Langley High Orchestra Presents H20 Concertconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/121819/Great...

Leaving on a High Note— A Joy Ride of 31 YearsNews, Page 3

Merry ChristmasEditorial, Page 4

Langley High OrchestraPresents H20 Concert

News, Page 7

A Langley Orchestra student dressed as a sea creature in honor of their H2O performance.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com December 18-24, 2019

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2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

SHOP GREAT FALLS!Great Falls Village Centrewww.GreatFallsVillageCentre.com

Adeler Jewelers ...................................... 703-759-4076AdGen Telecom ..................................... 703-757-6757Aquarian LLC ......................................... 703-438-8838Artists on the Green ................................ 703-609-3092Arts of Great Falls ................................... 703-232-1575Capital Realty Services .......................... 703-759-4900Dent Asset Management ....................... 703-286-7555Dr. C. Ayers ............................................ 703-757-6445Executive Suites at Great Falls ................ 703-865-2500Falls Beauty & Day Spa .......................... 703-261-6660Federated Realty. .................................. 703-454-8835Georgetown Learning Centers ............... 703-759-3624Great Falls Creamery. ............................ 703-272-7609Great Falls Cycle Studio. ........................ 703-585-5631Great Falls Family Dentistry..................... 703-759-4707Great Falls Physical Therapy. .................. 703-349-1030Great Falls Pilates ................................... 703-480-0281 Great Falls Pools ..................................... 703-250-5585Jinny Beyer Studio .................................. 703-759-0250John Nugent and SonPlumbing & Heating. .............................. 703-291-1926Katie’s Coffee House .............................. 703-759-2759Loebig Chiropractic ............................... 703-757-5817New Paradigm Capital Mgmt. ............... 703-757-4802Old Brogue Irish Pub ............................... 703-759-3309Pio Pio Restaurant .................................. 703-865-7700Property Collective ................................ 703-253-8505River Nail and Spa ................................. 703-746-8886Robert Mobley, AIA Architect ................. 703-759-1927Rossen Landscapes ............................... 703-327-2284School of Theatrical Dance ................... 703-759-5652Spectrum Property Management .......... 703-307-2965The Saddlery .......................................... 703-759-3500Village Centre Mgmt Office ................... 703-759-2485Village Retreat/Massage Therapy .......... 703-638-4852Wells Fargo Bank .................................... 703-757-1040Wild Ginger Restaurant .......................... 703-759-5040

Follow us on Facebook for event announcements!

Facebook.com/GreatFallsVillageCentre

Retail Available for Lease 703-759-2485 [email protected]

Photos by Walt Lawrence

4th of July ParadeConcerts on the Green

Halloween SpooktackularCelebration of Lights

Cars and CoffeeFarmers Market

The HEART Of The Great FallsCommunity & Proud Location

Of The Following Events:

See Bulletin, Page 11

News

See Becoming, Page 7

By Denise Lew

The Connection

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in Tysons Cor-ner in partnership with the National Geo-graphic Museum in Washington D.C., re-

cently premiered “Becoming Jane: The Evolution ofDr. Jane Goodall.” It is an inspiring exhibition cel-

ebrating the legacy of world-renowned chimpanzeeexpert, Dr. Jane Goodall.

“Becoming Jane” marks the 60th anniversary (inJuly of 2020) of Dr. Goodall’s arrival in GombeStream National Park in Tanzania to observe andresearch wild chimpanzees. It also celebrates theacclaimed scientist’s 85th birthday, who through her

‘Becoming Jane’ at National GeographicTysons-based Jane Goodall Institute opensnew exhibit at National Geographic Museum.

An immersive virtual-reality 3D theatre.

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Great FallsRotary Club toHost BridgeTournament

The Rotary Club of GreatFalls will host a bridge tour-nament on, Jan. 11. Thisfundraiser will enable girlsliving in extreme poverty inthe slums of India and Nepalto achieve financial indepen-dence through customizedquality education, vocationaltraining, and college scholar-ships.

The event takes place atChrist the King LutheranChurch, located at 10550Georgetown Pike, Great Falls,from noon to 5 p.m. Partnersand single players are bothwelcome. The cost is $50 andall proceeds go to fund theeducation of girls throughedugirls.org. To register, visitwww.rotarygreatfallsva.org.Registration is open throughJanuary 7, 2020.

Week in Great Falls

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

SUNDAY/JAN. 5Road to Richmond Legislative

Brunch. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. AtWestwood Country Club, 800 MapleAve., East, Vienna. You’re invited tojoin the annual Road to RichmondLegislative Brunch where the GeneralAssembly leadership will discuss theupcoming legislative session. Thistime will be especially significantbecause Democrats will be in themajority.

MONDAY/JAN. 6Stormwater Options Presentation.

7:30 p.m. At Great Falls Library,9830 VA-193, Great Falls. The GreatFalls Citizens Association’sEnvironment and Parks Committeewill sponsor a presentation by RandyBartlett, Director of the FairfaxCounty Department of Public Works

Bulletin Board

Great Falls Connection ❖ December 18-24, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

At the end of December 2019, Chairman ofthe Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,Sharon S. Bulova ends 31 years of serviceto the County, 21 years as the Braddock

District Supervisor and 10 years as Chairman of theBoard. During her last month in service, ChairmanBulova continued to lead the locality of 1.1 millionpeople and also shared her heartfelt thanks to con-stituents, staff and others.

“It has been a great ride,” Bulova said on Dec. 3,when she chaired her last Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors Meeting. ”I have loved the relationshipsthat we have had among my colleagues on the Boardand our county staff. … We are all in the trenchestogether, making things happen together. We don’talways agree on things, and yet we are able to cometogether and work things out. … Thank you for theopportunity to serve with you and previous boards.”

Bulova presided over the meeting that began at9:34 a.m. that day and adjourned, eleven hours laterat 8:41 p.m. “I love local government, even on dayslike this. You have to love people, love human na-ture. We manage change, which is not easy. Thingscan be emotional, but it is people coming togetherand participating in the process of governing (that)is so critical. I think we do that well in FairfaxCounty,” she said.

Highlights of Board actions taken at the Dec. 3meeting under the gavel of Chairman Bulova:

❖ Adopted the 2020 Legislative Program for the Vir-ginia General Assembly, Approval of the County’s 116thCongress Federal Legislative Strategy and Principals;

❖ Received reports from various councils includ-ing the Racial Equity Stakeholder Council and a pre-sentation by the Environmental Quality AdvisoryCouncil;

❖ Approved projects submitted for the FY 2026Regional Surface Transportation Program and Con-gestion Mitigation and Air Quality Federal FundingThrough the Northern Virginia Transportation Au-thority;

❖ Approved a Construction Administration Agree-ment between Fairfax County and the Town ofHerndon for the Herndon Metrorail Station Access

Management Study Project (Dranesville District).Nearing the end of the meeting, Bulova thanked

her staff over the years, her current staff and staffthat served her since she was first elected as theAnnandale District Supervisor, which later wasnamed the Braddock district. Bulova recognized theservices of the outgoing Board of Supervisor mem-bers, Braddock Supervisor John Cook (R), ProvidenceDistrict Supervisor Linda Smyth (D) and Hunter MillDistrict Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D).

During Chairman Bulova’s last days in service, thetables turned. Supervisors, as well as members ofthe Virginia General Assembly and leaders of neigh-boring jurisdictions in the Washington D.C. Metro-politan Region set about to recognize and thankBulova for her distinguished and extraordinary ser-vice, at the Dec. 3 Board of Supervisors meeting andBulova’s Dec. 9 retirement reception held at theFairfax County Government Center.

On behalf of the Board, Mason Supervisor PenelopeA. Gross (D) presented a Resolution for the Chair-man at the Dec. 3 meeting. The resolution recog-nized Bulova’s service representing Fairfax Countyon multiple fronts including the Metropolitan Wash-ington Council of Governments; as founding mem-ber, “I would say, godmother,” Gross said, of the Vir-ginia Railway Express; founder of several commu-nity groups such as Faith Communities in Action andCommunities of Trust; and sponsor for groups onkey County initiatives such as the Diversion First,Stakeholders Group, the Fairfax County Private Sec-tor Energy Task Force, the Governing Board for theOffice to Prevent and End Homelessness and more.

“She will be remembered for distinguished publicservice and achievement, love for history and the arts,and excellent doodling skills,” said Gross. “Be it re-solved the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors onbehalf of all residents does hereby thank Sharon forher extraordinary service on the Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors,” said Gross. The motion carried unani-mously.

As the meeting was about to adjourn, Bulova fore-cast what is on the horizon for Fairfax County. “I thinkwe’re (heading) toward a beautiful future,” she saidreferencing the new 2020 Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors to be led by current Lee District Super-visor and Chair-elect, Jeff McKay.

Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors, retires.

Leaving on a High Note:31 Year Joy Ride

Retiring mem-bers of theFairfax CountyBoard ofSupervisors:John Cook,Cathy Hudgins,Sharon Bulovaand LindaSmyth at theDec. 3, 2019Board ofSupervisorsMeeting.

Screenshot Dec. 3, 2019, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Viewpoints

‘She’s Always Been aGold Standard’Community leaders onSharon Bulova.Phyllis J. Randall

Phyllis J. Randall, Chair ofthe Loudoun County Board ofSupervisors: “I want to thankChairman Bulova for hermany years of service, butalso more personally being aguide and mentor to meduring my first term as Chairof Loudoun County. Shepassed the baton to me, andit’s my intention to make herproud.”

Bryan HillBryan Hill, Fairfax County

Executive: “I wish her all thebest in retirement, and sheshould be happy never toreceive another phone callfrom me with bad news as itwill always be good newsgoing forward. And thank youfor the opportunity to runFairfax County.”

Gregory ScottGregory Scott, director of

Information TechnologiesFairfax County: “I’d like tothank her for all the supportshe’s given InformationTechnologies over the yearsand helping us to continue tobe innovative in the way wedeliver services to constitu-ents in Fairfax County.”

Jay DorseyJay Dorsey: “Simply put,

she’s one of a kind. I’ve seenmy share of elected officialswho exert leadership anddisplay of power that comeswith their position. I have notseen an individual with herresponsibilities that treatsevery single resident of FairfaxCounty like she does.”

Cathy HudginsRetiring Hunter Mill District

Supervisor Cathy Hudgins: “Ithink she had the ability tohave a calming approach todealing with some of the mostdifficult issues as if there isnone. She has a very evenpersonality.”

See Viewpoint, Page 6


Opinion

The pages of the Connection (includ-ing the Alexandria Gazette Packet,the Mount Vernon Gazette, thePotomac Almanac and the Centre

View) have been full of holiday spirit, begin-ning before Thanksgiving. Help for the needy,holiday parades, Santa and more Santa; treelightings, stories of giving, the Nutcracker.

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.Whether you believe the Christmas story liter-ally or in spirit, you know it is the story of joy,hope and love, with the promise of redemp-tion.

It is also about embracing the teachings ofJesus: to love thy neighbor as thyself; to helpthe needy; to feed the hungry and clothe thepoor; to care for those who are sick; toinvite and welcome strangers; to treatothers as you would have them treatyou.

Matthew 7:12:“So in everything, do to others what you

would have them do to you.”

Matthew 25:35-40:“For I was hungry and you gave me some-

thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a stranger and youinvited me in, I needed clothes and you clothedme, I was sick and you looked after me, I wasin prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,when did we see you hungry and feed you, orthirsty and give you something to drink? Whendid we see you a stranger and invite you in, or

needing clothes and clothe you? When did wesee you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for oneof the least of these brothers and sisters ofmine, you did for me.’”

SO SHARE the verse relating the birth of Jesusfrom the Bible, Luke 2: 4-19:

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, outof the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto thecity of David, which is called Bethlehem; (be-cause he was of the house and lineage ofDavid.) To be taxed with Mary his espousedwife, being great with child. And so it was, that,while they were there, the days were accom-plished that she should be delivered. And she

brought forth her firstborn son, andwrapped him in swaddling clothes, andlaid him in a manger; because therewas no room for them in the inn.

“And there were in the same country, shep-herds abiding in the field, keeping watch overtheir flock by night. And, lo, the angel of theLord came upon them, and the glory of theLord shone round about them: and they weresore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fearnot: for, behold, I bring you good tidings ofgreat joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Andthis shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find thebabe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in amanger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel amultitude of the heavenly host praising God,and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and

on earth peace, good will toward men.“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone

away from them into heaven, the shepherdssaid one to another, Let us now go even untoBethlehem, and see this thing which is cometo pass, which the Lord hath made known untous. And they came with haste, and found Mary,and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it, they made knownabroad the saying which was told them con-cerning this child. And all they that heard itwondered at those things which were told themby the shepherds.”

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editor’s NoteAbout the Rest of 2019

This is our last regular edition of 2019. Nextweek, after Christmas, we will publish our an-nual Children’s Issue, devoted entirely to theartwork and writing of local students. You’llbe able to find this online while you wait forthe print edition at www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ Scroll down toChildren’s.

Our next regular edition will publish Jan. 8,2020, with deadline for content and advertis-ing of Jan. 3 (late ads accepted).

In the meantime you can email the editorsat [email protected]. Youcan reach sales/marketing/advertising [email protected].

Digital replica editions of the most recentweek’s papers are available atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs

Past issues of the Connection back to 2008are available at connectionarchives.com/PDF/

Sign up for a free digital subscription atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/subscribe

Many local nonprofits are reportinga significant drop in contributionsthis year. To some, the decrease

constitutes an existential threat. Not only willthey be unable to meet their goals for helpingothers, but some might not be able to keeptheir doors open.

This comes as the need is increasing, as theWhite House cuts food stamps, as more peoplego hungry.

This is a perfect time to give, give a littlemore than you have in the past.

The holidays are about giving, and givingthanks.

There are people going hungry here, peoplewho need help, organizations that will help,but can only help with the resources they have.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season, forhumans in need, for animals in need, for anenvironment in need. Here are a few ideas.

— Mary Kimm,

[email protected]

Where to Give Locally❖ Assistance League of Northern Virginia is an

all-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need. AssistanceLeague’s philanthropic programs touch the lives ofthousands of children at 11 Title I schools inNorthern Virginia, serving children most in need atselected schools in Fairfax and Prince Williamcounties and the City of Alexandria. To learn moreabout volunteer and sponsorship opportunities,contact [email protected] or visit www.alnv.org

❖ Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater WashingtonFairfax Area operates clubs in two of the neediestareas of the county, Culmore, Mount Vernon/ Route1 corridor, and Chantilly, focusing on character andacademic success. https://www.bgcgw.org/club-page/fairfax-county-region-our-impact/

❖ Britepaths Britepaths is working to assist 500Fairfax County area families who might otherwisego without holiday meals and gifts for theirchildren. Sponsor a family or donate to provide afamily with a holiday meal and/or gifts for theirchildren. Britepaths.org https://britepaths.org/our-programs/holiday-program

❖ Centreville Immigration Forum, a safe,organized center where residents and contractorscan negotiate work arrangements with day laborers.Centreville Square Shopping Center, 5944Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Phone:(703) 543-6272 website:www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org and [email protected]

❖ Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of churches andindividuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Oakton,Vienna community to provide simple, loving charityto those in need. Coming up, holiday bike drive.703-281-7614, www.cho-va.com

❖ Community Foundation of Northern Virginiawww.cfnova.org The Community Foundation forNorthern Virginia works to respond to critical needand seed innovation in our region. Your gift helps usmake grants in our focus areas of interest while alsobringing a spotlight on the benefits of communityphilanthropists www.cfnova.org/for-donors/donate-now

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one ofthe least of these brothers and sisters of mine,you did for me.”

Merry Christmas

Give Locally For tens of thousands of families in our area,uncertainty and need;nonprofits face drop in contributions.

See Give for Local impact, Page 10

Editorial

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Great Falls


News

Kirby Road, along Little Pimmit Run and acrossPimmit Run in McLean, the road mostheavily-damaged by flooding earlier this sum-

mer, reopened to through traffic the night of Dec.11. Landscaping and other detail work will be com-pleted over the next few weeks during normal workzone hours, weather permitting.

Martins Construction Corporation was awarded a$2.1 million emergency contract to rebuild hundredsof feet of the road and reconstruct the bridge overPimmit Run. The work included:

❖ Relocation of Little Pimmit Run to its previousstream alignment in compliance with federal/statepermitting agencies

❖ Rebuilding the washed-out section of Kirby Roadwith concrete and rip rap

❖ Reconstruction of the bridge over Pimmit Runwith work on the abutments, wing walls, parapets,bridge deck, and approaches. The reconstruction ofthe road portion of Kirby Road was completed onNov. 14. Crews originally worked throughout thenight on July 8 to clear debris and temporarily patchthe Kirby Road bridge so landlocked residents couldhave access to and from their homes.

As many as 20 roads in Fairfax County were closeddue to heavy rains on July 8, 2019, and extensiverepairs were made to twelve McLean-area roads inthe days following. VDOT structure and bridge crewscompletely reconstructed the Swinks Mill Roadbridge deck and made extensive repairs to the sub-structure as well as approaching roadway. SwinksMill Road was reopened on Oct. 18.

Kirby Road Reopens in McLean

Kirby Road, along Little Pimmit Run andacross Pimmit Run in McLean was mostheavily-damaged by flooding last summer.

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Extensive road andbridge reconstructionafter July 8 floods.


News

Q: What action taken dur-ing the Dec. 3 Board Meet-ing was most meaningfulto you, and why?

A: Recognizing my outgoing col-leagues. I have worked closely with Su-pervisor Cook, Supervisor Hudgins, andSupervisor Smyth, and I can speak totheir dedication and commitment toboth their districts and Fairfax Countyat-large. I have thoroughly enjoyedworking with them over these manyyears and am happy to see them recognized for theirservice.

Q: What motivated you to serve as Chairman ofthe Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; over time,did your reasons to serve change as you sought re-election?

A: My reason for serving as Chairman of the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors and Braddock DistrictSupervisor before that has always been the same: Ienjoy serving our community. Through ups anddowns, I get great satisfaction working on constitu-ents’ concerns and issues.

Fairfax County—Looking Back

Q: Describe a challenging time and how you guidedothers toward a solution. How did you re-access thesituation and modify plans, acts, or approaches go-ing forward?

A: The most challenging time of my Chairmanshipwas the police shooting of John B. Geer in 2015. Itwas an awful event that severely impacted trust inour local government. To develop changes in ourresponse to critical incidents, I created the Ad HocPolice Practices Review Commission and DiversionFirst, two of the most meaningful initiatives of mycareer. The Police adopted new policies, with a fo-cus on “the sanctity of life,” de-escalation, and trans-parency when responding to critical incidents. I hopethese initiatives continue to promote communitytrust, transparency and safety well into the future.

Q: Your most memorable experience as Chairmanof the Board of Supervisors.

A: There really are too many to describe. Estab-lishing the VRE Commuter Rail system and helpingit develop into a popular, successful service; the cre-ation of Faith Communities in Action, where housesof worship work in partnership with our local gov-ernment to address community challenges; the ex-tension of the Silver Line Metrorail into Tysons andReston; navigating the Great Recession in a way thatbrought the community to the table to help identifystrategies for adjusting to vastly reduced revenues.

I consider One Fairfax to be the most impactfulinitiative our Board has adopted during my time asChairman. It is a joint social and racial equity policythat commits the County to intentionally considerequity when making policies. When the County ismaking policy decisions, we must make sure that allour residents have access to opportunities that willhelp them to succeed. I am extremely proud of thisinitiative and look forward to seeing its positive ef-fects throughout the years to come.

Q: Name the one item you received over the years,

that touched your heart most deeply andwhy it did.

A: I regularly attend the Sheriff’s De-partment Back-to-School “Shop with theSheriff” event at the Target Store inBurke. Through the generosity of localbusiness and the Sheriff’s Department,elementary school-aged children resid-ing in homeless shelters are treated to ashopping spree at Target. I always givewelcoming remarks outside of Target tothe children, who have been paired up

with Sheriff Deputies. After this event in 2010, I re-ceived a handwritten letter from the mother of oneof the children. She described how excited she waswhen “a big yellow school bus” pulled up to the shel-ter where she was residing. A smiling Sheriff’s deputyescorted her daughter, Angelica, to the bus to havelunch and to go shopping. The daughter returnedecstatic with new clothes, shoes, and school supplies.The mother thanked Fairfax County and me for car-ing so much and for “making her day.” It is a won-derful letter. I have kept it and take it out to readevery once in a while. I am looking at it now.

Fairfax County—Looking Forward

Q: What skills and leadership style did you bringto the role of Chairman, and do you see such presentin the incoming Supervisors and Chairman-elect JeffMcKay?

A: As Chairman, I believe it is essential to listenand to be open to collaboration. Jeff McKay has dem-onstrated those skills as Lee District Supervisor andas Chair of the County’s Budget Committee.

Q: About traffic: How would you like to see thenew Board mitigate the concern or replace the cur-rent solution?

A: The ultimate answer to traffic congestion lies inbetter land use planning and development. Transit-ori-ented, compact and walkable new development takesthe pressure off congested roads and highways. Unfor-tunately, I won’t be in office to see the completion ofPhase II of the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and intoLoudoun County, but I look forward to seeing the newBoard bring this transformational project to fruition.

Q: If the County received a $1 million grant to useany way it wanted, what would you like to see donewith the money?

A: Early childhood education.

RetirementQ: The first day you are no longer Chairman (after

you sleep in), what are you going to do that morn-ing? What about the weeks and months that follow?

A: The first day I am no longer Chairman, I will gofor a jog as I always do before spending a relaxingday with my husband. In the following months, Iplan to visit with my grandchildren on the west coastand to spend some time in France with my sistersand daughter.

After that, I have always wanted to write the his-tory of the VRE. It is a great story, full of funny sto-ries and interesting characters. I will finally have timeto do that.

Q&A with Fairfax County Board of SupervisorsChairman Sharon Bulova two weeks before she retires.

‘I Enjoy Serving the Community’

Sharon Bulova

Viewpoints

Community Leaderson Bulova

State Sen. Chap Peterson(D-34)

State Senator Chap Peterson(D-34), presenting theVirginia State Senate Procla-mation: “She’s always been agold standard in terms ofservice. What I admire most isher self-effacing personality.”

Del. Mark Keam (D-35)Del. Mark Keam (D-35),

presenting the Virginia Houseof Delegates Proclamation:”She’s always put the commu-nity ahead of herself.”

Lisa SalesChairman Fairfax County

Commission for Women &VAratifyERA Leadership TeamLisa Sales: “Chairman Bulovahas led with a steady hand,kind heart, and always with afocus on strengtheningcommunity, which everyoneknows. What she might notknow is how she has impactedgirls and women in theCounty and how we look toher for examples of leadershipfor what is good and what isright; we watch her and lookto emulate her class.”

Shyamali Roy HauthShyamali Roy Hauth, EVP,

Outreach Virginia EqualRights Coalition: “I admireSharon Bulova’s compassionin leadership. Her contribu-tions to Fairfax County willlive on.”

Gerry W. HylandFormer Mount Vernon

District Supervisor Gerry W.Hyland (D): “Our Chairmanhas been a loving leader ofall, our consistent, lovingleader of the Board of Super-visors. Her presence has beenan inspiration. Sharon has lefther fingerprints, footprintsand heart print all over thelandscape of Fairfax County.We are so much better be-cause of her efforts.”


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News

‘BecomingJane’From Page 2

A replica of Dr. Goodall’s research tent.

Jubilee, Dr. Goodall’s favoritechildhood treasure.

groundbreaking work over the years haspaved the way for female trailblazers in sci-ence.

“Jane and JGI have had a long and fruit-ful near 60 year relationship with the Na-tional Geographic Society supporting Dr.Goodall’s research in Gombe National Parkwith the wild chimpanzees there. It is agreat opportunity to highlight our partner-ship and the impact of Dr. Goodall’s legacytogether,” said Shawn Sweeney, JGI’s SeniorDirector of Community Engagement.

Arlington resident, Alan Parente, is vicepresident and creative director at NationalGeographic, said: “I encourage my neigh-bors in NoVa and throughout the DMV toexperience the exhibition. The show is a fun,informative, and inspiring story of onewoman’s dedication to understanding andconserving animal life and habitats,” saidParente.

“Becoming Jane” features state-of-the-arttechnology and transports visitors throughan evolution of Goodall’s life: from her ear-liest childhood in war-torn Europe as shedeveloped a love for animals, to fulfillingher dreams of living amongst and studyingwild chimpanzees in Africa, and ultimatelya passionate conservationist.

First, a multi-screened short film intro-duces Dr. Goodall’s work along with virtu-ally-rendered chimpanzees. Exhibits withmemorabilia depict her early childhood andfamily, and a thirst for learning about ani-mals and exploring nature. One can explorea replica of her research tent and partici-pate in hands-on activities. Visitors can thensit back and listen to Dr. Goodall, as a fasci-nating life-sized hologram projection, sharememories of her years with wild chimpan-zees. Perhaps one of the most innovativeexhibits is an immersive virtual-reality 3Dtheatre depicting the vast jungles of Gombein Tanzania.

“With a sophisticated 3D/8k camera Ihiked to Jane’s favorite places… My goalwas to transport people to the world of thechimpanzees and experience the world in

which Jane has lived for so many years,”said Bill Willauer, JGI’s researchvideographer and filmmaker.

Interactive augmented reality (AR) sta-tions allow people to mimic the diverse vo-calizations of a chimpanzee, or explore thejungles of Gombe through virtual reality.Visitors may learn about current facts onGombe, Africa’s chimpanzee range, and thework of conservationists and scientists “fol-lowing in Dr. Goodall’s footsteps,” accord-ing to the JGI.

As the exhibition draws to a close, Dr.Goodall urges visitors to “ensure a moresustainable future” with JGI and NationalGeographic. An innovative pledge stationprojects each supporter’s name onto agraphic of a tree in support of the mission.

“Becoming Jane” leaves visitors inspiredand willing to join Dr. Goodall’s call to ac-tion. In her own words, “I have to work withyoung people today so that we try and raisenew generations to look after this poor oldplanet better than we have, before it’s toolate.”

“Becoming Jane” will be at the NationalGeographic Museum through Labor Day in2020. For more information, visitwww.janegoodall.org and https://www.nationalgeographic.org/events/exhi-bition/becoming-jane

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See Calendar, Page 9

Holiday Entertainment

Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork en-couraged.

ONGOING“Airness” by Chelsea Marcantel. Now thru

Dec. 25. At 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road,Tysons. When Nina enters her first air guitarcompetition, she thinks winning will be easy.But as she befriends a group of charismaticnerds all committed to becoming the nextchampion, she discovers that there’s more to thisart form than playing pretend; it’s about findingyourself and performing with raw joy. Directedby Christina Coakley. A YES Pass is available forhigh school students to see a season of shows forfree. To obtain a pass, email Deidra Starnes [email protected] or visit the website:www.1stStage.org.

Candy Cane Lane. Now thru Jan. 4. At Oak MarrMini-Golf, 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton. OakMarr’s Mini-Golf Course is being transformedinto Candy Cane Lane. Stop by and enjoy thewonderful lights and displays set up to delightvisitors of all ages. Walk through and enjoy thedisplay for $2 per person. Play a round of minigolf as you enjoy the display for $7 per person.Call 703-281-6501 or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/oak-marr/minigolf.

2019 White House Ornaments. The 2019White House Ornaments are available from theAssistance League of Northern Virginia. WhiteHouse Ornaments are wonderful for gift giving.This year’s White House Ornament is a“whirlybird” honoring Dwight D. Eisenhower,34th president of the United States. Topurchase, contact Cindy Burgess [email protected]. Cost per ornament is$22. Proceeds support ALNV’s local children’sprograms. Visit the website: www.alnv.org.

Mah Jongg Cards. Order cards through Jan. 15,2020, from Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100Westmoreland St. 2020 Mah Jongg cards are $8for small cards and $9 for large cards. Officialcards and will be sent directly from the NationalMah Jongg League in late March/early April2020. Go to bit.ly/mahjonggcards2020 or [email protected] to order.

HolidaysNOW THRU DEC. 22Holiday Art Market. Noon to 6 p.m. At 101

Church Street, NW, Vienna. The Vienna ArtsSociety presents hundreds of original artworksas well as hand-crafted gift items; to includejewelry, silk scarves, pottery, fused glass andmore. Free. Market hours are Thursdays -Sundays from noon - 6 p.m. In addition, doorswill open during the annual Vienna ChurchStreet Stroll, 5- 9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, whenthe street fills with hundreds celebrating Santa’sarrival in town. Visit the website:www.ViennaArtsSociety.org.

NOW THRU DEC. 24HGTV’s Santa HQ. At Tysons Corner Center,

1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Kids canexplore the wonder of Santa in the digital agewith HGTV’s Santa HQ at Tysons Corner Center!This holiday, check out the interactive ElfAcademy at Santa HQ. You can try on the latestelf looks with Santa’s Magic Mirror, create yourvery own Elf-ID Card and scan yourself on theNaughty or Nice O’Meter. Plus, new this year,spend less time in line and more time on holidayfun with a Fast Pass. Prices and times vary. Visitthe website: www.tysonscornercenter.com/SantaHQ

NOW THRU DEC. 24ACS Gift Wrapping. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Tysons

Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. The American Cancer Societyvolunteers will be offering holiday giftwrapping, located next to Santa ClausHeadquarters in the mall, Fashion Court, Level1. Donations to help fight cancer are welcome.Free. All donations for the gift wrapping go tofight cancer from all angles with the AmericanCancer Society. Email:[email protected] or visit the website:www.cancer.org.

NOW THRU DEC. 23MBC Christmas Drive-Through Light Show.

7:15-9:30 p.m. At McLean Bible Church, 8925Leesburg Pike, Vienna. The public is invited todrive through the spectacular Drive-ThroughLight Show set up around the McLean BibleChurch Tysons building. Experience the story ofChristmas with your family from the comfort ofyour vehicle. Free Visit the website:mcleanbible.org/christmas

TUESDAY/DEC. 31First Night Alexandria. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. At

venues throughout Old Town Alexandria. This25th Anniversary Celebration is the largest NewYear’s Eve party in the D.C. region that is safeand fun for the entire family and culminateswith a fantastic fireworks finale over thePotomac River at midnight. Kids Karnivals: 6 to9 p.m. at four warm indoor venues in Old Town,

Del Ray and the West End. Live Entertainment:7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at warm indoor venuesthroughout Old Town Alexandria. Rockin’ on theRiver: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Waterfront Park, 1King St., Alexandria. Midnight fireworks:Potomac River at the foot of King St.,Alexandria. All Access Admission: $25 throughNovember 30, 2019; $30 December 1-30, 2019;$35 December 31, 2019; Kids Karnival is $5 forchildren ages 2-12 and free for parents andinfants. Call 703-963-3755 or visitfirstnightalexandria.org.

CalendarTHURSDAY/DEC. 19Acoustic Autumn Live Music. 6:30-9 p.m. At

Blend 111, 111 Church Street, NW, Vienna.Laissez Foure is an acoustic swing quartetplaying classics from the ‘30s and ‘40s. Thegroup consists of acoustic bass, swing rhythmguitar, saxophone/clarinet, and trumpet. In thetradition of New Orleans jazz, the quartetemphasizes an acoustic sound when feasible andplays charts by Armstrong, Ellington, CountBasie and others from the era.

SUNDAY/DEC. 22Hanukkah Contata. 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. At

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Acclaimedcontemporary composer David Ludwig’semotionally charged “Hanukkah Cantata” will beperformed. Laura Weiss, director of music andarts, will lead the 65-voice Community Choraleand professional orchestra at both the 9:15 a.m.and 11:15 a.m. services. Everyone is invited toattend. Written in eight movements tocommemorate the ancient tradition ofHanukkah, the composition premiered in 2007at Rodeph Shalom for Choral Arts Philadelphiawith funding by the Philadelphia MusicProject.The composer integrated Hanukkahsongs in their original Hebrew with the narrativetaken from scripture and translated intoEnglish.Tenor Benjamin Whelan-Morin andBaritone Mark Wanich will be featured soloists.Visit www.uucf.org.

Hot Cocoa Party. 3 to 5 p.m. At Riverbend Park,8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls. Join apark naturalist for an outdoor walk throughnature’s winter wonderland and then headinside to treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa.Jazz up your cocoa with goodies, listen to someheartwarming winter stories, and make a wintrycraft to take home. Cost is $15 per person. Call703-759-9018 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.

Winter Walk of Lights. 5:30 p.m. AtMeadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. Part of theAging Rainbows group activities.Purchase yourtickets at https:// www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights and RSVP for the AgingRainbows Group via Eventbrite! We will meetthose who have a pre purchased ticket and haveRSVP’ed in the main lobby at 5:30 p.m.Notickets sold at the door.

MONDAY/DEC. 23Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip. 8 a.m. to 6

p.m.Trip departs from and returns to The OldFirehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.,McLean. Teens can watch the latest space battlesand character adventures set “a long time ago ina galaxy far, far away” on this trip to see thelatest Star Wars franchise: “The Rise ofSkywalker.” Prior to the film, they will starttheir Jedi training at an indoor trampoline/ninjawarrior training facility and enjoy lunch at anearby hibachi restaurant. Movie tickets,admission and lunch included in the fee. Cost is$60/$50 MCC district residents. Call the Centerat 703-790-0123.

TUESDAY/DEC. 24Christmas Eve Services. 4:30-11 p.m. At

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Join LewinsvillePresbyterian Church for one of its three servicesof worship to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.The 4:30 p.m. service is designed for familieswith life-size puppets telling the story of thenativity. Candlelight Communion Services willbe at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. with choirs andhandbells. Enjoy music of the season andmessages of hope and peace. Call 703-356-7200or visit

https://www.lewinsville.org/events/christmas-eve-services/

THURSDAY/DEC. 26Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip. 8 a.m. to 6

p.m. Trip departs from and returns to The OldFirehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd.,McLean. Participants can eat, drink and playgames at Dave & Buster’s! Buffet lunch and a$25 game card with unlimited arcade game playare included in the fee. Cost is $70/$60 MCCdistrict residents. Call the Center at 703-790-0123.

FRIDAY/DEC. 27Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip. 8 a.m. to 6

p.m. Trip departs from and returns to The Old

Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography.

Billie Krishawn in “Airness” at 1st Stage/Keegan Theatre. The show runsDec. 5-29 in Tysons.

“Airness” runs now thru Dec. 29Dec. 5-25. At 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons. When Nina enters her first air guitar compe-

tition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committedto becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend;it’s about finding yourself and performing with raw joy. Directed by Christina Coakley. A YES Pass isavailable for high school students to see a season of shows for free. To obtain a pass, email Deidra Starnesat [email protected] or visit the website: www.1stStage.org.

The Vienna Arts Society presents its Holiday Art Market now throughDec. 22.

Holiday Art MarketNow thru Dec. 22, Noon to 6 p.m. At 101 Church Street, NW, Vienna. The Vienna Arts Society pre-

sents hundreds of original artworks as well as hand-crafted gift items; to include jewelry, silk scarves,pottery, fused glass and more. Free. Market hours are Thursdays - Sundays from noon - 6 p.m. In addi-tion, doors will open during the annual Vienna Church Street Stroll, 5- 9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, whenthe street fills with hundreds celebrating Santa’s arrival in town. Visit the website:www.ViennaArtsSociety.org.


From Page 8

Holiday Entertainment

The 25th Anniversary First Night in Old Town Alexandriatakes place Tuesday, Dec. 31.

First Night in AlexandriaTuesday/Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. At venues throughout Old Town Alexandria.

This 25th Anniversary Celebration is the largest New Year’s Eve party in the D.C.region that is safe and fun for the entire family and culminates with a fantastic fire-works finale over the Potomac River at midnight. Kids Karnivals: 6 to 9 p.m. at fourwarm indoor venues in Old Town, Del Ray and the West End. Live Entertainment:7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at warm indoor venues throughout Old Town Alexandria. Rockin’on the River: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Waterfront Park, 1 King St., Alexandria. Mid-night fireworks: Potomac River at the foot of King St., Alexandria. All AccessAdmission: $25 through November 30, 2019; $30 December 1-30, 2019; $35 De-cember 31, 2019; Kids Karnival is $5 for children ages 2-12 and free for parentsand infants. Call 703-963-3755 or visit firstnightalexandria.org.

Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain BridgeRd., McLean. Teens will explore allthat the one-of-a-kind St. JamesEntertainment Center facility has tooffer: bounce on trampolines, diveinto the VR gaming world, test theirskills on their ninja warrior and ropescourse and enter into the Nerf battlezone. Lunch and admission areincluded in the fee. Cost is $50/$40MCC district residents. Call theCenter at 703-790-0123.

SATURDAY/DEC. 28Christmas Praise Benefit Concert.

3 p.m. At Emmanuel LutheranChurch, 2589 Chain Bridge Road,Vienna. The Morehead family willpresent a concert of Christmas musicat Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Theconcert includes classical works aswell as more contemporary songs inaddition to Christmas carols that allwill sing. The concert is free. Anoffering will be taken to benefitFACETS.

MONDAY/DEC. 30Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip.

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Trip departs from andreturns to The Old Firehouse Center,1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean.Speed lovers will experience a thrilllike no other at this state-of-the-artindoor go-karting facility. Lunch andraces are included in the fee. Cost is$80/$70 MCC district residents. Callthe Center at 703-790-0123.

SATURDAY/JAN. 4The Capitol Steps. 7 p.m. At The

Alden Theater, McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.No one is safe from these politicalsatirists, their up-to-the-minutemusical spoofs and (in)famous “LirtyDies.” Running time: 120 minutes.Tickets are $50/$45 student andsenior/$35 MCC tax districtresidents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org or call 703-790-9223.

FRIDAY/JAN. 10Free Children’s Workshop. 10-11

a.m. At Green Hedges School, 415Windover Avenue, NW, Vienna.Green Hedges School, incollaboration with Wolf TrapFoundation’s Institute for EarlyLearning Through the Arts, will hosta free interactive program, “Ask Mr.Bear,” on the School’s campus. Spaceis limited. Register atwww.greenhedges.org/wolftrap.

SATURDAY/JAN. 11Bridge Tournament. Noon to 5 p.m.

At Christ the King Lutheran Church,10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.

The Rotary Club of Great Falls willhost a bridge tournament. Thisfundraiser will enable girls living inextreme poverty in the slums of Indiaand Nepal to achieve financialindependence through customizedquality education, vocationaltraining, and college scholarships.Partners and single players are bothwelcome. The cost is $50 and allproceeds go to fund the education ofgirls through edugirls.org. Toregister, visitwww.rotarygreatfallsva.org.Registration is open through January7, 2020.

Ancient to Modern: Oolong Teas.1-3 p.m. At Colvin Run Mill, 10017Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Thiscategory of semi-oxidized teas is everexpanding with new styles beingdeveloped all over the globe. Samplea variety of oolongs from old style tonew, from traditional tea producingcountries to countries with recentlyestablished high quality tea gardens.Tea infused treats and a take hometea sampler included. Cost is $35.Use ID Code AE1.439C. Register atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 15McLean Newcomers and

Neighbors Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.At Mylo’s Grill, 6238 Old DominionDr, McLean. The cost of theluncheon is $30 per person. ClareCushman of the Supreme CourtHistorical Society will discussSupreme Court food traditions andrecipes. To attend, pay at https://squareup.com/market/mclean-newcomers-club. Prospectivemembers are invited. Noreservations will be accepted afterFriday, Jan. 10. Visitwww.McLeanNewcomers.org.

JAN. 17-26, 2020Joshua’s Hands Quilting Event.

Location TBA in Purcellville. Joshua’sHands is a non-profit in LoudounCounty that hosts free quilting eventsto support wounded servicepeople.Joshua’s Hands will host 10 days ofquilting fun to make handmade quiltsfor servicemen and women woundedwhile serving our country. All arewelcome. No sewing experience orregistration needed. All materials areprovided but donations areappreciated. Come for an hour orthe day. Monday-Saturdays 9 a.m.-9p.m.; Sundays 1-9 p.m. Purcellville.Check website for exact [email protected], or call 540-454-7827, or visitwww.JoshuasHands.org.


Nonprofit providing support andadvocacy for those in need of food,shelter, affordable housing, qualitychildcare, and other human services.Programs and services include theEmbry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry,Hypothermia Prevention Program,Gifts for Kids and annual Coat Drive.www.cornerstonesva.org. ContactNate King, Donations and DrivesCoordinator, at 571-323-9569.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their childrenand individuals who suffer the effectsof poverty in the Fairfax area, apartner in efforts to endhomelessness in Fairfax County.FACETS is always in need ofdonations and volunteers, and offersa variety of one-time and ongoingopportunities.

Donations will be accepted at FACETS’main office (10700 Page Avenue,Building B, Fairfax VA 22030)between 9am – 5pm.

Contact Haylee Davis [email protected].

703-865-4251 [email protected]. 10640 PageAve., Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030

❖ Friends of the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Each year, nearly5,000 pets, including cats, dogs,small mammals, reptiles andlivestock, come to the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Friends of the FairfaxCounty Animal Shelter fundsimportant needs throughout theShelter such as behavioral trainingand dental or medical care beyondwhat the shelter’s budget canprovide. [email protected] 571-212-9858 www.ffcas.org/

❖ Friends of Guest HouseNorthern Virginia offers structure,supervision, support and assistanceto female ex-offenders who want toimprove their lives and break thecycle of incarceration. Friends ofGuest House offers the only programfor women of its kind in NorthernVirginia. One East Luray Ave.,Alexandria, VA 22301-2025, 703-549-8072,[email protected],friendsofguesthouse.org/

❖ Habitat for Humanity ofNorthern Virginia transforms thelives of lower-income families inneed by providing affordablehomeownership opportunities inAlexandria, Arlington, Fairfax andFalls Church. Learn more atwww.habitatnova.org.

❖ Homestretch, to empower homelessparents with children to attainpermanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills,knowledge and hope they need tobecome productive participants in thecommunity. Since 1990 Homestretchhas helped over 2,000 familiesachieve permanent housing and self-sufficiency. 303 South Maple Ave,Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22046Phone: 703-237-2035homestretchva.org

❖ NAMI Northern Virginia (NationalAlliance on Mental Illness) works toraise awareness and provideeducation, advocacy, and supportprograms for people living withmental illness, families, students,educators, law enforcement, and thepublic throughout ourneighborhoods. Many excellentprograms. NAMI Northern Virginiaserves Fairfax, Falls Church,Arlington, Alexandria, and Loudounwww.nami-northernvirginia.org/HelpLine: (571)458.7310,Email: [email protected]

❖ National Capital Food Bank,6833 Hill Park Drive, Lorton, servingall of Northern Virginia, (571) 482-4770 . www.capitalareafoodbank.org

❖ Neighborhood Health, 6677Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA22306. The organization partners

with its patients to treat the wholeperson through medical, behavioralhealth and dental programs. It has 10clinics throughout Arlington andFairfax counties. Participating withall insurance including commercial,Medicare, and Medicaid, 703-535-5568,www.neighborhoodhealthva.org

❖ New Hope Housing, endshomelessness in Northern Virginia byproviding housing, offering hope, andbuilding community. We currentlyoffer various Housing Programs, andSupport Services. 8407E RichmondHwy., Alexandria, VA 22309www.newhopehousing.org/how-to-help/donate/

❖ Northern Virginia FamilyService. The organization providesthe essential building blocks forfinancial, emotional and physicalwell-being, serving as leaders andinnovators for the Northern Virginiacommunity. Every year, it empowers35,000 individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. www.nvfs.org NorthernVirginia Family Service, 10455 WhiteGranite, Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, VA22124. 571-748-2500

❖ OAR rebuilds lives and breaks thecycle of crime with opportunities,alternatives, and resources foroffenders and their families to createa safer community. 10640 Page Ave.,Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-246-3033. OAR needs volunteers andfinancial donations. oarnova.org/donate

❖ Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC)volunteers are preparing for deliveryof holiday gifts for children fromfinancially struggling families inwestern Fairfax County –predominantly in Centreville andChantilly.www.ourneighborschild.org/

❖ Pathway Homes providing non-time-limited housing and supportiveservices to adults with serious mentalillness and co-occurring disabilities inNorthern Virginia. Founded in 1980,Pathways currently serves more than400 adults in community-basedhomes in Northern Virginia.www.pathwayhomes.org

❖ Potomac Riverkeeper Networkworks to protect the public’s right toclean water in our rivers andstreams; to stop pollution to promotesafe drinking water; to protecthealthy river habitats; and toenhance public use and enjoyment.

3070 M Street, NW, Washington, DC20007. (202) 888-2037

www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org

❖ Potomac River Conservancy,8403 Colesville Road, Suite 805,Silver Spring, MD 20910,301.608.1188 potomac.org, seeks toimprove the Potomac River’s waterquality by building an impassionedbase of river advocates to impartchange at the local level.

❖ PRS, Inc. is a non profit providingmental health, crisis intervention andsuicide prevention services inNorthern Virginia and Washington,D.C. Seeking to change and save livesin our community by empoweringhope, safety, recovery, wellness,independence and communityintegration.. PRS also provides crisiscounseling and connection tosupports CRISISLINK When crisiscalls, we answer 24/7 Call: 800-273-TALK [8255] Text: “CONNECT” to85511

❖ Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (RebuildingTogether-AFF) is a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit organization that makescritical repairs at no charge for low-income homeowners and nonprofitorganizations. Our volunteers makehomes safe and healthy, and theyhelp seniors age in place. Since 1988we have repaired 2,273 homes andnon-profit residential facilities in ourarea and mobilized 69,081volunteers to do the work. Webelieve in safe homes andcommunities for everyone. 10723Main Street, #135, Fairfax, VA

22030; Phone: 703-528-1999https://rebuildingtogether-aff.org/

❖ Second Story — Second Story(formerly Alternative House)provides shelter and services forhomeless, runaway or abusedteenagers, unaccompanied youth,and young mothers and theirchildren. second-story.org.

❖ SHARE of McLean, celebrating its50th anniversary, is an all-volunteerorganization with no paid staff. Weare supported by donations fromlocal religious congregations,community organizations andindividuals. Our food and clothingroom is housed is space donated bythe McLean Baptist Church. Our yearround and seasonal programs includefamily emergency financialassistance, food pantry, used clothingroom, recycled furniture, back-to-school supplies and refurbishedlaptop computers. During theholidays, we also provide ourneighbors in need with grocery cardsand gifts.

Main Message Center: (703) [email protected]

Mail: Share, Inc. P.O. Box 210 McLean,VA 22101

Food and Clothing Room: McLeanBaptist Church 1367 Chain BridgeRoad McLean, VA 22101

www.shareofmclean.org

❖ Shelter House provides crisisintervention, safe housing andsupportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families andvictims of domestic violence inFairfax County. It is our mission toget families back into stable housingin order to provide them theopportunity to continue their journeyto self-sufficiency.www.shelterhouse.org

❖ Shepherd’s Center of OaktonVienna providing services, personalenrichment, volunteer opportunitiesfor adults 50 and over. Currentlyserving 3,000-plus mature adults inthe region. 703-281-0538,www.scov.org

❖ Tahirih Justice Center, 703-575-0070, www.tahirih.org, Legalservices, public policy advocacy, andeducation for immigrant women andgirls.

❖ TAPS, Tragedy AssistanceProgram for Survivors, 3033 WilsonBlvd., Third Floor, Arlingotn, VA22201, Call 24/7 800-959-TAPS(8277) The Tragedy AssistanceProgram for Survivors offerscompassionate care and resources toall those grieving the loss of amilitary loved one. Make a donationto support surviving military familiesand loved ones. You can also make agift in honor or memory of a lovedone. www.taps.org/donate

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is anonprofit organization focused onhow to enlighten, excite, and educatechildren about how they canexperience the true joy that comesfrom helping those in need.www.touchingheart.com, 703-901-7355.

❖ United Community, Mount Vernon,703-768-7106, 7511 Fordson Road,Alexandria, VA 22306 assists low-income families and individualsliving along the Route 1 Corridor, UCprovides housing programs as well asa Workforce Development Center.Make a Financial Contribution tosupport the Holiday Gift Room 7511Fordson Road, Alexandria VA 22306.www.ucmagency.org

Donations of cash/checks and gift cardsare also welcome.

❖ Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries — 4511 Daly Drive,Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151 inChantilly. email Assistant FoodPantry Manager/VolunteerCoordinator Debbie Culbertson [email protected] and putHoliday Food in the subject line.wfcmva.org/

From Page 4

Where to Give for Local impact


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Having re-read what I wrote in last week’s col-umn: “Still Processing,” I can’t say it made me feel a whole lot better than when I wrote it. Granted, it was a column that had to be written given my

-stantly) and the possible crossroads that I may be entering. Nevertheless, if part of the underlying rea-son why I take up this space every week is to vent and share, as a means, hopefully not to a premature end, I suppose there was stress released there. But the subject matter was so third-rail-ish that even though I’ve tried to avoid it, I feel adversely affected by the experience.

The subject to which I so ambiguously refer is my own death. Aside from not wanting it to happen, if I don’t plan in advance for it having happened, the chaos that will ensue and envelop my wife, Dina, is both unfair and inconsiderate. You see, in our relationship, she’s been the social director and I’ve been the business manager. To quote my late father: “and neither the twain shall meet except on the twack.” If I were indeed to predecease my wife, a fairly distinct possibility, not only would there be no twain, there would be no “twack” as well. There would only be trouble, and that’s ‘trouble’ with a capital “T.”

It’s not so much that there are complications lurking, so far as I understand them: there are no children, no blended family, no special needs situa-tions, no multi-layered business entanglements, no offshore anything (heck, there’s very little onshore), our home and bank accounts are jointly owned, no

and few liabilities; really not much out of the ordi-nary. However, I get that ordinary is in the eye of the surviving beholder, which is likely not to be me. Therefore, if I want to contribute to my wife’s quality of life after I’ve departed dearly (and to her peace of mind now, quite frankly), apparently a road map of

about control; it’s more about initiative.)I guess there’s something in me that feels I

need to get it out on paper so that I might act on it in person. Maybe writing about such a grim task minimizes its grimness, sort of like dipping your toe in the water before you jump? Maybe thinking and writing about the anxiety I’m feeling concerning what my wife will have to do after I’ve died is kind of a mental ice breaker. Not that I’m getting into any details here, it’s more of a broad brush,” to once again quote my brother, Richard, about the need for consideration and fairness. The underlying problem is that getting into all this after I’m-dead stuff seems and feels incredibly negative. And I try to ignore negativity. In fact, it may very well have been my positivity which has kept me alive all these live-long days.

I’m sure I’m rationalizing (maybe more like “irrationalizing”), as an excuse for not doing what needs to be done, but I’ve always been good at that. In addition, I keep coming back to it’s my life; I’m the one with “the cancer,” to quote “Forrest, Forrest Gump,” describing his mother’s cause of death, as a means of justifying my stubbornness/unwillingness to make certain arrangements. I mean, when you think of it, having cancer is a heck of an excuse. And though I’ve rarely used it as one, I’ve always felt it. And with respect to planning for a future I don’t have, I have to blame the cancer. It makes you do and think things you might not otherwise do and think. It’s not as if anyone is ever prepared for a cancer/serious health diagnosis. Quite the opposite in fact. As such, you either learn to roll with the punches or get knocked down by them.

This recent/current experience hasn’t knocked me down or out exactly, but it has made me a little wobbly emotionally, and reminded me just how in-

time in years, I seem to be at greater risk than ever. I suppose with risk comes opportunities. Having my

targeted medicine seems to be present just such an opportunity; exactly what the doctor ordered, literally.

CatharsisBulletin

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and Environmental Services, concerning optionsfor the County in dealing with the increasingrainfall that Fairfax County is receiving. Bartlettrecently made a similar presentation to theEnvironmental Committee of the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors. Mr. Bartlett will alsoprovide an update on some of the discussionsthe County leadership has had concerning thesestormwater issues. For details, email KarenKeegan at [email protected]

JAN. 7 AND JAN. 9Students and Volunteers Wanted. 7 to 8:30

p.m. At St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 9972 ValeRoad, Vienna. Students and volunteers areneeded for the St. Mark’s Catholic ChurchEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) Ministry.Seeking Students and Volunteers to participatein the upcoming Winter 2020 Term, Jan. 14-Mar. 12. The goal is to ‘Welcome Everyone” andprovide a program where adults from all ethnicand religious backgrounds can come and learnEnglish and acclimate better to life in the U.S.No experience is necessary to Volunteer. Allclasses take place on Tuesday and Thursdayevenings at St. Mark Christian FormationCenter. Call Monica at 703-980-9380, Bob at703-242-7449, email [email protected], orsee the Web site at www.stmarkesl.org.

COMMUNITY HELP NEEDEDRecycling Project. At Church of the Good

Shepherd, 2351 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna. Thechurch has a new project lined up for its January2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Morning ofService and is asking community residents tobegin now to collect plastic caps and lids. Thespecial recycling effort already has engaged thechurch’s membership in starting to bring plasticcaps and lids to fill “Chomper,” a fun, child-friendly recycling container in the main entranceto the church. A second special recycling bin foreasy drop-off is located just inside the church’soffice entrance. For details of what plastic caps/lids are suitable, seewww.GoodShepherdVA.com.

SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the

Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualified tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.

Shepherd’s Center of Oakton ViennaCaregivers’ Support Group takes place firstand third Thursday of each month, 10-11:30a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregationof Fairfax (UUCF) - Program Building, 2709Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. For caregivers toadult family members with dementia. First andthird Thursdays of every month. Hosted byShepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org.Contact facilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].

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

Virginia Chronic Pain Support Group Meetsfrom 1:30-3 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of eachmonth at Kaplan Center for IntegrativeMedicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300, McLean.Group leader, Jodi Brayton, LCSW. 703-532-4892.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDSTEM Professionals Needed. Volunteers are

needed to assist K-12 STEM teachers in northernVirginia as part of the American Association forthe Advancement of Science’s STEM VolunteerProgram, stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-20 school year, beginning in September. Pleasecontact Don Rea at 571-551-2488 [email protected].

Assistance League of Northern Virginia, avolunteer nonprofit, invites community membersto join the organization to participate in itsReading Express program. Volunteers provideone-on-one tutoring to first grade studentsduring the school year. To learn more contactVP Membership Mary Gronlund [email protected] or Program Coordinator LynnBarron at [email protected].

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