Great Falls Studios Hosts Annual Tourconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2011/101911/Great Falls.pdf · Great Falls Connection October 19-25, 2011 3 News Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal

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October 19-25, 2011

Great FallsStudios HostsAnnual Tour

News, Page 11

Sheila Lynch stands next to adisplay of her handmade jewelry,

which she makes from wood,glass, silver and any other mate-rial that inspires her. Lynch, who

works out of her Great Fallshome, was one of 48 artists on

display during the annual GreatFalls Studios Tour.

Great FallsStudios HostsAnnual Tour

News, Page 11

Candidates FaceOff at GrangeNews, Page 7

Foust, Husch Run ForDranesville SupervisorNews, Page 3

Candidates FaceOff at GrangeNews, Page 7

Foust, Husch Run ForDranesville SupervisorNews, Page 3

Page 12

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ October 19-25, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Supervisor, Page 9

See Langley Fork, Page 5

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

The Fairfax County ParkAuthority is beginningthe master plan process

for Langley Fork Park, locatedat the corner of GeorgetownPike and Colonial Farm Road inMcLean.

The 54-acre park currentlyhas two diamond fields, tworectangular fields, basketballcourts and trails. The land isbordered by the CIA at the east,residential to the south andwest and Claude Moore Colo-nial Farm to the north.

The park is currently ownedby the National Park Service,and was master planned in1980. That process gave thepark authority a 25-year specialuse permit to maintain the land.Since its expiration, the parkauthority has renewed the per-mit one year at a time.

The land is part of the GeorgeWashington Memorial Parkway,which is maintained by theNPS. As part of the master plan-ning process, the Park Author-ity would conduct a land swap,with nearby Langley Oaks Parkgoing to the NPS.

Dottie Marshall, superinten-dent of the George WashingtonMemorial Parkway, says thatthe swap will help LangleyForks Park become more of anasset to the community.

“We’ve owned this particularproperty since 1972, but havereally not operated or managedit since 1980, nor have we madeany investments in it,” she said.“We welcome this opportunityto work with the Fairfax CountyPark Authority because we be-lieve it will bring greater ac-countability to the managementand operation of the park. It

Future of park includesmaster planning process,possible land swap.

Park Authority PlansLangley Fork Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority is beginning themaster plan process for Langley Fork Park, located atthe corner of Georgetown Pike and Colonial FarmRoad. The park is currently owned by the NationalPark Service, the Park Authority has a yearly specialuse permit, which they have had since the original25-year permit expired in 2006.

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By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) will face Re-publican Dennis Huschthis November for

Dranesville District Supervisor.Foust, who was elected in 2007,

has lived in McLean since 1987.He currently serves as chair of theFairfax County Economic AdvisoryCommission and the vice-chair-man of the Chairman’s BudgetCommittee.

FOUST says one of his goals inthe upcoming term will be to “ag-gressively pursue” funding for theplanned widening of Route 7.

“The Route 7 widening projectfrom Tysons to Reston Avenue issomething that I personally hadadded to the comprehensive planfor Tysons Corner,” he said. “Asidefrom needing Route 7 widened to-day, Tysons will never work if thefour lanes inside go to two lanesoutside on Route 7.”

As chairman of the FairfaxCounty Economic Advisory Com-mission, Foust says he recently helped prepare a planto stimulate economic growth throughout the county.

“Essentially we’re looking to diversify the indus-tries we have. We rely very heavily on governmentcontracting, but there’s a lot of things that we cando,” he said. “It sounds strange, but the number onething we can do to improve our economy is continueto support Fairfax County Public Schools. Thoseschools are the magnet that draw the Fortune 500

companies to Fairfax County, they’re a magnet todraw qualified, well educated people who will con-tribute to Fairfax County.”

He also said his goal for Tysons Corner redevelop-ment is to “minimize public investment and maxi-mize public benefit.”

The Foust campaign has raised $185,069, accord

From left,RepublicanchallengerDennis Huschand Demo-cratic incum-bent JohnFoust, candi-dates forDranesvilleDistrict Super-visor, speak ata forum atMcLean HighSchool.

Meet the Candidates

John FoustJohn Foust is a native of Johnstown,

Pa. and moved to Northern Virginia in1977. He practiced law from 1981 un-til his election, and served as presidentof the McLean Citizens Association. Hereceived his bachelor’s degree in Eco-nomics from the University ofPittsburgh, his Master’s of Business Ad-ministration from the West VirginiaCollege of Graduate Studies and his lawdegree from George Washington Univer-sity. He and his wife Marilyn have twosons.

Dennis HuschDennis Husch has lived in Herndon

for the past 27 years, where he servedon the Town Council for 16 years, andalso on the Fairfax County EconomicDevelopment Task Force and theCommonwealth’s Joint Commission onTechnology and science. He currentlyworks for System Planning Commission,a consultant for the federal government.He received his bachelor’s degree inBusiness Administration from StrayerUniversity. He is married to Nancy andthey have one son.

Foust, Husch Run ForDranesville SupervisorRepublican challenger Husch facesDemocratic incumbent Foust, who was elected in 2007.


Did you know that the Fairfax Education Association, Fairfax Zero ToleranceReform, and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers,are endorsing the SAME CANDIDATES for School Board?

• It’s time for a change that will bring the necessary resourcesto our neediest students, and provide differentiated supportfor all FCPS kids,

• It’s time for a change that will bring greater sensitivity and a restorative,educational, and therapeutic discipline process to our children,

• It’s time for a change that will bring greater professional autonomyfor our teachers to start teaching with creativity, and not ‘to the test’.

These candidates will bring about change for the better:• Braddock: Megan McLaughlin • Lee: Tamara Derenak Kaufax

• Providence: Patty Reed • Dranesville: Louise Epstein • Mason: Sandy Evans• Mt. Vernon: Dan Storck • Hunter Mill: Pat Hynes• At-Large: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, Steve Stuban

Every child, parent, and teacher matters.VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th ~ SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS MATTER!

Teachers Say…Get Educated!Did you know?

Teachers and Parents Agree on School Board candidates!

There’s Never Been a Better Time For a Change…

VOTE FOR THE FCPS BOND REFERENDUM ON NOVEMBER 8TH TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS!

President’s Award

Congratulations to• SANDY EVANS (Mason) • TINA HONE (At-Large)

• PATTY REED (Providence)Recipients of the 2011

Fairfax County Federation of TeachersPresident’s Award

For Outstanding Advocacy for the Employees of FCPS.Thank you all for your continuous support, empathy, and service.

You are appreciated!


News

From Page 3

will also provide the opportunityfor the investment in the park.”

Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), says McLean hasbeen playing around with plans toimprove the park for some timenow, but it wasn’t feasible underpreviously existing circumstances.

“Langley Fork is somethingwe’ve been talking about for thepast 10 years, when I was presi-dent of the McLean Citizens Asso-ciation,” he said. “We just keptcoming back to the fact that Lan-gley Fork had so much potential,but the fact was the Park Author-ity didn’t own it, and there was areluctance to invest in property wehad on a year to year lease.”

Gayle Hooper, project managerfor the Park Authority said LangleyOaks Park “is a natural woodedarea, it hasn’t been developed ex-cept for a few power lines that runthrough.”

She said the swap would notchange the nature of LangleyOaks, but would provide the ParkAuthority the ability to invest inLangley Fork.

“By changing ownership of Lan-gley Oaks, it would remain awooded area under the care of theNational Park Service,” Hoopersaid. “Langley Fork would remainan athletic and recreational site,with any improvements the com-munity believes are worthwhile.”

THE TRANSFER PROCESSwould require the NPS to conductan environmental assessment ofLangley Fork, which would givethe Park Authority more informa-tion in regards to the natural, wa-

ter and cultural resources at thepark.

“The beauty of this, as far as themaster plan process goes, is thatthis will give us a much broaderrange of information,” Hoopersaid. “We’ll have all the environ-mental assessment information,and we’ll combine that with pub-lic input to come up with a plan ofwhat we think is the best usage forLangley Fork Park.”

Ben Helwig of the NPS said thatthe assessment and the masterplanning process would work to-gether to shape the future of thepark.

“We’re actually running twoseparate processes,” he said. “Themaster planning for the site, andhopefully whatever gets decidedduring this process will be able tofeed into the environmental as-sessment process, so for our needswe’ll be able to say when we givethis park away, this is what [thePark Authority] is planning ondoing with it.”

Kevin Fay, Dranesville represen-tative on the Park Authority Board,said Langley Fork “has some of thegreatest potential we have for ac-tive park development in the area,both in terms of refurbishment ofthe existing fields and potentialexpansion of additional fields.”

AT A COMMUNITY MEETINGThursday, Oct. 13 at FranklinSherman Elementary School, com-munity members gave their initialfeedback on what they hoped tosee at Langley Fork.

Joel Stillman, president ofMcLean Youth Athletics, said hewould like to see the process re-sult in increased playing fields for

outdoor and indoor sports.“Improving the fields there will

be a great help to a very bad situ-ation,” he said. “We also representindoor sports like basketball, wres-tling and volleyball, and resourcesare just as scarce for them to par-ticipate in the sports they want todo. An indoor facility, a fieldhouse, if you will, where all typesof things could happen, could bebasketball, volleyball, art shows,many different things the publiccould use.”

Alex Aguilar, a sophomore atOakcrest School in McLean, saysshe hopes the plan also involvedimprovements to the present fieldsat Langley Fork Park.

“My vision for Langley ForksPark is the improvement of thefields currently there,” she said.“My soccer team practices thereevery day and we play our homegames there, and the need for im-provement is apparent. There area lot of dangerous conditions.There’s a dirt area completely cov-ered in rocks… also there are dipsand ditches in the field, and ourteam is constantly facing injuriessuch as sprained ankles.”

The Park Authority hopes to de-velop a draft master plan over thenext few months and present thedraft to the board in January. Af-ter another public comment meet-ing in February and a 30-day pub-lic comment period, the revisionswill be included in the plan andsubmitted to the board for ap-proval.

More information on the pro-cess, as well as updates on theproject status, can be found atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/langleyfork.htm.

Langley Fork Park Discussed

To have community events listed in theConnection, send to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday.

THURSDAY/OCT. 20Chapter 227, Vietnam Veterans of

America Inc. 7:30 p.m. Neighbor’sRestaurant, 262D Cedar Lane, CedarLane Shopping Center, Vienna. CarlJ. Beisel of the SAIC Corp. willdiscuss the report on the ArlingtonNational Cemetery Assessment andFindings regarding the cemetery’sgrave management. Free admission,general public and all veteransinvited. 703-255-0353 or222.vva227.org.

Potomac Rose Society OctoberMeeting and Rose GrowingProgram. 7:30 p.m. McLeanGovernmental Center, 1437 Balls HillRoad, McLean. Jerry Amoroso,Northeast and Mid-Atlantic RegionalSales Manager for Weeks Roses, willdescribe new roses and more. Free.Light refreshments. 301-869-4948.

Avoiding Divorce Court II:Provisions of SettlementAgreements. 6:30 p.m. TheWomen’s Center, 127 Park St. N.E.,

Vienna. This course picks up whereAvoiding Divorce Court I leaves off,with a more thorough discussion ofseparation, custody, and propertySettlement Agreements. $30-$70.Register atwww.thewomenscenter.org or 703-281-4928.

SATURDAY/OCT. 22Social Media 2.0. 9:30 a.m. Unitarian

Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Howto use Twitter, LinkedIn, andFacebook and more. Laptopsuggested, not required. Free.Register at [email protected].

Yes I Can: Learn to Read MusicWorkshop. 10 a.m. Steinway PianoGalleries, Tysons Corner. Lunchincluded. $35, seniors $25. Learn toread music notes, improve yourvoice, count rhythm and more.Register atwww.kesselministries.com.

The Smart Split: Legal AspectsAbout Separation and Divorce.10 a.m. McLean Government Center,1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean. Learnthe rights and responsibilitiesinvolved in separation and divorcefrom experienced practicing family

law attorneys. Learn how the legalprocess works in the Virginia courtsand how to work with your lawyer. Asupport group will be available. $55non-members, $45 [email protected].

TUESDAY/OCT. 25Candidates’ Debate. 7 p.m. Great

Falls Grange, 9818 Georgetown Pike.Great Falls. Each candidate will givea five-minute presentation followedby Sheriff and Dranesville SchoolBoard candidates debates. TheSchool Board Bond issue, pro andcon, will be briefly [email protected].

❖ County Sheriff. Stan Barry vs. BillCooper.

❖ Dranesville School Board Member.Janie Strauss vs. Louise Epstein.

❖ County School Board At-LargeMembers. Ilryong Moon, ShereeBrown-Kaplan, Lin-Dal Kendall,Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, RyanMcElveen, Steven Stuban and TedVelkoff.

❖ Northern Va. District Soil & WaterConservation Directors. JohnaGagnon, George Lamb, JohnPeterson, Tom Crammer, and PeterMarchetti.

Bulletin Board

SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180

703-242-2204 1-800-556-8646Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com

for a listing of all our upcoming trips and socials.

CHRISTMAS CRUISE FROM BALTIMORE Dec. 24-31......$6957-Nights on Royal Caribbean with all meals & entertainment.

NEW YEAR’S CRUISE FROM BALTIMOREDec. 31-Jan. 7................................................................................$6597-Nights on Royal Caribbean with all meals & entertainment.

9-NIGHTS BAHAMAS CRUISEFROM BALTIMORE Jan. 28-Feb. 6.........................................$390Royal Caribbean’s “Enchantment” with all meals & entertainment.

8980 Brook Road in McLean • www.ProvidenceToday.org

BRING YOUR CAMERA. BUILD SOME MEMORIES.

PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH & PRESCHOOL

FALL FESTIVAL 2011Sat, October 29; 10 AM – 2 PM

Admission: $7 kids under 18; Parents admitted Free

A celebration for families & kids of all ages:Hayrides • Pony rides • Giant Inflatable Climbing Wall

A Giant Moon Bounce • A Junior Ferris Wheel • CakewalksCarnival Games & Competitions • Face painting & Story TellingAfrican Curios • Puppet Shows • Hotdogs, Pizza & Cotton Candy

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McLean & Great Falls Market Analysis of Homes Sales:1st 3 Quarters of 2011 compared to 1st 3 Quarters of 2010(Based on Final Closed Price)

>$3 Mil. $2-3 Mil. $1.25-2 Mil. $750k-$1.25 Mil. <$750k

1ST 3 QTRS.201122101 3 11 52 129 11022102 5 6 32 54 13522066 3 3 42 68 31Total: 11 20 126 251 276Combined Total: 157 527All Sales 1st 3 Qtrs. 2011: 684

1ST 3 QTRS.201020101 5 6 45 123 11822102 5 13 19 57 14522066 1 8 55 84 24Total: 11 27 119 264 287Combined Total: 157 551All Sales 1st 3 Qtrs. 2010: 708

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By Karen Briscoe

Detour (There’s aMuddy RoadAhead)” by PaulWesterland is a west-

ern swing song that in my view bestdescribes the current housing marketin McLean and Great Falls. The titleof the song says it all – the road is notsmooth or straight – best course ofaction is to “detour.” How I wish that was a possibil-ity for the current housing market – but it seems weare going to have to work our way through, no pos-sibility of going around it.

All price brackets had similar number of sales inthe first three quarters of 2011 compared to 2010.The best news again occurred in the $1.25 to $2million bracket with 126 homes changing hands, up

from 119 in the first half of 2010. As you may recall,the recovery of this price range began in the firsthalf of 2011 and fortunately carried over into thethird quarter. The total number of sales for McLeanand Great Falls was 684, which is down from 708 inthe same time period in 2010, a drop of 3.5 percent.

My prediction for the last quarter of2011 is much the same as the firstthree quarters of the year: recovery ofthe housing market will continue, butin a bumpy fashion. Dr. Stephen Fuller,Director of George Mason University’sCenter for Regional Analysis is theforemost authority on the economy forthe Washington, D.C. metro area.Fuller spoke at the Economic Summitfor the Northern Virginia Associationof Realtors on Sept. 16, 2010 where

he anticipated a rocky recovery. “Recession is overwhen you stop declining,” he said, “not when youget back to where you were.” He predicted that itwill be 2012 before we will be in an acceleratingeconomy. Thankfully 2012 is just around the corner.

The writer is the Principal, Huckaby BriscoeConroy Realty Group.

Hope ‘Around the Corner’McLean and Great Fallshousing market updatethrough 3rd quarter 2011.

Real Estate

“

To have real estate informationlisted in the Connection, send [email protected] is Friday.

Bruce L. Green,regional vicepresident ofWeichert, Real-tors, announcedSales AssociatePatricia E.Stack of theVienna office wasindividually rec-ognized for herexceptional industry success dur-ing the month of July. She led theregion in resale listings. The regioncomprises offices throughoutFairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier andDelaware counties.

This top neighborhood special-ist can be reached in Weichert’s

Vienna office at 156 East MapleAvenue or by phone at 703-938-6070.

REACS, Inc., a minorityowned commercial real estatecompany in Tysons Corner(Vienna) has been named theproperty management com-pany for Soapstone Center inReston and Pemberton SquareShopping Center in SouthRiding. REACS, Inc. is a fullservice commercial manage-ment company providing bro-kerage, property management,

construction and maintenance ser-vices to commercial property own-ers in Virginia, Maryland, andWashington D.C. For more infor-mation contact Steve Anderson at(703) 734-0880.

Bruce Green, regional vice

president of Weichert, Real-tors announced that the McLean/Old Dominion office was recog-nized for outstanding results andindustry success in 2010. In 2010,the McLean/Old Dominion office,managed by Steve Gaskins, led theregion for new homes dollar vol-ume, sales and resales. The regionconsists of offices throughout Vir-ginia. The Weichert’s McLean/OldDominion office can be reached at703-821-8300 at 6257 Old Domin-ion Drive.

Coldwell Banker Residen-tial Brokerage in McLeanhas announced its sales associ-ates who have earned thecompany’s InternationalPresident’s awards. The winnersinclude - Individual Achieve-ments: President’s Club - LindaKnowles and Sue Jin Song.

Real Estate Notes

Patricia E.Stack


News

See Candidates, Page 18

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

The Great Falls Citizens Associa-tion hosted a candidate’s forumTuesday, Oct. 11 at the Grange.Candidates for the Fairfax

County Board of Supervisors chair Demo-cratic incumbent Sharon Bulova and Repub-lican challenger Michael “Spike” Williamsand Dranesville District Supervisor Demo-cratic incumbent John Foust and Republi-can challenger Dennis Husch addressed lo-cal issues.

General assembly candidates also spokeat the forum. Republican Caren Merrick andDemocrat Barbara Favola are facing off forthe open 31st Senate district seat, while34th delegate district incumbent Republi-can Barbara Comstock and Democratic chal-lenger Pamela Danner were present.

Bulova, who previously served asBraddock District Supervisor, was electedchair in 2009. She cited several examplesof the work she has done in Great Falls.

“I worked with John [Foust (D-Dranesville] on making sure we receivedfunding for the fire station, and it was de-signed in a way that would be a success forthe Great Falls community,” she said. “I’vealso enjoyed working with your communityon historic preservation. That’s one of thethings I especially care about and believein.”

Williams currently lives in Oak Hill, andis a realtor as well as a project manager witha multinational corporation with offices inthe Dulles Corridor. He said he is runningagainst what he sees as a “serious lack ofleadership” in the county, as well as on aplatform of increased transparency.

“As chairman, I would not vote for the$1.7 billion transfer [from Fairfax Countyto Fairfax County Public Schools] unless anindependent audit has been done, we cansee where money is being spent,” he said.“We do not have a revenue problem here inFairfax County, we have a spending prob-lem.”

The proposed addition of a ropes courseby the company Go Ape has been a hot but-ton issue in Great Falls recently. The FairfaxCounty Park Authority awarded Go Ape anaward for the development and operationof the course July 21, but local neighborsand residents believe they were shut out ofthe decision process.

“I believe that when a change is beingproposed in our Fairfax County Parks thatthere should be and needs to be a publicprocess,” Bulova said. “That didn’t happenin this case, it should have.”

Williams said he was also against a pro-cess that minimized public input.

“I think if the Great Falls community hadthe opportunity to see this in the light ofday, they would have come out in armsagainst it,” he said. “I think it needs to be

tabled and looked at with fresh eyes andthe community needs to have the opportu-nity to give that input, so we can welcomeit because it works or reject it because itdoesn’t.”

The recent approval of the Brightviewassisted living facility was another contro-versial issue in the community, and the can-didates were asked how future controver-sies might be avoided.

“The problem in this circumstance is thatwe trusted that the developer was going toreach out in a good faith way to the com-munity,” Williams said. “This is a failing inthe way that we trusted a private entity toexecute a public action. If there’s publicnotice needed, the government should takeresponsibility for that.”

Bulova said her priority has always beento get information out as soon as possibleto as many people as possible.

“I’ve always made it my practice, as doesSupervisor Foust, to try and share as muchas possible and as broadly as possible, in-formation about the land use applications.Sometimes folks don’t become as aware asthey should have been until you’ve got thepublic hearings advertised,” she said. “De-velopment is something that is going to bewith you for a long time. When land useschange, it’s important that the time be takenin order to engage the community.”

FOUST IS WRAPPING UP his first termas Dranesville district supervisor.

“I love the semi-rural character of thiscommunity, and I’ve worked very hard overthe past four years to preserve that semi-rural character and to respect the historicvalue of Great Falls,” he said. “One of thebiggest challenges we’ve had is the Route 7widening project at Georgetown Pike. WhenI took office the Board of Supervisors hadvoted years ago to support the dual left-turnlane [from Route 7 onto Georgetown Pike].In December 2009 I wrote a letter to VDOTasking them to reconsider, and they saidonly with board approval, and that’s whatwe got.”

Foust said he first heard about the Go Apeproposal Aug. 18, at which point he said hetold the Park Authority staff to speak withgroups such as the Great Falls Citizens As-sociation, Great Falls Trailblazers and theFriends of Riverbend Park and the residentsnearby.

“They started that process, and that’s howthe community became aware of it. But Ithink the bottom line is, the Park Authorityshould have come to the community beforethey got anywhere with this thing,” he said.“I have spoken to the Park Authority direc-tor and told him I expect him to stop theproject now, and to continue the commu-nity outreach process. I have spoken to thecount attorney and asked him to researchon whether it is true that the Park Author-ity has no regulation that would governthem with respect to public outreach andapproval on a project of this significance. Ithink it’s on hold, and the community will

Candidates Face Off at GrangeGFCA hosts first of twocandidates forums.

Michael “Spike” Williams, Republi-can candidate for Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors chair.

Sharon Bulova, Democratic candi-date for Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors chair.

John Foust, Democratic candidatefor Dranesville District Supervisor.

Dennis Husch, Republican candidatefor Dranesville District Supervisor.

Barbara Favola, Democratic candi-date for the 31st district senate.

Caren Merrick, Republican candi-date for the 31st district senate.

Barbara Comstock, Republicancandidate for 34th district delegate.

Pamela Danner, Democratic candi-date for 34th district delegate.

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Opinion

Last month, we noted the beginningof the annual bow hunting season aspart of deer management in FairfaxCounty. We invited readers to share

their experiences with deer, and we’ve had in-teresting responses.

Among the comments: people shared theirexperience with Lyme disease, families withexperiences with deer-vehicle colli-sions, nature lovers who were dis-mayed to run into bow hunters in theirlocal parks, bow hunters who sincerelywant to be part of the solution, and one letteroutlining one family’s negative experienceswith bow hunters. We end with a report fromthe Fairfax County police, which notes thedeath of an Arlington man when his motor-cycle struck a deer in Clifton.

Here are a few excerpts:

From Springfield“It’s been almost two years since I was diag-

nosed with Lyme disease. I woke up one morn-ing … and I quickly realized that I couldn’thear anything in my right ear. It was almosttwo months later before I learned it was LymeDisease which caused the hearing loss. Whileit’s still a rare manifestation of the disease, thehearing specialist I saw said he’s seeing it morefrequently in recent years. … I never got myhearing back.”

From Centreville“I am one of the archers in the county’s bow

hunting program. … Thanks for giving a bal-

anced view and pointing out the inherent dan-gers of having such a massive concentrationof deer and the associated problems.”

From Oakton“My son has hit (or been hit by) two deer,

causing several thousands of dollars of cardamage and raising our insurance rates. We

are thankful that neither he nor hisfriend were injured. We saw a van fliprounding a downhill curve on OaktonRoad when Bambi leapt out of the

brush. The car was totaled, luckily the drivermiraculously was not seriously injured. [Thiswriter’s daughter also had Lyme disease.]

“Also we have lost several thousands of land-scape dollars even though we always boughtsupposed shrubbery and plantings deer did noteat. … We now pay $80 every two weeks tohave a noxious deer repellent sprayed in ouryard. It does seem to work.”

From Fairfax Station“We are not happy with the destruction deer

bring and we both have had automobile dam-age because of deer, but our experiences withhunting and its questionable efficacy make itunsupportable.

“Our first experience was … two unsuper-vised boys approximately 12-14 years old walk-ing through our yard with hunting bows whileour [Golden Retrievers] ran around. It’s morethan a little disconcerting to come across un-supervised children carrying deadly weaponsacross your property.

“The last experience occurred when my wifeentered our development in her car. A freshlyshot deer was dragging itself across the roadin front her and ended up collapsing on theside of the road in a neighbor’s yard. … Whilewe stood there, the hunter came down fromhis stand, walked to the deer and shot it sev-eral times with arrows until it finally died.”[This writer also relates observing two deerliving with arrows protruding from them, hadtheir “no hunting” signs torn down, and hadsomeone butcher a deer on their property, leav-ing the entrails behind.]

From Great FallsA woman called to recount her discomfort

at finding a bow hunter up in the tree whenshe was hiking in River Bend Park.

From CliftonFairfax County police report that Timothy

Ray Schleeter, 50, of Arlington, died in Augustthe day after he collided with a deer whileriding his Harley Davidson motorcycle onCompton Road near the intersection ofBalmoral Forest Road.

We welcome your stories about deer, and inviteyou to send your photos. You can find more onour website, www.ConnectionNewspapers.com bysearching with one word: deer.

— Mary Kimm,

[email protected], on

Twitter, @marykimm

More on Deer Sharing anecdotes from readers;No easy answers.

Editorial

Why Is Go ApeNeeded?To the Editor:

I am writing to clear up themany distorted facts that have cir-culated about the Go-Ape contractwith Riverbend Park. I am not aneighbor to the park, but I am oneof the few people who have stoodbefore the Board of Supervisorsand the FCPA on many occasionsto fight for the viability of this parkthreatened numerous times bybudget cuts. For years, I have gonemonthly to the scarcely populatedmeetings of the Friends ofRiverbend to brainstorm ideas onhow to finance this under fundedpristine resource in Great Falls thatsupports 390,000 visitors a year. Ihave sat with the FCPA on manyevenings since 2005 to discuss thebenefits of a ropes course inRiverbend and I am encouraged bythe prospect of bringing this re-source to the Park. The park isthere to be used by everyone. Ifwe try to isolate it, the park maynot survive at all.

I sure hope the people who fightthis proposal are planning to sitbeside me at future Friends meet-ings to come up with substitute

proposals that can earn the rev-enue that the Go-Ape project hasthe potential to earn. If they canfind ways to raise money for thesepublic lands that don’t bring traf-fic and people to the park, powerto them. I have not been able todo that. However, talk of neon“Hot Dog” signs and “circus-likeamusement park” distorts thetruth about Go-Ape and hurt thepark. I have outlined some of thefacts below for people who wantto give this proposal the consider-ation it deserves. You don’t haveto agree with me, but base yourdecision in fact.

1. Doing business with commer-cial enterprises: the FCPA policymanual requires the park to pur-sue opportunities to collaboratewith private sector entities tomaximize existing public facilities(Policy 105 from the FCPA policymanual, page 100.24). Go-Ape isnot Brightview. FCPA is not sell-ing the land to a commercial en-terprise that will develop it forever.They are leasing the land for fiveyears to a company that can dis-appear without a trace at the endof the contract term if we are un-happy.

2. About the money: the FCPAhas had their budget cut 25 per-

cent in the past three years, whichthreatened to close the park, cutits staff and reduce its hours ofoperation. FCPA now needs eachpark to earn 40-60 percent of theiroperating budget. That is bigmoney and I am not going to raiseit holding a native plant sale. Therevenue from Go-Ape is very wel-come under such circumstances,especially when other concerns(below) were satisfactorily met.

3. Process: the FCPA has nostatutory requirement to hold pub-lic hearings for new programs.They followed all rules with thisprocess. We could argue to changethe rules and require public hear-ings for new programs, but this islikely to result in a paralyzed parkservice. FCPA starts new programsall the time (i.e. canoe rentals,astronomy, school programs) all ofwhich bring traffic and people tothe park. Very few neighbors tookinterest. It was hugely unexpectedto find people suddenly interestedand questioning a new program.At the Friends meetings, we havebeen kicking around the idea of aropes course for years. Our meet-ings are open and transparent andthe FCPA was always there discuss-ing it right along side us. Therewas plenty of transparency for

people who were looking for it.4. Traffic: Plenty of solutions

exist to deal with the traffic andsmart people should be able to fig-ure out how to solve this problem.Two of the better suggestions I’veheard include asking VDOT for aturn lane into the park or using ashuttle from the grange on thosecrowded summer weekend days.There are very few days when traf-fic backs up out of the park. As forspeed on Jeffery Road, VDOT caninstall speed bumps at places thathave blind curves or hills. Go-Apeis contractually obligated to re-duce the number of customers ondays where it affects traffic. UseGo-Ape to get your traffic issuesresolved, don’t kill Go-Ape.

5. Nature Preserve: Lots to sayhere but basically, the park is re-quired to keep 97 percent of thepark in a pristine state. With 418acres, the park can offer a visitor’scenter, a nature center, parkingand a ropes course all in the 3 per-cent remaining. Even so, Go-Aperemoves no trees, the cable systemhas no impact on the existingtrees, an independent arboristchecks the trees each year to en-sure good health, they remove

Letters to the Editor

See Letters, Page 22

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From Page 3

ing to the VirginiaPublic AccessProject. Of themoney raised,$133,762 has comein the form of cashcontributions ofmore than $100;$35,125 has comein cash contribu-tions of less than$100; and $12,622as in-kind contributions of more than $100.

More information is available atwww.foustforsupervisor.com.

HUSCH served on the Herndon Town Council from1994 to 2010, where he served on the council’s Fi-nance Ad Hoc Committee, the Hispanic Task Forceand the Mayor’s Sports Field Inventory Task Forceamong others. He also represented the town on theFairfax County Regulatory Process and LegislativeCommittee.

“I have a long history of local government involve-ment and making the hard decisions that need to bemade,” he said. “A public official has a responsibilityto listen first, engage stakeholders and then make adecision, not the other way around.”

Husch says his main concerns in the DranesvilleDistrict are the committed funds for Tysons Cornerredevelopment and Phase Two of Dulles Metrorail

and lack of information about where the money willcome from.

“Currently there’s a commitment to pay $991 mil-lion, soon to be $1 billion, soon to be $1.7 billionand we know it will go to $2 billion for infrastruc-ture development in Tysons Corner,” he said. “There’sno plan on where that money is coming from. Wedeserve better than that. There’s a commitment topay $400 million or more for Phase Two of the Sil-ver Line. There’s no indication about where thatmoney is going to come from, and how it’s going tobe funded. We deserve better than that.”

The Husch campaign has raised $30,304, accord-ing to VPAP. Of that money, $17,021 has come in theform of cash contributions of more than $100; $9,998in cash contributions of $100 or less; and $1,467from in-kind contributions of more than $100.

More information about Husch can be found atwww.dhusch.com.

Supervisor Race Preview“I have a long historyof local governmentinvolvement andmaking the harddecisions that needto be made.”

— Dennis Husch

“It sounds strange, but thenumber one thing we cando to improve oureconomy is continue tosupport Fairfax CountyPublic Schools.”

— John Foust

State Farm InsuranceIN GREAT FALLS

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October Tour Times7:30 pm nightly

7:30 & 9:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays

Call 703-519-1749 to reserve your tour time,or purchase tickets online at www.alexcolonialtours.com.

Join us on this one-hour walkthrough Old Town Alexandria.

You’ll hear ghost stories, legendsand folklore as you creep along

the brick-lined streets.

You’ll visit historic sites asyou hear ghostly tales.

And don’t forget to join us forour Special Halloween Tours

where you’ll also visit the buildingwhere a restless spirit still dwells!

Join us on this one-hour walkthrough Old Town Alexandria.

You’ll hear ghost stories, legendsand folklore as you creep along

the brick-lined streets.

You’ll visit historic sites asyou hear ghostly tales.

And don’t forget to join us forour Special Halloween Tours

where you’ll also visit the buildingwhere a restless spirit still dwells!

HELPWANTED:Part-timegraphicartist tohelp ondeadlinewith build-ing ads,page layout,photo proc-essing andotheraspects ofproducingour 15weeklynewspapers.Must beable to workTuesdaysplus part ofMonday orWednesdayas needed.Hourly rate.Send letter,resume [email protected].


Guests on the Great Falls Studios Tour examine the artists and art ondisplay at the Atelier, a shared studio space in Great Falls. The Atelierwas one of many local art spaces on display during the annual tour.

News

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

Great Falls artist Sheila Lynchbegan her career at an earlyage, drawing on walls withcrayons when she was only a

year old. Since then, she has been “collect-ing experiences,” which lead her to explorecreative expression in many avenues.

“I learned how to stain glass at the Tor-pedo Factory, which led me to learn about

never see it,” she said. “I love when the mapcomes out every year, because you can justdiscover the people who have studios onall these back roads and see interesting ar-eas of Great Falls where they create.”

LIKE MANY ARTISTS on the tour, painterAlicia Sommers began her artistic endeav-ors at a young age. She started playing theharp at 5, and when she moved to the area32 years ago, she started taking paintingclasses.

“I just love color,” said Sommers, whomostly paints with acrylic on canvas andpaper. “And I’m very into abstraction. I’ve

See Artists, Page 15

Local artists display works, workspaces.

Great Falls Studios Hosts Annual Tour

Guests tour the pottery studio of Laura Nichols during the annual GreatFalls Studios Tour Sunday, Oct. 16. The tour featured 48 local artists whodisplayed their work, and many of them welcomed guests into theirpersonal studios.

Painter John McCabe works on apiece at his studio, which heshares with many other artists whoare a part of Great Falls Studiosduring the annual tour Sunday.McCabe was one of many GreatFalls artists who created anddisplayed their works over theweekend.

Artist Sheila Lynch displays anexample of how she goes from aphotograph to a drawing, and thenturns the drawing into a piece ofstained glass. The project picturedis part of a self-portrait project sheis working on.

Donna Barnako stands next to one of her necklaces, “Crossroads,” at herhome studio during the Great Falls Studio Tour.

fusing, which led me to jewelry and to paint-ing and drawing,” she said.

Lynch was one of 48 artists who sharedtheir art with hundreds of visitors duringGreat Falls Studios’ annual tour. Her work-place is her home, off Riverbend Road, andevery corner of the house displays her eclec-tic interests.

One table contained jewelry she makes,creating pieces of colored glass in her stu-dio. She also makes cufflinks out of wood,metal and glass, and has a process whereshe can turn pictures into stained glass por-traits.

“I like things that are more than onething,” she said. “I come up with my ideaswhenever they come to me, I write themdown, and sort of work backwards until itcomes to life.”

Another section features a table filled withrocks that appear normal until an ultravio-

let light make the zinc in the rocks glow invivid colors. In front of her fireplace is amosaic made up of rocks, beads, glass andother materials. Nothing on the piece isglued down, so Lynch can adjust as she seesfit.

“I just sort of started it and went where ittook me,” she said. “It comes from the Bud-dhist notion that says ‘just let things hap-pen.’”

Betty Ganley paints mostly water scenes,and her work has won more than 70 awardsand have been published in many art books.

“I don’t sail or boat, but I love the scen-ery,” she said. “I started painting the coastsof Maine, and sort of worked my way downthe East Coast.”

Ganley says she enjoys the Studios Tour,now in its eighth year, because it allowsmore people to see what local artists arecapable of.

“This is the best event of the year for art-ists in this area, a lot of people will be see-ing our work, people who might otherwise

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12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ October 19-25, 2011 Great Falls Connection ❖ October 19-25, 2011 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Education●Learning●Fun

In September, Langley HighSchool seniors Devon Clarkand Molly Bremer, con-ducted the first Ready to Run

class for girls in Churchill Road’s4th-6th grade classes. Devin and

Molly wanted to share their loveof running and organized the ac-tivity because they wanted to en-courage girls to start running at anearly age. Ready to Run providesan opportunity for girls to gain con-

fidence, cultivate social skills, anddevelop healthy lifestyles by par-ticipating with their peers in a run-ning program. Langley’s crosscountry coaches, Jessica Cardosiand Gifford Krivak, as well as Lan-

gley classmates Annie Cross, LydiaFernandes and Allie Pivik, are as-sisting with the group, too. Theseason’s grand finale for the groupwill be participation in a local 5Krun.

Churchill Road fourth grader Sophie Stitt and Langleyseniors Devon Clark and Lydia Fernandes lead the pack onthe groups’ run around the Churchill track.

Churchill Road Ready to Run participants Leah Damelin,Eliza Young, Elena Shklyar, Sarah Das, and Julia Jones beginby learning to stretch properly before taking to the track.

Ready to Run at Churchill Road

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Langley High School StudentGovernment Officers formed apartnership with Churchill Road

Elementary School SCA sponsor AlexMantel to assist with the Churchill Roadstudent government elections. Langleyseniors Sean Ahearn, Molly Bremer, HollyDodd and Annie Snitman came toChurchill Road on election day to answerquestions about the voting process andthe role of student government, as well asto assist with the voting process itself.Churchill Road students voted electroni-cally for each of the six key positions.CRS technology specialist Erik Dahlincreated the electronic ballot, whichfeatured photos of each of the candi-dates. Mimicking real-life voting experi-ences, students were presented with “Ivoted” stickers following the completionof balloting.

Langley SGA studentsassist Churchill Roadstudents with voting.

Casting theBallot Langley SGA representa-

tive Sean Ahearn and CRSSCA sponsor Alex Mantelassist first gradersBrooke Washington andNoor Golesorkhi with theelectronic voting process.

Langley High School SGAofficers and representa-tives Molly Bremer, HollyDodd and Annie Snitmanpresent CRS 5th graderLauren Cain with an “Ivoted” sticker at theconclusion of the ballot-ing session.

Photos by

Kim Moran


Education●Learning●Fun

Celebrating Dayof PlayLangley High School juniorand Great Falls resident,Morgan Ladd (third fromleft), on the set ofNickelodeon’s WorldwideDay of Play, filmed inWashington. MichelleObama, Lebron James andVictoria Justice were someof the celebrity guests.

A New OutdoorClassroom

In celebration of the St. FrancisCreche preschool’s 10th anniver-sary, parishioners at St. FrancisEpiscopal Church in Great Fallsjoined in a special blessing on Oct.2 for a new outdoor classroom forthe school’s young students. Pa-rishioner Brent Yarnall, an EagleScout with Troop 1530, managedthe construction of the outdoorclassroom with the help of fellowscouts, troop leaders, and friends.The classroom area includes anentranceway, several stations forplaying and exploring nature, anda three-tier platform deck.

Kannon Shanmugam and his son William enjoy the newoutdoor classroom for the St. Francis Creche preschool inGreat Falls.

For his Eagle Scout project,Brent Yarnall managed theconstruction of a new out-door classroom for the St.Francis Creche in Great Falls.Yarnall joins ThomasShanmugam in the TreeCookies natural buildingblock area of the classroomat the Oct. 2 dedication.

HELP WANTED:Full Time Editorial Assistant: Work with award-win-ning editor on all aspects of producing a group of hyper-local weekly newspapers in Fairfax County. Assist withcommunity engagement, compiling and prioritizing vol-umes of community information, layout, copy editingand more. Preferred candidates will be high energy,low-maintenance with great time management skills andability to multi-task. Experience in page layout programs,AP style and social media a plus. Entry level salary plushealth insurance, paid vacation. Send cover letter,resume to [email protected].


News

worked in almost every medium, but painting ismy favorite.”

Donna Barnako found her calling later in life. Sheowned a yarn store in McLean for many years, andbegan taking art classes after her retirement in 2001.She now makes her jewelry, which consists of metal,glass and other objects she creates or discovers, ather home studio, which shebuilt five years ago.

“I like to do metal work,etching, and adding parts ofthings I find, such as parts of awatch or a belt buckle,” shesaid. “I sort of let the piecesspeak to me, and I really enjoyfinding new processes to coloror etch metal, and I’m alwayslooking for new and interest-ing tools.”

Much of Barnako’s work iscentered around a piece she dis-covered somewhere, and thenbuilt the jewelry around it in a complimentary way.One necklace she took her seven years to completeas she waited for the right aquatic related pieces tocome to her.

Paula Wexford of Great Falls says she was amazedat seeing the spaces in which the artists work.

“I went to one house where Laura [Nichols, a pot-ter] had her kiln and shelves of her work just out on

display in her basement. I’d never seen a kiln before,or even imagined the process it takes to create some-thing as seemingly simple as a bowl,” she said. “Ijust think it’s neat to see how these people have founda way to make sure they are as close as possible totheir work, and can work at their own pace and nothave to commute.”

Painter Michele Mansuino says she always findsher inspiration in the same place: Italy.

“I went to Florence when Iwas younger, and that was it,”she said. “I keep going backbecause of the constancy of thelight, color, weather and archi-tecture, which just doesn’tchange.”

Mansuino says she paints ev-ery day in the studio she shareswith several other artists onWalker Road, except when sheis in Italy. Jim Rodney of Viennasaid seeing so much art on dis-play and under constructionwas an inspiring sight.

“It’s like a beautiful factory, where these creativepeople work together, side by side and create amaz-ing pieces,” he said. “This is the kind of art I’d put upagainst any gallery I’ve ever seen, and it’s amazingthat it’s created by our friends and neighbors.”

MORE INFORMATION on Great Falls Studios canbe found at www.greatfallssudios.com.

From Page 11

Artists Display Their Work

“This is the kind of artI’d put up against anygallery I’ve ever seen,and it’s amazing thatit’s created by ourfriends and neighbors.”

— Jim Rodney of Vienna

HUMANE SOCIETY OF FAIRFAX COUNTYHours: Monday-Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-3 • www.hsfc.org4057 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • 703-385-7387

D.O.B. September 2, 2007, Mastiff/Lab Mix,Neutered Male, 80 lbs. Bosco is a big boyand a big lover. He’s great with other dogsand a real sweetie. He’s 4 years old, house-broken and loves attention. He’s had somebad luck in his short time alive, but hopessomeone will want the love he has to give.He dreams of a forever home and tries sohard to be your best friend. He’s a lab mixwith another larger breed added in for goodmeasure. We think it may be Mastiff orNewfoundland mix, but whatever it is, it’s abreed of pure sweetness. Please come and

meet Bosco and make his dream of a home of hisown a reality. Attributes: Big Lover Boy!

THIS IS “BOSCO”

Now! Thousands ofpictures of sports,graduations, currentevents and more—never published, butposted on the Web.Free for evaluation,available for prints.

Click on “Photo Gallery”


An Open Invitationto the CommunityCome Visit Our New Offices

Light refreshments will be served

Open House6818 Tennyson Drive, McLean, VA

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 • 5pm-7pm

703-795-6943 • www.safecommunitycoalition.net

See Entertainment, Page 17

Send announcements [email protected] is Thursday for the followingweek’s paper. Photos/artwork encour-aged. For additional listings, visitwww.connectionnewspapers.com

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 19Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream. 7

p.m. George Mason University PatriotCenter, 4500 Patrioy Circle, Fairfax.Tickets $15-$70, available at 1-800-551-SEAT, www.ticketmaster.com;and www.patriotcenter.com.www.disneyonice.com.

Model Investment Club ofNorthern Virginia. 7 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Learnmore about investing. Adults. 703-790-8088, TTY: 711.

THURSDAY/OCT. 20The Alternate Routes: A Benefit

for Music 4 More and DeltaRae. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream. 7p.m. George Mason University PatriotCenter, 4500 Patrioy Circle, Fairfax.Tickets $15-$70, available at 1-800-551-SEAT, www.ticketmaster.com;and www.patriotcenter.com.www.disneyonice.com.

“Auntie Mame.” 7:30 p.m. James LeeCommunity Center Theater, 2855Annandale Road, Fall Church. Aneccentric aunt introduces her nephewto a life of madcap parties, sillyescapades and more. $128 adults,$15 students and seniors.www.providenceplayers.org or 703-425-6782.

The Battle of Lewinsville. 7 p.m.Dolley Madison Library, 1244 OakRidge Ave., McLean. The “battle” is alittle known skirmish that took placeat Lewinsville on September 11, 1861involving notable Civil War figures.Adults. 703-356-0770, TTY: 711.

Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m.Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Call for title.Adults. 703-757-8560, TTY: 711.

Ollabelle with Kris Delmhorst. 8p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635Trap Road, Vienna. Roots music. $20.www.wolftrap.org.

“Amadeus” Fall Concert. 7 p.m.Langley High School, 6520Georgetown Pike, McLean. Each ofLangley’s five orchestras will presentmusic from the motion picturesoundtrack. The Concerto in d minor,K.466, will feature senior pianistMichelle Kim, and the Concerto forFlute and Harp features AllysaKatahara. Free. 703-864-9173 [email protected].

FRIDAY/OCT. 21The Milk Carton Kids and Gaby

Moreno at 7 p.m., Big O andDukes Live at 9:30 p.m. Jammin’Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream.10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. GeorgeMason University Patriot Center,4500 Patrioy Circle, Fairfax. Tickets$15-$70, available at 1-800-551-SEAT, www.ticketmaster.com; andwww.patriotcenter.com.www.disneyonice.com.

“Auntie Mame.” 7:30 p.m. James LeeCommunity Center Theater, 2855Annandale Road, Fall Church. Aneccentric aunt introduces her nephewto a life of madcap parties, sillyescapades and more. $128 adults,$15 students and seniors.www.providenceplayers.org or 703-425-6782.

Hurray for Halloween! 2:30 p.m.Dolley Madison Library, 1244 OakRidge Ave., McLean. Come incostume for stories and activities.Age 3-5 with adult. 703-356-0770,TTY: 711.

Friday Afternoon Chess Group. 1p.m. Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Playersof all levels welcome. No registrationnecessary. All ages. 703-757-8560,TTY: 711.

Battlefield Band. 8 p.m. The Barns atWolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.Scottish revival music. $24.www.wolftrap.org.

“Mother Wove the Morning.” 8p.m. Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax, 2709 HunterMill Road, Oakton. One woman’ssearch for the feminine face of God.Proceeds benefit the FistulaFoundation. $20, $10 students,seniors, and low income. Advancetickets available at www.uucf.org.

MPA Art Appetizers. 7-9 p.m.McLean Project for the Arts, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. A discussionof “Seth Rosenberg: The ClevelandYears; Accidentally on Purpose:Paintings by Carolyn Case” and“Encaustic Paintings by GeorgiaNassikas.” Silent auction,refreshments and more. [email protected].

SATURDAY/OCT. 22Archaeology Day. 12-4 p.m. Civil War

Interpretive Center at HistoricBlenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Celebrate VirginiaArchaeology Month by participating

in activities, tours, and more. Nodigging will occur but a variety ofartifacts will be displayed includingCivil War artifacts. Free. 703-591-6728.

Johnny Reb and Billy Yank. 2:30p.m. Dolley Madison Library, 1244Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. StorytellerGary Lloyd shares true tales fromboth sides of the Civil War.Cosponsored by the Erie and JohnHopkins Educational and CharitableTrust through the Fairfax LibraryFoundation. Age 6 and up. Free. 703-356-0770.

McLean Remembers the Civil War.11 a.m.-5 p.m. McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Avenue,McLean. Sponsored by McLean &Great Falls Celebrate Virginia.Reenactors, speakers, displays,music, and more detailing the impactthe Civil War had on McLean and thesurrounding area. Historian andbroadcaster Roger Mudd, will be thehonorary event chairman andkeynote speaker. Free and open tothe public. 703-356-8223.

McLean Symphony Orchestra’s40th Anniversary SeasonOpening. 7:30 p.m. McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Conducted byDingwall Fleary, with pianist CarlosIbay performing Rachmaninoff’s

Entertainment

Langley’s Orchestras in Concert Each of Langley’s five orchestras will present musicfrom the soundtrack of the motion picture“Amadeus” on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at LangleyHigh School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean. TheConcerto in d minor, K.466, will feature senior pia-nist Michelle Kim, and the Concerto for Flute andHarp features Allysa Katahara (pictured). Free. 703-864-9173 or [email protected].

HOW TO GET YOURORGANIZATION’S SPECIALEVENTS IN THE CONNECTION

Calendar ListingsThe Connection Newspapers contain a Calendar ofUpcoming Events every week. While we cannot guaranteethat every event we receive information about will belisted, here is the information we need for your upcomingevent to be considered for the Calendar. We welcomephotographs of similar events held previously, whichsometimes appear with Calendar items.

Name of Event:Day of the Week, Date and Time:Name of the Place Event will Be Held:Address of the Place Event Will Be Held:Name and Phone Number for More Information:Three Sentences Describing the Event:

Please submit your calendar information at leasttwo weeks before your event. Clear photographs fromsimilar previous events are always welcome.All events should be open to the public. We givefirst priority to free events. E-mail listings to:

[email protected] mail to:Calendar, Connection Newspapers1606 King StreetAlexandria, VA 22314.

For more information, call 703-778-9410.

www.connectionnewspapers.com


Visit These Houses of Worship

Assembly of GodVienna Assembly of God ... 703-938-7736

Washington Christian Church...703-938-7720Cristo Es Mi Refugio...703-938-7727

Baha’iBaha’i Faith for Northern Virginia ... 703-821-3345

BaptistGlobal Mission Church ... 703-757-0877Peace Baptist Church ... 703-560-8462

Bethel Primitive Baptist Church... 703-757-8134

Cartersville Baptist Church ... 703-255-7075

Fellowship Baptist Church ... 703-385-8516First Baptist Church ... 703-938-8525

The Light Mission Church ... 703-757-0877Vienna Baptist Church ... 703-281-4400

New Union Baptist Church... 703-281-2556

BuddhistVajrayogini Buddhist Center... 202-331-2122

Church of the BrethernOakton Church of the Brethern ... 703-281-4411

CatholicOur Lady of Good Counsel ... 703-938-2828

St. Athanasius Catholic Church ... 703-759-4555St. Mark’s Catholic Church ... 703-281-9100

CharismaticChristian Assembly ... 703-698-9777

Church of ChristBerea Church of Christ ... 703-893-7040

Disciples of ChristAntioch Christian Church ... 703-938-6753

EpiscopalChurch of the Holy Comforter ... 703-938-6521

Church of the Holy Cross ... 703-698-6991St. Francis Episcopal ... 703-759-2082

Jehovah’s WitnessJehovah’s Witnesses ... 703-759-1579

LutheranEmmanuel Lutheran Church...703-938-2119

Christ The King Lutheran Church...703-759-6068St. Athanasius Lutheran Church... 703-455-4003

MethodistAndrew Chapel United Methodist ... 703-759-3509

Church of the Good Shepherd ... 703-281-3987The Vine Methodist Church ... 703-573-5336

Ephiphany United Methodist ...703-938-3494

Great Falls United Methodist... 703-759-3705Oakton United Methodist ... 703-938-1233

Vale United Methodist ... 703-620-2594Smith Chapel United Methodist ... 571-434-9680

Wesley United Methodist ... 703-938-8700

Non-DenominationalChristian Assembly Church ... 703-698-9777

PresbyterianGrace Orthodox Presbyterian Church

...703-560-6336Korean Central Presbyterian ... 703-698-5577

Vienna Presbyterian ... 703-938-9050

QuakerLangley Hills Friends...703-442-8394

Seventh-Day AdventistNorthern Virginia Christian Fellowship ... 703-242-9001

Vienna Seventh Day Adventists ... 703-938-8383Unitarian Universalist

Congregation of Fairfax ... 703-281-4230Unity

Unity of Fairfax ... 703-281-1767

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA

450 ORCHARD STREETVIENNA, VA

[email protected]

www.fbcv.org

Dr. KENNY SMITH,PASTOR

SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 11:00 AMMIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM

11321 Beach Mill RoadGreat Falls, VA 20165

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Rev. D. J. Zuchelli, Pastor

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7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday school/Music: preschool - grade 210:25 a.m. Sunday school/Music: grades 3 - 1211:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 and 11:15 services

The Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Jacqueline Thomson

The Rev. Denise Trogdon703-437-6530

www.stannes-reston.org1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

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To Highlight Your Faith Community call Karen at 703- 917-6468

From Page 16

Concerto No. 2 and MacDowell’sConcerto No. 2. 703-356-0089.

The Downtown Fiction and SingMe Insomnia. 6 p.m. Jammin’Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream.10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.George Mason University PatriotCenter, 4500 Patrioy Circle, Fairfax.Tickets $15-$70, available at 1-800-551-SEAT, www.ticketmaster.com;and www.patriotcenter.com.www.disneyonice.com.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. 8p.m. George Mason University Centerfor the Arts, 4400 University Drive,Fairfax. With the Alturas Duo.Sibelius’ Tapiola, Farias’Commissioned Concerto, andBeethoven’s Symphony No. 3,“Eroica.” Free pre-concert discussionfor ticketholders at 7 p.m. Tickets$25-$55. [email protected].

Inova HealthSource Fight the Flu.10 a.m. Tysons-Pimmit RegionalLibrary, 7584 Leesburg Pike, FallsChurch. Shots $30 or Medicare PartB; must be 18 or older.www.inova.org/flu or 703-750-8818.703-790-8088, TTY: 711.

“Bravo Mozart” All-MozartConcert. 4 p.m. Ernst CommunityCultural Center, Northern VirginiaCommunity College, 8333 Little RiverTurnpike, Annandale. With AaronGoldman and Dotian Levalier inMozart’s Concerto for Flute andHarp. Reception to follow. Adults$20, seniors and groups $18, on-line$18. Students free. 703-758-0179.

“Auntie Mame.” 7:30 p.m. James LeeCommunity Center Theater, 2855Annandale Road, Fall Church. Aneccentric aunt introduces her nephew

to a life of madcap parties, sillyescapades and more. $128 adults,$15 students and seniors.www.providenceplayers.org or 703-425-6782.

“Mother Wove the Morning.” 8p.m. Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax, 2709 HunterMill Road, Oakton. One woman’ssearch for the feminine face of God.Proceeds benefit the FistulaFoundation. $20, $10 students,seniors, and low income. Advancetickets available at www.uucf.org.

The Old Firehouse Teen Center21st Anniversary Block Party.11 a.m.-4 p.m. McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.Living history exhibit, rock wall,moon bounce, caricature artist and a“McLean Teens Got Talent”competition. Free admission. 703-448-8336, TTY 711 orwww.mcleancenter.org/kids-teens/old-firehouse.asp.

Oktoberfest Bazaar and Craft Fair.10 a.m.-3 p.m. Charles Wesley UnitedMethodist Church Fellowship Halland Narthex, 6817 Dean Drive,McLean. Handcrafted jewelry, silkfloral arrangements, hand carvedbirds, baked goods and more. Lunchserved 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with bratwurst,sauerkraut, German potato salad, hotdogs, desserts and more.www.charleswesleyumc.org.

Ayr Hill Garden Club at the ViennaFarmers Market. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Inthe Caboose parking lot on ChurchSt., Vienna. The club will be selling awide selection of flower bulbs.Proceeds help maintain the W & ODbike trail garden, the garden atPatrick Henry Library, SalsburySpring, Children’s Discovery Gardenand the Ayr Hill Learning CenterGarden. [email protected].

SUNDAY/OCT. 23I.M.P. and Jammin’ Java present

The Civil Wars with MiloGreene. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream.12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. GeorgeMason University Patriot Center,4500 Patrioy Circle, Fairfax. Tickets$15-$70, available at 1-800-551-SEAT, www.ticketmaster.com; andwww.patriotcenter.com.www.disneyonice.com.

16th Annual Craftsmen’s FallClassic Arts & Crafts Festival.10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dulles Expo CenterSouth Hall, 4320 Chantilly ShoppingCenter, Chantilly. Original designsand work from hundreds of artistsand craftsmen. Admission $7, $1 age6-12, under age 6 free. 1-336-282-5550.

“Auntie Mame.” 2 p.m. James LeeCommunity Center Theater, 2855Annandale Road, Fall Church. Aneccentric aunt introduces her nephewto a life of madcap parties, sillyescapades and more. $128 adults,$15 students and seniors.www.providenceplayers.org or 703-425-6782.

Wounded Warrior Salmon Run. 2-7p.m. American Legion Post 180, 330Center St. N., Vienna. A salmon fishfry with two live bands to raise fundsto support our Wounded Warriors atWalter Reed. $15 per [email protected].

Fall Festival. 2-4 p.m. ViennaAdventist Academy, Vienna AdventistAcademy, 340 Courthouse RoadS.W., Vienna. Rock and velcro wall,bouncy boxing, soccer tournament,bake sale, vendors and [email protected].

Entertainment


News

Candidates Address Hot Great Falls IssuesFrom Page 7

have the opportunity to speak.”Foust also said he helped with new zon-

ing ordinances to help preserve the natureof Georgetown Pike from over-develop-ment, especially after a few developers builttoo close to the road.

“I got the zoning staff involved, and wenow have provisions in the zoning ordi-nance where that type of impact onGeorgetown Pike will never happen again,”he said. “We’re working with the Great FallsTrailblazers and the Great Falls CitizensAssociation and our resident historian tomake sure the trail projects alongGeorgetown Pike are stone dust trails ratherthan concrete,” he said.

HUSCH SERVED on the Town Council ofHerndon for 16 years, and has worked as adefense contractor for the past 30 years.

“A public official has a responsibility tolisten first, engage stakeholders and thenmake decisions, not the other way around,”he said.

Husch condemned the Brightview deci-sion, saying the special exception grantedby the Board of Supervisors to allow thefacility was inconsistent with Great Falls.

It was approved with minimum publicengagement. To make matters worse, thecomprehensive land use plan was not fol-lowed,” he said. “In this case, two acres ofthat property was determined to be residen-tial property and it should have stayed resi-dential. The covenant with the communitywas broken, and that residential propertywas changed to commercial. There are waysto do that, but you don’t do it on the fly.”

He also said he was against the processthat resulted in the Go Ape proposal, say-ing that the park should not be commer-cialized without public input.

“The lady from the Fairfax County ParkAuthority told us at a meeting last week thatsince their budgets were cut, they weregiven tacit approval to commercialize ourparks, and that they didn’t have to gothrough any public hearing process to com-mercialize our parks,” he said. “That’s justwrong, that’s not the way we make deci-sions on how to use facilities, and we de-serve better. To make matters worse, it didnot even require an environmental studyor traffic study.”

Husch also said he would work to pro-tect the integrity of Georgetown Pike.

“Clearly the Pike is a relevant, historicasset,” he said. “Allowing development rightup to the edge of the road is clearly notappropriate, changing the character of theroad, clear-cutting trees or any other non-sense should not be allowed to happen.”

FAVOLA AND MERRICK are running forthe open State Senate seat vacated by theretiring Mary Margaret Whipple, and GreatFalls is a new addition to the district. Previ-ously it included mostly Arlington, but nowstretches from Arlington to eastern McLean,Great Falls and into Loudoun County.

Favola has been on the Arlington CountyBoard for the past 14 years, and has livedin the area for the past 30 years. She waschair of the Arlington County Board in2000, 2004 and 2009, as well as vice chairin 1999, 2003 and 2008.

“Since 2008, this entire region has cre-ated more jobs than any other in the state,”she said. “It’s because you care enough tocreate an environment that gives us the verybest educated workforce. Those are thekinds of things I care about, and I want tocontinue.”

Merrick has lived in McLean since 1992,and founded webMethods, a companywhich started in her basement and grew toan 1,100-employee company. She says herexperience as a jobs creator makes her thebest choice for the seat.

“Our unemployment rate is nearly doublewhat it usually is, and as we know the twobiggest sectors in our economy, the federalgovernment and contractors are facing avery uncertain future,” she said. “I wouldpropose that we will streamline regulationsand taxation so that business of all sizes cangrow and we can diversify our economy.”

Favola said she would support a “mod-est” increase in the gasoline tax in Virginiaas an alternative to debt financing of trans-portation costs.

“This position was a position held by themayors and chairs of every jurisdiction inNorthern Virginia for many years,” she said.“I believe that if we structure this in theright way, and we can show our voters ahigh degree of accountability and a highdegree of transparency, and you knowwhich projects will be funded with themoney, there would be support for that in-crease.”

Merrick says an increase in gas tax wouldnot be a sustainable way to fund transpor-tation improvements.

“Because of alternative modes of trans-port, public transit and also telework andthe much increased efficiency of our auto-mobiles, it’s just not sustainable,” she said.“In these challenging economic times, Iwould not support raising the gas tax.”

When asked what ways she would help tocurtail instances of Lyme disease, especiallyin rural areas like Great Falls, Favola saidshe would have to look at the big picture.

“I think we have to be careful about it,”she said. “We should look at best practices,ways that are humane to the deer and don’tput individuals at harm, because we are ina heavily populated area.”

Merrick said she was in favor of methodsto control Lyme disease, and she supportsU.S. Rep. Frank Wolf ’s (R-10) efforts toeducate people about the disease.

“I support Supervisor [Pat] Herrity’s (R-Springfield) approach, which is to set up asafe chemical in an area where deer go tostart to repel and kill the ticks from thedeer,” she said.

COMSTOCK IS FINISHING her first termas delegate, having been elected in 2009.She pointed out her efforts over the pasttwo years to make things easier on residentsof Great Falls.

“Go Ape was a process in which youweren’t heard from, and you were outragedafter the fact,” she said. “I already calledSecretary [Sean] Connaughton, our trans-portation secretary to be able to see whatcan be done about transportation studies,because I know that’s a concern.”

Danner has lived in McLean for more than25 years, and has been involved in theMcLean Community Center Board, McLeanCommunity Foundation and more, in addi-tion to practicing law.

“I will work with our neighbors and land-owners to preserve our beautiful PotomacRiver and Chesapeake Bay watershed,” shesaid. “I will work to preserve the semi-ruralcharacter of Great Falls and our nationalby-way, Georgetown Pike.”

Synthetic turf fields have been an issuein Great Falls as of late, with athletic groupsciting their durability as key to handlingincreased numbers of youth athletes, andothers concerns with health and environ-mental effects. The candidates were askedif they would support state studies to comeup with standards for synthetic fields.

“These fields are much more durable, andcan be used year round,” Danner said. “I

believe we can locally look at what are theissues, if there are issues in what’s used forthe fields, without requiring state man-dates.”

“The Board [of Supervisors] asked for $10million, the state gave us $30 million. Iworked with our secretary of transportationto get $30 million,” Comstock said. “Thegovernor is now implementing a SuperNovaprogram, which will be focused on imple-menting Northern Virginia corridors of in-fluence, obviously Route 7 is going to beone of those, we’re going to work hard tomake sure Route 7 is widened to makeTysons Corner work.”

Danner said that of the $30 million des-ignated for Route 7 widening, none of ithas gone to any actual work.

“Not one dime of it has gone to actualmiles to widen Route 7, it’s $30 millionpurely for preliminary engineering,” shesaid. “I would work with John Foust to ac-tually achieve funding.”

The candidates differed on whether or notthere should be a Project Labor Agreementon Phase Two of Dulles Metrorail, whichwould require all labor done to be by unionworkers.

“One of the things they want to do is aunion mandate for a Project Labor Agree-ment, which would drive up cost of the tollsby 12, 18, 20 percent or more, in order totake Virginia jobs and give them to unionworkers in Maryland and [Washington]D.C.,” Comstock said. “I think we need tokeep the jobs in Virginia, get rid of theProject Labor Agreement. I don’t think weneed to be sending our jobs away in orderto drive up tolls.”

Danner said that a PLA worked on PhaseOne (where it was not mandatory, as thePhase Two PLA would be), and should beused for Phase Two.

“Project Labor Agreements have provento be very successful for states. They haveallowed projects to be on time, within costas well as safe,” she said. “We have a primeexample of when they were not used withthe Springfield bypass. It was 300 percentover budget, not on time and there weremany fatalities. It’s a much safer way.”

The next GFCA candidates forum will takeplace Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at theGrange, 9818 Georgetown Pike. The can-didates will be for Fairfax County Sheriff,Dranesville School Board, At-large SchoolBoard and Northern Virginia District Soiland Water Conservation director.

Faith Notes are for announcements and eventsin the faith community. Send to [email protected]. Deadline is Friday.

Holy Transfiguration Church, 8501Lewinsville Road in McLean, has announcedtheir Annual Arabic Christmas Sweets Sale. TheHoly Transfiguration Church Ladies Guild bakesArabic pastries Including various baklawa vari-eties, date and nut-filled butter ma’amoul,pistachio-filled butter ma’amoul, anise and coco-nut ma’kroon, pecan baboulehs, and ghrabeh,and packages them in attractive see-throughtrays. Orders must be received by Oct. 30, to bepicked up on Sunday, Dec. 4, 12-1 p.m. at thechurch. Proceeds contribute to the parish’s needsas well as to charitable endeavors supported by

the Ladies Guild. www.holytransfiguration.org.

The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA)offers a wide variety of support groups for thosewith emotional, social, and physical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.

HAVEN of Northern Virginia offers a vari-ety of free bereavement support groups, meetingon a weekly basis. Contact 703-941-7000 orwww.havenofnova.org for schedules and registra-tion information.

McLean Bible Church Fitness Class atBody & Soul Fitness. Balance is key, energy is re-newed and strength is gained. 9:45 a.m. Mondaysand Fridays. Free childcare for registered students.

[email protected].

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoingclasses on meditation and Buddhist philosophy,Mondays at 7 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 orwww.meditation-dc.org.

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 1830Kirby Road in McLean. The third Sunday serviceevery month at 10:15 a.m. allows children to playactive roles in the music and as greeters and ush-ers. Traditional services are every Sunday at 8:15and 10:15 a.m.

Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St.in Vienna, presents the 12-week program “Pas-

sages,” for those experiencing separation or di-vorce. The DivorceCare series meets Tuesdaysat 7 p.m. Cost of materials $20, scholarshipsavailable. 703-938 9050 [email protected].

Vienna Assembly of God has a ministryto children on Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. at the cor-ner of Center N and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E.Children’s Church on Sundays also available.703-938-7736 or www.ViennaAG.com.

Vienna Christian Healing Rooms, everySaturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane. A team ofChristians is available to anyone requestingprayer. Free and open to the public. 703-698-9779 or www.viennachristianhealingrooms.com.

Faith Notes


SportsGreat Falls Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders

703-224-3031 or [email protected]

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

With just sevenpoints in its pre-vious two games,the Langley foot-

ball team took the field against un-defeated Yorktown on Oct. 14 insearch of offensive production.

Langley wasted no time estab-lishing a physical mentality,pounding the ball on the groundwith running backs Philip Munand AJ Holtberg behind an offen-sive line averaging heavier than 250 pounds. Afterseven carries totaled 52 yards during the game’sopening possession, Langley faced third-and-five atthe Yorktown 22.

That’s where the Saxons’ fortunes turned, however,as the Yorktown defense stuffed Langley for no gain onback-to-back runs to force a turnover on downs. Fromthat point, the Saxons experienced only sporadic of-fensive success en route to a 21-0 loss to the Patriots.

Langley started the season 3-1 but lost startingquarterback Austin Vasiliadis to injury during a 35-0victory against Marshall on Sept. 23. The Saxons havelost three straight since, scoring just seven points.

While Langley’s opening drive against Yorktownlooked promising, it wasn’t enough to get the Sax-ons in the end zone.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be doing better,”Langley head coach John Howerton said. “That wasa sign right there that we’re solid. [Yorktown is] agood team, obviously, and we were moving the ballwell, but we can’t seem to figure out how to scoreright now. That’s a problem.”

Mun carried 20 times for 82 yards and Holtbergfinished with 23 yards in eight carries. The duo ranbehind an offensive line composed of junior lefttackle Tate Dulany (6 feet 1, 250 pounds), juniorleft guard Christian Hohl (6’2”, 235), sophomorecenter Alex Kolencik (6’1”, 215), junior right guard

Jack Howerton (6’2”. 305) and senior right tackleDylan Clemente (6’2”, 265).

“We were missing blocks toward the end,” JackHowerton said. “In the beginning, we were pickingthem up.”

Jack Howerton, John’s son, also plays defensivetackle for the Saxons. John Howerton said the teamis playing well enough defensively to stay in games,but the offense needs to improve. Aaron Yi and KyleWest each snagged an interception for Langley. CoachHowerton also said linebacker Saxon Justice is play-ing well.

Langley will close the regular season with LibertyDistrict games against South Lakes (away), Fairfax(home) and McLean (away). John Howerton said ifthe Saxons can win three straight, they should makethe playoffs. But other than just winning, he saidhe’d like to see an attitude adjustment from some.

“I’d like to see more desire, more enthusiasm tosucceed,” he said. “We have some kids that reallywant to win badly and I need to get the rest feelingthat way, too.”

One such player who Howerton said is workinghard is Jack Howerton.

“I think he’s the best lineman in the region,” JohnHowerton said. “Unfortunately, linemen don’t score.”

Langley will travel to face South Lakes at 7:30 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 21.

By Rich Sanders

The Connection

The Langley High girls’ fieldhockey team entered thisweek’s Liberty District

postseason tournament as the No.4 seed following a regular seasonwhich saw the Saxons finish 8-10overall and 3-3 in district play.

The Saxons, under head coachJennifer Robb, were set to meetMadison (8-7-1) in a first rounddistrict tournament game earlierthis week on Monday, Oct. 17. Thewinner of that playoff contest wasset to advance to the district semi-finals while also earning an auto-matic seeding into next week’s 16-team Northern Region tourna-ment.

Langley, at districts, was hopingto regain some momentum afterlosing four of its final five regularseason games, including a 2-1overtime setback at non-districtopponent Yorktown on Oct. 12which officially closed the regularseason schedule for the Saxons.

Five of Langley’s games this fallhave gone into overtime, andthree of those contests were ulti-mately decided in strokes. Lan-gley went 1-4 in those extra ses-sion games. Two of the overtimegames came early in the seasonat the Westfield High BulldogTournament: a 1-0 loss toWoodson on Aug. 26, and a 1-0win over Fairfax on Aug. 27.

The other overtime affairs camein a loss to visiting South County,1-0, on Sept. 28; a 1-0 home lossto Westfield last week on Oct. 11;and the season-ending setback tothe Yorktown Patriots a day later.

“We have played hard in everygame and were competitive witheveryone we played,” said coachRobb, whose team played just fourregular season home games thisseason.

Robb, going into the districttournament game versus Madison,was confident her Langley squadwould be at or near its best for thepostseason.

“We are going to do well in thepostseason as this team plays verywell together,” she said. “I believewe will go far and surprise a lot ofpeople in the region.”

Langley senior co-captains TerraHolderman (defender) and KelseyRook (midfielder) have led theSaxons this fall, and offensive fire-power has come from seniorsSamantha Sterling and LindsayAmador.

MADISON HIGH, Langley’s firstround opponent at districts, offi-cially concluded the regular sea-son over the .500 mark when itdefeated host team South Lakes,2-1, in a Liberty District gameplayed last Saturday in Reston.The victory gave the Warhawks an8-7-1 overall record going into thisweek’s district tournament.

Postseason Time forLangley Field HockeySaxons enter district tournament asNo. 4 seed.

Saxons in Search ofOffensive ProductionLangley fails toscore for secondconsecutive game.

Running back Philip Mun and the Langley offense lookedpromising on the game’s opening drive against Yorktownon Oct. 14, but the Saxons failed to score.

Craig Sterbutzel/T

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Highlanders to Face BulldogsThe McLean High football team is cur-rently in the toughest two-week stretchof its season. Last Friday night, theHighlanders lost at unbeaten non-district opponent Centreville, 42-7. ThisFriday night, McLean (4-3) will be athome versus Liberty District opponentStone Bridge, the defending Div. 5Northern Region champs who will comeinto the game with a 6-1 record. TheHighlanders will be looking to pull offthe upset versus the Bulldogs.

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Competing at ChampionshipsMary Fouse (pictured) of Langley High finished 12thoverall in the seeded varsity girls’ race at the GloryDays Invitational earlier this month on Oct. 1. TheSaxons girls’ and boys’ teams will be competing atthe Liberty District Championships next Thursday,Oct. 27 at Burke Lake Park.

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As I continue to live beyond my originalprognosis: “13 months to two years,” mytreatment has evolved, matured you mightsay. The timing and frequency of lab work,chemotherapy, CT Scans, Bone Scans andBrain MRIs, along with follow-up appoint-ments with my oncologist (always post-scanto discuss results), have all been adjusted tocompensate for the extremely favorable factthat (A) I have outlived the original progno-sis – by a significant amount of time and (B)Due to the additional fact that there havebeen no “randomized trials” to actuallyquantify and develop treatment protocolsbased on such favorable results, notanecdotal-type opinions for survivors likeme (lucky to have lived for as long as Ihave), how to treat/proceed is not exactlycrystal clear. As such, my doctor is as con-cerned with not creating a problem as he iswith treating the one (stage IV lung cancer)that we know about. Minimizing my expo-sure to harmful radiation (the scans) as anexample, is as much a consideration as isthe taxing of my kidneys as they filter outboth the chemotherapy infusion I receivemonthly and the miscellaneous drugs I’mprescribed to treat the not-unexpected sideeffects. Living this long, oddly enough, pre-sents its own complications.

Nevertheless, when your oncologiste-mails you the following post-scan mes-sage: “CT looks good, all stable,” it is as I’vesaid repeatedly: “News I can live with.” Butfor how long? (I always wonder.) Howeverencouraging this kind of positive news is, Ican’t help thinking it’s still a matter of time.Moreover, the salesman in me rationalizes:it’s simply getting closer to a negative (bad)result (“each ‘no’ you receive is one stepcloser to a ‘yes’” is the adage). As excitingand stress-reducing as it is to learn that yourcancer has not progressed (moved, en-larged), I feel, as serious as the underlyingproblem is: stage IV lung cancer, theincreasing inevitability that the next scanhas to indicate change – for the worse.

Still, it’s not like I completely ignore ordismiss the results. Hardly. I embrace themwith all my emotional strength. But I can’thelp “introspecting” – in this context, any-way: why me? Who am I to not suffer thesame fate as so many others similarly diag-nosed who have preceded me? Stage IVlung cancer is not curable, as my oncologistadvised way back when, at the initial TeamLourie meeting: “I can treat you, but I can’tcure you.” More disturbing words you’lllikely never hear. In effect, being told thatyour life is ending, somewhat prematurely –given my overall health and age: 54, andthe additional fact that there was no signifi-cant family history to consider and moreo-ver, that both my parents lived into theirmid-eighties.

But life has gone on, 31 months andcounting, in spite of the original prognosis.And the longer I live – and continue to begrateful for this gift of life I have miracu-lously received, the closer I sense that I’mfalling victim to this terrible disease. Afterall, lung cancer is said to be terminal: youget diagnosed, you die. Just because I’vesurvived this long doesn’t ever cause me toforget my circumstances or doubt the seri-ousness of my underlying diagnosis.Continuing to receive positive news is won-derfully uplifting. But there are no guaran-tees here. Actually, there are two guaran-tees: death and taxes. Taxes I can live withbut death I can’t. And scans don’t cure.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“Ascance” Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday 11 a.m.

703-917-6464

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonEmploymentEmployment

Environmental Service Director/Maintenance

Mary Marshall Residence in Arlington

Mary Marshall is an assisted living for 55 plus seniors. Volunteers of America is seeking a highly motivated manager to work with and

lead the maintenance and housekeeping department.

The qualified candidate will have an exceptional driving record, have a min of five years experience leading a team and have start

up experience. This role is unique in the ability to build and grow your own team.

Experience with state surveys is a plus.

Competitive Salary and benefits

If you are looking to LOVE your job and make a difference each day.

Please send your resume by October 17th

[email protected]

Experienced NANNIES $100 sign-on bonus. F/t & p/t. Contact Nanny Next Door at 703-310-6711 or

[email protected]

Help WantedPart-time graphic artist

in our Old Town Alexandria offices to help on deadline with building ads, page layout, photo processing and

other aspects of producing our 15 weekly newspapers. Must be ableto work Tuesdays plus part of Monday or Wednesday as needed. Hourly rate.

Send letter, resume to [email protected]

Help Wanted:Full Time Editorial Assistant

Work with award-winning editor on all aspects of producing a group of hyper-local weekly newspapers in Fairfax County. Assist with community engage-ment, compiling and prioritizing vol-umes of community information, layout, copy editing and more. Preferred candi-dates will be high energy, low-mainte-nance with great time management skills and ability to multi-task. Experi-ence in page layout programs, AP style and social media a plus. Work in our Old Town Alexandria offices, near King Street Metro. Entry level salary plus health insurance, paid vacation.

Send cover letter, resume to [email protected]

P/T COOKProperty Management Company is seek-ing qualified individual to be a part-time cook for our two disabled homes located in Arlington, Virginia. Candidate MUST HAVE previous cooking experience. Plse e-mail resume to [email protected] fax to 703-818-7641. EOE

Part-Time RN With allergy experience.

Mt. Vernon area. Please fax resume: 301-868-0026 for consideration.

Preschool StaffPreschool Program in Annandale, VA is looking for energetic outgoing individual for Lead Teacher in a 3's class. Experience and education necessary for this position. Must have at least a Child Development Associate for Preschoolers. This position is full time. Benefits offered (medical and dental insur-ance, 401K, earned leave and paid federal holidays off). Please email your resume to [email protected] or fax resume to 703.425.2701. EOE.

VET RECEPTIONIST & ASSISTANTSmall animal hosp. Great Falls. Will train. 703-757-7570 • www.ourvets.com

Volunteers of AmericaMary Marshall Residence in Arlington will be opening in late October. This new Assisted Living property will house 52 seniors. We are seeking applications for the following positions:

• Housekeepers full & part time – must have an acceptable driving record

•Culinary Staff – Cooks & Culinary staff

• Maintenance Asst

• Janitor with proper driving record

• Medication Techs

• Certified Nursing Asst

If you are interested in any of these positions please send your resumes to

[email protected]. Resumes will be accepted until October 14th 2011

Love to Decorate?Decorating Den Interiors was chosen Bestof the Best by Entrepreneur Magazine. Homebased, flexible schedule, low overhead,wholesale accounts. Call for more information onhow you can turn your passion into a business.

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NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

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DENTAL ASSISTANT TRAINEESNEEDED NOW!

Dental Offices now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.

1-800-381-1734CTO SCHEV

MMEEDD BBIILLLL && CCOODDIINNGGTrainees NEEDED NOW

Medical Offices now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.

1-800-385-2615CTO SCHEV

Pharmacy Technician Trainees Needed Now!

Pharmacies now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.

1-877-240-4524 CTO SCHEV

EDUCATION TRAINING


21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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116 Childcare Avail.

Looking for Child Care?Nanny with us for 7 years,

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highest references. Call Christa at 703.839.3992

Now! CompletePrint EditionsOnline!

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I'am a slow walker, but I never walk back.

-Abraham Lincoln

The futurecomes one day

at a time.-Dean Acheson


From Page 8

only a few saplings in the landing areasto ensure safety, the site for the ropes courseis on former farmland with a second-growthmonoculture of poplar trees, the Go-Apestaff help the park with clean-ups and in-vasive plant removals, parking lots aregravel, and the 3-acre course is in the treecanopy and provides a fantastic way to getkids outdoors for a safe and fun nature ex-perience. On top of that, the course can beremoved as soon as the park decides itshould go. That is a great program and itbelongs at Riverbend.

6. Revenue: all revenue generated fromthe Go-Ape contract stays in Riverbend.Every cent. Unless you have a better idea,we need the revenue from Go-Ape to keepthis park open in tough economic times.

Thanks for listening and I hope to see youat 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of everymonth at the Friends of Riverbend meetingin the park. If you would like to join theFriends or send a donation, our address isP.O. Box 1481, Great Falls, VA.

Serena Wilson, PresidentFriends of Riverbend

InconvenientQuestionsTo the Editor:

I attended the Candidate debate on Oct.11 in Great Falls in which the debate ques-tions were pre-selected and culled by themembers of the Great Falls Citizens Asso-ciation. During the debate between “Spike”Williams and Sharon Bulova, two questionswere asked that are near and dear to mostof us that live in Great Falls. The first ques-tion was about the joining of CommercialProperty to Residential Property to create alarger Commercial lot for development. Thisquestion was directly aimed at the County’sapproval of a Special Exception to build the52,000 square foot Brightview assisted liv-ing facility in Great Falls. The second ques-tion was about the Tree-Top Adventure Park(GoApe) that is under current county con-tract to be built in beautiful Riverbend Park.Both Williams and Bulova addressed thequestions and both stated that these issueswould be proper for the Dranesville DistrictSupervisor candidates to answer duringtheir portion of the debate.

Much to the chagrin of many in atten-dance, The Great Falls Citizens Associationopted not to ask any questions aboutBrightview or GoApe during the DranesvilleDistrict Supervisor debate. Why did theGreat Falls Citizens Association opt not toask these tough questions? Were they afraidit would embarrass the incumbent DistrictSupervisor? Not asking these questions es-sentially renders them a partisan politicalentity helping to shape the upcoming elec-tion.

A few Great Falls residents saw throughthis scheme and shouted out prior to theconclusion of the candidatesremarks…“What about GoApe?” “Whyhaven’t you addressed GoApe?” The mod-erator, obviously feeling pressure from theaudience, asked the question about GoApe.

Foust told the crowd that he had in fact putthe project on hold to get more input andthat more study was needed on the impactof GoApe on the community, which was theright answer in terms of his re-election cam-paign but given his track record withBrightview, he is unlikely to actually careabout halting permanently.

I then asked Foust why he didn’t putBrightview on hold like he did GoApe. Hisanswer now typical was to scold me andtell me it was my fault for I had misled thecommunity for the past year on Brightview.Based upon the applause from the samepeople who approved of the over-develop-ment of Colvin Run Road, the GFCA, onewould think this to be an accurate reflec-tion of reality.

Yet, I must ask myself how I misled thecommunity? Did I say the building was go-ing to be pink when it actually is supposedto be brown? There is no way that I couldhave mislead anybody with respect to a52,000 Square Foot Assisted Living Com-plex building being on Commercial andResidential Property. There is no way to hidean elephant on a postage stamp.

Joe SartianoGreat Falls

OutstandingLeadershipTo the Editor:

We believe John Foust is clearly the can-didate for Dranesville District Supervisorthat we should choose on Nov. 8, just asDranesville residents did four years ago.John has proven that he is a highly capableleader who listens to his constituents andwho works tirelessly to address their needsand concerns. His leadership has been criti-cal to several very important projects inGreat Falls, including installation of a stoplight at Riverbend Road and GeorgetownPike, acquisition of additional land for thenew fire house septic field, and changes tothe fire house landscape plan.

When Great Falls Garden Club membersreviewed this landscape plan, they foundsome serious mistakes: Trees with poten-tial growth of 50 feet under 18 foot highpower lines. At John’s behest, the Countyofficial in charge met with Club represen-tatives to redesign the plan to include moresuitable tree specimens and many nativeplants.

A major achievement for Great Falls is theredesign of the VDOT plan for the intersec-tion of Route 7, Georgetown Pike and Sen-eca Road to include, among other changes,a single left-turn lane off Route 7 ontoGeorgetown Pike. John’s role in this effortis an outstanding example of his leadershipand commitment to serve the interests ofthe communities he serves. With the long-time and clearly stated interests of the GreatFalls community in mind, John single-handedly, at the elected official level,worked to convince other elected officialsand the Virginia Secretary of Transporta-tion to reconsider the design of this inter-section. Though losing by 9 to1 in his ef-fort, in 2008, to get the Board of Supervi-sors to change their previous vote support-

ing two left turn lanes from eastboundRoute 7 onto Georgetown Pike, he remainedundaunted. In 2009, he drafted a letter toVDOT that other elected officials also signedasking for reconsideration, of the then cur-rent design. VDOT replied that the CountyBoard would have to change its previousposition and ask for a redesign, which VDOTthen “would consider.” He set about to con-vince Chairman Bulova and, with her en-dorsement, County staff on the merits ofthe proposed change, while continuing towork closely with citizens here in Great Fallswho had focused on this issue for years. Inlate July 2010, his motion before the Boardpassed asking VDOT to reconsider its de-sign. In late 2010, he and representativesof VDOT and Great Falls Citizens Associa-tion met to work out a single left-turn lanealternative.

In dealing with issues surrounding theseand other matters affecting Great Falls, suchas the Brightview Assisted Living complex,the process that John Foust has followed isparticularly distinguished and, in our opin-ion, a hallmark of his leadership skills. Helistens to all sides, he asks the communityto follow a process that provides a forumfor the statement and discussion of all view-points, and leads the community to arriveat a consensus.

In championing environmental concernsand interests, John has been a stalwart sup-porter of parks, trails and the natural envi-ronment. He is endorsed by the Sierra Cluband the Fairfax League of Conservation Vot-ers. Before he became our Supervisor, heserved on the County Environmental Qual-ity Advisory Board. There, he supported theCounty tree ordinance, which he has con-tinued to support as a member of the Board.This ordinance protects specimen, heritage,memorial and street trees. John knows theimportance of trees in protecting air qual-ity - one tree of 26-foot canopy absorbs11,500 miles of vehicle emissions per year.Also, and so importantly, John’s support hasbeen crucial to the development of eques-trian and astronomy facilities at TurnerFarm. John loves, supports and jogs in ourparks.

Given all that John has done, and contin-ues to do, we believe he is unquestionablythe best candidate to represent and fightfor the concerns and interests of Great Fallsresidents and park lovers everywhere.

Eleanor Anderson and Robin RentschGreat Falls

Letters

CorrectionThe article titled “Residents Debate

Go Ape” on page 10 in the Oct. 12-18issue stated “The project was ap-proved by the Friends of RiverbendPark, the Great Falls Citizens Associa-tion...” The Go Ape contract was com-pleted on July 19, the GFCA was in-formed of the project Aug. 26, andheard an informational presentationSept. 13 from Go Ape. Neither theGFCA board or membership has takenany official position or held any voteto approve the course.

ClassifiedClassified

OBITUARY

JACK JOSEPH TORREGROSSANov 2, 1915 -Dec 15, 2010

HONOUR THY FATHER, AND THY MOTHER; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. [KJV Ex 20:12]

Dad was born in upstate New York, the son of immigrant pa-rents, Joseph and Mary from Southern Italy. He was one of nine children.His youngest brother Sam Torregrossa survives him. He married Lila Mae Williams in March of 1940. Mary Ann Torregrossa and twin sisters Diane Forbus and Carolyn Lee Hagaman were born in 1941 and 1948. Mary Ann abides in McLean, VA. Diane resides in Dadeville, AL with her hus-band Robert Forbus. Carolyn went to Heaven on June 1, 2010, and her husband, Craig Hagaman, lives in Berryville, VA. Dad had five grand-children.

Our father was a well-known jazz musician when he met my mother in Washington, DC. He loved playing his trumpet and entertaining folk all through his life. He repaired watches and played music and later became a notable home builder in the 50s through the 70s in McLean, VA. Dad and mom retired when he was 59 and they traveled for 25-plus years see-ing every state in the United States including Hawaii and Alaska.

Dad had a stroke after open-heart surgery seventeen plus years ago and lost most of his ability to speak and the use of his right arm. For the past eight years he and mom resided in Alabama living next door to my sister Diane. He died at home in the care of my mother, my sister and a faithful care-giver named Lillian.

Our beloved father loved his family and his work. He was a faithful father and husband. He had many friends who will cherish his memory. The fifth commandment was easy for us to obey as our dad was respectable, loving and generous. In Heaven, I am sure he will be playing his trumpet for the Glory of God and possibly helping others build homes for those of us who will come later. The Memorial Service was held on February 13, 2011, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in McLean, VA. Music was provided by harpist Margel Snead and opera singer Rosa Sadowski.

Donations in his honor may be sent to Bibles, Unltd (6603 Fairlawn Dr., McLean, VA 22101) for the purpose of purchasing bibles in all languages.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

PUBLIC NOTICE

PROPOSAL TO CLEANUP AT UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) SITE

There has been a release from an underground storage tank system at:

Fairfax Facility # 261409901 Georgetown PikeGreat Falls, Virginia 22066

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requiring Fairfax Petroleum Realty, LLC to develop a Corrective Action Plan to address cleanup of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater at the Site. If you have any questions regard-ing the cleanup, please contact:

Kleinfelder 1340 Charwood Road, Suite I Hanover, Maryland 21076 (410) 850-0404

The Corrective Action Plan will be submitted to the Northern Regional Office of the DEQ on October 20, 2011. If you would like to review or discuss the proposed Corrective Action Plan with the staff of the DEQ, please feel free to contact Kurt Ko-chan at (703) 583-3821 after the date of the Corrective Action Plan submittal. The DEQ Northern Regional Office will consid-er written comments regarding the proposed Corrective Action Plan until (November 20, 2011) and may decide to hold a pub-lic meeting if there is significant public interest. Written com-ments should be sent to the DEQ at the address listed below. The DEQ requests that all written comments reference the tracking number for this case; PC# 2010-3028.

Department of Environmental Quality Storage Tank Program 13901 Crown Court Woodbridge, Virginia 22193

21 Announcements 21 Announcements



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Great Falls Studios Hosts Annual Tourconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2011/101911/Great Falls.pdf · Great Falls Connection October 19-25, 2011 3 News Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal