USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal - Ellington...

Wellbeing Page 2

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com August 1-7, 2018

Opi

nio

n, Pag

e 4 v

Enter

tai

nm

ent, Pag

e 2 v

C

lass

ified

s, P

age

6Photo c

ontrib

uted

Postal CustomerECR WSS

Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.

Requested in home 8-2-18

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322

What’s Next for the Herndon Downtown?News, Page 3

Local Civil War Author Launches Next BookNews, Page 5

USCGC Nathan BruckenthalNews, Page 5

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guard member

killed in action since the Vietnam War when he was fatally wounded during Operation Iraqi

Freedom in 2004. The Coast Guard commis-sioned its newest Fast Response Cutter after the

1997 Herndon High School graduate.

2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ August 1-7, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Calendar

See Calendar, Page 7

Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

As parents compile back-to-school task lists,health officials say thatalong with backpacks,

notebooks and pencils, parentsadd the vaccinations that are re-quired by Maryland and Virginiastate laws in order for students toattend school. Now is the time toget those immunizations to avoidthe back to school rush.

“We have free, walk-in clinicswhere you can get vaccines be-tween now and the beginning ofthe school year,” said Mary Ander-son, Montgomery County Depart-ment of Health and Human Ser-vices. “We urge parents to go nowand not wait. We offer vaccines atclinics every day of the week atfour different locations.”

Appointments are not requiredfor immunization visits in Mont-gomery, Arlington and Fairfaxcounties. The Alexandria HealthDepartment, however offers ser-vices by appointment only.

“We would certainly encourageparents to make an appointmentnow,” added John Silcox, FairfaxCounty Health Department. “Ap-pointments fill up quickly, andthere are some walk-in appoint-ments, but the closer you get toschool the more crowded our clin-ics get.”

Fairfax County has five clinicswhich offer vaccines. “School-re-quired immunizations are alwaysfree at our clinics, whether a per-son has insurance or not,” saidSilcox. “We highly encourage par-ents to call the clinic that is mostconveniently located to them É sothat they have you vaccines in timefor school.”

Parents must bring a copy of thechild’s existing immunization record. “A parent ordesignated adult must be with the child when the goto get vaccines,” said Anderson. “If a parents doesn’thave or can’t find their child’s record, we can try toreconstruct it.”

As recently as May, the Washington, D.C. regionsaw a case of a vaccine preventable disease, saysAnderson. “There was a case of measles that thisparticular individual had contracted outside of thecountry,” she said. “But this is a reminder about theimportance of vaccinations because if you had comein contact with this individual and hadn’t been vac-cinated you could have gotten sick.”

ALEXANDRIAhttps://www.alexandriava.gov/health/info/

default.aspx?id=11444

ARLINGTON COUNTYhttps://health.arlingtonva.us/public-health/health-clinics-

services/immunization-clinic/

Local Health Departments Offer Free Vaccines

Photos courtesy of Fairfax County

Parents are encourage to get required vaccines now toavoid the back-to-school rush.

Some students may be granted an exemption fromthe Virginia and Maryland state requirements forreligious for medical reasons. “There is an exemp-tion form that people would need to get filled outand turn into their school in order to be exempt fromthe state requirement.”

Local clinics offer free immunizations.Required Vaccinations for School

FAIRFAX COUNTYhttps://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/immunization/school

MONTGOMERY COUNTYhttps://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/

SeventhGradeImmunizations.html

Immunization RequirementsMARYLANDhttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/immunizations/

VIRGINIAhttp://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/requirements/

“We have free, walk-in clinics where youcan get vaccines between now and thebeginning of the school year. We urgeparents to go now and not wait.”

— Mary Anderson, Montgomery County Department ofHealth and Human Services

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

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Herndon Town

Calendar Competition.Through Aug. 8, gallery hours atArtSpace Herndon, 750 CenterSt., Herndon. This exhibit featuresfinalists in the 8th AnnualHerndon Town CalendarCompetition. Jurors evaluatedimages submitted to thecompetition by photographers andselect finalist photographs for theexhibit. Visitors to the gallery canvote for the People’s Choice. The12 winning photographs andPeople’s Choice will be announcedduring the Awards Reception onJuly 29. Visitwww.artspaceherndon.org.

Homegrown Yoga. Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday nightsat ArtSpace Herndon, 750 CenterSt., Herndon. Alison Adams isbringing Homegrown Yoga toArtSpace Herndon. All levelswelcome. Drop in and take aclass. $25 two week unlimitedpass or drop-in available. Visitwww.homegrownpoweryoga.comto sign up.

The Elden Street Tea Shop.Saturdays in ArtSpace Herndon,750 Center St., Herndon. Sip teaand enjoy a variety of locallymade snacks and pastries whileenjoying the latest artinstallations in the gallery. Visitwww.eldenstreettea.com.

Over-40 Softball League. AFairfax-based league is looking forenough players to form anotherteam. Players must be at last 40years of age to be eligible. Allgames are doubleheaders - playedon Sundays at Bready Park inHerndon between 11 a.m. and 6p.m. If interested, [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 1Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt

Grand Prize Party. Noon atScrawl Books, 11911 FreedomDrive, Reston. Celebrate anothersuccessful “Shop Local” scavengerhunt for Waldo throughoutReston. Everyone who foundWaldo at participating localbusinesses in the Reston TownCenter and turned in theircompleted game boards to Scrawlis eligible to win. The winner willbe drawn at random during theparty, but everyone is invited tocome celebrate. Free. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call703-966-2111.

AUG. 1-15Share A Haircut. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at

local Hair Cuttery locations. Giveback to those in the communitywith Hair Cuttery’s annual Share-A-Haircut program. For everychild’s haircut (up to age 18)purchased Aug. 1-15,, a freehaircut certificate will be donatedto a child in need. [email protected] withAssistance League of NorthernVirginia with questions.

THURSDAY/AUG. 2ALS Association Fundraiser. Not

Your Average Joe’s, 1845Fountain Drive, Reston. EveryThursday in August, NYAJ’sdonates 15 percent of the bill toThe ALS Association. Diners musttell their server “I want to helpfight ALS” for bill to counttowards donations. Email

[email protected] or visitwebdc.alsa.org/goto/margespeeps.

Creative Response: HeatherSpence. 7 p.m. at Great RestonArts Center, 12001 Market St.,#103, Reston. Join the GreaterReston Arts Center one Thursdayof each month to hear a creativeprofessional respond to the workon view in the gallery. The shortpresentation will be followed byopen conversation. Sponsored byReston Community Center. Freeand open to the public. Visitrestonarts.org.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 2-570th Annual Fairfax County 4-H

Fair and Carnival. At FryingPan Farm Park, 2709 West OxRoad, Herndon. Enjoy old-fashioned family fun with carnivalgames, rides and tempting foods.Friday features the free Big TruckNight event from 5-7:30 p.m. “NoHorn” hour is from 5-6 p.m.Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. onSaturday. Stop by the 4-H Fairthroughout the weekend asexhibitors display their winningentries and get their farm animalsready to show. Try a turn at farmchores, watch stage entertainmentand enjoy horse and livestockshows.Thursday and Friday – freeparking and discount tickets forunlimited rides. Admission to the4-H Fair and Carnival is free; $10per car parking fee on Saturdayand Sunday. Visitfairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair for details.

FRIDAY/AUG. 3Totally Trucks. 8:30 a.m.-12:30

p.m. at RA’s Central ServicesFacility, 12250 Sunset Hills Road,Reston. Check out all the bigtrucks that Reston Associationuses to make Reston beautiful. Inaddition, thre may be a police andfire truck on display. Children willreceive a “Totally Trucks”construction helmet. Horn freehour 8:30-9:30 a.m. Rain orshine. $1 per person, 0-2 yearsold; $2 per person, 3 and older.Register throughweb1.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/varestonhoawt.wsc/splash.html, [email protected] or call 703-435-6577.

SATURDAY/AUG. 4Concerts on the Town: Chubby

Carrier & the Bayou SwampBand. 7:30-10 p.m. (rain orshine) at Reston Town Center.These family-friendly concertsinclude a wide range of musicalstyles including Motown, swing,blues, jazz, Latin fusion, Celtic,bluegrass and zydeco and takeplace every Saturday nightthrough Aug. 25. Free. Visitwww.restontowncenter.com.

MONDAY/AUG. 6Open Orchestra Rehearsals.

7:30 p.m. at Sunset HillsMontessori School, 11180 RidgeHeights Road, Reston. Joinmembers of the RestonCommunity Orchestra for openrehearsals during July andAugust. For those who havewondered what it would be like toplay with the Reston CommunityOrchestra, looking for a chance toplay between seasons orsemesters or who have aninstrument that’s collecting dustbut keeps calling them to comeback. Music and stands provided.

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ August 1-7, 2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

The top photo is a rendering of the proposed Comstock Center Streetunits closest to Elden Street. Comstock Herndon Venture LLC provided itto the Town of Herndon in 2017 as part of their Redevelopment/ Requestfor Proposals. The bottom photo is a rendering of the proposed CenterStreet units closest to Elden Street submitted by Comstock June 18,2018, during their HPRB Application for Certificate of Appropriateness.

NewsHerndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

See Downtown, Page 6

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

This story is part of an ongoing series onthe Proposed Herndon Downtown Redevel-opment Project

“The Town remains indiscussion withComstock, and I amhopeful that we are able

to find a pathway forward,” said Lisa C.Merkel, Mayor Town of Herndon “Theyhave indicated a desire to resubmit, andwhen that happens as always, there will beopportunities for public input.”

After Herndon’s Historic PreservationReview Board approved the Applications forthe Certificates of Appropriateness, citizenswith property interests in the land acrossthe street from the project had the right tofile Appeal Notices, which they did withinthe required 14 days after Certificates ofAppropriateness approval. Under provisionsof Section 78-60.3(g)(7)(b) of the Town ofHerndon Zoning Ordinance, the appealsrendered the Certificates of Appropriatenessvoid. The project can’t move forward with-out them.

Recap of Events to Date: On Nov. 1,2017, the Town of Herndon and ComstockHerndon Venture LLC entered into a Com-prehensive Agreement for the ProposedHerndon Downtown RedevelopmentProject to be constructed on 4.675 acres inthe Historic Downtown District. They sub-mitted renderings of the project as part oftheir RFP. Proposed design plans dated June18, 2018, depicted a mixed-use project thatincludes a public/private parking garage,274 residential units, 17,000 square feet ofretail space and an 18,000-square-foot artscenter.

According to the town website, at theHeritage Preservation Review Board PublicHearing on June 18, Comstock’s Applica-tions for Certificates of Appropriateness(COA), HPRB #18-15 and HPRB #18-16for the demolition of the existing buildingslocated at 770 Elden Street and 750 CenterStreet respectively and HPRB #18-17 of theexterior architecture of the developmentreceived approvals. The board voted 6 to1.

However, during the Historic Preservationmeeting on June 18, although in each ofthe two Staff Reports related to Comstock’sApplications for demolition permits, staffrecommended HPRB defer action to give theapplicant additional time to address staffcomments, HPRB approved them. In addi-tion, as cited in the Staff Report pertainingto Comstock’s Application for Certificatesof Appropriateness for the new construc-tion of residential units, retail space, artscenter and parking garage, Town staff rec-

ommended the continuance of the Appli-cation to the July 16, 2018 Public Hearing.Staff stated in the report the Board couldthen, “review the elevation plans, providecomments to the applicant and take intoconsideration the comments provided bystaff prior to approval of this application,”

After HPRB approved the Applications forthe Certificates of Appropriateness, citizenswith property interests in the land acrossthe street from the project had the right tofile Appeal Notices, which they did withinthe required 14 days after Certificates ofAppropriateness approval. Under provisionsof Section 78-60.3(g)(7)(b) of the Town ofHerndon Zoning Ordinance, the appealsrendered the Certificates of Appropriatenessvoid. The appeals did not void the Compre-hensive Agreement between Comstock andthe Town.

New Events: In a letter dated July 13to David Stromberg, Town of Herndon Zon-ing, Christopher Clements, ManagerComstock Management Service, ComstockHerndon Venture gave notice of the with-drawal of Comstock’s Applications for Cer-tificates of Appropriateness. He thankedmembers of the Board for their hard workand wrote, “We look forward to presentingthis project to the HPRB once again in thenear future.”

Questions: Why did town staff makerecommendations to defer actions on theApplications for the two COA for demoli-tions and recommend the continuance ofthe Application for the Certificates of Ap-propriateness new construction to July 16?On what grounds did citizens file appeals?

Staff Reports: Highlighting the issuesas stated in the Staff Report, read byRaymond P. Ocel Jr., Development ProgramPlanner/Deputy Zoning Administratorabout the demolition of the building at 750Center Street during the June 18 HPRBPublic Hearing, Ocel expressed the need forsufficient time to address staff comments.He cited time needed to study if the demo-lition conformed to the criteria of theHerndon Heritage Preservation Handbookand Zoning Ordinance. He cited that theapplicant’s letter “does not comprehensivelyaddress the 10 criteria noted in the Hand-book and Zoning Ordinance and thoseshould be addressed in detail for furtherreview by the Board and staff.”

Town staff found similar issues related tothe Herndon Heritage Preservation Hand-book and Zoning Ordinance with the demo-lition of the building at 750 Elden Street.Ocel’s report stated, “The [applicant’s] let-ter does not comprehensively address the10 criteria noted in the Handbook and Zon-ing Ordinance and those should be ad-dressed in detail for further review by theBoard and staff.

The HPRB Staff Report recommendationsper the new construction, found limited is-sues for conformance with the Herndon

What’s Next for the Herndon Downtown?Mayor, Town Council, Comstock and even citizens who filed appealswant the downtown redeveloped, but appeals delay the project.

The top photo is a rendering of the proposed Arts Walk ComstockHerndon Venture LLC provided to the Town of Herndon in 2017 as partof their Redevelopment/Request for Proposal. The bottom photo is arendering of the proposed Arts Walk Comstock submitted June 18, 2018,during their Historic Preservation Review Board Application for Certifi-cate of Appropriateness.

Screenshots of Comstock Proposals


www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

@HerndonConnect

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Kemal Kurspahic Editor ❖ 703-778-9414

[email protected]

Mercia HobsonCommunity Reporter

[email protected]

Andrea WorkerContributing Writer

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Debbie FunkDisplay Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal Kurspahic

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

[email protected]

Oak Hill & HerndonOpinion

By Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

State Delegate (D-36)

The only common requirement for holdingelective office is thatone be a registered

voter in the state meaning then ofcourse that you must be at least18 years of age.

You do not need to be a residentof the district you hope to repre-sent although you will have to move into thedistrict if you win. The concept of a citizen leg-islature is that it is made up of people from all

walks of life in the commu-nity who can collectivelyspeak for the community atlarge. Supposedly there

would be no professional politicians—justregular everyday folks. Such an approachshould work out well to have the communitybroadly represented.

In the past, because of laws and practices,most legislatures have been filled mostly withold white men. Recent years have seen a shiftincluding in Virginia as more women are run-ning for office and getting elected. This yearhas more women, young people, and people

of color running than ever before.With the diversification of who

sits in the legislature the challengebecomes taking people of manydifferent backgrounds, perspec-tives and constituencies and bring-ing them together to work for con-sensus on legislation to get a ma-jority vote. While skills acquiredin business and civic activitiesteach many of the soft skills of in-terpersonal relationships and

team building that are transferable to a legis-lative body, there are unique differences thatare important to recognize.

Most legislatures with which I am familiarhave orientation programs to acquaint newmembers with where the bathrooms are, rulesof order in committee meetings and on thefloor, and operating procedures around thecapitol. Putting legislation together, develop-ing a strategy for its passage, and keeping con-stituents back home happy are most oftenhandled by the political party caucuses or help-ful mentors.

Another source of in-service training I havefound invaluable are conferences put togetherby professional associations, specifically the Na-tional Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

I am at their national conference this week.NCSL keeps up with what is happening in

state capitols around the country and throughpublications, conferences and consultancykeeps legislators informed. The association istruly non-partisan, although its leadership—chosen from among state legislators across thecountry—maintain their party allegiance whilethe staff is able to stay out of the partisanship.

Virginia of course had the first representa-tive legislature in the western world beginningin 1619. Not everyone followed the Virginiamodel however in writing their constitution oforganizing their legislatures. I continue to beamazed as I work with colleagues from aroundthe country as to the number of different waysthat legislative bodies can organize themselvesand do their business. No one has a corner onthe best way to do the people’s business, butwe can learn from taking a look at how otherstates conduct their business.

NCSL refers to the states as the laboratoriesof democracy. The description is appropriateas we all face mostly the same challenges. Ourresponses are different, however. By gettingtogether for what some would call a confer-ence, but what I think is more appropriatelycalled in-service training, we can do a betterjob for the people we represent.

In-Service Training

Commentary

GerrymanderingContinues toMess with OurElectionsTo the Editor:

No matter where we stand onthe political spectrum, the possi-bility that anyone interferes ortampers in our elections is unac-ceptable. Meanwhile, gerryman-dering continues to mess with all

our elections.Gerrymandering is drawing vot-

ing districts to expand the impactof some votes and shrink others.In 2019, Virginians will elect 100state delegates and 40 state sena-tors. In 2020 another national cen-sus will be taken, and in 2021 theincumbents elected in 2019 (withmore influence from the majorityparty) will draw voting maps thatfavor their own re-election. Hav-ing incumbents draw their owndistricts is a serious conflict of in-terest. Unless we find a fairer way,

Letters to the Editor

this process will be repeated in2029, 2031, and so on.

You can help by (1) identifyingwhich candidates favor fair redis-tricting, (2) voting for them, and(3) checking outOneVirginia2021.org. where you(like more than 80,000 other Vir-ginians) can send a message toyour representatives demandingan independent commission toapportion districts fairly.

Karen ScarfoneClifton

The Northwest Federal CreditUnion Foundation recently cel-ebrated its fourth annual NeonNight Glow Run, raising moneyfor their ninth annual Night ofMagic, which the NWFCU Foun-dation hosts at Inova Children’sHospital. There were 250 par-ticipants in this year’s race, withproceeds going towards the an-nual event, which creates amemorable evening of fun forcritically ill children and theirfamilies.

“This year’s Neon Night GlowRun was a tremendous success,grossing over $13,000,” saidExecutive Director of theNWFCU Foundation,Alexzandra Shade. “We appre-ciate our community sponsors

and race participants for comingtogether to support our programwith Inova Children’s Hospital andthe children receiving treatmentthere.”

The NWFCU Foundation wasestablished in 2004 to promoteand manage Northwest FederalCredit Union’s philanthropic ac-tivities. The mission of NWFCUFoundation is to empower youthto achieve their goals by helpingthem learn and celebrate life andsupporting their health and well-being. The NWFCU Foundation isa 501(c)(3) organization. Dona-tions are tax deductible to the ex-tent permissible by law for thosewho itemize deductions. For moreinformation, visitwww.nwfcufoundation.org.

Raising Money for ‘Night of Magic’

Write The Connectionwelcomes views on any public

issue. The deadline for allmaterial is noon Friday. Lettersmust be signed. Include home

address and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinelyedited for libel, grammar, good

taste and factual errors. Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

Photo contributed

Participants in the 2018 Neon Night Glow Run beginthe race


News

Carnivals bring out the kid ineveryone. Enjoy some old-fash-ioned family fun at the 70th An-nual Fairfax County 4-H Fair andCarnival at Frying Pan Farm Park.There will be carnival games, ridesand tempting foods for four days– Thursday, Aug. 2 through Sun-day, Aug. 5, 2018.Stretch your dol-lars on Thursday and Friday withfree parking and discount ticketsfor unlimited rides. For those whopurchase early, passes start at $16per person for unlimited carnivalrides between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.In the evening, ride tickets cost $1,and most rides take three to fivetickets. Friday also features the freeBig Truck Night event from 5 to7:30 p.m. “No Horn” hour is from5 to 6 p.m. for those sensitive tonoise.The fair and carnival kickinto high gear over the weekend

when carnival rides open from 10a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Don’tmiss the Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. onSaturday, and stop by the 4-H Fairthroughout the weekend as exhibi-tors display their winning entriesand get their farm animals readyto show. Try your hand at farmchores, watch stage entertainmentand enjoy horse and livestockshows. Admission to the 4-H Fairand Carnival is free, but there is a$10 per car parking fee on Satur-day and Sunday.Get all the detailson the 4-H Fair and Carnivalwebsite http://parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair.Frying Pan Farm Parkis located at 2709 West Ox Road,Herndon. For more information,call 703-437-9101 or visit FryingPan Farm Park. http://parks/fry-ing-pan-park

Life’s a Carnival atFrying Pan Farm Park, Aug. 2-5

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Herndon authorCharles V. Maurocombined extensive

research and interviewedNorthern Virginia experts toweave the compelling historicalfiction novel, “We Once Met byChance: Four Life Stories dur-ing the American Civil War,”released spring 2018 byLifeRich Publishing.

The prolific writer and CivilWar historian held a book sign-ing during July’s Third Thurs-days Arts Crawl on the TownHall Square, 730 Elden Street.Sitting at a table, Mauro intro-duced individuals to his bookthat tells the story of the Ameri-can Civil War from the perspec-tives of four people.

Featured in Mauro’s book areJohn S. Mosby, Confederate of-ficer from Virginia who led guer-rilla raids outside the city ofWashington compelling Uniontroops to guard the city ratherthan engage in battles else-where; Union officer, CharlesRussell Lowell, an articulateyoung man from Massachusettssent to capture or kill Mosby;Laura Ratcliffe, a young womanliving in Herndon who supportedVirginia and spied for ColonelMosby; and James Robinson, anAfrican-American man who livedwith his family in Manassas onland he owned that became thebattleground for two majorbattles during the war.

Mauro’s 288-page book isavailable on Amazon in threeformats- Kindle, hardcoverand paperback.

‘We Once Met by Chance:Four Life Stories during theAmerican Civil War’

Local Civil War AuthorLaunches Next Book

Charles V. Mauro,author of the historicalfiction novel, “We OnceMet By Chance,” awaitsthe question ThomasPruyn is posing to himduring a book signing.Jessie Bond, Pruyn’scommunication part-ner, Ian Nordling andRosaleen Presley, Ian’s mother and communicationpartner listen. Presley shares Pruyn and Nordlinguse a letterboard spelling to communicate.

Mercia Hobson/The Connection

By Jeanne Theismann

The Connection

United States Coast Guard CommandantAdm. Karl Schultz joined family members and friends of the late NathanBruckenthal, a 1997 graduate of Herndon

High School, at the Alexandria waterfront July 25 tocommission the USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal, the CoastGuard’s newest Fast Response Cutter.

“The name Nathan Bruckenthal is one that is rec-ognized and revered throughout our service,” Schultztold the crowd. “Petty Officer Bruckenthal definedservice above self and we are here today to honorthat legacy.”

Among those in attendance atthe ceremony were Bruckenthal’ssister Noabeth Bruckenthal,widow Patti Bruckenthal anddaughter Harper, who was bornduring the deployment from whichher father never returned.

Bruckenthal participated intrack and field and the Naval Jun-ior ROTC while attendingHerndon HS. He was killed April24, 2004, when a small boat nearthe Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Ter-minal that he and six others wereattempting to board exploded inan attempted suicide bombing.

Bruckenthal, the first CoastGuard member killed in actionsince the Vietnam War, was post-humously awarded a Bronze Star,Purple Heart and Global War onTerrorism Expeditionary Medal.

At the time of his death,Bruckenthal, who also attendedHerndon Elementary and HerndonMiddle schools, was deployed withthe Coast Guard Patrol Forces

Coast Guard Cutter namedfor Herndon High graduate.

USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd

Class Nathan Bruckenthalwas the first Coast Guardmember killed in actionsince the Vietnam War whenhe was fatally woundedduring Operation IraqiFreedom in 2004. The CoastGuard commissioned itsnewest Fast Response Cutterafter the 1997 Herndon HighSchool graduate.

Photos by Jeanne Theismann/The Connection

The crew of USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal mans the railsduring the commissioning ceremony for the cutter inAlexandria July 25. Bruckenthal is the Coast Guard’s 28thFast Response Cutter named after Coast Guard PettyOfficer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, a 1997 HerndonHigh School graduate who was killed in action duringOperation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

Photo contributed

Patti Bruckenthal, widow ofPetty Officer NathanBruckenthal, is joined byher daughter HarperBruckenthal and sister-in-law Noabeth Bruckenthal atthe commissioning of theUSCGC Nathan BruckenthalJuly 25 at the Alexandriawaterfront. At right is JoeRe of the Navy League ofthe United States.

Coast Guard CommandantAdm. Karl Schultz deliversremarks during the com-missioning ceremony forthe Coast Guard CutterNathan Bruckenthal inAlexandria on July 25. TheUSCGC Bruckenthal isnamed after Coast GuardPetty Officer 3rd ClassNathan Bruckenthal, a 1997Herndon High Schoolgraduate who was fatallywounded during OperationIraqi Freedom in the Ara-bian Gulf in 2004.

Southwest Asia. He had joined the Coast Guard inJanuary 1999 and been in his assignment since Sep-tember 2002. This was his second tour of duty in Iraq,having previously been deployed there from Febru-ary to May 2003 and returned in February of 2004.

The 154-foot patrol craft USCGC NathanBruckenthal is the 28th vessel in the Coast Guard’sSentinel-class FRC program. FRCs feature advancedcommand, control, communications, computers, in-telligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equip-ment and can reach a maximum speed of over 28knots.

The USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal’s new homeportwill be Atlantic Beach, N.C. The crew voted to adoptas its motto “Bravery in Battle” in honor ofBruckenthal.

“He was always a hero in our mind before he madethe ultimate sacrifice,” said his father, RickBruckenthal. “The last story is the sad story, but also

a great story because we don’tknow how many people’s lives heand his crew saved that day.”


From Page 3

Heritage Preservation handbook although the reportstated the current guidelines, “Generally encouragethe use of traditional materials and discourage theuse of synthetic materials that do not appear as tra-ditional materials. Advances in technology since theadoption of the Handbook have yielded syntheticmaterials that may be more suitable as substitutesto traditional materials by means of visual qualities.”

As for conformance with the town’s Zoning Ordi-nance, staff cited 16 items on the report that requiredfurther refinement, among them to provide addi-tional storefront detail as some storefronts appearedvoid of articulation and period-appropriate detail-ing, and the need to refine the elevation of the BlockA building as refinement was needed for the facadeand roofline.

During the Comstock’s presentation of the Appli-cations for the COAs, they acknowledged a willing-ness to work with the Town.

Appeals: Appellants filed their appeals on thefollowing grounds: Developer’s adverse impact ontraffic in the surrounding area, which is, rated “D’Density that has increased above FAR 0.5-floor whichis standard in the “Heritage Preservation Handbook”for new development. Size and massing are incon-sistent with color renderings in the downtown Pat-tern Book which depicts 2 and 3-story buildings. Theimpacts of overflow parking from apartment own-ers/guests into the shared parking and onto CenterStreet

“New construction is predicated on the demoli-tion of 770 Elden Street building whose preserva-tion category and significance were misrepresentedto the public and HPRB. ...”

“Town officials made the presentation to HPRB inthe Town of Herndon, which owns the property. Un-due influence on HPRB occurred as a ‘cheat sheet’was given to the HPRB board members that wouldhelp them easily identify adopted policy. There wasno marketing study provided to support the num-ber of apartments.”

Quotes: “We support and seek redevelopment indowntown Herndon that is compatible with theHerndon Historic District, neighboring homes, and

is more in line with the renderings in both the Down-town Pattern Book and Comstock’s redevelopmentproposal. We look forward to having our concernsaddressed and, if the project proceeds, working col-lectively with the Town and Comstock to bring theproject to the finish line.”- Appellants

“During my tenure on the town council, my pri-mary goal has been to see downtown redevelopmentfinally happen for Herndon. The plans that were sub-mitted by Comstock are in line with the parametersset out by the Town; the density and scope of theproject have not changed. The Town remains in dis-cussion with Comstock, and I am hopeful that we areable to find a pathway forward. They have indicateda desire to resubmit, and when that happens as al-ways, there will be opportunities for public input.”-Lisa C. Merkel, Mayor Town of Herndon

“The town continues discussion with Comstock re-garding moving forward on the redevelopmentproject.”

-Town of HerndonMike McFarlane, HPRB member (voted against

approving the COAs): “I’ve been open-minded untilliterally this evening É But I’m just going to read fromthe Town Ordinance section 78.5.14 section 2 [cur-rent code is 78-60.3(f)(1)] new construction. It says:A Certificate of Appropriateness for new construc-tion of a building or structure may be approved onlyafter considering the following standards as well asother appropriate matters: ‘a) Whether or not thedesign will be architecturally compatible with thehistoric landmarks, buildings, and structures in theHeritage Preservation Overlay District in terms of size,scale, color, material, and character.’ That’s in theordinance. And I just don’t think this developmentdoes it.”

“It may end up being good, but I think we are theHeritage Preservation Review Board. And Mr. Chair-man, you’ve mentioned before the aptly named, ‘Heri-tage Preservation.’ I think this is going to change thetown dramatically, in more ways than just having agiant Reston Town Center-type building hereÉ Well,this is Old Town Herndon, warts and all. It’s a differ-ent place, and we’ve adopted a Heritage Preserva-tion District to follow that.”

Comstock did not reply to emails or calls.

Downtown Discussions Continue

Image of Comstock’s proposed West Elevation of units on Vine Street opposite theVinehaven community.

News

Fairfax County Police Department responded toa call for a robbery in the 13000 block ofCoppermine Road in Herndon early Tuesdaymorning, July 24, 2018, at 1:31 a.m.

According to the police report, an employee of

the business stated a man wearing a mask cameinto the store with a knife and demanded money.The suspect was described “as a white man, 25 to30 years old, and approximately 6’ tall.”

An undisclosed amount of money was stolen.

Gas Station in Herndon Robbed at KnifepointWeek in Herndon


Calendar

From Page 2

$20 per session; $75 for all four. Register atrestoncommunityorchestra.org/2017-2018-concert-series/open-rehearsals/.

THURSDAY/AUG. 9ALS Association Fundraiser. Not Your Average

Joe’s, 1845 Fountain Drive, Reston. EveryThursday in August, NYAJ’s donates 15 percentof the bill to The ALS Association. Diners musttell their server “I want to help fight ALS” for billto count towards donations. [email protected] or visit webdc.alsa.org/goto/margespeeps.

Alzheimer’s Association Raffle. 6-9:30 p.m. atJimmy’s Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring St.,Herndon. Raffle fundraiser for Alzheimer’sAssociation Walk To End Alzheimer’s inNorthern Virginia. Free admission. Visitwww.alz.org/walk.

FRIDAY/AUG. 10Fractured Nursery Rhymes Storytime. 11

a.m. at Scrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive,Reston. Join local Great Falls author, JudyPolitzer for a fun-filled lesson on the alphabetbased on her book, Fractured Nursery Rhymes,Fairy Tales, and Potpourri. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 11Dog Day. 11:30 a.m. at Scrawl Books, 11911

Freedom Drive, Reston. The K9 Caring Angels, anon-profit group dedicated to helping thecommunity by training Service, Therapy, andComfort Canines will bring two dogs to sharetheir loving paws and happy tails with people inneed to Scrawl Books. Free, but guests are askedto help support the organization throughdonations or by contributing requested items,including Pet Valu Perform Ultra Brown Riceand Lamb Puppy Food, outside toys, dog beds,blankets and shampoo. Visitwww.scrawlbooks.com or call 703-966-2111.

Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta. Noon-6p.m. at Lake Anne, Reston. The Reston HistoricTrust & Museum holds the second annual LakeAnne Cardboard Boat Regatta. Festivities arefree of charge, with all team registrations andsponsorships benefiting the Reston HistoricTrust & Museum. Teams of all ages willconstruct and decorate their own life-sizecardboard boats. Boats will then take to thewater in timed heats. Contact AlexandraCampbell at [email protected] or 703-709-7700.

MONDAY/AUG. 13Donation Deadline. During bank hours at

Sonabank, 11527 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston.Sonabank is collecting school supplies at allbranches. Visit www.sonabank.com.

Open Orchestra Rehearsals. 7:30 p.m. atSunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 RidgeHeights Road, Reston. Join members of theReston Community Orchestra for openrehearsals during July and August. $20 persession; $75 for all four. Register atrestoncommunityorchestra.org/2017-2018-concert-series/open-rehearsals/.

TUESDAY/AUG. 14Design and Wine: Felting Critters. 7-9 p.m. at

ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon.Each event is $40 per person which covers wine,light snacks and supplies. No prior artexperience necessary. Registration required atwww.artspaceherndon.org.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 15Dog Days of Summer. 4-7 p.m. in the Pavillion

at Reston Town Center. Dogs and owners canfrolic in the Pavilion when it is transformed intoan off-leash play area each week. Treats, toys,areas to cool off, pet-friendly giveaways, andmore. Free. Visit restontowncenter.com.

Get Woke! Book Club. 7 p.m. at Scrawl Books,11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. This progressivebook club focuses on reading titles that covertimely political issues. The August meeting willfocus on a discussion of housing access andincarceration. Attendees are asked to read either“Evicted” by Matthew Desmond or “The NewJim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age ofColorblindness” by Michelle Alexander. Free.Visit www.scrawlbooks.com.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Intestinal or otherwise. “All hands to the pump,” (Downton Abbey), emotionally speaking. The weight of it all is not too much to bear, but it is pretty close to it:

24-hour urine collection on Tuesday; Pre-chemotherapy lab work and quarterly CT

Scan on Wednesday (not often occurring on the same day but this cycle unfortunately they did);

Balance of Wednesday and Thursday waiting for lab results which ultimately determine whether I’m approved for chemotherapy on FRIDAY;

Thursday through Monday (or longer): waiting for scan results from previous Wednesday (my life doesn’t hang in the balance exactly, but it’s

Friday: my actual chemotherapy; Sunday through Thursday (post chemother-

apy): feeling lousy, hardly eating, irregular sleep, tired all the time (typical post-chemotherapy side effects)

“Phoning It In,” talking with my oncologist over the phone to discuss my scan, my treatment going forward, my life, etc.

6, two weeks of cancer “centricity.”

used the word hope and expressed per pen the written emotion so much in my previous two columns. When cancer or any other treatment for a serious disease, operation, recuperation, physical therapy and so forth is concerned, ultimately, what else is there?

Whether you’re following doctor’s orders and/or supplementing it with non-Western, holistic-type alternatives, rarely are there any guarantees other than as they say “death and taxes” and for a time

Nevertheless, hope springs eternal, as a former-ly long-suffering life-long member of Red Sox Na-tion can attest: three World Series Championships since 2004 after breaking/braking the “Curse of the Bambino,” (the 86-year drought since the Red Sox had last won the World Series in 1918 – Babe Ruth’s last season playing for the Red Sox).

And as I live on/write on nine years and nearly eight months past a “13-month to two-year” prog-nosis diagnosed back in late February 2009, I am eternally hopeful – and always forever grateful.

And in spite of my amazing, miraculous good fortune, the last thing I do, and I mean the absolute last thing I do, is take any of it for granted. That is why the emotion so often expressed in pen and in person is hope. I am never going to betray/dismiss who and/or what has power over my outcome/life expectancy.

I mean, at the end of the day (heck, at the beginning of the day), I am a mere mortal and don’t presume for a minute (or even a second) that

greatest advisory mankind has ever known: cancer. And though I am generally positive and optimistic, I am cautiously so.

After all, I’m just not supposed to blow by (live through) my original prognosis as if it was an arbitrary statement. It was the real deal, and when

At this actual real-time Friday-morning mo-

my pre-chemotherapy lab results are acceptable for today’s infusion. (Otherwise, this fortnight will be extended by seven days.) As any cancer patient under treatment knows, one’s presence is never

you. Soon, I will be advised. In all the intervening moments, I am still

waiting to hear back concerning the results from my CT Scan on Wednesday. Hopefully (there’s that word again), we will hear before the weekend. It’s so much easier to suffer through/anticipate the fort-night when news is known sooner rather than later.

Fortitude For a Fortnight

USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal - Ellington...

Documents

Transcript of USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal - Ellington...