HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStyle - Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/...2015/12/09 · with,” said Damers. “It’s ballet and jazz dancing with narration.

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HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 9

‘Ho-Ho Holiday Show’Some of Westfield High’s “Ho-Ho Holiday Show” directors are: (back row, fromleft) Morgan Perigard, Savara Gunn, Bridget Poindexter, Meredith Mehegan,Catherine Crossett and Andrew Sharpe; (middle row, from left) Alexa Tucker,Connor Rudy and Misha Mullany; and (in front) Sarah Damers. See story, page 3.

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By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

The Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors recentlyapproved a developer’s

plan for the Trinity Centre inCentreville. As a result, 355 apart-ments will be built there, ameni-ties will be added around the lakeand the county will receive finan-cial contributions.

Once envisioned as the heart ofCentreville — a place wherepeople would gather for variousevents and special occasions —Trinity Centre was originally ap-proved for 1.8 million square feetof office space. Also planned was250,000 square feet of retail uses,plus 336 homes.

But what’s actually been builtthere so far — besides the homes— are two office buildings total-ing 576,000 square feet, three res-taurants, a hotel, a fitness centerand an 11,000-square-foot office

building. So, in light of the stag-nant office market, JLB Partnerssubmitted its own proposal for thissite off Route 29.

JLB will replace the two officebuildings (within what’s calledLand Unit J) with the 355 apart-ments. There’ll be a six-story park-ing structure in the middle; andbecause of the site’s topography,the residences will be within abuilding that’s four stories in frontand five stories in back.

The building will be constructedadjacent to the existing lake andwill have two internal courtyards.There’ll be an outdoor pool, andthe lower-level units would bewalk-outs. In addition, the builderwill seek LEED certification.

With the lake seen as an inte-gral part of the project, amenitieswill be added there so residentsfrom other communities, too, mayuse the lake for fishing or passiverecreation. Planned are a fenced-

Homes Will RiseInstead of OfficesDeveloper will build 355apartments at the Trinity Centre.

Artist’s rendition of the Trinity Centre east façade of theapartments.

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

Homes Will Rise Instead of OfficesFrom Page 1

The Trinity Centre Meadow Way view of the entrance.

in, off-leash, dog area; benches, chairs anda climbing structure for young children.

Senior citizens may also use the outdoorarea for games such as chess and bocce ball.Trails will connect it to the office develop-ment, and other trail and pedestrian con-nections to Trinity Center will be improved,as well.

“Visually, this is better than the 8-10-storybuildings that could have been built there[and now won’t be],” said SupervisorMichael R. Frey (R-Sully). “And having theresidential development there will providesome amenities for the community, and Ithink it’ll be nice. There’ll also be publicspaces and the ability for people to walkaround the lake.”

The homes’ pitched roofs will hide theparking structure from view. JLB expectsthem to take 16-18 months to build and 18-24 months to lease. They’re projected toyield 500-550 residents.

“Since the area was rezoned in 1987,roughly half of the approved office/com-mercial use has been built, said attorneyMark Looney, representing the applicant.“So this project fills in the residential gap.”He was addressing a meeting of the WestFairfax County Citizens Association(WFCCA) Land-Use Committee.

And although WFCCA’s Carol Hawnwould prefer to have more businesses andoffice uses in Centreville, fellow panel mem-ber Jim Neighbors said they’re not movingto the Trinity Center.

Concurring, Looney said, “There’s achange in the type of office environmentemployees want today. Offices in a sea ofconcrete isolated from amenities are dino-

saurs. No one wants to work in them any-more. There’s a tremendous surplus of un-used office space, plus tens of millions ofsquare feet of office space that is goingunbuilt.”

“I think Trinity Centre has always been amoving target; nothing’s ever been set instone,” said At-Large Planning Commis-sioner Jim Hart. “Things change over time.And we’re seeing this everywhere — peoplesaying the office market is dead and is nevercoming back. There are very little upscaleapartments nearby, and I think this is aboutthe first building that could be like this.”

Looney said the new apartments will be1,000-square-foot units renting for $1,600-$1,750/month. “They’ll be quality apart-

ments and the amenities will also be ap-pealing,” said Looney. “And we’re trying tomake the lake more vibrant than it is todayand to add a sense of place.”

“The kitchens will have granitecountertops, and the apartments will haveLED lights and be energy-efficient,” saidMarty Mankowski, JLB’s pre-developmentmanager. “They’ll be something differentfrom what’s already here. We have a myriadof architectural details, and the building’srooflines are varied in angles and appear-ances, so you don’t just have a solid mass.”

The WFCCA ended up approving the plan,as did the county Planning Commission,before it headed to the supervisors for itsfinal OK. In return, the applicant will con-

tribute $250,000 toward improving TrinityParkway, the main road through TrinityCentre. “It never became a state road, sothe money will be used to bring Trinity Park-way up to current VDOT standards so it canbe accepted into the state road system,” saidHart.

JLB will also contribute $50,000, insteadof the $25,000 it initially planned, to thecounty Park Authority for historic signagewithin the Centreville Historic District. Freycalled the infusion of cash “a huge jump-start” for the signage program there.

“That’s what’s intended to tie the HistoricDistrict together, explaining the buildingsand [Civil War] earthworks people are see-ing and their historic significance,” he said.“The standard historic sign is $2,000, sowe’ll be able to do a pretty nice batch ofsigns for $50,000.”

In addition, the developer will contrib-ute nearly $1,200 per apartment towardcapital improvements to the schools serv-ing the property. And it’ll donate

$893 per resident toward improving pub-lic parks in the vicinity.

Overall, said Frey, “Trinity Centre waszoned 30 years ago and, for a variety ofreasons, didn’t work out as originally in-tended, as a town center and communitygathering place. But in the end, it makessense to go ahead and finish it up.”

“It’s not necessarily a destination point,”he continued. “But if people have an earlydinner and it’s a nice summer evening, theycould walk around the lake. Or, they couldbike from Centre Ridge, for example, andgo to the Saturday-night summer drive-inmovies at Trinity Centre. So I do think it’llbe a place for the community to enjoy.”

See Charlie Brown, Page 11

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Each year, a holiday tradition atWestfield High is the “Ho-HoHoliday show.” It’s geared for area

children and student-directed by seniors.More than 75 theater students are par-

ticipating. The curtain rises Friday, Dec.18, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 19, at2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

On tap will be six, short plays: “’Twasthe Night before Christmas,” “A Very Pot-ter Hanukkah,” “The Grinch,” “A CharlieBrown Christmas,” “A Year without SantaClaus” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

‘The Grinch’Directing “The Grinch” are Jackson

Armstrong, Keegan Garant, Alexa Tuckerand Zach Szmerekovsky. It has a cast of 10,including John Coughlin as the narrator andIan Balderston as the Grinch. Wade Parkerplays Max the dog; Kennedy Giroux, CindyLou Who; Emma Wolfe, Mama Who; andMarty Bernier, Papa Who.

“Things are going really well; the cast isattentive and easy to work with,” saidTucker. “Ian hasn’t seen ‘The Grinch’ before,so he’s taking it in a different direction. Butit’s still really funny and it works. And sinceJohn also does impressions, he may narratein a voice other than his own.”

The directors also have experience withthis show. “In my freshman year, I played aWho, and I narrated ‘The Grinch’ as a sopho-more,” said Tucker. “And Zach and Keeganwere Grinches in previous years, so theyhave a lot to add to it.”

As a director, she said, “It’s cool to takethe show in the direction you want. Andyou have to set an example for the cast bystaying focused and on track. I also likedwatching auditions and seeing howeveryone’s personality fit into their charac-

ters.”Tucker said the audience will love this

play because “‘The Grinch’ is a classic, andthe main character always has a big stagepresence, funny movements and lines ev-eryone will appreciate. And there’s a lot ofphysical humor, especially between theGrinch and Max. Kids will also enjoy theDr. Seuss rhymes in which we tell the story.”

‘’Twas the Nightbefore Christmas’

Featuring a cast of about 20, “’Twas theNight before Christmas” is directed by Sa-rah Damers, Shaina Greenberg and ConnorRudy. “It’s mostly a dance show, and the castmembers are great dancers and fun to workwith,” said Damers. “It’s ballet and jazzdancing with narration. The dancing illus-trates the story and the narrators read thepoem.”

All three directors danced in this show,the past three years; but this time, Damersand Greenberg will narrate. As for direct-

ing, Damers said it’s nice to “pass on thefun experience of being in ‘Ho-Ho’ toother students. It’s mostly teaching themthe dance.”

She said children will really like thisshow “because of the pretty music anddancing. Our music is by the Trans-Sibe-rian Orchestra and is very Christmas-yand exciting. And this is different fromall the other shows because it’s music anddance, rather than a one-act play, so Ithink kids will enjoy it. We have fairies,including the Sugar Plum Fairy, bat ratsand reindeer. And it combines some of‘The Nutcracker’ characters into the’Twas the Night before Christmas story.”

‘A Very PotterHanukkah’

“A Very Potter Hanukkah” is an origi-nal play written by directors SavaraGunn and Bridget Poindexter. “I grew upwatching ‘Harry Potter,’ so I thought it

Charlie Brown, the Grinch and MoreWestfield Highpresents its “Ho-HoHoliday Show.”


By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Voices will be raised in song whenCentreville High choral studentspresent “Celebrate Peace; A Winter

Choral Concert.” It’s set for Thursday, Dec. 17,at 7:30 p.m. in the school theater. Admissionis free and a reception will follow.

The show will feature all the ensembles inthe choral program, as well as various soloistsand a student-directed a cappella group. It’salso a diverse program of choral pieces fromdifferent eras and cultures, sung in a varietyof styles.

“This concert is a wonderful way to usher inthe holiday season,” said Choral Director LynneBabcock. “Musically, there is something foreveryone.”

To open the evening’s entertainment, all thechoirs will sing the Brazilian song “Cangoma.”The Madrigal Ensemble will follow with threemadrigals from the Renaissance era. TheWomen’s Ensemble will then sing a trio of sty-listically different pieces: “Banjo Pickin’ Girl,”“Iraqi Peace Song” and the comedic “MashedPotato/Love Song.”

The Men’s Ensemble will then perform “KeepYour Lamps,” “The Water is Wide” and “Dash-ing Through the Slush,” a satirical takeoff on“Jingle Bells.” Next, under the direction of stu-

dent Caitlin Dodson, the all-female group,Upbeats, will sing “Mr. Sandman.” Then Con-cert Choir will perform “Jenga Imani Yako,” aTanzanian folk song, followed by “EatnemenVuelie” and the spiritual. “Twelve Gates.”

The second half of the program will beginwith Bella Voce singing “Taladh Chriosda,” aGaelic carol. Then will come the Arabic song,“Koowu,” and a French Canadian tune, “Reela’Bouche.” Rounding out that set will be thespiritual, “Music Down in My Soul.”

A special feature of this year’s Winter Con-cert is the world premiere of a piece forwomen’s voices, “We Will Find Each Other,”by American composer Ryan Lott. It’s beingsponsored by the Young People’s Chorus of NewYork City, via its “Radio Radiance” project. SaidBabcock: “The women of Bella Voce and Sym-phonic Choir will join forces to perform thisinteresting and very challenging choral work,”

The male choral students will then providecomic relief with the rollicking “Pirate Song”— which they’ll again perform with the Lib-erty Middle students at the Centreville Pyra-mid Concert on Jan. 11 at Centreville High.

Then Symphonic Choir will sing a traditionalrendition of “Carol of the Bells,” followed by“FMg Eln Khel,Ó an Iraqi/Syrian folk song inArabic. They’ll also perform “The Word WasGodÓ and the Tanzanian folk song, “NitaimbaSifa.Ó In November, Symphonic Choir had the

honor of singing a new arrangement of “TheRoseÓ at The Kennedy Center for the NationalAnti-Defamation League “Concert againstHate,” and it will reprise it for this concert.Closing out the set will be “It Takes a Village.”

All the choirs, along with CVHS choir alumni,will join together for the finale. “It starts withthe song, “I Ask for One Day” — a plea forpeace set to a beautiful poem written by ayoung girl,” said Babcock. “The final piece willbe the traditional “Irish Blessing,” which is sungat the end of every Centreville winter choralconcert, performed, as always, by students pastand present.”

Accompanying the choirs will be two, pro-fessional musicians — Michael Maher, pianistand music teacher at Shenandoah Conserva-tory, and percussionist Scott Babcock. SaidLynne Babcock: “The community is most cor-dially invited to join the talented CentrevilleHigh singers and celebrate the season with aholiday musical feast.”

Voices Will Be Raised in Song

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Opinion

The holiday party season is here, andwe will almost all be celebrating insome way. Some ways will involvecelebrations that include alcohol.

It’s up to you to make a plan to get homesafely.

Plan to bring a designated driver. Plan toparty (and live) where you can take publictransportation. Plan to celebrate at home orsomeplace where you can spend the night. Planto abstain.

And if all of that fails, the Washington Re-gional Alcohol Project has a safety netfor you.

WRAP, a local nonprofit organization,will offer free cab rides to would-beimpaired drivers throughout Northern Virginiaduring the winter holidays.

The annual Holiday SoberRide program willoperate nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. start-ing Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, and continuing un-til Thursday, Jan. 1, 2016 as a way to keeplocal roads safe from impaired drivers duringthis traditionally high-risk, holiday period.

During these times, area residents 21 andover, celebrating with alcohol can call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXIfor a no-cost (up to $30 fare), safe way home.Callers will be responsible for fare amounts

over $30.WRAP also offers free cab rides for other

holidays, including Halloween, IndependenceDay, Cinco de Mayo, and more.

Concerns about consequences of drivingunder the influence are well founded.

In Fairfax County in 2014 there were 740alcohol-related crashes, which included 12 al-cohol related fatalities and 476 alcohol relatedinjuries. (Overall in Fairfax County in 2014,there were 13,680 total crashes including 32fatalities and 7,649 injuries.)

In 2014, there were no fatal vehicu-lar accidents in the City of Alexandria.But of the 1,777 total crashes, 99 werealcohol-related; and of the 757 injuries

in crashes, 60 were alcohol-related.In Arlington in 2014, there were 235 alco-

hol related crashes, with two alcohol-relatedfatalities and 78 alcohol related injuries. (Over-all in Arlington in 2014, there were 2,469 withfive fatalities and 1,094 injuries.)

In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alco-hol-impaired driving crashes, accounting fornearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths inthe United States, according to the CDC. Tensof thousands more were injured. Holidays leadto an increase in impaired driving, the Christ-mas through New Year season in particular.

Since 1993, WRAP’s SoberRide program hasprovided more than 63,000 free cab rides hometo would-be drunk drivers in the Greater Wash-ington area.

We know that many young people over 21are living at home with parents, or will be vis-iting for the holidays. Parents, be brave. Havea conversation with your children, whetherthey are under or over 21. Be sure those over21 have a plan, and are equipped with theSoberRide number.

SoberRide is not available for underagedrinkers, but parents still should talk to theirchildren about their plans, and tell them outloud that you expect them not to drive im-paired and not to get into a car with an im-paired driver. Tell them to call you, and you’llcome get them if necessary.

The consequences and vulnerabilities ofdrinking to excess are significant, more so forunderage drinkers and young adults, even be-yond drinking and driving. Don’t let the op-portunity to talk about it pass you by.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

It’s an opportunity to talk aboutresponsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.

Safety Net for Holiday CelebrationsSafe Ride Home

WRAP’s 2015 Holiday SoberRide program will beoffered from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly from Dec. 11,2015 to Jan. 1, 2016. To receive a free cab ride home(up to a $30 fare), call 800-200-8294 (TAXI). You mustbe 21 or older to use the SoberRide service. Seewww.SoberRide.com.

Editorial

Centreville High presents winter choral concert.

Write Centre View welcomes views onany public issue. The deadline for all material

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News

Posing with some of the gifts donated by the community to Our Neighbor’s Childduring the Panther Drop-Off are members of Stone Middle School’s National JuniorHonor Society. Each Christmas, ONC provides new clothes and toys for families inneed in the local area. And on Saturday, Dec. 5, the Stone students helped receive andsort donated clothes, toys, books and games and then loaded them into a truck boundfor ONC’s warehouse. All the gifts for each recipient family will be packaged on Thurs-day, Dec. 10. Then they’ll all be delivered this Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1-4 p.m. But withnearly 800 families on ONC’s list, as many drivers as possible are needed to helpmake the deliveries. To volunteer, go to www.ourneighborschild.org.

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Stone Students Help ONC

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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.

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Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGFair Oaks Mall Celebrates with

“Peanuts Gang.” Through Dec. 24,various times at Fair Oaks Mall,11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. Tocelebrate the launch of The PeanutsMovie, guests will find Peanutscharacters center stage withininteractive Ice Palaces at the mall.The indoor holiday displays feature a30-foot dome complete with fallingsnow, a light show and otheractivities. Free to attend. Visitwww.shopfairoaksmall.com/eventsfor more.

Christmas at Sully Historic Site.Through Dec. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.daily, except Tuesdays, at SullyHistoric Site, 3650 Historic SullyWay, Chantilly. The Sully Plantationwill be decorated as it would havebeen in the 18th century. Tickets are$7 for adults. $6 for students, and $5for seniors and children. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.

Santa Through the Ages. ThroughJan. 31, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, exceptTuesdays, at Sully Historic Site, 3650Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. Thisexhibit of Santa figures depicts Santathrough different time periods.Tickets are $7 for adults. $6 forstudents, and $5 for seniors andchildren. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.

GFWC Western Fairfax CountyWoman’s Club is selling 2015White House Christmas ornaments.

This year’s ornament honors 30thPresident, Calvin Coolidge. Theornament cost $20. Call 703-378-6216 for more.

Toddlin’ Twos. Tuesdays, 10:30 and11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. Earlyliteracy storytime with songs andactivities included. Age 2 withcaregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.

Singing. 7:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. The Fairfax Jubil-Airesrehearse every Wednesday whichincludes training by an award-winning director. Visit

www.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.Legos Kids Club. Every other

Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Thousands ofLegos for children to play with. Ages6-12. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.

PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Cat or Dog. Fridays, 6:30-

8:30 p.m. at PetSmart, 12971 FairLakes Center, Fairfax. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 10-12“The Lion King Jr.” 3 p.m. on

Thursday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. onFriday at Stone Middle School, 5500Sully Park Drive, Centreville. TheStone Players present an abbreviatedversion of the musical. Tickets are$7. Call 703-631-5500.

FRIDAY/DEC. 11Kids’ Night at the Museum. 5-8

p.m. at Children’s Science Center,11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax.Children in grades 1-6, will be part ofan adventure team that will exploreeach experience zone at the Lab.Dinner will be served. The cost is$50. Visit www.childsci.org for more.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 11-12Centreville Library Holiday Used

Book Sale. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. onFriday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday atCentreville Library, 14200 St.Germain Drive. Books available in“like new” condition. Free. Call 703-830-2223.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 11-13“Christmas in New York.” Various

times at Richard J. Ernst Theatre,8333 Little River, Annandale. EncoreTheatrical Arts Project presents abroadway-style music about a boywho attend a new boarding school,and eventually winds up in the NorthPole. Tickets are $19-23. Visitwww.encore-tap.org for more.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. 10 a.m.-6p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday at Dulles Expo

Holiday Guide

The traveling Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will bring 300artisans with handmade goods to the Dulles Expo Center,4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Drive, Chantilly fromFriday, Dec. 11 to Sunday, Dec. 13. Admission is $8 inadvance, $10 at the door. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com.How can you help?

www.foha.org

Adoptone of our lovable

cats or dogs.

Volunteeryour time or

services.

Donatemoney orsuppliesfor theShelter.

Turn your Houseinto a Home

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Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping CenterDrive, Chantilly. The travelingSugarloaf Crafts Festival brings 300artisans with handmade goods.Admission is $8 in advance, $10 atthe door. Visitwww.sugarloafcrafts.com for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 12Drop While You Shop. 10 a.m.-1

p.m. at The Learning Experience,4150 Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly.Parents finishing holiday shoppingare invited to leave their children toa day of play and a pizza lunch. Free.Visit www.chantilly.tlechildcare.comor call 703-378-7391 for more.

Edible Science Workshop. 2:30-3:30p.m. at the Children’s Science Center,11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. TheEdible Science workshop series is anintroduction to culinary-basedscience. Each workshop in the serieswill feature a new recipe.Participants will leave with a minirecipe book to continue the sciencelearning at home-in the kitchen.Workshops are $25 each. Visitwww.childsci.org for more.

Civil War by Candlelight. 4:45-8p.m. at Sully Historic Site, 3650Historic Sully Way, Chantilly.Experience a Civil War Christmas asConfederate soldiers cook dinner inthe field and fire the Christmas guns.Enjoy music by Evergreen Shade,make a 19th century holidaydecoration, sample hot cider andhomemade cookies. House tour is 45minutes. Tickets are $10-12. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.

Christmas Palooza at the nZone.5-7:15 p.m. at The nZone, 14550 LeeRoad, Chantilly. Have breakfast fordinner at this Christmas event forcrafts, cookie decorating, carolers,moonbounces and more. Santa willvisit. Visit www.newlife.church/santa.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 12-13Mia Saunders School of Ballet:

“The Nutcracker.” 3 p.m. atCentreville High School Theater,6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton. Theperformances of this holiday classicwill benefit CVHS DramaScholarships and new, unwrappedtoys will be collected at the door in

support of the Marine Toys for TotsFoundation. Tickets are $12 foradults and $10 for students, childrenand seniors (62+). [email protected] more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Railroading PaintFest. 1-4 p.m. at

The Fairfax Station RailroadMuseum, 11200 Fairfax StationRoad, Fairfax Station. Local artistswill lead a railroad theme paintingworkshop. All materials provided.Recommended age is 8 and older.Museum members and ages 4 andunder, free; 5-15, $2; 16 and older,$4. Register at www.fairfax-station.org.

Christmas in the Time of JaneAusten. 4:45-8 p.m. at SullyHistoric Site, 3650 Historic SullyWay, Chantilly. See how thetraditional 12 days of Christmas werecelebrated at the turn of the 19thcentury. Tickets are $10. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.

MONDAY-TUESDAY/DEC. 14-15Auditions for “The Addams

Family.” 7-9:30 p.m. at MountainView High School, 5775 SpindleCourt, Centreville. Actors of all agesare invited to audition for a part inthe play following a family withmacabre preoccupations. Free. Visitwww.thealliancetheatre.org for more.

TUESDAY/DEC. 15Photo with Santa at the nZone. 6-8

p.m. at The nZone, 14550 Lee Road,Chantilly. Take a keepsake photowith Santa. Free. Visitwww.newlife4me.com.

THURSDAY/DEC. 17Photo with Santa at the nZone. 6-8

p.m. at The nZone, 14550 Lee Road,Chantilly. Take a keepsake photowith Santa. Free. Visitwww.newlife4me.com.

FRIDAY/DEC. 18Kids’ Night at the Museum. 5-8

p.m. at Children’s Science Center,11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax.

Children in grades 1-6, will be part ofan adventure team that will exploreeach experience zone at the Lab.Dinner will be served. The cost is$50. Visit www.childsci.org for more.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 18-20“Christmas in New York.” Various

times at Richard J. Ernst Theatre,8333 Little River, Annandale. EncoreTheatrical Arts Project presents abroadway-style musical about a boywho attends a new boarding school,and eventually winds up in the NorthPole. This performance also includesa “Gala” performance on Saturdayand Sunday which includes food,cocktails, and more. Tickets are $19-23 for the performance alone and$75-100 for the gala performances.Visit www.encore-tap.org for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 19Edible Science Workshop. 2:30-3:30

p.m. at the Children’s Science Center,11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. TheEdible Science workshop series is anintroduction to culinary-basedscience. Each workshop in the serieswill feature a new recipe.Participants will leave with a minirecipe book to continue the sciencelearning at home-in the kitchen.Workshops are $25 each. Visitwww.childsci.org for more.

Victorian Candlelight Tour. 4:45-8p.m. at Sully Historic Site, 3650Historic Sully Way, Chantilly.Celebrate Christmas traditions fromthe Victorian era. Hear a reading of“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” see theChristmas tree decorated as it wouldhave been in 1885, and make a treedecoration based on a Victorianoriginal. Tickets are $10. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.

MONDAY-THURSDAY/DEC. 28-31Winter Break Camp. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

at the Children’s Science Center,11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax.Campers, grades 4-8, will learnmorse code, cryptography, and morein this spy-themed camp. The cost is$225. Visit www.childsci.org formore.

Holiday Guide

Mia Saunders School of Ballet: ‘The Nutcracker’Proceeds from performances of Mia Saunders School of Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” on Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sun-

day, Dec 13 at 3 p.m. will benefit Centreville High School Drama Scholarships and new, unwrapped toys will be collectedat the door in support of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Performances will be held at Centreville High SchoolTheater, 6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, children and seniors (62+).Contact [email protected] for more.


SportsCentre View Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]

By Jon Roetman

Centre View

Senior receiver Tyler Scanlon saidmembers of the Westfield footballteam wanted to win Saturday’s 6ANorth region championship game

for head coach Kyle Simmons, who led theBulldogs to the previous four region finals,only to fall short.

Junior linebacker Kevin Petrillo saidWestfield was out for revenge against SouthCounty, looking to atone for the Stallions’26-19 regular-season victory over the Bull-dogs on Sept. 11.

Westfield had several sources from whichto draw additional motivation entering itsrematch with South County. Regardless ofthe reasons, the Bulldogs made one thingperfectly clear on Dec. 5 in Lorton: Westfieldis the best team in the region.

The Bulldogs captured their first regionchampionship since 2007 with a 40-8thrashing of the Stallions at South CountyHigh School. Westfield (13-1) will travel toCharlottesville to face undefeated OscarSmith (13-0) in the 6A state championshipgame at 4:07 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 atthe University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium.

“That weight’s been on us the whole year,”Scanlon said. “Early in the year, we wereNo. 1 preseason ranked; everybody had uswalking through this region. Things hap-pened that don’t happen: kids got sus-pended, kids got expelled, kicked off theteam. We’ve gone through so much adver-sity — guys getting hurt. We felt the pastfour years — every single one of our sib-lings, our friends, that went through it andfell short, every single day at practice wewere dealing with it.

“I think a lot of us wanted to win this forCoach Simmons because he’s been throughit those four years. That’s tough as a coach,

being so close. We just wanted to put himover the top.”

Westfield kicker Brian Delaney booted a49-yard field goal in the closing seconds ofthe second quarter, giving the Bulldogs a13-0 halftime lead. Westfield pulled awayin the second half, extending its lead to 40-0 when quarterback Rehman Johnsonscored on a 1-yard sneak with 4:32 left inthe fourth quarter.

South County scored its lone touchdownwhen quarterback DeAndre Clayton con-nected with Chu Chu Enechionyia for a 35-yard touchdown with 4:08 remaining.

“We played awesome,” Petrillo said. “Weexecuted the game plan almost to perfec-tion. They weren’t getting anything on us.”

Westfield scored on its first five posses-sions of the second half. Johnson started atquarterback for the second straight week,finishing 8 of 13 for 70 yards and a touch-down. Scanlon, who won Conference 5 Of-fensive Player of the Year honors at quar-terback, played receiver for the secondstraight week — the position he played forWestfield last season.

Scanlon caught three passes for 32 yards.“We did some things later in the regular

season that were successful with myself atquarterback, but things became stagnant,”Scanlon said. “Defenses started catching on,they started scouting us. We don’t have any-body who’s crawling for scholarships be-cause they’ve got to play one position. We’vegot a team who just wants to play footballand wants to win games. It was an easydecision [to play Johnson at quarterback],frankly. It was ‘How are we going to scoremore points?’ because we’re not doing itright now.”

Running back Tim Beard carried 23 timesfor 227 yards and a touchdown. ReceiverIvory Frimpong caught a touchdown pass,and Jay Aiello scored a rushing touchdown.

Delaney made four field goals.After beating Washington-Lee in the sea-

son opener, Westfield lost to South County26-19. The Bulldogs won their next 11games to earn a rematch with the Stallions.

“We [wanted] revenge,” Kevin Petrillosaid. “A lot of stuff was said at the end ofthat game and we left with a lot of bad feel-

ings after that game and we [wanted] toshow that we’ve been improving all seasonand we’re the best team in the region.”

Now that Westfield snapped its four-yearlosing streak in the region final, the Bull-dogs will attempt to win their first statechampionship since 2007.

“I don’t really think about the falling shortpart,” Simmons said. “I’m so proud to be inthe mix five years in a row. I just don’t knowhow you look at that and see somethingnegative. It takes a lot of work to get hereand to be consistent and to have done it forfive years. I’m happy for my staff, who haveput in five years of hard work.

“… I’m just so happy for them. Of courseyou’re happy for the players, but the play-ers come and go, the coaches are with youyear in and year out. They’re spending theirSaturdays and their Sundays preparing andall for this next step. I’m just so happy forall the people involved to get there.”

Westfield Beats South County for Region Championship

Westfield head coach KyleSimmons has led the Bulldogs tofive straight region finals. Afterfour straight losses, Westfield wonon Dec. 5, beating South County40-8.

Members of the Westfield football team celebrate winning the 6A Northregion championship in a 40-8 victory over South County on Dec. 5.

Westfield running back Tim Beard ran for 227 yards and a touchdown duringthe Bulldogs’ 40-8 victory over South County on Dec. 5.

Westfield receiver Ivory Frimpong prepares to catch a touchdownpass in the region championship game against South County.

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Bulldogs take titleafter losing in fourstraight region finals.


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

From traditional to glam-orous, fresh to faux andhigh-end to old school,local tastemakers tell

how they create holiday dazzlingholiday design extravaganzas.

Karen Velehoski and the rest ofthe design team at Merrifield Gar-den Center in Fair Oaks spendnearly a year planning and build-ing the holiday displays that over-take each store during the Yule-tide season.

In creating the holiday wonder-lands, the designers assemble eachspace around a theme, maintain-ing consistency in style, color andtexture. Their goal is to dream updesign concepts that will inspire.

“We hope that people will getideas for their own homes, but thefirst step is to focus on color,” saidVelehoski. “You can incorporatefamily heirlooms or decorationsthat you’ve had for years if youcoordinate the colors. You can re-ally use ribbons to tie the colorstogether easily.”

For example, they designed arustic space that draws inspirationfrom a snow-covered forest. “It’sdecorated with things likebranches, berries, birds and otheroutdoor animals,” said Velehoski.“And we used red, plaid ribbon tokeep the outdoorsy feel.”

There’s another winter scenethat sparkles with décor in huesof gold, copper and platinum,and a classic display that payshomage to time-honored tradi-tions. “It appeals to people wholike greens, reds and poinset-tias,” said Velehoski. “This yearwe incorporated a little bit ofblack with that red, white andgreen which is pretty.”

There’s even inspiration forthose with a penchant for pastels.“It has an icy look,” said Velehoski.“It has an icy, frozen winter won-

HomeLifeStyleIdeas for Decking the Halls Local designers create opulent holiday designs.

Courtesy of Patina Polished Living

Amanda Mertins of PatinaPolished Living advisesusing an urn to greetguests at the front door.

derland feel with snowflakes andicicles. We used a lot of pale blue,pink and a touch of silver.”

Simple, clean and fresh arewords that Gretchen Fuss, an in-terior designer with TchoupitoulasFurnishings in Alexandria, uses tocharacterize her holiday designaesthetic.

“I don’t like to over do it whenit comes to holiday design,” shesaid. “I love the mood and ambi-ance of white lights. It changes thefeel of a room. I like candlelitrooms.”

Fuss says she uses a minimalistapproach to incorporating familyheirlooms with new acquisitions.“I do little vignettes where I’ll havea piece, for example, that mymother once used to store orna-ments in, and I’ll use that to dis-play fresh greenery.”

The designer has even createdholiday adornments of her own.“I’ve made holiday sculptures,”said Fuss. “I even made littleflower-shaped sculptures that I puttogether to make a six-foot tallChristmas tree.”

Fuss adds white back-lighting,which shines through each flower

For those who prefer holidaydecor in muted hues, Whitlaw sug-gests, “neutrals [like] winter whiteand pale greys, when paired withlight, reflective metallics andsparkle add elegance and a senseof timeless wonder to every room.”

For a touch of whimsy, Whitlawrecommends adding decorationsto unexpected places. “For a sur-prising embellishment, how aboutplacing ornaments around thevanity in your powder room?” asksWhitlaw. “Chandeliers are also aperfect theatre in the round forcascading trinkets and greenery.”

petal, illuminating the tree.Candles, ribbons and bows

hanging on a mantle, swags ofgreenery and garlands drapedover wall art and mirrors are whatvisitors who enter the spaces cre-ated by the designers of PatinaPolished Living in Alexandria willsee.

“… A string of lights combinedwith ornaments might flow downthe center of a table, or shine in-side a cloche combined with a win-ter wonderland theme,” said de-signer Amanda Mertins.

For an exterior space, Mertins

advises using a twinkling wreathor a lit arrangement in an urn togreet guests at the front door.

Maintaining thematic consis-tency is a precept that designerJenne Whitlaw, of GTM Archi-tects in Bethesda, Md., recom-mends when conceiving ideas forholiday spaces. “Pick a centralfocal point, and echo the senti-ment around the space, for bothindoor and outdoor,” she said.“This allows the eye to bouncearound your holiday canvas, ex-periencing asymmetrical visualharmony and balance.”

Designers at Merrifield Garden Centerspend almost one year creating holidaydisplays.

Photos courtesy of Merrifield Garden Center

This rustic holiday space incorporatesbranches and animals.

C E N T R E V I L L E

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Anglican Services

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13941 Braddock Road, (north off Rte. 29) Centreville, VA703-830-3176 • www.ascension-acc.org

Holy Communion 10 A.M. Sundays(with Church School and Nursery)

To highlight your faith community,

call Karen at 703-917-6468

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By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I Beg YourIndulgence

Even after seven years as a patient in thecancer whirled, I still find it emotionally diffi-cult to promptly return a well-meaningphone call or a likewise intended e-mailwhen the message/content is clearly havingto do with my health and welfare. Not that Idon’t appreciate, and on many levels, mostlikely need these kinds of communications;nevertheless, the challenge of summoning upthe intestinal fortitude to discuss, detail, out-line, rehash, speculate, articulate, wonder,hope, fear, introspect, extrovert, try to makelight of and not be made heavy by, in addi-tion to all the other miscellaneous anxieties acancer patient experiences 24/7, is often toomuch. And as regularly as we are left alonewith our own thoughts, sometimes, the emo-tional road less traveled is the one fraughtwith fewer bumps and bruises.

Not that I want to get stupid and live in a“cone of silence,” where I can’t be heardand others can’t hear me; that wouldn’t besmart. Still, as often as not, the effort torespond in kind is not respectfully honored.It’s an odd reaction to be sure. Receivinginquiries is one thing, a helpful thing, almostlike “Thing” from “The Addams family,” butnot responding is quite another thing. It’s notexactly akin to trudging through the snow –uphill, in winter, as our parents all claimedthey did, but the emotional weight of it issomething that I’m probably having difficultyexplaining – as much as I’m trying.

Maybe this is all just an excuse to obfus-cate my ill-mannered and disrespectful negli-gence. How poorly was I raised that I don’tknow enough to provide a common cour-tesy? People ask, you answer. When one issick or “diseased,” and friends, family andco-workers reach out, one is not supposed topull back, right? I should appreciate theirsupport and absorb whatever positiveenergy/good vibrations they’re sending. Let’sface it, as I do most days; living with canceris not exactly a solitary pursuit. Although itmay seem like it, at home, alone, especiallyat night when tossing and turning and notsleeping becomes an Olympic sport, the can-cer experience is not a meal best servedcold, if you know what I mean.

Regular interaction with humans, and Idon’t mean radio, television or Internet, isthe next best thing to being there/reachingout and actually touching someone or beingtouched (which is likely another benefit).Moreover, being made to feel alive and well– and dare I say, normal (not diagnosed withcancer), is the goal, but the figurative ele-phant in our world is not just in one room,one time; it’s in every room all the time; it’sherd but not seen. But difficult to ignorenonetheless.

Stage IV lung cancer is like that. It’s typicalthat when symptoms manifest themselves,the patient is already inoperable and tumorswhich gave the patient no indication thatthey even existed, have now metastasized(moved/grown). Ergo, the staging. There is nostage V, by the way. This is not to imply thatit’s ever too late. It’s just hard to assimilatewhen the diagnosis comes out of the blueand previously you were feeling in the pink.In this context, the silence of it (meaning thelack of symptoms) was not golden; any morethan my silence now in not responding towell-wishers is golden. It’s not. It’s self-indul-gent and most times I readily acknowledge it.However, I feel powerless to affect it. Pleasedon’t take my lack of a timely response per-sonally. I’m just trying to navigate as best Ican. As George Costanza made famous on along-ago “Seinfeld” episode: “It’s not you. Ifit’s anybody, it’s me.…”

News

Charlie Brown, the Grinch and MoreFrom Page 3

would be fun to incorporate it into the Ha-nukkah story,” said Gunn. “I found similari-ties between them.”

“The Syrian Greeks wanted the Jews tobelieve in their God, but the rebels foughtthem,” she continued. “And to purify theirtemple of the Greek idols, the Jews burnedcandles for eight days — even though theyonly had enough oil for one day. Similarly,in the last Harry Potter film, the Hogwartsstudents have to battle Voldemort.”

There’s a cast of 12, with BrantleyCervarich as Potter; Pressley Johnson,Hermione; Valerie Spiegalthal, RonWeasley; Kaili Fox, Draco Malfoy; andNikolas Glover, Voldemort. “I like how en-thusiastic our cast members are,” said Gunn.“They get along really well together.”

She said this Hanukkah story should bemore fun for children to watch than the oneWestfield used to do because “it’s livelierand has jokes in it. And it’s relevant becausekids are still into Harry Potter; so it’ll beeasier for them to connect with it and un-derstand it more.”

A first-time director, Gunn’s having fun.“I have something in mind and I tell theactors what to do,” she said. “And it’s inter-esting to see what’s in my head show up infront of me.”

‘Frosty the Snowman’Featuring a nine-person cast, “Frosty the

Snowman” is directed by RachelMcKennedy and Misha Mullany. PortrayingFrosty is Kierra Clark. The other leads areAllison Bush, Karen; Wade Parker, John;Lucas Huehuet, Prof. Hinkle; and AnnaKrelovitch, Rebecca.

“We have a good cast and everyone speakswell and has a particular energy and vibethat will entertain the children,” said

Mullany. “This show is all about having fun,so we wanted the cast members to have funonstage, too — and we’re having a blast inrehearsals.”

She said the students love doing “Ho-Ho”shows because they provide a stress-freeenvironment for the lower classmen toshowcase their acting talents. She also likesdirecting.

“It’s fun to be on the other side and seehow much work goes into it,” said Mullany.“As an actor, you don’t realize how hard itis and how difficult it is to get people tolisten to you and to organize everything.But it’s also taught me to be a better actorbecause I understand the character objec-tives more and have improved my listeningskills.”

She said the audience will enjoy this playbecause “We have some slow-motion fightsand we’ll all sing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ atthe end.”

‘A Year withoutSanta Claus’

Helming “A Year without Santa Claus” areCatherine Crossett and Meredith Mehegan.“It’s based on the puppet movie of the samename and this is our second year perform-ing it,” said Mehegan. “Santa gets sick andwants a holiday. He wants Christmas offbecause he doesn’t think anyone believesin him anymore. So Mrs. Claus sends twoelves, Jingle and Jangle, to a town to try toget people more into the Christmas spirit.”

Leading the 13-person cast are Aja Goreas Mrs. Claus; Drew Tobin, Santa; the heatmiser, Richard Helwig; the snow miser,Joshua Hiltpold; Jingle, Rylee Russler;Jangle, Gene Kim; and Iggy, GopikaRamesh.

“We have a talented group of actors, and

I’m excited to see the final product,” saidMehegan. “The audience will like seeing themovie come to life onstage, as well as thestoryline — the idea of a year without SantaClaus and the way he’s convinced to stillbring everyone Christmas presents.”

She says directing is “really cool becauseyou get to see your vision become reality,and it’s fun to work with the underclass-men. I’ve been in these shows, the past twoyears, and now I’m directing.”

‘A Charlie BrownChristmas’

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is directedby Gabby Moses, Morgan Perigard and An-drew Sharpe and has a 14-person cast. RyanKirby plays Charlie Brown; Kaley Haller,Lucy; Charlie Parsons, Schroeder; andPatrick Santilly, Snoopy.

“We’ve got a great cast, all really excitedto perform,” said Sharpe. “More than halfare underclassmen, so it’ll be their first timeon a Westfield stage. This is the classic, Pea-nuts show, so people will relate to CharlieBrown and the other characters they’veknown for years. And they’ll enjoy seeingour interpretation of this story.”

Sharpe also directed Westfield’s VTA (Vir-ginia Theatre Association) piece this year,so this play gives him another opportunityto hone his directing skills. “You get to ex-perience what it’s like on the other side,”he said. “And you gain a lot of respect foryour own director.

You try to get as much done in the timeyou have leading up to the show and be asproductive as possible.”

Overall, said Sharpe, “All these showswe’re presenting are a great run-up to win-ter break, and it’s fun to get people into theholiday spirit.”

Free CarseatInspections

Certified technicians from the Sully Dis-trict Police Station will perform free, childsafety carseat inspections Thursday, Dec. 10,from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appoint-ment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves sotechnicians may properly inspect and ad-just them, as needed.

The first 35 vehicles arriving on each datewill be inspected. That way, inspectors mayhave enough time to properly instruct thecaregiver on the correct use of the child seat.Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.

WFCCA Land-UseCommittee

The next meeting of the West FairfaxCounty Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee is set for Tuesday, Dec. 15,

at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmen-tal Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., inChantilly. A presentation is slated on a pro-posed maintenance building at the LakesideApartments at 14301 Summer Tree Roadin Centreville. The applicant wants to re-place an existing, covered carport with atwo-story 1,152-square foot maintenancefacility.

Sully DistrictCouncil Meeting

The Sully District Council of Citizens As-sociations and its Land-Use Committee willmeet Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., in theSully District Governmental Center, 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Call JeffParnes, evenings, at 703-904-0131. Becauseof Christmas, this meeting is on the thirdWednesday of the month.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Depart-ment Chief Richard Bowers or Assistant FireChief John Caussin will discuss countywidetrends and Sully statistics. Also on tap is apresentation on a proposed maintenance

building at the Lakeside Apartments at14301 Summer Tree Road in Centreville.The Applicant wants to replace an existing,covered carport with a two-story 1,152-square foot maintenance facility.

Seeking DonationsThe Fairfax County Police Department

Victim Services Section is kicking off itsSecond Annual Holiday Gift Card Drive inan effort to provide holiday help for chil-dren of domestic and sexual violence.

Many of these children and families arefacing the reality of not celebrating the holi-days this year due to the financial burdenthat comes with being a victim of crime.

The Victim Services Section is seekingdonations of gift cards for the families theyhave worked with this past year, the oppor-tunity to bring a smile to the faces of theirchildren — those who have witnessed orbeen a victim of domestic or sexual violencethemselves. Gift cards can be dropped offor mailed to the Victim Services Sectionmain office located at 10600 Page Ave.,Fairfax, VA 22030.

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VISIT HISTORIC CLIFTON

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Dec. 9 ~~~~~ Port and Sparkling WineTasting 5:30 pm–8:30 pmat the Clifton Wine Shop

Dec. 12-23 ~ Twelve Days of Christmasat All That Glitters

Dec. 16 ~~~~ Wonderment WinemakerWine Tasting & Bottle Signing5:30–8:30 pm at theClifton Wine Shop

UPCOMING EVENTS

7137 Main Street • www.bellejardesign.com

7145 Main Street • www.thecliftonwineshop.com

12704 Chapel Road • www.hydrangeaofclifton.com

7144 Main Street • www.allthatglittersva.com

12644 Chapel Road • www.cupcakedbakery.com

7145 Main Street • www.tnktreasures.net

12644 Chapel Road • www.goldenshillpapercrafts.com

HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStyle - Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/...2015/12/09 · with,” said Damers. “It’s ballet and jazz dancing with narration.

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