Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/...Apr 24, 2018 · Fairfax 50+ Employment Expo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial

Camps & SchoolsPage 9

Liam Redrup, 2, and mom Hanna sit inside a Fairfax County dump truck at Springfest held at the Sully Historic Site in Chantilly.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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April 25 - May 1, 2018 25 CENTS NEWSSTAND PRICE

Helping Children Fighting for their LivesNews, Page 2

Celebrating the EarthNews, Page 3

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We needlong- and short-term fosters for cats of all ages,mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Email [email protected].

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer atwww.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit the website, cl ick on Participate

See Helping, Page 11

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

It’s almost time for the second annualFestival to Fight Cancer. Put on byCentreville High’s Wildcats vs. Can-cer club, it’s set for Saturday, May 5,

and will be a neon, nighttime, glow run.Both the 1-mile fun run/walk and 2-milerace will be heldºonºCentreville’s track at6001 Union Mill Road in Clifton.

The fun includes a dance party on theinfield, DIY glow face-painting, a selfie sta-tion with props, vendors, raffle-prize draw-ings, plus a free pizza dinner and beverages.Participants will also receive commemora-tive T-shirts, and prizes will be awarded forthe best glowing costumes.

There’s free parking by the stadium, andthe event will be held, rain or shine. Run-ner check-in starts at 7 p.m., followed bythe dance party at 7:45 p.m. The 1-milerun/walk kicks off at 8 p.m.; after that willbe the raffle drawing and 2-mile race. Reg-istration is $20; sign up at https://runs i gnup . com/Race/VA/C l i f t on/FestivaltoFightCancer.

Centreville High senior Valerie Nguyenfounded the Wildcats vs. Cancer club at herschool in October 2015 while her youngersister, Cecilia, was battling the disease.

Nguyen had attended a camp for the sib-lings of cancer patients and was determinedto help other families going through thesame thing.

That first school year, the club attracted42 members and did activities andfundraisers to help children fighting can-cer. It now has 100 members, 75 active, and

continues to make a difference in people’slives.

“We’ve been really involved with the com-munity,” said Nguyen. “In January, we helda hat drive for pediatric cancer patients atInova Fairfax Hospital and donated about100 hats. We also volunteered at the holi-day parties that DC Candlelighters puts on

for these children and their siblings.”Lately, though, the club members have

been focusing on the upcoming race. Un-like the previous race, this one will be heldin May, not June, and will be a nighttimeaffair, instead of daytime. “The weather’swarming up, so it should be an ideal event,”

Helping Children Fighting for their LivesCentreville High’s Wildcats vs. Cancer club holds fundraiser.

From left: Wildcats vs. Cancer board membersSuksiri Lerditsomboon, Olivia Dinh and ValerieNguyen volunteering at the DC Candelighters’2017 Halloween party.

From left: Wildcats vs. Cancer club board membersLiyandra Aranjuez and Sakina Lashkeri play with achildhood cancer patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital’spediatric oncology education night.

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Centre View ❖ April 25 - May 1, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Sandy Stallman (left), with Green Spring Gardens, givesout containers planted with vegetable seeds.

Aya Birch, 6, holds a patentleather beetle.

Imran Khachaturov, 4 and a half, tries to pet a boxturtle at the Hidden Pond Nature Center table.

Celebrating the Earth at SpringfestSpringfest, Fairfax County’s official Earth Day and Arbor Day cel-

ebration, was held Saturday, April 21, at the Sully Historic Site inChantilly.

The Mulholland brothers(from left) Parker, 8, andChase, 10, pet Fern, a 2-and-a-half-month-old bunnyheld by Frying Pan Park’sPaul Nicholson.

Technician Tony Shockley tells Sayan Roy, 6, about thisambulance from Fire Station 15 in Chantilly.

Children play on a toy train.Young children playing in a “sandbox” fullof corn kernels.

From left are the Fairfax County Park Foundation’s Mar-garet Thaxton, Bobbie Longworth and Brooke Nielsen attheir informational booth.

Brynn Farley, 2 and a half,prepares to plant a leafclipping in some mud.

Aiden Demirhan, 3, throws a soccer ball at a target.

Elise Wheeler, 2, high-fives Buddy, the anti-bullying wolf,from the county Park Authority.

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Newspaper ofCentreville

Little Rocky RunA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

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Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]

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A Connection Newspaper

International Showcase in CentrevilleTalent and exoticfood on displayduring CIF’s 8thannual culturalcelebration.

The 8th annualCentreville Interna-tional Showcase washeld Saturday, April

21, at the Korean Central Presby-terian Church in Centreville. Thiscultural celebration sponsored bythe Centreville Immigration Fo-rum (CIF) included an interna-tional talent show, a silent auctionand 50/50 raffle, as well as exoticcuisine from a variety of local res-taurants. The evening highlightedthe cultural heritage of Centrevilleresidents from such countries asGuatemala, Ireland, India, Ghana,Peru and Korea.

Eric Rice-Johnstonplays the bagpipes.

Huellas de Centro America, originally from LondonTowne Elementary, performs.

Centreville High SchoolJunior Ricardo Avalos sings“Vivir Mi Vida.”

The Parade of Flags and Countries.

The Autoharp Group of Centreville SeniorCenter performs.

The O’Neill-James School of Irish Danceperforms.

Centreville Immigration Forum and Labor ResourceCenter’s (from left): Terry Angelotti, CIF Executive Direc-tor; John Cano, CIF Community Organizer; and SamanthaZaboli, Labor Center Manager. JUB Cultural Center Korean drummers perform.

“The Showcase is a wonderfulcoming together of so many di-verse groups and individuals in ourcommunity. I think it’s a testamentto the work that volunteers do

through the Labor Resource Centerand throughout the community en-couraging us to appreciate and en-joy all of the contributions from somany different groups,” said CIF

President Alice Foltz.For more information on CIF, go

to www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org

— Steve Hibbard

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See Calendar, Page12

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 25Adventures in Art. 7-8 p.m. at

Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Explorethe world of art through stories andart projects. Come dressed to getmessy. Ages 4-7 with a caregiver.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/chantilly-regional for more.

FRIDAY/APRIL 27Erin Peterson Fund Gala. 6:30 p.m.

at Foxchase Manor, 8310 ChatsworthDrive, Manassas. It has been 11 yearssince the college shooting that tookthe life of Erin Peterson. To honorher legacy, the Erin Peterson Fundwas established in 2007. Since itsinception the fund has awarded morethan $184,000 in grants andscholarships. The fund will hold itsInaugural Scholarship Gala with anevening of great food, fellowship andentertainment featuring musicalartist Clarence T. Brown, III. Visitwww.erinpeterfund.org/gala-sponorsfor sponsorship and ticketinformation.

SATURDAY/APRIL 28Fairfax Run for the Children. 8 a.m.

at Fairfax County CourthouseComplex, 4110 Chain Bridge Road,Fairfax. Join Fairfax Court AppointedSpecial Advocates (CASA) for the 8thAnnual 8K and 3K races. Thesuperhero-themed race attractsnearly 1,000 runners and walkers,250 volunteers, and raises almost$85,000 each year to support FairfaxCASA’s advocacy work with abusedand neglected children in thecommunity. Participants can enjoythe after race celebration, includingsuperhero meet and greets, a DJ, freefood, face painting, kids’ crafts, photobooth, and more. Visitwww.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com/.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 28-29Deco Expo. At the Dulles Expo Center

in Chantilly. The Washington D.C.Modernism Show, formerly known asthe Exposition of 20th CenturyDecorative Arts, or the Deco Expo,

will mark its 35th anniversary. Heldin the North Hall of the Dulles ExpoCenter adjacent to The D.C. Big Flea,running concurrently in the SouthHall. One admission is good for bothshows. Show hours are Saturday,April 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. andSunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 5p.m. The $10 admission is good forboth. Visit www.dullesexpo.com.

SUNDAY/APRIL 29Railroad Communications Event.

1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax StationRailroad Museum, 11200 FairfaxStation Road, Fairfax Station. Takepart in demonstrations of the manymeans by which railroadscommunicated vital informationthrough their networks. Ages 16 andolder, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 and under,free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org,www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call703-425-9225.

Coyote Campfire. 6:30-8 p.m. at E.C.Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road,Chantilly. Listen to coyote calls, takea short hike and make s’mores whileyou learn about this wily canine. Forparticipants ages 4 to adult. The costis $8 per person, and children mustbe accompanied by a registeredadult. Call 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.

MONDAY/APRIL 30Fairfax 50+ Employment Expo. 10

a.m.-2 p.m. at Fairfax Marriott at FairOaks, 11787 Lee Jackson MemorialHighway, Fairfax. Free admission.Sponsored by Fairfax County, JewishCouncil for the Aging, AARP Virginiaand and more. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 3-6Centreville Library Book Sale.

Thursday, noon-8:30 p.m.; Friday, 10a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-3 p.m. atCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive, Centreville.Proceeds benefit the library and itspatrons. Free admission. For moreinformation call the library at 703-830- 2223 or visitfriendsofcentrevillelibrary.blogspot.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 4-6Chantilly Library Book Sale. Friday,

May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday,May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, May6, 1-4 p.m. Chantilly RegionalLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. Great selection of gentlyused books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks for children and adults.Sponsored by Friends of the ChantillyRegional Library. Free admission.Call 703-502-3883 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events.

SATURDAY/MAY 5Civil War Fortifications Tour. 8:30

a.m.-4 p.m., meet for a brieforientation at 8 a.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.Blake Myers, noted Civil WarHistorian, will lead a tour of CivilWar fortifications in the Clifton areaas well as Centreville’s ConfederateMilitary Railroad, Saint John’sChurch and cemetery, Mount Gileadand several other preserved Civil Warfortifications. $20 for Museummembers, $30 for non-members. Visitwww.fairfax-station.org/tours.htmlor call 703-425-9225.

Annual Plant Sale. 9 a.m.-noon infront of Giant Food, 5615 StoneRoad, Sully Station, Centreville.Perennials, annuals and herbs forsale by Centreville Garden Club.

SuperheroesWanted

Join Fairfax Court Appointed SpecialAdvocates (CASA) for the 8th Annual 8Kand 3K races.

The superhero-themed race attractsnearly 1,000 runners and walkers, 250volunteers, and raises almost $85,000each year to support Fairfax CASA’s ad-vocacy work with abused and neglectedchildren in the community.

Participants can enjoy the after racecelebration, including superhero meetand greets, a DJ, free food, face paint-ing, kids’ crafts, photo booth, and more.Saturday, April 28, 8 a.m. at FairfaxCounty Courthouse Complex, 4110Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Visitwww.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com/.

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Entertainment

‘Snow Queen’Fairfax Ballet Junior Com-pany Member Heather Qianrehearses for her role asRose in Fairfax Ballet’s“Snow Queen,” May 19-20at Centreville High School.For more information andtickets, visitwww.fairfaxballet.com.


See Homes Tour, Page 7

News

The Clifton Community Woman’sClub is preparing the 46th An-nual Clifton Homes Tour andSilent Auction on Friday, May

18. Tour: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Silent Auction:10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Clifton PresbyterianChurch. Proceeds benefit their 501(c)(3)Charitable Trust and are distributed to lo-cal scholarships and charities.

There will be guided tours of four eleganthomes in Clifton. Tour a farm house builtin 1900 with furniture and antiques spe-cific to Virginia. In another home, see howbold colors and true Williamsburg stylecombine to create a fun family atmosphere.A third home balances natural elements and18th century proportion. Finally, don’t missthe Georgian hilltop manor with Virginia-made furniture, original artwork, and ac-tive artist’s studio. Free guided tours areoffered for two historic churches: CliftonBaptist Church (1910) and Clifton Primi-tive Baptist Church (1871). Visit Silent Auc-tion, Trinkets and Treasures, and wreathsale at the Clifton Presbyterian Church.

Tour tickets may be purchased in advanceat local shops, online atwww.cliftoncwc.org, and at the Clifton Pres-byterian Church the day of the tour. Tick-ets: $25 in advance, $30 the day of the tour,$10 for 1 home. Free admission to eventsat the Clifton Presbyterian Church. Visitwww.cliftoncwc.org or contact Kay [email protected] for more information.

The four homes on the tour include:

The Gaffney HomeThe Gaffneys’ Virginia Colonial Style

home sits on an elevated property inBalmoral of Clifton. Laurie and Peter fell inlove with Williamsburg, Va. early in theirmarriage while visiting Kingsmill on theJames for a golf trip. The Gaffneys thendesigned their Balmoral home in keepingwith Carter’s Grove, a historic home inWilliamsburg. Laurie was also inspired bya home in her own collectible Department

56 Christmas Village.Upon your entering the home, Laurie’s

love of Colonial Williamsburg is evident.Richly saturated paint colors and Frenchreproduction Thibault wallpapers adorn thewalls. Carefully selected Williamsburg tilescreate the fireplace surround in the elegantliving room. The large open family room isthe heart of the home and a tasteful blendof Colonial Williamsburg and modern dayfamily life. Laurie has a home-based bak-ing business, Clifton Cupcakes. The gener-ous kitchen with double ovens and amplecounter space is home to many tasty cre-ations. A restful seating area with a fire-place off of the kitchen is the perfect spotfor a cup of afternoon coffee and a goodbook. This area provides access to an out-side patio with hot tub, dining area, and anoutdoor fireplace and seating group.

The fully finished basement houses a cus-tom bar, air hockey, pool table, media area,music room, guest room, and Peter’s soft-ware business. Always the house where thekids like to go, this space is perfect for fam-ily fun and action-packed entertaining.

You can reach the second level by eithera front foyer staircase or a back staircasefrom the kitchen. The master suite isadorned with a dramatic Drexel Heritagebed, chaise lounge and crystal lamps. Anopen walkway takes you to the adjoiningboys’ bedrooms and a girl’s room with aprivate bath.

Attention to detail, bold use of color, anda true Williamsburg style make this an el-egant family home.

Floral Designs by the Dominion ValleyGarden Club

The Healy HomeThe Healys designed and built this im-

pressive Balmoral home in 1997. Tom Healyis a builder and you will appreciate hismastery of classical eighteenth century pro-portion and detail in the timeless facade.Inside, he and his wife Mary Beth chosearchitectural ornamentation from the sameperiod, such as large cased openings,Corinthian pilasters, Palladian windows, a

The Gaffney home. The Healy home.

Free tours of two churches will be offered as an added feature forthe Clifton Homes Tour on Friday, May 18. Clifton Baptist Churchwas built in 1910.

Four Homes to See at Clifton Homes Tour and Silent Auction

The Clifton Primitive Baptist Church was built in 1871.

The 46th annual eventis set for May 18.

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The Jackson home. The Mulrooney home.

From Page 6

Homes Tourbroad staircase and warm hardwoodfloors—walnut on the main floor and cherryupstairs.

This is a home built with family gather-ings and entertaining in mind. A recentrenovation created one open space incor-porating the kitchen, casual dining and fam-ily room. Here the furnishings are on a largescale, including a farmhouse trestle tablewith ladder back chairs, the family roomwith coffered ceiling, stone fireplace andrich leather seating fit for a crowd. The newkitchen will make you swoon. It is as beau-tiful as it is functional. Soft cream cabinets,a stone accent wall, deluxe appliances, belljar pendant lights, and a raised fireplace allsurround the star of the show which is ahuge island topped by a dramatically pat-terned slab of granite and inset with a ham-mered copper sink. Nearby, Tom’s study isreplete with references to his favorite pas-times, most of which have to do with foot-ball, skiing and fishing. Pocket doors leaddirectly to the most inviting home gym,surrounded by three walls of windows over-looking the backyard. Even the couchiestof potatoes would be hard pressed to resista quick workout here.

Another great family hangout is the lowerlevel which was just renovated this year.There is something for every generation toenjoy with a pool table, air hockey, mediaroom, a portable sauna and a spectacular1,200 bottle wine room.

On your way out, stop by the pool whichis beautifully landscaped for privacy. It in-cludes a stone patio with fire pit, hot tub,built in grill and a charming furnished poolhouse. This is just one more spot for theHealys to gather for special times with theirfamily and friends.

PARKING: On the street. Floral designsby The Clifton Community Woman’s Club

The Jackson HomeThe Jacksons’ classic Georgian manor

commands a hilltop position in Glencairnsurrounded by stately trees and sweeping

lawns. A gracious foyer sets the stage forthe rest of the house with its curved stair-case, marble floors, exquisite Regency styleMaitland-Smith furnishings, and a hugeAmerican Rococo giltwood pier mirrormade in Philadelphia in 1860 and still hous-ing its original mercury glass. The adjacentcherry paneled library is Scott’s domain,surrounded by sentimental references to hisfamily’s heritage as Texas cowboys. It’s allhere—longhorns, found animal skulls, an-cestral photos, and a large FredericRemington reproduction sculpture. TheJacksons also own “Senterfitt Farms” inMadison, Virginia, purveyors of excellentbeef to all of us who shop at Wegmans.

Themes echo as you continue through thedining room and beyond. Look for palaceOriental rugs, elegant Maitland-Smith fur-niture, other wooden pieces crafted by E.A.Clore Sons, their neighbors in Madison, andBlair’s whimsical collections—hands, tea-pots, miniature chairs. She also displayscherished heirlooms such as a delicate dressfrom her infancy, her mother’s cut glass col-lection in the dining room display cabinetand perfume bottles on her dressing table,a large soup ladle from Lady Bird Johnson,and a magnificent silver tea service whichwas an engagement gift to her grandpar-ents. All of these riches notwithstanding,the unique treasures of this home are onthe walls and come from Blair’s own hand.She is a master photographer and quintes-sential artist. She is the president of the Met-ropolitan Washington Colored Pencil Soci-ety. For most of us, this is the first time wewill see this medium extensively exhibitedin all of its meticulous and vibrant artistry.Her works adorn each room in abundance,along with pieces by her similarly talentedfriends. Works by her sister-in-law, Kay Jack-son, are in a different style and just as dis-tinctive — oils on wood panels with gold,palladium, and silver leaf. To get a glimpseinto the mind and method of an artist, don’tmiss Blair’s studio, housing a large draftingtable, thousands of colored pencils andother supplies, and “idea boards” to inspireher work.

PARKING: On the street. Floral designsby The Garden Club of Fairfax

The MulrooneyHome

The Mulrooney Home is located a halfmile outside of the historic Clifton. In the19th century this property sat on 140 acres.This house was burned during the Civil Warand rebuilt afterwards. The house burnedagain in 1900 due to a kitchen fire. The1900 house is a two over two Virginia farmhouse – two rooms on the first floor andtwo bedrooms above them. The many hand-made bricks found on the property from anearlier structure are used to edge the southfacing old well garden.

You feel you are walking into a specialplace from the past when you walk to thefront door up the front brick walkway un-der the two old silver maples. You enter thehome’s main parlor which has a wood burn-ing fireplace, the original 1901 heart pinefloors and staircase banister. A beautifulantique walnut drop front desk is locatedto the right of the fireplace. Antique fash-ion advertising prints for ladies’ wear from1899 to 1901 decorate the wall over thecouch. A primitive bench sits outside thesmall coat closet under the stairs.

An addition with a kitchen, bath, andmaster bedroom was added in between1920 and 1950. A large addition for a fam-ily room, master bedroom and mudroomwas built in 1991. The kitchen was reno-vated in 2005. Additional upgrades andremodels were done to all the baths in 2014.Attention to detail and traditional designhas kept these modern upgrades true to theperiod of the original home.

The old laundry room in the back nowhouses two old pieces from the great grand-son of Robert E. Lee. This room exits to acharming side porch with a new slate floor.More pieces from the Robert E. Lee familycan be found in the family room, a primi-tive trunk and a painted green chest.Jackie’s black and white family photos, an

antique tobacco knife from Richmond, 1935radio, and miniature oil lamps also adornthe family room. The dining room is fur-nished with her grandmother’s Kittinger setwith its handmade needlepoint on the chairseats. It also houses her collection of an-tique teacups, crystal and paperweights.Colorful handmade Persian rugs can befound throughout the home.

The second story with its original banis-ter and railing also boasts heart pine floors.Jackie restored the trim on the 1850s wal-nut Lincoln bed in the south guest bedroom.An 1850s “butter print” chest and Victorianframes complement this period room. Fourantique German exotic bird prints hang inthe upper hallway.

The new master bedroom and masterbath have cathedral ceilings. The originalmaster bedroom is now the master bedroomsitting room. A small French inlaid antiqueside table in the master bedroom is verysimilar to the one in the opening of the PBSseries Downton Abbey. An early Americanantique dresser from a West Virginia estatesits opposite the bed. The gardens under-went a renaissance from 2005 to 2014 toinstall deer-resistant foundation plantingsincluding box woods, lamb’s ear, Englishlaurels, Goshiki false hollies and spireas toname a few. An abundance of birds includ-ing a golden eagle have been spotted. Arenovated four-stall barn circa 1940 withtack room and wash room sits at the end ofthe driveway. Jackie’s herb garden is locatedbehind the barn. A regulation size dressagering is situated on the southeast side of theproperty. The Mulrooneys do not havehorses but use the five acres to rescue andrehabilitate German Shepherds. Addition-ally, they have set aside 3 acres as a butter-fly sanctuary. The milkweed and butterflybushes bring twelve different species ofbutterflies in summer.

PARKING: A shuttle will run from thePresbyterian Church to this home. The tripis less than five minutes. Please park at thePresbyterian Church or nearby.

Floral Designs by the Rocky Run GardenClub.

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A bill proposed by a team of four Centreville HighSchool seniors will become Virginia law in July. Thebill will make it mandatory for 911 call centers toaccept text messages.

Team members Thu Le, Rodolfo Faccini, ArkoMazumder, and Daniel Strauch, students of CathyRuffing and Terri Ritchey, proposed the bill as partof a project in their Advanced Placement (AP) Gov-ernment class. state Sen. George Barker (D-39) in-troduced SB418 to the Virginia General Assembly.The bill was signed by Gov. Ralph Northam and willbecome law July 1.

Each year, senior government students atCentreville High experience the lawmaking processas participants, writing bills related to problems orissues in Virginia. Among the ideas for bills this yearwere to outlaw the sale and use of neonicotinoids toreduce honeybee devastation; prohibit citizens withrecords of child abuse or endangerment to work as a

substitute teacher; exempt menstrual products fromsales tax; prohibit smoking in state and local parks;forbid large trucks to use the fast lane on highways;decrease the speed limit in school zones to 15 mph;and change domestic violence from a Class 1 misde-meanor to a Class 6 felony.

Le, Faccini, Mazumder, and Strauch defendedSB418 before the Senate Commerce and Labor Com-mittee in January. According to teacher CathyRuffing, “One of the most compelling arguments forthe bill was the lack of text 911 service during theVirginia Tech shootings.

Students were afraid to speak (because of the ac-tive shooter) but Montgomery County did not ac-cept texts to 911. Students were texting friends andparents who called 911 but were reaching the 911service where they reside, then being connected toMontgomery County. Obviously, this cost preciousmoments in such a crisis.”

The Centreville High School students who proposed the bill with teacher Cathy Ruffingand state Sen. George Barker.

Students’ Proposal Becomes Law

Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police

Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspec-tions Thursday, April 26, from 5-8:30 p.m., at thestation, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No ap-pointment is necessary.

But residents should install the child safety seatsthemselves so technicians may properly inspect andadjust them, as needed.

Because of time constraints, only the first 35 ve-hicles arriving on each date will be inspected. Thatway, inspectors may have enough time to properlyinstruct the caregiver on the correct use of the childseat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm datesand times.

Erin PetersonFund Plans Gala

It has been 11 years since the Virginia Tech shoot-ing that took the life of Erin Peterson. To honor Erin’slegacy of academic excellence, her kindness, andempathy for those in need, the Erin Peterson Fundwas established.

Since its inception the fund has awarded more than

$184,000 in grants and scholarships.On Friday, April 27, the fund will hold its Inaugu-

ral Scholarship Gala at Foxchase Manor in Manassas.Participants will hit the red carpet at 6:30 p.m. foran evening of food, fellowship and entertainmentfeaturing musical artist Clarence T. Brown, III. TheErin Peterson Fund (EPF) was established May 9,2007 as a result of gifts and monetary donations fromall over the United States.

The Fund, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization,continues Erin’s legacy to work to change the livesof young people.Visit http://www.erinpeterfund.org/gala-sponors for sponsorship and ticket information.

Clean OutMedicine Cabinets

Take advantage of a free, convenient, confiden-tial, and safe disposal of unused or expired medica-tions during Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanouton Saturday, April 28. Drop off medications (pills orliquids only, no pressurized canisters or needles) atthe Fair Oaks District Station, 12300 Lee JacksonMemorial Highway, Fairfax, or the Sully District Sta-tion, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, between10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Roundups


Camps & Schools

By Marilyn Campbell

One of the great pleasures ofsummer is going to camp.From kayaking and rockclimbing to horseback riding

and sailing, camp is a place where lifelongmemories are created. A recent study by thenon-profit, global policy think tank RANDCorporation shows that voluntary summerprograms like camp have a significant, posi-tive impact on low-income students duringa time when they fall behind their wealthierpeers both academically and socially.

Katie Crump, a case manager at InterfaithWorks, a non-profit organization dedicatedto helping the poor and underserved, saysthat the luxury of summer camp ofteneludes those who need it most.

“The opportunity of attending a real sum-mer camp is a big thing for them. Unfortu-nately, this experience can be unattainabledue to the high cost and finding transpor-tation among other things,” said Crump.“Attending summer camp affords kids a spe-cial and important experience that’s all theirown. It allows kids to be kids, somethingthat is particularly vital for low-income chil-dren who are often forced to deal with theburdens of adulthood at a young age.”

Despite the cost of summer camp, keep-ing children engaged during the stretch oftime between June and August when schoolis not in session is a critical part of their

development, says Jerome Short, Ph.D.,associate professor of psychology at GeorgeMason University.

“Summer camps give opportunities forchildren to develop social, emotional, cog-nitive, and behavioral skills,” he said. “Someresearch shows that higher [socioeconomicstatus] children increase academic and be-havioral skills over the summer and lower[socioeconomic status] children lose skillsover the summer. Research shows that lower[socioeconomic status] children benefitfrom learning social and behavioral skillsin different settings with new peers andchallenges to apply their skills.”

Even with limited resources, summercamps can still be accessible, says TomRosenberg, president and CEO of the Ameri-can Camp Association (ACA). “There is acamp for every budget,” he said “[Most]ACA-accredited camps provide some formof scholarship assistance. Reach out to thecamp directly to ask about specific finan-cial aid and scholarship options.”

The RAND study also showed that eventhough low-income students can lose up totwo months of math and reading skills over

the summer, high-quality summer programscan bridge that gap. Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)camps are an example of programs that canbe effective, but possibly unaffordable forsome families.

Wolftrap and Colvin Run elementaryschools in Fairfax County will be the site ofa non-profit STEM camp called Camp In-vention. Organized by the National Inven-tors Hall of Fame (NIHF), the hands-on pro-gram is designed for children in kindergar-ten through sixth grade. Through activitieslike building robots and designing gadgets,campers get a sense of what it’s like to be aphysicist or engineer.

“The program has sponsors that providefunding that’s used to helpunderrepresented kids attend the camps,”said Ken Torisky, spokesman for NationalInventors Hall of Fame. “The money is dis-tributed to students by the school district.”

Options for financial assistance for sum-mer camp run the gamut from discounts fordependents of those serving in the militaryto camp funding offered by churches, syna-gogues, and civic organizations. “I wouldsuggest to parents that they look into theirchild being sponsored by a local businessto attend a camp or look into payment planoptions at a camp that they are interestedin attending,” advised Stacie Gottlieb, di-rector, Bullis Summer and Extended Day

Programs in Potomac, Md.While Bullis does not offer financial as-

sistance for summer camp, Gottlieb saysthat there are discounts for early registra-tion and registering for multiple weeks ofcamp.

Parents should check to see if a camp par-ticipates in U.S. government assistance pro-grams, particularly those with income eli-gibility requirements, like Title XX, advisesRosenberg. While it might be too late forthis summer, he encourages parents to ex-plore Dependent Care Flexible SpendingAccounts and a Child and Dependent Caretax credit through the FSA Feds website:https://www.fsafeds.com/.

“I generally think lower income childrenbenefit when they have access to the sameopportunities as upper-income children andalso gain cultural skills and knowledge im-portant to upward mobility when they haveopportunity to interact with upper-incomekids,” said Amy L. Best, Ph.D., professor andchair, Department of Sociology and Anthro-pology at George Mason University. “I alsothink upper-income kids gain mightily whenthey have genuine interactions with kidsfrom other class backgrounds. Becauseempathy, cross cultural understanding, andan ability to work in diverse groups are skillsthat this new century demands, having op-portunities to hone those skills are of valuefor all involved.”

MoreCAMP INVENTIONhttp://campinvention.org/

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCEhttps://www.fsafeds.com/

Affording Summer Camp For families with a limited budget,paying for camp can be a challenge.


News

Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) marketingstudents from Centreville High School and the FairOaks Classroom on the Mall program opened theannual Fair Oaks Prom Dress Shop earlier this month.The dress shop, which has been in business for 12years, has helped hundreds of financially challengedstudents attend prom in style each spring.

Donations of stylish, high-quality, dry-cleaned promdresses and select accessories can either be droppedoff in the main office of Centreville High School be-tween the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or at theshop in Fair Oaks Mall during the shop hours listedbelow.

Centreville High School Fashion Marketing stu-dents started collecting donated dresses in 2006 asa way to combine their interests in fashion with com-munity service. They came to the conclusion that stu-dents would not feel comfortable “shopping” for a

dress at school. They decided to set up the shop inanother location to give students a more authenticshopping experience, which led them to partner withthe Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program.

The Fair Oaks Prom Dress Shop is located on thelower level of Fair Oaks Mall behind the barricadebetween the Sleep Number store and Helzberg Dia-monds. Students from any area high school — notjust FCPS — who are in need of a prom dress and donot have the funds to purchase one can come andchoose from hundreds of donated dresses and ac-cessories. They must show a valid student ID, or otherform of school identification, in order to anony-mously select a free dress during the following storehours: Friday, May 4, 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 5, 2to 5 p.m.; Sunday, May 6, 1 to 4 p.m.; Friday, May25 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 26, 2 to 5 p.m.; andSunday, May 27, 1 to 4 p.m.

Making Prom Dreams Come True


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Not that deadlines don’t happen in thenewspaper business; of course they do, everyTuesday for us weeklies. But when combinedwith my usual post-chemotherapy malaise, itis a bit more challenging. More so when thedeadline is tightened up due to the nature ofhitting and occasionally missing in-house com-munications, which is also not unreasonablegiven the multiple demands multi taskingimposes.

Compounding this task even more is thatuntil I’m back to semi post-chemo normal, inthe interim, I am not eating too much, notsleeping well, have low energy (related to theprevious two deficiencies), my hands areshaky, my balance is off and I’m having somedifficulty focusing. It’s a good thing I’m sittingat a desk while attempting to write this col-umn because operating any heavy machinerywould definitely be out of the question. WhatI need to do is mind my own business.

Business which at the moment involvesfending off my buff-colored male cat, Chino,as he angles to sit on my writing pad as I movehim from left to right – and then right to leftsince he won’t take “Chino, move!” for adirective. But if I know anything, other thanwhat to expect post chemo, I also know whatto expect from Chino – or any of the othercats we manage: independence, as any fellowcat owner knows. Unlike a “true and loyaldog,” a cat, generally speaking, is not inclinedto respond to your commands, well, too manyof them, anyway. Nor are they likely torespond to any physical discipline and/orpushing/pulling/redirecting. Invariably, if youpush, they pull. If you pull, they push.

How Chino knows I’m not feeling well andon an unanticipated and abbreviated dead-line, I’ll never know. But rather than leave meto it, he’ll interfere every way possible: nuz-zling, nudging, leaning, rubbing, meowing,moving about and plopping down when allelse fails. If you love cats as we do, this is theircharm. If you don’t love them and their antics,I can see how this kind of behavior can bevery frustrating.

I mean, with all this activity, it’s difficult tothink about what I’m supposed to be doingwhen I’m so busy preventing things from get-ting done. I imagine Chino thinks he’s doingme a favor, being so affectionate and so in theway. Maybe he thinks he’s contributing to thecreative process by sitting in the middle of mywriting pad? In a way, maybe he is. He’s forc-ing me to concentrate. Moreover, he’s forcingme to focus on this most immediate taskwhich, at the moment, has me fending him offwith my left wrist while I’m scribbling prosewith my right hand. Oddly enough, it mightbe working as I’m three-quarters finished withthis column which 30 minutes ago was aweekend task until it became a today/Tuesdaytask.

Now if I didn’t have a CT scan and lowerabdomen MRI scheduled for Wednesday, I’dhave a bit more time to sort out the details ofwriting this column. Unfortunately, post-chemo, mid-newspaper deadline and pre-scan is a triple threat which sometimes canimpose its will. A ‘will’ which I take personallyso I will persevere and complete this columnwith one final paragraph now that Chino hasleft my desk and likely ended up on someunoccupied couch to sleep; he’s had a bigday.

All kidding aside, if there’s one behavior Ineed more than any other during these dead-line triple threats, it’s companionship. Becauseof Chino and our other four cats: Andrew,Sloane, Biscuit and Twinkle, I am never aloneand always have someone to talk to who,occasionally talks back. Not that we under-stand one another, but it’s giving and getting,and it’s loving and affecting – me and my can-cer; and everything in between.

You MeanTomorrowTuesday?Helping

From Page 2

News

said Nguyen. “We have a deejay for thedance party on the turf field, the raffle willbe held throughout the evening and a pizzadinner from Domino’s is included in theregistration price.”

Raffle items include gift cards to severalrestaurants, including Dickey’s Barbecue Pitand P.F. Chang’s, and to hair salons includ-ing Mara Hair Studio. Peterson’s Ice CreamDepot in Clifton is donating a pass for freeice cream for the season, and movie ticketsand other entertainment opportunities willbe raffled off, as well.

This year, allºevent proceeds will go toTeam Mathias (https://www.teammathias.org/). Nguyen hopes150 people will sign up to participate; hergoal is to raise more than $10,000 for thischarity. For more information, contact therace director [email protected].

“We chose Team Mathias because hepassed away at the age of 13 due to osteosa-rcoma [cancer of the bone] – the same typeof cancer my sister had,” said Nguyen.“Cecilia was also 13 when she died, so we’redoing this festival in her memory, too. Byholding this event, we hope to illuminateCecilia’s spirit. She may be physically gone,but her bright soul lives within each of usthrough our actions in honor of her.”

But there’s another reason, as well, andit’s important, too, said Nguyen. “Not onlywill this make people more aware of child-hood cancer, but they’ll realize that this canhappen to anyone,” she said. “And for usable-bodied people, it’s our obligation andresponsibility to stand up for children andfamilies who are busy fighting for theirlives.”

Bulletin Board

SUNDAY/MAY 20Young Women Leadership Program. U.S.

Rep. Barbara Comstock R-10) is acceptingapplications for the summer 2018 session of the10th Congressional District Young WomenLeadership Program. This program providesyoung women enrolled in middle school andhigh school the opportunity to meet and interactwith women in leadership positions ingovernment, medicine, technology,philanthropy, business, and more. This programis scheduled to begin mid-June and willcontinue through the end of August. Thedeadline to apply is Sunday, May 20. Call 202-225-5136 or visit comstock.house.gov.

REVIVE! Training. 3 p.m. at 4213 Walney Road,Chantilly. REVIVE! trains individuals on what todo and not do in an overdose situation, how toadminister naloxone, and what to do afterwards.Each attendee also receives a free REVIVE! kit,which includes all the supplies needed toadminister naloxone. The medication itself canbe acquired at a pharmacy after completing thetraining. Attendees also receive a safety plan tohelp individuals prevent overdose if theyrelapse. REVIVE! is a program of theCommonwealth of Virginia that makes naloxone(Narcan) available to lay rescuers to reverseopioid overdoses. Opioids include licitmedications like hydrocodone and oxycodone, inaddition to illicit drugs like heroin. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/facility/a-new-beginning for moreinformation. Advance registration required at703 502-7021 or 703 502-7016.

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.


From Page 5

Entertainment

Proceeds maintain planter boxes at SullyGovernmental Center and other civicprojects. Learn more atcentrevillegardenclub.blogspot.com,[email protected] orcall 703-830-3271.

Derby Day in Centreville. 5:30-7p.m. at Alto Plaza, 5800 OldCentreville Road, Centreville. NOVAGOP PAC Kentucky Derby DayFundraiser. Be on the HostCommittee as a sponsor of the eventfor as little as $100 which includes 2tickets to the event. Consider joiningthe Host Committee at the higherlevels, such as Patron ($250-5tickets), Benefactor ($500-10 tickets)

or Co-Host ($1,000-20 tickets).Donate online at https://www.campaigncontribution.com/contribution.asp?id=1556&jid= orby mailing a check toNorthernVirginiaGOP.com, 13680Bent Tree Circle, #403, Centreville,VA 20121. Call 703-502-0161.

Clifton 5K Run. 6-9 p.m. in the Townof Clifton, at the intersection ofClifton Road, Newman Road andMain Street. Calling all runners andwalkers – register for the 21st AnnualClifton Caboose Twilight Run, a 5Krun and a 1-mile run/walk that windsits way through scenic Virginia horsecountry. The family-friendly eventincludes a post-race party withrefreshments and live music. 5k run,$21; 1-mile fun run/walk, $15. Visit

www.signmeup.com/123989 toregister by Wednesday, May 2; afterMay 2, register on site. Call 703-968-0740 or visit www.cliftonva.org/events/clifton-5k-race.

Festival to Fight Cancer. 6:30 p.m.at Centreville High School track,6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton.Centreville’s Wildcats vs. Cancer clubis holding a neon, nighttime, glowrun featuring a 1-mile fun run/walkand 2-mile race. The fun includes adance party on the infield, DIY glowface-painting, a selfie station withprops, vendors, raffle-prize drawingsand free, post-race food andbeverages. Prizes will be awarded forthe best glowing costumes. Signupsare now open to participate atrunsignup.com/Race/VA/Clifton/

FestivaltoFightCancer. Registration is$20 and, this year, all proceeds willgo to Team Mathias(www.teammathias.org/). [email protected] formore.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 5-6Two-Day HO Gauge Model Train

Show. Saturday, noon-5 p.m.;Sunday, noon-4 p.m. at the FairfaxStation Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.The Fairfax Station Railroad Museumwill host the Potomac Module Crewand their HO Gauge model trains.Ages 16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4and under, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/

FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 9Shore Stories. 6:30-9 p.m. at

Centreville Library, 14200 St.Germaine Drive, Centreville. Join usfor a Special Screening andDiscussion of Shore Stories, exposingthe impacts of offshore drilling oncoastal communities and the climate.Free. Email [email protected] orvisit virginia2.sierraclub.org/.

SATURDAY/MAY 12Liberty Vendor Fair. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

at Liberty Middle School, 6801 UnionMill Road, Clifton. Admission is free.Email [email protected].

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

DOCENTS WANTED.Docents Needed. Sundays 1-4 p.m. at

the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road in FairfaxStation. Greet museum visitors andtell them about the exhibits, themuseum and the its railroad and CivilWar history. Ideal for people wholive in the Fairfax, Burke, Clifton orFairfax Station area and want tocontribute to the local communitythrough volunteerism. This is aperfect opportunity for thoseinterested in railroads, the Civil Warand Northern Virginia history.Training and orientation provided.Other volunteer opportunities aregardening, publicity and exhibitplanning. Call Michael at 703-945-7483.

SATURDAY/APRIL 28A Community Conversation about

the Opioid Crisis. 1-5 p.m. atEpiphany Episcopal Church, 3301Hidden Meadow Drive, Herndon. Forstudents in 7th-12th grades and theirparents. Register online atepiphanyes.org/occc. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/news/2018/battling-opioid-crisis.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 4-6Volunteers Needed to Pack Meals.

Friday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday,9 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Dulles Expo Center,4320 Chantilly Shopping Center,Chantilly. Community members willfight world hunger by packing foodfor starving children through apartnership between New HopeChurch (Lorton) and nonprofit FeedMy Starving Children (FMSC). Visitwww.2018foodfight.com.

THURSDAY/MAY 17Safe Driving While Aging. 9:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. NV Rides will hostworkshops offering tips and bestpractices to help older drivers stay onthe road safely, and for as long aspossible. Free. RSVP requested [email protected] or 703 537-3070.

TUESDAY/MAY 22Primary Candidate Forum. 6-7:30

p.m. at Chantilly High SchoolAuditorium, 4201 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. Free. Last chance to hearfrom all six Democratic candidatesfor the 10th Congressional Districtbefore the June 12th imary vote.Robert McCartney, Senior RegionalCorrespondence and Associate Editorfor the Washington Post, will be themoderator. Visitwww.sullydemocrats.org.

Bulletin Board

Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/...Apr 24, 2018 · Fairfax 50+ Employment Expo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial

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