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Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Playful SummerNews, Page 4
WellbeingPage 12
BrightviewGoes ThroughNews, Page 3
Finding HerOwn Voice
People, Page 6
WellbeingPage 12
BrightviewGoes ThroughNews, Page 3
Finding HerOwn Voice
People, Page 6
Playful SummerNews, Page 4
From left,Timmy Moran,
16, MariaBerkowitz, 14
and TylerRicchetti, 16,
part of the castof the McLeanSummer Youth
Theater’sperformance of
“Bye ByeBirdie.”
From left,Timmy Moran,
16, MariaBerkowitz, 14
and TylerRicchetti, 16,
part of the castof the McLeanSummer Youth
Theater’sperformance of
“Bye ByeBirdie.”
Great Falls
2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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News
Tuesday morning, July 26, the television show Communi-cating Today was invited to the Fairfax County GovernmentCenter, by the Board of Supervisors, to receive a special awardfor producing their 600th program over a 22-year period onChannel 10, Fairfax Public Access cable TV. The award wasalso for “providing a worthwhile community service for thecitizens of Fairfax County for many years”.
John Monsul of Great Falls, the creator and producer ofCommunicating Today, accepted the award on behalf of hisprogram and his crew. The 600th program was directed byBeth Olson and supported by Brad Tehaan, Peter Scheps,Jyothi Sunkari, Bron Gervais, Rafael Arancibia, Mary Hartzler,Stephanie Kercel and Frank Szumilo. Pamela Haines, pro-ducer of her own show on Channel 10, called Our Place, andTom Fricke, edited the several musical video segments for the600th “Musical Review” show.
In accepting the award, Monsul thanked his family for theirsupport, especially his wife Dee Monsul, his brother Jim andKathy Monsul, who came from Columbus, Ohio, to share thegood news, and good friends Frank and Angela Szumilo andPam and Rich Masaniello.
He also “shared” the award with Channel 10 and Cox Com-munications, represented by Executive Director, Chuck Pena andMike Leone, Director of Public Affairs, respectively. Monsul saidthat “without these two organizations, producing 600 televisionprograms over a 22-year period would not have been possible”.
Monsul said he also wanted to share this award with theMilitary Order of The Purple Heart, who appeared on Com-municating Today earlier this year. The MOPH wasrepresented by Jack Leonard, National Adjutant and Lin Pea-cock, Director of Administration for MOPHSF. TempieThompson, of MOPH, provided much local support.
County Board Honors Communicating Today
John Monsul of Great Falls, the creator and producer of Communicating Today, ac-cepted the award on behalf of his program and his crew.
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NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
See Supervisors, Page 12
By Alex McVeigh
The Connection
After more than 18 months of planning, ne-gotiating, protests and public meetings,the Fairfax County Board of Supervisorsunanimously approved the special excep-
tion for the proposed Brightview Assisted Living fa-cility July 26.
The property, located at the site of the formerThelma’s on Colvin Run Road, is split zoned, with1.44 acres zoned commercial and 2.12 zoned resi-dential. The special exception was needed to buildparts of the 52,000 square foot facility on the resi-dential portion.
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) said he wasprepared to defer the decision if any new informa-tion came to light at the July 26 public hearing.
“We have worked very, very hard to hear from ev-eryone on this. The bottom line is that there are is-sues, I understand how strongly people feel aboutthose issues, but we have had a chance to considerand evaluate them,” he said. “Even after the Plan-ning Commission unanimously recommended ap-proval, I took the unusual step of scheduling twovery well attended public meetings... Since the as-sisted living facility was first proposed, the applicanthas made a significant number of revisions andagreed to numerous development conditions re-quested by the [Great Falls Citizens Association] andmembers of the community.”
FOUST CALLED the facility an “appropriate tran-sitional use from the Colvin Run/Walker Road areato the residential uses outside that area. The low in-tensity and visual appearance of the proposed use is
beneficial to this community. I also find that it is inharmony with the general purpose and intent of theapplicable zoning district regulations. In fact, thisproposal is a vast improvement over the develop-ment that could occur on this site by right, with noinput from the community, no review by this boardand none of the many development conditions thatare proposed.”
Almost 30 people testified before the board of su-pervisors, with a little more than half of the com-ments not in favor of the development.
Kathleen Murphy, president of the Great Falls His-torical Society, said it took a “long time to figure out”how she felt about the issue.
“It violates the culture of Great Falls,” she said.“Colvin Run as a community is suffering, and actu-ally needs the commercial activity at that site as acontribution.”
Suresh Pandellapalli lives in the house that bor-ders the northwest section of the proposed facility’sproperty.
“Before we purchased our property, I was awarethat the neighboring property was split zoned... I wasconfident that the county would keep the trust I be-stowed on it, and preserve the [residential] part ofthe property for residential use, but I was sadly mis-taken,” he said. “The special exceptions are going tonegatively impact my way of life, privacy and valueof my property.”
Joe Sartiano, who headed the No To Brightviewgroup, which collected hundreds of community sig-natures from those who are against the facility, sayshe believes the supervisors’ decision was inevitable.
“I think this was a done deal the second it got tothe GFCA,” Sartiano said. “And now we’ve got anartificial injection of an almost 53,000 square footfacility in Great Falls.”
DIANNE VAN VOLKENBURG, co-chair of theGFCA’s Land Use and Zoning committee, says shehas worked with the applicant since April 2010, and
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special exceptionthat allows a 52,000 square foot assisted living facility to be built on this property,located on Colvin Run Road.
Brightview Goes ThroughBoard of Supervisors grantsspecial exception for 52,000square foot facility.
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Great Falls artists sub-mitted 17 paintings orphotographs of the
eastern bluebird last week aspart of an art competition as-sociated with the election of thespecies as the new bird symbolof Great Falls. The winning art-ist was Jennifer Duncan.
Duncan’s painting, called“Backyard Blues,” is acrylicmixed-media on paper and de-picts two of the birds near a nestbox. “Mixed media” refers tonon-paint components in thework, including collage, graph-ite and a wax crayon calledcoran d’ache. “I wanted to cre-ate a colorful rendition of blue-birds in the backyard,” she said.
As the winner, Duncan re-ceives a prize of $500 from thearts group Great Falls Studios.Framing of the piece will beprovided as a donation byTurner Framing, a frame shopat 125-J Seneca Road atGeorgetown Pike. The piecewill be presented to the libraryby Great Falls Studios in a cer-emony in September. After go-ing on display for a month atTurner Framing, it will hangpermanently in the library.
The competition was judgedby Joanne Bauer, ExhibitionsManager of the Greater RestonArts Center (GRACE). Bauerwas an ideal juror because she
knows both birds and art. Inaddition to her key role at oneof the region’s better-knownarts groups, Bauer leads birdwalks and monitors bluebirdtrails in Reston for a Virginia-based bluebird society. Shepicked Duncan’s painting inpart because of the joy andexuberance of the work, quali-ties she associates with blue-birds.
The election of a village sym-bol took place on line and wasaccompanied by various art andphoto exhibitions earlier thisyear. This celebration of art,wildlife and parks in the villagewas organized by Great FallsStudios in partnership with theNational Audubon Society, pluseight other local organizationsand Forestville and Great Fallselementary schools.
In the election, the bluebirdedged out the pileated wood-pecker by a single vote. Theother candidates were theAmerican goldfinch, great blueheron, red shouldered hawk,ruby-throated hummingbirdand wild turkey.
Duncan is one of 100 artistmembers of Great Falls Studiosand paints in the Artists’ Ate-lier, a group studio of 15 artistslocated near Dante Restaurant.Her works have been shownwidely across the DC area.
Art juror Joanne Bauer, a bird authority who is alsoExhibitions Manager of the Greater Reston Art Center,poses with the winning artwork she selected in a GreatFalls competition to pick a bluebird painting to hang inthe library. The winning artist was Jennifer Duncan.
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Painting of new village symbol winstop honors, will hang in library.
Eastern Bluebirds JudgedIn Art Contest at Library
4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Alex McVeigh
The Connection
As if putting together afull production of “ByeBye Birdie” in fourweeks wasn’t enough of
a challenge for the McLean Sum-mer Youth Theater, they also hadto deal with no air conditioning atLangley High School, their usualrehearsal place. But the group,made up of 40 students, parentsand staff from local schools, wentabout their work undaunted, mov-ing a few rehearsals to the smallerstage at Cooper Middle School.
This is the fourth year of the sum-mer camp, which is directed byCooper theater teacher Meg Baber.Students from around the area signup for the camp early, and there isoften a backup list of children whocan’t get in.
Amelia Welch, 16, who plays Rosie, saysthat Baber inspired her in her middle schooldays, which is why she keeps coming backto camp.
“Ms. Baber is one of those teachers whoselove for theater just rubbed off on all of us,”she said. “It might seem a bit unusual tosome, but this is always the highlight of mysummer.”
THIS YEAR’S PRODUCTION was a chal-lenge for the students, especially theyounger ones, many of whom had never hadtraining in musical choreography.
“Most of the students haven’t been trainedin movement before, some have had dancetraining, but this is a different challenge,”said choreographer Cristi Goldberg. “Whileit’s a challenge to teach them to dance with-out much experience, the kids make it funand their attitudes are always wonderful.”
Lori Taylor, who also accompanies theLangley High School during their perfor-mances, serves as musical director. She saidthe students have been very good aboutstudying their material on their own time.
“They’re good about going home andworking on their music,” she said. “It reallyhelps, and they come in focused.”
Taylor, who has participated in all fouryears of the camp, says it’s always reward-ing to see a student finally pick somethingup after working at it so long.
“There was a student that was havingtrouble moving his voice from low to highnotes, but he got it, and anytime you cansee that light bulb go on, it’s great,” she said.“And these are all skills and concepts thatwill serve them well in the future.”
Jenny Witzel, 14, used to live in McLean,and now she lives with her family inMozambique, but she still made it back toparticipate in the camp for the first time.
“My old neighbors told usall about it, and it’s beengreat fun, the entire cast iswonderful,” she said.
Alex Don, 16, who playsMr. MacAfee, says the campleaders make sure to includeeveryone as much as pos-sible.
“All the smaller parts in theplay had the lead parts in theone-act [plays] we did ear-lier,” said Don, who attendedCooper but currently attendsGonzaga College HighSchool. “In the major num-bers they also make sure ev-eryone is involved.”
Sam Mayman, 16, a stu-dent at Langley High School, said“even if it’s a small part, they alwaysfind a way for it to shine.”
Rachel Myers, 16, who attends Lan-gley High School, said the quick paceleaves all the students with a feelingof accomplishment at the end.
“The feeling you get after puttingso much into those four weeks is in-tense, but it’s also a lot of fun,” shesaid.
Don agreed, “at the end of thecamp, you feel like you can do any-thing.”
Local students atMcLean SummerYouth Theaterperform “ByeBye Birdie.”
Youth Theater Heats Up Stage This SummerStudents at the McLean Summer Youth Theater rehearse “Bye ByeBirdie” at Cooper Middle School Monday.
From left, Amelia Welch, 16, Sam Mayman, 16 and Sarah Salem, 15, partof the cast of the McLean Summer Youth Theater’s performance of “ByeBye Birdie.”
Natalie Harris, 14, and Tucker Reilly, 14,cast members in the McLean SummerYouth Theater’s performance of “Bye ByeBirdie.”
From left, Brendan Coffey, Alex Don, 16,Jenna Sander, 15, and Maria Berkowitz,14, as the MacAfee family in the McLeanSummer Youth Theater’s performance of“Bye Bye Birdie.”
“The feeling you getafter putting somuch into thosefour weeks isintense, but it’s alsoa lot of fun.”
— Rachel Myers, 16,Langley High School
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Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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6 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
People
Faith Notes are for announce-ments and events in the faithcommunity. Send to [email protected]. Dead-line is Friday.
Eddy Bazin, a missionary inPort-au-prince, Haiti, will speakat Antioch Christian Church,1860 Beulah Road in Vienna, onSunday. Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. Bazinis a native Haitian who came tothe U.S. for his education, thenreturned to Haiti to establish achurch with a school, healthclinic, feeding center and an or-phanage. He will discuss theaffects of the earthquake, the re-building effort and how to help.703-938-6753 orwww.antiochdoc.org.
Alliance Church Centre,12113 Vale Road in Oakton, willhold its Vacation Bible SchoolAug. 24-26 from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m.The Sonsurf Beach Bash will haveBible stories, crafts, skits, games,songs, snacks and more for nurs-ery school-6th grade.703-264-1273 or 703-795-8801.
The Church of the GoodShepherd, a United Methodistchurch at 2351 Hunter Mill Roadin Vienna, will begin its “Champi-ons of the Faith” series onSunday, Aug. 28, in the 10 a.m.worship service. The “Championthe Dream” event will be on theanniversary of Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream”speech, the same day the MartinLuther King Jr. National Memo-rial is to be unveiled. WesleyTheological Seminary Professorof Urban Ministry Fred D. Smith,PhD, will lead the 9 a.m. Sundayschool class then deliver a sermonat 10 a.m. on the “Beloved Com-munity,” the Biblical themeadopted by the civil rights move-m e n t .www.GoodShepherdVA.com.
Epiphany United Method-ist Church, 1014 Country ClubDrive in Vienna, will celebrate its50th anniversary with a specialworship service on Sunday, Sept.25 at 11 a.m.www.epiphanyumc.com or 703-938-3494.
The Jewish Social ServicesAgency (JSSA) offers a widevariety of support groups forthose with emotional, social, andphysical challenges.www.jssa.org/growth-learning.
HAVEN of Northern Vir-ginia offers a variety of freebereavement support groups,meeting on a weekly basis. Con-tact 703-941-7000 orwww.havenofnova.org for sched-ules and registration information.
McLean Bible Church Fit-ness Class at Body & SoulFitness. Balance is key, energy isrenewed and strength is gained.9:45 a.m. Mondays and Fridays.Free childcare for registered stu-d e n t s [email protected].
Vajrayogini Buddhist Cen-ter offers ongoing classes onmeditation and Buddhist philoso-phy, Mondays at 7 p.m. at Unityof Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 orwww.meditation-dc.org.
Faith Notes
By Alex McVeigh
The Connection
In 2006, Great Falls residentCaroline Dunigan began tofind her voice. That’s when,at the urging of a teacher,
she participated in the Washing-ton National Opera’s Camp forKids. Only 14 at the time, she hadan experience during the campthat forever shaped her love ofopera.
“After our final performance atthe Kennedy Center, my mom andI met Placido Domingo,” she said.“To be exposed to such at a youngage was prolific to where I am inmy career now and influenced meto pursue opera.”
Five years later, Dunigan is stillbeing heard loud and clear, thistime at the Brevard Music CenterFestival, where she is participat-ing in multiple operas this sum-mer.
Dunigan, who graduated fromLangley High School in 2010, isstudying Vocal Performance at theManhattan School of Music. Thissummer, she was one of 36 stu-dents to participate in the Brevardfestival, which takes place in west-ern North Carolina.
Almost 400 singers audition forthe eight-week Brevard programevery year, either by DVD or at oneof five live-audition sites. The pro-gram puts on five operas of vary-ing styles, and students must alsotake classes in opera and move-ment every day.
David Gately, director of the op-era program at the Brevard MusicCenter, says that Dunigan is the“baby” of the company this year,as she is the youngest member.
“I think she was a bit over-whelmed by the huge amount oftalent we have here this year,” hesaid. “The exciting thing is that shedidn’t let it deter her, she took itas a challenge, applied herself andhas been a stand out in the ‘mostimproved’ category.”
Dunigan’s roles this summer arevaried: she plays a prostitute in“The Threepenny Opera,” the DewFairy in “Hansel and Gretel” andGiannetta in “The Elixir of Love.”
“I think she has learned anamazing amount from each expe-rience,” Gately said. “She is a bitshy, and has had to come out ofherself for each of these roles.Now, in our fifth opera, ‘The Elixir,’she is acting like a pro. She easilykeeps up with all the other more
experienced members of the cast.”
DUNIGAN CALLED THE EXPE-RIENCE “the biggest challenge ofmy life,” but says it has been veryrewarding.
“Every opera has required me totransform into a completely differ-ent character and with little timebetween each opera, it has been achallenge,” she said. “A typical dayat Brevard begins at eight in themorning with movement class andends at 10 at night after a long dayof tedious staging rehearsals andvocal coachings, so I have had topace myself vocally, physically andmentally. I fortunately had a fewweeks before arriving in Brevardto learn and memorize all fourroles, so once I arrived, all that wasleft was polishing and staging. Theamount of work we do at Brevardis overwhelming, but not too dif-ficult that we lose balance. I havehad the time of my life here.”
She credits the vocal coaches atBrevard for pushing her perform-ing skills as far as they can go.
“I have learned to be a fully com-mitted performer when I sing. Thevocal coaches have polished myrepertoire and the stage directorshave helped me discover how mybody moves on stage and in a cer-tain character,” Dunigan said.“This summer, I have learned tocollaborate with an orchestra andconductor in an opera. I have ab-sorbed a wealth of important in-formation that pertains to me nowand way down the road.”
Gately says her commitment tothe program has paid off.
“To watch Caroline’s improve-ment over the summer has beenjust downright heartwarming,” hesaid. “She has thrown herself intothe process and just this morningshe did an audition that she couldnever have done eight weeks ago.
It was sophisticated, charming andwell done.”
Gately also expressed his admi-ration at how Dunigan transformsafter putting on the costume for aparticular role, saying “she worksreally hard in rehearsal, but thecharacter really comes togetherwhen she actually puts on the cos-tume for a role.”
While opera comes with anynumber of preconceptions,Dunigan says there are some thatjust aren’t true.
“Opera should not be viewed asold, stuffy and serious. While go-ing to the opera requires relativelyformal dress attire, the experienceis exciting and worthwhile, notstraitlaced and serious,” she said.“Many modern films are based offof operas, such as Moulon Rougeand ‘La Traviata’ by Verdi, and themusical ‘Rent’ and ‘La Boheme’ byPuccini.”
Dunigan has also achieved re-cent acclaim performing at herschool.
IN MAY, she was part of the mu-sic department’s “Music of Arme-nia” concert. She performedMakar Yekmalian’s “Ov, HayotsAshkharh” (Oh, Land of Armenia),along with members from thechoir. The Armenian Reporter, inreviewing the concert, creditedDunigan and her fellow singers fortheir performance.
“[The singers], none of whom[are] Armenian, showed that theyhad put much heart and soul intotheir preparation of Yekmalian’smasterpiece,” the review reads.
Dunigan says she hopes to con-tinue singing and performing op-era as long as she can. She hopesto graduate from the ManhattanSchool within the next three years,and then attend a graduate pro-gram at a musical conservatory,after which she hopes to apply toyoung artist programs around thecountry.
“I dream of performing in inter-nationally renowned operahouses, such as the MetropolitanOpera in New York and the RoyalOpera in London’s Covent Gar-den,” she said.
Gately says that Dunigan’sprogress this summer give her avery bright future.
“Caroline has a huge future infront of her,” he said. “She’s giftedwith a wonderful voice, but thatisn’t the thing that will make hersucceed. It’s her amazing dedica-tion for her craft, her thirst forknowledge about the business ofsinging and acting. She has madeit clear that she’s going to workhard. I so admire her for this.”
Finding Her Own VoiceGreat Falls native Caroline Dunigan participated inBrevard Music Center summer festival.
Great Falls native Caroline Dunigan (far right) spent thissummer at the Brevard Music Center Festival, learningopera techniques and performing in four different operas.
Great Falls resident Caroline Dunigan (third from right)spent this summer at the Brevard Music Center Festival inNorth Carolina. Dunigan, who is currently studying VocalPerformance at the Manhattan School of Music, said shehad the “time of my life here.”
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Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
ENERGY UP, PRICES DOWNNOW AT MCLEAN GNC
EVERYONE HAS A
RESOLUTION
GNC
News
By Alex McVeigh
The Connection
Dr. Mark Lawrence, 71,of McLean died July22 of a gunshotwound in the home
where he saw patients of his psy-chiatry practice. After gunshotswere reported to Fairfax CountyPolice, they arrived at approxi-mately 4:15 p.m. and found thebodies of Lawrence and BarbaraNewman, 62, of Vienna.
According to police, detectiveshave preliminarily determinedthat Newman, a patient ofLawrence’s, shot Lawrence andthen herself in an apparent mur-der-suicide.
Lawrence, who lived in McLeanfor more than 40 years, served asa teacher and mentor to hundredsof area psychologists. He was edu-cated at Harvard Medical Schooland the Massachusetts MentalHealth Center, and served as a fac-ulty member at the Georgetown
University MedicalSchool and St.Elizabeth’s Hospital.
He also co-foundedthe Center for Healingand Imagery in 1984,which was dedicated totraining mental healthprofessionals. Lawrencewas remembered bycolleagues as a mentorwho spent his life tryingto hone his psychiatrictechnique, and whotried to pass his knowl-edge on to others.
DR. CYNTHIA MARGOLIES ofthe Center for Healing and Imag-ery remembers his positive atti-tude and generosity.
“He was so present when you satwith him, he was always interestedin what you were saying, not dis-tracted at all,” Margolies said. “Hispresence was big, but he didn’ttake up space, he was just thereto listen.”
Margolies said Lawrence wasconstantly trying to stay on top ofthe latest research.
“His mind was so bril-liant and clear, and heread voraciously to stayup to date on the latestcutting edge research inn e u r o s c i e n c e , ”Margolies said. “Thatallowed his relationshipwith patients to be aseffective as possible.”
Janet Hyman, a so-cial worker fromReston, took classeswith Lawrence in the1980s. She remem-bered learning thingsfrom Lawrence in the
’80s that science is only now com-ing up with explanations for.
“He was so far ahead of thecurve. In 1988, when I took a classwith him, he described brain func-tions in a way that neuroscienceis only now figuring out,” she said.“He just had an intuitive under-standing, and he was able to ex-plain it to someone who wasn’t amedical doctor in a way that wasclear and made sense.”
Whether it was a patient or col-league, Margolies rememberedLawrence saw his role as a facili-tator to everyone he worked with.
“His passion was helping peoplerealize their own strengths,”Margolies said. “Whether it was intraining sessions, or with col-leagues or patients, he had a wayof always making you feel better,”Margolies said. “And he helped alot of other therapists do that bet-ter for 25 years.”
She also remembers Lawrenceconstantly forming his ownmethod after years and years oftraining.
“Even at 71, he was still as pas-sionate as ever,” she said. “Manytherapists who knew him were in-spired to do our best work to tryand be as capable and compassion-ate as he was.”
LAWRENCE SEMI-RETIRED in2003, continuing to see the ma-jority of patients at his Tebbs Laneresidence. A winding path wouldtake clients around the house, pasta koi pond surrounded by nativeplants and flowers. Though it wasprimarily his home, Hyman re-
members the house as a perfectsetting for the kind of workLawrence did there.
Hyman said she was shocked tohear the news of Lawrence’s death.
“He was an incredibly brilliantand creative person, kindness andempathy exuded from him,”Hyman said. “It’s difficult to imag-ine anyone could be angry withhim, let alone angry enough totake his life.”
She said many of the therapistsLawrence trained throughout hisdecades of work have been con-necting and sharing their memo-ries and experiences.
“In speaking to colleagues in thedays after his death, many of uswondered how he would havehelped us deal with this tragedy,”Hyman said. “He approached heal-ing from the perspective of thetotal person, he wouldn’t just say,‘Oh, you’re feeling this way? Here’sthis pill.’ He was always able totake people as a whole and seewhat would work best.”
Lawrence is survived by his wife,daughter and granddaughter. Amemorial service has beenplanned for early October.
Dr. Mark Lawrence trained hundredsof therapists over several decades.
Slain Doctor Remembered as ‘Facilitator’
Dr. MarkLawrence, 71,died July 22 athis home inMcLean.
Pho
to
by Lisa Enlo
e
8 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
While some of us are not surehow it got to be August, nevermind time to start thinkingabout going back to school, the
first day of school is about a month away, Tues-day after Labor Day, Sept. 5.
Virginia families can take advantage of whatamounts to a three-day coupon for 5 percentoff on many back-to-school items. Sales tax issuspended for the coming weekend,Friday through Sunday, Aug. 5, 6 and7 (restrictions apply).
During this three-day period, schoolsupplies selling for $20 or less per item, andclothing and footwear selling for $100 or lessper item will be exempt from sales tax.
The tax holiday should encourage more fami-lies to spend their back-to-school dollars in lo-cal stores rather than online. This is an excel-lent time to support local businesses, manysuffering from the recession as well as compe-tition from online businesses that offer tax-freeshopping all the time. Local businesses that
don’t get their money from the federal gov-ernment need support from local shoppers nowmore than ever.
Also, remember that many families in thearea are struggling. There are many optionsto help.
❖ FACETS in Fairfax, which provided morethan 300 students with backpacks filled withsupplies last year, is collecting school supplies
until Aug. 12. Drop donations between9-5, Monday-Friday, at 10640 Page Av-enue, Suite 300, Fairfax. Volunteers willgather for Back to School parties to
stuff their new backpacks with supplies. Go tohttp://facetscares.org/donate/back-to-school-drive/ for a list of needed supplies or to makean online financial contribution. To help witha donation drive in your workplace or organi-zation, contact Stacy Boden at 703-352-3268or [email protected].
❖ Our Daily Bread’s Back to School programwill help more than 350 needy children in theFairfax High School pyramid receive the sup-
Five Percent OffBack-to-school sales tax holiday a reminder ofother back-to-school rituals; buy extra suppliesfor needy students.
August Sales Tax Holiday:School Suppliesand ClothingWhen: The 2011 holiday will take place on Aug. 5-7,
2011.What’s exempt: School supplies selling for $20 or
less per item, clothing and footwear selling for $100or less per item will be exempt from sales tax.
See: www.tax.virginia.gov
plies they need.In addition to financial contributions to pur-
chase the supplies, Our Daily Bread is seekingdonations of new teen-sized backpacks andscientific calculators. ODB will accept dona-tions through Aug. 12. Contact Jennifer Roseat 703-273-8829 or [email protected] visit www.ODBFairfax.org.
❖ Arlington Doorways for Women and Fami-lies is collecting money, school supplies, win-ter coats and more for needy students. Con-tact Wyatt Schroeder atw s c h r o e d e r @ D o o r w a s y V A . o r g .www.doorwaysva.org/donate/seasonal-ways-to-give/backtoschool/
❖ United Community Ministries plans toraise $10,000 and fill 1,000 backpacks thisyear. School supplies will be distributed to stu-dents in need on Aug. 25-26. Send donationsto Attn: School Supplies, United CommunityMinistries, 7511 Fordson Rd., Alexandria, VA22306. Contact Christine Fiske, 703-768-7106ext. 328 or [email protected].
Editorial
RecordMisrepresentedTo the Editor:
Voters should expect a candidatefor School Board to know how theSchool Board votes on motions.Certainly Louise Epstein, a candi-date for School Board and a law-yer, should know that every mem-ber of the School Board voted tostrengthen the parental notifica-tion requirements in our studentdisciplinary code. But instead ofapologizing for misrepresentingJanie Strauss’ vote on parentalnotification, Ms. Epstein continuesto misrepresent the record.
On June 9, the School Boardvoted on revisions and changes tothe Student Rights and Responsi-bilities, the code of student con-duct. The “main motion” made anumber of changes to the 2010-2011 document. One changeadded the following sentence:“The principal will make a reason-able effort to notify parents orguardians at the earliest opportu-nity regarding student disciplinaryactions.” That motion passedunanimously. (Minutes of June 9,2011, pp. 8-9)
In a letter to the editor [“VotingRecord,” Connection, July 27-Aug.2, 2011], Ms. Epstein notes cor-rectly that Ms. Strauss votedagainst two amendments that —in the judgment of many, includ-
ing me — would have jeopardizedstudent safety and inhibited theefforts of administrators to main-tain safe schools. But it is a flatout falsehood to claim that Ms.Strauss voted against strengthen-ing the requirement that adminis-trators notify parents when theirchildren make mistakes at school— we all voted for that change.The citizens of Dranesville Districtdeserve to know the truth aboutthese votes, not some misrepresen-tation of the record by a candidatefor office who, frankly, knows bet-ter.
Stu GibsonReston
Author is a School BoardMember from Hunter Mill District.
Evidence ofQuicker ParentNotificationTo the Editor:
This spring two high schools,understanding the School Board’srequirement to notify parentsquickly when students are in-volved in serious misbehavior,called parents at the start of aninvestigation. To the relief of oneparent who left work and rushedto school, he was told he couldturn around and go home. Hischild, as it turned out, was not in-
volved. In another quick responseepisode, parents who were initiallycalled but could not come toschool were called back a bit laterto say it was a false alarm; theirchild was not involved and theirpresence wasn’t needed. I applaudthe immediate calls to these par-ents and expect to see more of thisin the next school year. I wouldmuch rather hear about calls go-ing out somewhat prematurelythan parents complaining thatthey were brought in too late.
Jane K StraussDranesville Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Disillusioned byBrightviewHearingTo the Editor:
I could not have felt more disil-lusioned after the Brightview hear-ing on July 26. Twenty-five peopletestified in front of a visibly boredBoard of Supervisors; John Foustthen read his multi-page decisionin favor of Brightview which hadbeen written prior to anyone giv-ing any testimony. SupervisorFoust stated he’d seen or heard nonew evidence which would changehis mind. If he’d listened (orlooked at some of the carefully-prepared handouts), he might
have changed his mind.Granted, many of the people tes-
tifying presented the same old ar-guments, most notably represen-tatives of the GFCA who, afraid ofany other possible establishmentin that space, continued to insistthis was the best use of the land.As misguided as their attemptswere, I genuinely believe most ofthem wanted to be able to helpseniors residing in Great Falls.
Factual testimony presented onJuly 26, however, directly contra-dicted Brightview as a place forGreat Falls seniors.
Brightview insists they draw thevast majority of their residentsfrom a 3-5 mile area around a fa-cility. However, their Catonsville,Md. facility (with the same num-ber of beds proposed for GreatFalls) “serves Catonsville, Balti-more, Ellicott City, Arbutus and thesurrounding area.” When I askedthe senior-level managers of otherassisted living facilities why theydid not choose to build in GreatFalls, they all said, “lack of den-sity.” Great Falls’ density is 671.1;by way of comparison, Reston’s22190’s density is 3847.9; andCatonsville’s is 2969.7. Even withthe heavy density, Reston assistedliving facility operators insistedtheir residents come from a con-siderably wider area than 3-5miles; this didn’t even take into
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account the numerous residentsfrom 15-25 miles away whoseadult children commute to workin Reston. Common sense tells ushow very few people commute toGreat Falls to work.
While 14.86 percent ofCatonsville’s population consists ofwomen age 75+, only 2.93 per-cent of Great Falls’ populationdoes. There are similar statisticsfor each and every Brightview as-sisted living location.
The primary need for assistedliving in Fairfax County is amonglow-income seniors. At a buildingcost alone of more than $250,000per resident, how many of ourneedy seniors can possibly benefitfrom this wrongly located facility?
Karen S. KennedyGreat Falls
When No OneWinsTo the Editor:
For the past decade, we haveasked ourselves repeatedly: Whydo they hate us? What can we doto alter that perception? What welearned was that many of our poli-cies in the Third World caused overthe decades very ugly hatreds.Sadly, many of those policies re-flected our own arrogant attitudeof “winning at any cost.”
Yet in our own neighborhood asmall group of people have forgot-ten the lessons learned. With re-gard Brightview, the GFCA Boardand Mr. Foust pursued a strategyof winning at any cost, even if thelosers will be our own neighbors.
Sadly, what the Brightview fightdid for Great Falls was rip thecover off its bucolic façade to re-veal an ugly truth. To a person, ourneighbors whose property abutsthe former Thelma’s, are immi-grants and all speak English as asecond language. All they wantedwas a piece of the AmericanDream. Instead they are getting anightmare. They have been sub-jected to the very attitude of win-ner-take-all that causes people tohate us the world over and con-tinues to stain the social fabric ofthe United States.
Incredible as it may seem ourneighbors were given no indica-tion the GFCA and Mr. Foust hadbeen working behind the sceneswith Brightview since 2009 tobuild within feet of their homes a52,000 square foot medical facil-ity (equivalent to three times thesize of the new firehouse). All theyknew was they purchased homesbeside a small parcel of land onwhich would be built a modestcommercial building on the C8
and some single-family homes onthe R1.
Indeed, the GFCA and Mr. Foustexpended significant energy keep-ing quiet their arrangements withBrightview, delineating the sizeand scope of the project, and cal-culating how Brightview’s dona-tion of $90,000 would be paid inthree installments to theDranesville District. Mr. Foust evendirected lined through in theCounty minutes the sentence de-scribing his discretionary author-ity over the use of the money.
By the time our neighbors, whowere three of only fivehomeowners to receive registeredletters (the other 40 went to busi-nesses at Leigh Corners), were fi-nally informed of the project,Brightview was, as a member ofthe GFCA Board admitted, a “donedeal.”
When our neighbors began voic-ing objections, the GFCA re-sponded, “they should not havepurchased homes near C8 land”.Yet that was the point: all pur-chased beside R1 land. The GFCAresponse when told our neighborsdid not know about Brightviewwas, “they should have attendedour meetings.” Yet, why shouldanyone have to appeal to an in-terest group to ensure their prop-erty rights? The GFCA later added,besides, “only a small cul-de-sacof homes will be affected.” Argu-ably, were the names of thehomeowners in that cul-de-sacJones, Smith, and Taylor, theGFCA’s support for this would havebeen very different indeed.
To cover the lack of transpar-ency, Mr. Foust hosted two publicmeetings but only after the Plan-ning Board, that reports to theBoard of Supervisors, voted to al-low Brightview. At the meetings agreat number of people voicedanger the project had been in theworks for so long, emphaticallystating they do not want it. Yet Mr.Foust and the GFCA did not listento, or appear to care, what peoplewere saying and refused to backdown from their entrenchedstance. Unfortunately, the fix hadbeen in for a long time.
Verification of this hypothesislies in the treatment of our neigh-bors at the Board of Supervisor’sPublic Hearing on 26 July. There,the lack of concern and regard fortheir objections became apparentwhen Mr. Foust read for almost 10minutes his motion, obviously pre-pared before the hearing. Not onlydid he demonstrate complete dis-regard for their testimony but hedid not even glance at their writ-ten submissions which detailedhow Brightview will cause theirhome values to plummet and also
Letters
See Letters, Page 15
10 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Jill Banks’ “100 Faces in 100 Days” Projectis on exhibit at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144Walker Road, Suite G in Great Falls from
Aug. 3 through Aug. 31. The artist is hosting areception on Friday, Aug. 12, 6-9 p.m. and an icecream social on Saturday, Aug.13, 2-4 p.m. RSVPto [email protected].
It all started with a New Year’s resolutionstated on artist’s blog titled “What I Will Do in2011.” For the first 100 days of 2011, shepainted friends, family, acquaintances and
Send announcements [email protected] is Thursday for the followingweek’s paper. Photos/artwork encouraged.For additional listings, visitwww.connectionnewspapers.com
WEDNESDAY/AUG. 3California Tortilla Battle to Break
Out: Semi-Finals Round #1. 8p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave.E., Vienna. www.jamminjava.com.
Paint & Personalize a Mug. 7 p.m.Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Presented by Clay Café Studios.Glazed and fired mugs will bereturned to the library two weekslater. Age 12-18. 703-790-8088.
THURSDAY/AUG. 4Folksinger John McCutcheon. 7:30
p.m. Nottoway Park, 9537 CourthouseRoad, Vienna. Free. 703-324-7469 orwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Disney in Concert: Magical Musicfrom the Movies. 8:30 p.m. WolfTrap Foundation for the PerformingArts, 1624 Trap Road, Vienna. TheNational Symphony Orchestra, led byconductor Steven Reineke, presentsongs from The Little Mermaid, TheLion King, Aladdin, Pirates of theCaribbean, Beauty and the Beast andmore. Tickets $20-$52.www.wolftrap.org.
FRIDAY/AUG. 5Shakespeare in the Park. 7 p.m.
Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. The Traveling PlayersEnsemble performs Shakespeare’s“Romeo and Juliet.” Free.www.travelingplayers.org or 703-987-1712.
Deep River Summer Revival withSeth Glier. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.
Tan Dun: Martial Arts Trilogy. 8:30p.m. Wolf Trap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 Trap Road,Vienna. National SymphonyOrchestra, led by conductor Tan Dun,presents concertos based on the filmsHero, The Banquet, and CrouchingTiger, Hidden Dragon. Tickets $20-$52. www.wolftrap.org.
SATURDAY/AUG. 6Jody Marshall & Friends. 5 p.m.
Palladium Civic Place Green, 1445Laughlin Ave., McLean. Free. 703-288-9505.
Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Books,magazines, media and [email protected] or703-790-8088.
Deep River Summer Revival withLarkin Poe. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.
Arlo Guthrie & Time for Three. 8:15p.m. Wolf Trap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 Trap Road,Vienna. Arlo Guthrie, Time for Threeand the National Symphony Orchestrapresent an evening of folk andclassical music collaborations. $20-$52. www.wolftrap.org.
Fairfax County Master GardenersAssociation, Inc. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.City of Fairfax Regional Library,10360 North St., Fairfax.Horticultural tips, information,techniques and advice. 703-293-6227.
Reptile Wonders. 2:30 p.m. DolleyMadison Library, 1244 Oak RidgeAve., McLean. Meet and learn aboutreptiles with Reptile Wonders’ NatureCenter on the Go. Age 6-12. 703-356-0770.
Friends of the Tysons-PimmitLibrary Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.
703-790-8088.
Plant Clinic. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. MastersGardeners from the Fairfax CountyCooperative Extension answer yourgardening questions. Adults. 703-790-8088.
SUNDAY/AUG. 7Summer Tour of the Potomac
Valley Native Plant Collection. 2p.m. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens,9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court,Vienna. Enjoy Eupatorium,sunflowers, Liatris, milkweed,obedient plant, purple coneflower andmore. Free and open to the public.703-255-3631.
Book Sale. 1-4 p.m. Tysons-PimmitRegional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike,Falls Church. Books, magazines,media and [email protected] or703-790-8088.
Alison Krauss & Union Station. 8p.m. Wolf Trap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 Trap Road,Vienna. Bluegrass music. With dobroplayer Jerry Douglas and folk-rockband Dawes. $30-$48.www.wolftrap.org.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. 1p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library,7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. TheFriends of the Tysons-PimmitRegional Library offer a “Books by theBag” special, $6 per bag. 703-790-8088.
MONDAY/AUG. 8 Introducing Beans-N-Frank. 2:30
p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library,7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.Sing, dance, and just have fun withrap duo Beans-N-Frank. All ages. 703-790-8088.
TUESDAY/AUG. 9Personalized Internet Training.
2:30 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit RegionalLibrary, 7584 Leesburg Pike, FallsChurch. A 45-minute training sessionwith a technology volunteer. Call forappointment. Adults. 703-790-8088.
WEDNESDAY/AUG. 10Cash Cash, Breathe Electric, For
the Foxes and The Baby Grand.8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave.E., Vienna. www.jamminjava.com.
Science Spectacular. 2:30 p.m. DolleyMadison Library, 1244 Oak RidgeAve., McLean. See fog rings, bubblingpotions, a voice changer and morewith wacky scientist Eric Energy. Age6-12. 703-356-0770.
Wild Tails. 10:30 a.m. Great FallsLibrary, 9830 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls. Wildlife Ambassadors bringanimal guests to explore how theseanimals use their tails tocommunicate, climb, protectthemselves and more. Age 6-12. 703-757-8560.
THURSDAY/AUG. 11Vienna Arts Society’s General
Membership Meeting. 7:30 p.m.Vienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St.,N.W., Vienna. Artist Gwenn Braggwill explain her technique of usingtransparent watercolors in “Shadowson White.” Free and open to thepublic. 703-319-3971 orwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org
FRIDAY/AUG. 12Dan Navarro at 7 p.m., followed by
Tyler Bryant at 10 p.m. Jammin’Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.
VVFD Scrapbooking Weekend. 6p.m.-12 a.m. Vienna Volunteer FireDepartment, 400 Center St. South,Vienna. Food available for purchase.Admission $35. 703-981-4504 [email protected].
The Magic of Hans ChristianAndersen. 2:30 p.m. City of FairfaxRegional Library, 10360 North St.,Fairfax. Applause Unlimited presents“The Ugly Duckling,” “Thumbelisa,”and “The Emperor’s New Clothes” toldwith puppets and masks. All ages.703-293-6227.
English Conversation Group. 10a.m. Patrick Henry Library, 101 MapleAve. East, Vienna. Englishconversation group. Adults. 703-938-0405.
Pokemon League. 3 p.m. PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East,Vienna. Learn and play. Age 5-18.703-938-0405.
Writing Group. 11 a.m. Tysons-PimmitRegional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike,Falls Church. Freewriting. 703-790-8088.
Friday Flicks. 11:30 a.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Bringlunch and enjoy a movie. Call for title.Ages 1-6 with adult. 703-790-8088.
By Erin Hodge
The Connection
Lean back, arms crossed,knees bent. One lastcheck of the helmet, onelast look at the swirling
water below. One by one eachscout threw himself into the river,emerging seconds later stumblingon the rocky bottom and grinningfrom ear to ear. Canyoning, it wascalled — just day seven atKandersteg International ScoutCenter in the Swiss Alps.
Great Falls Boy Scout Troop 55sent a contingent across the Atlan-tic on June 14 to test out the scoutcenter, an opportunity the boys andthe adults that accompanied themtook advantage of. This was thefirst group from Great Falls to ven-ture to Kandersteg, Switzerland fortwo weeks of high adventure.
“Everything was so different,”said 15-year-old Andrew Phillips ofTroop 55. “We could talk to peoplewith different cultures and tradenew stories every day.” But nomatter where each group was
from, every scout was there for thesame reason: adventure.
Kandersteg, Switzerland isuniquely situated roughly 1,200meters above sea level, makingbase camp higher than the tip ofOld Rag Mountain in Sperryville,
Va., a popular destination for localhikers. Clouds roll in at eye level,and the views of the valleys arenothing short of spectacular.
“Pictures don’t do it justice,” saidMatt Dunie, an adult leader accom-panying his son. But even his
quickly snapped documentationput the streets of Great Falls toshame. Even rain didn’t dull thebeauty; on the contrary, it merelybrought out the colors of the grassyslopes and imposing cliffs.
“The scenery was jaw-dropping,”said Phil Nesbitt, another adultleader on the trip. “Everything wasnew for all of us — there was al-ways an opportunity to learn some-thing.” And learn they did, fromhow a glacier forms to how to usean ice axe to keep from sliding offthe edge of that glacier. The incred-ible views and summit experiencesdidn’t come easily, however.
“The hikes were steeper than Iexpected,” admitted 14-year-oldChris Nesbitt. And indeed thegroup seemed to spend more timeabove the clouds than beneaththem, the increasing altitude nodoubt causing a shortage of breath.But every day for two weeks theygot up to go out and do it again.
Despite the physically gruelingnature of their experience, or maybein some ways because of it, the boysand their leaders got exactly whatthey went to Kandersteg for. Askedto put it in one word, Nick Duniequickly replied, “amazing.”
The Highest Caliber of High AdventureLocal Boy Scouts share an international experience.
Photo courtesy of Matt Dunie
Nick Dunie climbing a boulder on his troop’s High Adven-ture trip in Kandersteg, Switzerland.
Photo courtesy of Phil Nesbitt
Nick Dunie (front) and the patrol from Troop 55 on theFrundenhutte Glacier in Switzerland.
Photo courtesy of Matt Dunie
From left, Matt Dunie, Corey Hodge, Cameron Hodge,Andrew Phillips, Phil Nesbitt, Brad Hodge, Ron Hodge,Stephen Pepper, and (front) Nick Dunie and Chris Nesbittdisplaying the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
Entertainment
“Old Coffee Pot,” oil paint-ing by Jean Johnston.Johnston is the featuredartist at the Vienna ArtsSociety Gallery, 513 MapleAve. West in Vienna,through Sept. 3. Her oilpaintings often showcaseantique vessels. Galleryhours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,Tuesdays-Saturdays. 703-319-3220 orwww.ViennaArtsSociety.org.
Jill Banks with 27 of her 100 Faces that are on exhibit Aug. 3 to Aug. 31 at the Art-ists’ Atelier.
Nine of Jill Banks’ 100 Faces: (top row,left to right) 2-year-old Hannah,Meredyth Gehrig, Cindy Banks (hersister-in-law); (middle row) FrancieJohnson, Sarah Banks (her daughter),Frank Sagstetter; (bottom row) ShirleyNagelschmidt, Carol Howard, StanleyMiller. All paintings are 12” x 12”, oil onpanel.
Nine of Jill Banks’ 100 Faces: (top row,left to right) Drate Banks (her father-in-law), Oscar Haynes, 6-and-a-half-monthold Bailey; (middle row) Ken Johnson(her dad), Anne Guerin, Patti Chisholm;(bottom row) Joan Bell-Haynes (herparents’ pastor), Judith St. Ledger-Roty(Banks’ former studio mate), Jon Fisher.All paintings are 12” x 12”, oil on panel.
strangers, one person every day. Banks’ faceswere of anyone who volunteered to sit, talk toher and be painted. Sitters ranged in age from 6-and-a-half-month old Bailey to Reston’s founder,Bob Simon, who turned 97 on the day he be-came Banks’ 100th face. This fascinating journey(for both the artist and volunteers) has turnedinto an intriguing exhibit. Open hours forAugust, as well as other info on the project, areposted on Banks’ website: www.JillBanks.comand blog: www.JillBanks.blogspot.com.
Jill Banks Exhibits‘100 Faces in 100 Days’
12 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Visit These Houses of WorshipJoin A Club, Make New Friends, or Expand Your Horizons...
To Highlight Your Faith Community call Karen at 703- 917-6468
Assembly of GodVienna Assembly of God ... 703-938-7736
Washington Christian Church...703-938-7720
Cristo Es Mi Refugio...703-938-7727
Baha’iBaha’i Faith for Northern Virginia ... 703-821-3345
BaptistGlobal Mission Church ... 703-757-0877Peace Baptist Church ... 703-560-8462
Bethel Primitive Baptist Church ... 703-757-8134Cartersville Baptist Church ... 703-255-7075Fellowship Baptist Church ... 703-385-8516
First Baptist Church ... 703-938-8525The Light Mission Church ... 703-757-0877
Vienna Baptist Church ... 703-281-4400New Union Baptist Church... 703-281-2556
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“Serving the People of God”
SHERATON RESTON HOTEL
LET US WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9 A.M.SUNDAY WORSHIP 10 A.M.
703-899-8378 LivingFaith4U.org
1133 Reston Avenue, Herndon, VA 20170Summer Worship Hours: 8:30 am and 10:30 am
Rev. Dr. William H. Flammann, PastorChurch Office: 703.437.5020
Preschool: 703.437.4511www.gslcva.org
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite IIChildren’s Chapel July 10 through Aug 28
5:00 p.m. Come as You Are Contemporary Service
Nursery care provided at 10:00 a.m. Service
The Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Jacqueline Thomson
The Rev. Denise Trogdon703-437-6530
www.stannes-reston.org1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston
ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston
Progressive & Welcoming
From Page 3
Supervisors Approve Brightview Exception
was pleased with their level of commitment to main-taining the nature of Great Falls.
“This applicant, unlike so many others, has beenwhat we call a good neighbor. Many applicants pro-vide lip service, they seek our input, only to imple-ment the minimum requirements set by the county.This applicant has sought community input and haswritten that input into enforceable development con-ditions.
Van Volkenburg recalled visiting the Brightviewfacility in Catonsville, Md., which is the same size ofthe proposed Great Falls facility, and located in ahistoric district.
“Brightview did a terrific job in constructing a fa-cility that was in keeping with the surrounding his-toric buildings. It was a contentious application,”
she said. “Today Brightview is warmly received bythe community. Local schools perform community ser-vice hours there, young dance studios perform theirdress rehearsals for the residents, this is just to namea few. We envision the same kinds of community out-reach once this is built in Great Falls.”
Robin Rentsch, who has lived in Great Falls since1971, and is currently the co-chair of the GFCA’s En-vironmental committee, says she is glad to have theoption of such a facility in this community.
“I am vested in this community. I have spent yearsof my life working for things that I can value in thiscommunity,” she said. “I’m 73, my husband is 83, andwe want the option of remaining in Great Falls.”
Sartiano says he’s not sure what the No ToBrightview group’s next move is, he said they plan toconsult with their legal council to determine theirappropriate next step.
To have community events listed in theConnection, send to [email protected]. Deadline isFriday.
MONDAY/AUG. 8Concussion Prevention Workshop.
1 p.m. Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300Gallows Road, Falls Church. Withformer WWE wrestler ChrisNowinski, known in the wrestlingworld as “Chris Harvard,” co-founderof the Sports Legacy Institute. Thisfree workshop is geared towardcoaches, healthcare personnel,athletic trainers and parents, and will
The Smart Split: Legal Aspects ofSeparation and Divorce. 10 a.m.McLean Government Center, 1437Balls Hill Road, McLean. Learn therights and responsibilities inseparation and divorce, how the legalprocess works in the Virginia courtsand how to work with your lawyer.Support group available. $45-$55.Register atwww.thewomenscenter.org.
MONDAY/AUG. 15Workshop Registration Deadline.
Vienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St.,N.W., Vienna. Register for a two-day
still life oil painting workshop withJonathan Linton, to be held Fridayand Saturday, Aug. 26-27. $125Vienna Arts Society members, $160non-members. Reserve at 703-938-8539 or 703-319-3971.www.jonathanlinton.com.
Bulletin Board
CorrectionIn the report titled “Ca-
reer Day at Langley High”[Great Falls Connection,July 27-Aug. 2, 2011, Page13] the caption under thisphoto should have read:Tom Klein, M.D. talkingabout careers in Orthope-dic Surgery.
help participants gain informationand learn skills in the detection,management and prevention ofconcussions. Register atwww.surveymonkey.com/s/QT6SV53. 804-864-7738.
WEDNESDAY/AUG. 10Virginia Chronic Pain Support
Group Meeting. 1:30 p.m. atKaplan Center for IntegrativeMedicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300,McLean. Group leader, Jodi Brayton,LCSW. 703-532-4892.
Pauline Shirley Toastmasters ClubMeeting. 6:45 p.m. McLean
Community Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Meets second andfourth Wednesdays of the month.703-893-5506 orpaulineshirley.freetoasthost.info.
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group.7 p.m. Vienna Presbyterian Church,124 Park St., NE, Vienna, VA. Agroup for anyone with multiplesclerosis, their family and friends.Sponsored by the National CapitalChapter of the MS Society. The groupmeets the 2nd Wednesday of everymonth. Free. 703-768-4841.
SATURDAY/AUG. 13
Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Zone 6 Ad Deadline:
Monday Noon
703-917-6400
Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls
• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified
21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements
21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements
21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements
21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements
ESTATE AUCTIONAugust 13th, 2011
10:00AM2413 Beekay Ct.
Vienna, VA 22181
For Listing www.boltonauctioneers.com
703-494-5062Frank “E”/Donna Bolton Lic #392/1478
25 Sales & Auctions 25 Sales & Auctions3 RE for Rent
Mclean, 4 BR, 3 BA, 2 car garage, large
deck, screened porch off walk out basemnt,
near Mclean HS, $2600/mo,
703-606-5426
TOWNHOUSE FOR RENT-SPRINGFIELD (SARATOGA)
2lvl townhouse -2master bdrms, 2.5 bath, lrge country kitchen, carpeted, gas-heat/ water/stove, lvl rm, dining rm, patio/yard, interior repainted, lots of storage space, two re-served parking spaces.Locat-ed 1 mile south of Fairfax County Parkway off Rolling Road.Convenient to Ft Belv-ior, NGA, Pentagon, Metro Station. Avail Aug 1. 1700 per month.703-328-0244
21 Announcements
ABC LICENSEThe Corner Grille, Inc trading as Cozi Corner, 9899 George-
town Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066. The above establish-
ment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL for a Beer and
Wine on Premises w/seating outside license to sell or manufacture alcoholic
beverages. Christian Makki, Owner
Personal/Family Bookkeeper & Organizer
I’ll track income and expenses in Quicken, pay
bills on time, create a filing system, track medical
claims. Let me contribute to your peace of mind! NO MESS IS TOO BIG TO
HANDLE!! 703-266-6962, JJBookkeeperOrganizer@
gmail.com
102 Instruction
TUTORINGRecently retired Fairfx Cnty
Teacher, K-6, Math, Reading, Language Arts. 703-536-2983
104 Entertainment
CLASSICAL HARPISTAvail for weddings/events in the VA/MD/DC area. Classi-cally trained. Exp’d. Call Anna at 703-901-8555.
3 RE for Rent
Now! CompletePrint Editions
Online!The full print editions of all 18Connection Newspapers are nowavailable on our Web Site in PDF format,page by page, identical to our weeklynewsprint editions, including printadvertising. Go towww.ConnectionNewspapers.comand click on “Print Editions.”
MPRINT EDITIONSPRINT EDITIONS
Zone 6 Ad Deadline:
Tuesday 11 a.m.
703-917-6464
Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls
• McLean • Vienna/OaktonEmploymentEmployment
AFTER SCHOOL SITTERNeeded for kids ages 12 & 9 for 2011-12 school year. School pickup, homework
help, drive to/from activities, light house-work. Mon: 12:30-6:00pm, Tues-Fri: 3:00-6:00pm. Must have own car, cirizenship,
non-smoking. Salary $15/hr. Call 703-963-1547 or email [email protected]
Clinical DirectorCommunity Systems, Inc.
Springfield Community Systems Inc. Virginia, a not for profit company helping persons with Intel-lectual Disabilities in their homes and com-munities, is looking for a Clinical Director with a Master Degree in Psychology or re-lated field. One or more years experience with behavior support planning is necessary. Knowledge of psychotropic medications, VA State Human Rights regulations, Medic-aid Waiver regulations and State Licensing regulations.
Person must have the ability to work with individuals, staff, families and other service agencies. They must be willing to have a flexible work schedule and be available for emergencies. For more information email: [email protected] or call 703-913-3150. Our website can be accessed at www.csi-va.org Our office is located at 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite B-300, Springfield, VA 22152.
Deadline to send Resumes: August 10, 2011
Drivers Needed for Research Study, Receive $300
Residents of Virginia who regularly use an in-tegrated cell phone system in their vehicle are needed to participate in a federally funded re-search study on driving behavior. An integrat-ed cell phone system allows you to make and receive phone calls with the touch of a steer-ing wheel button and a built-in microphone that links to your vehicle’s audio system. This system allows you to keep your hands on the steering wheel while making or receiving a call. Video cameras (no audio) and other equipment will be installed in your vehicle for one month. Participants receive $300. Please call 1-888-689-3669. EOE
Horse Stall CleanersThe Madeira School in McLean, VA is in
search of Stall Cleaners to clean, lay shaving bedding, rake/sweep the stalls of 34 horses. Experience with horses is not necessary but must be able to lift
100 pounds. Please email or send letter of interest/resume to The Madeira
School, [email protected] or call 703-556-8260 for additional information.
NURSE - RN/LPNFOR IM/GI IN MCLEAN. FLEXIBLE HOURS. CALL
703-629-3969
Nysmith SchoolPreschool - 8th Grade
Hiring for the Fall
• Mid-day Recess/LunchAttendant
11:00-1:30 $12.00/hour
College Degree Required• Preschool Co-Teacher• Elementary French Co-Teacher• Middle School Social Studies Co-Teacher
Send resumes to: [email protected]: 703-713-3336, www.nysmith.com
P/T Program AssistantThe Safe Community Coalition (SCC) is looking for a part-time Program Assis-tant. This 20 hour per week position
will report to the SCC’s Executive Direc-tor and will be responsible for conduct-ing administrative, financial and out-reach activities for the organization.Candidate in the SCC service area of
McLean, Great Falls and parts of Vienna and Falls Church are preferred.
For the full job description, visit www.safecommunitycoalition.net
and go to the About Us tab for further information. Email resume to:
RN/AdministratorKiddie Country Developmental Learning Center is seeking a Registered Nurse to as-sist Part Time with the administrative duties at our Schoolhouse Woods Road location. Loving, caring, professional applicants only.
Fax resumes 703-250-7631 or Phone 703-250-6550
BEST CHILDCARE JOBS!F/T, P/T, On-Call, Top Salaries
No Fees, Must be 21, Legal & DriveReferences Req’d703-838-2100
White House Nannies, Inc
NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!
Weekdays 9-4
TELEPHONE
☎☎301-333-1900
A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!
☎☎
NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!
Weekdays 9-4
TELEPHONE
☎☎301-333-1900
A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!
☎☎
DENTAL ASSISTANT TRAINEESNEEDED NOW!
Dental Offices now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.
1-800-381-1734CTO SCHEV
MMEEDD BBIILLLL && CCOODDIINNGG
Trainees NEEDED NOWMedical Offices now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.
1-800-385-2615CTO SCHEV
Pharmacy Technician Trainees Needed Now!
Pharmacies now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.
1-877-240-4524 CTO SCHEV
EDUCATION TRAINING
14 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Zone 6 Ad Deadline:
Monday Noon
703-917-6400
Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls
• McLean • Vienna/Oakton
Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com
A CLEANING SERVICESince 1985/Ins & Bonded
Quality Service at a Fair PriceSatisfaction GuaranteedComm/Res. MD VA DC
acleaningserviceinc.com703-892-8648
CLEANING CLEANING
LICENSED INSURED
Residential & Commercial10% Senior Citizen Discount
CARE _ MORECLEANING SOLUTIONS
703-862-5904or
703-780-6749caremorecleaning.com
Concrete Done Right!• Patios - Sidewalks• Retaining Walls• Driveways• Flagstone• Pavers
703-339-5773cdmconstruction.net
CONCRETE CONCRETE
A & K Gutters and Windows
Hard Work...Humble prices!
Clean/Flush gutters and downspoutsGutter/Gutter Guard installation
Clean windowsFree Estimates
GUTTER GUTTER
Group Rates Avail.!
703-802-0483
MOWING, TRIMMING,EDGING, MULCHING
& TRIM HEDGES
PINNACLE SERVICES, INC.LAWN SERVICE
General RemodelingResidential & Commercial
Specializing in:Kitchen/Bathroom/Basement RemodelingPlumbing • Electrical • Custom Carpentry
Doors Windows • Hardwood FloorsCrown Molding • House Cleaning
Interior/Exterior Painting • Brick/Stone WorkCeramic Tile • Decks, Fences, Patios
HOA Maintenance, Granite Counter TopsRealtors Work and Much More
Hand and HandHandyman
Licensed and Insured Serving Northern Virginia
703-296-6409
HANDYMAN HANDYMAN
ROOFINGSIDINGGUTTERSWINDOWSDOORS
www.exteriormedics.com703-942-6553
Peace of Mind!
Peace of Mind!
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Peace of Mind!
LicensedInsured
We Accept VISA/MC
703-441-8811
You have tried the rest - NOW CALL THE BEST!!Proudly serving Northern VA - 46 yrs. exp.
The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION
BATHROOM REMODELING, DRYWALL,PAINTING, CERAMIC TILE, CARPENTRY,POWER WASHING & MUCH MORE
A&S Landscaping
703-863-7465LICENSED
Serving All of N. Virginia
• All Concrete work• Retaining Walls • Patios• Decks • Porches (incl. screened) • Erosion & Grading Solutions• French Drains • Sump Pumps• Driveway Asphalt Sealing
IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS
Rotten Wood, Wind Damage, Trims,Windows, Doors, Deck, Stairs, Vanity,
Basement Framing, Garbage Disposal,Painting, Power Wash, Siding Repairs.
Licensed, Bonded, Insured
703-266-1233
M. C. LynchHome Improvement
Family Owned & Opererated
R.N. CONTRACTORS, INC.Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, Painting
We Accept All Major Credit CardsLicensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A LicPhone: 703-887-3827 Fax: 703-830-3849
E-mail: rncontractorsinc@gmail
R&N Carpentry
✦BASEMENTS ✦BATHS ✦KITCHENSForeclosure specialist/Power washing
✦Exterior Wood Rot More!Deck & Fence repair, Screen Porches
No jobs too large or smallFree est. 37 yrs exp. Licensed, Insured
703-987-5096
IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS
703.919.4456www.ReynoldsLandscapingOnline.com Licensed / Insured
Free Estimates
•No sub-contractors, or day labors. •15 Years Designing and Installing•The Owner is physically on your job site. •On time and Professional.
INSTALLATION SPECIALIST WET BASEMENT / WET YARDWater Proofing Foundations
Standing Yard WaterFrench Drains / SwalesDownspout Extensions
Dry River Beds
Paver & FlagstonePatios / WalkwaysRetaining Walls
Stacked Field StonePlants / Trees / Shrubs
LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING
•Patios •Walkways•Retaining Walls
•Drainage Problems•Landscape MakeoversCall: 703-912-6886
Free Estimates
J.E.S ServicesLANDSCAPE & CONSTRUCTION
Custom Masonry703-768-3900
www.custommasonry.infoPatios, Walkways, Stoops, Steps, DrivewaysRepairs & New Installs•All Work Guranteed
BRICK AND STONE
MASONRY MASONRY
North’s Tree & Landscaping— Tree Expertise for over 30 Years —
ServingNo.
Virginia
Emergency Tree Service
10% OFF Any Tree or Landscaping Job With This Ad!COMPLETE TREE SERVICE
Tree Removal Topping,Elevating , Lot Clearing,
Mulching, Sodding,Grading
★★ Free Estimates ★★ Quality Service ★★Family-Run Business ★ Licensed & Insured
540-533-8092 • 540-636-8657
ALL PHASES OFLANDSCAPING
Lot Clearing,Retaining Walls,
Driveway Repair, Patios,Privacy Fences
TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE
EmploymentEmployment
Senior Analyst/Computer
Programmer needed at Project Performance Corpora-tion in McLean, VA to develop code on custom applications. Must have BS, or foreign equivalent, in Electrical Eng, Electronics Eng, or Comp Eng + 5 yrs exp in job offered or 5 yrs of systems analysis, design & development exp. to incl exp w/software design & develop-ment, advanced SDLC methodologies, Visual Studio, web based development & testing, developing reports using Busi-ness Objects & Crystal Reports, design-ing & developing complex n-tier sys-tems, .NET, MS SQL Server, Oracle, and Documentum. Resume to Brinna Sas, Project Performance Corporation, 1760 Old Meadow Rd, McLean, VA 22102. EOE.
DENTALArlington Center for Dentistry: Provide
general dental care for Arlington Va office. DDS or equiv. + 2 year cert in adv. General Denistry incl. training in dental implants + 1 year training Pediatric Dentistry & Dental prosthetics. Va license rqrd. Send CV to
Front Desk/AdminMcLean design firm seeking motivated, reliable and exp’d person w/excellent comm skills for F/T front desk/admin po-sition. Needs to be a self-starter & to be able to multi-task & work independently. Prev exp. w/architectural firm pre’fd. Comp skills a must (MS Office). Salary neg + benes. Fax resume: 703-749-9016.
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS
JMT is seeking experienced Transportation Con-struction Inspectors to work on several highwayprojects throughout VA, to fill positions of SeniorInspector, Inspector and Inspector Trainee.
VDOT certifications required; DCR E&S Control, GRIT, Work ZoneSafety Intermediate, 10 Hour OSHA, Soils & Aggregate, AsphaltField, ACI, Concrete Field, Pavement Markings, Flagger and NuclearSafety required. Employment consideration still given for expiredcertifications. VA PE a plus. MARTCP HMA a plus. Min. 3 yearsHighway/Bridge Construction Inspection experience required.
See how bright your future can be and apply online at:www.jmt.comEOE/AA Employer
Bonus Opportunity Available
PT Chess Teacher
Chess Teachers Needed for Elementary Schools! Teaching & chess playing experi-ence are required and the reliability to work 1-4 days a week in before and/or after-school chess programs in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, September-December and possibly beyond. Pay is commensurate w/ relevant ex-perience + mileage allowance. Paid training & all teaching supplies are provided. Serious in-quiries only, you must have reliable transpor-tation. Please email resume with relevant ex-perience to [email protected] or mail hard copy to Snow´s Chess Acade-my, P.O. Box 489, Herndon, VA 20172
Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
GUTTER
PINNACLE SERVICES,
703-802-0483GROUP RATES
AVAILABLEFREE EST
•GUTTER CLEANING•SMALL REPAIRS•SCREENING•POWERWASHING
HAULING
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Debris • Mulch & Spring Clean Up
AL’S HAULINGJunk & Rubbish
Concrete, furn.,office,yard, construction debris
Low Rates NOVA703-360-4364
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LANDSCAPING
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Asphalt • Retaining WallsErosion Control • Drainage Solutions
•Trimming •Leaf & Snow •Removal •Yard Clearing •Hauling •Tree Work
ANGEL’SLAWN MOWING
703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182
PAINTING
PATRIOTPAINTINGwww.PatriotPainting.net
Wallpaper Removal,Carpentry,
Power Washing.Int/Ext Painting
Free Est. • Satisfaction Guar.!Lic./Ins. Int./Ext.
703-502-7840Cell
571-283-4883
ROOFING
Falcon RoofingRoofing &
Siding(All Types)
703-975-2375falconroofing.com
Soffit & Fascia WrappingNew Gutters
Chimney CrownsLeaks Repaired
No job too small
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ANGEL’S TREE REMOVAL
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Brush & Yard Debris Trimming & Topping
Gutters & Hauling
703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182
Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com
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CONCRETE WORKLicensed • Insured
Driveways • PatiosExposed Aggregate
Sidewalks • CarportsPool Decks • Garages
Flagstone • BrickStonework
703-204-0733
ALBA CONSTRUCTION INC.
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-Abraham Lincoln
diminish the use and enjoyment of theirproperties. So intent were Mr. Foust and theGFCA (which Board members were the onlyproponents of Brightview to testify) on win-ning, they failed to realize they will destroy
From Page 9 what our neighbors have worked their en-tire lives to achieve.
Unfortunately the way our neighborswere treated amounts to another sad chap-ter in the last place I ever thought to seethis: our own neighborhood. Our neighbors’dreams are not expendable just because
they are immigrants to our country. Weshould all be standing up for their rights asif our own were being eroded; to do any-thing less only diminishes us all.
Dr. Kim ThachukGreat Falls
By Kathleen Murphy
We, residents of Great Falls,believe — and trust — thatour vision of sustaining asemi-rural community, as
has been articulated in The Fairfax CountyComprehensive Plan for the Upper PotomacDistrict through decades of consensus build-ing by local residents, will be honored, inspite of the commitment of surroundingcommunities to become urban centers.
The two recent local public hearings con-ducted by John Foust, District Supervisor,and the one county public hearing before theBoard of Supervisors at which 26 Great Fallsresidents provided deeply divided testimonyabout the Brightview application for SpecialException provide cause for alarm. The ap-plication reached the Board of Supervisorswithout a single effort to list the points ofdifference, share specific opposing evidence,arguments and interpretations in a live meet-ing format, or make efforts during or afterthose meetings to reconcile points of diver-gence. (As a point of clarification, althoughindividual members of the Great Falls His-torical Society were asked their opinion oncertain matters, and may have signed up andspoken as individuals, the organization hasnever taken a vote on any matter pertainingto Brightview, as may have been inferred inGFCA’s Brightview literature.)
The Great Falls Citizens Association andits Land Use and Zoning Committee weresimultaneously attacked by nearby residentsand praised by the District Supervisor — evi-dence of a serious disconnect. Further, theBoard of Supervisors concurred with theSupervisor, stating that the recommenda-tions of local citizens’ associations overrodethe views of individual residents or neigh-borhood associations or other stakeholders,as the BOS must rely on volunteer groups todecipher the numerous issues before them.
Our community needs to adopt certainplanning principles, processes, and practicesif we are to reach a unity of community voiceand will and clarity about our common goodgoing forward, avoiding the pitting of neigh-bor against neighbor, as was demonstratedover the past month. Good land use discov-ery and review should include:
❖ Sending “certified return receipt” noti-fication that an application for special ex-ception is underway. Commentary aboutnewsletters, website postings, newspaperarticles, etc. are interesting but unaccept-able substitutes.
❖ Including all stakeholders in the delib-eration from the outset. In the case ofBrightview, stakeholders include owners of
properties that touch the Brightview prop-erty; The Colvin Run Citizens Association,an active community organization acrossthe street from the proposed facility; thenearby neighborhood association(s), otherneighborhood-serving businesses may pro-vide helpful perspectives; senior residentsof Great Falls who are over 80 years of ageand their children, as they are members ofthe target demographic; the seven churchesin Great Falls who minister to the over 80-years population; and all residents of GreatFalls become stakeholders if any land useaction might set a precedent that could po-tentially impact future land use in the en-tire community.
❖ Facilitating community discussions ina non-partisan way in search of the aspectsof community interest accruing to a com-mon good. GFCA’s Land Use and ZoningCommittee provides “a public advocacy ser-vice to examine, review and recommendappropriate action on land use matters andarticulate Association objectives.” The pur-pose of this non-profit, non-partisan Asso-ciation (i.e. GFCA) is to serve as a commu-nity organization to promote all aspects ofcommunity interest accruing to a commongood and to preserve the historic, low den-sity, semi-rural character of Great Falls andits natural resources. The operative wordsare “non-partisan” and “promoting all as-pects of community interest accruing to acommon good” and “to preserve the his-toric, low-density, semi-rural character.”What is the common good is a question bestanswered by stakeholders through broadand deep, well-facilitated, and well-docu-mented conversations over many meetings.
❖ Understanding and enforcing the in-tent of the “neighborhood serving” in UP3Hickory Community Planning Sector in theComprehensive Plan: “Commercial usesshould be ‘neighborhood-serving’ in natureand should be restricted to the existing com-mercially-zoned parcels.” Neighborhood-serving is a zoning law that can prevent “thearrival of national chain stores that oftendrive up commercial rents, forcing outsmall, locally owned businesses that servethe everyday needs of the surroundingneighborhood…Enacting a neighborhoodserving zone law can prevent this by requir-ing that new retail stores demonstrate thata majority of their sales will be derived fromthe surrounding neighborhood.” (http://n e w r u l e s . o r g / r e t a i l / r u l e s /neighborhoodserving-zones) (Note: Thismetric was not applied to Brightview. Ac-cording to Brightview, they draw from anarea of three to five miles around the loca-tion of the facility, and within that area,
there are not 5,000, as is typical, but 5,800potential customers. In fact, within theneighborhood of UP3 in the Hickory Com-munity Planning Sector, there are fewerthan 5,000 residents in total. Thus, theboundaries of the target market extend waybeyond the neighborhood, with a majorityof customers coming from outside theneighborhood. Further, traffic has been de-cidedly underestimated, as all residents willhave visitors who drive. If it is argued thatthe occupants will be living at Brightviewand therefore will be living in the neigh-borhood, then we have just permitted ahigh-density residential unit within the UP3Hickory Community Planning Sector, whichcould be considered a violation of the “low-density character of the area” as stated inthe Comprehensive Plan.)
❖ Achieving consensus among all stake-holders as we endeavor to translate our plan-ning ideal of “semi-rural, low-density” intoapplication decisions that promote the com-mon good. If the bottom line of the entireapplication evaluation process was “consen-sus,” we would have seen a very differentlevel and type of dialogue. Notes would havebeen taken and transcripts posted. Support-ing data, analysis and alternative interpre-tations would have been publicly presentedand discussed. Challenges would have beentaken on one by one and given credence orrebuttal. We would not have hadhomeowners going before the Board of Su-pervisors with anger, frustration, and de-spair; nor would we have been witness toour BOS disregarding the testimony ofneighbors as irrelevant. Please refer toJudith E. Innes, “Planning through Consen-sus Building: A New View of the Compre-hensive Planning Ideal,” APA Journal, Au-tumn 1996, pages 460 to 470 for furtherelaboration of the value of consensus. “Onecan make a good case that consensus build-ing, properly designed, can produce deci-sions that approximate public interest.”
A collaborative team of diverse localstakeholders working with the local citizen’sassociation, the planning commission andthe supervisor’s office can interpret theapplicant’s request against the Comprehen-sive Plan for our time in our day that is har-monious and in keeping with a well-articu-lated notion of the common good.
The principle lesson: Our ComprehensivePlan matters, yet it requires the active par-ticipation of committed residents to evalu-ate and interpret at each decision pointalong the way. Without each of us steppingforward to participate in the discovery pro-cess, the accomplishment of our ideal willremain elusive.
Planning for Our Common GoodHearings highlight deeply divided testimony on Brightview.
Letters
16 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
turning to team practices or games if theyare suspected of having a concussion.
It is also suggested that parents and stu-dents participating in high school sportsprograms be required to review informa-tion about concussions on an annual basis.
Most of the policies drawn up by the Vir-ginia School Board have already been inplace in Fairfax County for several years.
“We have been ramping up our processfor several years now,” said Jon Almquist,who oversees the Fairfax school system’sathletic trainers.
Fairfax has had a certified athletic trainer,
A George Mason University profes-sor found more than half of thesports-related concussions inFairfax County Public Schoolsoccurred during football.
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Jim McLaughlin knows he had atleast one concussion while play-ing football at Woodson HighSchool in the 1980s. At the time,
coaches and players thought it was simplya matter of “shaking it off” before gettingback in the game.
Over two decades later, Woodson’s cava-lier attitude toward concussions has evapo-rated. Fairfax County Public Schools nowhas a stringent protocol for concussiontreatment. Any student suspected of sustain-ing a concussion is prohibited from return-ing to sports games or practice on the daythe injury took place.
McLaughlin, for one, is grateful for themore conservative approach. He will havetwo sons participating in the Woodson’sfootball program this fall and is a formerassistant football coach with the BraddockRoad Youth Club.
“One of the things that impressed me lastyear about Fairfax County Public Schoolswas that there was a real emphasis on edu-cating parents and players about concus-sions,” said McLaughlin, whose sons alsoplay lacrosse.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, concussionshave come a frontline concern at all levelsof athletics, from youth leagues to profes-sional sports. Boston University is currentlystudying the brains of professional athletesto determine the impact of concussions andrepeated blows to the head on long-termcognitive functioning and emotional well-being.
Just this year, a few high-profile incidentsbrought a new level of attention to concus-sion treatment.
The star of the National Hockey League,the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, hasnot been able to resume playing since hesustained a concussion in early January.
Dave Duerson, who played professionalfootball, committed suicide this winter. Hehad requested that his brain be examinedfor a degenerative disease that is caused byrepeated blows to the head and linked todepression and dementia.
Virginia implemented new concussionpolicies for high school sports programs onJuly 1. The commonwealth’s General As-sembly unanimously passed a bill tostrengthen concussion guidelines last year.
Sen. Ralph Northam (D-6), the bill’s chiefsponsor, is a child neurologist and facultymember at the Eastern Virginia MedicalSchool.
Among other things, the Virginia Boardof Education now recommends that stu-dents get a written medical release from alicensed health care professional before re-
who can help monitor concussion treat-ment, on every high school campus since1983. The school system increased the num-ber of athletic training positions at eachschool from two part-time slots to one full-time slot and a part-time slot in 2005.
“Our athletic trainers are available to as-sess the athletes every day. No child is go-ing to go back to a sport team unless theycan get through a rigorous workout with-out the return of symptoms. And you haveto make sure that they get not only physi-cal rest but also cognitive rest,” saidAlmquist.
STUDENTS with concussions typicallyhave to take a hiatus from doing any typeof physical activity and may have to refrainfrom cognitive activities — including read-ing, writing and completing math problems— for several weeks. They also must returnto their normal exercise and academic rou-tines slowly, with a gradual increase in rigordrawn out over several weeks, accordingto the National Children’s Medical Centerin Washington D.C.
Though his children haven’t had concus-sions, McLaughlin said he knows many oftheir classmates have. According toMcLaughlin, Fairfax’s coaches appear tohave been supportive of long-term treat-ment plans for students. Teachers have alsobeen understanding and willing to adjustacademic workloads.
“There is no way on the front end ofthings that we can tell how long the heal-ing process is going to take. A concussion ismore of a software injury than a hardwareinjury,” said Almquist.
An academic study suggests that the fre-quency of concussions in contact sportsmight be on the rise in Fairfax County Pub-lic Schools.
George Mason University professor ShaneCaswell examined concussion data collectedfor 12 contact sports programs in 25 FairfaxCounty high schools from 1997 to 2008.
According to Caswell, the frequency of
sports-related concussions in Fairfaxschools’ sports programs grew four timesas great over that 11-year stretch. Caswelladmitted that this could be, in part, becauseFairfax improved its detection and report-ing process for concussions during thattime.
The rate of concussion was rising in allthe sports studied. Approximately 11 per-cent of the 2,651 concussions tracked dur-ing that time period were “repeat” concus-sions, where one student suffered a headinjury more than once. In the 11 yearstracked by Caswell, 231 athletes in Fairfaxschools suffered two concussions and 26athletes had three or more concussions.
“If you put them back in the classroom oron the field too soon, it is just going to de-lay the healing process,” said Almquist.
Caswell found concussion rates across all12 sports to be on the rise and concluded itwas important to monitor concussionsacross many athletic programs in Fairfax.
“The high-participation collision sports offootball and boys’ lacrosse warrant contin-ued vigilance, but the findings suggest thatfocus on concussion detection, treatmentand prevention should not be limited tothose sports traditionally associated withconcussion risk,” he wrote.
Indeed, South Lakes parent John Farrellsaid three of his four children suffered fromsports related concussions, though theywere all in sports where concussions are notnearly as frequent. One daughter got repeatconcussions after being hit in the head dur-ing a basketball game. A son had a concus-sion after he was hit in the head with a base-ball and another daughter had acheerleading accident, he said.
Concussions: More Than a HeadacheThe County Line
More sports-relatedconcussions reportedin Fairfax high schools.
Signs and SymptomsOf a Concussion
This following list was compiled by Children’sNational Medical Center. These signs may notappear directly after a blow to the head andadults should be on the look out for concussionsymptoms several days after an incident.
SIGNS OBSERVED BYPARENTS/TEACHERS/COACHES:❖ Student appears dazed or stunned❖ Student is confused about events❖ Student answers questions slowly❖ Student repeats questions❖ Student cannot recall events prior to the hit,
bump or fall❖ Student cannot recall events after the hit, bump
or fall❖ Student loses consciousness (even briefly)❖ Student shows behavior or personality changes❖ Student forgets class schedule or assignments
SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY STUDENT:❖ Student has difficulty thinking clearly❖ Student has difficulty remembering or
concentrating❖ Student is feeling more slowed down❖ Student is feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy❖ Student has headache or pressure in the head❖ Student is vomiting or experiencing nausea❖ Student has balance problems or dizziness❖ Student feels fatigued or tired❖ Student has blurry or double vision❖ Student has sensitivity to light or noise❖ Student has numbness or tingling❖ Student is irritable, sad, nervous or more
emotional than usual❖ Student is drowsy or has trouble with sleep❖ Student is sleeping too much
Fairfax County Public Schools Concussion DataGeorge Mason University professor Shane Casewell studied trends in sports-related concussions by
examining 12 high school sports programs in Fairfax County Public Schools from the 1997-1998school year to the 2007-2008 school year.
The following is data on the number of concussions Fairfax students sustained while playing eachhigh school sport over that time period. The information is taken from Casewell’s study published inthe American Journal of Sports Medicine last January.
The professor only examined concussions reported in the following sports programs: football, boyslacrosse, boys soccer, wrestling, boys basketball, baseball, girls soccer, girls lacrosse, girls basketball,field hockey, softball and cheerleading.
Number of “Exposures”Sport Number of Concussions to Concussions Rate per 1,000
(Percentage of Total) (Percentage of Total) Athletic Exposures*All Athletes 2,651 (100%) 10,926,892 (100%) 0.24All Boys Sports 1,986 (74.9%) 5,833,723 (53.4%) 0.34All Girls Sports 665 (25.1%) 5,093,169 (46.6%) 0.13Football 1,407 (53.1%) 2,335,666 (21.4%) 0.60Girls Soccer 195 (7.4%) 554,500 (5.1%) 0.35Boys Lacrosse 244 (9.2%) 800,085 (7.3%) 0.30Girls Lacrosse 114 (4.3%) 559,295 (5.1%) 0.20Boys Soccer 103 (3.9%) 606,100 (5.5%) 0.17Wrestling 123 (4.6%) 724,430 (6.6%) 0.17Girls Basketball 120 (4.5%) 730,876 (6.7%) 0.16Softball 47 (1.8%) 439,175 (4.0%) 0.11Boys Basketball 77 (2.9%) 788,022 (7.2%) 0.10Field Hockey 58 (2.2%) 588,456 (5.4%) 0.10Baseball 32 (1.2%) 579,420 (5.3%) 0.06Cheerleading 131 (4.9%) 2,220,967 (20.3%) 0.06
*A higher rate indicates that concussions occurred more frequently.
In the 11 years trackedby Caswell, 231 athletesin Fairfax schoolssuffered two concussionsand 26 athletes had threeor more concussions.
Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 17www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
tennis director of the Highlands Swim andTennis Club in McLean. “It doesn’t matterif you’re 5 or a 55-year-old.”
Kratzke, a former player at William &Mary College, has been a full-time tennisinstructor throughout Northern Virginia forthe past 12 years. At Highlands, he over-sees a tennis program of which 175 youthand 100 adults are participants.
“People enjoy competing and that side ofit, and others love learning something newand adding to their skill set,” he said, ofthe different mindsets his students have inregards to the sport.
He said he does not have one set teach-ing formula for all of his players or students,but instead tries to help individuals learnstrategies and playing techniques bestsuited for their temperament, skill level, andgoals in the sport.
“Having it being fun and fast-paced iswhat gets people interested in tennis,” saidKratzke.
Most seasoned tennis professionals orteachers believe it is imperative that indi-viduals desiring to take up the game takelessons from a tennis professional at a localclub or tennis academy.
“I would highly recommend taking a fewlessons,” said Doug Kegerreis, president ofChantilly International Tennis (CIT), a ten-nis management service that helps createand provide tennis programs for clubs,youth organizations, and neighborhood as-sociations.
Kegerreis, a physical education teacher atOakton Elementary School in FairfaxCounty and the head tennis coach, alongwith his wife Karen, of both the ChantillyHigh boys’ and girls’ spring season teams,gives a tennis lesson through a media venueon YouTube. Individuals, after getting anidea for his teaching methods upon view-ing the YouTube program, will sometimescall Kegerreis for personal tennis instruc-tion.
“Tennis is a skilled sport but can be verydifficult if you don’t have guidance,” saidKegerreis, who said the primary goal of CITis to give students a desire to play the sportthroughout their lives. “If you go out andspend most of your time chasing balls twocourts over, it’s frustrating. I feel like you
need some basic guidance. For some peoplethat’s all they need and want. They don’twant to be tournament players.”
He said one of the first elements heteaches newcomers to the sport, bothyounger and older students, is to learn howto successfully volley or rally — hitting thetennis ball back and forth over the net witha partner. He said a key to good rallyingback and forth is for players to execute easy,fluent swings and not try to hit the ball toohard.
“I don’t care how much power you have,you have to learn to control your swingspeed,” said Kegerreis, who believes con-sistent seven or eight hit rallies can developgood physical workouts for players.
He recommends that someone new to thesport purchase a mass merchandise tennisracquet at a place such as Wal-Mart for be-tween $19 and $40. A more experiencedplayer, or someone who plays 10 or moretimes a year, should look for performancerackets which, at close-out sales, can be asinexpensive as between $70 and $90.
GLENN ADAMS, the boys’ tennis coachat Madison High for the past 10 years, triesto create in all of his team members —whether they are standout players on theWarhawks’ squad or backup team members— a will to play tennis for years to come.He said he often, when talking to prospec-tive Madison players coming out of juniorhigh schools, notices a lack of true love forthe sport. Adams believes youngsters whoare taught tennis at a young age develop alifetime love for the sport. For those young-sters who take it up during, say, their teenyears, there is not that immediate passion.
“It just doesn’t develop on its own or spon-taneously,” said Adams, of rising ninth grad-ers developing a bond with tennis. “When Italk to rising freshmen from [Madisonfeeder schools] Thoreau or Kilmer I don’tsense tennis has become a passion in theirlives. They have to be afforded a few les-sons to develop a passion.”
Adams keeps a large Madison team ros-ter during the spring season in hopes thathis players will catch tennis fever for life.The benefits, he said, are so rewarding. Arunner/jogger of 40 years, Adams said he
much prefers the fitness routine of tennisto that of running, which to him is quitegrueling.
“Tennis is a great cardio activity,” saidAdams. “In tennis you get to exercise with-out the pain and torture of running. I al-ways tell the guys to stick with the sportthrough the [beginner] frustration level.
“Tennis only requires one hour for a goodworkout for a singles game and, if you’replaying doubles, and hour-and-a-half,” hesaid. “You can play a tennis game during awork break or in the middle of a work day.”
Adams said the first 6 months of playingtennis could be frustrating as one learnshow to consistently hit the ball over the net.
“But get that first six months in and you’lldefinitely start to land those shots, whetherthey are lucky shots or not,” he said, with alaugh.
Harris, the Alexandria area tennis pro, istrying to spread the word about the sporthe loves in Alexandria. He had two daugh-ters who were a part of the T.C. WilliamsHigh girls’ tennis team this past spring.While thrilled to have had his daughters apart of the Titans’ program, he and othersare disappointed that the school, despitemassive upgrades and renovations to thecampus in recent years, did not includeoutdoor tennis courts on the campus. As aresult, the Titans play their home matchesat Wakefield Park in Arlington or elsewhere.
Harris, at his summer camps and over thecourse of the year when he is teaching andworking with young people and adults inthe sport, makes it a priority to emphasizethat first and foremost, tennis should be afun endeavor.
“If it isn’t fun, you shouldn’t play,” saidHarris. “We try to make it fun. You try to beencouraging to kids whether they makecontact with the ball or not. You can’t bedisappointed with them but positive.”
Harris, like his colleagues, stresses lessonsfor newcomers to tennis. Some early suc-cess can breed confidence and the sky isthe limit from there.
“Like anything in life, if you can do some-thing on a pretty good level it improves yourself confidence,” he said. “And the moresteady and consistent you get, the moreexercise you get playing.”
Photo courtesy of Hank Harris Academy
A young girl works on a shot during tennis at theHank Harris Academy.
Photo Courtesy/Chantilly International Tennis
Coach Doug Kegerreis (front, right) spends a momentwith young tennis camper Annabel Hoyes of Oaktonat the recent Chantilly Chargers’ Tennis Camp.
SportsGreat Falls Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders
703-224-3031 or [email protected]
By Rich Sanders
The Connection
Like the perfect service point thatproduces an ace and a match vic-tory, the sport of tennis, while itsoverall popularity over the years
has gone through its highs and lows in theUnited States, is an absolute winner whenit comes to its fitness and enjoyment ben-efits.
For those, from youngsters to youngadults to the middle-aged and beyond, look-ing to improve their physical conditioningas well as taking up a fulfilling sport, recre-ation or competitive tennis is almost a per-fect solution. The enjoyment of successfullyvolleying the ball back and forth with apartner is a sort of athletic exhilaration, aninstant gratification that if learned toachieve consistently can grow towards pas-sion and perhaps a deep love for the sport.
“I think one of the things that drawspeople to tennis is that one can get a realgood workout in an hour playing a game ofsingles with one other person,” said HankHarris, director of the Hank Harris TennisAcademy, a summer program for youngstersages 7 to 18 at Episcopal High School inAlexandria, where Harris serves as the headboys’ tennis coach during the school year.“It’s a sport that’s all you — you can out-think your opponent [in a match] or [sim-ply] work on your game.”
Harris, a former University of Virginiamen’s tennis standout who went on to coachformer women’s professional star PamShriver, said the fitness benefits of the gameare a natural byproduct of tennis if one istaught how to play the game the right way.
Harris explained that a good tennis playeris constantly moving his or her feet andbody during a volley, anticipating where anopponent might hit the ball, getting intoposition to put forth a fluent swing on theball, and always being prepared to moveforward or backward, left or right in readi-ness to how an opponent might react andwhere the ball might be headed. For begin-ners, recreation players, or competitiveplayers, the sound principle of constantlybeing in position to move and go after theball is a key principle for any tennis player.
“If you’re playing good tennis, you’re al-ways moving,” said Harris. “At no pointshould you not be moving. It’s a game ofmovement, stopping and starting.”
PEOPLE LOVE TENNIS for the physicalconditioning benefits, the social aspect ofgoing out and hitting the ball around witha friend, the whole idea of improving one’sgame, and the opportunity of competingagainst another person in a match.
“Tennis keeps you moving and engagedand having a good time,” said John Kratzke,
Looking for Improved Fitness — How About Tennis?Sport combines fun,good exercise, andsocial interaction.
18 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Sports
By Theresa Coetzee
Special to the Connection
This Spring the signs were all over the area:“PLAY RUGBY, RugbyVa.org.”
They were probably ignored bymany. They probably did not catch the
eyes of those involved in youth soccer or lacrosse,the established local youth leagues, or those not in-terested in a foreign and ‘dangerous’ sport. But thiswriter’s family noticed, and so did quite a few oth-ers. Rugby was born to Great Falls.
The man behind the signs is Buzz McClain, a rugbyenthusiast and columnist for NBC-Universal andRugby Magazine USA. With his initiative, ‘The Force,’Great Falls’ most recent, grassroots youth athleticteam was born of passion for a sport that the formermember of the USA Rugby board has played, cham-pioned and refereed since 1981. In September,McClain will travel to New Zealand for the RugbyWorld Cup with plans to report on 10 differentmatches.
Thanks to McClain, Gary Coetzee, a volunteer par-ent and former South African and French club rugbyplayer, and other supportive parents, including JimDallas, who shows up to every practice despite be-ing a novice to the sport, a team was born.
The Force now competes against other NorthernVirginia area teams from Alexandria, Springfield, andVienna as well as others that are affiliated withknown adult rugby clubs. The little known, well-or-ganized, coed summer league concluded last week-end with a 36-team tournament held on Springfield’shome pitch, Hooes Road Park.
For those fearing for the safety of youngsters tak-ing part in the sport, there need be no concern —the under-11 division of players do not yet partici-pate in the tackle version of rugby. Instead, they com-pete in touch rugby. A two-hand touch allows a playerto make two steps to pass the ball, and after a fewminutes of their first practice, the kids are hooked.
THE FORCE TEAM is small and growing. Able tofield a full under-9 squad, it hopes to build its un-
der-11 and under-13 ranks. Perhaps in time, themetropolitan area’s growing prep school rugby pres-ence, U.S. participation in the Rugby World Cup, andthe addition of ‘7s Rugby’ to the Olympic Games in2016 will help fill in the ranks. Coach McLain has avision for the team.
“I coached Great Falls baseball for six years andthought I was through,” said McCain. “When I putup the 18 yard [rugby] signs around Great Falls Iwas hoping to tap into the football, lacrosse and soc-cer kids who might be under 17 and eager for a con-tact sport.
“So imagine my surprise when the vast majority ofour players were under 11,” he said. “I had to changemy mindset to cultivating a team that will grow intorugby. The Springfield coach told me he started thesame way and now he has 120 players and they arehard-core rugby players, with a U11 program thatcontinues to feed the bigger, contact teams.”
SO, HOW HAVE Great Falls’ newest representativesfared so far? Early in the summer it felt a bit like‘The Bad News Bears.’ But, just as in the iconic 1970smovie about a makeshift youth baseball team, TheForce has pulled together. The team won a matchand saw its passing line spread out and work togethermore consistently each week.
Coetzee calls rugby “The School of Life.” The sportteaches the values of camaraderie and teamwork.There is little place for individualism. Without work-ing together, success is not achieved. In fact, when areceiver is ready to catch the ball he calls out, “Withyou, with you!” That is why McClain named the team`The Force’ — because it is with you!
The Force practices on Tuesdays and Thursday from6 p.m. until dusk throughout the summer. The leaguetries to purposefully schedule practices and gameswhen children involved with other area sports arefree.
Coaches Coetzee, McClain, and Dallas look forcontinued interest and support for their team nextsummer. For more information, visitwww.rugbyva.org or write to Buzz McClain [email protected]. Follow his exploits in NewZealand at www.UniversalSports.com.
Theresa Coetzee is an attorney at Marriott Inter-national, a Great Falls resident and, most impor-tantly, a “Rugby Mom.”
New youth team competesfirst summer of play.
Grassroots Rugby HitsGreat Falls With Force
The Force under-11rugby team of GreatFalls has competedthis summer againstclubs from Vienna,Alexandria, andSpringfield.
Photo Courtesy
of The Force
Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 ❖ 19www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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20 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ August 3-9, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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