Stories for January 2013

Herndon Reston Youth Softball Takes on New Commissioner

Veteran fastpitch softball player and coach Jordan Foster says she’s ready for the challenge of leading the Herndon Reston Youth Softball League as Commissioner Bob Thomas retires and a new slate of officers takes the helm. The growing girls' fastpitch softball league, serving players ages 6 to 18 in the greater Herndon-Reston area, will take on Foster to take the baton from Bob Thomas, who helped build a good name for the league.

Freezin’ For a Reason at Lake Anne

Area daredevils ready to freeze to help kids battling illnesses.

Individuals in crazy costumes and creative flair will take over Lake Anne Plaza in Reston once again for the 6th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, Feb. 2. The event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up—with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Last year’s event drew record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $76,000. Registered participants will take a chilly full plunge or a “Chicken Dip”—to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Charles ‘Dan’ McGuire, of Reston, Dies

Passionately Irish and passionately Virginian, Charles “Dan” McGuire lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 19. Thus, another of Reston's “Old Timers” has passed on. Dan was one of Reston's early residents who helped guide a growing Reston through his community activism. He served several terms on Reston Association's Board of Directors. He served a term as vice-president of the Reston Citizens Association.

A Breach of Trust

In a Tom DeLay, Texas-style move, Republicans in the Virginia State Senate re-drew the legislative district lines without public notice or involvement. This action in the 20-20 divided body came on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday when Democratic Senator Henry Marsh who is one of Virginia's most prominent civil rights leaders was away attending President Obama's inauguration. The new map, if passed by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and signed by the governor, would give Republicans an advantage in taking back control of the Senate which they hold now only by virtue of the lieutenant governor who is the presiding officer and tie breaker being a Republican. "Count this as a new low for hyper-partisanship, dirty tricks, and the unaccountable arrogance of power," is the way one newspaper editorial described the action.

Short Subject: RA Survey, Lake Anne Progress?

It turns out ours was one of 3,000 or so households included in Reston Association’s community survey. In fact, we got not one, but two in the mail. It is not what I expected. The survey was billed as feedback on RA performance to “help . . . its Board of Directors set benchmarks for tracking the quality of services provided to residents.” Sounds like a good idea. In fact, the lengthy survey asks for little direct info on RA or its performance. Only one in five questions are directly or partly relevant to association services—35 out of 158 questions. And, these are not probing questions likely to ID RA services which are excellent, problematic or in between.

Community Clothing Drive for Syrian Refugees Feb. 8-10

A community drive to collect used clothes and other items for Syrian children and women in refugee camps will be held Feb. 8-10 at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston.

History of African American Spirituals to Be Studied

A seven-session course on the history of African American spirituals and their impact on Christianity worldwide will begin Sunday, Feb. 3, at 9:30 a.m. at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. All are welcome.

Call for Nominations—2013 Helios Apollo Awards

Recognizing forward-thinking employers for outstanding employee development programs.

Helios HR, a human resources firm in Reston, announced a call for nominations for the 2013 Helios Apollo Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 15. Winners and finalists will be honored at the Helios Apollo Awards Ceremony at the McLean Hilton on May 29. This breakfast ceremony will recognize organizations for their outstanding commitment to employee development and engagement, specifically highlighting innovative, collaborative and agile programs.

Viewpoints: Winter Fun in Reston, Herndon

Area residents discuss “the best ways to have fun.”

“I like to go and watch basketball and hockey games. I like to see the Wizards and the Capitals; stay active and have fun. I also like to go to the Reston town center for ice skating and sledding when it snows.” -Justin Britt, marketer at Oracle, Herndon

The 'President's Own' of Vienna, Reston Play in 57th Inauguration

Tuba player Gunnery Sgt. Mark Thiele of Vienna, clarinetist Staff Sgt. Christopher Grant of Oakton and trumpeter/cornetist Staff Sgt. Robert Singer of Reston performed in the 57th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Monday, Jan. 21, as members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. This marks the Marine Band's 54th consecutive inaugural appearance.

Letter: Taking Exception on Medicaid Expansion

Your recent editorial ["Expanding Medicaid Good For Virginia," The Connection, January 23-29, 2013] is noble in its desire to "extend health coverage to more than 400,000 residents who currently have no health insurance." If public policy making were just that easy. The editorial then goes on to indifferently say, "the Federal government picks up the tab.

Editorial: Extreme, But Brief, Volunteering

More than 150 volunteers needed to survey chronic homeless for three days in February.

The real solution to homelessness is housing. This week in Northern Virginia, a point-in-time survey will record all of the “literally homeless” individuals and families in the region. Last year, on Jan. 25, 2012, there were 1,534 people who were literally homeless in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community; 697 of them were single individuals and 837 were people in families. A third of the total number of homeless were children. Nearly 60 percent of the adult members of the homeless families were employed.

Classified Advertising Jan. 30, 2013

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A Chorus of Praise

Fairfax County mentors celebrated during National Mentor Month.

Can we get an “amen?” The joyful noise coming from the David R. Pinn Center in Fairfax on Saturday wasn’t a gospel revival, but it was just as inspiring and enlightening.

Column: A Simple Question

I don’t quite know how to start this column so I’ll begin with its ending: “I’m fine.”

Nazi Commonwealth

Bipartisan team seeks compensation for victims of forced sterilization.

Nobody knows how many people are survivors of Virginia’s forced sterilization program, which targeted people with mental illness, mental retardation or epilepsy. But a bipartisan effort now under consideration in Richmond would hand each and every one of them a $50,000 check from the people of Virginia. According to one calculation, that could mean as much as $73 million.

Indoor Winter Fun with Children

Ideas for entertainment when Jack Frost appears.

Winter weather often means limited open air playtime for some children. “It is very important for children to get as much outdoor activity as possible, but there are times when it is not safe for them to be outside for an extended length of time, or any time at all, because it is too cold. ” said Shannon Melideo, chair of the Education Department at Marymount University in Arlington. “There are many other things that children can do besides sledding and ice skating.”

Winter Fun with Food

Easy and tasty ideas for winter meals.

The stove is fired-up, a sauté pan is sizzling and the thud of a steel knife blade hitting a wooden chopping block fills the air along with the woodsy aroma of fresh thyme. The temperature outside is frigid, but the kitchen feels like an inferno as Chef Kristen Robinson drives a knife though a fennel bulb, kale leaves and a tough-skinned butternut squash with staccato succession.

MLK Foundation Celebrates Diversity

Organization welcomes member of Tuskeegee Airmen.

The Martin Luther King Cultural Foundaion hosted a celebration of cultural diversity Saturday, Jan. 26, at ArtSpace in Herndon. The Reston-based organization provides thousands of dollars per year to send local students to college.

Classified Advertising Jan. 23, 2013

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Miss America to Promote STEM

At a pre-Inauguration event Sunday, Jan. 20, newly crowned Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan addressed a large audience gathered at the FAA for a “Federal Open House and Program Mentoring and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).” She spoke passionately about girls and STEM education, which along with her personal issue will be the chief cause during her reign.

Letter: Overcrowded Classes

We now have the distinction of having among the largest class sizes in the area and Virginia state law does almost nothing to protect our children. Current student to teacher ratios are calculated at the county level and afford administrators way too much leverage where they can place as many kids as they want in a classroom, just as long as divisionwide, they do not exceed the state ratios.

Commentary: Too Good to Pass Up

In 2001, over 900,000 Virginians were living below the poverty line with an annual household income for a family of four under $23,050. Over 416,000 of these Virginians were living in deep poverty with a family of four having an annual household income under $11,525. Of the total, 270,000 were children, the highest number of children living in poverty in Virginia since 1998.

Better Said Than Done Comes to Nature House

Better Said Than Done, a community of professional storytellers, will be presenting “Brrr… It's Cold Outside,” a night of storytelling about trying to stay warm in a cold, cold world.

Fine Arts Festival Set for May 17-19

More than 200 artists to participate in Reston festival.

The dates are set for the region’s longest running and largest fine arts festival—the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). Celebrating its 22nd Anniversary, the premiere event for art lovers and enthusiasts will take place the weekend of May 17-19, 2013, illuminating the streets of Reston Town Center.

Editorial: Expanding Medicaid Good for Virginia

Real health coverage for an additional 400,000 people is in reach.

Virginia has an opportunity to expand Medicaid in a way that could extend health coverage to more than 400,000 residents who currently have no health insurance while the Federal government picks up the tab; Virginia would pay 10 percent of the additional cost after 2020.

News Briefs

As Democratic delegates fight to keep firearms further from school property, Republican Bob Marshall (D-13) is pushing legislation to bring more guns in. Marshall is the chief patron of HB 1557, which would require every school board in the state to designate one volunteer to carry a concealed weapon on school property. Training for selected volunteers would be provided by either the Virginia Center for School Safety or the NRA, of which he is a member.

Four Northern Virginia Senators Targeted

Redistricting effort puts Fairfax County seats in the spotlight.

Four Northern Virginia state Senators are targets of a Republican-led effort to draw new districts — Sen. George Barker (D-39), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34). Democrats say the redistricting effort is a cynical attempt to take advantage of the absence of Sen. Henry Marsh (D-16), a prominent civil rights veteran, who was in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration on Monday. But state Sen. John Watkins (R-10) of Powhatan defended the effort as a way to create a sixth majority black Senate district in Southside. It passed the Senate on a 20-to-19 vote.

Making Schools Safer

Two Northern Virginia Democrats take part in panel to consider school security.

Do Virginia schools need more guns? That question is at the heart of a debate that’s now reaching a fever pitch in the commonwealth, especially after a man with a Bushmaster assault rifle blasted his way into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell responded to the tragedy by creating a School Safety Task Force, which is considering a proposal for every school in Virginia to have an armed school resource officer.

Column: The Best of Intentions, I’m Sure

Regularly, throughout my now nearly four years of living as a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer “diagnosee”/survivor, I have had conversations where the person with whom I’ve been speaking–in response to a query of mine, said about a particular set of their circumstances: “Oh, it’s nothing, really. I mean, it’s not cancer, so it’s not as bad as what you’re (meaning me) going through.” Said with the utmost sincerity and sensitivity to me of course, and with my feelings/reaction most definitely in mind; for a long time, I simply acknowledged their empathy/sympathy and continued on with our conversation as if no emotional pot–of mine, had been stirred.

Obama’s Agenda

Herndon-Reston citizens on second term priorities for President Obama.

A man walks into a bar… actually a female journalist walked first into O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant on Elden Street in Herndon and then into the bar at Il Fornaio Authentic Italian Restaurant and Bakery on Market Street in Reston Town Center, and posed the same question to several patrons of each establishment: “What do you see as the priorities for President Barack Obama’s second term in office?”

Pursuing Math and Science at Fox Mill Elementary

Girls at Fox Mill Elementary are pursuing their interest in math and science by joining the school’s Girls Excelling in Math and Science program (GEMS), which meets after school.

Change to Intersection Raises Concerns

Residents object to potential traffic signal at Hunter Mill and Crowell.

The Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee heard a request from Oakcrest School Tuesday, Jan. 15, to amend the special exception that would allow them to alter the intersection at Hunter Mill Road and Crowell Road, an alteration that has raised objections from nearby residents.

Reston Pays Tribute to King Legacy

Commemorative march, concert highlight weekend activities.

As he stood in front of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation Sunday, Jan. 20, to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Isaiah Roberts of Reston knew he was participating in something special.

Reston Home Sales: December, 2012

In December 2012, 66 Reston homes sold between $1,482,500-$104,500.

Reston Home Sales: December, 2012

Fairfax Families4Kids

Fostering bonds with children.

Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In many states, including Virginia, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 25 years. As of Sept. 30, 2011, nearly 5,000 youth were in foster care in Virginia, according to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Physical abuse is the most common reason children enter foster, but it’s not the only reason. Often there’s emotional abuse, sexual abuse and the parent or caretaker’s inability to provide a safe environment due to substance abuse.

A Family Made Whole

After a tragic loss, Reston couple creates a family through adoption.

The Granvilles look like a made-for-TV family. On a bright October afternoon, Chris, a computer engineer, is teasing his teenage son, Kenny, about what kind of pet to adopt, while Tiffany sits on a sofa, cradling Elijah, Kenny’s baby brother, who has just woken up from an afternoon nap. “Fish? No way,” Kenny, 15, says. “They just go ‘round and ‘round in a bowl.” Kenny is lobbying hard for a dog or—at the very least—a guinea pig or hamster.

A 10-Year Mission: End Homelessness

Our Fairfax-Falls Church community is one of the most affluent in the country. Our schools are second to none. We are the home for many Fortune 500 businesses. Even with the challenging economy, our unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country.

Classified Advertising January 16, 2013

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Queen of Household Hints to Share Five Essentials Every Home Should Have

Heloise to headline 2013 Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center.

The high priestess of household hints will share her domestic wisdom this weekend at the 2013 Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va. A nationally syndicated columnist, Heloise is one of the presenters scheduled to headline the weekend’s show.

Editorial: Transportation Money

Eliminating the gas tax makes no sense.

Virginia, and especially Northern Virginia, is woefully short on funds for transportation. One reason is that its gas tax, a logical way to fund transportation infrastructure, is one of the lowest in the nation, and has remained flat since the ’80s, since it is not indexed for inflation. So the buying power of the gas tax has been dwindling.

Week in Reston

Body found on a Reston path identified and History of Reston program continues

Celebration to Focus On Community Service

Former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond to deliver keynote address at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration.

The Reston Community Center presents the 28th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 19 and 20, 2013.

Letter: Park Authority’s Clarification

John Lovaas addressed the need to preserve and manage natural areas in Fairfax County [County Failing to Preserve Natural Resource Areas, Reston Connection, Dec. 12-18, 2012]. Although we concur with that need, we felt compelled to clarify several points in his column pertaining to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s 23,136 acres of parkland.

Commentary: Smoke and Mirrors

One of my mentors in my earliest years in the General Assembly was Delegate Dorothy McDiarmid who served off and on from 1960 to 1989. First elected on a platform of keeping the public schools open during racial desegregation, the gentlelady from Fairfax Mrs. McDiarmid went on to successfully add kindergarten to the public school system of the state and to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Her supporters gave her the campaign slogan, “The Lady Has Clout.” Delegate McDiarmid taught me to look carefully at political proposals for many lacked substance and were simply “smoke and mirrors.”

Column: Off to Do the People’s Work in Richmond

Our long-time state legislators—Delegate Ken Plum and State Senator Janet Howell—always begin the Reston new year with their (not really a) town hall get-together for constituents. They invite us to come and talk about the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session in Richmond when all 100 delegates and 40 senators convene for 45 or 60 days to consider thousands of new laws promoting the general welfare and a bright future for all Virginians.

Students Get Blast From the Past

Reston Rotary tours elementaries with Thomas Jefferson re-enactor.

Students across Reston elementary schools got a blast from the past Tuesday, Jan. 8 and Wednesday, Jan. 9, courtesy of the Reston Rotary Club. Bill Barker, an actor who has played Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg since 1993, toured Forest Edge, Terraset, Dogwood, Fox Mill, Hunters Woods and Lake Anne Elementary Schools to tell the students about his life and beliefs.

Best of Reston Named

Individuals, organizations, businesses recognized at annual awards announcement.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith named their 2013 Best of Reston award winners Thursday, Jan. 10. The annual awards recognize individuals, organizations and companies that represent the community’s founding ideals.

Area Roundups

Resiliency Expert to Speak at Robinson

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will host a presentation by resiliency expert Nan Henderson—Resiliency in Action: How Families, Schools and Communities Create 'Bounce Back’ Kids—on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School. This free presentation is designed for parents, school staff, and community members.

The New Year, Same as the Old Year?

Having survived almost four full years from the date of my original diagnosis/prognosis doing what I’ve done, all I should feel is: that anything is possible. I’m living proof.

Off to the Movies

Mason professor has unconventional method of teaching complex concepts.

An Arlington resident and George Mason University professor has an unconventional way of helping her students master complex concepts and evaluating their proficiency: She requires them to watch movies.

Reston Home Sales: November, 2012

In November 2012, 99 Reston homes sold between $1,320,000-$150,000.

Reston Home Sales: November, 2012

Classified Advertising Jan 9, 2012

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Saturday Night Fever at Milano’s

Friends, family throw surprise party to celebrate Milano’s restaurant and owner Jimmy Goranitis’ birthday.

On a typical Saturday night, Milano’s restaurant, a Springfield institution, is packed with regulars and newcomers. But last Saturday was different. There was standing room only in the restaurant as more than 100 family, friends, customers and employees eagerly waited for owner Jimmy Goranitis to walk through the doors so they could shout “surprise!” They were celebrating his 55th birthday as well as the 33rd anniversary of the family-owned restaurant.

Editorial: More Fodder for Comedy?

2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly will tackle serious issues.

The 2013 30-day session of the Virginia General Assembly begins on Wednesday, Jan. 9. We can only hope that the various legislative proposals do not provide as much fodder for comedy as last session. The Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia will offer live streaming video of the 2013 Legislative Sessions, and it is well worth tuning in once or twice.

Letter: What Every Boy Needs for Xmas in 2012

It won’t fit under your Christmas tree, and you can’t use Amazon’s Same Day shipping service for it. No camping out on Black Friday could have helped you get this gift, and it’s not on the iTunes App Store. But over 100 million boys have received this gift already.

Week in Reston

Reston resident dies after a crash in McLean area, AAUW Presentation: The Women of Walmart, Film screening at South Lakes High, and JBG acquires Charter Oak apartment community in Reston

Reston Students to Perform in 2013 Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta

Students from Union Lopez Studio in Reston have been accepted into the 2013 Junior Theater Festival happening Jan. 18, 19 and 20 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday celebration to Highlight Community Service

Reston Community Center will hold the 28th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 19 and 20, 2013. The focus of this year's celebration will be on community service.

Life-affirming Comedy

Reston Community Players presents "The Savannah Disputation."

The Reston Community Players will soon bring the D.C. area community theater premiere of "The Savannah Disputation" to audiences. The play was written by emerging award winning playwright Evan Smith.

Commentary: General Assembly Session Underway

The 2013 General Assembly session convenes at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Tracing its beginnings to the colonists meeting in the church at Jamestown to conduct their common business, the General Assembly is the oldest continuous legislative body in the western hemisphere.

Restonians Sound off to Legislators

Metro funding, gun control high priorities for residents for General Assembly session.

State Sen. Janet Howell (D-31) and Del. Ken Plum (D-36) spoke to Reston residents about their priorities and goals for the upcoming General Assembly session Thursday, Jan. 3. The session, which starts Jan. 9, is scheduled for 30 days, with the possibility of an additional 30 days if needed. This is standard procedure for odd-numbered years; during even numbered years the session is scheduled for 60 days.

Orchestra Turns to Local Talent

Reston Community Orchestra to perform songs of Brian Scarbrough in MLK Concert Jan. 19.

At a very young age, Brian Scarbrough of Reston was already showing signs of musical prowess. His mother Richie remembers singing a commercial while her young son was around, and Brian Scarbrough promptly informed her she was off-key.

Parents Plead for Delay in Training Center Closing

Timeframe for closure puts disabled adults at risk, advocates say.

When it was Kenneth Gans’ turn to speak to the panel of Virginia state legislators, the 78-year-old father of a severely-disabled son kept his remarks brief.

“If It Ain’t Broke…”

Today is a day I feel like writing – not merely one when I am looking forward to having written, but rather one when I am interested and motivated by the process.

Home and Remodeling Show Comes to D.C. Area

Nationally Syndicated Columnist Heloise and local contractors will educate homeowners.

Whether you’re planning to renovate an entire house, update an antiquated bathroom, create a more functional kitchen or simply add more color to your home, there will be inspiration and ideas aplenty at the 2013 Home and Remodeling Show.

Express Buses from Burke to Tysons

Fairfax County to launch Express Connector bus service.

Get ready to ride the 495 Express Lanes. For free. Really.

Fairfax Symphony Announces String Competition

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) announces dates for the 2013 Dorothy Farnham Feuer Memorial String Competition.

South Lakes Girls Participate in the ‘White House Codeathon’

On Monday afternoon, Dec. 17, South Lakes High School seniors Nicole Rappaport, Abby Studen, Becky Oswalt and Tatevik Markaryan went to the White House to participate in what Todd Park, assistant to the president and U.S. chief technology officer, called the “first codeathon in White House history.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday celebration to Highlight Community Service

Reston Community Center will hold the 28th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 19 and 20, 2013. The focus of this year's celebration will be on community service. 2013 Keynote Speaker: Julian Bond, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, RCC Hunters Woods, at 1 p.m.

Reston Lions Induct New Members

James Ryan, vice district governor of District 24-A, inducted five new members into the Reston Lions Club at its Holiday Party held at the Hidden Creek Country Club, Wednesday evening, Dec. 19.

Shots Heard Around the World

Newtown, Conn., joined a list topped by Blacksburg, Va., of the scenes of the most tragic mass murders in our history. This list contributes to the United States having 80 percent of all firearm deaths among the 23 populous, high-income countries in the world. Over a million people have been killed with guns in the United States since 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. In one year, 31,593 people died from gun violence and 66,769 people survived gun injuries. These statistics are from the Brady Campaign that has even more shocking numbers with documentation at its website, www.bradycampaign.org.

Column: 2013—Year With a Silver Lining?

As I sit looking out on Lake Anne on a gray post-Christmas day, I look back on 2012 and begin to feel optimistic about 2013. But, unlike past years, when my prognostications tended to be overly optimistic—e.g., predicting Reston’s achieving town status (as originally intended by Robert Simon) and escaping the oppression of Fairfax County. This year I’m sticking to cold, hard, objective analysis.

Classified Advertising January 2, 2013

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Happy New Year, Keep in Touch

Reflecting and reinforcing the sense of community.

As local, weekly newspapers, the Connection’s mission is to bring the news you need about your community, to give you the information you need to enjoy the best things in and near your community, to advocate for community good, to call attention to unmet needs, to provide a forum for dialogue on local concerns, and to celebrate and record milestones and events in community and people’s lives. To succeed at any of that, we need your help.

Advice for Seniors on Fitness in the New Year

Suggestions for making and keeping exercise resolutions.

Mary Garner’s New Year’s resolution is to increase the intensity of her workout routine. The 69-year-old retiree plans to seek the advice of a fitness trainer to create a plan to achieve her goal.

The Quest for Youth and Beauty

Spending billions of dollars to improve one’s appearance.

Hiba Hakki reclines on an exam table as a physician picks up a syringe with his latex-gloved hand and points it at her face. He inserts the needle into the flesh around her eyes. She cringes slightly. This is a Botox injection, just one of the cosmetic procedures Hakki undergoes for the sake of beauty.

Lines of My Life

Like most people, I have material, so to speak, that I use repeatedly (ad nauseam, some might say). Most are lines from “The Three Stooges,” “M*A*S*H,” “Star Trek” (the original) and “Seinfeld.” As I entered into the cancer world, I continued to use this material – where/when appropriate, as many of you regular readers know. However, as my time in the cancer conundrum has continued (thank God!) and evolved, I have found myself uttering and muttering à la “Popeye the Sailor Man,” amusing myself, mostly, but always with the best of intentions: my survival. A few examples follow. (My answers are in quotes.)

Coming in From The Cold

A night at Burke United Methodist Church’s hypothermia prevention shelter.

Musa L. gently draped a blanket over his wife, and promised her the new year would be better for both of them. She was sleeping on a foam pallet at the Burke United Methodist Church. Musa and his wife were among nearly 40 homeless adults seeking shelter from the frigid temperatures at the church on Friday, Dec. 21.

Readers of the Pack

What Fairfax County residents read in 2012.

According to Mary Mulrenen, spokesperson for the Fairfax County Public Library, Fairfax County readers selected many of the same fiction and non-fiction favorites that caught the attention of book-lovers nationwide. Dr. Seuss, science-fiction and, once again, lawyers (John Grisham’s 25th legal thriller) topped the charts.

Should Virginia’s Governor Be Able to Run for Reelection?

Longstanding ban on second consecutive term to be reconsidered this year.

Virginia is the only state that limits its governor to a single, four-year term, a vestige of the distrust Americans had for executive power during the American Revolution. Now, more than two centuries later, the commonwealth may finally be ready to ditch the longstanding term limit and allow Virginia’s governor to run for reelection.