black friday is bright - ellington cmsconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com December 13-19, 2017
Opi
nio
n, Pag
e 12
❖
Enter
tai
nm
ent, Pag
e 7 ❖
C
lass
ifi e
ds, P
age
10Photo b
y M
arti M
oore/
The
Connec
tio
n
Home for the Holidays
Page 7
Holiday Entertainment
Page 6
Black Friday is Bright at Night
in RestonNews, Page 8
Rescue Reston Expands Mission News, Page 4
Federal Tax Reform, Bad for Fairfax?News, Page 3
Anna Miranda, 55, of Leesburg takes a picture of an outdoor Christmas
light display Saturday on her smartphone as
the snow falls in Reston Dec. 9. “It’s
gorgeous,” she said.
2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
RESTON • 1480 North Point Village • 703-733-3860
Photo contributed
Tamika D. Mallory
News
Reston Community Center willwelcome social justice advocateTamika D. Mallory to deliver thekeynote address at its 33rd AnnualReston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Birthday Celebration on Monday,Jan. 15.
Mallory was the co-chair of the2017 Women’s March on Washing-ton, which drew several hundredthousand participants to the District.Mallory worked closely with theObama administration as an advo-cate for civil rights, women’s rights,health care, eradicating gun violenceand eliminating police misconduct.
Mallory’s keynote address is atnoon, followed by a communitylunch at RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Attendance at the community lunch and key-note address is limited to registered participants.Tickets are $5 for Reston residents and employees,and $10 for all others.
Reston Community Center Executive Director LeilaGordon says Reston’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birth-day Celebration “brings together people of all agesand fosters discussion of what remains to be donelocally and beyond. Reston was founded on principlesof equality and respect, in step with those champi-oned by Dr. King.”
“It’s clear that civil rights issues are more impor-tant than ever and that new perspectives and voicesare contributing to the vitality of the movement,”said Gordon. “Tamika Mallory is one of the young
people who have stepped forwardto advance the cause for universalsocial justice and equity passion-ately and effectively. We are excitedto hear from her and encourage ourcommunity’s young people to par-ticipate in the annual Reston Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.”
Mallory’s speech is part of a three-day schedule of events RCC andother community organizationshave planned as part of the RestonDr. Martin Luther King Jr. BirthdayCelebration. Events include commu-nity service projects; the RestonCommunity Orchestra’s 12th AnnualTribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.;Voices of Inspiration; youth activi-
ties; and The Color Orange: A Hip-Hop Concert aboutFriendship and Multiculturalism.
For more information about all Reston Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. Birthday Celebration events, visitw w w. r e s t o n c o m m u n i t y c e n t e r. c o m / m l k -celebration.shtml
The 33rd Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Birthday Celebration weekend is presented by RestonCommunity Center in cooperation with Martin LutherKing Jr. Christian Church, the Office of Fairfax CountySupervisor Catherine M. Hudgins, Reston Commu-nity Orchestra, Al Fatih Academy, Cornerstones,Reston Association, and Fairfax County Neighbor-hood and Community Services with the support ofmany other religious and civic organizations, busi-ness groups and schools.
Mallory to Deliver Keynote for King Celebration Supervisor CatherineHudgins (D-Hunter Mill) hasannounced the appointment ofJohn Carter as the Hunter MillDistrict Planning Commis-sioner, replacing Frank de la Fe.
Carter holds a Master of Plan-ning degree from the Universityof Virginia; a Master of Archi-tecture in Urban Design fromVirginia Tech and a Bachelor ofArchitecture with Distinctionfrom Arizona State University.
Carter has more than 35 yearsof experience as a planner, ur-
ban designer and architect. Heis a former Chief of Community-Based Planning in MontgomeryCounty, and was responsible foroverseeing the master plan andthe development review pro-cesses for the largest geo-graphic areas in MontgomeryCounty. He has received numer-ous honors and awards over hiscareer.
Carter has lived in the HunterMill District for more than 44years and has extensive com-munity involvement.
Hunter Mill District PlanningCommissioner Appointed
Faith Notes are for announcements andevents in the faith community, includingspecial holiday services. Send [email protected] is Thursday.
Washington Plaza BaptistChurch will hold Adult Bible Study at9:30 a.m. Sundays at Lake Anne Vil-lage Center. The group is studying theGospel of Mark. Services follow at 11a.m.
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Churchneeds knitters the first and thirdWednesdays of the month at 7 p.m., at432 Van Buren St., Herndon. Thechurch’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is offer-ing free knitting instruction whileproviding shawls, blankets and other
knitted items for people in need. No costand yarn can be provided. [email protected] or visit thePastoral Care page at www.saint-timothys.org.
Nondenominational Christianbusinessmen meet for prayer, Biblicaldiscussion and fellowship 7 p.m. Fridaysat Anita’s, 1051 Elden St., Herndon andnoon Thursdays at 555 Grove St., Suite200, Herndon. Call 703-795-1257.
Trinity Presbyterian Church,651 Dranesville Road, Herndon, hasSunday worship services at 10 a.m. dur-ing the summer. Nursery and childcareare provided starting at 8 a.m. until the
Faith Notes
See Faith Notes, Page 4
Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
“We are emphasizing on page oneopposition to federal tax reform and thatis a position that I simply do not agreewith.”
“Across the nation, local governments aregoing to suffer as a result of this taxpackage.”
— Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
“I’m failing to understand anyone whobelieves this tax bill was built andpredicated on helping low income people.”
— Lee Supervisor Jeff McKay
NewsConnection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Ken Moore
Most often, the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors ap-pears unified. But last week,discussion about the pend-
ing tax reform measure in the U.S. Senateand House of Representatives sparked dis-cord.
“My primary concern on the federal pack-age is that we are emphasizing on page oneopposition to federal tax reform and that isa position that I simply do not agree with,”said Braddock Supervisor John Cook.
The board adopted its updated and re-vised strategies and principles for the 115thCongress on Tuesday, Dec. 5, despite objec-tions voiced by Cook and Springfield Su-pervisor Pat Herrity, the two Republicanson the 10-person board.
“The concept of reducing tax rates andeliminating deductions is one needed forthe national economy and I am disap-pointed that despite my requests and Su-pervisor Herrity’s requests, the board is onlylooking at one side of the tax reform issueand that is the elimination of deductions,and not looking at the other side which isthe economic growth potential that comewith the other aspects of it,” Cook said.
MAJOR TAX REFORM packages havepassed both the U.S. Senate and House ofRepresentatives, and a reconciled bill isexpected to affect almost every aspect ofthe economy. The measures differ, but bothincrease the standard deduction and elimi-nate or cap many itemized deductions, in-cluding the deduction for state and localtaxes and the deduction for mortgage in-terest payments.
In Virginia, 1.5 million households claim$16.5 billion in state and local tax deduc-tions, according to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly(D-11). Connolly said in a release that280,000 households claim this deductionin Fairfax County, for an average deductionof $16,535.
“As a matter of fact, that [federal tax] billwas structured in a way, in my opinion, toexplicitly discriminate against more urbanlocalities across the country which do havehigher assessed values,” said Lee Supervi-sor Jeff McKay, “and in a lot of cases highertax rates because they believe morally thatwe must provide certain services for ourpopulation.”
Page 1 of the Board of Supervisors Strat-egies and Principles for the 115th Congressexpresses concern about changes in taxpolicy:
“Because revenue options for localities inVirginia are extremely limited, the County
opposes actions that impact County revenuesources or programs, including eliminatingor capping federal deductibility for state andlocal taxes, which are used to fund educa-tion, public safety, transportation, infra-structure and human services (current lawallows taxpayers to deduct state and localtaxes paid from their federally taxable in-come, preventing double taxation and al-lowing state and local governments to main-tain authority over the tax structures sup-porting those services).”
JOHN FOUST, Dranesville District super-visor, found Cook’s opinion hard to take.
“I just have to say, I just cannot acceptthat the tax package that is before the fed-eral government is anything but destructiveto local government which is where thingsare actually getting done these days,” Foustsaid.
“To support elimination of the real estatetax deduction as a member of a Board ofSupervisors, the local government, to me isjust unbelievable,” he said. “We absolutelyare going to suffer, not just our local gov-ernment, but, across the nation, local gov-ernments are going to suffer as a result ofthis tax package. We have to do everythingwe can to stop this.”
Herrity countered, “You can’t talk aboutthat piece of it while ignoring the fact you’redoubling the standard deduction and thevalue that brings especially to our low in-come residents.”
“I’m failing to understand anyone whobelieves this tax bill was built and predi-cated on helping low income people,” saidMcKay, chair of the Board’s legislative com-mittee. “I’m surprised I’m hearing it heretoday.
“Over 60 percent of our budget is builton revenue from real estate. To mess withor tinker with our largest source of revenuein any way that can have an effect on whatpeople can sell their property for, whatpeople can afford to buy and what their
bottom line is and how that bottom lineaffects the county’s revenue — to ignorethat would be absurd,” McKay said. “It ab-solutely will have an effect and local gov-ernments across the country see that.”
“I was going to be silent, but I think it ishard to do so,” said Catherine Hudgins,Hunter Mill District supervisor. “The taxpackage really sounds like something thatis going to be very destructive in the longterm.”
“Essentially this is taxing taxes, taxing taxrevenues and doubling taxation,” saidChairman Sharon Bulova.
Cook did not budge.“I have to disagree vehemently with the
statement that the tax bill takes away fromour local tax revenue. It’s absolutely false.It’s absolutely false,” said Cook.
Read Strategies and Principles for the115th Congress here:www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/legis-lation/2018/adopted-federal-legislative-strategy-and-principles.pdf
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMWITH A SIDE OF OPTIMISM?
During the same board meeting on Dec.5, supervisors formally adopted the 2018Legislative Program for the General Assem-bly, with a note of optimism based onchanges in the makeup of the House ofDelegates because of last month’s elections.
Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District super-visor, said: “With recent elections we havethe opportunity to change some of the dy-namics, and some of the focus, and someof the results that we get from Richmond.That’s essential for this county, essential forthe wellbeing of residents here and I wouldsay particularly for schools.”
Jeff McKay, chair of the board’s legisla-tive committee and Lee District supervisorreiterated the importance of schools as thecounty’s top priority, citing particular con-cerns about state failure to provide anyfunds for teacher raises in FY17, and very
limited funds in FY18.“Our [state legislative] program features
state support for education as its top prior-ity, and urges the state to fully meet its re-sponsibility to adequately fund K-12,” saidMcKay.
Virginia ranks 11th nationwide in percapita personal income, but 48th in stateand local revenue as a percentage of per-sonal income. Virginia ranks 38th nation-wide in state per pupil funding. State K-12spending per FCPS pupil was $3,267 in FY2016, while Fairfax County provided$10,526.
TRANSPORTATION IS another priority.“In this year’s program, we’ve also el-
evated our WMATA position into its ownpriority statement which encourages theGeneral Assembly to support dedicatedfunding and governance reforms for Wash-ington Metrorail.”
The region will have to work together toaddress Metro’s critical funding needs,McKay said.
On other transportation issues, McKayemphasized the importance of transporta-tion funding that is fair to Northern Virginia.
The Human Services Issues paper, whichaccompanies the legislative program, in-cludes three priorities, according to McKay.“The first is increased state resources forthe Children’s Services Act. The second re-lates to increasing waiver rates and slotsfor those with developmental disabilities.And the third is state support for diversionservices for nonviolent offenders experienc-ing mental health crises; this is in line withthe county’s diversion first initiative.”
Herrity, Springfield District supervisor,was the lone vote against the legislativeprogram this year. The program wasadopted, including the Human Services is-sue paper, on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Read the legislative priorities here:www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/legis-lation/2018/adopted-2018-legislative-program.pdf
Read the human services issue paper here:www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/leg-
islation/2018/adopted-2018-human-ser-vices-issue-paper.pdf
NEW BRIDGE OVERTHE POTOMAC?
The Legislative Program asserts the im-portance of addressing capacity and con-gestion crossing the Potomac River.
“The American Legion Bridge, one of themost heavily used in the region, is also themost congested. .... Since the largest num-ber of vehicles traversing the American Le-gion Bridge travel between Fairfax andMontgomery Counties, the chokepoint cre-ated by this bridge requires long-term so-lutions. … The volume of commuters dem-onstrate that another crossing is essentialto mobility in the area. … It is vital that thecapacity needs across the Potomac River beaddressed, including at the American Le-gion Bridge and Rosslyn Tunnel, to allevi-ate the existing congestion.”
Supervisors split oneffects of eliminatingstate and localtax deductions.
Federal Tax Reform, Bad for Fairfax?
— Braddock Supervisor John Cook
4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Young racers start the 17th annual Ginger-bread Man Race in Reston Town CenterFriday morning.
News
By Colin Stoecker
The Connection
Black Friday was for running, as runnersfrom 6 to 14 years old and their familieslined the street for the Gingerbread ManMile. The 17th annual race was sponsored
by Potomac River Running and curled around a fewcentral blocks of Reston Town Center.
The first 500 people to register for the race re-ceived a free t-shirt and many families came withmore than one child, family members, and even theirpets. Benefits from the race went to a local children’scharity and the winners took part in the Holiday Pa-rade which followed the race.
“We came to kick off the holidays and for my boysto participate in their first one-miler here. It’s a funrun that we do to prepare them for the 5K and it’s alot of fun after the holidays,” said Heidi Ryan, ofAshburn, who works for Long and Foster.
Announcer Meredith Tighe provided commentaryon the race, encouragement, and announced the startof different age groups for runners.
Mark Stewart was at the race with his daughterand was watching her age group warm up, led by areal live gingerbread man. “This is also my first timeat this race, and a race is a nice thing to do after abig meal like Thanksgiving. What a way to cap off awonderful day,” he said.
Terri Marlin, from Arlington, who works withPotomac River Running was in charge of making surethat the race ran smoothly. “The Gingerbread race isa special community kid event to kick off the holi-day season,” said Marlin.
Members of the Robinson Secondary School trackand field team came to the race to volunteer. Someof them were holding orange flags and others ledwarmups for the racers of different age groups be-fore the start of each section.
“I like to give back to the community. Our coach
recommended all of us to volunteer so I thought whynot,” said Russian Williams, 16, a Burke resident andstudent at Robinson Secondary.
“I run the 55 meter, and in the spring the 100 and200 meter. We’re too old to run in this race,” he said.
Due to overwhelming re-quests that Rescue Reston re-ceived from citizens for adviceand support, the Rescue Restonboard of directors voted to ex-tend its mission to includeReston’s sister golf course, Hid-den Creek, which has the iden-tical land use designation asReston National.
Hidden Creek Country Clubis on the north side of Reston,located at 1711 ClubhouseRoad. It offers tennis and socialmemberships in addition togolf. HCCC changed ownershipin October. Wheelock Commu-nities, a subsidiary of WheelockStreet Capital, LLC, is fairlyopen that they did not buy theproperty to keep it as an 18-hole golf course.
Rescue Reston’s revised mis-sion statement reads:
Rescue Reston works to de-fend Reston’s recreational greenspace at the 159-acre NorthCourse, Hidden Creek CountryClub, and at the South Course,Reston National Golf Course, a166-acre Certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary Pro-gram Golf Course on the Chesa-peake Bay watershed.
A North Course Committeehas been formed. LynneMulston, an active golf memberat HCCC, chairs the committee.Co-chair is Sue Beffel, who cur-rently also serves as chair of theReston Association Environ-mental Advisory committee.Anyone wishing to assist withprojects as they arise shouldcontact the North Course Com-mittee [email protected].
To assist the community inlearning more about these newdevelopments, Reston Impacthost and producer John Lovaasinvited Rescue Reston’s presi-dent, Connie Hartke and theNorth Course Committee teamof Lynne Mulston and SueBeffel to join him in a discus-sion of the issues to be awareof regarding this latest develop-ment. It can be viewed anytimeat youtu.be/8F9C4BzDouM.
More information atwww.rescuereston.org.
Rescue Reston Expands Mission
John Lovaas hosting Rescue Reston’s Connie Hartke,Lynne Mulston and Sue Beffel on RCTV28’s RestonImpact show on Dec. 1, 2017.
Photos contributed
From left: Connie Hartke, Lynne Mulston and SueBeffel.
Gingerbread Man Race Fillsthe Reston Town Center
Scott Bohinc, of Bethesda and his wifeSherri, daughter Ava, 12, son Landon, 10,Braxton, 8, and daughter Bella, 6, partici-pated in the Gingerbread Man Race inReston Town Center Friday morning.
Photos by Colin Stoecker/The Connection
Young racers line up to start the 17th
annual Gingerbread Man Race in RestonTown Center Friday morning, Nov. 24.
Faith Notes
From Page 2
end of the service. Call 703-437-5500 orvisit www.trinityherndon.org.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center,Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625Wiehle Ave., Reston, holds weeklyclasses starting Sept. 12, Thursdays7:30-8:30 p.m., for the general publicwhich use Buddhist teachings to prac-
tice meditation. $12 or $6 for students,seniors and unemployed. Call 202-986-2257 or visit www.meditation-dc.org.
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church,1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston, holdsSunday services at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. andcontemporary service at 5 p.m. duringthe summer. Nursery, Sunday schooland adult education available. Visitwww.stannes-reston.org.
Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
21800 Towncenter PlazaSterling, VA 20164703-450-5453
1051 Edwards Ferry RoadLeesburg, VA 20176703-771-4688
www.sterlingappliance.com
Date and Time: Location:12/18/2017 at 12:00 PM Ruth's Chris Steak House
8521 Leesburg PikeVienna, VA 22182
Speaker:Mark Landrio, MD Event Code: TR450664 (1445577)Neurologic Associates
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT.Hear from an MS expert and learn about
an oral treatment option for relapsing MS.
Copyright ©2015GZUS.MS.15.05.1423(2)
PLEASE RSVP*:• RelapsingMultipleSclerosisEvents.com• 1-866-703-6293• [email protected]
*Registration is limited to two people per RSVP. Photo ID may be requested at event entrance.
Complimentary parking or valet available. A light meal or snack may be provided.
You’re
Invi
tedNews
New Nando’s in Reston RaisesFunds to Support Music ProgramsOn Saturday, Nov. 18, Nando’s celebrated its grand opening by donatingall their sales totalling $12,711, minus alcohol and taxes, to the effort.Herndon High School will use the funds to send their marching band torepresent the United States at the 75th Commemoration of D-Day inNormandy, France, in 2019. South Lakes High School will use the dona-tions to send their marching band to Hawaii to perform at the 2017Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, which they went on and to meet otherneeds of the band program.
6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Holiday Entertainment
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGWilly Wonka on Stage. Through Dec.
18, various times at NextStopTheatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive,Herndon. NextStop’s professionalcompany on stage for CharlieBucket’s visit to Willy Wonka’smysterious chocolate factory. $25;family (4+) and group (10+)discounts available. Call 866-811-4111 or visitwww.nextstoptheatre.org.
Gingerbread Village. Through Jan. 4,various times at at the Hyatt RegencyReston, Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. See the annual display inthe hotel lobby. Call 703-709-1234 orvisit reston.hyatt.com.
All-comers’ Group Fun Run atPotomac River Running.Tuesdays and Thursdays. RestonTown Center, 11900 Market St.,Reston. For beginners or competitiverunners, come out for a fun, low-keyrun that is safe and social. Call 703-689-0999 potomacriverrunning.com.
Over-40 Softball League. A Fairfax-based league is looking for enoughplayers to form another team. Playersmust be at last 40 years of age to beeligible. All games are doubleheaders- played on Sundays at Bready Parkin Herndon between 11 a.m. and 6p.m. If interested, [email protected].
Art Exhibit through Jan. 8 at Artsights,Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt. “Drag, Disney, Art Insights andArt Outsiders: The Art of TennesseeLoveless,” see the new collection byTennessee Loveless including hisretrospective book 10x10x10 andimages from his projects. Call 703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
THROUGH FEB. 17Artist Exhibit. Various times at the
Greater Reston Arts Center, 11900Market St. Featuring the work ofPaulina Peavy, namesake of “PaulinaPeavy: A Message to Paulina,” thefirst exhibition to bring together aselection of Peavy’s works acrossdisciplines including works on paper,paintings, films, texts, and numerousmixed media masks. Visitwww.restonarts.org.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 13Herndon Holiday Shoppe. 10 a.m.
at Herndon Elementary School, 630Dranesville Road. Shop for gifts orvolunteer to work for volunteerhours. Call 703-326-3100.
Sunrise Valley Elementary SchoolChorus Concert. 6:30 p.m. atFountain Square, 11900 Market St.,Reston. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
Gingerbread Friends. 7 p.m. at theReston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive. Family storiesof sparkle and spice and Christmasdelight. Call 703-689-2700.
College Funding Workshop. 7-9p.m. at South Lakes High School,Lecture Hall, 11400 South LakesDrive, Reston. Hosted by the CollegeFunding Coach, learn strategies toqualify for financial aid, sources forscholarships, and strategies formaximizing your wealth andminimizing tax exposure. Free. [email protected].
THURSDAY/DEC. 14Toddler Yoga. 10:30 a.m. at the
Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive. Yoga throughstories and songs. Wear comfyclothes. Cosponsored by the Friendsof Reston Library. Age 18-24 monthswith adult. Call 703-689-2700.
Apostolic Faith Church Concert.6:30 p.m. at Fountain Square, 11900Market St., Reston. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
FRIDAY/DEC. 15Games with the Author. 6 p.m. at
Scrawl Books, Reston Town Center,11862 Market St. Challenge 5 youngadult authors are coming to the storefor a game night. They will beplaying Mad Libs, Pictionary etc withthem.Visit www.scrawlbooks.com.
Grace Covenant Church Concert.6:30 p.m. at Fountain Square, 11900Market St., Reston. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
SATURDAY/DEC. 16Holiday Open House. 11 a.m. at the
Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive. Join staff tocelebrate the holiday season withlight refreshment, music, andentertainment for all ages. Age 18-24months with adult. Call 703-689-2700.
Tim McKee Concert. Noon at thePromenade, 11900 Market St.,Reston. Music by Tenor Tim McKee.Call 703-476-4500 or visit
restoncommunitycenter.com.The Reston Chorale Concert. 1 p.m.
at the Promenade, 11900 Market St.,Reston. 45-minute performancespresented by Reston CommunityCenter. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. 4-9p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. $5 per person; children 5and under ride free with adult.Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
SUNDAY/DEC. 17Mini-Train Rides. noon-4 p.m. at
Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt. Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
Ukulele Concert. noon at thePromenade, 11900 Market St.,Reston. Music by the NorthernVirginia Ukulele Society. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
Catchin’ Toads Concert. 2-3 p.m. atthe Promenade, 11900 Market St.,Reston. Music by Catchin’ Toads. Call703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
THURSDAY/DEC. 21Puppet Snow Show. 10 and 11:30
a.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park’s
Visitor Center, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. Puppet master Bob Brownbrings this special holiday puppetshow to the park. $5. Call 703-437-9101 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
SATURDAY/DEC. 23Catchin’ Toads and Tim McKee in
Concert. noon at the Promenade,11900 Market St., Reston. 45-minuteperformances presented by RestonCommunity Center. Visitrestoncommunitycenter.com.
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. 4-9p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900Market St. $5 per person; children 5and under ride free with adult.Proceeds go to local charities. Call703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
SUNDAY/DEC. 31New Year’s Eve Golf Tournament.
10 a.m. at Herndon Centennial GolfCourse, 909 Ferndale Ave. Annualfour-person scramble. Entry feeincludes green fee, cart fee, rangeballs and prizes. Call 703-471-5769visit www.herndongolf.com.
MONDAY/JAN. 1New Year’s Day 5K. 10 a.m. at
Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt. music, food, awards, and funcelebration following the race.
Presented by Potomac River Running.Call 703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
DEADLINE JAN. 5, 20182018 Fine Art Photography
Competition. Fine Art Photographyof any subject is welcome; there is norequired theme for entries. Call 703-956-9560 or visitwww.artspaceherndon.com.
THROUGH JAN. 8Art Exhibit. Various hours at Artsights,
Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketSt. “Drag, Disney, Art Insights andArt Outsiders: The Art of TennesseeLoveless,” see the new collection byTennessee Loveless including hisretrospective book 10x10x10 andimages from his projects. Call 703-709-6720 or visitrestontowncenter.com.
MONDAY/JAN. 15Social Justice Advocate Speech.
noon at at Reston CommunityCenter, Hunters Woods, 2310 ColtsNeck Road, Reston. Tamika D.Mallory keynote address is at noon,followed by a community lunch. $5for Reston residents and employees,and $10 for all others. Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com.
ConcertCatchin’ Toads will be in concert with Tim McKee onSaturday, Dec. 23 at noon at the Promenade, 11900Market St., Reston. 45-minute performances presented byReston Community Center. Call 703-476-4500 or visitrestoncommunitycenter.com for more.
Ukulele ConcertsIn the Reston Town Center, the Northern Virginia Ukulele Society will be holding Uku-lele Concert at noon on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11900 Market St., Reston. Call 703-476-4500 or visit restoncommunitycenter.com for more.
Ice SkatingThe ice rink atthe RestonTown Center isopen for theseason. Call703-709-6300or visitwww.restontowncenter.com.
Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Select yourproducts from
our MobileShowroomand Design
CenterFully Insured &
Class A LicensedSince 1999
Free Estimates703-214-8384
From Now to WOW in 5 Days Guarantee
Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com
Home of the $6,850 Bathroom Remodel
TWO POOR TEACHERSKitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the
past 17 years
10% downnothing until the jobis complete for the
past 17 years
Home for the Holidays
When Alexis and JasonSabloff decided it wastime to remodel their
kitchen, the Herndon homeownersset out with a goal of creating amodern space, improving thelighting and replacing appliances.
They enlisted the help of WinnDesign + Build. The team, whichconsisted of owner Michael Winn,architect Amy Finch, designer Jen-nifer Hall and carpenter DiegoCabrera, was tasked with creatinga free-flowing and aestheticallyappealing space without changingthe existing footprint.
The 302-square-foot kitchenwas long, narrow, dark andaccessorized with “too-tall soffits,
Black granite countertops and white cabinetry helpmodernize this Herndon kitchen by Winn Design + Build.
Creating a Free-Flowing KitchenRemodel yieldsbrighter space.
Pho
to
by Stacy Z
arin
G
oldberg
a funky green tiled floor and insufficient lighting,”said Hall.
The family wanted to redesign the space so that itflowed seamlessly into the family room to allow foreasy entertaining. Hall says that the homeowners alsowanted to relocate the existing pantry, create a mud-room and generally improve the circulation, utilityand aesthetics of the kitchen and surrounding areas.
The design team removed the soffits and replaced
dark wood cabinets with Hanover door stylecabinetry in Glacier White to create a light and airyfeel. The Winn team replaced the green tile with ahardwood that matches the flooring in the rest ofthe home. They also rearranged the appliances andbreakfast table to make the kitchen appear more spa-cious.
— Marilyn Campbell
Pho
to
by M
ich
ael K
. W
ilkin
so
n
A Kitchen for the Ages
When empty nestersMike Rogan andSue Shaffer decided
to move out of the Arlingtonhome where they had lived for27 years, they embarked on atwo-year search for a newabode. They were looking for ahome where they could age inplace and have space for live-in caretakers if needed.
They settled on a McLeanhome and hired Rill Architectsto redesign it, creating an openfloor plan that allowed for en-tertaining. The design team cre-ated a space that connects thekitchen to the family room, din-ing room, rear patio and ga-rage.
The Rogans wanted thekitchen to have an island, mul-tiple workstations, clean lineswith Victorian detailing andenough space for multiplecooks.
The design team incorpo-rated the Rogan’s love of casualand modern. “The paintedwood ceiling and traditionalcasing with an arched pass-
through play off the more con-temporary cabinets and glasstile backsplash, creating both asleek and casual inviting spacefor family gathering and teamcooking,” said Jim Rill.
— Marilyn Campbell
This McLean kitchen byRill Architects includesmaplewood, furniture-style cabinets withbrushed nickel hard-ware, classic millworkand granite countertops.
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Marti Moore
The Connection
For almost two decades, a brillianthouse in Reston, just a stone’sthrow away from Virginia StateRoute 7, has delighted visitors at
night between Thanksgiving and Epiphany.The trees surrounding its quiet neighbor-
hood tucked in the southeast corner ofLeesburg Pike and Reston Parkway cannotcontain the holiday glow emanating fromthe dark woods.
Each year, this enchanting scene is so be-guiling to some Black Friday shoppers andother motorists headed toward the RestonTown Center they take a second glance,continue driving down the road then makea U-Turn at Bright Pond Lane.
These curiosity seekers venture more thana quarter mile out of their way to see whathas drawn them back to Wyndham Hills.
They are not disappointed.
ONLOOKERS ARE REWARDED with thesweet sight of 250,000 white twinklinglights that serve as eye candy filling pass-ersby with holiday cheer.
This larger-than-life season’s greetingbrings joy … to the world and children ofall ages. Three visitors from Mexico wereimpressed by the wonderful show of lightsCyber Monday evening, when they weredriven by Ashburn resident, Teresa Lopez,52, to the corner of Stones Throw andFieldview drives.
“I have to show them the dreamhouse,”Lopez exclaims. When her grown childrenwere much younger, she brought them hereannually for at least a decade to see thisrare holiday gem sparkle in Northern Vir-
Bedazzling holidaylights raise hope andmoney for childrenwith cancer.
Black Friday is Bright at Night in Reston
Photos by Marti Moore/The Connection
Black Friday 2016 is bright at night in Reston’s Wyndham Hills neighbor-hood — just a stone’s throw away from Leesburg Pike and Reston Park-way — where visitors far and near have witnessed a spectacular annualholiday light display for 18 years.
It’s a bright idea for motorists with Christmas trees tied onto the roofsof their vehicles to stop for a little holiday decorating inspiration from ahuge light display at a house just a stone’s throw away from LeesburgPike and Reston Parkway. A pedestrian walking through the WyndhamHills neighborhood in Reston calls it “a Christmas paradise.”
Two life-sized statues stand sentry Nov. 27 at theentrance to the dining room of the Coury family homein Reston. These nutcrackers not only are guardiansof the wine credenza but protect an intricate, hand-carved crèche made from a single block of woodhomeowner J.J. Coury says he purchased in Italy.
Santa Claus rests in a chair while his elves decoratethe Christmas tree in the foyer at 11303 Stones ThrowDrive in Reston, where homeowner J.J. Coury uses hisoutdoor light display to raise funds for the St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
ginia. “They love to come every year,” shesays.
“It’s better than Disney,” admits JessicaCandia, 38, of Mexico City.
Another lady — Kelly Patino, 21, of Ster-ling — made the same observation last yearon Black Friday. She said Nov. 25, 2016 theChristmas House in Reston was a high-cali-ber display like Disney World of Orlando,
Fla. Her beau, Emmanuel Jiménez, 26, alsowas in awe as if the scene came out of amovie.
“I have never seen anything like this be-fore,” Jiménez declared. His dad snappedpictures and said “I can look at this forhours.”
“It’s beautiful,” Monica Morales, 62, ofMexico City said Nov. 27. The description
of her and Candia’s fellow traveler needsno translation:
“Fabuloso,” chimes 6-year-old Diego.“I’ve been doing this since I was 8 years
old,” says J.J. Coury, the original home-owner of 11303 Stones Throw Drive inReston. As the oldest son, he watched his
See Christmas House, Page 9
Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
From Page 8
By Alexandra Greeley
The Connection
One of Reston’s busier res-taurants and with itslakeside vista, Red’s Tablehas welcomed a new ex-
ecutive chef, Kevin Ettenson, into itskitchen. Taking over for the foundingchef, Adam Stein, Ettenson seems totallyat ease in this kitchen and cooking forthe restaurant’s food-savvy patrons.
A self-taught cook, Ettenson loved thekitchen and all its flavors when as a kidhis dad and he loved creating dishes withthe family cooking. “He would tearthrough the kitchen and pantry,” saidEttenson. Adding to his culinary experi-ence, Ettenson grew up overseas in Ja-pan and Australia so that he has becomefamiliar with other flavors and season-ings.
When the family moved to D.C.,Ettenson briefly attended college, butdecided he preferred hands-on work, andthat took him right into the kitchen afterworking as a server in Clyde’s of Restonand Coastal Flats. At the Mad Fox Brew-ing Company, Ettenson tended bar, untilthe chef decided to move him into thekitchen as a line cook.
That was a turning point, for he even-tually became the junior sous chef there,then moved to a sous chef and then theexecutive sous chef at other local restau-rants. After one more career jump for-ward, he was hired as the executive chefat Red’s Table.
While keeping a few very populardishes — the goat cheese fritters, thesmoky chicken wings, the crab cakes, andthe fried chicken, for example —
Ettenson has dug into his creativity andcome up with new dishes that absolutelyshine. How about the honey-sweet andwarm biscuits to start?
Ah, and the ahi tuna poke, a splendidappetizer of freshly sliced and raw tuna.Dressed in a mild soy and tamarind coat-ing (and with a drizzle of some Peruvianaji verde, or green sauce), the delicateslices are topped with shredded appleand jicama slaw — a very refreshing kick-off to a Red’s Table meal. Most of theappetizers are linked to seafood, fromclams and shrimp to mussels and oys-ters.
As for dinner entrées, the stunningchoice is his creative sweet potatognocchi topped with a tempting heap ofshredded braised pork. The combinationof sweetish gnocchi with the savory porkmakes for a stunning main dish. Otherchoices include their classic beef burger,cioppino, a cut of beef, and a chillyweather must, the duck cassoulet, ratherlike a classy duck stew.
Sides are some of the typical ones, buta top choice is the fried Brussel sproutstossed with crispy bacon. You can nevergo wrong with sprouts, perfect for break-fast, lunch and dinner. And for dessert,by long-time pastry chef Chris Works,scan the dessert menu, of course, but aimfor his Nutella cheesecake, a profoundlyrich and creamy slice of calorie heaven.
Check out the wine and cocktail lists— you will find plenty to keep you pleas-antly serene. And, basically, just enjoy thevisit and the food.
Red’s Table, South Lakes Village Shopping Cen-ter, 11150 South Lakes Drive, Reston. Open dailyfor lunch and dinner and weekend brunch. Call571-375-7755 or visit redstableva.com.
New chef digs into his creativity andcomes up with new dishes that shine.
Tasty ChangesAt Red’s Table
Red’s Table is located at South Lakes Village Shopping Center,
Dining
mother raise 12 kids in Pittsburgh, Pa., andinherited her festive flair for decorating —especially during the holidays.
Coury moved to Virginia 40 years ago.Although it took a while, he found the rightplace in 1999 to launch his vision for a spec-tacular holiday light display that reflects hiselegant style for Christmas décor.
“I knew it was special because I knew itwas the Christmas House,” he said. A pro-duction this big requires a system for this63-year-old man, who rallies his decorat-ing team the first week of October, so theycan turn on the light display the day afterThanksgiving. Removal and storage of or-naments takes half the time of setup.
“I have my little elves,” Coury admits.“Without them I cannot have Christmas.”
He claims he trained “the best workerson earth” and every year they perfect theirscheme. Santa Claus and his sleigh are car-ried uphill by four prancing reindeer on oneside of the front yard. “All is calm, all isbright” by the driveway at the colorful Na-tivity Scene — as if it was plucked from apopular Christmas carol like “Away in aManger” or “Silent Night.”
Six years ago, Coury traded his time-con-suming strings of miniature incandescentlamps for strands of light-emitting diodebulbs that are more user-friendly. The newwhite LED source was a game changer thatallowed him to take his outdoor art “to adifferent level.”
It lowered his monthly electric bill, hesaid, from an extra $1,200 a month to just$300 above his normal energy usage.
THE COURY FAMILY Christmas Housesheds light in the dark of night Black Fri-day through Epiphany — Jan. 6.
Not only was his home a canvas for theidea he pictured, it was a means to raisemoney for St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Coury’s common ground with the char-ity: His family tree is rooted in Lebanon.Hospital founder, the late Danny Thomas— a beloved 20th century American come-dian and television entertainer — was Leba-nese. According to www.stjude.org, Thomas
believed prayer to the patron saint of hope-less causes was the key to his success. Forthis reason, the celebrity built a shrine inthe form of a children’s hospital.
Coury’s middle name: Jude.He says it’s an honor to use his Christmas
House to lift spirits — and raise funds forthe treatment, cure and prevention of child-hood cancer and other catastrophic pediat-ric diseases. Since the hospital opened in1962, patients and their medical researchteams have increased the childhood cancersurvival rate from 20 to 80 percent. It hastreated children around the world free ofcharge.
A huge banner at the front of Coury’s cor-ner lot encourages passersby to send theword “LIFE” in a text message to 50333 anddonate $10 directly to the St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital.
However, this is the last year visitors farand near can see the bedazzling Christmaslight display. Coury recently listed his cor-ner-lot home for sale. His children, nowgrown, have moved away. Now empty nest-ers, he and his wife are downsizing.
He says his last year at the Coury Christ-mas House is an emotional time. Couryhopes the new homeowners will continuehis beloved tradition of outdoor Christmaslights.
The good news is most of his holidaydecorations are heirlooms for his daughter’shouse. Coury says the torch is passed andthe family legacy will carry on next yearelsewhere in Northern Virginia.
From left: Monica Morales, Diegoand Jessie Candia of Mexico, andAshburn resident Teresa Lopezvisit the local landmark they callthe “dream house.”
Maria Chavez, 29, of Arlington and Erin McGrath, 23, of Fairfax areenchanted Saturday by a brilliant Christmas light display as snow fallsDec. 9 in Reston at 11303 Stones Throw Drive.
Pho
to
by M
arti M
oo
re/T
he C
on
nectio
n
Christmas House
10 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
South Lakes High School’s Varsity Swim andDive teams came out strong in their opening meet,qualifying a relay and several individuals for theregional and state meets as they faced LangleyHigh School on Friday, Dec. 1, at the HerndonCommunity Center. The girls team won with 161points over Langley’s 151. The South Lakes boyslost with 134 points to Langley’s 181.
For the girls, the 200-yard medley relay team ofAnna Redican, Emily Fritz, Claudia Reverte, andSophia Landeryou qualified for regionals with atime of 1:53.29. Redican also qualified with indi-vidual times in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yardbackstroke. Landeryou qualified in the 100-yardfreestyle. For the boys, Ben Barbee made a regionalscut in the 500-yard freestyle, and Jack Edgemondqualified for the state meet in both the 200-yard
individual medley and the 500-yard freestyle.Other highlights included:❖ A sweep of the 50-yard freestyle for
Landeryou (first), Katie Nguyen (second) andMegan Slater (third).
❖ A sweep of girls diving for Devon Alessandrino(first), Aggie Alessandrino (second), and SJ Brown(third).
❖ A one-two finish for Edgemond (first) andBarbee (second) in the 500-yard freestyle.
❖ A first place finish for the 400-yard freestylerelay team of Edgemond, Matthew Fritz, MatthewBeach, and Hunter Ellis
❖ A first place finish for Emily Fritz in the 100-yard breaststroke.
❖ A first place finish for Solomon Blackmon inthe 50-yard freestyle.
South Lakes Swimmers Split Win with Langley
HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Centerhas achieved designation as a Level IITrauma Center by the Virginia Department of Health’s State Health Commis-
sioner.Reston Hospital Center is the first Level II Trauma
Center serving Northern Virginia to open in over adecade. In October 2016, the team received its pro-visional designation to serve in a Level II TraumaCenter capacity providing trauma care to more than1,200 patients needing higher levels of care.
Reston Hospital Center’s Level II designation pro-vides the surrounding communities of more than 3million people additional access to lifesaving traumacare, allowing emergency responders a new locationto transfer patients to for immediate trauma carewithin the critical “golden hour” during which treat-ment is most effective.
“This designation is a direct result of our team’sfocus on enhancing the level of care that we are ableto provide to our community. Every resident in North-ern Virginia needs and deserves local access to qual-ity trauma care, particularly when minutes may makethe difference between life and death,” said Dr. RanjitPullarkat, Medical Director of Reston HospitalCenter’s Trauma Services. “Expanding our servicesinto a trauma program enables us to deliver a higherlevel of care to injured patients, close to their homesand families.”
ACCORDING TO MINDY CARTER, director ofTrauma Services, as a Level II Trauma Center, thefacility is able to initiate definitive trauma care forall patients by providing 24/7 on-site trauma sur-geons.
“It’s exciting to be part of such a dedicated team ofpeople who are ready to provide a higher level ofcare for the injured person and their family,” saidCarter. “As our communities grow, and in uncertaintimes of potential tragedy, it is vital that more hospi-tals are prepared for both individual and large-scaledisasters.”
In addition to having trauma surgeons on-site,around the clock, trauma experts specializing in or-thopedics, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, plastic and
facial trauma, thoracic, gynecological/obstetrical,cardiac, and other surgical specialties are on call andimmediately available 24/7.
“Trauma designation is a natural progression forReston Hospital Center. As a tertiary provider in theregion, we’re able to leverage the expertise of ourORs, ICUs, ED, and surgeons to care for the acutelyinjured trauma patient during that critical care win-dow,” said John Deardorff, president and CEO ofReston Hospital Center.
“With the rapid growth in Northern Virginia, it’sour job to ensure that Reston can provide the higherlevels of necessary care in a more accessible mannerfor our EMS partners and our patients,” he contin-ued. “Every minute counts, and our ability to pro-vide this level of care – without transfer and close tohome – would not be possible without the partner-ship between our skilled medical staff and hospitalemployees.”
Dr. Ranjit Pullarkat, medical director of traumaservices; Dr. Jae Lim, trauma lead for neurosurgery;and Dr. Robert Beer, trauma lead for orthopedics;oversee a comprehensive surgical trauma team in thefollowing specialities: trauma surgery; vascular sur-gery; thoracic surgery; neurological surgery; ortho-pedic surgery; hand surgery; plastic surgery; maxil-lofacial surgery; ear, nose and throat surgery; oralsurgery; ophthalmic surgery; gynecological surgery/obstetrical surgery, and urological surgery.
ONE OF ONLY 19 trauma centers in the state,Reston Hospital Center plays a critical role in emer-gency care in Northern Virginia. Reston HospitalCenter also has advanced primary stroke and chestpain accreditations and is recognized as a top per-former in heart attack, heart failure, and surgicalcare. Offering both adult and pediatric emergencyservices, staffed 24/7 by pediatric-trained emergencynurses and physician specialists, Reston HospitalCenter is prepared to serve as an access point forimmediate care with timely and improved access tolife-saving measures for patients in need of traumacare.
For more information visit RestonHospital.com/Trauma.
The designation provides the surrounding communitiesadditional access to lifesaving trauma care.
Reston Hospital Center ReceivesLevel II Trauma Designation
Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
SOBER-RIDE FOR WINTER HOLIDAYSFree Sober Rides. The annual Holiday
SoberRider program will operate 8 p.m.-4 a.m.each night from Friday, Dec. 15, 2017-Monday,Jan. 1, 2018. area residents age 21 and oldercelebrating with alcohol may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter the code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive their no cost (up to$15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s weeklyHoliday SoberRide promo codes will be postedat 2:00 pm on Dec. 15, Dec. 23 and Dec. 31 onwww.SoberRide.com.
ORNAMENT FUNDRAISERWhite House Ornaments Sale. Through Dec.
15, 2017 White House Ornaments available forpurchase from Assistance League of NorthernVirginia for $22 per ornament. Proceeds benefitthe nonprofit’s children’s programs. Localdelivery can be arranged. Visitwww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org formore.
SATURDAY/DEC. 16Application Deadline. The Reston Planning and
Zoning (P&Z) Committee is seeking volunteersto serve on the committee. All residents ofReston, over 18 years of age are eligible toserve. The committee consists of fifteen (15)members with five (5) positions expiring eachyear, and three (3) associate members thatserve one year terms. To serve on the RestonP&Z Committee, find the application atrpz.myreston.org and return it with yourresume, as per the instructions on theapplication.
TUESDAY/DEC. 19Land Use Committee Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at
the North County Governmental Building, 1801Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. The Hunter MillDistrict Land Use Committee meets. Agendaitems include Virginia Electric and PowerCompany. The Land Use Committee will NOTmeet in November. Contact Goldie Harrison at703-478-0283.
TUESDAY/DEC. 26Inova Blood Drive, noon-7 p.m., at Reston
Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston, besidethe Pavilion. Schedule appointments at 1-866-256-6372 or inova.org/donateblood.
ONGOINGHerndon High School Library needs
volunteers. Training available to help with re-shelving books, pulling books for teacher use,helping to check passes, or other specialprojects. To learn more, [email protected].
RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.
Sunrise at Reston Town Center offers amonthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourthWednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthlysupport group offers a safe place for familycaregivers, to meet and develop a mutualsupport system and to exchange practicalinformation and possible solutions. Learn aboutresources available in the community and howto manage caregiver related stress. Call 703-956- 8930 or [email protected] to RSVP.
Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax CountyMaster Gardener Association offers plantclinics, home turf training or speakers forhomeowner’s meetings. Fees vary. Visitfairfaxgardening.org or call MG Help Desk at703-324-8556 for more.
Bulletin
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Five weeks of blissful ignorance. (Speak foryourself. I am.) No 24-hour urine collection.No pre-chemotherapy lab work. No chemo-therapy infusion. No CT scan. No follow-upappointment with my oncologist – or anyother doctor for that matter. No brain MRI. Nofasting. No emailing. No prescription-drugrefilling. No vitals. No weight check. Notaste/eating side effects. No anything. Otherthan pretending and presuming that all is notwrong in my “whirled” (my underlying diagno-sis), life is for the living, and I’m living proof,random though it may be, that an incrediblygrim/surreal prognosis: “13 months to twoyears,” was not all it was cracked up to be.
Forgive me if I unleash my pent-up innerdemons. As a cancer patient, there’s just somuch to worry about; daily, weekly, monthlyand always, that when you get a break/brakein the action, it becomes a moment in time tocelebrate and cherish.
Good things may come in small packages,but great things come in five-week intervals.And though the minor deficits I have as aresult of nearly nine years of chemotherapyhave not dissipated; in the scheme of things, inthe midst of two-fortnights-and-a-half of “une-ncumbrances,” to quote my late father, I am“untethered,” to once again quote my father.This time however, quoting the late, great SidCaesar for a skit he performed (involving “anelephant,” my father always said) on “TheShow of Shows” back in the early 50s.
And so for the next month and change, Iam almost normal (or a reasonable facsimilethereof); other than following my daily anti-cancer, non-Western routine which I have longago assimilated into my dos and don’ts, that is.A routine which, though it can always beenhanced, is a direct result of the advice I’vereceived from my certified Holistic HealthCoach. And despite the fact that I may notexactly be on the straight and narrow – morelike the squiggly and wiggly, I certainly am noton the path I was when my cancer cells acti-vated after I slid into my first PET scan back inearly February 2009, and “lit it up like aChristmas tree,” according to my thoracic sur-geon. An indication/confirmation which led toa surgical biopsy a week or so later which thenled to the last nine years of my life.
Still, it’s been a life worth living and one forwhich I have few regrets. I have lived so farbeyond my original prognosis, it’s not evenfunny; it’s ridiculous. Sure, I’m doing more ofthe right things than I ever did, but hardly am Ithe poster boy for “see what happens whenyou ... .” If I’m the poster boy for anything, it’smore likely “how to maintain and evenincrease your weight while being treated forstage IV, non-small cell lung cancer.”
Not that I won’t savor the moments ahead,but I am mindful, which led to the substanceof this column, of what happens after thissemi-party is over: Jan. 2, 2018 – 24-hoururine collection; Jan. 3, 2018 – pre-chemo-therapy lab work; Jan. 5, 2018 – chemother-apy infusion; Jan. 17, 2018 – CT scan; andfinally, Jan. 26. 2018 – follow-up appointmentwith my oncologist to discuss the results of myscan, and then maybe another emotional hon-eymoon or, God forbid, a nightmare that diag-nosis to date has rarely raised its ugly head.
That possibility roams my head, constantly;compartmentalized – yes; “in the vault” – yes,but unfortunately, “the cancer,” (as “Forrest,Forrest Gump” said) still in my body and,medically speaking, not yet something one canflush out with treatment. But there’s alwayshope.
In the past few years, the FDA hasapproved half-a-dozen new lung cancer drugs,more than during the preceding decade. Idon’t think medical professionals would saythey have lung cancer on the run; they mightsay however, they have it on the trot. Which isgood for me because I can’t run, but I can trot.
As GoodAs It GetsBusiness Directory
To Advertise Your Business, Call Karen at 703-778-9422WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM
ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL
GUTTER GUTTER
IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS
LANDSCAPING
LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING
LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING
TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE
TILE / MARBLE TILE / MARBLE
Good is not good, where
better is expected.
-Thomas Fuller
12 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 13-19, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@RestonConnect
An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.Published by
Local Media Connection LLC
1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314
Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to
connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414
Fallon ForbushReporter
Mercia HobsonContributing Writer
Andrea WorkerReporter
Mike SalmonEditorial Assistant
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann
[email protected]@TheismannMedia
RestonOpinion
The Children’s Health Insurance Pro-gram, CHIP, provides health cover-age to low-income, children withfamily incomes too high to qualify
for Medicaid, up to 200 percent of the federalpoverty level in Virginia, up to $49,200 for afamily of four. In Virginia, coverage under CHIPis called Family Access to Medical InsuranceSecurity (FAMIS) and covers more than 69,000children and pregnant women. More than 8.4million children are covered nationally underCHIP.
Ironically, families with chil-dren covered under FAMIS(note that the S stands for “se-curity”) will receive letters this
week letting them know that their medical in-surance security ends in January unless theU.S. Senate acts to reauthorize (fund) CHIPby the end of the year. The House of Represen-tatives passed a bill to reauthorize CHIP inNovember, funding it mostly through cuts toprograms in the Affordable Care Act.
The letter to Virginia FAMIS participantsreads:
“We are sending you this letter because thesepeople in your family are enrolled in FAMIS orFAMIS MOMS:
“FAMIS and FAMIS MOMS are paid for bystate and federal funds through the Children’sHealth Insurance Program known as CHIP. For
20 years CHIP has had the strong support ofCongress and has been renewed many times.We are hopeful that Congress will once againprovide the funding to continue this program.However, because Congress has not acted yet,we need to let you know that there is a chancethe FAMIS programs may have to shut down.
“If Congress does not act soon, the FAMISprograms will end on Jan. 31, 2018.”
Having tens of thousands of uninsured chil-dren is bad health policy for every Virginian.It’s better for all children in school to have allchildren be able to access health care, bothpreventative care and care when they are sick.
According to a recent publication in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine:
“The body of evidence summarized here in-dicates that coverage expansions significantlyincrease patients’ access to care and use of pre-ventive care, primary care, chronic illness treat-ment, medications, and surgery. These in-creases appear to produce significant, multi-faceted, and nuanced benefits to health.
“Some benefits may manifest in earlier de-tection of disease, some in better medicationadherence and management of chronic condi-tions, and some in the psychological well-be-ing born of knowing one can afford care whenone gets sick. … Some of these changes willultimately help tens of thousands of people livelonger lives.
Save Healthcare for Children Right NowIf U.S. Senate fails to act soon, 69,000 children and pregnant womenin Virginia, more than 8 million nationally, will lose health coverage.
Editorial
“Conversely, the data suggest that policiesreducing coverage will produce significantharms to health, particularly among peoplewith lower incomes and chronic conditions.”
Also, having health coverage leads to greaterfinancial security, and that helps the economy.“There is abundant evidence that having healthinsurance improves financial security,” accord-ing to the same study.
Virginia’s U.S. Senators Mark Warner andTim Kaine have repeatedly called for a vote toreauthorize CHIP.
Yesterday, they said, “Today is a scary dayfor a lot of families in Virginia, and it was com-pletely preventable. We asked SenatorMcConnell multiple times to help us supportthe 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnantwomen in Virginia who receive their healthcare through the CHIP program, but Republi-can leadership still hasn’t brought it forwardfor a vote. There is a bipartisan bill on the table,and it’s critical that we pass it before Congressleaves for the holidays so we can give somepeace of mind to Virginia parents who areworried about whether their children will havehealth insurance in the new year.”
We wish everyone peace of mind in the NewYear.
— Mary Kimm
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
Earlier this week there was agroundbreaking ceremony onthe grounds of the State Capi-
tol in Richmond for a memorial “rec-ognizing the contributions of womenacross four centuries.”
The first phase of the monumentnamed “Voices from the Garden”will be an oval-shaped plaza thatwill contain 12 bronze statues de-picting significantwomen in Virginia’s his-tory. A glass Wall ofHonor containing thenames of several hundred addi-tional women of note will surroundthe plaza.
Supporters of the new monumentclaim it to be “the first of its kind onthe grounds of a state capitol.” Cer-tainly it is a step forward in recog-nizing the important place ofwomen after English colonizationand the transport of the first Englishwomen to the colony in 1619.
The grounds of the Capitol havebeen dominated by white mensince Richmond became the capi-tal of the Commonwealth in 1780.From the grand equestrian statue
Questions to Askon Gun ViolenceTo the Editor:
I read your article on ProtestingGun Violence (Connection, No-vember 29-December 5, 2017)and came away confused by theprotesters’ message. Wouldn’t it bemore appropriate to hold the pro-tests in urban centers since thevast majority of gun violence oc-curs there? How will protesting atthe NRA stop gun violence, par-ticularly the majority of gun vio-lence that occurs with illegal fire-arms in cities? And do the protest-ers know that gun violence is athistoric lows?
It sounds like their real issueis with the NRA and by exten-sion their members, and not gunviolence. The reporter shouldhave asked the protesters someof the above basic questions tobetter flush out the issues forreaders. The article would thenhave read less like sponsoredcontent and more like a substan-tive news article.
Jeff NorrisVienna
Women Honored Letter
of George Washington that domi-nates the grounds to a lonelystatue of senator and former gov-ernor Harry F. Byrd, only the Vir-ginia Civil Rights Memorialopened in 2008 offers evidence ofothers than white men who con-tributed to Virginia’s history. Theaddition of the women’s memorialat a critically important time willhelp to fill in the blanks of historyas will the Virginia Indian TributeMemorial that is currently under
construction.Recognizing the his-
toric contributions ofwomen has become even
more important at a time when thedaily news brings information onthe number of women having beensexually harassed by well-knownpolitical and entertainment fig-ures. While those disclosures havebrought attention to the situation,there needs to be recognition thatwe are only seeing the tip of a verygreat problem.
Many women who are afraid,feel shame or powerlessness, orwhose perpetrator is a relative, co-worker, or community member butwho is not famous have had tosuffer in silence. Now that the lid
is sufficiently off, the issue will notbe able to be swept away or ig-nored. The path forward is notentirely clear, but giving womenthe respect they have earnedwhether in history or as head of afamily is an important step.
A memorial on capitol groundsof a state that did not ratify until1952 the Nineteenth Amendmentgiving women the right to vote in1920 is an important step as well.
The greatest tribute to womenin Virginia may have come withthe outcome of the recent Virginiaelection. Pending final vote certi-fication there will be 38 womenin the Virginia General Assembly— 27 percent versus the earlier 19percent. The Democratic caucus inthe House of Delegates will benearly half women as it should be.
Supporting these women candi-dates were thousands of womenworking to make a difference innumbers never before realized.Seeing these winning women can-didates are thousands of youngwomen who just witnessed a dooropening for them. It is likely to bethat Virginia will finally ratify theEqual Rights Amendment as I havesupported my entire career.
Commentary