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Herndon, RestonStudents WinPeace Awards News, Page 3

Celebrating Women’sHistory MonthOpinion, Page 2

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 13-19, 2019

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Lake Anne PlazaNews, Page 8

Nallely Soto and daugh-ter Mya, 8, attend the inaugural Internation-al Women’s Day 2019 Reception featuring Charlotte Geary Pho-tography’s works, “The Women of Lake Anne, a Portrait Series of Talent-ed Business Leaders in This Vibrant Community” and a Panel Discussion on Lake Anne Plaza wom-en entrepreneurs.

2 ❖ Reston Connection ❖ March 13-19, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

By John C. Cook

Braddock District Supervisor (R)

Our Fairfax County government iswell prepared to deal with emer-gencies, both large and small,from large storms to disease out-

breaks to criminal and even terrorist events.But our communities are not so prepared. Inthe first 72 hours after a major emergency

event, governmental ser-vices may not be available.Power may be out, trans-portation blocked, medical

services overwhelmed, and food, gas, and evenmoney difficult to find.

In those first few days, communities wouldneed to come together so neighbors can helpeach other. And even during those lesser emer-gency events which occur with some regularity— snowstorms, serious thunderstorms, and thelike — neighbors need to help each other out.

That’s why I am so thrilled that FairfaxCounty has published its first ever CommunityEmergency Response Guide from the Office ofEmergency Management. The publication ofthis document, and the plan behind it, fulfillsa goal of mine that even predates my electionto the board. When I served as president ofthe Kings Park Civic Association I recognizedthe great need for a citizen-focused emergencyplanning tool. As a supervisor I have pushedfor this program for years. Now the Office ofEmergency Management made this idea a re-ality. The end result is a comprehensive plan-ning tool that will strengthen community, buildlocal resiliency, and mitigate potential risks.

Community coordination is needed in mak-ing a successful community emergency plan.It requires citizens to take initiative, reach outto their peers, and work together to identifylocal risks and assets. The Community Emer-gency Response Guide breaks down emergencyplanning into easy-to-follow steps. These in-

cluding defining your area, recruiting leaders,knowing your area, building an emergencyresponse team, and planning your approach.Everything is laid out in this step-by-step guide,including how to organize an emergency team,creating a family emergency kit, and addingdisabled residents to a functional needs regis-try. It even lists the most likely emergenciesand explains how to prepare for, respond to,and recover from them. Users can also findinformation on local volunteer groups who canassist in these emergencies, such as the Com-munity Emergency Response Team (CERT). Byfilling out the Community Emergency ResponseGuide will give you a never-before-seen viewof your own neighborhood.

You can find the Community EmergencyResponse Guide online at https://w w w . f a i r f a x c o u n t y . g o v /emergencymanagement/cerg. The Office ofEmergency Management offers communityworkshops to those who would like extra helpin creating their emergency response plan. Therequest form can be found on the Office ofEmergency Management website.

I encourage all residents to work within theirparticular communities to create an emergencyresponse program appropriate for your neigh-borhood. We are here to help.

County Community Emergency Response Guidestrengthens community, builds local resiliency,and mitigates potential risks.

A+ Primer for Our Neighborhoods

Commentary

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

March is Women’s His-tory Month. Beforewomen had the whole

month, the U.S. recognizedWomen’s History Week; beforethat, a single InternationalWomen’s Day. Dedicating thewhole month of March in honorof women’s achievements wasseen “as a way to revise a written and socialAmerican history that had largely ignoredwomen’s contributions,” according to an articlein Time magazine. The first Women’s Day tookplace on Feb. 28, 1909 to honor the one-yearanniversary of the garment workers strikes inNew York, when thousands of women marchedfor economic rights and to honor an earlier1857 march when garment workers rallied forequal rights and a 10-hour day, according tothe article.

Recognizing the achievement of Virginiawomen goes beyond naming a month. A monu-ment is under construction on Capitol Square,“Voices from the Garden,” which will be thefirst monument of its kind in the nation. Rep-resentative of the state’s regions, the monu-ment recognizes the 400-year history and thediversity of achievement, ethnicity and thoughtthat women have made to the Commonwealth.

Even more significant in recog-nizing women in Virginia is thefact that there is historic represen-tation of women in the VirginiaHouse of Delegates, including theelection of 11 new women mem-bers in 2017, all of whom oustedmale incumbents. The HouseDemocratic Caucus is almost 45percent women, including 11women of color. The House Re-publican Caucus is less than 10

percent women. Caucus Chair Charniele Her-ring is the first woman to chair a caucus in theHouse of Delegates throughout its 400-yearhistory. Leader Eileen Filler-Corn is the firstwoman to be elected leader of a caucus in theGeneral Assembly.

Recently I served on a panel, “Can WomenSave Democracy? We’re counting on it!” at theSchar School of Policy and Government atGeorge Mason University along with CharnieleHerring, Eileen Filler-Corn, and Congress-woman Jennifer Wexton. There was a clearconsensus in the room that women will play apivotal role in getting our country back on theright track. Witness this year’s state and localelections when there are record-breaking num-bers of women lining up to run in primariesand the general elections.

Not only are women running and winningraces, but they are determining the outcome

of elections with their tireless work in makingcalls, knocking on doors, and working on be-half of the candidates they support. Organiza-tions like Indivisibles, with Herndon-RestonIndivisibles being a model organization, andMoms Demand Action among others are mak-ing their influence felt on policy issues likeending the epidemic of gun violence.

The big disappointment in celebratingwomen in history is the refusal of the VirginiaHouse of Delegates to ratify the Equal RightsAmendment. Ratification failed on a tied voteon a procedural matter that makes it even morefrustrating that the amendment was not al-lowed to be debated on the floor of the Houseof Delegates. There is more women’s historyto be written in Virginia, and I suspect the nextstep will be election of even more women thisfall and ratification of the ERA next year!

Eleven new women members were elected to theVirginia House of Delegates in 2017, all of whomousted male incumbents.

Women’s History Month

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News

By Andrea Worker

The Connection

It’s not easy to be the peacemaker. Sometimes it is reallyhard, especially when youmake those around you,

even friends, angry when youspeak out and stand up for whatis right. And sometimes it can bedangerous. But in all instances,being the peacemaker “requirescourage and commitment,” U.S.Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) toldthe crowd gathered at theSherwood Community Center inFairfax on Sunday, March 9.

Connolly, along with a host ofsponsors, elected officials and acheering collection of family andfriends, had come together tohonor the 23 young recipients ofthe 2019 Student Fairfax PeaceAwards at a ceremony led by Mar-garet Fisher of program-founder

cifically for peace or to identify and resolve conflicts… demonstrating commitment to peace by engag-ing in activities that strive to end conflict … seekingto bridge language, ethnic, racial, religious, gender,sexual orientation, or class differences … and/or as-sist to resolve conflicts among students or membersof the community who feel isolated or alienated.”

THE WINNERS received certificates of achieve-ment, a monetary gift and an additional $100 to bedonated to any nonprofit organization of thestudent’s choice that operates in a spirit that is inkeeping with the Peace Awards and this year, anautographed copy of the book, “Sweet Fruits FromThe Bitter Tree” by Mark Andreas, stories of “cre-ative and compassionate ways out of conflict.”

Read more about the Peace Awards and the recipients atwww.fairfax.studentpeaceawards.org.

Students Who Work forPeace Honored

The winners of the 2019 Fairfax Student Peace Awards.The students from all around the county are honoredfor the work they do to sow the seeds of peace, resolveconflict, and promote understanding among the di-verse people of Fairfax County, in their schools and inthe community.

Herndon Friends Meeting.In addition to garnering kudos from the congress-

man, state Del. Ken Plum (D-36), Fairfax CountySupervisor Penny Gross (Mason District), ScottBrabrand, Fairfax County Public Schools superinten-dent, and Karen Corbett Sanders, Mount Vernon Dis-trict representative and vice chair of the FCPS boardalso officially offered their congratulations and ad-miration for the young activists.

Ryan McElveen and Ilryong Moon, members-at-large of the FCPS board, and Tamara Denerak Kaufax,FCPS board Lee District representative were also onhand to show their support.

THE EVENT’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER was DavidSwanson, an author, activist, journalist, radio hostand co-founder and director of World Beyond War, a“global nonviolent movement to end war and estab-lish a just and sustainable peace.”

Swanson, a 1987 graduate of Herndon High Schoolwho identifies as a “world citizen,” presented hisargument of “no justification for war, ever,” whileadmitting that his remarks could make his audiencesuncomfortable, but asserted that they were wordsthat need to be said and a conversation that needsto happen.

The Fairfax Student Peace Awards started in 2006as one school, Herndon High School, and one spon-sor, the Herndon Friends Meeting, but has grown to19 sponsors and is now offered to every public highschool in Fairfax County, as well as two privateschools.

The goal of the program is to encourage youngpeople to think more about peace “both as a meansand as an end” and to recognize their achievementswhen they turn those peace-making thoughts intoactions in their schools, their communities, and evenaround the world.

The program is open to area high school juniorsand seniors. In October, each school is invited tochoose either an individual or a group recipient withthe guidelines that the students have worked “spe-

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) offered hiscongratulations to the winners of the 2019Fairfax Student Peace Awards at theirreception on March 10. “Standing up forpeace takes courage and commitment.”

Photos by Andrea Worker/The Connection

Herndon and Reston bothsaw students achieve the PeaceAwards honor.

❖ Lydia Goff, a Senior atHerndon High School, is thepresident of her school’s BestBuddies chapter, in which vol-unteers seek to foster genuine,one-on-one friendships be-tween people with and withoutintellectual disabilities.With 90 students registered inthe program, Lydia stays busyorganizing monthly socialevents, after-school meetingsand one-on-one get togethers.Last year, Herndon Best Bud-dies was selected as the MostOutstanding High School chap-ter in the Capital Region andLydia was awarded the D.C.United Community Star Awardin recognition of her service.

❖ Kamila Elyazgi is a Se-nior at King Abdullah Academy,a private school in Herndon.She formed a global charityclub at her school called ProjectHumanity. A participant in theGeorge Mason University Con-

flict Resolution Youth Summitand in the Capital Region Lead-ership Academy, Kamila has or-ganized projects to raise fundsand collect needed items forSudanese children, Syrian childrefugees, and victims of Hurri-cane Irma and the earthquakein Indonesia.

Last summer, Kamila metwith the staffs of U.S. Sen. MarkWarner and U.S. Rep. GerryConnolly to advocate for U.S.border policy reform.

❖ Sophia Liao, a senior atSouth Lakes High School inReston, where she founded theYoung Democrats Club, servedon the Student Council, andrepresents South Lakes on theSuperintendent’s Student Advi-sory Council.

Her organizational skills mustbe legendary, as she took thereins on a trip for 12 studentsto China to volunteer at a pandacenter. She also organizedSouth Lakes’ participation inthe National Walkout Dayagainst gun violence last year.

Herndon, RestonPeace Awards Winners

A senior at Herndon High School, Lydia Goff is thepresident of her school’s Best Buddies Chapter andworks hard to foster real friendships between peoplewith and without intellectual disabilities.

Kamila Elyazgi,Peace Awardrecipient andsenior at privateKing AbdullahAcademy formeda global charityclub at her schooland has beenactive in ConflictResolution andleadership work-shops.

Sophia Liao is asenior at SouthLakes where shefounded theYoung DemocratsClub. Sophia hastaken her peace-maker effortsglobal, organizinga trip to Chinafor 12 students tovolunteer at apanda center.


Entertainment

See Calendar, Page 7

Submit entertainment announce-ments at connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. The deadline is noon onFriday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 13Senior Social: St. Patrick’s Day

Style. 12-2:30 p.m. At RCC atHunters Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. It’s never too earlyto celebrate the luck o’ the Irish.Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day withfriends while enjoying traditionalIrish fare and beautiful Irishmusic and entertainment. Planyour social calendar while youlearn about upcoming 55+ trips,classes and events. This event isco-sponsored by RestonCommunity Center and RestonAssociation. Registration required.Cost is $8/RA members; $15/non-members. Register throughRestonWebTrac account or [email protected] or call 703-435-6577.

Panel Discussion: WomenPlaying in Reston. 7 p.m. at atthe Jo Ann Rose Gallery RCC LakeAnne the Reston Historic Trust &Museum. Reston Historic Trust &Museum will host a paneldiscussion titled “Women Playingin Reston: The Effect of Title IXon Women’s Sports.” PanelistsVicky Wingert, Skye Eddy Bruce,Valerie Lister, and JenniferVolgenau Wiley will bring theirpersonal experiences with avariety of athletic programs todiscuss how the implementationof Title IX affected their careersand women’s sports as a whole.Free, open to the public. Visitwww.facebook.com/events/1979425375503721/.

Bingo Fundraiser. 7 and 9 p.m. AtCrooked Run Brewery, 22455Davis Drive, Suite 120,Sterlington. All proceeds frompurchased Bingo sheets will gotowards helping to further thearts in Herndon. Come grab abeer and some tacos and have funwhile raising funds for ArtsHerndon.

THURSDAY/MARCH 14National Pi Day Celebration.

Amphora Bakeries celebrateNational Pi Day with iconic pies intheir Vienna and Herndonlocations. Call 703-964-0500 topre-order or visitamphorabakery.com/pie-landing-page.

SATURDAY/MARCH 16GRACE Family Art Day. 11 a.m.-3

p.m. At GRACE, 12001 MarketStreet, #103, Reston. CelebratingYouth Art Month on St. FrancisStreet and in the gallery featuringstudent artwork from the GRACEArt program and art-makingactivities for the whole family.Free. Call 703-471-9242 or Visitwww.restonarts.org.

Family Day: Emerging Visions.11 a.m.-3 p.m. at GRACE, 12001Market Street #103, Reston. TheGreater Reston Arts Centerpresents Emerging Visions, agroup exhibition featuring selectartwork by students participatingin the Center’s signatureeducation program, EmergingVisions. The exhibition will be onview March 2–30, 2018 at thegallery located at the RestonTown Center. Visitwww.restonarts.org.

Open Mic: Emerging Visions. 2-4 p.m. at GRACE, 12001 MarketStreet #103, Reston. The GreaterReston Arts Center presentsEmerging Visions, a groupexhibition featuring selectartwork by students participatingin the Center’s signatureeducation program, Emerging

Visions. The exhibition will be onview March 2–30, 2018 at thegallery located at the RestonTown Center. Visitwww.restonarts.org.

St. Patrick’s Day / St. Joseph’sDay Party. 6-9:30 p.m. at St.Veronica’s Church parish hall,3460 Centreville Road, Chantilly.This is a family event thatincludes food, drink, sing-alongs,Irish dancers and plenty ofsmiling Irish eyes. Adults $8,Children $6, drinks extra. Visitwww.stveronica.net/ or call 703-773-2000.

Common Ground Concert. 7 and9 p.m. At ArtSpace, 750 CenterSt., Herndon. Featuring CandiceBostwick & Friends. Four friendscoming together and findingcommon ground in music. Youcan expect an array of musicincluding jazz and pop from thesetalented local musicians. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 16-17St. Patrick’s Day at Lake Anne.

Bring the whole family toReston’s Lake Anne Plaza forIrish-inspired activities, includingphoto opportunities with the LakeAnne Leprechaun, face painting,and Irish Dance demonstrations.Kalypso’s will feature live musicboth Saturday and Sunday. LuckyDog Animal Rescue will be on-sitenoon-2 p.m. Saturday with dogsready for adoption. Freeadmission. Rain or shine. Visitwww.kalypsossportstavern.com.

SUNDAY/MARCH 17Lucky Leprechaun 5K. 8 a.m. At

Reston Town Center, Reston. Runlike you’ve got the luck of theIrish on your side! Enjoy a fun-filled celebration at the finishline. Kids Fun Run at 9 am.Presented by Potomac RiverRunning. Visit Prraces.com/luckyleprechaun.

Purim Palooza. Noon-2 p.m. atCongregation Beth Emeth, 12523Lawyers Road, Herndon.Congregation Beth Emeth’s“World-Famous” Purim Carnivaland more. Opens at 11:15 a.m.for preschool-1st grade andfamilies. Carnival games,inflatables, crafts and more - witha prize room. Lunch withhamentaschen, costume contest,raffle with prizes. $15-$25includes children’s lunch. Call703 860 4515, ext 101, or visitbethemeth.org/purim.

History of WWII. 2-4 p.m. atReston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Dr. Harry Butowsky of GeorgeMason University presents part 1of his 6-part lecture series onWorld War II: On Our Way, USA1939-1942. Adults, Teens. Free.Call 703-689-2700 or emailfairfaxcounty.gov/library/events.

Princesses & Lollipops. 4-5:30p.m. at Reston Community CenterHunters Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. A concert for theroyal young ladies in thekingdom. Dress in glitteringgowns and tiara’s, come enjoy anafternoon of Disney movie andtheater favorites including aparade of Princesses. Admission isfree; donations are appreciated.Visitrestoncommunityorchestra.org.

MONDAY/MARCH 18Reston Photographic Society.

7:30-9:30 p.m. in Room 6 at theReston Community CenterHunters Woods, 2310 Colts NeckRoad, Reston. The RestonPhotographic Society invites

Home LifeStyle

By Marilyn Campbell

For pet owners, creating a home décor that’sboth aesthetically appealing and pet-friendlycan be a delicate balance. From muddy paw

prints on an heirloom area rug to a velvet sofa cov-ered in cat hair, three local designers — all of whomown pets — share their best advice for addressinganimal dilemmas and styling a chic interior that ac-commodates both man and his best friend.

“There are so many ways that pets enhance ourquality of life in the same way that a serene, well-designed home might be a sanctuary for relaxationafter a long day,” said Karen McBride of InspiredSpaces. “The good news is that you really don’t haveto choose one or the other. The key is to make sureeverything is durable and easilycleaned.”

Flooring that can withstand pawswith claws top the list of consider-ations for McBride. “Hardwoodfloors are beautiful, but they’re eas-ily scratched and dinged,” she said.“Stone or ceramic tile flooring areideal for pets owners. You can wipeup puddles and mop up muddy pawprints easily. Hardwood requiresimmediate cleaning because they absorb liquids andodor.”

Rugs with patterns that can hide pet stains are whatdesigner Rochelle Clark uses in the Fairfax home thatshe shares with her two Italian Greyhounds, Lola andFiona. “My dogs are not housebroken, so I have touse indoor-outdoor rugs made of polypropylene be-cause I can just hose them down when they get dirty,

which is often,” she said. “Rugs made from sisal arealso good choices if you have pets. I encourage mypet-owning clients to purchase inexpensive rugs be-cause if you have dogs or cats, rug stains are inevi-table. It’s just a waste of money to invest in a high-end rug if you have pets. There so many ways thatthey can be ruined and there are plenty of rugs thatdon’t cost a lot, but have a high-end look to them.”

When choosing fabrics for furniture or throw pil-lows, pet owners should steer clear of textures likevelvet or chenille, which can be magnets for pet hair,advises designer and corgi owner, Tami Evers of TheSimply Elegant Home. “You also want to avoid silkand other delicate fabrics that could tear easily,” shesaid. “There are so many options now for durable,stain resistant upholstery fabric that’s as elegant andtasteful as its more traditional counterparts. Believeit or not, I finished a project for a client who hadtwo giant labradoodles, and her living room furni-ture is entirely of Sunbrella fabric.”

Other durable and easy to clean options that Eversrecommends include leather and Crypton. “The onlyissue with leather is that it will scratch easily if youhave pets with sharp nails, but some people thinkscratched leather has character,” she said. “Crypton

can withstand almost anything. Ifyou have a dog or cat that barfs alot or has lots of accidents, Cyrptonis the way to go. It’s stain-proof,tear-proof and comes in a widerange of patterns and colors.”

Built-in eating spaces and petbeds for her two Bichon Frises areways that personal home organizerBecca Anderson of The OrganizedLife streamlines her pet spaces to

maintain her home’s aesthetic.“Pet owners love their animals, but no one wants

their home to look and smell like it’s been overrunwith animals,” she said. “I advised one of my clientsto add a custom, built-in litter box space to her laun-dry room for her three cats. She even invested in aself-cleaning litter box, and those two features weretransformative.”

Pet owners should look for stain-resistant and durable upholstery fabrics when creatinga stylish and animal-friendly interior.

Pet-owning designersoffer advice on practicaldesign choices thatdon’t sacrifice style.

“Rugs made fromsisal are also goodchoices if youhave pets.”

— Rochelle Clark

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By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Every morning, at the very least, I look into the bathroom mirror to brush my teeth and shave my stub-ble. And there, right below my Adam’s apple, in plain site, is the tumor we’re attempting to stabilize, and in a perfect scenario: shrink.

As I’ve said many times before during my 10 years of treatment: “I can live with ‘stable,’” and/or “Stable

out if my lung cancer tumors are stable/have shrunk/grown is when my oncologist tells me/I read the radiologist’s report.

During this quarterly interval between scans, I’m like Sergeant Schultz from “Hogan’s Heroes: “I see nothing.” The tumors in my lungs are “like weeds,” (meaning they’re everywhere), said my oncologist at the initial Team Lourie meeting in response to one of my wife, Dina’s, questions about whether surgery was an option; “no” was that answer. But obviously, I can’t see them and what feelings I’ve experienced in my mediastinum have likely been scar tissue forming (according to my oncologist) and not indicative of too much too often.

So, I’ve learned to not overreact to any discomfort I might experience. It might mean something or it might mean nothing. I’ve been to both places already.

However, the “Adam’s apple” tumor is front and center. When I brush my teeth, I see it. When I shave I have to nearly shave over it. It’s impossible to miss. It’s not exactly a goiter but it’s more than a lump.

It’s not painful, but it’s completely opposite to the tumors in my lungs; they’re out of sight and because of that, occasionally out of mind. The “Adam’s apple” tumor is totally in sight and because of that, is always

my evening. And in the hours between, I’m touching my throat to feel what I can feel and hope what I can hope. The effect is I’m reinforcing a negative every time I touch the tumor.

If I can’t see the tumor (like the ones in my lungs), and I can’t touch the tumors (like I can the “Adam’s apple” tumor), I can delude myself more easily into not thinking/remembering I even have cancer; and more importantly, not thinking that I’m “terminal” as my oncologist characterized me all those years ago when he gave me a “13 month to two year” prognosis – on Feb. 27, 2009. Then I can pretend to live life as if the Sword of Damocles is not hanging over my head.

But, being able to touch the very thing that might be shortening my life makes it more real than it’s ever been. And it’s that reality that is making Kenny a very dull boy (no comments from the peanut gallery, please?).

have had since I began the immunotherapy. That’s when we’ll have our usual post-scan appointment with my oncologist to learn results and discuss alter-natives, if necessary.

Surgery, as we’ve inquired about previously is out of the question. Therefore, we’ll either continue to do what we’ve been doing, or start doing something we’ve never done before (you have to keep the cancer guessing).

On my most recent appointment, when asked by yours truly, my oncologist said we have lots of non-surgical options should change be warrant-ed. (There was a time in the past when I asked my oncologist a similar question and he was not nearly so encouraging. In fact, he was downright discourag-ing when he told me that the drug he was giving me at the time was the last drug he had for me.) Having been dangling previously at a near end, I’m sure you can appreciate how a patient knowing there are other choices available should a drug fail to stop the growth, is very reassuring.

Nevertheless, facing off with this tumor every day and being able to touch it morning, noon and night, presents a real problem: how do I avoid thinking I have cancer?

It’s always been my goal to try and assimilate the facts and hope not to be overwhelmed by the feelings. But how do I think it’s nothing when it’s obviously something?

I mean, it wouldn’t be there if it was just minding its own business, would it?

Talk AboutWishful Thinking

From Page 4

Calendar

photography enthusiasts of all skill levels to attendmeetings. RPS is a special-interest group of theLeague of Reston Artists. Nonmembers arewelcome. Visit www.leagueofrestonartists.org.

TUESDAY/MARCH 19Fundraiser: Helping Hungry Kids. 11 a.m.-7

p.m. at Not Your Average Joes Restaurant, 1845Fountain Drive, Reston. Tuesdays in MarchHelping Hungry Kids of Northern Virginia isholding a fundraiser at NYAJ Restaurant. Theywill donate 15 percent of your bill from lunch ordinner to HHK. Diners need to tell their serverthey are there to support HHK. Visitwww.helpinghungrykids.org.

Live Music: Ryanhood. 7:15 p.m. at Amphora’sDiner Deluxe, 1151 Elden St., Herndon. Acousticduo Ryanhood got their first break more than adecade ago as street performers at Boston’sQuincy Market. Ryanhood is on tour promotingtheir latest album, Early Best. Suggesteddonation is $10 for members of the Folk Club ofReston/Herndon and $11 for non-members.Visit www.restonherndonfolkclub.com.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 20Bingo Fundraiser. 7 and 9 p.m. At Crooked Run

Brewery, 22455 Davis Drive, Suite 120, Sterling.All proceeds from purchased Bingo sheets willgo towards helping to further the arts inHerndon. Come grab a beer and some tacos andhave fun while you help raise funds for ArtsHerndon. Visit www.artspaceherndon.org.

THURSDAY/MARCH 21Weekend Food for Kids. 10-11:30 a.m. at

Dominion Energy, 3072 Centreville Road,Chantilly. Assistance League of NorthernVirginia, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization,invites community members to help pack foodfor its Weekend Food for Kids program. Thiscritical program provides nonperishable foodover the weekend to children who receive freeor reduced-price meals during the school year atTitle I schools in Fairfax and Prince WilliamCounties and the City of Alexandria. May arriveat 9:30 to help with setup. Free. Visit alnv.org.

It’s Not You, It’s Me – The Second City. 6:45-10:45 p.m. with bus pickup at RA Headquarters.Bus trip to the Barns at Wolf Trap for an eveningfull of live and in-your-face entertainment. Thiscomedy performance takes shots at heartbreak,missed connections and the mire of humanrelationships. Show begins at 8 p.m. Ages 18and older. $45 RA members; $55 non-members.Register through RestonWebTrac account oremail [email protected] or call 703-435-6577.

SUNDAY/MARCH 24Live Music: Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. 7

p.m. (doors open at 6) at Frying Pan Farm ParkVisitor Center, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon.Make plans to “hitch up the team” and head toFrying Pan Farm Park this season for BluegrassBarn. Food and beverages available forpurchase. $18 in advance, $20 at the door.Purchase tickets online at fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn or byphone at 703-222-4664 or 703-437-9101.

TUESDAY/MARCH 26Fundraiser: Helping Hungry Kids. 11 a.m.-7

p.m. at Not Your Average Joes Restaurant, 1845Fountain Drive, Reston. Tuesdays in MarchHelping Hungry Kids of Northern Virginia isholding a fundraiser at NYAJ Restaurant. Theywill donate 15 percent of your bill from lunch ordinner to HHK. Diners need to tell their serverthey are there to support HHK. Visitwww.helpinghungrykids.org.

TUESDAYS/MARCH 26-APRIL 30Tai Chi. 7-8 p.m. in the Glade Room, 11550 Glade

Drive (above the Glade Pool bathhouse).Practiced by millions the world over as a gentle,weight-bearing callisthenic or “movingmeditation,” Tai Chi is an ancient “internal”martial art and mind-body discipline rooted inChinese tradition. Questions for this class can bedirected to [email protected]. Ages 55+.$70 RA members; $90 non-members. Visitwww.reston.org, email [email protected] or703-435-6577 to register.


News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

The Lake Anne Merchants andProfessional Committee celebrated International Women’sDay 2019 on a hyperlocal scale

the weekend of March 8 -March 10, high-lighting achievements of women whohelped shape businesses at Lake Anne Plazain Reston. Events began Friday evening withthe opening reception for “The Women ofLake Anne, a Portrait Series of TalentedBusiness Leaders in This Vibrant Commu-nity,” by Charlotte Geary Photography, fol-lowed by a four-member panel discussionmoderated by Bonnie Haukness, boardmember, Reston Historic Trust & Museum.

“Tonight’s event focuses on our amazingcommunity of women; their life stories andgifts to be shared with us,” said audiencemember Melanie Meren of Vienna beforethe start of the event. Nearby sat NallelySoto of Reston with her daughter, Mya, 8.Asked why she came, Mya did not hesitate.“Women have equal rights like men. Justbecause someone tells you can’t do some-thing, it doesn’t matter. Justice Ruth BaderGinsburg is interested in equal rights,” saidMya referencing the book “I Dissent.”

“Celebrating International Women’s Dayhere at Lake Anne Plaza is a perfect fit, as75 percent of the businesses are eitherowned or managed by women,” saidAlexandra Campbell, executive director ofthe Reston Historic Trust & Museum, dur-ing her opening remarks for the kick-offevent. “This plaza and our events [for In-ternational Women’s Day 2019] are allabout women supporting other women,”said Campbell, who spoke about the signifi-cant role female entrepreneurs played in thedevelopment of the Lake Anne Plaza andhow they rapidly broke through the com-monly held male-dominated business mod-els.

“Since Reston’s beginning in the early1960s, women have played a significant rolein [the plaza’s] development including ...commercial contributions. ... In 1977,women owned just 7 percent of all busi-nesses in the U.S; … by 1987… 30 percentof all American businesses,” Campbell said.She added that the number of women-owned businesses, “has only increased sincethen and Lake Anne business ownershipproves this.”

During her remarks, Campbell motionedtoward the dozens of portraits on easels sur-rounding the gallery’s audience, each a per-sonal image-narrative capturing the dynamicspirit of each woman business owner color-fully and unexpectedly. Professional photog-rapher Charlotte Geary took the images.“This plaza and our events [for InternationalWomen’s Day 2019] are all about womensupporting other women,” Campbell said.

Bonnie Haukness, board member ofReston Historic Trust & Museum, intro-duced the panel, the Lake Anne businessowners, Linda Fuller, former owner LakeAnne Florist; Susann Gerstein, SmallChange Consignment; Susan Burwell,Reston Used Book Shop; and CharlotteGeary, of Charlotte Geary Photography.

EACH PANELIST offered thoughts on whyfemale entrepreneurship works so well atLake Anne, how to recognize and seize op-portunity and tips to create a successfulbusiness.

“I think there is something here that mightappeal to a community-oriented woman,”said Geary, adding that Lake Anne is de-

signed for people to engage and mingle;how one must park away from the busi-nesses fronts and must enter the villagecenter walking by them, offering opportu-nities for interactions. Gerstein describedthe aesthetics of Lake Anne, the beauty ofthe lake, nature and the manmade environ-ment.

Fuller recalled her passion, drive to edu-cate herself and as the business preparedand got off the ground, surrounding her-self with people and organizations to lenda hand. “I didn’t know anything about busi-ness, but I soaked it all up. I self-educated,took classes … and worked with others.Lake Anne has an extraordinary merchantsassociation which not a lot of strip mallshave. There is a lot of support here … sup-port is very important going into business.”

Fuller warned not to overextend and rec-ognized the small square footage offered

at Lake Anne Plaza can be an advantage.“It is easier for women to start small ... it’sa reasonable venture ... and it appeals towomen that they can do it; can get started.”

Susan Burwell of Reston Used Book Shopdiscussed an often-key issue for any smallbusiness, whether to buy the building orrent. She said when she looked into buyingthe company and the store nearly twentyyears ago, purchasing the established busi-ness left little capital for purchasing theproperty it occupied.” We couldn’t affordboth, so we found a friend that was willingto purchase the property for us … we paidrent … and now we own the building.”Burwell reiterated, “You can’t do it by your-self. You need support from other peopleand other organizations.”

“The key about women on the plaza tome is … there is something about us roll-ing up our sleeves and saying we can dothis … a sense of women coming togetherand just making it happen,” said Gerstein.As the panel discussion closed,

Gerstein took the opportunity to intro-duce an upcoming woman-owned business.She announced Small Change is closing.Mary Marchetti, president of the non-profitorganization, Toys for Life, will occupy thespace.

Nathan Hagan of Lake Anne Brew Housecreated the poster for Lake Anne Plaza In-ternational Women’s Day Poster. Proceedsfrom its sale will partially support RestonHistoric Trust & Museum’s Women’s HistoryMonth Programs.

GENERAL DONATIONS collected duringInternational Women’s Day benefited Shel-ter House, which serves families in the com-munity experiencing homelessness and do-mestic violence. “Ninety percent of the house-holds are women-led,” said Dani Colon,deputy executive director of Shelter House.

Local dimensions of International Women’s Day: Gender parity risesas women business leaders smash glass ceiling.

Women Are Running Lake Anne Plaza

SusannGerstein, SmallChange Con-signment an-nounces herbusiness isclosing in threemonths, butanother woman-owned businesswould occupythe space,

Linda Fuller,former owner ofLake AnneFlorist, de-scribes how shegrew the busi-ness.

Susan Burwell,Reston UsedBook Shop tellsthe importanceof managingcapital.

Panel discussionmoderatorBonnieHaukness askswhy Lake AnnePlaza is condu-cive to femaleentrepreneurs.

Patrons attend the reception and panel discussion for InternationalWomen’s Day 2019 at Lake Anne Plaza.

Charlotte Geary stands beside aphotograph she took for her por-trait series, “The Women of LakeAnne,” featured at InternationalWomen’s Day 2019, Lake AnnePlaza, Reston.

Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

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