Great Falls Searching for Great Falls’ Page 12 Biggest Trees News, Page 3

Classifieds, Page 20 Classifieds,

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Bob Vickers points out a green ash tree during the third annual Great

Sports, Page 18

❖ Falls Big Tree Hike Saturday, May 12.

Entertainment, Page 16

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An Artist’s Opinion, Page 8 Personal Search: Musing About Great Falls News, Page 14

Old Brogue

Hockey Skates 5-17-12 home in Requested Time sensitive material. sensitive Time

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Photo by Alex McVeigh/The Connection by Alex McVeigh/The Photo

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2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Hikers make their way through Camp Fraser looking for large trees during the annual Great Falls Big Tree Hike Saturday, May 12.

Photos by Alex McVeigh/ The Connection Photos contributed Searching for Great

Second graders Anabeth Holsinger and Caitlyn Falls’ Biggest Trees Shumadine play home-made video games.

discovered many species of trees with a variety of Third annual Big Tree uses. Science Night at Forestville Hike features some of the White pines have one of the strongest strength to Science night at Forestville Displays included fifth grader weight ratios, and were a prized commodity for Brit- Elementary on April 26 began Mandy Smith’s balloon which largest trees in the state. ish settlers to Virginia, because of their usefulness in with after-school group Mad filled with gas and then ship’s masts. Science performing a forty- exploded. Other projects “I had no idea about the history of some of these five minute show. The second included Wiimote-controlled By Alex McVeigh trees, that they could be so useful for ships and other half allowed students and robotics, solar-powered The Connection purposes,” said Tom Simpson of Great Falls. “They families to experience science vehicles, and home-made told us that it was because of the white pine’s abun- by visiting hands-on stations. video games. s part of a running group, Bob Vickers was dance here, that Britain was able to dominate the familiar with the land along the Potomac seas for so long because they could build better ARiver owned by the Potomac Conservatory. ships.” So when he heard about a contest looking While many of the trees on the tour were awe- for the biggest tree in Great Falls, he knew exactly inspiring in their sheer diameter and height, Vickers where to look. and others had just as many stories about trees that “From running in the area, I knew where to look, had been felled. and I knew what I thought was a giant box elder “I was really struck when they told us about the tree,” he said. “So I brought down a state forester, largest beech tree on the East Coast that was right and while he told me it was actually an elm, it was here in Great Falls, but was cut down in 1968 to one of the biggest trees around.” make a drainage culvert,” said Amy Lincoln. “It’s sort After that, Vickers began checking out trees, find- of sad to think about those majestic things being cut ing many “state champions,” the biggest of their spe- down for a drain for because someone wanted to be cies in Virginia. On Saturday, May 12, he took a few able to see the river while they ate breakfast.” dozen local residents on the third annual Big Tree More information about big trees in the state can Hike, where he showed off a few champions and be found at www.web2.cnre.vt.edu/4h/bigtree. other large trees. Vickers, a resident of Great Falls since 1976, has found many state champions over the past few years. “In 2006, there were five state champs in the county, now we’ve got about a dozen,” he said. Vickers said the reason Great Falls has so many champions is because people have taken the time to find them and get them verified online, through a database maintained by Virginia Tech. But he also said it’s not a perfect process. “I found a scarlet oak that I thought was the big- gest, so I brought my wife out to take a look,” he said. “When we were there, she pointed out an- other one and said ‘that one looks a little bigger,’ and sure enough it was, and it was the state cham- Bob Vickers points out one of the largest pion for a while.” scarlet oak trees in the state during the Fifth grader Mandy Smith prepares for her gas-filled Hikers met at Camp Fraser and walked down to annual Great Falls Big Tree Hike Saturday, balloon to explode. the flood plain of the Potomac. Along the way they May 12. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 3 Week in Great Falls

Great Falls to Mark conclusion of the ceremony. after this will not occur for 105 years. On ternational scientific expeditions were Memorial Day This ceremony is open to all and ample Monday, June 4, at 7 p.m. at the Great Falls launched across the world to observe the parking is available in the Library parking Library the Analemma Society will do a pre- Transit because it provided a means to de- On Monday, May 28, at 11 a.m., the Great lot. In case of rain, the ceremony will move sentation on the Transit of Venus. Charles termine the actual scale of our solar system Falls Freedom Memorial Committee will into the Library’s meeting room. Olin and Jeff Kretsch will lead the discus- – how far earth actually is from the sun and hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at sion. The Transit will occur the following other planets that orbit the sun with us. In the site of the Freedom Memorial (behind late afternoon/evening. addition to covering what transits are and the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Analemma Society to Members will describe the events to oc- the current importance to astronomy, as will Pike). The speaker at this year’s ceremony cur the following day, Tuesday, June 5 and cover safe means of viewing the upcoming will be LCDR John A. “Sandy” Pidgeon, a Present Transit of Venus plans to observe at Observatory Park and transit. retired Navy SEAL Officer who served in The planet Venus passes in front of the present a general history of the importance Somalia, Haiti, and Iraq. Members of Boy sun only on very rare occasions. Seeing this of the transit of Venus in history. Scout Troop 55 will raise the flags at the is a once in a lifetime event, the next one In the 18th and 19th centuries great in- See Week, Page 11

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4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com The County Line

County Ordinance Housing Discrimination Alert Under the County’s Human Rights Ordinance, it is illegal to discriminate and deny housing based on: Officials step up education, outreach efforts to reach immigrant ❖ Race ❖ Color ❖ National Origin communities about “fair housing” rights. ❖ Religion ❖ Sex By Victoria Ross ❖ Familial Status (families with children under the The Connection age of 18, or who are expecting a child) ❖ Disability (if you or someone close to you has a disability) ousing discrimination cases ❖ Age (age 55 or older) have been on the rise in ❖ Marital Status For more information about how to file a HFairfax County in the past few complaint or to become educated about protec- years. And the Office of Hu- tions under the Fair Housing Act, contact the man Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs at the agency that enforces fair housing laws 703-324-2953, TTY 03-324-2900 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ohrep/hrd in the county, is shining a spotlight on the problem through seminars for housing pro- “A large percentage of our cases are re- viders, realtors, community groups and solved through mediation and conciliation, other interested parties. where both parties agree to meet and settle “Sadly, housing discrimination is alive and complaints,” Saunders said. “It is very rare well and we’ve seen an uptick in complaints for one of our cases to go to court.” during the past six years,” said Kenneth Saunders said there’s usually a paper trail Saunders, executive director of OHREP. to give investigators enough evidence to In contrast to national trends, discrimi- determine if a case has merit. nation based on nationality made up 25.6 While some cases involve blatant discrimi- percent of complaints to the county from nation, others are more nuanced, a matter 2006 to 2010. In comparison, about nine From left, Steven Paikin, a HUD official; Patricia Stephan-Fawcett, with of one or more parties not understanding percent of complaints to Housing and Ur- the County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP); the law. ban Development (HUD) fall under this Kenneth Saunders, executive director of OHREP, and Ernest Dawson, a For example, in April 2010, a Fairfax category. HUD official, attended a Fair Housing Conference/Training Session in County woman filed a complaint with the Although discrimination based on race April for housing providers, realtors and others providing housing- OPEHR alleging discrimination based on remains an issue, Saunders reports related services hosted by OHREP. her disability, which required a dog as an that in recent years he has seen an Photos Contributed “emotional support animal.” increase in the number of complaints The property manager of the rental apart- received by his office that are related “If you’re still thinking this ments where the woman lives told her that to national origin or involve disabil- is only about color and race, the association has a “no pets” rule. Accord- ity-related issues. ing to the property manager, the woman did “If you’re still thinking this is only you’re way behind the not provide any details that showed the dog about color and race, you’re way be- had been trained as a “service animal,” and hind the curve…more recently, there curve…more recently, there asked her to leave within a month if the has been an increase in discrimination dog remained in the apartment. cases involving national origin and has been an increase in However, there’s a crucial legal difference disability related issues,” Saunders between animals governed under the said. discrimination cases Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which requires animals to be trained so they DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS, involving national origin and can be out in public - and animals governed Saunders said, are not filed by one disability-related issues.’” During a Fair Housing Conference by the Fair Housing Act (FHA), said Patricia particular group. “It runs the gamut. last month, Kenneth Saunders S. Fawcett, a human rights specialist and We have complaints from Latin Ameri- — Kenneth Saunders, (center), executive director of attorney with OHREP. cans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, as executive director of OHREP OHREP, presents Thomas Perez, “Under the Fair Housing Act, you have to well as individuals from the Continent Assistant Attorney General for Civil demonstrate that you are disabled and that of Africa.” The Fair Housing Act was amended in 1988 Rights with U.S. Department of you have a need for an emotional support During the past decade, Fairfax County to include disability as a protected class. Fair Justice, with a Fair Housing poster animal that’s connected to your disability,” has become more diverse. Today, 48 per- Housing Accessibility Requirements for new created by a Centreville High Fawcett said, stressing that even if there is cent of county residents are ethnic or racial multi-family buildings did not go into ef- School student. a “no pet” policy, a person still has a right minorities, and in 2009, one-third of new fect until 1991, and many of the existing to have an emotional support animal living residents were immigrants. structures were not originally built to meet ese and Amharic, the second most-spoken with him or her under the FHA. “In Fairfax County we consider our diver- modern-day requirements. Semitic language in the world, after Ara- The confusion in this case is not uncom- sity to be one of our greatest assets,” said Although many cases may go unreported, bic, and the official language of Ethiopia mon among property managers. Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Chair- conservatively there are four million inci- “Some landlords are uninformed about “This was an opportunity for education… man Sharon Bulova (D-At-large). “It is so dents of housing discrimination in the U.S. relevant fair housing laws, which is why we In fact, I was educated about this when the important for us to make sure the rights of per year, according to estimates by the Na- have a proactive education and outreach complaint was filed, and I contacted HUD our minority communities are respected.” tional Fair Housing Alliance. program for both sides – leasing agents for guidance,” she said. “There’s a lot of When it comes to complaints related to In addition to its education and outreach landlords, and prospective tenants,” confusion out there with housing providers disabilities, the problem matches state activities, OHREP investigates and enforces Saunders said. and the public about what’s protected and trends. In Fairfax County, these complaints fair housing laws through the Human Rights allowed under the Fair Housing Act, and accounted for 28.4 percent of cases from Commission. The agency also investigates WHAT HAPPENS when the office receives what the ADA allows and requires.” 2006 to 2010. Similarly, disability-related complaints related to employment, public a complaint? In this case, an OHREP fair housing out- discrimination comprised 27 percent of accommodations, education and credit. OHREP has 11 full-time investigators, reach and education specialist provided free complaints to the Virginia Fair Housing Of- Saunders said his staff does a significant most of whom are attorneys who are jug- training to the property manager, and the fice in 2010. amount of education and outreach to com- gling 35-45 cases at any given time. When woman was able to keep the dog in her When it comes to disability-related issues, munities with limited English proficiency. someone makes a discrimination complaint, apartment. the county’s housing stock may contribute Brochures detailing rights and how to file a both parties are given the option to partici- “The important point here is to know your in part to the problem. Three-quarters of complaint are published in six languages – pate in mediation. If mediation doesn’t re- rights under the Fair Housing Act,” Fawcett the county’s housing was built prior to 1990. Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Vietnam- solve the issue, the investigation continues. said. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 5 News McLean to Celebrate Hometown

this year and they will expand the McLean Day 2012: ‘Celebrating Our food offerings significantly on Eat- ery Row: Pepper Creek Shellfish Hometown’ is on Saturday, May 19. Farm, Suya-to-Go and Dee’s Con- cessions, along with the popular he McLean Community Center’s (MCC) Tysons area food truck, annual community festival McLean Day Something Stuffed (http:// T2012: “Celebrating Our Hometown” is on www.somethingstuffed.com ) will join other favor- Saturday, May 19. Area residents are in- ites such as The Tender Rib (http:// vited to come out and bring every member of the www.thetenderrib.com), Minute Man Kettlecorn, family for a fun day of outdoor activities. The festi- Brad’s Concessions and Domino’s Pizza. As always, val will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lewinsville bring your appetite to McLean Day. Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road. Admission is free. The McLean Day Stage has something for every- one in the family. THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG-AT-HEART will find lots of fun options this year. Games 2U of PARKING is not available at Lewinsville Park on the Huntingtown, Md., returns for a second year of field day of the festival, so MCC strongly encourages par- games, such as laser tag, archery tag and a cannon. ticipants to use its free shuttle service. Starting at Reithoffer Shows is bringing the Orbiter and a num- 9:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, shuttle ber of large carnival rides. Full Tilt, The Ring of Fire, buses will run from the park to McLean Baptist Pharaoh’s Fury, Starship 3000 and bumper car rides Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Rd., Lutheran Church of Kayley McPhail are also returning. Ticket sales for the large rides the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, and MCC, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m. Tick- 1234 Ingleside Avenue. Parking also is available at ets must be purchased with cash only. Most large the Lewinsville Senior Center, 1609 Great Falls Street, A Big Accomplishment rides cost $4 (or two tickets). An unlimited ride brace- and the Center will run airport-style shuttle carts Kayley McPhail of Great Falls who is 11 years old and in 6th let can be purchased for $20. Riders are encouraged from Evers Drive, located at the rear of the building, grade, recently scored 11th in the Nation on the High School to arrive early to get tickets as long lines develop. to the park all day. National French Examination. Kayley has been attending the Edlin Other attractions include a rock climbing wall, car- For festival updates, driving directions, shuttle bus School for the Gifted in Reston until recently and has been taking nival games, pony rides and face painting. A special stop locations and a festival area map, visit: an accelerated curriculum for several years. Kayley is now home- area called the KidZone Midway features a variety www.mcleancenter.org/special-events/ schooled with support from Dr. Linda Peterson at Peterson Aca- of small, mechanical rides and bounces that toddlers mcleanday.asp or call the Center at 703-790-0123/ demic in Reston. She will attend the National Awards ceremony and small children can enjoy. TTY: 711. The Center’s telephone will be answered in June in Alexandria. Four new food vendors are coming to McLean Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the festival.

6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 7 Opinion Great Falls

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered Most Endangered? to homes and businesses. Published by Local Media Connection LLC ermen all show the confidence we now have and wetlands under the Act. American Rivers Potomac River has made in the integrity of the Potomac River. also called on the Obama Administration to 1606 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 great strides, has miles Still, after a rain, stormwater washes agri- finalize guidance clarifying the scope of the cultural waste, suburban and urban runoff car- Clean Water Act and issue a rule-making to Free digital edition delivered to rying loads of pollution into our area’s small ensure that all waters get the protections your email box. Go to to go to save the Bay. connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe streams, into the Potomac River and on into Americans expect and deserve. the Chesapeake Bay. Bacteria in the river after The Potomac River continues to serve as NEWS DEPARTMENT: nless your home is served by well big rainstorms, from dog waste in suburban the scenic backdrop to much of what we do To discuss ideas and concerns, water, you are almost certainly areas, agricultural runoff in more rural areas, here. Let’s continue to push for improve- Call: 703-778-9410 among the five million people in has led to the recommendation by some that ments. e-mail: U [email protected] the Washington Metropolitan area people avoid contact with the river for two-to- who get their drinking water from the Potomac three days. — Mary Kimm, Kemal Kurspahic River. Slowing stormwater runoff, limiting the [email protected] Editor ❖ 703-778-9414 [email protected] This week, the organization American Riv- amount of “nutrients” that are swept down the ers named the Potomac River as the most en- river into the Chesapeake Bay, and improve- Amna Rehmatulla Father’s Day Photos Editorial Assistant dangered river in the nation. The ments in methods of treating sewage 703-778-9410 ext.427 Potomac River is far cleaner than it Editorials are all critical to the ongoing health Every year at this time, the Connection puts [email protected] was 40 years ago when the Clean Wa- of our water supply. out the call for photographs of fathers and their children, grandfathers and their children and Alex McVeigh ter Act was enacted. Fish in the Potomac River also con- Community Reporter “Before the Clean Water Act was enacted in tinue to show symptoms of exposure to endo- grand children. 703-778-9441 1972, the Potomac was a cesspool of sewage crine disruptors, with male bass carrying eggs Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17, 2012 and [email protected] @AMcVeighConnect and industrial pollution,” says American Riv- and other signs. Scientists suspect variety of once again the Connection will publish a gal- ers. “Thanks to the Clean Water Act, the pharmaceuticals and chemicals are causing lery of Father’s Day photos. Victoria Ross Potomac and rivers across the country are these abnormalities, and it is not known Send in photos as soon as possible, includ- County Reporter ❖ 301-502-6027 [email protected] cleaner and safer for drinking, boating, and whether current water purification systems are ing names of everyone in the picture, the date fishing. But … a University of Maryland report removing those pollutants fully from the drink- the picture was taken, the ages of the children Rich Sanders and sentence or two about what is happening Sports Editor ❖ 703-224-3031 card has given the river a ‘D’ grade for water ing water. [email protected] quality for the past two years.” American Rivers called on Congress to kill and where the photograph was taken. Be sure Now it’s safe for high school crew teams to any legislation that weakens the Clean Water to include your town name and neighborhood. Photos are due by June 8. ADVERTISING: take to the river by the dozens. Kayakers and Act or prevents the Environmental Protection For advertising information paddle-boarders join them in intimate contact Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers You can submit your photos to e-mail: with the water. Motorboats, marinas and fish- from restoring protections for small streams [email protected]. [email protected] Salome Howard-Gaibler Letters to the Editor Display Advertising 703-778-9421 [email protected] ago, the State of Virginia contin- entity, and/or should be given tax- pressures of what is happening to Another Look ues to reimburse the counties for ing authority like the state. the rest of the residents in the state Andrea Smith their loss in collecting this tax rev- This approach only places an due to a weak economy. We seem Classified Advertising At ‘Who Benefits’ 703-778-9411 enue from its residents. These uncooperative wedge between to adopt the feeling we are entitled [email protected] To the Editor: funds come from the State of political organization at the state to be more privileged than others. Your concerns about “who ben- Virginia’s transportation trust and county levels. These feelings Maybe the answer as to “who ben- Debbie Funk efits and who pays” on funding National Sales fund. When states have large can only lead to a more dysfunc- efits and who pays” should be 703-778-9444 this latest transportation project population growth centered tional form of government which given a broader view as to who are [email protected] here in Northern Virginia are around urban areas like Chicago is not good for its people. more fortunate by having a better worth noting and appreciated in Illinois and St Louis in Missouri, Most state budgets in the United standard of living and able to pay Editor & Publisher [Editorial, “On Funding the Silver the receipt of tax revenue and the States do not even approach the than those who are less fortunate. Mary Kimm Line,” Connection, April 11-17, 703-778-9433 return of their tax dollars to its citi- size of the Fairfax County yearly [email protected] 2012]. Previous surveys have zens are unbalanced. Added to this budget. Most of our county citi- Ronald L. Baker @MaryKimm shown the traffic congestion here fact, national surveys continue to zens have been sheltered from the Springfield in Virginia, especially for its citi- Executive Vice President highlight both Fairfax and Jerry Vernon zens trying to compute from their Loudoun county residents are en- [email protected] homes in nearby communities to joying one of the richest per capi- their jobs around the area, is one Editor in Chief tal income in the United States, Steven Mauren of the worst in the country. Previ- plus having the lowest unemploy- Managing Editor Kemal Kurspahic ous road projects such as the “mix- ment rate as well. These facts ing bowl” here in Springfield, and Photography: alone help to attract people from Write Deb Cobb, Louise Krafft, now the construction of “hot other parts of the country to move Craig Sterbutzel lanes” around the beltway, are at- Art/Design: here for jobs and to pursue the The Connection welcomes views on any public issue. Laurence Foong, John Heinly, tempts to reduce travel time sit- quality of life we enjoy. People liv- The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed. John Smith ting in our cars in bumper to ing in less populated areas of the Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are Production Manager: bumper traffic. routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Jean Card State of Virginia continue to have Send to: Geovani Flores Before we can single out the needs to be funded and mandated funding of the silver metro line by passed state legislation. Letters to the Editor Special Assistant to the Publisher between Tysons and Dulles, we The Connection Jeanne Theismann Being homeless, without a job, 1606 King St. 703-778-9436 need to address the entire fund- and needing health care do not [email protected] Alexandria VA 22314 @TheismannMedia ing arrangements made by our have a regional boundary. Over the Call: 703-917-6444. elected officials both here in years, some elected leaders here By e-mail: [email protected] Northern Virginia and the State of in the commonwealth have gone CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426 Virginia. When our personal prop- Circulation Manager: on public record lobbying their Linda Pecquex erty taxes on our automobiles case as to why Northern Virginia [email protected] were reduced by 75 percent years shouldn’t be a separate funding

8 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News

Wounded Warrior Poetry Visits Langley School Big Box Bird By Lynn Peterson Mobley

Navy Lieutenant Brad Snyder shares a message about I could have been a builder of nests like the oriole, hanging suspended service and perseverance with middle-schoolers. from the brittle branch of a Chinese elm over a terrace and a black pool By Lori Baker full of piebald, cow-faced koi, The Connection or a feared and terrible predator believing my own press, some surly owl avy Lieuten- picking off terrified moles and voles ant Bradley from a private cavity high in a tree. Snyder But me, one day I headed for N the garden center wasn’t able

Photo by to run the Marine Corps and just kept going, marathon with his friends through the magic doors. last fall. He was recovering I was lucky, I guess, or not, from wounds sustained Lori Baker but here I dwell, perched in the struts, while serving in Afghani- watching the women at the paint chips stan. So while they ran it imagining a perfect life, without him, wearing their men lusting over drills and radial saws. “Brad Snyder” t-shirts, he /The Connection Nesting is a breeze in the rolls of insulation; made a plan. He said, “well bird seed spills abundantly on aisle eight; alright, next year I’m going it’s like Mexico but without the sun. to run with you guys.” Water can be a problem but that is a challenge, Running a marathon is everybody needs a challenge, especially here in no easy task, but for Lt. the big box. Snyder, it will be extra chal- It’s just where I am, and if you ask lenging. Snyder is blind. He am I crying or singing? That lost both eyes when he Students were impressed with Lt. Snyder’s smart phone, which is the question for every bird, stepped on an explosive has many applications for the blind. I don’t care how noble his profile, device in Afghanistan while how far he flies each fall. coming to the aid of a comrade last September. But ployed to Afghanistan where he was wounded while while lying in the hospital during his recovery, he on patrol. quickly made a decision to just move forward. He told the students about the day-to-day chal- “I woke up in the hospital last September, and the lenges of being blind, such as shopping, cooking, even doctor said well you’re not going to be able to see combing his hair. And he recounted funny stories anymore,” he told middle school students at McLean’s about the many adjustments he has had to make. Langley School last week. “But I was able to really But, he said, he is learning to overcome many of the quickly just decide that, that wasn’t going to be an challenges. “I went through a pretty significant life impediment to me.” change,” he told the students. “But it’s easy to put that into perspective because I have friends who lost LT. SNYDER was invited to speak to middle school a leg, or got killed, period. Who never even made it students at the Langley School as part of the school’s back. So it’s all about putting it into perspective. And service learning project. “Our big goal was for the it was easy to do.” students to recognize that service comes in all forms Snyder is currently serving in an unpaid intern- and fashions,” said Ryan Jefferson, director of Stu- ship for a small technology firm in Baltimore, while dent Life at the school. “And when you’re dealt a waiting for his medical retirement to process. Red pretty tough hand, what you do to persevere and Owl Analytics is a data analysis firm in Baltimore Photo Contributed overcome. It ultimately builds their character as citi- that has hired several wounded warriors. “There are zens of Langley, and of our community.” a lot of characteristics of a special operations person The Langley School auditorium was uncharacter- that make him valuable to a corporation,” Snyder istically quiet for a room filled with nearly 140 sixth, said. seventh and eighth graders. They listened intently to Snyder’s story. PART OF HIS NEW JOB is to demonstrate the value Snyder told the students that the last thing he re- of wounded warriors in the corporate world. Pictured from left: Langley Spanish Teacher Elena members seeing was his arms and legs. And before Snyder recently qualified for the Paralympic na- Meschieri, Dr. Goodall, and Head of School Doris Cottam. he lost his eyesight, he felt grateful that they were tional swim team. And when he’s not working, he is there. “If you decide to always put things into per- training for a spot on the Paralympic Swim Team for spective, always maintain a positive attitude, there’s London 2012. After the swim season is over, Snyder Earth Day at the Langley School no stopping you at all,” he said. is planning to start training for the Marine Corps n April 23, The Langley School welcomed world-renowned Snyder, who currently lives and works in Balti- marathon. Oprimatologist Dr. Jane Goodall to campus for the school’s more, learned the meaning of service at a young The Langley School students were inspired by his Earth Day assembly. Goodall, who previously visited Langley age. His father would ask him to pick up trash off story, and by his determination. “He showed us that in spring 2005, spoke to students about the importance of caring for the ground that others had left behind. The lesson we should always be brave, and not give up on our the Earth and its inhabitants. She also described some of her early stuck. Years later he attended the U.S. Naval Acad- dreams,” said sixth grader, Caroline Garcia. experiences with animals and explained why she decided to travel to emy. He graduated in 2006 and earned a billet to The middle school students have been raising Tanzania in the 1960s to study wild chimpanzees. Goodall praised Lan- join special operations as an explosives ordinance money all year through their weekly snack bar to gley for its many green initiatives and was thrilled by the enthusiasm officer. “We were constantly training,” Snyder said. donate to the wounded warrior fund. And they were of the students. His team’s job was to diffuse explosives. He de- proud to present Lt. Snyder with a check for $500 The Langley School is a coed independent school in McLean educat- ployed to Iraq. Then soon after returning, he de- dollars for the fund. ing students in preschool through eighth grade. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 9 News

Great Falls Talks Turf What Makes a The Leo Santaballa turf-field debate continues. Synthetic Turf Field: The Logistics of Construction Construction of synthetic turf fields involves the installation of “a drainage layer, a multi- layered backing system”, and a layer of resilient “grass blades” that are “infilled with a granular filler to resemble natural turf.” Most often (as is the case in all Fairfax County turf-fields), this “granular filler” comprises “granulated recycled tire rubber” to “provide the necessary stability, uniformity, and resiliency” (www.syntheticturfcouncil.org). Although the cost of installing a turf-field at Leo Santaballa will be high, at approximately $850,000, the GFLA has developed a plan by which these funds will be “secured through three sources: a Fairfax County grant ($150,000); a short term construction-bridge loan from a community bank ($450,000); and an initial

/The Connection capital outlay to start the project ($250,000)”.

Synthetic- turf runoff, which harms aquatic life, inevitably “impacts all living creatures…whether you’re a human or a fish, it doesn’t matter,” says Stella Koch, Co- Chair of the Great Falls Environment Com-

Mary Grace Oakes mittee. Koch reasons that “anything in a tire that’s potentially bad, like zinc and heavy metals” could end up in the water supply, Photo by Photo and “when those things get into the food Leo Santaballa Park is located behind the Great Falls Library and serves as the home field for the Great Falls chain, they affect everything.” Synthetic turf Lacrosse Association’s programs. fields also pose a more immediate threat to the health of those who play on them, as By Mary Grace Oakes to our area” says Richard Maresco of hood, which homeowners were in the pro- according to a 2008 Crumb Rubber Fact The Connection McLean. cess of restoring. Sheet produced by the New York State De- More recently, those who oppose the con- partment of Health, “synthetic turf fields n a Great Falls Land Use and Zoning SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS, on the other version of Leo Santaballa have also cited absorb heat,” resulting in surface tempera- Committee (LUZ) meeting in October hand, require no rest periods to prevent the potential threats to public health. Although tures that “may contribute to heat stress.” Iof 2010, the Great Falls Lacrosse As- formation of “unsafe, rock-hard, dirt fields” the GFLA asserts that a turfed Leo In response to community concern, the sociation (GFLA) announced plans to and can be played on for approximately “three Santaballa would “provide a safe playing GFLA continues to assert that synthetic turf install a synthetic turf-field at Leo times as many hours a year than natural grass surface for our children,” “tires were never is safe from both an environmental and a Santaballa Park. Their proposal was initially fields”(www.syntheticturfcouncil.org). More- meant for coming in contact with humans,” public health standpoint, referencing a 2011 met with a mixed response, as some com- over, these fields do not require the mowing, insists Dr. Karen Michels, a PhD neurobi- Montgomery County Study to support their munity members applauded the operational watering, or fertilizer treatments that are ologist and founder of the Safe and Healthy position. The study, which compared the benefits of turf-fields, while others raised needed to maintain natural grass fields. Fields Coalition. “impacts of artificial turf vis-à-vis natural concerns about the adverse impacts such a Yet, while the operational advantages of Dr. Michels explains that tires, which are grass fields,” found that environmental and field could have on public health and the synthetic turf-fields are undeniable, many the primary component of crumb-rubber human health risks associated with synthetic local environment. Nearly two years later, within the Great Falls community are wor- infill, are approximately 30-60 percent Car- turf fields are not of “levels of concern that the installation of a turf field at Leo ried that the disadvantages of synthetic turf bon Black, a “carcinogenic nano-particle warrant avoidance of the construction of Santaballa remains a divisive and highly fields are being overlooked. small enough to enter the body, the lungs, new artificial turf fields with crumb rubber contended issue within the Great Falls Com- The initial objection to the installation of the cells, and cause inflammation.” She says infill.” And synthetic turf fields do offer some munity, with each side voicing their opin- a turf field at Leo Santaballa was on the that particulates “are becoming more and eco-friendly statistics; according to the Syn- ions in both community and online forums, grounds of potential environmental dam- more of a concern,” as the chronic inflam- thetic Turf Council, “more than 2.2 billion and circulating petitions in opposition or age. “The substances used in the field, par- mation they can create “is a major cause of gallons of water are conserved nationwide support of the installation. ticularly the crumb rubber infill made of degenerative diseases” such as Diabetes, annually” by the use of turf-fields, and “us- When the GFLA first proposed the con- recycled tires, contain potentially hazard- Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. While some ing crumb material…for sports infill has af- version of Leo Santaballa to a crumb rub- ous chemicals and heavy metals that can argue that there is no evidence to suggest forded the opportunity to recycle 25 million ber infill turf field, it was with the convic- leach into the water. These toxins will de- that turf-fields put players at risk of devel- used auto tires per year”(http:// tion that the field would become a “com- stroy our local aquatic ecosystem, possibly oping such diseases, Dr. Michels asserts that www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/). munity asset,” as more than 400 Great Falls all the way from the Great Falls Library to this is due to a lack of long-term studies. For the time being, the GFLA has contin- families are involved in GFLA programs the Potomac River” affirmed the Great Falls “Never in human history have we concen- ued to garner support for the installation (www.greatfallslacrosse.com). The GFLA Clean Water Coaliton, a group dedicated to trated this level of toxins in one place…and through their “I’m Turfing Leo” campaign, maintains this position, and has since em- “stop[ping] construction at Leo Santobella not only are we concentrating them in one and developed a plan to fund the project. phasized that the current level of use of Leo Field.” For residents of nearby Innsbruck place, we’re concentrating them in a place While the GFLA leadership believes “a per- Santaballa necessitates the installation of a Avenue, many of which are on a well-wa- where children play,” she warns. manent turf field in the heart of Great Falls” turf field: Leo Santaballa is currently played ter system, the effects of contaminated run- will provide “immeasurable benefits to the on seven days a week in both Spring and off from the field were especially concern- OPPONENTS OF THE INSTALLATION children of our community for years to Fall Seasons, and this type of “heavy traf- ing; Leo Santaballa’s proximity to Innsbruck argue that potential exposure to toxic nano- come,” those who oppose the installation, fic” causes fields to “become uneven with put it in a prime position to pollute Marmota particles is not the only human-health con- such as Stella Koch, say the risks of artifi- potholes or just bare clay that is indigenous Pond, a large pond located in the neighbor- cern associated with synthetic turf fields. cial turf are “enough to give a parent pause.”

10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Week in Great Falls From Page 4 Great Falls Celebrating Essay Contest The Friends of the Great Falls 15 Years Freedom Memorial invite rising 5th and 6th grade students in Great Falls to describe “A Virginia Loebig Chiropractic and Rehab Hero!” Contestants must choose IT IS TIME TO BRING three words from the 31 words Community Cookout circling the Great Falls Freedom YOUR DREAM TO LIFE Memorial and explain how those Saturday May 19, 2012 words describe the characteristics Village Center of their hero. Entries may be 9am-1pm brought or mailed to the Great Great Falls, VA 22066 Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066-2634 Come Celebrate 15 Years of Health and Wellness NEW POOL CONSTRUCTION and must be received by close of NEW POOL CONSTRUCTION business Aug. 25, 2012. Free Adjustments for Existing Patients A $50 money card will be Free New Patient Consultations awarded for the best essay in each Free Seated Massages and Mini Acupuncture Sessions SWIMMING POOL SERVICE of these four student groups – Enjoy Great Food and Grilled Hot Dogs Colvin Run Elementary School, Pool Opening Complete 100 Point Wellness Scan Weekly Pool Service Forestville Elementary School, •Vacuum Pool •Clean deck Great Falls Elementary School, and Face Painting and Moon Bounce Fun •Clean Deck •Start Up Pool rising 5th and 6th graders who are •Clean and Store Cover •Skim Pool $89 •Pressure Wash Coping home-schooled or enrolled Fun for the whole family per week plus $279 •Brush Pool opening and •Reassemble Equipment in a private school. Entry forms closing •All Chemicals •Add Customer’s Chemical are available at the Great Falls Li- (Solid cover w/anchors additional $35) brary, 703-757-8560, as well as •Maintain Filter Equipment (Solid cover w/water bags additional &110) contest details and rules for those VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE IN who have not received this infor- 745 Walker Road THE GREAT FALLS VILLAGE mation at school. 703-759-2113 Winners will be contacted on Great Falls, VA 22066 10% OFF Sept. 29, 2012 and an Essay Con- www.h2opoolsva.com test awards ceremony will be held (703) 757-5817 All In-Store Supplies on Oct. 6, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the www.loebigchiropractic.com Expires 5/31/12 Great Falls Library.

For a free digital subscription to one or all of the 15 Connection Newspapers, go to www.con nectionnews papers.com/ subscribe Prices Slashed Throughout the ENTIRE STORE! Complete Our door close forever on Saturday, June 2! digital replica Don’t miss out on these incredible deals! Fixtures still available! of the print 60% off and More! Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, edition, Second Wedding, Special Occasion, Ball Gowns, and More! Choose COUPON including from Daymor, Jovani, JSS Knits, Toula Knits, and More! photos and 60-75% off! ads, Sportswear, related separates, cocktail dresses, evening pant suits, day and evening suits, accessories, and more! Misook, Ming Wang, Bring in coupon delivered Ribkoff, Pleat Pleat and More! Blouses at $10! for 250,000 points 75% - 80% - 90% OFF! 1. Samsung 40" LCD TV, $549 Value. weekly to 2. Canon PowerShot Camera, $400. Clearance Dresses, Clearance Suits & Beaded Dresses! Famous Makers! 3. Saeco Espresso Maker, $350. your e-mail $99 Selected dresses and Prom Dress Specials! 4. Canon Camcorder, $290. 5. DeLonghi Food Processor, $250. box. 6. Garmin GPS System, $160. Dress Boutique 7. Keurig Coffee System, $160. 8. Frigidaire Toaster Oven, $150. Washington’s Premier After 5 Boutique 9. Kick Sound System, $115. Questions? 6707 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101 10. Tiger Rice Cooker, $100. [email protected] • 703-356-6333 Game Ends 6/02/2012 E-mail: going Store Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am to 5:30pm. Sale Terms: All Sales Final. green@con No adjustments. We Accept: Visa, MC, Discover, AMEX. nectionnews papers.com Directions: NORTH on the Beltway take Exit 46B onto Rt. 123N.-McLean. Go 3 miles- Turn right onto Old Dominion Dr. (Rt. 309). Go 1/2 mile thru two traffic lights. We are on the right next to Shell Gas. SOUTH from Md.- Cross over the Amer. Legion Bridge.- Take the VERY first right Exit 43-44 to VA 193 toward Langley - Go 1/2 mile and turn right onto Balls Hill Rd. Go .9th mile - Turn left onto Old Dominion Drive - Go thru 3 traffic lights - We are on the right next to Shell Gas. We are less than 5 minutes from the Bridge. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 11 Langley High Orchestra Visits Nashville Game On The Langley High School Orchestra went to Nashville, Tenn. where they George Mason University students recorded in the RCA studio, participated in an orchestra clinic at Vanderbilt develop video games aimed at University, attended a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, and stayed in the curtailing gang recruitment renowned Gaylord Opryland Resort. in Virginia.

By Marilyn Campbell ❖ “Influenced,” created by The Connection Austin Fain, Tiffany Nguyen, Con Son and Lamesha Coley. In this aw enforcement game, the player chooses various officials now have two scenarios in which he or she can Lunlikely weapons in the either help or betray members of Seth Hudson, assistant director of the Computer Game fight against gang the local community, and influ- Design Program at George Mason University, plays a game activity in Virginia: video games ence the impact gangs have on created by Mason Game Design students in Dewberry Hall and college students. the community. at Fairfax Campus in Virginia. The students created inter- Students in the Computer ❖ “New Kid on the Block,” active and educational games aimed at teaching kids From Slime to Simple Machines Game Design program at George created by Stephen Berrigan, about the risks of joining gangs. Mason University partnered with Virginia Great Falls Elementary kicks off new science Attorney General Ken enrichment program. Cuccinelli’s office to Photos Contributed create video games “I wanted the designed to show chil- By the Great Falls El- dren the consequences of game to be fun ementary Journalism Club joining a gang. The result for the player of the collaboration is a reat Falls Elementary series of interactive and while teaching G School (GFES) is going educational computer where few elementary games and mobile phone them about schools have gone before, into the applications designed to exciting world of science enrich- A student at Great Falls reduce gang recruitment. gang violence ment. Elementary School per- The games were unveiled Thanks to the hard work and forms an experiment as earlier this month on the and how it can generosity of GFES parents, the part of their new science George Mason campus in school’s PTA and community orga- enrichment program. Fairfax. be harmful.” nizations, GFES has launched an “Gangs are constantly — Daniel Paquette in-school science lab that treats stu- expressed their appreciation for the working to recruit new dents to a monthly dose of hands- opportunities the Science Lab pro- kids to replace those on learning. Students have had the vides. Parent and PTA-President going to jail and getting Photos by opportunity to study subjects in- Students at Great Falls Elementary School learn as part of Caroline Divone points out that, “as killed. Their recruitment Alexis Glenn/ cluding sublimation, states of mat- the new science enrichment program at the school. budgets are being scaled back in George Mason University techniques are evolving, ter, magnification, weather, kinetic schools, it takes creative thinking even to the point of using Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli plays a game created by energy, laws of motion, animal life cused organizations feel that sci- studying,” said Rothstein. and innovative programs to make online gaming and other George Mason Game Design students in Dewberry Hall at Fairfax Cam- cycles and solar power. Sixth grad- ence activities in the early grades Hodge, whose own elementary sure that our students have great technologies. We have to pus. The students created interactive and educational games aimed at ers received a special introduction are what lay the groundwork for a school-aged son had attended sum- learning opportunities. The Great work even harder to stop teaching kids about the risks of joining gangs. to biology through squid dissec- love of science as students enter mer science camps and learned Falls Elementary School commu- them,” said Cuccinelli. tion. middle and high schools. They sup- first hand just how exciting science nity really did a great job with this “The goal of this partnership with Steven Fernandez, Devin Gibson, During the course, Randon, In the spring, older students will port the notion that inquiry science could be, felt that GFES could pur- effort!” GMU is a novel approach in the John Murphy and Daniel who also works as an English THE GAMES will be available even have the chance to build and must be a basic in the daily cur- sue new and exciting ways to learn The Science Enrichment Lab is war against gangs to beat them Paquette. In this game, the player teacher in Manassas, taught for mobile download free of launch rockets. riculum of every elementary school science too. fully funded by contributions from at their own game.” has just moved to a new town students about the history, charge by summer 2012. The Students from all grades are en- student at every grade level. “Watching my own child get ex- GFES families and local businesses. Students enrolled in the and has to assimilate into a new practice and design of online games will also be available on joying the program. cited about science really inspired The program is taught by a former university’s GAME 232 Online school. He or she must make the games and smartphone applica- the attorney general’s website, as According to one third grader, “I THE SCIENCE LAB was concep- me,” said Hodge. “Now that the lab High School Science teacher and Gaming and Filesharing course right decisions and find a trust- tions. Throughout the semester, well as the websites for George really liked looking through the tualized and developed by three is up and running it’s great to see parent volunteers. All lessons are presented game proposals to worthy group of friends. the students developed written Mason University, the Virginia microscopes. I’ve only ever seen GFES moms, Rachel Rothstein, Lisa lots of kids looking at science in designed to reinforce scientific Cuccinelli’s office. The attorney scripts and storyboards, art and Department of Criminal Justice them on TV. It was really neat to Hodge and Marissa Fallon. new ways.” methodologies and vocabulary to general’s staff selected three: THE GAMES ARE TARGETED sound design, programming, Services, and Virginia Rules. actually use one.” Rothstein explains that she was Fallon, who is a member of the help the children develop a famil- ❖ “A Second Family,” created at middle and high school coding and musical compositions. “Games have a pretty bad One fifth grader said, “the Sci- inspired to start the program as she GFES PTA Board, was instrumen- iarity with scientific principles. by Michael Katz, Romel Ramos students. “This is an attempt to “I wanted the game to be fun reputation in the media. What I ence Enrichment Lab is such a cool watched her own children crave tal in getting support and funding and Brandon Miller. The game reach kids using devices that they for the player while teaching hope this project shows people is way to learn. You actually get to opportunities in science. for the program. LAB TOPICS were chosen by a tells the story of Justin, who is already have in their hands,” said them about gang violence and that the greatest asset of games is do experiments and see science in “We want our kids to have the “As a PTA, we have a responsi- panel of GFES teachers and supple- trying to fit in at a new school Arlington resident and George how it can be harmful. Finding that they make learning fun … action.” chance to learn in a ‘lab’ environ- bility to work with our school to ment the science curriculum being and becomes involved with some Mason adjunct professor Matt that balance wasn’t easy, but … which is a talent school systems According to studies, it’s just this ment, where they can be exposed develop great programs for our stu- taught in the classroom. Based on questionable people. He is forced Randon. “The kids are already we were able to create a game around the world should look type of excitement that drives fu- to science. It’s one thing to learn dents,” said Fallon. “I believe sup- its initial success and rave student to rely on his friends and mentors addicted to these devices so we that’s educational, but also fun to into,” said Stephen Berrigan, lead ture success in the field of science. about science through a textbook, porting the Science Enrichment reviews, it’s a program that will to overcome these negative have a better chance of reaching play,” said Daniel Paquette, who writer and narrative designer for The National Science Teachers As- it’s entirely different to be able to Lab is money well spent.” continue at GFES for many years influences. them with our message.” helped design one of the games. “New Kid on the Block.” sociation and other science-fo- touch and feel the science you are Many parents and teachers have to come.

12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 13 Community

Photo by Al Reitan Photo by Mike McDermott Great Falls artist Jonathan Fisher builds wooden wall reliefs and sculp- Jonathan Fisher’s art involves assembling painted sticks into a variety of tures in his backyard studio. He attributes creative successes to a wel- wooden configurations, some shown here with him in his studio. His coming environment for artists in Great Falls. An exhibit of Fisher’s personal story as a budding artist late in life dovetails with opportuni- work has opened in Reston. ties for creative people in Great Falls, he says. An Artist’s Personal Search: Musing About Great Falls

His function was to encourage me but not prestigious national shows, sell works What does an exhibition of wooden wall at the expense of building false hopes about through galleries across the country, win reliefs have to say about community? my limited talents. He gently suggested that prizes, teach art, and hold exhibitions some other vocational direction would be throughout the DC area. One member is a more sensible, especially if I wanted to make household name in the wildly popular field By Jonathan Fisher one being the incomprehensible notion that a living. I’ve been beholden to him ever of quilting. Another former member is now 8 x 8 = 64, no matter how often you at- since. a leading jewelry designer in New York, ore than 100 artists are do- tempt to compute it. Faced with mild dys- I went to journalism school instead, fol- having even created fashion-statement ac- ing their thing in Great Falls, lexia and frustrations in the normal class- lowed by a career editing magazines, which cessories for the First Lady. To be sure, the Mand I’m glad to say I’m one room, I found solace in the art room, where I think was reasonably successful. At very group also includes beginners, hobbyists of them—for my own sake Mrs. Frasier, a bustling figure in a flowing least, it did pay for diapers, insurance, green and others just dipping toes into the cre- and the sake of the community. smock, rescued me from the failures of regu- beans, gasoline and all those other things ative stream, but that, I maintain, is a value Earlier in April, a solo exhibition of col- lar academic pursuits to introduce me to a we need in order to subsist. This vocational to a community, especially since the exper- orful wooden wall hangings that I’ve built world of paint, prints made with potatoes, direction brought me into touch with some tise of more experienced artists rubs off on opened at the Market Street Bar & Grill, a and slimy clay you could squish between of the world’s greatest photographers and novices, such as myself. restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in your fingers. She even overlooked a few the intricacies of graphic design, among I was also struck by the diversity in this Reston. It is curated by the Greater Reston behavioral peccadillos, as when I splattered other advantages. And in the meantime, I group. You would expect that a bunch of Arts Center, better known as GRACE. The the guillotine-like blade of the art room continued dabbling at my avocation—cre- artists of varying ages would have a wide back story of this show, which runs until paper cutter with crimson poster paint and ating things with that same old jig saw, most range of outspoken views on all kinds of July 18, is a tribute to Great Falls and my writhed on the floor pretending I’d cut off notably wooden prototypes for board matters. And these do. But they also have a fellow artists in the village, but it’s also a my finger, which I’d also anointed with faux games. With the coming of the Internet and common passion that unites people of dif- tale of one person’s search—my own—to blood. non-print electronic ways to reach audi- ferent backgrounds, cultures and reli- find a creative voice. Creating things soon became a part of my ences, my last magazine, where I’d worked gions—in turn, uniting the community. The Back in 2004, I noticed a commotion in life. In the seventh grade, my parents ig- for 30-plus years covering the field of in- local artists are Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hin- the main conference room of the Great Falls nored common sense and presented me ternational wildlife, went belly up, and I dus, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons and Library. A sale was underway sponsored by with a jig saw, which I operated almost con- “retired” a little earlier than normal. non-believers, among others. They came an eclectic group of local artists. There were tinuously, without safety glasses, making originally from Argentina, Sri Lanka, India, potters, painters, photographers and jew- everything from a small-scale reconstruc- Pakistan, England, Canada, Iran, Israel, elry designers involved. At the time, I didn’t tion of Fort Ticonderoga to a 10-inch-long, A rich fabric South Korea, Mexico, China, and numer- know that Great Falls had an arts movement Victorian-era carriage. Sawdust spewed out of community ous other countries, as well as from distant or that creative expression could even be in the family kitchen, accompanied by un- points within the US, each bringing a tradi- an important part of life in a suburban com- ending, annoying buzzing noises. Upon oc- This gets me back to Great Falls and com- tion from their cultures to share with the munity, of all places. I subsequently joined casion, I submitted the resulting wooden munity. The group I joined is called Great other artists. up with this same unlikely band of artsy constructions as a substitute for written Falls Studios, started by longtime Great Falls souls. In the process, I began to think about term papers, thanks to the collusion of resident Laura Nichols, a potter, together the values to a community of harboring cre- teachers who took pity on me. There were with a handful of other local artists work- What art means for ative people, not to mention the value to no injuries, but a few close calls. ing in various media. One of its purposes all of us me of being one of the harbored. Fast forward to college, where I minored was to help artists succeed. By last year, the in studio art but miraculously also found number of its members had passed the 100 As might be expected, national arts orga- that more conventional academic subjects mark—which is astonishing for a village the nizations, including the National Endow- One artist’s story could be appealing, too, especially if you size of Great Falls. That means that about ment for the Arts, make the case that such Let me tell my own story first. The early actually worked at them. In a life-altering 1.5 percent of our households are repre- an infusion of art is good for a community. primary grades were impossible. I couldn’t moment in my senior year, I asked my wa- sented by a working artist of one stripe or The arts, they maintain, are as important tell the difference between “was” and “saw,” tercolor professor if he thought I should go another. as parks, safety, places of worship, good and my frustrated teachers struggled to on to art school. I could see the panic in his As I quickly discovered, these folks are imprint simple facts on my fragile brain— eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. exceptionally talented. They are juried into See Community, Page 15

14 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Community A Sense of Community Colors Artist’s Work

From Page 14 I would also postulate that in rections, with new approaches and new in- schools, ball fields, economic today’s economy creative think- sights. I’ve even won a grant from the Arts opportunities, housing and ing is more important than ever. Council of Fairfax Country, which encour- other measures in defining what Whether you are a software de- ages local talents. makes a place desirable. They signer or a cook, a soccer coach In looking at one artist’s work, you may also say the arts spawn eco- or a business entrepreneur, the not recognize how a sense of community nomic growth. It is very difficult ability to come up with new and plays into personal expression. But if you to measure something like this, creative solutions to problems is check out my show of wall reliefs, please especially in a small bedroom a competitive advantage. In keep it in mind. The exhibit (called community like ours. But intu- what has been called the “cre- “Flashpoints: A Celebration of Painted itively, you have to think that it ative economy,” innovative Wood”) started on April 16 and will run makes sense. If I were a realtor thought processes of the sort until July 18, with a reception on Monday, attempting to sell the virtues of spawned by painting or weav- June 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. Both the show Great Falls, I’d say that an artful ing or photography will be in in- and the reception are in the Market Street community is an exceedingly creasing demand. Bar & Grill in the Hyatt Regency, 1800 Presi- good place to live. dents Street, in Reston. There are other arguments for I don’t make much of a living at this sec- the arts, as well. One put for- An outsized ond, late-in-life career of mine. Few artists ward by the National Assembly impact do. And I give special credit to my wife Carol of State Arts Agencies, which who now subsidizes my passion by work- comprises state government The bottom line is that all ing a grueling schedule in her own field to members such as the Virginia “Metro Routes,” a collection of interlocking boxes, is those opportunities in Great pay for the green beans and other ameni- Commission for the Arts, is that typical of Jonathan Fisher’s work. He is interested in Falls to meet other artists, ex- ties in life, including an outsized Great Falls children who are exposed to art patterns and textures that he sees in nature and the plore creative expression and mortgage. But I’m having a great time. And in school actually perform bet- built environment, and his three-dimensional wood display art work in local venues Great Falls’ community preoccupation with ter in basic subjects such as math constructions often reflect ideas of geometric ab- has had a profound effect on me. creativity has something to do with that. and reading. The speculation is straction. I’ve fine-tuned my own particu- By the way, that original saw I received that this has something to do lar artistic niche, often with the in the seventh grade finally went kaput six with the interaction of different parts of the point to my own wobbly school experience input of other artists. I’ve taken years ago. I bought a new one. And I use brain. I can’t vouch for this argument ei- as an example that art can, indeed, play a my chosen art form (which involves assem- safety glasses now. ther nor for the science behind it, but I can critical role in learning. bling painted sticks into three-dimensional wall hangings and sculptures) in new di-

320 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 15 Entertainment

Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Thursday for the following Duruflé: REQUIEM week’s paper. Photos/artwork encour- Britten: REJOICE IN THE LAMB aged. For additional listings, visit Shafer: SOUL OF MY SAVIOR www.connectionnewspapers.com With the Saint Luke Festival Choir and Choristers from the Saint John Academy Boys’ and Girls’ Treble Choirs THURSDAY/MAY 17 Paul Skevington, Organist An Evening with Charlie Hunter. 8 Sunday, May 20, 2012 | 5:00 PM p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. www.jamminjava.com. Saint Luke Catholic Church | McLean, Virginia Chapter 227, Vietnam Veterans of Photo Contributed FREE PARKING America Inc. 7:30 p.m. Neighbor’s Restaurant, 262D Cedar Lane, Cedar Lane Shopping Center, Vienna. $25 General Admission Including the presentation of awards Student, senior and group discounts available to the winners of the 12th Annual Tickets: Call 301-572-6865 or visit thecitychoirofwashington.org Vince Kaspar Awards for Excellence in the Arts, a community program recognizes art and poetry talents of local high school students. The general public and all veterans are Musician Scott Ramminger and his band, the THIS IS “GRETCHEN” invited. Free admission is free. 703- 255-0353 or Crawstickers, will perform at McLean Day 2012: After raising 4 of her own kittens www.vva227.org. Celebrating Our Hometown. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Satur- and 1 orphan kitten she also Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m. day, May 19, Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown took in, Gretchen is looking for a Pike, Great Falls. Call for title. Road, McLean. Family fun day of outdoor activities, home to call her own. She’s very Adults. 703-757-8560. including amusement rides and stage entertainment laid back and her personality plus four new food vendors. Free admission. really shines when she has one- FRIDAY/MAY 18 on-one time with people. If “Flora the Red Menace.” 8 p.m. 1st 8 p.m. 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill music. Food available for purchase. you’re looking for a laid-back Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tyson’s Road, Tyson’s Corner. A musical by Presented by the Northern Virginia feline addition to your family, Corner. A musical by John Kander John Kander and Fred Ebb, set in the Regional Group of the Early Ford V- and Fred Ebb, set in the Great Great Depression. $15-$30. 08 Club, the City of Fairfax and Gretchen is looking for you. Depression. $15-$30. www.1ststagetysons.org. others. A portion of the proceeds www.1ststagetysons.org. Art Reception and Benefit Raffle. 4 benefit the Armed Forces Retirement Friends of the Great Falls Library p.m. The Vienna Arts Society, 115 Home in Washington D.C. Book Sale. 10 a.m. Great Falls Pleasant St. N.W., Vienna. A portion www.nvrg.org or [email protected]. HUMANE SOCIETY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, of the proceeds will benefit the Wine down with the Ques Wine Great Falls. Spring used book sale. American Legion’s emergency fund Tasting Fundraiser. 1 p.m. The Hours: Monday-Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-3 • 703-385-PETS 703-757-8560. for military families in distress. 703- Tasting Room of Maison du Vin, 7 Adoptions: By appointment only. • www.hsfc.org Friday Flicks. 10:30 a.m. Tysons- 319-3971 or 756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 www.ViennaArtsSociety.org. Falls. Wine tasting, hot hors Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Call for Korean Bell Garden Opening. d’oeuvres and live jazz music. $45, movie title. All ages. 703-790-8088. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 age 21 and up. Proceeds benefit the An Evening with John Fullbright at Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. scholarship program. info@OKK- 7:30 p.m.; FunkMnkyz, Feed God Marking the 25th anniversary of QUES.org or okk-ques.org/ Cabbage, Poor Man’s Copyright Meadowlark’s 1987 opening. 703- winetasting. and Castro at 10 p.m. Jammin’ 255-3631. Benefit Yard Sale for Hartwood Java, 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. Volksmarch. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Foundation and Relay for Life. www.janmminjava.com. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 608 Plum St., “Sleuth.” 7:30 p.m. James Lee Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. Vienna. Hosted by the Vienna Community Center, 2855 Annandale www.ava.org, event #92677. Woman’s Club. Road, Falls Church. Providence Friends of the Great Falls Library [email protected]. Players in a whodunit classic. $15- Book Sale. 10 a.m. Great Falls Community Cookout. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $18. 703-425-6782 or Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Loebig Chiropractic and Rehab, 754 www.providenceplayers.org. Great Falls. Spring used book sale. Walker Road, Great Falls. Free 703-757-8560. adjustments for existing patients, Plant Clinic hosted by the Master seated massages and more. Hot dogs, SATURDAY/MAY 19 Gardeners. 10 a.m. Tysons-Pimmit face painting and moon bounce. 703- McLean Day 2012: Celebrating Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg 757-5817 or Our Hometown. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pike, Falls Church. Answers to www.loebigchiropractic.com. Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge gardening questions. Adults. 703- “Sleuth.” 7:30 p.m. James Lee Road, McLean. Family fun day of 790-8088. Community Center, 2855 Annandale outdoor activities, including The Joy of Dance with Ballet & Road, Falls Church. Providence amusement rides and stage Jazz. 3 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Players in a whodunit classic. $15- entertainment plus four new food Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls $18. 703-425-6782 or vendors. Free admission. Church. The Adagio Dance Company www.providenceplayers.org. Colonial Spring Market Fair. 11 and Adagio Ballet’s Advanced Jazz a.m.-4:30 p.m. Claude Moore students. All Ages. 703-790-8088. Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Bach 2 Rock Music Teachers. 5 SUNDAY/MAY 20 Pike, McLean. Period music, quoits p.m. The Palladium Civic Place Mosaic Harmony Choir. 4 p.m. and other games, children’s puppet Green, 1445 Laughlin Avenue, Unitarian Universalist Church of theater, farm animals. Fencing McLean. Free. 703-288-9505. Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, lessons, blacksmith, herbs and Country Western Dance. Luther Oakton. Silent auction beginning at flowers, colonial market stands and Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows 3:30 p.m. $25-$30, under age 12 more. See Farm family and Road, Falls Church. Line dance lesson free. www.mosaicharmony.org or community members in character 7:30 p.m., couples lesson 8 p.m. 703-764-8061. and costume. Refreshments available. Open dancing 8:30-11 p.m. $5-$12. Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet. 2 Adults $6, age 3-12 and seniors $3. www.nvcwda.org or 703-860-4941. p.m. George Mason High School, 703-903-9330. Carsie Blanton and Dawn Landes 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Children’s Shows: Milkshake Trio. at 7:30 p.m.; In The Lobby Bar Two original one-act ballets: Snow 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jammin’ Java, with Fight The Lion at 10 p.m. White and Alice in Wonderland. $30. 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. East, 703-893-0404 or www.jamminjava.com. Vienna. www.janmminjava.com. www.kintzmejiaballet.com. Flea Market & Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-2 Seikilos to U2: A Tour Through City of Fairfax Band: Rite of p.m. Great Falls United Methodist Music History. 7:30 p.m. UUCF Spring. 3 p.m. Oakton High School, Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. The 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. Northern Great Falls. Spaces available to rent, Vienna Choral Society presents a Virginia Youth Winds, the official $20. 703-582-1640 or concert to support arts education. youth ensemble of the City of Fairfax [email protected]. Pre-concert talk by Creative Director Band Association, comprised of high Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet. 2 Jennifer Rodgers Beach, 7 p.m. $15- school woodwind, brass and p.m. and 7 p.m. George Mason High $20, families $35. percussion students. $5, students School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls www.viennachoralsocieety.org. free. [email protected]. Church. Two original one-act ballets: City of Fairfax Antique Car Show. “Flora the Red Menace.” 2 p.m. and Snow White and Alice in 10 a.m.-3 p.m. City Hall, 10455 7 p.m. 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Wonderland. $30. 703-893-0404 or Armstrong St, Fairfax. See a Model-T Road, Tyson’s Corner. A musical by www.kintzmejiaballet.com. Ford reassembled in 15 minutes. “Flora the Red Menace.” 2 p.m. and Antique cars and live bluegrass See Entertainment, Page 17 16 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Entertainment Forestville

From Page 16 Howard Frazin’s “The Voice of Isaac.” Presents Featuring baritone Steven Combs. John Kander and Fred Ebb, set in the Reception to follow. $25 adults, $18 Musical Great Depression. $15-$30. students and seniors. info@words- www.1ststagetysons.org. music.org or 202-643-7282. Last weekend, Forestville El- Mill Run Dulcimer Band Concert. 2 “Sleuth.” 2 p.m. James Lee Community ementary School performed the p.m. Colvin Run Mill, 10017 Colvin Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls musical, “Wonka,” about a Run Road, McLean. Old-time tunes. Church. Providence Players in a Free. 703-759-2771. whodunit classic. $15-$18. 703-425- children’s contest at a Wagon Ride to Poohsticks Bridge. 6782 or www.providenceplayers.org. fantastical chocolate factory. 10 a.m. Riverbend Park, 8700 Actors auditioned in January Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. For age 2 and up, accompanied by MONDAY/MAY 21 and had been rehearsing for months in preparation. Under register adult. Listen to Pooh’s story. Tiny Tot Time. 10:30 a.m. Dolley From left, Violet played by Angelina Paul, Mrs. $5. Register at 703-759-9018. Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge the direction of Dodgeball The- Beauregard played by Deidre Price, Willy Wonka played Colonial Spring Market Fair. 11 Ave., McLean. Songs, rhymes and atre director Haley Murphy, and a.m.-4:30 p.m. Claude Moore activities. Age 13-23 months. 703- by Erica Barton, Augustus Gloop played by Haley with the choreography of Heide Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown 356-0770. Lobsenz, and Candy Kid played by Nadia Eghbali. Pike, McLean. Period music, quoits Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Zufall and Music Direction of and other games, children’s puppet Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Photos Contributed theater, farm animals. Fencing Pike, Great Falls. Stories, songs and Irena Chklovskii, the 47 young lessons, blacksmith, herbs and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703- actors created an evening of flowers, colonial market stands and 757-8560. wild and fanciful characters, more. See Farm family and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the community members in character Real and Spirit Family locations, dances, and songs. and costume. Refreshments available. Reunion. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 “This has been an amazing Adults $6, age 3-12 and seniors $3. Maple Ave. East, Vienna. group of young actors who put 703-903-9330. www.janmminjava.com. Gardening with Deer. 2 p.m. on an incredible performance,” Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Murphy said. Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. TUESDAY/MAY 22 Based on the original book Tips on how to plan your garden with Tuesday Storytime. 10:30 a.m. deer in mind. $5. Reservations Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, “Charlie and the Chocolate Fac- required at 703-255-3631. 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. tory” by Roald Dahl, “Wonka” Half Brother and The Jefferson Stories, songs, and activities. Ages 1- tells the familiar tale of the Davis Highway String Band at 1 2 with caregiver. 703-790-8088. p.m.; William Beckett (formerly Personalized Internet Training. enigmatic Willy Wonka as he of The Academy Is…) and 2:30 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional leads five very special golden Mansions at 7:30 p.m. Jammin’ Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls ticket winners and their parents Veruca Salt, center, played by Holly Waters; Oompa Java, 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. Church. A 45-minute Internet on a tour of his factory. Famil- www.janmminjava.com. training session with a technology Loompas to her left and right: Taelor Oey and Maia Spoto. Words&Music, Inc. American volunteer. Call for appointment. iar scenes include children fall- Composer Series. 7 p.m. St. Adults. 703-790-8088. ing into a chocolate river, blow- shrunk into a six-inch boy. The Cynthia Adler and set by Jan Francis Episcopal Church, at 9220 Our Vintage Film, Bonaventure, ing up into a blueberry, falling Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Pre- The Offset and Money Cannot production was a visual delight, Rossberg. concert discussion at 6:15 p.m. The Be Eaten. 7 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 into an incinerator, and being area premiere of Tom Cipullo’s Maple Ave. East, Vienna. with the fanciful costumes by “Insomnia” and a new version of www.janmminjava.com.

Visit These Houses of Worship To Highlight Your Faith Community call Karen at 703- 917-6468

St. Athanasius Catholic Church Great Falls United Methodist FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA ...703-759-4555 ...703-759-3705 SMITH CHAPEL UM CHURCH St. Mark’s Catholic Church ... 703-281-9100 Oakton United Methodist 450 ORCHARD STREET ...703-938-1233 11321 Beach Mill Road VIENNA, VA Charismatic Vale United Methodist ... 703-620-2594 Great Falls, VA 20165 703-938-8525 Christian Assembly ... 703-698-9777 Smith Chapel United Methodist [email protected] ... 571-434-9680 It’s like coming home www.fbcv.org Church of Christ Wesley United Methodist Berea Church of Christ ... 703-893-7040 ...703-938-8700 [email protected] Dr. KENNY SMITH, www.SmithChapelUMC.com Disciples of Christ Non-Denominational PASTOR Antioch Christian Church ... 703-938-6753 Celebration Center Rev. D. J. Zuchelli, Pastor for Spiritual Living SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 11:00 AM Episcopal ... 703-560-2030 MIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM Church of the Holy Comforter Christian Assembly Church WORSHIP HOURS SUNDAY: 11:00 AM ...703-938-6521 ...703-698-9777 Church of the Holy Cross ... 703-698-6991 Assembly of God Fellowship Baptist Church ... St. Francis Episcopal ... 703-759-2082 Presbyterian Progressive & Welcoming Vienna Assembly of God ... 703-385-8516 Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church First Baptist Church ... Jehovah’s Witness ST. ANNE’S 703-938-7736 ...703-560-6336 Washington Christian Church... 703-938-8525 Jehovah’s Witnesses ... 703-759-1579 Korean Central Presbyterian EPISCOPAL 703-938-7720 The Light Mission Church ...... 703-698-5577 CHURCH • Reston Cristo Es Mi Refugio... 703-757-0877 Lutheran Vienna Presbyterian ...703-938-9050 703-938-7727 Vienna Baptist Church ... Emmanuel Lutheran Church ...703-938-2119 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I 703-281-4400 Christ The King Lutheran Church Quaker 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II New Union Baptist Church...... 703-759-6068 Langley Hills Friends...703-442-8394 Sunday school/Music: preschool - grade 2 Baha’i 703-281-2556 St. Athanasius Lutheran Church... 703-455-4003 10:25 a.m. Sunday school/Music: grades 3 - 12 Baha’i Faith for Northern Virginia ... 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II 703-821-3345 Seventh-Day Adventist Buddhist 5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service Methodist Northern Virginia Christian Fellowship Vajrayogini Buddhist Center... Baptist Andrew Chapel United Methodist ... 703-242-9001 Nursery care provided at 9:00 and 11:15 services 202-331-2122 Global Mission Church ...... 703-759-3509 Vienna Seventh Day Adventists Church of the Brethern Church of the Good Shepherd The Rev. James Papile, Rector 703-757-0877 ...703-938-8383 Oakton Church of the Brethern ...... 703-281-3987 Unitarian Universalist The Rev. Jacqueline Thomson Peace Baptist Church ... 703-560-8462 703-281-4411 Charles Wesley United Methodist Church Congregation of Fairfax The Rev. Denise Trogdon Bethel Primitive Baptist Church ...703-356-6336 ...703-281-4230 703-437-6530 ... 703-757-8134 Catholic The Vine Methodist Church ... 703-573-5336 www.stannes-reston.org Cartersville Baptist Church ... 1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston Our Lady of Good Counsel ... Ephiphany United Methodist Unity 703-255-7075 703-938-2828 ...703-938-3494 Unity of Fairfax ... 703-281-1767

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 17 Great Falls Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders Sports 703-224-3031 or [email protected]

The Saxons celebrate their Liberty District boys’ lacrosse finals win over Madison last Photo/Courtesy of Langl Friday night. The contest took place at Marshall High School.

Photo/Courtesy of ey Softball Langley Boys Lacrosse

Langley Boys Lacrosse Edges Saxons Celebrate Senior Night On Tuesday, May 8, Langley High’s four softball Madison in Liberty Finals seniors - Lauren Mensing, Hope Albers, Julia Weeks and Jenna Dunn (all four towards the right) - were tage at the 1:31 mark due to an illegal body check honored during Senior Night celebration ceremonies. Ahearn’s 5 goals, 4 assists call on Langley. But the Saxon defenders kept their On top of it being Senior Night, with the four 12th lead Saxons to fifth composure and limited their opponent to a single grade ball players being honored on their outstand- shot attempt during their man-down situation. ing careers with the program, the evening was extra consecutive district crown. An off-sides infraction yielded a 30-second power special as the Saxons celebrated Great Falls Little play for Langley, although only 19 seconds were League Night as well. The Little League players were needed for Adams to snap in a score from eight yards, out in full force and treated the Saxon seniors as he Langley High Saxons captured their allowing the Saxons to go ahead 13-12 in what would true stars. In the Liberty District game itself, the fifth Liberty District tournament title in prove to be the game-winner. Saxons were victorious over opponent Jefferson. Tas many years last Friday, May 11 in a The Warhawks generated one last good look in Sports Roundups riveting boys lacrosse contest at Marshall their bid to level matters but the goal-bound shot by High School. The Saxons defeated a tenacious Madi- junior middie Matthew Arndt was kept out by Lan- son Warhawk side that pushed the Saxons to the gley senior goalie Andrew Spivey. The Saxons then Great Falls Soccer Club p.m. at Nike Park Field 7; Tues- brink before they were able to secure a 13-12, smash- literally ran out the clock with controlled possession travel soccer tryouts for rising day, June 12 and Thursday, and-grab finals win for the district title. during the remaining time. U9 boys’ and girls’ teams will June 14, from 5-6:30 p.m. at A pair of Langley man-advantage goals - a game- continue this Sunday, May 20. Lake Fairfax No. 4. tying score by senior Sean Ahearn, and the winner IN ADDITION TO AHEARN’S five goals and the The tryouts are for players from senior Mike Adams - deep into the fourth quar- Sibio score, Langley got four goals from Adams and born on or after Aug. 1, 2003. Great Falls Summer ter ultimately made the difference between the long- solo strikes from senior middies Slater Howell and Registration will be completed Camp registration is open. The time Liberty team rivals who battled to the end with Clay Rivers, and from sophomore attack/middie J. at the field so youngsters full day camp sessions will run the prospect of overtime looming as the final horn T. Meyer. should be accompanied by an June 18-22, from 9 a.m. to 4 approached. Strock joined attackers Kyle Mancini, a junior, and adult to provide necessary in- p.m. Soccer will be the focus of By building an 8-5 halftime lead and scoring the Brett Simeck, a sophomore, in supplying single goals formation. the camp in the morning ses- opening goal of the second half to make it 9-5, the for Madison, which also had junior goalie Matt Tryout dates, times and loca- sions, and the afternoon ses- Saxons looked to be settling into a steady stride to Hayden providing one of his own late in the opening tions: Sunday, May 20, 6-7:30 sions will focus on other games the evening’s finish line. But the Warhawks had other quarter. Junior attacker Nick Gabriel and junior p.m., at Lockmeade Park; Sun- and sports, including kick ball, ideas, and exploded for six goals in six minutes that middie Ian Cooke did much of the heavy lifting on day, June 10, 6-7:30 p.m., at frisbee, dodge ball, volleyball tipped the scales in their favor by two goals early in the Warhawks’ offense with each delivering a hat- Lockmeade Park. and other fun sports events. the final period. trick to go with a pair from senior attacker Kellen The rain date, if needed, will The half day morning ses- What seemed to be an imminent shift in Liberty Schmitz. be Friday, June 15 from 6 to sions for soccer will run from 9 supremacy was put on hold, however, when strikes Rowe claimed 24 of 29 face-offs in a productive 7:30 p.m. at Lockmeade Park. a.m. to noon on the following from Saxon senior Josh Sibio and then Ahearn erased performance at the center that was the engine of the Lockmeade Park is located at weeks: June 18-22; July 23-27; the deficit in a two-minute span, leaving final reso- Madison outburst early in second half play and an 1050 Riva Ridge Drive in Great Aug. 13-17. These sessions are lution in some doubt with an 11-11 score with eight imposing threat had the battle extended past regu- Falls. designed for soccer players who minutes remaining in regulation time. Senior Connor lation time. All Players should wear plain are looking for additional tech- Strock nudged Madison ahead once again, only to Spivey was credited with 11 saves while Hayden white T-Shirts (undershirt) to nical skills training, but in a less see Ahearn supply his fifth goal of the game - the turned back eight Saxon goal-bound attempts. The tryouts. Tryout officials will competitive and less intense Langley attacker also had four assists - to tie the score netminders were sharp at important moments but write a number in permanent environment than travel train- at 12 apiece at 3 minutes, 47 seconds showing on the two were just as busy picking the ball out of their marker on the shirts. The t- ing. The training programs will the clock. The game-tying score came early in an respective cages as both offenses had their shooting shirts should be worn each day be age-group appropriate. extra-man opportunity that came out of a slashing sticks in prime form for the district title encounter. of tryouts. Players will emerge from the infraction during a dangerous build-up by the Sax- On Tuesday, May 15 of this week, Madison head For more information, contact training camp with a greater ons on the counter-attack. coach Rich Hodge was set to lead his Warhawks (12- Great Falls Soccer’s Sam Bader love and understanding of soc- Warhawk junior Kyle Rowe, who excelled in the 5 overall, 7-3 district) against 11-5 Westfield at [email protected] cer. It is not a requirement to center spot re-starts throughout the night, thought (Concorde District) in a first round game of the 16- have played soccer, or to have he had given his side the lead again right out of the team Northern Region tournament. Langley head Great Falls Everton rising played soccer within the Great ensuing face-off. But the apparent goal was nullified coach Earl Brewer, meanwhile, was to see his top- U12 boys soccer teams will hold Falls Soccer Club programs. when the middie was judged to have entered the seeded Saxons (15-2, 10-0) from the Liberty enter- tryouts on the following dates: For more information go to crease area before the ball had gone into the net. tain Concord No. 4-seed Robinson (7-6, 4-3), also Wednesday, June 6, from 5-6:30 [email protected] However, Madison had a one-minute man advan- on Tuesday.

18 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News OPEN HOUSES SATURDAY/SUNDAY, Members of the Old Brogue Hockey winter MAY 19 & 20 2012 championship team, consisting of several Langley High School alumni.

Photos contributed Old Brogue Hockey Skates 919 Swinks Mill Road, McLean • $1,449,000 • Open Sunday 1-4 p.m. • Debbie Mesen, Weichert, 703-201-7723 Away with Fifth Title When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in this Connection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit www.ConnectionNewspapers.com and click on the “This Week in Real Estate” link. Inline hockey team wins Recently they re-formed and picked up their suc- Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times third straight championship.cess right where they left off, winning three champi- onships in a row, the most recent being a few weeks Burke ago. During this current run, they 5920 Burke Landing #201.....$220,000..Sun 1-3:30...... Julia Avent...... RE/MAX..703-346-3373 By Alex McVeigh posted a 14-1 regular season record Centreville The Connection and a 3-0 postseason record, scor- 15430 Meherrin Ct...... $569,999...... Sun 1-4...... Donny Samson...... Samson Props..703-864-4894 ing 123 goals and only allowing 42. 5132 Pleasant Forest Dr...... $1,135,000...... Sun 1-4...... Bob Scherbarth...... Century 21..703-477-1043 hris Bass is no “We were able to win the last stranger to the Old three seasons, which we didn’t nec- Clifton C Brogue. As a young essarily expect going in,” McMains 6609 Rock Lawn Dr...... $684,900...... Sun 1-4...... Ed Duggan...... Century 21..703-989-7735 man he was there on said. “An inline place closed last opening day in 1981 and hasn’t year so we added a few teams, and Fairfax 3220 Brookings Ct...... $724,999...... Sun 1-4..Mary Thyfault-Clark...... RE/MAX..703-587-5494 strayed too far since. In fact, now it was really competitive last sea- 3834 Prince William Dr...... $974,900...... Sun 1-4...... Ellen Ing...... RE/MAX..703-795-0648 he wears a jersey with the bar’s son, and it’s only going to get more name on it, as a member of the so.” Fairfax Station Old Brogue inline hockey team. The current team is made up of 11125 Henderson Rd...... $850,000...... Sun 2-4...... Pat Fales...... RE/MAX..703-503-4365 Bass, a Langley High School mostly Langley alumni, ranging 11808 Winterway Ln...... $799,900...... Sun 1-4...Cristina Dougherty...... Long & Foster..703-969-0471 graduate who currently teaches at from 1993 to 2009. 7300 South View Ct...... $834,800...... Sun 1-4....Barb White Adkins...... RE/MAX..703-609-8950 8303 Pinyon Pine Ct...... $757,000...... Sun 1-4....Christine Shevock...... RE/MAX..703-475-3986 Langley and owns Langley Real Jason Zuccari, a member of Estate serves as captain, coach and Langley’s Class of 2006, was a Kingstowne/Alexandria player for the team, which also player under Bass at Langley. He’s 7015 Achilles Ct...... $317,500...... Sun 1-4...... Bob Dooley...... Samson Props..703-581-5758 features a number of Langley The trophy for the Old played inline and ice hockey. alumni. Brogue inline hockey team, “It’s been nice reconnecting to McLean “I started teaching at Langley 13 commemorating their five people I haven’t seen in a while,” 1529 Hardwood Ln...... $1,050,000.....Sun 1- 4...... Jane Price...... Weichert..703-628-0470 8701 Georgetown Pike...... $3,000,000...... Sun 1-4...... Ron Cathell...... Keller Williams..703-975-2500 years ago and began coaching an championships. he said. “A lot of the guys on the 919 Swinks Mill Rd...... $1,449,000...... Sun 1-4...... Debbie Mesen...... Weichert..703-201-7723 inline hockey team,” he said. “It team were seniors when I was a grew pretty quick from about 10 kids playing after freshman, guys I hadn’t seen in 10 years, so it’s cool Oakton school with a folding goal, and soon we formed a to see how everyone’s life has brought them back to 10198B Ashbrooke Ct, #126...$256,900...... Sun 1-4...... Jim Fox...... Long & Foster..703-503-1800 team.” the area.” 2506 Hollybrook Pl...... $1,299,900..Sun 1:30-4:30...... Kelly Sweiter...... Long & Foster..703-905-7223 The team plays at the Dulles SportsPlex in Ster- Bass says the team is on a good run now, and he ling. They play a four-on-four game, wearing hip, hopes it continues. Potomac Falls 20365 Marguritte Sq...... $349,900...... Sun 1-4...... Viveca Kazarian...... Keller Williams..703-618-7677 shin and kneepads as well as gloves. The games are “This is our longest streak of playing together and serious, as the cast on Bass’s right wrist can attest, it’s been a lot of fun,” Bass said. “We lost a few play- Reston he was injured in the team’s most recent semifinals ers last season, but we were able to replace them, 1609 Apricot Ct...... $549,000...... Sun 1-4..Carolyn Pennington...... REMAX..703-283-9346 win. and now I think we have enough guys interested to “The game is a little bit faster, and with a lot more feed the system.” Springfield scoring,” Bass said. There are three seasons per year, summer, fall and 7503 Essex Ave...... $425,000...... Sun 1-4...... Joni Koons...... Weichert..703-209-7277 Games are on Thursdays and Sundays, and the winter, and the summer 2011, fall 2011 and winter 8230 Running Creek Ct...... $614,990...... Sun 1-4 ...... Ryan Rice...... Keller Williams..571-212-8339 8921 Grandstaff Ct...... $399,950...... Sun 1-4..Kathleen Quintarelli...... Weichert..703-862-8808 team doesn’t get much chance to practice together 2012 seasons all resulted in championships for Old besides game days. Brogue Hockey. Vienna “We have about five minutes before games to warm “Hopefully the summer 2012 trophy will have our 202 Pleasant St SW...... $899,999...... Sun 1-4...... Tammie Shedd...... Long & Foster..571-331-6532 up, and then we’re playing,” said Rob McMains, Lan- names on it as well,” Bass said. 9775 Oleander Ave...... $569,000...... Sun 1-4...... Angie Bresnahan...... Weichert..703-955-2510 gley Class of 2003. “But I think we’ve gotten a good 9874 Sweet Mint Dr, E...... $399,900...... Sun 1-4...... Moses Mazloom...... Keller Williams..703-338-1154 10334 Dunn Meadow Rd...... $825,000....Sun 1-4..Rich Liebermann..Richard Albin Liebermann..703-403-4885 feel for what everybody does, and we’re all pretty THE TEAM’S REACH has extended literally around 1295 Newkirk Ct...... $1,179,000....Sun 12-4...... Jin O’Neill...... Weichert..703-893-1500 responsive and talkative as the game is going on. the globe, with jersey sales coming from around the We’re able to communicate pretty well.” country and even Germany. Bass says the jerseys can To add your FREE Realtor represented regularly be found at Capitals games and even re- Open House to these weekly listings, AT ONE POINT in the early 2000s they had enough calls one instance where a friend of his saw a jersey please contact Salome Gaibler people to field three teams, two “junior varsity” and in Sonoma, Calif. at 703-778-9421 or one “varsity.” During their first iteration the team The summer season began May 3. More informa- [email protected] won championships in the winter of 2003 and 2004, tion can be found on Facebook under “Old Brogue All listings are due by Monday at 3 P.M. but after a while the team drifted apart. Hockey.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 19 703-917-6464 703-917-6400 Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls Employment Zone 6 Ad Deadline: Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls Classified Zone 6 Ad Deadline: • McLean • Vienna/Oakton Tuesday 11 a.m. • McLean • Vienna/Oakton Monday Noon

BUSINESS OPP BUSINESS OPP VET ASSISTANT 26 Antiques 21 Announcements 21 Announcements We pay top $ for antique TELEPHONE TELEPHONE Small animal hosp. Great Falls. Will furniture and mid-century A great opportunity to A great opportunity to Danish/modern train. 703-757-7570 • www.ourvets.com Employers: teak furniture, STERLING, WORK AT HOME! WORK AT HOME! MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTER NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTER and costume jewelry, No sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits! No sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits! paintings/art glass/clocks. MEDICAL OFFICE Are your Schefer Antiques @ 301-333-1900 301-333-1900 Busy friendly internal medicine office has 703-241-0790. Email:[email protected] ☎☎ Weekdays 9-4 ☎☎ ☎☎ Weekdays 9-4 ☎☎ opening for a medical assistant, LPN or RN. 8 to 11 AM. Monday - Friday. recruiting ads 28 Yard Sales Flexible schedule. Must be experienced Do you want to work for a company in blood draws. Office located at 123 & MOVING SALE TREASURES that rewards you every day? Burke Centre Pkwy. not working in May 19, 8:30-1:00pm Professional Healthcare Resources, a home care and Call Pat 703-764-4850. 6831 Melrose Dr Mclean hospice agency with 17 years of experience, has open- other papers? Furniture, HHE, tools, etc ings for Personal Care Aides (CNAs & Home Health Aides) in the McLean, Herndon, Chantilly, Sterling and Vienna Part-time, Temporary 29 Misc. for Sale areas. As well as the intangible reward of knowing you Administrative Assistant Needed are helping someone who needs you every day. We also Try a better For Sale: 47" Solid oak offer flexible scheduling for the right person. for Alternative Medical Practice pedestal dining room table For more information or to apply please call our Must be friendly, personable and know with 24" leaf. $300 or best job line at 703-752-8777 ext. 900. www.phri.com. way to fill Quickbooks. Must be good with computer offer. 703-473-4831 Please quote code NOVA3 when calling. skills on a PC. M-W 9:30 -5:30, Th 12-2; Friday 12-2 your Send resume to [email protected] employment 21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements ELECTRICAL ASSISTANT Nysmith School PROJECT MANAGER openings for the Gifted Herndon, VA Large electrical contractor has opening for Assistant Project Manager. Minimum North requirement 3 to 5 years experience in Potomac Nysmith School, Preschool through 8th Grade Rockville electrical or mechanical project 5 Hiring for 2012-2013 academic year management or estimating. Excellent Potomac benefits. Mail resume and cover letter to: Chevy College Degree Required: Great Bethesda Falls Chase • Preschool Co-Teachers Dynalectric Company, 22930 Shaw Road, Herndon Suite #100, Dulles, VA 20166 or Dulles Reston • Elementary Co-Teachers Airport 1 McLean • Middle School Co-Teachers email to [email protected]. Vienna Oakton 6 • Computers-knowledge of Photoshop Elements, No phone calls please. EOE Arlington Washington, Lego Mindstorms, MSWLogo, Storytelling Alice Chantilly 4 D.C. Centreville and XHTML a plus PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER Fairfax • Science (H.S. Level) Part/Full Time North Small bookkeeping firm in Vienna is looking Clifton • Math (H.S. Level) Part Time Historic Burke • Latin for an experienced bookkeeper to assist in Clifton Fairfax Springfield 3 full-charge bookkeeping assignments. Station 2 HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO Join our Playground Team! Applicant must be proficient in QuickBooks Laurel Looking for several people to assist teachers in monitor- Premier and QuickBooks Online accounting Hill ing children at recess on the playground. Fun and friendly software. A bachelor’s degree in Accounting environment – Flexible Hours. $12/hr. is preferred. Newspapers & Online Submit resume and salary requirement via Target your best job Send resumes to [email protected]; Fax 703-713-3336 e-mail to: [email protected] • candidates where CLASSIFIED DEADLINES they live. Zones 1, 5, 6...... Mon @ noon or a free digital sub- F Educational Zones 2, 3, 4...... Tues @ noon scription to one or all • Reach readers in addition to those E-mail ad with zone choices to: classified@connection of the 15 Connection Internships newspapers.com or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411 Newspapers, go to who are currently Unusual opportunity to EMPLOYMENT www.connectionnews looking for a job. learn many aspects of the DEADLINES papers.com/subscribe newspaper business. • Proven readership. Zones 5, 6...... Tues @ 11:00 Zones 1, 3...... Tues @ 4:00 Complete digital rep- Internships available in • Proven results. Zone 2...... Wed @ 11:00 lica of the print edition, reporting, photography, Zone 4...... Wed @ 1:00 including photos and research, graphics. E-mail ad with zone choices to: classified@connection ads, delivered weekly Opportunities for students, newspapers.com or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411 to your e-mail box. and for adults considering ZONES change of career. Unpaid. 703-917-6464 Zone 1: The Reston Connection Zone 4: Centre View North Questions? E-mail: The Oak Hill/Herndon Connection Centre View South goinggreen@connection E-mail internship@connec classified@connection Zone 2: The Springfield Connection Zone 5: The Potomac Almanac tionnewspapers.com newspapers.com The Burke Connection Zone 6: The Arlington Connection newspapers.com The Fairfax Connection The Vienna/Oakton Great Papers • Great Readers The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Connection Lorton Connection The McLean Connection Great Results! Zone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet The Great Falls The Mount Vernon Gazette Connection

20 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Home & Garden 703-917-6400 Zone 6: • Arlington • Great FallsHome & Garden Zone 6 Ad Deadline: • McLean • Vienna/Oakton connectionnewspapers.com CONTRACTORS.com Monday Noon

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that seems to have a mind of its own, and A young teenage girl and a parent stood Photos by Sangeeta Kum one which is mostly beyond my control to at the entrance of a trail leading to a prevent/manage its ugly head from rearing parkland. They ranged in age from 3-year whenever it pleases. As much as I pretend, as olds to middle-aged men and women. They much as I deny, as much as I compartmental- were all participating in the Sixth Annual ize, any and every thing that happens to me happens in the context of having cancer. Any Colvin Run Elementary School Fun Run. misstep, physically or emotionally, real or Mary Wells, who was accompanied by her imagined always brings me back to the ele- two children and her dog, had completed phant in every room in every house; in fact, seven laps when she paused for a photo-

ar that metaphorical elephant is in every closet, graph. Given that the fun run has been every drawer, on every television channel and dubbed as the “fund run” in the past, most Maria Wells of Vienna, with her sons Emrik and Oskar. Each of the Wells radio station; home or on the road; every- participants were walking or running for a did seven laps, except for the Golden Doodle who dropped out after where; especially and of course predomi- cause. “We haven’t picked a charity yet,” three laps. nantly, in my head, and originally in my lungs said Mary as she added that maybe the Fun and mediastinum, where it still remains, “stable,” for the moment. Run organizers have a charity picked out stand by their parents to answer the ques- She was accompanied by a parent who gave Whatever strategy I have employed in an for them. tion of the day: “So how many laps did you her name as Shan Shan and kept a close attempt to manipulate my circumstances, to Mary K and her daughter Katherine, who do?” A parent asked. Both girls flashed four tally of the rubber bands leaving the bucket. prevent cancer from getting the best of me attends Colvin Run Elementary had just fingers to indicate four laps a piece. The The Sixth Annual Colvin Run Elementary emotionally, always suffers a setback after a completed a lap each and were planning to rubber band bucket was getting depleted School Fun Run was marketed as a “a su- visit to my oncologist. As much as I’ve tried to give the funds they raised to an adoption of rubber bands at a fast rate. The bands per event that provides exercise to partici- make light of these appointments over the last charity or to the American Heritage Girls. were in a bucket that was attended to by a pants and financial support to charitable three years, having heart-to-heart, life-and- Emmy Brilliant and Grace Riihimaki had Joyce Kilmer student, Olivia Marcantonio, organizations,” Matt Kingsley said via email. death conversations with YOUR cancer doc- to be beckoned away from the refreshment who once attended Colvin Run Elementary. — Sangeeta Kumar tor, one who has already told you that he “can’t cure you, that he can only treat you,” is unsettling at best and downright depressing and mind-numbing at worst. Facing one’s own mortality at age 57 conjures two quotes from Curly Howard of The Three Stooges, a famous one and a funny one: “I’m a victim of soycumstance,” and “I’m too young to die, too handsome; well, too young, anyway.” Laughing in the face of adversity has been an ongoing and overriding pursuit of mine since being diagnosed with stage IV lung can- cer in February, 2009. Not that my circum- stances are anything to laugh about but, oddly enough, crying about them or “woeing” is me about them is a bit of a tired pursuit – for me. Sure I’ve cried and been curious why a lifelong non-smoker with no immediate family history of cancer could be diagnosed with a terminal disease at age 54, a Kathryn K, a 10-year-old at Colvin Run writes her mere eight weeks after burying my widowed family’s name on the Healing Table after completing mother. Nevertheless, life goes on, and it has, one lap. Her mother, who wished to be identified just Two 3-year-olds, Emmy Brilliant and Grace Riihimaki. as I’ve now outlived my original prognosis by years, causing my oncologist to say to me at as Mary K. said they hadn’t decided on a charity yet hold up four fingers when asked how many laps each the end of my most recent appointment (and but would likely give to The American Heritage Girls— of them did. the one I may be overreacting to in this col- a faith-based charity. umn): “It’s been a privilege treating you.” Words, as I say, “to live by.” Where I’m going in this column is a place I’ve never been: a new phase in my treat- ment, with new medications, new side effects, new consequences and new worries; all of which are unknown and unfamiliar to me. Presumably all of the above are simply more of the same – only different, if you know what I mean – (things I can handle, just calling them different things) meaning my concerns are more in my head than they are in my body. But I really won’t know until I’ve lived it. For the moment, I can only anticipate it. Knowing what I knew is much preferred to not knowing what’s new. And what lies ahead is definitely new. I can’t say anymore: “been there and done that” – I can only say that I’m glad – and privileged, to still be doing Olivia Marcantonio, a 13-year-old student at Joyce anything. Kilmer Middle School and alumni of Colvin Run El- Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. Sydney, a first grader at Colvin Run Elementary, writes ementary and Shan Shan—both volunteer at the her name on the Healing Table. She did two laps. rubber band stand at the Fun Run.

22 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 ❖ 23 JJanan DDanan www.GreatFallsGreatHomes.com

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24 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com