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Quarterback Promotes ‘PhonesDown. Touchdown.’ Initiative

News, Page 3

Quarterback Promotes ‘PhonesDown. Touchdown.’ Initiative

“I think the temptation is strong, and that’s why we need apositive campaign like ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ To be able to

increase the peer pressure and make it clear that it’s not OK todrive distracted,” Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cous-ins said during a Q-and-A after the press conference in McLean.

‘Unguarded’ at Langley HighNews, Page 4

Preventing Underage DrinkingDuring the HolidaysWellbeing, Page 10

‘Unguarded’ at Langley HighNews, Page 4

Preventing Underage DrinkingDuring the HolidaysWellbeing, Page 10

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ December 7-13, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


NewsMcLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

Washington Redskins startingquarterback Kirk Cousinskicked off the “PhonesDown. Touchdown.” safe

driving campaign in McLean to spreadawareness of the dangers and consequencesof using cellphones while driving.

“I’ve made a career out of playing offenseplaying quarterback,” Cousins said duringthe press conference. “When I’m behind thewheel, I drive defensively. I don’t text orlook at my phone while driving because it’sdangerous. No text or phone is worth risk-ing your life or the lives of others.”

Texting for just five seconds behind thewheel is like driving blindfolded across anentire football field, he said.

“If I get sacked in a game, I can get backup and move onto the next play—for themost part,” he said. “But when you text anddrive, you might not get back up.”

He encouraged people to apply positivepeer pressure when they see the foul beingcommitted.

“Speak up and tell them to put the PhonesDown,” he said. “Tell them to wait. If you’rein the car, don’t let a distracted driver makean excuse. No matter the call or the text,it’s not worth it.”

FRIENDS WHO HAVE DIED in car acci-dents is part of the reason Cousins was will-ing to be the face of the campaign. His col-lege teammate and former Michigan Statepunter Mike Sadler, 24, died in a car acci-dent in Wisconsin in July.

“Mike is one of a few people close to mewho have been lost due to a car accident,”Cousins says. “If we can even save one lifeby putting this message out, it’s a worth-

while message.”While distracted driving may not have

been the reason for his friend’s fatal acci-dent, it is a trend among young drivers.

According to the National Highway Traf-fic Safety Administration, 10 percent of alldrivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatalcrashes were reported as distracted at thetime of the crashes.

“I’ve been up here for 12 years and at least16 troopers in those 12 years have beenstruck on the sides of the interstate in North-ern Virginia for drivers that were distractedby various reasons,” Cpt. Jim De Ford, com-mander of the Fairfax Division of the Vir-ginia State Police, said during the press con-ference. “It is a real problem and it is onethat affects us every day.”

“Distracted driving has become an epi-demic and one too many people are toowilling to accept as the norm, and too manypeople are willing to be a part of the prob-lem rather than be the solution,” he said.“By the solution I mean ignore the phone,and that’s even hard for me to do I’ll admit,but I try to do it.”

If drivers fail to ignore their phones whiledriving, De Ford said that he and his offic-ers will not be ignoring them.

“I can assure you that if a Virginia statepolice trooper observes you texting whiledriving or determines that your textingcaused a crash, then you will be cited,” hesaid.

Fairfax County has not been immune tothe epidemic.

“In 2016 year-to-date, [Fairfax County is]at 35,000 crashes approximately and 29percent of those have been attributed todistracted driving,” Cpt. Bob Blakley, com-mander of the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment Traffic Division, said during the pressconference.

Redskins’ quarterback urges region to putphones down while behind the wheel.

Quarterback Promotes ‘Phones Down. Touchdown.’ Initiative

Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock District), right, who is also the chairof the board’s Public Safety Committee, took the pledge to commit tokeeping his Phones Down while behind the wheel. Cook, who attendedthe press conference with Kirk Cousins (left) is the author of the “SlowDown” campaign, which helps alert motorists to the dangers of speeding.

Washington Redskins starting quarterback Kirk Cousins answers ques-tions from the media during a press conference for the campaign’s kick-off on Nov. 29. Drivers who share the “Phones Down. Touchdown.”graphic on social media with the hashtag #PhoneDownTouchdown will beentered to win a month of free travel on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.

Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection Photo courtesy of the Office of Supervisor Cook

That’s more than 10,000 car accidents sofar this year due to distracted driving, andeven more citations.

POLICE OFFICERS have issued more than13,000 citations to drivers in the county fordistracted driving, Blakley said. But Blakleysaid enforcement alone is not the answerto the problem.

“It’s a combination of aggressive enforce-ment but more importantly a huge educa-tion and awareness campaign,” he said.“This is what will truly make the differ-ence.”

He encouraged the public to take the timeto take the campaign’s pledge atwww.phonedowntouchdown.com and to

talk about their experiences with textingwhile driving.

The “Phones Down. Touchdown.” Cam-paign is sponsored by Transurban, whichmanages and develops toll road networksin the U.S. and Australia. The company,which hosted the press conference at itsMcLean office, operates the 495 and 95Express Lanes in Northern Virginia.

According to Mike McGurk, a spokesper-son for Transurban, drivers who share the“Phones Down. Touchdown.” graphic onsocial media with the hashtag#PhoneDownTouchdown will be entered towin a month of free travel on the ExpressLanes. A new winner will be selected everyweek throughout December and January.

Do you thinkthe campaignwill makeus safer?

Viewpoints

Del. Marcus Simon(D-53)

“I think that having a niceand easy-to-remember catchphrase will keep it front ofmind. Having a celebritywill get the kids involved.My son will catch melooking at my phone [whiledriving] and it’s not safe.”

Cpt. Jim De Ford,commander of theFairfax Division of theVirginia State Police

“You don’t have to wear auniform to see the dangers andtoo often deadly consequencesof distracted driving on thehighway, but we see it everyday … This is caused by peoplewho fail to do their jobs whenthey’re on the highway andthat’s just simply driving a carwhile they’re behind the wheel… the Virginia State Policeproudly supports this trafficsafety initiative … This is apledge to do the right thing.”

Cpt. Bob Blakley,commander of theFairfax CountyPolice DepartmentTraffic Division

“The problem is growing… so we definitely needhelp from everybody to getit under control … Year todate, we have issued morethan 13,000 citations forfailing to pay full time andattention which includestexting while driving inFairfax County … Butenforcement’s not theanswer to the problem. It’s acombination of aggressiveenforcement but moreimportantly a huge educa-tion and awarenesscampaign. This is what willtruly make the difference.”


News

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

Chris Herren’s dream came trueat age 22 when he was sched-uled to play his first game forthe Boston Celtics, his home-

town team. On game day, announcers saidthe words that he had always wanted tohear his entire life: He was introduced asthe starting point guard.

“I grew up with that dream,” he said. “Ipretended I was a Celtic in my driveway.”

But he has no recollection of the game orhis name being announced as he walked outof the stadium’s tunnel. He was too highon OxyContin.

Herren’s life has been spent battling ad-dictions to alcohol, cocaine, painkillers andheroin. Now that he is sober, he tours thecountry as a motivational speaker with hisnonprofit organization, the Herren Project.

He visited Langley High School in McLeanon Wednesday, Nov. 30, to speak to an au-ditorium full of students, parents, coachesand teachers.

The former NBA player for the DenverNuggets and the Boston Celtics had a clearmessage for parents who provide spaces fortheir kids to drink alcohol. He had a strongopinion about parents who think it’s OK toallow it as long as their kids are safe anddon’t drive home because he grew up withparents who thought that it was OK.

Out of the 15 kids on his high school bas-ketball team who drank in basements dur-ing parent-sanctioned house parties, sevenbecame heroin addicts, he said.

That way of thinking fails kids miserably,he said. Instead, he urged them to question

day one and know the reason their kids feelthe need to drink or use drugs.

Why in the world would kids need drugsto hang out with their friends? he asked thecrowd.

HIS ADDICTION started at age 14 whenhe started drinking his father’s beer.

“I grew up in a household where my fa-ther liked Miller Lites more than he likedcoming home,” he said. “Growing up as achild, I always knew in my heart that myfather’s drinking was destroying my fam-ily.”

“I remember like it was yesterday, cryingat night listening to my mom and dad fight.I remember praying he would come homeright from work and not stop at the bar withhis friends.”

By the time he was 18 years old, he triedcocaine with college roommates as a fresh-man at Boston College. He attributed it topeer pressure.

“I said to myself, ‘I’ll try this drug one timeand I’ll never do it again.’ … I had no ideaat 18 years old when I promised myself justone time that … it would take 14 years towalk away from.”

He lost his scholarship and was expelledfrom college for failing drug tests. But hewas given a second chance at CaliforniaState University, Fresno.

By 21, he was in rehab for his cocaineaddiction. After 30 days of treatment, hefinished his senior season and was the 33rd

pick of the NBA draft for the Denver Nug-gets. He was sober for that rookie season.

By 22, he tried OxyContin. One 40-milli-gram pill turned into 1,600 milligrams perday, a $2,500 a month habit.

By age 28, heroin “had him hostage” andhe could no longer play basketball. For thenext four years, his addiction ran his world.

“I was a street junkie,” he says. “You couldfind me hustling heroin on street cornersin my hometown, breaking into houses,bouncing checks, scrapping metal, collect-ing cans—whatever it took.”

By the time he was 32 years old, he couldno longer afford heroin.

“I fell in love with vodka because vodka—as some of you know—is amazing at help-ing you forget,” he says.

But as soon as he got his hands on heroinagain, it resulted in his fourth overdose andnear-death experience.

Herren’s story of addiction has been cap-tured in the book, “Basketball Junkie” andthe ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded.”

Langley High School athletic coachesheard Herren’s story first hand when theyattended Herren’s presentation at RiversideHigh School in Lansdowne in February.

Since then, the coaches worked to raisethe funds to bring him to Fairfax County.

In the end, the Fairfax County PublicSchools, the Wilbert Tucker Woodson HighSchool, McLean High School and LangleyHigh School parent teacher student asso-ciations and the McLean High School andLangley High School athletic departmentspulled together to sponsor Herren’s visit.

Fairfax County’sStory

“Drug and alcohol is an issue at the highschool level,” says Langley High SchoolBasketball Coach Mike O’Brien. “I’m afraidit’s starting at an even earlier age.”

Langley High School Football Coach BrianLambe agrees.

“It’s a problem that Langley and McLeanis facing,” Lambe says. “Whether parents

want to admit it or not, it’s a problem inthe county and pretending it’s not a prob-lem won’t fix it. Having a conversation anda dialogue will help.”

When O’Brien has suspicion that his stu-dents are struggling with substance abuseor suicidal thoughts, or if students confidesin him that they are struggling with theseissues, he tries to provide intervention byreferring them to school counselors.

“I’m not adept with the issues, but I try toget the kids and parents involved,” he says.

He hopes Herren’s story resonates withhis kids so that he can avoid the interven-tion altogether. “If we can get through tojust one kid, it’s worth it to me.”

He also hopes students who are under-going stressful situations and hardships willfind other outlets after hearing aboutHerren’s painful struggles with substanceabuse and addiction.

Alcohol is the most commonly used sub-stance by Fairfax County youth, accordingto the 2015 Fairfax County Youth Survey ofeighth, 10th and 12th grade students, whichwas published in the fall.

More than one-third of the students,nearly 36 percent, reported drinking alco-hol at least once in their lifetime, and 16percent reported drinking it in the monthprior to the survey. Approximately 8 per-cent of the students reported binge drink-ing.

As students age, the rates of alcohol useincreased, rising to over half of the 12th-grade students, nearly 57 percent, drink-ing alcohol at least once in their lifetime,and almost one-third, 32 percent, drinkingit within the past month.

Marijuana was the second most com-monly used substance by Fairfax Countyyouth, with almost one in five, 19 percent,reporting that they have used it at least once

Former NBA player talks to McLean aboutcountywide drug problem.

‘Unguarded’ atLangley High

Chris Herren has been drug-free and alcohol-free since Aug. 1, 2008.

See Addiction, Page 13

Langley HighSchool Basket-ball CoachMike O’Brien(left) andFootball CoachBrian Lambe(right) intro-duce ChrisHerren.

Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection


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Langley High School Varsity rowerErin Pierce commits to row for Division1 Southern Methodist University in Dal-las, Texas. Pierce will attend SMU on afull athletic scholarship.

Jenna Rosen has committed to theUniversity of Southern California’swomen’s rowing team as a coxswainstarting in the fall of 2017. Both athletessigned their Letters of Intent in a cer-emony at Langley High School on Nov.10.

Pierce was in the 2015 Virginia StateChampion J8+, placing 10th at theScholastic Rowing Association ofAmerica’s National Championship Re-gatta. In the off-season, she rows forResilient Rowing Club out of Occoquan,Va., competing in nationally recognizedregattas such as the Head of the Charlesand USRowing Club Nationals. She isexcited to begin her studies in Biology

and Russian at SMU, and can’t wait tobe a member of the Mustang RowingTeam.

Rosen has had success at the highschool and club level, coxing her highschool JR8+ to a win at the VA StateChampionships, and twice to semifinalsat the SRAA National and StotesburyRegattas. With the highly competitiveTBC Racing club team Rosen has won 2Silver medals at Club Nationals, andmultiple wins at regional regattas. Shealso coxed her TBC Racing boats to 2ndand 3rd place finishes at the CanadianHenley Regatta, and this fall she coxedthe women’s 1st 8+ at the Head of theCharles. Rosen is a member of the Na-tional Honor Society and has beenrecognized as a National Merit Com-mended Scholar.

Rosen is very excited to join theWomen of Troy.

Langley Crew Athletes Committed toRow in College

News

Photo contributed

Erin Pierce (left) and Jenna Rosen with Julie Sutliff,Women’s Head Coach for Langley Crew.


Opinion

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

The National Conference of

State Legislatures sponsors a“Legislators Back to School Day” each

year as a way to promote the idea that morelegislators should visit their local schools tosee the good work they are doing as well as tounderstand the challenges that school admin-istrators and teachers face. I take advantageof that opportunity and other times I am in-vited to visit schools in my district and some-times to visit schools in other areas to learnabout special programs. For me the visits arevery positive experiences. I continue to be im-pressed with the outstanding work that ourschools are doing especially considering thethousands of children—more than 180,000 inFairfax County—they have to educate. Ensur-ing that every child reaches his or her full po-tential is a continual challenge, but I find ad-ministrators and teachers at every level work-ing earnestly and diligently to make sure ithappens. The children in our community areamazing! They are for the most part eagerlearners who are full of questions and curios-ity. And they are good citizens.

One question that I get from children that

may be a curiosity of some adults aswell is just what is a delegate. I dis-cuss with the students the meaningof “to be delegate” and explain that Iam given a delegation of responsibil-ity by the voters of my district to goto the state capitol each year to rep-resent their interests. In most states and at thefederal level, members of one house of the leg-islature are called representatives; they repre-sent their constituents in the legislature justas I am delegated to do by the people who livein my legislative district.

Their follow-up question is a key one thatmust be answered appropriately if our repre-sentative form of government or republic is tobe successful: How do I know the interests ofmy constituents? I give several explanations.My term of office is for two years. When I standfor re-election every two years I tell the votersin my district what I stand for and believe in.Their vote for me is an affirmation that I standfor the kind of things that they want in theirgovernment. If I do not represent the interestsof my voters, they have an opportunity everytwo years to take back the delegation of re-sponsibility they have given to me and give itto someone else.

Secondly, I know many of the interests of

my constituents because I am out andabout in the community all the time.I listen to a lot of people. I encouragepeople to call or write to me. I try tostay very active in the community tounderstand my constituents and theirneeds. I encourage people to respond

to my annual constituent survey which you cando at www.kenplum.com. Along with SenatorJanet Howell I hold public meetings; the nextone is Monday, Dec. 19, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., atthe Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.Please come and participate.

Being a delegate is supposed to be a part-time job in Virginia; for me it is a full-timejob and a half, but I am very honored tohave been entrusted with this delegationof responsibility.

To Be a Delegate Commentary

By Scott Surovell

State Senator (D-36)

Virginia is represented byDemocrats in all fivestatewide offices, hasvoted for a Democratic

president three times, yet the Vir-ginia House of Delegates has 66Republicans and 34 Democrats.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heardarguments on the legality and constitutional-ity of the last redistricting of Virginia House ofDelegates’ districts. The court’s decision couldbe monumental for all Virginia voters.

If I could fix one thing to make our govern-ment work better at every level, I would re-form redistricting. Partisan redistricting abusehas been around since the beginning of Ameri-can democracy. The term “gerrymander” origi-nates from an 1812 attempt to draw districtsfavoring Massachusetts Gov. Eldridge Gerry. Tobe clear, both parties do it, but in the last twodecades, gerrymandering has become espe-cially powerful for a few reasons.

First, America is more partisan. Due to mul-tiple and growing sources of information avail-able in today’s world, voters are able to self-select their news sources and are exposed tofewer alternative perspectives. This has drivenup partisan identification and led to fewer vot-ers who are willing to split their votes betweenpolitical parties.

Second, and more importantly, computer-enabled mapping software has made it pos-sible to draw districts that are finely crafted.When redistricting was done with index cardsshifting precincts days because of ancillary ef-fects and the need to recalculate and balance

district populations.Today, computing technology

analyzes data by census block andin a few seconds can draw a com-prehensive set of districts to elect apredicted number from a specificpolitical party while maximizing

majority-minority districts.Over the last 30 years, these political con-

siderations have caused district lines to con-stantly shift. Many areas constantly move be-tween congressmen, senators and delegatesevery redistricting cycle. Changed lines leavepeople confused about their representatives.Census level analysis leaves precincts split re-quiring local governments to redraw precinctlines to avoid polling places with multiple bal-lots. This costs taxpayers money and leavesvoters confused about their polling place.

Resulting districts are not communities ofinterest. The 36th Senate district that I repre-sent stretches 60 miles across three countiesand two area codes. The 1st Congressional Dis-trict crosses the 36th District and stretches fromManassas to near Norfolk. Districts shouldminimize jurisdictional splits, use natural geo-graphical boundaries like rivers and be trulycompact and contiguous.

Together, this creates a series of hyper-par-tisan districts, both Republican and Demo-cratic, which are so safe in general electionsthat they incentivize incumbents to focus ongalvanizing primary voters’ support and notthe broader electorate. This distorts publicpolicy and increases partisanship when it istime to legislate.

There are two solutions to this problem. First,the legislature could give up redistrictingpower and transfer it to a bipartisan or non-partisan commission. Incumbent legislatorsshould not pick their voters. I have always sup-ported nonpartisan redistricting and the Vir-ginia State Senate has passed it several times,but it always dies in the hyper-gerrymanderedHouse of Delegates. A legislative solution ishighly unlikely.

The real opportunity to remedy this situa-tion lies in the courts. Some courts have thrownout hyper gerrymandered seats using VotingRights Act provisions. While valuable, this lawis not a comprehensive tool because it is lim-ited to preventing racial discrimination anddoes not address other problems with parti-san redistricting. A Wisconsin federal courtrecently used an analysis based on the 1st and14th Amendments to invalidate partisan redis-tricting by focusing on “wasted votes,” but didnot recommend a remedy.

Courts can often better resolve issues thatlegislatures cannot. For example, in 1962, nu-merous legislatures, including Virginia’s, re-fused to redraw districts recognizing the boom-ing suburban populations. The U.S. SupremeCourt required Virginia and other states todraw districts based on actual population byadopting the “one man, one vote” rule of theBaker v. Carr case.

Today, it is similarly time for the courts torestore democracy to our country and our com-monwealth. Hopefully, they will use the Vir-ginia House of Delegates case argued this weekto restore democracy to America.

It is an honor to serve as your state senator.If you have any feedback, you can always con-tact me at [email protected].

Court Should Overturn Partisan RedistrictingCommentary

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December 3rd-11th • 2016

Saturday, Dec 3rd | 10am-5pmSunday, Dec 4th | Noon - 5pm

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The Container Store con-tinues its annual, nationwidesignature giving program,Holiday Hugs. In each of theirWashington, DC-area stores,they are partnering withChildren’s National HealthSystem to collect and delivernew, unwrapped gifts to theiryoung patients who arespending the holidays awayfrom home.

Customers can participatein the Holiday Hugs programby dropping off new, un-wrapped books, small toysand games, toiletries, giftcards and kid-friendly stock-ing stuffers in collection binsat the Washington, DC, Ar-lington, Reston, Tysons Cor-ner and Rockville locationsbetween now and Dec. 18.Employees from the Washing-ton, DC-area stores will then volunteer theirtime to package the donated gifts into cus-tom Holiday Hugs Sacks and deliver themto Children’s National Health System theweek of Dec. 19.

“Every holiday season, The ContainerStore embraces the spirit of giving by help-ing those in need in our local communities,”

Photo contributed

The Container Store continues its annual,nationwide signature giving program, HolidayHugs. Collections are going on now throughDec. 18 and gifts will be delivered to thehospital the week of Dec. 19. The ContainerStore’s Washington, DC-area locations includeWashington, DC, Rockville, Arlington, Restonand Tysons Corner.

News

The Container Store LaunchesAnnual Holiday Hugs Program

said Melissa Reiff, Chief Executive Officerof The Container Store. “Our Holiday Hugsprogram is an easy way to bring joy toyoung patients and their families throughthis gesture of love from everyone associ-ated with The Container Store.”

For more information about the Holiday Hugsprogram, visit standfor.containerstore.com/holidayhugs.


Send announcements toconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.Deadline is Friday at noon for thefollowing week’s paper. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOINGCheerleaders for Charity Fridays

5:45 - 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 - Dec. 9 Nolesson on 11/11, 11/25 & 12/2.McLean Community Center 1234Ingleside Avenue. Introducesstudents to cheers, motiontechniques, jumps, and more. Comebuild flexibility, physical conditioningand self-esteem. Cheerleaders forCharity performs at a charity eventeach semester. This class requires acheer uniform fee of $70. Instructor:Miss Raven, USA GymnasticsCertified Instructor. mcleancenter.org

CHO Food, New Toy, and BikeDrive Nov. 1-Dec. 31 at variouslocations around Vienna. Dish soap,canned fruit, chili, canned beef stew,diapers and wipes, canned salmon,Spam, tuna, tomato sauce, andlaundry detergent are in particularneed. CHO requests that no food beexpired.

Drop-off boxes are available at TownHall, 127 Center Street S; PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E;Bikes @ Vienna, 128 Church StreetNW; Caffe Amouri, 107 ChurchStreet NE; Doctors Covel, Stack, andHenon, 120 Beulah Road NE;Evolution Fitness, 216 DominionRoad NE; Rexall Drug Store, 150Maple Avenue W; Vienna ArtsCenter, 115 Pleasant Street NE.

Gently-used bikes are accepted on Nov.26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at twolocations: Vienna PresbyterianChurch – Mill Street parking lot - andAntioch Christian Church at 1860Beulah Road. Bicycles will berenewed as a courtesy by local bikeshops.

Bring new unwrapped toys to ViennaPresbyterian Church, from 9:30 a.m.to noon, on Dec. 9 for distribution byCHO from 9:30 till noon. Gift cardsfrom Target delight teens.

Winter Walk of Lights atMeadowlark Botanical Gardensopen every day beginning on Friday,Nov. 18, 2016, through Jan. 8, 2017.Open Thanksgiving, Christmas andNew Year’s, too. The walk of lightsruns daily from 5:30 - 10 p.m. Lasttickets sold at 9:30 p.m. This family-friendly six-week winter wonderlandof spectacle is only a few years oldbut has garnered a loyal followingfrom throughout the NorthernVirginia area, particularly Vienna andits environs. To buy timed ticketsonline: https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

Aerobic Dance Workout Mondays9:15 - 10:10 a.m. Sept. 19 throughDec. 12 No lesson on 10/10. McLeanCommunity Center 1234 InglesideAvenue. Choreographed routinesprovide heart-healthy benefits, whilesculpting and mat work offerstrengthening and stretching. Pleasebring aerobic shoes, light weights,tubing and a mat. Instructor:BodyMoves Fitness, LLC. Cost: $168/$144 MCC district residents.mcleancenter.org

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

Tai Chi Beginners’ Practice.Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. St. Luke’sCatholic School Gymnasium, 7005Georgetown Pike, McLean. WeeklyTai Chi practice. Group has met forover 20 years. Free. FreeTaiChi.org.703-759-9141.

THURSDAY/DEC. 8Giant’s In-Store Nutritionists

Promote Community Wellness10 a.m. Agewise At The AshbyApartments Nutrition Club. Giant

[email protected]“Fancy Nancy Splendiferous

Christmas” at 1 & 4 p.m. 1234Ingleside Ave, McLean. For ages 4+.What could be fancier thanChristmas? This year, Nancy isespecially excited. She has enoughmoney to buy a brand-new sparklyChristmas-tree topper. But whenthings don’t turn out the way Nancyplanned, will Christmas still besplendiferous? Admission: $15/$10MCC tax district residents/ http://mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre

Great Falls Children’s ChristmasProgram A potluck supper followsthe program at 5:00 p.m. Christ theKing Lutheran Church,10550Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Opento the community, features theChristmas story told throughnarration, scripture and Christmascarols. The cast of children bring theNativity scene to life with Mary,Joseph, animals, angels andshepherds. Admission: Free

Handel’s Messiah Concert onSunday 4 p.m. at Vienna PresbyterianChurch, 124 Park Street. TheChristmas story in music by the VPCSanctuary Choir, with special guestsMetropolitan Opera soprano DanielleTalamantes and organist Terry Sisk,and with commentary by Pastor PeteJames.

FRIDAY/DEC. 16Redeemer Lutheran Church’s

Annual Living Nativity andChristmas Concert. All arewelcome and invited to enjoy thesounds of the season and theexcitement of live animals in thecreche, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. atRedeemer Lutheran Church, 1545Chain Bridge Rd, Mclean. There is nocharge to attend, and it is open to theentire community. Children areinvited to put on angel or shepherdcostumes, and visit the live animals,maybe pet a bunny or baby lamb. At7:30 everyone is invited inside toexperience a concert of many choirs -adult, children and bell choirs. Youcan also sing along with favoriteChristmas Carols. After the wonder ofthe starry night warm up inside withcomplimentary hot chocolate, a treatfrom the Bake Sale,

SATURDAY/DEC. 17Holiday Express and Visit with

Santa at Clemyjontri Park 10 - 3p.m. Clemyjontri Park is located at6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Visitwith Santa, go for a ride on theHoliday Express train, and take aspin on the unique carousel that’swheelchair accessible. There will alsobe holiday pictures for children tocolor. Stay for a while and let thekids play on the specially-designedplayground that allows children of allabilities to have fun side-by-side.Train rides: $5 Carousel rides: $3.Photo with Santa: $5 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/

Puppy Nativity Vienna Church 10 -2 p.m. in the parking lot of thechurch at 2351 Hunter Mill Road,Vienna. Bring your puppies and dogsto take part in the Live PuppyNativity. This will be fun for thecommunity and may make greatholiday pictures. Costumes and treatswill be provided for pets. Hotchocolate will be served, and thechurch’s youth group will be on handto accept community donations forthe Britepaths Holiday Program tohelp needy families https://britepaths.org/our-programs/holiday-program

“John Eaton’s Holiday Songbook”2 p.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean.Jazz pianist and musicologist JohnEaton’s first-ever holiday concert lastyear was such a hit that we’re

nutritionist Amanda Barnes invitesresidents to community wellnessclasses, store events and in-storeconsultations. In a world full of foodoptions and different diet trends, anutritionist has the training andexpertise needed to sort throughindividual information to providetheir clients with a plan that suitstheir needs. A nutritionist’s primaryjob is to help advise customers whenit comes to their health and whatthey consume. Through setting upconsultations and creatingspecialized diets, nutritionists canhelp with various concerns, likeweight loss, diabetes and otherhealth issues where diet isparticularly important.

FRIDAY/DEC. 9Carrie Newcomer at Jammin Java

Doors open: 6 p.m. Show 7 p.m. 227Maple Ave East, Vienna. She recentlyreleased her 16th CD, The BeautifulNot Yet, and will be performing atJammin’ Java.www.jamminjava.com/

SATURDAY/DEC.10BASIS Independent McLean’s

Open House 10 a.m. 8000 JonesBranch Road, McLean.Grades 1 - 10:At our Open House, a representationof our teaching staff will be availablefor a “Meet & Greet” and to sharetheir

VISION OF THE CLASSROOM.Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast 8 -noon Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. South,Vienna, Va. Santa Claus will make hisarrival at 10:30 a.m. to greet all. TheSheriff’s office will be there toprovide you with a free photo of yourchild and a set of his or herfingerprints – using clean, inklesstechnology. Photo ID withfingerprints gives authorities vitalinformation to help locate a missingchild. There will also be tours of thefire equipment available. All proceedsgo to the Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment to assist in purchasinglife saving fire equipment. Come havea delicious breakfast, spend time withthe members of the VVFD and thecommunity and visit with [email protected]

Wish List Project Drop Off Event10 – 1:00 p.m. The Perez FamilyHome at 10440 Down Patrick Lane,Great Falls. Directly help families inneed in area shelters, localelementary schools, alternativehousing and children in foster care.New this year — The Wish ListProject has partnered with BuzzAldrin, Herndon and HutchisonElementary schools for students whoqualify for the free/reduced mealprogram. Your generosity andsupport will perpetuate the essenceof the holiday season. It is importantthat ALL DONATIONS be received nolater than the 10th as schoolcounselors, social workers andshelter directors will be picking upthe following day.

If you have a conflict with the 10th, atime for drop-off can be arranged theweek prior. Gift receipts areencouraged to be included with thepresents you purchase.

Please contact Christie Shumadine at703-405-8561 [email protected] with anyquestions. All gifts are tax deductibleand forms will be available at thedriveway during drop off.

McLean AAUW Event 12 - 2:30 p.m.375 Walker Road, Great Falls. ErinGarland, a National Museum forWomen in the Arts docent, presentson works of artists in the museum’scollection who had interesting,unusual, and humorous DC areaconnections. Admission: $35 775-

762-8016 [email protected]’s In-Store Nutritionists

Promote Community Wellness1 p.m. McLean Giant at McLeanShopping Center, 1454 Chain BridgeRd, McLean. Giant nutritionistAmanda Barnes invites residents tocommunity wellness classes, storeevents and in-store consultations. Ina world full of food options anddifferent diet trends, a nutritionisthas the training and expertise neededto sort through individualinformation to provide their clientswith a plan that suits their needs. Anutritionist’s primary job is to helpadvise customers when it comes totheir health and what they consume.Through setting up consultations andcreating specialized diets,nutritionists can help with variousconcerns, like weight loss, diabetesand other health issues where diet isparticularly important.

Reach for the Stars at Riverbend’sAstronomy Festival 5 - 6 p.m.Riverbend Park is located at 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Therewill be guided star-gazing and achance to peek at the stars through atelescope. Learn more about what’stwinkling in the sky at night as you

listen to ancient stories about theconstellations around the campfire.Enjoy games and activities, and if youget a little hungry, there will be hotchocolate and snacks available forpurchase. Cost: $6 online $7 at door.http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/. This eventwill be canceled if it’s raining orsnowing.

SUNDAY/DEC. 11Colonial Wassail 1 - 4 p.m. The

Claude Moore Colonial Farm 6310Georgetown Pike, McLean. Standfast, root! Bear well, top!( God sendus a howling crop! In the winter theapple trees need encouragement tobear fruit during the coming year.Gather in the Claude Moore ColonialFarm’s orchard to wassail the treeswith singing, dancing and chants toensure “a howling crop.” Enjoy hotspiced cider, sugar cakes, a roaringbonfire and 18th century games. Funand educational activity for all. Cost:Adults: $3; Children 3-12 andSeniors: $2; Children under 3complimentary admission. AAA andmilitary discounts. Free parking.Vicki Baker: 703-231-3545;

Calendar

Musicologist, humorist and jazz pianist John Eaton willshare the history and harmonies of some favorite sea-sonal songs from the American Songbook at a special“Holiday Spectacular” on Saturday, Dec. 17 at The Alden.

See Calendar, Page 9

Photo courtesy of McLean Community Center

‘Fancy Nancy’ at Alden Theatre"Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas" cast. McLeanCommunity Center presents “Fancy Nancy’s SplendiferousChristmas” performed by Vital Theatre at the AldenTheatre, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave,McLean. Performance: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 at 1 p.m.Tickets: $15/$10 for MCC tax district residents. Call: 703-790-0123 or visit www.mcleancommunitycenter.comNote: Length of performance is approximately 60 min-utes. Best for children 4+


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From Page 8

Hip-hop legend Chuck D will bethe featured speaker at theMcLean Community Center’s(MCC) annual Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr. Day Celebration. The cel-ebration will be held at 2 p.m. onSunday, Jan. 15, in The Alden The-atre. Tickets are $20 for the gen-eral public; $10, for MCC tax dis-trict residents. The theatre is lo-cated at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

Best known as leader and co-founder of the legendary rapgroup, Public Enemy, Chuck D(Carlton Douglas Ridenhour) re-defined rap music and hip-hopculture with the release of theband’s explosive debut album, “YoBum Rush the Show,” in 1987.Now a political activist, publisherand producer, Chuck D co-hosted“Unfiltered” on Air America Radio,testified before Congress in sup-port of peer-to-peer MP3 sharingand was involved in a 2004 rap

political convention. Most recently,he has appeared on national newsprograms providing commentaryon the “Black Lives Matter” move-ment and the 2016 presidentialcampaigns.

One of Ebony magazine’s “TenMost Influential Black Americans,”Rolling Stone’s “50 Most Impor-tant Performers in Rock & RollHistory” and a member of the Rockand Roll Hall of Fame, Chuck D isa go-to voice for insight on tech-nology, politics, rap and soul mu-sic, and race in America. Few art-ists have such a sophisticatedknowledge and understanding ofthe intersection of popular cultureand politics, as Chuck D will dem-onstrate by his speech, “Rap, Race,Reality.”

Tickets are on sale now. For moreinformation or to purchase ticketsonine, visit:www.aldentheatre.orgor call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711.

Public Enemy’s Chuck D Will to Speak atMcLean’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr.Day Celebration

Photo courtesy of MCC

Chuck D will be the featured speaker at the McLeanCommunity Center’s (MCC) annual Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr. Day Celebration.

Photo by Walter Leaphart

Chuck D in a 2005 photo.

bringing it back! Hear your GreatAmerican Songbook favorites with ayuletide twist. Admission: $35/$20MCC tax district residents. http://mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre

Pet Adoption Event. Wolf Trap

Animal Rescue hosts an adoptionevent from noon to 4 p.m. at theTysons Corner PetSmart, 8204Leesburg Pike, Vienna. There will bepuppies and kittens waiting for their“forever homes.” Make this holidayseason the beginning of their“forevers” in your home.


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

As Bridget O’Brien took inventoryof her liquor supply recently, shechecked off vanilla rum, whitechocolate liqueur, peppermint

schnapps, Champagne and Crème de cassis.These fanciful ingredients would be the keyingredients of the signature drinks — candycane cocktails and kir royale — that guestshad come to anticipate at her family’s an-nual Christmas caroling party. This year,however, there was a new item on herchecklist: keeping a close eye on her 13-year-old daughter, 16-year-old son and theirfriends, who would be among the guests atthe family-friendly affair.

“The party begins at our house and westroll to the end of the street singing car-ols,” said O’Brien. “There are so manypeople, that it would be easy for kids towander off back to the house where they’dbe alone with the alcohol. They’re startingto want more independence now, so wenaturally lose some of the control that wehad when they were younger.”

Flowing drinks are as much a part of someholiday parties as decadent desserts. As aresult, yuletide festivities increase access toalcoholic beverages for underage drinkers.According to experts, underage drinkers areresponsible for between 10 and 20 percentof all alcohol consumed. During the holi-day season, they also make up the highestpercentage of impaired drivers. The temp-tation among tweens and teens to experi-ment and give into peer pressure, combinedwith the availability of alcoholic beveragescan be a deadly combination, says safetyexperts. They encourage parents to haveconversations with their children.

“A lot of parents would be surprised thattheir child would drink, but there are a lotof ways for children to get alcohol,” saidAllen Lomax, executive director of the Sub-stance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alex-andria. “It’s easy for them to get alcoholfrom their parents’ home if it’s not lockedup. You have to constantly monitor partiesin your home when teens are there becausethere’s a good chance that someone, evenif it’s not your own child, could have alco-hol.”

A child’s inquisitiveness about alcohol isa sign that it’s time for a parent to begin adialogue about the dangers and conse-quences of underage consumption, saysLinda R. Cote-Reilly, a developmental psy-chologist, certified family life educator andprofessor at Marymount University in Ar-lington. It is best to start the conversation… long before the child might be in a situ-ation where they partake in underage drink-ing. … It’s not that different from conver-sations about sexual activity. One big dif-

ference, though, is that the child will haveobserved his or her own parents’ alcoholuse, so parents should be prepared to …answer pointed questions.”

In fact, personal experiences, even thosethat are unpleasant, can be teachable mo-ments and should not be avoided or sugar-coated, says Cote Reilly. “Some children willhave an alcoholic in the family, and parentsshould always address that situation hon-estly and in child appropriate language. Forexample, a child might say, ‘Why did UncleJim fall asleep during Thanksgiving dinner?’and the parent could respond, ‘Because hedrank too much alcohol.’”

Because alcohol is a legal substance thatchildren often observe parents and otheradults consuming, and that they might le-gally consume themselves later in life, theissue can be confusing. While parents wantto curb underage drinking to keep their highschool children safe and avoid legal penal-ties, said Amy L. Best, professor and chair,Department of Sociology and Anthropology,George Mason University. “On the otherhand, parents also need to lay the ground-work for their children to consume alcoholresponsibly in early adulthood.”

Unfortunately, straight alcohol bans dolittle to protect young people as they moveout from under the yoke of parental super-vision. For students transitioning to college,it is very important they have the tools andresources to manage situations where bingedrinking is more common.

Engaging in a straightforward discussionthat is void of mandates and hard-linedrules is the most effective approach in get-ting children to be receptive, advised Best.“I think parents do well when they engagein honest and reasoned discussions withtheir children about alcohol and that theseconversations be ongoing, informal andstructured so their children can feel com-fortable talking about what they are observ-

ing around them,” she said.“Research suggests that when parents fo-

cus on rules and discipline, adolescents tendto be more likely to engage in surreptitiousdrinking and succumb to peer pressure,”agreed Shannon N. Davis, associate profes-sor of sociology at George Mason Univer-sity, In fact, parents who talk to their ado-lescents about drinking as something thatis forbidden might actually be enhancingits desirability, says Davis.

“Instead, [discuss it] as something thatin moderation is part of adult life; [thesediscussions] are more likely to have theirchildren express ideas about moderation intheir own subsequent alcohol consump-tion,” she said. “This is not to say that par-ents should encourage their adolescents tobreak the law. Instead, rather than focus-ing on the illegality of the behavior and therules around drinking, parents should havehonest conversations about drinking, theconsequences on bodies of drinking, andexplain why the rules exist in general.”

Honest conversations also help clear upmisconceptions. “Children often harborideas about alcohol that are downrightwrong,” said Best. “Sometimes this means

parents just listen and then can sharetheir own observations, as well as thestrategies they used to navigate thecomplex world of adolescent andadult drinking.”

It is important that parents set clearboundaries. “I also think parents dowell when they set clear guidelinesand follow them,” said Best. “It is im-portant that teens have the means toforge a sense of self that is separatefrom their parents. That is the funda-mental developmental project of ado-lescence. When teens have productivemeans to forge a sense of self inde-pendence of parent(s), alcohol holdsless appeal.”

It also holds less appeal to confidentteens. “Most importantly, parents wantto ensure that their adolescents havehigh levels of self-esteem that allowthem to feel comfortable saying ‘no’to any circumstance where they areuncomfortable or pressured by theirfriends,” said Davis. “Reminding ado-lescents that it is OK to be different isa hard thing, and it is a hard thing forthe adolescents to hear.”

Experts suggestholding honestconversations.

Wellbeing

Preventing Underage Drinking During the Holidays

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

The holidays and the resulting increase in celebrations and partiescreate opportunities for underage drinking.

“Instead, rather thanfocusing on theillegality of the behaviorand the rules arounddrinking, parentsshould have honestconversations aboutdrinking, theconsequences onbodies of drinking, andexplain why the rulesexist in general.”

—Shannon N. Davis,associate professor of sociology at

George Mason University

Combating that holiday period which theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationsays is a “dangerous time to be on the road dueto a high number of drunk drivers behind thewheel,” a local nonprofit organization an-nounced hat free cab rides will be offered towould-be drunk drivers throughout the Wash-ington-metropolitan area during the winterholidays.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Re-gional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the annual

Holiday SoberRide® program will operate be-tween 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. each evening betweenFriday, Dec. 16, 2016 and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017as a way to keep local roads safe from impaireddrivers during this traditionally high-risk, holi-day period.

During the evening hours, between Dec. 16and Jan. 1, Washington-metropolitan area resi-dents celebrating with alcohol may call thetoll-free SoberRide phone number 1–800–200–TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to $ 30fare), safe way home. (AT&T wireless users candial #WRAP for the same service.)

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

Free Holiday Cab RidesOffered to PreventDrunk Driving


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News

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

More than 60 groups marcheddown the mile-long paraderoute for the WinterFest Pa-rade in McLean on Sunday,

Dec. 4.“It’s been around for a long time,” says

Maureen Scholz a seven-year member of theparade’s steering committee.

It used to be a homecoming parade backin the 1970s and ‘80s before it fizzled out,she says. It was resurrected eight years agoby the Greater McLean Chamber of Com-merce and has been run by the steering com-mittee for the last seven years.

“We wanted to bring awareness that McLean is ahome town and to basically show off,” she says.

Trish Butler has been involved in the parade forthe last eight years and has been leading the steer-ing committee.

“She pours her heart and soul into this event ev-ery year,” Scholz says of Butler.

Butler gives credit for the parade’s resurrection totwo retired volunteer firefighters: Clyde Clark of theMcLean Volunteer Fire Department and Homer Johnsof the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department.

“Firefighters have always marched in parades, butthere just wasn’t a venue for them to do that inMcLean,” Butler says.

Like Reston and other surrounding communitiesthat have holiday parades, Clark and Johns “wantedto create community spirit here,” she says.

The first parade eight years ago had 50 units andthis year boasted more than 60.

“We tend to get repeats marching in the parade,”Scholz says. “It’s become an exciting event that peopleare waiting for each year.”

Though downtown McLean is the focus, groupscome from all over Fairfax County to participate, in-cluding Falls Church, Reston, Great Falls, Herndonand Vienna.

Last year, more than 800 people watched the pa-rade. This year’s count is still being finalized, butScholz anticipates that around 600 people attended.She attributes the anticipated dip to Sunday’s chillyweather.

The cold did not stop elementary students from

The McLean High School Marching Highlandersfinish the parade route.

McLean WinterFest ParadeCelebrates Eighth Run

See WinterFest, Page 12

Santa Claus rode ontop of the McLeanVolunteer FireDepartment’s firetruck.

Photos by Kent Arnold


Friday, December 16 5PM-7PM

Barnes & Noble Tysons Corner I (2nd FLOOR)7851 Tysons Corner Center

McLean • VA 22102

Barnes & Noble book signing

What Made Me Who I Am

byBernie Swain

Founder ofWashington Speakers Bureau

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From Page 11

performing at the Langley Shopping Cen-ter, says Scholz, who runs the pre-paradeentertainment each year while her husbandand son set up the stage equipment.

Children from the Westgate ElementarySchool in Falls Church and the Spring HillElementary and Kent Gardens Elementaryschools in McLean performed an hour be-fore the parade began.

“There’s an old couple that come out ev-ery year and put their chairs right up front,”she says. “It’s a nice feeling to be a part of ahometown tradition.”

Food trucks were parked on Old ChainBridge Road on the parade route to feedparade goers.

Trucks included Mama’s Donut Bites,which specializes in hot mini donuts; theCrepe Love Truck, an extension of CrêpeAmour, a creperie and café brand in Vienna;

and Doug the Food Dude, a caterer and foodtruck serving the Northern Virginia Metroarea.

An annual tradition for the parade’s or-ganizers is to give some money that theyraise back to the community. They do thisby donating to Share, Inc., a nonprofit thatprovides emergency assistance to those inneed in McLean, Pimmit Hills and nearbyareas of Northern Virginia.

“We feel that Share is the best way to give

it back,” says Scholz.Last year, the steering committee pre-

sented the Share with a $1,500 check. Or-ganizers plan on giving the organizationanother check in January.

The steering committee will start to or-ganize next year’s festivities in August.

“We’re always looking for volunteers tohelp plan the parade and are always look-ing for groups to support it financially,” saysButler.

A video and photo slideshow of the pa-rade will be posted on the parade’s websiteat www.mcleanwinterfest.org.

WinterFest Celebrated in McLean

Girl Scouts from the Nation’s Capital Council, which is comprised of girlsfrom throughout the Greater Washington Region, hold hands as theywalk the parade route.

Photos by Kent Arnold

Cub Scout Pack 0665 from St John’s Episcopal Church in McLeanmarches down the parade route.


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News

Addiction Is Not‘Somewhere Else’

in their lifetime, and 10 percent using it in the pastmonth.

Rates of use also increased by grade level, risingto 36 percent of 12th-grade students reporting life-time use, and 20 percent indicating use in the pastmonth.

Fairfax County youth reported lower rates of usethan those seen nationally for many of the investi-gated substances, according to the survey. Overallrates of use of alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and allforms of tobacco were lower than the national rates.

However, Fairfax County youth were slightly morelikely than their peers nationally to report past monthLSD, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin use.

Alison Senold, who volunteered with the LangleyHigh School Parent Teacher Student Association toorganize the Herren event, says substance abuseamong county teens is more of an issue than parentsrealize.

“I think families tend to look around McLean andLangley and Woodson districts and they go, ‘Theseare really nice neighborhoods. We don’t have a prob-lem with drugs and alcohol. We send our kids to thebest schools in the country.’ Yeah, they are the bestschools in the country, but that doesn’t mean kidsaren’t still confronted with those decisions arounddrug and alcohol use on a regular basis. And theystill need the tools to make good decisions as theygo through adolescence.”

Herren confirmed her theory.“I’m going to be honest with you,” he said. “The

wealthier the community, the worse the problem—by far.”

Senold, who is the parent of two high school boys,says she has ongoing conversations with her kidsabout the topic.

“They hear the conversations that go on and areaware of the parties that get thrown and they knowwhat their friends are doing, and it takes a lot oftalking and support as a parent to guide themthrough those decisions,” she says. “It’s not a oneand done thing. You can’t just check the box.”

Lucy Caldwell, spokesperson for the Fairfax-FallsChurch Community Services Board, a public agencythat helps people with mental illness and substanceuse disorders, says this parental support system iswhat Herren was urging parents to provide.

“[Herren’s] message was targeting parents to notlook the other way, to pay attention and know what’sgoing on with their child and that it’s not just a beer,”Caldwell says “It’s not about a beer or pot, but it’sabout why, and that’s absolutely part of the issue.”

Caldwell was on site manning a resource table forthe CSB during the event and was available to an-swer any questions about addiction and mental ill-ness.

“Sadly, it’s not just about the beer. Many people doend up becoming addicted,” she says. “His messagewas very clear and very strong and sometimes thatmakes people uncomfortable.”

In her line of work, she has seen that most every-one with heroin or opioid dependency started byabusing marijuana or alcohol at a younger age.

“They don’t need to understand worst day, theyneed to understand first day,” Herren told parents inresponse to an audience question.

“I find it awfully sad when a young child loses theability to be themselves 24-7,” he said. “When all ofa sudden, a child needs a substance to get through

the day; that’s not good. That’s sad.”He told the crowd that the main point of his story

was not just about drugs and alcohol.“It’s more about self-esteem and self-worth,” he

said. “It’s about confidence and feeling comfortable.It’s about recognizing when your anxiety is high andyour self-esteem is low. But nobody talks about this.”

There were some tears in the audience as his talkstirred up painful emotions for some who have ex-perience with the struggles of addiction.

As Herren walked off the stage, he let out a loudsigh of relief that reliving his troubled past was over.

Viewpoint

What impression didhis story have on you?

McLean High Schoolsophomore ImaniMcCormick, 15

“I think it was an influen-tial and powerful speech. I’vealways been against sub-stance abuse. It made mehate it a bit more.”

McLean High Schoolsophomore Aaron

Choi, 16“It’s cliché to say, but he

spoke from the bottom of hisheart. Peer pressure andeverything he talked about …I’ll think of his words nexttime I’m in that situation.”

Langley High Schoolsophomore HannanMumtaz, 15

“It was very powerful andsomething this communityneeds to hear. I know a lot ofpeople that get themselvesinto these circumstances.Every party here will offeryou drugs or alcohol, butparents won’t discourage it.”

Gregg Monday“It was a powerful speech. I

watched the ESPN special onhim. I had to do a lot of self-reflecting about what kind ofparent I was” [when his adultchildren were younger].

Matt Haley“I don’t think it changed

my perception of substanceabuse as much as it changedthe conversation I need tohave with my daughter[sophomore at Langley HighSchool]. If you don’t focus onthe beginning, the end resultcould happen. The firstyellow pill … the initialchoice to just try it.”

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703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

OBITUARY

Joseph Gerald Teresa, age 75, died suddenly at home on November 22.

He leaves his wife of 36 years, Anne (Hancock) Teresa, their son Benjamin Teresa, daughter- in- law Erica Sims, and grand-daughter Eleanor of Richmond, Virginia; a nephew Carl Wil-liamson of Frederick, Maryland; and his mother -in- law, Euge-nia Hancock of the home.

Born and raised in Monrovia, California, Joe was the son of Carl and Frances (Bonfiglio)Teresa.

From his early years on he loved and excelled at mathematics. He obtained a B.S in Biology and a M.S. in Mathematics, and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to the Uni-versity of Michigan, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Education.

He taught at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for several years, co-authoring a number of studies and books published by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. In 1976 he joined the U.S. Department of Education as a senior statisti-cian. He spent 24 years at the Department designing, con-ducting and contributing to large-scale national education stud-ies, including the National Assessment of Educational Prog-ress (NAEP). He held teaching positions at the University of Arkansas at Monticello; Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA; The University of Maryland; and George Mason University. Joe was passionate about teaching and loved working with stu-dents of all ages.

In 1980 he married the former Anne Hancock of Bluefield, West Virginia. They moved to Vienna, Virginia in 1988 where they raised their son, Benjamin, born in 1982. Joe was a true family man, reflecting his Italian heritage, and spent many years as a Boy Scout leader with Troop 152 in Vienna.

In 2011 Joe and Anne moved to Shepherdstown where he made many close friends and truly enjoyed the beauty of the area. He volunteered with the Good Shepherd Caregivers and was a member of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. He was a friend to all animals, loved to travel, and never met a cookie he did not like.

A celebration of life will be held at the Shepherdstown Presby-terian Church in Shepherdstown, WV on December 17 at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church; the Good Shepherd Caregivers of Shepherdstown, WV; or the Sons of Italy Foundation.

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21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEBackstage Bistro Arlington, LLC trading as Stageplate

Bistro-Arlington, 900 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22203. The

above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On Premises; Mixed Beverage license to sell or

manufacture alcoholic beverages,

Mary Marchetti, President of the managing corporationNOTE: Objections to the

issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later

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

notices. Objections should be registered at

www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ABC LICENSEGong & Yuan, LLC trading as Hunan Gate, 4233 Fairfax Dr.

Arlington, VA 22203. The above establishment is

applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC)

for a Wine and Beer On Premises and Mixed Beverage on Premises license to sell or

manufacture alcoholic beverages. Zhao Feng Gong,

owner NOTE: Objections to the


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

required legal notices. Objections should be

registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or

800-552-3200.

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEFun Eats and Drinks, LLC

trading as Champps #65226, 1201 S. Joyce Rd, Suite C-10,

Arlington, VA 22202. The above establishment is

applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine &

Beer On Premises; Mixed Beverage Restaurant on

Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic

beverages, Michael R. Kelly, Manager

(LLC)NOTE: Objections to the


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

notices. Objections should be registered at

www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

ABC LICENSEK. Rob Krupicka, Jr. trading as

Sugar Shack Donuts, 1014 S. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA

22204. The above establishment is applying to the

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Beer On Premises

license to sell or manufacture alcoholic

beveragesK. Rob Krupicka, Jr, Managing Member

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later




800-552-3200.

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSENatural Food LLC trading as

Asia Origin, 1753 Pinnacle Dr., Mclean, VA 22102. The above

establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT

OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC)

for a Wine and Beer On Premises; Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or

manufacture alcoholic beverages. Chaosheng Liu

MemberNOTE: Objections to the





800-552-3200.

ABC NOTICEMaru, Inc trading as Maru

Korean Cuisine & Sushi, 128 Maple Ave West, Vienna, VA

22180. The above establishment is applying to

the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises and Mixed Beverage Restaurant

license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Chun Ki Lee, President/OwnerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

21 Announcements

21 Announcements

21 Announcements

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Rocking theChair

Not that I was ever a CB person (CitizensBand radio), good buddy, but right now, Iam in the middle of both my four-to-fiveweek infusion interval and my quarterly-scan interval. Far enough past that I don’thave any residual food or emotional issuesand not close enough that I have any anxi-ety about the food and emotional issuesthat will inevitably occur. I am between arock and a hard place, and I mean that inan atypical way: I am under no pressure,but no illusions either, oddly enough. I amsailing smooth and riding high, mindful ofmy reality, but appreciative of the relative— and comparative calm with which thisinterval affords.

Not that I can be normal (not a cancer“diagnosee”), but this is as close to ‘normal’as it gets — for me. After all, I do have a“terminal” form of cancer (non-small celllung cancer, stage IV), not a cold, so it’s notas if it will go away with time. Nevertheless,I am grateful for the particularly good times— now, while trying to manage my expec-tations for the bad times — later, after thishoneymoon-type period ends. But sincethere have been many more good timesthan bad since I was diagnosed in lateFebruary 2009, I am not bogged down,emotionally by my circumstances, althoughI am somewhat compromised, physically.Nothing I can’t live with, however. Actually,I’m thrilled to live with any of it, ‘live’ beingthe operative word.

At this juncture, nearly eight years postinitial symptoms (New Year’s Day 2009),mostly I can handle what happens to me, sofar any way. But when similar stuff happensto others: death, disease, disability, demen-tia; I feel their pain, sort of; and suffer emo-tionally. It’s not as if I take in all their anxi-ety, but in a way, the weight of it does affectme. And sometimes, I get weepy over it. AsI’ve written before, and heard many timesas well in the cancer world, negative any-thing is extremely harmful to cancerpatients — or most other “terminal”patients I would imagine as well. From myown experience though, I certainly under-stand the difficult circumstances underwhich all us patients/survivors endure;remaining positive and being surrounded bypositivity is key as is humor, encourage-ment, compliments, congratulations, com-passion and empathy. All are crucial to ourcore. Healthy bodies we may no longerhave, but healthy minds we have to main-tain. And the stronger and healthier thatmind is, the more it will help us to mind ourown business and do so in a manner thatwill prevent the cancer from taking overthose minds.

Just as The United Negro College Fund“slogans” “A mind is a terrible thing towaste;” in the cancer world, it’s terriblewhen patients are unable to use their mindsto fight their disease. In many cases, canceris a killer, there’s no doubt about that, butallowing negative emotions to take over isreally unhelpful. Accentuating the positive(like the subject of this column) and mini-mizing the negative has to be the order ofthe day — and the night, too. You have tofind the good or the funny and embrace it,exaggerate it, extend it, elongate it, andreinforce it. Anything to make sure it mat-ters more than the bad. Bad is bad enoughon its own. It doesn’t need any help fromus. Focusing on what I can enjoy hopefullywill enable me to keep on trekking, and to“Live long and prosper.”

Come back.

An expert is someone who knowssome of the

worst mistakesthat can bemade in his

subject and howto avoid them.

-WernerHeisenberg

The biggest things are always the easiest to do because there

is no competition.-William Van Horne

Light tomorrowwith today!.

-Elizabeth Barret Browing


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/Oakton

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I believe thefuture is only

the past again,entered through

another gate.-Arthur Wing

Pinero

When Richard Marzan opened HouseDoctors in the fall of 2015, it was becausehe saw an opportunity to meet two needs:he wanted to begin a new career after re-tiring from the Army and the communityneeded a trustworthy, professional handy-man service. Now Marzan and his team cel-ebrate the one-year anniversary of HouseDoctors of McLean.

“The first year of a new business is al-ways a building year and we’ve done that.Now, with a solid foundation, we are mov-ing forward with plenty of lessons learnedand a bright future. We exceeded all expec-tations and we’re receiving strong commu-nity support – I’m very excited about yeartwo,” Marzan said.

House Doctors of McLean offers profes-sional handyman services in Dunn Loring,Falls Church, Great Falls, McLean, Arling-ton, Oakton, Tysons and Vienna as well asthe surrounding areas.

Marzan, a retired Lieutenant Colonel,served in the United States Army for morethan 27 years. He is an ROTC DistinguishedMilitary Graduate and a 1995 graduate ofthe Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox,Ky. Marzan earned his Bachelor’s degree inIndustrial Management from the Polytech-nic University of Puerto Rico and hisMaster’s degree in Administration fromCentral Michigan University. He is also a

graduate from the Captains Career Courseand the United States Army Command andGeneral Staff College. Marzan’s awards anddecorations include the Defense Meritori-ous Service Medal, Meritorious ServiceMedal, Iraq and Afghanistan CampaignMedals, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATOMedal, and the Parachutist and RiggerBadge.

“I retired from the military in 2015 and Ididn’t want to transition into an office jobor government contracting work. With thehelp of the Army Retirement Services, I metwith a business coach who opened my eyesto franchising. When I talked to the folks atHouse Doctors, I knew this business wouldbe a good fit for me and for the region I callhome,” Marzan said. “House Doctors is aprofessional handyman service and thatmeans any repair we do will be done right.”

House Doctors’ technicians specialize inprojects that take two hours to two days tocomplete, such as light remodeling and re-pairs of decks, doors, bathrooms and kitch-ens; repairing drywall; painting; exteriorrepairs; making home modifications andmuch more.

For more information about House Doc-tors of McLean or for an estimate on yourproject, call 703-639-0391, [email protected] or visit http://housedoctors.com/handyman-mclean/.

House Doctors of McLean CelebratesOne Year Anniversary

THROUGH DEC. 18The Container Store Annual Holiday Hugs

Program in Partnership with Children’sNational Health System Collections aregoing on now through December 18th and giftswill be delivered to the hospital the week ofDecember 19th. The Container Store is thrilled tocontinue its annual, nationwide signature givingprogram, Holiday Hugs. In each of ourWashington, DC-area stores, we are partneringwith Children’s National Health System tocollect and deliver new, unwrapped gifts to theiryoung patients who are spending the holidays inthe hospital. Customers can participate in theHoliday Hugs program by dropping off new,unwrapped books, small toys and games,toiletries, gift cards and kid-friendly stockingstuffers in collection bins at our Washington,DC, Arlington, VA, Reston, Tysons Corner andRockville locations

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 7Decluttering Seminar. The Retiree Real Estate

Education Association announces free publicservice seminar for December, 2016, onDecluttering (McLean High School, 7 p.m.). Theseminar is a part of a series of 8 free seminarson real estate issues unique to retirees. Seminarsare free, in the evenings at County publicschools. Retiree- RealEstate.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 9Bring New Unwrapped Toys to Vienna

Presbyterian Church 9:30 - noon, fordistribution by CHO. Please also if possible bringgift cards from Target for teens.

SATURDAY/DEC. 10Wish List Project Drop Off Event 10 – 1:00

p.m. The Perez Family Home at 10440 DownPatrick Lane, Great Falls. Directly help familiesin need in area shelters, local elementaryschools, alternative housing and children infoster care. New this year — The Wish ListProject has partnered with Buzz Aldrin, Herndonand Hutchison Elementary schools for studentswho qualify for the free/reduced meal program.Your generosity and support will perpetuate theessence of the holiday season. It is importantthat ALL DONATIONS be received no later thanthe 10th as school counselors, social workersand shelter directors will be picking up the

following day.If you have a conflict with the 10th, a time for drop-

off can be arranged the week prior. Gift receiptsare encouraged to be included with the presentsyou purchase.

Please contact Christie Shumadine at 703-405-8561or [email protected] with any questions.All gifts are tax deductible and forms will beavailable at the driveway during drop off.

TUESDAY/DEC. 13Aging in Place Seminars. The Retiree Real

Estate Education Association announces freepublic service seminar for December, 2016, onAging in Place (Falls Church H.S., 7 p.m.). Theseminar is a part of a series of 8 free seminarson real estate issues unique to retirees. Seminarsare free, in the evenings at County publicschools. For more information and semi- narregistration go to Retiree- RealEstate.org.

ONGOING17th Annual Wish List Angels Project Wish

List Angels directly help families in localelementary schools, area shelters, alternativehousing and children in foster care. Yourgenerosity and support will perpetuate theessence of the holiday season. New this year -The Wish List Project has partnered with BuzzAldrin, Herndon and Hutchison elementaryschools when we learned that there were somany students struggling to make ends meetincluding basic needs.

In conjunction with the school guidance counselorsand social workers, we happily addedindividuals to our Wish List Project to helpspread some holiday cheer. Some of their storieswere difficult to hear – the father in need of aheart transplant, the child battling leukemia, themother fighting cancer, the teenage girl whosurvived mental and physical abuse working onher college degree in psychology to help others.The list goes on and once again, we reach out toour Wish List Angels to work their magic thisholiday season.

Last year our community generously granted wishesto over 400 individuals in our community duringthe holiday season.

Please look at the wish lists and take thisopportunity to spread some cheer thisDecember.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4faeaa2ea57-thewish1

Bulletin Board

To have community events listed in the Connection, send to connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday.

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