The Honey Bunch
Sweet Virginia partners with GMU to educate students about bees.
Educational outreach is sweet nectar for Sweet Virginia. Executive Director Dan Price is using college students to promote honeybee sustainability to college students in the changing world. “I thought someone needed to get the population of bees in Washington, D.C. back to what it used to be,” said Price. “I made that my mission.” Price has put bees in the forefront of minds in D.C. by installing two hives on top of the National Geographic Museum.
World of Beer offers IT platform for business lunches
If you are looking for a unique location to hold a sales meeting that’s not far from your Arlington, Alexandria, or Ballston office, think World of Beer. The tavern that’s best known for after-work socializing and live music on weekends, is now offering meeting space and teleconference so companies can conduct online training or other web-based events for its employees. "We are a great place for off-site meetings," said Evan Matz, owner of World of Beer at 901 North Glebe Road in Ballston. "With little notice, CEOs and managers can reserve a separate room equipped with our IP-based video and wall monitor systems. It’s a perfect place to hold working lunches."
Michael DiBacco, 46, of Reston, Dies
Michael DiBacco, 46, of Reston, died at home on March 27. He was surrounded by family and friends after enduring a seven month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born Oct. 19, 1967 in Asheville, N.C., his family moved to Herndon in 1980. After graduation from Herndon High School in 1986, Michael attended Embry Riddle University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Wesleyan University, and Old Dominion University.
Is WarnerCare Here?
To the Editor: Several weeks back, Fred Siskind of McLean attempted to defend a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) - Medical Devices Excise Tax [“Incorrect Assertion,” The Reston Connection, March 19-25, 2014]. Unfortunately, Mr. Siskind did not go far enough in his research.
Pass a Clean Budget
To the Editor: “Greetings Leverage. The Governor and 22 Senators use this degrading term to describe all public school teachers, sheriffs deputies, state agencies, and counties who depend on the funds included in a clean state budget. In short, you are hostages. The Governor, elected by a slim margin last November, a state Senator elected by a mere 12 votes, and another Senator who’s residence is in question all claim the right to rule as they see fit carefully ignoring the fact the two out of every three Virginians question the wisdom of implementing a demonstrated train wreck.
Neil Simon's Touching, Sweet "Chapter Two" Arrives at Reston's CenterStage
Neil Simon has a "trademark witty, snappy dialogue, and relatable characters that audiences enjoy ", said Joshua Redford, artistic director, Reston Community Players (RCP) . Shortly the RCP will bring Simon's "wide appeal to local audiences" with his "Chapter Two." "Chapter Two" follows the life of George Schneider, a recent widower trying to make his way in a new and rather bumpy world of dating after a long marriage. George is "still coming to terms with his wife's death, who stumbles into a new relationship. He's caught between wanting to move ahead but being unable to let go...with his trademark charm and dry, acerbic wit." said Jeff Breslow who plays George.
Editorial: Celebrate Earth Day
Get outside with your family, participate in group activities, or just walk in your favorite park.
Earth Day is April 22, observed April 19-27 and beyond. Fairfax County offers many useful and educational ways to enjoy the day. Don’t miss the chance to get outside, observe the developing spring weather, flora and fauna. Here are some of the opportunities:
Challenging A Child’s Mind
Experts say reading is critical to cognitive and emotional development.
Arlington mother Holly Karapetkova reserves time for reading in the schedules of her two young children. It has become such an important part of their daily routine that it is a treasured family activity. It is also vital to her children’s development says Karapetkova.
Dying of Curiosity
As I was completing last week’s column ("I Thought I Was a Goner") and thanking my oncology nurse, Ron, in the process, for the excellent care he has provided me for nearly five years now; a week after I wrote a column thanking my Certified Holistic Health Coach, Rebecca Nenner, for the health and fitness-type knowledge she has given me over those same five years; it dawned on me that perhaps my subconscious mind knew something that my conscious mind didn’t: that I should move closer to the undertaker like Radar’s Uncle Ernest did two days before he died, in the M*A*S*H episode titled "Novacaine Mutiny" from season four.
Commentary
Reston at 50
Although President Barack Obama did not come to Reston’s 50th anniversary celebration as President Lyndon Johnson had done at its dedication in 1964, he did send a letter of congratulations to the community’s founder Robert E. Simon. Not that Founder’s Day was short of dignitaries: Governor Terry McAuliffe spoke and presented a proclamation; Senator Tim Kaine spoke at the event as did Congressman Gerry Connolly who presented a resolution; not to be outdone, Senator Janet Howell and I presented a joint resolution as did Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.
Independent Progressive
Let’s hear it for the new leadership in Richmond—especially Governor Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring. Imagine Virginia leaders fighting for health care for 400,000 people and going to court fighting for cleaner water and air, and human equality under the law?! Just a few months ago, Virginia’s governor and Attorney General were little more than late night comedy fare, up to their ears in corruption scandal and opposing health care for the non-wealthy, cleaner air and water, and equality. But these two Democrats are trying to roll large boulders up a steep incline with broad support among a large majority of Virginians but precious little support from too many elected. Governor McAuliffe has succeeded in energizing a slim Senate majority of Democrats and a handful of moderate Republicans to back market-driven insurance reform which will take available federal tax dollars and extend basic health insurance to up to 400,000 Virginians now without any health care.
Network Alliance, Inc. Wins Stevie Award
Network Alliance, Inc. (Network Alliance), Reston-based leading IT management solutions provider, has been recognized by the international Stevie Awards program for Sales and Customer Service, known as the worlds’ top sales and customer service honor, for the second consecutive year. Founded over 16 years ago on the mission to “Make IT Simple” for their clients, Network Alliance’s expert team has carved out a niche in a crowded marketplace through its accessible structure, cost-effective, scalable solutions, and dependable, expert client services team that has achieved a 98 percent client retention rate. Recognizing the achievements of sales, business development, customer service, and call/contact center professionals worldwide, this year’s Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service included over 1,500 nominations in more than 100 categories, which were judged by hundreds of executives around the world.
Aldrin Elementary, Giant Announce Partnership
Aldrin Elementary and Giant of North Point announced their business partnership with a school assembly, on March 6. This is the first official school partnership for Giant. Aldrin's fifth and sixth grade chorus performed a special song and kindergartners created a video highlighting their recent field trip to Giant. The video showed how they integrated the school curriculum into their own virtual Giant Market. The audience and speakers included Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza, local government officials, Aldrin school administrators, the Reston Rotary Club, Giant and PTA representatives. As part of the partnership, Giant is providing volunteers to work with students, money for the Weekend Food Programs and educational field trips. Aldrin will support Giant by supplying student artwork for store display, communicating the partnership throughout the community and inviting Giant staff members to Aldrin school events.
Paladar Latin Kitchen and Bar Coming to Tysons
The bold and fresh flavors of Latin America will be coming to Tysons when Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar opens its second location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on May 9. Paladar, a Cuban term for small, soulful and comforting restaurants that people run out of their homes, will be located at Leesburg Pike and Old Gallows Road in Tysons. The restaurant will feature an American interpretation of the vibrant flavors of Central and South America and the Latin Caribbean, with a special nod to the cuisine of Cuba. The Rum Bar will offer a selection of over 50 rums.
State Budget May Not Pass for Several Months
Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce hosts General Assembly update.
For those waiting for the state budget to pass, don’t hold your breath. According to four elected officials at a Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce General Assembly update April 10, the Medicaid expansion bill will leave Democrats and Republicans quibbling over the budget past the beginning of summer.
Langley High Holds Case Day
Students hold mock trial for Riley vs. California.
A mock debate over cell phone privacy and the law drew hundreds of students, parents and even some very distinguished guests to Langley High School’s library last week. Langley High’s 22nd annual Case Day explored Riley vs. California on April 8, a case on the Supreme Court’s current docket that allowed students to debate whether a cell phone - which holds a wealth of personal information - can be searched without a warrant.
An Emotionally Gripping Production
‘The Children's Hour’ at Langley High School.
Amongst all the pandemonium of the Wright-Dobie school, one little girl stands out. With fire-red hair, a sickly sweet smile, and a sadistic gleam in her eyes, it is immediately clear that one of these things is not like the others. Langley High School's production of “The Children's Hour” by Lillian Hellman comments on the way gossip and lies can destroy lives. The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman, written in 1934 depicts the story of Mary Tilford, a wicked little girl whose lies about a homosexual relationship between two teachers at the Wright- Dobie School spiral out of control. The Children's Hour was first premiered on Broadway at Maxine Elliott's Theatre, where it ran for more than two years.
McLean Seniors Have Strong Showing At Nationals
McLean residents Sidney Levingston and Tammy Vo were part of a Potomac School team that placed 24th in U.S. Open Robotics Championship in Omaha, Neb., a strong showing in a field of 80 teams nationwide. Levingston and Vo, along with fellow seniors Sarah Chiang and Amy Zhang, made up one of four teams that qualified for the championship from Potomac. They will go on to compete in the World Championship at the end of April in Anaheim, Calif., along with another team of eighth graders that won the Virginia VEX IQ state championship in February. Currently in its fifth season, Potomac’s robotics program has fielded teams that have won three national VEX championships. Last year, each of Potomac’s seven teams finished among the world’s top 100 teams.
ArtReach School Tours Connect Arts and Science
More than 1700 elementary school students and teachers visited McLean Project for the Arts (MPA's) galleries in January and February for tours of Contraptions: Reflections on the Barely Functional.
McLean Galaxy Wins Premier Tournament
McLean Galaxy Green U11 Boys Soccer Team were champions of the McLean Premier Soccer Tournament U11 National Division, defeating two local Division 1 teams, including Herndon and Chantilly. All four of the games in McLean were played in a wintry mix of freezing precipitation in the last weekend of March, with a mix of hail and snow falling during the finals. It was so cold and slippery that the game was called at the half with Mclean ahead 2-1 over Chantilly, and trophies and a team photo were delayed to one week later. McLean Galaxy Green players reside in McLean, Vienna and Great Falls. The team is coached by Yuri Bogdanov.
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