The Fairfax Times

Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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HOT NEWS

FEATURED FAIRFAX PERSON

Opening hearts, and gifts, for the holidays

What’s happening in Fairfax County this weekend?

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Savannah Lane, Miss Virginia 2015, posing by a Civil War memorial gravesite.

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SELF IMPROVEMENT

PHOTO BY ANGELA WOOLSEY/FAIRFAX COUNTY TIMES Jaheim Rizzo-Dixon, a resident of a shelter in Fairfax, enjoys a bicycle he received as a gift at Vienna’s First Baptist Church annual Christmas toy giveaway.

Dr. June tells the truth.What can newly weds to do save their marriage? Dr. June is an expert in all things self improvement.

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SPORTZ STATS

Charity events address needs of county homeless population and reflect Christmas message

BY ANGELA WOOLSEY The winter holiday season, and Christmas in particular, is generally seen as a time for giving, and churches and other reli-

Yourscoreboarddestinationforlocalhighschoolsports..Look to see how your team is doing!

gious groups across Fairfax County followed through on that message.

A hypothermia shelter hosted by the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Herndon and the First Baptist Church of Vienna’s toy giveaway were among the charity events held throughout the region during the week leading up to Christmas.

The Epiphany Episcopal hypothermia shelter is part of a season-long Hy-

pothermia Prevention and Response Program run by the county-wide nonprofit organization FACETS. Dedicated to addressing the needs of people in poverty, including housing, food, medical attention and life skills programs, FACETS started the Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program in 2003 as one of five similar programs operated in partnership with the Fairfax Coun-

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Reinvent your New Year’s resolution

Free time for a DIY? Check out these projects.

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See where the Fairfax Phantom ate this month and his review on this local restaurant STORY ON B7

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Real estate

Are any of these top sellers in your neighborhood? The top ten residential real estate sales in the area.

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FITNESS TIPS

Taking your dog on a run is both good exercise for you and your pet.

It’s as simple as including your pet

BY HANNAH MENCHHOFF

Today’s work out by Marlo Avela: Curtsey lunge helps tone the lower body.

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Tis’ the season for new beginnings. As holiday gifts give way to New Year’s resolutions, general health and wellness is top-of-mind, consistently ranking as a top goal for both men and women this time of year.

This resolution season, try incorporating lifestyle

changes that benefit both you and your pet.

PetSmart veterinarian and pet care expert Dr. Kemba Marshall provides some helpful tips for achieving a healthier lifestyle for you and your animal companions.

1. Exercise is key. Pets, like humans, need physical activity in order to be healthy. The good news is giving your pet adequate daily exercise is easy! For some dog breeds, 30-minute walks are enough. For

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others, a game of fetch does the trick. Interested in trying something new? Mix up the activity. Try sprinting alongside your pet in quick intervals. Balls are great for fetch, but have you ever tried a Frisbee?

Even a quick trip to the mailbox each day is a great option. No matter what, both you and your pet will have fun spending time together and getting a workout.

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Check out these cuties available for adoption in this week’s Adorable Adoptables section STORY ON B7

Public Safety People & Places Sports Read & Grow Financial Auto Real Estate Opinion Entertainment Calendar Classifieds

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Vol. 129 - No. 1

Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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Public Safety notes Beware of Scammers and Woodchucks Fraud offenses accounted for 14% of property crimes in Fairfax County in 2014. Financial scams can be committed over the telephone, through e-mail and even in person. Police have responded to reports of scams that range from phone calls claiming they are from the IRS, Microsoft or a computer company, or a power company. They threaten to arrest you, fix your computer for a fee when it’s not really broken, or shut down utilities if you don’t pay up.

One common type of fraud is known as “Woodchucks.” These are criminals who go door to door looking for residents to manipulate or con out of money for very little, or no, services rendered. They particularly target the elderly and neighborhoods that seem affluent and heavily lined with trees.

We encourage everyone to be aware of these types of crimes and protect yourself from becoming a victim. Do you know who’s knocking on your door?

Here are some helpful safety tips: - Ask to see a solicitor’s license if someone is at your door selling a service.

They are required by law to present it.

- If someone is at your door that you don’t recognize and offering a service that you didn’t request, please do not answer the door.

- If your phone rings and the person on the other end is asking for personal information and/or money, do not give out any information We encourage you to report anything that seems suspicious of this nature to the police.

Gas Station Robbery in the Springfield Area Officers responded for a report of a robbery at the Sunoco gas station located at the 7000 block of Old Keene Mill Road, on Thursday, December 24.

Shortly after 3 a.m. a man entered the gas station and

approached the counter.

The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money. The three employees complied and an undisclosed amount of cash was handed over. The suspect fled and the victims did not require medical attention. The suspect was described as black, about 6 feet tall, approximately 180 pounds, and wearing black hoodie, black pants and black mask covering his face.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www. fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-6912131.

UPDATE: Missing Clifton Woman Located Ms. Sue Kwon has been located. She is okay and reunited with her family. Thank you to all that responded.

Original post below and can be found below.

Ms. Su Kwon, 48, of Clifton, was reported missing on December 22. She was last seen leaving her residence in the 13000 block of Cavalier Woods Drive at around 4 p.m. on December 22. Ms. Kwon suffers from mental health issues and may be in need of medical attention. She has been missing on previous occasions and was located in Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. Detectives believe that Ms. Kwon may be in the Philadelphia area.

UPDATE: Man Charged in Falls Church Homicide Police have charged Santos Narcisco Osorio, 34, of Falls Church, for the murder of 23-year-old Edgar Armando Serrano, of Annandale.

After an arduous daylong investigation, detectives determined the victim and suspect were at a party in the 7700 block of Camp Alger Avenue. Short-

ly after 4 a.m. today, a fight started between them.

The victim fled the home on foot. The suspect gave chase, caught up to him in the 7600 block of Trail Run Road then assaulted him again and fled.

The victim’s injuries appear to have been caused by a sharp instrument. The exact cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Detectives from the Homicide and Crime Scene Sections worked quickly to identify possible suspects and around 4 p.m., Osorio was located at his home and taken into custody.

He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with homicide.

Police Investigate Murder in Falls Church Area Police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Friday, December 25 in the 7600 block of Trail Run Road. Officers responded to a report of a fight and discovered an adult man, unresponsive, on the ground outside. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide and Crime Scene Detectives responded and are working to determine the victim’s identity and circumstances surrounding the incident.

UPDATE: Suspect Identified and Charged in Abduction Case Detectives from the Major Crimes Division arrested Curtiss Davis, 45, of Stafford, Wednesday December 23, around 4 p.m. in the Fort Belvoir area.

Investigation determined that after allegedly exposing himself to a female employee and making a request for a sexual act, he became upset after he was given his bill. Davis then walked to the cashier area of the restaurant, where he allegedly displayed a handgun to the initial victim and to a second employee. He demanded they lower the amount on the bill. The victims complied with lowering the bill and Davis left the restaurant after paying the new amount. The two adult victims did not re-

quire medical attention as a result of the incident.

Davis was charged with two counts of Abduction, one count of Extortion, one count of Exposure and one count of Attempted Forcible Sodomy.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visitinghttp:// www.fairfaxcrimesolvers. org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES (274637) ** or by calling 1-866-411TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-6912131.

MBEZZLEMENT/ ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT/ RESISTING ARREST/ ARREST 1500 block of Cornerside Boulevard, 12/22/15, around 4:10 p.m. Vanetta Callaway, 30, of Washington, D.C., was arrested for stealing items from her workplace. When officers attempted to talk to her, she refused and walked away. The suspect struck one officer in the face as he tried to stop her and fled on foot. She was located at a nearby metrorail station and apprehended.

Callaway was taken to jail and charged with embezzlement, assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Manassas Man Arrested for Multiple Sex Offenses Detectives arrested 47-year-old Paul Carey of Manassas on Tuesday, December 22, around 7 p.m., after an investigation that began last week.

The investigation revealed that Carey had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor who had not returned home when expected. After this event, a detective from the Major Crimes Division assumed the identity of the victim and continued to communicate with Carey. The detective, posing as the victim, set up a meeting with Carey and met him in the area of Fair Oaks Shopping Center where he was

taken into custody.

Carey was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with indecent liberties with a minor and use of a communications device to solicit a minor.

The investigation is ongoing. Carey is employed as a Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board Agent.

Robbery in Beacon Hill Area; One Victim Injured An employee was robbed and injured at the Computer and Cellular store, at 2790 Beacon Hill Road in the Alexandriaarea of Fairfax County, on Wednesday, December 23.

A man entered the store just before 11:30 a.m., displayed a gun at a 28-yearold employee and stole a computer item. Another employee, a 65-year-old man, confronted the suspect and a struggle ensued.

During the struggle, the gun discharged and the victim suffered an apparent wound to the hand. The suspect fled on foot toward Richmond Highway. The victim was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

The suspect was described as black. His face was covered and he wore a dark-colored jacket and dark jeans.

Homicide Investigation in Annandale Shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday, December 21, officers were called to a home in the 7100 block of Pennys Town Court to check on the welfare of an adult female.

Officers arrived and began to check the home.

Through a basement window, they saw what appeared to be an adult male and an adult female, collapsed on the floor. The woman, 56-year-old Kum Yeon, of Alexandria, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 73-year-old male, of the Pennys Town Court address, was transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition. He is considered a suspect in this case. The preliminary investigation determined that electricity might have been used to cause the death but the actual cause and manner will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. There is no apparent threat to public safety and detectives believe that the victim and suspect were known to each other.

Man Charged after REC Center Assault A 71-year-old man was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of indecent liberties after reportedly assaulting a 10-year-old boy in a recreation center shower stall.

Moussa El-Haddad, 2801 Madison Meadows Lane, Oakton was arrested at his home on Monday, December 21 at around 6 p.m.

He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond.

Police were called to the Oak Marr Recreation Center at around 12:50 p.m.

Saturday, December 19 after an employee noticed suspicious behavior in the men’s locker room area of the facility.

Police responded to the scene and began an investigation, working jointly with recreation center personnel. A suspect was quickly identified and subsequently arrested.

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Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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People & PLaces Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at the Science Museum of Virginia The Science Museum of Virginia invites the community to a family-friendly holiday celebration, Noon Year’s Eve Dec. 31. Join daytime festivities to ring in the New Year, where partygoers don’t count down to midnight – they count down to noon.

With a distinctive ball drop from the iconic Rotunda ceiling – dropping not one but 2,016 bouncy balls – and confetti cannons, Noon Year’s Eve presents a quirky twist on traditional holiday festivities. Guests write their resolutions on a giant banner and join in a juice toast as the clock counts down to the stroke of noon.

Special activities include launching pin pong balls using liquid nitrogen, building geodesic globes like the iconic ball dropped in Times Square and learning about different cultural New Year traditions and practices from around the world. Richmond Family Magazine’s Photo Booth will be onsite and Mad Science will help kick off the New Year.

Noon Year’s Eve is included with exhibit admission. Tickets are $11 with $1 discounts for ages 4-12 and 60+. For more information visit www.smv.org.

Annual Glory Days Grill Golf Tournament Raises Money for Childrens’ Charities Glory Days Grill raised nearly $48,000 in its 28th Annual Golf Tournament in October.

The annual tournament, which was held at the Piedmont Club in Haymarket, Va., raised $47,913 of which $33,500 has been designated for the tournament’s main beneficiary, The Sunshine Foundation.

The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization founded in 1976 by former Philadelphia police officer, Bill Sample. Sunshine Foundation’s sole purpose is to answer the dreams of chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children ages 3 to 18, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to financial strain that the child’s illness may cause.

Glory Days Grill will make an additional $14,413 in contributions to a variety of local charities and foundations in the Washington-Baltimore corridor.

On-road vehicle emissions inspections now available in Fairfax County On-road vehicle emissions inspection sites are being deployed in five cities and five counties in the Northern Virginia area as

part of Air Check Virginia – the emissions testing program authorized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The program, called RAPIDPASS Virginia, allows owners of vehicles subject to Air Check Virginia to quickly and easily meet their emissions inspection requirement during daily driving routines. Motorists simply drive through conveniently located onroad testing equipment positioned throughout Northern Virginia to have their vehicle emissions measured. Owners of well-maintained, cleanrunning vehicles will receive notification of a passing emissions inspection via mail, or motorists can go online and enter their license plate number to check if their vehicle has been processed as clean. For vehicles identified as clean, owners can conveniently pay their inspection fee on-line or through the mail and proceed with their vehicle registration renewal. Taking advantage of RAPIDPASS allows a motorist to skip the trip to a traditional testing station for the biennial emissions test.

Fifteen RAPIDPASS onroad emissions testing systems are being conveniently distributed across more than 150 roadside mobile inspection locations in the Northern

Virginia inspection area counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. The locations are positioned on frequently used thoroughfares and will be rotated throughout the month. Weekly site locations are posted at www.RAPIDPASS.org/ locations.

“RAPIDPASS is all about giving Virginians a choice that offers convenience and saves time and ultimately maintains the Commonwealth’s commitment to a healthier Virginia,” said ETEST CEO, Lothar Geilen.

“RAPIDPASS inspections can be completed in less than a second during daily driving routines.

This is a great example of how technology can help improve quality of life in the Commonwealth.”

Participation in the RAPIDPASS program is voluntary; if a motorist passes RAPIDPASS but chooses to test his or her vehicle at an emissions facility, they can simply pay the emissions fee at the station at that time.

RAPIDPASS costs the same as a standard emissions test at an emissions testing facility – $28.00.

Inspection fee transactions and registration renewals can easily be processed online at no additional cost.

Fairfax Featured Person

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK Savannah Lane, Miss Virginia 2015, posing by a Civil War memorial gravesite.

My name is Savannah Lane and I am the current reigning Miss Virginia 2015 in the Miss America Organization (an organization known for scholarship and service). I am a student at the University of Virginia studying Foreign Affairs and Middle Eastern studies with a concentration in the Arabic language.

Heading toward competition as Miss Virginia in the 95th annual Miss America program this past fall, it occurred to me that my experiences and acquaintances would allow me to meet women from around the country, including those from some particularly vaca-

tion–friendly states and territories, like Hawaii and Puerto Rico. As I daydreamed about the potential for post-competition visits, a sudden thought intruded upon my reverie: would these women be similarly dreaming of visiting the Commonwealth of Virginia?

In fact, in Atlantic City, contestants and visitors that I encountered rhapsodized about class trips to Williamsburg and Jamestown, to Virginia Beach and Monticello. Virginia’s official and unofficial public relations campaigns had clearly done their job to positively promote the eclectic appeal of the Commonwealth. Few would

consciously connect 21st century attractions in Virginia, however, to sobering statistics that weigh heavy on the Commonwealth, such as its sorrowful distinction as the state that hosted more major Civil War battles than any other. As 2015 comes to a close, a little over 150 years after the last battles of the Civil War, it is important not only to recognize the enormity of the losses, but to acknowledge that challenges that have been met in those 150 years since Appomattox and its aftermath, as well as to reflect on those that still face us today.

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Reinvent your New Year’s resolution continued from page a1 2. Stimulate the brain.

Maintaining a healthy pet lifestyle goes beyond physical exercise. Activities to stimulate a pet’s mental skills are fun and important too. Try a treatdispensing or puzzle toy with your dog or cat to keep their mind active.

Introduce the new toy before a meal, this way your pet will be hungry to learn.

3. Optimize the diet.

Have you been feeding your pet the same food for years? It may be time for you and your veterinarian to assess his food and make sure you’re providing one that is healthy and satisfying.

Natural Pet was recently launched at PetSmart as a brand dedicated to the paleo-inspired diet for pets. It blends proteins with all-natural ingredients with a minimal processing, resulting in dehydrated, freeze-dried and air-dried raw products that deliver the paleo diet for pets. This natural brand eliminates all artificial ingredients such as flavorings or preservatives. The best way to switch your pet’s food is by providing a gradual transition, mixing the old food with the new for up to 10 days.

4. Monitor your pet’s activity and behavior.

This may come as a surprise to many, but discov-

ering an unhealthy habit in your pet’s day-to-day life is as simple as paying closer attention to his or her behavior. While many humans monitor their daily behavior with technical gadgets and apps, monitoring a pet’s daily activity may also lead to a healthier lifestyle. Is your pup demonstrating pentup energy? More exercise might be necessary. Are they devouring their food too quickly? Maybe an active feeding approach is the right solution. Most often, correcting the behavior is as easy as discovering it in the first place.

5. Stick with your resolutions. Change can be tough on pets, especially when it disrupts diet or day-to-day routines. The important thing to remember is that positive results rarely come without work. As cliché as it may sound, both you and your pet will be thankful for the change in the long run.

These tips are a wonderful way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle for both you and your pet in the new year. Increasing your physical activity and improving your diet are just the first two steps.

By monitoring yourself and your pet, increasing mental stimulation and sticking with your resolutions, a newer, healthier life for both you and your furry friend is well within reach.

Opening hearts, and gifts, for the holidays continued from page a1 ty government. Starting each year in late November and ending in March, FACETS works with different faith communities to provide shelter, food and other services to people without homes.

“As Christians, we believe in helping our brothers and sisters, and there are thousands of homeless people in our county,” Patrick Walsh, the Epiphany Episcopal shelter coleader, said. “Our church is small, but we have a big heart.”

With a congregation of only about 165 families, Epiphany Episcopal brought in a range of other churches and organizations to assist with the shelter, which was open from Dec. 20 through Dec. 27.

Walsh says Epiphany Episcopal expected the shelter to accommodate 49 people, a limit set by the county fire marshal that exceeds the 39 people who used the shelter last year. In addition to looking for help with organizing the shelter and providing the necessary services, the church needed to fill 185 volunteer slots.

By reaching out to other faith communities and networking with different congregations, Epiphany Episcopal enlisted support from 15 organizations, including New Hope Baptist Church, sister church Community of Faith Methodist and several other area

Episcopal churches. Some non-Christian groups, such as FACETS, Boy Scout troop #1257 and the National Arab American Women Association, also helped with the shelter.

“It’s very non-denominational, and it’s collaborative,” Walsh said. “It’s supported by the whole community, neighbors, Boy Scouts, all these different faith communities, even the Dulles Chamber of Commerce.”

Along with providing a place to stay from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. throughout the week, except for Christmas Day, when it was open all day long, the shelter featured entertainment and invited case workers who offered medical and mental health services, life skills classes, employment training, and transportation assistance.

Different churches host the Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program every week, but Epiphany Episcopal also volunteered to host again in March.

The 2014 shelters attracted 244 guests, and that number is expected to rise this year, according to Walsh, though the unseasonably warm temperatures that Fairfax County has seen for parts of December make that prediction less of a sure bet.

According to the 2014 Fairfax-Falls Church pointin-time community survey, which is taken annually, there are 1,200 homeless people in the Fairfax-Falls Church area, second in the

metropolitan region only to Washington, D.C. People in families accounted for 57 percent of the overall number of homeless people, and 33 percent of the total homeless population were children under the age of 18.

“We want to make some child happy in this time, but more importantly, we want to continue to be a beacon of light on this corner, recognizing that Jesus is really the reason for the season,” First Baptist associate minister Emma Valentine said.

A total of 25 to 30 children attended the giveaway with their families.

They came from shelters across Fairfax County and could be of any age.

The children invited to the toy giveaway were selected through references and recommendations from the church’s staff and congregation, who picked names off of an ‘angel’ tree. The chosen children provided a list of items that they wanted, and the church member who took their name from the tree had the responsibility of getting those gifts.

Some of the gifts, which ranged from stuffed animals and clothing to video games and bicycles, were also donated by outside organizations, such as the Fairfax-based nonprofit Johnny Apple Seed Association, which addresses the needs of veterans and people with low or no incomes.

A total of 25 to 30 children attended the giveaway in the company of

their families.

In addition to giving out presents, the church provided dinner with food that was donated by restaurants such as Bob Evans and Golden Corral. Staff members led the gathered families in prayers and Christmas songs, including “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bells”, and there was a face-painting session as well as a visit from Santa.

The giveaway is among several charity events that First Baptist holds over the course of each year.

The church also provides food to the homeless on a monthly basis, hosts an annual community Thanksgiving feast, and contributes to local nonprofit organizations that assist people with their rent, according to senior pastor Dr. Vernon Walton.

Minister Corey Gibson, who is also the church’s youth and young adult pastor, says that when it comes to charity, it’s important to listen to what people want so that their specific needs can be met instead of making broad assumptions.

“In this particular area, we look at the amount of wealth that surrounds us… and oftentimes, we forget about the population of those who many not have [as much],” Gibson said.

“As a church located in the town of Vienna, I think we have a responsibility to not only reside within the community, but also to help people in the community.”

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Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

sports Stats High SchooL Sports GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Basketball Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Soccer Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Lacrosse Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Baseball

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Basketball Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Soccer Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Lacrosse Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Baseball Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Date 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5

Result W 12-2 L 4-38 W 12-9 W 14-6 L 4-33

Opponet Annadale HS Falls Church HS Langley HS Hayfield HS Fairfax HS

Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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Simple SELF IMPROVEMENT ANXIETY Dr. HEFFNER

WHAT You Need to Know About Addiction

BY Dr. JUne By chance I saw a mother and her 2.5-yearold child on their way to a nursery school class. The mother was carrying the child who was somewhat upset, and seemed to be protesting about where they were going. Mom was doing a nice job of comforting the child while at the same time reassuring her that she would feel better once with her group.

It so happened that they were headed to the class I was about to visit.

Entering the room there were more protests from the child who ran back out when Mom hung up her coat. Mom talked to her outside the door and apparently the child was sufficiently reassured to return to the room with a few remaining tears. After a goodbye kiss the mother turned and left as the child joined a group of children getting started in an activity. In short order she was participating and soon became happily engaged with no trace of tears or protest.

Later, the mother talked to me about what had transpired. She saw the child’s behavior as an expression of anxiety about which she was worried.

She further explained that she herself is an anxious person and when she sees this behavior in her child she worries that she is the cause — that her own anxiety is rubbing off on her child. I told this mother that no one observing what had occurred would imagine that she was feeling anxious. In fact, I had been thinking that she would be a good model for mothers about how to handle a child’s resistance to separation.

What is interesting about this is that the mother’s perception of her child as anxious was causing the mother herself to feel anxious, which in turn caused her to worry that she was causing anxiety in her child. This is not an unusual chain of events. Very often, we

FAMILY TIME How healthy is your smile? You’d be surprised

BY Paul Chehade

see behavior in a child that triggers a concern we may have about ourselves. This in turn may cause us to worry that we are the cause of what we then become concerned about in our child. The problem with this sequence is that it can interfere with an ability to understand our child and find a solution to what is of concern to the child rather than to us.

In this situation, the child’s behavior did not seem to be an expression of anxiety. Rather it seemed a protest over having to leave mom and home after a long holiday that consisted of travel and other changes. It is quite usual for children to react with regression in some areas of functioning after an illness, travel or other disruptions of routine. If we understand this we can drop back temporarily in our expectations and offer reassurance.

Reading ourselves into children’s behavior comes up often in regard to questions about sociability such as at birthday parties, self-assertion and various temporary bumps in development.

Mothers also tend too readily to attribute any behaviors of concern to the fact that they are working outside the home.

In this instance, the mother’s deeper concern

about her anxiety being the cause of her child’s behavior did not prevent her from responding constructively to her child.

Aware of her own feelings, she did a great job of holding them in check in the interaction with her child. But she herself experienced needless anxiety.

When we are aware of our own self concerns, this can help keep us from attributing to our children things we don’t like or are worried about in ourselves.

Elaine Heffner, LCSW, Ed.D., has written for Parents Magazine, Fox. com, Redbook, Disney online and PBS Parents, as well as other publications. She has appeared on PBS, ABC, Fox TV and other networks. Dr. Heffner is the author of “Goodenoughmothering: The Best of the Blog,” as well as “Mothering: The Emotional Experience of Motherhood after Freud and Feminism.” She is a psychotherapist and parent educator in private practice, as well as a senior lecturer of education in psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Heffner was a co-founder and served as director of the Nursery School Treatment Center at Payne Whitney Clinic, New York Hospital. And she blogs at goodenoughmothering. com.

That healthy smile may not be so healthy. Twentyone percent of children and 91 percent of adults have caries (commonly referred to as tooth decay) in their permanent adult teeth, according to a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

An article published in February’s RDH Magazine discusses the discovery and importance of beneficial bacteria that live in the mouth. It’s been known for over a century that certain bad bacteria in dental plaque are able to convert sugars from the diet to acid, which is bad for teeth.

After decades of researching the microorganisms in the mouth, Dr. Israel Kleinberg, professor in the Department of Oral Biology at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, discovered beneficial bacteria that also live in dental plaque. Kleinberg isolated a nutrient in saliva called arginine, which these “good” bacteria use to naturally produce tooth-protecting buffers. This process can help neutralize the acids from the harmful bacteria and help keep the teeth in a normal pH or acid/base balance.

Healthy saliva also contains calcium and bicarbonate that help preserve healthy tooth enamel and provide additional buffering. Stony Brook researchers combined arginine, calcium

SUBMITTED PHOTO and bicarbonate and patented this blend of nutrients that fuels the mouth’s natural defenses. These key tooth-supporting ingredients have been added to BasicBites, a sugar free chocolate flavored chew that is now being recommended by dental professionals.

Here are ways to help children and even adults maintain their oral health.

1. Minimize sugary foods and drinks and if you do eat them, avoid sticky foods that can get stuck on teeth. This even includes dried fruit, bread and crackers. Children should choose water and low-fat milk as healthy beverage alternatives.

2. Limit between-meal snacks. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.

3. If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and helps wash out foods that produce acids.

4. Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.

5. Schedule regular dental visits.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Learn more at the American Dental Association’s website at www.ada.org.

- Brandpoint Family Movie Night “Zoolander 2” Rated: PG-13 Length: 1 hour and 40 minutes Synopsis: Ben Stiller returns both in front of and behind the camera for “Zoolander 2,” a comedy that finds the beloved model Derek Zoolander (Stiller) and his rival-turned-partner Hansel (Owen Wilson) facing a threat to their continued success.

Book Report “Study Hall of Justice” Ages: 8-12 Pages: 176 Synopsis: The team behind DC Comics “Lil’ Gotham” takes readers to the halls of Ducard Academy in Gotham City, where a young Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman start their very own Junior Detective Agency.

Did You Know The latest dietary guidelines, which are revised every five years, limit sugar to no more than 10 percent of daily calories and focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables, more fiber and whole grains and less salt.

— More Content Now

Fostering a child’s love for science could ‘STEM’ job shortages Tip of the Week

BY Paul Chehade Middle school is a makeor-break time for budding scientists.

The subject matter gets more difficult, test anxiety

often occurs and other interests emerge. U.S. students rank 27th in math and 20th in science out of 34 countries scored, according to the latest research from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. That lagging interest in STEM - science, technol-

ogy, engineering and mathematics - is contributing to an ongoing U.S. shortage of highly-skilled workers that may reach 3 million by 2018.

3M, a company rooted in science, understands the need for the next generation of science innovators, inventors and leaders. For

Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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Fitness Tips Need a Work Out But Lack Equipment?

What do you Feel when you work out But DON’t Have Equipment?

Try This

BY Marlo Alleva Like the human heart the heater core is the center of your cars circulatory system with large veins entering and exiting and small vessels inside. The life blood of your heating system is your vehicles coolant.

The heater core, which is located in the dashboard of your car, is really a miniaturized radiator. The heater core is used in heating the cabin of a vehicle. Hot coolant from the vehicle’s engine is passed through a winding tube of the core, a type of heat exchanger between coolant and cabin air. Fins attached to the core tubes serve to increase surface for heat transfer to air that is forced past them, by a fan, thereby heating the passenger compartment.

The heater core is made up of small piping that has numerous bends. Due to the size of the tube winding through the heater core any dregs in your cooling system will end up clogging your heater core. Over time, dirt and other contaminants can build up in the coolant, or it may become acidic corroding the cooling system components themselves.

Clogging of the piping may occur if the coolant system is not flushed or if the coolant is not changed regularly.

If clogging occurs the heater core will not work properly. Control valves may also clog or get stuck.

Once clogged, the hot coolant can’t pass through the heater core, resulting in no heat for the cabin or defrost for the windshield Self-Diagnosis: Engine coolant has a very distinctive sweet/oily smell. If you notice this smell inside your car, check for dampness around the passenger side floor/footwell. If you find wetness, you probably have a leaking heater core. A related symptom is a sticky film coming out of the defroster ducts and settling onto the windshield. This is one of those problems that starts out small and gets worse over time, so the sooner you can get it fixed, the better especially if it’s during winter time. m The heater core is usually located under the dashboard inside of the vehicle and is enclosed in the ventilation system’s ducting, servicing it often requires disassembling a large part of the dashboard. Removing your dash is not a job you want to leave to just anyone.

Repair Pal estimates the labor cost to replace a heater core to be between $550 to $700 or about 5.5 to 7 hours of an experienced mechanics time. Find a shop the specializes in replacing heater cores. For example our shop, American Auto Air, replaced a heater core at least every other day during the last winter season.

If you are not experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core now is the time to act to help avoid problem in the future. Car manufacturers recommend that you

change the radiator fluid in your vehicle every 24,000 to 36,000 miles, or every 24 to 36 months. However, your personal driving habits will also determine the frequency of needed radiator fluid changes. If you drive your vehicle in extremely hot temperatures like we had in Reno last summer, you may want to consider changing the fluid once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Also you can unscrew the pressure cap and look at the liquid inside the reservoir or radiator, depending on the type of system you have. Coolant can be green, greenish yellow, orange, red, or blue, but is the liquid clear, or is stuff floating around in it? Does it look rusty? If the answer to either question is yes it’s time for a cooling system service.

If you are past the recommended mileage or your coolant looks funky you shouldconsiderNARSARec-

ommended Seven Point CoolingSystemMaintenance Service at a trusted shop in your area. If you are having any concerns about your cooling system, experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core, or just lack of heating like it should take it to your local trusted shop.

NARSA Recommended Seven Point Cooling System Maintenance Service at a trusted shop in your area. If you are having any concerns about your cooling system, experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core, or just lack of heating like it should take it to your local trusted shop. vNARSA Recommended Seven Point Cooling System Maintenance Service at a trusted shop in your area. If you are having any concerns about your cooling system, experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core, or just lack of heating like it should take it to your local trusted shop.

NARSA Recommended Seven Point Cooling System Maintenance Service at a trusted shop in your area. If you are having any concerns about your cooling system, experiencing any symptoms

This Week’s Work Out: Curtsey LUng Curtsey lung

BY Marlo Alleva Starting the business as Van Wert County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the insurer has come a long way of development for nearly 140 years into today’s Central Insurance Companies. It is one of few major casualty and property insurers that provide all its products through independent agents.

It is also an award-winning company with recognitions from reputable organizations. Among all the awards, some notable ones include Super Regional Property/Casualty Insurer 2014, IIABA’s Best Practices Award (2006 – 2013), and Download Implementation Award (2014) by the Applied Client Network Industry Solutions Committee.

CentralInsuranceunderwritesthreedifferentinsurance policy categories includingHomeowners,Auto, andBusiness.Thecompany covers all the basic policies

Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

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Are Any Of These Top Sellers In Your Neighborhood?

Information Provided By:

Reston

Falls Church

Chantilly

Herndon

Centreville

Residential Price: $875,000 Sq Ft: 1700 Beds / Baths: 4 br / 3 ba Address: 1950 Purple Beech Dr, Reston, VA 20191 Sold: December 15

Residential Price: $925,000 Sq Ft: 1850 Beds / Baths: 4 br / 4 ba Address: 2265 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043 Sold: December 18

Residential Price: $854,000 Sq Ft: 1765 Beds / Baths: 3 br / 3.5 ba Address: 108 Poplar Tree Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 Sold: December 13

Residential Price: $892,000 Sq Ft: 1825 Beds / Baths: 5 br / 3 ba Address: 850 Fillmore St, Herndon, VA 20170 Sold: December 20

Residential Price: $727,000 Sq Ft: 1785 Beds / Baths: 4 br / 3.5 ba Address: 8301 Sully Park Dr, Centreville, VA 20120 Sold: December 17

Fairfax

Herndon

Centreville

REston

Chantilly

Residential Price: $964,000 Sq Ft: 1855 Beds / Baths: 5 br / 4 ba Address: 725 Roberts Rd, Fairfax, VA 22043 Sold: December 21

Residential Price: $894,000 Sq Ft: 1853 Beds / Baths: 3 br / 3 ba Address: 346 Madison St, Herndon, VA 20170 Sold: December 30

Residential Price: $854,000 Sq Ft: 1625 Beds / Baths: 3 br / 3 ba Address: 423 Red House Dr, Centreville, VA 20120 Sold: December 29

Residential Price: $870,000 Sq Ft: 1255 Beds / Baths: 3 br / 2.5 ba Address: 623 Stowe Rd, Reston, VA 20191 Sold: December 23

Residential Price: $998,000 Sq Ft: 1935 Beds / Baths: 5 br /4.5 ba Address: 3462 Kenna Ct, Chantilly, VA 20151 Sold: December 27

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Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016

opinion Neurishing news

By Teresa Micheli A Different New Year’s Resolution

At the beginning of the New Year, most people feel compelled to set desperate resolutions that they will work toward. It is the dirty not-so-little secret of New Year’s resolutions: They are very rarely kept. They become another excuse for guilt and self-denigration, another opportunity to feel like a failure. How can resolutions be a point of positive self-growth, instead, where we make them, and keep them, and benefit from their healing and restorative powers? Consider resolving to shift your focus to something that will lessen your angst; resolve to be mindful.

Confused about what exactly mindfulness is?

Mindfulness is the focus on the present moment. It is an awareness of our attitude toward life that allows us to be focused on how things unfold in the here and now. By being fully present in the moment, one is attentive to sensations, thoughts and feelings, which can change your life and the perceptions of the necessities or demands in your life.

So, how does one go about learning to live in the moment and be mind-

ful? Here are 5 tips to help you start.

To improve your performance, stop thinking about it. Focusing on the moment gets you out of your own head and quiets those unconscious thoughts about whether you are good enough. “Dance like no one is watching” and see how less awkward it feels.

Thinking too hard about what you’re doing actually makes you do worse.

Make the most out of each day, by losing track of it. Get lost in what you are doing so much so that when you phone alerts you to a new text, you don’t even notice. Unplug from electronics; spend time with people that are in your presence as well as your own thoughts.

When something is bothering you, move toward it and not away from it. The mind’s natural tendency when faced with pain is to attempt to avoid it—by trying to resist unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations. When we lose a loved one, for instance, we fight our feelings of heartbreak. In many cases, negative feelings and situations can’t be avoided— and resisting them only

the legal edge BY paul samakow Crazy Legal – 2015 cases

Teresa micheli magnifies the pain.

Count your blessing and take stock with what is good in your life everyday.

Something good can come out of them. Growth is an opportunity for us to develop strength, perseverance, and resilience.

Listen to yourself, and others. The world wide known idiom “listen to your hear” and “allow your heart to guide you,” is a meaningful piece of advice for life. When communicating with others, listen in a non-judgmental way--to listen for understanding and not for agreement.

These tips may feel forced at first, but with steady repetition, these practices can help you accomplish more and be more fulfilled.

Teresa Micheli holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, with additional schooling in nutritional therapy. Currently, she is the Founder of Neurish and provides brain coaching and training.

As time goes by, people get crazier. This trend continued in 2015, as seen by a review of the legal connections some of those crazies wrought.

Crazy in Love. A Virginia man apparently couldn’t keep his marital status straight, and it resulted in additional jail time. Frank E. Blake, Jr. was in jail when wife No. 2 and wife No. 3 showed up to visit him, at the same time. A police investigation resulted in the discovery that Blake had not divorced wife No. 1 before he married No. 2, and that he hadn’t divorced No. 2 before he married No. 3.

He pled guilty to bigamy, a felony, and was sentenced to serve 18 months.

Crazy in Love #2. Isn’t a divorce a divorce? Doesn’t it mean, effectively, the relationship is over? A British woman sued her lawyers, claiming they should have warned her that by getting a divorce, well, she’d be divorced. Jane Mulcahy argued that her legal team should have clearly explained to her that by getting a divorce, her marriage would be over. She claimed the lawyers should have suggested a judicial separation – a step down from the divorce.

Crazy and Forlorn in

Love. An Oregon lady, according to the owner of an Italian restaurant, made a reservation for two for Valentine’s Day. When she arrived she was by herself.

She ordered and drank two glasses of wine. Kathleen Hampton says no-one took her order and that she was asked to give up her table. She says she “was crushed.” She says she then tried to do a take out order and was refused. So what would someone then do? File a $100,000 lawsuit over poor Valentine’s Day service, and demand an apology in person and in community newspapers.

Crazy Enough to Die. The family of a man who died while having a threesome with a woman and a male friend was awarded $3 million from the man’s cardiologist, claiming the cardiologist didn’t warn the man to avoid physical exertion. Despite that 31-yearold William Martinez of Lawrenceville, Georgia was diagnosed as a “high risk” of having clogged heart arteries, and that he was having chest pains that radiated into his arm, Martinez, scheduled for a nuclear stress test, decided to have the threesome the day before the test. The doctors maintained they told Martinez to avoid all activity until after the stress test was completed.

A jury awarded over $5 million, but the award was reduced as they found Martinez 40% responsible. The woman in the threesome was not Martinez’ wife.

Crazy Example for Kids. In Morehead, Kentucky, a man whose identity has been protected went to the annual “Shop with a Trooper” state police program with his son.

The police take a bunch of kids to Walmart every year to interact with them in a way that is positive, to allow the children to see law enforcement as ordinary people. The man ducked out of the group for a bit and put a drill in his clothing in an attempt to steal it.

He ended up in handcuffs and then in jail.

Crazy Paranoia.

An Florida man heard a helicopter. He stores illegal marijuana in a shed near where the helicopter was hovering. Jasper Harrison then, as would anyone logical, called 911 and turned himself in, assuming the police were going to arrest him. They weren’t, and they weren’t looking for him, nor for any hidden drugs or marijuana caches.

The helicopter belonged to a local news station.

Crazy Hungry.

A New York woman, shopping in a TJ Maxx store in Rutland, Vermont, bit an employee of the store when he attempted to retrieve underwear she was attempting to steal. The woman kicked the employee, slapped his glasses off of his face and bit his thumb after he took her purse to check for the stolen underwear. She was charged with theft and as-

paul samakow sault.

Crazy Vanity. A woman in El Cerrito, California got out of a car and accosted a female high school student who was walking home from school. The woman stole the young lady’s cell phone. The victim was later able to identify the thief who attacked her – the thief took numerous “selfies” using the phone; the victim saw them in the phone’s cloud storage.

Crazy Authority Figure Syndrome. A intermediate-school marching-band instructor, who is a former Marine, couldn’t get a 9-year-old boy to stop talking during band practice. So, what to do? Tape the boy’s mouth shut, of course, from ear to ear. Kenyatte Hughes, 39, left the boy sitting alone in a room with tape over his mouth for about 30 minutes. After practice, Hughes ripped the tape off, causing swelling and redness to both cheeks and a bloody lip.

Hughes claimed he was trying to teach the band members a history lesson about slavery.

Crazy Authority Figure Syndrome #2.

Shopping in a Costco in Burbank, California, a 24-year-old man perceived that an older man, aged 78, was taking too many free Nutellasmothered waffle samples.

Of course, as any Nutella lover would do, when the older man started to eat a sample, the younger man punched him in the face, causing a one-inch cut and a swollen left eye. The younger man was charged with elder abuse and inflicting great bodily harm; he faces a possible 11-year prison term.

Crazy Education.

At Bear Creek Intermediate School in Keller, Texas, 6th graders were given an assignment in business and entrepreneurship. Called “The Cocaine Trade: From Field to Street,” the students were tasked to trace cocaine through six distinct stages of cultivation, manufacture and sale.

Teaching kids about profit margins involving the street value of cocaine and the raw coca paste, and learning to understand when they are being ripped off by thugs and middlemen were “takeaways” from the project.

May 2016 bring more crazy, but less harmful antics.

Paul A. Samakow is a Personal Injury attorney and author, headquartered in Tysons Corner and Wheaton, Md. He has been practicing since 1980.

His book “The 8 Critical Things Your Auto Accident Attorney Won’t Tell You” can be downloaded for free on his website: www.samakowlaw.com/book.

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Friday-Sunday, January 1-3, 2016