People

Charles Esten: From Alexandria to 'Nashville'

May 3 show at the Durant Arts Center features Esten's new, original songs, benefits The Alexandria Scholarship Fund.

"Now that I'm in Nashville the thing that I'm loving the most is co-writing. You walk into the room and you shake hands with someone you've never met before and you walk out four hours later and you've got this thing … sharing ideas and everything, it's almost magical, like a miracle." — Charles "Chip" Esten of ABC's hit show "Nashville"

‘Count ON Us’ Mural Presented to Town of Herndon

Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, Council for the Arts of Herndon (CAH) President Michael O’Reilly and other dignitaries were on hand for the official presentation by the CAH to the town of a mural in the vestibule of the Herndon Municipal Center’s ground level entranceway.

ArtSpace Herndon Hosts Photographers’ Artists Reception

ArtSpace Herndon held an artists reception for the annual Fine Art Photography Exhibit, featuring the finalists of the 2013 Fine Art Photography Competition Saturday night, April 27. The photos of 35 regional photographers are showcased in this display.

Classical Ballet Theatre Hosts Local Preschools

On Thursday, April 18, Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) dancers enjoyed sharing their love of the performing arts with preschool students from Herndon Elementary Head Start, Montessori Country Day School, Reston Children's Center and St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. As part of their free outreach program, CBT performed Act I of their popular Cinderella production, which is packed with choreography, costumes, and good-natured humor. The students clapped for big leaps and twirls, laughed with stepsisters “Haughty” and “Spiteful,” and delighted in Cinderella's magical transformation into a princess dressed in a shimmering ball gown. Afterwards, enthusiastic audience members asked many questions and visited with cast members.

Tree Planting at Hutchison Elementary

The school celebrates Arbor Day.

On April 26, Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon celebrated Arbor Day by planting a dogwood tree on the school grounds. The tree planting ceremony was attended by teachers and students from the third and fourth grade classes in addition to several guests.

Aldrin's Barbara Gist Is Virginia’s 2013 National Outstanding Assistant Principal

Barbara Gist, assistant principal of Aldrin Elementary in Reston, was selected as Virginia’s 2013 National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year (NOAP). The 2013 award marks the second year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), in collaboration with the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals (VAESP), has presented this award.

Commentary: Children and Outside Learning

Research highlights the benefits of outdoor and environmental education for children—ranging from increased academic achievement, improved social skills and interest in school, and boosted health, according to environmental education leaders who have organized NoVA Outside: An Alliance of Environmental Educators (www.novaoutside.org). I attended their School Environmental Action Showcase last week at George Mason University, and I was impressed by the students and their projects. The showcase is like a science fair but with the emphasis on environmental science.

Hundreds of Years in Six Hours

Great Falls Day, May 5, noon to 6 p.m.

Whether you have lived in Great Falls for generations, just arrived in our community, or live in a nearby town, we welcome you to a homey, experiential history experience this Sunday, May 5. We have gathered together the holders of our village’s “story” and these wisdom-keepers await your visit in their “History Tents” to tell the story of life along Georgetown Pike over the last 200 years. They have photos, maps, historic documents and artifacts, and their own personal recollections of how things were. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see history come alive.

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Luncheon Features Students’ Poetry

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors name winners of 31st annual poetry contest.

The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors honored 10 Great Falls Elementary School students Friday, April 16, at their 31st annual poetry luncheon

Great Falls Farmers Market Hits Spring Season

Spring produce, other goods available at weekly market.

The Great Falls Farmers Market has kicked off its spring season, welcoming vendors returning and new with fruits, vegetables and other products. Three vegetable vendors are currently at the market, offering early spring crops.

Programming Marathon at TJ 

Area high schoolers impress instructors at the 24-hour computer programming marathon.

When a voice over the loudspeaker announced, “free swag outside,” a stampede of teenagers cleared out the Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) gymnasium in less than a minute. Even after almost 20 hours of coding and programming, the students were at no loss for enthusiasm, especially for free paraphernalia decorated with the TJ Hackathon logo. Kim Holton, a volunteer whose son was participating in the hackathon, said, “They all seem really tired and they’re dragging, but they’re excited.”

Town Employees Honored for Service to the Community

On April 24, three Town of Vienna employees received Rotary Club of Vienna’s 2013 “Service Above Self” award. Mark Sherwood, operations superintendent, and Jonathan Wooden, sanitation supervisor with the Department of Public Works, and Tammy Barker, dispatcher with the Vienna Police Department, received the awards for their dedication and service to the Vienna community.

Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Each year more than 200 volunteers at Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) serve as medical drivers, companion drivers, friendly callers and visitors, health and wellness counselors, fundraisers and grant writers. These volunteers run programs such as Lunch n’ Life, Adventures in Learning, trips and outings, special events and caregivers’ support groups.

Taste of Vienna Brings Community Together

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser offered restaurant fare, live entertainment and a moonbounce for kids.

Certainly, Saturday’s almost-May weather contributed to the festive mood at the 2nd Annual Taste of Vienna sponsored by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Abundant sunshine and cloudless blue skies lit up Cherry Street on April 27. Throngs of local families, seniors, teens and babies in strollers milled around food and wine tents, under eating tents and along the stage front, where contemporary pop bands performed. It was the kind of community-spirit day Vienna is known for.

Confronting Lyme Disease

A former patient becomes patient consultant.

Marjorie Veiga became ill after her second daughter was born. She developed intense pain in her hip area and a hypersensitivity to pressure. Drawing sheets over herself hurt. She had symptoms of arthritis and was tired, weak and in pain. After suffering six weeks of these unfamiliar symptoms, Veiga sought out a diagnosis. She said she never before felt an intensity like that.

The Connection