Bird lovers have an opportunity to check out award-winning photography at an upcoming exhibition at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive).
The Audubon Photography Awards Traveling Exhibition will run from Feb. 5-26 and give people the chance to view 10 winning photographs, according to an email from the Reston Association.
This year, on the 10th anniversary of the competition, a photo of a Red-Winged Black Bird by Kathrin Swoboda took first place, according to the event page.
“This particular bird was very vociferous, singing long and hard,” Swoboda said. “I looked to set it against the dark background of the forest, shooting to the east as the sun rose over the trees, backlighting the vapor.”
The panel of six judges included photographers and conservation program directors from across the county.
On Sunday (Feb. 9) from 1-3 p.m. the Nature Walker Center will host an open house for the community and on Feb. 21 from 7-9 p.m. there will also be a “Birds on Film” event.
Attendees will have the chance to learn about birds around Reston and from areas where award-winning photos were taken, according to the email.
All ages are welcome to attend this free event.
Photo via Walker Nature Center/Facebook
This Saturday (Feb. 1), a local author will discuss his newest murder mystery at Scrawl Books.
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., John Adam Wasowicz will be signing books, meeting fans and introducing his latest book “Jones Point.”
“Jones Point” is the second book in the series and was originally published in the fall of 2019 after the first book “Daingerfield Island” was released in the summer of 2017.
Wasowicz lives in Mt. Vernon, according to a press release, which added that his book takes place in Alexandria.
The 236-page-book guides readers through the eyes of Mo Katz, a U.S. Attorney, and Sheri Stone, an Alexandria policewoman, who solve murders to save the nation’s capitol, the event page said.
Anyone interested in purchasing the book can find it online for $14 or at Scrawl Books for $22.
Everyone is welcome to attend the signing event and RSVP is not required.
Image courtesy Scrawl Books
After 30 years serving kids in Reston, the Robert E. Simon Jr. Children’s Center prepares to celebrate its upcoming anniversary.
Though they don’t have their own celebration planned, Emily Riordan, one of the center’s board members said that they are planning on celebrating during Reston’s Founders Day later in March and April.
So far, Riordan said they are unsure what surprises are in store for the celebration, but they will have a better idea after the board meets to discuss details in the following weeks.
Looking back, the center’s largest “contender” and struggle has been real estate changes, according to Riordan.
In 2015, the center relocated from its original location near Reston Town Center at Cameron Glen Drive and took over space at 12005 Sunrise Valley Drive.
The former site allowed kids to interact with senior citizens at a nearby facility — fulfilling Robert Simon’s dream of multi-generational interaction, Riordan said.
Within the last year, the center decided to switch spaces in the building to accommodate more kids.
“We have our own entrance and access to our playground,” she said. “We are able to make our mark in that space.”
Though Riordan couldn’t speak to changing demographics within the community, she said the center, which is under capacity, can accommodate 110 kids between ages three months to 5 years.
For the next month, drivers can expect changes to their weekday commutes along Route 7 in Reston.
Beginning around Jan. 27 until the end of February, drivers can expect shoulder and single-lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m Monday-Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.on Fridays, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
During this time, crews will be working between Baron Cameron Avenue and Colvin Forest Drive to clear shrubbery and foliage from the east-bound right of way, the press release said.
The work will prepare for an implementation of a shared-use path, more lanes and intersection improvements along Route 7, according to VDOT.
The speed in the area will be temporarily reduced to 45 miles per hour between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive until the work on the roadway is finished.
Image courtesy VDOT
Classical music fans have the opportunity to attend a concert and hear from the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington this Saturday.
The “Maestro & Friends” will take place at the United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $20 to $30.
The musicians will be available after the concert for a meet and greet reception.
Tomorrow (Jan. 25)
- YMCA Board Games (10 a.m.-noon) — The Reston YMCA (12196 Sunset Hills Road) invites the public to gather and play some board games with the community. The Starting Player Pop-Up will provide games for this free event.
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Reston’s 7th Annual Camp Expo (9 a.m.-noon) — The Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road) offers people to come and sample the various opportunities for kids in the summer. There will be dozens of organizations in attendance. Attendees can expect snacks, music and games.
Sunday (Jan. 26)
- “Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?” (1-2:30 p.m.) — This film screening allows people to watch a documentary originally aired by BBC in 2019 but isn’t yet available in the U.S. Admission is free, and snacks will be provided.
- #BESTLife Goal Diggers January Meeting (12:45-2 p.m.) — People hoping to keep up with their New Year’s resolutions can meet up to discuss tactics and progress. This event is for anyone 18+ and will take place at La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe Reston (1833 Fountain Drive). The event is free and people are encouraged to register.
Photo by Christopher Paul High on Unsplash
As prom season approaches, the Reston Community Center is collecting lightly used formal wear to donate for students who might not be able to afford it themselves.
The Diva Central Dress Drive invites people from around the area to bring lightly used dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves and shawls to either RCC Lake Anne ( 1609 N. Washington Plaza) or RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) during specific times throughout the entire month of February.
Hours of operation for the collection will run Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., according to the website.
The program began 18 years ago, and RCC Outreach and Collaboration Director LaTanja Jones said the program helps to ease the financial burden of kids attending school dances.
“From an environmental perspective, it’s a great chance to recycle clothing that is seldom worn more than a handful of times,” Jones said.
Donations are tax-deductible, according to the event page.
Event organizers ask that the dresses be in good condition, no more than five years old and dry cleaned before donation.
Anyone with followup questions can contact LaTanja Jones for more information.
Image via Reston Community Center/Facebook
The Reston Association recently decided to institute a new payment method for its annual assessment fees.
Starting later this week, people will be able to pay the 2020 assessment fee using a new and improved portal, according to a Reston Association representative.
The RA decided to abandon the previous portals because they were glitchy and people were not able to log in, the representative said, adding that for the time being, people are not able to pay their bills online.
Instead, they can pay them over the phone by calling 703-435-6530, send a check in the mail or pay in person at the member service desk (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive).
RA members have between now and March 1 to pay their assessment fees.
The representative said she wasn’t sure if late fees will temporarily be waived because of the system malfunctions.
People who already paid their fees will not have to resubmit their payment, according to the RA website.
Photo via RA/Facebook
New Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn has plans to tackle a range of issues now that he’s joined the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Alcorn recently met with journalists and spokespeople to share his priorities for his first four-year term.
Among his major talking points at the Friday (Jan. 17) morning meeting, Alcorn said he wants to rethink the Reston Comprehensive Plan, increase affordable housing, evaluate the use of private open space, improve pedestrian safety and boost efforts to become carbon-neutral.
Of that list, he said affordable housing is at the top of his agenda. “My predecessor, Cathy Hudgins, was a leader on the board for affordable housing,” Alcorn said, adding that he plans to continue her legacy.
During his term, Alcorn said he will work together with other supervisors such as Dalia Palchik to increase the number of affordable housing units. He said he hopes to raise the number of units from 10-12% to around 25-30%.
“I’m thinking thousands of units,” he said.
For placement of new housing units, Alcorn suggested the transformation of old office parks and old commercial strip centers, which are no longer in use — a concept previously echoed by Palchik.
After the recent death of a person on Richmond Hwy, Alcorn said he will look into ways to assist with walkability and pedestrian safety in the region.
“The vast majority of our county was built around automobile mobility,” Alcorn said, adding that he thinks there are measures that can cut down on fatal traffic incidents — like evaluating historically problematic areas and installing safety measures such as suitable crosswalks.
He said a challenge will be working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other officials.
“Road designs are pretty much the call of VDOT,” Alcorn said. “I think there is a lot more we can do when it comes to engaging and coordinating with the public on pedestrian safety.”
Alcorn also brought forth the topic of privately owned public spaces, such as Reston Town Center.
“That’s a double-edged sword,” he said, adding that he generally supports privately owned land for public enjoyment since maintenance isn’t a burden on the governmental budget. However, he said he is worried about the strings attached to the use.
He brought up concerns about use for voter registration and licensing to take photos for occasions like weddings and various events, that might be at the discretion of the private entity which owned the land.
He said there is a lack of publically-owned space around Reston and the Hunter Mill District.
When it comes to the idea of carbon neutrality within the community, Alcorn said he wants to encourage homeowners’ use of solar panels and remove barriers for homeowners and private entities alike. Currently, he said there are some zoning ordinances that set homeowners back.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to see more ways that the county can help facilitate financing of residential renewable energy,” Alcorn said.
Around Reston, Alcorn said he already met with representatives from the Reston Association and hopes to form an alliance with the group.
“I would like to see Reston have an updated Comprehensive Plan to tie up some loose ends that have become apparent in the last few years,” Alcorn said.
Going forward, Alcorn said he wants to be an approachable representative for the Hunter Mill District and to help people get the most up-to-date information about their community.
This Sunday (Jan. 18), the Liner Notes will perform “Music of the Movement.”
In this performance, the group will explore musical themes and the history of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
The performance is set to take place at CenterStage at the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road) from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and tickets cost $15 for Reston residents.
“Always striving to care for its audience, Liner Notes revisits this turbulent time in our history with authenticity, thoughtfulness and integrity, drawing connections and examining the intersections with the adversity still prevalent today,” according to the event page.
Tomorrow (Jan. 18)
- Book Launch Celebration for Laura Renauld (11 a.m. to noon) — Children’s book author Laura Renauld will be at Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive) for a meet and greet along with a book signing to debut her new book “Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mr. Rogers.” This event is free and open to the public.
- Wine Tasting (2 to 5 p.m.) — Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market (1871 Fountain Drive) will host a wine tasting with various wines and food. There will be experts on-site to help answer questions and suggest pairings.
Sunday (Jan. 19)
- Adoption Fair at Just Cats in Reston (1 to 3 p.m.) — Anyone looking for a new furry friend can stop by the Just Cats Clinic (1601 Washington Plaza) to play with adoptable cats and see if they find a good match.
- Self Guided Painting (3 to 7 p.m.) — Guests will have the chance to work off temples to paint various items during this opportunity for independent creation at Pinot’s Palette (12976 Highland Crossing Drive). The cost for this event is $25.
Photo via Reston Community Center/Facebook
“Ordinary Days” will open at NextStop Theatre next month.
From Feb. 20 through March 15 at NextStop Theatre (269 Sunset Park Drive), people can enjoy a production that walks viewers through the lives of four young New Yorkers discovering how their paths intersect.
The event page described “Ordinary Days” as “A simple yet heartfelt story about how we search for and make connections in an increasingly chaotic world.”
This specific production was directed by Jay Brock and will star Bobby Libby, Sarah Anne Sillers, Carl Williams and Anna Phillips-Brown.
Ticket prices range from $44-55 and can be reserved online.
Image via NextStop Theatre
The 7th Annual Camp Expo in Reston will allow families from around the community to preview options for upcoming summer camps and youth sports leagues.
On Saturday (Jan. 25) people are invited to stop by the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) from 9 a.m. until noon to check out programming from more than a dozen featured organizations, according to the event’s Facebook page.
A Reston Camps spokesperson previously told Reston Now that January is a popular time for parents to sign their kids up for summer activities.
During the event, there will also be prizes, snacks, music and games for attendees to enjoy, the Facebook page said.
Featured event exhibitors listed on the Facebook event page include:
- Reston Community Center
- Great Falls Reston Soccer Club
- Herndon Youth Soccer
- Fairfax County School Age Child Care Program (SACC)
- Nova Labs Robotics
- Reston Regional Library
- Great Falls Youth Rugby
- Traveling Players Ensemble
- Neighborhood and Community Services: RECQuest/Reston Teen Center
- Common Ground Child Care Center
- Reston Youth Club
- YMCA Fairfax County Reston
- Nextstop Theatre Company
- Fairfax County Park Authority
- Reston Association
Image via Reston Community Center/Facebook
As Lisa Merkel wraps up her final term as the Town of Herndon’s mayor, she took a moment to reflect and talk to Reston Now about her experiences in office.
Merkel made town history as the first woman elected into the position in 2012 after serving as Herndon’s vice mayor during the 2010-2012 term.
According to Merkel, her decision to not seek re-election wasn’t based on any specific motive, besides a wish to spend time with her family and dedicate more time to volunteering around the community.
“I still plan on being involved in the town,” she told Reston Now.
Merkel told Reston Now her accomplishments include implementation of the Metrorail Expansion Project, the ongoing development of downtown Herndon and the establishment of the Economic Development Department.
“I’m really proud we’ve embraced the business community,” Merkel said, adding that — due to her efforts — the tax rate is now split evenly between residential and commercial incomes.
Many of the local businesses even give back to the community by acting as sponsors for official events like the annual holiday parade, which Merkel said is the largest event of the year.
In a press release, Merkel said her other key achievements include marking June as LGBTQ Pride Month, adding Circulator buses to Herndon Station, providing online and on-demand Town Council meeting access and approving construction plans for a new fire station.
“Sometimes it’s really the smaller things that get attention,” Merkel told Reston Now, adding that small projects make a huge difference in the town and help to develop a sense of place.
She gave examples of adding tables and umbrellas to the Town Square, lights on the W&OD Trail and gateway signs to announce entry into the town. The tables and umbrellas, especially, gave people a fun and welcoming place to gather, she said.
Merkel has faced some roadblocks, though, during her time in office.
She said she had trouble communicating with the public that development projects in the town won’t threaten the small community feel, which she said is at the heart of Herndon’s identity.
“There was a fear that if we started building like that at the Metro station, it would trickle into downtown,” Merkel said. “We had to reassure people that Herndon won’t be a bunch of highrises.”
During her final months in office, Merkel said she hopes to oversee the groundbreaking on the downtown Herndon project and continue to work on installing underground utilities around town.
Going forward, Merkel said she won’t endorse any particular candidate for the upcoming election. But she hopes the next mayor will be an effective listener, willing to consider other perspectives on topics and won’t be afraid to seek counsel on issues they aren’t familiar with.
She encourages anyone passionate about their community to run, regardless of their political experience.
“Don’t mix national policy issues with town issues because we don’t have jurisdiction over those things,” Merkel said. “You don’t want to alienate any of your constituents with issues that don’t relate to the job. That’s been my philosophy.”
Photo via Lisa Merkel
People can take a plunge into ice-cold water to fundraise at the upcoming 2020 Virginia Polar Dip.
The charity event is set to take place Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Lake Anne from 2-5 p.m. People will be able to take turns jumping into the lake.
Each participant is expected to help raise money that will send kids and their families to Camp Sunshine, which serves kids with life-threatening illnesses. The camp is located in Maine.
This year, event organizers hope to raise $100,000, which would sponsor 40 families in the D.C.-area, according to the event page.
Each participant that raises more than $100 will receive a t-shirt.
For people who don’t want to fully jump into cold water, the “Chicken Dip” will let people only dip their feet in, according to the event page.
Image via Manor Works Painting/Facebook
The Reston Rotary Rise Against Hunger fundraising event this Saturday will donate meals to kids and families in need.
People are invited to pack meals alongside Rotary members at Aldrin Elementary School (11375 Center Harbor Road) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Anyone interested can sign up online for a shift or donate if they are unable to attend.
Once the goal of 10,000 meals is met, extra funds will ensure that kids in the area have the winter clothes they need, help the Reston Community Orchestra, assist kids with scholarships and send books to students in Nyeri, Kenya.
Tomorrow (Saturday)
- Make Shift Happen: The Storytellers Experience (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) — This day-long event invites people to learn about themselves and become better storytellers. This event takes place at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Avenue) and includes meditation, guest speakers, trust workshops and more. General admission tickets are $200.
- Jazz (6:30 p.m) — Watch a live performance by pianist Caleb Nei at the Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar (1612 N. Washington Plaza). This event is free and open to the public.
- Tween Dodgeball (5 to 9 p.m.) — Kids ages 9-12 are welcome to get some exercise at Life Time Athletic (1757 Business Center Drive). Everyone will be placed in a bracket and encouraged to compete.
Sunday (Jan. 12)
- Kickstart your Sweatlife 2020 (8 to 10 a.m.) — Reston Town Center Lululemon is hosting workouts and goal setting events for patrons. People are welcome to gather and take a run with instructors Brian and Erica. This event is free and open to the public.
- 2 Silos Brewing Co. Tasting (noon to 3 p.m.) — Try some beer from 2 Silos Brewing Co. at Safeway (11120 S. Lakes Drive) including Citralicious and Cream Ale brews. There will be giveaways available for attendees.
- Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30 to 4 p.m.) — The Reston Community Center welcomes people of all skill levels to enjoy an afternoon of cha-cha, swing, waltz or foxtrot dancing. Admission is $5 for Reston residents and $10 for others. Admission includes a short lesson, refreshments and door prizes.
Image via Rotary Club of Reston/Facebook
This spring, visitors to the Herndon Depot Museum (717 Lynn Street) will be able to enjoy a new exhibit.
The Herndon Historical Society says that a telegraph exhibit is coming to the museum, replacing the current display.
There will be one complete telegraph machine included in the display that will sit on the desk in the bay window of the former station master’s room, according to Barbara Glakas, a historical society spokesperson.
Other aspects of the exhibit will feature antique telegraph parts, such as a telegraph key and a telegraph sounder. Visitors will also be able to learn how the code worked and try it out for themselves.
“People can type out a message on the computer key board and then they will be able to see the message on the monitor as well as hear the message being automatically tapped out in Morse code on the sounder,” Glakas said.
The updates will be revealed with a celebration on Sunday, March 1, which will include a model train show.
Herndon Historical Society member Adam Winsor is responsible for the new exhibit’s design, Glakas said.
With the exception of the Writing Herndon’s History event on Jan. 22, the museum will be closed for exhibit updates until the celebration. Glakas said that the closure is typical this time of year.
In the future, Glakas said the Herndon Historical Society hopes to team up with Historic Vienna and send messages back and forth, since the Town of Vienna wants to set up its very own telegraph exhibit.
Photo via Facebook/Herndon Historical Society
