Arlin Arlingtongton Theconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/... · 12/15/2015 ·...

Arlington Connection ❖ December 16-22, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.comonline at www.connectionnewspapers.comDecember 16-22, 2015

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It was 7:20 p.m., and the ice skating stopped. Arlington CountyPolice Chief Jay Farr stepped up to the six-foot Menorah atChanukah on Ice at the Pentagon Row Ice Skating Center in Arling-ton on Dec. 8. Rabbi Mordechai Newman, director of ChabadLubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, said Farr was being honored withlighting the Shamash, the middle candle of service, in recognition ofhis service to the community and keeping the community safe.

‘Wreaths Across America’News, Page 3

Local AuthorLaunches NovelNews, Page 2

Board ApprovesGilliam PlaceNews, Page 3

‘Wreaths Across America’News, Page 3

Local AuthorLaunches NovelNews, Page 2

Board ApprovesGilliam PlaceNews, Page 3

Lighting of the MenorahNews, Page 4

Lighting of the MenorahNews, Page 4

2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ December 16-22, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

People

By Eden Brown

The Connection

William (“Bill”) Neikirk sayshe has always wanted towrite a novel, ever since hewas an 8-year-old. Neikirk

came to Washington from Kentucky as ayoung journalist in the early ‘70s. He wasworking for the Associated Press in Ken-tucky and then interviewed for a positionin their Washington Bureau. The good newswas he got the job, and the bad news wasthey offered him a job covering economicsrather than the political beat he hadwanted; his disappointment was evident. Ashe grimaced, his editor told him he shouldjust do his best for a year, and then theywould see if something else opened up. Itwas 1971. Nixon had initiated a series ofwage/price controls that became a majorstory, particularly after the abandonment ofthe Gold Standard in 1973. Neikirk’s careeras a journalist took off, and not long afterhe joined the Chicago Tribune as their eco-nomics reporter in the Washington Bureau.

Neikirk, who was known as “Bill Bob”growing up in Kentucky, covered stories allover the world before retiring in 2008 be-cause of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Whenhe received the Estill County Hall of Honoraward in 2001, he noted that because re-

porting can take a person so many places itis difficult to single out the most memorableevent covered. A few of the standouts were:a civil rights march in Louisiana in 1969;the trial covering the murder of three civilrights workers in Mississippi; the 1968Democratic convention; the anti-warmarches in Washington; Henry Kissinger’sannouncement of the U.S. withdrawal fromVietnam; the courage of Anwar Sadat inEgypt; the despair of the Shah of Iran justbefore the revolution, the opening up ofChina in Beijing in 1978; and the WW IIveterans visiting the Normandy Cemeterywhere their friends were buried.

At the Chicago Tribune, Neikirk served aseconomics correspondent, White House cor-respondent, assistant managing editor forfinancial news in Chicago, senior writer andchief Washington correspondent. He hasreceived over 50 journalism awards includ-ing winner of the Chicago Tribune’s Beckaward, the Loeb, John Hancock, Universityof Missouri and Champion Media BusinessWriting Awards, runner up for the PulitzerPrize; the Merriman Smith Award for presi-dential coverage; runner up in the RaymondClapper and Nover Awards; and named asone of the top 100 financial journalists ofthe 20th century. He was elected to the Ken-tucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 1998. Heis a member of the Gridiron Club and the

National Press Club, and wrote a nation-ally syndicated column on economics. Hehas authored two nonfiction books, “WorkRevolution” (1980) and “Volcker, Portraitof a Money Man” (1987).

And now, a novel.“The Copperhead Club” is a story of ter-

rorism, scandal, and snakes, fictional mor-sels in a stew full of Washington’s corridorsof power and Kentucky’s backwoods, whereNeikirk grew up. His book’s characters aresocialites, lawyers, economists, ArlingtonCounty residents, U.S. presidents, politicalconsultants, Kentucky police officers, FBIdirectors, waitresses, U.S. senators, and gundealers. His wife of 55 years, Ruth, says he

has kept journals and notebooks all his life,and that Neikirk began writing the book onyellow legal pads while riding to work onthe Metro in the ’90s. He stopped writingafter 9-11. In 2009 his wife was recoveringfrom knee surgery and asked him about thebook. He told her it was a piece of trash,not worthy for anyone to read; but hehanded over a stack of pages to read. Shewas hooked after the first page and read tothe end — it may have been the first 10chapters. She asked Neikirk what was go-ing to happen next. He didn’t know.

Much to her delight the novel was fin-ished in 2010, but Neikirk remained unwill-ing to submit it to a publisher. In 2015,Neikirk’s wife got him to agree to publishit, and now the book is finally out. There isa lot in the book that surprised her, not theleast of which is her husband’s ability to tella story from a woman’s point of view. Butshe is sure many of the characters comefrom Neikirk’s observations as he wentabout life in Washington.

The book launch took place at the Na-tional Press Club and the Hendry House,on Nov. 16 and 18 respectively. Both recep-tions were attended by Washingtonians,Arlingtonians, The Yorktown Splash Girls,and a few out-of-town visitors.

The Neikirks are currently planning a tripto Kentucky to promote the novel, which isavailable on Amazon.com. For more infor-mation, see www.williamneikirk.com.

Photo by Eden Brown/The Connection

Bill Neikirk and his wife Ruthwelcome reception guests as hesigns “The Copperhead Club.”

Bill Neikirk Launches Novel, ‘The Copperhead Club’Spinning a tale of “sex, money, intrigue, and Washington politics.”

By Eden Brown

The Connection

For anyone wondering where The Cu-rious Grape went after closing itsShirlington restaurant this past

March, Suzanne McGrath is still very muchengaged in the local wine and food com-munity, just without the restaurant. Hercareer interest has always been educatingpeople about wine, and she wanted to domore of that, and less of the nuts and boltsrestaurant business, which involved a 24/7work week leaving little time for other in-terests. She recently paired up with KatieGilman to offer custom wine tasting events,and the “pairing” appears promising.

On Dec. 7, Gilman and McGrath invitedlocals to sample their wine and holiday foodpairings at the Dominion Hills shoppingcenter location of Taste by Katie at 6017Wilson Boulevard. Gilman made stuffedmushroom caps, spiced nuts, and richchocolate ganache mini-cakes, and McGrathpaired them with a 2013 Planet Oregon Pi-not Noir and a non-vintage Jip Jip Austra-lian sparkling Shiraz, which is traditionallyquaffed by the Aussies on Christmas morn-ing, but it goes with dessert too. It’s the kindof surprise McGrath enjoys springing on herclients, and her expression of delight whena skeptic tried it and then wanted a case ofit, is what makes this new venture exciting.

Taste by Katie and McGrath are gearingup for the holidays with a five-course WineTasting Dinner offered through Dec. 31.McGrath also offers private wine tastingevents with pairings of food by Gilman.

To order either the five-course dinner, orthe private tasting, or to pick up holidayfood gifts of biscotti and holiday breads,contact Gilman at [email protected] McGrath at [email protected]. Or-ders should be placed one week in advance.

Eat, Drink, and Be MerrySuzanne McGrath pairs with Taste By Katie.

Photo by Eden Brown/The Connection

Suzanne McGrath, who ran TheCurious Grape in Alexandria, isnow collaborating with KatieGilman at Taste by Katie. She andGilman offered a wine tasting andfood pairing event in anticipationof the holidays, on Dec. 7, atGilman’s Dominion Hills Shop.

Arlington Connection ❖ December 16-22, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Vernon Miles

The Connection

For the Arlington County Board, 2015ended on a high note. With construc-tion scheduled to begin in 2017, the

current Arlington Presbyterian Church willsoon be transformed into Gilliam Place, ahome for 173 families at various levels ofaffordable housing needs. At the Dec. 12board meeting, Gilliam Place was unani-mously approved. It’s an early Christmaspresent; from the Arlington Partnership forAffordable Housing and the Arlington Pres-byterian Church, to a county with more than500 households currently on its affordablehousing waitlist.

The project is anticipated to cost $68 mil-lion, including land acquisition. The prop-erty was purchased from the Arlington Pres-byterian Church for $8.5 million at a 20percent, or $2 million, discount off of theappraised value. However, the county willonly be asked to provide $18 million inloans to the APAH. Two thirds of the otherfunding comes from state and federalsources. APAH is currently requesting $29million in funding from Federal Low IncomeHousing Tax Credits.

The proposal did have some detractors.Some citizens criticized the county for con-centrating its affordable housing develop-

ment in South Arlington.“Schools in South Arlington already have

the highest levels of students receiving freeor reduced price lunches,” said ElizabethOdar. “If you approve this project, you showthat you also approve of the continuedsocio-economic segregation of our countyand our schools.”

John Reeder representing the ArlingtonGreens opposed Gilliam Place, saying thatthe County Board should instead use the$18 million for rental vouchers to be spreadacross the county.

Odar and Reeder’s criticisms of the plancarried some merit to County Board mem-ber John Vihstadt, who said the CountyBoard needed to look more into spreadingout the concentration of affordable hous-ing throughout the area. County Boardmember Walter Tejada agreed, but arguedthat this objective shouldn’t count againstthe current opportunity.

The majority of the feedback from theaudience was approval. Holly Bray, chair ofthe Housing Commission, said the projecthad been unanimously approved at its meet-ing.

“This is a very creative use of this site andin that neighborhood,” said Bray, who saidthe commission was particularly pleasedthat the affordability was spread out at dif-ferent economic levels. Five percent of the

units are at 40 percent of area median in-come, 19 percent of the units at 50 percentarea median income, and the remainder ofthe units are at 60 percent of area medianincome.

Chris Fornash, chair of the Planning Com-mission, reported that they had also unani-mously approved the project, but recom-mended that the board look into a longrange, 10-year view of architecture alongColumbia Pike.

For many of the Arlington residents, theapproval of Gilliam Place was deeply per-sonal. Miles Townes, who lives nearby, saidhe’s seen his neighbors squeezed out overthe years by increases in property rates andrents. Townes joined Arlington PresbyterianChurch after he heard about the work theywere doing in helping to transition the prop-erty into an affordable housing neighbor-hood.

“We’ve watched a great number of luxury,high rise condominiums going up in thearea,” said Townes. “The need for afford-able housing is growing on [ColumbiaPike].”

Elizabeth Garcia, who moved to Arling-ton from El Salvador in 1980, said she’dseen a similar push over the years.

“We are doing OK, but many of our neigh-bors are not,” said Garcia. “We love Arling-ton, and we want our daughter to be ableto live here once she graduates school.”

Viviana Novillo, a local teacher, said she’sseen parents forced to change schools be-cause rents in Arlington became

unaffordable. It was a similar story repeatedover and over by the Arlington residentsadvocating for Gilliam Place.

The Rev. Tara McCabe, a minister at theArlington Presbyterian Church, said that shehad celebrated thanksgiving this year withlocal Mexican and Turkish families at heryoung son’s suggestion.

“We relished in the awkwardness of lan-guage and the joy of sharing our home,”said McCabe. “This happened because ofour economically diverse Arlington, letalone racially and ethnic diversity. I’m aBarcroft parent, PTA president, Presbyterianminister and a leader in V.O.I.C.E. and MiVoz Cuenta, and I am proud to live in thiscommunity because this is how I was raised.We are complicated and beautiful, just likethe first Thanksgiving.”

Ultimately, the County Board agreed.“[We are] making a diverse place for a

set of people to have a higher quality of life,”said County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “Wedon’t get to say that every day. Thank you,to all of you in the room, who stuck to this.”

Board Approves 173-unit Affordable Housing ComplexSome residents questionsocio-economic segregation.

Photo Contributed

Concept design for Gilliam Place.

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‘Wreaths Across America’“Wreaths Across America” deliv-ered wreaths for each grave sitesat Arlington National Cemetery onSaturday, Dec. 12. Seewww.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Lt. Col. Elroy A Stout, an almost30-year member of the military,was one of the volunteers byplacing wreaths across the graves.He is a member of the U.S. CyberCommand Unit, stationed at FortMeade, Md.

Military and civilian volunteersopened up boxes delivered,distributed them to other volun-teers, broke down the boxes andswept up the debris from thewreaths.

A close-up of Walt Hunsicker’s clubjacket. He and his wife, Cynders, aretired Army veteran, are foundersof their own club located in Penn-sylvania. They are advocates forveterans’ awareness and said thiswas the largest turnout they hadseen in the multiple years attend-ing the annual event.

Arlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]


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Connection

By Amy Johnson, Jennifer Konish

and Nick Arent

The holiday season is one of our fa-vorite times of year because it’s allabout the best things in life. It’s atime for celebrating, bringing age-

old cultural traditions to life, and spendingtime with family and friends. It’s about beingthankful for all of the things we are fortunateenough to have in our lives and remindingpeople how much we love and appreciatethem. Oh and we suppose the delicious food

that accompanies all ofthese things makes themthat much more enjoyable!

During the holidays thereare still a number of people who are strugglingto make ends meet and many who don’t haveenough to eat, but luckily, it is also the seasonof giving. Around the country, the holidays in-spire hundreds of thousands of people to giveto the poor. Caring individuals get involved bydonating to hunger-relief organizations suchas the Capital Area Food Bank — the largestnon-profit serving the Washington metro area— serving at soup kitchens, and finding otherways to contribute to the improvement of ourcommunities. Especially when it comes to shar-ing food, we make sure that everyone hassomething to eat. The holiday spirit unites us,brings out the best in us, and motivates us tomake a real difference in the lives of others.

This year, let’s make it our New Year’s reso-lution to keep this level of engagement con-

tinuing into 2016 by tackling one of most tragicproblems facing our country — childhood hun-ger.

About 400,000 children here in Virginiaalone are at risk of going hungry and it’s a prob-lem we can’t afford to put off for another year.Despite all the pies, casseroles, hams and tur-keys that will be enjoyed over the next severalweeks, over 15.5 million kids across the coun-try are food insecure. According to No KidHungry “three out of four public school teach-ers say students regularly come to school hun-gry” — another alarming statistic. In a coun-try as prosperous as our own, it is absolutelyunacceptable that there are any children whodon’t know where they are going to get theirnext meal.

The bottom line is that when kids are hun-gry, they struggle to learn, and kids whostruggle to learn, struggle in life. With stom-achs growling, hungry children sit throughclass unable to focus and get the most out ofschool. Fatigue and weakness as the result ofpoor nutrition make it difficult for them to stayawake or participate in physical activities likerecess and PE. They are more likely to sufferfrom hyperactivity, miss school, and experienceother behavioral problems which creates anegative learning environment for all students— even their peers who are not food insecure.Perhaps the scariest thing about childhood foodinsecurity is the inability for a child to reachtheir full potential because of the dramaticdamage hunger does to their brain. Over time,hungry students fall behind their peers aca-demically and many of them never catch upmaking it far more difficult for them to findgood jobs and take care of their children oncethey grow up. The medical sector is beginningto reprioritize its resources to see healthy foodas the important intervention it is. For example,the American Academy of Pediatrics recently

recommended for the first time that pediatri-cians screen all children for food insecurity.

If we want to make sure every child gets afair shot in life, we need to make sure ourelected officials and decision-makers properlyfund and improve existing food assistance pro-grams such as free/reduced price school meals,SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) andWIC. Research shows that these programs helpstudents to perform better in school and in life— but they don’t go far enough. First LadyDorothy McAuliffe is an excellent example ofhow politicians from both sides of the aisleshould be making this issue a priority and con-tinuing to develop new solutions.

Congress is currently considering legislationto reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act and tomake changes to a number of food assistanceprograms. This legislation will influence fund-ing for programs like the Child and Adult CareFood Program and Summer Food Service Pro-gram which allows the Capital Area Food Bankand other organizations to provide nutritiousmeals to food insecure children when schoolis out of session. If you are as concerned aboutchildhood hunger as we are, you can contactyour elected officials and urge them to takeaction by calling the congressional switchboardat 202-225-3121.

We will start 2016 with one in six kids acrossVirginia waking up at risk of going hungrythroughout the year. With your help — bymaking ending childhood hunger your NewYear’s resolution and taking action on this is-sue throughout the year — we can work to-ward a future where we wake up on New Year’sDay to a country where every child’s basicneeds are met so that they all have a fair op-portunity to be successful in life.

Season of Giving Never Has To EndWhy ending childhoodhunger should be yourNew Year’s resolution.

Amy Johnson and Jennifer Konish are the NOVA KidsCafe Coordinators with the Capital Area Food Bank. NickArent is a Campaign Organizer with Virginia Fair Share.

Commentary

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Rabbi Mordechai Newman has filledthe Menorah with oil as he beginsthe celebration of the Jewish holidayChanukah. Tradition says more than21 centuries ago the wicks of theMenorah burned for eight days eventhough there was only enough oliveoil for one day to rededicate theTemple. This event was a project ofChabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington.

Lighting of the Menorah“Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay.” Children balanced ontheir ice skates sing traditional Jewish songs at Chanukah on Ice held atthe Pentagon Row Ice Skating rink in Arlington on Dec. 8. This annualevent included family ice skating, hot dogs and latkes with applesauce,as well as lighting of the traditional Menorah.


News

Senior centers will be closedChristmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25: Lee,5722 Lee Hwy.; Langston-Brown SeniorCenter, 2121 N. Culpeper St.; CulpepperGarden, 4435 N. Pershing Dr.; WalterReed, 2909 S. 16th St.; Arlington Mill,909 S. Dinwiddie St.; Aurora Hills, 735S. 18th St.

Ballroom dance lesson, Monday,Dec. 21, 6:45 p.m., Walter Reed. Free.Register, 703-228-0955.

Current events discussion, Mon-day, Dec. 21, 10 a.m., CulpepperGarden. Free. Register, 70—228-4403.

Ways to capture your personalstory, Monday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m., Lee.Free. Register, 703-228-0955.

Pickleball games and instruc-tion, Mondays, 11 a.m., Arlington Mill.Free. Register, 703-228-7369.

Ice skating, Mondays, 8a.m. – 9:10a.m., Kettler Capitals Iceplex, BallstonMall, $1. Register, 703-228-4745.

Madison Chess Club, Mondays,9:30 a.m. Games and strategies. Free.Details, 703-534-6232.

Table tennis, Monday through Fri-day, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Arlington Mill.

Free. Register, 703-228-7369.Volleyball, Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.,

Langston-Brown. Free. Register, 703-228-6300.

Belly dance class, Tuesdays andFridays, 10 a.m., Lee. Free. Register,703-228-0555.

Beginners full fitness exercise,Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Lee. $60/15 sessionsor $4 per class. Details, 703-228-0555.

Arlington Mill Trekkers, Tues-days, 9:30 a.m. Free. Register,703-228-7369.

Table tennis, Tuesdays,10 a.m., -12p.m., Walter Reed. Free. Register, 703-228-0955.

Poker games, Tuesdays and Thurs-days, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Lee. Register,703-228-0555.

Duplicate bridge, ACBL sanc-tioned, Wednesdays, 10 a.m., AuroraHills. $5. Register, 703-228-5722.

Lee Woodcarvers share woodcarv-ing tips, Thursdays, 1 p.m. Free. Details,703-228-0555.

Scrabble games, Thursdays, 1p.m., Culpepper Garden. Free. Details,703-228-4403.

“Flourishing After 55”

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What Month Is This?Temperatures seemed more like June on Sundayafternoon, Dec. 13, at Potomac Regional OverlookPark. Parents sat on picnic benches chatting astheir children climbed the playground pegs, playedhide and seek and ran around the park, some intheir summer shorts and T-shirts.

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 11

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

THROUGH JAN. 1Holiday SoberRide. 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington

Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP),the annual Holiday SoberRideprogram will provide free cab ridesup to $30. Call 1-800-200-TAXI.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 16WMATA Forum. 7-9 p.m. at Wakefield

High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St.


Email announcements to arlington@connection newspapers.com. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGTruman Capote: “Holiday

Memories.” Through Dec. 20, 7:30p.m. or 2 p.m. at Theatre on the Run,3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive. Basedon short stories by Truman Capotethis show features Capote as a boyabandoned by his family inDepression-era Alabama. Tickets are$10-35. Visit www.wscavantbard.orgfor more.

Fall SOLOS 2015. Through Dec. 20,gallery hours at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Artistsfeatured in the exhibit: Katie Duffy,Rachel Guardioloa, Dean Kessman,Sonya Lawyer, Nara Park, AustinShull, and Benjamin Zellmer Bellas.Free. Visitwww.arlingtonartscenter.org formore.

“Wired.”Through Dec. 20, galleryhours at Arlington Arts Center, 3550Wilson Blvd. Artist Michele Colburnpresents a solo exhibition exploringthe impact of war and violence onculture. This is reflected in the use ofgunpowder, trip wire, and military-themed fabric. Free. Visitwww.arlingtonartscenter.org formore.

“Cause and Effect.” Through Dec.20, gallery hours at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. ArtistsRobert Allen, Kathleen Ramich, andDave Seiler explore war and violenceas a complement to MicheleColburn’s “Wired.” Free. Visitwww.arlingtonartscenter.org formore.

“Adopt, Don’t Shop.” Through Dec.23, at the Animal Welfare League ofArlington (AWLA), 2650 S. ArlingtonMill Drive. AWLA will be offeringspecial incentives for adopters. Visitwww.awla.org for more.

Santa Photo Experience. Varioustimes at Fashion Center at PentagonCity, 11 S. Hayes St. Families areinvited to have a picture taken with

Santa. Free. Appointments availablefor $10, photo packages start at$29.99. Visit www.simon.com.

Wordless Shakespeare: “As YouLike It.” Through Jan. 17, Varioustimes at Synetic Theater, 1800 S. BellSt. Synetic Theater presents acompletely physical interpretation of“As You Like It.” Tickets start at $35for adults, student tickets are $15.Visit www.synetictheater.org formore.

“West Side Story.” Through Jan. 24,various times at Signature Theatre,4200 Campbell Ave. For SignatureTheatre’s adaptation of classicmusical “West Side Story,” noaudience member will be furtherthan 20 feet from the stage. Ticketsstart at $40. Visit www.sigtheatre.orgfor more.

Christmas With Nova Y. Paytonand Friends. Through Jan. 24,various times at Signature Theatre,4200 Campbell Ave. Star of“Dreamgirls” and “Hairspray” singssome of her favorite holiday tunesTickets are $35. Visitwww.sigtheatre.org for more.

“The Civil War Grand Review.”Through Feb. 1, Monday-Thursday10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday1-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5p.m. at Cherrydale Branch Library,2190 Military Road. View “The CivilWar Grand Review: Photos of theSesquicentennial ReenactmentParade.” Free. Call 703-228-6330.

Sci-Fi Book Club. Third Wednesday ofeach month, 7-8:30 p.m. at JavaShack, 2507 N. Franklin Road. Free.Visit www.library.arlingtonva.us.

Arlington’s Historical MuseumOpen on First Wednesdays. TheArlington Historical Museum is opento the public on the first Wednesdayof every month from 12:30-3:30 p.m.The museum consists of exhibitschronicling Arlington County’shistory from Native Americansettlements up to the present day.The museum will continue to be openon Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4p.m. Admission is free. The museumis located in the former 1891 HumeSchool building at 1805 S. ArlingtonRidge Road. Contact Garrett Peck at571-243-1113 or [email protected].

LGBT & Straight Friends Social.Tuesdays. Happy Hour, 3 p.m.-7p.m.; Mikey’s “Bar A” Video Wall, 7p.m.; start time at 8 p.m. IOTA Club& Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd. For 21years and older. Free. Visitwww.iotaclubandcafe.com for moreinformation.

Open Mic Comedy. Wednesdays 8-10p.m. at Ri Ra Irish Pub, 2915 WilsonBlvd. Doors open at 7 p.m. Age 21and up only. Free show, $25 cashprize for best joke. Call 703-248-9888 or visit www.RiRa.com/Arlington for more.

Food Truck Thursdays. 5:30-8:30p.m. at the corner of North IrvingStreet, and Washington Boulevard.Find a round-up of regional foodtrucks. Free to attend. Visitwww.dmvfta.org.

Invasive Plants Removal. Workparties are held every month to keepthe parks free of destructive invasiveplants. Teens, adults and familieswelcome. Every second Sunday of themonth 2-4:30 p.m. at Gulf BranchNature Center, 3608 Military Road;call 703-228-3403. Every thirdSunday of the month 2-5 p.m. atLong Branch Nature Center, 625 S.Carlin Springs Road; call 703-228-6535 or visitregistration.arlingtonva.us. Free, noregistration required.

Poetry Series. 6-8 p.m. second Sundayof the month at IOTA Club & Cafe,2832 Wilson Blvd. Hosted by poetMiles David Moore. Featured artistsshare their poetry followed by openreadings. Free. Visitwww.iotaclubandcafe.com or call703-522-8340.

Open Mic Nite. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.every Wednesday at IOTA Club &Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd. Sign-uptimes are 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.Bring instruments, fans and friends.Visit www.iotaclubandcafe.com orcall 703-522-8340.

Karaoke. 8 p.m. on the first Sundayevery month at Galaxy Hut, 2711Wilson Blvd. Visitwww.galaxyhut.com or call 703-525-8646.

Pub Quiz. 8 p.m. every Sunday atWhitlow’s on Wilson, 2854 WilsonBlvd. Prizes for first place. Free. Visitwww.whitlows.com or call 703-276-9693.

Storytime. Mondays and Fridays,10:30-11 a.m. at Kinder Haus Toys,1220 N. Fillmore St. Storytime withMs. Laura. Call 703-527-5929.

Lego Club. Monthly on the firstWednesday. 4-5 p.m. GlencarlynBranch Library, 300 S. Kensington St.The library provides tubs of legos anda special challenge and after theprogram the creations are displayedfor everyone to see. No registrationrequired. Call 703-228-6548 formore.

Ball-Sellers House Tours. Saturdays,April-Oct.,1-4 p.m. at The Ball-SellersHouse, 5620 3rd St. S. This yearmarks the 40th anniversary of theArlington Historical Society receivingthe house from Marian Sellers in1975 for $1. Free. Visitwww.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Crystal City Sparket. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.on Wednesdays at 1900 CrystalDrive. Sparket — A Creative Marketis an extension of DC’s EasternMarket with arts, crafts, andhandmade goods. Free to attend.Visit www.crystalcity.org.

Open Mic Night. Wednesdays, at 8p.m., sign ups are at 7:30 and 10p.m., at Iota Club & Café, 2832Wilson Blvd. Free. Visit http://www.iotaclubandcafe.com/.

Art for Life. Third Thursday of eachmonth. The Hyatt Regency CrystalCity’s “Art for Life” Partnership withNational Kidney Foundation brings anew artist each month to The Hyattfor a reception. Free. Visitwww.torpedofactory.org.

Brunch at Freddie’s. Third Saturdayof every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. atFreddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. TheArlington Gay and Lesbian Alliancegathers for an all-you-can-eatbreakfast buffet ($9.99). All arewelcome. No reservation is required.Visit www.facebook.com/events/700174390103305.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 16Holiday Sing-Along. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

at Culpepper Garden Senior Center,4435 N. Pershing Drive. Adults 55+are invited to sing along to holidayfavorites. Free. Visitparks.arlingtonva.us for more.

Youth Services Holiday OpenHouse. 4-6 p.m. at Arlington

Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St.Listen to holiday stories, and makecrafts. Free. Call 703-228-5946 formore.

Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus. 6-7 p.m. outside of the ClarendonMetro Station, 3100 Clarendon Blvd.The Arlingtones, founded in 1957, isa non-profit singing group dedicatedto preserving and performingbarbershop music. Free. Visitwww.arlingtones.com for more.

Holiday Trivia Challenge. 6:30-8:30p.m. at Arlington Mill CommunityCenter & Senior Center, 909 S.Dinwiddie St. Older adults (55+) areinvited to test their holidayknowledge. Free. Visitparks.arlingtonva.us for more.

THURSDAY/DEC. 17A-SPAN Client Holiday Party. 10

a.m. at St. Borromeo CatholicChurch, 3304 Washington Blvd.Arlington Street People’s AssistanceNetwork seeks volunteers for a ClientHoliday Party to serve the holidaymeal, distribute the gifts andotherwise assist at the function. Visitwww.a-span.org for more.

Workshop: How to Preserve YourFamily’s Story. 2-3 p.m. atArlington Mill Community & SeniorCenter, 909 S. Dinwiddie St.Arlington resident Judith Sancheztells her story of coming to Americafrom Colombia. Learn how topreserve your own family’s historyusing the StoryCorp app. Free. Call703-228-5977 for more.

FRIDAY/DEC. 18Art Institute Design, Media Arts,

and Fashion Showcase. 12-1p.m. at Renaissance Arlington CapitalView Hotel, 2800 S. Potomac Ave.Students will display and discusstheir work. Free. Visitwww.aiportfolioshow.com/Arlington.

“An Astronomer Looks for theChristmas Star.” 6:30 p.m. atArlington Planetarium, 1426 N.Quincy St. Using the Planetarium’sprojector, guests will see the skies ofBethlehem and Judea at thetraditional time of the birth of Christ.Explore the possibilities and vote for

Entertainment

Jane Franklin Dance Presents ‘Mouse in the House’“Mouse in the House” is an adaptation of Elizabeth Spires’ “The Mouse of Amherst,” a fictional children’s tale revealing a friend-

ship between a mouse and reclusive 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. Jane Franklin Dance will perform “Mouse in the House” onJan. 16, 23, and 30 at 3 p.m. at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive. Tickets are $10-15. Visit www.janefranklin.com.

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the explanation that seems mostprobable. The digital show will befollowed by Q&A with Dr. AliceMonet, President of the Friends ofthe Planetarium. Tickets are $4-6plus a service charge. Visitwww.friendsoftheplanetarium.org formore.

“Season of Light.” 7:30 p.m. atArlington Planetarium, 1426 N.Quincy St. This multiculturalpresentation traces the history anddevelopment of many of the world’sholiday customs involving lighting upthe night sky. Tickets are $4-6 andare only available at the door. Visitwww.friendsoftheplanetarium.org formore.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC 18-19Second City: Holidazed &

Confused. 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.on Friday; 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 10p.m. on Saturday at ArlingtonCinema & Drafthouse, 2903Columbia Pike. Sketch and improvcomedy ensemble the Second Citywill perform a Holiday Revue. Ticketsare $30. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com formore.

SATURDAY/DEC. 19Breakfast With Santa and Holiday

Food Drive. 8-11 a.m. at TheVillage at Shirlington, 2700 S.Quincy St. Make a donation of non-perishable food items and enjoybreakfast with Santa. Free. Call 703-820-0440 and ask for Mallori orselect option 2 for the SalesDepartment to make yourreservation.

Book Signing: Steven R. Hemler.10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Joyful Spirit GiftsCatholic Store, 3315 Lee HIghway.Steven R. Hemler, author of “TheReality of God” and President of theCatholic Apologetics Institute ofNorth America (CAINA), will bedoing book signings. Free. Visitwww.joyfulspiritgifts.com, or call703-294-4142 for more.

Candy Cane Crawl. 1-9 p.m. at 3100Wilson Blvd. Attend a holiday-themed bar crawl. Tickets are $20 inadvance, $30 at the door. Visitwww.candycanecrawl.com for more.

Christmas Ale Beer Tasting. 7-10p.m. at Heavy Seas Alehouse, 1501Wilson Blvd. This tasting will feature10 Christmas ales and winter beers.Tickets are $40. Visitwww.heavyseasalehouse.com/arlington/events for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 20“An Astronomer Looks for the

Christmas Star.” 1:30 p.m. atArlington Planetarium, 1426 N.Quincy St. Using the Planetarium’sprojector, guests will see the skies ofBethlehem and Judea at the

traditional time of the birth of Christ.Explore the possibilities and vote forthe explanation that seems mostprobable. The digital show will befollowed by Q&A with Dr. AliceMonet, President of the Friends ofthe Planetarium. Tickets are $4-6plus a service charge. Visitwww.friendsoftheplanetarium.org formore.

“Season of Light.” 3 p.m. atArlington Planetarium, 1426 N.Quincy St. This multiculturalpresentation traces the history anddevelopment of many of the world’sholiday customs involving lighting upthe night sky. Tickets are $4-6 andare only available at the door. Visitwww.friendsoftheplanetarium.org formore.

Yule Log and Carol Sing. 5 p.m. atWalker Chapel United MethodistChurch, 4102 N. Glebe Road. Singcarols with the Walker Chapelcommunity. Refreshments to follow.Free. Call 703-538-5200 or visitwww.walkerchapel.org for more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 26-27Second City: Holidazed &

Confused. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. onSaturday; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. onSunday at Arlington Cinema &Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike.Sketch and improv comedy ensemblethe Second City will perform aHoliday Revue. Tickets are $30. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com formore.

SUNDAY-TUESDAY/DEC. 27-29Virginia Ballet Company: “The

Nutcracker.” 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. atNorthern Virginia CommunityCollege Annandale Campus in theErnst Community Cultural CenterTheater, 8333 Little River Turnpike,Annandale. Virginia Ballet Companyand School with present its 66thseason of “The Nutcracker.” Ticketsare $30 for adults, $20 for children,plus $3 service fee. Visitwww.vaballet.org for more.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 30Holiday Jeopardy. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at

Culpepper Garden Senior Center,4435 N. Pershing Drive. Test yourskills in this interactive holidayversion of Senior Jeopardy. Free.Visit parks.arlingtonva.us for more.

THURSDAY/DEC. 31New Year’s Eve at Twisted Vines. 7

p.m.-2 a.m. at Twisted Vines Bistro &Bottleshop, 2803 Columbia Pike.Enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu,dancing, and more. Tickets are &75.Visit www.twisted-vines.com formore.

New Year’s Eve at the Drafthouse.7:30 p.m. at Arlington Cinema &

Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike.Watch New Year’s Eve celebrationfrom around the world on theDrafthouse theater screens. Ticketsare $15. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com formore.

New Years’ Eve Bond Ball. 8 p.m.-2a.m. at Westin Arlington Gateway,801 N. Glebe Road. Find signaturecocktails, champagne, and more. AVIP ticket buys a three-course meal.Tickets are $199-219 plus service fee.Visit www.newyearsevedmv.com formore.

New Years’ Eve Casino Night. 8p.m.-3 a.m. at Hyatt Regency Hotel,2799 Jefferson Davis HIghway. Findcasino games, show girls, karaoke,burlesque, and more. Tickets are$60-$150. Visitwww.eventbrite.com/o/social-architects-terry-frasier-1124509851

New Years’ Eve MADsqueradeBall. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Mad RoseTavern, 3100 Clarendon Blvd.Celebrate the New Year with food,drinks, and a live showing of the BallDrop in Times Square. Tickets start at$35. Visit www.madrosetavern.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JAN 1-2Piff The Magic Dragon. 7:30 p.m.

and 10 p.m. on Friday; 7 and 10 p.m.on Saturday at Arlington Cinema &Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike. Piffthe Magic Dragon is a dragoncostume-wearing comedian whoperforms magic tricks. Tickets are$20. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com.

THURSDAY/JAN. 7Fireships. 8:30 p.m. at IOTA Club &

Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd. Fireships, acollaboration between HoneyBrothers and Andrew Vladeck, willlaunch their tour. Tickets are $10.VIsit www.iotaclubandcafe.com.

FRIDAY/JAN. 8Stand-Up Comedy: Pete Davidson.

7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at ArlingtonCinema & Drafthouse, 2903Columbia Pike. Pete Davidson is aSaturday Night Live cast member.Tickets are $30. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com formore.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JAN. 8-10“Snow White.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday,

11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and3 p.m. on Sunday at ThomasJefferson Community Theatre, 125 S.Old Glebe Road. Encore Stage &Studio presents the classic tale of aprincess who is banished by her evil,jealous stepmother. Tickets are $10or children, student, military andseniors, and $15 for everyone else.Visit www.encorestageva.org.

JAN. 8-FEB. 7“Georgie: The Life and Death of

George Rose.” Various times atSignature Theatre, 4200 CampbellAve. In a limited engagement,Signature Theatre will host the worldpremiere of “Georgie: The Life andDeath of George Rose,” a one-manplay written and performed by EdDixon detailing Dixon’s relationshipwith friend and mentor George Rose,a Broadway character actor. Ticketsare $25-45. Visit www.sigtheatre.org.

SATURDAY/JAN. 9Stand-Up Comedy: Pete Davidson.

7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at ArlingtonCinema & Drafthouse, 2903Columbia Pike. Pete Davidson is aSaturday Night Live cast member.Tickets are $30. Visitwww.arlingtondrafthouse.com.

SUNDAY/JAN. 10Arlington Philharmonic: “Ritmos

Festivos.” 3 p.m. at Wakefield HighSchool, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St. TheArlington Philharmonic continues its10th Anniversary Season with “RitmosFestivos” featuring Spanishinfluences on classical music from theOld World to the New. The repertoireincludes Borne’s “Carmen Fantasy,” aflute solo, by Aaron Goldman, basedon Bizet’s themes, directly fromSpanish folk influence. NorthAmerica will be represented byGershwin’s “Cuban Overture” andMoncayo’s Mexican dance(Huapango). Admission is free, $20suggested donation. Visitwww.arlingtonphilharmonic.org.

MONDAY/JAN. 11Meditation Made Easy. 7-9 p.m. at

Teal Center, 4001 N. 9th St., Suite230. Learn techniques for an effectivemeditation practice. The fee is $40.Visit www.lightyourfiremeditation.com for more.

TUESDAY/JAN. 12Sip & Sample. 6-8 p.m. at Bistro 360,

1800 Wilson Blvd. This reception willbenefit Bowen McCauley Dancecompany. Tickets are $50.Visitwww.bmdc.org for more.

THURSDAY/JAN. 14“How the C&O Canal and W&OD

Railroad Shaped Arlington.” 7p.m. at Marymount University–Reinsch Library auditorium, 2807 N.Glebe Road. Leader of C&O CanalTrust and the Northern VirginiaRegional Park Authority, MichaelNardolilli will discuss the connectionsbetween the towpath, trail, and thehistory of Arlington County. Free.Call 703-942-9247 for more.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JAN. 15-17“Snow White.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday,

11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and3 p.m. on Sunday at ThomasJefferson Community Theatre, 125 S.Old Glebe Road. Encore Stage &Studio presents the classic tale of aprincess who is banished by her evil,jealous stepmother. Tickets are $10or children, student, military andseniors, and $15 for everyone else.Visit www.encorestageva.org.

SATURDAY/JAN. 16“Mouse in the House.” 3 p.m. at

Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Dancegives a performance of an adaptationof the book by Elizabeth Spires,“Mouse in House,” which reveals afriendship between a mouse andreclusive 19th-century poet EmilyDickinson. Tickets are $10-15. Visitwww.janefranklin.com.

“Niche.” 7:30 p.m. at Theatre on theRun, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive.“Niche” follows an unremarkablecouple with a new house, big careers,and odd neighbors. 2-D cut-outsprojected via ‘old school’ technologysupply visuals. Tickets are $15 inadvance, $20 at the door. Visitwww.janefranklin.com.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 20Pet Therapy. 10:15-11 a.m. at Walter

Reed Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th St.The public is invited to meet Zoe, atherapy Yorkshire Terrier. Free. Call703-608-8314 for more.

THURSDAY/JAN. 21Forty+ Performance. 10:30 a.m. at

Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Forty+ is a group ofperformers past the age of 40 thatstudy with a local choreographer atJane Franklin Dance studios. Ticketsare $5. Visit www.janefranklin.com.

FRIDAY/JAN. 22The Accidentals & Kevin Heider. 7

p.m. at FORUM Arlington, 3304Washington Blvd. Live music. Ticketsare $10-15. Visitwww.arlingtonforum.org for more.

SATURDAY/JAN. 23“Mouse in the House.” 3 p.m. at

Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Dancegives a performance of an adaptationof the book by Elizabeth Spires,“Mouse in House,” which reveals afriendship between a mouse andreclusive 19th-century poet EmilyDickinson. Tickets are $10-15. Visitwww.janefranklin.com.

Entertainment


Sports

Arlington Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Thursdayat noon. Photos are welcome.

Phuc Truong has been inducted into the Al-pha Lambda Delta national honor society.Truon with also perform in the annual CollegeChoir Concert. Truong is a sophomore atMcDaniel College (Westminster, Md.).

Erik Wagner, the son of Karl T. Wagner ofArlington, has been named to Randolph-Macon

Academy’s (Front Royal, Va.) dean’s list for thefirst quarter of the 2015-16 school year.

Stevenson University (Owings Mills, Md.)men’s cross country runner Adam Michalakhelped his team place first at the ShannonHenretty Twilight Memorial Meet.

Lillian Goldstein has been inducted intothe The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Vir-ginia Commonwealth University (Richmond,Va.)

School Notes

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

The Yorktown Patriots were argu-ably one of the top three gym-nastics teams in the 6A Northregion last year, but fell victim

to the tremendous competitiveness of Con-ference 6.

Yorktown placed third behind McLeanand Washington-Lee at the 2015 Conference6 meet despite a score (141) that wouldhave resulted in a first-place finish in otherconferences. With only the top two teamsearning a regional berth, Yorktown had tosettle for individual representation at the6A North meet. Meanwhile, McLean, whichwon its fourth consecutive conference/dis-

trict championships, went on to win regionand state titles. W-L placed third at the re-gion meet, snapping its streak of three con-secutive championships.

Ten months later, Yorktown is considereda contender for the 2015-16 season. Withthe return of talented juniorsJuliette Mitrovich and Oliva Zavrel,and the addition of freshman JuliaHays, the Patriots have their sightsset on a regional berth and poten-tially a trip to the state meet.

“They’re hopeful, but we’re tryingnot to get ahead of ourselves, be-cause we’ve been hopeful beforeand have fallen a little short,”Yorktown head coach Joanne Pricesaid. “We are trying to just take itone practice at a time, one meet at a time.We don’t talk a lot about where we’re go-ing to end up in the conference or in theregion, we talk more about where we wantto end up individually and as a team score.

“… We keep hearing that from othercoaches … that we’re the ones to watch,

but … it’s scary to go in with that mindset.”On Monday night, Yorktown won a five-

team meet at Langley High School. ThePatriots finished with a score of 136.925,followed by Washington-Lee (129.175),South Lakes (120.325), Langley (109.4)

and Madison (100.25).Yorktown produced the top three finish-

ers in the all-around competition: Hays(35.025), Mitrovich (34.825) and Zavrel(33.825).

Mitrovich, a level 9 club gymnast at Ar-lington Aerials, has focused on adapting herroutines to meet high school gymnasticsrequirements in order to improve her scores.Mitrovich was all-state on beam and barsas a sophomore.

“Juliette has gotten really confident andshe is really willing to do the high schoolrequirements versus her club require-ments,” Price said. “… The first year or twoshe was a little apprehensive about chang-ing stuff around or going for it. She’s gother head in the game and she’s willing togo for it to make sure she gets the 10-star

value.”Zavrel, a level 8 gymnast at Arlington

Aerials, also competed at last year’s statemeet.

“Olivia has gotten really strong as far asher dance on floor,” Price said. “She has

become very consistent on beamand bars, as well. She’s s a solidcompetitor.”

Zavrel stands 5 feet 10, which isconsidered tall for a gymnast.

“Most events it’s actually not thatbad, except for bars,” Zavrel said.“I have my own … height settingsand I have to be very careful abouttouching the ground sometimes.”

The addition of Hays, a level 9club gymnast, helps fill the void cre-

ated by the departure of sophomore BellaKane, a 2015 state qualifier in the all-around, who decided to focus on club gym-nastics rather than compete for Yorktown.

Price said freshman Courtney Frisk andsophomore Marisa Daugherty are also ex-pected to be key contributors.

Yorktown will compete at a meet atOakton High School on Jan. 9. The Confer-ence 6 meet is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 5at Washington-Lee High School and the 6ANorth region meet is scheduled for Satur-day, Feb. 13 at Patriot High School.

“I don’t want to get too ahead of ourselvesbecause anything can happen — someonecould have a really good day and we couldhave a terrible day,” Mitrovich said, “but Ithink this is a good year for us and we cango really far.”

Yorktown junior Juliette Mitrovich was all-stateon bars and beam last year.

Olivia Zavrel and the Yorktown gymnasticsteam won a five-team meet on Monday night atLangley High School.

Yorktown freshman Julia Hays won the all-around competition at Monday’s meet atLangley High School.

Yorktown Gymnastics Has Talent, High HopesPatriots winfive-team meet atLangley Monday.

“They’re hopeful, but we’re tryingnot to get ahead of ourselves,because we’ve been hopeful beforeand have fallen a little short.”

— Yorktown gymnastics coach Joanne Price

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DECEMBER12/30/2015................................................Children’s ConnectionJANUARY1/6/2016...................................Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions1/13/2016...............................................................HomeLifeStyleMartin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 181/20/2016...................................................A+ Camps & Schools1/27/2016........................................................Community Guide1/27/2016..................Winter Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment;

Valentine’s Preview

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Matthew Mamalian’s holiday shoppinglist included some items that mightseem atypical for a 12-year-oldmiddle school student: shampoo,

socks, soap and a few snacks. He, along with severalfriends from his Sunday school class, packed theitems in shoeboxes wrapped with holiday paper andtucked a handwritten note of encouragement insideeach box.

“We were all laughing and having fun packingthem,” he said. “We also learned that there are peoplewho really need these things because they don’t havea lot else.”

The project was part of Interfaith Works’ holidaygiving program, an effort by the local nonprofit or-ganization to meet the needs of the homeless. Theholiday season can be a time for children to learnthe principals of benevolence, say child developmentexperts. Involving childrenin charitable activities, mod-eling altruistic behavior andmaking a link between com-passion and a higher powerare all effective ways parentscan teach their children thevalue of giving to the lessfortunate.

“Children need to haveempathy modeled for themand they need a script to fol-low or ideas for carrying outcharitable acts,” said Chris-tine Pegorraro Schull, Ph.D.,professor of Early ChildhoodEducation at Northern Vir-ginia Community College in Alexandria. “Childrenaspire to be kind and to be good citizens, but theydon’t necessarily know how to do these things,”

Involving Matthew and his siblings in philanthropicefforts through Potomac Presbyterian Church is oneof the ways that their mother, Cyndy Mamalian,makes a connection between gratitude, charity anda higher power. “I think it’s important for them tothink beyond themselves and live out their faith,”she said. “You need to put your faith into action, andthat is about caring for other people.”

Janet Dunlop, Matthew’s Sunday school teacherand a member of the Mission Committee at PotomacPresbyterian Church, melds volunteer projects withclass discussions to teach her students about grati-tude and charity. This holiday season, as the middle-school aged children clipped wrapping paper and tiedribbons around shoeboxes filled with deodorant,toothpaste, snacks and other essentials for the home-less, she gave them a description of those who areon the receiving end of their project.

“Many young people growing up in Potomac don’thave much experience with homelessness,” saidDunlop. “When my husband and I arrive at the shel-ter with these boxes, the people there are so happyto receive them. So, this is also about helping thechildren see another aspect of life and trying to in-

still in them a life-long ideal of service.”Charitable giving for adults often means donating

old clothes at the end of the tax year or writing acheck to a nonprofit organization. However, childrenmight find it difficult to understand how these ab-stract actions make a difference. That’s why psycholo-gists and educators recommend giving children first-hand experience in caring for others.

Jenny Trope, Ph.D. and her children raised moneyto purchase grocery store gift cards that they are dis-tributing to homeless men and women they encoun-ter this winter. “It gives the kids a glimpse of whatit’s like to be alone, hungry and stuck outside whenit’s cold,” said Trope, who is also a marriage and fam-ily therapist based in Arlington.

Such hands-on projects,coupled with a conversationabout why it’s important to takeaction to aid people in need ofa helping hand, could drivehome the message. “Childrenaspire to be kind and to be goodcitizens, but they don’t neces-sarily know how to do thesethings,” said Schull.

A study by the United NationsFoundation and the Women’sPhilanthropy Institute at Indi-ana University-Purdue Univer-sity Indianapolis found thattalking to children about giving

is highly effective for encouraging philanthropy, andincreases a child’s inclination to give by 20 percent.

“Conversations are critical. Talking about givingin combination with modeling is what actually in-creases children’s giving,” said Debra J. Mesch, Ph.D.,director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. “We… know that these conversations need to be focusedon why and how giving … makes an impact on indi-viduals in need, rather than simply talk that is moregeneral, such as giving is the right thing to do.”

The dialogue can include concrete examples of howa charitable action will benefit others, say mentalhealth experts. “Around the holidays when you’restruggling to survive, when you’ve lost everythingand every decision you make is about meeting yourabsolute, basic needs, like how you’re going to takea shower, it’s a nice surprise to get a wrapped box ofsoaps, toothpaste, socks, snacks and a personal note,”said Nikki Stanaitis, LCSW-C of Interfaith Works. “Itmakes a person feel human and gives them the senseof normalcy that we all want.”

Acts of charity displayed year-round can lead tolife-long habits of philanthropy. “Don’t reserve do-nating and volunteering for the holidays. By makingit a way of life, you’re sharing your value systemabout giving and helping others with your children,”said Trope.

Conversations, modelingbehavior and hands-onactions can help teachchildren about giving.

Lessons in Charitable Giving

“Children need to haveempathy modeled forthem and they need ascript to follow or ideasfor carrying outcharitable acts.”— Christine Pegorraro Schull, Ph.D.,

Northern Virginia Community College

CyndyMamalian’sthree childrenare collectinggifts for thehomeless thisholiday season.She hopes theproject will helpthem under-stand the im-pact that givingcan have onothers.


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Walkways, Patios, Driveways,Flagstone, ConcreteFREE ESTIMATES

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PAVING PAVING

Quality Tree Service & LandscapingReasonable prices. Licensed & insured

24 Hour Emergency Tree Service

25 years of experienceFree estimates

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Leaf RemovalGutter Cleaning

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

25 years of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Summer Cleanup...Tree removal, topping & pruning,shrubbery trimming, mulching,leaf removal, planting, hauling,gutter cleaning, retaining walls,

drainage problems, etc.

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WINDOWS & GLASS WINDOWS & GLASS

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A&S CONSTRUCTION

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Naive andDelusional

Some days, like today, I don’t feel like I havecancer. I feel – delude – myself into thinking thatI have/feel what everyone else at my age whodoesn’t have a “terminal” disease, has/feels.Now whether I’m into something or just rational-izing symptoms like any other cancer patientdoes – discounting any signs of potential troublefor fear of the consequences – I certainly don’tknow, and probably wouldn’t admit to it any-way; mind over what might actually matter.Nevertheless, it’s a good feeling to have, so longas I don’t think about it too much and just gowith the uninterrupted flow, at least until it’sinterrupted. I’ll spare you the details – in thiscolumn, anyway.

But not thinking about having cancer – whenyou have cancer, seems counterintuitive almost.How do you not think about the most importantthing in your life, the “thing” which is very likelyshortening that life? I mean, being diagnosedwith cancer is not exactly chicken soup for thesoul; it’s more a harbinger of things to come,most of which are not particularly good. And asmuch as I would encourage not focusing on anegative and the presumptive self-fulfilling out-come it might portend, denying its existence andpretending that all is right when previously yourCT Scans indicated you’ve been wrong, is reck-less and irresponsible, unless you know/feelsomething that modern medicine has yet todetect.

I don’t know anything except what I feel, andmost of those feelings are probably being routedthrough my brain and its desire for self-preserva-tion. The point being: Am I thinking clearly?Thinking wishfully/hopefully? Or thinking nor-mally? That is: pretending, denying, waiting,wondering. Being a cancer patient/survivor is anemotional roller coaster, and feeling good –however fleeting, has many rewards, but feelingbad as I now do (a mere two paragraphs later) isall it’s cracked up to be.

Sure, I had chemotherapy the other day, sofeeling good, then hours later feeling bad, wasnot totally unexpected; as you might imagineafter nearly seven years of cancer treatment Isort of know the routine/cycle. Still, whenever Ifeel as good as I did in the opening paragraphs, Iget disappointed when the inevitable bad feel-ings return, which last for a week or so – andwhat bothers me even more: I should know bet-ter (I do know better). But I can’t help think-ing/hoping that this will be the post-chemother-apy week when I won’t feel what I’ve always feltevery week after chemotherapy since the infu-sions began in early March 2009.

As much as I readily acknowledge howamazingly lucky I am to still be alive, I can’t helpexpecting more. And when I don’t get more, butinstead get less, I don’t usually take it well.Emotionally I get challenged and physically I getcompromised. The combination results in a diffi-cult set of circumstances. I don’t exactly lose myfocus or forget my good fortune, but I amreminded that I have a serious disease, one thatis looking for trouble, and occasionally, it doeshave its way with me. The only saving grace isthat it is all very familiar to me now, and as myAuntie Irene used to say: “This too shall pass,”which of course, it always does – and then we’reback to abnormal.

However, that time when I feel good, it’salmost a tease, as I know the forthcoming bad.And yet I want to believe that feeling good, forwhatever period, is somehow indicative of afuture less complicated than my present. Still, Ikeep thinking that maybe after this infusion, theweek-after will be different. Unfortunately, it’snever different. It’s always the same. Hopesprings eternal though, and as a cancer patient,hope is our most valuable commodity.Thankfully, there’s plenty for everyone.

EmploymentEmployment

Now Hiring Managers and

Assistant Managersfor commercial janitorial company!

Please forward all resumes and inquiries to [email protected]

or fax to (703)439-2589. Telephone inquiries can leave a message with a callback number at (703)475-EV4U.

SOLUTION ARCHITECT (JOB CODE #40675):

Work as part of a team; provide direction & specialty knowledge while applying the technology applications to client business.

Ed or exp background must include: J2EE; Agile framework w/SCRUM; Application Frameworks including

STRUTS, Spring, & OSGI; etc. Reqs: Five (5) yrs. exp. as a Solution Architect or any

related occupation.

To apply, applications must indicate Job Code and mail resume and cover letter to: Adobe Systems, Attn: Arlene Batten, 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110. Principals only. EOE.

Sr. Software Engineer(Master’s w/ 3 yrs exp or Bachelor’s w/ 5 yrs exp; Major: CS, Engg, Math or equiv.;

Other suitable qualifications acceptable) – Great Falls, VA. Job entails working w/ &

requires experience including: Oracle Developer Tools- Forms and Reports, Oracle, Pro*C, SQL Loader, SQL*Plus,

PL/SQL, Toad, Sun Solaris/HP UX Unix and Windows. Must have experience in

designing, developing, installing, config-uring and testing software applications. Relocation and travel to unanticipated

locations within USA possible. Send resumes to Great Falls Software Solutions

Inc., Attn: HR, 1000 Evonshire Lane, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Stable HandThe Madeira School is currently looking

for a part-time Stable Hand for the weekends, Sat.-Sun. 6:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Duties include; daily horse care,

cleaning stalls, watering, feeding, turning out/in, performing minor

maintenance. Pay $11-$13 per hour. Call 703-556-8260

Do what you can, with

what you have,where you are.

-TheodoreRoosevelt


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

LEGAL NOTICEArlington Endodontics has recently relocated and the office at 4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 160 Arlington, VA has closed. If you are a patient or a referring doctor with questions or concerns relative to the endodontic therapy that was provided in our office, or if you need to speak with the endodontist, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Feimster at 571-312-3762 or [email protected].


21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements


Latinos como tú sirviendo a nuestra comunidad

703-444-7804www.VAGoldBuyers.com

21580Atlantic Blvd.

#120Sterling,VA 20166

• We are Local• We Buy Gold, Silver and Diamonds• Over 40,000 Satisfied Customers• We are Licensed and Specialize in State Sales

Not Ready to Sell? Please call us for our Lending Options!


We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE, PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.

Schefer Antiques703-241-0790

[email protected]

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

JENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed Up SlowComputers

➣ Virus Removal

➣ Computer Setup➣ Help with Windows 8

571-265-2038

HDICOMPUTER SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

9 Land

5 ACRES,R-1, Lorton,

Sub-dividable,Price $699,000.

Public Water Access and 6 Bedroom Perk Approved

Beautiful Horses next door, Call Bob at

703-690-6969

Do what you can, with

what you have,where you are.

-TheodoreRoosevelt

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

CLASSIFIED

NEWSPAPERS

For AllYour

AdvertisingNeeds…

It Works.Week

After Week.

703917-6400

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to your community

For Local…

•Employment•Employees•Services•Entertainment•Announcements•Real Estate•Cars•Trucks•Vans•RV’s•Boats•Pets•Yard Sales•Crafts•Hobbies•And More!

From Page 5

Bulletin

The Northern Virginia TransportationCommission will host two regional forums thatwill allow the public to share concerns aboutWMATA and help pinpoint solutions to getMetro back on track. Visit www.NoVaTransit.orgfor more.

THURSDAY/DEC. 17A-SPAN Client Holiday Party. 10 a.m. at St.

Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304 WashingtonBlvd. Arlington Street People’s AssistanceNetwork seeks volunteers for a Client HolidayParty to serve the holiday meal, distribute thegifts and otherwise assist at the function. Visitwww.a-span.org for more.

MONDAY/DEC. 21Residency Applications. Arlington Arts Center,

3550 Wilson Blvd., is accepting applications forresidency. Deadline for long-term space is Dec.21, short-term residency applications areaccepted on a rolling basis. Visitwww.arlingtonartscenter.org.

SUNDAY/JAN. 10TreeStewards Application Deadline. The

TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria arevolunteers dedicated to improving the health ofurban trees through educational programs, treeplanting and care, demonstrations and treemaintenance. New volunteer training will beheld Tuesday evenings, starting Feb. 2-April 12,2016, with some Saturday mornings. Free. Visitwww.TreeStewards.org.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 6“Topping Out” of the Springs Apartments.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. at APAH Tent–First PresbyterianChurch, 601 N. Vermont St. The ArlingtonPartnership for Affordable Housing willcelebrate the new new building reaching itshighest level with the placement of its finalbeam. Free. Visit www.apah.org for more.

MONDAY/JAN. 11“Moving Words” Poetry Contest Deadline.

Six poets will have their work printed anddisplayed inside area buses April-September.Winners will also each receive a $250honorarium, and will be invited to give a publicreading during National Poetry Month. Thiscontest will be juried by poet Francisco Aragón.Free to enter. Visit www.arlingtonarts.org.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 20Money Talk: A Financial Course for Women.

6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library,1015 N. Quincy St. This course is designedspecifically for women. This session will coverfinancial basics. Free. Visit www.bit.ly/VCEFinancePrograms to register.

THURSDAY/JAN 21Leadership Arlington Town Hall. 6:30-8 p.m.

at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus,3351 N. Fairfax Drive. Leadership Arlington inconjunction with co-host, George MasonUniversity, and supporting partner, ArlingtonChamber of Commerce, invites citizens who live,work, or have interest in the Arlington Countycommunity to attend its annual Meet the Chair.Free. Visit leadershiparlington.ejoinme.org/MTC2016 to register.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 27Money Talk: A Financial Course for Women.

6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library,1015 N. Quincy St. This course is designedspecifically for women. This session will coverinsurance basics. Free. Visit www.bit.ly/VCEFinancePrograms to register.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 3Money Talk: A Financial Course for Women.

6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library,1015 N. Quincy St. This course is designedspecifically for women. This session will coverinvesting basics. Free. Visit www.bit.ly/VCEFinancePrograms to register.


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