little leaguers clean up nike fields

Camps & SchoolsPage 2

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Comstock Challengers Count on ‘Blue Wave’News, Page 3

Thelma’s Now LouiseNews, Page 6

Little Leaguers Clean Up NIKE Fields

News, Page 9

The Rockies Majors, a Great Falls Little League team, wanted to do its part to maintain GFLL’s fields

by undertaking a NIKE-wide clean-up campaign. After more than two

hours, the team collected more than 10 huge bags of trash.

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Camps & Schools

By Marilyn Campbell

One of the great pleasures ofsummer is going to camp.From kayaking and rockclimbing to horseback riding

and sailing, camp is a place where lifelongmemories are created. A recent study by thenon-profit, global policy think tank RANDCorporation shows that voluntary summerprograms like camp have a significant, posi-tive impact on low-income students duringa time when they fall behind their wealthierpeers both academically and socially.

Katie Crump, a case manager at InterfaithWorks, a non-profit organization dedicatedto helping the poor and underserved, saysthat the luxury of summer camp ofteneludes those who need it most.

“The opportunity of attending a real sum-mer camp is a big thing for them. Unfortu-nately, this experience can be unattainabledue to the high cost and finding transpor-tation among other things,” said Crump.“Attending summer camp affords kids a spe-cial and important experience that’s all theirown. It allows kids to be kids, somethingthat is particularly vital for low-income chil-dren who are often forced to deal with theburdens of adulthood at a young age.”

Despite the cost of summer camp, keep-ing children engaged during the stretch oftime between June and August when schoolis not in session is a critical part of their

development, says Jerome Short, Ph.D.,associate professor of psychology at GeorgeMason University.

“Summer camps give opportunities forchildren to develop social, emotional, cog-nitive, and behavioral skills,” he said. “Someresearch shows that higher [socioeconomicstatus] children increase academic and be-havioral skills over the summer and lower[socioeconomic status] children lose skillsover the summer. Research shows that lower[socioeconomic status] children benefitfrom learning social and behavioral skillsin different settings with new peers andchallenges to apply their skills.”

Even with limited resources, summercamps can still be accessible, says TomRosenberg, president and CEO of the Ameri-can Camp Association (ACA). “There is acamp for every budget,” he said “[Most]ACA-accredited camps provide some formof scholarship assistance. Reach out to thecamp directly to ask about specific finan-cial aid and scholarship options.”

The RAND study also showed that eventhough low-income students can lose up totwo months of math and reading skills over

the summer, high-quality summer programscan bridge that gap. Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)camps are an example of programs that canbe effective, but possibly unaffordable forsome families.

Wolftrap and Colvin Run elementaryschools in Fairfax County will be the site ofa non-profit STEM camp called Camp In-vention. Organized by the National Inven-tors Hall of Fame (NIHF), the hands-on pro-gram is designed for children in kindergar-ten through sixth grade. Through activitieslike building robots and designing gadgets,campers get a sense of what it’s like to be aphysicist or engineer.

“The program has sponsors that providefunding that’s used to helpunderrepresented kids attend the camps,”said Ken Torisky, spokesman for NationalInventors Hall of Fame. “The money is dis-tributed to students by the school district.”

Options for financial assistance for sum-mer camp run the gamut from discounts fordependents of those serving in the militaryto camp funding offered by churches, syna-gogues, and civic organizations. “I wouldsuggest to parents that they look into theirchild being sponsored by a local businessto attend a camp or look into payment planoptions at a camp that they are interestedin attending,” advised Stacie Gottlieb, di-rector, Bullis Summer and Extended Day

Programs in Potomac, Md.While Bullis does not offer financial as-

sistance for summer camp, Gottlieb saysthat there are discounts for early registra-tion and registering for multiple weeks ofcamp.

Parents should check to see if a camp par-ticipates in U.S. government assistance pro-grams, particularly those with income eli-gibility requirements, like Title XX, advisesRosenberg. While it might be too late forthis summer, he encourages parents to ex-plore Dependent Care Flexible SpendingAccounts and a Child and Dependent Caretax credit through the FSA Feds website:https://www.fsafeds.com/.

“I generally think lower income childrenbenefit when they have access to the sameopportunities as upper-income children andalso gain cultural skills and knowledge im-portant to upward mobility when they haveopportunity to interact with upper-incomekids,” said Amy L. Best, Ph.D., professor andchair, Department of Sociology and Anthro-pology at George Mason University. “I alsothink upper-income kids gain mightily whenthey have genuine interactions with kidsfrom other class backgrounds. Becauseempathy, cross cultural understanding, andan ability to work in diverse groups are skillsthat this new century demands, having op-portunities to hone those skills are of valuefor all involved.”

MoreCAMP INVENTIONhttp://campinvention.org/

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCEhttps://www.fsafeds.com/

Affording Summer Camp For families with a limited budget,paying for camp can be a challenge.

Great Falls Connection ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Challengers, Page 11

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

The six Democrats, four womenand two men, competing for thechance to unseat incumbentU.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-

10) come November, took to the stage toface each other and more than 300 inter-ested citizens from around the widespreadboundaries of the 10th Congressional Dis-trict. The district includes Loudoun,Frederick and Clarke counties, and parts ofFairfax and Prince William counties. Theforum was hosted by the Dranesville Dis-trict Democratic Committee at Colvin RunElementary School in Vienna, and intro-duced by the organization’s Chair, JenniferAdeli.

There was much agreement among thecandidates as they answered questionsposed by moderator Glenn Kessler, theWashington Post Fact-Checker columnist.The crowd applauded enthusiastically as thecontenders lambasted Comstock, PresidentTrump, and the Republican Congress on is-sues that included the TrumpAdministration’s attacks on the AffordableCare Act, the future of Social Security, cli-mate change, sanctions against Iran andRussia, DACA and immigration reform, therecently passed Tax Reform bill, tariffs andthe U.S.’s departure from the Trans-PacificPartnership.

ALL OF THE DEBATERS expressed theirsupport for the Affordable Care Act andtheir anger at how the program is beingdiluted, while offering differing solutionson the general topic of healthcare.

Lindsey Davis Stover, who served as aChief of Staff on Capitol Hill, as well as aSenior Advisor at the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs under President Obama,declared that access to affordable and qual-ity healthcare “shouldn’t be something wehave to keep marching for. It’s a right, nota privilege.”

Two-term Virginia senator JenniferWexton and Paul Pelletier, a former federalprosecutor, both support adjusting the fi-nancial threshold for the Affordable CareAct to allow more citizens to qualify forsubsidies, with Pelletier adding that control-ling fraud would help drive down costs.

Wexton lauded “Obamacare” as a goodfirst step, saying that “we don’t need to re-invent the wheel” and that a sliding scalebased on ability to pay should be investi-gated. “Let’s get creative.”

Dr. Julia Biggins, an infectious diseasescientist, took the healthcare issue a stepfurther, saying she would vote for a thresh-

old increase while working toward a “single-payer” healthcare system and a focus onpreventative care. “Let’s shoot for themoon,” she urged, saying that to date, Con-gressional efforts in this area have been“Band-Aids” on the greater problem. “It’scomplex,” she added, “but we’ve been talk-ing for decades.” Biggins also believes thathealthcare should be a government respon-sibility, and not tied to employment.

West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar, andveteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,Dan Helmer envisions a system whereAmericans can opt into Medicare. Helmer’sinsistence that the Government’s ability touse scale be “unleashed” to negotiate drugprices received a roar of approval from theattendees.

Questions concerning the Tax Reform Actalso drew criticism from the candidates andapprobation from the audience on theirnegative commentary.

“It’s a horrible product for many reasons,”was Alison Friedman’s assessment. Fried-man is a former senior official with theObama Administration’s State Department,authoring legislation to combat human traf-ficking and protect voting rights. In her es-timation, the Tax Reform Act is anythingbut, benefiting corporations and thewealthy above working families, singles,and those in most need.

Helmer called the legislation “one of themost unpatriotic” bills ever passed, andthinks a complete re-write is needed, “start-ing from scratch” to get it right.

The Republicans’ immigration bans andreforms and the proposed Border Wall alsogot a bashing from the candidates, withDavis Stover describing both as “heartlessand bad economic decisions” and callingattention to the exemplary safety record ofthe city of El Paso, Texas “right there onthat border. The ‘wall’ isn’t about nationalsecurity. It’s a symbol of hate.”

Friedman, who at one point during thetwo-hour debate called Donald Trump “thegreatest threat to our national security,”added that among the many reasons to runagainst Comstock, the comments she madeduring a debate when first running for Con-gress, likening the tracking of immigrantsentering the country to tracking FedEx pack-ages “are up there on my list.”

“All my time in Iraq and Afghanistan, Inever thought we were fighting to deportchildren,” added Helmer.

If moderator Kessler was hoping to catchthe candidates off guard with a direct ques-tion asking if they would support NancyPelosi in a Congressional leadership role ifelected, first-to-the-mic Friedman wasn’tphased. “Lucky me to get this one first!” shequipped, then fired back.

“This is not the conversation that weshould be having now,” she said, insistingthat Democrats needed to avoid “being di-vided,” and needed to pull together and stayon message.

While acknowledging Pelosi’s contribu-

Six Democrats vyingto unseat BarbaraComstock face off atColvin Run Elementary

Comstock Challengers Count on ‘Blue Wave’

Susan Jacobs and candidate DanHelmer. Jacobs, a McLean residentis supporting Helmer as the “bestcandidate” but says she will backwhoever wins the primary. “Theyare all good, with great resumes.”

The event was hosted by theDranesville District DemocraticCommittee. Chair Jennifer Adeliwelcomed the attendees and intro-duced the moderator and thecandidates.

The Democratic candidates vying for the chance to challenge incumbentRep. Barbara Comstock’s Congressional District 10 seat. From left, DanHelmer, Lindsey Davis Stover, Alison Friedman, moderator Glenn Kessler,Paul Pelletier, State Sen. Jennifer Wexton, and Dr. Julia Biggins.

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection


Opinion

By Sharon Bulova

Chairman, Fairfax County

Board of Supervisors

During today’s [April24] Board of Super-visors Meeting, theBoard marked up the

FY2019 Advertised Budget by avote of 8-2. Formal adoption of thebudget will take place on May 1. Iwould like to share with you my remarks priorto our vote this morning:

The process for adopting the County Budgetevery year is all about community engagement.Fiscal Year 2019 is no exception, with BudgetForums and Town Hall Meetings hosted in eachof our nine Districts, Budget Committee meet-ings (which included our partners on the SchoolBoard), and three days of public hearings onthe Advertised Budget earlier this month. SinceFebruary, our offices have received hundreds,if not thousands, of letters, e-mail messages,

phone calls and personal visitsfrom our constituents.

The Budget “mood” this yearwas harmonic, thanks to an Ad-vertised Budget that I believe hitall of the right notes.

The Budget that we are about to“Mark-Up,” or amend, is based ona tax rate of $1.15. The package:

❖ Fully funds the School Board’srequest, bringing teachers’ salaries

into competitive alignment with our sister ju-risdictions in the region;

❖ Overall support for our school system isincreased by $91.49 million or 4.22 percentover Fiscal Year 2018, with 52.8 percent of ourGeneral Fund Budget going to schools;

❖ Fully funds compensation for our Countyemployees with a 2.25 percent Market RateAdjustment, Performance, Merit and Longev-ity increases;

❖ Includes funding for Fairfax First, GangPrevention, the expansion of Diversion First

and Opportunity Neighborhoods, additionalslots for Early Childhood programs, and fund-ing to address the Opioid Crisis;

❖ Provides an increase in funding for Metro(pending a long-term solution), VRE and ourConnector Bus System.

While this Mark-Up package includes a 2 centincrease in the real estate tax rate, an increaseof $241 on the average annual tax bill, I be-lieve the additional revenue is an importantinvestment needed to shore up the foundationon which our quality of life rests.

I want to thank Budget Committee Chair-man Jeff McKay for his excellent work bring-ing this Mark-Up Package to the Board today,along with Budget Guidance that addressesissues discussed during budget deliberationswith each of our colleagues. Adoption of aBudget every year requires the good faith col-laboration of each member or our Board and Iappreciate everyone’s willingness to come to-gether on a Budget process that moves FairfaxCounty forward.

Budget Hits All the Right Notes

Time toRediscoverLibrariesTo the Editor:

As a current high school teacherin Fairfax County, and a futureschool librarian, I frequently hearthe question, “Why do you wantto be a librarian? Do kids evenread anymore?” April is NationalSchool Library Month, and I’d liketo take the opportunity to clarifythe answers to these questions.

In my school, the library is notonly already an essential part ofthe school, it is filled with un-tapped potential as well, becauseso many parents, students, andteachers are not aware of all of theopportunities that are available.Our school library provides ourstudents with technology access,research stations, a place to workand research, but also has lunchprograms to help students meeteach other and make friends; onsome days during lunch there is a

knitting group that meets. Stu-dents meet and teach each otherto create new stitches and pat-terns, and you haven’t seen aschool united until you’ve seen afreshman girl patiently demon-strating a stitch for the third timeto a senior football player. We havea book club that meets during ourremediation period once a month.The kids pick the books, and havesome of the most lively discussionsI’ve heard.

Even more than this, our libraryis teaching our students how to bedigital citizens and 21st centurylearners. They foster curiosity —not always an easy feat in highschoolers. They have a coding sta-tion where our students can learnto code, even if they aren’t takingcomputer science classes, and amedia lab where students pro-duce, film, and present daily an-nouncements for the school. Theyare trying to get a 3D printer inthe library, as well as virtual real-ity technology to allow our stu-dents to explore places and ideasto which they might never other-

wise have access.So yes, kids do still read. But

these also aren’t the same schoollibraries that we had; no longer isthe library a silent, intimidatingtomb of books. Go check out yourlocal school library after schoolone day in April — you might justbe surprised at what you find!

Meagan MajorFairfax

StoppingViolence inAny FormTo the Editor:

In response to your last week’sopinion piece calling a new statelicense plate with the words “StopGun Violence” a small victory, Ioffer the following:

I notice that the Virginia Gen-eral Assembly and the Governorhave passed a bill for a new li-cense plate with the words “StopGun Violence” on it. There are

those of us who are opposed toviolence in any form – knife vio-lence, explosives violence, poisonviolence, vehicular violence, andthe like. Everett Piper recentlystated: “Take away guns and we’lluse a knife. Take away knives andwe’ll use a club. Take away clubs,and we’ll use a rock.” The leadeditorial in the 4-10-18 edition ofThe Washington Times observedthat knifings across the BritishIsles are up 21 percent. Stabbingsin London in 2017 are at theirhighest level in 6 years, up 23percent over the previous year.Knives and acid are the two mostcommon weapons used in Lon-don. Violence starts in the heart -not in the hand.

The Virginia General Assembly’smyopic focus on guns is not thesolution to stopping violence. Isuggest the General Assembly andGovernor would better serve Vir-ginians by renaming the licenseplate “Stop Violence”.

Paul McIlvaineAlexandria

Letters to the Editor

Fairfax County is offering the followingFREE “Caring for You, Caring forMe” programs; a blend of interactivesupport and education for caregiversof older adults.

Monday, May 7-June 11 (5 weeksevery Monday), 1:30-3:30 p.m. atLincolnia Adult Day Health CareCenter, 4710 North Chambliss St.,Alexandria. Find out more atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdultsand click on Caring for You, Caringfor Me Program or call 703-324-7577 or 703-324-7210, TTY 711.

Thursday, May 31-Jun 28 (5 weeksevery Thursday), 7-8 p.m. at

Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768Center St., Herndon. Find out moreat www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on Caring forYou, Caring for Me Program or call703-324-7577 or 703-324-7210,TTY 711.

Fairfax County’s free FamilyCaregiver Telephone SupportGroup meets by phone onTuesday, May 8, 7-8 p.m. Thismonth’s topic is “Using Humor as aSurvival Tool”. Register beforehandat www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on CaregiverSupport/Respite. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711.

Fairfax County is offering a freeMedicare 101 program. Learn thefacts about health insurance for olderadults. Monday, May 14, 10:30a.m.- Noon. Lord of Life LutheranChurch, 5114 Twinbrook Rd.,Fairfax. To register, call Mary Walkerat 703-278-8375, TTY 711. Findout more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults and click on Medicare/Insurance Counseling.

The Fairfax Commission on Agingmeets on Wednesday, May 16, 1-3 p.m. at the Sully DistrictGovernmental Center, Richard FrankRoom, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd.,

Chantilly. The public is welcome toattend and join in the commentperiod that begins each session. Findout more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/coa.htm. Call703-324-5403, TTY 711 formeeting access needs.

NEW FAIRFAX COUNTY 50+ VIDEO &PODCASTS:

❖ 50+ Employment Expo and CountyResources

❖ 50+ Courses at County’s Adult andCommunity Education Program

❖ What Older Adults Should KnowAbout Opioids

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Great Falls


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Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Scholarship Fund(GFFNSF) will hold its second annual fundraiser on Thursday,May 3 , 4 – 9 p.m. at Mookie’s BBQ (1141 Walker Road, GreatFalls). GFFNSF is a non-profit organization in Great Falls thatprovides scholarships to women. The money raised from theevent will fund scholarships for local women for the upcomingacademic year. Ten percent of all purchases at Mookie’s BBQwill go directly toward these scholarships. This includes bartabs, eat in, and take-out orders. So, if you don’t have time toeat at Mookie’s BBQ, take home some delectable BBQ to yourfriends and family.

GFFNSF is a 501(c)(3) organization providing scholarships towomen over the age of 25 with financial need, a minimum GPAof 3.0, who live in Northern Virginia and attend George MasonUniversity or Northern Virginia Community College. For theacademic year 2017 - 2018, GFFNSF awarded five scholarships.One of these scholarships was funded by last year’s fundraiserat Mookie’s BBQ. This year, the goal is to raise funds for threescholarships.

The event promises a fun-filled night with delicious BBQ and“celebrity” bartenders who will pour you a drink and takedonations. A raffle will be held for two $100 Mookie’s BBQ giftcertificates – great for those summertime barbeques. Raffletickets are $5 each or five for $20.

To learn more about GFFNSF, visit www.GFFNSF.org

Fundraiser for Women’sEducation to Be Held May 3

Adam Christopher Toohey, 30,passed away on April 15, 2018after a two-year battle withcolorectal cancer.

The son of Michael Toohey andJean Reimers, Adam was born onOctober 10, 1987 in Fairfax andgrew up in Great Falls. He was agraduate of East Carolina Univer-sity where he graduated with hisBachelors of Kinesiology. He wasa huge East Carolina, WashingtonRedskins and Baltimore Oriolesfan. Adam also received his Mas-ters in Leadership Administrationfrom the University of Oklahoma.While at OU, he worked as agraduate assistant and a strengthand conditioning coach. He wasproud to have worked with the OUbaseball team when they won theBig 12 Championship.

After graduation, Adam ownedand operated Toohey Athletic Per-formance, where he trained chil-dren from elementary to collegeage.

He enjoyed playing and watch-ing golf, baseball, and football. Hewas an outdoorsman and also anEagle Scout. Adam enjoyed goosehunting, deer hunting and troutfishing.

Adam was an amazing youngman. He never complained duringhis courageous year battle withcancer. The family would like toespecially thank Encompass HomeHealth and Hospice for their great

care and support they gave toAdam and the family.

In lieu of flowers, you may makedonations to Ronald McDonaldHouse at OU Children’s Hospital1301 NE 14th St, OKC, OK 73117,or http://rmhc-okc.org/get-in-volved/donate/

Adam is survived by his wife,Sarah Elizabeth Toohey; his be-loved black lab, Crash; father MikeToohey and wife Lisa of Sterling,Va.; mother Jean Reimers ofLovettsville, Va.; brothers, MarkToohey and wife Carol Ann of Lo-cust Grove, Va, Keith Toohey andwife Stephanie of Huntsville, Ala.,and a host other loving familymembers and friends.

Adam Christopher Toohey, 30

Obituary

Adam Christopher Toohey


News

By Ken Moore

The Connection

Verity Commercial hasn’t yet sub-mitted a special exception appli-cation to build a 62-unit, as-sisted-living, memory-care facil-

ity in Great Falls; as of Wednesday, April19, 2018, its co-founder Herman G. Dieblerhadn’t even officially closed on the purchaseof land from Wayne Foley at 1131 WalkerRoad.

But Diebler and Rick Irwin, CEO ofIntegraCare, wanted to begin a conversa-tion with Great Falls residents and mem-bers of Great Falls Citizens Association, be-fore the land use process officially begins.

“I have to give it to these guys, theyhaven’t even applied for their thing, but theyare here, they are listening,” said EricKnudsen, past president of Great Falls Citi-zens Association.

Knudsen said Great Falls Citizens Asso-ciation probably “delayed their process sixto eight months to ask for this.”

Diebler and Irwin, with their land useattorney Lori Greenlief from MaguireWoods, plan to submit an application to thecounty for the 62-unit facility in June of2018; should the process go smoothly, theyhope for site plan approval by the PlanningCommission and then the Board of Super-visors in January 2020 and hope to be openfor residents in February 2021.

“You guys are right here at the beginning,”Diebler told members of Great Falls CitizensAssociation, at the Land Use and Zoningcommittee meeting held at Great Falls Li-brary on Wednesday, April 19, 2018.

“We have to be selective in the projectswe do. Because we are a small company,we have to be successful,” said Irwin, whosecompany from Wexford, Pa. outside Pitts-burgh, has acquired and developed 21 as-sisted-living facilities, including two in de-velopment in Reston.

A SPECIAL EXCEPTION is needed be-cause the 2.8 acre parcel at 1131 WalkerRoad is less than the required five acres re-quired to build a medical facility.

Currently, the land is split zoned C-8(commercial) and R-1 (residential), and a49-foot, two-story office and retail build-ing could be built by-right immediately,without need for additional county ap-proval.

The property is located at the intersec-tion of Colvin Run and Walker roads.Diebler said it’s the last property in GreatFalls with access to sewer.

“We believe our proposed use is signifi-cantly less impactful on the surroundingneighborhood than the by-right C-8 zoninguses that are currently allowed,” wrote

Diebler to the Great Falls Citizens Associa-tion in early 2018, citing uses such as res-taurants, gas stations, offices, a funeralhome, a church or a bowling alley currentlyallowed. “Our proposed senior living facil-ity will create less parking and traffic issuesand less noise with no impact to schools.”

Knudsen and president Bill Canis of GreatFalls Citizens Association alerted its mem-bers that the community has more abilityto get involved and impact the process anddetails because a special exception is beingsought.

The soon-to-be proposed assisted livingbuilding will be 53,104 square feet in to-tal; 20,644 square feet for a lower levelmemory care portion, 16,115 square feetfor a second floor assisted living and 16,345square feet for ground floor assisted living.

“We have no comment on a proposal un-til we have an actual plan before us,” saidKnudsen.

Diebler and Irwin anticipate the facilitywould generate approximately 169 daily cartrips from the building, and that 44 park-ing spaces would be needed. The height ofthe building would be 32 feet in front, and44 feet in back, they said.

THE POTENTIAL FACILITY would be aneighbor to Brightview Great Falls, at 12000Colvin Mill Road, the former site of GreatFalls famous Thelma’s Country Store.Brightview Great Falls opened in 2014 andhas 62 assisted living units and 25 memory

care units.Brightview Great Falls successfully re-

ceived a special exception in 2011 to buildon the 3.56 acre lot, according to PlanningCommission documents.

“The more involved the citizens are aboutthe process … the more thoroughly yourconcerns will be vetted,” said Bill Canis,president of Great Falls.

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust is in-terested in public opinion, said his land usespecialist Ben Wiles, who attended themeeting.

“We have five [GFCA] Board members inthis room; so we’re listening,” said Knudsen.

BUT JOE SARTIANO, a close neighbor tothe facility’s proposed location, hasn’t for-gotten the BrightView Great Falls specialexception and construction process; he isn’teager to begin again.

“I lived through Brightview,” saidSartiano, who organized a petition to sayno to Brightview, when it sought a specialexception from the Board of Supervisors in2011 to build its facility at the site of theformer Thelma’s.

“I’d like to at least commend you on yourtransparency,” he told Diebler and Irwin,“but it seems like the onus is on us to stopthis.”

Of the new location for an additional as-sisted-living and memory care facility, hesaid, “I drive by that property every day andit’s an eyesore so I’ve been looking forward

to something being developed, but I’m trulyagainst the special exception.”

Sartiano had hoped free market wouldfacilitate a different type of use, even if it’sthe one currently allowed for by-right.

Mark West is another immediate neigh-bor. “I love the architecture, I love whatyou’re trying to do,” he said, on first reac-tion. But obviously he will be affected, andhe compared the size of the facility to thesize of the White House.

He wanted to learn how Great Falls Citi-zens Association might help him and hisneighbors as they determine how to respondto the special exception proposal when it’sactually proposed.

“You’re not alone,” said Knudsen.Brian Clark’s house is located down the

hill from the proposed facility.Because of the topography of the site, “I’m

going to look up at this huge building,” saidClark.

He described his walks around the areaat night, when it’s pitch black and quiet. “Itfeels like you’re in absolute nowhere,” hesaid.

“This will change the dynamic entirely,”he said. If he had known that an assistedliving facility was going to be proposed, hesaid, “we would not have bought ourhouse.”

DIEBLER AND IRWIN did their research;they know Great Falls Citizens Associationadvocates for dark skies.

Their architect William R. Drury, of Ar-chitecture, Inc. in Reston, plans for the in-side to mirror the look of the inside of ColvinRun.

Their site engineer is a Great Falls resi-dent and knows the community’s advocacyof tree preservation and open space.

The facilities look to have the potentialto be an activities director’s dream, with abrick oven and open kitchen facility whereresidents can remain involved in cookingdemonstrations. Artists from Great Falls willbe invited for activities in a planned art stu-dio as well. Amenities also include a coun-try house cabin decor, automatic sensoreddoors to residents’ apartments, and auto-matic motion lighting to help prevent fallsin the middle of the night.

And Diebler and Irwin presented statisti-cal demographics to suggest that Great Fallswill benefit from an additional assisted-liv-ing facility.

“We marketed this property for a yearbefore we decided we wanted this site,” saidDiebler. The land is currently assessed at$3,203,700, according to Fairfax Countyrecords.

With a total population of 17,793 in GreatFalls, 3,058 people are older than 65 and2,978 are between the ages of 55-64.

The building would include 42 assistedliving units and 20 memory care units.

“To me, it’s pretty striking that there’s aneed,” said Diebler.

Second assisted-living facility sought in Colvin Run neighborhood,before past wounds fully heal.

Thelma’s Now Louise

Photo by Ken Moore/The Connection

Herman Diebler and Rick Irwin (seated) alert Great Falls Citizens Asso-ciation of their plans to build 62-unit assisted living and memory carefacility at the intersection of Walker and Colvin Run roads. They plan tosubmit a special exception application to the county in June 2018 andhope to open in February 2021.


Learn About Adver� sing in the Connec� on

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News

By Kathleen Murphy

Market Manager

When we packed up and headed for thehistoric Grange Hall in early Decem-ber we never imagined that we wouldbe setting up again in the parking lot

at the Great Falls Village Centre. Planning is going abit more slowly than expected and we welcome thechance to delight you once again in our old stomp-ing grounds. The search continues for a new place,but we are very grateful for this chance to gather inour old digs once again.

Our warmest thanks to TD Bank, our winter mar-ket sponsors. In the old Grange tradition, winter is atime of fidelity. During the barren winter months,the Grangers developed the leadership trait of fidel-ity – being faithful to their mission in spite of theempty fields – having confidence that the earth willflourish again. TD Bank made it possible for themarket to continue during the tough winter months,inviting new people to join in and creating consis-tent conditions in tough times. During our monthsindoors, friendships have blossomed through themany holidays, feasts, vacations, and storms.

We are ready to delight your family with healthyfood options all summer long: Diaz Berries & Veggiesreturns this Saturday with Asparagus as the head-line! OMG Microgreens will amaze you with a goodspread of microgreen choices.

Tuscarora Organic Growers Coop returns with cer-tified organic produce. Vordonia Extra Virgin OliveOil has the most pure, low acid, rich EVOO you canfind anywhere. Our Zaatar is made of the freshestingredients, and SpicedForYou offers cryogenicallydried herbs, spices, and curries, with spices combi-nations from around the world.

This summer, you may find your fresh, unfrozenlocal fish and seafood at our market, as well as per-

sonally wild-caught Alaskan Salmon by local fisher-men who travel to Alaska (Cold Country Salmon).You will find grass-fed beef, pork, pastured chick-ens, and eggs at our market (Liberty Hill Farm andHigh View Farm). All supplemental feeds are organic.If you need some help with meal preparation, thereare pot-pies and soups (Liberty Hill Farm), veggieburgers (Pure Veg), empanadas (World Eats),spanakopita and more (Our Mom Eugenia).

EC Pastries has returned with her amazing selec-tion of pastries, cakes, pies and more. Baguette Re-public has built a new kitchen over the winter andhas one kitchen for breads and one for pastries. Tastethe difference. Lemonade is joining the market thisweek with coffee! That will surely entice you to lin-ger long. Boyah Gourmet offers gluten-free, sugar-free handmade chocolate.

We have music every Saturday and tables andchairs for you to take a moment to relax and enjoyyour community. If you would like to participate inor contribute to the market, please let us know [email protected]

Great Falls Farmers MarketOpens for Summer Season

EC Pastries has returned with amazingselection of pastries, cakes, pies and more.

Photos contributed

Karen of Arnest Seafood bring fresh-caught, unfrozen fish and seafood to the marketevery Saturday including oysters, shrimp, scallops, rockfish, and more.


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

ONGOINGSolo Art Exhibit. “A Study of

Manhattan: Power, Dominance andExcitement” by Great Falls StudiosArtist Robert Gilbert. Through May 6,at The Torpedo Factory at the ArtLeague in Alexandria. The Gallery islocated at 105 North Union St.,Alexandria. Visit torpedofactory.org.

“Fly By Night.” Through May 6 at 1stStage in Tysons, 1524 Spring HillRoad, Tysons Corner. It’s 1965 inNew York City and the lights areabout to go out. But not before amelancholy sandwich maker becomesenchanted with two sisters in thisbittersweet romantic tale aboutfinding hope in a world beset bydarkness. $38 general admission, $35seniors (65+), $15 students andmilitary. Visit www.1ststage.org orcall 703-854-1856.

BRX Artist Showcase. Through May11 at BRX American Bistro, 1025-ISeneca Road, Great Falls. The Sorta-Quarterly Artist Showcase:throughout the year, BRX will beexhibiting a selection of works intheir dining room by an artist fromBroadway Gallery’s portfolio.Currently on display is Hiromi Ashlin.Email Donald Dusinberre [email protected]

Children’s Art Exhibit. Through May14 at Great Falls Village Starbucks,9863 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Great Falls Studio Arts and GreatFalls Village Starbucks present ColvinRun Elementary School children’sartwork. The presentation wasselected by Lauren Grimm andRachel Wiseman, art instructors.

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] more.

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 for more.

Colvin Run Mill open 11-4 p.m. daily,closed Tuesday. 10017 Colvin RunRoad, Great Falls. Fairfax County’soperational 19th century waterpowered gristmill, offers recreationaland educational activities for all agesthrough daily tours, school programsand special events. Fees: $7/adult,$6 students 16+ with ID, $5 children& seniors. Admission to park is freeexcept for some special events.

Fishing Rod Rentals. Riverbend Park,8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls.Rentals available during visitorcenter hours. Fishing tackle and livebait are available for purchase.Reservations required for grouprentals. $6/rental (2 hour max).Valid driver’s license required. Rod/reel combinations are perfect forbeginners and children. A Virginia orMaryland freshwater fishing licenseis required for those 16 years orolder. The park does not sell fishinglicenses. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 25Restaurant Fundraiser. 11 a.m.-9

p.m. at Mookie’s BBQ, 1141 WalkerRoad, Great Falls. Mookie’s BBQ willdonate 10 percent of all sales all dayto paws4vets, a nonprofit that placesservice dogs with veterans. Join yourfriends and neighbors at Mookie’s orenjoy take-out at home. Check out

the online silent auction to benefitpaws4vets running through April 26.Visit www.biddingowl.com/paws4people to bid on giftcertificates for local restaurants,jewelry, event tickets and more.Contact Susan Kurtz [email protected] or call 703-472-8079.

THURSDAY/APRIL 26“Colors of Change” Film. 7 p.m. at

Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Filmmaker JennyNichols, who grew up in Great Falls,explores Greenland through the eyesof an artist, a NASA scientist, and anInuit elder. Each character representsa different way that humansinternalize information: heart, mindand spirit. They demonstrate theintersection of art, culture andscience in a region defined by climatechange. Presented by Great FallsStudios. Contact James Diedrich [email protected].

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 26-29“9 to 5, The Musical.” April 26, 27,

and 28 at 7 p.m.; with matinees April28 and 29, 2 p.m. at McLean HighSchool’s Burke Auditorium, 1633Davidson Road, McLean. Get up andwork as McLean High School’s“TheatreMcLean” presents DollyParton’s hit musical comedy, “9 to 5.”Tickets are $12/online; $15/door. Toorder tickets, visit theatremclean.org.

FRIDAY/APRIL 27Night Out at National Harbor.

3:30-11:30 p.m. Meets at The OldFirehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Part of the Old FirehouseFriday Night Trips. Cost is $55/$45MCC District Residents. Take inextraordinary views of Washington,D.C., on the Capital Wheel, dinnerand discover much more. Admissionand dinner are included in the fee.Visit www.mcleancenter.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 28Fairfax Run for the Children. 8 a.m.

at Fairfax County CourthouseComplex, 4110 Chain Bridge Road,Fairfax. Join Fairfax Court AppointedSpecial Advocates (CASA) for the 8thAnnual 8K and 3K races. Thesuperhero-themed race attractsnearly 1,000 runners and walkers,250 volunteers, and raises almost$85,000 each year to support FairfaxCASA’s advocacy work with abusedand neglected children in thecommunity. Participants can enjoythe after race celebration, includingsuperhero meet and greets, a DJ, freefood, face painting, kids’ crafts, photobooth, and more. Visitwww.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com/.

Visitors from Outer Space. 11 a.m.-noon at Turner Farm’s ObservatoryPark, 925 Springvale Road, GreatFalls. Learn about meteorites andwhere they come from. Touch andexamine visitors from space,including meteorite specimens from

the moon and Mars. The cost is $8per person. Call 703-324-8618 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm.

Taste of Vienna. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. atVienna Volunteer Fire Station, 400Center St., South, Vienna. Admissionfree with live entertainment.Proceeds benefit the ViennaVolunteer Fire Department. Visitwww.tasteofvienna.com or contactJoanie at [email protected].

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 28-29National Community Band

Festival. Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday,1 p.m. at GMU’s Center for the Arts,4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax.Sponsored by Fairfax WindSymphony and GMU’s School ofMusic. The Fairfax Wind Symphonywas formed in the fall of 1999 for thebenefit of local music directors andteachers. Visit www.facebook.com/ffxws/.

SUNDAY/APRIL 29Sustainable Style Expo. 1-3 p.m. at

McLean Old Firehouse Center, 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Free.Join the Sustainable Style Initiativein commemorating FashionRevolution Week 2018. Enjoy ascreening of documentary “The TrueCost,” DIY station, vendors and more.RSVP atsustainablestyleinitiaitve.org.

Walk on the Hill & Green Expo. 2-5p.m. at Windover Heights HistoricDistrict, Vienna. Approximately 50homes in the town’s northwesthistoric district will be open tovisitors, which also will feature thesecond annual green expo. ViennaArt Society members will be in thegardens doing plein air paintings.Free and open to public. Visitwww.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=1244.

Flower Show “Bringing Nature toYour Home.” 2-5 p.m. at 307Windover Ave., NW, Vienna. Hostedby Ayr Hill Garden Club duringVienna’s Annual Walk on the Hill inthe Windover Heights HistoricDistrict home of AHGC memberLouise Davidson. Free and open tothe public. Parking is available atGreen Hedges School. Visit Facebookat www.facebook.com/AYRHILLGARDENCLUB/.

Silver Jubilee Concert. 4-6 p.m.Free. At Saint Luke Catholic Church,7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean.Honoring Artistic Director PaulSkevington and his 25 years at St.Luke’s. Features Skevington playingthe Franck Chorale No. 2 and theBach Passacaglia and Fugue on theSteiner-Reck Organ. A gala receptionfollows. Contactwww.musicinmclean.org.

TUESDAY/MAY 1Golf Clinic Registration Opens. At

Oak Marr Golf Complex, 3136Jermantown Road, Oakton.Introduce your 8-17-year-old to thefundamentals of golf with one-hourjunior clinics. Clinics are offered for$15 each and run April throughAugust. Spring registration is nowopen; summer registration opensMay 1, 2018. Space is limited. Toregister, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/junior.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 2Farmers Market Re-Opens. 8 a.m.-

noon at Oak Marr, JermantownRoad, Oakton. Runs Wednesdays,May 2-Nov. 14. To kick off spring,farmers expect to have an abundanceof fresh cut greens, asparagus,strawberries, rhubarb, apples, beets,carrots and more. Everything isharvested hours before sale to ensureoptimum taste and nutrition. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets or contact theCommunity Horticulture Office at703-342-9773.

Coffee for Newcomers. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at McLean Project for theArts, 1446 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. McLean Newcomers andNeighbors will host a coffee for itsmembers and for others who mightbe interested in joining. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.

FRIDAY/MAY 4Farmers Market Re-Opens. 8 a.m.-

noon at 1659 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Runs Fridays, May 4-Nov.16. To kick off spring, farmers expectto have an abundance of fresh cutgreens, asparagus, strawberries,rhubarb, apples, beets, carrots andmore. Everything is harvested hoursbefore sale to ensure optimum tasteand nutrition. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets or contact theCommunity Horticulture Office at703-342-9773.

SATURDAY/MAY 5Taste of Korea. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at

Korean United Methodist Church ofGreater Washington, 1219 SwinksMill Road, McLean. Samplehomemade Korean food andexperience Korean culture. Culturalprograms such as Korean traditionaldance performances (11:30 a.m. and12:30 p.m.), Tiger Den’s Tae KwonDo demo performance (noon), tryingon traditional Korean costumes andgames for children. Also there will bea rummage sale and sale of Koreanknick-knacks. Visitwww.kumcgw.org

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 5-MAY 6Annual GFS ArtFest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

at Great Falls Grange and Great FallsVillage Center Studios, 9818Georgetown Pike and 756 and 766Walker Road, Great Falls. Paintings,photography, pottery, jewelry, fiberarts and more will be available forpurchase. Many artists will havesmaller items available for purchase.Free. Visitwww.greatfallsstudios.com.

SUNDAY/MAY 6“Blithe Spirit” Play Production. 2

p.m. at Vienna Community Center,120 Cherry St., SE, Vienna. NoelCoward’s famous 1941 comedy.Presented by Vienna TheatreCompany and Vienna Department ofRecreation. Tickets $14. Visitwww.viennatheatrecompany.org.

Vienna Jammers Big Jam Concert.4 p.m. at Madison High School, 2500James Madison Drive, Vienna. TheVienna Jammers are an auditionedpercussion ensemble made up ofchildren ages 7-18, led by ViennaElementary School music teacherDavid Lee Reynolds, Jr. Performing amix of cover songs, original pieces,and traditional music. Get yourtickets at www.viennajammers.org.

Barclay Brass Concert. Free concertat Holy Comforter, 4-5 p.m.. TheBarclay Brass is an 11-piece ensemblefeaturing some of the Washingtonarea’s top brass musicians. Includinga suite from the soundtrack to StarWars by John Williams.www.holycomforter.com. Church ofthe Holy Comforter is located at 543Beulah Rd, NE, Vienna, VA 22180.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 9Speaker Carole Herrick. 7 p.m. at

Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Presented by theGreat Falls Historical Society, hertalk titled “Washington in Flames,the 1812 Sacking of Washington, andthe Escape of the President and Mrs.Madison Through Our Area,” is basedon her published book on thissubject. Carole Herrick is currentlythe Chair of the Fairfax CountyHistory Commission and President ofthe McLean Historical Society.

Calendar

Colors of ChangeFilmmaker Jenny Nichols, who grew up in Great Falls, explores Greenland

through the eyes of an artist, a NASA scientist, and an Inuit elder. Each characterrepresents a different way that humans internalize information: heart, mind andspirit. They demonstrate the intersection of art, culture and science in a regiondefined by climate change. Presented by Great Falls Studios. Thursday, April 26, 7p.m. at Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Contact JamesDiedrich at [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Jenny Nichols

Nobody’s GirlFeaturing BettySoo, Grace Pettis, Rebecca Loebe. The all-female group offers

delicate and complex harmonies and innovative songwriting. $20. Thursday, April26, 7:30-9 p.m. at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave., East, Vienna. Visitwww.jamminjava.com or call 877-987-6487.


News

On Saturday, April 14, Great Falls LittleLeague (GFLL) kicked-off another spec-tacular opening day ceremony. Forbaseball and softball families, it’s a

memorable experience. The beauty of the NIKE fieldsadjacent to Forestville Elementary school, contrib-utes to the overall pageantry.

The Rockies Majors team wanted to do its part tomaintain GFLL’s wonderful fields by undertaking aNIKE-wide clean-up campaign.

So, on Sunday, the team gathered before 10 a.m.,divided into six groups of two, each armed with 50-gallon garbage bags, and spread out to cover as muchterritory as possible picking up litter on and alongthe fields, including any adjacent areas that could

be seen from the fields.After more than two hours, the team collected more

than 10 huge bags, plus miscellaneous debris, whichwere discarded in the Forestville dumpster. This ex-ercise proved to be an effective team-building expe-rience which gave the boys a real sense of accom-plishment.

Coaches Mike Costello and Jeff Minsky, RobinFleming, Karen Misener and Jack Bowles also par-ticipated.

The Rockies undertook this exercise to encourageother GFLL baseball and softball teams to do the samethroughout the season. They’d also like to encour-age Great Falls soccer, lacrosse and field hockeyleagues to join in this ongoing clean-up effort.

Carole Herrick will be thespeaker at the May 9 meetingof the Great Falls Historical So-ciety, at 7 p.m. at the Great FallsLibrary. Her talk, titled “Wash-ington in Flames, the 1812Sacking of Washington, and theEscape of the President andMrs. Madison Through OurArea,” is based on her publishedbook on this subject. Herrick is

currently the Chair of the FairfaxCounty History Commission andPresident of the McLean Histori-cal Society.

Herrick also received the JeanTibbetts History Award in Febru-ary this year from the Great FallsHistorical Society. The AnnualMeeting of the Society will also bethen and the Election of Officersand Directors will also be held.

Carole Herrick to Speak at Great FallsHistorical Society Meeting

Carole Herrick

Pho

to

co

ntributed

Little Leaguers Clean Up NIKE Fields

The RockiesMajors teamwanted to do itspart to maintainGFLL’s wonderfulfields by under-taking a NIKE-wide clean-upcampaign.

The clean-upexerciseproved to bean effectiveteam-buildingexperiencewhich gavethe boys a realsense ofaccomplish-ment.

Photos contributed


News

On April 4, a handful of children came into GreatFalls Library to drop off their favorite stuffed ani-mals for a sleepover. While the children were away,their stuffed animals came to play! From a stuffedgerbil, sheep, and teddy bears to a blue bunny andeven Scooby Doo, these animals roamed the libraryshelves and even caused mischief in the staff room.These clever furry friends found where the librar-ians stashed the library cards and they cozied to-gether in a chair to read some books together allwith flare. They even scored once more as they foundthe ice cream in the staffroom refrigerator!

As the day came to an end, these critters foundlibrary tote bags to use as sleeping bags and pairedtogether to dream for the night. The next day, the

children were eager to come back to pick up theirstuffed friends and were surprised with a storybookfilled with pictures of all of their adventures in thelibrary, which was created and put together by GreatFalls Library Youth Services Manager, RoxanneRinger.

Great Falls Library was sad to see the children andstuffed animals go but never fret! Roxanne has a plen-tiful amount of children’s programs lined up for themonths to come. Some of the upcoming programsare PJ Storytime, Finger Painting Fun, STEM: BuildYour Own Kite and My First Book Club. Come visitand join the fun at Great Falls Library!

—Michelle Pepino/Library Aide

Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Great Falls Library

Great FallsLibrary has aplentifulamount ofchildren’sprogramslined up forthe months tocome.

On April 4, a handful of children came into Great Falls Library to drop off their favoritestuffed animals for a sleepover.

Photos contributed


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Not that deadlines don’t happen in thenewspaper business; of course they do, everyTuesday for us weeklies. But when combinedwith my usual post-chemotherapy malaise, itis a bit more challenging. More so when thedeadline is tightened up due to the nature ofhitting and occasionally missing in-house com-munications, which is also not unreasonablegiven the multiple demands multi taskingimposes.

Compounding this task even more is thatuntil I’m back to semi post-chemo normal, inthe interim, I am not eating too much, notsleeping well, have low energy (related to theprevious two deficiencies), my hands areshaky, my balance is off and I’m having somedifficulty focusing. It’s a good thing I’m sittingat a desk while attempting to write this col-umn because operating any heavy machinerywould definitely be out of the question. WhatI need to do is mind my own business.

Business which at the moment involvesfending off my buff-colored male cat, Chino,as he angles to sit on my writing pad as I movehim from left to right – and then right to leftsince he won’t take “Chino, move!” for adirective. But if I know anything, other thanwhat to expect post chemo, I also know whatto expect from Chino – or any of the othercats we manage: independence, as any fellowcat owner knows. Unlike a “true and loyaldog,” a cat, generally speaking, is not inclinedto respond to your commands, well, too manyof them, anyway. Nor are they likely torespond to any physical discipline and/orpushing/pulling/redirecting. Invariably, if youpush, they pull. If you pull, they push.

How Chino knows I’m not feeling well andon an unanticipated and abbreviated dead-line, I’ll never know. But rather than leave meto it, he’ll interfere every way possible: nuz-zling, nudging, leaning, rubbing, meowing,moving about and plopping down when allelse fails. If you love cats as we do, this is theircharm. If you don’t love them and their antics,I can see how this kind of behavior can bevery frustrating.

I mean, with all this activity, it’s difficult tothink about what I’m supposed to be doingwhen I’m so busy preventing things from get-ting done. I imagine Chino thinks he’s doingme a favor, being so affectionate and so in theway. Maybe he thinks he’s contributing to thecreative process by sitting in the middle of mywriting pad? In a way, maybe he is. He’s forc-ing me to concentrate. Moreover, he’s forcingme to focus on this most immediate taskwhich, at the moment, has me fending him offwith my left wrist while I’m scribbling prosewith my right hand. Oddly enough, it mightbe working as I’m three-quarters finished withthis column which 30 minutes ago was aweekend task until it became a today/Tuesdaytask.

Now if I didn’t have a CT scan and lowerabdomen MRI scheduled for Wednesday, I’dhave a bit more time to sort out the details ofwriting this column. Unfortunately, post-chemo, mid-newspaper deadline and pre-scan is a triple threat which sometimes canimpose its will. A ‘will’ which I take personallyso I will persevere and complete this columnwith one final paragraph now that Chino hasleft my desk and likely ended up on someunoccupied couch to sleep; he’s had a bigday.

All kidding aside, if there’s one behavior Ineed more than any other during these dead-line triple threats, it’s companionship. Becauseof Chino and our other four cats: Andrew,Sloane, Biscuit and Twinkle, I am never aloneand always have someone to talk to who,occasionally talks back. Not that we under-stand one another, but it’s giving and getting,and it’s loving and affecting – me and my can-cer; and everything in between.

You MeanTomorrowTuesday?

News

From Page 3

tions and service, Helmer suggested that itwas time for a new generation to take thehelm in Congress. “There is somethingwrong with our politics,” he said, “thatmade so many willing to vote for DonaldTrump.”

Helmer was also the candidate to turn upthe heat on one of his opponents when theissue of gun violence was raised. Helmercalled out “someone on this stage” who hesaid accepted money from the National RifleAssociation and other corporations duringher political career, and who had voted forlegislation approving reciprocity for permit-ted carriers of concealed weapons fromother states.

SEVERAL OTHER QUESTIONS wereasked of the candidates and answered, butHelmer smoothly looped back to the guncontrol issue and acceptance of corporatepolitical contributions.

Sen. Wexton was ultimately identified asthe target of Helmer’s attack and Kesslergave her the opportunity to respond.

Pointing out that among the candidatesshe was the only one to ever hold electedoffice, Wexton said “this is what you dowhen you govern. You compromise.” Shefurther defended her vote saying that thebill was the result of a deal between theNRA, Republicans, and then-Gov. TerryMcAuliffe and that its passage aided victimsof domestic violence and allowed back-ground checks at gun shows.

Wexton later acknowledged taking con-tributions from Dominion Energy in previ-ous campaigns, but has already pledged notto take PAC money during this election.

Despite those few more heated ex-changes, the candidates and their support-ers seemed focused on the goal of continu-ing the “Blue Wave” that saw a dozen Demo-crats sweep into office in Richmond, andtheir mission to “replace and repeal BarbaraComstock” as Alison Friedman put it. At-tendees like Susan Jacobs of McLean whobacks Dan Helmer and thinks he’s the bestchance to beat Comstock, and AndrewFierro of Great Falls who supports Dr.Biggins, both say they are rooting for theircandidate, but will support whoever winsthe June 12 primary.

Challengers

Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection

The inflatable “greeter” at theentrance to the debate. The candi-dates spent much of their timeattacking the Republican Congress,incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock,and President Trump.

little leaguers clean up nike fields

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