Opinion, Page 4 ‘Romeo & Juliet’ At Langley...

Krop’s Crops in Great Falls Gears Up for Holiday SeasonNews, Page 3

Give LocallyEditorial, Page 4

‘Romeo & Juliet’ At Langley High

Entertainment, Page 9

Hannah Cameron-Ca-denazzi (Juliet) and Cole Sitilides (Ro-meo). Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting in the middle of the dance at the Get Out the Youth Vote Party in Langley High’s production of ‘Romeo & Juliet.’

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com November 20-26, 2019

Postal CustomerECR WSS

Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.

Requested in home 11-21-19

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322

Photo b

y R

achel

Les

an/Lan

gle

y H

igh S

enio

rO

pinio

n, Pag

e 4 v

Enter

tai

nm

ent, Pag

e 8 v

C

lass

ified

s, P

age

10

Page, 6

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ November 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Elena Stoddard

Langley Senior

The Langley High School Orchestrawas joined by the James MadisonUniversity Orchestra during their

performance on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in theLangley auditorium. The Side by Side con-cert presented music that was played by theJMU Orchestra, the Langley High Orches-tra, and pieces that were performed by com-binations of both orchestras. The studentswere directed by the JMU Director of Or-chestras, Foster Beyers, the Langley Orches-tra Director, Dr. Scott McCormick, the Lan-

Foster Beyers, JMU Director of Orchestras, was astounded by the hospi-tality of the Langley Orchestra and commented that it was like family.

The Langley High Assistant Director, Adam Willett, conducts the LangleySymphonic Orchestra and members of the JMU Orchestra during RichardMeyer’s “Of Glorious Plumage.”

The Langley Orchestra Director, Dr.Scott McCormick, conducts theConcert Orchestra as they play“The Speckled Hen Overture”along with JMU students.

Langley High and JMUOrchestras Share the SpotlightSide by Side concertpresented at Langleyauditorium.

See Concert, Page 7

Pho

to

s by C

hristin

a Tyler W

en

ks

Great Falls Connection ❖ November 20-26, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsGreat Falls Connection Editor

Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or

[email protected]

By Olivia Anello

The Connection

Tucked off the Georgetown Pikeis a seasonal farm known asKrop’s Crops. Upon first steps upthe driveway, visitors are

greeted with hay bails, bright pumpkins,and rustic, farm-style signs and lettering towelcome you to the marketplace. Ownerand manager, Larry Krop, was outside ar-ranging pumpkins to decorate the entrance,and bookkeeper, Donna Sanson, gave afriendly wave from across the driveway.

Krop’s Crops is in the thick of kicking offthe holiday season. Sanson shared that “thebiggest draw of the season are for Larry’spumpkins. We’ll have a line out the doorjust for the pumpkins.” Coming up next forthe holiday season at Krop’s Crops, will bethe sale of wreaths and Christmas trees.Behind the marketplace is an enormous,sprawling field of Christmas trees that waitto be brought home by a family for the holi-days. Krop pointed out some rows of Christ-mas trees that reached about knee-height,and shared that they are in their very earlyphases of growing. Krop shared that he andhis team “planted around 1,000 Christmastrees last year” over the 20-acre stretch ofland Krop owns.

Sanson takes a lot of pride in being a partof the Krop’s Crops team and admires howconscientious Krop is of the Great Falls com-munity and beyond. “He is so generous withhis space and his time. You know, he couldvery well sell this place and do somethingbigger, but this is what he wants to do. Hestays because he enjoys it that much.”

A natural craftsman, Krop oftenrepurposes material for any building or re-pairing projects needed at the marketplace.

Krop’s Crops in Great FallsGears Up for Holiday Season

Donna Sanson clocks in for work at Krop’s Crops,early Saturday morning.

Photos by Olivia Anello/The Connection

Locally grown fall produce is ready for sale at Krop’s Cropsin Great Falls.

Krop knocked on the side of a recent exten-sion to the marketplace that houses a num-ber of antique vendors’ goods and said “Ibuilt this a little while back. We needed thespace and I knew where to get the supplies,so I figured why not do it myself?”

With sustainable goods and produce fromlocal partners, to seasonal fruits, veggies,and trees nurtured on-site, to the recycledroof visitors stand under, Krop’s Crops givesa new name to homegrown. To keep up withthe seasonal festivities available at Krop’sCrops this year, follow their Instagram un-der the handle, @kropsvintagemarketplace.Photos of produce, antiques, and other giftsblanket the feed, with captions that helpfollowers find ingredients for a fall recipe,great gifts for a hostess, or intricate glass-ware for a holiday party.

One of the many holiday wreathsthat will soon fill the antiquesbarn at Krop’s Crops.

A friendly goat hopes to be givena treat.

Thousands of Christmas treesgrow in the massive field behindKrop’s Crops.

Donna Sanson and owner, Larry Krop, are ready to kick this holidayseason off with the Northern Virginia community.


Opinion

The holidays are about giving, andgiving thanks. The holidays areabout children and family. The holi-days are about sharing, about joy.

The holidays are about being thankful andabout faith and appreciation. The holi-days are about alleviating suffering forothers.

Northern Virginia is among thewealthiest areas in the country. Many if notmost of us go through our daily and seasonalroutines without encountering evidence of theneedy families among us.

In Fairfax County Public Schools, more than54,000 students (29 percent) are poor enoughto receive subsidized meals.

Many are children living in families who maybe on the brink of homelessness, families who

must choose between medical bills, carrepair, heat and food. Some of theseare children who may not be sure thatthey will have a meal between the

meals they get in school.School holidays can bring uncertainty and

hunger, a far cry from the celebrations, giftsand plenty that we associate with Christmas

and the holiday season.Hundreds of homeless students attend the

public schools, and their needs are greater.Many nonprofits in the region need your help

to provide holiday meals around Christmas, toprovide children with gifts.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season, forhumans in need, for animals in need, for anenvironment in need. Here are a few ideas.Please let us know what we have missed.

— Mary Kimm,

[email protected]

For tens of thousands of families in our area,uncertainty and need are distant from the celebrations andplenty that so many of us associate with this holiday period.

Give Locally

❖ Assistance League of NorthernVirginia is an all-volunteernonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children inneed. Assistance League’sphilanthropic programs touch thelives of thousands of children at 11Title I schools in Northern Virginia,serving children most in need atselected schools in Fairfax and PrinceWilliam counties and the City ofAlexandria. To learn more aboutvolunteer and sponsorshipopportunities, contact [email protected] visit www.alnv.org

❖ Britepaths Britepaths is working toassist 500 Fairfax County areafamilies who might otherwise gowithout holiday meals and gifts fortheir children. Sponsor a family ordonate to provide a family with aholiday meal and/or gifts for theirchildren. Britepaths.org https://britepaths.org/our-programs/holiday-program

❖ Centreville Labor ResourceCenter (CLRC), a safe, organizedcenter where residents andcontractors can negotiate workarrangements with day laborers.Centreville Square Shopping Center,5944 Centreville Crest Ln,Centreville, VA 20121. Phone: (703)543-6272 Email:[email protected]/

❖ Closet Of The Greater HerndonArea is a nonprofit thrift shop in theheart of historic downtown Herndon.When you donate, volunteer andshop at The Closet, you help us giveto the local community. The Closetrecently awarded over $20,000 ingrants to seven local non-profitorganizations: Cornerstones,Fellowship Square, Herndon-RestonFISH, Meridians Recovery, MobileHope of Loudoun, South Lakes HighSchool PTSA Food Pantry, andHerndon Woman’s Club in support ofWreaths Across America. Wecontinue to be a source of low-costclothing and household necessitiesfor families and individuals on a tightbudget. We also give away clothingat no cost to truly needy individuals.845 Station Street Herndon, VA20170 (703) 437-7652. [email protected] Web:theclosetofgreaterherndon.org/

❖ Committee for Helping Others(CHO), Vienna, organized in 1969 bya group of churches and individualsin the Dunn Loring, Merrifield,Oakton, Vienna community toprovide simple, loving charity tothose in need. Coming up, holidaybike drive. 703-281-7614, www.cho-va.com

❖ Community Foundation ofNorthern Virginiawww.cfnova.org The CommunityFoundation for Northern Virginiaworks to respond to critical need andseed innovation in our region. Yourgift helps us make grants in our focusareas of interest while also bringing aspotlight on the benefits ofcommunity philanthropistswww.cfnova.org/for-donors/donate-now

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset HillsRoad, Suite 210, Reston, servingReston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org.

Nonprofit providing support andadvocacy for those in need of food,shelter, affordable housing, qualitychildcare, and other human services.Programs and services include theEmbry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry,Hypothermia Prevention Program,Gifts for Kids and annual Coat Drive.

For families in need, often there isn’tenough money to spend on gifts. Toregister for the Gifts for Kids drive,visit https://www.cornerstonesva.org/donations/drives/gifts-for-kids/.

We will be accepting personalized wishlist donations for the 2019 Gifts forKids Drive at our main office, 11150Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston,VA 20190, on the following schedule:

Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5-6: 9 AM to6 PM

Saturday, Dec. 7: 9 AM to 12 noonContact Nate King, Donations and Drives

Coordinator, at 571-323-9569.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their childrenand individuals who suffer the effectsof poverty in the Fairfax area, apartner in efforts to endhomelessness in Fairfax County.FACETS is always in need ofdonations and volunteers, and offersa variety of one-time and ongoingopportunities.

Please donate a basket of non-perishablefood and a $25 grocery store gift card

(so the recipient may purchase theperishable items needed to completetheir mea). Please drop off yourdonations of Thanksgiving foodbaskets and gift cards by Friday, Nov.22. Donations will be accepted atFACETS’ main office (10700 PageAvenue, Building B, Fairfax VA22030) between 9am – 5pm.

Contact Haylee Davis [email protected].

703-865-4251 [email protected]. 10640 PageAve., Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030

❖ Food for Others Located at 2938Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031,703-207-9173. 2938 Prosperity [email protected]. Food forOthers distributes food to more than1,800 local families in need eachweek. Drop off food at our MerrifieldWarehouse, 2938 Prosperity Ave,Fairfax, VA 22031. Monday throughFriday from 9:30am to 5pm. The besttime is between 2pm and 5pm. Parkin a space, walk up to loading dock#2 and let one of the warehouse staffmembers know you have a donation.Holiday wish list: stuffing, gravypackets, instant potatoes, cannedsweet potatoes, pie, cannedcranberries, canned meat (tuna,chicken, beef, turkey) peanut butter,canned tomato products (chopped,diced, peeled), canned pumpkin,soup, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce;cereal, cans of beans, mac & cheese.www.foodforothers.org

❖ Friends of the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Each year, nearly5,000 pets, including cats, dogs,small mammals, reptiles andlivestock, come to the Fairfax CountyAnimal Shelter. Friends of the FairfaxCounty Animal Shelter fundsimportant needs throughout theShelter such as behavioral trainingand dental or medical care beyondwhat the shelter’s budget canprovide. [email protected] 571-212-9858 www.ffcas.org/

❖ Herndon-Reston FISH (FriendlyInstant Sympathetic Help), 336Victory Drive, Herndon, 703-391-0105 herndonrestonfish.orgHerndon-Reston FISH has assistedlocal residents in short-term crises bysince 1969. 703-437-0600.

❖ Homestretch, to empower homeless

Editorial

Where to Give Locallyparents with children to attainpermanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills,knowledge and hope they need tobecome productive participants in thecommunity. Since 1990 Homestretchhas helped over 2,000 familiesachieve permanent housing and self-sufficiency. 303 South Maple Ave,Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22046Phone: 703-237-2035homestretchva.org

❖ Lamb Center,www.thelambcenter.org, day centerfor homeless, Fairfax 703-691-3178.

❖ LINK, serving Herndon, Chantilly,Loudoun and more. On Dec, 14th wewill provide clients with food andnew toys for children newbornthrough 16 years of age. When fundsallow, grocery gift cards are [email protected]. 703-437-1776www.linkagainsthunger.org.

❖ Lorton Community ActionCenter (LCAC) will provide holidayassistance to hundreds of families.There is still time to help forThanksgiving, Christmas food basketsalong with fulfilling gift wishes forchildren and teens will help low-income families. See website forwarm coat donation details andvolunteer needs. https://lortonaction.org/2019-thanksgiving-outreach/

❖ National Capital Food Bank,6833 Hill Park Drive, Lorton, servingall of Northern Virginia, (571) 482-4770 . www.capitalareafoodbank.org

❖ Northern Virginia FamilyService. The organization providesthe essential building blocks forfinancial, emotional and physicalwell-being, serving as leaders andinnovators for the Northern Virginiacommunity. Every year, it empowers35,000 individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. www.nvfs.org NorthernVirginia Family Service, 10455 WhiteGranite, Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, VA22124. 571-748-2500

❖ Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC)volunteers are preparing for deliveryof holiday gifts for children fromfinancially struggling families inwestern Fairfax County –

predominantly in Centreville andChantilly.www.ourneighborschild.org/

❖ Pathway Homes providing non-time-limited housing and supportiveservices to adults with serious mentalillness and co-occurring disabilities inNorthern Virginia. Founded in 1980,Pathways currently serves more than400 adults in community-basedhomes in Northern Virginia.www.pathwayhomes.org

❖ PRS, Inc. is a non profit providingmental health, crisis intervention andsuicide prevention services inNorthern Virginia and Washington,D.C. Seeking to change and save livesin our community by empoweringhope, safety, recovery, wellness,independence and communityintegration.. PRS also provides crisiscounseling and connection tosupports CRISISLINK When crisiscalls, we answer 24/7 Call: 800-273-TALK [8255] Text: “CONNECT” to85511

❖ Second Story — Second Story(formerly Alternative House)provides shelter and services forhomeless, runaway or abusedteenagers, unaccompanied youth,and young mothers and theirchildren. second-story.org.

❖ SHARE of McLean, celebrating its50th anniversary, is an all-volunteerorganization with no paid staff. Weare supported by donations fromlocal religious congregations,community organizations andindividuals. Our food and clothingroom is housed is space donated bythe McLean Baptist Church. Our yearround and seasonal programs includefamily emergency financialassistance, food pantry, used clothingroom, recycled furniture, back-to-school supplies and refurbishedlaptop computers. During theholidays, we also provide ourneighbors in need with grocery cardsand gifts.

Main Message Center: (703) [email protected]

Mail: Share, Inc. P.O. Box 210 McLean,VA 22101

Food and Clothing Room: McLeanBaptist Church 1367 Chain BridgeRoad McLean, VA 22101

www.shareofmclean.org

❖ Shelter House provides crisisintervention, safe housing andsupportive services to promote self-sufficiency for homeless families andvictims of domestic violence inFairfax County. It is our mission toget families back into stable housingin order to provide them theopportunity to continue their journeyto self-sufficiency.www.shelterhouse.org

❖ Shepherd’s Center of OaktonVienna providing services, personalenrichment, volunteer opportunitiesfor adults 50 and over. Currentlyserving 3,000-plus mature adults inthe region. 703-281-0538,www.scov.org

❖ Tahirih Justice Center, 703-575-0070, www.tahirih.org, Legalservices, public policy advocacy, andeducation for immigrant women andgirls.

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is anonprofit organization focused onhow to enlighten, excite, and educatechildren about how they canexperience the true joy that comesfrom helping those in need.www.touchingheart.com, 703-901-7355.

❖ Western Fairfax ChristianMinistries — 4511 Daly Drive,Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151 inChantilly. email Assistant FoodPantry Manager/VolunteerCoordinator Debbie Culbertson [email protected] and putHoliday Food in the subject line.wfcmva.org/


See Bulletin, Page 11

Archimandrite JosephFrancavilla, a faithfulshepherd and spiritual

father to many, fell asleep inthe Lord Nov. 13, 2019, sur-rounded by fellow priests andparishioners who loved him.He was 76 years old.

Fr. Joseph served as pastorat Holly Transfiguration GreekCatholic Church in McLeansince 1971, just two years af-ter his ordination as priest ofthe Melkite Eparchy of New-ton.

Since then, he fully pouredout himself in selfless serviceto his congregation setting anexample of genuine Christianlove. He has baptized manyChristians, crowned hundredsof couples in Holy Matrimonyand inspired numerous ordi-nations.

Fr. Joseph perfected the giftof hospitality believing in theimportance of relationships.Holy Transfiguration is knownin community for its annual Middle Eastern FoodFestival. Which was important to Fr. Joseph in shar-ing the beauty of the Eastern Church with the com-munity.

His family, friends and congregation grieve his loss

and are committed to followhis example in all that theirbeloved priest taught them.

Born Jan. 16, 1943, he grewup in Buffalo, N.Y. and is sur-vived by three brothers: Tho-mas, 80, Charles, 77, and PaulFrancavilla, 65. He joins hisfather, Joseph VincentFrancavilla, and mother, MaryBoncore Francavilla in eternalrest.

After battling pancreaticcancer for two years, he faceddeath with unshakable cour-age and deep faith and withthe kind of humility, grace andclass that characterized hiswhole life.

He will be remembered asa holy priest, a loyal friendand a spiritual father to many.

“That is about as successfula life as anyone can have,”said his brother CharlesFrancavilla.

Services were held at HolyTransfiguration Greek Melkite

Church, 8501 Lewinsville Rd., McLean on Monday,Nov. 18, with burial on Tuesday, Nov. 19 a AndrewChapel Cemetery in Vienna.

Memorial contributions may be mailed to HolyTransfiguration Church in McLean.

Archimandrite Joseph Francavilla

Obituary

Father Joseph Francavilla pic-tured at Holy Transfigurationannual Middle Eastern FoodFestival in September 2017.

Co

nn

ectio

n A

rch

ive Pho

to

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork wel-come. Deadline is Thursday at noon,at least two weeks before event.

Fairfax CountyBoard ofSupervisorsMeetings in 2019

12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Nov. 26 Committee Meetings❖ 9:30 a.m. - Economic Advisory

Commission❖ 11 a.m. - Personnel Committee❖ 1:30 p.m. - Legislative Commit-

tee❖ 3 p.m. - Budget Committee❖ 5 p.m. - Audit CommitteeDec. 3, 2019 9:30 a.m. - Full

Board of Supervisors MeetingDec. 10 Committee Meetings❖ 9:30 a.m. - Health, Housing and

Human Services Committee❖ 11 a.m. - Development Process

Committee❖ 1:30 p.m. - Transportation

Committee❖ 3 p.m. - General Assembly An-

nual Reception and Work Session

NOW THRU DEC. 18Active Aging Wellness Exercise

Class. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. AtOakton Church of the Brethren,10025 Courthouse Road, Vienna.An eight week exercise class toimprove strength, balance and

mobility for older adultssponsored by Shepherd’s Centerof Oakton-Vienna. Cost is $40 for8 week session – payable to SunFitness LLC. To register, contactCasey Tarr,[email protected] or 703-821-6838.

THURSDAY/NOV. 21AAUW Speaker. 7 p.m. At Patrick

Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave., E,Vienna. The Vienna Area Branchof the American Association ofUniversity Women (AAUW) willhost Briana Sewell of the VirginiaCampaign for a Family FriendlyEconomy, who will summarizecurrent Virginia law andproposed legislation on familyleave. Free. Co-sponsored byPatrick Henry Library. AAUW isthe nation’s leading voicepromoting equity and educationfor women and girls. Founded in1881, AAUW members examineand take positions on thefundamental issues of the day —educational, social, economic,and political. Visit the website:https://vienna-va.aauw.net/

SATURDAY/NOV 23Smart Money Retirement Expo.

At Sheraton Tysons Hotel, 8661Leesburg Pike, Vienna. WMAL105.9 FM is presenting The SmartMoney Retirement Expo whichfeatures 26 seminars onretirement topics. Experts inretirement planning and publicpolicy will show how to makesmart retirement decisions. Theevent is being sponsored by thenon-profit Funding Our FutureCoalition and Edelman FinancialEngines, a financial planning andinvestment management firm inthe region. Cost is $10. Visitsmartmoneyretirementexpo.com.

Bulletin Board


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Mashing sweet potatoes for a souffléand drizzling spoonfuls of olive oilover carrots for roasting are SarahPardo’s earliest memories of cooking

with her mother and younger sister during the holi-days.

“Some of the things I made then became a familytradition,” said Pardo, who is now a nutritionist inFalls Church. “I still make sweet potato soufflé everyThanksgiving.”

From establishing tradition and making memoriesto building confidence and expanding one’s palate,the holidays are a perfect time to include children inholiday meal preparation, says Pardo and other culi-nary aficionados. Bringing children into the kitchenusing kid-friendly tools and recipes gets little onesexcited about the feast, creates a sense of indepen-dence and offers an opportunity to learn about nu-trition.

“Thanksgiving is all about tradition and family,”said culinary instructor Terri Carr of Terri’s Table inPotomac. “I started cooking with my son Nick whenhe was four or five. I bought him a Cookie Monsterapron and we would bake and decorate cookies andgive them to friends. We created a lot of specialmemories.”

Allowing children to help with meal planning helpsthem to feel invested, especially if their favorite fareis included. Enticing children into trying new dishesthat they claim to dislike might be made easier ifthey had a hand in the preparation. “You can alsoencourage them to try something new or introducethe food groups that make up a balanced meal,” saidPardo. “Take them shopping with you and let themhelp you find the ingredients.”

Advanced planning might be necessary for parentswho tend to find preparing for a holiday meal stress-ful. “When you’re are in a frenzy to get the mealcooked before guests arrive, it might seem easier todo it yourself than have your kids trying to help,”said Jessica Bernard, a personal chef in Alexandria.“You can include them in the prep work, even the

Photo courtesy of Terri’s Table

Baking holiday cookies with her son whenhe was four, became a family traditionthat continues today.

Holiday meal prep can help create life-long memories.

Cooking with Childrenthis Thanksgiving

day before. They can wash vegetables or measureingredients

“Kids particularly would love making mashed po-tatoes,” added Carr. “When parents do the prep work,kids can put the dish together.”

Cooking is not the only task involved in a holidaymeal. Creating a centerpiece or the table or choos-ing decorative items to display will help them to feelincluded in the festivities. “Kids can set the table sothat they realize that it’s a special day,” said Carr.“Get them involved in decorating. You can set thetable a day or two in advance and kids can makecrafts to incorporate in the table setting. Decoratingthe house ahead of time gets everyone in the moodfor the holiday.”


IN GREAT FALLS

731-C WALKER RD.· GREAT FALLS, VAState Farm Insurance Companies Home Office Bloomington, Illinois

AUTO• HOME • LIFEFINANCIAL SERVICES

Like A Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There.®

www.gstephendulaney.com

Open SaturdaysComplementary Insurance and Financial Review

Proud Supporter of Military Appreciation Mondays

Visit

State Farm Insurance

News

ConcertFrom Page 2

gley High Assistant Director, Adam Willett,and a JMU graduate assistant, Colton Henry.

“I really enjoyed my experience here atLangley; it was really great to play withthem and be more involved in the FairfaxCounty Schools” said JMU senior violinistAbby Bolcansek.

The concert opened with the JMU Orches-tra performing the “Rákóczi March” by Hec-tor Berlioz. This was followed by RebeccaClarke’s “Sonata for Viola and Orchestra,”which is Clarke’s best-known work. Dr.Diane Phoenix-Neal from JMU was featuredas the viola soloist.

“I really enjoyed listening to the JamesMadison Orchestra - they were really puttogether and it encouraged me to continuewith my musical career,” said Langley Highsenior violinist Briton Boiardi.

Next, the Langley Concert Orchestra com-bined with JMU string musicians played“The Speckled Hen Overture” by WilliamHofeldt.

Unlike most musical compositions aboutbirds, Richard Meyer conveyed images ofbirds at flight and at rest in his “Of Glori-ous Plumage” which was performed by theLangley Symphonic Orchestra joined byJMU students.

Camille Saint-Saëns’ famous “Carnival ofthe Animals” was played by the Langley

Philharmonic Orchestra, displaying threemovements including “Fossiles.” In“Fossiles,” the distinctive rhythms of thexylophone represented the movement offossils.

For the finale, the JMU Orchestra andLangley Philharmonic Orchestra shared thestage as they played Hector Berlioz’sSymphonie Fantastique (“An Episode in theLife of an Artist”), Opus 14. This dynamicpiece describes a dream that Berlioz hadwhich involved love and death. The com-bined orchestras performed movement two,“A Ball,” and movement four, “March to theScaffold,” together. Movement five, “Dreamof a Witches’ Sabbath,” was played by theJMU Orchestra only.

Addressing the audience, the JMU Direc-tor of Orchestras articulated how impressedhe was regarding his involvement with theLangley High School Orchestra and wasgrateful for the opportunity to be able toperform a side by side concert.

The JMU Orchestra was on tour in Vir-ginia, but Langley was the only locationwhere high school students had the oppor-tunity to rehearse and perform with theJMU students.

“I really enjoyed working with the Lan-gley High Philharmonic,” said JMU sopho-more Timone Imimes, “they were reallyimpressive.”


Calendar

Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOINGStudents’ Art Work on Display. At Great Falls

Starbucks, 9863 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Falls Studios in collaboration with Great FallsStarbucks presents “Still Life in the Style ofAmerican Realism,” the work of 10 young artistsages 7-13 years who studied under MichelaMansuino, artist and Fellow at StudioIncamminati/Philadelphia in summer camp atthe Arts of Great Falls. The exhibit space in theStarbucks conference room rotates the work oflocal students from the Arts of Great Falls,Colvin Run Elementary, Forestville Elementaryand Great Falls Elementary schools. Visitwww.GreatFallsStudios.com.

Great Falls Farmers Market. Year-round,Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 778 Walker Road,Great [email protected] for more.

Oakton Farmers Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1p.m. at Unity of Fairfax Church, 2854 HunterMill Road, Oakton. Year-round weekly farmersmarket Visit community-foodworks.org.

Christmas and HolidaysNOW THRU DEC. 24HGTV’s Santa HQ. At Tysons Corner Center,

1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Kids canexplore the wonder of Santa in the digital agewith HGTV’s Santa HQ at Tysons Corner Center!This holiday, check out the interactive ElfAcademy at Santa HQ. You can try on the latestelf looks with Santa’s Magic Mirror, create yourvery own Elf-ID Card and scan yourself on theNaughty or Nice O’Meter. Plus, new this year,spend less time in line and more time on holidayfun with a Fast Pass. Prices and times vary. Visitthe website: www.tysonscornercenter.com/SantaHQ

NOV. 23-24Christmas Market/Santa. Saturday 10 a.m.-3

p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At Andrew ChapelUnited Methodist Church, 1301 Trap Road,Vienna. Come shop hand-crafted holiday gifts,fine art jewelry, nature photography, paintings,wreaths (Sunday only), candles, bake sale andgift wrapping. Take your own photos with SantaSaturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free. Visit thewebsite: https://www.andrewchapelumc.org/upcoming-events/

FRIDAY/NOV. 29Reston Holiday Parade. 10 a.m. At Reston

Town Center, Reston. The 29th annual RestonHoliday Parade – one of USA Today’s 10 Best –plus tree lighting, sing-along, horse-drawncarriage rides, and more all day. Rain or shine.Schedule: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Visits and photoswith Santa & Mrs. Claus;

11 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Mini-train rides on Market Street;5 p.m.: Dance Performance at Fountain Square;6– 6:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting & Sing Along;6:30– 10 p.m.: Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. Visit

www.restontowncenter.com/holidays.

NOV. 29 THRU DEC. 24ACS Gift Wrapping. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Tysons

Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. The American Cancer Societyvolunteers will be offering holiday giftwrapping, located next to Santa ClausHeadquarters in the mall, Fashion Court, Level1. Donations to help fight cancer are welcome.Free. All donations for the gift wrapping go tofight cancer from all angles with the AmericanCancer Society. Email:[email protected] or visit the website:www.cancer.org.

SUNDAY/DEC. 12019 Celebration of Lights. 3:45-6:30 p.m. At

the Village Field in Great Falls (behind the PostOffice). Celebrate the beginning of the seasonwith the 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies next to the fire asyou listen to local children’s choral groups singseasonal music. The petting zoo and pony rideswill keep your kids busy until Mr. and Mrs.Claus arrive by antique fire truck to light thetree. The timeline is as follows:

3:45 p.m. - Great Falls United Methodist Preschool4:00 p.m. - Village Green Day School Pony Rides and Petting Zoo begin4:15 p.m. - King’s Kids Preschool

4:30 p.m. - Siena Academy4:45 p.m. - St Francis Creche Preschool5:00 p.m. - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive light the

tree5:15 p.m. - Forestville ES Ensembles5:30 p.m. - Great Falls ES5:45 p.m. - Colvin Run ES Singalong6:00 p.m. - Live Nativity (pony rides and petting

zoo close)Volunteers are needed between 4-6 p.m. Contact

[email protected] if you are available.After Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in an antiquefire truck to light the Great Falls Tree, they willmeet all children who wish to share theirholiday wishes.

THURSDAY/DEC. 553rd Annual McLean Holiday Homes Tour.

Hours of tour: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tour fourlarge, festively decorated homes in McLean’sBallantrae Farm and Langley Forest. Lunch,jewelry and holiday boutique, baked goods atTrinity United Methodist Church, McLean. Cost:$30 before Dec.5th and $35 after atMesmeralda’s, in McLean; Karin’s Florist, inVienna, and Great Dogs of Great Falls; also onwebsite, www.mcleanwomansclub.org and atchurch. Call 703-556-0197.

DEC. 5 AND 6Tiny Tots Concerts. Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

(“Jammy Friendly”); and Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. AtJames Madison High School, 2500 JamesMadison Drive, Vienna. The James MadisonHigh School Band Program presents an excitingconcert celebration featuring a wide spectrum ofseasonal music. Costumed performers includeold friends and some very special surpriseguests. Sing, clap and dance along with theband as you are introduced to the wonderfulworld of music and symphonic instruments.Advance purchase is recommended to ensureadmission. Tickets are $9 per person and may bepurchased online at https://www.jmhsband.org/Note that there is an additional processingcharge for online orders. Admission is free forbabies in arms (under age 1). Walk-in ticketsmay be purchased in the lobby 30 minutes priorto the show for $10 per person if the concert hasnot sold out. www.jmhsband.org.

SATURDAY/DEC. 7Breakfast With Santa. 8:30-10:30 a.m. At St.

Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Make memories with a picturewith Santa and avoid the malls. Free communityevent to benefit Housing Up and SamaritanMinistry. Suggested donation is a new,unwrapped toy. [email protected] or call 571-235-6349.

SUNDAY/DEC. 8Santa Visits. 12 - 2 p.m. At Freeman Store and

Museum, 131 Church Street, NE, Vienna.Presented by the Historic Vienna, Inc., The jollyol’ elf will listen to children’s holiday wishes inthe decorated parlor next to the Christmas tree.Free admission; no reservations necessary.Questions? Call 703-938-5187, [email protected], or visithistoricviennainc.org.

Christmas Concert. 6 p.m. At LewinsvillePresbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road,McLean. “Waiting for the Messiah” – a blend ofthe Christmas Section of Handel’s Messiah withAdvent and Christmastime favorites. Alsofeatures Artists: Lewinsville’s vocal and bellchoirs, featuring orchestra. Visit https://www.lewinsville.org/concerts/ or call thechurch office during business hours 703-356-7200.

EVENTS IN ALEXANDRIA

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 6-7The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. At

various Old Town Alexandria locations. TheCampagna Center presents the 49th AnnualScottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade.The parade is Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. and begins at St.Asaph and Wolfe Streets and concludes atMarket Square with a massed band concert.Admission: Free for parade and Heather andGreens Sales; $180-$290 for Taste of Scotland;$40 for Holiday Home Tours. In 1749, the Cityof Alexandria was officially established by threeScottish merchants and named after its originalfounder, John Alexander, also of Scottishdescent. Through your support of the events ofThe Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, youprovide vital support to Campagna Centerprograms that serve more than 2,000 children,teens, and adults throughout the year. Visit thewebsite: https://www.campagnacenter.org/scottishwalkweekend

SATURDAY/DEC. 7Boat Parade of Lights. Parade begins at 5:30

p.m.; Dockside festivities 2 to 8 p.m. AtWaterfront Park, 1 King Street, Alexandria.Parade viewing areas: Founders Park (351 N.Union St.), Alexandria City Marina (0 CameronSt.), Waterfront Park (1 King St. and 1A PrinceSt.), Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.), Shipyard/Harborside Park (1 Wilkes St.), Windmill HillPark (501 S. Union St.) and Ford’s Landing Park(99 Franklin St.). Admission: Free; $ for food/drink and some activities.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/boatparade

Schedule in Old Town (2 to 8 p.m.)❖ Holiday music and giveaways from 97.1 WASH-

FM❖ Letters to Santa postcard station from Penny Post❖ Holiday ornament activity from AR Workshop

Alexandria (2 to 4 p.m.)❖ Bookmark making station from Old Town Books

(4:30 to 8 p.m.)❖ Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival❖ Santa arrives by fireboat at the Alexandria City

Marina (3:30 p.m.)❖ Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights begins

(5:30 p.m.)

The cast of McLean High School’s production of “You Can’t TakeIt With You.”

“You Can’t Take It With You” at McLean High SchoolNOV. 21-24”You Can’t Take It With You.” Show times are Thursdays thru Sundays at 7 p.m.; Saturday and

Sunday matinee at 1:30 p.m. At McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean. Meet theSycamores, the family that is the very definition of eccentric itself. Directed by Phillip Reid and AssistantDirected by Annalise Kirby, the cast is led by Graham Cole, Benjamin Cudmore, John Godwin, WyattLahr, Will Chapman, and Michael Aten.. The rest of the show is double cast, with Amanda Mulet, EastonMcCollough, Jackie Stoll, Nate Fimbres, Rebecca Blacksten, Georgia Titus, Sheridan Dalier, KieraMurphy, Tess Mellinger, Kylee Majkowski, Sanjna Kaul, Owen Stevens, Becca Sullivan, and ClarreA’Hearn leading the Fulton Cast, and Erica Bass, Sophie Camus, Kara Murri, Connor Mulhall, AveryVersaw, Erin Sharpe, Lyssa Bass, Emilia Ermanoski, Celine Jelinski, Chris Tillotson, Skye Bailey, LauraConnors, and Jack Abba leading the Dwayne Cast. Tickets are $12 online, $15 at the door, and $8 forstudents, and can be purchased at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15599.

Photo by Bill Articola/The Connection

IONA will play at The Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls on Sunday, Nov.24 at 5 and 7 p.m.

IONA to PerformSUNDAY/NOV. 24Traditional Celtic Music. 5 and 7 p.m. At The Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls.

Since 1986, the East Coast’s premier pan Celtic group IONA has transported audiences to Scotland,Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Mann, Brittany, Asturies and Galicia, and explores the Celtic cultures of theNew World. Founder and lead singer, bouzouki and bodhrán player, Barbara Ryan, and co-founderBernard Argent on wooden flute, whistles, vocals and percussion, are joined by Air Force Band veteran,Jim Queen, fiddle, banjo and vocals, and dancer Joe Duffey, regular Riverdance and Lord of the Danceperformer. The Old Brogue is a fully licensed restaurant, with a masterful selection of ales and worldand Irish cuisine. Tickets must be purchased in advance at oldbrogue.com - $18 general admission/$12children. Call 703-759-3309.

See Calendar, Page 10


Entertainment

By Valerie Karasek

Saxon Stage presents “Romeo & Juliet,” Wil-liam Shakespeare’s classic tale of romanceand rivalry set in Washington, D.C. in thelate summer of 2020 amidst the heated po-

litical climate of an upcoming election. LadyMontague, a single mom and Democratic Congress-woman, matches wits against a well-established Re-publican Senator Capulet as they attempt to becomethe next President of the United States. As theystrategize how to achieve their partisan goals, theircampaign supporters stand passionately behindthem, ready to fight against any challenger or op-posing viewpoint. However, their teenage children,Romeo and Juliet, have grown weary of the polar-ized campaign frenzy. They long for thelove and attention of their parents, aswell as a soulmate willing to make themthe center of their universe.

Shakespeare’s poetic text reveals anuncanny relevance to the tribal natureof today’s political environment. Word-for-word, the text rings true and thenarrative is as powerful today as it wasmore than 400 years ago. In SaxonStage’s production, the title roles will beplayed by Cole Sitilides, 2019 Cappiewinner for Best Actor in Biloxi Blues, andHannah Cadenazzi, Sophie in lastspring’s Mamma Mia. Samuel Burokeras Mercutio, Leland Hao as Benvolio,Chris Morgan as Tybalt, Peter Fox asFriar Lawrence, Samantha Brunjes as theNurse, Lily Spiller as Lady Montague,and Gunnar Peacock and HannahToronto as the Capulets, along with anactive ensemble of 35, round out thestellar cast. The technical design teamwill further support our artistic vision of the showwith the use of projections and music to help set thelocation and mood.

“Romeo & Juliet” opens on Thursday, Dec. 5 andwill run through Sunday, Dec. 8. All performanceswill begin at 7 p.m. except for the Sunday matineeat 2 p.m. Cappies performance is on Friday, Dec.

6. This is the date when all the theatre critics will beinvited. Additional information, including how topurchase tickets, is available on Saxon Stage website:saxon-stage.com.

Valerie Karasek is Theatre Director, Saxon

Stage, Langley High School.

Langley’s modern twist ona classical masterpiece.

‘Romeo & Juliet’at Langley High

Hannah Toronto (Lady Capulet) and Gus Hamburg(Makeup crew). Gus is getting Hannah ready for herbig campaign debut shots.

Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi (Juliet) andCole Sitilides (Romeo). Romeo and Juliet’sfirst meeting in the middle of the dance atthe Get Out the Youth Vote Party.

Photos by Rachel Lesan/Langley High Senior

Marcus Alvarez(Ensemble), LilyCalderwood (En-semble), MeghanKlumpp (Ensemble),and Leland Hao(Benvolio). After thefirst major brawlbetween Benvolioand Tybalt, themedia has arrived atthe scene and areporter (MeghanKlumpp) is seenasking Benvolioabout what has justhappened.


WEDNESDAY/NOV. 20Holy Happy Hour. 6:15 p.m. at

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church,1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.Rock music from the 1969Woodstock event featuringLewinsville’s pipe organ with guitars,bass, drums, and vocals. Artists:Bruce Deatley, drums; Joe Koenig,guitar; Clay McConnell, bass &vocals; John Nothaft, organ. Formore information, visit https://www.lewinsville.org/concerts/ or callthe church office during businesshours 703-356-7200.

THURSDAY/NOV. 21Book Club Meeting. 10:30 a.m. to

noon. At the McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.The November Book Club Meetingwill be focused on “Tony’s Wife” byAdriana Trigiani. Open to all. Join agroup of your friends and neighborsat this book discussion club meeting.Call 703-790-0123.

“Racketeers for Life.” 7:30 p.m. AtSt. John the Beloved CatholicChurch, 6420 Linway Terrace,McLean. The topic is “Racketeers forLife: Fighting the Culture of Deathfrom the Sidewalk to the SupremeCourt” by Joe and Ann Scheidler ofthe Pro-Life Action League. Don’tmiss this opportunity to meet pro-lifewarriors, Joe and Ann Scheidler. Thehusband and wife team have workedon the issue since the Supreme Courtallowed abortion in 1973.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/NOV. 21-23Christmas Craft Sale. 10 a.m. to 7

p.m. At Oakton Church of theBrethren, 10025 Courthouse Rd.,Vienna. This big annual fundraisingcraft sale features a variety ofhandmade items, craft supplies,holiday decor, baked goods, a soup-and-salad lunch, and more. Freeadmission. Hours are 10-7 p.m.Thursday and Friday; 10-4 p.m.Saturday. Visit the website:www.oaktonbrethren.org.

Book Sale. At Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. TheFriends of the Great Falls Libraryhold their semi-annual book sale inthe branch in time for the Christmasseason. Donations for the sale will beaccepted for as long as we have thespace! Dates and times: Thursday,Nov. 21, Members Pre-Sale (join atthe door, $15) 6-8 p.m.; Friday, Nov.22, Book Sale open to public 10 a.m.to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, BookSale open to public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;Saturday, Nov. 23, 4-5 p.m. Books$5/bag. For details, contact theLibrary at 703-757-8560, [email protected].

NOV. 21-24”You Can’t Take It With You.”

Show times are Thursday thru

From Page 8

Calendar

Sunday at 7 p.m.; Saturday andSunday matinee at 1:30 p.m. AtMcLean High School, 1633 DavidsonRoad, McLean. Tickets are $12online, $15 at the door, and $8 forstudents, and can be purchased athttps://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15599.

FRIDAY/NOV. 22McLean Art Society Meeting. 10

a.m. to noon. At The McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Gale Pean, aproponent of palette knife painting,will be the featured artist. She will bedoing a demonstration of techniques.Guests are welcome. Call 703-790-0123.

“Simon and Garfunkel [Revisited]Live in Central Park.” 7 p.m. AtThe Alden Theater, at the McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. Recreated by LeeLessack and Johnny Rodgers. Cost is$40/$35 senior/$30 MCC districtresidents. “Simon and Garfunkel[Revisited] Live in Central Park” usesvisual media, a terrific band andvocalists’ beautiful voices to bring tolife an accurate and honest recreationof the concert’s original 21-song setlist, including two songs not includedon the 1982 concert album. Therecreation pays homage to the folk-rock legends with Lee Lessack’s andJohnny Rodgers’ own voices andmusicianship rather thanimpersonations or “tribute band”antics. Call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit:www.aldentheatre.org.

NOV. 22-23Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At

Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Books, DVDs, audiobooks, Christmas books galore. Costis 25 cents to $2. All genres ofmaterials. $5 bag sale takes place at4 p.m. Saturday. Pre-sale formembers on Nov. 21 from 6-8 p.m.;

no scanners, join $15 at door. Email:[email protected] 703-304-6561.

SATURDAY/NOV. 23The Path to Academic Success. 7

p.m. At Oakcrest School, 1619Crowell Road, Vienna. OakcrestSchool will hold an event for parentsentitled “The Path to AcademicSuccess.” Faculty will shareOakcrest’s vision of academic success,and parents will leave with arenewed vision of their role in theirdaughter’s academic flourishing. Thepanel is part of Oakcrest’s Adventuresin Parenting series. Head of SchoolDr. Mary T. Ortiz; Dean of Faculty &Curriculum Elizabeth Black; historyteacher Virginia Boles; Dean ofStudents Meghan Hadley (‘06); andscience teacher Dr. Kat Hussmann.Registration is now open atoakcrest.org.

1950s Sock Hop. 7-9 p.m. At theAuxiliary Gym at Vienna CommunityCenter, 120 Cherry Street, SE,Vienna. Presented by the HistoricVienna, Inc. There will be a shortdance lesson at 7 p.m. followed byDJ’ed music. Light refreshmentsincluded. Admission $5; 5 years oldand younger free. Tickets at the door.Advance tickets at the Freeman Storeand Museum, 131 Church St., NE,Vienna. Call 703-938-5187,[email protected] orwww.historicviennainc.org.

The French Connection. 7:30 p.m.At The Falls Church EpiscopalChurch, 166 East Broad Street, FallsChurch. The second concert of theWashington Sinfonietta’s 2019-2020season, Under the baton of MusicDirector Joel Lazar, program ofFrench music. Advance tickets for theperformance, $15 for adults, $10 forseniors and students, plus a smallservice fee, are available at https://bit.ly/364vRqv.www.washingtonsinfonietta.org.

NOW THRU DEC. 24HGTV’s Santa HQ. At Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.

Kids can explore the wonder of Santa in the digital age with HGTV’s Santa HQ atTysons Corner Center! This holiday, check out the interactive Elf Academy at SantaHQ. You can try on the latest elf looks with Santa’s Magic Mirror, create your veryown Elf-ID Card and scan yourself on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter. Plus, new thisyear, spend less time in line and more time on holiday fun with a Fast Pass. Pricesand times vary. Visit the website: www.tysonscornercenter.com/SantaHQ

Meeting Santaat HGTV’sSanta HQ atTysons CornerCenter.


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Given the extremely sad experience I shared with you all in last week’s column: “Chino Lourie, Rest in Peace,” this column will be an attempt to bounce back to my usual and customary reality, one oddly enough that has nothing to do with cancer (well, much, anyway). Instead it has to do with unexpected joy.

The joy to which I refer has to do with a subject which typically provides me little joy: I refer to our two automobiles, a 2000 Honda Accord and a 2018 Audi A4. The former inherited from my parents, payment-free but rarely hassle-free, the latter not free of payments, unfortunately, but free of hassle since its maintenance is covered by the warranty.

Nevertheless, for the past few years, off and mostly on, both cars have had an indication that all was not right. Each had illuminated dashboard warning lights (aka “idiot lights”) constantly re-minding the driver that attention to some detail was required. For the Honda, it was twofold, a “Main’t Req” light and a “Brake” light “were dashing.” For the Audi, it was “onefold,” an icon which looks like an upside down horseshoe, sort of, which I learned, after thumbing through the owner’s manual, meant low tire pressure, appeared directly under the speedometer. Since I felt no give or take with the Honda and saw no evidence of low tire anything with the Audi, I learned to take their reminders in

service calls to respond to them.Those service calls have now occured. And I

am extremely glad - and relieved to say, that their necessary/underlying repairs have been made. Glad/relieved not so much because the repairs/obvious safety issues have been addressed. Rather, glad/relieved that in making those repairs, the dashboard warning lights are no longer illuminating their disdain with the idiot behind the wheel: me, neglecting them.

No more, after starting either car, will my initial focus be on the dashboard to see if miraculously

stopped their incessant, non-verbal badgering. No more will I be forced to ignore their illumination and attempt to compartmentalize their visual reminders that all is not well under the hood (so to

that one day - or night, the other mechanical shoe will drop and I or my wife, will be left stranded on the road somewhere waiting for a tow truck to drag us to our car-repair maker.

And though this dashboard-warning-light-turn-off is really a turn-on, I am still able to keep its effect in perspective. It’s not a cure for cancer and neither it is a cure for my “stable” issue as written about multiple times recently (“Please Relief Me” and “Apparently, Not a Stable Genius”). However, as we say in sales: “I’ll take a yes;” as they say on the high seas: “Any port in a storm;” and has been said for the last century: “Don’t look a gift horse in

around in the least when I say how thrilled I am now that everytime I start our cars, I see no lights reminding me what an idiot I’ve been. As a cancer patient I don’t need that kind (or any other kind, quite frankly) of negativity in my life, or in my car either. Eliminating it from my activities of daily living adds a bounce to my step and a joie to my vivre.

of this momentous occasion, but when cancer takes over your life, it does so emotionally before it

in the scheme of things it appears to be, provides the building blocks of success that, as a cancer patient, help strengthen your foundation as you navigate your daily routine. A routine which is

going to make a mountain out of a molehill. And I

nonsensical or otherwise, as possible. I need to be pulled forward, not dragged back-

ward.

An Idiot Servant No More

Great Fallswww.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

For advertising [email protected]

703-778-9431

From Page 5

Bulletin

SUNDAY/NOV. 24Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. 6-7 p.m. At

Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road,Vienna. The 21st Annual Oakton/ViennaEcumenical Community Thanksgiving Servicehosted by Church of the Holy Comforter.Following the service there will be a receptionfeaturing savory and salty pies and coffee.Celebrate all that we are thankful for withinspiration readings, music and fellowship. Allfaiths are welcome.

TUESDAY/DEC. 3Holiday Party. 4-7 p.m. At JR’s Stockyards Inn,

8130 Watson Street, McLean. Hosted by theCommunity Foundation for Northern Virginia.Business Attire. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will beprovided. Reserve your space by Tuesday, Nov.26 at www.cfnova.org/holiday or by contactingTara Nadel at 703-879-7637 [email protected].

TUESDAY/DEC. 10Potluck Holiday Party. 12 noon. At Vienna

Community Center, 120 Cherry Street, SE,Vienna. Presented by NARFE (National Activeand Retired Federal Employees Association)Chapter 1116. Includes an installation of officersby Dr. Constance Bails, President, VirginiaFederation of NARFE (VFN) – Members andguests welcome. RSVP to 703-281-5123.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 11Fairfax County Park Authority Board

Meeting. 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building,12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 941,Fairfax. The Park Authority Board’s 12appointed members establish strategic policyand direction for the Park Authority. Open tothe public. For agenda and more information,visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/boardagn2.htm or call 703-324-8662.

SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the

Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualified tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They are familiarwith services and resources that can helpfamilies in distress. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax orwww.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.

Virginia Chronic Pain Support Group Meetsfrom 1:30-3 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of eachmonth at Kaplan Center for IntegrativeMedicine, 6829 Elm St., Suite 300, McLean.Group leader, Jodi Brayton, LCSW. 703-532-4892.

Haven of Northern Virginia Support Group.703-941-7000, www.havenofnova.org [email protected].

Shepherd’s Center of Oakton ViennaCaregivers’ Support Group takes place firstand third Thursday of each month, 10-11:30a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregationof Fairfax (UUCF) - Program Building, 2709Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. For caregivers toadult family members with dementia. First andthird Thursdays of every month. Hosted byShepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna, scov.org.Contact facilitator Jack Tarr at 703-821-6838 [email protected].

Opinion, Page 4 ‘Romeo & Juliet’ At Langley...

Documents

Transcript of Opinion, Page 4 ‘Romeo & Juliet’ At Langley...