online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 29 - February 4, 2020 Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection Postal Customer ECR WSS Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 1-30-20 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Easton, MD permit #322 Opinion, Page 4 v Entertainment, Page 8 v Classifieds, Page 10 Senior Living Page 2 Meet New Super visor News, Page 3 Conservatory Construction Delayed News, Page 5 The ‘Olympics of the Violin’ News, Page 3 Violinist Kayleigh Kim, 15, of Oak Hill practices for Menuhin Competition Rich- mond 2020 in anticipation of competing against the world’s greatest young vio- linists in the 11-day event to be held May 14-24.
Transcript
online at www.connectionnewspapers.com January 29 - February 4, 2020
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Senior LivingPage 2
Meet New SupervisorNews, Page 3
Conservatory Construction DelayedNews, Page 5
The ‘Olympics of the Violin’News, Page 3
Violinist Kayleigh Kim, 15, of Oak Hill practices for Menuhin Competition Rich-mond 2020 in anticipation of competing against the world’s greatest young vio-linists in the 11-day event to be held May 14-24.
2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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By Marilyn Campbell
The Connection
Tax season and tax scams often go hand-in-hand. Scammers will try to steal taxdocuments, money and even a person’sidentity and seniors are often their prime
target.“Con artists will target anyone, but older adults
are targeted at higher rates because criminals gowhere the money is, and older adults have the ma-jority of wealth because of their years of hard workand savings,” said Amy Nofziger, Director of FraudVictim Support at the AARP. “Plus, older adults havenot grown up with the technology of today, whichhas grown so fast.”
“Older Adults are often targets because they aregoing through life transitions and scammers can bevery convincing,” added Rachel Coates, Director ofthe Arlington County Agency on Aging. “Awarenessis critical.”
While numerous scams abound, there are somethat are currently more prevalent than others. “Thecomplaints we hear…is the IRS phone scam,” saidStacy Northrop of the Fairfax County Office of Pub-lic Affairs. “This is where the caller will state that awarrant of arrest has been is-sued for the victim.”
“The crook will claim thatthe recipient in trouble for notpaying enough in taxes or notfiling properly,” added EricFriedman, Director of theMontgomery County Office ofConsumer Protection. “Crooksinstill a sense of fear and ur-gency, then they’ll trick theconsumer into wiring moneyor paying over the phone witha prepaid gift card. Consum-ers make quick decisions thatthey wouldn’t make if therewasn’t a sense of urgency.”
Some of the features com-monly thought to be safe-guards may not be so, saysFriedman. “You cannot trustCaller ID to tell you who’s re-ally on the other end of thephone,” he said. “Caller ID is of no value becausecrooks can say anything over the phone. They canhave IRS as the name that appears to make it lookofficial.”
Telephone calls and emails are two warning signsof a scam.
“This is not how the gov-ernment actually operates,”said Nofziger of AARP. “Youwould always first receive aletter from the IRS, and theywould never threaten youwith arrest or use foul lan-guage. If you receive thistype of call, hang up thephone.”
Fraudulent emails andwebsites can be created tolook as though they are froma government agency.
“Many older adults are un-aware that criminals are lurk-ing on what we consider inno-cent websites or apps, like“Words with Friends,”Instagram or other social me-dia platforms,” said Nofziger.“This is why education andwarning people about the redflags is crucial.”
Identify theft is also preva-lent during tax season, saysFriedman of MontgomeryCounty. “Crooks will stealsomeone’s social security num-ber and file [taxes] really early,like in January or February, be-fore the consumer files theirreturn,” he said. “When theconsumer really does file, theIRS rejects it. When the prob-lem is reported, the IRS will
have to investigate which takes months to resolve,which is not good if you’re getting a refund.”
Scammers seek to obtain money from a victimoften in the form of wire transfers or cash, saysNorfziger. “It’s important to know the red flags of
scams,” she said. “Eventhough the scam tacticsmight vary, the criminals’demands never change.They want money or per-sonal information. So ifanyone calls, mails, emailsor texts you asking formoney, that is a red flag. Ifthey ask you for personal in-formation such as yourMedicare number, SocialSecurity number or finan-cial information, it’s a hugered flag.”
Photo by Marilyn Campbell
Know the warning signs to avoid scamsthis tax season.
The most common tricksand have to avoid them.
Tax Season, Tax ScamsSenior Living
For Help and More Information❖ AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/
FraudWatchNetwork. AARP Fraud Watch Network Helplineand our trained fraud specialists can help walk you throughit: 877-908-3360.
❖ Free Help at Montgomery County Libraries: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/Resources/Files/taxaideflyer.pdf
❖ Tax ID Theft Awareness Week: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/tax-identity-theft-awareness-week-2020/
“If anyone calls, mails,emails or texts youasking for money, that isa red flag. If they askyou for personalinformation such asyour Medicare number,Social Security numberor financial information,it’s a huge red flag.”
— Amy Nofziger, Director of FraudVictim Support at the AARP
“Crooks instill a sense offear and urgency.Consumers make quickdecisions that theywouldn’t make if therewasn’t a sense of urgency.”
— Eric Friedman, Montgomery CountyOffice of Consumer Protection
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Walter Alcorn represents the residentsof the Hunter Mill
District on the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors. On Jan.27, Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill)posted on Facebook, “As prom-ised, I am scheduling town hallmeetings so that we can havean engaged community discus-sion about priorities and howwe want to move forward in theHunter Mill District. Bring yourquestions.”
The first town hall meeting isscheduled for Monday, Feb. 3,from 7 to 9 p.m. at the RestonCommunity Center at LakeAnne, Jo Ann Rose Gallery,1609-A Washington Plaza N,Reston. Supervisor Alcornadded, if possible, RSVP that youare attending with an email [email protected] “February 3 town hall” in thesubject line.
According to theFairfaxcounty.gov: “Volunteers(are) needed to serve as HunterMill District Representatives onCounty Boards, Authorities andCommissions…Our county gov-ernment has the most impact onour daily lives, including trans-portation, water quality, prop-erty taxes, public safety andmany other critical services.Advisory groups play a veryimportant role in our countygovernment. If you are inter-ested in serving on a county
board, authority, commission orcommittee (“BAC”) as a HunterMill District representative,contact Supervisor Alcorn’s of-fice.” Current openings include:
❖ Reston Transportation Ser-vice District Advisory Board
❖ Citizen Corps Council❖ Civil Service CommissionFor more information or to
forward your resume for consid-eration, email Gwenn Minton [email protected] call 703-478-0283. Stay upto date on information aboutthe Hunter Mill District by fol-lowing Supervisor Alcorn onsocial media: Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.
Supervisor Walter Alcorn(D-Hunter Mill) to host Town HallMeeting Monday, Feb, 3.
Meet New Supervisor
Photo courtesy Fairfax County
Fairfax County Supervi-sor Walter Alcorn(D-Hunter Mill)
Courtesy Fairfax County
Map of the Hunter Mill District in Fairfax County
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
Fifteen-year-old KayleighKim of Oak Hill, a stu-dent at Oakton HighSchool in Vienna started
playing the violin when she wasfive, but quickly lost interest andbegan focusing on other activitieslike sports. “I played on and off forabout three years until I quit com-pletely. My mom asked me when Iwas ten if I wanted to play the vio-lin again, and I said yes, not think-ing about it very much. It was onlyafter playing for a few months thatI realized I really did enjoy it.”
Since then, Kim has performedat Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Cen-ter Millennium Stage, Merkin Con-cert Hall, and most recently withthe Richmond Symphony Orches-tra on Jan. 25. Kim alwaysdreamed of participating in the prestigious MenuhinCompetition, dubbed the “Olympics of the Violin.”This year, Kim will be in there alongside forty-threeof the world’s greatest violinists, ages 8-21 represent-ing eighteen different nationalities. Amidst the lime-light and stimulating learning environment, Kim willtake to the stage to compete in the Junior Section.
KIM’S TEACHER, Catherine Cho, Professor of Vio-lin at The Juilliard School, said, “I am delighted tobe working with Kayleigh who has been a wonder-fully dedicated and compassionate member of mystudio this year, and we are all excited about herparticipation in the Menuhin Competition thisspring.”
Held in the United States for only the second timesince Menuhin Competition’s inaugural event in1983, Richmond, won the joint bid. They beat outLondon, England and Melbourne, Australia to host
the 11-day event held May 14-24, 2020. A coali-tion headed by the Richmond Symphony with co-hosts Commonwealth Public Broadcasting(WCVE), Virginia Commonwealth University, andUniversity of Richmond, with an endorsementfrom the City of Richmond, submitted the bid.
Local teen takes to the stageat the Menuhin CompetitionRichmond 2020.
The ‘Olympics of the Violin’
Violinist Kayleigh Kim, 15,of Oak Hill practices forMenuhin CompetitionRichmond 2020 in anticipa-tion of competing againstthe world’s greatest youngviolinists in the 11-dayevent to be held May 14-24.
The Menuhin Competition Trustorganized the event. It is a UK reg-istered charity. The competitionbrings the most outstanding vio-lin talents together in a festival ofmusic, education and cultural ex-change. Such is a nod to founderYehudi Menuhin; the New YorkCity-born violin prodigy opened aviolin school for gifted musiciansages 8 to 19 in England in 1963.According to the Trust: “Menuhin’skey to success was his excellentmusic education as a child and hisongoing dialogue and collabora-tion with fellow musicians.”
BEYOND THE COMPETITION,participation and learning are aunique aspect of the MenuhinCompetition. Jurors perform dur-ing the event, and competitorsparticipate in master classes andconsultations with the jury. Peer-to-peer learning is equally impor-
tant. Also, as part of the 2020 Menuhin Competi-tion, Kim will take part in events held throughoutRichmond, icluding the Modlin Center for the Arts-University of Richmond, W. E. Singleton Center forthe Performing Arts- Virginia Commonwealth Uni-versity and Carpenter Theatre@ Dominion EnergyCenter. “Kayleigh has always been very focused onher work, and I am so proud of her for always ac-cepting challenges that come her way,” said Kim’smother, Sylvia.
The Menuhin Competition Trust aims to support itslaureates as they develop and grow to help them es-tablish their careers. Beyond the cash prizes and loansof violins, such as 1st Prize, Senior Section- USD 20,000plus a 2-year loan of a Golden Period Stradivari violinfrom the private collection of Jonathan Moulds CBEand a bow made by Christopher Landon, the Trustoffers prizewinners performance concert opportuni-ties, scholarships and courses.
Kayleigh Kim, 15, ofOak Hill alwaysdreamed of partici-pating in the presti-gious Menuhin Com-petition, dubbed the“Olympics of theViolin.” Selected as afinalist, she is dedi-cated to practicingfor the event.
Photos by Mercia Hobson/
The Connection
4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
The General Assemblyhas shifted into highgear to get through itsagenda of thousands
of bills in sixty days. The old say-ing that you cannot be in twoplaces at one time is disprovenevery day as the 140 members ofthe House and Senate scurry
among sub-c o m m i t t e e sand standingcommittees on
which they serve and the subcom-mittees and committees beforewhich they have to present theirbills. By strategically placing anassistant or intern in one meetingwhile the member moves quicklyamong several meetings, it mayeven appear that a member is inmore than even two places at onetime. The legislature is not a placefor lengthy contemplation butrather is a place for action. Afterall, we ran on a platform of what
we promised we weregoing to do, and thelegislative session isthe time of action todeliver on our prom-ises.
With such a “meatgrinder” approachcan we trust the out-come of a legislativesession? Considerthat in order for a bill to become alaw it must meet the approval of asubcommittee and full committee,passage twice in the full house ontwo different days, the same pro-cess in the other house of the leg-islature, and the signature of thegovernor.
All that time there are hundredsof advocates, constituents, lobby-ists and others looking over yourshoulder and providing commentson what you are doing. Bills getintense scrutiny before they arepassed. It is easier to describe howa bill does not make it than it is totell how a bill becomes a law.Fewer than half the bills intro-
duced become law.Election outcomes
do matter for tochange the outcomeof debate on impor-tant issues it may beeasier to change thepeople in the legisla-ture through the bal-lot box than it is tochange the minds of
incumbent legislators. A case inpoint is ratification of the EqualRights Amendment that was de-bated for decades but approvedwithin a week in a General Assem-bly made up of new members sup-porting the rights of women.Those same new members, join-ing the progressives who were al-ready there, have even now ap-proved sweeping new common-sense gun safety laws such as myuniversal background check billthat had been defeated for two de-cades by previous members of asubcommittee of the House. Lawsthat put barriers in the way ofwomen in making choices con-
cerning their own reproductivehealth are being repealed. Lawsthat disproportionally affectedpeople of color are being repealed.The criminal justice system is un-dergoing a major shift to make itwork more fairly for all people.Challenges to the environment arebeing met with meaningful legis-lation.
It is impossible to list in a shortcolumn the thousands of bills be-fore the legislature. You can how-ever review the full list with de-scriptions and status atlis.virginia.gov and for the firsttime this year you can seelivestreaming of most full and sub-committee meetings atvirginiageneralassembly.gov/house/chamber/chamberstreamand virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3.And you can visit the Capitol inRichmond; all meetings are opento the public. Some say the pro-cess is like making sausage. Theimportant thing is it is doing thepeople’s business.
The People’s Business
Commentary
Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), alongtime supporter of theEqual Rights Amendment
(ERA), and cosponsor of legisla-tion to extend the deadline for rati-fication, issued the following state-ment after the Virginia GeneralAssembly voted to ratify the ERA:
“Today, Virginia became the 38th
state to ratify the Equal RightsAmendment, and I could not bemore proud. Ratification of theERA is long overdue, but it is won-derful that Virginia took the his-toric step today which brought theAmendment across the three-fourths threshold necessary forratification.
“I congratulate and applaud ev-eryone in the Virginia General As-sembly, including SenatorMcClellan, Senator Locke, andDelegate Carroll Foy for making
this long-overdue legislation a toppriority, and seeing it through suc-cessfully.
“The recent legal opinion issuedby the Trump Administration viathe Justice Department makes itclear that the next steps dependon Congress. I am determined todo everything I can in Congress tohelp pave the way for the final rati-fication of the Equal RightsAmendment. Equality, justice, andhistory demand nothing less.”
Beyer is a cosponsor of Houselegislation to extend the deadlinefor ratification of the Equal RightsAmendment, sponsored by Rep.Jackie Speier (D-CA). The issue of
After Virginia Ratification Of Equal Rights AmendmentBeyer: ‘Next Steps Depend On Congress’
Rep. DonBeyer (D-8)
the deadline was raised most re-cently by a Trump Administrationlegal opinion arguing that the ERAcould not be ratified because of theexpiration of the original deadline.Beyer is also a cosponsor of newEqual Rights Amendment legisla-tion introduced by Rep. CarolynMaloney (D-NY).
Beyer’s most recent AnnualWomen’s Conference and Forumfocused specifically on the need topass the Equal Rights Amendment,with a panel discussion that fea-tured speakers from VA Ratify ERA(Virginia’s campaign to ratify theERA) and the ERA Coalition.
Rep. JenniferWexton (D-10)
In response to the final passageof the Equal Rights Amendment in the Virginia General
Assembly, Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-10) issued the following statement:“Today, Virginia sent a powerfulmessage to the rest of the country— that ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ isa constitutional right for women.
“I was a sponsor of the EqualRights Amendment during mytime in Richmond, and I am proudof my former colleagues in Rich-mond who made this issue a pri-ority in this year’s session.
“This is a historic moment nearlyone hundred years in the making.Thanks to the tireless work of so
Wexton: ‘A Historic Moment’
many trailblazers and activistsover the years, women — finally— are one step closer to being in-cluded in our nation’s foundingdocument.”
The Connection welcomes views on any public issue.The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed.Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are
routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Send to:
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
When preparing to build a$40-M, 48,000 square-footarts and music conserva-tory in a sustainable design
utilizing energy and green building tech-niques, with a minimum of 231 parkingspaces to serve three shifts of 365 studentsa day and introduce traffic calming mea-sures while retaining a historic place ofworship and converting three historichomes to non-residential use in ultimatecondition, an applicant may need a littlemore time than the initial approved specialexemption allowed to establish the use.
The proposed “Floris Conservatory ForArts & Music” project in Herndon, locatedwithin the Hunter Mill District of FairfaxCounty, did not break ground within theperiod allowed associated with Special Ex-emption SE 2016-HM-007. Shovels in theground could be upwards of two years givenFairfax County Board of Supervisors Jan.14, 2020 approval of Additional Time toEstablish Use or Commence Constructionfor Special Exception SE 2016-HM-007.
ACTING ON BEHALF of Scimores Acad-emy, LCC, Andrew Painter Esq. wrote toLeslie B. Johnson, Zoning AdministratorFairfax County Department of Planning andDevelopment, and requested additionaltime to “establish use” associated with Spe-cial Exception SE 2016-HM-007 that runsconcurrently with the approved rezoningapplication RZ 2016-HM 010. The specialexception was set to expire 30 months af-ter the date of approval, on Dec. 6, 2019,unless construction of the improvement hadcommenced and been diligently pursued.While the expiration date did pass, the ap-proved special exception would not expirepending the Board’s action on the requeston behalf of the applicant for additionaltime.
Jan. 14, 2020, Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors Meeting, Agenda Item Admin-istrative 2 read: “Additional Time to Estab-lish Use or Commence Construction forSpecial Exception SE 2016-HM-007,Scimores Academy, LLC (Hunter Mill Dis-trict).” Meeting Materials for Administra-tive Item 2 included a copy of Painter’s let-ter in which he said the Applicant hadworked to secure financing for the project,diligently pursued the development of theProperty and such. Also, the site plan forthe site was in bonds and agreements, andthe building permit application underway.Painter added that Scimores had closed onall portions of the Property, terminated out-standing leases, and stabilized and securedthe three historic residential dwellings.
According to background supplied byCounty staff, they concurred the Applicantwas diligently working through the pro-cesses, and it was clear that the additional
time of twenty-four months was necessaryto ensure the special exception approvalremained valid and would allow the re-questor to establish use and commence con-struction. “Staff believes that approval ofthe request for twenty- four months addi-tional time is in the public interest and rec-ommends that it be approved,” was re-corded in the staff presentation. The Boardof Supervisors approved the request foradditional time as stated.
THE FOLLOWING WEEK week Painterprovided supplementary information aboutthe project status and intent. “Scimores con-tinues to raise funds for the project, andthe support we have received thus far hasbeen tremendous. The Conservatory willprovide Fairfax County youth in the OakHill, Chantilly and south Herndon areasdirect access to a community-based arts
educational facility. This is consistent withthe broad policies adopted by the Board ofSupervisors and the Arts Council of FairfaxCounty, which encourage new arts educa-tion opportunities and performing artsspaces,” he said.
“The Conservatory will facilitate the dis-persion of fine arts education in anunderserved area of the County and aug-ment arts educational programs offered byFairfax County Public Schools, private andparochial schools, the Fairfax County ParkAuthority and local arts organizations. Im-portantly, it is hoped that the Conservatorywill provide experience and training foryouth who will be prepared to move up toa higher skill level at the post-secondaryeducation level and beyond,” Painter said.
The Floris Conservatory of Artsand Music Project
According to the Fairfax County Staff Re-port dated April 4, 2017, the Applicant seeksto construct a LEED-certified Conservatoryat the northeastern quadrant of the inter-section of Centreville Road and West OxRoad adjacent to Frying Pan Park. The sub-ject property includes the Floris UnitedMethodist Church and three Historic Struc-tures all of which contribute to the FlorisRegister Historic District, not a FairfaxCounty Historic Overlay District. Located onapproximately 8.07 acres, the Conservatorywould offer classes in music, dance andmovement, and creative and visual arts tostudents ages 4-18. On most days, the Con-servatory would utilize a three-class sessiondaily schedule, with approximately 365pupils enrolled during each session andemploy a maximum of 100 faculty and staffmembers, including faculty and administra-tive, support, maintenance, and transpor-tation. Fairfax County Board of Supervisorsapproved a school up to 48,000 square feet,parking for 236 vehicles, private outdoorrecreation areas and open space areas sub-ject to proffers, special exception conditionsand a Generalized Development Plan/ Spe-cial Exception/Special Exception Amend-ment Plat. The Building Permit applicationprocess was initiated in Nov. 2018.
Board of Supervisors approves additional time for special exception.
Floris Conservatory For Arts & Music Construction Delayed
Photo by Mercia Hobson/Connection Newspapers
Partial street view of the proposed “Floris Conservatory For Arts &Music,” a Scimores Academy planned for 8.06 acres at the intersectionof Centreville Road and West Ox in Greater Herndon’s Hunter Mill Dis-trict taken Mon., Jan. 20, 2020.
Proposed facade of the “Floris Conservatory For Arts & Music,” aScimores Academy planned for 8.09 acres at the corner of CentrevilleRoad and West Ox, adjacent to Fairfax County Frying Pan Park.
Screenshots
Proposed development massing for “Floris Conservatory For Arts &Music,” a Scimores Academy.
News
6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Herndon RestonYouth LacrosseGoes All-infor ADM
Herndon Reston Youth La-crosse (HRYL), located inNorthern Virginia, had a greatFall Ball program this year. Weinvited coaches and players fromthe two local High Schools(Herndon High School andSouth Lakes High School), tocome in and do some coachingfor HRYL.
Both the boys side and thegirls side have had a lot ofsuccess with ADM small sidedgames. For Fall Ball programthey started by conducting ADMtraining for only the High Schoolcoaches. About 14-15 coachescame out so this was greatsupport of the program for about40-50 boy players and 30-40 girlplayers of all ages.
Players did all the ADM drills:Messy Backyard, Penny tag,Cross the Pond, and 3X or 3By.
—Carl Cassani,
HRYL Boys Commissioner
Photo by Jan Hanus
About 40-50 boy players and 30-40 girl players of allages participated in Herndon Reston Youth Lacrosse FallBall program
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
I couldn’t before, Mr. Rogers, but now I can. And I even know what it means, which 10 days ago, in my neighborhood, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Now, not only do I have a clue, I have a date for surgery: Jan. 27. Moreover, in addition to a date (and I don’t mean my wife, Dina), I have a time and a place, a list of pre-surgi-cal dos and don’ts, and a few items to buy: a post-surgical healing ointment and a special scrub to help minimize the risk of infection. And
clothing, perhaps a button down cardigan will do. If all goes well, I’ll be home in my jammies around supper time when my recovery begins. Details of which are still a bit sketchy. I suppose
Let me amend that last sentence: I’ll be on
jump at you is that I don’t eat many soft foods (M&Ms melting in one’s mouth instead of their
and quite out of my ordinary, my wife, Dina will be managing and controlling my menu. So far that menu includes eggs, pudding, apple sauce; all good but her last two items: spinach and kale, not good at all. I imagine I’ll survive the surgery, but given how rarely Dina and have shared meals together over the years, I may not survive the recovery. And though her heart and head might be in the right place, I’m afraid my knife and fork won’t be. During the best of times, I’m challenging to feed. After my surgery, I’m likely going to be at my worst. Although I certainly don’t look it, food has always been the bane of my existence.
But at that post-surgical point, aren’t I enti-tled? I mean, when I was a little boy and had my tonsils removed, I remember being given ice cream to eat - in bed. That had never happened before - or since, quite frankly. Soft foods.
deprived? I have two types of cancer. Yet so far, I don’t see ice cream on the list. Maybe Dina’s
cold foods are just as soft as hot. If true, I think I’m going to need that in ALL CAPS to convince my wife to give in to my indulgences. After all, one’s thyroid gland isn’t extracted every day so shouldn’t I scream (perhaps whisper would be
savage beast that I might be after surgery? Pre-sumably there will be some pain or discomfort and/or side effects from prescription medica-tions I’m obliged to take so why not humor me; I like to laugh.
Except there’s really nothing funny about surgery, other than the old joke: it’s minor surgery when it’s someone else, when it’s me, it’s major. So even though I’ve been told on rela-tively good authority that a thyroidectomy is not exactly major surgery, it’s still me that’s being anesthetized and operated on for four hours. And though I’d rather it would be somebody else, I don’t see how that would help remove my thyroid gland which apparently has spread cancer to my neck and a lymph node. I guess if it has to come out, it might as well come out of me. And then we can get on to the business of learning whether I have one cancer or two and perhaps get an updated assessment of my life expectancy. If I had my druthers, I’d just as soon have only one cancer. Two is too much.
That being said/vented, right now, I just want to wake up after surgery and get home. And when I get there, either that night or for break-fast the next day, there better be a pint or two of ice cream with my name on it. I think it’s only fair, don’t you?
Can You Spell Thyroidectomy? (Or Ice Cream?)
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon,at least two weeks before event.
NOW THRU FEB. 18Herndon Accepting Arts Grants Proposals.
The Town of Herndon is accepting grantproposals up to $4,500 through the VirginiaCommission for the Arts (VCA) CreativeCommunities Partnership Grant for projects tobe implemented in FY 2020. For informationabout this program and other grantopportunities, review the 2020 Guidelines forFunding which are available at http://www.arts.virginia.gov/grants_guidelines.html.Nonprofit arts organizations incorporated in theTown of Herndon must meet general policyguidelines as published by the VCA. TheCommission’s Guidelines for Funding and otherresources are available on the website atwww.arts.virginia.gov. Applicants shouldprovide full documentation of projected budget,program planning, and a detailed description ofthe implementation of the project. Organizationswho intend to apply for grant funding mustsubmit their proposals by 5 p.m. on Tuesday,Feb. 18 to the Performing Arts Supervisor at theTown of Herndon Department of Parks andRecreation. Proposals may be mailed to HerndonParks and Recreation Department, 777 LynnStreet, Herndon, VA 20170, hand delivered tothe Herndon Community Center, 814 FerndaleAve, Herndon, VA, 20170, or sent electronicallyto [email protected]. Applicants areencouraged to confirm receipt by thedepartment prior to the deadline. To learn moreabout the Town of Herndon Parks andRecreation Department, visit Herndon-va.gov/recreation or call 703-787-7300.
TUESDAY/FEB. 18DMV2GO at the Library. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St.,Herndon. The wireless office on wheels offers allDMV services: driver’s license and ID cardapplications and renewals, driving records,vehicle titles, license plates, decals, orderdisabled plates, and more. Information on allservices available at dmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.
SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the
Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualitied tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.
ONGOINGSTEM Professionals Needed. Volunteers are
needed to assist K-12 STEM teachers in northernVirginia as part of the American Association forthe Advancement of Science’s STEM VolunteerProgram, stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-20 school year.Contact Don Rea at 571-551-2488 or [email protected].
Assistance League of Northern Virginia is anall-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds,clothes and educates children in need.Assistance League’s philanthropic programstouch the lives of thousands of children,including those at 11 Title 1 elementary schoolsin Fairfax and Prince William counties and theCity of Alexandria. There are many volunteeropportunities for community members tocontribute to helping those in need throughWeekend Food for Kids, tutoring programs andproviding new clothing and layettes. To learnmore, email: [email protected], or visitwww.alnv.org
Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assistthe Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA-Child mentoring program. The mentors provideopportunities for companionship, guidance andsupport to children who have been abused andneglected, or who are at risk of abuse andneglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil [email protected] or 703-324-4547.
Bulletin
8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ January 29 - February 4, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.
ONGOINGKen Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot.” Now thru
Feb. 1. 8 p.m. At Reston Community’sCenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. TheReston Community Players presents this murder-mystery comedy featuring real-life 1930sBroadway star William Gillette, admired theworld over for playing Sherlock Holmes.Mystery and hilarity in equal parts ensue in thismurderously funny whodunit production thatwill keep you guessing until the final curtain.Tickets: $28/adult, $24/seniors and students.Performance Dates: Jan. 30, Feb. 1. Tickets atwww.restonplayers.org.
”The Mountaintop.” Now thru Feb. 2. AtNextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive,Herndon. “The Mountaintop” is a historicaldrama taking place in Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.’s hotel room the night before hisassassination. He meets a young maid whoforces him to consider exactly who and what heis fighting for. Full of vivid theatricality, poeticlanguage, and surprising twists, this drama takesus to the summit of a man’s historic life andoffers a stunning view of his dream for ournation. Visit the website:www.nextstoptheatre.org/shows/mountaintop
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29Memory Depot Orientation. 6:30 p.m. At
Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Learn about the Memory Depotstation, a do-it-yourself location for scanningyour slides, negatives and photos and to transferyour VHS or audio cassettes to digital formats.Visit the website https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional
THURSDAY, JAN. 30Dollars and Sense. 7 p.m. At Reston Regional
Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Monthly group discussion focuses on businessleaders and markets. They will be discussing“Dollars and Sense” by Dan Ariely. The event isfree and open to the public. Adults. Visit thewebsite https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional
JAN. 30 AND FEB. 1Broadway Night 2020: Spirit of Disney.
Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.At South Lakes High School, 11400 South LakesDrive, Reston. The show features songs fromsome of Disney’s movies and musicals includingnumbers from Aladdin, The Jungle Book,Moana, Pete the Dragon, The Lion King, Coco,and more. It features more than 20 Broadwaystyle numbers performed by more than 150students from South Lakes High and its pyramidschools including Langston Hughes and RachelCarson Middle Schools, and Crossfield,Dogwood, Forest Edge, Fox Mill, HuntersWoods, Lake Anne, Terraset and Sunrise ValleyElementary Schools. Tickets will be available atthe door for $18 for adults and $15 for students(under 18) and seniors (65+). Advance ticketsare $15 for adults and $13 for students andseniors. Tickets on sale at https://southlakeschorus.org/tickets/
FRIDAY/JAN. 31Duplo Play. 2 p.m. At Reston Regional Library,
11925 Bowman Towne Dr, Reston. Build andcreate using Duplo blocks. Age 2-5 with adult.No registration required. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/reston-regional
SATURDAY/FEB. 1Ukulele Junior Jam Session. 10:30 a.m. At
Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Join us for an exciting musicalperformance by the Northern Virginia UkuleleSociety! All ages.
International Hijab Day. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. AtReston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive, Reston. Try on a Hijab! Enjoy activitiesand treats. Learn about the symbolism of theHijab. Free. [email protected]
MONDAY/FEB. 3Pokemon Club. 6:30 p.m. At Reston Library,
11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Bring yourPokemon trading cards to trade or play. Poke-crafts and games, too. Age 6-12.
MONDAY/FEB. 3, 10Baby Lapsit. 10:30 a.m. At Reston Library, 11925
Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. A cozy time toenjoy nursery rhymes and songs while buildingearly literacy skills for your child. For age birthto 11 months with adult.
MONDAYS/FEB. 3, 10, 24Preschool Storytime — Love Stories. 2 p.m.
At Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. This month we will foster your little
one’s love of reading with stories, songs, andcrafts focused on relationships … the differentpeople (and pets) we love and who love us. Age3-5 with adult.
Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Join the ongoingSpanish conversation group. All levels frombeginner to fluent are welcome. Adults.
WEDNESDAY/FEB. 5DIY Club — Jewelry Making. 6:30 p.m. At
Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston.Learn the basics of jewelry making andcreate an original piece in this hands-onworkshop. Adults, Teens.
THURSDAY/FEB. 6Millennials Book Club. 7 p.m. At Reston
Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston.Title is “The Satanic Verses”, by SalmanRushdie. Check out a library copy or pick up acopy of your own. Adults from early 20s to early30s.
FRIDAY/FEB. 7Baby & Me Yoga. 10:30 a.m. At Reston Library,
11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Bring yourbaby for a nurturing yoga workshop designedfor the two of you. No experience needed.Bring a mat or blanket. Co-sponsored FRRL.
Age 6 weeks—16 months with adult.
SATURDAY/FEB. 8Sing! Books with Miss Emily. 10:30 a.m. At
Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.,Reston. Join Miss Emily for singing storytimewith illustrated songs. Co-sponsored by theFRRL Age 2-5 with adult.
Aesop’s Fables. 2 p.m. At Reston Library, 11925Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Aesop was anAfrican storyteller whose famous fables are stillcelebrated today. Join us for a selection offables performed by Bright Star Children’sTheatre. Cosponsored by the FRRL. All Ages.
Old Fashioned Taffy Pull. 3-4:15 p.m. At FryingPan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Makecandy and sample refreshments from the oldendays. Historic farm interpreters will lead aprogram that includes exhibits of an early 20th-century farmhouse, a brief history of candy-making, and an outdoor, wood-burning stovedemonstration, weather permitting. This event isdesigned for participants ages 10 to adult. Thecost is $10 per person. The program is notrecommended for those with allergies to nuts ordairy. Call 703-437-9101 or visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
Geocaching Workshop. 3-5 p.m. At Lake FairfaxPark, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. Set off ona search for hidden treasure at Lake Fairfax Parkafter learning how to put your GlobalPositioning System (GPS) unit to work. Studentsages 8 to adult will learn how to enter latitudeand longitude coordinates into a GPS. Treasurehunters will then follow the coordinates to finda hidden object, container or unique geologicalfeature in the park. Cost is $22 per person.Please bring your own GPS; a limited numberwill be available to borrow from the instructor atclass. Call 703-471-5414 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-fairfax.
SUNDAY/FEB. 9Gustafer Yellowgold. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At
Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. Cost is $10 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
With pancake lunch. Since his creation by MorganTaylor, Gustafer Yellowgold has become aninternational phenomenon. Take a ride withYellowgold, who is living an explorer’s life in aslightly psychedelic version of the Minnesotawoods. Tickets include a “build your own”pancake lunch from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Carolina Blue. 7 p.m. At Bluegrass Barn at FryingPan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon.Cost is $18/advance; $20/door. New this seasonis the Half Season Pass — four shows andreserved seats for $68. Food and drinks,including beer and wine, are available forpurchase at the performances. Tickets can bepurchased online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/ or by phone at 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.
MONDAY/FEB. 10RCC’s 40th Anniversary. 6:30 p.m. At RCC
Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.Restonians are invited to mark RestonCommunity Center’s 40th anniversary and planfor its future. The agenda of this special annualjoint Community Relations and Program/PolicyCommittees meeting includes a screening of ashort film about RCC’s first 40 years; apresentation on the results of the 2019 RCCCommunity Survey; facilitated discussion onfour important RCC strategic planning pillars(Facilities, Community Building, Programs andCommunications); and a summary of thosediscussions. To encourage communityattendance, RCC will be serving dinner,providing translation support (Chinese, Arabic,Spanish and Russian) and offering childcaresupport for busy families with children ages 6 to12. RSVP at [email protected]. Toregister, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Calendar
Virginia Polar DipKalypso’s Sports Tavern staff takes the plunge in the 2018 Virginia PolarDip dressed as Power Rangers.
SATURDAY/FEB. 1Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Dip. 2 p.m. At Lake Anne Plaza, Reston. Registered participants will take
the plunge either by canon-ball jump or a “Chicken Dip” – to raise funds for Camp Sunshine. TheVirginia Polar Dip is a fundraiser for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children withlife-threatening illnesses and their families.This year’s goal is to raise $100,000, which will allow 40families from the Mid-Atlantic area to attend Camp Sunshine. The event is sponsored by: Kalypso’sSports Tavern, David Madison Photography, Lake Anne Village Center, Reston Community Center, SalonKhouri, Ourisman Chantilly Toyota, Reston Association, Fairfax County Cold Water Dive Team, ManorWorks Painting, Loebig Chiropractic & Rehab, and Onelife Fitness. Cost is $100 minimum donation toplunge and is open to anyone willing to brave the elements for a good cause. Visitwww.freezinforareason.com.
RocknocerosRocknoceros will appear at the Herndon Community Center on Monday,Feb. 17.
MONDAY/FEB. 17Rocknoceros. 10:30-11:15 a.m. At Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon. Coach
Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie perform wildly popular award-winning music for thewhole family. Rocknoceros has dominated the DC children’s music scene for many years. Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation, or call 703-787-7300.
