Newcomers & Community Guide Inside

Reston Holiday Parade: One of the many community events going on in Reston year-round. Reston Built Classifieds, Page 14 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, 12 Classifieds, To Live, Work and Play Newcomers & Community Guide, Page 3 What Do You Love

Most About Reston?

Newcomers & Community Guide, Page 3 8-29-19 home in Requested

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Back to School, Page 9 STD PRSRT Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection by Mercia Hobson/The Photo August 28 - September 3, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com 2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newcomers Viewpoints What Do You Love Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection Most About Reston? —Mercia Hobson

Connor Witt, 18, of Reston: “I live on Lake Anne, and I really enjoy being on the water. I’m happy Reston has so many activities, trails, lakes and tennis courts. There’s some- thing for everyone.”

My Last Welcome Letter Marie Dauenheimer of Reston: “The Farmers Market, trails and Metro accessibility. We can have guests For Connection Newcomers take the train to D.C.”

By Sharon Bulova, Chairman ❖ Created Diversion First, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors a program for people with mental illness or develop- hen I was first elected to mental disabilities, experienc- the Board of Supervisors ing an encounter with law en- Win 1987 the Braddock forcement to receive treat- District was called ment instead of incarcera- Annandale. Fairfax County’s population tion; (now 1.15 million) was approximately ❖ Updated the County’s Environmental 746,600. There was no VRE (Virginia Rail- Vision to include a new focus on Energy Ef- way Express Commuter Rail System) nor ficiency and Climate; was there a Springfield Franconia Metro ❖ Strengthened collaboration between Station or a Fairfax County Parkway. When the Board of Supervisors and the School Garrett Johnston, a new resident I took office as a freshman Supervisor in Board in the areas of budget development, of Reston: January 1988, Fairfax County was, for the land use planning and joint environmental “What I really love about Reston is most part, a rapidly growing suburban bed- initiatives; the trees. They remind me of where I room community. Tysons was still just a ❖ Reduced homelessness by nearly 50% grew up, in old Virginia. You don’t see shopping mall. employing a Housing First strategy to put a that in many suburbs of D.C.” I will be retiring at the end of December, roof over homeless individuals’ heads and after serving 31 years on the Fairfax County connecting them to resources needed to Board of Supervisors — 11 years as Chair- help them get back on their feet; man and 20 years before that as the ❖ Lastly, and most importantly, our Board, Braddock District Supervisor. What I have in partnership with the School Board, es- come to understand over these many years tablished One Fairfax, a social and racial is that the one thing you can be certain of equity compact, to ensure that ALL residents is that things will change. Indeed, a lot has of Fairfax County have access to equitable changed over that span of time. opportunities for success. During the past decade while I have had I have been deeply honored to serve the the honor to serve you as Chairman, Fairfax residents of Fairfax County for these many County has: years. I will really miss this job! Jurisdic- Chelsea Graves, of Reston: ❖ Navigated the financial crises caused tions throughout the country look to Fairfax “I moved out of Reston when I was by the Great Recession with the County’s County as a leader and innovator, and I am six, and I’ve returned as a Reston coveted triple A bond rating by all three proud, working with my colleagues on the Farmers Market vendor. I think the way rating agencies still intact; Board and our excellent County staff, to they organized and planned Reston is ❖ Welcomed Metro’s Silver Line to Tysons have led our county to where it is today. one of the best, aesthetically pleasing and Reston, with a station at Dulles Airport Fairfax County is an awesome place, with a communities. I feel that the intentional to open next year; culture of engagement, acceptance of dif- design cultivates a real beautiful sense ❖ Ushered in new land use plans for ferent cultures and backgrounds and a will- of community I can feel here.” Tysons and other aging commercial and ingness to work together to resolve conflicts. industrial areas of the County in need of Fairfax County is poised for many exciting revitalization; opportunities ahead. I am confident the next ❖ Reengineered our police policies to in- Board of Supervisors, in partnership with clude more transparency and de-escalation members of the community, will continue the See Viewpoints, Page 11 tactics with a focus on the sanctity of life; positive momentum we are known for. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 3 Opinion Reston

New Direction for Reston Association www.ConnectionNewspapers.com @RestonConnect By John Lovaas Independent Progressive An independent, locally owned weekly Reston Impact Producer/Host “You have to spend money to make money,” newspaper delivered said President Baum, more than once. What to homes and businesses. ast Thursday, curiosity business and member customer potential new money-making activities are Published by drove me to the Reston service. under consideration? Here are some intended Local Media Connection LLC LAssociation to hear an Profit-making will be essential to bring in money from visitors, not just resi- 1606 King Street initial discussion of next to help fund the budget growth dents: tour boats to take visitors around Reston Alexandria, Virginia 22314 year’s RA budget, the first to be needed to achieve the stated goals lakes, more boat rentals on lakes, concession prepared and managed by Hank because, as he rightly pointed out, stands by lakes and other facilities; tour bikes Free digital edition delivered to Lynch who took the reins as RA’s it is unlikely that assessment in- or electric scooter rentals; airport shuttles; your email box. Go to connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe CEO in January 2019. Lynch was creases at the funding levels he wellness center with spa and massage, medi- to introduce his vision for RA’s fu- wants will be feasible. He sees the tation classes, state-of-the-art fitness center; ture and the resources needed to take us there. budget reaching stable levels in 3-4 years, af- adventure park w/climbing ropes, upscale NEWS DEPARTMENT: Before the Board of Directors and Fiscal Ad- ter which increases will be needed only to cover water park, outdoor theatre like Shakespeare [email protected] visory Committee members could get to the inflation, i.e., 2 to 3 percent per annum. David in the woods; “Celebrate Reston” events Kemal Kurspahic agenda, however, about 25 residents de- Kerr, Chairman of the Fiscal Committee, chal- around lakes with food trucks, music, booths. Editor ❖ 703-778-9414 manded to speak about the “rumor” that RA lenged Lynch’s underlying budgetary con- These are preliminary ideas only, reminded [email protected] was going to close Lake Thoreau swimming straint premise. Kerr pointed out that for the Lynch. pool. It seems the RA South Lakes Director, in last five years, RA had in fact ended every bud- By evening’s end, I had a lot of new mate- Mercia Hobson a monumental gaffe, let it slip the Board was get year with uncommitted balances between rial to process, including some promising Community Reporter [email protected] considering doing so. For over an hour, the $300,000 and $800,000. Lynch said he could ideas from Lynch. I, too, think we might want group demanded the pool be saved, tearing be counted on to spend every bit of approved to consider new recreational infrastructure, Andrea Worker into RA’s evil plan and various past sins as well budgets. facilities. And, it may be time for Pickleball Contributing Writer — despite being assured by the Board Presi- He said the Lake House was an excellent courts. [email protected] dent that no such decision had been made. acquisition, an example of an asset that could However, I was troubled by some of his pre- Jean Card Most were unconvinced. pull in corporate bucks, after some redesign mises. I agree with Kerr and Iyer that he has Production Editor Welcome to Reston, Mr. Lynch. Please begin and improvements. He suggested staff morale not demonstrated there is a structural short- [email protected] your presentation. is a problem, perhaps pay related. When a Fis- fall in the budget. While I applaud his customer Lynch smoothly used the community upset cal Committee member countered that he service satisfaction goal, I was disappointed to segway into his plans to repair the “obvi- thought staff was well paid (e.g., generous that there was no mention of the totally de- ADVERTISING: For advertising information ously damaged” RA brand. He reported that health plan and six folks making over $120K?), pleted support to Reston’s 150 or so cluster [email protected] Brand Consultancy is already surveying our Lynch said he has a compensation study in and condo associations, and for welcoming/ 703-778-9431 region to develop a basis for repairing the process “which says the opposite.” Besides in- introducing the many thousands of newcom- brand. This six-figure contract is an initial step creases in pay and benefits, growth is planned ers in our future. Perhaps Lynch should expand Debbie Funk towards Lynch’s two new goals for RA: 1) striv- in new personnel, e.g. corporate relations and his introductory listening tour beyond the nar- Display Advertising/National Sales 703-778-9444 ing for 100 percent customer satisfaction; and, social marketing as well as capital costs for row confines of the RA HQ. [email protected] 2) striving to increase the value of all Reston profit-making infrastructure. To start, a net of properties. He sees RA in years ahead as hav- 10 new staff are proposed next year, enough What do you think? Send comments/letters David Griffin ing two fundamental roles — a profit-making to pose a space problem in RA HQ. to [email protected] Marketing Assistant 703-778-9431 [email protected]

Pointing out the evils of slavery Classified & Employment Learning from 1619 Advertising and its aftermath. 703-778-9431 By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum Commentary State Delegate (D-36) truth upon them, we have to start with our- Editor & Publisher selves.” And the Governor is showing that with Mary Kimm ocal and national news me- Jim Crow, segregation, and white his personal experiences he is willing to pro- [email protected] Ldia have given broad cov- supremacy that continued the cru- vide the leadership to move forward. @MaryKimm erage of the events last elty in other forms. As the Governor explained, “Virginia is a Executive Vice President week commemorating the first I am pleased that speakers at the place of contradictions and complexity. … We Jerry Vernon African enslaved people being Commemoration were honest and are a state that for too long has told a false 703-549-0004 brought to the Virginia colony in forthright in pointing out the evils story of ourselves. … The story we tell is insuf- [email protected] 1619. Certainly the historic re- of slavery and its aftermath. I ficient and inadequate, especially when it search that has been done in re- could not have been more proud comes to black history that is American history.” Editor in Chief Steven Mauren cent years has given a truer pic- of our two Senators Kaine and By Executive Order the Governor established Managing Editor ture of the struggling colony at Jamestown that Warner, two Congresspersons Bobby Scott and a Commission on African American History Kemal Kurspahic had been founded in 1607 and that saw sig- Elaine Luria, and Congressional Black Caucus Education in the Commonwealth with the pur- Art/Design: nificant changes 400 years ago this month with Chair Karen Bass for their honesty and direct- pose of ensuring that the history we teach is Laurence Foong, John Heinly, the meeting of the first elected representative ness about our past and for our need to make true and complete. Earlier he had established Ali Khaligh Production Manager: assembly and with the arrival of the first amends and stand against any form of evils in a Commission to examine the racial inequities Geovani Flores women and enslaved Africans. As a history buff the future. in Virginia laws, and there are many that the I read every version of the 1619 story I could Our Gov. Ralph Northam was no less critical General Assembly needs to amend out of the find and found the speeches at the commemo- of our past. He said about the enslaved Afri- Code. CIRCULATION rative event at Old Point Comfort at Hampton cans, “government did not represent them He has directed his staff to ensure that pro- [email protected] last week to be enthralling. during the 246 years of slavery. It did not rep- grams and services in the state do not discrimi- The real story did not take place in 1619 resent them through nearly 100 years of Re- nate against anyone because of race or the however but in the 400 years since when sla- construction and Jim Crow and discrimination. color of their skin among other areas where very lasted for nearly 250 more years and rac- And in many ways, it struggles to represent discrimination has occurred. ism, inequality, and injustice continue to to- them today.” The events of 1619 can remind us that there day. Slavery was a horrid institution that re- The Governor said, “if we are going to begin is much work to be done, and we have a Gov- minds us just how cruel some can be to oth- to truly right the wrongs of our four centuries ernor who is willing to provide the leadership ers. Following onto slavery was Reconstruction, of history, if we are going to turn the light of to accomplish it.

4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Viewpoints

What Do You Love Most About Reston? —Mercia Hobson

Wendy Martinez, Lake Anne Deli in Reston: “It’s very diverse ethnically. The busi- nesses welcome everyone. It was easy to set up a business in Reston. I’ve been here for nine years, and the other businesses at Lake Anne welcomed me and my hus- band, Rogelio.”

Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

Adrienne Leo, Reston Regional Library, Librarian: “It’s a place for everybody. You see every slice of life here. A library is a good place where you see a sample of that.”

Kathleen McCarthy of “Live work in Reston,” Reston Regional Li- brary, Librarian: “It’s a welcoming place to grow up. I went to Forest Edge Elementary School in Reston, the Gifted Program. In other areas, I heard about gifted kids being bullied. It never happened to me here.”

Eugene W. Overton, MD: “There are a lot of good neighbors here. One saved my life. When our house was on fire, my neighbor called and asked if I was grilling in the garage. I wasn’t. Good neighbors save lives; they enrich our lives as well. A lot of places where neighbors see something, they don’t do anything. Here in Reston, they do.”

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 5 Newcomers & Community Guide Keep in Touch ❖ ONLINE: www.connectionnewspapers.com

❖ ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ connectionnewspapers About the Connection ❖ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Email to [email protected] or submit online at www.connectionnewspapers.com/ contact/letter/ s your local, weekly newspaper, We are also interested in events at your of the event, and we encourage photos. the Connection’s mission is to church, mosque, synagogue, community cen- Your community Connection newspaper is ❖ Events to list in the calendar, Adeliver the local news you need, ter, pool, school, club, etc. Email us a note one of 15 papers published by the indepen- www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ to help make sense of what is about the event, being sure to include when dent, locally owned Local Media Connection ❖ Digital editions of papers are available at happening in your community, to advocate and where the photo was taken and the LLC, serving the suburbs of Metropolitan Wash- www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs for community good, to provide a forum for names of all the people who are in a photo. ington in Northern Virginia and Potomac, Md. ❖ Past issues of the Connection back to 2008 are dialogue on local concerns, and to record We also publish notes about news and Our flagship paper, the Alexandria Ga- available at www.ConnectionArchives.com/PDF/ achievements, milestones and events in the events from local businesses. Notes about zette Packet, is one of the oldest continu- ❖ Advertising information, Special Section details community and people’s lives. openings, new employees and anniversaries ously publishing papers in the country, be- available here Here in our Newcomers and Community are welcome. It is especially important to ginning publication in 1784. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/advertising Guide, we include details of how to vote in us to let people know about events ahead — Mary Kimm ❖ Sign up for a free digital subscription at the upcoming elections, information on lo- of time in our calendar of events. We appre- www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/subscribe, cal and regional fairs and festivals, plus tips ciate getting notice at least two weeks ahead [email protected] Call 703-778-9431 and tidbits from the community. We invite newcomers and long-time resi- dents alike to let us know how we’re doing Alexandria Gazette Packet: www.twitter.com/ @LFSCConnection and let us know what is going on in your CONTACT AlexGazette; @AlexGazette Great Falls Connection: www.twitter.com/ part of the community. If you have ques- For advertising and marketing information, see Arlington Connection: www.twitter.com/ GFConnection; @GFConnection tions or ideas, send us an email. We invite www.connectionnewspapers.com/advertising ArlConnection; @ArlConnection you to send letters to the editor or to send email [email protected] or McLean Connection: www.twitter.com/ call 703-778-9431. Burke Connection: www.twitter.com/ McLeanConnect; @McLeanConnect an email with feedback about our coverage. BurkeConnection @BurkeConnection We want to know if someone in your fam- Send news to Oak Hill/Herndon: www.twitter.com/ ily or your community published a book, [email protected] Centre View: www.twitter.com/CentreView; HerndonConnect; @HerndonConnect @CentreView started a business, became an Eagle Scout, Reston Connection: www.twitter.com/ raised money for a good cause, accom- Follow Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Chantilly Connection: www.twitter.com/ RestonConnect; @RestonConnect plished some feat like running a marathon, ConnectionNewspapers ChantillyConnec; @ChantillyConnec Springfield Connection: www.twitter.com/ supporting a cause or having art included Fairfax Connection www.twitter.com/ SprConnect; @SprConnect in an art show. We publish photos and notes Follow Our Papers on Twitter FFXConnection @FFXConnection about personal milestones and community Vienna and Oakton Connection: Connection Newspapers: www.twitter.com/ Fairfax Station-Clifton-Lorton Connection: www.twitter.com/ViennaConnect events, including births, engagements, wed- FollowFairfax; @FollowFairfax www.twitter.com/LFSCConnection; @ViennaConnect dings, anniversaries, awards and obituaries.

6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newcomers Where to Give Locally Britepaths, formerly Our Daily Bread, List of Nonprofits in has been developing sustainable solutions to stabilize low-income working families, build resilience Fairfax County through financial literacy and ❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills mentoring, and provide seasonal Road, Suite 210, Reston, serving supports. “Give Instead Gala” is Sept. Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555, 26. 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, www.cornerstonesva.org. Fairfax, VA 22030; 703-273-8829 Nonprofit providing support and Email [email protected] advocacy for those in need of food, ❖ Shelter House provides crisis shelter, affordable housing, quality intervention, safe housing and childcare, and other human services. supportive services to promote self- Programs and services include the sufficiency for homeless families and Embry Rucker Community Shelter, victims of domestic violence in Emergency Food Pantry, Fairfax County. Hypothermia Prevention Program, www.shelterhouse.org/get-involved/ Thanksgiving Food Drive, Gifts for ❖ Lamb Center, Kids and annual Coat Drive. Alacia www.thelambcenter.org, day center Earley at 571-323-9568 or for homeless, Fairfax 703-691-3178. [email protected]. ❖ Food for Others provides a safety ❖ Assistance League of Northern net for people who suddenly face Virginia is an all-volunteer unforeseen emergencies such as a nonprofit organization that feeds, family illness or the loss of a job or a clothes and educates children in spouse. Located at 2938 Prosperity need. Assistance League’s Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031, 703-207- philanthropic programs touch the 9173. 2938 Prosperity Ave. lives of thousands of children at 11 [email protected] Hours: Title I schools in Northern Virginia, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. serving children most in need at www.foodforothers.org selected schools in Fairfax and Prince ❖ Comfort for America’s William counties and the City of Uniformed Services (CAUSE) Alexandria. To learn more about ensures that recuperating service volunteer and sponsorship members have opportunities for opportunities, contact recreation and social interaction and [email protected] or visit receive concrete signs of appreciation www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org for all that they have done. 4114 ❖ LINK, serving Herndon, Chantilly, Legato Road Suite B, Fairfax, VA Loudoun and more. Every year the 22033, 703-591-4968, cause-usa.org goal is to provide each family with a ❖ Homestretch is the largest provider week’s worth of non-perishable food of transitional housing in Fairfax in November and again in December. County and offers a services to help When funds allow, grocery gift cards the homeless better their lives are also included. In November, through education. Email: clients also receive a voucher for [email protected]; 703- coats and warm clothing. In 237-2035 x125; homestretchva.org/ December, children 16 and under volunteer/ receive gifts. ❖ Pathway Homes focuses on [email protected]. 703- providing housing and support 437-1776 services to individuals with serious www.linkagainsthunger.org. mental illnesses, with the mission to ❖ Northern Virginia Family help these individuals reach their full Service. Just $50 provides a potential and lead stable lives. They complete holiday meal to a family of offer both in-home programs, semi- four. Donate at give.nvfs.org/ independent houses and assisted holidaydonation or via check payable living facilities. 10201 Fairfax to “NVFS” with “Operation Turkey” Boulevard, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA on the memo line, or send grocery 22030. 703-876-0390 store gift cards. Northern Virginia [email protected] Family Service, attn: Holiday www.pathwayhomes.org Initiatives, 10455 White Granite, www.pathwayhomes.org/support- Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, VA 22124. pathway/ ❖ Second Story — Abused and ❖ Good Shepherd Housing and Homeless Children’s Refuge, 2100 Family Services, 8305-17B Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182, Richmond Highway, PO Box 15096, 703-506-9191. Second Story Alexandria, VA, 22039. 703-768- (formerly Alternative House) 9419, www.goodhousing.org/ The provides shelter and services for mission of Good Shepherd Housing homeless, runaway or abused (GSH) is to reduce homelessness, teenagers, unaccompanied youth, increase community support, and and young mothers and their promote self-sufficiency. GSH children. Requests for food and housing manages more than 70 clothing are up more than 50 housing units. percent. second-story.org. ❖ Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater ❖ Shepherd’s Center of Oakton Washington Fairfax Area Vienna providing services, personal operates clubs in two of the neediest enrichment, volunteer opportunities areas of the county, Culmore and for adults 50 and over. Currently Mount Vernon/ Route 1 corridor, serving 3,000+ mature adults in the focusing on character and academic region. 703-281-0538, www.scov.org success. www.bgcgw.org/fairfax ❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is a ❖ Christian Relief Services, 8301 nonprofit organization whose mission RIchmond Highway, Suite 900, is to educate children to have giving Alexandria, VA 22309, 703-317- hearts. www.touchingheart.com, 9086, 703-317-9690 703-901-7355. christianrelief.org/ ❖ FACETS helps parents, their children ❖ Friends of Guest House and individuals who suffer the effects Northern Virginia offers structure, of poverty in the Fairfax area, a supervision, support and assistance partner in efforts to end to female ex-offenders who want to homelessness in Fairfax County. improve their lives and break the FACETS is always in need of cycle of incarceration. Friends of volunteers, and offers a variety of Guest House offers the only program one-time and ongoing opportunities. for women of its kind in Northern 703-865-4251 or Virginia. One East Luray Ave., [email protected]. Alexandria, VA 22301-2025, 703- www.facetscares.org. 10640 Page 549-8072, Ave., Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030 [email protected], ❖ Britepaths, Guiding families to a friendsofguesthouse.org/ brighter future. For 35 years, www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 7 Newcomers and Community Guide 2019-2020 Reston Built To Live, Work and Play

The Planning Commission delin- Then, now and eated an area bounded by New Dominion Parkway, Reston Park- in the future. way, Sunset Hills Road, Sunrise By Mercia Hobson Valley Drive and Fairfax County The Connection Parkway for transit-oriented devel- opment. Reston’s first Metro sta- eston is an unincorpo- tion opened at Wiehle-Reston East rated area in Fairfax in 2014. Reston Station is report- RCounty, approximately edly delayed to possibly mid to six miles from Wash- end of 2020 due to ongoing prob- ington Dulles International Airport lems. and 17 miles from downtown Being an unincorporated area, Washington, D.C. In 2018, Money Fairfax County governs Reston, magazine ranked it as the Best and any development includes Place to Live in Virginia due to its other stakeholders in the discus- many parks, lakes, golf courses sion, such Reston Association (RA) and bridle paths and noted the if the land is legally under its ju- shopping, dining and entertain- risdiction and if in Reston Town ment opportunities in Reston Center, Boston Properties. Built as Town Center. Reston is also home a planned community, Reston was to many large corporations such founded on the principle of its as Google, Oracle, Bechtel, Leidos, people being able to live, work and Deloitte and others. Reston’s de- Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston play together. Reston Association velopment and its future within is responsible for managing the the hub of the region’s high-tech community’s assets. According to corridor are at a significant mo- RA, it created a “suite of resources” ment. and documents for developers, Concern about high-density seeking to work together, as re- commercial and residential devel- ported in “Welcome to Reston.” opments along the Dulles Toll John Boylan, President and CEO Road Corridor and areas of the two Sign telling of the Dulles Regional Chamber of transit stations, Reston Town Cen- Reston’s Commerce, stated, “Record-setting ter and Wiehle-Reston East areas history commercial real estate deals in ignited concern in some residents located at Arlington and Falls Church will about infrastructure keeping pace Lake Anne. find more federal government with construction and density. agencies and associated contrac- Fairfax County Planning Commis- tors moving west.” sion seeks to transform the areas Photos by Reston Association, Reston Com- surrounding the Metro stations Mercia Hobson munity Center, Reston Association into a transit-oriented develop- The Connection and others will continue to offer ment, a mixed-use, dense neigh- programs to the community and borhood connected to Reston add new ones helping Reston Town Center. thrive.

Reston Farmers Market, awarded Best Farmers Market in Northern Virginia by “Virginia Liv- ing” magazine. Easter egg hunt, Reston. Bike to Work Day at the Wiehle-Metro Station. 8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newcomers

Photos by Mercia Hobs

on/The Connection

Photos by Mercia Hobs

Aimee Monticchio, Principal of Langston Hughes Middle School, greets a new student, Natnal Erko, 12, of Reston on the first day back to school 2019.

on/The Connection The Year of Panther Power Langston Hughes Middle School “One Community, One Family”

Fire Cracker 5K for the Troops, Reston Town Center. during construction. By Mercia Hobson The Connection

ore than 1100 students walked into MLangston Hughes Middle School in Reston shortly after 7 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26. Principal Aimee Monticchio stood near the Main Office trailer. She welcomed the sev- enth and eighth graders as they exited buses and walked down a pathway rimmed with orange and white jersey barriers and tall chain link fencing. Even with the construction noise and the rum- bling of cement mixers nearby, no one missed On the first day of the 2019-2020 school Monticchio’s cheerful greetings. “Good morning, year, Langston Hughes Middle School glad to see you,” she called out. students offload from buses alongside Natnal Erko, 12, of Reston arrived with family the construction site for the new members. New to the school, he expressed en- roughly $40+ million renovation thusiasm about the day and year ahead. “I’m ex- project. cited to meet my new teachers, and I’d like to join an art club,” he said. He took a moment to Main Office trailer and into the gymnasium. There introduce himself to Monticchio, who told him she would fill the children in about the two sec- about the art club. tions of the school that were closed off and share Monticchio cautioned Erko and other students the theme for 2019-2020 school year, “Panther to walk carefully beside the construction site as Power.” renovation continued at Hughes. Over the next “We want to greet the students and tell them three years, a roughly $40+ million improvement that they belong here. We are welcoming them, done in five phases would reconfigure the inte- and they can be who they are here because we rior substantially. The result would be a new, believe they can be successful,” said Monticchio, modern and larger school with among other principal of Langston Hughes since 2007. things, a two-floor addition to the front of the “We are giving them not only academics but life school housing administration offices on the first skills and community skills. We are now one fam- floor and a library and science classrooms on the ily, and we want them to feel a part of it. We want second. them to consider others as they’re moving through- A kiss-and-ride in the rear of the school would out our community. And we want them to repre- be added and meet requirements of the federal sent us well, not only in their academic success Americans with Disabilities Act. but beyond these walls, this building and in the Monticchio directed students to go around the community.” Reston Association’s Kids Trout Fishing Day, Reston www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 9 Newcomers and Community Guide Dranesville District, Candidates, School Board Anastasia S. Karloutsos Fairfax County Ardavan Mobasheri Dates and Deadlines for Chairman, Board of Elaine V. Tholen Supervisors Jeffrey C. McKay (D) Hunter Mill District, Joseph F. Galdo (R) School Board Election Day Laura Ramirez Drain Commonwealth’s Attor- Melanie K. Meren ❖ On or About Sept. 20: Absentee Voting begins ney at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Cen- Steve T. Descano (D) Lee District, School ter Pkwy., Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax Jonathan L. Fahey (I) Board ❖ Oct. 15: Voter Registration Deadline. In-person: Tamara J. Derenak Kaufax, 5 p.m., online: 11:59 p.m. Sheriff incumbent ❖ Oct. 29: Deadline to request an absentee ballot Stacey Ann Kincaid (D) by mail, 5 p.m. Christopher F. De Carlo (I) Mason District, School ❖ Nov. 2 Final day to vote absentee in-person, 5 Board p.m. Board of Supervisors, Ricardy J. Anderson ❖ Nov. 5: Deadline to return your ballot to the District Representatives Tom L. Pafford Office of Elections, 7 p.m. Braddock District ❖ Nov. 5: Election Day, Polling Places open 6 a.m. James R. Walkinshaw (D) Mount Vernon District, to 7 p.m. S. Jason Remer (R) School Board Carey Chet Campbell (I) Pamela C. Ononiwu Fairfax County Office of Elections, Steven D. Mosley Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 Dranesville District Karen L. Corbett Sanders, in- p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. John W. Foust (D) incumbent cumbent 12000 Government Center Parkway Suite 323 Nov. 2 Final day to vote absentee in-per- Ed. R. Martin (R) Fairfax, VA 22035 son, 5 p.m. Providence District, 703-222-0776 TTY 711 Hunter Mill District School Board [email protected] ❖ Member School Board. vote for one in your dis- Walter L. Acorn (D) unop- Andrea L. “Andi “ Bayer www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/ trict posed Jung Byun ❖ Soil and Water Conservation Director Northern Karl V. Frisch When you register to vote in Virginia, you DO NOT Virginia District Lee District register to vote by party. Virginia is an Open Primary ❖ School Bonds Referenda Rodney L. Lusk (D) unop- Springfield District, state which means that any registered voter in Vir- posed School Board ginia can vote in either a Democratic or Republican Laura Jane H. Cohen primary. When both parties are holding a primary Voter Registration and Voter Mason District R. Kyle McDaniel election, you will be asked which primary you want Photo ID Opportunities Penelope A. “Penny” Gross Elizabeth L. Schultz, incum- to vote in when you check in to vote with your photo (D) incumbent bent The Office of Elections is open during normal busi- ID. Note, you may only vote in one primary. Gary N. Aiken (R) ness hours to provide residents the opportunity to Sully District, School register to vote or obtain a free voter photo ID if Mount Vernon District Board needed. The Office of Elections also provides resi- Voter ID Requirements: Daniel G. “Dan” Storck (D) in- Stella G. Pekarsky dents opportunities to attend offsite events through- Per Virginia law effective July 1, 2014, all residents cumbent, unopposed Tom A. Wilson, incumbent out the year. must provide valid photo identification when they vote in-person. Please consult the VA Department of Providence District Soil and Water Conserva- Elections for the most up to date information regard- Upcoming Voter Photo ID Dalia A. Palchik (D) tion Director Northern ing acceptable forms of voter photo ID. Virginia District Many types of photo ID are acceptable for voting Events Springfield District Vote for Three in Virginia. You only need to show ONE acceptable ❖ Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sherwood Regional Linda D. Sperling (D) C. Jane Dudik photo ID to vote. Photo IDs can be used to vote up to Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306 Patrick S. “Pat” Herrity (R) in- Chris E. Koerner ❖ Aug. 27, 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Burke Lake Gardens, one year after the ID has expired. Acceptable forms Thursday, 9608 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke, VA 22015 cumbent Christopher A. Bowen of valid identification: Virginia driver’s license, Vir- ❖ Sept. 10, 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., Leewood Healthcare Center, Edward F. McGovern ginia DMV-issued photo ID, United States passport, Tuesday, 7120 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003 Sully District Jonah E. “Jet” Thomas ❖ Sept. 11, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Arleigh Burke Pavilion, Employer-issued photo ID, Student photo ID issued Wednesday, 1739 Kirby Rd., McLean, VA 22101 Kathy L. Smith (D), incum- Monica A. Billger by a school, college, or university located in Virginia, ❖ Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., Chesterbrook Residences, bent Gerald Owen “Jerry” Peters Other U.S. or Virginia government-issued photo ID, Monday, 2030 Westmoreland St., Falls Church, VA 22043 Srilekha R. Palle (R) Jr., incumbent ❖ Sept. 20, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., The Virginian, Friday, 9229 Tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID, Virginia Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031 Voter Photo ID card ❖ Sept. 23, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, Monday, 3440 South Jefferson St., Falls School Board School Bond Church, VA 22041 If you get to your polling place without acceptable ❖ Sept. 24, 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Sunrise at Reston Town School Board At-Large Ballot Question photo ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. You will Center, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., 1778 (vote for three) This is the text of the public school be given instructions on what to do so your vote can Fountain Dr., Reston, VA 20190 Abrar E. Omeish ❖ bond question that will be on the count. Sept. 24, 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m., Hunters Woods at Trails Cheryl A. Buford Nov. 5, 2019, general election ballot: Edge, Tuesday, 2222 Colt Necks Rd., Reston, VA 20191 Shall Fairfax County, Virginia, ❖ Sept. 25, 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., Tall Oaks Assisted Living, Priscilla M. DeStefano contract a debt, borrow money, and Wednesday, 12052 North Shore Dr., Reston, VA 20192 Rachna Sizemore Heizer OFFICES ON THE BALLOT, ❖ Sept. 26, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., The Crossings at Chantilly, issue capital improvement bonds in Thursday, 2980 Centreville Rd., Herndon, VA 20171 Vinson Palathingal the maximum aggregate principal Fairfax County ❖ Sept. 28, Noon until 4 p.m., Reston Multicultural Festival - Ilryong Moon, incumbent amount of $360,000,000 for the pur- Lake Anne Plaza, Saturday, 2310 Colt Necks Rd., Reston, Karen A. Keys-Gamarra, in- poses of providing funds, in addition ❖ Member Virginia Senate, vote for one in your VA 20191 to funds from school bonds previ- ❖ Oct. 1, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., The Woodlands Retirement cumbent ously authorized, to finance, district including reimbursement to the ❖ Community, Tuesday, 4320 Forest Hill Dr., Fairfax, VA Member House of Delegates, vote for one in your 22030 Braddock District, School County for temporary financing for, ❖ district Oct. 5, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., 2019 First Baptist Church of Board the costs of school improvements, ❖ Merrifield Harvest Festival, Saturday, 8122 Ransell Rd., including acquiring, building, ex- Commonwealth’s Attorney, vote for one Zia Tompkins ❖ Falls Church, VA 22042 panding and renovating properties, Sheriff, vote for one ❖ Oct. 5, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sherwood Regional Library, Megan O. McLaughlin, in- including new sites, new buildings or ❖ Chairman Board of Supervisors, vote for one 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306 additions, renovations and improve- ❖ cumbent ❖ Member School Board at Large Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m. until Noon, Heatherwood/Burke Health ments to existing buildings, and Care, Monday, 9642 Burke Lake Rd., Burke, VA 22015 ❖ Member Board of Supervisors. vote for one in furnishing and equipment, for the Fairfax County public school system? your district —See MORE ON ELECTIONS, Page 13

10 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newcomers

Reston USE (Useful Services Exchange) Bulletin Board Submit civic/community an- nouncements at WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 11 – Neighbors Helping Neighbors ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calen- Preference Poll Candidate eed help moving some furniture in your dar. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at Forum. 6:30 p.m. at RCC house, weeding your garden, getting to the least two weeks before event. Hunters Woods, in the N CenterStage, located at 2310 airport, feeding your cat while you’re away, Colts Neck Road, Reston. The or getting handyman help? There may be a neigh- DONATIONS NEEDED Reston Community Center (RCC) bor who can help. School Supply and Backpack Board of Governors announces Reston USE is essentially a timebank, one of more Drive. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the five candidates to fill three 3-year positions. This year’s candidates than 800 around the country. Established in 1975, Parent Resource Center, 2334 Gallows Road, Room 105, Dunn are incumbents Beverly Cosham, we are a community organization where Reston area Loring. For the nearly 56,000 Michelle Moyer and Paul Thomas, members exchange hours of service for time credits students in Fairfax County Public and first-time candidates Laurie Dodd and Robert Petrine. Voting they can then use with another member. Schools living at the poverty line, obtaining school supplies can be begins on Sept. 6, 2019. Visit No money changes hands – repayment is in kind, difficult. FCPS is partnering with www.restoncommunitycenter.com by performing services for other USE members. The roughly 20 nonprofits and or call 703-476-4500. accounts of members are kept in a central database businesses to ensure that students will have the supplies they need TUESDAY/SEPT. 17 in hours of USE credit, thus the description as a “time this fall for its “Collect for Kids” DMV2GO at the Library. 9 a.m.-4 bank.” USE brings people together to help each other Photo contributed campaign. A $25 donation will fill p.m. at Herndon Fortnightly with various needs by providing a way to request a backpack with FCPS approved supplies for a student. Organize a Library, 768 Center St., Herndon. and offer services. Often lasting friendships blossom collection drive of new backpacks The wireless office on wheels as a result of these exchanges. in your community and bring to offers all DMV services: driver’s license and ID card applications As a neighbor-to-neighbor service exchange, USE one of the Collect for Kids drop off locations. Visit and renewals, driving records, does not expect a professional plumber or electri- www.collectforkids.org/get- vehicle titles, license plates, cian to volunteer services for which they need com- involved or call 703-204-3941. decals, order disabled plates, and more. Information on all services pensation. Services are limited to those that can be USE member Norbert Pink repairs a available at dmv.virginia.gov/ done in a few hours and that would not have a large TUESDAY/SEPT. 10 general/#dmv_2go. screen for another member. monetary value if provided commercially. The atmo- Family Caregiver Telephone sphere of exchanges is one of small friendly ex- members in their homes. And we hold an annual Support Group. 7-8 p.m. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY/ Fairfax County’s Family Caregiver changes. meeting and potluck supper in March. Not only about Telephone Support Group meets SEPT. 30-OCT. 23 To get to know one another and make exchanges service, we are also about getting better acquainted by phone. This month’s topic is an Community Emergency easier to transact, we hold an annual potluck picnic with our neighbors and thus strengthening our com- open discussion on advance care planning and end of life decisions. Response Team Training. 7- at one of Reston’s picnic pavilions in the fall. We also munity. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711 to See Bulletin, Page 15 have occasional Lunch Bunch get-togethers in local Check out our website https://restonuse.org/ for register. restaurants and small informal gatherings hosted by more information about joining and our activities.

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 11 Fairs & Festivals

Cornerstones. Presented by Beloved Yoga. September 2019 www.belovedyoga.com. MONDAY/SEPT. 2 FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JUNE 5-7 Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. Herndon Labor Day Festival. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m.- at Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn St., midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; and Herndon. Great music, a craft show, food, 12 Sunday, 11 a.m.-7p.m. Fairfax County wineries and micro-brews and culinary Government Center, 12000 Government Center demonstrations. Visit herndon-va.gov/ Parkway, Fairfax. Musical performances, rides, recreation/special-events/labor-day-festival for games and food. Call 703-324-3247 or visit more. www.celebratefairfax.com/.

Photo by Mercia Hobs JUNE-AUGUST SATURDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 7-8 Reston Concerts on the Town. Fridays, 7:30- Burke Centre Festival. 9:30 am-5 pm at Burke 10 p.m. Reston Town Center Pavilion. Bring Centre Conservancy lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy live 6060 Burke Centre Parkway Burke. Festival music in the Pavilion Saturday nights. Free. Rain includes an Arts & Craft Fair, festival food or shine. Presented by Reston Town Center, vendors, amusement rides, pony rides, musical Boston Properties, and Reston Town Center entertainment provided by local and nationally Association. Alcohol permitted at restaurants recognized performers, nature shows, after- only. 11900 Market Street, Reston. Visit hours Wine Garden. Visit www.restontowncenter.com/concerts.

on/The Connection Great Falls Concerts on the Green. www.burkecentreweb.com/ Sundays, sub_category_list.asp?category=19&title=Burke+Centre+Festival 6-8 p.m. Great Falls Village Centre Green. Come for more. out with your picnic baskets and chairs for an entertaining evening of free, live music! 776 Walker Road, Great Falls. Visit SATURDAY/SEPT. 14 www.celebrategreatfalls.org/concerts-on-the- Dulles Day Plane Pull. At Dulles International green/. Arts in the Parks. Airport, Dulles. The 2019 Dulles Day Family Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 Festival & Plane Pull is a full day of excitement a.m. Performance venues include Burke Lake with airplane and auto exhibits, the children’s Park Amphitheater, E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater, Mason District Park zone and bus pull, varied displays and activities, The whirl and twirl of rides by Cole Shows Amusement Company at- vendors, food and entertainment. Visit Amphitheater, and Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor www.planepull.com for more. tracted crowds during the Fairfax County 71st 4-H Fair and Carnival held Center. Entertain children, teach them the at Frying Pan Park in Herndon. importance of protecting our natural resources, introduce them to live entertainment in an SATURDAY/SEPT. 28 informal kid-friendly atmosphere, and forge a Reston Multicultural Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival connection between kids and parks. Visit Lake Anne Plaza, Reston. The Reston www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/ Enjoy old-fashioned family fun with carnival games, rides and tempting foods. Friday features the free arts-in-the-parks for more. Multicultural Festival celebrates all the Big Truck Night event from 5-7:30 p.m. “No Horn” hour is from 5-6 p.m. Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. on Sat- entertainment, dress, food, and cultural urday. Stop by the 4-H Fair throughout the weekend as exhibitors display their winning entries and get treasures from all over the world that are all their farm animals ready to show. Try a turn at farm chores, watch stage entertainment and enjoy horse July 2020 here in Reston. Rain or shine. Free. Visit and livestock shows. In August at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Admission to www.restoncommunitycenter.com/attend- Herndon 4th of July Celebration. Bready Park the 4-H Fair and Carnival is free; $10 per car parking fee on Saturday and Sunday. Visit shows-events-exhibits/reston-multicultural- at the Herndon Community Center, 814 festival for more. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair for details. Ferndale Ave., Herndon. A family-fun event featuring games, arts and craft activities, bingo, SATURDAY/DEC. 7 THURSDAYS/MAY-AUGUST food face painting, balloon artists, and fireworks. Visit www.herndon-va.gov/ October 2019 Living Saviour’s Holiday Bazaar at 5500 Ox Take a Break Concert Series. 7-9 p.m. Lake recreation/special-events/4th-of-july for more. Road Fairfax Station. Event is 9: a.m-3 p.m. This Anne Plaza, 11404 Washington Plaza W, Reston. Great Falls 4th of July Celebration & THURSDAY-SATURDAY/OCT. 10-12 is a family event with free admission. Shop a On Thursdays, take a break with this outdoor Parade. 5K Walk Run, Blood Drive, Little Fairfax’s Fall for the Book Festival. 4400 variety of vendors including small business and concert series. Visit Patriot Parade, and floats, horses, antique cars University Drive, Fairfax. Enjoy literature and homemade arts and crafts. There will also be a www.restoncommunitycenter.com/take-a-break and pets making a loop in the Main Parade. hear authors give readings at the Fall for the Silent Auction with proceeds benefiting local for a weekly lineup. Fireworks start after dusk. Book Festival. Visit www.fallforthebook.org for hypothermia shelters this winter. Visit www.celebrategreatfalls.org/4th-of-july- more. www.eventbrite.com/e/living-saviors-third- celebration-parade/ annual-holiday-bazaar-tickets- FRIDAYS/MAY-AUGUST Vienna 4th of July Festival and Fireworks 64259195985?aff=ebdssbdestsearch for more. Herndon Friday Night Live! 6:30 p.m. 777 Show. Live musical entertainment, arts and SATURDAY/OCT. 5 Lynn St., Herndon. Listen to great music on crafts for kids, antique and classic car show and Taste of Annandale. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tom Davis Friday nights during the summer. Visit fireworks. Visit www.viennava.gov for more. Drive in central Annandale, between Columbia herndonrocks.com/schedule.php for more. April 2020 Fairfax’s Independence Day Celebration. In Pike and John Marr Drive. The fifth annual the Downtown Fairfax Historic District. Taste of Annandale will showcase local APRIL 18-25 Independence day parade, historical tours, restaurants during a daylong family-friendly Historic Garden Week. This eight-day statewide June 2020 games, entertainment and fireworks. Visit celebration aimed at building community spirit, event provides visitors with a unique Springfield Days. South Run Park, 7550 www.fairfaxva.gov/about-us/special-events/ engaging young people, and promoting local opportunity to see elaborate gardens with more Reservation Drive, Springfield. Springfield Days independence-day-celebration businesses. Other activities include a 5K; than 2,000 flower arrangements created by the is a community-wide celebration that includes a Obon Festival. Highlighting Japanese culture at multicultural music, dance, and other live Garden Club of Virginia Members. Visit 5K run, “Pet Fest” and car show. Visit Ekoji Buddhist Temple, 6500 Lakehaven Lane, entertainment; a chili cook-off; and much more. www.va.gardenweek.org for more. www.springfielddays.com for more. Fairfax Station. Visit www.ekoji.org for more. Visit tasteofannandale.com for more Cardboard Regatta. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, JULY-AUGUST THURSDAY-MONDAY/OCT. 24-28 May 2020 Springfield. Featured during Springfield Days, Braddock Nights Concert Series. Fridays, witness the cardboard boat creations race along 7:30-8:30 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Washington West Film Festival. Screening Great Falls Artfest on the Green. On the Great Lake Accotink’s shoreline at 2 p.m. $4 vehicle Accotink Park Road, Springfield or Royal Lake events in Reston, Arlington and other local Falls Village Green. Great Falls Studios Spring fee. Call 703-569-0285 or email Park, 5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax. Listen areas. For tickets and schedule visit Art Show and Sale under the big tent and a few [email protected]. Visit to musical performances in the great outdoors. wwfilmfest.com. little tents, too. This annual event is a show and www.springfielddays.com for more. sale highlighting Great Falls Studios members Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival. 11 both at Great Falls Grange & Schoolhouse and in performances/braddock-nights for location and a.m.-6 p.m. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull the working studios in Great Falls Village schedule. November 2019 Run Drive, Centreville. A fun-filled day with Centre. Visit www.greatfallsart.org/artfest/ Great Falls Annual Charity Golf food, musical entertainment and more. Visit FRIDAY/NOV. 29 www.vintagevirginia.com for more. Tournament. Hidden Creek Country Club. August 2020 Reston Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center, Lake Anne Chalk on the Water Festival. 11 1711 Club House Road, Reston. Join for a Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival. At 11900 Market St. Reston. Holiday parade with a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 Washington morning or afternoon round of golf and support Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, tree lighting, sing along, and more. Visit Plaza, Reston. Chalk on the Water is a two-day three Great Falls elementary schools. Herndon. Enjoy old-fashioned family fun with www.fxva.com/event/reston-holiday-parade- street-painting festival where participants will Opportunities for sponsorships and volunteering tree-lighting-sing-along-%26-more/22348/ for create street art. Festival goers can purchase a carnival games, rides and tempting foods. Friday are available. Visit www.celebrategreatfalls.org. more. “plot” of brick space on the plaza and paint to features the free Big Truck Night event from 5- their hearts delight whatever flows from their 7:30 p.m. “No Horn” hour is from 5-6 p.m. THURSDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 28-31 imagination. Visit www.chalkonthewater.com. Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Stop by the Taste of Reston. Reston Town Center, 11900 4-H Fair throughout the weekend as exhibitors December 2019 Herndon Festival 2020. Thursday, 6-10 p.m.; Market St., Reston. Carnival games and rides display their winning entries and get their farm Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; with a family fun zone. Visit animals ready to show. Try a turn at farm SUNDAY/DEC. 1 and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Northwest www.restontaste.com for more. chores, watch stage entertainment and enjoy Great Falls Celebration of Lights at Village Federal Credit Union, 200 Spring St., Herndon. Love Your Body Yoga Festival. Yoga studios horse and livestock shows.Thursday and Friday Field. 3:45-6:30 p.m. Celebrate the beginning of Four day outdoor festival with three and wellness centers of Northern Virginia will be – free parking and discount tickets for unlimited the season with a Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy entertainment stages, two fireworks displays, offering classes, services, and information on rides. Admission to the 4-H Fair and Carnival is hot chocolate and seasonal music. Visit Kid’s Alley with children’s art area, arts and craft ways to care for your body, along with live free; $10 per car parking fee on Saturday and celebrategreatfalls.org/event/celebration-of- show and more. All ages. Visit entertainment and activities for children. Sunday. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ lights/ for more info. www.herndonfestival.net for more. Donations to participate in classes benefit frying-pan-park/4-h-fair for details.

12 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Calendar

Submit entertainment announcements at the historic mill. Grinding demonstrations will www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The Children’s be taking place, if conditions permit. Call the deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork site to confirm. $8 for adults; $7 for students encouraged. Chalk Contest age 16 and older with ID; and $6 for children Young artists up to age 17 and seniors. No reservations are required. Call 703-759-2771 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ may work on their own cre- ONGOING parks/colvin-run-mill. Art Exhibit: A Purposeful Manner Towards ative pieces in designated a Vague Destination. Through Aug. 27, spaces within our parking lot. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Chalk will be provided; we MONDAY/SEPT. 2 Signature at Reston Town Center, 11850 recommend parents bring Herndon Labor Day Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Freedom Drive, Reston. Gallery hours at Greater their own seating. Event will Downtown Herndon and Herndon Municipal Reston Arts Center (GRACE) presents A be canceled if rain is forecast Center Town Green, 777 Lynn St., Herndon. An Purposeful Manner Towards a Vague or ground is wet. Saturday, annual one-day outdoor street festival featuring Destination, a solo exhibition featuring work by Sept. 7, 2-4 p.m. at Monroe live music all day, Virginia wineries, local craft painter Douglas Moulden. Maryland based Street Studio, 761 A Monroe beers, a craft show, sponsorship gallery, and a painter Moulden exhibits a series of large-scale St., Herndon. Free. Visit variety of food vendors. The Town of Herndon acrylic on panel paintings developed from www.monroestreetstudio.com Parks and Recreation Department produces the photographs and memory inspired by for more. event in conjunction with the Herndon Woman’s exploration of the woods near his home. Visit Club. Partial proceeds go to scholarship restonarts.org for more. programs. Admission with wine tasting or craft Art Exhibit: Overlooked. Through Aug. 31, brew tastings (four craft brew tickets), $25; Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Greater At work during the entrance only/designated driver (no alcohol), Reston Arts Center, 12001 Market St., Suite 103, $5; children 12 and under free; no pets allowed. Reston. Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) 2017 Children’s Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation or call 703-787- presents Overlooked, a group exhibition Chalk Contest. 7300. featuring nine artists who are seeking to bring awareness to issues that are often unnoticed, ignored, or otherwise not part of “polite TUESDAY/SEPT. 3 conversation.” Visit restonarts.org for more. Encore Chorale of Reston. Weekly rehearsals, Summer Reading for Teens and Adults. Tuesdays, 2:30-4 p.m. at Heritage Fellowship Through Aug. 31 at Herndon Fortnightly Church, 2501 Fox Mill Road, Reston. Encore’s Library, 768 Center St., Herndon. Read, log the Photo by mission is to provide an excellent and accessible books and win a prize! The Summer Reading Dawn Haptonstahl artistic environment for older adults, 55 and Program is not just for children. Call or stop by over, regardless of experience or ability, who the Herndon branch for more information. Call seek arts education and performance 703-437-8855. opportunities under a professional artist. No Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit.” Through Aug. 31 auditions are required to sing. Singers learn at ArtSpace Herndon, , 750 Center St., Herndon. vocal technique, proper breathing and posture, Sartre’s classic existentialist play consists of two and music literacy. All concerts are free and women and one man locked up together for open to the public. Fee is $175 for weekly eternity in one hideous room in Hell. The rehearsals, sheet music, practice CD, and windows are bricked up, there are no mirrors, performances. The Encore Chorale repertoire the electric lights can never be turned off, and includes traditional and secular holiday music. there is no exit. Featuring Scott Pafumi as Visit www.encorecreativity.org or call 301-261- Garcin, Skye Lindberg as Valet, Jane Steffen as 5747. Inez, and Arianne’ Warner as Estelle. Reston Chorale Auditions. 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Recommended for audience members 14 and Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, up. Call 703-956-6590 or visit 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. The Reston www.artspaceherndon.org. Chorale is auditioning all voice parts for the Selected Works by John Charles Koebert. 2019-20 Season. Visit www.RestonChorale.org Through Sept. 7 at Artspace Gallery & Studio, and click on “Join Us” for more information. To 750 Center St., Herndon. John Charles Koebert schedule an audition, email is holding open Studios at Arts Herndon on [email protected] or call 703-834- Tuesday and Thursday, 2-4 p.m. and Saturdays , 0079. Aug. 17 and 24, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for the duration of his show. Call 703-956-6590 or visit www.artspaceherndon.org. WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 4 Registration Open: NVSO. The Northern Dog Days of Summer. 5-7:30 p.m. at the Virginia Senior Olympics features more than 60 Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Every events that challenge the mind as well as the Wednesday through Sept. 4, dogs and owners body. New games this year: jigsaw puzzle and can frolic in the Pavilion when it is transformed line-dancing. The games run Sept. 14-28. There into an off-leash play area each week. Treats, will be no on-site registration. Paper toys, areas to cool off, pet friendly giveaways, registrations, available at most local recreation and more. Free. Operated by Healthy Hound and senior centers, must be postmarked by Aug. Playground and Isy’s Ways. Visit 24. Online registrations must be completed by restontowncenter.com for more. Aug. 31 at www.nvso.us. Herndon Farmers Market. Thursdays, through mid-November, 8 a.m-12:30 p.m. in Historic FRIDAY/SEPT. 6 Downtown Herndon, Lynn Street. Vendors will Reston Chorale Auditions The Storytime Social Hour. 11 a.m. at Scrawl offer seasonal plants, produce, baked goods, Books, 11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Every meats and more; all sold by local growers and The Reston Chorale is auditioning all voice parts for the 2019-20 Season. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 5:30-6:30 Friday, moms, dads, caregivers and kids are producers. Additional enhancements to the p.m. at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Visit invited to join a Storytime Social Hour. Scrawl market include seasonal events and www.RestonChorale.org and click on “Join Us” for more information. To schedule an audition, email will provide coffee and treats for the adults; entertainment, including “Farmers’ Market Fun [email protected] or call 703-834-0079. stories and fun for the little people. Make new Days,” free performances for the whole family. friends or meet up with neighbors. Visit Visit www.herndon-va.gov/FarmersMarket for from the Rava Upuma and Chutney regions in www.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111. more. India. This will be a demonstration with some Reston Farmers Market. Saturdays, through hands-on opportunities. $20, $16 (55+) with SUNDAY/SEPT. 1 Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-noon at Lake Anne Village Center, registration; $30 at the door. Visit 4K Fun Run: Hope Against Cervical Cancer. SATURDAY/SEPT. 7 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. The largest of www.restoncommunitycenter.net/ for more. 10 a.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Dog Daze. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Water Mine at the Fairfax County Farmers Markets. SNAP Road, Herndon. This is a 4K fun run being held Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, accepted, bonus dollar program. Closed to spread awareness and promote self testing for Reston. The Water Mine is going to the dogs as Saturday, Sept. 28 for the Reston Multicultural SATURDAY/AUG. 31 cervical cancer in underserved areas of the U.S. it closes out the swimming season. The water Festival. For list of vendors and more The Bookworms Club. 11 a.m. at Scrawl Books, as well as across the globe. Runners will receive park is open for canine-only swimming. Stop by information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ 11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Young readers a race T-shirt and bottled water. Awards for 1st the Canine Resource Fair and visit with a host of farmersmarkets/reston. are invited to join Scrawl’s all-new and place and runners up will be given in adult and dog-centric vendors. Take advantage of the low- completely free Bookworms Club. Explore a new children categories. Adults, $20; 13 and under, cost rabies clinic from noon-2 p.m. Suggested theme each week with picture books, special $15. Visit www.servicebeyondborders.org for donation is $10 per dog. Proceeds benefit the FRIDAY/AUG. 30 guests and most often, authors. Readers are more. Fairfax County Animal Shelter and the Fairfax The Storytime Social Hour. 11 a.m. at Scrawl welcome to join or participate any time. Visit Get Fired Up. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill, County Park Foundation. Dog food donations Books, 11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Every www.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111. 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. The mill’s will be collected. Call 703-471-5415 or visit Friday, moms, dads, caregivers and kids are Jazz & Blues Music Festival. 2-8 p.m. at Lake blacksmith will be firing up his forge – watch as www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-fairfax/. invited to join a Storytime Social Hour. Scrawl Anne Plaza, Reston. Visit the 13th annual Jazz & he works with hammer and tongs to make iron The Bookworms Club. 11 a.m. at Scrawl Books, will provide coffee and treats for the adults; Blues Music Festival and enjoy a Plaza-wide beer tools and utensils. Free, no reservations are 11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Young readers stories and fun for the little people. Make new and wine garden. Music by BIG Whitson, required.No reservations are required. Call 703- are invited to join Scrawl’s all-new and friends or meet up with neighbors. Visit Shacara Rogers and the Vaughan Ambrose 759-2771 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ completely free Bookworms Club. Explore a new www.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111. Octet, Jamal A. Brown, Feedel Band, Michael colvin-run-mill. theme each week with picture books, special Indian Cooking. 6-7:30 p.m. at RCC Hunters Pavone, and VMC. Enjoy beer by Ornery Beer Escape the Daily Grind. Noon-3 p.m. at Colvin guests and most often, authors. Readers are Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Ages 18 Company and tacos by Lake Anne Deli. Visit Run Mill, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. welcome to join or participate any time. Visit and older. Learn to cook healthy vegetarian food lakeanneplaza.com. See and hear 19th century technology at work at www.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 13 Newcomers and Community Guide

Candidates, General Assembly, Nov. 5, 2019 To check what is on your ballot and the status of your voter registration, visit elections.virginia.gov/registra- tion/view-your-info

House of Delegates District 34 Kathleen J. Murphy (D), incumbent, Gary G. Pan (R)

District 35 Mark L. Keam (D), incumbent, unopposed

District 36 Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum, incumbent, unopposed

District 37 David L. Bulova (D), incum- bent, unopposed

District 38 L. Kaye Kory (D), incumbent, unopposed

District 39 Nick O. Bell (R) Vivian E. Watts (D), incumbent

District 40 Dan I. Helmer (D) Timothy D. “Tim” Hugo (R), incumbent

District 41 Archive photo Eileen Filler-Corn (D), incum- Nov. 5: Election Day, Polling Places open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. bent John M. Wolfe (I) Rachel D. Mace (L) District 86 District 42 Ibraheem S. Samirah (D), incumbent, unopposed Kathy K. L. Tran (D), incumbent Steve P. Adragna (R) Virginia State Senate

District 43 District 30 Mark D. Sickles (D), incumbent Adam P. Ebbin (D), incumbent, unopposed Richard T. Hayden (R) District 31 District 44 Barbara A. Favola (D), incumbent, unopposed Paul E. Krizek (D), incumbent, Richard T. Hayden (R) District 32 Janet D. Howell (D), incumbent District 45 Arthur G. Purves (R) Mark H. Levine (D), incumbent, unopposed District 33 District 46 Jennifer B. Boysko (D), incumbent Charniele L. Herring (D), incumbent, unopposed Suzanne D. Fox (R)

District 47 District 34 Patrick A. Hope (D), incumbent, unopposed J. C. “Chap” Petersen (D), incumbent, unopposed

District 48 District 35 Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan (D), incumbent, Richard L. “Dick” Saslaw (D), incumbent, unopposed unopposed

District 49 District 36 Alfonso H. Lopez (D), incumbent Scott A. Surovell (D), incumbent, unopposed Terry W. Modglin (I) District 37 District 53 Dave W. Marsden (D), incumbent, unopposed Marcus B. Simon (D), incumbent, unopposed District 39 District 67 George L. Barker (D), incumbent Karrie K. Delaney (D), incumbent, unopposed S. W. “Dutch” Hillenburg (R)

14 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Bulletin Side-Splitting But Not Very Funny From Page 11 11 p.m. at at the Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax. The Community By KENNETH B. LOURIE Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program trains county residents in basic disaster response The most recent near-having-to-think-about-death skills, such as fire safety, light search and experience I wrote about last week (“Barbosoul”) was rescue, team organization, and disaster medical quite a shock to my system. operations. Using the training learned in the In spite of all the ups and downs and all-arounds classroom and during exercises, CERT members I’ve experienced over the past 10 and a half not-fun- can assist others in their neighborhood or ÄSSLKJHUJLY`LHYZ0OHKUL]LYNVULLTV[PVUHSS`[V workplace following an event when professional the place I went to last week. Certainly I’ve thought responders are not immediately available to help. Emphasis on hands-on skill development HIV\[KLH[OHUKK`PUNILMVYL!OLJR0»THJHUJLY and Fairfax County protocols and procedures. patient having been given a “terminal” diagnosis. Instructor will provide syllabus with class 5L]LY[OLSLZZ0OHKUL]LYYLHSS`W\[[^VHUK[^V schedule at first session. This training does not together to equal four. It had always equaled three require any special physical strength or agility. HUKHOHSMPM`V\RUV^^OH[0TLHU&4H`IL`V\ Visit volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/ don’t. Sometimes I’m not sure what I mean.) But last #/opp_details/184991 to register. week’s column was different. I went there. It’s not as if I haven’t experienced pain before. SUPPORT GROUPS 0OH]L4VZ[UV[HIS`PU[OLHYLHVMT`S\UNZ[OL Parent Support Partners, a service of the mediastinum) where my non-small-cell-lung-cancer- Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parents stage-IV tumors take up primary residence. Some- who have received training and are qualitied to [PTLZ[OLWHPU0MLS[^HZ[OH[VM[OL[\TVYZNYV^PUN offer education, support and assistance at no 6[OLY[PTLZ[OLWHPU^HZ[OH[VMZJHY[PZZ\L^OPJO cost to families or caregivers. They provide had grown over tumors. reliable information that families can use in Any of which I would never know until my decision-making and are familiar with services oncologist discussed with Team Lourie the radiolo- and resources that can help families in distress. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ NPZ[»ZYLWVY[MYVT[OLWYLJLKPUN*;ZJHU4VYLV]LY healthymindsfairfax or www.nami- these assessments were never given with any kind of northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html. HYP[OTL[PJHS[`WLJLY[HPU[`:[PSSPMP[JV\SKOH]LILLU ^VYZL0^HZOHWW`HUKPMP[JV\SKOH]LILLUIL[[LY0 ONGOING was hopeful. Never too high and never too low. STEM Professionals Needed. Volunteers are (Z`V\YLN\SHYYLHKLYZRUV^0YVSS^P[O[OL needed to assist K-12 STEM teachers in northern W\UJOLZ^OLYL]LY[OL`SHUK Virginia as part of the American Association for -VY[OLWHZ[^LLR[OVZLW\UJOLZWHPU^LYL the Advancement of Science’s STEM Volunteer in the identical (so far as I knew) place where my Program, stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019- 20 school year, beginning in September. Please UVUZTHSSJLSSS\UNJHUJLYZ[HNL0=Z`TW[VTZÄYZ[ contact Don Rea at 571-551-2488 or THUPMLZ[LKPUSH[L+LJLTILY (ZZ\JO0^HZ [email protected]. rolling like I had never rolled before – and without Assistance League of Northern Virginia, a any kind of mat to soften the fall. volunteer nonprofit, invites community members Aside from experiencing headaches/pain in to join the organization to participate in its T`OLHK^OPJO0OH]LU»[^OPJOTPNO[PUKPJH[L Reading Express program. Volunteers provide progression (in 30 percent of lung cancer patients the one-on-one tutoring to first grade students JHUJLYTV]LZ[V[OLIYHPUHYLJ\YYLUJLPU[OLZHTL during the school year. To learn more contact VP Membership Mary Gronlund at area as 10 and a half years ago likewise scares out the [email protected] or Program Coordinator Lynn daylights living inside of me. Barron at [email protected]. (UKQ\Z[SPRL^OLUHSP[[SLRUV^SLKNLPU[OL Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assist ^YVUNOHUKZJHUILHKHUNLYV\Z[OPUNZV[VVKVLZ the Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA- zero knowledge in the right hands (mine) become a Child mentoring program. The mentors provide dangerous thing. Why else would I be experiencing opportunities for companionship, guidance and pain in my left side by my rib cage if it wasn’t the support to children who have been abused and JHUJLYVUS`^VYZL&)\[[OH[^HZU»[[OLJHZL neglected, or who are at risk of abuse and neglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil at As those of you who read to the end of last week’s [email protected] or 703-324- JVS\TURUV^0OH]LZ\Y]P]LK[VÄNO[HUV[OLYKH` 4547. VY0ZOV\SKZH`ÄNO[HUV[OLY[^VTVU[OZILJH\ZL Herndon High School Library needs [OH[»Z^OLUT`UL_[*;ZJHUPZZJOLK\SLK([WYLZLU[ volunteers. Training available to help with re- that’s my cycle: bi-weekly immunotherapy followed shelving books, pulling books for teacher use, by bi-monthly scans of my neck down to my lower helping to check passes, or other special HIKVTLUMVSSV^LKI`HUVMÄJL]PZP[^P[OT`VUJVSV- projects. To learn more, email NPZ[[VKPZJ\ZZ[OLÄUKPUNZHUKWSHUMVY[OLPTTLKPH[L [email protected]. RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking future. service opportunities in and around Fairfax 4PNO[[OH[ILWHSSPH[P]LJHYL&(WWHYLU[S`PM[OLPU- County, Arlington County and the City of ference/suggestion made by my oncologist in our last Alexandria, offers a wide array of opportunities MHJL[VMHJLTLL[PUNOHKHU`IHZPZPUMHJ[&0Z\WWVZL for volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteers that’s the problem with inferences/suggestions made enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and in the medical “whirled.” liability insurance while serving, optional 0»TZ\YL[OLYLHYLMHJ[ZHUKÄN\YLZHUK`LHYZVM mileage and meal reimbursement and are research supporting recommendations upon which invited to volunteer group projects and social VUL»Z[YLH[TLU[ZWYV[VJVSZHYLIHZLK4VYLV]LY gatherings. To sign up for an upcoming orientation, email Carly Hubicki at [OL`»YL\USPRLS`¸THKL\WVM^OVSLJSV[O¹[VX\V[L [email protected] or call RSVP at the late Washington Redskins’ owner Jack Kent 703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visit Cooke commenting on some football rumor I can’t www.rsvpnova.org. remember. Sunrise at Reston Town Center offers a 5L]LY[OLSLZZP[»ZUV[L_HJ[S`HZ[YHPNO[SPULMYVT monthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourth the oncologist’s mouth to the patient’s estate planner. Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthly It’s more like a roller coaster – without the safety bar support group offers a safe place for family 0^PZOP[^LYLTVYLSPRL[OLTLYY`NVYV\UKI\[P[»Z caregivers, to meet and develop a mutual support system and to exchange practical UV[6M[LU[PTLZP[»ZTVYLSPRL^OHJRHTVSL information and possible solutions. Learn about 5V^[OH[[OLWHPUHUKKPZJVTMVY[OHZZ\IZPKLK resources available in the community and how I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet. It reminds me of my to manage caregiver related stress. Call 703- elementary school gym classes when we played a 956- 8930 or email game called “Bombardment” where dodge balls were [email protected] to RSVP. thrown across the gym from one half of the class at Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15- [OLV[OLY(ZYHUKVTHZP[^HZP[^HZVUS`HTH[[LY 2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 Isaac VM[PTL\U[PS`V\JV\SKU»[KVKNLHU`TVYLHUK[OLU Newton Square, Reston. This program brings together people impacted by Parkinson’s Disease you were out. to participate in various physical exercises aimed 0YLHSPaL[OH[^HZVUS`HNHTLHUK[OPZPZSPMLI\[ at improving posture, balance and circulation JHUJLYOHZH^H`VMPU[LY[^PUPUNMHJ[HUKÄJ[PVU^P[O and increasing strength, muscle control and [OLWHZ[WYLZLU[HUKM\[\YL^OL[OLY`V\SPRLP[VYUV[ mobility. Free. parkinsonfoundation.org. Call Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for Natalie McCall [email protected] 703- The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. 904-7600 for more. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 ❖ 15 News Shopping Spree for Children in Homeless Shelters Pride and positive interaction with law enforcement as students get needed gear. Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection By Mercia Hobson The Connection

he first day of school is a criti- cal time in the lives of children. TAn opportunity to shop and choose new back-to-school clothes and shoes excited Yuri Duncan, 7, and Malachi Nealy, 10. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office took Yuri, Malachi and thirty-eight other children shopping for back- to school items, but not before a complimentary pizza lunch by Paisano’s Pizza. These children live right now at the Katherine K. Hanley and Patrick Henry fam- ily shelters operated by Shelter House, and the Next Steps family shelter run by Facets. Now in its 28th year, the 2019 Shop with the Sheriff Program allowed local shelter Reservist, K. R. Gulich and Margo Reimers-Ray, Man- Checkout time is show and tell for Yuri Duncan, 7. children the opportunity to select and pur- agement Analyst II of Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office She holds up one of her back-to-school-purchases that chase clothing they liked, suited to their assist a youth during the 2019 Shop with the Sheriff Sheriff’s Deputy J. M. Smith helped her choose during individual personalities, while interacting Program at Target in Burke. the 2019 Shop with the Sheriff Program. in a positive experience with law enforce- ment. “Together, we truly are changing lives,” said Joe Myer Executive Director and CEO of Shelter House. “I’d like some Jojo shoes because I wear dresses,” said Yuri Duncan as she and Sheriff’s Deputy J. M. Smith, Field Train- ing Officer, ate their pizza and got to know each other.

FOR MALACHI NEALY, it was all about being cool. “I’m looking for stylish, cool clothes in teal and light blue.” Shiah Allen, 8, who sat with Sheriff’s Deputy L. R. Favetti said he wanted a hoodie with a 100 on it, and Noah Mathews, 10, knew exactly what clothing and shoes he wanted to get to dominate the game on the school courts. “I’d like themed t-shirts, shorts, and new Nike James LeBron shoes.” “I love the interaction between our kids and our Sheriff’s deputies,” said Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid. “These children are living in family shelters. Help- ing them prepare for the start of the school year with new clothes is something we can see and appreciate. Less obvious, but just as important, is the relationship building. Two cool dudes, Sergeant C. M. Loftis, Public Informa- We are law enforcement officers … we are Shiah Allen, 8, gets to know his shopping partner, tion Officer for Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and regular people who can tell jokes and sto- Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy L. R. Favetti before Christian Gatling don their shades as they go back to ries. We want the children to engage with they head out to Target in Burke for the 2019 Shop school shopping together at Target in Burke during us today and in the future.” with the Sheriff Program. the 2019 Shop with the Sheriff Program. According to Sheriff Kincaid, since the program was not county-funded, the Office This is my third or fourth time,” said Deputy vided the tangible benefit of new clothes relied on contributions from individuals and Sheriff J.M. Smith as she sat coloring with events of the year. It’s heartwarming to see and shoes, it also provided intangible ben- corporate donations such as Target, Yuri Duncan and eating pizza. For Deputy the interaction between the Sheriff’s depu- efits. The experience gave the children a Paisano’s Pizza and new partner this year, L. R. Favetti, it was his first time volunteer- ties and these children. It changes the sense of control as they selected and excit- Oracle in Reston. ing, which momentarily concerned his shop- children’s opinion of law enforcement.” edly tried on the clothing they picked out. “Each child is paired up with a Deputy ping partner, Shiah Allen, 8. That is until When the children arrived, Cook spoke The new clothes also gave the children a Sheriff or civilian staff member and given Favetti added: “I have lots of nieces and to the group. “You just show our deputies sense of pride, which would allow them to $250 gift cards so they can purchase items nephews, so I know how to shop.” what you need, and they will be happy to focus on their education. It also allowed such as clothing, accessories, things that Sharon Bulova, Chairman Fairfax County get it for you. … School is really important. positive interaction between deputies and they need...on the first day and beyond, so Board of Supervisors and Supervisor John … We want you ready to learn and have the children. they are able to walk in with a sense of pride W. Cook (R-Braddock District) waited at fun with your fellow classmates.” “This is a great program, and I wish we and can focus on their studies.” Target for the children, Kincaid and the could have it every single day. We love to For many of the deputies, the event was a deputies to arrive. Before the children came, IN A FILMED INTERVIEW, Kincaid ex- interact and be the role models for the chil- repeat performance. “I love helping out ... Bulova said, “This is one of my favorite plained while Shop with the Sheriff pro- dren,” said Kincaid.

16 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 28 - September 3, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com