At Fair Winds in Lorton, the Opinion, Page 6 Small ...connectionarchives.com/PDF/2018/112818/Lorton.pdf · W6 - Gwen Bragg W9 - Marie Kennedy, Bettie Sperty, and Wendy Zaidman W10

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Holiday EntertainmentPage 10

One-Lane Underpass Now Seeing BackupsNews, Page 12

Holiday Season with‘Man of La Mancha’Entertainment, Page 9

Small Business SaturdayDefies Soaking Rain

News, Page 3

At Fair Winds in Lorton, the Business in the Brewery event -- on Small Business Saturday -- attracted many.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com November 29-December 5, 2018

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2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ November 29 - December 5, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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December Featured Artists

WorkhouseArts.org9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079

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 Studio 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.

W5 - Denise PhalanW6 - Gwen BraggW9 - Marie Kennedy, Bettie Sperty, and Wendy ZaidmanW10 – Group Show, A Few of Our Favorite Things

News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

In 1799, a 17-pound nugget of gold was foundnear Charlotte, N.C., starting the lesser knownEast Coast Gold Rush, that spread into Virginia.As the years passed, and gold coins were pro-

duced in Charlotte, the east coast gold belt thatstretched from the Harpers Ferry area to the Piedmontdied down and talk of gold went to California.

This was a topic of discussion of Mike Johnson’srecent lecture titled “Prehistory of Gold (Au) inNorthern Virginia,” Burke Historical Society spon-sored at the Pohick Library. Johnson, a former FairfaxCounty archeologist, offered geological and archeo-logical data and displayed a vial of gold dust that hefound in Northern Virginia over the past year. “Thisis all year, at least once a week,” Johnson said, hold-ing up the glass vial. “That took a lot of work,” headded.

On the title page, there was an arrowhead hefound, with a penny and a little pile of gold dust,just to show a size comparison, and show how pan-ning for gold in Northern Virginia should only be ahobby. There was a nugget found more recently that

weighs two ounces, but it’s another rarity and is morevaluable to show off than it is to melt down and sell.“That piece is priceless,” said Scott Sprague, a mem-ber of the east coast chapter of a prospecting withroots in California. “It’s not about money.”

Johnson’s presentation started with the geologicprocess to make gold, and evolved into a period18,000 years ago when the Chesapeake Bay was cre-ated, the Bering Land Bridge, the Clovis points andPaleo America. “Five thousand years ago, at least inthis area, there were foragers,” Johnson said. A cavedrawing of sorts called the Silsby’s Rock pictographwas found at Great Falls in recent years and is nowon display in the Great Falls Visitors Center.

The attendees wanted to know about gold aroundhere though, and when talking gold, the hot spotsare a big secret – similar to fishing. Around here,most of the land is owned by the government or pri-vate individuals so hunting for gold or panning orgold is not allowed.

“There aren’t many places, you’re going to have toget permission,” Johnson said. “One of the rules is,you don’t reveal your source,” he added.

Someone in the audience brought up the BurkeGold Mine, which Johnson wasn’t familiar with butanother person did know that it was about 200 yardsfrom Pohick Creek. There were a few whispers, butthe topic quickly changed. Fountainhead Park is inthe gold belt, Johnson said, and noted that this wasdetermined from a micro speck of gold he found there.

Local gold prospectingpays off in tiny amounts.

Burke Has a Heart ofGold Somewhere

Former county archeologist Mike Johnson with a vial ofdust that took him a long time to find.

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Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ November 29 - December 5, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection

At Flowers ‘n’ Ferns in Burke, thewelcome mat reminds shoppers ofthe shop small significance.

NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

Assistance League of NorthernVirginia’s Weekend Food for Kids pro-gram was the featured volunteer serviceactivity for the “Feed Your Future Volun-teer Relay” that took place during therecent Allstate Insurance Company Re-gional Advisory Board conference inWashington, D.C.

Lynn Barron and Karen Amster, boardmembers with the all-volunteer ALNV,were invited to attend and speak aboutAssistance League’s impactful programthat increases food security in three lo-cal school districts in the region. Assis-tance League provides bags of nonper-ishable food for at-risk children to takehome on the weekends when schoolmeals are not available who otherwisecould be hungry.

Following the keynote presentation,the event turned competitive. Executives,regional advisory board members — ex-

clusive agents and exclusive financial spe-cialists from D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Vir-ginia and West Virginia — participated in avolunteer relay, packing food for hungrychildren.

Allstate Senior Communication Consult-ant Caitlyn Barron coordinated the re-sources and purchased the nonperishablefood items to support The Allstate Founda-tion Helping Hands in the Communitygroup volunteer event. A team of more than40 volunteers packed 500+ bags of foodfor at-risk children whose families struggleto put food on the table on weekends whenschool meals are not available.

This partnership provided an opportunityto satisfy an immediate need for food assis-tance at two Title I elementary schools notcurrently supported by the Weekend Foodfor Kids program.

See www.assistanceleague.org/northern-virginia/

From left: Karen Amster (ALNV), Caitlyn Barron (Allstate), LynnBarron (ALNV) and Christine Angles (Allstate).

Allstate Contributes to ‘Weekend Food for Kids’

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By Mike Salmon

The Connection

The Greater Springfield Chamberof Commerce carried on a tra-dition on this year’s Small Busi-ness Saturday with their “Busi-

ness in the Brewery” event at the Fair WindsBrewery in Newington. According to Cham-ber president Nancy-jo Manney, this is thesecond year the Chamber held Business inthe Brewery where they bring local smallbusinesses to a place that offers good ex-hibit space and a built-in crowd, and locallybrewed craft beer.

“Small Business Saturday is an opportu-nity for us to celebrate and recognize localsmall businesses, the backbone of oureconomy,” said Manney.

Flowers ‘n’ Ferns is a Chamber memberfrom Burke that broke out the hot cider andpromotional material for Small BusinessSaturday, but after a few hours of steadyrainfall, Karen Lynn Fountain, the shopowner, headed to the event at the FairWinds.

Nalls Produce off Beulah Street has beena family owned and operated business formore than 50 years, and honored SmallBusiness Day with a free gift. “Our custom-ers have supported us for decades — savedus from becoming just another housing de-velopment — and we want to say thanks,”said Valerie Nalls, the owner’s daughter whohas worked there through the years. CaryNalls started the produce stand when hewas just a kid and he continues to workevery day. “My children, Blake and Morgan,are now learning how to lend a hand atNalls too, just like I did when I was a kid,”added Valerie.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)said that small businesses are critical to ourlocal economy and “the biggest generators

of new jobs.” Herrity supported the recentdevelopment of a county effort to supportsmall businesses called BizEx, “which isdesigned to improve the zoning and per-mitting process,” Herrity said. The Boardof Supervisors just approved a $1 millioninvestment in Revolution, an incubator tohelp small technology startups.

“I have actually seen a growth in smallbusinesses in Fairfax County from retail toIT and health care,” Herrity said.

Small Business Saturday goes back to2010 when the U.S. Small Business Admin-istration (SBA) launched an initiative tosupport the neighborhood mom and popstores that have a local angle. “Small busi-nesses provide a character to communities,”said Jack Spirakes, the public information

officer for the Washington MetropolitanArea District office of the SBA. In 2017, 108million consumers shopped at small busi-

Photo courtesy of Nancy-jo Manney

At Fair Winds in Lorton, the Business in the Brewery event — on SmallBusiness Saturday — attracted many.

Small Business Saturday Defies Soaking Rain

Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection

Karen Lynn Fountain at Flowers ‘n’Ferns shows off a holiday arrange-ment on Small Business Saturday.

nesses on Small Business Saturday, spend-ing a combined $12 billion at independentneighborhood retailers and restaurants, theSBA said. Locally, SBA participates in amonthly workshop with the Fairfax CountyEconomic Development Authority aimed atlocal entrepreneurs.

“It’s a chance for communities to rallyaround these businesses,” added CarolWilkerson, an SBA spokesperson out of thenational office in Washington, D.C.


People

Theresa M. Morthland of Burkeearned the Stars & StripesAward, the highest recognition

that American Heritage Girls offers to girlmembers. The award requires a greatdeal of time, sacrifice and devotion toachieve.

In addition to living out the AmericanHeritage Girls creed and oath, awardrecipients complete a number of require-ments, including earning a total of 16merit badges; holding a leadership posi-tion in their troop for a minimum of sixmonths; planning, developing and pro-viding leadership to others in a serviceproject lasting more than 100 hours;writing a life ambition/spiritual walkessay and résumé; and passing a Boardof Review.

Morthland chose to serve the Churchof the Nativity Catholic School by design-ing and building an elevated sandboxwith an innovative design so preschoolchildren in wheelchairs and children withtactile difficulties can play in the sandwith their friends. The sandbox has be-come a focal point in the playground andwith multiple classes of children. Sheworked with multiple schools before ac-tual construction, making presentationsto each administration to seek approval.She also made a presentation to theparish’s Knights of Columbus Council7992 seeking and ultimately receivingtheir financial support to complete theproject.

Morthland served as the troop’s SeniorTroop Leader, Closet Coordinator, andearned multiple awards, such as, theHarriet Tubman Level Award, DolleyMadison Level Award, and the Mary, theFirst Disciple Religious Medal.

A member of Immanuel Bible Church’sAmerican Heritage Girls Troop VA1115,

Morthland is the 448th girl nationally— and the 37th girl in Virginia — to earnthe Stars & Stripes Award. She will berecognized in a court-of-honor ceremonyat 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at ImmanuelBible Church in Annandale.

She is the daughter of Sam andMichele Morthland of Burke and thefamily attends the Church of the Nativ-ity Catholic Church in Burke. She gradu-ated Lake Braddock Secondary Schoolin June where she was active in the ColorGuard. She currently attends West Vir-ginia University as a Freshman in Foren-sics Biology. She was recognized by thecollege with both academic and leader-ship scholarships.

American Heritage Girls Inc. is a na-tional character-development organiza-tion for girls ages 5 to 18 that embracesChristian values and encourages familyinvolvement. For more information, goto www.americanheritagegirls.org.

Theresa M. Morthland of Burke.

Burke Student EarnsAmerican Heritage Girls Award

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Historic PohickChurch MinisterReceives AwardRev. Dr. Thomas A.Costa of the HistoricPohick Church DocentGuild received theBronze Good Citizen-ship Medal from Presi-dent Ernie Coggins ofthe George WashingtonChapter of the Sons ofthe American Revolu-tion at the conclusionof a program thathonored seven veter-ans living at the Sunrise at Mount Vernon assisted-living facility inAlexandria on Nov. 10. After honoring the esteemed veterans of ourarmed forces for Veterans Day, the Bronze Good Citizenship medal wasawarded by the chapter for Reverend Costa’s service to the residents,to the local SAR, and for supporting Revolutionary War-era historyprograms in the area.



Opinion

During the last week of each year,this newspaper devotes its pagesto the creativity of local studentsand children. The annual Children’s

Connection (including Children’s Gazette,Children’s Almanac and Children’s Centre View)is a tradition of well over a decade.

We welcome contributions from pub-lic and private schools, art classes, in-dividuals and homeschoolers. We pub-lish artwork, poetry, essays, creative writing,opinion pieces, short stories, photography,photos of sculpture or gardens or other cre-ative efforts.

We ask that all submissions be digital so theycan be sent through email or delivered on flashdrive. Writing should be submitted in text for-mat. Artwork should be photographed orscanned and provided in jpeg format.

Some suggestions:❖ Drawings or paintings or photographs of

your family, friends, pets or some favorite ac-tivity. These should be photographed orscanned and submitted in jpeg format. Photosof sculpture or larger art projects are also wel-come.

❖ Short answers (50 to 100 words) to someof the following questions: If you could giveyour parents, family or friends any gift thatdidn’t cost money what would that gift be?What are you most looking forward to in theupcoming year? What do you want to be when

you grow up? What is your favoriteanimal? What is your favorite toy?What makes a good friend?

❖ Your opinion (50 to 100 words)about traffic, sports, restaurants, video games,toys, trends, politics, etc.

❖ Poetry or other creative writing.❖ News stories from school newspapers.❖ Photos and text about activities or events.To be published, we must have the full first

and last name of the student artist/writer.Identify each piece of writing or art, includ-

ing the student’s full name, age, grade andtown of residence, plus the name of theschool, name of teacher and town of school

location. Home schoolers’ contributions arewelcomed.

To send flash drives containing artwork andtyped, electronic submissions, mark themclearly by school and hometown and mail theflash drive to: Children’s Connection (includ-ing Children’s Gazette, Children’s Almanac andChildren’s Centre View), 1606 King Street, Al-exandria, VA 22314.

Please send all submissions by Monday, Dec.3, 2018. The Children’s Edition will publishthe last week of 2018.

You can see last year’s editions by visitingwww.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ andscroll down to Children’s Edition.

Email submissions for the Children’s Editionto the following editors:

For Burke, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station,Great Falls, Herndon, Lorton, McLean,Reston, or Springfield, email to KemalKurspahic [email protected].

For Arlington, Potomac, CentreView,Chantilly, Alexandria and Mount Vernon,email to Steven Mauren,[email protected]

Get creative and sendart, poetry and more.

Call for Children’s Connection 2018

Editorial

By Joe Fay

Executive Director, FACETS

Fifteen years ago, twoFairfax men froze to deathduring the fall. At the

time, FACETS was a nonprofit thatwas primarily serving meals to thecounty’s homeless in partnershipwith several churches. FACETS’leaders knew that feeding peopleonly to send them back into the extreme coldwas not a great answer for the growing num-ber of people who were homeless in the com-munity.

That winter FACETS responded by offeringtemporary shelter in conjunction with its part-ner churches, the Lamb Center, and SalvationArmy to get people in from the cold. The firstyear, these hypothermia shelters rotated toseveral different churches and only openedwhen the temperatures dropped below freez-ing. Soon the centers were serving up to 60people on cold nights.

The program has evolved as theregion’s population has grown. In2006, FACETS worked on policiesand procedures with the countyand formally began managing cen-tral Fairfax’s Hypothermia Preven-tion and Response Program. Thisyear 36 churches will be host sitesfor the program with more than50 churches and other faith com-munities providing volunteers.

These faith community partners rotate whenopening their doors to provide shelter. In an-ticipation, churches and temples are preparingtheir facilities to welcome people in need dur-ing the cold months ahead — cleaning, gettingsupplies, and preparing the space. Other vol-unteers are planning menus. Unique partner-ships have formed as a result of the programas Christians, Muslims, Jews, and more jointogether to help the homeless and in the pro-cess learn about each other.

The effort also matured beyond just provid-ing safe haven. Guests now receive life-chang-

ing case management. By interacting withguests at the shelters, FACETS’ case managersare able to address their needs in a very per-sonal way by gaining their trust and connect-ing them with housing solutions and criticalservices. They also receive a variety of servicesfrom the county.

Last year 283 guests were given shelter fromthe biting cold. More than 3,800 people vol-unteered 33,000 hours last season to care forthese guests who are homeless. By the end ofseason, 41 of these people had lefthomelessness behind and were housed.

This year’s Hypothermia Response and Pre-vention Program began the Sunday of Thanks-giving weekend and runs seven nights a weekthrough April 1. With the projected cold andforecasts of a very snowy winter season, de-mand is expected to grow.

To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit usat www.FACETSCares.org.

FACETS is a Fairfax-based nonprofit workingto prevent and end homelessness.

This year 36 churches will be host sites for the hypothermia program.

Bringing People in from the Cold

Protecting OurDiversityTo the Editor:

I want to thank you for publish-ing the article about the Fairfax ForAll coalition’s recent activities(“Advocating for Immigrant Pro-tection”).

As the daughter of two immi-grants, immigration policy has al-

ways been important to me — es-pecially as the debate over depor-tation and ICE has escalated. Myparents were fortunate enough tobe able to immigrate legally, andhave been citizens for about 10years, but in examining the dataI’ve come to see that that’s mostlikely to do with the fact that theyare white and had college degrees.Our town is so beautifully diverse,

and I believe that we’re losing animportant part of our culture whenimmigrants are scared to partici-pate in the community for fear ofdeportation.

If what Fairfax For All says is true,then there is an entire group ofpeople in our town who are beingexcluded from important decisions,prevented from seeking medicalattention, and afraid to participate

in the community — all out of fear.I’m learning just how importantthese relationships to the commu-nity, or social ties, are. They allowindividuals a sense of purpose andhelp them to feel assimilated intothis community that we like to pro-fess as being so diverse.

Emma SteinhobelHerndon

Letters to the Editor

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

HOLIDAY DONATIONSBlanket and Coat Drive. Through

Dec. 8. Organized by NOVA ReliefCenter, blankets and coats will besent to refugees in three camps inJordan this winter. Blankets andcoats should be new or gently worn.Monetary donations are also neededand may be made to NOVA ReliefCenter online and at some drop-offlocations. For drop-off sites or tomake a tax-deductible donation, visitnovareliefcenter.org.

Holiday Basket Donation. Christmasbaskets by Dec. 17. Preparing aspecial holiday meal and joiningone’s family around the table to givethanks are visions that come to mindwhen we think of Christmas dinner.For many families and individuals,enjoying a special holiday meal whenfinances are tight is just not possible.Visit www.koinoniacares.org/holiday-baskets.html for suggestionsand to sign up to donate a basket.

Food for Fines. Nov. 1-30. FairfaxCounty Public Library will be hostinga food drive called “Food for Fines.”Canned goods and other non-perishable items collected during thedrive will be donated to Food forOthers, food pantry and food rescuethat serves Fairfax County. Each itemdonated will erase $1 from a patron’soverdue fines up to a maximum of$15. Customers may donate even ifthere are no fines accrued. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/food-fines for more.

Bulletin


Holiday Entertainment

By David Siegel

The Connection

For its Holiday Season production, theProvidence Players are presenting aspecial adaptation of Charles

Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with an Ameri-can Depression era setting. The Rob Zappleadaptation is directed by Beth Giles-White-head. She cast more than two dozen actorsto bring the show to vivid life along withlive Bluegrass music.

Zapple’s “A Christmas Carol” is set dur-ing a bitter cold December 1933, in a down-on-its-fortunes St. Louis neighborhood.Times are hard. People are out of work andhave lost hope. An unemployedShakespearean actor and his manager runout of gas. The townsfolk agree to supplythem with gas if they tell them the story ofEbenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and TinyTim. “The story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s re-demption and turn to love and service forothers will always need to be heard nomatter how many Christmas seasons comeand go,” said Barbara Gilles-Whitehead,Providence Players director. “Our produc-tion will provide audiences the opportunityto see this familiar story through a differ-ent lens.” Tiny Tim is played by CadenMitchell (Mantua Elementary School), whosaid: “Tiny Tim is a really giving boy whowants to help everyone around him, eventhough he is one that needs help himself,due to his illness and disability. I like howmuch he loves everyone and they love him.”

Talia Cutler (Kilmer Middle School) playsthe Ghost of Christmas Past. “The ghost ofChristmas Past has immense power andmagic. She is a very different character than

Holiday Story ofRedemption and LoveProvidence Players present Rob Zapple’sadaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

what I normally play,” Talia said.Bob Cratchit is portrayed by Daniel

Lavanga: “Cratchit is so utterly devoted tohis family. He would do anything for them,including putting up with Scrooge’s abuseday in and day out. And yet he is not a bit-ter man.” Roxanne Waite plays Mrs.Cratchit: “The moral of the importance ofputting other people above material trap-pings, the power of interpersonal relation-ship, and redemption are timeless. It’s im-portant to be reminded of such themes andwe can always use a good dose of it.”

Ebenezer Scrooge is played by DavidWhitehead, who said: “I love the changethat Ebenezer takes from coldness and dis-dain to compassion and gratitude. There isno other story like it, it lifts my spirits justplaying it.”

The Providence Players production ofZapple’s “A Christmas Carol” will remindaudiences that even during the most des-perate of times, there is hope with commu-nity and family to help shelter you.

Ebenezer (portrayed by DavidWhitehead) in the ProvidencePlayers production of RobZapple’s adaptation of “A Christ-mas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

Roxanne Waite portrays Mrs.Cratchit in the Providence Playersproduction of Rob Zapple’s adap-tation of “A Christmas Carol” byCharles Dickens.

Where and WhenProvidence Players present the Rob Zapple ad-

aptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” atThe James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855Annandale Road, Falls Church. Performances: Dec.7 to Dec. 15, 2018. Thursday, Friday and Saturdayat 7:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday Matineesat 2 p.m. on December 8, 9, 15 & 16. Tickets $17;seating is General Admission. Call 703-425-6782or visit www.providenceplayers.org

Note: This production will benefit the workofºThe Young Hearts, a group of teens who raisefunds to battle blood cancers and otherdiseases.ºHalf of all net proceeds from this produc-tion will be donated to Young Hearts Foundationin pursuit of their mission. This year, The YoungHearts are raising money in support of the Leuke-mia and Lymphoma Society.

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By David Siegel

The Connection

With stirring songs such as the iconic“The Impossible Dream,” transforma-tion and redemption are the heart ofthe moving musical, “Man of La

Mancha.” Inspired by the characters and adventuresof the unlikely Spanish knight Don Quixote, createdby Miguel de Cervantes, the multi Tony Award win-ning “Man of La Mancha” will be produced on theintimate stage at the Workhouse Arts Center theaterwith live musical accompaniment including flamencoguitar and percussive rhythms.

Under the musical direction of Merissa Driscoll,and direction and choreography by the veteran Work-house team of Jeffrey Davis and Mary Payne, “’Manof La Mancha’ aims to provide audiences beauty indarkness and despair. It provides opportunities forself-reflection and renewed faith in finding hope,peace and reaching for the stars- following your own‘Impossible Dream,” said Joseph Wallen, director,performing arts, Workhouse Arts Center.

Featured actors and singers in “Man of La Mancha”include Mary Payne portraying Aldonza, the womanwith a tough exterior and gentle heart who wants tobelieve the stories she hears. John Hollinger is play-ing Cervantes and Quixote.

It is Hollinger who sings the iconic lyrics aboutmarching for “a heavenly cause.”

“I am I, Don Quixote, the lord of La Mancha, mydestiny calls and I go…And the wild winds of for-tune will carry me onward, Oh whithersoever theyblow ... Onward to glory I go!”

“Man of La Mancha” is set historically in the pe-riod of the Spanish Inquisition. Author Cervantes isthrown in prison with a wicker trunk containing hisbelongings. His fellow prisoners doubt his ability todefend himself. They put him on a “mock trial” be-fore he appears before the authorities. Cervantes

imagines a brave knight named Don Quixote and histrusty squire Sancho Panza. What follows is a play-within-a-play as objects in the wicker basket turn intoa set, and his fellow inmates perform.

“Looking at the heart of the story, ‘La Mancha’ is avery appropriate or this time of year, of reflection,”said Wallen. “Our Workhouse production will be avery personal experience as no seat is further than50 feet from the stage. We want our guests to havethe sensation that they are in the environment ofthe world of the production.”

Inviting patrons to the performance Wallen addedthat the entire “La Mancha” team and crew aims toprovide “an engaging evening on a cold winter nightfor the audience.”

Where and WhenWorkhouse Arts Center presents “Man of La Mancha” at

W3 Theatre, 9518 Workhouse Way, Building W3, Lorton.Performances Dec. 15 to Jan. 13, 2019. Fridays andSaturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. plus New Year’s Eveperformance. Tickets: $20-$35 (Note: Ticket prices mayincrease, based on demand. Advanced purchase recom-mended). Visit www.workhousearts.org or call703-584-2900. Note: On Monday, Dec. 31, there will be aspecial performance that includes admission to a post-showNew Year’s Eve Countdown Party with music, tapas-styledesserts and complimentary champagne toast to ring in2019 in the McGuireWoods Gallery. Special pricing andafter-party for New Year’s Eve performance. Visitwww.workhousearts.org or call 703-584-2900

Workhouse presents themusical for its holidayseason production.

Holiday Season with‘Man of La Mancha’

Mary Payneportrays Aldonzain the WorkhouseArts Center pro-duction of “Manof La Mancha.”


John Hollingerportrays DonQuixote/Cervantesin the WorkhouseArts Center pro-duction.

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Toys for Tots Donations. Nov. 28-Dec. 8 at PaperMoon, 6315 AmherstAve., Springfield. PaperMoon, agentlemen’s club in Springfield, willcollect new, unwrapped toys for Toysfor Tots. Call 703-866-4160 or visitwww.papermoonvip.com for more.

Toys for Tots Drive. Through Dec.10. Area Sheehy Auto Stores willcollect new and unwrapped toys tobenefit the U.S. Marine CorpsReserve Toys for Tots Program,which will distribute those toys asgifts to less fortunate children in thecommunity in which the campaign isconducted. Sheehy’s Toys for Totsdrop-off locations include:

❖ Sheehy Volkswagen of Springfield.6601 Backlick Road, Springfield

❖ Sheehy Ford of Springfield, 6727Loisdale Road, Springfield

❖ Sheehy Subaru of Springfield, 6571

Backlick Road, Springfield❖ Patriot Harley-Davidson, 9739 Fairfax

Boulevard, FairfaxChristmas Wish Donations and

Volunteers. Koinonia is nowaccepting donations of unwrappedChristmas gifts so that their clientscan pick out gifts for their families.This year Christmas wishes will beheld at Franconia United MethodistChurch from Dec. 10-12. Donationswill be accepted through Dec. 10.Visit www.koinoniacares.org for a listof suggested toys and gift cards.Volunteers needed Dec. 9-12, call703-971-1991.

Sponsor a Local Family. ThroughDec. 14, Fairfax-based non-profitBritepaths (formerly Our DailyBread) is seeking volunteers tosponsor families in need who livethroughout the Fairfax County area.Sponsors are matched with anindividual or family with

demonstrated need, and may opt toprovide a December holiday meal,and/or gifts for children under 18.Cash donations and gift cards arewelcome to assist those who are notsponsored. A wonderful family,company or group holiday serviceproject. Register and learn more atbritepaths.org. Contact 703-273-8829or [email protected].

Toy Drive. Through Friday, Dec. 14 atlocal Weichert, Realtors offices.Members of the community areinvited to drop off new, unwrappedtoys at the company’s sales offices.The toys will be delivered throughoutthe holidays in conjunction with localcharities that assist financially andphysically disadvantaged children. Tofind a local office, go towww.weichert.com/offices/.

From Page 7

Bulletin Board



Image by

Ruth Judson /

Elizabeth Lucrezio

BalletNovaPresents TheNutcracker

BalletNova’s Nutcrackerhas become a holidaytradition. BalletNovapresents a brand-newproduction of the holidayclassic with new cos-tumes, new charactersand new choreography.The Sugar Plum Fairy isbeing danced by WillaFrantz, of Fairfax.Thursday-Friday, Nov. 29-30, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,Dec. 1, 1 and 5 p.m.;Sunday, Dec. 2, 3 and 7p.m. at George MasonHigh School Theatre,7124 Leesburg Pike, FallsChurch. $18-42. Call 703-778-3008 or visitwww.BalletNova.org formore.

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

ONGOINGRed Cross Fundraiser. Through

Saturday, Dec. 15 at Crafthouse,11861 Palace Way, Fairfax. All threeCrafthouse locations in NorthernVirginia are donating 10 percent ofall bottled beer purchases to theAmerican Red Cross – CaliforniaWildfires Fund to assist thoseaffected by the wildfires inCalifornia. Call 703-825-1811 or visitwww.crafthouseusa.com for more.

Pop-Up Art show. Through Dec. 16 atGallery 57, 11899 Grand CommonsAve., Fairfax. Emerging ArtistsInitiative and the PetersonCompanies are partnering to bring anartistic and creative facet to theFairfax community. A new pop-up artgallery at Fairfax Corner Center willexhibit paintings and sculptures byfour resident artists in vacant retailspace. Free. [email protected] orvisit eaiinc.org

Glass National 2018. Through Jan.13 at The Workhouse Arts Center,Vulcan Gallery, W-16, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton. TheWorkhouse Arts Center presents its3rd Annual Glass National exhibition.Glass National is a juried exhibitionwhich promotes and displays thebreadth of contemporary glassartwork being created throughout theUSA and Canada by highlighting bothfunctional and sculptural works. Thisyear’s juror is artist and educatorCarmen Lozar, director of theMerwin and Wakeley Galleries atIllinois Wesleyan University. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/event/glass-national-2018.

Founding Artists Exhibition.Through Feb. 3 at The WorkhouseArts Center, Vulcan Muse Gallery,9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.Workhouse Arts Center presents agroup exhibition highlighting Studioand Arches artists that have been apart of the organization for its 10-year span. In honor of theirdedication and support, theexhibition will survey their works invarious mediums including painting,sculpture, fiber, glass, preciousmetals, and mixed media. Visitwww.workhousearts.org for more.

Second Saturdays. 6-9 p.m. at theWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Road, Lorton. TheSecond Saturday Art Walk is theperfect time to meet nearly 85Resident and Associate Artists,creating art in the studios orexhibiting in our galleries. Visitwww.workhousearts.org/.

Smoke Free Bingo. 7 p.m. EveryFriday. Fairfax Volunteer FireDepartment, 4081 University Drive,Fairfax. Free coffee, entertainingcallers, $1,000 jackpot (with breaksfor smoking friends).www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

THURSDAY/NOV. 29Geneology Workshop. 6:30-9 p.m. at

Pohick Library, 6450 SydenstrickerRoad, Burke. Anna Maria FitzhughChapter, NSDAR, will have aGenealogy Workshop. ProspectiveDAR members will receive assistancewith the application process. Contact703-690-7136 for more.

THURSDAY/NOV. 29-DEC. 2BalletNova presents The

Nutcracker. Thursday-Friday, 7:30p.m.; Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m.;Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. at GeorgeMason High School Theatre, 7124Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.BalletNova’s Nutcracker has becomea holiday tradition. BalletNovapresents a brand-new production ofthe holiday classic with new

costumes, new characters and newchoreography. The Sugar Plum Fairyis danced by Willa Frantz, of Fairfax.$18-42. Call 703-778-3008 or visitwww.BalletNova.org for more.

THURSDAY/NOV. 29-DEC. 1Holiday Book Sale. Thursday, 3-9

p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at RichardByrd Library, 7250 Commerce St.,Springfield. More than 10,000 likenew books in all categories, most at$2 or less, plus loads of CDs, DVDsand special gift offerings. Over 3,000children’s books, too. Funds raisedwill pay for our children’s programsand more. Free admission. [email protected] or call 703-451-8055.

FRIDAY/NOV. 30-SATURDAY/DEC. 1The Pajama Game. Friday, 7 p.m.;

Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. at FallsChurch High School, 7521 JaguarTrail, Falls Church. A musical basedon the 1953 novel “7 1/2 Cents” byRichard Bissell. $7. Visitwww.fchsdrama.org orwww.itickets.com/events/408638.html.

SATURDAY/DEC. 1Holiday Extravaganza. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

at South County High School, 8501Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Santaarrives at 8:30 a.m. courtesy of theLorton Volunteer Fire Departmentkicking off the Candy Cane Kids FunRun for kids age 12 and under. At 9a.m., 170 vendors featuring all sortsof handcrafted items will offereverything from handmade glassornaments and jewelry to soaps,lotions, clothing, and holiday décor.Cookies with Santa, free, 9:30-12;Fairfax Co Sheriff, Child ID andfingerprinting, free, 9-3; Santa’s BookEmporium, 9-3. Proceeds benefit theSCHS All Night Grad Party, PTSO,Band Boosters and Athletic Boosters.Free, $3. Visitwww.southcountyptso.org.

Tyler’s Mission Fundraiser. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at South County High School,8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton.Tyler’s Mission, in partnership with

Beyond Batten Disease Foundation501(3)(c), strives to raise awarenessand funding for research, treatmentand a cure. Tyler’s Stars will beholding a fundraiser during theSouth County Holiday Extravaganza.Visit www.defeatbatten.org to learnmore about Tyler and Batten Disease.

Advent Festival. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at St.Stephen’s United Methodist Church,9203 Braddock Road, Burke. Open toall and designed with busy families inmind. Includes a Fair TradeChristmas Market, Christmas Concert(11 a.m.), Food Trucks, DIY Adventcraft stations, free coffee and cookiesand more. Free admission. Visitststephensfairfax.org.

Christmastide at Gunston Hall. 10a.m.-7 p.m. at George Mason’sGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Mason Neck. Holiday activities startwith a visit from Santa to games andcrafts for all ages. The evening hoursprovide a romantic holidayexperience by candlelight as visitorssample period food in the kitchenand explore the grounds. $15 foradults; $10 for children. Visitwww.gunstonhall.org/ or call 703-550-9220.

Joyful Music in Clifton. 4:30, 5:30,and 6:30 p.m. at Clifton PrimitiveBaptist Church, 7200 Main St.,Clifton. Art Guild of Clifton presentsQuest Singers in three holiday musicprograms, opening this festiveseason. Tickets not required. Freewill donation sustaining Art Guildscholarship programappreciated.Horse parade at noon.Holiday Homes Tour, 4-7 p.m. Call703-830-8466 or visitwww.artguildofclifton.org.

A Cathedral Brass Christmas. 6p.m. at Living Savior LutheranChurch, 5500 Ox Road, FairfaxStation. The Cathedral Brass willpresent “Christmas Cheer!” – a festiveprogram of holiday favorites. TheCathedral Brass is a 23-playersymphonic brass ensemble. Free. Visitwww.livingsaviorlutheran.org orcathedralbrass.org for more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 1-2Holiday Arts and Crafts Show.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 10a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Audrey Moore

Recreation Center, 8100 BraddockRoad, Annandale. One of NorthernVirginia’s longest running arts andcrafts shows with plenty of great giftsto choose from. Top-qualityhandmade arts and crafts will beoffered by 100 of the area’s finestartisans. Admission is $2 per person;children ages 12 and under are free.Door prizes. Call 703-321-7081

SUNDAY/DEC. 2Christmas Musical: “Here Comes

Heaven.” 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. atJubilee Christian Center of Fairfax,4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax.Jubilee Christian Center presents“Here Comes Heaven,” composed ofadults, youth, and children. Therewill be a reception with refreshmentsafter the 11 a.m. service. The event isfree. Call 703-383-1170 or visitwww.jccag.org for more.

Concert: for King & Country. 6-10p.m. at Eagle Bank Arena, 4500Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Two-timeGRAMMY Award winners for King &Country Christmas tour. Joining theduo on tour is Zach Williams. $28.,$40., $42.5 Reserved, $78.50 VIP.Call 703-993-3000 or visitwww.TheConcertSpot.com

TUESDAY/DEC. 4Burke Historical Society Research

Seminar. 7-9 p.m. at Burke CentreLibrary, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke.Preserve heirloom photographs anddocuments – photographs, letters,ledgers, and more. Virginia Roomlibrarian Chris Barbuschak will sharepreservation techniques to use athome. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org

THURSDAY/DEC. 6Winter Wonderland. 4-7 p.m. at

Insight Memory Care Center, 3953Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax. Joinus Insight Memory Care Center incelebrating the season at their WinterWonderland Holiday Party withtreats, drinks, holiday cheer, and tocelebrate the families, supporters,volunteers, board and staff memberswho support Insight. Visit

www.insightmcc.org for more.Holiday Open House. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

at Mount Vernon GovernmentalCetnter, 2511 Parkers Lane. JoinSupervisor Storck, his staff andmembers of the Mount VernonDistrict Boards, Authorities andCommissions for a holiday openhouse. Enjoy an evening ofrefreshments, get to know the staffand tour the office. Considersupporting those in need by donatingto the Blanket & Coat Drive forRefugees sponsored by the NOVARelief Center. New or gently usedcoat and blanket donations can bedropped off at the Mount VernonDistrict Office until Friday, Dec. 7.RSVP by Dec. 1, appreciated but notrequired. Call 703-780-7518.

FRIDAY/DEC. 7Holiday Benefit Concert. 7:30-9

p.m. at St. Andrew’s EpiscopalChurch, 6509 Sydenstricker Road,Burke. Celebrate the holiday seasonwith candlelight and carols withhammered dulcimerist, KarenAshbrook and friends Paul Oorts,Eileen Estes and Jamie Sandel. Freeadmission. All donations will go toFairfax Area Community Emergencyand Transitional Services (FACETS)and Ecumenical Community HelpingOthers (ECHO) to help people inneed. Childcare provided. Receptionto follow. Email [email protected] call 703-455-2500 for more.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 7-8The Pajama Game. Friday, 7 p.m.;

Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. at FallsChurch High School, 7521 JaguarTrail, Falls Church. The PajamaGame is a musical based on the 1953novel “7 1/2 Cents” by RichardBissell. $7. Visit www.fchsdrama.orgor www.itickets.com/events/408638.html.

SATURDAY/DEC. 8Winter Open House. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

at Kings Park Library, 9000 BurkeLake Road, Burke. Celebrate theseason with crafts, activities, seasonalmusic with a recorder ensemble andlight refreshments for the wholefamily. Children can join Kingsley’sWinter Reading Club by reading fivebooks between Dec. 8 and Feb. 2 andreceive a prize. Free. Call 703-978-5600.

Art & Crafts Marketplace. 10 a.m.-2p.m. at Lake Braddock SecondarySchool, 9200 Burke Lake Road,Burke. Santa and his elves will be onduty for picture taking; gift wrappingavailable (all sizes welcome);vendors with something foreveryone; babysitting for parentswhile shopping; food for sale; 50/50raffle; drawings hourly and anauction. Contact Carrie Holmes,Chairperson at 571-205-9083 or BobGaylord, LBSS PTSA Second VicePresident at 703-338-3033.

Night in Bethlehem. 6-8 p.m. atFranconia United Methodist Church,6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria.Experience a live recreation of theChristmas Story. Free to thecommunity and includes a livingNativity, manger petting zoo, crafts,and hot cider. Call 703 971 5151 orvisit www.franconiaumc.org.

SATURDAY/DEC. 15Jazz Brunch and Vendor Expo.

Vendor Expo, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; JazzBrunch, noon at Thomas JeffersonHigh School for Science andTechnology, 6560 Braddock Road,Alexandria. Fairfax County NAACPoffers a Jazz Brunch and Businessand Vendor Expo, featuring morethan 40 vendors. Shop for holidaygifts and stay to enjoy the jazzbrunch celebration. Proceeds benefit



Stan the Stallion and Santa get ready to run aprevious Candy Cane Kids’ Fun Run.

Holiday ExtravaganzaSanta arrives at 8:30 a.m. courtesy of the Lorton Volunteer Fire Depart-

ment kicking off the Candy Cane Kids Fun Run for kids age 12 and under.At 9 a.m., 170 vendors featuring all sorts of handcrafted items will offereverything from handmade glass ornaments and jewelry to soaps, lotions,clothing, and holiday décor. Cookies with Santa, free, 9:30-12; Fairfax CoSheriff, Child ID and fingerprinting, free, 9-3; Santa’s Book Emporium, 9-3. Proceeds benefit the SCHS All Night Grad Party, PTSO, Band Boostersand Athletic Boosters. Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at South CountyHigh School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Free, $3. Visit

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scholarships and advocacy efforts.Jazz Brunch, $65; expo admission isfree. Visit www.fairfaxnaacp.org.

Pet Adoption Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.at Pet Supplies Plus, 11054 LeeHighway, Fairfax. Find a new foreveranimal friend with the help of theCity of Fairfax Animal Control andAnimal Shelter. Visitwww.fairfaxva.gov/government/police/programs/animal-control/adopt-a-pet for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 16Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker. 4

p.m. at GMU Center for the ArtsConcert Hall. Experience this timelessholiday classic with the FairfaxSymphony Orchestra and the FairfaxBallet. Enjoy a winter wonderland ofdancing snowflakes, sugar plumfairies and epic battles betweenheroic toy soldiers and mischievousmice. There will not be a pre-concertdiscussion for this matineeperformance. $49-$89. Visitwww.fairfaxsymphony.org/nutcracker-1-1/ fore more.

BHS General Meeting. 3:30-5 p.m. atPohick Regional Library, 6540Sydenstricker Road, Burke. CindyBennett shares anecdotes from hernew book Wicked Fairfax County,recounting events like the typhoidepidemic at Camp Alger, a 1918murder in Burke, and, of course, theBunnyman. Free. [email protected] or visitwww.burkehistoricalsociety.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 21Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker. 4 and

8 p.m. at GMU Center for the Arts

Concert Hall, 4373 Mason PondDrive, Fairfax. Experience MoscowBallet’s Great Russian Nutcrackerduring their Dove of Peace Tour,spreading goodwill in over 100 citiesacross North America during theholiday season. $28 and up. Go towww.nutcracker.com for tickets.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 26Holiday Concert. 6-7:30 at The John

F. Kennedy Center for the PerformingArts, 2700 F St. NW, Washington,D.C. Featuring local Encore Choralegroups from Alexandria, Arlington,Fairfax, and Reston. EncoreCreativity for Older Adults, thenation’s largest choral program forsingers 55+, will present thecombined talents of more than 250Encore Chorales and Encore ROCKSsingers in concert. Free, the public isinvited and no tickets are required.Call 301-261-5747 or visitwww.encorecreativity.org for more.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 27-29The Nutcracker. 2 and 7 p.m. at

Northern Virginia CommunityCollege Annandale Campus in theErnst Community Cultural CenterTheater. Virginia Ballet Company andSchool will present its 68th season ofthe classic Nutcracker ballet. $30 foradults; $20 for children, students andseniors at www.vaballet.org. Alimited number of general admissiontickets is available for the WorkingStage Rehearsal on Dec. 26 at 6:30p.m. ($10) at www.vaballet.org. Thetickets for the Working StageRehearsal must be purchased inadvance.


News

By Mike Salmon

The Connection

Over the last couple of months,Cinder Bed Road has becomethe detour route for the newbridge that is about half way

done over the CSX Railroad tracks inNewington. The detour route was mappedout by the Virginia Department of Trans-portation (VDOT) in connection with theirBacklick Road Bridge over the CSX Railroadproject. During the week, particularlyaround the rush hours, the traffic backs upon Cinder Bed Road past the NewingtonRoad intersection, causing another delay ina frequently used thoroughfare.

There is a rumor that the underpass willbe fixed as part of the bridge project that’sgoing on now but that’s only partially true.According to Michael Murphy, a VDOT pub-lic affairs spokesperson, there is a studygoing on concerning a new overpass at thatlocation, and that study is fundedby the Department of Rail and Pub-lic Transportation (DRPT) as partof Atlantic Gateway. Whether ornot Newington Road is closed dur-ing construction of the underpasshas not been decided yet; the de-cision won’t be made until theproject enters the design phase.The design phase could start asearly as 2019, according toMurphy.

The underpass is part of a fre-quently used cut-through routefrom the Telegraph Road-FortBelvoir area to I-95.

Jack Moriarty is a bartender atFair Winds, a local brewery rightnext to the bridge. He’s has seenall the traffic backing up and pe-

destrians dangerously walking under thebridge. “I’m surprised it’s still open,” he said.And as far as the increased rush hour back-

ups, “that’s good for our business.”Candice Bennett, a Lorton Sta-

tion community association boardmember, hasn’t heard anything.She recently attended a SouthCounty Federation meeting, but itwasn’t mentioned. “Nothing aboutany changes coming to this road,”she said.

The $9.5 million bridge projectabout a mile down the road fromthe one-lane bridge is part of thelarger Atlantic Gateway improve-ments, a multi-modal suite ofprojects focused on the I-95 cor-ridor between Washington, D.C.and Fredericksburg, according tothe project website. The newbridge is expected to be openedby spring 2019.

Cinder BedThe Newington Road-Cinder Bed Road

area can be described as a cross betweenindustrial and warehouse-office park. Onthe southern end, it ends in a circle, sur-rounded by warehouses and offices, and onthe northern end, there are a few vacantproperties, various auto body companies, aFairfax Water Authority office and theFairfax County Newington TransportationFacility.

A few years ago, Cinder Bed Road wasrealigned and a bridge built over the LongBranch stream, eliminating an area that fre-quently flooded. It is in the Mount VernonDistrict.

At the dead end on the north end, a biketrail winds around under the power lines,continues along the stream, and goes up-hill to the Island Creek community. Plansare in the works to connect the bike trail tothe Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.

Changes to the outdated underpass atCinder Bed Road being studied.

One-Lane Underpass Now Seeing BackupsPhotos by Mike Salmon/The Connection

This traffic jam leads up to the one-lane underpass.The concrete is crumbling in places at the at Cinder Bed Road under-pass: Changes to the outdated underpass are being studied.

Trucks are a big part of the trafficin this industrial area.

This detour mapon the bridgewebpage routestraffic right downCinder Bed Roadto the underpass.

When completed, this new VDOT bridge shouldprovide some relief to the Cinder Bed traffic jam.

Map by the

Virginia Department

of Transportation


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bbTo Advertise Your

Community of Worship,Call 703-778-9418

Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM

Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PMFamily Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM

Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups

Visit our Website: jccag.org

4650 Shirley Gate Road, FairfaxBill Frasnelli, PASTOR 703-383-1170

“Loving People to Life”

Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We need long- and short-termfosters for cats of all ages, mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit our website,cl ick on Participate

See Encore, Page 14


By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

The dancers of EncoreTheatrical Arts Projectare kicking up theirheels with glee, get-

ting ready for their upcoming,holiday extravaganza, “An Invita-tion to Christmas.” The show runsDec. 7-16 in the Richard ErnstTheater at NOVA’s Annandale cam-pus. In the story, the elves at theNorth Pole are super-busy with so much work to do that they need

extra help. So they send out invi-tations to children selected bySanta to attend Elf-TrainingSchool. However, one of the newrecruits is a full-grown man, andhis classmates wonder why he’sthere. He does, too, since hethought he was going on a job in-terview.

The cast of 24 dancers, plus

“Besides being a visual feast forthe eyes, the show is uplifting –from the story to the music,” shecontinued. “We have lots of newnumbers, plus some old favorites.I look for music that might be fa-miliar, but not something peoplewill hear over the radio. So Ichoose songs that move the storyforward, put people in the holidayspirit and let them escape this busy

season for two hours.”

THE SCENES take place in NewYork City, Santa’s workshop at theNorth Pole and outdoors in asnow-covered, winter wonder-land. And van der Merwe de-scribes the costumes as both “col-orful and glamorous.”

“Everybody’s working hard and

‘The Dance Numbers Are Spectacular’Encore presentsholiday show,‘An Invitationto Christmas.’

Multiple Santa Clauses will entertain during Encore’supcoming Christmas show.

Encore’s dancers always perform a Rockettes-themednumber during their shows.

To GoShow times are: Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.;

Dec. 8 at noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 9at noon and 4 p.m.; Dec. 14 at 7:30p.m.; Dec. 15 at noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m.;and Dec. 16 at noon and 4 p.m.

Tickets range from $19-$26 viawww.encore-tap.org or 703-222-5511.Location: Richard Ernst Theater, NOVAcampus, 8333 Little River Turnpike inAnnandale.

adult guest performers Jack Steinand Allen McRae, have been re-hearsing since August, and Direc-tor/Choreographer Raynor vander Merwe says things are comingalong really well. “We had ourfirst, dress rehearsal and, sud-denly, the characters came to life,”she said. “And many of the per-formers are triple threats – danc-ing, singing and acting.

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Encore Presents ‘An Invitation to Christmas’From Page 13

has clicked really well,” she said.“It’s a great unity and, when ev-erything comes together, it’smagic. And that’s what I loveabout theater – the community ofit. No one does it on their own;the script, choreography, sets andlighting are among the puzzlepieces that must fall into place tomake something unique and spe-cial. And with a live audience,each performance is different.”

Faith Chun, a freshman at Trin-ity Christian School in Fairfax,plays an elf named Cookie. “Sheloves baking treats and has an en-ergetic personality,” said Chun.“She gets excited after makingcookies and other baked goods,but is disappointed when they’reall gone. It’s fun playing her be-cause of her energy, and I’m some-times that way, too.”

Chun’s favorite dance is“Rockettes,” during which thedancers wear white leotards withwhite fluff in back and have theirhair in high ponytails. “I like thatstyle of dance, with the kickline,and the number has both fast andslow parts,” she said. “We havesharp poses, so we have to reallybe in synch.”

Dancing since age 3, it’s her sev-enth year with Encore. “Dancingis always my passion,” said Chun.“It makes me happy and is my fa-vorite thing to do. It takes meaway from my stress and school-work, and I really enjoy doing it.”Regarding the show, she said au-diences will like “the storyline andthe dance styles. It will allow themto connect to Christmas in a dif-ferent way and is enjoyable towatch.”

High-schooler Bea Tremblaydances in the ensemble and por-trays a mail carrier. “She deliversthe invitations to the kids, as wellas to the adult, George Parker,”said Tremblay. “She’s undercoverfrom the North Pole, so she’s inNew York street clothes. I wear aU.S. Postal Service hoodie and hat,plus gray slacks. She’s a little mis-chievous and jolly because sheknows she’s handing out invita-tions to a magical experience.”

Tremblay enjoys taking her char-acter in a humorous direction andworking with the other actors anddancers. She especially likes the“Santas” number. “We wear bigbellies, wigs, hats, boots and Santacostumes,” she said. “It’s a high-energy dance, and 26 of us areonstage; and it’s so much fun thatI’m smiling the whole time.”

She’s danced since age 10 andis in her fourth year with Encore’sperforming company. “The com-pany creates a community, and theother girls and I support each

other and have formed a family,”explained Tremblay. “And it’s sonice dancing together withouthaving to compete. We can con-centrate on the art and perfor-mance quality.”

CALLING THE SHOW “fun-lov-ing and happy,” she said, “We havelots of little kids acting, too, andthey’re really doing a great job.We’ve got bright and beautiful cos-tumes, and the set puts you in theChristmas spirit as soon as you seeit. We also have cool props, neatvocal numbers and a lot of actorswho make it what it is.”

Becca Perron, a Paul VI Highfreshman, plays Digits the elf. “Sheworks in the mailroom and is veryserious,” said Perron. “She doesn’tlike her supervisor, Dally, becauseshe bosses her around. Digits alsothinks Dally is lazy and she shouldhave her job. She’s fun to play be-cause she’s not like me, and beingan elf is just the best time. I get tobe over-the-top and really let my-self go.”

It’s Perron’s ninth year with En-core and sixth with its performingcompany. Her favorite dance is“Rag Dolls” because, she said, “Weget to make really funny faces andexpressions as Raggedy Anns andAndys. And we especially like itwhen the kids in the audiencelaugh.

“As a group, we put so much

passion and love into our shows,”she continued. “So when we see abig audience, it’s just the greatestfeeling. We’re well-known for ourprofessional sets and perfor-mances that set us apart fromother dance groups.”

High-schooler Kate Persell por-trays Jingles the elf, who super-vises the children who’ve been in-vited to become elves. “She’s re-ally cute, but likes to stay orga-nized,” said Persell. “She’s friendlywith the kids, but snarky with theadult trainee. I enjoy acting, andit’s fun to play someone differentfrom my own personality.”

She’s danced with Encore sincethird grade and loves the many,different styles of dance. “I can getmy energy out, it’s a good form ofexercise and I do it with all myfavorite people,” she said. Persellparticularly likes the “Once-A-YearDay” number. “All the elves aredoing a hectic dance, runningaround like crazy, getting ready forChristmas,” she explained.“There’s no resting point, and Ilove rushing with adrenaline, thewhole time. And when we do thefinal pose, it feels so good.”

Persell said the audience willenjoy the storyline because “It’shumorous, with the businessmanin an elf costume that doesn’t fithim. The children in the cast aresuper-cute and talented, and thedance numbers are spectacular.”

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Dancers rehearse a number from Encore’s new show,“An Invitation to Christmas.”


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED.The Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke

needs volunteer drivers for trips to medicalappointments (Monday - Friday) and companionshopping (Tuesday, Friday) within the Fairfax-Burke area and in the South County area (westof Route 1, Alexandria). Office volunteers arealso needed to work in the SCFB (Olley Glen)office to schedule rides. Bilingual volunteers(English and Spanish) are needed as drivers andoffice volunteers. Email Shavaun Wall [email protected] or call 703-323-4788.

THURSDAY/NOV. 29Dyslexia Open House. 10 a.m.-noon at Dunn

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Survey Deadline. The Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation (FCDOT) haslaunched an online survey(fcpfspstudy.metroquest.com) requestingfeedback from residents on future FairfaxCounty and Franconia-Springfield Parkwayscorridor enhancements, part of the FairfaxCounty & Franconia-Springfield ParkwaysAlternatives Analysis and Long Term PlanningStudy. FCDOT held three community meetingsin Fairfax, Springfield and Reston that featureda presentation on the study and interactiveexercises for attendees to provide input on thefuture of the Parkways. The exercises from themeetings have been converted into an onlinesurvey, which will be available for 30 days.Additional comments may be sent to the FCDOTteam via the project webpage atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/fairfax-county-parkway or by calling 703-877-5600, TTY 711.

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