McLean Seeing Visions Of 1771connectionarchives.com/PDF/2011/072011/McLean.pdf · 2019-12-18 ·...

McLean Connection ❖ July 20-26, 2011 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Signora Bella, Le Bellezzadell’Equilibrio (the Beautyof Balance), juggles threepins while standing on aball at the Claude MooreColonial Farm Summer

Market Fair Sunday.

Signora Bella, Le Bellezzadell’Equilibrio (the Beautyof Balance), juggles threepins while standing on aball at the Claude MooreColonial Farm Summer

Market Fair Sunday.

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2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 20-26, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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NewsMcLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

The Rotary Club ofMcLean honoredthree local residentslast month for their

commitment to the Northern Vir-ginia area and their dedication tocommunity service.

John Rosenbaum was honoredwith the McLean Rotarian of theYear Award and Jan Auerbach re-ceived the club’s Service AboveSelf Award. Additionally, local realestate executive Mark Lowhamwas honored with the McLeanBusinessman of the Year Award.

An Arlington resident,Rosenbaum received the McLeanRotarian of the Year award for ex-emplifying the principles of RotaryInternational coupled with hiscommitment to community ser-vice. He is a real estate developerwith Bedrock Development Inc.

Since 2003 Rosenbaum hasserved as Rotary’s McLean Daychair. He is responsible for orga-nizing the club’s food-and-bever-age fundraiser at the annual Maycommunity festival. The community-service effortraises more than $2,000 each year, which is used tosupport local projects.

AUERBACH RECEIVED the Service Above SelfAward for her exemplary humanitarian service witha focus on active involvement in helping othersthrough the McLean club and Rotary International.

A McLean resident, Auerbach serves as the chairof the Club Foundation’s Grants Committee and iswebmaster of the McLean Rotary website. She alsois active in the club’s literacy program with TimberLane Elementary, as well as its work with the Lit-eracy Council of Northern Virginia. Auerbach willbe McLean Rotary president from July 2012 to June2013.

LOWHAM, A MCLEAN RESIDENT, received theMcLean Businessman of the Year Award for his pro-fessional successes and his community service work.He has been an investor and managing partner withTTR/Sotheby’s International Realty and previouslyserved as executive vice president with WEST GROUPfor more than 20 years.

Lowham is a long-standing supporter of a numberof regional charitable organizations. He is the chair-man of INOVA’s Life with Cancer Program, a mem-ber of the Executive Committee of CharityWorks, anda member of the Board of Trustees of the MedicalCare for Partnership Foundation. He is also an Hon-orary Trustee of the McLean Community Foundationand an active supporter of The Trust for the NationalMall.

Margi Vanderhye,McLean Project forthe Arts (MPA)

board member and former Vir-ginia State Delegate and MarkLowham, Managing Partnerwith TTR Sotheby’s Interna-tional Realty, will co-chair thefifth annual MPAartfest whichwill be held on Sunday, Oct. 2in McLean Central Park.MPAartfest turns McLean Cen-tral Park into a family friendlyarts event featuring the sale offine art and crafts of more than40 juried art-ists and draw-ing thousandsof art-lovers tothe park.

“My familyand I have at-t e n d e dMPAartfest ev-ery year. Ihave watchedit grow to be-come an im-portant part oflife inMcLean,” said Lowham. “MPAhas done a stellar job of con-necting art and community andit is vital that we supportMcLean’s only fine arts festival.Co-chairing MPAartfest withMargi Vanderhye will be a plea-sure.”

Vanderhye said, “MPA reallymakes the connection betweencreativity and community, inno-vation and involvement. That iswhy I feel so honored to co-chair this year’s MPAartfest andso fortunate to have businessleader Mark Lowham as a part-ner. Our annual MPAartfest inMcLean’s Central Park is the

best kind of celebration; weenjoy an outstanding arts festi-val and bring together ourMcLean neighbors and familiesof all ages for a day of art, cre-ativity and fun.”

In addition to the fine artistsand craftsmen, MPAartfest willalso highlight the Children’sArtWalk, sponsored by theMcLean Community Founda-tion, featuring the art from el-ementary school studentsthroughout McLean, figuredrawing demonstrations from

MPA’s OpenStudio, andI n n o v a t i o nStation, spon-sored by TTRSotheby’s In-t e rna t i ona lRealty, wherechildren canexplore thec o n n e c t i o nbetween thearts and inno-vative think-ing. Delicious

food and music help completethe experience.

MPAartfest is dependent oncorporate and individual spon-sors for support. There aremany levels of sponsorship op-portunities available. For moreinformation about MPAartfestsponsorship opportunities, callDebbie Jardot at 703-790-1953or visit www.mpaart.org.

McLean Project for the Artsis located at 1234 Ingleside Av-enue in the McLean CommunityCenter.

Hours are Tuesday - Friday 10a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 -5 p.m.

Margi Vanderhye and Mark Lowham, co-chairs forMPAartfest, with Director of MPAartfest Amy Swaak.

Vanderhye, LowhamTo Co-chair MPAartfest

“MPA really makesthe connectionbetween creativityand community,innovation andinvolvement.”

— Margi Vanderhye

John Rosenbaum, Jan Auerbach and Mark Lowham arerecognized for community service.

Rotarian JohnRosenbaum (right)received the McLeanRotarian of the YearAward from theRotary Club ofMcLean PresidentGlenn Yarborough.

Courtesy of Cherry Baumbusch

Rotarian Jan Auerbachreceived the Service AboveSelf Award from the RotaryClub of McLean. Here,outgoing McLean RotaryPresident GlennYarborough presentsAuerbach with the honor.

Photo courtesy of Tom Mangan

Local real estate expertMark Lowham received theMcLean Businessman of theYear Award from the RotaryClub of McLean last month.Here, Rotarian SamAgarwal presents Lowhamwith the honor.

McLean Rotary Honors TwoMembers, Business Executive

Photo courtesy

of Tom Mangan


News

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

When it comes to being healthy, KenStewart doesn’t take shortcuts. At hisday job, he helps hundreds eat rightand get healthy through proper nu-

trition. During his “time off” he puts his money wherehis mouth is, competing in bodybuilding competi-tions around the country.

“I always said I wanted to so something for a liv-ing that I would do for free, and there’s nothing morerewarding than seeing people change their lifestyle,”said Stewart, who runs the Fuel Cafe at the RegencySport and Health Club in McLean. “It’s never beencool or sexy to read nutrition labels, and in thiseconomy people have a lot more to worry about thannutrition. But with the internet there’s a lot of infor-mation out there than people can put into practice.”

STEWART LOST two of the most important womenin his life within days of each other in 2001. Hismother passed away of colorectal cancer and sev-eral days later, while en route to his mother’s fu-neral, his grandmother suffered a massive heart at-tack and died in the limousine. Believing both suf-fered because of poor diet, Stewart has since been aman with a mission.

In addition to running the Fuel Cafe, he runs ameal delivery service that provides nutritious mealsright to his customer’s doors.

Stewart began FUEL (Fitness and Food Used forEnergy and Life) in 2003. He says he got the ideawhile working as a personal trainer in college, whena client saw him eating and said “if only you couldcook for me, I’d have no problem losing weight.” Hehas run the Fuel Cafe since 2008.

“We have great chefs, I basically come up with theideas and they figure it out,” said Stewart, who gradu-ated from Howard University in 2001 with a degreein Nutrition.

Every Friday, Stewart and his chefs run a testkitchen, experimenting with dishes, using researchand customer feedback to form their recipes. Theyrotate menus every six weeks, and for every season.

Stewart says he has many customers that have been

getting their meals from him for the past eight years.His website is filled with testimonials of people whohave used the meals to drop large amounts of weightor just those last few pounds.

“When I met Ken, he guided me through the wholenutrition process and made it so simple. I never imag-ined I would have gotten this far and my body hastotally changed,” wrote Aimee Schwinabart. “I amlooking forward to my first figure competition andother fitness endeavors. Ken has taken me to a newfitness level. He made it so easy even with my busyschedule.”

Stewart says the key to his business is keepingnutritious meals convenient. While the easiest din-ner option might seem like hitting the drive-through,often the consequences outweigh the alleged conve-nience.

“The convenience factor is huge, it’s what keepspeople buying meals even after they’ve lost the weightthey wanted to,” he said. “Once the meals are nolonger convenient, I’m no longer in business.”

Stewart says 75 to 80 percent of being healthy iseating well, which doesn’t include fad diets or otherradical solutions.

“All too often people are looking for a quick fix, tolose weight before a reunion or a wedding or thebeach, but it’s a complete lifestyle change that’sneeded,” he said. “I always say, you don’t have to getready if you stay ready.”

If Stewart spends 75 to 80 percent of his life mak-ing sure his customers are living and eating well, hespends the rest of his time living up to his own ex-ample.

AS A BODYBUILDER, Stewart won the light heavy-weight division at the world championships in LasVegas last month. He does not use any performance-enhancing drugs or steroids, though he said both areregularly used in competition.

“Sure, if I started using I’d probably get bigger, butat the end of the day, I’ve always chosen to stay onthe path I walk, and I really have no other choice,”he said. “But I run a business based on healthy foodand changing your lifestyle. What kind of hypocritewould that make me?”

Stewart, 37, says as he gets older he hopes to moveinto the education field, and he wants to teach chil-dren with a clean conscience.

“How can I be a role model if I do that stuff?” hesaid. “I want to be an educator one day, and my acein the hole will always be that I did it my way, theright way, all the way.”

Spreading Healthy LifestyleKen Stewart spendsprofessional, personal lifededicated to healthy living.

Ken Stewart, whoruns the Fuel Caféat the RegencySport and HealthClub in McLean,was inspired tolive a healthy lifeafter losing hismother and grand-mother in a matterof days.

Photo by

Alex McVeigh/

The Connection

School BoardElects Straussas Chairman

The Fairfax County SchoolBoard has elected Janie Strauss(Dranesville District) as chair-man and Ilryong Moon (at-large) as vice chairman for2011-12. The chair and vicechair assumed office at the July14 School Board meeting.

Strauss served on the SchoolBoard from 1991 to 1993 andfrom 1996 to the present. Shewas elected chair in 2001 andserved as vice chair in 2000.Strauss, a former elementaryand preschool teacher, served aspresident of the Fairfax CountyCouncil of PTAs and as PTApresident at Franklin ShermanElementary School as well as onnumerous education and youthaffairs committees, includingthe FCPS Career and TechnicalPreparation Task Force and theCitizens Bond Committee. Sheholds a master of arts in teach-ing degree from the Harvard

Graduate School of Educationand a bachelor’s from GeorgeWashington University.

Moon has served on theSchool Board from 1995-1999and from January 2004 to thepresent. He was elected chair-man in 2006 and served as vicechairman in 2005. A partnerwith the law firm of Moon,Park, and Associates, he is aformer member of the FairfaxCounty Planning Commission,the Governor’s Urban PolicyTask Force, and the VirginiaAdvisory Committee of the U.S.Civil Rights Commission. Moonearned his juris doctor degreefrom the William and Mary LawSchool and his bachelor’s de-gree from Harvard University.

The chairman and vice chair-man of the School Board areelected by School Board mem-bers during the Board’s annualorganizational meeting.

For more information aboutthe Fairfax County SchoolBoard, including contact infor-mation, visit http://w w w. f c p s . e d u / s c h l b d /members.htm.

Visiting McLean Hardware StoreMcLean Hardware store hosted the children fromPeter Piper Preschool on a tour of the store recentlywhen they completed their unit on the ‘Three LittlePigs and their Great Big Buildings.’

Week in McLean

Conor Robert Tierney, 10, ofMcLean, passed away July 6, 2011.

Conor was born on May 31, 2001 inFt. Campbell, Ky. He was a member ofScout Troop 667 in McLean. He was inthe fourth grade at Franklin Sherman El-ementary School in McLean. Conor wason the McLean Lions wrestling team andjust completed training which he was soproud of to become 5th grade safetypatrol for the “Kiss and Ride” studentdrop off. He was an avid fan ofSpongeBob SquarePants and all thingschocolate. One specific thing Conor en-joyed so much was flying hisgrandfather's J-3 Cub airplane. Conormade such an impact on everyone’s life.He will be greatly missed by his familyand all his friends.

Survivors include his parents Pat andSandy Tierney; brothers, Ryan and

Burke and sister, Kaitlin. Also survivingare his grandparents Robert and EleanorJenkins of Plainville, Ga. and Bill andJudie Harmon of Clarksville, Ga.

A memorial Service for Conor wasconducted Saturday July 16, 2011 in theGriffin Memorial Chapel of Daniel’s Fu-neral Home, Rome, Ga.

The Tierney family respectfully re-quests that in lieu of sending flowerscontributions be sent to the FranklinSherman Elementary School “ConorTierney Memorial Project.”

Make checks payable to: FranklinSherman Elementary School, Care ofMrs. Kathleen Clark, 6633 BrawnerStreet, McLean, VA 22101.

Daniel’s Funeral Home, Rome, Ga.was in charge of the funeral arrange-ments for Conor Robert Tierney.

Conor Robert Tierney, 10, DiesObituary


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News

The Friends of the McLean CommunityCenter organization has named JoannBerkson the recipient of its 2011 “Friendin Deed” award.

Berkson is the 18th person to receivethis recognition “with gratitude foroutstanding leadership and support ofthe McLean Community Center.” Shereceived a plaque at the Friends Junemeeting, which was held at the Center.In addition, a plaque with her name willbe added to the “Friend in Deed” wall inthe Center’s main lobby. The Center islocated at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

Berkson has served as the president ofthe Friends of MCC organization for fouryears. In that time, she has been instru-mental in increasing the group’s involve-ment in Center initiatives. The Friendsorganization has cosponsored theDancing under the Stars and Rockin’ intoSpring community dances and theOktoberfest Dinner. It also has heldreceptions for Alden Theatre audiences.

A 24-year resident of McLean, Berksonand her husband, Jon, reared their threechildren in the community. She wasrecently elected a board member of theMcLean Community Foundation.

For more information, call the Centerat 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit:www.mcleancenter.org.

Contributed

Friends of the McLean Community Center pre-sented Joann Berkson (left) with its 2011 Friend inDeed award. Berkson, who served as theorganization’s president, was presented the awardby Sandy Bremer, vice president.

Joann Berkson Receives ‘Friend in Deed’ Award


Opinionwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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WriteThe Connection welcomes views on any public issue.

The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed.Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are

routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Sendto:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-778-9410.

By e-mail: [email protected]

JULY 19, 2011

For more than 20years I have beenhonored to bePresident and Chief

Executive Officer of theConnection Newspapers,which serve the people ofNorthern Virginia and subur-ban Maryland. Since TheAlexandria Gazette wasfounded in 1784, ourorganization’s journalism hasplayed an essential role in ourcommunities.

But like all Americannewspapers, in recent yearsthe Connection Newspapershave faced daunting techno-logical and economic chal-lenges. We have weatheredrepeated crises that killed orcrippled many others in thenews media. I am proud thatwe have kept these vitalcommunity voices alive.

After the 9/11 terroristattacks, when the countrycame to a virtual standstill,our revenues temporarilyplummeted. And when thesevere recession began in2007, our revenues plungedagain, often failing to coverour operating costs.

During these two periods ofgreat financial duress, ourorganization filed all of ourrequired tax returns but didnot pay all of its federalpayroll taxes in full. Weinitially fell behind after 9/11.Most of the payroll taxes inthis period were paid, butsome balances remained due.For several quarters in 2007-2008, we again fell short.

As President and ChiefExecutive Officer of Connec-tion Newspapers, I takepersonal responsibility for thissignificant failure in oversightand in the organization’smanagement systems. I amdeeply sorry this happened.

I am personally makingarrangements to pay the mostrecent shortfalls in full. Wehave changed ourorganization’s processes toensure that nothing like thishappens again. We have beencurrent on our payroll taxesfor more than three years. Noemployee of ConnectionNewspapers has suffered anyfinancial loss whatsoeverbecause of this.

On July 19, 2011, I pledguilty to two misdemeanorcharges of failure to maketimely payments of payrolltaxes in the U.S. District Courtin Alexandria. To our employ-ees, our readers, our commu-nities and local and federalgovernments, I apologize. Iunderstand that newspapersare a public trust and I knowour entire organization workshard every day to earn thattrust. I will do all I can tosustain that trust as we goforward.

It’s my privilege and respon-sibility to serve as steward ofthese historic and vitalnewspapers. I hope to con-tinue in this role. I am com-mitted to doing whatever Ican to ensure the ConnectionNewspapers adapt to thesevery difficult and challengingtimes and continue servingour communities for years tocome.

Statement of Peter C. Labovitz,President and Chief Executive Officer,Connection Newspapers, LLC

From the CEO To the Editor:In her letter to the editor [Noti-

fying Before Questioning, McLeanConnection, June 29-July 5, 2011]Louise Epstein claims that “FCPSSchool Board incumbent JaneStrauss voted never to requireFairfax County public schools tonotify parents before their childrenare questioned by school officials.”In fact, nothing could be furtherfrom the truth. Ms, Strauss and theSchool Board actually strength-ened the parental notificationpolicy. Now, principals must notifyparents as soon as possible oncethey become aware that a studenthas violated the student behaviorcode. Whether Ms. Epstein’s state-ment is deliberately misleading ornot, at the very least it shows alack of understanding of the pa-rental notification policy.

The Supreme Court case cited byMs. Epstein did not address anyschool discipline issues. In fact, thecourts have consistently supportedthe efforts of school administratorswho work to keep schools safe forall children. The FCPS parentalnotification policy, as it nowstands, is intended to give princi-pals maximum flexibility in deal-

ing with situations as they arise.If there is a medical emergency ora situation in which student safetyis threatened, isn’t it only reason-able to allow the administrator toaddress the emergency or safetyissue immediately, and notify theparents as soon thereafter as pos-sible? Ms. Epstein seems to arguethat all situations should be dealtwith in the same fashion, regard-less of the degree of severity. Thatwould automatically raise everystupid mistake to the level of aserious infraction: do we reallywant to do that to our kids?

We all want the same thing: toprotect our children. The FCPSSchool Board voted unanimouslyto adopt a parental notificationpolicy that would protect our chil-dren while at the same time allow-ing school administrators to actquickly in emergencies. It does allof us a disservice to spread fearand misinformation about thissensitive subject.

Sherry WellsMcLean

The writer is former Longfellow PTAPresident and parent of four FCPSgraduates.

Maximum Flexibility

To the Editor:It would seem there are strange

and questionable things takingplace here in Fairfax CountySchools. So questionable, in fact,that it is time for an outside fo-rensic audit to be conducted. Thataudit needs to go back three yearsand forward two years.

In an article in the Evening Starnewspaper from March 1971,alarm was raised because theFairfax County Public School Su-perintendent took a week to re-spond to a series of questions bythe Fairfax County Executive. Thatslow response by the FairfaxCounty School Superintendentmay have been the beginning ofour school administration misery.

What have we wrought in 30years of fiscal mismanagement?

I can tell you.We have a Fairfax County School

Superintendent who now runs theschools and the School Board withan iron hand doling out retribu-tion and favors to subdue thosewho would question and or con-front him. Not only are they nowslow in responding, they obfuscateand equivocate in their responses.Additionally, today the citizens ap-parently have no serious path ofappeal.

The School Board has been suedunsuccessfully every year since2007 by the Citizens of FairfaxCounty. If anyone thinks these

suits are initiated and carried outat huge expense lightly, they aregrossly mistaken. There are veryserious concerns across the wholeof Fairfax County about ourschools and their management.

We have a schools administra-tion that has lied to the voters andtaxpayers in the little town ofClifton, Va. and the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors about rea-sons to close the Clifton award-winning elementary school.

The School Administration re-ported reasons, in the aggregate,have become the material of leg-end for their turpitude. There arethose who would argue the under-lying purpose was to redirect the$10M, previously allocated to re-furbish Clifton Elementary School,to another application. Unbeliev-ably, among the Fairfax CountyPublic School administration’s ad-vertised reasons was to save mil-lions of dollars. To that I would saypshaw. We are already approach-ing or have exceeded $15M incosts that can be indirectly anddirectly attributable to the redis-tribution of the students who for-merly attended a community re-vered Clifton Elementary School.

Maybe November will bring newschool board representation and alittle sunshine to the process.

Bruce BennettVienna

Sunshine in November?

Letters to the Editor


OPEN HOUSESSATURDAY/SUNDAY, JULY 23 & 24

Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times.

When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in thisConnection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com & click the Real Estate links on the right side.

To add your FREE Realtor representedOpen House to these weekly listings,

please contact Trisha at 703-778-9419, [email protected]

All listings are due by Monday at 3 P.M.

1409 Cola Drive, McLean, VA 22101 • $825,000Open Sunday, 2–4 p.m. • JD Callander, Weichert, 703-606-7901

Falls Church7631 Shreve Rd.....................$725,000..Sun 1-4 ........ Eve Shapiro ........Keller Williams..703-517-7511

Herndon12007 Meadowville Ct. .......... $754,900..Sun 1-4 .. Irene Schiffman..................Weichert ..703-593-784812526 Ridgegate Dr...............$699,000..Sun 1-4......Liam Doherty...Fairfax Realty, Inc. ..703-975-73661334 Grant St........................$524,999..Sun 1-4 .....Ariana Gillette.........................RS1..703-655-841513405 Alfred Mill Ct...............$574,899..Sun 1-4 ...Donny Samson..Samson Properties..703-864-4894

McLean1409 Cola Dr ......................... $825,000..Sun 2-4 ....... JD Callander..................Weichert ..703-606-7901

Oak Hill12116 Bennett Rd...............$1,250,000..Sun 1-4..........Lex Lianos..................Weichert ..703-340-7470

Oakton3347 Lloyd Hill Court.....$1,190,000.00..Sun 1-4 ...........Lee Jones..Samson Properties .. 703 675-052311305 Walnut Creek Ct .......$1,325,000..Sun 1-4.......Ashley White..........TTR Sothebys..703-431-170512114 Wayland St ................. $614,900..Sun 1-4 ........ Lisa Moffett.......Coldwell Banker..703-517-67083179 Summit Sq. #2-A1.......$225,000..Sun 1-4.....Kari Steinberg ......... Long & Foster..703-343-5242

Reston1220 Wild Hawthorn Way .. No price yet..Sun 1-4 ...Donny Samson..Samson Properties..703-864-489412153 Purple Sage Ct............$308,000..Sun 1-4..Isabelle Brugere..................Weichert ..703-244-8788

Vienna2701 Bellforest Ct #402.........$409,000.Sun 1-4 .........Ron Fowler.................Weichert ..703-598-05112701 Bellforest Ct. #409........$330,000.Sun 1-4 .........Ron Fowler..................Weichert ..703-598-0511201 East St., NE.....................$875,000..Sun 1-4 ...Karen Chipman..................Weichert ..703-255-1585717 Hillcrest Dr SW............$1,075,000..Sun 1-4....Casey Samson..Samson Properties..703-508-2535

People

By Julie Inglis

The Connection

Four years ago, a freshman joined the Ameri-can Sign Language (ASL) Club at ThomasJefferson High School for Science and Tech-nology and discovered her love for Ameri-

can Sign Language. This month, newly graduatedsenior Jane Willner became a Distinguished Finalistat a Prudential Spirit of Community Awards cer-emony, thanks to her service to the deaf in her com-munity.

After starting to attend the ASL club at ThomasJefferson High School in ninth grade, Willner spentthe next school year and the next summer learningAmerican Sign Language via “the county—nightclasses” and Gallaudet University.

When Willner considered what she wanted to pur-sue for her Girl Scout Gold Award, she determinedto hold a workshop. “I decided to have a workshopto educate people about—well actually about a lotof things—about just awareness of the deaf commu-nity,” Willner reminisced.

“I told people about the technology that they [thedeaf] use, about careers involving ASL. I just wantto educate people about it and sort of help bridgethe gap. That was basically what the goal of theproject was.”

WILLNER’S PROJECT ADVISOR, KathleenDameo, shared additional details about Willner’sworkshop: “It was a combination of literacy infor-mation about the deaf, sign language instruction forthe deaf, in a very high school kid kind of friendlyway. She asked people to come in and talk from theirpersonal knowledge about working with deaf peopleand what were the issues.”

The first workshop garnered so much interest, thatWillner has since given a second workshop. Dameosaid, “There were so many people that she had toturn away [the first time].”

People’s response to her workshop surprisedWillner. “I didn’t know how much interest therewould be… there were some points along the pro-cess when I was like, ‘Am I really helping anyone?’

But I feel like I really did and it really has made adifference.”

Yet Willner was clear that getting credit for herwork was not her focus. “The most important thingto me is that the service work gets done. I don’t needto put my name on it.”

From her workshops, Willner founded the non-profit organization, Listening, which has a similargoal as her workshops—to help speak for the deafcommunity. She has also served as the president ofher schools ASL club for the past two years.

When it came to talking about moral support,Willner commented about how her family has hadher back. “I’ve had so much support from my fam-ily—especially about the girl scouting and my projectand especially my mom really pushed me to not giveup and to do something that I really cared about.”She also named Talila Lewis, a woman who hashelped Willner with her signing, as “an incrediblerole model.”

Willner shared some of the challenges she facedalong the way such as “talking to adults, being ableto get up in front of a big group of people and give[a] presentation—just all that stuff. It sounds little,but to me it was a huge deal. And I’ve gotten so muchbetter at that.”

AS TO FUTURE PLANS, now that she has gradu-ated high school Willner revealed that she is headedto the University of Virginia and is considering lin-guistics major. “I definitely want to keep up with mycommunity service…I love it. I’m gonna take ASL incollege so I want to keep up with that. And I’m look-ing for however I can practice.”

Dameo communicated her confidence that Willnerwill work to help others. “I foresee her—if not work-ing specifically with deaf and hard of hearingpeople—of doing something else in her life that willbenefit society as a whole. She’s just that kind ofgirl.”

Golden GirlJane Willner ofMcLean honoredfor hercontribution to thedeaf community.

PersonalNAME: JANE WILLNERAge: 18Neighborhood: McLeanProspective School: University of

VirginiaFavorite way to spend free time: “I really

enjoy music. I sing in choir, I lovewriting songs, I play a little bit ofpiano and guitar but not a lot. I lovelearning languages. [I like] hangingout with friends, seeing movies…Iguess usual stuff.”

Jane Willner

Jane Willner, secondfrom right, with herparents Keith andJan Willner, andbrother RourkeWillner.

Photo courtesy

of Jane Willner

8 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 20-26, 2011 McLean Connection ❖ July 20-26, 2011 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180

703-242-2204 1-800-556-8646Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com

for a listing of all our upcoming trips and socials.

WILMINGTON, N.C. by Motorcoach, Sept. 25-28...................$599Includes transportation, hotel, 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners,Sightseeing, boat ride, wine tastingALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA, Oct. 7-16 ................ $2,949Includes air from Dulles, Hotel, Daily Breakfast, 5 Dinners,Sightseeing, transfersDAY TRIP FOR LORNA LUFT CONCERT! Oct. 12 .............. $127Includes Transportation, Lunch & Concert in Bethlehem, PA

By Alex McVeigh

The Connection

Tim, 13, and Steve Bova, 8, havebeen coming to the Market Fairsat Claude Moore Colonial Farmsince they were babies. Their par-

ents run the produce wagon during theevents, which take place three times a year,and for the past few years the boys haven’tjust been observing the variety of 17th cen-tury tasks being performed all around them,they’ve been a part of them.

“I’ve been coming since I was born, andabout six years ago I started selling. Peoplestarted buying from me more than the otherguy, who was a teenager,” Tim Bova said. Thisyear the brothers ran the bread cart, walkingthrough the fair calling “Bread! Bread forsale!” and making quite a few sales. “The mostpopular this year have been the baguettes,we’ve had to refill twice.”

When Tim Bova says “refill,” he means or-dering his brother Steve to fetch the requestedbread for the customer. The two have devel-oped quite the successful sales strategy. Onecustomer Sunday asked Tim whether he pre-ferred the baguettes or the Danish kernelbread, which is made of 17 different grains.

“I recommend both personally, but if you’dlike the Danish kernel bread, more is comingas we speak,” Tim Bova told the customer, asSteve hurried back to the cart with an armfulof loaves. His customers bought a few loavesof each, causing Tim to thank them. “This isthe most anyone’s bought all day, now you’rea record holder.”

While Tim Bova runs the sales department,Steve says he serves as both the accountingdepartment and security.

“I do most of the adding in my head,” SteveBova said. “But I also have to carry a stickand make sure I keep annoying people away.”

THE BOVAS are just two out of more than400 volunteers who spent last weekend at theSummer Market Fair at Claude Moore. The

“It’s not often you can smell the chickenssmoking, see the blacksmith working andwatch these craftsmen work as they wouldhave almost 300 years ago,” said Ed Arley ofMcLean. “My favorite part is that it’s not allfor show, you can eat the chickens, buy somemetal goods or any of the other crafts avail-able.”

Visitors would watch a few shows through-out the weekend, with members of the Vir-ginia Fencing Academy in Springfield puttingon a demonstration that included teachingchildren how to properly salute with a sword.Academy member Kelly Wynn also demon-strated how to cut watermelons as they werethrown at her. While the watermelons missed,there was often no avoiding the spraying pulpas Wynn cut the melons in mid-air.

“I used to take fencing lessons at the RestonCommunity Center with Charlie Anderson,who used to perform at these fairs. When hestopped, we were asked if anybody wantedto take his place,” she said. “There’s a lot ofmisinformation about how swords were used,and we want to show what kind of use theaverage Colonial American would get out oftheir sword.”

Many of the young volunteers usedthroughout the weekend begin coming to ful-fill community service obligations and justkept coming back.

“I needed community service for school afew years ago and came with my neighbors,and I just keep coming back,” said Christo-pher Willie, 13, of Annandale. “I’m usuallythe gunsmith’s apprentice.”

Grace Martin, 12, of Rockville, Md. cameone summer with her family, saw there wasan apprentice opening, and since then she’sperformed a variety of tasks.

“It’s pretty fun to work almost anywhere,but my favorite is the bakery,” she said. “Oncethe fair is over, there’s usually a lot left overand we can eat pretty well.”

CLAUDE MOORE COLONIAL FARM stilloperates in much the same way it would havein 1771, when the family who lived therewould attend Falls Church every Sunday,which was a four-hour walk.

The Fall Market Fair will take place Oct. 15and 16. More information is available atwww.1771.org.

Seeing Visions of 1771Claude Moore ColonialFarm holds SummerMarket Fair.

fairs take place three times a year, and showa fully working example of how the farmersin 1771 would have existed.

“These events show a little more than justday to day existence of how farmers wouldlive,” said Anna Eberly, director of the farm.“Market Fairs were a chance for the entirecommunity to get together, all the way fromthe courts to the militia. And it wouldn’t bepossible without our volunteers. “

Eberly says the thrice-yearly events are al-ways “maximum visitation” events. Guestswalked into a small clearing filled with thesmoke from the many fires required for cook-ing, blacksmithing and more. The first thingsguests saw on their right were two giant spitswith several dozen chickens roasting over anopen fire.

From right, Tim Bova, 13, sends hisbrother Steve, 8, for another loaf ofDanish kernel bread for a customerduring the Claude Moore ColonialFarm Summer Market Fair lastweekend. The Bovas were two ofhundreds of volunteers thatmanned the fair throughout theweekend.

Kelly Wynn of the Virginia Fencing Academy teachesyoung visitors to the Claude Moore Colonial Farm Sum-mer Market Fair how to properly salute with a sword.

From left, Ginny Rousseau, Becky Molitor and MayOhman, “the Chicken Ladies” keep an eye on severaldozen roasting chickens at the Claude Moore ColonialFarm Summer Market Fair Sunday.

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Send announcements [email protected] is Thursday for thefollowing week’s paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. For addi-tional listings, visitwww.connectionnewspapers.com

WEDNESDAY/JULY 20Blame Sally, Cindy Lee

Berryhill and RebeccaPronsky. 7:30 p.m.Jammin’ Java, 227 MapleAve. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Michael McDonald andBoz Scaggs. 8 p.m. WolfTrap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 TrapRoad, Vienna. Blues,ballads and rock. $42 in-house, $25 lawn.www.wolftrap.org.

THURSDAY/JULY 21Larnell Starkey & the

Spiritual Seven. 7 p.m.Nottoway Park, 9601Courthouse Road, Vienna.African-American Gospel.703-324-SHOW.

Main Street CommunityBand. 8 p.m. VeteransAmphitheater, City Hall,10455 Armstrong St.,Fairfax. Light classicalpieces, marches andpopular tunes. Weatherpermitting. Bring a blanketor lawn chair and a picnicbasket. Free. 703-757-0220 orwww.fairfaxband.org.

Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m.Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Call branch for title.Adults. 703-757-8560.

African Folktales. 2:30 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. BrightStar Theatre presents African talesthat have been passed down forgenerations. All ages. 703-790-8088.

Murphy’s Kids, Irresponsible andMr. Dr. MC. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

FRIDAY/JULY 22Movies in the Park. 8:45 p.m.

Glyndon Park, 300 Glyndon St. N.E.,Vienna. Call for film and weatherinformation. Free admission, bringlawn chairs or blankets for seating.703-255-7842.

“Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat.” 8 p.m.McLean Community Center AldenTheatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.$19 adults, $17 seniors and students.www.mcleancenter.org.

Local Children’s Author Judy LinkCuddehe. 10:30 a.m. Barnes andNoble Bookstore, 12193 Fair LakesPromenade Drive, Fairfax. Oak Hillauthor-illustrator Cuddehe will readfrom her recent book about fireflies,“Flash Light!” 703-966-2175.

Artist’s Reception. 7 p.m. The Artists’Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G,Great Falls. Meet visiting artistsRoberta Beasley and Alicia Sommersand fourteen permanent [email protected].

Dance to Benefit LymphomaResearch. 7-11 p.m. AmericanLegion Post 180, 330 Center St.North, Vienna. Dance lessons everyhalf hour by Potomac Swing Dancers.Raffles, cash bar, no experience orpartner necessary. Advance tickets$25 at facebook.com/remissionriders,tickets at the door [email protected].

“Sweeney Todd: The DemonBarber of Fleet Street.” 8:15 p.m.Wolf Trap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 Trap Road,Vienna. A fully staged production ofStephen Sondheim’s musical about

Sweeney Todd, a barber on amurderous path for revenge inLondon. With the National SymphonyOrchestra, conducted by JamesMoore, and the Wolf Trap OperaCompany. Tickets $20-$70.www.wolftrap.org.

SATURDAY/JULY 23Martinez & Guthrie. 5 p.m. Palladium

Civic Place Green, 1445 LaughlinAve., McLean. Free. 703-288-9505.

8th Annual Asian Food and TennisFestival. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. GeorgeMason University, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. With 35 multi-culturalfood and 150 product vendors. Fourshowcase villages, Heritage India,Wow Philippines, Image of China andAmazing Thailand. Free [email protected].

Tropical Plants. 10 a.m. MeadowlarkBotanical Gardens, 9750 MeadowlarkGardens Court, Vienna. Join a walkthrough the gardens to learn how togrow, propagate and over-wintertropical plants. $5. Reserve at 703-255-3631.

Horsemanship Demo, Classes andFundraiser. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. TurnerFarm Park, 925 Springvale Road,Great Falls. Lessons for adults andchildren. Sponsored by The Saddlery.Portion of proceeds to benefit TurnerFarm [email protected].


Fairfax County Master GardenersAssociation, Inc. 10 a.m. City ofFairfax Regional Library, 10360 NorthSt., Fairfax. Horticultural tips,information, techniques and advice tohome gardeners. Adults. 703-293-6227.

Plant Clinic. 10 a.m. Tysons-PimmitRegional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike,Falls Church. Masters Gardeners fromthe Fairfax County CooperativeExtension answer gardeningquestions. Adults. 703-790-8088.

Local Author Jyoti Sondhi. 2 p.m.Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Sondhidiscusses her book “Lighting the Lamp

Within: Illuminating the Path toGreater Spiritual Awareness.” 703-790-8088.

Emmylou Harris and her Red DirtBoys. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap Foundationfor the Performing Arts, 1624 TrapRoad, Vienna. $42 in-house, $25lawn. www.wolftrap.org.

SUNDAY/JULY 24Emma Bailey & SRO. 6 p.m. Concerts

on the Green, Great Falls VillageCenter, Great Falls. Variety.www.gfvcca.com/concerts.

8th Annual Asian Food and TennisFestival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. GeorgeMason University, 4400 UniversityDrive, Fairfax. With 35 multi-culturalfood and 150 product vendors. Fourshowcase villages, Heritage India,Wow Philippines, Image of China andAmazing Thailand. Free [email protected].


Mindy Smith and TiffanyThompson. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

Golden Dragon Acrobats fromChina. 3 p.m. Wolf Trap Foundationfor the Performing Arts, 1624 TrapRoad, Vienna. Acrobatics, traditionaldance, spectacular costumes, ancientand contemporary music and more.Tickets $15-38. www.wolftrap.org.

MONDAY/JULY 25Johnny Reb and Billy Yank. 2:30

p.m. Woodrow Wilson Library, 6101Knollwood Dr., Falls Church.Storyteller Gary Lloyd shares truetales from both sides of the Civil War.Cosponsored by the Erie and JohnHopkins Educational and CharitableTrust through the Fairfax LibraryFoundation. Age 6 and up. Free. 703-820-8774.

Miranda Cosgrove. 7 p.m. FileneCenter, Wolf Trap Foundation for thePerforming Arts, 1624 Trap Road,Vienna. www.wolftrap.org.

Chris Barrett, Kalliko and The OKCorral. 8 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227

Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

TUESDAY/JULY 26Amy Lavere “StrangerMe” CD Release. 8 p.m.Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave.E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 27 Jammin’ Beach Party.10:30 a.m. Great Falls Library,9830 Georgetown Pike, GreatFalls. Cody & Bj take you to amusical beach party withsurfing, limbo, singing anddancing. 703-757-8560.Atlast, Fight Cloud, NoBlitz and Michael Butler.7:30 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

THURSDAY/JULY 28City of Fairfax ConcertBand. 8 p.m. VeteransAmphitheater, City Hall, 10455Armstrong St., Fairfax. A pops-style concert of light classical,Broadway, jazz, film, andpatriotic selections. Weatherpermitting. Bring a blanket orlawn chair and a picnic basket.Free. 703-757-0220 orwww.fairfaxband.org.Rubblebucket. 8 p.m.Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave.E., Vienna.

www.jamminjava.com.

FRIDAY/JULY 29“Joseph and the Amazing

Technicolor Dreamcoat.” 8 p.m.McLean Community Center AldenTheatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.$19 adults, $17 seniors and students.www.mcleancenter.org.

Author Maurita Corcoran. 7 p.m.Barnes & Noble Tysons Corner, 7851L Tysons Corner Center. “A HouseInterrupted,” the story of therealization that her successfulphysician husband was a sex addict.703-506-2937.

The Bigger Lights, Divided ByFriday and Fourth QuarterComeback at 6 p.m., followed byThe Bigger Lights, For TheFoxes and Aim For TheWeekend at 9 p.m. Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.www.jamminjava.com.

SATURDAY/JULY 30“Joseph and the Amazing

Technicolor Dreamcoat.” 8 p.m.McLean Community Center AldenTheatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.$19 adults, $17 seniors and students.www.mcleancenter.org.

The Folsom Prisoners. 5 p.m.Palladium Civic Place Green, 1445Laughlin Ave., McLean. Free. 703-288-9505.

Fairfax County Master GardenersAssociation, Inc. 10 a.m. City ofFairfax Regional Library, 10360 NorthSt., Fairfax. Horticultural tips,information, techniques and advice tohome gardeners. Adults. 703-293-6227.

Author Sophia Nelson. 2 p.m. Barnes& Noble Tysons Corner, 7851 LTysons Corner Center. “Black WomanRedefined,” an intimate look at thestereotypes, lives and images ofsuccessful black women. 703-506-2937.

Summer Lovin’: A Hot Night of CoolStories. 7 p.m. Jammin’ Java, 227Maple Ave. East, Vienna. Better SaidThan Done, a community of professionalstorytellers, present stories for grownupsabout summer romance. $10.www.bettersaidthandone.com,www.jamminjava.com or 703-255-1566.

‘Yellow Watermelons and Tamarillos,’ by Jill Banks. The Artists’ Atelier,1144 Walker Road, Suite G in Great Falls, will hold an artist’s receptionfor the group show ‘Days of Summer’ on Friday, July 22 from 7-9 p.m.Meet visiting artists Roberta Beasley and Alicia Sommers as well as thefourteen permanent artists of The Atelier. [email protected].

Entertainment

FREE!Digital Edition of the McLean Connectiondelivered to your e-mail box.Send your name, mailing address and e-mailaddress to:[email protected] tell us which paper or papers you’d liketo receive.We’ll send the digital replica of our print editionto your e-mail box each week.


Education●Learning●Fun

By Julia O’Donoghue

The Connection

While most of herfriends worriedabout whetherthey would get

along with their freshman yearcollege roommates last summer,Emily Hunt thought about livingwith a Mexican host family and at-tending high school classes con-ducted entirely in Spanish.

After graduating from McLeanHigh School in 2010, Hunt de-ferred her acceptance to JamesMadison University for a year soshe could live abroad through anexchange program sponsored byRotary International.

“I didn’t really feel ready to jumpright into college life. I wanted totake some time to see more of theworld and decide what I wantedto study,” said Hunt, whose ex-change was sponsored by the Ro-tary Club of McLean.

Over 10 months, she lived withthree host families while she at-tended an extra year of high schoolin Aguacalientes, Mexico. She re-turned from Mexico in June andplans to enroll at James Madisonas a freshman this fall.

Hunt said there were many tan-gible benefits to taking time offbetween high school and college,typically referred to as a gap year.

For example, she speaks fluentSpanish now and spent time withstudents from many different cul-tures. Her classmates not only in-cluded other Mexicans but alsostudents on Rotary scholarshipsfrom Japan and other parts of theworld.

“I became so much more matureover the last year. I was away frommy parents for an entire year andI had to handle situations all onmy own. Now I feel very confi-dent,” said Hunt.

Many students who studyabroad through Rotary Interna-tional go during high school butHunt worried that credits from aforeign high school wouldn’t trans-fer. She wanted to be able tograduate on time from McLeanwith the rest of her friends, so shedecided to go abroad after highschool and start college a year late.

“I figured whatever year Istarted college, I was going to be

able to make friends,” she said.

MANY EUROPEAN studentstake a gap year to travel or do com-munity service before starting uni-versity, though American studentswho take time off before collegeremain an exception to the rule.Fewer than one percent of incom-ing freshman at Virginia Tech, oneof the commonwealth’s largestuniversities, take time off betweencollege and high school, accord-ing to the school’s admissions of-fice.

Gap years do have some high-profile advocates, including ad-missions officers at some of thecountry’s most elite universities.

William Fitzsimmons, dean ofadmissions and financial aide atHarvard College, encourages tak-ing time off between high schooland college. Between 50 and 70students defer admission toHarvard every year and the resultshave been “uniformly positive” inhelping teenagers avoid burn-outin college, wrote Fitzsimmons inarticle on the university’s admis-sions website.

“Perhaps the best way to get thefull benefit of a ‘time off’ is to post-pone entrance to college for a year.For nearly 40 years, Harvard hasrecommended this option, indeedproposing it in the letter for ad-mission,” he wrote.

YET PARENTS, other studentsand faculty can be skeptical of thebenefits of taking a gap year.

Bruce Pujanauski said he was alittle skeptical of his son taking ayear off between high school andcollege. Kevin Pujanauski won ascholarship with the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange tostudy abroad at a high school inGermany after he graduated fromThomas Jefferson High School forScience and Technology in 2007.

“We weren’t really familiar withthese programs. His older siblingshad graduated from high schooland gone directly to college. It justwasn’t something we were famil-iar with,” said Bruce Pujanauski,who lives in Oak Hill.

But Bruce Pujanauski said hecouldn’t think of a better experi-ence for his son, who came backspeaking and writing German flu-ently. Now a student at the Uni-

versity of Virginia, Kevin returnedto Germany between his freshmanand sophomore years of college tointern in Berlin.

“The whole experience was justfantastic for him. He got every-thing out of it,” said BrucePujanauski.

Some of Kevin Pujanauski’speers were also a little confusedabout his plans to go to Germany.

“My friends were like ‘What?Huh? You’re still going to be inhigh school?’…It was strange formost students. At TJ, life is allabout getting ahead,” he said.

Yet Kevin Pujanauski grew a lotas a person during his year in Ger-many, where he was the onlyAmerican in his high school. It al-lowed him to experience the free-dom and responsibilities that comewith living on your own before heentered college. The teenager, whohad never been outside the UnitedStates before, also got to visit 10or 11 other countries.

The trip was not only good forKevin Pujanauski’s personalgrowth but his professional andacademic development. KevinPujanauski still sees the benefitsof that growth when he goes onjob interviews.

“I think in terms of my maturity,the benefit was two or three fold.I worked out a lot of issues thatmost people have to deal withwhen they are freshman in col-lege,” he said.

THE COST OF gap year can alsobe a deterrent for some families.Some gap year programs, particu-larly those that are structured andinvolve international travel, cancost as much as a year of collegeitself.

Camille Morrow of Alexandriasaid her parents told her she willhave to attend a public universityor college after they help pay forher gap year excursions. She plansto attend Virginia CommonwealthUniversity in the fall of 2012.

Morrow, who graduated fromT.C. Williams High School in June,is enrolling with National OutdoorLeadership School (NOLS) pro-gram this fall and may be travel-ing to West Africa in the spring.The costs for NOLS program aloneis a little under $12,000.

“I will need to spend a lot of myfree time working but I need to paythem back for some of this,” saidMorrow, whose parents were verysupportive of her taking time offbefore going to college.

“I’ve been in school for so long.I felt like it would be nice to take

a break. I will pretty much besleeping on the ground for threemonths and I am not allowed tohave a cell phone,” said Morrow,who will backpack, canoe andcamp in the Southwest UnitedStates. “I definitely think it will begood for me to get away. I think Iwill come back more attuned tomyself.”

NOT ALL gap year plans requirethat a family shell out an immenseamount of money for tuition.

For example, Hunt andPujanauski are both receiving fullscholarships to study abroad,which assuaged their parents’ con-cerns about the cost of taking agap year. Volunteer programs likeAmericorps — where students canassist flood, hurricane and tornadovictims for example — also coverroom and board for their partici-pants.

“I think the fact that I receiveda full scholarship helped. I think

[the gap year] would have been amuch tougher sell if I had beenasking my parents to pay for it,”said Kevin Pujanauski.

Some young adults also chooseto work during their gap year.

Liam Malakoff is working ongetting various Red Cross and wil-derness first responder certifica-tions so he is better qualified toget a job in Colorado outdoorscommunity. A recent graduate ofT.C. Williams, Malakoff would liketo be a whitewater rafting, canoe-ing or camping guide in the west-ern United States during his timeoff.

“The one rule I set for myself isthat I have to do something. Thereis no point in taking a year off andnot doing anything with it,” hesaid.

Malakoff, who just returnedfrom kayaking competition in Wis-consin, is also hoping to organizea whitewater kayaking race serieson the East Coast.

College Can WaitSome local high school graduatesput off going to college for a year topursue other opportunities.

McLean High School graduate Emily Hunt deferred heradmission to James Madison University so she couldspend a gap year going to school in Mexico.

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Gap Year ResourcesIs your child considering taking a year off between high school and

college? Here are some helpful websites and books with information ongap years.

❖ http://www.usagapyearfairs.org - Look for upcoming local gap yearfairs during the 2011-2012 school year at this website.

❖ http://www.gapyear.com - General information on gap years andgap year programs

❖ “The Gap Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit From Time OffBefore Or During College,” by Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson. This book hasgeneral tips on the gap year process.

❖ “The Complete Guide To The Gap Year: The Best Things To DoBetween High School and College,” by Kristin White. This book is another“tell all” on taking a gap year.


Visit These Houses of WorshipJoin A Club, Make New Friends, or Expand Your Horizons...

Assemblies of God Arlington Assembly of God...703-524-1667

Calvary Gospel Church...703-525-6636

BaptistBon Air Baptist Church...703-525-8079

McLean Baptist Church...703-356-8080

Memorial Baptist Church...703-538-7000

BuddhismThe Vajrayogini Buddhist Center

202-331-2122

Churches- CatholicSt. Agnes Catholic Church...703-525-1166

Cathedral of St Thomas More...703-525-1300Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek

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703-979-5580St Ann Catholic Church...703-528-6276

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Resurrection Lutheran Church

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the Nazarene...703-525-2516

Church- BrethrenChurch of The Brethren...703-524-4100

Churches-Baptist Arlington Baptist Church...703-979-7344

Cherrydale Baptist Church...703-525-8210

First Baptist of Ballston...703-525-7824

Mt. Zion Baptist Church...703-979-7411

Churches -Baptist-Free Will Bloss Memorial Free Will

Baptist Church...703-527-7040

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To highlight your Faith Community call Karen at 703-778-9422

DAILY EUCHARIST:WeekdaysMonday-Friday, 6:30 AM & 8:30 AMSaturday, 8:30 AM

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Trinity United Methodist Church

of McLean...703-356-3312

Charles Wesley United Methdist

...703-356-6336

Calvary United Methdist...703-892-5185

Cherrydale United Methodist...703-527-2621

Chesterbrook United Methodist

...703-356-7100

Clarendon United Methodist...703-527-8574

Community United Methodist...703-527-1085

Mt. Olivet United Methodist...703-527-3934

Walker Chapel United Methodist...703-538-5200

Churches- United Church of ChristBethel United Church of Christ

...703-528-0937

Rock Spring Congregational

United Church of Christ...703-538-4886

Non-Denominational New Life Christian Church - McLean Campus

...571-294-8306

Metaphysical Arlington Metaphysical Chapel ...703-276-8738

Presbyterian Churchin America Churches

Christ Church of Arlington...703-527-0420

Synagogues - Conservative Congregation Etz Hayim...703-979-4466

Synagogues - OrthodoxFort Myer Minyan...703-863-4520

Chabad Luvavitch of Alexandria-Arlington

...703-370-2774

Synagogue - ReconstructionistKol Ami, the North Virginia

Reconstructionist Community ... 571-271-8387

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected] is Friday.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 13Pauline Shirley Toastmasters Club Meeting.

6:45 p.m. McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Meets second andfourth Wednesdays of the month. 703-893-5506or paulineshirley.freetoasthost.info.

FRIDAY/JULY 15LifeLine Screening. American Legion Post 270,

1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. Stroke, bonedensity and osteoporosis screenings. Packageprices from $139. Appointments required.Reserve at 877-237-1287 orwww.lifelinescreening.com.

<cal1>Saturday/July 16Avoiding Divorce Court I– How to Negotiate

or Mediate a Property SettlementAgreement. 10 a.m. The Women’s Center, 127Park St., NE, Vienna. A comparison of mediationand negotiation, strategies and pitfalls to avoidand a general discussion of the issues commonlyaddressed in an Agreement, from property tosupport to custody. $45 non-members, $35members; $85 non-member couples, $60member couples. Register atwww.thewomenscenter.org

WEDNESDAY/JULY 20Personal Finance in Turbulent Times. 7 p.m.

Edelman Financial Services LLC Headquarters,4000 Legato Road, 9th Floor, Fairfax. Discover 9reasons you need to plan, 5 obstacles you’ll face,5 steps that will help put you on the road tofinancial success, and 4 rules you should followfor managing your investments. $35 non-members, $25 members. Register at

www.thewomenscenter.org.

SATURDAY/JULY 23Living Fully in Relationships. 10 a.m. The

Women’s Center, 127 Park St. N.E., Vienna. Atwo-part course in how to be more authenticand powerful in our adult significantrelationships. The sessions will be highlyexperiential, including journaling and reflectionexercises, small group activities, short lecturesto introduce key foundational ideas, skillpractice in pairs and discussions. Second sessionon Saturday, Aug. 6. $60 non-members, $50members. Register atwww.thewomenscenter.org

MONDAY/JULY 25McLean & Great Falls Celebrate Virginia

Meeting. 5:30 p.m. McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. The groupis planning an event for Saturday, Oct. 22, tocommemorate the 150th anniversary of the CivilWar. 703-356-8223.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 27Peer Support Group for Survivors of Clergy

Abuse. 6:30 p.m Tysons-Pimmit Hills RegionalLibrary, 7684 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Co-sponsored by the Northern Virginia affiliate ofVoice of the Faithful, meetings last Wednesdayof every month. Free. 703-538-6128.

Pauline Shirley Toastmasters Club Meeting.6:45 p.m. McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Meets second andfourth Wednesdays of the month. 703-893-5506or paulineshirley.freetoasthost.info.

SATURDAY/JULY 30Balletone. 8 a.m. Palladium Civic Place Green,

1445 Laughlin Avenue, McLean. Instructed byMaria Spearman. Free. 703-288-9505.

Bulletin Board


SportsMcLean Connection Sports Editor Rich Sanders

703-224-3031 or [email protected]

The Great Falls Sharks13U Fastpitch Softball teamcompeted in the MontrealFastpitch Challenge June 30through July 3. The Sharks,who won first place in theirbracket, competed againstteams from Montreal, Toronto,Quebec, and the eastern UnitedStates en route to winning the18th rendition of the annual in-ternational event. The Sharkswere the only team from theWashington, D.C., area to com-pete in the tournament.

During pool play, the Sharkswent 3-3, facing the highest-ranked teams in the tourna-ment. By relying on great pitch-ing by Haley Falkenberry, KerryBush, and Caroline Potteiger,and superb infield defense byEleanor Chinn, Maggie Natal,and Molly Viar, the team of only10 players battled through heatand illness struggles that keptthe roster at a maximum of ninemost of the tournament.

Pool play featured a dramatic1-0 victory over the NY LadyBombers — the team that ulti-mately won the other divisionin the competition. The Sharks’outfielders — Jillian Carr, Mor-gan Wittrock, Lauren Simons,and Nicole Verdin — madecome clutch plays and catchesto hold the opposition at bayduring the series of games. TheSharks’ bats came alive duringthe single elimination playoffday when they won threestraight games to claim the Cupdivision championship. Thechampionship run was high-lighted by an 18-2 win in thefinal game.

“Softball in the D.C. area is

very competitive and really pre-pares a team for competing ona national or internationallevel,” said Mike Sharkey, Presi-dent of the Great Falls Sharksorganization. “We are proud ofwhat the 13U Sharks were ableto accomplish in Montreal.”

The Great Falls SharksFastpitch Softball program pro-vides girls ages 10 to 16 abridge of competitive travelsoftball. The program will in-clude the following teams thisfall: 16U, 14U, 13U, and 12U.This growing program seeksadditional players at all age lev-els. Tryouts will be held in earlyAugust. Interested partiesshould visit the Great FallsSharks website atwww.gfsharks.org.

McLean Youth Soccer(MYS) Fall 2011 Registra-tion has begun on MYS’ website at www.mcleansoccer.orgfor all returning and new fami-lies. MYS offers various pro-grams for children ages 4 thru18, including Recreation,Travel, McLean Premier Soccer,Travel, U5 for Pre-K players,and TOP Soccer for childrenwith special needs. The seasonwill begin the week of Sept. 12and extend through mid-No-vember. Register no later thanJuly 31 to take advantage of theearly discounted registrationfees. Visit the website for Sum-mer Camp information. Formore information or questions,contact the MYS Club Adminis-trator [email protected] orcall the MYS Office 703-506-8068.

The Highlands Whomping Turtles improvedtheir record to 4-0 with a 229-173 victory over LeeGraham. Double winners from Highlands were ClaireCollins, Diego Cruzado, Allison Martin, and OliviaTripodi. Highlands’ single winners were SophiaBenmhend, Scott Callander, Ben Charles, Xenia deCazotte, Hayden Evans, Colton Heuple, Chris Hylton,Kelsey Isman, Maria McGuire, Sarah Murphy, OliviaPope, Griffin Romanek, Greer Schuman, and ZachTripodi.

Diego Cruzado set a new team record in the boys9-10 50 Freestyle with a time of 32.45 and ClaireCollins set a team record in the 13-14 girls 50 Breast-stroke with her time of 37.26.

The RiverBend StingRays remained unde-feated after beating Hidden Creek Country Club, 349-160, on Saturday. Will Koeppen and Eliza Pastoreeach won four events while Ryan Windus and MicaelaGrassi won three events each. Savie Seebald, ConorWesolowski, Devlin Wesolowski, Tommy Rogers,Anna Phillips and Jack Hall all scored two first-placefinishes. Other blue ribbon winners were: Ryan Bond,Emma Grassi, Connor Smith, Olivia McDonnell,Sabrina Slavin, Grant Youngkin, Maggie Duff andHaley Smith. The StingRays swept many events anddominated the relays, winning nine out of 12 events.The StingRays will swim to defend their Division titlenext week against Westwood.

The Great Falls Rapids captured first place inthe NVSL Division 9 Relay Carnival with a total scoreof 206 points, finishing ahead of Hollin Meadows(186), Brookfield Swim Club (162), Kent Gardens(144), Arlington Forest (130) and Fairfax Club Es-tates (128). Great Falls took first place in 10 of the22 relays, including: Girls 18-under Mixed AgeFreestyle, Boys 8-under Medley and Freestyle, Boys9-10 Medley and Freestyle, Girls 9-10 Medley, Boys13-14 Medley and Freestyle, and Girls 15-18 Med-ley and Freestyle.

The Rapids (2-2), after winning the Div. 9 RelayCarnival earlier in the week, continued their winningstreak, beating the Fairfax Club Estates Flippers (0-4) by a score of 221-181 last Saturday. Double firstplace winners included Julia Bullock, Eric Eichler, WillKemmerer, Ana Mulligan and Marina Smith. Singlefirst place winners included Carolyn Amano-Dolan,Mary Liz Elliott, Joseph Fallon, Megan Jungers, AnnieKemmerer, William Long, John Mulligan, Stephen

Thorsen, Thora Toloczko and Max Wingo.

Two weeks ago, Great Falls won its first meet ofthe season, beating Kent Gardens (1-2) by a score of212-190 on July 9. Double first place winners forGreat Falls included Julia Bullock, Will Kemmerer,Ana Mulligan, Marina Smith, Max Wingo andAlexandra Zeidan. Single first place winners includedEric Eichler, Stephen Eichler, Mary Liz Elliott, MeganJungers, Tyler Lentine, William Long, CharlotteSmith, Sophie Smith, Annie Thomas and JosephThomas.

The Langley Wildthings swam in a Div. 4 meetagainst Dunn Loring on Saturday, but lost the hard-fought competition to the Dolphins, 217 to 185.Double event winners for Langley were Jinwon Bailar,Jack Hoeymans, Meghan Overend, Elena Shklyar andVincent Watson. Single event winners wereAlexandra Cramer, Callan Cramer, Nathan Johnson,Jack Reilly, Katie Robinson, Benjamin Scott andAudrey Wallach. Three Langley records were broken:Overend in the girls 15-18 fly (30.46); the girls’ 11-12 relay of Elena Shklyar, Emily Wallach, TatianaBennett and Maggie Bellaschi (1:08.64); and the boys13-14 relay of Nathan Johnson, Callan Cramer,Jinwon Bailar and Sammy Bennett (59.89), break-ing a 44-year old record.

The Great Falls Sharks 13-under girls’ fast pitchsoftball team, left to right: Morgan Wittrock, MollyViar, Kerry Bush, Lauren Simons, and CarolinePotteiger. Second row: Coach John Bush, head coachNeal Falkenberry, Eleanor Chinn, Maggie Natal,Jillian Carr, Nicole Verdin, Haley Falkenberry, andcoach Greg Potteiger.

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Sports Roundups

The RiverBend 13-14 Boys celebrate oneof their recent victories. From left toright: Carter Bennett, Matthew Dungan,Andrew Kvasnicka, Conor Wesolowski,Grant Youngkin, Thomas Windus andTommy Rogers.

The Great Falls Rapids captured first place at the Div. 9 Relay Carnival last week.

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Swim Report


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-917-6400

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

• McLean • Vienna/OaktonClassifiedClassified

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

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CLASSICAL HARPISTAvail for weddings/events in the VA/MD/DC area. Classi-cally trained. Exp’d. Call Anna at 703-901-8555.

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E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 5, 6...........................Tues @ 11:00Zones 1, 3.............................Tues @ 4:00Zone 2.................................Wed @ 11:00Zone 4...................................Wed @ 1:00

E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Barbara @ 703-778-9413

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

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls

Connection

Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday 11 a.m.

703-917-6464


• McLean • Vienna/OaktonEmploymentEmployment

Horse Stall CleanersThe Madeira School in McLean, VA is in

search of Stall Cleaners to clean, lay shaving bedding, rake/sweep the stalls of 34 horses. Experience with horses is not necessary but must be able to lift

100 pounds. Please email or send letter of interest/resume to The Madeira

School, [email protected] or call 703-556-8260 for additional information.

P/T Program AssistantThe Safe Community Coalition (SCC) is looking for a part-time Program Assis-tant. This 20 hour per week position

will report to the SCC’s Executive Direc-tor and will be responsible for conduct-ing administrative, financial and out-reach activities for the organization.Candidate in the SCC service area of

McLean, Great Falls and parts of Vienna and Falls Church are preferred.

For the full job description, visit www.safecommunitycoalition.net

and go to the About Us tab for further information. Email resume to:

[email protected].

CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS

JMT is seeking experienced Transportation Con-struction Inspectors to work on several highwayprojects throughout VA, to fill positions of SeniorInspector, Inspector and Inspector Trainee.

VDOT certifications required; DCR E&S Control, GRIT, Work ZoneSafety Intermediate, 10 Hour OSHA, Soils & Aggregate, AsphaltField, ACI, Concrete Field, Pavement Markings, Flagger and NuclearSafety required. Employment consideration still given for expiredcertifications. VA PE a plus. MARTCP HMA a plus. Min. 3 yearsHighway/Bridge Construction Inspection experience required.

See how bright your future can be and apply online at:www.jmt.comEOE/AA Employer

Bonus Opportunity Available

The Biggest name is also the Best…

Better support. Better advantages. Better everything.That’s what you’ll find when you join the biggest name in the business. At Sears, we’ve made product repair a “paperless” process. So you can order parts, set ap-pointments and manage your day right from your laptop. We also provide the laptop, the truck, the uniforms and the tools and dispatch you directly from your home. If you’re as committed to customer service as we are and have 1+ years relat-ed experience, we have big plans for your future.Bring your resume for on the spot testing & interviews with hiring managers at our:

ONE DAY HIRING EVENT!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

SEARS Product Repair Center

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APPLIANCE REPAIR TECHNICIANS

You can also apply by visiting www.sears.com/careers or fax/email resume to: 410-762-5773 or [email protected]

Sears is an EEO/AA Employer. We support a drug-free workplace.

Love to Decorate?Decorating Den Interiors was chosen Bestof the Best by Entrepreneur Magazine. Homebased, flexible schedule, low overhead,wholesale accounts. Call for more information onhow you can turn your passion into a business.

703-239-8112www.Decoratingden.com

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

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TELEPHONE

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A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

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DENTAL ASSISTANT TRAINEESNEEDED NOW!

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Pharmacies now hiring. No experience?Job Training & Placement Assistance Avail.

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EDUCATION TRAINING

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLEONLINE INTERNS

Educational internships available for enthusiastic col-lege students to join our new website launch team. Thisis an exciting opportunity to help develop content andsections for our new website, due to launch in latespring. Throughout the summer, we’ll be adding specif-ics to our entertainment and events sections, creatingspecial projects and content, and exploring new media.Internships are unpaid, but offer an unusual chance towork with award-winning editors while developing first-rate online presence. Summer internships require acommitment of at least six weeks, 16-40 hours a week.Please e-mail a statement ofinterest and a resume to [email protected]

COMMUNITY NEWSFREELANCE OPPORTUNITY

The Connection Newspapers is looking forone or two writers to cover one or two newsstories a week. Work with award-winningeditor. On-the-beat training, nominal payper story. Please send resume, letter of inter-est to Kemal Kurspahic, [email protected]

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The futurecomes one day

at a time.-Dean Acheson


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

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Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

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Sports

By Christopher Mudd

The Connection

When veteran McLean LittleLeague Coach Scott Averyhung up his cap for the lasttime this June, he left be-

hind a remarkable 17-year career. His team,Northwestern, compiled a remarkablerecord: 11 of the last 14 National LeaguePennants, and seven City Series titles.Northwestern never had a losing record incoach Avery’s career, and only once finishedlower than second in the National League.

Despite this success, for Coach Averycoaching was for the children, not the vic-tories. “I do it because I love to coach and Ilove kids. We have built a tradition thatthese kids remember.”

AVERY IS IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSI-NESS, currently running Avery-Hess, thefirm he co-founded in 1992. A Little Leaguealumnus himself, he played basketball inhigh school, and briefly for American Uni-versity.

He began coaching baseball when his sonMatt told him that he wanted to play base-ball because his best friend wanted to, andthey needed a coach. That year Matt andScott’s team won the McLean League AAAchampionship. When Northwestern drafted10-year-old Matt to the “majors,” in 1994,Scott followed as a coach, and the rest, asthey say, is history.

Scott became the winningest coach inMcLean, and Matt went on to play at the

University of Virginia, and was drafted bythe Chicago Cubs in 2005.

His past players believe they receivedmore than just baseball tips from CoachAvery.

Andy Thomas, a three-time NationalLeague champion, was a standout for North-western from 2000-2002, and went on toplay in high school and college. “He taughtme how to handle adversity, which is im-portant as a kid. I remember one year in agame a kid behind me messed up in theoutfield, and I started to yell at him. CoachAvery benched me for the rest of the game.He didn’t believe any one player was moreimportant than the other,” Thomas said.

Henry O’Shea played three years forCoach Avery, and took away a similar lifelesson: “He taught you to make your owndecisions and be confident and stick withthem.”

COACHES AND PARENTS who workedwith Coach Avery saw his greatest talent asa baseball coach was his ability to connectwith children.

Harry Thomas coached alongside CoachAvery on the Northwestern team for six

years. “He put his heart and soul in to teach-ing kids how to be better. He put realisticexpectations on players and wanted themto meet those expectations and be the bestthey could be. I think that’s very importantfor kids to learn at a young age. It was neverabout Scott. It was always about the kids.”

Wayne Loving, Northwestern managersince 1991, recognized Coach Avery for notonly his passion but also his tremendousbaseball knowledge; “He always empha-sized 100 percent effort, working hard toimprove, to always set goals and to try tomeet them. He would tell them you get outof baseball what you put into it. You haveto be a good teammate and have strongfundamentals in order to succeed.”

As he steps back from his career withLittle League, Coach Avery wonders if thepressure from parents and trainers to suc-ceed is becoming bigger than the childrenwho play. “Kids get messages from so manydifferent areas, it makes it hard for a coachto get a message across.”

For 17 years, Scott Avery taught his play-ers more than baseball. “Be gracious, winor lose. Things won’t always go your waybut that’s ok, keep your heads up.”

CoachingChampionsMcLean Little League’smost successful coachScott Avery retiresafter 17 years.

Coach Scott Avery, center, with Wayne Loving on the left and ChrisCooper on the right.

Coach ScottAvery’s team,Northwestern,won 11 of the last14 NationalLeague Pennants,and seven CitySeries titles.

Photos contributed

Then there are those people who defi-nitely should know about your (mine actu-ally) health status – and whom you want totell, and tell in an extremely timely and con-siderate manner. People whose friendshipyou value, whose counsel you seek, whoseunderstanding and support you need, andwhose care and concern you cherish.People in your inner circle who are happyto surround you with open arms and warmembraces – literally and figuratively. Theseare typically the first people on the list to betold anything, especially things pertaining toyour health, given the terminal nature of theoriginal diagnosis (I wouldn’t tell them if Ihad a hang nail, but I might tell them if Ihad a bloody nose; an occasional side effectof the chemotherapy drug, Avastin, withwhich I am still infused monthly).

But neglecting to tell them, as innocentlyand as inadvertently as it may sometimesbe, causes its own unique set of problems/anxieties. Since these individuals know mostof the details of my original prognosis,they’re particularly sensitive to not hearingfrom me regularly, not receiving prompt callbacks and not being kept in the loop. Notso much daily, but frequently enough sothat the status of your life is not left to anykind of chance and/or random update/encounter. They want to know, and have aright to know – given the depth and historyof their respective relationship with you, somy being casual about what tests I’m hav-ing, what results I’m waiting for, whatappointments I’m scheduling, etc., may suitmy laissez-faire-type approach, but mightnot suit their respective – and worried –personalities.

All of which doesn’t bother me in theleast. It matters to me. In fact, it empowersme. However, sometimes it humors me lessthan others. Sometimes, I don’t want toupdate anybody about anything. Some-times, I want to mind my own business – lit-erally, and not involve anybody in any of it.Though I respect and appreciate every-body’s concern, sometimes I want to makeas little as possible about what I’m goingthrough in an attempt to prevent the cancerfrom consuming my life and freaking meout. And not talking about it, not assessing itin multiple conversations – soon afterreceiving results, via phone calls, texts, e-mails is almost therapeutic: the less saidabout it, the better (although I realize onelikely has very little to do with the other.) Itis my effort, amateurish though it may be, toemploy a variety of mind games to managemy emotions and control the spread of mycancer.

It’s a real-life version of GeorgeCostanza’s advice to Jerry Seinfeld on howto beat a Lie Detector test: “It’s not a lie, ifyou believe it.” I guess I too am sort of pre-tending – with conviction, though. If I don’tact like my health situation is serious, may-be it won’t be serious. And regularly, con-stantly, communicating with my closestfriends and family members – as if some-thing is really wrong with me, might have aharmful effect on me, and since I’ve alreadybeen diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer,I’m hoping that what I don’t tell you – asquickly as you want – and deserve – to hearit, won’t hurt me.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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