Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
There's not much we can count on in life, but if there's one guarantee, we can bet that our bodies change as we grow older. That's especially true for men as they age. One moment you're partying at the club, waking up refreshed, and hitting the gym. The next moment, getting out of bed is a chore. You're sore in places you never thought before, and hangovers don't just go away after a hot shower and a big breakfast.
And while sore joints and backaches can be treated with aspirin and ice, other signs of aging aren't as easy to treat. Of course, we're talking about challenges in getting and maintaining erections needed to satisfy your partner. At the extreme, we all know it as erectile dysfunction or ED for short but long before full ED, there are warning signs that things aren't working as they used to work. Hearing the ED word sends shivers down most men's spines. When you think about it, that makes sense - being unable to perform when you need to most is a scary thought.
If you're beginning to suffer from ED or male performance issues or you've been dealing with performance issues for some time, it may seem like nobody has any solutions or even really understands how these issues can impact your life and sense of well-being. However, ED of varying degrees is very common. More than 18 million men suffer from the condition in the U.S. Unfortunately, many of those men hide their performance issues without ever addressing them. If you're one of those men, and it feels like you're stuck in a rut with no help, we're here to tell you you're not alone. Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC is here to provide you with a long-lasting solution to help you regain confidence and perform like you used to.
Additionally, many men including the so-called "bio hackers" are using our treatments to PREVENT the performance decline in the first place. Why wait for the inevitable when you can implement strategies to prevent the decline in the first place.

The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
Our programs are all about reversing and slowing the aging process, preventing disease, and treating chronically ill patients. We utilize a three-pronged approach:
- 1. We equip patients with the knowledge required to take charge of their health and achieve optimal well-being.
- 2. We focus on disease prevention by providing a thorough evaluation using comprehensive diagnostics including the patient-supplied information.
- 3. We work with patients to implement a rejuvenation program consisting of various science-based treatments that reduce cellular degeneration, promote tissue regeneration and healing, and slow down the aging process..
We consider every individual as physiologically unique. As such, we don't subscribe to a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Instead, our programs focus on a customized approach, leveraging genetics and advanced testing, utilizing advanced therapeutics like Gainswave and addressing risk factors that, if avoided or modified, could have beneficial effects for reducing many chronic conditions that men suffer from year-round.
Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health. For men whoare just starting to have challenges, or who have erectile dysfunction, or for the biohackers that just want everything optimized, one of those proven therapies is Oakton, VA
Our Services
- Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
- The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
- What is GAINSWave Therapy?
- What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Oakton, VA Work?
- Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
- Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
Service Areas
What is GAINSWave Therapy?
If you have ED or even a minor decline in sexual performance, there's a good chance you've already seen your primary care doctor. You've talked to them about the issues you're facing. And, if they're like many doctors, they prescribed you some pills and sent you on your way. Unfortunately, going this route doesn't do much to solve erectile dysfunction - you're just putting a band-aid on the problem. Plus, you're putting strange chemicals in your body via a "little blue pill" that may cause adverse side effects.
At the end of the day, you need a real-deal solution to ED, not a quick fix. The good news? A safe, non-invasive, injection-free answer to your problems exists. It's called GAINSWave therapy, and according to recent studies, it has shown an 85-92% success rate for mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.
Reports from men who have used GAINSWave therapy in Oakton, VA report the following benefits:
- Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections
- Improved Sexual Pleasure
- More Blood Circulation and Flow
- Better Girth and Length
- Less Rest Needed Between Orgasms
- Enhanced Intimacy in the Bedroom

Unlike many ED treatments, you don't have to worry about surgery or drugs when you choose GAINSWave. This revolutionary treatment uses acoustic wave technology, also called pulse wave therapy, instead of surgery or pills, which helps to rebuild blood flow to the penile region, thereby boostings erectile strength and, by proxy, confidence.
But the benefits of GAINSWave don't end there. This therapy also breaks up micro plaques and boosts nitric oxide, which forms new blood vessels and collagen. That's exciting news for men suffering from Peyronie's disease, which is another condition specific to male sexual health.
Contact Us For Services

What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Oakton, VA Work?
With time, men's blood flow decreases, sensitivity isn't what it once was, and blood vessels start to get thinner or even partially or fully blocked. With GAINSWave, high-frequency, low-intensity shockwaves rejuvenate areas of the penis that have suffered with age. For instance, micro plaques are removed, new blood vessels form, and blood flow increases. According to several clinical studies, enhanced blood flow from GAINSWave translates to more sustainable, rigid erections in 75% of men.
Though males in America are only beginning to realize the benefits of GAINSWave, it's a treatment that has been used for over a decade around the world. Backed by science and proven to rejuvenate vasculature in male erections, GAINSWave works without any pain or recovery time. In fact, it's possible to pop into Proactive Wellness Centers on your lunch break for a therapy session.
Proactive Wellness Centers' GAINSWave treatments feature:
- Low-Intensity Pulse or Shockwaves
- All Natural
- No Needles
- No Pills
- No Pain
- No Surgery
- No Recovery Time
- Quick Procedures
Because this procedure is needle, surgery, and drug-free, most men don't have to suffer through costly insurance claims or unsightly scarring. With GAINSWave and our comprehensive and personalized ED treatment plans, all you need to focus on is enjoying life, knowing your erectile dysfunction is a thing of the past.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Gainswave Therapy in Oakton, VA?
If you're a man over the age of 30 and want to optimize your performance or if you are suffering a decline in this area, GAINSWave may be for you. That's even more true if other treatments never worked. For many men, those unsuccessful solutions include pills like Viagra. If prescription pills don't solve your ED problems, GAINSWave is a great option to consider. Academic studies show that shockwave therapy is successful where PDE5 inhibitors (like Viagra or Cialis) fall short.
In fact, many urologists now consider shockwave therapy the greatest revolution in ED treatment in over a decade. Even men without erectile dysfunction use GAINSWave as a preventative therapy to keep their bedroom performance strong and avoid compromised blood vessels.
Some of the key benefits of GAINSWave procedures over other ED treatments include:
- No Drugs
- Backed by Clinical Studies and Extensive Medical Research
- Vast Record of Success
- FDA-Approved for Enhanced Sexual Wellness
- Available at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
What Should I Expect from GAINSWave Therapy at Proactive Wellness Centers?
If you're ready to begin your journey to a healthier, happier sex life, getting started at our wellness clinic is as easy as 1-2-3:
Make an Appointment: Give our office a call at 703-822-5003. One of our Clinical Intake Coordinators will answer any question you have and get you started. If you prefer, you can text "gainswave" to 833.341.0170, and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially.
Prep: Once the intake process is complete, you'll schedule a time for GAINSWave therapy in Oakton, VA. You'll arrive at our wellness center for treatment at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Procedure time is usually no longer than 30 minutes and occurs in our wellness center.
Enjoy the Benefits: Once your GAINSWave therapy session is over, you can get right back to what you were doing beforehand. Studies show that approximately 75% of men enjoy positive results like stronger, longer-lasting erections after treatment. Most men only need 6-12 sessions for optimal results.
Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
As the premier wellness clinic in Virginia and the metro D.C. area, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of treatments to slow the process of aging and treat chronic conditions. Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies, like GAINSWave therapy in Oakton, VA, for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health.
Some of the most requested services we offer include:

Low-T Treatment for Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our Low-T program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause or low testosterone. The Program Testosterone replacement when clinically indicated, optimization of DHEA and Pregenenolone, combined with nutritional guidance, nutritional supplementation recommendations to optimize your health. For men where Testosterone has declined, the Low-T program is a necessary complement to the Gainswave therapy.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include peptides to help patients optimize their health and body composition. If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are likely experiencing low testosterone / andropause and are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of physical agility
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Prostate problems
- Insomnia

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Like men, women's bodies change as they grow older. Often referred to as menopause, this time in a woman's life can be stressful when the body uses energy differently, fat cells change, and hormones decline.
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we've seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that were actually caused by a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Those symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- UTIs
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Indigestion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Anxiety Attacks
- Vaginal Dryness
- Fatigue

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. They are substances with the same chemical makeup as the hormones produced in your body. Hormones are not drugs - they occur naturally and are found in every human on earth. BHRT replaces hormones at a physiologic level that is not harmful to the body.
If you're suffering through the symptoms of menopause, taking Midol isn't going to solve any problems. Fortunately, our BHRT program for women is designed to eliminate many menopausal symptoms. That way, we give women a chance to recapture their energy levels and vitality with drugs or surgery. Contact our office today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you recapture the joys of your youth.
Bredesen-Protocol Strategies for Improving Brain Health
We believe that a healthy brain is paramount to overall well-being. Unfortunately, little is known about promoting brain health, lowering the risk of dementia, or stabilizing symptoms for patients experiencing early signs.
After much research, however, Dr. Lawson from Proactive Wellness Centers determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline.
The approach, created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, is called ReCODE. This protocol involves multiple strategies to pinpoint specific health issues contributing to Alzheimer's Disease. The results of each strategy are measured using blood tests, dementia tests, cognitive evaluations, and other signs of overall health improvement. Now a Bredesen Certified doctor, Dr. Lawson now offers patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Through this exciting approach, patients have shown dramatic improvements in cognitive function. In some cases, they achieve a reversal of symptoms and have even returned to work.
Proactive Wellness Centers' ReCODE program uses significant functional medicine experience and includes:
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Targeted Nutrients
- Therapeutic Diets
We're thrilled to add this promising Alzheimer's disease treatment for qualifying patients at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Chronic Disease Treatment
Long-term diseases like Lyme disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can ruin a person's life and often leave them afraid to leave the house. To make matters worse, these chronic diseases are often initially misdiagnosed, complicating treatment and leaving the patient depressed and hopeless. And while some medical prescriptions can help, many chronic disease sufferers live without finding true relief.
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our innovative doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment program to address chronic diseases like CIRS and Lyme disease. Generally, our Chronic Disease Treatment follows SSRP protocols as defined below:
- Stop the progression of the disease while strengthening the immune system
- Stabilize patients by balancing hormones and restoring energy
- Reverse cellular, mitochondrial, and other damages caused by chronic diseases, based on lab markers and/or symptomatic expression
- Prevent further development of the chronic disease processes
Our SSRP protocol provides patients with a promising program based largely on the emerging bodies of evidence in the chronic disease space. This evidence is supported by peer-reviewed medical journals, clinical studies, and even double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

When choosing chronic disease treatments for patients, our team of doctors and clinicians focus on safety and efficacy before anything else. Typical therapies associated with our chronic disease treatment programs include:
- IV Vitamin Therapy
- Targeted Nutritional Supplements
- Compassionate Care and Personalized Service from Qualified Doctors
As an integrative practice, we use conventional medications when indicated, especially in cases of underlying co-infections and other areas where traditional medication offers the best course of treatment.
If you're at your wit's end living with a chronic disease, call Proactive Wellness Centers today. Our innovative treatments and therapies may be the key you need to unlock a new, healthy life.
Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
From GAINSWave therapy in Oakton, VA, to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women, our doctors are here to serve you with care, compassion, and a commitment to your health.
That's because, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we take a patient-first approach to every service we offer. Unlike some anti-aging clinics, we focus on your goals, your experiences, and how we can address your health and well-being needs. We believe with a full heart that your story matters, and we're ready and waiting to listen. If you're looking for personalized, functional, regenerative treatments that address root causes, you're only a phone call away from living a healthier life.

Hours Open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Latest News in Oakton, VA
Oakton High School Student Scores Win At 2022 Cappies Gala
Mark Handhttps://patch.com/virginia/oakton/oakton-high-school-student-scores-win-2022-cappies-gala
The 22nd annual Cappies Gala, the Tony's-like awards for high school theatre, recognized students around the DC region with awards.|Updated Tue, Jun 7, 2022 at 9:00 pm ETOAKTON, VA — An Oakton High School student won an award at the 22nd annual Cappies Gala, a program recognizing excellence in high school theatre around the DC region.The Cappies Gala was held Monday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. ...
The 22nd annual Cappies Gala, the Tony's-like awards for high school theatre, recognized students around the DC region with awards.
|Updated Tue, Jun 7, 2022 at 9:00 pm ET
OAKTON, VA — An Oakton High School student won an award at the 22nd annual Cappies Gala, a program recognizing excellence in high school theatre around the DC region.
The Cappies Gala was held Monday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Cappies, a program that trains high school journalism students to write reviews of high school theatre shows, provided awards in 40 performance and technical categories. The awards are considered the Tony Awards of high school theatre in the D.C. region.
The Cappies program trains student critics, who attend high school shows throughout the year. The best student reviews are published in local media. At the end of the season, student critics vote for the awards.
Oakton High School's Gwen Ihde took home an award in the category of 2022 Maryland Theater Guide Returning Critic.
Here is a full list of winners:
Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Along with the presentation of awards, the gala included performances from 11 schools nominated for best play and musical. The performances included "Mary Poppins" by Independence High School, "Tony N' Tina's Wedding" by Herndon High School, "Freaky Friday" by Langley High School, "Airness High School Edition" by McLean High School, "Anastasia" by Bishop Ireton High School, "The Heidi Chronicles" by Lake Braddock Secondary School, "Crazy for You" by South Lakes High School, "Puffs" by Fairfax High School, "Disney's Newsies" by Quince Orchard High School, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised]" by Meridian High School and "Head Over Heels" by Robinson Secondary School.
Cappies was founded by the late Bill Strauss, a McLean resident who also founded the Capital Steps. The current director of the Cappies is his wife, Jane Strauss, a former teacher and Fairfax County School Board representative for the Dranesville District. The 2022 Cappies program had 48 participating schools, 1,628 reviews written, 279 reviews published and 308 voting critics.
A recording of the Cappies Gala is expected to be available Friday. For more information, visit www.cappies.com/nca.
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MOVING To Oakton VA? Find Out All The THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!
DC Real Estate Mamahttps://dcrealestatemama.com/moving-to-oakton-va-things-you-need-to-know/
MOVING To Oakton VAOakton lies to the west of Vienna, and they share a border. Oakton is also north of I-66. Oakton’s population is 36,000. You have easy access here to the Vienna Metro Station, which is the recently opened Silver Line. Maple Avenue in Vienna becomes Chain Bridge when it gets to O...
MOVING To Oakton VA
Oakton lies to the west of Vienna, and they share a border. Oakton is also north of I-66. Oakton’s population is 36,000. You have easy access here to the Vienna Metro Station, which is the recently opened Silver Line. Maple Avenue in Vienna becomes Chain Bridge when it gets to Oakton.
Settlers first came to Vienna in the mid 1700’s but Oakton was settled later, in the 1800’s. In the mid 1800’s it was known as Flint Hill. The Flint Hill Schoolhouse was built in 1850. In 1883 a post office was built next to an Oak Tree and that is how Oakton got its name. But that’s not the last we will hear of the name “Flint Hill.” Read on.
In Oakton, you will find homes at a variety of price points, but the range isn’t what you see in neighboring Vienna. Oakton is further out, a little more suburban and the prices for single family homes are from $800,000 to $2M. Prices pretty steadily move from the $800’s to the $1.2M range, then the number of homes for sale drops off. There are a few jumps in price for larger homes or larger lots but there are not a huge amount of homes over $1.3M for sale here.
There are teardowns here but they are not as ubiquitous as you see in Vienna or McLean. There is a lot of housing here from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s and the house types built then wasn’t the rambler. Often you will see that these homes are center hall colonials or split levels which are larger and can often be renovated or added on to instead of being demolished.
Condos in Oakton start in the mid $200’s and go to about the $400,000’s. Townhouses are in the mid $400’s to the $800’s.
Oakton just has Giant. If you want other options, you can head east to Vienna where there is another Giant, Whole Foods, Fresh Market – all off Maple Avenue. Harris Teeter is a bit south near 66.
There are a few mom and pop type restaurants here, but for the most part you will be venturing east to Vienna or Tyson’s, or west to Fairfax Corner Shopping Area which has a huge selection of restaurants.
There is a little shopping in Oakton. You can get the basics along Maple Avenue, which is now called Chain Bridge, in a few different shopping centers. If you can’t find what you need in Oakton, you will either venture over to Vienna to hit Maple Avenue, which is the Main Street of Vienna or to Tyson’s Corner for all the options there. From Oakton it’s also super easy to head west to Fair Oaks Mall or Fairfax Corner Shopping Center where there’s a movie theatre and some shops and restaurants.
In Oakton, the Recreation Center is actually not an Oakton facility but a county one. Oak Marr Recreation Center has an Olympic size pool, gym and a mini golf course. There are fitness classes as well as classes and camps for kids and a golf center.
The W & OD (Washington and Old Dominion) Trail goes right through Vienna just a couple miles to the east. The entire trail is 45 miles and runs from Shirlington in South Arlington to Purcellville, Virginia.
Wolftrap is a national park for performing arts. Lots of concerts happen here during the season, May – September, of all music types, dance performances, opera.
People move to Oakton for the same reasons anyone would move to a sought after suburb. The family activities are plentiful, the living isn’t hectic and the schools are good. In Oakton, almost 33% of the households have children under the age of 18.
Elementary schools in Oakton are either Oakton, Flint Hill or Waples Mill. Flint Hill elementary is different from Flint Hill School, which is a private K-12 in Oakton. The middle schools are Thoreau, Jackson or Franklin. For High Schools, homes in Oakton feed to either Madison or Oakton High School. Those looking for Advanced Academics you can go to Sunrise Valley in Reston for elementary, and Jackson again for middle.
Madison’s academic programs include AP classes, Global Classroom with partnerships with Colombia and France, and Residential Governor’s Programs for 10th and 11th graders interested in Visual and Performing Arts. They have a separate website, Warhawk Sports, with information about the sports at Madison. They have a really robust sports program – Football, Tennis, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Dance, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, Crew, Softball, Lacrosse, Track. They have a ton of sports fields, it is incredibly impressive.
Oakton High School also offers AP classes and tons of sports. They also have a separate website for sports, offering Football, Volleyball, Tennis, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Dance, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, Crew, Softball, Lacrosse, Track. They also have a robust program of clubs and honor societies.
Borge Street Park in Oakton has a playground and basketball court.
On the border of Vienna and Oakton is Nottoway Park which is a huge county park with a playground, sports fields, tennis courts and picnicking. In the summer there is a concert series.
Dogs are well represented in Oakton. One of the best specialty vets in the area is in Vienna – Hope Vet. You can see them for general veterinary visits, but they have ophthalmology, cardiology, and oncology. Oakton has the well rated Hunter Mill Animal Hospital.
Oakton has Blake Lane Dog Park.
On-Time Graduation Rate Remains Strong For Madison, Marshall, Oakton
Emily Leaymanhttps://patch.com/virginia/vienna/time-graduation-rate-remains-strong-madison-marshall-oakton
VIENNA, VA — Graduation rates remain strong for Vienna area public high schools, according to Virginia Department of Education data.The on-time graduation rate data released last week showed Fairfax County Public Schools had an overall rate of 94.2 percent, comparable to 94.6 percent in 2021. James Madison High School, Oakton High School and George C. Marshall High School had rates above the school division and state averages....
VIENNA, VA — Graduation rates remain strong for Vienna area public high schools, according to Virginia Department of Education data.
The on-time graduation rate data released last week showed Fairfax County Public Schools had an overall rate of 94.2 percent, comparable to 94.6 percent in 2021. James Madison High School, Oakton High School and George C. Marshall High School had rates above the school division and state averages.
James Madison High School's on-time graduation rate of 98.1 percent was above the school division average of 94.2 percent and the state average of 92.1 percent. It is also up from Madison High School's 97.8 percent on-time graduation rate in 2021.
Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In the neighboring Oakton High School, the on-time graduation rate was 97.8 percent, compared to 98.2 percent in 2021.
George C. Marshall High School, which serves some Vienna area students outside the Town of Vienna, had an on-time graduation rate of 94.9 percent. In 2021, the school had a rate of 97.4 percent.
Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The school district continues to see gaps between different student groups, although all student groups had improvements in on-time graduation rates across FCPS from 2018 to 2022.
Here is a breakdown of graduation rates for different student groups at FCPS:
Student group | 2018 rate | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
All students | 91.5 percent | 91.3 percent | 93 percent | 94.6 percent | 94.2 percent |
Asian | 97.8 percent | 97.8 percent | 98.3 percent | 98.8 percent | 98.6 percent |
Black | 93.7 percent | 93.2 percent | 95.9 percent | 96.2 percent | 96 percent |
Hispanic | 74 percent | 74.6 percent | 79.2 percent | 83.8 percent | 82.9 percent |
Multiple races | 96.5 percent | 96.4 percent | 97.6 percent | 98.3 percent | 97.8 percent |
White | 97.8 percent | 98.1 percent | 98.6 percent | 98.6 percent | 98.7 percent |
Economically disadvantaged | 86.5 percent | 86.2 percent | 89.9 percent | 93.2 percent | 91.1 percent |
English learners | 67.2 percent | 67.4 percent | 72.5 percent | 76.7 percent | 72.8 percent |
Students with disabilities | 91.5 percent | 92.1 percent | 94.9 percent | 95 percent | 95 percent |
According to FCPS, the school division's on-time graduation rate trends "reflect the impact of long-term programmatic reforms, targeted school support structures, staffing investments, and intentional student engagement and intervention strategies." School divisions have also benefited from state graduation flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic school closures, although fewer flexibilities are in place compared to 2021. State flexibilities will continue to be rolled back in the coming years.
More on-time graduation rate data is available on the School Quality Profile for Fairfax County Public Schools. From there, click on individual high schools to see school-level data.
$20K Gift To Help Tackle Invasive Tree Of Heaven At Blake Lane Park
Patch Staffhttps://patch.com/virginia/oakton/20k-gift-help-tackle-invasive-tree-heaven-blake-lane-park
OAKTON, VA — Few invasive species may be is deceptively named as the Tree of Heaven. It grows quickly, is tough to kill, and the spotted lanternfly — an annoyingly invasive insect species — love to eat it. Maybe it was the bugs that came up with the name.On Friday, representatives from Dominion Energy presented the Fairfax County Park Authority with a $20,000 check to help remove the Tree of Heaven from Blake Lane Park in Oakton"The park foundation was granted the $20,000 from Dominion Energy for reforest...
OAKTON, VA — Few invasive species may be is deceptively named as the Tree of Heaven. It grows quickly, is tough to kill, and the spotted lanternfly — an annoyingly invasive insect species — love to eat it. Maybe it was the bugs that came up with the name.
On Friday, representatives from Dominion Energy presented the Fairfax County Park Authority with a $20,000 check to help remove the Tree of Heaven from Blake Lane Park in Oakton
"The park foundation was granted the $20,000 from Dominion Energy for reforesting Blake Lane Park," said Patricia Pearl Greenberg, an ecologist and invasive management area program manager with Fairfax County.
Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The foundation received funding from the county's urban forest management division to help with the Tree of Heaven removal effort at the park
"We need to reforest," Greenberg said. "We want to replace this invasive species with native trees to create a healthy wildlife habitat. With those $20,000, we're going to use some of the funds to help with prepping the site and then to purchase the trees and the supplies to protect those trees."
Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Last fall Jennifer Progress, Fairfax County's invasive management area site leader, led a team of volunteers to begin removing other invasive species from the park, such as bush honeysuckle.
"That's when it came to light that there was this many Tree of Heaven at this park.," Greenburg said. "When we realized there was funding coming for Tree of Heaven removal and efforts to control spotted lanternfly from urban forest management division, we said, 'Hey, this is a great opportunity to help support volunteers and help restore a park.'"
Tree of Heaven spreads quickly and removing it can be difficult, according to Greenberg. The trunk of the tree is easy to cut, but unless herbicide is applied to the stump, the remaining tree will send signals to the roots, which will begin sending out feelers underground.
"It's a constant flow of work to try to reduce the invasives and now we're dealing with the spotted lanternfly," Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said, on Friday morning. "The $20,000 from Dominion will really help win those efforts, especially here at Blake Lane Park. It's great to get sponsors who are able to help enhance that work and help enhance what the volunteers are able to do."
Fairfax County has information available online on how to identify and remove the Tree of Heaven. Residents can also find more information about how to report the spotted lanternfly. Reports can also be emailed to ReportSLF@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Cappies Review: 'Wendy & Peter Pan' At Oakton High School
Emily Leaymanhttps://patch.com/virginia/oakton/cappies-review-wendy-peter-pan-oakton-high-school
By Wilson Weingast of Lake Braddock Secondary School"Take me back to a time before I was aware of time." We can't stay young forever, but in times of difficulty, we often turn to the memories of our youth.Wendy and Peter Pan is a progressive retelling of J. M. Barrie's classic novel Peter Pan. First commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2013, the script by Ella Hickson, reimagines the original in which Wendy is not a femme fatale. Rather, through her own courage, she is able to save her family from...
By Wilson Weingast of Lake Braddock Secondary School
"Take me back to a time before I was aware of time." We can't stay young forever, but in times of difficulty, we often turn to the memories of our youth.
Wendy and Peter Pan is a progressive retelling of J. M. Barrie's classic novel Peter Pan. First commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2013, the script by Ella Hickson, reimagines the original in which Wendy is not a femme fatale. Rather, through her own courage, she is able to save her family from Captain Hook, and restore joy to all.
Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Darling family is trying to cope with the death of their youngest son, Tom (Nate Hampel). One year after his untimely death, Mr. and Mrs. Darling (John Poncy and Sarah Driessen) are constantly fighting, struggling to keep their home life together. The other two sons, John (Carson Harter) and Michael (Ben Miller), turn to their older sister Wendy (Gwen Ihde) for support. While Wendy has always been the mother figure to her siblings, she must figure out how to handle her own grief before she can comfort them. One night, she meets the boisterous Peter Pan (Colt Craddock), the boy who won't grow up. Peter takes Wendy, John, and Michael to Neverland, where they befriend the sassy fairy, Tink (Kaitlyn McCarley), the fearless Tiger Lily (Zahraa Hussain), and a band of Lost Boys. Wendy believes that if she goes to Neverland, she will find Tom and bring him home. In her quest, Wendy must fight Captain Hook (Kyumin Kim) and his swashbuckling crew.
Oakton's production sparkled with amazing performances. In the titular roles, Ihde and Craddock were phenomenal. They played off each other seamlessly, in serious and comedic scenes alike. While Ihde was more reserved, Craddock was brimming with energy. Their dynamic progressed through the show, with their evolution from friends to romantic interests appearing authentic.
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The Pirates and the Lost Boys ensembles were the backbone of the show. Using their strong physicality, both groups became an extension of the set, drawing the audience into the fantastical world of Neverland. The ensembles never left a dull moment, creating space for the other actors to shine.
Additionally, Oakton's technical department was superb. From Shane Roy's set to the lighting by JJ Feeny and River Le, the designers used colors and textures to complement the characters on stage. This was underscored by the three major locations of the show: The Jolly Roger, The Forest, and The Darling Nursery. Each space was associated with a specific color - red, green, and blue respectively - and all technical elements incorporated those colors effectively.
Highlighting the major conflicts of the story were the fights, masterfully choreographed by Pyro Maguire. Maguire tailored each battle to the character. Whereas professional buccaneers, such as Hook, were more elegant with their swordplay, the Lost Boys and Peter moved sporadically. The contrast made for entertaining duels, infusing the show with a sense of peril and excitement.
Wendy and Peter Pan deals with difficult subjects centering around childhood. How do we let go of our past, but keep the happy memories alive? With Hook fighting and succumbing to time, personified as a crocodile, and the Darling children trying to remember the good times with Tom, we see why embracing our childhood is so important.
Oakton reminded us of what it is like to be a kid again. With their heartwarming production, Oakton High School took us back to a time when life was easier, back when we all believed in fairies.
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