Stories for January 2014

Confused and then Infused

Since March 6, 2009, nearly five years now, save for nine months when I was taking an oral chemotherapy medication at home, every three weeks I have been infused with some sort of chemotherapy drug. In that time, I have certainly become familiar and fairly well-known to the various staff at The Infusion Center. What follows is the most recent exchange with the receptionist in Oncology, as best as I can recall it.

Debate Over School Budget Continues

Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.

Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.

Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations

Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.

While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.

Aggressive Auslander Leads Herndon Boys

Talented Hornets have state-title aspirations.

The Herndon boys' basketball team has won 14 of its first 16 games.

Jim Moran: The $15 Million Congressman

During his years in Congress, Moran raised and spent about $1 million each campaign cycle.

One of the first things that happened after U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced he would not be running for reelection this year was that he cancelled a fundraising event.

Music Loft Distributes Donated Instruments For Students

Teachers collect instruments at Music Loft.

On Friday, Jan. 17, school music teachers collected instruments at the Music Loft in Herndon. These musical instruments had been collected by the Council for the Arts of Herndon Play it Forward instrument drive. “We start the Play it Forward Campaign again in April,” said Laura Readyoff, who is on the board of directors for the council and the co-owner of the Music Loft.

Savor the Audacious

NextStop's unexpected take on Shakespeare's "Richard III."

A daring performance of Shakespeare's "Richard III" is coming to Herndon. "This is something that has never been done and an amazing opportunity to bring Shakespeare back to Herndon in a bold new way ... It will be an experience that is not to be missed,” Evan Hoffman said, artistic director of NextStop Theatre's production of "Richard III." "Our work has so often been about pushing the envelope and being just as bold with the classics as we are with newer works," Hoffman said. In this instance, he is describing a production that will feature a deaf actor in the lead role of Richard, one of the Bard's most charming bad boy villains.

ArtSpace Hires New Executive Director

Lawrence Verbiest has been named executive director of ArtSpace Herndon. On Jan. 8, the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts’ board of directors voted to offer the position to Verbiest. He accepted the position and began work on Jan. 21.

Camp Keeps Students Busy During Teacher Workdays

Herndon Community Center will hold a two-day camp on Jan. 30-31 for children ages 6-11.

The Herndon Community Center has an answer for parents wondering how to keep their children busy during the teacher workdays on Jan. 30 and 31. What youngster doesn’t love a day packed with swimming, sports, games and science experiments?

Cartoon: 10 to 20 Years

10 to 20 Years

Winter Activities in Herndon to Keep Families Active

Keep all family members busy with variety of events around Herndon during the colder months.

Between snow days and teacher workdays, it’s easy to worry that your family may spend the day indoors with nothing to do. Luckily, the town has a variety of classes and children’s activities to offer at the Herndon Community Center, live music at downtown restaurants, and plays to be seen performed by the town’s own professional acting company. Here are some ideas to get started for winter fun plans:

Wexton Supporters Ensure Victory Despite Weather

Voters brave bad weather in state senate election.

By 12:20 p.m. more than 680 votes had been cast at Herndon Elementary School. “The turnout has been medium, fairly steady” said Robert Walker, chief election officer at the Herndon Elementary School. “One of the touch screens was acting up, so we took it out, it did not have any votes on it.”

Quilt Exhibit on Display at ArtSpace Herndon

”Something Blue” on exhibit until March 2.

Fine textile art with quilts of many shapes and designs are showcased in the exhibit “Something Blue” at ArtSpace Herndon. The show features 75 pieces of quilt art, and it was organized with the help of Dorry Emmer and Sarah Entsminger. Twenty-three quilters have lent their work to be hung on display at this exhibit, which will continue until March 2. “I do believe that there is now an increase in interest in learning textile arts as compared to the 1980s and ‘90s,” said Dorry Emmer, a resident of Great Falls. “Within quilting a subsection has sprung up called ‘modern quilting’ and this is attracting younger people as they see it being more contemporary. But really, modern quilting has more similarities to traditional quilting than differences.”

Holidays Are Over, But Need Still Exists

Commentary

We live in a community comprised of people from many diverse backgrounds. What a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. We are able to live in culturally vibrant communities, teach our children how to live in a multicultural world and we are able to learn tolerance and respect for others. God wants every individual to know that he is loved and valued. Jesus said in Luke 10:27 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with your entire mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Chili Bowl Cook Off Held at Herndon Trinity Presbyterian

Eighth annual chili bowl competition brings community together.

The 8th Annual Chili Bowl Cook Off was held Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Fellowship Hall in Herndon’s Trinity Presbyterian Church. This year there were 12 contestants who brought their homemade chili, in addition to other guests and congregants who brought items including cornbreads and salads. “Every year it has gotten a little bigger, and competition grows, but it is also a lot of fun,” said Pastor Stephen Smith-Cobbs, a resident of Herndon.

Herndon Gymnast Bradley Knocks Off Rust

Freshman wins all-around at Jan. 16 home meet.

The Herndon gymnastics team placed second at a home meet on Jan. 16.

Classified Advertising January 22, 2014

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Into the Budget Fray

Bulova highlights accomplishments, challenges in annual address.

Despite the lingering impact of an anemic economy, and the regional ripple effects of federal sequestration, Fairfax County residents will see some concrete signs of progress this year.

Editorial: Extend Health Coverage in Virginia

Standing on what is essentially scorched earth, Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly have condemned hundreds of thousands of poor Virginians to living without health coverage even though it would be fully funded by Federal money for the next three years, and with Virginia paying 10 percent after five years.

Friends Forever

Since it had been more than a few months, today I summoned up the courage to Google my long-time friend and fellow stage IV lung cancer survivor, Suzanne. Suzanne and I had been years out of touch (for no real reason other than initiative and the geographic consideration that she lived in Barnstable, Ma. and I live in Burtonsville, Md.) and recently back in touch – due to our identical cancer diagnoses. I learned that she had succumbed to her disease back in October, 2013. We last had contact electronically back in the summer. She was extremely weak then, she said, too weak to talk, so e-mailing was best. In that e-mail, ultimately her last, she wrote that the most recent chemotherapy drug with which she was infused was no longer effective and that her oncologist had no other drugs left to recommend. Not that she said it in so many words, but at that point her prognosis was grim. She offered that her two boys were with her and from them she would gain great comfort. The news was very unsettling to me and I was afraid that this e-mail might be our last – and so it was.

‘Broadway Magic’ To Be Shown at Herndon High

A “crazy colorful, an explosion of fun” show.

“When you guys land, land on the balls of your feet, don’t land with your feet flat. Then pivot on right foot, but sing the melody,” Dana Van Slyke said. Herndon High School’s Choral Director Van Slyke was speaking to students in the school auditorium practicing choreography for a song from the musical “South Pacific.” The cast and crew conducted a weekend recital to prepare for the annual cabaret show. “The cabaret show is about an hour and a half production of songs from classical musicals all the way to contemporary shows,” Van Slyke said.

Floris United Methodist Opens Doors to Area Homeless

Members of Floris United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Herndon have participated in programs assisting the area’s homeless for years, mostly through food and clothing donations and by volunteering to serve meals at shelters and seasonal food pantries and kitchens. Last year a number of the congregation who have given their time to those efforts decided to see if FUMC would take their involvement to the next level by agreeing to literally open the church doors for one week as part of the annual Hypothermia Prevention and Response program coordinated by local non-profit FACETS. The response by FUMC leadership and worshipers alike was overwhelmingly positive.

Herndon High Cadets Head to National Championship

Herndon High’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets did not let a cold and dreary day stand in the way of their pursuit of the February 2014 Orienteering National Championship. As one of only two corps with five teams to have completed their courses successfully, the Herndon NJROTC secured an overall 4th place finish in the highly competitive Area Five Orienteering Championship.

Music Loft Distributes Donated Instruments For Students

Teachers collect instruments at Music Loft.

On Friday, Jan. 17, school music teachers collected instruments at the Music Loft in Herndon. These musical instruments had been collected by the Council for the Arts of Herndon Play it Forward instrument drive. “We start the Play it Forward Campaign again in April,” said Laura Readyoff, who is on the board of directors for the council and the co-owner of the Music Loft.

‘Helping Hungry Kids’

Saturday food drives at Herndon and Reston grocery stores provide weekends meals for area students.

Every Saturday leading up to Feb. 17, customers walking into the Fox Mill and North Point shopping center Giant grocery stores will be able to provide food for hungry elementary school children in Herndon and Reston. The Helping Hungry Kids program kicked off its Stuff the Bus food collection program Jan. 18, at area grocery stores, complete with shopping carts and a stack of food ready to be purchased for generous customers. Volunteers at the front of the store handed out flyers to customers and asked them to help by purchasing $11 bags filled with child-sized portions of items like macaroni and cheese, granola bars and sugar-free applesauce. “A lot of the people who come here just take the bag and prepare it themselves,” said Colleen Cavitz, a Chantilly resident who has been volunteering each month for three years.

Vandal Damages Windows of Council Chamber Building

Police arrived at the Herndon Town Council Chamber building Friday night, Jan. 17, to find that several large windows around the outside of the building had been smashed. Witnesses reported seeing a tall black male throw an object at the Council Chamber building in downtown Herndon at 10:45 p.m. before taking off running toward Grace Street.

Police Identify Body Found in Creek off of Locust Street

A resident reported finding the body of an adult male in downtown Herndon.

Herndon Police determined late Friday, Jan. 17, that a body found in a creek bed at the intersection of Locust and Center streets in downtown Herndon was that of 30-year-old Damien Patrick Scanlan.

Certificates of Congratulations Given at Council Session

Pride of Herndon Marching Band and John Mosesso recognized.

“We have several presentations this evening and we are very excited about all of them because this is the stuff that makes living in Herndon the great place that it is,” said Mayor Lisa Merkel. Merkel was speaking at the Jan. 14 Herndon Town Council Public Session, and she invited town councilmember Melissa Jonas to read the official Certificate of Congratulations for the Herndon High School's “Pride of Herndon” Marching Band.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: December, 2013

In December 2013, 57 homes sold between $1,365,433-$125,000 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: December, 2013

Classified Advertising January 15, 2014

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Virginia Supreme Court Opens Access to Audio Recordings of Oral Arguments

Policy change overturns blackout instituted in 2008.

Members of the Virginia Supreme Court have a New Year’s Resolution — become more transparent.

South Lakes’ Aghayere, Rendle Dominate Boards in Victory

Madison’s Koshuta scores 28 points in defeat.

The South Lakes girls' basketball team defeated Madison 60-52 on Jan. 10.

Oakton’s Weaver Leads Gymnastics Team to Victory

Sophomore wins all-around competition.

The Oakton gymnastics team won a home meet on Jan. 9.

And the Winners Are …

Trang Nguyen wins spelling bee competition at Herndon Middle School.

“Once you spell the word, there is no going back,” said Nancy Galm, English teacher at the Herndon Middle School on Locust Street. Galm was addressing a group of more than 20 students attending Herndon Middle School who had won or placed their way into the annual spelling bee competition. The competition was held on Jan. 8.

Tobacco Challenge

To the Editor: This month is the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report that let everyone know smoking was linked to cancer and other diseases. Much has changed since then, even in Virginia - smokefree restaurants, youth smoking prevention programs, federal tax increases, free phone counseling (1-800-QUIT NOW). All have helped lower adult smoking rates in Virginia to 19 percent.

From Late Night Comedy to Your Bedroom

Why the General Assembly matters more in Virginia than most states.

The Virginia General Assembly began its annual session last week on Jan. 8. The actions of the Virginia General Assembly matter more to localities than it would in many other states. In Virginia, localities have only the power specifically granted by the General Assembly, the Dillon rule. So, for example, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland recently voted to increase the minimum wage in those localities. They didn’t need permission from Maryland General Assembly to do so. Arlington and Alexandria might be inclined to follow suit (the District government also voted to increase the minimum wage) but do not have that power.

In Case Someone Is Wondering

I don’t mind being alive, really I don’t. Occasionally though, I receive well-intended inquiries – electronic and otherwise, from people (who know my cancer story) who are sort of wondering if perhaps I’m not. When people haven’t heard from me in a while – and this is a category of people with whom I don’t have regular/recurring interactions, but rather a group of people who reach out and attempt to touch me (figuratively speaking) every three or four months or so – there is a presumption on their part that my silence (so far as they know) is not in fact golden, but rather ominous, as in the cancer might have won and yours truly didn’t. And when I respond, their pleasure/relief at my not having succumbed to the disease is quite positive, generally speaking. Their honesty and joy in learning that I’m still alive is both rewarding and gratifying. Rewarding in that they care and gratifying in that I must be doing something right which enables me to sustain myself through a very difficult set of medical circumstances: stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, the terminal kind (is there any other kind?).

Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws

State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.

As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.

Herndon High Students Broadcast ‘Herndon Live’

Students begin TV program with Herndon Community Television.

In January on Friday at 5 p.m. Herndon’s non-profit, cable access PEG station Herndon Community Television (HCTV) presented the first episode of “Herndon Live” a new program showcasing events, reviews, interviews and news. Assisting the production of the first episode were Herndon residents Nancy Rose, Blake Rose, and their son, Brian Rose. “I started volunteering and using the equipment at HCTV when I was about 9 or 10,” said Brian Rose. “I am there to give the Herndon Live group what they need to do their show whether it be advice or teaching them equipment... I am there to make sure things go smoothly.”

Historic Figures Come to Area Schools

Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry impersonators visit Reston and Herndon elementary schools.

Two unlikely historical celebrities paid a visit to Fox Mill Elementary School students on Wednesday, Jan. 8, for a special assembly. When Principal Mie Devers announced that Thomas Jefferson would be a guest at their school that day, the cafeteria filled with sitting children began buzzing with excitement; at the mention of his friend, Patrick Henry, a large number of the sitting students shouted excitedly. Jefferson, played by Bill Barker, and Henry, played by Richard Schumann, arrived at the school cafeteria at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Henry arrived first. After he introduced himself, he spoke of his undying love for the state of Virginia, as well as his recent visit to his good friend George Mason at his “Academy” just up the road. Just as he began to disparage the highly federalized country of France as compared to the United States’ new republic, President Jefferson interrupted, “I beg your pardon!” as he stepped into the cafeteria.

Area Roundups

AAUW Program Kicks Off 2014—Jan. 25

January 25 at 10 a.m. is the date to mark on your calendars. That is when the American Association of University Women of Reston and Herndon jointly with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) will offer a special presentation on human sex trafficking in our communities.

Classified Advertising January 8, 2014

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Winter Concerts Wow Audiences At Herndon High

Herndon students display their musical skills.

In December, students in the Herndon High choir and band were very active. Members of the Herndon High School Band "Pride of Herndon" went to Hawaii to represent Virginia in the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. The Pride of Herndon was awarded Grand Champion honors for their performance. The Herndon High School Choir Department has also been busy with choral groups putting on performances for the holiday season. This included an evening show on Dec. 7 at Herndon Town Square by The Herndon High School Madrigals and Herndon Brass Quintet.

Living With My Decisions

On multiple occasions throughout my nearly five years of being treated for stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, my oncologist has given me opportunities to stop and/or take a break from my treatment, or to consider alternatives to the normal protocols – for the expressed (literally) purpose of sustaining/enhancing the unexpected, above-average quality of life I have mostly experienced during my nearly non-stop, every three-week chemotherapy infusions which began in early March, 2009. The goal being to enable me to enjoy my life and not be subjected to/beaten down by the ravaging and debilitating effects of chemotherapy.

Kitchen Organization for the New Year

Local organizers, designers and culinary experts offer smart tips for making space and clearing clutter.

If organizing an unruly kitchen, one where there never seems to be enough space for storage containers and pots and pans, is on your list of resolutions this year, the project might be less daunting than you think. From creating a system for grouping spices to keeping plates in easy reach, local experts share secrets for a well-maintained kitchen. Hang pots and pans inside pantry doors, says Sallie Kjos of GreyHunt Interiors in Chantilly. "It organizes them, but decoratively can look effective."

Top Designs of 2013

Local builders look back on their most impressive spaces.

From outdoor patios with the comforts of indoor family rooms to a stark white bathroom replete with Carrara marble flooring, local designers said they’ve created some spectacular living spaces in 2013. Their personal favorites may be surprising, and include a lot of kitchens and bathrooms.

Trendiest Color for 2014: Radiant Orchid

Local designers offer tips on using this exotic hue tastefully and share their own color predictions.

It has been called exotic, vibrant and even magical. Now it has been named the 2014 color of the year: orchid, or radiant orchid to be exact.

New Year Celebrated At ArtSpace Herndon

Families and friends enjoy annual New Year’s gala.

“The ArtSpace is always packed for this event, everything from the children’s program to the jazz concert,” said Al Robertson, a Herndon resident and musician who preformed at the ArtSpace Herndon New Year’s Eve gala. “I thank the Town of Herndon and the Herndon Board of Directors and committees at ArtSpace for an outstanding community program.” Hundreds of visitors from around the

Supervisor Foust and the Council for the Arts of Herndon Deliver Shoes and Gift Cards to Hutchison Elementary School

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and Signe Friedrichs, executive director of the Council for the Arts of Herndon delivered an assortment of new shoes and gift cards donated by Dranesville residents and members of the Council for the Arts of Herndon to Hutchison Elementary School Principal Judy Baldwin on Monday, Dec. 16.

Style and Harmony on a Bookshelf

Clever ideas for organizing bookcases.

Whether one’s bookshelves house a literary library or a mixture of photos and media equipment, most do double or triple storage duty. Because bookshelves are multifunctional, however, it is easy to end up with a chaotic and unorganized space.

Bathroom Organization for New Year

Simple strategies for storing bathroom essentials.

Cluttered bathrooms where the medicine cabinet contains everything from batteries to old toothbrushes and a linen closet where towels and sheets are intermingled with flashlights and scrub brushes can be the bane of anyone’s existence. However, a new year can offer a fresh start in one of the most-used rooms in one’s home.

Week in Herndon

Sen. Warner, Rep. Wolf to Hold Town Hall

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and the Professional Services Council (PSC) announced that Sen. Mark Warner and congressman Frank Wolf will participate in a town hall forum with members of the region’s technology and contracting community. During the event, Sen. Warner and Rep. Wolf will explain the budget deal and agreed-upon sequestration levels recently passed by Congress. In addition, they will discuss the impact these issues will have on the local economy. The event is schedule for Friday, Jan. 10, with registration and networking at 8 – 8:30 a.m. and the program with Sen. Warner and Rep. Wolf at 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at Sprint, 12524 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston.

Reston Business Honored at Event in Centreville

The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) has been open two years now, making a huge difference in the lives of the day laborers it serves. And on Saturday, Dec. 7, those involved in the center’s success celebrated its anniversary. The Centreville Immigration Forum is responsible for the center’s continuing operation, and during the ceremony, CIF President Alice Foltz presented framed certificates to several people, acknowledging their contributions to the CLRC.

To Be a Jew in the Free World!

The challenges of freedom & identity in the modern era.

When the age of faith gave way to the age of reason and the modern world was launched, the Jewish people were profoundly affected. With the emergence of the United States and the enshrinement of religious freedom as a fundamental right of all citizens, the nature of Jewish life in the Diaspora entered a radically new era.

Lower Level Offers Multi-generational Solution

Remodeling a dark basement gives family spaces for grandparents on extended visits and play room for everyone.

Eric and Tina Park, both physicians, were already quite busy 10 years ago when they purchased a 3,400 square foot two-level neo-Colonial near McLean.

Top Reston, Herndon Sports Moments of 2013

Here is a look at the top Reston and Herndon sports moments of 2013.

Classified Advertising January 1, 2014

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