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Oakton High School’s Cougar Robotics STEM Club team members at District Championship March 30.
Confusion, Anger, Agenda Diffi culties News, Page 3
Preparing 755 Power Packs of Food for OthersNews, Page 8
Oakton High Robotics Team Takes World Stage
News, Page 8
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com April 11-17, 2018
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2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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email: [email protected]
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 10:00 AMCHRISTIAN LEARNING ACADEMY (SUN.) 9:00AM-9:45AM
MIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM
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Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGArt Exhibit. Through April 28 at The
Frame Factory, 212 Dominion RoadNE, Vienna. The Landscapes of TenArtists features work by Sheila Blake,Marsha Gallo, Gary Goldberg, LindaGreigg, Barbara Johnson, RobertMcBride, Be Sargent, ThomasXenakis, Susan Yanero, and EllenZeland. Visitwww.theframefactory1.com.
Art Exhibition: “Bon Appetit.”Through May 6, during gallery hoursat the Vienna Arts Center, 115Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. Call 703-319-3971 or visitwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.
“Trees, Trees, and Beyond.”Through May 31 at MeadowlarkBotanical Gardens, 9750 MeadowlarkGardens Court, Vienna. Vienna ArtsSociety Exhibition. Free. Open 10-7p.m. in April; 10-7:30 p.m. in May.Visit www.ViennaArtsSociety.org orcall 703-319-3971.
Vienna Art Society Exhibition.Through late June at North CountyGovernment Center, 1801 CameronGlen Drive, Reston. Visitviennaartssociety.org.
Oakton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmers market inOakton. Local produce, meats/eggs,dairy, baked goods, and more.Admission is free. Visit community-foodworks.org.
The Freeman Store & MuseumWednesday through Sunday noon-4p.m. 131 Church St. NE, Vienna. TheFreeman Store & Museum isdedicated to Preserving Vienna’sheritage. Historicviennainc.org
Bingo Night. Sundays. 4 p.m. FlameRoom, Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. S,Vienna. $10. www.vvfd.org/bingo.html.
The Golden Girls of NorthernVirginia, a senior women’s softballleague, is looking for players. Anywoman over the age of 40 isencouraged to join. All skill levels arewelcome. Games are on Wednesdayevenings and Saturday mornings inVienna, April-October. Otheractivities during the year. Visitwww.goldengirls.org.
THROUGH APRIL 19Vienna Idol 2018 Auditions. At
Whole Foods, Thursday, April 12, 7-8:30 p.m.; Whole Foods, Wednesday,April 18, 7-8:30 p.m.; and CaffeAmouri, Thursday, April 19, 7-8:30p.m. First Place is $700 plus eighthours of recording time at CUEStudios. Second Place - $500; ThirdPlace - $250. Visitwww.viennaidol.org for more.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Social hour at 11 a.m.; luncheon atnoon at the Country Club of Fairfax,5110 Ox Road, Fairfax. Sponsored bythe Oakton Women’s Club. Afundraiser for the Fairfax CountyPublic Schools’ Food and NutritionServices to donate money towardsthe purchase of a food kiosk so thatLuther Jackson Middle School canimplement a Second ChanceBreakfast, as part of the No KidHungry program. Buy tickets atwww.oaktonwomensclub.com/fashion-show/ or call Allyson McGillat 703-582-6179.
Reception: “Bon Appetit.” 7:30-9:30 p.m. at 115 Pleasant St., NW,Vienna. The public is invited to enjoylight refreshments and meet theartists at a reception celebrating theBon Appetit exhibition. Watercolorartist Cathy Williams demonstrationduring the reception. Through May 6.Visit www.ViennaArtsSociety.org orcall 703-319-3971.
Astronomy for Family Fun: Stars.8-9 p.m. at Turner Farm Park’sObservatory, 925 Springvale Road,Great Falls. Look through telescopesat this event to focus on stars.Children must be accompanied by aregistered adult. The cost is $8 perperson. Call 703-324-8618 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm/family-fun-stars.
APRIL 12-14Used Book Sale. At Oakton
Community Library, 10304Lynnehaven Place, Oakton. Free.Spring Book Sale will be Thursday,April 12, 1-8 p.m.; Friday, April 13,10-6 p.m.; and Saturday, April 14,10-3 p.m. A Friends of Oakton
Library Members’ Only Pre Sale willbe held Wednesday, April 11, 2-5:30p.m. Come and browse thousands ofgently used books for adults andchildren. [email protected] or call 703-758-9623.
THURSDAY/APRIL 12-MAY 6“Fly By Night.” At 1st Stage in Tysons,
1524 Spring Hill Road, TysonsCorner. It’s 1965 in New York Cityand the lights are about to go out.But not before a melancholysandwich maker becomes enchantedwith two sisters. $38 generaladmission, $35 seniors (65+), $15students and military. Visitwww.1ststage.org or call 703-854-1856.
FRIDAY/APRIL 13Screening of “Walk With Me.” 7:30
p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. The film isnarrated by actor BenedictCumberbatch and stars Zen Buddhistmaster and Nobel Peace Prizenominee Thich Nhát Hanh in acinematic journey into the world ofmindfulness. Admission is $10;however, no one will be turned away.Advance ticket purchase done viatexting to 703-935-4525, then followprompts; show receipt at door. Visitwww.unityoffairfax.org.
Christylez Bacon: The HumanBeatbox. 8 p.m. at The OldFirehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. GRAMMY-nominatedChristylez Bacon is a dynamicmember of the hip-hop movement,bringing innovation to an art formalready known for mixing urbanmusical styles. Cost is $20/$14 MCCDistrict residents. For Old Firehouseactivities call 703-448-8336.
SATURDAY/APRIL 14Library Comic Con. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at
George C. Marshall High School,7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Second annual celebration of comicbooks, science fiction, fantasy, TV,moves and more. Special visitors areexpected including Stormtroopersand Ghost Busters. Family-friendlycostumes encouraged. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/library-comic-con.
Bluebell Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. atRiverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. See a blanket ofbluebells at their peak at Riverbend’sBluebell Festival. Food, crafts andface painting for kids, live animals,moon bounce and music. $7 perperson until April 13; $9 at the gate.Children under 2 free. Call 703-759-9018 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
Model Railroaders Open House. 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231Dominion Road NE. NorthernVirginia Model Railroaders hold anopen house at the Vienna Depot eachmonth. Free admission. Call 703-938-5157 or visit www.nvmr.org.
SUNDAY/APRIL 15Half Off Bingo. Doors open 4 p.m.;
sales begin 5 p.m.; early birds begin7 p.m. at Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St., S,Vienna. Visit vvfd.org/bingo.html.
Sweet Yonder. 4 p.m. at Jammin Java,227 Maple Ave., E, Vienna. SweetYonder is a fired-up, all-women,bluegrass band. Get tickets atwww.JamminJava.com.
Auditions. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at OldFirehouse Teen Center, 1440 ChainBridge Road, McLean. TravelingPlayers holds auditions for AdvancedTheatre Camps. The summer theatrecamp, in residence at The MadeiraSchool, trains teens and pre-teens inShakespeare and takes them on tourto perform their shows throughoutVirginia. Auditions are open to thepublic and require registration. Thecamp will hold an Open House at TheMadeira School on April 21 from 1-4p.m. Visit www.travelingplayers.orgor call 703-987-1712.
MONDAY/APRIL 16The Old Firehouse Teacher
Workday Trip. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Entera chocolate utopia at Hershey’sChocolate World and create aHershey Bar, enter the taste-test laband try to solve the 4D ChocolateMystery. Admission to all activitiesand transportation are included inthe fee. $70/$60 MCC Districtresidents. Visitwww.mcleancenter.org.
WEDNESDAY/APRIL 18Vienna’s Energy Future. 6:30-8:30
p.m. at Oakton Library, 10304
Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Free.Sierra Club/Great Falls Group hosts apresentation about a growingmovement in Virginia to stop twoproposed pipelines posing a threat ofdamage to streams, rivers, and scenicviews. Email [email protected] orcall 703-608-2471. Faith Alliance forClimate Solutions. Visit the websitevirginia2.sierraclub.org/
FRIDAY/APRIL 20The Unruly Theatre Project. 7 p.m.
at The Old Firehouse, 1440 ChainBridge Road, McLean. Freeadmission. Teen improv troupe offersa hilarious night of comedy. C all703-448-8336.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 20-22Mid-Atlantic Super Strength
Weekend. At Tysons PlaygroundExpo Hall, 8500 Tyco Road, TysonsCorner. Includes Drug FreeBodybuilding, Powerlifting, OlympicWeightlifting, Strongman/Strongwoman, etc. Will featurebodybuilder Jeremy Collins, age 38,who has Down Syndrome and hadheart surgery when he was 6. Visitmassweekend.com or the WorldPhysique Allianceworldphysiquealliance.com.
SATURDAY/APRIL 21Family Fishing Rodeo. 9 to 11 a.m.
at Wolftrap Creek in Wildwood Park,700 block of Follin Lane, SE, Vienna.Pre-registration and $5 ticketsrequired. Limit of six tickets perhousehold. Tickets may be purchasedonline at viennava.gov/webtrac or inperson at the Vienna CommunityCenter, 120 Cherry Street SE.Participants over the age of 16 mustpossess a fishing license, availablethrough the Virginia Department ofGaming and Inland Fisheries.
Open House at Ash Grove House.10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Ash Grove House,8881 Ashgrove House Lane, Vienna.Park Authority is acceptingapplications for the rehabilitationand long-term maintenance of AshGrove House. The Resident CuratorProgram provides the opportunity forindividuals, nonprofit and for-profitorganizations to secure long-termlease agreements in public parksettings such as Ash Grove HistoricSite. Due to limited onsite parking,shuttle bus service will be providedfrom 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Members ofthe public can access a Fastran busfrom Westbriar Elementary Schoollocated at 1741 Pine Valley Drive inVienna. The last return run to theschool is at 3 p.m. For applicationforms, visit online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resident-curator-program. ContactStephanie Langton, manager of theResident Curator Program, at 703-324-8791.
Photo contributed
Vienna Theatre Company presents “Blithe Spirit.”
‘Blithe Spirit’Vienna Theatre Company presents Noel Coward’s famous 1941 comedy “Blithe
Spirit” from April 20-May 6 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., SE,Vienna. Tickets $14. Visit www.viennatheatrecompany.org.
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Ken Moore
The Connection
Dranesville District SupervisorJohn Foust asked a series ofquestions to try to elicit an an-swer from county law enforce-
ment about whether Immigration and Cus-toms Enforcement officers sometimes de-tain and arrest people on civil warrantswhen assisting county officers on criminalinvestigations.
“Fairfax County gang task force does nothave a member of ICE participating on it, isthat correct?” said Foust.
Chief of Fairfax County Police, Col. EdwinC. Chief Roessler, answered first. “We’re partof the Northern Virginia gang task force andthere is a criminal element of ICE associ-ated with that task force,” he said, “so toanswer the question, we do associate withICE in that task force for criminal investi-gations.”
Foust continued: “My question is, whatrole does ICE play on the gang task force?If a crime is committed, you don’t need ICEthere to enforce the law, correct?’”
“We can investigate on our own,” Roesslersaid, but “these gang members don’t adhereto boundaries, so to conduct an investiga-tion we have to cross boundaries. So, attimes it’s prudent to use the task force anda criminal investigator from ICE or the FBIor other federal agencies to hunt thesecriminals down and arrest them.”
“If there is an ICE officer on your gangtask force, and I understand criminal side,do you have a standing policy that says thatthey shall not make an arrest for a civil de-tainer while participating on your taskforce?” asked Foust.
Roessler said, “It’s our goal and our gen-eral orders dictate what our police officersin Fairfax County can and can’t do for thecivil side of that, And it’s not my goal asyour chief to go out and enforce the civilportion of that.
“That’s not the business that we’re in,”he said.
“That’s what I’m trying to get at,” saidFoust. “Because what I perceive is you’reout in the community with one or more ICEagents who are arresting people while par-ticipating on your task force for non-crimi-nal conduct.”
“And that’s what we don’t want,” saidRoessler.
THE BOARD’S PUBLIC SAFETY com-mittee met Tuesday, April 3, to discuss these
issues together.“Our board was looking forward to a
frank and open discussion with ICE abouttheir enforcement activities in FairfaxCounty, which is what ICE had agreed tooriginally. It is unfortunate that this oppor-tunity was derailed,” said Chairman SharonBulova.
ICE didn’t take a seat, although AdonnisT. Smith Sr., Washington Field Office En-forcement and Removal Operations, waslisted on the agenda along with Barbara M.Gonzalez, assistant director, StakeholderEngagement – Victims of ImmigrationCrime Engagement (VOICE).
“There was a lot of disagreement aboutfederal participation today,” said PublicSafety Committee chairman and BraddockDistrict Supervisor John Cook.
ICE officers spoke from the audience tosay that they were present and ready tospeak at two points during the meeting.
“We appreciate you being here,” saidBulova. “There were a lot of organizationsthat actually asked to have a seat at thetable, including ICE and including VOICE.There were others [immigrant advocates]who believed that this was going to be apublic forum or a public hearing which it isnot. This is a committee meeting of theBoard of Supervisors.”
Bulova said later on Facebook: “ICE thenasked that a representative from the Vic-tims of Immigration Crime Engagement(VOICE) Office be at the table as well. SinceVOICE’s mission (giving voice to victims ofcrimes by illegal immigrants), while admi-rable, was not germane to the subject ofthis meeting, I asked they not be a part ofthe discussion. ICE then presented us withan ultimatum — hear from all of us or noneof us. ICE representatives chose instead tosit in the audience,” Bulova wrote.
“Prior to this meeting my office also heardfrom pro-immigrant rights groups whowished to have a seat at the table duringthe meeting. They were told ‘sorry’ for asimilar reason — their issues were off topicand this was a Board Committee Meeting
and not a public forum.”Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity
disagreed. “I think they are our law enforce-ment partners and I think they should beable to participate, but I’ll respect the deci-sion of the chairs,” said Herrity.
Still, ICE and its partnership with locallaw enforcement continued as the topic ofthe meeting.
FOUST QUESTIONED Col. Douglas W.Keen, Chief of Police, City of Manassas, andchairman of the Northern Virginia RegionalGang Task Force.
“Do you allow ICE agents participatingon the task force with your officers to makearrests for non-criminal conduct?”
Keen answered: “There are no ICE agentsassigned to the task force. It is a local andstate task force. We will work with ICE, justas the captain said, as another tool just likethe FBI, DEA, Secret Service or any others.There are times we may ask for ICE assis-tance and they will help us on that criminalinvestigation.”
“I think we’re all comfortable with thecriminal side,” said Foust. “What you seemto be evading is, do they take into custodywhile participating on your task force per-sons presumed or assumed to be in viola-tion of non-criminal immigration rules.”
“I don’t dictate what ICE does,” answeredKeen. “That would be their policy. Whenthey are a member of the task force, theyare there for criminal apprehension pur-poses.
“ICE, it would probably be best if theyexplained, if they had an opportunity, theyhave two different divisions, they have acriminal division and they have a civil divi-sion. The criminal division is working withus,” said Keen.
Roessler said: “We don’t want the com-munity to be looking at us as if we’re usinga criminal as a proxy to get into a houseand say, ‘You, you and you, come with me.’”
“I hope that’s exactly accurate becausethat is not consistent with what I was led tobelieve, which was that these ICE agents
do indeed take people into custody whileon raids with you for violations that are notcriminal activities,” said Foust.
ICE had been active in Route 1 area, saidRoessler, and the FCPD asked ICE to alertthem when and where they are conductingraids in the county so that police know ifthey get a call for example for a home inva-sion or robbery, they won’t respond.
“Obviously, they are federal law enforce-ment officers and they have absolute rightto go into that community, I as a chief can-not override that federal right and that’swhere the confusion is in the community.It’s not your police department in FairfaxCounty that’s conducting the civil raids, it’sICE, and that’s their job.”
SHERIFF STACEY A. KINCAID informedICE in January that the Sheriff ’s Officewould terminate its intergovernmental ser-vice agreement (IGSA) with ICE on May 23,following the required 120-day notice.
The “Sheriff’s Office will no longer holdinmates past their release date unless anICE administrative request to detain theinmate is accompanied by a criminal de-tainer issued by a court,” according toKincaid.
The City of Alexandria, on May 23, willbe the only one of 123 jurisdictions in Vir-ginia to maintain its intergovernmental ser-vice agreement with ICE, said Kincaid.
“Our compliance with Code of Virginiawill not be compromised,” she said. “Ourconclusion to terminate this agreement wasdone after a thorough very intensive pro-cess.”
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay askedif the decision would impact criminal in-vestigations of the gang task force.
“Little to no impact on the gang taskforce,” answered Keen.
“Little to no impact, make sure everybodyheard that,” said McKay, “because factsmatter and facts really matter when you aredealing with people’s emotions. And whenyou’re trying to scare people in FairfaxCounty into believing things that are hap-pening that are not happening.”
THE MAJORITY of the board supportedKincaid’s decision.
“When you terminated the ISA, it wasundoubtedly predictable on your part thatthere would be those who would try tomake a political issue out of this, would tryto scare people. I appreciate the courageyou showed, you did the right thing,” saidFoust.
“It was the right decision to make,” saidMcKay.
“I’ve got to tell you, from all the officersthat I’ve talked to and from my years onthis board the number one most powerfultool we have in Fairfax County is a commu-nity that can trust and will talk to law en-forcement to solve our crimes,” said McKay.“What’s happening at the federal level and
Public safetycommittee meetingfocuses on ICE,without ICE atthe table.
Confusion, Anger, Agenda Difficulties
Roessler KeenHerrityKincaid
Foust Bulova Cook McKay
See ICE, Page 7
4 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
The most important, impactful ac-complishment of the Virginia Gen-eral Assembly session for 2018 isset for Wednesday, April 11, after
our newspapers’ presstime. In agreeing on abudget, assembly members are expected toapprove expanding Medicaid whichwould provide health insurance some200,000 to 400,000 Virginians whohave been living without coverage, andconsequently mostly without health care.
More than 10 percent of residents of Arling-ton, Alexandria and Fairfax County do not havehealth insurance.
The benefits are huge. A celebratory pressrelease goes out any time 10 or more jobs cometo any place in Virginia. But estimates are thatfinally accepting the available federal money
to expand Medicaid under the Affordable CareAct would generate about 30,000 jobs.
It will make all of us who live and work inVirginia healthier by ensuring that our fellowresidents have access to healthcare, to medi-cations to treat contagious illnesses, to vacci-
nations, to preventive and acute care.We don’t want the people who ride withus on the Metro or wait in line at mo-tor vehicles to be sick without a rea-
sonable way to be treated. We want the peoplearound us to be healthy. It makes everyonehealthier.
Virginia has bypassed about $10 billion bynot having expanded Medicaid since it waspossible.
Now is the time.So many advocates have pressed for this for
so long, that it seems almost surreal as thepossibility approaches. While I don’t often prayfor particular outcomes, I think a prayer forhundreds of thousands of people to receive life-affirming health care is in order.
Del. Ken Plum of Reston wrote in his weeklycolumn: “By the time you are reading this col-umn I will be back in Richmond for the seriouswork of the legislature of passing a budget forthe next biennium. The outstanding issue tobe resolved is the expansion of Medicaid tonearly 400,000 Virginians who do not havehealth care even though taxes are being col-lected in Virginia to pay for the program. I sup-port the Governor in his insistence that we ap-prove the expansion. Thanks to all the citizenswho have been calling and writing supportingthe program. I will be back with details on thebudget issue as soon as it is resolved.”
Fingers crossed.
— Mary Kimm,
Expansion of Health Care in Virginia?After years of hoping, it’s possible Medicaidexpansion will come on April 11; say a prayer.
Editorial
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
On a recent early morn-ing walk from my homein the South Lakes area
of Reston I met a new neighborthat I learned lately moved intothe area weeks ago. I would notcall the new neighbor friendly; heseemed to be more disinterestedin me although his family acted abit jittery with me being around.While he may not have been in-terested in me, hundreds havebeen interested in and curiousabout him. A photo I took of himthat I posted on social media haselicited nearly 400 reactions. Icontinue to use the male pronoun,but truthfully I am not sure of theneighbor’s gender.
I introduced the new member ofour community on social media asbeing an albino deer, but I wasquickly corrected. The almostwhite deer did not have the pinkeyes, pink nose, and pinkishhooves of an albino deer. Oneneighbor suggested that he wasprobably a piebald deer. AlthoughI grew up in rural Virginia wherethere is a lot of wildlife, I hadnever heard of a piebald deer. Thatsent me to the internet where Ilearned that contrary to popularbelief, a piebald deer is not a crossbetween a normal whitetail deerand an albino. The origin of theword “piebald” comes from “pie”meaning “mixed up” and “bald”meaning “having a white spot”.
Piebalds have various amountsof white and brown patches simi-lar to a pinto pony, and they have
normal brown eyesand nose withblack hooves like anormal whitetaildeer. Their colora-tion is due to a rareinherited geneticdefect that fortu-
nately affects less than one percentof the white-tailed deer populationbecause it also may result in thedeer having short legs, scoliosis ofthe spine, internal organ deformi-ties and other health conditions.
At the risk of turning this storyinto another diatribe on my partabout the importance of diversityin our community and the need towelcome all, I will end with anacknowledgement that somepeople do not want another some-one in the community who mayeat their flowers. It does make meappreciate our trails and naturalareas where we can see our ani-mal neighbors. When you see ourpiebald deer near SnakedenBranch Trail or wherever else inReston, take a photo if you can andshare it on my Facebook page,Kenneth R. Plum. We want him tofeel welcome. You might want tocall him by the name I understandTerraset Elementary students havegiven him: Blanca.
By the time you are reading thiscolumn I will be back in Rich-mond for the serious work of thelegislature of passing a budget forthe next biennium. The outstand-ing issue to be resolved is the ex-pansion of Medicaid to nearly400,000 Virginians who do nothave health care even thoughtaxes are being collected in Vir-
New Neighbor
Piebald deer of Reston
ginia to pay for the program. Isupport the Governor in his insis-tence that we approve the expan-sion. Thanks to all the citizens
who have been calling and writ-ing supporting the program. I willbe back with details on the bud-get issue as soon as it is resolved.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Vienna & Oakton
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
HomeLifeStyle
By Marilyn Campbell
One of the most anticipated rites ofspring is the vibrancy of the firstblooms on flowers and trees. However,this beauty can only be savored after
the weeding, pruning and planting are finished. Whilepreparing and planning a spring garden is not an ef-fortless endeavor, local landscaping gurus say thatan organized plan can make it more manageable.
“The first thing you need to do is cut back anyornamental grasses like Liriope two to four inchesoff the ground so the brown, tired-looking leaves aregone before the new leaves start to grow,” said DavidWatkins, general manager of Merrifield Garden Cen-ter. “If you wait too long it’s tough to separate oldfrom new and you end up getting brown on the newleaves.”
Removing all of the leaves and other debris fromthe flowerbed is the next step, advises Haynes Davisof American Plant in Bethesda. “Cut back any peren-nials or ornamental grasses that have not alreadybeen cut back and prune out any dead branches fromexisting shrubs,” he said. “I fertilize at this point with… a slow-release, organic fertilizer that works forblooming and evergreen plants. Lastly I put down afresh layer of mulch and then thebeds are ready for spring.”
Preparing to have a perfectlymanicured lawn for spring beginsby raking removing all of thefallen leaves, adds Davis. “Havingyour PH tested would be a goodidea because now would be thetime to put down lime to get yoursoil to the correct acidity levelwhich is 5.8 to 6.5,” he said. “Thisis also the time to put down pre-emergent [herbicides] to keep theweeds from coming up, but youhave to remember, if you putdown a pre-emergent you cannotover seed for six to 12 weeks, de-pending on the product you areusing.”
Cutting away dead or over-grown branches to stimulate newgrowth comes next, says Watkins.“I would prune any branches on
shrubs and trees that are crisscrossingand rubbing against each other,” he said.“Then edge, mulch and fertilize yourplants. Remove old mulch first and putdown two to three inches of new mulch,but make sure you don’t put it too close
to the trunk of the plant.”When whipping a garden into shape for spring,
Alexandria-based landscape designer Ruth Tinsleybelieves in engaging the senses. “If you plant fra-grant spring flowers like Honeysuckle, Phlox, But-terfly Bush and roses, they will give you a pleasantaroma when you are walking through your yard orgarden,” she said. “Plant them in large swaths to getthe biggest impact.”
Butterfly Bush and Stock are two flowering plantsthat do double-duty, advises Tinsley. “They not onlyhave a nice fragrance, but they will add beautifulcolor to your yard or garden. Butterfly bush is rela-tively hearty and has vibrant pink and purple blooms,and Stock comes in a vivid, dark-red color.”
Until temperatures are warm on a consistent ba-sis, Davis offers a caveat about planting flowers. “Iwould only plant Pansies and Violas for flowers out-side,” he said. “They will give you good color all theway up to the time to plant summer annuals, whichis when we have sustained night time temps around55 degrees, usually around mid-April. For perenni-als about the only thing you can plant now would behellebores.”
“Forsythia bushes are blooming now. They’re oneof the first to bloom,” addedWatkins. “Shortly Camellias andAzaleas will start to bloom.
Options for plants that can tol-erate cooler temperatures areplentiful, advises Watkins. “All ofyour trees and shrubs can beplanted now and it’s great to getyour garden started early sothere’s less maintenance in thesummer,” he said. “All of our or-namental trees like Cherry, Red-bud, Crabapple and Dogwood canbe planted now.”
“As for shrubs, you can plantanything right now as long as ithas been acclimated and does nothave new tender growth,” addedDavis. “We have all of our plantsthat are tender either in ourgreenhouses or covered with frostblankets until the temperatureswarm up.”
Spring in BloomPreparing and planning a colorfulwarm-weather garden.
Photo American Plant
Preparing a spring garden includes prun-ing, mulching and fertilizing, says HaynesDavis of American Plant in Bethesda.
Photo Merrifield Garden Center
The colors of Camellia blooms can beenjoyed now, says David Watkins ofMerrifield Garden Center.
Pansies and Violas can beplanted now to offer brightcolors to a spring garden,says Haynes Davis of Ameri-can Plant in Bethesda.
Photo American Plant
6 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
The following summary contains various incidents ofgeneral interest as well as vehicular crashes handled by theTown of Vienna, Virginia Police Department from March 30 –April 6, 2018.
INCIDENTSVandalism — 300 Block of Mashie Drive SE Between March
27, 10 a.m. and April 5, 1:30 p.m. A resident reported thatsomeone spray painted a tire on his pickup truck.
Open Door/Window — 600 Block of Hillcrest Drive SWMarch 30, 2:10 p.m. Officers responded to an alarm comingfrom the residence. Upon their arrival Officers found that thefront door was wide open. Officers entered and searched theresidence with negative results.
Suspicious Event — The Wolftrap Hotel 430 Maple AvenueWest, March 31, 1:31 p.m. A citizen reported that he has beenreceiving unwanted text messages.
Property Found — Elmar Drive SW / Desale Street SW April1, 7:09 a.m. A citizen turned in some property that was foundnear Elmar Dr and DeSale Street SW.
Animal Case — 900 Block of Ware Street SW April 1 be-tween 11:30 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. A resident reported thatwhile she was getting ready for a run, a dog came chargingat her. The dog jumped up on her with its front paws. Theresident was unharmed and did not fall down.
Telephone Case — Ware Street SW April 1, 12:04 p.m. Acitizen reported that she was receiving unwanted phone calls.
Grand Larceny — Chipotle 213 Maple Avenue East, April1, 5:09 p.m. A citizen reported that someone stole his cellphone from a table while he was using the restroom.
Narcotics Violation — Southside Park 1317 Ross Drive SWApril 1, 7:57 p.m. While on patrol, Officer Reedy, observed avehicle trespassing in a public park. During his interactionwith the occupants Officer Reedy located illegal drugs.
Arrest - Driving While Intoxicated - Maple Avenue West /Nutley Street April 1, 8:57 p.m. A citizen requested policeassistance with a driver slumped over, at the wheel of a ve-hicle and apparently unconscious. The driver woke up priorto police arrival and then left the scene. Officers were able tolocate the driver. The driver failed all sobriety tests and wasarrested. The driver was transported to the Vienna PoliceHeadquarters where he refused to submit to the official breathtest. As a result of the investigation, a 60-year-old man fromCenter Street in Vienna, was arrested and transported to theFairfax County Adult Detention Center. Two warrants (Driv-ing While intoxicated third or subsequent and Refuse blood/breath test 2nd offense) were issued and served. The man wasremanded to the custody of the Fairfax County Deputies.
Robbery 1— Shell 252 Maple Avenue West April 2 6:14a.m. An employee reported that he was robbed at gunpoint.An undisclosed amount of money and property was taken. Theemployee was unharmed. A search for the suspect is under-way.
Police Service — Navy Federal Credit Union, 820 FollinLane SE, April 3 7:43 a.m. A citizen reported that she wasbeing harassed.
Open Door/Window — 900 Block of Timber Lane SW April3, 12:52 p.m. Officers responded to an alarm coming from theresidence. Officers found the rear door unsecured and decidedto search the residence. Nothing unusual was found.
Police Service — The Wolftrap Hotel 430 Maple AvenueWest, April 3, 2:06 p.m. An employee requested police assis-tance with a person refusing to leave. While speaking with apolice officer the person requested an ambulance. An ambu-lance responded to the scene and transported the person toa local hospital.
Natural Death — 800 Block of Cottage Street SW April 3,6:39 p.m. Police responded to reports of an unresponsiveperson inside a vehicle. Medics were performing CPR prior topolice arrival. The person was transported to a hospital. Theperson died at the hospital due to apparent natural causes.Emotionally Disturbed Person — Park Terrace Court SE April4, 9:27 a.m. A resident stated that she needed immediatepolice assistance. Officers responded to the residence andafter speaking with the emotionally disturbed person theydetermined that she was fine.
Open Door/Window — 300 Block of Ainstree Court NEApril 4, 12:46 p.m. Officers responded to an alarm comingfrom the residence. Officers found the front door open. Of-ficers entered and searched the residence with negativeresults.
Suspicious Event — The Wolftrap Hotel 430 Maple AvenueWest, April 5, 9:49 a.m. Officers were dispatched to a possiblefight in progress. Officers spoke with an employee and all theinvolved parties in reference to the incident. Officers deter-mined that no violation of law had taken place. Animal Case— 300 Block of Jean Place NE April 5, 11 a.m. Animal Con-trol Officer J. Barker was dispatched to a dog at large. Thefootloose dog was located and transported to the FairfaxCounty Animal Shelter where it will spend some time reflect-ing on the events that led to its incarceration. Animal Case— Hope Advance Veterinary Center 140 Park Street SE April5, 1:31 p.m. A citizen dropped off a stray dog that had beenfound at large. Animal Control Officer J. Barker picked up thedog and transported it to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Abandoned Vehicle — 200 Block of Pleasant Street SWApril 5 9:31 a.m. A citizen reported an abandoned van. A traf-fic officer responded to the area and located the van. A ten-daytow notice was placed on the van and the tires were marked.
Death Unknown Cause — Tapawingo Road SW, April 5,11:45 p.m. A citizen called an ambulance when he discovereda person nonresponsive. Medics and police were dispatched.The person was pronounced dead at the scene. Nothing un-usual or suspicious observed at the scene. This case is activepending results of the investigation from the medicalexaminer’s office.
CRASHESHit and Run — Whole Foods Market 143 Maple Avenue
East, March 30, 3:21 p.m. Vehicle #1 was legally parked inthe Whole Foods parking lot. While parked it was struck byan unknown vehicle.
Vienna Police Highlights
Photo courtesy of Vienna Police Department
On April 2, 2018 at 6 a.m. the picturedindividual robbed the Shell Gas Stationlocated at 252 Maple Avenue, West inVienna. The Vienna Police Department isseeking information about the identity ofthis individual. Anyone with informationis encouraged to contact Det. S. R. Leroux,Vienna Police Department, 703-255-6332.
In conjunction with the United States Drug En-forcement Administration (D.E.A.) and state andlocal law enforcement agencies, the Vienna Po-lice Department will again participate in a one-day initiative to remove potentially dangerous con-trolled substances from area homes.
On April 28, 2018 between the hours of 10 a.m.and 2 p.m. the Vienna Police Department will havea collection site for old, expired, unused, or un-wanted medications. Prescription medications, con-trolled or non-controlled substances, and over thecounter drugs may be turned in anonymously atthe collection point inside the Vienna Police De-
partment located at 215 Center Street, South,Vienna. Participants may dispose of medication inits original container or by removing it and dispos-ing of it directly in to the collection box. If an origi-nal container is used the individual should con-sider removing any identifying information fromthe prescription label. Liquid products should re-main sealed in their original container to preventleakage. Intravenous solutions, injectables, andsyringes will not be accepted due to associatedhazards. Commercial businesses, pharmacies orother medical facilities may not use this as a meansto discard expired medications or medical waste.
Week in Vienna
Vienna Police to Participate in Drug Take Back Initiative
Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
the misinformation that’s being put out ...about the decision the Sheriff made is mak-ing that a lot harder.
“We’re one of the safest jurisdictions inthe country because our people trust, be-lieve, and speak to us and help us solvecrimes,” McKay said. “And if we scare peoplethat’s not going to happen.”
Bulova commented that it is very confus-ing to the immigrant community and dam-aging to the trust in county police that ICEagents are conducting raids in the countywearing uniforms that say “POLICE” in largeletters across the back.
“It confuses and scares people when theysee a uniform that says police and it’s notpolice at all. It’s ICE,” said Bulova. “It maysay ICE somewhere on that uniform butpeople see police and think it’s our FairfaxCounty police who are actually serving asmembers of ICE.”
HERRITY SPOKE for the minority. He wasnot in support of Sheriff Kincaid’s decisionto terminate the agreement with ICE.
“I think we need to continue cooperatingwith ICE to the fullest extent possible,” hesaid.
“This is about protecting our immigrantcommunity,” said Herrity. “It’s human traf-ficking, it’s drugs, it’s murders, it’s crime andwe ought to be doing everything we can toget them off the street,” he said.
“I’m very disappointed that we invitedthem here, we have them on the agenda,and they’re not able to speak,” said Herrity.
From Page 3
Focus onICE
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
PARENTS HELPING PARENTSParent Support Partners, a service of the
Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualitied tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html
GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATESThe McLean Community Center (MCC) is
seeking candidates to run for seats on its 2018-2019 Governing Board. A candidate must residein the Center’s tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville). To have their names placed onelection ballots, candidates are required toobtain the signatures of 10 McLean tax districtresidents in their respective categories (eitheradult or youth). Three adult positions and twoyouth positions are open this year. Key ElectionDates:
❖ Sunday, May 6: Candidates Meet and Greet, 2-4p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of MCC, at theOld Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road.
❖ Wednesday, May 16: Absentee Voting ends at theMCC Administrative Office and the OldFirehouse Center at 5 p.m.
❖ Saturday, May 19: Elections at McLean Day from10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information on the MCC Governing BoardElections, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY:711, or visit the Center’s website: http://bit.ly/
Bulletin
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
... that the green, cotton, chino-typecasual-Friday pants I often wear on -in-the-office-Thursdays, lasted as long as they did.Given the number of years I’ve been stuffingmyself into them (not every Thursday mindyou, but very regularly), and the weight I’vegained, especially since the ultra low pointduring heavy duty chemotherapy nine yearsago, the miracle is that these pants hadn’t splitwide open on any number of previousoccasions.
As it actually happened yesterday, the splitwas gradual, not along a seam and not offen-sive to anybody, least of all, me.
And though the tear was understandable,given the psi (pounds per square inch) of pres-sure they were under, the loss howeverexpected was sad nonetheless. For someonewho exults in a limited wardrobe as much as Ido, the reduction in available garments Ichoose to wear – repeatedly, is impactful.
Hardly do I have too many other go-to-pants in the closet. Considering my lack ofinterest, lack of need and lack of properly fit-ting alternatives hanging in the balance, whena split occurs, such as the one I’ve described“heretofore,” (Ben Affleck in “Good WillHunting”), not only is the loss palpable, it isdownright inconvenient. Now what? Not thatmy appearance is ever a priority, but I’d rathernot dress for failure.
The problem is, when your clothingoptions can be characterized as “either or,”you’re in a bind which, given the pounds thathave been added over the winter (let’s behonest; more like the preceding fall, summer,spring, winter and fall), you’re constantly chal-lenged, especially when attempting to zip upyour fly and/or button your pants. Talk about apointless effort.
If there was a cash reward for such failure,I’d be basking somewhere warm, in semiretirement – with an elastic waistband to domy bidding.
“But alas, poor Yurick.” No such rewardexists, but thankfully, elastic waistbands do,and not just on underwear, bathing suits,shorts and sweatpants. The question becomesthen: How committed do I want to become tosuch elasticity? Isn’t it kind of a slippery slopeto rubberize my waistline? My fear is, once Igo elastic, I may never go back, and in nevergoing back, I’m also afraid there may be nostopping me, if you know what I mean? And ifI’m not to be stopped then am I prepared tolive with myself, my ever-expanding self, thatis?
I imagine my oncologist wouldn’t approve.And I know my internal medicine doctorwouldn’t approve (I’ve already received someelectronic advisories to that effect); and Iknow with 100 percent certainty that my wife,Dina wouldn’t approve. She might have mar-ried me “in sickness and health, and thick andthin,” but she’d much rather I be thin thanthick.
Granted, I may be mixing metaphors here,but I trust you get my point. She liked me theway I was, and sort of likes me the way I am,but I’m doubtful she would like me nearly asmuch if I were to morph into another being.
Ergo, the future is now. Do I continue topack on the pounds and have less and lessclothing that fits – and fewer and fewerexcuses as to why that old thing seems to bethat same old thing, again; buy new clothesthat reflect and lock in my girth, or bite thebullet – not the Entenmann’s Pop’ems,Hostess CupCakes, Oreo Mega Stuf cookies orM&M’s plain/peanut butter candy and try tolose weight and save some face, literally?
I believe I know the answer. I’m just notsure of the start date. It better be soonbecause the underwear I bought myself forChristmas is beginning to lose its shape andI’m pretty sure I know the reason; and it’s nota manufacturer’s defect.
It’s A Miracle(Not a Cancer
Column) ...
8 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 11-17, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Amy Yusman
Oakton Cougar Robotics President/
Mentor
For 17 years, Oakton High School hasbeen blessed with the Cougar Ro-botics STEM Club. The club com-petes in a world-wide competition
called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recogni-tion of Science and Technology). The club ismade up of 29 students, ranging from fresh-man to seniors. Each January a new seasonbegins with a new game challenge for theClub. The Cougar Robotics teams had sixweeks to design, build and program a brandnew robot to meet the 2018 FIRST PowerUp challenges. The students are interviewedby judges at each competition, giving themthe opportunity to show off their robot, program-ming, and team skills.
The Cougars have battled it out in both Virginiaand Maryland, winning the FIRST Chesapeake South-ern Maryland Tournament. The programming teamwas rewarded for their hard work with the Innova-tion in Control award, which celebrates an innova-tive control system or application of control compo-nents – electrical, mechanical, or software – to pro-vide unique machine functions for their “CougarOperative Board.”
During Spring Break, the Cougars battled it outagainst 60 other teams from Virginia, Marylandand DC at the District Championship. Finishingamong the top teams and winning the QualityAward for their robot Samus Lakitu, Oakton’s Cou-gar Robotics team secured their spot to competeagainst 400 teams from all over the world at theFIRST Championship in Detroit, Mich. April 25-28. Tens of thousands of students will compete onthe world stage at the FIRST Championship pre-sented by Qualcomm Inc.
With all the heart-pounding thrills and team spiritof a professional sporting event, FIRST uses roboticsas the backbone for the “only sport where every kidcan go pro.” Guided by mentors and STEM profes-sionals, and supported by FIRST Sponsors, FIRSTteams inspire kids in grades K-12 to explore the in-novation process and build STEM and digital-literacyskills.
Congratulations to the team Captain & LeadBuilder Benjamin Yusman; drive team - BrianDonohue, Quintin Harter & Erin Lincoln; Program-ming Leads - Ronnie Mohapatra & Troy Neubauer;Alliance scouting leads - Aspen Harter & Irene Do;Safety Leads - Sam Walters & Sai Balusu, build teammembers - Alex Yusman, Bryan Peters, Devin Gardner,Divya Dasari, Hongze Chen, Justin Kim, MrinaalLorengo, Eashan Gupta, Nick Garrone, Rajiv Joshi,Sai Duduru; programming team members - ArthurLiao, Justin Guo, Matthew Nicoud, Zachary Wang;and Engineering Notebook leads - Majied Matthews& Tyler Paldao; Scouting team members - AnushaPrahlad, Alina Tilton, Rakyung Lee.
Thanks to the generosity ofthe community at Our Lady ofGood Counsel Catholic Churchand School, volunteers filled755 “power packs” for needychildren in Fairfax County el-ementary schools through Foodfor Others. This was a very im-portant food drive, as manychildren have little or no foodat home and this “power packprogram” helps get themthrough the weekend. It wasnoted that OLGC donated 2,723pounds of food, double whatthey provided in December.
All of this would not havebeen possible without the sup-port of not only the parishionersand the school families thatdonated before the event, butalso the Santa Maria Council ofthe Knights of Columbus, whocontributed $200, and the FishFry patrons thru a 50/50 raffle,who collectively donated $817which went towards the pur-chasing of items needed for the“power packs.”
The OLGC youth group, sev-enth graders and staff carriedand collected the items so that
the packing could occur and afew moms delivered the bags toFood for Others.
For more information, visithttps://www.olgcva.org/news-post/~post/power-packs-com-pleted.
Preparing 755 Power Packs ofFood for Others
Cougar Robotics will compete against 400 teamsfrom all over the world at the FIRST Championshipin Detroit, Mich. April 25-28.
Oakton High Robotics TeamTakes World Stage
Captain Benjamin Yusman, Senior, getting inter-viewed by judges.
Team picture:Cougar Robot-ics STEM Clubteam memberscelebrate winat SouthernMarylandCompetition inOxon Hill, Md.
Photos
contributed
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church andSchool volunteers filled 755 “power packs” for needychildren in Fairfax County.
Community members helping prepare Power Packs togo to students through Food for Others.
The OLGC youth group,seventh graders and staffcarried and collected theitems, helping preparePower Packs.
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