More Than - Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/... ·...

Reston Association Passes Stronger Internal ControlsNews, Page 3

Reston, a Tree City, Plants MoreNews, Page 4

More Than Candy-filled Eggs

News, Page 7

Amber Yin was more than happy to sit beside the Easter Bunny after Easter Services Sunday

morning at Restoration Church, the Reston campus of Floris United Methodist Church.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com April 4-10, 2018

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Senior LivingPage 2

2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ April 4-10, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Senior Living

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

FRIDAY/APRIL 6Coffee Social at Tallwood. at 10 a.m. at

Tallwood Campus, 4210 Roberts Road, Fairfax.Welcome new members, make new friends andkick-off spring term in Fairfax with coffee,refreshments and friendly conversation. Theevent will include a quick presentation. Formore information or to register, visit bit.ly/2H8AZy1 (Special Event 1304).

FRIDAY & MONDAY/APRIL 6 & 9AARP Smart Drivers Classes. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at

Oakton United Methodist Church, 2951 ChainBridge Road, Oakton. A refresher course for driversage 50 and older. $15 AARP members, $20 for non-members payable on the fiirst day of class. Visitwww.scov.org/files/2018_04_aarp_smart_driver_flyer.pdf. Callinstructor David Young to register at 703-591-1847.

SATURDAY/APRIL 7Caregiver Bootcamp. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Insight

Memory Care Center, 3953 Pender Drive, Suite100, Fairfax. Join IMCC for a special day-longtraining event covering essential caregivingtopics. Contact Lindsey Vajpeyi,[email protected], 703-204-4664or visit InsightMCC.org.

Living with Alzheimer’s: For Middle-StageCaregivers. 10 a.m.-noon at RavensworthBaptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road,Annandale. Part one of three-part series. Jointhe Alzheimer’s Association for this free three-part series and hear caregivers and professionalsdiscuss strategies to provide safe, effective andcomfortable care in the middle stage ofAlzheimer’s. For more information and toregister, call 800-272-3900. Other dates as well.

MONDAYS/APRIL 9-MAY 14Adventures ‘N Learning. 9:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 TwinbrookRoad, Fairfax. Join the Shepherd’s Center ofFairfax every Monday for 6 weeks. Start withgentle exercise, followed by speakers on topicssuch as health, history, community, personal

development, finance, and more. Afternoonbreakouts are book club, bridge or canasta.Bring a brown bag lunch. $30. Register at 703-426-2824, or visit www.scfbva.org.

TUESDAY/APRIL 10Dementia Caregiver Support Groups. Noon-

1:30 p.m. Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burkesponsors a monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesdayof each month for caregivers to learn and toshare with others experiencing similarchallenges. Before attending, contact thefacilitator, Eileen Thompson at 703-451-8626 [email protected].

THURSDAY/APRIL 12Adventures in Learning Open House. 10

a.m.-noon at UUCF, 2709 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. Bounce into Spring with a new revvedup brain. Cost is $45. Classes begin April 19-June 14 (no class May 3). Visit www.scov.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 14Community Shredding Event. 8 a.m.-noon at I-

95 Landfill, 9850 Furnace Road, Lorton. Shredevent is open to Fairfax County residents.Documents from businesses will not beaccepted. All cars must be in line by noon.Residents will be asked to remain in theirvehicles. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon/secure-document-shredding-event.

TUESDAY/APRIL 17Joy Of Living for Seniors. 11 a.m.-noon at St

Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren St.,Herndon. As part of an ongoing series, StTimothy’s Episcopal Church in Herndon, willhold a presentation about Israel/Palestine andthe Two State Solution, followed by a lightlunch. Donation offerings for lunch accepted.RSVP to [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 18Community Meeting. 7:30 p.m. in the Great

Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike A, GreatFalls. The Great Falls Civic Association Land Use& Zoning Committee discuss a new senior carefacility on Walker Road in Great Falls proposedby Verity Commercial and IntegraCare. Visitgfca.org.

Seniors Calendar

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

It may seem like a long time until September when the 36th year of theNorthern Virginia Senior Olympics(NVSO) kicks off.

But not for 83-year-old Chuck Toftoy fromArlington, who often enters 20 events, andsays he practices all year long.

Opening ceremonies for this year’s eventsare scheduled for Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. at Tho-mas Jefferson Community Center in Arling-ton, and the competition is scheduled to endon Sept. 26.

The NVSO began in 1982 with about 80people competing; last year there were 752competitors signed up for one or more ofthe 70 events offered. The events rangedfrom tennis, baseball throw, bocce,orienteering, swimming and diving, golf,corn hole toss, volleyball, and pickleball.

Three new sports have been added to thecompetition this year including canasta,croquet and beach ball wallyball. Herb

Levitan, a member of the NVSO Board, ex-plains beach ball wallyball is like volleyballbut played on a racquetball court with abeachball which is bigger and softer than avolleyball. Levitan is currently preparing for

the Virginia senior games coming up soonwhere he swims four freestyle events.

Alease Brooks, 85, has been competingfor 14 years and participated in 13 differ-ent sports in 2017. But her favorite is

pickleball. Her children have bought her T-shirts in different colors for her games andoften come to watch her and cheer her on.

Toftoy says this year he plans to reducethe number of sports he enters so that hecan concentrate on pickleball since he plansto enter singles, doubles and mixed com-petition this year.

Last year, 93-year old Henry Colette fromOakton was one of 19 bocce competitors.But for the last several years he has beenguaranteed a win because there was no oneelse in his age group competing.

Last year’s oldest competitor was 101years old with her sport of choice was du-plicate bridge.

Seniors participate for many reasons —some because they like to stay busy and fit,others because they are returning to a highschool or college sport, some because theylike the community of friends they see ev-ery year and others because they still “liketo dream big.”

This year’s games are expected to be heldin 29 venues including community centers,parks, high schools and other locationsacross Northern Virginia. Registration forthis year’s NVSO will open June 1. This yearNVSO is hoping to bring back the 5k runand looking for an event director for thatevent. Those interested in volunteering cancall 703-403-5360.

Never Too Early to Prepare for Senior OlympicsNew this year:canasta, croquet andbeach ball wallyball.

File Photo by Shirley Ruhe/The Connection

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics includes bocce competition.

Reston Connection ❖ April 4-10, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Transparency, Page 10

NewsReston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

The Foundation for FairfaxCounty Public Schools an-nounced their community part-

ners are preparing for the 2018 “Collectfor Kids” school supplies and backpacksdrive for students in Fairfax County Pub-lic Schools. In 2017, the drive helpedmore than 39,000 of the 55,000 studentswho receive free or reduced-price mealsin Fairfax County Schools. The goal for2018 is to provide 40,000 of these chil-dren and youth with school supplies andbackpacks. “Collect for Kids” is seekingmonetary contributions and help fromorganizations. Their online donationform states: “100 percent of your dona-tion will be allocated for school supplies

for FCPS students in need.” Even though arobust and connected group of partnersmake “Collect for Kids” work, the organi-zation is also seeking help from new orga-nizations to support their effort. Currently,more than 20 businesses, government agen-cies and community organization work to-gether on the campaign, among them AppleFederal Credit Union, Britepaths, WesternFairfax Christian Ministries, Cornerstones,and Kids R First.

According to “Collect for Kids,” “Everyschool in Fairfax County is touched by need.Some schools have as few as 1 percent ofstudents living in poverty and some schoolshave over 90 percent of students living inpoverty.”

In the Oak Hill/ Herndon area, support-ing partners of “Collect for Kids” serve stu-dents at Coates, Dranesville, Herndon,Floris and Hutchison Elementary Schools,Herndon and Rachel Carson MiddleSchools, and Herndon High School.

For more information on how to donateor help with the effort visitcollectforkids.org.

‘Collect for Kids’ Seeks Help

The Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools announced theircommunity partners are getting ready for the 2018 “Collect for Kids”school supplies and backpack drive as they seek monetary donationsand help from organizations.

Donations and helpfrom organizationsis requested.

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By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

At the March 23, 2018 meeting ofthe Reston Association (RA)Board of Directors, the boardapproved two actions for stron-

ger internal controls, a new whistleblowerspolicy and a revised purchasing and pro-curement resolution. The approved actionsare very similar to proposed recommenda-tions put forth by the StoneTurn Group LLP,engaged by RA over a year ago to, as STGcited in their review, “assist in a review ofthe processes and internal controls thatwere followed by the Association related tothe purchase and the renovation of theTetra/Lake House (Tetra, the Property Ac-quisition) Project.”

RA’s newly adopted revised and expandedwhistleblower policy allows employees,contractors, and vendors to report “any vio-lation of the law or the association’s deed,bylaws and policies or improper conductdirectly to the board, including using ananonymous reporting mechanism managedby an independent third-party service pro-vider.”

The revised procurement and purchasingresolution approved by the RA board re-quires the board “to review and approve allcontracts and agreements with expendituresof over $24,999.” RA Board Treasurer,Sridhar Ganesan, said, “RA typically entersinto between 25 and 30 contracts or mas-ter service agreements with a total value ofover $24,999 in a year.”

RA REPORTED that the CFO and CEO

remain the final approvers for procurementsbelow the $24,999 level once the board hasapproved the budget for such expenditure.Previously, according to the StoneTurnGroup report, once the board approved aproject’s budget, the information on “bid-ding, procurement as well as the contractdocuments were not required to be pro-vided.”

RA Board President Sherri Hebert said,

“The new whistleblower policy supports theprocurement and purchasing resolution aswell as policies and procedures that havebeen established to strengthen RA’s opera-tions.”

The StoneTurn Group, LLP review wasrelated to the $2.65 million purchase of theTetra/Lake House building and its 3.47-acreproperty located at 11450 Baron CameronAvenue, Reston, its interior and exterior

renovations, rental and programming plan,and developer contributions. StoneTurnGroup also reviewed multiple uses of ex-ecutive sessions during the purchase andrenovation period, processes for capital ex-penditures and the voting and referendumprocesses pertinent to the Tetra property.

Looking at the StoneTurn Group reviewfor possible enhancements to the RA board,the group found that there were “no writ-ten internal control policies and correspond-ing processes for the Association staff to relyupon as they went through the transaction.”

The report cited, “The internal controlprocesses, including those for Conflict ofInterest tracking, procurement, and invoicepayment, among others, are not sufficientlyrobust to ensure compliance with the Asso-ciation policies and our analysis has foundmultiple instances of required documenta-tion not being maintained.”

The report added: “The internal controlprocesses of the Association are not suffi-cient to account for funds when they arecontracted or encumbered, but instead trackexpenditures only as they are paid...”

The board actions for tighter internal con-trols came on the heels of last month’s an-nouncement that its CEO, Catherine (Cate)Fulkerson would not be continuing with theAssociation past the end of her currentemployment agreement but instead wouldbe moved into a “special adviser role forthe association as of March 1, 2018.”Fulkerson ’s employment contract is due toexpire on Oct. 31, 2018. The day after theannouncement, the board selected its CFO,Robert Wood to serve as acting CEO.

Reston Association Passes Stronger Internal ControlsStoneTurn Group, LLP urged RA to adopt similar policies a year ago.

A review of the processes and internal controls that were followed byReston Association related to the purchase and the renovation of theTetra/Lake House at 11450 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston promptedtwo recent board approved actions for tighter internal controls.

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News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

The Tree City USA program recognizes citiesfor their excellence in urban forestry man-agement. Reston is a named Tree City USA

Community because it is committed its urban treecanopy. To achieve Tree City USA status, Reston hadto meet four core standards of sound urban forestrymanagement: maintaining a tree board or depart-ment, having a community tree ordinance, spend-ing at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and cel-ebrating Arbor Day.

On Monday, April 2, 2018, Patricia Pearl Greenberg,Environmental Resource Supervisor Reston Associa-tion (RA) stood with 28 volunteers of all ages,preschoolers to seniors, at Arbor Day Site 1 of 3, theplanting site by Shadbush Court and the tot-lot atthe center of the Old Trail Drive loop in Reston.

RA staff and volunteers were there in the drizzleto take back the woods from invasive species andreplant with native trees and bushes. Staff providedall needed equipment for the volunteer corporategroups, families, individuals and students.

Standing ready to tackle the underbrush wereStarbuck partners, Jessie Torres, Kristine Koziar, Jes-sica Jacobs, and Evan Freese. After a quick lesson by

Greenberg, their mission would be to uproot EnglishIvy so the other volunteers could replant with nativespecies. Greenberg explained, “We have quite a fewinvasive species here. English Ivy, Bush Honeysuckle,Invasive Cherry Tree, Autumn Olive, and BurningBush. They have a strong, aggressive character thathelps them take over our native species.”

Starbucks partner, Kristine Koziar seemed awareof Starbucks commitment to the environment. Shesaid: “One tree, one neighborhood, one communityat a time.”

In the middle of the muddy site stood a family, amom and three young children. Undeterred by thesoft drizzle, they were busy planting trees and plac-ing protective grow tubes around them to help theyoung saplings survive. The grow tubes act like mini-greenhouses and help build and grow the roots, stemand shoots. When asked what they had just finishedplanting, Ethan McGregor, 5, said, “We planted adeciduous tree.” Greenberg shared, “Arbor Day wasthe first federal holiday created to celebrate trees,even before Earth Day. RA staff enjoys working withvolunteers to help remove invasive plants and in-stall native species to improve wildlife habitat. With-out the support from our community, we would notbe able to accomplish the extent of the work that wedo on Arbor Day.”

From left,Starbuck volun-

teers JessicaJacobs, Jessie

Torres, EvanFreese and

Kristine Koziar,make sure it is

an invasiveEnglish Ivy plant

they have lo-cated before

they uproot it.

Reston Fulfills a Tree City RequirementPull out invasive plants; plant the native plants.

The McGregor children of Reston, Rose, 7,and Ethan, 5, make sure Violet, 7, is givingthe deciduous tree they planted enoughwater.

Reston Association staff provided allneeded equipment for the twenty-eightvolunteers at Arbor Day Site 1.

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Fatal Crash in RestonA 23-year-old man from Maryland died Saturday morning, March

24, after striking a traffic signal pole. Officers responded to the area ofBaron Cameron Avenue and Hunter Mill Road around 1:15 a.m. forthe report of a single car crash.

The driver, 23-year-old, Johnny Nony Souvannavong of UpperMarlboro, was the only occupant of the car. Detectives from Crash Re-construction Unit are investigating the crash and believe speed was afactor. The Subaru was traveling eastbound on Baron Cameron Av-enue near Hunter Mill Road when a tire went off the roadway. Thedriver over corrected and lost control of the vehicle, causing the ve-hicle to cross over eastbound lanes, the center median and westboundlanes before striking the traffic signal pole. Souvannavong was takento the hospital and pronounced deceased.

Week in Reston

Joan Elizabeth Preusser diedpeacefully early Tuesdaymorning March 27, 2018,

in Front Royal, Va. at the home ofher loving daughter PamelaPreusser-Thompson.

Joan was born Dec. 16, 1933 inStamford, Conn. to the late Johnand Johanna Buckley, both immi-grants from Ireland, and grew upin New Canaan and Darien, Conn.She graduated from Sacred HeartAcademy and St. Vincent’s Hospi-tal School of Nursing in Bridge-port, Conn. She was an RN at St.Joseph’s Hospital.

After marriage to her husbandPaul in 1956 she moved to theUniversity of Connecticut at Storrswhere her husband pursued hisEngineering degree. She and Paulformed lifelong cherished friend-ships while there. In 1967 theymoved to nascent Reston, in Hunt-ers Woods. She raised her five chil-dren in Reston while being activein the local community. She was afounding member of St. Thomasa Becket Catholic Church. She alsowas an afterschool provider for theReston Children’s Center.

Married to an entrepreneur,Joan assisted in her husband’sbusinesses which included the cre-ation of the Reston Internal BusSystem (RIBS), The ExecutiveDesk a business incubator, Help USell Real Estate franchise ofReston/Herndon, and Partners inReal Estate. Joan was also an ac-tive volunteer for the Democratic

party.Later in life, Joan worked as a

receptionist at the Ethan AllenFurniture store in Tysons Corner.

Summers brought her back toNew England to reconnect withfamily and friends creating cher-ished memories.

Joan and Paul enjoyed a won-derful group of friends and hostedthe annual Senior Olympics attheir Lake Thoreau home. Theirparties were legendary. Joan’sWomen’s Group and Bridge groupprovided support after the suddenloss of her beloved husband in2004. She truly loved Reston, herfamily, friends and church.

Joan was preceded in death byher husband of 48 years, Paul B.Preusser as well as her brothersJohn Buckley and Walter Buckley.She is survived by her children,Pamela Thompson and husbandJohn of Front Royal Va., Paul F.Preusser of Vienna, KathleenPreusser of Reston, John Preusserand wife Donielle of Wilmington,N.C., Ryan Preusser and WendyWickham of Arlington, Va.

She was a loving grandmotherto Sean Thompson, John PaulPreusser and Sophia Preusser, car-ing aunt to niece Kris Harrington(and her daughter Elise) andnephews John and Patrick Buckley.

She will be missed.In lieu of flowers consider con-

tributions to the Embry RuckerHomeless Shelter or Cornerstonesof Reston.

Obituary

Joan Elizabeth Preusser

Though spring has officially arrived,the American Red Cross blood supplyis still recovering from severe winterstorms in March. Donors of all bloodtypes are urged to roll up a sleeve andhelp save lives.

Volunteer blood donors fromacross the country are needed to helpensure lifesaving blood products areavailable for patients this spring.Make an appointment to donateblood by downloading the free Red

Cross Blood Donor App, visitingRedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation oppor-tunities in the area, March 20 toApril 15

Herndon4/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St.

Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 432 VanBuren St.

4/11/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.,ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St

Blood Donation Opportunities


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Address ..................................... BR FB HB ......... Postal City .......... Sold Price ........... Type .................. Lot AC .... PostalCode11104 CHESSINGTON PL .................... 6 ... 5 ... 2 .............. RESTON .............. $1,263,000 ............. Detached ................. 0.24 ................. 201941286 GATESMEADOW WAY ................. 4 ... 4 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $950,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.83 ................. 2019412122 KINSLEY PL ...............................3 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $870,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.06 ................. 2019011869 FAWN RIDGE LN ....................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $831,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.52 ................. 201941919 UPPER LAKE DR ......................... 3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $825,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.28 ................. 2019111402 NIGHT STAR WAY ..................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $795,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.21 ................. 201942517 FARRIER LN ............................... 5 ... 3 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $708,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.36 ................. 201912402 PADDOCK LN ............................. 4 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $700,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.57 ................. 201912524 PINOAK LN ................................ 5 ... 4 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $699,995 .............. Detached ................. 0.37 ................. 201912225 WAKEROBIN LN ......................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $695,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.26 ................. 2019111112 LAKESPRAY WAY ...................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $694,500 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.07 ................. 2019111448 TANBARK DR ............................5 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $644,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.27 ................. 2019112216 QUORN LN ...............................4 ... 4 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $640,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.60 ................. 201911340 SUNDIAL DR ...............................3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $635,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.07 ................. 2019412352 LIMA LN ....................................4 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $619,000 .............. Detached ................. 0.34 ................. 2019111410 SUMMER HOUSE CT ................. 3 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $605,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.04 ................. 2019411642 MEDITERRANEAN CT ............... 5 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $575,000 .............. Patio Home .............. 0.08 ................. 2019011554 BRASS LANTERN CT ................. 3 ... 3 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $575,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.09 ................. 201941226 WILD HAWTHORN WAY .............. 3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $535,500 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.04 ................. 2019410901 KNIGHTS BRIDGE CT ............... 4 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $515,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.08 ................. 201902021 GOLF COURSE DR ...................... 4 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $510,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.07 ................. 2019112025 NEW DOMINION PKWY #304 ... 1 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $472,875 .............. Mid-Rise 5-8 Floors ............................. 2019012180 ABINGTON HALL PL #304 ........ 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $445,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901429 GREENMONT CT .........................3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $426,950 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.06 ................. 2019011720 MOSSY CREEK LN .................... 3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $425,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.05 ................. 201911630 POPLAR GROVE DR .................... 3 ... 2 ... 2 .............. RESTON ................ $422,000 .............. Attach/Row Hse ....... 0.04 ................. 2019411800 SUNSET HILLS RD #422 ........... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $420,000 .............. Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ............................... 201901942 CRESCENT PARK DR #26A ......... 2 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $420,000 .............. Townhouse ........................................ 2019011775 STRATFORD HOUSE PL #108 ... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $410,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901655 SIERRA WOODS DR ................... 3 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $405,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.05 ................. 2019411990 MARKET ST #408 .................... 1 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $400,000 .............. Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ............................... 201902257 WHEELWRIGHT CT .................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $400,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.03 ................. 201911634 SIERRA WOODS DR ................... 3 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $397,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.03 ................. 2019411407 GATE HILL PL #97A .................. 2 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $395,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019411800 SUNSET HILLS RD #202 ........... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $385,000 .............. Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ............................... 2019011800 SUNSET HILLS RD #420 ........... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $385,000 .............. Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ............................... 2019011405F WINDLEAF CT #21 ................. 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $385,000 .............. Townhouse ........................................ 2019412016 TALIESIN PL #22 ...................... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $377,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901628 POPLAR GROVE DR .................... 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $375,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.04 ................. 201941631 FIELDTHORN DR ....................... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $370,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 201942270 COVENT GARDENS CT ............... 4 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $369,900 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.03 ................. 2019112009 TALIESIN PL #32 ...................... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $360,500 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901600 POPLAR GROVE DR .................... 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $355,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 2019411928 REDTREE WAY ......................... 2 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $345,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 2019411144 HARBOR CT #11144 ................. 1 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $337,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201912045 HEADLANDS CIR .........................2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $335,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.04 ................. 201911705 LAKE SHORE CREST DR #35 ...... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $327,500 .............. Mid-Rise 5-8 Floors ............................. 2019011188 SILENTWOOD LN ..................... 2 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $320,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 2019112141 PURPLE SAGE CT ..................... 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $313,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 201941515 NORTH POINT DR #301 .............. 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $310,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019412000 MARKET ST #163 .................... 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $307,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019012152 CAPTIVA CT ............................. 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $300,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.03 ................. 201911329 GARDEN WALL CT #508 ............ 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $300,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019411216 BEAVER TRAIL CT #9 ............... 2 ... 2 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $297,500 .............. Townhouse ........................................ 201912469 FOX TROT TER .......................... 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $295,000 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.02 ................. 201912369 SOUTHGATE SQ ......................... 3 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $285,830 .............. Townhouse .............. 0.03 ................. 201911463 CHURCH HILL PL #1463 ............ 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $280,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019412001 MARKET ST #369 .................... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $267,000 .............. Hi-Rise 9+ Floors ............................... 2019011301 SUNDIAL CT #101 ................... 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $259,500 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201942073 ROYAL FERN CT #22C ............... 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $255,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019111236 CHESTNUT GROVE SQ #261 .... 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $254,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901668 PARKCREST CIR #300 ................. 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $245,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019011236 CHESTNUT GROVE SQ #262 .... 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $245,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019011216 CHESTNUT GROVE SQ #318 .... 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $237,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901506C SUMMERCHASE CT #1506 #C . 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $233,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019411721 KARBON HILL CT. #T1 .............. 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $229,900 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019111212 CHESTNUT GROVE SQ #216 .... 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $216,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201902217 HUNTERS RUN DR #2217 .......... 1 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $210,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019111240 CHESTNUT GROVE SQ #157 .... 2 ... 1 ... 1 .............. RESTON ................ $209,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901730 ASCOT WAY #A ......................... 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $209,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201901897A VILLARIDGE DR #A ................. 2 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $200,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 2019111657 STONEVIEW SQ #21C .............. 3 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $195,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201912214 CASTLE ROCK SQ #2B ............... 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $182,000 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201912038 ROYAL FERN CT #2A ................. 1 ... 1 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $170,500 .............. Garden 1-4 Floors ............................... 201911951 SAGEWOOD LN #209 ................. 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................ $115,000 .............. Mid-Rise 5-8 Floors ............................. 201911951 SAGEWOOD LN #503 ................. 2 ... 2 ... 0 .............. RESTON ................. $92,000 ............... Mid-Rise 5-8 Floors ............................. 20191

Copyright 2018 MarketStats for ShowingTime. Source: Bright MLS as of March 15, 2018.

Home SalesIn February 2018, 76 Reston homes sold between $1,263,000-$92,000.


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

American artist, DannyLane created a twelve-foot, stacked, iron-glass

sculpture on a granite plinth forBoston Properties, the owner ofthe luxury residential develop-ment, Signature in Reston TownCenter’s urban core. The un-titled sculpture is located withinSignature Park at 11850 Free-dom Drive, Reston. The site isstill under construction.

According to Public ArtReston, “The gently twistingglass form and plinth are situ-ated in the center of a circulararea where three pedestrianpaths converge. The circular

area will be defined by a visiblechange in hardscape materialcreating a transition from thecommunity path to the sculp-ture site. “The mission of Pub-lic Art Reston is to inspire anongoing commitment to publicart and create a new generationof artworks in Reston.

According to Anne Delaney,Executive Director Public ArtReston a Grand Unveiling of thepublic artwork is in works byBoston Properties. Delaneyshared there will also be an Art-ist Talk with Danny Lane whenhe is back in the United States.Lane currently lives in London.For more information about thesculpture visit,www.publicartreston.org.

Untitled public art created by American artist DannyLane for Boston Properties is turning heads inReston.

New Public Art in RestonGlass sculpture is turning heads.

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The annual Spring Fundraiser is As-sistance League of Northern Virginia’smost important fundraiser of the yearwith money raised benefiting thenonprofit’s 2018-19 programs whichfeed, clothe and educate children inneed in our communities.

Set for April 27, the event will takeplace from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Coun-try Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Road, inFairfax. This year’s luncheon and silentauction is sponsored by: Quadrant, Inc.- $6,000 Super Star; Joyce Koons HondaBuick GMC - $1,000 Gold Star; SpineCare of Manassas Chiropractic Center -

$1,000 Gold Star; Manassas HondaKawasaki Suzuki - $250 Bronze Star;NOVEC - $250 Bronze Star.

The attendees will be able to bid ongifts donated by more than 90 localbusinesses. The program will also in-clude a live auction and special appealsegment led by Auctioneer Daniel Sand-ers with Four Sales Ltd. The event willalso feature Keynote Speaker TonyPerkins, Anchor, FOX 5 News and Co-host, MAJIC 102.3. Cost per ticket $65,$30 is tax deductible. To purchase tick-ets, contact [email protected]

Area Roundups

Assistance League of NorthernVirginia to Hold Fundraiser

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Reston Association heldits Annual Free Kids’Trout Fishing Day Saturday, March 24, 2018,

from 8 a.m.-noon along a sectionof Snakeden Branch Stream inReston. Wetland Studies and So-lutions restored that area in thespring of 2009 as part of theNorthern Virginia Stream Restora-tion Bank.

RA invited children ages 3-15 tolearn how to fish, a life-long loveof many Restonian parents andgrandparents who wanted to passthe joy of fishing onto the nextgeneration.

Sponsors Wetland Studies andSolutions, Reston Association,Friends of Reston, the VirginiaDepartment of Game and InlandFisheries, Northern Virginia TroutUnlimited, and the Wildlife Foun-

how to use the loaner equipment.To make the event even morechild-friendly, the Northern Vir-ginia chapter of Trout Unlimitedstood ready to clean and fillet theday’s catch.

Chances of the children catch-ing a fish or the limit of four fishwere high. Two days before, eachpool in the stream had beenstocked with rainbow trout do-nated by Wetland Studies and So-lutions, Incorporated. Seven-hun-dred-fifty fish, many over a footand half in length, had beendumped bucketful by bucketful inthe stream’s dredged pools.

“Fishing is my favorite day of theyear,” said Olivia Gallihugh, 4, ofManassas, as she stood on thebank wearing her little fishingvest. “I like to go fishing with mydad.”

Finn Skelton 6, of Reston, camewith his grandfather, Brent Clark,who was familiar with WSSI andtheir work. Clark was the personwho in 2011 came up with theidea of “a fishing derby” afterwalking along the stream’s banksafter it was restored.

As his grandson pulled a largetrout out of the water, Clark said,“This is all about the kids and get-ting children connected to the out-doors.”

Lookingdown the

stream at allthe childrenand families

fishing alongthe banks of

SnakedenBranch in

Reston,Brent Clark

said, “This isall about the

kids andgetting

childrenconnected to

the out-doors.”

Trout For Dinner Anyone?Spring weatherin Reston meansgiving fishing atry for manylocal children.

Olivia Gallihugh, 4, ofManassas, holds up one ofthree trout she caught inSnakeden Branch Streamduring Reston AssociationAnnual Kids’ Trout FishingDay held Saturday, March24, 2018.

dation of Virginia acted aspartnering hosts, the result ofstrong working relationships dur-ing the stream’s restorationproject. During the project, in-stream rock structure, log vanesand a planting plan reduced thecontinued bed and bank erosionoffering long-term stabilization.

Volunteers from the sponsoringorganizations taught the children

Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI)provided the fish stocked in SnakedenBranch for participants at Reston Associa-tion Free Trout Fishing Day held Saturday,March 24, 2018, from 8 a.m.- noon.

Finn Skelton, 6, ofReston gets a little

encouragementfrom John

Odenkirk, FisheriesBiologist III Certi-

fied Fisheries Scien-tist, Virginia Depart-

ment of Game andInland Fisheries.

Finn hoped for a bigone and got it. “I’m

going to fry it andeat it with French

fries,” Finn saidenthusiastically.

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News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Easter is a time for familiesand friends to gather; torejoice in new beginnings

and connect with one another af-ter a long and extended winterseason. Two of the many waysReston residents celebrated EasterSunday 2018 was at worship ser-vices and egg hunts, includingEaster Service and Egg Hunt atRestoration Church, the newReston campus of Floris UnitedMethodist Church in Herndon.

Restoration Church worship ser-vices are held at Forest Edge El-ementary School, 1501 BecontreeLane, Reston on Sunday mornings10 a.m. The newly planted churchwas created by a dream of FlorisUnited Methodist Church inHerndon. Restoration aims to con-nect with people who do not cur-rently go to church or do not feelconnected to a community. “AtRestoration, we strive to be achurch where all people believethey can come as they are, findcommunity, build real relation-ships and grow in their faith.”

After worship services EasterSunday, April 1, 2018, churchmembers and neighbors of Resto-ration Church were stunned whenthey went outside and saw nearly3,000 plastic eggs stuffed withcandy tossed onto two grassyfields. But that was not all. Nearby,inflatables, games, face painting,food and the ubiquitous EasterBunny stood ready for people ofall ages, faiths, and nationalitiesto enjoy together. Church mem-bers and families from the com-munity engaged in conversationwhile enjoying the festivities of-fered in a fun and supportive en-vironment.

Tim Ward is the pastor of Resto-ration Church. He served for sixyears as one of the pastors at FlorisUnited Methodist Church inHerndon. Ward appeared excitedto be planting the new church inReston. After the morning Servicesand Egg Hunt, he stood off to theside as the Easter Festival began.He watched as families and indi-viduals enjoyed the games, food,and inflatables set up in the park-ing lot.

When asked why the church

Easter Egg Hunt Offers MoreThan Candy-filled EggsAt Restoration Church, the newly planted Reston cam-pus of Floris United Methodist Church people findcommunity, build relationships, and grow in faith.

Eric Wang 8, and his sister, Ellie, 5, of Herndon have noproblem filling Ellie’s basket with candy-filled plasticEaster eggs at Restoration Church Egg Hunt held April 1,2018, after Easter Sunday Services. The newly plantedchurch meets at Forest Edge Elementary School, 1501Becontree Lane, Reston.

Bella White, 3, of Ashburn, waits her turn to enjoy theinflatables, food and games at Restoration Church EasterEgg Hunt and Festivities held Easter Sunday, April 1,2018.

held an egg hunt and festival,Ward replied, “It’s important forus to connect with the community.

We have found the Easter EggHunt is a beautiful way to get toknow your neighbors.”

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Majestic Bald eagle.

By Christina Tyler Wenks

A pair of bald eagles is raising threeeaglets on Minnehaha Island inthe Potomac River. This is thethird bald eagle nest in the Great

Falls area this year and the second knownto contain hatchlings. The proximity of thenests tells naturalists at Riverbend Park thatthe area’s ecosystem is improving.

Last week, the Potomac Conservancy is-sued a report that said the Potomac River’shealth is better than recent decades. Theriver’s report card gave the Potomac a B —up from a D in 2011.

“We hope these additional nests are indi-cators of increasing biodiversity of speciesand that means the ecosystem is healthier— birds, amphibians, and mammals — butthis takes many years,” said Julie Gurnee,Riverbend Park naturalist.

WILDLIFE SPECIALISTS and nationalpark rangers say bald eagles actively nestedon Conn Island near Great Falls NationalPark for the past 20 years. A pair of eaglesare nesting on Minnehaha Island for a sec-ond year. A young eagle that fledged lastyear is often spotted fishing in the PotomacRiver by the Riverbend Visitor’s Center.

Wildlife enthusiasts are watching a thirdbald-eagle nest on Watkins Island nearRiverbend Park. “What’s surprising is theirproximity to each other,” said Gurnee. “Thisis much closer than we expected to see an-other eagle nest.”

Pollution and lead, such as buckshot andfishing weights, threaten eagles scavenging

during winter months, said AlonsoAbugattas of the Capital Naturalist websiteand educator at Northern Virginia parks.

Boosting biodiversity takes years. Long-term river and wildlife health depends onresidents taking steps such as installingnative plants and increasing natural stream

Bald Eagles Rediscover Potomac

Two bald eagles tend to three eaglets near Great Falls. Bald eagles usu-ally mate and lay eggs in mid-February. Eggs incubate just over a month— about 35 days — and the young fledge 10 to 12 weeks later.

Photos by Christina Tyler Wenks

A bald eagle protects her three eaglets on Minnehaha Island in thePotomac River.

Bald eagles are asign of ecosystemimprovement.

buffers with deep roots to absorb herbicides,fertilizers, and road runoff, and reducingwaste and lowering emissions and relianceon cars, said Gurnee and Abugattas.

VIRGINIA BLUEBELL blooms are ex-pected to peak the week of the Riverbend

Park’s Bluebell Festival, which is Sat-urday, April 14, from 10 a.m. until 2p.m. During the festival, a scope willbe set up along Potomac Heritage Trailso visitors may observe eagle-nest ac-tivity. Festival admission is $7 onlineand $9 on site.

A break in foliage along Riverbend Park’s PotomacHeritage Trail allows outdoor enthusiasts to view aneagle’s nest on Minnehaha Island in the PotomacRiver. With binoculars, eaglets are frequently visible.

“We hope these additional nests areindicators of increasing biodiversityof species and that means theecosystem is healthier —birds, amphibians, and mammals —but this takes many years.”

— Julie Gurnee, Riverbend Park naturalist

News


By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Are your tweens obsessed withbooks in verse? How aboutsports? Herndon resident,

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator andthe New York Times Best Selling authorof 25 books, including “The Crossover,”a Newbery Medal winner. The book is asports novel written in verse for middleschool-aged children.

School Library Journal (starred review)praised “The Crossover.” “Alexander hascrafted story that vibrates with energyand heat and begs to be read aloud. Aslam dunk.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children’Books (starred review), wrote,“Alexander fully captures Josh’s athleticfinesse and coming of age angst in a mixof free verse and hip-hop poetry...”

Now Alexander is out to promote hisnewest book, “Rebound,” the follow-upto “Crossover.” He is on a 30-day, 24-stop,coast-to-coast book tour. Reston is hisfourth stop. Just like basketball teams,Alexander travels in a tour bus, but hisbus is professionally wrapped to lookexactly like the cover of his new book.

Alexander and his bus will be in Restonat 4 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, atScrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive,Reston. Alexander is there for a booksigning.

Booklist (starred review) praised “Re-bound”: “{brilliant} wordplay and syn-tax. There is a rhythm to each page,whether it’s the snappy give-and-take of

dialogue, the throbbing of Charlie’s bot-tomless melancholy, or the rushing ex-citement of a basketball game...Alexander is unstoppable.”

“Rebound” by Kwame Alexander isavailable in hardcover for $16.99, 414pages. The book is appropriate for read-ers 10-12 years of age. Sales openedApril 2, 2018.

Herndon Author BeginsCoast-to-Coast Book TourKwame Alexander will stop at Scrawl Booksin Reston, Wednesday, April 5 for his newbook, ‘Rebound.’

Kwame Alexander writes sportsnovels for middle school-agedchildren in verse. His latestbook, ‘Rebound,’ is the follow-upto his Newbery Medal-winningand New York Times Bestsellingbook, ‘The Crossover.’

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Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encour-aged.

ONGOINGYouth Art Month. Through April 7 at Greater

Reston Arts Center (GRACE), 12001 Market St#103, Reston. The GRACE Art exhibitionfeatures selected works from elementary schoolstudents participating in GRACE’s signature artenrichment program, GRACE Art. EmergingVisions features exceptional work from studentsat local high schools. Free and open to thepublic. Visit restonarts.org/exhibition/emerging-visions-2/.

Emerging Visions: Becoming. Through April 7at GRACE, 12001 Market St., Suite 103, Reston.Offers Fairfax County high school students theopportunity to work with Greater Reston ArtsCenter’s education staff to create exceptionalartworks to be exhibited in the GRACE Gallery.The 2018 exhibition includes works fromstudents at Herndon, Oakton, and South Lakeshigh schools. Visit www.restonarts.org.

Rebels, Masters, and Scoundrels: The Art ofStar Wars. Through April 29 at ArtInsights,Reston Town Center, Reston. New art byLucasFilm concept artist Bill Silvers and rareimages by movie campaign artist John Alvin willbe on exhibit and for sale. Call 703-478-0778.Visit www.artinsights.com.

Craig Moran: Spaced Out. Through May 29 atGRACE at Signature, 11850 Freedom Drive,Reston. A D.C.-based painter known for hisboldly patterned canvases, Moran’s newest bodyof work is a whirl-wind of exuberant colors andenergetic shapes, evoking elements of thenatural world and portraiture in a dynamicflattened space. Call 703-471-9242 or visitwww.restonarts.org.

Homegrown Yoga. Tuesday, Wednesday andThursday nights at ArtSpace Herndon, 750Center St., Herndon. Alison Adams is bringingHomegrown Yoga to all levels. Drop in and takea class. $25 two week unlimited pass or drop-inavailable. Visit www.homegrownpoweryoga.com

The Elden Street Tea Shop. Saturdays inArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Siptea and enjoy a variety of locally made snacksand pastries while enjoying the latest artinstallations in the gallery. Visitwww.eldenstreettea.com.

IMPROVING ENGLISHOne-To-One English Conversation. Mondays,

1 p.m. at Reston Library, Reston Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Free. Multipleone-on-one practice sessions with a volunteerare available each week. Call 703-689-2700 toreserve a spot.

Pre-Beginners. Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. at RestonLibrary, Reston Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700 toreserve a spot.

Beginners. Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. with Beth;Thursdays 10-11 a.m. with Genie; Fridays 10-11a.m. with Ivan. At Reston Library, RestonLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Free. Call 703-689-2700 to reserve a spot.

Intermediate. Mondays 10-11 a.m. with Rick;Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. with Susan; Wednesdays2-3 p.m. with Sharoni. At Reston Library, RestonLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Free. Call 703-689-2700 to reserve a spot.

Advanced. Thursdays 10-11:30 a.m. with Richard;Fridays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with Mary. AtReston Library, Reston Library, 11925 BowmanTowne Drive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700to reserve a spot.

Vocabulary Building. Mondays 11 a.m.-1:15p.m. at Reston Library, Reston Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700 to reserve a spot.

Speak & Write. Mondays, 1:30-3 p.m. at RestonLibrary, Reston Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700 toreserve a spot.

Dialogs & Grammar. Tuesdays, 11:15-12:30p.m. at Reston Library, Reston Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700 to reserve a spot.

Pronunciation. Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m. at RestonLibrary, Reston Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Free. Call 703-689-2700 toreserve a spot.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 4Chick-fil-A Opens. At 1494 Northpoint Village

Center, Reston. Overnight party on April 4where guests will be one of the first 100 adults

through the door to win a year of free Chick-fil-A meals. Operator Larry Everett, who is a retiredfirefighter of 30 years from Fairfax County, willprovide a year supply of Chick-fil-A to the first100 eligible participants, 18 years and older,who follow the rules. The First 100 promotionregistration will begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday,April 4. A valid ID is required to participate.Visit the website thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com.

Yoga and Wellness. 7 p.m. at Reston Library,11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Localyoga and wellness coach, Rupa Shah, willdiscuss the benefits and practice of AshtangaYoga. Bring your own yoga mat. Learn somesimple Asanas and Breathing/Pranayama basedon Ashtanga Yoga. Beginners to Intermediatelevel. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional.

THURSDAY/APRIL 5Read! Build! Play! 10:30 a.m. at Reston Regional

Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Join for stories, build with DUPLOs and playwith friends. Age 3-5 with adult. Register at703-689-2700.

Classical Piano Concert. 2:15 p.m. at RestonCommunity Center Hunters Woods CenterStage,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Pianist GeorgeFu, graduate of Harvard, Curtis Institute, theRoyal Academy in London. [email protected] or call 703-503-3384.

Kwame Alexander at Scrawl. 4-5:30 p.m. atScrawl Books at Reston Town Center, 19111Freedom Drive, Reston. Free. Join KwameAlexander fans welcoming the Newbery winnerand his tour bus to Scrawl Books. He will signhis newest title,“Rebound,” a prequel to “TheCrossover.” Visit www.scrawlbooks.com.

Millennials Book Club. 7 p.m. at RestonLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Call for title. Check out a library copy or pick upa copy of your own. Adults from early 20s toearly 30s. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional.

FRIDAY/APRIL 6VIP Reston. 2 p.m. at Reston Library, 11925

Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Support forindividuals with vision impairments. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional.

Open Mic Poetry Night. 7-9 p.m. ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Featuredmembers of the Poetry Society of Virginia will bepresent to share their poetry. An open mic willfollow, allowing for anyone attending to have amoment on stage. Free. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 7

Reston-Herndon Little League Opening Day.9-10 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Local teamswill parade along Market Street from thePavilion to Reston Town Square Park incelebration of the opening of their season. Visitrhbaseball.org.

Spring Cleaning in the Parks. 9-11:30 a.m. at10 different Fairfax County parks: Cub RunRECenter, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, HiddenOaks Nature Center at Roundtree Park, HiddenPond Nature Center, Huntley Meadows Park,Lake Accotink Park, Lake Fairfax Park,RiverbendPark, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, and SullyHistoric Site. More than 750 volunteers will jointhe Fairfax County Park Authority and TheNature Conservancy for annual “spring cleaning”efforts to kickoff Earth Month. The volunteerswill remove trash and debris, while alsoassisting scientists and conservationists byrecording data about what they remove. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/.

Lucky Enough Book Talk. 11:30 a.m. at ScrawlBooks at Reston Town Center, 19111 FreedomDrive, Reston. Free. About a young travel teambaseball player featuring sports author FredBowen. Visit www.scrawlbooks.com.

Delaney’s Book Drive. 4-5 p.m. at 1713 AscotWay, Reston. A record number of kids aregrowing up in low-income households and manypublic schools lack the funding and resources toprovide basic necessities, like books for theirstudents. Help volunteers collect 2,000 used ornew books for children in need. Visitwww.barberafoundation.org/events/delaneys-book-drive-1.

Singles Dinner and Movie Night. 5 p.m. atAmerican Tap Room, 1811 Library St., Reston.Fixed price dinner followed by movie at Bow-TieCinema. Cost is $35. RSVP required. Sponsoredby New Beginnings, a support group forseparated/divorced men and women. Call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.

TGIF – Free Friday at GRACE. 5-7 p.m. atGreater Reston Arts Center, 12001 Market St.,#103, Reston. Enjoy an after-hours evening offree family art-making and storytelling. Visitrestonarts.org or call 703-471-9242.

SATURDAY/APRIL 7Sing! Books With Miss Emily. 10:30 a.m. at

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Join Miss Emily for singingstorytime with illustrated songs. Age 2-5 withadult. No registration required.

DUPLOs and Play. 2 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Build and create with DUPLOs and play withfriends. Age 3-5 with adult. No registrationrequired. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional.

SUNDAY/APRIL 8Walk MS Fundraising Event. 9 a.m.

registration. Walk begins at 10 a.m. at RestonTown Center, 11900 Market St., Reston. Walkfor the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Morethan 800 people expected to attend. VisitwalkMS.org, call 855-372-1331 or [email protected].

RCC Cycles Classes. Multiple dates. RestonCommunity Center is offering program thathelps riders of all ages learn cyclingfundamentals. Cycling instructor KelleyWestenhoff will teach four sessions: Adult (ages13 and up) on April 8 and 29 and youth (ages 6to 12) on April 21 and May 5. Each class is onethree-hour session. The cost is $65 for Restonpatrons/$98 for non-Reston. The fee includesbike rental and use of a helmet. Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.

Strings on the Promenade - HarpPerformances. 3-4 p.m. at The Promenade atReston Town Center. Enjoy harp music onSundays in April, featuring Carmen Robinsonplaying tunes for all ages: Celtic, rock, R&B andpopular theme songs. Free. Visitwww.restontowncenter.com.

TUESDAY/APRIL 10Family History Research. 2 p.m. at Reston

Library, Research family history with a librarystaff member using local history and genealogyresources. For adults and teens. No registrationrequired. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional.

Read to the Dog. 7 p.m. at Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Read aloud to a trained therapy dog. Ages 5-11.Register at 703-689-2700.

Calendar


News

Transparency RequiredFrom Page 3

The StoneTurn Group reviewmentioned the CEO at length andher involvement as seen throughtheir eyes. They stated in the 2017report: “We note that the CEO ofthe Association has regularly actedthroughout the process to improvethe policies and processes as eitherambiguities were found or it wasevident that the processes requiredimprovements...as deficiencies inthe internal renovation estimationprocess were encountered, theCEO decided to forego her bonusand salary increase as well as thoseof another staff member directlyinvolved in the internal renovationestimation process. Any controlenvironment encounters weak-nesses and deficiencies from timeto time; the processes by whichthese are identified addressed andremediated, including an appro-priate ‘tone at the top’ thatproactively implements correctiveactions, is important.”

IN THE REPORT, The StoneTurnGroup found multiple other areas

besides the new whistleblower’spolicy and revised purchasing andprocurement resolution that couldbe improved to preclude a recur-rence of the budget overruns ex-perienced on the Tetra renova-tions.The group shared the observationsthey believed would facilitate anincrease in transparency.

The StoneTurn report cited fif-teen recommendations. Amongthose remaining and not yet imple-mented by board actions are: thecreation and implementation of acomprehensive Code of Conductfor both the Association Board ofDirectors and staff; considerationof adopting a policy that wouldprovide greater transparency tothe considerations undertaken inExecutive Session; preparation ofa long-term Capital ImprovementPlan and updating it on an annualbasis; the establishment of a pro-cess to ensure that purchase ordersand contracts could not be issuedwithout encumbering the fundsand ensuring that approved bud-geted amounts are sufficient.

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Robin Griffin, formerlyof Reston and now liv-ing in Centreville has

been doing live comedy in theNorthern Virginia region sincethe summer of 2017. Griffinuses the stage name “RobinRex.”

Things have been going wellfor the comedian, who is alsoa teacher and mom. However,after hearing about the recentschool shootings, Griffinwanted to do something tomake a difference. She lookedat her new business venture,FunnyFriend Productions, abooking company for comedi-ans in the District of Columbia,Maryland, and Virginia.

Since comedians in the com-pany, as well as Griffin, per-form every second Saturday inReston at Cafe Montmartre,1625 Washington Plaza, LakeAnne, Griffin announced she

would donate a portion ofeach ticket sold for the Satur-day, April 14, 8-10 p.m showto the local chapter of MomsDemand Action, a campaign ofEverytown for Gun Safety Ac-tion Fund. According to itswebsite, the organizationwas created “…to demandaction from legislators, stateand federal; companies; andeducational institutions toestablish common-sense gunreforms.”

The headliner for thefundraiser is Rob Maher, re-gional winner of ComedyCentral’s Up Next Competi-tion. Griffin will present thedonation check to Moms De-mand Action during theevening performance. Ticketsare $20 each and can be pur-chased atwww.brownpapert ickets;search Funnyfriend or withcash at the door. Call CafeMontmartre 703-904-8080 fora table reservation.

Fundraiser for MomsDemand ActionEvent Saturday, April 14 atCafe Montmartre in Reston.


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I have not been collecting return-addresslabels for years. I have however, been receiv-ing them for years. Either as thank yous forcharitable contributions made or as induce-ments for charitable contributions yet to bemade. Regardless of the reason, I have hadan ample supply until recently. And they haveserved me well as both a reminder of what Ihave and have not done. And over time, theyhave most definitely served their purpose.Amazingly though, the pages of return-address labels in inventory has been shrinkingof late. Due to some combination of my lackof charitableness as well as a reduction in thenumbers of unsolicited charitable quid proquos (there may be a relationship there).

Let me be clear: I am under no delusionor pressure to respond to these let-ters/requests for money. Just because I receivethem doesn’t mean I must adhere to them.They’re hardly a subpoena nor are they pay-ment for services rendered. They are merelya pre-approach-type solicitation mailed to meat my home offering goods (the labels) forservices (my contribution) not yet rendered.Opening an envelope and reading its con-tents doesn’t make me a partner in their pur-suit of my dollars.

But what exactly is the protocol here?Certainly I can understand keeping and/orusing the return-address labels if I make acontribution, but what if I don’t make a con-tribution? Do I have to throw these perfectlygood return-address labels away? Don’t someof these labels, by their design/content – andultimately by their use by yours truly, indi-rectly support the original sender’s cause?Isn’t their use some kind of tacit paying-itforward-type approval/contribution on mypart? I realize money and/or in-kind contribu-tions likely help more, but is there use by anon-contributor not abuse at all? After all, I’msort of passing the word/keeping their chaingoing, aren’t I?

If all is fair in love and war, certainlythere’s a little wiggle room in the world ofmailing unsolicited inducements to unsus-pecting recipients? I mean, I’m not asking fortrouble here, am I? I’m merely asking forsome understanding and clarification. If whatwas sent to me – not at my request and notas part of a phone conversation securing acommitment, was not my doing, then whyam I responsible for it being done?

Obviously the labels are a convenience forme, and that is worth some amount of moneyand time that now I’m not having to spend.Still, it feels like an intrusion of sorts, amethod to their madness – presumably, butto me a presumption, nevertheless. Andthat’s just a few letters away from an assump-tion, and you all know what is said aboutassuming?

I suppose if you cast a wide enough netyou’re going to catch a few contributors whodon’t find anything fishy about this direct mailprocess and who feel compelled to respondfavorably – so to speak, because a good deedhas been for them. And if a good deed (or a“solid,” to quote Detective AndySipowitz/Dennis Franz from NYPD Blue)deserves another then contributions will bemade and address labels will be affixed.

But after years of receiving these return-address-labels-masquerading-as-solicitations-for-contributions – to a variety of charities,some more well known than others, I don’tfeel the least bit stuck in my decision to usethese return address labels as I see fit. In away, I am the beneficiary of their largess andin turn, they are the beneficiary of my non-cash contribution. It’s sort of a win-win. But Idon’t suppose that was their intention. I sup-pose they wanted more, not less.

Label MePresumptuousSubmit civic/community announcements at

ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

PARENTS HELPING PARENTSParent 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.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONChild turning 5 years old by Sept. 30? If so,

contact your child’s school to makearrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Mostschools begin getting information together nowfor parents of incoming kindergartners, andmany host an orientation or open house. Allkindergarten programs are full-day and locatedin FCPS elementary schools. Check your school’swebpage or contact the school directly forspecific enrollment information and dates oforientationor visit www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 4First Wednesday with Supervisor Hudgins.

4-6 p.m. at Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Stop in and talkwith Supervisor Cathy Hudgins one-on-one. Noappointment necessary. Call 703-478-0283,email [email protected] or visitfairfaxcounty.gov/huntermill.

THURSDAY/APRIL 5Autism 101: An Introduction to

Understanding Autism. 10-11:30 a.m. atDunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 100, DunnLoring. Join the Autism Society of NorthernVirginia to learn accurate, important, basicinformation at this workshop highlightingAutism Acceptance Month. Open to all whowant to learn more about autism. Visitwww.fcps.edu/node/28279.

FRIDAY/APRIL 6Strategies to Support Elementary School

Students. 10 a.m.-noon at Dunn Loring Centerfor Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road,Entrance 1 - Room 100, Dunn Loring. A CloserLook at Stress and Anxiety: Strategies toSupport Elementary School Students. Highlightswill include recognizing and validating a child’sworry, managing anxiety in the school setting,helping a child remain calm, and using stressreduction tools. Visit www.fcps.edu/node/28279.

Scholarship Nomination Deadline. TheNational Capital Region Chapter of the NationalFootball Foundation is accepting nominationsfor their 2018 Scholar-Athlete banquet. TheChapter awards five $1000 scholarshipsannually to deserving high school senior scholarathletes who played high school football.Nominees are evaluated on academic andathletic excellence, as well as contributions totheir school and community. Nominationpackets have been mailed to each high schoolhead coach in the National Capital Region.

TUESDAY/APRIL 10Flash Forward! Postsecondary Education

and Employment Options. 6:30-8:30 p.m.at Woodson High School, 9525 Main St.,Entrance 1 - Cafeteria, Fairfax. Flash Forward isfor students receiving special education servicesand their parents to explore options for life afterhigh school. The agenda includes informationtables, an overview of postsecondary options,and workshops on supported employment,competitive employment, and postsecondaryeducation. Visit www.fcps.edu/node/28279.

TUESDAY-THURSDAY/APRIL 10-12FY 2019 Budget Meetings. April 10, 4 p.m.;

April 11-12, 1 p.m. at the Fairfax CountyGovernment Center (Board Auditorium), 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Theadvertised budget plan can be found atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/advertised-budget-plan. Sign up to speak at the publichearings on the FY 2019 budget atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-formor call 703-324-3151.

Bulletin Board


Opinion

The following letter to all members of the FairfaxCounty Board of Supervisors from members of the Gen-eral Assembly from Fairfax, urges common sense actionon guns; the state legislators say Fairfax County has theauthority to ben loaded shotguns and rifles on the roads.

Dear Madam Chairman and Hon.Supervisors: Section 15.2-915.2 ofthe Code of Virginia gives all localgovernments in Virginia the au-

thority to ban loaded shotguns and loadedrifles on public highways.

§ 15.2-915.2. Regulation of transportationof a loaded rifle or shotgun.

The governing body of any county or city mayby ordinance make it unlawful for any personto transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgunor loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street,road, or highway within such locality.

A similar ordinance has been enacted in thecounties of Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison,Albemarle, Chesterfield, Clarke, James City,King George, New Kent, Northumberland,Surry, Warren and the cities of Alexandria,Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Richmond,

Roanoke, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.We, members of the Virginia General Assem-

bly representing Fairfax County, do not believethat there is a need for loaded shotguns orloaded rifles on Fairfax County’s public roads.High emotions that come with traffic conges-tion in our region have led to instances wherefirearms have been discharged in incidents ofroad rage. Requiring that shotguns and riflesare not loaded at the beginning of a trip willhelp to reduce the potential for such split-sec-ond, life-changing decisions to occur in a mo-ment of anger. Such an ordinance will also helpto protect the driver and passengers, includ-ing children, as well as law enforcement fromthe accidental discharge of one of these weap-ons. For example, in 2006, Virginia StateTrooper Kevin C. Manion was killed after aloaded rifle went off during a wreck cleanupin Clark County.

We recognize that the Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors considered this issue in 2015.

However given recent events, we believe thatit is important at this time for all our localities

to use their existing authority to foster gunsafety and protect the driving public.

We hereby ask that you initiate the processesnecessary to change Fairfax County’s ordi-nances to prohibit the transportation of loadedshotguns and loaded rifles to the fullest extentpossible under Virginia Law.

We look forward to working with you on thisimportant initiative.

Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36)Sen. Richard Saslaw (D-35)Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31)Sen. David Marsden (D-37)

Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33)Sen. George Barker (D-39)

Del. Kaye Kory (D-38)Del. Mark Keam (D-35)

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-48)Del. Ken Plum (D-36)

Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-49)Del. David Bulova (D-37)

Del. Karrie K. Delaney (D-67)Del Paul Krizek (D-44)

Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-86)

Legislators: County Has AuthorityTo Ban Loaded Rifles on Road

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

Our Founding Fatherswere brilliant individu-als. Not only did they

craft a new form of governmentwith the United States Constitu-tion, but they established a gov-ernment of “we the people” leav-ing behind monarchies and specialprivileges. While it created “amore perfect union,” it includedwithin its structure mechanisms

upon whichthe unioncould be fur-ther perfected.

While it did take a civil war tobring about the most needed re-form that had been debated at theConstitutional Convention and notsettled but compromised away,many other reforms and perfec-tions have taken place throughconstitutional amendments, laws

and judicial decisions.With the massive

changes that havetaken place in ournation’s history, par-ticularly in civil rights,it is amazing thatthere have been sofew changes to ourbasic structure of gov-ernment. Building onthe ideals of Thomas Jefferson inthe Declaration of Independencethat all persons have inalienablerights of life, liberty and the pur-suit of happiness, the Constitutionand its provisions created a wayto realize these goals that ensuresAmerica’s greatness is not in itspast but in its future.

Most often mentioned in theguarantees that propel our coun-try into future greatness are thefreedoms of speech, press and re-ligion. Less discussed in the pastbut now seen as a critically impor-

tant right to maintainour free governmentis the freedom to as-semble. If freedomsare to be maintainedin the future, it maybe our right to as-semble that will en-sure it happens.

It is somewhatironic that at a time

when the internet enables advo-cacy blitzes to fill the electronicmail boxes of public officials tosupport a cause that the crowdsof people filling the streets in vari-ous marches may be our greatestsafeguard. Many feel it is notenough to simply send a letter orbrochure or give or listen to aspeech; we need to visibly showthe depth and breadth of our causeby assembling supporters by thethousands in the heat, cold, rainor sunshine.

I participate in marches in our

Nation’s Capital as well as ourState Capital to show support forequality in our society and for anend to gun violence. I find themarches inspirational because ofthe worthiness of the cause andthe wonderful people I meet whohave such strong dedication andconviction that they will take parthowever inconvenient. If you havenot taken part in a march, I en-courage you to do so. After all,assembling together to supportour rights is part of what theFounding Fathers had in mindwhen they included the right toassemble in our Bill of Rights. Theother important day to be sure toexercise your right to assemble ison election day when you have anopportunity to express your rightas a citizen. It amplifies your voicewhen you assemble with others tovote for the persons who mostclearly are representing your viewson issues.

March for Your Cause

Commentary

Enjoy SchoolLibraries

April is School Library Monthand a great time to consider all theamazing things a school libraryachieves for students and theschool community. The AmericanAssociation of School Librarianshas dubbed this year’s theme“Making Connections,” which is avery appropriate theme. All of

schools in Burke are lucky to havecertified librarians, which studiesshow increase reading test scores,overall higher test scores and en-courage a love of reading andlearning that continues through-out life.

School libraries have much morethan books; most have labs wherestudents create, investigate andcollaborate on learning projects. Inaddition to assisting students, theschool librarian is a treasured

resource for all classroom teach-ers in the school. The connectionsthe school librarian makes, andencourages students to make withlearning, their community, theworld and reading, impact learn-ers as they go on to become life-long learners and productivemembers of our community.

You can support the AmericanAssociation of School Librariansand School Library Month by shar-ing your connections with your

local school. Offer to be a guestreader or to share how reading orlibrarians influenced your life andcareer.

Contact your local school todayand connect as school librarianshelp make connections with stu-dents, teachers, community andthe world.

Alyssa LinglerBurke

Letter to the Editor

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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