PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Elkton, MD McLean PERMIT #31 Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 10-16-08 Meeting Making Real-Life ‘Green Choices’ Heroes News, Page 3 People, Page 6 Classifieds, Page 20 Classifieds, ❖ Bartenders Sports, Page 24 ❖ Chase History Faith, Page 11 ❖ People, Page 6 Opinion, Page 10 Chesterbrook ❖ Elementary School students met real- life heroes last Friday when USS Carl Vinson crew Schools, Page 16 Schools, members visited the school. In this photo, Claire finishes up with the last question. Photo by Louise Krafft/The Connection Photo October 15-21, 2008, 2008 ❖ Volume XXII, Number 42 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLeanwww.connectionnewspapers.com Connection ❖ October 15-21, 2008 ❖ 1 2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ October 15-21, 2008 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-917-6449 or [email protected] Search for ‘Creative Solutions’ Decrease in transportation funding cancels improvement projects. Photo by Photo By Mirza Kurspahic The Connection Louise Krafft eclining revenue streams, rising Dconstruction costs, anticipated population growth and near col- lapse of credit markets all affect near-term Northern Virginia transportation needs. /Connection Area residents and business people have much to think about while stuck in gridlock on a local roads. “It continues to be a very large thorn to all businesses,” said Eileen Curtis, the Dulles State Del. Margaret Vanderhye and Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust listen as McLean Citizens Association Regional Chamber of Commerce president. President Rob Jackson addresses the group. Realities of gridlock, pollution and loss of quality time are contributing to employee dissatisfaction, which could lead to loss of productivity or loss of employment. “The inability to predict arrival times for meet- ings” is another concern, said Curtis. Making ‘Green Choice$’ Pierce Homer, the Commonwealth’s Transportation Secretary, drove from Rich- Community forum formed energy decisions in their homes, date because it was prior to Virginia’s en- mond after meetings about necessary bud- workplaces, and lives. ergy-efficiency tax holiday from Oct. 10 – get cuts to deliver a presentation in McLean presents resources “Every step that each of us takes, regardless 13. on Thursday. of its size or cost, makes a difference in achiev- Esma Akin Losee of McLean said she was “Choices will be made” on which trans- and workshops. ing energy bill savings and a cleaner, greener motivated to come to the green choices fo- portation projects would be funded, said environment,” Del. Margaret Vanderhye (D- rum because she wanted to see if she could Homer. “Those choices are not easy. They By Donna Manz 34) said in her welcome address. “be a little more energy-efficient” in her own will be profound and they will have consid- The Connection See Green Living, Page 4 Vanderhye said the committee chose this erable effect,” he said. Homer presented a slide depicting the aybe it was the presidential drastic drop in Northern Virginia highway debate that kept the crowd construction and transit funding forecasts. Mdown, but the citizens who A scenario possible after Gov. Tim Kaine’s did come to the “Green (D) budget cuts shows the projected funds Choice$” forum on Oct. 7 at the McLean available for Northern Virginia’s six-year Community Center were committed to mak- improvement plan dropping from $1 billion, ing an environmental difference. for fiscal years 2008 to 2013, to $500 mil- They asked questions, picked up litera- lion for fiscal years 2009 to 2014. Homer ture from the tables, and sat in on work- said revenue reduction for transportation shops. Many practiced environmentally- would be far worse, on percentage basis, friendly routines at home. than that of the general fund. “Turn off the lights, recycle any stuff you can,” said 11-year-old Michelle Coy of SUPERVISOR JOHN FOUST (D- McLean. “Even a child can be helping.” Dranesville) said he was surprised Homer Michelle and her friend, Renee Wah, both and other speakers at Thursday’s presenta- sixth-graders, are in Spring Hill Elementary tion at the Capital One auditorium in School’s robotics club and were at the green McLean did not mention the widening of forum to do research on global warming. Route 7 from Loudoun County to Reston “If I broke a CFL bulb, I’d call my mom or Avenue during the seminar. dad for help,” said Renee “Weak as the transportation right now Spread over two large rooms at the may be, we cannot quit,” said Bob Chase, McLean Community Center, the energy fo- president of the Northern Virginia Trans- Darren Ewing looks over concrete rum presented a diversity of programs, ser- portation Alliance, the organizer of the vices, products and resources to arm citi- permeable pavers that could be Sierra Club volunteer Prakash zens with the tools they need to make in- used in the county. Nadkarni. See Less Money, Page 7 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLean Connection ❖ October 15-21, 2008 ❖ 3 News Forum Promotes ‘Green Living’ From Page 3 educate citizens to what the county is doing in that house. “I want to teach the kids more than just arena. McLean Citizens’ Association’s president, Rob turning off lights when they leave the room.” Jackson, previewed the workshops. Akin Losee, who is a physician, said her children From rain barrels to energy auditing devices, rep- know not to touch CFLs because of the mercury. resentatives from municipal and private businesses “They know to call me or another adult. It should described the breadth of green choices Americans say on the packaging, ‘if you break it, don’t touch now have. From strings of LED Christmas lights to Photo by Louise Krafft/ Photo by Donna Manz/ it.’” Akin Losee said the family does “simple” things bags recycled from plastic bottles, consumers can Connection The Connection around the house. “We turn off the tap when we’re readily make choices that benefit the environment, Children’s author Edward Edythe Kelleher, Vienna brushing our teeth, turn off the lights when we leave according to the tips participants freely offered. Allen Faine with his book Town Councilwoman, a room. We always drink tap water, no plastic bottles. Representatives from businesses and public agen- “Aiden Saves the World Supervisor John Foust and We make our own window cleaning solution, and cies suggested the use of low VOC paints, turning from Global Warming.” The Del. Margaret Vanderhye try to use bar soap. And we recycle bags.” off electronic equipment via a surge protector, and book is available at Whole (D-34) discuss environmen- landscaping that puts nature to good-use. Foods in Vienna. tal concerns. THE “GREEN CHOICES” FORUM had roots in “We must demand our leaders be part of the so- Vanderhye’s bid for a seat in Virginia’s General As- lution,” said workshop presenter Beth Ritchie sembly. “When I walked around the neighborhoods, Chung of McLean, environmental consultant at energy and the environment were on the top of list,” “My Green Expert.” We can produce positive Vanderhye said. change. We can control a portion of our own emis- “Rob [Abbot, Vanderhye’s legislative assistant] and sions. We cannot be neutral on the importance of I sat down late summer and talked about how we carbon emissions.” would do this and who we would invite to present Green Choice$ was sponsored and organized by energy programs. Everyone we asked responded Vanderhye, Foust, the McLean Citizens Association, positively.” the Sierra Club, McLean Citizens Foundation, My Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation Board Green Expert LLC, Greater McLean Chamber of Com- conducts rain barrel workshops a couple of times a merce and Great Falls Citizens Association. year. The collected rain water is recycled for use on “Americans consume a disproportionate share of the lawn and garden. Residents buy the barrels from the world’s resources,” said Chung. “Therefore, it’s Photo by Donna Manz/ Photo by Donna Manz/ The Connection The Connection the county for $45 - $65 a barrel. The next work- essential for individuals to commit to voluntary con- Michelle Coy and Renee Dr. Esma Akin Losee of shop, approximately two – three hours, is scheduled servation actions. If we act now, we can help stave Wah, Spring Hill ES 6th- McLean practices conserving for March, 2009. off the most drastic consequences of climate change.” graders, visited the “Green energy in her home. Her Supervisor John Foust highlighted Fairfax County’s Chung repeated a quote she had read once. “There Choice$ Forum” to do children know not to pick up environmental improvement program as a means to are no passengers on space earth. We’re all crew.” research on global warming. broken CFL fragments. 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THURSDAY/OCT. 16 the Vienna Women’s Club and 7-9:30 p.m. Register to participate in Our Daily Bread, a volunteer- shaping the FY 2010 Budget. 703- 20% OFF Vienna Board of Architectural based organization that serves 324-9400 or 703-324-2391, TTY 711.