The crowd at the Fourth of July celebration at Lorton...

Obon Festival Returns July 14News, 0

Occoquan RecreatedNews, Page 2

CelebratingFourth in Lorton

News, Page 3

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com July 5-11, 2018

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WellbeingPage 7

The crowd at the Fourth of July celebration at Lorton Arts Center on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ July 5-11, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Wed-Sat 11a-6p, Sunday 12p-5p

July Featured Artists

WorkhouseArts.org9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079

W-5: Traci Oberle

W-6: Kristen Cauble-Morse

W-7: Sandi Martina

W-8: Joan Ulrich

W-9: Kathleen Best Gillmann

W-10: Group Show

Join us for our Second Saturday Art Walk from 6p-9p on the second Saturday of each month. It’s the perfect time to meet nearly 100 Resident and Arches Gallery Artists who create art in their studios and exhibit in our galleries. Enjoy thrilling performances of dance, cabaret, comedy, big band, jazz, and theater. Indulge in unique classes in the art of mixology or cuisines from around the world. And explore art exhibitions featuring the

All this excitement and more is tucked away at the Workhouse Arts Center, a 55-acre visual and performing arts center in Lorton, VA, located on the historic grounds of the former DC Correctional Facility at Lorton.

News

On Saturday June 23,in Lorton, hundredsof people came tosee what is essen-

tially a new Occoquan RegionalPark. After a $15+ million rebuild,the new Occoquan Park sets a newstandard for parks in Northern Vir-ginia.

The park now features the stun-ning Jean R. Packard Center,named after the well-known envi-ronmentalist. This new greenbuilding, featuring solar panels onthe roof and locally sourced andrecycled materials, has a numberof functions. The River View is anevent space for more than 300guests, with beautiful views of theOccoquan River. This event spaceis already being booked up forweddings and other receptions. Aspace called “The 1608 Room”commemorates the first contactbetween Native Americans andEuropeans in this area, one yearafter the Jamestown Colony wasestablished. A new dining spotcalled Brickmakers Cafe served500 people on its first day of op-erations and offers dining areaswith views of the river.

A 5k loop trail, new sea wall,plaza and other features round outthe new park, along with a newlarge group shelter, which wasadded to the four existing shelters.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11), Chairman Sharon Bulova,Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mt.Vernon), State Sen. George Barkerand Del. Kathy Tran made com-ments at the grand opening. Adozen community groups partici-pated in the festival environment,and the band “Junk Food” held aconcert.

“If you have not been toOccoquan Regional Park in thelast week, you have not experi-enced the new park,” said PaulGilbert, NOVA Parks ExecutiveDirector. “This park today is oneof the very best parks in the en-tire region.”

“The recreated park is again oneof the jewels in the NOVA Parkssystem just in time for the 60thanniversary of NOVA Parks that wewill celebrate in 2019,” saidMichael Nardolilli, Chairman ofthe NOVA Parks Board.

To learn more, visitwww.novaparks.com

Occoquan Recreated

Paul Baldino, NOVAParks Treasurer andU.S. Rep. GerryConnolly (D-11).

From left — AimeeVosper, Deputy Direc-tor Fairfax CountyPark Authority, PaulGilbert, ExecutiveDirector NOVA Parks,Sharon Bulova, Chair-man, Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisor,“Master Todkill” withCaptain John Smith’sCrew, Patti Stevens,Executive Director,Fairfax Office of PublicPrivate Partnerships

Photos contributed

Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ July 5-11, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsLorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

About 10,000 people came out forthe Fourth of July celebration atLorton Arts Center on Saturday,June 30, 2018, in Lorton. The

event offered fireworks, music, entertain-ment and food trucks.

“It’s about bringing people together in asetting that’s historic, that’s full of art, thatbrings everybody from our Supervisor to thepolice force, fire folks and search and res-cue and volunteers and artists,” said AvaSpece, President and CEO of WorkhouseArts Center.

Dan Storck, Supervisor of the MountVernon District, added: “This Fourth of Julyis a special celebration because the Work-house Arts Center has a brand-new quadthat people should come out and visit andhelp us celebrate as well.

“We have a wonderful partnership withthe County FMD (Facilities ManagementDepartment) as well as we have lots of dif-ferent vendors and other partners who have

Lorton Arts Center Celebrates Fourth of JulyAbout 10,000 peopleenjoy fireworks, music,entertainment, andfood trucks.

The U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble performs. Sami, Genesa, Grace, and Angeli Niraula of Lorton.

helped to make this all happen includingmajor donors to build the quad out. Andthe fireworks are just going to add a lot of

The Rossiter family of Chesapeake, Va. (Lisa, Thomas, Tommy, Teddi, andArabella) with the Nives family of Woodbridge (Blanco, Mike and Felix).(From left): Ayiana, Harlow, Aubrey, and Landon Rowell of Woodbridge.

color and life to the evening,” he added.Spece said the Workhouse Arts Center put

together a design for the quad and did theinitial permitting. The new features includenew sidewalks, sod, hardscape, and brickwork, as well as an irrigation system andnew drainage making it more usable thanit was. The Rizer family (Timothy and Bar-

bara) also donated funds to build the RizerPavilion. And Fairfax County came in tofinish the project and paid for the balance.The work was completed just last Thurs-day – in time for the celebration. They stillwant to add some benches.

— Steve Hibbard

Tae Choi, Development and Land Use aide with Supervisor Dan Storck ofthe Mount Vernon District.

Adam, Amy, Jaida, and ChristinaKemp of Springfield enjoy theFourth of July festivities at LortonArts Center in Lorton on Saturday,June 30, 2018.

Photos by Steve Hibbard/The Connection


Opinion

One member of Connection Newspapers staff is Kemal Kurspahic,who shares with us his first-handexperience of running a newspa-

per from a war zone when information wasdesperately needed by the besieged residentsof Sarajevo. Kemal Kurspahic is managing edi-tor for The Connection Newspapers. He wasthe editor-in-chief of the Bosnian dailyOslobodjenje in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina,1988-94. Under his leadership the paper pub-lished every day from an atomic bomb shelterduring the siege of Sarajevo, maintaining highprofessional standards and Bosnian culture andtradition of ethnic and religious tolerance in

the midst of terror. The paperpublished the names of thosekilled each day in Sarajevo.

He experienced first hand thehorror of having staff members killed while outon assignment. He was critically injured him-self when a vehicle taking him to his news-room crashed as it traveled at high speed down“sniper alley.” The International Press Institutenamed Kurspahic one of its first 50 World PressFreedom Heroes in 2000.

Journalism is a dangerous occupation inmany other countries, usually not here in theU.S.

I tell this story now because of the newlyminted fear that many journalists feel after themurders of five in the newsroom of the Capi-tal Gazette in Annapolis. Police and survivorssay the shooter had long held a grudge againstthe newspaper, and had sued for defamation.The targeted attack came very close to home.

The dead were Gerald Fischman, 61, edito-rial page editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, editor andfeatures columnist; John McNamara, 56, sportsreporter and editor for the local weekly pa-pers; Wendi Winters, 65, a local news reporterand community columnist; and Rebecca Smith,a sales assistant.

The shooter had restraining orders againsthim because of violent threats made in a dif-ferent situation, but restraining orders appar-ently do not result in restricting gun purchases.He was still able to buy the gun he used in theattack. This is a loophole that desperatelyneeds to be closed. A person subject to a re-straining order of any type or duration formaking threats should certainly not be able tobuy a gun.

Every newspaper editor knows the experi-ence of talking to a subject, source or readerwho is irate over something the paper pub-lished. If we aren’t making anyone angry, it’sprobably because we aren’t writing about any-thing important. But my conversations withpeople who object to something we’ve reportedhave always had a subtext of respect. Manycomplaints have resulted in greater under-standing on all sides that can create more last-ing connections. Other times have resulted inagreeing to disagree.

Now, we lock the doors at least for now,knowing that there could likely be copy catattacks, as school shootings began with onehigh profile attack. But we are not afraid.

We will continue to publish our 15 weeklypapers.

The threat to survival for most local papersis the decline in advertising, compounded nowby a tariff on newsprint. Don’t forget that ifyou have an advertising or marketing budget,you should spend some of those dollars withlocal newspapers.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

About This Week’s PapersOur papers go to press a day early due to

the July 4th holiday. That means that thisweek’s papers will not contain coverage of July4th events. Watch for coverage next week.

Submit Your Photos for thePet Connection Now

The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edi-tion, will publish the last week of July, and photosand stories of your pets with you and your familyshould be submitted by Friday, July 20.

We invite you to send stories about your pets,photos of you and your family with your cats, dogs,llamas, alpacas, ponies, hamsters, snakes, lizards,frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share yourlife with you.

Tell us the story of a special bond between a childand a dog, the story of how you came to adopt yourpet, or examples of amazing feats of your creatures.

Do you volunteer at an animal shelter or thera-peutic riding center or take your pet to visit peoplein a nursing home? Does your business have a man-aging pet? Is your business about pets? Have youhelped to train an assistance dog? Do you or some-one in your family depend on an assistance dog?

Or take this opportunity to memorialize a belovedpet you have lost.

Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favorite picturesinclude both pets and their humans.

Please tell us a little bit about your creature, iden-tify everyone in the photo, give a brief descriptionwhat is happening in the photo, and include ad-dress and phone number (we will not publish youraddress or phone number, just your town name).

Email to [email protected] orsubmit online at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets.

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

Need to addressrestraining ordersand gun violence.

Local Newspapers Under Siege

Editorial

By Supervisor John C. Cook

Braddock District Supervisor

One of Fairfax County’s greatest strengths is in being ahome to over a million

people from all walks of life. While wehave made great strides in bringingthe community together, adults with develop-mental and intellectual disabilities can find it

very challenging to partici-pate fully in communitylife. After they leave schoolor home, many rely on em-

ployment or day services to integrate them intosociety and allow them to contribute by work-ing or through other activities. This popula-tion is growing and deserves a seat at the table.Current services are helpful, but there remainsa great deal of work if we want a truly inclu-sive society.

The Fairfax Falls Church CommunityServices Board established the Wel-coming Inclusion Network (WIN) col-laborative to address these pressing is-sues and devise long-term solutions tocreate an environment where every-one is valued.

I have the honor of chairing WIN,but the real work is done by my operations co-chair Lori Stillman, who is a former CSB offi-cial and parent. Joining us on the steering com-mittee are a number of experts who have a greatrange of experiences with developmental andintellectual disability services. WIN stakehold-ers include county staff, parents of those withdisabilities, special needs services providers,self-advocates, and employers. Together wework to achieve WIN’s four key goals:

❖ NETWORK: Build opportunities for in-creased information and resource sharing

❖ DESIGN: Ensure service equity and effi-

ciency through community-designed services❖ EMPLOYMENT: Boost employment oppor-

tunities through existing and new service mod-els

❖ INCLUSION: Identify and address otherchallenges to full community inclusion

WIN stakeholders meet regularly at theFairfax County Government Center for presen-tations and working sessions. Each meeting hasa new topic of discussion and breakout ses-sions to delve deeper into the obstacles forinclusivity and to find effective solutions. Thenext WIN meeting is on July 9 from 6:30 – 8p.m. and will be in the Fairfax County Govern-ment Center. Anyone interested in learningmore about day and employment services forpeople with developmental and intellectualdisabilities is welcome to attend.

It is up to all of us in the end to make theworld a more accessible place for those of uswith different abilities. I hope you will join mein supporting this important cause and thehardworking stakeholders seeking to make ourcounty a better place for all.

Making Fairfax County accessible to all abilities.

The Welcoming Inclusion Network

Commentary

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@LFSCConnection

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.

Published byLocal Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

703-778-9431

Steve HoganDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9418

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly

Production Manager:Geovani Flores

CIRCULATIONCirculation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

Fairfax Station,Lorton & Clifton


People

See Artist, Page 6

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

Becoming an artist doesn’t meanyou shed all of your former skills,grab a brush and open a studio.Many times, it takes a variety of

things to hone the talent. That’s what TerryAnstrom has experienced.

In her past life, Anstrom was a mathteacher at several Fairfax County schools,and even though she closed the books onthat career, she finds herself using math inher paintings, making flowers balanced, andin patterns. She creates things “very meticu-lously,” she said. “In my own way, I haveachieved my own balance,” she said. Shetaught math at Edison, Lee and MountVernon High Schools.

She also sees it happen with others, evenvisitors to the Workhouse Arts Center inLorton where she has a studio and sees visi-tors frequently. “I encourage them to be

balanced,” she said.When her son was growing up, his math

and artistic talents came out as he was de-ciding on a career, and Anstrom looked forways to incorporate art in whatever hechose. Now he’s a successful architecturalengineer.

“He needed a job that he could make aliving,” she said, “you can combine.”

When parents with children come to theWorkhouse, Anstrom brings up various top-ics to find their interests. “At an early age,

Local artist Terry Angstromwent from teaching math topainting Italian architecture.

Finding Balance, in Lifeand Arts

In her studio at theWorkhouse, Springfieldresident Terry Anstromshows her collection.

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From Page 5

People

they want to expose their chil-dren to art,” she said. When thechildren come in, she asks themtheir favorite subjects in school,and tries to pick out somethingshe’s done that relates to that sub-ject.

She’s had some high points inher art career, including being onthe cover of the Elan Magazine inMay 2013, and being a signaturemember of the Virginia WatercolorSociety. “I participated in some na-tional shows,” she said.

Recently Anstrom went on a tripto Italy and saw several patternson the Italian streetscape that shephotographed and recreated whenshe got back, and these paintingsare the basis of her upcomingshow in August called “An ItalianPerspective.”

There were arches, bridges, and

buildings with other architecturalfeatures that Anstrom focused on.“Whenever I paint something, theyevoke an emotion,” she said.

Anstrom’s ancestors are fromFlorence, so she visited there aswell as Rome and Venice, and eventook a cooking class at ZaZa Res-taurant in Florence. They madepasta, pizza and Tiramisu, an Ital-ian dessert staple. “That was won-derful,” she said.

The class was on the last nightof their trip and as they sat downto eat, “a rainbow came out,”Anstrom said. “It was a culmina-tion of our trip,” she said.

‘An ItalianPerspective’

“An Italian Perspective,” FeaturedArtist Show at the Workhouse Art Cen-ter, in Building 6 Gallery, 9516Workhouse Way, Lorton, from Aug. 8 -Sept. 2, 2018. The Reception is duringSecond Saturday, Aug. 11 from 6-9 p.m.

Artist

Castel St Angelo:This photo of Italianarchitecture will bepart of TerryAnstrom’s show inAugust.

Photo contributed


WEEKDAYS • SATURDAYS • EVENINGS 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CAREMET LIFE, DELTA, BCBS/CAREFIRST, & UNITED CONCORDIA PROVIDER

Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

Blazing heat and sky rocketing temperaturesoften mean cooling off with a dip in thepool. As the summer is in full swing, safetyofficials are reminding the public of drown-

ing risks and prevention methods.”Learning to swim at any early age is all about

being safe in and around the water,” said GinaBewersdorf, owner of Goldfish Swim School inReston, Falls Church and Alexandria. “Undeniablywe all will have an opportunity to visit a pool, lakeor ocean at some point, and our goal is to equip ourswimmers with water safety skills early on.”

The Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention (CDC) citesa lack of swimming ability, fail-ure to wear life jackets, alcoholuse and a lack of close supervi-sion while swimming as someof the top factors that affectdrowning risk. According to theCDC, from 2005 to 2014 therewas an average of 3,536 unin-tentional drownings. One in fivepeople who die from drowningare children 14 and younger.

“A person can drown in a matter of seconds,” saidAaron Schultz, a lifeguard in Arlington. “When I’m

Supervision and learningto swim are top waysto prevent drowning.

Summer Water Safety

A lack ofswimmingskills is oneof the topfactorsincreasingthe risk ofdrowning.

at the pool, I notice that parents are often textingwhile trying to watch their children, but even if chil-dren look like their playing they could easily go un-der and be in danger a less than a minute. This isespecially important to remember at the beach.”

Taking part in formal swimming lessons reducesthe risk of drowning among children between oneand four years old, but many people lack basic swim-ming skills, according to the CDC. “Beginning for-malized lessons as early as 4 months old has shownbenefit in children developing a love for water andfoundation upon which to build water safety skills,”said Bewersdorf.

American Red Cross swimming safety tips such asalways swimming in a designated area attended bylifeguards, avoiding swimming alone, wearing lifejackets, securing a pool with barriers and makingsure everyone in your family is a strong swimmer,are among those that Mary Anderson of the Mont-gomery County Office of Health and Human Servicessays the county is reinforcing.

“There’s a website that we puttogether called ‘Summer ofSafety’, and it’s got everythingfrom A to Z with summer safetyand swimming pool safety.”

Other suggestions include en-rolling in courses to learn CPR,having appropriate equipmentsuch as a first aid kit and cellphone to make emergency calls.

“If someone is around waterand discovers that their child ismissing, it’s a good idea to check

the water first because even seconds can make a bigdifference in stopping a drowning,” said Schultz.

“Learning to swim atany early age is allabout being safe inand around the water.”

— Gina Bewersdorf, GoldfishSwim School

Photo by Marilyn

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Entertainment

Yelena Svecharnik is a featured artist in the on-going show, “My Way - A Perspective,” at the OldTown Hall gallery at 3999 University Dr, 2nd Floor,Fairfax, through August, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Mon-day to Thursday.

“Many years ago I started to paint in watercolor,still my favorite medium. I don’t have one signa-ture style. I am too curious for that. I prefer tochallenge myself to paint different subjects using

‘My Way - A Retrospective’ by Yelena Svecharnikvaried techniques and styles: realistic, represen-tative, ‘mosaic,’ semi-abstract, pouring and otherapproaches,” said Svecharnik in her artist’s state-ment. “In my small exhibit I would like to showyou some examples of more than 20 years of cre-ativity, experiments, and interaction with color andpaper. Included are my old watercolors, acrylicsand mixed media paintings, linoleum cuttings,printmaking, collages and more,” said Svecharnik.

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

CAMPYouth Arts Summer Camps. At

Workhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. Multiplesessions available for ages 3-17.Themes include Doodle Tots (ages 3-5), Visual Arts Explorers (ages 6-10),Fine Arts Innovators (ages 11-13),Summer Arts Intensive for YoungAdults (ages 14-17), Short Film, andGame Design. New Music andTheatre Camps include Let’s PlayGuitar Camp, Vocal Arts Camp,Performing Arts Summer CampChallenge, and Experimental TheatreProject Camp. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

Art Camp 2018 in Burke for 5-8 yearolds, 8 years and up. One-weeksessions take place Monday-Friday,July 16-20, and July 23-27. Camp isheld through Burke CentreConservancy at the WoodsCommunity Center, 10100 WardsGrove Circle, Burke. Second locationis Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690Oak Leather Drive, Burke. Callinstructor at 703-250-6930 or visitwww.czartlessons.com. Campsinclude:

❖ Fine Arts & Crafts Camp (8 and older)– $142 plus $25 supply fee.

❖ Drawing Camp (8 and older) – $142plus $25 supply fee

❖ Drawing Plus Color & Craft Fun Camp(5-8 years) – $120 plus $20 supplyfee

Summer Bible Camp. Monday-Friday, July 16-20, 9 a.m.-noon atHarvester Presbyterian Church, 7800Rolling Road, Springfield. Sail awayto Summer Bible Camp for rising 1stgraders through 6th graders. Free.Register at www.harvesterpca.org orcall 703-455-7800.

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Candy for the Eye,

Food for the Soul. Through July 8,gallery hours at Workhouse ArtsCenter’s Warrior Way Gallery, 1stFloor, 9518 Workhouse Road, Lorton.Gene Moty, a retired Air Forceofficer, creates contemplative,whimsical paintings using traditionalmaterials. Visitwww.workhousearts.org.

Art Exhibit: Nature’s FingerprintsI. Through July 8, gallery hours atWorkhouse Arts Center, Building 6Gallery and Studio 605, 9601 OxRoad, Lorton. Using only naturaldyes, each art quilt, silk scarf andframed work is an alchemy of colorand texture as unique as a humanfingerprint. Visitwww.MariselaRumberg.com.

Fiber National. Through July 29,gallery hours at The Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9518 Workhouse Road,Lorton. Fiber National is a juriedexhibition showcasing the best incontemporary fiber art from aroundthe country. The 2nd biennial of theexhibition will highlight work usingboth traditional and non-traditionaltechniques.

THURSDAY/JULY 5Studio Ghibli: Porco Rosso. 11 a.m.

(English dubbed) at Angelika FilmCenter – Mosaic, 2911 District Ave.,Fairfax. The Angelika Mosaic willfeature animated films from thecelebrated Studio Ghibli praised fortheir originality, stunning animation,and ambitious storytelling. All ticketsare regular admission. Visitwww.AngleikaFilmCenter.com.

Evenings on the Ellipse withJunkFood. 5:30-7 p.m. at theFairfax County Government Center,12000 Government Center Parkway,Fairfax. The Evenings on the Ellipse

summer concert series is a family-friendly event featuring a wide rangeof musical genres. Paradise SpringsWinery and The Winery at Bull Runwill be providing complimentarytastings; glasses of wine and fullbottles available for purchase. AFarmers Market (2:30-6:30 p.m.) willalso be on site selling fresh fruit andsavory snacks. Rain or shine. Free.Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

FRIDAY/JULY 6B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

DAY/JULY 6-20The Secrets of the Universe (and

other songs). At The Hub Theatre,9431 Silver King Court, Fairfax. TheHub Theatre and Jewish CommunityCenter of Northern Virginia joinforces for the World Premiere of “TheSecrets of the Universe (and othersongs),” playwright Marc Acito’sstory of Albert Einstein and MarianAnderson in director Helen R.Murray’s final show as a DC-arearesident. Visit www.jccnvarts.org.

SATURDAY/JULY 7Singles Dinner and Movie Night. 5

p.m. at Uncle Julio’s at FairfaxCorner, 4251 Fairfax Corner Ave.,Fairfax. Fixed price dinner, followedby choice of movie at Rave FairfaxCorner 14. $35 at door includesdinner, soda, tip and movie ticket.RSVP required. Sponsored by NewBeginnings, a support group forseparated/divorced men and women.Call 301-924-4101 or visitwww.newbeginningsusa.org.

Country-Western Dance. 6:30 p.m.at Accotink Unitarian UniversalistChurch, 10125 Lakehaven Court,Burke. The Northern Virginia

Country-Western Dance Associationwill hold a dance with lessons: 6:30-7:30 p.m. and open dancing, 7:30-10p.m. A DJ provides music. Couplesand singles of all ages welcome.Admission for NVCWDA members,$10; non-members, $12; childrenunder 18 accompanied by a payingadult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free.BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org.

Mount Vernon Nights. 7 p.m. atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. This seriesof free, public concerts features avariety of musical performancesreflecting Fairfax County’s diversity,culture and community spirit. Bring apicnic dinner and a blanket and enjoyone of Fairfax County’s specialsummer traditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights.

SUNDAY/JULY 8Hands On Activities. 1-4 p.m. at the

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum,11200 Fairfax Station Road, FairfaxStation. Activities may includerailroad inspired crafts,demonstrations of railroad artifactswith visitor participation as well aspossible history challenges for thewhole family. All craft suppliesincluded with admission fees. Ages16 and older, $4; 5-15, $2; 4 andunder, free. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, or call 703-425-9225.

MONDAY-FRIDAY/JULY 9-AUG. 3“The Wizard of Oz” Performing

Arts Camp. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. atTruro Anglican Church, 10520 MainSt., Fairfax. City of Fairfax TheaterCompany offers a four week campwill present a The Wizard of Oz -Young Performers’ Edition at theconclusion of a four-week summpercamp for ges 7-13. Tuition: $800.Aftercare available. Visitwww.fairfaxcitytheatre.org.

Summer Drama Camp. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.at Lanier Middle School, 3801Jermantown Road, Fairfax. City ofFairfax Theater Company offers itsTraditional Summer Drama Camp

with week long sessions in July andAugust. The Summer Drama Campteaches children to create a stagedperformance at the end of each week.$170 per camper for any one-weeksession, $600 per camper for all foursessions. Visit fairfaxcitytheatre.orgfor weekly themes and registration.

TUESDAY/JULY 10Farm to Fairfax Market. 10 a.m.-2

p.m. at Old Town Square, 10415North St., Fairfax. The market, willbe producers-only – meaning that allvendors at the market may only sellwhat they raise on their farms ormake from scratch using localingredients as much as possible. May-September, weather permitting. Call703-385-7893.

Erin’s Epic Stories. 10:30 a.m. at OldTown Square, 10415 North St.,Fairfax. A variety of children’sactivities and entertainment in OldTown Square at the pergola,Tuesdays June-August. Weatherpermitting. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/old-town-square.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY/JULY 11-12Studio Ghibli: Kiki’s Delivery

Service. Wednesday, 7 p.m.(Japanese with English subtitles);Thursday, 11 a.m. (English dubbed)at Angelika Film Center – Mosaic,2911 District Ave., Fairfax. TheAngelika Mosaic will featureanimated films from the celebratedStudio Ghibli praised for theiroriginality, stunning animation, andambitious storytelling. All tickets areregular admission. Visitwww.AngleikaFilmCenter.com.

THURSDAY/JULY 12Evenings on the Ellipse with The

Beat Hotel. 5:30-7 p.m. at theFairfax County Government Center,12000 Government Center Parkway,Fairfax. The Evenings on the Ellipsesummer concert series is a family-friendly event featuring a wide rangeof musical genres. Paradise SpringsWinery and The Winery at Bull Runwill be providing complimentary

tastings; glasses of wine and fullbottles available for purchase. AFarmers Market (2:30-6:30 p.m.) willalso be on site selling fresh fruit andsavory snacks. Rain or shine. Free.Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

FRIDAY/JULY 13B-I-N-G-O. 7 p.m. at Fire Station 3,

4081 University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoyfree coffee, entertaining callers, afriendly atmosphere, $1,000guaranteed jackpot, treasure chestprogressive raffles, and good foodavailable for purchase. All proceedsgo to purchasing fire and rescueequipment. Visit www.fairfaxvfd.comor call 703-273-3638.

Movies Under the Moon: ET – theExtra Terrestrial. 8 p.m. at VanDyck Park, 3740 Old Lee Highway,Fairfax. Enjoy a night under the starsin Van Dyck Park with family andfriends with a movie for all ages toenjoy. Free admission, bring chairsand blankets.

SATURDAY/JULY 14Japanese Obon Festival. 3-9 p.m. at

Ekoji Buddhist Temple, 6500Lakehaven Lane, Fairfax Station.Celebrate with Japanese drumming,a Hawaiian band, participate intraditional Japanese dancing allwhile enjoying traditional Japanesefood and desserts such as chirashi,yakisoba, huli huli, daifuku. Therewill also be children’s games, achallenge course, and vendors sellingauthentic Japanese items. End theevening by lighting a candle in theJapanese garden to remember aloved one who has passed away. Freeadmission. Visitekojiobonfestival.weebly.com or call703-239-0500.

Mount Vernon Nights. 7 p.m. atWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. This seriesof free, public concerts features avariety of musical performancesreflecting Fairfax County’s diversity,culture and community spirit. Bring apicnic dinner and a blanket and enjoyone of Fairfax County’s specialsummer traditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights.

Stories of the Stars. 8:30-9:30 p.m.at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road,Fairfax Station. Stroll with anaturalist along the lakeshore andlearn about the constellations. Anastronomical naturalist will identifythe stars, and there will telescopesfor use. The evening ends with acampfire and s’mores. Forparticipants age 3-adult. $6 perperson; children must be with aregistered adult. Call 703-323-6600or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burke-lake.

SUNDAY/JULY 15Virginia’s Indian Heritage. 3-4 p.m.

at Pohick Regional Library, 6540Sydenstricker Road. Dr. KarenneWood of the Virginia Indian Program(Virginia Foundation for theHumanities) will present her researchon the history and culture ofVirginia’s Native American peopleand communities. Free. Visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

Hooray For Hollywood. 7:30-9:30p.m. at Richard J. Ernst CommunityCultural Center Theater, 8333 LittleRiver Turnpike, Annandale. Enjoy anevening of popular movie themespresented by the Reunion MusicSociety, Inc. and the NVCC-Annandale Campus, under thedirection of Christopher Johnston.Adults, $15; students w/ID, $10;NOVA students w/ID free; children12 and under, free. Free parking. Call703-569-0973 or visitwww.eventbrite.com and search“Hooray for Hollywood.”

“Bird’sParadise,”watercolor,by YelenaSvecharnik


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News

By Jenneth Dyck

The Connection

The Ekoji Buddhist Temple off the FairfaxCounty Parkway in Fairfax Station will behosting the only Obon festival in theWashington D.C. area July 14. Admission

is free, and the temple invites all visitors, no mattertheir religion or culture, to celebrate the annual event.

“It’s a time to show your gratitude and respect toall those people who’ve passed away before us, be-cause they made the world; we are the next genera-tion,” said Reverend Nariaki Rajan Hayashi, who hasbeen Ekoji’s minister for the past three years.

Because of the growing number of visitors, withlast year’s attendance at 1,700, the Ekoji Templeplans to extend its hours for the festival. The templeand grounds will be open starting at 3 p.m. and willcontinue until 9 p.m.

“[The festival] just keeps growing and growing. . .. There’s people from D.C. who come, there’s peoplefrom all over who come for the festival,” said VickeyChurchman, the volunteer coordinator for the event.“There isn’t anybody else who does an Obon. . . .New Jersey’s the next place that does an Obon festi-val.”

The theme of this year’s festival is “Taste of Obon,”highlighting the various cuisines of Japan, such asYakisoba and Chirashi sushi, as well as an interna-tional dessert table that showcases many cultures’favorite desserts.

Guests can also shop amongst the vendors linedup in the temple parking lot selling different Japa-nese items. On the grass, children can compete inring toss, coin drop, and yo-yo fishing games, whileteenagers can play a golf-like challenge based off theBuddhists’ noble eightfold path, a set of guidelinesthe Buddha taught should be followed to live a ful-filled life.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors canenjoy the Ekoji-based taiko ensemble, Nen Daiko.These Japanese drummers have performed through-out the Washington D.C. area since 1994, includingfor the spring Cherry Blossom Festival. While madeup of different faiths and lifestyles, each member ofthe Nen Daiko have a common respect and passion

for the Japanese taiko, a musical art that combineslively traditional drumming with choreography.

“When we attend cultural events in our commu-nity, we are stepping through a doorway. For a fewhours, we can imagine new ways of being,” said CarlaBrown in an essay to Ekoji after she attended herfirst Obon and eventually joined the Nen Daiko taikoensemble.

The festival will also feature musical talent from ayouth taiko group, a live Hawaiian performance fromthe Aloha Boys, and a simple Japanese dance calledBon Odori, in which festival goers are invited to par-ticipate.

At the end of the festival, guests are welcomed topurchase small candles to light and place through-out the temple’s Japanese garden to show gratitudetoward friends and family who have passed away.

“I find it was just a wonderful thing to do just alittle bit more to remember the people that I’ve caredabout that have passed away,” said Churchman.

For more info about the festival, visitekojiobonfestival.weebly.com, [email protected] or call 703-239-0500.

The Fairfax Station EkojiBuddhist Temple preparesto host its annual festival foreveryone in the community

Obon Festival Returns July 14

Carla Brown (far left) joined the Ekoji-based taiko drumming ensemble aftervisiting her first Obon festival.

Maya Horio plays in the taiko ensemblegroup, Nen Daiko, during last year’sObon Festival.

Last year, theEkoji ObonFestival hosted1,700 visitorsfrom the North-ern Virginia andWashingtonareas. This year,the temple isextending itshours to accom-modate morecrowds.

Photos Contributed


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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Well BlowMe Down

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESThe Fairfax-Falls Church Community

Services Board’s Merrifield Center offers anew stand-up information kiosk. Part of a pilotproject, the new feature aims to improve thecustomer service experience and decrease waittimes for individuals who are seeking mental(behavioral) health services. To check in,individuals respond to five simple questions,then the CSB’s Patient Track software alertsstaff. Based on clinicians’ schedules andavailability, as well as the needs of the client,individuals are triaged and seen by the nextavailable staff member. For more information onavailable services, call the CSB at 703-383-8500(Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). In anemergency 24/7, call CSB Emergency Services at703-573-5679 or the Fairfax Detox Center at703-502-7000 (TTY 703-322-9080).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDHaven of Northern Virginia is committed to

offering, support, compassion, information andresources to the bereaved and seriously ill.Volunteers provide individual and group supportto those suffering from a loss. Volunteers mustparticipate in a 30 hour training. Training willbe offered in October 2018. To volunteer, callHaven at 703-941-7000.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia, avolunteer nonprofit, invites community membersto join the organization to participate in itsReading Express program. Volunteers provideone-on-one tutoring to first grade studentsduring the school year. To learn more contactVP Membership Mary Gronlund [email protected] or Program Coordinator LynnBarron at [email protected].

TUESDAY/JULY 10Story Time: Focus and Self-Control. 10-11

a.m. at The Parent Resource Center Library,2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105,Dunn Loring. This Story Time will highlightbooks and activities to support focus and self-control in young children. Focus and self-controlis an evidence-based executive functioning skillthat involves paying attention, following therules, thinking flexibly, and exercising selfcontrol. Registration is limited and required forchildren ages 4-6 and their parents. Visitwww.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more.

THURSDAY/JULY 12Story Time: Perspective Taking. 10-11 a.m. at

The Parent Resource Center Library, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105, DunnLoring. This Story Time will highlight books andactivities to support perspective taking in youngchildren. Perspective taking is an evidence-basedexecutive functioning skill that forms the basisfor children’s understanding of their parents’,teachers’, and friends’ intentions. Registration islimited and required for children ages 4-6 andtheir parents. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center formore.

SUNDAY/JULY 15Public Input Deadline. The Fairfax County

Department of Transportation (FCDOT) isconducting a study to better understand howpeople get around the Franconia-Springfieldarea of Fairfax County on the Fairfax Connectortransit network. Complete a survey to helpFCDOT better understand transportation-relatedneeds and issues. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/franconia-springfield-optimization to complete the survey.

TUESDAY/JULY 17Story Time: Making Connections. 10-11 a.m.

at The Parent Resource Center Library, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105, DunnLoring. Making Connections is at the heart oflearning. This Story Time will highlight booksand activities to support this evidence-basedexecutive functioning skill in young children.Registration is limited and required for childrenages 4-6 and their parents. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center for more.

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