vienna and oakton - ellington...

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ September 27 - October 3, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Viennaand OaktonViennaand Oakton

Vienna residents KathyaGant and Courtney

Chadwick frequently jogon the W&OD trail,

sharing it with bicyclists,parents with strollers,

and commuters, showingthe popularity of this

trail to lots of recreationseekers in this area.

W&OD Trail’s LongAnd Windy History

News, Page 12

W&OD Trail’s LongAnd Windy History

News, Page 12

Rorschach PoliticsNews, Page 3

Vienna Church Celebrates50 Year LandmarkFaith, Page 9

Rorschach PoliticsNews, Page 3

Vienna Church Celebrates50 Year LandmarkFaith, Page 9

Inside

Fall Fun

Inside

Fall Fun

2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ September 27 - October 3, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ September 27 - October 3, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsEditor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Debate, Page 11

By Michael Lee Pope

The Connection

The campaign for governor is abit like a Rorschach test as thecandidates close in on the finalstretch toward Election Day.

Democrat Ralph Northam and RepublicanEd Gillespie are presenting a series ofinkblots to voters about everything from thehealth of the economy to the value of Con-federate statues.

How voters feel about President DonaldTrump and the Affordable Care Act may endup playing more of a role deciding the fateof the election than all the carefully craftedpolicy proposals and press releases.

“The critiques that one is leveling at theother that aren’t policy oriented are de-signed to undermine the opponent’s basebut also energize their own base,” saidQuentin Kidd, professor at ChristopherNewport University. “But while they do haveto play politics and critique each other,they’ve got to talk about policy, and they’vegot to talk about the things they would doto solve problems and make life better forVirginians.”

Polls show Northam holding a steady butslight lead since March, the last timeGillespie was leading in a statewide poll ofvoters. One of the most recent polls wasconducted by the University of Mary Wash-ington earlier this month, which showsNortham edging out a 5 percent win overhis rival — a lead that’s so slight it waswithin the margin of error. Polls haveNortham crushing Gillespie in vote-richNorthern Virginia. But they also showGillespie leading among independent vot-ers and holding strong in conservative partsof the state.

“You see a lot of undecided voters, whichmeans both campaigns have a lot of workto do between now and November,” saidStephen Farnsworth, professor at the Uni-versity of Mary Washington. “When you

take out the portions of the electorate whowill reflexively vote for a Democrat or aRepublican, you are left with people whoare going to be motivated by community-level issues.”

THE DEBATE in Northern Virginia onSept.19 illustrated the fickle nature of Ror-schach politics in the age of Trump as bothcandidates tried to shape the narrative.Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Cham-ber of Commerce and moderated by ChuckTodd of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the tele-vised debate was held at Capital One head-quarters in McLean on Sept. 19. Panelistsincluded Julie Carey of NBC4, AaronGilchrist of NBC4 and Mark Rozell ofGeorge Mason University.

Several times during the debate, Gillespierattled off a series of data points about slug-gish job growth and stories of people leav-

ing Virginia to move to other states. Hissolution to the perceived weakness is a 10percent reduction in the individual incometax rate, a proposal that would cost morethan $1 billion over the next five years.

“We have tended to put a lot of focus onwhat I call whale hunting — trying to get aFortune 100 company to move lock stockand barrel into Virginia,” said Gillespie af-ter the debate. “And I’m all for it. We needto make a run at Amazon, and we’re goingto. But that can’t be the singular focus ofour economic development agenda and vi-sion.”

Northam criticized Gillespie’s plan as atax cut for the wealthy, a proposal thatwould blow a billion-dollar size hole in thebudget and crowd out spending for roadsand schools. Instead, he said he would liketo continue on the path of current Gov. TerryMcAuliffe’s “New Virginia Economy,” em-

phasizing lowering the unemployment rateand a series of corporations that havemoved their headquarters to the common-wealth. During one point in the debate,Northam turned to Gillespie and said all histrash-talking about the Virginia economycould prevent Amazon from setting up shop

Candidates for governor present inkblots onissues from health of the economy to thevalue of Confederate statues.

Rorschach PoliticsDemocrat Ralph Northam (right) speaks at the Sept.19 debate.Republican Ed Gillespie speaks at the Sept.19 debate.

Photo courtesy: Washington Post

At the end of Tuesday’s debate Gillespie and Northam share a hand-shake. The debate was notable for its civility on all sides.

“You see a lot ofundecided voters,which means bothcampaigns have a lotof work to do betweennow and November.”

— Stephen Farnsworth,professor at the University of

Mary Washington

in Virginia.“Right now, Ed, we are having negotia-

tions with Amazon — 50,000 jobs,”Northam said to Gillespie. “Amazon doesn’twant to hear from people like you, espe-cially if you want to be the next governor,that we are doing poorly in Virginia.”

CONFEDERATE STATUES are creatingan emotional flashpoint in the campaign, adisagreement between the candidates high-lighted by the violent clashes that eruptedin Charlottesville after white supremacistsmarched across the campus of the Univer-sity of Virginia chanting Nazi slogans andholding tiki torches. Gillespie said the stat-ues should stay in place with some addedcontext, and he called for adding a statueof Virginia’s first black governor to the stateCapitol. Northam said local communities


Opinion

By Dave Marsden

State Senator(D-37)

Some people loveto play fantasyfootball.

Almost all of us loveto play fantasy politics. Fantasypolitics occurs when we becomeenamored of a candidate be-cause somehow their back-ground fits our ideal and we im-bue them with characteristicsthat we have determined wouldmake for a great chief execu-tive. Be that a president or, inour upcoming election, a gov-ernor. However, our judge-ments are often unrelated to anindividual’s knowledge andability to succeed in office.

It is often a harmless exerciseand it does stimulate conversa-tion around how we address theproblems that confront us butwe need to be careful. This yearin Virginia we have a choice tomake in our gubernatorial elec-tion. What I think we tend toundervalue, because we havelimited exposure to it, is theimportance of existing relation-ships for a governor with thelegislature and the role thatplays in getting importantthings done.

I am as guilty as anyone ofplaying this game but thelonger I have been in electedoffice the more I realize thatrelationships are key to agovernor’s success in dealingwith the legislature. Workingwith each other on bills, reso-lutions, and budget determina-tions is the way legislators ofboth parties get to know, re-

spect, and feel comfort-able with each other’sjudgments.

We have the opportu-nity this year to elect someonewho is known, respected, andeven liked by Republicans andDemocrats in both the Houseand Senate of Virginia. Lt. Gov.Ralph Northam served in theSenate for six years before be-coming Lieutenant Governorand it’s easy to see the affectionlegislators have for him, regard-less of political party. (This isin addition to his backgroundas the head of the Honor Coun-cil at the Virginia Military In-stitute, his years as an Armydoctor working on our seriouslywounded during Desert Stormand the outstanding career hehas maintained as a pediatricneurologist.) Does that meanthat everyone will blindly fol-low his lead? Of course not. Butwhat it does mean is that hisconversation with the legisla-ture as governor starts with fa-miliarity and trust, allowing forcompromise and progress forthe citizens of Virginia.

You only get four years asgovernor in our Common-wealth. Spending your first yearintroducing yourself to every-one in Richmond has provennot to be a productive use oftime. Our Commonwealth hasbeen in a sustained period ofgrowth and stability as we re-cover from the Recession of

Playing Fantasy PoliticsCommentary

“Dire and urgent.” Those are thewords used by U.S. Sen. MarkWarner to describe the needto turn back the most recent

attempt to repeal and replace the AffordableCare Act.

In addition to repealing and replacing theAffordable Care Act with a plan thatwould result in chaos, the Graham-Cassidy bill also repeals Medicaid as weknow it, Virginia’s senators said in acall with reporters last week.

“Why are they going after Medicaid?” asked U.S.Sen. Tim Kaine. Per capita caps on Medicaid have“nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act.”

The proposed cuts include $243 billion lessbetween 2020 and 2026 for the ACA’s expan-sion of Medicaid, and cuts to the rest of Med-

icaid of $175 billion during the same period,according to the Center on Budget and PolicyPriorities analysis. The cuts would grow dra-matically in 2027, with nearly $300 billionmore in cuts that year alone.

“Why go after Medicaid? Why?” Kaine askedagain. Kaine is pretty sure he knows the an-

swer: To generate money for billionsin tax cuts for the wealthy.

“Senators who support this [repeal],who think that the Federal government

should not be paying for health care for thepoor, for the aged, for the disabled, are plan-ning to give this money to the wealthiestAmericans in tax cuts.

“We must resist that at all costs.”While the Graham-Cassidy bill appears to

lack the votes to pass right now, and many

people predict that the Senate will move onfrom trying to repeal and replace the afford-able care act, vigilance is still required.

These ongoing efforts to repeal the Afford-able Care Act also threaten the quality of cov-erage for everyone by shredding protectionon pre-existing conditions, by stripping fund-ing for addiction and mental health treat-ment in the midst of a nationwide opioid epi-demic, by allowing lifetime caps on cover-age that would leave the most seriously illpatients without coverage, by underminingwhat constitutes “essential benefits,” the verydefinition of what one expects to be coveredby insurance.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Does current repeal effort set the stagefor billions in tax cuts for the wealthiest?Dire and Urgent

Editorial

See Marsden, Page 10

See Plum, Page 10

By Kenneth R. “Ken”

Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

Fairfax County iscelebrating the275th anniversary

of its formation when in 1742 itwas split off from Prince WilliamCounty to be a separate county en-compassing what we now know asthe current county plus Loudounand Arlington Counties and thecities of Alexandria, Falls Church,and Fairfax. It was named for Tho-mas, sixth Lord Fairfax who had aproprietary of 5,282,000 acres. Fora time a part of the county that isnow Arlington County and the Cityof Alexandria was a part of the 10square miles that makes up theDistrict of Columbia until those ju-risdictions were returned to Vir-ginia.

Fairfax County is compared to-day with jurisdictions throughoutthe country as it leads in economicgrowth and development in manyways. That national comparisonwas not always appropriate. In itsearly years it was a struggling com-munity raising tobacco with thelabor of enslaved black persons. By1749 the county’s population was28 percent enslaved persons; by1782 that number had reached 41percent.

The county’s early fame camefrom its two most important resi-dents: George Mason who wrotethe Virginia Declaration of Rightsand the Virginia Constitution andwhose work led to the Bill ofRights in our national Constitutionand George Washington who asour first president brought thecountry together and whose ser-vice in office set important prece-dents that continue today.

Surprisingly FairfaxCounty voted with theSouth to secede from theUnion leading up to the

Civil War. While the County wasnot the scene of major militarybattles, there were many skir-mishes and an almost constantflow of troops passing through it.After the war and reconstruction,investments started to flow to thecounty that helped its recovery.Although still an agricultural com-munity at that time, the followingdecades brought significantchanges that led to the communityas we know it today.

Not surprisingly, one of the bigissues was transportation. In theearly years most settlements werealong the rivers that provided ameans for transporting tobaccoand crops. As inland developmentsoccurred there was no governmen-tal mechanism for building roads.Those that were in place were nar-row without a hard surface. Newturnpikes supported by tolls in-cluded the Little River Turnpike,Columbia Turnpike, LeesburgTurnpike and Falls Bridge Turn-pike. The start of railroads beforethe Civil War accelerated with theelectric trolley lines that followed.It is estimated that as many as amillion passengers or more werecarried per year by the Washing-ton, Alexandria, and Mt. Vernonelectric railways that ran 30 tripsper day.

The growth of the federal gov-ernment after the Great Depres-sion and the World Wars broughthuge growth to Fairfax County. Its

Fairfax County at 275 YearsCommentary

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Vienna & Oakton


News

The McLean Area Branch of the American Asso-ciation of University Women (AAUW) recognized fivelocal high school girls with STEM awards at its 2017-2018 kick-off event held on Sept. 17 at the Ameri-can Legion Hall. To encourage young women to pur-sue educational opportunities related to STEM (Sci-ence, Technology, Engineering, and Math), thebranch partners annually with McLean, Langley, andMarshall High Schools to present one Science andone Math Achievement Award at each high school.

The students recognized at the event for 2017 were:Ashley Zhang, math Achievement, Langley HighSchool; Emily Buckingham, science achievement,

Langley High School; Helen Oker, math achievement,Marshall High School; Tatiana Kennedy, scienceachievement, Marshall High School; and NourKhachemoune, science achievement, McLean HighSchool. The Math Achievement Award, McLean HighSchool, was presented earlier this year to June Chang.

The STEM awards are funded through the branch’sAnnual Used Book Sale proceeds. This year’s booksale will be held Oct. 6-8, 2017, at the Spring HillRecreation Center. For more information on theAmerican Association of University Women and theAnnual Used Book Sale, visit the AAUW McLean AreaBranch website at mclean-va.aauw.net.

Area High School Students Receive STEM Awards

Peggy Stotz, third fromright, member of the AAUWMcLean Area Branch LocalAwards Committee, intro-

duced five local high schoolstudents who were recog-nized with Math and Sci-

ence Achievement Awardsat the branch’s 2017-2018

kick-off event. Studentsreceiving the award are,

from left: NourKhachemoune (McLean

High School), TatianaKennedy and Helen Oker

(both Marshall HighSchool), and Ashley Zhang

and Emily Buckingham(both Langley High School).

Photo contributed


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

ONGOINGGreat Falls Farmers Market.

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

McLean Farmers Market, Fridays,through Nov. 17, 2017; 8 a.m. tonoon, 1659 Chain Bridge Road,McLean, Master Gardener PlantClinic on site to answer questionsabout plants in your landscape

Vienna Saturday Farmers Market,through Oct. 28, 8am-noon,sponsored by the Optimist Club,Across from Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment in parking lot of FaithBaptist Church, 201 Center StreetSouth, Vienna

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

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

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

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

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

Fishing Rod Rentals 8700 PotomacHills St., Great Falls. Rentalsavailable during visitor center hours.Fishing tackle and live bait areavailable for purchase. Reservationsrequired for group rentals. $6/rental(2 hour max). Valid driver’s licenserequired. Rod/reel combinations areperfect for beginners and children. AVirginia or Maryland freshwaterfishing license is required for those16 years or older. The park does notsell fishing licenses.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/

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

Fundamentals of Watercolors.

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

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

THURSDAY/SEPT. 28Tysons Tailgate Fundraiser. 4-8

p.m. at Valo Park, 7950 Jones BranchDrive. Play bocce, corn hole, beer,wine, food trucks, live music byJustin Trawick, raffle prizes, and anopportunity to help our neighbors inneed, Second Story, the only youthemergency shelter in NorthernVirginia. $25/ticket in advance, $30at the door. Visitwww.tysonspartnership.org for more.

Frank Family Wine Dinner. 7 p.m.

at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 8521Leesburg Pike, Tyson’s Corner. Thedinner is hosted by BeverageManager Peter Sobota and guestspeaker Master Sommelier Liza Galliaof Frank Family Vineyards. $125. Call571-422-8788 or [email protected].

FRIDAY/SEPT. 29Meet the Artist. 10 a.m.-noon in

rooms 1 and 2 at the Dolley MadisonLibrary,1244 Oak Ridge Ave.,McLean. A presentation by local artistGwen Bragg, an artist member of theVirginia Watercolor Society and theNational Watercolor Society, andpast president of the Potomac ValleyWatercolorist. Call 703 356-2998 formore.

Dance Party. 7-10 p.m. at The OldFirehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. Teens can enjoy cateredfood and drinks while immersingthemselves in music played by a DJ,for 7th-12th graders. $5. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for more.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 30Myasthenia Gravis Benefit. 9 a.m.

at South Run Park, 7550 ReservationDrive, Springfield. Oakton resident,Tom Larsen and his team, “Tom’sRockets – Blast Off for the Cure,” areraising money and boostingawareness of the incurableneuromuscular disease Visitwww.myasthenia.org/ for more.

Books, Movies, CD Sale.10 a.m.-4p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Free. Call703-938-0405 for more.

Harvest Happenings. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.at St. Luke’s School, 7005Georgetown Pike, McLean. Liveentertainment, a petting zoo, craftsand games. All activities are free,except for the cost of purchasingpumpkins for crafts activities andfood concessions. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for more.

SUNDAY/OCT. 1McLean ArtFest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at

McLean Central Park. Activitiesincludes Children’s Artwalk, Open Air

Art Studio, a variety of STEAM(STEM+Art) experiences and foodfrom local restaurants. Visitmpaart.org/mpaartfest for more.

Books, Movies, CD Sale. 10 a.m.-2p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Free. Sundayonly, fill shopping bag for $5. Call703-938-0405 for more.

Choral Concert. 4-6 p.m. at SaintLuke Catholic Church, 7001Georgetown Pike, McLean. As part ofthe Music in McLean Concert Series,Cathedra, a choir of professionalsingers, will perform a cappellachoral works by Palestrina andPoulenc. They will be under thedirection of Michael McCarthy,Director of Music at WashingtonNational Cathedral. $30. Visitwww.singcathedra.org/ for more.

TUESDAY/OCT. 3Professional Impersonator Elaine

Flynn. 11:30 a.m. at Trinity UnitedMethodist Church, 1205 DolleyMadison Blvd., McLean The McLeanWoman’s Club presents professionalimpersonator Elaine Flynn and “AChat With Dorothy Parker”, a womanof the 1920’s who wrote best-sellingpoetry and stories. Free. Visitwww.mcleanwomansclub.org or call703-556- 0197.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 4McLean Newcomers and

Neighbors. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. atthe McLean Project for the Arts, 1446Chain Bridge Road. The purpose ofthe club is to create new friendships,provide opportunities for socializingand to acquaint residents with thecommunity. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org [email protected].

OCT. 4–NOV. 22Fit for Life Classes. Wednesdays, 11

a.m.–noon at Bruen Chapel UnitedMethodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane,Fairfax. Sponsored by the Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna, to improvestrength, balance and mobility forolder adults, taught by instructor,Michele DeGarmo. $5. Call 703-281-0538 or [email protected]

FRIDAY/OCT. 62017 Community Leadership

Award Presentation. 6:30 p.m. atMcLean Hilton Tysons Corner, 7920Jones Branch Drive. Honoring Markand Brenda Moore. Visitwww.leadershipfairfax.org/ for more.

OCT. 6-8Annual Used Book Sale. Friday 9

a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,and Sunday noon-4 p.m. at theSpring Hill Recreation Center, 1239Spring Hill Road, McLean. Hosted bythe McLean Area Branch of theAmerican Association of UniversityWomen (AAUW) featuring theauction of a signed WashingtonNational Max Scherzer shirt and cap.Visit www.aauw.org/ for more.

OCT. 6-9Glass Art Exhibit. Various times at at

the Vienna Art Center, 115 PleasantStreet, NW. “Catching Eyes withWatercolor and Glass” with CaroleChoucair Oueijan.

SATURDAY/OCT. 7Stuff the Truck Food Drive. 9 a.m.-4

p.m. at Safeway, 9881 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Benefit forCommittee for Helping Others (CHO)and Artemis House to provideemergency food aid to those in need

Vienna Oktoberfest celebrates its 10th anniver-sary this year with an expanded beer garden andfood court as well as new vendors and entertain-ment options. The festival has historically drawn20,000-30,000 attendees. Presented by the theVienna Business Association and Town of Vienna,Oktoberfest will be held from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat-urday, Oct. 7, on historic Church Street. All agesare welcome, and admission is free. Vienna’s 2017Oktoberfest will feature:

❖ Live entertainment on three stages: MainStage, Kid’s Stage, Acoustic Stage

❖ German Beer and Food Garden featuring theCaboose Brewing Company * Domestic Beer andMultinational Food Garden located on Mill Street

❖ Access to beer and wine at all food locations❖ Children’s activities and games❖ All new Handcrafted Market❖ All new Business Expo area

Photo contributed

Presented by the the Vienna Business Association and Town of Vienna, Oktoberfestwill be held from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, on historic Church Street.

Vienna Oktoberfest Celebrates 10th Anniversary❖ German Auto ShowOktoberfest’s steady growth signifies markedly

increased interest in Vienna as a destination forshopping, eating, and beer. Vienna’s own, CabooseBrewing Company, is the Platinum Sponsor for thesecond consecutive year. “We’re so excited to bean Oktoberfest partner again,” said Caboose co-owner Matt Greer, “we love being part of thishyper-local, family-friendly community event andare thrilled to help raise money for local charitieswith the VBA Foundation. It is the next best thingto the Munich Oktoberfest!”

Well behaved dogs are welcome to attend theevent on leashes. No festival-specific parking orshuttles are available; public parking spaces areavailable throughout the Vienna commercial area.There will be a designated Uber/Lyft pick-up anddrop-off area within feet of the festival.

Visit www.viennaoktoberfest.org.

Fall Fun & Entertainment


1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, VAwww.roerszoofari.com

(703) 757-622230 Acres of Animal Adventure for All Ages

Free ParkingAn easy drive on either the 267 Dulles Tollway (Hunter Mill Exit) or SR 7 Leesburg Pike (left at the Baron Cameron light)

October 31 3pm to 6pmRain or shine

Advanced online tickets requiredevent.www.roerszoofari.com

Boo at the ZooBoo at the Zoo

in Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring and Merrifield.Artemis House is Fairfax County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for victims ofdomestic and sexual violence, stalking andhuman trafficking. Sponsored by The Churchof Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and theGreat Falls Baha’is as part of the regionalDay to Serve initiative. Visitwww.daytoserve.org/ for more.

Vienna Oktoberfest.11 a.m.-7 p.m. alongChurch St., Vienna. Live entertainment onthree stages, beer, food, games, German

Auto Show. Visitwww.viennaoktoberfest.org/ for more.

Fall Fest. 3-7 p.m. at Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Featuring local food, music, wine tasting,children’s activities, and a fabulous silentauction. Call 703-450-0321 or visitwww.stfrancisgreatfalls.org/ for more.

2017 Oktoberfest. 6-9 p.m. at The Pavilionsof Turkey Run, 6310 Georgetown Pike,McLean. Attend the Claude Moore ColonialFarm’s 2017 Oktoberfest to help support the


THURSDAY/SEPT. 28Tysons Tailgate Fundraiser. 4-8 p.m. at Valo

Park, 7950 Jones Branch Drive. Play bocce, cornhole, beer, wine, food trucks, live music byJustin Trawick, raffle prizes, and an opportunityto help our neighbors in need, Second Story, theonly youth emergency shelter in NorthernVirginia. $25/ticket in advance, $30 at the door.Visit www.tysonspartnership.org for more.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 30Harvest Happenings. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at St.

Luke’s School, 7005 Georgetown Pike, McLean.Live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts andgames. All activities are free, except for the costof purchasing pumpkins for crafts activities andfood concessions. Visit www.mcleancenter.orgfor more.

SUNDAY/OCT. 1McLean ArtFest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at McLean

Central Park. Activities includes Children’sArtwalk, Open Air Art Studio, a variety ofSTEAM (STEM+Art) experiences and food fromlocal restaurants. Visit mpaart.org/mpaartfestfor more.

SATURDAY/OCT. 7Vienna Oktoberfest.11 a.m.-7 p.m. along Church

St., Vienna. Live entertainment on three stages,beer, food, games, German Auto Show. Visitwww.viennaoktoberfest.org/ for more.

Fall Fest. 3-7 p.m. at Francis Episcopal Church,9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Featuringlocal food, music, wine tasting, children’sactivities, and a fabulous silent auction. Call703-450-0321 or visitwww.stfrancisgreatfalls.org/ for more.

2017 Oktoberfest. 6-9 p.m. at The Pavilions of

Harvest HappeningsOn Saturday, Sept. 30, it’s outdoors for “Harvest Happenings,” 11 a.m.-2p.m. at St. Luke’s School, 7005 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Live entertain-ment, a petting zoo, crafts and games. All activities are free, except forthe cost of purchasing pumpkins for crafts activities and food conces-sions. Visit www.mcleancenter.org for more.

Turkey Run, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean.Attend the Claude Moore Colonial Farm’s 2017Oktoberfest to help support the programs andservices of this privately operated local NationalPark and living history working farm. $35Adults; $25 Volunteers; $12 Kids 6-12; Kidsunder 6 free admission. Email [email protected] more.

OCT. 20-22Great Falls Studios Tour. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at

various venues in Great Falls. A self-guideddriving tour of local artists in their personalstudios. This three-day event is family-friendly,free, and offers the opportunity to see art beingmade in the community. Artists will be available10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday,rain or shine. Visit www.greatfallsstudios.comfor more.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 2571st Annual Halloween Parade. 7 p.m. on

Maple Avenue, Vienna. Join friends andneighbors, ghouls and goblins for one ofVienna’s traditions: the 71st annual HalloweenParade, hosted by the Vienna BusinessAssociation. Pre-registration is required forbusinesses and organizations who wish to marchin the parade. No registration needed forchildren who want to wear costumes and walkin the parade; children must be accompanied bytheir mummy or another adult. Visit bit.ly/2huu6L0 for more.

SUNDAY/OCT. 29Spookappella Halloween Jam. 2 p.m. at

Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Coverband rocking R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, and soul hitsof the last five decades. $10 in advance, $15 atthe door. Visit www.jamminjava.com for more.

Fall Favorites

Calendar



Artists Take Over McLean Central ParkMPAartfest is an annual community-wide cel-

ebration of the visual arts presented by McLeanProject for the Arts.

During MPAartfest on Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-5p.m. McLean Central Park is transformed into alandscape of mini art galleries showcasing and of-fering for sale the work of acclaimed artists fromthe Mid-Atlantic region.

McLean’s only juried arts festival will showcase

50 local and regional visual artists. Presented incooperation with lead community sponsor McLeanCommunity Center, this free event features con-temporary art in a variety of media, Children’s ArtWalk, hands-on art studio, STEAM experiences,food vendors, and live music throughout the day,making MPAartfest a must-attend communityevent for art lovers of all ages.

Visit mpaart.org/mpaartfest for more.

File photo by

Steve

Hibbard

Artist’sboothsline theMPAartfest2015 atMcLeanCentralPark inMcLean.

programs and services of this privatelyoperated local National Park andliving history working farm. $35Adults; $25 Volunteers; $12 Kids 6-12; Kids under 6 free admission.Email [email protected] for more.

FRIDAY/OCT. 13British Car Tour for Military Kids.

9:30 a.m. A 750-mile maidenAmerican tour through the hills andautumn foliage of Maryland, WestVirginia and Virginia. Called the DCArea America’s Reliability Run, it’s afundraiser for Our Military Kids, anonprofit in McLean, Virginia. Visitwww.ourmilitarykids.org or call JudyMcSpadden at 703-734-6654.

SATURDAY/OCT. 14Watershed Cleanup Day. 9-11:30

p.m. at Riverbend Park, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Anopportunity for individuals, students,families, scouts and other communitygroups to be part of this year’sInternational Coastal Cleanup. Helpclear the earth’s arteries by collectingtires, bed springs, bottles, cans andother debris from the localwaterways. Visit bit.ly/FCPAwatershedClean or call 703-759-9018 for more.

Watershed Cleanup Day. 9-11:30p.m. at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve,7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Anopportunity for individuals, students,families, scouts and other communitygroups to be part of this year’sInternational Coastal Cleanup. Helpclear the earth’s arteries by collectingtires, bed springs, bottles, cans andother debris from the localwaterways. Visit bit.ly/FCPAwatershedClean or call 703-759-9018 for more.

Naming Ceremony. 10 a.m. at KenLawrence Park, 8081 Jones BranchDrive in Tysons. Jones Branch Fieldsand Arbor Row Park will beconsolidated to form the new KenLawrence Park in Tysons. Call 703-324-8662 or [email protected] formore.

OCT. 14-15Cello Concert. Various times at several

locations around town, such as theMcLean Project for the Arts’ ChainBridge Gallery, 1446 Chain BridgeRoad.; Dolley Madison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Ave.; and Spring HillRECenter, 1239 Spring Hill Road.The Alden in McLean presentsinternationally renowned cellist MattHaimovitz in a multi-partperformance of “A Moveable Feast.”Call 703-790-9223 for more.

TUESDAY/OCT. 17Meet the Author. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at

St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Hoffman is an American writer and aContributing Editor at theWashington Post and has been ajournalist for 30 years and PulitzerPrize winner in 2010 for a bookabout the legacy of the nuclear armsrace. [email protected],call 703-938-6411or visitgfseniors.org.

OCT. 20-22Vienna Theatre Company

Production. Various times at theVienna Community Center, 120Cherry St. SE. Upcoming production“In Living Sound - Back Home!,” liveradio drama directed by PatriciaBoswell Kallman. $14. Visitwww.viennatheatrecompany.org formore.

Great Falls Studios Tour. 10 a.m.-5p.m. at various venues in Great Falls.

A self-guided driving tour of localartists in their personal studios. Thisthree-day event is family-friendly,free, and offers the opportunity tosee art being made in the community.Artists will be available 10 a.m.-5p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday,rain or shine. Visitwww.greatfallsstudios.com for more.

SATURDAY/OCT. 22Capitol Steps Comedy Troupe. 3

p.m. at Oakton High School, 2900Sutton Road, Vienna. A singing,dancing, satirical show that focuseson politics, proceeds go to theShepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna.$35. Visit www.scov.org/fundraiser-tickets or call 703-281-0538.

Bonis Ensemble. 4 p.m. at SaintFrancis Episcopal Church, 9220Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. PlayingMozart, Mahler and Bonis. Visitwww.amadeusconcerts.com.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 2571st Annual Halloween Parade. 7

p.m. on Maple Avenue, Vienna. Joinfriends and neighbors, ghouls andgoblins for one of Vienna’s traditions:the 71st annual Halloween Parade,hosted by the Vienna BusinessAssociation. Pre-registration isrequired for businesses andorganizations who wish to march inthe parade. No registration neededfor children who want to wearcostumes and walk in the parade;children must be accompanied bytheir mummy or another adult. Visitbit.ly/2huu6L0 for more.

OCT. 27-28Vienna Theatre Company

Production. Various times at theVienna Community Center, 120Cherry St. SE. Upcoming production“In Living Sound - Back Home!,” liveradio drama directed by PatriciaBoswell Kallman. $14. Visitwww.viennatheatrecompany.org formore

SATURDAY/OCT. 28Arlington Free Clinic Annual

Benefit Gala. 6 p.m.-midnight atRitz-Carlton, Tysons Corner TysonsGalleria, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean.Cocktail reception and silent auction,which includes getaways, art andphotography, sports items, and muchmore. $300. Visitwww.gala.arlingtonfreeclinic.org.

Ellis Paul in Concert. 7:30 p.m. atJammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Ellis Paul with Sophie B.Hawkins in celebration of 25 years oftouring. Visit www.jamminjava.comfor more.

SUNDAY/OCT. 29Spookappella Halloween Jam. 2

p.m. at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave.E., Vienna. Cover band rocking R&B,Hip-Hop, Funk, and soul hits of thelast five decades. $10 in advance,$15 at the door. Visitwww.jamminjava.com for more.

FRIDAY/NOV. 3Scott Miller Concert. 2 p.m. at

Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E.,Vienna. Rock singer/songwriterhighlights his first full album in fouryears, “Ladies Auxiliary.” Visitwww.jamminjava.com for more.

SUNDAY/NOV. 19Emerging Artist Concert. 4 p.m. at

Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 9220Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. OscarPaz-Suaznabar, age 12, on the piano,and Julia Angelov, from Alexandria,play orchestra favorites. Visitwww.amadeusconcerts.com.

Matt HaimovitzCellist Matt Haimovitzwill be performing amulti-part perfor-mance of “A MoveableFeast” Oct 14-15 atseveral locationsaround town, such asthe McLean Project forthe Arts’ Chain BridgeGallery, 1446 ChainBridge Road; DolleyMadison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Ave.; andSpring Hill RECenter,1239 Spring Hill Road.Call 703-790-9223 formore.


Faith

By Colin Stoecker

The Connection

Past and current pastors gatheredat Church of the Good ShepherdUnited Methodist on Sunday tocelebrate 50 years of service to

the Vienna community. “This church has afuture that is much greater than its past,”

said Rev. Dr. Jim Noland who was the min-ister from 1998-2006.

Since its inception in 1967 in the cafete-ria at the Flint Hill Elementary School, theChurch of the Good Shepherd has had fourdifferent pastors. It came close to closingits doors and being absolved as a satellitecampus of the United Methodist church ac-cording to Rev. Michael Copeland ofRoanoke who was the pastor from 2015-2016 for what he recalls was a difficult timein the church and parish’s life.

“I was the pastor here to lead them in atime of discernment. It was an importanttime when the church needed to face theirpast and choose a course for the future,”said Copeland.

Now that future is Rev. Eric Song.

Vienna Church Celebrates 50 Years

“I have been the pastor here for 15months now. We welcome good friends andold, remembering the great 50 years in thecommunity and excitement for the futurevision of our church and to make knownthe love of Christ,” said Song.

Other pastors were present including Rev.Wes Arthur who was the first pastor from1971-1978. “If 140 people come every Sun-day, just think of how vibrant it would be,”he said. “This church isn’t going to die ifyou don’t let it.”

Coming back to life was a major themefor the church and its parishioners. HeatherWeger, Song’s wife,was excited about the50-year mark. “As one of the newer mem-bers of the church, it’s exciting to thinkabout the next 50 years,” said Weger.

Parishioners exchanged greet-ings after service at Church ofthe Good Shepherd UnitedMethodist on Sunday, Sept. 24which celebrated 50 years ofservice to the Vienna community.

Parishioners worship at Churchof the Good Shepherd UnitedMethodist on Sunday, Sept. 24 tocelebrate 50 years of service tothe Vienna community.

Parishioners worship at Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodiston Sunday, Sept. 24 to celebrate 50 years of service to the community.

Photos by Colin Stoecker/The Connection

Rev. Wes Arthur who was the first pastor from 1971-1978 was present atChurch of the Good Shepherd United Methodist on Sunday, Sept. 24 tocelebrate 50 years of service to the Vienna community.

From left: former pastor Rev. Wes Arthur, current pastor Rev. Eric Song,and former pastors Rev. Jim Noland, and Rev. Michael Copeland gatherfor a picture at Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist on Sun-day, Sept. 24 to celebrate 50 years of service to the Vienna community.

Mark Tremba, head usher at the churchand a parishioner for 15 years believes thatthe recent success of the church is due toSong’s leadership. “It’s great to see a lot ofmembers come back to the church,” he said.“Pastor Eric is a great people person, andever since he came he has reinvigorated ourchurch!”

“It’s not easy being a church, it’s a chal-lenge!” said Noland.

Anniversary is alandmark celebrationafter nearly closinglast year.


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Letters

population of 40,000 grew to 98,000 in 1950 andby 1970 was 454,000. It is now approaching 1.2million people. Recognized as among the best places

From Page 4

From Page 4

2007. It is hopeful that our backlog of needs canbe addressed and Virginia can continue its climb backto being the best state to do business, the best man-aged state, and continue our status as the best stateto raise a child.

As much fun as fantasy politics can be, and as

much as we like to make statements with our politi-cal choices, we have a Commonwealth to run. It hasbeen rare in the past 30 years that we have electeda governor with strong existing relationships withthe legislature. It may not sound exciting to makeour political choices based on that criteria… but itworks in our best interest. Ralph Northam is ourbest choice for governor.

in the country to live and to start a business, we haveclearly left behind our humble beginnings. It is worth-while to remember our history and the 275th anni-versary provides many different opportunities(www.fxva.com/275/).

Marsden

Plum

To the Editor:White supremacists incited

deadly violence in Charlottesville,Va. in defense of a Confederatemonument. We must show thecountry that Fairfax County givesno safe harbor to such hatred. Let’sremove the John Quincy Marrmonument in Fairfax.

Confederate symbols on publicland endorse a movement foundedon white supremacy. We will neversolve our community’s problems ifan entire group of citizens is alien-ated or feels targeted for discrimi-nation.

Confederate symbols belong inmuseums and on private property,

Confederate Symbols Belong in Museumsand the time has long passed tomove the John Quincy Marrmonument to an appropriateplace. Our community should fig-ure out how to remove the monu-ment and act on it.

Clare BennettVienna

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork wel-come. Deadline is Thursday at noon,at least two weeks before event.

IN-PERSON, TV DEBATESThe League of Women Voters of

the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) willhold four in-person forums andthree televised forums for thepublic and the press to learnabout the candidates who arerunning for election to theVirginia House of Delegates. TheLeague invited all certifiedcandidates campaigning for officein their respective districts. At thein-person forums, question-and-answer sessions will be followedby an opportunity for informalconversations with individualcandidates. The public and pressare encouraged to attend. Formore information about thecandidates’ priorities andpositions, visit www.vote411.org.

In-person forums: Thursday, Sept.28 at 7 p.m. at ProvidenceCommunity Center: 3001 VadenDrive, Fairfax.

The televised forums at FairfaxCounty Public Access are onChannel 10 or livestreamed onYouTube “Inside ScoopLivestream.” The public cansubmit questions by email [email protected] orcall 571-749-1142 between 7-8:30 p.m. Tune in on: Monday,Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.; Monday,Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.; andMonday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 27Public Hearing on FY 2019

Budget. 7:30 p.m. at MCCAdministrative Offices, 6631 OldDominion Drive, McLean. TheMcLean Community CenterGoverning Board invitesDranesville tax district residentsto attend a public hearing onMCC’s FY 2019 Budget. Residentswho would like to speak at the

public hearing should call the Centerat 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to havetheir names added to the speakers’list. The hearing will be immediatelyfollowed by the regular monthlyboard meeting for September. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org for more.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 28RSVP Volunteer Orientation. 11

a.m. at the Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. RSVP,Retired and Senior VolunteerProgram, is looking for volunteers 55and older. Email RSVP VolunteerSpecialist Carly Hubicki [email protected] or callRSVP at 703-403- 5360.

SEPT. 28-NOV. 16Adventures in Learning. A variety of

daytime classes at UUCF UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax -Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. Classes open to those50 years and older. $40 for allclasses. Call 703-821-6838 or [email protected].

SATURDAY/SEPT. 30Garden Club Yard Sale. 9 a.m.-1

p.m. in the parking lot, 10610Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. TheGreat Falls Garden Club is hosting amulti-family yard sale. Visitwww.gfgardenclub.org for more.

THURSDAY/OCT. 5Caregivers Support Group. 10-

11:30 a.m. at UUCF UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Fairfax -Program Building, 2709 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. For caregivers to adultfamily members with dementia, firstand third Thursdays of every month.Free. Call 703-821-6838 or [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 18McLean Newcomers Luncheon.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Mylo’s Grill,6238 Old Dominion Drive. Nancy

Harvey Steorts, a formerChairman of the ConsumerProduct Safety Commission, willdiscuss “How Safe is YourHome?”. $30. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org [email protected].

SUPPORT GROUPSAre You A Caregiver?

Shepherd’s Center of OaktonVienna Caregivers’ SupportGroup takes place first & thirdThursday of each month.February 2nd and 16th, 2017from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Join us at the UnitarianUniversalist Congregation ofFairfax (UUCF) - ProgramBuilding, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd,Oakton, VA. For more info contactfacilitator, Jack Tarr, 703-821-6838 [email protected].

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

Virginia Chronic Pain SupportGroup Meets from 1:30 - 3 p.m.the 2nd Wednesday of each monthat Kaplan Center for IntegrativeMedicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300,McLean. Group leader, JodiBrayton, LCSW. 703-532-4892.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDRSVP, a volunteer network for

seniors seeking serviceopportunities in and aroundFairfax County, Arlington Countyand the City of Alexandria, offersa wide array of opportunities forvolunteers 55 and older. RSVPvolunteers enjoy flexibleschedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving,optional mileage and mealreimbursement and are invited tovolunteer group projects andsocial gatherings. To sign up foran upcoming orientation, emailCarly Hubicki [email protected] orVisit www.rsvpnova.org.

Bulletin Board


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I don’t want to praise the Lord too much forproviding me with such a trivial and mundanebenefit but, I sure am grateful when my 112pounds of cat litter arrives/is delivered to myfront porch, mere feet away from our cats’ litterboxes. “Auto Ship,” baby. No more am I lugging28 to 44 pound boxes of cat litter into our five-indoor-cat household from the local supermarketand/or pet superstore. I don’t want to plagiarize atelevision “spokesthing” from my youth so I’llgive “Speedy” from Alka Seltzer proper attribu-tion when I write as enthusiastically as I can:“Oh, what a relief it is!”

The litter is my second auto-ship of sub-stance; having made an earlier/similar commit-ment to 16 pound bags of dry cat food. I do getsome fancy, multi-vitamins auto-delivered andmy wife, Dina, as well receives special eye vita-mins in the mail, but I thought that was the onlyway to purchase them, given that the manufac-turers were out of town so I never consideredthem an auto-type ship. Previously, I had alwaysresisted inquiring about getting products deliv-ered from a national company when they areavailable locally. My thinking had been that sinceI’m home during the day, and regularly in andout doing errands at many of the stores that sellthis merchandise, why ship it when I can shop it?It seemed redundant.

Now however, given the pleasure I felt when Isaw that litter sitting on the porch without myhaving had to life one finger; well, a few fingersinitially when I “keystroked” my way through thiscompany’s online registration, the light has comeon. Moreover, given the neuropathy I have in myfeet, I’m tired of walking around those giantwarehouse stores. Sure, the local proximity andavailability is helpful but the bigger the buyer, themore effort the unloading/restocking is requiredat home. Perhaps I’ve simply come to a realiza-tion, and not necessarily an accommodation tomy age, that less effort equals more overall value.And if in addition to less effort, I can buy prod-ucts at equal or even lower cost than doing solocally, than I am sittin’ pretty in high cotton, if Imay double-down on the benefit?

Not that I’m overworked and underpaid forthe household duties I perform but, I’d rather beunder worked and overpaid, if you catch mydrift? And given certain realities to the many tasksnow performed by hand, it’s up to me to rein-vent the wheel, so to speak. And so, I’m startingto consider very seriously, ordering more stuff thisway, especially bulky/weighty stuff and to let myfingers do the clicking rather than my arms andlegs doing the walking and carrying. Let commer-cial/corporate America do the driving and deliv-ering. I don’t have to prove my shopping mettleanymore. I’m ready to sit back and let the boxesdo my talking.

I’m not quite ready to order food/perishablehowever. I feel a certain sense of calm and seren-ity wandering down supermarket aisles takingmental inventory of what’s present and what’snot — and what’s new and what everythingcosts. Not that I try many things as anybody whoknows me knows, but occasionally, Entenmann’sor Hostess or Nabisco will surprise me with anew item and thus will have made the visit allthe more sweeter. I wonder if I’ll have the samesensation perusing and clicking my way througha site that so far has been unseen — by my eyes,anyway. I guess it can’t hurt to explore a bit. Imean, it’s not exactly the dark web. (Is it?) Nordo I expect to use bit coins or have to create anavatar for myself. Nevertheless, the process doesseem a little daunting; changing habits that havebecome habitual, and routines which havebecome routine. Seems a bit like turning anocean liner around after it’s headed out to sea.They don’t turn on a dime and neither do I. Still,I’m intrigued by the possibilities, and besides, I’mnearly out of laundry detergent.

Perhaps a test is in the offing. I don’t think I’mquite ready to join a club/pay a membership fee,but I am open to investigating. Time will tell Isuppose, as will my first bill.

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From Page 3

DebateNews

should be able to determine what they wantto do with their statues, although he addedhe wants to see them in a museum.

“I think what is important is to talk aboutsome of the statues that aren’t built ofbronze, the inequities that we still have inour society,” said Northam during the de-bate. “Inequities in access to health care.Inequities in access to voting rights. Ineq-uities that we have in education.”

Views of the Affordable Care Act are alsoexpected to play an important dividing linein the election. Northam has been consis-tent in his support for expanding Medicaid,criticizing Republicans for undermining asystem that has expanded health insuranceto millions of Americans who previously hadno coverage. Gillespie has been consistentlycritical of the landmark achievement offormer President Barack Obama, althoughhe was noncommittal when asked about hisview of the reform proposal currently work-ing its way through Congress.

“I’m not endorsing or opposing any spe-cific legislation that is being talked aboutright now. I haven’t had a chance to readit,” said Gillespie after the debate, addingthat Virginia should not be punished fordeclining to expand Medicaid. “But as aprinciple I’ve been consistent in this regard,and that is where I am today.”

PERHAPS NOTHING looms as large overthis election as Donald Trump. The presi-dent has become a lightning rod of opposi-tion and a rallying cry for people who feelmarginalized. Virginia was the only South-ern state Trump lost, and polls show thathe remains unpopular here. Gillespie hasbeen trying to distance himself from thepresident by opposing some of his budgetproposals and declining to answer questionsabout whether he’ll ask Trump to campaignfor him in Virginia.

“Probably the biggest thing being hungaround Ed’s neck is the Trump administra-tion,” said Republican strategist DanScandling. “But depending where you arein the state determines how much of aweight that is. If you’re downstate, that’snot a problem. If you’re up here in North-ern Virginia, it’s a potential problem.”

Democrat Hillary Clinton won Virginiawith 50 percent of the vote, with Trump at44 percent. Many of those presidential yearvoters might not show up in an odd year-election, when the electorate tends to beolder and whiter. For Democrats, the goalheading into Election Day is to run up thenumbers in Northern Virginia and over-whelm Republicans in parts of the state thatstill support Trump. For Republicans, thechallenge is find some kind of way of em-bracing Trump voters without alienatingindependents who might feel conflictedabout the president.

“I think what’s really going to drive theelection is President Trump,” said Demo-cratic strategist Ben Tribbett. “A lot of vot-ers are going to vote either for or againstEd Gillespie based on how they feel aboutDonald Trump.”


News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

For Vienna, May 31, 1951 was animportant day for transportation,modernization in Northern Vir-ginia, as the Washington and Old

Dominion Railroad made its last trip carry-ing passengers. The rail line would continueon for another 17 years with freight serviceon those tracks until the whole rail linewould come to a halt in 1968. It was thenturned over to the park service, whichturned it into the W&OD bike trail.

It all started in 1847 when the markets inAlexandria and Washington, D.C. needed arail line to transport goods from the farm-land eastward and the planners got to work.It was not until 1859 that rail officials startedbuilding the “Alexandria, Loudoun andHampshire Railroad,” which survived theCivil War, Spanish American War, the De-pression, both World Wars and was finallyhalted by the popularity of the automobile.

“The Metro out 66 and the Greenwayhave taken the place of the W&OD,” saidPaul McCray, the W&OD historian, at a re-cent presentation at the Shepherd’s Centerof Oakton-Vienna. The 45-mile rail linestretched from Shirlington to Purcellville,and McCray managed the trail for the parkservice from 1985-2005 from his office inAshburn. “The railroad was Main Street,”he said, “the W&OD had a strong influenceon how the area was developed.”

VIENNA RESIDENT Barbara Hildreth hasbeen dubbed the “mother of the W&ODtrail,” and talked about the day she broughtthe idea of a bike trail to county plannersshortly after the rail line has ceased. Theplanners wanted to use it for a bus line, but“the trail won,” she said. Hildreth was atMcCray’s presentation and wore a W&ODpin on her collar, which is one of the onlyones left in existence. She gave them out tothe Friends of the W&OD about 10 yearsago, and members of a task force that waslooking to repurpose it. McCray wasn’t too

there was a West Falls Church and a GreatFalls station. “People started moving outto the countryside and “the passenger ser-vice was really popular,” McCray said. In1918, the train was used to transport flourfrom Herndon to France shortly afterWorld War I.

“Throughout all this, the W&OD was hav-ing problems,” said McCray.

AT ONE POINT, the nickname was theWobbly and Old Dilapidated Railway. In the1930s, they started losing passengers, so theW&OD created a bus line to get passengersto the stations, similar to community buslines now, such as the TAGS buses in Spring-field or the CUE bus in Fairfax.

There were many at-grade crossingswhich weren’t too popular with the car traf-fic. There was an at-grade crossing at I-395in Shirlington and another at Maple Avenuein Vienna. “A flagman would get out andstop the cars,” said McCray. When DullesAirport was built, the train transported allthe building materials. Finally the park ser-vice took over and started building the trailin 1978.

“At least two million people a year areusing it,” said McCray.

familiar with the trail’s history when he gotthe job as the trail manager in 1985. Sincethen, he has collected more than 6,000 trailmemorabilia items which included pictures,books and artifacts, as well as a rich his-tory he has put on a slideshow.

McCray was invited to speak at the cen-ter after one of the volunteers had seen hisW&OD presentation at another location,and thought the residents of the Shepherd’sCenter of Oakton-Vienna might benefit.“Considering the age of our group, manyof our folks probably used the rail systembefore cars were the rage,” said MichelleScott, Executive Director Shepherd’s Cen-ter of Oakton-Vienna in an email.

On June 17, 1861, the train was the cen-

terpiece of the Battle of Vienna, when theUnion troops rode the train out from Alex-andria and got attacked by the Confeder-ate Army. In following years, the 2nd Massa-chusetts Cavalry was stationed around thetrain station in Vienna. In 1870, coal was abig item for trains, and the rail line was re-organized as the Washington and Ohio Rail-road, and Western Union used the train asa principal carrier of messages. It was “theUPS of its day,” said McCray.

In 1898, a stop was implemented on theline at a place called Camp Alger, which isin present day Merrifield, and it helpedtransport the soldiers in the Spanish Ameri-can War. Finally in 1912, it was renamedthe Washington and Old Dominion, and

TIMELINE1847 a train line was authorized by Virginia to

serve markets in D.C. and Alexandria1859 it started as the Alexandria, Loudoun and

Hampshire RailroadJune 17, 1861 it was the center of the Battle of

Vienna between Union and Confederate troops1870 the rail line was reorganized as the

Washington and Ohio Railroad to haul coal1874 the rail line was extended to Purcellville1894 Southern Railway took it over1900 a West Falls Church Station began operations1916 railway workers were unionized, there was a

strike and Samuel Gompers stepped in1936 the Great Depression took a toll on the

railroad1941 temporarily abandoned passenger serviceMay 31, 1951 last passenger trip1968 the at-grade crossing at I-395 was eliminated1968 the rail line stopped all service1977 the park service bought the property1978 the park service began work on the W&OD

trail

W&OD’s Long, Windy History as a RailroadThe railroad station in Vienna was a center of activity at one time.

After the slideshow, W&OD historian Paul McCray talks with MichelleScott, Executive Director Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna and anaudience member about the presentation.

Today theW&OD trail

throughVienna is a

gathering spotfor the town.

Photos by

Mike Salmon/

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