reston camp expo draws nearly 500 peopleconnectionarchives.com/pdf/2018/013118/reston.pdfsanjeev...
TRANSCRIPT
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 31-February 6, 2018
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Reston Real Estate Market Up For 2017News, Page 3
Lake Anne Gas Station Robbed at GunpointNews, Page 2
Valentine’s GiftsPage 6
Reston Camp Expo Draws
Nearly 500 PeopleNews, Page 3
While at the Reston Camp Expo 2018 held Saturday, Jan. 27, Patrick McNamara, Senior Staff Interpreter, History and Agriculture Frying Pan Park, Fairfax County Park Authority holds Huckleberry the silver fox rabbit for Moksha Kunchala, 5, of Reston and his brother, Tej, 8, to pet.
2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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News
By Colin Stoecker
The Connection
“Sir I’m robbed,” is the text message thatSanjeev “Bobby” Kapoor got from hiscashier Rakesh M. Wednesday night at8:30 just before closing time at Reston
Mobil gas station on N. Shore Drive at Lake Anne.Kapoor was sitting in his car in the parking lot dur-ing the robbery, completely unaware.
The robbery only took seconds and was recordedon surveillance video. A masked African Americanman in a black sweatshirt put a can of chips downon the counter and pointed a pistol at the chest ofthe cashier. The cashier managed to unlock thedrawer and hand the contents to the masked robberwho fled the store with $750.
Police arrived on the scene within two minutes ofthe call about Wednesday night’s robbery.
They are still searching for a suspect.Sean Lotf, a mechanic and employee at Reston
Mobil coached the cashier Rakesh a few months ear-lier about how to react to a potential robbery situa-tion.
“I told him to say ‘The money is yours. Take it’,”said Lotf. And that’s exactly what Rakesh did.
Other Lake Anne businesses have been robbed overthe past few weeks, including the Lake Anne BrewShop. However, this is the first time that Kapoor hasexperienced armed robbery.
Reston Mobil has endured robberies, vandalism,and even a fire that burned the station to the groundentirely over the 16 years that Kapoor has workedthere. The gas station is owned by Kapoor’s wife,Nitta Kapoor.
Two years earlier, someone broke into Kapoor’sstore and stole a U-Haul van, lottery tickets and ciga-rettes.
“We have the lights on overnight, and it’s an extraexpense,” said Kapoor.
In addition to overnight break-ins the gas stationalso attracts people who beg for money from acrossthe street at the bus stop during the day.
On June 23 this year, a man toting a knife ap-proached Kapoor’s employees and threatened them.Kapoor called the police and they responded, arrest-ing the man. But the trouble came in the six courtappearances that Kapoor and his employees had toattend. The man was released without any chargesand they were left with just bad memories.
“What happened last night was good, with the knifeguy we went to court and it felt like we were thecriminals!” said Frank Lora, 49, who has worked atReston Mobil as a mechanic for the last three years.
Lake Anne Brew House was also robbed two weeksago. It was a smash and grab job according to JasonRomano who co-owns the store with his wife Mel-issa.
“For us, I think it was somebody looking for anopportunity and we’ve changed so that an easy graband go won’t happen again,” said Romano.
But Romano and Kapoor’s employees couldn’t helpbut put themselves in the shoes of Rakesh who wasrobbed at gunpoint just the day before.
“He did the right thing, I hope he comes back buthe’ll be shaken up for a while,” said Romano.
“We called him this morning to see if he wanted towork and his roommate answered the phone. He saidhe’s not feeling good,” said Lotf.
Officers, K9 units, and a police helicopter weredispatched to search for the suspect Wednesday nightaccording to police. The investigation is being led byFairfax County’s Major Crimes Bureau.
Lake Anne Gas Station Robbed
Frank Lora, 49, who has worked as amechanic at Reston Mobil at Lake Anneshows a picture he took on his phone of aman who threatened him and his co-workers with a knife last summer.
From left: Sean Lotf, Bobby Kapoor, andFrank Lora pose for a picture outside ofReston Mobile at Lake Anne after a rob-bery took place the night before.
Photos by Colin Stoecker/The Connection
Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Jenny McClintock
The number of real estate transactions in Reston closed out theyear 3 percent greater in 2017
than in 2016. In comparison to the 2007market just one decade ago, the numberis up 7 percent. This is significant as 2007was the last peak year in Northern Vir-ginia for real estate. Anytime there aremore buyers than the previous year in-dicates an environment for potential price appreciation, which isvery good news as we look towards the 2018 spring season.
Breaking down into price segments, most price segments per-formed better or remained steady in 2017 compared to 2016 andthe benchmark year of 2007. The most significant increase innumber of sales occurred in the price brackets of $750,000 to$999,000 experiencing a 10 percent increase from 2016, withthe majority of those sales coming from north Reston zip code20194. Unfortunately this bracket also seems to have “borrowed”from the upper price bracket of $1 million and over as it experi-enced a decline of 45 percent in all 3 zip codes, 20190, 20191and 20194 — 20194 experienced the least decline from 2016.
Conversely, homes priced under $500,000 had improvement inall three zip codes, up 6 percent in 2017. This price bracket isprimarily condos and townhouses, with the majority of the trans-actions in the south Reston 20191 zip code. The price bracket of$500,000-$749,000 remained the same in volume from 2016 andhad an increase of 11 percent over benchmark year 2007, withthe majority of those transactions also in zip code 20191.
Home sellers in Reston fared relatively well in 2017, with thedemand for under $750,000 close to the Wiehle Ave Metro Sta-tion selling the quickest. As we move into the new year, there arestrong indications that homes priced well and in good conditionwill sell for solid prices. Should demand continue to remain strongrelative to supply, some market segments may even experienceprice appreciation.
Though Northern Virginia is presently in wintertime, the springmarket is just around the corner.
Jenny McClintock with HBC Group at Keller Williams is anactive and experienced Realtor in the Northern Virginia market-place. Visit www.HBCGroupKW.com, call 703-731-2412, or [email protected].
Reston Real EstateMarket Up For 2017
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
The calendar may have said January, butit wasn’t too early for the fifth annualReston Camp Expo held Saturday, Jan. 27at the Reston Community Center, 2310
Colts Neck Road, Reston. The free event brought to-gether hundreds of out-of-school activities and sum-mer camp programs for preschool children to teens.
The informative event, coordinated by local non-profit organizations and Fairfax County governmentagencies in support of the Reston Opportunity Neigh-borhood program was hosted by Reston CommunityCenter and offered complimentary snacks, games,and activities with door prizes, adding to the festiveatmosphere.
Many local nonprofit organizations and agencieswere on hand to showcase their many programs andanswer questions, among them Fairfax County Pub-lic Schools, Reston Association, Fairfax County ParkAuthority, Reston Community Center, Cornerstones/Reston Opportunity Neighborhood, Reston Soccer,NOVA Labs, Herndon High Drama Boosters, YMCAFairfax County Reston and more. This year’s eventalso featured youth sports organizations and provid-ers.
“It really is one-stop shopping,” said Eileen Boone,Reston Community Center’s Leisure and LearningDirector. “This event is super convenient for parentsand caregivers to meet with dozens of camp and out-of-school providers.”
MANY CAMPS offered scholarships or fee waiversto assist lower-income families with the cost. Campsvaried by age, time frame, options, and themes. Campofferings included, but were not limited to, all-daygeneral interest, STEM/STEAM, sports, nature, pho-tography, and theme camps. Special Needs campswere also available and for older youth and teens,Counselor-In-Training programs and employmentopportunities.
Vijaya Kunchala of Reston and her two sons Tej, 8,and Moksha, 5, visited the Friends of Frying Pan FarmPark booth where Patrick McNamara, Senior StaffInterpreter History and Agriculture of Fairfax CountyPark Authority stood holding a domesticated silverfox rabbit. Lured by the rabbit’s quiet demeanor, theboys willingly stepped forward to pet Huckleberrywhile mom inquired about nature and outdoor campsat the park.
On the other side of the large multipurpose room,Xue Ye of Wolf Trap stood at the NOVA Labs boothwith her 5-year-old son Ryan. She asked about acamp for her older son. “He’s into science,” Ye said.
She learned NOVA Labs is a nonprofit organiza-tion and is a makerspace in Reston providing classes
such as mobile app development, robotics, 3D print-ing and more. While mom talked with the volun-teers and gathered information, Ryan gazed intentlyat a “bot” moving on the display table created byyouth at NOVA Labs.
Given the controls, Ryan gleefully drove the botround and round the table. Ryan’s mom assured himshe would find him a fun camp too, but maybe some-thing outdoors.
FEATURED CAMPS were not just for preschoolersthrough youth. Job opportunities were also available.Adit and Atin Kolli, both 14 and from Herndon madetheir rounds to many booths seeking employment.“We are here looking at camps and to possibly workor volunteer at one,” Adit said with Atin agreeing.Asked where they would like to work or in what field,Atin replied, “Frying Pan Park,” while Adit quicklyinterjected, “Aquatics.” For more information aboutReston Camp Expo, contact LaTanja Jones, RCC Col-laboration & Outreach Director, at 703-390-6158.
Photo contributed
Local area families flockto Reston CommunityCenter to find out-of-school and summercamps for children,youth, and teens.
Reston Camp ExpoDraws Nearly 500 People
During the Reston Camp Expo 2018 held atReston Community Center on Saturday,Jan. 27, 2018, Ryan Le, 5, of Wolf Traptries out a “bot” created by makers atNOVA Labs. From left: NOVA Labs makersSathvik Narayana, 14 of Centreville andSpencer Allain look on.
According to Eileen Boone, Leisure andLearning Director at Reston CommunityCenter, nearly 500 people visited RestonCamp Expo 2018 on Saturday, Jan. 27. Theevent featured out-of-school and summercamp programs for children, youth, andteens with opportunities to meet campdirectors and get info on registrationdates, requirements, locations, and fees.
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4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
An article in the most re-cent issue of Moneymagazine described the
best places to live in each of the50 states; not surprisingly for Vir-ginia the highest ranked place tolive is Reston. Reston is not acounty, city or town but a big community of61,319 mostly happy people.
As a native Virginian who has traveled exten-sively throughout the state, I fully concur withthe selection of Reston as the best place to livein a state that is filled with many desirable placesto live. However, I was disappointed in the nar-rative that justified Reston — even their expla-nation of Reston’s history missed the mark.
I agree that “Reston was once just an idea,”but calling Robert E. Simon “an architect andeconomist” misses the mark of who he was andwhat his significant contributions were tobuilding a best place like Reston. Bob Simonwas a visionary, philosopher, communitybuilder and developer and humanitarian. Heenvisioned a community in which people couldlive, work and play, and his success in bring-ing about such a place against great odds con-tinues to be celebrated.
Justification for the selection of Reston isunderstandably limited as the magazine con-
tained descriptions of 50 communi-ties. It says about Reston, “the thriv-ing Washington, D.C. suburb offers awoodsy atmosphere that includesexpanses of parks, lakes, golf courses,and bridle paths. Over 50 miles ofpathways were designed to weave inand around its communities to in-crease pedestrian safety and to en-sure that most residents’ homes were
no more than a half-mile walk to village cen-ters.” It mentions Reston Town Center that itcalls “the community hub,” with an array ofdining, entertainment, and shopping venuesalong with headquarters of major corporations.
Beyond quibbling with some details of thedescription, I would have chosen other factorsthat make Reston such a desirable place to live.Noteworthy is the openness of the communityto all people from its very beginning. Simonwas inviting African Americans to the commu-nity while the rest of the state was opposingfair housing laws.
The diversity of people living, working andplaying together that is occurring in commu-nities throughout the country was a hallmarkof Reston from the beginning and is a valuethat is baked into the DNA of the community.Muslims pray in local synagogues. A local ecu-menical church has four denominations meet-ing in one service. Its schools are happy placeswith children of all abilities learning together.
It has a variety of housing options, from apart-ments, condominiums, town and single-fam-ily homes and senior and assisted living. It maybe the only community in America that re-quested a homeless shelter be built in it. On arecent weekend, community members at-tended a social event that raised nearly$450,000 to pay for the relocation costs offamilies moving out of the shelter.
I love the lakes, trails and facilities of Reston.Most of all, however, I love the people of Reston— their caring, activism and spirit, all of whichmake it the best place to live in Virginia.
The General Assembly is going full blast. Iwill update you on what is happening in fu-ture columns.
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RestonOpinion
By John Cook
Braddock District Supervisor (R)
Fairfax County is joining the biparti-san, nationwide movement of Crimi-nal Justice Reform. In 2015 thecounty introduced its Diversion First
program, which provides treatment instead ofincarceration for those with mental health chal-lenges or developmental disabilities who comeinto contact with the criminal justice systemfor low level offenses. This initiative is just onestep in a national movement to make the crimi-nal justice system better serve the Americanpeople. Criminal justice reform, broadly speak-
ing, is supported by as di-verse range of public offi-cials as U.S. Senators RandPaul and Kamala Harris. It
is well past time for Virginia to dive in as well.Since ancient times society has recognized
five purposes to the criminal justice system.One of these is “deterrence,” which is the ef-fort to persuade an offender or potential of-fender not to commit a crime. Another pur-pose is retribution, which is society exactingpunishment to make up for the pain or dam-age caused by the crime. Incapacitation meansremoving a criminal from the rest of society sohe or she cannot commit more crimes. Reha-bilitation refers to changing an offender so heor she does not commit more crimes. Restitu-tion is the payment for damage caused bycrime. All of these purposes must be presentand well represented for a fair and effective
Time for Criminal Justice Reformcriminal justice sys-tem.
In the UnitedStates, our systemhas focused on longjail sentences forcrimes. Jail servesdeterrence, retribu-tion, and incapacita-tion in cases of vio-lent crime. However,it does not serve re-
habilitation or restitution particularly well.And, in the case of mentally ill offenders, jailfails to serve deterrence.
When someone with mental illness engagesin crime, it is not due to evil intent, but his orher illness. Retribution does not seem fit forsomeone who is ill and committing crimes.Incapacitation is accomplished, but what wehave done is make our local jails expensivesubstitutes for psychiatric hospitals.
The expense of jail is no small matter. A yearin the Fairfax jail costs the taxpayers about$82,000. A year of residential psychiatric treat-ment costs about $24,000. One year of outpa-tient treatment costs about $8,200. Whensomeone with a mental illness, who is often oflimited wealth, is arrested, this person oftenspends up to four months in jail awaiting trialfor minor crimes (trespassing, disorderly con-duct, petty theft) where the final sentencewould generally be far less. Someone withregular income would post bond at $500 cashand spend no more than two or three nights in
jail. Altogether the government and taxpayersare spending millions of dollars to hold peoplein jail before they are even convicted. Is thissystem really helping anyone?
We have learned in the juvenile justice sys-tem that incarceration actually creates crimi-nals out of youth who may be only misdirectedor who make stupid mistakes. Twenty yearsago, our juvenile detention center held 1,509youth. In 2017 that number fell to 533, whichis a 60 percent decrease. In those two decadeswe learned a great deal about the benefits ofjail alternatives for children. Instead of lock-ing these children up, we are reforming, teach-ing, and mentoring youth and turning themaway from crime. And this prevents futurecrimes from occurring. The same can be saidfor non-violent crimes by adults. Simply put-ting people in jail, where they lose their jobsand family contacts, does not necessarily cre-ate better citizens when they are released. Inthe case of mental illness, jail can actually makethings worse. There is a better way.
Criminal Justice Reform is not about “goingeasy” on criminals. It’s about finding tech-niques that stop people from continuing tocommit crimes. It’s about turning lives around.Oh, and it can save a boatload of money. Vio-lent criminals, murderers, gang members andthe like still need long jail sentences. But manyother lesser offenders can be turned aroundinto productive, working, self-sufficient citi-zens. It takes some work, but the payoff is asociety with less crime, lower jail costs, andmore productive citizens.
Commentary
Best Place to Live Clarification: LakeSkating — Not Safe
Following the publication last week of thephotos of Reston residents enjoying recre-ational activities on the frozen Lake Thoreau,we have received a number of notes and callsfrom the concerned community members,who wanted us to remind the public that“skating, walking or conducting any otherwinter activities on the lakes in Reston is notsafe and is prohibited.”
They asked us to clarify to residents,especially new members of the community,that going out on any Reston lakes when theylook frozen is not safe.
The Reston Association has just produced avideo warning community members to stayoff the ice. The video can be seen atwww.youtube.com/watch?v=bh1YqwfAMnI.
Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Opinion
By John Lovaas
Reston Impact Producer/Host
Upon our return Fridayfrom a short visit withfriends in St. PeteBeach, Fla., the first
news I heard was not more quackery or thelatest mad musings from the White House. In-stead, we were greeted with a video of com-munity volunteers Moira Callaghan and JillGallagher presenting their investigation ofReston Association’s controversial Tetra/LakeHouse purchase and costly rehabilitation to theRA Board meeting of Jan. 25.
Callaghan and Gallagher spent hundreds ofhours of their own time delving deeper intothe internal RA processes which led to the Tetradeal because they, like myself and others, werenot satisfied with the limited review done bythe Stoneturn consultants contracted by theformer RA Board in 2016.
After the presentation, RA President SherriHebert said, “It blew me away!” Indeed, it wasdevastating – painting a picture of staggeringincompetence intertwined with apparent de-ception by omission or commission. It is hardto fully capture it in a short column. To fullyappreciate the extent of the failures, you haveto hear them for yourself. Easy enough to do.Go to RA website and search for the video ofthe Jan. 25 meeting. Then sit back and try tostay calm.
❖ the CFO warned projected income for RAuse of the property was wildly overstated;
❖ contracts for work on deferred mainte-nance and remodeling were not completed andin some cases not signed until work had beenunderway for months, involving hundreds ofthousands of dollars;
❖ possible conflict of interest in contractorselection;
❖ the CFO was left out of contracts’ clear-ance process;
❖ several contracts signed for constructionmanagement, some for the same work;
❖ several jobs done apparently with no con-tracts at all;
❖ ETC.Now, the ball is in the RA Board’s hands for
action. The first action the Board should takeis to profoundly thank Ms. Callaghan and Ms.Gallagher for a tremendous effort and for clari-fying a muddled record and providing a guidefor procedural improvements sorely needed toprotect membership interests.
Second, while this Board (with the excep-tion of Ms. Bitzer and the soon-to-depart Mr.Sanio) was not present when the failures oc-curred and has already begun reforms, thisBoard must continue reforms using the reportas a guide.
Lastly, the Board must review the actions ofstaff as documented in the Callaghan/Gallagher report and determine if their fail-ures warrant administrative actions.
Turning Over More Stones at RAThe Callaghan and Gallagher presentation
traces RA actions from first off-the-record con-versations with the Tetra owner to propertyvaluation, referendum, sale and the subse-quent “deferred maintenance” and remodel-
ing of the Tetra-now-Lake House structure. Theirresearch covered available public records, includ-ing all Reston Association and Fairfax Countyrecords. And, they were careful to note that RAstaff had been cooperative and responsive to alltheir requests for records, but in many casesrecords were woefully inadequate. That is, im-portant, essential documents did not exist, suchas contracts or records of executive sessions.
Here are a few examples of the systemic fail-ures and other issues reported:
❖ staff failed to make the Board aware ofnegotiations for possible purchase and it ap-pears that Board members (2014-2016) for themost part showed a startling lack of curiosity,failed to ask obvious questions;
❖ the Tetra appraisal was overestimated,apparently based on a false assumption aboutuse as a restaurant which had been previouslydenied by the County;
❖ important facts were either left out of thereferendum document or misstated;
❖ the CFO, who was left out of key steps innegotiation and appraisal, and contract law-yer warned that property was greatly over-priced, but they were ignored;
Independent Progressive
Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline is Thursday atnoon, at least two weeks before event.
THURSDAY/FEB. 1Comment Period Closes. The public
is invited to share their perspectiveson the proposals with the ParkAuthority Board. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/feemeeting for more.
Registration Opens: Two-way andImmersion Programs. FairfaxCounty Public Schools’ (FCPS) onlineregistration for the county-widelottery. Current prekindergartenstudents may apply for thekindergarten immersion program andcurrent kindergarten students mayapply for the first grade immersionprograms for the 2018-19 schoolyear. Applications must be submittedby 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, forthe first grade immersion programand by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 5,for the kindergarten immersionprogram. Visit www.fcps.edu/registration/world-language-immersion-programs-registration.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Job Fair. FCPS is searching for
educators with a strong academicbackground and a passion for makinga difference. To meet increasedhiring needs FCPS is hosting aninvitation only job fair during whichthey will be interviewing candidatesin all instructional areas. The fair willbe held on Saturday, Feb. 3, with asnow makeup date of Feb. 24. Tolearn how to be considered for aninvitation, visit www.fcps.edu.
Bulletin Board
6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Photo courtesy of The Picket Fence
Accessories like Moon Melt Lotion Bars byMoon Valley Organics at The Picket Fencein Burke might appeal to those who wantto create to a spa at home.
Photo courtesy of Home on Cameron
A bouquet of felt flowers in assortedcolors like these that were handmade inNepal, is a gift with a charitable flair fromHome on Cameron in Alexandria.
By Marilyn Campbell
One of the most heavily gifted holidays isValentine’s Day. In fact, much of the fun isthe anticipation. In preparation for Cupid’s
Day, a few local style aficionados offer up ideas tosweeten the celebration.
For those deserving some pampering, create a spaexperience at home with NW Rainforest Body Cream,advises Isabel Chiotti of Sonoran Rose in Potomac.
“Soaps and candles also make great gifts,” she said.“It can also be fun to think outside the box,” said
Courtney Thomas of The Picket Fence in Burke. “Sur-prise your Valentine with a gift certificate for a spaday or a shopping spree at her favorite store. Puttogether a basket of a few of her favorite things.”
Among the things that Thomas suggests are MoonMelt Lotion Bars byMoon Valley Organics.Decadent and indulgent,these scented moisturiz-ers combine herbs andbeeswax to help fight dryskin, she says.
For the romantics, Su-san Nelson and Todd Martz of Home on Cameron inAlexandria suggest a bouquet of felt flowers in as-sorted colors, handmade in Nepal. These eye-catch-ing, fair trade buds offer bursts of color and benefitwomen artisans who are heads of households.
For the bedhead, Amanda Mertins of Patina Pol-ished Living in Old Town Alexandria recommendssilk charmeuse pillowcases by Branche. “These won-
derful pillowcases help preserve one’s hairdo and helpto keep away wrinkles,” she said.
For the stylish, a fur neck warmer is a cozy sugges-tion that Mertins offers. And for the traditionalists,“Flowers are always welcome and, of course, the colorred being very popular as it conveys deep emotion,”she said. “Don’t be afraid to give varieties other thanroses.”
For the nostalgic, Kevin Sweitzer of Thos. Moser,Handmade American Furniture, believes that an heir-loom quality beacon box to hold keepsakes wouldbe ideal. “[It’s] meant to be passed down from gen-eration to generation,” he said. “A really nice andmemorable Valentine’s gift.”
For the entertainers, Nelson and Martz suggest allnatural, hand blown glass candles, while Mertins saysbar accessories work as gifts for mixologists.
For those with a sweettooth, Chiotti recom-mends hot cocoa by theCocoa Company, brownsugar toffee by GearhartsFine Chocolates or cara-mels by Big Picture Farm.
For almost everyone,Suzie Clayton of Dalton Brody suggests pictureframes. “From wood to Lucite to silver, there’s some-thing for everyone,” she said. “It’s more about find-ing the right thing for the right person.”
“Some of the most meaningful gifts are those whichare handmade including cards and a home-cookedromantic dinner,” added Mertins. “Don’t forget thebubbly and always lots and lots of chocolate.”
Gifts for Valentine’s DayLocal tastemakers offer thoughtful giving suggestions.
“It can be fun to think outsidethe box.”
— Courtney Thomas, The Picket Fence
Photo courtesy of Sonoran Rose
A basket of spa items like NW RainforestBody Cream from Sonoran Rose inPotomac is an indulgent Valentine’s Daygift.
SusanNelsonand ToddMartz ofHome onCameronsuggestall natu-ral, handblownglasscandles.
Photo
courtesy of
Home on
Cameron
Valentine’s Day
Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
As a follow up to last week’s column titled“Lost in Space,” I have a few recommenda-tions for the medical profession, oncologistsparticularly, as it relates to their comings andgoings and the effect it might have on theirpatients, many of whom have been charac-terized as “terminal,” as I was.
Respecting and appreciating the fact thaton a good day, our anxiety level is likely offthe chart, we need you to work with us, notagainst us.
And though I can certainly recall how Iwas encouraged to reach out – either byphone or electronically, whenever we hadquestions or concerns, I believe there needsto be an upgrade to that advisory. That‘encouragement’ works fine when you’rehere/on site. However, based on my mostrecent experience, I need that ‘advisory’ towork equally fine when you’re not here.
Ergo: I want to meet and develop somekind of relationship with the oncologist whowill be covering for you when you’re absent.I want that oncologist’s name, email addressand phone number (none of which I hadduring this most recent experience). I wantsome assurance/acknowledgment that thisoncologist knows who I am, how I’m treatedand is familiar with any special circumstancespertaining to my care and feeding. Moreover,I want “t.l.c.,”. because I definitely deserve it.
As for the oncologist’s goings; on theoccasions when, for whatever reason, you’reaway from your office. I want to knowbefore, not after. I don’t want to learn aboutit by reading a default email saying you’re outof the office. Though I appreciate knowingafter, it’s not good enough. I want to know allthe time. In fact, every time you’re away, Iwant to know. Whether or not I have anymedical activities (lab work, infusion, scans)planned, I want to know, just in case some-thing unexpected – or even expected,happens.
This would help me to prepare, antici-pate, assimilate and coordinate any and allfuture medical activities so that I could deter-mine in advance, if necessary, an action plan.One that would proactively solve/prevent aproblem rather than reacting to one as mostrecently happened to me. I don’t want anymore surprises. I don’t want to experienceany lack of communication at any time. Idon’t care about how or why. I simply wantto know ahead of any potentially complicat-ing circumstances, not behind. I’m alreadyfeeling some relief just writing about it.
How can this be implemented?Electronically of course. I don’t need anycalls. A don’t-reply email is fine. I know thatsystem/process works when I want to com-municate with you and/or review informationwhich has been posted online. What I wantto know next is the doctor’s schedule, nothourly, maybe not even daily (although Iwouldn’t be averse to it), but weekly for sure,electronically in my inbox first thing Mondaymorning.
Knowing the doctor’s availability will helpme manage my expectations and minimizemy stress. As a cancer patient, I never knowwhat I’ll want or when I’ll want it. But findingout the easy way (in advance) is certainlypreferable to finding out the hard way(during/after).
Medically speaking, I don’t want to missanything nor do I, living forward, want any-thing to be missed. If you can email an after-appointment summary, you can certainlyemail me a pre-appointment schedule ofwhen and where my primary care physicians(oncologist and internal medicine) will be.Because out of sight unfortunately doesn’tmean out of mind, unless I know otherwise.
And that’s my goal: to mind my own busi-ness and not have to worry about yours.
Space In WhichI Wouldn’tGet Lost
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept.30? If so,
contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.
THURSDAY/FEB. 1Comment Period Closes. The public is invited
to share their perspectives on the proposals withthe Park Authority Board either at the meeting,via correspondence or by email. Informationoutlining all proposed fee changes is nowavailable for review online, at the ParkAuthority’s main office in the Herrity Buildingand at staffed park facilities, includingRECenters, golf courses, nature centers andhistoric sites. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/feemeeting for more.
Registration Opens: Two-way andImmersion Programs. Fairfax County PublicSchools’ (FCPS) online registration for thecounty-wide lottery. Current prekindergartenstudents may apply for the kindergartenimmersion program and current kindergartenstudents may apply for the first grade immersionprograms for the 2018-19 school year.Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. onThursday, March 1, for the first grade immersionprogram and by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, forthe kindergarten immersion program. Visitwww.fcps.edu/registration/world-language-immersion-programs-registration.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Job Fair. FCPS is searching for educators with a
strong academic background and a passion formaking a difference. To meet increased hiringneeds FCPS is hosting an invitation only job fairduring which they will be interviewingcandidates in all instructional areas. The fairwill be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, with a snowmakeup date of Feb. 24. To learn how to beconsidered for an invitation, visit www.fcps.edu.
FRIDAY/FEB. 9Grant Application Deadline. 5 p.m. The Town
of Herndon is accepting grant proposals up to$4,500 through the Virginia Commission for theArts (VCA) for projects to be implemented in FY2019. For information about this program andother grant opportunities, review the newlyadopted 2018-2019 Guidelines for Funding whichare available at www.arts.virginia.gov/grants_guidelines.html.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 14Grant Application Deadline. The Community
Investment Funds are the signature grant cyclemanaged by the Community Foundation inwhich funds are invested in organizationsserving the Northern Virginia community. Thisyear funding will be provided in four areas offocus: Child and Youth Development, Education,Poverty Relief, and Aging. Visitwww.cfnova.org/for-grant-seekers/community-investment-funds.
Commemorative Bricks Sale Ends. Each yeardozens of individuals leave their mark on Restonthrough a commemorative brick. The bricks arededicated at Founder’s Day - April 14, 2018 -and installed on Lake Anne Plaza. Bricks can bepurchased from the Reston Historic Trust &Museum for a tax-deductible contribution of$100 for a standard-sized brick and $250 for alarge brick. To order, visit the museum, go towww.restonmuseum.org/support, or contactAlexandra Campbell at [email protected] 703-709-7700.
THURSDAY/FEB. 15Community Food Packing. 10-11:30 a.m. at
Dominion Energy, 3072 Centreville Road,Herndon. Assistance League of Northern Virginiawill hold its next monthly food packing. [email protected] or visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org.
Bulletin Board
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ January 31 - February 6, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
CalendarSubmit entertainment announcements
at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.
ONGOING“45 Plays for 45 Presidents.”
Through Feb. 4 at NextStop Theatre,269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon.NextStop Theatre Company opens ahysterical take on history with theplay “45 Plays for 45 Presidents”. Theplay, which is already selling outperformances, presents a series of 45two-minute plays — one for eachAmerican President. In a female-forward twist to the amusingpremise, NextStop’s production alsocasts five women as all thepresidents. Performances areThursdays through Sundays. Generaladmission, $20-$55 atwww.NextStopTheatre.org or bycalling 866-811-4111.
Art Exhibit. Through Feb. 17, varioustimes at the Greater Reston ArtsCenter, 11900 Market St., Reston.Featuring the work of Paulina Peavy,namesake of “Paulina Peavy: AMessage to Paulina,” the firstexhibition to bring together aselection of Peavy’s works acrossdisciplines including works on paper,paintings, films, texts, and numerousmixed media masks. Visitwww.restonarts.org.
Homegrown Yoga. Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday nights atArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Alison Adams is bringingHomegrown Yoga to ArtSpaceHerndon. All levels welcome. Drop inand take a class. $25 two weekunlimited pass or drop-in available.Visit homegrownpoweryoga.com tosign up.
THURSDAY/FEB. 1Millennials Book Club. 7 p.m. at
Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Titleis “Life After life” by Kate Atkinson.Check out Library copy or pick up acopy of one’s own. Adults from early20s to early 30s. Call 703-689-2700or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 1-4Mystery & Adventure Book Sale.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Investigate the wideselection of titles available at theReston Friends Mystery andAdventure Book Sale. Books for allages. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
FRIDAY/FEB. 2Open Mic Poetry Night. 7-9 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon.Featured members of the PoetrySociety of Virginia will be present toshare their poetry. An open mic willfollow, allowing for anyone attendingto have a moment on stage. Free andopen to the public. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.org.
Swing Dance. 8:30-9 p.m. beginnerswing lessson; 9 p.m.-midnight danceat Hilton Washington Dulles Airport,13869 Park Center Road, Herndon.The Hula Monsters have beenperforming since 1988. $15. Visitwww.gottaswing.com.
SATURDAY/FEB. 3Book To Movie “The Color
Purple.” 2 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Call 703-689-2700 orvisitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
SUNDAY/FEB. 4Classes @ ArtSpace. 2-4 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,
Herndon. Snowy Owl Moon:Children’s Workshop. $20 perstudent. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.org/new-events/2018/1/18/snowy-owl-moon-childrens-workshop.
Soiree Chamber Music Series. 4-5:30 p.m. at UCP Reston, 11508North Shore Drive, Reston. Anintimate salon style performance bymembers of the Pro Arte ChamberOrchestra of Greater Washingtonfeaturing works by: Albinoni,Menotti, Piazzolla, Rossini andSaglietti. Special performance by Dr.Hai-En Tsai, trombone. Reception tofollow the performance. Adults, $30;seniors, $25; students, $20; andchildren 12 and younger, free.. Visitbit.ly/2D2wEcL for tickets. Call 571-483-8444 or visit www.PACOdc.org.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 7Embrace New Beginnings. 7 p.m. at
Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. GerryGorman will lead this meditationpractice. Registration opens Jan. 24.Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Read and Sip. 6-8 p.m. Scrawl Booksreaders will meet at The TastingRoom in Reston Town Center todiscuss books over a glass of wine.Visit www.scrawlbooks.com/event/wine-wednesday-book-chats.
SATURDAY/FEB. 10Sisters in Crime Write-a-Thon. 10
a.m. at Reston Regional Library,11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Come write in with Sisters inCrime mystery authors. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Meet the Artists. 3-4 p.m. at theReston Community Center, HuntersWoods, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Members of the League of
Reston Artists display paintings,drawings, mixed media, photographsand two-dimensional works suitablefor wall hangings. Visitwww.leagueofrestonartists.org.
SUNDAY/FEB. 11Author Event. 4-6 p.m. at Scrawl
Books, 11862 Market St., Reston.Author C. V. Wyk will be at the storeto discuss her new YA fantasy novelBlood and Sand. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com/event/blood-and-sand-c-v-wyk.
Mardi Gras Celebration. 5-7 p.m. atUnited Christian Parish, 11508 NorthShore Drive, Reston. Celebrate MardiGras with live entertainment fromReston’s top talent, including theReston Divas for an evening of music,dance, food and more. The event isfree and fun for all ages. Call 703-620-3065 or visitwww.ucpreston.org/event/1070505-2018-02-11-mardi-gras/.
TUESDAY/FEB. 13Design and Wine. 7-9 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Design and Wine: WinterColors with Lorrie Herman. $40 perperson covers wine, light snacks andsupplies. Limited to 25 participants.Registration is required withpayment in advance. No prior artexperience necessary. Call 703-956-9560.
James A. Bland Music ScholarshipCompetition. 7:30 p.m. RestonCommunity Center Hunters Woods,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Solomusicians from local schools with avariety of voice, piano andinstrumental talents compete toadvance to regional round ofcompetition. Winners will advance todistrict and state competition levels.Admission is free. Visitwww.restonlions.org.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, Eva Schloss will share her experiences as the childhood friend and step sister ofAnne Frank, including accounts of the publishingof Anne’s diary.
The presentation will take place at the George Mason Univer-sity Center For The Arts at 7 p.m. and will be suitable for peopleof all ages including teenagers. Families of all faiths are invited toattend. This is an opportunity to hear a first-hand account fromsomeone whose life intersected with a historical figure.
Chabad of Reston-Herndon is a sponsor for the event. Partnersfor the evening include:
❖ The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington❖ JCC of Northern Virginia❖ George Mason University❖ Gesher Jewish Day School❖ Washington Jewish Week❖ Fairfax County Public SchoolsIn 1938, Germany invaded Austria, causing many Jewish fami-
lies to flee Austria to avoid persecution. Among the emigrantswas 8-year-old Eva Geiringer, who with her mother, brother, andfather moved first to Belgium and then to Holland, where one ofher neighbors was a German Jewish girl of the same age.
The two girls became friends and playmates (though, as Evawould say many years later, the girl was “much more grown-upand mature than me”). They passed the time by skipping, playinghopscotch and marbles, and drinking lemonade that the girl’smother prepared.
Ultimately, both girls and their families were deported to theAuschwitz concentration camp. Later they would become stepsisters.
Eva survived her concentration camp experience and made herway to England, where she married Zvi Schloss and raised threedaughters. She worked as a studio photographer and ran an an-tique shop.
Her step-sister did not survive Auschwitz, but kept a diary thatdid. Her name was Anne Frank.
Since 1985, Eva Schloss has devoted herself to holocaust edu-cation and global peace. She has recounted her wartime experi-ences in more than one thousand speaking engagements. Shehas written two books and has had a play written about her life.In 1999 she signed the Anne Frank Peace Declaration along withUnited Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the niece ofRaoul Wallenberg, who rescued thousands of Jews in Budapest.
Tickets for students are free, $10 for adults and $360 for VIPwhich includes two tickets to a VIP reception and reserved seat-ing. Reservations can be made at www.chabadrh.org.
Presented by the Chabad centersof Northern Virginia.
An Evening withEva Schloss
First Place at Bring It CompetitionShades of You, Herndon High School’s StepTeam (above in rehearsal), won first place —and $3,000 — in the school performance cat-egory at the Bring It 2018 competition held atReston Bible Church in Dulles on Friday. Jan 19.The team competed against 10 other group actsacross Northern Virginia. Shades of You has 14dancers, coached by Byron Renderos and over-seen by HHS sponsor Tiffany Murphy. The teammembers are: Jearnne Prosper, 11th; GinnyThrelkeld, 10th; Sammy Hernandez, 11th;Patricia Hernandez, 11th; Taylor Elgin, 12th;Padmini Sudhesh, 11th; Rosa Segovia, 9th;Jazmine Vasquez, 9th; Elizebeth Sontiago, 9th;Skyler Dorsey, 11th; Morgan Stokes, 11th;Olivia Taylor, 10th; Jescenia Hembry, 10th; andZainab Camara, 10th.
Ice SkatingThe ice rink at the Reston Town Centre is open for theseason. Call 703- 709-6300 for more.