Stories for April 2013

Yoga Week Comes to the Area

Local effort offers budding yogis a chance to improve their minds, bodies and spirits with free or $5 classes.

D.C. Yoga Week Runs through May 5 For more information and a list of participating studios, visit HYPERLINK "http://dccy.org/" http://dccy.org/. “This event will raise awareness about how great yoga is for your mind, body and spirit.” — Amanda Shipe, Mind Your Body Oasis, Arlington

Looking “ASCANce”

It wasn’t exactly “Executive Clemency.”

Three Officers Promoted

Cpl. Damien Austin, Sgt. Lawrence Whitmer and Lt. Michael Berg promoted in April 24 ceremony.

The Herndon Police Department promoted three of its officers Wednesday, April 24, during a ceremony at the town’s council chambers.

Herndon Cadets Host the 2013 Captain Blakeman Meet

Herndon High's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) hosted 10 other schools Saturday, April 27, to a drill meet designed for first year (NS-1) cadets to demonstrate their learning from older cadets in their programs.

From Joy to Terror

Oak Hill resident recounts Boston Marathon experience.

“She’ll often wait for me right at the finish line, but thank goodness she had decided to make her way to the family area.” -- Carol Byrne of Oak Hill

Life Time Club Set for September Opening

Life Time Athletic Reston will be 13th “Diamond” club in country.

Fitness buffs in Reston will soon have a new state-of-the-art gym to visit.

South Lakes Takes on the 80s

Drama department presents “Xanadu” May 2-4.

“My daughters looked at it the same way they look at ‘Grease,’ a story about people who live in a completely different time.” -- Terri Goldberg of Reston

‘We Are the World’ at Dranesville Elementary

International Night features world music, dance, food and exhibits.

For the 11th time, the halls were alive with the sound of music at Dranesville Elementary’s International Night Program on Friday, April 26, from 7 until after 9 p.m. The cafeteria was entertainment central. After Principal Kathy Manoatl got things started, the evening began with five first grade classes delighting the assembly with their individual performances of songs from Russia, Latin America, Germany, Indonesia and France.

'Sweet Genius' Works Magic at Career Day

Herndon Elementary School hosted Chef Josh Rosen, winner of the title "Sweet Genius" on the Food Network show’s Dec. 6, 2012 episode, and owner of vegan chocolate factory Charm School Chocolates.

FISH Honors Peggy LeReche

Peggy LeReche of Herndon, administrative assistant at Dominion, was honored as one of the outstanding volunteers at FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help).

‘Count ON Us’ Mural Presented to Town of Herndon

Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, Council for the Arts of Herndon (CAH) President Michael O’Reilly and other dignitaries were on hand for the official presentation by the CAH to the town of a mural in the vestibule of the Herndon Municipal Center’s ground level entranceway.

ArtSpace Herndon Hosts Photographers’ Artists Reception

ArtSpace Herndon held an artists reception for the annual Fine Art Photography Exhibit, featuring the finalists of the 2013 Fine Art Photography Competition Saturday night, April 27. The photos of 35 regional photographers are showcased in this display.

Week in Herndon

Classical Ballet Theatre Hosts Local Preschools

On Thursday, April 18, Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) dancers enjoyed sharing their love of the performing arts with preschool students from Herndon Elementary Head Start, Montessori Country Day School, Reston Children's Center and St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. As part of their free outreach program, CBT performed Act I of their popular Cinderella production, which is packed with choreography, costumes, and good-natured humor. The students clapped for big leaps and twirls, laughed with stepsisters “Haughty” and “Spiteful,” and delighted in Cinderella's magical transformation into a princess dressed in a shimmering ball gown. Afterwards, enthusiastic audience members asked many questions and visited with cast members.

Tree Planting at Hutchison Elementary

The school celebrates Arbor Day.

On April 26, Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon celebrated Arbor Day by planting a dogwood tree on the school grounds. The tree planting ceremony was attended by teachers and students from the third and fourth grade classes in addition to several guests.

Classified Advertising April 24, 2013

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Editorial: Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’

Investigative reporting, in depth coverage, education writing, photography, art, design, sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

The Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association, with winners announced on Saturday, April 20, in Norfolk.

South County Soccer Club Bonds in Bermuda

While other Elite Clubs National League soccer teams took a well-deserved break, one team went on the trip of a lifetime. FC Virginia U14s traveled to Bermuda over the Easter holiday, having the opportunity to experience island life while also playing against the full Bermuda women’s national team, and a high school team from Florida.

Fairfax County Budget Reflects ‘Increasing Needs, Decreasing Revenues’

"We as a board spend a lot of time talking about helping people in need, I can only say that when it came time to tax them, they were sadly forgotten." —Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)

Tailored Living Opens Herndon Showroom

Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, Delegates Tom Rust and Ken Plum and Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce President Mark Ingrao gave owners Juliana and Todd Carter of the new Herndon Tailored Living showroom a warm Herndon welcome at their opening and ribbon cutting Wednesday evening, April 17.

Our Red Shoe 5K Benefits Area Ronald McDonald House Charities

lmost 500 people signed up for the Saturday, April 6, Our Red Shoe 5K in Dulles Station, and although the day of the race was chilly, 600 people (and their dogs) came to Herndon to participate in the family friendly race, walk and fun run, which helped raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C.

Week in Herndon

Herndon High Presents ‘Cheaper By The Dozen’

When Herndon High School theatre director Zoe Dillard was selecting plays for the 2012-2013 theatre season, she did not expect she would be choosing “Cheaper By the Dozen.” “It was a shift for us,” said Dillard. “It was an alternative to Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town.’” The plays share some similarities. They are both set in 1920s America, and are “straight plays,” not musicals.

Herndon Volunteers Honored

Town of Herndon celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Night

On Sunday, April 27, the Town of Herndon held their 29th annual Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Night.

Floris United Methodist Church to Host World Malaria Day Event

On Friday, April 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Floris United Methodist Church will hold a family event to spotlight World Malaria Day and raise money for malaria test kits and treatment, as well as mosquito bed nets.

Runners Line Up to Stop Child Abuse

Great Falls neighbors join in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which helps explain why 300 runners gathered at 9 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, grouped in teams with names like "Peggy's Posse," "Kids4Kids" and—a favorite—"Team Baxter" (named after organizing member Kim Roellig's dog) on Saturday, April 13.

What Housing Slump?

Real estate experts explain the rise in luxury condominium sales

When a retired couple decided it was time to leave their sprawling suburban home, they wanted to downsize without giving up luxury. As a result, they purchased a high-end condominium and hired Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design to create a serene and sophisticated space.

Karen Garza Hired as Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools

FCPS Board lauds Garza’s “openness” and “willingness to engage” community.

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved educator Karen Garza of Texas to be the next superintendent of the 181,000 student district at its April 18 school board meeting.

Classified Advertising April 17, 2013

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Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: March, 2013

In March 2013, 62 homes sold between $1,325,000-$153,299 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: March, 2013

Editorial: Value-added Evaluation?

TJ admissions illustrate growing gap between “haves” and “have-nots.”

More than 181,000 students attend Fairfax County Public Schools. So why do the 480 students who were accepted for next year’s freshman class at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology seem so important? Fairfax County Public Schools have a single elite magnet school, Thomas Jefferson, and TJ is frequently referred to as the top high school in the country. Dramatic disparity in the makeup of admissions at TJ is an indicator of disparity in early identification of students as gifted and talented, of access to advanced classes and enrichment, and in the basic education that the Fairfax County Public school system offers to all of its students.

Column: A False Sense of Security

Not that there’s anything wrong with that; in fact, as a four-year, stage IV, non-small-cell lung cancer survivor, it’s amazing to have any security, false or otherwise, whatsoever.

‘We Have Not Forgotten’

Residents rally in Vienna to support stricter gun control measures.

Less than six miles from the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, more than 100 people gathered on the Vienna Town Green Saturday, April 13, to urge Congress to support stricter gun control measures.

Marker Unveiled at Meeting House

Frying Pan Meeting House has more than 200 years of history.

Maria Harper of Herndon has been to Frying Pan Farm Park with her children many times, but until Sunday, April 14, she had never been to the nearby Frying Pan Spring Meeting House. “I always remembered it as another random old building near on Centreville Road, I didn’t realize it had historical significance,” she said. “The more I walked around today, the more I learned about the historical figures that were right here on this spot.”

New Eagle Scout Helps LINK

Eric Hepfinger is a 14-year-old member of the Boy Scout Crew 878.

Chocolate for Elephants in Reston

Chocolate for Elephants features gourmet chocolates, desserts and wines from local vendors, all sold to benefit the U.S. Friends of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Week in Herndon

This week in Herndon...

‘Mind Heart Vision’ Exhibit Opens at ArtSpace Herndon

At ArtSpace Herndon on Friday, April 12, there was an artists’ reception for the current exhibit “Mind, Heart, Vision.”

Poetry Corner

Rosalia

War in your old country took your young son, quakes destroyed your home.

A Second-time Finalist

Floris Elementary sixth grader qualifies for the Virginia National Geographic Competition again.

Nishanth Anand is calm and quiet as he talks about competing in the 2013 Virginia National Geographic Bee.

Kite Class at Frying Pan Farm Park

The weather was perfect on Saturday, April 6, for Frying Pan Farm Park’s annual kite class.

Herndon High Cadets Win Spicer Cup, Set League Record

After four months of intense competition, Herndon High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps' (NJROTC) Rifle Team has won the coveted Spicer Cup.

Former Teacher Convicted of Child Porn Charges

A former special-education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary has been convicted in federal court of two child-pornography charges.

Editorial: Voting Again

Every year is election year in Virginia, and it’s a bit much.

The most hotly contested race for statewide office in Virginia, the Republican contest for lieutenant governor, will be decided at a statewide convention on May 18. That’s about a month from now.

Classified Advertising April 10, 2013

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Ballet Studio Tells Cinderella Story

Classical Ballet Theatre performs classic fairy tale.

The Classical Ballet Theatre will present their spin on the classic fairy tale “Cinderella” starting Saturday, April 13. The not-for-profit dance studio will also host several free outreach performances.

Filmmaker Turns Camera on Reston

Rebekah Wingert-Jabi wins Peabody Award, begins work on documentary about Reston.

Rebekah Wingert- Jabi has lived all across the world. She moved to Reston as a child, attended college in Minnesota and California, studied abroad in China and lived in the Middle East. She became interested in still photography at a young age, and while in China she got a video camera and became fascinated with the idea of moving images.

Robotics Team Brings Home Hardware

After Washington, D.C. regionals, Herndon High School Robotics team competes in St. Louis.

The Herndon High School Robotics team gained several accolades at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) regional robotics competition, punching their ticket for the world championships in St. Louis, Mo., this month.

Column: Asked and Answered

I think about it enough, I don’t want to think about it too much. What’s “it?” Cancer.

Children ‘Dress Up With Grown-ups’

Medical Care for Children Partnerships funds medical, dental care for children of uninsured working families in Fairfax County.

“To me, children are the most beautiful creatures of God and there is nothing comparable to being able to give them a healthy and happy smile.” —Dr. Tehreem Butt, recipient of the Dr. Jorge Arnoldson Award

Recognized for Helping Others

Community members to be honored at FISH Fling on April 20.

At the FISH (Friendly, Instant, Sympathetic Help) Fling Gala and Fundraiser, Reston and Herndon's "Star Fish" will be honored. The Star Fish are women whose volunteer work enables the volunteer, non-sectarian, non-profit to meet needs like requests for rent, transportation to medical appointments, help with furniture, utilities, medical items (including prescriptions) and other short term emergency needs.

Week in Herndon

Classical Ballet Theatre Student to Perform in International Dance Finals

Claire de la Paz, a Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) student and Herndon resident, has earned one of the highest honors in the dance world—an invitation to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2013 New York City Finals.

Classified Advertising April 3, 2013

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Examining Reston’s Natural History

Historic trust hosts program on Reston’s stewardship of natural resources.

When Robert Simon first saw the land that would eventually become Reston, he was struck by its beauty.

Foundation Prepares to Promote Mental Health

Josh Anderson Foundation to sponsor events across county for mental health and depression awareness.

Before Fairfax County students finish the school year and head to summer break, they first must deal with exams, both final and for AP classes. This can lead to a lot of stress over the final two months of school, pressure the Josh Anderson Foundation is determined to relieve.

Masonic Lodge Presents Annual Award

Connie Hutchinson, Bill Tirrell recognized with Community Builder award.

The Herndon Masonic Lodge presented their annual Community Builders award Monday, April 1, to Vice Mayor Connie Hutchinson and former councilmember Bill Tirrell. The two were recognized for their contributions to many aspects of the community.

Column: Selfless or Selfish

Selfless or Selfish

Jewish-Muslim Passover Seder Commemoration

Local multi-religious celebrations and interfaith dialogue inspire communities nationwide.

With one foot in Fairfax County and the other in Loudoun, (yes, they needed permits from both counties during construction) the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling couldn’t have been a better choice of venue for an interfaith commemoration of Passover, the ancient Jewish holiday celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The building, with its cross-counties placement, symbolizes the bridge building that took place on Saturday, March 30, when members of the ADAMS Center co-sponsored a Passover Seder with the Washington Area Jews for Jewish-Muslim Understanding, led by Andrea Barron. Sitting side-by-side in the small meeting room were Jews and Muslims as well as Christian pastors from Falls Church and Reston.

Week in Herndon

Fairfax County’s Homeless Population Declines 12 Percent

Emphasis on rapid re-housing, prevention keys to success.

Despite economic obstacles and fallout from across-the-board sequester cuts, Fairfax County’s number of homeless individuals declined 12 percent decline in the past year, and 26 percent since 2007.