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About:

Lorton Valley Star Newspaper
monthly and on the web
www.LortonValleyStar.com

Covering the greater Lorton, VA area from Fairfax /Franconia Parkway to Prince William Parkway.

Contact Information:

Floyd Harrison,
Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
Lorton Valley Star Communications, LLC

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Lorton Valley, VA 22199

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© 2005 Floyd Harrison T/A
Lorton Valley Star Comm.
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Mother's Grieving Heart

On November 10, 2000 Maria's daughter Crystal was killed in a terrible accident. Maria went through what no mother in the world wants or expects to go through.

Go To Site…

To moms who have suffered the loss of a child:

When Maria was faced with the death of her child, all the books she read provided the same answer. This answer was not good enough. She began to write poetry. Her poetry was a way for her to find the answers to the terrible crisis that she could not find in any book. Through writing her poetry, Maria became closer to God and she found during her journey, that God's mercy is a sufficient answer to any crisis or devastating situation.

Those poems are now available in the book, "Crystal, A Mother's Grieving Heart" published by Lorton Valley Star. It is available in Occoquan at the Coffee House of Occoquan and at Attic Treasures. It is also available online from Maria's web site.

Buy the book now…

Copyright © 2003 Maria Carneiro, of Montclair, Prince William County, Virginia, USA

All international rights reserved.

94 Pages
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1994 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.



Catalog Data:

Carneiro, Maria A.
Crystal, A Mother’s Grieving Heart
Original Publication:
A.D. 2005
ISBN 0-9764770-0-9

Grief, Poetry

Library of Congress Number TXu1-189-869

Cover Art:
Michelle Carneiro
Graphics and Layout:
Floyd Harrison




Publisher:
Lorton Valley Star Communications
P.O. Box 1436
Lorton, VA 22199
USA

See Coffee House

See Attic Treasures

Lazy Susan NOW Now Playing Nunsense

Big River, Buffet With Huck Finn

Review by Floyd Harrison, Publishser

You could have enjoyed Big River at the Lazy Susan dinner theatre in Lorton. It’s the adventures of Huckleberry Finn set to stage and music. But, it is really not kids literature. It’s revealing and worthwhile like their food that is good for you but so tasty that you won’t notice. The groaning board buffet is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition from before the days of fast food.
Huck Finn had been so battered with the idea that you gotta study to be good enough to get into heaven that he felt defeated. I was reminded of the Biblical parable of the four soils. There’s some of the four soils in all of us. He wanted to rebel and give up trying to be good. He had a good heart though that was masked by ignorance.
He was willing to be a friend to the black man Jim even though he believed that blacks were not human like him. The revealing thought was: “I guess they [blacks] care as much about their families as we do about ours [whites]. At one point he was willing to subject Jim to a demeaning trick. Huck also learned that being bad didn’t work for him so he internalized his moral lessons.
So, they made it back to their home a lot wiser for their journey on the Mississippi and broke down racial barriers within their contacts. Mark Twain had a good idea but I think the message may be too subtle that some might miss the good-for-you part.
Another message was to avoid people who want you to be something you are not and to be yourself.
The production at Lazy Susan was excellent. I understood the play better than at a production elsewhere. They had a neat lighting effect for the reflections on water. The costumes were gorgeous. The lines were delivered smoothly and the singing voices were very satisfying. They achieved a Gospel effect.
It is a satisfying evening and worthwhile entertainment. This is the last month of Big River; Nunsense begins after the Independence holiday. See www.LazySusan.com and call for reservations 703-494-6311 in Lorton.

Once Upon a Mattress NVP

If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or, that it wasn’t the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderfully melodic songs, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you’ll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. Northern Virginia Players is happy to bring the story of the Princess and the Pea to life in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s huge hit musical “Once Upon a Mattress”. Great entertainment for all ages! The musical runs for two weekends, May 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th at 7:00pm at New Hope Church, 8905 Ox Rd. Lorton. Bring the family , grab your friends, and join the fun. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, if available. For information and tickets please visit our website at www.NVPlayers.com. (For additional questions, please call 703-866-3546. Music by Mary Rodgers lyrics by Marshall Barer, book by J. Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. Presented through special arrangement R&H Theatricals www.r&h.com )

Castaways Repertory Theatre Presents “Godspell”

Godspell is a 1969 musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It started as a college project performed by students at Carnegie Mellon University. “Day by Day” from the original cast album, reached #13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the summer of 1972. “Godspell” tells it’s story using a series of parables, based on the Gospel of Matthew, and songs using many different music styles (folk, rock, gospel, vaudeville.) The crucifixtion is symbolically depicted at the end of the show. Suitable for all family members however, devout Christians may find Jesus depicted as a clown disturbing.
May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 8pm. One matinee only on the 14th at 1pm. Directed by Zina Bleck. General Admission $14. Seniors, students, children (12 & under), military, and PWC employees $11. Groups of 10 and Matinee $10. All performances will be held at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge. For information and Reservations - visit www.castawaystheatre.org or call 703-508-5418.

Hellzapoppin Home School

Review by Max Johnson of McLean

In an age of short attention spans, most of our entertainment comes out of the internet, from ridiculous YouTube videos, watching Saturday Night Live on Hulu, or the occasional video or story of real talent. But long predating all these forms of bemusement comes their predecessor straight out of the 1920’s: vaudeville. With their production of “Hellzapoppin,” Homeschool Teens and Theater attempt to awaken this often forgotten vessel for hilarity.
Although “Hellzapoppin” may be quite the obscure piece, it was at its height the longest running show on Broadway. Being classic vaudeville, “Hellzapoppin” features dance, song, and sketch comedy, all the while poking fun at itself, with people backstage along with plants in the audience making fun of the actors and the producer. The show had a very hectic feel, with actors messing up cues, disappearing and reappearing behind doors, and taking out signs upside down for comedic effect, running with the improvisational feel of the show. Several sketches, which were written by Anson Rutherford, gave way for over the top characters and zany costumes.
This productions constant feature was the unending lunacy that drove it forward. The production would have at one point an actor donning a fly costume trying to avoid being swatted, followed by the entrance of a heavily armed Abraham Lincoln, backed by the regular use of disembodied heads and limbs for comedic effect. Reoccurring characters in animal suits made for some the funniest moments, such as the reoccurring hijinks of Congo the gorilla, or the seductive, lap dancing Suzie the elephant, who would go out into the audience to flirt and charm. While hardly anything made sense, all performances were done with such energy and conviction that made it impossible to lose interest.
The show was led by “producer” Anson Rutherford, who constantly broke the fourth wall, apologizing for his “appalling” show, and getting angry at his actors for their lack of professionalism, such as using cell phones during the performance. Chanukah Jane Lilburne excelled in the various characters she played, from a coy nurse, a mentally unstable old woman, to a cowgirl taking ownership of the cowboy. She stood out from the rest of her cast with her energetic dance, audible and on pitch singing, and good comedic timing. Jeremy Pryzby had commendable physical comedy, moving with a cartoonish quality that enhanced his already large characters, such as an incompetent psychiatrist or a member of an overdramatic breakup.
The technical aspects of the show did a suitable job of setting the mood and feel of the production. The sets were sloppily covered in graffiti, with doors and cabinets with an industrial, broken down feel. The costumes were incredibly expansive, with everything from showgirl outfits, many animal costumes, doctor’s clothes, a Robin Hood style archer, and countless other pieces. The changes were done with incredible speed and efficiency in a system designed by Katy Rinaman.
Capturing the insanity, energy and absurdity of this mad cap show, Teens and Theater took “Hellzapoppin” and made it their own, truly loving every minute they had performing it.

Seussical,
The Musical at Woodbridge

Review by Caleb Wroblewski of Washington-Lee High School

Dr. Seuss is one of the most beloved authors of children’s books. His style, aesthetic, and ideas are unique, fun, and imaginative. Capturing the true nature of Dr. Seuss was the difficult task admirably tackled by the cast and crew of Woodbridge Senior High School in their performance of Seussical the Musical.
Seussical, written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, opened on Broadway in 2000. The musical, which is almost completely sung-through, presents a number of the more well-know stories of Dr. Seuss. The play also contains some of the most famous Seuss characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the elephant, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou Who.
Anchoring the show was the strong and energetic work of the show’s ensemble. The huge chorus had a high level of energy and really seemed to be having fun, which helped draw the audience into the Seussical universe. In addition, each member of the ensemble had a unique character, which helped hold the audience’s attention throughout the show.
The real standout of the show was Jordan Frederick, playing the young and imaginative thinker, JoJo. Her impressive vocals, showcased in songs like “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think,” and “Alone In The Universe,” captivated the audience. She successfully portrayed JoJo’s imagination, endearing humor, and innocence every time she was on stage.
Narrating the show was Brittany Carpenter, playing the Cat In the Hat. Carpenter displayed strong stage presence as she narrated the production and presented the characters. She created a number of unique characterizations that helped set up the stylized nature of the production. In addition, Brandon Boling was incredibly likeable as Horton. The audience identified and empathized with the faithful and good-natured Horton, and his duet with JoJo in “Alone In The Universe” was touching, perfectly capturing the spirit of the show.
Despite the fact that some singers were hard to hear or were a bit off pitch, creative choices and high energy kept the audience from being bothered by these small mistakes. In addition, impressive work by sound designer Rachel Price was faultless and helped the audience hear some singers who had trouble with projection. Dancers Joey Sandy and Melissa Redding wowed the crowd with their difficult tumbling and acrobatics.
Strong ensemble work, high energy, and impressive individual performances by Woodbridge’s cast and crew created a fun and impressive show that succeeded in staying true to the ideas and style of Dr. Seuss.

April Cover Photo: “Monkey Dress”

“The Fat Lady Sings”

MFA candidate Deborah Lash presents her graduate thesis exhibition, “The Fat Lady Sings” at the Fine Art Gallery in the Art and Design Building on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus from April 18-29. After losing one-third of her body size in a year, the artist explores the adjustability of the human form by constructing dresses with safety pins and thrift store materials. Through sculpture and performance, the exhibition journeys through the loss and recreation of personal identity. To view Lash’s portfolio, visit www.deborahlash.com. For more information, please contact deborahlash@gmail.com.

Lorton Music and Dance School Represented Globally

Heart Beats Music and Dance is represented in the McLean Youth Orchestra. The orchestra has an exchange with the Chiba Youth Orchestra. That’s right, from Japan near Tokyo.
Lorton faculty participating are Katie Packa with double bass and electric bass; Drew Lisowski, violin; Tina Anderson, string teacher and music director; and Will Morales. Students are Quinton Folks, Viola and Keren Ewell, Cello.
A recent performance was March 26 when we missed Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries. The upcoming program is May 14 when they program includes Stravinsky‘s Petrouchka a puppet and Dvorak’s Cello Cencerto in B Minor.
This fun music shows the skill of the group. For more information on the concert, visit www.mclean-orchestra.org. For more information on the family friendly music and dance school in Lorton, visit www.HBeats.com

Agatha Christie –

And Then There Were None at the Lazy Susan

Play continues thru March; Review follows:

Review by Floyd Harrison, Publisher

Murder you appetite at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre in Lorton. There’s nowhere else you can have this fine of an evening for this price.

The buffet is Pennsylvania Dutch groaning board style, with cold items first, salad, dressings, veggies and fruit then moving on to the hot items and meats. Meats include beef, chicken, and fish and there’s a variety of fresh baked breads, buns and muffin cakes. Never mind the Dutch names, it’s fabulous. And the desserts are also always a tasty surprise.

Of course it’s only partly about the food. Currently, the play is a production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” The suspense is unrelenting and the mystery is thick. You come to believe with the remaining survivors that they will continue to die one by one until there are none in spite of their best efforts to defend themselves. But who could commit ten murders according to a riddle undetected?

The setting is a holiday retreat in an elegant mansion on a small lake island beginning on an August evening. A recording reveals that all the guests including the two servants have avoided conviction for deaths and deserve to die before they can get off the island. A search for their nominal host turns up no one. Everyone is a suspect and an intended victim. A storm complicates their attempts to solve the mystery before someone else dies. But, the last two die in the last minute with the mystery unsolved.

But, this is OK with you because, you survive still satiated by a good dinner, dessert and drink and you can figure out what happened when you get home; tomorrow. If murder is not your idea of a subject for entertainment, as some people who have suffered violent loss, then don’t see this play. Otherwise, I don’t know why everyone wouldn’t want to attend every production at the Lazy Susan. What’s better than good dinner, good friends, good entertainment and not having to fix or clean up from dinner.

The Lazy Susan is the last of a dying breed and you don’t even have to leave Lorton to enjoy it. The challenge is figuring out what to leave off your plate. C’mon this isn’t fast food; You can chow down on the good stuff once a month. Just call 703-494-6311 for reservations.

“Empty Closets” by Lewis Vilensky

Review by Floyd Harrison, Publisher.

Castaways Repertory Theatre always does a good job with their productions. They generally gravitate good actors and the technical aspects are professional. The company is a good choice for theatre entertainment. Once in a while, though, somebody picks a lame script. This is one.

Empty Closets is among the few worst scripts I feel that I have seen produced. It would be OK to weave two clashing ideas or cultures into one story but this is not a weave. It’s a basket of clashing yarns.

For a comedy, I think you have to do better than a collection of queer insults and Jewish jokes and puns on the family name Tushman. School bus stop conversation is funnier than this script.

It presents the law student son as coming out with his queer friend and excuses that as genetic. But, the Jewish father, rejects that and openly bashes the friend. The father is not happy ‘til his other son gives him a grandson. That’s one story, the comedy such as it is.

Matted in the middle of that, we hear about the father’s long born torment relating to loosing his parents in a German camp and the weight of being the only one to continue the family name even if the name is ripe for potty jokes. You find that he gave up his love for the sister-in-law because she couldn’t bare children. And that’s the other part of the story, the drama, not funny, so, now all the closets are empty.

At least in this story, you feel the deep rooted personal pain of the father caused by the proud queer son’s shallow expectation of acceptance. So, that’s the message of this play. One pain would be laid over the other and he’s supposed to get over it. It's rare and good that the parent's anguish is illuminated for a change. There, I said something positive about the script. There’s the new Grandson but the play closes with a long anticlimax leaving you to imagine whether he really would get over it.

This Castaways production runs one more weekend and there’ll probably be seats available. See it for the message and the production quality but don’t bring the kids because programs like this tend to normalize deviant attitudes. The funny thing is actually that a kid will pick-up on what’s being confessed quicker than the old fashioned parent characters who don’t want to hear that their son is queer. The Tushmans are kinda like the TV Bunkers.

For the latest information about Castaways Repertory Theatre, call 703-508-5418 or go to www.castawaystheatre.org.

Northern Virginia Players presents Willy Wonka Jr.

Review by Floyd Harrison, Publisher

It is really to bad that the young people’s theatre productions don’t run longer; They perform the most delightful productions. You have to keep your eyes open for news of their productions and make time to see them.

Willy Wonka Jr. is a young theatre version of the famous TV production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl. Though necessarily adjusted to live theatre, this is the better version. Children as the Oompa Loompas, make the TV version look like the geriatric ward production.

The cast ages from 5 to 17. Impossible, you say. No! This would seem to be a challenge but the directors Ann Eul and Kate Wittig and producer Lacey Yoho pull it off admirably. The show is colorful, entertaining and the message comes through. “I have a message for you…” Be honest, not greedy and self serving.

It’s sort of a pauper to king story. Charlie, though his family is poor, represents the good among the five spoiled children, and so wins the inheritance of the Willy Wonka candy empire. Life should always work like this.

The Northern Virginia Players, are largely what was the YPT which has not nominally produced a play this year but which works with home-schooled children. Young people from all cultures, benefit from involvement. Visit www.nvplayers.com.

Saddle-Up for St. Jude Trail Ride

Reported by Sam Horchler, communications intern from ODU.
Enjoy a two minute video of Trail Ride at Pohick Bay Regional Park.

Local Film Producer Uses Workhouse

See a one minute trailer for the Anthony Faust short 35MM art film "A Rock and a Hard Place" which was partially filmed at the workhouse cell block part of the Lorton Workhouse Art Center. Learn the sinister plot and see the shocking trailer; Link to the film site here …

Open Mic. Reception at Coffee House in Memory of Carolyn Zakaski Video of a couple of songs

Saint Patrick's Parade in Alexandria

The closest and best Saint Patrick's parade is on the first Saturday of March in Old Town Alexandria. Enjoy a sample video.

The Kingstowne Area Artists’ Association

Call for Artists! The Kingstowne Area Artist's Association (KAAA) has membership opportunities for artists in the Kingstowne area. We welcome all fine art mediums and genres. We hold monthly meetings, have an annual art show/sale for our members, and our work is displayed in several local establishments. Check us out on the web at http://www.kingstowneartists.com where you can find information on our group and meeting times and locations. For more information call Sandy Mann at 703-921-5557.

Old Time Country Music Documented at Coffee House of Occoquan

You could hear a rare treat, the founder’s of the National Traditional Country Music Association, Bob and Sheila Everhart, performed a night of genuine old time American acoustical music at the Coffee House of Occoquan, 202 Commerce Street, Saturday night December 5. This is all old stuff.

Bob Everhart founded the non-profit Association in 1975 a time when Nashville had declared “hillbilly music” dead and gone. Well, not so fast, the Association has held week long festivals since.

Country music stands beside Jazz as America’s Musical Heritage including Bluegrass which together came out of the Celtic from two hundred years ago and evolved in somewhat isolation. Not only is the music unique in the world but it tells stories of America. NTCMA has been helping to preserve this music and publishes the informative ‘Tradition’ Magazine available for a $25 membership.

Bob and Sheila Everhart were inducted into the Old Time Music Hall of Fame in 2002. Our own Mike Johnson, also and inductee, yodels about them favorably. We get our information from Joe Arnold, Roughshod Records, Arlington, VA

Coffee House of Occoquan Music Schedule

Friday Nights close at 5:00

Saturdays: Songwriter's Open Mic. 7:00 except holiday weekends.

“Memories Die Hard”

By Mike Johnson
Review by the late Wild Bill Halbert

“A long distance trucker gets a temporary break from his exhausting schedule and drops in on an old Vietnam Navy buddy living just south of Tucson, Arizona. Their reminiscing takes them back to a secret operation behind enemy lines and forces them to finally lay old bones to rest. A sudden death in the friend’s family calls them to Phoenix for the funeral and the trucker sets out on one of the family’s horses to enjoy a couple of days of camping in the Sonoran Desert.

Tracking an old man who had raided his camp one night, the trucker finds himself witnessing a real life “wild west” drama. The camp raider, an old man tending to his sick grandson, was being acousted by two “coyotes” who had intended on them burying in the desert instead of smuggling them across the U.S. border. Swinging his Winchester into action, the trucker is also bitten by a hidden rattlesnake, and while being treated by the grateful pair the he slips in and out of consciousness and travels back in time to some hair-raising adventures of his youth.

Memories Die Hard is woven several stories in one. You’ll feel the pain and sorrow over the loss of loved ones, gag on the styfling the stench in a Viet Cong rat tunnel, and find yourself wiping the sticky jungle sweat from your skin. The beauty of the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert will captivate you and the discovery of large pug marks alongside a cool stream will wisk you away on a spear hunt with a famous South American Jaguar hunter of yore.

Each experience in one’s life contributes to the makeup of the soul and how one chooses to handle those experiences is up to the individual. “Memories Die Hard” projects the author’s inner visual perception and puts one in the midst of his recollections, subtly convincing us that while some memories fade with time, others die hard.

You’ll surely enjoy this if you like adventure and aren’t squeamish about death, destruction, and bad situations told complete with the language of the events, which at times is a bit vulgar, but not for vulgarity’s sake. Exciting drama, laced with the love only an outdoor adventurer can have for everything and everyone. This is one of the best reads you’ll ever have.”
See more information at http://www.freewebs.com/blackyodelno1/memoriesdiehard.htm December 1999 Review by the late Wild Bill Halbert [17 August 1920 * 8 August 2003], Publisher of Sharing & Caring Magazine, Wills Point, Texas. Courtesy of MAJJ P.O. Box 100933, Arlington, VA. 22210

Story of the Fourth Magus

By Noble Johnson

Review by Floyd Harrison

Who is the Fourth Magus; Was he a wise man? Who is The Little Drummer Boy and where did he come from? What other pure hearts surrounded the compound miracle we call Christmas? 'The Fourth Magus' audio CD would make an inspiring gift for a thoughtful person this Christmas season.

The first Christmas story in the Gospel of Matthew tells us of three kinds of gifts that were opened before the holy child. How many Magi and shepherds is left to legend along with the Little Drummer Boy. The story of 'The Fourth Magus' fills in the origin of our other Christmas traditions. Is he Arteban?

'The Fourth Magus' will likely come to take a prominent place among our other holiday traditions as it presents a delightful unification of legends. It gives us the untold story of the Little Drummer Boy. Noble Johnson’s story is sure to bring a blessing of joy to your holiday observance.

This inspirational family time program is written and performed by the consumate story teller Noble Johnson. Lortonites know his daughters, Heather and Rebecca as the local musical group Ceylon which entertained us at the Lorton 4th of July Parade, the Coffee House of Occoquan and Skinifatz. The girls continue in their musical careers. Heather is the Producer, Editor and Sound engineer for the Album.

'The Fourth Magus' is available at The Coffee House of Occoquan, The Golden Goose, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and at the Fort Belvoir General Store and online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/noblejohnson