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Cooper Middle Presents ‘Aida’

Spring production runs Wednesday through Saturday, April 30-May 3.

It’s the timeless story of star-crossed lovers - with a twist. Cooper Middle School is performing “Aida,” the story of a deep love stirring in the midst of a war between two nations, starting today. “The music’s excellent and it’s a beautiful show,” said theater arts teacher and play director Meg Baber. “I love the drama of it and how meaningful it is. And I do like to keep challenging them. I don’t want to make it too easy.” The story follows Aida - an enslaved Nubian princess as she falls in love with Radames - an Egyptian soldier already promised to the Pharaoh’s daughter. “As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as leader of her people,” Baber said in an email. “Aida and Radames' love for one another proves transcendent of cultural differences and ushers in a time of unprecedented peace between the warring nations.” She said it is a very mature, challenging play for the middle school age group, but believes that many of the actors are talented enough to handle it. About 70 people are a part of the show’s cast and crew.

Filling Empty Bowls in Herndon

Empty Bowl fundraiser held at Floris United Methodist Church.

Friday evening, April 25 the annual Empty Bowls event was hosted by the Giving Circle of HOPE at Floris United Methodist Church on Frying Pan Road in Herndon. All proceeds went directly to Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food to needy people in Northern Virginia. “This is a collaboration between the Giving Circle of HOPE and a local organization,” said Linda Strup, a resident of Reston and member of the Giving Circle of HOPE. The Giving Circle of HOPE was founded in January 2004 with four members. Since then, membership has grown to over 100 individuals. Voting members contribute a minimum of $1 per day and are eligible to vote on grants. Service members do not vote but may participate in all service programs and social events. “This is our seventh year of doing an Empty Bowl event, and we have sold out our tickets,” said Strup.

Recycling in Central Arlington

Sunny weather brought community members out to Thomas Jefferson Middle School to kick off the recycling portion of their spring cleaning. The parking lot off Glebe Road had been turned into an efficient slalom course of stations for dropping off of everything from televisions and vacuum cleaners to batteries and motor oil at the semi-annual E-CARE recycling event on Saturday, April 19.

Lisa Merkel for Mayor

To the Editor: I am very pleased to endorse Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel for re-election on May 6. I am proud of what Lisa has accomplished in her first term as Mayor, working hard on the issues that are important to Herndon residents. Lisa has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments. Whether it be making infrastructure improvements, attracting new businesses, improving access to transportation, upgrading technological services, or fighting for our schools, Lisa has been able to bridge the gap between talking about making improvements and actually setting the wheels of action in motion.

Vienna Idol Heats Up

Auditions open to vocalists through May.

Springtime in Vienna means concerts on the Town Green, festivals, outdoor sports, farmers’ markets and Vienna Idol auditions. This 3rd annual Vienna Idol, a music competition founded to raise money for the Khristin Kyllo “Dream Big” Memorial Fund, began its auditions in late April. Semi-finals run during ViVa! Vienna!, Sunday, May 25, on Church Street and finals take place on the Town Green, Friday, June 5.

Obituary

Joseph Iannucci, 87, of Herndon, Dies

Joseph Iannucci, 87, originally of Millbrook, N.Y. died Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at his home in Herndon. Born in Fondi, Italy on October 12, 1926, he was the son of Giuseppe and Assunta Pannozzo Iannucci. Joe served his country during WW-II with the US Army from March 1945 - December 1946. He graduated from Millbrook High School in 1947 after being discharged from the Army. He was Class President and President of the Student Council. After the Army, Joe attended Niagara University, and was captain of the golf team. Joe graduated in 1951 with a degree in chemistry. His years following graduation were spent working as a chemist for Squibb, McKesson & Robbins, and Chesebrough Ponds/Unilever. After retiring from Unilever, Joe worked part-time at Imaginative Research Associates as a consultant.

Letter: Distress over LED Streetlights

To the Editor: One could never have imagined that Arlington County would perpetrate such an injustice on its citizenry. Unfortunately, I can find no other way to sum up the county’s force-feeding of LED streetlights to county residents.

Turbo Tutoring Awards Scholarships

Westfield High Senior receives check, from Turbo-Tutoring, to donate to children living at My Sister's Place in D.C.

Letter: Time To Expand Medicaid Program

I ask lawmakers to consider the facts when deciding the issue of Medicaid Expansion. Opponents claim that the Virginia Medicaid program is fraught with abuse. Yet, according to a 2011 JLARC Report “Mitigating the Risk of Improper Payments in the Virginia Medicaid Program,” recipient and provider fraud totals 0.3 percent, (or roughly $6 million) not the $38 billion that some have tossed about. In fact, Virginia has one of the best managed Medicaid programs in the country.