opinion, page 8 body worn camera pilot program...
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South Lakes Girls Win Region D ChampionshipNews, Page 3
A Welcome Addition to Reston Food SceneDining, Page 3
Body Worn Camera Pilot Program Launched
News, Page 3
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com February 21-27, 2018
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Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Police Department announced that on Monday,
Feb. 19, 2018, the department would begin training and the rollout of body worn cameras
in Reston and two other communities.
2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Sports
Mary Gregory and Hannah Waller in victorious4x400 relay.
South Lakes High School girls celebrate after winningRegion D Indoor Track Championship Feb. 14, 2018.
Photos contributed
With dominating performancesin the sprints and relays, the SouthLakes High School girls’ team cel-ebrated Valentine’s Day by win-ning the 6A North Region D indoortrack and field championshipWednesday, Feb. 14.
It’s the first region championshipfor the school’s girls indoor trackprogram.
The boys team scored 59 pointsand finished third.
Sophomore Hannah Waller ledthe Seahawks by winning the 55meters (6.99), 300 meters (39.43)and anchoring the winning 4x400meter relay team with senior AlyRayle, junior Nicole Post andsophomore Mary Gregory(4:03.32).
She also started the two-daymeet by winning the long jump onDay 1 with a school record perfor-mance of 18-08.00. The previousmark of 18-05.50 was set byDanielle Hale during the 2011-2012 season.
Other top three finishes for theSLHS team came from:
❖ Gregory, who won the 500meters in 1:17.64 and finishedsecond in the 300 meters (41.45).
❖ The winning 4x800 meter re-lay team of Rayle, sophomoresEmily Lannen, Caitlyn Morris andjunior Isabelle Gulgert (9:34.28).
❖ Gulgert, was second in boththe 1,600 meters (5:14.04) and3,200 meters (11:24.33).
❖ Senior Jamie Richards, whowas third in the shot put (37-00.00).
For the boys team, juniors NickyGryski and Calvin Warstler teamedwith seniors Sean Casey and AlexLoukili to win the 4x800 meter re-lay (8:05.34). Casey was also thirdin the 1,600 meters (4:27.89). Se-nior John Eggeman was third inthe 500 meters (1:07.70) andteamed with senior Otman Srayi,
South Lakes GirlsWin Region DChampionship
State Indoor Track and FieldChampionship Feb. 23-24 at theBoo Williams Sportsplex in Hamp-ton, Va.
junior Stevie Jones and sophomoreDavid Ramirez for third place the4x400 meter relay (3:32.58).
SLHS will compete in the 6A
Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsReston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Alexandra Greeley
The Connection
Few things in life — at least to afoodie — are as compelling as thesmoky aromas of barbecued pork
ribs, brisket, sausage, and KC burnt ends.You get all of that in the Willard’s BBQplace in Reston, across the parking lotfrom Home Depot. Add to all the tempt-ing aromas the background country mu-sic, and that’s the perfect setting for asuper-casual meal.
Opened not quite a year, Willard’s is awell-known name in the Northern Vir-ginia area — the parent store in Chantillyhas been pleasing and feeding custom-ers for at least 10 years. But this muchsmaller offshoot is a welcome addition
to Reston’s food scene: this smoky BBQ isthe real deal — and it is the only BBQ placein the Reston area. Yes, Mookie’s is in GreatFalls, but Willard’s is just around the cor-ner.
What to order, you may wonder, besides16 different dishes? Fortunately, you can eatin, though seating is a bit cramped at meal-times, so plan to order something to enjoyat that moment, plus another option to takehome.
Good choices — though they all probablyare — would be the NC pulled pork sand-wich with two sides. This comes as a rollfilled to overflowing with pork and yourchoice of sides could include mac ‘n cheese(not on the menu but usually available),cornbread, collards, coleslaw, potato salad,and much more. Desserts, should you have
any appetite left, consist of assorted pies(including Key lime pie, sweet potato pieor peanut butter pie) or a big, crunchychocolate-chip/pecan cookie.
If you still hanker for the smoky pork fla-vors, order for home pig-outs a half or wholerack of ribs, your choice of sweet or spicysauce on the side. To make this a full-fledged meal to share, pick up a few sidesand a few dessert choices. Or you can justtake them home to indulge your own BBQwhims.
Note that in the short time Willard’s hasoperated its Reston store, it attracts plentyof customers who eat in or take out. On arecent noontime, the tables were filled, andalthough there is a stand-up counter that’sprobably not for eat-in patrons. For them,it is grab and go…
Plan to go often, and try out suchdishes as the BBQ burrito, a large flourburrito stuffed with rice, beans cabbage,and salsa as is, or filled with pulled porkor chicken, brisket or burnt ends, andwith cheese as an added treat. If you arelooking to sort-of cut calories, opt insteadfor the Big Green Salad with cornbread.The salad can be greens only, or withyour choice of pulled chicken, spicychicken salad, or smoke turkey breast.
Actually, this eatery has so manytempting offerings that these justify fre-quent trips. You can even place cateringorders if you want to feed groups offriends. But chances are you will comeback often and eat plenty of goodiesyourself.
Willard’s Real Pit BBQ, 11790 BaronCameron Ave., Reston, VA. 703-429-1755.Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.;Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Willard’s Real Pit BBQ: A perfect setting for a super-casual meal.
A Welcome Addition to Reston Food Scene
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Fairfax County Police Department(FCPD) held a news conference,Friday, Feb. 16 at the new FairfaxCounty Public Safety Headquar-
ters to announce the rollout of its BodyWorn Camera Pilot Program to launch Mon-day, Feb. 19 at three district police stations,Mason, Mount Vernon and Reston. Fullimplementation of the project is March 13with 230 cameras deployed.
According to a press release by FCPDMedia Relations Bureau in December 2017,Reston was added because it differs fromthe two police districts that were alreadyincluded in the program. “The patrol areaswithin the Reston District include a num-ber of high-rise buildings as well as stopsalong Metro’s Silver Line. Additionally, ourReston District Police Station is the newestbuilding among our stations and already hasthe physical infrastructure in place to ac-commodate the technical needs of the pro-gram.”
Present at the news conference was EdwinC. Roessler Jr., Chief of Police, FairfaxCounty Police Department. He was joinedby Major Christian Quinn and CaptainChantel Cochrane as well as others, includ-ing Kofi Annan, president of Fairfax NAACP.The body worn cameras were on hand andavailable for demonstration.
CHIEF ROESSLER explained the BodyWorn Camera Pilot Program is a model pro-
gram based on nationwide best practicesand input from a committee of communitystakeholders and organizations. Roesslerexplained the program is designed to un-derstand the scope of the project’s cost, howthe policy would best work, staff needed torun a full-time program, and to studywhether or not body worn cameras have areduction in complaints against officers anda reduction in the use of force deploymentin the community.
One of the major questions Roessler clari-fied is when to turn the cameras on and offto protect privacy rights of the communitywhile at the same time not compromisingthe task or safety of the officers.
During the news conference, Roessler saidthe department engaged multiple commu-nity stakeholders in the development of theprogram, as well as mental health advo-cates, and other community agencies thatserve individuals in crisis.
According to Roessler, American Univer-sity will gather and study data from thecameras to see if their use makes a differ-ence in the community and for the police
officers. The analysis will cover data andcommunity feedback over the length of theprogram and will assess the impacts before,during, and after the pilot program window.
American University is conducting thisstudy, Roessler said, “With the highest ofacademic rigor to make sure we can havean informed decision later on this fall.”
During the news conference, Roesslerpointed out that School Resource Officerswould not be part of the pilot project. Heemphasized if an officer who is part of theproject is called for service in a school andthe officer comes in as a backup officer orif the officer works off-duty at a school func-tion, such as a sports event, the camera willbe worn.
During the presentation and question andanswer period, topics centered on the bodycameras, Freedom of Information Act(FOIA), when videos would be released anddeleted, and staffing changes.
Annan said, “The policy has gone frombeing really a policy written ‘for cops bycops’ to one that includes concerns from thecommunity... I do think it was very impor-
tant that the community was involved andespecially from the minority communitywhich has traditionally... had a lot of con-cerns with the regards of trust…This is agreat opportunity to shore up that trust byhelping to bolster the transparency portionthat factors into the police trust.”
CAPTAIN CHANTEL COCHRANE ex-plained in detail if it is a service call mean-ing there is no crime in process, like a do-mestic dispute and the officers are let intothe house on a consent basis, if the officeris asked to turn off the recording, the of-ficer will stop recording. Notwithstanding,if anytime later while at the scene, there isa sign of something criminal, violent, orthere is going to be a use of force, the offic-ers will start recording once again. Shenoted there is the 30-second buffer built intothe camera.
Chief Roessler added: “There are manynuances and this (pilot program) will pro-vide us the opportunity to work with thecommunity, so we all understand on/off,delete/not delete.”
Major Christian Quinn said, “We arebringing in some limited term employeesboth on the IT side and the InformationTechnology Bureau. So, we are going tohave 24/7 technical support for the pro-gram throughout its duration. We’re alsobringing in some folks that are going to beassigned to the Media Relations Bureau,that’s where we currently process FOIA re-quests, Freedom of Information Act as wellas visual video evidence for the Common-wealth attorney and also internal law en-forcement requests.”
Quinn added that by the evening of March1 Fairfax County Police Department shouldhave 200 cameras on the street and haveall their workforce trained by March 13.
Training and rolloutbeginning Monday,Feb. 19.
Body Worn Camera Pilot Program Launched
Captain ChantelCochrane, Fairfax County
Police Department, ex-plains how the new bodyworn camera works as a
member of the mediatries one on at the Friday,Feb. 16, news conferenceto announce the launch-ing of the program Mon-
day, Feb. 19, 2019.
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4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Calendar, Page 6
By David Siegel
The Connection
Reston choreog-rapher Shu-Chen Cuff andher Gin Dance
Company will perform atthe 2018 Atlas INTERSEC-TIONS Festival. Gin DanceCompany (GDC) was se-lected to perform after a rig-orous application processincluding “the artisticmerit” of the company,noted Heidi S. Hawkins, di-rector of programming forthe Atlas Festival.
The Festival will bringtogether more than 100 performing arts groupsoffering intersections of the performing arts.
“We are thrilled to be participating this this spe-cial event,” said Gary Cuff, Executive Director, GinDance Company. “We will present a full eveningproduction titled ‘Phenomena.’” The performancewill feature the world premiere of “L.E.O.,” cho-reographed by Gin Dance Company’s Artistic Di-rector Shu-Chen Cuff. The dance was inspired bythe work of composer and 20th century giantLeonard Bernstein for the centennial celebrationof his birth.
‘L.E.O.’ is an acronym for:❖ Listen – listen deeply into your inner beliefs;❖ Enrich – enrich your soul, and❖ Optimize – make the best out of what you
Reston’s Gin Perform in Festival
have.“This work stands behind
Leonard Bernstein’s philosophyand his dedication to music thatwe do our part to make the worlda better place,” said artistic direc-tor Cuff.
The Atlas INTESECTIONSevening will also present dances“The Other Side,” and GDC signa-
ture pieces “Burgandy” and “Connect.Disconnect.”“We wanted to bring four meaningful and uplift-ing works to the audience.” “The Other Side” aimsto explore the audience’s imagination. For anedgy, energetic contemporary ballet, there is“Connect.Disconnect.”
With a mission of “enriching lives throughdance,” Shu-Chen Cuff is a recipient of a StraussArtist Grant from the Arts Council of FairfaxCounty. Gin Dance has performed throughout theD.C. area. Shu-Chen has also performed at dancefestivals in Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan.
“I’m so very excited about ‘Phenomena.’ It ismy hope that our dances will touch the audiencein different ways and expand their imaginations,”said Shu-Chen Cuff.
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.
ONGOING“From the Heart.” Through Feb. 27,
various times, at the RestonCommunity Center Hunters Woods,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.Members of the League of RestonArtists display paintings, drawings,mixed media, photographs and two-dimensional works. Free and open tothe public during the center’s regularoperating hours. Visitwww.leagueofrestonartists.org.
Small Business Support Sundays.Visit independent stores andrestaurants, and those that supportsmall businesses at Reston TownCenter, offering specials, discounts,tastings, and localized treats everySunday. VisitSmallBusinessSupportSundays.com.
All-comers’ Group Fun Run atPotomac River Running.Tuesdays and Thursdays. RestonTown Center, 11900 Market St.,Reston. For beginners or competitiverunners, come out for a fun, low-keyrun that is safe and social. Call 703-689-0999 potomacriverrunning.com.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 21Book Club. 12:15-1:15 p.m. at Scrawl
Books,11911 Freedom Drive, RestonTown Center. Scrawl Books is hostinga lunch-time book club on the 3rdWednesday of each month. The firstbook is Girl Waits with Gun by AmyStewart. Visit scrawlbooks.com orcall 703-966-2111.
Author Discussion. 7 p.m. at ScrawlBooks, 11911 Freedom Drive, RestonTown Center. Scrawl Books is hostinga live video discussion with Amy
Stewart, the author of Girl Waitswith Gun.
THURSDAY/FEB. 22Jazz Night. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Lake
Anne Coffee House/Wine Bar, 1612Washington Plaza N., Reston. Patronsmay enjoy Mykle Lyons and companyas they wine and dine in the cozysecond floor wine bar. Admission isfree. Call 703-501-6289 or [email protected].
THROUGH FEB. 23Diva Central Dress Drive with
Reston Community Center collectionin building lobbies at Reston TownCenter. The annual Diva CentralDress Drive’ mission is to promoteconfidence and self-esteem byproviding high school students a freeprom dress and other accessories.Donate new or lightly used formaldresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags andaccessories, collected in boxeslocated in building lobbies. Visitrestontowncenter.com.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 23-24Cabaret: “Back to Broadway.” 7:30
p.m. at Herndon High School(Auditorium), 700 Bennett St.,Herndon. 2018 marks the 20thAnniversary producing this BroadwayCabaret under the direction of Danaand Jim Van Slyke. This family-friendly night is always a winner, andall proceeds go directly to theHerndon High School Choir. Ticketsare sold at the door ($10 adults/$5students and senior citizens; cash orchecks accepted).
Calendar
Photo courtesy of Shu-Chen Cuff
Shu-Chen Cuff, artisticdirector Gin Dance Company
Where and whenReston’s Shu-Chen Cuff and Gin
Dance Company performing “Phenom-ena” at 2018 Atlas INTERSECTIONSFestival, Atlas Performing Arts Center,1333 H St., NE, Washington, D.C.20002. Performance March 3, 2018 at6 p.m. Call 202-399-7993 or visitwww.atlasarts.org/.
Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
Throughout the year, but more in-tensely during February, VincentIntondi, Ph.D., uses literature toteach aspects of African Ameri-
can history that are often overlooked orforgotten.
While slavery and the Civil Rights Move-ment are two of the most poignant periodsof Black history, Intondi, a professor of his-tory and the director of the Institute forRace, Justice, and Community Engagementat Montgomery College, and other educa-tors say reading books about lesser knownfigures and periods in African American his-tory is one way to paint a complete picture,not only of the history of African Americans,but American history as a whole.
“For example, while we focus on MalcolmX, after spending time with his daughter,Ilyasah, I came to realize just how muchhis wife Betty did and what she meant tothe family. Therefore having a book thatfocuses on her is important,” said Intondi,who is the author of “African AmericansAgainst the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Colo-nialism, and the Black Freedom Movement.”
“One could argue that there wouldn’t
have been a March on Washington were itnot for Bayard Rustin, but we don’t learnabout him because he was gay,” continuedIntondi. “So part of what’s important aboutthese books is not only that they are wellwritten and have amazing illustrations, butbecause of who they specifically focus on.”
Infusing reading with dramatization andmemorization, particularly with young chil-dren, is a technique that Ana Lado, Ph.D.,professor of Education at Marymount Uni-versity uses in her lessons. “I like to recom-mend award-winning books or books by
award-winning authors,” she said. “I alsopick books that can be part of a program[and] can be recited, can be dramatized,can be retold.”
“Books that I made students memorize[include] ‘I, Too, Am American’ and ‘MyPeople,’ both books of poetry by LangstonHughes; ‘I Have a Dream,’ [speech by Mar-tin Luther King, Jr. published as a book];‘Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,’ [speech byPresident Abraham Lincoln published as abook], ‘Martin’s Big Words: The Life ofMartin Luther King, Jr.,’ ‘Tar Beach’ and‘Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in theSky,’ [both by Faith Ringgold] and ‘If a BusCould Talk, the Story of Rosa Parks’ are bookthat my youngest students can dramatize,”said Lado.
“Underground: Finding the Light to Free-dom” by Shane W. Evans is another bookthat Lado encourages students to read. “Thisis the absolute easiest way to dramatize theUnderground Railroad,” she said. “I evenuse it with students with special needs andbeginning English learners.”
One quality to look for is books aboutmodern day African American heroes whowill likely go down in history. When com-piling recommend books for African History
Month displays, Henrik Sundqvist of theArlington Public Library said, “We try to picktitles which have been published within thelast five years.”
Among the books Arlington County Li-braries is recommending are: “Firebird: Bal-lerina Misty Copeland Shows a Young GirlHow to Dance Like a Firebird” by Copeland.
One book that offers a historical perspec-tive and deeper understanding of a currentissue, says Intond, is “The John CarlosStory” by Dave Zirin and John Carlos.“There is arguably no one better to writeabout sports, race, and politics than DaveZirin,” he said. “The book is great for a widerange of audiences. If one wants to under-stand Colin Kaepernick and what is happen-ing today in sports then they should readthis book.”
Using such narratives offers a deeper un-derstanding of America’s past and puts cur-rent happenings into perspective. “Studentscan learn and appreciate those who camebefore them, sacrificed, fought, put them-selves on the line and paid with their free-dom and lives for equality,” said Intondi.“Students will learn that they are part ofthe long movement for freedom and theytoo can change the world.”
Local educators suggest books to read in celebration of African American History Month.
Diving into Black History with Books
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6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Calendar
From Page 4
SUNDAY/FEB. 25Purim Palooza. noon-2 p.m. at
Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523Lawyers Road, Herndon. Fun forall ages. Carnival, crafts, gift shopsale, costume contest, raffle,lunch, hamentaschen plus. Specialprogram for pre-schoolers to 1stgraders with families at 10:45a.m. $10-$25. Visitwww.bethemeth.org/purim orcall 703-860-4515, ext 101.
Author Event. 4 p.m. at ScrawlBooks, 11911 Freedom Drive,Reston Town Center. AuthorDennis Woods will be discussinghis memoir Black Flag Journals.Visit www.scrawlbooks.com/event/black-flag-journals-dennis-woods.
MONDAY/FEB. 26Photography Critique. 7:30-9:30
p.m. at the Reston CommunityCenter Hunters Woods, 2310Colts Neck Road, Reston. TheReston Photographic Societyinvites photography enthusiasts toattend the club’s critique. EllisRosenberg and Carla Steckley,experienced photographers andexhibit judges, will critiquemember photos. Nonmembers arewelcome. Visitwww.leagueofrestonartists.org.
THURSDAY/MARCH 1Opening Reception. 6-8 p.m. at
Signature at Reston Town Center,11850 Freedom Drive, Reston. Thefirst exhibit features artwork by CraigMoran, a DC-based painter known forhis boldly patterned canvases. Freeand open to the public. Call 703-471-9242, ext. 114 or visit restonarts.org.
MARCH 1-APRIL 1“Godspell.” Thursdays through
Sundays at NextStop TheatreCompany, 269 Sunset Park Drive,Herndon. NextStop opens “Godspell”with a modern twist to the musical,setting the new production in acoffee shop. Tickets, $35-$65, atwww.NextStopTheatre.org.
THURSDAY/MARCH 1Jazz Night. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Lake
Anne Coffee House/Wine Bar, 1612Washington Plaza N., Reston. Patronsmay enjoy Mykle Lyons and companyas they wine and dine in the cozysecond floor wine bar. Admission isfree. Call 703-501-6289 or [email protected].
FRIDAY/MARCH 2Open Mic Poetry Night. 7-9 p.m. at
ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Members of the PoetrySociety of Virginia will share their
poetry. An open mic will follow.Free and open to the public. Visitartspaceherndon.org.
SATURDAY/MARCH 3Out of the Shadows. 4-5:45 p.m.
at Reston Community Center,Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. Highlighting musicby female composers, fromHildegard of Bingen and LiliBoulanger to Cecilia McDowelland Moira Smiley. Featuringspecial guest Ysaye Barnwell,formerly of Sweet Honey in theRock. A reception will follow theconcert. $20-25; free for 17 andyounger, active duty military.Call 703-834-0079 or visitwww.restonchorale.org.
“Phenomena.” 6-7 p.m. at TheAtlas Performing Arts Center,1333 H St. NE, Washington, D.C.Reston-based Gin DanceCompany presents “Phenomena.”Gin Dance Company will becelebrating the legendaryLeonard Bernstein Centennial.$30. Visit www.gindance.org.
SUNDAY/MARCH 4Indigo T-shirt Dyeing. 2-4 p.m.
at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 CenterSt., Herndon. Indigo T-shirtDyeing with Elizabeth Gibson.Ages 7-13. $20 per student. Visitartspaceherndon.org.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors an-nounced they are hosting a series of free 2018 TaxRelief Workshops for older adults and people withdisabilities in late February and March at several lo-cations throughout the county. Both real estate andvehicle tax relief are available for adults over 65 yearsof age and people with disabilities who meet certainqualifications.
The fairfaxcounty.gov website states staff from theFairfax County Department of Tax Administration(DTA) will be at the locations to assist with fillingout the application form, as well as answering ques-tions. No appointment is necessary.
Two workshops will be hosted by Supervisor JohnW. Foust (D-Dranesville), March 12 and March 14,10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the McLean District Office, 1437Balls Hill Road, McLean. Call 703-356-0551.
Three workshops will be hosted by SupervisorCatherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), two in Restonand one in Vienna. The Reston workshops are March8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400South Lakes Drive, Reston - 703-478-0283 and onMarch 20, 10 a.m. to noon at the North County Gov-ernment Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston.A Vienna workshop is on Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.at Madison High School (Lecture Hall), 2500 JamesMadison Drive in Vienna.
According to the Fairfax County Government, “Toqualify for real estate tax relief, you must be at least65 years of age, or permanently and totallydisabled...The gross income from all sources of theowners of the dwelling and any relatives of the own-ers who reside in the dwelling may not exceed$72,000...The total combined net assets of ownersof the dwelling and of the spouse of any owner whoresides in the dwelling may not be greater than$340,000, not including the value of the home, itsfurnishings and the homesite (up to one acre of land).
Renters, who meet the age, disability, residency,and income requirements, as well as other require-
Tax Relief Workshops To Be Held inMcLean, Reston and Vienna
ments, can qualify for taxrelief under the Tax ReliefProgram. The county re-minds applicants when theycome to a workshop to besure to bring with them acopy of their lease agree-ment and rental receipts orcanceled checks for eachmonth of the previous yeardocumenting the amount ofrent paid.
As for vehicle (“car”) taxrelief, the county states ap-plicants must be at least 65years of age, or perma-nently and totally disabled,as of Jan. 1 of the applica-tion year and reside inFairfax County; the ex-empted vehicle must beowned and used primarilyby the applicant, and taxrelief will only be grantedon one vehicle. Also, thegross income of the appli-cant may not exceed$22,000. The total com-bined net assets of the ap-
plicant and spouse may not exceed $75,000. Otherconditions also apply.
Tax relief is available on mobile homes used asfull-time residences.
Fairfax County reminds individuals that returningapplicants must file between January 1 and April 1.
For more detailed information and qualificationsgo to fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/relief/tax-relief-se-niors-people-with-disabilities.
— Mercia Hobson
DranesvilleDistrict Supervi-sor John Foust(D)
Hunter MillSupervisor CathyHudgins (D)
Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
Either it was the programming on CBS wewere “demanding,” or the recorded pro-gramming we were watching from PBS; butfor the week it was, repeatedly, and I meanREPEATEDLY, we were subjected to the samecommercials over and over again. Torturedoesn’t begin to describe the excruciatingreaction I had every time I saw the samepeople saying the same words. Instead ofturning me on to the product or services, ithad quite the opposite effect: it tuned meoff. Buy what they were selling? More likegood-bye.
Not that I understand the strategy behindtelevision and/or radio advertising/promotingas I have zero experience. But I do havesome experience, 21 years in fact, sellingnewspaper/display advertising. And whatknowledge I’ve gained says advertising fre-quently in multiple media platforms is thekey to success. Picking and choosing resultsin hitting and missing. But hitting me con-stantly without missing a beat is hard to taketoo, and not necessarily managing the consis-tency desirable for most businesses to thrive.Moreover, bludgeoning me into submis-sion/buying is not creating a positive experi-ence either and one not likely to lead torepeat business.
With respect to this test – of will power, Ican’t help wondering if there’s a tippingpoint of sorts when the con-sumer/watcher/listener becomes less inter-ested/more antagonistic to the message andby association, perhaps even less tolerant ofthe medium. Not that one can, generallyspeaking, blame the messenger, but whenunder the constant barrage of repetition,which in this instance I was forced to endure(“on demand” disables the fast-forward func-tion so it forces you to sit and squirm), youwant to blame someone, anyone. Too muchof a good thing is not, after awhile, a goodthing; and I’m being kind in mycharacterization.
Having seen the same commercial forwhat seemed like a dozen times, over a con-densed period of time, during nearly everycommercial break, I can’t imagine how Icould place my head on this pillow and notsee this man from Minnesota, his warehousestaff, and most disturbingly, his presencewhen I open my medicine cabinet. Sleep?Hardly. More like shock and not awe as I laymy head down to rest. Visions of sugar plumfairies or sheep prancing over a fence I’maccustomed to, but a man with a moustachetelling me what he knew he would about myreaction to his pillow, I can’t quite abide.
Relax? More like reacts. Presumably if themessage, messenger or medium is somehowdisturbing in its consumer/market penetra-tion; rather than being clear, concise andeffective, all that was hoped to have beengained is lost in the muddle. And preciousdollars wasted in the process. I imagine thequestion becomes: How much is too much,and how much is not enough? (Other thansports and chocolate, I wouldn’t know.)
All I know is what my reaction has beento seeing and hearing endless (or so itseemed) repetition: almost visceral. I’m sortof angry and put upon for having had to lis-ten so much to learn so little. And though Ican certainly appreciate its context and pre-sumptive strategy, I still can’t help feeling likea victim of sorts; the cost of doing business, Isuppose. I understand that watching what Iwant requires watching some of what I don’twant; it’s a trade. A trade I can balanceexcept when what I don’t want to watch hasa stronger/more negative impact on me thandoes the programming I want to watch.
Remember the goal is to capture myattention, not abuse it.
His Pillow
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept.30? If so,
contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.
THROUGH FEB. 28Diva Central Dress Drive. Monday-Saturday, 9
a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at at itsRCC Hunters Woods, Hunters Woods VillageCenter, 2310 Colts Neck Road and RCC LakeAnne, Lake Anne Village Center, 1609Washington Plaza N., Reston. RestonCommunity Center is now accepting dresses,shoes, jewelry, handbags, shawls and otheraccessories for its 16th annual Diva CentralDress Drive. Call 703-390-6158 or [email protected].
TUESDAY/FEB. 20Land Use Committee Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at
North County Governmental Center CommunityRoom, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. Onthe agenda: Virginia Electric and PowerCompany. Call 703-478-0283 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/.
THURSDAY/FEB. 22Dollars and Sense. 7 p.m. at Reston Regional
Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Monthly group discussion focuses on businessleaders and markets. We will be discussing“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. The event isfree and open to the public. Call 703-689-2700or visit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
SATURDAY/FEB. 24Hunter Mill District Community Meeting. 9-
11 a.m. at James Madison High School, 2500James Madison Drive, Vienna. Hearpresentations from County and Public Schoolsstaff on the FY2019 proposed budget. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/.
Free Dentistry Day. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at SmileWonders, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 105,Reston. Dr. Rishita Jaju of Smile Wonders, alocal pediatric dentist, is hosting a free day ofdentistry for for infants to preteens in need. Firstcome, first serve.Children do not need to beestablished patients of Smile Wonders orprovide proof of income or dental insurance tobe treated. Free. Call 571-350-3663 or visitwww.smilewonders.com/give-kids-a-smile.html.
MONDAY/FEB. 26NARFE Dulles Chapter 1241 Luncheon
Program. 11:30 a.m. at Amphora Diner, 1151Elden St., Herndon. Richard Twombly, CrimePrevention Officer, Fairfax County PoliceDepartment will talk on: Crime Prevention –What can we do? Luncheon is $18, and includestax and a small gratuity. Additional tips arewelcome but not required. Call your reservationand choice of entree to Shirley Boning at 571-442-8910 or e-mail [email protected] later than Thursday, Feb. 22.
Reston Planning and Zoning CommitteeMeeting. 7:30 p.m. at North CountyGovernmental Center,1801 Cameron Glen Drive,Reston. On the agenda: TH Holding CompanyLLC (vote) and CRS Sunset Hills, LC (vote). Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill/.
TUESDAY/FEB. 27INOVA Blood Drive. 1:30 p.m at Reston
Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. More than 250 units of blood must becollecte daily to meet the needs of patients inVirginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. INOVABlood Donor services will be partnering withReston Regional. Consider donating today. Call703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Bulletin
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ February 21-27, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
You can feel the change in the air. Thistime the victims — teenagers — areoutraged out loud about the deathsand wounding of their fellow stu-
dents, the terror, horror and trauma that willhaunt each of them in different ways for therest of their lives.
Instant activists from last week’s schoolshooting massacre in Florida, now connectedto so many others around the country, knowthat this was preventable, that mass shootings
can be stopped.Common sense tells them
that the shooter, a former class-mate, shouldn’t have had access
to guns of any kind, never mind an assault rifle.Common sense tells them that the absence ofthe most reasonable safeguards is a failure ofelected officials at both the federal and statelevel. Common sense tells them it’s time forreal accountability.
Gun control of course will be complicated.No one is trying to take guns away from themillions of Americans who are gun owners, butthe mavens of divisiveness, seeking to stokethe ire of gun owners, will tell them that whatactivists, what Democrats, what moms want isto take their guns away. It’s not true. But gunreform is more complicated and runs deeperthan donations from the NRA to elected offi-cials.
Anyone with common sense knows that ifwe don’t have systems in place to keep weap-ons capable of so much carnage in three min-utes out of the hands of someone so openlytroubled as the teenage shooter in Florida lastweek, then we are doomed to relive that dayin other tragedies, over and over.
“Wash, Rinse, Repeat.”
Steve A
rtley/A
rtleyto
on
s
Another Assault on Common SensePerhaps this timemight be different.
Demonstrations of hundreds of protestersturned out in multiple places in the last fewdays. At NRA headquarters in Fairfax, atGeorge Mason High School for a candlelightvigil, in front of the White House.
“I’m with hundreds of Northern Virginiansat the NRA headquarters to mourn those lostat Parkland and to demand common sense gunsafety measures to protect our children frommassacre and violence,” U.S. Rep. GerryConnolly tweeted from the demonstration
there. “As a nation, how can we continue toallow this to happen?”
“I’m with the students calling for gun reformoutside the White House,” said U.S. Rep. DonBeyer. “So proud to see America’s young peopleleading the way. Stay mad, and stay focused.… Don’t let anyone tell you that there isn’thope, that we can’t fight for change and win.There is and we can.”
— Mary Kimm
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Reston
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
“Enough is enough” is aslogan adopted bymany advocates for ac-
tion to end gun violence, but with290 school shootings in the U.S.since 2013 clearly we are to thepoint that the shootings that haveoccurred in schools and numerouslocales are more than enough.
Last Wednesday started off as ausual day at the legislature withthe added feature that it wasValentine’s Day with lots of reddecorations in the hallways and anabundance of chocolate available.It was also the first day of Lent withashes offered at several nearbychurches. The day took a sharpturn in the late afternoon as thenews media brought early reportsof another instance of schoolshootings; this time at a school in
Parkland, Florida. The timing wascritical in that the General Assem-bly had over the past several weeksdefeated with minimal debate andconsideration more than 30 billsintended to reduce gun violence.My bill for universal backgroundchecks was among those.
The process for considering thesebills was the same for all of them re-gardless of their approach. In theHouse the bills were assigned to theMilitia, Police and Public Safety Com-mittee and then to a subcommitteeon guns composed of six members— four of whom have perfect NRAratings. The outcome of the hearingsis predictable. The advocates makemany good and passionate argu-ments on behalf of common sensegun violence prevention legislation.The NRA representative states theorganization’s opposition along withsomeone from the Virginia CitizensDefense League with little argument
or comments. The vote is always twofor and four against. As importantas the bills are to many people theyare defeated; four members of theHouse of Delegates with their mindsalready made up decide for all 100members of the House. There are fewvoting records to check because mostmembers never get the opportunityto vote on gun regulation issues.
The strong concern among mem-bers of the press and on socialmedia makes it clear that the leg-islature is going to have to respondto gun violence issues. Unfortu-nately, the schedule for introduc-ing new bills in this session haspassed; otherwise bills would havebeen introduced in response to theFlorida shootings. Legislatorswould have had to confront thereality that there has been morethan enough gun violence.
A New York Times article offeredsome direction as to how legisla-
tures might proceed. An article“How to Reduce Mass ShootingDeaths? Experts Say These GunLaws Could Help” first appeared onOct. 5, 2017. It found that there isno way to eliminate the risk ofmass shootings, “but there are ahandful of policies that could re-duce the likelihood of such eventsor reduce the number of peoplekilled when such shootings do oc-cur.” These include denying pur-chases by anyone convicted of cer-tain felonies, universal backgroundchecks, limiting the sale of certaintypes of weapons and ammunition,and waiting periods for purchases.
In the next cycle of elections,positions of candidates on gun vio-lence will play an even greater rolein who gets elected. If minds ofincumbents do not change, votersare likely to change their electedofficials. The public has had morethan enough.
More Than Enough
Editorial