opinion, page 4 ‘it’s our time to...

HomeLifeStylePage 6

Education, ERA, $15 Minimum Wage News, Page 3

What’s in Home Sales Numbers?Real Estate, Page 9

‘It’s Our Time to Shine!’News, Page 7

John Reynolds and daughter Cora, of McLean, enjoyed the arts project space at the McLean Com-munity Center Open House; 6 ½-year old Cora will

also be continuing her dance lessons at the MCC. She was dressed and ready for the dance demo.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 9-15, 2019

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2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ January 9-15, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ January 9-15, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

Teachers deserve a pay raise, andVirginia desperately needs tohire more school counselors.These were two of the most

prevalent concerns voiced by constituentsto members of the Fairfax County legisla-tive delegation, the largest in the VirginiaGeneral Assembly.

During a marathon public hearing at theFairfax County Government Center lastweekend, lawmakers heard about every-thing from raising the minimum wage toreducing restrictions on solar power. But itwas the coordinated push for educationfunding that remained a common theme,as one speaker after the next called on mem-bers of the House of Delegates and stateSenate to invest an expected windfall of newrevenue into the classroom.

“K-12 funding is again our top priority forthis legislative session,” said Fairfax Boardof Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova,speaking at her last public hearing beforestepping down at the end of 2019 from aposition she’s held since 2009. “We haveover 55,000 students receiving free-or re-duced price lunch, over 36,000 studentslearning English as a second language andover 26,000 students receiving special edu-cation services. We need adequate fundingto provide services for these higher needstudents.”

Gov. Ralph Northam has signaled thateducation funding will be one of his toppriorities this year too, a move largelyprompted by a $300 million windfall of newrevenue from the Trump tax cuts. Becausechanges at the federal level create new in-centives for high-income earners to take astandard deduction rather than itemizing,that means more state tax filers will be tak-ing a standard deduction rather than item-izing — creating a new pot of money forlawmakers to spend. At the top of theagenda is a 5 percent raise for Virginiateachers.

“Obviously the governor’s budget seeksto retain the best educator workforce,” saidMelanie Meren, a candidate for the HunterMill District on the Fairfax County SchoolBoard. “And that means pay increases forteachers.”

AFTER THE PARKLAND shooting lastyear, Republican leaders in the House cre-ated a select committee on school safetyto come up with recommendations to in-crease school safety. The group did notconsider any new firearm restrictions,choosing instead to look at hardeningschool facilities and creating a new tip lineallowing students to alert authorities aboutpotential problems. One of the key recom-

mendations of the committee is reducingadministrative duties of school counselors,freeing them up from duties like adminis-tering standardized tests. The committeedid not recommend hiring any new schoolcounselors though, even though Virginiafalls far short of the recommended ratioof one counselor for every 250 students.That would cost about $86 million, andNortham has a three-year plan to startmoving toward that goal by spending $36million this year.

“Governor Northam recently said that ourschool counselors are the ears of the edu-cation system,” said Laura Jane Cohn, acandidate for the Springfield District of theFairfax County School Board. “They are in-deed the ears that hear about bullying andtrouble at home.”

Specifics of one of the governor’s budgetproposal that is troubling school officialshere is to increase funding for a pool ofmoney known as the “at-risk add-on,” a wayto increase funding for school divisions witha high percentage of students who live inpoverty. Although Fairfax County has55,000 students who qualify for free or re-duced price lunch, that’s only 29 percent ofthe student population — far below thestatewide average of 41 percent. So thegovernor’s plan to add $35 million to theat-risk add-on would not benefit FairfaxCounty.

“Because the at-risk add-on is based ondivision-wide percentages of poverty ratherthan our actual numbers of eligible stu-dents, Fairfax is disadvantaged by its over-all size,” said School Board ChairwomanKaren Corbett Sanders.

HELPING LOW-WAGE workers was an-

other theme to emerge from the five-hourhearing. Several speakers from the Ser-vice Employees International Union 512spoke about raising the minimum wageto $15 an hour, ensuring workers haveaccess to paid family leave and removingwhat they see as unnecessary restrictionson workers who want to unionize. Theyalso spoke in favor of making the EarnedIncome Tax fully refundable. Virginia isone of the few states that does not makeits earned income tax credit refundable,which harms families earning less than$50,000 a year.

“The truth is that many working peopleacross our community are struggling,” saidDavid Broder, president of SEIU512. “Thefastest growing jobs are often low-wage andlack basic benefits such as health care, paidleave and retirement plans.”

Carpenter Jose Frias appeared before law-makers to urge them to take action againstwage theft. Virginia is one of the few statesthat does not allow workers who are vic-tims of wage theft to receive lawyers fees,which harms low-wage workers who wouldotherwise have no way to pay for a lawyer.Maryland allows for triple damages, andD.C. allows quadruple damages plus legalfees. But in Virginia, people who have notreceived all the money coming to them havea hard time finding a lawyer willing to workfor free.

“Pass laws that give us the right to pri-vate cause of action,” said Frias. “We needthese tools to defend our jobs and providefor our families.”

SEVERAL SPEAKERS urged lawmak-ers to scale back recently passed restric-tions on homeowners who rent out their

houses short term through services likeAirbnb.

Other speakers called for instituting uni-versal background checks for people whopurchase weapons at gun shows.

A handful of people arrived at the gov-ernment center to ask lawmakers to “closethe puppy mill loophole,” a legislative ef-fort to create new restrictions on businessesthat sell animals.

One speaker urged lawmakers to rejectefforts to fork over up to $1.1 billion worthof incentives to Amazon.

“This deal was conducted without anypublic input, and so this deal has no man-date,” said Helen Li, a Fairfax County resi-dent who is part of a group known as ForUs Not Amazon. “Please fight for a fair pro-cess instead of rubber-stamping a secretbusiness deal that was made without Vir-ginia residents in mind.”

Lawmakers also heard from severalspeakers on both sides of the Equal RightsAmendment. After Illinois became the 37thstate to pass the ERA last year, advocatesfor and against started targeting Virginia asthe potential 38th state — the magic num-ber needed to put the ERA over the top andadd it to the Constitution.

Arthur Purves of the Fairfax County Tax-payers Alliance raised concerns that the ERAmight “make men’s and women’s bathroomsunconstitutional.” Many more speakers,though, said it was long past time for Vir-ginia to join the other states that have ap-proved the amendment.

“We have a historic opportunity this yearto ratify the ERA and get it passed and in-clude women in the Constitution of theUnited States as equal,” said ShyamaliHauth, a veteran who is active in Demo-cratic politics. “I ask you to do the rightthing and ensure equality of rights underthe law shall not be denied or abridged bythe United States or by any state on accountof sex — those are the exact words of theEqual Rights Amendment.”

Constituents tell lawmakers to increase teacher pay;pass ERA, $15 minimum wage and more.

Education Issues Take Center Stage

Speaking at her last legislative public hearing aschairman of the Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulovatold lawmakers her top priorityis funding for schools.

SEIU512 President David Broder asked lawmakersto support raising the minimum wage to $15 anhour and ensuring workers have access to paidfamily leave.

Photos by Michael Lee Pope/The Connection

“K-12 funding is again our top priorityfor this legislative session.”

—Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova


Opinion

Before this session, every year for thebetter part of a decade, the most pro-found wish for the Virginia GeneralAssembly session was the expansion

of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act,which could provide healthcare to as many as400,000 poor Virginians who otherwise wereliving without coverage. Partisanobstruction prevented those peoplefrom gaining coverage for manyyears.

But coverage began this month for 200,000new enrollees after Medicaid expansion cameto Virginia in the last session. It arrived withthe November 2017 election and Democratstaking 15 additional seats in Virginia’s Houseof Delegates. The prospect for more awaits inthis November’s election with all seats in theGeneral Assembly, both the House of Delegatesand the Senate, on the ballot.

So we’ll begin this year’s wish list with grati-tude that the entire Commonwealth, includ-ing the economy, will be healthier for provid-

ing healthcare to the previously uninsured. Anda wish that we not complicate the coveragewith work-reporting requirements. Please.

So in the new era of new hope for action inthe General Assembly, here are some (not somodest) wishes for this session, acknowledg-ing that some may wait another year for seri-

ous consideration.❖ Establish a nonpartisan redis-

tricting commission. This is urgent,as the General Assembly would have

to act in this session to get a constitutionalamendment on the ballot in time for a com-mission to be ready for redistricting after the2020 census.

❖ Greater transparency everywhere. Moveto allow fewer, not more, FOIA exemptions.Require that a reason be given for any FOIAdenial.

❖ End suspension of driver’s licenses for non-payment of court costs and fines.

❖ Pass the Equal Rights Amendment.❖ Fund Community Services Board budgets.

Expand Medicaid waivers; clear the waiting list.❖ Fund education fairly, Northern Virginia

needs more help.❖ Restrict predatory lending.❖ Think about reform and civil rights when

considering bills on law enforcement.❖ Protect LGBT rights❖ Involve local officials in fixing proffer regu-

lation.❖ Implement no-excuse absentee voting.❖ Limit large campaign contributions.❖ Prohibit personal use of campaign funds.❖ Require reporting on solitary confinement.❖ Push jails and prisons to adopt best prac-

tices for prisoners with mental health issues.❖ Provide a tax credit for family caregivers,

with income limits if needed.Comments? Additions? Email

[email protected] is an infinite amount of information

at Virginiageneralassembly.gov Click on “mem-bers and session” for quick links.

— Mary Kimm

Things this session of the General Assembly,beginning Jan. 9., could/should accomplish.Wish List

Commentary

Friends, Volunteers and Visitors:The Claude Moore Colonial

Farm at Turkey Run closed foreveron Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. TheFriends of the Claude Moore Co-lonial Farm at Turkey Run wouldlike to express our heartfelt grati-tude to the millions of visitors tothe Farm over the years. In addi-tion, we deeply value the invalu-able time and talents of thousandsof adult and youth volunteers andthe financial and in-kind contribu-tions of our many benefactors.

The Board of the Friends will betaking some time during the holi-day season to rest and reflect onthe accomplishments of our volun-teers and supporters for these last37 years. When the New Yeardawns we will be continuing ourmission of history, agricultural andenvironmental living educationalprograms in another location.Please continue to follow us on oursocial media sites for updates.

The Friends of the Claude MooreColonial Farm at Turkey Run,

which has operated the Farm forthese last 37 years, is no longerfundraising or accepting dona-tions. Any individual or organiza-tion purporting to raise money inthe name of Claude Moore or theClaude Moore Colonial Farm isdoing so under false pretenses.The Farm will not reopen at itsformer site in McLean under anyname associated with ClaudeMoore or the Claude Moore Colo-nial Farm so any claims to the con-trary from any party, including theNational Park Service, are false.

The National Park Service hasstated that it intends to hold com-munity meetings to discuss futureuses of the site. The Friends of theClaude Moore Colonial Farm atTurkey Run will not be involvedin those discussions, although weencourage our former volunteersand supporters within the commu-nity to make your voices heard.

The Friends of the ClaudeMoore Colonial Farm at

Turkey Runwww.1771.org

Letters to the Editor

The Fairfax County UnmannedAircraft Systems program will pro-vide an enhanced level of opera-tional capability, safety and situ-ational awareness for first re-sponders, other approved partici-pating agencies, and decision-makers with high quality imagery,data, and customized geospatialsolutions using unmanned aircraftwhile continuing to maintain thepublic trust.

Fairfax County is developing acomprehensive Public Safety Un-manned Aircraft Systems (UAS)program and would like to hearfrom residents on what they think.We are hosting six public informa-tion meetings located throughoutFairfax County.

The draft program is designedto support a variety of governmentmission types including:

❖ Search and rescue❖ Flooding assessments❖ Pre- and post-disaster damage

assessments❖ Crash reconstruction

❖ Fire incident/scene manage-ment and investigations

❖ Hazardous materials re-sponses

❖ Wildlife estimationThe draft UAS program would

not be used:❖ To conduct random surveil-

lance activities❖ To target a person based solely

on individual characteristics, suchas, but not limited to race,ethnicity, gender, national origin,religion or disability

❖ To harass, intimidate or dis-criminate against any individual orgroup

❖ To conduct personal businessor any other unauthorized use

Each public information meet-ing will include a static display ofunmanned aircraft followed by apresentation outlining the pro-gram. After the presentation, therewill be an opportunity to ask ques-tions from representatives of theOffice of Emergency Management,County Attorney’s Office, Police

❖ Jan. 23, 2019 (6:30 P.M. –8:30 p.m.), McLean District Gov-ernmental Center, 1437 Balls HillRoad, McLean, VA 22101

❖ Jan. 24, 2019 (6:30 p.m. –8:30 p.m.), Sully District Govern-mental Center, 4900 StonecroftBlvd, Chantilly, VA 20151

❖ Jan. 28, 2019 (6:30 p.m. –8:30 p.m.), Reston CommunityCenter – Hunter Woods, 2310Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA20191

❖ Jan. 30, 2019 (6:30 p.m. –8:30 p.m.), Braddock Hall – KingsPark Library, 9002 Burke LakeRoad, Burke, VA 22015

Public Safety Drones? Public Input Wantedand Fire and Rescue Department.The formal presentation will be-gin at 7 p.m.

To find out more about the UASprogram go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Thedraft public safety UAS programmanual is located there along witha link to the email account.

Please send your feedback orquestions [email protected] or throughthe link located on the UASwebpage. Written comments onthe draft program must be re-ceived by the close of business Feb.8, 2019 to be included in the offi-cial public record.

❖ Jan. 14, 2019 (6:30 p.m. –8:30 p.m.), Mason District Govern-mental Center (CommunityRoom), 6507 Columbia Pike,Annandale, VA 22003

*Jan. 16, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30p.m.), South County Governmen-tal Center (Room 221C), 8350Richmond Highway, Alexandria,VA 22309

Claude Moore Colonial Farm Closed

WriteThe Connection welcomes views onany public issue. The deadline for all

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1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

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McLean


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News

Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board(CSB) is once again offering mini-grants foryouth-led projects to reduce stigma among

their peers, using funds from a suicide preventiongrant from the Virginia Department of BehavioralHealth and Developmental Services.

These mini-grants will fund youth-planned, youth-led projects within Fairfax County, Fairfax City, andFalls Church City.

Here are some ideas from previous years’ grantawardees:

❖ Mountain View Alternative Learning Center con-ducted a project titled “I’m MINDING My Health,”where 24 students participated in 2-3 days of stu-dent-led group activities around the theme of men-tal health awareness. The group planned for andparticipated in group activities facilitated by theschool’s psychologist, social worker and counselor.They discussed definitions of mental health and strat-egies they can use to help maintain positive mentalhealth. Using funds from the grant, the students de-signed posters on that theme and a special bulletinboard was set up where students were encouragedto write statements of support for mental healthawareness.

❖ The Community Preservation and DevelopmentCorporation met with 32 youth, from ages 6 to 18years enrolled in the Summer Learning Loss Preven-tion Program in the Island Walk community centerin Reston.

The collective taught the youth how to stop, re-duce and cope with stigma relating to mental healthconditions. They also learned how to help someonewith a mental health challenge and how to find re-sources for them.

❖ McLean High School ran a suicide preventionprogram, “Sources of Strength,” and paid for train-ing for 40 students to serve as peer leaders and 10teachers to serve as adult advisors. Sources ofStrength is an evidence-based mental health programshown to positively change school culture using anupstream approach to enhance the protective fac-tors among youth, increasing the number of assets

in students’ lives. The program trains students as peerleaders and connects them with adult advisors atschool and in the community.

Proposals are due Feb. 1, 2019. Review the Re-quest for Proposals to find out how to apply, andemail [email protected] with ques-tions.

Mini-grants Available forYouth-led Anti-stigma InitiativesProposals due Feb. 1, 2019.

Social media post from McLean HighSchool with a photo of participants inSources of Strength.

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HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

For those who resolved to keep a neater,cleaner home in the new year, the issue ofhow to keep it that way through Decembercan be challenging. After the excitement of

the fresh start that January offers, the reality of one’sday-to-day life emerges. How to keep that newlypurged closet neat when rushing to get to a meetingon time? By February, that cleaned-out sports binmight look a bomb went off at Modell’s. From shred-ding or recycling unwanted mail each day to load-ing the dishwasher after each meal, adopting a fewdaily cleaning tips can help maintain that tidy homeall year long.

“In general, I recom-mend keeping up withhousehold duties on a dailybasis so none of them be-come a bigger project,”said professional organizerSusan Unger of ClutterSOS.

One of the most basictasks is making one’s bedfirst thing in the morning.“I think that kick starts youinto cleaning and organiz-ing mode and sets the tonefor the day,” said PrestonTaylor of From Chaos toOrder. “I also recommend keeping a dust cloth nearbyso that you can give your dresser and nightstand aquick dust off so dust accumulation would be oneless thing you have to worry about.”

Piles of clothing, whether clean or dirty can accu-mulate quickly and send a home in into disarray.Dedicating five to 10 minutes every evening torehanging clothes and separating items that need to

be dry cleaned can help prevent a backlog. “Be sureto put all clothes away on a daily basis rather thanleaving in a chair or floor,” said Unger. “Clean clothesshould be hung up or put in drawers and dirty clothesin the laundry basket.”

Taylor recommends tackling laundry every eveningif necessary. “If you start a load when you first arrive

home from work, you willhave time to dry and evenfold it before you go to bed,so you’re not faced with amountain of dirty clothesat the end of week,” saidTaylor.

When it comes to thebathroom, brief, daily at-tention to detail can keepdirt from spiraling out ofcontrol. Rehanging towels,and then wiping it downone’s shower each time youtake a shower are sugges-tions from Carmen Garciaof CG Green Clean. “Keep

a container of disinfecting wipes in your bathroomand wipe down your counters and sink before goingto bed each evening,” she said. “Also each night, adda squirt of toilet cleaner to your toilet bowl, wipedown the seat and then flush the toilet. It takes lessthan five minutes to do all of this but you’d be amazedat the difference it makes at the end of the week,especially in children’s bathrooms.”

Holiday visits with family members or friendsnot seen as frequently during the year mayraise questions about their cognitive health.

Although some change in cognitive ability can occurwith age, serious memory problems are not a part ofnormal aging. The Alzheimer’s Association encour-ages anyone who has a question or concern aboutthe state of an aging family member or friend to callits free 24-hour Helpline, 800-272-3900.Recognizing the difference can help identify when itmay be time for a loved one to see a doctor. TheAlzheimer’s Association has a check list of warningsigns, along with examples of normal aging. Everyindividual may experience one or more of the warn-ing signs in different degrees.

❖ Memory loss that disrupts daily life.❖ Challenges in planning or solving problems. \

Keeping a homein order all year long.

BeyondThe Resolution

❖ Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, atwork or at leisure.

❖ Confusion with time or place.❖ Trouble understanding visual images and spa-

tial relationships.❖ New problems with words in speaking or writ-

ing.❖ Misplacing things and losing the ability to re-

trace steps.❖ Decreased or poor judgment.❖ Withdrawal from work or social activities.❖ Changes in mood and personality.Although the onset of Alzheimer’s disease cannot

yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis is animportant step in getting appropriate treatment, careand support services allows people with dementiaand their families. For more information, visit theAlzheimer’s Association web site at alz.org or calltheir toll-free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Recognizing signs, early detection empowers familiesto plan for the future.

After Holiday Visits, Some Questions

“If you start a load when youfirst arrive home from work,you will have time to dry andeven fold it before you go tobed, so you’re not faced witha mountain of dirty clothesat the end of week.”

— Preston Taylor of From Chaos to Order

Wiping downbathroomshowers,sinks andcounterseach day canhelp keep ahome tidy allyear long.

Photo by

Stacy Zarin

Goldberg


News

See MCC, Page 10

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

On Saturday, Jan. 5, the doorsof the McLean CommunityCenter (MCC) were openedwide for an Open House. Lo-

cal residents and visitors from throughoutthe county were introduced to the new andimproved “Center of It All.”

It was in Spring of 2017 that the MCCwent dark and began its transformation –one that starts even outside its walls with“parking lot lighting that works” noted Cen-ter Executive Director George Sachs at theribbon-cutting a month ago, “and lightsalong the outdoor pathways.”

Another outdoors improvement was thenew stormwater management and filtrationsystems added underneath the parking lot– systems that were well-tested and passedwith flying colors during the record-break-ing rainfalls of late 2018.

Most visitors familiar with the originalfacilities remarked on the lobby area as theplace where change was most noticeable.That space was opened up dramatically.Where arriving guests were once faced bya large wall, floor-to-ceiling windows nowlook out upon a glass-enclosed interiorcourtyard and flood the space with lightinstead.

THE COURTYARD, complete with invit-ing greenery and benches, was made pos-sible by a generous donation from McLeanresidents and MCC supporters Roberto andGloria Maria Federigan. A brand new wel-come and registration desk now sits frontand center where visitors can get all thelatest information on MCC happenings.

All told, about 7,700 square feet of spacewas added, while another 33,000-plussquare feet were improved upon. Sachs waspleased to say that these improvementswould allow the MCC to offer even moreprograms to its almost dizzying inventory

of activities, and to expand the number ofparticipants that many of the events canaccommodate.

It’s a testament to the administration andstaff of the MCC that during the long reno-vation process they were able to continueoffering their usual array of classes, exhib-its, camps and other regular activities us-ing the satellite facilities at the OldFirehouse Center and a number of othertemporary locations.

Their organizational skills were on dis-play at the Open House, as they guided visi-tors through the new spaces with “pass-ports” in hand. A stamp in that “book” foreach area visited or activity participated inafforded each a chance to win a prize.

Staff were handing out swag bags at theentrance to the expanded, light-filled lobby,

to collect the many goodies and giveawaysto be had as those visitors wandered thenew classroom spaces and activity areas.

In the entry atrium, “5-almost-6-years-old” Katelyn and her sister, 8-year-oldKendyl from Falls Church, were just start-ing their Open House adventure. Kendylwas looking forward to joining in the HipHop demo class since she will be a classmember in the new facilities. In the lobby,they had stopped by the Old Firehouse andCamp McLean information booths to col-lect a few goodies for their swag bag andget some information from the OldFirehouse staff – along with that coveted“passport” stamp.

Mike Fisher, the Old Firehouse Centergeneral manager was on hand to talk aboutthe facility and its offerings, and his pas-

sion for the place, the people and commu-nity are easy to see.

Started as somewhere safe for youngstersand teens to meet for “recreation and per-sonal development” particularly after schooland during the summer, Fisher says “It’s ourmission to utilize the Old Firehouse for thatpurpose and more, to its fullest ability.”

Morning classes and events are nowscheduled for adults, and the Old Firehousehas partnered with a group to offer pro-grams for youngsters with differing abili-ties.

Elsewhere, dance and fitness demos weretaking place in the Shelp Studios, while theStedman Room offered previews of upcom-ing youth events, and the Hampton Roomwas filled with children – of all ages – tak-

McLean Community Center debutsrenovated facilities with Open House‘It’s Our Time to Shine!’

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection

Kendyl and Katelyn, sisters from Falls Church, are ready to start theirtour of the newly renovated McLean Community Center at the facility’sOpen House on Jan. 5.

Not all the fun was just for the kids – just ask Karl von Schriltz, theMcLean resident who was “electrified” by the static electricityinteractive display by the STEMtree folks who offer classes at theMcLean Community Center.

Deanna and Charles Martin are long-time McLean residents and support-ers of the McLean Community Center. At the Open House, they check outinformation with MCC Special Event Manager Catherine Nesbitt about a“trip to Spain” – or more accurately, a bus ride in to DC for a fabulousnight of food, wine, and Flamenco entertainment, part of the MCC’s“Passport Series.”

It’s recess time for Fairfax CountySchool Board member RyanMcElveen who took the time out toenjoy an arts and craft programwith his two-year-old daughterSierra at the McLean CommunityCenter Open House.


By David Siegel

The Connectionºº

Continuing its long tradition, the McLeanCommunity Center will celebrate the lifeand works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Our 2019 McLean Community Center MartinLuther King Jr Celebration is “a reflection of ourmission. The MCC is committed to cultivating ahealthy community in McLean. Dr. King’s principlesand vision are tools that we can use to build suchcommunities,” said Sarah N. Schallern, director, per-forming arts, MCC. “In times that are especially di-vided, it’s important that friends and neighbors cancome together to celebrate a man who was a greatunifier and be inspired to bring his teachings intotheir lives,” added Schallern.

The observance will include an Alden Theatre per-formance by renowned musical performance group,Liner Notes. Created by master teaching artist andperformer Paige Hernandez, Liner Notes will origi-nate a special multimedia concert experience. It willbe a fusion and collision of music’s past and presentthrough jazz standards, hip hop samples and with areading of actual record liner notes from musiciansof the civil rights movement.

Hernandez is a critically acclaimed artist, per-former, director, choreographer and playwright. Herworks have been commissioned by the Smithsonian’sDiscovery Theatre. She is a two time Helen Hayesnominee and has been named a Citizen Artist Fellowwith the Kennedy Center. Hernandez has been namedone of “Six Theatre Workers You Should Know” byAmerican Theatre Magazine. She has also been rec-ognized in organizations including the Wolf TrapInstitute for Early Learning through the Arts

After seeing a Liner Notes performance at theKennedy Center, Danielle Van Hook, MCC’s Directorof Youth Theatre Programs said it was “a beautifullyproduced event, with great music by a great bandthat was more than just a concert. It was anintergenerational and participatory experience.

“I felt the joy in the Liner Notes music in a waythat I haven’t from a concert before.” added Van

Hook. “The musicians are all accomplished. Whenthey came together you could really feel their lovefor the music, for each other as they celebrated be-loved musical artists.”

“McLean audiences can expect a fantastic celebra-tion to honor Dr. King and with the music of the CivilRights era performed by Linder Notes,” saidSchallern. “Paige Hernandez and Liner Notes willbring fantastic musical chops and contagious lovefor Civil Rights era music for an experience that willbe moving, enlightening, and inspiring.”

McLean Community Center presents the Dr. Mar-tin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration with Liner Notesat The Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Event: Sunday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets: $25/$15MCC tax district residents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 703-790-0123. Note:The 90 minute event is for all ages.

V010919-703 - horizPhoto courtesy of McLean Community Center

Liner Notes appearing at the 2019 McLeanCommunity Center Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. Birthday celebration.

Honoring Dr. King in McLeanMcLean Community Center celebrates Dr. MartinLuther King Jr.’s Birthday with special appearance byperformance artists Liner Notes.

Entertainment

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

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 9Movie Series: New Disney

Classics. 12:30 p.m. at The AldenCommunity Hall, McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.The Alden is kicking off a new filmseries with “new Disney Classics” –those that were loved during the1990s. The films will be shown at12:30 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday ofthe month through June. Freeadmission. Visit mcleancenter.org/performing-arts.

FRIDAY/JAN. 11The Old Firehouse 5th and 6th

Grader Parties. 7-9 p.m. at TheOld Firehouse, 1440 Chain BridgeRoad, McLean. The Snow Ball – thesepopular parties are themed and theOld Firehouse is decoratedaccordingly. Participants will enjoyfree catered food and beverages, anopen dance floor with music playedby a popular DJ and a variety ofparty attractions. $35/$25 MCCdistrict residents. Preregistration ishighly recommended. Call 703-448-8336 or visit mcleancenter.org/teens.

SATURDAY/JAN. 12NVMR Model Train Open House. 1-

5 p.m. At Vienna Train Station, 231Dominion Road, NE, Vienna. TheNVMR open house has model trainsand trolley activities that realisticallydepict an actual railroad that existedin North Carolina in the 19502s, theWestern North Carolina (WNC).Locomotive, rail car, and townsindustry in this layout is modeledafter those places and things as theylooked in that era. Thomas andFriends are there, too. Visitwww.nvmr.org.

AAUW Presents Dr. DwandalynReece. 2 pm. (doors open at 1:30)at Patrick Henry Library, 101 MapleAve. E., Vienna. Dr. DwandalynReece is Curator of Music andPerforming Arts at National Museumof African American Culture andHistory. Reece created the museum’saward-winning inaugural exhibition,Musical Crossroads, and co-curatedthe grand opening music festival,Freedom Sounds: A CommunityCelebration. The public is invited.Free. Visit vienna-va.aauw.net/.

Klondike Campfire Cookout. 3:30-5p.m. at Riverbend Park, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Howdid Native Americans prepare a mealin the middle of the winter cold inages past? Find out while making aown meal at the “Klondike CampfireCookout” at Riverbend Park. Preparea winter meal using colonial andindigenous cooking techniquesaround a campfire. Food and drinkare provided. Bring a flashlight andwear warm clothes. $15 per person.Call 703-759-9018 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.

Astronomy Festival. 5-8 p.m. atTurner Farm, 925 Springvale Road,Great Falls. After the sun sets, soakup some starshine at an “AstronomyFestival” that will include guidedstargazing and telescope viewing.Listen to ancient stories about theconstellations around the campfire,and participate in other activities andgames throughout the evening. $8per person. Hot chocolate and snackswill be available for purchase.Canceled if it rains or snows. Call703-324-8618 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm.

SUNDAY/JAN. 13Lox and Lecture: “The Island of

Roses – Tragedy in Paradise.”11:45 a.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom,2100 Westmoreland St., FallsChurch. Through the memories of hermother, family friends and additionalarchival material, Rebecca Samona`reconstructs the little known story ofthe life of the Jews of Rhodes, anItalian colony. Following theirdeportation to Auschwitz in July1944 and the destruction of thecommunity, the handful of survivorskept alive the memories of thiscenturies-old culture, and conveyedthe stories to their descendants.There will be a question and answersession after the movie. Light bageland lox brunch prior to the movie.WoTRS members $7, non-WoTRSmembers $10. RSVP by Jan. 10 atwotrsloxlecturejan2019.eventbrite.com.Email [email protected] or call 202-321-5824.

Annual Salzman Lecture. 6 p.m. inthe Sanctuary at LewinsvillePresbyterian Church, 1724 ChainBridge Road, McLean. This year’sspeaker will be Susan Wharton Gates,

PhD, author of “Days of Slaughter:Inside the Fall of Freddie Mac – andWhy It Could Happen Again.” Shewill share experiences and insights asa former vice president of publicpolicy at Freddie Mac in the lead upto the 30-percent collapse of houseprices and subsequent governmenttakeover of her company in 2008.The Salzman lecture series wasestablished in 1998 to honor thememory of Lewinsville elder andoutstanding Presbyterian layman,Howard Salzman. Visitwww.lewinsville.org.

MONDAY-TUESDAY/JAN. 14-15Audition for “Winnie-the-Pooh.” 7-

9 p.m. at The Alden, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. The Alden in McLeanis holding open auditions for itsspring production, “Winnie-the-Pooh;” call backs will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Walk-ins are welcome if space permits, butit is recommended to schedule anaudition in advance by emailing

[email protected] 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visitwww.aldentheatre.org.

TUESDAY/JAN. 15Mah Jongg Card Order Deadline.

This effort supports various TempleRodef Shalom programs andcharitable giving through a rebateprogram from the National MahJongg League. Last year more than620 cards sold to raise over $1,300.These are official cards and will besent directly from the National MahJongg League in late March/earlyApril 2019. $8 for small cards; $9 forlarge cards. Visit bit.ly/mahjcards2019 to order. Contact GailGershman at 561-596-4245 [email protected].

THURSDAY/JAN. 17Author Event: Judith Mudd-

Krijgelmans. 7-8:30 p.m. at PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Meet the author of “Flowers

for Brother Mudd: One Woman’sPath from Jim Crow to CareerDiplomat.” Learn how a girl fromLouisville’s Smoke Town survived asegregated society and whatpropelled her to jet across the worldfor decades in a career chosen at age16. Books available for sale andsigning. Free. Visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/4534636.

FRIDAY/JAN. 18“Dining With Dorothy.” 12:30 p.m.

At Westwood Country Club, 800Maple Ave., E, Vienna. Join withfriends or make new ones.Newcomers are always welcome. Toreserve a space, contact event chair,Dorothy Flood [email protected].

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JAN. 18-19“Peter Pan.” 8 p.m. at Vienna

Community Center, 120 Cherry St.,SE, Vienna. Presented by the ViennaTheatre Company and ViennaDepartment of Parks and Recreation.In this adaptation, based on theoriginal J.M. Barrie script, Peter willbe portrayed as a girl by a femaleactress. The dynamics change, butthe story remains the same. Generaladmission is $14. Tickets may bepurchased online atwww.viennatheatrecompany.com/ordering-tickets-online/, in advanceat the Vienna Community Center orat the door by cash, credit card orcheck prior to each to eachperformance (if seats are stillavailable). Visitwww.viennatheatrecompany.com.

SUNDAY/JAN. 20Breakfast Buffet. 8 a.m.-noon. at

Vienna American Legion Post 180,330 Center St., N., Vienna. ABreakfast Buffet will be offered bythe Vienna American Legion. Adults$10, children 12 and under $4. Getomelets, scrambled eggs, blueberrypancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuitsand gravy and more. Call 703-938-9535.

Hot Cocoa Party. 3-5 p.m. AtRiverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. Take a walk throughthe winter wonderland with anaturalist and then slip inside towarm up with a hot cocoa party.Listen to some heartwarming winterstories and make a wintry craft totake home. This program is designedfor participants age 4-adult. $15 perperson. Call 703-759-9018 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.

Lunar Eclipse. 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.at Turner Farm, 925 SpringvaleRoad, Great Falls. Experience thistotal lunar eclipse as you enjoy acampfire, marshmallow roasting andconstellation viewings. Get close-upviews of the moon, Mars and thestars from the roll-top observatory.The park will stay open until the endof the eclipse. Designed forparticipants age 6-adult. $10 perperson. For more information visitwww.analemma.org. Subject tocancellation based on weather andcloud conditions. Call 703-324-8618or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm.

MONDAY/JAN. 21Live Music: Danny Burns. 7 p.m. at

Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Irish Americana songwriterDanny Burns is playing for his recordrelease party. The guest list on thealbum includes Tift Merritt, HollyWilliams, Mindy Smith, Cara Dillon,Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, TimO’Brien, Dan Tyminski, Critter Fuqua.$15. Call 703-255-1566 or visitwww.jamminjava.com.


As we move into the new yearof 2019, there are strong indica-tions that homes priced well andin good condition will sell for solidprices. If demand continues to re-main strong relative to supply,some market segments may expe-rience price appreciation.

Home buyers in the area can stillpurchase with the confidence thatpurchasing in an up market cyclefrequently proves advantageousover time. Now is the time to workwith professional agent to be inyour new home in 2019.

Karen Briscoe with HBC Group atKeller Williams is an active andexperienced Realtor® in the NorthernVirginia marketplace. Karen, alongsideher partner Lizzy Conroy and team,works with sellers, buyers, investors andbuilders in all price ranges.www.HBCGroupKW.com, 703-734-0192, [email protected].

Washington, DC the election cyclehas more impact on this marketarea. Uncertainty in many casescauses buyers to put moving deci-sions on hold. Now that the elec-tions have concluded, in manycases, the market picks back up.

All brackets have improved con-siderably in comparison to the2008 market a decade ago.

Inside the Beltway McLean zipcode of 22101 continues to re-main the strongest due to themost housing type options andproximity to DC metro center.Outside the Beltway McLean zipcode of 22102 offers both condosin the Tysons market as well asestate style houses on large lots.That area is a bit down year overyear. Great Falls zip code 22066remains generally flat year to date2018 over 2017.

Real Estate

By Karen

Briscoe

The statis-tics for2018 reale s t a t e

transactions in McLean and GreatFalls have been tallied. The num-bers are down year over year, with1,096 total transactions comparedto 1,214 the previous year. Thegood news is the market is con-siderably improved over 2008, adecade ago, which totaled only749.

The shift in the market is likelydue to several reasons.

First, interest rates havebounced around, but are up overhistoric lows. As interest rates rise,buyer’s purchasing power is af-fected. There can be a positivemarket effect as buyers have ur-gency to purchase and lock in theirinterest rate.

Second, in many price segmentsinventory levels are low relative todemand. In the lower price points,buyers do not have many choicesavailable. Buyers are faced withseveral options in those market dy-namics. In some cases home pur-chasers raise their price point,make concessions, or put the moveon hold until more choices becameavailable. Some sit on the sidelinesand wait for prices to be in line withtheir purchasing power and/or formore homes to become available.

The midterm elections tookplace in November of 2019. Giventhat Northern Virginia is justacross the Potomac River from

Year over Year Comparison 2018 to 2017 to 2008 forMcLean and Great Falls.

What’s In Home Sales Numbers?

INPUT SOUGHTUnmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Program. Fairfax County isdeveloping a comprehensive PublicSafety Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS) program and would like tohear from residents. Each of six publicinformation meetings will include astatic display of unmanned aircraftfollowed by a presentation outliningthe program. After the presentation,there will be an opportunity to askquestions. The formal presentationwill begin at 7 p.m. To find out moreabout the UAS program go towww.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. Sendfeedback or questions [email protected] or through thelink located on the UAS webpage.Written comments on the draftprogram must be received by the closeof business Feb. 8, 2019, to beincluded in the official public record.

❖ Thursday, Jan. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. atMason District Governmental Center(Community Room), 6507 ColumbiaPike, Annandale.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at South County Governmental

Center (Room 221C), 8350Richmond Highway, Alexandria.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at McLean District GovernmentalCenter, 1437 Balls Hill Road,McLean.

❖ Thursday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. atSully District Governmental Center,4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly.

❖ Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, 6:30-8:30p.m. at Reston Community Center –Hunter Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad.

❖ Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.at Braddock Hall – Kings ParkLibrary, 9002 Burke Lake Road,Burke.

TUESDAY/JAN. 8-FEB. 19Workshop Series: Mind in the

Making. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at DunnLoring Center for Parent Services,2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. Mind in theMaking: The Seven Essential LifeSkills Every Child Needs by EllenGalinsky, encompasses an evidence-

based list of life skills that areessential for children to succeedsocially, emotionally andintellectually in the short and longterm. Participants may register forone or all of the workshops and donot need to attend the previous class.Registration is limited. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more or toregister.

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 8 – Focus and SelfControl (part 1)

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Perspective Taking(part 2)

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 22 – Communicating(part 3)

❖ Tuesday, Jan. 29 – MakingConnections (part 4)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 5 – Critical Thinking(part 5)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Taking onChallenges (part 6)

❖ Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Self-Directed,Engaged Learning (part 7)

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

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 11


From Page 7

ing part in an “Open Games Display.”The Maffit Room attracted a lot of attention with

its Stem-related class previews. Long-time MCCsupporter and McLean resident Karl von Schriltzwas shepherding the children throughout the ac-tivity spots, but stopped for a bit of his own funwith an encounter with static electricity, gener-ated by the crank of a wheel.

The Community Hall was the scene of the BeFitMcLean Health Fair, courtesy of a roomful ofbooths manned by staff from the Virginia Hospi-tal Center.

Screening for cholesterol levels, blood pressure,body composition, vision, and even a Dermascanmachine to look at the effects of sun damage onthe skin, had open house-goers lining up.

The Virginia Hospital Center gang also hadbooths with information on brain health, combat-ing stress and exercises that were easy to do athome.

Hospital center staffer Mary Ghali was in chargeof one interactive demonstration that drew acrowd with its “drinking goggles” challenge. Thegoggles are designed to simulate visual impair-ment when one is over the acceptable limit forblood alcohol when driving. One after another,participants donned the specs and then attemptedto “walk the line” – two strips of blue painter’stape laid on the floor in straight lines. The resultswere the same, no matter who tried, as Paul Liu,a first-time visitor to the MCC, discovered whenhe gave it a go. With the blurry glasses, no onemade it past the first three steps before veeringoff in one direction or the other.

THE FIT FAIR also included freebie healthy lunchofferings, while MCC Special Event ManagerCatherine Nesbitt talked to neighbors like Deannaand Charles Martin, who live within walking dis-

tance of the Center, about just a few of the pos-sible adventures available through the center.Coming up in February is a “trip to Spain” – a busride into DC for dinner and a Flamenco Show –all part of the center’s “Passport Series.”

The visual arts were also on display at the openhouse. Art works by teachers and students wereexhibited in the DuVal Studio, while young artistswere able to give free rein to their creative talentswith construction paper, glue and some other re-sources as part of the demonstration of the McLeanProject for the Arts.

That’s where Fairfax County School Board mem-ber-at-large Ryan McElveen was found, engrossedin creating colorful cards decorated with geomet-ric shapes with his two-year-old daughter Sierra.Miss Sierra was more than happy to share her workand invite passers-by (like a Connection reporter)to join in the fun. McElveen recently announcedhe is a candidate for chairman of the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors.

Cora Reynolds of McLean, 6 � -years old anddressed for the dance demo, took a break fromthe more physical action to share a table with theMcElveens while she and her dad John made anart project of their own. Cora will be continuingher dance lessons at the MCC.

If one took the “tour” in order, the last stop alongthe way would be a sneak preview of the Aldentheatre. From Shakespeare to Gilbert and Sullivan,and from showings of foreign films to concerts,and speakers’ series and technical theatre train-ing classes, the Alden’s season has something foreveryone.

Now. Time to go and get your own brochuresand flyers and check out the action at the new,greatly improved and ready for you McLean Com-munity Center and the Old Firehouse, too. Startat their website www.mcleancenter.org. You don’twant to miss a thing.

MCC Welcomes Community

News

Fairfax County officials and community partnerscelebrated new pedestrian and bicycle connectionsin Tysons in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 3.Two new sidewalks are part of the Dulles corridorbicycle and pedestrian access improvements andprovide enhanced pedestrian access along LeesburgPike with 1,100 feet of sidewalk on the north sideand 800 feet of sidewalk on the south side.

The sidewalks provide a missing link for pedestri-ans and bicyclists, creating better connectivity andsafer passage along Route 7 under Route 123.

Chairman Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors, Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth, ProvidenceDistrict, Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins, Hunter MillDistrict, and Sol Glasner, President & CEO, TysonsPartnership were on hand to give remarks.

The improvements were designed by the FairfaxCounty Department of Transportation; constructedby the Fairfax County Department of Public Worksand Environmental Services (DPWES); and fundedunder the Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT) Locally Administered Project (LAP) program.

New Pedestrian, Bicycle Connections in Tysons

Pictured (from left):Chairman Sharon

Bulova, FairfaxCounty Board of

Supervisors; Super-visor Linda Smyth,

Providence District;Supervisor

Catherine Hudgins,Hunter Mill District;

Sol Glasner, CEO andPresident, Tysons

Partnership; Dalia A.Palchik, Providence

District SchoolBoard Member.

Photo contributed


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Not that I haven’t been down this road before, random though its occurrence may have been, but when schedules collide: 24-hour urine col-lection, pre-chemotherapy lab work, every-three-week infusion, quarterly CT scan and semi annual brain MRI; and of course the follow-up appoint-ment with my oncologist a week or so later to

More like nightmares, actually; certainly sleepless

But as you regular readers know from previous

I mean, what’s done is done (what’s scanned is scanned) and though I may not want the chips to

Not to be fatalistic, but sometimes, as a cancer patient, ceding control to the realities (you’ll note I didn’t say “inevitable realities”) is part of the

enough and if the news is discouraging, I’ll deal -

Still, all of these diagnostic demands occur-

there’s nothing to be done other than to grin (a -

ule with which my life has become all too famil-iar (I’m also not saying “consumed”), can hardly

Wanting circumstances to be different serves no

cancer-patient responsibilities into your routine

A few years into my cancer treatment, I remember meeting some of the staff at an off-

pleasantries, one staff member commended me as

Not being completely sure what she meant,

appointments inferring that some cancer patients

half-snickered and said I’d be surprised, which of

She offered no statistics or anything empiri-cal, but from her reaction, it was not an unusual

be compliant when doctors are working to save

After my initial diagnosis, I felt I had been given an assignment, so to speak; to save (at least

over the years, I’ve integrated many non-Western alternatives into my routine, so far as my primary care team (internal medicine doctor and oncol-ogist) was concerned, I’ve supplemented rather

All of which leads me to where I am today: waiting to hear from my oncologist about last week’s scans, while swallowing 60-odd pills a day, drinking alkaline water, standing in front of

possible in the hope that together, conventional and non-conventional pursuits will make my im-mune system stronger and create an environment less hospitable to the growth and movement of the cancer cells that have already been triggered

The only persistent problem I have is com-partmentalizing the presumptive fact that since I

2009, how is it that I just keep on keepin’ on? Life goes on, generally, I realize, but that’s not

The Road Very Much Traveled

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 92019 Chairman’s Breakfast. 7:30-10 a.m. at

The Tower Club, 1700 Towers Crescent Drive,Tysons. Welcome the Tysons Chamber’s newChairman and Board of Directors; hearCommunity and Business Leaders discuss thefuture of Tyson and 2019 prosperity initiatives.$65. Email [email protected], call 703-281-1333, or visit business.tysonschamber.org/events/details/2019-chairman-s-vip-breakfast-8087.

Active Aging Wellness. 11 a.m.-noon at OaktonChurch of the Brethren (near Unity), 10025Courthouse Road, Vienna. Active Aging WellnessExercise Class for Older Adults focusing on lowimpact aerobics, balance, coordination andstretching. Wednesdays, for six weeks , Jan. 9-Feb. 27. $40 for six week session due at firstclass, make checks payable to Sun Fitness LLC.Instructor will provide bottled water and towels.Call 703-850-4131 or [email protected] for more.

Grant Application Deadline. More than 50artists have been recognized by ARTSFAIRFAXwith an Artist Grant over the past decade. ArtistGrants recognize outstanding achievement forwork that has already been completed, theartist’s commitment to an artistic discipline,their professional activity in Fairfax County andtheir contributions to the quality of life inFairfax County. Learn more atARTSFAIRFAX.org.

THURSDAY/JAN. 10Adventures in Learning Open House. 10

a.m.-noon at Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax, Program Building, 2709Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Adventures inLearning winter 2019 classes begin ThursdayJan. 17 and run through March 14. Classes areheld at UUCF/Oakton. Students may attend oneor all classes for one $45 fee and are encouragedto create their own schedule – attend classes allday or attend only one class. Students arewelcome to sample one class for free. For detailscall 703-281-0538 or visit www.scov.org/ail-open-house for an application and classschedule.

FRIDAY/JAN. 11Coping Strategies for Anxious Children. 10

a.m.-noon at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. The National Instituteof Mental Health (NIMH) will present thisworkshop for parents of anxious children ages 8-17. Highlights include how to help children withanxiety, when anxiety becomes a disorder,strategies for treating specific anxiety disordersand stress reduction tools. Call 703-204-3941 orvisit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more orto register.

SATURDAY/JAN. 12McLean Area AAUW Branch Meeting. 10 a.m.

at McLean Community Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. The McLean Area AAUW branchmeeting will feature a panel discussion on TitleIX. Panelists Dr. Jennifer Hammat, Title IXcoordinator at George Mason University andKaren Keys Gammara, at-large Fairfax CountySchool Board member will discuss the history ofTitle IX and the current status of this importantlaw. Open to the public. Visit mclean-va.aauw.net for more.

TUESDAY/JAN. 15NARFE Chapter 1116 Meeting. 1 p.m. at the

Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE,Vienna. NARFE (National Active and RetiredFederal Employees Association) Chapter 1116(Vienna-Oakton) meeting will feature guestspeakers Arlene and Johnny Arthur, VirginiaFederation Service Officers. Free. Members andguest welcome. Call 703-205-9041.

Scholarship Application Deadline. TheVirginia Latino Higher Education Network(VALHEN) is now accepting applications for the2018-2019 Scholarship program. Thisscholarship program is dedicated to assistLatinx/Hispanic students to pursue highereducation within the Commonwealth of Virginia.Scholarship awards are for one-year and will bepaid directly to the recipient’s college oruniversity. Email [email protected] orvisit valhen.org for more.

From Page 9

Bulletin

opinion, page 4 ‘it’s our time to...

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