Turtle Recall spends the summer night in Evictions Coming performance at FNL! held July 9, 2021. News, Page 3 Food For Neighbors Honors Friday Night Live! Great Harvest Bread Company Opens At Last News, Page 2 News, Page 5

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U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection by Mercia Hobson/The Photo July 14-20, 2021 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Food For Neighbors Celebrates Five Years of Partnership with Great Harvest Bread Company 2021 Northern Virginia One of Food For Neighbors’ oldest partners, Great Harvest Bread Com- Senior Olympics pany is known for its scrumptious is for ages 50+ and will be held breads and sweets as well as for its commitment to community service. In SEPTEMBER 18-30 celebration of this community spirit, Event locations across Northern Virginia Food For Neighbors presented owner Ken Marter with a plaque for display in Registration: July 31 - September 6 his Herndon store. “I love having such Patron Opportunities Available nvso.us a generous, long-term community partner,” said Food For Neighbors Co- founder Karen Joseph, who said that the partnership began in early 2017. At that time, then Herndon High School student Tiffany Nguyen, an avid Food For Neighbors volunteer, ap- proached Marter about supporting the new nonprofit. Marter, who had just Photo by Robert Maxwell purchased Great Harvest, did not hes- Karen Joseph, Cofounder of Food For Neighbors, presents Great itate. Since then, the local favorite has Harvest Bread Company owner Ken Marter with a plaque in been collecting monetary gifts for the recognition of his company’s support for the past five years. nonprofit as well as donating a variety of breads for distribution to Herndon High School stu- Thanks to the generosity of Great Harvest Bread dents when they receive their weekly supplemental Company, other local organizations, and enthusiastic food. volunteers, Food For Neighbors now provides weekly Marter has stores in Herndon, Vienna, and Ashburn. nutrition to students in 23 middle and high schools in Great Harvest also participates in several farmers mar- Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The five-year-old non- kets: Wednesdays at St. John Neumann Catholic Com- profit has over 1,500 households donating food and munity in Reston, Thursdays at The Boro in Tysons over 1,000 volunteers collecting, sorting, packing, Corner, Saturdays at the Vienna Community Center and distributing it. Food For Neighbors welcomes new in Vienna as well as at One Loudoun in Ashburn, and food donors and business partners. To learn more, vis- Sundays at the Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn. it https://www.foodforneighbors.org/ or contact Re- http://darngoodbread.com/farmer-s-markets nee Maxwell at 703-475-4933.

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2 v Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Supervisor District Court Involved News Braddock 110 Dranesville 116 Hunter Mill 219 Lee 285 Mason 394 Mount Vernon 295 Providence 360 Springfield 88 Evictions Coming Sully 150 * As of June 29, 2021

More than 2,000 tenants are already involved Writs of Eviction, Top ZIP Codes 22306 54 with the courts on evictions with the end of 20171 36 “We’re hearing “Rental assistance 22312 34 from residents in the is one of the best 22303 32 CDC moratorium looming July 31. community that have ways we can prevent never had to reach evictions.” Unlawful Detainers, Top ZIP Codes By Ken Moore a property. These include 366 issued in Al- out before.” —Tom Barnett, 22003 113 The Connection 22306 112 exandria, 137 in Fairfax, 113 in Annandale, — Keisha Dotson, Housing and Com- 103 in Herndon, 103 in Springfield, 89 in 22042 108 Neighborhood munity Develop- 22303 96 andlords have prepared to start Reston, 79 in Centreville, 73 in McLean, and and Community ment 22030 70 evicting tenants when the feder- 73 in Vienna. Services al moratorium ends July 31, 2021. LMore than 2,000 tenants across Fair- MORE THAN 10,000 households have have a huge call volume,” said Chairman “We’re not just reaching out to our typi- fax County are already involved in the court needed emergency assistance for rent, utili- Jeff McKay. “I want to make certain we have cal clients, tenants requesting this rental as- system. ties and food during the pandemic in Fairfax the resources on the ground to respond to sistance, but also the landlords themselves, In fact, 608 writs of eviction have been County. them quickly.” with our nonprofit partners based in the issued in the county. A writ of eviction is a “We’re hearing from residents in the com- “Rental assistance is one of the best ways community, Cornerstones and FACETs,” Bar- court notice sent to the Sheriff’s Office to re- munity that have never had to reach out be- we can prevent evictions,” said Tom Barnett, nett said. “They have actually been engag- move a tenant’s belongings from a property, fore,” said Keisha Dotson, division director, of Housing and Community Development. ing the landlords so that they understand according to county documents. Neighborhood and Community Services. The county has distributed more than the programs available to help pay rental ar- Writs of evictions have been issued The county is bracing to hear from more $31.5 million so far. “There has been an un- rears and so they can help get their tenants throughout the county, including 164 in Al- since the existing Centers for Disease Con- precedented demand for assistance,” Dotson through this process.” exandria, 73 in Falls Church, 59 in McLean, trol moratorium on evictions is scheduled to said on June 29 at the Board of Supervi- At the time of the June 29 committee 54 in Fairfax, 50 in Herndon, 40 in Spring- end July 31, 2021. sors Health and Human Services committee meeting, 975 landlords had applied. field, 34 in Vienna, 32 in Reston, 31 in Cen- Many families who have been unable to meeting, chaired by Dalia Palchik (Provi- Communities hardest hit by COVID are treville and 31 in Annandale. pay their rent because of the pandemic eco- dence). also those hardest hit or anticipated to be As of June 14, 2021, 1,432 unlawful de- nomic crisis could be facing eviction and The county will spend $75 million more in hit by eviction proceedings, in particular tainers have also been issued. Unlawful homelessness when the eviction moratorium federal assistance to help prevent evictions communities of color, Barnett said. “Clearly detainers are issued when a landlord seeks expires. and homelessness. some neighborhoods are getting impacted court assistance in removing a tenant from “We can anticipate that we’re going to The county is also reaching out to landlords. more than others.” Seeking Equity in Access to Required School Supplies

Leveling the learning field from binders to graphing calculators. them up and delivers them to the schools. All the supplies are given to students at By Mercia Hobson for students in need. The goal is to ensure the school with the hope they receive The Connection all students have the tools necessary to be them before school begins,” said Ungerer. successful in the classroom. Schools can cus- Some school districts nationwide have ummer vacation hits the halfway tomize their kits to meet the needs of teach- taken an initiative to increase education- point for students enrolled at Fair- ers and students best. al equity among all their students, lev- Sfax County Public Schools on Mon- The Collect for Kids monetary campaign eling the learning field. Schools provide day, July 18. With the division reaching allows the Foundation to streamline the dis- the supplies students need for learning, out to parents, encouraging them to send tribution of backpacks and supplies. “A do- the same as they do with books and other their children back to in-person learning nation of just $50 provides five students in materials. this fall compared to the fall of 2020 and need with the basic supplies necessary for the economic fallout of the pandemic, the academic success,” states the Foundation’s PROJECT Free Education at Bellingham need is greater than ever for equitable ac- Mercia Hobson/The Connection website. Public Schools in the state of Washington cess to required school supplies. The first day of school for 2021-22 for Kids R First is a regional non-profit pro- provides supplies and opportunities to Approximately 31 percent of stu- Fairfax County Public Schools is Aug. 23. gram “dedicated to the education and help- students at no cost. The budget priority dents in FCPS qualified for free and re- ing kids (grades K-12) from families of lim- attempted to close gaps. Since the pro- duced-price meals as of Oct. 31, 2019, culator at $125, and the need to replenish ited financial means with school supplies gram started in 2011, the division report- reported FCPS. These are families who items throughout the year. to receive the same opportunities as their ed it eliminated the need for families to earn less than 130 percent of the pover- Asked how many children would require peers,” states the charitable organization’s buy school supplies at elementary, mid- ty level and those with incomes between donated supplies and backpacks for the website. In 2020, Kids R First provided cus- dle, and high school; eliminated middle 130 and 185 percent. school year 2021-22 opening on Aug. 23, tom orders for every grade level at every and high school course fees and supplied Each FCPS elementary school has Jennifer Sellers, media outreach specialist participating school, according to Susan Un- high school scientific and graphing cal- school supply lists posted to their school’s at FCPS said, “Around 60,000 FCPS students gerer, founder/CEO. Volunteers supplied re- culators, and world language Advanced website. Middle and High schools often live at or near the poverty level.” quired core items to 25,100 students in need Placement (AP) workbooks. supply these lists on their websites or in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Fairfax County Public Schools antici- provide them to students on their return OPPORTUNITIES are available to students This summer, Ungerer said, Kids R First is pates starting on the first day of school, to school, according to FCPS. Costs to in need of supplies. The Foundation for working with 38 schools (K-12) in the Fair- Aug. 23, 2021, with bus routes and purchase school supply items as viewed Fairfax County Public Schools offers Collect fax County communities of Alexandria, An- schedules back to normal with full activ- on the individual FCPS websites can run for Kids, described as a strategic team-- com- nandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Falls Church, ity, athletic program, and “academic ex- upwards of over $100 per student with prising businesses, government agencies, Fort Belvoir, Herndon, Reston, and Spring- cellence.” individual teachers, especially at the and community organizations working to- field. “Each individual school order is put If students need assistance with school higher grades requesting additional sup- gether to organize and plan a fundraising on a pallet, shrink-wrapped. Then the Fair- supplies, they can directly reach out to plies, such as a TI-83 series graphing cal- effort that helps provide kits of supplies fax County Schools warehouse group picks their local school.

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An independent, locally owned weekly Virginia’s Largest Industry newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum Published by Commentary Local Media Connection LLC State Delegate (D-36) entire state. The health of the Chesapeake Bay is a barometer of how well the state is doing 1606 King Street irginia’s largest private industry is phy of governance are obvious as issues are dis- with its environmental stewardship. Most of the Alexandria, Virginia 22314 agriculture with an economic impact cussed. Virginia is definitely an outlier among Shenandoah Valley is in the watershed of the Free digital edition delivered to of $70 billion annually and 334,000 the southern states as to the role and responsi- Chesapeake Bay. The practices of the home- your email box. Go to Vjobs. Yet, according to Feeding Amer- bilities of state government. owners in fertilizing their lawns as well as the connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe ica, one in eleven persons, or 766,620 people The agenda also indicates the complexities farmers fertilizing their crops have an impact in Virginia, face hunger. One in nine children, of challenges facing agriculture in Virginia and on the health of the Bay and Virginia’s seafood or 214,270 children in the state, face hunger. throughout the South. I am chairman of the industry. NEWS DEPARTMENT: The organization estimates that it would take House of Delegates Agriculture, Chesapeake, The states are referred to as “laboratories for [email protected] $433,605,000 to meet the challenge. At the and Natural Resources Committee by virtue democracy,” and conferences such as the South- Kemal Kurspahic same time the agriculture industry faces natural of my having served on that committee for all ern Legislative Conference provide legislators Editor ❖ 703-778-9414 challenges of weather extremes, declining de- the years I have been in continuous member- an opportunity to compare notes to see what is [email protected] mand in some areas including dairy products, ship in the House. Being from a suburban dis- working and not working in their states. Bound- foreign competition, and expensive financing. trict has not disadvantaged me for my district aries of states are defined in their history. There Mercia Hobson Community Reporter are no factors other than that history that deter- This week I am in Nashville, Tennessee at- and region are dramatically affected by what [email protected] tending the Southern Legislative Conference is happening in the agricultural sector. My con- mine where one state ends and another begins. annual meeting. The agenda for the meeting stituents are the customers of the farmers that Challenges such as a pandemic, severe weath- Bonnie Hobbs includes the range of issues facing state gov- grow the crops and livestock that feed the pop- er conditions, availability of natural resources, Community Reporter, 703-778-9415 ernments with an emphasis on the southern ulation. I am an enthusiastic supporter of local and the condition of our air and water do not [email protected] states. Improving and expanding infrastructure farmers markets where producers and consum- recognize state boundaries. We are all in this including broadband will be discussed along ers come into contact at least weekly and where together, and it is to our advantage and maybe Ken Moore with the impact of COVID-19 and changes in the freshest of farm products are available. our survival to work together. No other sector Contributing Writer [email protected] federal laws and administration. The meetings The people who live in my district are im- better reflects these similarities, differences, are nonpartisan, but the differences in philoso- pacted by the environmental practices of the and challenges than agriculture. ADVERTISING: For advertising information [email protected] Returning to New Normal 703-778-9431 Debbie Funk Display Advertising/National Sales after the Covid-19 Pandemic 703-778-9444 [email protected] By John Lovaas Independent Progressive David Griffin Community Activist and Marketing Assistant Founder of Reston Farmers Market 703-778-9431 [email protected] ill prepared for the change. ometimes I find it tough to come up with Shopping at stores was a chore. For example, Classified & Employment a column which brings good news. There Fran and I shopped at Trader Joe’s weekly, ar- Advertising Sis so much negativity out there right now, riving at 7;30 a.m. in order to stand in a special 703-778-9431 and some say that I tend to be pessimistic in any seniors’ line to wait as others left the store be- case, thus making my task more difficult. So, fore we could enter. Editor & Publisher I’ve decided to look at the Covid 19 pandem- The Reston Farmers Market, sponsored by Mary Kimm ic then and now, and the transition to a new Fairfax County, was barely allowed to open, and [email protected] normal. then only with very strict Covid 19 protocols in Photo by John Lovaas @MaryKimm Remember when we first got the news of a place. Saturday, July 10 was near perfect, temps Executive Vice President new virus, possibly arising from animals in an Most of us thought lockdowns would last in low-mid 70s with a gentle breeze. We’re Jerry Vernon outdoor market in Wuhan, China? U.S. public weeks or perhaps a few months. Actually, they at the peak of our season, an amazing array 703-549-0004 health experts, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned lasted many months and over a year in some of veggies, fruits, baked goodies, flowers, [email protected] the new virus, Covid 19, would become a pan- places. Only in recent weeks has our region re- meats, dairy, seafood & more! The com- demic. (Never mind that our President said no opened. But what a liberating experience it has bination brought out a continual flow of Managing Editor way, not to worry, and would proceed to politi- been! Kemal Kurspahic happy shoppers, perhaps 2,500 or more, to Art/Design: cize the pandemic until he was removed by the Isn’t it enjoyable to see people you’ve not seen the Reston Farmers Market. Laurence Foong, John Heinly, voters!) The CDC told us all not to congregate, for many months-- neighbors and even family Ali Khaligh to social distance from others to avoid catching members! At the Reston Farmers Market, we market, explaining that their wives or husbands Production Manager: the airborne virus, and to wash our hands fre- are now seeing many people whom we’d not had died in the many months since last we saw Geovani Flores quently. Initially, CDC said masks weren’t need- seen in over a year. These are folks who stayed them. In these cases, words have been inade- ed- which I found curious since the virus was away from the Market fearing the presence of quate to express our surprise and a great sad- CIRCULATION transmitted as mist through the air. However, scores of people despite their being outdoors, ness for their loss and grief. [email protected] as the virus spread like wildfire, deaths soared socially distanced and masked (nearly 100 per- Then there is the one positive dimension of worldwide, including right here, and scientists cent). When we opened on May 1, 2021 I was the Covid 19 pandemic period that I suspect we learned more, the guidance on masks changed amazed at the turnout and joyous spirit of lib- all miss. That is the dramatically reduced traffic sharply. Lockdowns became the order of the eration, even though masks were required for on our roads, especially the main arteries which day. Toilet paper and hand sanitizers disap- a few weeks. There has been a lot of friendly resembled parking lots during non-pandemic peared from store shelves, and were rationed. banter about how people have changed since rush hours! Yet, even this transportation down- In an effort to keep people from close contact their faces were last seen! For better or worse! side has a silver lining. Metrorail’s Silver Line, and breathing the same air, stores, restaurants It’s been like starting over in some cases. also a casualty of the pandemic, is restoring full and businesses in general closed, as did offices. We’ve also experienced sadness on several oc- service to and from Reston this week! Critically, schools also closed. Doing things vir- casions when people we’d known as a husband Enjoy your liberation, but stay safe. See you tually became the norm, including for schools or wife for years appeared alone at a Saturday at the Reston Farmers Market! 4 v Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News

Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

Friday Night Live! returns for its 29th season kick-off production on July 9, featuring the No words needed. FNL! returns to Herndon. Sitting tight and eating band Turtle Recall of Reston. The last time music from popular local bands and acts from pizza - Brody, 8. Stretched out in the evening summer sun munch- the east coast rocked the Herndon Town Green was nearly two years ago, Aug. 23, 2019. ing a breadstick and listening to the rock and roll covers mashed in a medley. - Finley, 4. Friday Night Live! Opens At Last So missed and so glad it’s back. By Mercia Hobson The Connection

riday Night Live! prepared to open on the Herndon Town Green for its 29th sea- Fson on Friday, July 9, ready to feature an evening of nonstop, party time medleys and mashups, a little something for everyone by Turtle Recall. The local band met at South Lakes High School in the late 90s and became, as musician “Loving being back at Friday Night Live” - Connee Chandler with John Currie-Hester of Reston said, Barbara Saccente (left) and her husband Warren (center) pose with Chet Hall. a nonstop action variety. Herndon Town Councilmember Signe Friedrichs, the trio ready to “It’s been a while since we’ve hear Turtle Recall perform. “I’m so happy to be back to FNL!. We been here,” said Doug Downer, in- have so much fun here. I love live music,” Barbara said. troducing the evening event. He reminded folks that FNL! col- lects tips that go to Herndon High School all-night grad party and af- ter-prom events, as well as tips for other community organizations. “We’re all really excited, and it has been way, way too long,” Downer said. The 2021 season of Friday Night Live! will run through Sept. 24, presented from 6:30-10 p.m. every Friday, on the Herndon Town Green. The volunteer-run events are free and open to the public. produced by the Herndon Cham- ber of Commerce with the help of the Town of Herndon. The last time FNL! featured a performance on the Town Green was 2019. Title Sponsor Volkswagen Group of America returned. “They’ve (From left) “Summer is better with FNL!” - Natalie Evans; “We are Baby Eliza Gray Thompson, 8 months at her first FNL! with her been a great supporter, and we are so excited to be back for our first FNL! of the year”- Erin Evans; mom, Carrie, and dad Logan. “I’ve been coming to FNL! since going very happy to have them back this “My first time at a live event in Herndon, and it’s a blast” - Reagan to Herndon High over fifteen years ago. Patiently waiting for FNL! year,” Downer said. Harrison. to be back.”- Carrie. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 v 5 Classified WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM To Advertise in This Paper, Call by Monday 11:00 am 703-778-9411

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Wellbeing pages, the first week of every month. Delight in our HomeLifeStyle sections, the second week of every month. Peek at the top real estate sales, glimpse over-the-top remodeling projects, get practical suggestions for your home. Celebrate students, camps, schools, enrichment programs, colleges and more in our A-plus: Education, Learning, Fun pages, the third week of every month. Senior Living, fourth week of every month. Questions? E-mail sales@connection newspapers.com or call 703-778-9431

6 v Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Business Time to Kill Rising Westfield High freshman Akshita Balaji Directory By KENNETH B. LOURIE sits on the steps (Again, not a cancer column. Given the title, of her school WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM it would be a pretty gruesome reference to my with a collection life in the cancer world if it were.) of spelling con- Call 703-549-0004 No. Not even close to a cancer column. But I for advertising information am writing about a similar mind-numbing expe- test trophies. rience. However, this experience has nothing to do with disease/dying. Instead, it has to do with the effort, patience and excruciating lack of suc- ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL cess in attempting to contact, meaning speaking Photo courtesy to an actual person, at the Internal Revenue Ser- of FCPS vice and/or at the Social Security Administration. The phone numbers you’re “googled” to call are the opposite of hot lines. They are frigid. Almost too cold to tolerate, but since your financial life expectancy may be at risk, somehow you have to hold on for dear life. Or else pay, or rather be Area Teen Shines on unable to pay, the consequences. So I’m on hold for 14 minutes and counting, sort of. More like listening to some unrecogniz- able instrumental between looped messages that National Stage say (A) You’re still on hold and (B) They haven’t LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING forgotten you and your call will be answered in the order in which it was received. (Actually, sometimes they ask a you’re hoping they remember you.) Unfortu- Rising Westfield High freshman question that pertains nately, you have no choice but to hold on. The to the second mean- answers you seek are only found at these places/ Akshita Balaji, 14, places 21st in ing so you really need numbers and unless you go to the source, you’ll to know them all.” be barking up the wrong tree and/or not squeak- National Spelling Contest. Akshita, a rising ing the right wheel. I’m fairly certain that if you Summer Cleanup... don’t call them, they’re unlikely to call - back, freshman who just or forward, especially if the reason for my two kshita Balaji, 14, rising Westfield graduated from Carson Middle School, cred- calls is to secure money coming to me instead High freshman, won her first its her Fairfax County Public School teachers of negotiating how I’m planning to pay them. So spelling bee at age six while visit- as well with supporting her along the way. sit tight and be brave - and be near a bathroom ing family in India. “In sixth grade, the first time I made it to to make sure nature’s call doesn’t interrupt your A interminable wait on hold and/or be sure there At the time, her father, Balaji Kannan, says nationals, I was really tense, stressed out are enough bars on your phone so a draining while he and her mother were impressed, and my teacher picked up on it,” she said, battery doesn’t end your pursuit. they had no idea what the future would hold adding she’d love to give a “shout-out” to in- However, presuming the time it will take to for Akshita. structor Georgina Chin. speak to someone to be hours, not minutes, it But on Sunday night, June 27, their “She would quiz me during class, stopping can be an opportunity to while away your wait daughter competed on live TV as a semifi- a science lesson to drill me on words she’d by multi-tasking and have the music offered up for your listening pleasure to serve as a kind of nalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. come across in the textbook,” Akshita said. white noise as you go about some other personal “I mean we thought ok, she won a com- “I remember the whole class going silent, Landscape Drainage Landscape Drainage business. In short, you can get things done rather petition, we moved on and had no idea that and then everyone cheering for me when I’d than become increasingly frustrated that you’re she could make it big,” he said. Akshita was get it right.” stuck by the phone accomplishing nothing. But one of 30 students from across the country That year, 2019, Akshita was the Fairfax you have to prepare and anticipate. This wait is who went head-to-head, virtually, in the an- County Spelling Bee champion and ultimate- not going to be a pleasurable experience. It’s a means to an end, hopefully a rewarding one, but nual competition, which aired on ESPN plat- ly tied for 51st at the national level. Akshita hardly one that’s guaranteed. forms at 7 p.m. EST.. is sponsored by the Fairfax County Council If you can only talk yourself into realizing After her first victory in India, Akshita PTA, which is the regional sponsor of the how good you’ll feel once this phone task is went on to win her third grade class spelling Scripps National Spelling Bee Program. completed. Rolaids has nothing on the relief bee at McNair Elementary School in Hern- In 2020, the National Spelling Bee took you’ll feel when you’re finished with this day’s don. She said she went over classroom spell- a break amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In work (almost literally). Moreover, knowing you don’t have to call them back tomorrow is nearly ing prep sheets at the time, thought she’d 2021, Akshita again took the title of Fairfax motivation enough. Crossing this task off your to- give it a go and if she won, surprise her par- County Spelling Bee champion. do list free’s up not only time but mental space, ents with the class honor. In fourth grade, as well. It’s almost as if you’ve given your life she again won the class spelling bee and ON SUNDAY, she graced the national stage back, at least for a few hours, anyway. this time won the entire elementary school’s again, one of two Virginia public school stu- As I sit and continue to write this column, competition, her father said. dents to make it this far. This is the first time it is 38 minutes since I began this exercise in time utilization. And it’s just now happened, a “It was around then that we said, oh this in at least a decade that a Fairfax County representative from the Social Security Admin- is something she is doing consistently and student has been among the final 30 spellers istration has just interrupted the music loop and enjoying it -- without much preparation,” in the national competition, according to the offered their assistance. Let me get my bearings Kannan said. “So we started working with Fairfax County Council PTA. and organize my thoughts so I’m clear in what her on the dictionary.” From there, the field was narrowed to 11 I’m saying. I don’t want to have to make this call spellers who will advance to the July 8 fi- again. I already have once before. I have called previously and after telling my tale, was put on AKSHITA made her way from A to Z in an nals. Akshita tied for 21st place out of 209 hold while the operator researched my claim elementary dictionary, learning every word, national qualifiers. only to be disconnected when the operator as well as the roots and origins of English Akshita says some of the hardest words returned to address my question. But this time, language, her parents said. She developed a she’s come across are “random” ones of Pol- there was no disconnect. I received my answer routine with her parents, where they’d pep- ish origin, but that despite not speaking Pol- in a reasonably timely manner and off I now go per her with words early in the morning and ish she delights in being able to spell them into the rest of my day. Next up: the IRS. Do I dare test my limits and call them on the same late at night, working together to help her anyhow. day as I called Social Security or do I reward improve. “When somehow the rules of language myself and take a well-deserved break? Either “My wife and I will pick out words that are come together, I can identify a hidden root way, it’s one down and one to go. I think I’ll call in the news, like xenophobia, making sure or something in there and I’m able to do it, tomorrow. I don’t feel like testing my patience she can both spell it and identify the correct it is really satisfying to see a word is put to- yet again, and besides, I’m finished with this real-time column. meaning,” Akshita’s father said. “In spelling gether exactly how you’d imagine it.” bees, you have to know what words mean Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for too and in a dictionary a word can have — FCPS Office of Communication The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. three or four separately-listed meanings -- and Community Relations www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 v 7 8 v Oak Hill/Herndon / Reston / Chantilly Connection / Centre View v July 14-20, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com