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Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ December 19-25, 2019 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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December 19, 2019Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

See Mount Vernon, Page 5

See Annual Toy, Page 4

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

In the middle of the MountVernon-Lee Chamber Awards,all the speeches and awards

pictures stopped for the im-promptu ugly holiday sweater,competition, which gave way to afew jokes and chuckles amongstthe tightly knit group. That’s thespirit that makes the chamberwhat it is, embracing and support-ing the companies in MountVernon and the surrounding area.

After the sweater winner, whowas judged by the applause level,all eyes turned to Supervisor JeffMcKay (D-Lee) who was namedthe Chamber Citizen of the Year.

McKay is actually the outgoing

supervisor, and was recentlyelected as the Chairman of theBoard of Supervisors, where he’lltake the reins in January after be-ing sworn in on Monday, Dec. 16.He didn’t forget his life in Lee Dis-trict where he grew up and workedfor years, promising lots for thesouth county area.

“Great things coming to southcounty in the next four years,”McKay said at the podium. “We’re

going to invest $1 billion for Em-bark, I guarantee you that’s goingto happen,” he said.

McKay’s award capped off thechamber’s “Best in Business Excel-lence,” awards where companiesand people all over the Lee-MountVernon area were recognized forachievements. The rising staraward was given to two peoplethis year; Dr. Joseph Stoltz of

Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber Recognizes the BestAwards ceremony at Mount Vernon Country Club ends the chamber’s year.

Outgoing chamber president Stan Koussis and SupervisorJeff McKay.

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By Jeanne Theismann

The Gazette

Christmas arrivedearly for morethan 300 childrenfrom local Head

Start programs as they pickedout toys and visited with Santaduring the annual FairfaxCounty Fire and Rescue annualtoy drive distribution day Dec.12 at Penn Daw Fire Station 11.

“This was our best year,” saidDeputy Chief Willie Bailey, whofounded the Firefighters andFriends toy drive 20 years ago.“We gave away over 4,000 toysand had nearly 300 preschoolkids stop by on buses to selecttheir toys in person.”

Close to 80 volunteers wereon hand to help with the distri-bution, including firefighterDave Saunders as Santa and 18Caring Angels Therapy Dogsand their handlers. Volunteersescorted each child throughoutthe station as they selected twotoys and two books.

“Prior to getting back on the

bus the children also visited withSanta and the Caring AngelsTherapy Dogs,” Bailey added. “Af-ter the preschoolers left, represen-tatives of schools, shelters andnonprofits from around the regionpicked up toys for their particularorganization.”

Sponsors and supporters in-cluded: Apple Federal CreditUnion; Savittiere Foundation; Pro-gressive Firefighters of Fairfax;Local 2068; Fire & Rescue Retire-ment Association; Jack TaylorToyota; Promax Realters; UnionStreet Public House Restaurant;Medocracy, Inc.; Nationwide

Credit Corporation; Caring AngelsTherapy Dogs; FBI, DC Field Of-fice; Rotary Club of Tysons Corner;Walmart (Store #2258);InspireLit; Caring Angels TherapyDogs; Democratic Women ofClifton & Northern Va.; Kelly’s IrishTimes; Fairfax County Police De-partment; and Fairfax CountySheriff’s Office.

“So many organizations cametogether today to make this a won-derful event not only for the kidsbut also for the volunteers,” Baileysaid.

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue4,000 toyscollected inannual toy drive.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Willie Bailey,third from right, and founder of the annual toy drive,poses with volunteers from the DC Field office of the FBI.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief WillieBailey, left, gives instructions to volunteers from theSenators Little League 12 and Under baseball team.

Volunteers from the Senators Little League 12 andUnder Baseball Team from Charles County, Md., posefor a photo during the Firefighters and Friends annualtoy distribution Dec. 12 at Fire Station 11.

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2 v Mount Vernon Gazette v December 19-25, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

109 S. Pitt Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | McEnearney.com | 703.549.9292 | #WeAreAlexandria

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During the holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to our communities and to our clients. From our family to yours, we hope your holidays are filled with warmth and cheer.

PRESIDENT Maureen McEnearney Dunn

MANAGING BROKERS Dave Hawkins · Michael Day RESIDENTIAL AGENTS Jan Allison · Paul

Anderson · Susan Anthony · Robin Arnold · Lori Bardo · Mason Montague Bavin · Bob Bazzle · Babs Beckwith · Margaret Benghauser ·

Vicki Binkley · Lauren Bishop · Kay Blemker · Sarah Bobbin · Alexis Bogdan · Vici Boguess · Bretta Bombac · Brenda Gail Brown · Clay Burke · Jud Burke · Julian Burke

· Heidi Burkhardt · Jodie Burns · Cindy Clemmer · Laurel Conger · Colleen Coopersmith · Barbara Cousens · Susan Craft · Donna Cramer · Waldi Crawford · Kate Crawley · Kristy

Crombie · Peter Crouch · Pat Crusenberry · Tammi Curran · Catherine Davidson · Dean Davis · Pat Day · Courtney DeVries · Susan Dickerson · Kathleen Dobbyn · Michael Dobbyn · Ann Duff · Tracy

Dunn · Kristina Eells · Josephine Erkiletian · Mary Farrell · Kimberly Fazio · Sue Feinthel · Rochelle Gray · Lisa Groover · Sally Harper · Kathy Hassett · Chris Hayes · Annette Hinaman · Jillian Keck Hogan · Wayne

Holland · Deborah Huber · Charles Hulfish · Susan Hume · Ross Hunt · Debora Jackson · Kristen Jones · Noel Kaupinen · Rick Kicklighter · Sarah King · Sue Kovalsky · Quintin Kreutzer · Julie Lineberry · Margot Lynn · Patrick

Lynn · Micki MacNaughton · Bobby Mahoney · Michael Makris · Betty Mallon · Bob Martini · Philip Matyas · Michael Mayes · Susan McAteer · Sallie McBrien · Rebecca McCullough · Sean McEnearney · Jeffery McGlothlin · Richard

McGuire · Rebecca McMaster · Sandy McMaster · Ann Michael · Joel Miller · Miriam Miller · Genevieve Moorhouse · James Morrison · Suzanne Morrison · Brian Murphy · George Myers · Stephanie Myers · Lydia Odle · Erika Olsen · Kate Patterson · Hope Peele · Kim Peele · Christopher Perry · Janet Price · David Rainey · Christine Robinson · Christopher Robinson · Melissa Rosario · Mary Ellen Rotondo · Wendy Santantonio · Charlene Schaper · Craig Schuck · Nada Seide · Sallie Seiy · Joan Shannon · John Shannon · Melissa Shelby · Phyllis Sintay · Pat Smith

· John Sommer · Susan Taylor · Adrianna Vallario · Klanci Vanderhyde · Jen Walker · Suellen West · Cherie Wilderotter · Gordon Wood · Kierstan Woods · Meiling Yang · Sissy Zimmerman AGENT ASSISTANTS

Kelly Byrnes · Rixey Canfield · Shannon Chawk · Erin DeGeorge · Scarlett Estrada · Summer Hine · Nancy Lacey · Lori Metheny COMMERCIAL AGENTS Debra Arnett · Evan Cass · Ed Cave

· James Gallagher · Tom Hulfish · Simon McKeown · John Quinn · Brison Rohrbach · John Ross · Rick Sada · Diane Sappenfield · Bob Swearingen · Adam Tafesse PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT Cindy Troupe · Marshall Ramsey STAFF Sloane Arogeti · Emily Barger · Edita Capin · Naima Doles · Laurie Felton · Marichu Fleury · Jacqueline

Gerardi · Naomi Gonyea (In Memoriam) · Kelly Masgul · Sabrina Porta · Susanna Seabourne · Pat Shoultes · Karisue Wyson ATLANTIC

COAST MORTGAGE Brian Bonnet · Carey Meushaw · Amanda Wallingford

HAPPY HOLIDAYS


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Gazette

At the end of December 2019, Chairman ofthe Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,Sharon S. Bulova ends 31 years of serviceto the County, 21 years as the Braddock

District Supervisor and 10 years as Chairman of theBoard. During her last month in service, ChairmanBulova continued to lead the locality of 1.1 millionpeople and also shared her heartfelt thanks to con-stituents, staff and others.

“It has been a great ride,” Bulova said on Dec. 3,when she chaired her last Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors Meeting. ”I have loved the relationshipsthat we have had among my colleagues on the Boardand our county staff. … We are all in the trenchestogether, making things happen together. We don’talways agree on things, and yet we are able to cometogether and work things out. … Thank you for theopportunity to serve with you and previous boards.”

Bulova presided over the meeting that began at9:34 a.m. that day and adjourned, eleven hours laterat 8:41 p.m. “I love local government, even on dayslike this. You have to love people, love human na-ture. We manage change, which is not easy. Thingscan be emotional, but it is people coming togetherand participating in the process of governing (that)is so critical. I think we do that well in FairfaxCounty,” she said.

Highlights of Board actions taken at the Dec. 3meeting under the gavel of Chairman Bulova:

❖ Adopted the 2020 Legislative Program for the Vir-ginia General Assembly, Approval of the County’s 116thCongress Federal Legislative Strategy and Principals;

❖ Received reports from various councils includ-ing the Racial Equity Stakeholder Council and a pre-sentation by the Environmental Quality AdvisoryCouncil;

❖ Approved projects submitted for the FY 2026Regional Surface Transportation Program and Con-gestion Mitigation and Air Quality Federal FundingThrough the Northern Virginia Transportation Au-thority;

❖ Approved a Construction Administration Agree-ment between Fairfax County and the Town ofHerndon for the Herndon Metrorail Station Access

Management Study Project (Dranesville District).Nearing the end of the meeting, Bulova thanked

her staff over the years, her current staff and staffthat served her since she was first elected as theAnnandale District Supervisor, which later wasnamed the Braddock district. Bulova recognized theservices of the outgoing Board of Supervisor mem-bers, Braddock Supervisor John Cook (R), ProvidenceDistrict Supervisor Linda Smyth (D) and Hunter MillDistrict Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D).

During Chairman Bulova’s last days in service, thetables turned. Supervisors, as well as members ofthe Virginia General Assembly and leaders of neigh-boring jurisdictions in the Washington D.C. Metro-politan Region set about to recognize and thankBulova for her distinguished and extraordinary ser-vice, at the Dec. 3 Board of Supervisors meeting andBulova’s Dec. 9 retirement reception held at theFairfax County Government Center.

On behalf of the Board, Mason Supervisor PenelopeA. Gross (D) presented a Resolution for the Chair-man at the Dec. 3 meeting. The resolution recog-nized Bulova’s service representing Fairfax Countyon multiple fronts including the Metropolitan Wash-ington Council of Governments; as founding mem-ber, “I would say, godmother,” Gross said, of the Vir-ginia Railway Express; founder of several commu-nity groups such as Faith Communities in Action andCommunities of Trust; and sponsor for groups onkey County initiatives such as the Diversion First,Stakeholders Group, the Fairfax County Private Sec-tor Energy Task Force, the Governing Board for theOffice to Prevent and End Homelessness and more.

“She will be remembered for distinguished publicservice and achievement, love for history and the arts,and excellent doodling skills,” said Gross. “Be it re-solved the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors onbehalf of all residents does hereby thank Sharon forher extraordinary service on the Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors,” said Gross. The motion carried unani-mously.

As the meeting was about to adjourn, Bulova fore-cast what is on the horizon for Fairfax County. “I thinkwe’re (heading) toward a beautiful future,” she saidreferencing the new 2020 Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors to be led by current Lee District Super-visor and Chair-elect, Jeff McKay.

Sharon Bulova retires.

Leaving on a HighNote: 31 Year Joy Ride

Retiring mem-bers of theFairfax CountyBoard ofSupervisors:John Cook,Cathy Hudgins,Sharon Bulovaand LindaSmyth at theDec. 3, 2019Board ofSupervisorsMeeting.

Viewpoints

‘She’s Always Been aGold Standard’Community leaders onSharon Bulova.Phyllis J. Randall

Phyllis J. Randall, Chair ofthe Loudoun County Board ofSupervisors: “I want to thankChairman Bulova for hermany years of service, butalso more personally being aguide and mentor to meduring my first term as Chairof Loudoun County. Shepassed the baton to me, andit’s my intention to make herproud.”

Bryan HillBryan Hill, Fairfax County

Executive: “I wish her all thebest in retirement, and sheshould be happy never toreceive another phone callfrom me with bad news as itwill always be good newsgoing forward. And thank youfor the opportunity to runFairfax County.”

Gregory ScottGregory Scott, director of

Information TechnologiesFairfax County: “I’d like tothank her for all the supportshe’s given InformationTechnologies over the yearsand helping us to continue tobe innovative in the way wedeliver services to constitu-ents in Fairfax County.”

Jay DorseyJay Dorsey: “Simply put,

she’s one of a kind. I’ve seenmy share of elected officialswho exert leadership anddisplay of power that comeswith their position. I have notseen an individual with herresponsibilities that treatsevery single resident of FairfaxCounty like she does.”

Cathy HudginsRetiring Hunter Mill District

Supervisor Cathy Hudgins: “Ithink she had the ability tohave a calming approach todealing with some of the mostdifficult issues as if there isnone. She has a very evenpersonality.”

See Viewpoint, Page 8

4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ December 19-25, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Annual Toy DriveFrom Page 1

Firefighter Dave Saunders as Santavisits with children at the annualFairfax County Fire and Rescueannual toy drive distribution Dec.12 at Fire Station 11 in Penn Daw.

“We had staff from the local schools tell-ing us that some families were decidingwhether to pay a bill, purchase food for thehousehold, or buy gifts for the kids. Hope-

A World Bank employee prepares to hand out toys at the annual Fireand Rescue toy distribution Dec. 12 at Fire Station 11.

Caring Angels Therapy Dogs wereon hand at the Firefighters andFriends toy distribution Dec. 12 atFire Station 11.

fully today we were able to take some ofthe pressure off of those families and makethat decision a little easier.”

Bailey added that this year’s event hadits largest turnout of volunteers as the need

to serve families throughout the region con-tinues to grow.

“I have been asked for so many years whyI do this,” Bailey said. “All I can say is that Ilearned to give not because I had much but

because I know exactly how it feels to havenothing.

The best gift I have received for the past20 Christmas’s is watching the smiles onthese kids’ faces.”

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Alex/Wessynton $527,500 3102 Cunningham Drive

Investors or Homeowners who want to build sweat equity: here it is! Solid bones but needs a total make over. Popular model (The Meadow) in sought after water oriented Wessynton community of contemporary homes. 4 bedrooms, 3 Baths, large kitchen, separate dining

room, living room with fireplace. Master suite. Family Room w/fireplace. Lots of storage and workspace in basement. Amenities include tennis courts, community swimming pool, walking paths, and boat ramp on Little Hunting Creek which flows to the Potomac River. A half mile to Mount Vernon Estate and the George Washington Parkway.

Alex/Engleside $1,300,0008734 Lukens Lane

4.128 acres zones R-2 for sale. There are 2 lots: 4/0 acres w/house (Tax Map 1101 01 0043) and .128 acre vacant land (1101 01 0043A). House on Property sold “AS IS” and NO AC-CESS given or allowed. Land Value only. Water, sewer, gas, electricity

available. This land is adjacent to the houses on Halley Farm Ct. which were built in the 2010-2011 time frame.

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SOLD

Alex/Riverside Estates $580,0008508 Cherry Valley Lane

Prestigious Riverside Estate’s Large & Popular Concord Model – 5BRs, 3BAs – 2 Car Garage w/many upgrades: Brand new double pane windows in 2019, New HVAC & HWH in 2018, beautiful upgraded kitchen in 2007. Refinished hdwd floors, bright sky lights in both the

kitchen & hall bath. 20 year old roof w/30 year shingles. A beautiful & sturdy deck looks over a lovely landscaped & fenced-in backyard. This is a gem, priced well & will sell fast.

Alex/Mt. Zephyr $476,000 8541 Mt. Zephyr Dr.

Great price for this lovely two level solid all-brick home with garage on 1/3 acre in Mt. Vernon community. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Renovated eat-in kitchen, spacious and open, with sliding glass doors to private backyard. Charming front living room with ample

windows, and wood burning fireplace with white, colonial style mantel. Spacious lower level has finished family room w/ 2nd fireplace and a bonus workroom. Conveniently located near Ft. Belvoir (10 mins), GW Parkway and Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria, Pentagon, and D.C.

Alex/Pembrook Village $220,0004395 Pembrook Village Drive

Feast your eyes on this beautifully remodeled 3BR, 2BA Condo–Kitchen has granite counters, ceramic tile floors, SS appliances, all open to a large living rm, w/wood burning FPL,& a balcony overlooking the community. HDWD floors on main & upper level–Updated BAs w/ceramic tile & granite counters–1 bath on each level-cozy sitting/TV room between MBR & 2nd BR–-3rd BR & 2nd BA conveniently on the main level–Reserved parking–5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir & 15 mins to Old Town–25 min-utes to Ntl Airport – Great Location & Value.

SOLD

SOLD

Alex/Oxford $1,149,9004201 Kimbrelee Court

Spectacular all-brick colonial home w/2 car garage on a cul-de-sac in exclusive Mt. Vernon waterfront community of Oxford. Partial water views and a beautiful multi-tiered deck. Five bedrooms & 4.5 baths. Grand 2 story foyer entryway. Large eat-in kitchen w/numerous upgrades & double butler pantry. Formal living & dining rooms. Family room

off kitchen w/brick fireplace. Library on main level w/built-in bookcases. 4 bedrooms & 3 baths on upper level, huge master suite w/large luxurious bath. Fully finished lower level w/5th bedroom & full bath, exercise, tv, & game rooms. Newly refinished hardwood floors. Recent updates include new roof (2019), new windows (2019), new deck (2018) High-end kitchen appliances (Wolf double oven; Subzero refrigerator). Main & lower level HVAC replace 2016. Backyard fence ('16). It’s a wonderful home!

News

From Page 1

Mount Vernon-Lee ChamberGeorge Washington’s Mount Vernon, and TravisClarke. Mark Murray was named the new chamberpresident for 2020; Links 2 Freedom was named thenon-profit of the year; Harmony Animal Hospital wasnamed the new business of the year and the best ofexcellence award was Links 2 Freedom.

Several other elected officials were at the event,including Del. Paul Krizek (D-44), Del. Mark Sickles(D-43), Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon),McKay and a representative from Rep. Don Beyer’s(D-8) office.

“It’s a nice way for the community to recognizecommunity business leaders doing a super job,” saidKrizek.

Moving On UpThe 2019 chamber president Stan Koussis started

out the event noting that Virginia is ranked as thebest state for doing business, up from their rankingof eighth in 2014.

“That is because of all the work that is donethroughout the state,” he said. “As business leadersand managers, we’re part of a larger ecosystem,” headded.

Supervisor McKay noted the achievements thatwere implemented in Lee District to “help promoteand build our community,” including the work atHuntley Meadows Park, putting in Jeff Todd Way andattracting the Transportation Security Administra-tion, coming to a new building near the Franconia-

Springfield Metro Station. McKay was accompaniedby his wife and parents.

Supervisor Jeff McKay Chamber CitizenSupervisor Jeff McKay is the 2019 Chamber Citi-

zen of the Year. Jeff has been a Chamber membersince he was elected as Lee District Supervisor. Hehas been a great friend and

supporter to the business community. RecognizeJeff as he becomes chairman of the

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Springfield Town Centeris Large Business of the Year

Springfield Town Center is the centerpiece of LeeDistrict revitalization and one of the most valuableproperties in Fairfax County. It is a regional shop-ping destination and home to stores, restaurants, andentertainment.

2019 Distinguished BusinessesSpringfield Town CenterDe Lune Corp.Belle Haven MarinaLinks 2 FreedomHarmony Animal Hospital

Rising StarsTravis Clarke, Burke & Herbert BankDr. Joseph Stoltz, George Washington’s Mount

Vernon


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A Connection Newspaper

Opinion

The pages of the Gazette (includ-ing the Alexandria Gazette Packet,the Mount Vernon Gazette, thePotomac Almanac and the Centre

View) have been full of holiday spirit, begin-ning before Thanksgiving. Help for the needy,holiday parades, Santa and more Santa; treelightings, stories of giving, the Nutcracker.

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.Whether you believe the Christmas story liter-ally or in spirit, you know it is the story of joy,hope and love, with the promise of redemp-tion.

It is also about embracing the teachings ofJesus: to love thy neighbor as thyself; to helpthe needy; to feed the hungry and clothe thepoor; to care for those who are sick; toinvite and welcome strangers; to treatothers as you would have them treatyou.

Matthew 7:12:“So in everything, do to others what you

would have them do to you.”

Matthew 25:35-40:“For I was hungry and you gave me some-

thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a stranger and youinvited me in, I needed clothes and you clothedme, I was sick and you looked after me, I wasin prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,when did we see you hungry and feed you, orthirsty and give you something to drink? Whendid we see you a stranger and invite you in, or

needing clothes and clothe you? When did wesee you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for oneof the least of these brothers and sisters ofmine, you did for me.’”

SO SHARE the verse relating the birth of Jesusfrom the Bible, Luke 2: 4-19:

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, outof the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto thecity of David, which is called Bethlehem; (be-cause he was of the house and lineage ofDavid.) To be taxed with Mary his espousedwife, being great with child. And so it was, that,while they were there, the days were accom-plished that she should be delivered. And she

brought forth her firstborn son, andwrapped him in swaddling clothes, andlaid him in a manger; because therewas no room for them in the inn.

“And there were in the same country, shep-herds abiding in the field, keeping watch overtheir flock by night. And, lo, the angel of theLord came upon them, and the glory of theLord shone round about them: and they weresore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fearnot: for, behold, I bring you good tidings ofgreat joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Andthis shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find thebabe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in amanger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel amultitude of the heavenly host praising God,and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and

on earth peace, good will toward men.“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone

away from them into heaven, the shepherdssaid one to another, Let us now go even untoBethlehem, and see this thing which is cometo pass, which the Lord hath made known untous. And they came with haste, and found Mary,and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it, they made knownabroad the saying which was told them con-cerning this child. And all they that heard itwondered at those things which were told themby the shepherds.”

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editor’s NoteAbout the Rest of 2019

This is our last regular edition of 2019. Nextweek, after Christmas, we will publish our an-nual Children’s Issue, devoted entirely to theartwork and writing of local students. You’llbe able to find this online while you wait forthe print edition at www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ Scroll down toChildren’s.

Our next regular edition will publish Jan. 8,2020, with deadline for content and advertis-ing of Jan. 3 (late ads accepted).

In the meantime you can email the editorsat [email protected]. Youcan reach sales/marketing/advertising [email protected].

Digital replica editions of the most recentweek’s papers are available atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs

Past issues of the Connection back to 2008are available at connectionarchives.com/PDF/

Sign up for a free digital subscription atwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com/subscribe

Many local nonprofits are reportinga significant drop in contributionsthis year. To some, the decrease

constitutes an existential threat. Not only willthey be unable to meet their goals for helpingothers, but some might not be able to keeptheir doors open.

This comes as the need is increasing, as theWhite House cuts food stamps, as more peoplego hungry.

This is a perfect time to give, give a littlemore than you have in the past.

The holidays are about giving, and givingthanks.

There are people going hungry here, peoplewho need help, organizations that will help,but can only help with the resources they have.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season, forhumans in need, for animals in need, for anenvironment in need. Here are a few ideas.

— Mary Kimm,

[email protected]

Where to Give Locally❖ Assistance League of Northern Virginia is an

all-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need. AssistanceLeague’s philanthropic programs touch the lives ofthousands of children at 11 Title I schools inNorthern Virginia, serving children most in need atselected schools in Fairfax and Prince Williamcounties and the City of Alexandria. To learn moreabout volunteer and sponsorship opportunities,contact [email protected] or visit www.alnv.org

❖ Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater WashingtonFairfax Area operates clubs in two of the neediestareas of the county, Culmore, Mount Vernon/ Route1 corridor, and Chantilly, focusing on character andacademic success. https://www.bgcgw.org/club-page/fairfax-county-region-our-impact/

❖ Britepaths Britepaths is working to assist 500Fairfax County area families who might otherwisego without holiday meals and gifts for theirchildren. Sponsor a family or donate to provide afamily with a holiday meal and/or gifts for theirchildren. Britepaths.org https://britepaths.org/our-programs/holiday-program

❖ Centreville Immigration Forum, a safe,organized center where residents and contractorscan negotiate work arrangements with day laborers.Centreville Square Shopping Center, 5944Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Phone:(703) 543-6272 website:www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org and [email protected]

❖ Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of churches andindividuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Oakton,Vienna community to provide simple, loving charityto those in need. Coming up, holiday bike drive.703-281-7614, www.cho-va.com

❖ Community Foundation of Northern Virginiawww.cfnova.org The Community Foundation forNorthern Virginia works to respond to critical needand seed innovation in our region. Your gift helps usmake grants in our focus areas of interest while alsobringing a spotlight on the benefits of communityphilanthropists www.cfnova.org/for-donors/donate-now

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one ofthe least of these brothers and sisters of mine,you did for me.”

Merry Christmas

Give Locally Families face uncertainty and need;nonprofits face drop in contributions.

Editorial

See Give for Local impact, Page 13


News

On Christmas Eve, next Tuesday,Dec. 24 at 1 p.m., the WaterskiingSanta Show will occur in the

Potomac River on the Alexandria Water-front. This will be the 34th year of this won-derful show which includes numerous actsincluding flipping waterskiers, characterslike Frosty The Snowman, the Grinch andothers and, finally, Santa Claus skiing bywith his full complement of reindeer. Thebest viewing will be on the waterfront be-tween Oronoco Street and Duke Street. Thecurrent weather prediction includes no pre-

Waterskiing Santa!

Visit A

lexan

dria

Don’t Miss the Waterskiing Santa Showcipitation. Typically, thousands of peopleview the show and it is always exciting andenjoyable. There is no charge to watch theshow and an amusing pre-show featuringthe Grinch begins at 12:45 p.m.

For more information, visit the websiteat www.waterskiingsanta.com.

After the show, there is plenty to do inAlexandria from shopping and eating toobserving the beauty of this historic city.Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends.

Jay SpiegelMount Vernon


News

Q: What action taken dur-ing the Dec. 3 Board Meet-ing was most meaningfulto you, and why?

A: Recognizing my outgoing col-leagues. I have worked closely with Su-pervisor Cook, Supervisor Hudgins, andSupervisor Smyth, and I can speak totheir dedication and commitment toboth their districts and Fairfax Countyat-large. I have thoroughly enjoyedworking with them over these manyyears and am happy to see them recognized for theirservice.

Q: What motivated you to serve as Chairman ofthe Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; over time,did your reasons to serve change as you sought re-election?

A: My reason for serving as Chairman of the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors and Braddock DistrictSupervisor before that has always been the same: Ienjoy serving our community. Through ups anddowns, I get great satisfaction working on constitu-ents’ concerns and issues.

Fairfax County—Looking Back

Q: Describe a challenging time and how you guidedothers toward a solution. How did you re-access thesituation and modify plans, acts, or approaches go-ing forward?

A: The most challenging time of my Chairmanshipwas the police shooting of John B. Geer in 2015. Itwas an awful event that severely impacted trust inour local government. To develop changes in ourresponse to critical incidents, I created the Ad HocPolice Practices Review Commission and DiversionFirst, two of the most meaningful initiatives of mycareer. The Police adopted new policies, with a fo-cus on “the sanctity of life,” de-escalation, and trans-parency when responding to critical incidents. I hopethese initiatives continue to promote communitytrust, transparency and safety well into the future.

Q: Your most memorable experience as Chairmanof the Board of Supervisors.

A: There really are too many to describe. Estab-lishing the VRE Commuter Rail system and helpingit develop into a popular, successful service; the cre-ation of Faith Communities in Action, where housesof worship work in partnership with our local gov-ernment to address community challenges; the ex-tension of the Silver Line Metrorail into Tysons andReston; navigating the Great Recession in a way thatbrought the community to the table to help identifystrategies for adjusting to vastly reduced revenues.

I consider One Fairfax to be the most impactfulinitiative our Board has adopted during my time asChairman. It is a joint social and racial equity policythat commits the County to intentionally considerequity when making policies. When the County ismaking policy decisions, we must make sure that allour residents have access to opportunities that willhelp them to succeed. I am extremely proud of thisinitiative and look forward to seeing its positive ef-fects throughout the years to come.

Q: Name the one item you received over the years,

that touched your heart most deeply andwhy it did.

A: I regularly attend the Sheriff’s De-partment Back-to-School “Shop with theSheriff” event at the Target Store inBurke. Through the generosity of localbusiness and the Sheriff’s Department,elementary school-aged children resid-ing in homeless shelters are treated to ashopping spree at Target. I always givewelcoming remarks outside of Target tothe children, who have been paired up

with Sheriff Deputies. After this event in 2010, I re-ceived a handwritten letter from the mother of oneof the children. She described how excited she waswhen “a big yellow school bus” pulled up to the shel-ter where she was residing. A smiling Sheriff’s deputyescorted her daughter, Angelica, to the bus to havelunch and to go shopping. The daughter returnedecstatic with new clothes, shoes, and school supplies.The mother thanked Fairfax County and me for car-ing so much and for “making her day.” It is a won-derful letter. I have kept it and take it out to readevery once in a while. I am looking at it now.

Fairfax County—Looking Forward

Q: What skills and leadership style did you bringto the role of Chairman, and do you see such presentin the incoming Supervisors and Chairman-elect JeffMcKay?

A: As Chairman, I believe it is essential to listenand to be open to collaboration. Jeff McKay has dem-onstrated those skills as Lee District Supervisor andas Chair of the County’s Budget Committee.

Q: About traffic: How would you like to see thenew Board mitigate the concern or replace the cur-rent solution?

A: The ultimate answer to traffic congestion lies inbetter land use planning and development. Transit-ori-ented, compact and walkable new development takesthe pressure off congested roads and highways. Unfor-tunately, I won’t be in office to see the completion ofPhase II of the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and intoLoudoun County, but I look forward to seeing the newBoard bring this transformational project to fruition.

Q: If the County received a $1 million grant to useany way it wanted, what would you like to see donewith the money?

A: Early childhood education.

RetirementQ: The first day you are no longer Chairman (after

you sleep in), what are you going to do that morn-ing? What about the weeks and months that follow?

A: The first day I am no longer Chairman, I will gofor a jog as I always do before spending a relaxingday with my husband. In the following months, Iplan to visit with my grandchildren on the west coastand to spend some time in France with my sistersand daughter.

After that, I have always wanted to write the his-tory of the VRE. It is a great story, full of funny sto-ries and interesting characters. I will finally have timeto do that.

Q&A with Fairfax County Board of SupervisorsChairman Sharon Bulova two weeks before she retires.

‘I Enjoy Serving the Community’

Sharon Bulova

Viewpoints

Community Leaderson Bulova

State Sen. Chap Peterson(D-34)

State Senator Chap Peterson(D-34), presenting theVirginia State Senate Procla-mation: “She’s always been agold standard in terms ofservice. What I admire most isher self-effacing personality.”

Del. Mark Keam (D-35)Del. Mark Keam (D-35),

presenting the Virginia Houseof Delegates Proclamation:”She’s always put the commu-nity ahead of herself.”

Lisa SalesChairman Fairfax County

Commission for Women &VAratifyERA Leadership TeamLisa Sales: “Chairman Bulovahas led with a steady hand,kind heart, and always with afocus on strengtheningcommunity, which everyoneknows. What she might notknow is how she has impactedgirls and women in theCounty and how we look toher for examples of leadershipfor what is good and what isright; we watch her and lookto emulate her class.”

Shyamali Roy HauthShyamali Roy Hauth, EVP,

Outreach Virginia EqualRights Coalition: “I admireSharon Bulova’s compassionin leadership. Her contribu-tions to Fairfax County willlive on.”

Gerry W. HylandFormer Mount Vernon

District Supervisor Gerry W.Hyland (D): “Our Chairmanhas been a loving leader ofall, our consistent, lovingleader of the Board of Super-visors. Her presence has beenan inspiration. Sharon has lefther fingerprints, footprintsand heart print all over thelandscape of Fairfax County.We are so much better be-cause of her efforts.”


By Mike Salmon

The Gazette

They do it all at theWorkhouse Art Centerin Lorton, and coming

soon on New Year’s Eve isstand-up comedy, featuring lo-cal talents Kat Radley andRahmein Mostafavi.

Radley is an alum fromBishop Ireton in Alexandria,and Mostafavi from McLeanHigh School. Radley is comingin from her home in New York,and loves the Workhouse spacefor her brand of stand-up,which focuses on life in general.

“A lot of my material comesfrom personal stories, eitherabout my family, dating, party-ing too much in my twenties ...and last week,” she said. “Alsoobservations about society.”

Both are billed under theComedy and Productions ofRahmein Mostafavi, a companywith local roots that’s been per-forming at the Workhouse forthe past seven years, as well asother venues in the area. “Ibring it wherever you need it,your basement,” he says on hiswebsite. Mostafavi grew up inMcLean and majored in theaterat George Mason University be-fore opening his productioncompany. He puts on shows atthe Ragtime in Arlington, andthe DC Improv as well. He firstmet Radley through collegefriends, and has worked withher several times since.

“Comedy is a greate,”Rahmein said. “We try to be astopical as possible, the best

comics leave you thinking aboutit,” he said. Topics include his par-ents, news, or partying in theirtwenties. “I’ll try to work it intomy set if it’s topical,” he said.

When Radley is not doing stand-up, she is a staff writer for theDaily Show in New York City. JonStewart was the main figure onDaily Show, but the host is nowTrevor Noah, who worked his wayup from a writing position, likeRadley, to host. She’s been fea-tured at the Emmy Awards and inthe Hollywood Reporter too.

Radley is a big fan of ConanO’Brien, as well as Amy Schumer,Tig Notaro, and Mike Birbiglia. “Ithink they are really solid joke

writers,” she said. And forConan O’Brien, “I could watchhim talk to office furniture andfind it hilarious,” she said.

The notion that the Work-house was formerly a prisonworks with Radley too. “I thinkit is great they were able torepurpose it as a place for thecommunity to enjoy. It can behard to find good art and per-formance venues, so they aremuch needed, especially out-side of large cities,” Radleysaid. There is a line in comedythough, and some of it revolvesaround the “F Bomb,” whichdoesn’t show its face too muchat the Workhouse. Rahmeinadmitted that their comedy isfor adults, but didn’t want toput an “R” rating on it. “Peoplethat drop the F bomb for noreason, that’s what peoplefear,” he said.

Rahmein Mostafavi is a comedy producer whoattended McLean High School.

Kat Radley

Comedians Featured at theWorkhouse on New Year’s EveIncludes Bishop Ireton alumna Kat Radley, who isnow a writer on the Daily Show in New York City.

Kat Radley’s stand-up comedy includes observations oneveryday life.

Rahmein PresentsNEW YEARS EVE with Daily Show

Writer, Kat RadleyTuesday, Dec. 31, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at

Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Work-house Rd, Lorton

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Entertainment


Holiday Entertainment

See Calendar, Page 12

By Hope Nelson

From a down-home Chi-nese takeout theme toseveral Roaring ’20s-themed soirees across

town, there are a multitude ofways (and price points) to cel-ebrate New Year’s Eve out on thetown. Have a look at a baker’s half-dozen options.

Great Gatsby-ThemedSoiree at Café 44

Dust off your best tophat andtails for Café 44’s party, whichhews to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fa-mous book “The Great Gatsby”

while celebratingboth yesteryearand what’s tocome next. Nosh

on the likes of oysters Rockefellerand prime rib while enjoying Pro-hibition-themed cocktails and bub-bly. 44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite401. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $110 to$300.

Celebrate With LebaneseFlair at Zikrayet

This New Year’s Eve event hasbeen taking place for a decade,and Zikrayet shows no signs ofslowing down with it.

Musicians Roni Asmar and Rob-ert Mrad will entertain partygoersthroughout the evening as guests

feast on a multicourse meal. 2006Eisenhower Ave. 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m.$125.

Toast the Town at MasonSocial

North Old Town’s Mason Socialwill host a good old-fashioned so-cial hour (or two, or three) forNew Year’s Eve. Food and drinkspecials will persist all night, andcomplimentary Champagne willbe poured up close to the MagicHour. 728 N. Henry St. 9 p.m.-2

a.m. $95.

Sip Wine and Munch on aMidnight Breakfast Buffetat Sonoma Cellar

A $65 wristband nets you all thewine and beer you can (responsi-bly) enjoy at King Street’s SonomaCellar. Pair your beverages withthe eatery’s full dinner menu andchat the night away with friends.And once the clock strikes mid-night, rekindle your appetite for aMidnight-Thirty Breakfast Buffet.

207 King St. 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m.$30 to $85.

Roaring ’20s Party at Vil-lage Brauhaus

Kick off the 2020s with a throw-back to last century’s version.Bring your best flapper dress orvintage suit and enter into VillageBrauhaus’ costume contest. A littlenervous about your entry into theproceedings? The open bar willprobably help that. 710 King St. 9p.m. to 1 a.m. $30 to $100.

House Party at RusticoOn the last day of the year,

Rustico’s regular menu will be sup-planted for the evening by a re-laxed, Chinese-takeout vibe. Withthe likes of kimchi fried rice, Gen-eral Tso’s chicken, pot-stickers andvegetable lo mein on offer, guestscan settle in and enjoy the eveningamong friends old and new. Washit all down with themed cocktailsand get ready to toast to a newdecade. 827 Slaters Lane. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.

Wolf Down a Four-CourseMeal at Evening Star Café

Evening Star Café is pulling outall the stops for a proper NewYear’s Eve feast. With four courses(each including a vegetarian op-tion), guests certainly won’t leavehungry.

Feast your way through blacktrumpet caviar, beef tartare, scal-lops over salsify, and chocolatesponge cake – to name just onepossible pairing. Each course ac-tually has several options fromwhich to choose. 2000 MountVernon Ave. 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $75per person; $35 for wine pairing.

Hope Nelson is the author of “ClassicRestaurants of Alexandria” and ownsthe Kitchen Recessionista blog, locatedat www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Emailher any time at

[email protected].

7 Must-Try Restaurants for New Year’s Eve

Evening Star Cafe is offering a four-course dinner for New Year’s Eve.

APPETITE

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

ONGOINGCreature Comforts Art Exhibit.

Now thru Jan. 26, 2020. At VCAAlexandria, 2660 Duke Street,Alexandria. The “Creature Comforts”art exhibit at VCA Alexandriathrough the Gallery Without Wallsprogram features artwork of theanimals in our lives by Del RayArtisans members. Showcasinganimals that lift and fill our hearts isa popular theme at VCA Alexandriaand coincides with the winter holidayseason in which creature comforts ofall types are appreciated. VisitDelRayArtisans.org/exhibits/gww

Holidays andChristmasNOW THRU DEC. 21”Squeakers & Mr. Gumdrop.” At the

Lab Theatre at Convergence, 1819 N.Quaker Lane, Alexandria. One snowymorning, Mr. Gumdrop prepares forhis annual holiday party. When anunexpected and curious mouseappears, Mr. Gumdrop’s routine isthrown for a loop. Can these twowildly different characters worktogether to get the holidaypreparations done in time? This

nonverbal production captures themagic of making new friends andsharing ideas to accomplish big goals.The show was written and directedby Arts on the Horizon membersNatalie Cutcher and AmandaForstrom, was created for anaudience of children ages 2-5. Showtimes are Dec. 19, and 20 at 10:30a.m.; Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. and 11:30a.m. Tickets are $10 for children andadults and can be purchased onlineat http://www.artsonthehorizon.orgor at the door on the day of theperformance.

NOW THRU DEC. 22DRA Holiday Market. The Market is

Dec. 20-22. Hours are Friday 6-9p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11a.m.-6 p.m. At Del Ray ArtisansGallery, Nicholas A. ColasantoCenter, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.,Alexandria. Del Ray Artisans HolidayMarket offers handmade fine arts andcrafts from local artists. The artistsare presenting a variety of media,including botanical drawings, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media,mosaics, painting, paper crafting,photography, pottery/ceramics,sculpture, watercolor, wood turning,and more. Different artists eachweekend. Free admission. Visit thewebsite: DelRayArtisans.org/event/holiday-market-2019

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 18T.C. Williams Winter Concert. 7:30

p.m. At T.C. Williams High Schoolauditorium, 3330 King Street,Alexandria. This is the 10-Year

anniversary of Theodore Thorpe asthe T.C. Williams High School choirteacher and director. Alumni andcurrent choirs will share the stage.Cost is $20/adults; $10/students;kids under 12 free.

DEC. 20-21Christmas Illuminations at Mount

Vernon. 5:30-8:30 p.m. At GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon, 3200Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.,Mount Vernon. Join Mount Vernonfor an evening of family-friendly funand fireworks choreographed toholiday music. Before the fireworksbegin around 8 p.m., take a strollthrough the estate while beingserenaded by local choirs and visitwith re-enactors from the FirstVirginia Regiment. MarthaWashington will also be on site togreet holiday guests. Watch colonialartisans demonstrate the 18th-century process of creating chocolateand visit with Aladdin the camel onthe 12-acre field. Keep toasty bywarming up by a bonfire, enjoyingsome hot chocolate or cider.Admission: $36 adult/$26 youth withmansion tour; $30 adult/$20 youthwithout mansion tour.mountvernon.org/illuminations

SATURDAY/DEC. 21Puppet Show. 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

At Oswald Durant Center, 1605Cameron Street, Alexandria. Ticketsare $6. Featuring the Silly Goose andVal Holiday Extravaganza. Val

Calendar

Hold On! Demitasse to Tumbler at Scope Gallery at theTorpedo Factory in Alexandria.

Hold On! Demitasse to TumblerDec. 30-Feb. 2, 2020, At Scope Gallery at Torpedo Factory, 105 North Union

Street, Studio 19, Alexandria. Your morning coffee will be all the more pleasur-able in an artistic, individually crafted work from a local (DMV) artist. Choicesinclude a cup depicting elements of the natural world by Shirley Gromen or a muginspired by the color of the ocean by Klaudia Levin. Left-handed? Hiromi Minemurahas designed a mug just for lefties, some accompanied with a saucer and spoon.Tea time in the afternoon? Use Elizabeth Greene’s lidded tea mug to keep the teafrom spilling on the way back to your desk. Sushi for carry-out? Accompany themeal with Ana Cavalanti’s beautifully embossed set of saki bottle and saki cups. Ifespresso is your “cup of tea,” you’ll relish Scott Kaye’s handmade, 2 1/2-inch-tallcups with a subtle Shino glaze. And need just a little sip of something before bed?Roni Polisar’s wood-fired ‘Sip Cups’ would be perfect. These are just a sampling ofworks available this month. So hoist a piece of art this new year while imbibingyour favorite beverage. Visit www.scopegallery.org, www.torpedofactory.org/gal-leries/scope.



By Shirley Ruhe

Gazette Packet

Executive Chef UlyssesCabahug at The Majes-tic Cafe on King Streetlines up six diver scal-

lops and pats them dry on bothsides to get a good sear. “Now iswhen the magic begins.”

“These are as fresh as it getsfrom a premium seafood vendor

in Ocean City.” Hesays, “they call theseday boat scallops be-cause they are onlyharvested in small

quantities in small boats and comestraight here; they are never on icewhich can water log the scallop.”

Cabahug turns the heat to highunder a cast iron pan and squirtsin about one and a half ounces ofa high-smoke-point oil (a mixture

of 90 percent canola oil and 10percent extra-virgin olive oil). Justenough to cover the surface of thepan. “You want it to be smokingbefore adding the scallops.”

He seasons the scallops withKosher salt on one side. “That’s thetrick. I cook them one-and-a-halfto two minutes on one side only.”This allows the scallop to get areally nice crust but not get dryinside. Cabahug swirls the oilaround the pan to prevent the scal-lops from sticking and then placesthem side-by-side in the skillet.“See this is the kind of crust youwant.”

Placing the scallops on a smallplate to let them rest for a bit, hethen turns to the thinly sliced shal-lots that have been soaking in but-termilk for a few hours. Cabahugtosses the shallots into a large alu-

minum bowl in a flour mixturewith paprika, blackening season-ing, Old Bay and salt and pepper.Then into a wire basket. Heplunges the basket into a vat ofsoybean and canola oil about aminute until they turn “a goldencolor. Just 10 more seconds andthen onto a towel to drain.”

The mushroom blend is nextwith about three ounces of a mix-ture of hen-of-the-woods, shiitakeand cremini mushrooms sautéedin a hot skillet with oil until theysoften and release their water.Again he sprinkles on a little Ko-sher salt. Flames shoot high as hedeglazes the mushrooms with alittle white Chablis cooking wineand tosses the mushrooms. Finallyhe adds several bite-size pieces ofcabernet-poached Anjou pears tothe skillet.

Cabahug pulls out a container

of pureed celery root, which he haspreviously prepared by peeling thecelery root and rough chopping.“Then I simmered it in heavycream and butter with shallots andgarlic to add flavor. Then I addgrated Manchego cheese and pu-reed it in a Vitamix blender.”

The assembly of the final dishbegins with a smear of celery rootpuree across the large plate. Heartfully places the scallops on theplate in a zigzag pattern. “Now I’llput the pieces of red pear next tothe scallops for a contrast in color.”

The mushrooms form the nextlayer with the crispy shallots ar-ranged on the top and a smatter-ing of pine nuts. Cabehug picks upa plastic squirt bottle. He dotshouse-made fig balsamic on top ofthe scallops. “Finally I’ll sprinkleon chopped chives.” Cabehug saysthis is the customer favorite “and my

Meet Chef Ulysses Cabahug at The Majesticfavorite, too with the contrast in fla-vors and textures.” He says he in-vented this recipe after discoveringthe best scallops available.

Cabehug says he became a chefbecause “I love to eat.” He says hisgrandma, his mom and his dadwere all good cooks. “I poked myhead into the pot to see what wasstirring. I always had these potsin front of me.” He says he wouldsay his favorite dish at home in thePhilippines was bone marrowsoup. “I wanted to know how longdo you simmer it to get all of theflavor out of the pot. What are thetechniques?

“I learned the key to it is takingyour time. I use the same strategyin everything I make, no shortcuts.

“My grandma always told me‘you love to eat so you have tocook. No one is going to cook foryou all the time.’”

In the

Kitchen

The Majestic Executive Chef UlyssesCabahug chooses 6 diver scallops

Mixed mushrooms deglazed with white Chablis.

Shallots deep friedgolden brown.

Customerfavorite diverscallops with

celery rootpuree, wild

mushrooms,pine nuts,

crispy shallots.

Cabernet poachedAnjou pears addedto skillet.

Photos by Shirley Ruhe/Alexandria Gazette


From Page 10


The Family Bell Service will take place Dec. 24 atFairlington United Methodist Church in Alexandria.

Family Bell ServiceTuesday/Dec. 24, 5-5:45 p.m. At Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King

Street, Alexandria. The community is invited to celebrate Christmas Eve with aservice is comfortable for all ages and includes carol singing, the Christmas story,and bell ringing. Bring a jingle bell to ring. Free. fairlingtonumc.org/

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hristy Przystaw

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returns for a fast-paced, humorousmusical treat celebrating snow, jinglebells, elves, Santa, reindeer andmore. Enjoy a family afternoon outwith music, ventriloquism, comedy,dancing, singing, and 100% audienceparticipation.

Celebrate the Season. 4-6:30 p.m. AtSchlesinger Concert Hall, 4915 E.Campus Drive, Alexandria. The 80-man award winning AlexandriaHarmonizers chorus invites you to afestive evening of holiday favoritesincluding Jingle Bells. Sleigh Ride,Little Drummer Boy and their ownversion of The 12 Days of Christmas.Cost is $35. Visit the website:www.harmonizers.org

Country-Western Dance. AtLincolnia Senior Center, 4710 NorthChambliss Street, Alexandria. TheNorthern Virginia Country-WesternDance Association will hold a dance.Lessons, 6-7 p.m. Open dancing, 7-9:30 p.m. A DJ provides music.Couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for NVCWDAmembers $10; non-members $12;children under 18 accompanied by apaying adult $5. Trial membershipsavailable at door for member levelentry fee. Smoke-free, alcohol-free.BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org

SUNDAY/DEC. 22MIN~Contemporary Flute and

Guitar Duo. 2 p.m. At TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince Street,Alexandria. MIN~ContemporaryFlute and Guitar Duo makes itshighly-anticipated winter seasonreturn to the Athenaeum with avaried program that includes manybeloved holiday classics. Flutist Saïs

Kamalidiin and guitaristextraordinaire Rick Peralta compriseone of the few remaining, regularlyperforming, professional flute andguitar (chamber music) duos in thispart of the country. With their 15year legacy of musical excellence, therepertoire of MIN consists of music ofthe baroque, ballads, bossa novas,blues, Broadway and beyond.

S.O.M.E. Benefit Recital. 3-4:30 p.m.At The Lyceum, 201 SouthWashington Street, Alexandria. Anafternoon of violin and cello music tobenefit So Others Might Eat (SOME).Tickets $20. Featuring internationalartists Rachelle Hunt, violin; andKatie Tertell, cello. The program willinclude works by Beethoven, Mozart,Handel-Halvorsen, and new work byMark Boden (UK). Tickets availableon Eventbrite. Suggested donation$20. www.eventbrite.com/e/some-benefit-recital-tickets-75172225149?aff=eprofsaved

TUESDAY/DEC. 24Candlelight Communion Service.

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. At FairlingtonUnited Methodist Church, 3900 KingStreet, Alexandria. The community isinvited to close out Christmas Evewith a Candlelight CommunionService with music will be led by theKing Street Brass Quintet andCombined Choirs. We will sharecommunion, worship together, andend with lighting candles and singingSilent Night. Free. Visit the website:www.fairlingtonumc.org

Waterskiing Santa. 1 p.m. AtAlexandria’s Waterfront. Now in its34th year, this favorite D.C.-areaChristmas Eve event returns to OldTown Alexandria. Gather alonghistoric Alexandria’s Potomac River

waterfront for a spectacular show byWaterskiing Santa and his merrycrew. The prime viewing area isWaterfront Park (1 King St. and 1APrince St.), with more great viewsfrom the Alexandria City Marina (0Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N.Union St.), and Point Lumley Park (1Duke St.). Come early to see the pre-

show (on jet skis). Visit the website:waterskiingsanta.com

Family Bell Service. 5-5:45 p.m. AtFairlington United Methodist Church,3900 King Street, Alexandria. Thecommunity is invited to celebrateChristmas Eve with a

service is comfortable for all ages andincludes carol singing, the Christmas

story, and bell ringing. Bring a jinglebell to ring. Free. Visit the website:https://fairlingtonumc.org/

TUESDAY/DEC. 31First Night Alexandria. 6 p.m. to 1

a.m. At venues throughout Old TownAlexandria. This 25th AnniversaryCelebration is the largest New Year’sEve party in the D.C. region that issafe and fun for the entire family andculminates with a fantastic fireworksfinale over the Potomac River atmidnight. Kids Karnivals: 6 to 9 p.m.at four warm indoor venues in OldTown, Del Ray and the West End.Live Entertainment: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.at warm indoor venues throughoutOld Town Alexandria. Rockin’ on theRiver: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. atWaterfront Park, 1 King St.,Alexandria. Midnight fireworks:Potomac River at the foot of King St.,Alexandria. All Access Admission:$25 through November 30, 2019;$30 December 1-30, 2019; $35December 31, 2019; Kids Karnival is$5 for children ages 2-12 and free forparents and infants. Call 703-963-3755 or visit firstnightalexandria.org.

JAN. 7 TO FEB. 9”Repetitions.” At Potomac Fiber Arts

Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center,Studio 29, 105 North Union Street,Alexandria. Repeated patterns,repeated themes, repeated texturesand repeated colors all lead tointeresting and exciting pieces.Themed work will be eligible forrecognition by the jurors. Non-themed work will also be exhibited.Visit the website:www.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com


Nonprofit providing support andadvocacy for those in need of food,shelter, affordable housing, qualitychildcare, and other human services.Programs and services include theEmbry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry,Hypothermia Prevention Program,Gifts for Kids and annual Coat Drive.www.cornerstonesva.org. ContactNate King, Donations and DrivesCoordinator, at 571-323-9569.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their childrenand individuals who suffer the effectsof poverty in the Fairfax area, apartner in efforts to endhomelessness in Fairfax County.FACETS is always in need ofdonations and volunteers, and offersa variety of one-time and ongoingopportunities.

Donations will be accepted at FACETS’main office (10700 Page Avenue,Building B, Fairfax VA 22030)between 9am – 5pm.

Contact Haylee Davis [email protected].

703-865-4251 [email protected]. 10640 PageAve., Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030

❖ Friends of the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Each year, nearly5,000 pets, including cats, dogs,small mammals, reptiles andlivestock, come to the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Friends of the FairfaxCounty Animal Shelter fundsimportant needs throughout theShelter such as behavioral trainingand dental or medical care beyondwhat the shelter’s budget canprovide. [email protected] 571-212-9858 www.ffcas.org/

❖ Friends of Guest HouseNorthern Virginia offers structure,supervision, support and assistanceto female ex-offenders who want toimprove their lives and break thecycle of incarceration. Friends ofGuest House offers the only programfor women of its kind in NorthernVirginia. One East Luray Ave.,Alexandria, VA 22301-2025, 703-549-8072,[email protected],friendsofguesthouse.org/

❖ Habitat for Humanity ofNorthern Virginia transforms thelives of lower-income families inneed by providing affordablehomeownership opportunities inAlexandria, Arlington, Fairfax andFalls Church. Learn more atwww.habitatnova.org.

❖ Homestretch, to empower homelessparents with children to attainpermanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills,knowledge and hope they need tobecome productive participants in thecommunity. Since 1990 Homestretchhas helped over 2,000 familiesachieve permanent housing and self-sufficiency. 303 South Maple Ave,Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22046Phone: 703-237-2035homestretchva.org

❖ NAMI Northern Virginia (NationalAlliance on Mental Illness) works toraise awareness and provideeducation, advocacy, and supportprograms for people living withmental illness, families, students,educators, law enforcement, and thepublic throughout ourneighborhoods. Many excellentprograms. NAMI Northern Virginiaserves Fairfax, Falls Church,Arlington, Alexandria, and Loudounwww.nami-northernvirginia.org/HelpLine: (571)458.7310,Email: [email protected]

❖ National Capital Food Bank,6833 Hill Park Drive, Lorton, servingall of Northern Virginia, (571) 482-4770 . www.capitalareafoodbank.org

❖ Neighborhood Health, 6677Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA22306. The organization partners

with its patients to treat the wholeperson through medical, behavioralhealth and dental programs. It has 10clinics throughout Arlington andFairfax counties. Participating withall insurance including commercial,Medicare, and Medicaid, 703-535-5568,www.neighborhoodhealthva.org

❖ New Hope Housing, endshomelessness in Northern Virginia byproviding housing, offering hope, andbuilding community. We currentlyoffer various Housing Programs, andSupport Services. 8407E RichmondHwy., Alexandria, VA 22309www.newhopehousing.org/how-to-help/donate/

❖ Northern Virginia FamilyService. The organization providesthe essential building blocks forfinancial, emotional and physicalwell-being, serving as leaders andinnovators for the Northern Virginiacommunity. Every year, it empowers35,000 individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. www.nvfs.org NorthernVirginia Family Service, 10455 WhiteGranite, Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, VA22124. 571-748-2500

❖ OAR rebuilds lives and breaks thecycle of crime with opportunities,alternatives, and resources foroffenders and their families to createa safer community. 10640 Page Ave.,Suite 250, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-246-3033. OAR needs volunteers andfinancial donations. oarnova.org/donate

❖ Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC)volunteers are preparing for deliveryof holiday gifts for children fromfinancially struggling families inwestern Fairfax County –predominantly in Centreville andChantilly.www.ourneighborschild.org/

❖ Pathway Homes providing non-time-limited housing and supportiveservices to adults with serious mentalillness and co-occurring disabilities inNorthern Virginia. Founded in 1980,Pathways currently serves more than400 adults in community-basedhomes in Northern Virginia.www.pathwayhomes.org

❖ Potomac Riverkeeper Networkworks to protect the public’s right toclean water in our rivers andstreams; to stop pollution to promotesafe drinking water; to protecthealthy river habitats; and toenhance public use and enjoyment.

3070 M Street, NW, Washington, DC20007. (202) 888-2037

www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org

❖ Potomac River Conservancy,8403 Colesville Road, Suite 805,Silver Spring, MD 20910,301.608.1188 potomac.org, seeks toimprove the Potomac River’s waterquality by building an impassionedbase of river advocates to impartchange at the local level.

❖ PRS, Inc. is a non profit providingmental health, crisis intervention andsuicide prevention services inNorthern Virginia and Washington,D.C. Seeking to change and save livesin our community by empoweringhope, safety, recovery, wellness,independence and communityintegration.. PRS also provides crisiscounseling and connection tosupports CRISISLINK When crisiscalls, we answer 24/7 Call: 800-273-TALK [8255] Text: “CONNECT” to85511

❖ Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (RebuildingTogether-AFF) is a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit organization that makescritical repairs at no charge for low-income homeowners and nonprofitorganizations. Our volunteers makehomes safe and healthy, and theyhelp seniors age in place. Since 1988we have repaired 2,273 homes andnon-profit residential facilities in ourarea and mobilized 69,081volunteers to do the work. Webelieve in safe homes andcommunities for everyone. 10723Main Street, #135, Fairfax, VA

22030; Phone: 703-528-1999https://rebuildingtogether-aff.org/

❖ Second Story — Second Story(formerly Alternative House)provides shelter and services forhomeless, runaway or abusedteenagers, unaccompanied youth,and young mothers and theirchildren. second-story.org.

❖ SHARE of McLean, celebrating its50th anniversary, is an all-volunteerorganization with no paid staff. Weare supported by donations fromlocal religious congregations,community organizations andindividuals. Our food and clothingroom is housed is space donated bythe McLean Baptist Church. Our yearround and seasonal programs includefamily emergency financialassistance, food pantry, used clothingroom, recycled furniture, back-to-school supplies and refurbishedlaptop computers. During theholidays, we also provide ourneighbors in need with grocery cardsand gifts.

Main Message Center: (703) [email protected]

Mail: Share, Inc. P.O. Box 210 McLean,VA 22101

Food and Clothing Room: McLeanBaptist Church 1367 Chain BridgeRoad McLean, VA 22101

www.shareofmclean.org

❖ Shelter House provides crisisintervention, safe housing andsupportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families andvictims of domestic violence inFairfax County. It is our mission toget families back into stable housingin order to provide them theopportunity to continue their journeyto self-sufficiency.www.shelterhouse.org

❖ Shepherd’s Center of OaktonVienna providing services, personalenrichment, volunteer opportunitiesfor adults 50 and over. Currentlyserving 3,000-plus mature adults inthe region. 703-281-0538,www.scov.org

❖ Tahirih Justice Center, 703-575-0070, www.tahirih.org, Legalservices, public policy advocacy, andeducation for immigrant women andgirls.

❖ TAPS, Tragedy AssistanceProgram for Survivors, 3033 WilsonBlvd., Third Floor, Arlingotn, VA22201, Call 24/7 800-959-TAPS(8277) The Tragedy AssistanceProgram for Survivors offerscompassionate care and resources toall those grieving the loss of amilitary loved one. Make a donationto support surviving military familiesand loved ones. You can also make agift in honor or memory of a lovedone. www.taps.org/donate

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is anonprofit organization focused onhow to enlighten, excite, and educatechildren about how they canexperience the true joy that comesfrom helping those in need.www.touchingheart.com, 703-901-7355.

❖ United Community, Mount Vernon,703-768-7106, 7511 Fordson Road,Alexandria, VA 22306 assists low-income families and individualsliving along the Route 1 Corridor, UCprovides housing programs as well asa Workforce Development Center.Make a Financial Contribution tosupport the Holiday Gift Room 7511Fordson Road, Alexandria VA 22306.www.ucmagency.org

Donations of cash/checks and gift cardsare also welcome.

❖ Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries — 4511 Daly Drive,Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151 inChantilly. email Assistant FoodPantry Manager/VolunteerCoordinator Debbie Culbertson [email protected] and putHoliday Food in the subject line.wfcmva.org/

From Page 6

Where to Give for Local impact


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Having re-read what I wrote in last week’s col-umn: “Still Processing,” I can’t say it made me feel a whole lot better than when I wrote it. Granted, it was a column that had to be written given my

-stantly) and the possible crossroads that I may be entering. Nevertheless, if part of the underlying rea-son why I take up this space every week is to vent and share, as a means, hopefully not to a premature end, I suppose there was stress released there. But the subject matter was so third-rail-ish that even though I’ve tried to avoid it, I feel adversely affected by the experience.

The subject to which I so ambiguously refer is my own death. Aside from not wanting it to happen, if I don’t plan in advance for it having happened, the chaos that will ensue and envelop my wife, Dina, is both unfair and inconsiderate. You see, in our relationship, she’s been the social director and I’ve been the business manager. To quote my late father: “and neither the twain shall meet except on the twack.” If I were indeed to predecease my wife, a fairly distinct possibility, not only would there be no twain, there would be no “twack” as well. There would only be trouble, and that’s ‘trouble’ with a capital “T.”

It’s not so much that there are complications lurking, so far as I understand them: there are no children, no blended family, no special needs situa-tions, no multi-layered business entanglements, no offshore anything (heck, there’s very little onshore), our home and bank accounts are jointly owned, no

and few liabilities; really not much out of the ordi-nary. However, I get that ordinary is in the eye of the surviving beholder, which is likely not to be me. Therefore, if I want to contribute to my wife’s quality of life after I’ve departed dearly (and to her peace of mind now, quite frankly), apparently a road map of

about control; it’s more about initiative.)I guess there’s something in me that feels I

need to get it out on paper so that I might act on it in person. Maybe writing about such a grim task minimizes its grimness, sort of like dipping your toe in the water before you jump? Maybe thinking and writing about the anxiety I’m feeling concerning what my wife will have to do after I’ve died is kind of a mental ice breaker. Not that I’m getting into any details here, it’s more of a broad brush,” to once again quote my brother, Richard, about the need for consideration and fairness. The underlying problem is that getting into all this after I’m-dead stuff seems and feels incredibly negative. And I try to ignore negativity. In fact, it may very well have been my positivity which has kept me alive all these live-long days.

I’m sure I’m rationalizing (maybe more like “irrationalizing”), as an excuse for not doing what needs to be done, but I’ve always been good at that. In addition, I keep coming back to it’s my life; I’m the one with “the cancer,” to quote “Forrest, Forrest Gump,” describing his mother’s cause of death, as a means of justifying my stubbornness/unwillingness to make certain arrangements. I mean, when you think of it, having cancer is a heck of an excuse. And though I’ve rarely used it as one, I’ve always felt it. And with respect to planning for a future I don’t have, I have to blame the cancer. It makes you do and think things you might not otherwise do and think. It’s not as if anyone is ever prepared for a cancer/serious health diagnosis. Quite the opposite in fact. As such, you either learn to roll with the punches or get knocked down by them.

This recent/current experience hasn’t knocked me down or out exactly, but it has made me a little wobbly emotionally, and reminded me just how in-

time in years, I seem to be at greater risk than ever. I suppose with risk comes opportunities. Having my

targeted medicine seems to be present just such an opportunity; exactly what the doctor ordered, literally.

CatharsisSubmit civic/community announcements at

ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

THURSDAY/DEC. 19Children’s Holiday Party. Alexandria Domestic

Violence Program (DVP) invites more than 60families to attend a Children’s Holiday Party.Dinner is provided and families participate inactivities such as arts and crafts, face painting,Frosty Follies and singing holiday songs.Children also get a special visit from SantaClaus. You can participate in this year’s event bycontributing gift cards or new toys. For moreinformation or to donate, email MagdaliaMartinez [email protected]. Visitalexandriava.gov/DomesticViolence oralexandriava.gov/SexualViolence.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for PotomacYard Metro. 2-3 p.m. At the future location ofthe station’s northwest entrance (3601 PotomacAve., Alexandria). The City of Alexandria willhold a public groundbreaking ceremony for thenew Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. Theannouncement of the groundbreaking ceremonyfollows issuance of a permit on Nov. 15 by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the federalClean Water Act. The permit followed anextensive evaluation process, including a publiccomment period and consideration ofconservation, economics, aesthetics,environmental protection, cultural values,energy needs, and safety. This was the finalpermit required under the Joint PermitApplication process with the Corps and theVirginia Department of Environmental Quality.The Virginia State Water Control Boardunanimously approved the state permit inSeptember. Visit alexandriava.gov/PotomacYardMetro.

LEE DISTRICT PLAYGROUNDRENOVATION TO BEGINThe Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin

work to install a new playground and shadestructure at Lee District ReCenter located at6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. Thecontractor, Southern Asphalt and GameTime,will be mobilizing on site shortly with activeconstruction activities beginning in mid-November. This project includes the demolitionand removal of the existing playground andshade structure, installation of new playgroundequipment and shade structure, sidewalkimprovements and related site work. Activeconstruction is anticipated to be completed bythe end of March 2020. The project is funded bybond funds and proffers and has a budget of$260,000. For details, contact the ProjectManager, Kelly Davis [email protected] or 703-324-8609.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDAssistance League of Northern Virginia, a

volunteer nonprofit, invites community membersto join the organization to participate in itsReading Express program. Volunteers provideone-on-one tutoring to first grade studentsduring the school year. To learn more contactVP Membership Mary Gronlund [email protected] or Program Coordinator LynnBarron at [email protected].

United Community (formerly UCM), with mainoffice located at 7511 Fordson Road,Alexandria, seeks volunteers for Food Pantryassistance, Early Learning Center teacher aides,basic needs counselors, youth tutors andmentors, office administration/data entry, andcommunity outreach. Flexible hours andschedules. Opportunities for all ages to serve,including community service hours. More info atucmagency.org/volunteer-opportunities oremail [email protected].

RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

Bulletin


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

1/31/20.

11/30/19.


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