fairfax stationconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/...dec 14, 2016 · alcohol program...

Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 15-21, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinio

n, Page 6

❖

Entertainm

ent, Page 8

❖

C

lassified, 4

December 15-21, 2016 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

Fo

llow

o

n Tw

itter: @

LFSC

Co

nnectio

nPho

to

by T

im

Peterso

n/T

he C

onnectio

n

HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 10

HomeLifeStyle

Fairfax StationClifton & Lorton

Fairfax StationClifton & Lorton

The South Countyand West Spring-field High School

varsity Swim &Dive teams par-ticipated in the

South RunRECenter Toys for

Tots campaignprior to their

meet against eachother on Dec. 10.

CommissionRecommendations:88 Percent ImplementedNews, Page 3

Surviving Brain InjuryNews, Page 12

CommissionRecommendations:88 Percent ImplementedNews, Page 3

Surviving Brain InjuryNews, Page 12

Swim Teams MakeToys for Tots Splash

News, Page 12


News, Page 12

2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 15-21, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

REGISTERNOW!

Find Your Children Safe & Sound

KIDDIE COUNTRYDEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

OUTSTANDING SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMSDesigned to provide a complete, happy, safe learning environment

in harmony with the needs of the child.

CHILDREN AGES 2-5Full (6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.) and half day (9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) programs

SPECIAL FEATURESDevelopmental Curriculum • Degreed Teachers • Registered Nurse • Music Director • Nutritious

Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks • Heated Swimming Pools • Spacious Shaded Playgrounds• Planned Orientations and Presentations for Parents • State Licensed

KIDDIE COUNTRY9601 Old Keene Mill Rd.

Burke, Virginia 22015703-644-0066

Come See OurAward-Winning Facility!

Winner of American Instituteof Architects Award

FULL DAY SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AGES SIX TO ELEVEN YEARSProgram is organized into weekly themes packed with FANTASTIC FIELD TRIPS, ASENSATIONAL OVERNIGHT CAMP OUT, DAILY SWIMMING, SPORTS, DANCING,MUSIC, AND AN END OF THE SUMMER “SMASH” MUSICAL PRODUCTION BY

OUR CAMPERS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMSAGES SIX-ELEVEN YEARS

GRADES 1-6Transportation provided to Terra Centre,

Fairview, White Oaks, Orange Hunt, Sangster,Hunt Valley and Cherry Run Elementary Schools.

Emphasis on special events, sports, time forhomework, and student’s choice of activities.

KINDERGARTENRegistrations are now being accepted for the2017-2018 School Year. Two Virginia certifiedteachers per classroom. Program emphasizes

language arts, math, computer literacy, science,social studies, social development, art, music

and physical development.

www.kiddiecountry.com

Burke, Springfield,Fairfax, LortonFairfax Station

Combating that holidayperiod which the NationalHighway Traffic SafetyAdministration says is a“dangerous time to be on theroad due to a high number ofdrunk drivers behind thewheel,” a local nonprofitorganization will offer freecab rides to would-be drunkdrivers throughout theWashington-metropolitan areaduring the winter holidays.

Washington RegionalAlcohol Program (WRAP),operates the annual HolidaySoberRide program between10 p.m. and 6 a.m. eachevening between Friday, Dec.16, 2016 and Sunday, Jan. 1,2017 as a way to keep localroads safe from impaireddrivers during this tradition-ally high-risk, holiday period.

During the evening hours,between Dec. 16 and Jan. 1,Washington-metropolitan arearesidents celebrating withalcohol may call the toll-free

SoberRide phone number 1–800–200–TAXI and be af-forded a no-cost (up to $30fare), safe way home.

“Last December, nearly1,500 (1,456) Greater Wash-ington residents did the rightthing and availed themselvesof this lifesaving servicerather than possibly drivinghome impaired,” said KurtGregory Erickson, WRAP’spresident. “For SoberRide’shours of operation during justlast New Year’s Eve, alone,such ridership (580) trans-lated into the removal of awould-be drunk driver fromour shared roadways every49-seconds.”

Since 1993, WRAP’sSoberRide program hasprovided 65,385 free cab rideshome to would-be drunkdrivers in the Greater Wash-ington area.

More information aboutWRAP’s SoberRide initiativecan be found atwww.soberride.com.

Free Holiday Cab Rides HelpPrevent Drunk Driving

News

Doubly SpecialGreat Harvest Bread Company (Burke and Lorton) re-ceived an order for a holiday gift package for APO inAfghanistan last Thursday. As you can see they made itdoubly special!


NewsLorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

The Fairfax County Board of Su-pervisors is well on its way toimplementing all recommenda-tions from the Ad Hoc Police

Practices Review Commission. At the Dec.13 meeting of the board’s Public SafetyCommittee, they announced 88 percent ofthe commission recommendations havebeen implemented or are soon to be so.

“I am proud that 178 of 202 recommen-dations have been approved in just over ayear,” Chairman Sharon Bulova said in astatement. “The Board of Supervisors, Po-lice Department and county staff have beenmoving with deliberate speed to transformthese recommendations into actionablepolicies. By launching Diversion First, es-tablishing the Office of Police Auditor, cre-ating a Civilian Review Panel, hiring a ci-vilian FCPD Public Affairs Director and ap-plying new standards regarding release ofinformation, just to name a few, FairfaxCounty has made great strides toward en-hancing trust in and increasing transpar-ency of Fairfax County Government.”

BULOVA LAUNCHED the commission inresponse to public concern and growingdistrust of police over the 2013 shootingdeath of Springfield resident John Geer byFairfax County Police officer Adam Torres.

Fairfax County Police and the supervisorsdidn’t release case information for morethan a year after Geer’s death, even to hisfamily. A wrongful death civil suit filed bythe family and a court order finally forcedthe release of investigation files and Torres’name.

Torres was fired in July 2015 and indictedby a grand jury for murder in August 2015,an historic first charge of that kind for anyFairfax County officer. He pleaded guilty toinvoluntary manslaughter and was releasedin June of this year, after he received creditfor time served for a 12-month sentence.

The Public Safety Committee has beenreviewing the recommendations from eachsubcommittee of the Ad Hoc Commissionover the last several months, including Useof Force, Communications, Mental Health,Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting, and In-dependent Investigations and Oversight.

Michael Hershman, chair of the Ad HocCommission, said in a statement, “I notonly look back on our work as very perti-nent given today’s national attention onpolicing and community relations, but amencouraged by the seriousness with whichthe Board of Supervisors have addressedour many recommendations. Through aseries of committee meetings and hearingsfocusing on our recommendations, theboard has displayed a professional and bi-partisan effort to make a very good policedepartment into a model for the rest of thecountry.”

A presentation from Recruitment, Diver-sity and Vetting subcommittee chair ShirleyGinwright, president of the Fairfax Countychapter of the NAACP, on Tuesday, Dec. 13,marked the last subcommittee to be heardby the supervisors.

“In some fashion we’ve touched each oneof them,” said Public Safety committee chairsupervisor John Cook (R-Braddock).

Ginwright gave brief updates on the sta-tus of the subcommittee’s 14 recommenda-tions with Fairfax County Police.

“I have to thank them for doing the mostcritical pieces of our recommendationsfirst,” Ginwright said.

Among those implemented are “collabo-rate and build recruitment-oriented partner-ships” (number 5) and “establish a diver-sity goal for each commander” (number10).

Less than half of that subcommittee’s rec-ommendations are still in progress, saidGinwright.

“We realize there is more that needs tobe done, but we started,” Ginwright said ina statement. “I applaud the Board of Su-pervisors for establishing the Ad Hoc Com-mission, listening to and understanding thecries of the community for changes, andtaking some hard hits to get it done. What Ihave seen is community members, leadersand police department working together.”

Cook acknowledged that a number of theAd Hoc commission’s recommendationswere directed towards the Sheriff’s Officeand Commonwealth’s Attorney, who don’treport directly to the Board of Supervisors.

But, Cook said, the board is reaching outto them regarding those recommendationsand inviting them to present and field ques-tions related to the recommendations at thePublic Safety Committee Meeting in March,2017.

Among those recommendationsstill under review, a number relateto body cameras.

CHIEF EDWIN ROESSLER saidthe cost for cameras has been com-ing down as the number of vendorsin the market increases.

Roessler cautioned the board tolearn from the mistakes of other ju-risdictions around the United States

that have hastily implemented body cam-era programs without properly budgetingor planning to manage them.

Cook said the Jan. 31, 2017 Public SafetyCommittee meeting has already been re-served for a deeper discussion of body cam-eras.

A progress report of where different rec-ommendations from the Ad Hoc Commis-sion are in the process of implementationis available online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/progressreport.htm. A copy of thecommission’s final report to the board ofsupervisors is available atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman/pdf/adhoc-final-10.8.15.pdf.

Public Safety Committee hears from Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair.

Ad Hoc Commission Recommendations: 88 Percent Implemented

A Dec. 13 presentation from Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission,Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting subcommittee chair Shirley Ginwright(right), marked the last subcommittee to be heard by the supervisors.

Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection

Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler presents an update to thePublic Safety Committee on the Precision Immobilization Technique(PIT) still allowed to be implemented by FCPD.

“What I have seen iscommunity members, leadersand police departmentworking together.”

— Shirley Ginwright

Status of Ad HocCommissionRecommendations

Fairfax County released these totals, as ofDec. 12, 2016:119 (58.9 person) Recommendations are

Implemented or Implemented asModified

❖ 39 Communications❖ 54 Use of Force❖ 10 Diversity, Recruitment and Vetting❖ 8 Mental Health and CIT❖ 8 Independent Oversight and

Investigations

59 (29.2 percent) Recommendations areIn Progress (Recommendation acceptedand in the implementation process)


Investigations

16 (7.9 percent) Recommendations areUnder Review (Recommendation needsmore review or approval by the Board ofSupervisors before the implementationprocess can begin)


Investigations

8 (4 percent) Recommendations are NotImplemented


Investigations


By Ashley Claire Simpson

The Connection

About a decade ago, thepublic found out thatPluto was no longer con-sidered one of the nine

major planets in the solar system. In2006, the International AstronomicalUnion demoted the small planet, thefurthest of the nine away from thesun, to “dwarf planet” status, citingPluto’s size and location as the rea-son for its revised status.

Clifton scientist Dr. Michael Sum-mers, also a professor of PlanetaryScience and Astronomy at GeorgeMason University, said he still con-siders Pluto one of the nine majorplanets in the solar system. One ofthe foremost experts on Pluto, Sum-mers is part of the New Horizon missionteam, which has spent the last decade de-signing, preparing and maneuvering a spaceprobe for the first ever close-up observa-tion of Pluto.

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

SUMMERS’ ROLE on the mission team isfar from over, despite the probe’s havingpassed by Pluto last year.

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

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

“By the time I flew home to Clifton fromCape Canaveral after the launch, the probehad passed the orbit of the moon,” Sum-mers recalled. “A month later, it had passedMars’ orbit, so that gives you an idea justhow far away Pluto really is. We were actu-ally able to cut the time of the trip by di-recting the spacecraft to a close flyby of theplanet Jupiter in February 2007. We usedJupiter’s gravity to slingshot the spacecraft,speeding it up, but, even so, it took us until

July 14, 2015 to get toPluto. And, New Horizonswas the fastest spacecraftever launched from Earth.”

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

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

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

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

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

While it’s still impossible to conclude any-thing about living creatures on Pluto, Sum-mers said that Pluto certainly containsenough natural resources to support life.

“We’re finding out that many of the mostinteresting places in the solar system areout there in the region of Pluto’s orbit,” hesaid. “There are 100,000 objects like Pluto,called Kuiper Belt objects, in that region ofour solar system. We know they exist, andthat they have enormous amounts of waterand other resources. Utilizing all those re-sources will be crucial for the future of

humanity’s exploration of deep space. Wefound that Pluto has an ocean of water be-low an ice crust that we think is about sixmiles thick. There may be more liquid wa-ter inside Pluto than in all of Earth’s oceanscombined. And, of course, there has to bethe energy inside Pluto to keep all that wa-ter in liquid form. Energy, raw materials andliquid water are all required for life, andPluto has plenty of them.”

THE SMALL SIZE of Pluto, with a diam-eter less than 20 percent of Earth’s, doesnot mean that Pluto is in any way less in-teresting as a planet.

“There have been so many discoveries, it’salmost exhausting to see something newevery time we study the observations,” hesaid. “We are having to rewrite planetarytextbooks, and write the first books ever ondwarf ice planets. What we learn doesn’tjust help us understand Pluto, it also helpsus understand the other planets and eventhe Earth. The New Horizons missionchanged how we think about the solar sys-tem. We’ve even found dried up lakes onthe surface of Pluto and evidence of climatechange. It’s a very complicated world outthere.”

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

“We are flying by another dwarf ice planetin about two years from now,” Summerssaid. “It’s a complete bonus. We knew it wasa possibility, but the spacecraft is completelyhealthy and has plenty of fuel and energyon board, so we decided to propose to NASAto continue the mission and fly by anotherdwarf planet that was near the spacecraft’strajectory. It will reach that body on NewYear’s Day, 2019. What we know is that thisobject very small and may be more rockyand metallic than Pluto. We don’t know

whether or not it has an atmosphere.”Summers was studying Pluto long before

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

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

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

ADAM JACOBS, a Ph.D. student in phys-ics and also Summers’ research assistant,said that Summers has certainly influencedhis course of study.

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

Jacobs said that although he may not end

See Exploring, Page 7

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

Photos Contributed

Dr. Michael Summers

Dr. Michael Summers speaking at a NASA press conference about the New Horizonmission.


UNIVERSITY MALL THEATRESwww.universitymalltheatres.comWe’re located in University Mall, Fairfax

Route 123 & Braddock Road, Lower Level

November 27th–December 21st, 2016

3

3

3 3* With coupon, not valid with any other offer, one per person per visit.

With this Coupon. Good

11/27–12/21/16

3

Holiday Hooplah!!!


11/27–12/21/16


11/27–12/21/16

FREE!20 oz. Soda*

*with purchase ofLarge

Popcorn!

FREE!ONE ADMISSION*

NOT VALID ON TUESDAYS*with purchase of one

adult admission

WOW!THE FAMOUS COMBO

FOR ONLY $18.00!!!Includes: 2 Admissions, 2Medium Drinks & 1 LargePopcorn! (You Save $6.00)

FS FS FS

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

Save the Date!Fairfax Salvation Army

Women’s Auxiliary37th Annual Fashion Show/Fundraiser

March 24, 2017at the Waterford at Fair Oaks

Contact: Angela [email protected]

COME EXPERIENCETHE DIFFERENCE

TODAY.CALL

Custom Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling and Project ManagementVisit Our Showroom at 8934 Burke Lake Rd. in Kings Park Shopping Center

Hours: 9:30 am - 6 pm Mon.-Fri.; 10 am - 3 pm Sat.

Build Your Community

Support Your LocalBusinesses.

www.connectionnewspapers.com

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] orcall 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday.Dated announcements should be sub-mitted at least two weeks prior to theevent.

Fairfax Baptist Temple, at thecorner of Fairfax County Parkway andBurke Lake Roads, holds a bible studyfellowship at 9 a.m. Sundays followedby a 10 a.m. worship service. Nurserycare and children’s church also pro-vided. 6401 Missionary Lane, FairfaxStation, 703-323-8100 orwww.fbtministries.org.

The Guhyasamaja BuddhistCenter, 10875 Main St., Fairfax Cityprovides free classes to both newcomersand advanced practitioners of TibetanBuddhism.

The center emphasizes working withthe mind and learning how to under-stand the workings of the mind,overcoming inner causes of suffering,while cultivating causes of happiness.Under the direction of Lama ZopaRinpoche, the center is a place of study,contemplation and meditation. Visithttp://www.guhyasamaja.org for moreinformation.

Lord of Life Lutheran offers ser-vices at two locations, in Fairfax at 5114Twinbrook Road and in Clifton at 13421Twin Lakes Drive. Services in Fairfax areheld on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sun-days at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Services inClifton are held on Sundays at 8:15 and10:30 a.m. 703-323-9500 orwww.Lordoflifeva.org.

First Baptist Church of Spring-field offers Sunday school at 9:15 a.m.,followed by both traditional and con-temporary worship services at 10:30a.m. at 7300 Gary St., Springfield. 703-451-1500 or www.fbcspringfield.org.

Clifton Presbyterian Church,12748 Richards Lane, Clifton, offersSunday worship services at 10 a.m. andCup of Fellowship at 11 a.m. Nurserycare is provided from 9:45-11:15 a.m.Christian education for all ages is at9:45 a.m. 703-830-3175.

St. Andrew the Apostle CatholicChurch, 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton,conducts Sunday masses at 7:30 a.m.,8:45 a.m., Latin mass at 10:30 a.m. and12:30 p.m.

It also offers a Saturday vigil at 5:30p.m. and a Thursday Latin mass at 7p.m. Additional mass offered Monday-Friday at 6:30 a.m. (except on Federalholidays) and 8:45 a.m. 703-817-1770or www.st-andrew.org.

Prince of Peace LutheranChurch, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road,Springfield, offers casual worship ser-vices on Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m.featuring contemporary music. Moretraditional services take place on Sun-day mornings at 8:15 and 11 a.m.Sunday School is from 9:45-10:45 a.m.for children and adults. The church alsooffers discussion groups for adults. 703-451-5855 or www.poplc.org.

RCIA, Rite of Christian Initia-tion of Adults, is for people interestedin becoming Catholic or learning aboutthe Catholic Church.

RCIA classes are held on Tuesdaysbeginning September 15 and continuingthrough April. The classes are usuallyfrom 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm and theymeet in the Guadalupe Room in the Par-ish Hall, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax.A group will begin meeting everyWednesday starting September. Ses-sions are in the Old Parish Hall. All arewelcome. Contact Carolyn Smith at 703-273-5369 [email protected].

Faith


Opinion

Last week, the Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors voted to establish aCivilian Review Panel, part of a two-pronged concept of independent

oversight of law enforcement recommendedunanimously by the Ad Hoc Police PracticesReview Commission.

On Sept. 20, 2016, the board voted to estab-lish the Office of the Independent Auditor, theother piece of oversight. The twobranches of oversight would not over-lap.

The Independent Police Auditor willreport directly to the Board of Supervisors andprovide oversight in cases of police use offorce that lead to serious injury or death, in-cluding officer-involved shootings. The Civil-ian Review Panel will respond to communityconcerns or complaints about alleged inci-dents of abuse of authority by FCPD by re-viewing the investigations conducted by thedepartment.

The vote by the Board of Supervisors for theOffice of Auditor was unanimous, and for theCivilian Review Panel, 9-1, indicating thestrong commitment to independent oversightand the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Com-mission. The experiences from other commu-nities with civilian oversight have shown thatstrong, independent oversight builds legiti-macy and public trust through increased po-lice transparency and accountability to thepublic served. Oversight provides a meaning-ful voice or forum for the public and forms acrucial bridge between the public and the po-lice. Increased transparency, trust, and com-munication between the police and the public

can lead to greater community cooperation inachieving the ultimate goal of decreased crimeand increased public safety.

This very positive outcome seemed nearlyimpossible in the wake of the death of JohnGeer in August 2013, shot by then Fairfax Po-lice Officer Adam Torres while standing un-armed in the doorway to his own home. Offi-cials had long opposed consideration of a Ci-vilian Review Panel.

Board of Supervisor Chairman SharonBulova deserves tremendous kudos, first forestablishing the Ad Hoc Commission in thewake of public outrage over the shooting andthe blackout of information that followed, andthen for her unwavering support of the rec-

ommendations that emerged.In voting for the Civilian Review

Panel, Supervisor Linda Smyth said:“We all know it’s time to put this in

place. This is what the public has really askedus to do.”

John Cook (R-Braddock), chairman of thePublic Safety Committee, has been relentlessin moving the recommendations forward fordiscussion and approval by the board. Havingboth the auditor and the panel approved in2016 is no small accomplishment.

The recommendations for oversight alsohave the enthusiastic support of Police ChiefEdwin Roessler, whose support overall forchange in the FCPD has been admirable andessential.

Every member of the Board of Supervisorsdeserves credit for engaging on the details andsupporting recommendations of the commis-sion.

Other changes brought about by the Ad HocCommission’s recommendations include theimplementation of Diversion First, which pro-vides treatment rather than jail for nonviolentpeople with mental illness, resulting in some350 diversions from potential criminal arrest,and in police transporting more than 1,000

people in mental health crisis to the MerrifieldCenter for treatment; an emphasis on de-esca-lation and on crisis intervention training; therevamping of the order of officer training toemphasize the role of policing in a democracyand the sanctity of life ahead of firearms train-ing; and the significant amendment of Gen-eral Order 540 on the use of force. The FCPDhas been a leading force in these changes, andits leadership has played a pivotal role in seek-ing out and implementing best practices.

There are still miles to go, but evidence isthat county and police leadership are preparedto traverse those miles.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Mary Kimm served on the Ad Hoc PolicePractices Review Commission and continues toadvocate for ongoing implementation.

SoberRide Safety Netfor HolidayCelebrations

The annual Holiday SoberRide program, of-fering free rides home to locals over 21 whohave been celebrating with alcohol, will oper-ate between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. each eveningbetween Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 and Sunday, Jan.1, 2017 as a way to keep local roads safe fromimpaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk, holiday period. SoberRide is organized bythe nonprofit Washington Regional AlcoholProject. Area residents celebrating with alco-hol may call the toll-free SoberRide phonenumber 1–800–200–TAXI for a no-cost (up to$ 30 fare), safe way home. Last December,nearly 1,500 people took advantage of the pro-gram.

More information about WRAP’s SoberRideinitiative can be found at www.soberride.com.

Civilian Review Panel— and they said itcouldn’t be done ….

History in Police Reform Part 2

Editorial

Letters to the Editor

Focusing on PeopleRather Than PRTo the Editor:

I was disturbed by Fairfax County’s recentseries on the Adult Detention Center

(http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/a-look-inside-the-jail-how-the-sheriffs-office-manages-inmate-housing/).

The first installment in the series paints acheerful picture of the facility, with rehabilita-tion, religious services, and sunny rooms forinmates suffering from mental illnesses,helmed by “Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, a longtimemental health advocate.” Yet two differentmentally ill individuals have been killed bysheriff’s deputies under her watch, with noconsequences for the deaths.

On Feb. 3, 2015, Natasha McKenna, a 37-year-old African-American mother, was taseredfour times by six sheriff ’s deputies while incustody at the Adult Detention Center. She wasnaked, shackled, and wearing a spit mask onher face. Her last words were, “You promisedme you wouldn’t kill me.” She became coma-

tose, and subsequently died on Feb. 8, 2015.Commonwealth Attorney Ray Morrogh de-clined to press any charges against the depu-ties, and Kincaid kept them on staff. And soMcKenna’s family has not seen any justice forthe death of their daughter and mother.

On Aug. 15, 2016, one of the same sheriff’sdeputies, Patrick McPartlin, also shot and killedJovany Martinez, a 29-year-old Latino man,outside of the Inova Fairfax Hospital where hehad just been released. Again, no charges havebeen filed.

Various initiatives claim to improve Fairfaxpolicing and incarceration practices, includingDiversion First and the Civilian Review Board.However, neither of these initiatives makes realsubstantive change. The Diversion First pro-gram is underfunded, understaffed, and onlyavailable at the discretion of the police, ratherthan based on any neutral assessment process.This is despite the fact that Police Chief EdRoessler admits that “The majority of our use-of-force incidents are with those sufferingmental health crisis”. The Civilian ReviewBoard

has no power to investigate, ask direct ques-

tions, or engage in any disciplinary process,but rather can only make recommendations tothe Chief of Police, who may then chose to re-spond or ignore those recommendations.

Given the toothless responses to the deathsof Natasha McKenna and Jovany Martinez, andthe positive spin in Fairfax County’s series, it’sdifficult to avoid the conclusion that this pro-paganda is meant to distract the public ofFairfax county from the real and dangerousproblems facing people of color and peoplewith mental illnesses in our policing system.

(http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2016/feb/16/diversion-first-program-launched/)

and the Washington Post reports that “morethan 40 percent of of use-of-force cases [byFairfax County Police] involved African Ameri-cans, who make up only 8 percent of thecounty’s population.”

Until the county and the sheriff’s office focuson people rather than PR, we will see more ofthese tragic encounters with law enforcement.

Karen WolfFairfax

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@LFSCConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

Published byLocal Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Tim PetersonCommunity Reporter

[email protected]

Kyle KincaidEditorial Assistant

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

703-778-9431

Steve HoganDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9418

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, 703-778-9411

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly

Production Manager:Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: 703-778-9427Circulation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

Fairfax Station,Lorton & Clifton


Come check out ourmade-to-order sandwiches

and paninis – simplyamaaaaazing!

CATERINGFrom 1-20,000

Call for detailsAdvance Orders

Appreciated

GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO6030-G BURKE COMMONS RD, BURKE

9000 S. LORTON STATION BLVD

703-249- 0044 B 703-372-2339 L

GREATHARVESTBURKE.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/BURKEGREATHARVEST.COM

FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS & CLIENTSCustom, handcrafted, delicious gifts––one of our popular selections, orassemble your own! See our websiteor call for more details.

From Page 4

News

up devoting his career to planetary sci-ences specifically, he said it quickly becameobvious to him how incredibly important itis for the government and experts to pur-sue planetary research.

“When the New Horizons spacecraft fi-nally reached Pluto, huge amounts of datastarted being beamed back to Earth,” hesaid. “We’re now starting to form the rightquestions so that we can understand howplanetary atmospheres behave in general,including Earth’s atmosphere and climate.”

Summers has spent more than 30 yearsporing over Pluto, and his work is nowherenear done. The years that Summers and his

Exploring Pluto’s Secretscolleagues have devoted to Pluto have pro-duced just as many questions as it has con-clusions.

“Many Pluto mysteries that came out ofthis mission,” Summers said. “For ex-ample, what is the internal heat source?There must be an energy source that wejust haven’t identified. Elements of the at-mosphere out there were much more un-usual than we expected, and there werejust so many things we’d never seen be-fore. Recently, we finally got all the databack from the spacecraft, and I can tellyou that we will be studying this infor-mation for years. Hundreds of scientificpapers will come out of this mission. It’sa scientific bonanza in a way.”

Photo Contributed

Pluto: In a class of its own.

Last year, scammers contacted nearly2,800 Dominion Virginia Power custom-ers, demanding fraudulent payments to-taling more than$1.2 million. Hundredsof customers fell victim, paying nearly$200,000 in response to threats of im-mediate disconnection of electric service.

“While we are working in concert withlaw enforcement to identify, track andstop these scams, it’s important for cus-tomers to recognize the red flags,” saidMarc Gaudette, director-Corporate Secu-rity, Safety & Health. “Unfortunately, thescammers frequently target the elderly,non-English-speaking communities andbusinesses during their busy times anduse caller ID spoofing software so a cus-tomer thinks Dominion is calling.”

“There are two clear signs that there’sa scammer on the other end of thatphone call that you can easily spot,” saidBecky Merritt, vice president, CustomerService. “First, we would never threatena customer, even if their account is pastdue. Second, we would never insist onone specific, immediate form of pay-ment—there are a number of optionsavailable to customers, including in-per-son at a verified payment location, se-

cure payment through their online ac-count, or our third-party payment pro-cessing vendor.”

Customers are reminded to do the fol-lowing:

% Ask questions and verify whatyou are hearing by checking your onlineaccount or hanging up and then callingus at 866-DOM-HELP. If an account isoverdue, we provide multiple communi-cations in writing and offers a paymentplan before disconnection occurs.

% Remember that we do not re-quire payment over the phone and neverdemand immediate payment of cash,PayPal, any prepaid debit card such as‘MoneyPak/Green Dot’, or any gift cardto avoid disconnection. Payment byphone is available through BillMatrix at1-800-573-1147. (Note: customers willnever be contacted directly by BillMatrixrequiring payment.)

% Collect information from thescammer including the caller’s name, anyphone numbers or other details beforehanging up and reporting to local lawenforcement.

For other tips about how to avoidscams, visit www.dom.com/scams.

Dominion Reminds Customers to beAware of Utility Scams


Send notes to the Connection atconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ orcall 703-778-9416. The deadline is theFriday prior to the next paper’s publica-tion at noon. Dated announcementsshould be submitted at least two weeksprior to the event.

ONGOINGSpringfield Town Center Toy Drive

through Dec. 24 located at 6500Springfield Mall, Springfield.Springfield Town Center ispartnering with America’s Adopt ASoldier Foundation to sponsor a ToyDrive to gather new toys to bedonated to children undergoingtreatment at Walter Reed MedicalCenter.

Please bring new toys to the bin locatednext to Guest Services, on the LowerLevel near Starbucks to donate andbring joy to a child struggling withillness during this Holiday Season.

6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield.Burke Farmers Market will be open

Saturdays 8 a.m. - noon untilDecember 17, 2016 http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown/pdf/producechart.pdf

Bob Brown Puppets Holiday Show10:30 a.m. Old Town Hall, 3999University Dr, Fairfax. Join the Cityof Fairfax every Monday morning at10:30am for Funday Monday.Funday Monday will offer a variety ofchildren’s activities andentertainment in Old Town Hall.Admission: Free. Sponsored by theCity of Fairfax Commission on theArts. 703-385-7858

www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts‘Storytime & Craft’ at lucy

Activewear Every Friday inDecember at 10:30 a.m. lucyActivewear 11899 Grand CommonsAvenue, Fairfax. An opportunity toget holiday shopping done in peace.lucy Activewear will be hosting‘Storytime & Craft.’ This event isappropriate for ages 3-8. Please signup.

Bull Run Festival of Lights andHoliday Village Nov. 23 - Jan. 87700 Bull Run Dr. Centreville. Everyyear from Thanksgiving until justafter New Year’s Day the Bull RunFestival of Lights will be in session. A2.5 mile stretch will be illuminatedby holiday light displays. The festivalhappens annually at Bull RunRegional Park in Centreville, Virginia.Drive the festival route from thecomfort of your car; turn out yourheadlights and just follow themagical glow. After viewing thelights, bring your family and friendsto the holiday village to enjoy rides,refreshments, and of course, photoswith Santa Claus. The cost of drivingthrough the light show is Mon-Thurs,$15 per car ; Fri-Sun & Holidays, $20per car (vans w/ 15-34 people andmotorcoaches cost extra - visitwebsite for details) Want to avoid thecrowds? Fridays, Saturdays, andSundays are our busiest nights.Please take advantage of the Mondaythrough Thursday discounted priceand avoid a long wait.

Children’s Theatre: “A MagicalChristmas” Saturdays through Dec.22, 1 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center,9601 Ox Road, Lorton.A children’stheatre performance for the holidays.There’s something not right in thetown of Believe. Santa hasn’t stoppedthere for many years; in fact hedoesn’t even know the place exists!Joy’s grandfather decides to dosomething about it and make surethat this year’s Christmas will be themost magical ever. Appropriate forall ages. Concessions available inlobby before the performance and atintermission. Cost: $8 children, $12adults. workhousearts.org Cost: $8children, $12 adults.

Senior Line Dancing 1 - 2 p.m. LittleRIver Glen Senior Center 4001Barker Ct, Fairfax. Line Dancing is agentle, social form of aerobic activity.Studies have shown it aids inwarding off Alzheimer’s disease. Noprevious experience needed. Cost: $5per 8 week [email protected] 703-524-3739

Fairfax Rotary Club Meeting.12:15-1:30 p.m. Mondays. AmericanLegion, 3939 Oak St., Fairfax.Meetings with luncheon andprogram. fairfaxrotary.org.

Carolina Shag. Wednesdays. 6:30-10p.m. Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge,8421 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Freelessons at 7:30 p.m. No partnersneeded. Dinner menu. $8. Under 21free. nvshag.org.

FUN-Exercise. Thursdays, noon-12:50p.m. Grace Presbyterian ChurchFamily Room, 7434 Bath St.,Springfield. Inova certified exerciseinstructor leads a moderate levelexercise class with music and currentevents conversation. Muscle, Balance,Strength Training using stretch bandsand weights both standing andseated exercises. Instructor donationis $5. [email protected] or 703-499-6133.

EXERCISE PROGRAM Mondays andFridays at 9:30 a.m. year-round atLord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114Twinbrook Rd. Fairfax. The exercisesare for strength, balance andmaintaining limberness. ContactSCFB office at 703-426-2824 formore information.

Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe).Wednesdays. 8:15-9:15 a.m. JewishCommunity Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike,Fairfax. Shalom (hello) Did youalways want to converse in Hebrew?Join Na’ama each week forconversational Hebrew. You willlearn and practice Hebrew in a funand interactive way while learningmore about Israel. Free, however weask that you try to attend regularly.RSVP [email protected].

Smoke Free Bingo (with breaks forsmoking friends). 7 p.m. EveryFriday. Fairfax Volunteer FireDepartment, 4081 University Drive,Fairfax. Free coffee, entertainingcallers, $1,000 jackpot.www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

English Conversation Groupsweekly at George Mason, BurkeCentre, and Lorton Libraries Practiceand improve your English. Day andstart times vary. Visit: https://va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp

First Sunday Jazz Brunch 11 - 2p.m. Recurring monthly on the 1stSunday at Bazin’s on Church 111Church St N.W., Vienna. Enjoybrunch accompanied by the soft jazzsounds of Virginia Music Adventure.Visit: http://www.fxva.com/listing/bazins-on-church/1686/

Stories From Strawberry Park 10 -11 a.m. Tuesdays in Mosaic -Strawberry Park 2910 DistrictAvenue, Fairfax. Enjoy a liveinteractive performance each week

taught by a group of uniquestorytellers. For ages 10 and under.Held outside in Strawberry Park. Ininclement weather and Octoberthrough April, storytime will be heldin Angelika Film Center. Recurringweekly on Tuesday. Visit: http://www.fxva.com/listing/mosaic-district/2326/

THURSDAY/DEC. 15$5 Jewelry and Accessory Sale

INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Auxiliary 8- 4 p.m. In the Hospital Atrium 3600Joseph Siewick Dr, Fairfax. Allproceeds benefit Inova Fair OaksHospital. This sale is Open to thePublic. Credit Card or Cash will beaccepted.

FRIDAY/DEC. 16Two Percent Teen Pregnancy

Center Holiday Kick Off Event 6- 11 p.m. The Bungalow Alehouse2840 Prince William Pkwy,Woodbridge. Be ready for an eveningfilled with food, drinks, music,dancing, and vendors for those lastminute Holiday gifts, desserts,games, silent auction and so muchmore. Dress is black tie/holiday best.Perfect for date night or just anevening with the girls. Tickets areavaliable at https://www.eventnation.co/event/TPPHoliday.

To learn more about this new teenpregnancy initiative visit Two PercentProject’s website atwww.twopercentproject.org orcontact them via email at

[email protected] Fun Movie Nights – The

Secret Life of Pets 7 p.m.Sherwood Community Center, 3740Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Lookingfor something FREE and fun for yourfamily to do on a Friday night? Howabout a family-friendly movie on thenew state-of-the-art big screen? Eachmovie is rated PG. An adult mustaccompany anyone under the age of14.

“Britepaths” Food Drive at Family FunNights. Britepaths is a volunteer-based organization that identifiesand addresses the unmetfundamental needs of Fairfax arearesidents. Food can be dropped off atthe Sherwood Center on the eveningof the Family Fun Nights between 7 -9 p.m.

SATURDAY/DEC. 17Fishburne Education Fair 9 - 1 p.m.

Marriott at Fair Oaks 11787 LeeJackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax.Fishburne Military School comes toFairfax. FMS invites students andtheir families to stop by to learnmore about the benefits of a militaryschool education. Admission: Free.www.fishburne.org

Celtic Holiday Concert &Candlelight Carols 4:30 p.m. St.Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6509Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Celticmusicians playing hammereddulcimer, accordion, harp-guitar,Irish flute, guitar; with the St.Andrew’s choirs. Reception follows;

Holiday

Calendar

Photo courtesy of The Hub Theatre

Rex Dougherty and Daven Ralston in Hub Theatre’sproduction of ‘The Magi.’ Performances will take placefrom Dec. 2-18 at The New School, 9431 Silver KingCourt, Fairfax. Show times: Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdaysat 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tick-ets: $20-$30. Call 1-800-494-8497 or visitwww.thehubtheatre.org

Photo by Chip Gertzog/Courtesy of Providence Players

The Herdman kids in Providence Players production of‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.’ From left — front:Jack Wright who plays Ralph, Aerial Indirisano as Ollie,Nora Rice who plays Imogene; back - Gavin Friel asClaude, Erika Friel who plays, Gladys, Kashvi Ramani asLoretta. Shows will take place from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18 atJames Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 AnnandaleRoad, Falls Church. Thursday, Friday and Saturday eve-nings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. matineeson Dec. 17 and 18, 2016. Tickets on-line atwww.providenceplayers.org or call 703-425-6782.

Photo contributed

On Saturday Dec.17 the Fishburne Military School willhost an Education Fair from 9 - 1 p.m. at the Marriott atFair Oaks 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax.Fishburne Military School invites students and theirfamilies to stop by to learn more about the benefits of amilitary school education. Admission: Free.www.fishburne.org

See Calendar, Page 9


• Family & Pediatric Vision Care• Comprehensive Eye Exams • Treatment of Eye Diseases

• 21 years Naval Service, 6 years Active Duty• Laser Vision Consultants • Over a thousand frames in stock• We carry all major brands of contact lenses • In-house lab

DR. GENE SWEETNAMDR. GRACE CHANG

O P T O M E T R I S T S

5204A Rolling Rd.Burke Professional Center

Burke, VA 22015703-425-2000

Most Insurances Accepted:Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Care First, Medicare, Tricare In-network

Doctor, Vision One Discount, Avesis, Aetna HMO/PPO/POS, PHCS,VSP® Network Doctor, EyeMed Vision Care, United Healthcare, VA Medicaid

WE WELCOME YOUR DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION

www.drsweetnam.com • www.sightforvision.com

CARDIOLOGY

CATSCAN/MRI

DERMATOLOGY

EMERGENCY/ CRITICAL CARE

INTERNAL MEDICINE

NEUROLOGY

ONCOLOGY

PATHOLOGY

PHYSICAL THERAPY

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

RADIOCAT

SURGERY

WE LOVE THEM LIKE YOU DO

OPEN 24 HOURS 365 DAYS A YEAR

[email protected]

703.451.8900703.451.3343 FAX

6651 BACKLICK ROADSPRINGFIELD, VA 22150

THE REGIONAL VETERINARYREFERRAL CENTER

From Page 8

Calendar

childcare provided. Admission: Free.703-455-2500. www.standrews.net

Christmas, Candles, and a Chorus- The City of Fairfax Band & TheFairfax Choral Society Ticket holderswill be admitted, starting at 6:15p.m. After 6:45 p.m. non-ticketholders will be admitted to takeunclaimed seats. Fairfax High School,3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. Get yourtickets early for Fairfax’s mostpopular holiday concert, presentedfree by the City of Fairfax Band andthe Fairfax Choral Society AdultChorus. This annual traditionentertains capacity crowds withsacred and secular musical offeringsthat make Christmas in Fairfaxspecial. Pre-concert activities includea chance for kids to give Santa Claustheir last-minute Christmas lists.Admission: Free, but tickets arerequired - and they go fast. Visitfairfaxband.org

SUNDAY/DEC. 18Christmas Bird Count 7 a.m. - noon

Birders of all skill levels are invited toparticipate in the 35th AnnualManassas-Bull Run Christmas BirdCount, sponsored by the AudubonSociety of Northern Virginia (ASNV).Cost: Free. www.audubonva.org

Special Holiday Service at HistoricPohick Episcopal Church 10a.m. 9301 Richmond HwyLorton. This service originated inVictorian England in the 1880s as aseries of scripture readingsinterspersed with Advent andChristmas carols, hymns and choralanthems, tracing God’s love from thecreation of man and woman in theGarden of Eden, through theannunciation and birth of the ChristChild. http://www.pohick.org/

MONDAY/DEC. 19Bob Brown Puppets Holiday Show

10:30 a.m. Old Town Hall, 3999University Dr, Fairfax. Join the Cityof Fairfax every Monday morning at10:30am for Funday Monday.Funday Monday will offer a variety ofchildren’s activities andentertainment in Old Town Hall.Admission: Free & Parking.Sponsored by the City of FairfaxCommission on the Arts. 703-385-7858 www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts

TUESDAY/DEC. 20Fairfax High School Winter

Concert 7 p.m. Fairfax High School,3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. FairfaxHigh School Choral and OrchestraDepartment present a performance ofChristmas tunes. Bring an unwrappedgift for a child to donate to the Toysfor Tots drive. Cost:Free 703-219-2355; fhschorus.net

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 21Person Centered Dementia Care 1

p.m. Insight Memory Care Center,3953 Pender Drive, Suite 100,Fairfax. Keeping their currentabilities in mind, join us for this freeclass to learn ways to keep yourloved one active and engaged inpersonalized activities. ContactChristi Clark,[email protected], 703-204-4664, InsightMCC.org.

Blue Christmas at SydenstrickerUnited Methodist Church. 7:30p.m. 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield.A Blue Christmas service is a specialtime when we can remove ourselvesfrom the hustle of Christmas andshare some quiet time for reflection.It is especially dedicated to thosewho may not enjoy the season or findjoy in this season because of loss orillness or depression. Do you feelmore like sitting in a chair than

celebrating and partying? Maybe thisis the first Christmas after losingsomeone significant in your life orhaving gone through significant lifechanges. The Blue Christmas serviceis for you. It is a time of reflectionwith music, candles, and prayer tohelp us get through the darkest nightof the year. Cost: Free. 703-451-8223. Sydenstrickerumc.org

SUNDAY/DEC. 255th Annual Christmas Day Giving

Back Event 1 - 5 p.m. KilroysRavensworth Shopping Center 5236Port Royal Road, Springfield.Volunteers needed join us in sayingthank you to our veterans anddeployed service members for theirservice and sacrifices. We will bepacking care packages and letters toour veterans.www.americasadoptasoldier.org

Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty and reindeer were joined byFairfax County supervisors and Police Departmentmotorcycle officers after visiting schools around thecounty as part of a toy donation campaign on Dec. 13.

Santa surprised children all over Fairfax County byvisiting schools on Dec. 13, driving a Fairfax CountyPolice Department motorcycle.

Pho

to

C

on

tributed

Pho

to

by Tim

Peterso

n/T

he C

on

nectio

n

Mounted FCPD officersescort Santa to Fairfax CountyPublic Schools.

Sleigh Ride

Plan Ahead EventsSATURDAY/DEC. 31-SUN/JAN. 1, 12:30 A.M.Atlaa New Year’s Eve Tennis Party

7 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Fairfax RacquetClub 9860 Lee Highway, Fairfax. TheFairfax Racquet Club invites you toplay singles/ doubles tennis with alllevels welcome to participate. ATLAAis offering healthy dinner, soft drinks,and a Champagne Toast for NewYear. You may bring your own beer/wine if you would prefer to do so.

TUESDAY/JAN. 3S.T.E.A.M. 2 p.m. Science, Technology,

Engineering, Art, and Math. Eachmonth we will focus on one of these

subjects with stories and activitiesappropriate for preschoolers. Age 4-5with adult. Visit: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/bc/

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 4Read Build Play 10:30 a.m. Let’s read

a story, build with DUPLOs, and playwith friends! Have fun with yourlittle one while building early literacyskills. Age 3-5 with adult childminder. Visit: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/bc/


Steve and Louise Brooks of Arlington wanted a primary living area thatwould serve a multitude of purposes, including a place for frequentgatherings of friends and family. A new space plan introduced by SunDesign Remodeling proved out in a holiday fete for 50 guests held thispast Saturday.

HomeLifeStyle

By John Byrd

It’s one thing to talk a good game;quite another to put your ideas to thetest by inviting a long list of percep-tive critics to inspect your wares.

“We like to see how well our plans workfirst hand whenever we can,” Bob Gallaghersaid, as he describes a holiday tour his homeremodeling firm held at one of this client’shomes last Saturday.

“Our designers spend a lot of time con-ferring with clients on specific needs andlearning from case histories — but whatreally counts is seeing your plan in action.A holiday tour is a test drive, but it’s also achance to explore ideas, brainstorm onbreaking trends — and just enjoy beingaround people who are enjoying what wecreate.”

Case in point, the Arlington home of Steveand Louise Brooks.

Two years ago, the Brooks hired Sun De-sign to convert the primary living area oftheir raised rambler into space that wouldserve a multitude of purposes, including aplace for frequent gatherings of friends andfamily.

Last weekend, the remodeler hosted anopen house for anyone who wanted to seehow their freshly-minted new space planwould perform under real life home enter-tainment conditions.

There were about 50 visitors in all. Stand-ing in one corner, one could see fluidly or-ganic pockets of revelers — but all flowssmoothly, a far cry from the past.

In the past, one’s guests were usually inanother room.

The original small kitchen with its adja-cent living room and dining room actually

felt crowded whenever the head-count ex-ceeded six or seven.

The eight-foot ceiling and small-scalewindows didn’t help either; ditto, the“builder grade” interior finishes and re-stricted space-use options.

“We’re a host site for our church, so wewanted a place that would allow us to com-fortably meet with friends,” said LouiseBrooks. “We just weren’t at all sure how tomake that happen within our existing floorplan.”

Fortunately, Gallagher and team knew theway. In fact, Gallagher notes that there’sbeen something of a revolution in howhomeowners are now configuring livingspace: Emergent interior design styles nowallow for well-articulated activity zones in-tegrated into a visually distinctive spatialcontinuum. “The end result feels gener-ously-sized, yet unified.”

To effect the changes Brooks sought, Sun

Design concentrated on strategic improve-ments inside the envelope of the existingstructure: a nearly 800-square-foot greatroom was formed by eliminating walls sepa-rating the kitchen, dining room, living roomand foyer; to create the 14-foot cathedralceiling, the new interior incorporated a sel-dom-used attic.

A granite-surfaced food preparation is-land and dining counter now facilitates theeasy circulation needed for entertaining; the“built-in” was custom-designed to supporta wide-range of storage, cooking and clean-up requirements.

The plan also increased natural light. Asouth-facing trapezoidal-shaped windowprovides a hilltop view of the neighborhood.Distinctive finish work details delineate keyactivity zones within a warmly cohesiveambiance that features sight-lines in all di-rections.

Meanwhile, back at the tour, Bob

Gallagher is talking to a drop-in guest abouthow the new space is used on an everydaybasis.

“It works extremely well,” he said. “Theopen plan allows people to happily pursuedifferent tasks within the same continuumwithout loss of personal space. You haveprivacy, but you’re in eye-contact. It’s a verypopular trend.”

Gallagher also stresses the value of anopen house to homeowners looking forideas.

“We’ve been doing tours of newly remod-eled homes for about 10 years,” he said.“We’ve found that the open houses oftenbecome neighborhood meet-up opportuni-ties where people naturally start exploringmatters of mutual interest.”

Sun Design Remodeling frequently spon-sors tours of recently remodeled homes aswell as workshops on home remodeling top-ics. Headquartered in Burke, the firm re-cently has a second office in McLean. Forinformation, call 703-425-5588 or visitwww.SunDesignInc.com.

John Byrd ([email protected]) has beenwriting about home improvement for 30 years.

Open Floorplan Eases EntertainingOpen house helpshomeowners lookingfor ideas.

Photos by Greg Hadley

The changes increased natural light. A south-facing trapezoidal-shapedwindow in the dining room provides a hilltop view of the neighborhood.

A granite-surfaced food preparation island and dining counter nowfacilitates the easy circulation needed for entertaining; the “built-in”was custom-designed to support a wide-range of storage, cooking andclean-up requirements.

The new makeover features well-defined appreciably private activityzones within a warm ambiance thataffords sight-lines in all directions.


Select yourproducts from

our MobileShowroomand Design

CenterFully Insured &

Class A LicensedSince 1999

Free Estimates703-999-2928

From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee

Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com

Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel

TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the

past 17 years

COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbWorship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AM

Sunday School 10:10 AMSun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PM

Family Night – Wednesday 7:15 PMHome Life Groups, College/Young Adult

Ministries, and Living Free Support GroupsVisit our Website: www.jccag.org

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

JubileeChristian Center

“Loving People to Life”

To Advertise YourCommunity of Worship,

Call 703-778-9418

News

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

Fairfax County Police DepartmentChief Col. Edwin Roessler Jr. wasrear-ended by a drunken driverin Centreville on Monday night,

Dec. 12.Roessler experienced minor injuries and

was taken to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital forevaluation and treatment. He was releasedlater in the night and was back to work thefollowing morning.

A 40-year-old Centreville woman, whowas driving the Nissan SUV that struckRoessler’s unmarked police cruiser, a 2017Ford Explorer, was arrested at the scene. Apassenger in her SUV, a 48-year-old man,was released at the scene of the accident.

The driver was taken to the FairfaxCounty Adult Detention Center in Fairfaxwhere she was charged with a DWI. Shewas released the following morning onTuesday, Dec. 13.

Roessler was driving southbound on LeeHighway around 8:40 p.m. when hestopped for a red light at the intersectionof Stone Road when he was struck.

While he was waiting for the traffic lightto turn green, he was thinking about get-ting home to eat dinner and later going topick up one of his children from the airportwho was flying home for the holidays,

Roessler said at a press conference the fol-lowing afternoon.

“It was a very long day … That’s all I wasthinking about and the next thing I know,I’m being jolted real hard,” he said. “It tookme a few seconds to realize that I was justrear-ended at full speed while I was stopped

Police Chief’s Cruiser Hit by Drunken Driver

FCPD Chief Col. Edwin RoesslerJunior’s unmarked policecruiser, a 2017 Ford Explorer,was rear-ended.

According to police, a Centrevillewoman’s Nissan SUV struckRoessler while he was stoppedat a red light at the intersectionof Lee Highway and Stone Roadin Centreville.

FCPD Chief Col. Edwin Roessler Jr.spoke about the accident at a pressconference the following afternoonat the Fairfax County GovernmentCenter in Fairfax on Tuesday, Dec.13. He had strong words for drivers:“Drinking and driving don’t mix …Spend a little money and plan. Takea taxi. Don’t get behind a wheel.You’re going to kill someone.”

in traffic waiting for the light.”He immediately approached the SUV to

see if the driver and her passenger were OK.“I went and checked on them and asked

them if they were injured,” he said. “Theysaid, ‘No.’

He then reported the crash to dispatch-ers.

It was then that he started experiencinga headache and pain in his back and legs.He told reporters that he had replacementsurgery on his left hip on Aug. 30 and wasafraid that he was experiencing complica-tions.

“I was kind of in shock,” he said. “I didn’tfeel anything and as I sat [in the cruiser]… I started getting a headache, and my backstarted tightening and my legs startedcramping.”

Though he feels “very sore,” he thankedGod that he was OK. “The X-rays were good,CAT scan’s good … just glad for my health.”

He said that it could have been a differ-ent story had he not worn his seatbelt.

“If I wasn’t buckled in, I don’t think Iwould be here,” he said.

He had serious words for drivers, espe-cially during the holidays when there areparties and festivities going on.

“Drinking and driving don’t mix … Spenda little money and plan,” he said. “Take ataxi. Don’t get behind a wheel. You’re go-ing to kill someone.”


News

By Rikki George

The Connection

A new resource is available to thosewho’ve been touched by traumatic braininjury (TBI) called “Surviving BrainInjury: Stories of Strength and Inspira-

tion” by Amy Zellmer.A collection of 90 stories, mostly by TBI survi-

vors, “Surviving Brain Injury” personalizes life’strajectory after a blast to the head, a fall or stroke.

It is a resource for providers, caretakers and agrowing population of TBIs, according toAlexandrian Toni Popkin, one of the contributingwriters. About 2.5 million Americans annually willenter the world of TBI, which is often misunder-stood, undiagnosed and overlooked in severity.

“Your identity flips,” said Popkin, who sufferedfour car crashes over the years and a concussiondue to a fall in 2016.

Popkin, who lives alone, relies on a full-servicedog named Bud and the kindness of others to helpher get through the day. Her essay “Ten Things ILearned to Help Someone with a TBI” offerspractical advice for friends and family. Ask, forexample,“Do you have any upcoming doctorappointments I can drive you to?” Call and say,“I’m on my way to the grocery store …. What elsedo you need?”

For Popkin, keys to her survival are practicalassistance and greater awareness of TBI. She’s anadvocate, something she never thought she’d be inher entire life. She pays attention to things now,like snow hindering streets, she speaks out, writesop-eds and organizes events, like the one held inNovember at the Marina Towers in Alexandria tolaunch “Surviving Brain Injury.”

Others joining Popkin at the November booklaunch told similar stories of TBI symptoms:headaches, fatigue, depression and short-termmemory loss. But no story is alike because thebrain is as uniquely com-plex as is the rehabilitationand recovery process.

Derek O’Neal, also fromAlexandria, discoveredmusic therapy and relied onthe love of his wife and fivechildren as forces behindhis survival. O’Neal de-scribed himself as anoverachiever: a well-educated man, a Desert Stormveteran, a vice president at an automotive group inMichigan looking for the next step up. And then in2004, a deer ran into his car.

“You can never get back to what you were,”O’Neal said. “I put things in verse and tune to helpme remember things.” And he counts on songs like“Life is a song worth singing” by Johnny Mathis tokeep him motivated. O’Neal is now a boardmember of the Brain Injury Association of Virginiaand practiced as a paralegal after his car accident.

The will and ability to give back seems to be apart of the cathartic way to heal for O’Neal, Popkinand both Molly Raymond of Fairfax Station andDanielle Houston Karst of Burke, who also spoke

at the book launch.“[The car] accident took everything,” said

Raymond, formerly a registered nurse for 26 yearswho lost her math and speech abilities for more

than two years. “It is a hugething for me to help oth-ers.” She has turnedadversity around to helpinjured veterans with heradaptive sports program,No Boundaries: ChangingDisabilities into Abilities ofOur Heroes. She announcedat the book launch that she

had two daughters with her husband and 70 sonsfrom her eight-year program.

Karst, a TBI survivor since 1997 (she was 16 atthe time), brings insight to the TBI experience withher blog TBItriumphs.com.

For those who may need help: “Just call,” saidKaren Luffred, chief operating officer of BrainInjury Services, a local nonprofit committed toempowering TBI survivors on their journey ofrecovery. “Don’t be alone. We can put you in thecommunity,” she said.

“Surviving Brain Injury: Stories of Strength andInspiration” by Amy Sellmer. Published and copy-right 2016 by Amy Zellmer. 357 pages.

The South County and West Springfield High School varsity Swim & Dive teams donated gifts for the South RunRECenter Toys for Tots campaign prior to their meet

against each other on Dec. 10.RECenter Fitness Coordinator Laurie Strickland said she came

in the morning of Dec. 12 to see the toy drive bins overflowing,with toys stacked on the floor and under the nearby table.

Strickland estimated between 500 and 550 toys were collectedas part of the drive, which began Nov. 21.

“I’m very happy [about the drive],” she said, adding that thetotal was an improvement over last year. South County head coachTom Verdin said there was definitely more participation from hissquad over 2015.

The two teams gave together last year as well, as their dualmeet coincided with the end of South Run’s toy drive.

—Tim Peterson


The South County and West Springfield High Schoolvarsity Swim & Dive teams participated in the SouthRun RECenter Toys for Tots campaign prior to theirmeet against each other on Dec. 10.

Pho

to

by Tim

Peterso

n/T

he C

on

nectio

n

New book shares storiesof strength and inspiration.

Surviving Brain Injury

Photo by Rikki George/Gazette Packet

From left: Danielle Houston Karst (kneel-ing), Molly Raymond, Toni Popkin, Bud(Popkin’s service dog) and Derek O’Neal atthe November launch of “Surviving BrainInjury” hosted by Brain Injury Services.

“Your identity flips.”— Toni Popkin, “Surviving Brain

Injury” contributing writer

StatisticsTBIs (traumatic brain injury) occurring in

Virginia annually is 28,000.Disabled as a result of brain injury in:❖ City of Alexandria: 3,191❖ Arlington County: 4,694❖ Fairfax County: 22,587Source: Brain Injury Association of Virginia

Christmas arrived early formore than 250 childrenfrom local Head Start

programs as they picked out toysand visited with Santa during theannual Firefighters and Friends tothe Rescue toy drive distributionday Dec. 11 at Penn Daw Fire Sta-tion 11.

“We distributed over 3,000 toysto 80 schools, shelters andnonprofits in Fairfax County,” saidCapt. Willie Bailey, who foundedthe toy drive 17 years ago. “Priorto the distribution to school rep-

resentatives, we escorted and gavetoys to local preschool kids.”

Bailey said that 550 new coatswere also given out to children inneed. “In addition to the toys andcoats, we gave out over 100 newbikes and 400 books,” he noted.

Volunteers included members ofthe Forestdale Elementary SchoolStudent Council, firefighter DaveSaunders and his son Hunter asSanta and his elf and Caring AngelsTherapy Dogs and their handlers.

—Jeanne Theismann

Firefighters and Friends collectstoys for area children.

To the Rescue

Fairfax CountyFirefighter DaveSaunders, with his14-year-old son andchief elf HunterSaunders, pose witha child from thecounty’s Head Startprogram during theannual Firefightersand Friends toydistribution day Dec.11 at Station 11.

Photo by Jeanne Theismann/The Connection


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

Special VIP Offerfor your Toyota


21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements


Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-778-9411

ClassifiedClassifiedZone 2: • Burke

• Fairfax • Springfield

• Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton

LEGAL NOTICEAccording to the Lease by and between Karen Andrews (of unit 3123) and TKG-StorageMart and its related parties, as-signs and affiliates in order to perfect the Lien on the goods contained in their storage unit, the manager has cut the lock on their unit and upon cursory inspection the unit was found to contain: exercise bike, furniture, boxes, ect. Items will be sold or otherwise disposed of on Friday December 16, 2016 @ 12:00pm at 11325 Lee Hwy Fairfax VA 22030 to satisfy own-er's lien in accordance with state statutes.

According to the Lease by and between Lina Chovil (of unit 4075) and TKG-StorageMart and its related parties, assigns and affiliates in order to perfect the Lien on the goods con-tained in their storage unit, the manager has cut the lock on their unit and upon cursory inspection the unit was found to contain: bags, suitcases, boxes, clothes, sewing machine, ect. Items will be sold or otherwise disposed of on Friday Decem-ber 16, 2016 @ 12:00pm at 11325 Lee Hwy Fairfax VA 22030 to satisfy owner's lien in accordance with state statutes.


LEGAL NOTICEInova Medical Group OB/Gyn Merrifield welcomes

Sanda DiPaolo, M.D.

To make an appointment orTo request medical records, please contact:

703-356-7868

3025 Hamaker Court, Suite 360Fairfax, VA 22031

To move your records to a providerOutside our network, customary fees apply.






JENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed Up SlowComputers

➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup➣ Help with Windows 8 & 10

571-265-2038

HDICOMPUTER SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers21 Announcements

ABC LICENSERose Florist Inc., trading as

Rose Florist, 11211 Lee Hwy Ste E, Fairfax, VA 22030.

The above establishment is applying to the

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer Off

Premises license to sell or

manufacture alcoholic beverages.Zobair Farzana,

ownerNOTE: Objections to the

issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later

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

required legal notices. Objections should be

registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or

800-552-3200.

Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-778-9411

ClassifiedClassifiedZone 2: • Burke



Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Wednesday 11 a.m.

703-778-9411

EmploymentEmploymentZone 2: • Burke



Jr. Kindergarten Team TeacherKiddie Country Developmental Learning Center,

Burke, [email protected]

Fax: 703-644-0073 Phone: 703-644-0066

Kiddie Country is accepting applications for aco-teaching position in one of our Jr. Kindergartenprograms. 6-8 hours per day, M-F. Applicant musthave a degree in Early Childhood or ElementaryEducation. Team teachers will work together toappropriately conduct aplanned semi-structuredprogram supported by a curriculum specialist. Pleaseapply if you are caring, motivated and committed tohigh quality education for preschool learners.Applicants are invited to call Kiddie Country directly

for further information or an appointment. EOE

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

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

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINES

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

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

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon Gazette

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls

Connection

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]

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

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

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]


Zone 2 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-778-9411

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

Zone 2: • Burke



GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

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

GUTTER GUTTER

RCL HOME REPAIRSHandyman Services

Springfld • Burke • KingstowneLight Electrical • Plumbing •

Bathroom Renovation • Ceramic Tile • Drywall Repair

703-922-4190LIC. www.rclhomerepairs.com INS.

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

A&S Landscaping

703-863-7465LICENSED

Serving All of N. Virginia

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

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,

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

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

RN. CONTRACTORS, INC.

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

www.rncontractors.com

J.E.S. ServicesYour neighborhood company since 1987

703-912-6886

Landscaping & Construction

All work Guaranteed

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

Free Estimates - Fully Licensed & Insured

LAWN SERVICE LAWN SERVICE

GOLDY BRICKCONSTRUCTION

Walkways, Patios, Driveways,Flagstone, ConcreteFREE ESTIMATES

Licensed, Insured, Bonded

703-250-6231

PAVING PAVING

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

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

BATHROOM REMODELING

703-250-2872Licensed • Bonded • Insured

www.brennan-tile.com

by Brennan Bath and Tile

TILE/MARBLE TILE/MARBLE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

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

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

drainage problems, etc.

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

LANDSCAPING

SOD, Mulch, Clean-UpLeaf Removal

Hauling.703-863-7465

A&S CONSTRUCTION

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

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

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

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

[email protected]

Do what you can, with

what you have,where you are.

-TheodoreRoosevelt

SUNDAY/DEC. 255th Annual Christmas Day Giving Back

Event 1 - 5 p.m. Kilroys Ravensworth ShoppingCenter 5236 Port Royal Road, Springfield.Volunteers needed join us in saying thank you toour veterans and deployed service members fortheir service and sacrifices. We will be packingcare packages and letters to our veterans.www.americasadoptasoldier.org

TUESDAY JAN. 24ESL Classes Begin on January 24 in Fairfax

and CliftonLord of Life Lutheran Church will offer beginning,

intermediate and advanced ESL classes at theirFairfax and Clifton locations. The course willtake place between January 24 and April 6,2017 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lord of Life LutheranChurch located in Fairfax at 5114 TwinbrookRoad and in Clifton at 13421 Twin Lakes Drive.The registration deadline is Thursday, January19, 2017. There is a registration fee of $15 andthe text book costs $25. For more information,please visit: www.lordoflifeva.org or call (703)323-9500.

ONGOINGReminder Crime Prevention – Please contact

the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131 (non-emergency) to report ANYsuspicious activity, no matter how small orinsignificant it may seem at the time. It is betterif police reports can be called in while thesuspicious activity is in progress to the extentpossible.

Volunteers Needed as Drivers & OfficeWorkers Drivers are needed for trips Monday -Friday to medical appointments and CompanionShopping within the Fairfax/Burke area.Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke serves those50+ and who no longer drive. Office Workersare needed to answer phones in the SCFB office(Monday - Friday) of individuals requesting

rides and match an available driver for eachrequest. If you can volunteer your time, pleasecontact the SCFB office at 703-323-4788.

Four Free Private Well Owner Webinars tobe Held in October one-hour webinars forhousehold water well owners will be held inOctober on the subjects of addressing methane,iron and manganese, fluoride, and watertreatment system maintenance by the NationalGround Water Association (NGWA). To registervisit: http://www.wellowner.org/well-owner-webinars/

Basic Disaster Response Skills FreeTraining Monday Nov. 7 at the Fairfax CountyFire and Rescue Academy. There are twosessions each week on Mondays andWednesdays that run until December 7. Theclass is 28 hours in length, plus the finalpractical exercise. CERT training is free ofcharge and basic gear is provided. The minimumrequirements to participate in CERT training atany level is that residents be 16 years of age orolder, and either be a Fairfax County resident,or work in the county. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/cert/cert.htm

Burke Lake Seniors Golf League seeksmembers. Interested golfers are invited to jointhe Burke Lake Seniors Golf League. Must be 55and older, enjoy playing golf, meeting newpeople and having an all–-around good time.Reserved tee times on Tuesday and Thursdaymornings at the Par 3 Burke Lake Golf Courseon Ox Road. Annual dues for the season – April1 through October 31 – are $20 plus green fees.For more information, call Charlie Ryan 703-690-4227.

The Northern Virginia Long Term CareOmbudsman Program needs volunteeradvocates for residents in nursing homes andassisted living facilities. Contact Lisa Callahan at703-324-5861, TTY 711 or [email protected]. Also visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/

Send notes to the Connection at connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ or call 703-778-9416.The deadline for submissions is the Friday prior to publication. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

Bulletin Board

Send notes to the Connection at [email protected] or call 703-778-9416.Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

Katherine Hough, Fairfax Station, has beenawarded the Boeing Scholarship for outstandingacademic achievement in the Volgenau School ofEngineering at George Mason University.

Vocal musicians from 12 Fairfax Countypublic schools have been named to the VirginiaHonors Choir for 2016. This select choir is openonly to the top 125 singers from around the Com-monwealth of Virginia, and is the highest honor achoir student can attain during his or her highschool career. Thirty-one Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) students were selected for thechoir, and five students were named as alternates.The choir will perform at the Virginia Music Edu-cators Association (VMEA) convention to be heldat the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Nov.17-19. FCPS students named to the 2016 VirginiaHonors Choir include the following students fromour area schools: Woodson High School:Megan Humes, Caroline Grass, Jacob Lamb, LucasValdes, and Marc Manaloto and Hayfield Sec-ondary School: Jessica Pressley.

Jonathan Whittington, Kathryn Herring,Emma Zettlemoyer, of Springfield; BridgetRay and Kirsten Chase, of Burke; received$2,000 scholarships from the Scholarship for Mili-tary Children Program in July 2016.

Jane Gibbins-Harding, of Springfield, wasnamed to the dean’s list at Bethany College forspring 2016.

U.S. Air Force Airman Brian A. Zamfinograduated from basic military training at Joint BaseSan Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.Zamfino is the son of Joanne and Joseph Zamfinoof Springfield. He is a 2015 graduate of WestSpringfield High School.

Thomas Miskimins, of Fairfax, graduatedwith a master of arts, in Spring 2016 from theUniversity of New Haven.

Jordan Ecker, of Fairfax, is on the spring 2016dean’s list at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cit-ies.

Caroline Dickson, of Fairfax, is on the spring2016 dean’s list at the University of Maine-Orono.

Allison Righter Moore, and Sarah Ann HughesCushing-Spiller, of Springfield, is on the dean’s listat Hollins University, for the 2016 spring semester.

James Butler, a Lake Braddock SecondarySchool graduate, was inducted into the NavalAcademy Class of 2020 on June 30, 2016.

Kyle Austin Walsh, of Fairfax, and AbigailLynn Lackey, of Springfield, were named to thehonors list for the 2016 spring 2016 semester atAverett University in Danville.

Katherine Marie Hough, of Fairfax Station,is on the dean’s list at George Mason University forspring 2016.

Anna Kormis, of Springfield, graduated fromEmory and Henry College in spring 2016.

Kyle Austin Walsh, of Fairfax, graduated fromAverett University in June 2016. was among the261 students to receive diplomas during AverettUniversity’s May 7 Commencement,

Megan R. Seymour, Megan F. Cummins,Thomas S. Cohen, of Fairfax, Joshua D.Harlowe, Samantha E. Kinde, Melissa A.Schwartz, of Springfield; Sean C. Baird, ofFairfax Station; graduated from Boston Universityin spring 2016.

Helene J. Decosse, Alexis J. Fahrney, Jes-sica M. Ochoa, of Fairfax, are on the dean’s listat Boston University for spring 2016.

Seth Lehman, Thet San, of Fairfax, graduatedfrom Furman University in spring 2016.

Luke Hartman, Natalie Heinitz, of Spring-field, graduated from Manhattan College in spring2016.

Maria Larrazabal Carrillo, of Fairfax is onthe dean’s list for May 2016 at Iowa State.

Kayse McGough of Fairfax is on the dean’s listfor May 2016 at St. Mary’s College.

Jared Rondeau of Clifton, graduated May2016 Triple Major in Physics, Mathematics, andChemistry from Emory and Henry College.

School Notes


6045 Burke Centre ParkwayBurke, VA 22015

703-425-8000

JUDY SEMLER703-503-1885

[email protected]

Catie, Steve & AssociatesDirect: 703-278-9313Cell: 703-362-2591Life Members, NVAR Top ProducersMulti-Million Dollar Sales Club

KIM MCCLARY703-929-8425

[email protected] Member NVAR Top Producers

DIANE SUNDT703-615-4626

Military Relocation Specialist

DAVID & VIRGINIAAssociate Brokers

www.BillupsTeam.com703-967-8700

BUZZ & COURTNEYJORDANYour Local Father/Daughter Team!

703-503-1866 or [email protected]

John & Jennifer Boyce703-425-JOHN (5646)[email protected]

www.425JOHN.com

Find More Information at: www.Hermandorfer.com

Top 1% of Agents Nationally

Carol Hermandorfer703-216-4949

Aldie/Stone Ridge $539,0004 BR, 3.5 BA SPF in great community.

This home could have been yours.Call Courtney 703-786-5330

“Working for& Listening to YOU”

Dana-Jean LaFever& Claudia Callis

703-609-3479 • 703-620-2790

Marshall $460,000Beautiful 5 private acres of quiet country living * 2 CarGarage + 3 Car Garage/Barn * Hen House, Large Garden,Mini Vineyard * Updated Bathrooms and Kitchen * FreshPaint * HDWD Floors * 1 Year Home Warranty.

Alexandria $629,900

Burke $419,900ENJOY BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEWSfrom this 3 finished level end unittownhome in Lake Braddock * Newkitchen with granite & SS appliances* Fresh paint & new carpet through-out * Wood foyer & kitchen floors * 3bedrooms * 2.5 baths * Visitwww.5556KendrickLane.com formore information or call Judy.

Fairfax$839,900

Beautiful4200+ sqfthome. Updatedkitchen, newappliances &granite count-ers, new win-dows in 2012,Brazilian cherry

floors, gas heat & fireplace, new granite counters in bath-rooms, new carpet in bedrooms & basement, sprinkler &security system, new washer & dryer, freshly painted, cor-ner lot with fenced yard. Must see!

ManassasComing

SoonGorgeous 2BR/2 FBAcondo stepsfrom the VREin gated com-munity! 9’ceilings. LR

opens to balcony. Separate dining room. Eat in kitchenw/granite & SS appliances. Master suite w/walk in closet,luxury MBA w/sep shower & soaking tub. Great location,minutes to Old Town Manassas, shopping, dining & more.Terrific opportunity for commuters w/easy access to VRE.

Alexandria – Belle Haven on the Green - $609,900Beautiful brick, 3 finished level, 3 BR/3 Full Bath TH with 2 gas fireplaces. Perfect

location for commuting and meticulously cared for; don’t miss this opportunity!

UNDER

CONTR

ACT

Kingstowne Area. Close to METRO! Traditional colonial with anInviting front porch! Beautiful fenced backyard! Large bedroomsizes! Updated kitchen & baths! Lake Community!

www.5208CalabriaCourt.info

Alexandria $614,900

Cul-de-sac Beauty! Exquisite kitchen renovation! Hardwoodfloors. Master BR suite with big walk-in closet and stairway toupper level retreat. Fenced yard. Close to Ft Belvoir & METRO!

www.7002GreenGladeCourt.info

MANASSAS/PR WM PKWY $489,900PRICE IMPROVED TO SELL TODAY

MOTIVATED SELLERS ARE READY TO SEE YOUR CONTRACT!! Fromthe inviting front porch to the grand entry foyer, this gracious floorplan isperfect for daily living or entertaining. Almost 4,000 sq. ft. of luxury livingspace. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, walk-out lower level w/wet bar, recroom, media & game areas, full bath. Custom deck, patio, hot tub, irrigationsystem, new roof just installed—it’s all here—hurry!!

NEW

PRIC

E

NEW YEAR – NEW CAREER?

Fairfax Station - $1,399,900This one has it all! Pool, Barn, Car-lover's garage,

Office space, Sports Court, and Gorgeous Estate Home!

2017 Real Estate classes now available in Burke.For more info call Paul DiCicco at 703-503-1899

fairfax stationconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/...dec 14, 2016 · alcohol program...

Documents