"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Students from George Weiner’s fifth grade class at White Oaks Elementary School from 1987-1988 reunited …

Bullis Gives Back

6th Annual 5k Run/2.5 Walk and “Buddy Run” this Sunday.

“Come run … Come walk … Come change a life.” It’s lunchtime in the Bullis cafeteria. Students are mingling and finding their tables, eating while discussing their classes, activities and what to do next weekend. Most students in the cafeteria are planning to spend Sunday, May 4 participating in “Bullis Gives Back” — the run/walk that gives them an opportunity to volunteer to pair up with a “Buddy” from The Diener School, from K.E.E.N (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) or from the Treatment and Learning Centers/Katherine Thomas School (TLC/KTS).

Protecting Youths Against Substance Abuse

Panel shares stories and advice.

Fairfax County's Unified Prevention Coalition sponsored a forum on the effects of substance abuse on the county's middle and high school children. The resource fair and panel discussion was led by parents, young adults and professionals from the coalition's PROTECT (Parents Reaching Out To Educate Communities Together) task force. "It's been so long, I'll still be emotional about it," said Greg Lannes about his daughter's heroin overdose in 2008. Alicia Lannes had been 19 when she died and had always been a model student with straight A's. He pointed to the lone framed photo of her on the table and asked the audience, "Does that look like a heroin addict? How did she get to that point?"

Protecting Driver’s License Information Becomes Law

Del. David Bulova’s legislation (House Bill 1072) to protect personal information on driver’s licenses was enacted into law during the reconvened session of the General Assembly on April 23. The new law, which will be effective on July 1, limits the ability of a business to electronically scan the bar code on a driver’s license and then store and use that data. State Sen. David Marsden (D-37) carried the companion legislation (Senate Bill 40), which has also been enacted into law.

Father and Son "Twogether"

As a born, bread and buttered Bostonian (Newton Centre, a suburb, to be specific), one of my enduring and genetic passions has been to live and die (figuratively speaking; this is not a cancer column) for The Boston Red Sox. My father sold concessions at Fenway Park (the stadium home of the Bosox since 1912), during the Depression when he was a little boy (not yet an adolescent even). He was nicknamed "Beezo," (his given name was Benet, although he was always called Barry) so he could gain full acceptance to a local knothole gang. Named after the wooden planks which surrounded the old Braves Field in Boston (a National League team called Boston its home as well back in the day), the kids ("gangs") would stand and peer through the knotholes in the wooden planks which otherwise blocked their view. It was a privilege and an honor for my father to be so connected to the game this way. He grew up loving baseball, and as a parent, he passed his love of the game on to me – and my brother.

Editorial: Trending in the Right Direction

Commitment to ending homelessness shows progress, but more affordable housing is needed.

On one night in late January, local jurisdictions in our area fanned out to count the number of people who were literally homeless. Fairfax County released its numbers last week; Arlington and Alexandria will do so in the near future. In Fairfax County, the commitment in 2010 to end homelessness in 10 years has resulted in significant progress, even in the wake of the great recession. The number of people literally homeless decreased by a third from 2008 to 2014, from 1,835 to 1,225 counted this year. Many non-profit organizations have partnered to prevent homelessness one family or individual at a time for those on the brink and to house chronically homeless individuals. There is so much still to be done.

Letter: More Taxing And Spending

To the Editor

Even Roads Need Spring Cleaning

Since 2004, along Democracy Boulevard between Newbridge Drive and Seven Locks Road, Hopkins & Porter Construction team members have completed their routine clean-up for Adopt-A-Road several times a year.

Letter: Prescription for Good Governance

To the Editor: Despite being one of the wealthiest communities in the country, Montgomery County is not exempt from poverty. Many residents lack the means to obtain health insurance and/or medical care.

Why 30 Minutes Only?

To the Editor: Hunter Woods shopping Center marked new parking restrictions for the spaces directly across the stores on the left side nearest the RCC. The spaces are marked: 30 minutes only. This rule is quite incongruent with the merchants located there. When one dines at Ledo Pizza, you can expect more than 30 minutes to get and eat a good hot pizza. It takes more than 30 minutes to be served and chew and swallow meals at Hunan Café. Nail and Spa requires more than 30 minutes for a manicure or pedicure, not to mention both. Tanning needs more time for the entire procedure. The Buffalo Wing Factory has patrons staying more than 30 minutes. And I would guess Mathnasium has programs that require more than 30 minutes. To be fair, one can take out to go from Ledo Pizza or Hunan Café and that discourages patrons from enjoying a sit down meal in either place. So for whom are these spaces meant please? Teri Belf Reston

Becoming a Leader - The Grange Way

Great Falls Day, Sunday, May 4, to explore the story of local Grange.

The National Grange was formed in 1867, two years after the wrenching Civil War that took more lives than any war since. Mired in mistrust of neighbor, impoverished by outdated farming practices throughout the south, the Grange served as a platform for improving farming practices and farmers economics while building trust.

Florally Clueless, but Want to Send Flowers?

Let professional florists help make your thought count this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. (Yes, it is. The big day for Mom is Sunday, May 11. Mark your calendar now.) What are you planning to give? If it’s flowers, you are on the right track. Women love receiving flowers, and flowers are still the most popular gift choice for Mother’s Day. According to the Society of American Florists, Mother's Day accounts for one-fourth of the floral purchases made for holidays. About 75 percent of you bought flowers or plants as gifts for Mother's Day 2013. But choosing flowers can be a bit risky if you’re of the florally clueless variety. How can you tell?

‘Reston at 50’ Studied

GMU symposium explores the planning and diversity of area.

Reston is a city with a past - a past that George Mason University students are discovering. Students - from undergraduates to doctoral candidates, presented their findings about Reston in time for the community’s 50th anniversary Monday at Hunter Mill Community Center. The symposium, titled “Reston at 50: Looking Back at Forward Thinking,” covered diversity, preservation, scholarship and planning to an audience of more than 50 community members. Director of African and African-American Studies Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott moderated the event. “Many early residents settled into Reston because of the ideals of the community,” said Director of the School of Art Dr. Harold Linton during his talk about how Reston’s plan developed and some of the architecture the community centers were inspired from.

Week in Reston

Chamber to Sponsor a Free Movie Night The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce will host a free “Movie Night at the Chamber” to benefit the Washington West Film Festival on Thursday, May 1, from 6-9 p.m. They will screen the Tom Hank’s produced award-winning film “An Article of Hope,” directed by D.C. native Dan Cohen. Cohen will be in attendance for a Q&A; following the film, along with Washington West Film Festival president, Brad Russell. The screening will in the Chamber offices located at 1763 Fountain Drive, Reston, from 6-9 p.m. Refreshments and the requisite popcorn will be provided. To RSVP for this event, contact Mark Ingrao at marki@restonchamber.org or call 703-707-9045 to reserve your seat. Contributions are appreciated.

GRACE Opens Incubator Exhibit

Exhibit features works of artists Renee Stout and Odinga Tyehimba.

“I think there are few collaborative shows between two artists like this,” said Derryl Harris. “The depth and the materials, it is quite unique.” Harris, a resident of Herndon and board member of Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), attended the April artists reception for the exhibit Incubator which features artwork of Renee Stout and Odinga Tyehimba. Self-taught artist Tyehimba combines interest in traditional art with his interpretation of the historic and contemporary experiences of Africans in the Americas. Renee Stout has received acclaim for her mixed-media works exploring issues including identity, race, gender, and healing.

Week in Vienna

A bike rodeo for children, preschool through sixth grade, is slated for Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m.-noon, in the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department parking lot, 400 Center St S., Vienna. Advance registration is not needed. Under the guidance of a veteran cyclist, the rodeo will help children who already know how to ride a bike develop safety skills including breaking, balancing, basic road rules and how to handle obstacles. Children must have a helmet to participate. Free bike and helmet checks will be available. Jointly sponsoring this event are the Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Dept., Vienna Police Dept., Safe Routes to School, Spokes Etc. and Bikes@Vienna. Participating elementary schools include Cunningham Park, Flint Hill, Louise Archer, Marshal Road, Vienna, Westbriar and Wolftrap.

Herndon Passes Nearly $49 Million Budget

Tax rate will remain the same.

The Herndon Town Council approved its $48,827,100 2015 budget. The budget, which maintains the current tax rate of $0.2650 per $100 of assessed value, was passed 6-1 at the April 22 meeting. Council member Charlie Waddell was the only one who voted against the budget. He wanted to see a lower tax rate. “I’m not ready to pass the budget, as is,” he said. “I might be in a couple of weeks.”

Arlington Leads State in Energy Efficiency

Short- and long-term benefits seen.

Seven years ago, Arlington County decided to go green and hasn’t looked back. Since the county’s push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, environmental services officials say that Arlington has saved about $800,000 per year on energy and water from energy efficiency upgrades. “Energy is something that we often take for granted,” said John Morrill the county’s Department of Environmental Services energy manager. “But when there’s a power outage or when it’s very, very cold outside, all of a sudden that energy we use and need is vital.”

VDOT Holds Six-year Improvement Plan Hearing

Public input sought on transportation improvement plan.

It was Northern Virginia’s turn last week when Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne and the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) held a public hearing at the offices of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in Fairfax. The CTB is conducting meetings throughout the state to garner public opinion before their scheduled June vote on the state’s Six-Year Improvement Plan 2015 - 2020 (SYIP). Various entities have held numerous meetings in recent months, particularly since HB 2313 - the first comprehensive transportation funding bill in the state for more than 27 years – passed in the General Assembly last year. Those meetings were often standing-room-only affairs, could witness dozens of citizens lined up to comment on particular projects or to suggest others, and frequently got a bit heated.

Shepherd’s Center Hosts Volunteer Luncheon

Community organization celebrates volunteer service.

The Oakton-Vienna Shepherd’s Center, organized in 1997, is one of over 50 Shepherd’s Centers throughout North America shaping a new image of aging. On Monday, April 14, the organization held a luncheon at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church to thank volunteers for their service to the community in Vienna and neighboring areas. “We are happy to have the Shepherd’s Center so active in the community of Vienna,” said Vienna Vice Mayor Carey Sienicki. The Oakton-Vienna Shepherd’s Center’s primary purpose is to provide services to assist older adults to continue to live independently in their own homes and offer programs which supply opportunities for enrichment, learning and socialization. Volunteer opportunities allow individuals to feel needed by reaching out to other older adults. The Oakton-Vienna Shepherd’s Center has approximately 250 volunteers, and 101 persons made reservations to attend the afternoon luncheon.

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