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Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run

See Safetypalooza, Page 4

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Thanks to 15-year-oldBoy Scout AlexBattani, several localchildren know more

about bike, bus and fire safety, aswell as avoiding strangers. A ris-ing junior at Westfield High, he puton a Safetypalooza at the SullyDistrict Police Station.

Also participating was policeCrime Prevention Specialist TaraGerhard, with that station, plusfirefighters from the SpringfieldDistrict Station and members ofthe Blue Suit Pacers Cycling Team.

Alex, a Life Scout with Troop893 of Centreville United Method-ist Church, plays JV football atWestfield and has a black belt in

Tae Kwon Do from Highkicks inCentreville. He organized theSafetypalooza as his Eagle Scoutproject.

The idea came about after Alexand his dad, Bob Battani, attendeda Citizens Advisory Committeemeeting last year which show-cased the Police Department’sbomb squad and bomb-sniffingdogs. For his Eagle project, Alexthought he might build somethinguseful for the police, such as cabi-nets for equipment or obstacles forthe K-9s.

He met a couple times withGerhard and with Sully DistrictStation Commander Ed O’Carroll,who were enthusiastic about help-ing him. After O’Carroll mentioned

Boy Scouts, professionals teachchildren how to avoid trouble.

It’s Safetypalooza

Photo Courtesy of Kathy Battani

Alex Battani (on right) talks about fire safety with FireTechnician Shawn Crisp inside the Fire Department’ssmoke house.

See Brothers, Page 4

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Eric Latcheran, 27, of Chantilly’s Poplar TreeEstates community, has Down syndrome.Yet his intellectual disabilities don’t stop

him from leading a full life.He holds down two jobs, performs in bands, has

close friends – including a girlfriend, and raisesmoney for Best Buddies, which promotes friend-ships with and jobs for people with intellectualdisabilities. And last Saturday, July 26, he wasinstalled as an Outside Guard with the Knights ofColumbus.

He belongs to the Father Nudd Knights Councilof St. Timothy Catholic Church in Chantilly. And,while his proud family and friends beamed fromthe audience, that’s where the installation cer-emony was held after Saturday evening’s Mass.

“Eric is very proud to be a Knight and to havemade wonderful friends,” said his mom, GinaLatcheran. “The Knights’ missions of patriotism,charity, unity and fraternity have always been

important to him, but now he has a Council ofmen to assist him in fulfilling those missions intheir shared community.”

Chantilly resident installedas officer with the Knightsof Columbus.

‘Brothers, Neighbors, Friends’

Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View

The newly installed Knights of Columbus officers, including the Rev. GeraldWeymes (back row, center) and Eric Latcheran (front row, far right).

Photo Courtesy of Gina Latcheran

Eric Latcheran (left) is honored asKnight of the Month by past GrandKnight Jesus Cota.

2 ❖ Centre View ❖ July 31 - August 6, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

Pat Mitchell

See Roundups, Page 15

Crime Solvers 5K SaturdayThe second annual Crime Solvers 5K is set for this Saturday,

Aug. 2, at 8 a.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center. Thecourse is certified and chip-timed and is open to the public toparticipate. Register at http://www.crimesolvers5k.com. Theevent is a fundraiser for Fairfax County Crime Solvers, a non-profit that’s assisted local law enforcement for 35 years by pro-viding an anonymous means for residents to report criminal in-formation.

Celebrate with the CIFThe Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) will become a full-

fledged nonprofit on Aug. 1. So it’s inviting the community toattend its celebration this Thursday, July 31, from 6-7:30 p.m., atCoyote Grille in Centrewood Plaza in Centreville.

There’ll be a fajita-buffet dinner, music, a slide show and com-ments by local leaders. Make reservations by calling the CentrevilleLabor Resource Center, 703-543-6272, or [email protected]. Tickets are also available at the cen-ter, 5956 Centreville Crest Lane in Centreville.

Also as part of the celebration, during the morning of Friday,Aug. 1, the first five new employers at the center will win onehour of free labor from the workers.

Farmers Market on ThursdaysEach Thursday, from 3-7 p.m., the Fairfax County Government

Center hosts a farmers market in its parking lot. The GovernmentCenter is at 12000 Government Center Pkwy. in Fair Oaks, andthe next markets are slated for July 31 and Aug. 7.

Stringfellow Road Lane SwitchAs part of the Stringfellow Road widening project currently un-

derway, VDOT plans to switch the existing traffic on StringfellowRoad onto the two, new southbound lanes from Fair Lakes Boule-vard to Chantilly High this Friday, Aug. 1, weather permitting. Sodrivers are encouraged to find alternative routes on this date.

Motorists through this corridor on this day will encounter de-lays and temporary stoppages along Stringfellow as workmen tran-sition traffic onto the new roadway. The whole project is sched-uled to be completed in summer 2015.

Backpack Donations NeededWFCM (Western Fairfax Christian Ministries) is collecting 2,000

new backpacks for children in need who attend schools in theCentreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids. But itneeds the community’s help to accomplish such a large task.

Especially needed are large backpacks. They should have atleast two compartments to hold multiple books and binders andshould be 18-19 inches tall, 13 inches wide and 8-10 inches deep.

The backpacks may be brought to WFCM at 13888 MetrotechDrive in Chantilly (next to Papa John’s Pizza), Monday-Friday, 9a.m.-2 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, 4-7 p.m., until Aug.13. For more information, go to www.WFCMVA.org or [email protected].

Free Carseat InspectionsCertified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will

perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, July 31,from 5 p.m. to dusk, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. inChantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should in-stall the child safety seats themselves so technicians may prop-erly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

Because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arrivingon each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may haveenough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct useof the child seat. (The inspection may be cancelled in the event ofinclement weather). Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirmdates and times.

Roundups

See Dance Center, Page 15

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

There’s a new, local theater program witha familiar face at the helm. Westfield Highgrad and theater alumnus Pat Mitchell ispartnering with Creative Dance Center

(CDC) to put on Spotlight Theater Camp.The camp will run Aug. 4-8, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at

CDC, 14155-E Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly. For moreinformation and to register, go towww.cdctheater.com. Mitchell’s excited about it andis hoping for a good turnout.

“It’s open to anyone, anywhere, ages 5-18,” he said.“The Fairfax County-run programs wrap up, the endof July, and so does Westfield Summer Stage. So we’rehoping to pick up the kids still looking for somethingto do at the end of summer.”

Mitchell, who teaches theater arts at HolmesMiddle School, is CDC’s program director. He’s incharge of building and guiding its theater program,which is kicking off with the theater camp.

“Then, starting this fall,we’ll spend several monthsworking toward a produc-tion,” he said. Selected forthe inaugural one is an origi-nal, children’s show,“Goldilocks on Trial,” writtenby Chantilly High TheaterDirector Ed Monk.

After graduating fromWestfield in 2002, Mitchellobtained a bachelor’s in the-ater at GMU, followed in2013 by a master’s in edu-cational psychology. He’s currently working on hisPh.D. in education leadership, also at GMU.

He taught in Arlington County for a year and hasjust finished his third year at Holmes Middle in Al-exandria, where his students put on a fall play and aspring musical. Mitchell teaches sixth, seventh andeighth grades and, he said, “I get to go to work everyday to do something I love.”

Now, with CDC – which has run a successful danceprogram in Chantilly since 1986 – he’ll continue hiscommunity-theater career. He’s done assistant direct-ing for The Alliance Theatre and was the technicaldirector for Westfield Summer Stage’s recent produc-tion of “How to Succeed in Business without ReallyTrying.”

In addition, Mitchell was the production managerfor Synetic Theater and Classika Children’s Theatre,both in Arlington. And he performed professionallyin Washington, D.C., and in Ireland with the KeeganTheater.

Although CDC’s dance program is well-knownthroughout the area, it wanted to broaden its offer-ings. “One of my co-workers saw Holmes’s show,‘Aladdin,’ this spring and put me in touch with CDCPresident/owner Ramona Batchelder,” said Mitchell.“She was interested in starting a theater program,but needed someone who could pull people in fromthe community.”

The two met in March and the idea started takingshape. “Given the fact that I’m from this area, havestrong ties here and believe in the abilities of thestudents here, it seems like a perfect fit,” said

Spotlight Theater Campstarts Aug. 4.

Dance Center, Mitchell Unite“Peter Pan,” directed by Pat Mitchell.

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What’s on TapAt Theater CampAGES 5-8: YOUNG ACTORS ENSEMBLEBeginning Acting Techniques, Performance and Rehearsal

Experience, Team Work, Communication Skills, Movementfor the Actor. Bring two snacks, water and lunch. Week-long Rehearsal with Final Performance.

AGES 9-11: JUNIOR ACTORS ENSEMBLEBeginning and Intermediate Acting Techniques, Performance

and Rehearsal Experience, Technical Theater Workshopsincluding lighting, sound, costume, and set design, Voiceand Movement for the Actor, Public Speaking Skills. Bringtwo snacks, water and lunch. Week-long Rehearsal withFinal Performance.

AGES 12-18: SENIOR ACTORS ENSEMBLEBeginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Acting Techniques,

Performance and Rehearsal Experience, Characterizationfor the Actor, Technical Theater Workshops includinglighting, sound, costume, and set design, Voice andMovement for the Actor, Public Speaking Skills. Bring twosnacks, water and lunch.


From Page 1

News

The Chantilly High grad has been in-volved with the Knights of Columbus forquite awhile. And with their encouragementand support, he completed his first-, sec-ond- and third-degree training.

“Going to St. Timothy for Mass and ac-tivities has evolved into a more meaningfulcommunity involvement for him,” said GinaLatcheran. “Eric proudly displays hisKnights badge, sits with his brother Knightson many occasions and greets his fellowparishioners while handing out the weeklybulletin at the end of Mass.”

Socially, Eric Latcheran has also discov-ered, much to his delight, that his Knightsmembership extends beyond his Council.Via the statewide organization, KOVAR, theKnights raise money to provide financialassistance for people with intellectual chal-lenges.

KOVAR charities include Best Buddies,Special Olympics and theinterPLAYcompany Band, in which EricLatcheran performs at the Strathmore inMaryland. And, explained his mother,“That’s what first attracted Eric to this fra-ternity of men in this parish.”

Knight Brian Tumulty sponsored EricLatcheran to join the Council. Since then,he’s been busy collecting donations throughthe KOVAR mission and participating invarious Knights’ functions.

Eric Latcheran was later nominated forthe position of the Council’s Inside Guardby the now new Grand Knight, Phil Bayer.And in May, he was honored as Knight of

‘Brothers, Neighbors, Friends:’ The Knights of Columbus

the Month within the Father Nudd Counciland elected to the position of OutsideGuard.

“Eric is an exemplary example of a Knightof Columbus,” said past Grand Knight JesusCota at the ceremony. “Our mission is toserve, help and support the Parish of St.Timothy Catholic Church, the local commu-nity, our nation and God through works ofcharity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.These attributes are very meaningful to andfor Eric and are reachable goals, now thathe is a Knight.”

His training at the FCPS Davis Center andnow employment at Wildflour Deli and

“Eric dresses for Mass every weekend inhis Sunday best, with his badge proudlydisplayed on his shirt,” said Gina Latcheran.“He’s come to be to be recognized as aKnight by his fellow parishioners and ea-gerly performs various Knightly dutiesalongside them. His actions speak louderthan words – his respect, enthusiasm andhugs say it all.”

Saturday evening, Eric Latcheran and hisfellow Knights were formally installed intheir new positions and recognized for thework they do to help others. As OutsideGuard, he’s responsible for maintaining or-der and security in the Council chamber.After the ceremony, Eric Latcheran said howhappy he was to be a third-degree officerand that he’s looking forward to a year fromnow when he’ll “get to be a fourth-degreeofficer and wear a uniform.”

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Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection

Knights of Columbus District 17Deputy Bill Cinnamond (left) chatswith Eric Latcheran after theceremony while Eric’s mom, GinaLatcheran, looks on.

From Page 1

that safety training for children would bea good idea, Alex decided to hold aSafetypalooza.

Since Alex knew Scouts whose parents arefirefighters or have connections with theFCPS Transportation Department, he wasable to obtain the Fire Department’s smokehouse (used for training purposes), plusinformation about school-bus safety. Andthe county Law Enforcement Foundationhelped him find a bicycle club to come teachbike safety.

“The Scout leaders were amazed whenAlex presented his proposal and said it wasone of the most aggressive Eagle Scoutprojects they’d seen,” said Alex’s father. “Wefeel it was a great success and thank Capt.O’Carroll and Officer Gerhard for helpingit become a reality.”

AT THE EVENT, held Saturday, June 21,children ages 6-10 rotated through vari-ous safety stations. “For bike safety, wetold them to wear a helmet and to cleantheir bike so it doesn’t have rusty chains,”said Alex. “We also talked to them aboutthe importance of being seen clearly atnight.”

Alex. “We said, ‘Don’t run to the bus stop,and make sure the bus driver can see youwhen you cross in front of the bus.’”

The Scouts were able to use the smokehouse because Scout Austin Huehn’s fatheris a firefighter at the Springfield fire sta-tion. “It simulates smoke inside of a house,and two firefighters taught the kids how toget out of it safely,” said Alex. “They alsolearned not to touch anything hot, like doorhandles, to try to climb through a windowand to stop, drop and roll.”

Gerhard taught them about stranger-dan-ger. “She told the kids not to accept thingsfrom people they don’t know, without ask-ing their parents,” said Alex. “Don’t talk tostrangers and know who your trusted adultsare, such as parents, relatives and neigh-bors.”

She taught the children not to go any-where, such as an alleyway, that doesn’tseem safe, and never to get into a car witha stranger. “They also learned what to saywhen a stranger confronts them,” said Alex.“They should say no, walk away and tell atrusted adult.”

Overall, he said, the event “really wentwell. It was a good way for kids to getthis information all in one place and in acouple hours.”

From left: Boy Scouts Skyler Chong, Alex Battani, Austin Huehn, KyleTalley and Ian LaChapelle participated in the Safetypalooza.

them to stay in their seats while the bus ismoving and to keep the aisle clear,” said

On buses, he said, children were told notto yell and distract the bus driver. “We told

Safetypalooza Held at Sully District Police Station

Bo

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iew

EricLatcheran

(in center)collectingdonationsfor KOVAR

charitieswith two

fellowKnights.

Catering in Chantilly, plus Piero’s CornerItalian Restaurant in Franklin Farm, haveprovided him with the skills to help pre-pare and serve at the Council’s famous pan-cake breakfasts and Lenten meals.

In addition, Eric Latcheran’s longtime roleas an ambassador for Best Buddies preparedhim for greeting people and hosting St.Timothy’s after-Mass refreshments. He nextplans to volunteer in the church’s food pan-try and with its summer work camp forteens and would eventually like to do somepublic speaking on behalf of his Council.After all, he said, “The Knights are my broth-ers, my neighbors, my friends.”


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See Former Governor, Page 7

News

By Michael Lee Pope

Centre View

When he takes the stand in hisown defense, former Repub-lican Gov. Bob McDonnellwill read jurors an email

that he wrote to his wife as their marriagewas said to be crumbling. Describing theemail to members of the jury in his open-ing statements, defense attorney JohnBrownlee said it was written at a time whenprosecutors say the couple were conspiringto sell power and influence to a wealthyVirginia businessman. Inside the Governor’sMansion, though, the two were barely onspeaking terms.

“She said she hated him,” said Brownlee.“She was angry that there was not enoughmoney for their family, not enough time forher.”

After a successful public career that cul-minated in the the governor making theshort list to be a running mate for Republi-can presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in2012, McDonnell has fallen very far veryfast. He’s now engaged in the fight of hislife, but not on the campaign trail. This timehe and his wife are facing a 14-count in-dictment from federal prosecutors who saythe McDonnells were acting in secret to takemoney and gifts in exchange for taking ac-

tion to benefit Jonnie Williams, who wastrying to obtain scientific testing from stateofficials for his nutritional supplement madefrom tobacco.

“This case is about the McDonnells liningtheir pockets with secret gifts and cash,”said prosecutor Jessica Aber. “Bobs for Jobs— that’s what he was supposed to do, justnot in exchange for money.”

THE CORRUPTION TRIAL of the formergovernor and his wife is unprecedented inVirginia politics, where commonwealth hasenjoyed a reputation of relatively clean gov-ernment. That is until recently. A grand juryis currently investigating the circumstancessurrounding the resignation of a Democraticstate senator who was offered a job at thetobacco commission, the same organizationthat Williams was targeting in his effort topromote Anatabloc. In his opening state-ment for Maureen McDonnell, defense at-torney Bill Burck said the first lady of Vir-ginia was a “true believer” in nutraceuticalsand became a “favorite playmate” for Will-iams as her marriage fell apart.

“You will even hear evidence that she hada crush on Mr. Williams,” said Burck. “JonnieWilliams is very good at using people to getwhat he wants.”

If opening statements this week are anyindication, Williams will be at the center of

the trail as each side presents evidence tothe jury. For prosecutors, he’s the star wit-ness — the whistleblower who was givenimmunity from prosecution in exchange forexposing how the governor and his wifeaccepted $150,000 in exchange for usingthe power and prestige of the Governor’sMansion. For lawyers representing theMcDonnells he was a scheming manipula-tor who turned state’s evidence to keep him-self out of jail.

“He thought of himself as a big fish,” saidBurck. “But he knew Governor McDonnellwas an even bigger fish.”

OPENING STATEMENTS offered each

side an opportunity to make an initial im-pression with members of the jury, a wayto establish a connection and make prom-ises about evidence to come. It was also anopportunity for some moments of highdrama. The lawyer for McDonnell playedtwo videos of the governor engaged in eco-nomic development and quoted from a booktitled “Once an Eagle.” He outlined a casein which the governor’s defense will be thathe was merely promoting Virginia products.

“He eats Virginia ham. He drinks Virginiawine,” said Brownlee, who once ran for at-torney general. “My guess is that if hesmoked, he would smoke Virginia ciga

Defense in corruption case examines stateof marriage of former Republican governor.Governor’s Mansion, Confidential

Members of themedia congregateoutside the federalcourthouse inRichmond.

Photo by

Michael Lee Pope

Centre View


Opinion

On July 28, 2014, in affirming thatVirginia’s ban on same-sex mar-riage is unconstitutional, CircuitJudge Henry F. Floyd writes:

“We recognize that same-sex marriage makessome people deeply uncomfortable. However,inertia and apprehension are not legitimatebases for denying same-sex couples due pro-cess and equal protection of the laws. Civilmarriage is one of the cornerstones of our wayof life. It allows individuals to celebrate andpublicly declare their intentions to form life-

long partnerships, which pro-vide unparalleled intimacy,companionship, emotional sup-port and security. The choice of

whether and whom to marry is an intenselypersonal decision that alters the course of anindividual’s life. Denying same-sex couples thischoice prohibits them from participating fullyin our society, which is precisely the type ofsegregation that the Fourteenth Amendmentcannot countenance.”

Judge Arenda Wright Allen, on Valentine’sDay, 2014, ruled that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, writing:

“A spirited and controversial debate is un-derway regarding who may enjoy the right tomarry in the United States of America. Americahas pursued a journey to make and keep ourcitizens free. This journey has never been easy,and at times has been painful and poignant.The ultimate exercise of our freedom is choice.

Our Declaration of Independence recognizesthat ‘all men’ are created equal. Surely thismeans all of us. While ever-vigilant for thewisdom that can come from the voices of ourvoting public, our courts have never long tol-erated the perpetuation of laws rooted in un-lawful prejudice. One of the judiciary’s noblestendeavors is to scrutinize laws that emergefrom such roots.

“Plaintiffs assert that the restriction on theirfreedom to choose to marry the person theylove infringes on the rights to due process andequal protection guaranteed to them under theFourteenth Amendment of the United StatesConstitution. These challenges are well-taken.…

“The Court is compelled to conclude thatVirginia’s Marriage Laws unconstitutionallydeny Virginia’s gay and lesbian citizens thefundamental freedom to choose to marry.”

Help with NewcomersAnd CommunityGuides

Our 2014 Insider’s Edition Newcomers andCommunity Guides, will publish the last weekof August.

What tips do you have for someone gettingto know your community? What do you wishyou had discovered sooner?

We’re hoping to share the special places, ac-tivities, events, organizations, volunteer oppor-tunities and more that make each communitywhat it is. Tell us your favorite park; let us knowwhat events are not to be missed. Give a shoutout to organizations that do a great job. Shareyour best volunteer experiences. Do you havetips for navigating your PTA or your school’sfront office? We’d love to have your photos togo along with your suggestions.

Faith organizations, nonprofit organizations,clubs, environmental groups, advocacy groups,youth sports teams and others who offer eventsopen to the public are invited to send a para-graph about your organization and how to getinvolved.

We will publish a selection of local tips alongwith a plethora of information useful to new-comers and long-time residents alike, includ-ing our award-winning Insiders Guide to theParks, information on how to vote and more.

See last year’s community guides by goingto www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/and scrolling down to Newcomers.

Email tips and photos [email protected]. Send inyour Insider’s Tips by Thursday, Aug. 14.

For information on advertising, [email protected] or call 703-778-9431.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Finally, Marriage Rights Protected in Virginia

Editorial

By Steven

G

. A

rtley

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@CentreView

Newspaper ofCentreville

Little Rocky RunA Connection Newspaper

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:To discuss ideas and concerns, Call:

703-778-9410e-mail:

[email protected]

Steven Mauren Editor, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

Bonnie HobbsCommunity Reporter, [email protected]

Jon RoetmanSports Editor, 703-752-4013

[email protected]@jonroetman

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

Karen WashburnDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9422

[email protected]

Kim TaiediDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9423

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, [email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

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Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:

Deb Cobb, Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

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@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426Circulation Manager:

Linda [email protected]

A Connection Newspaper

Bee SafeNeighborhoodsTo the Editor:

A “Bee Safe Neighborhood” is one in whicha substantial number of homeowners havecommitted to never use neonicotinoid pesti-cides, thus creating a sanctuary for honeybeesand all the other creatures that co-exist withus on our properties. The “environment” is notsomewhere else – the environment is right here

in Northern Virginia, and we all have the abil-ity to make this a healthy local habitat for our-selves as well as for our non-human neighbors.

Is your yard full of life, with butterflies flut-tering everywhere, and frogs and insects ser-enading you night and day? It used to be, andit can be again. But people all over the areaare reporting an alarming decrease in the num-bers of butterflies, bees, crickets, cicadas, andothers. The hard winter may have had an ef-fect, but we have seen hard winters before thatwere not followed by a silent summer. Our

windows at night used to be covered withmoths that were attracted to the lights, butthose disappeared years ago. Approximatelya third of the honeybees in Virginia have beendying every year, creating a very big threat toour food production.

Harmful chemicals that we spread and sprayare a major contributor to this wholesaleslaughter. Insecticides that are intended forone type of “pest” cannot discriminate – theykill many other species as well. Nesting birdsrequire hundreds of caterpillars per day fortheir babies, so if we try to protect our tomatoplants with chemicals, we will be killing thebirds indirectly. Spraying for mosquitoes – anunnecessary and futile exercise when all thatwas needed was to eliminate stagnant water– results in the wholesale death of importantelements of the food chain. The worst of thesechemicals are the neonicotinoids, systemicpesticides that permeate plants and turn theirnectar and pollen into poison. So please donot use neonicotinoids. Ask your garden cen-ter whether they were used on the plants youplan to bring home. Better yet, don’t use anytype of poison outside, whether insecticide orherbicide, and plant native plants to providefood sources for invertebrates. You can readabout Bee Safe Neighborhoods at http://livingsystemsinst.org. If you happen to live onthe mid-section of Chapel Road or any of theroads that feed into it, [email protected] to indicateyour commitment to avoiding neonicotinoidsin the first official Bee Safe Neighborhood thatis forming in Virginia.

Margaret FisherClifton

Letter to the Editor


News

From Page 5

Former Governor’s Case Goes to Trialrettes.”

The lawyer for Maureen McDonnell fo-cused much of his opening statements toattacking Williams, who he said haschanged his story several times. Burck com-pared it to an iPhone that keeps getting anew operating system. Version 1.0 was theoriginal and unadulterated version, the onethat denied wrongdoing and supposedlylied to prosecutors. Version 2.0 was when

he struck a deal with prosecutors and tolda different story. Even as the trial date ap-proached, Burck said, Williams changed hisstory seven more times.

“That’s nine different versions, and eachone keeps getting better for the govern-ment,” said Burck. “Which Jonnie Williamsare you supposed to believe?”

PROSECUTORS SPENT their openingarguments laying out a timeline they say

shows official actions were taken shortlyafter gifts were offered or loans were re-ceived. In one dramatic moment, for ex-ample, Williams shows up at theGovernor’s Mansion with a blank check.But Aber was also careful to manage ex-pectations, acknowledging that prosecu-tors do not have one singular piece of evi-dence that shows the sweep of the con-spiracy case.

“No single witness will be able to tell you

this entire story from soup to nuts,” saidAber. “The defendants are way too sophis-ticated for that.”

Legal experts say the opening statementsplay an important role in setting the tonefor jurors and letting them know what toexpect. “Opening statements are critical andthe reason for that is it’s kind of like a firstdate. You only get one chance to get itright,” said Rich Kelsey, assistant dean ofthe George Mason School of Law. “It’s aboutbuilding a story that makes sense and an-swers their questions before they know theyhave questions.”


The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) iscollecting donations for the 70 immigrant childrenand 15 young mothers being housed at a secure fa-cility in Bristow while awaiting hearings. The chil-dren need health and hygiene supplies, clothing andbedding. Donations may be brought to CLRC, 5956Centreville Crest Lane in Centreville.

Items may also be delivered during the CIF cel-ebration at Coyote Grille on July 31, from 6-7:30p.m. “The CIF Board encourages generosity towardthe children, many of whom have fled desperate situ-ations in their home countries,” said CIF President

Alice Foltz.Especially needed are clothing and underwear for

both boys and girls, ages 7-17; white towels, twin-sized blankets, sheets and bedspreads; new pillowsand personal-hygiene products including shampoo,conditioner, hand soap, lotion, deodorant, hairbrushes, tooth paste and toothbrushes.

For more information call CLRC Director RobertoFernández at 703-543-6272, Monday through Sat-urday, 6 a.m.-noon, or Foltz at 703-346-6030.

— Bonnie Hobbs

Community’s Help Needed for Immigrant Children

By Elizabeth Schneider

Centre View

When Arcadia Pub-lishing asked jour-nalist MaryStachyra Lopez to

compile a pictorial history ofCentreville and Chantilly, StachyraLopez jumped on the opportunity.Arcadia Publishing had been“looking for someone to write [thebook.] The main reason they prob-ably reached out to me, they prob-ably figured I would know people.I guess in reporting you get toknow people. As it happened, Iwas interested in local history,”said Stachyra Lopez.

“Centreville and Chantilly” con-nects Centreville’s and Chantilly’spast with the present primarilythrough photographs, but alsothrough choice of contributors.Eric Cox and Gina Richards, own-ers and founders of Cox Farms,wrote the book’s foreword atStachyra Lopez’ request as shethought they were in a uniqueposition to “connect Centrevilleand Chantilly’s farming past, pro-vide a link to present day.”

Due to the photographic focusof the book, the book begins withthe Civil War. Centreville andChantilly both had beginnings be-fore the war, when “photographywasn’t common.”

The photos were obtained froma variety of sources including lo-cal personal collections, as well asFairfax County Public Library andLibrary of Congress collections.The majority of Stachyra Lopez’time was spent looking for picturesin the Library of Congress’ DigitalArchives and “many, many hours”were spent at Fairfax County Pub-lic Library.

There were times when StachyraLopez had difficulties with theproject. For one, Stachyra Lopezfound she couldn’t include manyof the pictures she found due toissues concerning rights and filesizes.

There were other difficultiestoo: “There were definitely someperiods where ... I was like, oh mygosh, this is the hardest things I’veever done. There were definitelypoints where I may have evenwished I hadn’t signed up to doit,” said Stachyra Lopez. “It’s thekind of thing where you

just have to get over the hump.”As a professional writer, gradu-

ate of City University of New YorkGraduate School of Journalismand graduate of Benedictine Col-lege, getting over “the hump” is afairly familiar process for StachyraLopez. Even while Stachyra Lopezwas growing up in Essex, Ill.,

Stachyra Lopez had dreams ofbecoming a writer, an actress orthe president. The first dreamcame true.

While Stachyra Lopez was inhigh school, she would often writeshort stories and get “frustrated”about finishing them.

Susan Mitchell, one of StachyraLopez’s high school teachers,helped fine– tune her writingskills. “[Ms. Mitchell] pushed mereally hard ... She had almost com-pleted her PhD in English ... [shewas] keen on grammar, fleshingout paragraphs,” Stachyra Lopezsaid. She added that Mitchell gave“the dose of confidence that a highschool student needs. I

definitely think that influencedme.”

Nowadays, between work andfamily, Stachyra Lopez keeps her-self busy. Stachyra Lopez is mar-ried to Mauricio Lopez, and has aflat–coated retriever named Molly.She works with the Catholic Her-ald and Awwproject.

“Centreville and Chantilly” isavailable for purchase throughseveral retailers including ArcadiaPublishing, Amazon, Barnes andNoble and local Walgreens. MaryStachyra Lopez will be signingcopies of her book on Saturday,Aug. 2 from 1–3 p.m. at theChantilly Costco, 14390 ChantillyCrossing Lane.

Mary Stachyra Lopez’s pictorialhistory shows area’s past.

Past and Present

Mary StachyraLopez signscopies of“Centrevilleand Chantilly”at the FairLakes Barnesand Noble onJuly 6.

Photo courtesy of Mary Stachyra Lopez

People

Photos Contributed

Debutantes and cadets gather for the Old Dominion Cotillion on Saturday, July 19,in the Washingtonian Room of the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly. This was thesignature annual event of the ODC, in which debutantes officially make their en-trance into Virginia society. The ODC, a philanthropic organization, was developedto promote social responsibilities and graces within the education of young women.The cadets were from Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va. The school,founded in 1879, is the oldest continually operating military school in Virginia.

cv072314-608 38x28

Photo 1:

Debutantes andcadets dance duringthe Old DominionCotillion.

Debutantes from theOld Dominion Cotil-lion were escorted bymilitary cadets intheir traditionaluniforms. The youngwomen volunteeredover 200 hours ofservice time last yearto the Katherine E.Hanley Family Shel-ter. ODC’s mottocalls for“Volunteerism,Dedication, Integrityand Leadership.”

OldDominionCotillion


Email announcements to [email protected]. 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.

ONGOINGArt Gallery: Panolia. Through Aug. 2.

7 p.m.-midnight. at Epicure Cafe,11104 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Acollection of paintings and mixedmedia work by local artists, curatedby The Bunnyman Bridge Collective.Free admission, one item purchaserequired. Visit www.epicurecafe.orgor www.facebook.com/TheBunnymanBridgeCollective.

Fine Arts Open Exhibition. ThroughAug. 19. at Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginia, 8900Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. TheJewish Community Center ofNorthern Virginia will be opening itsannual art exhibition to highlight thework of new members, staff and thecommunity. All media will berepresented, from drawing toceramics. Entry fee is $10 formembers and $18 for nonmembers.Contact 703 323-0880 or visitwww.jccnvarts.org.

Evenings on the Ellipse SummerConcert Series. Thursdays throughAug. 28. 5:30-7:30 p.m. FairfaxCounty Government Center, 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.Whether you like jazz, big band,bluegrass, or Latin pop, there is sureto be something for everyone. Rainor shine. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/ellipse.htm for more.

Fairways-Fore-FREEdom. ThroughSept. 1. 3 p.m. at Westfields GolfClub, 13940 Balmoral Greens Ave.,Clifton. Military golf program inhonor of the armed forces. Only forthose with valid with military ID. $29- $69. Visit www.marriottgolf.com, orcall 703-631-3300.

Registration for 2014 NorthernVirginia Senior Olympics. Onlineregistration for the 2014 NorthernVirginia Senior Olympics is opennow. Events will take place Sept. 13-24 at 19 different venues throughoutNorthern Virginia. Registration formsare available at senior centers,community centers and seniorresidences or by calling 703 228-4721. Deadline to register is Aug. 29by mail and Sept. 5 online. Adults 50years of age by Dec. 30, 2014,residing in a sponsoring jurisdiction,are eligible to compete. Fee is $12.Visit www.nvso.us for more.

Sully Historic Site. 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Enjoy guidedtours of the 1794 home of NorthernVirginia’s first Congressman, RichardBland Lee. $7/adult; $6/student; $5/senior and child. Hours are 11 a.m.-4p.m. 703-437-1794.

D-Day: Normandy 1944. at theSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390Air and Space Museum Pkwy.,Chantilly. A movie about D-Day andthose who gave their lives. Free.Visitwww.si.edu/Imax/Movie/133.

Singing. 7:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. The Fairfax Jubil-Airesrehearse every Wednesday whichincludes training by an award-winning director. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.

Blue Star Museums. Through Sept. 1.at more than 2,000 locations. Theprogram provides families anopportunity to enjoy the nation’scultural heritage and learn moreabout their new communities after amilitary move. Free for Militaryfamilies. Visit http://arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSSizzlin’ Sully Summer Workouts.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-8:30a.m. and 9:45-10:45 a.m. SullyCommunity Center Parking lot, 5101Sequoia Farms Drive, Centreville. Atotal body conditioning workout. $10Drop in fee, or $90 for 10 classes.Visit www.benefitness.us/ for more.

THURSDAY/JULY 31Fairy Tale Writing Workshop.

10:30 a.m. at Chantilly RegionalLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Learn to write a fairy tale, forchildren in grades 3 and 4. Call 703-502-3883.

Spectacular Science. 10:30 a.m. atCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Explore thesecrets of fireworks, bubbles andmore with Mad Science. For ages 6-12. Call 703-830-2223.

“Flights of Fancy” — Stories forChildren. 11 a.m. at Udvar-HazyCenter, 14390 Air and SpaceMuseum Pkwy., Chantilly. A readingfrom “Hare and Tortoise Race to theMoon,” presented by Oliver Corwin.Free. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/things-to-do/story-times.cfm.

Ask an Expert. 12:30-1 p.m. at Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and SpaceMuseum Pkwy., Chantilly. Adiscussion about “The Caudron G.4.”presented by Christopher Moore.Meet at the nose of the SR-71 in theBoeing Aviation Hangar. Free. Visithttp://airandspace.si.edu/events/ask-an-expert/#hazy for more.

THURSDAY/JULY 31-SUNDAY/AUG. 34-H Fair and Carnival. Thursday and

Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 11a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 WestOx Road, Herndon. The 66th annual4-H fair and carnival. Thursday andFriday only, advance sales, $18; sameday sales, $25, for unlimited carnivalrides. $1 per ride ticket, $20 for 24ride tickets. $7 parking fee. call 703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/4-h-fair.htm for more.

FRIDAY/AUG. 1Ready for School Storytime. 2 p.m.

at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Early literacystorytime program for children readyto be on their own without caregiversor siblings. Age 4-5. Call 703-502-3883.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 1-3Musical Theater. Several showtimes.

at The Alliance Theater, ChantillyHigh School, 4201 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. A production of “Shrek:The Musical.” $16. Visitwww.thealliancetheatre.org/ forshowtimes.

SATURDAY/AUG. 2Crime Solvers 5K. 8 a.m. at Fairfax

County Government Center, Fairfax.The 2nd Crime Solvers 5K race andfree kids run. $25 through July 4,$30 after, $35 the morning of theevent. To register visitwww.crimesolvers5k.com.

Plant Clinic. 10:30 a.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Master gardeners providehorticultural tips, information,techniques and advice to homegardeners. Call 703-502-3883.

Bouncin’ Babies. 3 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Rhymes, songs, stories andactivities for babies up to 11 monthswith adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Small Wonders. 4 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Rhymes, songs, stories andactivities for children 12-23 monthswith adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Drive-in Movie. Food and children’sactivities 6-8 p.m., movie begins atdark. Starlight Cinema, 5860 TrinityParkway. “Casablanca” plays at thedrive-in. Watch from your car orbring blankets to lounge on. Bring aradio to listen outdoors. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances or call 703-324-8662.

SUNDAY/AUG. 3Science Program. 1-4 p.m. at Grand

Court West, Fair Oaks Mall, LeeJackson Memorial Parkway, Fairfax.Performances and talks by Billy B.,Samuel Ramsay and Pat Britz. Free.Visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com formore.

Udvar-Hazy Center SummerConcert Series. 6-7 p.m. at Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and SpaceMuseum Pkwy., Chantilly. TheUnited States Air Force Band willplay a concert. Free. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/calendar/?month=7&year=2014 for more.

MONDAY/AUG. 4Circus in a Suitcase. 10:30 a.m. at

Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. RingmasterHarold Wood becomes a magician,juggler, clown and more. Registereach adult and child separately. Call703-502-3883.

Writers of Chantilly. 6:45 p.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Share work andgive and receive feedback in asupportive setting. Call 703-502-3883.

TUESDAY/AUG. 5A Bailar. 10:30 a.m. at Centreville

Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain

Drive. Latin dance and music for thewhole family with Cantaré, LatinAmerican Music. Register each adultand child separately. Call 703-830-2223.

Toddlin’ Twos. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Early literacystorytime with stories, songs andactivities. Age 2 with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Storytime. 1:30 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Early literacy program withstories and activities for children age3-5 with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Teen Book Club. 4 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Book discussion group forteens. Call 703-502-3883 for title.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 6Books: The Magic Is Real. 10:30

a.m. at Chantilly Regional Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. MagicianJoe Romano brings books to life. Forages 6-12. Call 703-502-3883.

Mystery Book Club. 7 p.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Mystery bookdiscussion group, call or ask for title.Call 703-502-3883.

THURSDAY/AUG. 7Small Wonders. 11 a.m. at Centreville

Regional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive. Rhymes, songs, stories andactivities for children 12-23 monthswith adult. Call 703-830-2223.

Lego Block Party. 7 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Legos provided; come show offbuilding skills. For children in grades3-6. Call 703-502-3883.

Music and Dance Workshop. 7-9p.m. at Centreville Regional Library,

14200 St. Germain Drive. Learnabout singing, dancing, performing,stage presence and microphonetechnique with the Sock Rockerz.Door prize drawing. For teens. Call703-830-2223.

FRIDAY/AUG. 8Bouncin’ Babies. 3 p.m. at Chantilly

Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Rhymes, songs, stories andactivities for babies up to 11 monthswith adult. Call 703-502-3883.


FRIDAY-SATURDAY/AUG. 8-9TechQuest: Eye in the Sky Game.

10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Udvar-HazyCenter, 14390 Air & Space MuseumParkway, Chantilly. A new alternatereality game that puts visitors in therole of intelligence analyst as theyfollow a Cold War scenario.Admission is free; parking is $15.Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center for more.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 8-10Musical Theater. Several showtimes.

at The Alliance Theater, ChantillyHigh School, 4201 Stringfellow Road,Chantilly. A production of “Shrek:The Musical.” $16. Visitwww.thealliancetheatre.org.

SATURDAY/AUG. 9Summer Concert Series. 10-11 a.m.

Entertainment

See Entertainment, Page 16

Aug. 2 “CASABLANCA”

Aug. 9 “DESPICABLE ME 2”

Aug. 16 “CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE

OF MEATBALLS 2”

Aug. 23 “FROZEN”

Aug. 30 “THE LEGO MOVIE”


News

By Veronica Bruno

Centre View

Ten students from the Fairfax branch(Murraygate chapter) of the Boys & GirlsClubs of Greater Washington got a sneakpeak of Shark Week by spending the

night among them at the Baltimore Aquarium at theseaport in Baltimore. They spent a “night at themuseum” as part of the science, technology, engi-neering, and math (STEM) program sponsored byCOX Communications last Friday, July 25. They ex-plored the National Aquarium without the crowdsand toured several behind-the-scenes labs and STEMclassrooms, watched a fun 4D movie, and partici-pated in question and answer sessions with theaquarium guides. Perhaps the biggest highlight was

viewing the sharks in the viewing tank from above.COX Virginia funded the trip as part of its partner-

ship with the Discovery Channel, a program that pro-vides a preview episode of Shark Week to local chil-dren each year. The curriculum was designed to com-bat the academic setbacks that many students sufferwhen not involved with education programs over thesummer. According to the National Summer Learn-ing Association, children who are exposed to qualityeducational and development programs and oppor-tunities over the summer are better prepared to re-turn to school in the fall.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington pro-vides a safe haven for youth after school and whenthe schools are not open. The club provides oppor-tunities and fun activities for the students as well asmentorship programs.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washingtonmembers take a private overnight tour ofBaltimore’s National Aquarium.

A Night at the Aquarium for Fairfax Youth

The group also experienced a movie in 4D about salmon migration and life cycle.Seated in the front row are Moises, Brenda and Paola Zavala, Yohana Cruz, Mercy GraceFrancisco, Edwin Garcia, and Eliseo Valenzuela. Seated behind them are Monica Baker,Sandra Achia and Hanny Bushura.

Alan McKenzie, the Baltimore Aquarium guide for theevent, showed the group several shark jaws and teeth inthe STEM lab of the aquarium. Sandra Achia, HannyBushura, Monica Baker and Moises Zavala observeMcKenzie’s demonstration.

Alan McKenzie points out the many hazards to fish foundin the ocean. Also pictured are Moises Zavala, YohanaCruz and Hanny Bushura.

Photos by

Veronica Bruno/

Centre View

Alan McKenzie, the Baltimore Aquarium guide for the event, leads agroup through the Australia exhibit, including Boys and Girls Club mem-bers Sandra Achia, Hanny Bushura, Paola Zavala, Edwin Garcia, EliseoValenzuela and Mercy Grace Francisco.

The group poses outside the aquarium’s STEM labs. Pictured among thehanging colorful “jelly fish” are Eliseo Valenzuela, Mercy Grace Fran-cisco, Monica Baker, Yohana Cruz, Moises Zavala, Wonhee Kang, PaolaZavala, Brenda Zavala, Brian Delcid, Sandra Achia, Edwin Garcia, HannyBushura and the tour guide Alan McKenzie.


Opinion

By Karin Rindal

In 2008, immediately after its incep-tion, the Centreville Garden Club tookon its first community project: a re-furbishment of the planters around

the Sully Government Center. The plantselection by former garden club memberKate McTigue emphasized drought tolerantplantings. Plants are flourishing. This yearand last a few amendments were made thatincluded additional native plantings. Nativeplantings are important because they helpprotect biodiversity of species. They also are

easier to grow sincethey are adapted to oursoil and climate and re-quire less supplementalwater and no fertilizer

once established.In late 2011 the garden club adopted the

Centreville Regional Library entrance gar-dens as an additional ongoing communityproject. In the summer of 2013 a collabo-rative effort between the garden club, li-brary branch manager Christine Jones, andthe Friends of the Centreville Library be-gan, with the intent of renovating/remov-ing the existing struggling plantings to cre-ate more resilient gardens relying heavilyon native plants. Thoughtful research wentinto selecting the best native plants for thesite based on drought tolerance and light

requirements but also with an eyeto coordinating them colorwisewith the surrounding remainingtrees and shrubs. The garden clubwas able to provide chosen plantsto the library at wholesale prices.While not completely native, thebeds do include varieties such as:Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moon-beam’, Phlox stolonifera ‘HomeFires’, Boltonia ‘Snowbank’, Pen-stemon ‘Husker Red’, Amsoniatabermontana, and Sisyrinchum(blue-eyed grass). Drought toler-ant sedum varieties are featuredin high traffic areas.

Garden club members came outto swiftly plant the new additions.Plantings are financed by theFriends of Centreville Library and the gar-den club. This spring the Centreville Gar-den Club added a few additional nativeplants including ascelpias. Ascelpias havethe added benefit of offering a great sourceof nectar for butterflies.

Garden club efforts coincide with a newFairfax County initiative emphasizing theuse of native plants. Learn more at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/newslet-ter/nativeplants.htm

In its latest community enhancementproject, the club donated plants for the cre-ation of a small herbal and native garden

in a neglected area near the intersection ofNorthbourne and Doyle Lane. Thehardscaping of this garden was created tocommemorate resident Tim Lyons. Originalplants had not survived but have now beenreplaced with, again, more drought toler-ant perennials and herbs that should dobetter in the sandy soil that surrounds muchof the hardscaping.

Plants came from garden club members’yards, nursery sources, as well as the 2013annual seedling sale from NorthernVirginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Dis-tricts and were arranged by club Civic

Project chair Karin Rindal. Keep-ing back the invasive weeds fromthis area that borders woodlandis an ongoing challenge. Invasiveplants such as Japanese honey-suckle, which smell enticingly fra-grant, are a terrible plague to na-tive plant diversity. CurrentCenterville Garden club PresidentCathy Sly encourages local resi-dents to do their part in remov-ing invasive species from theirproperty.

“Garlic mustard is an invasivethat is easy to identify and eveneasier to pull,” says Sly. Learnmore about invasive weeds in thearea at http://w w w. d c r . v i r g i n i a . g o v /

natural_heritage/documents/invlist.pdfThe Centreville Garden club meets on the

third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. atthe Sully Government Center from Septem-ber through May.

Contributions to further the work andeducational efforts of the Centreville Gar-den club can be directed [email protected]

The Centreville Garden Club was foundedin 2007. The club’s stated goal is to edu-cate members and to provide horticultural-related outreach to the community. VisitCentrevillegardenclub.blogspot.com.

Garden Club Works in Small Ways with Major Impact

In 2011, the Centreville Garden Club adopted theCentreville Regional Library entrance gardens.

Centreville

Garden Club


Sports

District 10 CrownThe SYA West LittleLeague 11/12 year oldAll-Stars captured theDistrict 10 crown after a10-2 victory against SYAEast in the champion-ship game. SYA Westwent 4-0 in pool playand then went on to beatChantilly National in thesemi-finals 17-0 beforewinning the champion-ship against SYA East onMonday, July 14, at CubRun Elementary. SYAWest is managed by JohnLeo, with assistantcoaches Seth Blee andSteve Hoad.

Pho

to

C

on

tributed

Virginia RunHosts Divisionals

The morning was cool, but the pool at Virginia Runyielded sizzling hot performances as the top swim-mers of the six teams in NVSL Division 6 set 27 teamrecords and three NVSL records at the divisionalsmeet July 26.

The traffic along Route 29 and Pleasant Valley washeavier than usual as more than 350 swimmers, theirfamilies, and coaches traveled to Centreville fromall corners of Fairfax County to finish their summerswim season.

Virginia Run was represented by 64 swimmers whoposted 76 personal bests, and set seven Riptiderecords. Geoffrey Eisenhart (13-14) broke a 15-year-old record for the freestyle with a 27.30. Mia Newkirk(15-18) broke her own backstroke record with a30.32 and an 11-year-old record for the individualmedley at 1:07.42. Olivia Masterson (11-12) broke

her breaststroke record for the second week in a rowwith a 37.34. Leo Wang (13-14) also broke his ownbreaststroke record with a blistering 30.90 and atthe same time set a new NVSL record. AnthonyArcomona (11-12) broke both the fly and IM markshe already held with a 30.16 and 1:10.12 respec-tively.

Eleven swimmers from the Riptide posted timesthat qualified them to swim at the upcoming NVSLall-star meet. Charles Beamon (8U), Jason Cheifetz(9-10), Maddie Whitton (9-10), Anthony Arcomona(11-12), Olivia Masterson (11-12), GeoffreyEisenhart (13-14), Leo Wang (13-14), Sarah Boyle(13-14), Didi Pace (13-14), Skyla Davidson (15-18),and Mia Newkirk (15-18) will join the elite swim-mers of Northern Virginia as they compete atAnnandale Pool on Saturday, Aug. 2.

The Riptide received the Division 6 championshiptrophy at Saturday’s divisional meet and celebratedtheir memorable, undefeated season at the teambanquet luncheon on Sunday.

Pictured are the Virginia Run all-stars: (bottom) Skyla Davidson, Sarah Boyle, DidiPace, Mia Newkirk, Leo Wang, Geoffrey Eisenhart, Anthony Arcomona, (top) CoachDarwin, Maddie Whitton, Olivia Masterson, Jason Cheifetz, and Charles Beamon.

By David Lacey

SYA Volleyball Commissioner

SYA Volleyball completed its17th year this past June. Inthose 17 years it has pro-

vided volleyball in the spring(March-June) to boys and girls inthe 4th-12th grades in the west-ern part of Fairfax County(Centreville, Clifton and Chantillyareas). Over those years it has con-

tinued to provide itsHouse League play inthe spring and has ex-panded that play to

include a higher level travel leaguedrawing teams from throughoutNorthern Virginia. About 10 yearsago it added a club program forthe highest skill level players. Theclub teams participate from lateNovember to early June.

In its years of providing volley-ball it has seen numerous SYAplayers go on to play for their highschools and colleges.

However, the focus of the pro-gram will always be to introducechildren to the sport and try andmake it one that they will enjoyfor their whole life.

We rely a great deal on highschool age coaches coachingyounger players/teams during ourspring league. This gives them achance to teach others a sport theytruly love and at the same time theyounger players relate better tosomeone close to their age. Over

the years numerous former play-ers, who have gone on to collegeand come back to the area, arenow volunteering to coach a teamor a clinic that we offer. It trulyshows that the program is achiev-ing its goal of providing a sportthat the player will enjoy andhopefully give back to others.

The program provides an annualscholarship in memory ofCourtney Richard. She was aformer student and volleyballplayer who attended ChantillyHigh School and regretfully passedaway in her Junior Year. Sheplayed for SYA Volleyball for sev-eral years.

The scholarship has been givento a graduating high school seniorwho has demonstrated a love ofthe sport, school service and com-munity service.

This year’s recipient is MeghanPollard of Centreville High School.

Over the 17 years of its existencethe program has not only provideda spring league, but clinics/campsthroughout the rest of the year.These clinics/camps have beenwell attended since they have beendesigned to do two things.

One is to introduce those chil-dren who have never played thesport the opportunity to learnenough skills to see if they wouldenjoy playing the sport in thespring season, as well as, enhanc-ing the skill of those players whowant to make their high schooland club teams when they havetheir tryouts.

Over the years we have had hun-dreds of players attend these clin-ics/camps to learn the sport andgo on to play for their high schooland club teams.

Over the years, players and par-ents have asked SYA Volleyball;why don’t you have a fall league?It took us 17 years, but we finallydid hear you and this fall (Septem-ber-November) we are offering afall league level. The fall league isplanned to be on the same formatas the spring league. No weekendplay and one practice night andone game night during the week.You can find more informationabout the fall league atsyasports.org and click on volley-ball.

SYA Volleyball has made numer-ous changes to its program overthe years and will continue to doso to make it better for both theplayers and parents. Its hope isthat the fall league will be justanother change that continues tomeet what the players and parentsare asking it to do.

Introducing FallSYA Volleyball

Update


News

By Mike Salmon

Centre View

Every day, Vasyl Smolii uses two dif-ferent routes when he bikes to andfrom work at the Belle View poolin Alexandria. Coming down the

hill on Belle View Boulevard is an easy ridein the morning but going back up in theevening is not as easy on the bicycle Smoliirents from his sponsor High Sierra Pools,an Arlington-based pool management com-pany.

“I must buy this bike for the summer,” said19-year-old Smolii from Ukraine.

For Martin Stefanov and VictoriaTshacheva, the bikes are their transporta-tion this summer as well. In the evenings,six bikes are parked on the first floor patioof the apartment they share in Kingstownewith other lifeguards who are also fromEurope.

This is Stefanov’s second yearlifeguarding; Tshacheva heard about hisadventures last year while they were attend-ing Sofia University in Sofia, Bulgaria.Tshacheva is studying public relations.

“This country is much different, you cansee different cultures, a lot of people fromthe whole world, you can learn a lot ofstuff,” she said. Riding bikes to work wasone of those things she is learning. Bikingin Bulgaria “is not so popular,” she said, butshe may continue when she goes back. “Iwill ride the bike in my country, I think so,”she said.

At the EOS Twenty One apartment com-plex in the Landmark area of Alexandriathere are two pools, one manned by a pairof 20-somethings from Poland, and theother by twin sisters Irina and OlhaShemchuk, also from Ukraine. These life-guards, who went through U.S. Aquatics for

their summer jobs, don’t ride bikes to work.The pair from Poland are staying in anapartment with three other lifeguards closeenough to EOS to walk to work, and for theShumchuk sisters, “our driver picks us upevery day,” said Irina Shemchuk.

Transportation is one of the concerns ofDoug Winkler, owner of Winkler Pool Man-agement Inc., with an office in Springfield.They employed 260 lifeguards from vari-ous countries this year, such as Ukraine,Serbia, Turkey, Jordan, Bulgaria,Azerbaijan, Dominican Republic, China,Slovakia, Russia, Poland, Egypt andKazakhstan. The Winkler lifeguards eitherwalk, use public transportation, have driv-ers like the Shemchuk sisters, or use bikesthat Winkler supplies for a deposit.

Winkler, who lifeguarded when he was ateen, remembered his years on the lifeguardchair as a “great job,” but noted that “thedesire is not there in American kids any-more, they don’t want to work.” Lifeguardsfrom overseas want to travel and experi-ence the United States as well as earn somemoney.

All of the lifeguards get training in theirhome countries and another course herebefore starting. According to High SierraPools, which has job fairs in the U.S. andinternationally, “All of our representativesare former lifeguards to give you the insidescoop,” on the job, according to its website.“High Sierra works with U.S. visa sponsorsto promote our jobs with the help of part-ner agencies worldwide.”

Communicating in English is key. For EOSlifeguards Weronica Mikoljczyk andAgnieszka Kaczmarek from Poland, this istheir second summer lifeguarding in theU.S. Before starting, they were interviewedvia Skype to get a sample of their dialect,and “the tests are in English,” saidKaczmarek. Smolii’s English has improvedsince Memorial Day, but “when I arrived, Ihad very bad English,” he said.

Kaczmarek was a swimming coach in Po-land, so she gives some of the children at

EOS swimming lessons “before it opens,”in the morning. Mikoljczyk was a lifeguardon a lake close to Poznan, a city in Poland,and both know synchronized swimmingwhich they also share with the children atthe pool. “I love kids,” said Kaczmarek, andthe “kids love us,” added Mikoljczyk.

Over at Belle View, Smolii had to rely onhis training early on this summer, rescuinga resident in distress. “My first week, awoman at Belle View was swimming andgot a cramp. I jumped in with my rescuetube, take her shoulder,” he said, reenact-ing the procedure. Smolii is with High Si-erra, and they check his lifeguarding skillsevery month, he said.

ALTHOUGH MOST of the lifeguards worklong days that stretches to more than 40hours a week, they do find time to enjoytheir American experience. Smolii went toOcean City, Md. with another lifeguard andexperienced the ocean and eating crabs for

the first time. The crab mallet techniqueswas tough to master at first and he endingup splattering crab all over him until “wait-ers showed us the correct way,” he said.

Stefanov took a day trip to New York Cityfor a fellow lifeguard’s birthday. “It wasamazing,” he said.

For another Ukrainian, VictoriaHorbenko, a lifeguard in Ellipse at Govern-ment Center off Lee Highway, her summerat poolside is “like a student exchange, toget new experience,” she said.

The lifeguards are hot and cold to Ameri-can food. Stefanov and Tshacheva inKingstowne try to eat healthy and “cook alot in our apartment,” said Tshacheva, not-ing that her father in Bulgaria “cooks, it’sthe most delicious food,” she said. She’sfamiliar with the obesity trend in this coun-try. For the twin sisters, the “food here isvery bad,” said Olha Shemchuk, “too manysweets.” Her sister Irina is not a fan ofAmerican bread. “Your bread is not bread,”she said.

There are still community pools that onlyhire teenagers from the neighborhood forthe lifeguard positions such as Hunt Valleypool in Springfield. According to managerLauren Blackburn, “We all live right here.”

Hunt Valley lifeguard Luke Chapman, 17,went to a class to become a pool operatorand noticed “they were all Eastern Euro-pean,” he said.

Winkler noted that being in the commu-nity they grow up in has advantages, aswhen he was a teen and “many evenings,some of the pool patrons would bring medinner.” On the other hand, being in chargeis a hard sell to friends. “It’s tough for themto be disciplinary,” he said.

The summer abroad is making an impres-sion on Tshacheva. “Here we are so sepa-rate from our life in Bulgaria. It will be sodifferent when we go back,” she said.

For Olha Shemchuk, 19, she might give itanother summer, after she turns 21 so shecan go dancing and clubbing. “We areyoung,” she said.

For some, it starts outon two wheels.

Foreign Nationals Immersed in Local Lifeguarding

Martin Stefanov on his way to work at a neighborhood pool from theapartment he shares with other lifeguards in Kingstowne.

Victoria Tshacheva and Martin Stefanov from Bulgaria with bikessupplied by Continental Pools, their sponsor company.

Victoria Horbenko from Ukraineholds on to a float and scans thepool in Fairfax.

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Zone 4 Ad Deadline:

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MUST LOVE CATSVolunteers needed for cat caretaker shifts with

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at 7 Corners/Falls Church, Tysons Corner, Reston or Leesburg PetSmart locations. Morning, mid-day or evening shifts available, need varies by location. Shifts are generally 60-90 minutes,

training provided. Great opportunity for student service hours. Also opportunities for

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CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6 ....................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4 ....................Tues @ noon

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EMPLOYMENTDEADLINES

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Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/ Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon Gazette

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HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

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When it comes to being a cancerpatient, even more so a multi-year cancersurvivor, I have always erred on the sideof caution. And by caution, I mean beingrespectful to the disease, courteous of itscomings and goings, mindful of its poten-tial damage and afraid of its intangibles.And by intangibles, I mean the unex-plained and the inexplicable, and mostfearfully, its power and unpredictability.Therefore, my behavior toward it hasbeen intended to be as polite as possible;never to be perceived – in any way imag-inable – as arrogant, presumptuous, incontrol, all-knowing and most especially,victorious.

My philosophy has been to remain aspositive as I could, never buying into thegenerally unfavorable statistical models,while taking any success I’ve had as muchin stride as humanly possible. Moreover,to the extent these successes have pro-longed my life – and of course they have,considering the original “13 month to 2year” prognosis I was given back in lateFebruary, 2009 – I still want to maintain alow profile and never boast or speakloudly, and never confidently, about theamazing good fortune I’ve experiencedsince I was diagnosed as “terminal” fiveyears and exactly five-months-to-the-dayago (27th of the month). I’ve always wor-ried that the reason I’ve survived is thatsomebody (some entity) somewhere madea mistake in their accounting and skippedover my name, sort of like a reverse typo.Irrational I suppose; nevertheless, I see noadvantage in rocking the boat and/orbringing any attention to the fact thatyours truly is still very much alive; flyingunder the radar is my preferred route.

Granted, I do write about this fact andI do bring attention to it, but not out ofany need for self-aggrandizement. I do itbecause if I didn’t, I’d probably be muchless able to endure under my circum-stances. Apparently, the need to expressmyself publicly is too overwhelming todeny. And thanks to my Publisher, MaryKimm, I have had and continue to havethe means, motivation and opportunity todo so/share my feelings about life as acancer patient/survivor; hardly a crime.But never have I written any wordsbecause I matter in the discussion; ratherbecause the subject (cancer) matters. Andsince I’ve been able to do so in a rela-tively quiet, honest and positive manner –never intending to be the story, only thestoryteller – my life, my pursuit hascontinued.

Certainly I realize, as an originally-characterized-as-terminal cancer patient,that I’m up against an immovable object,generally speaking; still, statistics do havea margin of error, and human beings dohave an immeasurable desire to live. Yetliving to one’s ripe old age is hardly guar-anteed, as I’ve learned all too well.Accordingly, as you regular readers know,I’ve made many changes in my life, incor-porating a variety of anti-cancer remediesinto my daily routine, and so far, so great.What you may not have known, however,is how I’ve actually lived my life whilechanging. I have done so by always beinggrateful for the gift of life I have receivedand reverential to the powers that be.What I’ve done, I could not have donealone and elevating myself would seem tobe the definition of counter-productive.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

“CanSir”From Page 3

News

Mitchell. “We’re hoping to build this intonot just theater, but a triple threat – an act-ing, singing and dancing group. I thinkthere’s a high demand for this in this area.”

He plans both fall/winter and springshows, besides the summer camp. “We wantto build the students’ acting skills and con-fidence levels so they’ll feel comfortablegetting up and performing before theirpeers,” he said. “They’ll focus on creatingthe main performance, but this program willgive them more one-on-one training.”

Initially, said Mitchell, “We’ll concentrateon the base, their acting skills. My hope isthat we’ll build toward doing musical per-formances. I’m really excited about it. It’ssomething I’m passionate about, but it’sdaunting to start my own business. So I’mgrateful for this opportunity with CDC andfor someone putting their faith in me.”

He also emphasized that people of all agesand acting levels are welcome to participate.“I feel adults in this area are underserved,”he said. “But we’ll take all comers. The morestudents we get, the more staff we’ll hire.”

And it’s something they’ll be able to con-

Dance Center, Mitchell Unite

Photo Courtesy of Pat Mitchell

“Aladdin,” directed by Pat Mitchell.

tinue, all year ’round. During the school year,classes will be held on Sundays: Ages 5-8,from 1-2:30 p.m.; ages 9-11, from 2:30-4

p.m.; ages 12-18, from 4:15-5:45; and adults,from 5:45-7:15 p.m. For more information,see the Website or call 703-405-0868.

From Page 3

Enjoy Sully’sStarlight Cinema

The 10th year of Sully District StarlightCinema is about to kick off with five, free,family-friendly, drive-in movies. They’ll bepresented on Saturday evenings in Augustat 5860 Trinity Parkway in Centreville.Gates open at 6 p.m.

The evening will begin with music, foodand children’s activities provided by NewLife Christian Church. Then, at dark, themovies will start. People may watch mov-ies on the big screen from the comfort oftheir cars; or if they want a canopy of starsoverhead, they may sit in a designated areain front of the screen.

The schedule is as follows: Aug. 2,“Casablanca;” Aug. 9, “Despicable Me 2;”Aug. 16, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meat-balls 2;” Aug. 23, “Frozen,” and Aug. 30,“The Lego Movie.”

If there’s a threat of bad weather, call 703-324-SHOW after 6 p.m. for cancellationupdates. For more information, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/perfor-mances/

Host a WFCMFood Drive

WFCM needs the community’s help overthe summer months when it has a criticalshortage of food. “For instance, of the 24schools that we serve, one has over 900 stu-dents who count on free and reducedlunches during the school year,” said WFCMCommunity Outreach Manager JennieBush. “This creates a financial strain on

families looking for food help.”But she said local residents can make a

tremendous difference by hosting a fooddrive with their sports team, camp, swimteam or place of employment. To arrange afood drive for WFCM, contact theorganization’s summer intern, Annie Cecil,at [email protected].

How to HireCLRC Workers

The Centreville Labor Resource Center(CLRC) serves businesses and homeownersneeding help with just about any home re-modeling or maintenance project. And lo-cal residents who’d like to hire a worker fromthe CLRC may do so easily. Either call 703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.organd click on the “How to Hire” link. Tell whatkind of work is required, how many work-ers are needed and when.

The CLRC will match the needs to its reg-istered workers’ skills and set up the job.The price for work will be negotiated. Afterthe job is completed, employers are encour-aged to provide the CLRC with feedback toensure that the work was done well and totheir satisfaction and to make sure the work-ers are fairly paid.

Food DonationsFor WFCM

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ foodpantry urgently needs donations of cannedvegetables (no green beans), vegetable oil;dry pasta, flour, canned fruit and meat,white or brown rice (1- or 2-lb. bags), coldcereal, pancake mix, powdered and evapo-rated milk. Also needed are toilet paper,

diapers, shampoo and baby wipes. (WFCMclients cannot purchase toiletries with foodstamps).

Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry,weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at 13888Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza andKumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s SullyPlace Shopping Center. Volunteers areneeded Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., andWednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Contact AnnetteBosley at 703-988-9656, ext. 110, [email protected].

Citizens PoliceAcademy

People interested in law enforcement andwho’d like to learn about the Fairfax CountyPolice Department and meet many of thosewho serve in it may now do so. They mayapply to join the Sept. 11-Nov. 15 sessionof the Citizens Police Academy. It’s a free,10-week program put on by the Police De-partment and is open to people who live orwork in this county.

To apply, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/services/citizens-police-academy.htm or email [email protected].

Meals on WheelsVolunteers

Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheelsdrivers in Chantilly and group Meals onWheels coordinators in both Chantilly andFairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, [email protected] or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volun-teer-solutions.htm.

Roundups


at E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater,5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Theband Rocknoceros provides familyfun for children of all ages. Free. Call703-631-0013 for more.

Kaleidoscope Adaptive Storytime.10:30 a.m. at Chantilly RegionalLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Stories, songs and movement in awelcoming atmosphere for childrenof all ages on the autism spectrumand with other developmentalchallenges. Call 703-502-3883.

Plant Clinic. 10:30 a.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Master gardeners providehorticultural tips, information,techniques and advice to homegardeners. Call 703-502-3883.

Thriving Three to Fives. 10:30 a.m.at Centreville Regional Library,14200 St. Germain Drive. Stories andactivities for children ages 3-5 withadult. Call 703-830-2223.

Drive-in Movie. Food and children’sactivities 6-8 p.m., movie begins atdark. Starlight Cinema, 5860 TrinityParkway. “Despicable Me 2” plays atthe drive-in. Watch from your car orbring blankets to lounge on. Bring aradio to listen outdoors. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances or call 703-324-8662.

MONDAY/AUG. 11Bouncin’ Babies. 10:30 a.m. at

Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities for babies up to11 months with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Small Wonders. 11:30 a.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities for children 12-23 months with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

American Giants of Science. 2:30p.m. at Centreville Regional Library,14200 St. Germain Drive. MeetAmerica’s most famous inventors andsee them come to life onstage withBright Star Theatre. Ages 6-12. Call703-830-2223.

TUESDAY/AUG. 12Toddlin’ Twos. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Early literacystorytime with stories, songs andactivities. Age 2 with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Spectacular Science. 2:30 p.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Explore thesecrets of fireworks, bubbles andmore with Mad Science. For ages 6-12. Call 703-502-3883.

Magic and Mayhem. 4 p.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Sci-fi and fantasybook discussion group for students ingrades 6-8. Call 703-502-3883.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 13Read, Build, Play Duplo Storytime.

10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Duplo play storytime to helpdevelop early literacy skills. Age 18-35 months with adult. Call 703-502-3883.

Bouncin’ Babies. 3 p.m. at ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Rhymes, songs, stories andactivities for babies up to 11 monthswith adult. Call 703-502-3883.


Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m.at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. For adults, call fortitle. Call 703-502-3883.

Email announcements to [email protected]. 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.

VIRGINIA TAX HOLIDAYFamilies in Virginia will get a sales tax

break on clothes and supplies forschool when the state holds itsannual Virginia tax holiday, Aug. 1-3.To be eligible for the tax break,school supply items must be priced at$20 or less, and clothing andfootwear must be priced at $100 orless. Visit www.tax.virginia.gov/ for acomplete list of of eligible schoolsupplies and clothing items.

SUMMER MEALS FOR CHILDRENFairfax County Public Schools will

participate in the U.S. Department ofAgriculture’s summer food serviceprogram for children who qualify forfree and reduced lunches during theschool year. Free meals that meetfederal nutrition guidelines will beprovided to children at approvedsites throughout Fairfax County. Tofind a location, contact the FCPSOffice of Food and Nutrition Servicesat 703-813-4800.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLINGResidents can now “e-cycle” at the I-66

transfer station. It is free butresidents may be asked to show proofof residency. Personal waste only.The I-66 station is located at 4618West Ox Road, Fairfax and open from8 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday-Saturdayand from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/

recycling/electric-sunday.htm.

THURSDAY/JULY 31English Conversation Group. 7 p.m.

at the Chantilly Regional Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. PracticeEnglish with other students. Call 703-502-3883.

FRIDAY/AUG. 1Panther Pints Blood Drive. 2:30-7

p.m. at Apostle Catholic Church,6720 Union Mill Rd., Clifton. PhotoID required. Visit inova.org/donateblood to register. Use sponsorcode 8044. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVESfor more.

Pet Calendar. Submit a photo of a petto us.petvalu.com for a chance tohave its picture in the 2015 calendar.Resolution must be 2200 pixels wideat 72 dpi. Minimum file size is 1MB.Photos must be horizontal, in colorand in .jpg format. Calendars on salein mid October for $5. All proceedsgo to support groups that help put astop to animal cruelty. Visitus.petvalu.com for more.

SATURDAY/AUG. 2eBook Help. 2 p.m. at the Chantilly

Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Get eBook questions answered.Bring a tablet or digital reader andlibrary card. Call 703-502-3883.

MONDAY/AUG. 4Special Needs Workshop. 9 a.m.-

2:30 p.m. at George MasonUniversity, 4400 University Drive,The HUB - Building 56, Fairfax. Forbrothers and sisters of children withspecial needs: Unique Concerns,Unique Opportunities. Free. Visit

fcps.edu/cco/prc/resources/events.ESL Book Club. 7 p.m. at the

Centreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Adults learningEnglish meet to discuss a bookchosen by the group. Call 703-830-2223.

TUESDAY/AUG. 5English Conversation Group. 10:30

a.m. at the Chantilly RegionalLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Practice English with other students.Call 703-502-3883.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 6Transportation Job Fair. 10 a.m.-3

p.m. Stonecroft TransportationCenter, 4641 Stonecroft Blvd.,Chantilly. Fairfax County PublicSchools is hosting a job fair to recruitnew bus drivers. Starting pay is$18.52 per hour plus benefits. Call571-423-3023 for information aboutthe fair or visit www.fcps.edu/hr/employment/jobs to apply for aposition as a bus driver.

THURSDAY/AUG. 7English Conversation Group. 7 p.m.


SATURDAY/AUG. 9ESL Book Club. 11 a.m. at the

Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Adults learningEnglish meet to discuss a bookchosen by the group. Call 703-502-3883.

English Conversation Group. 3:30p.m. at the Centreville Regional

Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive.Practice English with other students.Call 703-502-3883.

MONDAY/AUG. 11ESL Book Club. 7 p.m. at the


TUESDAY/AUG. 12English Conversation Group. 10:30

a.m. at the Chantilly RegionalLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Practice English with other students.Call 703-502-3883.

THURSDAY/AUG. 14English Conversation Group. 7 p.m.


eBook Help. 7 p.m. at the ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad. Get eBook questions answered.Bring a tablet or digital reader andlibrary card. Call 703-502-3883.

Civil War Lecture. 7 p.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. “Battle of theCrater/Petersburg, July 1864” byNPS Ranger Emmanuel Dabney. Call703-830-2223.

MONDAY/AUG. 18ESL Book Club. 7 p.m. at the


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C E N T R E V I L L EThe Anglican Church of the Ascension

TraditionalAnglican Services

1928 Book ofCommon Prayer

1940 Hymnal

13941 Braddock Road, (north off Rte. 29) Centreville, VA703-830-3176 • www.ascension-acc.org

Holy Communion 10 A.M. Sundays(with Church School and Nursery)

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All Summer One Service 10amRadical Encounters with Jesus

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