officialswill do “everything in our power to makesure zoning and other factors are in place.”

McKay said the benefits to the federalgovernment of relocating to Springfield“would be substantial.”

In January 2012, Fairfax County joinedPrince George’s County and the District inplacing its marker on the table in the high-stakes competition soon after the Senatepassed a resolution authorizing the GSA andFBI to seek new headquarters in December

2011.“The FBI needs 2 million square feet of

office space, located within two miles of aMetro station and within 2.5 miles of theBeltway according to the GAO. Redevelop-ing existing sites in DC would be extremelyexpensive, especially given the post-911security features that are now required…Itis adjacent to the Franconia/SpringfieldMetro Station, VRE, AMTRAK, bus service,and every highway except Route 66,” McKaysaid at the time.

A map of the ware-house site in Spring-field shows thelocation’s primeproximity to majortransportation. Thesite is adjacent to theFranconia/Spring-field Metro Station,VRE, AMTRAK, busservice, and everyhighway exceptRoute 66.

“We’re going to win this on the merits, not on politics. We had a numberof sites in Virginia, but we put our parochial interest aside to supportthe best site for Northern Virginia and for our national security.”

— U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11)

“We’re going to win this on the merits, not on politics. We had a numberof sites in Virginia, but we put our parochial interest aside to supportthe best site for Northern Virginia and for our national security.”

— U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11)

Photo by George Burke

Springfield Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


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See Viewpoints, Page 7

News

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

Public servants and civic ac-tivists were recognized atthe Lee District Association

of Civic Organizations’ 58th an-nual Lee District Banquet on Dec.11 at the Springfield Hilton.

Master Police Officer Jim Reid,Master Police Office GregKottemann, and Leah Lamba-Skidmore were presented awardsat the banquet.

Reid and Kotteman received theLes Dorson Distinguished PublicService Professional Award. Reidruns the Franconia Station neigh-borhood watch program and co-ordinates the area’s National NightOut, a crime and drug preventionevent. Kottemann has served inthe Fairfax County Police Depart-ment for 24 years and is now thecrime prevention officer for theMount Vernon Station.

“I just wanted to tell you howmuch of an honor and privilege ithas been for me to work in thecommunity that I grew up in,”Kottemann told the audience.

Lamba-Skidmore, who served aschair of the Lee District Land UseAdvisory Committee, received theLes Dorson Citizenship award forher service on the committee.

Fairfax County Police ChiefEdwin Roessler, Jr. was the guestspeaker at the event and spokeabout crime in Fairfax County, aswell as the department’s efforts tokeep up with the urbanization ofthe area.

tively,” Roessler said.Lee District Supervisor Jeffrey

McKay (D) also delivered remarksat the banquet.

“My job is a lot easier becauseof the civic activism of so many ofyou, and you do it because youcare,” McKay told the audience.

According to Jane Hilder, chairof the LDACO, the association re-ceived a donation from SpringfieldTown Center to help cover the costof the banquet.

“We were thrilled to get that andI just really think this is an excit-ing time to be living here. We’vealready seen a lot going on in theKingstowne area and a lot is start-ing to happen along Route One. Itis interesting to watch,” Hildersaid.

Connie Beatty was recognizedfor being one of the originalhomeowners in Rose Hill.

Beatty has lived in Rose Hillsince 1954.

Master Police Officer Greg Kottemann, Leah Lamba-Skidmore, and Master Police Officer Jim Reid wererecognized for public service and citizenship at the 58thAnnual Lee District Association of Civic OrganizationsBanquet on Dec. 11.

Recognizing CitizenshipLee District As-sociation of CivicOrganizations’holds 58th an-nual banquet.

Jane Hilder, chair of theLee District Association ofCivic Organizations, pre-sents the Lee District Citi-zenship award to LeahLambda-Skidmore, who hasbeen the chair of the LeeDistrict Land Use AdvisoryCommittee since 2006.

“Thank you very much for whatyou do for your police department,and to help me as your police chief,to do our job efficiently and effec-

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Opinion

By Michelle Krocker

And Jim Edmondson

In the latest edition of The Herrity Re-port, Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrityproposed “redirecting developers’ $3 persquare foot contribution for buying rent-

controlled housing units into a trustfund to pay for public school renova-tion and construction.”

The report proceeds to make severalunsubstantiated claims regarding thenumber of people living in subsidized housingand the growth in both the number of subsi-dized units and number of households inFairfax County. However as in the past, TheHerrity Report does not provide the full pic-ture of the housing policy under discussion,and misrepresents the facts.

The Board of Supervisors adopted its hous-ing policy in 2010 as a part of the larger plan

for the redevelopment of Tysons. It is now un-der consideration, at the request of the board,for application in other designated high den-sity, transit and business centers in the rest ofthe county. Called the ‘3-2-1’ policy, the pro-posal by county staff would apply a contribu-tion from commercial development to supportthe construction of workforce housing in thetransit or business area, as it does in the Tysonsplan. The contribution would be applied on asliding scale based on a proposeddevelopment’s proximity to a transit station.This proposal will go before the Planning Com-mission and then the Board of Supervisors inthe first quarter of 2014.

Why is this policy important?❖ To accommodate projected job growth and

remain competitive within the region, it is im-portant to ensure housing opportuni-ties for the workforce of the future atall income levels;

❖ Developing housing at transit sta-tions and adjacent to employment cen-

ters encourages use of mass transit, walkingand biking which can lead to fewer cars, andless congestion; it also enhances Metro revenueand reduces the pressure on local governmentto provide subsidies for the system;

❖ Linking commercial development (jobs)and housing via a linkage program is an ac-knowledged “best practice” in hundreds ofcommunities across the country to ensure an

adequate supply of housing to support jobgrowth.

❖ It recognizes the changing preferences ofworkers/taxpayers/voters, particularly youngpeople, to live near where they work.

The proposed policy anticipates that the con-tributions will be made to a housing trust fundused by the county to leverage private sectorfinancing to develop the needed housing.

The housing that is constructed will not beowned or purchased by the county. In fact, verylittle of the affordable housing in the county isowned by the government.

Securing decent housing that is affordableremains a challenge for Fairfax County house-holds earning less than $60,000.

Meeting the growing needs of our schoolsystem is also an important issue. Both educa-tion and safe, decent housing are fundamen-tal to the well-being of our community, andresidents want leadership that seeks to findworkable solutions. Failing to recognize theimportance of both and pitting one issueagainst the other are not the answers, and thecitizens of Fairfax County deserve better fromelected officials.

Michelle Krocker is executive director,Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance.Jim Edmondson is president of AHOME, whichpromotes affordable housing opportunities forfamilies at all income levels.

Preserve 3-2-1 for HousingHousing for all incomelevels near transitsupports vibrantcommunities and jobgrowth, reduces traffic.

Guest

Editorial

Parents Advocate forClass Size CapsTo the Editor:

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) Superintendent’s (Dr. KarenGarza) conducted a “Listening Tour” meetingat Cooper Middle School in McLean.

Many parents who spoke at the meeting wereconcerned about large class sizes in theirchildren’s schools. This is not a problem in mostFCPS schools - the average elementary schoolclass in FCPS has only 21-22 students, andplenty of FCPS elementary schools average 20or fewer students per class.

However, large class sizes have become thenorm in Vienna, Oakton, McLean and GreatFalls schools. Teachers unlucky enough to beassigned to the 30+ classes are often pushedto the limit in terms of what they can do tocontrol classroom behavior and alleviate stu-dent stress. At Wolftrap Elementary, teachershave even created a “coping couch” for stressedkids to help them escape from the crowded,noisy and chaotic atmosphere that is so ofteninevitable with such excessively large classes.

The school system is looking at county-wideincreases in average class sizes. Without sometype of class size cap, this would create a situ-ation where most of the county’s students hadreasonable class sizes (e.g., 16 to 26 students),but even more students in the Vienna, Oakton,McLean and Great Falls would have more than30 students in their rooms - which are no largerthan the rooms being used to hold 17 or 22students elsewhere in FCPS.

After seeing their children crammed intooversized classes for years, parents formedClass Size Counts last year. The group is work-ing with State Delegate Barbara Comstock toaddress the class size issue at the state level,Supervisor Foust, several School Board mem-bers and Superintendent Garza at the countylevel. The Class Size Counts online petition,with over 1,000 signatures, asks that theFairfax County school system not increase av-erage class sizes without simultaneously imple-menting class size caps:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-oversize-classes-in-fairfax-countyschool/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend .

At Cooper Middle School, Dr. Garza reas-sured parents and teachers in the room thatshe is working to fix this problem, by draftingan FCPS regulation that would impose classsize caps.

Class Size Counts applauds Dr. Garza for tak-ing a stand on implementing caps so that allchildren in FCPS can receive a decent and faireducation.

Interestingly, the School Board memberwhose district includes many schools with thelargest class sizes - Jane Strauss - also told par-ents at a Longfellow PTA meeting that she op-posed a class size cap, and preferred to con-tinue using the FCPS “staffing reserve.” Sev-eral years ago, parents submitted a Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) request for emailsand other documents regarding the staffingreserve. The documents painted a picture of aslush fund with no apparent criteria or controls.

Kim FarrellMother of two FCPS students

Vienna

Karen Garza discusses class size atthe Dec. 7 listening tour in McLean.

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Springfield


Viewpoints

What have beenthe biggestdevelopments inthe area in 2013,and what to lookfor in 2014?

Chris Soule, Federation Del-egate for the Lee DistrictAssociation of Civic Organiza-tions, Alexandria

“It’s nice to see the development ofthe Springfield Town Center. I thinkRoute One redevelopment and transpor-tation will be important in 2014. Therehas also been talk of building a Metrodown Route One.”

Greg Kottemann, Master PoliceOfficer, Mount Vernon DistrictPolice Station

“I like the fact that the new Costcoopened. I don’t know what to expect for2014. We will continue to combatcrime.”

Jane Hilder, LDACO Chair, Alex-andria

“I think there was an interest in rede-velopment and revitalization. In 2014 Iam looking forward to shopping at theSpringfield Town Center.”

Connie Beatty, Rose Hill CivicAssociation, Rose Hill

“In 2013, I am proud of the way wehave maintained the neighborhoodwatch in my community. We maintainthe safety by looking out for our neigh-bors. I am looking forward to the samething in 2014.”

Joanne Thompson, Rose HillCivic Association, Rose Hill

“We have maintained the beauty inRose Hill and will continue to do so.”

— Janelle Germanos


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Liz Henry is nervousabout her upcomingflight to San Francisco.

It’s not TSA regulations or longlines that are causing her anxi-ety, however. It is travelingalone with her three children —all of whom are under the ageof 6.

“My kids are 5, 3 and 1,” saidHenry, who lives in Vienna. “I’mtaking them to visit my familyfor Christmas, but they’ve neverflown before. I have a lot ofDVDs packed, but I don’t knowhow far those will get me. Idon’t like pacifying my kidswith videos, but I don’t think Ihave a choice.”

Going home for the holidaysoften means boarding an air-plane with high-energy childrenand settling in for a long ride.Parents such as Henry scrambleto find ways to fill the time in away that keeps their child en-tertained without disturbingother passengers. Local educa-tion experts say there are op-tions that don’t involve the lastresort of videos and electronicgames, however.

“Reading is always a goodchoice, but for many children,it cannot hold their attentionfor long plane rides,” said LenAnnetta, Ph.D., a professor inthe College of Education andHuman Development at GeorgeMason University. “Games likeScrabble challenge players’ lit-eracy skills in a fun way. Cross-word puzzles are also fun andengaging.”

Annetta, who recently re-turned from a family trip toItaly, has first-hand experiencewith surviving lengthy planerides with children in tow. “Itook the whole family, includ-ing my 13- and 11-year-old chil-dren,” he said. “My children are

older, but we played a name thecloud game. Of course, we wereabove the clouds, so it made ita bit more difficult.”

When traveling abroad, along flight is an ideal time tolearn more about the culture orlanguage of your final destina-tion. “My children tried a crashcourse on Italian,” said Annetta.“They learned a few words theyused during the week we werethere. This was a free app onthe iPod that we downloadedbefore we left.”

Bethesda-based psychothera-pist Katie Cogan, Ph.D., recom-mends activities that engage achild’s imagination, particularlyfor younger children. “You al-ways have your imaginationwith you no matter what,” shesaid. “You can say to a child,‘Tell me a story,’ or you can taketurns telling stories with yourchild. When you’re on theplane, you can help your childimagine what it will look likewhen we get there.”

For young children, Cogansaid, “Using what’s inside youto create a world that alreadyexists. It is called active imagi-nation. Use your creativity to doanything. If you’re with a youngchild, you can ask ‘How manythings can you think of that arered?’”

Cogan also advises helpingchildren make up a story, par-ticularly about their final desti-nation. “If it is a small kid, givethem the first part of the storyor the first word and let themtake if from there,” she said.“Have paper with you, and youcan have your child tell you thestory and either write it downor have your child write thestory down and color it.”

Annetta said, “Journalingyour experience is a fun way topractice writing while tellingthe story of where you are go-ing or where you’ve been.”

Home for the Holidays:Surviving a Long TripKeeping children entertained onlengthy airplane rides.

Len Annetta, Ph.D., ofGeorge Mason Universitytraveled to Italy recentlywith his wife, Jennifer,and his childrenSamantha and Joey.Annetta kept his childrenoccupied during the longfight with cloud gamesand by helping thempractice Italian.P

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By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Elena Santiviago walked her 6-year-old sondown the aisle of a grocery store near herArlington home. They picked up five boxesof toothpaste and two bottles of mouth-

wash, several bars of soap and a few sticks of de-odorant. The shopping trip was part of a schoolproject in which students fill holiday stockings withpersonal hygiene items for the homeless.

“I gave him $20 to spend,” she said. “I figure hecan learn how expensive things are and that thereare some people who can’t afford to buy the thingsthe he takes for granted.”

Teaching children about charity, particularly dur-ing a season when many are focused on making sureSanta Claus gets copies of their Christmas lists, is animportant lesson, according to experts. Redirectinga child’s focus from getting to giving this season maynot be as difficult as one might think, however. Thekey, say experts, is for parents to model and foster asense of generosity.

“Most children are born with a sense of caring forothers, which is related to empathy, or being able toput oneself in another person’s shoes,” said Amy VanArsdale, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology atMarymount University in Arlington. “Empathy andcaring are found among humans and other socialmammals, and a strong sense of empathy can helppeople to feel loved and included. As children de-velop, empathy can be diminished if they are notexposed to it often enough or learn that other char-acteristics, such as aggression, are more rewarding.”

Fred Bemak, Ed.D., who is with the Counselingand Development Program in the College of Educa-tion and Human Development at George Mason Uni-versity in Fairfax, said that some children are morelikely to be interested in giving than others. “Chil-dren have predispositions for charity, but they arenot born with it,” said Bemak. “You have childrenwho naturally share more than others. There aresome toddlers who share their toys with other chil-dren and some toddlers who don’t.”

Bemak believes that a sense of compassion mustbe nurtured.

“A child could have a predisposition for charity,but have parents who don’t foster it,” he said. “Youcan cultivate it by bringing those values into yourhome environment.

There are a number of ways to cultivate it. “Inyoung children, parents can foster a child’s sense ofempathy by modeling this response,” said VanArsdale. “For example, if they see a person who hasbeen injured, the parent could comment on how thatinjury must hurt. … Ask the child, for example, ‘Howmight that person be feeling right now?’ These in-teractions can help foster the child’s empathy forothers.”

Bemak suggests directly connecting older childrenwith opportunities to help people who are in need.“Take children to serve people who are homeless orrefugee populations or people who don’t have re-sources,” he said. “Modeling the behavior is ex-tremely important.”

He recalled a personal example from his own life.

“I was in Burma working with children who werevulnerable and poor [who were] at high levels ofrisk,” he said. “Outside the gates [of our facility] werehomeless children who were in more desperate situ-ations than those children I was working with.”

The children were homeless, hungry and dressedin rags. “They had no parents and were markedlydifferent than the at-risk children I was workingwith,” he said. “Typical response of the children Iwas working with was ‘Go away. Leave us alone anddon’t sit outside our facility.’”

Bemak suggested the homeless children be invitedinside for dinner. “We talked with them, welcomedthem and ate with them,” he said. “After they left,we talked about what the experience was like forthe at-risk kids and what they learned by talking tothe homeless children.”

His students learned about charity through pro-cessing the experience of having a human encoun-ter. “We talked about what it meant to give,” he said.“It was very powerful for all involved. This exercisecan be replicated anywhere.”

Van Arsdale said that older children learn bestabout charity when their parents involve them inaltruistic activities. “For example, the family couldvolunteer together by serving meals at a homelessshelter,” she said. “This direct, interpersonal experi-ence is more likely to affect the child’s sense of em-pathy than an indirect experience [such as] tellingthe child they should be charitable.”

Cultivating altruistic values is key to raising childrenwho have a sense of charity. “Share food, possessions,support and assistance in ways that people might needit,” said Bemak. “Even a young child can share theirtoys with other children who might not have toys. Inpsychology we talk about altruism as a healing vari-able. Altruism leads to compassion and charity.”

Experts say modeling,nurturing are keys toraising generous children.

Teaching Children to be Charitable

Experts say exposing children to those inneed can help them develop a sense ofcharity.

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News

By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

The all-volunteer Celebration Singers per-formed their final holiday concert of theyear on Sunday, Dec. 15 at St. John’sUnited Methodist Church in Springfield.

The group started at Springfield Methodist Churchin the 1960s by the name of the Wesleyan Singers.Some of the ladies have been singing together for40-plus years. And through the years, membershiphas reached 66 people, but has since dwindled to18.

The all-female ensemble sings three, four, and five-part harmonies with huge audience interaction. Theysing and dance at nursing homes, assisted-living fa-cilities, benefits for Make-a-Wish and the SalvationArmy, Fischer House at Walter Reed Hospital, andeven the White House.

Anne Miller, 77, of Fairfield, Va., near Lexington,started directing the group in 1971 and has remained

ever since. “It’s just something I love,” said Millerwho has been singing since age 6 and hails fromClinton, Okla. “I love to direct, I love to sing and Ilove to make people happy.”

Miller was married to Grant Miller, an Air ForceLawyer, and directed the Tripoli Choral Society whilethey were stationed in Libya. She received a master’sdegree in vocal performance from the University ofHawaii in 1969 and moved to Northern Virginia in1971. That year, she performed in the LeonardBernstein Mass at the grand opening of The KennedyCenter in front of Jackie Kennedy.

Betty Aldrich, 70, of Falls Church says Miller isamazing in her ability to pull out choral perfectionfrom the group. “She teaches us how to center,” saidAldrich who’s been a member since the mid-1980s.“She gets a beautiful sound with us.”

Jenny Squire, 64, of Springfield, who wrote thescript and emceed along with Karen Weinberg,agrees: “She gets from our group a sound that no-body else could get.” Squire is also passionate aboutperforming live at nursing homes and hospitals. “Itprovides them with a window on the world that theycan access,” she said. “We provide live entertainment,

Springfield show choir hasbeen going strong 40 years.

In Harmony WithCelebration Singers

Anne Miller conducts the audience at St.John’s United Methodist Church in Spring-field on Sunday.

Nora Steiger, 85, of Springfield plays awashtub bass using a broomstick and onestring, sometimes called a “stumpf-fiddle.”

See Celebrating, Page 11

The CelebrationSingers performat St. John’sUnited MethodistChurch in Spring-field on Sunday.

Photos by

Steve Hibbard/

The Connection


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To Advertise Your Community of Worship, Call 703-778-9418

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WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18Travelers’ Christmas Eve.

7:30 p.m. Messiah UnitedMethodist Church, 6215Rolling Road, Springfield. AChristmas Eve service for thosepersons, especially firstresponders, doctors and nurseswho may have to work on Dec.24. www.messiahumc.org

FRIDAY/DEC. 20 -SATURDAY/DEC. 21“Oh Holy Night,” a Christmas

Concert. 7:30 p.m. WorkhouseArts Center, 9601 Ox Road,Lorton. Get in the holiday spiritwith some melodious tunes.Tickets $15 http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/christmas-concert-o-holy-night

SATURDAY/DEC. 21An Irish Christmas – An

Nollaig. 8 p.m. GMUCenter for the Arts, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. Irish-American fiddler Eileen Iversbrings the joy of the holidayseason to Fairfax with hercelebration for the whole family, aheartwarming concert filled withtales of Irish Christmas traditions andfavorite Celtic holiday tunes. Tickets:$25-$50.

Living Nativity. 5:30-7:30 p.m.Safeway Parking Lot, Burke TownPlaza, at the corner of Old Keene Milland Lee Chapel/Burke CenterParkway. Calvary Christian Church ishosting its annual ‘Living Nativity’. Inaddition to people, sheep, donkeysand even a camel will be there. Hotcocoa, cider and cookies will beprovided.

SUNDAY/DEC. 22Christmas Cantata. 11 a.m. Cranford

United Methodist Church, 9912 OldColchester Road, Lorton. Join the 25member strong Cranford ChancelChoir, led by music director GayleLennon, as they sing to the glories ofthe coming Emmanuel with song.

TUESDAY/DEC. 24Christmas Caroling. 4:30 p.m.

Cranford United Methodist Church,

9912 Old Colchester Road, Lorton.Door-to-door caroling.

Candlelight Christmas EveService. 7:30 p.m. Cranford UnitedMethodist Church, 9912 OldColchester Road, Lorton. An eveningof music, scripture and quietreflection of the birth of Jesus.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 25J Fest. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. wish

Community Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River

Turnpike, Fairfax. The dayincludes entertainment, food andfun for all ages. At 3 p.m., theJCCNV will screen thedocumentary “Hava Nagila (TheMovie)” — a romp through thehistory, mystery and meaning ofthe great Jewish standard. Israelidancing with Markid Markfollows the film. J Fest fee perfamily (up to 6 people): $20/$15 JCCNV member (includesadmission and movie screening).Film only fee: $9/ $6 JCCNVmember, senior, student, child.Call (703) 323-0880 for detailsand to register, or visitwww.jccnv.org.

TUESDAY/DEC. 31The Ultimate 80s New YearsEve. 9 p.m. Empire, 6355 RollingRoad, Springfield. $20.The Ultimate New Year’sEve Experience. 7 p.m. - 1a.m. Hyatt Fair Lakes Hotel,12777 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax.Live entertainment, music, food,and more. Tickets: $159 perperson.Cool Cow Comedy Presents:

The New Years Eve Special. 7p.m. & 9 p.m. Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.Admission: $35. With powerful standup comedy and hilarious sketchcomedy, Rahmien Mostafavi (DCImprov, Kennedy Center), JonMumma (DC Improv, Sirius XM), andDanny Rouhier (106.7 The Fan, DCImprov) will take you towardmidnight with side splitting comedy.For tickets, visit: http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/cool-cow-comedy-presents-nye-special-show.

Holiday Calendar

Photo by Luke Ratray

Eileen Ivers brings the joy of the holiday season to Fairfax withher celebration for the whole family, a heartwarming concertfilled with tales of Irish Christmas traditions and favorite Celticholiday tunes on Dec. 21 at GMU’s Center for the Arts.

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] orcall 703-778-9416. The deadline is theFriday prior to the next paper’s publi-cation. Dated announcements shouldbe submitted at least two weeks priorto the event. For more entertainmentevents in the county, go to: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2013/sep/26/fairfax-county-calendar/.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18-SUNDAY/JAN. 5100 Under 200: 100 Artists

Exhibiting Work PricedLess than $200. WorkhouseArts, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.Free flowing and ever changing;the exhibit will have new art onview each week.

From the Fire. Workhouse Arts,9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Fivediverse ceramic artists challengethemselves to create personalwork for a joint firing in “Fromthe Fire”, an educational exhibitof 30 works and concomitantphotographs and text.

SATURDAY/DEC. 21Ballroom Social Dance. 7:30-

10:30 p.m. 601 Ox Road,Lorton. Admission: $15. http://www.workhousearts.org/events/performing-arts/ballroom-social-dance-10

FRIDAY/JAN. 3 &SATURDAY/JAN. 4Cabaret Series: Welcome to

the Speakeasy. 8 p.m.Workhouse Arts, 9601 Ox Road,Lorton. A raucous ramblethrough the Jazz Age as talentedperformers tackle the tunesinspired by the gin-jointatmosphere.

Calendar

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] call 703-778-9416. Deadline isFriday. Dated announcementsshould be submitted at least twoweeks prior to the event.

Fairfax Baptist Temple, atthe corner of Fairfax County Park-way and Burke Lake Roads, holdsa bible study fellowship at 9 a.m.Sundays followed by a 10 a.m.worship service. Nursery care andchildren’s church also provided.6401 Missionary Lane, Fairfax Sta-tion, 703-323-8100 orwww.fbtministries.org.

The Guhyasamaja Bud-dhist Center, 10875 Main St.,Fairfax City provides free classesto both newcomers and advancedpractitioners of Tibetan Bud-dhism. The center emphasizesworking with the mind and learn-ing how to understand theworkings of the mind, overcominginnner causes of suffering, whilecultivating causes of happiness.Under the direction of Lama ZopaRinpoche, the center is a place ofstudy, contemplation and medita-tion. Visit http://www.guhyasamaja.org for moreinformation.

Lord of Life Lutheran offersservices at two locations, inFairfax at 5114 Twinbrook Roadand in Clifton at 13421 TwinLakes Drive. Services in Fairfaxare held on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.and Sundays at 8:30 and 10 a.m.Services in Clifton are held onSundays at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.703-323-9500 orwww.Lordoflifeva.org.

Faith Notes


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From Page 9

News

which means it’s one-on-on.” Sheloves to see responses like foot tap-ping or people mouthing words.After a performance, the singersusually go out and shake handsand greet people. “It’s all aboutreaching them,” she adds.

For their Christmas Show onSunday, the group wore brightlycolored handmade costumes anddanced to the choreographedsongs, “O Holy Night,”“Hanukkah’s Child,” “ChristmasWaltz,” and “African AdventCarol,” among others.

For Willa Lutz, 64, of FallsChurch, she enjoys the friendsshe’s known for 20 years. “I liketo sing and dance,” she added.

Nora Steiger, 85, of Springfieldhas been singing with the groupfor 40 years. She plays a washtubbass using a broomstick and onestring, sometimes called a“stumpf-fiddle.” She calls Miller“very patient and gentle.”

Lydia Garner, 62, a one-yearmember from Sterling, says Milleradds humor to the mix. She saysshe loves “the gratification ofknowing I brought a smile to

Celebrating in Harmonypeople’s faces.”

For Karen Weinberg, 58, the Cel-ebration Singers is “like a family.”She enjoys the camaraderie andsays it’s more than just singing.“We get as much out of the per-formance as (the audience) does.”

“It’s really like a big caring fam-ily of all sisters,” added Gayle Par-sons, 63, of Springfield, a pianistwho’s been with the group sixyears.

After Labor Day, the group goesto the Middlebrook Retreat Cen-ter for two days where they beginpracticing the songs and choreo-graphing the moves. After polish-ing the show for about threemonths at Burke United Method-ist Church, they are ready to givetheir holiday concert.

Alice Groenig, 64, directs a sub-group called “Sounds of Joy,” thatdoes smaller shows with eightsingers. A member for 28 years,she enjoys “the joy and happinessof seeing people’s faces who don’tget to see live entertainment.”

Celebration Singers is alwayslooking for new members. If inter-ested in joining, email Jenny Squireat [email protected].

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

Be the first to know –get your paper beforeit hits the press.

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edi-tion, including photosand ads, deliveredweekly to your e-mailbox.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]


Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

Caroline Alcorta fin-ished 16th at the FootLocker Cross CountryChampionships na-

tional meet as a junior in 2012,missing by the slimmest of mar-gins the All-America status thataccompanies a top-15 finish.

Alcorta was disappointed butnot devastated, knowing she’dhave one more shot to crack thetop 15.

This year, Alcorta won the southregional in Charlotte on Nov. 30,earning a trip back to nationals.The West Springfield senior hadher sights set on becoming an All-American, saying a top-15 finishwould be “nifty.”

This time, she left no doubt.

ALCORTA PLACED THIRD atthe Foot Locker national meet onDec. 14, finishing with a time of17:31 at Morley Park in San Di-ego. Last year, Alcorta missed atop-15 finish by less than a second.This year, only two runners werefaster and she finished 22 secondsahead of the 15th-place harrier.

Alcorta said her goal was to fin-ish in the top 15, but her “stretchgoal” was to place in the top five.

“I’m happy with the effort I putinto it and how it turned out,”

Alcorta said. “I couldn’t ask foranything better than a top-five fin-ish.”

As a senior, Alcorta got used toself-motivating as she would buildlarge leads en route to victory.During the VHSL state meet atGreat Meadow, Alcorta won theGroup 6A championship with ameet-record time of 17:13, finish-ing 39 seconds faster than hernearest competitor. Alcorta wonthe 6A North regional meet witha time of 16:31, the third-fastesttime in Burke Lake Park history,and finished 48 seconds ahead ofthe second-place harrier. WestSpringfield coach Chris Pellegrinitold Alcorta to focus on runningher own race without letting anyoutside factors change her ap-proach.

On Saturday, however, Alcortahad to chase a couple harriers,something she said helped her runa better race.

“My coach and I talked abouteven if I couldn’t win I would raceto try and win,” Alcorta said. “That

would push me to do the best Icould. … I know I’m supposed torun my own race, but at the sametime it’s nice to know there arepeople to help you. … Lookingahead to see the people you’re try-ing to catch is really big.”

Tessa Barrett, a senior fromWaverly, Pa., won the event witha time of 17:15.4. Hannah DeBalsi,a sophomore from Westport,Conn., finished second with a timeof 17:25.3.

Alcorta started running crosscountry as a sophomore and con-tinued improving. Shortly beforethe 2013 state meet in mid-No-vember, Alcorta committed to runfor the University of North Caro-lina.

“I started doing cross countrybecause I found a sport that I re-ally love,” Alcorta said. “… I justfollowed what I wanted to do andwhat I really enjoyed doing and itjust turned it really well.”

Alcorta was one of five North-ern Virginia harriers to compete atnationals. Lake Braddock seniorKaty Kunc, who started runningcross country during her junioryear as a way to condition for soc-cer, finished 19th with a time of

18:07.2.“It was a really great experi-

ence,” Kunc said. “I never wouldimagine myself racing at such ahigh level since I just started lastyear.”

Senior Hannah Christen, Kunc’steammate at Lake Braddock, fin-ished 21st with a time of 18:07.3.

Kunc said having Christen at themeet made things “so much morecomfortable.”

IN THE BOYS’ RACE, Edisonsenior Louis Colson finished 32ndwith a time of 15:58.7, and GeorgeC. Marshall senior MackenzieHaight took 34th with a time of16:06.1.

Grant Fisher, a junior fromGrand Blanc, Mich., won the eventwith a time of 15:06.5.

“I’m disappointed with how I fin-

ished,” Haight said. “My goal was(to finish in the) top 15 for All-American. I don’t think I executedmy race how I planned it. I wantedto run an aggressive race and Ifound myself at the back of thepack.”

While Haight wasn’t pleasedwith his finish, he said he enjoyedthe experience. The five NorthernVirginia harriers arrived in SanDiego on Thursday, Dec. 12 andreturned home on Sunday. Kuncsaid the runners felt like “profes-sional athletes” and were treatedlike “royalty.”

“It’s incredible,” said Haight,who will compete for William andMary next year. “The entire expe-rience was surreal — one of thebest weekends I’ve ever had in mylife. I would never trade the expe-rience for anything.”

Lake Braddock’s Kunc, Christencompete at XC nationals.

West Springfield’s Alcorta PlacesThird at Foot Locker Nationals

West Springfield seniorCaroline Alcorta, seen dur-ing the VHSL state meet,placed third at the FootLocker Cross Country Cham-pionships national meet onDec. 14 in San Diego.

Lake Braddock senior KatyKunc, seen during the VHSLstate meet, finished 19th atthe Foot Locker CrossCountry Championshipsnational meet on Dec. 14 inSan Diego.

Lake Braddock seniorHannah Christen, seen dur-ing the VHSL state meet,finished 21st at the FootLocker Cross Country Cham-pionships national meet onDec. 14 in San Diego.

“I’m happy with the effort I put into it andhow it turned out. I couldn’t ask foranything better than a top-five finish.”

— West Springfield senior Caroline Alcorta

West Springfield guard AmyBerglund looked up in thestands and saw her mom holdup two fingers.

The Spartans were hostingMadison on Dec. 7 andBerglund was closing in on1,000 career points. BetsyBerglund signaled to herdaughter, letting the Spartan se-nior know she needed two morepoints to reach the milestone.

With about a minute remain-ing in the fourth quarter,Berglund dropped in a reverselayup, giving her 21 points forthe game and 1,000 for her ca-reer. Along with the personalachievement, Berglund helpedthe West Springfield girls’ bas-ketball team beat Madison, 63-50.

“It was really special scoringmy 1,000th point because itwas a culmination of so muchtime and effort that I have putinto basketball,” Berglundwrote in an email. “It was es-pecially great reaching thatmark in a tough game againsta strong Madison team.”

Berglund is a four-year var-sity starter for the Spartans.She’s been part of two PatriotDistrict championship teams,one Northern Region champi-onship team and twice experi-enced the state tournament,including a trip to the statesemifinals as a freshman. Shewas a first-team all-region se-lection as a junior.

“It became my goal to scorea 1,000 points after my fresh-man year,” Berglund wrote, “be-cause I had scored almost 300that year and I realized it wasdefinitely a reachable goal.”

Berglund averaged 18.4points through WestSpringfield’s first five games

this season. The Spartansstarted 5-0, including a 54-53victory over T.C. Williams onDec. 13, during which Berglundscored 11 points. T.C. Williamswon the Patriot District title lastseason, snapping WestSpringfield’s streak of threeconsecutive district champion-ships.

“The TC game was such anintense game and it was anamazing team win,” Berglundwrote. “We were super excitedto get the win over the toughopponent that TC is. It is a posi-tive step toward our team goalof winning the district title. Ithink that our team still hasmany things to improve on andwe know that every opponentis going to put up a tough fightso we focus on one game at atime.”

West Springfield will travel toface Lake Braddock at 7:30 p.m.on Friday, Dec. 20.

— Jon Roetman

Courtesy photo

West Springfield’s AmyBerglund, seen duringher junior season, re-cently scored her 1,000thcareer point.

West Springfield’s BerglundReaches 1,000 Career PointsPhotos by Ed Lull


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BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

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BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

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]


Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 2: • Burke

• Fairfax • SpringfieldClassifiedClassified

COMMERCIAL SPACE

AVAILABLE

LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SHIRLEY

GATE AND LEE HWY, AWESOME

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12 Commercial Lease 12 Commercial Lease

IVY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TO HOST ON-SITE VISIT

Ivy Christian College will host a Transnational Association ofChristian colleges and schools on-site evaluation team on 01/07-10 for the purpose of evaluating the college for Accredi-tation Level.

Third party comments are invited and may be addressed to:TRACS, 15935 Forest Rd, Forest, VA 24551.

TRACS is approved by the U.S. Department of Education as anationally-recognized institutional accrediting agency and ap-pears on the Secretary’s List of Approved Accrediting Agen-cies, which is approved in the Higher Education Directory. TRACS is also recognized by the Council for higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Ivy Christian College9401 Mathy Drive Suite 380Fairfax, Virginia 22031Tell : 703) 425-4143Fax: (703) 425-4148

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed up Slow Computers➣ Troubleshooting➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup

(571) [email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

26 AntiquesWe pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry

and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.

Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

29 Misc. for Sale

2013 Burley Bicycle Trailer for Two Toddlers. Brand new never been used! Has a clear weather cover with 4-point seat belts. $ 400 new, willing to sell for $250! Call Chris (703) 618-6944 Anytime.

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

CLASSIFIED • CHOOSE 1 TO 6 ZONESE-mail [email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENT • CHOOSE 1 TO 6 ZONESE-mail [email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

An expert is someone who knowssome of the

worst mistakesthat can bemade in his

subject and howto avoid them.

-WernerHeisenberg

By Elliot K. Wicks, Ph. D.

Recent news stories have focusedon people who bought healthinsurance in the individual mar-ket, rather than through an em-

ployer, and whose policies have been can-celed. Some then found that coverage avail-able through the new “Obamacare” Market-places (or Exchanges) is more expensive.Their anger is understandable, but the is-sue needs to be put in context.

A great many of those losing coverage andfacing higher premiums were the beneficia-ries of the insurers’ policies that denied cov-erage to the really sick and charged veryhigh rates to the moderately unhealthy.

Without the reforms of the AffordableCare Act, insurers would continue to denycoverage to many thousand of people withpre-existing conditions and chargeunaffordable premiums to older Americansor those with less than stellar health.

The new law prohibits such discrimina-tion in the individual market: no one canbe denied coverage or charged more be-cause of a pre-existing condition, and anolder person cannot be charged more thanthree times as much as a younger person.Thus, differences in premiums for peoplewith different risk levels will be greatly re-duced starting in January.

If we want to ensure that everyone, re-gardless of their age or health condition,can get affordable coverage—whichObamacare promises to do—we have toaccept the possibility that some people willpay more for coverage. The nature of in-surance is that healthy people subsidizesicker people. Healthy people agree to thisarrangement simply because they neverknow when they are going to be part of theunhealthy 10 percent of any populationgroup that accounts for about 70 percentof the costs in any year.

Older or sicker people will incur highermedical expenses. And if they are all nowto get coverage and not be forced to payvery high premiums, other insured people,the younger and healthier, will have to paymore than they did in the past—unless sub-stantially more younger and healthierpeople are brought into the insurance pool.That is why the mandate that everyone havecoverage is so important. The premiumsthese newly insured lower-risk people willpay are necessary to offset the costs of cov-ering the less healthy people who are newlyinsured.

In short, some people may face higherpremiums, but that seems a reasonableprice to pay for enhancing fairness and pre-serving the health of the entire population.

Of course, some people will pay more

because the old insurance policies they hadprovided woefully inadequate protectionthat would have left them deep in debt ifthey had a serious medical event. The Af-fordable Care Act sets minimum standardsfor coverage, and so some people whobought these skimpy individual plans lostthat coverage. Naturally, when they go tothe Marketplace to buy comprehensive re-placement coverage, the premium is oftenhigher.

But it is essential to understand that manyof these people will be eligible for federalsubsidies that make the net cost lower thanwhat they were previously paying. Subsi-dies to make Marketplace coverage afford-able are available to individuals and fami-lies well up the income scale—to all withincomes up to 400 percent of the federalpoverty level ($94,200 for a family of fourin 2013). The size of the subsidy declinesas income increases, but many middle-in-come people will be eligible for some assis-tance.

It is also important to keep the big pic-ture in mind. Most people are covered byemployer-based insurance, not the indi-vidual market. The individual market is asmall part of the total insurance market, andmany who buy such coverage keep it foronly a short period of time, often less thana year. A study by Mathematica Policy Re-search found that during an average month,only 5.3 percent of the under-65 popula-tion had individual coverage, but fewer thanhalf of that population group (2.1 percent)had that coverage for the entire year.

This “churning” is easily explained: manypeople who buy individual insurance do soas a stop-gap strategy to protect themselvesuntil they get a job that provides better, lessexpensive coverage. They are people wholeave a job that provided health insurancebut have not yet found a new job that of-fers coverage, students who graduate andlose their school-based coverage, or 27 yearolds who have “aged out” of their parents’plan.

The fact is that the individual market hasnever worked well, which is why the ACAfocused especially on reforming it. Largepremium increases, loss of coverage, andinstability have always been characteristicof this poorly functioning market.

The lesson is that now is not the time toendorse legislation like that recently passedin the House that would perpetuate a bro-ken and inequitable individual market andjeopardize the reforms that would bringgood, affordable coverage to many thou-sands who until now have been denied suchprotection.

The writer is a Reston resident.

Obama Care and theIndividual Market —Not a Failure

Opinion


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