Woodson Girls, Boys Win District Woodson Girls, Boys Win District
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Burke Woodson Girls, Boys Win District Sports, Page 18 Follow on Twitter: @BurkeConnection on Twitter: Follow Woodson senior Grace Finnerty scored five goals during the Cavaliers’ victory against Lake Braddock on May 11 in the Patriot District girls’ lacrosse championship game. Both Woodson boys and girls won the district title. Opening Doors for People in Need News, Page 3 Classified, Page 15 Classified, ❖ Sports, Page 18 ❖ Page 10 Entertainment, Page 12 PERMIT #86 PERMIT In Case of Emergency WV Martinsburg, PAID News, Page 8 Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT Photo by Dan Stegner www.ConnectionNewspapers.comMay 17-23, 2012 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comBurke Connection ❖ May 17-23, 2012 ❖ 1 All Hanging Visit Our New Baskets Hosta House $3.00 Off OverOver 300300 VarietiesVarieties EarlyEarly BloomingBlooming RhododendronsRhododendrons andand Japanese AzaleasAzaleas 25%25% OffOff Maples 30% OFF Over 200 Varieties Bulk Mulch 25% OFF Playground Chips All Trees & Shrubs Organic Compost 2011 Stock Only $24.99/Sq. yd. Impatiens 97¢ Reg. $1.89 50-65% Off Pottery WashingtonWashington Area’sArea’s BiggestBiggest SelectionSelection Shredded Hardwood Mulch 3 cu. ft. Additional bags Only $3.49 delivery charge FREEFREE ESTIMATESESTIMATES Landscapes,Landscapes, Patios,Patios, Walkways,Walkways, WallsWalls && PaverPaver DrivewaysDriveways Visit Our www.cravensnursery.com New Website Find Us on 9023 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia 2 miles west of I-495 on Rt. 50. 1 mile from I-66 (Vienna Metro) 703-573-5025 Open 7 days a week 2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ May 17-23, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Burke Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Photo Contributed Photo The Burke Centre polling place at the Commons Community Centre preps for Election Day. Photos by Photos Planning to Vote? Victoria Ross Victoria Nearly 200,000 voter registration cards mailed this week. By Victoria Ross the Virginia State Board of Elec- The Connection tions at www.sbe.birginia.gov/ /The Connection In addition, the new cards hether you are a indicate a language preference. Democrat or a Re- “As a result of the 2010 Cen- From left, FACETS speaker Raven Bowden; W publican, if you are sus, it was determined that Fairfax County Supervisor John Cook (R- planning to vote in the June 12 Fairfax County now falls under Braddock), Amanda Andere, FACETS execu- primary elections in Fairfax Section 203 of the Voting Rights tive director; FACETS Board Chair John County, check your new voter Act,” said Cameron Quinn, Martin of Great Falls and FACETS speaker Amanda Andere, FACETS executive direc- registration cards mailed out Fairfax County’s chief elections Frank Somers at the nonprofit’s annual tor, gives client Frank Somers a hug after this week. official. “This requires Fairfax benefit breakfast, held at the Waterford in FACETS annual benefit breakfast at the The Fairfax County Office of County to provide voting and Fair Oaks Thursday, May 10. Waterford in Fair Oaks Thursday, May 10. Elections wants voters to know elections-related materials in the state is mailing new voter English and Spanish. registration cards to approxi- She said Fairfax County is Opening Doors for People in Need mately 195,000 voters in Fairfax now providing voter informa- County this week. tion and materials for Spanish FACETS celebrates FACETS Community Impact The cards are only being speakers. In the meantime, the In 2011, FACETS members and volunteers mailed to these affected voters: county’s website volunteers, donors at ❖donated more than 30,000 hours *Congressional Redistricting www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elec- ❖ prepared and delivered more than 37,000 hot - As a result of the 2010 Cen- tions has a Google Translations annual benefit breakfast. meals to people who live in motels, cars, the woods and on Fairfax County streets sus, Congressional Districts line that can translate informa- By Victoria Ross ❖provided more than 150 youth with backpacks were realigned to ensure that tion into Spanish and several filled with school supplies they are as equal in population other languages. The Connection ❖ assisted 2,000 families with programs to prevent totals as possible. Voters af- Quinn said that while the and end homelessness urrounded by nearly 350 business execu- ❖moved 130 families and nine individuals into housing fected by this redistricting will Fairfax County and state ❖ tives, politicians and community leaders in For more information on FACETS, and ways to vol- receive a new card indicating websites are updated, not all unteer or donate, go to www.FACETScares.org or call the chandeliered ballroom of the Waterford, the change in congressional rep- voter election web pages and S 703-352-5090. resentation. The voter card is links have been updated with Frank Somers - dressed in jeans, sneakers and a denim work shirt - looked a little out of place. the notice of your new district. the new congressional district But it was Somers’ voice that held the attention of “I was renting out the basement of my niece’s *Transition to Registered information. the high-wattage crowd, as he took the podium and house,” Somers said. “When I got out of the hospi- Voter Number - Some voters still “Those voters whose congres- told the audience his story of homelessness during tal, everything was gone. She cleaned me out. I had hold a voter information card, sional district changed as a re- FACETS annual “Opening Doors Benefit Breakfast,” $87 in my pocket and nowhere to go.” which includes their Social Se- sult of redistricting are cur- on Thursday morning, May 10. Somers took the cash he had, and spent two nights curity Number (SSN). The State rently being mailed a new voter “I was down and out. You can’t get more down at the Breezeway Motel in Fairfax, before becoming Board of Elections also mailed card,” Quinn said. “Whether or and out than I was,” the stocky 47-year-old told the one of Fairfax County’s homeless statistics. Still re- new voter information cards to not you received a new voter audience. “I want you all to know how FACETS can covering from his surgery, Somers said he was too those voters, replacing the SSN card, if you have questions or change a life, how they changed my life.” ashamed and depressed to reach out to friends and with a system-generated iden- to be certain you know your Founded in 1988, FACETS helps Fairfax County’s family. He bought a sleeping bag, and decided to tification number. congressional district informa- most vulnerable residents break the cycle of poverty sleep under a bridge in Annandale. If you have not received a tion, refer to the county or state and homelessness through various programs, services After two months of living under the bridge and new card, but would like to election office’s website for the and partnerships with 100 faith communities, local looking for work during the day, he learned about check your voter registration correct information or call us at businesses, other nonprofits and government agen- FACETS through a social worker at the hospital. status and information, go to 703-222-0776.” cies. “I called them on a Thursday. By Friday, they made “I used to consider myself lucky. I had it all,” Somers sure I had a real place to sleep. They made sure I got told the crowd. “I had a good job doing landscaping, transportation to and from my doctor’s appoint- Upcoming Elections friends, an apartment…” ments… They always said yes,” Somers said. A Chantilly High School graduate who once played high and Voter Information ❖ BUT IN 2008, Somers had a heart attack. He had school football, Somers said he’s still shocked he June 12, 2012, Republican Party Primary Election (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 11th District) no health insurance, and used what savings he had became homeless. “I want to work for what’s mine. ❖June 12, 2012, Democratic Party Primary Election (House of Rep- on medical bills. After spending nearly a month in I never thought I’d be in that situation.” resentatives, 8th District) intensive care at Fairfax Inova hospital, he learned “The lesson learned,” said U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly ❖For more information, go to: ❖ that he had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cho- (D-11), a longtime advocate for the homeless who Virginia State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov/ ❖Fairfax County Office of Elections website at lesterol and had to take 13 different pills each day gave the welcome address, “is that ‘There but for the www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections to survive. grace of God go I.’” ❖Or contact the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711. He also found that he had no place to live and no “Too many of our veterans are homeless, one in job because of his health crisis. See FACETS, Page 9 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Burke Connection ❖ May 17-23, 2012 ❖ 3 Cappies Review OPSFRO GRILLE Visually Pleasing, Entertaining Show HGreat American FoodG ‘The Arabian Nights’ at Lake Braddock. By Claire Seaton woman who outsmarts and Enjoy Our Sunday Brunch Washington-Lee High School humbles a group of scholars. Davis was poised and confident, Belgian Waffles • Pancakes he sound of drums perfectly immersed in her char- Omelets • Eggs Benedict filled the air as the acter. Sarah Fick stole the show Greek Yogurt w/Fresh Strawberries & Granola T cast lined the aisles, as Perfect Love, who takes her chanting in unison. revenge on a shopkeeper (Nick Homemade Biscuits & Sausage Gravy Voices flew from all sides of the Edwards), a man who spurned Waffle, Chicken Fingers & Cheddar Eggs auditorium and the audience re- her years ago. Edwards was also mained entranced throughout a strong actor, making distinct Waffle, Roast Beef w/Cheddar & Cheddar Eggs Lake Braddock High School’s pro- character choices with each role duction of “The Arabian Nights.” by Photo he played.