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Baby Lambs Born At Frying Pan FarmNews, Page 2
Having Fun, Helping CharitiesNews, Page 3
USS Herndon Artifacts Come Home
News, Page 3
WellbeingPage 2
David Schmelz, son of a sailor who served during World War II aboard the destroyer the USS Herndon during
the Invasion on Normandy, outside the Herndon Depot Museum holding his father’s U.S. Naval Training
photograph. The destroyer was named after Captain Herndon, namesake of the Town of Herndon.
2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Wellbeing
By Marilyn Campbell
Helping parents who are grap-pling with their children’sfeelings of anger and fear fol-lowing the recent Florida
school shooting and subsequent fallout wasa recent topic that Lisa Jackson-Cherry,Ph.D., department chair and program co-ordinator, Pastoral Clinical Mental HealthCounseling & Pastoral and Spiritual Careprograms at Marymount University, hadwith her graduate students. The class dis-cussed how high profile acts of violence canfrighten children who might feel as thoughthey or someone they love could become avictim or find themselves in danger. Frommass shootings to natural disasters, an opendialogue with children is key to dealing withthoughts and feelings.
“In most instances, talking about the in-cident helps to gain some control over whatis not controlled,” said Jackson-Cherry.“Normalizing feelings and thoughts likefear, sadness, anger, and confusion can helpchildren know they are not abnormal in howthey are feeling or thinking.”
“First ask what they heard rather thanstarting by telling them about it,” addedJoanne Bagshaw, Ph.D., professor of psy-
chology at Montgomery College. “I wouldn’tget too stuck on the details. Just get a senseof what they know and make sure it’s accu-rate.”
In fact, exploration is key. “Encouragechildren to express their feelings and vali-date them, “ said Bagshaw. “You can startby saying, ‘I can understand why you’refeeling that.’”
Monitor both the amount and source ofinformation that children receive about highprofile incidents, advises Bagshaw. “I wouldreally limit their social media and news in-take about the violence,” she said. “Videosabout the shooting are too traumatic, andwatching them can be too traumatizing andtoo dramatic.”
Reviewing the family’s safety plan canhelp children feel secure, advises Bagshaw.It’s something she did in her own family.“At my daughter’s middle school, you can’tjust walk into a building like they did inFlorida,” she said. “I reminded my daugh-ter of this and explained the safety differ-ences between her school and the school inFlorida. One thing that you don’t want tosay is that ‘That will never happen here.’You want to focus on what’s real and what’srealistic.”
Maintaining a sense of normalcy follow-
ing a public display of violence can helpquell fear that children might be feeling,advises Jerome Short, Ph.D., associate pro-fessor of psychology at George Mason Uni-versity and a licensed clinical psychologist.“Parents play a key role by staying calm,maintaining household routines, explainingthat many events we worry about seldomhappen, and stating that we will cope withwhatever happens,” he said. “Parents shouldplace the highest priority on helping chil-dren stay safe.”
“I would caution against using leadingquestions like, ‘Are you scared?’ because thisquestion already implies they should bescared of something and that may not beaccurate,” continued Jackson-Cherry. “De-pending on their answers, parents can as-sist in having the child integrate aspects ofpower and control in a situation where theymay not be in control.”
While putting national events into per-spective in a way that children can under-stand, Short also advises parents to exploreemotions. “Ask children what they are feel-ing and empathize and validate what theysay. Ask children how they feel aboutschool,” he said. “Is there anything at schoolthat worries them? Be reassuring that youwill help protect them.”
Reviewing safety guidelines can help chil-dren feel secure, says Short. “Parents [cansay that] local police are working to keepthe community safe. We need to look outfor each other,” he said. “Say that high-pro-file violence is unlikely to happen at localschools because of safety procedures. Forexample, there are more than 130,000 el-ementary and secondary schools, and wefocus on relatively few schools whereshootings have occurred.”
Even those children who don’t expressemotions or appear unaffected by news re-ports of violence might still be anxiousabout the event. “Many children may notdisplay outward anger or fear but that doesnot mean they are not fearful, angry, or sadabout what they have heard or experi-enced,” said Jackson-Cherry. “I think in mostcircumstances, parents asking about achild’s knowledge of the event would be agood way to start.”
Limit a child’s exposure to media cover-age of acts of violence and discuss it in anage appropriate manner, advises Jackson-Cherry. “If the parent is watching or listen-ing to the news together with their child,try asking, ‘What are you thinking or feel-ing about what just happened or was re-ported?’” she said. “I asked my 15 year old,‘Has the school discussed the shooting inFlorida? Have you had drill in case it wereto happen?’”
Open dialogue is key to quelling fear, say mental health professionals.
Discussing School Shootings with Children
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Mother Nature hurled a pow-erful wind storm at the localarea Friday, March 3 through
Sunday, March 5, as Winter Storm Rileywreaked havoc. The National WeatherService DC/Baltimore reported DullesAirport had winds gusting to 50 mph ormore for 16 hours, a rare occurrence cre-ated by the intense low-pressure systemoffshore.
The sustained wind storm downedtrees and power lines in the Reston/Herndon area and beyond, leaving192,000 Dominion customers, the ma-jority of them in Fairfax County, withoutpower.
Yet, Mother Nature showed her gen-tler side Saturday, if only for a moment.Shortly after noon, with winds still howl-ing, twin lambs were born at Frying PanFarm Park, Kidwell Farm in Herndon. The
farm located at 2709 West Ox Road. Thepark offers a look at life, a step back intime to experience how farm life wasduring the 1920s through 1950s.
The park is open daily dawn to dusk;Kidwell Farm is open daily 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Admission to the park is free. Someactivities such as wagon rides, the car-ousel (opening mid-April) and specialevents have a fee. For more informationabout upcoming events and the farmanimal babies birthing schedule visitfairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark.
Paving and RestripingMeeting March 19
The Virginia Department of Transporta-tion and Fairfax County Department ofTransportation will host a community in-formation meeting to discuss this year’spaving and restriping efforts in the HunterMill District on Monday, March 19, from 7to 8:30 p.m., at the Terraset ElementarySchool cafeteria, 11411 Ridge Heights Rd,Reston. The meeting provides residents withan opportunity to speak directly with roadengineers and transportation planners aboutthe paving program, proposed stripingchanges and general traffic safety concerns.Information about paving and restriping inthe Hunter Mill District will be on display inan open house format, with a presentation at7:15 p.m. Community members are invitedto give feedback on general traffic safety con-cerns regarding roads scheduled for paving,and the proposed striping changes at themeeting or by submitting comments onlinevia the comment form on the paving andrestriping program page. Comments will beaccepted through April 6, 2018.
For more information on the 2018 Pavingand Restriping Program, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2018-paving-and-restriping. The Hunter Mill Dis-trict information page, located at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2018-paving-and-restriping/hunter-mill, includesmaps, sample photos, the proposed list ofroads being considered for paving and link toa comment submission form.
Area Roundups
Baby Lambs Born at Frying Pan FarmHigh winds poundthe area downingtrees and powerlines, but lifecontinues.
Eric Sumner, Farm Mechanic at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, holds up twin lambs born Sunday, Feb. 25. These babies, like one born Saturday, March 3 during the high-impact windstorm that hit the region, will stay indoors for a few weeks before going out to pasture.
ewe instinctively turned and licked her new-borns. Within minutes after hitting the straw, one lamb stood up on its wobbly legs, teetered a bit and made its way to the ewe. The second lamb died shortly after birth.
Like twins lambs born six days earlier on the farm and doing well, the surviving lamb will stay indoors for a few weeks before going out in the pasture with its mother. Another baby lamb was born on Sunday to a third ewe.
Kidwell Farm Park is part of Frying Pan Farm Park. It is a working demonstration
As sustained high winds from amassive nor’easter moving upthe coast pummeled the areaFriday through Sunday, MotherNature showed her gentler side.Frying Pan Farm Park’s thirdbaby lamb was born Saturday,March 3. It is about one hour oldin the photo.
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Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsHerndon Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders
703-224-3031 or [email protected]
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Angus “Gus” Schmelz, Radioman2, served on the USS Herndonduring World War II. Members ofthe Herndon Historical Society
— headquartered in the Herndon DepotMuseum at 717 Lynn Street, Herndon—will remember and thank him for a longtime. On Tuesday, Feb. 27, Gus’ son, DavidSchmelz arrived from Florida and stoppedat the museum with an assortment of boxes.On hand to greet him were Melissa Highly,president of the Herndon Historical Soci-ety, and Margaret Jamborsky, who is re-searching history of the Herndon. In theboxes were memorabilia Gus Schmelz, ashis son recalled, “had kept in an office inhis house.” Schmelz died in 2007. DavidSchmelz was there to share with the mu-seum some of his father’s photographs, let-ters, documents, and physical artifacts hehad collected while aboard the destroyer.
For more than an hour, everyone openedthe boxes and looked back in time throughan assortment of pictures and writings.During Schmelz’ service as Radioman 2aboard the Herndon, the ship earned threeBattle Stars. The first in July/August of1943, during the Invasion of Sicily and thesecond during the Invasion of Normandyin June of 1944.This was the period of sig-nificance most important to the HerndonHistorical Society and Jamborsky since theHerndon High School Band is scheduled torepresent the United States at the 75th an-
niversary of D-Day in Normandy, Francein 2019. The Herndon earned its last battlestar at the Invasion of Southern France in1944. Herndonband.org reports, “ThePride of Herndon will be honoring thebrave men of the USS Herndon, the de-stroyer that led the Allied naval armadain the assault on France. The men of the‘Lucky Herndon’ were given 10 to 1 oddsthat they wouldn’t come out of D-Day
alive. Not only did they beat the odds, theirbravery and courage helped win the war.The band will be marching with the Ameri-can flag that flew on board the ship on D-Day, and each student will carry a photo-graph of one of the veterans as they marchin France.” Asked in an interview when hisfather had signed up to serve, Schmelz said,“There were five boys in my dad’s family.Angus was only 17 years old, and his mother
had to go with him and sign him up be-cause he was underage.”
Accepting the donation on behalf of theHerndon Historical Society, Highly com-mented, “We are very excited about the USSHerndon collection from Mr. Schmelz, andhonored that he has entrusted the HerndonHistorical Society to be the caretakers of it.We look forward to sharing it with our mem-bers and visitors for years to come.”
Son donates father’s memorabilia for display in the Herndon Depot Museum.USS Herndon Artifacts Come Home
Margaret Jamborsky and David Schmelz look overmemorabilia from his father’s deployment on thedestroyer the USS Herndon during World War II.Schmelz is donating some of the artifacts to theHerndon Historical Society for display in theHerndon Depot Museum.
David Schmelz, son of a sailor who served duringWorld War II aboard the destroyer the USS Herndonduring the Invasion on Normandy, outside theHerndon Depot Museum holding his father’s U.S.Naval Training photograph. The destroyer was namedafter Captain Herndon, namesake of the Town ofHerndon.
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Having Fun, Helping CharitiesOn Sunday, Feb. 25, several hundred, mostly in costume, attendedCongregation Beth Emeth’s annual Purim Palooza, with activities forall ages: Moon bounce, carnival games, crafts for “kids” of all ages,Vashti’s Shuk one-day gift shop sale, costume parade and contest,raffle for great prizes, lunch, hamentaschen and more. The Purimtzedakah (charity) project, Esther’s Treasury, was to bring unwantedjewelry for The Closet of Herndon to sell, with proceeds going to localcharities.
4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOING“Godspell.” Thursdays through
Sundays, through April 1, atNextStop Theatre Company, 269Sunset Park Drive, Herndon.NextStop opens “Godspell” with amodern twist to the musical, settingthe new production in a coffee shop.Tickets, $35-$65, available online atwww.NextStopTheatre.org or bycalling 866-811-4111.
Homegrown Yoga. Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday nights atArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Alison Adams is bringingHomegrown Yoga to ArtSpaceHerndon. All levels welcome. Drop inand take a class. $25 two weekunlimited pass or drop-in available.www.homegrownpoweryoga.com.
The Elden Street Tea Shop.Saturdays in ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center St., Herndon. Sip tea andenjoy a variety of locally made snacksand pastries while enjoying the latestart installations in the gallery. Visitwww.eldenstreettea.com.
THURSDAY/MARCH 8Jazz Night. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Lake
Anne Coffee House/Wine Bar, 1612Washington Plaza N., Reston. Patronsmay enjoy Mykle Lyons and companyas they wine and dine in the cozysecond floor wine bar. Admission isfree. Call 703-501-6289 or [email protected].
FRIDAY/MARCH 9Live Music. 6:30-10 p.m. at Lake Anne
Coffee House & Wine Bar, 1612Washington Plaza N., Reston. Livemusic in the 2nd Floor Wine Bar.Admission is free. Visitlakeannecoffeehouse.com.
Swing Dance. 8:30 p.m., beginnerlesson; 9 p.m.-midnight, dance, atHilton Washington Dulles Airport,13869 Park Center Road, Herndon.Swing dance with All Wheel Jive.$15. Call 703-359-9882 or visit ourwebsite at www.gottaswing.com.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/MARCH 9-10Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. 8 p.m. at
Reston Community Center’sCenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Don’t miss this intense dramathat sizzles with passion and greed.$20-$23. Visit restonplayers.org orcall 703-476-4500.
SATURDAY/MARCH 10Annual Kids’ Trout Fishing Derby.
8 a.m.-noon behind the HerndonPolice Station, 397 Herndon Parkwayat the Sugarland Run Trail Stream.The Town of Herndon Parks andRecreation Department will host the15th Annual Kids’ Trout FishingDerby behind the Herndon PoliceStation, where the stream will bestocked with rainbow trout just forthis event. For children, ages 2-15.Pre-registration through March 9 at 5p.m. is $8 per child. Day of eventregistration, on site is $12 per child(bring cash or check). Contact TimLander, Recreation Supervisor,Herndon Parks and RecreationDepartment, 703-435-6800 x2106 [email protected].
Book Reading. 11 a.m. at ScrawlBooks, 11911 Freedom Drive, RestonTown Center. Laura Murray will readher book The Gingerbread Man andthe Leprechaun Loose at School. Visitscrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
Touch Combo Album ReleaseConcert. 7-9 p.m. at ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon.The collaborative quartet explores
the possibilities of jazz, rock, fusion,funk and some traditional rhythms.Refreshments will be served. $20.Visit artspaceherndon.org.
SUNDAY/MARCH 11Herndon Ice Breaker 5K Race. 8
a.m. at Northwest Federal CreditUnion, 200 Spring Street, Herndon.Runners and walkers, take your markand get ready to conquer the fourthannual Ice Breaker 5K Race. Pre-registration is $20 adult/youththrough noon on March 9. Regularregistration is $30. Registrations canbe made at Herndon-va.gov/recreation, at the HerndonCommunity Center, or atwww.active.com.
Women’s Choral Festival. 4-6 p.m.at Community of Faith UnitedMethodist Church, 13224 FranklinFarm Road, Herndon. CapitalHarmonia Choir will host its thirdAnnual Women’s Choral Festivalfeature the Madeira School Glee Clubalong with a piano and stringquintet. This year Capital Harmoniaperforms the music of Anne Frank: ALiving Voice. Free and open to thepublic. Call 703-989-4007 or visitwww.capitalharmonia.org.
MONDAYS/MARCH 12Restaurant Fundraiser. 11 a.m.-10
p.m. at Not Your Average Joe’s, 1845Fountain Drive, Reston. EveryMonday during March 2018, NotYour Average Joe’s in Reston willdonate 15 percent of the bill toAssistance League of NorthernVirginia. Diners must mention theorganization when checking in at therestaurant. Visitwww.notyouraveragejoes.com/locations/virginia/reston. [email protected] about thefundraiser or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.
TUESDAY/MARCH 13Big Flower Painting. 7-9 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Design and wine with MarySears. $40 per person covers wine,light snacks and supplies. Each eventis limited to 25 participants.Registration is required. Call 703-956-9560 or visitartspaceherndon.org.
FRIDAY/MARCH 16Live Music. 6:30-10 p.m. at Lake Anne
Coffee House & Wine Bar, 1612Washington Plaza N., Reston. Livemusic in the 2nd Floor Wine Bar.Admission is free. Visitlakeannecoffeehouse.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 16-18Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Friday-
Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. atReston Community Center’sCenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Tennessee Williams’ PulitzerPrize winning, “Cat On A Hot TinRoof” is an American classic. As thehot summer evening unfolds, painfulsecrets and desperate longings arerevealed while the family desperatelyattempts to secure their share of BigDaddy’s estate. Don’t miss thisintense drama that sizzles withpassion and greed like you’ve neverexperienced before. $20-$23. Visitrestonplayers.org or call 703-476-4500.
SATURDAY/MARCH 17“Sisters.” 3 p.m. at Reston Community
Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. The Young Actors TheatreProgram trains young actors (ages 7-15) in voice, dance and acting overthe course of nine weeks of classesand rehearsals, culminating in a finalperformance of fully producedoriginal musicals. “Sisters,” a storyabout a group of soon-to-be-borns,who are confronted with someharrowing stories about what theirfuture as female siblings couldpossible entail, takes a humorouslook at what being a sister is allabout. For free tickets (limit of four;first come, first served), [email protected].
Book Discussion. 4 p.m. at ScrawlBooks, 11911 Freedom Drive, RestonTown Center. L. M. Elliott willdiscuss her new book Hamilton andPeggy: A Revolutionary Friendship.Visit scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
St. Patrick’s Homeless ShelterMeal. 4-7 p.m. at Embry RuckerShelter, 11975 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Volunteers needed tohelp prepare and serve a St. Patrick’sDay themed dinner for over 100people at the Embry Rucker Shelter.Visit www.barberafoundation.org/events/st-patricks-homeless-shelter-meal.
Calendar
Big Flower PaintingDesign and wine with Mary Sears. $40 per person covers wine, light snacks and
supplies. Each event is limited to 25 participants. Registration is required withpayment in advance. No prior art experience necessary. Tuesday, March 13, 7-9p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Call 703-956-9560 or visitartspaceherndon.org.
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
lostdogandcatrescue.org
lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer
owned or known
AdoptDonate
VolunteerVolunteers needed for
adoption events,fostering,
transportation,adoption center
caretaking and more.
Dining
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Mayor of Herndon, Lisa C. Merkel,several members of the HerndonTown Council, and others at-
tended the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cut-ting for Nunu’s Thai Dishes on Thursday,March 1, 2018. The restaurant is located at410 Elden Street in Herndon. It is a newbusiness venture for owner Pitsanu “NuNu”Setapayak.
The restaurant presents a cozy diningexperience and features a variety of tradi-tional Thai cuisine prepared by experiencedchefs using authentic Thai recipes.
Councilmember Bill McKenna wrote onFacebook, “The food is amazing and moreimportant the host NuNu is an amazingperson. He treats everyone like family, andyou cannot go wrong with anything here.A true gem in Herndon!”
Nunu’s Thai DishesOpens in HerndonNew restaurant intown opens with highexpectations.
From left: Dennis Holste, EconomicDevelopment Manager; MelissaJonas, Chair of Planning Commis-sion; Grace Cunningham,Councilmember; NuNu Setapayak,Owner; Mayor Lisa C. Merkel;Sumitra Setapayak, Co-Owner; KayHanwinyoo, Co-Owner;Chaweewan Kraikhummadan, Co-Owner and Jeff Davidson,Councilmember stand ready at theGrand Opening and Ribbon cuttingfor Nunu’s Thai Dishes located at410 Elden Street in Herndon.
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6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
South Lakes High School announced the Alli-ance for Young Artists & Writers named 14 oftheir students recipients of the 2018 Scholas-
tic Art Awards, the nation’s longest-running and mostprestigious scholarship and recognition initiative forcreative teens in grades 7-12.
Praising the school’s art department and awardwinners, Kimberly Retzer, South Lakes High Schoolprincipal, said, “South Lakes is incredibly proud ofour amazing Art Program. We are excited to have 26Awards/Honorable Mentions recognized in the Scho-lastic Art Competition this year.”
The website for the Scholastic Awards states theyoung artists and writers were free to explore anyand all topics; there were no pre-defined prompts,and no work would ever be disqualified from theScholastic Awards because of the nature of its con-tent. As for judging criteria, three areas dominated:originality, technical skill, and the emergence of apersonal voice or vision.
Matt Ravenstahl, Art Department Chair at SouthLakes, said, “We are extremely proud of these stu-dents and the importance of arts in our school. Thesestudents utilized art making to engage experienceand construct meaning in regard to a deeper self.”
The artists who received either or both Gold Keyand Silver Key Awards will be celebrated in a cer-emony Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at the NorthernVirginia Community College, Annandale Campus,Ernst Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. Their artwork will be on exhibition thereFeb. 9-March 15, 2018.
The South Lakes High School students named hon-ored recipients of the Fairfax County Art Region 2018Regional Scholastic Art Award are: GabrielleBaughman, one Gold Key; Clark Bautista, one GoldKey; Maya Bollino, one Silver Key; Elena Castrence,one Gold Key; Luis Zevallos Garate, one Silver Key;Keita Heinrich, three Gold Keys and four HonorableMentions; Phoebe Liu, three Silver Keys; Maija Louko,one Honorable Mention; Megan Pickell, one GoldKey; Austin Shea, one Silver Key; Kai Thompson, one
Gold Key and two Silver Keys; Lily Vogel, one GoldKey; Max Wiegand, one Honorable Mention, andSophie Wilson two Silver Keys and one HonorableMention.
The artists whose works received a Gold Key Award– Baughman, Castrence, Heinrich, Pickell, Thomp-son, and Vogel – will advance to the national level.
South Lakes HighStudents Win Art AwardsThe Alliance for YoungArtists & Writers recog-nizes their talents.
Gabriella Baugh, 17,of Reston – one GoldKey Award: “Art forme is one thing I canalways count on.”
Keita Heinrich, 17, ofHerndon – threeGold Key Awards andfour HonorableMentions: “I hadnever submitted toan art contest be-fore. Pleasantlysurprised by theresult.”
Phoebe Liu, 16, ofReston – three SilverKey Awards: “For medoing art isn’t aboutfeeling happy asmuch as feelingnormal. Drawing isjust a natural stateof existence for me.”
Lily Vogel, 18, ofReston – one GoldKey Award: “Find-ing out I had wonwas great. Findingout I won Gold forAnimation wasbetter. My passionis artisticstorytelling. I wantto be an animator.Being recognizedfor my passion isamazing.”
Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
A few weeks back at my last post CT-scanappointment with my oncologist (when allcontinued to be amazingly stable), he finallyasked me the question I’ve been wondering ifhe’d ever ask: “Mr. Lourie, I talk about you allthe time, how well you’re doing; is there any-thing I can tell people about what you’redoing that might help them?”
My first reaction was to laugh and then askif I even have cancer. I mean, typically, onediagnosed with an incurable disease doesn’tjust live life merrily along as if the diagnosiswas a mere inconvenience, no matter what heor she may or may not be doing. My oncolo-gist assured me that I indeed have cancer andeven offered up some news about my tumorswith which I was totally unfamiliar.
Five years ago when I was hospitalized(due to excessive fluid in my lungs), in thecourse of the procedure, the thoracic surgeondid a DNA profile of my tumors to determineif I had a specific mutation (allowing for moretargeted treatment). Unfortunately, the ALKand ROS-1 mutations were not confirmed. Inpursuit of more current information, morerecently, I had a liquid biopsy (a blood test)which tested for the EGFR and T790 muta-tions. Again, no confirmation. As it standsnow, I am as unclassified. For the nine-yearmoment then, I remain in treatment withoutthe targeted precision so many of my fellowcancer survivors have been extraordinarily for-tunate to have. Yet life goes on.
So what am I doing? Other than laughingin the face of death (my best attribute), whichif anecdotal reports are to be believed, truly isthe best medicine, a bit more. Remainingpositive and generally upbeat is a parallel cor-ollary to humoring yourself and those aroundyou.
But more specifically and perhapsuniquely, I am supplementing my standard ofcare with some non-Western care: alkalinewater, organic apple cider vinegar, and about60 pills a day, most chosen for their qualitiesof strengthening my immune system and/oreliminating the toxins from my body. I can’tsay I’m eating really right, but neither will Iadmit to not eating totally wrong. Reducingstress and exercising are popular advisories inmy control. One out of two will have to do.
However, as I told my oncologist, whateverI’m doing I’ve been told to do by my holistichealth and fitness coach. She knows what,how and why. (I might as well be SergeantSchulz from “Hogan’s Heros: “I know noth-ing.”) I don’t feel qualified to speak to any ofwhat I do.
Yes, I’ve survived but, I’m a sports andchocolate guy not a science and medicineman. All I can do is list what I’m doing. I can’tchapter and verse any of it. I’m not NIKE, butI just do it. It’s a routine and I rarely stray. I doadd stuff occasionally but to think any of whatI do might have a bearing on another cancerpatient’s survivability? Not hardly, and that’swhat I told my oncologist. Dina suggested thealkaline water. I suggested my “coach.”
I guess I’m just not that deep of a thinker. Itrust people the same way that as a salesman Iwant them to trust me. I’m not leading any-body astray, and I’m providing them the bestavailable knowledge. I’m not manipulating.Nor am I maneuvering. I’m simply managingdos, don’ts, maybes, what ifs and why nots.
Moreover, I’m trying to think outside thebox while respecting and appreciating that thebox has its purpose as well.
Heck, for all I know, my non-Western stuffhas had minimal impact on my life expectancyand the standard of care from my oncologisthas provided the most.
Maybe I’m just an anomaly, pure and sim-ple: a nine-year-plus non small cell lung can-cer survivor. What am I doing? Trying not toabuse the privilege, that’s what.
Reflections
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
SOBER-RIDE FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAYFree Sober Rides. Saturday, March 17, 4 p.m.
through Sunday, March 18, 4 a.m. Arearesidents, 21 and older, may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost (up to $15)safe ride home. WRAP’s St. Patrick’s DaySoberRide promo code will be posted at 2 p.m.on March 17 on www.SoberRide.com. TheSoberRide code is valid for the first 1,500 Lyftusers who enter the code.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept. 30? If so,
contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.
MONDAY-THURSDAY/MARCH 7-8Unclaimed Property. Virginians can visit any of
the four events below and find their unclaimedproperty. This free public service is facilitated byThe Virginia Department of Treasury. Learnmore at www.VaMoneysearch.org.
❖ Wednesday, March 7, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at FairfaxCounty Jennings Judicial Center Cafeteria, 4110Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
❖ Thursday, March 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hollins HallSenior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road,Alexandria
THURSDAY/MARCH 8Design Public Hearing. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m at
the Herndon Community Center, 814 FerndaleAve., Herndon. The Virginia Department ofTransportation will hold a design public hearingon plans to widen East Spring Street from fourto six lanes from just west of Herndon Parkwayto Fairfax County Parkway in the Town ofHerndon. Visit www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/e_spring_st.asp.
What Can Estate Planning Do? 7 p.m. atReston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Attorney Bettina Lawton willcover what participants need to know to makesure that what they have worked to accumulategoes to the people or charities that they value.Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Hunter Mill District Community Meeting. 7-9 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400 SouthLakes Drive, Reston. Hear presentations fromCounty and Public Schools staff on the FY2019proposed budget. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/.
TUESDAY/MARCH 13Family Caregiver Telephone Support Group.
7-8 p.m. Fairfax County’s Family CaregiverTelephone Support Group meets by phone onTuesday, February 13, 7-8 p.m. This month’stopic is Maintaining Relationships WhileCaregiving. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711 toregister.
THURSDAY/MARCH 15Community Food Packing. 10-11:30 a.m. at
Dominion Energy, 3072 Centreville Road,Herndon. Assistance League of NorthernVirginia, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization,invites community members to help pack foodfor its Weekend Food for Kids program. Thiscritical program provides nonperishable foodover the weekend to children who receive freeor reduced-price meals during the school year.Arrive at 9:30 to help with setup. [email protected] or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.
Grant Application Deadline. The AudubonSociety of Northern Virginia is encouragingcommunity groups, schools, churches and othernon-profit organizations to apply for fundingunder two new mini-grant programs designed toaddress habitat concerns (audubonva.org/conservation-grants/) and youth education(audubonva.org/news/2018/2/6/youth-education-grant).
Bulletin
8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ March 7-13, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Monte F. Bourjaily, IV
In the aftermath of the horrific schoolshooting in Parkland, Florida, the Presi-dent of the United States and the headof the National Rifle Association, have
advocated arming teachers and hardeningschools in other ways. These are shriveled, re-active measures that appeal to fear and relyon the false statement that “to stop a bad guywith a gun, you need a good guy with a gun.”
Introducing guns into the classroom doesn’tdemonstrate the virtue of the Second Amend-ment, it poisons the educational environment,increases the risk that innocents will be hurtand simply challenges “the bad guy” to cre-atively get around the armed target. We canuphold the Second Amendment, and the ruleof law, and ensure Americans’ safety and senseof security with common sense measures, likerepealing the Dickey Amendment, that focuson preventing unsafe and malevolent use offirearms.
Arming teachers is a terrible idea. First, itchanges the dynamic in a classroom, placing
the weapon between the teacher and the stu-dents. Even if its purpose is to protect students,the weapon is a distraction and a barrier. Sec-ond, and more importantly, you are introduc-ing more projectile weapons into a chaotic en-vironment, dramatically increasing the likeli-hood of friendly fire killing children, otherteachers and law enforcement seeking to as-sist. How well do police and soldiers performin the high stress conditions of an actual con-frontation? Does the stress and opportunity forerrors increase or decrease when multipleshooters (friend and foe) are added to a situa-tion? Third, in response to the argument thata shooter will avoid schools knowing thatteachers are armed, what is to prevent theshooter from wearing body armor? It is easyto buy. We need to stop reacting and problem-solve and innovate, which is our true nature.
Guns are tools, like cars, that can cause seri-ous injury or death when used improperly orwith ill-intent. I also am a hunter who grewup respecting guns.
Why is there a “gag rule” (the Dickey Amend-ment of 1996) on Centers for Disease Controlresearch into the effects of gun violence? Howare guns different than cars? The NationalHighway Transportation Safety Commissioncollects data on motor vehicle fatalities throughthe Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Gun owners have a Second Amendment rightto own and use guns responsibly, not uncondi-tionally. All Americans have a right to gain abetter understanding of how guns are used inways that harm other Americans and in waysthat can pose a risk to all of us.
We must respect the Second Amendment,like we uphold all of the Constitution as therule of law. However, there are few absolutesunder the Constitution, including how far weinterpret the right to bear arms. Freedom ofReligion does not permit the practice of hu-man sacrifice and Freedom of Speech does notpermit fighting words. In short, my right toswing my arms ends at the tip of your nose.We Americans are at our best as problem solv-ers and innovators. We use data and commonsense to find solutions. We confront threats,rather than fearfully wait for them. Can wefind common ground on reasonable gun con-trol by listening to each other and recognizingreasonable rights and reasonably acceptingcertain limits in respectful recognition of therights of others?
Monte F. Bourjaily, IV is a lawyer whoteaches US Government, American History andPhilosophy at Thomas Jefferson High Schoolfor Science and Technology. All submissionsare in his personal capacity.
Gun safety is anAmerican value.
No Guns in the Classroom
Not PayingAttention inLogic ClassTo the Editor:
I was very surprised at the hon-esty of the headline on your Feb.21-27 editorial, but then someonepointed out to me that “AnotherAssault on Common Sense” prob-ably wasn’t referring to the con-tent of your editorial. My mistake.
Since I was wrong about that,maybe I don’t understand the car-toon either. As I understand it, aderanged individual murdered 17people in a school in Florida; manyof that person’s peers “knew” thathe was dangerous, but apparentlydid not mention that to school au-thorities until after the shooting;school authorities considered himdangerous, but did not go to po-lice; police made dozens of visitsto his house, but two investigatorsconcluded that he was not a dan-ger to himself or others; the adultswith whom he was living did notnotice the aberrant behavior thatso many others saw; the FBI was“unable to identify” him as theauthor of a post indicating hewanted to be a school shooter, andwhen the FBI received two sepa-rate tips actually naming him asdangerous and threatening to be-come a school shooter, the Bureauignored one, and failed to send the
second to the local Field Office foraction, and when he became theschool shooter he said that hewanted to be, the Broward Countydeputy on duty at the school failedto do his duty and remained out-side the building where the shoot-ing was taking place, where hewas joined by other Browarddeputies who also did not enterthe building – and so the NRA wasresponsible for the atrocity.
I must not have been paying at-tention in Logic Class.
H. M. PadonGreat Falls
ConversationStopperTo the Editor:
If I hear the word “conversation”in the media one more time, inrelation to another massacre ofhumans, I might be driven to vio-lence. “Conversation” is not a so-lution to any of our social diseases.It is particularly unnerving whenthe calls for a “conversation” usu-ally relate to gun control, andcome from folks who don’t evenknow the meaning of the wordsthey are chanting. “Automatic”weapons have already beenbanned for decades. “AssaultRifles” have the same capability asmany other guns, but they are justdesigned to look cool. They are a
legal version of a rifle that a vet-eran can own as a reminder of theautomatic rifle he carried whilerisking his life for his country.
But the demands for a “conver-sation,” or for the President to dosomething rather than nothing,keep getting louder and louder.The hysteria usually includes man-tras about the NRA having toomuch influence. Yet no one seemsto grasp the idea that maybe it’sthe influence of the National Edu-cation Association (NEA) that istoo weak and misdirected regard-ing the interests of teachers whocan easily identify kids, as early asfirst grade, who should never haveaccess to a gun. Maybe the NEAshould lobby harder for increasedregulation of dysfunctional kids,and the parents that are irrespon-sible. Even without access to guns,these kids can eventually get adriver’s license, and propel a caror a truck into their schoolmatesduring a fire drill.
Gene PhillipGreat Falls
Cowardice andComplicityTo the Editor,
I’m one of the lucky parents. Likemost parents, I worked hard dur-ing the 18 to 20 or so years it takesto raise my children, educate
them, instill values, help them be-come productive adults and, hope-fully, parents themselves. All thoseplaydates, sports practices, trips tothe library, school events, collegevisits, illnesses, successes, and dis-appointments we gladly workthrough, enjoy, suffer through,and, if we’re lucky, our childrenactually survive and move on. Ican think of nothing worse forparents than to have their child,their gift to the future and imageof themselves, taken horribly be-fore his or her time.
A parent should never outlivehis child. Even a nuclear holocaustis preferable, because then we’d alldie, and the parent would not haveto pretend to celebrate thememory of what might have beenhad the promise of this nationbeen kept. That’s right, the corepromise of this nation is embod-ied in our elected representative’soath of office to protect its citizensfrom enemies, both foreign anddomestic.
I call out every Republican in Con-gress and the President and VicePresident for violating their oath,sworn on a bible. If they had anyintegrity, they would resign. Thereis a moral duty to act to save a lifewhen you have the opportunity, abil-ity and means. Failing to act is cow-ardice, and worse, complicity.
Les HalpernHerndon
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