Crafts Displayed at Herndon Community...

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ December 17-23, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinio

n, Page 6

❖

Entertainm

ent, Page 9

❖

Spo

rts, Page 8

❖

C

lassifieds, 0

Pho

to

by R

yan D

unn/T

he C

onnectio

n

December 17-23, 2014 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

Oak Hill ❖ HerndonOak Hill ❖ HerndonPage 7

NovemberHerndonElectionsApprovedNews, Page 3

CommunityBehind Potential

Garden Plots News, Page 4

Crafts Displayedat HerndonCommunityCenter

Crafts Displayedat HerndonCommunityCenterNews, Page 4

Trish LaCharite,owner of Empty

Nest Soap, attendedthe Annual Arts and

Crafts Show atHerndon Commu-

nity Center onSunday, Dec. 7.

LaCharite sold coldprocess soaps at the

craft fair.

2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ December 17-23, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


By Reena Singh

The Connection

Another winner of the Good Neigh-bor Award was named at the Dec.9 Town Council meeting.

Barbara Glakas, from Cultivating Com-munity Initiative, introduced EllenFindley as the neighborhood welcomewagon.

The good neighborhood award is torecognize citizens who have gone aboveand beyond the call of duty to to helpout their neighbors and who do thingsto make their neighborhoods a betterplace to live,”Glakas said, noting that thenominations for the award come fromresidents in the community rather thanthe CCI.

The person who nominated Findley

said she helps neighbors with their yards,looks after the local children, and looks af-ter homes when they are out of town.

“She helps new neighbors get settled,learn their way around the neighborhoodand around Herndon,” said Glakas. “Shenever stops helping.”

Findley also continues to be an advocatefor education even though her own childrenhave graduated.

She is the third of four community resi-dents who have been honored with thisyear’s annual award. The fourth residentwill be honored at a future meeting theycan attend.

Martha Durden, 3, handsthe Good Neighbor awardto Ellen Findley with theaid of Mayor Lisa Merkel.

Photo by Reena Singh/The Connection

Ellen Findley Honored with Good Neighbor Award

News

By Reena Singh

The Connection

Herndon elections will transi-tion into a November electionschedule.

Herndon Town Councilvoted to amend the town charter at the Dec.9 meeting to allow for the elections to beheld in November rather than May after fourpublic hearings.

The vote was approved 4-2, withCouncilmembers David Kirby and StevenMitchell voting against it andCouncilmember Jasbinder Singh voting“present.”

Councilmember Grace Wolf changed theoriginal motion, allowing for council toserve four year terms, because of theamount of opposition that particular itemhad during the public hearings. However,she said the May elections were “suppres-sive” for minority voters because it createsconfusion and gives them less access to thepolls.

“This has been a well discussed issue anda well thought out issue,” she said.

The original proposal changes the num-ber of years the town council and mayorserve - four - as well as staggers them soelections are still held every two years. Thevice mayor will be decided by the towncouncil every two years. That part of theproposal was not passed, however.

According to Town Attorney RichardKaufman, the proposal will go into effectnext July if both the town and General As-sembly approve the proposal. Since therewill be no election in May, the next townelection will be held November 2016.

hearings, Kirby has mentioned several timesthat the current council is not the only oneto have thought about the proposals theresidents have had the opportunity to dis-cuss over the last four meetings.

“It’s always been something that’s beenout there, and no other council has daredto touch it,” he said.

Mitchell made the last motion to change2016 to 2018 in an effort to make sure thecurrent council would not be affected, butmade a last minute decision to vote againstit. That motion also failed.

“I don’t feel comfortable making this de-cision,” he said about the original proposal.“I believe the decision should be made bythe people.”

May elections nixed,two year terms stay.

November Herndon Elections Approved

ONE OF THE RESIDENTS opposed toadding additional years to thecouncilmember and mayoral terms wasformer Herndon mayor Steve DeBenedittis.

“I think we already have continuity,” hesaid, referencing a reason some residentsagreed with the change. “We have a greatprofessional staff.”

DeBenedittis said the changes wouldmake the town council less accountable fortheir actions because they would not haveto face a vote every two years.

“I don’t think anyone here is unethical,so I would urge you not to vote in favor ofthis,” he said.

Like several others opposed to the mea-sure, he wanted the residents to take theentire proposal to referendum and havevoters decide at the polls.

Those who spoke in favor of the proposal

focused on the November elections allow-ing more people - including minorities - tothe polls.

“The voices you need to think about, thevoices that would love to speak, are prob-ably working their second job, their secondshift,” said resident Cesar Del Aguila, stat-ing that the percentage of voters is alwayshigher during November elections than inMay. “It’s healthy to move this May elec-tion to November.”

Both Mitchell and Kirby, who votedagainst the proposal, wanted to see the vot-ers be the ones who decided on whether itshould pass.

“Get it on the ballot, get it to the pollsand see what the voters really think,” saidKirby, who made a motion to deny the No-vember election change. That motion failed.

SINCE THE BEGINNING of the public

Residents spent about an hourtelling the town council on theirthoughts about the proposedchanges.

Photos by Reena Singh/The Connection

The vote to move May elections to November passed 4-2.

Herndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


News

By Ryan Dunn

The Connection

Herndon Community Center,located at 814 Ferndale Av-enue hosted its Annual Artsand Crafts Show Sunday,

Dec. 7. The event was well attended, andboth staff and volunteers from the HerndonWoman’s Club helped direct visitors to lo-cations where crafts were on display. “Wehave had over a thousand visitors,” saidPatsy Rust, a volunteer with the HerndonWoman’s Club.

“It has been going really well,” saidHerndon Recreation Supervisor DaveZakrzewski. Zakrzewski helped manage thisyear’s craft fair event. The previous year,snowfall caused the craft fair to close early.“We got more than 30 vendors than lastyear,” said Zakrzewski. Returning to theHerndon Arts and Crafts Show were craftvendors including Anna Atkinson andClifton artist Maggie Des Lauriers. Reston

resident Anna Atkinson had a booth for herhomemade candles, and this year broughtsome bath soaps. “There are more vendors

and more customers than last year,” saidAtkinson.

A VARIETY of products and merchandisewere on display for the one day indoorevent. Vendors arrived from all over theNorthern Virginia and D.C. area. Bringingin quilts and handmade dog collars wasMaryland resident Barbara Lingham. “I havebeen attending craft fairs since the late1990s,” said Lingham, who operates herbusiness Doodlebug Quilts. In addition toher own webpage, Lingham also operatesan Etsy webpage. Etsy is an e-commercewebsite focused on handmade or vintageitems and supplies. “Etsy has been prettygood for me, but craft fairs are where youcan get a personal approach,” said Lingham.

“It was a hobby that became a business,”said Trish LaCharite, owner of Empty NestSoap, a line of handcrafted, cold processsoaps. LaCharite operates an account onEtsy, but sees an advantage to craft fairs.“Craft fairs are the way to go because youhave an audience.” For many craft fair at-tendees, the experience is an opportunityto see the uniqueness and art of differentindividuals. It is different from the samenessof the retail environment.

“This is my third time attending thisshow,” said Herndon resident Cindi

Volunteers promoteturnout at Herndoncraft fair.

Crafts Displayed at Herndon Community CenterBrasington. Brasington had a booth display-ing a selection of her quilts. “Because I ama quilter at heart and I like fabric, I thoughtwhy not make a little extra money?”Brasington does not currently operate anEtsy account or use a webpage, choosinginstead to rely only on word of mouth ad-vertising. “We had a good crowd comethrough,” said Brasington.

Producing Director at Nextstop TheatreCompany Evan Hoffman attended the craftfair to provide information on upcomingshows at NextStop Theatre, the professionaltheatre company in downtown Herndon.Also attending the event were Boy Scoutsfrom Cub Scout Pack 157. Members of thecub scout sang several Christmas carols andsold Christmas wreaths. “We are workingwith Wreaths Across America to lay wreathson cemeteries,” said cub scout committeechair Kent Fullerton.

ON DEC. 13, National Wreaths AcrossAmerica Day, remembrance wreaths willbe placed at the headstones of fallen vet-erans at nearly 1,000 locations across thecountry and overseas. In Herndon, a re-membrance ceremony will be held atChestnut Grove Cemetery on Saturday,Dec. 13, at noon to ensure veteran gravesare not forgotten.

The festive Christmas tree cur-rently on display at HerndonCommunity Center in downtownHerndon. The Herndon CommunityCenter has serviced the Herndonarea for 35 years.

Photos by Ryan Dunn/The Connection

Maryland resident Barbara Lingham brought in a selection of quilts andhandmade dog collars to the Annual Arts and Crafts Show at HerndonCommunity Center.

Cub Scout Pack 157 leader Barry Dresdner with Cub Scout Michael Ful-lerton helped sell wreaths at the Annual Arts and Crafts Show on Sun-day, Dec. 7.

By Reena Singh

The Connection

Community gardens in Herndonare a step closer to becoming areality.

County Park Authority representativesmet with residents on Dec. 2 to find outwhether there was a demand to create arevision in Bruin Park’s Master Plan.

“It felt very positive,” said BarbaraWelsh, Herndon Environmental Network(HEN) vice president. “Nobody had any-thing negative to say about it.”

She noted that Dranesville SupervisorJohn Foust attended to show his support,stating he would help the organizationwhere he could.

The next step for HEN and the rest of theresidents interested in a plot is to wait forthe county’s 30 day comment period to end,which ends Jan. 2, for the plan to be ap-proved.

“We’ve also started a memorandum ofunderstanding which outlines what theTown of Herndon is responsible for, whatFairfax County is responsible for and whatHEN is responsible for,” she said.

Welsh noted that HEN is responsible fortaking care of the water and funding tobuild the garden.

“The next step is to hit the ground run-ning on fundraising,” she said.

HEN has reached out to several busi-nesses, but none have agreed to donatingmoney yet.

The best case scenario is that HEN mighthave the garden plots ready by spring.Welsh said the organization is planning towork with Julie Mendoza with A Gardener’sShare to give surplus vegetables and fruitto food banks. HEN is also reaching out to

Cornerstones to reserve a plot to educatechildren from local shelters on growingtheir own food.

To comment about the Master Plan re-vision, email [email protected].

Community Behind Potential Garden Plots

Photo by Reena Singh/The Connection

Herndon Environmental Net-work Vice President BarbaraWalsh wants to see a communitygarden in Herndon.


Cremation Society of Virginia nowallows you to handle every aspect ofthe cremation arrangement processfrom the comfort of your own home.

Our website provides valuable informationabout cremation, allowing you to makean informed decision about your finalwishes. You even have the opportunity tocomplete all arrangements online, fromthe comfort of your home.

In addition, our licensed staff membersspecialize in cremation, and are alwaysready to fully explain our services, answeryour questions, and treat you with dignityand respect.

For more information or to arrange acremation, please visit our website today.

COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIPCOMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

bTo Highlightyour Faith

Community,Call Karen at703-917-6468

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7

10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service

The Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran

703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org

1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston

Welcoming, Diverse, Progressive

The MOMS Club of Herndon will host a holidaythemed meeting on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m.- noon at Trinity Presbyterian Church (651Dranesville Rd.). All Herndon, VA (zip codes 20170and 20171) stay at home mothers and their childrenare encouraged to attend.

Join the club for a holly jolly meeting with a holi-day story and craft. There will also be an optionalcookie exchange. Bring two dozen cookies to swapif you choose to participate.

For more information or to RSVP contact: KellyMcArter, Membership VP [email protected].

The MOMS Club (“Moms Offering Moms Support”)is an International nonprofit support group specifi-cally for mothers who have chosen to stay home withtheir children! with over 2,000 chapters in sevencountries. Herndon chapter offers events and sup-port for moms and their children in the 20170 and20171 zip codes.

Herndon MOMS Club to Hold Holiday Meeting

Week in Herndon

Fairfax County is offering a freeTelephone Support Group for FamilyCaregivers of Older Adults. Join us forthis open discussion. This telephonesupport group may be just what youneed! Share your experiences, gain sup-port and get important informationwithout having to travel. The one-hourfree sessions are scheduled for the sec-ond Tuesday of each month beginningat7 p.m. Find out more and register atw w w . f a i r f a x c o u n t y . g o v / d f s /olderadultservices/ and click onCaregiver Telephone Support Group.

Fairfax County needs volunteers todrive older adults to medical appoint-ments and wellness programs Restonarea. For these and other volunteer op-portunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711

or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer So-lutions.

Volunteers, fluent in AmericanSign Language, are needed in Reston,Herndon and Vienna. For these andother volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

Meals on Wheels needs drivers inChantilly, McLean, Mt. Vernon, andClifton on Monday, Wednesday and Fri-day. For these and other volunteeropportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer So-lutions.

The Lewinsville Senior Centerin McLean needs instructors for thefollowing classes: Certified Arthritis Ex-ercise, Ballroom Dance, SquareDance,Knitting/Crocheting, Bridge andAmerican Mah Jongg. For these andother volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programneeds volunteer advocates for residentsin assisted living and nursing facilities.Training is provided in March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or [email protected]. Findmore information on the program atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/ltc .

Volunteer Opportunities

The Bargain Loft

Hours: 10-3 Tuesday - Friday • 10-4 Saturday

336 Victory Drive,Herndon, VA (off Spring Street) • 703-437-0600

www.HerndonRestonFISH.org

Trees • Cards • Ornaments • Decorations • LightsProceeds benefit Herndon-RestonFISH, a volunteer run, nonsectar-ian, non-profit providing assis-tance to local residents in need.

Clearance Sale Starts Saturday, 12/20/14• All Christmas Decorations 50% OFF •

• Seedless Navel Oranges • Red Grapefruit• Honey Tangerine • Honeybells in January Only

Premium Florida Citrus truck coming to your areaDirect from our grove to you • No shipping fees

Burke Nursery& Garden Center

Parking Lot9401 Burke Road

Thursdays once a month9 a.m. to 12 noon

Jan. 8th, Feb. 5th, March5th, April 2nd

Oak HillBurke Garden Center

3155 West Ox RoadWednesdays once a month

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.January 7th,February 4th,

March 4th, April 1st

For more locations: www.citrusunlimited.com • 772-473-1734

For a free digital subscription to one or allof the 15 Connection Newspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Be the first to know – get yourpaper before it hits the press.

Complete digital replica of theprint edition, including photosand ads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]


By Pamela L. Michell

Executive Director

New Hope Housing

The weather has turned colderand the holidays are in full swing,which means it’s the time of yearwhen people ask “what can we dofor the homeless now that it’s socold?” Or “how can we help thehomeless have a good Christmas?”For those of us working with men,women, and children who are ex-periencing homelessness, the greatcommunity interest in Decemberin those we serve can be heart-warming — and overwhelming.Overwhelming because we are in-undated by your extraordinarygenerosity during this time. But

heartwarming, because you arethinking about the persons in ourprogram as individuals; as peoplewith their own holiday dreams.

In my 30-plus years in homelessservices, one of my pet peeves isthe phrase “the homeless.” Whenwe use that phrase we unknow-ingly dehumanize the people wedescribe. We are also inaccuratelylumping together a diverse groupof people under one label asthough they are all the same withthe same needs. Nothing could befurther from the truth. They areindividuals, each with a uniquestory. They are children. They aremothers and fathers. They are vet-erans. They are people from allwalks of life. The one thing they

have in common is not having apermanent address.

At New Hope Housing, we don’thelp the Homeless, we don’t housethe Homeless, we don’t serve theHomeless, we don’t work for theHomeless, because here, we don’tbelieve the Homeless exist. Weserve people. And sometimespeople experience homelessness.We believe homelessness is some-thing that happens to you. Our jobat New Hope Housing — and thejob of our nonprofit partners — isto prevent that experience fromhappening, or if it does happen,making it as short as possible byhelping get people back into ap-propriate permanent housing.

We at New Hope Housing, andour partners, as well as the fami-lies and single adults in our pro-

Helping People without Homes grams, are truly grateful for yoursupport in filling a holiday wishlist, providing a meal, volunteer-ing at one of the many hypother-mia sites, or donating money tohelp our agencies end thehomelessness of each person whowalks through our doors. We willstill need you on Dec. 26 and Feb.5 and during the summer. Untileach person is home, we’ve all gotwork to do.

Thank you for making this per-son-to-person connection this holi-day season. Thank you for seeingthat those who seek our assistanceare not “the homeless,” but men,women, and children with hopesand dreams, just like each of uswho are blessed with a place to callhome. Because there is no placelike home — anytime of the year.

In no particular order:❖ Our Daily Bread’s Holiday Program helps

those in need with food for the holidays and giftsfor their children. Donations are still needed, go towww.odbfairfax.com/holiday

❖ Cornerstones, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210,Reston, serving Reston and Herndon. 571-323-9555,www.cornerstonesva.org. Programs and servicesinclude the Embry Rucker Community Shelter,Emergency Food Pantry, Hypothermia PreventionProgram and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

❖ FACETS helps parents, their children andindividuals who suffer the effects of poverty in theFairfax area. FACETS is always in need ofvolunteers, and offers a variety of one-time andongoing opportunities. 703-865-4251 [email protected]. www.facetscares.org.10640 Page Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030

❖ HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, formerlythe Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, provides medical,dental and behavioral health care to anyone inneed, regardless of age or ability to pay. Herndonlocation, 1141 Elden St. Third Floor, Herndon, VA20170, 703-481-8160 http://hwnova.org/

❖ Alternative House — Abused and HomelessChildren’s Refuge, 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA22182, 703-506-9191. www.thealternativehouse.org

❖ SHARE of McLean seeks donations of grocery giftcards and more. Checks and gift cards can be sentto: Holiday Celebration, Share, Inc. PO Box 210,McLean, VA 22101. 703-284-2179.www.SHAREofMcLean.org

❖ Committee for Helping Others (CHO), Vienna,organized in 1969 by a group of concerned churchesand individuals in the Dunn Loring, Merrifield,Oakton, Vienna community to provide simple,loving charity to those in need. 703-281-7614 http://www.cho-va.com

❖ Herndon-Reston FISH (For ImmediateSympathetic Help), 336 Victory Drive, Herndon,703-391-0105 Also operates thrift store, TheBargain Loft, 336 Victory Drive, Herndon, 20170,703-437-0600 http://herndonrestonfish.org

❖ Northern Virginia Family Service, providinggift cards and toys for 1,700 of Northern Virginia’sneediest families this season. 10455 White GraniteDrive Suite 100, Oakton, VA 22124 703-385-3267http://www.nvfs.org/

❖ Office to End and Prevent Homelessness hasa strategic road map to prevent and endhomelessness, created by the Planning Committee toEnd Homelessness, in partnership with the cities ofFairfax and Falls Church, government agencies,

Where to Give Locallynonprofits, faith communities and businesses. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/

❖ 12 Ways of Giving: Fairfax County Office ofPublic Private Partnerships’ “12 Ways of Giving”campaign is an annual event that showcases manyways for meaningful, local giving during the holidayseason, highlighting nonprofits in Fairfax County.www.fairfaxcountypartnerships.org

❖ Assistance League of Northern Virginia is anall-volunteer organization that clothes, feeds,educates and nurtures those in need focusing five ofthe neediest elementary schools. Volunteers anddonors are always needed. [email protected] or seewww.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org

❖ Western Fairfax Christian Ministries — foodpantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly (nearBackyard Grill and Bar). For more information or tosponsor a family, call 703-988-9656, ext. 105. Tomail gift cards or send donations by check, add anote saying “food basket program” and send themto: WFCM, P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153.703-988-9656. http://www.wfcmva.org/

❖ Touching Heart in Herndon is a nonprofitorganization whose mission is to educate children tohave giving hearts. http://www.touchingheart.com,703-901-7355

Opinion

The holidays are for giving.

Christmas and Hanukkah areabout children and family, aboutsharing, about joy, about being

thankful and about faith and appreciation.Here in Northern Virginia, many of us see

few signs of families in need as we goabout our daily lives and holiday shop-ping. Our neighborhoods are largelysegregated economically; we mostlysee the people who are most like our-selves economically.

But in Fairfax County, about 65,000 peoplelive below the poverty line, about 6 percent.In Arlington and Alexandria, more than 8 per-cent of the population lives in poverty, about18,000 people in Arlington and more than12,000 people in Alexandria.

To be clear, the poverty line is $19,780 for afamily of three; it’s $11,670 for a single per-son household. Imagine for a minute how far$20,000 a year would go in your family. Tolive in Northern Virginia, a family needs to earnabout twice the rate of poverty to get by. The

median household income in FairfaxCounty and Arlington is well over$100,000.

In Fairfax County Public Schools,more than 52,000 students, or more

than 28 percent, are poor enough to receivefree or subsidized meals, a significant measureof poverty.

In Arlington more than 32 percent of the stu-dents are poor enough to receive free or subsi-dized meals; that’s 7,452 students at last count.

In Alexandria, more than 8,500 students are

poor enough to receive free or subsidizedmeals. That’s 60 percent of the 14,222 studentsenrolled.

These are children who may not be sure thatthey will have a meal between the meals theyget in school. School holidays can bring un-certainty and hunger, a far cry from the cel-ebrations, gifts and plenty that we associatewith Christmas, Hanukkah and winter holidayvacations.

Many of these are children are living in fami-lies who must choose between medical bills,car repair, heat and food. Almost all are fami-lies where at least one adult is employed fulltime, but still many are one unexpected ex-pense away from disaster. Many of these fami-lies live on the brink of homelessness.

There are literally hundreds, probably thou-sands, of ways to give locally this season. Alsomark your calendar to help again in a monthor two. The needs don’t go away after the holi-days. Here are a few ideas.

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

In the scramble to finish Christmas shopping,remember tens of thousands of local children areshort of food as well as presents.

Holidays Are for Giving

Editorial

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@HerndonConnect

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Amna RehmatullaEditorial Assistant

703-778-9410 [email protected]

Reena SinghCommunity Reporter

[email protected]

Jon RoetmanSports Editor ❖ 703-752-4013

[email protected]@jonroetman

Ryan DunnContributing Writer

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Don ParkDisplay Advertising

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising, 703-778-9411

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:

Deb Cobb, Louise Krafft,Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]

@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: [email protected]

Oak Hill & Herndon


SPECIAL CONNECTIONSCALENDAR

Advertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday.

DECEMBERWellbeing.......................................................12/3/14

HomeLifeStyle: Home for the Holidays...12/10/14

Hanukkah begins December 16.

★Holiday Entertainment & Gift Guide II..12/16/14

A+ Camps & Schools.................................12/16/14

CHILDREN’S CONNECTION......................12/24/14

Publishing

E-mail [email protected] for more information.

Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households• Alexandria Gazette Packet• Arlington Connection• Burke Connection• Centre View• Chantilly Connection

• Fairfax Connection• Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection• Great Falls Connection• McLean Connection• Mount Vernon Gazette

• Oak Hill/Herndon Connection• Potomac Almanac• Reston Connection• Springfield Connection• Vienna/Oakton Connection

Newspapers & Online703-778-9431

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Award-WinningAward-

Winning

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

While many areknee-deep inwrapping paperand eggnog,

some students are holed up withcomputer keyboards and books ofquotations. In addition to drivingto the mall for holiday shopping,some parents are throwing rapid-fire questions at their children tomake sure they are fast on theirfeet.

For students and parents whohope for slots at the area’s top in-dependent schools next year, ’tisadmissions season.

“As a school we want to knowwhat the relationship will be be-tween what a student brings to thetable and what we will need tobring to the table,” said TimSimpson, assistant head of schooland director of admission and fi-nancial aid at Bullis School inPotomac, Md.

Interviews are opportunities foradmissions teams to get to knowapplicants and their parents, andshare information about their

schools.“We try to encourage students

to view the interview as a conver-sation,” said Julie Jameson, direc-tor of admissions at St. Andrew’sEpiscopal School in Potomac.“They should feel comfortable …be themselves … and feel free toask any questions they mighthave.”

In fact, the interview is really atwo-way street, says Ann

Richardson Miller, director of ad-mission and financial aid at TheMadeira School in McLean. “Thegirl and her parents should be ask-ing as many questions of me as Iam asking of her,” she said. “Afterall, this will be her school for thenext four years, and fit is critical,both for us, but also for the girland her parents.”

“Learn as much as you can aboutthe school before your visit and be

Some schools even require theadmission essay to be completedin person.

“We want to see a student’s true,natural writing ability, and we areinterested in assessing their abil-ity to develop and present a cohe-sive, thoughtful essay on the spot,”said Michael Cresson, director ofadmissions, Bishop O’ConnellHigh School in Arlington. “A pol-ished essay prepared at home withlots of edits really doesn’t tell uswhat we want to know to bestevaluate an applicant.”

No matter where the essay iswritten however, the same basicwriting advice applies.

“We are looking for students toexpress themselves and give us aninsight into what kind of personhe or she is,” Cresson said. “Mysuggestions for students … wouldbe … to proofread their essay, al-low for enough time, do some re-search on the school and includethat in the essay. “These are simplesuggestions, but it is disappoint-ing as a director to read throughessays and find simple mistakesand see that it was rushed.”

Local educators offer advice on acing independentschool admission essays and interviews.

An Essay To Rememberprepared to ask questions,” saidScott Conklin, director of admis-sions, Episcopal High School inAlexandria. “This is also an oppor-tunity to brag about your interests,talents and accomplishments. ...Be humble, but make sure you letus know all about you.”

That doesn’t mean you shouldignore your flaws, however. “Welook for genuine conversationsthat convey the student’s real in-terests and passions,” saidSimpson. “We also want studentsand parents to be open to talkingabout strengths and weaknesses.”

THE ADMISSION ESSAY is an-other opportunity for students toreveal facets of their personalitiesthat might not be obvious throughtest scores, transcripts and evenletters of recommendation, saidPatricia Harden, director of admis-sions and financial aid at ConnellySchool of the Holy Child inPotomac. “It should be a well-written snapshot of how an appli-cant thinks and how she under-stands some aspect of her world,”Harden said.

Photo courtesy of Audra Wrisley

Students at Episcopal High School in Alexandria collabo-rate on a school project. Essays and interviews helpadmissions teams determine how an applicant would fitinto the school community.

Be a part of ourWellbeing pages,the first week ofevery month.

Delight in ourHomeLifeStylesections, thesecond week ofevery month.Peek at the topreal estate sales,glimpse over-the-top remodelingprojects, get prac-tical suggestionsfor your home.

Celebratestudents, camps,schools,enrichmentprograms,colleges andmore in ourA-plus:Education,Learning, Funpages, the thirdweek of everymonth.

Questions? [email protected] call703-778-9431


By Jon Roetman

The Connection

Gary Hall and his wife, ColleenMulrenin, attended aHerndon boys’ soccer game inthe spring and wondered

what could have been.Hall, a PE teacher and head boys’ basket-

ball coach at Herndon High School, knewthe Hornets weren’t operating at fullstrength. He knew of several athletes atHHS who could help the soccer program,but for whatever reason were unable to play.Whether it was poor grades, family respon-sibilities or simply a lack of discipline, tal-ented teenagers capable of making a dif-ference weren’t part of the team.

“It was the same story over and overagain,” Hall said. “All these kids weren’tplaying. It was like we need to try to figureout some way to help.”

After discussing the matter, Hall andMulrenin decided to open their doors — andoffer their help — to Herndon athletes. InSeptember, during the second week of the2014-15 school year, Hall and Mulreninbegan hosting a weekly study hall at theirhome in Reston. Three months later, a groupof about 25 boys show up each week, readyto study, ready to spend time with theirfriends — and ready to eat.

“It’s evolved,” Hall said, “into this reallycool thing.”

THE STUDY HALL started on Tuesdaynights in the fall. Kids arrive at the housearound 7 p.m. At 7:15, it’s time for dinner.Sometimes Hall and Mulrenin purchasefood from a local restaurant. SometimesMulrenin prepares the meal (spaghetti andtacos are among the boys’ favorites). Eitherway, Hall and Mulrenin consider it moneywell spent.

“There have been nights where we’vegone through 150 tacos and 12 pounds ofground beef,” said Hall, a 1979 HerndonHigh School graduate. “It’s awesome.”

The meal is significant for some of the

students in attendance. Three students at arecent study hall told Mulrenin it was theonly meal they ate that day.

“For some of them, the meal is actuallyimportant,” said Mulrenin, a lawyer whosechildren attended Herndon High School.“It’s a good, nutritious meal that they mightnot be getting.”

After dinner, it’s time to get to work. Stu-dents study from 8 p.m. until 9:15 or 9:30.Members of the Herndon football, boys’basketball, baseball, and boys’ soccer teamsset up around the house and work on as-signments. The dining room is the mathroom. Basketball players usually set up shopin the living room, while soccer playershang out in the kitchen. The library is usedfor computer work, which is helpful as someof the students don’t have Internet accessat home.

There is candy at every table.“We do have it down to a science,” said

Mulrenin, or “Ms. Colleen,” as some of thestudents call her.

After studying, students relax with 30-45minutes of recreation time. Some play pooldownstairs. Others play Xbox.

By 10 p.m., it’s time to go home.As basketball season approached, Hall

was concerned whether he could coach andcontinue hosting the study hall. Would hemiss opportunities to scout future oppo-nents? Would he stretch himself too thin?

Hall and Mulrenin decided it was impor-tant to keep the study hall going.

THE WEEKLY MEETING was movedfrom Tuesdays to Thursdays. A schedulingconflict led to a Sunday meeting, as well.

“The one thing Colleen and I have madea commitment to is we cannot cancel,” Hallsaid. “We’re having study hall every week.…. We’re not going to quit on [the kids].”

While Hall and Mulrenin didn’t quit onthe students, they do have to rush at timesto make sure things are ready to go by 7p.m. Mulrenin leaves her office in TysonsCorner at 5:15. Hall and the boys’ basket-ball team are finished with practice at 5:30.From there, dinner is purchased and/orprepared. The work tables remain set up tosave time.

“When people get here, it looks great,”Hall said, “but they don’t see what happens[to get it ready].”

Michael Griffin is a 6-foot-2 sophomoreguard on the Herndon boys’ basketballteam. He hasn’t missed a study hall.

“At first, I thought that it was just goingto be hanging out with my teammates andfriends and have a good time,” Griffin said.“Then I found out that it’s a good place toget my homework done because I havetrouble getting homework done at home.It was good to have him open his house tous to get homework done.”

Griffin said he hopes to one day play col-lege basketball. As a freshman, he struggledwith his grades. This year, his grades haveimproved and he was recognized as thestudy hall group’s most improved studentduring the first quarter.

Griffin said his favorite study hall dinneris Colleen’s spaghetti with meatballs. Whenwork is done, he enjoys playing pool andsaid he is usually on the winning team.

“It’s like a second home,” Griffin said.“Everybody loves it and we anticipate itevery week. Everyone is always texting ourgroup chat … ‘we have study hall tonight.’”

Chris Recinos is a senior soccer player.Last year, he was unable to play for theHornets due to failing four classes, he said.This year, Recinos said his grades have im-proved and he’s eligible to play.

“[The study hall has] helped me a lot withjust keeping things more organized andgetting more time for my homework,”Recinos said. “… Last year, I would just blowthings off and I didn’t really care as much.Coach Hall’s study hall gives me a little moremotivation to do my work because they’regoing out of their way to help me and myfellow students. …

“It’s really nice for Ms. Colleen and CoachHall to do this. Taking their time and moneyto help us out, I really appreciate them do-ing it. It motivates me to do my work and Ilook forward to [soccer] season.”

Recently, parents and neighbors have do-nated desserts for the study hall. Local busi-nesses have offered discounted food. Oneneighbor is paying for a math tutor to helpthe Herndon students. The tutor sometimesstays an extra 30 minutes and works forhalf-price, Mulrenin said.

“Nobody’s getting a tax break … peopleare just willing to help,” Mulrenin said. “…All of these people, we didn’t ask for theirhelp, but they heard the story and peopleare just throwing [help in our direction].”

Along with continued weekly meetings,the study hall group planned to dress upand go out for a holiday dinner this week.

“I grew up in Herndon,” Hall said.“Herndon is my school. Herndon is my com-munity. The reality is, if I’m only helping orworking or having any influence over theyoung people in the basketball program, I’mbeing rather shortsighted. This was an op-portunity for us to help.”

Herndon High Schoolathletes meet weeklyfor dinner, studying,fun.

Herndon Coach Hall, Wife Host Weekly Study Hall

Photos by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

After dinner, it’s time for work during a weekly study hall for HerndonHigh School student/athletes at head basketball coach Gary Hall’s homein Reston.

Herndon boys’basketballcoach GaryHall and hiswife, ColleenMulrenin, hosta weekly studyhall forHerndonstudent/ath-letes at theirhome inReston.

Herndonstudent/ath-letes eat din-ner during aweekly studyhall gatheringat the Restonhome of headboys’ basket-ball coachGary Hall andhis wife, Col-leen Mulrenin.

SportsHerndon Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]


Enjoy the Holidays with Holiday Goodies!Holiday Selection of Mouth-Watering Sweets

Established 1987K-Mart Shopping Mall • 370 Elden Street, Herndon, VA • 703-467-9700

•Cakes •Cookies•Pastries •Pies

•Customized Cakes 50-75% OffPottery50-75% OffPottery50-75% OffPottery50-75% OffPottery50-75% OffPottery50-75% OffPottery

606060

Lowes

t Pric

es

Since

2008

!

$29.99

Playground Chips& Organic Compost

cu. yd.

Hosta Special!25% Off All VarietiesHosta Special!

25% Off All VarietiesHosta Special!



25% Off All Varieties

FREE Fill

BulkMulch$24.99 cu. yd.

Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls,Landscaping & so much more!



Now’s A Great Time for Your Landscape Project!Now’s A Great Time for Your Landscape Project!Now’s A Great Time for Your Landscape Project!Free

EstimatesFree

EstimatesFree

Estimates

Bagged,ShreddedHardwood

Mulch$3.49

OFF-S

EASO

N

PRIC

ING

9023 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax, Virginia

2 miles west of I-495 on Rt. 50. 1 mile from I-66 (Vienna Metro)

Open 7 days a week703-573-5025

Visit our new Web site: www.cravensnursery.com➠

Fragrant,blooming CitrusPlants 10% Off

Fragrant,blooming CitrusPlants 10% Off

Christmas Trees,Greens

and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias


and Poinsettias

Faith Notes are for announce-ments and events in the faithcommunity, including special holi-day services. Send to [email protected]. Dead-line is Thursday.

Trinity PresbyterianChurch, 651 Dranesville Road,Herndon, has Sunday worship ser-vices at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.Nursery and childcare are pro-vided and youth and adult Sundayschool classes are held prior, from9:40-10:45 a.m. 703-437-5500 orwww.trinityherndon.org.

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center,Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625Wiehle Ave., Reston, holds weeklyclasses starting Sept. 12, Thursdays7-8:30 p.m., for the general publicwhich use Buddhist teachings topractice meditation. $12. 202-986-2257 or www.meditation-dc.org.

St. Anne’s EpiscopalChurch, 1700 Wainwright Drivein Reston, holds Sunday services at7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. andcontemporary service at 5 p.m.Nursery, Sunday school and adulteducation available. Morningprayer on Monday at 9:30, HolyEucharist Wednesday at 8:15 a.m.703-437-6530 or www.stannes-reston.org.

Adult Sunday school will beheld 9:30 a.m. Sundays at theWashington Plaza Baptist Churchat Lake Anne Village Center. Thegroup is studying the Gospel ofMark. Services follow at 11 a.m.

HAVEN of Northern Vir-ginia offers a variety of freebereavement support groups,meeting on a weekly basis. Con-tact 703-941-7000 orwww.havenofnova.org for sched-ules and registration information.

The Jewish Federation ofGreater Washington and theJewish Outreach Institute offer theMothers/Parents Circle, an um-brella of free educational eventsand resources. Jewish rituals, eth-ics and the creation of a Jewishhome, regular meetings and groupShabbats and holidays. Partici-pants include Sha’are Shalom,Congregation Beth Emeth, TempleRodef Shalom and the JewishCommunity Center of NorthernVirginia. ShalomDC.org.

Epiphany United MethodistPreschool, 1014 Country ClubDrive, N.E. in Vienna, is now enrolling3- to 4-year-old students for the 2010/2011 school year. 703-938-2391 orwww.epiphanypreschool.com.

Faith Notes

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 17-SUNDAY/DEC. 21“A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

NextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset ParkDrive, Reston. For the first time,NextStop Theatre Company will beproducing a full-scale holidayproduction featuring a castcomprised entirely of youngperformers. All roles are unpaid, butwill be supported by a team of highcaliber directors, designers andtechnical personnel from theprofessional company. Directed byJennifer Lambert. (Based on theclassic holiday TV special). http://www.nextstoptheatre.org/

THROUGH WEDNESDAY/DEC. 31La Lumiere DuBois. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Hunters Woods Exhibit, 2310 ColtsNeck Road, Reston. An exhibit of thecolorful nature photographs ofaward-winning artist, MichaelDuBois. 703-476-4500.

THROUGH SATURDAY/JAN. 3, 2015LineWorks: Drawing Redefined

Exhibit at GRACE. 6 - 8 p.m.Reston Town Center, 11900 MarketStreet, Reston. Thematic multi-mediaworks by five artists, Lee Gainer,Sarah Irvin, Nikki Painter, FoonSham, and Sarah Weinstock.703-471-9242. www.restonarts.org.

THROUGH MONDAY/JAN. 5, 2015Annual “Gifts from the HeART” to

Benefit Reston Interfaith. 9a.m.-9 p.m. Jo Ann Rose Gallery,1609 Washington Plaza N, Reston.Sales of original works of art in manymediums will benefit Cornerstones.703-476-4500.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 17The Mitten. Herndon Community

Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon.Where do animals stay on a cold andsnowy day? Snuggle in for story timeand listen to Jan Brett’s classic book.Make a mitten craft. Weatherpermitting, bundle up and take awalk to search for animal homes.Reservations required by December12. Fee: $7/child RA members, $9/child Non-members.

For more information, [email protected], or call 703-476-9689 and press 5. Ages 3 to 5.

Preschool Storytime. 11 a.m.Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768Center Street, Herndon. Ages 3-5with adult caregiver enjoygingerbread and Jingle Bells stories,songs and rhymes. Openings.

All Ages Sing-A-Long With Santa. 7p.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive. Join theJingle Bell Orchestra to welcomeSanta. Openings.

THURSDAY/DEC. 18Toddler Storytime. 10:30 a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive. Age 2 andadult caregiver enjoy stories, songs,and fingerplay. Openings.

School Age Kid’s Graphic NovelBook Club. 4 p.m. Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. This month’s discussion:“Garfield & Co.: Home for theHolidays,” by Jim Davis. Books arestill available for check out at theChildren’s desk.

Book Discussion For Adults:Poetry. 7 p.m. Reston Regional

Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Informal gathering of poetrylovesr to share own work or favoritepoet.

FRIDAY/DEC. 19Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Reston Regional

Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Ages 3-5 with adult caregiverenjoy the early literacy program.Openings.

SATURDAY/DEC. 20Horse-drawn Carriage Ride. 4-9

p.m. Reston Town Center, 11900

Market Street, Reston. $5 per person.Children under 5 ride free. Allproceeds benefit local charities.restontowncenter.com/holidays.

SUNDAY/DEC. 21Mini-train Rides. 12-4 p.m. Reston

Town Center, 11900 Market Street,Reston. All donated proceeds benefitlocal charities.restontowncenter.com/holidays

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 31New Year’s Eve Bonfire and

Celebration. ArtSpace Herndon,750 Center Street, Herndon. AfricanDrum & band workshop (youthevent; $5/child or $10/family) 7 –8:30 p.m. Bonfire with Drum Circle(all ages; free), 8:30 – 10 p.m. ANight of Blues: Herbie D. & theDangermen ($25/single, $50/couple)10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Purchase ticketsat www.artspaceherndon.org.

Jimmy’s Annual New Year’s EveGala. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern,697 Spring Street, Herndon. Ring inthe new year at Jimmy’s . http://www.jimmystavern.com/

THURSDAY/JAN. 1, 2015New Year’s Day 5K. 10 a.m. Reston

Town Center, 11900 Market Street,Reston, Fountain Square. Kick off theNew Year with a run from RestonTown Center with music, food, andfun celebration following the race.Presented by Potomac River Running.703-689-0999 at prraces.com/newyearsday

ONGOINGLRA Displays “Changing Colors.”

Through Friday, Jan. 9. Parkridge 5Building, 10780 Parkridge Blvd.,Reston. This League of Reston Artists’show includes original painting,mixed media, two-dimensionalhangable art, and photography. Free.www.leagueofrestonartists.org.

Free Comedy Showcase. Thursdays8:30 p.m., at Kalypso’s SportsTavern, 1617 Washington Plaza N.,Lake Anne Village Center, Reston.Kalypso’s hosts weekly comedy showsthat feature some of the best nationaltouring and local comedians in thearea. Free of charge.

Family Fun Entertainment Series.Saturdays 10-10:45 a.m., at RestonTown Square Park, 11990 Market St.,Reston. Every Saturday enjoy liveshows, children’s music and otherchild-friendly entertainment. 703-476-4500.

Movies and Mimosas. Saturday andSunday 11 a.m., at Reston TownCenter, 11940 Market St., Reston.Showings in the morning; look upshowings online.www.bowtiecinemas.com.

Send announcements to [email protected]. The deadline is theFriday prior to the following week’s paper. Photos/artwork encouraged.

Calendar

Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection

Scooby Doo and Tweety Bird glide along at the RestonTown Center Ice Skating Pavilion. A big hit with theyounger skaters – and a few of the young at heart, as well–the two are part of the rink’s Saturday Cartoon Charac-ter Skate. Scooby assured us that he would be there formany more Saturdays to come.


Zone 1 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 1: • Reston

• Herndon • Loudoun

Home & GardenHome & GardenCONTRACTORS.comconnectionnewspapers.com

Recessed LightingCeiling FansPhone/CATVComputer Network CablingService UpgradesHot Tubs, etc…

Office 703-335-0654Mobile 703-499-0522

Licensed/Bonded/Insured

[email protected]

ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

GUTTER CLEANINGGutters and Downspouts Cleaned

Small Repairs • Gutter Guards

PINNACLE SERVICESlic/ins 703-802-0483 free est.email [email protected]: lawnsandgutters.comFriendly Service with a Friendly Price!

GUTTER GUTTER

LicensedInsured

We Accept VISA/MC

703-441-8811

You have tried the rest - NOW CALL THE BEST!!Proudly serving Northern VA - 46 yrs. exp.

The HANDYMANA DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION

BATHROOM REMODELING, DRYWALL,PAINTING, CERAMIC TILE, CARPENTRY,POWER WASHING & MUCH MORE

IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS

R.N. CONTRACTORS, INC.Remodeling Homes, Flooring,Kitchen & Bath, Windows,Siding, Roofing, Additions &Patios, Custom Deck, Painting

We Accept All Major Credit CardsLicensed, Insured, Bonded • Free Estimates • Class A Lic

Phone: 703-887-3827 Fax: 703-830-3849E-mail: [email protected]

www.rncontractors.com

Remodeling Bathrooms, Kitchens & Basements

Picture PerfectPicture Perfect

Exterior & Interior Repair, Painting, Carpentry,Wood Rot, Drywall, All Flooring, Decks

Licensed – Bonded – Insured“If it can be done, we can do it”www.pphionfine.com

•FREE Estimates•FAST & Reliable Service

•EASY To schedule•NO $$$ DOWN!

Handyman Services Available

(703) 590-3137(703) 590-3137

R&N Carpentry

✦BASEMENTS ✦BATHS ✦KITCHENSForeclosure specialist/Power washing

✦Exterior Wood Rot More!Deck & Fence repair, Screen Porches

No jobs too large or smallFree est. 37 yrs exp. Licensed, Insured

703-987-5096

MOWING, TRIMMING, EDGING,MULCHING & TRIM HEDGES

PINNACLE SERVICES, INC.LAWN SERVICE

Friendly Service for a Friendly Price

703-802-0483703-802-0483

LAWN SERVICE

GOLDY BRICKCONSTRUCTION

Walkways, Patios, Driveways,Flagstone, ConcreteFREE ESTIMATES

Licensed, Insured, Bonded

703-250-6231

PAVING PAVING

Quality Tree Service & LandscapingReasonable prices. Licensed & insured

24 Hour Emergency Tree Service

25 years of experienceFree estimates

703-868-5358

Leaf RemovalGutter Cleaning

TREE SERVICE TREE SERVICE

Quality Tree Service& Landscaping

Reasonable prices. Licensed & insured.

24 Hour EmergencyTree Service

25 years of experience – Free estimates 703-868-5358

Fall Cleanup...Tree removal, topping & pruning,shrubbery trimming, mulching,leaf removal, planting, hauling,gutter cleaning, retaining walls,

drainage problems, etc.

HAULING

ANGEL’S HAULING

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

Junk Trash Removal, Yard/Construction

Debris, Garage/ Base- ment Clean Out,

Furniture & Appl.

LANDSCAPING

JUNK HAULINGJunk, Rubbish,Homes, Offices,

Commerical,Yard/ConstructionDebris, Lot Clearout, 24 hrs day,

General Hom Work.

703-520-3205 N-VA

TREE SERVICE

ANGEL’S TREE REMOVAL

Angeltreeslandscaping-hauling.com

Brush & Yard Debris Trimming & Topping

Gutters & Hauling

703-863-1086703-582-3709240-603-6182

Zone 1 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 1: • Reston

• Herndon • LoudounClassifiedClassified

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements

Falls Church AntiqueS

Christmas Shop Now Open!

Best Kept Secret of The Metro Area!

Falls Church Antique Co.250W. Broad St. Falls Church, Va • 703-2419642

Unique collection of antiques and collectibles,including furniture, jewelry, glassware, pottery,

sterling silver, paintings, prints and more!Fun home and gift ideas!

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

17 Housesitting

HOUSESITTINGFully employed and reliable mid-career non-smoker can

ensure your home is not vacant while you are away long-term. I am saving to

buy a condo here in North-ern Virginia and also I am

an out-of-state home owner. I work as a professional

accountant. Please contact me at

[email protected] or

224-0034 area code 843"

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEThe Dillon Group, LLC trading as P.J. Mulligans, 2310 Wood-land Crossing Dr. Ste E, Hern-don, VA 20171. The above es-tablishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises, Mixed Beverages license to sell or manufacture alcoholic bever-ages. William Dillon member. NOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be

submitted to ABC no later that 30 days from the publishing

date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

objections should be regis-tered at www.abc.virginia.gov

or 800-552-3200.

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry

and costume jewelry,paintings/art glass/clocks.

Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6.....Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4.....Tues @ noonE-mail ad with zone choices to:

[email protected]

or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6.....Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4.....Tues @ noonE-mail ad with zone choices to:

[email protected]


ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/

Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/

Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria

Gazette PacketThe Mount Vernon Gazette

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls Connection

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

CLASSIFIED

NEWSPAPERS

For AllYour

AdvertisingNeeds…

It Works.Week

After Week.

703917-6400

PlaceYourAd

Today!

to your community

For Local…

•Employment•Employees•Services•Entertainment•Announcements•Real Estate•Cars•Trucks•Vans•RV’s•Boats•Pets•Yard Sales•Crafts•Hobbies•And More!

Nothing is toosmall to know,

and nothing toobig to attempt.

-William Van Horne

OBITUARYJoel D. Tomlinson

Passed away on December 11, 2014, surrounded by family, at George Washington University Hospital in Washington. He was 49.

Born July 21, 1965, in Waco, Texas, Joel is survived by his mother, Mildred (Mitty) Hayek; Margaret (Maya) O’Connor, his partner of 17 years; four children, Joshua (29), Jesica (27), Ja-coba (26) and Ada Grace (4); along with former wife Lecia Keen, brother Jonathan and sister and brother-in-law Jennifer Tomlinson and Steve Toloken; he is also survived by daughter-in-law Emily Cull Tomlinson, son-in-law David Rines and Agne Menges. He was preceded in death by father Glen C. Tomlin-son, brother James (Jamie) Glen Tomlinson and many loving relatives.

Joel was a warm, kind person with a gift for talking to anyone. He attracted an eclectic group of friends, and was an avid pho-tographer, working for many years at Central Photo on Capitol Hill, where his painstaking attention to detail would have been felt in the portraits of countless Washington D.C. tour groups. He was a frequent marcher at protests and supporter of social justice, and he worked tirelessly to help with the longtime fami-ly home on Beulah Road in Vienna, Va. He was raised in Fair-fax County, Va., attending schools in Reston, Langley High School and Texas State University. He lived most of his adult life in the Washington D.C. area.

A memorial service will be held Friday Dec. 19, at 2 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family is request-ing donations to a charity of choice or Empower DC, www.empowerdc.org.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements


Beverly Anne Schupfer Morris, 84,passed away Nov. 23, 2014 in IdahoFalls, Idaho from complications of

Parkinson’s Disease She was born June 13,1930 in Lewiston, Idaho to Herman andAlberta Schupfer.

Beverly married Robert Morris July 3.Three sons were born: Robert, John andRichard.

She also loved classical music and wasan accomplished pianist, organist, and re-corder player.

In 1968 the family moved to Reston, af-ter Bob got a job with the Office of NavalResearch. While in Reston, Beverly sang inthe Reston Chorale and founded housemusic groups.

She also taught piano and recorder andwas a Cub Scout Den Mother. In 1974 Bob

got a job with the State Department, and in1978 the couple moved to Paris, France forfour years, followed by overseas stints inBonn, West Germany; Buenos Aires, Argen-tina; and Madrid, Spain.

In 1992, Bob retired and the couple even-tually relocated to Ashland, Ore., wherethey enjoyed attending the ShakespeareFestival. In March 2014 they moved toIdaho Falls, Idaho to live near their oldestson and his family.

Beverly was a devoted wife, a lovingmother of three, grandmother of four, andgreat-grandmother of five. In observance ofher wishes, her body was donated to sci-ence, with the wish that her remainingashes be scattered in Northern Idaho.

Beverly is survived by her husband Rob-ert and all other descendants.

Beverly Anne Schupfer Morris Dies

Obituary

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

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 17ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11 a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Join conversational group: Wednesdayswith Richard.

<cal1Thursday/Dec. 18ESL For Adults: Advanced Level. 10 a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Join conversational group: Thursdayswith Richard.

ESL For Adults: Grammar and Vocabularyfor Intermediate Level. 6:30 p.m. RestonRegional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.12-week course to learn basic rules of Englishgrammar and vocabulary building. Regularattendance is reqired for class: Thursdays withPaul.

<cal1Friday/Dec. 19ESL For Adults: Beginners. 10 a.m. Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.Join conversational group: Fridays with Elayne.

ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11 a.m.Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Join conversational group: Fridays withRichard.

MONDAY/DEC. 22ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11 a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne

Drive. Join conversational group: Mondays withRichard.

TUESDAY/DEC. 23ESL For Adults: Beginners. 10 a.m. Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.Join conversational group: Tuesdays withElayne.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 24ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11a.m.


MONDAY/DEC. 29ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Join conversational group: Mondays withRichard.

TUESDAY/DEC. 30ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 10 a.m.

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Join conversational group: Tuesdays withElayne.

WEDNESDAY/DEC.31ESL For Adults: Intermediate Level. 11 a.m.


Bulletin Board

Send school notes [email protected] by Friday.

Each year, the Northwest Federal Credit UnionFoundation (NWFCU Foundation) awards a totalof $100,000 in college scholarships – $5,000 each– to 20 students who have demonstrated qualitiesof leadership, dedication and commitment inschool, at home and in the community.

“These students have displayed the qualities thatwill make them future leaders in our community,”said Chris McDonald, Chairman of the NWFCUFoundation and President/CEO of Northwest Fed-eral Credit Union. “We are pleased to make aninvestment in their future – and our community’sfuture – by helping them pay for college.”

Winners of the 2014 Ben DeFelice Scholarshipsfrom our area include:

❖ Jared Hunsaker, graduate of Herndon Highschool. He will attend Brigham Young University.

❖ Troy Hunsaker, graduate of Herndon Highschool. He will attend Brigham Young University.

❖ Derek Phillips, graduate of South Lakes HighSchool. He will attend Stanford University.

Emily Schaal, a student at Herndon High School,is the winner of the 2014 National Peace Essaycontest for Virginia and has earned a $1,000 aca-demic scholarship – US Institute of Peace

announced. Emily’s essay examined how securitysector reform contributes to sustainable peace.

Douglas Graney, who teaches history and socialstudies at Herndon High, was named VirginiaTeacher of the Year by the Veterans of ForeignWars (VFW) Department of Virginia. Graney wasone of three teachers (elementary, middle, andhigh school) recognized by the state VFW for theircommitment to teach citizenship education topicsto students, and to promote America’s history, tra-ditions, and institutions. Graney received his awardin Williamsburg last month. He teaches U.S. andVirginia history, U.S. government, and philosophy,and recently completed the renewal process forboard certification from the National Board forProfessional Teaching Standards.

Herndon area students Michael H. Chen,Emily Schaal, Jefferson Sheron and Tae-Jung Yang of Herndon High School; andJocelyn Huang, Sreenath Are, RohanBanerjee, Ashwin Basana, Arjun Iyer,Aseem Jain, Anne Li, Soumya Mishra,Christin Park, Rohan Punnoose, SarahQuettawala, Simran Rohatgi, SnigdhaSrivastava and Tony Xiao of Thomas JeffersonHigh School for Science and Technology are Na-tional Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

School Notes

Zone 1 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday 4 p.m.

703-778-9411

Zone 1: • Reston

• Herndon • LoudounEmploymentEmployment

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

BUSINESS OPP

NATIONAL CHILDRENS CENTERNo sell! Salary + Bonus + Benefits!

Weekdays 9-4

TELEPHONE

☎☎301-333-1900

A great opportunity toWORK AT HOME!

☎☎

This is not a home improvement refer-ence, but this is most definitely a do-it-yourself column. And though friends,family and all the medical professionalsat The Infusion Center, and of course theOncology staff, have been wonderfullysupportive and encouraging throughoutmy nearly-six-year ordeal, at the end ofthe day – heck, at the beginning of theday, every day – the patient has to figurea way to navigate through thischaracterized-as-terminal minefield.More often than not, this has been mygreatest challenge: keeping my spirits upand my attitude positive when there areonly three people present and accountedfor: me, myself and I.

Dealing with unexpected results –both good and especially bad, from labwork, diagnostic scans and/or in-personappointments/physical examinations/assessments – and the effect all of it hason the patient’s presumptive life expec-tancy, are emotional hurdles I regularlyendure. Moreover, interpreting any ofthese results, better left for the profes-sionals, rarely prevents us amateurs(patients) from wishfully-thinking, deny-ing or freaking out entirely. After all, yourlife is at stake and since there are noguarantees or 100-percent predictableoutcomes in the treatment of stage IV,non-small cell lung cancer – other thanit’s not curable, according to my oncolo-gist – anticipating the worst while prayingfor the best becomes your 24/7 reality.

This reality is never more apparent tome, since I’m relatively asymptomatic,than when I complete my every-three-week, pre-chemotherapy lab work.That’s when (other than my quarterly CTScan), the tale of my tape, so to speak, isupdated. If certain measurements are toohigh: creatinine, bilirubin, potassium –then no chemo for me. If certain othermeasurements are too low: white andred blood cells counts, oxygen, alsopotassium; then again, no chemo for me.The real anxiety, new anxiety – for me, iswhat levels show up on the inevitableretest (the first order of business is toconfirm the abnormality with additionallab work). Typically, at least historically,my retests, taken a week later (some-times even a day later), have alwaysreturned to normal, and accordingly,chemotherapy has proceeded as usual.This week, however, something differenthas occurred. This is the first time thatmy creatinine levels were too high onconsecutive three-week intervals. If mynext retest does not return to level (as theprevious one did), and chemotherapy isput off an additional week again, that toowill be a first and cause – in my headanyway, for new concern. This would bea complication/result that in the previoussix years has never happened.

Should I be worried? And whether ornot I should be, can I even control myfeelings and somehow patiently (no punintended) wait for new results from theretest without coming apart at the seams?If I could, I would; but given this col-umn’s subject, apparently I can’t. Wishme luck; hopefully, I won’t need it.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

A Level That’sAnything But

EducationalInternships

Unusual opportunity tolearn many aspects of thenewspaper business.Internships available inreporting, photography,research, graphics.Opportunities for students,and for adults consideringchange of career. Unpaid.E-mail [email protected]

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6............................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4 ...........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to:[email protected]


EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6............................Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4 ...........................Tues @ noon

E-mail ad with zone choices to:[email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411

ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/

Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria Gazette Packet

The Mount Vernon GazetteZone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/Oakton ConnectionThe McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls Connection

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO

Crafts Displayed at Herndon Community...

Documents

Transcript of Crafts Displayed at Herndon Community...