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Reston Connection ❖ January 14-20, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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online at www.connectionnewspapers.comJanuary 14-20, 2015

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RestonReston HomeLifeStylePage 9

HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 9

Legislators MeetConstituentsNews, Page 3

Founding FathersVisit Reston and

Herndon SchoolsNews, Page 7

Reston toThe RescueReston to

The RescueSports, Page 12

Connie Hartke, Rescue Reston, urges residents to attend the countyBoard of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 21. More than 300 people attendedRescue Reston’s Rally to Save Open Space on Saturday, Jan. 10 atLangston Hughes Middle School.

2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ January 14-20, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

The General Assembly convened for itsannual session on Jan. 14. Although thesession scheduled to adjourn at the endof February is termed “the short session,”

it will have a full agenda of opportunities and chal-lenges. Governor McAuliffe has made it clear thathe will be providing strong leadership on tough is-sues. With a Republican-controlled General Assem-bly the debate is likely to become intense. The Gov-ernor needs the legislature to act on many of his pri-orities; legislators need the Governor to sign billsthat they want passed. In some instances trade-offsare possible. In others, principles or values will pre-clude deals being made.

I am pleased with the Governor’s willingness totake on difficult issues. In the instance of gun vio-lence, the Governor has proposed a series ofcommonsense measures that will keep Virginianssafer while at the same time respecting constitutionalrights. I am chief patron on his bill to close the gunshow loophole to require uniform backgroundchecks. Background checks at gun dealerships havebeen shown to keep guns out of the hands of crimi-nals and those who are violent. Having all sales sub-ject to background checks is reasonable and will en-hance public safety. The Governor has also proposedto reinstate the one handgun per month limitationthat was in effect for more than a decade before be-ing repealed two years ago. I support this bill. Be-fore the original limitation was enacted, Virginia had

become known as the gun-running capital of the East!I also support the Governor’s proposal to deny con-cealed weapons permits to those who are under acourt restraining order. Too many acts of violenceoccur in domestic situations that might be prevented.

I support the Governor’s proposals to expand regu-lations of home-operated daycare centers. There havebeen too many tragic deaths in Virginia in recentyears in daycare programs where there are not ad-equate adult supervision or safety measures in place.While such regulations seem common sense to mostof us, there will be stiff opposition from the “no gov-ernment, don’t tread on me” crowd. I hope that rea-sonableness can prevail in this and other issues.

Two other concerns that I have addressed at lengthin this column include Medicaid expansion and inde-pendent redistricting. The fact of the matter is thatVirginia could save money and extend healthcare to acouple hundred thousand Virginians with Medicaidexpansion, and I will be working to make this happen.

Other bills that I will be introducing include a bill toraise the minimum wage to $10.10 over the next threeyears. Certainly no one can live on the current $7.25.I will also be introducing a bill to make part of theearned income tax credit refundable as a way to getmore money into the households of the working poor.

All members of the House and Senate are up forre-election this November. There will be more thana little political posturing looking forward to the elec-tions. Many will have an eye out for primary chal-lenges, especially from the Tea Party. Hopefully thecitizen voices can be heard, and there will be a pro-ductive General Assembly session.

General Assembly UnderwayCommentary


On Jan. 6, Governor Terry McAuliffe un-veiled a new “Welcome to Virginia” sign atDulles International Airport (IAD), welcom-ing travelers to the Commonwealth of Vir-ginia. Dulles is a major hub for domesticand international travel, servicing about 22million travelers a year traveling to 83 non-stop domestic and 50 nonstop internationaldestinations. The new signage is the first ofits kind at IAD.

Speaking about the unveiling, GovernorMcAuliffe said, “In order to build a new Vir-ginia economy, we need to continue to notonly increase tourism, but attract new busi-nesses and bring the Virginia story to newaudiences. This new signage will welcomemillions of travelers every year to our greatCommonwealth, and it will serve as a re-minder that wherever their travel throughDulles is taking them, they are always wel-come to explore Virginia and its abundantbusiness opportunities and travel destina-tions.”

“Virginia is for Lovers is one of the mostpowerful advertising slogans in our

country’s history,” said Secretary of Com-merce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Havingthe Virginia brand here at a major interna-tional airport will connect travelers with thepromise that Virginia offers a place to work,play and visit loved ones. Driving home ourtravel message at every gateway to the Com-monwealth is imperative to increasing visi-tation and spending in Virginia.”

“For travelers, now more than ever, thereis a lot to love about flying to Dulles Inter-national Airport,” said Jack Potter, presidentand CEO of the Metropolitan WashingtonAirports Authority, which runs the airport.”At Dulles, we’ve created a speedier tripthrough customs with new self-servicekiosks, a fresh new array of shopping anddining options, and better connectivity thanever to Metrorail with the Silver Line Ex-press bus. We look forward to welcomingmore visitors to Virginia and the NationalCapital Region – whether they are Dullesusers or experiencing it for the first time.”

Governor McAuliffe also announced thatthe Virginia Department of Transportation

‘Welcome to Virginia’ Sign Unveiled at Dulles International Airport

Photo contributed

A new “Welcome to Virginia” signat Dulles International Airport(IAD), welcoming travelers to theCommonwealth of Virginia.

was recognized by Forbes magazine as oneof the top ten advertising campaigns of alltime.

Tourism is an instant revenue generatorin Virginia. Last year, visitors spent $21.5billion, which supported 213,000 jobs andcontributed $1.42 billion in local and statetaxes. To learn more about visiting Virginia,go to www.virginia.org.

(VDOT) plans to gradually roll out a seriesof newly designed “Welcome to Virginia”signs at all 105 interstate gateways to theCommonwealth. The last design of the sign,depicting a large cardinal perched on a flow-ering dogwood, was rolled out in 2006, andmany of these signs have reached the endof their usable lives due to visibility at night.The welcome signs should all be updatedby the July 4th holiday.

“The newly designed signs will present afresh new aesthetic to travelers entering theCommonwealth, one that reflects Virginia’smodernity but also our rich traditions,” saidAubrey Layne, Secretary of Transportation.“Every year motorists travel 81 billion mileson Virginia highways. The new signs willhelp connect them to the Virginia is for Lov-ers brand—and inspire future travel acrossthe Commonwealth. VDOT worked inrecord time to begin replacing these signs.”

The iconic “Virginia is for Lovers” slogancelebrated its 45th anniversary in 2014. Theslogan was inducted into the Madison Av-enue Advertising Walk of Fame in 2009, and

Viewpoints

What brought youout today?Don Northcuttof Reston:

“I’m here promotingthe Fairfax VeteransMentors TreatmentDocket. Mental healthissues are betteraddressed throughtreatment-investmentprograms.”

ElannaWeinstein ofHerndon:

“I’m here with theFairfax Bar Associa-tion. The FairfaxCounty Circuit Courtis authorized to have15 judges and theyhave 13. We need to fund both vacantseats. With a diverse and complexcaseload, it’s unrealistic to hear as manycases with fewer judges.”

Judith Korf ofReston:

“I’m here with theParents and Associatesof the NorthernVirginia TrainingCenter. The quality oflife at the center hasbeen compromised bythe degrading ofservices. We need to keep it open in asmaller and more efficient footprint.”

News

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Justin Dolan addressed the statedelegates and senators from hiswheelchair rather than the po-dium. The 34-year-old Falls

Church resident has cerebral palsy, and re-ceived an Individual & Family Developmen-tal Disabilities Support waiver.

“I can use my waiver to fund a staff per-son to help me with my daily care needs,when I can find someone who wants towork for $11.47 an hour with no benefits,”Dolan said. “The thing I really need isenough support for me to move out of mymom’s house and live in the communitywith friends, but the waiver doesn’t providethat.”

Dolan asked for a reduction of the waiverwait list, a redesign of the waiver systemitself to offer increased services. He was oneof more than 70 speakers given an oppor-tunity to address a panel of delegates andsenators about to travel to Richmond tobegin the 2015 General Assembly session.

The forum took place Jan. 10 at theFairfax County Government Center.

Chairman of the Board of SupervisorsSharon Bulova was first to speak, address-ing the importance of funding K-12 educa-tion in Fairfax County.

“We’re pleased both the General Assem-bly and Governor [Terry] McAuliffe wereable to protect K-12 from recent fundingcuts,” she said. “In the longer term, we stillneed your help.”

Bulova cited the more than 52,000 stu-

dents in FCPS that qualify for free and re-duced lunch, a figure she said outnumbersthe total population of all but four schooldivisions in the state.

FCPS School Board Chair Tammy DerenakKaufax followed Bulova, claiming the cur-rent K-12 funding isn’t serving the commu-nity well and decrying teachers’ salary rank-ing with respect to the cost of living.

“I urge you to work on the SOL, reducingthe impact of that assessment on students,”she said.

More than 70 members of the public wereeach given three minutes to address thedelegation. Though the subject matter var-ied from social services for mental illnessand substance abuse disorders to filling cir-cuit court judge vacancies, one commontheme was the lack of resources, people try-ing to do more with less.

Several individuals spoke out about theclosure of the Northern Virginia TrainingCenter (NVTR), a state residence servingpeople with intellectual disabilities. Openedin 1973 at 9901 Braddock Road, the De-partment of Behavioral Health and Devel-opmental Disabilities plans to close the cen-ter in March 2016 in favor of a more com-munity-based system.

“The quality of life has been been com-promised by degrading services,” said

General AssemblyFairfax delegationholds public meetingprior to session startin Richmond.

LegislatorsMeetConstituents

From left: State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Lenore Levin of Great Falls,Del. Ken Plum (D-36), state Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-35) and Del. KathleenMurphy (D-34) meet following the Fairfax delegation public forum.

Delegate Vivian Watts (D-39) speakswith Jonathan Damm of Restonfollowing the Fairfax delegationpublic forum. Damm addressed thethreat of children using turf fieldsbeing exposed to toxins fromground-up tires in the fields them-selves. Judith Korf of Reston. Korf was at the fo-

rum representing the Parents and Associ-ates of the Northern Virginia Training Cen-ter. “We need to keep it open in a smallerand more effective footprint.”

Jonathan Damm of Reston used his threeminutes to raise the issue of toxic turf fieldsat FCPS schools. His main concern was chil-dren being exposed to chemicals on ground-up tire rubber used to make the fields. “Weneed to ban the use of crumb rubber,” hesaid. “There are alternative materials thatcould be used, but they’re more expensive.”


Opinion

by Martina Leinz

President, Northern Virginia Chapter of

the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun

Violence

Legislators convening for the 2015 Vir-ginia General Assembly session thismonth have a great opportunity tomake the Commonwealth a

safer place for us all by voting in fa-vor of the modest and responsiblerecommendations recently put forthby Governor Terry McAuliffe regarding gunviolence prevention.

Governor McAuliffe has proposed six keypieces of legislation intended to keep firearmsaway from dangerous individuals. Three of theinitiatives are regarding criminal backgroundchecks at gun shows. Currently, only FederallyLicensed Firearms Dealers are required to runcriminal background checks prior to selling ortransferring firearms. Private sellers are exemptfrom this requirement leaving the door wideopen for criminals to easily gain access to guns.

One of McAuliffe’s proposals would makeunlawful purchases more difficult by prevent-

ing gun shows from advertising that they arenot required to conduct background checks.Another proposal would give the State Policestatutory authority to process voluntary back-ground check requests of private sellers. Themost substantive of the three proposals wouldclose the existing loophole and require back-ground checks for all purchases at gun shows.

None of these three proposals goesfar enough. Ideally, criminal back-ground checks would be universal;required on all firearms transactions

including online sales. They are, however, astep in the right direction and would do muchto keep guns out of the hands of dangerousindividuals.

Another proposal is to return the limit ofhandgun purchases to one a month so the Com-monwealth won’t hold the dubious distinctionof being one of the most prolific gun-runningstates in the nation. Other initiatives include abill to keep guns from people subject to pro-tective orders and one to revoke concealedhandgun permits for parents delinquent onchild support payments. This later proposalwould affect the roughly 9,000 parents with

such permits who are delinquent collectivelyon child support payments of over $15 mil-lion.

These six modest proposals would be veryeffective in reducing violent crime by keep-ing guns out of the hands of people whoshould not have them. None of the proposalswould prevent law-abiding citizens from own-ing weapons and none would infringe uponSecond Amendment rights of responsibleadults.

With the Republicans controlling both theHouse of Delegates and the Senate, there arebound to be disagreements with any legisla-tion proposed by Democratic GovernorMcAuliffe. However, everyone should agree tothese modest proposals to keep Virginians safe.It is not a partisan issue; it is a simple matterof public health and safety.

With great opportunity comes great respon-sibility. I sincerely hope the General Assemblyembraces that responsibility and votes accord-ingly. If you agree, please contact your electedofficials and tell them you are counting onthem to vote in support of all proposals to curbgun violence in the Commonwealth.

Steps To Prevent Gun Violence

Commentary

Write The Connectionwelcomes views on any public

issue. The deadline for allmaterial is noon Friday. Lettersmust be signed. Include home

address and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinelyedited for libel, grammar, good

taste and factual errors.Send to:

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Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

To the Editor:This letter is in response to a

recent letter to the editor aboutFairfax County’s Fall CankerwormInsecticide Spraying Program.

I am a professional entomologistand I have been in charge of theU. S. National Insect Collection atthe Smithsonian Institution, aFairfax County resident for 21years, as well as a biologist expe-rienced in conservation. I havebeen following the issues regard-ing the program in Fairfax Countyto spray Bacillus thuringiensis var.kurstaki (Btk), a kind of biologi-cal insecticide, to control a nativemoth, the Fall Cankerworm (sci-entifically, Lepidoptera:Geometridae or Inchworms).

Bt was first used to control Lepi-doptera (moth) pests of agricul-tural crops; however, this natu-rally-occurring bacterium wasfound to be deadly to all mothsand butterflies (Lepidoptera).Since this discovery there havebeen many types of Bt developed,but those used against moths arestill deadly to non-target species,including native species. However,the areas in Fairfax County beingsprayed are not crops or timber-lands for harvest, but rather for-ests, parklands, neighborhood gar-dens. These are places to preservewildlife and nature, and to protectthem for the benefit of not onlyFairfax County residents, but alsofor all Virginians and visitors.Without scientific monitoring or

surveys, we do not know howmany or even which native specieslive in any particular area beingsprayed. Therefore, to inadvert-ently spray this deadly microbe,even if the intention is to targetcertain areas, is not prudent.

The letter writer does acknowl-edge that spraying Btk can killother kinds of caterpillars, “… butonly if they are up and eating thefirst baby leaves.” However, it iswell known that plant chemicalsthat often prevent insects eatingcertain plants only are present inolder leaves (for example, tanninsin Oak leaves); therefore, manyspecies of caterpillars are only ableto eat, and even prefer, what hecalls “baby leaves.” He also claimsthat research shows that sprayingincreases the diversity of otherspecies of butterflies and moths.However this research is appar-ently about the Gypsy Moth, anon-native (invasive) species fromAsia. Reducing Gypsy Moth num-bers could indirectly benefit other,native insect species. However,spraying to kill the native Fall Can-kerworm is likely to severely harmmany (as yet undetermined) na-tive species of butterflies andmoths and may even increase di-versity of other non-native pestspecies potentially harming thefauna and flora of Fairfax County.Getting rid of the Fall Cankerwormwill eliminate a potentially vitalfood source for many migratoryand resident birds, as well as rep-

tiles, amphibians, predatory in-sects, and other wildlife that relyon caterpillars for their survival.His assertion that “birds can safelyeat the dead caterpillars” is mis-leading because in spring (whenthe spraying actually takes place),many insectivorous birds need tofind enough live caterpillars tofeed their nestlings or fuel theirnorthward migration and it is notclear if they would even eat deadcaterpillars.

Episodic population outbreaks(“infestations”) of native speciessuch as the Fall Cankerworm arepart of the natural ecologicalrhythm of our forests and wood-lands, so why disrupt it? Based onprevious research I have done (forexample with Elms) and observa-tions of the natural history in theforests of the northeastern USA, Ido not believe that occasionaland/or partial or even completedefoliation of most native easternforest tree species will cause treedeath. The severe defoliation fromby Gypsy Moth in the 1970s dem-onstrated that only very severeand repeated defoliation overmany years truly killed nativetrees; our local Fall Cankerwormoutbreaks are natural and no-where as severe and will not be-come so.

The far wiser approach to thisproblem would be for FairfaxCounty to sponsor some scientificsurveys, to determine which spe-cies of butterflies and moths are

present in the intended treatmentareas, i.e. the biological diversity.Also advice to homeowners abouthow to monitor and/or treat theirgardens would be helpful.

I have discussed this Fall Can-kerworm issue with several ex-perts on butterflies and moths atthe Smithsonian and the USDAand they all agree with my state-ments above.

In conclusion I feel strongly thatFairfax County should cease spray-ing against Fall Cankerworm, be-cause such spraying does moreharm than good to the ecosystemsand neighborhoods of FairfaxCounty.

David G. Furth, Ph.D.Department of Entomology

Smithsonian Institution

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Reston


By Ryan Dunn

The Connection

School children in eight FairfaxCounty Public elementary schoolshad the opportunity to hear andspeak with Founding Fathers Tho-

mas Jefferson and Patrick Henry in Janu-ary. Historical re-enactors Bill Barker andRichard Schumann, respectively, assistedwith the experience. The re-enactment wasmade possible by CarolAnn Babcock ofReston and her husband, Jim. For abouteight years, the couple has sponsored edu-cational programs for Fairfax Countyschools through the Colonial WilliamsburgFoundation.

Despite a morning snowfall on Tuesday,Jan. 6, both Thomas Jefferson and PatrickHenry were able to successfully visit Fox MillElementary in Herndon, followed by a visitto Dranesville Elementary in Herndon. At

both locations, the re-enactors were able tospeak about their experience before andafter the American War for Independence,as well their view on other matters such assports and travel.

The third president talked to studentsabout topics such as proper English man-ners and how at a young age, he realizedthe English colonies in America had beendeveloping separate American traits.

Reston couple fundsfurther education inAmerican history.

Founding Fathers Visit Restonand Herndon Schools

News

The January historic presentationsby re-enactors Bill Barker (left)and Richard Schumann (right) ateight Fairfax County Public elemen-tary schools was made possible bysponsorship from Reston residentsCarolAnn Babcock and her hus-band Jim.

Historical re-enactors Bill Barker and Richard Schumann portrayedFounding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry in January atseveral FCPS elementary schools in both Reston and Herndon. In thisphoto they take questions from students at Dranesville Elementary inHerndon.

See Founding Fathers, Page 13

Jefferson mentioned he was at one timeastounded to hear a speaker at the VirginiaHouse of Burgesses, and at this point intro-duced Patrick Henry.

A SYMBOL of America’s struggle for lib-erty and self-government, Patrick Henry wasa lawyer, patriot, orator, and participant invirtually every aspect of the founding ofAmerica. As a member of the Virginia Houseof Burgesses, Henry sparked the AmericanRevolution in the English Colony, and waselected the first governor of the VirginiaCommonwealth, serving five terms.

During the visits to the schools, the re-enactors took questions from the student

audience. Jefferson and Henry used thequestions to approach the topic on citizen-ship, and mentioned how they wished goodrelations could develop with the NativeAmericans. One student inquired how longit took for letters to get form one locationto another. Another student asked a ques-tion regarding books on iPads. Re-enactorBill Barker did not miss a beat. “What is aniPad?” asked an inquisitive Jefferson.

“It is important for us to get students cu-rious about the American story,” saidCarolAnn Babcock. The Babcocks providesubscriptions to online resources from the

Photos by Ryan Dunn/The Connection


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Address .................................. BR FB HB ... Postal City ... Sold Price .... Type ....... Lot AC PostalCode .......... Subdivision ............ Date Sold

1 3182 MARY ETTA LN .............. 7 .. 7 .. 2 ...... OAK HILL .... $1,800,000 .... Detached .... 0.83 ...... 20171 ........ SHADETREE ESTATES ....... 04/30/14

2 11990 MARKET ST #912 ........ 3 .. 3 .. 0 ...... RESTON ..... $1,575,000 .... Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ...... 20190 .. MIDTOWN AT RESTON TOWN . 05/01/14

3 11729 SHAKER KNOLLS CT .... 5 .. 3 .. 1 ..... HERNDON ... $1,555,843 .... Detached .... 0.89 ...... 20170 ............ SHAKER KNOLLS ........... 09/29/14

4 11728 SHAKER KNOLLS CT ..... 4 .. 4 .. 1 ..... HERNDON ... $1,445,339 .... Detached .... 1.01 ...... 20170 ............ SHAKER KNOLLS ........... 04/29/14

5 11722 SHAKER KNOLLS CT .... 4 .. 4 .. 1 ..... HERNDON ... $1,362,713 .... Detached .... 0.84 ...... 20170 ............ SHAKER KNOLLS ........... 11/05/14

6 2258 COMPASS POINT LN ...... 4 .. 3 .. 1 ...... RESTON ..... $1,325,000 .... Detached .... 0.26 ...... 20191 .................. RESTON ................. 08/12/14

7 3200 BARTON WAY ............... 5 .. 4 .. 1 ...... OAK HILL .... $1,315,000 .... Detached .... 0.92 ...... 20171 .......... OAK HILL RESERVE ......... 07/23/14

8 12228 THOROUGHBRED RD .. 5 .. 4 .. 1 ...... OAK HILL .... $1,276,000 .... Detached .... 2.25 ...... 20171 ......... VALE VALLEY FARMS ........ 07/07/14

9 1830 FOUNTAIN DR #1501 .... 3 .. 3 .. 1 ...... RESTON ..... $1,265,000 .... Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ...... 20190 .............. PARAMOUNT ............. 07/22/14

10 1161 FIELDVIEW DR .............. 5 .. 4 .. 1 ...... RESTON ..... $1,252,000 .... Detached .... 0.71 ...... 20194 .. ESTATES AT WYNDHAM HILLS . 07/16/14

Copyright 2014 RealEstate Business Intelligence. Source: MRIS as of December 14, 2014

Local REAL ESTATE

2 11990 Market Street #912, Reston — $1,575,000

2014 Top Sales in Reston,Oak Hill and Herndon

3 11729 Shaker Knolls Court, Herndon — $1,555,843

4 11728 Shaker Knolls Court, Herndon — $1,445,339

6 2258 CompassPoint Lane, Reston— $1,325,000

10 1161 FieldviewDrive, Reston —

$1,252,000

7 3200 Barton Way, Oak Hill— $1,315,000

9 1830 Fountain Drive#1501, Reston — $1,252,000


HomeLifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

Spring may seem lightyears away from thefrigid January tempera-tures, and lounging in

your backyard is probably the lastthing you want to do at the mo-ment, but landscape designers saynow is the time to start planninga summer retreat.

“January is a good time to startthinking about your backyard,”said Alex Ikenson, co-owner ofHome Escapes, located inHerndon. Home Escapes, whichhad specialized in hot tubs andoutdoor furniture, merged re-cently with Urban Retreat, an in-door furniture and accessory com-pany.

“A lot of things we sell are spe-cial order and take a few weeks tocome in, so you don’t want to starttoo late,” said Ikenson.

From swim spas to fire pit tables,options for outdoor landscapes areplentiful.

“People now are spending moretime at home and less time goingon vacation, and making theirbackyards more of a living space,creating a living space,” saidRosanne Tsantes, sales manager ofHome Escapes. “Outdoor furniturecompanies have responded to thesurge with beautiful pieces of fur-niture.”

Touted by industry insiders ascomfortable, durable and easy tomaintain, the array of outdoor fab-rics on the market rival their in-door counterparts.

“The whole industry has ex-panded to true designer furnitureand fabrics. There are hundreds ofbeautiful fabrics available,” saidTsantes. “If you were to pick outaluminum furniture, you could

Local tastemakers say winter is the best timeto plan an idyllic backyard retreat.

Backyard Dreaming

choose from at least 10 frame colors, where it usedto be just black and green. We have brush tones withgold tint, antique tones, … There are some reallygorgeous finishes.”

Accessories can be customized to fit virtually ev-ery budget and space as well. “Everything is made toorder,” said Jodie Labovitch, an interior designer withUrban Retreat. “They’re not pulling it off the shelf.”

Outdoor fire pit tables, powered by gas, are crowd-pleasing accessories that come inevery size from compact coffeetable to dining room table. Stylesrun the gamut from rustic to sleek.

“The tabletops can be porcelainor aluminum, stone or granite,”said Tsantes. “There is even anartisan top that looks like carvedleather. Now you can go into yourback yard and feel like you’re onvacation somewhere in the is-lands.”

Adding the resort-like feel areswim spas, the large cousin of theubiquitous hot tub.

“A swim spa allows you to exer-cise, even during the winter, byswimming against the current,”said Tsantes. “They are like hottubs, only about 12-16 feet longand eight feet wide. You can runout in the winter and swim andthen sit on the spa bench, just likeyou would in a hot tub.”

Even those who don’t have anexpansive backyard can createcozy retreats.

“Outdoor furniture companiesare making pieces for those withsmall spaces to those with hugeGreat Falls homes with a largebackyard,” said Tsantes.

“Indoor and outdoor furnitureare now blending,” said DavidCintorino, president of Home Es-capes. “People are using theiroutdoor spaces l ike indoorspaces, that is a current trend.Outdoor furniture companies arecreating furniture to keep upwith that trend.”

Options for out-door décor, includ-ing swim spas andfire pit tables,abound at a newlyformed showroomin Herndon.

Photo courtesy of Rosanne Tsantes


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News

By Reena Singh

The Connection

This General Assembly session will be atough year to budget, according to twolocal legislators.

State Senator Janet Howell (D-32) andDel. Ken Plum (D-36) met with local residents Jan.8 at Reston Community Center - Hunter Mill to talkabout the upcoming session and hear what their con-stituents thought are the issues to focus on.

“We’re going to work on reconciling the budget,which has some work there,” said Howell.

Plum said he and Howell will introduce bills toclose loopholes in background checks and gun safety,a measure he hopes will keep guns out of the handsof the unstable.

“I have been very concerned about gun violencein our society,” he said.

He said he supported reinstating a law that onlyallowed the purchase of one hand gun per month,noting that the state had a reputation in the 1980sas a gun-running state. He hoped that the state wouldnever again have a reputation like that.

He also wanted to expand infant screenings to findout early whether a child had a biotin deficiency,which he said could lead to developmental disabili-ties.

Stemming from the health aspect, he noted he sup-ports expanding the Affordable Care Act under Gov.Terry McAuliffe’s vision.

Howell said she did not know how the sessionwould play out, but knew that the topic of redistrict-ing may cause issues. Additionally, budget cuts areleading to a “gloomy” outlook, she said.

“In public education, we’re now putting in, on aper-pupil basis, what we did in 2008,” she said. “Butwe’re still having to make cuts.”

Jane and Bob Anthony focused on issues those withdevelopmental disabilities are facing as they growolder. Jane said because Northern Virginia TrainingCenter is feared to close, the closest training centerwould be hours away in Lynchburg.

During the McDonnell Administration, she said,training centers across Virginia were slashed out of

budgets in order to help integrate the disabled intosociety, she said.

“I speak for most residents of (Northern VirginiaTraining center), typically those with profound andsevere medical and behavioral problems for whomsafety and health are primary considerations,” shesaid. “People who, for example, function at an intel-lectual level of a 6-month-old cannot decide wherethey want to live, how to run a business or evenchoose a healthy diet.”

She urged the two legislators to work with thecurrent governor to reverse the decision to cut thesetraining centers before they shutter for good.

Howell said all legislators, no matter the area inthe state they represent, represent people with dis-abilities and are feeling the pains from the decisionto cut the centers.

“This is not partisan,” she said. “We’re all verytouched by the situation. It’s something we all haveconstituents involved in.”

Reston homeowner Jonathan Damm said his issueinvolves children - especially those who play sports.The turf fields that use “crumb rubber” he said, thatare made from tires are leading to blood poisoningand cancer. He recalled watching an NBC report onthe issue and became concerned about his past as alacrosse player and coach.

“This is potentially a cancer cluster,” he said.He researched the topic using his background in

environmental law, he said, and became very dis-turbed by his own findings.

“What I have learned since October has convincedmy wife and me that we should never let our chil-dren play in these types of fields or tire mulch play-grounds,” he said. “They are not safe and present avery real health threat. This is heartbreaking becauseof my love for lacrosse, which I may no longer beable to pass on.”

He said New York City, Norway, Sweden and Italyhave already banned tire rubber on fields and urgedthe legislators to make sure state schools do the same.

Plum said he is passing Damm’s work and concernto the state Health Department.

Citizens get chance tovoice concerns beforeGeneral Assembly session.

Howell, Plum MeetWith Residents

Photo by Reena Singh/The Connection

Reston resident Jonathan Damm speakswhile state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32) andDel. Ken Plum (D-36) listen.

Area Residents Reflect on IssuesBefore General Assembly

— Reena Singh

Viewpoints

Lee Roussel, retired, Falls Church:“I think it is important to revise the

regulations that the state abortion clinicsare required to adhere to the sameregulations as regular hospitals.”

Gwen Whittaker, National SecurityConsulting, Herndon:

“The gun control issue is a huge onefor me. Also, fracking in the GeorgeWashington Forest.”

Stella Kwon, IT Sales, Reston:“An issue I’m passionate about is water

fluoridation because it is a known toxin.The issue is to give us a choice aboutwhether we want to fluoridate our-selves.”

Robert Haley, retired, Reston:“The most important issue could very

well be redistricting. So much rides onredistricting.”

Send Your Photos & Stories Now [email protected] or complete

our online form at reston-connection.comBe sure to include your name, address and phone number, and identify

all people and pets in photos. Submission deadline is February 18.

Be Part of ThePet Connection in February


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THROUGH SATURDAY/JAN. 31Exhibit of Colorful Nutcrackers. 11

a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. See an amazingarray of nutcrackers, both old andnew, in a colorful case exhibit. Didyou ever wonder where the craze forcollecting nutcracker dolls camefrom? Nutcrackers have a fascinatinghistory. The first nutcrackers wereproduced to crack nuts moreeffectively and the oldest knownmetal example, on exhibit in Tarent,Italy, is from the third or fourthcentury B.C. The LeavenworthNutcracker Museum in Leavenworth,Washington, shows a bronze Romannutcracker dated between 200 B.Cand 200 A.D. German nutcrackers,made as decorative pieces, weredeveloped around 1500. Earlynutcrackers were in the shapes ofanimals, birds and people. Later, theywere made in the likeness of kings,soldiers, church leaders and rulingclass figures. Fine wood carvednutcrackers were created acrossEurope, especially in France andEngland by the 15th and 16thcenturies. Admission: $7/adult, $6/student, $5/senior or child.

THROUGH MONDAY/MARCH 16Ice Skating at Reston Town

Center. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. RestonTown Center, 11900 Market Street,Reston. From early Novemberthrough the early March, the Pavilionfloor is transformed into a gleamingice skating rink. Ice skates and other

supplies are available inside theSkate Shop directly beside thePavilion (behind Clyde’s). Admission:$10 per adult; $9 for children under12; $5 per skate rental.

THURSDAY/JAN. 15Kid’s Graphic Novel Book Club. 4

p.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Thismonth’s title is “Zita the spacegirl” byBen Hatke. Age 8-10. 703-689-2700.

Meditation in Our Daily Lives. 7:30p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church,1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston.Participants will learn the basicprinciples of meditation and how tocarry the experience of meditationinto their daily life. $10 ($5

unemployed, fulltime students, 65and older). www.meditation-dc.org

FRIDAY/JAN. 16Naked Eye Astronomy. 7 - 8 p.m.

Walker Nature Center, 11450 GladeDrive, Reston. All ages. Enjoy theuniverse without a telescope.Discover the largest object you cansee with the naked eye. Explore themysteries of the “Dog Star” Sirius.Orient yourself using Polaris, andobserve how amazing this star’sposition really is. Reservationsrequired by Jan. 13. Fee: $5/personRA members, $7/person Non-members. For more information,email [email protected], orcall 703-476-9689 and press 5.

Friday Night Rock ‘n’ Skate. 8 - 10p.m. Reston Town Center, 11900Market Street, Reston. Live DJ &music, games & prizes.restontowncenter.com/skating

FRIDAY/JAN. 16 - SATURDAY/JAN. 31Rehearsal for Murder. 8 p.m. Reston

Community Center, 2310 Colt NeckRoad, Reston. Audiences are invitedto test their wits as they enter aworld of backstage drama wherenothing is as it appears – or is it?Tickets can be purchased throughwww.restonplayers.org or by callingthe CenterStage box office at 703-476-4500 x 3.

SATURDAY/JAN. 17The Winter Wonders Magic Show.

11 a.m. Reston Regional Library,11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Mike Rose presents anentertaining magic show completelythemed around snow, cold, andwinter activities. Children willexperience magic that is crisp,refreshing and just plain cool.

Warm Observations: People andPlaces Exhibit Reception. 7-9p.m. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 CenterStreet, Herndon. Come meet WarmObservations: People and Places artistJill Banks at the exhibit reception.Light refreshments will be served.This event is free and open to thepublic. For more information call703-956-6590 or visit our website atwww.artspaceherndon.org.

Rock ‘n’ Skate. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketStreet, Reston. Live DJ & music,games & prizes.restontowncenter.com/skating

PetMAC Event. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.PetMAC, 11412 Washington Plaza

Square, Reston. Answers Pet Foodwill be coming and providing a rawdemonstration to explain the benefitsof their raw diets. Their raw dog andcat foods provide a superiornutritional diet of only the highestquality of ingredients.

SUNDAY/JAN. 18Great War and the Shaping of the

20th Century. 2 p.m. RestonRegional, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Dr. Harry Butowsky’s lecture“Hatred and Hunger” covers theconcluding events of World War I.Adults. 703-689-2700.

TUESDAY/JAN. 20Storytime for Threes to Fives.

10:30 a.m. Reston Regional Library,11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston.An early literacy program with storiesand activities. Age 3-5 with adult.703-689-2700.

Director’s Choice Book Club. 7 p.m.Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Dr. Sam Clay,Director of Fairfax County PublicLIbrary, leads a monthly bookdiscussion. The title this month isThe Burgess Boys by ElizabethStrout. 703-689-2700.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 21Poetry Readers Roundtable. 7 p.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Aninformal discussion of the life, times,and work of Walt Whitman.Suggested background reading atwww.whitmanarchive.org

Matthew Wise as Policeman and Ian Brown as AlexDennison in Reston Community Players’ whodunit “Re-hearsal for Murder,” running Jan. 16-31 at Reston Com-munity Center, 2310 Colt Neck Road, Reston. Audiencesare invited to test their wits as they enter a world ofbackstage drama where nothing is as it appears – or is it?

Calendar


South LakesGymnasticsPlaces Fifth

The South Lakes gymnasticsteam finished fifth out of sixteams during a meet at FairfaxHigh School on Jan. 10.

The Seahawks produced ascore of 105.775. McLean wonthe event with a score of 139.45,followed by Fairfax (125.825),Hayfield (119.6), and Madison(107.625). Langley finished sixth(71.15).

Madison Carrens was SouthLakes’ top individual performer.Carrens placed fifth in the all-around with a score of 30.55. Shehad top-10 finishes on floor (sev-enth, 7.9) and bars (eighth, 7.7).Teammate Kiwi Aurentz tooksixth in the all-around (29.225).

Fairfax’s Rachel Barborek wonthe all-around with a score of38.325.

South Lakes is scheduled tocompete in a meet on Jan. 21 atChantilly High School. The Conference 6meet is Feb. 2 at McLean High School.

South Lakes Girls’4x400 Relay Wins atFlames Invite

Seniors Delaney Wickman, ClaireNieusma, junior Golden Kumi-Darfour andsophomore Nikayla Hoyte ran a state-meetqualifying time of 4:02.30 in the winningthe girls’ 4x400 relay at the Flames Invita-tional High School track and field meet Jan.9-10 at Liberty University in Lynchburg.

The SLHS girls’ relay team beat out na-tionally-ranked Parklawn High School ofWinston-Salem, N.C. Five members of thatgirls track team have already signed na-tional letters of intent to continue their trackcareers at Division I schools.

The following SLHS relay teams finishedin the top 10: Juniors Eric Kirlew, AlexRudison, Skander Ballard and sophomoreTimiebi Ogobri finished second in the boys4x200 with a 1:35.48.

The girls’ 4x200 team of seniors OziomaChinaka, Jordan Lozama, Samantha Webband Hoyte finished fourth in a Liberty Con-ference qualifying time of 1:47.93.

Seniors Comfort Reed, Augusta Durham,junior Monica Lannen and sophomore Jes-sica Lister were fifth in the girls 4x400(4:22.10) while the team of seniorsGabrielle Acosta, Erin Bidwell, sophomoreSeretha McHugh and freshman EmilyMcGrath were 10th (4:31.36).

Kirlew teammed with juniors NikolaiWaithe, Anas Fain and senior Sam Arpeefor fourth in the boys’ 4x400 (3:30.02).

More than 20 members of the SLHS in-door track teams have had conference, re-gion and/or state qualifying performancesthis season.

Golden Kumi-Darfour (1000 meters,3:02.94, 3rd), Comfort Reed (long jump, 16-

07.50 5th; triple jump, 34-09.50, 6th), AlexRudison (pole vault, 12-00.00, 4th), SkanderBallard (pole vault, 11-06.00, 7th), DevynJones, 55 meter hurdles, 8.79, 5th) andDelaney Wickman (300 meters, 42.25, 5th)qualified for regionals at the Flames Invita-tional.

SLHS will compete in a tri-meet againstLangley and Robinson Friday, Jan. 16 atThomas Jefferson Middle School in Alex-andria, and will begin defense of its Lib-erty Conference championships Thursday,Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at Prince George’sSportsplex in Landover, Md.

South Lakes Boys’Basketball Improvesto 8-3

The South Lakes boys’ basketball teamdefeated Madison 73-53 on Jan. 9 inVienna, improving the Seahawks’ record to8-3.

South Lakes will host Fairfax at 7:30 p.m.on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Langley at 7:30p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16.

South LakesAghayere goes for 31,30 in Defeat

South Lakes senior Princess Aghayerescored 31 points and grabbed 30 reboundsduring a 65-63 overtime loss to Madisonon Jan. 9, according to the South Lakes HighSchool athletics Web site.

Brenda Kamga finished with 21 pointsand 16 rebounds for the Seahawks.

The loss dropped the South Lakes girls’basketball team’s record to 8-3.

South Lakes will host Fairfax at 5:45 p.m.on Wednesday, Jan. 14as part of a girls’/boys’ doubleheader.

Photo by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

The South Lakes gymnastics team placedfifth during a meet at Fairfax High Schoolon Jan. 10.

Sports

By Reena Singh

The Connection

Rescue Reston wants to see asea of yellow T-shirts on Jan.21.

The organization wantssupporters to show that local residentsdo not want the Fairfax County Board ofZoning Appeals to allow Reston NationalGolf Course to be bulldozed.

During a press conference on Jan. 7,Rescue Reston President Connie Hartkesaid the organization wants to help de-fend the 166 acres of land.

She said the current owner of the golfcourse inquired to the county whetherthey had the ability to turn the land intomedium-to-high density housing. Theland, Hartke noted, is close to the localMetro center and is considered gold todevelopers.

“This is an amenity used by many,” shesaid. “It is used by wildlife. It is used byrunners, walkers.”

More importantly, the county had writ-ten in the master plan that the land can-not be used for anything but open, rec-reational space. She noted that Restonwas founded as a golf course communityand the first residents were given mem-bership to get more people to move tothe area.

“Reston’s open space is unique,” shesaid. “It was planned from the begin-ning.”

She said that RN Golf Management isthe name on all the paperwork. However,Northwestern Mutual bought the golfcourse for $5 million about a decade ago.

“That $5 million is not even a round-ing error on their budget sheet,” she said.“Don’t even feel sorry for them.”

She added that an “undisclosed devel-oper” is hoping to add housing to thatopen land.

One of Rescue Reston’s founding mem-bers John Pinkman said he found outfrom an unidentified source that the de-veloper is Lerner Enterprises.

“Why hide?” he asked.

Media representatives for Lerner En-terprises did not respond to calls aboutthe inquiry.

The appeal is not to change the zon-ing, Pinkman said. The claim is that thearea was intended for housing whenReston was first zoned in the 1960s.When the company inquired about thezoning, he said the county staff said thechange would be against code and wouldnot recommend pursuing it.

As a resident near the golf course, hedid not want the high density housingthat is planned by the undisclosed de-veloper to take over beautiful views ofthe land that the current homes have.

“Imagine living on a street called ‘TheFormer Golf Course View,’” he said.

Reston Association President KenKnueven talked about his support forRescue Reston and the importance inkeeping to the Reston Master Plan.

“If we are no longer a planned com-munity, we are no longer Reston,” hesaid.

The BZA meeting is planned for 9a.m. on Jan. 21 at the Fairfax CountyGovernment Center, located at 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.Hartke said Rescue Reston needs asmany supporters wearing bright yel-low as possible during the hearing.To buy a sh i r t , v i s i t h t tp ://www.rescuereston.org.

“Some people make things happen,”said Pinkman. “Some people watchthings happen.”

Reston Rallies to SaveOpen Space

More than 300 people attended RescueReston’s Rally to Save Open Space onSaturday, Jan. 10 at Langston Hughes MiddleSchool. The Open Space is the 166 acresknown as Reston National Golf Course(RNGC). The Mack.Johnson band entertainedbefore and after the speeches.

An even bigger crowd is expected on Jan.21 by Reston Association and Rescue Restonleaders when the issue comes before a publichearing. Rescue Reston advises residents,whether they can stay for the duration oronly 45 minutes, to arrive at the PublicHearing on Wednesday, Jan. 21, by 8:45 andwear bright yellow/green in order to make avisual impact at 9 a.m. when the BZA Hearingstarts in the auditorium, 12000 GovernmentCenter Parkway, Fairfax. A petition is onlineat bit.ly/RescueReston and all supporters ofopen space are invited to sign.

Rescue Restonhopes to save localgolf course.

Reston to the Rescue

Photo contributed

More than 300 people attended Rescue Reston Rally on Saturday,Jan. 10.


Photo by Erica Stoecker

Mr. and Mrs. PileatedEnjoy the First SnowRecently — the pileated woodpecker has been votedin as the official bird of Reston. Erica Stoeckersnapped this photo of Mr. and Mrs. Pileated enjoyingon her Reston deck, on the first snow day of 2015.

News

From Page 7

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for local schools,and fund scholarships to the Colonial WilliamsburgTeacher Institute, a weeklong summer workshop forhistory teachers.

Two Dranesville Elementary teachers who will beparticipating in the summer workshop includedfourth grade teacher Kristine Petersen and sixth gradeteacher Nancy Borick. “It will be an amazing oppor-tunity to look at history inside out,” said Petersen.Both teachers were impressed by the re-enactmentprogram. “I felt they made it very accessible for thekids,” said Petersen.

“The students were wonderful, sharp as a tack andhad good questions,” said re-enactor RichardSchumann. “This is one of the most important mis-sions Colonial Williamsburg can do, civilizationswhich lose their identity by ignoring history will facerough times,” said Schumann. Schumann has por-trayed Patrick Henry at Colonial Williamsburg forover 16 years.

“I love that it made history come alive for the stu-dents, it helped make history real,” said DranesvilleElementary fourth grade teacher Sandy Coyner, aresident of Herndon. Many of the teachers saw theprogram as an educational treat. “The re-enactorswere very good,” said Dranesville Elementary fourthgrade teacher Sean Gray. “I would love for them tocome back, they were both authentic and engaging,”said Gray.

THE BABCOCKS started by reaching out to schoolsnear their Reston home, but since then, their reachhas expanded to sponsor programs at 15 schools. TheJanuary school assembly and re-enactments contin-ued the following days to Reston schools including LakeAnne Elementary, Sunrise Valley Elementary, HunterWoods Elementary. Other FCPS schools visited includedWestbriar Elementary in Vienna, Kent Gardens Elemen-tary in McLean and Greenbriar East Elementary inFairfax. “With so many children from other countriesand cultures attending our schools today, it is all themore important for them to get a glimpse of the socialand political foundation upon which this country andour republic form of government is based,” saidCarolAnn Babcock. “In some 10 to 12 years they willbe in the voting booths steering our nation.”

‘Founding Fathers’Come To Reston

Photo by Ryan Dunn/The Connection

CarolAnn and Jim Babcock provide sub-scriptions to online resources from theColonial Williamsburg Foundation forlocal schools, and funds scholarships tothe Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Insti-tute. Pictured are two Dranesville Elemen-tary teachers participating in the summerworkshop, fourth grade teacher KristinePetersen and sixth grade teacher NancyBorick.


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Mrs. Renee Brass and Mr. and Mrs.Steve Macintyre of Reston arepleased to announce the engage-

ment of their children, Amy Brass andMichael Macintyre. Both grew up in Restonand graduated from South Lakes HighSchool. Michael was, at age 15, U.S. SquashChampion in 1990. Amy attended NOVAand is a Special Needs teacher for FairfaxCounty. Michael is a graduate of GeorgeMason with a BA in Finance. He is a finan-cial advisor with Morgan Stanley in OldTown, Alexandria. A destination wedding/family cruise is planned for April 2015. Onthe newlyweds’ return a reception will beheld at the Hidden Creek Country Club inReston, after which they will be at home inHaymarket, Va.

Amy Brass and Michael Macintyre

Engagement

Amy Brass andMichael Macintyreto Wed April 2015

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected] the Friday prior to the following week’s paper.

FRIDAY/JAN. 16Let’s Talk - ESL for Intermediate Students.

11 a.m. Join Richard’s Friday conversationalgroup. Adults.

MONDAY/JAN. 26NARFE Dulles Chapter 1241 Meeting. 11:30

a.m. Amphora Diner, 1151 Elden Street,Herndon. Speaker: Bill Shackelford,accompanied by Ellie Fusaro, Fairfax CountyCommission on Aging. Bill Shackelford iscurrently NARFE’s Region 10 Vice President.Ellie Fusaro is an active member of the DullesChapter and Outgoing Sunshine CommitteeChair. The luncheon entree cost is $18. Thisincludes tax and gratuity. Make checks payableto NARFE Dulles Chapter 1241 or have exactcash ready. Cash is preferred.

TUESDAY/JAN. 27INOVA Blood Drive. 12-7 p.m. Reston Town

Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston. Scheduleappointments at 1-866-256-6372 or inova.org/donateblood. Onsite registration.

ONGOINGFood Addicts in Recovery. Wednesdays at 7

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For one box of 54 petite Belgian wafflecookies in three delicious flavors: milkchocolate, dark chocolate and vanilla; anextravagance to be sure, available duringthe holidays; this recipient (actually, mywife, Dina, was the recipient) very happy tooblige and indulge. However, as lucky as Iwas to receive/be offered some of thesedesserts: $36 approximately, for 54average-sized cookies is a bit out of myprice range. The problem/complication is,my wife Dina is often a quality-not-quantitytype of person, much different than I. Andeven though her sweet tooth pales in com-parison to my sweet teeth, she is now, as aresult of this very kind and generous gift,predisposed more than ever to scoff (I’mbeing polite) at my regular cookie pur-chases; typically bought by yours truly atthe local supermarket and more often thannot, involving some kind of Nabisco-brandproduct. As much as I’d like to think I’msemi open to change, it’s the change backfrom a five-dollar bill with which I’m likelymore inclined to consider.

Not that I didn’t/don’t appreciate theupgrade in my snacking choices, it’s morethe arithmetic that boggles. For the same$36 spent on these delightful alternatives,when on sale at $3 per bag, take 12 bags ofOreo DoubleStuf cookies – each of threesleeves holding 10 cookies – 30 cookies fill-ing each bag. If one multiplies 12 bagstimes 30 cookies, 360 cookies becomes thetotal; meaning for the same $36, I canenjoy 54 cookies, or with my Oreos, I canenjoy 360 cookies (not at one sitting; I’mbad, but not that bad) instead. Not exactlythe heels of a dilemma, but neither is it dol-lars to donuts. And like my mother beforeme, when the price is upside down onsomething, as I would characterize thiscomparison, digesting the more expensiveitem (cookies in this example) becomeschallenging and not nearly as enjoyable asthe upgrade might lend itself to be.

To be fair though, as delicious as thesecookies were, they are NEVER going to be aregular item in our pantry, nor do I suspect,a regular gift. I mean, who can afford suchan expense? And though I certainly enjoyedeating them (especially considering that Ididn’t pay for them), buying them myselfoffers much less satisfaction. Dina however,might (might?) think differently. She might(might?) prefer the upgrade. As she has saidmany times, she doesn’t mind less if it isbetter than more. And on a related subject,a lot of something is just a lot, not necessar-ily better. She doesn’t see the same value inquantity as I do. Speaking to her cookieinterest, it might only be 54 cookieswhereas mine would be substantiallygreater. Thus, my being cut off after only 54cookies, (time frame not specified) wouldbe a significant consideration; for Dina, notso much.

Quality rules her roost. More often thannot, quantity rules mine. And though onemight consider this difference as substanceover style, I characterize it more as fact overfiction. Yes. The cookies were delicious, butmoney doesn’t grow on trees (it’s made outof linen, actually); still, I’d rather have a lotof a little than a little of a lot. Sometimes,too much of a good thing is simply toomuch. With respect to these Christmascookies, even though their time here wasshort, their memory will be long. For now,that will have to suffice.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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