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Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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RestonRestonAttention Postmaster:
Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 12-10-15
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Easton, MD
PERMIT #322
Fun For Allat RestonSkating Rink
Fun For Allat RestonSkating RinkNews, Page 3
Urban Pop atReston StationNews, Page 4
Leila Gordon ReceivesLeadership AwardNews, Page 3
Urban Pop atReston StationNews, Page 4
Leila Gordon ReceivesLeadership AwardNews, Page 3
The Nodine sisters, from left:McKenna and Faith took to the icewith their mom, while Dad took
the family photos and encouragedfrom the sidelines.HomeLifeStyle
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HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 9
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Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Andrea Worker
The Connection
A little drizzle didn’t stop thoseready to round out the Thanks-giving Holiday weekend withsome exercise on the ice at the
Pavilion at Reston Town Center. PeterLindquist of Atlanta was ready to “take abreak from eating and shopping! I need toget all the kinks out before the long drivehome tomorrow.” Like a number of the skat-ers, Lindquist was in the area visiting fam-ily for the holidays. “This is great. The kidslove it. Outdoor ice skating is not somethingwe can do in Atlanta. You folks are lucky.”
Locals like the Nodine family were alsohappy to put aside the turkey leftovers fora while and take a few spins. Dad Matthewplayed observer, while Mom Victoria lookedpretty accomplished and daughters Faithand McKenna gave it their all, obviouslygaining confidence with each turn aroundthe rink.
The Ice Rink at Reston Town Center isopen seven days a week, now until March.Starting at 11 a.m. each day, Sunday–Tues-day they are open until 7 p.m., Wednesday
and Thursday until 10 p.m., and Friday andSaturday until 11 p.m.
In between those opening hours there arespecial events taking place, with somethingfor everyone in the family. The SaturdayCartoon Skate is a popular happening with
the younger crowd. Costumed cartoon char-acters share the ice and interact with theskaters from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Older siblingswill enjoy the Friday night “Rock and Skate”from 8–10 p.m., and on Thursday nights,from 6-9 p.m., college students get $2 offthe regular $10 general adult admissionwith their valid student identification. If youand/or your family are avid skaters, or justready to get into the sport, season and fam-ily passes are probably your best bet.
No skates buried anywhere in your base-
ment storage room? No problem. There aresome 500 pairs available for rental in sizes8 toddler to Men’s 13, in both figure skat-ing and hockey styles. A bit shaky on thoseblades? Still no problem. Group skating les-sons are offered to enthusiasts of all skilllevels from rail-clinging beginners to thosewho’ve got the twirls and backwards one-legged swan moves already under control.The rink can also be a creative alternativefor birthday parties, corporate outings andgroup skates. Packages are available for allof those events.
In keeping with the “season of giving”Reston Town Center Ice Skate even offers“Edu-Skate” opportunities, ways tofundraise and ways to support local schools.Your warm heart will serve you well on thatcold ice.
1818 Discovery Street in Reston, along-side the rink, is the place to book, get moreinformation, and rent those skates. Call theSkate Hotline at 703-709-6300. More in-formation is available on the Reston TownCenter website atwww.restontowncenter.com, including alink to the “learn to skate” site. Enjoy theseason!
McKenna Nodine got it down, and ready to fly across center ice! Ms. Sybil takes 7-year-old Lukka for a spin.
Fun For All At Reston Town Center Skating Rink
“I’ve got you!” Gauge has a holdon his young cousin Jack, showinghim the skating ropes with greatpatience as they went round andround at Reston Town CenterSkating Rink. “It’s called ‘family,’”said ‘Nana’ Leah.
Phelan’s having fun!
Leadership Fairfax, Inc. (LFI) hon-ored Leila Gordon, executive di-rector of Reston Community Cen-
ter as the recipient of the 2015 North-ern Virginia Regional Leadership Award.The award, presented Thursday, Dec. 3at LFI’s annual Northern Virginia Lead-ership Awards luncheon at the WaterfordFair Oaks, recognized Gordon’s dedica-
tion and leadership in the Northern Virginiacommunity.
Leadership Fairfax highlighted Gordon’ssignificant career-long service to Reston andher leadership that focuses on enhancingthe quality of life for everyone. Her recentnotable accomplishments include her roleas Chair of the Fairfax County Master ArtsPlan Task Force. The Task Force will pro-vide Fairfax County with a plan that guidesdevelopment of cultural facilities and pub-lic art across the County’s many differentcommunities. The Task Force envisions theresults will reflect the County’s diversity,consider existing facilities, and respond tofuture growth.
“Thank you all so much for this extraor-
dinary honor and for the inspiration andjoy of working with you,” Gordon said.“Leadership Fairfax helps make all of ourcommunities places where everyone – re-gardless of their identity, religion, roots or
circumstances – can dream big. I amhumbled and touched to be recognizedby this remarkable group of leaders.”
Leila Gordon has been leading RCCsince April 2008. She is active in a vari-ety of civic and cultural organizationsincluding the Arts Council of FairfaxCounty, Initiative for Public Art – Reston,Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston His-toric Trust, Cornerstones and GreaterReston Chamber of Commerce amongothers. Gordon is a graduate of VirginiaTech University and earned her Master’sDegree from Florida State University.She is married to Robert Gordon andthey have three children and threegrandchildren.
Leila Gordon Receives Leadership AwardRCCE executivedirector recognizedby LeadershipFairfax.
Leila Gordon
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Reston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
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4 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
HCA Virginia’s Reston HospitalCenter is the first in NorthernVirginia – and only the second
in Virginia – to successfully perform sur-gery using the new da Vinci Xi robot, asurgical platform designed to enablecomplex surgery using a minimally in-vasive approach.
“The new Xi system is a great advance-ment for surgery,” said Brett Sachse,M.D., section chief of general surgery atReston Hospital Center and the first touse this new technology. “Patients who
have robotic surgery have less pain, a fasterreturn to work, and overall higher satisfac-tion.”
According to Sachse, the new Xi systemhas a smaller camera with better imagequality, more precise instruments, widerrange of mobility, and enhanced precisionwhich will improve the patient experienceeven more.
“I am proud of Reston Hospital Centerfor being a leader in the area as the onlyhospital with this technology, and I am hon-ored to be able to provide this state of the
art advancement to my patients,” saidSachse.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. introduced the daVinci Xi to the U.S. in April after receivingclearance from the FDA. The system wasdesigned with the goal of further advanc-ing technology used in minimally invasivesurgery and has broader capabilities thanprior generations. The da Vinci Xi providessurgeons with superior visualization,greater precision, and enhanced dexteritycompared to other surgical approaches.
“This technology reflects our steadfast
commitment to ensuring the higheststandards of care for our patients,” saidJohn Deardorff, CEO of Reston HospitalCenter. “We are proud to offer the besthealthcare, clinical excellence, and aquality medical experience to meet ourpatients’ needs.”
In addition to the new da Vinci Xi,Reston Hospital Center has the region’sonly Mazor Robotics Renaissance Guid-ance System for spine surgery, creatingthe most comprehensive robotic programin Northern Virginia.
Reston Hospital Center Now Offering Newest Robotic Technology
By Ryan Dunn
The Connection
Visitors to Reston Station may havenoticed glass jewel housing onthe north side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. These
pop-up stores are housing emerging and es-tablished artisan brands. The Urban PopShop opened in November at Reston Sta-tion, welcoming the holiday season. “OurUrban Pop lends vitality to the Plaza, andoffers our commuters and neighbors an easyshopping experience. The Smart MarketsFarmers’ Market experience each Wednes-day afternoon has been very popular, andwe’re confident that this ‘first taste’ of a dif-ferent retail experience will generate inter-est from other entrepreneurs,” said MaggieParker, director of communications withComstock Partners LC.
Several vendors are traveling in fromWashington, D.C., and like the commuters,can use the Silver Line Metro when theyclose their shops. “Reston seems really nice,”said Soyini George, owner of Yinibini, LLC.Yinibini Baby is handmade clothing andaccessories for little ones. The company wasrecognized by Washington City Paper’sBEST of DC, Best Local Crafter for the year.
Most of the vendors are open 3 to 7 p.m.,Monday through Friday until Dec. 24. Se-lect vendors offer weekend hours.
“I love this, because it is really nice to beable to pick up something,” said Vienna resi-dent and Silver Line commuter EileenScherzinger. Scherzinger made a purchaseat the station from D.C. based Co Co. Sala,a restaurant and chocolate boutique. PhaseTwo of the “Urban Pop Active” is scheduledto open Spring 2016, and will include anoutdoor piazza entertainment area in anopen concept setting, revealing orientedpathways and gathering spots.
Reston resident Rachel Wood, owner ofScrawl Books, recently welcomed New YorkTimes Bestselling author Kwame Alexanderto her pop-up station. “This is a great wayto start out,” said Wood, who plans to openan independent bookstore. Wood offers agood selection of books at her stand. “Somebooks for holiday gifts, and some bookspeople can read on the metro,” said Wood.Reston resident, graphic designer and knit-ter Janice Everett displays handmadescarves, gloves and hats in her space,WitKnits. For many it is a great introduc-tion to retail business at the Wiehle Avenuearea neighborhood.
Elise Scott, Chief Leaf and owner of Pearl
Fine Teas, has welcomed visitors seeking teaand teaware at her stand on the Reston Sta-tion plaza. Pearl Fine Teas offers a broad
selection, including Darjeeling organic andEarl Grey de la Crème. “We are happy to behere and to get to know the Reston com-munity,” said Becky Waddell, owner of BeClean skin care shop. Waddell, a self-de-scribed “ingredient label purist,” opened herD.C. studio in May.
Starting next year, Reston Station resi-dents will live at Comstock’s BLVD apart-ments. Farmers Restaurant Group (FRG),the company for the Founding Farmers andFarmers Fishers Bakers restaurants in D.C.,Maryland, and Northern Virginia, signed alease for approximately 10,000 square feetof restaurant space in the heart of RestonStation’s urban core. Reston’s Wiehle Av-enue is currently the final point of the Sil-ver Line, which is planned to extend toDulles Airport in Loudoun County. Officialswith the Metropolitan Washington AirportsAuthority estimate passenger service forSilver Line Phase 2 will begin in 2020.
The pop-up market is Comstock’s initia-tive for businesses to try a small retail space,about 100 square feet. At the end of De-cember, many of the shops will close. Ur-ban Pop is signing up vendors for nextmonth’s occupancy. For more informationand leasing opportunities at Urban Pop, visitwww.urbanpopreston.com.
The Pearl Fine Teas pop up shop at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Stationoffers a variety of tea and teaware. Most of the vendors are open from 3to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday until Dec. 24.
The pop-up market at Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station is Comstock’sinitiative for businesses to try a small retail space, about 100 squarefeet. At the end of December, many of the shops will close to bereplaced by new vendors.
Small business try retailAt Reston Wiehle Avenue.Urban Pop at Reston Station
The Arthur Christine pop up shopon the north side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. TheUrban Pop leases are short-term,but for the holiday launch see:Pearl Fine Teas, Scrawl Books,Cloud Terre, Co Co. Sala, YinibiniBaby, WitKnits (also jewelry fromUrbanJule), Arthur Christine, andScrawl Books.
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Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
SHILLELAGHS TRAVEL CLUB100 East Street SE, Suite 202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180
703-242-2204 1-800-556-8646Please visit our Web site at: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com
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News
More than 85 area students make holidaymagic come to life performing in Conser-vatory Ballet’s 43rd annual production of
The Nutcracker. Performances run Wednesday, Dec.9 through Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Reston Commu-nity Center located in the Hunters Woods VillageCenter. In addition to six full-length performances,
there are two shortened toddler matinees that run 1hour 30 minutes.Tickets can be purchased online atwww.restoncommunitycenter.com; by phone at 703-476-4500, press 3; and in person at the box officeon Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4-9 p.m., Satur-day: 1-5 pm, and two hours prior to curtain time.
Conservatory Ballet’s The“Nutcracker” Spreading Holiday Cheer
Mary Cook, a South Lakes High School senior, celebratesthe holidays on stage as Persephone in ConservatoryBallet’s “The Nutcracker.”
South Lakes High Schoolsenior Sara Petrosianenchants audiencesperforming as the SugarPlum Fairy.
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6 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinionwww.ConnectionNewspapers.com
@RestonConnect
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Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:
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Reston
The holiday party season is here, andwe will almost all be celebrating insome way. Some ways will involvecelebrations that include alcohol.
It’s up to you to make a plan to get homesafely.
Plan to bring a designated driver. Plan toparty (and live) where you can take publictransportation. Plan to celebrate athome or someplace where you canspend the night. Plan to abstain.
And if all of that fails, the Washing-ton Regional Alcohol Project has a safety netfor you.
WRAP, a local nonprofit organization, willoffer free cab rides to would-be impaired driv-ers throughout Northern Virginia during thewinter holidays.
The annual Holiday SoberRide program willoperate nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. start-ing Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, and continuing un-til Thursday, Jan. 1, 2016 as a way to keeplocal roads safe from impaired drivers duringthis traditionally high-risk, holiday period.
During these times, area residents 21-and-over, celebrating with alcohol can call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXIfor a no-cost (up to $30 fare), safe way home.Callers will be responsible for fare amountsover $30.
WRAP also offers free cab rides for other
holidays, including Halloween, IndependenceDay, Cinco de Mayo, and more.
Concerns about consequences of drivingunder the influence are well founded.
In Fairfax County in 2014 there were 740alcohol-related crashes, which included 12 al-cohol related fatalities and 476 alcohol relatedinjuries. (Overall in Fairfax County in 2014,
there were 13,680 total crashes includ-ing 32 fatalities and 7,649 injuries.)
In 2014, there were no fatal vehicu-lar accidents in the City of Alexandria.
But of the 1,777 total crashes, 99 were alco-hol-related; and of the 757 injuries in crashes,60 were alcohol-related.
In Arlington in 2014, there were 235 alco-hol related crashes, with two alcohol-relatedfatalities and 78 alcohol related injuries. (Over-all in Arlington in 2014, there were 2,469 withfive fatalities and 1,094 injuries.)
In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alco-hol-impaired driving crashes, accounting fornearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths inthe United States, according to the CDC. Tensof thousands more were injured. Holidays leadto an increase in impaired driving, the Christ-mas through New Year season in particular.
Since 1993, WRAP’s SoberRide program hasprovided more than 63,000 free cab rides hometo would-be drunk drivers in the Greater Wash-ington area.
We know that many young people over 21are living at home with parents, or will be vis-iting for the holidays. Parents, be brave. Havea conversation with your children, whetherthey are under or over 21. Be sure those over21 have a plan, and are equipped with theSoberRide number.
SoberRide is not available for underagedrinkers, but parents still should talk to theirchildren about their plans, and tell them outloud that you expect them not to drive im-paired and not to get into a car with an im-paired driver.
Tell them to call you, and you’ll come getthem if necessary.
The consequences and vulnerabilities ofdrinking to excess are significant, more so forunderage drinkers and young adults, even be-yond drinking and driving. Don’t let the op-portunity to talk about it pass you by.
— Mary Kimm
Safety Net for Holiday CelebrationsIt’s an opportunity to talk about responsibility, alcohol and planning ahead.
Safe Ride HomeWRAP’s 2015 Holiday SoberRide program will be
offered from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly from Dec. 11,2015 to Jan. 1, 2016. To receive a free cab ride home(up to a $30 fare), call 800-200-8294 (TAXI). You mustbe 21 or older to use the SoberRide service. Seewww.SoberRide.com.
Editorial
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
Last week I made a journeyto Norfolk, Va., to say a fi-nal goodbye to a former
colleague in the House of Del-egates, Thomas W. Moss, Jr., whopassed away. He was more thanjust a member, however, he wasSpeaker of the House from 1991to 2000. His service in the Housefrom 1966 to 2002 spanned apassing of an era in Virginia’s his-tory, and he was an importanttransition figure.
Speaker Moss was first electedto the House of Delegates as ananti-establishment Democrat. Hiscampaign slogan, “Get NorfolkOut of the Byrd Cage,” reflectedthe fact that while a Democratic-controlled political machine domi-nated the state since Reconstruc-tion it was not good for urban ar-eas like Norfolk. That machine washeaded from the 1930s by Gover-nor and then Senator Harry F.Byrd, Sr., a tight-fisted conserva-tive who called himself a Demo-crat but could more appropriately
be labeled a Dixiecratas many white South-erners were known.Byrd vehemently op-posed racial desegre-gation of Virginia’sschools, and his oppo-sition to governmentspending kept Vir-ginia a backward statefor decades. Mr. Mosswas a national Demo-crat and succeeded ingetting himselfelected to the House of Delegateswhere he was in the minorityamong the more conservativemembers. Changes in Virginia’spolitical alignment came aboutbecause of the work of leaders likeMoss working within the systemand federal laws and court deci-sions influencing the system fromthe outside.
Getting rid of the poll tax andother restrictive voting laws thatkept mostly African Americansfrom voting, passage of the VotingRights Act of 1965, and court de-cisions on redistricting broughtabout a shift of power where Del-
egate Moss as a moreprogressive memberbecame Speaker andthe more conserva-tive Democratsswitched parties andbecame Republicans.Eventually this re-alignment of politicalallegiance and feder-ally-enforced fairerr e p r e s e n t a t i o namong the regions ofthe state led to
Speaker Moss losing his leadershiprole in 2000. He retired from theHouse after the next term whenthe new Republican majority drewhim into a legislative district withanother Democrat.
He was elected Treasurer of theCity of Norfolk where he serveduntil January 2014.
Virginia became more progres-sive during Mr. Moss’s tenure—inthe areas of public school spend-ing, investments in higher educa-tion, improved mental health andsocial service programs, and roads.In areas of civil rights it lan-guished. The Equal Rights Amend-
ment (ERA) for women was op-posed by Mr. Moss until he waschallenged by a woman who cameclose to defeating him in a primary.Virginia still has not passed theERA. Talk with anyone who knewhim and you are likely to get afunny story about him. His senseof humor was always evident nomatter how serious the moment.Sometimes his wisecracks chal-lenged the boundaries of socialacceptance. During tense times inthe legislature his levity helpedmove the business along.
Not only did Mr. Moss get Nor-folk and Virginia out of the Byrdcage, he helped move the stateinto a modern era where publiceducation and strong institutionsof higher education were valuedand transportation and infrastruc-ture were recognized as criticalinvestments.
Speaker Moss provided leader-ship during the passing of an erafor which he will be remembered.Whether his legacy will be builtupon or neglected is in part in thehands of those who mourned himlast week.
The Passing of an EraCommentary
Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
bTo Highlightyour Faith
Community,Call Karen at703-917-6468
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7
10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service
Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service
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Seasons Greetings toall the Restonians
whom I have workedwith this year. I look
forward to more HappyNew Years to serve youin Reston Real Estate!
Send announcements [email protected]. The deadline isthe Friday prior to the following week’s paper. Pho-tos/artwork encouraged.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 9Holiday Centerpiece Craft. 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive,Reston. Join creating a beautiful seasonaldecoration. We will have many options for youto choose from to make your floral decorationunique and an instructor to guide you along theway. Cost: $22/resident; $33/non-resident.Email [email protected] or call 703-435-6577for more information.
Tinsel ‘n Tinis Annual Holiday Celebration.6-9 p.m. Harrison at Reston Town Center 1800Jonathan Way, Reston. This festive eventincludes fantastic networking in a fabulous,spacious venue, and food and drinks, includingthe signature Chamber-tini! Price varies.Registration at http://www.restonchamber.org/events.
Classic Cinema Series. 7 p.m. Reston RegionalLibrary, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Join us for a nostalgic holiday favorite. Adults.703-689-2700.
Reston Sings! Handel’s Messiah. 7:30 p.m. St.John Neumann Catholic Church Chapel, 11900Lawyers Road, Reston. Join the chorus thisholiday season with The Reston Chorale’sannual Messiah Sing-Along. A treasured holidaytradition, this event also benefits Cornerstones(formerly Reston Interfaith.) Bring a new orgently used coat — or new hat, gloves, socks orscarf — and receive $5 off the price ofadmission. www.restonchorale.org.
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 9-13Conservatory Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”
Check for times. Reston Communinty Center,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. More than 85area students make holiday magic come to lifeperforming in Conservatory Ballet’s 43rd annualproduction of The Nutcracker.www.restoncommunitycenter.com. 703-476-
4500.
FRIDAY/DEC. 11Encore Chorale Holiday Choral Concert.
7:30 p.m. United Christian Parish, 11508 NorthShore Drive, Reston. Features holiday andseasonal pieces. Guest artist for the concert willbe violinist Heather Haughn of the West ShoreTrio. Audience will be invited to join the choralein a sing-along of holiday favorites. Free. http://encorecreativity.org. 301-261-5747.
SATURDAY/DEC. 12Train Ride and Santa Visit. Noon-6 p.m. Lake
Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston.Engine #62 of the Resources Railroad will betaking visitors for a spin around the park. Seethe lighted Christmas tree and inflatableseasonal decorations. Make a holiday project totake home, gather around the campfire andlisten to holiday music, and enjoy warm drinksand treats from the food vendor. $10. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax. 703-471-5414.
Calendar
Gingerbread Village at Hyatt RegencyReston. Saturday, Dec. 5 through Thursday,Dec. 31. The Hyatt Gingerbread Village is aholiday tradition presented annually sincethe hotel’s opening in 1990. The sweet,whimsical, classic holiday village scene is ondisplay in the main lobby. reston.hyatt.com.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides. Saturdays, Dec.12 and 19. 4-9 p.m. Departures on MarketStreet in front of Talbots at Reston TownCenter. $5 per person; children 5 and underride free. All proceeds benefit local charities.www.restontowncenter.com/holidays.
Mini-Train Rides. Sundays, Dec. 13, 20.Noon-4 p.m. Pick up on Market Street in
front of Talbots at Reston Town Center.
OngoingDonated proceeds benefit local charities.www.restontowncenter.com/holidays.
Holiday Gift Wrapping. Dec. 19-22, Noon-6p.m. Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-4p.m. Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents St.,Reston. Gifts will be beautifully wrapped whileyou shop or work, same-day service. Donationsbenefit 22,000 needy kids with school supplies.Presented by Kids R First with support from theHyatt Regency and Appalachian Spring.kidsrfirst.org. appalachianspring.com.
Rebecca Kamen: Continuum. Dec. 1-Feb. 13.Greater Reston Arts Center, 12001 Market St.,Suite 103, Reston. Kamen. Informed by researchinto cosmology, neuroscience, history of science,and philosophy, Kamen’s abstract sculptures and
paintings connect common threads acrossvarious scientific fields to capture and re-imagine what scientists see. restonarts.org.703-471-9242.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion– 2015-2016 Season. November throughMarch. Open daily. 11900 Market Street,Reston. For more information on rates,rentals and schedules, call 703-709-6300 orvisit [email protected].
Community Performances. Decemberthrough the holiday season. 11900 MarketStreet, Reston. Street performances of musicand dance performed by a variety of localgroups. For more information and schedules,visit http://www.restontowncenter.com.
Community Irish Ceili and Set Dance. 6:30-10 p.m. Frying Pan Park Visitors Center, 2739West Ox Road, Herndon. Call for directions,703-437-9101. Wear flat, comfortable shoes andlightweight clothing. Holiday headgear for achance at an extra door prize ticket. $15. 703-631-9179.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 12-13Movies and Mimosas-“A Christmas Story.”
3-5 p.m. Bow Tie Cinemas, 11940 Market St.,Reston. See the classics how they were meant tobe see-on the big screen. $5.50, $1 for Loyaltymembers. bowtiecinemas.com. 703-318-1801.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 16Senior Movie Day. 9:15 a.m. Reston Bow-Tie
Cinemas 11940 Market St. Reston.The Reston Association, in cooperation with Reston
Town Center Bow Tie Cinemas, presents, “MeetMe at the Movies”. Join us on the fourthWednesday of each month; 9:15 a.m. doorsopen, 10 a.m. movie (“A Walk in the Woods”)starts. Refreshments are provided and door
prizes are distributed prior to the movie. 703-435-6530.
Toys for Tots Collection Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Ice Skating Pavilion, Reston Town Center,11900 Market St., Reston. U.S. Marines will beon site accepting unwrapped toys and cashdonations to help children’s holiday wishescome true. restontowncenter.com/holidays.
SATURDAY/DEC.19Tour de Lights. 4:40-6 p.m. Lake Anne Plaza
Lake Anne Plaza, 11404 Washington Plaza,Reston. You are invited to join RestonAssociation’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Committeefor our fourth annual Reston Tour de Lights. Anevening bike ride to view some of Reston’s bestholiday lights.
We will travel approximately 10 miles. Riders arerequired to have a front light and red, rear light.Helmet strongly recommended and required ifunder 15 years old. Free. For registrationcontact Craig Clark 703-689-0152,[email protected] or Burton Griffith 408-705-2652, [email protected].
8 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Sports
By Jon Roetman
The Connection
With his team building an early lead againstArchbishop Carroll, South Lakes sopho-more Emmanuel Aghayere threw down a
two-handed dunk in the opening quarter of Friday’scontest, part of a 10-0 Seahawks run.
With 2 minutes remaining in the first half,Aghayere, a physical, 6-foot-3 forward, took a chargewith South Lakes leading by 23.
Aghayere took another charge in the openingminute of third quarter. Less than 20 seconds later,he scored and drew a foul at the other end.
The South Lakes boys’ basketball team is young,athletic and full of energy. On Dec. 4, one night afterthe Seahawks squandered a lead during a 63-56 lossto Robinson, Aghayere’s high-energy play helpedSouth Lakes bounce back with a 74-60 victory overArchbishop Carroll during the second day of the“Readers are Leaders Tip Off” at South Lakes HighSchool.
AGHAYERE finished with 16 points, dunked twiceand took multiple charges, leading the Seahawks totheir first win of the 2015-16 season.
“High energy, big-time motor, much like his sis-ter,” is how South Lakes head coach Andrew Duggandescribed Aghayere, comparing him to his sister, Prin-cess Aghayere, a 2015 South Lakes graduate andformer basketball standout at the school. … “I thinkhe enjoys stepping in and taking a charge. It’s a mat-ter of pride and honor. … We’re hoping somethinglike that rubs off on other guys. I see him as a leader.I see him as a hard worker.”
How does Aghayere decide when it’s time to blocka shot and when it’s time to take a charge?
“You can tell when a guy is coming down the lane
hard it’s time to take a charge,” he said. “Chargeshelp the team. It just boosts our morale and helpseveryone get hyped.”
The previous three seasons, South Lakes was ledby standout guard Brandon Kamga, who helped theSeahawks win the 2014 Conference 6 championship.Kamga graduated in 2015 and is now a freshmanon the Northeastern University men’s basketballteam. This year, South Lakes features a nucleus ofyoung talent, led by Aghayere and a trio of talentedguards.
Marcus Cherry, a 6-foot-1 junior, led South Lakeswith 21 points on Friday. He scored 10 points in thefirst quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Duggan described sophomore guard DamonJohnson as a high-energy player and a strong de-fender. Johnson finished with 12 points.
Cameron Savage, a 5-foot-10 freshman, is theteam’s starting point guard.
“I think we’re just all really unselfish,” Cherry said.“We all can get our shots pretty easy because we allhave that confidence when we’re dribbling the balland we all feel we can put the ball in the basket anytime we need to. We all feed off each other reallywell.” Senior guard Marvin Grunshie finished withseven points on Friday and was one of 12 Seahawksto score against Robinson.
SOUTH LAKES faced Woodson on Tuesday, afterThe Connection’s deadline. The Seahawks will travelto face Westfield at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9and will take on rival Herndon on the road at 7:15p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11.
“The group is very special,” Duggan said. “Part ofit is their athleticism, their basketball skills and theirknowledge and they’re smart kids and they workhard, but even when they’re down, they’re still prettydang good.”
South Lakes sophomore EmmanuelAghayere dunks against ArchbishopCarroll on Dec. 4.
Marcus Cherry led South Lakes with 21points during the Seahawks’ 74-60 winover Archbishop Carroll on Dec. 4.
A Family Tradition, AnotherAghayere Takes Charge
Pho
to
s by C
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Fresh, EntrancingMusical EveningSoulful singer MelindaDoolittle at CenterStage.
By David Siegel
The Connection
She wowed judges and au-diences alike performingon season six of “Ameri-
can Idol.” Now MelindaDoolittle is coming to Reston’sCenterStage to present a cozyevening filled with soulfullysweet arrangements of songsranging from “Home” from themusical “The Wiz,” to AmericanSongbook favorites such as“Let’s Stay Together,” “The ManThat Got Away,” “At Last” — tomention a few.
Doolittle, who has performedat illustrious venues such as theWhite House, the Kennedy Cen-ter and Carnegie Hall, will bringher evening of treasured musicinto a program she calls “ItMust be Love.” She will be ac-companied by a piano.
In an interview, Doolittle in-dicated that she loved “to singabout love and I definitelypicked songs that told my storywell. Sometimes you hear asong and you feel like whoeverwrote it must have been livingyour exact life...those are thesongs I will put into this show.“
Doolittle enjoys touring. “‘ItMust Be Love’ is a fun show todo! It takes the audience on a
journey through the ups anddowns of love with classic soul,Broadway and jazz songsthey’re sure to recognize,” saidDoolittle. “The journey is funny,fast and will occasionally pullon heartstrings too.”
When performing, one ofDoolittle’s favorite parts “iswatching the audience relate intheir own way to each song. Ilove it!” Each show becomesunique in its own way since shehas freedom to interact with theaudience in what she calls “amusical conversation.”
When asked about schedul-ing Doolittle for Reston’sCenterStage through the Pro-fessional Touring Artists Series,Paul Douglas Michnewicz, artsand events director, RestonCommunity Center, said, “Ivowed never to watch “Ameri-can Idol” again when she didnot win. Melinda Doolittle issuch a remarkable artist and Iam so happy that she will beon CenterStage so that I can tellher in person what a fan I amof hers.”
Beyond singing, Doolittle isinvolved with community out-reach and support. “Basically, Ilove to see people live the bestlife possible...especially chil-dren.” She has partnered withorganizations such as “MalariaNo More” and the RonaldMcDonald House to make a dif-ference for children.
As for her “American Idol”appearances, “I’m indebted tothem for the opportunity to dowhat I love.”
And now local audiences cansee Melinda Doolittle all forthemselves.
Photo by Kelsey Naguszewski (JRA Fine Arts
Courtesy of Reston Community Center
Melinda Doolittle.
Where and WhenMelinda Doolittle presents “It
Must Be Love” at CenterStage,Reston Community Center, 2310Colts Neck Road, Reston. Perfor-mance: Saturday, Dec. 19. Tickets:Reston $25, Non-Reston TicketPrice: $35. Call 703-476-4500 orv i s i t :www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
From traditional to glamorous,fresh to faux and high-end to oldschool, local tastemakers tell howthey create holiday dazzling holi-
day design extravaganzas.Karen Velehoski and the rest of the de-
sign team at Merrifield Garden Center inFair Oaks spend nearly a year planning andbuilding the holiday displays that overtakeeach store during the Yuletide season.
In creating the holiday wonderlands, thedesigners assemble each space around atheme, maintaining consistency in style,color and texture. Their goal is to dreamup design concepts that will inspire.
“We hope that people will get ideas fortheir own homes, but the first step is to fo-cus on color,” said Velehoski. “You can in-corporate family heirlooms or decorationsthat you’ve had for years if you coordinatethe colors. You can really use ribbons to tiethe colors together easily.”
For example, they designed a rustic spacethat draws inspiration from a snow-coveredforest. “It’s decorated with things likebranches, berries, birds and other outdoor
animals,” said Velehoski. “And we used red,plaid ribbon to keep the outdoorsy feel.”
There’s another winter scene that sparkleswith décor in hues of gold, copper and plati-num, and a classic display that pays hom-age to time-honored traditions. “It appealsto people who like greens, reds and poin-settias,” said Velehoski. “This year we in-corporated a little bitof black with thatred, white and greenwhich is pretty.”
There’s even inspi-ration for those witha penchant for pas-tels. “It has an icylook,” said Velehoski.“It has an icy, frozen winter wonderland feelwith snowflakes and icicles. We used a lotof pale blue, pink and a touch of silver.”
Simple, clean and fresh are words thatGretchen Fuss, an interior designer withTchoupitoulas Furnishings in Alexandria,uses to characterize her holiday design aes-thetic.
“I don’t like to over do it when itcomes to holiday design,” she said. “Ilove the mood and ambiance of whitelights. It changes the feel of a room. I
like candlelit rooms.”Fuss says she uses a minimalist approach
to incorporating family heirlooms with newacquisitions. “I do little vignettes where I’llhave a piece, for example, that my motheronce used to store ornaments in, and I’lluse that to display fresh greenery.”
The designer has even created holidayadornments of her own. “I’ve made holiday
sculptures,” saidFuss. “I even madelittle flower-shapedsculptures that I puttogether to make asix-foot tall Christ-mas tree.”
Fuss adds whiteback-lighting, which
shines through each flower petal, illuminat-ing the tree.
Candles, ribbons and bows hanging on amantle, swags of greenery and garlandsdraped over wall art and mirrors are whatvisitors who enter the spaces created by thedesigners of Patina Polished Living in Alex-andria will see.
“… A string of lights combined with or-naments might flow down the center of atable, or shine inside a cloche combined
with a winter wonderland theme,” said de-signer Amanda Mertins.
For an exterior space, Mertins advisesusing a twinkling wreath or a lit arrange-ment in an urn to greet guests at the frontdoor.
Maintaining thematic consistency is a pre-cept that designer Jenne Whitlaw, of GTMArchitects in Bethesda, Md., recommendswhen conceiving ideas for holiday spaces.“Pick a central focal point, and echo the sen-timent around the space, for both indoorand outdoor,” she said. “This allows the eyeto bounce around your holiday canvas, ex-periencing asymmetrical visual harmonyand balance.”
For those who prefer holiday decor inmuted hues, Whitlaw suggests, “neutrals[like] winter white and pale greys, whenpaired with light, reflective metallics andsparkle add elegance and a sense of time-less wonder to every room.”
For a touch of whimsy, Whitlaw recom-mends adding decorations to unexpectedplaces. “For a surprising embellishment, howabout placing ornaments around the vanityin your powder room?” asks Whitlaw. “Chan-deliers are also a perfect theatre in the roundfor cascading trinkets and greenery.”
Local designers create opulent holiday designs.Ideas for Decking the Halls
Designers at Merrifield Garden Center spend almost one year creatingholiday displays.
Photos courtesy of Merrifield Garden Center
This rustic holiday space incorporates branches and animals.
“I love the mood andambiance of white lights.
— Gretchen Fuss,Tchoupitoulas Furnishings
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SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDARAdvertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.
DECEMBER12/23/2015....................Special Issue – Safe for the Holidays12/30/2015...........................................Children’s ConnectionJANUARY1/6/2016..............................Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions1/13/2016..........................................................HomeLifeStyleMartin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 181/20/2016...............................................A+ Camps & Schools1/27/2016....................................................Community Guide
10 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
I Beg YourIndulgence
Even after seven years as a patient in thecancer whirled, I still find it emotionally diffi-cult to promptly return a well-meaningphone call or a likewise intended e-mailwhen the message/content is clearly havingto do with my health and welfare. Not that Idon’t appreciate, and on many levels, mostlikely need these kinds of communications;nevertheless, the challenge of summoning upthe intestinal fortitude to discuss, detail, out-line, rehash, speculate, articulate, wonder,hope, fear, introspect, extrovert, try to makelight of and not be made heavy by, in addi-tion to all the other miscellaneous anxieties acancer patient experiences 24/7, is often toomuch. And as regularly as we are left alonewith our own thoughts, sometimes, the emo-tional road less traveled is the one fraughtwith fewer bumps and bruises.
Not that I want to get stupid and live in a“cone of silence,” where I can’t be heardand others can’t hear me; that wouldn’t besmart. Still, as often as not, the effort torespond in kind is not respectfully honored.It’s an odd reaction to be sure. Receivinginquiries is one thing, a helpful thing, almostlike “Thing” from “The Addams family,” butnot responding is quite another thing. It’s notexactly akin to trudging through the snow –uphill, in winter, as our parents all claimedthey did, but the emotional weight of it issomething that I’m probably having difficultyexplaining – as much as I’m trying.
Maybe this is all just an excuse to obfus-cate my ill-mannered and disrespectful negli-gence. How poorly was I raised that I don’tknow enough to provide a common cour-tesy? People ask, you answer. When one issick or “diseased,” and friends, family andco-workers reach out, one is not supposed topull back, right? I should appreciate theirsupport and absorb whatever positiveenergy/good vibrations they’re sending. Let’sface it, as I do most days; living with canceris not exactly a solitary pursuit. Although itmay seem like it, at home, alone, especiallyat night when tossing and turning and notsleeping becomes an Olympic sport, the can-cer experience is not a meal best servedcold, if you know what I mean.
Regular interaction with humans, and Idon’t mean radio, television or Internet, isthe next best thing to being there/reachingout and actually touching someone or beingtouched (which is likely another benefit).Moreover, being made to feel alive and well– and dare I say, normal (not diagnosed withcancer), is the goal, but the figurative ele-phant in our world is not just in one room,one time; it’s in every room all the time; it’sherd but not seen. But difficult to ignorenonetheless.
Stage IV lung cancer is like that. It’s typicalthat when symptoms manifest themselves,the patient is already inoperable and tumorswhich gave the patient no indication thatthey even existed, have now metastasized(moved/grown). Ergo, the staging. There is nostage V, by the way. This is not to imply thatit’s ever too late. It’s just hard to assimilatewhen the diagnosis comes out of the blueand previously you were feeling in the pink.In this context, the silence of it (meaning thelack of symptoms) was not golden; any morethan my silence now in not responding towell-wishers is golden. It’s not. It’s self-indul-gent and most times I readily acknowledge it.However, I feel powerless to affect it. Pleasedon’t take my lack of a timely response per-sonally. I’m just trying to navigate as best Ican. As George Costanza made famous on along-ago “Seinfeld” episode: “It’s not you. Ifit’s anybody, it’s me.…”
Community
Leaders at Herndon’s Epiphany Epis-copal Church knew they would needhelp: they had committed to host-
ing a hypothermia shelter for the area’shomeless population Christmas week, butthe number of people required to operateit outnumbered their entire congregation.
So they reached out for help, and neigh-boring faith and service communities re-sponded.
One month before the shelter is sched-uled to open its doors to as many as 49homeless men and women, eight organiza-tions have committed to contribute eithervolunteers or supplies needed to operate theshelter. They include FACETS, EpiphanyEpiscopal, St. Anne’s Episcopal, St. FrancisEpiscopal, New Hope Baptist, Unitarian
Universalist of Sterling, Congregation BethEmeth, and Boy Scout Troop 1257, withmore expected to join.
Epiphany counts about 165 householdsin its membership but must fill 180 volun-teer slots to operate the shelter, which willbe open from the evening of Dec. 20 to themorning of Dec. 27 at the church on thecorner of Fairfax County Parkway andFranklin Farm Road.
“We’re foolish enough to believe that wecan make a difference in this world, wel-coming our neighbors with open hearts andextended hands, offering a home to thosein need this holiday,” Epiphany’s Rev. HillaryWest said. “Our Christmas is made moreholy through this opportunity to serve.”
The shelter will be open to homeless menand women 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each day,except Christmas, when it will remain openall day. Operating these shelters is a volun-teer-intensive effort, with about 25 volun-teer slots of about three to four hours thatmust be filled every day the shelter oper-ates. Volunteers will help transport gueststo the shelter, set up the shelter, prepareand serve dinner, breakfast and a baggedlunch, provide entertainment and compan-
ionship, be on hand overnight, and closethe shelter in the morning. On ChristmasDay, the shelter will remain open to pro-vide shelter, a holiday dinner, and churchservices for any who wish to attend andparticipate.
“Last year’s shelter experience left us allwith wonderful memories,” said CelesteMeyer, Epiphany co-lead organizer for theshelter. “We look forward again this year toproviding a place that is warm and welcom-ing, where our guests can have a hot meal,experience some companionship, and betreated with dignity.” While Epiphany ishosting the shelter, it is operated by FAC-ETS, a Fairfax County-based poverty relieforganization. FACETS organizes a series ofhypothermia shelters at different faith-based institutions across Fairfax Countyfrom November to March, with each insti-tution hosting and staffing the shelter for aweek. Last year FACETS hypothermia shel-ters served 244 individuals.
For more information or to volunteer, visithttp://www.coee.org/shelter. For more in-formation about FACETS shelters, visithttp://facetscares.org/programs/hypother-mia-prevention-and-response-program/.
Faith Community Helps EpiphanyEpiscopal Church with Hypothermia ShelterHypothermia shelterwill require morevolunteers than totalmembers at EpiphanyEpiscopal Church.
Faith Notes are for announcements and eventsin the faith community, including special holidayservices. Send [email protected]. Deadline isThursday.
The Church of the Brethren will hold theBattle of Dranesville Peace Service at 7 p.m. onSunday, Dec. 20, the anniversary of the Battleof Dranesville fought in 1861. Hear about thebattle, the Brethren and the war. Artifacts fromthe battle will be on display. Refreshments willbe served. The church is located at 11500Leesburg Pike, Herndon. 703-430-7872.
Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651Dranesville Road, Herndon, has Sunday wor-ship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Nurseryand childcare are provided and youth and adultSunday school classes are held prior, from 9:40-
10:45 a.m. 703-437-5500 orwww.trinityherndon.org.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center, UnitarianUniversalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave., Reston,holds weekly classes starting Sept. 12, Thursdays7-8:30 p.m., for the general public which use Bud-dhist teachings to practice meditation. $12.202-986-2257 or www.meditation-dc.org.
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 1700 Wain-wright Drive in Reston, holds Sunday services at7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and contemporaryservice at 5 p.m. Nursery, Sunday school and adulteducation available. Morning prayer on Monday at9:30, Holy Eucharist Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. 703-437-6530 or www.stannes-reston.org.
Adult Sunday school will be held 9:30 a.m.Sundays at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church
at Lake Anne Village Center. The group is study-ing the Gospel of Mark. Services follow at 11a.m.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia offers a va-riety of free bereavement support groups,meeting on a weekly basis. Contact 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org for schedulesand registration information.
The Jewish Federation of GreaterWashington and the Jewish Outreach Insti-tute offer the Mothers/Parents Circle, anumbrella of free educational events and re-sources. Jewish rituals, ethics and the creationof a Jewish home, regular meetings and groupShabbats and holidays. Participants includeSha’are Shalom, Congregation Beth Emeth,Temple Rodef Shalom and the Jewish Commu-nity Center of Northern Virginia. ShalomDC.org.
Faith Notes
To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected] bythe Friday prior to the following week’s paper.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 9Covenants Committee Meeting. 6:30-9 p.m.
Reston Association, Conference Center, 12001Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. The CovenantsCommittee is responsible for administering theUse and Maintenance Covenants set forth in theReston Deed of Dedication. In doing so, theCommittee considers and decides violations inaccordance with adopted procedures that arefound by staff or other Association Members,develops Use and Maintenance Standards, andconsiders requests for temporary exceptionpermits. 703-435-6530.
Business Education Series Workshop. 8:30-10 a.m. Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce,1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 230, Reston.Discover how to fill your pipeline with qualifiedleads just by improving how you network! Inthis discussion, James Lawson, Co-Founder &Marketing Strategist of Impact BusinessSolutions LLC., will show you exactly how tocreate a simple, yet effective, networking
strategy and system. Cost: free/member; $15/future member. Registration at http://www.restonchamber.org/events.
League of Women Voters Program. 7:30-9p.m. Hunter Mill District Community Room B.,1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. “Money inPolitics” will be the topic. Free. Open to all. 202-263-1311. www.lwv-fairfax.org.
Ready, Set, Buy: Preparing for a SpringHome Purchase Webinar. Noon-1 p.m. Ifyou’re thinking of purchasing your first homeyou’re probably wondering, am I really ready tomake such an important investment? Attend thisfree webinar to learn the home buying basicsyou’ll need to get ready, get set, and buy.Offered by Northwest Federal Credit Union inHerndon. Register at www.nwfcu.org. Click onUpcoming Events.
THURSDAY/DEC. 10Workshop: Preparing Your Home For
Winter. 6:30-8 p.m. Reston Association,Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive,Reston. Contractors will provide information onwinterizing the home, home inspections, etc.Free. Comments, questions, and RSVP’s,[email protected].
THROUGH SATURDAY/DEC. 12.Wish List Project. Take a look at the wish lists
and take this opportunity to spread some cheerthis December. Wish List Angels directly helpfamilies in area shelters, alternative housing andchildren in foster care. Make wishes come trueby signing up to sponsor a child’s wish. Find outhow at http://wishlistangels.com/.
MONDAY/DEC. 14Rabbi Jonah Pesner. 8-9 p.m. Northern Virginia
Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Ave.,Reston. Discussion by Pesner, director of theReligious Action Center of Reform Judaism,entitled “American Judaism and EconomicJustice.” Free. 703-437-7733.
TUESDAYS/DEC. 15Design Review Board Meeting. 7-9 p.m.
Reston Association, Conference Center, 12001Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. The Design ReviewBoard (DRB) is responsible for reviewing alladditions and alterations to many different typesof Reston properties. To assist in the reviewprocess, the DRB develops Design Guidelinesand review procedures, and establishes designstandards for clusters. 703-435-6530.
Bulletin Board
12 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
