Kat Vlasova, a senior at South Lakes High School, is an emerging artist musician and photographer. She is also a self-proclaimed “avid Snapchatter and procrastinator.”
The latter skills got Vlasova a spot in the Tribeca Film Festival, which wrapped up Sunday in New York City. Vlasova’s short film, Pencils, composed using Snapchat, of course, was chosen as one of the winners.
The Tribeca Film Festival this year teamed up with the mobile app Snapchat on a competition to find “the best Snapchat Stories across the U.S.”
Ten winners were chosen, and the work will be featured in a special Discover channel within Snapchat.
The winners were chosen by a jury of storytellers and avid Snapchatters, and the short films were screened during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Three will be featured on Snapchat.
Here’s Vlasova’s synopsis:
You know that time when you’re trying your best to study but you just keep getting distracted? And then you get so preoccupied with doing a random simple thing just to procrastinate on your homework such as looking for a pencil?
And then before you know it, you’ve chased a man out into space but your calculus is still unresolved and it’s already 10 p.m? Yeah, me too.
Tribeca says that this first-of-its-kind competition “casts a spotlight on the imagination and creativity of Snapchat users, while also touting the ephemeral messaging app as more than just something young people use to chat with one another. Snapchat wants to expand the way people approach it, similar to what happened with YouTube.”
Vlasova said in a YouTube interview she thought she was being pranked when the Snapchat folks tried to call her last month to tell her she was among the top 10.
“I was in shock,” she said.
When she finally realized it was no joke, she got to enjoy the perks of a filmmaker life, including a trip to the Tribeca Film Festival last week and the use of a new state-of-the-art Samsung camera to make another film in New York City.
“It is pretty surreal to be an 18-year-old girl being driven around in a black Escalade all over New York City to make a short film,” Vlasova said (see You Tube clip above to fill interview). “Making something in short amount of time, was definitely intense.”
Vlasova will have lots more New york experiences starting later this year. She plans to attend New York University in the fall.
Snapchat did not say how many entries it received or to provide any additional information beyond revealing that the winners will appear on the app starting today.
For more info on Vlsaova, follow her on Snapchat: alienpinecone;
Instagram: katalexvlasova; Tumblr: katvlasova.tumblr.com; and Twitter: AlienPinecone.
Reston Town Center’s Concerts on the Town series will return for the summer beginning on June 4.
Concerts are held rain or shine at 7:30 p.m. at the town center pavilion. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seats. Admission is free.
- June 4: David Akers & THE SOUL SHAKERS – Motown & more
- June 11: Hard Day’s Night – Beatles tribute
- June 18: No concert, but music at the Taste of Reston: restontaste.com
- June 25: Big Joe & The Dynaflows – Swing, jump blues
- July 2: Chuck Redd & Friends, featuring renowned clarinetist Anat Cohen and bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott – Jazz, Bossa Nova, American standards
- July 9: Bio Ritmo – Cuban salsa & other Latin rhythms
- July 16: Landau Eugene Murphy, Jazz crooner / 2011 America’s Got Talent winner – Celebrating Sinatra, Motown & The Great American Songbook
- July 23: The Congress – Alt-country, rock & roll, soul
- July 30: Unity Reggae Band – Reggae and other Caribbean rhythms
- August 6: Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band – New Orleans zydeco, high-energy rhythm & blues
- August 13: In Full – Classic rock and hits from the 50s till today
- August 20: Airman of Note – U.S. Air Force – big band jazz
- August 27: Leonard, Colemand & Blunt Former lead singers of The Temptations, The Platters &The Drifters Doo-wop
Photo courtesy of Reston Town Center
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are expected to approve on Tuesday increased fines for speeding on one south Reston street.
Under the county’s Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP), homeowners can petition their district supervisor to point out a traffic safety issue. The supervisor can then take the request to the Virginia Department of Transportation, which then performs an engineering review to see if the issue is justified.
In this case, the issue is speeding on Rosedown Drive between Bedfordshire Circle and Glade Drive.
The board is expected to approve the installation of “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs on the following road:
The speed limit on Rosedown is 25 miles per hour.
Section 46.2-878.2 of the Code of Virginia permits a maximum fine of $200, in addition to other penalties provided by law, to be levied on persons exceeding the speed limit on appropriately designated residential roadways.
The cost of the additional signs is $600, which is paid for out of the VDOT secondary road construction budget.
Behind The Art — Meet Matthew Duffy, the sculptor who created “Mutual Understanding, Mutual Respect,” the new public art outside the North County Government Center in Reston. [Fairfax Times]
Voting Rights For 200K+ — More than 200,000 convicted felons had voting rights restored when Virginia Gov. Terry McAullife signed an executive order late Friday. This adds 3.8 percent more potential voters, a large percentage of them in Fairfax County, for the 2016 Presidential election. [Richmond Times Dispatch]
Biking Season, Biking Safety — Save the date for a kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo Saturday at the YMCA Reston from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. [Reston Now]
Madewell Opening Party Tomorrow — Stop by the new Madewell store at 11928 Market St. for a grand opening party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. [Reston Now]
Beware of bears, say Fairfax County Police.
A Great Falls resident snapped this photo of a bear on Thursday. It was one of two bear sightings around Great Falls yesterday.
Police said the lone bear was spotted in the 800 block of Springvale Road in Great Falls around 7:22 a.m. Another (possibly the same bear) was reported in the 10700 block of Falls Pointe Drive around 10:49 a.m.
There were several bear sightings close to Reston (Vienna, Oakton) in late March, Fairfax County police report.
Anyone who spots a bear is reminded to keep a safe distance and asked to report the location to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003.
Photo: Bear in Great Falls yard on April 22/Credit: FCPD
For the second time in two years, Fairfax County Supervisors are considering a meals tax referendum.
Adding a 4-percent meals tax could give the county (and its services and public schools) an additional $90 million annually.
The idea, which the supervisors will discuss at their April 26 meeting, was last discussed in 2014, when county officials were looking at a strained budget. Ultimately, a task force examined the idea, but the supervisors decided not to hold a referendum. County residents last voted on the idea in 1992. It failed.
But times have changed. Aftereffects of the recession that began in 2008 have left home values flat as the county population and need for services has grown, putting the county budget in an annual battle, supervisors say.
The supervisors are likely to approve next week the $3.99 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2017. That budget will include a tax rate rise of 4 cents per $100 of home value, or about $303 for the average Fairfax County homeowner. The county will give about $2 billion to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Most surrounding jurisdictions, including Arlington, Alexandria and the towns of Herndon and Vienna, and the District of Columbia have a meals tax. Does that prevent you from eating in restaurants in those locations?
Meanwhile, grassroots efforts have popped up on both sides of the issue. Several local restaurant groups are against the idea, while many school board members and school advocates say diversifying the tax base is the only way to stave off cuts to services.
What do you say?
Ted’s Bulletin at Reston Town Center/file photo
Reston Community Center is bringing two activities for dog lovers to Hunters Woods this weekend.
Join RCC for “Mutts Gone Nuts – A Comedy Dog Act” Sunday at 11 a.m. at CenterStage.
Says RCC: “They’ll have you at “woof.” Disorderly duo Scott and Joan Houghton and their hilarious pack of pooches have created a comedy dog thrill show like no other. Expect the unexpected in this top-notch presentation that includes: incredible high-flying Frisbee dogs,tight-wire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only Sammie the Talking Dog!”
“Mutts Gone Nuts” features nine dogs, all of whom were adopted from animal shelters.
Tickets: $5 ($10 for non-Reston residents). Tickets can be purchased online.
After the show, stick around for RCC’s Paws & Claws Pet Resource Expo from noon to 3 p.m.
Information on pet care, training, nutrition, emergency situations, day care, and more will be available from local businesses. This free expo will take place inside RCC Hunters Woods. Pets, other than service animals, are not allowed inside the building. However, there will be a limited number of volunteers to look after pets, outside, during the event.
Vendors Include:
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter
- Fairfax County Police – K9 Unit
- Rudy’s Friends Dog Training
- Sit!Stay!360
- Julie Roccaburra Trainer
- Red Rover Readers
April 22 is Earth Day. Looking for a few ways to mark the day or recommit you commitment to the environment? Here are a few ideas right here in Reston.
Earth Day Planting at Walker Nature Education Center, 1 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at Reston’s Walker Nature Education Center. Plant a variety of native plants in the gardens including shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers. Learn about the value of the native plants and how you can use them around your home.
R4 Day – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reston at Reston Town Center, 1 to 4 p.m.
Keep discarded items out of landfills by bringing them to this recycling event. R4 will take computers, electronics, cell phones, paper for shredding, compact fluorescent bulbs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Participating organizations include Secured Shred, Turtle Wings, and more.
Movie — Yert: Your Envrionmental Road Trip, Walker Nature Education Center, 7 p.m.
Free, suggested donation $5. For adults.
Called to action by a planet in peril, three friends hit the road, traveling across America with hope, humor and all of their garbage for one year. While exploring the good, the bad and the weird in all 50 states, they encounter extraordinary innovators and courageous citizens who are tackling humanity’s greatest environmental crises. As the team performs outlandish eco-challenges during their quest, an unexpected turn of events throws the project for a loop in this award-winning docu-comedy. (113 min.) Reservations requested. Contact [email protected] or call 703-476-9869.
Planting at Walker Nature Education Center/file photo
It will be EZPass only entering the Dulles Toll Road Eastbound at Wiehle Avenue this weekend.
The Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority is making concrete repairs at the exit, so the full service/cash lane of the entrance ramp from Wiehle Avenue to the eastbound Dulles Toll Road is temporarily closed.
The cash lane closure began Thursday morning and will remain closed until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 25.
Cash customers may enter eastbound from Reston Parkway or Hunter Mill Road, MWAA says.
Opening Night For “Legally Blonde” — Herndon High’s spring musical opens tonight, with additional shows Saturday and Sunday. [YouTube, HHS Drama]
Where’s The Stage? — Reston 2020 calls out Boston Properties for its concept of RTC III, which BP said would have a performing arts center. [Reston 2020]
Vinifera Earns Green Honor — Reston’s Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro at the Westin Reston Heights has been honored as the 2015 recipient of the Virginia Green Travel Leader Award by Virginia Green Travel. [Patch]
Outdoor Fun All Around — Modern Reston has a full list of places to enjoy the outdoors in and near Reston this spring. [Modern Reston]
Reston Community Center is now offering access to UGotClass, an online learning portal that features more than 100 personal and professional development courses that work towards “Skills for the 21st Century,” says RCC.
RCC has partnered with Learning Resources Network (LERN) for the catalogue or non-credit and certificate courses. RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon says offering UGotClass, complements its program offerings to give a career boost to people in fields like business, eMarketing and social media for business, the green workplace, health, leadership training and education.
“For most people, it is getting harder to schedule their lives,” said Gordon. “So the more we have to bring classes and learning enrichment to wherever people are.” Read More
Be careful out there.
Fairfax County Police will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on Saturday, April 23 in the Reston District from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Sunday). Police do not give advance notice of the exact checkpoint location.
The Reston District is 56 square miles. It includes Reston, along with Great Falls, and parts of Vienna, Oak Hill and Herndon.
The Fairfax County Police Department puts up occasional sobriety checkpoints to make sure drivers are not drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel.
Along with publicity and awareness, checkpoints have proven to be effective in the fight against drunk driving, police say.
Reston photographer Jennifer Heffner is taking advantage of Lake Anne Plaza’s loft-like spaces with natural light.
She recently opened a third-floor studio space at 1612 Washington Plaza North, above the Lake Anne Coffee House, which is undergoing renovation.
Heffner, a former White House photographer and photo editor, has been operating a studio, Vita Images, out of her Reston home the last several years. When a space became available at Lake Anne, she said it was a great chance to get her business into community space.
“I have always loved Lake Anne,” said Heffner. “I had been looking for studio space for a few years. This one was love at first site. There is beautiful natural light, which is perfect for portraiture.”
Heffner snaps business headshots and other studio photos in the new space, but also specializes in shooting subjects out in the natural Reston environment, as well as corporate, editorial and travel photography.
“Lake Anne is a great backdrop,” she said, pointing out many family and engagement photos she has taken around Reston.
Heffner said she plans a grand opening celebration next month. Meanwhile, she is available by appointment at [email protected] or 202-630-8238.
Photos: Session at new photo studio at Lake Anne, top; Photographer Jennifer Heffner, bottom/Courtesy Jennifer Heffner Photography
Fairfax County Police are investigating the death of man who had wandered away from his group home outing and died after a struggle with police on Wednesday.
The incident happened on the other side of the Fairfax County, in Roundtree Park in Falls Church. The deceased has been identified as Paul Arthur Gianelos, 45, of Annandale.
The death will be investigated by the Major Crimes Division and the Internal Affairs Division. No weapons were used on the man, who suffered from cognitive disabilities, police said.
Police said on Wednesday about 1 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Round Tree Park at 3320 Annandale Rd., for a report of a missing man who had wandered from the park on foot.
Officers located the man and were attempting to return him to caretakers when a struggle ensued. While attempting to take him into custody, he experienced an apparent medical emergency. Read More
Reston’s development pipeline was laid out on display boards Wednesday at South Lakes High School as Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins presented “Reston’s Blueprint for the Future.”
“There’s a lot going on in Reston,” she said. “The applicants are anzious to move forward. This is a good chance to give people a peek and give them a sense [of development plans].”
One plan not yet on the books is Boston Properties’ vision for a 20-acre parcel between the current Reston Town Center and the future Reston Town Center Metro station, scheduled to open in 2020.
BP’s Peter Otteni said the preliminary plans for the space, which current houses two office buildings, is transit-oriented development with a Floor-Area ratio of 3 to 4 (an indicator of density).
BP’s preliminary plans include a hotel, office, residential and a large park in the middle.
Otteni says the park will be more than twice as large at Town Square Park at Reston Town Center,
“It’s not just a nod to open space,” he said of the expanse that would connect the rail station all the way through to the W&OD and then over to town center. “It will be a major park.”
Another new development sketched out is the transformation of Reston Crescent, an office park at Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive. This development concept by Brookfield connects the south entrance of the Reston Town Center station to mid-rise and high-rise housing, along with plans for a hotel.
On the south side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro, plans have been filed for housing at what now is an office park at Wiehle Avenue, Sunrise Valley Drive and Centennial Park Drive.
Planners will keep the existing buildings and parking garage, as well as a Cardinal Bank branch, and build to mid-rise residential buildings and a hotel at the site.
Also in the renderings stage: housing at 1831 Michael Faraday Court. This industrial/office block less than a half-mile from Wiehle-Reston East could be transformed into 230 multi-family units and 13 townhouses
See this previous Reston Now story for a comprehensive list of planned development.
