For Congressional Candidates, No Common Ground on Common Core
Democrats in Virginia's 8th Congressional District divided on national education standards.
Should American schools share national standards? That's a question that divides the 10 Democrats seeking to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), who is retiring after 24 years in the House of Representatives. During a recent candidates forum, the Democrats were asked if they support the Common Core State Standards Initiative, two candidates said they disagreed and eight candidates said they agreed.
Reston Farmers Market Opens With SNAP Saturday, May 3
Independent Progressive
Question: What is the surest sign that spring has finally arrived? Answer: The Reston Farmers Market opens this Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center. The Market is back, stronger than ever: 27 of the 28 farmer-vendors return for the 2014 season, along with the problem-solving volunteers from the Fairfax Master Gardeners. And, there are some interesting and important additions. In the off-season, Market volunteers (Fran and I) recruited rancher and author, Forrest Pritchard of Smith Meadows Farm. Mr. Pritchard wrote best-selling “Gaining Ground,” the story of converting his traditional family farm into a wholly grass-fed operation. His farm adds to an already strong offering of quality meats in Reston. Smith Meadows also brings home-made pastas to the Market, to go with existing offerings including: the only fresh seafood stand in a County market; four quality bakeries; an impressive selection of fruits and veggies—including Sunnyside’s organics and Potomac’s ecoganics; fine goat and cow cheeses; honey; Virginia Vistas’ always flowering plants; and Kettle Corn.
First Annual Springfest Arrives
Capitol City Brewing Company had a new idea inspired by the decade-old Oktoberfest tradition: “Let’s invite about 50 local breweries to a festival welcoming spring.” A funny happened. They all accepted. Thus, 2014 is witness to The First Annual SpringFest in The Village at Shirlington.
Honored for ‘Service Above Self’
Vienna Rotary awards renamed in honor of memory of former mayor M. Jane Seeman.
The Rotary Club of Vienna honored Vienna’s first-responders of the fire department and police department at its April 23 luncheon meeting at Westwood Country Club. Patrol officer Conor Tracy of the Vienna Police Department and EMT William “Bill” Padgett of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department were recognized for their outstanding contributions to their departments and to the community with the club’s newly-renamed M. Jane Seeman Rotarian Service Above Self awards.
13 Vie for Herndon Council Seats
Town election for mayor, council on May 6.
Herndon’s seats for mayor and council will be left up to voters on Tuesday, May 6. The town elections, between two mayoral candidates and 11 council candidates, will be held at Herndon Community Center at 814 Ferndale Ave. Lisa Merkel, current mayor, will face contender Connie Hutchinson, current vice mayor. “I think she has a different vision for the town,” said Hutchinson. “I think she wants Herndon to be different from the way it is now. I’d like it to stay true to its unique identity.” Merkel agrees they have different visions for the town. “I ran for council and for mayor because I really think Herndon can have it all,” she said.
Funraising Race at Lake Fairfax
Champions4Children 5K Race and Fun Run held In Reston.
“It was a fun race,” said Nick Abbott, “It brought me back to my high school days of cross country.” On the morning of Saturday, April 26 Abbott and other participants of the second annual Champions4Children 5K Race and Fun Run assembled at Lake Fairfax Park, in Reston. The event was a fundraiser for SafeSpot, a Children’s Advocacy Center, and nonprofit that will provide direct services to child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Fairfax County. The organization opened doors to their office in Fairfax on April 2. Approximately 315 persons registered for the race event, which also had corporate and individual sponsors. Some of the major sponsors included ASG Security, Capital One Bank, Colliers International, Willis of Maryland, ePlus Inc., Capital Source, and Todd and Michelle Kingsley. “We want a smiling face on every kid,” said Rebecca Cooper of WJLA/ABC. Cooper has been a long time supporter of the fight against child abuse, and was Grand Marshal for this year’s Champions4Children Race.
Move Me Festival
Music, dance, theater and martial arts troupes entertained and hosted workshops at the 5th Annual Move Me Festival on Saturday afternoon, April 26, in Kenmore Middle School. The festival, organized and produced by Bowen McCauley Dance, was sponsored this year by The JBG Companies, KCI, Servant’s Heart Foundation, Arlington Community Foundation, The Shooshan Company, Washington Forrest Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Kenmore PTA, BB&T, Ballston BID and the Perfect Pointe Dance Studio.
MCA to Recognize Teen Character
Six area teens will receive Teen Character Award at McLean Day, May 17.
The McLean Citizens Association is awarding six teens a Teen Character Award in the 17th annual award ceremony at McLean Day on Saturday, May 17. The award ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at Lewinsville Park on Chain Bridge Road in McLean. Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust; Janie Strauss, Dranesville District School Board Member; and Sally Horn, McLean Citizens Association President; will present the awards. The award is to honor teens who demonstrate outstanding character. Teens who have, on their own and without compensation, helped out in their neighborhood or community, are being recognized not only for themselves but as an example to others.
Assembly Leaves Unanswered Questions
Commentary
Last Wednesday the 2014 session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die at the end of the Reconvened Session that is called at the conclusion of each regular session to consider amendments to legislation proposed by the Governor and vetoes he made of any bills. Much of the work during the Reconvened Session dealt with technical issues related to the drafting of bills during a fast-paced session. Although the regular session has concluded, the General Assembly is already in special session to consider the biennium budget and closing the gap in health care coverage.
Comstock Wins 10th District GOP Canvass
Sole female Republican candidate sweeps party polls, will face John Foust in November election.
Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) is the 10th Congressional District Republican pick for Congressman Frank Wolf’s open seat. The current delegate reined in more than 7,000 votes at the party canvass on Saturday. “It is an honor and a privilege to win my party's nomination for Virginia's 10th Congressional District and follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Congressman Frank Wolf,” she said in a press release.
Holocaust Survivor Speaks in Great Falls
In Auschwitz they took the last thing he had for himself - a name - and tattooed a number on his forearm.
Henry Greenbaum has more than earned each of the 86 years he has been alive. He spent five years as a teenager being forced from one concentration camp to another during the Holocaust, losing most of his family before he was finally liberated in 1945. Greenbaum, born Chuna Grynbaum in Poland, told his story to an audience of nearly 80 people at Great Falls Library on April 23. However, he has not stopped telling his story since the his “death march” from Flossenburg towards Dachau. “We promised one another during the march that if you survive, make sure you tell,” he said.
Avoidance Better than Arrests, Prison, Death
Parents, students learn substance-abuse dangers.
ONCE SHE TRIED IT, though, she was quickly hooked. “We did it often; we’d put in money together and go to D.C. to get large amounts,” she said. A month after Gibson started taking heroin, she and her boyfriend were driving back from the District and were stopped by police and arrested. She was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin.
YMM Art Space Beautifies Area
Some amusing trees are blooming in the heart of the Tysons Corner business district. YMM Art Space, a children’s art education center, is presenting a public art project by international artists. Environmentally friendly fabric is installed on 30 trees in Tysons’ Square at the intersection of Gallows and Old Courthouse road. Oncoming traffic and commuters enjoy vibrant colors of the fabric mixed in with the budding trees welcoming the early arrival of the spring season. YMM Art Space hopes to grow the surrounding artist community. Staff at the YMM Art Space have art backgrounds and exhibit their work including collaborations pieces by teachers and students. YMM Art Space is located at 8216 Old Courthouse Rd.
Herndon Holds Taste of The Town
Town fundraising event showcases local restaurants.
Herndon’s annual Taste of the Town event was celebrated April 24 at the Herndon Worldgate Center. The annual event has been known as a showcase for destination dining, but was not held in 2013. “I am thrilled that this event is back, it is a great opportunity to try food from around the town,” said Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel. “I am extremely happy with the turnout, it was missed when it was not held last year,” said Herndon resident Linda Downer. “It is good to have Taste of the Town back again,” said Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern. Cirrito along with other local restaurant owners had food samples ready for guests attending the ticketed event. There were 19 food vendors participating in the event including JJ Deli, Matsutake Japanese Restaurant, Vocelli’s Pizza, The Chocolate Chick, Pizzanese, Chantel’s Cakes and Pastries, and others. Several sponsors helped with the event including MEDA, Herndon Florist, Rappaport Companies, XOXO Photos, and Meadows Farms Nurseries.
Week in Herndon
The Town of Herndon has announced that they will be closing Spring Street between Elden and Locust Streets. The closure began on April 28 and is expected to continue through mid-August. Detours will be marked with large message signs. This closure is necessary because of work to replace existing water and sewer lines, and installation of utility conduits and duct banks. For more information, contact the Town of Herndon Department of Public Works at publicworks@herndon-va.gov or call 703-435-6853.
Officer Presgrave Hangs Up His Hat
HPD Captain retires after 41 years of service.
In 1972, American soldiers were fighting in the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal broke and NASA received their first pictures from Mars from an orbiting probe. That August was also Police Captain Robert Presgrave’s first month as an officer for the Herndon Police Department. More than 41 years later, he is retiring from the everyday business of keeping the town a safer place. “There are a thousand stories I can write,” he said. “If I could write like an author, I’d write a book.”
All-night Long Relay for Life
Langley and McLean High Schools join forces in fight against cancer.
The students of Langley High School (LHS) and McLean High School (MHS) most often see each other as arch rivals, particularly when vying for local supremacy on sports fields and courts, so the fact that the two schools joined forces and pulled off a joint effort in the American Cancer Society-sponsored Relay for Life fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, made the event much more special. Langley Co-Captains Harris LaTeef and Ava Shomaker started planning the 2014 Relay immediately after the 2013 happening, which was Langley’s first time to participate, and which won them Best Rookie Relay in the region while raising $57,000. Knowing that upcoming renovations to Langley would probably mean that a 2015 event would have to be on borrowed ground from MHS, joining forces for this year’s Relay just made sense. McLean Co-Captains Margaret Duvall and Ann Liu, both seniors, rallied their troops and the combined energies and efforts of the two schools was a sight to behold at Langley’s track and field stadium when the opening ceremonies began just after 6 p.m.
Reston and Sterling Lions Clubs Provide Eye Screening
The Reston and the Sterling Lions Clubs maintained a booth to provide PediaVision screening of eyes of children, 6 months to 19 years old, at the Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 26, held at the YMCA, 12196 Sunset Hills Road in Reston. PediaVision is a non-invasive procedure that takes only a few seconds to complete and detects the potential presence of problems such as nearsightedness and eye misalignment. Results are provided to parents to determine if follow-up vision care is needed. On Saturday, 40 children were screened. Results were provided to the parents of eight children to determine if additional care is needed. Above, Reston Lions Club President, Don Leas, is shown administering a test to a visitor to the booth. For more information on PediaVision, visit www.restonlions.org or SterlingLions@verizon.net.
Cooper Middle Presents ‘Aida’
Spring production runs Wednesday through Saturday, April 30-May 3.
It’s the timeless story of star-crossed lovers - with a twist. Cooper Middle School is performing “Aida,” the story of a deep love stirring in the midst of a war between two nations, starting today. “The music’s excellent and it’s a beautiful show,” said theater arts teacher and play director Meg Baber. “I love the drama of it and how meaningful it is. And I do like to keep challenging them. I don’t want to make it too easy.” The story follows Aida - an enslaved Nubian princess as she falls in love with Radames - an Egyptian soldier already promised to the Pharaoh’s daughter. “As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as leader of her people,” Baber said in an email. “Aida and Radames' love for one another proves transcendent of cultural differences and ushers in a time of unprecedented peace between the warring nations.” She said it is a very mature, challenging play for the middle school age group, but believes that many of the actors are talented enough to handle it. About 70 people are a part of the show’s cast and crew.
Filling Empty Bowls in Herndon
Empty Bowl fundraiser held at Floris United Methodist Church.
Friday evening, April 25 the annual Empty Bowls event was hosted by the Giving Circle of HOPE at Floris United Methodist Church on Frying Pan Road in Herndon. All proceeds went directly to Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food to needy people in Northern Virginia. “This is a collaboration between the Giving Circle of HOPE and a local organization,” said Linda Strup, a resident of Reston and member of the Giving Circle of HOPE. The Giving Circle of HOPE was founded in January 2004 with four members. Since then, membership has grown to over 100 individuals. Voting members contribute a minimum of $1 per day and are eligible to vote on grants. Service members do not vote but may participate in all service programs and social events. “This is our seventh year of doing an Empty Bowl event, and we have sold out our tickets,” said Strup.