sifieds, Page 15 Autism Speaks Volumes For Student...

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 24-30, 2013 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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and Oakton

ViennaViennaand Oakton

Autism Speaks VolumesFor Student Volunteers

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Autism Speaks VolumesFor Student Volunteers

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Making Life‘Greener’In Vienna

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A Day of Service atKilmer Middle

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On April 2, Oakton Elementary School participated in“Light it up Blue Day,” a national day of awarenessand acceptance of people affected by autism. JonelleShipley, the school’s speech-language pathologist, tie-dyed tees for the autism students, teachers and volun-teers to wear. Top row, from left, Shipley; EnhancedAutism program teachers Anna Siller and Mary LouMarcantuono; Bottom: Students Devin Martin, 12,Anna Kate Martin, 12, and Sarah Carmen, 11.

On April 2, Oakton Elementary School participated in“Light it up Blue Day,” a national day of awarenessand acceptance of people affected by autism. JonelleShipley, the school’s speech-language pathologist, tie-dyed tees for the autism students, teachers and volun-teers to wear. Top row, from left, Shipley; EnhancedAutism program teachers Anna Siller and Mary LouMarcantuono; Bottom: Students Devin Martin, 12,Anna Kate Martin, 12, and Sarah Carmen, 11.

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2 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 24-30, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

First baseman Fletcher Davis gets ready to bat for the Vienna Muckdogs(an under-10 travel baseball team) in Leesburg, Sunday, April 7, on thelast day of the ninth annual Longhorn Stampede Baseball Tourney. TheMuckdogs went on to win the tournament.

News

The Vienna Muckdogs, a 10-and-un-der travel baseball team fromVienna, played in the ninth annual

Longhorn Stampede Baseball Tourney, heldFriday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7, atPhilip Bolen Park in Leesburg. TheMuckdogs managed to beat out all theircompetition.

Head coaches Sean Murakami and TonyEchazarreta led the team against 13 otherteams from around the region and state.The Muckdogs played Friday, Saturday andthree games on Sunday, making it to thefinals and beating the Colangelo Baseball

Vienna Muckdogs Take the TourneyAcademy 10U team.

The Vienna Muckdogs are Fletcher Davis,Miguel Echazarreta, Anise Jreige, BrandonKim, Bo Kuhblank, Owen Maguire, NickMorgan, Jordan Murakami, Jason Pan, AJPritchett, Colin Tuft and PJ Whitworth.

The Muckdog players also compete withvarious teams in Vienna Little League (majors).

The next tournament will be held overMemorial Day weekend—Kyle’s Kamp Me-morial Day Wood Bat Tournament—andwill raise money for the Children’s Hospi-tal Foundation.

See more at www.kyleskamp.org/.

Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ April 24-30, 2013 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsVienna/Oakton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Donna Manz

The Connection

There were three hybrid cars outside theVienna Community Center the evening ofApril 18 and one electric car: Pulling upthe rear of a line made up of a Chevy Volt,

a converted Prius and a Nissan Leaf, was a Tesla,America’s only consumer-battery-powered four-doorsedan. Children and adults crowded around it, evensitting in the vehicle. This was no ordinary Thurs-day night at the community center. This was the 5thAnnual Vienna Green Expo, an exhibition focusingon ways local residents can strengthen their ownecological conservation efforts. Businesses, civicgroups, government-allied agencies and schoolgroups demonstrated tools to make lives “greener.”

“There are lots of things that both the town and itsresidents can do to make Vienna a more sustainablecommunity,” said Community Enhancement Commis-sion Chair Susan Stillman. “Sometimes, it is over-whelming and one doesn’t know where to start. Anevent like the Vienna Green Expo gives a smorgas-bord of opportunities for learning.”

Vienna Town Council member Edythe Kelleherthought up the idea for a community green expomore than five years ago and it was at that time theTown Council voted to change the scope of the Com-munity Enhancement Commission to include“sustainability” for the town and the town’s residents.The Department of Parks and Recreation, under Di-rector Cathy Salgado, executed the concept, grow-ing the expo a little each year. Sustainability, ex-plained Stillman, means using fewer non-renewableresources so that future generations will have these

resources for their use.

EXHIBITS in the community center’s gym ran thegamut from school science and Eagle Scout projectsto bicycling, from natural resource conservation andprotection to businesses that offer energy audits andgeothermal heating and cooling. Hundreds of peoplewalked through the hall during the evening, askingquestions and picking up brochures.

Bike shops showed off the latest in bicycle con-cepts, from foldable bikes to a long, tail cargo bike,what Bikes@Vienna owner Tim Fricker called a“stationwagon on two wheels.”

The Town of Vienna, in partnership with the Na-tional Wildlife Federation, would like to see the wholecommunity turn into a wildlife habitat. For a com-munity surrounded by woods and streams, it’s easierthan you think.

Vienna Green Exposhowcases communityconservation options.

Making Life ‘Greener’ in ViennaTHREE LOCAL BUSINESSESRECOGNIZED FOR GREEN PRACTICES

During the 5th Annual Vienna Green Expo on Thursday,April 18, three Vienna businesses were recognized for incor-porating green practices into their business. The ViennaTown/Business Liaison Committee awarded Maple AvenueMarket, Vienna Paint and Caffe Amouri with the 2013 ViennaGreen Business Recognition Award.

❖ Maple Avenue Market, 128 Maple Ave. E., is a small,family-owned local food store and was recognized for its rolein educating the community on where food comes from andwhere it should come from. Their wide variety of offeringsincludes local meats, dairy, produce and specialty items, mostof which are organic or naturally grown.

❖ Vienna Paint, 203 Maple Ave. W., was recognized forits use of the environmentally friendly paint tint called Natura,a zero Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) product. In addi-tion, they actively take measures to discard non-usable paintin an environmentally friendly way and donate miss-tintedand discontinued paint to Habitat for Humanity.

❖ Caffe Amouri, 107 Church St. N.E., has incorporatedseveral environmentally focused practices into its business in-cluding using wood coffee stirrers or fettuccini stirrers andcold cups made from compostable corn products. In addition,they provide coffee grounds to customers for use in compostpiles and gardens and have implemented a single streamdumpster that is used for all of their waste except for food.

The Thoreau Middle School Green Eagles are adopting out spider plants.

See Green Expo, Page 7

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The U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs esti-mates there are more

than 13,000 homeless femaleveterans living in the UnitedStates; half of them are singlemothers. Only about half of the500 transitional housing pro-grams accept women. Thesehomeless female veterans havefewer resources than male vet-erans do.

Final Salute, Inc., headquar-tered in Alexandria, was estab-lished, in 2010, by a womanveteran and cancer survivorwho wanted to address the“unique” needs of homeless fe-male veterans and their chil-dren. The full-volunteer non-profit supports homeless femaleveterans with housing supportand interest-free loans for rentpayments.

It’s not surprising that theVienna Woman’s Club [VWC],whose community outreach ex-tends to local students, shelterpets and psychologically-wounded warriors, would turnits attention to supporting – andfundraising on behalf of – Fi-nal Salute, Inc.

On April 18, at the home ofVWC president Diane Abel, theclub sponsored a fundraiser, anin-home shopping bazaarbacked by several locally-owned small businesses.Silpada Jewelry, Kokoon cloth-ing, Celebrating Homekitchenware, Gigi Hill bag de-signs and author Pat Britz do-nated 15 percent of sales pro-ceeds to the Vienna Woman’sClub on behalf of Final Salute,Inc. Skinfinity of Vienna do-nated three $50 gift certificatesfor the raffle.

Final Salute, Inc. ExecutiveDirector Gale Paige and herdaughter Jackie attended the

fundraiser. Paige herself is aveteran.

Operation Iraq Freedom/Op-eration Enduring Freedom vet-eran Jaspen “Jas” Boothefounded Final Salute Inc inNovember 2010 as part of hercommitment to “Never Leave aFallen Comrade.” Her personaljourney through illness and thelack of resources for female vet-erans inspired her to create asupport network for strugglingfemale veterans. The organiza-tion has assisted over 70women veterans and their chil-dren to find housing and FinalSalute now operates three tran-sitional homes in Fairfax, Alex-andria, and Columbus, Ohio.

Factors that contribute towoman-veteran homelessnessinclude Post-Traumatic StressDisorder, unemployment, ineli-gibility or lack of veterans’ ben-efits, disabilities, divorce, do-mestic violence and a lack offamily or social support.

“Our women and men in themilitary are contributing somuch for their country, and theydeserve anything we can do tohelp them in their civilianlives,” said Doris Cooper of theVWC. “Making sure our mili-tary knows how much we lovethem, taking care of the femaleveterans, is something we needto do.”

“The number of homelesswomen veterans is on the in-crease,” said woman’s clubmember Cindy Stewart. “FinalSalute is unique in providingtransitional homes in our areaexclusively for women veteransand their children. Thesewomen merit our highest re-spect and any help we can of-fer.”

To learn more about Final Sa-lute, Inc. and how to supporthomeless female veterans, go tohttp://www.finalsaluteinc.org.For information on the ViennaWoman’s Club, go to http://www.viennawomansclub.org/.

—Donna Manz

Club fundraiseson behalf ofFinal Salute, Inc.

Vienna Woman’s ClubSupports Female Veterans

Final Salute,Inc. ExecutiveDirector GalePaige and herdaughterJackie at-tended theViennaWoman’s Clubshop-at-homefundraiser forFinal Salute.

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The County Line

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

In many ways, the three best friends—Anna Kate Martin, Devin Martin andSarah Carmen—are typical sixth-grade girls.

They listen to Taylor Swift, play soccer,and enjoy sleepovers and shopping.

They can tell you what’s cool (DanceMoms) and what’s so over (GangnamStyle).

But when most of their classmates atOakton Elementary School are outside dur-ing recess, the girls are inside doing some-thing not so typical: volunteering with theschool’s 20-plus autistic students.

“I love the kids. I love interacting withthem and all the special bonds that we’veformed,” said Anna Kate Martin, who be-gan working with autistic students when shewas in the fourth grade. Devin Martin (norelation to Anna Kate) began working withautism students this year, and they recruitedCarmen, a new OES student who previouslyattended Louise Archer Elementary Schoolin Vienna.

“When I first started volunteering, I wasworried they wouldn’t like me. But I’mhappy they gave me a chance,” Anna Katesaid. “Now, when they see us, they smileand get excited, and it makes your day.”

On April 2, OES participated in “Light ItUp Blue Day,” a national day of awarenessand acceptance of people who are affectedby “Autism Spectrum Disorder” (ASD). Ac-cording to Autism Speaks, one of the lead-ing autism advocacy, awareness and re-search organizations, ASD is characterizedby difficulties in social interaction, verbaland nonverbal communication and repeti-tive behaviors.

Children on the autism spectrum aremaking the kind of progress previouslythought impossible. “I think when peoplehear the word autism, they automaticallythink of the character from ‘Rain Man,’” saidJonelle Shipley, the school’s speech-lan-guage pathologist, who works closely withthe school’s autism teachers. “What’s impor-tant to know is not all autistic children arethe same. They have various strengths andweaknesses and sometimes they just needa chance to be good at something.”

THE YOUNG VOLUNTEERS do a num-ber of activities with the autistic students,who are in the school’s enhanced autismclasses with special education teachersAnna Siller and Mary Lou Marcantuono.Some days the girls help them read; otherdays they blow bubbles or play Bingo. Thegoal is to give the students a chance to en-gage with their peers, and make them feel

comfortable in the social, school setting.“The students really teach you not to

judge a book by its cover,” said Devin Mar-tin. “I’ve learned you have to be a littlemore patient, and maybe go over things afew extra times, but it helps them stay fo-cused.”

“I think they show you that they may dothings in a different way, but that’s okay,”said Sarah Carmen. “It’s really cool to seethe students do things people thought theycouldn’t do.”

The girls agreed that interacting withsomeone with special needs has taughtthem to have more patience and respect foranyone who is “different.”

“What’s great about Oakton is that thekids here are very accepting,” Anna KateMartin said. “They will go up to kids withautism and say hi. It makes them feel wel-come.”

“Our students gain so much from beingaround these girls. They have more self-as-surance, and they learn different ways ofcommunicating,” said Marcantuono.

Although the three girls volunteer everyschool day, a number of OES students par-ticipate in other related activities, such asP.E. buddies, where a student volunteers topair up with an autistic student during gym

class.“We teach the children we receive,

whether it’s autism, shyness or whatever,”said kindergarten teacher Julia Rastelli,who produces a popular annual kindergar-ten musical that includes autistic students.

“Our school has a culture of compassionand acceptance, and these girls really takethat to heart,” Shipley said. “We’re lucky tobe in Fairfax County, where we have pro-grams that students can benefit from at avery early age. No child is hopeless, andthat’s reflected in the way we teach.”

April is AutismAwareness Month

As autism awareness has skyrocketed, thedisability—which experts are now callingan “epidemic”—has become a national pri-ority.

The latest report, co-authored by the U.S.Health Resources and Services Administra-tion and the U.S. Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention, found autism spectrumdisorder affects one in 50 children, wellabove the one in 88 number that had beenused by the CDC just last year, and threetimes the rate the CDC found a decade ago.

According to a recent survey by theFlorida Institute of Technology, nearly two-thirds of young moms and dads are con-cerned their child will be diagnosed withASD.

“Since the average school bus holds 50to 55 children, that means, statisticallyspeaking, on average there is one child withparent-reported ASD on every school busin America,” reported the National Instituteof Mental Health.

The increase, experts say, is largely dueto improved diagnosis of ASD by doctors orother health professional in recent years,especially when the symptoms were mild.

Along with increased awareness, the so-cial landscape has changed dramatically forstudents diagnosed with autism.

Politically, autism is a hot-button issuethat’s on the agenda of many lawmakers,who advocate a range of services, from re-spite services to mandated health insurancecoverage for various therapies like appliedbehavior analysis (ABA).

Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), whosebrother-in-law has autism, has been a long-standing advocate for expanded health in-surance coverage for autism spectrum dis-order, and co-patroned several bills thataddress the issue.

Politics aside, most parents want to knowwhat education services are available fortheir autistic child.

“Because of the size of Fairfax County, weare able to offer programs that few schoolsdistricts in the nation can provide, whichhelp guide both students and parentsthrough the education process,” said FairfaxCounty School Board member RyanMcElveen. “Fairfax County uses AppliedBehavioral Analysis with Pre K-12 students.The primary objective of ABA is to preparestudents with autism and related disordersto function as independently as possible,”said McElveen.

THE APPROACH emphasizes the impor-tance of looking at the ABC’s (antecedents,behaviors, and consequences) of behaviorsand teaching new skills and behaviors.

New skills are taught through techniquessuch as reinforcement, shaping, prompting,and data is analyzed to measure progresson the acquisition of new behaviors and newskills.

“When you hear the ‘A’ word dropped, youthink the worst, that your child won’t beable to communicate and will never live anindependent life,” said Bernie DeLeo, aformer special education teacher and dramateacher at Thoreau Middle School, who nowteaches drama at West Springfield HighSchool.

He said he and his wife, who grew up inMcLean, moved back to Fairfax County fromNew York City in 2002 because of the pro-grams and services offered by FairfaxCounty Public Schools.

“It’s important for parents to be advo-cates, and to keep their expectation levelshigh. My wife and I were very hands on withour son. We expected more out of him, andhe’s surprised us at every turn.”

Autism Speaks Volumes for Student VolunteersFairfax County PublicSchools use latesttechniques to teachautistic students.

Did you know…AUTISM❖ is a developmental disability that can significantly impact communication, social skills and behavior;❖ is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls;❖ affects 1 in 50, children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control;❖ is considered an urgent public health concern by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).What works:❖ Early identification and treatment can significantly improve long term outlook;❖ Intensive intervention using the scientific principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) is effective in

teaching adaptive and academic skills;❖ FCPS serves students with autism using ABA at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels.Information provided by Fairfax County Public Schools❖ The FY 2013 budget for the ABA program is $3,246,836, which includes funding school-based positions,

professional development, support positions and allocation of instructional resources. A detaileddescription of budget allocations for this program can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/fs/budget/documents/approved/FY13/FY2013ProgramBudget.pdf

For more information about Fairfax County Public School’s autism services, go to the following sites:http://www.fcps.edu/dss/sei/ABA/FAQs.shtmlhttp://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/newsletter/docs/AutismAwarenessResources.pdf

On April 2nd, Oakton ElementarySchool participated in “Light it upBlue Day,” a national day of aware-ness and acceptance of peopleaffected by autism. Sixth-gradervolunteers Devin Martin, 12; AnnaKate Martin, 12, and SarahCarmen, 11, have given up recessto volunteer with autistic students.

Drama teachers Bernie DeLeo(Thoreau Middle School and WestSpringfield High School) andStacey Jones (Luther JacksonMiddle School) have producedplays and school news spots forAutism Awareness Month.

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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA

450 ORCHARD STREET, NWVIENNA, VA 22180

[email protected]

www.fbcv.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 11:00 AMCHURCH SCHOOL 9:30AM-10:30AMMIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PM

Visit These Houses of WorshipTo Highlight Your Faith Community, call Karen at 703-917-6468

Assembly of GodVienna Assembly of God ... 703-938-7736

Cristo Es Mi Refugio...703-675-0144Baha’i

Baha’i Faith for Northern Virginia ...703-821-3345

BaptistGlobal Mission Church ... 703-757-0877Peace Baptist Church ... 703-560-8462

Bethel Primitive Baptist Church... 703-757-8134

Cartersville Baptist Church ...703-255-7075

Fellowship Baptist Church ...703-385-8516

First Baptist Church ... 703-938-8525The Light Mission Church ... 703-757-0877

Vienna Baptist Church ... 703-281-4400New Union Baptist Church...

703-281-2556Buddhist

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center...202-331-2122

Church of the BrethernOakton Church of the Brethern

... 703-281-4411Catholic

Our Lady of Good Counsel ...703-938-2828

St. Athanasius Catholic Church ...703-759-4555

St. Mark’s Catholic Church ...703-281-9100Charismatic

Christian Assembly ... 703-698-9777Church of Christ

Berea Church of Christ ... 703-893-7040Disciples of Christ

Antioch Christian Church ... 703-938-6753Episcopal

Church of the Holy Comforter ...703-938-6521

Church of the Holy Cross ... 703-698-6991St. Francis Episcopal ... 703-759-2082

Jehovah’s WitnessJehovah’s Witnesses ... 703-759-1579

LutheranEmmanuel Lutheran Church...703-938-

2119Christ The King Lutheran Church...

703-759-6068St. Athanasius Lutheran Church...

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MethodistAndrew Chapel United Methodist ... 703-759-

3509Church of the Good Shepherd ... 703-281-3987The Vine Methodist Church ... 703-573-5336Ephiphany United Methodist ... 703-938-3494Great Falls United Methodist... 703-759-3705

Oakton United Methodist ... 703-938-1233Vale United Methodist ... 703-620-2594

Smith Chapel United Methodist ... 571-434-9680Wesley United Methodist ... 703-938-8700

Non-DenominationalCelebration Center for Spiritual Living

... 703-560-2030Christian Assembly Church ... 703-698-9777

PresbyterianGrace Orthodox Presbyterian Church ...

703-560-6336Korean Central Presbyterian ... 703-698-5577

Vienna Presbyterian ... 703-938-9050Quaker

Langley Hills Friends...703-442-8394Seventh-Day Adventist

Northern Virginia Christian Fellowship ...703-242-9001

Vienna Seventh Day Adventists ...703-938-8383

Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax ... 703-281-4230

United Church of ChristEmmaus United Church of Christ …703-938-1555

UnityUnity of Fairfax ...

703-281-1767

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 12Music 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. Jacqueline Thomson

The Rev. Laura Cochran703-437-6530

www.stannes-reston.org1700 Wainwright Dr., Reston

ST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston

Progressive & Welcoming

bb

News

New Superintendent NamedKaren Garza selected assuperintendent of FairfaxCounty Public Schools.

The Fairfax County School Board unani-mously approved educator Karen Garzaof Texas to be the next superintendent ofthe 181,000 student district at its April

18 school board meeting.For the past four years, Garza has been the super-

intendent of the Lubbock Independent School Dis-trict, which serves approximately 30,000 studentsin Lubbock, Texas. She will succeed retiring Super-intendent Jack Dale on July 1, 2013. Her four-yearcontract runs through June 30, 2017, and she willearn $265,000 in her first year.

“I’m thrilled that we have been able to finalize theappointment and contractual arrangement with Dr.Garza,” said Ilryong Moon, Fairfax County SchoolBoard chairman. Moon said several school boardmembers visited Lubbock early last week and “all ofus came away extremely impressed with thecommunity’s observations regarding Dr. Garza’s ten-ure as its superintendent.”

“I could not be more pleased with the outcome ofour extensive search process for a new superinten-dent,” said school board member Ryan McElveen (at-large.) McElveen said one of the primary character-istics the community hoped to see in a new superin-tendent was the willingness to engage with the com-munity.

cilities for more than200,000 students.

“She comes to FairfaxCounty with a deep com-mitment to openness andengagement and is eager towork collaboratively in thebest interest of all stu-dents,” Moon said. “As Dr.Garza knows, the bar is sethigh in Fairfax County. Theboard looks forward withgreat excitement to work-

ing with Dr. Garza as it builds upon past successesand moves forward in a new era for FCPS.”

The school board will begin planning a series oftransition activities and public meetings for Dr. Garzabefore she begins her tenure as FCPS superintendenton July 1.

—Victoria Ross

Dr. Karen Garza

“Although that can be extremelydifficult in a county as large andcongested as Fairfax County, wecould not have found someonemore ready and willing to do sothan Dr. Garza. Our site visit lastweek to Lubbock, Texas, provedher ability to engage and positivelytransform an entire community,”McElveen said.

Garza flew to Fairfax last Thurs-day to accept the appointment inperson, and toured several schoolson Friday, meeting with teachers,students and administrators.

“I am very humbled and excitedto be selected by this board,” shesaid. “It is truly an honor and aprivilege to join such a renownedschool system.” Garza said she willbe “responsive and accountable”to all FCPS stakeholders and willsupport efforts already underwayto provide FCPS students a world-class education.

“As superintendent, I plan to bevery visible. The best part of myday will be when I’m in schools tobe with children and to better un-derstand the needs of our schools,”she said.

Prior to her role in Lubbock,Garza served as the chief academicofficer of the Houston Indepen-dent School District, the seventhlargest school district in the coun-try. As chief academic officer, thedistrict’s second position to the su-perintendent, Garza was respon-sible for both instruction and fa-

“As superintendent, I plan tobe very visible. The best partof my day will be when I’m inschools to be with childrenand to better understand theneeds of our schools.”

—Dr. Karen Garza


Opinion

The Connection Newspapers wondozens of awards from the VirginiaPress Association, with winnersannounced on Saturday, April 20,

in Norfolk.The Connection project, Insiders Guide to the

Parks of Fairfax County, published in our New-comers and Community Guides, won a tophonor of Best in Show for Art. The project alsowon first place for informational graphics.Spearheaded and researched by Jean Card,who also designed the pages, with photogra-phy by Craig Sterbutzel and map design byLaurence Foong, Insiders Guide to the Parksled judges to say: “This is chock-full of infor-mation. It probably leaves readers with nounanswered questions. Colors and typographywork well together. The down-page photo andtext wrap features are nice touches.”

A multi-part series on immigration spear-headed by Victoria Ross won first place forin-depth or investigative writing. The Connec-tion devoted multiple pages in multiple edi-tions for multiple weeks to exhaustive report-ing on immigration. “This entry clearly stoodout above the rest in this category,” said judgesof Ross’s work. “The author portrayed an ex-cellent mix of data and human stories in cov-ering all of the facets of this topic. It was ob-vious she spent a great deal of time workingon this in-depth series. This was extremelycomprehensive, well rounded and objective.This was not just reports, numbers and databut a terrific compilation of human stories,personal experiences, challenges and a greatdeal of hope.” See the entire immigrationpackage at www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/Immigration/.

Alexandria Gazette Packet reporters took allthree awards for In-depth or Investigative Re-porting in their division, one circulation cat-egory above the Connection papers. NicholasHorrock won first place, In-depth or investi-gative reporting, for a multi-part series onPotomac Yard. “Great reporting job and ex-tremely thorough,” said judges.

Montie Martin, Alexandria Gazette Packet,won second place also for In-depth or investi-gative reporting for Guns From the South.Michael Lee Pope, won third place in the samecategory, for Looking Behind the Numbers.

Kenneth Lourie won first place for ColumnWriting. Judge’s comment: “An exceptionallyfriendly, down-home writing style. The best ofthe group without a doubt.”

Laurence Foong and Michael Lee Pope, firstplace, Alexandria Gazette Packet: Informa-tional Graphics.

Nikki Cheshire, an intern for the Great FallsConnection, garnered a first place award for herdramatic breaking news photo, a helicopter res-cue at Great Falls Park. See the award winningphoto at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pho-tos/2012/jun/11/18271/.

Bonnie Hobbs won first place for publicsafety writing in the Centre View and sec-

AWARD WINNERSSPECIAL AWARD: BEST IN SHOW, NON-DAILY

ARTWORK❖ Jean Card, Laurence Foong and Craig Sterbutzel,

Fairfax Connection: Informational Graphics, Parksin Fairfax County.

FIRST PLACE WINNERS❖ Victoria Ross, Springfield Connection: In-depth or

Investigative Reporting, Immigration❖ Nicholas Horrock, Alexandria Gazette Packet: In-

depth or investigative reporting, Potomac Yard❖ Jean Card, Laurence Foong and Craig Sterbutzel,

Fairfax Connection: Informational Graphics, Parksin Fairfax County

❖ Nikki Cheshire, Great Falls Connection: BreakingNews Photo, Rescue at Great Falls

❖ Deb Cobb, Mount Vernon Gazette: Online Slideshow,Daily Patrols Take to the Water

❖ Deb Cobb, Reston Connection: General news photo,Freezin’ for a Reason

❖ Laurence Foong and Michael Lee Pope, AlexandriaGazette Packet: Informational Graphics

❖ Bonnie Hobbs, Centre View North: Public SafetyWriting

❖ Kenneth Lourie, Arlington Connection: ColumnWriting

❖ Alex McVeigh, Oak Hill/Herndon Connection:Education Writing, The Human Element of Learning

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Arlington Connection: MultimediaNews Report, Secret Police

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Alexandria Gazette Packet:Business and Financial Writing

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Mount Vernon Gazette: BreakingNews Writing

SECOND PLACE WINNERS❖ Montie Martin, Alexandria Gazette Packet: In-depth

or investigative reporting, Guns From the South❖ Jean Card, Mount Vernon Gazette: Page Design❖ Bonnie Hobbs, Fairfax Connection: Public Safety

Writing❖ Louise Krafft, Mount Vernon Gazette: Picture Story

or Essay, Mount Vernon Graduation 2012❖ Louise Krafft and Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria

Gazette Packet: Combination Picture and Story,Memorial Day

❖ Craig Sterbutzel, Burke Connection: Sports NewsPhoto, Santiago Valdez

❖ Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria Gazette Packet:Headline Writing

❖ Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria Gazette Packet:Column Writing.

❖ Steven Mauren, Geovani Flores, Stuart Moll,Laurence Foong and Jean Card, Mount VernonGazette: Special Sections or Special Editions:Insider’s Guide.

❖ Kemal Kurspahic, Amna Rehmatulla, Chelsea Bryan,Laurence Foong, Stuart Moll and Geovani Flores,Great Falls Connection: General Makeup.

THIRD PLACE WINNERS❖ Michael Lee Pope, Alexandria Gazette Packet: In-

depth or investigative reporting: Looking Behind theNumbers

❖ Laurence Foong, Alexandria Gazette Packet: PageDesign

❖ Laurence Foong, The Fairfax Connection:Informational Graphics

❖ Mary Kimm, Fairfax Connection: Editorial Writing;five editorials about education

❖ Louise Krafft, Arlington Connection: Sports FeaturePhoto.Louise Krafft, Alexandria Gazette Packet:Picture Story or Essay, Celebrating the Irish.

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Alexandria Gazette Packet:Multimedia News Report, Schools in Crisis

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Mount Vernon Gazette: FeatureSeries or Continuing Story, Horses and GravesVersus Road Widening

❖ Michael Lee Pope, Mount Vernon Gazette: Health,Science and Environmental Writing.

❖ Jon Roetman, Arlington Connection: Sports Writing.❖ Steven Mauren, Jean Card, Geovani Flores, Laurence

Foong and Stuart Moll, Alexandria Gazette Packet:General Makeup.

❖ Steven Mauren, Geovani Flores, Stuart Moll,Laurence Foong and Jean Card, Mount VernonGazette: Special Sections or Special Editions,Children’s Edition.

MDDCThe Potomac Almanac, a Connection Newspaper

located in Potomac, Md., competes in the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, and won at least sixpress association awards, which will be formallyannounced on May 17 at the MDDC Press awardsluncheon. Susan Belford, John Byrd, LaurenceFoong, Ken Moore (2) and Staff were named aswinners.

Connection Guide to Parks Wins ‘Best in Show’Investigative reporting, in depth coverage,education writing, photography, art, design,sports, garner Virginia Press Association honors.

ond place for public safety writing in theFairfax Connection. Judges said: “Althoughthe cases featured in these entries were sen-sational, which made them interesting in andof themselves, the writer maintained thereaders’ interest by her excellent storytellingability. The stories not only conveyed factsbut also emotion. The coverage was compre-hensive and thorough with no questions leftunanswered.”

Alex McVeigh won first place for EducationWriting, first published in the Oak Hill-Herndon Connection.

Photographer Deb Cobb won first place foran online slide show of coverage of daily pa-trols on the water in the Mount Vernon Gazette.See it at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pho-tos/galleries and search for Daily Marine Pa-trols. Cobb also won first place for general newsphoto for her photo of “Freezin’ for a Reason,”the polar bear plunge into Lake Anne.

Mike Pope won first place for breaking newsfor coverage of “New Leadership at GunstonHall.”

Pope also won third place for continuingcoverage for “Horses and Graves Versus RoadWidening” in the Mount Vernon Gazette, andthird place for Mount Vernon Health, Scienceand Environmental Writing Portfolio.

The staff of Great Falls Connection won sec-ond place for overall excellence (generalmakeup). Judges said: “Although the tabloidformat and general design has a ‘features’ feel,this is a beautiful paper. The text, use of colorand section delineation makes it very easy toread and follow both news and features. Allcover selections draw you in.”

Louise Krafft and Jeanne Theismann, Alex-andria Gazette Packet: Combination Pictureand Story for Memorial Day. Judge’s comment:“A variety of great photos neatly presentedhelps tell the story of this important day.”

Craig Sterbutzel, Burke Connection: SportsNews Photo * Santiago Valdez. Judge’s com-ment: “Great Exposure.”

Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria GazettePacket: Headline Writing. Judge’s comment:“Think you can’t say much in two words? Thisentry disproves that. I particularly like ‘BovineIntervention’ with the subhead ‘Del Ray’s HolyCow, ACT partner for local charities.

Louise Krafft won second place for picturestory or essay for her coverage of the MountVernon High School graduation.

Jean Card won second place for page designin the Mount Vernon Gazette.

The Mount Vernon Gazette won secondplace for special section for the August Insid-ers Edition, Community and NewcomersGuide; and third place for special edition forthe Children’s Gazette.

Mary Kimm, third place, editorial writing fora package of education-related editorials.

Find all of the award-winning coverageat www.ConnectionNewspapers.com, un-der Awards.

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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:To discuss ideas and concerns,

Call: 703-778-9410e-mail:

[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Chelsea BryanEditorial Assistant

703-778-9410 [email protected]

Donna ManzContributing Writer

[email protected]

Victoria Ross County Reporter ❖ 301-502-6027

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

e-mail:[email protected]

Don ParkDisplay Advertising

[email protected]

Andrea SmithClassified Advertising

[email protected]

Debbie FunkNational Sales703-778-9444

[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:

Jean CardGeovani Flores

Special Assistant to the PublisherJeanne Theismann

[email protected]

@TheismannMedia

CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426Circulation Manager:

Linda [email protected]

Vienna & Oakton


News

From Page 3

The Community Enhancement Commission runsthe native plant sale and sustainable house and gar-den tour in mid-September.

The Vienna Green Expo is, perhaps, the most wellknown of the commission’s events. “Bringing all thisinformation together in one location on one night isa great service that the town provides to our resi-dents,” Stillman said.

And about that Tesla: The owners wanted a carsolely battery-operated, no hybrid. Surprisingly, thereis lots of space in the car because the battery is be-neath the seating area. With no engine, additionalstorage space opens up. And … the family waitedthree to four years for delivery on their $85,000 ve-hicle, which they actually purchased online. “It wasworth the wait,” the owner said.

THE VIENNA GREEN EXPO was sponsored by theCommunity Enhancement Commission and ViennaDepartment of Parks and Recreation.

Green Expo vendors included: four vehicles—theChevy Volt, converted Prius provided by Jim Lemon,Nissan Leaf, and Tesla; local schools—Louise Archer,Vienna Elementary School Garden, Madison HighSchool, Marshall High School, and Thoreau MiddleSchool; non-profits/community groups—CommunityEnhancement Commission, Northeast Vienna CitizenAssociation [NEVCA], Master Naturalists, Ayr HillGarden Club, Boy Scouts David Goodwin and MarkLogan, Vienna Farmers Market, Vienna Bicycle Advi-sory Committee, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicy-

cling, LEAP, Coalition for Smart Growth and SierraClub; businesses—Bikes@Vienna, Spokes, HomeEnergy Medics, Home Performance Solutions, JohnNugent and Sons, Edge Energy, Peabody Architects,Peter Henry Architect, Prior Unity Garden, ForeverGreen Recycling, Inc., and Ecobeco; governmentpartners—Vienna Parks and Recreation [landscapeand arborist services], Fairfax County Public WorksDepartment, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project andFairfax Connector Buses.

Green Expo Returns to Vienna

David Godwin (left) and Mark Logan talkto visitors at their table about the WattWatcher Initiative and the top “phantom”(or vampire) energy users.

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to

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Spring Break With Orphans of ChinaVienna 16-year-old gives $5000 to four orphanageswhile visiting the country.

Charlotte Heffelmire (left), of Vienna,raised and donated money to four orphan-ages while in China during her springbreak. Winds of Change was one of theorganizations to receive part of the $5000total that Charlotte donated.

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A 16-year-old from Vienna, CharlotteHeffelmire, raised and donated $5,000 toChinese orphanages while in the country

over spring break.Charlotte visited several Chinese orphanages and

made the donation across four of them, so as to lessenthe odds of the money being wasted, wrote her fa-ther, Eric Heffelmire in an email to The Connectionon Monday, April 8.

Vienna 16-year-old Charlotte Heffelmire(left) plays with orphans while in Chinaover her spring break. During her visit tothe country, Heffelmire raised and do-nated $5000 to Chinese orphanages.

Walk with Us!5-K Walk to benefit children in foster care

When: Saturday, May 18, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.(Registration from 8 to 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Lake Accotink Park (rear entrance)5660 Heming Avenue, Springfield, VA.

Cost: $30 registration fee•Picnic lunch provided

Steps to Walk – or Support the 5-K Walk1. Log on to: www.fairfaxyouth.org/events.xml to register2. Create your own team or join our Fairfax Families4Kids team.For more information, visit the Web site atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs/fairfaxfamilies4kids.htm or contactBeverly J. Howard, Fairfax Families4Kids Coordinator,703-324-7518, TTY 711. [email protected]

Fairfax County is committed tonondiscrimination on the basisof disability in all county pro-grams, services and activities.Reasonable accommodations

will be provided uponrequest. For moreinformation, call 703-324-4600, TTY 711.


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ENGLAND’S TREASURES • Sept. 26–Oct. 5...........................$3,549Lake District, Cotswolds & Cornwall. Includes Air from Dulles, 8 Nights Hotel,Daily Breakfast, 5 Dinners, Transfers, Porterage, Sightseeing. Call for Itinerary.

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Week in Vienna

Absentee Voting BeforeVienna Election

The Fairfax Co. Office of Elections offers absenteevoting before the May 7 election in Vienna for resi-dents who meet the qualifications. These include dis-abled residents as well as those who will be commut-ing and working for 11 or more hours, between 6 a.m.and 7 p.m., on Election Day, May 7; such residents andothers may qualify to vote by absentee ballot.

For further info on absentee voting, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2013/vienna-election-may-7.htm and http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/AbsenteeVoting.html.

Tree Planting CeremonyIn Honor of Arbor Day

The Town of Vienna and the Community Enhance-ment Commission invite the public to attend theannual Arbor Day ceremony on Friday, April 26, at10 a.m. The tree planting ceremony will be held nextto the W&OD Caboose in the town’s Centennial Parkon Church St. N.E., adjacent to the W&OD Trail.

For more information or in case of inclementweather, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation De-partment at 703-255-6360.

Vienna Police to ParticipateIn Prescription Drug TakeBack Initiative

In conjunction with the United States Drug Enforce-

ment Administration (D.E.A.) and state and local lawenforcement agencies, the Vienna Police Departmentwill again participate in a one-day initiative to re-move potentially dangerous controlled substancesfrom area homes.

On April 27, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the ViennaPolice Department will have a collection site for old,expired, unused, or unwanted medications. Prescrip-tion medications, controlled or non-controlled sub-stances, and over the counter drugs may be turnedin anonymously at the collection point inside ViennaPolice Headquarters at 215 Center St., South Vienna,Virginia 22180. Participants may dispose of medica-tion in its original container or by removing it anddisposing of it directly in to the collection box. If anoriginal container is used, the individual should con-sider removing any identifying information from theprescription label. Liquid products should remainsealed in their original container to prevent leakage.Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes willnot be accepted due to associated hazards.

The Farmers’ Market isMoving

Starting May 4, the Vienna Saturday Farmers’ Mar-ket is moving a few blocks and relocating to the FaithBaptist Church parking lots, 301 Center St. S., lo-cated next to the Vienna Police Department andacross from the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

The Farmers’ Market will open on May 4, and willrun continuously on Saturdays through Oct. 26, from8 a.m. to 12 noon, in the Faith Baptist Church park-ing lots. The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna oper-ates and sponsors the market and all market fees gotowards supporting youth.


Real Estate

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

When a retired couple decided it wastime to leave their sprawling subur-ban home, they wanted to downsizewithout giving up luxury. As a result,

they purchased a high-end condominium and hiredBethesda, Md., based interior designer KelleyProxmire of Kelley Interior Design to create a sereneand sophisticated space.

“The couple are retired professionals, empty nest-ers who lead active lives and didn’t want the main-tenance of a single family home,” said Proxmire.“[They] wanted to blend the furniture, accessoriesand mementoes they had each collected. … Theywanted a home that was elegant, comfortable, andthat also allowed them to lock and leave on amoment’s notice.”

Proxmire’s clients are part of rebound in the high-end condominium market. The National Associationof Realtors® reports that condominium purchases areon the rise, and says that sales are 13.9 percent higherthan they were at the same time last year.

David DeSantis, a partner at TTR | Sotheby’s In-ternational Realty says his company has seen an in-crease in luxury condominium sales in the Washing-ton region in recent months. “In the past severalmonths we have broken records for high-end condoprices, and we recently sold the most expensivecondo ever sold in the Washington region, which was$7.5 million,” he said. “We sold a number of condosat Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn [Arlington].”

COMMUNITIES LIKE the Oronoco in Old TownAlexandria; Market Street at Town Center in Reston,and Quarry Springs in Bethesda attract those whowant both luxury and convenience. “The appeal ofthese buildings is the fact that you’ve got these largeapartments that are like homes except with a healthclub and concierge service,” said DeSantis. “Theclose-in suburbs are good places to live. There aregood stores, good restaurants and you don’t have

the issue of a long commute to work.”Realtors say that properties close to public trans-

portation are in demand. “Reston is on fire. The con-dos are turning very quickly there because the Metrois coming,” said Great Falls-based realtor Dianne VanVolkenburg of Long & Foster Companies. “Reston isone of the places where inventory is extremely lim-ited, so you’re getting multiples offers over list price.”

Alexandria-based realtor Allison Goodhart of TheGoodhart Group of McEnearney Associates, Inc. said,“Sales and showings for properties have really pickedup across the board in Alexandria City. The Oronocois all high-end, one-level condos near the Old Town[Alexandria] waterfront and those are selling verywell.”

Bob Wulff, Ph.D., director of the Center for RealEstate Entrepreneurship and the master’s in real es-tate development program at George Mason Univer-sity in Fairfax, says there are two primary types ofbuyers who are drawn to condominiums. “There arefirst time homebuyers and move-down homebuyerswho’ve sold their large suburban homes,” said Wulff.“Move-down buyers are looking for luxury in a walk-able neighborhood that is near mass transit.”

DeSantis agrees. “A big portion of those clients arethe empty-nester crowd,” he said. “Their kids havegraduated from college and they are looking for alifestyle change. These people were not pinched bythe recession, but it also wasn’t a good time to selltheir big house in suburbs.”

In addition to empty nesters, DeSantis says thathigh-income professional singles and couples oftenchoose luxury condominiums. “Those two groups areleading to the up-tick in sales,” he said.

Walter Molony, economic issues media managerfor the National Association of Realtors, says theboost in condominium sales is the result of a stron-ger economy. “It is part of the rising tide that is float-ing all boats,” he said. “After four years of a sluggisheconomy that impacted people’s confidence,affordability conditions have improved and people

What Housing Slump? Real estate experts explain the risein luxury condominium sales.

Photo by Angie Seckinger

Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley InteriorDesign decorated a luxury condominium for a retired couple whowanted to downsize after selling their suburban home. Real estateexperts say high-end condominium sales are on the rise.

Photo courtesy of The Goodhart Group of McEnearney Associates, Inc.

Alexandria-based realtor Allison Goodhart says sales of high-end realestate in the City of Alexandria, such as this property, have increasedover the past year.

Photo by Angie Seckinger

Bethesda, Md., based interior designer Kelley Proxmire ofKelley Interior Design decorated this luxury condo-minium for two empty nesters who lead active lives anddidn’t want the maintenance of a single-family home.See Luxury Condos, Page 11


From Page 10

Luxury Condos in Demandhave the wherewithal and the confidence to buy.

There is less inventory in the low-end market, andthere are more buyers than sellers, which is drivingdemand up.”

DeSantis said, “For the most part, the Washing-ton, D.C., area was not hit as hard, so we’re coming

back faster. One of the things that we’ve seen in thereal estate industry is that there’s no shortage ofpeople in this market who have the resources to buyhigh-end housing. They held off on buying while thedirection of the economy … was unclear, but peopleare now willing to spend the money that they’ve hadall along.”

David DeSantis, a partner at TTR | Sotheby’s Interna-tional Realty, says his company has seen an increase inthe sale of high-end condominiums such as this one atReston Town Center.

Local realtors say that condominiums near public trans-portation, such as these at Reston Town Center, are indemand.

Sales of condominiums built with luxurious materials, such as those used in the bath-room of this condominium at Turnberry Tower in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arling-ton, are on the rise.

Photos courtesy of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

To honor Momon Mother’s Day,send us your favor-ite snapshots of youwith your Mom andThe Connection willpublish them in ourMother’s Day issue.Be sure to includesome informationabout what’s goingon in the photo,plus your name andphone number andtown of residence.To e-mail digitalphotos, send to:

[email protected]

Or to mail photoprints, send to:

The Vienna/OaktonConnection,

“Me and My MomPhoto Gallery,”

1606 King St.,Alexandria, VA 22314Photo prints will bereturned to you if youinclude a stamped,self-addressed enve-lope, but please don’tsend us anything irre-placeable.

“MeandMy

Mom”


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OPEN HOUSESSATURDAY/SUNDAY,

APRIL 27 & 28

Call Specific Agents to Confirm Dates & Times

When you visit one of these Open Houses, tell the Realtor you saw it in thisConnection Newspaper. For more real estate listings and open houses, visit

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com and click on the “This Week in Real Estate” link.

Chantilly42344 Astors Beachwood..$800,000....Sun 1-4..........Chris Pezzana ...........Weichert ..703-447-1662

Clifton7242 Archlaw Dr.............$1,075,000....Sun 2-4..................Pat Fales............RE/MAX..703-503-4365

Fairfax Station7612 Rustle Ridge Ct.........$849,950....Sun 1-4.Kathleen Quintarelli ...........Weichert ..703-862-8808

Herndon1141 Bandy Run Rd...........$800,000..Sun 12-3.......Leslie Thurman...Long & Foster ..703-895-6000

12200 Meadowstream Ct...$615,000....Sun 1-4......Suzanne Gaibler ...........Weichert ..703-851-5600

1530 Hiddenbrook Dr ........ $385,000....Sun 1-4................Pat Orend...Long & Foster ..703-407-3300

12913 Alton Sq................$1,600/mo....Sun 1-4..........Chris Pezzana ...........Weichert ..703-447-1662

Lorton9040 Swans Creek Way..$1,050,000....Sun 1-4..............Dane Work............RE/MAX..703-869-4567

McLean1332 Skipwith Rd ........... $1,475,000....Sun 1-4...............Jane Price ...........Weichert ..703-628-0470

Reston11016 Solaridge Dr............$595,000....Sun 1-4......Suzanne Gaibler ...........Weichert ..703-851-5600

1445 Park Garden Ln.........$559,900....Sun 1-4..Cristina Dougherty...Long & Foster ..703-969-0471

11500 Fairway Dr #506 .....$400,000....Sun 1-4.............Peter Burke...Long & Foster ..703-786-3334

Vienna107 Melody Lane, SE......$1,398,900....Sun 1-4.........Lynne DePaso..Land & Homes..703-927-3090

9501 Clarks Crossing.........$719,000...Sat 12-3.......Leslie Thurman...Long & Foster ..703-895-6000

9501 Clarks Crossing.........$719,000....Sun 1-4.......Leslie Thurman...Long & Foster ..703-895-6000

To add your FREE Realtor represented Open Houseto these weekly listings, please contact Don Park

at 703-778-9420, or [email protected] listings are due by Monday at 3 P.M.

Vienna4.02%

$610,521

FairfaxStation2.37%

$601,818

Fairfax3.18%

$432,009

Great Falls4.36%

$971,014

Clifton1.62%

$619,250

Centreville3.14%

$340,642

Chantilly3.80%

$405,494

Alexandria2.91%

$369,362

Annandale3.99%

$380,881

McLean3.16%

$786,105

Reston4.91%

$379,812

BurkeB3.35%

4$395,2744$ Springfield3.41%

$373,874

Lorton5.02%

$349,150

Oakton2.34%

$639,551

Falls Churchh3.77%

$383,559

Herndon5.23%

$428,013

$550,609 (3.13%)$337,817 (4.50%)$222,722 (5.42%)

Single Family Detached Townhouse

Condos

2013 County Average (Percent Change)

6%0%

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

The local real estate market is thriving, withrealtors reporting multiple offers onhomes in some areas and dwindling in-

ventory of homes for sale. At least two things arecontributing to this change in the market.

First, interest rates have been in the basement:Freddie Mac reported a 30-year fixed-rate of 3.57percent for March this year, as opposed to 3.95 per-cent in March 2012 and 4.84 percent in 2011 (forreference, March 2005 was 5.93 percent).

Second, home prices are rising: RealEstate Busi-ness Intelligence reported a 10.23 percent increasein average sold price in Fairfax County between Feb-ruary 2012 and 2013. Even though inventory isshrinking across the county, distressed sales (fore-closures and short sales) are a smaller part of themarket.

On the whole, everyone has warm fuzzies aboutthe market.

“It’s as healthy as it’s ever been,” said Dane Work,an associate broker with Re/Max Preferred Proper-ties in Fairfax. “Everything is a hot potato. The wholemarket is red hot, white hot.”

BUT HOW LONG until the extended honeymoonphase is over? And what will that market look like?According to George Mason University Professor ofFinance Gerald Hanweck, a lot like it has before.

“The hype is, fundamentally, what you would ex-pect from a market like this,” said Hanweck. “Forquite a while, this has been a terrific housing marketin Fairfax County.”

Hanweck came to GMU in 1985 after spendingnearly two decades in the research division at the

Federal Reserve Board. Today in addition to teach-ing MBA finance courses, he is also associate deanfor graduate programs.

The professor has seen real estate go through cycleafter cycle over the decades. “It really just took timeto allow housing prices to get on a path of rising, ata rate they had in the past,” he said.

“When I first came here in 1968, the thought washousing prices should always go up ten percent ayear. That was a rule. And in fact they did for sometime,” Hanweck said.

“Now we’ve hit a plateau,” said Hanweck, “towhere we probably should take off and start havingprice rises between 4 and 6 percent a year, on aver-age, for residential properties. Once we hit that, andthat’s been happening now for several years, pricesare high enough — after they had fallen in 2005 and2006 — that people are willing to buy and sell.Enough time has passed.”

WHY THE DWINDLING SUPPLY? There are sev-eral factors, according to Hanweck, which result inpeople hanging on to their properties. Among themis a gradual increase in the number of retirees in thisarea who choose to stay in their homes. Another ispeople simply waiting to see how high prices willrise. There are also more instances of business in-vestors buying properties to rent.

But none of this should dissuade anyone fromjumping into the real estate market right now,Hanweck said. “Sell. Sell and buy.”

“If you want to move, sell now, buy now. Buyingsix months ago would be even better, buying a yearago would’ve been even better. But buy. Over thenext year, two years, it’s going to be a good market.After that we’re going to see federal government cutsactually start to impact.”

“I’m incredibly optimistic,” said Work. “I have beenfor about a year and a half. It makes me look like asaint. The writing was on the wall for some of this.

“It’s such a great opportunity for the end user, foroccupants,” he continued. “Everybody’s got to livesomewhere. Now is the time to lock in on somethingand secure it.”

Housing Market: ‘Sell and Buy’Sustained low interest ratesand rising prices haveenergized the marketplace.

Real Estate


Address ................................ BR . FB .HB ... Postal City .... Sold Price ... Type .......... Lot AC . PostalCode ..................... Subdivision201 NIBLICK DR SE ........................ 5 ... 4 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,498,850 .... Detached ........ 0.50 ........ 22180 ............ WESTBRIAR CC MANOR9606 SYMPHONY MEADOW LN ...... 5 ... 4 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,440,000 .... Detached ........ 1.25 ........ 22182 ............. SYMPHONY MEADOWS9118 LUCKY ESTATES DR ................ 5 ... 6 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,300,000 .... Detached ........ 1.15 ........ 22182 ......................... LUCKY ESTATES9902 TIMMARK CT ........................ 5 ... 4 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,235,000 .... Detached ........ 0.40 ........ 22181 ........................... VIENNA GLEN3259 PONY RIDGE WAY .................. 5 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON ....... $1,216,000 .... Detached ........ 0.64 ........ 22124 ................. DARTMOOR WOODS11688 HEINZ CT ............................ 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON ....... $1,150,000 .... Detached ........ 0.83 ........ 22124 ................................ WYNBERN9805 LEESBURG PIKE ..................... 5 ... 3 ... 2 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,149,000 .... Detached ........ 2.48 ........ 22182 . COLVIN RUN GREAT FALLS AREA2225 TERRA RIDGE DR ................... 5 ... 4 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........ $1,010,000 .... Detached ........ 0.26 ........ 22181 .......................... VIENNA MEWS10703 HUNTERS RUN CT ............... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $950,000 .... Detached ........ 1.73 ........ 22181 ....................... HUNTERS CREST2503 EASIE ST ............................... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $930,000 .... Detached ........ 0.51 ........ 22124 ................. PERZEL MARIE PROP720 MCKINLEY ST NE ..................... 4 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $862,500 .... Detached ........ 0.38 ........ 22180 ..................... CONCORD GREEN2513 MEREDITH DR ....................... 4 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $855,000 .... Detached ........ 0.35 ........ 22181 .................... LAKEVALE ESTATES9855 FAUST DR .............................. 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $831,300 .... Detached ........ 0.55 ........ 22182 .............. WOLFTRAP MEADOWS9119 CRICKLEWOOD CT ................ 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $825,500 .... Detached ........ 0.39 ........ 22182 ................. WOLF TRAP WOODS2610 LAKEVALE DR ........................ 4 ... 2 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $820,000 .... Detached ........ 0.60 ........ 22181 .................... LAKEVALE ESTATES9803 CLYDE CT .............................. 5 ... 2 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $795,000 .... Detached ........ 0.35 ........ 22181 ...................... LAWYERS NORTH3418 LYRAC ST .............................. 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $782,500 .... Detached ........ 0.68 ........ 22124 .................................. FOXVALE1811 MIDLOTHIAN CT ................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $775,000 .... Detached ........ 0.25 ........ 22182 .................................. WAVERLY10225 TAMARACK DR .................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $770,000 .... Detached ........ 0.46 ........ 22182 ............................... TAMARACK2604 OAKLEDGE CT ....................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $755,000 .... Detached ........ 0.29 ........ 22181 .......................... OAKTON GLEN1331 STOKLEY WAY ....................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $740,000 .... Detached ........ 0.25 ........ 22182 ............... TOWLSTON MEADOW8158 BOSS STREET ........................ 3 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $720,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.06 ........ 22182 ..................... TYSONS TERRACE2231 RICHELIEU DR ....................... 2 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $706,000 .... Detached ........ 0.25 ........ 22182 ....................... TYSONS WOODS3115 MILLER HEIGHTS RD ............. 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $679,900 .... Detached ........ 0.69 ........ 22124 .................... CINNAMON RIDGE3061 COPELAND LN ....................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $675,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.04 ........ 22124 ............................. OAK MANOR11332 VALE RD .............................. 5 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $655,000 .... Detached ........ 0.98 ........ 22124 ................ VALE SPRING WOODS2724 CLARKES LANDING DR ........... 4 ... 4 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $650,000 .... Detached ........ 0.49 ........ 22124 .................... CLARKES LANDING11909 SAINT HELENA DR ............... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $649,900 .... Detached ........ 0.56 ........ 22124 ........................... OAKTON VALE1825 PRELUDE DR ......................... 5 ... 2 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $625,000 .... Detached ........ 0.39 ........ 22182 .................................. TIBURON2009 GALLOWS TREE CT ................ 3 ... 2 ... 2 ......... VIENNA ........... $623,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.04 ........ 22182 ...................... HAHN PROPERTY926 MOOREFIELD CREEK RD SW .... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $615,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.11 ........ 22180 ......... TOWNES OF MOOREFIELD2050 PIERIS CT .............................. 3 ... 2 ... 2 ......... VIENNA ........... $610,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.04 ........ 22182 ...................... HAHN PROPERTY2439 JACKSON PKWY ..................... 5 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $605,000 .... Detached ........ 0.28 ........ 22180 ................. STONEWALL MANOR607 MEADOW LN SW ..................... 3 ... 2 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $605,000 .... Detached ........ 0.43 ........ 22180 ....................... VIENNA WOODS12011 HAMDEN CT ........................ 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $602,000 .... Detached ........ 0.46 ........ 22124 .................. VALEWOOD MANOR109 TAPAWINGO RD SE .................. 4 ... 2 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $596,000 .... Detached ........ 0.26 ........ 22180 ....................... VIENNA WOODS8008 TREVOR PL ........................... 3 ... 3 ... 1 ......... VIENNA ........... $596,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.06 ........ 22182 ............. COURTHOUSE STATION402 ORLEANS CIR SW .................... 3 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $589,000 .... Detached ........ 0.23 ........ 22180 ....................... VIENNA WOODS3261 FOX MILL RD ......................... 4 ... 2 ... 1 ........ OAKTON .......... $580,000 .... Detached ........ 1.03 ........ 22124 .......................... FOX HERITAGE10204 WOODROW ST .................... 4 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $580,000 .... Detached ........ 0.56 ........ 22181 ........................... KEMPER PARK9635 CINNAMON CREEK DR ........... 3 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $575,000 .... Detached ........ 0.38 ........ 22182 .................... CINNAMON CREEK3416 LYRAC ST .............................. 3 ... 1 ... 0 ........ OAKTON .......... $562,500 .... Detached ........ 1.50 ........ 22124 .................................. FOXVALE2414 BEEKAY CT ............................ 5 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $560,000 .... Detached ........ 0.46 ........ 22181 ........................... KEMPER PARK2027 MEADOW SPRINGS DR .......... 3 ... 2 ... 2 ......... VIENNA ........... $555,000 .... Townhouse ..... 0.04 ........ 22182 ................ MADRILLON SPRINGS612 YEONAS DR SW ....................... 4 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $552,000 .... Detached ........ 0.37 ........ 22180 ....................... VIENNA WOODS363 COURTHOUSE RD SW .............. 3 ... 1 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $550,000 .... Detached ........ 0.47 ........ 22180 ............................. MAPLE VIEW2801 LOGWAY RD .......................... 5 ... 3 ... 0 ......... VIENNA ........... $535,000 .... Detached ........ 0.26 ........ 22181 ..................... EDGELEA WOODS11415 VALE RD .............................. 4 ... 3 ... 0 ........ OAKTON .......... $530,000 .... Detached ........ 0.55 ........ 22124 ..................... FOX VALE ESTATES

Copyright 2013 RealEstate Business Intelligence. Source: MRIS as of April 15, 2013.

Home SalesIn March 2013, 69 homes sold between $1,498,850-$194,900

in the Vienna and Oakton area.This week’s list represents those homes sold in the $1,498,850-$530,000 range.

For the complete list, visit www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

MarketBlossomsIn Area

“This past February, themarket bloomed well in ad-vance of the cherry blos-soms! Sellers are more thanlikely dancing on their roofs.With low inventory, priceshave been climbing. Not onlyare most homes selling fast,lucky sellers may see mul-tiple offers—some includingescalation clauses as well.For the Reston market, thelong-awaited opening of theWiehle Avenue Metro stoplater this year has not es-caped notice. More buyersare looking here knowingthey can avoid the Rt. 7 traf-fic or the toll road. Interestrates are still good, but thereis competition. Buyers needto do their research and beready to act when the righthome becomes available.”

Andy Krum,ABR, GRI,CDPE/KellerWilliamsRealty—Reston, 703-679-1700

Viewpoints


Sports

Madison senior midfielder Melissa Kellan shoots during a game againstMcLean on April 18.

McLean senior Ava Mirzadegan scored three goals against Madison onApril 18.

Pho

to

s by C

raig Sterbutzel/T

he C

on

nectio

n

Nine Warhawks scoreat least one goal.Madison Girls’ Lax Beats McLean

Vienna/Oakton Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-224-3015 or [email protected]

Madison sophomore Kierra Sweeneyfinished with two goals during a winagainst McLean on April 18.

“Coming off a big winlast week, where theywere super excited, itseemed like they wereresting on that and theyneed to recognize thatwe have a long seasonahead of us andaccomplishing ourinterim goals as we godoes not mean we get toslack off at any point.”

— Madison girls’ lacrosse coach

Amanda Counts

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

After falling behind McLean dur-ing an April 18 matchup, Madi-son girls’ lacrosse coach AmandaCounts had a message for the

Warhawks during a timeout.“[I told them] that they need to have pride

in how they play,” said Counts, whoseWarhawks defeated 2012 state runner-upLangley six days prior. “Coming off a bigwin last week, where they were super ex-cited, it seemed like they were resting onthat and they need to recognize that wehave a long season ahead of us and accom-plishing our interim goals as we go doesnot mean we get to slack off at any point.

“We have to be prepared for what’s com-ing down the line.”

While Madison stumbled during the firsteight minutes, the Warhawks proved preparedto dominate the remainder of the contest.

Madison outscored McLean 20-5 duringa 36-minute stretch and defeated the High-landers 21-11 at McLean High School.Madison trailed 4-1 early, but the Warhawksresponded with four straight goals and 11of the next 14 en route to a 12-7 halftimelead. Madison scored nine of the first 11second-half goals and cruised to victory.

“I think we started working together as ateam,” Madison junior Alex Condon said inregard to the Warhawks overcoming theirslow start. “I feel like the first few minutes,everyone was playing as an individual. I feellike after that, we came out, we got focusedand we did what we needed to do to get ittogether.”

NINE DIFFERENT WARHAWKS scoredat least one goal and seven scored at leasttwo. Senior attack Carly Frederick led theway with four goals. Condon, junior KatieKerrigan and senior Melissa Kellan each hadthree goals and sophomore Kierra Sweeney,junior Sam Babbitt and senior Erin Callahan

each had two. Juniors Maddie Renshaw andRachel Brennan each added one.

On April 22, Madison beat South Lakes17-6, improving the Warhawks’ record to7-1, including 4-0 in the Liberty District.

Many of Madison’s juniors and seniorswere members of the program’s 2011 un-defeated state championship team. TheWarhawks have also won each of the lasttwo Liberty District titles. This season, Madi-son has a greater dependence on its elderathletes to provide leadership and on-fieldproduction as the younger Warhawks don’tpossess as much experience as in previousyears.

“This is a whole new team,” saidFrederick, who was a sophomore on the2011 state title team. “We’re not used tothis kind of team at all. It’s definitely a chal-lenge, but one that we’re all taking opti-mistically. There are times where it’s very

frustrating. I’ve never been on a team likethis. Being a senior and being a captain, Ireally enjoy trying to help the other playersand trying to get everyone on the samepage. I don’t think captains in previous yearsthat I’ve played have ever had to have thatmuch responsibility. It’s a lot of pressure.”

How have the Warhawks remained suc-cessful?

“We hold [younger players] accountableto the level that our coaches expect us tobe playing at,” Frederick said. “It’s definitelytough. There have been a lot of emotionsthroughout the season, but everyone isstarting to really come together and I don’tthink that anyone has really seen the bestof Madison yet and I’m excited for that gameto come.”

Condon was a freshman on the 2011team.

“When I was a freshman, we had greatseniors that helped everyone,” said Condon,now a junior. “They were always willing tostay after practice with you and help youout and spend extra time with you and I[looked] up to them and try to do that with

the young girls here.”Counts said the elder Warhawks need to

have athletes of all ages playing well in or-der for the team to be successful.

“They have a lot to accomplish,” she said.“There are girls who are experienced hereand have been in the program and havebeen with us through successes, but we havea lot of new girls, so that’s not somethingevery single person has in their back pocket.They need to bring everybody up to thesame level. We have to play together to getanything done.”

After losing to Madison, McLean defeatedMarshall 16-12 on Monday, improving theHighlanders’ record to 4-5, including 2-3in the Liberty District.

AGAINST MADISON, senior attack AvaMirzadegan and freshman midfielderAlessandra Pelliccia each scored three goals.Junior midfielder Nikki Lind finished withtwo goals, and sophomore attack GraceTiernan, senior attack Sibylle Miller andsophomore midfielder Elise Koehl each fin-ished with one.

Mirzadegan and Lind scored the first twogoals of the April 18 contest against theWarhawks. After Frederick put Madison onthe board, Pelliccia and Lind scored, givingMcLean a 4-1 lead. Pelliccia scored from freeposition with 9:27 remaining in the firsthalf, giving the Highlanders their final leadof the night at 6-5.

“I think our girls played hard the entiretime,” McLean head coach AlexandraWhitworth said. “They were fired up thewhole time for this game. This is always abig rivalry that we have against Madison. Ithink [the Warhawks] just kind of capital-ized on their shots. Our shooting kind ofwent downhill as the game went on. Theirgoalie had some really good saves.”

McLean will travel to face Fairfax at 7:30p.m. on Monday, April 29.

Madison will host Fairfax at 7:30 p.m. onFriday, April 26.


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About what I’m feeling and whether I shouldeven be writing about it. Obviously, the “it” (“c-onfliction,” one of my father’s many made-upwords), has to do with yours truly having stageIV lung cancer (duh!). Specifically, it has to dowith the feedback I received today from mynephrologist (kidney specialist), an appointmentI have scheduled every four to six months. Theongoing concern being, that the toxicity of myprevious three years of infused chemotherapyhas caused collateral damage (internally forsure, externally, not so much), especially since Ihave lived longer than the standard treatmentprotocols anticipated/have been studied. Overthis time, lab work and patient observation hasindicated that something not totally unexpectedhas happened (other than my still being alivethat is): damage to internal organs not directlyrelated to the underlying cancer diagnosis. Andwhat has been happening is that my creatininelevels (likely a side effect of my previous 18-month-long Avastin infusion) and bilirubin(likely a side effect of the – at present, ninemonths-long and counting, daily dose of tar-ceva, a targeted treatment/pill I take daily, arereaching new highs. Elevated levels of whichare hardly grist for the rumor mill. In fact, it’squite the opposite: cause for concern.

The problem is that neither chemotherapynor targeted treatment have been – heretofore,considered long-term treatment options forstage IV lung cancer patients because long-termsurvivors are rare. As such, studies determiningsuch multi-year protocols have been equallyrare, given the minimal patient population. Andsince I now fall into this “rare” population, howto treat me is more feel than established fact.The book hasn’t been written, so to speak,because I’m the “book.”

That being said, what the nephrologist saidto me was: “You look great. Are you in remis-sion?” (Not that I have been told.) “No onecould tell by looking at you that you’re nothealthy.” All of which I was grateful to hear, buthesitant to embrace. Ergo, the first “confli-ction.” All of a sudden (four-plus years, actu-ally), I’m not terminal? Given that I’m now liv-ing year five post-diagnosis, the chance, statisti-cally speaking, that I’ll be alive in year six isonly 14.8 percent (see previous column of thesame name). So, am I closer to the end of mylife or the end of the cancer? That’s a fairlywide disparity between fact and fiction. Am Iliving longer or dying sooner?

“Confliction” number two: What’s the bene-fit to me, in even writing about what the neph-rologist said? It feels as if I’m putting the prover-bial cart before the horse. I’m not cured. Thereis no cure (as my oncologist clearly advisedTeam Lourie back in February, ’09: “I can treatyou, but I can’t cure you.” Hard words to liveby). To the point then, what advantage, whatpurpose does discussing being cured (in remis-sion) serve? My “CT” scan next week will tellme what I should be feeling; that’s when thediagnostic rubber really hits the road. It doesn’tmatter what I think or feel – or write about –now, the tale of the tape will be in the “compu-terized topography.” Until the radiologist com-pletes his analysis and my oncologist communi-cates those findings to me, embracing what thenephrologist said to me or even writing aboutmy reaction to it seems counterproductivesomehow. I can’t believe in miracles. I have tobelieve in myself. However, believing in onewithout the other is perhaps the reason I’m soconflicted. Or, I just think too much.

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

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News

By Ngalula Tshishimbi

The Connection

On Wednesday, April17, students, teach-ers, and administra-tors experienced the

first official Day of Service atKilmer Middle School. The pro-gram saw the day’s usual lessonplans replaced with communityservice activities of all sorts. Whilethe activities ranged in variety from packaging food,to writing letters of advocacy, to creating digital PSAsand so much more, the objective was the same foreach—to teach youths about their ability to make adifference in their community and the world.

According to the Fairfax County Public Schools(FCPS), becoming “catalysts for change” was thetheme of the day and a primary objective. Studentsbegan the day by watching a documentary filmcalled, “The Children’s March.” This film featuresformer child activists in the civil rights’ marches in1963 Birmingham, Ala. “Viewing the Children’sMarch on Washington is a great way [for the stu-dents] to see how people can make a difference nomatter how old they are. Their voices, when united,can be really powerful,” said Debra David, assistantprincipal at Kilmer Middle School, and a primary co-ordinator for the program.

Students’ reactions to the videovaried. Seventh grader Manya Bijsaid he viewed the treatment ofactivists in the marches as depress-ing, but was impressed by theirability to overcome their obstacles.Some other students said they im-mediately felt empowered. “Ithought it was inspiring. The kidswere more courageous than theadults,” remarked seventh graderMeghana Komarraju. “It kind ofshows the power we have eventhough we may be smaller thanothers.”

Despite feeling a range of emo-tions, the lesson of using one’s pas-sions and interests to make a dif-ference was not lost on the pre-teens and young teenagers. Be-cause of the variety of activities,students were able to choose to beinvolved in service activities that

aligned with their personal interests. As a result moststudents appeared engaged, enthusiastic, and in-vested in their respective tasks.

In one classroom, students worked together tobuild birdhouses that would offer books for elemen-tary students to increase children’s access to litera-ture. This activity proved ideal for eighth grader Pe-ter Paradis who found the activity to be a marryingof interests. Said Paradis, “I’ve done [communityservice work] with my church before, but this wasthe first time I’ve had a hands-on building project todo and I found it to be one of the more enjoyable[projects] I’ve done.”

Organizational efforts of David, as well as LauraWells, service learning resource teacher for FCPS,members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) andleaders of service organizations throughout theVienna region made the program a reality.

Students learnhow to make adifference intheir communityand the world.

Eighth grader SophiaNichols displays her com-pleted “Fear-Me-Not.”

A Day of Service at Kilmer Middle

Science teacher Susan Bates advisedstudents Rand Hossain, Nora Elbackush,Leen Abushaikha, and Arodi Rodrigo asthey baked cookies that would later bedonated to the local firehouse.

A group of band students that participatedin a service activity off-school groundsreturns. Several groups of students par-ticipated in volunteer and service opportu-nities with organizations that were sta-tioned off-school grounds in close proxim-ity to the middle school.

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The cast of “The Hallelujah Girls,” a comedy about agroup of women in Eden Falls, Ga., who turn an aban-doned church into a spa. The show runs Friday, April 19,through Sunday, May 5, at Vienna Community Center.

Entertainment

Send announcements [email protected] is Thursday for the followingweek’s paper. Photos/artwork encour-aged. For additional listings, visitwww.connectionnewspapers.com

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 24Joe Sample. 8 p.m., at The Barns at

Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.The jazz piano legend known for hisalbums Street Life, Rainbow Seekerand Carmel, plays a gospel-soul-blues-classical fusion show. $40.www.wolftrap.org.

THURSDAY/APRIL 25Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” 7

p.m., at McLean High School, 1633Davidson Road, McLean. ThePulitzer-winning play set in the smalltown of Grover’s Corners follows theWebb and Gibbs families as theirchildren fall in love, marry, andeventually, in one of the most famousscenes in American theatre, die. $12for seniors/students; $15. 703-714-5700 orwww.brownpapertickets.com/event/347032.

John McCutcheon. 8 p.m., at TheBarns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road,Vienna. The singer/songwriter thatJohnny Cash declared “the mostimpressive instrumentalist I’ve everheard,” known for his Appalachiansound, plays the folk songs thatearned him seven GRAMMYnominations. $22. www.wolftrap.org.

FRIDAY/APRIL 26Hanna Emrich at McLean Art

Society Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon, atthe McLean Community Center, 1234Ingleside Ave., McLean. Apresentation from GWU graduate andpast student of the Corcoran Schoolof Art and Design who has shown herwork and received recognition atlocal juried shows; guests welcome.703-790-0123.

Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” 7p.m., at McLean High School, 1633Davidson Road, McLean. ThePulitzer-winning play set in the smalltown of Grover’s Corners follows theWebb and Gibbs families as theirchildren fall in love, marry, andeventually, in one of the most famousscenes in American theatre, die. $12for seniors/students; $15. 703-714-5700 orwww.brownpapertickets.com/event/347032.

The Hallelujah Girls. 8 p.m., at theVienna Community Center, 120Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. A Jones HopeWooten comedy about a group ofwomen in Eden Falls, Ga., who turnan abandoned church into a day spawhere they gather for fun on Fridayafternoons. $11 for seniors andstudents; $13. [email protected] www.viennatheatrecompany.org.

Robbie Schaefer and JakeArmerding. 8 p.m., at The Barns atWolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.The American folk-rocker, singer,guitarist and Vienna local Schaefer,of Eddie From Ohio, exploresspirituality and transition in hismusic; opener Jake Armerding is anenergizing artists who hascollaborated with Josh Ritter, NickelCreek and David Wilcox. $20.www.wolftrap.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 27Multi-family Autism Fund-raising

Garage Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at 1101Drake St. S.W. Vienna. Proceeds ofthe sale benefit a local pre-schoolautism class. Multiple families offerup mountain bikes, educational toys,children’s clothing and shoes, DVDs,art and the like for a bargain. 202-262-1483.

Be Fit McLean Outdoor Adventure

Expo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the OldFirehouse Teen Center (OFTC), 1440Chain Bridge Road, McLean. TheMcLean Community Center’s annualexpo provides participants with achance to explore outdoor recreationoptions in the area. Bluegrass bandand Circa Blue will perform at theevent. $5. 703-448.8336 [email protected].

The Hidden Life of Bees andPlants. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m, at theMcLean Project for the Arts, McLeanCommunity Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean. A presentation by SamDroege, scientist, USGS PatuxentWildlife Research Center, on thestory of how native bees are deeplyentwined with our lives. RSVP. 703-790-1953 or www.mpaart.org.

Taste of Vienna. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 400Center St. S., Vienna. The manyexcellent restaurants that the Viennaarea has to offer will be showcased;proceeds benefit The ViennaVolunteer Fire Department. http://www.tasteofvienna.org.

Holy Trinity Di Gennaro Hart PipeOrgan Concert. 4 p.m., at HolyTrinity Lutheran Church, 3022Woodlawn Avenue, Falls Church.Eileen Guenther is a national andinternational organ recitalist and hasperformed in Europe, Asia, Africa andSouth America. 703-532-6617,www.htluther.org or facebook.com/HTLuther.

Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” 7p.m., at McLean High School, 1633Davidson Road, McLean. ThePulitzer-winning play set in the smalltown of Grover’s Corners follows theWebb and Gibbs families as theirchildren fall in love, marry, andeventually, in one of the most famousscenes in American theatre, die. $12for seniors/students; $15. 703-714-5700 orwww.brownpapertickets.com/event/347032.


SUNDAY/APRIL 28Ninth annual Vienna Elementary

PTA 5K & Fun Run. 8 a.m., atVienna Elementary School, 128Center St. S., Vienna. The DC RoadRunners Club brings back the

chronotrack time chip timing systemfor runners racing on the USATFcertified 5K course, which drew 700-plus participants last year. There isalso a 1-mile fun run featured. $25before April 23; $30; $15 for childrenunder 14. www.vienna5krun.org.


Fairfax Choral Society andAmadeus Orchestra. 4 p.m., at St.Luke Catholic Church, 7001Georgetown Pike, McLean. Theorchestra and chorus perform“Requiem” by Steve Dobrogosz. Theorchestra performs Rossini’s overtureto “Il Signor Bruschino” andStravinsky’s “Pulcinella.” $30; freefor students 17 and under.www.amadeusconcerts.com.

Mosaic Harmony FundraiserSpring Concert. 4 p.m., at theUnitarian Universalist Congregationof Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road,Oakton. A musical event and silentauction; auction starts at 3:15 p.m.$25. www.mosaicharmony.org/tickets.php.

WEDNESDAY/MAY 1McLean Woman’s Club Kitchen

and Garden Tour. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,(rain date: Thursday, May 2), at7110 Holyrood Drive, McLean. A tourof spacious kitchens and gardens;Chamber of Commerce PresidentMarcia Twomey and Woman’s Clubofficers hold a ribbon-cutting toofficially begin the tour. Tickets areat Flowers and Plants, Etc., Karin’sFlorist, Great Dogs of Great Falls,Vinson Hall Retirement Communityor at tour houses; proceeds benefitWounded Warrior TransitionalHousing Project. $25 before May 1;$30 day-of. 703-556-0197 orwww.mcleanwc.org.

THURSDAY/MAY 2Leadership Fairfax 25th

Anniversary Celebration. 6-10p.m., at Sheraton Premiere TysonsCorner, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna.Food stations, dancing, an open bar,raffles, and live music by DC Transitwith Lindsay Diles of LeadershipFairfax; cocktail attire. $125 formembers; $150. 703-752-7518.


News

Hackathon to Promote Invention24-hour computer science event to be held April 26-27.

By Anagha Srikanth

The Connection

The first time MayankJain heard of ahackathon was as afreshman at the Uni-

versity of Illinois. Having gradu-ated from Thomas Jefferson HighSchool for Science and Technology(TJHSST) in June 2012, a tourna-ment such as this, where studentscollaborated and created softwareprojects within a short window oftime, was what he was looking forfrom the field of computer sci-ences.

“What I think the coolest partabout computer science is that ifyou have an idea it’s so easy to sitin front of a computer and makeit happen,” Jain said. “You don’tneed any capital or resources, allyou need is yourself and a com-puter in front of you.”

Aspiring to make a career in thebudding intersection of businessand technology, Jain saw the lackof focus on innovation and creativ-ity at the high school level as amarket of opportunity. He con-tacted Alex Sands, who had suc-ceeded him as president ofTJHSST’s Future Business Leadersof America (FBLA) chapter andwas also co-president of theschool’s Invent team, and theyturned the idea into a proposal forthe school to consider. Once theyhad the administration’s approval,they started looking for sponsors,with Palantir and Facebook beingsome of the first big-name com-panies to join in and commit tosending engineers to the event.

WITH NAMES such as those ontheir ticket, Jain and Sands foundthe response from students to bebetter than they expected, withabout 165 students signed up sofar and more expected to registeron the day of the hackathon.

“No high school in this area thatI know of has ever held ahackathon before so I think a lotof students will really get some-thing out of finding an event likethis that is really for them,” saidTJHSST senior Hannah Rudin, ofVienna, vice president of the In-vent team. “It’s for the coders andthe designers and the businesspeople and the developers. I thinkthey’ll get a lot out of being ableto show off their skills in 24 hoursand working in a team with theirfriends and especially meetingnew people. I think starting some-thing like this and having it con-

tinue in the future will be veryvaluable.”

Rudin, along with the othermembers of the FBLA and Inventteams, has been working to pro-mote the event in the community,contacting TJHSST alumni to bementors and advertising the com-petition to students through vid-eos, Facebook and the school net-work.

“The response has been great,”Sands said. “You hear students talkabout it in the halls and it’s excit-ing. I was walking down the hall-way the other day and a studentcame up to me to ask about thehackathon, and it was a studentI’d never met before.”

With three weeks until thehackathon, scheduled to go fromApril 26 to 27, the students areworking on finalizing everythingfrom t-shirts and concessions to around-table discussion with localschool officials on how to encour-age entrepreneurship and com-puter sciences amongst highschool students.

Both Jain and Sands said themost difficult challenge so far hasbeen working within the school’sregulations and within the FCPSschool system. Although they hadinitially wanted to involve stu-dents from all local high schools,they were unable to get the nec-essary permission, but hope to beable to open up the hackathonnext year and into the future.

For right now, however, the stu-dents are busy planning work-shops and encouraging students totake online coding lessons offered

by Code Academy, one of the spon-sors, in preparation for thehackathon.

Sands said, “One of the neatthings is that you can participatein the hackathon without any ex-perience in coding because youcan learn what you need to knowbefore the hackathon. I think that’sone of the common misconcep-tions we want to clear up.”

WITH A MAXIMUM of five stu-dents to a team, Rudin added thatonly one student needs to knowcoding in order for the team to besuccessful. A participant herself,she spent time over her springbreak taking the online CodeAcademy lessons and reading upon HTML.

The hackathon will begin at 5p.m. on April 26 and run for 24hours straight, but students cantake a break from their projects tohear guest speakers, attend dem-onstrations put on by local D.C.startup companies and refuel withfood and refreshments.

“I’m most excited for the atmo-sphere. We’re trying to encouragebusiness and computer sciences,but we also want to have fun do-ing that,” Sands said. “That atmo-sphere of being there for 24 hours,working to create something andthat feeling when they’re done,being happy doing what they’redoing. I’m excited to be seeingwhat students are capable of do-ing and I’m sure a lot of the adultsof mentors are going to be verysurprised when they see what highschool students can do.”

Alex Sands, of Herndon, thepresident of TJHSST’sFuture Business Leaders ofAmerica (FBLA) chapterand co-president of theschool’s Invent team, willbe attending the Universityof Pennsylvania next fall.

Mayank Jain, of Vienna(originally from Fairfax),an alumnus of TJHSST, nowat the University of Illinois,initiated the TJ Hackathonand is one of the mainorganizers.


❖ Bonnie Hobbs, Centre View North: PublicSafety Writing❖ Kenneth Lourie, ArlingtonConnection:Column Writing❖ Alex McVeigh,Oak Hill/HerndonConnection:Education Writing• The HumanElement ofLearning❖ Michael LeePope, Arlington Connection:Multimedia News Report • SecretPolice❖ Michael Lee Pope, AlexandriaGazette Packet: Business andFinancial Writing❖ Michael Lee Pope, MountVernon Gazette: Breaking

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Best in Show, Non-daily ArtworkThe top prize when the first place winners of all thedesign categories for all Virginia Press Association-member, non-daily papers are judged against eachother.

❖ Jean Card,Laurence Foong,Craig Sterbutzel,FairfaxConnection:InformationalGraphics• Parks in FairfaxCountyWin, Place,Show for AlexandriaGazette PacketAlexandria Gazette Packet reporterstook all three top spots for In-depthor Investigative Reporting in theirdivision.First Place❖ NicholasHorrock,Alexandria Gazette

Packet: In-depth or investigativereportingSecond Place❖ Montie Martin, Alexandria

Gazette Packet: In-depth or investiga-tive reporting • Guns From theSouthThird Place❖ Michael Lee Pope, AlexandriaGazette Packet: In-depth or investiga-tive reporting• Looking Behindthe Numbers

First Place Winners❖ Jean Card, Laurence Foong,Craig Sterbutzel, FairfaxConnection: InformationalGraphics • Parks in Fairfax County❖ Nikki Cheshire, Great Falls

Connection: Breaking News Photo• Rescue at Great Falls❖ Deb Cobb, Mount VernonGazette: Online Slideshow• Daily Patrols Take to the Water❖ Deb Cobb,RestonConnection:General newsphoto • Freezin’for a Reason

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Third PlaceWinners❖ Laurence Foong,Alexandria GazettePacket: PageDesign ❖ LaurenceFoong, The FairfaxConnection:InformationalGraphics❖ Mary Kimm, FairfaxConnection: Editorial Writing❖ Louise Krafft, ArlingtonConnection: Sports Feature Photo❖ Louise Krafft, AlexandriaGazette Packet: Picture Story orEssay • Celebrating the Irish❖ Michael Lee Pope, AlexandriaGazette Packet: Multimedia News

Report • Schools in Crisis❖ Michael Lee Pope, Mount Vernon Gazette:Feature Series or Continuing Story • Horses andGraves Versus Road Widening❖ Michael Lee Pope, Mount Vernon Gazette:Health, Science and EnvironmentalWriting❖ Jon Roetman, ArlingtonConnection: Sports Writing❖ Steven Mauren, Jean Card,Geovani Flores, Laurence Foong,Stuart Moll, Alexandria GazettePacket: General Makeup❖ Steven Mauren, GeovaniFlores, Stuart Moll, LaurenceFoong, Jean Card, Mount VernonGazette: Special Sections or Special Editions• Children’s EditionMDDCThe Potomac Almanac, a Connection Newspaperlocated in Potomac, MD, competes in theMaryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, andwon at least six press association awards, whichwill be formally announced on May 17 at theMDDC Press awards luncheon. Susan Belford,John Byrd, Laurence Foong, Ken Moore (2) andStaff were named as winners.

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