In Memory of Robert Steidl
Robert Steidl was born on Aug. 14, 1940 in Linz, Austria. Linz was occupied by the Nazi German party at that time and Robert’s family had the courage to give safe haven in their home to the Jews who were being hunted down. Robert had an early memory of an American soldier who was stationed in Linz after the Nazis were gone.
‘Broadway Magic’ To Be Shown at Herndon High
A “crazy colorful, an explosion of fun” show.
“When you guys land, land on the balls of your feet, don’t land with your feet flat. Then pivot on right foot, but sing the melody,” Dana Van Slyke said. Herndon High School’s Choral Director Van Slyke was speaking to students in the school auditorium practicing choreography for a song from the musical “South Pacific.” The cast and crew conducted a weekend recital to prepare for the annual cabaret show. “The cabaret show is about an hour and a half production of songs from classical musicals all the way to contemporary shows,” Van Slyke said.
Del. Comstock Shares Her Notes on Opening Week
A new beginning, a new chairmanship and a new legislative session.
It is always an honor to be part of the oldest continuous legislative body in the western world. On Jan. 8, we began a new session with a new Administration. The session is always kicked off early in the morning (7 a.m.) with the annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast. In keeping with tradition, outgoing Governor McDonnell and incoming Governor McAuliffe and senior government officials attend. This year I had the honor of offering the prayer for State Legislators at the Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast also features guest speakers every year and everyone was moved by the powerful testimony of Thomas Haynesworth, a truly inspirational man, who was exonerated in 2011 after being wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years for crimes he did not commit. Mr. Haynesworth spoke of his faith sustaining him throughout this unjust ordeal.
‘This Is the Town’s Building’
Vienna Community Center will receive addition, renovation.
For nearly half a century, Vienna’s community center has served its residents. Whether hosting classes, meetings or special events, it’s one of the most heavily used buildings in town. Since its dedication on April 17, 1966, it’s been renovated three times. But the last time was in 1998 and, now, it’ll be repaired again, and enlarged, as well.
Norine McGraw Swaminatha
Obituary
On Thursday, Jan. 2, Norine Mcgraw Swaminatha, 65, a 34-year resident of the Town of Vienna passed away at home. Beloved and devoted wife to Kris Swaminatha, mother to Tara Swaminatha (Robert Kaplan), Sheela Myers (Stephen), Meara DeRose (Paul) and Neala Swaminatha and sister to Regina McGraw; grandmother to Arin and Molly Kaplan, Emily and Mason Myers, and Vinny and Lucy DeRose; The Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Jan. 10 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norine's memory to the American Brain Tumor Association (on Norine's page at http://hope.abta.org/goto/Norine, by phone 773-577-8750, or by mail at 8550 Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 550, Chicago, Illinois, 60631-3225).
Floris United Methodist Opens Doors to Area Homeless
Members of Floris United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Herndon have participated in programs assisting the area’s homeless for years, mostly through food and clothing donations and by volunteering to serve meals at shelters and seasonal food pantries and kitchens. Last year a number of the congregation who have given their time to those efforts decided to see if FUMC would take their involvement to the next level by agreeing to literally open the church doors for one week as part of the annual Hypothermia Prevention and Response program coordinated by local non-profit FACETS. The response by FUMC leadership and worshipers alike was overwhelmingly positive.
Musical Approach to Family
"La Cage aux Folles" arriving at Alden Theater.
Musical director John Edwards Niles will have an orchestra of 10 to perform the score of 16 songs. Choreography is by Duane Monahan.
Comstock Image Versus Record
To the Editor: Regarding the Connection article "Comstock runs for Congress," Connection, Jan. 15, the Virginia legislature gerrymandered the 10th Congressional District to ensure that Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) lived in that district so that when Congressman Frank Wolf retired, she would be in a position to run for his seat. In her two terms as a delegate in a body dominated by her party, she has focused on a number of "mom and apple pie" issues like lyme disease (she's against it) and more slots for Northern Virginia students at state universities (she's for that but proposes no way to pay for the increased cost to the universities). In the meantime, she voted against the historic, bi-partisan transportation funding compromise last year, and also opposed the state budget that included greater funding for higher education and teacher pay raises. She also voted numerous times to allow greater access to guns. Yet, when speaking in McLean, she invariably fails to mention these votes and skirts any questions.
Reston Residents March to Commemorate King’s Legacy
Community joins together in weekend of music, fun, and community service.
Reston resident Denver Lovett was part of the first March on Washington on Aug. 8, 1963, while he was a student at Howard University. He also attended the 20th, 30th, and 50th anniversaries of the event in Washington D.C. But this past Sunday, Jan. 19, Lovett had a chance to spend the day marching with his Reston neighbors for a half-mile beginning at Lake Anne Village Center to commemorate the historic day. “If you get a lot of individuals taking action and trying to change things rather than sitting around complaining about how bad things are, it can create a powerful movement for good,” said Lovett.
Commentary
Independent Progressive/Master Plan for Transit Station Areas — Outgunned
It never looked like a fair fight. In the fall of 2009, when Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins assembled her Task Force of 25 or so to prepare a Comprehensive (Master) Plan for the Dulles rail corridor, it was clear the community was at a disadvantage. A handful of Reston volunteers faced a phalanx of hired gun slingers, men (100 percent men!) representing commercial developers and their lawyers. The gunslingers were pros doing their jobs, unified in a clear sense of purpose — to maximize profit. Most had worked “community” task force gigs before and knew the county staff advising the Task Force. None lived in Reston.
Showing Appreciation
Old Brogue Irish Pub hosts monthly dinners, where donations are matched to contribute to military veteran organizations.
In a packed house at The Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls on Jan. 13, all in attendance stood up at the request of Bob Nelson, the man who put together the event. Nelson had asked any guests with family members who had served in the military, however distant the relation might be, to please stand.
Broom Wins Young Artist Competition
McLean resident Joe Broom, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has won the U.S. Air Force Band’s Colonel George S. Howard Young Artist Competition for 2014. In addition, Broom recently learned he’s been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Marine Band Concerto Competition to be held next month.
Development Taking Wrong Direction
To the Editor: Thanks for the great article about The Most Important Issues in Great Falls, including the "Walker Road Diet Project." At last we can put a face and an organization on the most ridiculous waste of tax-payer dollars since the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere." Reducing a four-lane road with unobstructed visibility at the main commercial intersection in town, to two lanes with hazardous parallel parking and no turn lanes for customers or semi-trailer delivery trucks is not only irresponsible, but dangerous. I sincerely hope the first accidents will not include fatalities, but the risk of youngsters darting from parked cars, or drivers trying to back into parking spaces or opening doors into traffic is obvious. When I first saw the plan for the project posted in the Library a couple years ago, I thought it was a joke and posted my comments. I was sure that sound minds and austere budgets would prevail. But, I was wrong and never dreamed of "stimulus dollars." I have talked to many neighbors, residents, and business owners/managers and have not found a single person that thinks the project is a good idea. In fact, all of them would like to see the project stopped immediately, and Walker Road restored to its original configuration.
Herndon High Cadets Head to National Championship
Herndon High’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets did not let a cold and dreary day stand in the way of their pursuit of the February 2014 Orienteering National Championship. As one of only two corps with five teams to have completed their courses successfully, the Herndon NJROTC secured an overall 4th place finish in the highly competitive Area Five Orienteering Championship.
Petersen Proposes Amendments, Bills
Over the next couple months, the General Assembly will be dissecting the biennial state budget proposed by the outgoing governor. Individual members may propose amendments, and state Sen. Chap Petersen did so on Jan. 10. “They are all relatively small amounts, but could have a critical role,” Peterson said.
Art and Function
New MPA exhibit unlocks hidden beauty in everyday gadgets, contraptions, or refuse.
McLean Project for the Arts hosted a reception on Jan. 16, to celebrate the opening of its latest exhibition, “Contraptions: Reflections on the Almost Functional.” The exhibition also includes solo shows by artists, Melissa Burley, and Eric Celarier.
Cadette Troop 1111 Earns Silver Award
The girls in Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 1111 have been busy doing more than selling cookies this past year. They recently earned the organization’s Silver Award — the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette is eligible for. By planning and completing a 50-hour community service project, Friendship Across Generations, the girls demonstrated leadership, organization and a commitment to community service.
What’s Next for I-66
VDOT will hold a public information meeting on the next steps to identify potential traffic improvements in the I-66 Corridor. It’s set for Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road in Vienna. (If cancelled due to weather: Tuesday, Feb. 4). VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation have identified 10 concepts to increase capacity within the I-66 corridor, plus options to increase travel-mode choices, improve individual interchanges, address spot safety needs and enhance travel efficiency.
Greater Vienna Babe Ruth Baseball
Registration is now open for the Spring 2014 Season. Offering Prep League for 13’s, American League for 14’s and 15’s, Senior League for 16-19’s, and Senators travel teams. Returning players, please register online at gvbrl.org. New players must register in person. Two sessions are planned, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Early-bird discount applies to everyone registering in person. More information at gvbrl.org. Play ball!
Public Weighs Options for Park Land Swap
Officials reveal three alternatives for Langley Fork Park land swap.
McLean residents may see an upgraded Langley Fork Park within the next year, but some are more excited than others about 55 potential new acres of synthetic turf fields, lights, and the crowds that will come with it.