Stories for December 2020

Kandinsky Interpretation in Reston

Kandinsky Interpretation, by Hadi Shah of Reston, Grade 5, Hunters Woods Elementary.

Two Million Lights in a Dark Winter

An Insider’s View on the Bull Run Festival of Lights; open through Jan. 10, and maybe more

The Bull Run Festival of Lights is the largest light show in the Washington Metropolitan area, and this winter it is more popular than ever before.

Opinion: Column: Trip, and Hopefully Not a Fall

Having recently returned from a driving sojourn through the South, with stops and stays in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, visiting four sets of friends in those three states, I can say with certainty that wearing masks, social distancing and common sense consideration for your fellow citizen were not nearly so accepted as we had hoped.

Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude

Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday

While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Cutting Pollution for Our Health

Ella Kissi-Debrah had severe asthma, frequently visiting the ER with cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.

Appealing Bad Rulings

Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges.

Virginia is the only state in the country that does not guarantee a right to appeal, allowing circuit court judges to make decisions with little oversight or scrutiny. Critics have been calling for reform ever since the Court of Appeals was first created in 1985. The Supreme Court of Virginia recommended an appeal of right as a "long term goal" in 2018. Now, Gov. Ralph Northam says he wants lawmakers to add four judges and support staff "to ensure the court can hear more appeals cases in a timely manner under an increasing workload."

Opinion: Column: Three Strikes...

...and now I'm out – of the Handel's Messiah sweepstakes.

Herndon High Runner Captures First at Cross Country League 5k Race

Gillian Bushée flies through school's cross county record

The most challenging distance to go for Herndon High School freshman and cross country runner Gillian Bushée of Reston was the distance from her bed to the front door each morning.

Virginia Master Naturalist Program Graduates Spring Class

The 2020 Spring class of Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) graduated, finally, in a Zoom ceremony on Dec. 14.

A Holiday Season Reimagined

The pandemic leads to altered and new traditions.

When schools adjourn for winter break, the anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic holiday season will become a reality.

Reston Association State of the Environment Report 2020

Highlights bring to life what is good, fair and poor environmentally; The Greatest Zoom on Reston Thursday, Dec. 17.

Anyone who has met Doug Britt of Reston knows he has a wealth of information on the creepy, crawly, slimy, majestic, utterly beautiful creatures, insects, and flora that call Reston home.

One Board, Two Sycamores, Three Concerns in Reston

Possible removal of Heron House trees brought to light.

Two Reston sycamore trees at Lake Anne Village Center appear to be a concern to certain people, but for three different reasons.

Dining: Outstanding Meals with a View in Reston

Restaurant Review: Red’s Table

For the past several years, as Reston has welcomed new eateries, some of the old-timers still deserve a golden crown.

South Lakes High Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’

South Lakes High School (SLHS) Theatre Arts recently presented the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, virtually on Dec. 5 and 6, 2020.

HOPE for the Holidays at Reston Hospital

Quilt installation unexpectedly concurrent with FDA vaccine authorization; Fairfax County cases four times they were in May

Since March, healthcare workers at Reston Hospital Center, like their counterparts elsewhere at county, state and national levels, as well as globally, have fought relentlessly, risking their own lives to treat and save their coronavirus patients.

Opinion: Commentary: A Green New Deal

In accepting the Democratic nomination for president, Franklin D. Roosevelt promised a “new deal” for the “forgotten man.”

A Catch of Wishes at Lake Anne

Better than any greeting card for the season

Anyone taking a walk on the plaza at Lake Anne Village Center is drawn to it, unsure at first what it is.

Absurd Leverage

Lawmakers to reconsider mandatory minimum for assaulting law enforcement

Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have ditched the mandatory minimum sentence for assaulting a law-enforcement officer. Now the General Assembly is about to consider the issue again.

What Does It Cost to Buy a Dog?

Virginia observes Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Second article in series.

A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020

Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county

Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.

National Park Foundation Hero Award for Sen. Warner

Award for his efforts to pass the Great American Outdoors Act

Monday, Dec. 7, at an outdoor and socially-distanced ceremony at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) was awarded the National Park Foundation’s Hero Award by Foundation President, Will Shafroth.

Christmas Casual or Go All Out?

As with many traditions, the pandemic is altering celebrations.

Reston Hospital Center Launches Neuro Intervention Program

Reston Hospital Center announced its launch of the next phase of its established stroke program, through a partnership with the nationally-regarded neurovascular surgery team from MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Opinion: Commentary: Redistricting Underway

The Constitution requires that after the federal census every ten years there is to be a reapportionment of legislative districts based on population growth and shifts reflecting “one-man, one-vote.”

Holiday Lights on the Farm in Herndon

Lake Fairfax and Burke Lake bring their displays to Frying Pan Farm Park.

Fairfax County Park Authority recently looked to find ways for people to have a good time during the holiday season with their family.

Holiday Meals for Oakton-Vienna-Reston-Herndon Area Seniors

During Thanksgiving week, the Shepherd's Center serving Oakton-Vienna-Reston-Herndon (SC) was able to share Thanksgiving meals with local isolated senior clients.

Opinion: Column: “Medican’t” Take It Anymore

The non-stop – or so it seems, television advertising letting all of us viewers know that the 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment window is about to slam shut is nearly over.

Drawing the Line

Newly created redistricting commission zooms toward new maps in 2021

Now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment creating a new redistricting commission, the pieces have already started falling into place for how the commission will work and who will serve on it.

Opinion: Column: A Bone To Pick

Not that I'm the most-stressed about it, but I am at least stressed about a bone scan I'm having this week.

December is Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month

In February, the 2020 General Assembly unanimously designated December as Virginia’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month.

Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County

FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020

Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.

Fairfax County Police Patrol on Bikes to Enhance Community Relations

Neighborhood Patrol Units are in every district.

The boots on the ground for the Fairfax County Police Department include the numerous bicycle squads cruising throughout the county, keeping communities safe while interacting with the public on a daily basis.

Have Yourself a Sober Little Christmas

Batting addictions during the holidays

With the holidays come an increase in imbibing.

Bringing Joy and Message of Hope to Area Children

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue participating in TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2020 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign.

Editorial: Time to Send Art for Children’s Connection

Like everything else, the Children's Connection will be different in 2020.

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Covid Alerts Via Mobile?

Given the evolving COVID-19 restrictions and guidance in response to another wave of infections, I believe I have an idea for information proliferation.

Live Entertainment Returns to CenterStage in Reston

With so much stress due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, CenterStage is “providing arts to help us navigate the uncertainty, and in a manner that patrons can be confident about their health and safety,” said Leila Gordon, executive director, Reston Community Center. “The arts can help us heal.”

Opinion: Commentary: The Work Goes On…

Sonny Bono wrote a catchy tune reminding us that “the beat goes on…History has turned the page, uh huh.”

Opinion: Independent Progressive: You Can’t Open the Farmers Market During a Pandemic

Back in March and April as the Covid 19 pandemic peaked, we were warned that it was unlikely the Reston Farmers Market could be opened for the 2020 season as scheduled (April 25), if at all.