Centreville Little Rocky Run Wellbeingconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/.../Centreview.pdf · 2015. 2. 5. · Centre View February 4-10, 2015 1 Attention Postmaster: Time

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Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run

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By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Several local road projects are either under-way, in the pipeline or nearing completion.And during the West Fairfax County CitizensAssociation’s (WFCCA) Jan. 19 quarterly

meeting, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) pre-sented an update on them:

❖ Route 28 WideningThis project will widen Route 28 from Old

Centreville Road to the Prince William County lineat Bull Run from four to six lanes. The work includesintersection improvements, plus pedestrian and bi-cycle facilities. Cost estimate: $47.35 million; FCDOTapproved: $47.35 million.

It complements the I-66/Route 28 interchange and,in conjunction with other road projects, would com-plete the Route 28 corridor through the entire county.This project includes intersection improvements, aswell as pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Preliminaryengineering should start between now and January2017.

A large development just south of the county lineis expected to exacerbate existing congestion. So thiswidening is intended to reduce congestion betweenPrince William and Centreville. And as a transporta-

tion corridor of regional significance, it would im-prove access to Dulles International Airport, Restonand Herndon.

❖ Route 29 from Union Mill Road toBuckley’s Gate Drive:

This project provides pedestrian facilities on thenorth side of Route 29 and widens Route 29 in thisarea from four to six lanes. It complements the VDOTbridge-replacement project at Little Rocky Run andcompletes the widening of Route 29 from ShirleyGate Road to Centreville.

It’s currently the last segment of Route 29 between

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Comedy, drama – even anaward-winning, originalpiece – will all be pre-

sented during Westfield High’sOne-Act Play Festival. The fiveplays are all directed by seniors inthe school’s Theater Department.

Show times are Friday, Feb. 13,at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 14, at2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb.15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 atthe door. The plays are as follows:

‘TURBULENCE’Written and directed by Jessi

Swanson, “Tur-bulence” wasthe playWestfield tookto this fall’s Vir-ginia TheatreC o n f e r e n c e(VTA) – whereit won fourawards, includ-ing Best Origi-nal Play.

A drama, it’s asurreal pieceabout a womanin the last minutes of her life, andshe’s looking back on some of hermost important memories. “Yousee them unfold in front of her,”said Swanson. “And she comes tothe realization that we build ourlives on the choices we make —and then we have to live withthose choices.”

The character, named Mary, isshown four glimpses into her pastby an angelic version of herself.

Portraying her is senior SamDempsey. Classmate DavidKoenigsberg plays her husband,George, and junior Keegan Garantportrays Rick, a chauvinist manwho’s the antagonist during mostof Mary’s life.

“The actors confront some diffi-cult life issues in the show, sothey’ve had to study realism andconnecting with their inner selvesto connect with this show,” saidSwanson. “The audience will likethe play’s shock value, plus thereal-life situations it presents andthe sincerity of the actors in eachscene.”

She loved directing and saysshe’s always hada passion for it.In fact, saidSwanson, “Iopened my owntheater com-pany this year. Ilove being ableto see the storyunfold in mymind and thenput it on thestage and seemy art come tolife. I love creat-ing something

out of nothing.”

‘ALMOST, MAINE’The play, “Almost, Maine,” is a

series of vignettes that directorTatyana German culled threescenes from to create her one-act.“It’s a drama with a little comedy,here and there,” she said. “Andeach scene has a man and a

Southbound Route 28 traffic in Centreville backs up during the Friday, Jan. 30, eveningrush.

Work Progressing on Road ProjectsFrey gives updateto community.

Westbound Route 29 traffic heads home toCentreville in the late afternoon. Threelanes, instead of two, will help ease theevening rush-hour gridlock.

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Laughter, Romance,Drama and PiratesWestfield presentsOne-Act Play Festival.

“I love being able tosee the story unfoldin my mind andthen put it on thestage and see myart come to life.”

— Jessi Swanson

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ February 4-10, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

2ND ANNUAL

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington/Fairfax Region helphundreds of at-risk youth every dayright here in Fairfax County.

We invite your organization to consider sponsorshipopportunities for our 2nd Annual Boys and Girls Clubsof Greater Washington, Fairfax Region Casino Night.

Casino Night is a fun-filled evening featuring:• Full complement of staffed gaming tables including Texas Hold ’em, Black Jack and Craps, Roulette• Fabulous dinner buffet * open bar * amazing raffles, live and silent auction• Celebrity Emcee with music and dancing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, Virginia 22102 • On the Silver Line

Friday, March 6, 20156:30-11:30pm

Tickets: $95.00 per person,$175.00 per couple

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Friday March 6, 2015 -- $119.00

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington/Fairfax Region help boysand girls of all backgrounds build confidence, develop character, and acquireskills fundamental to becoming productive, civic-minded, responsible adults.

BGCGW provides a safe and positive environment for our youth.

Tickets: www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/casino-night/

Boys & Girls Club Fairfax Casino Night

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News

The Fairfax County Citizens Fire and Res-cue Academy, a free nine-week programto learn about the work of firefighters andparamedics, will begin its next session

March 12, with the deadline for online applicationsclosing on Feb. 16.

“Basically, this is an overview of the fire depart-ment,” said Firefighter Capt. Willie Bailey. “It’s a nine-week course and on the last day participants will getto put on gear and fight a fire, or as I like to say, putthe wet stuff on the red stuff.”

Applications for the academy will be acceptedthrough Feb. 16 or until the class of 25 is filled. Theacademy will begin March 12 and will meet for nineconsecutive weeks, from 6 to 9 p.m., at various loca-tions in and outside of the Fairfax County Fire andRescue Department. Each session will cover differ-ent aspects of the organization, providing an in-depthoverview of the department and of its uniformed andcivilian workforce. Program topics include: fire sup-pression, emergency medical services, training, re-cruitment and special operations.

“Citizens of all ages are welcome to apply,” Baileysaid. “We had an 80-year-old woman participate inour last academy and she had a blast.”

To sign up for the free program, residents must be18 years of age and apply online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/cfa

— Jeanne Theismann

Fairfax County Fireand Rescue Academyaccepting applications.

Citizens to the Rescue

Photo contributed

Participants in a recent Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy observe a bomb deto-nation. Registration for the next class closes Feb. 16.


News

Eastbound I-66Closures Scheduled

All lanes of eastbound Interstate 66 will close intermittentlybetween midnight and 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday,Feb. 5 for the installation of gantries. Each closure will last up to30 minutes.

The Wednesday into Thursday closures will occur betweenRoute 29 in Centreville (Exit 52) and Route 28 (Exit 53). TheThursday into Friday closures will occur between Route 123 (Exit60) and Nutley Street (Exit 62).

Message signs will be posted in advance of the work so thatmotorists can use alternate routes.

The closures are part of the Virginia Department ofTransportation’s ongoing effort to install 36 new gantries as partof the I-66 Active Traffic Management System. The traffic systemis scheduled to begin operating between Route 29 in Centrevilleand the Capital Beltway in mid-summer 2015.

‘State of the Station’ MeetingThe Sully District Police Station and its Citizens Advisory Com-

mittee will present a special, “State of the Station” meeting onWednesday, Feb. 11, from 7:30-9 p.m. The station is at 4900Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly, and refreshments and dessert willbe offered.

The new station commander, Capt. Bob Blakley, will be themain speaker and will discuss crime and policing efforts in theSully District. A crime

analyst will also be on hand to provide historic, plus real-time,data about crime in the local area.

The meeting is open to the public. Information will be givenon last year’s crime trends, as well as the ways the officers of theSully District Station will continue serving the communitythroughout 2015. It’s also an opportunity for residents to raiseany issues or concerns they may have about what’s happening inthe community.

Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will

perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Feb. 12,from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. inChantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves so technicians may prop-erly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

Because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arrivingon each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct useof the child seat. (The inspection may be cancelled in the eventof inclement weather). Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.

Learn about Police DepartmentInterested in learning more about the Police Department’s cre-

ation and evolution from a five-person organization to a nation-ally renowned department of more than 1,700? Throughout theyear, the Police Department will host a series of lectures as partof the department’s 75th anniversary.

❖ Feb. 20 – The FCPD Crime Scene Section, 1 p.m. at the DPSCMeeting Room followed by Crime Scene Facility tour.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crime-scene-section-lecture-and-tour-tickets-15304580412

❖ March 18 – FCPD Narcotics – Investigations, Trends, andPublic Awareness, 1 p.m. at the Sully District community Room

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcpd-narcotics-investigations-trends-and-public-awareness-tickets-15373711184

❖ April 20 – Public Safety Communications – Call taking, Dis-patching, and Technology, 2 p.m. at MPSTOC community room

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-safety-communications-call-taking-dispatching-and-technology-tickets-15373766349

❖ May 22 – The Police Canine (K-9) Team, 1 p.m. at OSB https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fcpd-canine-k-9-team-tickets-15373824523

Roundups

Westfield’s one-act-play directors are(from left) AndrewBrockmeyer, JessiSwanson, JenessyGarcia, TatyanaGerman and DavidKoenigsberg.

Photo by

Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

WHS Hosts One-Act FestivalFrom Page 1

Centre View Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

woman in it.”In one scene, a woman goes to see the Northern

Lights because her husband recently died and theselights are supposed to carry his soul to heaven. Theactors are Morgan Perigard and Keegan Garant.

In the second scene, featuring Porsche Amaya andJackson Armstrong, two people are in a laundryroom and the woman accidentally hits the man withan ironing board. But he can’t feel pain, and sheeventually falls for him.

Meagan Morrison and Zach Schwartz are in thethird scene. In it, a woman comes to a man’s houseto get back all the love she gave to him. And shegives him bags and bags filled with the love he gaveto her. Then comes a surprise …

“This show’s a combination of drama and com-edy, and each scene involves a love story,” said Ger-man. “So there’s something for everyone.” It’s herfirst time directing, and she’s enjoying it. “It’s hardto be assertive with your friends, but I get to teachothers,” she said. “Directing takes lots of extra plan-ning — choosing the scenes and making certain stagedirections to tell the cast. I’m also involved in thecostumes and rehearsal dates.”

German’s also discovered that she prefers direct-ing to acting because she doesn’t like memorizinglines. And she says the audience will like her play:“Although we only had a short time to pull this alltogether, I’m confident in my actors’ abilities to puton a great show.”

‘SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD’Directed by Jenessy Garcia, “Scott Pilgrim vs. The

World” is a comedy based — not on the movie —but on the series of books by Bryan Lee O’Malley.It’s about a self-righteous, young man smitten by amysterious girl who suddenly moves into town. Hegets a chance to win her heart; but to maintain theirrelationship, he has to defeat her ex-boyfriends —who all have particular superpowers.

“This play has a new taste of humor with a lot ofwit,” said Garcia. “It’s fast-paced and has a good lovestory girls will enjoy and lots of action for the boys.”

There’s a cast of 13, with four leading roles. Por-traying them are Daniel Williams as Scott; ElizabethCoo as the love interest, Ramona Flowers; and ZachSzmerekovsky, David Johnson and Embrey Grimesas the three exes.

Garcia also likes directing. “It’s different becauseit gives you control over the image you want,” shesaid. “And you get that freedom of expression youcan’t get from acting when someone else is leadingyou.”

As for her actors, she said, “The cast is really work-ing well with the original script, and I’m very happywith them. It’s also an ensemble show and everyone’sdoing a great job.”

‘NO EXIT’Andrew Brockmeyer is directing a cutting of Jean-

Paul Sartre’s “No Exit.” In this drama, three charac-ters are locked in a room in hell. “They’re to be pun-ished for their sins,” said Brockmeyer. “But rather thanphysical torment, they’re psychologically tortured bythe other two people in the room. None of them in-tend it, but it happens because of their personali-ties.”

The actors playing them are Eni Oyeleye, Cait Eganand Meredith Mehegan, with Gabby Moses as thevalet who introduces them to each other. AndBrockmeyer couldn’t be prouder of them.

“I have the most fantastic actors,” he said. “Theseare very difficult roles and they’re rising to the chal-lenge. And I think the audience will appreciate theexistentialist themes and the characters’ interactions.This play explores some serious themes and the ideaspeople have about hell and punishment, in particu-lar.”

Brockmeyer has also found that he likes the pro-cess of directing. “As an actor, I’ve seen a director dosomething I think is arbitrary,” he said. “I’m nowlearning the reason behind it.”

Like his fellow student directors, he, too, enjoys“seeing the transition from on paper to on stage, be-cause you realize the final impact you can have on ashow due to the choices you make.”

‘PIRATE SONG’‘Pirate Song,’ directed by David Koenigsberg, is a

comedy about pirates who go on an epic quest.They’re looking for treasure based on a map they gotfrom a man named Hook Captain.

This show features a cast of about 24, with An-drew Sharpe and Keegan Garant playing the leads.Sharpe is the newest pirate and Garant is the old seacaptain who’s recruited him.

“But it’s more of an ensemble show,” saidKoenigsberg. “It’s a coming-of-age story for Andrew’scharacter — but with pirates. And I think the audi-ence will enjoy the story’s uniqueness. I came up withthe idea, and several of the cast members and I wrotethe script together. It’s also a musical, inspired by aScottish, pirate, metal band we found calledAlestorm.”

Koenigsberg calls directing fun and is glad he gotthe opportunity to do it. “I’ve done acting and techwork,” he said. “But this year, we get to take the reinson our own projects, and it lets us grow as writers,directors and even actors.”

Initially, he said, he tried to run things democrati-cally, but it was tough.

º“But at the end of the day, because I created thisstory, my colleagues respected me and were willingto work with me to get the best, final product,” saidKoenigsberg. “The best part was working with friends,and it’s been a nice change-of-pace being allowed topursue our own experiment.”


News

Artist’s rendition of a widened Walney Road Bridge, with inset photo ofcurrent bridge.

The new, southbound lanes of Lee Road in Chantilly.

Eastbound Route 29 traffic has now been shifted to the area closestto the bridge over the Little Rocky Run stream in Centreville, whilework is done in the median.

Work Progressing on Local Road ProjectsFrom Page 1

the City of Fairfax and Centreville that’s notsix lanes, so this work would eliminate thelast remaining bottleneck. Cost estimate:$32.7 million; FCDOT approved: $25 mil-lion. Preliminary engineering could start asearly as July 2018.

❖ I-66/Route 28 Interchange:Reconstruct portions of the existing in-

terchange. Remove four traffic signals onRoute 28 to enhance safety and improvecapacity. A VDOT study is underway. VDOTalready has $50 million programmed forthis project. Cost estimate: $122 million.Six-year funding approved by FairfaxCounty Department of Transportation(FCDOT): $54 million.

Widen and reconstruct westbound I-66 offramp to northbound Route 28. Realign

Braddock/Walney roads and construct over-pass with ramp connection from north-bound Route 28 to the new bridge. Providenew connections from Braddock to east-bound and westbound I-66, from Braddockto and from southbound Route 28, and fromsouthbound Route 28 to eastbound I-66(flyover).

This project extends Poplar Tree Roadacross Route 28 from Stonecroft Boulevardto Walney Road. It also involves construc-tion of a new access road to E.C. LawrencePark and reduces congestion on both I-66and Route 28.

“The Route 28/I-66 interchange is mov-ing forward, but it’ll result in the loss of thesenior center,” said Frey. “So we’re lookingfor a new site for it. But the start date forthe interchange is yet to be determined.That’s because the General Assembly

adopted a new process last year saying itfirst has to be proved that a project will re-duce congestion.”

❖ Lee Road Widening/Culvert:A .2-mile section of Lee Road in Chantilly

has been widened from two to four lanesand its box culvert extended over SchneiderBranch. The widening should relieve con-gestion by eliminating a previous chokepoint there.

Construction began in June 2014 and, lastThursday, Jan. 29, all four lanes of Lee Roadbetween Albemarle Point Place and PenrosePlace opened to traffic. Overall completionof this $3.3 million project should be earlynext month — meaning that it came in un-der budget and three months ahead ofschedule.

❖ Stone Road Overpass over I-66from Route 29 to Route 28:

This project provides an alternative toRoute 28 that goes from Centreville to theWestfields Corporate Center. It receivedpartial funding for an alignment study, en-vironmental analysis and preliminary engi-neering. Cost estimate: $81.55 million;amount approved by FCDOT: $5 million.

Construct a four-lane divided road be-tween Stone Road at Route 29 and NewBraddock Road. The work includes curb andgutter, a 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk onthe east side and a 10-foot-wide shared-usepath on the west side of Stone Road.

Construct a bridge over I-66 and anotherbridge over Big Rocky Run. Re-stripe west-bound New Braddock Road to provide two,through travel lanes. This overpass couldreduce congestion at the I-66/Route 28 andI-66/Route 29 interchanges. In addition, afuture Metrorail station near this site islisted on the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

❖ Route 29 Bridge Replacement:VDOT is currently replacing the Route 29

bridge over the Little Rocky Run stream in

Centreville. Besides improving the bridge,itself, the project will also result in a newsidewalk and shared-use path. The newbridge will go from .2 miles east of PickwickRoad to Union Mill Road and will be justunder a half-mile long.

It will be built six lanes wide to accom-modate future traffic, but will initially bestriped for four lanes. A 16-foot-wide,raised, grass, median strip will separatenorth- and southbound lanes. Each outerlane will be 15-feet wide, with the outer-most three feet earmarked for bicycle rid-ers.

On the bridge’s south side, a path willconnect to existing trails. The north side willhave a 5-foot-wide sidewalk connecting tothe Faircrest community and existing side-walks. Estimated cost is $17.7 million andanticipated completion is this October.

❖ Walney Road Bridge and Widen-ing:

The existing, Walney Road bridge overFlatlick Branch is disintegrating structurallyand surpassed its life expectancy some 18years ago. So VDOT is replacing it with awider, sturdier and safer bridge.

The new bridge will have a four-lane ca-pacity with bike lanes. Walney Road willalso be widened from two to four lanes from250 feet south of Mariah Court to WillardRoad.

In addition, the downhill curve on north-south Walney will be smoothed out signifi-cantly to make it descend gradually. Theroad will also be raised 10 feet higher inthe area where it currently dips down asdrivers leave the bridge, for better sight dis-tance.

“Utility relocation is ongoing, and full-blown construction will start any day,” saidFrey. “They’ll close the bridge and imple-ment a detour in April through summer. Thegoal is to complete the bridge by the end ofthe year.” Estimated cost is $15.5 million.

See Progressing, Page 7

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At its 2015 officerinstallation andannual Christmas

celebration, the Republi-can Women of Clifton(RWC), presented a checkfor $3,300 to TAPS - Trag-edy Assistance Programfor Survivors of our FallenHeroes. The check wasreceived by BrianBauman, director of spe-cial events who advisedthat the money will beused to support the GriefCamp for children offallen heroes. A primaryobjective of TAPS is toprovide healing and hopeto the families of lovedones who have lost a herowhile serving in America’sArmed Forces. TAPS willremain RWC’s adoptedcharity for 2015.

The RWC is comprisedof conservative womenfrom Clifton, Centreville,Fairfax Station, Fairfax,Lorton, and surroundingareas. For more informa-tion, visitwww.CliftonGOP.com.

Photo Contributed

Outgoing President Alice Butler-Short (left) and incoming Presi-dent, Leah Durant (center) present Brian Bauman, director ofspecial events, TAPS, with funds donated by Republican Womenof Clifton in 2014.

Republican Women of Clifton Support TAPS

News

See Bulletin, Page 11

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.

SUPPORT NEEDEDAnnual STEM-H Expo. The six high

school academies in Fairfax CountyPublic Schools are seeking sponsors,exhibitors, and presenters for theirannual STEM-H (science, technology,engineering, math, and health andmedical sciences) Expo, Saturday,Feb. 21, at Chantilly High School.Colleges, businesses, industries, andother organizations that educate for,do business in, or support the STEM-H fields are invited to submitproposals to present STEM-H focusedbreakout sessions, provide exhibits,and demonstrate STEM-H relatedbusiness technologies to attractmiddle and high school students tocareers in these fields. Exhibitorregistration fees are $25 forcorporate organizations and $15 fornon-profit organizations to helpcover event costs. There is no chargefor FCPS groups. Donations ofpromotional items for student andparent participants and for give-awayitems for raffles are also beingsought. Contact Cara Kirby at 571-423-4502 or [email protected].

FEB. 1-APRIL 15Free Tax Preparation. Tuesdays, 4-

8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. atCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive, Centreville. For

Bulletin Board

taxpayers with low and middleincome. All ages, with specialattention to seniors. Federal andVirginia tax returns prepared andelectronically filed by IRS-certifiedvolunteers. Tax questions can beanswered. Bring your photo ID(s),Social Security Card(s), taxdocuments, and your prior year taxreturn.

THURSDAY/FEB. 5Learn About Plans for I-66. 6-8:30

p.m. at VDOT Northern VirginiaDistrict Office, 1st Floor, OccoquanRoom, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.The Virginia Department ofTransportation, in partnership withthe Virginia Department of Rail andPublic Transportation, will host apublic information meeting on plansto transform I-66 between U.S. Route15 in Haymarket and I-495/CapitalBeltway. Visit Transform66.org formore.

FRIDAY/FEB. 6Kabbalat Service. 7:30 p.m. at

Temple Beth Torah, 4212-CTechnology Court, Chantilly. Enjoy amystical Shabbat Service anddiscussion led by physician membersat Temple Beth Torah. For moreinformation, a newsletter, or amembership package call JenniferHarding 703-217-8938 or visitwww.BethTorah.net.

SATURDAY/FEB. 7Preschool Open House. 9 a.m.-noon


520daysIt took a court order and 520 days afterFairfax County police officer Adam D.Torres shot and killed John Geer ofSpringfield for basic information aboutwhat happened that day to be released.The public now knows what investigatorslearned on the same day Geer died, Aug.29, 2013, that at least five witnessesincluding the police officer actually talk-ing to Geer at the instant he was shot,disputed Torres’s version of events. Torressaid Geer suddenly dropped his hands tohis waist; none of the other witnesses sawGeer’s hands move below his head.

Opinion

After waiting 17 months for any in-formation about the investigationinto the shooting death of JohnGeer, the information released last

week is deeply troubling.Fairfax County Police officer Adam D. Torres

shot and killed John Geer of Springfield insidethe doorway of his own home in Springfieldon Aug. 29, 2013. Police were calledto Geer’s home following Geer’s argu-ment with his longtime partner. Policespoke with him for more than half anhour while he stood in his doorway, unarmed,with his hands raised and resting on the frame.As he began to lower his hands, by all accountsstill at shoulder level, he was shot in the chestand died in his house without receiving medi-cal attention.

It took more than 16 months, a $12 millioncivil suit by Geer’s family and a court order toget the first tiny bit of information on the shoot-ing, which came earlier this month when po-lice named the officer who fired the shot thatkilled Geer.

On Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in response to acourt order, Fairfax County released more than10,000 pages of documents about the shoot-ing and the investigation.

We now know that investigators learned on

the same day Geer died, Aug. 29,2013, that at least five witnessesincluding the police officer actuallytalking to Geer at the instant he wasshot, disputed Torres’s version ofevents. Torres said Geer suddenlydropped his hands to his waist; noneof the other witnesses saw Geer’s

hands move below his head.On the day of the shoot-

ing, investigators and pros-ecutors had compelling in-

formation to take to a grand jury.Instead, after a long period of si-lence, obstruction and obfuscation,the investigation was turned overto the Justice Department, wherethere is no timetable for resolution(and no adequate explanation forpunting the investigation to the feds).

Without the Geer family lawsuit and thecourt order to turn over documents as part ofdiscovery, the public might never know whatreally happened that day.

The question of accountability for what hap-pened remains.

As we have said many times, the problemgoes beyond Fairfax County, and beyond po-lice shootings.

Police officials in Fairfax, Arlington and Al-exandria have adopted what they call a “blan-ket” approach to using their exemption. Thatmeans they have decided to withhold any docu-ment they can without any analysis of whetherthey should.

It’s past time for change.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Everything about this case erodes publictrust and demonstrates police departmentsshould not be allowed to apply “blanket”exemptions to release of information.

No Justification for Secrecy,Delay on Geer Shooting

Editorial

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A Connection Newspaper

To the Editor:The Fairfax County Board of

Supervisors is preparing to pass a27 percent pay raise for them-selves. The raise, from $75,000 to$95,000, will be implementedwith the incoming 2016 Board.This measure was approved de-spite several troubling factors ap-parently ignored by all but twoboard members.

Fairfax County is currently fac-ing a budget shortfall surpassing$140 million. Taxes of county resi-dents have increased approxi-mately 14 percent over the pastthree years. The board is urgingbond rating agencies to maintainour threatened AAA bond rating.Commercial property vacancy ishovering around 19 percent whichis the highest in a quarter century.This year, our schools have cut 720positions, cut programs and in-creased class sizes. And it’s notgetting better anytime soon.Schools are projecting an addi-tional $100 million deficit next

year. It’s also worth mentioningthat School Board members areseeking to double their pay from$20,000 to $40,000 per year. Notbad for a part time job.

The last pay raise for supervisorsoccurred in 2007. The proposedincrease will equate to over 3.5percent per year, far more thanteachers and many other “fulltime” county employees have re-ceived in the same period. Despitesome assertions to the contrary,the supervisors position is a parttime job. Several supervisors, inaddition to their service to thecounty, have full time careers.

Some, in trying to justify the payraise, have referenced higher sala-ries of supervisors in neighboringMontgomery County, Md. Commonsense would dictate that we shouldalso compare job performancewhen we compare compensation.Montgomery County has propertytaxes that are approximately 30percent less than Fairfax County.Montgomery County has a bal-

anced budget. Montgomery Countypays their teachers higher salarieswhile we continue to delay raisesfor our teachers and many countyemployees. One might argue thatMontgomery County is paying fora job well done.

In addition to managing thecounty budget, the Board of Su-pervisors is also responsible forhiring the police chief and countyattorneys. The supervisors are alsoresponsible for oversight of thePolice Department. On Aug. 29,2013, an unarmed man, JohnGeer, was shot to death by a po-lice officer as he stood in the door-way of his home with his hands inthe air. The Police Department,along with county attorneys, with-held information from both stateand federal investigations. It took16 months, federal interventionand two court battles at taxpayerexpense to get the county to re-luctantly release information thatshould have been made publiclong ago. The supervisors, by their

silence and lack of supervision,supported the stonewalling. In thefallout, they now intend to hire an“expert,” at taxpayer expense, totell them when and what informa-tion should be released when anofficer takes a life. Why can’t thisboard make such a simplecommonsense decision withoutwasting more tax dollars?

In my opinion, at least eight ofour supervisors don’t deserve re-election, let alone a raise. Super-visors Herrity and Smyth, votingagainst the pay raise, are the onlytwo that seem to understand theproblems that this county is facing.

In November, we need to electeight new supervisors that repre-sent the people, not the police. Weneed to elect supervisors that canbalance a budget without continu-ally passing the burden to thepeople in the form of new taxes.We need to elect supervisors thatcan produce “quality” results. Thecitizens of this great county de-serve no less.

Jeff StewartChantilly

Fairfax Should Pay for ‘Quality’ PerformanceLetters to the Editor


News

Progressing on Road ProjectsFrom Page 4

The busy, Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersectionduring Friday’s evening rush.

❖ Route 50 Widening Westof Chantilly:

Construction began in fall 2011to widen 3.7 miles of Route 50from four to six lanes betweenPoland Road in Loudoun Countyand Route 28 in Chantilly. It wasneeded because increased devel-opment and congestion inLoudoun County created backupsduring much of the day on thefour-lane segment, especially dur-ing morning and evening rushhours. But because of this project,things have improved significantly.

“It’s now open to six lanes —three in each direction — all theway out to South Riding,” saidFrey. “It’ll still need most of the restof this year to finish putting in thetraffic signals and pedestriancrosswalks.”

Besides the new travel lanes, this $100 millionproject includes improved turn lanes and traffic sig-nals, curb and gutter on the outside lanes, crosswalksand pedestrian signals, widened and upgradedbridges, plus pathways on both sides of the road.Route 50 will also be more level and provide widerbuffers between the lanes and roadside hazards.

❖ Roundabout at Braddock and PleasantValley Roads:

VDOT plans to build a roundabout to improve traf-fic flow at the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads inter-section by Cox Farms in Centreville.

Fort Myer Construction Corp. won the contract todo the work. Estimated project cost is $5.8 million,with completion expected by spring 2016.

“It’ll probably be under construction in two or threemonths,” said Frey. “VDOT will have a ‘pardon-our-dust’ meeting for the community to let people knowwhat they can expect.”

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Sports

By Jon Roetman

Centre View

Tony Verducci still regrets not calling a timeout.

Kyle Simmons is still botheredby failed personnel decisions.

Trey Taylor remembers when he couldhave been a goat, but ended up a hero.

Football coaches spend countless hoursduring the season preparing their teams forgame day. They must develop a strategy forattacking and defending against a particu-lar opponent. They must choose which oftheir athletes will get the most playing time.And they must find a way to motivate theirplayers to perform to the best of their abil-ity.

After all the time, effort and emotioncoaches spend preparing their teams for agame, sometimes a contest can be decidedby a single decision.

On Sunday night in Glendale, Ariz., Se-attle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll andoffensive coordinator Darrell Bevell com-bined to make a decision that will be re-membered for years to come.

Seattle trailed the New England Pa-triots 28-24 with less than 1 minute re-maining in Super Bowl XLIX. TheSeahawks faced second-and-goal at the1-yard line with the clock ticking andone timeout available. Through 59-plusminutes, Seahawks running backMarshawn Lynch, nicknamed “BeastMode” for his violent running style andability to break tackles, had amassed102 yards and a touchdown on 24 car-ries, including a 4-yard run on the pre-vious play that placed the ball just shyof the goal line.

ON THE VERGE of becoming the firstteam in a decade to win back-to-back Su-per Bowls, Carroll and Bevell called for apass play rather than handing the ball totheir star running back. The play called forwide receiver Ricardo Lockette to run a slantpattern. In theory, Lockette, with the helpof a “pick” from fellow receiver JermaineKearse, was supposed to flash open for atouchdown. But when quarterback RussellWilson fired the football toward Lockette,New England rookie defensive backMalcolm Butler jumped the route and in-tercepted the pass, securing the Patriots’fourth Super Bowl championship of themillennium and leaving the Seahawks won-dering what could have been.

Instead of putting the ball in the handsof the Seahawks’ best player (multiple timesif needed), Carroll and Bevell called for apass play into a crowded area of the fieldand came up empty. After the game, the playcall received harsh criticism from fans, me-dia members, and players from other teams.

From ESPN.com: “Carroll botches Super

Bowl.”From The Seattle Times: “Seahawks lost

because of the worst call in Super Bowl his-tory.”

From the San Jose Mercury News: “Anyway you look at it, Seattle’s insane pass atthe end of the Super Bowl was the worstplay-call in modern sports history.”

The following day, several high schoolfootball coaches from Northern Virginia andMontgomery County, Md., shared theirthoughts about the final minute of SuperBowl XLIX. The majority of those who re-

sponded said they would have called a runplay on second-and-goal from the 1. Somecoaches acknowledged that it’s easy to sec-ond guess a decision, and some sharedtough decisions they had to make in thepast.

Verducci, head football coach at BishopIreton (Alexandria), was “shocked” bySeattle’s decision to throw the football.

“In a similar situation against Green Bay[in the NFC Championship game on Jan.18] the Seahawks ran ‘read option’ andRussell Wilson was virtually untouchedscoring a touchdown,” Verducci wrote in anemail. “During the timeout [prior to firstdown], I would have called a power run-ning play for Lynch on second down andthe read option for Wilson on third down ifthey did not score. I would have used myfinal timeout if the second and third downruns were unsuccessful.”

Verducci is haunted by his own toughdecision gone wrong. Facing St.Christopher’s in the 2011 state semifinals,Bishop Ireton led 34-31 with less than a

minute remaining in the fourth quarter. St.Christopher’s faced fourth-and-15 at its own2-yard line with less than 1 minute remain-ing and no timeouts.

“My gut instinct was to call a timeout,”Verducci wrote, “but I did not call one.”

St. Christopher’s executed a hook-and-lateral play that broke loose for a 98-yardtouchdown and the Saints held on for a 38-34 victory.

“I still regret the fact,” Verducci wrote, “Idid not call the timeout to discuss the pos-sibility of a trick play, among other things.”

Simmons, who has led the Westfieldfootball team to four consecutive regionchampionship games, was “surprised”Seattle opted to pass.

“They had one timeout left and an al-most unstoppable running back,”Simmons wrote. “I said out loud, Seattlejust needs to run the ball now. … I wouldhave run the same play they ran on firstdown. They almost scored on that one.”

Simmons said he remembers some ofhis failed choices as a coach.

“My biggest regrets come with person-nel decisions,” Simmons wrote. “Andyes, when I look back on some of those

decisions it bothers me very much.”Taylor was the head coach at W.T.

Woodson in 2008 when he called for a fakepunt at the Cavaliers’ own 10-yard line in agame against Westfield. The intended re-ceiver on the play dropped the pass andWoodson went on to suffer a lopsided loss.

“The play was there, we just failed to ex-ecute,” wrote Taylor, who is now the headcoach at South Lakes. “… For the Westfieldgame, we knew we had to do some thingsout of the box to have a chance to win. Wewere prepared to do things like we did, sothe decision didn’t bother me because it waspart of the game plan.”

In 2009, Woodson defeated eventual re-gion champion Lake Braddock 43-42 dur-ing the regular season. Taylor took a risk atthe end of the game and it paid off.

“We score on a 90-yard screen play to pullwithin one with about a minute to go,” Tay-lor wrote. “We opt for a 2-point conversionfor the win. We convert and win the game43-42. After the game, several people com-mented on how that isn’t what they would

have done. Since we won it was a good call.If we wouldn’t have, then everyone wouldhave had a better idea. But at the moment,that is what felt right.”

Seattle had the ball at the New England11-yard line with 6 seconds remaining inthe first half. The Patriots led 14-7 and the“safe” play would have been for Carroll tokick the field goal and go into the lockerroom down by four. Instead, he opted torun one more offensive play and it paid offwith a touchdown pass from Wilson to ChrisMatthews.

CARROL’S DARING DECISION at theend of the game didn’t pay off.

Lake Braddock head coach Jim Poythressdefended Carroll, who led Seattle to a Su-per Bowl title the previous season and wona pair of national championships with theUniversity of Southern California.

“Hindsight is always 20/20. Last Ichecked, Coach Carroll had won a lot of biggames,” Poythress wrote. “Everybody is afootball expert on Monday. The nature ofbeing a football coach (or a weatherman)is that you will get second-guessed. I wish Icould show up at the work place of thosewho have criticized our program and saywhatever ridiculous comment I wanted.

“Where were the experts after the NFCChampionship [when Seattle overcame a16-0 deficit to win 28-22 in overtime]?Didn’t Coach Bevell lead the comeback? Itake my hat off to Bevell for getting themto the 1-yard line [in the final minute ofSuper Bowl XLIX]. He did that with littletime left and probably 100 million peoplewatching. More importantly, I credit theSeahawk players for sticking together afterthe game. Nobody pointed fingers or laidblame. Even Marshawn Lynch, who every-body loves to hate, had only positive thingsto say about the call and his teammates.”

Lake Braddock finished the 2014 seasonwith a 10-3 record and reached the 6ANorth region semifinals despite the gradu-ation of star quarterback Caleb Henderson,who is a freshman on the University ofNorth Carolina football team.

“After winning 10 games this year, wewere still second-guessed as a staff after theWestfield loss [in the region semis],”Poythress wrote. “We had some seniors thatwanted to lay blame on the underclass. Wehad parents cry about their kid’s touches orstats. After the last-second win versus WestSpringfield [in the region quarterfinals], wewere the greatest staff in the area. The nextweek we were dog dirt. It comes with theturf and you won’t last long if you pay at-tention to it. At the end of the season, onlyone team is happy.”

Carroll, Bevell and Seahawks players willhave all offseason to think about comingup 1 yard short of winning Super Bowl XLIXand the play call that led to the game-end-ing interception. Will they get over the dis-appointment? According to ESPN.com, theWestgate SuperBook and the William Hillsports book have Seattle as 5-to-1 favoritesto win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015season.

South Lakes football coach Trey Taylor was “shocked” the SeattleSeahawks passed the ball at the 1-yard late in Super Bowl XLIX.

Majority say theywould have called arun play.

Local Prep Football Coaches React to End of Super Bowl XLIX

“Everybody is a footballexpert on Monday. The natureof being a football coach (or aweatherman) is that you willget second-guessed.”

— Lake Braddock football coachJim Poythress

Centre View Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]

Cen

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Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

Centre View

Leslie Roberts recalls hearing a mother talkabout getting her stepson admitted to apsychiatric hospital.

“Her stepson was angry and acting out,”said Roberts. “She didn’t understand what her step-son was doing.”

The woman had completed a mental health firstaid class that Roberts teaches. Mental Health FirstAid is offered by the staff of the Fairfax-Falls ChurchCommunity Services Board Wellness and Health Pro-motion. The goal of the class is to offer insight intomental illness and teach strategies for intervention.

“She was grateful that the class had taught herwhat those signs and symptoms were,” said Leslie.“Before the class she thought he was being a prob-lem teenager. After the class she understood that hewas suffering from depression, and his behavior hada lot more meaning.”

That is the goal of the eight-hour certification class,which is taught in both English and Spanish. Stu-dents learn the warning signs of such mental illnessesas depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, substanceuse disorders and self-injury. They also get a five-step action plan to help the individual in crisis con-nect with appropriate professional care.

“Students learn specific behaviors or commentsthat individuals will make,” said Roberts, who is aWellness and Health Promotions Supervisor. “Suchas, ‘Things are never going to get better. I feel likeI’ll always be sad. What’s the point?’”

“They get background and statistics on these ill-nesses, as well as a basic understanding of risk fac-tors, signs and symptoms,” added Jamie MacDonald,wellness health promotion and prevention manager.

There is a standard curriculum and class instruc-tors must be certified to teach it. The class is typi-cally taught on two separate days. “We offer an open

enrollment class for adults once each month,” saidMacDonald. “It’s a ‘come one, come all.’ Anyone fromFairfax County can sign up.”

Students learn to assess for suicide or harm, listennon-judgmentally, give information and assurance,encourage appropriate professional help and self-help, and other strategies.

“We use the acronym ALGEE, which is the first let-ter of each skill the students learn,” said MacDonald.“Then they get skills around how to approach some-one who might be showing early signs of a mentalillness or how to recognize when someone is in amental health crisis.”

After the class, students take a test. If they pass,they are certified for three years.

“There is a lot of repetition and practice. Thereare live simulations and scenarios where small groupswill practice what they learn,” said MacDonald. “Wetry to gear their minds toward, ‘What will I do whenI’m experiencing a mental health crisis? How will Isupport someone like a colleague, friend and even astranger?’”

The re-enactment scenarios also help set limits. “Wemake their role clear,” said MacDonald. “You’re amental health first aider when you get your certifi-cation, you’re not a mental health crusader. You’renot trained to provide treatment, counseling, or makea diagnosis. That is pounded into their heads.”

Safety is another aspect of the training. “Studentsare taught to decide if a situation is safe for them toenter and whether or not they have time. If they startproviding assistance, do they have time to finish it,”asked MacDonald. “Being clear, careful and think-ing through what steps they want to take is impor-tant. In a crisis, they have to decide: ‘Do I want tostep in or will I be in over my head? Do I need tograb my phone and call someone else? Your first andbest action might be a call to 911.”

“Some feel relieved when they realize that theydon’t have to intervene in every emergency,” saidMacDonald. “People feel inept and paralyzed. Theclass helps help people to understand that they maynot be the best person to step in, but you might beable to find someone else. There’s nothing wrongwith that.”

For information on the schedule of classes and toregister, see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/events/men-tal-health-first-aid.htm.

County offers program tooffer insight into mentalillness and teach strategiesfor intervention.

Mental Health First Aid

JamieMacDonaldand Leslie

Roberts of theFairfax-Falls

Church Com-munity Ser-vices Board

Wellness andHealth Pro-

motion teacha Mental

Health FirstAid class.

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Presumably, maybe even obviously,nearly six years into a “terminal” diag-nosis, arrangements for a smooth transi-tion of power should have been madealready. But they haven’t. Not being aparent, and with no real extenuating-type circumstances to consider, despitethe rather precarious existence in whichI find myself I’ve never felt stronglyabout taking the steps necessary toarrange for a future which didn’tinvolve yours truly.

Selfish, stupid, stubborn or any num-ber of other characterizations whichdon’t begin with the letter “s,” I’venever put down anywhere on paper –literally or figuratively – what would, inthe event of my death, need to happen,how any of it should happen, and/orwhy it would even happen. So far, asconcerns my wife, Dina, should I in factpredecease her, I’ve pretty much left itto happenstance. Moreover, given herinterests, it seems unfair of me to notassist her somehow in a post-Kennyworld.

Still, I’ve always felt that doing so,however prudent and practical – andconsiderate – was bad luck, sort of; aversion of negative reinforcement. Bynot thinking of death/planning for it,somehow I was preventing its occur-rence, dare I say (given my original “13-month-to-two-year prognosis”), itsinevitability. And though I don’t specifi-cally know why this uneasy feeling hasmanifested itself of late (I’ve notreceived any discouraging medicalnews of late), it has; and ignoring theconsequences of my continuing neglectseems ill-advised.

In addition, throughout this cancerexperience, it has been suggested thatmanaging stress (among otheranecdotal-type advisories: keeping apositive attitude, maintaining a sense ofhumor, being a compliant patient)would be beneficial in the short,medium and long term battle royal thatall cancer patients endure. But diagno-sis- to-date, I’ve not addressed this moststressful, what-to-do/what-needs-to-be-done problem. And though a properlyexecuted will would certainly be a start,it would not be a finish. There are moremundane instructions and organiza-tional details, tedious as they me be,which would likely drastically reduce alevel of stress which unbeknownst tome and my conscious, has probablyinvaded my subconscious, with predict-able effect. I don’t imagine solving thisproblem would put a bounce in mystep; however, it would definitely elimi-nate a potential drag on my coefficient.And if my life is going to be lived, theless drag on it, the better.

Whatever I can do to lighten theload should be priority number one. Idon’t want to be spinning my emotionalwheels over here. Cancer imposesenough pressure externally; I don’tneed to add to it internally.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learn many aspects ofthe newspaper business. Internships availablein reporting, photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and for adultsconsidering change of career. Unpaid. [email protected]

Schools

Centreville resident Andrew Johnson gradu-ated from AmeriCorps NCCC (National CivilianCommunity Corps) North Central Region in Vinton,Iowa.

Jean Wilber, a sixth grade teacher at Bull RunElementary, has been named a state winner in the2015 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. Herentry was chosen for its innovative approach toadvancing interest in STEM (science, technology,engineering, and math) for students, as well asmaking an impact in the community. The contestencourages teachers and students to solve issues intheir community using STEM subjects. Wilber pro-posed a class project to reduce the amount ofsediment reaching local streams from storm-waterrunoff. As part of her project, students will buildrain gardens, add rain barrels, and plant treesaround school grounds. Students will also takemeasurements and analyze environmental data. Asthe Virginia winner, Wilber has earned $20,000 inSamsung technology for her school.

Valeria Diaz was named to the dean’s list atthe University of New Haven (West Haven, Ct.) forthe fall 2014 semester.

Alison Kapinos, of Centreville, was named tothe dean’s list at Delaware Valley College(Doylestown, Pa.) for the fall 2014 semester.

Wicitra Mahotama, majoring in environmen-tal science, was named to the 2014 fall semesterdean’s list at Iowa State University.

Alexander S. Jung, a junior at Randolph-Macon Academy, has earned recognition for the2014 fall sports season. A member of the varsityfootball team, he was named to the All-ConferenceTeam, Honorable Mention Defensive Line. He is theson of Kyung and Kristina Jung of Centreville.

Rachel Heacock, of Centreville, was named tothe fall 2014 honors list at Mary Baldwin Collegein Staunton, Va.

The James Madison University Marching RoyalDukes sent 227 members to Italy to participate inthe 2014-15 New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, in-cluding: Sarah Schweit, of Centreville, asophomore majoring in music education who playsin the band’s clarinet section; and Zack Shealy,of Centreville, a senior majoring in WRTC whoplays in the band’s tenor sax section.

The following students made the president’s listat James Madison University for the fall 2014 se-mester: Nicholas Benedetto, a sophomoremajoring in integrated sci and tech - BS; LaurelBrubaker, a senior majoring in psychology - BA;Caroline Cook, a sophomore majoring in finance- BBA; Emily Elcano, a senior majoring ininterdisc liberal studies - BS; Sarah Farooqi, ajunior majoring in geographic science - BS;Katherine Fiely, a senior majoring in interna-tional affairs - BA; Sophie Jurgensen , asophomore majoring in health sciences - BS; JuliaKron, a senior majoring in studio art - BFA;Maggie McInturff, a junior majoring in kinesi-ology - BS; Emily Oliver, a senior majoring inpsychology - BS; Arthur Pickett, a junior major-ing in political science - BA; Yawrely Ramirez,a senior majoring in comm sciences and disorders- BS; Patricia Monica Soriano, a freshmanmajoring in computer science - BS; Bikash ThapaAdhikari, a sophomore majoring in computer sci-ence - BS; and Dana Vivirito, a senior majoringin interdisc liberal studies - BS.

Samuel Martinez and Morgan Tweddleachieved dean’s list status at Belmont University(Nashville, Tn.) for the fall 2014 semester.

Hany Wahba, a freshman business administra-tion major, was named to Bob Jones University’s(Greenville, S.C.) fall 2014 dean’s list.

Robert Malick, of Centreville, qualified for thepresident’s academic honors list for the 2014 fallsemester at Dakota State University (Madison,S.D.).

Email announcements to [email protected] is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome.

From Page 5

at Centreville Preschool, 13916 Braddock Road,Centreville. Currently enrolling children ages 2Ωto 5 years old in 2, 3, and 4-day classes for the2015-2016 school year. Full cooperative classesas well as non-cooperative classes, and childrenare not required to be potty trained. CPI is afully state licensed preschool. Call 703-830-5656, email [email protected] visit www.centrevillepreschool.com.

Scout Shabbat. 10:30 a.m. at Temple Beth Torah,4212-C Technology Court, Chantilly. Calling allGirl and Boy Scouts to celebrate Shabbat atTemple Beth Torah. For more information, anewsletter, or a membership package callJennifer Harding 703-217-8938 or visitwww.BethTorah.net.

Is Forgetfulness a Problem? 10-11:30 a.m. atInsight Memory Care Center, 3953 Pender Drive,Suite 100, Fairfax. Join a discussion on whatnormal aging is versus what is dementia, thedifferent types of dementia, and what testing iscurrently available and when it’s time to seekhelp. Free. Respite care may be available byrequest; please call to make arrangements. RSVPto Christi Clark at 703-204-4664, [email protected].

MONDAY-FRIDAY/FEB. 9-13Dare2Care Week. All Centreville Pyramid

elementary schools. As part of an effort to fostera caring culture as outlined in the FCPS Portraitof a Graduate Initiative, the students at allCentreville Pyramid elementary schools willparticipate in Dare2Care week, focusing onpromoting kindness. Staff will reinforce dailythemes and provide students with opportunitiesto demonstrate kindness. Contact FCPSelementary school counselors, or call 703-502-3573.

TUESDAY/FEB. 10Telephone Support Group. 7-8 p.m. Fairfax

County’s free Family Caregiver TelephoneSupport Group meets by phone. Discusscaregiving and basic tax concerns. Guest speakeris an AARP Tax Aide Program Specialist whowill share some basic tax information, as well aswhen to get an accountant or attorney involved.

Register beforehand at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and click on TelephoneCaregiver Support Group . Call 703-324-5484,TTY 711.

Ladies’ Book Club. 7:30 p.m. at Temple BethTorah, 4212-C Technology Court, Chantilly. Jointhis synagogue-sponsored “potluck” style bookclub that meets every other month on thesecond Tuesday of the month. Open to allwomen. Plan to bring a drink or appetizer toshare. February’s book is “My RussianGrandmother and Her American VacuumCleaner” by Meir Shalev. For more information,a newsletter, or a membership package callJennifer Harding 703-217-8938 or visitwww.BethTorah.net.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 11Relay For Life of Chantilly-South Riding

Kick-Off Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at nZone, 14550Lee Road, Chantilly. Informational andinspirational meeting to introduce this localfundraiser for the American Cancer Society,coming to the nZone on June 6. Keynote speakerfor the kick-off: Kyle Simmons, Westfield HSHead Football Coach and cancer survivor. [email protected] or visitrelayforlife.org/ChantillyVA.

Scholarship Application Deadline. TheNOVEC Scholarship Program will award $1,500scholarships to qualified graduating public highschool students in NOVEC’s service territory inFairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William andStafford counties, and in the City of ManassasPark. An additional $1,500 scholarship will go toa student in NOVEC’s service territory whoeither attends private school or is home-schooled. Visit www.novec.com or contactDonna Snellings at: [email protected], 703-392-1511, or 1-888-335-0500, ext. 1511.

THURSDAY/FEB. 12Registration Open House. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at

Clifton Children’s Academy, 14315 ComptonRoad, Centreville. Clifton Children’s Academywill hold a Fall 2015/16 registration open housefor morning, afternoon and full-day preschoolclasses. Come tour the school with prospectivestudents. Call 703-968-8455 to RSVP. Visitwww.childrensacademy.com for more.

Bulletin Board


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.

ONGOINGThe Airbus IMAX Theater at

National Air and SpaceMuseum Udvar-Hazy Center,14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway,is showing movies including“Interstellar”, “D-Day: Normandy1944”, “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot” and“Hidden Universe”. Visitairandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy or call703-572-4118 for the movie scheduleor to schedule an IMAX On Demandshow for groups of 50 or more.

Sully Historic Site. 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Enjoy guidedtours of the 1794 home of NorthernVirginia’s first Congressman, RichardBland Lee. $7/adult; $6/student; $5/senior and child. Hours are 11 a.m.-4p.m. 703-437-1794.

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. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.

PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Dog. Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. at PetSmart,12971 Fair Lakes Center, Fairfax.Adopt a puppy or dog. 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.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY/FEB. 4-5Menopause The Musical. 8 p.m. at

Hylton Performing Arts Center,10960George Mason Circle, Manassas.GFour Productions bring thisinternational hit show to Manassasfor two shows only. Tickets areavailable at the Hylton PerformingArts Center box office,hyltoncenter.org, or by calling 703-993-7759. Now celebrating 13 yearsof female empowerment throughmusical comedy, Menopause TheMusical has evolved as a “grassroots”movement of women who deal withlife adjustments after 40 byembracing each other and the roadahead. Visitwww.MenopauseTheMusical.com.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 5-8“Beauty and the Beast.” Thursday-

Saturday, Feb. 5-7, 7:30 p.m.;Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m.; andSunday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m. in the Skip A.Maiden Theatre, Centreville HighSchool, 6001 Union Mill Road,Clifton. Theatre Centreville presents“Beauty and the Beast.” $15.

SATURDAY/FEB. 7Evergreens For Every Garden. 10

a.m. at Merrifield Garden Center,12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax.Evergreens are a must-have in everygarden. They provide year-roundinterest, structure, define spaces andserve as backdrop to other plants.Attend this seminar to discover themany varieties. Visitwww.merrifieldgardencenter.com orcall 703-968-9600

Children’s Gardening Workshops.2 p.m. at Merrifield Garden Center,12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Theseseminars are ideal for parents andgrandparents who want to introducechildren, ages 6-12, to gardening.Each child will learn and have funwhile creating a dish garden to bringhome. An adult must be present.Space is limited. Visitwww.merrifieldgardencenter.com orcall 703-968-9600.

SUNDAY/FEB. 8Model Train Show. 1-4 p.m. at

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. The Northern VirginiaNTRAK members will hold an Ngauge T-TRAK model train show.Museum members, free; adults 16and over, $4; children 5-15, $2;under 4, free. Information on themuseum and shows is atwww.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.

Design with Roses. 2-4 p.m. atMerrifield Garden Center, 12101 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Arlington RoseFoundation hosts “Fun Designs withRoses, ” with floral arranger CarolInskeep. Rose bouquets as doorprizes. Light refreshments. Free. Call703-371-9351.

THURSDAY/FEB. 12Author Event. Noon at the United

States Navy Memorial, NavalHeritage Center, Presidents Room,701 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington,D.C. Centreville author Alan Remswill speak at the “Authors on Deck”book lecture series bringing oftenoverlooked fighting in World War II’sSouth Pacific Theater to life. “SouthPacific Cauldron: World War II’sGreat Forgotten Battlegrounds,” isthe first historical account that

embraces all land, sea, and airoperations in the South Pacificduring World War II. Remssummarizes the theater’s activitiesfrom January 1942 to September1945 by examining the perspectivesof the Americans, Australians, andJapanese. Free and open to thepublic. Call 202-737-2300 or visitwww.navymemorial.org for more.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 13-15Singing Valentines. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

The Fairfax Jubil-Aires will send asinging quartet of elegantly dressedgents to serenade a loved one atwork or at home delivered with twosongs, a message from the sender, along-stemmed rose, and a mini boxof candy. $50 on Friday, Feb. 13 orSunday, Feb. 15; $70 on Saturday,Feb. 14. For $30 a telephone singingValentine will be delivered anywhere.Visit www.fairfaxjubilaires.org or call571-418-3840.

Winter One Acts. Friday andSaturday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday andSunday, 2 p.m. at Westfield Theatre,Westfield High School, 4700Stonecroft Blvd. Chantilly. $10 at thedoor. Visitwww.westfieldtheatreboosters.comfor schedule.

SATURDAY/FEB. 14It’s All About the Birds and the

Bees. 10 a.m. at Merrifield GardenCenter, 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax.Flowers can be so much more thangifts for a Valentine. Find out howthey use their shape, fragrance andcolor to attract the perfect partner forpollination and reproduction. Is itlove, biology or both? Visitwww.merrifieldgardencenter.com orcall 703-968-9600.

SUNDAY/FEB. 15Model Train Show. 1-4 p.m. at

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. The Northern VirginiaNTRAK members will hold an Ngauge model train show. Museummembers, free; adults 16 and over,$4; children 5-15, $2; under 4, free.Information on the museum andshows is at www.fairfax-station.orgor call 703-425-9225.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY/FEB. 17-18Auditions. 6:30-9 p.m. at Mountain

View High School, 5775 SpindleCourt, Centreville. Auditions for TheAlliance Theatre’s production of“Curtains.” It’s the brassy, bright, andpromising year of 1959. Boston’sColonial Theatre is host to theopening night performance of a newmusical. When the leading ladymysteriously dies on stage the entirecast and crew are suspects. Actorsmust be at least 17 to audition andcome prepared to dance incomfortable clothing and shoes.Actors should prepare a 32 bar cutwith own accompaniment or acappella. Sides will be provided. Coldreadings will be done. Call backsThursday Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m.Rehearsals begin Feb. 23, 7 p.m.Performance dates are April 24-25,May 1-9. Register atwww.thealliancetheatre.org/auditions.html.

SATURDAY/FEB. 21Boxwood and Flowering Shrubs.

10 a.m. at Merrifield Garden Center,12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax.Discover the many new and differentvarieties of boxwood and discussflowering shrubs to complement yourboxwood. Visitwww.merrifieldgardencenter.com orcall 703-968-9600.

Entertainment

C E N T R E V I L L EThe Anglican Church of the Ascension

TraditionalAnglican Services

1928 Book ofCommon Prayer

1940 Hymnal

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)

COMMUNITIESOF WORSHIP

To highlight yourfaith community,

call Karen at703-917-6468

Documents

Centreville Little Rocky Run Wellbeingconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/.../Centreview.pdf · 2015. 2. 5. · Centre View February 4-10, 2015 1 Attention Postmaster: Time