v Entertainment, Page 12 Warhawks Finish Their Season at...

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Full Conversation Requires Money on the TableNews, Page 3

Vienna Police Officer Receives Meritorious Action AwardNews, Page 4

Warhawks Finish Their

Season at 16-9Sports, 1

WellbeingPage 10

Madison’s Aaron Thompson #2 soars towards the basket in a March

3 game against the South County Stallions; Warhawks lost, 41-40.

2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

Sharon Bulova indicated that theBoard of Supervisors will advertisethe tax rate March 6 with the full2.5-cent increase proposed in

County Executive Bryan Hill’s budget.“That’s not to say that’s what we will end

up with,” she said during a joint budgetmeeting with the Board of Supervisors andSchool Board on Feb. 27. School Superin-tendent Scott Brabrand also attended.

Hill’s proposed budget would fully fundthe school’s budget request, fully fund com-pensation increases for county employees,and many county priorities.

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay headsthe supervisors’ budget committee. “I thinkwe need to make sure we are able to have afull conversation with ourcommunity about thebudget that’s on the tableand knowing that the bud-get funds our highest pri-orities, but the only wayto do that is to implementa tax increase,” he said.

Bulova said she under-stands the impact the taxrate would have. “We are concerned aboutthat,” she said.

“When we advertise the tax rate, that willbecome the ceiling for what the tax rate canbe. It can be lower, it can be the same, butit cannot be higher than what we advertise

on March 6,” said Bulova.The board will officially adopt the FY2019

budget on May 1 after a series of commu-nity meetings and public hearings on the$4.29-billion budget.

If the Board of Supervisors were to adoptthe full 2.5 cent tax rate increase, it wouldamount to an additional $268 on the aver-

age homeowner’s annualtax bill.

Sully Supervisor KathySmith said she fears talk-ing about an average in-crease when allhomeowners will have dif-ferent property bills andproperty assessments.“When talking about aver-

ages, I also think it’s useful to talk aboutmedians,” she said.

Hill came on board as county executiveon Jan. 2, 2018.

“We cannot sustain what we are doing.In my view, this is a one year deal that al-

Board intends to keep options open for a full conversation by advertising tax increase.

Money on the Table Required

❖ Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m., Sully DistrictTown Hall, Rocky Run Middle School LittleTheater, 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly

❖ Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m., Hunter MillCommunity Summit, South Lakes High SchoolLecture Hall, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston

❖ Monday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Great FallsBudget Meeting, Great Falls Library MeetingRoom, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m., ProvidenceCommunity Budget Meeting, ProvidenceCommunity Center, First Floor MultipurposeRoom, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax

❖ Wednesday, March 14, 7:30pm, BraddockDistrict Council Annual Budget Meeting,Location To Be Determined

❖ Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m., Mason DistrictBudget Town Meeting, Mason District

FAIRFAX COUNTY TOWN HALL BUDGET MEETINGSGovernmental Center, Main Community Room,6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale

❖ Monday, March 19, 7 p.m., Mount VernonDistrict Budget Town Hall, Location to bedetermined

❖ Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m., Lee DistrictBudget Town Hall Meeting, FranconiaGovernmental Center Community Room, 6121Franconia Road, Alexandria

❖ Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m., SpringfieldDistrict Budget Town Hall Meeting, SpringfieldGovernmental Center, Community Room, 6140Rolling Road, Springfield

❖ April 10-12, Board of Supervisors PublicHearings on FY 2019 Budget and FY 2019-2023Capital Improvement Plan. Seewww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-formto sign up.

lows us to have a five year strategic lookforward,” he said.

”It is key that we become a prioritizedcounty so we can effectuate the change thatwe need to go forward.”

The budget would transfer $2.26 billionto the school system, 52 percent of the to-tal. Funding the school’s proposed budget

would bring teacher salaries closer to mar-ket rates, said Brabrand.

“Every year we wait is a year teachers canmake a choice to go elsewhere,” saidBrabrand.

See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget formore.

“That’s not to saythat’s what we’llend up with.”— Chairman Sharon Bulova

on proposed rate increase

School Superintendent ScottBrabrand’s budget would eliminatea $50 extracurricular activity fee that

went into effect this year. Eliminating thefee will cost the schools $1 million, butBrabrand said it was important.

“I believe that extracurricular activities inFairfax County are the secret sauce of suc-cess for our kids,” Brabrand said, during ajoint budget committee meeting held withmembers of the Board of Supervisors andSchool Board on Feb. 27.

Brabrand said he conducted grade pointaverage research every year when he was aprincipal. “Welooked at everykid, and regard-less of back-ground, regard-less of race,” hesaid, when stu-dents were in-

volved in extracurricular activities they hadhigher grade point averages.

“Frankly, our kids that do get involved insports and extracurricular activities alreadypay a mountain of fees as part of travel, aspart of going places and being a part ofbooster clubs,” said Brabrand. “So I don’tthink an additional fee does anything butset up a barrier for our kids to participate.”

Brabrand said two other fees were imple-mented by the school system for FY2018.Fees will still be mandated for familieswhose children transfer out of boundary toanother school and for students who take

more than six Ad-vanced Place-ment or I.B. tests.

“The school sys-tem pays for thefirst six,” he said.

— Ken

Moore

Photo by Will Palenscar/The Connection

The Oakton Cougars defeated the Westfield Bulldogs 59-54 to win theConcorde District Championship on Feb. 16. This year, students whoparticipated in extracurricular activities like sports paid a $50 fee, butthe superintendent of schools proposes eliminating the fee.

Superintendent’s budget eliminatesbarrier of $50 activity fee.

Extracurriculars: Secret Sauce of Success

Sharon Bulova Jeff McKay Kathy Smith Bryan Hill Scott Brabrand

File pho

to

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“Extracurricular activities… are the secret sauce ofsuccess for our kids.”— Scott Brabrand, School Superintendent

Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


See Police, Page 5

News

On Feb. 2, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office heldits 8th Annual Awards Ceremony and banquet din-ner to honor their awards recipients. Vienna MasterPolice Officer Michael Finelli was the recipient of aMeritorious Action Award. While working with theNorthern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force on atemporary assignment, MPO Michael Finelli’s inves-tigation lead to the arrest of multiple MS-13 gangmembers who were conspiring to abduct and mur-der an individual. MPO Finelli’s investigative efforts

helped prevent the death of an innocent person. MPOMichael Finelli also received from the United StatesHouse of Representatives a Certificate of Congres-sional Recognition signed by U.S. Rep. BarbaraComstock (R-10). This award recognizes an indi-vidual, or team of individuals, who have demon-strated exemplary action in response to a specificsituation of an emergency nature, or as part of a rou-tine event, where the member’s exceptional perfor-mance merits special recognition.

Vienna Police Officer ReceivesMeritorious Action Award

From left,Colonel JamesMorris andMaster PoliceOfficer MichaelFinelli.

Photo courtesy

Vienna Police

Department

The following summary containsvarious incidents of general interest aswell as vehicular crashes handled bythe Town of Vienna Police Departmentfrom Feb. 23 – March 1, 2018.

INCIDENTSEmbezzlement — Purple Onion

Catering 416 Maple Avenue West Be-tween July 1, 2016, 7 a.m. andMarch 24, 2017, 7 a.m. An employeereported that a former employee hadembezzled money from the business.

Petit Larceny — Vienna Commu-nity Center 120 Cherry Street SEFeb. 9 between 3:29 p.m. and 3:43p.m. Two subjects stole money fromunattended backpacks.

Fraud — 100 Block ofShepherdson Lane NE Feb. 21, 12p.m. A resident reported that some-one was able to fraudulently transfermoney out of her bank account.

Grand Larceny — AffordableLawn, Sprinklers and Lighting 133Patrick Street SE Between Feb. 22, 4p.m. and Feb. 23, 7 a.m. An em-ployee reported some items werestolen.

Animal Case — 700 Block ofKingsley Road SW Feb. 23, 12 p.m.A resident’s dog bit his owner. Thedog was placed on a ten day quaran-tine. Police Service — 400 Block ofColin Lane NW Feb. 24, 9:16 a.m. Aresident reported a missing person.The person was located by policeunharmed. Welfare Check — 500Block of Woodland Court NW Feb.24, 4:37 p.m. Officers responded tothe residence to check on the welfareof a person. After speaking with theperson officers determined the per-son was not a threat to themselves or

others.Suspicious Event — Patrick Street

SE Feb. 25, 8 p.m. A resident re-ported a suspicious event.

Suspicious Event — 1100 Block ofDesale Street SW Feb. 26, 4:42 p.m.A citizen reported a juvenile shoot-ing a BB gun in a backyard. Policeinvestigated the allegations and de-termined it was actually an airsoftgun and that no violation of law hadtaken place.

Suspicious Event — Church StreetNE / Center Street NE Feb. 26 be-tween 6:15 p.m. and 6:39 p.m. Acitizen reported a road rage incident.

Arrest - Domestic Assault - TheWolftrap Hotel 430 Maple AvenueWest Feb. 26 9:38 p.m. Police re-sponded to the hotel on a tip of awanted subject. Officers were able toannounce themselves and brieflymake contact with the subject beforehe sprinted away from the officers.Officers chased the subject on footbut lost sight of him. A K-9 unit anda helicopter were requested. Thesubject was eventually located in thebackyard of a nearby home. The 45-year-old man with no fixed addresswas arrested and transported to theFairfax County Adult Detention Cen-ter. A warrant for Felonious Assaultand Obstruction of Justice from theearlier event were served. An out-standing warrant for Contempt ofCourt and an Emergency ProtectiveOrder were also served. The manwas remanded to the custody of theFairfax County Deputies.

Domestic Dispute — 1000 Block ofMoorefield Creek Road SW Feb. 27,

Vienna Police Highlights


From Page 4

News

See Police, Page 8

9:42 a.m. A resident requested police to as-sist with a domestic dispute. Police investigatedthe allegations and determined that no violationof law had taken place.

Suspicious Event — 100 Block of WilmarPlace NW Feb. 28 1:08 p.m. A resident reportedthat someone hacked his email account.

Service — Apple Federal Credit Union 419Maple Avenue East Feb. 28, 3:12 p.m. A citizenrequested police assistance with an emotionallydisturbed person. The person had already leftthe area prior to police arrival.

Vehicle Tampering — 900 Block DesaleStreet SW Between Feb. 27, 11p.m. and Feb. 28,7 a.m. A resident reported that someone en-tered her unlocked vehicle and stole severalitems.

Emotionally Disturbed Person — 200 Blockof Ross Drive SW Feb. 28, 12:39 p.m. A citizenreported that a person was in need of medicalassistance. Officers responded to the residenceand spoke to the person. It was determined thatthe emotionally disturbed person was in needof immediate medical assistance. The personwas transported to a medical facility.

Police Service — Cunningham Park Elemen-tary 1001 Park Street SE March 1 between10:37 a.m. and 11:47 a.m. An employee wantedto make police aware of a suspicious event.

CRASHESHit and Run — 100 Block of Branch Road SE

Feb. 22, 6:20 p.m. Vehicle #1 was parked in therow across from Massage Envy, 126 BranchRoad SE. When Vehicle #1 driver returned tothe vehicle, she noticed front-end damage to thedriver’s side.

Accident — Nutley Street SW / TapawingoRoad SW Feb. 23, 8:14 a.m. Vehicle #1 andVehicle #2 were stopped at a red light onNutley Street SW at Tapawingo Road SW, whenthe light turned green Vehicle #1 sped up alittle too fast tapping the rear bumper of Vehicle#2. Vehicle #2 insisted the incident be docu-mented.

Accident — Nutley Street SW/ TapawingoRoad SW Feb. 24, 4:34 p.m. Vehicle #1 wastraveling north on Nutley Street SW. Vehicle #2was traveling south on Nutley Street SW. Ve-hicle #1 was making a left onto TapawingoRoad SW. From the turn lane. Vehicle #2 struckVehicle #1 on the right rear corner panel. Bothdrivers stated they had a green light. Accident— Maple Avenue East / East Street SE Feb. 26,7:21 a.m. Vehicle #2, was driving north onMaple Avenue East, approaching the intersec-tion of East Street SE. As traffic slowed Vehicle#2 slowed at which time Vehicle #1, who wasalso traveling in the same lane and direction,


Assistance Leagueof Northern Virginia will hold itsannual fundraiser

on April 27 to support itscommunity outreach pro-grams. The public is invitedto attend the event which willraise funds for the nonprofit’sthree major programs: Week-end Food for Kids, New Cloth-ing for Kids, and Reading Ex-press. Through these pro-grams, the all-volunteer non-profit organization helps more than 6,000disadvantaged students each year.

Started in 2010 with a delivery of 500bags of food to one school, Weekend Foodfor Kids now provides food to children liv-ing with food insecurity in Fairfax andPrince William counties and the City of Al-exandria who receive free or reduced-pricemeals on school days but lack adequate foodresources on weekends. Today, with finan-cial and hands-on support from the com-munity, Assistance League delivers 1,650bags of supplemental food to children in sixTitle I schools every month during theschool year.

Last school year, with the help of Domin-ion Energy, Intelsat, Tee Off for TotsChildren’s Charities, Quadrant and othercharitable organizations, the program pro-vided 15,672 bags of food to children whomay otherwise go hungry on weekends. Thepopulation served is multicultural, and theschool counselors identify the children toreceive the food.

Through the New Clothing for Kids pro-gram, clothing, shoes and personal groom-

ing products are providedto more than 2,870 chil-dren whose families can-not afford those items.

Reading Express targetsat-risk first grade studentsby providing one-on-onetutoring to improve thereading skills of students atProvidence ElementarySchool in Fairfax. In 2016-17, members gave 521hours of support in theclassroom and, to encour-

age reading at home, also provided newbooks to students enrolled in the program.

Through fundraising efforts and grantawards, members lend their time and tal-ent to raise funds to support theorganization’s mission.

Assistance League will again conduct itsprimary campaign to raise money to sus-tain its philanthropic programs in the2018-19 school year. The “TransformingLives” Spring Luncheon is scheduled forFriday, April 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at theCountry Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Road, inFairfax. Ticket price is $65 ($30 is tax de-ductible).

This year’s luncheon will include silentand live auctions and feature KeynoteSpeaker Tony Perkins, Fox 5 News Anchorand Co-Host MAJIC 102.3/92.7. Local busi-nesses donate a variety of goods to supportthe cause. Current event sponsors include:Quadrant, Joyce Koons Honda Buick GMC,Manassas Spine Care Chiropractic Centerand NOVEC. To attend or contribute, con-tact: [email protected]. Visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

Assistance League to host annual springluncheon and auctions.

Transforming Lives

Tony Perkins

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Opinion

By Monte F. Bourjaily, IV

In the aftermath of the horrific schoolshooting in Parkland, Florida, the Presi-dent of the United States and the headof the National Rifle Association, have

advocated arming teachers and hardeningschools in other ways. These are shriveled, re-active measures that appeal to fear and relyon the false statement that “to stop a bad guywith a gun, you need a good guy with a gun.”

Introducing guns into the classroom doesn’tdemonstrate the virtue of the Second Amend-ment, it poisons the educational environment,increases the risk that innocents will be hurtand simply challenges “the bad guy” to cre-atively get around the armed target. We canuphold the Second Amendment, and the ruleof law, and ensure Americans’ safety and senseof security with common sense measures, likerepealing the Dickey Amendment, that focuson preventing unsafe and malevolent use offirearms.

Arming teachers is a terrible idea. First, itchanges the dynamic in a classroom, placing

the weapon between the teacher and the stu-dents. Even if its purpose is to protect students,the weapon is a distraction and a barrier. Sec-ond, and more importantly, you are introduc-ing more projectile weapons into a chaotic en-vironment, dramatically increasing the likeli-hood of friendly fire killing children, otherteachers and law enforcement seeking to as-sist. How well do police and soldiers performin the high stress conditions of an actual con-frontation? Does the stress and opportunity forerrors increase or decrease when multipleshooters (friend and foe) are added to a situa-tion? Third, in response to the argument thata shooter will avoid schools knowing thatteachers are armed, what is to prevent theshooter from wearing body armor? It is easyto buy. We need to stop reacting and problem-solve and innovate, which is our true nature.

Guns are tools, like cars, that can cause seri-ous injury or death when used improperly orwith ill-intent. I also am a hunter who grewup respecting guns.

Why is there a “gag rule” (the Dickey Amend-ment of 1996) on Centers for Disease Controlresearch into the effects of gun violence? Howare guns different than cars? The NationalHighway Transportation Safety Commissioncollects data on motor vehicle fatalities throughthe Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

Gun owners have a Second Amendment rightto own and use guns responsibly, not uncondi-tionally. All Americans have a right to gain abetter understanding of how guns are used inways that harm other Americans and in waysthat can pose a risk to all of us.

We must respect the Second Amendment,like we uphold all of the Constitution as therule of law. However, there are few absolutesunder the Constitution, including how far weinterpret the right to bear arms. Freedom ofReligion does not permit the practice of hu-man sacrifice and Freedom of Speech does notpermit fighting words. In short, my right toswing my arms ends at the tip of your nose.We Americans are at our best as problem solv-ers and innovators. We use data and commonsense to find solutions. We confront threats,rather than fearfully wait for them. Can wefind common ground on reasonable gun con-trol by listening to each other and recognizingreasonable rights and reasonably acceptingcertain limits in respectful recognition of therights of others?

Monte F. Bourjaily, IV is a lawyer whoteaches US Government, American History andPhilosophy at Thomas Jefferson High Schoolfor Science and Technology. All submissionsare in his personal capacity.

Gun safety is anAmerican value.

No Guns in the Classroom

Not PayingAttention inLogic ClassTo the Editor:

I was very surprised at the hon-esty of the headline on your Feb.21-27 editorial, but then someonepointed out to me that “AnotherAssault on Common Sense” prob-ably wasn’t referring to the con-tent of your editorial. My mistake.

Since I was wrong about that,maybe I don’t understand the car-toon either. As I understand it, aderanged individual murdered 17people in a school in Florida; manyof that person’s peers “knew” thathe was dangerous, but apparentlydid not mention that to school au-thorities until after the shooting;school authorities considered himdangerous, but did not go to po-lice; police made dozens of visitsto his house, but two investigatorsconcluded that he was not a dan-ger to himself or others; the adultswith whom he was living did notnotice the aberrant behavior thatso many others saw; the FBI was“unable to identify” him as theauthor of a post indicating hewanted to be a school shooter, andwhen the FBI received two sepa-rate tips actually naming him asdangerous and threatening to be-come a school shooter, the Bureauignored one, and failed to send the

second to the local Field Office foraction, and when he became theschool shooter he said that hewanted to be, the Broward Countydeputy on duty at the school failedto do his duty and remained out-side the building where the shoot-ing was taking place, where hewas joined by other Browarddeputies who also did not enterthe building – and so the NRA wasresponsible for the atrocity.

I must not have been paying at-tention in Logic Class.

H. M. PadonGreat Falls

ConversationStopperTo the Editor:

If I hear the word “conversation”in the media one more time, inrelation to another massacre ofhumans, I might be driven to vio-lence. “Conversation” is not a so-lution to any of our social diseases.It is particularly unnerving whenthe calls for a “conversation” usu-ally relate to gun control, andcome from folks who don’t evenknow the meaning of the wordsthey are chanting. “Automatic”weapons have already beenbanned for decades. “AssaultRifles” have the same capability asmany other guns, but they are justdesigned to look cool. They are a

legal version of a rifle that a vet-eran can own as a reminder of theautomatic rifle he carried whilerisking his life for his country.

But the demands for a “conver-sation,” or for the President to dosomething rather than nothing,keep getting louder and louder.The hysteria usually includes man-tras about the NRA having toomuch influence. Yet no one seemsto grasp the idea that maybe it’sthe influence of the National Edu-cation Association (NEA) that istoo weak and misdirected regard-ing the interests of teachers whocan easily identify kids, as early asfirst grade, who should never haveaccess to a gun. Maybe the NEAshould lobby harder for increasedregulation of dysfunctional kids,and the parents that are irrespon-sible. Even without access to guns,these kids can eventually get adriver’s license, and propel a caror a truck into their schoolmatesduring a fire drill.

Gene PhillipGreat Falls

Cowardice andComplicityTo the Editor,

I’m one of the lucky parents. Likemost parents, I worked hard dur-ing the 18 to 20 or so years it takesto raise my children, educate

them, instill values, help them be-come productive adults and, hope-fully, parents themselves. All thoseplaydates, sports practices, trips tothe library, school events, collegevisits, illnesses, successes, and dis-appointments we gladly workthrough, enjoy, suffer through,and, if we’re lucky, our childrenactually survive and move on. Ican think of nothing worse forparents than to have their child,their gift to the future and imageof themselves, taken horribly be-fore his or her time.

A parent should never outlivehis child. Even a nuclear holocaustis preferable, because then we’d alldie, and the parent would not haveto pretend to celebrate thememory of what might have beenhad the promise of this nationbeen kept. That’s right, the corepromise of this nation is embod-ied in our elected representative’soath of office to protect its citizensfrom enemies, both foreign anddomestic.

I call out every Republican in Con-gress and the President and VicePresident for violating their oath,sworn on a bible. If they had anyintegrity, they would resign. Thereis a moral duty to act to save a lifewhen you have the opportunity, abil-ity and means. Failing to act is cow-ardice, and worse, complicity.

Les HalpernHerndon

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Vienna & Oakton


News

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

Several lawmakers from NorthernVirginia arrived in Richmond thisyear hoping to push a cause knownas menstrual equity — making sure

that feminine hygiene products are afford-able, safe and available. But success hasbeen mixed. Lawmakers are moving for-ward with making sure that tampons andpads are available on demand to inmatesin Virginia jails and prisons. But they arenot willing to move forward with eliminat-ing the sales tax on feminine hygiene prod-ucts, even if that’s limited to the school taxholiday.

“Currently under the tax holiday you canbuy things like garter belts and weddingdresses,” said Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-86).“But menstrual supplies are not includedin that tax holiday, and girls have to havethose products to go to school.”

When asked whether feminine hygieneproducts are available at jails across Vir-ginia, sheriffs across Northern Virginia saythey are provided on demand. But talk toinmates, and you hear a different story. InVirginia prisons, pads are provided at nocharge but tampons are available for saleat commissaries. But after Del. Kaye Kory(D-38) introduced a bill to force the issue,“The regional jails and the Department ofCorrections have now announced that theyare going to provide feminine hygiene men-strual products to women who are incar-cerated at no cost,” said Kory, whose bill ison the way to the governor’s desk. “Publicshaming works sometimes. I’ll have to do itmore often.”

ADVOCATES SAY SHAME has been aproblem for too many women for too long.The idea that Viagra and Rogaine are taxfree in Virginia but pads and tampons arenot has been a sticking point among manyfor years. They praise lawmakers for tak-ing action in jails and prisons but are con-cerned that Virginia will continue to tax

these products even during the sales taxholiday.

“Incarcerated women don’t necessarilyget that much empathy, so we thought thiswas something we were really going to haveto fight for,” said Holly Seibold, founder ofan organization known as Bringing Re-sources to Aid Women’s Shelters. “In termsof the sales tax, I think this is politics at itsworst.”

Virginia is not one of the seven states thatexempt sales tax for feminine hygiene prod-ucts, although states across the country aremoving in that direction. Illinois is the lat-est state to create one, and Connecticut’snew sales tax exemption will begin this sum-mer. The Virginia Department of Taxationestimates that eliminating the sales tax onpads and tampons would cost about $5million a year.

“I believe that there is a will in thegovernor’s office to make up for the rev-enue loss from the sales tax,” said fresh-man Del. Debra Rodman (D-73), who alsointroduced a bill to eliminate sales tax onthese products. “Even if it didn’t go any-where this year, everything doesn’t alwayshappen at once. But making laws is a pro-cess, and we need to show there’s biparti-san support for this.”

ELIMINATING THE SALES tax is onething. But adding feminine hygiene prod-ucts to the list of items exempt from theback-to-school sales tax holiday is a differ-ent story. Advocates were hopeful that theycould at least add pads and tampons to alist that includes bowling shoes and furcoats. The Department of Taxation esti-mates that would cost about $40,000 a year,a price Republicans in the House FinanceCommittee weren’t willing to pay.

“Unfortunately it never received a hear-ing at all,” said Boysko, whose bill was re-jected without a recorded vote. “I’m disap-pointed but I’ll try again next year. I thinkthe focus on Medicaid expansion has beenthe top priority, and that’s huge so I’m gladwe are looking at that.”

Lawmakers inRichmond ap-prove access ondemand to femi-nine hygieneproducts in jailsand prisons butdeny adding padsand tampons tothe back-to-schooltax holiday.

Increased availability behind bars,but not during back-to-school sale.

Mixed Success onMenstrual Equity


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failed to slow causing it to strikeVehicle #2 in the rear. There wereno injuries as a result of the accidentand no summons was issued. Driver#1, is held at fault.

Accident — Locust Street SE/Glyndon Street SE Feb. 26, 4:45p.m. Two vehicles collided at thefour way stop intersection. Vehicle#1 was on locust at the stop signheaded westbound crossingGlyndon Street SE when Vehicle #2

made a left turn, causing both vehiclesto collide. Vehicle #2 was trying tomake a left turn from Locust Street SEonto Glyndon Street SE when the acci-dent occurred. Since there was nowitnesses and fault could not be deter-mined no one received a citation.

Accident — Maple Avenue/CenterStreet Feb. 26, 6:47 p.m. Vehicle #1was driving Eastbound on Maple Av-enue/Center Street. A pedestrian ranonto Maple Avenue hitting the side ofVehicle #1. The pedestrian was run-ning for the bus across the street. The


pedestrian admitted fault. No EMStransport. Accident — PleasantStreet NW Feb. 26, 7:39 p.m. Driver1 had just turned right off of MapleAvenue West, onto Pleasant StreetNW, when he approached the inter-section of Pleasant and ChurchStreet and observed when he be-lieved to be a cat run in front of hisvehicle. He swerved to avoid theanimal and ended up on the curb ofthe left hand side of the road, strik-ing a no parking sign and forcing itto bend.

By Anna Krelovich

Westfield High School

“Christopher Columbus,” exclaims anexcited Jo to her three sisters asthey learn how to live on their ownfor the first time, only depending

on each other. Emphasizing the importance of fa-milial love, Oakcrest School’s production of “LittleWomen” provides a thoughtful take on the classictale.

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 novel of thesame name, “Little Women” was adapted for thestage by Kristin Laurence. This unique all female edi-tion follows the four March sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth,and Amy, living in Concord, Mass., after their fathergoes off to fight in the Civil War. After their fatherfalls ill and their mother Marmee goes to attend tohim in Washington, D.C., the girls are left to facethe tribulations of life, and their expected roles in19th century society, on their own, with only thesupport of each other to guide them.

Each of the four March sisters showcased a dis-tinct trait, indicating their goals and values in life.Jo, portrayed by Jane Kearns, is brassily tomboy-ish, completely disregarding the expectations of herto be a proper young lady. Kearns is bold and quick-tongued in her temper, and hilarious when mock-ing her sister Amy’s (Devon Bogucki) request toact more prim and polite. Portraying Meg, KileyHatch is longing for a greater life of luxury, whilestill retaining a matronly responsibility expectedfor being the eldest sister. Hatch is kind and loving

to her sisters, even in the face of resistance, andwhen confronted for her love of a poor man, is pas-sionate and defensive, communicating a security inher beliefs. Lourdes Navarro is the quiet and con-templative Beth, becoming visibly weaker as she fallsill. Bogucki’s portrayal of the youngest sister Amy isbratty and self-centered, yet still caring. She des-perately longs for a life of proper normalcy, twirlingaround in her fanciest dress and fantasizing aboutmarriage. Together, the four girls create a well-rounded family dynamic, being both dependent andresentful of their sisters.

The March sisters’ mother Marmee is portrayed byAngela Diaz-Bonilla, who is composed and wise, al-ways there to offer her daughters sage advice. Hercomposure served to mellow the girls’ often exuber-ant and inflated personalities and bring them to aplace of reason. Portraying Aunt March, Eli Crishockis materialistic and rude, commendably embodyingthe society Jo condemns.

The simple home features aged yellow wallpaperand a grand bay window overlooking a snowy land-scape, complete with homey furniture and cozy fire-place. The hair serves to set the period well, and Beth’sincreasingly pale makeup notably indicates her wors-ening disease.

Sitting together reflecting on their past year, theMarch family excitedly rushes to the door to greettheir father. With thoughtful actresses and hilariousmoments, Oakcrest School’s production of “LittleWomen” dutifully teaches that family bonds comeabove all, and devotedly mocks the societal expecta-tions of women in 19th century America.

Oakcrest School’s production of ‘Little Women.’

A Thoughtful Take on Classic Tale

From left: DevonBogucki, JaneKearns, AngelaDiaz-Bonilla,Kiley Hatch,Lourdes Navarroin OakcrestSchool’s produc-tion of “LittleWomen.”

Photo by

Dr. Molly Klote


News

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

Budget showdowns are rare in Virginia, butnot unprecedented. Back in 2004, Gov.Mark Warner clashed with Republicansover a sales tax increase. Then in 2014,

Gov. Terry McAuliffe engaged in brinkmanship overexpanding Medicaid. Now lawmakers are poised toend the session once again without passing a bud-get. The final deadline for reaching an agreement isthe end of June, when the new fiscal year begins.

“Looking at past budget standoffs, this one sur-passes anything I’ve seen,” said Del. Ken Plum (D-36), the longest serving member of the House. “Theissues are so big in terms of the number difference,but also in terms of philosophical differences in howwe might put programs together.”

After experiencing an earthquake election last year,House Republicans changed course on expandingMedicaid. Their budget has $371 million in new rev-enue from the federal government under the Afford-able Care Act. Senate Republicans remain steadfastlyopposed to expanding Medicaid. So far, only oneSenate Republican has sided with Democrats, Sen.Emmett Hanger (R-24), although he’s opposed to thehospital bed tax that would fund the part of Medic-aid expansion not funded by the federal government.That means conferees from the House and Senatewill spend the next few weeks hashing it out.

“The House conferees all voted for the House bud-get, and they all support Medicaid expansion. TheSenate conferees are mixed,” said Barbara Favola (D-31). “Right now I don’t see a clear pathway for themunless they are identifying some particular incentives

that they want Governor Northam to consider.”

IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, the next few weeks willsee some dramatic new development that will shiftthe discussion. Back in 2004, lawmakers left town atloggerheads over a sales tax increase. The Senatesupported the idea, but the House resisted it. Afterweeks of negotiation, several key Republicans flippedand eventually supported the idea, giving Warner andthe Democrats a major victory.

“This has been the most trying time that’s ever beenin my political career,” said House AppropriationsChairman Vince Callahan (R-34) during the 2004negotiations. “Hopefully we’ll go to the middle ofJune, and we’ll have it all wrapped up and I can en-joy my life again.” Callahan died in 2014.

The budget standoff of 2014 didn’t play out quiteso swimmingly for Democrats. McAuliffe was end-ing his first General Assembly session as governor,and he was pushing hard for Medicaid expansion.

Lawmakers poised toleave town withoutpassing budget.

Budget Brinkmanship

Oakcrest School has selected ThereseMcGovern, a current Oakcrest studentand Abigail Adams, a newly accepted stu-dent to the Class of 2022 as Veritas schol-arship recipients. Miss McGovern andMiss Adams were chosen from a highlycompetitive applicant pool of 30 eighth-grade students.

The prestigious merit scholarshipaward consists of a $5,000 tuition remis-sion renewed annually through gradua-tion. It is granted to two outstanding stu-dents each year who best display highacademic achievement, leadership, andstrong moral character.

More than just a monetary award, Veritas schol-ars receive one-on-one mentoring by school ad-ministrators and develop leadership skills in theirrole as school ambassadors. They representOakcrest, an all-girl liberal arts school in North-ern Virginia, at various events during the schoolyear, lead tours at open houses, and speak to pro-spective students, parents, and donors.

“I can say with confidence that, looking back,receiving the Veritas award has been the funda-mental stepping stone in my discovery in what itmeans to lead by example and act with the inten-

tion of service,” reflected Makena Kiara, a Veritasaward recipient from the Class of 2017. “TheVeritas award has allowed me to grow in self-con-fidence and self-knowledge.”

To qualify, students had to submit an originalessay, video or art project on the topic “We EachMake a Difference.” Candidates attended a recep-tion in early February as the last step in the appli-cation process where they were interviewed byOakcrest alumnae. For more information, visitwww.Oakcrest.org

Oakcrest Awards Veritas Scholarships

Therese McGovernAbigail Adams

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Michael Lee Pope/The Connection

House and Senate leaders are deadlockedover the budget, a debate that expected tounfold over the next few weeks as budgetconferees hash out the details.

See Budget, Page 14


Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

Helping parents who are grappling with their children’sfeelings of anger and fear following the recent Florida

school shooting and subsequent fallout wasa recent topic that Lisa Jackson-Cherry,Ph.D., department chair and program co-ordinator, Pastoral Clinical Mental HealthCounseling & Pastoral and Spiritual Careprograms at Marymount University, hadwith her graduate students. The class dis-cussed how high profile acts of violence canfrighten children who might feel as thoughthey or someone they love could become avictim or find themselves in danger. Frommass shootings to natural disasters, an opendialogue with children is key to dealing withthoughts and feelings.

“In most instances, talking about the in-cident helps to gain some control over whatis not controlled,” said Jackson-Cherry.“Normalizing feelings and thoughts likefear, sadness, anger, and confusion can helpchildren know they are not abnormal in howthey are feeling or thinking.”

“First ask what they heard rather thanstarting by telling them about it,” addedJoanne Bagshaw, Ph.D., professor of psy-

chology at Montgomery College. “I wouldn’tget too stuck on the details. Just get a senseof what they know and make sure it’s accu-rate.”

In fact, exploration is key. “Encouragechildren to express their feelings and vali-date them, “ said Bagshaw. “You can startby saying, ‘I can understand why you’refeeling that.’”

Monitor both the amount and source ofinformation that children receive about highprofile incidents, advises Bagshaw. “I wouldreally limit their social media and news in-take about the violence,” she said. “Videosabout the shooting are too traumatic, andwatching them can be too traumatizing andtoo dramatic.”

Reviewing the family’s safety plan canhelp children feel secure, advises Bagshaw.It’s something she did in her own family.“At my daughter’s middle school, you can’tjust walk into a building like they did inFlorida,” she said. “I reminded my daugh-ter of this and explained the safety differ-ences between her school and the school inFlorida. One thing that you don’t want tosay is that ‘That will never happen here.’You want to focus on what’s real and what’srealistic.”

Maintaining a sense of normalcy follow-

ing a public display of violence can helpquell fear that children might be feeling,advises Jerome Short, Ph.D., associate pro-fessor of psychology at George Mason Uni-versity and a licensed clinical psychologist.“Parents play a key role by staying calm,maintaining household routines, explainingthat many events we worry about seldomhappen, and stating that we will cope withwhatever happens,” he said. “Parents shouldplace the highest priority on helping chil-dren stay safe.”

“I would caution against using leadingquestions like, ‘Are you scared?’ because thisquestion already implies they should bescared of something and that may not beaccurate,” continued Jackson-Cherry. “De-pending on their answers, parents can as-sist in having the child integrate aspects ofpower and control in a situation where theymay not be in control.”

While putting national events into per-spective in a way that children can under-stand, Short also advises parents to exploreemotions. “Ask children what they are feel-ing and empathize and validate what theysay. Ask children how they feel aboutschool,” he said. “Is there anything at schoolthat worries them? Be reassuring that youwill help protect them.”

Reviewing safety guidelines can help chil-dren feel secure, says Short. “Parents [cansay that] local police are working to keepthe community safe. We need to look outfor each other,” he said. “Say that high-pro-file violence is unlikely to happen at localschools because of safety procedures. Forexample, there are more than 130,000 el-ementary and secondary schools, and wefocus on relatively few schools whereshootings have occurred.”

Even those children who don’t expressemotions or appear unaffected by news re-ports of violence might still be anxiousabout the event. “Many children may notdisplay outward anger or fear but that doesnot mean they are not fearful, angry, or sadabout what they have heard or experi-enced,” said Jackson-Cherry. “I think in mostcircumstances, parents asking about achild’s knowledge of the event would be agood way to start.”

Limit a child’s exposure to media cover-age of acts of violence and discuss it in anage appropriate manner, advises Jackson-Cherry. “If the parent is watching or listen-ing to the news together with their child,try asking, ‘What are you thinking or feel-ing about what just happened or was re-ported?’” she said. “I asked my 15 year old,‘Has the school discussed the shooting inFlorida? Have you had drill in case it wereto happen?’”

Open dialogue is key to quelling fear, say mental health professionals.

Discussing School Shootingswith Children


Sports

The Madison Warhawks (16-8)took on the South County Stal-lions (24-3) on March 3 in the1st round of the VHSL Class 6

State Championship at Robinson Second-ary. With the 41-40 win, South County (25-3) advances to the quarterfinals to take onBattlefield, who were winners over Hayfield68-61. The game will be played on March 6at Patriot HS at 6 p.m., with the winnergoing to the State Final on March 8 whichis held at the Siegel Center on the Campusof Virginia Commonwealth University.Madison finishes their season at 16-9.

In the first eight minutes both teams wereable to score 13 points. South County wasled by Branden Powe with 5 points andQuentin Millora-brown with 4. Madison wasled by Nick Hugie with 5 points and JohnnyHecht with 4.

In the 2nd quarter South County narrowlyedged Madison, scoring 7 while holding theWarhawks to just 5. Quentin Millora-brownwould pace South County with 3 points.Madison’s Aaron Darab converted on a longrange 3 pointer, led the Warhawks with 3.

With Madison trailing at half 20-18,Aaron Darab had his best quarter, scoring7 points. however, Millora-brown wouldadd another 7 points. South County scored11 points and Madison added 10, giving theStallions a 3 point advantage, 31-28 with aquarter to play.

Both teams continued to battle it out withboth teams scoring 11 in the 4th quarter.Millora-brown’s 6 points for South Countywas enough for a game high 20 points.Branden Powe added 9 more for the Stal-lions. Madison was led by Aaron Darab’s12 points and John Finney’s 11.

Madison LosesRegionalChampionship

The Madison Warhawks traveled toHaymarket, Va to take on the BattlefieldBobcats for the 6D Regional final on Feb.24.

Madison arrived after defeating Herndon,Patriot, and Westfield. Battlefield advancedto final by beating Washington-Lee, Oaktonand Marshall.

After both teams scored 13 first quarterpoints, Madison took a 25-22 lead to halftime.

In the 3rd quarter both teams added 15points to their totals.

In the 4th quarter Battlefield would score19 points and Madison was held to 14 andBattlefield would hoist the Regional Cham-

Madison loses toSouth County, 41-40.

Warhawks Finish TheirSeason at 16-9

pionship trophy after a 59-51 victory.Battlefield was led by Brayden Gault with

19 Will Bounds added 14 and Austin

Estridge added 11. Madison was led by JohnFinney with 11 points. Johnny Hecht andNick Hugie each had 10 points.

Both teams advanced to the Virginia StateChampionships.

— Will Palenscar

Madison’s Aaron Thompson #2 soars towards thebasket in a March 3 game against the South CountyStallions; Warhawks lost, 41-40. After an offensive rebound, Quentin Millora-brown of

South County Stallions floats a shot towards thebasket in a game against Madison Warhawks, whichSouth County won, 41-40.

South County’s Quentin Millora-brown was a defen-sive nightmare for the Madison Warhawks.

South County’s Quentin Millora-brown #42 andBranden Powe #4 challenge Johnny Hecht’s shot in agame against Madison. South County won, 41-40.

Photos by Will Palenscar/The Connection


Calendar

See Calendar, Page 13

By David Siegel

The Connection

A whimsical comedy, thetimeless Pulitzer Prizewinning “Harvey” is thetale of a middle-aged

bachelor named Elwood P. Dowd;a man with a number of eccentrici-ties. One of his idiosyncrasies ishaving a distinctive friend. Thatfriend is a 6-foot-tall rabbit namedHarvey; invisible to most every-one, but not Elwood.

Harvey the Rabbit and Elwoodhave lively conversations about allsorts of things, even as a daftgroup of relatives and friendsscratch their heads wonderingabout Elwood’s sanity.

For “Harvey” director EleanoreTapscott the show is a joy, “I’menthralled by one of the play’s cen-tral themes; that our dreams or il-lusions are more important thanwe think they are.”

The McLean Community Play-

ers’ (MCP) production of“Harvey” will be performed at theGreat Falls Grange as the McLeanCommunity Center continues itsrenovations. “Harvey” was lastproduced on the Great FallsGrange stage in 1986. Now theMCP will be treating new genera-tions of Great Falls theater-goersto the comical and serious ques-tion; is the talking rabbit seen byDowd, a man who may drink abit, real?

Kevin Dykstra, who playsElwood P. Dowd, said “Elwood’sinnocence and likability will comethrough as he glides along whilesurrounded by hysteria, chaos andsuspicion.”

“Audiences will enjoy the over-

all zaniness of ‘Harvey’ and get akick out of how various charactersreact and relate to Elwood andHarvey,” said Anne Hilleary whoportrays Elwood’s sister. “Theshow demonstrates how patience,kindness, and tolerance towardother people are qualities thatnever go out of style.”

Cast members AmandaSpellman, Louis Lehrman, MichaelHimes and Caroline Peterson, eachinvited the audience to “Harvey”in their own way. For Spellman,“Harvey” is a sharply written showthat is hilarious as it is heartwarm-ing.” Lehrman added; “the audi-ence can expect a comedy of er-rors that asks the serious question;whether it’s better to be smart or

pleasant in life.”“’Harvey’ is a feel-good comedy

where you’ll leave with a smile onyour face,” said Himes. As forPeterson, “Audiences can expect tolaugh. I laugh at the same jokesover and over because they are justthat funny.”

“Harvey” was made possible be-

Rehearsal of “Harvey” by McLean Community PlayersFrom left: Veta (Anne Hilleary) discusses the partyshe is hosting with her daughter Myrtle Mae(Caroline Peterson).

Irish Eyes Photography by Toby/Courtesy McLean Community Players

Where & WhenMcLean Community Players present “Harvey” at Great Falls Grange,

9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Performances: March 9-24, 2018.Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: $18-$20.Group rates available. General admission tickets through Brown PaperTickets at 800-838-3006 or visit www.McLeanPlayers.org.

cause of the support of Great Fallsresidents and “the cooperativeposture of the Fairfax County ParkAuthority in making the Grangeavailable,” said Mike Scott, co-pro-ducer.

Be ready for quirky fun as“Harvey” visits the Great FallsGrange.

‘Harvey’ Comes to Great FallsMcLean Community Players presents Pulitzer Prizewinning comedy at Great Falls Grange.

ONGOING“The Farnsworth Invention.” Through March

11, Thursdays-Sundays, various times at 1stStage in Tysons, 1524 Spring Hill Road, TysonsCorner. Writer Aaron Sorkin’s signature stylelends itself to the story of the invention thatchanged our lives. In 1929, two ambitiousvisionaries race against each other to invent adevice called “television.” Who will unlock thekey to the greatest innovation of the 20thcentury: the ruthless media mogul, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy? $33 general admission,$30 seniors (65+), $15 students and military.Purchase at www.1ststage.org or 703-854-1856.

Art Exhibit. Through March 31 at Great FallsLibrary (Small Conference Room), 830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. View an exhibit ofwatercolors by Artist Betty Ganley featuring herlove of nautical scenes. Visit bettyganley.com.

Art Exhibit. Through April 7 at Village GreenShopping Center, 513 Maple Ave. NW, Vienna.Vienna Arts Society presents First 100 Weeks,paintings by Deborah Schneider. Free and opento the public. Visit viennaartssociety.org/.

Art Exhibition: “Bon Appetit.” Through May6, during gallery hours at the Vienna ArtsCenter, 115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. Call 703-319-3971 or visit www.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

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

Great Falls Farmers Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 Walker Road, Great Falls. Music,vendors, fresh produce, fresh prepared food,delightful bakery, spices from around the world,wild-caught fish, grass-fed, free-range meats,organic-fed poultry and eggs. [email protected] for more.

Free Tai Chi. Every Saturday, from 7:55-9 a.m.,Introduction and Beginners’ Practice, meet onthe outdoor basketball court located directlybehind the Dolley Madison Public Library, 1244Oak Ridge Ave. in McLean Central Park,McLean. Call 703-759-9141 or visitwww.FreeTaiChi.org for more.

The Freeman Store & Museum Wednesdaythrough Sunday noon-4 p.m. 131 Church St. NE,Vienna. The Freeman Store & Museum is

dedicated to Preserving and promoting Vienna’sheritage through the identification, preservation,and interpretation of history significant places,events, and persons. Historicviennainc.org

Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. Flame Room,Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, 400 CenterSt. S, Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.

Gentle Yoga. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. EmmausUnited Church of Christ, 900 E Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Gentle KundaliniYoga, one free introductory session, seniordiscounts. Increase flexibility, improve breathingand health, reduce stress. Ravi Kaur has 15years experience teaching yoga. $15 per session.www.edimprovement.org. 571-213-3192.

The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a seniorwomen’s softball league, is looking for playersthrough April. Any woman over the age of 40 isencouraged to join. All skill levels are welcome.Games are on Wednesday evenings andSaturday mornings in Vienna. Visitwww.goldengirls.org.

Colvin Run Mill open 11-4 p.m. daily, closedTuesday. 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.Fairfax County’s operational 19th century waterpowered gristmill, offers recreational andeducational activities for all ages through dailytours, school programs and special events. Fees:$7/adult, $6 students 16+ with ID, $5 children& seniors. Admission to park is free except forsome special events.

CLASSES, CAMPS & WORKSHOPSMCC Summer Camps. Plan now to register

children for MCC’s enriching summer campprograms for children ages 3 through 18.Summer Camp Registration begins Monday, Feb.5, for MCC district residents and Monday, Feb.12, for all others. Visit www.mcleancenter.org.

The Arts of Great Falls School offers winterclasses for adults and children of all skill levels.Visit www.greatfallsart.org for more.

THURSDAY/MARCH 8Vienna Arts Society Membership Meeting

and Demo. 10:30 a.m. at Vienna Arts Society,115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. Ruth Ensley willdiscuss and show how she builds the intensity of

watercolor using transparent layers and buildsthe depth of textures shown in her work. Call703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

SUNDAY/MARCH 9Registration Deadline. A Brunch and Mah

Jongg Fun Day for players of all skill levels atTemple Rodef Shalom 2100 Westmoreland St.,Falls Church on Sunday, March 25, 10 a.m.-4p.m. In addition to lots of mah jong ggames,there will be food, prizes, gorgeous luxe rafflebaskets, one-of-a-kind silent auction items andmore. All proceeds will go support charities andorganizations. $50 by March 1; $60 betweenMarch 2-9 (space permitting). [email protected] or call 703-698-8702 orvisit bit.ly/2Arwv08.

MARCH 9-24“Harvey.” Friday-Saturday, 8-10:30 p.m.;

Sundays, 2 p.m. at the Great Falls Grange, 9818Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. The McLeanCommunity Players will present Mary Chase’sPulitzer Prize-winning comedy, “Harvey.”Matinees on Sundays, March 11 and 18. $18-$20. Email [email protected] or visitMcLeanPlayers.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 10Spring Bazaar. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 400 Center St.,

S., Vienna. Vienna Volunteer Fire DepartmentAuxiliary presents their spring bazaar, featuringcrafts, clothing and home businesses, as well ashome baked bake sale, and Fire Departmentcook books, tumblers and Vera’s Attic table –offering gently loved attic treasures. [email protected] or call 703-309-3468.

Black History Concert. 3 p.m. at HistoricPleasant Grove, 8641 Lewinsville Road, McLean.Historic Pleasant Grove is hosting the acclaimedWashington Revels Jubilee Voices for a freeconcert celebrating African American musicaltraditions. This event will take place in a quaint1895 church setting, now an historic site. Visitwww.HistoricPleasantGrove.org.

Artist Reception. 5:30-8 p.m. at The FrameFactory, 212 Dominion Road NE, Vienna. TheLandscapes of Ten Artists features work bySheila Blake, Marsha Gallo, Gary Goldberg,Linda Greigg, Barbara Johnson, Robert McBride,Be Sargent, Thomas Xenakis, Susan Yanero, andEllen Zeland. Visit www.theframefactory1.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 10-11“The Snow White Variety Show.” 2 p.m. at

The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. All the fun of just about every TV showgenre you can imagine is jam-packed into thiswild and fast-paced comedy. This is a part-talk-show, part-reality show dramatic retelling of aclassic story you thought you knew performedby talented local young actors! The dwarvesteam up to share their own side of Snow White’sstory. $10-$15. For ages 6 and older. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for tickets.

Submit entertainment announcements at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

“Viet Nam” by Ruth Ensley

Vienna Arts SocietyRuth Ensley will discuss and show how she

builds the intensity of watercolor using transpar-ent layers and builds the depth of textures shownin her work. Thursday, March 8, 10:30 a.m. atVienna Arts Society, 115 Pleasant St., NW, Vienna.Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.


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Calendar

SUNDAY/MARCH 11“Something Old! Something New.”

4 p.m. at Vienna PresbyterianChurch, 124 Park St. NE, Vienna. TheMcLean Symphony presents its springconcert, “Something Old! SomethingNew!” Marvin Camacho Villegas,renowned Costa Rican composer,gives the McLean Symphony thehonor of performing the worldpremiere of Ritual y Celebración.This piece brings together music,nature, and the sounds of therainforest. Guest pianist ThomasPandolfi performs a trio of pieces.Students $15; adults $25; seniors$20; children 12 and under free. Gettickts at mclean-symphony.org and atthe door.

Winter Traditional CelticConcerts. 4 and 6 p.m. at The OldBrogue Irish Pub, 760-C WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Al Petteway andAmy White perform fireside. Ticketsmust be purchased in advancethrough the link at oldbrogue.com:$18 general admission/$12 childrenunder 12. Season ticket: $96/$60children. Call 703-759-3309.

MONDAY/MARCH 12“Abra Cadaver.” noon-2 p.m. at at

Our Lady of Good Counsel, DeSalesHall, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna.The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna’s Lunch N’ Life presents amurder mystery play provided by theStage Coach Theater Company –“Abra Cadaver.” $30 per personincludes lunch and theatricalperformance. Prepayment requiredby March 7. No refunds. To register,call 703-281-0538.

TUESDAY/MARCH 13A Civil Life in an Uncivil Time. 7

p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave. E, Vienna. Paula Whitacrediscusses A Civil Life in an UncivilTime: Julia Wilbur’s Struggle forPurpose. Learn about thisabolitionist’s/suffragette’scommitment to equal rights in the19th century and her impact ontoday’s world. Free. The public isinvited. Visit vienna-va.aauw.net/.

McLean Historical Society. 7:30p.m. at the Old Firehouse TeenCenter 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. The program will featuregenealogist Elaine McRay who willdiscuss “Family Reserach on theInternet.” The pu is invited. Call 703-356-8223.

THURSDAY/MARCH 15Bunco Fundraiser. 7-9 p.m. at the

Vienna Arts Center, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Vienna Art SocietyBunco fundraiser. $20 reserves a seat

for an evening of hors d’oeuvres,beer, wine, prizes, 50/50 raffle, andof course a game of Bunco. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

SATURDAY/MARCH 17Model Railroaders Open House. 1-

5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth and on Vienna celebrationdays, including Viva! Vienna and theVienna Holiday Stroll. Freeadmission. Call 703-938-5157 or visitwww.nvmr.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 17-18“The Snow White Variety Show.” 2

p.m. at The Old Firehouse, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. All thefun of just about every TV showgenre you can imagine is jam-packedinto this wild and fast-paced comedy.This is a part-talk-show, part-realityshow dramatic retelling of a classicstory you thought you knewperformed by talented local youngactors! The dwarves team up to sharetheir own side of Snow White’s story.$10-$15. For ages 6 and older. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for tickets.

SUNDAY/MARCH 18Breakfast Buffet. 8 a.m.-noon at

Vienna American Legion Post 180,330 Center St., N., Vienna. Getomelets, scrambled eggs, blueberrypancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits

and gravy and more. Adults $9,children 12 and under $3. Call 703-938-6580.

Joy Stember Judaica Trunk Show.10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Temple RodefShalom, 2100 Westmoreland St.,Falls Church. Metal-smith JoyStember will be featured at thetPassoverPalooza trunk show. HerJudaica, made from pewter, bronze,brass, silver and copper is sold inmuseum stores and synagoguesnationwide.Contact Faith [email protected].

Nowruz Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. atTysons Corner Center, 8100 TysonsCorner Center, McLean. Persianfestival will feature family-friendlyfun and food trucks. Visitnowruzfestival.org.

“The Trojan Women.” 4 p.m. in theChapel Auditorium at The MadeiraSchool, 8328 Georgetown Pike,McLean. The Trojan Women byEuripides is widely consideredhistory’s oldest existing anti-warplay, depicting the suffering andenslavement of women surviving thedestruction of Troy. Tickets are $10at the door, and $5 for children 6and under. Recommended for ages13 and up. Visitwww.travelingplayers.org or call703-987-1712.

Spring Fling. 12:30-2:30 p.m. atBloomingdale’s Tysons Corner. TheNew Dominion Women’s Club willhost the 11th annual Spring Flingbenefit fashion show. Enjoy deliciousfood and drink as well as bid on araffle while viewing the newesttrends in spring casual, business, andresort fashion. Visit www.ndwc.org.

‘Abra Cadaver’The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna’s Lunch N’ Life presents an af-

ternoon of love, betrayal, magic, and laughter audience members areimmersed into this interactive murder mystery. “It is Commoner’s Day in theRealm where everyone is equal and all are subject to the law - even the Kingand the Queen. The greatest Wizard of all time, Marvelous Merlin, has beenfound dead. Was it dark magic or something worse – murder?” Monday,March 12, noon-2 p.m. at at Our Lady of Good Counsel, DeSales Hall, 8601Wolftrap Road, Vienna. $30 per person includes lunch and theatrical per-formance. Prepayment required by March 7. No refunds. To register, call703-281-0538.

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From Page 9

House and Senate leaders weredeep in negotiations when Sen.Phil Puckett (D-38) unexpectedlyannounced his resignation, givingRepublicans control of the cham-ber. Democrats cried foul, charg-ing that Republicans had offeredPuckett a seat on the TobaccoCommission and proposed hisdaughter get a judicial appoint-ment. Nevertheless, Republicanssuccessfully blocked Medicaid ex-pansion.

“The momentum is differentnow,” said Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). “When McAuliffe was gover-nor, Obama was still president andthere was still a lot of fear that theACA was not a long-term programand once Obama was gone itwould go away. I think even themost ardent conservatives wouldhave to concede at this point thatthe ACA is here to stay.”

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE be-tween the House budget and theSenate budget won’t be easy. Asidefrom the ideological differences onthe Affordable Care Act, the twobudgets have a long list of differ-ences. The Senate budget includes$5 million for home health care;the House budget has $1 millionto train personal care attendants.The House spends $46 million forfinancial aid to in-state under-graduate students; the Senateslashes that in half to $23 million.The House invests $88 million ina 2 percent raise for teachers; theSenate budget has no money forteacher raises.

“When we don’t pass a budget,all 130 local governments aroundthe state start screaming at us,”said Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36)“They can’t plan their budgets —especially their school budgets —until they know how much moneyallocation they’re going to getfrom us for their direct aid.”

For now, local governmentsacross Virginia will have to livewith uncertainty. Most Housemembers and senators believelawmakers will leave town with-out passing a budget, leaving it tothe conferees to has out the de-tails. A resolution could emerge asearly as April or as late as June,although the possibility still existsthat a last-minute fix couldemerge. Del. Tim Hugo (R-40),who voted against the budget, pre-dicts a solution will happen beforelawmakers leave town on Satur-day.

“I’m always the optimist,” saidHugo when asked for a prediction.“But if I’m wrong, I’m sure you’lltell me.”

BudgetNews


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

A few weeks back at my last post CT-scanappointment with my oncologist (when allcontinued to be amazingly stable), he finallyasked me the question I’ve been wondering ifhe’d ever ask: “Mr. Lourie, I talk about you allthe time, how well you’re doing; is there any-thing I can tell people about what you’redoing that might help them?”

My first reaction was to laugh and then askif I even have cancer. I mean, typically, onediagnosed with an incurable disease doesn’tjust live life merrily along as if the diagnosiswas a mere inconvenience, no matter what heor she may or may not be doing. My oncolo-gist assured me that I indeed have cancer andeven offered up some news about my tumorswith which I was totally unfamiliar.

Five years ago when I was hospitalized(due to excessive fluid in my lungs), in thecourse of the procedure, the thoracic surgeondid a DNA profile of my tumors to determineif I had a specific mutation (allowing for moretargeted treatment). Unfortunately, the ALKand ROS-1 mutations were not confirmed. Inpursuit of more current information, morerecently, I had a liquid biopsy (a blood test)which tested for the EGFR and T790 muta-tions. Again, no confirmation. As it standsnow, I am as unclassified. For the nine-yearmoment then, I remain in treatment withoutthe targeted precision so many of my fellowcancer survivors have been extraordinarily for-tunate to have. Yet life goes on.

So what am I doing? Other than laughingin the face of death (my best attribute), whichif anecdotal reports are to be believed, truly isthe best medicine, a bit more. Remainingpositive and generally upbeat is a parallel cor-ollary to humoring yourself and those aroundyou.

But more specifically and perhapsuniquely, I am supplementing my standard ofcare with some non-Western care: alkalinewater, organic apple cider vinegar, and about60 pills a day, most chosen for their qualitiesof strengthening my immune system and/oreliminating the toxins from my body. I can’tsay I’m eating really right, but neither will Iadmit to not eating totally wrong. Reducingstress and exercising are popular advisories inmy control. One out of two will have to do.

However, as I told my oncologist, whateverI’m doing I’ve been told to do by my holistichealth and fitness coach. She knows what,how and why. (I might as well be SergeantSchulz from “Hogan’s Heros: “I know noth-ing.”) I don’t feel qualified to speak to any ofwhat I do.

Yes, I’ve survived but, I’m a sports andchocolate guy not a science and medicineman. All I can do is list what I’m doing. I can’tchapter and verse any of it. I’m not NIKE, butI just do it. It’s a routine and I rarely stray. I doadd stuff occasionally but to think any of whatI do might have a bearing on another cancerpatient’s survivability? Not hardly, and that’swhat I told my oncologist. Dina suggested thealkaline water. I suggested my “coach.”

I guess I’m just not that deep of a thinker. Itrust people the same way that as a salesman Iwant them to trust me. I’m not leading any-body astray, and I’m providing them the bestavailable knowledge. I’m not manipulating.Nor am I maneuvering. I’m simply managingdos, don’ts, maybes, what ifs and why nots.

Moreover, I’m trying to think outside thebox while respecting and appreciating that thebox has its purpose as well.

Heck, for all I know, my non-Western stuffhas had minimal impact on my life expectancyand the standard of care from my oncologisthas provided the most.

Maybe I’m just an anomaly, pure and sim-ple: a nine-year-plus non small cell lung can-cer survivor. What am I doing? Trying not toabuse the privilege, that’s what.

ReflectionsSubmit civic/community announcements at

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

SOBER-RIDE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAYFree Sober Rides. Saturday, March 17, 4 p.m.

through Sunday, March 18, 4 a.m. Arearesidents, 21 and older, may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost (up to $15)safe ride home. WRAP’s St. Patrick’s DaySoberRide promo code will be posted at 2 p.m.on March 17 on www.SoberRide.com. TheSoberRide code is valid for the first 1,500 Lyftusers who enter the code.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept. 30? If so,

contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATESThe McLean Community Center (MCC) is

seeking candidates to run for seats on its 2018-2019 Governing Board. A candidate must residein the Center’s tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville). To have their names placed onelection ballots, candidates are required toobtain the signatures of 10 McLean tax districtresidents in their respective categories (eitheradult or youth). Three adult positions and twoyouth positions are open this year. Key ElectionDates:

❖ Friday, March 16: Completed Petition Packets aredue at MCC by 5 p.m.

❖ Monday, March 19: Candidates’ Orientation, 7p.m., The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Rd.

❖ Monday, April 9: Absentee Voting begins at theMCC Administrative Office, 6631 Old DominionDr., and The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 ChainBridge Road.

❖ Sunday, May 6: Candidates Meet and Greet, 2-4p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of MCC, at theOld Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road.

❖ Wednesday, May 16: Absentee Voting ends at theMCC Administrative Office and the OldFirehouse Center at 5 p.m.

❖ Saturday, May 19: Elections at McLean Day from10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on the MCC Governing BoardElections, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY:711, or visit the Center’s website: http://bit.ly/2ix7qc1.

MONDAY-THURSDAY/MARCH 7-8Unclaimed Property. Virginians can visit any of

the four events below and find their unclaimedproperty. This free public service is facilitated byThe Virginia Department of Treasury. Learnmore at www.VaMoneysearch.org.

❖ Wednesday, March 7, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at FairfaxCounty Jennings Judicial Center Cafeteria, 4110Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax

❖ Thursday, March 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hollins HallSenior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road,Alexandria

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 71 Million Cups. 8:30 a.m. networking; 9-10 a.m.

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

Members Coffee. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. LukeOrthodox Church, 6801 Georgetown Pike,McLean. McLean Newcomers and Neighbors willhost a coffee for members and for non-memberswho might be interested in joining. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.

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