Stories for June 2013

Sacred Threads: Quilt Exhibit with Meaning

Besides being beautiful to look at, handmade quilts can convey powerful messages. Such are the quilts that will be on display during Sacred Threads 2013.

Column: No Shame in Crying

Nor is it a crying shame. But something has changed, dare I say affected my tear duct production. I can’t say with certainty – or even specify a particular moment in time for sure – when the tears began to flow more easily, but I’ll guess the change occurred sometime on or around February 27, 2009, the day I first met my oncologist; the day I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), “prognosed” to live 13 months to two years. If that kind of shocking, terminal-type news doesn’t upset your apple cart – permanently, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” And so it has, as reflected in my frequent “salty discharge” (to quote Jerry Seinfeld).

Editorial: Ready for Your Pet’s Close-up?

The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish July 24. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.

Potoman/North Sends off Talented Players

The Potomac/North U16 and U19 teams, full of Fairfax County players, both took home the Gold Medal Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23 the VA Commonwealth Games (The Virginia Olympics) for Field Hockey at the University of Virginia.

Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates Speak in Reston

Northern Virginia Technology Council hosts Ken Cuccinelli, Terry McAuliffe.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council hosted Virginia’s two gubernatorial candidates Thursday, June 20 at Microsoft’s Reston offices.

Herndon High School Graduation Viewpoints

Where are you headed in the fall and where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Herndon High Class of 2013 Graduates

Four hundred and eighty-eight seniors graduate at Patriot Center.

The 488 members of the Herndon High School Class of 2013 took their final steps as high school students Tuesday, June 18 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax.

Operation: Ladybug at Herndon-based Children's Science Center

The Children's Science Center of Herndon, at 485 Spring Park Place, Suite 500, is providing some ideas for backyard science this summer, with a call to young scientists to identify various species of ladybugs in their backyard.

Week in Herndon

Current events and news in Herndon.

Cox Communications Hosts Family Safety Fair

Cox Communications continues its efforts to keep families safe in their digital lives and beyond by hosting a Family Safety Day at its Herndon Solutions Store (3080 Centreville Road, Herndon) on June 29 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Herndon Town Calendar Photo Exhibit

ArtSpace Herndon and the Council for the Arts of Herndon have chosen 60 photographs to appear in the third annual Herndon Town Calendar Photo Competition.

Promoting Recycling in Herndon Neighborhoods

The Four Seasons and Hunters Creek neighborhoods, both located in the Town of Herndon, will square off in a “Battle of the Bottles” to determine which neighborhood increases its percentage of recycled material throughout the month of July.

Sacred Threads: Quilt Exhibit With Meaning

Besides being beautiful to look at, handmade quilts can convey powerful messages.

‘A Way to Say That His Life Mattered’

Westfield teacher, students raise money to honor Matt Peterson.

Matt Peterson was just 16 when his father inexplicably killed him, his mother and younger brother in their Herndon home before taking his own life.

10 Years Incarceration For Former Teacher

Robert C. Fenn convicted of child-porn offenses.

Little more than a year ago, Oak Hill resident Robert C. Fenn was about to finish his first year of teaching at Poplar Tree Elementary, where he taught special-ed students in kindergarten through third grade.

Legislators Honored

Dulles Corridor Rail Association honors delegates, senators who helped provide Phase 2 funding.

HB2313 Supporters Helped Provide $300 Million for Phase 2: Senate of Virginia George L. Barker, Charles J. Colgan, Adam P. Ebbin, Barbara A. Favola, Mark R. Herring, Janet D. Howell, David W. Marsden, Linda T. Puller, Richard L. Saslaw Virginia House of Delegates David B. Albo, Robert H. Brink, David L. Bulova, Eileen Filler-Corn, Thomas A. Greason, Charniele L. Herring, Patrick A. Hope, Mark L. Keam, Kaye Kory, Robert K. Krupicka, James M. LeMunyon, Alfonso H. Lopez, Joe T. May, Randall J. Minchew, Kenneth R. Plum, Thomas Davis Rust, James M. Scott, Mark D. Sickles, Scott A. Surovell, Luke E. Torian, Vivian E. Watts Keep up with Phase 2 developments of the Silver Line at http://www.dullescorridorrail.com/www.dullescorridorrail.com.

Paving ‘Virginia’s Road to the Future’

Transportation Authority solicits public input on first year of proposed projects.

City Hall in the City of Fairfax was the location of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) June 20 Open House and Public Hearing, seeking public opinion on proposed regional transportation projects. The Authority was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2002 to provide a common voice for all Northern Virginia stakeholders on transportation and related issues. The Authority is made up of representatives from the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, and one representative for the towns of Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, Dumfries and Vienna. The group also includes several members of the Virginia Assembly, governor appointees and non-voting representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Housing’s Roaring Rebound?

Pent-up demand creates seller’s market for Northern Virginia real estate.

In February, Patricia Stack, a broker with Weichert Realtors, held an open house for a single-family home for sale in Vienna just listed for $739,000. Within three hours, more than 70 people toured the home.

Classified Advertising June 19, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Boy Dies at Fox Mill Elementary School

Bennett Rill, 14, fatally electrocuted behind school.

Fairfax County Police and Fire personnel were called to Fox Mill Elementary School shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. Upon arrival they discovered 14-year-old Bennett Rill of Herndon electrocuted and pronounced him dead on arrival.

Express Lanes Construction Could Impact Travel on I-95

As the construction on the 95 Express Lanes project increases over the summer, motorists traveling to Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks in North Carolina as well as other points south should be aware that the HOV lanes will be closed overnight on weekdays and occasional weekends throughout the summer, and there will be intermittent lane closures overnight for steel erection and other work, making travel on the general purpose lanes challenging. In addition to the 95 Express Lanes project, there is also a shoulder improvement project underway on I-95 in Prince William County and a BRAC-related ramp work from the HOV lanes to the Fort Belvoir North Area that may impact travel.

Teen Electrocuted on Fox Mill Elementary School Grounds

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, police and fire were called to Fox Mill Elementary School at 2611 Viking Drive in Herndon. First responders arrived and located four juvenile males: three 14-year-olds and one 15-year-old. One of the 14-year-olds had inadvertently come into contact with a live electrical wire and was electrocuted. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Operation: Ladybug at Herndon Science Center

The Children's Science Center of Herndon, at 485 Spring Park Place, Suite 500, is providing some ideas for backyard science this summer, with a call to young scientists to identify various species of ladybugs in their backyard. The challenge is part of a project, Operation: Ladybug, a collaborative effort between Cornell University’s Lost Ladybug Project and the Children’s Science Center to gather data for entomologists.

Paint the Pub Purple

Come one, come all event at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Herndon.

Prepare to “Paint the Pub Purple” when O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Herndon hosts a happy hour benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) on Thursday, June 27. Taking place from 4-8 p.m., the happy hour will bring together supporters with drink and food specials and live music.

Classical Ballet Theatre Dancers Reach New Heights

Serious dancers throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area are finding a home at Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT). They come to receive preeminent, year-round classical ballet instruction under the auspices of former Bolshoi Ballet star and CBT Artistic Director Alisher Saburov. Dancers enroll to perform in the many Children's Series, community outreach, and full-length ballet productions, where they don stunning costumes and dance beautifully choreographed leading roles.

Week in Herndon

Town of Herndon 4th of July Schedule

Town of Herndon government offices and services will be impacted by the Independence Day holiday as follows: Town offices—closed Thursday, July 4. Farmers Market—open 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Refuse collection—refuse will not be collected. Refuse normally collected on Thursday will be collected on Friday, July 5. Herndon Community Center—open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Herndon Centennial Golf Course—open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Special event—4th of July Celebration and fireworks at Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Ave. Free. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and include children’s crafts, bingo and family music. Fireworks at dark. For more information, visit herndon-va.gov.

Letter: Young Referees Face Verbal Abuse

To the Editor:

Youth recreational basketball has finally ended. These days, children can play in house leagues from November through final playoff games in June. What they need and can't play without however, not counting coaches, league administrators and venues, are the referees.

Promoting Recycling in Herndon Neighborhoods

The Four Seasons and Hunters Creek neighborhoods, both located in the Town of Herndon, will square off in a “Battle of the Bottles” to determine which neighborhood increases its percentage of recycled material throughout the month of July.

Dominion Virginia Power, Assistance League of Northern Virginia Pack Food Bags

As part of their Weekend Food for Kids program, Assistance League of Northern Virginia, in collaboration with Dominion Virginia Power, purchased food and packed over 11,900 individual food bags for hungry children during the 2012-2013 school year. Dominion Virginia Power provided a $20,000 grant to support this program. In addition, 160 Dominion volunteers donated over 800 hours to help 44 Assistance League volunteers feed 1,500 students who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunches in five schools in Prince William County, Fairfax County, Falls Church and the city of Alexandria. The students received nutritious supplementary food to take home for the weekend on a monthly basis.

Wolf Announces Appointments to the Nation’s Service Academies

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) announced the 10th District’s Class of 2017 appointments to the nation’s service academies, as well as those selected for academy prep schools. Those appointed to the United States Air Force Academy from our area include: Katherine Fitzgerald, Great Falls, Langley; United States Marine Merchant Academy: Rachel Wehlburg, Herndon, Chantilly; United States Military Academy: Phillip Grant, Herndon, Westfield; Patrick Kearney, McLean, Langley; United States Naval Academy: Lucia Lee, Herndon, Thomas Jefferson; Catherine Macklin, McLean, Langley; United States Coast Guard Academy: Alex LaBelle, Great Falls, Langley; Sierra Webb, Great Falls, Langley.

Week in Fairfax

Fair Oaks Townhouse Fire

Fire officials say a blaze last week at a Fair Oaks townhouse caused an estimated $50,000 damage. The single-family home is at 4815 Green Duck Lane, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Reston Town Center Gives Taste of Reston

More than 20 vendors show off signature dishes at annual festival.

Paul Jones of Reston has one secret to success when it comes to the annual Taste of Reston festival: where there’s smoke, there’s food.

South Lakes Seniors Graduate

Class of 2013 features 104 International Baccalaureate, 119 honor graduates.

The South Lakes High School Class of 2013 gathered for the final time as students at the school, leaving the building that evening, Friday, June 14, as South Lakes alumni.

New Healthcare Facility Opens in Herndon

Clinic is first in Fairfax County to receive Affordable Healthcare Act funding.

HealthWorks for Northern Virginia opened a new healthcare center in Herndon Tuesday, June 11, the first such facility in Fairfax County that will receive funding from the federal government via the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Herndon Garden Tour Set for June 23

Annual tour features four local gardens.

The Herndon Garden Tour will be held Sunday, June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. The annual tour will feature four local residences and allow visitors to explore and learn about their gardens.

Classified Advertising June 12, 2013

Read the lastest ads here!

Column: Full Circle

I hope it’s not a wrap though. I’d like to continue rolling along just like I rolled into college in late August, 1972, matriculating to the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Oddly/coincidentally enough, there have been and continue to be some recent occurrences in my life that hearken back to yesteryear, the olden days of the early 1970s, when I freshmen-oriented myself to a major university for the first time.

Rock the Pink at Occoquan

The two day event featured over one hundred teams, with hundreds of players participating in the fundraiser. The goal was to raise $50,000 for breast cancer research.

Fishing in the Rain

Friday afternoon, June 7, Jeremy Charles, a student at Hartford College in Pennsylvania on school break, pulled this bass from Lake Anne in the rain. Three of the neighbors with fishing experience estimated the bass, caught off the end of the main pier near the fountain, at easily 12 lbs. Charles returned it to the lake.

Silver Line Testing Continues

WMATA cars continue testing all along the Phase 1 alignment from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue in Reston.

Celebrating, Remembering and Fighting Back in Herndon

Relay for Life held at Herndon Middle School.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) hosted a Relay for Life in Herndon Saturday, June 8, at Herndon Middle School. This was the fourth year the event was hosted at Herndon Middle School. Herndon resident Sheila Grooms was the event chairperson. At 1 p.m. there were opening ceremonies for the event at the Herndon Middle School outside on the track and field. The Herndon High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard performed the flag ceremony, and the national anthem was performed by Shennan O’Day, a Herndon Middle School student.

On the Campaign Trail

Turnout for Tuesday's primary was abysmally low, with only 140,000 participating in the voting.

Establishment Wins Democratic Primary

State senators beat out first-time candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Two first-time candidates had a hard time beating back the establishment this week, as two state senators won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and attorney general Tuesday night.

Fairfax Celebrated

The Celebrate Fairfax Festival on June 8 gave a wide variety of fun exhibits and activities for everyone, human and non-human alike.

Creating Livable Community For All Ages

County and local organizations seek to find and meet seniors’ needs.

People over 55 make up approximately 30 percent of Fairfax County’s population, making them the largest population group. Many of that group have chosen, or plan, to spend their later years in Fairfax County, but as they age in place, there are certain services and resources needed.

Restonians Receive Lord, Lady Honors

Amanda Andere, Arthur Hill, Patricia Nicoson honored.

Three Restonians were recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, June 4 as Lords and Ladies of Fairfax. Each supervisor named a man and a woman to highlight their community service efforts.

Herndon Naval JROTC Cadets Leave Legacy

Graduating Naval JROTC cadets recognized for achievements.

Herndon High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has been an integral part of the school’s fabric for years.

Lake Anne Hosts Summer Film Series

'Back to the Future' is first installment.

Dark clouds and the threat of rain didn’t deter more than 100 people from gathering at Lake Anne Plaza for the first installment of Lake Anne’s summer film festival. The crowd gathered in front of a large movie screen to watch the 1985 classic “Back to the Future.”

'Snow White and Rose Red' Opens at Industrial Strength Theatre

"Snow White and Rose Red" by Carter Burch will be shown in a June 15 to June 30 production at the Industrial Strength Theatre at 269 Sunset Park Drive in Herndon.

Art in The Windows at ArtSpace Herndon

Artwork transforms the ArtSpace Herndon building.

The Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts announced a first time event featuring public fine art panels, each 90”W x 50”H, installed in four empty window frames on the exterior of the ArtSpace Herndon building at 750 Center Street.

Big Trucks Come to Floris

Kindergarten students examine trucks, meet drivers.

The Kindergarten class of Floris Elementary took part in the 18th annual Big Truck Day on Tuesday, June 4, in the school parking lot.

Dominion Virginia Power, Assistance League of Northern Virginia Pack Food Bags

Dominion Virginia Power, purchased food and packed over 11,900 individual food bags for hungry children during the 2012-2013 school year.

Arts Competition Attracts More Schools

Ninth Annual SAIC Technology and the Arts Competition Awards Ceremony held.

On Monday, May 20, The Council for the Arts of Herndon presented the ninth Annual SAIC Technology and the Arts Competition Awards Reception at the SAIC Conference Center in McLean.

Roundups

Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, June 6, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.

‘Age in Place’ to Satisfy Evolving Needs

A common “aging in place” transition involves adding an accessible master suite to the first floor.

Many couples are seizing the opportunity to transform their beloved home into a space that fits their specific short- and long-term needs.

Reston Community Center Indoor Facility Study Unveiled

Proposed new facility would have pool, fitness features.

The Reston Community Center Board of Governors Long-Range Planning Committee heard the results of the latest study on a possible indoor recreation facility Monday, June 3.

Two Killed in Taxicab Collision

Norbert Sebok, 29, and Jozsef Szathmari, 24, killed morning of June 1.

Norbert Sebok, 29, and Jozsef Szathmari, 24, of Sterling were killed in a car crash in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 1.

Herndon High School Step Team Crowned National Champs

Herndon High School Step Team wins second national championship in three years.

The Herndon High School Step team stood onstage holding hands, waiting anxiously for the results in the 2013 Youth Step USA National Championships Saturday, May 25. As the names of the top five finishers started coming in, coach Gary Bushrod started hearing every name but theirs.

Herndon Celebrates 33rd Festival

Annual festival brings live music, entertainment to downtown Herndon.

By the time it gets to Saturday, the third day of the three-day annual Herndon Festival, Jimmy Schwein of Herndon knows exactly what he wants to do. Having grown up coming to the festival, he’s used to coming at least three of the four days.

And the Winners Are …

Cappies Gala on Sunday, June 9, at Kennedy Center.

The 14th Annual Cappies Gala will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, in the 2,400-seat Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Greek Mythology, 80s Disco Meet at South Lakes

South Lakes High School present “Xanadu.”

Produced first as an initial-flop of a movie, “Xanadu” went on to gain a cult following and inspired the musical of the same name. “Xanadu” was penned by Douglas Carter Beane with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and to contrast the movie, opened on Broadway in 2007 to rave reviews.

Annual Herndon Festival 10k and 5k Races Held

The Town of Herndon held the annual Herndon Festival 10k and 5k races on Sunday, June 2. The competition had an increase in the number of participants. “We had a great turnout this year, about 250 more runners than last year, about a thousand total,” said Thomas Schoenauer, this year’s race director. Schoenauer has been working at the Town of Herndon as the Recreation Services Supervisor since August of 2012. Both races were run on certified courses throughout the Town of Herndon on paved roads. The event began and concluded at the Herndon Community Center at 814 Ferndale Ave. in Herndon.

Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The sisters of the Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary by hosting a Red Shoe Jazz Luncheon at the Hyatt Dulles in Herndon on May 18, with more than 400 guests in attendance. Among the honored guests were members of the Divine Nine, local and out of state dignitaries, and scholarship recipients. Fourteen vendors were spread throughout the reception area to provide attendees with selections of jewelry, clothing, art and Greek paraphernalia. The soulful trio Travelers Band provided live entertainment.

Herndon High Drama Presents ‘The Tempest’

The Herndon High School drama team put on a production of William Shakespeare’s last play, “The Tempest” on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.

Plane Lands in Herndon Living Room

Pilot and passenger survive the crash.

Virginia State Police were called to an apartment complex on the 2200 block of Astoria Circle in Herndon at 12:17 a.m. Friday, May 31. A two-seat, single-engine Cessna had crash landed into the top floor of a three-story apartment building. The nose of the plane came to rest on the living room floor of a third-story apartment.

Dominion Virginia Power, Assistance League of Northern Virginia Pack Food Bags

As part of their Weekend Food for Kids program, Assistance League of Northern Virginia, in collaboration with Dominion Virginia Power, purchased food and packed over 11,900 individual food bags for hungry children during the 2012-2013 school year.

Commentary: Respecting Parents’ Roles

Parental notice is key to school discipline reform.

Most Fairfax County parents assume that they will be called before their child is questioned for something that could ruin their academic career, just as they are when their kid is sick or injured. That is not the case.

Brief: Reston Hospital Center Awards County Students Scholarships

Reston Hospital Center awarded scholarships to 11 Fairfax County High School seniors in recognition of their academic excellence and excitement for pursuing a career in healthcare.