splash and dash, a usa triathlon splash and dash...
TRANSCRIPT
Page, 4
Suicide and Trauma Sound Alarm for First RespondersNews, Page 3
Imposing Art in Herndon, Humble Reston ArtistNews, Page 2
Volunteerism At Its CORE
News, Page 8
The Kamp family, parents Nate and Liz, along with their chil-dren, Nate, 6, Michael, 8, and Caroline, 4, celebrate at the finish line of the second an-nual Reston Superhero Splash and Dash, a USA Triathlon Splash and Dash Series event.
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com August 21-27, 2019
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2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 21-27, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
John Charles Koebert ofReston said that when hecame home from collegein the 1970s and an-
nounced to his parents, he haddecided to change his life direc-tion and become an art major, herecalled they said, “You are mak-ing a hard 90 degree turn to no-where. … You’ll be living with usfor the next fifty years.”
After college, Koebert embracedhis new career teaching art dur-ing the day and honing his artisticskills at night. Techniques evolvedand matured. His works changedfrom representations to “real en-tities” as he called them. Koebertsaid he began to incorporate im-perfections, such as dried dimplesof paint, even bits of hair and dust.
Then in an irony of life, his fam-ily called; they needed him, at
home, to be the breadwinner.Koebert said he rolled his mas-
sive canvasses into tubes, stackedhis pencil sketches and tucked hisworks away. He entered the cor-porate world, eventually creatinga successful career at Marriott,where he remained until he retiredin 2016. Koebert never shared hislove of art nor told others he wasan artist for nearly half a century,yet creativity and talent simmeredwithin him. Fast forward, to Sun-day, Aug. 11, 2019. At ArtSpaceHerndon, a small, multi-arts venueowned and operated by the non-profit organization Arts Herndon,John Charles Koebert stood at theopening reception and Meet theArtist of his first show, a solo.President of Arts Herndon, JoannaOrmesher said, “John, you are bril-liant. … I’ve hung lots of showsbefore but nothing as challengingand beautiful as these. Your lifeunfolds here. We are very privi-
leged to see your works.”Filling the gallery walls and
movable dividers, some of theworks were “Little Giants” asKoebert called them. They loomedlarge. Seventy-eight inches byninety-six inches, the framed, cor-porate-size works on canvases,each precise with crisp geometricforms, anchored the gallerypainted in their complementarycolors or neutral tones. They ech-oed the works of Budd Hopkins,nationally renowned abstract ex-pressionist artist.
Pencil sketches of women, manygraceful nudes, also created byKoebert, hung salon-style withcareful consideration to spacing,proportions, frames and composi-tions. Other drawings and acrylicpaintings rested on pedestals.
Koebert did not speak long. Asmall man, given to precise, care-ful words, he acknowledged andthanked the crowd. “I feel theseare part of me, but I’d like to seethem go,” said Koebert. His life isnow a 40-hour workweek creatingnew art and space is limited.
Imposing Art in Herndon,Humble Reston ArtistAfter nearly 50 years, a light shineson the artist and his works.
Guests attend the opening reception and Meet theArtist, Sunday, Aug. 11 for John Charles Koebert Se-lected Works, curated and presented by Arts Herndonat ArtSpace Herndon.
The exhibition and sale of paint-ings and pencil sketches by JohnCharles Koebert continue throughSept. 7 with consideration for anadditional week, according toOrmesher. Works range in price upto $1,500. All pieces are framedand ready for installation.ArtSpace Herndon is located at750 Center Street, Herndon. Forhours and other information call703-956-6590.
In his Reston home studio, artist John Koebert putsthe finishing touches on a canvas for his first showand sale, Selected Works, curated and presented by
Arts Herndon at ArtSpace, 750 Center Street, Herndon.
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NewsReston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Fairfax County Chief ofPolice Colonel Edwin C.Roessler Jr. is out to endthe silence and stigma
that surrounds the issue of men-tal health in first responders.
“Across this nation, death due tosuicide in first responder profes-sion is outpacing line of dutydeath... And that is not ok,” saidChief Roessler Jr. during a Meet &Greet presented by the Police De-partment Aug. 13, and held at thePublic Safety Headquarters inFairfax.
During the event, Roessler andJay Carson, Director of IncidentSupport Services Fairfax CountyPolice Department (FCPD),launched the department’s newprogram to combat suicide andreduce stress after exposure totrauma during critical incidents.Trauma and stress can lead toPTSD and depression.
Roessler and Carson introducedthe department’s new Service DogProgram and the initial five FirstResponder Canine (FRK9) puppiesassigned to the Incident SupportService Section. The dogs will bedeployed to reduce the effects ofa traumatic event, including fearand anxiety, for first respondersand community members and par-ticipate in other areas.
“It is my goal, as your Chief ofPolice to lead an effort here inFairfax County, across the nation,and around the globe to get rid ofthe stigma of mental health. Oneof our themes is, it’s ok, not to beok. It’s ok to seek help,” saidRoessler. Roessler explained thatthe department had formed a part-nership with FRK9, a nonprofitorganization that provided thedepartment with five purpose-bred puppies and their associatedcosts, including veterinary care atno charge. According to FRK9’sfounder, Roger Giese, FRK9 hadfielded a total of 14 Golden Re-triever and Labrador retriever pup-
pies, specially bred to become ser-vice dogs.
FCPD has five puppies from 4-8months of age, currently beingtrained by their FCPD handlers.Named after fallen officers to
honor those who have served andprotected the community, the Ser-vice Dogs in Training (SDiT) in-troduced to the public wereHolmes, Jack, Indy, Sully andLennie. “I’m proud to be here with
my K9 partner, Indy,” said Roessler.
ROESSLER said the department’sK9s could help support officersand the community at the onsetof critical incidents in the field, as
a preemptive stress release, andalso provide 24/7 emotional sup-port for first responders: policeofficers, firefighters, dispatchers,sheriffs and deputies in their timeof need, when they suffer a dis-ability and have to retire. Roessleradded: “We will have a core of K9sthat will provide them the supportfor their Post Traumatic Stress...It is our goal to provide mentalhealth services so we can eradicatesuicide and make everybody bet-ter to get back into service in acommunity.” Matt Giese, Directorof Operations for FRK9, thankedthe FCPD Incident Support unitand all the members within thedepartment for the partnership.Giese explained that two of theFCPD Service Dogs would stay onin the department to deploy dur-ing Potentially Traumatic Events(PTEs), “to help further assistthose in the community who aresuffering from things that occurcatastrophically, unfortunately ona daily basis,” said Giese. The dogswould help de-escalate the often-strong emotions and stress thatcome with these events.
ACCORDING TO FCPD, in ad-dition, the dogs would play a rolein fostering community relation-ships with trips to neighborhoods,schools, local events, etc. All thedogs will go through a two-yeartraining program to meet theAmericans With Disabilities Actrequirements for service dogs. Theother three dogs would go to dis-abled first responders.
“One of the things we plan todo over the course of the next twoto three years is to dispatch thirtyof these highly-skilled, highlytrained, loving animals to first re-sponders in need, said Geise. Headded that FRK9 would need con-tinued and ongoing support be-cause everything to date theyfunded themselves. “If you arewilling or interested in helpingwith what we are doing here inFairfax and beyond, please go tofrk9.org and reach out,” saidGeise.
Suicide and Trauma Sound Alarm for First RespondersFairfax CountyChief of Policetakes action torelieve stress andencourage offic-ers to ask forhelp whenneeded.
From left, during a special Meet & Greet, Fairfax County Police Department intro-duces five of its newest and furriest recruits Service Dogs in Training, from left:Sully, Holmes, Indy, Lennie and Jack donated at no cost to the department by 1st
Responder K9, a 501(c) 3 organization.
Children say hello to First Responder K9 Service Dog inTraining Indy and her handler Fairfax County Chief ofPolice Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. during thedepartment’s Meet & Greet the Service Dogs.
“Across this nation,death due to suicidein first responderprofession isoutpacing line ofduty death... Andthat is not ok.”
— FCPD ChiefEdwin C. Roessler Jr.
More from FCPDSecond Lieutenant Christopher
Sharp, Media Relations Bureau: “Fromthe moment Jack and I started this jour-ney; it was evident how happy peoplewere to be around him, even if it wasjust for five minutes. … That brief en-counter, the moment when everythingelse is set aside, and it’s just them andJack, provides a glimpse of the immea-surable impact he has.”
Jill Molley, Clinical PsychologistFCPD: “When Holmes is with me, detec-tives pause what they are doing andspend a few minutes with him. Theyinstantly smile and gather around him.… Holmes ‘changes the subject’ when heshows up, which is a nice break fromtheir stressful work.”
Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. Chief ofPolice: “As a chief of police I value inno-vative methodologies to provide all firstresponders with the knowledge, skills,and abilities to end the mental healthepidemic in our professions. … As Iwatched officers respond happily to thepuppies deployed in our agency over thefirst seven months in their positivewellness habits, it became an easy deci-sion to become part of the program toassist me in my day-to-day struggles soI partnered with Indy… Indy is teachingme more than I am training her on allaspects of wellness as we continue for-ward for her to one day serve anotherfirst responder.”
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4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 21-27, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Marilyn Campbell
After summer camps and a vacation abroad,Jaclyn Wheeler is easing her children intothe new routine that they will face laterthis month when they return to school.
She’s purchased school supplies and created andlaminated a schedule of activities for before and af-ter school. “They’ve been staying up until the weehours of the morning, but I’ve been getting them tobed early and waking them up early,” she said. “I’vebought organizational supplies from the ContainerStore to help organize their desks at home so theyhave a clear workspace for doing homework.”
When months of swimsuits, summer camp and lazydays turn into early rising, classroom desks andschool bells, many families will feel the shock of asudden shift in schedule. Faced with the reality ofnightly homework, the need to perform well aca-demically and the peer pressure that often comeswith returning to school, many parents and childrencan feel anxious about starting a new school year.
“Children often worry if they will be able to copewith the demands of their new grade, said therapistCarol Barnaby, LCSW-C. “Will they be smart enough?Will they disappoint their parents? Will their teacherlike them? Will they fit in with their peers? Will theybe bullied? Will they be good enough to make thesports team? The worries can go on and on.”
The increased pressures of perfectionism in bothacademic and extracurricular endeavors can feeldaunting, especially after an easy-going summer.
“The social stressors of fitting in, being included[and] being accepted combine to create stress thatis only increased by social media,” Vicki Kirsch, Ph.D.,LCSW Associate Professor of Social Work at GeorgeMason University. ”It’s not only the difficulties of find-ing a group to sit with in the cafeteria, but also nowcriticism and bullying through social media.”
As children approach adolescence, peer pressurecan intensify such stress, suggests Linda McKennaGulyn, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at MarymountUniversity.
“In fact, new school year stress for school-agedchildren is usually more tied in with pressure to makefriends, fit in, wear the right clothes, shoes and back-packs and who will be in their class,” she said. “Forparents, stress relates more to their expectations of
school performance and other school or extracurricu-lar activities.”
Parents can comfort and support their children byacknowledging and validating a child’s angst, saysGuluyn. “Listen to their concerns and anxieties aboutsocial relationships. Help them ease into the transi-tions,” she said. “[Their anxiety] will probably berelieved after a day or two. For younger students itmight help to check in with the classroom teacherabout these concerns, then drop him or her an email.”
As Wheeler did with her children, Barnaby encour-ages parents and children to develop and discuss thenew daily routine to create a concrete awareness ofthe shifts that are about to occur. “Gradually easinginto the schedule can help kids cope with stress andencourage a return to routines, she said. “That in-cludes eight to ten hours of sleep each night, turn-ing off and putting away electronic devices 60 min-utes before bed, eating healthy meals and spendingtime together talking about plans to manage thedemands of the new school year.”
Managing such stress should include more than aca-demics, like unstructured free time suggests Barnaby.“Try not over schedule children with too many activi-ties,” she said. “Create calming spaces in the home tounwind. Sit quietly with your child to just be together.Try a guided meditation. Make time to talk about howthings are going, what things are going well and whatthings they are finding challenging.”
Learning and practicing self-care at an early age isa useful way to manage stress, advises Kirsch. “[It’s]perhaps the best way,” she said. These tools are al-ways with us and the only requirement is to practiceself-care skills to increase their effectiveness. Deep,focused breathing, meditation, and mindfulness areall ways to manage stress. People often confuse thesethree techniques with each other, but they are indi-vidual skills that can overlap but can also be prac-ticed separately.”
“For example, one can do a regular activity suchas washing one’s hands or walking to the bus stop ina mindful way by focusing in the present and exam-ining experiences utilizing the five senses. “What amI seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting?”continued Kirsch.
Gulyn encourages students to focus on the joy theywill feel when they are reunited with their friends.“Keep in mind that most other kids are a little stressedand scared about back-to-school stuff, too,” she said.“But now you are a grade higher and definitely readyfor the next year.”
Easing in to the new year.
Back-to-School AnxietyJaclyn Wheeler is helping her children transitions from a care free summer to struc-tured school year.
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Opinion
The League of Women Voters of theFairfax Area (LWVFA) will hold can-didate forums in each of FairfaxCounty’s nine magisterial districts
for Board of Supervisors and School Boardcandidates in September and October in therun up to the Nov. 5, 2019 General Election.All certified candidates competing for seats onthe two Boards to represent their respectivedistricts have been invited. Several of the fo-rums will also include Virginia State Senateand House of Delegates candidates.
In addition, the League will hold countywide
a candidate forum for the three at large SchoolBoard seats and Chair of the Board of Supervi-sors.
The League organizes candidate forums priorto elections to give voters opportunities to learnmore about the candidates and to dive intocomplex issues like redistricting and votingrights for fact-based discussions and be betterinformed citizens in our democracy. The Can-didate Forums are non-partisan, and theLeague never supports nor opposes any candi-date. A moderator will ask the candidates ques-tions generated by the audience. Following the
Wed, Sept. 4 —- 7 p.m.Mt. Vernon District Sherwood Re-gional Library2501 Sherwood HallLn, Alexandria
Mon, Sept. 23 — 7 p.m.Countywide—At Large School Board&Chair of the Board of SupervisorsFairfax County Government Cen-ter12000 Government Center Pkwy,Fairfax
Wed, Sept. 25 — 7 p.m.Sully District—Supervisor & School
League of Women Voters to Hold Candidate ForumsBoard of Supervisors, School Board candidatesto participate in forums throughout the county.
formal session, an informal meet and greetsession will allow direct audience interactionwith the candidates. The forums are free andopen to the public.
Additional information about the candidateforums, the 2019 General Election, Leaguepublications and other events can be found at:www.lwv-fairfax.org
Questions for the candidates can be submit-ted by accessing: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LWVFA2019
Go to www.vote411.org for an online votersguide to compare candidates’ positions side-by-side.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area isa non-partisan political organization that encouragesinformed and active participation in government,works to increase understanding of major public policyissues.
Fairfax County 2019 Candidate ForumsBoardSully District Govt. Center4900Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly
Thurs, Oct. 3 — 7 p.m.Springfield DistrictPohick Regional Li-brary6450 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke
Sat, Oct. 5 — 3:30 p.m.Braddock DistrictKings Park LibraryCommunity Room 9000 Burke Lake Rd,Burke
Sun, Oc.t 13 —3 pm H u n t e rMill DistrictHunters Woods VillageCenterReston Community Center2310
Colts Neck Rd, Reston Wed, Oct. 16 — 7 p.m.
Lee DistrictHayfield SecondarySchool7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria
Wed, Oct. 16 — 7 p.m.Providence District Providence Commu-nity Center 3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax
Thurs, Oct. 17 7 p.m.Dranesville District McLean CommunityCenter1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean
Thurs, Oct. 17 — 7 p.m. —Mason DistrictWoodrow Wilson Library
Community Rm 6101 Knollwood Dr,Falls Church
Wed, Oct. 23 — 7 : 3 0p.m. Sully District—Senatorsand DelegatesSully District Govt.Center4900 Stonecroft Blvd,Chantilly
Volunteers, including students,are welcome.
For more information, visitw w w . l w v - f a i r f a x . o r g /candidateforum
We need help from ourreaders for content ofour annual Newcom-
ers and Community Guide .We’re hoping to share special
places, activities, events, organiza-tions and volunteer opportunities.What should someone new to yourneighborhood know about? Whatis it that you love most aboutwhere you live?
We will publish a selection oflocal viewpoints along with infor-
mation useful to newcomers andlong-time residents alike, includ-ing information on how to voteand more. See last year’s commu-nity guides by going towww.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ and scrolling down to New-comers. Email tips and photos [email protected] send as a letter to the editor viathe website at http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter/ by Aug. 23.
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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]
Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414
Mercia HobsonCommunity Reporter
Andrea WorkerContributing Writer
Jean CardProduction Editor
ADVERTISING:For advertising information
Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales
David GriffinMarketing Assistant
Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431
Editor & PublisherMary Kimm
[email protected]@MaryKimm
Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon
Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren
Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic
Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
Ali KhalighProduction Manager:
Geovani Flores
Reston
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
In 1996 I had the great learning experience of chairing theNorthern Virginia Electric Ve-
hicle Launch Committee throughthe sponsorship of theElectric Transporta-tion Coalition (ETC)and the US Depart-ments of Energy andTransportation. Thenational goal to cleanup the air we breathewas the impetus to thestudy we did in ourregion as was beingdone in nine othersuburban regions throughout thecountry. The one-inch thick reportwe produced—“The Path to an EVReady Community”—provided aguide that is still relevant andvaluable today.
General Motors came out withits EV-1 vehicle which I had thepleasure to drive for a day; pros-pects were looking good for elec-tric vehicles until suddenly thebottom dropped out of the mar-ket. All big manufacturers droppedtheir testing and production ofelectric vehicles. Our report wasclearly ahead of its time.
Fast forward a couple of decades
and electric vehicles have comeinto their own. All manufacturersI know of are predicting that overthe next couple of decades elec-tric vehicles will be the only carsand trucks they produce. They areenvironmentally clean, outper-
form traditional cars,need less mainte-nance, and are safer.
Hybrids that usetraditional engineswith electric assisthave virtually takenover the market. Janeand I felt like pioneersin 2003 when webought our first Prius.It got great gas mile-
age, required little maintenance,had less harmful emissions, andran until we finally traded it inwith more than 150,000 miles.Our experiences with the Priuseswe bought in 2007 and 2012 werethe same.
The path to electric vehicles thatmy earlier study had consideredhas made huge strides over thepast several years. While Tesla isprobably the best known of theelectric vehicles, most manufactur-ers have an all-electric option.Chevrolet has the Bolt and Nissanhas the Leaf among the betterknown models. They will help us
reduce our carbon footprint, cleanup the air, and more easily adaptto the many new automatic fea-tures that are becoming available.
But the shift in the powersources of our vehicles brings newchallenges, all of which must berecognized and can be met. At asession “Juicing Up for ElectricVehicles” at the recent NationalConference of State Legislatures Iattended some of the issues werediscussed. How should the sale ofelectricity be provided and regu-lated if necessary? Will utilities beable to handle the increased de-mand? How can equity and accessbe assured for drivers in the mar-ket if prices go up?
Coming with the electric ve-hicles are many automated fea-tures that can make driving safer.The National Highway TrafficSafety Administration says that ofthe over 37,000 people killed inmotor vehicle crashes in 2016,more than 90 percent had a hu-man error factor. Maybe the newcars will be able to have safetyengineered into them.
Continuing my story about elec-tric vehicles that began more thantwo decades ago, Jane and I pur-chased a Tesla a week ago. It isenvironmentally friendly, hasmany safety features, and will bevery comfortable for my numeroustrips to Richmond!
Electric Vehicles to be the NormCommentary
6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 21-27, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
THURSDAY/AUG. 22Tapping Into the Five Senses. 2-3
p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods, 2310Colts Neck Road, Reston. 18 andolder. This interactive workshophelps caregivers learn how to betterengage older adults with dementiathrough their five senses. Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.net/for more.
Creative Response: Overlooked. 7p.m. at Greater Reston Arts Center,12001 Market St., Suite 103, Reston.Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)presents Overlooked, a groupexhibition featuring nine artists whoare seeking to bring awareness toissues that are often unnoticed,ignored, or otherwise not part of“polite conversation.” Free and opento the public. Visit restonarts.org formore.
Design & Wine: “SummertimeCollage.” 7-9 p.m. at ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon.“Summertime Collage” with MarySears. The summer isn’t over yet, socome and make some happymemories and share some funnysunny surprises. $45. Call 703-956-6590, email [email protected] orvisit www.artspaceherndon.org.
Hunter Mill Nights: The UnitedStates Navy ‘Cruisers’ (poprock). 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Frying PanFarm Park, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. With a mix ofperformances through for the wholefamily, Hunter Mill Nights returnsthrough Aug. 22 with performancesby entertainers from across theUnited States and around the world.Allow time for a picnic in the park, avisit with the farm animals and awagon ride, along with the show.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/hunter-mill-nights for more.
FRIDAY/AUG. 23The Storytime Social Hour. 11 a.m.
at Scrawl Books, 11911 FreedomDrive, Reston. Every Friday, moms,dads, caregivers and kids are invitedto join a Storytime Social Hour.Scrawl will provide coffee and treatsfor the adults; stories and fun for thelittle people. Make new friends ormeet up with neighbors. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
SATURDAY/AUG. 24The Bookworms Club. 11 a.m. at
Scrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive,Reston. Young readers are invited tojoin Scrawl’s all-new and completelyfree Bookworms Club. Explore a newtheme each week with picture books,special guests and most often,authors. Readers are welcome to joinor participate any time. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
Family Day: Overlooked. Noon-3p.m. at Greater Reston Arts Center,12001 Market St., Suite 103, Reston.Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)presents Overlooked, a groupexhibition featuring nine artists whoare seeking to bring awareness toissues that are often unnoticed,ignored, or otherwise not part of“polite conversation.” Visitrestonarts.org for more.
Dairy Days. 1-4 p.m. (on the hour) atSully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. Get a taste ofthe county’s dairy history at SullyHistoric Site. Churn butter, crank icecream, milk a fake cow, play 18thcentury games, and experience a sliceof life from decades ago. Designedfor participants 5- adult. $8 perperson. Walk-ins are welcome, but
pre-registration is recommended.Children must be accompanied by anadult. Tour the historic house for anadditional fee. Call 703-437-1794 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
MONDAY/AUG. 26Back to School. Fairfax County Public
Schools first day of the 2019-2020school year. Visit www.fcps.edu/calendars/2019-20-standard-school-year-calendar.
TUESDAY/AUG. 27Reston Chorale Auditions. 5-6:30
p.m. at Reston Community Center,Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington PlazaN., Reston. The Reston Chorale isauditioning all voice parts for the2019-20 Season. Visitwww.RestonChorale.org and click on“Join Us” for more information. Toschedule an audition, [email protected] orcall 703-834-0079.
WEDNESDAY/AUG. 28Dog Days of Summer. 5-7:30 p.m. at
the Pavilion at Reston Town Center.Every Wednesday through Sept. 4,dogs and owners can frolic in thePavilion when it is transformed intoan off-leash play area each week.Treats, toys, areas to cool off, petfriendly giveaways, and more. Free.Operated by Healthy
Hound Playground and Isy’s Ways. Visitrestontowncenter.com for more.
Author Event: Rachel LouiseSnyder. 7 p.m. at Scrawl Books,11911 Freedom Drive, Reston.Award-winning journalist and authorRachel Louise Snyder has beenfeatured in the Washington Post, theNew York Times and on the DailyShow with her book, No VisibleBruises: What We Don’t Know AboutDomestic Violence Can Kill Us. Herinvestigation reveals how the roots ofthe most pressing social crises areburied in abuse that happens behindclosed doors. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
FRIDAY/AUG. 30The Storytime Social Hour. 11 a.m.
at Scrawl Books, 11911 FreedomDrive, Reston. Every Friday, moms,dads, caregivers and kids are invitedto join a Storytime Social Hour.Scrawl will provide coffee and treatsfor the adults; stories and fun for the
little people. Make new friends ormeet up with neighbors. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
Indian Cooking. 6-7:30 p.m. at RCCHunters Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. Ages 18 and older.Learn to cook healthy vegetarianfood from the Rava Upuma andChutney regions in India. This will bea demonstration with some hands-onopportunities. $20, $16 (55+) withregistration; $30 at the door. Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.net/for more.
SATURDAY/AUG. 31The Bookworms Club. 11 a.m. at
Scrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive,Reston. Young readers are invited tojoin Scrawl’s all-new and completelyfree Bookworms Club. Explore a newtheme each week with picture books,special guests and most often,authors. Readers are welcome to joinor participate any time. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.
Jazz & Blues Music Festival. 2-8p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston.Visit the 13th annual Jazz & BluesMusic Festival and enjoy a Plaza-wide beer and wine garden. Music byBIG Whitson, Shacara Rogers and theVaughan Ambrose Octet, Jamal A.Brown, Feedel Band, Michael Pavone,and VMC. Enjoy beer by Ornery BeerCompany and tacos by Lake AnneDeli. Visit lakeanneplaza.com.
SUNDAY/SEPT. 14K Fun Run: Hope Against
Cervical Cancer. 10 a.m. at FryingPan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road,Herndon. This is a 4K fun run beingheld to spread awareness andpromote self testing for cervical cancerin underserved areas of the U.S. aswell as across the globe. Runners willreceive a race T-shirt and bottledwater. Awards for 1st place andrunners up will be given in adult andchildren categories. Adults, $20; 13and under, $15. Visitwww.servicebeyondborders.org formore.
Get Fired Up. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at ColvinRun Mill, 10017 Colvin Run Road,Great Falls. The mill’s blacksmith willbe firing up his forge – watch as heworks with hammer and tongs tomake iron tools and utensils. Free, noreservations are required.Noreservations are required. Call 703-759-2771 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvin-run-mill.
Calendar
Reston Chorale AuditionsThe Reston Chorale is auditioning all voice parts for the 2019-20 Season. Tues-
day, Aug. 27, 5-6:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, 1609-AWashington Plaza N., Reston. Visit www.RestonChorale.org and click on “Join Us”for more information. To schedule an audition, [email protected] or call 703-834-0079.
Reston Connection ❖ August 21-27, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
That was a close shave, if I may euphemistically characterize my most recent, blade-free brush with cancer-like symptoms, especially considering that I thought my life was at stake.
The pain was located around my left-side rib cage, exactly where the pain was on that fateful Jan.1, 2009 day when I couldn’t ignore it any longer and thus felt compelled to get off the couch and go to the emergency room.
Though I didn’t have any shortness of breath, or
of which I had back then); nonetheless, I thought the worst and didn’t fool around this time and made an appointment with my primary care physician as soon as possible, which was for the following day. I didn’t have a great sleep that night but it was somewhat improved knowing I might get an answer the next day.
To say that my life was beginning to pass by is a bit of an overstatement to be sure, but it was moving around a little bit. Trying to bury/compartmentalize what a possible recurrence/resistance to my current standard of treatment would mean before I actually
-tion was the immediate task at hand.
Rationalizing that what symptoms I wasn’t experiencing meant something positive/encouraging compared to what I felt 10 and a half years ago was one mental route I was traveling. The other was my usual and customary fall-back position: “It’s nothing until it’s something.”
However, I have to admit “something.” Though I can’t speak for all cancer patients/sur-
vivors; for me – in spite of my inherited-from-my-fa-ther positive attitude – being diagnosed with a “terminal” disease, as clearly described by my oncologist back in late February 2009, creates a sense of inevitability – as does the “13 month to two year” prognosis that followed.
the walking-down-the staircase-with-a-yo-yo exam-ple he used) and then death is only a matter of time. Time which you don’t have and quality of life which you’ll never get back.
And when that “inevitability” is most clear is
especially if those symptoms are identical to the
inevitable feelings and wondering if my amazing -
nal” disease doesn’t generally mean you go on liv-ing a normal life expectancy. Au contraire. It means you don’t! And at some juncture, the cancer spreads beyond modern medicine’s ability to manage it.
Then the patient is given a choice: stop the treat-ment and try to enjoy your remaining days without side effects, and thereby live a less cancer-centric quality of life with some freedom and indepen-dence – and hopefully feel some kind of better. And in those intervening days, try not to worry about the
again) does, which is not cure itself. Or try some experimental treatment and hope for the best.
This is the emotional concern and challenge which hangs over my head. Never more so than when I have the symptoms that I did this past week.
too much. One at a time I can handle.
and in great detail, described my symptoms, and explained what I was feeling and what I wasn’t. My internal medicine doctor listened intently as he has
He was calm and reassuring in his assessment. My symptoms he said were not cancer-related.
They “were muscular,” he continued, “on the out-side of my lungs.”
Not lung cancer at all. As such: No lab work. No X-Ray. No CT scan. No nothing. Another reprieve.
Life goes on, until ....
“Barbasoul”
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
DONATIONS NEEDEDSchool Supply and Backpack Drive. 8 a.m.-4
p.m. at the Parent Resource Center, 2334Gallows Road, Room 105, Dunn Loring. For thenearly 56,000 students in Fairfax County PublicSchools living at the poverty line, obtainingschool supplies can be difficult. FCPS ispartnering with roughly 20 nonprofits andbusinesses to ensure that students will have thesupplies they need this fall for its “Collect forKids” campaign. A $25 donation will fill abackpack with FCPS approved supplies for astudent. Organize a collection drive of newbackpacks in your community and bring to oneof the Collect for Kids drop off locations. Visitwww.collectforkids.org/get-involved or call 703-204-3941.
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY/AUG. 28-SEPT. 25Community Emergency Response Team
Training. 7-11 p.m. at at the Fire and RescueAcademy, 4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax. TheCommunity Emergency Response Team (CERT)Program trains county residents in basic disasterresponse skills, such as fire safety, light searchand rescue, team organization, and disastermedical operations. Using the training learnedin the classroom and during exercises, CERTmembers can assist others in their neighborhoodor workplace following an event whenprofessional responders are not immediatelyavailable to help. Emphasis on hands-on skilldevelopment and Fairfax County protocols andprocedures. Instructor will provide syllabus withclass schedule at first session. This training doesnot require any special physical strength oragility. Visit volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/#/opp_details/184989 to register.
TUESDAY/SEPT. 10Family Caregiver Telephone Support Group.
7-8 p.m. Fairfax County’s Family CaregiverTelephone Support Group meets by phone onTuesday, February 13, 7-8 p.m. This month’stopic is an open discussion on advance careplanning and end of life decisions. Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711 to register.
TUESDAY/SEPT. 17DMV2GO at the Library. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St.,Herndon. The wireless office on wheels offers allDMV services: driver’s license and ID cardapplications and renewals, driving records,vehicle titles, license plates, decals, orderdisabled plates, and more. Information on allservices available at dmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 30-OCT. 23Community Emergency Response Team
Training. 7-11 p.m. at at the Fire and RescueAcademy, 4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax. TheCommunity Emergency Response Team (CERT)Program trains county residents in basic disasterresponse skills, such as fire safety, light searchand rescue, team organization, and disastermedical operations. Using the training learnedin the classroom and during exercises, CERTmembers can assist others in their neighborhoodor workplace following an event whenprofessional responders are not immediatelyavailable to help. Emphasis on hands-on skilldevelopment and Fairfax County protocols andprocedures. Instructor will provide syllabus withclass schedule at first session. This training doesnot require any special physical strength oragility. Visit volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/#/opp_details/184991 to register.
SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the
Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualitied tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.
Bulletin
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ August 21-27, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Reston-based nonprofit COREFoundation presented itsReston Superhero Splash &Dash, a USA Triathlon Splash
and Dash Series event for second consecu-tive year on Sunday morning, Aug. 18.Sponsored in part by the USA TriathlonFoundation and in cooperation with RestonAssociation according to organizers, thetwo-hour event served children 6-15 andintroduced youth athletes to the multisportlifestyle through the fast-growing disciplineof aquathlon.
The focus was on participation and funrather than competition and took place atReston Association’s Lake Audubon pooland on adjacent paths. According to orga-nizers, proceeds benefited “CORE Cares,” aCORE Foundation program, which enablestriathlon experiences for low-income youth.
Before Reston Superhero Splash and Dashbegan, the heartbeat of CORE Foundationassisted in various roles bringing with themtheir positive attitudes. On the racecourse,volunteers Marley Mulvaney, 13, andBridget Brennan, 13, both of Reston chalkedencouraging words onto the asphalt. Laterthey would work to keep the athletes safeand on course while cheering loudly andwearing their superhero-themed gear. ForMulvaney, volunteering offered a doublewin. “I do it because I can help out in thecommunity and because it is fun.” ForBrennan, she learned the value ofvolunteerism by example. “My dad showedme how to volunteer,” she said. Accordingto CORE’s volunteer sheet, John Brennansigned up to monitor and control access inand out of the transition area in the LakeAudubon parking lot.
Outside the transition area and before theevent started, athlete Shakaya Holland, 10,of Falls Church waited anxiously. Hollandwas about to participate in her firstmultisport. Bobbie Brown pinned a bibnumber to Holland’s t-shirt in preparationfor her run.
At 8:30 sharp as the crowd cheered, theyoung athletes many from Reston as wellas surrounding communities filed onto thepool deck.
“Our goal today is for every participanthere, to leave and cross that finish line feel-ing like a Superhero. For many of the ath-letes, this is their first multisportrace...Congratulations... for having thecourage to try...We are so proud of you,”said CORE Executive Director TaralynKohler.
Heat after heat of young athletes swamtheir designated distances, exited the wa-ter and set out on the racecourse. Volun-teers such as Raba Letteri of Reston and herson Aaron, 15, both dressed in superheroattire, directed the children. “I volunteer tosee a child smile,” said Raba Letteri. Aaronsaid he had just completed his 100th hourof volunteering.
Having crossed the race wire, MichaelKemp, 8, of Reston accepted his medal andgoody bag of swag, all the time returninghigh fives from volunteers. “The runningwas the harder part,” said Kemp. “I was al-ready tired from swimming. It was hard tokeep up with everybody but all the volun-teers cheering me on helped.”
To learn more about CORE Foundationas it raises funds to create confidence-build-ing athletic experiences for underservedchildren in the community along with pro-viding them with shoes, bikes and the toolsthat they need to be successful, visitcorefoundation.org.
A swimmer gets a little help from Superhero Taralyn Kohler at the sec-ond annual Reston Superhero Splash and Dash, a USA Triathlon Splashand Dash Series event held Sunday, Aug. 18.
Splash and Dash volunteers, Marley Mulvaney, 13, and BridgetBrennan, 13, of Reston chalk a superhero badge onto the racecourse.
Volunteerism At Its CORESecond annual Reston SuperheroSplash & Dash introduces youngathletes to multisport lifestyle.
A runner makes the final sprinttoward the finish line with theencouragement of volunteers atCORE Foundation’s Reston Super-hero Splash and Dash, a USATriathlon Splash and Dash Seriesevent.
With her bib number now pinnedto her t-shirt by Bobbie Brown,athlete Shakaya Holland, 10, ofFalls Church is psyched to partici-pate in her first-ever multisport,the 2nd annual Reston YouthSplash & Dash presented by COREFoundation.
Athlete Abby Deangelo, 12, ofReston encourages her brother,athlete Roman, 6, before he par-ticipates in his first multisportswim/run event, the 2nd annualReston Superhero Splash & Dash.
A young athlete charges across theLake Audubon pool deck andtowards the transition area duringthe 2nd annual Reston YouthSplash & Dash presented by COREFoundation.
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