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Photo by Tim Peterson/The Connection“Mr.Springfield”ToddLattimerstands infront ofthe newestbranch ofFirstVirginiaCommunity Bank.‘Mr. Springfield’ Comes Full CircleTodd Lattimer has worked as a banker in NorthernVirginia for 36 years, 30 in Springfield alone.By Tim PetersonThe Connectioninstripes. His sharp powersuit (purchased from longtime customer Francis Tailors in Annandale) is about theonly quality Todd Lattimer shareswith the stereotypically stingy,cold, possibly monacled, yet welldressed image of a banker.The highly affable Annandalenative has forged a 36-year careerin the profession of communitybanking: serving the area by building trusting relationships withsmall businesses. His commitmentto this people-first ideal is one ofthe main reasons Lattimer was recently selected to join the team atFirst Virginia Community Bank asit opens a Springfield branch, thefifth location since the locallyowned bank was created in 2007.It also earned him the nickname“Mr. Springfield.”“Todd is a consummate banker,”said David Pijor, chief executiveofficer of the fast-growingFVCbank and a 30-year Oaktonresident. “You’re never a number.He knows you, your family, yourchildren, your business partners.That’s the way we try to bank—itwas just a wonderful fit of values.”PNOW 53, the 17-year-oldLattimer started work in Springfield as a drive-in teller for VirginiaNational Bank in 1977. That location was in a trailer, with a “littlebox” in the back serving drive-incustomers. His aptitude for thework quickly got him moved inside, and soon more promotionsfollowed.After a stint in Tysons Corner,Lattimer returned to Springfield in1983 to help organize ProsperityBank and Trust. He left behindmore than he expected: “All of thesudden,” he said, “my phonestarted ringing. People I was taking care of in Tysons asked,‘Where’d you go? Can I come openmy account?’ That’s when the lightbulb went off: If you take care ofpeople, they want to bank withyou.”Taking care of others in the community has been Lattimer’s mantra for the last 30 years. He simply views himself as a role-playing part of a team. “Small businesspeople are experts at what theydo,” said Lattimer, “but they’re notlawyers, bankers or accountants.They need that outside team ofthose experts—that’s my perfectfit.”But more than simply offeringfinancing to youth sports clubs andstart-up concrete companies,Lattimer is a model corporate citizen for his clients. His laundry listof community involvement includes previously serving as president of both the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce andSpringfield-Franconia Lions Club,as well as work with Jr. Achievement, the American Heart Association and Springfield Days.“Todd is a wonderful banker. Hegets to know you, understandsyour business, reacts to the needsof the commercial world,” saiddecades-long friend and client RonDevine, owner of A&R Foods andthe Springfield Tower Building.“But beyond that, what I’ve seenTodd do is have civic responsibili-4 Springfield Connection July 4-10, 2013ties. His community and philanthropic work sets him apart. Heknows what that means.”FOR LATTIMER, who has grownup watching Springfield grow anddevelop, all his work—professional and otherwise—is simplyabout making the community abetter place. It’s about enrichingthe opportunities for families likethe one he built with wife Theresaand sons Michael and Tommy.When long-time client Springfield Youth Club was interested inadding an artificial turf field to thesports complex they share withWest Springfield High School, theycame to Lattimer with no guarantors and no collateral. “A big bankwouldn’t do that,” he said. “Thatsa community bank deal. This isgood for the youth club, this isgood for the high school.”Lattimer was able to work out aloan deal for roughly 1 millionto put in the field. It was a milestone in the pair’s relationship, butnot the only one he is concernedwith. “I don’t ever look at one loanas it,” said Lattimer. “It’s moreabout the relationship. I’ll givethem their best option. I don’t careabout that one transaction, I wantthem all. I want to be in that role,the relationship advisor.”His perspective on small business clients, then, is more that ofa father figure than UnclePennybags. “What makes you feelgood is you played that role,”Lattimer said. “You provide accessto capital, you watch them be successful, create jobs and do greatthings in the community.” And thatway, everyone passes “Go.”Photos by Eleanor Lamb/The ConnectionNewsSenior Addie Block measures carefully during ademonstration of how little accessible fresh waterthere is in the world.Lancers Show FunSide of ScienceChildren flock to presentationsput on by students.By Eleanor LambThe Connectiontackle. Not only did they haveto make their presentationscerebral enough to impress ajudge, they had to make theminteractive and exciting forchildren. Their mission was toexpel any confusion towardscience and stimulate thechildren’s interest in the field.“We are scared of the unknown. The more you know,the less it [appears] scary,” saidphysics teacher Lisa Eggart.“Science is the future.”he Lancers provided apiercing glimpse intohow young minds canembrace the implications of science and showcase them in afun and educational way.Robert E. Lee High Schoolheld its second annual Community Science Day, an eventwhere high school studentspresent projects to both judgesand interested families. Theexhibitions, which were created THE HIGH SCHOOL STUpredominantly by seniors, cov- DENTS faced this task wholeered a wide range of topics, heartedly. Many of them hadfrom food and calories to cos- been working on their projectsmic rays. Young children fil- for the past three months, andtered from room to room, en- the effort was apparent in theirgaging in the activities that displays. They organized staaimed to cultivate an interest tions with posters, surveys andhands-on activities to engagein the subject matter.“If they get excited early, they their audience.One such station was an incan maintain that excitement,”said physics teacher and Sci- teractive lesson on genetic enence Day leader Heather gineering. Seniors MisheelBatbayar and Shannon RichterMoore.Planning for their audiences created models of fish thatwas one of the toughest ob- could withstand cold temperastacles the students had to See Lancers Show, Page 7TA participant gets some tips from senior MadisonCurtis on how to master an aerodynamics display.www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Area RoundupsCountywideTransit Network StudyThe Fairfax County Department of Transportation is conducting the Countywide Transit Network Study to determine the type of transit systems needed to accommodateforecasted growth throughoutthe county over the next several decades. The study hasdeveloped a proposed conceptplan for where Metrorailshould be extended, wherelight-rail systems are appropriate, and where dedicatedlanes that allow buses to movefaster could go. The study willalso recommend how the system can be phased in andfunded over time.The public is invited to participate in the study’s thirdpublic meeting and workshopto discuss the proposed HighQuality Transit Network(HQTN) concept. It’s slatedfor Wednesday, July 10, inrooms 4 and 5 of the FairfaxCounty Government Center.There’ll be an open-house format from 6-9 p.m., with a 20minute presentation at 7 p.m.The public meeting willpresent preliminary recommendations for the HQTN corridors and describe thenetwork’s benefits for thecounty and its residents. Formore information, seew w w. f a i r f a x c o u n t y. g o v /fcdot/2050transitstudy andjoin the conversation onlinevia the IdeaScale m/. The next steps in the studywill be to respond to the commentary received on the proposed concept, consider andincorporate potential revisions and develop final studyrecommendations this fall.3 University Mall TheatresFairfax Corner of Rt. 123 & Braddock 273-7111SUMMER CINEMA CAMP!10 A.M. Shows Monday—FridayAll Seats 2.00, 10 for 15 or Season pass (11 wks for 11)JULY 8–JULY 12.KUNG-FU PANDA (PG)JULY 15–JULY 19.MONSTERS V.S. ALIENS (PG)JULY 22–JULY 26.CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (PG)JULY 29–AUGUST 2 .MEGAMIND (PG)AUGUST 5-AUGUST 9.DESPICABLE ME (PG)Attendees will receive a coupon for a dollar ( 1.00) Offa cup of frozen yogurt from JOSIE’S SELF-SERVE YOGURTTWO POOR TEACHERSBe Part of ThePet Connectionspringfield@connectionnewspapers.comor complete our online form atspringfieldconnection.comBe sure to include your name,address and phone number, andidentify all people and pets in photos.Submission deadline is July 19.50-65% Off Potterywww.ConnectionNewspapers.comFree Estimateswww.twopoorteachers.com703-969-1179Fully Insured & Class A LicensedEST. 1999Visit our websitefor details!25% OffEarly BloomingShrubs &PerennialsREilFEFWashington Area’sCelebrating ourBiggest Selection 40thAnniversaryJapaneseMaples Standard &PremiumBath Packages!Send Your Photos & Stories Now toPatios, Walls, Walkways,Paver Driveways, Landscapingand So Much More!30% OFFSelect your remodeling products from our MobileKitchen and Bathroom Showroom and Design Center!!in JulyFree Estimates!Over 200 VarietiesKitchen and Bathroom RemodelingWe Bring the Showroom to YOU!!lBulk Mulch,Playground Chipsand Compost 29.99/cu. yd.9023 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax, Virginia2 miles west of I-495 on Rt. 50.1 mile from I-66 (Vienna Metro)703-573-5025Open 7 days a weekVisit our new Web site: www.cravensnursery.comSpringfield Connection July 4-10, 2013 5

SpringfieldOpinionHOT-Lanes and No Metro for I-66?Did you miss the publicdiscussion and input?So did we.of a “send” button.The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority expressed “grave concern regarding thelack of transit concepts moving forward foradditional consideration.” The NVTA said in aletter to McDonnell: “Although Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is on the list of seven concepts beingne day when I was stuck in traf- recommended for Tier 2, the absence offic on I-66, I was briefly enter- Metrorail extensions, VRE extensions and lighttained by the license plate of the rail transit is surprising. . We are concernedvehicle in front of me. “66 by the exclusion of these transit options forSUCKS,” it read.additional study, as this could preclude develNo question, commuting on I-66 is a bear.opment of these options in the future and is inBut last week, Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a conflict with existing and planned transit farequest for the private sector to make improve- cilities for the I-66 Corridor.”ments on the 25 miles between Route 15 andThis specific invitation to the private sectorthe Beltway.would stop consideration of any tranA press release Thursday, June 27,sit except bus rapid transit. While busannounced that the “Commonwealth Editorial rapid transit should certainly be conis looking for the best and brightestsidered, this route could be a logical exideas, suggestions and recommendations from tension of the Metro Orange Line past Vienna,the private sector to transform I-66 from a and VRE is also operating in the area. This ishighly congested corridor to a multi-modal not the place to stop the consideration of trantransportation facility that moves traffic and sit options.people more efficiently.”Also of concern is the fact that the 495 ExSo far so good. But the devil is in the details, press Lanes have not operated long enough towhich call to:be fairly evaluated. Use of the lanes has been Widen I-66 by building additional general significantly below projections, and revenuepurpose lanes that would not be tolledhas fallen short as well. Convert the existing high occupancy veNationwide, most HOT-Lanes projects arehicle lane into either a one or two lane (in each significantly underperforming projections.direction) facility that would be free to Turning over tolls for 75-80 years to a privatecarpoolers, buses and emergency vehicles. The partner is questionable, and the public needsHOV lanes would operate similar to the I-495 to understand that the commonwealth investedExpress Lanes, which were completed late heavily in the 495-Express Lanes as well.2012 or the I-95 Express Lanes, which are unThe 495 Express Lanes were “funded withder construction.an extraordinary package of private equity, Locate Bus Rapid Transit in the median of state funds and federal credit assistance, unI-66 extending west from Vienna to Haymarket. der a public-private partnership agreementWait, Bus Rapid Transit is the only transit signed on Dec. 20, 2007,” according to Publicoption in the request. Metrorail, VRE, light rail, Works Financing newsletter. “Key to makingall eliminated from consideration with the push the numbers work were the large contributionOfrom VDOT and the flexible federal credit assistance.”The agreement includes no limit on theamount of tolls, “protecting” the private investor from “excessive” HOV use (use of the lanesis free if there are three or more people in thevehicle), and revenue sharing with the commonwealth only after the project has met theoptimistic expected return on investment of 13percent.There have been significant benefits to the495 Express Lanes project including replacement of aging bridges and interchanges andadditional capacity in the regular lanes. Butwe have no idea what those benefits will costin the long run.McDonnell should heed the request of theNorthern Virginia Transportation Authority andpull back from the current request. Other transit options must be on the table, although busrapid transit could still emerge as the best option. And an impartial analysis of how highoccupancy toll lanes are working so far, andwhat Virginia’s obligations are if they do notmeet expectation, is a must before going forward on I-66.At presstime, early this week because of theIndependence Day holiday, McDonnell releaseda draft 2013 Virginia PPTA Pipeline, calling forpublic comment between now and Aug. 1. Ten“candidate projects” include; I-66 CorridorImprovements; Air Rights Development(VDOT); I-64 HOV to HOT Conversion; I-495Express Lanes Extension; Cell Tower/FiberOptic Opportunities. Ten conceptual projectsinclude: Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities (VDOT); Parking Facilities Enhancements(VDOT); Rest Area Enhancements.See www.vappta.org.— Mary Kimm,mkimm@connectionnewspapers.comJob Training Key to Combating HomelessnessBy Mary AgeePresident and CEO /NorthernVirginia Family Serviceuring their last round ofbudget hearings, theFairfax County Board ofSupervisors heard from Marlena,a domestic violence survivor whohad to decide between the “security” of her home or the personalsafety of her family.Upon moving her two sons intoemergency housing, Marlena received the wraparound counselingand care services offered to shelter residents. After successivecycles of having, losing andsearching for jobs, Marlena heardabout Northern Virginia FamilyService’s (NVFS) Training Futuresjob development program and decided to register.DOver the course of six months,Marlena learned office skills, etiquette and ethics; how to preparea resume and interviewing skills;and completed an internship giving her real-world experience. Shewas initially hired by a nonprofitas a receptionist, and has sinceearned a promotion doing clientservices.She even continued her education at Northern Virginia Community College and earned a certificate in Business Information Technology. But most importantly, withsteady income, she was able tosecure an apartment in NorthernVirginia for her and her two boys.NVFS is committed to endinghomelessness.Nothing is more critical to thefabric of a family than the safetyand stability of a place to call6 Springfield Connection July 4-10, 2013home. Our consortium of nonprofit partners and commitmentfrom local government, such asFairfax County’s 10 Year Plan toEnd Homelessness, have investedresources to make sure our neighbors in need can help themselves.These services are generally acombination of emergency andtemporary housing, mental healthcounseling, access of health care,food, etc. But without the abilityto provide for one’s family, all ofthe services listed above becomeBand-Aids to the greater need ofeconomic self-sufficiency.The United Way of the NationalCapital Area recently released“Community Snapshot: A Reporton the Economic and Social WellBeing of the National CapitalArea,” prepared by the GeorgeMason University Center for Re-gional Analysis. This report forecasts that more than 60 percent ofhigh-demand jobs in our area willrequire a high school degree, GED,vocational education training oron-the-job training. That’s wherea program like Training Futuresreally makes a difference in ourcommunity. For Marlena and1,500 of her fellow graduates, thisjob training program has empowered individuals and families totake control of their lives and become contributing members of ourcommunity.Although Training Futures is nota housing program, it remains animportant piece of the puzzlewhen considering how to endhomelessness. For more information on how you can become involved, please visit ers.comAn independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered tohomes and businesses.Published byLocal Media Connection LLC1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go toconnectionnewspapers.com/subscribeNEWS DEPARTMENT:To discuss ideas and concerns,Call: s.comKemal KurspahicEditor 703-778-9414kemal@connectionnewspapers.comChelsea BryanEditorial Assistant703-778-9410 ext.427cbryan@connectionnewspapers.comVictoria RossCommunity Reporter301-502-6027rosspinning@yahoo.comJon RoetmanSports m@jonroetmanADVERTISING:For advertising eve HoganDisplay Advertising, 703-778-9418shogan@connectionnewspapers.comAndrea SmithClassified Advertising, bie FunkNational ditor & PublisherMary yKimmExecutive Vice PresidentJerry Vernonjvernon@connectionnewspapers.comEditor in ChiefSteven MaurenManaging EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:Deb Cobb, Louise Krafft,Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:Jean CardGeovani FloresSpecial Assistant to the PublisherJeanne rs.com@TheismannMediaCIRCULATION: 703-778-9427Circulation Manager:Ann ectionNewspapers.com

NewsFun Side of ScienceTHE STUDENTS’ EFFORTS at rallyingthe children’s attention paid off. ChildrenSECURE AND NATURAL-LOOKING DENTAL IMPLANTSPhoto by Eleanor Lamb/The ConnectionFrom Page 4tures in the Arctic. They then encouragedaudience members to extract the fish’s“genes,” which were cleverly constructedfrom pipe cleaners, and blend them withclay tomatoes to make the produce survivein the cold as well. Batbayar and Richterwere passionate about their topic and catching children’s attention.“Genetic engineering is the basis for everything,” said Batbayar. “It doesn’t discriminate against anyone. It impacts all ofus.”Seniors Eric Thompson, Conner Eveker,Tai Nguyen and Henrique Moco treatedtheir presentation material with similarenthusiasm. The four of them created a laser display that showcased how sound travels, which they demonstrated through shaking a metal coil, and how light particlesmove, which they explained through anactivity that forced the audience to movearound in pairs. They ended their presentation by turning off the lights and sendinglasers every which way across the room.Their goal was to show the scientific sideof things, which many people dismiss as fundistractions.“There’s actually physics behind all thestuff at parties,” said Thompson.Seniors Thor Pretzman and JoeHall demonstrate the power ofcombustion by igniting a bubble.raised their hands to answer the high schoolstudents’ questions and eagerly volunteeredto participate in the hands-on activities.Jeannett Frank, a mother from Franconiawho home schools her children, enjoyed thevarious learning experiences provided to thechildren.“It’s lovely,” said Frank. “It’s importantbecause they’re at an age where they absorb a lot.”Placing and restoring implants since 1986, Dr.Cavallo is dedicated to the highest standard of carein the restoration and replacement of missing teeth.Patients who are missing one or more teeth rely onDr. Cavallo’s decades of experience and expertise,coupled with his caring and compassionate approachto make their implant procedure smooth andcomfortable from beginning to end. Sedation isavailable for those who are fearful.Dentistry and is working toward his Mastership.He has studied with the world-renowned PankeyInstitute and The Dawson Academy to prov

cently received degrees from Bos-ton University: Helen L. McCarthy, Theatre Artisan in Ar-tisan and Lauren E. Drake, Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience. Martine Voltaire of Fairfax Station, mother of Chancey, age 4, and Tristan, age 1, is the winner of a 5,000 college savings ac-count from Virginia529. The award was part of the 2013