South Lakes Field Hockey Edges Marshall
Seahawks score in opening minute of second half.
The South Lakes field hockey team improved to 8-3-1.
A Grand Musical Night
Reston Community Players’ “Tribute to the Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber.”
Reston Community Players present "A Tribute to the Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber" at CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Hunters Woods, Reston. Performances: Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. on Oct. 20 & 27. Tickets: $23. Call 703-476-3500 or visit www.restonplayers.org.
Light the Night at Reston Town Center
Friends, families and co-workers will gather over three Saturday nights in October to raise funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The 2013 Light The Night Walks will take place on Oct. 5 at the Reston Town Center, Oct. 12 in Rockville, Md. at the Rockville Town Square, and Oct. 19 in Washington, D.C. at Freedom Plaza.
Rattanaphone’s 3 Interceptions Lead TC Football Past Woodson
Titans improve to 3-1, Cavaliers drop to 0-4
The T.C. Williams football team is 3-1 for the first time since 2005.
RCC Elections Are Now
To the Editor: The Oct. 5 deadline is approaching for the Reston Community Center (RCC) Board election, or Preference Poll. Six candidates are vying for three places. Many voters do not realize that three of the candidates are running in opposition to the Recreation Center as proposed by the current RCC administration. They are Sridhar Ganesan, John Mendonca and Tammi Petrine. When you vote, please keep this issue in mind. Marion Stillson Reston
Commentary
Affordable Care Act
Another phase of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became effective this week. Although controversial among some politicians who refer to the act as “Obamacare,” it is proving extremely beneficial for those who have had limited or no access to health care. As the benefits of the program become more obvious, these same politicians may regret associating the president’s name with a program that is on its way to making huge improvements in health care for Americans.
Lake Anne Childcare Chalks for Peace
Several children drew a “Say No to Bullying” chalk drawing at Lake Anne Elementary’s School Aged Child Care program, Chalk for Peace, held Monday, Sept. 23. Students were told to draw something happy and peaceful, such as sunshine, happy faces and flowers.
Local Scout Trains Eagle Eye on Community Pocket Park
Ethan McKnight of Reston needed a project to graduate to Eagle Scout in Troop 1577. His neighborhood pocket park needed some additional work to go along with the renovation-in-progress by the Fairfax County Park Authority. It seemed like a good fit to seventh-grader Ethan, so he got to work. First he had to get the sign-off from his troop leaders. Then came the more intimidating moment—contact with the Park Authority to explain his proposed project and get the necessary approvals. “It went really good,” said the young McKnight. “Mr. Brissey has been really amazing and helpful to work with,” he added, referring to Wayne Brissey, manager, Area 6 with the Park Operation Division. Once the project was outlined and approvals were secured, Ethan took to the streets around the park, soliciting donations of time, as well as money to make the plan come to life. He must have been pretty persuasive, because not only did he come up with the funds, but on Implementation Day he had gathered a small army of locals and a few other troop members to get the work done. Even Brissey was on hand to provide some supplies and assistance. “This is such a great win-win event,” said Brissey. “With our budget down 25 percent, we were able to put in the needed new equipment, do drainage improvements and work on the trees around the tot lot, but there just isn’t the money to work on the surrounding area.” So Evan’s crew got to digging, hauling, raking and mulching the outdoor exercise area. They even built handicap-accessible picnic tables from materials provided by the county. The workers stayed busy from 9 in the morning to late in the afternoon, but were kept refreshed by beverages and snacks provided by the McKnight family. The crew deemed themselves well satisfied with their efforts and with Ethan for getting the community ball rolling. —Andrea Worker
Learning About Polluted Runoff
To the Editor: My name is Benji Prickett, I attend Kilmer Middle School. Lately we have been learning about the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the dangers of runoff. Runoff can carry sediments, rocks, pollutants and also fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers and pesticides especially can be very dangerous; they can kill the wildlife in the bay and can also stop recreational activities like fishing, boating and swimming, just to name a few. I hope that we can cut back on using spray pesticides on our lawns. My family has been doing this for many years and our lawns look fine. Currently our bay is very polluted, but if we where to cut back on pesticides our bay would be so much better for everyone and every thing.
Vote Early
This year's Virginia elections are critical, with candidates representing starkly different policies and approaches. The results will have long-lasting ramifications for all Virginians. It's therefore critical that everyone get out and vote. One easy way to do this is to take advantage of In-Person Absentee Voting, which means that citizens can vote early, ahead of Nov. 5. In this way, one doesn't have to worry about unexpected illness, traffic and/or work concerns, difficult weather, or longer Election Day lines. In order to vote in-person absentee, a voter must state that he or she satisfies one of 15 requirements. Most voters will find that they do, in fact, satisfy one of these reasons for voting early.
Volunteer Opportunities
*Fairfax County’s Meals on Wheels urgently needs drivers in the Annandale, Franconia/Kingstowne, Reston, Mount Vernon and McLean areas. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email at VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Poetry Corner
The Waves of the World
Light begins to flash pointing at me with such force causing me to black out unable to see unable to fight with the feeling of the current pulling me in every which way fighting my way out finding no release My chest begins to concave From the weight of the world Pressing on it Trying to use the voice I know I have But it vanishes Just like the appearance I have On the world Conforming to the current finding out who I am Or more like trying to find out As there is still no way out Using my last breath I fade into abyss I become … nothing
Marshall High Innovates Lunchtime
Statesmen Station launches pilot lunch, whole, fresh food bar, at ribbon cutting.
Tasting food, listening to a student-led, food-themed rap performance and celebrating healthy food was the agenda at school Thursday, Sept. 12 at Marshall High. Principal Jay Pearson and the Real Food For Kids group launched "the Statesmen Station," a pilot lunch program featuring fresh foods, in the form of a soup, salad and sandwich bar. With a ribbon cutting, volunteer-parent organization Food For Kids, which advocates for more fresh food in Fairfax County Public Schools, started the new lunchtime innovation.
Community Comes to Town Green
Optimists’ event welcomes local children, cancer survivors.
Overcast skies and cool-ish temperature might have kept some people away from the Optimists’ fundraiser Family Fun Day and Walk for Growing Hope, but for those who came to jump in the bouncehouse, dunk Del. Mark Keam and Caffe Amouri owner Michael Amouri, and to bid on raffle and auction prizes, the time was well-spent and rewarding.
Vienna Oktoberfest Brings Fun, Food and Gemütlichkeit on Oct. 5
Town Green and Church Street become a festival ground from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vienna Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Vienna Business Association in cooperation with the Town of Vienna, runs Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the historic Church Street corridor. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with Rocknoceros on the Children’s Stage on the Town Green, and the School of Rock on the main stage in the Beer and Wine Garden. The Beer and Wine Garden will be open for entertainment and food at 11 a.m. and for beverage purchase at noon. The beer garden is cash only and an ATM will be available there.
The Beauty of Fall
This week at McLean Children's Academy, students, parent volunteers and teachers had a great time planting fall flowers. MCA is located at the corner of Elm Street and Rt 123 in McLean. The director, Sarah Bowlen, said "We always try to have the front of the school look nice so the neighborhood can enjoy it. Pansies stay beautiful even through the winter." This gardening adventure was part of a science lesson for the children.
Week in McLean
Fundraiser Supporting Chesterbrook PTA
A fundraiser for Chesterbrook PTA has been announced by HBC Realty Group’s (Keller Williams Realty) Community Charity Champions. Come to dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pulcinella Italian Host in McLean to support Chesterbrook PTA. Enjoy dinner and know that approximately 70 percent of the proceeds from food and drink will go to the charity, as long as the diner brings the flyer for the event. Contact HBC Realty Group at 703-734-0192 or visit www.HBCRealtyGroup.com to receive a flyer.
Bicycling From Colorado to McLean
Merritt and her mother Libbie Feldner welcome Libbie's Uncle Bill Lester, who spent the last month bicycling 1,700 miles from Evergreen, Colo. to McLean. Lester started the journey on Sept. 2 and traveled the whole journey by himself, riding approximately 60 miles each day. He made this long journey because he wanted to see if he could make the trip east for his 50th high school reunion in Summit, N.J. And, he did. “Uncle Bill” has been an avid cyclist for years and has ridden through Europe.
Weichert Realtors Recognizes McLean Office, Top Associates
Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced the McLean/Dolley Madison office was recognized for outstanding performance in August. The office led the region, which comprises offices throughout Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Delaware counties, for new home dollar volume, resale listings, resales, resale revenue units and resale dollar volume.
PRS to Celebrate 50 Years of Hope & Recovery
PRS will hold its 50th anniversary celebration, “Shaping the Future—A Celebration of Hope & Recovery,” on Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Gannett/USA Today Atrium in McLean. This evening will honor the past, present and future of PRS, Inc., an award-winning, community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves adults in Northern Virginia and DC who are living with mental illness, substance use disorders, mild intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or any combination of these. For tickets or more information, visit www.prsinc.org or call 703-531-6321.