The documentary Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA will have a screening at the Environmental Film Festival in the National’s Capital next month.
The 24th annual EFF runs March 16 to 26 at 52 venues around the DC area.
Another Way of Living will screen at 6:30 p.m. on March 24 at the National Building Museum (401 F St. NW, Washington, DC). The film will be followed by a discussion with film director Rebekah Wingert-Jabi.
Wingert-Jabi, a Reston resident who has earned a Peabody Award for her previous work, spent about five years working on the documentary. The final version aired at Reston Community Center in November and featured major edits to include the legacy of Reston founder Robert E. Simon, who died in September at age 101. A rough draft screened for a select audience during Simon’s 100th birthday celebration in April of 2014.
Another Way of Living also made its festival debut in December at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville.
The 70-minute film shows how Simon envisioned a suburban “new town” that combined the communal spaces of European cities with natural, wooded open space.
He also wanted people of all incomes and races to live together, which was quite revolutionary in segregated Virginia in 1964. It traces Reston’s changes through the years, right up to the Metro arriving in 2014 and Simon’s death in 2015.
The EFF will present 145 documentary, narrative, animated, archival and children’s films selected to provide fresh perspectives on a variety of environmental issues. Films originate from 33 countries, festival organizers said.
Most screenings are free, and an audience of 30,000 is expected, organizers said.
For more information, visit the EFF website.
Photo Courtesy of Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA
Justine Klena, who has served as principal at Herndon Middle School since 2008, has been named the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) 2016 Outstanding Principal and is a finalist for the Washington Post 2016 Principal of the Year award.
Klena is praised for providing the necessary support for each student to succeed academically as well as socially; staff members encourage students from all backgrounds to engage in activities including performing arts, National Junior Honor Society, Spanish for Fluent Speakers, and higher level classes.
HMS Instructional coach Emily Preston says Klena is “why great teachers make this school their home.”
“Justine exemplifies what it means to be a collaborative lead,” Preston told FCPS. “She models what it is to be a learner, promotes the best interests of students at every turn, and maintains perspective by keeping a close tie to what is happening in classrooms.”
FCPS says that from the start, Klena has set a course to make meeting student needs the primary focus and providing teachers with more support to accomplish this.
Klena has instituted professional conversations with staff members at quarterly Snack and Study meetings, invited teachers to take a course on “Differentiation for Diverse Learners,” and created an environment characterized by collaboration and trust that encourages innovation.
Says FCPS:
When the Math 8 team proposed teaching pre-algebra, Klena supported them with resources and logistics to give them planning time and authority to make decisions.
After achieving success on the required SOL (Standards of Learning tests) in 2014, 28 of the pre-algebra students, mostly English language learners, were recommended and enrolled in algebra honors in ninth grade, setting them on a course for more advanced math in high school.
Klena focuses on equitable access for all students into rigorous courses; during the past school year, 10 percent more Black and Hispanic students were taking four honors classes, an effort to make membership in those academics more representative of the school’s total population.
Klena encourages parents of students who are eligible for level IV advanced academic programs to remain at Herndon rather than transferring while helping staff members respond to the wide variety of needs of the students.
She works with Herndon Pyramid elementary school principals offering the Young Scholars program to open honors classes to more students from diverse backgrounds.
Klena has also worked with families outside the classroom, offering support to families who live in poverty or have experienced traumatic border crossings. Read More
Jefferson Apartment Group’s (JAG) plans for Tall Oaks Village Center will be delayed as the developer conducts a market study examining the area’s retail viability.
JAG’s plan, which had been slated to go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission in early May, is for 150 homes and about 7,000 square feet of retail space. It has not been well-received by community members or Reston Association, which said in a letter to county officials last summer that the plan fell “woefully short” on retail and community space.
JAG’s latest plan features a variety of townhomes, 2-over-2 townhouses and condos and about 7,000 square feet (up from the original plan for 3,000 SF) of retail, and what critics say is limited open space.
JAG representatives said at community meetings in spring of 2015 that Tall Oaks’ current 70,000-square-foot retail space — which went from 90 percent occupied in 2007 to 13 percent in 2015 — was not viable.
They said they shopped the store vacancies, including the 25,000-square-foot anchor/grocery store space, to retailers but there was no interest. Read More
Fairfax County Executive Ed Long says the county needs $1 million next year to adequately stock its turf field replacement fund.
About half that money may come from athletes who will be paying more to use the county’s synthetic turf fields, including those at South Lakes High School, Herndon High School and Lake Fairfax Park.
The county has made the move towards replacing grass fields with turf in the last several years because turf is easier to maintain and provides more hours of usage because they can be used in inclement weather.
Meanwhile, one Reston family has become leaders in the fight to raise awareness of potential health risks of playing on turf. Fairfax County has said the data is inconclusive so it has no current plans to replace the turf.
The county’s Turf Field Replacement Fund provides $1.25 million annually to fund the replacement of 63 non-stadium fields with turf throughout the county ($300,000 is funded from athletic fee revenues and $950,000 from the County’s General Fund), the county says.
But the fund currently remains $1 million below the needed funding levels to sustain the project, the county said. Read More
New Date For VDOT Route 7 Meeting — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a “pardon our dust” meeting for construction starting soon on the Route 7 bridges over the Dulles Airport Toll Road and Airport Access Highway on March 9, 6 p.m. at Colvin Run Elementary, 1400 Trap Rd. in Vienna. This project will replace and widen the bridges, as well widen the section of Route 7 from four to six lanes from Jarrett Valley Drive to just west of Tyco Road. A new 14-foot shared-use path will be added. [VDOT]
Piano Concerto Tonight — The Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington presents a Schumann Piano Concerto Friday at 6:30 p.m. at United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive. [Reston Now]
Have You Paid RA? — Reston Association Member Services will extend its hours for residents to pay their annual assessment on the following days Saturday, Feb. 27 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.), Monday, Feb. 29 (8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 1 (8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.) Assessments are due March 1.
Oak Marr Gets Environmental Honor — Oak Marr RECenter has earned LEED Silver Certification from the US Green Building Council for its 10,000-square-foot addition, completed last year [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Photo: Rainy RTC by Twitter user B
On Fridays, we take a moment to thank our sponsors and advertisers:
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the business community for the vibrant region.
The Harrison, luxury apartments near Reston Town Center.
Berry & Berry, PLLC, Reston law firm specializing in federal employment, retirement, labor union, and security clearance matters.
Reston Real Estate, Eve Thompson of Long & Foster Real Estate specializes in Reston homes.
Becky’s Pet Care, offering friendly pet services in Northern Virginia.
Reston Community Center, Serving Reston’s recreational and cultural needs.
MakeOffices, shared work spaces with five area locations, including Reston.
Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten, educating Reston’s young minds for more than 50 years.
Boofie O’Gorman, Top Producer Realtor at Long & Foster Reston.
Goldfish Swim School, specializing in children’s swim lessons year-round.
Small Change Consignment, serving Reston’s kids for more than 30 years.
A Cleaning Service, professional residential and commercial cleaning.
BASIS Independent McLean, Independent school for K-12 located in McLean.
Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston’s visual arts center.
Reston Association set to hire Christopher Consultants to do civil engineering work on the new plans for the Pony Barn Recreation site.
RA recently put out a request for proposals. Four proposals were received and reviewed, it said.
Christopher Consultants is a Fairfax-based group that has done work for Springfield Town Center, The National Zoo, Mount Vernon, Arlington’s Long Bridge Park, Dulles Sportsplex and many more.
The firm’s tasks will include development of a minor site plan, ensuring ADA compliance for site features, addressing Fairfax County code requirements, and coordinating with the Pony Barn Working Group.
RA says its Design Review Board will consider site plans for the renovations in late spring or early summer before submitting the plans to Fairfax County.
After discussing for over a year what should be done to remodel and repurpose the aging picnic pavilion and surrounding land at Steeplechase Drive and Triple Crown Road, the RA Board approved the renovation plan in July.
The remodeling plan began as an idea to add a concrete floor to the pavilion but in the end morphed into a total remodeling of the small park, including a playground accessible for people with disabilities, a tot lot, a paved pathway, a historical information kiosk, cooking grills and a deck to overlook a butterfly garden.
The makeover has also upped the price tag from $30,000 to about $350,000. Money is available in the capital budget, but RA has said it is also looking into partnerships.
The Pony Barn area was once the site of an actual pony barn in Reston’s early days. It currently has a swing set, a grill, a small parking area, a grassy area and a picnic pavilion with a mulched floor.
RA asked members for ideas at a series of meetings in summer 2014, where the mention of a Memorial Garden of Reflection, endorsed by the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) caused some friction among citizens.
By late 2014, that idea was tabled, and a Pony Barn Working Group was formed. The group came up with the current proposal.
Two Reston Startbucks stores are still in the mix to take part in the new “Starbucks Evenings” program, but the process is going to take a while, a Starbucks spokeswoman said.
In August, it was announced that Starbucks stores at South Lakes Village Center and North Point Village Center were among those nationwide selected to participate in the program, which offers beer, wine and “savory small plates” for customers.
Both Reston stores have liquor (beer and wine) license applications pending with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control board.
“We’re in the very early stages of considering Reston for the Evenings menu,” a Starbucks spokeswoman said in an email. “It’s a long and thoughtful process and the permit filing is just one of many steps we take.”
Other Northern Virginia Starbucks seeking to add beer and wine service are in Arlington, Purcellville, Chantilly, Sterling and Great Falls.
The Starbucks Evenings program rolled out in August in New York City, Denver, Miami, Orlando and Northern California. It now has several hundred alcohol license applications filed nationwide.
Some of the highlights of the Evenings menu:
A secletion of craft beer
About a dozen wine selections (by the glass or bottle), including Alamos Malbec (Argentina), Erath Pinot Gris (Oregon), Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington), and Villia Sandi Orisecco (Italy).
Small plates include truffle mac and cheese; spinach and artichoke dip; chicken skewers; truffle popcorn; and a cheese plate.
The whole family is welcome to run the Langston Hughes Middle School’s Panther Pride 5K will run near the school on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
The race will mostly be held on trails surrounding the school and should not affect area roads.
Here is what you need to know:
Fees: Students, $15; Adults, $25. Registration available online.
Packet Pick Up: Will be held at the =PR= Reston (11911 Democracy Dr, Reston 20190) on Friday, Feb. 26 from 4-7 p.m. Day-of-race pickup is at Hughes MS (11401 Ridge Heights Rd.) starting at 8:00 a.m.
Swag: The first 150 registrants will receive a commemorative race shirt. Register early to ensure you receive a shirt.
Awards: Awards will be giving out to the Top overall Male and Female finisher and the top male and female finishers from the following age groups; 6 & U, 7-13, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 & over.
Yoga enthusiasts: Fairfax County has something different than down dog for you.
The county is hosting a Yoga with Cats class Saturday at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
The 9 a.m. class is free, but you must register in advance. Bring your own mat. The shelter will provide the cats.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is located at 4500 West Ox Rd. in Fairfax.
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County
Virginia will go to the polls Tuesday, March 1 as part of Super Tuesday, an important primary day in the 2016 Presidential race.
There are primaries or caucuses in 11 states.
Here is what you need to know:
There will be two primaries held in each poll location in Fairfax County. Registered voters can vote for either a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate, but not both. You do not register to vote to vote by party in Virginia.
The Presidential Primary ballots were printed in advance of absentee voting, which started in January. Several candidates have since withdrawn from the election.
Earlier this month, the State Board of Elections approved the Republican Party of Virginia’s request to rescind use of a statement of affiliation to vote in the Republican Party Primary. Voters who request a Republican ballot for the March 1 Primary will not be asked to sign a statement of affiliation. More information will be found at http://elections.virginia.gov/.
Here is a Democrat sample ballot.
Here is a Republican sample ballot.
Fairfax County Public Schools also announced last week school will be closed on Tuesday. The school board had voted for a two-hour delay, but with a heavy turnout expected, the board voted to close for the day.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bring your ID
There are several forms of acceptable photo ID:
- Virginia driver’s license
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
- Federal, Virginia or local government-issued photo ID cards
- Complete list from the Virginia Department of Elections
If you do not have a photo ID, you can get a free photo ID from the Office of Elections. Contact them at 703-222-0776, TTY 711, or email [email protected].
Where to vote
Not sure where your polling spot is? Visit this online tool on the Fairfax County Board of Elections website.
In Reston, there have been a couple of changes since the last election. The Terraset precinct polling place has been moved to Langston Hughes Middle School. There is also a new district in North Reston. A new precinct at Armstrong Elementary was created by dividing Aldrin and North Point precincts.
The northern portion of North Point precinct combined with the northern portion of Aldrin will retain the name “North Point,” with polling place at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. The southern portion of Aldrin retains the name “Aldrin” and polling place at Aldrin Elementary School.
Unsure if those changes affect you? Enter your address in the online tool or contact the board of elections.
Virginia May Get New HS Grad Requirements — A bill going through the Virginia General Assembly seeks to alter requirements to better fit a “Portrait of a Graduate” which is already being used in Fairfax County. [WTOP]
Dogwood Group Earns Award — Dogwood Elementary’s 21st Century Girls Club was awarded the Verizon Innovative Learning Grant for $20,000. The club offers girls a unique opportunity to delve into real-world problems at the local and regional level, tackle scientific dilemmas, explore, experiment, and act upon their findings.
“Saturday Night in the Suburbs” — Find out what teens are really doing at these seminars sponsored by the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County in March. The program features a panel of high school seniors who talk openly about alcohol and drug use, teen parties, social media, parent supervision and enabling, and communication with parents. Middle school and high school parents are encouraged to attend. [FCPS]
RTC Skating Rink Closes March 6 — Get your outdoor skating in before Srping has sprung. [Patch]
A dozen Reston restaurants will have specials for you the week of March 7-11 as Northern Virginia restaurant week returns.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, along with chambers in Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties, is organizing the third annual event, which will highlight some of the great dining spots in Northern Virginia.
Here is who is participating in Reston (click through to make reservations via Open Table):
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Steaks – Reston
Morton’s The Steakhouse – Reston
To see other participating restaurants, visit the restaurant week website.
“The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to placing the needs of the Northern Virginia hospitality and restaurant community first,” said Mark Ingrao, GRCC Presidents and CEO, said in a statement. “Collaborating with the Prince William, Loudoun and Arlington County Chambers will bring more business to the Northern Virginia area during an ordinarily slow time for the restaurant and hospitality industry. “
A man was stabbed early Tuesday as he walked in the 2200 block of Astoria Circle in Herndon, officers from Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station said.
The man told police he was walking home about 1:30 a.m. when he was approached by two men. One suspect displayed a knife and wounded the victim. The other suspect also assaulted the victim. Both suspects fled on foot.
The suspect with the knife was described as black, about 6-feet to 6-foot-2 tall, 170 to 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue, hooded sweatshirt, black cargo pants, with a black and gray hat, the victim said. The victim could not provide any physical description on the second suspect other than he was also black.
Update: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Fairfax County until 11 p.m. tonight.
Original story, 12:45 p.m. Wednesday: The National Weather Service is predicting a good chance of heavy wind gusts and torrential rain this afternoon, which could impact the evening rush hour.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has placed the D.C. area in its “enhanced risk” zone for severe thunderstorms, which is level three on its one-to-five scale.
The Capital Weather Gang has a timeline of what to expect:
- Timing: 4 to 10 p.m.
- Coverage: Widespread showers and storms
- Storm motion: Southwest to northeast
- Storm duration: 20 to 30 minutes, but multiple showers and storms possible
- Likely impacts: Heavy rain
- Possible impacts: Damaging winds, flash flooding, small hail
- Cannot rule out: Isolated tornadoes, large hail
The Storm Prediction Center indicates there is a 30 percent chance of damaging winds within 25 miles of a point in the region, and 10-15 percent chance of tornadoes. A stronger tornado cannot be ruled (at least EF2 on the 0-5 scale) south of the D.C. area, the CWG says.
Northern Virginia remains under a Flood Watch until midnight tonight.
Photo: Rain/Credit: Bahmad Farzad via Flickr
