Column: Yes to the Meals Tax
Reduces dependence on property tax.
As a businessman here in Fairfax and a former member of the Fairfax County School Board, I write on behalf of a coalition of thousands of homeowners, parents, teachers, firefighters, police, friends and users of our libraries and our parks and recreation facilities, and those who belong to churches and non-profit organizations working to ensure that Fairfax County also protects those in need [www.yesmealstax.org].
Letter: Supporting Meals Tax
Letter to the Editor
I’m writing to encourage Fairfax County voters to support the county meals tax referendum on the ballot in November.
Letter: Meals Tax: A Better Option
Letter to the Editor
After reviewing Fairfax County’s proposed 4-percent meals tax, the Class Size Counts (CSC) board voted to support the Nov. 8 referendum because it decided that it would be better to raise money for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) through a tax on prepared foods rather than through additional increases to County property taxes.
Advice from the Pros
Local private school admissions directors share wisdom they’d offer to their own children.
From interviews to essays to standardized tests to open houses, the season for submitting independent school applications is underway. For families vying for a spot at the area’s most elite schools, the process can be fraught with anxiety, stress and confusion as parents and students wade through the myriad academic options in the Washington, D.C., region.
Herndon/Reston: Innovate Conference Explores Prospects of ‘Individualized Medicine’
The 5th annual Innovate Conference presents “Intersections: Healthcare, Informatics and Personalized medicine” and introduces audiences to a nationally recognized cast of experts. Keith Crandall, PhD, the founding Director of the Computational Biology Institute at George Washington University, sets the stage and introduces opening keynoters Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Governor Terry McAuliffe (invited), providing a look at Federal and state intersections with research in healthcare and informatics.
Restonians ‘Embrace Change’
Annual Reston Home Tour features six diverse private homes, and a roam through BLVD, Reston’s newest luxury apartments.
A mild, sunny autumn day made wandering from one end of Reston to the other a decided pleasure, both for the ticket holders for the annual Reston Home Tour, and for the homeowners who generously put their digs on display. “Really,” said one gentleman volunteer at the stop at the five-story Beacon Heights Derrick/Lashlee townhouse along Lake Audubon.
Column: Fall Comes to Reston—The Good, Bad and Ugly
Independent Progressive
I love the fall! If it were up to me, we would have fall weather for eleven months of the year. This fall, however, is having real ups and downs.
Reston Column: My Election Picks
Commentary
Voters in the 36th legislative district which I represent will receive my annual voting guide in their mailboxes this week. I hope you will find it useful. You can also view the guide online at www.kenplum.com.
Reston: ‘Voices of Muslim Identity’ Take CenterStage
Reston Community Center presents “Beyond Sacred.”
Reston’s CenterStage is bringing a singular theater work called “Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity” to local audiences. The production will explore the diversity of experiences in America.
Reston Nova Labs Inspires Entrepreneurs
Reston maker space encourages new product.
Mike Hogarty, owner of Hotrods 2 Hybrids joined with Callye Keen from Red Blue Collective to create Alpha, a new fidget toy.
Fairfax County: Room to Improve for Fairfax County Public Schools on SAT
Scores above Virginia, national Levels, but achievement gap remains
On average, Fairfax County Public High Schools performed better on the SAT college placement exam in 2016 than the Commonwealth of Virginia overall average.
Capital Bikeshare to Launch in Tysons, Reston
On Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, Fairfax County elected officials, community partners and county staff will host a two-part ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of Capital Bikeshare in Fairfax County.
Free Halloween Car Rides Offered in Area
As a means of making the Washington-metropolitan area’s roadways a little less frightening this Halloween, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 29.
Oak Hill Remodeled Home Tour Set for Nov. 5
Gourmet kitchen, spa master bath among spotlight features in makeover.
A circa 1980's center hall Colonial enhanced by a gourmet kitchen, a spacious spa bath and a lower-level guest suite will be featured in a “Remodeled Home Tour” sponsored by Sun Design Remodeling on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Showcase Home Offers Design Inspiration
DC Design House was transformed by local designers to raise money for charity.
Those in search of interior design ideas now have a source of new inspirations, at least temporarily. The 2016 DC Design House is now open to the public and runs through Oct. 30.
Oktoberfest Celebrated at Reston Town Center
Not to be deterred by the weather, a steady flow of revellers matched the steady drizzle that couldn’t put a damper on Oktoberfest Reston 2016 on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Reston: Eileen Anatra Recognized as ‘Administrator of the Year 2016’
Eileen Anatra, recently named to be Executive Director of Tall Oaks Assisted Living, Coordinated Services Management senior community in Reston, was named “Administrator of the Year” for 2016 by the D.C., Maryland and Delaware Chapter of the Association of Nutrition and Food Service Professionals at their fall meeting in Ocean City, Maryland, Monday, October 3, 2016. The Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) is the nation’s leading organization of professionals involved in the management of nutrition and food service.
Reston: Iconic Musical for Season Opening
Reston Community Players 50th season opens with ‘Gipsy’ on Oct. 21.
That great American musical classic “Gypsy” will be opening the Reston Community Players (RCP) 50th season. “We selected ‘Gypsy’ to start off our 50th season because it is an iconic and classic musical, and we really wanted something recognizable to kick off our 50th,” said Jolene Vettese, President, Reston Community Players and Assistant Director of “Gypsy.”
Reston Home Tour on Saturday, Oct. 15
This year's Reston Home Tour (in it's 15th year) will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and benefits the Reston Historic Trust and the Reston Museum. This year’s theme, Embracing Change, celebrates lives that have changed and homes that reflect their owners.
Reston Letter: Connolly: Competent, Caring, Accessible
Letter to the Editor
As the headlines on the devastating impacts of climate change in our country and worldwide are hitting the media, we wonder whether our legislators are doing enough to address this issue. It is comforting to know that we have such a champion in our Congressman Gerald Connolly. Here are some of Gerry's environmental activities: