Non-profit Improves Lives News, Page 2

Northwest FCUSupports YouthNews, Page 5

Town Recognizes YouthAdvisory Councilmember

News, Page 3

At Growing Kids Therapy Center in Herndon, Meghann Parkinson, educator, holds the Certificate of Congrat-ulations presented to Ian Nordling by Herndon Town

Council in recognition of his hard work and excellence as Member of the Herndon Youth Advisory Council 2017-2019. Also pictured, from left: Kelly Berg, Educator, Eliz-

abeth Vosseller, Director and Janine Abalos, Educator.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com October 2-8, 2019

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2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

The Closet of the GreaterHerndon Area, Inc. once againgranted an award from surplusrevenues to a local nonprofit

organization working to strengthen the fab-ric of the Northern Virginia community. OnSept. 18, Gene Wiley, Board President ofThe Closet of the Greater Herndon Area,Inc. awarded $5000 to Just Neighbors. Theorganization founded in 1996, has deliveredmuch-needed immigration legal services tomore than 7,000 low-income immigrantsfrom more than 115 countries. Many wererefugees, asylees, Dreamers, victims of do-mestic violence and those issued TemporaryProtected Status because of armed conflictor natural disasters in their homelands.

Erin McKenney, Executive Director of JustNeighbors and Stephanie Barnes, Opera-tions Director, accepted the award on be-half of the organization. They thanked TheCloset for supporting the organization forsuch a long period and told the differencefunding assistance made to the organiza-tion and individuals.

“The financial support makes a differencefor us, to be able to help more clients...Rightnow we’re able to serve only about one infour clients who call for assistance... be-cause that’s the limits of our capacity...Thismoney helps specifically serve clients in theGreater Herndon area,” said McKenney.

IMMIGRANTS served by Just Neighborshave an income that is at or below 200 per-cent of the federal poverty line and cannotafford private immigration attorneys to helpthem apply for benefits for which they areeligible according to the organization’swebsite. Staff and volunteers focus on themost vulnerable immigrants in the commu-nity, helping them navigate the immigra-tion system and access benefits that enable

them to become self-sufficient and contrib-uting members of the community.

Barnes said that one of the organization’smost inspiring and greatest joys is that shecan see how the organization’s workchanges lives, one at a time, giving hope toimmigrants who seek to be contributingmembers of the community. She said achurch recently referred to them an immi-grant woman with an active status workpermit, an EAD, Employment AuthorizationDocument. Attorneys checked to see if shequalified for anything more permanent thatmight lead to getting a green card and citi-zenship. “We figured out that she qualifiedfor abuse against women (through the Vio-lence Against Women Act).” Barnes ex-plained abusive men might use immigra-tion fears to control women. “She’s nowworking in the Dulles area at a very nicehotel (and) this week, it’s good news allaround; she became a supervisor...and gota green card.”

Wiley explained The Closet chose to sup-port Just Neighbors for many reasons,among them, The Closet and Just Neigh-bors have “shared clients.”

“They are in the business of helping im-migrants to our country to be settled herepermanently…The Closet’s clients are alsotrying to set up and establish themselveshere,” said Wiley.

SINCE THE CLOSET’S FOUNDING in1974, it has awarded more than $3 millionin cash grants, including over $88,000 in2018 to nonprofit community groups andprograms in the Herndon-Reston-Sterlingarea. The Closet welcomes grant applica-tions from local organizations that createpositive change in Northern Virginia by im-proving the lives of people in need. Grantstypically range from $500 to $5,000 and aredependent on The Closet having surplus rev-enues to distribute. For more information,visit theclosetofgreaterherndon.org.

Grant award helps assist the most vulnerableimmigrants in our community.

Non-profit Improves Lives

ErinMcKenney,ExecutiveDirector ofJust Neigh-bors andStephanieBarnes, Opera-tions Director,accept a$5000 grantaward onbehalf of theorganizationfrom GeneWiley, Presi-dent of TheCloset of theGreaterHerndon Area,Inc.

Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Mercia Hobson

The Connection

Ian Nordling knows inequality. Beforehis two-year appointment in 2017 bythe Town of Herndon to its then newlyformed Youth Advisory Committee,

Nordling never experienced an opportunityto serve in a leadership position alongsidehis typical peers.

For Nordling, sharing his thoughts andopinions is something he has not alwaysbeen able to do. Due to autism, Nordling isnot able and does not use speech as his pri-mary means of his communication. Instead,he uses Spelling to Communicate, whichteaches individuals with motor challengespurposeful motor skills necessary to pointto letters to spell as an alternative meansof communication.

AT THE TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 Town ofHerndon, Town Council Public Session,Council presented a Certificate of Congratu-lations to Ian Nordling in recognition of hishard work and excellence as a Member ofthe Herndon Youth Advisory Council 2017-2019.

Councilmember Bill McKenna, who chairsthe Youth Committee recalled multiple in-stances of how Nordling’s views seenthrough his lens, drove positive change onissues in the community.

McKenna said that following a presenta-tion by Herndon Police Chief MaggieDeBoard to the Youth Council, Nordlingcreated a pamphlet to help police under-stand how to react to people who have au-tism. Nordling did so because he had a badexperience with police when living on thewest coast. “That experience he broughtforth to the town, and they changed proto-cols and learned how to do things to bemore understanding of different kinds ofpeople.”

McKenna commented on Nordling’s con-tinued contributions during Youth Councilproceedings. “Every time we’ve had conver-sations, Ian has always jumped in.”McKenna cited how during the Council’sdiscussion on the Five-Year Review of TownComprehensive Plan, Nordling’s under-standing and remarks on traffic flow mod-eling and multi-modality traffic led to agreater understanding of inclusiveness. “Wehave to incorporate everyone in the town,”said McKenna.

In a narrative composed by Nordling andread on his behalf after the presentation,Nordling said, “Thank you all for allowingme the opportunity to share with you thisevening. I feel so blessed to be a part ofsuch an inclusive, welcoming community.What a special place the Town of Herndonis. When I moved back here a few years ago,I was anxious about calling this town home.I quickly learned that Herndon is so muchmore than a town. It is a community that

Vosseller described Nordling’s new serviceand how it would support and drive changeglobally for nonspeaking individuals. In thespirit of the slogan, “nothing about us, with-out us,” Vosseller said Nordling along withfour other nonspeaking individuals werenamed as founding members of the Leader-ship Council. They would nominate and electadditional nonspeaking Councilmembers.Their experience and wisdom would guidethe work of I-ASC created to increase com-munication access for nonspeaking individu-als globally through training, education, ad-vocacy and research. “We are tremendouslythrilled to have such an accomplished leaderguiding us,” said Vosseller.

Free Homeowner’s WorkshopWith Specialists

On Sunday, Oct. 6, 1-3 p.m., the Town of Herndon and Cor-nerstones presents the workshop, Congratulations — You’re ahomeowner! How do you take care of it (and yourself)? Freeand open to the public, join them for a practical workshop atwhich contractors, housing specialists, real estate brokers, andattorneys share their expert knowledge about preventive main-tenance, home repairs, foreclosure prevention, real estate strat-egies, legal documents (deed, trust, will, Living Will, Power ofAttorney, etc.).

Held at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Av-enue, Herndon, space is limited. Register by calling 703-787-7380 or 571-323-1439 (Español) or via email atneighborhoods@herndon-va.gov.

Take Steps Walk in HerndonCelebrate the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD community)

at the Northern Virginia Take Steps Walk at Woodland ParkCrossing in Herndon on Oct. 5. New theme this year: Tailgate!Put on your best jersey and join a pre-walk tailgate starting at10 a.m. We’ll fire up the grill and bring the games, just makesure to bring your friends, family, and team spirit.

Registration is open! Register today at cctakesteps.org/NorthernVirginia

❖ 10 a.m. Check-in and Festival Start❖ 11 a.m. Walk Start(dog friendly, food, music, entertainment & fun for the whole

family and much more!By joining Take Steps, you will become part of the IBD com-

munity, who not only provide support to each other, but who,together, are actively raising money to support the Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation fund research into better treatments and ul-timately cures for IBD.

Area Roundups

fosters relationships, growth, education,involvement and fun. I have been able totake part in so many things this communityoffers. … But my most valued experiencehas been my time with the Herndon YouthAdvisory Council. I have been able to servein a leadership position, alongside my typi-cal peers, something I never had the op-portunity to do before. Even more, I am ableto share my thoughts and opinions, whichis also something I have not always beenable to do. I would like to thank each mem-ber of the Herndon Youth Advisory Councilboth past and present for treating me as anequal, as well as Mr. Bill McKenna for en-abling and cultivating that experience.”

In addition to Nordling leveraging hisvoice at the table to promote positivechange in the local community, McKennarecognized Nordling as a young man of

great character. Tearing up and speakingfrom the dais, McKenna said, “I can’t thankyou enough for what you’ve done; yourbravery, just being a decent person and al-ways, always being the cheerful person inthe room. You have changed a lot of lives,and you need to know that, so thank you—from me. Thank you, from the Council.”

IN AN INTERVIEW after the presentation,Nordling and Elizabeth Vosseller, DirectorGrowing Kids Therapy Center in Herndon& Executive Director at I-ASC, (Interna-tional Association for Spelling as Commu-nication) discussed what’s next in his life.

“I will be joining the I-ASC NonspeakingLeadership Council, and working to ensurethat more nonspeakers have access to aneffective mode of communication,”Nordling said.

Young adult with autism drives community change.

Town Recognizes Youth Advisory Councilmember

Contributed by the Town of Herndon

Ian Nordling recognized at the Sept. 24 Herndon Town Council PublicMeeting by the Council for his hard work and excellence as a Member ofthe Herndon Youth Advisory Council 2017-2019.

Screenshot via video by HCTV for Town of

Herndon

Accepting the Certificate of Con-gratulations from the HerndonTown Council, Ian Nordling (cen-ter) thanks the Council for hisvalued experience to serve in aleadership position with theHerndon Youth Advisory Council.Rosaleen Presley, Nordling’smother and Jessie Bond, his Inde-pendent Communication Partner,join him.

Herndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or Editors@connectionnewspapers.com

4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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HerndonOak HillLetters

To the Editor:We have seen too many mass-

shootings in America. Statisticsshow that compared to other high-income nations, the United States’gun-related murder rate is 25times higher and accidental gundeaths is six times higher. Polls in-dicate a majority of Americans fa-vor strong background checks andbanning assault-style weapons.

And we have seen how Republi-cans in Virginia continue to stone-wall gun safety issues, most re-cently when the Republican ma-jority voted as a block to adjournwithout debate the special assem-bly of the Virginia

General Assembly called to acton a series of gun safety bills.

We need representatives in theVirginia General Assembly who

are willing to pass gun safety leg-islation supported by the majorityof its citizens. Del. KathleenMurphy (D-34) has a track recordof working on such legislation andsponsored bills such as preventingdomestic abusers from obtainingor keeping guns. She also foundedthe Gun Violence Prevention Cau-cus. She supports enhanced back-ground checks and closing the gun

show loophole, banning bumpstocks and semi-automatic fire-arms with high capacity maga-zines. Her opponent in this year’selection is currently silent on gunsafety legislation. The citizens ofVirginia deserve more than silenceand stonewalling on a topic ofsuch importance.

Jocelyn BrittinMcLean

No More Stonewalling on Gun Safety Legislation

To the Editor:The Washington Post’s Sept. 15

article, It’s on: VA. Voters flipswitch for ‘off-off-year” elections,well captured the enthusiasmamong Democrats in this year’sVirginia election. But the articleoverlooked how Democrats in thisstate have approached campaign-ing and governing since 2016which will positively influence thisyear’s races. Virginia will providea roadmap for current Presiden-tial candidates and other states towin in 2020.

Beyond turn-out and hatred forDonald Trump, Virginia Democratshave worked with Republicansand other progressives on issuesimportant to voters and rallied tosupport candidates who won theirprimaries. In 2017, Tom Perriellolost the primary for the Governorbut still pledged to elect RalphNortham.

One of Northam’s first accom-plishments as governor was to

work with Republicans to expandMedicaid, which has enrolled300,000 low-income Virginians.On gun safety, practical solutionsmoved forward by Del. KathleenMurphy when in 2016 she helpedpass a law, which prohibits peopleunder a permanent protective or-der from possessing a firearm.Murphy accomplished this in aRepublican-controlled legislatureand didn’t resort to dirty tacticssuch as when Republicansabruptly cut short a special sessionto pass gun legislation to quashdebate.

Virginia Democrats are not per-fect but bipartisan work and theparty’s cohesiveness helped themwin big in 2018 despite gerryman-dered districts. Let us hope othercandidates learn valuable lessonsfrom Virginia’s election this No-vember.

Kristin Battista-FrazeeMcLean

Virginia Is theRoadmap to Win in 2020

To the Editor:Superintendent Dr. Brabrand of

Fairfax County Public Schools is-sued a surprise message last weekin response to growing outcry inthe county about his and theSchool Board’s efforts to redrawboundaries and implement forcedbusing. His message was posi-tioned as an effort to clarify “mis-information”. The problem is hefailed to mention the central roleof the radical One Fairfax policyin his plan to upend school pyra-mids.

Why did Dr. Brabrand fail tomention One Fairfax when he hasconsistently praised and promotedthe radical policy in the past? OneFairfax has become toxic in thecommunity as citizens learn moreabout the extreme and unneces-sary disruption it requires. Citizensdon’t want our school pyramidsand neighborhoods carved up,ripped apart and

reassembled to achieve Dr.Brabranad and the Board’s idealsocieoeconomic and/or racialcomposition of students.

The need to reconsider schoolboundaries is understandablesince Fairfax county has experi-enced rapid growth and changeover the years.

We all know overcrowding is aserious concern and boundary ad-justments should be part of thediscussion.

However, Dr. Brabrand and theBoard’s push to implement a so-cial engineering experiment at thebehest of outside special interestsdoesn’t benefit taxpayers,homeowners or our children.

A change in leadership is desper-ately needed on the School Boardto ensure accountability and toprotect our most valuable assets.

Jeff NorrisVienna

Misrepresenting PlansFor Boundary Changes

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

The Northwest Federal Credit Union(NWFCU) Foundation recently donated$5,000 each to two organizations that fundafter school programs for local children. TheHerndon Neighborhood Resource Center(HNRC) and the INMED Opportunity Cen-ter in Sterling both received donations fromthe Foundation that will support their stu-dents’ language skills and education.

“The HNRC and INMED staff care deeplyabout the education of the children in their

care,” said Executive Director of the NWFCUFoundation, Kaycee Childress. “We areproud to support both programs in theirmission to open up opportunities for theirstudents and help them succeed.”

The NWFCU Foundation is involved year-round with the HNRC in addition to sup-porting students through their mentoringprogram.

For more information, visitwww.nwfcufoundation.org.

Northwest FCU Presents$10,000 in Grants for Youth

Photos contributed

Louise Busby, NWFCU Foundation; Olivia Meyers, HNRC; KayceeChildress, NWFCU Foundation; and Karen Pope, Youth Services andFamily Engagement Manager at HNRC

Kaycee Childress, NWFCU Foundation, and Jennifer Smith, Director ofU.S. Operations at INMED with children who attend the center

SATURDAY/OCT. 5Mental Health and Wellness Conference. 8

a.m.-4 p.m. at Fairfax High School. The morningwill focus on social and emotional learning, witha keynote address given by Dr. Marc Brackett,founding director of the Yale Center forEmotional Intelligence. A special session forhigh school students, the Our Minds MatterTeen Summit, will take place in the morning aswell. Attendees are encouraged to stay forInova’s Act on Addiction Summit, which will beheld from 12:30-4 p.m. Breakout sessions,exhibit tables, and resources will be available toall attendees throughout the day. Lunch will beprovided. Visit www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/mental-health-and-resiliency/mental-health-and-wellness toregister.

TUESDAY/OCT. 15DMV2GO at the Library. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at

Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St.,Herndon. The wireless office on wheels offers allDMV services: driver’s license and ID cardapplications and renewals, driving records,vehicle titles, license plates, decals, orderdisabled plates, and more. Information on allservices available at dmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.

FRIDAY/NOV. 15Construction Career Fair. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At

Dulles Expo Center, North Hall, 4320 ChantillyShopping Center, Chantilly. Interested in a

Bulletin Board

Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar.Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

See Bulletin, Page 6

6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Sprouts Farmers Market will open its first store inVirginia in Herndon at 494 Elden Street on Wednes-day, Oct. 2 to expand access to affordable healthychoices in the mid-Atlantic area. Sprouts, which isone of the fastest-growing companies in the coun-try, is known for its welcoming store layout inspiredby farmers markets which features fresh produce atthe center of the store, an expansive bulk foods sec-tion, and vitamin department focused on wellness.

To celebrate the opening, and support youth nu-trition education and access, The Sprouts HealthyCommunities Foundation will make $5,000 dona-tions to the YMCA of Reston and Food for Neigh-bors. The YMCA funds will support after-school pro-grams that teach youth healthy habits and nutritionthrough hands-on cooking lessons, and the Food forNeighbors funds will provide bags of nutritious foodto youth experiencing hunger across 16 schools inFairfax and Loudoun Counties.

Grand Opening Oct. 2:❖ A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held before

doors open at 7 a.m.❖ The first 200 shoppers will receive 20 percent

off their initial total purchase.❖ Muffin and coffee samples will be served to

guests in line before doors open.

Sprouts Farmers Market Celebrates Openingwith $10K in Local Nonprofit Donations

❖ Every customer on grand opening day will re-ceive a free reusable bag with purchase.

As part of Sprouts’ commitment to “zero waste,”the new store will donate unsold and edible grocer-ies to Capital Area Food Bank through the grocer’sFood Rescue program. In 2018, Sprouts stores anddistribution centers donated 27 million pounds ofproduct, equivalent to 23 million meals. Food that isnot fit for donation is provided to local cattle farmsand composting facilities. Sprouts’ evolving “zerowaste” initiatives help minimize food waste whilereducing the impact of hunger and the company’senvironmental footprint.

Sprouts Farmers Market specializes in fresh, natu-ral and organic products at prices that appeal to ev-eryday grocery shoppers. Based on the belief thathealthy food should be affordable, Sprouts’ welcom-ing environment and knowledgeable team memberscontinue to drive its growth. Sprouts offers a com-plete shopping experience that includes an array offresh produce in the heart of the store, a deli withprepared entrees and side dishes, The Butcher Shopand The Fish Market at Sprouts, and more. Head-quartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Sprouts employs morethan 30,000 team members and operates more than325 stores in 21 states from coast to coast. Visitabout.sprouts.com for more information.

Sprouts Farmers Market will open its first store in Virginia in Herndon at 494 EldenStreet on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Pho

to

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ntributed

See Bulletin, Page 7

career in building America’sinfrastructure? Employers will becollecting resumes, discussing currentopenings, and interview applicantson site. Industry employers areseeking new employees at all levels,from laborers to engineers. Thisevent is free to all job seekers. Visitthe website http://www.nuca.com/careerfair.

SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service

of the Healthy Minds Fairfaxinitiative, are all parents who havereceived training and are qualitied tooffer education, support andassistance at no cost to families orcaregivers. They provide reliableinformation that families can use indecision-making and are familiarwith services and resources that canhelp families in distress. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/

healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.

ONGOINGSTEM Professionals Needed.

Volunteers are needed to assist K-12STEM teachers in northern Virginiaas part of the American Associationfor the Advancement of Science’sSTEM Volunteer Program,

From Page 5

Bulletin Board

Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is one thing, and certainly a big thing, but I’m much better dealing with it when the 50 million other things we all have to deal with are not having to be dealt with (ending a sentence with a preposition notwithstanding) at the same time. And not that I’m the least bit unique in having all these other tasks and concerns or even the most bit interest-ing in that I have them. Hardly. They are simply the elements that sometimes make living more of a job and less of an adventure. That being said, when I am uncluttered by these mundane re-sponsibilities and am able to focus on the things I want to do rather than the things I have to do, I am so much more able to fend off the inevitable demons that haunt any of us diagnosed with a serious/in my case “terminal,” disease.

The last month was, and still is, such a month. It all started with my application for a reverse

up, I met another, local company who so far has exhibited the wherewithal to get the application approved. However, the structural integrity prob-lem you regular readers know about has impeded the progress I was hoping to have made by now. Not knowing yet the estimate to right this wrong, I am twisting in a bit of an ill wind, and I assure you, it is not improving my demeanor.

Yes, “Medicare is in The House,” but as of September 27, it’s sort of a house divided. Because even though its effective date was September 1st, I’ve not received an invoice. And since I haven’t paid for any new coverage, am I still supposed to cancel my old, in-force “Obama Care?” Moreover, if I don’t know exactly what I have, am I supposed to buy a Medicare Supple-ment for coverage I don’t know for sure even exists? I mean, it’s not as if my medical welfare/

more worried, and obviously confused.If the unresolved reverse mortgage and health

to stress over, consider my concern for the “Di-abetic Duo,” our two cats with diabetes. Other than the real possibility that either, if not both, of these cats will die on our watch, the expense of sustaining their lives is past adding up. Items include insulin, syringes, prescription wet food, prescription dry food, two sizes of pee pads (because the liter box has less interest to them or they can’t quite see it) and since they’re eating and drinking constantly, we’re buying more liter than ever before, and vet bills: diabetic boarding when we’ve been away for a weekend or two and glucose monitoring every week to 10 days to check their sugar level, all times two. Can you say credit card?

Two other extremely mundane tasks have also fallen on me during this time line. Both involving the M.V.A., never an easy process: emissions inspection and a driver’s license renewal. Again, not Herculean tasks, but in the middle of all this other stuff. The issue? More money and possibly more hassle to resolve their respective ‘issues:’ possibly replacing a catalytic converter in the 29 year-old Honda Accord, which has happened previously under identical circumstances, and re-newing one’s driver’s license, which now comes

requirements which if I don’t have/can’t prove, present another slew of potential entanglements. And of course, the eye test. I don’t wear glasses. What if I fail the test and they tell me I need glasses. Then I have to see my way through that morass, and delay resolving another task.

And just to complicate matters, I am waiting for results from my bi-monthly CT scan and my wife, Dina, is waiting for results from a scan she recently completed. Though neither one of us is the least bit symptomatic, we are hardly dealing in absolutes here. Absolutely though, I will say, I

check the rest, I’ll be back to abnormal and then I can plan for the future rather than plod through the present.

WhenCompounding

isn’t a Good Thing

From Page 6

stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-20 schoolyear, beginning in September. Please contactDon Rea at 571-551-2488 ordonaldrea@aol.com.

Assistance League of Northern Virginia, avolunteer nonprofit, invites community membersto join the organization to participate in itsReading Express program. Volunteers provideone-on-one tutoring to first grade studentsduring the school year. To learn more contactVP Membership Mary Gronlund atgronbiz@aol.com or Program Coordinator LynnBarron at lynnieb517@verizon.net.

Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assistthe Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA-Child mentoring program. The mentors provideopportunities for companionship, guidance andsupport to children who have been abused andneglected, or who are at risk of abuse andneglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil atIbrahim.khalil@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-4547.

Herndon High School Library needsvolunteers. Training available to help with re-shelving books, pulling books for teacher use,helping to check passes, or other specialprojects. To learn more, emailhhs_library@fcps.edu.

RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki atchubicki@volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

Sunrise at Reston Town Center offers amonthly 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 in the community and howto manage caregiver related stress. 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. parkinsonfoundation.org. CallNatalie McCall nmccall@onelifefitness.com 703-904-7600 for more.

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 MG Help Desk at 703-324-8556 for more.

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. Emailskeduman@aol.com for more.

Hypothermia Prevention: An EmergencyProgram for the Homeless To help ourvulnerable neighbors survive the winter, weprovide overnight shelter with a “no turn-away”policy at all emergency homeless shelters duringfreezing weather. Through the coldest months ofthe winter, we also provide the HypothermiaPrevention Program, a countywide communitynetwork of 45 overnight shelters. Through thisprogram last winter, our nonprofit and faith-based community partners served almost 1,000men and women with a safe, warm place tosleep. If you see someone at night who isunsheltered and you think could be at risk ofhypothermia, call the county’s non-emergencyphone line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.

Passages DivorceCare. For those experiencingthe pain of separation or divorce, the caringcommunity at Vienna Presbyterian Church offersPassages DivorceCare. This 15-week programoffers a path toward healing. ViennaPresbyterian Church is located on the corner ofMaple Avenue (Rt. 123) and Park Street inVienna. Cost to cover materials is $20,scholarships available. For more information orto register call 703-938-9050, go towww.viennapres.org, or send an email toPassages@ViennaPres.org.

Bulletin Board

8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ October 2-8, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Calendar

Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artworkencouraged.

ONGOINGFall Pumpkin Festival. Through Nov. 3, 10

a.m.-6 p.m. at Ticonderoga Farms, 26469Ticonderoga Road, Chantilly. Enjoy thechanging of the leaves and the cool crisp air inthe great outdoors at our Fall Pumpkin Festival.$11-$18. Visit www.ticonderoga.com.

Herndon Farmers Market. Thursdays, throughmid-November, 8 a.m-12:30 p.m. in HistoricDowntown Herndon, Lynn Street. Vendors willoffer seasonal plants, produce, baked goods,meats and more; all sold by local growers andproducers. Additional enhancements to themarket include seasonal events andentertainment, including “Farmers’ Market FunDays,” free performances for the whole family.Visit www.herndon-va.gov/FarmersMarket formore.

Reston Farmers Market. Saturdays, throughDec. 7, 8 a.m.-noon at Lake Anne Village Center,1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. The largest ofthe Fairfax County Farmers Markets. SNAPaccepted, bonus dollar program. ClosedSaturday, Sept. 28 for the Reston MulticulturalFestival. For list of vendors and moreinformation, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/reston.

Centroid Towns: Like a Passing Shadow.Through Jan. 4, at GRACE, 12001 Market St.,Suite 103, Reston. GRACE presents the nextchapter of Baltimore-based artist Nate Larson’sCentroid Towns project. Since the first UScensus in 1790, the United States Census Bureauhas been recording the mean center ofpopulation as it moves steadily west and south.The first Centroid Town recorded wasChestertown, Maryland, and the projectedCentroid of the 2020 census is Hartville,Missouri. Larson will dive deeper into thecommunity of Waterford, Virginia, CentroidTown of 1810. Visit restonarts.org/exhibition/nate-larson/ for more.

NOW THRU OCT. 30Fiber Artist Anne Smyers. At Reston

Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 ColtsNeck Road, Reston. Smyers exhibits art quiltsreflecting her love of flowers and botanicals,which she uses to create gardens, mandalas, andcultural commentary. Visitwww.annesmyers.com.

NOW THRU OCT. 31Giant Food Community Bag Fundraiser. 5

p.m.-12 p.m. At Giant Food Store, 1450 NorthPoint Village Center, Reston. Cindy’s Legacy,Reston-based charity that provides financial aidto cancer patients, has been selected thebeneficiary of Giant Food’s October CommunityBag Program at the Reston location. Cindy’sLegacy will receive a $1 donation every time the$2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased.Founded in 2011, Cindy’s Legacy honors thelegacy of Cindy Delisi Martin, a Reston nativewho passed away from brain cancer. Visit thewebsite: www.cindyslegacy.org.

OCT. 3-27The Glow: A Pumpkin Wonderland.

Thursday-Sunday nights in Lake Fairfax Park,140 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. Enjoy animmersive Halloween stroll along a traililluminated by thousands of intricately carvedpumpkins, many highlighting the Capital City’smost famous including pumpkin look-a-likes oficonic landmarks, musicians, movie stars,superheroes and princesses. Autism SpeaksNight on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. withadjustments made for guests on the autismspectrum. Advanced tickets are required. $16.99for children; $22.99 for adults, atwww.glowpumpkin.com/washington-dc.

Social dancing, 6-8 p.m. WCS crossovers andballroom, Latin, Hustle contemporary mix. $10;$8, USA Dance members. Emailherndonsocialdancers@gmail.com or visitwww.facebook.com/herndonsocialdancers.

THURSDAY/OCT. 17Weekend Food for Kids. 10 a.m. At Dominion

Energy, 3072 Centreville Road, Herndon. Free.Assistance League of Northern Virginia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, invitescommunity members to help pack food for itsWeekend Food for Kids program. This criticalprogram provides nonperishable food over theweekend to children who receive free orreduced-price meals during the school year atTitle I schools in Fairfax and Prince WilliamCounties and the City of Alexandria. Arrive at9:30 a.m. if you would like to help with setup.No RSVP necessary. Visit the websitewww.alnv.org.

SATURDAY/OCT. 19Reston Homes Tour. The 18th Annual Reston

Homes Tour will offer a chance to view fiveprivate residences, all with varying architecturestyle and flair. In addition, the tour will includeReston’s newest luxury apartments — The VY/Reston Heights — where they will offer a “Tasteof Autumn” and Hunters Woods at Trails Edge,Reston’s retirement community where you canpurchase a $12 box lunch (all proceeds willbenefit the Reston Historic Trust and Museum).Tickets on sale online at https://www.restonmuseum.org/event-details/reston-home-tour-2 and in-store at the Reston Museum,The Wine Cabinet, Chesapeake Chocolates, andGRACE. Early bird rate available in-store are$25, early bird pricing ends Oct. 11. Sponsoredby The Reston Historic Trust & Museum.

TUESDAY/OCT. 22Documentary Screening. 7-9 p.m. At Reston

Regional Library, Rooms 1 and 2, 11925Bowman Towne Dr., Reston. Free showing ofthe documentary “An Endless War? — GettingOut of Afghanistan”, a documentary filmdirected by Bob Coen. The one hourdocumentary will be followed by a discussionsession hosted by the Herndon Advocacy Teamfor peace and social justice. This presentation issupported by the Friends Committee on NationalLegislation. Call 703-742-8561. Visit thewebsite: www.fcnl.org.

SATURDAY/OCT. 26UCP Craft Fair. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At United

Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive,Reston. This juried fair showcases a wide varietyof quality handcrafted items from 33 areacraftspeople. Lunch and a bake sale will beavailable. Free Admission and Parking A portionof the proceeds will benefit Herndon-RestonFISH, a local non-profit that assists arearesidents in crisis. A Fall Festival, with familyactivities will be held in conjunction with thefair. Visitwww.unitedchristianparishartandcraftfair.com.

SUNDAY/OCT. 27West Coast Swing Lesson plus Social Dance.

5-8 p.m. at Herndon Senior Center, 873 GraceSt. #1, Herndon. Instructor Tim Bowker andpartner Laura Martin will teach West CoastSwing, 5-6 p.m. Classes videotaped forindividual review. Basic skills recommended.Social dancing, 6-8 p.m. WCS crossovers andballroom, Latin, Hustle contemporary mix. $10;$8, USA Dance members. Emailherndonsocialdancers@gmail.com or visitwww.facebook.com/herndonsocialdancers.

SATURDAY/OCT. 5NCA Rise Up Against Addiction 5K Walk/

Run. 8:30 - 11 a.m. At Scout & Molly’s Reston,11944 Market Street, Reston. All funds raisedhelp to ensure that every American with asubstance use disorder has access to highquality, science-based treatment. Call 203-247-9581. Visit www.shatterproof5k.org.

Joseph Ribkoff Trunk Show. 12 - 6 p.m. AtScout & Molly’s Reston, 11944 Market Street,Reston. Shop the largest collection in NorthernVirginia and place orders for spring 2020. Call571-526-4185. Visit www.scoutandmollys.com/reston.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. 1-5p.m. At Reston Regional Library, 11925Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Celebrate withaward-winning local authors who will sharetheir poetry and short stories. Books will beavailable for purchase and signing. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events.

An Evening with Beverly Cosham. 8 p.m. AtCenterStage, Reston Community Center HuntersWoods. Reston’s own Beverly Cosham has beenentertaining audiences for years with herintensely personal and moving interpretations ofthe Great American Songbook. This evening ofstunning selections will remind you that musiccan fill your soul. Cost is $15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

SUNDAY/OCT. 6Barn Sale. Noon-4 p.m. at Lift Me Up!, 9700

Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Support Lift MeUp! a local non-profit organization. Deals onsaddles to riding apparel to blankets and more.Prices are as low as $1. Rain or shine. Donationsaccepted. Email jackie.collins@liftmeup.org orvisit liftmeup.org for more.

THURSDAY/OCT. 10Bernstein Does Broadway. 12:30-1:30 p.m. At

Reston Town Square Park, Reston. Part ofLunchtime with the Arts at Mason. Mason’sSchool of Theater presents highlights from thegroundbreaking Broadway compositions ofLeonard Bernstein, composer of such hits asCandide, West Side Story, and On the Town.

Free. Presented by Reston Community Center inpartnership with GMU College of Visual andPerforming Arts. Hosted by Reston Town CenterAssociation. Call 703-476-4500. Visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com.

SATURDAY/OCT. 12Gretchen Scott Trunk Show. At Scout &

Molly’s Reston, 11944 Market Street, Reston. Befirst to see Gretchen Scott’s fall designs andreceive 10% off. Call 571-526-4185. Visitwww.scoutandmollys.com/reston.

Walk Like MADD 5K Dash/ Bark Like MADD.9 a.m.-noon at Herndon Police Department, 397Herndon Parkway, #300, Herndon. Walk LikeMADD is MADD’s signature fundraising event tohelp us raise both awareness and funds toeliminate drunk and drugged driving. $25.Email Jennifer.Hamilton@madd.org or visitwww.walklikemadd.org.

SUNDAY/OCT. 13Reston Pumpkin 5K & Kids’ Dash. 8:15 a.m.

At Reston Town Center. Get off the couch andget ready for the Greater Reston Chamber ofCommerce’s annual run! Participants areencouraged to début their Halloween costumesand join in the fun with the whole family!Details and registration:

www.restonpumpkin5k.com. Call 703-707-9045 orvisit www.restonchamber.org

Book Launch Party – Leading the Way:Women in Power. 2 p.m. At Scrawl Books,11911 Freedom Drive, Reston. in Reston.Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell of Reston andher daughter-in-law Theresa Howell introducetheir new book, an engaging and highlyaccessible compendium for young readers andaspiring power brokers. Leading the Way:Women in Power spotlights the careers of 50American women in politics from both sides ofthe aisle. Call 703-966-2111 or visitwww.scrawlbooks.com

West Coast Swing Lesson plus Social Dance.5-8 p.m. at Herndon Senior Center, 873 GraceSt. #1, Herndon. Instructor Tim Bowker andpartner Laura Martin will teach West CoastSwing, 5-6 p.m. Classes videotaped forindividual review. Basic skills recommended.

Herndon Farmers MarketVendors will offer seasonal plants, produce, baked goods, meats and more; all sold by local growers

and producers. Additional enhancements to the market include seasonal events and entertainment, in-cluding “Farmers’ Market Fun Days,” free performances for the whole family. Thursdays, throughmid-November, 8 a.m-12:30 p.m. in Historic Downtown Herndon, Lynn Street. Visit www.herndon-va.gov/FarmersMarket for more.