virginia state sen. jennifer wexton (d) and incumbent u.s...

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Horror at the Workhouse News, Page 9

Celebrating Fall At Lake Accotink ParkNews, 0

Twitter, Guns,Best Friends and #MeToo

News, Page 3

Virginia State Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D) and incumbent U.S.

Rep. Barbara Comstock (R) shake hands at the end of the

candidates’ first debate Sept. 21, 2018. The candidates are vying for Virginia’s 10th Congressio-

nal District seat. Comstock and Wexton answer The Connection’s

Congressional Midterm Q&A.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com October 25-31, 2018

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2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ October 25-31, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

See Q & A, Page 6

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

This fall, voters wield all thepower.

On Nov. 6, they will decidewho controls Congress for the

next two years of Donald Trump’s presi-dency, a decision that could significantlyreshape the current political landscape,impacting both Republican and Democraticagendas for years to come.

In Virginia, the 10th Congressional Districtrace between Republican BarbaraComstock, the incumbent, and her Demo-cratic challenger, state senator JenniferWexton, is one of the most closely-watched,competitive races in the nation. Democratsare eyeing the 10th as a strong pick-up op-portunity, trying to flip a seat that Republi-cans have held for more than half a cen-tury.

The Connection reviewed dozens of “fre-quently-asked” questions culled from vari-ous national, state and local forums, focusgroups and surveys. Out of nearly 100 ques-tions, we narrowed it down to the top 12.Both candidates agreed to answer our ques-tions in writing. Our only request to thecandidates: keep answers to a 750-wordtotal. Here are their complete answers,unedited.

Q: Do you think the Second Amendmentshould be repealed?

Comstock: No.Wexton: No. But we do need to pass

common sense gun violence preventionmeasures.

Q: If not, do you think there should be anynew gun restrictions to deal with what feelslike an epidemic of mass shootings?

Comstock: We passed three importantpieces of legislation for prevention of gunviolence in the past year: 1) The Stop SchoolViolence Act, which was the number onepriority of school violence prevention ad-vocates. It provides billions in increasedfunds for school resource officers, schoolsafety programs, mental health treatment,crisis intervention and hardening of schoolsecurity. 2) We passed bipartisan legislationto improve and provide more funding forthe national background check system – themost significant improvement in the systemin a decade. 3) I passed my “Project SafeNeighborhoods” legislation which providesfunding for tackling gun crime, as well asgang crime and drugs. In addition, I sup-port banning bumpstock and I am pleasedthat process is going forward at the JusticeDepartment. Finally, I support “red flaglaws” that allow law enforcement and fam-

ily members to petition a court for an Ex-treme Risk Protection Order to get weap-ons out of the hands of those who are adanger to themselves or others.

Wexton: Meaningful gun reforms likeexpanded background checks and legisla-tion to keep weapons of war out of thehands of dangerous people enjoy widepopular support and we should pass them.

Q: What would you do if Trump firedspecial counsel Robert Mueller?

Comstock: I am confident that the Presi-dent will not fire Bob Mueller. I support theRussia investigation being completedquickly and having as much information aspossible disclosed to the public.

Wexton: What is most important rightnow is that the Special Counsel be protectedfrom outside influence and insulated fromattacks by Donald Trump. We need a Con-gress that is willing to stand up to Trumpand be a check on the Administration, notjust a rubber stamp.

Q: What’s the best indication of economichealth – the stock market, unemploymentrate, income?

Comstock: We are experiencing an in-credibly healthy economy as a result of low-ering our taxes and cutting regulations –and the indicators are things such as a 4.2percent growth rate, the highest family in-come ever, high consumer confidence, highsmall business and manufacturing opti-mism, growing wages, a strong job market,and low unemployment rates for men andwomen in all demographic groups. I am theonly candidate in this race to have authoredand passed tax cuts, and to have been en-dorsed by business groups such as the U.S.

Chamber, the National Federation of Inde-pendent Businesses, the National Associa-tion of Women Business Owners and otherindustries because jobs and the economyhave always been a top priority for me. Ahealthy economy should lead the world ininnovation, research and development andprovide expanded opportunities for menand women from all walks of life. Economichealth also would be enhanced by havingmore women in senior roles because stud-ies have found that businesses and compa-nies with more senior women actually aremore financially strong and sound.

Wexton: Labor participation, wagegrowth, and unemployment are all key in-dicators because they show whether themiddle class is experiencing the kind ofgrowth already enjoyed by the wealthy.

Q: Should there be a citizenship questionon the census?

Comstock: I am fine with or without aquestion, but what is disappointing with thequestions on this survey is that there areno questions on the importance of our na-tional security or homeland security and theimportance of stopping defense sequestra-tion (which we did); and not a single ques-tion about our veterans who deserve theadded services and support we have pro-vided over the past 2 years.

Wexton: No. The Constitution says tocount all people, and this measure is de-signed to prevent that from taking place.

Q: Is it fair to trade a border wall withMexico for protected status for DACArecipients?

Comstock: Legislation that includesboth border security and a solution forDACA recipients has been supported at vari-ous times by Democrats, Republicans andthe President, so this provides the outlinesfor a compromise. I have voted for such acompromise so that we can have a solutioninstead of a stalemate and have a systemthat is fairer and simpler and rewards those

who play by the rules. I also support ex-panding H1B Visas and agriculture visas andother reforms that support growing oureconomy.

Wexton: We should not have to tradeanything to get protections for Dreamers.It’s the right thing to do, it’s overwhelm-ingly popular with the American people,and it should not be subject to a ransom.

Q: Should felons who served their sentencebe able to vote?

Comstock: This should be handled ona case by case basis. I don’t support violentfelons automatically having their rights re-stored. I have supported criminal justicereform that addresses racial disparities inthe system. This Congress I authored andpassed my “Project Safe Neighborhoods”legislation which supports community po-licing and assistance to address gun crime,gang crime, and drug crime. I have beenendorsed by the Police Benevolent Associa-tion because I am committed to publicsafety and I have worked extensively withthe law enforcement community since mytime as a senior Justice Department offi-cial.

Wexton: I support restoration of votingrights for felons who have completed theterms of their sentences.

Q: Name three Democrats/Republicans(people in the opposing party) with whomyou are friendly – or actual friends.

Comstock: Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep.Lois Frankel, and Donna Brazile.

Wexton: Emmett Hanger, Jill Vogel,Randy Minchew.

Q: How would you address the #MeToomovement as a member of Congress?

Comstock: I have been a leader battlingsexual harassment in Congress passing bi-partisan landmark reform legislation to pro-vide victims support and more funding to

Twitter, Guns, Best Friends and #MeTooComstock, Wexton answer votersmost-asked questions in The Connection’sCongressional Midterm Q&A.

Photo by Victoria Ross/The Connection

Democrat Jennifer Wexton takesvoters questions at Virginia Inter-national University’s CandidateForum, held in Fairfax last month.

Photo contributed

Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock at the kickoff of her annual YoungWomen Leadership Program this summer.

Lorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


Opinion

By Supervisor

John C. Cook

R-Braddock District

Domestic Vio-lence harmseveryone in afamily, di-

rectly and indirectly. Whenchildren are exposed to domestic violence, thetrauma they experience can have damagingeffects. That is why the Domestic Violence Pre-vention, Policy, and Coordinating Council isexpanding its efforts to serve children whowitness this crime in their own homes.

The County’s Step Up 4 Kids initiative willwork to improve the short-term and long-termoutcomes in the lives of children who havewitnessed domestic violence by improving thegovernment and community response, enhanc-ing clinical intervention services, and provid-ing opportunities for individual impact.

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men willexperience severe intimate partner violence intheir lifetime. These sobering numbers are fol-lowed by the reports that 1 in 4 children wit-ness domestic violence in their homes. It is easyto think that because a child does not see aparent assaulted that they are not aware of theviolence. The reality is that children are muchmore aware of the violence, fear, and manipu-lation that occurs in an abusive relationshipbetween their parents than we realize.

Following a violent or scary incident, or evendays and months after, children may experi-

ence anxiety, fear of their parent being hurt,increased aggression, or symptoms of Posttrau-matic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The long termeffects are even more damaging.

Children who witness domestic violence aremore likely to experience mental health prob-lems like depression, anxiety, and the increasedchance of suicidal ideation, and substance use.Worst of all, these children are much morelikely to be involved in abusive relationships.Boys who witnessed domestic violence are 10time more likely to abuse a partner as an adult,which girls who witnessed it are 6 times morelikely to enter an abusive relationship.

Step Up 4 Kids seeks to break the cycle ofabuse and address the unique needs of chil-dren by engaging individuals, systems, andmental health professionals. This three-pronged approach is only possible with an en-hanced response and coordination from gov-ernment and the community. Step Up 4 Kidswill work to improve coordination betweenFairfax County Public Schools, County agen-cies, and nonprofit partners. This will facili-tate communication and information sharingamong all parties involved in assisting childwitnesses and will improve practices across thesystem. The community will also play an im-portant part in Step Up 4 Kids. The initiativewill enact campaigns and programs to teachgroups in the community about how childrenare impacted by domestic violence.

The final, and perhaps most important, pieceof the Step Up 4 Kids puzzle is you, the indi-vidual. One of the most important messages

of the Step Up 4 Kids Initiative is that you canmake the difference in the life a child who haswitnessed or experienced domestic violence,regardless of your role in a child’s life. You maybe a teacher, daycare provider, sports coach,neighbor, extended family member, or friend.You can make a difference by letting a childknow it is okay to talk about the scary thingsthat might be happening in their home, youcan encourage a child in something they aregood at, and remind a child that violence isnever their fault or their problem to fix. TheStep Up 4 Kids Initiative will work with orga-nizations and community groups across thecounty to recognize ways they can make a dif-ference for some of our most vulnerable chil-dren.

The good news is that while children can bevery vulnerable, they can also be incrediblyresilient, and their ability to grow in their re-siliency is dependent on the adults in their life.The presence of a safe, caring, adult in a child’slife, whether a parent, teacher, friend, or coach,is the most significant factor in a child’s abilityto overcome any type of adversity. And themore adults surround and support a child, themore those chances increase.

If you have questions or concerns about howto help a child or possible survivor you areconcerned about, or you are a survivor your-self, please call the Fairfax County 24-HourDomestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 703-360-7273 to speak to a trained hotline volun-teer who can provide support, crisis interven-tion, and resources for services.

If you would like to learn more about theStep Up 4 Kids Initiative and how you can getinvolved, please visit fairfaxcounty.gov andsearch “Step Up 4 Kids.”

Helping Child Witnesses of Domestic ViolenceStep Up 4 Kids seeks to break the cycleof abuse and address the needs of children.

By Kenneth

R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

Last week I wroteabout the direwarning of the lat-

est report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Cli-mate Change about the more immediate con-sequences of climate change than had origi-nally been predicted. Avoiding the damages toour planet and to our way of life would re-quire “transforming the world economy at a

speed and scale that has nodocumented precedent,”according to the report.

The greatest economiesin the world must lead the changes necessaryto preserve our planet and the quality of lifefor our families rather than dismissing or de-bating its findings. The time for action is nowwith the report describing a world of worsen-ing food shortages and wildfires and a massdie-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040, a littlemore than two decades away.

What we have instead are politicians at thehighest level of the federal government mak-ing promises at political rallies in West Virginiato bring back coal, the greatest offender of cli-

mate change, and in Iowa to increase corn pro-duction for ethanol that when added to gaso-line may release more carbon from the landsthan it saves. Scores of regulations intendedto reduce climate change have been rescindedto gain favor of those who see them as inter-ference in their quest to make more bucks orto gain more votes from a political constitu-ency. Absent little or no help on this concernat the federal level for the next couple of years,what can be done in the meantime? At the statelevel I will be pushing for a strengthening of acommitment by state government to increaseits efforts at energy conservation, eliminatingany subsidies for coal production, intensiveeconomic development in green jobs for areaspreviously dependent on coal, a tax on car-bon, accelerating the use of renewable energy,and establishing Virginia as a green state in itspolicies as well as reforestation. There aremany reasons to take this immediate action inVirginia if for no other motive than that westand to be among the first states to lose a sig-nificant chunk of our land mass with climatechange and sea level rise.

I am pleased that Fairfax County has made anod in the direction of concern about sea levelrise, but there is reason to believe that one ofthe wealthiest counties in the country can findthe will and the resources to do even more.

We have been planting trees, but we need toplant many more. We have been working toget people out of their individual cars, and wemust incentivize more people to use cleanertransit. Thanks to School Board Member PatHynes for her resolution calling for state andfederal action on climate change. It is a begin-ning, but the locality must budget as a socialcost for the county and not for the school dis-trict the addition of solar panels on the mil-lions of square feet of roof space on our schools.Also, our school lots should be forested andnot lawns. Small actions taken by many canproduce significant results. We have our warn-ing. No time for hand wringing. We need toget to work.

Responding to Climate Change Warnings

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News

Can you help us identifythis suspect? Police report that this woman

broke into a car in the Lorton areaon Sept. 8. A few days later, sheused the victim’s information andwithdrew several thousand dollarsfrom her bank account, accordingto police. If you recognize the sus-pect, or have information aboutthis crime, contact Detective C.Burbrink at 703-922-0894.

Tips can be submitted anony-

mously through Crime Solvers byvisiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, orcalling 1-866-411-TIPS. They canalso be sent in via text by texting“TIP187” plus the message toCRIMES (274637). Text STOP to274637 to cancel, or HELP to274637 for help. Anonymous tip-sters are eligible for cash rewardsof $100 to $1000 if their informa-tion leads to an arrest — accordingto FCPD Media Relations Bureau.

If you recognize the suspect, or have information aboutthis crime, contact Detective C. Burbrink at 703-922-0894.

Detectives Asking for Public’s HelpIdentifying Suspect in Bank Fraud

Co

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From Page 3

the EEOC office that handles complaints. Ialso passed legislation requiring anti-ha-rassment education and training for allMembers of Congress and their staff. Thelegislation also provides due process forboth the victim and the accused. The hear-ings we have held have also highlightedhow sexual harassment can impact the paygap by driving women out of their chosenprofessions and we will aggressively addressthis problem to keep women in their cho-sen professions.

Wexton: Electing more women is an im-portant start. We need our leaders to send aclear message that those who commit sexual

offenses will be held accountable, no matterwho they are. It has taken far too long forCongress to pass even basic measures to re-form its own processes in this area.

Q: Do you believe climate change is realand man-made? If yes, how should Con-gress address it?

Comstock: Yes, and I am a member ofthe Climate Change Caucus but my focus isnot on increasing regulations or addingtaxes, but instead using innovation andtechnology to provide solutions for cleaner,more efficient, and more affordable energy.

Wexton: Yes. Congress should renewAmerica’s commitment to the Paris Accords,and take steps that address climate change

Q&A with 10th District Candidates while helping the economy convert tocleaner energy sources with minimal dis-ruption.

Q: Would you vote to overturn a presiden-tial veto to keep the government running?

Comstock: I am the only Member ofCongress in the Washington Metropolitanregion – Democrat or Republican - who hasNEVER voted to shut down the govern-ment. I have worked to keep the govern-ment open and functioning and fought toget the federal pay raise restored. I haveworked closely with NARFE (National Ac-tive and Retired Federal Employees) andhave earned the support of their PAC be-cause of my strong support for our federalemployees.

Wexton: Yes.

Q: Should President Trump tweet more/less/same?

Comstock: My apologies, but I think thisis a ridiculous question when there hasn’tbeen a single question about the importanceof getting better cures and treatments forchronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, can-cer, and diabetes – something I am passion-ate about and have worked to providerecord funding for at this critical time whenwe have the opportunity for breakthroughsin medical research. We have also provideda record $4 billion in funding and supportfor prevention and treatment of addictionto opioids and heroin – something the Presi-dent has declared a national health emer-gency – something that he may havetweeted about too.

Wexton: Less


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Calendar

See Calendar, Page 8

THURSDAY/OCT. 25Paintings & Pairings. 5:30-9 p.m. at

Fairview Park Marriott, 3111Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church.Enjoy paired hors d’oeuvres andwines, a three-course dinner, andauctions and artwork for sale. Allproceeds from the event benefitInsight Memory Care Center. $125.Visit www.insightmcc.org/ for more.

Hitchcocktober: 39 Steps (1935). 7p.m. at Angelika Film Center –Mosaic, 2911 District Ave., Fairfax.Every Thursday night in October aclassic film by Sir Alfred Hitchcockwill be featured with a bonusscreening of PSYCHO on Halloween.Tickets are $10. Visitangelikafilmcenter.com.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 25-28The Adventures of Huckleberry

Finn. 8 p.m. at George MasonUniversity Center for the Arts-Concert Hall, 4373 Mason PondDrive, Fairfax. Mark Twain’s timelessclassic sweeps us down the mightyMississippi in this musical adaptationof Huck Finn. Our irrepressible herohelps his friend Jim escape tofreedom while sharing hilarious,suspenseful and heartwarmingadventures, all told withunforgettable, classically Americanmusic. Professional Artist inResidence, Thomas W. Jones II helmsthis journey. $15 for students andseniors, $30 for adults. Call 703-901-5941 or visit cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/big-river-the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn for more.

FRIDAY/OCT. 26Lorton Workhouse Ceramics

Workshop. 10:30 a.m. at Lorton

Senior Center, 7722 Gunston Plaza,Lorton. Travel to the LortonWorkhouse Arts Center Visitlortonseniorcenter.org or call 703-550-7195 for more.

2018 Arts Awards. Noon-2 p.m. atFalls Church Marriott Fairview Park,3111 Fairview Park Drive, FallsChurch. The Arts Awards bringtogether the arts community,business community, civic andelected leaders to celebrate theextraordinary contributions of artists,arts organizations, and the privatesector for supporting the arts inFairfax County, the City of Fairfax,and the City of Falls Church. $250.Email [email protected] orcall 571-395-4619.

Rock the Block: Supervixen. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Old Town Square, 3999University Drive, Fairfax. Family-friendly free concert series, whichfeatures live bands, beer garden, andcity restaurant vendor booths. Bringyour own lawn chairs or blankets tosit on. Free. Call 703-385-7858 orvisit www.fairfaxva.gov/rocktheblockfor more.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 26-28Madhaunter’s Madhouse. Friday-

Saturday, 7-11 p.m.; Sunday, 7-10p.m. at The Workhouse Arts Center,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Madhaunter’s Madhouse hauntedtrail of terror returns to the

Workhouse for a third year of scares.In 2018, screams will echo across the55-acre historic Workhouse campus,built on the grounds of the once-abandoned and notorious DCDepartment of Corrections LortonReformatory. More information,tickets ($20), and volunteeropportunities are available atworkhousearts.org/madhaunter.

SATURDAY/OCT. 27ECHO Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-noon. At St.

Bernadette Catholic Church in thegym, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road,Springfield. Hundreds of items —toys, dishes, collectibles, smallelectronics, home decorations andfashion accessories will be available.Proceeds go to support ECHO(Ecumenical Community HelpingOthers.) Visit the website www.echo-inc.org.

Saturday Community Farmers’Market. Through Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-1p.m. at 10500 Page Ave., Fairfax —one block from West and Mainstreets behind the Wells Fargo Bankand adjacent to the Historic FairfaxCounty Courthouse. Visitwww.fairfaxsaturdaymarket.com.

Farmers Market. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m. at Springfield Town Center,6699 Spring Mall Drive, Springfield.Visit www.facebook.com/SpringfieldFoodworks/.

Both Sides Tour XXI. 8:15 a.m. Leavefrom Franconia Museum at theFranconia Governmental Center,6121 Franconia Road. Elijah Whitegrew up in Maryland and moved toVirginia before the Civil War. Hebuilt his famed Thirty-Fifth Battalion,Virginia Cavalry with troops fromboth sides of the Potomac River.$100, includes bus, lunch, and acontribution to the Franconia

Museum. Bottled water will beprovided on the bus. Contact DonHakenson at 703-971-4984 [email protected].

Genealogy in the Digital Age. 9a.m.-2 p.m. At Dunn LoringVolunteer Fire Station, Oct. 312148Gallows Road, Vienna. FairfaxGenealogical Society’s Fall GenealogyFair, “Genealogy in the Digital Age”with James M. Beidler. Plus vendors.Registration online at https://2018fxgsfallfair.eventbrite.com. Costafter October 15: FxGS member, $45, non-member $55. Visit the websitewww.fxgs.org

Trunk or Treat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at TheMott Community Center, 12111Braddock Road, Fairfax. Come out tocelebrate the community andHalloween at Trunk or TreatCommunity Day. Join friends andneighbors for food, music, vendors,moon bounce, trunk or treating, andmore. Free. Call 703-278-8605 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services.

“Real vs Reel: A Closer Look atthe Medicine of Mercy Street.”2 p.m. at Historic Blenheim, 3610Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Jake Wynnfrom the National Museum of CivilWar Medicine in Frederick, Md., willexplore and compare “real” medicalpractices from the Civil War versusthe medical treatments shown in“Mercy Street,” the PBS mini-series.Free. Call 703-591-0560.

Transforming Lives Gala. 6:30-11p.m. at The Westin Alexandria, 400Courthouse Square, Alexandria. Since1974, Good Shepherd Housing &Family Services has been reducinghomelessness and enabling self-sufficiency by providing permanentaffordable housing, emergency

Submit entertainment announcements at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

Organ Recitalat HistoricPohick Church

There will be a free organ recital byLinda Wilberger Egan, Minister of Music,on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m. at theHistoric Pohick Church. The recitalcelebrates the 50th Anniversary of thechurch’s Noack Pipe Organ with 16 stops,18 ranks, and 948 pipes. Selections willinclude works by Pachelbel, Buxtehudeand Bach, which were composed duringthe musical Baroque period.

Historic Pohick Church is located at9301 Richmond Highway in Lorton, onU.S. Route 1 between Telegraph Roadand Pohick Road. For more informationcall 703-339-6572 or visit the PohickChurch website at www.pohick.org .


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbTo Advertise Your

Community of Worship,Call 703-778-9418

Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM

Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PMFamily Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM

Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups

Visit our Website: jccag.org

4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

“Loving People to Life”

From Page 7

Calendar

financial services, budget counselingand case management to workinghouseholds in Fairfax County. $175-$250. Visit goodhousing.org/gala formore.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 27-28Fall Fun Days. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at

Whitehall Farms, 6080 ColchesterRoad, Fairfax. Fourth annual Fall FunDays, featuring a pumpkin patch,corn maze, nature trails, inflatablebounce houses, lawn games, wagonrides, and more. Meet farm animals(like Henry the cow) and learn moreabout sustainable farming. A farm-to-table lunch option will be available,featuring farm fresh ingredients fromWhitehall’s farm store. $12 for adultsand children over 3. Visitwww.whitehall.farm for more.

Ghost Train. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at BurkeLake Park, 7315 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. Take little goblins for afamily-friendly ride on the GhostTrain at Burke Lake Park thisHalloween season. Also enjoy a moonbounce, carousel and pumpkinpainting. Food and drink will beavailable for purchase. Dress for theoccasion with your favoriteHalloween costume. $6 per personage two and older; younger childrenride for free. Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.Call 703-323-6600 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark/.

SUNDAY/OCT. 28Organ Recital. 3 p.m. At Historic

Pohick Church, 9301 RichmondHighway, Lorton. Free organ recitalby Linda Wilberger Egan, Minister ofMusic. The recital celebrates the 50th

Anniversary of the church’s NoackPipe Organ with 16 stops, 18 ranks,and 948 pipes. Selections will includeworks by Pachelbel, Buxtehude andBach, which were composed duringthe musical Baroque period. Call703-339-6572 or visit the PohickChurch website at www.pohick.org.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 31Halloween Costume Contest. 11

a.m. at Lorton Senior Center, 7722Gunston Plaza, Lorton. Visitlortonseniorcenter.org or call 703-550-7195 for more.

Trunk or Treat. 6:30-8:30 p.m. AtJubilee Christian Center, 4650Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. There willbe free candy and refreshments, andprizes for best decorated vehicle &costumes. Call 703-383-1170, or visitwww.jccag.org.

Hitchcocktober: Psycho (1954). 7p.m. at Angelika Film Center –Mosaic, 2911 District Ave., Fairfax.Every Thursday night in October aclassic film by Sir Alfred Hitchcockwill be featured with a bonusscreening of PSYCHO on Halloween.Tickets are $10. Visitangelikafilmcenter.com.

Madhaunter’s Madhouse. 7-11 p.m.at The Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton.Madhaunter’s Madhouse hauntedtrail of terror returns to theWorkhouse for a third year of scares.In 2018, screams will echo across the55-acre historic Workhouse campus,built on the grounds of the once-abandoned and notorious DCDepartment of Corrections LortonReformatory. More information,tickets ($20), and volunteeropportunities are available atworkhousearts.org/madhaunter.


*These meetings will be held in conjunction with planned I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan meetings. Fall meeting materials will be available at http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/planning/fallmeetings/ beginning October 15, 2018.

Comments will be accepted until December 13, 2018.

The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need further information on these policies or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, please contact the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Title VI Compliance Officer at 804-786-2730 or the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s Title VI Compliance Officer at 804-786-4440 (TTY users call 711).

Monday, October 15, 2018at 4 p.m.

Culpeper District Office1601 Orange RoadCulpeper, VA 22701

Wednesday, October 17, 2018* at 4 p.m.

Blue Ridge Community CollegePlecker Center for Continuing Education

One College LaneWeyers Cave, VA 24486

Monday, October 22, 2018*at 4 p.m.

Southwest Higher Education CenterOne Partnership Circle

Abingdon, VA 24210

Thursday, October 25, 2018*at 2 p.m.

(Note: Start time has changed)Holiday Inn - Valley View3315 Ordway Drive NW

Roanoke, VA 24017

Tuesday, November 13, 2018at 4 p.m.

Hampton Roads District Office7511 Burbage DriveSuffolk, VA 23435

Thursday, November 15, 2018at 4 p.m.

Homewood Suites–Chester12810 Old Stage Road

Chester, VA 23836

Monday, November 19, 2018at 4 p.m.

Lynchburg District ComplexRamey Memorial Auditorium

4303 Campbell AvenueLynchburg, VA 24501

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 4 p.m.

Fredericksburg DistrictOffice Auditorium86 Deacon Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Thursday, November 29, 2018at 5:30 p.m.

NOVA District OfficePotomac Conference Room

4975 Alliance DriveFairfax, VA 22030

If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send your comments on highway projects to Infrastructure Investment Director, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

You may send comments on rail, public transportation, and transportation demand management to Public Information Officer, DRPT, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

Public MeetingsFall Transportation Meeting

You are invited to participate in public meetings held by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The meetings will begin with an open house followed by a public comment period. At the open house you can learn about various transportation initiatives, as well as Virginia’s project prioritization process (SMART SCALE), Virginia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, and the VTrans Multimodal Transportation Plan. Representatives from the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation will be in attendance to highlight their transportation programs and discuss your ideas and concerns about Virginia’s transportation network. The open house will be followed by a public comment period, where you can provide comments about the various initiatives. Comments will be accepted at the meeting and may also be submitted via email or online at www.CTB.Virginia.gov.

Public Meetings* to be held at the dates, locations and times listed below:

Entertainment

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

When Casey Fero is outon stage singing“Sweet Transvestite,”

he gets in character to become Dr.Frank N. Furter, one of the starsin The Rocky Horror Picture Show,at the Workhouse Theater inLorton. The Doctor is not like Feroat all, but when you’re an actor,that’s what you do.

“I just kind of let it all go, be thatperson,” he said.

Fero is an actor fromFredericksburg who is part of thecast that is putting on the theatri-cal performance of Rocky Horrorfor the second run at the Work-house Theater. He didn’t have tomemorize the song or the partthough, he’d seen the originalmovie a few times and knew thepart of Furter from when TimCurry played it in 1975.

“I’ve been watching this moviesince I was 16 so I knew it,” hesaid.

All the cast has seen it before onthe silver screen and knows theparts, but it is still fun for every-one, especially around Halloween.

“We’re here to give you a goodtime,” said Giorgio Mazzarelli, anArlington resident that plays “RiffRaff,” one of the odd charactersalong with Magenta, aka MaryPayne, and Dr. Scott, played byMary’s husband Michael, and oth-ers that are putting on the perfor-mance that is playing at the Work-house for the second time.

“Live performance is somethinglive TV just can’t give you,” saidMazzarelli. It’s the perfect combi-nation around October. “The closerit gets to Halloween, people wantto see something crazy like that,”said Payne.

The Rocky Horror Picture Showoriginally came out on stage in1973 but was made into a cultclassic movie in 1975 where theaudience became involved. Theplot is of a typical horror genrewhere a couple’s car breaks downduring the night and they go to Dr,

Frank N. Furter’s house to use thephone. He’s a mad scientist andthe musical mayhem ensues, withcharacters originally played bySusan Sarandon, Tim Curry andBarry Bostwick. The costumeswere of the punk rock fashion, andseveral hit songs came out of it,including “Time Warp Brigade.”

It became the “midnight movie,”of choice in Georgetown, and didhave a run at the Springfield “rock-ing chair,” theater in the 1980swhich was once across from theSpringfield Plaza.

Hayfield Secondary studentsSarah Sherrill, Carlee Maben andMadalyn McQuillan were at theWorkhouse to see the show, andtake some notes since they all aregoing to be on stage at Hayfieldfor a future showing of “AmericanIdiot.” Being right there in thesmall theater, “we can see how wecan portray a better character,”said Maben.

West Springfield graduate ClarePfeifer is one of the stage manag-ers and sound technicians. Al-though there’s no dangling micro-phones or booms, there are chal-lenges in the sound booth. Every-one has wireless microphones, but“one of the challenges is to makesure they have their mikes on,”Pfeifer said. But it pays off in theend. “When they do well, I dowell,” she said.

“She’s the sound goddess,”added Michael Omohundro, akaDr. Eddy Scott.

Tucked away in a few off-stagealcoves are the band, consisting ofa drummer, organ and saxophone.

Through Oct. 28, 2018, Fridaysand Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundaysat 5 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$35, 703-584-2900, Website: workhousearts.org

Mary Payne does one of her many wigs for the show.

Horror at the WorkhouseLocal talent, up and coming per-formers make the horror classic.

Where and WhenWorkhouse Arts Center 9518 Work-

house Way, LortonPhone: 703-584-2900, Website:

workhousearts.orgDates: Through Oct. 28, 2018Time: Fridays and Saturdays at 8

p.m., Sundays at 5 p.m.Tickets: $20-$35

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News

Children search for buried treasures in the sand pit.

Lake Accotink ParkFall Festival a HitA

bout 250-300 people attended the Lake AccotinkPark’s Annual Fall Festival

on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Usinga Halloween-theme, the day con-sisted of fun for children, carnival-style games, haunted tractor rides,miniature golf, and carnival-stylefood.Lake Accotink is part of the FairfaxCounty Park Authority.

According to Joshua Smith,Lakefront Park Manager at LakeAccotink Park: “We do this everyfall around Halloween — so it’s aHalloween-themed event. Weopen up our mini-golf; we havedifferent carnival-style games thekids participate in. We also dohaunted hayrides, which are fam-ily-friendly and dog-friendly aswell. But it’s a great family eventthat people can come out and justhave a great day out at the localpark.”

He continued: “We’re just tryingto bring the community in and letthem know what we have to offerhere at Lake Accotink.

This is kind of the last event thatwe do for the season. So, we hopeto spark interest in what we’regoing to be doing when the Springcomes back around next year. It’sa great fun day.”

—Steve Hibbard

Allison Zwirner, 6, and Katie Campillo, 7, of Springfieldenjoy cotton candy.

Mila Rumiantsev, 4, ofFairfax shows off her facepainting.

Ellie Readman, 4 � , ofAsheville, NC, plays theSpider Web Splat gameduring Lake Accotink Park’sAnnual Fall Festival onSaturday, Oct. 20, 2018.

Photos by

Steve Hibbard

The Connection


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

There I was, Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, around 6:30, sitting on my living room couch, club sandwich in hand, preparing for the League Championship Series game 5 between my Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros when as I’ve done a thousand times before, grabbed the remote to turn on the television. Pressing the usual button, I was distressed to see no picture and hear no sound. Having experienced this kind of disappointment numerous times before, I didn’t panic yet. I went about the diagnostic

I checked my remote to see if the batteries

pointed the remote back at the television, but still no response.. Next, as I have been prompted previously under similar circumstances (“Your X-1 platform ... .”), I pulled the plug and waited 30-plus seconds before reconnecting. Thirty seconds later, I re-plugged and still my television

check the status of my computer since they’re “cableized” together. The lights on my modem

one of my desk top icons and was met with the

my worst suspicion. For the moment, 90 minutes before game time, I was out of service (heck, I was out of luck). Finally, I called my cable pro-

I was met with the equally dreaded pre-recorded message: “There has been a service interruption in your area. Service is expected to be restored tomorrow afternoon.” “TOMORROW AFTER-NOON? THE GAME IS TONIGHT!” That was the exclamation I can print. What came next was not particularly complimentary.

For the next hour or so I puttered and mut-tered and did nothing to improve my circum-stances. At 9:30 pm I called my brother to get a score. (He lives in Washington, DC and has a

phone, a k a “stupid phone”). Unfortunately, he had left his cell phone in another room and didn’t hear my call. Frustrated, I swore yet again and trudged upstairs to go to bed. After getting into my “jammies,” I laid down in bed and rolled onto my left side to set the alarm on my clock radio when it hit me (not the clock radio); the baseball game is being broadcast on the radio! And so I scrolled the dial on the clock radio until I heard ESPN radio broadcasters John Shambee and Jessica Mendoza calling the game. If I can’t watch the game, I can certainly listen to it. And so I did, just like I did as a “little-leaguer” all those many years ago listening to Ken Coleman and Ned Martin of the “Boston Red Sox radio network” while living on Athelstane Road in Newton Centre, Ma. Except this time, I wasn’t clutching a transistor radio. I was hands free, listening.

For the next nearly three hours, I laid in bed and listened. Most of the broadcast I heard and some of it I missed as occasionally I fell asleep. But for a time I was transported back in time sort of, before cable television proliferated when the games were broadcast almost exclusively on radio and baseball was seen through the eyes of those sitting in the “Catbird seat,” to quote the legendary Red Barber. Listening to how they described what they saw during the game was how many of my generation - and the preceding generation, fell in love with baseball: “How about that!” to quote the late, great, Mel Allen.

It was a late night, but happily, for me and Red Sox Nation, the Sox won and will now be

since 2013. Game one will be Tuesday night, Oct. 23. I can’t imagine that there will be a repeat non-performance from my cable provider, but if there is, and I am forced to go to plan “B”, radio, I will do so. The circumstances got us a

wouldn’t get us a win in game one, too. After all, it’s not only the ballplayers that are superstitious.

Resorting to RadioSubmit civic/community announcements at

ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

WEDNESDAYSFinancial Literacy Classes. 7:30 p.m. At 2751

Prosperity Ave., Suite 310, Fairfax. DiMaViRealtors will be offering free courses onfinancial literacy with topics ranging fromretirement planning, investment, navigating themortgage and loan industries, and taxing issues.Call 571-322-1884 to register.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED.The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke

needs volunteer drivers for trips to medicalappointments (Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) within the Fairfax-Burke area and in the South County area (westof Route 1, Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingual volunteers(English and Spanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.

SOBER-RIDE FOR HALLOWEENFree Sober Rides. Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 p.m.

through Sunday, Oct. 28, 4 a.m. Area residents,21 and older, may download Lyft to theirphones, then enter a code in the app’s “Promo”section to receive a no cost (up to $15) safe ridehome. WRAP’s Halloween SoberRide promocode will be posted at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 onwww.SoberRide.com. The SoberRide code isvalid for the first 1,500 Lyft users who enter thecode.

THURSDAY/OCT. 25Public Comment Deadline. The Virginia

Department of Rail and Public Transportation(DRPT) announces a 45-day public commentperiod for it’s proposed policy and guidelines fortransit capital prioritization and urban transitagency strategic plans. The proposed plans areavailable online at drpt.virginia.gov/transit/tsdac/public-comment. Comments on the planscan be sent to Jen DeBruhl [email protected] or DRPT, 600 EastMain St., Suite 2012, Richmond, VA 23219.

Gentle Yoga. 12:30-2 p.m. at Sentara SurgerySpecialists Comprehensive Breast Center, 8988Lorton Station Blvd., Suite 103, Lorton. Thisyoga protocol is facilitated by Pat FitzsimmonsRN, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, an instructorspecifically trained to work with cancer patientswho will adapt traditional yoga practices tomeet the physiological and psychological needsof cancer patients. No registration required. It isrecommended that participants dresscomfortably and bring a yoga mat, towel(s), andwater. Visit www.sentara.com for more.

SATURDAY/OCT. 27Caregiver Bootcamp. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at

Insight Memory Care Center, 3953 Pender Drive,Suite 100, Fairfax. It can be hard as a busycaregiver to find all the information to best carefor a loved one with dementia. Insight offers theCaregiver Bootcamp to share essentialcaregiving topics, all in one place. A continentalbreakfast and lunch will be provided free ofcharge. Register online at insightmcc.org, orcontact Lindsey Vajpeyi at 703-204-4664 [email protected].

VolunteerFest. A region-wide day of communityservice helps nonprofits accomplish tasks theywould not have time or resources to do on theirown. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/volunteerfest.php for more.

MONDAY/OCT. 29Richmond Highway Widening Public

Information Meeting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Mt.Vernon High School Cafeteria & Auditorium(Enter at Door #8), 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road,Alexandria. The Virginia Department ofTransportation (VDOT) will host a publicinformation meeting on the Richmond HighwayWidening project to provide an update as well asan opportunity for the public to comment on theproject. The meeting will include an openhouse, a formal presentation and a question andanswer period. Individual questions will also beaddressed during the open house. Thepresentation begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.Visit www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/richmond_highway.asp formore.

Bulletin Board


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ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

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virginia state sen. jennifer wexton (d) and incumbent u.s...

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