Oak Hill/Herndon Connection - The Connection Newspapersconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2017/092017/Herndon.pdf · St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, ... Gilleran added. Though the amendment

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Sofia Pakhomkina, 11, of thetown of Herndon drives theball to score the final goal,resulting in a 4-4 draw be-tween her team, the HerndonLightning, and TakomaUnited on Saturday morning,Sept. 9, following the brand-new turf soccer field openingat the Herndon CommunityCenter’s Bready Park.

Food TruckAmendment Voted DownNews, Page 3

Sept. 11 CommemorationHeld at Herndon HighNews, Page 6

Food TruckAmendment Voted DownNews, Page 3

Sept. 11 CommemorationHeld at Herndon HighNews, Page 6

New Turf Field OpensAt Bready Park

News, Page 6

New Turf Field OpensAt Bready Park

2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ September 20-26, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Faith Notes are for announcements andevents in the faith community, includingspecial holiday services. Send [email protected]. Dead-line is Thursday.

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church,1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston, holdsSunday services at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. andcontemporary service at 5 p.m. duringthe summer. Nursery, Sunday school andadult education available. Call 703-437-6530 or visit www.stannes-reston.org.

HAVEN of Northern Virginia of-fers a variety of free bereavementsupport groups, meeting on a weeklybasis. Call 703-941-7000 or visitwww.havenofnova.org for schedules andregistration information.

The Mount Pleasant BaptistChurch of Herndon invites the commu-nity to join them for praise and worshipfollowed by a stirring message from theWord of God on Sundays starting at 8:30and 10:30 a.m. (with Sunday school at7:30 and 9:30 a.m.). Visitwww.mtpleasantbaptist.org or call 703-793-1196.

The Jewish Federation ofGreater Washington and the Jew-ish Outreach Institute offer theMothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella offree educational events and resources.Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation ofa Jewish home, regular meetings andgroup Shabbats and holidays. Partici-pants include Sha’are Shalom,Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple RodefShalom and the Jewish Community Cen-ter of Northern Virginia. VisitShalomDC.org.

Hope Fellowship Church will tem-porarily be meeting at Hyatt Place,21481 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling. Sundayworship services are Sundays at 9:30 and10:45 a.m., a Bible Study is on Wednes-days at 7:30 p.m. and a weekly prayerconference call is Thursdays at 9 p.m.The public is invited to join a Bible be-lieving, multi-ethnic/multi-culturalcongregation, with Bible-based sermonsand uplifting music. Call 703-599-3527or visitwww.hopefellowshipchurchloudoun.org.

Nondenominational Christianbusinessmen meet for prayer, Biblicaldiscussion and fellowship 7 p.m. Fridaysat Anita’s, 1051 Elden St., Herndon andnoon Thursdays at 555 Grove St., Suite200, Herndon. Call 703-795-1257.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651Dranesville Road, Herndon, has Sundayworship services at 10 a.m. during thesummer. Nursery and childcare are pro-vided starting at 8 a.m. until the end ofthe service. Call 703-437-5500 or visitwww.trinityherndon.org.

Epiphany United Methodist Pre-school, 1014 Country Club Drive, N.E.in Vienna, is now enrolling 3- to 4-year-old students. Call 703-938-2391 or visitwww.epiphanypreschool.com.

Washington Plaza BaptistChurch will hold Adult Bible Study at9:30 a.m. Sundays at Lake Anne VillageCenter. The group is studying the Gospelof Mark. Services follow at 11 a.m.

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Churchneeds knitters the first and third Wednes-days of the month at 7 p.m., at 432 VanBuren St., Herndon. The church’s PrayerShawl Ministry is offering free knittinginstruction while providing shawls, blan-kets and other knitted items for peoplein need. No cost and yarn can be pro-vided. Email [email protected] visit the Pastoral Care page atwww.saint-timothys.org.

Faith Notes

September Proclaimed Bicyclist andPedestrian Awareness MonthThe Herndon Town Council proclaimed Septem-ber as Virginia Bicyclist and Pedestrian Aware-ness Month, which recognizes that bicyclists,motorists and pedestrians all have mutual rightsand responsibilities when traveling on the road-ways in the town. Members of the town’s Pedes-trian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, HerndonPolice Chief Maggie DeBoard and Sgt. BobbyGalpin joined the council and town staff to ac-cept the proclamation.


NewsHerndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

During a public hearing on Tues-day, Sept. 12, the HerndonTown Council unanimouslyvoted against consideration of

an amendment to the Town of HerndonZoning Ordinance that would have allowedfood trucks to operate for an unlimitedamount of time.

Food trucks are currently allowed in thetown, but hours are limited. Food truckscannot be operated on any street within thetown; they can only park on property withpermission from the tenant, owner or op-erator of the property. Food trucks are alsolimited to no more than 21 hours of opera-tion a week, the seven-day period extend-ing from Sunday morning through the fol-lowing Saturday.

The amendment would have allowed foodtrucks to operate on private property withinallowed zoning districts without time limi-tations.

“I fully expected it [to be voted down],”said Andrew Kelley, co-founder of the AslinBrewery Company. “Food trucks drive eco-nomic development. They actually drivefoot traffic … because there are more op-tions. Being able to convey that to an oldergeneration has been tough. That’s whatwe’re trying to do.”

There were several older residents whoattended and spoke against the amendment.The councilmembers agreed with them.

“I think we have worked so hard to reallyrevamp the downtown and make it thiswonderful place that people want to comethat I think this is going backwards,”Councilmember Sheila Olem said during thehearing. “If someone wanted to put a trailerin my neighborhood, I would be having aheart attack. To me that’s kind of what afood truck would do. This is our historicdowntown.”

KELLEY AND HIS COMPANY were theones to petition the town to relax its ruleson food trucks. The brewery is located inthe Sunset Business Park and will open asecond location downtown.

Kelley and his colleagues thought a per-manent food truck could be a good solu-tion to provide its downtown customerswith more options until it fully builds outthe space. They also thought it could be asolution to keep business going during an-ticipated construction for the redevelop-ment of downtown.

“We would have to have a larger site planto add a kitchen at this point, so in the in-terest of time and after our tasting roomhas been shut down, we thought a foodtruck would be a good introduction to ourpermanent option, while we further developthe site in downtown,” he said.

Town staff recommended a down vote forthe amendment because they did not ap-prove of the language and the implicationsit could have: Allowing food trucks to be-

come permanent fixtures.“We’re happy to work with the applicant

to find out if maybe there is some other typeof business model that would work forthem; and if that includes maybe a moreminor change to the food truck ordinance,staff might be able to support that and wewould bring that back to you as an initiat-ing resolution,” Lisa Gilleran, director ofcommunity development for the town, saidduring the hearing. “But right now, we thinkthis is way too broad.”

“We as the town came down to [the foodtruck ordinance] as looking at it as a tem-porary use, and that’s one of the reasonswhy we have the limitation in the numberof hours for any given food truck is that wewant it to definitely be temporary and ac-cessory to the primary use of the property,”Gilleran added.

Though the amendment failed to movealong in the process for approval, the coun-cil was adamant to reassure Kelley, who waspresent for the vote, that they want staff towork with him so the brewery could thrivein downtown.

“I know that the applicant that hasbrought this forward is an owner of a wildlypopular business in Herndon that is mov-ing to downtown who has grand plans forexpansion; and if this is denied, I do trustthat the staff will work with him and try tofind a solution that helps get them over thehump and help them meet their goals, butwhile also meeting the goals of the down-town,” Mayor Lisa Merkel said during thehearing prior to the vote.

“I think I can safely say the council is ex-cited about this particular new project indowntown and we want to do what we canto help make a suitable solution so that theycan meet their goals and we can have anexciting brewery in downtown Herndon,”she added.

FOOD TRUCKS are permitted to sell foodon streets in Fairfax County, but only onselected streets that are regulated by theFairfax County Health Department. Theymay also vend in selected county parks af-ter obtaining a Mobile Food Vendor Permitfrom the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Also during the meeting, the council:❖ proclaimed September as Virginia Bi-

cyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month inthe town;

❖ proclaimed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 as His-panic Heritage Month in the town; and

❖ proclaimed Sept. 15 as POW/MIA Rec-ognition Day.

“If someone wantedto put a trailerin my neighborhood,I would be having aheart attack.”— Councilmember Sheila Olem

Food Truck Amendment Voted Down by Town Council

The Herndon Town Council proclaimed Sept. 15 as POW/MIA Recogni-tion Day, which honors the commitment and sacrifices made byAmerica’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action andtheir families. Herndon/Reston American Legion Post 184 CommanderDavid Womack (center) joined the council and town staff to accept theproclamation.

Andrew Kelley, co-founder of the Aslin Brewery Company, testified infavor of allowing his company to operate a food truck on their propertywithout time limits.

The Herndon Town Council proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 asHispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes that Americans of Hispanicand Latino heritage have a positive influence on the town’s community.Nury Mena, co-chairman of the Hispanic Business Council of the DullesRegional Chamber of Commerce (center), and Valerie Kaiser, partner ofElden Street Financial and executive board member of the Dulles Re-gional Chamber of Commerce (far right), joined the council and townstaff to accept the proclamation.

Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection


Opinion

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Oak Hill & Herndon

Every year is Election Year in Virginia,and each year the election matters.This year, all the members of the Vir-ginia House of Delegates are up for re-

election, along with statewide races for Governor,Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

So many things are at stake. The deadline toregister to vote in the General Election on Nov.7, or update an existing registration, is Mon-day, Oct. 16.

Of the 30 incumbents in the Virginia Houseof Delegates who are running unopposed, 11are in Northern Virginia: Mark Keam (D-35);

Ken Plum (D-36); David Bulova(D-37); Vivian Watts (D-39);Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41); MarkSickles (D-43); Paul Krizek (D-

44); Mark Levine (D-45); Charniele Herring(D-46); Patrick Hope (D-47); and Rip Sullivan(D-48).

Marcus Simon (D-53) faces no Republicanchallenger, but will face Mike Casey, an Inde-pendent.

In Northern Virginia, there is only one openseat, the 42nd, vacated by Dave Albo (R) whosays he can’t afford to continue dedicate somuch time to the legislature at the expense ofhis law practice. Kathy Tran (D) faces LolitaMancheno-Smoak (R).

Other contested races: Kathleen Murphy (D-34) faces Cheryl Buford (R). Kaye Kory (D-38)

faces Paul Haring (R). Tim Hugo (R-40) facesDonte Turner (D). Alfonso Lopez (D-49) facesAdam Roosevelt (R). Jim LeMunyon (R-67)faces Karrie Delaney (D). Jennifer Boysko (D-86) faces Linda Schulz (R). The local Connec-tion newspaper to each of these races has cov-ered or will write about each contested race;you can find the stories on our website.

The League of Women Voters of the FairfaxArea (LWVFA) will hold both in-person andtelevised forums for the public to learn aboutthe candidates who are running for election tothe Virginia House of Delegates.

❖ Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at ProvidenceCommunity Center: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax.Invited candidates: Mark L. Keam (D), DavidL. Bulova (D), Eileen Filler-Corn (D), KathyK.L. Tran (D), Lolita I. Mancheno-Smoak (R),Marcus B. Simon (D), and Mike S. Casey (I).

❖ Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at HayfieldSecondary School, Lecture Hall: 7630 Tele-graph Road, Alexandria. Invited candidates: L.Kaye Kory (D), Paul B. Haring (R), Vivian E.Watts (D), Mark D. Sickles (D), Paul E. Krizek(D), Mark H. Levine (D), Alfonso H. Lopez (D),and Adam Roosevelt (R).

❖ Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at SullyGovernment Center: 4900 Stonecroft Blvd.,Chantilly. Invited candidates: Kenneth R.“Ken” Plum (D), David L. Bulova (D), DonteT. Tanner (D), Timothy D. “Tim” Hugo (R),

Karrie K. Delaney (D), James M. “Jim”LeMunyon (R), Jennifer R. Boysko (D), andLinda C. Schulz (R).

The remaining televised forum at FairfaxCounty Public Access are on Channel 10 orlivestreamed on YouTube “Inside ScoopLivestream.” The public can submit questionsby email to [email protected] orcall 571-749-1142 between 7-8:30 p.m. Tunein on:

❖ Monday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.: Invited candi-dates: Kathleen J. Murphy (D), Cheryl A.Buford (R), Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum (D), DonteT. Tanner (D), Timothy D. “Tim” Hugo (R), R.C.“Rip” Sullivan, Jr. (D), Karrie K. Delaney (D),James M. “Jim” LeMunyon (R), Jennifer R.Boysko (D), and Linda C. Schulz (R).

Killing the Poor toPay Millionaires,Current Attempt

Because the current effort in the Senate tovote on “repeal and replace” for the Afford-able Care Act is, if anything, worse than theprevious attempts in substance, I hope that youwill read my previous editorial from June.http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2017/jun/27/opinion-editorial-killing-poor-pay-millionaires/

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

League of Women Voters provides forums tolearn about the candidates.

Voting Every Year, But Always Critical

Editorial

See Letters, Page 5

CriticismOff-BaseTo the Editor:

Michael Pope’s recent article inwhich he insinuated that VirginiaDel. Jennifer Boysko (D-86) mightbe ineffective because she wasfighting the system was way off-base.

In her first term as a state del-egate Boysko has chief-patronedor co-patroned many bills that suc-cessfully passed and became law,some in collaboration with herRepublican colleagues. Those bills,to name a few, include increasingaccess of mental health programsfor volunteer fire and rescue per-sonnel, prohibiting I-66 HOV lanesto change from HOV 2 to HOV 3,improving the make-up of thestate Forensic Science Board, es-tablishing a tax credit for foodcrops grown for donating to non-profit food banks, authorizingbonds to be issued to constructveterans care centers, increasingthe penalty for someone to possessa firearm who is under a perma-nent protective order for familyabuse, etc.

I say “Bravo!” to Del. Boysko forbeing brave enough to share withthe public that Republican com-mittee leaders kill bills withouthearings, with minutes notice topatrons, or with unrecorded voicevotes. And yes, a recent opioid-re-lated bill that Boysko researchedand chief-patroned was killed andthen reintroduced by a Republicanso that he could get credit for it,not her. But Boysko believes thathaving these important bills passis more important than whosename is attached to it.

These are examples of some ofthe political shenanigans that oc-cur in Richmond. Mr. Pope is con-cerned about Boysko violatingunwritten rules by bringing theseantics to light? The people of the86th district did not elect Boyskoto go to Richmond so that the Re-publican leaders could patroniz-ingly pat her on the head as if tosay, “Wait your turn, young lady.”

Delegate Boysko is an importantpart of the Northern Virginia Del-egation and represents the peopleof the 86th with heart and honor.

Barbara GlakasHerndon

Fairfax CountyShould WelcomeShort-termRentalsTo the Editor:

At a public hearing on Sept. 5 inReston, Fairfax County residentsvoiced their concerns and requestsregarding the county’s efforts todraft regulations governing short-term rentals (STRs). Through vari-ous home-sharing platforms (e.g.,Airbnb and Vacation Rental byOwner), homeowners can offerspare couches, rooms, and evenentire homes or apartments to visi-tors coming to the area as a wayto make extra income.

Residents’ opinions, fears, andexperiences with and about STRsranged across the spectrum.Opposers of STRs cited all the po-tential bad things that STRs canbring to a neighborhood. We heardstories about wild parties, screech-ing cars in the middle of the night,and a lost sense of community.Supporters of STRs told storiesabout how they are able to pay

their mortgage thanks to the abil-ity to rent spare rooms. Familiessuffering from job loss and singleparents can stay in their homesbecause of STRs, which, despitebeing currently illegal in FairfaxCounty, they do anyway.

Many of those at the hearingwho spoke against STRs wereolder, 60s+, while those in favorwere largely younger than 60s.Could the range of opinion be gen-erational? (Raise your hand if youlike change.) According to thecounty representatives, resultsfrom a survey showed some op-posed at all costs, some in favorwith no regulation, and manysomewhere in between. The real-ity is, those on either extreme ofthe opinion spectrum will not gettheir way. Regardless how you feelabout it, the sharing economy ishere to stay, and the county willregulate it.

Before moving to the Town ofHerndon, my husband and I livedin an unincorporated section of thecounty. Thirty percent of the 264townhomes in our communitywere rentals. Many times over the

Letters to the Editor


From Page 4

Letters

13 years we lived there, I called the po-lice with noise complaints. I also served onthe HOA, which meant having to listen toplenty of the typical complaints about rent-ers (noisy, hoggers of parking spaces,trashers of property) as well as having toenforce HOA rules that renters neverseemed to get right. Most of their ignorancecould be pinned to their landlords whofailed to inform their tenants about therules. These same concerns were raised bythe STR opposers. Their complaints arevalid except that their experiences werewith long-term renters, not STRs.

It would be easy to dump all renters intothe same boat and send them down BadCreek; however, that would be unfair. Notall renters engage in annoying or destruc-tive behaviors, yet some homeowners surelydo. So to oppose STRs simply because somerenters are undesirable doesn’t hold water.At the same time, who wants to live in aneighborhood flooded with STRs where younever know who your neighbor is going tobe from week to week?

We moved to Herndon a couple of yearsago, buying a house with two spare roomsand a spare bathroom. We don’t need thatspace, yet it would be a shame to let it gounused. For us, Airbnb is an opportunity toearn extra income while also getting to meetpeople from all over the world.

We’re an international household andtravelers ourselves, so Airbnb has been aperfect fit as hosts and guests. Severalguests have told us that without theaffordability of Airbnb, they wouldn’t havebeen able to come here for events such asweddings, funerals, and symposiums, or tovisit the area. All of our guests seek a morepersonable local experience, something ahotel could never offer. Many of our guestshave told us they wouldn’t — or couldn’t— have come to Herndon if they had to payfor a hotel.

As hosts, we are ambassadors forHerndon and the surrounding area. Weguide guests toward local restaurants,shops, and sites of interest. Our guestsspend money here. The money we earn goesright back into our home. The extra incomehas helped us pay for home improvements,such as new windows, a new roof, and en-hanced landscaping. All these things ben-efit our neighborhood by helping to increaseproperty values. Our neighbors’ right to thesafe and peaceful enjoyment of their prop-erty is paramount. If any of our guests everviolated that right, we’d ask them to leaveimmediately. Airbnb backs us up on this. Sofar, our guests have been fantastic; severalare repeat visitors. Most of our neighborsdon’t even know we’re hosts. In otherwords, we are exactly the type of STR en-trepreneurs Fairfax County should support.We are willing to be regulated in order thatSTRs do not become a problem for othersin the area. Yes, there are rogue players outthere, and they should be stopped for a lotof reasons. We’re willing to pay a modestand fair fee to support regulation.

Because we live in the Town of Herndon,we are currently operating legally (we’renot subjected to the County’s prohibitionon STRs). But Herndon is drafting regula-

tions and likely watching how the countyhandles this.

So we’d like the County and Town to con-sider the benefits that people like us bringto the community and region. STRs are notall alike, which means a one-size-fits-all lawwon’t suffice. It will take careful crafting toensure protection of our communitiesagainst those who have no interests hereother than to make as much money as pos-sible while allowing entrepreneurs to oper-ate responsibly and respectfully so thatSTRs enhance our communities.

Sarah SnyderHerndon

Supporting Gillespiefor GovernorTo the Editor:

The first job of our governor is to keep ussafe and secure. 2017 Republican guberna-torial nominee Ed Gillespie understands thecritical nature of this responsibility and isprepared to act on it.

Over the last couple of months, Gillespiehas participated in multiple ride-alongs withlocal law enforcement and has seen first-hand the criminal activity occurring in ourstate. He knows that issues related to gangslike MS-13 have gone unaddressed for fartoo long. I know he will be the leader thatsteps up and does something about it.

Gillespie recently put forward a plan tocombat gangs, reduce crime, and providesupport for the brave men and women whoselflessly serve their communities to makeour Commonwealth safer. Boosting com-pensation for law enforcement, reinstatingProject Exile, securing funding for theNorthern Virginia Regional Task force andbanning sanctuary cities will be just someof the major priorities of the Gillespie ad-ministration.

Gillespie’s commitment to keeping us safeextends beyond just the state and local lev-els, he also is a major supporter of our mili-tary. He understands that Virginia will ben-efit economically from President Trump’sinitiative to build up our military and wantsto make sure that Virginia plays a leadingrole. Long gone will be the days when Presi-dent Obama’s Sequestration stunted ourstate’s economy. With Gillespie in thegovernor’s office, we will build more shipsand submarines in Newport News, dredgeour channel and bolster our cyber securitypresence. Under his leadership, we will be-come the most veteran-friendly state in thenation.

Gillespie’s policies will provide importantwins for our safety and our economic fu-ture. I’ll be proud to cast my vote for him inNovember, and I hope that you will join me.

Genaro PedroariasGreat Falls

The Connection welcomes views on anypublic issue. The deadline for all material isnoon Friday. Letters must be signed. Include

home address and valid phone number.Letters are routinely edited for libel,

grammar, good taste and factual errors.Email [email protected]

Write


News

Send school notes to [email protected] by noon on Friday.

Collin Hanley, of Reston, traveled to Pine Ridge, South Dakota this summeras part of the largest group of student travelers in Belmont University (Nashville,Tenn.) history.

Jenna Hirshfeld, of Reston, has earned a spot on the Worcester (Mass.) Poly-technic Institute women’s soccer roster.

School Notes

Herndon High School NavyJROTC cadets commemoratedthe 9/11 anniversary, by hold-ing a special ceremony in thefront of Herndon High Schoolon the morning of Sept. 11,2017. The Herndon Police andFire Departments and FairfaxCounty Police Departmentswere represented by First Re-sponders.

Parents and administrators

Sept. 11 CommemorationHeld at Herndon High School

looked on as an Honor Guardof Cadets raised a ceremonialNational Ensign at Herndon’smain flag pole. Herndon’s Prin-cipal, Dr. Liz Noto provided re-marks of remembrance andhonor for those countrymenand women who were lost.

Herndon High School Bandprovided two buglers whoplayed Taps at the conclusionof the ceremony.

Honor Guard of Cadets raises a ceremonial NationalEnsign at Herndon’s main flag pole.

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Herndon High School Band provided two buglerswho played Taps at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Herndon Youth Soccer President DaveBekenstein addressed the crowd duringthe ribbon cutting for the new field, butwas unaware that the infill system usedcrumb rubber.

The field has been booked ever since it opened,according to Cindy Roeder, director of the town ofHerndon Parks and Recreation Department.

“The teams were super excited,” Roeder said. “Ourteams have been waiting to play here at home.”

From left to right: Cindy Roeder, director of the Herndon Parks and Recreation De-partment; John Irish, chief program and project management for the Herndon Depart-ment of Public Works; Robert Walker, chair of the Herndon Architectural ReviewBoard; Bill Ashton, Herndon Town Manager; Mark Martino, athletic services branchmanager for the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Ser-vices; Bill McKenna, Herndon councilmember; Lisa Merkel, mayor of Herndon; Jenni-fer Baker, Herndon vice mayor and councilmember; Signe Friedrichs, Herndoncouncilmember; Jeff Davidson, Herndon councilmember; John Foust, DranesvilleDistrict Supervisor; Lance Kilby, director of engineering for Burgess & Niple, an engi-neering and architectural firm; Jody Rameta, club administrator for Herndon YouthSoccer; Dave Bekenstein, president of Herndon Youth Soccer; and Sally Burns, vicepresident and director of travel for Herndon Youth Soccer.

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

A ribbon cutting commemorated the brand-new turf soccer field at the Herndon Com-munity Center’s Bready Park on Saturdaymorning, Sept. 9.

Soccer players began practicing on the field inAugust, and the field was bustling with multipleteams playing games on sections of the field whileofficials assembled to cut the ribbon.

“This project has been a really long-time coming… Herndon Town Councils long before we arrivedhad the foresight to put this on the plan and it’s beenon the books since … 2004 — a long time ago —and was finally funded this past year,” Town ofHerndon Mayor Lisa Merkel said during the ribboncutting as soccer players battled behind her and par-ents cheered and yelled for their teams around her.

The field replacement from natural grass to turfwas listed on the town’s Capital Improvement Pro-gram (CIP) for more than 10 years and was bumpedyear-after-year until money was secured to financethe project, which cost just over $1 million.

The town of Herndon paid $566,000 from its gen-eral fund; Fairfax County provided a $125,000 grant;and Herndon Youth Soccer will pay $400,000 —$200,000 right away and another $200,000 on apayment plan to the town.

“We really cannot thank Herndon Soccer enoughbecause we would not have been able to do this with-out your generous contribution,” Merkel said.

Herndon Youth Soccer, which has soccer teams forboys and girls under-5 to 19 years old, will be theprimary user of the field. The club also uses the fieldsat Herndon High School, which it also funded, ac-cording to the club’s president, Dave Bekenstein.

“The field used to be unusable and the teams havebeen excited to have it,” Bekenstein said of the newturf field. “It can be used, even in bad weather.”

New Turf Field Celebrated

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Education●Learning●Fun

By Marilyn Campbell

As a new school year got underwaythis month, Sebla Tobin, a familytherapist in Rockville, Md., noticed

an uptick in the number of her patients whoare parents, expressing concern about theteachers their children had been assigned.

“So many parents are leery of new teach-ers or teachers who are young,” she said. “Iencourage them to give the teacher a chancebefore passing judgment and marching intothe principal’s office to ask for a differentteacher. Just because a teacher graduatedfrom college last spring doesn’t mean thatthey won’t effective. And a teacher who’sbeen in the classroom for 20 years may bejaded and grumpy.”

Teacher effective-ness is a concernamong parents asthe school year getsunderway, saysTobin, and shepoints to researchwhich shows howteachers can affectstudent achievement. A 2011 study fromHarvard and Columbia universities showeda link between effective teachers and stu-

dents who were more likely to attend col-lege, have lower teenage pregnancy ratesand other positive outcomes. So what quali-ties constitute an effective teacher?

Effective teachers are knowledgeable ofthe subjects they are teaching, says PamelaGarner, Ph.D. professor of Childhood Stud-ies at George Mason University. “Effectiveteachers are able to transfer that knowledgeto students who have different comprehen-sion levels,” she said.

Creating a classroom environment that issafe for student learning is also important,adds Garner. “Overall, effective teacherswork hard to create a positive classroomclimate which is characterized by provid-ing opportunities for student input in deci-

sion making andsupport for indi-vidual differences,”she said.

Setting high ex-pectations for all stu-dents, but realizingthat students have avariety of abilities, isan important factor,

believes Jessica Lewis, Ed.D., professor ofeducation at Marymount University. “Forsome students getting a C is like a medal of

New Year, New Teacher How to identify effective teachers.derstands the student and their abilitiessends a positive message that the teacher ison their side when it comes to learning.”

A teacher who is able to demonstrategenuine concern for students is necessaryto create an effective learning environment,adds Lewis. “Parents often say ‘I want ateacher who knows their content,’ but I al-ways go back to ‘does the teacher care?’ Ifa teacher doesn’t care, then they’re not go-ing to be effective. An effective teachermotivates students to want to learn.”

An ability to form a strong relationshipwith students is another characteristic thatLewis believes is important. “The more rap-idly the teachers can get to know the indi-vidual students and things they enjoy liketheir hobbies, the sports they like, thesooner that teacher can see that studentsare real little people behind those names,”she said. “As a teacher you have to put theheart first and policy second. What factorsare going on at home that can throw thestudent for a loop. If you have a caring adultto say, ‘Hey do you want to talk about it?’that can make a big difference.”

An effective teacher accepts students forand where they are, adds Lewis. “Studentscan learn more from a teacher when theteacher shows that they care,” she said.

“An effective teachermotivates students towant to learn.”

— Jessica Lewis, Ed.D.,Marymount University

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

A positive classroom helps wel-come students back to school is animportant factor in student learn-ing, says Pamela Garner, Ph.D. ofGeorge Mason University.

honor and that’s OK,” said Lewis. “Studentswant to do well and be pushed, but pushedwith support. Knowing that a teacher un-


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Helen Slade of New York’s Cotton Club

brought the audience to its feet with songs

such as “We Shall Overcome” at the Martin

Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert on Sunday,

Jan. 15 in the Wakefield High School

auditorium. In a highlight of the evening,

Slade invited children from the audience

to dance and sing with her on stage.

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RestonRestonPage 6

“I know! I know!”Many of the studentswere eager to answer“Mr. Jefferson’s” (BillBarker) questionsduring the livinghistory assembly atArmstrong Elementary.

MLK Keynote:From Obama to TrumpNews, Page 3

Communities PracticeDisaster RecoveryNews, Page 12

MLK Keynote:From Obama to Trump

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January 5, 2017

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Happy New YearThe fireworks finale of First Night Alexandria provides the backdrop to a selfie for

a couple celebrating New Year’s Eve on King Street. See story and more photos on

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azette Packet

By Vernon MilesGazette Packet

For the City Council, thelargest looming issue inthe upcoming months of2017 is always the city’s

budget. The routine is fairly simi-lar year after year: the city andschool system haggle to a compro-mise over expanding school enroll-ment costs whileother city depart-ments rotatethrough yearly bud-get increases anddecreases. But this

year, according to the City Coun-cil, the budget process is shapingup to look a little more dire thanusual.

“The budget isgoing to be a verybig deal,” saidC o u n c i l m a nTimothy Lovain.“It always is. It’sour main busi-ness, but it will beparticularly chal-lenging withMetro needs,school needs, andother infrastruc-ture. Those capi-tal needs are criti-cal to the futureof the city. Weneed to address them as best wecan.”

While school capacity needsgenerally take the largest focus inthe budget discussion, this year aMetro system in crisis and crum-bling city infrastructure are mus-cling into the spotlight. The issuesbeing discussed and weighedaren’t new, but Councilman Paul

Smedberg says the scale of thedemands exceeds previous years.

“We’ve had these issues before,but the dollar amounts and thesize is bigger,” said Smedberg.“Schools, infrastructure, andtransportation are all core to whatwe do. How we prioritize the restis what we have to decide.”Across the council, schools, in-

frastructure, and transportationare agreed to be the core budgetpriorities in 2016.“Blooming student enrollment

in the schools also presents a realchallenge,” said Lovain. “It largelyshows up for us in school construc-tion funding needs. It’s a happyproblem, it’s a compliment to oursystem, but we’re adding so manystudents. There’s a structural defi-cit we face. [Our]needs are grow-ing faster thanrevenues. Thatshows up on thecapital side andfor schools.”

In terms ofcapital costs, theapproved Alexan-dria City PublicSchools (ACPS)FY 2017 - FY2026 Capital Im-provement Plan(CIP) budget lastyear totaled$273,988,551. The FY 2018 - FY2027 CIP proposed by Superinten-dent Alvin Crawley raises that 10-year total to $515,739,655.“We need to expand the num-

ber of schools that we have andsomehow or another accommo-date renovations and expansion,maybe building a whole new

In the RedSchools, Metro, and infrastructureform trinity of 2017city budget priorities.

WellbeingWellbeing

Page 14

“We’re not goingto be able to makeeverybody happybut we wereelected to makehard decisions.”— CouncilmanWillie Bailey

The YearAhead

Savvy Business Network teams up with Womenon Course to host a Networking Mixer on Sunday,Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hidden Creek Coun-try Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Play the19th hole and enjoy the benefits of the golf lifestylewithout swinging a club. Join the mixer to net-work with like-minded women including brunch,

a fashion show and shopping finds from a varietyof lifestyle vendors. This event welcomes the first50 people who RSVP. Payment is required in ad-vance to confirm reservation. Vendor opportuni-ties available. Contact Meryl [email protected] or Yes Kirkmanat [email protected] to reserve space.

Networking Mixer at Hidden Creek Country ClubArea Roundups

By David Siegel

The Connection

“Expect to hear thoughtful and creativesongs about a love for humanity,justice and environmentalconsciousness,” said Quetzal Flores

about the upcoming performance of the musicalgroup Quetzal at Reston’s CenterStage. The groupaims to provide “a regenerative sense of hope andinspiration.”

Flores went on to say that the “Quetzal musicalstyle is a blend of Mexican and American folk. Weare particularly influenced by Black music from bothcultures.”

For those not familiar with Quetzal, it is a bilin-gual (Spanish-English) musical group that began inEast Los Angeles, Calif. Quetzal is known for cre-ative tunes that aim to have listeners want to danceand think about community activism for positivesocial change.

“Art and culture in general, stimulates and incitescreative and critical thought,” said Flores. “Our in-tention is never to bombard folks with messages, butto present lived realities in hopes that we can buildpoints of connection.”

Connecting music directly to stir social activism,Flores noted that “It’s an endless cycle of reciprocity.The more we mirror real life and imaginary experi-ences the more we feel nods of validation that inturn gives us permission to continue.”

As an example of Quetzal lyrics, Flores spoke of arecently released song titled “The Eternal Getdown.”The song asks “beyond the picket, the boycott andthe trend that will soon be abated. That all of thesedeaths are interrelated. Ferguson, Emmit, Guerrero,and Brown. How do we initiate our people into theEternal Getdown?”

Flores went on to note, “In other words how dowe get to the point where our humanity can thrivein the face of brutality? How do we look to whatexists in our communities already to build a perpetualstate of ‘Getting Down’ or ‘Being Down?’”

For Flores she would like CenterStage audiencesto be curious about the music, message and socialactivism of Quetzal.

“I chose Quetzal to open the 2017-2018 Profes-sional Touring Artists Series because they create agreat balance between art and activism,” said PaulDouglas Mischnewicz, Arts & Events Director, RestonCommunity Center. “Their music is delightfully spir-ited and when you listen carefully to their lyrics, theybring up immigration issues that affect all of us.”

The Quetzal performance is part of the RestonCommunity Center’s celebration of Hispanic Ameri-can Heritage Month. The month pays tribute to His-panic Americans who have influenced and enrichedthe nation and society.

Quetzal to perform atReston’s CenterStage.

Music of Hope and InspirationWhere & When

Reston Community Center/CenterStage presents Quetzalat the Hunters Woods Village Center, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. Performance: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.Tickets $20-$30. Call 703-476-4500 or visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com

MusicalGroup

Quetzal

Entertainment

Photo courtesy

of Reston

Community Center


Entertainment

Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGReston Farm Market, Saturdays,

through Dec. 9, 8 a.m. - Noon, LakeAnne Village Center, 11401 NorthShore Drive, SNAP accepted, bonusdollar program. (CLOSED forMulticultural Festival Sept. 23)

Herndon Farm Market, Thursdaysthrough Nov. 9, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.,Old Town Herndon, 700 Block ofLynn St., by the Red Caboose. SNAPaccepted, bonus dollar program.

Jazz in the City Exhibit. Varioustimes at ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center St., Herndon. Kristine Kellerand Robert Gilbert paint with aninterest in New York. Call 703-956-9560 or visitwww.artspaceherndon.com.

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 20“Mean to Be.” 7 p.m. in the Jo Ann

Rose Gallery at Reston CommunityCenter Lake Anne. The RestonHistoric Trust & Museum presents“Meant to Be: How Reston AlmostWasn’t” with Timothy Beatley. Free.Seating is limited, reservations arewelcome. Contact 703-709- 7700 [email protected] for moreinformation or to RSVP.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 21Food for Kids Community Packing

Event. 10-11:30 a.m. in Room 6 atat Dominion Energy, 3072Centreville Road, Herndon. [email protected] or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.

Lunch Bunch Thursdays. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. BYO lunchand see different entertainment inthe Pavilion at Fountain Square eachweek. Rain or shine. Visitrestontowncenter.com.

Fashion Tip Thursdays. 5:30 and7:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. This week,Victorian collars and accents. Call571-526-4185 or visitrestontowncenter.scoutandmollys.com.

Third Thursdays Art Crawl. 6 p.m.750 Center Street, Herndon.ArtSpace exhibits art throughoutHerndon. Free. Go towww.artspaceherndon.org.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 22Storm Victim Donations. 8 a.m.-4

p.m. at Tall Oaks Assisted Living,12052 North Shore Drive. A specialcollection day for much neededsupplies. Call 703-834-9800.

Lullabye a Lamb. 7-8 p.m. at FryingPan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. Come to Kidwell Farm atFrying Pan Farm Park to see thebedtime routine for the park’s farmanimals. Bring a flashlight or lanternfor this twilight tour of the park andsee how animals on a farm settledown for the night. $8. Call 703-437-9101 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 23Reston Multicultural Festival. 11

a.m.-6 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza. Acelebration of the diversity andcommunity spirit that is found inReston, featuring music,entertainment, dress, food, andcultural treasures from all over theworld. Everyone is encouraged todress in attire from their own culturalroots. All ages. Free. Rain or shine.Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com.

Lullabye a Lamb. 7-8 p.m. at FryingPan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. Come to Kidwell Farm at

Frying Pan Farm Park to see thebedtime routine for the park’s farmanimals. Bring a flashlight or lanternfor this twilight tour of the park andsee how animals on a farm settledown for the night. $8. Call 703-437-9101 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/.

SUNDAY/SEPT. 24Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 1:30-5

p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St., Reston. Join in and unitein a movement with the Alzheimer’sAssociation Register at 703-359-4440or [email protected] alz.org/walk.

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 27Senior Movie Day. 10 a.m. at Bow Tie

Cinemas in Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. RestonAssociation presents the feature film,“The Circle.” Refreshments and doorprizes provided prior to movie. Freeto 55+. Information [email protected], 703-435-6530,or reston.org.

Used Books and Media Sale. 10a.m.-8 p.m. at the Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Friends night, saleruns through Sept. 27. Prices start at$.50. Visit restonlibraryfriends.com.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 28Lunch Bunch Thursdays. 11:30 a.m.-

1:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. BYO lunchand see different entertainment inthe Pavilion at Fountain Square eachweek. Rain or shine. Visitrestontowncenter.com.

Fashion Tip Thursdays. 5:30 and7:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. This week,Formal Velvet. Call 571-526-4185 orvisitrestontowncenter.scoutandmollys.com.

SUNDAY/OCT. 1Quetzel in Concert. 3 p.m. at

CenterStage. Hunters Woods VillageCenter, 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston.East Side musicians committed tocontinuing the legacy of 70-plusyears of Chicano Rock. $20 Reston/$30 Non-Reston. Call 877-775-3462.

SATURDAY/OCT. 7Mucca Pazza in Concert. 3 p.m. at

CenterStage. Hunters Woods VillageCenter, 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston.Mucca Pazza has appeared on Late

Night with Conan O’Brien and NPR’sTiny Desk Concerts. $20 Reston/$30Non-Reston. Call 877-775-3462.

SUNDAY/OCT. 8Meet the Artists Reception. 2-4 p.m.

at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at LakeAnne Community Center, 1609-AWashington Plaza, Reston. “StolenMoments” exhibit by the League ofReston Artists’ runs from Oct. 2-30.Visit www.leagueofrestonartists.org.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 11Adult Coloring Session. 7 p.m. at

Reston Library, 11925 BowmanTowne Drive, Reston. “Color MeHappy,” release the inner artist. Call703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

DEADLINE OCT. 13Herndon Good Neighbor.

Nominations are currently beingaccepted for the 2017 award for aneighbor that’s gone above andbeyond. Call 703/435-6800 X2084 ore-mail [email protected].

SATURDAY/OCT. 1416th Annual Reston Home Tour.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring six privatehomes in throughout Reston. Tickets:before Oct. 7, $25; Oct. 7-14 andonline $30. Group discounts. Ticketsavailable at Reston Museum,Appalachian Spring. GRACE,Chesapeake Chocolates and TheWine Cabinet at North Point. Call703-709-7700 or visitrestonmuseum.org.

Meet the Author. 2 p.m. at RestonLibrary, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Local author andparanormal investigator Rob Gutrowill present his “Double MurderGhost Investigation” and talk abouthis book, “Lessons Learned From theDead.” Adults, teens. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

MONDAY/OCT. 16Photography Exhibit. 7:30–9:30 p.m.

in Room 6 at the Reston CommunityCenter Hunters Woods, 2310 ColtsNeck Road, Reston. The RestonPhotographic Society invitesphotography enthusiasts of all skilllevels to attend meetings on the thirdMonday of the month. Visitwww.leagueofrestonartists.org.

Art ShowValeArts Fall ArtShow, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-9p.m. Friday, 10a.m.-6 p.m.Saturday, Sundayat Vale School-house, 3124 FoxMill Road,Oakton. The nineartists ofValeArts willpresent “Trans-formations,” anexhibit of morethan 150 worksof local art. Call703-860-1888.


Real Estate Real Estate

Centreville,VA 2 Level Condo $198,900

2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths

www.BeatrizHomes.com(571) 221-2807

Multi-Million Dollar Club

Beatriz FloresRealtor

ClassifiedTo Advertise in This Paper, Call by Monday 11:00 am 703-778-9411

WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM

Announcements

We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN’S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY,

FURNITURE, PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.

Schefer Antiques703-241-0790

[email protected]

Announcements Announcements



ABC LICENSETeryanna LLC trading as Mediterranean Breeze, 781 Station St, Herndon, Fairfax

Country, VA 20170. The above estab-lishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DE-PARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On

-mit license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Phillip Orme, Member. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license

must be submitted to ABC no later than 30

of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.

abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

Legals

An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be

made in his subject and how to avoid them.

-Werner Heisenberg

NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE Blue, 2009 H-D FLHX Street

Glide, 1HD1KB4189Y619181, Colorado registration. The referenced vehicle was

left for diagnostics, repair and storage on May 11th, 2017 at 2869 Running Pump Lane, Herndon Virginia 20171. It is pres-

ently stored at 2869 Running Pump Lane, Herndon Virginia 20171. Attempts to lo-cate the owner have been unsuccessful. The vehicle is deemed abandoned under

Code of Virginia § 46.2-1204 and § 46.2-1208 and will be disposed of if not redeemed by October 15th, 2017.

Legals

Sports

Skills CompetitionSenior Olympics’ Football and

Frisbee Throw and Softball Hit andThrow events were held at WakefieldDistrict Park in Annandale onWednesday, Sept. 13.

Clarence JohnWells-Martin

from Herndoncompetes in the

softball hit eventin the 70-74 age

group.

Thomas Sullivanfrom Oakton pre-

pares to throw theshot in the 70-74

age group.

Photos by

Tom Manning

The Connection


Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Our long, local, overnight nightmare isalmost over. By the date this column publishes:Sept. 20, 2017, I will, for the first time in nearlynine weeks, not had to have snaked down inthe dark, our “turny-twisty” and narrow 150-year-old staircase to walk from the upstairsmaster bedroom to the downstairs and onlyusable commode. Though the renovation ofthis upstairs bathroom is not entirely completenor ready for primetime (it is mostly usable asthe water is now running and flushing), thedemolition/renovation process apparently mustgo on/adhere to a schedule so, on Tuesday,Sept. 19 the downstairs bathroom, with all itsfully functioning amenities will come under thesledge hammer – among other tools, and pro-vide no further use until on or about Oct. 24.

This heretofore (“Good Will Hunting”) logis-tical challenge has not presented too many dif-ficulties for my wife, Dina. But given that I’m amale of a certain age, quite the opposite hasbeen true for me. Once or twice and occasion-ally even more per overnight depending uponhow late and how much I’ve had to eat ordrink before bedtime, I’ll need to visit the bath-room to attend to some very personal business.To be clear, the ‘challenge’ to which I refer isgetting to the bathroom, not starting and/or fin-ishing what I intended once I get there.Moreover, when the task at hand has beencompleted, of course I need to retrace my steps– usually in the dark, and walk back upstairs.Though not nearly as difficult as walking down-stairs; nevertheless, at the time I am goingdown and back up, in the middle of the night,my vision might not so readily acclimate andmy balance is, let’s just say: inconsistent, espe-cially when trying to avoid the miscellaneousbathroom-remodeling boxes staged in the livingroom on the very route I must travel.

Needless to say, having this nightly nonsensecome to an end is most definitely a columnworth writing. Not necessarily to self-indulgeanymore than usual but more so to amuse youregular readers and possibly even prepare youfor your own in-home renovation. And consid-ering that this renovation is our first – and wehave minimal experience with these matters, Ithought it useful to write it forward and perhapsshare a less-than-obvious impact of taking theone-and-only-on-the-same-floor bathroom outof service. Sinks, mirrors and shower/tub issuesnotwithstanding, all of which can be withstoodand endured with the reorientation to thedownstairs bathroom, the commode issue, con-sidering its unpredictability, naturally trumps allother real or imagined difficulties.

Though the upstairs bathroom is incompleteand lacking multiple finishing elements, itstransformation so far is incredible – to our eyes.I’ll spare you any details because that reallywould be self-indulgent and not at all the pointof this column. But the two months or so it willhave taken for the upstairs bathroom tobecome operational again and the nightly effectit’s had on me appears to have been worth thewait.

As concerns the downstairs bathroom, weare now ready, willing and able to integrate itsdestruction into our routine. Given that it ismore of a powder room than a master-typebathroom – though it will include a shower-only enclosure, no longer will it be my twice-nightly destination. In addition, I am lookingforward to its transformation because theinterim process will not prevent me from goinganywhere I regularly go nor inconveniencingmy wife, Dina, when she readies for work inthe morning.

Monitoring its progress will be more of acuriosity than a calamity, since, in my mind,there will be no sense of urgency about thepace of this project as there had been with theupstairs bathroom because my bathroom accesswill not be affected in the least. And in themost, I am extraordinarily grateful – andrelieved.

Talking theWalkBusiness Directory

To Advertise Your Business, Call Karen at 703-778-9422WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

GUTTER GUTTER

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

LANDSCAPING

Alfredo’s Construction Company, Inc.

www.alfredosconstructioncompany.com

Phone:

VA: (703) 698-0060 • MD: (301) 316-1603

•Concrete Driveways•Patios •Sidewalks

•Stone •Brick

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING

TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE

TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE

Good is not good, where

better is expected.

-Thomas Fuller

An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mis-

takes that can be made in his subject and how to avoid them.-Werner Heisenberg

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 22Storm Victim Donations. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tall

Oaks Assisted Living, 12052 North Shore Drive.A special collection day for much neededsupplies. Call 703-834-9800 for more.

IN-PERSON, TV DEBATESThe League of Women Voters of the Fairfax

Area (LWVFA) will hold four in-person forumsand three televised forums for the public and thepress to learn about the candidates who arerunning for election to the Virginia House ofDelegates. The League invited all certifiedcandidates campaigning for office in theirrespective districts. At the in-person forums,question-and-answer sessions will be followedby an opportunity for informal conversationswith individual candidates. The public and pressare encouraged to attend. For more informationabout the candidates’ priorities and positions,visit www.vote411.org.

In-person forums:❖ Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Providence

Community Center: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax.❖ Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Sully

Government Center: 4900 Stonecroft Blvd.,Chantilly.

The televised forums at Fairfax County PublicAccess are on Channel 10 or livestreamed onYouTube “Inside Scoop Livestream.” The publiccan submit questions by email [email protected] or call 571-749-1142 between 7-8:30 p.m. Tune in on:Monday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.; Monday, Sept.18 at 8 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 30Reston Community Yard Sale. 8:30 a.m. at

1900 Campus Commons Drive (corner ofSunrise Valley Drive and Wiehle Avenue). 85families will be selling a variety of items for anew home or a college dorm. Call 703-435-6577for more.

TUESDAY/OCT. 3Community Emergency Response Team

Training. There are two sessions each week onTuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., at432 Van Buren Street in Herndon. Classes rununtil October 26. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/cert/cert.htm form more.

TUESDAY/OCT. 10Finances Lecture. 2 p.m. at Reston Library,

11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Financialadvisor, Monica Mason, will present “Rock YourRunway: Financial Fitness For Women” forwomen on how to get and stay financially fit.Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

MONDAY/NOV. 6Capital Area Franchise Fair. 8:30 a.m.-12:30

p.m. at Reston Association Conference Center,12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Provideshelp and education for entrepreneurs interestedin exploring franchise ownership options thatbest fit their financial, professional and personalgoals. $35 ($49 at the door). Visitwww.capitalfranchiseshow.com

ONGOINGRSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking

service opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax CountyMaster Gardener Association offers plant clinics,home turf training or speakers for homeowner’smeetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.orgor call MG Help Desk at 703-324-8556 for more.

Bulletin


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Leela Ayyar is a 17-year-old studentat Oakton High School with astrong passion for science, tech-nology, engineering, and math,

otherwise known as STEM. Ayyar is also theauthor of “Elara, STEM Girl,” her unpub-lished book for 4-8-year-olds that encour-ages girls to pursue studies and activitiesin the STEM fields. Through Ayyar’s text andthe vibrant, colorful illustrations by LaueraVanderheart, children can identify with thebook’s characters and their challenges. The32-page illustrated book is based on Ayyar’sexperiences, those of her younger sister,Meera, and feedback from focus groupsconducted at the Fairfax County PublicSchools STEM Camp and Tech AdventureCamp, which took place at Lake BraddockSecondary School this summer.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, a Kickstartercampaign launched to support the publica-tion of Ayyar’s book. Kickstarter is a globalcrowdfunding platform. Ayyar must raise$4,500 or more in pledges by Tuesday, Oct.31, 2017, 10 p.m. EDT. It is an all or noth-ing campaign. If the total amount is notraised by that date and time, no funding isprovided and the Kickstarter campaign fails.

According to the company’s website,Kickstarter’s mission is to “...help bring cre-ative projects to life.” People back a projectby pledging money. Pledges must occurwithin a specified period, and final pledgeddollars must equal or exceed the project’sstated goal.

AS OF SEPT. 13, 41 backers, includingnine individuals from Herndon and fourfrom Reston pledged a total of $3,489 to-

ward Ayyar’s $4,500 goal.Susan Bingham, Chemistry Teacher, Sci-

ence Department Chair at Oakton HighSchool wrote a recommendation for Ayyar:“Leela has taken her capstone project to ahigher level and found a way to share herpassion for the STEM fields with children.It is vitally important to engage and inspirechildren, but especially girls, in STEM edu-cation. We must all work to end stereotypesand cultural biases that currently preventgirls from equally participating in STEMfields because we need the future contribu-tions of all our children to help us overcomethe many challenges we face.”

In Ayyar’s campaign, she explained thather book, “Elara, STEM Girl” not only en-courages young girls to pursue and take aninterest in STEM but also helps them fromgetting discouraged. “My book is about a

young girl named Elara who enjoys dolls,dress up, and sports. But what she reallyloves is all things STEM, Science Technol-ogy, Engineering, and Mathematics,” Ayyarsaid. “Young girls are naturally interestedin STEM, but their interest usually fades asthey grow older.”

Through her character, Elara, Ayyar of-fers readers tools to address issues such asbeing in the minority, math anxiety, stereo-types, and fear of failure while at the sametime providing ways to build resiliency andovercome challenges when they express aninterest or take part in STEM activities. Byreaching out to young girls, Ayyar hopes tobreak the STEM ceiling for girls and closethe gender gap. Ayyar cited in herKickstarter campaign that only 24 percentof women are in STEM careers, yet 80 per-cent of the fastest growing careers are in

the STEM fields.

IF AYYAR EXCEEDS the $4,500 goal, sheseeks to create a series of Elara books anda website rich with STEM activities. “I haveso many wonderful ideas on how to expandElara’s adventures to continue to inspireyoung girls. Such as ‘Elara and the Stars’where Elara explores astronomy. Or ‘Elaraand the Notions of Potions,’ where she dis-covers just how fun chemistry can be. I’dalso love for her to explore aeronauticalengineering and robotics.”

Shannen Prindle is a friend of Ayyar’s atOakton High School. She was thevideographer for the Kickstarter campaignfilm. Prindle said, “Now more than ever weneed to be encouraging young girls to pur-sue their interests in STEM. This book chal-lenges the same stereotypes that I, andmany other females, had to overcome torealize my true passion for science.”

If you are interested in supporting Ayyar’ssenior year capstone project, visitwww.kickstarter.com/projects/906365131/elara-stem-girl-childrens-book-to-inspire-a-love-f?ref=discovery.

Kickstarter campaignlaunched to supportpublication expensesfor Leela Ayyar’scapstone project.

Oakton High Senior Authors ‘Elara, STEM Girl’

Photo courtesy of Leela Ayyar

Recently, Leela Ayyar conducted focus groups at FCPS STEM Camp andTech Adventure Camp to support her manuscript for “Elara, STEM Girl.”Ayyar’s goal was to gain a multiplicity of views and experiences from theFCPS students regarding ingrained biases and challenges young girlsface in the STEM fields.


Leela Ayyar is a senior at Oakton High School. Her chemistry teacherSusan Bingham, Science Department Chair wrote as a reference: “Leelahas taken her capstone project to a higher level and found a way toshare her passion for the STEM fields with children.”

Photo courtesy of Lillian King

Leela Ayyar (left) wrote “Elara, STEM Girl” when her younger sister,Meera (right) sought her guidance after she encountered challenges inthe STEM fields.


“Elara, STEM Girl” is a children’sbook written by Oakton HighSchool senior, Leela Ayyar. Acrowdfunding campaign is under-way to support publication ex-penses.“My book is about a young girl named Elara who

enjoys dolls, dress up, and sports. But what shereally loves is all things STEM, ScienceTechnology, Engineering, and Mathematics.”

— Leela Ayyar, Senior, Oakton High School

Documents

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection - The Connection Newspapersconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2017/092017/Herndon.pdf · St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, ... Gilleran added. Though the amendment