McLean - Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/... · 2015. 7. 28. · Kristin Cummins, real estate, of McLean, and children Cadence Cummins, 6, and

McLean Connection ❖ July 29 - August 4, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Summer Reading Made Funat Dolley Madison LibraryNews, Page 4

‘Happy Days’ in Home SalesReal Estate, Page 5

Happy BirthdaySilver Line, and Many More

News, Page 3

A view from the TysonsCorner Metro station: The

Silver Line celebrated itsfirst birthday Sunday

evening. What is its im-pact on the area?

McLeanMcLean

2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ July 29 - August 4, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection ❖ July 29 - August 4, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Silver Line, Page 8

By Ken Moore

The Connection

“Herndon is ready,” saidMayor Lisa Merkel,regarding Herndon’sfuture Silver Line stop.

Merkel dubbed Herndon, “A Next Genera-tion Small Town.”

“We are so fortunate,” she said. “This is ahuge project, one of the biggest infrastruc-ture projects in the country. There aren’tmany towns that can get involved inprojects like this.”

The Washington Metropolitan AirportsAuthority recently projected cost of PhaseI, the 11.7 mile segment of the Silver Linewith five stops, to be $2.982 billion.

After a recently announced 13-monthdelay, construction is hoped to begin onHerndon’s future Silver Line Stop in 2016with its opening by 2019-2020, accordingto a talk Merkel gave in May.

The entire Silver Line will be a 23-mileextension of the existing Metrorail systemfrom East Falls Church, through Tysons andReston, and eventually to WashingtonDulles International Airport west toAshburn.

The Herndon Town Council approved 38acres to be set aside for its future Metrostop in February 2012.

“It’s the right space, we could never con-sider that in any other part in town,” saidMerkel.

THE SILVER LINE CELEBRATED its firstbirthday Sunday evening, July 26 with anoutdoor movie and festivities at the Wiehle-Reston East stop.

“Wiehle-Reston East continues to be theSilver Line’s commuting powerhouse, sur-passing first-year ridership projections withnearly 9,200 boardings, or 18,400 weekday

entries and exits last month,” said MikeTolbert, public information officer with theWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Au-thority.

Silver Line has been a positive and excit-ing addition to Reston and the area, in gen-eral,” said Sridhar Ganesan, president of theReston Citizens Association.

“Even though Silver Line currently endsat Wiehle, which is at one end of Reston,we are still seeing a lot of people arrivingto Reston during peak times,” he said.“Clearly, a positive impact is that this manypeople are off the roads and making it aneasier commute.”

In addition to the 9,197 boardings atReston’s station last month, McLean had1,842 boardings; Tysons Corner, 3,423;Greensboro, 1,185; and Spring Hill 1,441,totaling 17,088, according to Tolbert.

“The other important note is that rider-ship patterns at the Tysons-area stations aremore distributive than other Fairfax Countystations, with afternoon peak ridershiphigher than other time periods, includingthe morning peak,” according to Tolbert.

Nearly 220,000 trips were taken to andfrom the five new Silver Line stations dur-ing the first week of service one year ago in2014.

“It’s going to get a lot of people out oftheir cars,” said Dranesville Supervisor JohnFoust.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people that areusing it,” he said. “It’s been a big success.”

GREAT FALLS resident Sherry StanleyWhitworth uses the Spring Hill station, thesecond stop on the Silver Line.

“It’s good for me, it’s good for my car, it’sgood for the environment,” she said. “Andit’s good for my stress level.”

“It’s kind of a new thing for me. It’s con-venient,” she said. “It will be great when itgoes all the way out to the airport.”

Silver Line is being constructed by theMetropolitan Washington Airports Author-ity, and will be operated by Metro once con-struction is completed.

“I have, in fact, used the Silver Line andfind it an easy way to get downtown. Visi-tors have found it easy to use,” said SallyHorn, of McLean Citizens Association.

Tom Brock, of McLean and also on thecitizens association, started using Metro 15years ago, resolving to drive every week-day morning to East Falls Church or WestFalls Church stations. Now he commutes tothe McLean Station.

“It’s definitely improved the service of

Metro to residents of McLean, even thosewith easier access to East and West FallsChurch stations than I did,” said Brock.

Bill Canis, Great Falls Citizens Associationvice president, commutes downtown witha carpool early weekday mornings, but hisson Patrick Canis, 22, takes advantage ofhis own starting time.

Patrick Canis commutes to the Wiehle-Reston Station every morning on his wayto Cogent in Foggy Bottom. He believes hesaves up to 25 minutes of commuting bycar each way to Falls Church like he hadbefore.

“I like how easy it is, you get a smart cardand it’s in and out,” said Canis, a 2014graduate from the University of Mary Wash-ington who majored in international affairsand studied geographic mapping systems.

“THIS HELPS us to become a major leaguecity,” said Jerry Gordon, president and CEOof the Fairfax County Economic Develop-ment Authority.

Two large international corporations havemade Tysons their home. Cvent, Inc., a cloud-based enterprise event management plat-form, and Intelsat, a multi-billion industrythat is a provider of fixed satellite services.

“Had it not been for the Silver Line, theywould not be in Tysons Corner,” said Gor-don.

The Silver Line stops in Fairfax County’slargest business district (Tysons Corner) andin the county’s second-largest commercialcenter (Reston). The Silver Line has alreadyhad a big effect on business and workforcedevelopment and “changes are just begin-ning,” according to Alan Fogg of the Eco-nomic Development Authority.

“What’s already been realized is our abil

Reactions to the$3 billion project upand down the line.

Happy Birthday Silver Line, and Many More

Wiehle-Reston East Station surpassed first-year ridership projectionswith nearly 9,200 boardings, or 18,400 weekday entries and exits lastmonth.

In addition to the 9,197 boardings at Reston’s station last month,McLean had 1,842 boardings; Tysons Corner, 3,423; Greensboro, 1,185;and Spring Hill 1,441, totaling 17,088.

Photos by Caroline Watkins/The Connection

Walking to Tysons Corner Metro via Skybridge.

“This helps us to becomea major league city.”

— Jerry Gordon,President and CEO, Fairfax County

Economic Development Authority

News


News

By Danielle Grae

The Connection

Children break free of theirparent’s hand and saunter intothe library, chin up and grin-ning from ear to ear, and trade

their Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL)summer reading logs for a coupon booklet.

To lure students into the library, the YouthServices Manager of Dolley Madison Library,Tina Mraz, notified children at McLean el-ementary schools about the Summer Read-ing Program.

For the first time, Dolley Madison Libraryvisited Kent Gardens Elementary School,resulting in Kent Gardens having the high-est percentage of students participating inthe Summer Reading Program of all McLeanelementary schools.

In addition to visiting schools, DolleyMadison Library hosted performers such aspuppeteers, zookeepers and magicians. Theentertainers tailored their acts to promotereading.

For instance, magician Brian Curry per-formed tricks relating to favorite books.Curry described the book Matilda, a storyin which a child uses her mind to moveobjects. He left the children awestruck withthe illusion of levitating a table.

“All the titles he mentioned flew off theshelves. After the Rainforest and Under theSea animal performances, animal bookswent like crazy,” Mraz said.

FCPL encourages children to read over thesummer so they not only strengthen theirreading skills but also avoid the summerslide, which occurs when students abstainfrom reading and, consequently, readingskills regress.

“FCPL and the schools want kids to keepreading because if they don’t, studies showthat kids return to school in the fall havinglost ground in their reading skills,” Programand Educational Services Manager for FCPLand head of the Summer Reading ProgramTed Kavich said.

Despite a lack of homework, the SummerReading Program draws children into thelibrary over the summer and excites themabout reading.

“I meet a lot of kids who are reading forthe joy of reading, not because they haveto,” Assistant Branch Manager and Librar-ian at Dolley Madison Library Jill Johnsonsaid.

New this summer, Mraz started My FirstBook Club for children from kindergartenthrough second grade. Mraz reads, dis-cusses and does crafts related to the books.

Once a child completes the summer read-ing log, he or she can acquire a couponbooklet. Coupons include free or discountedice cream, golf, water park admission andmore.

Some big sponsors include The Friends ofthe George Mason Regional Library inAnnandale, The Fairfax Library Foundationand Friends of the Kings Park Library in Burke.

Summer Reading Made Funat Dolley Madison Library

Photo by Danielle Grae/The Connection

Book display at Dolley Madison Library in McLean.

Viewpoints

What do you like about theSummer Reading Program?

— Danielle Grae

Narie Choi, mom, of McLean,and children Jackson Choi, 5,and Cami Choi, 4:

Narie: “My kids need to keep readingduring the summer as well as duringthe school year. It’s a way for them tokeep their minds active. I think it’sworking. They read so much anywaythat this reading log isn’t long enoughto list their summer books. We like thesmelly bookmarks and the couponbooks, and we like to read.”

Kaoru Edwards, housewife,ofMcLean, and son Hiro Edwards,6, Kent Gardens ElementarySchool:

Kaoru: “My favorite part of theSummer Reading Program was gettingHiro to read more and getting himinterested about completing thereading log. He sees his friends puttingtheir names on the board, so everytime he walks into the library he wantsto put his name on the board. He’sdiscovered that there are many differ-ent nonfiction books he can read.”

Zena Phillip, 9, East SilverSpring Elementary School, SilverSpring:

“I like the Summer Reading Programbecause after school, I feel like I wantto read some more. Because I read alot of chapter books, I am in the highlygifted reading program at my school. Ithink about all the people who can’tread who have disabilities, and I knowthat I can read, so I feel like if I read Icould graduate I could do lots of thingsto help. I like to read.”

Kristin Cummins, real estate, of McLean, and children CadenceCummins, 6, and Grant Cummins, 4:

Kristin: “It helps to have some structure and a goal for them to work toward. Theprogram makes reading more fun.”

Cadence: “Sometimes we get to read to one of our friends, and sometimes weread to ourselves.”

Grant: “My favorite book is superhero book, the Incredible Hulk, because I like topretend to smash stuff hitting the walls.”


McLean & Great FallsMarket Analysis of Homes Sales1ST HALF 2015 COMPARED TO 2014

(Based on Final Closed Price)$750k~

>$3 Mil. $2-3 Mil. $1.25-2 Mil. $1.25 Mil. <$750k

1ST HALF 201522101 3 15 43 113 4022102 2 10 23 26 11522066 0 8 33 50 15Total 5 33 99 189 170Combined Total 137 359

ALL SALES 1ST HALF 2015: 496

1ST HALF 201422101 6 9 44 95 3422102 6 8 20 36 9022066 1 7 23 37 10Total 13 24 87 168 134Combined Total 124 302

ALL SALES 1ST HALF 2014: 426

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Real Estate

By Karen Briscoe

The first half of2015 in McLeanand Great Falls isup over 16 per-

cent overall in terms of num-ber of sales in comparison tothe first half of 2014. This is verygood news for the market area asit indicates an environment for thepotential for price appreciation,provided demand remains strongrelative to supply.

The chart breaks out sales ofhomes for both zip codes into thelower brackets which is consideredunder $1.25 million and the up-per brackets which is above $1.25million. Looking deeper into thestatistics, it reveals that all pricepoints other than the over $3 mil-lion market experienced an in-crease in number of sales. Thelower brackets saw an increase ofover 19 percent in number oftransactions. The upper brackets

experienced astrong increase aswell with 10 per-cent.

The largest in-crease is not sur-prising with theentry level home

purchaser with almost 27 percentincrease in demand. Many econo-mists attribute this to theMillennial Generation now able toenter the market and purchasetheir first home, which in theseareas is likely condo ownership.The 22102 part of McLean that islocated in Tysons Corner offersnumerous condo options. Theopening of the Silver Line metroin 2014 has increased Tysons at-traction for this demographic thatdesires an urban lifestyle. Theother options available in McLeanand to a lesser extent in Great Fallsfor the under $750,000 price pointare town homes and smaller, oldersingle family homes.

As there is very little availableland to purchase for developmentin McLean and Great Falls, newhome builders continue to repre-sent a portion of this market seg-ment by purchasing lots for newconstruction. This type of in-filldevelopment occurs by tearingdown an older existing home forthe land value. When the builderscompete for lots, there is less avail-able for owners that would buy thehome to live in. These scenarioscan make it challenging for a firsttime homeowner to purchase, al-though it actually can be a healthysign of recovery when new homeconstruction is strong.

The next price range up, be-tween $750,000 and $1.25 mil-lion, experienced an increase indemand of 12.5 percent year overyear. This market segment typi-cally represents the first levelmove up home owner. Knowingthat with confidence their homeshould sell quickly for a strongprice, these owners are in a betterposition to make the move to thenext price level home. The twoupper bracket categories of $1.25million to $3 million both experi-

enced strong increases in demandas well. These are the next levelof move-up homeowners.

Clearly “happy days are hereagain” for home sellers in McLeanand Great Falls. Good homespriced correctly for the currentmarket sold quickly and in somesegments with multiple offers. All

Banner first half 2015 for real estatein McLean and Great Falls.

‘Happy Days’ in Home Sales

signs are for 2015 to continue tohave positive market conditions.

Karen Briscoe is an active andexperienced Realtor with KellerWilliams in the Northern Virginia,market place and would be delighted toassist whether for home buying orselling. Please contact her atwww.HBCRealtyGroup.com, 703-734-0192 or [email protected].


Opinion

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

With the federalClean Air Act re-quiring higherair quality stan-

dards, many fossil-fuel powerplants will be closing or convert-ing to other fuel sources. On tripsto the western part of our countryand abroad, especially to Ger-many, I am reminded of the sig-nificant role that wind plays in be-ing used to generate clean and sus-tainable electricity. In 2014, windpower added significantly more new electric-ity for consumers than any other source in theUnited States, according to the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy.

According to an American Wind Energy As-sociation announcement last year the UnitedStates has more wind energy supplying its gridthan any other country, enough to power 15.5million American homes. Wind is the fifthlargest electricity source in the U.S., generat-ing 4.4 percent of all the electricity in thiscountry. In Denmark, wind-produced electric-ity provides just under 40 percent of the

nation’s power. Scotland hasenough wind-produced electric-ity to supply all its homes. Windpower is the leading source ofSpain’s electricity and is the larg-est component of Germany’s re-newable sources that now consti-tute a quarter of its power. Chinaleads the world in investments inwind power.

Among the states Texas, Iowa,California, and Oklahoma, eachgenerated enough electricityfrom wind to power more than a

million homes. Other states withsignificant wind capacity include

Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Colo-rado and Washington. Virginia and othereastern states do not make the list becausethey do not have as significant a wind re-source. For Virginia, only off-shore and in themountains mostly in the southwest is therewind sufficient to site a wind turbine farm.Dominion, the largest power provider in theCommonwealth, has invested in wind-pow-ered electricity generation in West Virginia,Indiana, Illinois, and in Virginia where itholds a lease from the federal governmentfor off-shore wind development.

The success of wind-produced electricity inEurope has been realized from a feed-in tariffsystem that has effectively subsidized invest-ments. In the United States, the Production TaxCredit has been the primary federal tax incen-tive for wind energy. As all countries look forways to save money these incentives are indanger at a time when wind energy is begin-ning to demonstrate its value.

Virginia is the first state to secure a windenergy research lease to build and operate tur-bines in federal waters. Dominion’s plan tobuild a pair of six-megawatt test turbines about24 nautical miles off-shore from Virginia Beachseems to be in trouble as bids to build the tur-bines are about twice that projected. The ex-pectation has been that eventually there wouldbe 300 turbines in the off-shore area. Stake-holders are currently at work to identify op-tions to salvage the project.

Wind energy needs to be a part of the re-newable mix of energy sources in Virginia andthe nation. Congress needs to extend the fed-eral tax credit that keeps our development ofwind energy competitive with the rest of theworld. Consumers need to be open to buyingwind and other renewable energies even ifthere is a cost premium. Our air quality de-pends on it.

Wind energy needs to be a part of the renewablemix of energy sources in Virginia and the nation.Wind Energy

Commentary

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Slavery in ‘theLand of the Free’To the Editor:

America, “the land of the free.”I have always considered it neces-sary for a land of free people toassist in freeing the enslaved.

Yet 36,000,000 men, women,and children throughout the worldare enslaved through human traf-ficking, according to the GlobalSlavery Index. That is more thanthere have ever been at any pointin time in the history of humanity.

How can a world that is suppos-edly improving socially also havea constant increase in slavery? Thetwo cannot coexist, and it breaksmy heart to see the number ofhuman beings forced into slaveryincrease each day. Human traffick-ing is the use of force or fraud tocontrol someone to labor withoutpayment or engage in sexual ac-tivity. This crime occurs all overthe world, from Malaysia to North-ern Virginia. In Northern Virginiaalone, from October 2013 throughJanuary 2015, 290 victims of traf-ficking have been identified, ac-cording to the NOVA Human Traf-ficking Initiative.

Malaysia, also a center for mod-ern day sex-trafficking and slavery,is a popular destination for men,women, and children subjected toforced labor and sex trafficking.

Letters

Though the Government of Malay-sia proposed amendments to helpdecrease trafficking, these amend-ments have yet to pass throughParliament. Furthermore, despiteMalaysia’s significant increase intrafficking investigations, the gov-ernment only convicted three traf-fickers in 2014, a sharp decreasefrom the 9 convicted in 2013 priorto the increase in investigations.

Crime does not dissipate natu-rally. Significant investigations andconvictions are necessary if thereis any hope for a decrease in hu-man trafficking in Northern Vir-ginia, Malaysia or worldwide.

Congress currently is reviewingthe End Modern Slavery InitiativeBill.

If passed, the U.S. Governmentwill authorize the formation of a

nonprofit grant-making founda-tion to fund projects and programsoutside of the United States inhopes of putting an end to slavery.The passing of this bill is a crucialstep in the fight to end slavery.

Olivia GradyFairfax

Rising senior at WoodsonHigh.

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See School Board, Page 11

News

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

In their last meeting of thesummer, Fairfax CountySchool Board members be-gan by remembering former

superintendent Dr. RobertSpillane, who recently died, andrecognizing outgoing members ofthe school system’s leadershipteam.

“He was one of the first peopleto reach out to me as I came on assuperintendent,” said Dr. KarenGarza. The current superintendentcalled him “a gracious and impres-sive gentleman,” adding: “He’s aperson who’s had a tremendousimpact on this system.”

Assistant superintendent of hu-man resources Dr. Phyllis Pajardoand Dr. Kim Dockery, chief aca-demic officer, each received reso-lutions honoring their years ofwork and service in Fairfax CountyPublic Schools.

Pajardo’s career with FairfaxCounty spanned 34 years and in-cluded positions of teacher, assis-tant principal, principal and clus-ter leadership roles. In 20 years,Dockery was also an assistant andprincipal, as well as assistant su-perintendent of special services,before reaching her final positionas chief academic officer.

During citizen participation, sev-eral speakers also praised Dockery.Sheree Brown-Kaplan, founderand chair of the Fairfax Alliancefor Appropriate Public Education,said, “Through my personal expe-rience as a parent and as a specialeducation advocate, I have ob-served Kim bring substantivechange toward a problem-solvingapproach to special education dis-putes.”

TAKING HER TURN at the mi-crophone, Dockery thanked theboard for the honor and closed bysaying, “The classroom is where

everything happens and we haveto make sure that politics doesn’tovershadow the quality of theteacher in the classroom and thegreat administrators — those twothings are the most importantthings to our success.”

Two of the main items the boardtook action on were the Fiscal Year2015 final budget review and Fis-cal Year 2016 Audit Plan.

Providence representative PattyReed made the motion to pass thefinal budget review, which in-cluded revenue and expenditurechanges versus the Fiscal Year2015 Third Quarter Budget Re-view.

“It reflects hard work and pru-dent spending,” Reed said. “Itfunds Strategic Plan priorities,”she added and “sets aside moneyfor Fiscal Year 2017, when we’regoing to need every penny we canget. It’s responsible action.”

The variances between the ThirdQuarter and Final reviewsamounted to $33.2 million infunds available.

Of those, this final budget re-view includes $23.9 million that’sset aside, along with $4 millionalready earmarked from the Fis-cal Year 2015 Third Quarter Bud-get Review, for a total of $27.8million as a total beginning bal-ance for Fiscal Year 2017.

School Board honors retiring leadership team members,adopts budget review and audit plan.

‘Trying to Find the Best Footing’

Fairfax Education Associa-tion president KimberlyAdams speaks on the finalbudget review at the July23 Fairfax County SchoolBoard meeting.

Retiring chief academicofficer Kim Dockery wasrecognized at the July 23Fairfax County SchoolBoard meeting.

Retiring assistant superin-tendent of human re-sources Dr. Phyllis Pajardowas recognized at the July23 Fairfax County SchoolBoard meeting.

Photos courtesy of Fairfax

County Public Schools


News

ity to retain and attract businesses,” saidGordon. “These are the corporations thatevery community wants … technologydriven, long term industries that are grow-ing and high paying.”

Plans for the extension of the Silver Lineto the airport will only enable the countyto continue to attract more businesses, hesaid.

Without access to the airports on metrolines before,“They would say, ‘What kind ofcity is this?’” said Gordon.

Merkel called the Silver Line the “eco-nomic engine for the next 50 to 100 years.”

Herndon has more than 1,100 businessesand four corporate businesses with head-quarters in town. Herndon anticipates at-tracting additional businesses and perhapsa campus or satellite campus in the future.

“We want to make sure we capitalize onthis opportunity,” she said.

ANXIETIES, OF COURSE, are alwaysproduced by such a big project in the area.

“While the Silver Line has quickly rampedup to the averages of many of the stationswithin the metro area, the proposed fund-ing formula creates anxieties for those thatare forced to use the toll roads,” saidGanesan, of the Reston Citizens Association,“as the tolls are supposed to make up forrevenue shortfalls to service the financingof Silver Line.”

Great Falls Citizens Association re-searched the importance of Metro to itsmembers.

“Only 10 percent of Great Falls residentsresponded that they intend to use Metroregularly while another 56 percent plan touse Metro occasionally,” according to its2014 survey that 592 residents completed.

According to the GFCA transportationcommittee, “Unlike commercial areas (suchas Tysons) that have immediate access toMetro, Great Falls will likely not benefitmeasurably from the Silver Line. Similarly,Great Falls will not benefit at all comparedto communities such as Reston that havebus access from local neighborhoods toMetro.”

“While some Great Falls residents maybenefit from the commuter parking lot(s)at the Wiehle-Reston East and McLean

Metro stations, survey data suggest thatcommuter parking lots should not be builtin Great Falls as relatively few residents ofGreat Falls would use them on a daily ba-sis,” according to the committee.

“I have mixed feelings about Metro com-ing to this area because the cost of Metro iscausing the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road toincrease and when you raise the tolls itcauses more cut through traffic to gothrough Great Falls,” said Scott Knight, co-chair of the GFCA Transportation Commit-tee.

“That’s a legitimate concern as toll ratesgo up to pay for Metro,” said Foust. “Youhave to expect that there will be less usageas people will be looking for alternatives.”

But Foust noted that he doesn’t thinkmotorists will use Georgetown Pike for al-ternative purposes if the county keeps ad-dressing Route 7 and keeps it flowing prop-erly such as a widening project that haspublic information meetings scheduled forthis fall.

According to the Airports Authority, tollrates will remain at current levels through2018, and the previously published toll rateschedule will remain unchanged.

Revenue from tolls is one of severalsources of funding for the Silver Lineproject.

McLean Citizens Association has beenstudying the impact of the Silver Line onMcLean and on Tysons Corner, in terms ofparking, traffic flow, and impact on house

values. The citizens association is even try-ing to determine if the Metro has had im-pact on crime at Tysons, McLean and in andaround Silver Line stops.

The MCA Transportation Committee isstaying aware of Metro’s plans and possibleproposals to service changes on its crowdedBlue Line that might impact commuters onthe Silver Line used by McLean residents.

NINE OUT OF TEN times, Tom Brock ofMcLean, gets a seat. He liked to peoplewatch when the Silver Line first opened, andhe always carries a hardcover book on theMetro.

“I’ve gotten better at using my time onMetro better,” he said.

He has tried the downtown carpool, but“it was unpredictable because of a littlething called the Potomac River,” he said. “Ongood days it could take 25 minutes, but onreally bad days it could take two and a halfhours.”

Reliability is critical said Brock, formerpresident of MCA and a member of the MCATransportation Committee. “Delays peopleface on the Metro system isn’t good forMetro business,” he said.

Patrick Canis finds himself wanting bet-ter explanations than Metro gives whenthere are delays.

The Metro itself is expensive, notedConnie Hartke, of the Reston Citizens As-sociation, who rides the line for fun, suchas to soccer games in D.C. or Maryland plus

the opening ceremonies of the recent WorldPolice and Fire Games.

“It is expensive, but probably no more sothan driving and parking and it is so nice torelax on the way home rather than worrywith getting safely out of a sports eventparking lot and dealing with the beltway,”she said.

Whitworth notices that the drop off spaceat Spring HIll isn’t sufficient for eastboundtraffic.

And Darlene Murphy found that a privateparking lot is adjacent to the Metro lot thatoffers free Sunday parking.

“They trick you. It cost me $10 to get out,”she said. Murphy was reimbursed by “a nicemanager,” but she wants to alert others tothe signs that she didn’t see.

“I bet this has happened to other people,”she said.

Back in McLean, Foust said he and hiscolleagues ensured that there would be suf-ficient parking when the Silver Line opened.The 711-space lot in McLean has plenty ofspace for those ready to try the Silver Line,he said.

HERNDON WANTS all details perfectedby day one.

Herndon plans for 2,400 residential unitsand 3.1 million square feet of additionalcommercial space for business and retail useas well as a revitalized downtown.

And Herndon has planned vehicular traf-fic to stay on the south side of town by theSilver Line stop.

A year-long task force made recommen-dations to ensure residents to get to Metroeasily. Approximately $21 million is dedi-cated to projects resulting from the taskforce.

“We passed a resolution in February ad-vocating for the county to put a CirculatorBus route for Phase II because we want ourresidents to get to the Metro without hav-ing to get in the car,” Merkel said. “If wehave reliable, frequent transit options,people will use it.”

Merkel wants everything in place by thetime the Silver Line’s doors open to Herndonin four or so years.

“People are going to establish their com-muting patterns on that first day,” Merkelsaid. “We are working with Fairfax Countybecause we do want to be ready on day one.”

Silver Line Birthday Celebrated

The Silver Line celebrated its first birthday Sunday evening, July 26 withan outdoor movie and festivities at the Wiehle-Reston East stop.


Metro leaving Tysons Corner stop.

From Page 3

Passengers departing Tysons Corner stop.

“We want to be ready on day one.”— Lisa Merkel, Herndon Mayor


By Maddy Weingast

The Connection

Clean, safe, on time … Also:crowded, long wait time …These are some of the mixedemotions coming to light in

conversations with commuters reflectingon the one-year anniversary of the newSilver Line Metro operation. The line in-cludes the following new stations:Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Greens-boro, Tysons Corner and McLean, lead-ing into the District and ending at LargoTown Center. Many locals use the newline to commute to work in WashingtonD.C.

“It’s good to have a connecting stationso close but it’s always full. The commuteto work in D.C. and Tysons is better thandriving—to get to D.C. this is the option,”said Metro commuter Swetha.

Commuters also credited the line withproviding an atmosphere of safety.

“It’s always on time and I’m able to getto work easily. Rarely are the trains de-layed, and they are always clean. I’ve

never felt unsafe on the Silver Line, evenlate at night,” said Adele Gibson from GreatFalls.

Some suggestions for improvement in-

cluded increased signage and maps at thestation and on the train especially for visi-tors so they are aware of upcoming stops.

In its one year of operation it appears theline is an efficient way for many visitors that

are unfamiliar to the area to travel intoWashington, D.C.

“The metro was really fun and a lotcleaner than I thought it would be, butvery crowded. It was really convenientto get to the museums in the District be-cause there was no traffic and I woulddefinitely ride it again when I come visit,”said visitor Annie Condoluci from Brielle,N.J.

Despite an overall favorable impres-sion some passengers expressed frustra-tion with crowding and a lack of knowl-edge regarding train wait times.

“Around 5 o’clock the trains are prettycrowded and I normally have to standfor around 30 minutes for a seat, so moretrains running on the line would be nice,”said Gibson.

One commuter said many of herfriends turned to ordering cars from theUber app when faced with exorbitantlylong wait times for a train.

“Lately I feel like the Metro has beenworse. There’s lots of track work, delays,it’s crowded and less reliable. It seemslike a systematic and political problemof not enough funding. The tri-state areaof D.C., Virginia and Maryland need tocollaborate and see it as a shared re-source,” said Metro Commuter Joy.

Taking a train from Reston: Commuters express satisfactionand some criticism.

A View from Wiehle: D.C. Gets Closer

Passengers prepare to board theSilver Line train toward LargoTown Center, which runs throughdowntown D.C.

In town for the week, visitor AnnieCondoluci boards the metro to govisit museums on the National Mall.

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By Alicja Johnson

The Connection

July 26 marked the first anniversaryof the Metro’s Silver Line opening.In the year since, the new rail has

changed commuting for Fairfax County andthe area. The Silver Line begins at the newlyconstructed Wiehle-Reston East Station andtravels four stations including Tysons Cor-ner and McLean before lining up with theOrange Line at East Falls Church and thencontinuing to Largo Town Center.

As Chris, a salesman in D.C. puts it, thenew route is “more expensive, but consis-tent.” Before the silver line was opened lastyear, Chris had to take a bus out to FallsChurch every day. “Now, my commute towork is more consistent and streamlined,”said Chris.

For commuters like Steven Shearer, thesilver line provides less of a hassle than driv-ing. “It’s much easier for me,” said Shearer,“the toll and parking in D.C. is more ex-pensive [than the Silver Line.]” Having beencommuting from Northern Virginia to D.C.for 17 years, Shearer has found the SilverLine to be a great convenience this past year.

Loudoun County is also now connectedto the D.C. metro more conveniently, viathe Loudoun County Transit. Commuterscan catch a bus and run to one of the SilverLine stations, including Wiehle-Reston andSpring Hill. This has been revolutionary forLoudoun commuters like Sara Johnson. “Inever thought 15 years ago, from Loudoun,you’d be able to commute [to D.C.],” saidJohnson. Johnson has been commuting toD.C. twice a week for the past three years,and she has been very impressed with theSilver Line. “The fares seem reasonablypriced given the expanse of the distance,”said Johnson, “and the cleanliness is out-standing.”

The Silver Line also offers connections toother bus systems. The Fairfax Connectorserves the four stations in Tysons, as wellas Wiehle-Reston. The Potomac andRappahannock Transportation Commissionprovides a connection from Tysons Cornerto Prince William County. In addition, Wash-ington Flyer will provide a Silver Line Ex-press service between Dulles Airport andWiehle-Reston East.

The Silver Line has been attracting morethan commuters. Nineteen-year-old MollyMcKnight and her brother, residents of theHerndon/Reston area, use the silver line tosee museums and monuments in D.C.

Whether they be commuters or sightse-ers, the Silver Line travelers seem to beenjoying the new conveniences.

Commuters discussconveniences ofSilver Line.

‘Impressive’ Change

Photo by Alicja Johnson/The Connection

Riders prepare to board a train to go sightseeing in D.C.

Photo by Caroline Watkins/The Connection

The Silver Line stops in Fairfax County’s largest business district (TysonsCorner) and in the county’s second-largest commercial center (Reston).


Fans of all ages gathered on the Tysons CornerPlaza last Friday for good music, laughs and stun-ning views of the sunset. Originally a member of“The Mickey Mouse Club,” Tony Lucca opened thenight with soulful acoustic numbers such as “PrettyThings” and “Fight Song.” From personal anec-dotes of honky-tonks he performed at in Nash-ville to his time on the second season of “TheVoice” in 2012 (Team Adam!), Lucca made hisperformance intimate and fun.

ZZ Ward came on shortly after, striding the stagein a matching cheetah blazer and shorts, topped

off with a black hat. Citing Etta James as one ofher muses, her velvety voice and enthusiastic bandcould be described as Amy Winehouse meets EricClapton. The description is fitting, seeing she per-formed briefly with Eric Clapton on tour, along-side other famous venues such as Bonnaroo andCoachella. Many could be seen singing along toher popular songs, such as “Love 3X”, “Put theGun Down”, and “365 Days,” closing the nightpost-sunset with an encore/dance party.

— Caroline Watkins

Tony Lucca and ZZ Ward Rock Tysons Plaza


Tony Lucca and ZZ Ward (below) perform at Tysons Plaza last Friday.

ONGOING“The Healing Wall.” Tuesdays –

Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., throughAug. 1. Vienna Art Center, 115Pleasant St., NW, Vienna. “TheHealing Wall” is assembled from twodozen puzzle pieces created bysoldiers recovering at the Fort BelvoirCommunity Hospital. Each piecemakes a powerful statement by itselfas well as part of the larger puzzle.

Restful Pause. Wednesday-Saturday,through Aug.1. Katie’s Coffee House,760 Walker Road, Great Falls. RobertGilbert brings his nine, framed still-life paintings to exhibit. The subjectsare wine bottles, wine glasses,ceramic pots, fruits and vegetables.The paintings are realistic in someareas and impressionistic in others.

What’s in Your Garden? Tuesdays -Saturdays, through Aug. 1. ViennaArts Society “Gallery in the VillageGreen,” 513 Maple Ave. W, Vienna.Featured artist Loy McGaughy ofReston exhibits a collection ofwatercolors inspired by her personalphotographs. The exhibition includesmore than a dozen other artists.

Tysons Concerts on the Plaza.Fridays, through Aug. 7. 6-8 p.m. atTysons Corner Center, 1961 ChainBridge Road, Tysons Corner. Sit backand enjoy live music with a specialline up each week.Tickets areavailable on a first-come, first-servebasis beginning at 10 a.m. eachFriday morning in the mall concourseon level 2 next to ZARA.

Summer Reading Program. Friday-Sunday, through Sept. 5. 10 a.m.-5p.m. at Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike Great Falls. Attendsummer events and check out books.All ages. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

Great Falls Concerts on the Green.Sundays, through Sept. 6. 6-8 p.m. atGreat Falls Village Centre Green.Come out on Sundays and listen tosome live music. Visit http://www.celebrategreatfalls.org/concerts-on-the-green/.

Vienna’s Summer on the GreenConcert Series. Fridays-Sundays,through Sept. 27. 6:30 p.m. atVienna Town Green, 144 MapleAvenue E, Vienna. Come out on theweekend and listen to some goodmusic.Visit http://www.viennava.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2640

WEDNESDAY/ JULY 29Jambo. 10:30 a.m. Wolf Trap, 1645

Trap Road, Vienna. Discover thedynamic roots of American music forchildren’s imagination. Tickets: $10.Visit www.wolftrap.org

Jill Scott. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1645 TrapRoad, Vienna. Triple-grammy winnerJill Scott performs. Tickets: $45-$100. Visit www.wolftrap.org

THURSDAY/JULY 30Under the Sea. 2:30 - 3:15 p.m.

Dolley Madison Library, 1244 OakRidge Avenue, McLean. Meet live seacreatures. Age 6-12. Register athttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/dm/.

Patrick Henry Book Club. 1 p.m.Patrick Henry Library, 101 MapleAvenue East, Vienna. Recent titlechange: Me Before You by JojoMoyes. Adults. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ph/.

Reading Buddies. 4:30- 6 p.m. GreatFalls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Grab a buddy! TeenVolunteers available to read to orwith beginning readers. Ages 3-9.Register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! 7-8:30 p.m. Patrick Henry Library, 101Maple Avenue East, Vienna. Help uscelebrate the birthday of our favoriteliterary wizard. Teens. Register athttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ph/.

Under the Sea. 2:30- 3:15 p.m.Oakton Library, 10304 LynnhavenPlace, Oakton. Meet live seacreatures. Age 6-12. Register athttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ok/

Natyabhoomi School of IndianDance. 10:30 a.m. Wolf Trap, 1645Trap Road, Vienna. Revel in the richtraditions of South Asia. Tickets $8.Visit www.wolftrap.org

Ben Harper & the InnocentCriminals. 7:30 p.m. Wolf Trap,1645 Trap Road, Vienna. For the firsttime since 2008, the group reuniteson tour for blues, soul, reggae androck performances. Tickets $35-$60.Visit www.wolftrap.org.

Wine Class. 7-8 p.m. The Wine Outlet,278 Cedar Lane SE, Vienna. Wineclass covering Europe’s 43rd Parallel,discussing Provence, France,Tuscany, Italy and more. A light foodpairing will be included. $5. RSVP at703-639-0155

FRIDAY/JULY 31Playdate Cafe. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Great

Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Toys and playspace forchildren. Coffee and conversation forgrownups. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/gf/.

Pokemon League. 3- 6 p.m. PatrickHenry Library, 101 Maple AvenueEast, Vienna. Learn and play. Ages 5-18. Open play. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ph/.

Family Game Time. 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Drop-in and playassorted board games. All skill levelsand ages welcome.

Dr. Seuss Spectacular. 7 p.m. Barnes& Noble, 7851 L. Tysons CornerCenter, McLean. A celebration ofTheodor Geisel known to the worldas the beloved Dr. Seuss.

Kayak Tour-Sunset OverRiverbend. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac HillsSt., Great Falls. A kayak tour of theupper Potomac River. Tickets: $38.Visit fairfaxcounty.gov.

Parent & Child Fishing by Boat. 5 –7 p.m. Riverbend Park, 8700Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Enjoyfishing with your kids. Tickets: $16.Visit fairfaxcounty.gov.

Pushcart Players. 10:30 a.m. WolfTrap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna.Pushcart Players brings “Alice inWonderland” to life. Tickets $10.Visit www.wolftrap.org

Rufus Wainwright. 8:15 p.m. WolfTrap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna.Wainwright pairs his singing with theNational Symphony Orchestra.Tickets $25-$58. Visitwww.wolftrap.org

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JULY 31-AUG. 1Pushcart Players: Alice in

Wonderland. 10:30 a.m. WolfTrap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna.Pushcart Players will be performingAlice in Wonderland. Tickets: $10.worlftrap.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 1-2The Rodgers Family: A Century of

Musicals. 3 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1645Trap Road, Vienna. The Rodgersfamily will be performing music fromseveral of their family’s famousproductions. Tickets: $46.worlftrap.org.

Calendar

Send announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Fridayfor the following week’s paper. Photos/artwork encouraged.

SATURDAY/AUG. 1 Star Trek. 8:30 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1645

Trap Road, Vienna. Wolf Trap will bescreening the film “Star Trek” whilethe National Symphony Orchestraperforms the movie score. Tickets:$30-$58. worlftrap.org.

SUNDAY/AUG. 2David Sedaris. 7 p.m. Wolf Trap,

1645 Trap Road, Vienna. NPRhumorist and author David Sedariswill be performing his comedyfollowed by a Q&A and a booksigning. Tickets: $25-$55.worlftrap.org.

MONDAY/AUG. 3Preschool Science 123. 10:30 a.m.

Great Falls Library, 9830 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls. Mad Sciencepresents fun and amazingexperiments. Age 3-6 with adult.Each adult and child must be signedup separately.

TUESDAY/AUG. 4Legos in the Library. 2 p.m. Great

Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Get creative with Legos.Ages 5-12.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 4-9Mystical Arts of Tibet. 7:30 p.m.

Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter MillRoad, Oakton. The acclaimedMystical Arts of Tibet will conduct alive exhibition of an elaborate PeaceMandala sand painting and performrelated music, dance and lectures.www.unityoffairfax.org

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 5Dan Navarro. 7:30 p.m. Jammin’ Java,

227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna. $20.For over 30 years, Dan Navarro haswritten, sung, played and actedthroughout his career.

Books and Babies Storytime. 10:30a.m. Great Falls Library, 9830Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Buildan early literacy foundation for youand your child while enjoyingrhymes, songs, stories and activities.

Pokemon League. 4:30 p.m. Great

Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Drop-in and playPokemon with your friends.

THURSDAY/AUG. 6The Piano Guys. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap,

1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Piano andcello YouTube phenoms bring theirbeautiful compositions to the stage,with original works and classical/popmashups ranging from SwedishHouse Mafia to Vivaldi. Tickets: $30-$55. www.wolftrap.org.

Reading Buddies. 4:30 p.m. GreatFalls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Teen volunteers availableto read to/ with beginning readers.Ages 3-9.

Knit Club. 6 p.m. Great Falls Library,9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.Bring your supplies and practice yourcrochet, knitting and cross stitchingtechniques. Ages 8-18.

FRIDAY/AUG. 7Madama Butterfly. 8:15 p.m. Wolf

Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.Experience Puccini’s heartbreakingmasterpiece of passion, honor, andsacrifice with Wolf Trap Opera andthe National Symphony Orchestra inthis new, staged, and costumedproduction with custom videoprojections. Tickets: $25-$75.www.wolftrap.org.

Playdate Cafe. 10 a.m. Great FallsLibrary, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Children come and enjoytoys and a playspace, while adultsenjoy coffee and conversation. Agesbirth-5.

Family Game Time. 3:30 p.m. GreatFalls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Drop-in and playassorted board games. All skill levelsand ages welcome.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/AUG. 7-8“Fiddler on the Roof.” 7:30 p.m.

Vienna Community Center, 120Cherry Street SE, Vienna.

SATURDAY/AUG. 8Vienna Art Society’s Photography

Exhibition. 4-6 p.m. Vienna ArtCenter, 115 Pleasant Street, NW,Vienna. Juror Matthew G. Schmidt

will select winners at the Vienna ArtsSociety’s annual judged photographyexhibition. Enjoy light refreshmentsand meet the artists at the awardsreception.

Silver Line Music & Food TruckFestival. 12-9 p.m. Lerner TownSquare at Tysons II, 8025 GalleriaDrive, Tysons. Admission is free, over20 food trucks and fun.

The Music of John WilliamsNational Symphony Orchestra.8:15 p.m. Wolf Trap, 1551 TrapRoad, Vienna. Journey now withJohn Williams’ and the NSO as theyperform entrancing and exhilaratingmusic by the most Oscar-nominatedman alive, with songs from belovedfilms like Star Wars, Indiana Jones,Jaws, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter,Hook, and more. Tickets: $20-$58.

Fire Truck Visit. 10 a.m. Great FallsLibrary, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Come check out a firetruck up close and hear all aboutbeing a firefighter from the team atthe Great Falls fire station.

TUESDAY/AUG.11Needtobreathe’s Tour De

Compadres. 7 p.m. Wolf Trap,1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Immerseyourself in captivating alt-rock frompremier bands. Tickets: $25-$45.www.wolftrap.org.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 12Jim Gaffigan- Contagious. 8 p.m.

Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Llaugh it up with the Grammy-nominated humorist as he dishes onfood, fatherhood, and everything inbetween. Tickets: $30-$60.www.wolftrap.org.

Pokemon League. 4:30 p.m. GreatFalls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike,Great Falls. Drop- in and playPokemon with your friends.

THURSDAY/AUG.13Counting Crows-Somewhere

Under Wonderland Tour. 7 p.m.Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna.Fall “Accidentally in Love” with themelodic alternative rockers and hearthem play all their hits off theiralbum. Tickets: $45-$60.www.wolftrap.org.


To highlight your Faith Community, call Karen at 703-778-9422

DAILY EUCHARIST:WeekdaysMonday-Friday, 8:30 AMSaturday, 8:30 AM

SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE:Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PMSunday: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spanish Liturgy

5312 North 10th Street,Arlington, Virginia 22205Parish Office: 703-528-6276

PARISH WEBSITE:www.stannchurch.org

All AreWelcome!

Student-run Production of‘Rent’ at 1st Stage

Metro School of the Arts (MSA), Youth Theatre de-partment, is showcasing its completely student-run pro-duction of “RENT” at 1st Stage Theatre in McLean, July31 to Aug. 2. Student directed and produced.

From left — Director Chad Vann(Alexandria – 11th grade), ProducerSam Cornbrooks (Springfield – 12thgrade) and Musical Director JamesWoods (Alexandria– 11th grade).

From left — top row: MSA students in RENT:Danny Waldman (Woodbridge - 12th), ChadVann (Alexandria - 11th ), Jordan Sledd (Lorton –12th), Kyra Smith (Alexandria- College Fresh-man), Trey Krause (Woodbridge- 12th), MerrittPalmer (Lorton - 11th), Bethel Elias (Springfield– 12th), Erin Coughlan (Lorton - 12), BenCherington (Lorton - 12th), Kathy Oh (Lorton-College Sophomore), Cara Bachman (Lorton-College Freshman), Marcia Cunning (Alexan-dria- College Freshman), Noah Mutterperl(Alexandria-12th). Bottom Row: Aida Campos(Woodbridge - 12th), Brian Perry (Springfiel d-11th), Ben Fluet (Woodbridge - 12th).

Entertainment

From Page 7

“Given what we know thecounty is facing in 2017,” saidBraddock representative MeganMcLaughlin, referring to a pro-jected $100 million shortfall, “Ibelieve my colleagues are trulytrying to help this school sys-tem find the best footing pos-sible.”

Kimberly Adams, president ofthe Fairfax Education Associa-tion teachers’ union, praisedpast budget work for fundingthe on-time full-step increase inteacher compensation, andmaking “good on the promiseof turf fields.”

“We appreciate work thatstarted weeks ago, with jointboard committees,” Adamssaid. “We need to see morework by both boards, morequickly. Our quality of life de-pends on it.”

When called to a vote, theboard unanimously passed thereview.

At-large member IlryongMoon next motioned for ap-proving the Fiscal Year 2016audit plan, intended to improvethe efficiency and efficacy of the

school system. Moon explainedthat in addition to carryovers fromthe Fiscal Year 2015 audit, newcomponents for 2016 would in-clude performance audits of theonline campus, homebound andhome-based instruction, and busi-ness process and turnover audits.

Garza commended the work ofthe audit committee, which mostrecently held a work session July13.

“It’s a good approach to includethe comprehensive evaluations,”Garza said, that will have “a sig-nificant impact throughout thesystem.”

The audit plan also passedunanimously.

AS A FOLLOW-UP, the boardthen voted to approve the processby which community members canapply to be part of the audit com-mittee, as well as a timeline forhow and when that group willoperate. The committee comprisesfour School Board members andtwo appointed representativesfrom the community. Those twoserve staggered two-year terms.

The request for communitymember applications began July24 and will last until Aug. 21, with

the first meeting scheduled tobe held in October.

“We clearly will, with the ad-dition of community members,accomplish our goals of manyyears ago,” said Mount Vernonrepresentative Dan Storck, “tohave a highly functional, inde-pendent audit process.”

During new business, SchoolBoard members received infor-mation about the future of theFamily Life Education Curricu-lum Advisory Committee,which is made up of communitymembers, teachers, administra-tors and members of the cen-tral office staff.

As of the meeting, two SchoolBoard appointments to thecommittee were unfilled, alongwith four student representa-tive appointments, a physicianand a middle and elementaryschool administrator. The re-mainder of the committeemembers’ term lasts until June30, 2016.

The Family Life EducationCurriculum Advisory Commit-tee meets twice yet this year —Oct. 8 and Nov. 12 — at theGatehouse Administration Cen-ter from 7-9 p.m.

School Board Adopts Budget Review

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Sports

McLean catcher Bella Nortonknew from a young age thatshe wanted to play collegesoftball. Once she got to

high school, it didn’t take Norton long tochoose the college at which she would play.

Norton committed to Indiana Universityat the beginning of her sophomore year. Shehas remained motivated despite committingearly in her high school career, citing herdesire to be the best.

After spending her freshman season as theHighlanders’ designated hitter, Nortonmoved behind the plate as a sophomore.As a junior in 2015, Norton batted .450 andearned first-team all-Conference 6, first-team all-6A North region and first-teamVHSL all-state honors. She was also namedfirst-team All-Met by the Washington Post.

Now a rising senior, Norton has one moreseason at McLean before competing at theDivision I level. She recently participatedin a Q&A via email with The Connection.

Connection: What was it about Indianathat made you commit?

Norton: It was a combination of thebeauty of the school, the academic excel-lence and the B1G competition/amazingsoftball I’d be playing. The biggest thing forme was IU will obviously be a huge chal-lenge, going into the collegiate level, butthey have a loving, family feel about theirorganization and school I felt nowhere else.I fell in love with everything about it.

Connection: Were there specific reasonsbehind why you decided to commit to acollege at the beginning of your sophomoreyear?

Norton: At that time in my recruitingprocess other offers were being presentedto me. I visited other schools but when In-diana University came up, as soon as Iwalked on campus I just knew it was theschool for me.

Connection: What teams did you playfor prior to high school that allowed you toreceive a DI offer early in your high schoolcareer?

Norton: I played with the Vienna Starsorganization from the time I was 11 yearsold. I guest played with 18U Gold when Iwas in eighth grade, and the program wasso strong and allowed me to play with thebest girls in the country and gave me theexposure that I needed. Although I don’tplay for the organization anymore, theStars, combined with my efforts to be re-cruited got me to where I am today and I’mvery thankful for that.

Connection: What teams do you playfor now, other than McLean?

Norton: I play for the Newtown Rock18U Gold (Garvey). They are based inNewtown, Pa.

Connection: How, if it all, do you feelbeing committed to a college affected yourapproach to softball during your sophomoreand junior seasons?

Norton: It has affected my work ethicand approach to the game in the best way

possible. I want to be the best, and I wantto represent Indiana the best way I possi-bly can. Every practice, every game, I amworking for Indiana, and I’m ultimatelyworking on becoming the best. I am play-ing to grow as a player so I am ready to gowhen I get to Indiana. It’s given me evenmore drive and passion playing the gameof softball.

Connection: At what age did you startplaying softball?

Norton: I started playing softball whenI was 4 years old.

Connection: When did you realize play-ing college softball was an option for you?

Norton: When I was 10, I saw the Uni-versity of Alabama play on TV, and eversince then my goal was to play at the big-gest and most competitive level of softballI was able to reach. In middle school, I gotmy first look and I really started to look atcolleges that I could potentially go to, toplay softball.

Connection: What is the most difficultpart of being a catcher? What is the mostrewarding?

Norton: The most difficult part of beinga catcher is the same as the most reward-ing, which is being the leader off the fieldand developing your IQ of the game. It’sdifficult to master, but there’s somethingabout having your teammates trust you andknowing you have each other’s backs thatis really special.

Connection: You’re sitting around play-ing a board game with family/friends. Doyou play to have fun or play to win?

Norton: I’m the most competitive per-son I know. I definitely play to win.

Connection: Do you have a specificgame day routine?

Norton: I have to write the number 24(for Madison Small) on my hand beforeevery single game to honor her. I hit beforewarm ups even start on a normal game day.I’m very superstitious, so for high school, I

have to eat a tuna sandwich no matter what.I have to wear the same sports bra andspandex under my uniform, and I have aspecific 30-song playlist I have to listen tobefore I play.

Connection: What do you like to dowhen you’re not playing a sport?

Norton: I love seeing my goddaughter,Georgia, when I’m not playing softball. Ilove being around my family. I love to workout when I’m not playing softball and read-ing about old bands and music.

Connection: Are you a pro sports fan?Which team(s) do you root for?

Norton: The Nationals! My favoritesport and team to watch.

Connection: What location is the far-thest you’ve traveled from the Washington,D.C metro area?

Norton: The farthest I’ve traveled isCalifornia.

Connection: What’s your favorite food?Norton: I love Lebanese food all around

(cause I’m Lebanese), but my favorite isgrape leaves.

Connection: Who is your favorite mu-sic artist? Why?

Norton: I love Aerosmith, Van Halen andRush. I love classic rock; it’s my favorite kindof music.

Connection: What is your favoritemovie?

Norton: “Mean Girls.”

— Jon Roetman

Catcher is superstitious, listens to 30-song playlist on game days.

Q&A: McLean’s Norton Committed to Indiana as Sophomore

“The most difficult part of being a catcher is thesame as the most rewarding, which is being theleader off the field and developing your IQ of thegame. It’s difficult to master, but there’s somethingabout having your teammates trust you and knowingyou have each other’s backs that is really special.”

— Bella Norton

McLean rising senior catcher Bella Norton is committed to play softball at Indiana University.

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McLean Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-752-4031 or [email protected]


Local resident and former WashingtonRedskin, Leonard Stephens, relocatedhis Youth Sports Training Academy, Per-fect Performance, to new 25,000 square

foot Facility in Tysons Corner. Living in the areafor more than 20 years (six of those years playingin the NFL), Stephens recognizes the desire anddevotion that local boys and girls have to learn,train, and successfully compete in sports. Afterleaving the NFL, Stephens began the new sportscareer of mentoring and teaching expert standardsin athletic training at his youth sports academy,Perfect Performance. Stephens has been sharinghis professional athletic knowledge and provensuccesses with young athletes since 2007 and haseffectively branched out to all sports beyond foot-ball. Stephens is excited to move Perfect Perfor-mance to the newly constructed, state-of-the art,25,000 sq. ft., indoor, turf facility located at 8502Tyco Road, Tysons Corner. The new facility in-cludes a weight room, locker rooms, showers anda parent viewing area.

Perfect Performance provides specialized train-ing programs at all skill levels, specifically for ages10 through collegiate years, in football, baseball,lacrosse, volleyball. Perfect Performance also di-rects a Speed and Strength Academy which deliv-ers champion advantages in all sports includingbasketball, soccer, softball, rugby. Perfect Perfor-mance is equipped with plenty of free parking andis walking distance to the Spring Hill Metro Sta-tion on the Silver Line. Perfect Performance is openseven days a week.

The 6-foot-3, 245-lb, Stephens can be found atPerfect Performance seven days a week engagedin most of the training taking place there. Stephenshas selected only top quality sports trainers towork in the sport that they themselves have provento master. All of the Perfect Performance trainershave played and competed at the collegiate level.

Stephens grew up in Princeton Junction, N.J.lettering in three sports, football, basketball andtrack, but had the most success on the gridiron.Over his six-year NFL career, Stephens played with

current and future Hall of Famers and perennialPro-Bowlers, and was also coached by future Hallof Famers. Some of those individuals includeDarryl Green, Marcus Pollard, Ben Coates, JoeGibbs, Joe Bugel, Steve Spurrier and MikeHolmgren. He has played with many great widereceivers and tight ends including LaverneusColes, Roy Williams, Walter Rasby and MarcusPollard.

Stephens is married to Dr. Candice Turpin-Stephens and they have a young son and daugh-ter. Stephens recently formed Perfect PerformanceSports and Education Trust which provides young,disadvantaged football players in the greaterWashington metropolitan area with the necessaryskills and support to be equally successful on andoff the playing field. The Perfect Performance teamof trained coaches, educators, and support staffprovide athletic training, academic support, andsocial and professional development to athletesbeginning in middle school lasting through highschool graduation.

For more information, visit Perfect Performance’swebsite at www.perfect-performance.com.

Youth Sports TrainingAcademy relocates toTysons location.

Training for Perfect Performance

Student Alex Bendler performingProwler Power Walk for the OffensiveLine Academy for seventh through 12thgrade, while Leonard Stephens watches.

LeonardStephensdemonstratingfor OffensiveLine Academy(football) theWeightedPower Walk.

Photos contributed

Dianne Blais and Lois Page, ofFairfax, were elected co-presidentsat the League of Women Voters ofVirginia's 37th Biennial Conventionin Charlottesville. They will leadthe state League for the next twoyears, taking over from Anne Ster-ling of Richmond. Blais has beena Leaguer for over 15 years andPage for more than 40 years in fourdifferent states.

The 63 delegates and four non-voting members traveled fromacross the state to plan for andprovide the vision that will guidethe members during the 2015-17biennium.

The convention also elected 10other members of the Board in-cluding:

First Vice-President, Sue Lewis,and Treasurer, Pat Hurst from theCharlottesville Area;

Second Vice-President, CarolNoggle, from the Prince WilliamArea, and Rebecca Shankman,Secretary, from the MontgomeryCounty LWV. Directors include:Lynn Johnston of Richmond, RonPage of the Fairfax Area, LindaGarvelink of Falls Church, FrancesSchulz of Charlottesville, AdarshTrehan and Maggi Luca from theFairfax area. Sherry Zachry willhead the Nominating Committee.

A major theme of the conven-tion was “Redistricting Reform:What it is, Why it is needed, andHow you can help.” A panel mod-erated by Kristin Goss, presidentof the Arlington LWV, includedEllen Buchman, vice-president ofthe Leadership Conference on Civiland Human Rights, a premier civiland human rights coalition; NickMueller, an attorney in NorthernVirginia, who specializes in elec-tion law, including redistrictinglaw and Mark Flynn, GeneralCounsel of the Virginia MunicipalLeague. Panelists emphasized theneed to act now and advocate lo-cally for reform. Attendees were

given a “Tool Kit” with materialsto help in this endeavor.

Levar Stoney, secretary of theCommonwealth, also spoke on afavorite League topic, the restora-tion of voting rights for felons.Secretary Stoney summarized theefforts the Governor has spear-headed to restore voting rights tomore people than in all previousadministrations. The League alsovoted to concur with a positioncalled “Ban the Box” that urgesemployment applications to elimi-nate the required checking of abox to indicate the applicant hasbeen convicted of a felony untilafter the initial interview. Check-ing the box usually results in anapplicant not even being inter-viewed.

Greg Buppert, a senior attorneyfor the Southern EnvironmentalLaw Center, also spoke on the ef-forts of his organization to preventincreased hydraulic fracturing(fracking) in Virginia. Attendeeslater adopted a new study of theenvironmental impacts of frackingto determine if the state leagueshould consider adopting a posi-tion on which to advocate.

Honored guests at the conven-tion included Peggy Appler,LWVUS Liaison from South Caro-lina who reviewed the kinds ofhelp and materials state and localleagues can receive from the na-tional staff. Also recognized wasRebecca Young-Marquardt, daugh-ter of the late Virginia Gwathmey-Young who served for a numberof years as Virginia League Presi-dent. Her daughter has establisheda grant that has helped to fundsome state initiatives.

The delegates also voted to sup-port resolutions offered by LWV ofthe Fairfax Area to support legis-lation that would increase firearmsafety in situations involving do-mestic violence and access to gunsby children.

Dianne Blais and Lois Page ElectedCo-presidents of the League ofWomen Voters of Virginia

Photo contributed

From left — Lois Page and Dianne Blais.


Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

Monday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

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EmploymentEmployment

Kumon Learning Center:Part-time assistants needed to grade math and reading worksheets and to work with students of all ages. Flexible hours, ability to work during the school year is preferred. Please contact at (703) 734-0964 or [email protected]"

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Zone 6 Ad Deadline:

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Zone 6: • Arlington • Great Falls

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ABC LICENSEMichael Nicholas Katrivanos trading as Metropole Brewing Company, 2709 S. Oakland St. Arlington, VA 22206. The above establishment is apply-ing to the VIRGINIA DEPART-MENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEV-ERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Brewery less than 500 bar-rels license to sell or manufac-ture alcoholic beverages. Mi-chael Katrivanos, owner. NOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

For a free digital sub-scription to one or allof the 15 ConnectionNewspapers, go towww.connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

Complete digital rep-lica of the print edition,including photos andads, delivered weeklyto your e-mail box.

Questions? E-mail:[email protected]

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

On ATangent

Not that I live day-to-day or even month-to-month, but I do live – in my head any-way – quarter-to-quarter; that interval rep-resenting the usual and customary timebetween my recurring diagnostic scans. Thetime when the rubber hits my road. Thetime when push comes to shove. The timewhen my oncologist tells me whether mywarranty has been extended for the nextthree months or not. Not that I anticipatethat my time will run out that quickly after adisappointing scan result; still, bad newsseems to travel faster and cause adverseconsequences quicker than good newscauses relief, a sort of “disharmony,” toquote James Cagney from the movie, “MisterRoberts.”

But what else is new? Nothing, really.Because to live the life of a cancer survivoris way better than not living, or casting your-self as a victim, which, for those who knowme, know I never do. Where’s the future inthat? Blaming, “woeing-is-meing,” “self-dis-satisfying?” To what end? Misery might likecompany but it’s boring to be around miser-able people. And to survive a potentiallydevastating and depressing set of circum-stances – expected or not – associatingand/or being exposed to/subjected to peo-ple who look at life through black-rose-col-ored glasses provides no help whatsoever.

I don’t want to feel better about myselfby being around people who feel worseabout themselves. I want to feel better bybeing around people who feel good andact/behave positively. Strength may indeedcome from numbers, as they say; but whenyou’re a cancer patient/survivor, strengthcomes from attitude: yours, your fellow can-cer survivors and the people with whom yousurround yourself. I don’t want to have over-come someone else’s negativity. I want to beovercome by their positivity. I want/need tofeel good about everything I do/attempt todo. I don’t want/definitely don’t need tofeel/be made to feel bad about anything.Granted, it’s a subtle line between encour-agement and disappointment where youmight be suggesting one thing and minimiz-ing another. Yet, finding a middle groundbecomes imperative. Not that cancerpatients’ psyches are fragile and easilyaffected by the words and deeds of others;however, cancer does exert some subcon-scious and even unconscious control andconsequently, you might end up feel-ing/emoting/reacting differently than youever have or ever anticipated. As an exam-ple: I tear up regularly while watching televi-sion, and not just at “tear-jerkers,” either:news, weather, sports, comedies, dramas,fiction, non-fiction; anything, everything.

Mastering one’s domain, in a non-Seinfeld-type context is crucial to surviving acancer ordeal. Taking the ups and downsand all-arounds in some sort of stride, eventwo steps forward and one step backwardisn’t so bad. At least your net movement isforward. And forward is the goal. CertainlyI’m not looking forward to my next scan inOctober but it is something to look forwardto; it’s progress, sort of; it means that life isstill being lived. It’s not ideal, but ideal leftthe building on February 27, 2009 when Ireceived my initial face-to-face diagno-sis/prognosis. Nevertheless, I remain positiveabout my negative. In my opinion, the alter-native serves no purpose.

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to [email protected]. Thedeadline for submissions is the Friday prior to pub-lication.

MONDAY/AUG. 3Spanish Chat. 1 p.m. Great Falls Library, 9830

Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. All levels welcometo practice Spanish in a relaxed environmentwith a native speaker. Adults.


Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. All levels welcometo practice Spanish in a relaxed environmentwith a native speaker. Adults.


Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. All levels welcometo practice Spanish in a relaxed environmentwith a native speaker. Adult admission.

ONGOINGThe Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna has

an urgent need for volunteer drivers to take areaseniors to medical appointments and otheractivities. Opportunities to volunteer for otherservices are also available. No long-termcommitment and hours are flexible to fit yourschedule.Visit www.scov.org or contact theVolunteer Coordinator at 703-281-5086 or [email protected].

Food Addicts in Recovery. Wednesdays at 7p.m. at The Vine Church, 2501 Gallows Road,Dunn Loring. Are you having trouble controllingthe way you eat? Food Addicts in RecoveryAnonymous (FA) is a free twelve step recoveryprogram for anyone suffering from foodobsession, overeating, under-eating or bulimia.For more information or a list of additionalmeetings throughout the U.S. and the world, call781-932-6300 or www.foodaddicts.org.

Vienna Toastmasters. 2nd and 4th Wednesdaysat 7:30 p.m., at the Vienna Community Centeron the 2nd floor room opposite the elevator, 120Cherry St., S.E., Vienna. A friendly place to getcomfortable with public speaking andimpromptu speaking for new and experiencedspeakers. Open to the public.

Run With the Doctor. Every other Saturday at 7a.m. 8230 Boone Blvd., Tysons Corner. TheCenter for Orthopedics and Sports Medicineoffers its services in a convenient format torunners at this running event. Free.facebook.com/runwiththedoctor.

Bulletin Board

Faith Notes are for announcements andevents in the faith community. Send [email protected]. Deadlineis Friday.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, is holding Sun-day evening worship service in a less formalatmosphere and more intimate setting tohelp you get ready for the week ahead. Sun-days, 6 p.m. Communion offered. Nochildcare. 703-938-2119 orwww.elcvienna.org.

St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, offers musi-cal, educational, outreach and fellowshipministries in addition to worship services,including a 7:45 a.m. worship service with-out music; 9 a.m. worship service, children’schapel and children’s choirs; 10 a.m. Sundayschool and adult forum; and 11 a.m. worshipservice with adult choir. 703-759-2082.

The Antioch Christian Church offersa time of Prayer and Healing on Wednesdayevenings at 6:30 p.m. for anyone wantingencouragement and healing through prayers.People are available to pray with you or foryou. Antioch Christian Church is located at1860 Beulah Road in Vienna.www.antiochdoc.org

The Jewish Social Services Agency(JSSA) offers a wide variety of supportgroups for those with emotional, social, andphysical challenges. www.jssa.org/growth-learning.

Faith Notes


Documents

McLean - Ellington CMSconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/... · 2015. 7. 28. · Kristin Cummins, real estate, of McLean, and children Cadence Cummins, 6, and