Fairfax News, Page 23

Amid Controversy, Council Approves WAWA in Fairfax News, Page 23

Other Gas-Station Owners Fuel Fight News, Page 3

Classifieds, Page 6 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, 6 Classifieds, Legislators Reflect On the Week Opponents of the proposed WAWA gas station One of the Session turned out en Viewpoints, Page 4

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night, at Fairfax 1-17-20 home in Requested City’s Council material. sensitive Time

meeting. Postmaster: Attention

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U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection January 16-22, 2020 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Week in Fairfax

from 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. The event will Make Valentines for be held upstairs at Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Foster Children Drive in Fairfax. Approximately 500 volunteers will gather this Sat- urday, Jan.18, for the Volunteer Fairfax Annual Bulova, Petersen Valentine’s Challenge.ºThis year’s challenge is to make 6,000 valentines for children in foster care and Town Hall Meeting child protective services in Fairfax County, and for Del. David Bulova (D-37) and Sen. Chap Petersen college students who recently aged out of foster care (D-34) will hold a joint, town hall meeting Satur- through Foster Care to Success. day, Jan. 25, from 9-11 a.m. It’s at the Fairfax City The Valentines will go to at-risk youth desperately Hall, 10455 Armstrong St. in Fairfax. They’ll provide in need of support and encouragement.ºSpots are an overview of the current, Virginia General Assem- still available for volunteers to sign up to participate bly session and answer constituents’ questions.

COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

“Loving People to Life” b Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AM Sunday School 10:10 AM b Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PM Family Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM To Advertise Your Home Life Groups, College/Young Adult Ministries, and Living Free Support Groups Community of Worship, Visit our Website: jccag.org 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax Bill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170 Call 703-778-9418

2 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected]

The site plan for the proposed Wawa on Fairfax Boulevard. Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection The same people opposing the WAWA station in December returned to City Council for the Jan. 14 decision – this time, with signs. Other Gas-Station Owners Fuel Fight Amid Controversy, Council Contend the new WAWA will Approves WAWA in Fairfax decimate smaller businesses. By Bonnie Hobbs Scott Brown said gas-truck The Connection drivers will arrive, all hours of Increased competition is trips. He expects some 70 vehicles during a.m. peak the day and night, and “there’ll not a basis for denial. hours and some 49 vehicles during p.m. peak hours. uring WAWA’s Dec. 10 be two a day. And their food- But he said less than 2 percent of the vehicles on the Dpublic hearing before delivery trucks are 18-wheelers. road won’t be there because of WAWA. the Fairfax City Coun- Therefore, traffic will back up By Bonnie Hobbs cil, Councilman Sang Yi asked on Fairfax Boulevard. The av- The Connection TUESDAY NIGHT, attorney Bob Brant, represent- about WAWA’s impact on other erage WAWA sells between ing WAWA, said it will provide $200,000 toward a gas stations in a community. But 400,000-500,000 gallons/ as station owners and employees, small future traffic signal at Fairfax Boulevard and Spring when Bob Brant, representing month, has just under 1,700 gas businessmen and others opposed to a Street. City traffic engineer Kirk McCullough esti- WAWA, said it doesn’t put other visitors/day, plus 2,000 store Glarge, WAWA gas station and grocery mated its actual cost at $800,000. gas stations out of business, customers/day. And WAWA is a store coming to the City filled nearly ev- “This is an exciting revitalization and economic- many people in the audience destination, so it’ll attract more ery seat at Tuesday night’s Council meeting. They development opportunity for the City on Fairfax Bou- laughed. people than drive there now.” also displayed signs in protest. levard,” said Brant. “Since our initial concept plan, Then they had their say, start- Mahmoud Cheladi said he’s And although two Council members voted against we’ve added more trees on the site and decreased ing with Charles Beaulieu, seen WAWA’s effect on small the project, at the end of the evening it was approved. the amount of impervious surface. And fuel delivery who’s owned the Jermantown businesses in Loudoun. “They That paves the way for WAWA to replace the old will generally not occur during peak-traffic hours.” Shell for 28 years. “It’s a shame cannot compete with WAWA,” Rodeway Inn at 9700 Fairfax Blvd. with a 6,049- There’ll also be a 5-foot-wide, green strip adjacent to see a big company coming in he said. square-foot grocery store and six fuel stations – 12 to the curb and a 10-foot-wide sidewalk connecting that’ll affect my business,” he Agreeing, Mohamed Oud, a pumps total – under a covered canopy. the west side of the property to the site. “On the east said. “In Loudoun County, when Fairfax City resident for 18 “I know there’ll be impacts on other businesses,” side, Spring Street today has no sidewalk,” said Brant. the WAWA went in, my busi- years, said, “Small businesses said Councilman Michael DeMarco. “But we can’t “We’re proposing a 6-foot-wide sidewalk there to ness, customer base and rev- are the heart and soul of this deny an application because of increased competi- increase pedestrian connectivity.” enue dropped.” country. We’ll be out of busi- tion.” Brant also stressed the business’s many benefits to A WAWA in Fairfax, said ness, and 90 percent of fuel- The 1.8-acre site is on the west side of Spring Street the City, including: Contributing to its tax base, pro- Beaulieu, will also impact the delivery trucks can’t make that and surrounded by commercial uses. And although viding 40-50 full and part-time jobs and extending Sunoco, CITCO and other Shell turn out of there, so traffic will WAWA calls its building a convenience store, the City the Draper Drive left/U-turn lane at Fairfax Boule- station nearby. “Traffic at back up.” zoning ordinance states anything over 5,000 square vard to double its capacity from two to four vehicles. Fairfax Circle is already horren- feet is considered a grocery store. It will offer soups, Furthermore, said Brant, “WAWA will conduct a traf- dous and will get even worse THIRTY-YEAR City resident sandwiches and other food items, and it and the gas fic-signal analysis within its first year of opening, at when the new Giant comes in,” Chase Boyer said, “The fuel in- pumps will be oriented toward Fairfax Boulevard. its own expense.” he said. “Reconsider this appli- dustry is a dying business. I’ve A special-use permit is required for fuel stations in “It’ll be a modern, state-of-the-art building, and cation and consider the small worked at a gas station my en- the (CR) Commercial Retail District. Rezoning a por- we’re proposing eight, electric-vehicle, charging sta- businessman.” The audience tire life, and fuel trucks will tion of the property from (IH) Industrial Heavy to tions there,” he continued. “And this business is esti- then applauded, as it did after take two lanes to get back out Commercial Retail is also needed because IH doesn’t mated to bring as much as $347,000 additional, net most of the speakers. on Route 50 [Fairfax Boule- permit grocery stores. And City staff recommended revenue to the City annually.” Another man, who’s owned a vard]. Is there even a need for ending the site’s current split zoning and rezoning Still, at the outset of the Jan. 14 meeting, some of fuel station on Route 1 for more a gas station here? You can find the entire site to CR. the opponents expressed their concerns. Resident than 10 years, said, “WAWA can one every two blocks. With The gas station won’t do vehicle maintenance or Alan Casey said the station would be too close to easily destroy this growing cheap gas, there’ll be lines inspections. Fuel trucks will enter from Fairfax Bou- Fairfax Circle and would cause morning and evening economy. There are more than that’ll back up on Route 50. levard, and food trucks, from Spring Street. One of traffic backups. Also speaking was Chase Beaulieu, 120 small businesses in the vi- And what will WAWA give back the current curb cuts on Fairfax Boulevard will be whose father owns the Jermantown Shell station. cinity of this new WAWA, and to the community? Will they closed, with right turns in and out of the site to Fairfax “We’re hardworking people that have always sup- it will destroy them. WAWA support a FPYC [Fairfax Police Boulevard and full access to and from Spring Street. ported the City’s youth clubs,” said Beaulieu. “Our puts its prices low, at first; and Youth Club] team?” About 1,280 new trips/day are expected from livelihood depends on selling gas and snacks, and then, after the small businesses WAWA, and its transportation engineer, Andy Smith, are forced out, they raise them.” See Objections, Page 5 said one vehicle entering and entering counts as two See Council, Page 5 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 ❖ 3 Opinion Fairfax Viewpoints Assembly - Week One www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Legislators Reflect on the @FfxConnection Highlights of Some of the An independent, locally owned weekly First Days of the 2020 Session newspaper delivered to —Mercia Hobson Bills Proposed homes and businesses. Photos via Virginia General Assembly —Mercia Hobson Published by Local Media Connection LLC Del. David Bulova (D-37) introduced HB Photos via Virginia General Assembly 1012 Early childhood care and education; Sen. J. Chapman Peterson (D-34) 1606 King Street establishment of system, licensure. “A child’s introduced SB 26 Plastic bags; tax in the Alexandria, Virginia 22314 earliest experiences - and particularly those in Chesapeake Bay Watershed which imposes Free digital edition delivered to the critical years between birth and age five - a five-cent per bag tax on plastic bags your email box. Go to have lifelong impacts on their likelihood of provided to customers by certain retailers connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe success. However, according to statistics from in localities located wholly within the the Virginia Department of Education, 40 Chesapeake Bay Watershed and directs NEWS DEPARTMENT: percent of students entering kindergarten lack revenues to be used to support the Chesa- [email protected] the key literacy, math and social emotional peake Bay Watershed Implementation Kemal Kurspahic skills that predict success. Further, only 25 Plan. Editor ❖ 703-778-9414 percent of Virginia’s early childhood programs [email protected] that receive public funding participate in the state’s voluntary quality measurement system. I am pleased to be Bonnie Hobbs Community Reporter ❖ 703-778-9438 carrying House Bill 1012 on behalf of the Governor, which directs Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) introduced [email protected] the Board of Education to consolidate and simplify Virginia’s early SB 436 Establishment of the Virginia childhood education programs and create a uniform quality rating Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List; Andrea Worker system for programs that accept public funding. This will improve penalty. The bill creates the Virginia Contributing Writer [email protected] quality, foster continuous improvement, and help parents better Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List (the understand their options. As the parent of three children, this is very List) that prohibits the possession, trans- Jean Card important to me. I have personally witnessed the difference that a portation and sale of firearms to any Production Editor quality pre-school program has made on my children.” person who voluntarily registers himself to [email protected] be enrolled into the List. Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-33): My top ADVERTISING: priority is recovering the local funding for our For advertising information e-mail: regional transportation. [email protected] Today (*Monday - Jan. 13), I cast my first 703-778-9431 votes on the Senate Judiciary Committee and Del. Karrie Delaney (D-67) intro- was able to vote for four life-saving bills to duced HB 547 Virginia Energy and Debbie Funk Display Advertising/National Sales prevent gun violence: universal background Economy Transition Council; established, 703-778-9444 checks, giving municipalities local control about report. The bill establishes the Virginia [email protected] allowing firearms in government buildings, a red Energy and Economy Transition Council, flag law and restricting gun purchases to one consisting of 28 members, to develop David Griffin Marketing Assistant gun a month. Last week I cast my first vote on plans to assist the Commonwealth in 703-778-9431 the Senate Privilege and Elections Committee to transitioning from the use of fossil fuel [email protected] make Virginia the 38th state to Ratify the ERA. energy to renewable energy by 2050 Classified & Employment Advertising Del. Ibraheem Samirah (D-86)- introduced 703-778-9431 HB 152 Middle housing allowed on lots zoned for single-family use. “Middle housing is defined as two-family residential units, including duplexes, Del. Paul Krizek (D-44) introduced HB Editor & Publisher Mary Kimm townhouses, cottages, and any similar struc- 15 Public school buses seat belts. The bill [email protected] ture. Such structures shall not require a special requires the Board of Education to make @MaryKimm use permit or be subjected to any other local regulations to require each new public Executive Vice President requirements beyond those imposed upon other school bus purchased for the transporta- Jerry Vernon authorized residential uses.” Samirah said, tion of students to be equipped with a seat 703-549-0004 “Across the country, there is a shortage of belt consisting of a lap belt and shoulder [email protected] affordable units that is putting a squeeze on strap or harness in every seat. He also Managing Editor working families and contributing to rises in introduced HB 16 Safety belt system; all Kemal Kurspahic rents for existing units...I will certainly get occupants of motor vehicles to utilize. Art/Design: pushback for this” Laurence Foong, John Heinly, Ali Khaligh Production Manager: Del. Mark Keam (D-35) HB 572 Distributed Geovani Flores renewable energy; promotes the establishment thereof. Del. Keam said, “This bill would free up the solar market, not only for local govern- CIRCULATION Circulation Manager: ments... but also for residents, businesses, Write Ann Oliver schools, institutions and non-profits that want to The Connection welcomes views on any public issue. [email protected] install solar for their own use... (It would) The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed. remove the rule that limits customers to install- Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are routinely edited for length, libel, grammar, civility, good taste ing only as big an array as would have served and factual errors. their needs in the past year … Today, residential Send to: customers are penalized with so-called “standby Letters to the Editor charges” if they install more than 10 kilowatts of The Connection solar (enough for a larger home, or a modest 1606 King St. home with electric vehicles) … Many Virginians do not have access to Alexandria VA 22314 solar at all, especially if they live in rental apartments or condomini- By email: [email protected] On Line: www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter ums, because the building owners are not allowed to install solar panels and sell the output to tenants. My bill would make this legal.”

4 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Council Approves WAWA Project From Page 3 with lights to provide a sense of security and enhance people’s visibility. We’ll have WAWA will affect thousands of people video cameras everywhere, and WAWA pro- who’ll lose their jobs because of it. There’ll vides complimentary coffee to law-enforce- be five gas stations within 500 yards of ment officers to provide a police presence Casey’s house. Is there really a need for it?” throughout the day and night.” Daniel Chahell said the traffic study He said WAWA is “significantly improv- should be done by an independent group. ing and widening the existing access point And, he told the Council, “This [project] and apron by more than 50 feet. The turn- clearly affects citizens, employees and ev- ing radius for trucks will be 30 feet, com- eryone who’s here, and their friends and pared to 2 feet today, and fuel trucks will neighbors. Think of that when making your only go there once or twice a day.” decision.” DeMarco then made a motion to approve Bobby Singh said, “Small gas stations the rezoning and the project, and Council- have a connection to the people in their woman Janice Miller seconded. “I go to community that big corporations like Royal – the gas station closest to my home WAWA don’t.” And residents Rodrigo Cruz – even though I can get gas cheaper else- and Vicki Fairfax both said the City already where,” she said. “And I believe WAWA will has enough gas stations. be a good addition to this community.” “WAWA is bad news for the City and small “I have to think about the small busi- businesses,” said Fairfax Exxon owner Harry nesses, so I’ll be voting no,” said Lim. “Do Singh. “This will be a bottleneck of traffic we need another gas station when we al- and WAWA will wipe out the competition.” ready have 14 in the City? And especially However, said resident Rob Wright, Drawings of the front and back of the building. when another WAWA will be 1.6 miles “Change is good, and I like having a choice.” away.” Besides, he told the opponents, “If you’re this traffic signal.” ing several concerns that had been raised, “I know how hard the people in small doing a good job, people will still come to including site design, safety and fuel trucks businesses work,” said Yi. “I don’t see this you.” Agreeing, Kelly O’Brien said, “Com- COUNCILWOMAN So Lim noted that an having difficulty entering the site. “WAWA as being about competition, [but] about petition is healthy, and I’d love to see WAWA application has also been submitted for a operates over 600 fuel locations and has traffic, safety and economics. At that loca- come in.” WAWA at Routes 50 and 123, to replace the extensive experience making sure fuel and tion, I’m worried about the public welfare But Councilman Sang Yi wondered if it former Rite Aid there. Brooke Hardin, di- food-delivery trucks, and residents, can get and safety, so I can’t support this project.” would really be profitable for the City, which rector of Community Development and in and out safely,” he said. But, said Councilwoman Jennifer Passey, would have to pay the other $600,000 for Planning, said it wouldn’t have gas pumps Brant also noted that “It’s important for “It’s not a vote against small business, it’s a the traffic signal. “To fund it, the City would and can go there by right, without needing the safety, security and visibility of fuel cus- vote for opportunity, so I’ll be voting for this have to raise the tax rate by a penny,” he a special-use permit. tomers to locate the fuel canopy up front. project.” Councilman Jon Stehle voted yes, said. “And but for WAWA, we wouldn’t need Brant then made his final pitch, address- Every inch of this property will be covered too, and WAWA was approved, 4-2. Objections to WAWA Approval

From Page 3 gain 50 new jobs but lose 100.”

Also speaking was Daniel Noura, who THE LONE SPEAKER in support of the owns a gas station in Woodbridge. “As proposal was Rob Wright, who lives on soon as WAWA opened, my volume Fairfax Boulevard. He said there aren’t dropped 50 percent and traffic was a many good food choices in that area and nightmare,” he said. “There are four gas he always buys gas wherever it’s cheap- stations at Fairfax Circle. One is closed est. And, he added, a WAWA “might in- down, and the other three will go out of spire these other gas stations to adapt business and will become eyesores – no and diversify.” one will touch those sites.” The last speaker from the audience was The owner of the Hampton Inn in land-use attorney David Gill, who was Fairfax said WAWA will bring more traf- asked by the small, gas-station owners fic on Route 50. And, he added, “My to address the Council on their behalf. guests already complain about the traf- He requested the Council defer its deci- fic here. If this is approved, they’ll take sion on this matter until it had time to their business somewhere else. It’s get- address all the issues. ting harder for the small businessman.” “It’s a tight site, and you’re asking fuel Also concerned about safety and traf- drivers to do a hairpin turn out of that fic issues was resident Steve Harrell. site and block traffic for 5 minutes, twice “Fuel delivery will come down Pickett a day,” said Gill. “Why do the pumps have Road and Fairfax Boulevard and go to be up front? Why not bring them to through the Circle,” he said. “And driv- Artist’s rendition of the WAWA gas pumps and canopy. the rear, and bring the store to the front, ers cannot navigate around that site.” for a more attractive site?” David Raidman owns a Mobil station Meanwhile, Charles Chevelle said more nessmen.” Brant said, “A lot of valid points have in the City and came to the meeting to traffic and safety studies need to be done. Joe Lothrup, who manages the 7-Eleven been raised, but the site design is fairly support his fellow business owners. Echo- “It won’t be economically beneficial to the at Fairfax Circle, contended that the WAWA firm. And pushing beyond an early Janu- ing Noura’s concerns, he said, “When this City if the small businesses close,” he said. would “increase crime because it’ll be an- ary Council date could put this project WAWA opens up, there’ll be closed gas “The Council people were elected to look other location selling single, alcoholic bev- in jeopardy.” stations on the corner – and they’ll be after the City residents, so you should think erages to go. And all these folks in this room The Council then approved deferring there for a long time.” about how this would affect the small busi- – their livelihood depends on it. You might its decision to Jan. 14. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 ❖ 5 Entertainment

The show “All You Need is Love will be held at Mosaic in Fairfax. All You Need is Love Now thru Feb. , At Torpedo Factory Artists @ Mosaic, 2905 District Ave., #105, Fairfax. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Torpedo Factory artists are tackling one of society’s most complex human emotions — Love. In its newest exhibit titled All You Need is &e, the gallery is presenting a selection of original paintings, photographs, jewelry, scarves, ceramics and more, that reflect its artists’ interpretations of love. Open Wednesday thru Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Submit entertainment announcements from institutional boundaries to St. James Intramural High School at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal- societal oversights and mantra Basketball League. Now thru endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday. meditations. Some works are as light March 10. At the St. James Sports, Photos/artwork encouraged. as silk, some as heavy as stone, but Wellness and Entertainment the overall space is quiet — both Complex, 6805 Industrial Road, ONGOING literally and figuratively. Springfield. The St. James invites you Oculus: A Place of Unseen. Now All You Need is Love. Now thru Feb. to participate in its Middle School thru Feb. 2. At The Workhouse Arts 16. At Torpedo Factory Artists @ Basketball League for Boys & Girls Center, 9518 Workhouse Road, Mosaic, 2905 District Ave., #105, (8th to 12th grade), Jan. 10- March Lorton. The Workhouse Arts Center Fairfax. In celebration of Valentine’s 10, in the new 33,000 square foot presents the interactive exhibit Day, Torpedo Factory artists are Basketball Courthouse on four high Oculus: Of A Place Unseen featuring tackling one of society’s most school regulation sized courts. The works of artists Elaine Buss, Edgar complex human emotions — Love. In TSJ Intramural High School Endress, Michelle Repiso and Steve its newest exhibit titled All You Need Basketball League registration fee is Wanna. The use of the word ‘oculus,’ is &e, the gallery is presenting a $250 per player and $600 per team. most known as an eye-like form in selection of original paintings, All games are officiated and statistics architecture, gestures towards the photographs, jewelry, scarves, provided. The TSJ Intramural High enlightening narratives discovered ceramics and more, that reflect its School Basketball league also throughout the show. Each artists’ interpretations of love. Open includes a Playoff round where top referencing feelings of solitude and Wednesday thru Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 teams in the league will meet. Visit contemplation, the storylines range p.m. See Calendar, Page 7

6 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Calendar Still Waiting From Page 6 https://www.thestjames.com/sports/basketball/ for “Canswers” sessions/8/courses/tsj-basketball-winter-team or contact Alpha or Pele with any questions at 703- By KENNETH B. LOURIE 239-6841. As I half expected, with my oncologist out on JAN. 16-19 vacation this week, he and the endocrinologist didn’t Shen Yun. At GMU Center for the Arts, 4373 speak. As a result, after sitting in the examining chair, Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Show times are [OLÄYZ[X\LZ[PVU[OLKVJ[VYHZRZPZ¸:V`V\OH]L Thursday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 17 at thyroid cancer?” I snickered and said something like 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.; ¸/VWLM\SS`¹ILMVYL0ILNHU[VLSHIVYH[L;OV\NOZOL Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, had access to my medical records, I can’t say she was Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. Prices starting at $80. Shen prepped and ready for our appointment. As she lis- Yun’s artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, inspiring tened to my story, I could she see was simultaneously journey through one of humanity’s greatest trying to review my medical history on her computer. treasures—the five millennia of traditional In fact, as I hemmed and hawed in response to some Chinese culture. This epic production immerses VMOLYTLKPJHSX\LZ[PVUZ0RLW[ZH`PUNWVPU[PUN[V you in stories reaching back to the most distant her computer for her to get the proper answer. past. You’ll explore realms even beyond our 5L]LY[OLSLZZL]LU[\HSS`^L^LYLHISL[VTV]L visible world. Featuring one of the world’s oldest forward in the determination of exactly what kind art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with of cancer I have: thyroid cancer or lung cancer - or patented scenographic effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a IV[OP[»ZWVZZPISLZOLZHPK;V[OH[LUKYLZ\S[[OL civilization of enchanting beauty and KVJ[VYWLYMVYTLKHIPVWZ`VUT`¸(KHT»Z(WWSL¹ enlightening wisdom. [\TVYHZ0JHSSP[;OLIPVWZ`0OHK[^V^LLRZWYPVY ^HZMYVTHS`TWOUVKL;OLYLZ\S[ZMYVTÔPJO SATURDAY/JAN. 18 JH\ZLKT`VUJVSVNPZ[[VJHSSTL^P[OOPZ¸L_JP[PUN Valentine’s Challenge. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and news.” Apparently, those results were not enough for 1:30-4:30 p.m. At City of Fairfax Volunteer Fire [OLLUKVJYPUVSVNPZ[ÔVOHKUL]LYZLLUTLILMVYL Department Station 3, 4081 University Drive, [VTHRLHKLÄUP[P]LQ\KNTLU[ZVPUOLYVMÄJL[OH[ Fairfax. Approximately 500 volunteers will gather for the Volunteer Fairfax Annual KH`[OPZZLJVUKIPVWZ`^HZWLYMVYTLK-PUL^P[O Valentine’s Challenge. The Challenge this year TLZPUJLHZLJVUKIPVWZ`MYVTHKPMMLYLU[[\TVYPZ is to make 6,000 valentines for children in foster HIZVS\[LS`TV]PUN[OLIHSSMVY^HYKHZPMPZZVVM[LU care and child protective services in Fairfax ZHPK[OLZLKH`Z"0Q\Z[OVWLP[SLHKZ[VH[V\JOKVÛ County and for youth in college who have PUZ[LHKVMHUV[OLYWVZZPISLM\TISL recently aged out of foster care through Foster -VY[OLSHZ[ULHYS``LHYZ0»]LILLUKPHNUVZLK Care to Success. Offering two shifts, Volunteer with non small cell lung cancer, stage IV. Now after Fairfax will be accommodating 250 volunteers [^VIPVWZPLZUV[ZVT\JO9PNO[UV^[OLHZZLZZTLU[ each, to allow many in the community to join in to support at-risk youth desperately in need of VMT`JHUJLYZ[H[\ZPZZVTLÔLYLIL[^LLUHKLÄUP[L support and encouragement. Visit THÌLHUKHJVUÄYTLK0KVU»[RUV^ www.volunteerfairfax.org and click on these >PSS0UV^RUV^PUHUV[OLY^LLR»Z[PTLÔLU opportunities in the community calendar. [OLYLZ\S[ZVM[OPZTVZ[YLJLU[IPVWZ`HYLJVUÄYTLK whether my non small cell lung cancer is actually SUNDAY/JAN. 19 [O`YVPKJHUJLYVY^PSS[OLYLILHKKP[PVUHSIPVWZPLZ G-Scale Model Train Show. 1-4 p.m. At Fairfax HKKP[PVUHSKPHNUVZ[PJZJHUZPUQLJ[PVUZVMPZV[VWLZ Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station L[J[VTHRLHVUJLHUKMVYHSSJVUÄYTH[PVUVMÔH[ Road, Fairfax. The Washington, Virginia & [OLOLJRPZNVPUNVUVYOHZILLUNVPUNVUPUT` Maryland Garden Railway Society “WVMGRS” members will have a display running at the IVK`&0MZVP[»ZILLUHSVUN[PTLJVTPUN0ÄYZ[^LU[ Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. Museum [V[OL,TLYNLUJ`9VVT1HU ZVP[»ZZVY[VM members, free; adults 13 and over, $5; children HUHUUP]LYZHY`VMZVY[ZHZ0^YP[L[OPZJVS\TU0»KQ\Z[ 5-12, $3; under 4, free. Seniors (65+ and as soon we get it right this time, if in fact it was ever military (active & retired), $4. Information on wrong. the museum and shows is at www.fairfax- 0OH]LHML^X\LZ[PVUZZVTLVMÔPJO^LYL station.org or call 703-425-9225. HUZ^LYLKI`[OLLUKVJYPUVSVNPZ[@LZ0JHUOH]L MONDAY/JAN. 20 two types of cancer. Could my lung cancer have Give Together. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At Pozez Jewish JOHUNLK[VILJVTL[O`YVPKJHUJLY&5V(UK[OL Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 \UKLYS`PUNJ\YPVZP[`X\LZ[PVU!+\YPUN[OPZJHUJLYSPML Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.Give Together, a [OH[0OH]LSP]LK0OH]LILLU[VSKHUKZLLUT\S[PWSL signature program of Volunteer Fairfax, helps to times on discharge-type paperwork I’ve received foster a legacy of volunteerism in the [OH[0OH]L¸TL[HZ[H[PJJHUJLY¹TLHUPUN[OH[[OL generations to come. The program recognizes cancer has moved. Moreover, when one considers MLK Day as a day of service bringing families [OLZ[HNPUNHZWLJ[T`JHUJLY^HZZ[HNL0=:[HNL0= together to work on projects that benefit the TLHUZHTVUN¸YLSL]HUJPLZ¹SPRLPUVWLYHISL[OH[ community. The event is free and encourages families of elementary school-age children to [OLJHUJLYOHZTV]LKMYVTP[Z¸WYPTHY`¹SVJH[PVU0 participate. Volunteer with your children to YLTLTILYHZRPUNT`VUJVSVNPZ[ÔLYLKPKT`S\UN work on service projects benefitting the JHUJLYJVTLMYVT0»THSPMLSVUNUVUZTVRLY^P[OUV community. Together, you’ll create Valentine’s JHUJLYOPZ[VY`PUT`PTTLKPH[LMHTPS`/PZHUZ^LY cards for youth in foster care, prepare cat PM0YLJHSSJVYYLJ[S`HUK0THÙV[K\L[V¸JOLTV adoption kits, assemble snack packs for food IYHPU¹HJVUÄYTLKZPKLLMMLJ[VMJOLTV[OLYHW`^HZ insecure children, create fleece lap blankets for that he didn’t know, and if I further recall correct- veterans and more. Registration is required. SÒL^HZU»[WHY[PJ\SHYS`PU[LYLZ[LKPUÄUKPUNV\[ Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org, click events, then click Give Together. and accordingly no additional tests were ordered. MLK Day of Service. In recognition of Dr. King’s Perhaps we misunderstand the need to know now or message of peace and empowerment, Martin TPZ\UKLYZ[VVK[OLHUZ^LYZ^L^LYLNP]LU[OLU-LI Luther King, Jr. Day has been designated as a )\[HZVM[OPZWHZ[-YPKH`;LHT3V\YPLPZZVY[ national day of service – “a day on, not a day of wondering as was the endocrinologist. off.” Volunteer Fairfax honors the MLK Day of (ZVM[OPZTVTLU[V\YMVJ\ZPZVUOLHYPUNIHJR Service and Dr. King’s legacy locally through from the endocrinologist. Until then, we’ll try to Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day. move forward. What’s done is done and we’ll hear Volunteer Fairfax strives to foster a legacy of IHJRÔLU^LOLHYIHJR0OH]LÔH[0OH]LHUK volunteerism in the generations to come with our Give Together event. Join your elementary OH]LOHKÔH[0»]LOHKHUKYPNO[UV^HSS^LJHU school-aged children to work on service projects do is wait. benefitting our community. Together, you’ll ;OH[ILPUNZHPK^LHYLOH]PUNHSP[[SLKPMÄJ\S[` create Valentine’s cards for youth in foster care, restraining ourselves. We can’t get past the fact that prepare cat adoption kits, assemble snack packs T`VUJVSVNPZ[JHSSLK\ZPU[OLÄYZ[WSHJLHUKPU[OL for food-insecure children, create fleece lap last place, if he wasn’t so sure, why call us and get blankets for veterans and more. This event is our collective hope sky high? Why go out on such open to families with children between the ages HWYLZ\TW[P]LSPTI&0UZWP[LVM[OH[JHSSZVTLOV^ of 5 and 12 years old. Older teens can be involved by registering as a Teen Event we have to internalize and compartmentalize and Volunteer. Sign up here: [Y`[VZÙ[OLZPaLMHJ[MYVTÄJ[PVU:VMHYP[»ZWYV]PUN https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/events/give- L_[YLTLS`KPMÄJ\S[ together-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service If Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for you have any questions, contact Hollie Gordon; The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. [email protected], 703-246-3703. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 ❖ 7 SPECIAL SAVINGS FOR YOUR TOYOTA

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8 ❖ Fairfax Connection ❖ January 16-22, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com