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

Focus on Food Crisis

Marshall HS sponsors My First Model UN Training Conference.

Next week 250 middle and high school students will gather at Marshall High School for the 10th annual My First Model United Nations Training Conference. The conference will run all day on Oct. 19, and will feature morning training sessions, afternoon model United Nations conference sessions, and lunch. For students who hold any interest in international relations, it is not to be missed, according to Marshall High School senior Samuel Carpenter. Carpenter is a member of Marshall’s Model UN Team, and is helping to organize the event.

McLean Racing for Wounded Warriors

More than 900 take part in the McLean 5K Run With The Warriors.

Arriving before sunrise on Saturday, Oct. 5, runners and supporters of McLean 5K Run With The Warriors met at McLean Square, 6629 Old Dominion Drive. Participants included students from Chesterbrook Elementary School and their parents, led by the school’s mascot, Chester the Chipmunk; wrestlers from McLean High School; first responders from McLean Fire Department, and employees and representatives from Vinson Hall and Century 21 New Millennium. Century 21 and the Navy Marine Coast Residence Foundation were hosts of the event. Overall there were over 900 participants in the race.

Carlyle House Hosts Historic Fashion Show

15 models highlight styles from Colonial and Federal periods, 1753 to 1760s.

Living historians modeled 18th-century clothing at an Historic Fashion Show at the Carlyle House on Saturday, Sept. 21 — clothing that would have been worn by society maverick John Carlyle and his family in Old Town Alexandria. This year’s show focused on the Colonial, Federal and Civil War-era (1753 to 1860s), as well as the mid-19th century. “Our goal was to share the history of fashion that the Carlyle family would have been wearing and encountering among their peers,” said Helen Wirka, curator and site specialist at Carlyle House. The Carlyle’s home was the center of Alexandria’s wealth and politics from 1741 to 1780, according to Wirka. John Carlyle was a town founder, surveyor, justice of the peace, and building contractor. He hosted the Bread and Butter Ball, and entertained the likes of George and Martha Washington, Gen. Edward Braddock and five governors at his mansion. He married Sara Fairfax in 1747, and the couple had seven children. After Sara died, he married Sybil West in 1761; and they had three children.

The Issue of the Hour

Climate change is the issue of the hour and climbing. Not many people may find this connection, but as we have been discussing in my environmental security course, climate change and the associated environmental degradation problems are a risk to national security.

Real Estate in McLean and Great Falls: Strong for First Three Quarters 2013

In almost every market segment of McLean and Great Falls the number of residential transactions are up in the first three quarters of 2013 compared to the same time period in 2012. The total number of sales increased 6 percent, which is very strong given that it represents only the first three quarters of the year.

Help the Homeless Walk at Churchill Road

On Sept. 30, Churchill Road Elementary School held its 8th annual Help the Homeless Mini Walk for the benefit of Pathway Homes, a Northern Virginia non-profit that provides services to homeless families in Fairfax County and surrounding areas. With more than 50 registered walkers, the school raised more than $1,500 toward this effort. CRS Physical Education teacher Jason Mastaler spearheaded the event, and along with co-teacher Nicholas Corsi, led the group on a half-mile walk through the school grounds and surrounding neighborhood.

Presentation on Contemporary Women's Health Issues

On Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., Dr. Marie Kodadek, professor in the College of Nursing and Health Science at George Mason University, will speak about "Contemporary Women's Health Issues," including how emerging technologies are being used in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Kodadek's background is in maternity and community health nursing. Her current research focuses on parenting, women's health and end of life decision making. She serves on the educational committee of the Association for Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Northern Virginia Chapter. Dr. Kodadek received her BSN in 1974 from the College of Saint Teresa, Winoa, Minn., her MSN in 1976 from the University of Colorado and her Ph.D. in 1988 from the University of Texas at Austin. The event will be held at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean. Need a ride to attend? Phone Barbara Sipe, 703-356-2385 or 571-439-6145, and someone will pick you up and take you home. Be sure to bring your questions. Friends and the public are welcome.

Decorating for Fall

Local designers offer suggestions for bringing the harvest into your home.

The colors of autumn are all around as pumpkins and squash fill produce stands and leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow before falling from their branches. Local designers and tastemakers are unveiling home accents that bring the warm hues of the season into the home. Whether using pillows, throws or flowers, adding the colors and textures of fall requires less effort than one might expect. “Emerald green, orange and turquoise are three of the biggest color trends we’re seeing,” said Marcus Browning of European Country Living in Old Town Alexandria. “Throws and pillows are a given, but you can also tie in traditional and modern accessories with rugs, stained glass lamps with modern or intricate designs.” Small trays provide a canvas for highlighting color and adding functionality to a room, says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Bethesda, Md. “Color and pattern are in right now,” she said. “I just purchased the C. Wonder (http://www.cwonder.com) navy and white chevron tray for my home. It adds a punch of color and freshness to a room. Preppy is back in a big way, too, offering lots of patterns.”

Claims vs. Facts

To the Editor: At a recent elementary school’s Back to School Night, a friend was handed materials from supporters of Barbara Comstock, the Delegate for the 34th Virginia House District. I expect that a candidate would paint him or herself in the most favorable light, and that campaign materials should be read with a certain degree of skepticism. However, a little research in the public record shows a tremendous discrepancy between the way Ms. Comstock portrays herself and the reality of how she has voted. *Claim: Comstock claims to support education and takes credit for helping to restore $120 million in cuts to Virginia schools. Fact: in 2010, Comstock voted in favor of a House Budget Bill (HB30) that cut education by $620 million.

Style Meets Function

A local designer creates a stylish and functional master bathroom in an Alexandria home.

Once a modest room reserved for bathing, the bathroom has become a showcase for cutting-edge design and luxurious materials. One Alexandria family discovered this when they decided to remodel the long, narrow master bathroom in their colonial home. “Our old fixtures were wearing out,” said homeowner Pat Smith. “Also the bathroom layout was choppy and dark. There was plenty of square feet, but [the space] was inefficient.” The family hired Arlington designer Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling Inc. to transform the disjointed, utilitarian space into an oasis with a larger shower and additional areas for storage. “The client’s request for the bathroom remodel was a more open, connected plan,” said Mann. “Before the vanity space didn’t feel connected to the rest of the bathroom … and the [entire] space felt disconnected. The client wanted dual vanities … and a more modern feel.”

‘Rally for a Cause’ Tennis Tourney in Reston

Early morning clouds dispersed and the rain held off Sept. 21 and 22 for Reston’s “Rally for a Cause,” the second annual tennis tournament. Sixty five players, nearly double the number of players from the previous year, gathered at the Lake Newport tennis facility for men’s and women’s 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 singles and doubles draws. They brought their racquets, their wallets and their friends to combine the sport of tennis with charitable giving. The tournament sponsored three causes: USTA Serves/Wounded Warrior Curriculum, HEART (Have Everyone Access Tennis) and Cornerstones, which respectively support rehabilitation through tennis for injured or ill veterans, tennis scholarships for children and interfaith family services.

Memorial Service Set for William Jarvie Nicoson

A memorial service for William Jarvie Nicoson, lawyer and first director of the New Community Assistance Program, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston.

Negative Campaign

Candidates appear at minority business forum, attacking each other.

Local and statewide candidates for office appeared at an unprecedented forum in Northern Virginia last weekend, a collaboration of minority business groups of blacks, Hispanics and Asians. But as candidates arrived at the Annandale campus of the Northern Virginia Community College for a Sunday afternoon forum, voters realized that the tone of the campaign would remain unrelentingly negative. "All three of the Republican candidates are Tea Party right wing extremists," said Del. Ken Plum (D-36), who is running unopposed. "Look at their records and their stands on the issues." Plum attacked Cuccinelli's lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act as well as his investigation into a University of Virginia professor studying climate change. The longtime delegate also said the Republican attorney general candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-25) has a similar record, including a bill that would have required women to report abortions to police. Together with the candidate for lieutenant governor, Plum said, the ticket is Tea Party from top to bottom.

Commentary: The Battle to Insure Everyone

Last week saw the beginning of a federal government shut-down—at least a partial shut-down. Even the most ardent of the angry fringe element that subverted the Congressional legislative process to cause the partial shut-down seemed willing to admit that there were some “essential” services of government that needed to continue. To be able to use the words “essential” and “government” in the same sentence is a step forward for some people who severely criticize government for whatever it does or does not do and for whatever happens or does not happen. There is still a wide chasm to bridge between what is considered necessary for the government to do and what should be left to individuals. Health care is at that juncture. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land that has been passed by the Congress, signed by the president, reviewed and approved as constitutional by the Supreme Court, and was a key issue in a campaign in which the president was re-elected by more than five million votes. While some would argue with the details of the Affordable Care Act, it is clear that as a country we have taken a stand that each individual is entitled access to health insurance regardless of whether their employer provides it. A small but vocal minority in the Republican Party disagrees and has decided to block the ability of the federal government to pay its bills as they try to get their way on stopping a law they have been unable to overturn in 40 attempts.

Independent Progressive

Republican Shutdown—Shouldn’t We All Get a Turn?

As we walked our dog around the lake this morning, we encountered three Restonians in furlough mode—one with NASA, one a DoD contractor and one with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, all solid citizens doing work that is needed and broadly beneficial to us all.

Week in Herndon

Fatal Crash in Franklin Farm Area

Around 3:50 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, a 19-year-old driver of a 2012 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on McLearen Road, near Cobra Drive. For reasons unknown, the Honda drove off the road and then reentered the roadway heading west in the eastbound lanes of McLearen Road and struck a 2000 Honda Civic head-on, which was driven by 64-year-old Chris Reams of Sterling. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital where Mr. Reams died.

Running, Walking to Help Haitians

VIP 5K run/walk to be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at Lake Fairfax Park.

The Vanessa Pean Foundation is sponsoring the second annual VIP 5K run/walk in memory of Great Falls resident Vanessa Pean who died tragically in a car accident on Beach Mill Road Oct. 30, 2005 at age 16. Since 2005, the Vanessa Péan Foundation has been shaping the future of Haiti by providing scholarships to underprivileged children as well as critically needed basic services such as clean water. This 501c3 is dedicated to creating a better future for all Haitians through education and by addressing basic human needs. Over 322 scholarships have been provided and a clean spring water well now provides potable water for a town the size of Great Falls.

Great Falls Studios Explore Art’s Natural Habitat

Great Falls Studios releases book to celebrate 10th anniversary.

Great Falls Studios was founded 10 years ago by several artists who wanted to network. Now, it features more than 90 artists who work in almost every conceivable medium, and they work hard to promote arts events around the community.

Promoting Jewish Medical Awareness in Northern Virginia

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present a program on ethics, “Life in the Balance: Jewish Perspectives on Everyday Medical Dilemmas,” as part of the institute’s new six-session Fall 2013 course that will begin during the week of Oct. 27.

Potter’s Fire Opens in Herndon

A grand opening ceremony to be held on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Mike Faul’s business Potter’s Fire will be holding its grand opening this week in Herndon at 797-B Center Street. Previously, Faul had operated a marketing agency at this location. “My first exposure to ceramics was in junior high school, about 41 years ago,” said Faul.

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