Oh, The #Adulting You’ll Do
Reston resident writes for children and adults.
Alissa Buoni knows a thing or two about how to talk to kids. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech and a Master’s in School Counseling from The George Washington University. She uses all of that experience - personal and educational - in her debut children’s book “Oh, The #Adulting You’ll Do.”
A Close Encounter With History in Herndon
Students experience the birth of the nation.
It’s a good thing that Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry were hardy souls, given the myriad of activities and actions and travelling and time that they both gave to the formation of “these new United States of America,” as our illustrious third President described the union the original thirteen colonies formed in 1776.
Reston: Hats Off to Reston Family
The McKnight family volunteering in the Hat Project for the Women’s March on Washington.
The McKnight family of Reston may have slightly underestimated exactly what it meant to volunteer their home to serve as the area collection point for the hats being knitted for the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington.
Herndon-Reston FISH Plays Santa’s Helpers Once Again
Robyn Kampf thinks it was about forty (Yes, 4-0!) years ago that she first got involved in the Herndon-Reston Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help (FISH) holiday toy and food drive.
Herndon Homes Tour Showcases Holiday Spirit
Mi Casa es Tu Casa
“Holden Harrison was instrumental in saving our wonderful train Depot in the Town center,” explained Waddell. “I’m just getting in the spirit of things.” Harrison also served on the Town Council.
Herndon: Santa Visits Herndon Library
Holiday
Despite their no doubt very hectic schedule at this time of the year, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and two of his favorite elves managed to fit in a visit to the Winter Open House at the Herndon Fortnightly Library on Saturday.
A Violation of the Comprehensive Plan
Reston resident analyzes Saint John’s Wood redevelopment proposal.
A group of determined neighbors are holding steadfast in their opposition to the proposed redevelopment plans for the St. Johns Wood (SJW) apartment complex. John Mooney is a member of Reclaim Reston. He added his signature to those of more than 675 locals who signed Reston resident Susanne Andersson-Tosado’s on-line petition opposing the project.
Herndon Votes 2016: Election Day ‘Block Party’
"… everyone has been pretty upbeat and friendly. Too bad the whole election wasn’t more like this.” — Keith Magnusson
Mayor Lisa Merkel was on hand to welcome the first wave of voters at the Herndon Community Center, although she was not the first one to show up at the front doors.
Reston P&Z Committee Meeting - From Informational to Inflamed
Planning Procedures Under Scrutiny
Things got a bit heated at the October meeting of the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee on Monday, Oct. 17. “We urge the applicant to inform the public and get input from the very beginning of the process,” said Regina Coyle.
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.
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.
Debating Pro & Con on Meals Tax
League of Women Voters hosts forum on Meals Tax issue.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area sponsored a debate-style panel discussion on the Meals Tax issue which will go before county voters in the Nov. 8 General Election.
Vienna, Reston: The Path Toward Tomorrow
Giving Circle of Hope hosts County needs assessment reporting.
According to Michelle Gregory, Division Director from the Countywide Service Integration and Planning Management department, it’s probably been more than a decade since Fairfax County conducted a human services needs assessment for the residents of the region. In the summer of 2015, the County decided it was more than time to take a detailed look at how things have changed since the last official recording and to see who most needed what in our area.
Vienna, Reston, Herndon: Improving the Road, Maintaining Its Character
County holds Hunter Mill Road Study Community Meeting.
On Sept. 15, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held Community Meeting #5 to bring the public up to date and continue soliciting feedback on its studies to improve traffic flow along Hunter Mill Road, primarily north of Route 267.
Reston: Jazzin’ It Up at Lake Anne
10th Annual Lake Anne Jazz Festival hits all the right notes.
After a full Jazz Week at Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza that featured live music in several of the local restaurants, merchant activities and even special film showings like “Lady Sings the Blues,” the 10th annual event finished off on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a Jazz Festival with an impressive lineup of talent on the outdoor stage.
Reston Residents Oppose Apartment Redevelopment
180 residents sign petition opposing St. Johns development proposal in its current version.
St. Johns Wood is a sprawling campus of nine three-story buildings that house 250 apartments on about 14 acres of land nestled in the woods off Center Harbor Rd. in Reston - and that is exactly how some residents of the complex, and many of their neighbors in surrounding clusters of apartments, townhomes and single family dwellings would like to see it stay. A group about 35-strong made their opinions known at the Reston Association (RA) Governance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the RA offices.
Pay-to-Park System Comes to Reston Town Center
Live, work, pay.
The slogan “Live, Work, Play” has long been associated with Reston, a community that takes well-deserved pride in offering a multitude of options for all three of those activities, but with Reston Town Center (RTC) gearing up to launch a pay-to-park system for the first time since opening its streets in 1990, some Restonians, and even some of their neighbors, have put a spin on the motto.
Dragon Boating
It’s been called the fastest growing water sport in the world – although it took more than 2,000 years to recently take aim at that title.
Leadership Fairfax Honors 2016 Graduates
The Pavilion at Reston Town Center was a most fitting venue for the graduation ceremony of the 2016 classes of the non-profit Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI).
Reston: Dock Dogs Make a Big Splash at Lake Anne
It was a real dog day afternoon at Lake Anne in Reston, and yes, there literally was a lot of splashing going on!
State of the County Presented Over Breakfast
Leadership Fairfax hosts 25th Annual Board of Supervisors State of the County Breakfast and presents Hanley Award to Bill Bouie for Public Service.
With the number and types of commitments made on their daily schedules, it takes a special occasion to gather the entire roster of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in one place at one time outside the walls of their meeting chambers.
Progress Made, Challenges Remain on Ending Homelessness
HomeAid NoVA hosts ‘Keep the Homeless Housed’ Forum.
In 2008, Fairfax County partnered with the City of Falls Church to adopt an ambitious strategic plan to address the issue of homelessness in the region.
Finding Fun in Science
Area youth turn out for Project BEST Science and Technology Fun.
What could possibly have lured some 100 and more middle school youngsters back to a school building on a Saturday, especially if that school isn’t theirs and they had to get up extra early just to get there?
Encouraging STEM-curious Youth
Third Annual STEM Symposium draws a crowd at the Nysmith School.
“We need people in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields today, tomorrow and as far as we can envision.”
No E-Z Answers on I-66
VDOT’s Transform I-66 Inside the Beltway meeting leaves public waiting for answers.
There were also questions and comments of a financial nature.
Buying or Selling?
A primer for doing either and avoiding pitfalls.
Here we are, once again right on the heels of the spring/summer real estate season when it seems like “For Sale” signs become the most common lawn ornament or condo window decoration.
Reston, Herndon Polls See Steady Stream of Voters on Super Tuesday
“I believe this really is one of the most important elections in our lives.
Touching Many Hearts
Minecraft for a Mission – Touching Heart and their “Kids on a Mission” raise funds for children in foster care.
They say that charity begins at home. Helen Yi and Taylor, the mother and daughter co-founders of Touching Heart, a nonprofit aimed at educating and inspiring children to empathize with the needs of others and to take action to assist them, have no argument with that statement.
Positive 2015 Real Estate Market Spurs Upbeat Outlook for New Year
Experts predict continuing positive trend.
The final figures are in, and it looks like the 2015 local housing market was a modest winner.
Reston Ready for Season of Giving
Where to give, how to help in Reston area.
“I do everything early,” says Phyllis K. of Reston. Phyllis prefers to remain anonymous because “it’s not about blowing your own horn. It’s about helping others.”
Transportation Strategy Update Launched
NVTA launches work on a six-year TransAction program.
Members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) chose an appropriate location to announce the launch of the organization’s TransAction update efforts last week.
Reston Author Shares New Book
“Dawn kisses the grasslands of the savanna. A lion roars. Long vocal cords vibrate in his throat – back and forth, back and forth.
In Reston, Neighbors in Need Offered Assistance
Resurrection Baptist Church of Reston hosts community outreach event to help homeless.
While others might have been gearing up to take the kids out trick or treating, preparing for the costumed hordes to descend on their homes, or even putting finishing touches on their own disguises, dozens of volunteers were spending their Halloween afternoon at the Reston Community Center (RCC) Hunters Woods, manning the “Stand Up for Our Homeless Community” event, hosted by Resurrection Baptist Church (RBC) of Reston’s Missionary Department.
Democrats Claim Victories in Local Elections
But General Assembly stays in the red column.
“We didn’t win the war tonight, but we did come out ahead in some of the important local battles, and that’s a good start.”
Reston Regional Library Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Anybody remember that old ditty “It’s the latest, it’s the greatest, it’s the Library”? Well there must be a few who still relate to that sentiment, because despite rather soggy weather conditions, hundreds turned out on Saturday, Oct. 3, to kick off the month-long celebration of the Reston Regional Library’s (RRL) 30th Anniversary.
Elected Officials Discuss Ways to Support Fairfax County’s Residents in Need
“We can’t do enough to spread the word that in the midst of affluent Fairfax County there is another, ‘hidden Fairfax’ that needs our urgent attention.” T
DockDogs Demonstration Highlights Lake Anne Pet Event
PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center in Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, hosted another Pet Event on Saturday, Sept. 12.
PetMAC Opens at Lake Anne with a Splash
Pet marketplace and adoption center comes to the Reston area.
Although Cindy Williams actually opened the doors to PetMAC, her pet supply and adoption center located in Reston’s Lake Anne, in January of this year, the official grand opening was only recently celebrated - and done so in style.
Transportation Forum Discusses Options and Obstacles
High Level forum discusses regional transit options and obstacles.
Local, state and federal elected and appointed officials, business leaders, researchers and directors and staff from transportation and economic development agencies gathered on Friday morning, May 8, at the Greensboro Conference Center in he heart of Tysons.
Reston’s ‘Tropical Resort’
Young swimmers enjoy a tropical environment at Goldfish Swim School.
The story behind the Goldfish Swim School in Reston might sound like a bit of a fish tale, but there’s plenty of evidence to prove otherwise.
Wheeling Their Way to School
Lake Anne Elementary students join International Bike to School Day.
Melissa Romano, mother of two students at Lake Anne Elementary School in Reston and one at Forest Edge, has been coordinating a monthly “bike to school” for about two years, but even she admitted that she had to up her game to organize Lake Anne’s participation in this year’s International Bike To School Day.
‘Hamlet’ Comes to Lake Anne Park
Local theater company presents its debut production on May 16-17.
“To be or not to be. That is the question.” Thanks for that, Shakespeare, but in this case the question has already been answered. The young co-founders of Any Stage Theater Company declared that “Hamlet,” the debut production from their new theatrical outfit, will take place at Lake Anne Park, 11301 North Shore Drive, in Reston, rain or shine.
Local Nonprofit Group Presents 'Perils of the College Drinking Culture' Program
The final quarter of the 2014-2015 school year has arrived. For thousands of area high school seniors that means time to say farewells to friends, teachers, and the familiarity of the routines and activities of the past four years. For many of them, it also means time to prepare for that first year of college, and possibly their first time away from home and daily parental guidance.
Outlook Optimistic for Local 2015 Real Estate Market
After what seemed to be an endless winter, spring has finally come calling, signaling the start of the year’s first real estate high season. Homes trade hands all year long, but spring is often for buyers, seller, agents, brokers and lenders like those weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas; buyers at full speed searching out the best bargains and sellers looking to move their wares without having to resort to price-slashing sales tactics.
‘Your Life Is Today and Tomorrow’
Residents of local senior living communities share their experiences.
“I didn’t want to come here,” said Bill Woessner, referring to Brightview Assisted Living Community in Great Falls. “That’s right,” agreed Sheila, his wife of more than 50 years, with plenty of her native Scottish brogue to be heard in her voice. “He really didn’t. We have a lovely house here in Great Falls and I don’t think he was ready to budge. But how long after we got here did that change?” she turned to her husband and asked. “At least a day,” he laughingly replied. “Seriously,” said Bill Woessner, “it probably wasn’t more than the first 48 hours.”
Virginia Housing Expo Draws Crowds
Home-ownership, rental opportunities and related services dominate the event at Herndon High.
“Those most in need of these services and resources benefit the most when we can bring so many providers and organizations together in this one-stop shop format.”
Leadership Fairfax Hosts Supervisors Breakfast
State of the County Address, supervisors’ questions and an award ceremony top the agenda.
The agenda and the speakers have to be of significant interest to get some 300 people to brave local traffic and attend a meeting that started at 7:30 a.m. Leadership Fairfax (LFI) apparently succeeded in offering both in the ballroom of the Fairview Park Marriott on Friday morning, March 13, hosting its 24th Annual Board of Supervisors Breakfast.
Promoting STEM, Hands-on
Sen. Tim Kaine and Virginia Secretary of Education Holton headline K-12 STEM Symposium at the Nysmith School in Herndon.
With Fairfax County police officers directing the line of cars and the pedestrians crossing EDS Drive from the overflow parking lot, you would be forgiven if you thought all this activity was because of a sold out rock concert or championship sporting event. What was taking place, however, was much more important than any type of entertainment.
People and Pets Love Stories
t’s that time of year again! Nope, not a holiday - although perhaps it should be! It’s that anticipated edition when the Connection Newspapers celebrate the furry, or finned or feathered or scaled or clawed creatures that make themselves a cherished part of the family. Although Reston and Herndon probably number as many pets as people in their populations, sadly we’ve only got room to introduce you to a few – so here we go!
Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston
How to lower electric, gas and water bills?
The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.