Reston · part by Red Thinking’s annual BrandJam grant, which “helps local non-profits get the marketing collateral they need to achieve their missions.” “The Red Thinking

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The Frost family, grandparents Marsha and Lawrence andbrother Tanner, accompanied 13-year-old Robbie from

Centreville on the travel adventure. United First Officer JulieCallens lent her cap to her special passenger for the photo.

Lawsuit Filed in RestonTown Center Parking BattleNews, Page 3

Three’s CommunityNews, Page 3

Lawsuit Filed in RestonTown Center Parking BattleNews, Page 3

Three’s CommunityNews, Page 3

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News

Discussing Islam at South Lakes HighJoshua Salaam, the Youth Director at the ADAMS Center, gave adynamic presentation about Islam to Andrea Parent’s IB WorldReligions class at South Lakes High School. The discussion wasbased on student generated questions about his own personalpractices, religious rituals, as well as current social and politicalissues. He made the practice of Islam come alive with his relatableanswers and explanations that engaged the students, opened minds,and produced even more thoughtful questions.

SupportingPeace PlayersFrom left: Franklin MiddleSchool eighth graders ZacharyLevine, Spencer Schwartz,Nathan Reed, are joined byAlex Harris, owner of Evolu-tion Basketball Training at thesecond annual “Dunkin’ forDollars 3 on 3” tournament.This year, the event was heldat Evolution Basketball inMerrifield and raised $1,300for Peace Players Interna-tional, a nonprofit that unitesyoung people from dividedcommunities through basket-ball. Evolution Basketballdonated their court space andShoppers Food Warehouse atVillage Center at Dulles do-nated concessions.

Photo contributed

The year 2017 marks a significantmilestone for Public Art Reston.The nonprofit, whose mission is to

create a new generation of public artworksin Reston, is celebrating its 10th anniver-sary. In recognition of the accomplishmentsof the past decade, it has moved on from“Initiative” and officially changed its nameto Public Art Reston. “A 10-year anniversaryis a prime opportunity to celebrate PublicArt Reston with a refreshed brand and up-dated name,” said Public Art Reston Presi-dent and Chair Maggie Parker. “Initiativefor Public Art-Reston already has made itsmark by facilitating approximately 15 pub-lic artworks in Reston since its inception.These additions to Reston’s public art in-ventory were achieved in cooperation withmany of the community’s key civic organi-zations, corporations and a broad array ofindividuals, who worked with our Execu-tive Director Anne Delaney to inspire thecommunity and engage the mind and sensesthrough public art.”

Public Art Reston’s refreshed brandingincludes a new logo, outreach materials,and an updated website, currently beingdeveloped. These changes are being donein collaboration with Red Thinking, brand-

ing and digital marketing specialistsfounded by Jen Sterling and supported inpart by Red Thinking’s annual BrandJamgrant, which “helps local non-profits get themarketing collateral they need to achievetheir missions.” “The Red Thinking team hasloved working with Public Art Reston fromits inception,” Sterling said. “We establishedthe original brand identity and then, dur-ing our most recent BrandJam, we wereinvited to refresh the organization’s brandto represent its growth. Public Art Restonhas always been bold and confident in howit represents its brand, making it incrediblyfun and rewarding to work with.”

Public Art Reston’s renewed branding willfocus on encouraging the community andviewers to discover, engage, and be inspiredby Reston’s public artworks. Public ArtReston was founded in 2007 by Reston civicand community organizations and leaders.It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization thatseeks to inspire an ongoing commitment forpublic art and create a new generation ofartworks in Reston. It imagines public artthroughout Reston that inspires the com-munity and engages the mind and senses.For more about Public Art Reston, visitwww.publicartreston.org

Public Art RestonMarks 10th Anniversary

No Replacement forSeptage Facility

After an extensive search of potential sitesand associated cost-benefit analysis, theCounty has decided not to pursue the con-struction of a new facility to replace theexisting north county site (i.e., Colvin RunSeptage Receiving Facility); which will bepermanently closed. The high costs of pur-chasing property and constructing a newfacility makes it impractical to recover ex-penditures through reasonable service fees.Further, the alternative disposal options forcounty generated septage which were in-stituted during the temporary closure of theColvin Run Facility (including options at theNoman M. Cole Pollution Control Plant, theUpper Occoquan service Authority, and D.C.Water’s Blue Plains facility) have workedeffectively and will be able to meet futureneeds. Hunter Mill District Supervisor CathyHudgins said, “I am pleased the Countyworked with the community in addressingthe various concerns/comments andworked out a solution that is both a win/win for the community, the Department ofPublic Works and Environmental Services andthe haulers.” For a more in depth summaryof the decision visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/ and look under News & Informationfor Septage Receiving Site Relocation Fea-sibility Study Concludes.

Celebrating Dogs andTheir Humans

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins

and the Park Authority are teaming togetherto host the Wag Fest, on Saturday, April 1,from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dog owners will havethe opportunity to learn about the county’sdog parks and find out about opportunitiesto serve as a volunteer dog park monitor.

Also featured at Wag Fest will be presen-tations and demonstrations of the Fire andRescue VA canine team members and theFairfax County Police K-9 unit. In addition,dog licenses will be available for sale, andguests from the Animal Shelter will be fea-tured. Dog supplies and businesses will alsobe on hand for the festivities.

Wag Fest will be held inside and outsideat the North County Governmental Center,1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. For moreinformation, contact the Park AuthorityPublic Information Office at 703-324-8662.

Kiddie Academy inReston PresentsSummer Programs

On Saturday, April 1, Kiddie Academy ofReston will be hosting inauguralCampVentures event. Local families seek-ing summer camp programs for childrenages 2-12 years old are invited to the fun,free community event to experience first-hand a summer’s worth of camp programs,concepts and education in a single morn-ing (from 10 a.m.-12) at 12320 PinecrestRoad, Suite 150, Reston.

This event is open to anyone in the com-munity — including current students andnew friends and families who would like topartake in this fun experience.

Week in Reston

To have community events listed in the Connec-tion, send to connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/by noon on Friday.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 29Transportation Meeting. 7 p.m. in the lecture

hall of Hughes Middle School, 11401 RidgeHeights Road, Reston. Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation will host twoinformational meetings on the proposed RestonTransportation Service District. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 8Managing Inflammation Naturally. 2 p.m. at

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman TowneDrive. Registered dietician Natalie Kannan willshare ways to manage chronic inflammationthrough diet and healthy eating choices. Foradults, free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/libraryfor more.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 12Medicare 101. 2-2:30 p.m. at the Reston

Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road,Reston. Fairfax County is offering the freeseminar, Medicare 101. Contact Karen Brutschéat 703-390-6157 for more.

ONGOINGSunrise at Reston Town Center offers a

monthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourthWednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthlysupport group offers a safe place for familycaregivers, to meet and develop a mutualsupport system and to exchange practicalinformation and possible solutions. Learn aboutresources available. Call 703-956- 8930 or emailReston.ED@ sunriseseniorliving.com to RSVP.

Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 IsaacNewton Square, Reston. This program bringstogether people impacted by Parkinson’s Diseaseto participate in various physical exercises aimedat improving posture, balance and circulationand increasing strength, muscle control andmobility. Free. [email protected] 703-621-4148.

Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax CountyMaster Gardener Association offers plant clinics,home turf training or speakers for homeowner’smeetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.orgor call Dora Lockwood at 401-864-4778.

Over-40 Softball League. A Fairfax-basedleague is looking for enough players to formanother team. Players must be at last 40 years ofage to be eligible. All games are doubleheaders -played on Sundays at Bready Park in Herndonbetween 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. [email protected] for more.

Bulletin Board


NewsReston Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Fallon Forbush

The Connection

A restaurant in RestonTown Center filed alawsuit against BostonProperties on Thurs-

day, March 23, over the paid park-ing system that was implementedin January, which has been metwith resistance from merchantsand shoppers.

Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food &Lucky Lounge on Democracy Drivefiled the lawsuit, including a mo-tion for a temporary injunctionagainst its town center landlord,South of Market LLC, which is con-trolled and operated by BostonProperties.

Filed in Fairfax County CircuitCourt, Jackson’s seeks to forceBoston Properties to pay $500,000in damages the restaurant sufferedfrom the town center’s paid park-ing system. The lawsuit also de-mands the system be scrapped.

The lawsuit alleges the towncenter’s parking validation systemviolates Jackson’s lease rights and

“Park Free RTC” protest march demanding BostonProperties reduce hourly parking rates or give pa-trons the first hour or two free.

“We did not want to have to sue and we tried towork with Boston Properties to address our concernsand our rights under the lease to give our customersfree and hassle-free parking, both before and afterBoston Properties implemented this parking system,”Jon Norton, CEO of Great American Restaurants,which owns Jackson’s, said in a press release. “Butthey were uncompromising and appeared disinter-ested in working with us to provide our guests a bet-ter experience at Reston Town Center.”

While the restaurant chose to forgo teaming upwith the coalition of merchants who are threateninglegal action under their association umbrella, it feelsit has its own unique legal claim.

“Jackson’s lawsuit is based on their own lease andcontractual terms,” Christy Moran, a Jackson’sspokesperson, said over email. “Each restaurant ne-gotiates their own lease. Great American Restau-rants/Jackson’s is not aware of the terms of otherleases.”

MORE LITIGATION is still to come if merchantscontinue to feel their requests are ignored.

“We’re very much behind Jackson’s,” Aaron Gor-don of Gordon Food Group and the proprietor of theRed Velvet Cupcakery in the town center, said overemail. “Don’t be surprised if others, including theMerchant’s Association, follow up with lawsuits ofour own.”

Boston Properties was unwilling to comment onthe litigation.

“It would be inappropriate to discuss pending liti-gation, particularly as there is a confidentiality pro-vision that prevents either party from discussingmany of the lease terms,” Kathy Walsh, a Boston Prop-erties spokesperson, said over email.

Lawsuit Filed in RestonTown Center Parking Battle

Aaron Gordon of Gordon Food Group and the proprietorof the Red Velvet Cupcakery in the town center speaks to“Park Free RTC” protest marchers earlier this month.

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A new service district thatwould tax all propertynear metrorail stations

in Reston and Herndon will bevoted on by the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors next weekand property owners had a leanshowing to discuss the pro-posal.

Three people attended acommunity meeting about thenew tax with the Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportationin the cafeteria of Coates El-ementary School in Herndonon Tuesday, March 21.

One reason for the poor at-tendance could be that prop-erty owners have not been di-rectly notified of the proposedtax.

“I had thought that there wasan effort that was being putforward to mail property own-ers and I don’t think that thatis actually the case,” RayJohnson of the FCDOT, saidduring the meeting. “I knowthat we are putting out notifi-cations through our typicalchannels through social media,through the web, through theboard’s website, through pub-lic meetings, and that’s reallythe reason why we decided tohave service district-centricmeetings ahead of the publichearing. We’re trying to reachout as much as we can.”

However, these are all com-munications that individualsmust opt-in to receive.

Rebecca Lane of Reston heardabout the tax and the commu-nity meeting through word ofmouth. “I was living in Reston,but I was not aware of this forsome reason,” Lane said during

the meeting. “Somehow it justgot off my radar, so when I gotthe information, I got a lot ofmisinformation.”

While those in the commu-nity are still learning about thetax, the Board of Supervisorsalready voted to approve the$2.2 billion Reston Transporta-tion Funding Plan and its asso-ciated road fund on Tuesday,Feb. 28.

The plan’s service district,which the board has not votedon yet, would only affect thosewho own property within theReston Transit Station Areas.The county designated theseareas near the WashingtonMetropolitan Area Transit Au-thority metrorail stations thatwill serve Reston and Herndonon the Silver Line: the RestonTown Center, Wiehle-RestonEast and Herndon stations.

The proposed service districtrate for homeowners is 2.1cents per $100 of assessedvalue of the property.

The FCDOT will hold anothercommunity meeting about theservice district at HughesMiddle School in Reston onWednesday, March 29, afterdeadline for this newspaper.The FCDOT will also be givinga presentation to the RestonTown Center Association onApril 3, according to TomBiesiadny, FCDOT director.

The board will have a publichearing on Tuesday, April 4, at2 p.m. to discuss and vote onthe plan’s service district. If itis approved, the board will alsovote on whether to establish anadvisory board to advise theboard on transportation projectpriorities and annual adjust-ments to the tax rate for theservice district.

Three’s CommunityThree people show up at meetingon proposed transit area tax.

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Mark Lipari andRebecca Lane ofReston were theonly communitymembers to askquestions about

the proposedservice district

during themeeting. A

representativeof the RestonTown Center

Association wasalso present.

the requirements for its guests to receive free park-ing.

“Our team has been inundated with complaintsfrom guests who tell us that the process to use thevalidation system is cumbersome and confusing,”Orson Williams, managing partner at Jackson’s, saidin a press release. “On top of that, Boston Proper-ties’ parking attendants often give incorrect and mis-leading instructions when our guests seek help ingetting unlimited free parking.”

THE PAID PARKING system requires all parkersto pay by providing their license plate number andcredit card information by either using a mobile appcalled Park RTC, accessing the Park RTC website orby dialing a phone number. For those parking in thecenter’s garages, utilizing a kiosk to pay by creditcard or cash is also available.

More steps are required when people receive vali-dation for their parking, which participating mer-chants dole out via numeric codes that patrons mustthen enter into the mobile app or the kiosk that cor-relates with specific, color-coded parking garages thatmerchants are assigned.

If shoppers park in the incorrect garage, they areout of luck.

“Many parking users have complained that the sys-tem is not user-friendly, requires payment upfrontand signage in the garage is confusing,” Williamssaid.

The lawsuit is the latest move in a merchant- andcommunity-lead resistance to the town center’s paidparking system since it was implemented on Jan. 3.

In February, disgruntled merchants who claimedtheir businesses are now suffering significant profitlosses organized into the Reston Merchants Associa-tion and hired the Fay Law Group to look into takinglegal action.

Earlier in March, hundreds of people walked in a


Opinion

Virginia’s General Assembly has refusedto accept one of the key provisions ofthe Affordable Care Act, expansion of

Medicaid at almost no cost to Virginia thatcould have covered 400,000uninsured Virginians and wouldhave brought more than $10billion into the state. It has also

cost lives.Ironically, the failed bill to “repeal and re-

place” the Affordable Care Act includedchanges to Medicaid that would have penal-ized states, like Virginia, that did not expandMedicaid, permanently reducing federal fund-ing.

On Monday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe proposeda budget amendment restoring his authority

Expand Medicaid NowVirginia has missed outon $10 billion, 30,000jobs and care for400,000 citizens.

to pursue planning for Medicaid expansion inthe wake of the failed repeal effort in Congress.

Kansas and North Carolina are taking stepsthis week to expand Medicaid, hoping to jointhe 31 other states plus the District of Colum-bia that have already done so.

More than 140,000 residents of FairfaxCounty have no health insurance. More than40,000 residents of Arlington and Alexandriahave no health insurance. That’s more than 12percent of the people who live in one of thewealthiest areas in the nation.

A Harvard Medical School study determinedthat the decision by 25 states to reject the ex-pansion of Medicaid coverage under the Af-fordable Care Act would result in between7,115 and 17,104 more deaths than had allstates opted in. In Virginia, the number ofdeaths due to failure to expand Medicaid: be-tween 266 and 987.

From a practical perspective, declining fed-eral money to provide healthcare to uninsuredVirginians makes no more sense than declin-ing federal funds for transportation or educa-tion.

In Virginia, 102,000 uninsured people with

a mental illness or substance use disorder couldqualify for coverage if Medicaid were expandedunder the Affordable Care Act.

As Virginia and the rest of the nation wrestleswith heroin and opioid addiction, expandingMedicaid would allow for expanding treatmentprograms. One of the big obstacles to helpingpeople who are fighting addiction is the avail-ability of treatment when it is most needed.

“The time has come for us to bring our tax-payer dollars back to serve the individuals whoneed them the most,” said McAuliffe. “With thisamendment, I’m asking the General Assemblyto work with me to pursue Medicaid expan-sion and put this funding to work for our mostvulnerable Virginians.”

Primaries for candidates for the House ofDelegates plus governor, lieutenant governorand attorney general are in June, with all seatson the ballot in November. An important ques-tion as voters choose: What is their positionon Medicaid expansion? How did incumbentsvote?

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editorial

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Reston

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

While a governor is thechief executive of astate responsible for

seeing that the laws are carriedout, the governor plays a crucialrole in the legislative process withthe requirement that all passedbills must be signed before theybecome law or not signed and ve-toed to keep such bills from be-coming law. There is no better ex-ample of the significance of thegovernor’s power to veto laws than

in Virginia.Next week

on Wednesday,April 5, which

is the required sixth Wednesday af-ter the adjournment of the regu-lar session of the General Assem-bly, the Constitution requires a re-convened or commonly called“veto session” to consider only

vetoes or amendmentsmade by the governor tobills that had beenpassed in both houses ofthe General Assemblyearlier in the regular ses-sion. The requirementfor the reconvened ses-sion was added to theConstitution in 1981 because with-out it the governor was able to vetobills after legislators went homewithout any opportunity for themto override the veto.

With the fast pace of nearly athousand bills being passed in asession of 45 to 60 days, the re-convened session provides an op-portunity for the governor to senddown amendments that are foundto be needed that might clarify orcorrect language in bills.

Most importantly, a governorcan play a role in the legislativeprocess by vetoing some really badbills that may have narrowly

passed the legislaturebut are not in the bestinterest of the state. Gov.Terry McAuliffe has usedhis veto pen very effec-tively in vetoing billsthat respond to specialinterests but do notserve the public good of

the Commonwealth. By the end ofthe reconvened session next weekhe will have set a record of veto-ing more than 90 bills without leg-islators being able to get a two-thirds vote in both houses for thebills to become law without hissignature. I am especially pleasedthat he has never vetoed a bill thatI had not already voted against inthe regular session.

As in previous years he has ve-toed bills that would legalize dis-crimination against LGBT citizens.He has regularly vetoed bills simi-lar to HB2 in North Carolina thathas brought such bad publicity to

that state for upholding discrimi-nation and that resulted in thestate losing businesses and majorsports events. Without Gov.McAuliffe’s courageous veto, Vir-ginia would be in the same cat-egory of discrimination as NorthCarolina. Gov. McAuliffe has onceagain vetoed a bill that woulddeny public funding to PlannedParenthood which provides criti-cally important health services towomen over an ideological disputeas to who should make reproduc-tive health decisions for women.He is again vetoing a series of billsthat would make guns and switch-blades more accessible to personsin emergency shelters includingchildren. He vetoed a bill thatwould have expanded eligibilityfor concealed handgun permits.

What a difference Gov. TerryMcAuliffe has made with his vetopen in keeping some really badbills from becoming law.

What a Difference a Governor Makes!

See Letters, Page 5

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:Do we care about Russia? We

should. But while the FBI investi-gates whether Trump’s campaignworked with a known enemy tointervene in our elections, I amconcerned with a far greater threatto the health of our democracy, theTrump healthcare bill.

As a mom who carries an Epi-

pen for her son, as someone whois familiar with the cost of expen-sive diagnostic tests and care forrare diseases, as someone who hasstudied the business of healthcareand practices for wellness, I couldargue against the merits ofTrumpcare, but I won’t. Logic tellsus the foundation of the bill iswrong. The GOP healthcare bill is

a terroristic threat to the funda-mental power of our nation, thelikes of which Putin could havenever inflicted upon us. What bet-ter way to destroy a nation thanphysically weaken its people? Anation full of ill people who arefinancially compromised and emo-tionally distraught cannot createa strong, safe or independent

country. How malicious. How de-vious. To promote the bill as in-creasing health care choice whenit will cut health insurance formillions of people. Trumpcare is agreater risk to our security than aforeign agent because it willcripple the source of our success,our people. We, enlisted (wo)men,

Trumpcare is Greater Threat Than Russia

Commentary


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From Page 4

Letters

government workers, technol-ogy innovators, doctors, teachers,artists and police officers shouldall exercise our choice to grant ev-eryone access to health care by re-jecting the GOP proposal.

In Northern Virginia we knowbetter. In the districts where rep-resentatives have blindly or com-plicity argued for such a destruc-tive bill, let’s remind them that weknow better. To the senators whohave provided lukewarm supportfor access to healthcare, let’s callthem out.

Margaret Gallen, Reston

Ill-conceivedTo the Editor:

Fourteen million. That’s howmany of your neighbors, friends,family members — and perhapseven you — will lose health insur-ance next year under the GOP’splanned overhaul of the ACA.Within a decade those losses bal-loon to 24 million people, all rela-tive to the coverage levels antici-pated under the ACA. Premiumswill soar for older people but theGOP’s age-based tax credits arenot calibrated to absorb these rateincreases, leaving many 50-to-64year olds unable to afford insur-ance. Lower-income people willalso be priced out because the GOPtax credits are not adjusted for in-come. As a further assault, thisvulnerable population also losesthe subsidies that help to offsettheir out-of-pocket health costs.

Yes, the GOP plan is expected toreduce the deficit by $337 billionover 10 years, but this is only be-cause they slash Medicaid spend-ing by an eye-popping $880 bil-lion and allocate $312 billion lessfor premium tax credits. Thesedraconian cuts finance $575 bil-lion in tax cuts, two of which willprovide windfall benefits to thewealthiest 1 percent of Americansand drain the Medicare Part A trustfund three years sooner. So muchfor President Trump’s promise ofuniversal coverage, lower costs,and Medicaid and Medicare pro-tections. Perhaps this was a pledgemade before he fully appreciatedthe complexities of health reform.

GOP leadership would have youbelieve that their plan is about giv-ing people choices, but there willbe no choice for millions of vul-nerable Americans under theirapproach. If they persist with theirill-conceived plan, it is the choicesthat angry constituents make inthe voting booth that will hauntthem for years. Why not, instead,work across the aisle to improvethe individual market and build onthe coverage gains of the ACA?

Julie SchoenmanReston


News

See Wings for All, Page 12

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

Glenn Reges and InaLaemmerzahl are planning ontaking their 9-year-old son,Felix Reges, on a trip to Colo-

rado. Many couples would simply book theirflights, a hotel room and the rental car andwhen the day arrived would be off to theairport for a fun-filled family vacation, butthings are a bit more complicated for thisReston family. Felix has autism and is le-gally blind. His parents were worried howthey would manage the challenges of travelby air, and how Felix would react to an ex-perience that has been known to causestress even for the most prepared travellers.

The “Wings for All” program’s latest of-fering was one way to take a dry run at thetravel adventure.

The Metropolitan Washington AirportsAuthority (MWAA) teamed up with non-profit The Arc, local chapter The Arc ofNorthern Virginia, United Airlines, Travel-ers Aid, MarketPlace Development, and theTransportation Security Administration(TSA) to simulate a typical airport travelexperience for people with intellectual anddevelopmental disabilities.

About 125 people — participants withdiffering special needs and their familymembers — arrived at Dulles InternationalAirport on Saturday, March 25 and wereguided through the travel process by anarmy of volunteers clad in neon-green t-shirts and directed by dozens of like-col-ored posters with directional arrows and ad-ditional instructions.

AT THE UNITED check-in kiosks, Unitedemployee May Hester helped each partici-pant use the screens to enter their informa-tion and her colleague Jeff Lattea printedout boarding passes. Lattea, whose motherwas a special education teacher, has volun-

teered to work this event several times. “Ilove doing this,” he said. “If it helps givethese families the confidence to take tripsthey may have avoided, it’s worth everyminute.”

To gain that kind of confidence is whyLauren Gibson brought her 8-year-old sonAiden out to participate in the program.Where would Aiden take his flight if giventhe choice? Without hesitation, the young-ster declared “Disney World!”

With boarding passes for United “Flight2839 to Baltimore” in hand, the “passen-gers” then made their way to the TSA check-points. Some accommodations for wheel-chairs had to be made. A back brace poseda momentary delay. A few of the parentsand guardians looked somewhat anxious,concerned that their participant would be-come distressed at the on-and-off shoe ac-

tion, the passing through the monitors, and,in one or two cases, a wave of the wand,but the piece of the pre-flight travel puzzlethat had worried many the most, went offwithout a hitch and it was on to the sub-way to Terminal C.

At Gate C12 there was the wait that sea-soned travelers have come to expect, asplanes are maintained and crews comeaboard. Not part of the regular routine,however, was the visit of First Officer JulieCallens, who circled the gate area and in-troduced herself to all of her passengers,offering souvenir wing pins and a smile.

At first, Kelsi Da Re, 11, was too shy toaccept Callens’ overtures and her gifts, butbefore long the girl, who had travelled fromHaymarket to experience the travel re-hearsal, was chatting with ease with thepilot, who was fresh off a flight from Frank-

furt, Germany. Callens has volunteered with“Wings for All” before and said she wouldn’thave missed this opportunity, “no matterwhat.”

Kelsi’s mom, Ann, was thrilled at howthings were going. Up to now, she wasn’tsure how her daughter would react to thenoises, the lines, and the typical whirlwindof humanity that can be found at the air-port. “There have been no plane trips,” shesaid. She’s thought about a trip to Maine,just for the peace and the beauty, or maybea trip to see family in Chicago. “I think wecan really start thinking about those tripsnow.”

Robbie Frost, an 11-year-old fromCentreville, didn’t seem too shy or reallytoo bothered by the wait at the gate. Sur-rounded by his grandparents Marsha andLawrence Frost, from Springfield, and ac-companied by his brother Tanner, Robbiehad one word for the day’s activities so far:“Awesome!”

AT LAST, the call was given to begin board-ing and everyone lined up according to theirboarding pass group number. The walkdown the jetway did bring on a few frowns,especially from Giovanni Solis-Sosa, but forthe youngster from Manassas, there weretoo many interesting things to check outonce he and his family had found their seats,so smiles once again became the order ofthe day.

The all-volunteer flight crew were pre-pared for their special passengers. Severalof the participants had to be carefully trans-ferred from their own wheelchairs onto spe-cial “aisle chairs” that can fit in the narrowcabin space, and then transferred again intotheir assigned seats. At the end of the“flight,” this process had to be performedin reverse, but was accomplished with mini-mal fuss and discomfort for the passenger.Janene Shaw, the Dulles Terminal opera

United Airlines employees May Hester and Jeff Lattea assist Felix Regesand mom Ina Laemmerzahl of Reston to “check-in” to their “Wings forAll” simulated flight travel experience at Dulles International Airport.

“Captain” Julia Ferguson, a 16-year-old from Lorton, required someextra assistance to try out the Number One seat on the plane, but oncein place, she was ready to go.

Travel rehearsal offered for individuals with disabilities.Wings for All

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Kelsi Da Re gives her “Wings forAll” travel rehearsal a “thumbsup” as she boards the United planefor a simulated flight.

Giovanni Solis-Sosa of Manassaswasn’t so sure about the jetwayportion of the “Wings for All”travel practice as he made his wayto the plane with his family, but hissmiles returned once he was safelyon board.


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Family Connection

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

For Katie Wendel, a springbreak vacation this yearwon’t mean loading upthe car and driving sev-

eral hundred miles or waiting inlong lines at the airport. While theBethesda mother of five is plan-ning to enjoy some relaxing down-time with her family, she won’tventure far from home.

“We’re going to be tourists thisyear and visit the monuments andmuseums in Washington. We’realso going to try to find every av-enue in the city that’s named aftera state,” said Wendel. “If you thinkabout it, there’s so much to do inthis area that we all take forgranted. You really don’t have toleave the area to feel like you’rein another city.”

From museum exhibits to adven-ture centers, a goldmine of familygetaways abounds locally. Thereare even activities for family bond-ing available without leavinghome.

“Ask the kids what they would

like to do. Involve them and give[them] a choice. Whatever it isthey suggest, come up with a planto document their adventure sothey can share it with grandpar-ents or siblings away at college,said Lois Stover, Ph.D., dean,School of Education and HumanServices at Marymount University.“Let them help plan the Metro

route or just look at the Metro mapand randomly pick a station andexplore that area.”

“A lot of adults assume that kidswant a big trip, but a lot of timesa kid will say, ‘I want to blowbubbles in the back yard.’ It’s im-portant for children to have a sayin how the family uses its freetime,” said Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D.,

professor of psychology at North-ern Virginia Community College.

Among the recommendationsthat Stover offers are activities atone’s neighborhood library andtrips to indoor public swimmingpools. For animal-loving familiesthe National Zoo offers beastsranging from elephants and eaglesto tigers and frogs.

“Get outside and take the fam-ily to one of the lesser known na-tional parks, like Prince William,or walk the C&O Canal,” said Sto-ver. There’s also Gravelly PointPark near Reagan Washington Na-tional Airport in Arlington, whichis ideal for family picnics, gamesof kickball or simply watching air-planes take off and land.

“If it’s warm, do a beach day inthe backyard [or] set up an indoormini-golf course with Nerf balls[or use] Wiffle balls and bats,” saidStover. “Have a dance party, a sci-ence day. Have a ‘Today is Blue,or whatever color works, Day,’ soeveryone wears blue, all foods areblue, you ride the blue line Metrojust to see where it goes, [for ex-ample].”

The U.S. Botanic Garden Con-servatory on the National Mall iswhere Stephanie Kleinman is plan-ning to take her twin daughtersduring spring break.

“The girls call it a museum forplants, and it’s neat to go from thedesert to the jungle all within onebuilding,” said Kleinman who livesin McLean. “We’ll probably checkout some of the other museumswhile we’re downtown.”

There are times when astaycation can be more relaxingthan travel, says Lorente. “If youlook at the list of the top 100 stres-sors in life, taking a vacation is onthe list,” she said. “A staycation,when done with purpose, can re-ally be good.”

Advanced planning is a key tomaking that time spent togethermeaningful, advises Lorente. “A lotof times people say they’re takinga staycation and they end up do-ing chores around the house. Andeverybody is on their electronics,”she said. “But it’s really about fam-ily bonding and everyone comingtogether and creating shared ex-periences as a family.”

Ideas for a spring break family staycation.Backyard Adventure

Local national parks like Theodore Roosevelt Island areideal for family staycations, says Lois Stover, Ph.D. ofMarymount University.

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Community,Call Karen at703-778-9422

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Sunday School: preschool - grade 2Music: grades 3 - 7

10:25 a.m. Sunday School Grades 3 to 6Music 4 years to 2nd grade

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary Service

Nursery care provided at 9:00 a.m. service

The Rev. John C. N. Hall, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran

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Free Face Painter,Bounce House &

Open Air Safari TourCamel Rides, Giraffe

and Camel Encounters extra.

Go to the booking calendar at:

roerszoofari.com

Hourly Easter Egg Hunts for separate age groups 10a-4p

Send announcements to www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The deadline is noon on Fri-day. Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGSlave Life Exhibit. Through March 31, various

times at the Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. $7 adults, $6 students, and$5 seniors and children age 5-15. Artifactsexcavated from around Sully’s 18th-centuryslave cabins. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/ or call 703-437-1794.

Mosaic Art with Anita Damron. Mondaysthrough April 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. All mosaicmethods taught in this class. $200 + a $50supplies. Call 703-956-9560 or visitwww.artspaceherndon.com for more.

“No Place Like Home.” Great Falls Studiospresents a juried art show on exhibit throughApril 8 at ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St.,Herndon. Visit www.artspaceherndon.com..

Ice Skating in the Pavilion 8 a.m.-11 p.m. opendaily through March. Skate Shop, 1818Discovery Street, Reston Town Center. 11900Market Street. Receive $2 off admission withvalid college ID. Live DJ & music, games &prizes; skating continues until 11 pm. Share theice with Scooby-Doo, Cat in the Hat and more.703-709-6300 [email protected]/skating

“A Bird in the Hand.” throughout the spring inReston Town Square Park, Market St., Reston.See and explore Patrick Dougherty’smonumental public art sculpture made from treesaplings. Presented by GRACE in collaborationwith IPAR. Call 703-471-9242 or visit

Entertainment

CampVenturesApril 1 it’s the CampVentures event, 10-noon at Kiddie Academy ofReston, 12320 Pinecrest Road, Suite 150, Reston. Local families seekingsummer camp programs for children ages 2-12 years old are invited.Visit kiddieacademy.com/academies/reston/ for more.


restonarts.org.All-comers’ Group Fun Run at Potomac

River Running. Tuesdays and Thursdays.Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street,Reston. For beginners or competitive runners,come out for a fun, low-key run that is safe andsocial. Call 703-689-0999potomacriverrunning.com.

“A Bird in the Hand” through spring 2017Reston Town Square Park, 11990 Market Street,Reston Town Center. See and explore PatrickDougherty’s monumental public art sculpturemade from tree saplings. Presented by GRACE incollaboration with IPAR. 703-471-9242restonarts.org

Emerging Visions: Interactions. Various timesthrough April 1 at the Greater Reston ArtsCenter (GRACE), 12001 Market Street, Suite103, Reston. After viewing Shih Chieh Huang:Synthetic Transformations, students were askedto explore different interpretations and aspectsof interactions. The final selections will be onview in the gallery. Visit restonarts.org or call703-471-9242 for more.

MARCH 31–APRIL 2Rings for Spring Bridal Event. Various times

by appointment at Midtown Jewelers, RestonTown Center, 11990 Market St. D, Reston.Selection of engagement rings and weddingbands from designers. Specials available only forthis weekend. Call 703-707-9663 or visitmidtownjewelers.com for more.

SATURDAY/APRIL 1Watershed Cleanup Day. 8 a.m.–noon at

Runnymede Park, 195 Herndon Parkway.Runnymede Park and Sugarland Run watershedcleanup day and shred. Volunteers should dressfor the weather, wear boots with sturdy soles,and bring work gloves, and there will be a freesecure document shred truck on the premisestoo. Visit tinyurl.com/HerndonCleanup or call703-435-6800 x 2014 for more.

Swim Team Tryouts. 10 a.m.-noon at Life TimeSwim, 1757 Business Center Drive, Reston.

Open to members and non-members, ages 5+,Life Time Swim Team is a part of USASwimming and offers weekly practices,specialized training, regular competitions andthe chance to win awards. Call 571-512-3500.

CampVentures. 10 a.m.-noon at Kiddie Academyof Reston, 12320 Pinecrest Road, Suite 150,Reston. Local families seeking summer campprograms for children ages 2-12 years old areinvited. Visit kiddieacademy.com/academies/reston/ for more.

Medicinal Plants in the Civil War. 4-5 p.m. atFrying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. The program includes a guided hikearound the Frying Pan Meeting House to learnto spot the plants that were used to heal duringscarce times and find out how they were put touse. Call 703-437-9101 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/.

SUNDAY/APRIL 2Tidewater Guitar Quartet. 4-6 p.m. at ArtSpace

Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. TidewaterGuitar Orchestra members John Boyles, SamDorsey, Todd Holcomb and Cliff Morris haverecently come together with guitars. Call 703-956-6590 for more.

FRIDAY/APRIL 7Senior Tea. 10:30-noon at ArtSpace Herndon, 750

Center St., Herndon. View the current exhibitand enjoy a cup of tea on the second Friday ofthe month, all teas are free and open to thepublic. Visit www.artspaceherndon.com or call703-956-9560 for more.

Meditation for Peace and Well-being. 7 p.m.at Reston Regional Library, 11925 BowmanTowne Drive, Reston. Longtime meditator GerryGorman will share a simple technique ofspiritual meditation that can help achieve alasting state of peace and happiness. For adults,free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Entertainment

See Calendar, Page 11


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Partial or Full. Kit. Floors, Backsplashes.Specializing in Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass Tiles

and Natural Stones. Also repair work. 35 yrs exp.

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PART-TIME RETAILEnergetic and friendly individual needed

for busy backyard naturestore in the Reston area. Must have knowledge of backyard birds and be

customer service oriented. 15-20 hours per week. Weekday & weekend

hours required. ph 703-403-1283

EmploymentEmployment

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIERecently I went online to book a trip to

Topeka, Ks. to meet our new niece, SabellaRey. I went to Trivago for the hotel reserva-tions and Expedia for the plane/rental car res-ervations. That’s what I’m supposed to do,right? The process seemed simple enough andwithout too-much further adieu, I was able tomake all the arrangements, including renting acar for the four days we’d need one. And Ieven booked my father-in-law’s hotel reserva-tions as well, almost as if I knew what I wasdoing. Subsequently, I received all my emailconfirmations indicating that I had in fact suc-ceeded in one of my least favorite endeavors:computing my way to safe and secure travelplans.

For a few days, especially after receivingthe site’s emails and reviewing them for accu-racy, I thought all was right in my travel-plan’sworld. Then I started receiving multiple emailsand pop-up ads from sites promoting theirhotel and flight reservations/rates. Expedia, thesite on which I made my plane reservationsbegan bombarding me with flight and rentalcar deals. Trivago, the site on which I madeour hotel reservations, began bombarding mewith hotel and rental car deals. None of whichI needed. All of which had been completedwhen I went on their sites originally and mademy hotel, flight and car rental reservations.

Given the way in which the Internet haschanged the world and provided computer-ized access to almost everything, I was onlyslightly surprised by the bombardment. I’mclear on the concept, just not confident in theprocess. Nevertheless, I realize there reallyisn’t any alternative these days to researchinggoods and services — and prices. My dilemmaarose after the fact when I received all theseoffers on the exact goods and services I hadALREADY booked. What had I done, and howmuch extra money — and hassle had I donedoing it?

I thought I was solving a problem (travelplans which involved coordinating our flightarrival in Kansas City from Baltimore, with myfather-in-law’s flight arrival from New YorkCity), not creating one. After receiving allthese offers and inducements from Expedia,Trivago and others, I’m now wondering if Imissed an opportunity to simplify our travelplans and spend less for having done so?Obviously, I don’t have an answer since Inever clicked through the ads/opened theemails to see what the solicitation was allabout. I didn’t have the patience and besides,certainly concerning the airlines, wouldn’tthere be penalties for changing/canceling aflight? And what about my father-in-law’s air-line reservations? It was all too much to juggleso I stood pat. Soon, the ads and emailsslowed down to a trickle and I was no longerremained — regularly, about my presumptiveincompetence.

But I’m thinking about the next trip now,and perhaps that was the point. Maybe thereis a better way to minimize travel expensesand maximize benefits? But how do I accom-plish that, really? It’s not like I can fakehotel/plane/car rental reservations in hopesthat the site’s artificial intelligence will thinkI’m still a potential buyer rather than onewho’s already bought. What good would thatdo? The solicitations are designed for currentaction not for a definite maybe sometime inthe future, aren’t they?

I’m certainly more aware now of how theprocess sort of works. But I’m less certain howI could actually change my behavior in orderto become less of a victim and more of abeneficiary. I imagine it has to do with makingmy computer more of a friend, which doesn’tinterest me in the least. Of course, I want topay less for my travel plans, but I’m not sure ifthe cost of doing business that way is worththe pain and suffering it inevitably will cause.

How Do I KnowThen What IDon’t Know Now?

PEDIATRIC RN/LPNOur busy happy stimulating pediatric practice in Alexandria and Fairfax has an opening for a FT/PT position with some travel between offices. Ideal for

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Founder’s Day ShowOpens at Lake Anne

The League of Reston Artists presentstheir annual Founder’s Day exhibit in honorof the group’s founder, Patricia MacIntyre.MacIntyre will judge the painted and mixedmedia entries that illustrate the theme of“A Respite from Chaos.”

The opening reception, on Sunday, April9 from 2-4 p.m. at the gallery, will inviteconversation about the artworks as awardsare given to the outstanding pieces. Theexhibit runs From April 3-30 and is free andopen to the public 9 a.m.-8 p.m. through-out the week at the JoAnne Rose Gallery,Reston Community Center at Lake Anne,1609 Washington Plaza, Reston.

Visit the League of Reston Artists websiteat www.leagueofreston artists.org for moreinformation on this and other events.

Photographers: JoinMonthly Meetings

The Reston Photographic Society invitesphotography enthusiasts of all skill levelsto attend meetings on the third Monday ofthe month, from September-November and

SATURDAY/APRIL 8Founder’s Day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lake Anne

Plaza, 1609 Washington Plaza N., Reston. Acelebration the 53rd anniversary of Reston’sfounding. Visit www.restonmuseum.org/foundersday or call 703-709-7700 for more.

Aqua Egg Hunt. 1:30.m. at Herndon CommunityCenter pool, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon.Children will collect as many floating andsinking eggs as possible in the time allowed.$10. Open swim at 4 p.m. Visit herndon-va.gov.

Fiber Artist Workshop. 2-4 p.m. at ArtSpaceHerndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Join fiberartist, Cecile Batchelor, in making a quilt withpaper. In this two-hour session, children willlearn a little bit about tessellations, color theory,and how to construct a quilt. Ages 10-14. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.com or call 703-956-9560 for more.

Classical Ballet Theatre. 7:30 p.m. atCenterStage at Reston Community CenterHunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.Complimentary pre-performance cocktails at6:30 p.m. Visit www.cbtnva.org or call the boxoffice at Box Office: 703-476- 4500.

“Budapest Bridge,” photographed by Dawn Murphy, captures the ro-mance of Budapest’s nightlife along the Danube River. This photographis an entry in the Reston Photographic Society’s exhibit at the RestonCommunity Center at Lake Anne from June 5-July 2.

January-May. Join fellow photographersfrom 7:30-9:30 p..m in Room 6 at theReston Community Center Hunters Woods,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.

RPS is a special-interest group of theLeague of Reston Artists. Share informationand enjoy guest speakers, workshops andgroup critiques. Nonmembers are welcome.

Visit the League of Reston Artists websiteat www.league ofrestonartists.org for more.

Photographers: EnterLake Anne Exhibit

The Reston Photographic Society, a spe-cial interest group of the League of RestonArtists, invites photographers to enter pho-tographs in the RPS at Lake Anne show byJune 2 through the web site. Entries will bejudged and $1,000 in prizes will be awardedat the reception on Sunday, June 11 from2-4 p.m. at the gallery.

The exhibit runs from June 5 through July2 and is free and open to the public 9 a.m.-8 p.m. throughout the week at the JoAnneRose Gallery, Reston Community Center atLake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston.

Visit the League of Reston Artists websiteat www.leagueofrestonartists.org for moreinformation on this and other events.

Calendar

APRIL 11-13Spring Break Art Camp. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at

ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Artteacher Emily VanDeburgh will focus ondrawing, acrylic painting, and mixed media withan emphasis on specific styles and master’swork. Call 703-956-6590 or [email protected] for more.

APRIL 11-MAY 6The Art of Resilience. 10-noon at ArtSpace

Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. An exhibitshowcasing the artwork of Azriel and IreneAwret. Reception April 29, from 7-9 p.m. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.com or call 703-956-9560 for more.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 12Trends in TV Viewing. 7 p.m. at Reston

Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive.Allan Hide from the Fairfax County’sDepartment of Consumer and Cable Serviceswill cover the “enabling devices” required toaccess television channel services. For adults,free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Entertainment

From Page 9


From Page 6

News

Wings for All: Practice Flight at Dulles Internationaltions coordinator who was on hand

throughout the event, said that the air-port and many of the airlines werepleased to accept training from KymberlyDeLoatche, The Arc of Northern Virginia’stravel training project coordinator. Aspart of her duties, DeLoatche teaches air-port personnel how best to interact withspecial needs passengers, how to allevi-ate many of their fears and make theexperience the best possible for all.

Once everyone was safely belted in, thecrew did their checks and the “flight” wasunderway, courtesy of an “engine-in-op-eration” soundtrack that was played overthe PA system. Just a few minutes after“take-off” the cabin crew offered a bev-erage service.

When the “We’ve reached our cruisingaltitude” announcement was made, thoseable and who wished to do so were allowedto move about the cabin for some explora-tion. Flight attendant Rosemary Koenig saidthat airplane bathrooms have caused anxi-ety for some special needs passengers be-ing such a small space, and equipped withlouder-than-normal flushing mechanisms,so the fliers are welcomed to check themout during this travel walk-through.

There was one added bonus to the “Wingsfor All” journey that isn’t part of a typicaltravel experience — the chance to visit thecockpit. Many braved the close quarters fora chance to see the heart of their flyingmachine, and a lucky few, like 16-year-oldJulia Ferguson from Lorton, even climbedinto the captain’s seat and tried out the

wheel.

AFTER THE ON-BOARD ADVENTURE,the newly-minted air travelers returned tothe main terminal and the baggage claimarea — a few of the passengers had checkedbags that were awaiting their arrival nearCarousel 2 — and a luncheon where theywere joined by many of the staff, volunteersand the crew of Flight 2839.

MWAA media relations specialist AndrewTull, who also joined the day’s “flight” hopesto help make more people aware of pro-grams like “Wings for All.” Rizza and ErwinLai of Fairfax only found out about the eventa few days earlier, when they were research-ing the regulations regarding medicationson flights. They want to take their 2-year-old son Ryle to visit their family in the Phil-

ippines. “It’s a long flight and Ryle has alot of medications,” said Erwin Lai. “Wewere worried, so we looked it up andthat is where we found out about thisprogram.” The Arc of Northern Virginia’sDeLoatche urges the families of anyonewith intellectual and/or developmentaldisabilities to contact them for assistancefor any of their needs, concerns or ques-tions. A “Wings for All” event is plannedfor the fall at Reagan National Airport,so more special passengers can becomereal-life travelers. Learn more about TheArc of Northern Virginia atwww.thearcofnova.org.

As for Felix Reges, he passed all stepsof the simulated travel day with flyingcolors and is ready for that family tripto Colorado.

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Constance “Connie” Cordovillaremembers signing up for col-lege courses in the mid-’60sand being interested in taking

electrical engineering. “Nice girls go intoEnglish,” her counselor told her. “Whatmakes you think I’m a nice girl?” she saidshe responded.

Cordovilla is associate director, HumanRights and Community Relations, AmericanFederation of Teachers (AFT), AFL-CIO. Shewas recognized as one of seven “TrailblazingWomen in Labor and Business” for 2017 bythe Fairfax County Commission for Women.

The recognition ceremony was resched-uled due to snow and held Wednesday,March 22 at the county government center.

Sondra Seba Hemenway, women’s com-mission vice chair and at-large commis-sioner, said the evening was about recog-nizing how women had made significantcontributions in labor and business, and hadan impact on history and the lives of oth-ers. “Women have always worked, and notalways been paid the same, or at all,” SebaHemenway said. “This year we’ve identifiedseven truly remarkable women” to recog-nize. This year was the first for which thecommission accepted nominations for hon-orees. Fairfax County Board of Supervisorschairman Sharon Bulova said her path forbeing elected and serving as both a super-visor and chairman — as a woman — wasmade easier by “strong women who camebefore me.” Previous chairs Jean Packard,Audrey Moore and Kate Hanley helped resi-dents to be more comfortable with womenrepresenting them in local government.

“But there’s still work to do,” Bulova said.Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter

Mill) added they need to “work to makecertain, continue to see that everyone hasthe opportunity to excel.”

“This year, women’s rights and issues are

front and center,” said honoree Patricia “Pat”Saah Bayliss, former executive director, of-fice manager and secretary, American Fed-eration of State, County and MunicipalEmployees (AFSCME). “These are somethings we need to be more aware of.”

Bulova and Hudgins helped present aBoard of Supervisors proclamation namingMarch 2017 Virginia Women’s HistoryMonth.

In addition to Cordovilla and SaahBayliss, the other award honorees include:

❖ Dolores Trevino-Gerber, First Vice Presi-dent, NOVA Labor Federation; Secretary,Tenants-Workers United

❖ Staci L. Redmon, president, CEO andowner, Strategy and Management Services,Inc.

❖ Ashley W. Chen, president and CEO,ActioNet

❖ Siobhan Green, co-owner, CEO, LeadTechnology and Open Data Strategist,Sonjara, Inc.

❖ Lovey Hammel, president, Employment

Commission for Womenhonors trailblazers.Excelling in Business and Labor

Seven women from around Fairfax County were recognized March 22 as “Trailblazing Women in Labor andBusiness” by the Fairfax County Commission for Women. From left are Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-HunterMill), Siobhan Green, Ashley W. Chen, Connie Constance Cordovilla, Staci L. Redmon, Lovey Hammel,Patricia “Pat” Saah Bayliss, Board Chairman Sharon Bulova and Sondra Seba Hemenway.

Enterprises, Inc.More information about the Commission

For Women’s 2017 honorees is availableonline at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cfw.

ChairmanSharon Bulova(right) andSupervisor CathyHudgins (D-Hunter Mill),left, helpedpresent a Boardof Supervisorsproclamationnaming March2017 VirginiaWomen’s HistoryMonth.

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