Town SolicitsBudget Comments News, Page 3

Herndon High Presents‘Broadway Our Way’Calendar, Page 8

From left: sixth-grade students at McNair Elemen-tary School in Herndon, Venkata Srikakolapu, 12, Anika Badatala, 12, Ria Goel, 12, Zoe Rodriquez,

12, Adarsh Iruvanti, 11, and Aditya Nair, 11, point out their favorite squares in a completed Love Quilt.

Giving MoreThan Love

News, Page 5

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 19-25, 2020

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Giving MoreGiving More

2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Kyle Knight Ins Agcy IncKyle Knight, Agent11736 Bowman Green DriveReston, VA 20190

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&News

Herndon Village Network (HVN) has an-nounced an exciting expansion of its ser-vices. Senior citizens at Kendrick Court

Apartments are now eligible to receive much-neededtransportation for doctor appointments, shopping,social outings, and more.

“Thanks to growing community support, HerndonVillage Network (HVN) has sufficient funding andvolunteers to begin its much-needed expansion fromHerndon 20170 into Herndon 20171, and KendrickCourt Apartments is the perfect beginning,” saidPenny Halpern, President of HVN’s Board of Direc-tors. “I would love to see even more neighbors vol-unteer to drive two or three times a month. Thatwould allow HVN to offer services throughout20171.”

Herndon Village Network currently has 100 seniorcitizen members, who pay only $20 per year for un-limited access to day and evening transportation onweekdays and weekends. In 2019, volunteer driv-

ers provided members 908 rides, totalling 19,578miles. This more organized concept of neighborshelping neighbors encourages older residents to agein the Herndon community and allows them to main-tain established routines and connections, which re-sults in a higher quality of life.

Herndon Village Network (HVN) invites every se-nior citizen, age 55 or older, who no longer candrive—or who feels uncomfortable driving—to be-come a member this year. The only requirementsare that members pay a $20 annual fee, scheduletransportation at least 48 hours in advance, and re-side, permanently or temporarily, in the Herndon20170 zip code or in Kendrick Court Apartments.HVN also invites volunteers interested in making adifference to join the driving team. For more infor-mation about becoming a member, volunteering asa driver, or making a donation, please send an emailto herndonvillagenetworkinfo@gmail.com or visitHerndonVillageNetwork.org.

Herndon Village Network ReachesOut to Kendrick Court Apartments

To the Editor:When I got my recent edition,

I was confused by the headline“Chronically the Past inBronze”. I thought maybe it wasa typo. Then I opened the ar-

ticle and saw the same thing. Hasthe education system done sopoorly that journalists don’t under-stand the English language? Whatabout editors… why didn’t theycatch this?

As a taxpayer of 30 years inFairfax County, I would like toknow how this happened.

Lenny WolfeOak Hill

Confusing Headline

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsHerndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or herndon@connectionnewspapers.com

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

During a public hearing at theTues., Feb. 11, Herndon TownCouncil Session, Council unani-mously approved as presented

Resolution 20-G-08, to solicit public com-ment for consideration during the develop-ment of the Town Manager’s proposed bud-get for Fiscal Year 2021.

“Simply put, this is an opportunity for citi-zens and businesses to come here and offerup suggestions they would like to see in ourannual budget,” said Town Manager BillAshton. “We are getting our revenue pro-jections back. We are starting to crunchthrough some of the departmental requestsin those numbers, (and) we are preppingto meet with you all in the coming week orso,” Ashton said.

Councilmembers strongly urged citizensto speak out either at the public hearingsor via a comment form on the Town’swebsite, https://www.herndon-va.gov/.“This will be a tough budget season,” saidCouncilmember Jennifer K. Baker.

During comments, Town of Herndon resi-dent Alexander Burke asked if the Towninvested reserve funds in Wall Street ormaybe overseas to raise more capital. Burkeasked, “What direction do you think weshould go in, investing our reserve money?”

TOWN OF HERNDON RESIDENT AnnVayda acknowledged she appreciated thearts, the rich activities the Town offered andall the subset of interests in the Town. How-ever, she thought it “dangerous when gov-ernments get involved in arts... making ar-tistic decisions of funding or not funding,”she said. “I think it’s very important that allof our hobbies and interests be self-sustain-ing,” Vayda said.

Councilmember Bill McKenna respondedto Burke’s comment about the Town invest-ing its Reserve Fund in Wall Street and glo-bal funds. According to McKenna, therewere rules and regulations, namely theDillon Rule to consider as it is used in in-terpreting the law about whether or not alocal government has a certain power. “Wecan’t arbitrarily put money in an interna-tional fund and things of that nature. It hasto (fall) within the construct of the Virginia

State Statutes,” he said.Councilmember Jennifer K. Baker said,

“There’s a lot of external factors at play (thisbudget season). There’s a lot going on cer-tainly with the Town and outside the Townthat’s going to impact our budget,” saidBaker. According to Baker, approximately70 percent of the Town budget was for per-sonnel. She stressed that for the Town tostay competitive and retain the great em-ployees and the great customer service citi-zens had come to know and expect, Coun-cil wanted citizen input and involvement.“A budget represents your values; what yousee as a town, a citizenry… We certainly

want the input from as many citizens aspossible in what we collectively want toinvest in,” Baker said.

Vice Mayor Sheila A. Olem approachedthe budget conversation from a differentangle. She recalled historical expenditureslike money spent on the lighting on theW&OD Trail that makes it “a wonderful free-way to our downtown.” “So the things thatmake Herndon awesome, if we take themall away, I don’t think we will be, but we allneed to sit down and have the talk at thetable. I love our parks. It would be reallyeasy for us to sell all those and just collectrevenue because we don’t collect taxes on

those because they’re government-owned.But that is part of what makes Herndonabsolutely awesome; having parks closeenough for everyone in our Town to justtake a walk…Please keep talking and send-ing us letters,” she said.

Councilmember Pradip Dhakal said, “It’syour money, and you decide how you wantthe money to be used.” Dhakal’s focus wasthe elimination of waste, making systemssuch as trash collection more efficient andlabor through the reorganization of staffpositions.

“I encourage us all to think bigger,” saidCouncilmember Signe Friedrichs. “We can’tachieve a healthy economy if people don’twant to live here,” she said. Friedrichs ref-erenced words spoken by Victor Hoskins ata recent meeting she attended. Hoskinshelped Arlington land Amazon and now isFairfax County’s economic chief. One of themost significant problems Fairfax Countyencounters right now said Friedrichs is thatit has “the biggest brain drain in the coun-try.” “We train a lot of young people to beCybersecurity experts; we train them to becomputer whizzes... (And) they’re leavingus. As soon as they graduate, they are go-ing someplace else. And the main thing thatthey cite is the standard of living. It’s moreenjoyable to live somewhere that is beauti-ful, somewhere you can walk. Someplacewhere there is public transportation...Rightnow, we’re in a good position, but I fear ifthis continues, Cybersecurity jobs are go-ing to leave the area, and we will suffer acertain amount of pain from that... So pleasesend us your comments,” said Friedrichs.

ACCORDING TO MAYOR Lisa Merkel,the Manager’s proposed budget for FiscalYear 2021 will be released on Apr. 1,“...which I always find hilarious,” she said.There will be two public hearings, April 14and 28. “But please, don’t wait until thento let us hear from you,” said Mayor Merkel.

Town Councilmember Cesar del Aguilacould not attend the Feb. 11. hearing. Af-terward, del Aguila said, “In my humbleopinion, predecessor councils did the towndisservice by not positioning us for growthand the expanding demand for services. Notinvesting in the town’s future has limitedus concerning budget choices and projects.We need to transform our reactive ways toproactive investing for the benefit of ourtown in the years ahead.”

The Town’s FY 2021 budget must beadopted by June 30, 2020.

Town Solicits Budget CommentsCouncilmembers andcitizens speak out.

Bill Ashton,Herndon TownManager.

Mayor LisaMerkel.

Town ofHerndon resi-dent AlexanderBurke.

Town ofHerndon resi-dent Ann Vayda.

Budget Comments Received Through Feb. 11Dana Bessey: It seems noteworthy the crime in the last year is a huge

problem...Perhaps this means more officers.

Barbara Glakas: Oak Grove School (was) the last segregated school in Townfor African American students...As much as I would like to say, “Save this historic/meaningful building,” I also realize it may not be possible if the town employeeswho work there are working in unhealthy conditions due to bad HVAC, leaks, moldor whatever. This has been one of those “kick the can down the road” issues...Iknow we have some budget constraints in the near future, but I hope some decisionabout 1481 can be made soon. (Oak Grove School building is located at 1481 Ster-ling Blvd., part of the Herndon Public Works Complex.)

Robert McCollum: Herndon Metro Stop opens toward the end of the year,traffic, parking and life as we know it in Herndon will change...As such, has Herndonplanned for this type of parking “invasion”...Does our budget account for the pos-sible new parking signs needed and other pertinent resources needed? Does ourbudget account for possible additional parking enforcement resources needed topolice and enforce this 24 x 7?

Charles Williams: Focus on reducing mailing costs for the Town...Eliminatethe mailing of paper water bills...Eliminate the annual calendar’s massmailings...Calendars should not be discontinued...(Distribute) on an opt-in basis,copies available at locations as the Community Center...Establish a task force to usebusiness practices such as Lean Six Sigma.

Screenshots via Town website

See Bulletin Board, Page 7

Submit civic/community an-nouncements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calen-dar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at leasttwo weeks before event.

MONDAY/FEB. 24NARFE Dulles Chapter 1241

Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. AtAmphora Diner, 1151 Elden

Street, Herndon. Featuring speakerPete Kirby, Retired Fire Chief,Centreville Fire Department, who willspeak on fire prevention andresponse. The cost of the luncheon is$18.15 which includes tax and asmall gratuity.

TUESDAY/FEB 25INOVA Blood Drive. 1 - 5:30 p.m.,

beside the Pavilion at Reston TownCenter, Reston. Schedule

Bloodmobile appointments at 1-866-256-6372 or inovablood.org.

Paving and Restriping Meeting.6:30 p.m. At Terraset ElementarySchool, 11411 Ridge Heights Road,Reston. The Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation willhold community meetings in everydistrict of the county this spring withthe Virginia Department ofTransportation (VDOT) to discussproposed 2020 paving and restripingprojects. The first meetings will be

held in the Hunter Mill andSpringfield Districts in February. Themeetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.,with a formal presentation beginningat 6:45 p.m., followed by time forquestions, feedback and comments.For residents who cannot attend themeetings in person, the meetingpresentation will be available on theDistrict paving and restripingwebpages, and feedback may besubmitted online for two weeksfollowing the meeting. Visit the

Fairfax County 2020 Paving andRestriping Program: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/2020-paving-and-restriping.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 26DMV2Go at the Pavilion. 9 a.m.

- 4 p.m. At the Pavilion at RestonTown Center, Reston. The

Bulletin Board

4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

A tradition in the House ofDelegates that has comeabout in recent years is tohave a speech at the be-

ginning of each daily session duringFebruary about a Black person. Somespeeches are about well-known historic figures;most are about lesser-known Black personswho have made contributions to their commu-nities and to the state. After all, the point ofBlack History Month is to have all of us gain agreater knowledge and appreciation of Blackpersons’ contributions to our history. The Leg-islative Black Caucus organizes the event, andI am pleased to have been invited to speak eachyear at one of the daily sessions. This year Ispoke about the late Gwen Ifill of PBSNewsHour and Washington Week in Reviewwho was the first Black woman to become anational news commentator. I always appreci-ated receiving the daily news from her in hercalm and professional manner. Not all speechesare about historic figures; one delegate spoke

this year about his experiences ofgrowing up Black.

I predict that in future years a speechwill be made on the floor of the Houseof Delegates about the 2020 VirginiaGeneral Assembly being a transforma-tive event in Black history. Black ex-perience accounts for a major portionof the story in a state that unfortu-

nately has been known for centuries for its rac-ist policies. The first enslaved Africans werebrought to Virginia in 1619, and the slave codesthat were enacted to keep them subjected asslaves were inhumane. When the tobacco fieldswere no longer productive, Virginia’s chief sourceof income became the selling of slaves into thedeep South. Even the freeing of the slaves withthe Civil War did not bring equal rights toVirginia’s Black population. Slave codes werereplaced by Jim Crow laws. Voting by Blacks wasrestricted. Their separate schools and other ac-commodations were not equal.

Supreme Court decisions and the Civil RightsAct of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965brought about changes that started Blackpeople on the way to greater freedom. A suc-

cessful lawsuit against gerrymandering in thestate along with greater voter participationbrought about a record number of Black can-didates being elected to the General Assem-bly. Black legislators took on greater roles ofresponsibility in the 2020 session of the legis-lature. The first Black woman was electedMajority Leader of the House of Delegates, andthe first Black woman was elected Presidentof the State Senate. While there had been afew Black committee chairs over the years inthe House of Delegates, half of the fourteencommittee chairs are now Black. Vestiges ofJim Crow laws that remained in the Code eventhough they had been overturned by the courtsare being stripped away. Localities are beinggiven permission to deal with Confederatemonuments that were the symbols of JimCrowism. Laws that were unevenly applied toBlack persons are being amended or repealed.Black cemeteries are being cared for as theConfederate cemeteries were for many years.A commission is going to look at the teachingof Black history in our schools to ensure that ittells the whole story. Major strides are beingmade in this month of Black history!

Black History Month 2020

By Sen. Scott Surovell

(D-36)

The sixth week of the GeneralAssembly brought us to“crossover” – the day each

chamber is required to cease workon their own bills and work on billsfrom the other chamber.

The last two days brought furious action onmany major bills. Forty-three of my own billscrossed over to the House of Delegates. Lastweek, the Senate passed my legislation creat-ing driver privilege cards for undocumentedimmigrants for the first time and on a biparti-san basis. We still have work to do in order toreconcile the House and Senate bills, but it willchange the lives of over 100,000 Virginia resi-dents.

We also passed my legislation authorizingstate-level class action lawsuits. Forty-eightother states and the District of Columbia al-ready allow similar lawsuits. The lack of suchremedies in Virginia means that corporationscan steal money from Virginians in smalleramounts and never face justice.

The Senate also approved my bill allowingpeople to expunge evictions that have beendismissed. Companies have begun to collectand disseminate eviction records to landlordsand the existence of multiple dismissed andunfounded eviction cases can present a bar-rier to property rental. My bill will allow peopleto clear unfounded lawsuits from their thirdparty data files.

We also passed my bill to create the Virginia

Efficient and Resilient BuildingsBoard. It requires each state agencyto designate an energy manager tomonitor and reduce energy consump-tion over time. Energy efficiency isAmerica’s cheapest energy resourceto access and I appreciate the col-laboration with my constituent Eliza-beth Beardsley and the United States

Green Buildings Council who brought this con-cept to my attention.

The Senate also approved my bill I am car-rying with Del. Kathleen Murphy to create twohundred $4,000 college scholarships for chil-dren in families who receive Temporary Needfor Families (TANF). The bill has passed theSenate four times but always dies in the House.This year will be different.

Beyond my own bills, we took action onmajority legislation. Sen. Adam Ebbin’s mari-juana decriminalization bill passed with a largebipartisan majority. The bill is not perfect, butan appropriate first step as we move towardslegalization.

I helped to negotiate the Senate’s proposedminimum wage increase. The bill increasesthe state minimum wage to $9.50/hour start-ing January 1, 2021. The wage then increases$1/hour per year starting July 1, 2022 until itreaches $15/hour and then increases with theConsumer Price Index. Other parts of Virginiawould be divided into Wage Regions and thewage increased on a basis relative to theirMedian Family Income compared with North-ern Virginia. We also created an exemption fortraining employees and students employed

part-time while in college or high school. TheHouse approach is much different and mustbe reconciled.

Both chambers passed legislation allowingcollective bargaining by public employees, end-ing Virginia’s ban on project labor agreements,and allowing localities to require prevailingwages to be paid in public contracts. We alsopassed legislation creating private actions forworker misclassification, employer retaliationfor reporting illegal conduct, and wage theft.

On the energy front, we passed bills endors-ing a renewable energy portfolio standard ormandate that utilities shift to renewable en-ergy by certain deadlines. We created a frame-work to authorize a $2 billion investment inoffshore wind that will make Virginia andHampton Roads a national leader in technol-ogy deployment.

We also passed legislation to officially jointhe Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)also known as “Reggie.” Joining this compactwill give the Commonwealth greater flexibil-ity in reducing carbon emissions and net theCommonwealth $100 million per year in rev-enue given the progress we have made this farrelative to other compact states.

We also passed Senator Adam Ebbin’s legis-lation authorizing a statewide tax on plasticbags of $0.05 per bag. It only applies to bagsin grocery, convenience, and drug stores, butnot restaurants. The monies will go to the Gen-eral Fund and retailers will be allowed to keep$0.02 of the tax to defray the costs of collec-tion.

Each chambers’ proposed budgets will comeout before this goes to print and we will alsobegin work on legislation from the oppositechamber and the state budget. Please send meany feedback at scott@scottsurovell.org.

Driver privilege, minimum wage, class actionlawsuits, marijuana decriminalization ...

Arriving at Crossover with Many Bills Moving

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Oak Hill & Herndon

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Approximately one hundred eightysixth grade students at McNairElementary School in Herndondid not know South African chil-

dren are in crisis. HIV/AIDS has orphaned2.3 million children, reported The LoveQuilt Project on its website. The studentsdid not know they could create cloth artsquares with messages and images of loveto be the center square within each blockin a log cabin quilt design. Volunteers wouldsew the quilts to be distributed to SouthAfrican children in foster homes for thoseorphaned, abandoned and HIV/AIDS im-pacted. They did not know the quilts coulddo more than keep the children warm, butwrap them in love by providing tangibleemotional support and moments of joy. Andthe students did not know there was a non-profit organization based in Arlington,called

The Love Quilt Project that uses the powerof love to change the lives of these SouthAfrican children as well American children,many of them affected by HIV/AIDS.

TWO REPRESENTATIVES from the non-profit organization visited the sixth-gradestudents at McNair E.S. on Valentine’s Day,2020. At 9:30 that morning, the childrenentered the school cafeteria and metGretchen Ginnerty, President of the organi-zation and Sue Bentley, Secretary. The stu-dents discovered as Ginnerty said, “SouthAfrica is beautiful.” Together Bentley andGinnerty presented a brief history of thecountry, the impact of apartheid and sepa-rate development, and the burden the HIVpandemic and AIDS epidemic put upon thecitizens, especially the children. The stu-dents learned about the country’s influen-tial leaders, including Nelson Mandela, whosaid, “Education is the most powerfulweapon which you can use to change theworld.” According to Ginnerty: “For everychild in South Africa who receives a quilt,The Love Quilt Project makes a donation topurchase educational supplies such asbooks, shoes, uniforms and tuition to at-tend a fee-paying governmentschool...Education is the key to successfuladulthood.

“The loss cannot be changed,” Ginnertysaid, referencing the loss of the children’sparents and their family homes. However,the students at McNair E.S. could make adifference to some of the South African chil-dren by creating the center of quilt blocks;their fabric art squares emblazed with per-sonalized messages and images of hope.“The overall quilt pattern is the same, a logcabin pattern,” said Bentley. It was meantto symbolize home. “You can see there issome dark fabric on one side of each square,and then you see there is lighter fabric onthe other side. The darker side symbolizesthe dark days of life. We all have those. Andthere’s the lighter side, the fun days of life.And what holds it together is love, (the cen-ter square),” said Ginnerty. “We are trying

to teach the children they are loved. Nomatter what you look like or where youcome from, you deserve love,” Ginnertysaid.

GINNERTY said that before the childrenreceive their quilts, The Love Quilt Projectasks “in a spirit of reciprocity,” that theycreate a supportive message to a child inAmerica who is affected by HIV/AIDS. Ac-cording to a school representative, tenta-tively, the McNair E.S. students will drawtheir center squares the week of Feb. 24.

Visit http://www.lovequiltproject.org/donatepage to donate to The Love QuiltProject

McNair StudentsReflect on TheirProposed Designs

Srikakolapu, 12: I will write, “A greatpath will come to you.” The path will looklike a rainbow or something colorful and aperson walking on it.

Anika Badatala, 12: I will use half thesquare to draw a moon... the other half thesun. That will symbolize not all days aregoing to be sunshine and rainbows. Somedays can be bad, and you have to pushthrough the days and keep going.

Ria Goel, 12: I will draw a heart andwrite the words love and hope because Iwant the child who receives the quilt to feelhope and never forget…(he or she) is lovedin this world.

Zoe Rodriquez, 12: Drawings-Heartfor love, Wings for faith, and Peace Sign forhope. Don’t let the darkness keep you down;let the love bring you up.

Adarsh Iruvanti, 11: My design willinclude two sides-one light, one dark toshow the good and bad things in life. Thecenter will have puzzle pieces shaping aheart...very colorful. Inside will state, ‘Weare all connected’... Underneath is a mes-sage, ‘Even though we are all different, weall smile in the same language.” This showsthat no matter what happens, love bringseveryone together.

Aditya Nair, 11: I will draw a heart withthe word ‘LOVE’ in bubble letters, with pinkin it; then the heart in red...I will also writein bubble letters, ‘HAVE HOPE’ and color itin multiple light colors, and write near it,‘YOU HAVE OUR LOVE.’ I’m doing this be-cause the light colors will hopefully let themknow a feeling of calm from all the painand to just hold onto the love they are get-ting.

Giving More Than Love McNair E.S. students participatein The Love Quilt Project.

From left: Executive officers of The Love Quilt Project, GretchenGinnerty, President and Sue Bentley, Secretary tell sixth-grade studentsat McNair Elementary School in Herndon that the South African childrenwho receive the Love Quilts continue to be inspired by the quilts longafter the day they first receive them.

One hundred eighty students at McNair Elementary School in Herndonlisten as Gretchen Ginnerty, President of The Love Quilt Project tellsthem the story behind the organization and its mission.

“You are a generation that neverexisted before; you can reach outacross the world in a nanosec-ond,” says Gretchen Ginnerty,President of Love Quilt Project.

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6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

On Feb. 7, 2020,Catholic Charities ofthe Diocese of Arling-ton held its 38th An-nual Ball at The Ritz-Carlton in TysonsCorner. The eventwas sold out withmore than 1,000 at-tendees. It is the larg-est annual fundraiserfor Catholic Charities,raising a significantportion of the re-sources needed tosupport 21 programsserving those in needthroughout the 21counties and sevencities of the Diocese.This year’s themewas, “With Love andCharity.”

“I am incrediblygrateful for yet another successful Catholic Chari-ties Ball, and for the sacrifices those in attendancemade to support the many Catholic Charities minis-tries which uplift the needy and vulnerable in ourDiocese,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, CatholicDiocese of Arlington. “It is inspiring to see so manypeople compelled to model Christ’s own love for usthrough generosity and faith. They have shown tre-

mendous compassion and opened their hearts to thelight of Christ’s message. The Catholic Charities Ballhas a long tradition of helping those in need throughthe generosity of those who attend. I pledge my con-tinued support for the Ball and pray that we onlyincrease the number of people we serve in years tocome.”

For more information, visit www.ccda.net.

Catholic Charities Gala Raises Funds toHelp Those in Need

Photo by Jenifer Morris Photography.

Attendees Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Laura Bennett.

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

And so, what happens next? There’s calm and then there’s an eventual storm. The storm to which I refer is what will happen after the March 2nd meeting with my endocrinologist when she will assess and determine the next step in my post-thyroidectomy treatment. Presumably, in conjunction with my oncologist, a coordinated plan will be implemented for treating my two cancers. I can’t imagine however, that being treated for two cancers, simultaneously, will be easier than being treated for one. And I doubt, although I don’t know, that one medicine will be recommended for the treatment of both my non-small cell lung cancer and my thyroid can-cer. We’ll know soon enough.

In the interim, I intend to acknowledge and appreciate how easy these next few weeks will be. No appointments with doctors, no diagnos-tic scans, no procedures, no medicine - and no side effects, and no lab work other than as needed, to measure my calcium and magnesium levels and any other thyroid-related effects. Moreover, I am free to come and go as I please. And it does please me. Because I’ve earned it. I deserve it and I’m going to bask in it. You think being a cancer patient under constant treatment - for nearly 11 years is in any way amusing? Hardly. I make fun of it to make light of it. Oth-erwise, the weight of it would crush me. And even though my father always said I had broad shoulders, I’m always fearful that the next result

back. After all, I’m only human.But for now, February 9, as I sit and write, I

am three weeks and one day to my next reckon-ing. And since it’s early days yet to know what life will be like after that March 2nd appoint-ment (radiation and/or chemotherapy possibly), I will try to be blissfully ignorant and not think too much how easy and unencumbered my life is at the present. As a cancer patient, ceding control where you can and securing it where you thought you couldn’t are keys to manag-ing expectations and minimizing aggravation. Unfortunately, there is no one key that unlocks all doors. And there are plenty of doors, and plenty of doctors too, and plenty of fear waiting for one of your doctors to walk through any of these doors to deliver the results from your most recent cancer-related whatever.

None of which concerns me right now, or rather it shouldn’t. And if there’s any port in this

-cally, magically, unexpectedly, I should jump at the chance. I am reminded of a conversation I had with my oncologist years ago when I experi-enced a similar interval between treatment. The medicine I was on had stopped working so we needed to start another, another with unknown

-gested that since I felt good, perhaps we should delay the beginning of the next infusion and that I should take that trip I had always dreamed of because I might never feel this good again. I didn’t then and I won’t now. When I jump how-ever, I can barely get off the ground.

I haven’t exactly been presented this time, with this kind of do-before-you-die opportunity, but there is an erie familiarity to my circum-stances. And though I’ve been down this road

to what kind of twists and turns await. The last thing a cancer diagnosis provides is a guarantee. Actually, that’s wrong. A cancer diagnosis does provide a guarantee: that there are no guaran-tees. And so, as I prepare for the next phase of my life, the one that begins 11 years after being diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, stage IV and being given a 13 month to two-year prognosis to boot, I will quote the late, great Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.”

One Step Forward, Hopefully Not Two

Steps BackwardFrom Page 3

Bulletin

wireless office on wheels offers all DMVservices: driver’s license and ID card applicationsand renewals, driving records, vehicle titles,license plates, decals, order disabled plates, andmore. Information on all services available atdmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.asp.

THURSDAY/FEB. 27Affordable Housing For Seniors:

Preservation Project Kick-off. 1:30 p.m. AtHunters Woods Fellowship House, 2231 ColtsNeck Road, Reston. Join in a kick-off of a majorrenovation project on the 225-unit HuntersWoods Fellowship House. They are investing$12 million to modernize and upgrade thisimportant community landmark that helps somany seniors who otherwise could not afford tolive in the Reston area. Hear from all the keystakeholders – including the residents – whatthis project means to them and to thecommunity.

SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the

Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualitied tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.

ONGOINGSTEM Professionals Needed. Volunteers are

needed to assist K-12 STEM teachers in northernVirginia as part of the American Association forthe Advancement of Science’s STEM VolunteerProgram, stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-20 school year.Contact Don Rea at 571-551-2488 or donaldrea@aol.com.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia is anall-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need.Assistance League’s philanthropic programstouch the lives of thousands of children,including those at 11 Title 1 elementary schoolsin Fairfax and Prince William counties and theCity of Alexandria. There are many volunteeropportunities for community members tocontribute to helping those in need throughWeekend Food for Kids, tutoring programs andproviding new clothing and layettes. To learnmore, email: info@alnv.org, or visitwww.alnv.org

Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assistthe Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA-Child mentoring program. The mentors provideopportunities for companionship, guidance andsupport to children who have been abused andneglected, or who are at risk of abuse andneglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil atIbrahim.khalil@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-4547.

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 atchubicki@volunteerfairfax.org 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 emailReston.ED@sunriseseniorliving.com to RSVP.

Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 IsaacNewton Square, Reston. This program bringstogether people impacted by Parkinson’s Diseaseto participate in various physical exercises aimedat improving posture, balance and circulationand increasing strength, muscle control andmobility. Free. parkinsonfoundation.org. CallNatalie McCall nmccall@onelifefitness.com 703-904-7600 for more.

8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ February 19-25, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGAARP Tax-Aide Program. Feb. 1 to April 14. At

RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Tuesdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Thursdays:4:30 p.m./– 8:30 p.m.; and Saturdays: 9 a.m./–3 p.m. Free. For taxpayers with low andmoderate incomes with special attention tothose 60 and older. AARP’s Tax-Aide programwas created nearly 40 years ago to assist olderadults as well as persons with low and middleincomes in successfully navigating the tax code.All tax preparation is free and confidential. Formore information, contact the Lifelong LearningProgram Director, Casmera Lebron at 703-390-6157.

RCC Collecting Dresses and Accessories.Feb. 1-29. Reston Community Center isaccepting donations of gently used dresses andaccessories for its 18th annual Diva CentralDress Drive. From Feb. 1 – 29, RCC will becollecting the items at its Hunters Woods andLake Anne locations. In addition to dresses, RCCneeds donations of shoes, jewelry, handbags andshawls. Donations are tax-deductible and maybe dropped off Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9p.m.; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays. This year’sdress and accessories giveaway event is plannedfor Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.at RCC Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza inReston. All local middle and high schoolstudents are invited to attend and “shop” fordresses, shoes and other accessories for free.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 19Podcast Club. 6:30 p.m. At Reston Library, 11925

Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. If you enjoy bite-size stories that you can listen to, come discuss amonthly selection of podcasts. You can listen ona computer or a mobile device through any ofseveral free apps. Every month listen to at leastfour episodes of your choosing of the podcast.

THURSDAY/FEB. 20Weekend Food for Kids. 10-11:30 a.m. At

Dominion Energy, 3072 Centreville Road,Herndon. Join in this fun event to support localchildren. Assistance League of Northern Virginiainvites community members to the WeekendFood for Kids monthly packing. This criticalprogram provides nonperishable food over theweekend to children who receive free orreduced-price meals at local Title I elementaryschools. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. if you would like tohelp with setup.Free. Visit the websitewww.alnv.org

Toddler Storytime. 10:30 a.m. At RestonLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston.Featuring Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. Designyour own “unique” elephant like Elmer. Age 2with Adult. No registration required. Call: 703-689-2700.

Managing the Loss of a Loved One. 2-4 p.m.At RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd,Reston. Participants will learn how to manageall of the practical and legal details that followthe death of a family member. Free; registrationrequired, #500489-0A.

Magic Tree House Book Club. 4:30 p.m. AtReston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Read to Discuss: Day of the Dragon Kingby M.P. Osborne. Copies available at theChildren’s Desk. Grades 3-4. No registrationrequired.

Creative Response at GRACE. 7 p.m. AtGRACE, Reston. A short presentation by anexpert is followed by open conversationresponding to the gallery’s Moira Dryer exhibit.Free. Sponsored by Reston Community Center.Call 703-471-9242; Visit www.restonarts.org

Race in Virginia – How We Got to Where WeAre Now. 8-9:15 p.m. At Northern VirginiaHebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Ave.,Reston. Featuring Jennifer Ritterhouse, authorof Growing Up Jim Crow: How Black and WhiteSouthern Children Learned Race andDiscovering the South: One Man’s TravelsThrough a Changing America in the 1930s. Sheis a professor at George Mason University. Visitwww.nvhcreston.org

THURSDAYS, FEB. 20-MARCH 12Introduction to Band Saw Box Making. 6:30-

9:30 p.m. At RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts

RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd,Reston. The Diabetes Self-Management Programincludes topics such as exercise, dealing withdifficult emotions, monitoring blood sugar, mealplanning and more. Free; registration required,#503547-0A.

Preschool Storytime — Love Stories. 2 p.m.At Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. This month we will foster your littleone’s love of reading with stories, songs, andcrafts focused on relationships … the differentpeople (and pets) we love and who love us. Age3-5 with adult.

TUESDAY/FEB. 25Baby Play and Explore. 11 a.m. At Reston

Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Joinan hour of unstructured play and social time forbabies. Cosponsored by Friends of the RestonRegional Library (FRRL). Age birth-18 monthswith adult. No registration required. Call 703-689-2700.

INOVA Blood Drive. 1 - 5:30 p.m., beside theReston Pavilion at Reston Town Center.Schedule Bloodmobile appointments at 1-866-256-6372 or inovablood.org. On-siteregistration.

Tai Chi. 2 p.m. At Reston Library, 11925 BowmanTowne Dr., Reston. Join us for a fun Tai Chifitness class led by local instructor Susan Shen.Adults.Call: 703-689-2700.

Spanchats. 7 p.m. At Reston Library, 11925Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Join the ongoingSpanish conversation group. All levels frombeginner to fluent are welcome. Adults.

WEDNESDAY/FEB. 26DMV2Go at the Pavilion. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. At

Reston Town Center, Reston. The wireless officeon wheels offers all DMV services: driver’slicense and ID card applications and renewals,driving records, vehicle titles, license plates,decals, order disabled plates, and more.Information on all services available atdmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.asp.

”Downton Abbey” Movie. 10 a.m. At Meet Meat the Movies – Senior Movie Day at Bow TieCinemas, Reston Town Center. RestonAssociation presents the feature film DowntonAbbey. Refreshments and prizes provided priorto movie. Free to 55+. Information:Ashleigh@reston.org. Call 703-435-6577 orvisit www.reston.org

Wednesday Morning Book Club. 10 a.m. AtScrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive, Reston.Featuring A Woman of No Importance. If youenjoy history, biography and memoir, this is thebook club for you! Each month, club memberschoose a new non-fiction title highlightingsomeone who’s experiences offer an interestingperspective on life in both the past and present.

Memory Depot Orientation. 6:30 p.m. AtReston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Learn about the Memory Depot station,a do-it-yourself location for scanning your slides,negatives and photos and to transfer your VHSor audio cassettes to digital formats!

Off-the-Shelf Trivia. 6:30 p.m. At Scrawl Books,11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Want to find outhow much fun a bookstore can really be? Theytalk, laugh, wander off topic, compete, listen tomusic and play trivia. The professional triviamaster picks a theme and writes the questions;the staff awards prizes; and the customers arehilarious (and smart).

THURSDAY/FEB. 27Teen Advisory Board. 7 p.m. At Reston Library,

11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Join TAB togain leadership and volunteer experience andshare your ideas about how to make the librarya wonderful place for teens! Volunteer hoursgranted. Age 13-18. No registration required.Call 703-689-2700.

Dollars and Sense. 7 p.m. At Reston Library,11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Monthlygroup discussion focuses on business leadersand markets. We will be discussing “The NextMillionaire Next Door” Thomas J. Stanley. Theevent is free and open to the public. Adults.

FRIDAY/FEB. 28Indian Cooking. 6-7:30 p.m. At RCC Hunters

Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Learn tocook healthy vegetarian food from differentregions of India. This will be a demonstrationwith some hands-on opportunities. Students willbe able to taste the results. Cost is $20 (R)/$15(R55+)/$30 (NR), #503590-0A.

Neck Rd, Reston. Learn the skills necessary tomake unique band saw boxes. Participants willdevelop basic woodworking skills and how topractice strict safety in the woodshop. Cost is$95 (R)/$76 (R55+)/$143 (NR), #505963-0B

FEB. 20 TO MARCH 15Ordinary Days. At NextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset

Park Drive, Herndon. “Ordinary DaysÓ is anintimate musical about four young New Yorkerssearching for love, beauty, and purpose in a bigand unforgiving world. Performances areThursday-Sunday and tickets start at $40. Thisproduction is directed by Jay Brock, whopreviously directed Eurydice and Assassins forNextStop, and features Bobby Libby, Sarah AnneSillers, Carl Williams, and Anna Phillips-Brown.Visit the website www.NextStopTheatre.org

FRIDAY/FEB. 21Family Yoga. 10:30 a.m. At Reston Library,

11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Enjoyplayful yoga, stories and songs with a children’syoga instructor. Bring a mat or blanket.Cosponsored by FRRL. Ages 2-4 with adult.

Pakistan Under Siege. 2 p.m. At Scrawl Books,11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. Featuring authorMadiha Afzal. Participate in a roundtablediscussion on current events and U.S. foreignpolicy options. The topic for February is “Indiaand Pakistan.” Speaker Ahsan I. Butt, AssociateProfessor, Schar School of Policy andGovernment at George Mason University joinsauthor Madiha Afzal from the Center for 21stCentury Security and Intelligence, Center forMiddle East Policy.

Kids at Hope Program. 6:30-9 p.m. At HerndonCommunity Center, 814 Ferndale Ave.,Herndon. Join in a fun evening of game andactivities and let your child experience he or sheis “Capable of Success, No Exception.” Parentswill be encouraged to become Treasure Huntersand seek the hidden talents, strengths, andabilities of their children and others aroundthem. This event is designed for children toshare the fun with a caring and significant adultin their life. Therefore, a caring adult mustaccompany each child. Be entertained and enjoyperformances by Herndon students, Zumba,service project, arts and crafts projects, andbingo. Bring your bathing suit to play in thepool. Participants will be served a slice of pizzawith additional available for sale. Cost is $2 perperson or $10 per family. Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation, or call 703-787-7300.

NOW THRU FEB. 21S.T.E.A.M. Learning. At the Goddard School,

2400 Dulles Town Blvd., Herndon. Little oneswill participate in S.T.E.A.M-centric activities

(science, technology, engineering, arts andmathematics) and take on the role of engineersfor National Engineers Week. During this week,preschoolers will spend their time designing andbuilding structures (mini bridges, buildings,roller coasters, etc.) from classroom materialslike blocks, popsicle sticks and more. The fun,hands-on S.T.E.A.M activities promote creativity,imagination and the love of learning.

SATURDAY/FEB. 22VIDI Space Film Festival. At Bow Tie Cinemas,

Reston Town Center. See screenings of awardedparaworld films and guest speakers through theday including genre celebrities Chad Lindberg,Nick Groff, Kevin Tenney, and Jeffrey Reddick.Visit www.filmfreeway.com/VIDISPACE

Discover Stone Soup. 10-11:30 a.m. At FryingPan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon.Nothing warms you up faster in winter than ahot bowl of soup, and making homemade soupfrom scratch can be easy. Your group will createa soup based on the children’s story of “StoneSoup.” You will also learn the history andorigins of several different ethnic soup stylesand sample each style featured. For participantsage 7 to adult. The cost is $10 per person. Call703-437-9101 or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.

Stem Club: Spatial Surprises. 10:30 a.m. AtReston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Come navigate the exciting world ofrobotics and tangrams. Learn to program robotsand play math games. Age 6-12. No registrationrequired.

Self Defense for Women. 1-3:30 p.m. At RCCLake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza N, Reston.This one-day workshop for women teachesavoidance, self-defense techniques andawareness skills. Cost is $10 (R)/$8 (R55+)/$15 (NR), #301963-0C.

Afternoon Poetry with Amado Lascar. 2 p.m.At Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Mr. Lascar will read selections from hispublished works in Spanish.

Mardi Gras. 7-11 p.m. At ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center Street, Herndon. Enjoy a Cajun feast,music, dancing, beads and a raffle. Sponsoredby Arts Herndon. Cost is $50/advance; $60/door. RSVP at ArtsHendon.org. Call 703 9566590 or email info@artsherndon.org

MONDAY/FEB. 24Nose to Toes Yoga. 10:30 a.m. At Reston

Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston.Explore yoga poses and movement whileenjoying books and songs with a children’s yogainstructor. No experience needed. Cosponsoredby FRRL.

Age 3-5 years with adult.Diabetes Self-Management. 1:30-3:30 p.m. At

Herndon High School Broadway CabaretHerndon High School’s Cabaret will take place Feb. 21-22 at HerndonHigh School.

FEB. 21-22“Broadway Our Way” Cabaret. 7-9 p.m. At Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon. This

year’s theme is “Broadway Our Way.” Although the school is under construction, they are not lettingthat stop them from performing your favorite Broadway show tunes. This is a high-energy performancefilled with singing, dancing, costumes, laughs, tears and quality entertainment. They will be performingsongs from “Les Mis,” “Shrek,” “Beautiful,” “Pajama Game,” “Addams Family,” “Mary Poppins,” “DamnYankees,” and many others. Directed by Dana Van Slyke and choreographed by Colby Dezelick. Ticketsare $10.

Calendar