connectionarchives.comconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2017/112917/vienna.pdf · to give in to paranoia....

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Fifth Anniversary of Express Lanes CelebratedNews, Page 3

Vienna Resident Shares Multi-Million Dollar Success StoryNews, Page 12

Protesting Gun ViolenceNews, Page 3

Carol P. Luten of Falls Church shows a proposed state license plate Nov. 14, she says is designed as a “moving billboard from city-to-city and state-to-state to help create awareness and a movement for change” to prevent gun violence.

2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ November 29 - December 5, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Elizabeth Waldt

West Springfield High School

The devil has come to Salem andno one is safe. Will they lie toprotect their lives, or tell thetruth to protect their dignity? Ei-

ther way, this little town in Massachusettsis doomed. Flint Hill School portrays thedeterioration of this quaint little town intheir production of “The Crucible.”

Author Arthur Miller wrote “The Crucible”in the early 1950’s, with its first perfor-mance debuting in 1953. Although his playis set in the 1600s, Miller saw a 20th cen-tury connection to the story of Salem. Dur-ing this period, Sen. Joseph McCarthy ledwhat was known as, “The Red Scare.” Inthe search to weed out Communists inAmerica, those accused could escape jailtime by accusing someone else of Commu-nism. Soon enough, the country was en-gaged in a wild goose chase for Commu-nists. The first opening of “The Crucible”was a short run, receiving many negativereviews, but it was later awarded the TonyAward for Best Play. Since then, “The Cru-cible” has become a staple in American Lit-erature, being read in theaters, households,and classrooms alike.

In an age where superstition and accusa-tions are everything, John Proctor refusesto give in to paranoia. Portraying Proctorwas actor Sayeed Akhtar, who gave a dedi-cated and meaningful performance. Behindevery line, there was a real passion and

desire to free himself from the madness ofSalem. Acting as his wife, Elizabeth Proc-tor, was Alexandra Wai. Both Akhtar andWai brought undeniable chemistry to thestage, making it seem as if they had beenmarried for years. Even without personalmicrophones, their passionate voices ech-oed through the auditorium, so the audi-ence never missed a beat.

The Salem Witch Trials would be noth-ing without the accusers. The maliciousleader of the trials, Abigail Williams, wasportrayed by Julianne Cuevo. Cuevo re-mained committed to her role throughoutthe entire play, even screaming as she pre-tends to see the devil. Alongside her wasactress Hannah Khan playing Mary Warren.Khan remained perfectly in character evenwhen she was not acting, adding details thathelped the audience lose themselves in thestory. The girls drove the story through theircharacter arcs, making Flint Hill’s produc-tion of “The Crucible” all the moreimmersive.

In addition to the cast, technical elementsof “The Crucible” strengthened the overallproduction. Hair and makeup head NixonKramer was challenged to accurately por-tray the style of this time period. Throughrelatively simple makeup and hairstyles,Kramer succeeded in transforming 21st-cen-tury actors into simple, Puritan women. Inaddition, the crew had the task of turningteenagers into older men and women.Through their use of old age makeup andeffects, they were able to depict older peoplein an accurate and believable fashion.

“The Crucible” is a shocking play show-ing the Salem Witch Hunt of the 1600s. FlintHill School’s production of “The Crucible”was a chilling portrayal of such an elusiveevent. After seeing this performance, youwon’t know who to trust!

Send school notes to [email protected] by noon on Friday.

Vocal musicians from 14 Fairfax County publicschools have been named to the Virginia HonorsChoir for 2017. Thirty-four Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) students were selected for thechoir, and five students were named as alternates.This select choir is open to the top 125 singers from

around the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is thehighest honor a choir student can attain during hisor her high school career. FCPS students named tothe 2017 Virginia Honors Choir include: GraceKurcina and Emma Mehigan from MadisonHigh School; Grace Mead from Oakton HighSchool; and Holly Waters, Tulsi Mehta,Sloane Kelly, and Adi Wineland from MarshallHigh School.

School Notes

Flint Hill School’sproduction of“The Crucible.”

Witch Hunt Story Revisited

Photo by Victor O’Neill Studios

From left: Maya Jaffe, Julianne Cuevo, Hannah Khan in Flint HillSchool’s production of “The Crucible.”

Cappies Review

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ November 29 - December 5, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Marti Moore

The Connection

More than 70 people stoodtheir ground on gun vio-lence Nov. 14 and remindedthe National Rifle Associa-

tion of the need for tougher laws in thewake of another mass shooting two weeksago in Texas — where 26 churchgoers wereslain and 20 wounded in the sanctuary ofthe First Baptist Church in SutherlandSprings.

Northern Virginia residents held protestsigns for motorists driving past the power-ful lobby’s national headquarters at 11250Waples Mill Road in Fairfax.

Participants in these protests said theyhave seen cars speed past them in the turnlane during previous protests, and watchedsome drivers make other ill-mannered ges-tures.

“There are people coming into the NRAwho don’t like us,” says Kris Gregory of theConcerned Citizens Against Gun Violence.Although she believes association employ-ees are respectful, Gregory understands theNRA is open to the general public. She isaware visitors of the National FirearmsMuseum and firing range may not appreci-ate the sight of protesters.

GREGORY NOTES some motorists re-spond favorably to their public awarenesscampaign by shouting words of encourage-ment, beeping their car horns or giving athumbs-up gesture in approval.

The presence of local law enforcement islow-key, she believes, “Because we arepeaceful and nonviolent.” Fairfax CountyPolice keeps a watchful eye as cruisers pa-trol Waples Mill Road. Only joint-actionprotests, Gregory states, warrant a largepolice presence — such as the CodePink“die-in” demonstration held Tuesday, June21, 2016.

Gregory says her grassroots organizationin Falls Church formed after the Dec. 14,2012 massacre in Newtown, Conn. —where 20 school children and six adultswere fatally shot inside the Sandy HookElementary School. The 20-year-old gun-man first shot and killed his 52-year-oldmother, a gun enthusiast, at home. Onlinereports say among the firearms used by thegunman was the Bushmaster AR-15 mili-tary-style assault rifle.

The soft-spoken volunteer activist statesConcerned Citizens Against Gun Violenceand other advocacy groups in Northern Vir-ginia meet in front of the NRA on the 14thof every month in memory of the lives lostin the Newtown slaying and to “raise aware-ness of gun violence and the toll it takes onall of us,” Gregory says.

She points out “So many people here areunaware the NRA headquarters is in ourbackyard.” Gregory believes the lobby hasdone a very good job of confusing peoplewith claims that gun safety laws underminethe Second Amendment rights of citizens

bly to introduce a statewide universal back-ground check bill to remove loopholes inthe purchase of guns.

Plum — the longest-serving member ofthe Virginia House of Delegates — is en-couraged by recent winners of the Nov. 7General Election, led by executive branchteam Gov.-elect Ralph S. Northam, Lt. Gov.-elect Justin E. Fairfax and the re-electedAttorney General Mark R. Herring. Plumstates in his recent written opinion a moreevenly split partisan composition in the leg-islative branch has worked out in the pastto help state lawmakers focus on problemsolving versus “simply getting credit.”

NEXT MONTH’S PROTEST at the NRAheadquarters marks five years since the kill-ing spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School.An interfaith prayer vigil, led by the Uni-tarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,is planned for Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noonby the Concerned Citizens Against Gun Vio-lence, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence,the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Vio-lence and Moms Demand Action for GunSense in America.

“We have been here without fail since Jan.14, 2013,” Gregory said, “for all victims andsurvivors of gun violence.”

Protesting Gun Violence Universal background checkstops the list for NRA protesters.

Activists against gun violence line the sidewalk Nov. 14 in front of theheadquarters of the National Rifle Association at 11250 Waples MillRoad in Fairfax, where they hold protest signs for passing motorists aspart of their awareness campaign. This regular gathering is an open-action protest and signs are provided to those who want to participateon the 14th of each month.

Kris Gregory of theConcerned CitizensAgainst Gun Violencein Falls Churchstands on the side-walk Nov. 14 at11250 Waples MillRoad, and remem-bers victims of lastweek’s mass shoot-ing in the sanctuaryof the First BaptistChurch in SutherlandSprings, Texas.

Photos by

Marti Moore

The Connection

under the U.S. Constitution.For example, most Americans understand

people who purchase firearms are screenedby the National Instant Criminal Back-ground Check System, run by the FBI since1998. Gregory claims the process is volun-tary in Virginia, and retailers and privatedealers aren’t required to conduct back-ground checks. She adds local gun safetyadvocates are calling for “universal back-ground checks at the federal and state lev-els for all sales and transfers of firearms.”

Gregory isn’t opposed to the lawful own-ership of weapons under the Bill of Rights.“A convicted felon or domestic abusershould not have the same gun rights as law-abiding citizens,” she maintains.

Gregory points out state legislator Del.Kenneth “Ken” R. Plum (D-36) of Reston isthe lawmaker who has stood consistentlywith gun safety advocates each month, sincetheir first protest Jan. 14, 2013.

“I find these mass shootings to be so of-fensive,” said Plum. The retired schoolteacher hasn’t forgotten about the souls lostat Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook.

“And the list grows longer and still noth-ing is done,” he explains Nov. 20.

The theme of the regular vigil at the NRA— “we are never going to forget the needfor sensible gun laws” — is what propelsPlum to attend as often as he can. He andother participants of the protest feel theurgency to keep reminding folks the kill-ings are still going on. The state lawmakeremphasizes “We need to take action.

“Nobody is proposing taking awayeveryone’s guns,” Plum maintains, “but wecan take action on enacting sensible gunsafety measures.” In January, the delegatewill make his fourth try at General Assem-


By Steve Hibbard

The Connection

Future Quest, a free college andcareer conference that attractsthousands of local middle andhigh school students with disabili-

ties, will be held at George Mason Univer-sity on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3p.m. It features more than 40 workshopsand exhibits related to successful life afterhigh school and is organized by GMU andthe Northern Virginia Transition Coalition.

Future Quest is a resource fair and net-working event held every two years wherepeople can interact with representativesfrom different agencies and colleges fromall over the country, as well as organiza-tions that assist young adults. The organizer,the Northern Virginia Transition Coalition,helps youth with disabilities successfullytransition from high school to the next stageof their lives.

The event is spearheaded by DeborahHammer, 47, of Alexandria, an autism spe-cialist with Arlington Public Schools, alongwith co-chairman Leanne Kidwell. “The goalis to help as many students and families andprofessionals as we can to understand theopportunities and resources that are avail-able. We want to provide speakers who caneducate our target population on a varietyof topics related to transition, includingfunding for college, what kind of supportsare available, and careers that don’t requirecollege because not all of our students willgo to college,” said Hammer.

Future Quest specifically targets studentswith any disability. They include the blindor visually impaired, deaf or hard of hear-ing, learning disabilities, orthopedic dis-abilities, intellectual disabilities, traumaticbrain injuries, or other health impairments

and emotional disabilities. Students whoattend come from all over Northern Vir-ginia, Maryland, the District, and West Vir-ginia.

“We want all of our students with disabili-ties to know there are many possibilities forthem as they transition into adulthood andwe want them to take advantage of the op-portunities that are available,” said Ham-mer. “Our goal is to help connect our stu-dents to those resources.”

THIS YEAR’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER isJoshua Anton, a self-advocate who has anADHD learning disability. He has a businessdegree from the University of Virginia anddeveloped his own successful app company.

Hammer said they want students and fami-lies to start planning as early as possible fortheir transition into adulthood. “We haveyoung adults who have already graduatedhigh school who attend as well,” she said.

The event will feature different universi-

ties that have programs for students withdisabilities that might be a bridge betweenhigh school and college that provide addi-tional levels of support, said Hammer.

There will be 44 concurrent sessions inthe resource fair, about eight at a time, andpeople can choose what interests them spe-cifically. There are different strands relatedto topics to make the event meaningful forall individuals, such as autism or self-advo-cacy. This includes strands specifically foryouth, like living with a roommate, or forparents, like financing college.

“We will have agencies and organizationsthat will assist students with everythingfrom transportation to assistive technologyto financial aide to leisure activities liketherapeutic recreation. So there will be awide variety of venders,” she said.

Some of the confirmed sessions includethe following: Successful Transition fromHigh School to College for Students withLearning Disabilities; Finding the Career

that Matches Me; Organize Your Life withGoogle; Adulting for Life: Five Tips for Suc-cess; and Estate Planning and Guardianshipfor Individuals with Disabilities.

In addition, there will be a Book Fair in-side the Johnson Center Book Store with aspecial display related to transition, careersand college. Some of the accommodationsif they are required include braille pro-grams, interpreters or listening devices forthe deaf, and a calming room for sensorybreaks.

“Parents may want to go because theymay be anxious about what happens whentheir children graduate from high school,”said Hammer. “Students will want to attendso that they can learn what options areavailable for college, what it’s really like tobe an adult with a disability, to be able totalk to other youth with disabilities, and feelempowered to make decisions for them-selves.”

❖ ❖ ❖Future Quest will be held Saturday, Dec.

2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at GMU’s JohnsonCenter, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. It isfree and open to any student with a disabil-ity as well as their parents, teachers and otherprofessionals. There is free parking in Lot K,or in the Mason Pond Parking Garage for $8.Visit ww.futurequestgmu.org to register. Ham-mer urges people to pre-register early. [email protected].

Future Quest Designed for Students with DisabilitiesEvent will feature40-plus workshopsand exhibits.

News

A team-building exercise from the 2015 Future Quest held at GMU.Photos contributed

The resource fair booths from Future Quest at GMU in 2015.

Photo by

Steve Hibbard

Deborah Ham-mer, co-orga-nizer of FutureQuest 2017.

Photo Contributed

Future Quest2017 keynotespeaker JoshuaAnton.

Photo contributed

The Future Quest 2015 Keynote Speaker Justin Graves.


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Bring your puppies and dogsto take part in the Live Puppy Na-tivity on Saturday, Dec. 2 at TheChurch of the Good Shepherd(United Methodist) in Vienna.The community event will beheld at the church at 2351Hunter Mill Road from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m.

“With Advent coming andChristmas right around the cor-ner, we are hosting Vienna’s sec-ond annual ‘Live Puppy Nativity,’inviting locals to bring their dogsand dress them up to be part ofour nativity,” said The Rev. EricSong, who started the traditionlast year in his first year as GoodShepherd’s pastor. “We welcomeall pets and other animals andtheir owners. We invite the com-munity to join us in this funevent. It makes for great holidaypictures too.”

Costumes and treats will beprovided for pets, and photoswill be taken, Song said, addingthat he hopes the communitywill see “there are many creative ways tocelebrate Christmas.”

Hot chocolate will be served, and thechurch’s youth group will be on hand to ac-cept donations for Second Story (second-story.org) to provide Christmas gifts for its

Vienna Church to Host Live Puppy Nativity

Photo contributed

Live Puppy Nativity will be held on Satur-day, Dec. 2

community of young people.The Church of the Good Shepherd is cel-

ebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Formore information about Advent worshipservices, visit the church website atwww.GoodShepherdVA.com.


Opinion

When the Virginia House of Rep-resentatives adjourned from its2017 session, Republicans con-trolled the house by 66 to 34.

The exact count following elections earlier inNovember is still unclear, but one party or theother could have a 51-49 majority, or even facea 50-50 split.

I don’t recall anyone predict-ing this level of change.

Three very close races arelikely headed for recount, in-

cluding one in Fairfax County, and since this isthe first time all voters have used paper bal-lots, it’s hard to predict how that will go. Butone way or the other, Northern Virginia locali-ties are likely to have more influence.

Fairfax County, along with Arlington andAlexandria, prepare a state legislative wish listeach year, made all the more urgent becauselocalities in Virginia have only the powers spe-cifically given to them by the General Assem-bly. If there is any reasonable doubt whether apower has been conferred on a local govern-ment, then the locality does not have thatpower.

That has meant, for example, localities canonly raise revenue from limited sources, can’trestrict where people carry guns, can’t set theirown minimum wage, and can’t fully controlland use within their boundaries. Some haven’tbeen able to ban discrimination on the basis

Next Week: More Local GivingNext week, we will publish our lists of local nonprofits for holiday giving. If you know

of an organization that should be included or whose listing needs updating, please [email protected].

Deadline Extended: Children’s EditionSubmissions of student art and writing are due by Friday, Dec. 8, an extended deadline.

You can see last year’s editions by visiting www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ andscroll down to Children’s Edition. Email submissions to the following editors:

❖ For Burke, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Great Falls, Herndon, Lorton, McLean,Reston, or Springfield, email to Kemal Kurspahic at [email protected].

❖ For Alexandria, Arlington, Centreville, Chantilly, Mount Vernon, or Potomac, Md.,email to Steven Mauren at [email protected].

Careful What To Wish ForCould changes in General Assembly mean some legislativerequests from Northern Virginia might not be dead on arrival?

Editorial

of sexual orientation and gender identity.Not all of these restrictions are based on

party affiliation.Aside from more local authority, the top wish

is for more funding.Fairfax County’s draft on funding schools:

“Public education funding in the Common-wealth is enshrined in the Virginia Constitu-tion as a joint responsibility of both state andlocal governments, so it is essential that thestate fully meet its Constitutional responsibil-ity to adequately fund K-12 education. Unfor-tunately, the Commonwealth continues to al-low critical gaps to persist between state fund-

ing and the actual costs of providing a high-quality education, placing more of the fiscalburden on localities while substantially limit-ing local revenue sources, creating a discrep-ancy that has become increasingly untenable.”

The one action that could produce signifi-cant funding and services with very low costto state coffers: expanding Medicaid in Virginiaunder the Affordable Care Act. Virginia hasturned away billions of dollars, plus the jobsand healthier citizenry that come with that.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Time to Think ofSpendingPrioritiesTo the Editor:

Congress will be voting on thebudget at the beginning of Decem-ber. Now is a good time to thinkabout our spending priorities andhow to most efficiently spend ourtax dollars. The House budget ap-proved in October will increasemilitary spending by between $35-50 billion to nearly $700 billionat a time when the State Depart-ment funding is being cut by 30percent and key State Departmentpositions are going unfilled.

Increasing the military budgetwhile gutting the State Depart-ment is counterproductive at bestand dangerous in the long run. AsSecretary of Defense Mattis saidat his confirmation hearings, “Ifyou don’t fund the State Depart-ment fully, than ultimately I needto buy more ammunition.” (Wash-ington Post, 2/27/17 “RetiredGenerals cite past comments fromMattis while opposing Trump’sproposed foreign aid cuts”).

Pentagon spending should notbe increased at the expense of di-plomacy, development and vitalhuman needs program providingfood, housing and health care as-sistance domestically.

Mary BrandonHerndon

Caring forEach OtherTo the Editor:

In response to the article re-cently written by Mary Kimm(“Give Locally in Fairfax County,”Connection, Nov. 15-21), in regardto giving to those in need duringthe holidays, I think that it is im-portant for articles like these to bewritten.

While it is obvious that weshould give to the less fortunate,our society tends to forget abouthelping others because we are soconsumed with ourselves. I reallylike the encouragement of donat-ing locally because it allows peopleto start small and gives them arealistic goal. It also allows us tobe more involved in the commu-

nity around us.A thing to consider is that people

may not be willing to help thosewho are poor because they believeit’s their own fault. This goes toshow how stereotypes are detri-mental to our society and causedivision rather than unity. It isimportant to realize that manyhomeless people and people whoare struggling financially are in thesituation that they are in due tono fault of their own.

I am not saying that you musthelp out or you are a bad person,however I believe that it is impor-tant for our society as a whole tobe more caring to each other.

Bryan KimStudent, James Madison

University

Public’s Rolein ReducingGun ViolenceTo the Editor:

Thanks for your article “Protest-ing Gun Violence,” which focusedon the persistent efforts of a num-

Letters to the Editor

ber of groups to reduce gun vio-lence. I applaud the author’s rec-ognition that these organizationsfocus on gun violence preventionrather than “gun control.” How wetalk about this problem is one keyto solving it.

Just as the language and dura-tion of media coverage of suicidesinfluences subsequent copycat sui-cides, so does coverage of massshootings. Unrelenting focus onthe motive of the murderer, thebody count, and weapons usedonly fuels the next murderer. Theterm “gun control” merely drawsresistance from those who mistrustgovernment in all its forms. In-stead, we must be honest aboutthe costs to our community andwhat is standing in the way of pre-venting future tragedies. More-over, we must support legislatorswhen they focus on proven, evi-dence-based measures to preventfuture gun violence.

The Protecting Domestic Vio-lence and Stalking Victims Act/Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abus-ers Act (S.1539/ H.R.3207) seeksto close the outrageous loopholes

See Letters, Page 14

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

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Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

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Vienna & Oakton


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Nominations Neededfor DryHome’s ‘FreeRoof for the Holidays’

DryHome Roofing and Siding, a Sterling-based roofing company, is accepting nomi-nations for its 14th annual Free Roof for theHolidays program for a deserving NorthernVirginia-based individual, family or nonprofitin need of a free roof. The free roof will beawarded based on nominations DryHomereceives from customers and the community.

Nominations close on Dec. 1, 2017. Win-ners will be announced in early December.

To nominate an individual, family, or non-profit, go online to www.dryhome.com andclick on the nomination form or emailDryHome at [email protected]. Nomina-tor should include their name and phonenumber as well as nominee’s name, address,phone and reason why they are being nomi-nated. DryHome will carefully review andevaluate all applications before selecting thenominee.

DryHome Roofing and Siding has been

serving Northern Virginia for more thanquarter of a century. The “Free Roof for theHolidays” program enables DryHome tothank its customers and the community byhelping those less fortunate have a safe roofover their heads too.

Donations Sought forSanta’s Ridefor Children

The Town of Vienna is again working withthe Fairfax County Motor Squad and otherlocal police departments on the AnnualSanta’s Ride for Children.

Donate new unwrapped toys, games,books and gifts to be distributed to childrenat Fairfax Hospital, Georgetown LombardiCancer Center and to those children in thecommunity who might not otherwise havea cheerful holiday season.

All items may be delivered to the ViennaPolice Station, 215 Center St., South,Vienna, no later than Monday, Dec. 11, 2017by 9 a.m.

Week in Vienna

Faith Notes are for announcements and eventsin the faith community. Send [email protected]. Deadline isFriday at noon.

During Advent, Christ the King LutheranChurch, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, willpresent a series of three midweek Advent pro-grams. The overarching theme of these evenings is“Peace for Our Time.” Each evening’s sub-themewill grow from a Reformation-era hymn. Eachevening’s program begins at 5:45 p.m. with supperfollowed by discussion, worship and the lighting ofthe Advent wreath. All are welcome. Visitwww.gflutheran.org or call 703-759-6068.

❖ Thursday/Dec. 7 – Peace Between Nations,hymn: “Savior of the Nations Come” (ELW 263)

❖ Thursday/Dec. 14 – Peace in politics, hymn:“Now to the Holy Spirit Let us Pray” (ELW 743)

❖ Thursday/Dec. 21 – Peace in ourselves, hymn:“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (ELW 268)

Blue Christmas Service – a non-traditionalservice of remembrance and hope – will be held atKatie’s Coffee House 760 Walker Road, Great Fallson Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m. brought to you byGreat Falls Area Ministries. For more informationcall Carol Wright 703-582-1640.

St. Francis Episcopal Church , 9220Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, has Sunday servicesat 8 – Holy Eucharist Rite I and 10 a.m. – HolyEucharist Rite II with music. 703-759-2082.

The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA)offers a wide variety of support groups for thosewith emotional, social, and physical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.

McLean Bible Church. Fitness Class at Bodyand Soul Fitness. Gain balance, energy andstrength at 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays andFridays. Free childcare for registered students.Email [email protected].

Haven of Northern Virginia provides sup-port, compassion, information and resources to thebereaved and seriously ill. To become a Havenvolunteer, please call 703-941-7000 to request anorientation. Volunteers must complete a 30-hourtraining and commit to one year of service answer-ing Haven phones (2.5 hours weekly). Nexttraining is scheduled for fall 2017.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, offersthe Religious Exploration program for all children,from pre-K toddlers through high school seniors,emphasizing exploration of all religious traditionswhile developing a personal spiritual path. The

program offers classes on Saturday afternoons andSunday mornings. 703-281-4230.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean. Sunday worshipservices are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Schoolfor young adults follows the 10:30 a.m. worshipservices and for children at 9:30 a.m. Youth Groupfor grades 7-12 meets Sundays at 5 p.m. A 20-minute service of Holy Communion is held eachWednesday at noon. 703-356-3312 orumtrinity.org.

Passages DivorceCare. For those experienc-ing the pain of separation or divorce, the caringcommunity at Vienna Presbyterian Church offersPassages DivorceCare. This 15-week program of-fers a path toward healing. Vienna PresbyterianChurch is located on the corner of Maple Avenue(Rt. 123) and Park Street in Vienna. Cost to covermaterials is $20, scholarships available. For moreinformation or to register call 703-938-9050, go towww.viennapres.org, or send an email [email protected].

The S.P.O.T for Youth, Wednesday’s at 7 p.m.A place where youth can come together and pray,ask questions about the faith and receivementorship. The spot is a ministry of First BaptistChurch of Vienna, 450 Orchard Street, NW Vienna.

First Baptist Church of Vienna located at450 Orchard St., NW, Vienna. Sunday services areheld at 7:45 and 10 a.m. weekly. Wednesday Nightwith the Family service is held at 6 p.m. followedby corporate singing at 7 p.m. Bible studies takeplace Tuesday’s at noon.

For those struggling physically or spiritually, onthe first Sunday of each month, Christ the KingLutheran Church offers a rite of healing as partof worship; the opportunity to be anointed with oiland prayed over. During the healing rite, the pas-tor or another person says a short prayer while twopeople lay hands on the recipient. Then the pastoror helper anoints them with oil as a sign of God’shealing and forgiveness. Christ the King LutheranChurch, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Call703-759-6068 or visit www.gflutheran.org.

Wesley United Methodist Church located at711 Spring St., SE, Vienna, Virginia 22180, at thecorner of Spring Street and Moore Avenue. 10:30a.m. fellowship time in the fellowship hall; 11 a.m.traditional family worship in sanctuary. If you areseeking a church home which encourages: caringand supportive fellowship, an active and devotedprayer life and study of scripture, support for localand world missions, an open, responsive awarenessto the presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Faith Notes


Transurban, operator of the 495and 95 Express Lanes, is cel-ebrating the fifth anniversary ofthe 495 Express Lanes in North-

ern Virginia by launching a travel giveawayof $5,000 in free travel prizes and a $10,000community grant. The 495 Express Laneshave provided a broad range of benefits tothe region over the past five years of opera-tions, as well as faster and more predict-able travel for buses, carpoolers and driv-ers. Since year one, the 495 Express Laneshave attracted many area commuters, sup-porting a four-fold increase in carpool tripsand 75 percent increase in bus trips. Trav-elers on the 495 Express Lanes today enjoyon average 23 minutes of time savings dur-ing rush hour commute, and drivers on theregular 495 lanes benefit as well — withnorthbound morning rush hour traffic traveltimes improving by 8 percent.

“Today we celebrate five years of helpingour customers on the Beltway make it to ameeting on time, get home for dinner withfamily and travel to work without the anxi-ety that comes with hitting an unexpectedtraffic jam,” said Jennifer Aument, groupgeneral manager of Transurban NorthAmerica. “Whether they pay tolls, ride in abus or carpool, we value all our customersand look forward to working with our part-ners at VDOT to continually find new waysto provide them with a better Beltway inthe years to come.”

Transurban commemorated the fifth an-niversary of the 495 Express Lanes at TysonsCorner Center with the help of Santa andthe Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Depart-ment, Tysons Corner Station 29, which gaveSanta a ride up the Express Lanes to cel-ebrate the important transportation projectmilestone. Santa took one of the first rideson the 495 Express Lanes when they openedto the public in November 2012.

Highlights of the First Five YearsHighlights of the benefits that the 495

Express Lanes project has provided to trav-elers and the entire community over thepast five years include:

Regional benefits during construction:❖ Generated $3.5 billion in economic ac-

tivity.❖ $2 billion in transportation improve-

ments.❖ $548.3 million in contracts to DBE/

SWaM companies.❖ Replacement of $260 million in aging

infrastructure.❖ 16,000 jobs.Traveler benefits:❖ Over the past five years, more area trav-

elers have enjoyed the benefits of a faster,more reliable commute. The lanes haveserved more than 3,500,000 customers tak-ing more than 67,000,000 trips.

❖ 23 minutes is the average time savingson 495 Express Lanes during rush hour com-mute.

❖ Travel times have improved by 8 per-cent on regular lanes during northboundmorning rush hour.

❖ Eight out of 10 drivers in the D.C. re-gion believe the Express Lanes network ben-efits the area.

❖ Five million hours of time were savedby 495 Express Lanes customers over thepast five years.

Community benefits:❖ $450,000 in community grants

awarded by Transurban to D.C. area orga-nizations.

❖ Supported community projects such asnew bike racks, elementary school environ-mental programs, local neighborhood en-hancements, homeless shelter programsand local park cleanups.

Fifth Anniversary of 495 Express Lanes CelebratedAbout the Express Lanes

The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95, providing driverswith faster and more predictable travel optionsin Northern Virginia. Together, the 495 and 95Express Lanes create a region-wide network offree-flowing lanes for approximately 40 miles,from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County.Delivered through a public-private partnershipbetween the Virginia Department of Transporta-tion and Transurban, the Express Lanes givedrivers travel choices on two of northernVirginia’s most congested roadways. VisitExpressLanes.com.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Tysons Corner Station 29,gave Santa a ride up the Express Lanes to celebrate the important trans-portation project milestone.

News

❖ Nearly $80,000 donated to local fireand rescue departments through the Driveto Donate program.

❖ Annual support of Bike to Work Day.❖ Anti-distracted driving safety programs.❖ Better transit service on the Beltway.❖ Employee community volunteering

programs.

‘A Better Beltway’ GiveawayAs a thank-you to customers, Transurban

is giving away $50 of free Express Lanestravel to each of 100 lucky customers. Cus-tomers can register for a chance to winonline at ExpressLanes.com/anniversary-contest. The contest will run until Dec. 1.Winners will be randomly chosen on Mon-day, Dec. 4, and will be notified by emailwithin two days. The $50 of free travel willbe applied toward their future 495 and 95Express Lanes trips.

495 Express LanesCommunity Grant

Transurban will be announcing a $10,000community grant in honor of the project’sfive-year milestone and community engage-ment. In honor of the partnership it took todeliver the 495 Express Lanes project, twoor more community organizations will needto apply together for the grant and show-case how they will work together on a spe-cific project or initiative. Applications willbe open from Dec. 1-Jan.31, with winningrecipient(s) notified and announced in Feb-ruary. Application forms will be availableon ExpressLanes.com starting Dec. 1.

Santa took one of the first rideson the 495 Express Lanes whenthey opened to the public inNovember 2012.

Santa meets firefighters at Tysons Corner Station 29.

WelcomingSanta atTysons CornerStation 29.


News

A five-year road project to buildexpress lanes on I-66 was kickedoff on Monday, Nov. 20 as offi-cials grabbed the golden shovels

and smiled for the cameras in westernFairfax County. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) wasthere with officials from the Virginia De-partment of Transportation, Department ofRail and Public Transportation, federal,state and local partners, and theCommonwealth’s private partner, I-66 Ex-press Mobility Partners. “This project willreduce congestion, stimulate economicgrowth and improve the quality of life ofcommuters all over the Northern Virginiaregion,” said McAuliffe, in a release issuedby his office.

When completed, I-66 will have two ex-press lanes in each direction stretchingnearly 23 miles from I-495 to Gainesville,

and three regular travel lanes. These expresslanes will be free for cars with at least threeoccupants, and a toll option for cars withone or two occupants. All tolling will be donewith the EZ-Pass, or the EZ-Pass Flex for thecarpool vehicles to avoid the toll.

Initial construction will begin on theproject over the next few weeks, and by thespring of 2018, construction will be rampedup throughout the entire corridor. Regularconstruction-related updates will be avail-able on Transform66.org as well as throughnews and social media channels.

For the portion of I-66 inside the beltwayduring rush hours, a toll option for singleoccupancy vehicles is beginning on Mon-day, Dec. 4. More details on this portion ofI-66 is available on Transform66.org as well.

— Mike Salmon

Construction Set to Start on I-66Express Lanes Outside the Beltway

Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection

Led by Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), center, delegates, county officials andtransportation officials break ground on the I-66 express lanes project.

Earning Girl Scout Way BadgeThe Girl Scouts of Junior Troop 3027 were all smiles on Sunday,Nov. 3, holding the Troop’s recent donation to The Jill’s House, aplace in Vienna where families with a child with intellectual dis-abilities can get short-term respite while their children are engagedin fun activities tailored to their interests and abilities. The basketswere filled with art supplies as the scouts endeavor to foster a moregiving environment, as part of a community service project for thescouts to earn the Girl Scout Way Badge. The Girl Scout JuniorTroop 3027 leader is Leili Bowers and the girls, from left, are Lissa,Roya, Julia, Aarohi, Sophia, Isabella, and Kai.


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

ONGOINGVienna-Wide Food Drive. Through

Dec. 31, bring food contributions toVienna Town Hall - 127 Center St. S;Vienna Arts Society-115 Pleasant St.NW; Bikes@Vienna-128-A Church St.NW; Caffe Amouri-107 Church St.,NE; Evolution Fitness- 216 DominionRoad, NE; Rexall Drug Store-150Maple Ave. W; Drs. Covel, Stack andHenon- 120 Beulah Road, NE; PatrickHenry Library (co-sponsored bySupervisor Cathy Hudgins) and theVienna Community Center. Girl ScoutTroop 2684 will be helping NEVCAby picking up the food. Sponsored byCommittee for Helping Others. Call703-281-7614.

Textures Exhibit. Through Jan. 7,various times at the Vienna ArtsCenter, 115 Pleasant St., NW. Call703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

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

Fit for Life Classes. Wednesdaysthrough Nov. 22, 11 a.m.–noon atBruen Chapel United MethodistChurch, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax.Sponsored by the Shepherd’s Centerof Oakton-Vienna, to improvestrength, balance and mobility forolder adults, taught by instructor,Michele DeGarmo. $5. Call 703-281-0538 or [email protected]

Free Tai Chi. Every Saturday, from7:55-9 a.m., Introduction andBeginners’ Practice, meet on theoutdoor basketball court locateddirectly behind the Dolley MadisonPublic Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.in McLean Central Park, McLean. Call703-759-9141 or visitwww.FreeTaiChi.org.

The Freeman Store & MuseumWednesday through Sunday noon-4p.m. 131 Church St. NE, Vienna. TheFreeman Store & Museum isdedicated to Preserving andpromoting Vienna’s heritage throughthe identification, preservation, andinterpretation of history significantplaces, events, and persons.Historicviennainc.org

Weekly Storytime. Wednesday andSaturday. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble,7851 L Tysons Corner Center,McLean. Themes and titles vary. Freeadmission.

Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. FlameRoom, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. S,Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.

Gentle Yoga. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.Emmaus United Church of Christ,900 E Maple Ave. E., Vienna.Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.Gentle Kundalini Yoga, one freeintroductory session, seniordiscounts. Increase flexibility,improve breathing and health, reducestress. Ravi Kaur has 15 yearsexperience teaching yoga. $15 persession. www.edimprovement.org.571-213-3192.

Colvin Run Mill open 11 - 4 p.m.daily, closed Tuesday. 10017 ColvinRun Road, Great Falls. FairfaxCounty’s operational 19th centurywater powered gristmill, offersrecreational and educationalactivities for all ages through dailytours, school programs and specialevents. Fees: $7/adult, $6 students16+ with ID, $5 children & seniors.

Admission to park is free except forsome special events.

Fundamentals of Watercolors.Mondays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Artsof Great Falls, 756 Walker Road,Great Falls. Artist Lorrie Herman willhelp students get comfortableworking with watercolors andunderstanding this medium. Visitwww.greatfallsart.org.

Evening Painting. Tuesdays 6:30 -9:30 p.m. at The Arts of Great Falls,756 Walker Road, Great Falls. JillBanks focuses on oil paintingfundamentals with two sessions eachof still life, landscapes, and portrait/clothed figure from a live model.Visit www.greatfallsart.org.

THROUGH DEC. 10Toys for Tots Drive. Various times at

Sheehy Infiniti of Tysons, 8527Leesburg Pike, Vienna. Sheehy AutoStores throughout Washington, D.C.;Richmond, Virginia; and Baltimore,Maryland areas will collect new andunwrapped toys as part of thecompany’s annual Sheehy Cares ToyCollection to benefit the U.S. MarineCorps Reserve Toys for Tots Programnow through December 10. Visitwww.sheehyinfinitioftysons.com/.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 1-22017 Renaissance Feaste. 7 p.m. at

Langley Halle at Langley HighSchool, 6520 Georgetown Pike,McLean. Holiday celebrationfeaturing costumed servers, jesters,minstrels, musicians, and the LangleyMadrigals. Visitwww.langleychorus.com.

Orphie and the Book of Heroes.Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Oakton HighSchool Robert “Skip” BromleyAuditorium, 2900 Sutton Road,Vienna. $10. Visit oaktondrama.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 1-3Tysons-Pimmit Library Book Sale.

Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-4 p.m.Tysons-Pimmit Library, 7584

Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Largeselection of books and media for allages and interests. [email protected] orcall 703-790-4031 or 703-338-3307.

SATURDAY/DEC. 2Breakfast With Santa. 8:30-10:30

a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Free community event open to all tobenefit Housing Up and SamaritanMinistry. Suggested donation is anew unwrapped toy. Call 703-759-2082.

Live Puppy Nativity. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.at The Church of the Good Shepherd(United Methodist), 2351 HunterMill Road, Vienna. Bring dogs todress up as part of the nativity.Costumes provided. Free. Thechurch’s youth group will be on handto accept donations for Second Story.Visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.

Home for the Holidays Musical.7:30 p.m. at The Falls ChurchEpiscopal, 115 E. Fairfax St., FallsChurch. Tysons Mclean Orchestraperforms with Melissa Mino. Call703-893-8646.

A Very Slambovian Christmas. 8p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple AveE., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visitwww.jamminjava.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 2-3Great Falls Studios Annual

ArtFest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at The GreatFalls Grange and Old Schoolhouse,9818 Georgetown Pike. Holiday gifts,paintings, photographs, pottery,jewelry, weaving and fabric arts,books, bonsai, art cards, ornamentsand more. Visitwww.greatfallsstudios.com.

SUNDAY/DEC. 3First Sunday Hike. 1-3 p.m. Wolf

Trap National Park for thePerforming Arts, 1551 Trap Road,Vienna. Wolf Trap National ParkRangers will kick off and Friends ofWolf Trap Volunteers will lead aguided hike for 1.5 hours throughout

the park. Call 703-255-1800 or visitwww.friendsofwolftrap.org.

Victorian Christmas Fund Raiser.1-4:30 p.m. at the Historic MountHope mansion, Oak Street, FallsChurch. The Victorian Society at FallsChurch is hosting “The Spirit ofChristmas Past” at the Historic MountHope mansion on Oak Street in FallsChurch to benefit Creative Cauldron,a non-profit performance artsorganization. [email protected] [email protected].

McLean WinterFest Parade. Pre-parade entertainment begins at 2:30p.m. and the parade will step off at3:30 p.m. sharp. The parade routewill be the same as previous years:Old Chain Bridge Road fromFleetwood Road to Elm Street.WinterFest 2017 will have foodtrucks again this year in the LangleyShopping Center. Visitwww.mcleanwinterfest.org.

Christmas Concert. 4 p.m. at ViennaPresbyterian Church, 124 Park St.NE, Vienna. The Christmas portion ofHandel’s Messiah, presented by theVienna Presbyterian Sanctuary Choirwith soloists Leah Inger, soprano;Jennifer Matthews, alto; TimAugustin, tenor; and Joshua Hong,bass. Commentary by Senior PastorPete James. Call 703-438-0718.

Holiday Sing-A-Long. 5 p.m. atL’Auberge Chez François, 332Springvale Road, Great Falls.Featuring the Great Falls DifficultRun String Band. Call 703-759-3800.

Jody Marshall’s Annual HolidayCelebration. Shows at 5 and 7 p.m.at The Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760-CWalker Road, Great Falls. TraditionalCeltic music. $18 general admission,$12 children. Visit oldbrogue.com orcall 703-759-3309.

THURSDAY/DEC. 7The MarketPlace Fair. 9:30 a.m.-

3:30 p.m. at at Trinity UnitedMethodist Church, 1205 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean. Will featureover a dozen vendors, a silentauction of goods and services, gifts,jewelry, baked delicacies, drinks and

a lunch café. Parking and admissionare free. Call 703-556-0197 or visitwww.mcleanwomansclub.org.

51st annual Holiday Homes Tourand Fair. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tour fourlarge, decorated homes in theMcLean neighborhoods of FranklinPark, central McLean, Spring HillFarm and Woodlea Mill, all withample street parking. Cost: $25before Dec. 7 at Mesmeralda’s ofMcLean, Karin’s Florist in Vienna andGreat Dogs of Great Falls or $30 onDec. 7 at the tour houses and atTrinity United Methodist Church,1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean.Call 703-556-0197 or visitwww.mcleanwomansclub.org.

STARTING DEC. 8Watercolor Workshops with Joe

Phillips. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at theVienna Arts Society, 115 Pleasant St.,NW, Vienna. Class each Friday untilJan. 1. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 8Gift Collection. 9:30 a.m.-noon at

Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124Park St. NE, Vienna. Collecting new,unwrapped gifts and gift cards forchildren and teens. The North EastVienna Citizens Association issponsoring the event with help fromGirl Scout Troop 2684. Visitnevca.wordpress.com.

Cooking Demonstration andLuncheon. 11 a.m. at L’AubergeChez François, 332 Springvale Road,Great Falls. Chef Jacques willdemonstrate how to cook Frenchdishes. Call 703-759-3800.

SATURDAY/DEC. 9Gift Wrapping Service and

Christmas Bazaar. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.at Andrew Chapel United MethodistWomen, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna.Shop for hand-crafted holiday gifts,gorgeous fine art jewelry, naturephotography, watercolors,homemade sweet treats. Giftwrapping is free. Visitwww.andrewchapelumc.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 10Live Music. 11 a.m. at L’Auberge Chez

François, 332 Springvale Road, GreatFalls. Guitarist Alexander Barnettplays a variety of acoustic music. Call703-759-3800.

Blue Christmas Service. 3:30 p.m. atKatie’s Coffee House 760 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. A non-traditionalservice of remembrance and hope,brought to you by Great Falls AreaMinistries. Call Carol Wright 703-582-1640.

McLean Youth Orchestra. 4 p.m. inthe Grand Ballroom of theCommunity Building of Vinson Hall,1735 Kirby Road, McLean. Visitwww.tysonsmcleanorchestra.org orcall 703-893-8646.

Christmas Concert. 4 p.m. at ViennaPresbyterian Church, 124 Park St.,NE, Vienna. A Cathedral BrassChristmas, music from Monteverdi toGordon Goodwin. Call 703-438-0718.

Christmas Youth Concert. 4 p.m. atSt. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715Georgetown Pike, McLean. The youthchoir leads with Christmas hymns,followed by reception. Call 703-356-4902 or visitwww.stjohnsmclean.org.

MONDAY/DEC. 11Santa’s Ride for Children. Donate

new and unwrapped toys, games,books and gifts to be distributed tochildren at Fairfax Hospital,Georgetown Lombardi CancerCenter. Email [email protected] or call 703-255-6324.

Entertainment

Live MusicIt’s “A VerySlambovian Christ-mas,” on Saturday,Dec. 2, 9 p.m. atJammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave E., Vienna.Call 703-255-1566 orvisitjamminjava.com.


News

Capitol StepsAttract MoreThan 800 toSCOVFundraiser

More than 800 fundraiser at-tendees were rolling in the aislesas the Capitol Steps political com-edy troupe wowed the audiencewith one skit after the other. Theevent was a benefit performancefor the Shepherd’s Center ofOakton-Vienna (SCOV) servingmature adults (50+) residing inOakton, Vienna, Merrifield, DunnLoring and portions of Fairfax andReston. SCOV reaches more than3,000 older adults in the region.

During the event SCOV also an-nounced that they will be celebrat-ing 20 years of service to the com-munity in 2018 and encouragedthose in attendance to considerjoining their new Legacy Societyto help ensure that SCOV contin-ues to serve the senior communityin the future. For more informa-tion about SCOV’s Legacy Society,visit scov.nm-secure.com/donate.

Vienna’s Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) stepped upto assist the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV)by volunteering at the charity’s signature fundraiser heldrecently at Oakton High School. From left: Ryan and MaryJo Robinson; Faith and Alex Boettger; and Deborah andNoah Ginsburg.

From left: Terra Cooke, Caldwell Banker (Gold levelsponsor); Leslye Lawson, Marketing Associate, Tall OaksAssisted Living (Presenting level sponsor); Mark Eaton,Capitol Steps, and Robin Edwards, Certified Senior Advi-sor, Care Patrol (Silver level sponsor).

Photos courtesy of SCOV


News

Packaging Food for Hurricane VictimsMore than 10,000 dry meals are on their way to hurricane victims thanks to a

local company and volunteers. On Monday, Nov. 13 Crescent Hotels & Resorts, ahotel and resort management company based in Fairfax, held an event withinternational hunger relief organization Rise Against Hunger. Sixty-seven peoplecame to the Sheraton Tysons Hotel to help aid victims of the recent hurricanes.Together, Crescent team members and local volunteers helped package 10,584nutritious meals to be served in emergency shelters.

Crescent Hotels and Rise Against Hunger hope to host another event in thearea in 2018 and will also be hosting additional Rise Against Hunger events invarious cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Crescent Hotels & Resorts manages more than 100 hotels across the country,including local properties such as Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks and SheratonTysons Hotel.

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

New Year’s Day 2018 will marksix years since Vienna resi-dent Day Martin was on herway to the gym when she was

involved in a car accident that ultimatelychanged her life forever. Although Martin’sinjuries were not severe, the accident lefther with minor back pain. When Martinreturned to her corporate desk job, shefound it uncomfortable with the back painto sit at her desk all day.

Looking for a solution, Martin thought ifshe could stand to work, her pain mightlessen. She created a temporary standingdesk out of cardboard boxes. According toMartin, soon her back felt better, and herco-workers took notice. They started ask-ing for standing desks of their own, but notout of cardboard.

Martin said that at that time in 2012, shehad tried to search for an appropriate prod-uct online. She put in different keywords,but after two weeks of online searching, shegave up. Martin could make a desk faster.She reached out to her father-in-law, PaulMartin, a carpenter in upstate New York.

“By force of will, I drew up some plansup (for a standing desk) and worked withmy father in law...In two to three months,we went from concept, to design, to pro-totype,” Martin said. Together they created

a product, now known and sold as theOriginal Stand Steady Standing Desk Con-verter.

The design led Martin to leave her cor-porate job and self-fund her idea. Asked inan interview how she decided to market andsell her product, Martin said that since shedid not have enough money for a physical

store, “I chose online sales because it is di-rect marketing.”

Martin said she has seen her idea growinto a multi-million dollar business in rev-enue, due in part by using Fulfillment byAmazon (FBA). It is a leading ergonomicoffice furniture retailer. Martin explainedthat FBA’s direct marketing promotes her

products to customers that need them themost, resulting in increased sales. FBA,Martin said, is cost-effective and simple forher. She is charged for her inventory stor-age space and the orders thereby freeingher up to create. For the customers, Martinexplained, the cost of shipping is includedin the fees, with no extra charge for Ama-zon Prime free Two-Day Shipping and freeShipping on eligible orders.

Asked if there were things she would dodifferently, Martin replied, “There werethings I didn’t know... If I had a betterknowledge of sourcing, I could have grownfaster.”

Martin’s business has done so well StandSteady resides in a new office in DunnLoring and employs five people. Martin saidshe and her team are continually searchingways to keep the standing desks, chairs, andaccessories affordable, and they spend a lotof time thinking about the desk assembly.

Martin said, “In my initial plan, I wantedto know I could put it (the desk) togethermyself – not call facilities.... We want ev-erything included – even the screwdriver.You quickly open the box, assemble it your-self; then you set up desk space.”

Summarizing her experience as CEO ofher own company and being an A seller onAmazon, Martin said, “I love leading myteam and coming up with new products. Weexpand the line and meet the needs of ourcustomers to make their lives better.”

Photo Courtesy of Stand Steady

Local Vienna Seller on Amazon, Day Martin self-funded her idea of astanding desk in 2012 and has since seen her business grow to multi-million dollar business in revenue.

Vienna Resident Shares Multi-Million Dollar Success Story

Sixty-seven people came to the Sheraton Tysons Hotel to help aidvictims of the recent hurricanes.

Pho

to

co

ntributed

Maureen Loftus, owner and executivedirector of LearningRx Reston andLearningRx Vienna, took home topawards from LearningRx’s national con-vention held in Colorado Springs, Colo.:the 2017 Life Impact Award and the 2017Community Impact Award. The Life Im-pact Award is given to LearningRx Reston

for fulfilling the brain training needs ofa client through multiple stages of life.The Community Impact Award is givento LearningRx Tysons as one of the topseven centers in the nation that have sig-nificant impact on the people in theirrespective community. Visitwww.learningrx.com/reston.

Local Brain Training Center ReceivesNational Corporate Honors

From left: Irene Ward, LearningRx Reston Center Director, KimHanson, CEO LearningRx Franchise, Maureen Loftus, ExecutiveDirector, LearningRx Vienna/Reston, Gina Forster, LearningRxTysons/Vienna Center Director.


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA450 ORCHARD STREET, NW

VIENNA, VA 22180703-938-8525

email: [email protected]

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To Highlight Your Faith Community, call Don at 703-778-9420

By Alexandra Greeley

The Connection

Launching an empire of compelling Indiandishes, Rajiv Chopra, managing directorand overseer of the menu of Punjabi byNature, deserves a culinary gold medal or

two. His three eateries — in Leesburg, Chantilly, andVienna near the Mosaic District — may be diminu-tive and humble, but those three kitchens assemblethe best Indian cuisine in the metro area. Truly.

Although Chopra is more manager than daily chef,this New Delhi native worked in restaurants therefor 20 years. “I took no culinary courses,” he said. “Ijust worked in the kitchen.”

He also attributes his culinary skills to his mother.“I learned from my Mom in New Delhi,” he said. “Nowshe tells me which of my recipes to use. And I do that.”

Chopra added that he also relies on the partner-ship with his wife, Shivani Chopra. “She believes inme and inspires me to do all this,” he said. “And onthe other hand, she helps me a lot, too. Without herhelp, this would not be possible for me.”

He added that both his parents love that he is in-volved in the restaurant business, living out his life’spassion. But even more than that, Chopra says thatmaking people happy with his food is all part of hispassion. And making people happy he does.

Where to start? At the Vienna location, the menubeckons with its lengthy offerings. To start, no one

should skip the choley bhature, the puffed-up wheatbread that looks like a golden balloon and comeswith a ramekin filled with a traditional chickpeaspread, which is dark and richly flavored — unlikeanything served in area Indian restaurants. A sec-ond bread appetizer with the same chickpea spreadcalls for a kulcha, a flat bread.

The balance of the menu extends what must bethrough every cultural take of New Delhi cuisine:butter chicken, lamb seekh kabab, tandoori chicken,grilled lamb chops and lamb curry, and four differ-ent styles of the famous Indian rice specialty, thebiryani. Of course, the kitchen also sends out spec-tacular Indian breads, from onion kulcha and garlicnaan to a house special: the chef’s unique chocolatenaan. Chocolate naan, you may wonder. Eating thisis like dipping into a sweet/savory dessert treat.

Desserts are limited to a few choices: gulab jamun/rasmalai and faluda kulfi, a traditional Indian fro-zen dessert. And, pointed out Chopra, patrons havea selection of cocktails and wine, plus his mixologistturns out some dazzling margaritas.

These listed dishes are only a handful of what pa-trons can delve into at this restaurant. To get the fullscope of what Chopra and his chefs turn out wouldrequire perhaps 25 return trips. Fortunately for thosewho live elsewhere in Northern Virginia, Chopra hasa Lansdowne and a Chantilly location, the latter inthe back of the Lotte market in Metrotech Plaza. Hedid hint that he has other openings in mind, andIndian food fans can hope that the next Punjabi byNature will be just down the street.

Punjabi by Nature, 2750 Gallows Road, Vienna, 571-489-8500. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday,Saturday, until midnight. www.punjabibynature.us.

Punjabi by Nature offerscompelling Indian dishes.

Vienna Restaurant Brings Taste of Delhi

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in federal law that allow stalk-ers and non-spouse romantic part-ners convicted of domestic abuseto buy and possess firearms. Istrongly urge all readers to callSenators Kaine and Warner, andRepresentatives Beyer, Comstock,and Connelly and insist that theysign on as co-sponsors withoutdelay.

Mass shootings gain nationalattention, but every life lost to gunviolence is tragic. Statistics showthat the holiday season is a par-ticular time of increased risk fordomestic violence involving guns.There are ways to reduce gun vio-lence to make every season saferfor families, but change won’t hap-pen until the public demands thatit does.

Gun violence is a public healthcrisis, not a challenge for the nextshooter, and we must begin to ad-dress it as such.

Luci CedroneMcLean

Gun Violenceand DomesticAbuseTo the Editor:

No one approves of gun vio-lence. I think we can safely startwith that assumption. The issueseems to be whether any govern-ment – state or federal – has a roleto play in setting policy that wouldseek to reduce gun violence.

Clearly, this question raises a lotof angst on all sides of the issue. Isincerely hope that if we can takea practical approach and ask leg-islators on both side of the aisle towork together, perhaps we canfind compromise.

What a novel idea in politics to-day, working together to find com-promise! I, for one, am grateful forany politician willing to work withthe other side to find commonsense solutions.

Del. Kathleen Murphy has donethis. In 2016, she worked with

Letters

Republican legislators in the Vir-ginia House of Delegates to pass abill that reduces the likelihood ofa violent family member shootingsomeone in the household. Thanksto her, any person convicted ofsecond domestic violence offensewill be guilty of a felony and pro-hibited from possessing a firearm.This change in the law requiredthe support of both parties in theVirginia General Assembly. Theoutcome is a textbook example ofa common sense compromise.

In the past session, Del. Murphyintroduced legislation that wouldfurther limit gun ownership bythose convicted of domestic abuse.It is refreshing to see Murphy’scontinued commitment to the is-sue and her belief that people ofgood will can come together andget things done.

Kate PhillipsVienna

Fact-checking onImmigrationTo the Editor:

The article “Independent Pro-gressive: Doublespeak on Immi-grants — Fairfax County in Leaguewith Trump?”(Reston Connection,Nov. 8-14, 2017) should havementioned the surprisingly lowcrime rates that immigrants havecompared to regular American citi-zens. There are significant barri-ers for immigrants when it comesto police enforcement because ofthe Trump administration.

According to the New YorkTimes and census data from 1980-2010 among men ages 18-49, im-migrants were one-half to one-fifthas likely to be incarcerated asthose born in the United States.The Fairfax County policeshouldn’t be in cooperation withthe Federal Immigration and Cus-toms Enforcement (ICE) andFairfax County law enforcementshould keep on trying to pledgeresolutions on not cooperatingwith the federal government espe-cially now that Trump and his im-migration plan are in effect.

The fact that our county is mak-ing money off the suffering of ourimmigrant communities is terrible.Most immigrants do not commitas many crimes as citizens becausethey are in such a close-knit soci-ety and Trump should check hisfacts before he goes and calls im-migrants just a bunch of “rapistsand murderers.”

Colin StoneFairfax

10 Year OldAsks: Audit thePentagonTo the Editor:

My name is Jack Shinkman, I am10 years old, and I am a memberof an Friends Committee on Na-tional Legislation (FCNL) Advo-cacy Team in Herndon, focusingon the need to rein in Pentagonspending. Our team of 15-20Quakers and other friends is oneof more than 60 such teamsaround the country trying to edu-cate the public and our represen-tatives on these issues.

The Audit the Pentagon act, anact to make the Pentagon open upabout what their money is

really being used for, shouldunquestionably be passed. More isbeing spent on the military nowthan at the height of the Cold War;a lot of the money the military usesis probably being wasted on weap-ons that are rarely used for anynecessary purpose.

The $601 billion spent on themilitary could have been used toprovide wind power to 595.33million households. Also, $1 bil-lion dollars spent in the militarycreates 6,800 jobs, much less thanthe 15,300 that education wouldcreate with the same amount ofmoney. Another reason to cutdown the spending is the waste.$125 billion has been wasted bythe military in the past 5 years.Think about all the things $125billion can do!

Jack ShinkmanOakton

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

SATURDAY/DEC. 2Recycling Day. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the

Northside Property Yard at 600 MillSt. The Town’s final 2017 QuarterlyRecycling Day will be held at theNorthside Property Yard. Wastevehicle products, including oil,antifreeze, and batteries, will beaccepted as will most electronics,basically anything with a plug exceptCRT-style or “big backside” television

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and computer screens. Hazardouswaste products such as insecticides,paint, and other chemicals are notaccepted. Visit www.viennava.gov formore.

Future Quest. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at GMU’sJohnson Center, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. College and careerconference for area middle and highschool students with disabilities, aswell as their parents, teachers andother professionals. Featuring morethan 40 workshops and exhibitsrelated to successful life after highschool. Free. There is free parking inLot K, or in the Mason Pond ParkingGarage for $8. Visitww.futurequestgmu.org to register oremail [email protected].

School Open House. 10 a.m. atBASIS Independent School, 8000Jones Branch Drive, McLean. Meetsubject expert teachers and schoolleadership, to learn more about theschool’s liberal arts and STEMprogram. This event features aninformation presentation, and aquestion and answer period. Visitinfo.basisindependent.com/december-open-house for more.

THROUGH DEC. 3Coat and Blanket Drive. Nova Relief

Center is holding a blanket and coatdrive for Syrian and Iraqi refugees

See Bulletin, Page 15


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Four hours up north with moderate hasslefirst thing Thanksgiving-Thursday morning.Dinner and all the fixings with family andfriends upon arrival, after a midday break.Conversations and such with young, mediumand old (with yours truly being the oldest ofour generation) until 1:15 a.m., (a recent timerecord for many). Up at 7:30 a.m. for break-fast with more casual talk and noshing. Outthe door at 9:15-ish heading back for animmediate day-after return trip home sched-uled to make an early Friday afternoon che-motherapy infusion. Infusion completed andon the final way home, a stop at the super-market at 4 p.m. – since we had noThanksgiving leftovers (turkey sandwiches inparticular) to satiate the deprived. Dinner assoon as possible since we were both hungryand tired after our up-and-back. Turkeybreast, mashed potatoes and peas for our ownleftovers, off-and-on television and nappingand then we both called it at 9:15 p.m. or so.

Twelve hours later, we were both awake.What a sleep! What a 24 hours! What a won-derful holiday! I wouldn’t characterize it as anordeal. However, it was a bit of an undertak-ing given my Friday afternoon commitment;my first-ever, post-holiday, having-to-rush-back-from-out-of-town excursion. Though inprevious years, we may have occasionallytravelled up and back in the same day, whenour route was two-hours to Pennsylvaniawhere the in-laws lived, we are older and pre-sumably wiser now and somewhat less ableand inclined to travel with as little margin andrest.

Compounded of course with Kenny-with-cancer being mostly behind the wheel, a per-manent designated driver since I don’t drinkand still see pretty well at night. Still, I’mhardly the driver I used to be and the affect ofthe holiday festivities on my fellow drivers isalways cause for concern.

But all’s well that ends well, except for thepiles of Thanksgiving day-afters left where welast saw them, miles away. Nevertheless, weare happy to have made the effort, despite theless-than-ideal timing. As difficult as this kindof schedule was/had to be, I can’t let, as muchas possible anyway, my cancer stuff: infusions,24-hour urine collection, pre-chemotherapylab work, quarterly scans and yearly MRIs andquarterly appointments with my oncologistimpact my semi-normal life. In fact, myoncologist has been a major proponent of my“quality of life,” an advisory he has regularlyencouraged.

I’ve always felt, from the beginning of mydiagnosis/prognosis, that I was not going tolive my life any differently than I had previousto 2/27/09. As challenging as that proved tobe on many occasions, my goal has been totry and integrate my life around my chemo-therapy – and vice versa, and to not let toomany chips fall along the wayside. Moreover,my philosophy has been not to bucket a listeither, but rather to simply live my usual andcustomary life and not be affected by my “13-month to two-year prognosis.” If I was doingbucket list-type things, things that I wouldordinarily not be doing, I felt that would bereinforcing a negative: that I was going to dieprematurely, rather than encouraging a posi-tive: that I am going to live.

For me, maintaining the status quo andcontinuing to do the little things that charac-terize who I am and what I value seemedmore appropriate and more Kenny-like. Notsharing Thanksgiving dinner with relatives withwhom I’ve shared a table going on nearly 40years wouldn’t have helped at all. Not now, orever.

Finding balance – and sanity in the midstof a battle royal – vs a “terminal” diagnosis,stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, is all it’scracked up to be. A little fun, make that a lotof fun, never hurt anyone, especially those ofus fighting for our lives.

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-Thomas Fuller

who have fled their homesto escape the violencefrom the civil war in Syria. Paxton Van Linesand Maersk are donating their services this year.Donated blankets and coats should be new orgently worn, and may be dropped off at anydesignated drop-off location below. To make atax-deductible donation, visit NOVA ReliefCenter’s website at www.NOVAReliefCenter.org

❖ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2719Hunter Mill Road, Oakton

❖ Office of Supervisor John Foust, McLeanGovernmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road,McLean

THURSDAY/DEC. 7Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at

UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Caregivers Support Group is held thefirst and third Thursdays of every month, yearround. Call 703-821-6838 or [email protected] for more.

MONDAY/DEC. 11FCPS Community Conversations. 6:30-8 p.m.

at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road,Falls Church, Cafeteria (Region 2). FairfaxCounty Public Schools (FCPS) SuperintendentScott S. Brabrand will host CommunityConversations to hear what students, parents,employees, and members of the community arethinking about and what issues are important tothem. Brabrand welcomes citizens to attend andtake part in any of the upcoming sessions thatare convenient for them. Citizens needing atranslator can make a request for servicesonline. Visit www.fcps.edu/news/superintendent-brabrand-schedules-five-community-conversations-fall.

THURSDAY/DEC. 21Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. at

UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Caregivers Support Group is held thefirst and third Thursdays of every month, yearround. Call 703-821-6838 or [email protected] for more.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDRSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking

service opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

Caregivers Support Group. 10-11:30 a.m. atUUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation ofFairfax - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna Caregivers Support Group is held thefirst and third Thursdays of every month, yearround. Call 703-821-6838 or [email protected] for more.

SUPPORT GROUPSAre You A Caregiver? Shepherd’s Center of

Oakton Vienna Caregivers’ SupportGroup takes place first & third Thursday ofeach month. February 2nd and 16th, 2017 from10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join us at theUnitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax(UUCF) - Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRd, Oakton, VA. For more info contactfacilitator, Jack Tarr, [email protected].

Haven of Northern Virginia Support Group.703-941-7000, www.havenofnova.org [email protected].

Virginia Chronic Pain Support Group Meetsfrom 1:30 - 3 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of eachmonth at Kaplan Center for IntegrativeMedicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300, McLean.Group leader, Jodi Brayton, LCSW. 703-532-4892.

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