page 6 it’s a dirty job - ellington...

WellbeingPage 6

Five Vie for Hunter Mill Supervisor NominationNews, Page 3

Volunteers Honored As ‘Backbone of Reston’News, 2

It’s a Dirty JobNews, Page 7

Reston Association volunteers give a big call out to clean up the

streams before the 31st Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com MAY 1-7, 2019

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Requested in home 5-2-19

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322

2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ May 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Bulletin, Page 11

SATURDAY/MAY 4Dementia Care Support. 10-11 a.m.

at Hunters Woods at Trails EdgeShowroom, 2254B Nunters WoodsPlaza, Reston. Dementia CareSupport Group - 1st Saturday of themonth. Distinguish between normalaging and dementia, understanddifferent types of dementia, theimpact of changes to the brain andhow family caregivers can best copewith these changes. Free. Call 703-708-4047 or visitwww.integracare.com.

Peripheral Neuropathy SupportGroup. 2-4 p.m. at Mason DistrictGovernmental Center, 6507Columbia Pike, Annandale. ThePeripheral Neuropathy SupportGroup for greater Washington meetsthe first Saturday of the month. Allare welcome. RSVP for availableseating. Call 301-263-0616 or visitwww.dcpnsupport.org for more.

District Supervisor CandidateMeet and Greet. 4-6 p.m. at GreatFalls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Meet the candidates whoare running for the Fairfax Board ofSupervisors: Dranesville District;Hunter Mill District; ProvidenceDistrict; and Sully District. Free.RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/o/naacp-fairfax-county-12397167937.

SUNDAY/MAY 5Low Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinic.

Noon-2 p.m. at Mount VernonGovernmental Center, 2511 ParkersLane, Alexandria. Cost is $15 per pet,cash and check only. Dogs, cats, andferrets may be vaccinated at theclinic. Dogs must be on leashes; cats

and ferrets must be in carriers. Allpets will receive a 1-year rabiesvaccination. To obtain a 3-yearvaccine, bring pet’s rabies certificate(not tag) showing the current rabiesvaccination expiration date. 2019county dog licenses will be sold foran additional $10 per license. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/communityassistance/rabiesclinics for more.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 8Workshop: Google Ads. 11:30 a.m.-

1:30 p.m. af Bleevit Interactive12110 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 600,

Reston. Bleevit Interactive is hostinga workshop to provide smallbusinesses with an improvedunderstanding of Google Ads and theimportance of measuring andreporting digital marketinginitiatives.

Free, with complimentary lunch andbeverages. Space is limited. Registerat bit.ly/smlbiz2019.

Fairfax County Park AuthorityBoard Meeting. 7:30 p.m. in theHerrity Building, 12055 GovernmentCenter Parkway, Suite 941, Fairfax.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/boardagn2.htm or call 703-324-8662.

FRIDAY/MAY 10Nomination Deadline. The Greater

Reston Chamber of Commerce isseeking nominations for their annualAwards for Chamber Excellence(ACE). These awards are given tothose members who demonstrateexcellence in their business practices,

Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at leasttwo weeks before event.

Bulletin

Reston Connection ❖ May 1-7, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsReston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Candidates, Page 9

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

With the first significant racein 20 years underway forthe seat of Supervisor in theHunter Mill District, Reston

Citizens Association (RCA) held a commu-nity forum for the five certified candidateson Tuesday evening, April 23 at the LakeAnne Community Center in Reston.

“I discovered something,” said modera-tor Dennis Hays, RCA president. “Thatwhatever happens in the Hunter Mill Dis-trict, when you get in your car, go to thepark … one way or another it’s affected di-rectly by the Supervisor for the Hunter MillDistrict.”

The forum allowed citizens to engagewith the candidates directly through ashared a three-minute statement, questionand answer period, and closing. The mainissues discussed at the forum were devel-opment, density along the Silver Line andin the village centers, and Reston’s role asa planned residential community, a uniquebird of sorts in the county. However, Vienna,also in the Hunter Mill District, experiencessome of the same issues as Reston.

❖ Candidate Parker Messick grew upin Reston and recently graduated fromRoanoke College. He said that for him, de-velopment was the primary issue, “to stopbig development.”

“With the MAC Ordinance of Vienna,(MAC refers to the Maple Avenue Commer-cial zone, a voluntary zoning designationthat encourages redevelopment alongMaple Avenue and creation of pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use projects), and the end-less proliferation of high-rises in Reston ...my central focus is making sure that Restonand Vienna are not in the power hands ofthe developers but our hands as citizens,”he said. Messick stressed that developmenthad to be beneficial to the citizens insteadof “lining the pockets of developers.”

Messick’s second significant issue was tostop Reston Town Center paid parking, astatement that gained audience applause.“Many of our community members don’t goor go [to Reston Town Center] at a signifi-cantly reduced rate,” Messick said, referenc-ing Reston Town Center as a gatheringplace. As Supervisor, Messick said that hewould negotiate with Boston Properties tosee an end to the paid parking.

A citizen asked about programs in thecounty that support young adults with de-velopmental disabilities. Messick answeredthat he’d seen on the Board of Supervisorswhen budgetary concerns came up, thatpeople with intellectual disabilities and dif-

ferent ways of processing information wereleft behind. “If elected, I will make that amajor priority of my own...It’s what I liveand breath every day of my life... I haveAsperger Syndrome. I’m autistic. I don’tconsider myself intellectually disabled. Idon’t think that’s a problem. I think thosewho think differently are marginalized inour society. I think there needs to be a cul-ture and conversation change.” Messick’sremarked were met with applause.

❖ Candidate Walter Alcorn, a 25-yearresident of the Hunter Mill District, hasserved on the Fairfax County Planning Com-mission and Park Authority Board, and cur-rently is Vice President of EnvironmentalAffairs, Consumer Technology Association.Endorsed by State Sen. Jennifer Boysko,U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and SupervisorBoard Chairman Sharon Bulova, Alcorn saidthat he was an enthusiastic supporter of BobSimon’s goals.

“With the changes coming to Reston, thecitizen’s voice has never been more impor-tant,” Alcorn said. He reminded the audi-ence that both Reston golf courses are inthe Comprehensive Plan. “Until communi-ties surrounding the golf courses come to

me, and ask to change that designation andlook at the alternatives, I would not be sup-porting those golf course designations in theComprehensive Plan. The onus is on thedeveloper to prove it to the citizens.” As fordevelopment, Alcorn said that now Restonhas individual developers coming in andasking for specific projects to be approved,but Reston is still using a zoning ordinancethat is designed for a minimum of 750 acres,so his concern “about saying let’s go andblow the cap open is we have to have abackup. We have to use the ComprehensivePlan to provide the assurances to you, tous, to all the citizens that we are on top ofit. We are not going to let our infrastruc-ture get overwhelmed.”

Alcorn reiterated during the question andanswer period that regarding the PRC ordensity cap, they must fix the Comprehen-sive Plan first because that is what balancesdevelopment and population, and is whereit shows high density for the village cen-ters.

❖ Candidate Maggie Parker has livedin Fairfax County for more than 30 years.Parker said work and motherhood offeredher opportunities to become involved in

many grassroots efforts, building commu-nity through school fundraisers, PTAs, chari-table foundations and teaching religiouseducation.

“I work for a developer, Comstock,” Parkersaid. “I understand how the developmentbusiness works.” She explained how col-laboration and civil dialogue brought resultsand “different points of views expand per-spective, resulting in better paths forward.”Parker said that her experience taught herwhat can and can’t be done, referencing theSilver Line. “Much of the developmentaround the Silver Line has already beenapproved. The issue is, how to make sure itis delivered as promised, make sure that itintegrates within the fabric of our commu-nity and engages with the elements thathave made the Hunter Mill district so spe-cial,” she said.

Parker itemized how economic successcan deliver better social services, educationsystems and afford the resources for FairfaxCounty to become the most progressivegreen county in the country. “We need toimprove our transportation network, oursidewalk and bicycle access to our 50 milesof trails and safe crossings over our thor-oughfares. … There’s a lot to be done, anda lot to protect,” Parker said.

She was asked: What would you do toreduce energy use and greenhouse gas emis-sions? “Enforce that every high-rise build-ing meets minimum LEED standards forsustainability, encourage green roofs … Thebiggest single problem in the room is ourvehicles … we need to bike, we need to walk... connect to Metro, electric vehicles, weare demanding charging stations in newstructures that we build,” said Parker.

❖ Candidate Laurie Dodd, a twenty-three year Reston resident and an attorneybilled herself as “an advocate for residentsof our district.” Dodd worked as an envi-ronmental lawyer, started a law firm andwas a child advocate attorney. “I am an ad-vocate for people whose voices are not al-ways heard,” she said. When Dodd sawReston “at risk” and heard Paul Hawkenspeak about Project Drawdown, a plan toreverse global warming, that was the tip-ping point for her to run for office, she said.“There is nothing I can do with my life thatwould make a greater impact on the world

Reston CitizensAssociation heldsCandidates Forum.

Five Vie for Hunter Mill Supervisor Nomination

The Lake Anne Community Center fills during the RCA Hunter Mill Super-visor Candidate Forum 2019.

Maggie Parker Parker Messick Laurie Dodd Shyamali Hauth Walter Alcorn

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Opinion

By Kofi Annan

President, Fairfax County NAACP

During a 1960 speech to a mixed au-dience in New York City, Dr. Mar-tin Luther King Jr. said, “There is apressing need for a liberalism in

the North which is truly liberal.” While Virginiais a southern state, it gets bluer with each elec-tion, therefore we should take heed to MLK’swords, which essentially challenges liberals tofight the gravitational pull to the right on is-sues of civil rights and equity. It is difficult tosee both the election of Ralph Northam, hissubsequent actions, and the actions of the partyto protect him as anything but the party sig-naling to the center-right that they have theirback and are willing to sacrifice a few blackvoters if need be.

Liberals have long sought to convince Afri-can Americans that they alone can shield usfrom conservative’s intent on rolling back thehands of time. And African Americans normallyrespond to that message, having never waveredin our loyalty for the last half century. Everyelection cycle we make or break elections infavor of the Democratic Party, even though forthe most part we get marginal improvementin our quality of life overall, and in many mea-surable ways we actually regress. Our averagecollective net worth remains a fraction ofwhites, our employment rate remains half thatof whites, our neighborhoods are still gentrifiedin the name of progress, predominantly blackpublic schools are still underfunded, we stillmake up 40 percent of the nations’ incarcer-ated, and school administrators still consis-tently dole out harsher punishments to our kidscompared to their white counterparts, even indistricts dominated by Democratic Party lead-ership. A report from the Institute for PolicyStudies, released to coincide with what wouldhave been MLK’s 90th birthday, demonstratedthat over the past few decades, black wealthactually fell by 50%.

On the other hand, Republicans haven’t pre-sented a particularly appealing message to Af-rican Americans voters at any point during thistime period either, and even less so during theTrump Administration, which uses racism andxenophobia to collect votes as effectively asany administration in recent history. However,what’s more intriguing is the possibility thatDemocrats like Northam view Trump’s successas a reason to shift focus on securing the whitemiddle-class vote even if that means sacrific-ing some of the African American vote, or atleast taking the black vote for granted. Afterall,the politics of “fear the racist Republican” is alot easier to sell today than it was just a fewyears ago. This might explain why presiden-tial favorite Pete Buttigieg felt comfortable pro-posing that he would undo decades of work toexpand voting rights to those convicted ofcrimes, who are disproportionately represented

by minorities.This certainly appears to be the case in Vir-

ginia. Most of us are familiar with the contro-versy surrounding Governor Northam and hispossible Ku Klux Klan (KKK) affiliation by now,right? Perhaps I shouldn’t assume. Maybe youwere one of those that ignored the Klan mem-ber in the photograph, and instead saw thisincident as a [less harmful] ‘blackface’ contro-versy that could be explained by innocent cul-tural insensitivity. But let’s get somethingstraight, this is not a blackface controversy, thisis a KKK controversy. A lot of people - includ-ing the governor - would rather focus on theperson in blackface because it’s a slightly moretolerant form of white supremacy, and conve-niently ignore the terrorist next to the indi-vidual in blackface. But the governor shouldnot be let off the hook that easily. The KKK isAmerica’s original domestic terrorist group(despite what the laws say), having killed wellover 4,000 Americans that we know of, andour governor either is or was associated withthem. Let that sink in, particularly as we stillmourn the loss of another group of innocentlives at the hands of other terrorist groups inNew Zealand a few weeks ago, Pittsburgh,Charlottesville, and most recently Sri Lanka.The leader of the Democratic Party in Virginiahas yet to offer a sensible explanation for whya terrorist was in his yearbook, and the Demo-cratic Party is okay enough with this thatthey’re now openly not only defending him buttrotting him out at political fundraisers.

To most the case against Northam seemedopen and shut, and his resignation seemed in-evitable. One would imagine that an electedofficial who represents the party which pridesitself on its diversity, that routinely secures over90% of the African American vote, and countson that constituency to win key battlegroundterritories in a purple state that was red just afew elections ago, would certainly recognizethat defending the governor is not a hill worthdying on and step aside as quickly and as grace-fully as possible.

Well we’re now approaching May and notonly has Northam refused to step aside, buteven more unfortunate the Democratic Partyhas begun to rally around him in a show ofsolidarity. First came the slow drip of messagesof appreciation from members of the GeneralAssembly for one bill after the other on socialmedia. Then the ridiculous Michael Jacksonimpersonation story that once seemed straightout of a bad SNL skit became the official partyline. As for the “Coonman” nickname in hisVMI yearbook that never received a formalexplanation from the governor? Well one ex-planation floated to me by a Democratic mem-ber of in the Virginia House of Delegates - whohappened to be African American - was an evengreater insult to our intelligence, and full ofeven more racist stereotypes. According to thedelegate the governor’s nickname stemmed

from the fact that he had a lot of black friendsdue to his love of basketball.

As if insulting our intelligence wasn’t badenough, many within the Democratic Party feltit necessary to go after those amplifying thecall for the governor’s resignation. Followinga protest led the Fairfax County National As-sociation for the Advancement of ColoredPeople (NAACP) at a Democratic fundraiserwhere the governor was scheduled to attend,Democratic Party loyalists and leaders alikeattacked the NAACP for doing the very thingthe organization was founded for - standingup against racism. Its members were describedas “troublemakers” and “bullies”; and thenation’s oldest and most successful civil rightsorganization is described as a “fringe element”by one party leader.

One of the talking points coming fromVirginia’s Democrats is that “the governor isn’tgoing anywhere, so we might as well work withhim.” This intentionally alleviates the burdenof responsibility from the rest of the party lead-ership, because it makes them seem powerless,when in reality they really don’t want to chal-lenge him anyway. As the reaction to the pro-tests demonstrated, real challenges to the gov-ernor will not be looked upon favorably by theDemocratic Party. If they’ll publicly assassinatethe NAACP, one could only imagine what pri-vate pressure is being placed on African Ameri-can legislators who dare break ranks. Thislikely explains the deafening silence and ac-quiescence from most black elected officials onthis issue.

Not enough black leaders (elected and com-munity leaders alike) stand with the black com-munity on principle when it matters most; andif they can’t stand on principle when it comesto the KKK, when will they? If they can’t breakranks with the party now, when will they? Blackleaders stood next to Hillary Clinton when shecalled our youth “super predators”, and theystood next to Bill when he doubled down onReagan’s mass incarceration policies. We’reoften told that the solution is electing moreAfrican American to office; but if this is thebest they can do when faced with a such aclear-cut choice in a time of crisis, then theirtrue value to the African American communityis questionable.

If these officials don’t have what it takes totackle overt headline-grabbing racism withintheir own ranks, how can they be trusted totackle systemic racism that doesn’t make head-lines. The numbers highlighting African Ameri-can wealth decline speak for themselves. Theycan’t.

Black or Blue: Lessons Learned from How VirginiaDemocrats Handled the Ralph Northam DebacleLet’s get something straight, this is not ablackface controversy, this is a KKK controversy.

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Commentary

By Kenneth R. “Ken”

Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

The message of Dr.Nadine Burke Har-ris to the 900 Vir-ginia health, educa-

tion, and human services pro-fessionals and advocates at theVoices for Virginia’s ChildrenSummit on Childhood Traumaand Resilience last week was clear: Virginia,as well as other states, needs to move for-ward promptly on an evidence-based earlyhuman services program to screen for ad-verse childhood experiences and coordinateresources to respond to the needs. It wasnot a hard sell to the audience. They hadalready given her a lengthy standing ova-tion before she started her speech. Mostknew of her pioneering work from her book,“The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-TermEffects of Childhood Adversity,” or her Ted

Talk, “How Childhood TraumaAffects Health Across a Life-time,” that has reached morethan 2.8 million viewers onTedtalks.com. She is known forlinking adverse childhood expe-riences and toxic stress withharmful effects to health lateron in life. She founded the Cen-ter for Youth Wellness (www.

centerforyouthwellness.org) and isCalifornia’s first Surgeon General.

According to Dr. Harris, exposure to ad-verse childhood experiences includingabuse, neglect, domestic violence and pa-rental mental illness and substance abuseaffect 34.8 million children across socio-economic lines and affect not only braindevelopment but can change children’s hor-monal systems, immune systems and eventheir DNA. The results are behavioral prob-lems, learning difficulties and physical

health issues. In adults, exposure to ACEsdramatically increases the likelihood of 7out of 10 leading adult causes of death in-cluding heart disease and cancer.

For Dr. Harris early detection is key.Screening for adverse childhood experi-ences in children is possible and with ap-propriate support services the existing andfuture harm to children’s brains and bodiescaused by toxic stress can be alleviated. AsDr. Harris told the group in Richmond, “rou-tine screening for adverse childhood expe-riences at pediatric well-child visits shouldbe as common as checking for hearing lossor exposure to lead paint. With early detec-tion children can be treated and saved froma lifetime of health issues.”

Virginia currently has 19 communitiesthroughout the state that have programsreferred to as “trauma-informed communitynetworks” that are at various stages of de-velopment of programs and services utiliz-ing the findings of research on trauma andits impact on public health. There is little

doubt that Dr. Harris’s visit will increaseinterest among practitioners and policymakers as to a more widespread use of theresults of studies on ACEs. An effective pro-gram of ACE detection and interventioncould lead to reduced health care costs,better performance of students in school,and a better quality of life for those in-volved. In the long-term, costs would be lowor minimal as better diagnoses of conditionsshould lead to more effective treatmentsand a reduction in costs.

I look forward to working with Voices forVirginia’s Children — celebrating its 25th

anniversary at the Summit — and its advo-cates to determine the most effective waysto make all programs trauma informed thatwill serve the entire Commonwealth. Suchan approach will reduce the lingering harmthat can come from undetected adversechildhood experiences.

A video of Dr. Harris’s speech can beviewed on the Voices for Virginia’s ChildrenFacebook page.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Cause Lingering Harm

By John Lovaas

Reston Impact Producer/

Host

As Spring kicked in thisyear, I found myselfimmersed in the com-

ing election—no, not the 2020war of the worlds to dumpTrump, but the 2019 local poll-ing here in Fairfax County. Al-ready I had interviewed threeSchool Board candidates, two Board of Su-pervisors Chairman candidates, and aHunter Mill Supervisor candidate; and stillhad at least eight more to see.

But, first Fran and I decide to rechargethe old batteries. So, we headed to Dullesto catch a United Airlines flight to Zurich,Switzerland to begin twelve days of cruis-ing the Middle Rhine and Moselle Riversand a two-day stopover in Paris. In fact, thedreaded 8-hour United flight on its 787Dreamliner didn’t turn out so badly. At least,my knees were not grinding into the spineof the person in front of me, and I was ableto read and watch a couple of movies com-fortably. Then we were in Zurich!

After a day admiring Zurich’s enviablyefficient urban transit system and the viewsof distant Alps, we were off to Basel, thento Strasbourg. The latter is a truly charm-ing old city with a history as part of Ger-many, now in France and bordering Swit-zerland. In Basel and Strasbourg, I particu-larly noticed the colorful half-timberedhomes and buildings lining theirstreetscapes. Inside we found fine localbeers and some of the sweetest chocolateswe’ve ever tasted.

A short bus ride and we were in Kehl,Germany boarding our long (440 feet), thin(+/- 44 feet wide) river cruiser, the VikingKvasir. This was to be the heart of our trip,

sailing the Middle Rhine Riverdown the Rhine Gorge fromBingen and Mainz to Koblenz,perhaps the most storied re-gion of castles and fortifica-tions in the world. Theweather, forecast to be cloudy,rainy and cool, turned out nearperfect — sunny and cool, ideal

for sitting on deck watching picturesquetowns, castles from the middle ages, vine-yards, and bustling commerce on and along-side the Rhine. Castles ranged from mod-est ruins to majestic fortifications with long,slotted ramparts and spire watch towersthat actually looked lived in. Mix in sitessuch as remnants of the bridge at Remagenand the storied Lorelei and it is like takinga journey through history. Thoroughly re-laxing.

At the famed Confluence of the Rhine andthe Moselle which flows into it at Koblenz,there is a plaza with a huge statue of Ger-man Emperor Wilhelm I. Here the Kvasirtook a sharp left to go up the Moselle, wherelandscapes would become almost exclu-sively steep vineyards it seemed. Within akilometer or two of our turn, we noticedthe Kvasir had slowed and was perilouslyclose to shore. Fran and I looked up fromour veranda and were surprised to see aman — the captain himself — on the topdeck swing his leg over the rail and jumpto the shore.

It was indeed the captain, carrying a shop-ping bag and trotting off toward the con-trol house for a lock we were approaching.When I inquired about this unusual sight,the first mate told me that the officials ofthe lock (which would raise the Kvasir about50 feet) did not have the proper paperwork

for the ship to clear the lock, so the captainwas hand-carrying the requisite documentsto get us cleared to pass through the lock.Sure enough, the captain returned a littlelater. He stepped back onto the top deckthe front of the control station, now levelwith us, and we cruised into the lock whichpromptly filled and lifted us up. Really.

After that lock and several more, we ar-rived at Trier. There, all 192 passengers dis-embarked and boarded buses which droveus to Luxembourg. We took a walking tourof that tiny city/country which included alovely American cemetery where several

The Rhine, Mosel and Paris in the Springtime

Commentary

Independent

Progressive

hundred WWII GI liberators of Luxembourgwere laid to rest. FYI: Luxembourg has anational army of 600 soldiers—about theright size!

Then it was back on the bus for a longdrive to Paris and our hotel near the EiffelTower for two nights. Highlights of Parisincluded a scrumptious dinner on a ship onthe Seine docked about 100 yards from theTower, and a tragically ironic visit to theCathedral of Notre Dame—less than twoweeks before a devastating fire ravaged thatFrench icon. Then it was back across thepond and home.

Eiffel lighting up at 9 p.m. —Picture taken from restaurant shipon the Seine.

Photos by John Lovaas

Block of Half-Timbered Houses inStrasbourg, France.


The Inova Health System will usher in anew level of medical treatment and pa-tient care when the Inova Schar CancerInstitute opens to patients May 13 on its

Merrifield campus.“The Schar Cancer Center raises the already-high

level of health-care facilities in Fairfax County,” saidCatherine W. Riley, interim president and CEO of theFairfax County Economic Development Authority. “Aspart of the Inova Center for Personalized Health itcan make Fairfax County a destination for world-classresearch and clinical work.”

Dedication ceremonies took place Wednesday, April24, for the $150 million center for care and researchthat is anchoring the 117-acre Inova campus, fulfill-ing a vision that began with the acquisition of theformer Exxon Mobil site. The institute was made pos-sible, in part, by a $50 million contribution fromDwight Schar and wife Martha, whose legacy willextend beyond Fairfax County-based NVR homebuilders.

MEMBERS OF THE SCHAR FAMILY were joinedby others, including U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy andwife Marcelle, political commentator Cokie Roberts,and Lara Hopewell, a local hockey mom-turned-cru-sader for cancer research — all cancer survivors. Alsoparticipating in the ceremonies were U.S. Rep. GerryConnolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair-man Sharon Bulova and Inova CEO Dr. StephenJones. The ceremonies featured more than 100 can-cer patients and their family members, who becamethe first to walk through the front door of the newly-dedicated facility.

“We are so fortunate in Fairfax County to have ac-cess to such world class medical care and treatment,”said Bulova, who presented a proclamation from theBoard of Supervisors congratulating Inova. “We haveamazing facilities, doctors and cutting-edge technolo-gies that are right here, literally in our own back-yard, and that is so incredibly valuable.”

Riley echoed the importance of having a first-classcancer facility in the county, offering residents thehighest quality care without requiring them to travel,often hundreds of miles for treatment. She also em-phasized the importance of the research that will takeplace at the facility, creating a new horizon in the

diversification of Fairfax County’s workforce.“We’re very excited about the research and

development aspect of the Schar Institute andthe ways in which it will help diversify our lo-cal economy,” Riley said. “It will attract newdoctors and scientists. In partnership with fa-cilities like the University of Virginia MedicalSchool, those researchers will be applying fornew grants and developing the kinds of pro-grams that will make Fairfax County known asa medical research and development center.”

DURING THE DEDICATION, Jones an-nounced that Dr. John Deeken, who had beenserving as acting president of the Inova ScharCancer Institute, is named permanently to thepresident’s role. Deeken said the institute wouldcontinue stress its “patient-first” philosophy,building on its ability to provide one-stop carethrough teams of doctors, nurses, therapists,researchers and specialized counselors.

“The vision and the spirit is that the patientis at the center of everything we do,” saidDeeken, who previously served as COO of theInova Translational Medicine Institute. “Fun-damentally, that’s the difference in the modelof care at Inova.

“This is the culmination of years of effort inplanning and design and recruiting – to makereal what we’d hoped to have for all the pa-tients in Northern Virginia, which is expert careclose to home. Nobody in Northern Virginiashould think they need to go to Houston, NewYork or Baltimore to get world-class cancer care.We have it right here.”

Institute becomes a landmark for health care andresearch in Fairfax County

Schar Cancer InstituteOpens to Patients May 13

Schar Cancer Institute rendering.

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Wellbeing

“We are so fortunate inFairfax County to haveaccess to such world classmedical care and treatment.”

Sharon Bulova, Chairman, County Board ofSupervisors


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

For some, it meant cautiously wad-ing into Snakeden Stream thatflowed behind Hunters Woods Vil-lage Center and reaching into the

water to pull out cans. “Why’s it called SnakedenBranch Stream?” called out a volunteer.

For others, it meant sloshing throughColvin Run’s shoreline and untangling plas-tic grocery bags that clung to branches.

And for a most diligent group of RestonAssociation (RA) volunteers, it meant bend-ing over 724 times and picking up a re-ported 724 cigarette butts.

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 167 RestonAssociation volunteers participated in theregionwide 31st Annual Potomac RiverWatershed Cleanup coordinated by the AliceFerguson Foundation. The cleanup eventspanned Virginia, Maryland, the District ofColumbia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania

“The Cleanup provides a transform-ing experience that engages residentsand community leaders and gener-ates momentum for change,” statedthe Alice Ferguson Foundation for atrash-free Potomac Watershed Initia-tive. The Potomac Watershed is allthe land area that drains into thePotomac River.

It was a dirty job, but somebodyhad to do it. Nicki Bellezza, water-shed protection specialist for FairfaxWater, addressed the crowd of ap-proximately 75 volunteers assemblednear the banks of Snakeden BranchStream in Reston. “Any little part wedo has a big impact,” Bellezza said.She described how Snakeden BranchStream and Colvin Run, another RAcleanup site, flow through Reston.Both streams connect with the Diffi-cult Run Stream which eventuallyflows into the Potomac River and thatin turn flows into the ChesapeakeBay, Bellezza said. People in Reston and thesurrounding communities get their drink-ing water from the Potomac River.

“Litter has a huge impact to our streams,the Potomac, and eventually the ChesapeakeBay. It impacts wildlife, the recreational useof the watershed, and pollutes the streams.

RA volunteersclean up localstreams and runs.

It’s a Dirty Job

Wildlife can get tangled up and die in certaintypes of litter or could get sick from eating it.Contaminants that might be in containers canpollute the streams. And any amount of trashcan decrease the enjoyment one gets out ofusing a recreational area adjacent to astream,” stated an RA spokesperson.

“We are here to do good for ourcommunity,” said Patti Menders ofAthleta in Reston Town Center. Shebrought along three others to helpout, Kristina Clarins, Leslie Hettinger,Patti Menders and Ryan McCarthy, 14.

Volunteer Hrithik Kumar, 16, ofBoy Scout Troop #159 of Herndon,said, “I signed up a week ago. I’m nota morning person, and I draggedmyself out of bed to do this.”

ORGANIZERS asked the volunteersto keep track of the number of plas-tic bags and cigarette butts if pos-sible. On Monday, April 15, RA re-ported that in three hours, “For thefive sites we had in Reston, we hadapproximately 130 bags of trash, 25bags of recyclables, and 167 volun-teers. In addition, over 724 cigarettebutts and over 257 plastic grocerybags were collected as part of thecleanup.”

Major listed sponsors of the 31st AnnualPotomac River Watershed Cleanup coordi-nated by the Alice Ferguson Foundationwere Department of Energy & Environment,Eagle Hill, Mom’s Organic Market, MGMNational Harbor and National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration.

Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

It’s a dirty job, but RA volunteers leap in tohelp clean up Snakeden Stream Branch be-hind Hunters Woods Plaza during the 31stAnnual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup.


Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOING

Herndon Farmers Market. Thursdays, throughmid-November, 8 a.m-12:30 p.m. in HistoricDowntown Herndon, Lynn Street. Vendors willoffer seasonal plants, produce, baked goods,meats and more; all sold by local growers andproducers. Additional enhancements to themarket include seasonal events andentertainment, including “Farmers’ Market FunDays,” free performances for the whole family.Visit www.herndon-va.gov/FarmersMarket

THURSDAY/MAY 2Millennials Book Club. 7 p.m. at Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Title is “American Psycho” by BretEaston Ellis. Check out a library copy or buy upa copy to own. Adults from early 20s to early30s. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY/MAY 2-3Big Truck Days. Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday,

9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Public Works Complex, 1479Sterling Road, Herndon. Kids and kids-at-heartcan see some of the town’s big trucks and heavyequipment up close and learn more about theiroperation. Light refreshments will be availableand souvenirs will be provided to children.Attendees are asked to bring non-perishablefood items to donate to a local food pantry.Large groups should call ahead, 703-435-6860.Visit www.herndon-va.gov/BigTruckDays

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 2-5Book Sale. Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 10

a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; andSunday, 1-3 p.m. at Reston Regional Library,11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Friends ofthe Reston Regional Library hold their semi-annual book sale. No children’s books at thissale. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/MAY 3-4The Sound of Music. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. at

Herndon High School, 700 Bennett St.,Herndon. Join Herndon High School students asthey present The Sound of Music . Set in Austriajust prior to World War II, this classic followsyoung Maria as she finds her calling – and herheart – with the von Trapp family. $12/children/students/senior citizens; $18/adults;$20/premium reserved seats. Visitherndondrama.org or call 703-475-4933.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MAY 3-52019 Spring Concert. Friday-Saturday, 7:30

p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School,202 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington.BalletNova will be performing a fun andhumorous ballet ‘La Fille Mal Gardée’ and ‘Stepsin the Street’ – a masterpiece by MarthaGraham. Guest performers include Reston’s GinDance presenting their contemporary ballet‘L.E.O.’ Guest choreographer Matthew Powellwill create the new production of La Fille MalGardée. $12-35 ($3 more at the door). Visitwww.balletnova.org for tickets.

Used Book Sale. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. atChantilly Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Gently used books, DVDs, CDsand audio books for children and adults.Sponsored by Friends of the Chantilly RegionalLibrary to benefit programs and renovationprojects at the library. Free admission. Call 703-502-3883 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events.

SATURDAY/MAY 45K for Mental Health. 9 a.m. at Herndon Middle

School, 901 Locust St., Herndon. Register aheadof time at www.herndonms5k.com or comeearly on day of. A great family event to run orwalk together and support a great cause! $30for adults, reduced for students. Contact KarynNiles at 703-904-4901 or at [email protected] orvisit www.herndonms5k.com.

“Farm Skills-Music Maker.” 10-11:15 a.m. atFrying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. Music has always been an importantpart of rural community life, and sometimes allone needs are a few items from the tool shed tomake fun and interesting sounds. Learn about

different musical instruments, sing songs andmake instruments from recycled materials onthe farm. For participants age 7-adult. $8 perperson. Call 703-437-9101 or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.

Pet Fiesta! Exhibition and Pet Adoption. 10a.m.-4 p.m. at Reston Town Center. Super petadoption, paws-itively fun pet contests andfashion show, exhibitors of pet resources, petrescue and non-profit groups. Presented by andbenefiting GoodDogz.org. All on-leash petswelcome. Free admission, rain or shine. Visitpetfiesta.org for more.

Top to Bottom Look at Colvin Run Mill.10:30 a.m. at Colvin Run Mill, 10017 ColvinRun Rd, Great Falls. Climb to new heights andexplore the second and third floors at ColvinRun Mill on Saturdays in May. Register for the“Four Floor Tour Class” to get an insider’s lookat this 200-year-old working mill. Theexploration may last up to two hours. $10 perperson, and the tours are designed for visitorsage 10 to adult. NOTE: Participants will beclimbing steep stairs to reach the added tourareas in this historic building. The areas are notADA accessible, but alternative arrangementswill be made for those who cannot climb thestairs. Call 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill.

Tapestry of Peace and Justice. 4 and 7:30p.m. at Reston Community Center, HuntersWoods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Music,poetry and art have the power to inspire, raiseawareness and bring people together to makethe world a better place. Join The RestonChorale and friends for Tapestry of Peace andJustice, a mixed-art performance and exhibition.Reception at 6 p.m. $0-$25. Tickets andinformation at www.RestonChorale.org or at theRCC Box Office, 703-476-4500, ext. 3.

SUNDAY/MAY 5Visit Colvin Run Mill. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Colvin

Run Mill, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls.Don’t miss the chance to see, hear and tastehistory with a Sunday visit to Colvin Run Mill.Stop by the mill for a grinding demonstrationfrom noon-3 p.m. See 19th century technologyat work as the miller grinds wheat or corn intoflour and meal that can be purchased at thepark’s General Store. Call the site to confirmgrinding is on. $8 for adults, $7 for students 16and up with ID, and $6 for children and seniors.No reservations required. 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill.

Home & Garden Marketplace. Noon-5 p.m. atReston Town Center Pavilion, 11900 MarketStreet, Reston. Throughout the event all canenjoy presentations on stage, music, a variety ofvendors with décor, plants and more for sale,plus educational groups with information aboutkeeping things natural and beautiful in thegarden. On stage, gardening expert MikeMcGrath will present two 1-hour showsincluding time for Q&A and book signings, andMina Fies will talk about the Renovate Happyexperience. Those who would like to see the film“Hometown Habitat” can receive a free HGRTCpass to see the 5:30 show at Bow Tie Cinemas.(Quantity is limited.) Visit www.facebook.com/events/2358351064412183/ orrestontowncenter.com/events/all for more.

Ramadan Cultural Festival. 2 p.m. at Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. The All Dulles Area Muslim Societycenter is helping the library host a family-friendly afternoon of activities and games. Allages. No registration required. Call 703-689-2700 or visit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Author Event: Julie Langsdorf. 2 p.m. atReston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Join local debut author JulieLangsdorf and DC journalist Cari Shane todiscuss Langsdorf’s White Elephant: A Novel.www.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.

TUESDAY/MAY 7Spanchats. 7 p.m. at Reston Regional Library,

11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Join anongoing Spanish conversation group. All levelsfrom beginner to fluent are welcome. Adults.Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 8Bike to School Day. Fairfax County Public

Schools (FCPS) will participate in Bike to SchoolDay to promote physical activity and reducetraffic congestion and pollution near schools.Not only does biking to school help foster

lifelong healthy habits, but it can also encourageactive transportation in the early-life stage.Starting the school day with a bike ride, walk, orroll will ensure that students are awake andready to learn. Parents are encouraged toaccompany their children to school, and to workwith their school and PTA or PTO to assemblebike trains or walking groups for the event.Visit www.walkbiketoschool.org/.

Jewelry Making. 7 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Tania Ebrahimian will teach the basics ofjewelry making and participants will create anoriginal piece in this hands-on workshop. Thelibrary will provide the materials. Registrationbegins April 24. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

THURSDAY/MAY 9Tai Chi Fitness Class. 6:30 p.m. at Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Join a fun Tai Chi fitness class led bylocal instructor Susan Shen. No experiencenecessary. Adults, teens. Registration beginsApril 25. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

World Migratory Bird Day Workshop. 7-9p.m. at National Wildlife Federation, 11100Wildlife Center Drive, Reston. Join the AudubonSociety of Northern Virginia (ASNV) for aworkshop to prepare for the longest runningannual spring bird count in this area. The classwill include an overview of WMBD, the LowerPotomac River Important Bird Area (LPR-IBA),key species, and techniques (eBird) used tocount them. Free, but registration is required atwww.eventbee.com/v/audubonva/.

FRIDAY/MAY 10Gymboree Music I. 10:30 a.m. at Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Discover melody pitch and rhythm whilebuilding a repertoire of joyful songs.Cosponsored by the Friends of the RestonRegional Library. Age 6-18 months with adult.Registration opens April 26. Call 703-689-2700or visit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Gymboree Music II. 11:15 a.m. at RestonRegional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive,Reston. Dance and sing to a new musical styleeach month, including Latin, Rock ‘n’ Roll andClassical. Cosponsored by the Friends of theReston Regional Library. Age 18-24 months withadult. Registration opens April 26. Call 703-689-2700 or visit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

6th Annual Casino Night. 6-10 p.m. atVolkswagen Group of America Headquarters,2200 Ferdinand Porsche Drive, Herndon. 6thAnnual Casino Night fundraiser supporting theBoys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington/Fairfax County Region. Hosted By LaVarArrington with special guest “Secretary ofDefense” Dexter Manley. Visit one.bidpal.net/casinonight2019 for tickets.

FRIDAY/MAY 10, 17, 24 AND 31Discover How a Garden Grows. 9:45-10:45

a.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West OxRoad, Herndon.

SATURDAY/MAY 11“Love Your Baby Day.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at

Beloved Yoga, 11109 Sunset Hills Road, Reston.Learn the Yogic tools for pre/post-natal wellnessand infant health. Meet local providers who arepassionate to support the journey throughpregnancy, birth, and beyond. Free. Visitwww.BelovedYoga.com for more.

Sing! Books With Miss Emily. 10:30 a.m. atReston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Join Miss Emily for singingstorytime with illustrated songs. Cosponsored bythe Friends of Restion Regional Library. All ages.No registration required. Call 703-689-2700 orvisit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Top to Bottom Look at Colvin Run Mill.10:30 a.m. at Colvin Run Mill, 10017 ColvinRun Rd, Great Falls. See May 4, above.

Kindred Spirits. 7-9 p.m. at South Lakes HighSchool - Auditorium, 11400 South Lakes Drive,Reston. A concert benefitting Canine Partnersfor Life, presented by Sopranessence. Help usraise $30k to honor CPL’s 30 years of providingservice dogs to facilitate independence for thosewith disabilities. $20. Call 571-348-4664 orwww.sopranessence.org.

SUNDAY/MAY 12Mountain Stories and Songs with the

Dulcimer. 3 p.m. at Reston Regional Library,11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Localmusicians Ralph Lee Smith and MadelineMacNeil will play traditional songs and sharestories of the dulcimer. They will have dulcimerson display, and books and music for sale. Allages. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Calendar

Big Truck DaysKids and kids-at-heart can see some of the town’s big trucks and heavy equipment up close and

learn more about their operation. Light refreshments will be available and souvenirs will be pro-vided to children. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to a local foodpantry. Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, May 3, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Public Works Complex,1479 Sterling Road, Herndon. Large groups should call ahead, 703-435-6860. Visit www.herndon-va.gov/BigTruckDays for more.

Home & GardenMarketplace

Throughout the event all can enjoy presenta-tions on stage, music, a variety of vendors withdécor, plants and more for sale, plus educationalgroups with information about keeping thingsnatural and beautiful in the garden. On stage,gardening expert Mike McGrath will present two1-hour shows including time for Q&A and booksignings, and Mina Fies will talk about the Reno-vate Happy experience. Sunday, May 5, noon-5p.m. at Reston Town Center Pavilion


News

From Page 3

than to have a say in how development inFairfax County is managed, while also ad-dressing schools, human service issues, andthe budget,” Dodd said.

The issues that matter to Dodd she saidare land use and development, the environ-ment, education, affordable housing, a liv-ing wage, equity and justice as embodiedin the One Fairfax Policy which commits thecounty and schools to intentionally considerequity when making policies or deliveringprograms and services and equal justice forall.

Asked what specific thing would she doto ensure that development in Restondoesn’t outpace roads, school and publicsafety, Dodd responded, “You have identi-fied a problem that has arisen because ofdevelopment decisions that have been madeover many years.”

❖ Candidate Shyamali Hauth is aReston resident, U.S. Air Force veteran, ad-vocate for the LGBTQ+ community, immi-grant, grassroots community organizer andsmall business owner. Hauth holds a Mas-ters of Science in Human Resource Man-agement. She said, “The Hunter Mill dis-trict needs a leader who will guide us into2020 with a vision that brings compassion,integrity, and innovation to our commu-nity... Any growth and development needto stay true to his (Robert Simon’s) vision.As a supervisor, I want to retain the unique-ness of each community and make everydecision through three essential lenses: eq-uity, equality, and environmentalsustainability.” Hauth said that affordablehousing, which takes up no more than 30percent of one’s income, is a crisis in thisregion. She wants the county to continueto have the best school systems in the na-tion and will accomplish it by “workingcollaboratively with the school board … andensure that we bring equity across theschool district, continue to recruit and re-tain the best educators, and provide av-enues for innovation.”

Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

Dennis Hayes moderates the RCAHunter Mill Candidates Forum2019 for the Hunter MillSupervisor’s seat.

To alleviate daily traffic congestion, re-duce commute times and improve the air,Hauth wants to combine technological in-novations with increased infrastructurecompletion and an expanded public trans-portation system.

Hauth said her work for The Green NewDeal Virginia, job growth combined with theexisting business community along with herstrong support for small, locally owned busi-nesses would help sustain regional eco-nomic growth.

Asked how she would measure traffic,Hauth said: “In terms of transportationthere are things we can measure... commutetimes along heavy traffic corridors andmake sure we have that data, so at the start,we implement a change and then accesswhether it did what we wanted it to do.”

The Democratic Primary is June 11 andthe primary could decide who will be nextHunter Mill Supervisor. The General Elec-tion is Nov. 5, 2019.

Candidates ForumHeld at Lake Anne

Share The Connection welcomes views on any public issue. Send to:Letters to the Editor

The Connection1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314

By email: [email protected]

Online:www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/contact/letter

Letters must be signed.Letters are routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors.

Read more Opinion and letters online at www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

Fee Cinco de Mayo Lyft rides will be offered todeter impaired driving throughout the Washing-ton-metropolitan area beginning Sunday, May 5,2019.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington RegionalAlcohol Program (WRAP), the 2019 Cinco deMayo SoberRide program will be in operation for12 hours beginning at 4 pm on Sunday, May 5th

(Cinco de Mayo) and continue until 4 am on Mon-day, May 6 as a way to keep local roads safe fromimpaired drivers during this traditionally high-riskholiday.

During this twelve-hour period, area residentsage 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may

download Lyft to their phones, then enter aSoberRide code in the app’s “Promo” section toreceive their no cost (up to $15) safe transporta-tion home. WRAP’s Cinco de MayoSoberRide®promo code will be posted at 3 pmon Sunday, May 5 on www.SoberRide.com.

Last year, a record 897 persons in the Washing-ton-metropolitan area used WRAP’s Cinco deMayo SoberRide program rather than possiblydriving home impaired. The charity also offers itsSoberRide program on St. Patrick’s Day, Indepen-dence Day, Halloween and the winter holidays.

More information about WRAP’s SoberRide®initiative can be found at www.SoberRide.com.

Free Cinco de Mayo Lyft Rides Offered toPrevent Drunk Driving

By Caitlin Morris

Capital News Service

Only 7 percent of Virginia’s foster chil-dren are placed with relatives, accord-ing to a new study — well below thenational average of 32 percent.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation tracked changesin foster care in each state from 2007 to 2017. ForVirginia, the data snapshot contained some goodnews: There were fewer children in foster care, andfewer foster children were placed in group homes.

But many experts say that ide-ally, foster children should beplaced with relatives — and onthat measure, Virginia did notmake any progress over the 10years.

“We want for children to have afamily that is their family forever— whether it’s their family of ori-gin or if their foster family turnsinto an adoptive home,” saidAllison Gilbreath, a policy analystat Voices for Virginia’s Children, anonprofit advocacy program.

Over the 10-year period, Vir-ginia was successful in decreasingthe percentage of foster childrenin group homes from 23 percentto 17 percent. That means morechildren have been fostered infamily settings — but just not withtheir own relatives. The data alsoshows that older youth are morelikely to be in group homes.

Virginia was also successful in reducing the num-ber of children entering foster care. In 2007, therewere 7,665, compared with 4,795 in 2017.

“While we have reduced the number of childrenoverall in foster care, black children in particularcontinue to be overrepresented both in family-basedsettings, but also particularly in group homes,”Gilbreath said. “We really need to spend some timeand energy in the state and figure out what we cando that will specifically get at the racial inequities inthe foster care system.”

This year’s Virginia General Assembly passed SB1339 to bring Virginia in compliance with federalfoster care regulations, including the federal FamilyFirst Prevention Services Act enacted in 2018. The

act encourages states to keep children in family-basedsettings by redirecting federal funds to support ser-vices for at-risk children and their caregivers.

Virginia’s new law also aims to increase the num-ber of children placed with family members by noti-fying relatives when a child enters foster care.

Voices for Virginia’s Children joined the Annie E.Casey Foundation in calling on child welfare systemsto shift resources from group placements to familysettings.

“They feel more loved and protected, and it’s amore normal experience for that child,” Gilbreathsaid. “But also, they’re more likely to achieve per-

manency that way, and that’s whatwe really want for kids.”

The organizations contend thatthe support system for other fos-ter children and caregivers shouldalso be available to relatives whotake in children. This includes fi-nancial support and access to men-tal health support. Often, familymembers take in a child throughwhat is known as kinship diver-sion, meaning they take in a childwithout using the foster systemand don’t receive the same supportas caregivers in the foster pro-gram.

The children’s advocacy groupsalso called for expansion of kin-ship navigator programs. Theseprograms aim to help relativecaregivers navigate the complexchild welfare system. Under theFamily First Prevention Services

Act, additional federal funds have been made avail-able for kinship navigator programs.

“Virginia has already started to take advantage ofthese funds but could adopt the programs statewide,”Voices for Virginia’s Children stated in a press re-lease.

The organization and the Annie E. Casey Founda-tion also asked for increased access to services thatwould help stabilize families. By aligning legislationwith the Family First Prevention Services Act, fundswill be accessible for family support services to pre-vent at-risk children from entering the foster system.

“If we were able to step in and provide that familysupport — we’d be able to make that family success-ful,” Gilbreath said.

Virginia Trails Nation in PlacingFoster Children with Relatives

“We really need tospend some timeand energy in thestate and figure outwhat we can do thatwill specifically getat the racialinequities in thefoster care system.”

— Allison Gilbreath,Policy Analyst,

Voices for Virginia’s Children


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Aside from the fatigue I experienced a few columns ago, this immunotherapy infusion is, and has been, quite manageable.

My biggest take away so far is that I’ve had no real quality of life issues, as had been the case with my previous chemotherapy/alimta infusions. With that drug, I had post-infusion eating challenges and for nearly a week after the fact, felt less than mediocre.

Moreover, I wouldn’t say I felt like I had cancer, but I certainly was reminded of it — if that makes any sense.

And even though I do have some minor side effects from my current immunotherapy infusion, I am reminded nevertheless, that I have cancer. Not because of how I feel, as was the case previously, but because of how I look — and because of what I feel.

I am referring to my “Adam’s apple” tumor. Not only can/do I ‘look’ it all the time but quite often, depending on how I move my head: forward/downward, I can feel it too.

I have to tell you, feeling it as I do, and looking at it as often as I do: every day, is unsettling.

My whole approach to this living-with-can-cer life has been to compartmentalize it a la Jerry Seinfeld and “the vault.” Out of sight has helped keep some things out of mind. And when things are out of mind, it’s much easier to make believe.

And making believe has been one of my methods of “operandi” since Feb. 20, 2009. That’s the date (you bet I remember) when my internal medicine doctor called me at work with the results of my previous week’s biopsy: “malignant,” he said.

Up until that call, the previous six weeks’ diagnostic pursuit had been interesting in a curious kind of way wondering what all the goings on were about and when all these inconveniences would end. And not for a min-ute during this entire process did I ever think I’d be diagnosed with a “terminal” disease:

would result in much having been done about nothing.

Boy was I wrong!I still remember — and laugh when I recall

the phone conversation I had with my thoracic surgeon after he had received the results of my PET scan: “You lit that thing up like a Christmas tree,” he said.

Presuming that wasn’t good news, I replied: “I hear there are false positives all the time which is why these scans aren’t used a lot.” (A perfect example of a little knowledge in the wrong mouth.)

I can’t recall if the doctor snickered before he said the following: “Well, then your scan was a world record false positive.” I don’t know if I grasped the obvious at that point but soon a surgical biopsy was ordered and the rest is Kenny-with-cancer history, a history with which many of you regular readers are all too familiar.

And that’s a familiarity which I hope has not bred contempt. Because even though it’s my life — and I’m stuck with it (as the old saying says), it need not be yours. I can well imagine and appreciate how living with and/or seeking out negativity is not likely to improve any one’s lot in life. (I try to avoid it every day.)

To that end, I have always tried to tread lightly and write with a soft touch since I’ve been cancer-centric beginning June 10, 2009,

-ject: “Dying To Tell You, Sort Of.” And in so do-ing, I’ve tried to see the light amid the darkness and be thankful for any in between.

I can’t say it’s been fun, but it’s funny how things have turned out: alive and reasonably well, 10-plus years later.

As LuckHas Had ItFrom Page 2

are leaders in their industry, and support themission of the Chamber. Visitwww.restonchamber.org for more.

Grant Application Deadline. Audubon Societyof Northern Virginia has funds available to helpmake an idea to improve habitat for birds andother wildlife come true. Applicants may applyfor all or any part of the $3,300 budget. Visitaudubonva.org/advocacy-issues-list forinformation and application.

Digital Citizenship: Tips for Parents. 10 a.m.-noon at at Dunn Loring Center for ParentServices, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 –Room 100, Dunn Loring. As parents in thedigital age, being aware, alert and involved in achild’s use of internet is crucial. Free to parents,educators and community members. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center

SATURDAY/MAY 11Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Letter carriers

will pick up donated food. Leave donationsbefore your typical mail delivery time. All foodstays in the local community. The top requestednon-perishable food items are: cereal, pasta,pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, cannedfruits and vegetables, canned meals (such assoups, chili and pasta), 100 percent juice,peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, cannedprotein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans(canned or dry). Questions regarding the FoodDrive should be directed to 202-662-2489.

Family Caregiver Expo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. atRichard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center atNorthern Virginia Community College,Annandale Campus. Capital Caring will host itsfirst Caregiver Expo in partnership with AARPand Virginia Hospital Center. The expo is freeand will feature information highlightingresources and support programs available tofamily caregivers, including home care services,financial and estate planning, elder law, andinformation sessions on such topics asAlzheimer’s and Dementia, Preservation ofAssets, and Caring for the Caregiver. Free healthscreenings will be offered as well as freemassages. Contact Amy Shields [email protected] or call 703-531-6095

Fairfax Board of Supervisors ChairCandidate Forum. 3-5 p.m. at HeritageFellowship Church, 2501 Fox Mill Road, Reston.Join the Fairfax NAACP for an engaging,moderated panel discussion with candidates forFairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Chair.Candidates are Alicia Plerhoples, Tim Chapman,Ryan McElveen and Jeff McKay. Free. RSVP atwww.eventbrite.com/o/naacp-fairfax-county-12397167937.

Performers Wanted. The NVFAF is once againbringing thought-provoking performance art tothe three-day festival at Reston Town Center.ON DISPLAY/RESTON, a movement installationby Heidi Latsky, will celebrate the beauty ofdifferences. The artist is looking for men andwomen 18 and older to participate. No formaldance experience is required, and diversity andthe most inclusive range of ability are welcome.The movement installations will involve focus,stillness and structured improvisation. Theevents will take place Saturday, May 18 at 7p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.Email [email protected] or call703-390-6166 for more.

MONDAY/MAY 13Candidates Forum on Affordable Housing.

7-9 p.m. at Heritage Fellowship Church, 2501Fox Mill Road, Reston. Cornerstones will host aforum for the candidates running for HunterMill District Supervisor. Questions for thecandidates will focus on affordable housing andeconomic development in Fairfax County,specifically in the Hunter Mill district.Thequestion and answer portion of the forum willbe held from 7-8:30 p.m., immediately followedby a meet and greet reception with thecandidates. To submit a question, [email protected]. You do nothave to attend the forum to submit a question.The event is free. Visit www.cornerstonesva.org

FRIDAY/MAY 17Emergency Preparedness for Parents of

Students with Disabilities. 10 a.m.-noon atDunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 – Room 100, DunnLoring. For the millions of Americans withdisabilities, natural and human-made disasterspresent a substantial challenge. Free to parents,educators and community members. Call 703-204-3941 or visit www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center

Bulletin


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

In Reston there is more than live, workand play. “Its volunteers are the back-bone of Reston,” said Hank Lynch,Reston Association CEO. In a celebra-

tion of Reston Association’s outstanding vol-unteers from 2018, its board of directorsand staff extended their appreciation andthanks to the more than 1,423 volunteers,businesses and community partners whogave of their time to make a positive im-pact on the community. RA recognized itsOutstanding 2018 volunteers on Thursdayevening, April 18 at the 2019 VolunteerReston Service Awards held at The LakeHouse.

Co-presenter and Master of Ceremoniesfor the awards presentation, Andy Sigle saidthat on many occasions when he was withBob Simon, Reston’s founder, he asked himwhat the recipe for Reston’s success was.“His first word was always ‘community.’That is what makes Reston a success,” saidSigle. When businesses, nonprofits and lo-cal government come together, and all threepillars are involved, a difference is made.“Any one component would have a difficulttime alone,” Sigle said.

DURING THE AWARDS PROGRAM,Sigle and Co-presenter and VolunteerReston Manager Ha Brock honored the in-dividuals, groups and community partnersnominated by RA staff and communitymembers for their dedication to RA and theReston community in 2018.” Every year, ahandful of volunteers go above and beyondto support RA and the Reston community.These awards are a fantastic opportunityfor us to recognize and appreciate our un-sung heroes,” said Brock.

The top honor, the 2018 Volunteer ofthe Year award, went to two individuals,Doug Britt and Cindy Metcalf. Britt said,“When I retired three years ago I saw anopportunity to give back to my commu-nity using my particular training and ex-pertise in biology and environmental sci-ences.”

“I looked for an opportunity utilizing myVirginia Master Gardeners skills,” saidMetcalf. “Patricia Greenberg said they werelooking for someone to manage the LakeAnne garden and the Kids RA Garden campsand I jumped in,” she said.

Don Coram earned the 55+ Volunteer ofthe Year award. Nicknamed “the citizen-sci-entist,” Coram collects data on Reston’sfauna, in particular, insects and otherarthropods.

Coram said, “I’ve been working on count-ing butterflies and dragonflies for years.

And this year, Katie Shaw from the WalkerNature Center said that there was an op-portunity to participate in a program calledCaterpillar Count.”

The Group Volunteer of the Year award,presented by Supervisor Catherine Hudgins(D-Hunter Mill) went to Southgate Com-munity Center Advisory Council (SCCAC).Its members are Andrew Sigle, Chair; JanetBradshaw, Vice Chair; Gerald Padmore,Treasurer; Darlena Ricks, Secretary Mem-

bers: Carol Ann Bradley; Sandra Deleon;Syazana Durrani; Emily Huaroco; KathleenJones; Luis Ortiz Lopez Maryam Ovissi andAlexandra Rossi. The Council received theaward not only for its program support butits many initiatives that will benefit the cen-ter and the community.

THE COMMUNITY PARTNER of theYear award went to Public Affairs SupportServices, Inc., PASS in the Community

that worked keeping Reston beautiful. “Inthe spring of 2018, they participated in alitter cleanup around Bordeaux Recre-ation Area... In the fall of 2018, PASS vol-unteers worked with RA environmentalresource and watershed staff on a daffo-dil beautification project. Volunteersplanted close to 1,000 daffodil bulbs alongReston Parkway,” stated the ServiceAwards program.

The Work Group Volunteer of the Yearaward went to the Pony Barn WorkingGroup that worked tirelessly over four yearsto develop the Pony Barn picnic facility con-cept plan. Spokesperson, Marianne Zawitzsaid, “Five years ago, RA decided to con-sider repurposing the Pony Barn recreationarea due to its age, use and the demandsfor recreation in Reston changed. RAformed a working group and many of uswho lived in the community and beyondbecame its members. The end goal is to havea family friendly park, which is accessibleto all Restonians. We didn’t change it; weimproved it.”

Sherri Hebert received the Years of Ser-vice award for her dependable service andyears of dedication as the RA Lake Anne/Tall Oaks, Director. Andy Sigle received theAppreciation Award for his efforts that madea difference to the community as an At-Large Director on the RA board.

Del. Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum (D-36) wholives in Reston summarized sentiments.“Reston is a special place. I am so proud ofthis community...made up of people who doreal things to make it a special place...Godbless you.”

The 2018 Group Volunteer of the Year award goes to Southgate Commu-nity Center Advisory Council.

Reston Associationcelebrates its out-standing volunteersfrom 2018.

Volunteers Honored As ‘Backbone of Reston’

Doug Britt receives the Reston Associationtop honor for 2018, Volunteer of the Yearfrom RA CEO Hank Lynch.

Cindy Metcalf receives the Reston Associationtop honor for 2018, Volunteer of the Year fromRA CEO Hank Lynch.

Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

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