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January 11-17, 2017 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
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by Fallo
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HerndonOak HillHerndonOak Hill
Fairfax Lawmakers’Last Call for InputNews, Page 3
Organizing a Home OfficeHome&Lifestyle, Page 5
Mayor,Councilmembers
Sworn-InNews, Page 4
HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 5
HomeLifeStyle
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel standswith her husband Zachary anddaughter Lila as she is adminis-tered her third oath of office byViki Wellershaus, the town’s clerk.
2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsHerndon Connection Editor
Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or
By Tim Peterson
The Connection
“We’re not letting teachersdo their jobs,” was theplea from Jo Neuberof Vienna Co-chair of
the organization Class Size Counts. Neuberthanked Del. Jim Lemunyon (R-67) for de-veloping three class size bills for the 2017session of the Virginia General Assembly,including HB1498. Neuber said she was infavor of putting a cap of 24 students in sci-ence labs.
Neuber was one of more than 80 FairfaxCounty residents who spoke directly tomembers of the Fairfax delegation to theGeneral Assembly at a public hearing onJan. 7 at the Fairfax County GovernmentCenter.
The General Assembly is set to convenein Richmond at noon on Jan. 11, when theywill begin work on new or amended legis-lation for the Virginia Code.
The public hearing was the last chancelocal constituents had to voice their hopesor concerns for pending or potential legis-lation in person without traveling to thestate capital, though most lawmakers havealready all but finalized their legislativeagenda for the session.
Education was once again an importanttopic for many speakers, beginning withBoard of Supervisors chairman SharonBulova.
“Of the $21 million in additional state
funding the county was expected to receivein FY2017, $4.4 of that is already at riskdue to the cancellation of funding for raisesfor teachers and other instructions person-nel,” Bulova said. “We must get that fund-ing back and we must make sure that fund-ing for those raises is included in theFY2018 budget.”
Bulova and Fairfax County Public SchoolBoard vice chair Jane Strauss said the Vir-ginia Retirement System rates were accel-erated by one year last year, which increasesthe costs for FCPS by more than $25 mil-lion in FY 2017.
“We ask for help in avoiding funding re-ductions to our local programs and ser-vices,” Bulova said, “and opposing restric-tions on our local revenues.”
Several education advocates echoedNeuber’s call to reduce class size, andBulova’s concern for competitive teachersalary levels.
Other topics with numerous speakers in-cluded legalization of marijuana for medici-nal use; funding for disability services waiv-ers; transportation and congestion reduc-tion; funding for the court system; and thetax on toilet paper, adult diapers and somefeminine hygiene products.
Holly Seibold of Vienna is founder andexecutive director of the group BringingResources to Aid Women’s Shelters that pro-vides donated feminine hygiene productsto who have insufficient access to them. Sheurged the delegation to support the “Dig-nity Act,” introduced by Del. JenniferBoysko (D-86), that would make toilet pa-per, adult diapers and some feminine hy-giene products tax exempt.
For more information on the General As-sembly, to track a bill or find out who yourrepresentative to the assembly is, visitvirginiageneralassembly.gov.
More than 80 speak atGeneral Assemblypublic hearing.
Fairfax Lawmakers’Last Call for Input
Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection
More than 80 Fairfax County residents spoke directly to members of theFairfax delegation to the General Assembly at a public hearing on Jan. 7at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Sharon Bulova and Fairfax CountyPublic School Board vice chairJane Strauss (center) said theVirginia Retirement System rateswere accelerated by one year lastyear, which increases the costs forFCPS by more than $25 million inFY 2017.
Helen Kelly of Herndon is a com-munity leader for the League ofWomen Voters of the Fairfax Area.“We join the Board of Supervisorsand School Board in asking to fullyrestore the cost of competing forall teachers,” she said. Kelly alsosaid the League was hoping for thedelegation to support reduction oftransit congestion.
Morgan Jamison of Oakton is aboard member for the FairfaxCounty Community Action AdvisoryBoard, which makes recommenda-tions to the county about programsand resources for low-incomefamilies and individuals. “Afford-able housing is a particular need,”she said.
Rikki Epstein of Reston is execu-tive director of the Arc of NorthernVirginia. Epstein said there “sim-ply isn’t room for more cuts” whenit comes to the more than 4,000Virginians with disabilities on thewaitlist for disability serviceswaivers that would allow them toreceive services to live indepen-dently in the community.
Elanna Weinstein of Herndonrepresented the Fairfax Bar Asso-ciation, advocating against elimi-nating the 15th seat on the FairfaxCounty Circuit Court.
Hearing Highlights
4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Oak Hill & Herndon News
By Fallon Forbush
The Connection
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel andtown councilmembers weresworn into office for their 2017-18 terms on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at
the Herndon Municipal Center.“It is with great humility that I stand before
you tonight,” Merkel said in a speech to thosewho attended the ceremony. “To be elected thefirst time is an incredible experience, but tohave your work reaffirmed and to be electedfor a third term is truly gratifying.”
In addition to Merkel, members of the newly-sworn-in council are Jennifer Baker, Grace WolfCunningham, Jeffrey Davidson, SigneFriedrichs, William “Bill” McKenna and SheilaMilstead Olem.
Baker, Olem and Wolf served on the 2014-2016 town council. This is the first term onthe council for Davidson, Friedrichs andMcKenna.
“My primary goal as mayor has been to bringour downtown plan off the page and into real-ity,” Merkel said. “And after years of work, it islikely we will finally break ground during thisterm, creating the walkable, vibrant spacewe’ve dreamed about for years.”
Conversations about the redevelopment be-gan in 2000— before Merkel was elected to
other councilmembers, during the election onNov. 8.
ACTING TOWN MANAGER APPOINTEDWilliam “Bill” Ashton II, Herndon’s IT direc-
tor, will be appointed acting town manager tofill the position that will be vacated by retiringTown Manager Art Anselene.
While Anselene retires on Feb. 28, Ashtonwill assume the post on Feb. 1.
“Bill’s management experience and instincts,his operations expertise and his thoroughknowledge of town policies make him the op-timal candidate for this role,” Mayor LisaMerkel said in a press statement.
Ashton has worked for the town since 1998.The council plans to conduct a comprehen-
sive search for Anselene’s permanent successor.
any position with the town. As reported in De-cember in the Connection, the previous coun-cil made concrete progress by adopting a reso-lution that directed town staff to move forwardwith negotiations for the redevelopment withReston real estate firm Comstock Partners.
Merkel and the council won their new termsduring Herndon’s first fall election. The elec-tions were previously held in the spring.
“Last November, the town of Herndon re-soundingly embraced the message thatHerndon is a hometown for everyone,” Merkelsaid. “A place where all are welcome, no mat-ter where you come from, how you worship,or who you love.”
During her remarks, she said Herndon hasbranded itself as a “next generation smalltown.”
“I believe that,” she said.
BAKER ELECTED VICE MAYORJennifer Baker was re-elected vice mayor for
her 2017-18 council term by Mayor Lisa Merkeland council members, who unanimously ap-proved a resolution naming her to the posi-tion, with Baker abstaining.
Traditionally, the councilmember who re-ceives the highest number of votes during thegeneral town elections is named to the post.
The Connection previously reported that shereceived 5,650 votes, more than any of the
Town Mayor and CouncilmembersSworn-In for 2017-18 Terms
Herndon MOMS Clubto Hold PreschoolRoundtable
The MOMS Club of Herndon will host amonthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.at Trinity Presbyterian Church (651 DranesvilleRd, Herndon VA 20170). All Herndon, VA (zipcodes 20170 and 20171) at-home mothers andtheir children are encouraged to join an infor-mal discussion and disseminate information onlocal area preschools.
For more information or to RSVP, contact:
Stephanie Talberg, Membership VP [email protected].
Herndon VillageNetwork Elects Board
Herndon Village Network (HVN), a not-for-profit organization serving Herndon senior citi-zens, has announced its 2017 Board of Direc-tors — President: Penny Halpern, Vice Presi-dent: Charles Marts, Secretary: RosemaryKendall, and Treasurer: Nancy Boughn.
These directors will oversee the policies,administration, funding and volunteers for the
now three-year-old organization. Volunteersmake a difference by providing the elderlymuch-needed transportation for appointments,errands and social gatherings. This more or-ganized concept of neighbors helping neigh-bors encourages older residents to age in theHerndon community and allows them to main-tain established routines and connections,which results in a higher quality of life.
Herndon residents who are 55 or older, livein the 20170 zip code, and are interested inHVN services should call 703-375-9439. Inter-ested volunteers should visitwww.herndonvillagenetwork.org and completean application. All volunteers are vetted.
Photos by Fallon Forbush/The Connection
Vice Mayor Jennifer Baker stands with her family as sheis administered her oath of office by Viki Wellershaus, thetown’s clerk.
Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel finished the ceremony byproviding remarks and vision for the year ahead. She wasintroduced by Supervisor John Foust, the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors Dranesville District member.
Councilmember Jeffrey Davidsonstands with his family as he is admin-istered his first oath of office by VikiWellershaus, the town’s clerk.
Week in Herndon
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
This new homeoffice by AnthonyWilder Design/Buildincorporates acustom-designedcord control system.
Photo by
Morgan Howarth
HomeLifeStyle
By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
Whether located in a basement, sparebedroom or kitchen corner, one of thekeys to creating a functional homeoffice is organization. Local design-
ers offer suggestions for styling a space that is bothpractical and aesthetically appealing.
“Start by thinking about how you would like touse your home office and plan accordingly,” saidMegan Padilla, senior designer at Aidan Design. “Willit be a desk that easily converts to a homework sta-tion or craft area or a dedicated home office for theeveryday telecommuter?”
Keeping office equipment out of sight will give thespace a home-like feel, says Padilla. This can be ac-complished by using storage solutions like printerdrawers.
Practical home office organizational solutions in-clude roll-out trays for computer accessories like print-ers and a wire management system above and belowthe desk for power cords and computer cables bothon top of the desk, advises Chuck Khiel, vice presi-dent of Fred Home Improvement, a division of Case.“Create a Bluetooth operational office space,” he said.
“Organizing all of the smaller office supplies canbe accomplished with a series of coordinated con-tainers for tools such as pencils, scissors and mark-
ers … or within drawers,” added Padilla. “Considera mix of drawer heights to allow ample storage forsmaller desk supplies as well as your typical file fold-ers.”
Use open shelving to allow for quick access to fre-quently used items and book storage. “[It] can alsomake a smaller space feel more expansive,” saidPadilla.
If a home office is in a spare bedroom, closets canbe repurposed and organized to hide copy and faxmachines, says Shannon Kadwell, interior designerat Anthony Wilder Design/Build.
“Add fabric bulletin boards in prominent locationsand in a complementary color for visual appeal,” shesaid. “Custom built-ins make a huge difference asyou can tailor the storage space to individual needsand create more functional spaces.”
Design ideas forworkspace order.
Organizing a Home Office
Organizing small office supplies, like thisone by Aidan Design, can be accomplishedwith a series of coordinated containers fortools such as pencils, scissors and markers.
Photo by Robert Radifera
Storage solutions suchas those in this officeby Megan Padilla helpmake home officesaesthetically appealing.
Photo by
Robert Radifera
6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
SlipperyHope
When you’re diagnosed with a terminalform of cancer, you spend a lot of time talkingto yourself, not aloud; well, mostly not aloud,trying to convince yourself of a million andone things that don’t lead to that inescapableconclusion: premature death (I know, anydeath is premature). And when you get sick, asI am now and have been for the past 10 days;not getting worse, just not getting better; it is,at least for me, not only next to impossible,but impossible as well, not to think that per-haps this is the time when you have crossedthe Rubicon.
Though what I am referring to aremerely/mostly cold symptoms: sneezing,coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion,watery eyes, occasional headache; no tem-perature or sore throat, no vomiting, no nau-sea; it’s easy to rationalize that I am simplyexperiencing a severe seasonal reaction tosome strain of something which is, if what Ihear from friends and family is true, somethingwhich is definitely going around. However,that assessment would presume I’m a relativelynormal person, ‘normal’ meaning not a persondiagnosed with stage IV, non-small cell lungcancer. Ergo, the conversations me, myself andI are constantly having with ourselves.
And though the answers rarely change(always minimizing, never reinforcing a nega-tive, accentuating the positive), I have to admitthe longer I live through these blips on theradar, the less conviction I am able to sustainin my ongoing attempts to talk myself into orout of, whatever the case may be, the chal-lenges emotionally and/or physically, that char-acterize one’s life living with cancer. Andbelieve me, ‘living with cancer’ is all it’scracked up to be, and I’m one of the luckyones, a survivor, nearly eight years in fact, postmy Feb. 27, 2009 face-to-face appointmentwith an oncologist; my new best friend, wholowered the diagnostic boom to Team Louriethat day.
I think I can say with some certainty thatthe one constant in my life these past eightyears has been the many conversations I’vehad with myself. Trying to maintain an evenkeel; heck, any keel that would keep me emo-tionally afloat. Obviously, encouraging andsupportive words from others have filled manygaps, but there are way more gaps when I’malone that need to be filled. Reading, writing,‘rithmetic, radio, television and theInternet, fill some and provide distraction forothers, but still there are many more timeswhen you’re left alone with your thoughts;when the rubber really hits the road andsomehow you must get through the night orthe post-chemo weak or the before, duringand after “scanxiety” and navigate the slingsand arrows of the outrageous misfortunewhich has befallen you.
Mostly I have been successful. Occasionallythough I have been depressed. Occasionally Ihave felt lonely. Occasionally I have felt out ofcontrol. And more than occasionally, I havejust plain worried. Like now, when I’m sickand tired and wondering if persistent coldsymptoms portend the beginning of somethingworse. After all, I do have lung cancer so anybreathing-related and/or coughing problemscould indicate an exacerbation of my underly-ing condition, or so I would guess.
Ah yes, guessing. That’s perhaps the realproblem. How do you stop yourself from goingdown that rabbit hole, especially when you’vealready quadrupled the back end of the num-ber of years: two, offered up by your oncolo-gist eight years ago? I don’t suppose I couldexperience a normal life expectancy afterbeing given a terminal diagnosis. Could I? Iguess it’s possible. Probable? I wouldn’t know.However, there’s no harm thinking about it.Except if you’re thinking about it all the time.
Do what you can, with what youhave, where you are.
-Theodore Roosevelt
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An expert is someone who knowssome of the
worst mistakesthat can bemade in his
subject and howto avoid them.
-WernerHeisenberg By David Siegel
The Connection
Ever inventive contemporaryAmerican playwright Christo-pher Durang’s Tony Award-win-ning, “Vanya and Sonia and
Masha and Spike” is the Reston Commu-nity Players’ upcoming production.
Durang’s “Vanya and Sonia and Mashaand Spike” is an imaginatively adjusted ver-sion of several of Anton Chekhov’s master-works all packed together with modernAmerican ingredients. Enjoying “Vanya andSonia and Masha and Spike” requires “noprevious knowledge” of Chekov, said JoleneVetese, RCP Board President.
“We decided to produce ‘Vanya’ becauseit is such a funny, eclectic play,” said Vetese.“It’s a dark comedy that explores these sib-ling relationships and the people that in-tersect that relationship.
Playwright Durang riffed on Chekov’smoody Russian characters then transportedthem to present times in Bucks County, Pa.The play has a middle-aged Vanya (AndrewJM Regiec) and his sister Sonia (Lee Slivka)who live a quiet life after providing long-term care for their now-deceased parents.
Soon enough chaos begins when Vanyaand Sonia’s flashy sister and Hollywoodactress Masha (Joanne Maylone) arrives fora belated condolence visit. Sibling rivalriesflair along with wit and biting sarcasm.Masha has brought along her younger buffboy-friend Spike (Will MacLeod).
Andrew JM Regiec called his characterVanya a man who “while educated, he hasn’treally lived and experienced the world ex-cept through books and TV and movies.
Now that the parents are gone, he’s look-ing back at a life gone by, a little forlorn,realizing he’s got little future himself.”
Vanya is “repressed…resigned to his lifeof living like a lump on a log; overly con-cerned about change,” added Regiec.
For Lee Slivka her Sonia character is“snarky and funny as hell as she steps out-side of her comfort zone. I want the audi-ence to come along and maybe find a bit ofthat leap within themselves.” Beyond laugh-ter, “there are also moments which maymove the audience as they watch this fam-ily navigate their history and complexity.”
Inviting audiences to partake of Durang’s“wonderfully funny look at people and fam-ily relations” Monk went on to say, “I wouldlike audiences to come out laughing, re-membering and enjoying the characters andthe situations they have seen, and contentwith the final resolution.”
Audiences taking in RCP’s “Vanya andSonia and Masha and Spike” will haveplenty of zingy comedy as well as earthyrevelations and even Snow White to savoras Durang’s fictional on-stage characters’lives are turned upside down.
Reston Community Players’ production of‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’coming to CenterStage on Jan. 20.
Chekhov’s Masterworkswith American Flavor
Where and WhenReston Community Players presents
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”at CenterStage, Reston CommunityCenter, 2310 Colts Neck Road, (in theHunters Woods Village Center) Reston.Performances: Jan. 20 to Feb. 4, 2017,Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. withSunday, Jan. 29 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets:$18 (seniors/students) $21 adults. Call703-476-4500 or visitwww.restonplayers.org.
Entertainment
Photo by Traci J. Brooks/Courtesy of Reston Community Players
From left — Vanya played by Andrew JM Regiec, Cassandra played byAlexa Yarboro and Sonia played by Lee Slivka in Reston CommunityPlayers’ production of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.’
8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 11-17, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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THURSDAY/JAN. 12Encore Chorale of Reston Rehearsals
6:30pm at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church locatedat 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston. There are noauditions and singers may be seated forrehearsals and performances. Singers willrehearse each week for 90 minutes inpreparation for May performances. The springrepertoire for Encore Chorale includes Porgy &Bess, Va Pensiero, Les Miserables, Do, LordRemember Me, & more! The conductor is DavidLang. The Spring repertoire for the ROCKSchoruses includes favorites like, All You Need isLove by the Beatles, Longest Time by Billy Joel,Forever Doo Wop and Rock On—a medley ofhits from the 50’s & 60’s. Fee is $175 for 15weekly rehearsals, sheet music, CD in yourmusic part and performances.
FRIDAY/JAN. 13Erev Shabbat Service at Northern Virginia
Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Avenue,Reston, 6:30-9 p.m. Jewish-American songwriterMichael Hunter Ochs and award-winningMuslim Palestinian peace activist/songwriterAlaa Alshaham and Shireinu - HebrewCongregation’s youth choir - weave theirextraordinary story and music into the worship.Co-Sponsored by The All Dulles Area MuslimSociety (ADAMS).
SATURDAY/JAN. 14Concert Tribute to Dr. King 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Reston Community Center 2310 Colt’s NeckRoad, Reston. The Reston Community Orchestrapresents its annual musical tribute to Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr. featuring the work of OllyWilson, one of the pre-eminent contemporarycomposers of African-American descent, alongwith baritone Bryan Wilson and song-stylistBeverly Cosham. restoncommunityorchestra.org
TUESDAY/JAN. 17Concert Joan & Joni 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 6
p.m. 110 Devil’s Backbone Overlook,Stephenson. Allison and Kipyn bring to the stagemany of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell’s well-known originals and folk songs, as well as a fewhidden gems. They also highlight the impactthese legendary women have had on their ownsongwriting and performance. Tickets: at thedoor or contact Dave [email protected] Cost:$10 Members, $11 Non-members.
THURSDAY/JAN. 19Artist’s Critique Group at Greater Reston
Arts Center 7 - 9:30 p.m. Call to local artists:Bring 1-2 recent artworks to the gallery for agroup discussion and critique. Limited space.703-471-9242 restonarts.org
SATURDAY/JAN. 21Living with Arthritis Seminar 2 p.m. Reston
Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.Join Dr. Mark P. Madden from Reston RegionalHospital Center to learn about the major types
of arthritis and their treatment options, andwhat you can do to manage pain and preservejoint function, mobility and your quality of life.Adults only. Cost: Free. Please register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library
NextStop’s Theater Presents Much AdoAbout Nothing 7 p.m. NextStop’s Theater 269Sunset Park Drive Herndon, VA 20170.TheShakespeare tale of Beatrice and Benedick, theoriginal romantic comedy. The pair are locked ina constant battle of wits and share a mutualdisdain for love.Cost: $25 -average per ticket.www.nextstoptheatre.org/contact/
SUNDAY/JAN. 22Springtime in Winter 2 - 4 p.m. 11400
Washington Plaza, Reston. Reception for acollaborative exhibit of poets, painters, andmusicians, featuring readings and music createdto complement the works of eight artists. Theexhibit will remain on display through February22. [email protected]
ONGOINGShepherd’s Center of Oakton Vienna
Caregivers Support Group Meetings are thefirst and third Thursdays of every month, i.e.January 19th, 2017 from 10:00 a.m to 11:30a.m. Join us at the Unitarian UniversalistCongregation of Fairfax (UUCF) - ProgramBuilding, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton.Allcaregivers are welcome to come for supportanytime. For more info contact facilitator, JackTarr, 703-821-6838, [email protected] LynnRafferty, [email protected]
All-comers Group Fun Run at PotomacRiver Running Every Tuesday and Thursday,6:30 p.m. For beginners or competitive runners,come out for a free, fun, low-key run that’s safeand social. 703-689-0999potomacriverrunning.com
NextStop’s Shakespeare “Much Ado AboutNothing” Jan. 19 - Feb. 12 NextStop Theatre269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. Tickets at:www.NextStopTheatre.org 866-811-4111
“A Bird in the Hand” through spring 2017Reston Town Square Park, 11990 Market Street,Reston Town Center. See and explore PatrickDougherty’s monumental public art sculpturemade from tree saplings. Presented by GRACE incollaboration with IPAR. 703-471-9242restonarts.org
PenFed Realty Hosts Sievers’ Paintingsduring January 2017 at the office of PenFedRealty, 1886 Metro Center Dr. Reston. Theexhibit is free and the office is open to visitorsMonday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00pm. Visit the LRA web site atwww.leagueofrestonartists.org for moreinformation on this and other events.
Little Hands Preschool Art Class at GreaterReston Arts Center Saturdays, January 7 -28, 10 - 11 a.m. Introducing young children toart by having them explore new artwork,materials, and skills each week. Four weeks ofclasses cost: $80 for Reston residents, $120 non-residents. 703-471-9242 restonarts.org
Exercise for Parkinson’s Every Monday, 1:15 -
Send announcements to www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.
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