homelifestyle - connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com
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HomeLifeStylePage, 8
Join with WFCM to ‘End Hunger Here’News, Page 5
Westfield Bulldogs Win Two Opening GamesSports, Page 6
Four Brothers in Eagle NestNews, Page 3
The four Wha-len boys, (from left) Matt, Con-nor, Sean and Ryan, are now all Eagle Scouts.
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Learn about Police RecruitingDet. Shawn Carroll will discuss police recruiting at the next meeting
of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).It’s slated for this Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at the Sully DistrictGovernmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. In addition,the station’s Officer of the Quarter will be honored.
Paint Rocks with CopsThe nationwide Kindness Rocks project encourages people to paint
rocks with inspiring messages and then leave them where others willfind them. People are playing hide-and-seek with painted rocks in hopesof spreading kindness and joy to those that discover them. One mes-sage at just the right moment can change someone’s entire day, out-look and life for the better.
So officers at the Sully District Police Station are inviting the publicto join them on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5-8 p.m., at the Sully DistrictStation, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly, to Paint Rocks with Cops.Supplies will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring theirown, as well.
Just RSVP to http://bit.ly/rockswithcops914 so police can make surethere’ll be enough rocks on hand for everyone.
Land-Use Meeting Is Sept. 16The Joint WFCCA/Sully Land Use and Transportation Committee
meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., in the Sully DistrictGovernmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. On the agendais a proposed rezoning of a nearly 20-acre parcel off Conference Cen-ter Drive in Westfields.
Elm Street Communities Inc. hopes to then build up to 158 single-family attached homes there.
Roundups
Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
Centre View
Many families have boys whobecome Eagle Scouts. ButPatti and Kevin Whalen ofCentreville’s Walney Glen
community have four sons who achievedthat honor.
Sean, 27, did so in March 2010; Matt, 24,in October 2012; Ryan, 22, in January 2013;and Connor, 18, in February of this year.And on Aug. 18, Connor officially receivedhis Eagle Scout badge during his EagleCourt of Honor ceremony at the GreenbriarCommunity Center.
“Your mother and I are proud of all ofyou, and to have four boys who are all EagleScouts is amazing,” said Kevin Whalen.“We’re blessed to have all of you as our sonsand as Eagle Scouts.”
Connor did his Eagle project in July 2018to benefit Centreville High’s Best Buddiesprogram. He repaired the school’s green-house, installed park benches and built anoutdoor garden area around thegreenhouse.ºAnd Whalen Landscaping, runby his brother Ryan, sponsored his project.
But Connor still had some more work todo to earn his other badges so he could com-plete all the requirements necessary to ob-tain the rank of Eagle Scout. He was alsobusy with his senior year at CentrevilleHigh, from which he graduated in June. But,finally, he was able to receive his Eaglebadge before heading off to college.
Connor was a member of Boy Scout Troop17, which meets at Fire Station 17 inCentreville. But before that, he belonged toTroop 146, so Scouts and leaders from bothtroops were among the 60-some familymembers and friends who attended his cer-emony.
Raj Sharma, Troop 146 Scoutmaster, ex-plained the significance of the Eagle rank.“It symbolizes strength of character andknowledge of all aspects of Scouting,” hesaid. “It’s the highest award of the BoyScouts of America and represents manyyears of dedicated effort.
“The Scout learns leadership, citizenshipand responsibility and gives service to God,his family and others in the community. TheEagle Scout embodies the Scout Oath,which guides and directs him. And obtain-ing the rank of Eagle Scout is also the cul-mination of the efforts of his parents andleaders and is an occasion for celebrationand joy.”
CONNOR’S BROTHERS also participatedin the ceremony, including the lighting ofcandles. His mom pinned on his Eaglebadge, and his dad put a Scout neckerchief
on him. Then Scoutmaster Emeritus KevinGaughan spoke about Connor.
“At Centreville High, he participated insports on the football and baseball teams,while earning a 4.0-plus GPA,” saidGaughan. “He also volunteered at churchand in the community and worked part-timeat his brother Ryan’s landscaping company.And now, we welcome him as an EagleScout – the fourth one in the Whalen fam-ily.”
Next, Kevin Whalen, who was also an as-sistant scoutmaster with Troop146, talkedabout the Eagle Scout bell. It’s a special bellwith an eagle etched into it and is soundedto welcome in each, new, Eagle Scout. And,accordingly, Connor rang the bell.
After that, Kevin Whalen, a former fed-eral agent, presented his son with a flagflown over the U.S. Capitol in an F-16 Vi-per by the International Guard in honor ofhis becoming an Eagle Scout. He also gaveConnor several official letters of congratu-lations from the president, the U.S. Mar-shals Service, other federal-governmententities and even the Pope.
“For six years, Connor volunteered withthe annual Scouting for Food drive, helpedvarious families in need, worked with theBest Buddies program and volunteered withthe National Honor Society,” said KevinWhalen. Then, addressing all four of hissons, he said, “I started Scouting in 1975and had fun like you did. But I never ad-
vanced because I didn’t have strong Scoutleaders like you did. And I had so much funliving Scouting with you.”
To Connor, he said, “You earned it, andI’m really proud of you. Keep living theScout Oath, remember to be prepared anddo a good turn daily.” In response, Connorthanked everyone who’d helped him alongthe way, including his leaders and his fam-ily.
“It doesn’t matter in life what othersachieve, but what you do,” added Gaughan.“Connor’s achievement was even more re-markable because he was under greaterpressure to achieve Eagle Scout after histhree older brothers did. And it will alwaysbe a great bond between you.”
He told Connor, “Your Eagle Court ofHonor marks a time of transition for you –leaving Boy Scouts and going off to college.And it’s the final ceremony having any con-nection to Troop 146, where many of usstarted, so many years ago. And the Whalenboys were a special part of those times.”
“Seeing young men achieving great thingsand leading lives of significance makes mehappy,” continued Gaughan. “And, Connor,I know you have what it takes to succeed atcollege and beyond. You make my heartswell with pride, and I hope you go on todo great things and, most of all, have a veryhappy life.”
AFTER THE CEREMONY, Connor said,“It’s really special to be able to join mybrothers in the Eagles Nest, and it means alot to me to accomplish this. My UncleJimmy passed away last summer, on the fi-nal day of my Eagle project. So it was tough,but I still went out there and finished theproject to honor him.”
Connor’s now a freshman at Virginia Tech,where he’s majoring in electrical engineering.
Four brothers insame family achievecoveted milestone.
Connor Whalen Officially Becomes an Eagle Scout
The proud Whalen family, (from left) Kevin, Matt, Connor, Patti, Seanand Ryan.
Connor Whalen lighting candlesduring the ceremony.
Scoutmaster Emeritus Kevin Gaughan speaks while the Whalens, (fromleft) Ryan, Matt, Sean, Kevin, Connor and Patti, listen.
Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View
4 ❖ Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Opinion
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
While most of my col-umns are about is-sues that needresolution and
challenges that state governmentmust meet, a column focused on what othersare doing to improve life in our communitiesis appropriate from time to time. If we allowourselves to relax for a few moments to seeand marvel in some good news, it does notmean that we are any less committed to im-proving the world or that we will lose ourmomentum in trying to do so. There are manymore stories of progress that I hope to share inthis short space in the future, but an event lastmonth deserves our immediate attention.
The Business Roundtable made up of 181CEO’s of America’s biggest companies issued anew “Statement on the Purpose of a Corpora-tion” last month that makes a dramatic shift frompast statements that emphasized shareholderprimacy to a “fundamental commitment to allof our stakeholders.” The broadened purpose isexplained to include delivering value to custom-
ers, investing in employees, dealing ethicallyand fairly with suppliers, and supporting com-munities in which they are located. (https://opportunity.businessroundtable.org)
Socially responsible actions taken volun-tarily on the part of many companies mayhave spurred the new Business Roundtablestatement, but the hope is that other corpo-
rations will follow with actions that are as posi-tive for their workers and the communities theyserve as they are for the bottom line. As theRoundtable statement explained, “investing inour employees…starts with compensatingthem fairly and providing important benefits.”
Maybe there will be a future where my bill toincrease the paltry $7.25 an hour minimumwage in Virginia will be supported by localChambers of Commerce instead of outright op-position they have expressed in the past. Con-cern for workers at the minimum should be thatthey are paid a wage on which they can live.
The Roundtable statement acknowledgedthat “while each of our individual companiesserves its own corporate purpose, we share afundamental commitment to all of our stake-holders.” Among the stakeholders are the com-munities in which businesses are located to
which the Roundtable members expressed that“we respect the people in our communities andprotect the environment by embracing sustain-able practices across our businesses.” The con-sumer continues to have the choice of buyingproducts that are made in a sustainable wayand to refuse to purchase those that are not.
The auto manufacturers who made an agree-ment with the state of California to follow strictemission standards for automobiles regardlessof the irresponsible action by the federal gov-ernment to lower standards are to be applaudedand supported by other states in the court suit.How ironic would it be if the courts decided thatcompanies could not gain a competitive advan-tage by being more environmentally responsible.
The Business Roundtable Statement on thePurpose of a Corporation concludes that “eachof our stakeholders is essential. We commit todeliver value to all of them, for the future suc-cess of our companies, our communities andour country.” Those same “stakeholders” arereferred to in government as “constituencies.”When the common goals of business and soci-ety as reflected through its government arerecognized, success will be realized by stake-holders and constituencies!
Purpose of a Corporation
By Wendy Gradison
CEO, PRS
More people are calling,texting and chattingand that’s good news.
With greater emphasis on men-tal health, we are seeing an in-crease in the number of people reaching outfor help to our local suicide prevention hotline.This is a trend that’s also occurring nationwide.
While it’s great that more people are seekinghelp, the issue is that the infrastructure and fund-ing to support it are having a hard time keepingup with the growing demand. In fact, PRS re-cently received grants to serve as a national back-up center and core chat center to expand ser-vices in support of the National Suicide Preven-tion Lifeline network (Lifeline) to help addresslonger wait times nationwide as queues pile upfor the hotline and chatline. Some of these callsand chats now get rerouted to PRS.
Prior to the recent expansion, PRS receiveda monthly average of 4,500 crisis calls throughthe Lifeline and local crisis number primarilyfrom Northern Virginia. With the addition ofthe national hotline back-up center and
chatline services, our call volume has morethan doubled, and we expect the chatlineto generate over 20,000 chats this year.
This is the reality as we approachSeptember’s Suicide Prevention Month. Forthe 5th year, we are hosting the#CallTextLive Campaign, https://prsinc.org/calltextlive/, in partnership with
Connection Newspapers. The campaign en-gages the community by providing activitiesto create awareness about preventing suicideand calling the PRS CrisisLink Hotline at (800)273-TALK [8255] and the textline by texting“CONNECT” to 85511 to receive support.
#CallTextLive uses social media, activities andevents to drive conversation and reduce stigma.By visiting PRS’ website at www.prsinc.org/calltextlive , people can discover how to par-ticipate in the #CallTextLive Campaign, whichincludes Resource Mondays, a Facebook Liveeducational session, Selfie Day, and Fact Fridays.
Social media is used to engage people insharing stories and photos on PRS Facebook,Twitter and Instagram using the #CallTextLivehashtag in hopes of making it easier for peopleto talk about suicide.
The campaign is critically important since
suicide claims the lives of more than 47,000people annually and is the 10th leading causeof death nationwide and second leading causefor people aged 10-34. In fact, more than twiceas many people die by suicide than homicide.
As we work to increase the number of indi-viduals seeking help, we recognize that increas-ing our capacity to take these calls, texts andchats is essential.
We handle the national calls through federalgrants, but the work we do to serve our North-ern Virginia community is supported throughlocal funding sources and the generosity ofindividuals like you. That’s why the campaignencourages people to crowdsource to supportthe PRS CrisisLink center.
Volunteering to cover a weekly shift on thehotline or chatline, donating to support theoverall operating expenses of this life-savingwork or sharing our information across socialmedia saves lives in our communities.
Crisis intervention and suicide preventionservices work. For every death, 278 peoplemanage to move past thoughts of suicide andsurvive. Join PRS this September as we encour-age our community to make the call, send thetext and live through their thoughts of suicide.
Being there to take the call.Preventing Suicide
To The Editor:I am super excited to go back to
school again and meet my friendsand teachers. I have lots of funthings to share with my friend. Thebest things about the new schoolyear is buying new clothes, shoes,and school supplies. It is so much
fun. Even though I am going tomiss sleeping in late, going to thebeach, riding my bike, and havingfun with my friends, as an Ameri-can Muslim girl I know that theimportance of education is not onlyis a requirement of my country butalso my faith. The Holy Quran
states, “Oh my Lord increase myknowledge” (20:115). Now that Iam going to be a fourth grader, Iam ready to learn new things toincrease my knowledge and hopemy fellow classmates do too.
Tamseela MumtazChantilly
Happy to Be Back to SchoolLetters
WriteThe Connection welcomes views
on any public issue. Send to:
Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.
Alexandria VA 22314By email:
Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Photo Courtesy of Harmonie Taddeo
WFCM staff members in their garden that helps provide clients withfresh vegetables. Standing, from left are Grace Foust, Client ServicesDirector; Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director; Jennie Bush, CommunityOutreach Manager; and Debbie Culbertson, Food Pantry Assistant Man-ager/Volunteer Coordinator. Sitting, from left are Dolly Bonta-Reavis,Client Intake Assistant; Pamela Montesinos, Food Pantry Director; andMary Ellen D’Andrea, Development Director. (Not pictured: Lillian Diaz,Client Support Specialist). Orange is the national color of hunger, andtheir Hunger Action Month T-shirts read, “Together we can#EndHungerHere.”
News
By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
Western Fairfax Christian Min-istries (WFCM) is joiningfood banks throughout thenation this month to make
people aware of the existing hunger crisisand help local neighbors in need. TheChantilly-based nonprofit works all year’round to ensure that people in westernFairfax County are housed and fed. Andnow, as part of the Feeding America net-work, it’s letting the community know thatSeptember is Hunger Action Month.
Pamela Montesinos, director of WFCM’sclient-choice food pantry, has coordinated amonth-long awareness effort including spe-cial T-shirts for volunteers and staff and fooddrives at a local farmers market. The orga-nization will also further serve its clients viaa client fair at the end of September.
“Hunger Action Month is a time for us topartner with food banks across the countryto raise awareness about food insecurity andto unite with our local community for new
solutions,” said Montesinos. “At WFCM, wehave expanded the variety of fresh produceour clients have access to through partner-ships with Capital Area Food Bank, Imper-fect Produce, a local farmers market andour own garden project. It’s important be-cause fresh fruits and vegetables are an es-sential part of a healthy diet.”
There are also many ways the local com-munity can get involved and lend a handduring Hunger Action Month. WFCM Ex-ecutive Director Harmonie Taddeo suggeststhe following actions:
❖ Shopping and sharing at the farmersmarket: During September, WFCM ispartnering with Community Foodworks toglean vegetables and other items for its cli-ents from the Chantilly Farmers Market,which is open Thursdays from 3:30-7 p.m.,until Nov. 11. It’s in the parking lot of St.Veronica Catholic Church, 3460 CentrevilleRoad in Chantilly. Customers may pick upfruits and vegetables for their own families,plus some to share with others. A donationbox will be on site.
❖ Donating the pantry’s most-neededitems: Donate directly to WFCM or anyother local food pantry. Consider flour, veg-etable oil, sugar, canned fruit, juice, cereal,oatmeal or canned meat. WFCM’s food pan-try is at 4511 Daly Drive in Chantilly (703-
Local nonprofitprovides food for400 families a month.
Join with WFCM duringHunger Action Month
See Hunger, Page 7
6 ❖ Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
The Westfield Bulldogs arenow 2-0 after wins onAug. 30 and Sept. 6. On
Aug. 30 Westfield shut out Battle-field HS 51-0. On Sept. 6 the Bull-dogs opened with 10 first quarterpoints. Champe would score atouchdown in the second quarterto bring things to within a fieldgoal but Westfield would pullaway behind the leadership ofNoah Kim who threw for threetouchdown passes. Isaiah Danielrushed for 110 yards on 14 car-ries and a touchdown. Mikal Legallrushed 12 times for 62 yards anda touchdown. Noah Kim threwtouchdown passes to AveryHoward of 26 and 28 yards whileAlex Richards caught two passesfor a touchdown and 66 yards.Howard accumulated 110 yardsfor the game.
Westfield Bulldogs WinTwo Opening Games
Westfieldstudents showtheir supportduring thethird quarter,
Isaiah Daniel #1sprints down thefield for Westfieldtouchdown in gamewith Battlefield.
Westfield’s QBNoah Kimlistens to thesidelines forthe next play.
Avery Howard#17 pulls inhis secondtouchdown ofthe game.Howard caughtthree passesfor 64 yardsand two touch-downs.
Photos by
Will Palenscar/
The Connection
News
Major constructionwork to installbridge beams fortwo new ramps
over I-66 and Route 28 beganMonday, Sept. 9, as part of theTransform 66 Outside the BeltwayProject.
Work is anticipated to last ap-proximately one month and willinclude multiple nights of detoursand traffic stoppages on I-66 andRoute 28 beginning the week ofSept. 15.
Drivers should plan for delaysand detours as work progresses torebuild the Route 28 Interchange.
The planned sequence of workand related traffic impacts is as fol-lows:Week of Sept. 8:
❖ Crews will lift bridge beamsoutside of existing travel lanesduring daytime hours. No detoursor significant stoppages areplanned.
Week of Sept. 15:❖ Crews will lift bridge beams
over I-66 West during overnighthours.
❖ I-66 West will be closed frommidnight to 5 a.m. each night.Drivers will be detoured to Route28 North to Westfields Boulevardwestbound, stay to the right forRoute 28 South, then follow signsto I-66 West.
Week of Sept. 22:❖ Crews will lift bridge beams
over I-66 East and Route 28 dur-ing overnight hours.
❖ Lanes will be closed on I-66East and Route 28 South with in-
termittent full traffic stoppagesduring late night hours. Stop-pages of up to 30 minutes willoccur between midnight and 5a.m. nightly.
❖ Route 28 North will be closednightly with drivers detoured to I-66 East to Route 286 (FairfaxCounty Parkway) North, stay tothe right for I-66 West and thenfollow signs to Route 28 North.
Week of Sept. 29:❖ Crews will lift bridge beams
over I-66 East and Route 28 Southduring overnight hours.
❖ Lanes will be closed on I-66East and Route 28 South with in-termittent full traffic stoppagesduring late night hours. Stoppagesof up to 30 minutes will occur be-tween midnight and 5 a.m. nightly.
Message boards on I-66 andRoute 28 will provide advancenotice of lane closures and trafficstoppages.
Weekly updates will be availableat Transform66.org and on Twit-ter @VaDOTNOVA.
To receive updates automaticallyby email, sign up here.
When complete, the Transform66 Outside the Beltway Projectwill feature three general purposeand two Express Lanes in each di-rection from I-495/CapitalBeltway to Route 29 in Gainesville.
The I-66 Outside the BeltwayExpress Lanes are expected toopen in December 2022.
All work is weather dependentand will be rescheduled if inclem-ent conditions occur.
On Twitter, follow VDOT North-ern Virginia at @VaDOTNOVA.
Bridge Beam Installation atI-66/Route 28 InterchangeBegins Next Week
MONDAY, SEPT. 9STOLEN VEHICLES:6700 block of Jenny Leigh Court,
2013 Chrysler 300
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6BURGLARY: 13900 block of Khalid
Lane, 9/5/19, 8:27 a.m. Someoneentered a garage and stole a bike.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4LARCENIES:4900 block of Westone Plaza, purses
from location
TUESDAY, SEPT. 3LARCENIES:4100 block of Dawn Valley Court,
medication from residence14900 block of Rydell Road, wallet
from residence5100 block of Travis Edward Way,
cell phone from residence13200 block of Yates Ford Road,
wallet from vehicle
FRIDAY, AUG. 30LARCENIES:4400 block of Chantilly Shopping
Center, cell phone from business
The following incidents were reported by the Sully District Police Station:
Crime Report
Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Not to be morbid in the least – or self-indulgent in the most (last week’s column, “Something or Nothing” notwithstanding), but recently I’ve had cause to hear about the future and be more con-cerned about the present.
I have a homeowner problem that like all such problems, is way beyond my limited skills: a crack in the concrete slab which “porches” our house, ap-parently caused by a very large and old tree growing way too close to this slab.
This is not a water-leaking-into-the-house prob-
home appraiser whom I’ve paid for – but not bought,
Given the two-week time-frame during which I was expecting to schedule this assessment – consid-ering the time-sensitivity of these applications, I was
totally unreasonable. Two weeks! I might as well have been asking for two months, which is what I ended up getting.
After hearing the nearly identical appoint-ment-unavailability story multiple times, and getting increasingly frustrated and impatient at the unlikely timely resolution of my problem – in my lifetime (no
to schedule an appointment which they did so with an apparent straight face (as much as I could glean over the phone): “I can have someone to your house on Oct. 25.” I snickered.
“October 25! That’s two months,” I said. (“I could be dead by then,” I said to myself.) To the woman I said, “No. I need someone sooner, in the next week or so. Good-bye.” (I made this call on Aug. 21.)
When I hung up the phone I started laughing at what I didn’t say and why I hadn’t said it. Being that
footing. I didn’t say to the woman that I could be dead by
-ing, a bit too close to my literal reality. It was a case
actually being able to cash that check. In addition to providing fodder for this column,
my calls to miscellaneous home improvement/con-crete/foundation repair companies left me not high, still dry, but totally unrequited. I needed help. I put myself out there and received practically nothing in return. It is a lesson I’ll take to the grave.
I don’t want to sound unreasonable because I still think I’m of sound mind (not so much sound body), but being diagnosed with cancer does, at least in my experience, move up your timeline, so to speak. There’s a certain amount of patience and accommo-dation that is totally ripped from your subconscious.
When your life is in jeopardy, dealing with the daily double: life and death, becomes extraordinari-
the form of questions. The uncertainty of it all is very off-putting. Sometimes, you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
Trying to live a “normal” life under these kinds of constraints – and restraints – can make Jack a very dull boy. And very often this dullness manifests itself
When your life is at stake, it’s nearly impossible to act as if it isn’t. Your brain seemingly gets rewired and re-purposed. As much as you attempt to retain your old and familiar self, this newer cancer-affected version slowly takes over.
You’re not exactly in “The Twilight Zone,” but “imagine if you will” at age 54 and a half, expecting to live into your mid-80s as both your parents did, instead being told that you have “13 months to two years” to live?
Though I’ve taken it mostly in stride and lived way beyond my oncologist’s expectations, to say one’s stride is not changed by the experience is to give naivete a whole new meaning. (Not to mention the fact that the neuropathy in both my feet makes
on.As such, as much as I want to plan for the future,
sometimes, it’s the present for which I need to plan.
Time and Again
From Page 5
988-9656).❖ Hosting a food drive: Consider hold-
ing a food drive at your school, business,church or in your neighborhood.
❖ Volunteering: Contact WFCM or an-other local food pantry to ask about volun-teer opportunities. Many times, there are op-tions in the evening or on Saturday, in addi-tion to weekday volunteer opportunities.
❖ Donating money: Monetary donationshelp service organizations such as WFCMkeep operating so they may continue to helpthose in need. People may make either one-time or monthly gifts to help keep healthyfood on their neighbors’ tables.
“The bottom line is that it will take a col-laborate effort and many strategies to solvethe hunger crisis.” said WFCM Board Presi-dent Andrew Casteel. “The statistics arestaggering. According to the USDA, nearly40 million people in the U.S. are food-inse-cure – meaning they lack consistent accessto food that will keep them healthy.”
But, he added, “We are starting right inour community to make a difference. AtWFCM, we serve more than 400 client fami-lies per month, providing fresh produce,milk, eggs, meat, bread and other essen-tials to ensure that they’re not only fed, butoffered the opportunity to make nutritiousmeals. I encourage all of our communitybusinesses, churches and families to join usin this important work.”
Since 1987, WFCM has been a criticalsafety net for residents in western FairfaxCounty struggling to make ends meet. Be-sides food, it also provides emergency finan-cial assistance for rent, utilities and otherbasic needs, as well as financial counselingand budget classes, a school backpack pro-gram and spiritual support. For more infor-mation, go to wfcmva.org/hungeraction orfollow Western Fairfax Christian Ministrieson Facebook or Linked In.
Hunger
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
THURSDAY/SEPT. 12There’s a Waze. 8-9:30 a.m. in The Richard
Frank Room, Sully District Office, 4900Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Learn more aboutthe newest “tool” to help reduce congestion,safeguard the environment, and improveemployee recruitment and retention,introducing Waze Carpool. Also learn about newincentives available to help employees trycommuting alternatives. Enjoying a breakfastwith fellow business leaders. Seating is limited.RSVP to Kelly Woodward at 703-945-0135.
SATURDAY/SEPT. 142019 Arts Educational Panel. 8:30-11 a.m. at
at the Reston Community Center Hunter Woods(Rooms 2-3-4). ARTSFAIRFAX welcomes thecommunity to the 2019 Arts Educational Panel,‘Think Like an Artist: Creativity in theClassroom’ featuring Dr. Kimberly Sheridan,Associate Professor of Educational Psychology atGeorge Mason University and Julie Carmean,Museum Educator and Coordinator ofProfessional Development at the NationalGallery of Art. $10-$25. Open to the public, butadvance registration is recommended at bit.ly/AFXArtsPanel19.
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8 ❖ Centre View ❖ September 11-17, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Calendar
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artworkencouraged.
ONGOINGRegistration Open: NVSO. The Northern
Virginia Senior Olympics features more than 60events that challenge the mind as well as thebody. New games this year: jigsaw puzzle andline-dancing. The games run Sept. 14-28. Therewill be no on-site registration. Visitwww.nvso.us.
Crafters Wanted for 2nd Annual Fall CraftShow. The Fairfax Station Railroad Museumwill hold its 2nd Annual Fall Craft Show andLEGO (TM) Train Show on Saturday, Oct. 12,2019, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For crafters interested injoining the event, booth space is enough roomfor a 10x10 canopy and cost is $50 per space.Email [email protected] for anapplication and further information. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Chantilly Farmers Market. Thursdays, 3:30-7p.m., through Nov. 11 in the parking lot at St.Veronica Catholic Church, 3460 CentrevilleRoad, Chantilly. The farmers market is a family-friendly weekly event where everyone can accesslocal foods around, and build connections withlocal farmers, small business owners, and theirneighbors. Farmers and vendors bring locallyraised fruits, vegetables, breads and bakedgoods, meats and eggs, local honey, wine, soaps,prepared foods, and more each week. Freeadmission. Visit www.community-foodworks.org/chantilly for more.
THURSDAY/SEPT. 12Fresh Food Drive. 3:30-7 p.m. at St. Veronica
Catholic Church, 3460 Centreville Road,Chantilly. The Chantilly Farmers Market isteaming up with Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries to accept food bank donations at themarket each week inSeptember. Free admission.Call 703-376-1170 or visit www.facebook.com/events/2024634134303532/.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/SEPT. 13-14Kids Wish Kids Good Night. 7-8 p.m. at Frying
Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon.Put a new twist on the bedtime routine byletting children wish a good night to the animalsat Frying Pan Farm Park. Bring a flashlight orlantern for this twilight tour and learn how farmanimals settle down for the night. Forparticipants age 3-adult. $10 per person, andchildren must be accompanied by a registeredadult. Dress for the weather. Call 703-437-9101or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
SATURDAY/SEPT. 14NVSO Opening Ceremonies. 9-9:30 a.m. at the
Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501South 2nd St., Arlington. Join the fun and cheerfor athletes at the opening ceremonies ofNorthern Virginia Senior Olympics, featuring thecarrying of the NVSO Olympic torch, ColorGuard presentation and recognition of Countyofficials and patrons. The public is invited, freeof charge, to all NVSO events. For moreinformation about events throughout NorthernVirginia during the competition, Sept. 14-28,call 703-228-4721, go to www.nvso.us or [email protected].
Westfield Tag Day. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Students fromBand, Chorus, and Orchestra will be visitingneighborhoods and requesting donations to theWHS award-winning music program for the2019-2020 school year. If students miss theirneighbors on Tag Day, they will still gratefullyaccept donations made to: WHS Music Boostersand mailed to: Westfield High School MusicBoosters, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA20151.
Dulles Day Plane Pull. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. atDulles International Airfield. This free openhouse offers a daylong schedule of activities andevents for all ages including a 5K/10K race onthe runway, aircraft displays, games, vendors,airfield tours and more. The signature eventfeatures nearly 100 teams pulling one of two 82-ton jet aircraft with ropes in a friendlycompetition that has raised more than $2million for Special Olympics Virginia. Visitplanepull.com/ for more.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 20-22Capital Home Show. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9
p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Dulles ExpoCenter, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center,Chantilly. Brett Tutor, the carpenter on TLC’sTrading Spaces, will headline with more than250 companies exhibiting and showcasing thelatest in home remodeling, renovation, décorand redesign. Visit www.capitalhomeshow.comfor tickets.
SATURDAY/SEPT. 21Native Plant Sale. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Runnymede
Park, 195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon. Pre-orders accepted – visit each vendor’s website(Watermark Woods, of Hamilton, and Nature ByDesign, of Alexandria), check inventory andavailability, send an email. Pick-up and pay atRunnymede Park during the sale Sponsored byFriends of Runnymede Park. Free admission.Call 703-615-7855 or visit www.frpweb.org formore.
Rain Garden Workshop. 10 a.m.-noon at SullyDistrict Governmental Center, James McDonnellRoom, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Raingardens, also known as bioretention areas, areattractive landscape features that allowrainwater and snowmelt to infiltrate into theground. Learn about designing and planting arain garden at home. Free. RegistrationRequired: https://bit.ly/33oEOtC.
SUNDAY/SEPT. 22Chipmunk Stroll. 1-2 p.m. at Ellanor C.
Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly.Participants age 6-adult are invited to take awalk with a naturalist to look and listen forEastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Learnabout the lives of these cute critters that inhabitthe park. $6 per person. Call 703-631-0013 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
Game Day and Scavenger Hunt. 1-4 p.m. atthe Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Play aTrain or History Game as well as try your luck ata Scavenger Hunt. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15,$2; 4 and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
Picnic with Purpose. 4-8 p.m. at Pavilion atFrying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. This is the inaugural fundraisingpicnic for Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park in thecovered outdoor pavilion behind the VisitorsCenter. BBQ picnic and entertainment includessilent auction, games, music and prizes. Visitfriendsoffryingpan.org/whats-new/bbq/ fortickets. Table sponsorships are also available.Event proceeds benefit the scholarship and grantfunds for Frying Pan Farm Park. $30, adult; $15,child; free, 3 or under.
MONDAY/SEPT. 23Stream Life. 6-7 p.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence
Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Explore BigRocky Run with a naturalist, use dip nets andkick nets to catch and release creatures andlearn about their role in the environment. Learnstream monitoring techniques and the impactshumans have on these fragile ecosystems. Ages 4and older. $6 per person. Call 703-631-0013,TTY 711, for more.
THURSDAY/SEPT. 26Erin Peterson Fund Golf Tournament. At the
Westfields Golf Club, 13940 Balmoral GreensAve., Clifton. Erin was a 2006 Westfield Highgrad who died in the April 2007 Virginia Techtragedy. Afterward, her parents started the ErinPeterson Fund (EPF) to award scholarships inher memory to those less fortunate, plus theLeadership for Tomorrow program whichprovides grants to at-risk male students atWestfield. Community members make thatpossible each year when they play in thetournament and support the fund. To register,go to www.erinpetersonfund.org and click onGolf Registration. Raffle tickets may also bepurchased online.
Fresh Food Drive. 3:30-7 p.m. at St. VeronicaCatholic Church, 3460 Centreville Road,Chantilly. The Chantilly Farmers Market isteaming up with Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries to accept food bank donations at themarket each week inSeptember. Free admission.Call 703-376-1170 or visit www.facebook.com/events/2024634134303532/.
SUNDAY/SEPT. 15Bichon Bash. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Bull Run
Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville.A fun-filled day of frolic to celebrate BichonsFrises and their humans. Featuring vendors andveterinary professionals. Funds raised helpprovide foster and vet care for Bichons thatcome into rescue. Rain or shine. $20. Call 717-324-9076 or visit www.bichonbash.org/.
NTRAK Model Train Show at Fairfax StationRailroad Museum. 1-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. The Northern VirginiaNTRAK members will hold a N gauge TrainDisplay. Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org or call703-425-9225.
MONDAY/SEPT. 16Farm Life. 11-11:45 a.m. at Frying Pan Farm
Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Learnabout elements of farm life. Children will get tospend time with a different farm animal at eachsession. Other activities may include story time,creating crafts and introductory-level farmchores. For children age 3-5. $8 per child. Pre-paid reservations are required. Adults mustattend with a registered child. Call 703-437-9101 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
Grand Opening: Zaxby’s. Zaxby’s, 43820Eastgate Shoppes Drive, Chantilly. Zaxby’s, anew fast-casual restaurant, is a favorite forchicken fingers, wings and salads. Visitzaxbys.com for more.
TUESDAY/SEPT. 17Live Music:Dana and Susan Robinson. 7:15
p.m. at Amphora’s Diner Deluxe, 1151 Elden St.,Herndon. Dana and Susan Robinson arecelebrating the release of their new recording,The Town That Music Saved. Their compositionshave been featured in Ken Burns’s “The NationalParks, America’s Best Idea” and “The DustBowl.” Suggested donation is $10 for membersof the Folk Club of Reston/Herndon and $11 fornon-members. Visitwww.restonherndonfolkclub.com for more.
THURSDAY/SEPT. 19Fresh Food Drive. 3:30-7 p.m. at St. Veronica
Catholic Church, 3460 Centreville Road,Chantilly. The Chantilly Farmers Market isteaming up with Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries to accept food bank donations at themarket each week inSeptember. Free admission.Call 703-376-1170 or visit www.facebook.com/events/2024634134303532/.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/SEPT. 20-21Kids Wish Kids Good Night. 7-8 p.m. at Frying
Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon.Put a new twist on the bedtime routine byletting children wish a good night to the animalsat Frying Pan Farm Park. Bring a flashlight orlantern for this twilight tour and learn how farmanimals settle down for the night. Forparticipants age 3-adult. $10 per person, andchildren must be accompanied by a registeredadult. Dress for the weather. Call 703-437-9101or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
BichonBash
A fun-filled day offrolic to celebrate Bi-chons Frises and theirhumans. Featuring ven-dors and veterinaryprofessionals. Fundsraised help provide fosterand vet care for Bichonsthat come into rescue.Sunday, Sept. 15, 11a.m.-3:30 p.m. at BullRun Regional Park, 7700Bull Run Drive,Centreville. Rain orshine. $20. Call 717-324-9076 or visitwww.bichonbash.org/.
Photo by Mary Bidinger
Students from Westfield High School’s Band, Chorus, and Orchestraprepare to head out for Tag Day, the music department’s biggestfundraising event of the year.
Westfield Tag DayStudents from Band, Chorus, and Orchestra will be visiting neighborhoods and requesting donations
to the WHS award-winning music program for the 2019-2020 school year. Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-5p.m. If students miss their neighbors on Tag Day, they will still gratefully accept donations made to:WHS Music Boosters and mailed to: Westfield High School Music Boosters, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd.,Chantilly, VA 20151.