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Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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SEPTEMBER 2 – 8, 2021 | PAGE 11
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Grace Christian Academy Hosting Local Festival
Grace Christian Academy
(GCA) will be hosting its fifth annual Truck and Toss festival — a food truck, corn hole, and craft brew tasting event on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 4 – 8 p.m. (VIP admission begins at 3 p.m.) All proceeds benefit Grace Christian Academy.
Admission to Truck and Toss includes unlimited beer tastings and free samples from a variety of food trucks in the Washington, D.C. region, including Captain Cookie, DC Steakholders, and Ball or Nothing. Participants can also join the Cornhole for a Cause tournament, or play just for fun. The event will also feature a craft market, children’s activities, and a raffle featuring prizes from a number of local businesses. The festival will be held on the grounds of Grace Christian Academy (3233 Annandale Rd., Falls Church). This year’s sponsors include Captain Cookie and the Milkman, Hambleton Yard & Landscape, and realtor Kristi Howard of Century 21 Millennium. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. For details and to purchase $40 tickets, visit truckandtoss.com or email: truckandtoss@ gmail.com.
Competitive Youth Esports XP League Fall Season Tryouts
New teams are now forming for the XP League Falls Church fall season. Those who are between the ages of 8 – 15 and are interested in esports are invited to participate. Fortnite, Overwatch, Rocket League and Valorant teams will all compete in the XP League, a coach-led national youth esports league.
Tryouts are held at Code Ninjas Falls Church (479 S Maple Ave, Falls Church) from 4 – 6 p.m. on Fridays and from Noon – 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Registration is required. To learn more and to register, visit XPLeague.com or contact Dave Ryan at David.ryan@xpleague. gg. To contact Code Ninjas Falls Church, call 571-310-0554.
St. James Cub Scouts To Host Back to Scouting Night
Cub Scout Pack 681 is looking for new Scouts who are interested in exploring, developing a variety of life skills and building new friendships. Those who are interested are invited to meet with the Scout Pack on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 5 – 6 p.m. in Heller Hall at Saint James Catholic Grade School (830 W. Broad St., Falls Church). For more information about the event, visit the Cub Scout Pack 681 Facebook page or their official website at sjpack681. wordpress.com. For questions, email Pack Committee Chairman Brian Diffell at sjpack681@gmail. com. Cub Scout Pack 681 is composed of scout Dens for children in grades K – 5.
McLean Community Center Board to Hold Budget Hearings
The McLean Community Center (MCC) Governing Board will hold two, in-person budget
AT MADISON PARK LAST SATURDAY, F.C. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly (left) and Council member Letty Hardi (right) were joined by David LeCoste, president of the F.C. Schools’ Elementary PTA (second from left) to greet School Board candidate Kathleen Tysse at an event in her
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meetings this month in order to gather input and suggestions from the residents of Dranesville Small District 1-A on the Center’s fiscal year 2023 budget. The first meeting, the Finance Committee Meeting of the Whole, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8.
A second meeting, the Public Hearing on the FY2023 Budget, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22. All Governing Board meetings are open to the public. The McLean Community Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA. Residents of Small District 1-A who wish to speak at the hearing are asked to call 703790-0123, TTY:711, to have their names placed on a speakers list, or email their comment to MCC Executive Director Daniel Singh at daniel.singh@fairfaxcounty.gov.
McLean High Senior to Study Russian as Part of Scholarship
Lauren Bach, a senior at McLean High School, was awarded a National Security Language
Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
Virtual Summer Intensive scholarship to study Russian for six weeks. Bach was competitively selected from approximately 2,500 applicants from across the country, and is one of over 500 students who will study Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, or Turkish this summer as part of the virtual exchange.
NSLI-Y is a program within the U.S. Department of State that promotes critical language learning among American youth. The program provides language and cultural learning opportunities by virtually connecting the participants with overseas teachers, international peers, cultural organizations and communities where the target language is spoken. The 2021 Virtual Summer Intensive program is an online alternative for the NSLI-Y immersion programs that could not take place overseas due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
PAGE 12 | SEPTEMBER 2 – 8, 2021
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church
By Supervisor Penny Gross
Labor Day has been observed since the late 1800s, when President Grover Cleveland signed a proclamation for a federal holiday.
Ironically, that first-Monday-in-September holiday was for federal employees only, but 30 states picked up the flag, literally and figuratively, to celebrate workers and the contributions they make to our country and our economy.
Nationwide, parades and picnics now mark the holiday, along with preparations to return to school and regular routines.
Labor Day in Virginia may take new meaning for the Commonwealth’s local governments, as the General Assembly enacted legislation last year that will permit localities to adopt collective bargaining ordinances for public employees.
For Virginia, this is essentially new ground, since collective bargaining for public employees was struck down by a court decision in the early 1970s.
The new legislation specifically exempts the employees of the courts and constitutional officers (Office of the Sheriff and the Commonwealth’s Attorney) from collective bargaining, and bars strikes and other job actions by public employees.
An employee’s membership in a union is optional; the legislation does not force anyone to join a labor union or pay membership dues.
Last fall, Fairfax County began the lengthy process to create a Collective Bargaining Ordinance.
Multiple conversations (virtual meetings allowed all employee groups to participate and be heard) were held with county and school employee group representatives to explain the ordinance process and discuss what might be included in a draft document.
Following the group discussions, the Board of Supervisors’ Personnel Committee, which I chair, met during several public sessions in the months of March, May, June and July to review the staff’s discussion draft.
The 23-page draft ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing at the Sept. 14, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting. (The draft is posted on-line at fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/collective-bargaining.)
Adoption of a collective bargaining ordinance is the first step in a longer process.
The ordinance outlines several steps that must be accomplished before collective bargaining negotiations may commence.
Three pages of the draft enumerate the appointment of a Labor Relations Administrator (LRA), experienced as a neutral in the field of labor relations and the duties of the LRA.
The draft also identifies three bargaining units: for police, fire and emergency medical services, and general government.
An exclusive bargaining agent for each bargaining unit must be selected by the employees in that unit, and a timeline is outlined in the draft — which also prescribes a secret ballot election and provides for mail-in balloting.
Worker protections have been the focus of labor unions for more than a century in this country.
Gone are the six-day-a-week work schedules, with no paid time off, as well as the use of child labor and minimal worker compensation — things that predestined American workers to poverty for generations.
Today’s work schedules, health care and retirement benefits and compensation can be counted among the labor movement’s successful efforts in both the public and the private sector.
This Labor Day, as we observe the end of summer and prepare for more normal routines, we also can look forward to a collective bargaining process that has been denied to local government employees for far too long in Virginia.
Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
C��� �� F���� C����� CRIME REPORT
Week of Aug. 23 – 29, 2021
Identity Theft, S Spring St, Aug 23, 5:04 PM, an incident of identity theft was reported.
Trespass, W Broad St, Aug 26, 2:37 PM, a male, 30, of no fixed address, was issued a summons for Trespass.
Larceny, N Rochester St, Aug 27, between 9 and 11:55 PM, unknown suspect(s) took an unsecured black and red Giant ATX, 27.5” men`s mountain bike.
Larceny from Building, Hampton Ct, between 7:30 PM, Aug 26 and 8 AM, Aug 27, unknown suspect(s) removed a package from the porch of a residence.
Please contact the City of Falls Church Police at 703-2415050 (TTY 711) if you have any information regarding any of these crimes.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Senator Dick Saslaw’s
Richmond Report
Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer. The first Monday in September is a federal holiday designated to recognize American workers. There’s no question we owe a lot to the front line who have kept us going during these challenging times. The declining unemployment rate is good news on the road to recovery and getting families on more steady ground. Public schools, colleges, and universities have opened their doors. Many businesses have adopted a hybrid work plan for employees. Commutes are getting longer. Metro is a safe option after many months of renovations.
On Sept. 11, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the most heinous attack within our nation’s shores. The visions of that day are permanently embedded in our minds. We recall the shock and great sorrow of deep loss. At the same time, we saw unconditional bravery and selflessness. Out of the ashes, we rebuilt and remembered what a united country can achieve.
Since taking office, President Biden has led the nation in the effort to achieve herd immunity. Going into summer, we thought that masks would have been history but the Delta variant is generating yet another surge. This virus has been merciless and humbling. Covid-19 has attacked all ages and ethnic groups. It is finding enough unvaccinated victims to mutate and spread. The debate continues over the merits of following CDC guidelines that include wearing masks indoors at work and school. Being highly transmissible, it makes sense to follow the proven effective protocols to minimize exposure and transmission. After 18 months of unprecedented hospitalizations and deaths, it’s time to embrace the science and data going into the traditional flu season, period. 2020 presented serious challenges to learning. Our elementary and middle school kids have suffered in many ways from this pandemic, and learning loss is at the top of that notorious list. From an academic standpoint, the Department of Education has released performance results from the Standards of Learning tests. Student performance in reading, math, and science has dropped significantly.
Last month, we met for another special session to revisit the budget and disburse American Rescue Plan Act funds. Of note, funding was allocated to keep kids and their teachers safe and address learning loss. I strongly supported this action, which is more than wishful thinking.
The US evacuation from Afghanistan is now complete. Northern Virginia is providing support to Afghan refugees fleeing the war-torn country. The Dulles Expo Center is serving as the site where refugees stay for a day, on average, before heading to their next destination. There are numerous religious-based social services groups helping these refugees resettle. Personal care and food donations are needed.
Virginia is heading into the final lap for the Nov. 2 statewide elections. Through the efforts of the current Democratic trifecta, Virginians have options without voter suppression hurdles. In-person early voting begins on Sept. 17 at local registrar offices. Acceptable forms of identification must be presented at the time of voting. Absentee voting does not require an excuse. Applications for ballots can be done online at the State Board of Elections website. Another legislative plus is the ban on weapons in polling places. Imagine that — elections without intimidation or “acceptable excuses.” I am supporting the Democratic ticket that includes Terry McAuliffe, Hala Ayala, and Mark Herring. I’ve served under Governor McAuliffe and with both Mark Herring and Del. Ayala. Under Terry’s leadership, we enjoyed a robust economy, set the stage for providing access to affordable healthcare for hundreds of thousands Virginians, and started serious gun violence prevention initiatives. We know what this team is about and capable of doing.
The census data has finally been released. The Commonwealth’s population is shifting to the “golden crescent” of Northern Virginia, Greater Richmond, the Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach areas with a decrease in rural communities. The Redistricting Commission is on a fast track to provide new maps for legislative and congressional districts. They recently voted to scrap the old maps and start with a clean slate. The maps will need to be approved by the General Assembly. That could prove to be the bigger challenge in this process.
Best of luck to all of our young scholars as they return to the classroom this month.
Senator Saslaw represents the 35th District in the Virginia State Senate. He may be emailed at district35@senate.virginia.gov.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The Afghanistan Papers
“What we are seeing is the culmination of 20 years of bad decisions by U.S. political and military leaders. If anything, Americans should feel proud of what the U.S. government and military have accomplished in the past two weeks. President Biden deserves credit, not blame...Biden alone has had the political courage to fully end America’s involvement… Nicholas F. Benton (with) one of the most extraordinary logistical feats in recent memory...The total number of Americans and Afghan allies extricated from the country may exceed 120,000.” FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS —David Rothkopf, The Atlantic.
Its release date pushed up from November to this week, Craig Whitlock’s book, “The Afghanistan Papers, A Secret History of the War,” is a blockbuster on a scale equal to the 1971 Pentagon Papers that catalyzed the nation’s opposition to the Vietnam War to the point of forcing, at last, its miserable end.
This time, it didn’t take the cataloguing of 2,000 pages of unpublished notes and interviews with 428 people over three years to force an early end to the war, but the timing of the book’s release with President Biden’s courageous move to resolutely end the 20-year war, the longest in U.S. history, will have a similar effect on the future course of history.
The same Republican fools who have been insisting that Trump won last November, who have been rallying millions to reject wearing masks or getting vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, who are now rallying further insurrections against the U.S. democracy...these same Republicans have in recent days been railing against Biden for his decisive move to end the Afghanistan war. Yes, like the impact of their other insane and criminal policies, the war had become, in reality, as many officials were saying behind the scenes for years, “an unmitigated disaster.”
Whitlock’s book, out this week, documents this in spades. “Speaking frankly because they assumed their remarks would not become public,” Whitlock writes, U.S. officials confessed to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) that “the war plans had fatal flaws and that Washington had wasted billions of dollars trying to remake Afghanistan into a modern nation.”
The assembled interviews “also exposed the U.S. government’s botched attempts to curtail runaway corruption, build a competent Afghan army and police force, and put a dent in Afghanistan’s thriving opium trade.” Generals admitted they had “tried to fight the war without a functional strategy” and many described “explicit and sustained efforts by the U.S. government to deliberately mislead the public” about how the effort was proceeding.
“No one wanted to admit that the war that started as a just cause had deteriorated into a losing one. From Washington to Kabul, an unspoken conspiracy to mask the truth took hold. Omissions inexorably led to deceptions and eventually to outright absurdities. Twice, in 2003 and again in 2014, the U.S. government declared an end to combat operations, episodes of wishful thinking that had no connection to reality on the ground,” he wrote.
He adds, “How had the war degenerated into a stalemate with no realistic prospect for an enduring victory? The United States and its allies had initially crushed the Taliban and al-Qaeda in 2001. What went wrong? No one had conducted a thorough public accounting of the strategic failures or provided an unsparing explanation of how the campaign fell apart...
“Over two decades, more than 775,000 U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan. Of those, more than 2,300 died and 21,000 came home wounded. The U.S. government has not calculated a comprehensive total of how much it spent on war-related expenses, but most estimates exceed $1 trillion.”
And President Biden himself, in his speech definitively declaring the war to be over Tuesday, underscored the toll on American lives of the conflict, including the spiking suicide rate among combatants who were deployed there.
Of all the four U.S. presidents who presided over the longest U.S. war ever, only Biden had a son who actually served in harm’s way there. His passion to end the horrible conflict should be seen as a true badge of honor, personal courage and heroism. He is an extraordinary leader.
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
COMMENT
SEPTEMBER 2 – 8, 2021 | PAGE 13
I’ll confirm the rumors that I am a baby-boomer.
So with schools reopened, I’m stuck with two assumptions about today’s students: They’re no longer learning the all-important but old-fashioned cursive writing, and their exposure to U.S. history, due to time constraints, trails off somewhere around World War II.
Two Arlington Public Schools specialists inform me that we boomers are wrong on both counts.
Despite headlines such as the Washington Post’s “Cursive Handwriting Disappearing from Public Schools,” that ancient art remains embedded in the Virginia Standards of Learning (Section 3-8), I’m assured by Sara Cruz, the reading specialist newly installed as Arlington’s supervisor of Elementary English Language Arts.
By third grade, the standards’ expectation is that “students will learn to write legibly in cursive,” she said when I quizzed her on how digital-age kids could learn to read historic letters if they don’t know cursive.
“We want students to be able to recognize and access the founding documents and see the value,” Cruz said. She sent me a 2020 article in the journal Frontiers in Psychology with data demonstrating the importance of “cursive writing over typewriting” in facilitating learning. “It makes the case for not skipping over handwriting and not going straight to typewriting because the hand
Our Man in Arlington motion makes a connection to the By Charlie Clark brain,” she said. With APS moving to “structured literacy, it’s important for students to develop word recognition and language recognition to be great readers.” Because of the Covid lockdowns, “we’re in a real interesting time in education,” Cruz added. “When all our learning went virtual, there was no handing in of paper, with kids using iPads to submit. Young learners were barely learning how to hold a pencil. The teachers were very creative in having them write out their assignment on paper, and then take a picture of it to submit.” Social Studies Supervisor Kerri Hirsch knows the stereotype about American history classes cutting off before the present. “Teachers are still always pressed for time,” she said, “and they need to follow the sequence outlined in the countywide system, so that when we transition from virtual learning to a classroom, they’re consistent, with no gaps.” But the curriculum, using the 2016 – 2017 McGraw Hill text titled “Virginia and United States History,” allows classes in the final quarter to cover the postWorld War II period. Three-week units include the civil rights era from 1950 to the present, and the post-Cold War period from 1989 on, “so students get a double lens with a difference,” Hirsch says. Essential discussion questions include “How well did U.S. foreign policy decisions meet the needs of the post-Cold War era?” and “What issues have arisen since the 9/11 attacks regarding the balance of security while preserving American ideals?”
Lesson plans allow discussion of the Vietnam war — the major issue of my youth but almost ignored in schools back then — in the broader Asia context. Students are encouraged to raise their own contemporary interests, such as changing race relations. “Current events have so many connections to learning,” Hirsch added. “Teachers need flexibility.”
Codgers like me, Cruz counsels, shouldn’t worry. “We are preparing our students for bright futures without letting go of our connection to the past.” ***
Arlington’s donors, faith groups and businesses are stepping up to aid Afghan refugees, judging by online traffic on Nextdoor.
Long-timers are reminded of our country’s role in the late 1970s receiving more than our share of 230,000 Vietnamese refugees who reached the United States (locally transforming Clarendon) — despite some popular resistance.
Kim O’Connell, the local freelance writer and tour guide of “Little Saigon” who is half Vietnamese, told me she expects the same “mixed picture” with the Afghans. “But what we began almost 50 years ago hasn’t changed,” she said. “Arlington is still a diverse and welcoming community. There was a mixed reaction to refugees in the 1970s, but on balance Arlington was welcoming to the Vietnamese, who were allowed to thrive and become part of the community.”
PAGE 14 |SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2021
How to encourage your child to be more independent
A guide to insulated food containers
In order for children to develop their problem-solving skills, improve their self-esteem and ultimately be academically successful, they need to learn to be independent. Here are some ways to encourage your children to do more on their own.
• Assign your children an increasing number of responsibilities according to their age, abilities and maturity level. Avoid giving them too many new duties at once or choosing tasks for which they don’t have all the necessary skills yet.
• When you assign your children a new responsibility, take the time to clearly explain how to complete the task. Supervise them the first few times, but avoid stepping in to do the job yourself. Remember to be patient, and repeat instructions if necessary.
• If a task is particularly challenging, break it down into several steps. This will help prevent your children from getting discouraged. If they encounter a problem, guide them to a solution by asking questions rather than immediately providing an answer.
• Create a chart or calendar outlining your children’s responsibilities (setting the table, helping do the groceries, brushing their teeth, etc.). If your children can’t read yet, use pictures or symbols to help them keep track of their chores.
Finally, remember to highlight your child’s successes, and praise them for trying even if things don’t go as planned.
If your child doesn’t have easy access to a microwave at school, consider packing their lunch in an insulated food container. This is an ideal way for them to enjoy hot meals. Here are some things to keep in mind if you plan to purchase one.
WHAT TO BUY
Since an insulated food container won’t retain heat as long if it’s only half full, choose a model based on the typical portion size you serve your child. Opt for a container with a large opening, as it’ll be easier to fill and clean. Additionally, look for terms such as “double wall” and “vacuum insulation” in the product description to ensure meals stay hot for more than a few hours.
If you select a stainless-steel insulated food container, keep in mind that this material is highly efficient at retaining heat. Therefore, you’ll need to make sure it’s cool enough to the touch that there’s no risk of your child getting burnt.
HOW TO USE IT
Never put an insulated food container in the microwave. Instead, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Additionally, heat the food to a high temperature (too hot to eat right away) before placing it in the container. This will prevent bacteria growth. If you heat up a meal in the microwave, stir it to ensure the heat is evenly distributed before you place it in the container. Be sure to immediately seal the lid.
Note that food won’t stay hot for long in an insulated food container unless there’s some liquid in it. Therefore, avoid dishes such as fried rice and grilled meats, and opt instead for soups, stews and chili.
Finally, even if the manufacturer claims the container is dishwasher safe, it’s best to clean it by hand. This will ensure it stays in good condition and won’t lose its thermal capabilities. If there’s a lingering scent in the container, fill it with hot water and baking soda, and let it sit for a few hours. FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Should you punish your child
If your child misbehaves at school, you may be wondering how to address the issue. Here’s some advice to keep in mind if your son or daughter gets into trouble during the school day.
Once you’ve been informed about the incident, it’s important to discuss the matter with your child. Keep in mind, however, that they’ve likely already received some form of punishment from their teacher or principal. Therefore, further disciplining your child at home might not be the best solution. If they’ve suffered the consequences for their actions, it’s probably best to move on.
However, there are steps you can take to help prevent a repeat of the incident. Start by inviting your child to explain what happened. Once you’ve heard their side of the story, explain the perspective of the adult who caught them misbehaving. Finally, discuss with your child ways they can respond more appropriately if the situation arises again.
In short, the goal should be to get your child to reflect on their actions and encourage them to make better decisions in the future.
How to streamline your morning routine
With the start of a new school year on the horizon, you may be wondering how to ensure your mornings aren’t spent frantically rushing around. Here are some tips to help you create a stress-free morning routine.
START THE NIGHT BEFORE
One way to save time in the morning is to complete any tasks you can the night before. Be sure to get your kids involved. They can set the table for breakfast, put their gym bag by the front door and lay out the clothes they want to wear.
BE CONSISTENT
As much as possible, do things in the same order every day. This will help make your mornings more efficient and ensure no one forgets to brush their teeth. For young children, an established routine can also help them become more independent.
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS
It’s likely that you’ll need to implement a few changes before you find a morning routine that works for everyone. Give yourself time to adjust to the new school year, and don’t hesitate to divide up tasks between family members.
INCLUDE SOME FREE TIME
Schedule 10 minutes of free time for your children in the morning. Not only will they be tempted to get ready faster so they can play, but you’ll also have some time for yourself. Additionally, this serves as a good buffer if something unexpected comes up.
HAPPY BACK-TOSCHOOL SEASON!
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
LOCAL
SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2021 | PAGE 15
TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD
Are you looking for a refreshing appetizer to serve on a hot day? If so, this sweet and juicy salad is sure to delight your taste buds.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 small Italian tomatoes, quartered • 2 cups yellow cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 cups watermelon, seeded and diced • 1 cup red onion, minced • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled • 1 cup arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil • Juice of one lemon • 1/2 cup cream of balsamic • Salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS 1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the tomatoes, watermelon, red onion, feta, arugula and mint. Divide the salad equally among 4 bowls. 2. Drizzle each salad with a quarter of the olive oil, lemon juice and cream of balsamic. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
CAIPIRINHA
One sip of this sweet Brazilian cocktail will make you think you’re on a beach in Rio de Janeiro. Cheers!
INGREDIENTS
• 4 juicy limes, quartered into wedges • 6 tablespoons sugar or brown sugar • 8 ounces cachaça • 1/2 cup lime juice • 1 lime, sliced into rounds • Mint leaves (optional) • Sliced star fruit (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Cachaça is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice that’s commonly used for cocktails in Brazil.
1. Divide the lime wedges into 4 small glasses. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons of sugar to each glass. Mash with a muddler until you get as much juice out of the lime as possible. 2. Add 2 ounces of cachaça and 1/4 of the lime juice to each glass. Stir well with a spoon. 3. Garnish each glass with a slice of lime. If desired, garnish with mint leaves and star fruit slices as well.
WATERMELON AND GRAPEFRUIT MOCKTAIL
This non-alcoholic beverage is the perfect drink to sip by a pool or barbecue.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups watermelon, seeded and cubed • 1 cup pink grapefruit juice • 4 tablespoons simple syrup • Grapefruit-flavoured sparkling water • 8 lime slices • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, mash 1 cup of watermelon cubes with a muddler or fork until they have a coarse texture. Divide the purée between 4 tall glasses. 2. Add 1/4 of the grapefruit juice and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup to each glass. Mix with a spoon. 3. Fill each glass with the grapefruit-flavoured sparkling water. Divide the remaining watermelon cubes between each glass. Garnish with lime slices and a sprig of rosemary.
HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 3 to 5 minutes) and the mixture has thickened. The syrup can be stored
