Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, v Page, 12 Performing on Chinese Poles at Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Luzia.’ Performances to June 17, 2018 under the Big Top at Tysons II. Entertainment, Page 10 v Opinion, Page 6 Cirque Two Sides to Two And a Half Cents News, Page 3 du Soleil’s ‘Natural Shocks’ At 1st Stage Dazzling News, Page 4 ‘Luzia’ Entertainment, Page 11 Photo by Matt Beard © 2017 Cirque du Soleil/Courtesy Soleil Photo April 18-24, 2018 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Executive Director of SafeSpot Named Ally in Prevention Award Winner Bootsie Humenansky has been named a 2018 Ally in Prevention by SCAN of North- ern Virginia. SCAN stands for Stop Child Abuse Now. Humenansky’s story begins as a volunteer. For 20 years, she made a difference for chil- dren in Fairfax County and beyond. She volunteered with the Washington Area Chapter of Childhelp USA as well as the Childhelp Children’s Cen- ter of Virginia. Humenansky worked on everything from developing a program for stu- dent athletes who work with abused children to being a spokesperson for the center to mentoring youth at the resi- dential center. These accomplishments were all leading to 2012 when the Childhelp Children’s Cen- ter closed unexpectedly, leav- ing Fairfax County without a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Humenansky refused to be- lieve Fairfax County couldn’t sustain a CAC, and began to Photo contributed research requirements, recruit NBC4’s Leon Harris (SCAN Honorary Board volunteers and gain IRS non- Member and emcee of the event); 2018 Ally in profit status. By 2014, Prevention Award Winner Bootsie SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Humenansky from Fairfax; and Sonia Center of Fairfax was able to Quiñónez, SCAN Executive Director. open its doors, ensuring that children who have been abused have a safe, her nominator. “She has enormous energy child focused environment where they can and her enthusiasm is infectious … she in- receive support, guidance and treatment spires each person she meets to help build from a coordinated team of professionals a better community.” and county agencies. While serving on the board, recruiting “When we had a vision of forming volunteers and raising funds to keep SafeSpot from scratch, we had no appre- SafeSpot growing (last year it had four ciation for the work required to pull to- employees and served 425 children), she gether the number of moving parts and never lost “her zeal for awareness-building parties that had to be linked together at the and abuse prevention education.” Today she federal and local government and commu- is an active participant in the Pinwheels for nity service organizations,” notes Prevention effort, inspiring pinwheel gar- Humenansky. “We were fortunate that nu- dens from Great Falls to Mount Vernon. merous friends, volunteers, and organiza- Bootsie also advocated for prevention edu- tions were willing to pitch in and provide cation programs in FCPS elementary guidance and help to be part of our vision.” schools, and is now a volunteer instructor “Bootsie is tireless in her efforts,” adds for the Speak Up Be Safe program. The fair will focus on student job seekers Bulletin (approximately 16-18 years old) looking for full time employment, after-school employment, seasonal positions, internship opportunities, or Submit civic/community announcements at volunteer experiences. Volunteer opportunities ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and and resume building workshops will be available artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at for younger students looking to begin to build least two weeks before event. their resume. Free. Pre-registration for students is recommended (not required) and can be done FRIDAY/APRIL 20 online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/ Great Decisions Discussion Group. 10 a.m.- teenjobfairs. Call the Hunter Mill District Office noon at Vienna Seventh-Day Adventist Church, at 703-478-0283 for more. 344 Courthouse Road, SW, Vienna. Discussion on China and America: The New Geopolitical SUNDAY/APRIL 22 Equation. Group meets from April 20, 2018-Nov. Service of Music. 11 a.m.-noon at Lewinsville 16, 2018. To view topic schedule: Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road, www.scov.org/files/ McLean. Join for a “Worship Service of Music, A 2018_great_decisions_flyer.pdf Thousand Ages: A Celebration of Hope.” The Cost is $27 (includes briefing book). Registration Chancel and Westminster Choirs will sing. “A required. Call 703-281-0538. thousand ages in your sight,” a line from Isaac Watt’s hymn paraphrase of Psalm 90, provides SATURDAY/APRIL 21 the inspiration for this celebration of hope. Free Teen Job Fair. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at South Lakes and open to the public. Call 703-237-0358 or High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston. visit www.lewinsville.org. 2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ April 18-24, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Two Sides to Two and a Half Cents school system to go under a similar lines of Supervisors to vote on business review that the county has gone through,” said Adams, who suggested that proposed budget, savings from collaboration between schools and the county could be identified. possible real estate tax “If at the end of that exercise, savings are not identified, then we must move forward increase on May 1. Helen Kelly, Louise Dale Stein, Kay Larmer, Leann Alberts, in a responsible manner that may mean rais- Herndon, Epstein, McLean McLean, Springfield, ing taxes once more or looking for possible By Ken Moore League of McLean Citizens Commission Disability Women Voters Citizens Association on Aging Services Board alternatives to property taxes that we have The Connection Association found to be so elusive here in the county,” said Adams. ames Parmelee was the seventh speaker before the Board of Su- THE PROPOSED $4.29-BILLION bud- Jpervisors on the proposed budget. get would transfer 54 percent of the total Following school personnel, to the school system to fully fund FCPS’s county employees and a speaker from the budget request. It would also fund pay in- PTA, Parmelee was the first to oppose the creases for teachers and county employees. proposed real estate tax increase. James Kimberly Arthur Purves, Phil Kofi Annan, Adams spoke for many others when she “I figured somebody in the room should Parmelee, Adams, Clifton Vienna Niedzielski- Fairfax County addressed quality of life. Centreville Eichner, NAACP try to speak for the average taxpayer,” said Oakton “Like so many here, I am happy to have Parmelee, a perennial opponent of taxes, amazing schools, fire and rescue profession- when he gave his opinion of the proposed als, human services, parks and libraries budget on the first of three days of public Their Own Words, A Glimpse within my reach. It is why my family lives comment. Kofi Annan, Fairfax County NAACP Dale Stein, president, McLean Citizens here,” she said, in the three minutes given More than 150 speakers testified, 158 “Fairfax County’s demographics are rapidly Association to each individual speaker. changing as you know. It is becoming increas- “MCA is concerned about the context of the signed up to speak, during the three days ingly diverse, and with these changes often increases in spending and the apparent lack of “All residents deserve an equitable oppor- the Board of Supervisors allotted to hear come a unique set of challenges. cost savings. MCA feels that each budget should tunity to succeed if they work hard, but from the public on the FY 2019 budget and “The county’s revenue outlook is the most include new efficiency, in operations particu- families that cannot afford homes in this proposed tax rate. The public comments promising it’s been in years. However the rate larly in budgets of $4.3 billion. ... “ area are a growing group. Many families of revenue increase is not reflected in the rate lasted more than 11 hours and 20 minutes. of investment in the poor and working class Louise Epstein, chair, McLean Citizens are working hard but there are not enough Advocates voiced passion on topics rang- communities. The low income Fairfax residents, Association’s budget and taxation good-paying jobs, not enough affordable ing from the environment, health and hu- a disproportionate amount of whom are minori- committee care options, and certainly not enough af- man services, people with disabilities and ties, will not automatically benefit from the “We really support teacher raises” while also fordable homes in this area. … I appreciate improved economy. Thousands will remain re- expressing concern about allotting millions for who are aging, early childhood education, liant on low-wage service sector jobs and many raises for administrators in the school system. it when you spend my tax dollars to sup- fire and rescue services, pay for public safety will not receive pay increases. Many of them port many who live in need alongside those personnel, the opioid epidemic, affordable will not be able to provide for their kids with Kay Larmer, McLean, Commission on of us who are doing well. We are Fairfax housing, diversity, mental health treatment, pre-K education or have access to affordable Aging County and the people who live here want housing. Therefore, we request that the county “We applaud your commitment to making school bonds and capital improvements, the direct greater attention and resources to serv- Fairfax a livable community for people of all an inclusive and welcoming community for triple A bond rating, the arts, libraries, com- ing the needs of the less fortunate among us.” ages. all.” petitive pay for teachers, and more. Annan expressed concern that the county is “Currently in Fairfax County, about one in underfunding Pre-K education for needy fami- seven residents are older than 65.