Meet Stobust, this week’s Reston Pet of the Week. She is living out her golden years here in Reston. Here is what her owner, Emily, has to say:
I got Stobust when I was 5 years old — we found her outside a supermarket when she was less than a few weeks old. She has been by my side since day one. She recently turned 20 years old. Her days are very limited — but we are so lucky to still be able to shower her with love every day.
Stobust has a love for milk, ham, and canned cat food. She lays in front of the fire — or on top of any heated item — for as long as possible. During the summertime, she lays out on the front porch and cherishes the sun rays the beat down on her. If you let her, she will lay in your arms all day long.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Ready to check out the spring housing market? Start with these open houses this weekend.
11436 Tanbark Lane *
$650,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Listing agent: Rosalie Sarson, Weichert, Realtors (703) 934-0400
11044 Ring Road *
$750,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Listing agent: Lori Lovejoy, Keller Williams (571) 313-5831
11216 Lagoon Lane *
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$729,750
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Listing agent: Jane Manstof, McEnearney Associates, Inc. (703) 549-9292
1720 Lake Shore Crest Drive *
2 BR, 1.5 BA Condo
$303,900
Open Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Listing agent: Kathleen Mayflower, Century 21 Redwood Realty, (571) 252-8526
1221 Wild Hawthorn Lane
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$569,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
12010 Creekbend Drive
5 BR, 5.5 BA SFH
$1,050,000
Open Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
To see more open houses and more real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate section.
* denotes featured (sponsored) listing.
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Angus, a human-sized Great Dane.
Here is what owners Kara and Chris have to say about their pet:
Meet Angus, our 2-year-old Great Dane. We brought him home when he was eight weeks old and 25 pounds. Now he is a whopping 130 pounds. He is a great big goofball and still acts like a puppy. He is so entertaining to have around the house and always makes us laugh at his antics.
His favorite things are destroying toys, sitting on laps, chasing sticks, catching snowballs, playing in the snow and swimming. Most of the time he is just a big couch potato though and loves snuggling on the couch. He typically takes over an entire side of our sectional couch. If you want to sit on the floor, watch out because he will come and plop all 130 pounds on you because he thinks he is a lap dog.
Angus is so good with our 2-month-old daughter. He is always going to her swing or crib to check on her and loves licking her head. We love him to pieces and he is such a sweetheart. He has been such a blessing in our lives and can’t imagine life without him.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Support the South Lakes High School Athletic Boosters at group’s the second annual Casino Night this Friday.
There will be casino games, a silent auction, food, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and more. Proceeds benefit all South Lakes sports.
The fun is from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd.
There are two admission prices: $50 per person (with $250 in “gaming money” and two drink tickets) or admission only for $25. Additional fun bucks can be purchased at the event.
Visit the SLHS Boosters website to purchase tickets online.
SLHS indoor track/file photo
Chamber Spotlight is a feature from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Reston Now will spotlight the chamber’s local businesses and business leaders on a regular basis. Today’s spotlight is on Bite Me Cancer, a nonprofit run by Sharon, Michael and Nikki Ferraro.
Why did you decide to start your business in Reston? Bite Me Cancer is run out of our home office in Chantilly. As a small growing nonprofit, we have to keep costs low. We spend a lot of time in Reston, so we feel many times like we live and work in Reston.
What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner? All three of us consider ourselves the business owners (Michael, Sharon and Nikki Ferraro) since we are the co-founders of Bite Me Cancer. Being a business owner as many rewards and some challenges.
Rewards include: making a direct difference with our own beliefs and goals, flexible schedule, quicker decisions, able to shift priorities quickly, having complete ownership of the direction andsuccess/failure.
The challenges: flexible schedule can be a challenge because it’s very easy to work more hours and can be harder to step away from the work, most of the time need to wear many hats and so need to keep up with skills needed for the business, sometimes don’t have the “experts” available.
Name something about your business that most people don’t know? Bite Me Cancer’s name came from our daughter (Nikki, founder and cancer survivor) saying “Bite me, Dad” when he thought he came up 
with a great name for her new Relay for Life team (a week after being diagnosed) and she thought his choice for the name was silly. As soon as she said “Bite me, Dad” we all looked at each other and she said “Bite Me Cancer?” The name was born for the team, and five months later it became the name of her foundation.
What is the unique value proposition your clients know when using your services? Donors and volunteers to Bite Me Cancer know that we run an honest and efficient nonprofit where over 90-92% of the dollars goes directly to program goals of the foundation. They know that we care deeply about helping cancer survivors, and they know that we are available almost 24 hours/day if they need to reach us.
Describe a typical day as the business owner? For Bite Me Cancer, there are many activities going on through our five committees and our board of directors. So as a business owner, there is a lot of coordination of the needs with our volunteers, making sure they are following through, having questions answered, etc. Also, there are emails and calls that come in that need responses. Read More
This is an op-ed by Lake Anne resident John Lovaas.
By the time you read this, your ballot for the 2015 Reston Association Board election has arrived. It’s easy to vote, with a maximum of three blocks to check.
Does it matter? I think it does. RA Board decisions affect us all. While staff generally is solid, there are questions about the leadership. Recently, questions have surfaced about transparency, internal communications, and ethics, for example.
In December 2013, leadership and members of the Environmental Advisory Committee resigned to protest board leadership’s secretive and questionable handling of the Lake Anne “land swap.”
Later, I learned board members were filing incomplete financial disclosure forms — but, no one even bothered to review them until a homeowner made a FOIA request and saw them. It took months to get missing information partially completed.
The flow of information is so tightly controlled internally that Board members cannot answer constituent questions by simply picking up the phone and asking RA staff for needed information. Every communication must be channeled through the CEO, where bottlenecks occur and responses are delayed. Read More
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections is now open. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of At-Large Candidates, both of whom are running unopposed.
Ray Wedell is a leader with Rescue Reston, the advocacy group aimed at protecting Reston open space. He is a Realtor in Reston and has a background in finance.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
RW: I love my involvement with, and the positive citizen reaction to, the work on the Rescue Reston Board (preserving the Reston National Golf Course from the ravenous reach of redevelopment by private interests).
Given the intense growth in Reston both now and in the immediate future, we are at the vortex of future growth in Northern Virginia, with complex issues involving the environment, traffic, rising employment, impacts on property values, and the entire Reston way of life. Rather than observe the change and debate its impact from the outside, I prefer to help drive the change in the direction we need it to go.
As hockey great Wayne Gretzky famously said, “Do not focus on where the puck is; focus on where it is going.”
I have the ability to not get lost in the past or present, clinging to the status quo so to speak; we need to be able to anticipate the nature and dynamics of a changing environment, and steer it in a positive direction for Reston residents.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
RW: There are three major issues: 1) Preserving open space and not relinquishing Reston land to private developers for their commercial interest; 2) Preserving open space and not relinquishing Reston land to private developers for their commercial interest; 3) Preserving open space and not relinquishing Reston land to private developers for their commercial interest. Read More
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Brady, a puppy who is going end up being a big guy.
Here is what his owner, 10-year-old Alysa, has to say about him:
Brady is a 5-month-old puppy. He is a very energetic puppy.
Brady is the perfect dog for our family. He’s always extremely excited to see us.
Brady loves to drive in passenger seat of the car, eating snow, chewing sticks, running really fast with no leash and jumping on people’s beds.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections is now open. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of At-Large Candidates, both of whom are running unopposed.
Michael Sanio is seeking re-election to the RA Board. He is the association’s current Secretary, as well as a member of the Board Planning Committe and liaison to the Fiscal, Environmental Advisory Committees.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
MS: Reston is on the verge of significant growth with the opening of the Metro Silver Line. Growth that can bring new services to Reston, or more traffic, noise and pollution.
Over the last three years I’ve had the honor to serve on the Board as an At-Large Director, and the Secretary, on the Board Planning Committee, Legal Committee and liaison to Fiscal, Legal and Environmental Advisory Committee.
I will represent all residents of Reston to support and promote:
- Growth that meets the needs of all residents of Reston
- Growth that protects our natural areas
- Growth that ensures our long term economic viability.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
MS: The greatest challenge to the Reston Association is ensuring the growth that will occur, directly benefits the residents of Reston, not only the residents of Fairfax County.
The RA Land Use Review Processes we established during my first term to facilitate discussions with the development community, the county, the Reston Association Design Review Board and the Planning and Zoning Committee will ensure Reston has both a seat at the table, and a voice.
Over the last year we created a Governance Committee, the Governance Committee will focus on establishing a Code of Conduct for members of the Board, and board processes that will improve decision making, provide Reston Association staff clear direction and opportunities for innovation and creativity.
RN: How can RA members better understand what the board does and how can they be better involved in improving our community?
MS: The best way for members of the community to understand what the RA Board does, is to serve on one of the many board committees. The Reston community directly benefits from members active involvement. Read More
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections is now open. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of South Lakes District candidates.
Andy Sigle is a telecommunications executive who previously served RA as an At-Large Director (2011-14) and Vice President of the board. He is involved in Reston in a variety of volunteer capacities, including on the Southgate Community Center Advisory Board, Cornerstones and many South Lakes High School activities.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
AS: I believe that community is very important and is built most effectively when members get involved. I enjoyed serving on the RA Board during my 2011-2014 term, and am confident that I helped communication across the Board and beyond.
I spearheaded several successful initiatives including getting lights on the Brown’s Chapel Little League field and restructuring RA’s budgeting processes to better plan for our capital expenditures and maintenance. While on the board, I was not shy about asking questions when something did not sit right with me, and pushing for change when appropriate.
The bottom line is that I want to serve on the RA Board so I can help my community by putting my knowledge-and drive-to use for the Association. I am confident that I can add value and make the RA Board more effective.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
AS: The biggest issue facing RA is the myriad of potential developments being planned in and around our community and the inevitable change they will bring. [Reston founder] Bob Simon laid out several principals 50 years ago when he founded Reston: environmental stewardship, diverse housing opportunities, recreational amenities, accessibility (walk and bike rideability), planning and design excellence, and commitment to the arts.
New development is coming, and RA needs to have a voice at the table so that Mr. Simon’s principles that have served our community so well for the past 50+ years can continue to do so.
RA must create and solidify key relationships and make sure that we get involved early in development planning cycles, when RA has a chance to influence plans. This includes staying up-to-date on potential development, and working hard to lobby Fairfax County decision makers on the association’s behalf.
Positive relationships with Fairfax County, Reston Town Center Association and large developers serve all parties’ interests. The best way to preserve the principles we value is for RA to communicate and engage.
We also need to plan for our changing community. The board needs to ensure that more development doesn’t bring with it a degradation of RA’s services and facilities, or our open space.
RN: How can RA members better understand what the board does and how can they be better involved in improving our community?
AS: RA needed to — and has — come a long way in the recent years in terms of transparency. More and more items are available on the RA website for perusal or inspection by all members, including such items as Board meeting minutes and board member information packets. This needs to continue so that all members have convenient access to available information. Read More
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections is now open. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of South Lakes District candidates.
Richard Chew currently serves as the South Lakes Director and is seeking re-election. He also previously served RA as an At-Large Director (2008-11).
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
RC: So the standard answer by candidates is usually something like: “I’ve been in Reston a long time and I want to give back to the community.”
Well, I am a longtime Reston resident and I have been active in the community almost all of the time I have lived here. I’ve been involved in RA operations and issues for over 15 years. In 2008, I was elected to the Reston Association Board of Directors as an At-Large Director. After a break in 2011 to take care of an ailing wife, I returned to the Board in 2012 as the representative of the South Lakes District. Much has been accomplished by the association over these years and I have contributed to most of the top accomplishments. But there is more to be done.
I seek re-election because my commitment to openness, truthfulness, and accountability has enabled me to deal effectively with all members of RA. I seek re-election because I am strong advocate of good governance within the association. I seek re-election because I enjoy serving on the Board and advocating for meeting the needs of our members.
That is why I want to continue on the board.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
RC: Future development in Reston is getting increasingly greater focus at the Reston Association. Maintaining the Reston way of life in the face of the inevitable changes to come. If managed appropriately, that change can benefit RA and its members.
I want to maintain RA’s excellent programs, services and facilities while carefully anticipating and planning for changes that will surely occur in the coming years. I am committed to working collaboratively with the RA staff, volunteers, and fellow Directors to serve the Association’s short- and long-term needs. I am also committed to maintaining RA’s financial health and using assessment dollars wisely to provide a strong quality of life for residents of all ages. In looking to the future, however, we cannot afford to minimize the current needs of the association and the needs of its members.
RN: How can RA members better understand what the board does and how can they be better involved in improving our community?
RC This an excellent question with no simple answer. The overwhelming majority of our members do not know what the association really does, much less what the Board of Directors does.
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections is now open. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of South Lakes District candidates.
Julie Bitzer is one of three candidates for the South Lakes seat. She is a 34-year resident of Reston who has served in leadership roles for a variety of Reston organizations.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
JB: After 34+ years of Reston living, it’s time for me to give back to this extraordinary community I call home. With Metro/Silver Line’s opening, we’re face-to-face with growth and change from commercial development and the influx of people joining our community, whether to live, to work or just to visit. We can and must channel this growth, making change work for us, to preserve and enhance that which defines our community — Reston’s founding vision of ‘Live-Work-Play.”
Living on the Reston National golf course, as a Reston Runner, a bicyclist, a golfer, a dog owner — I experience every day the joy of our open space and trail system, and its contribution to our quality of life.
I want more from my RA, and so do my fellow Restonians. In our conversations, we’ve shared our priorities and concerns. We want protection of our quality of life, and conservation of our natural open space. We want a governance that is open, transparent and most importantly, fiscally responsible to our interests.
Money doesn’t grow on the trees of Reston. I want to serve my community — to be part of the solution. I bring experience through 37+ years of Information Technology career, graduate level education with MBA and landscape design, coupled with serving a multitude of organizations, including treasurer/board member of a Reston cluster association.
But most importantly, I bring skills optimized in working as a team, listening, collaborating, and achieving results.
In answering the RA call to “get involved”, I will bring fresh perspectives and a challenging, questioning set of eyes & ears to my RA Board position.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
JB: It is an issue of trust and having the support of the members. Many perceive “RA” in the broadest sense as closed, unresponsive, and difficult to work with.
Members question how their assessments are being spent, and the value they receive back. Is RA working for my best interests? Read More
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections begins Monday at 5 p.m. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of North Point Candidates.
Dannielle LaRosa is seeking the North Point Director’s seat, which has one year remaining. LaRosa was appointed to the seat last summer, when Tim Cohn resigned for personal reasons. LaRosa, who has lived in Reston for 24 years, works in the financial industry and lives in North Reston with her husband and four children.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
DL: I care deeply about Reston, I care about my neighbors and I am completely invested in our community. Residents since 1991, my husband and I have four children who participate in Reston’s community and attend our public schools. I have been an active volunteer for over 15 years, serving in numerous leadership positions to include PTA President, Treasurer, Girl Scout Leader, Youth in Motion Coach for Reston Runners, Religious Education Teacher plus many neighborhood activities.
With my extensive financial background, I welcome the chance to focus my energies on evaluating the financial side of RA’s operations and the Board’s decisions. I am cognizant of how much being on the Board these past six months has provided me with an even bigger view of our community, where it is headed and how, as neighbors, we can help each other and help shape our community.
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
DL: The biggest issue for RA, in my opinion, is how do we effectively manage development while maintaining Reston’s unique character and community. To do this, we need effective relationships with county and community organizations as well as with incoming developers. More importantly, we need numerous avenues for two-way communication with our members. Members must know that their opinions are needed, are valued and will make a difference. Read More
Voting in the 2015 Reston Association Board of Directors elections begins Monday at 5 p.m. We will be running candidate profiles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The profiles are in a Q-and-A format so each candidate has an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.
Today’s profiles are of North Point Candidates. This is a Q-and-A with Charles Dorfeuille, a 13-year Reston resident.
Reston Now: What makes you want to serve — or continue to serve — on the RA Board?
CD: Through my involvement in [RA’s] Community Engagement Advisory Committee, I have seen many inefficiencies in RA policy that I have not seen the board properly work on. I see many ways to improve RA that I have laid out in my 20 things I pledge to have the board work on if i am elected. I want to see a Reston where more of us are taking full advantage of what RA has to offer!
RN: What is the biggest issue facing RA right now and do you have an idea to improve it?
CD: For the short term, I think that redevelopment and rezoning is our biggest challenge that if not properly faced, will have negative effects to our community for decades to come. For the longer term though I see our dues as a very serious issue we must at least try to take on.
RN: How can RA members better understand what the board does and how can they be better involved in improving our community?
CD: I agree that community involvement is a very important issue that Ra needs to work on. In my 20 points plan I have attempted to mitigate this issue through many potential initiatives and programs
- Grow a more vibrant and active public outdoor art program: Increase the number of temporary resident-made art installations especially during the summer months, with a strong emphasis on youth and senior involvement.
- Establish a stronger presence in the Reston community TV channel: Propose an “All about RA” show be added to the station. Also propose having future candidates forums and district meetings aired live, or replayed in its entirety on the channel. Propose airing the RA videos published on YouTube on a monthly basis as well.
- Establish a stronger working relationship with local schools: By establishing a relationship with all schools in the area, we would be able to establish a more visible presence in the lives of young people.
- Establishing a Youth centered committee: There are many young people in the community that want to be active, but don’t know where to begin. By establishing a youth committee that would consist mainly of middle- and/or high school-age members, we would have a permanent pulse on what young people want to see in an association that they are also members.
- Encourage a stronger referendum culture within the association: By incorporating non-binding referendums into the associations process, the board will be better able to gauge what members hope to see before making a decision like raising dues or changing the master plan.
- Make District meetings a permanent, yearly event: The idea that “the association is coming to you,” I believe, is where we should be aiming as an effective modern community association. I also see this as a great way for members to get to know their board members and what they do.
RN: Some of the criticism of RA recently is wasteful spending, lack of transparency and rising assessments. What can be done to improve or at least improve perceptions of all of these things? Read More
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Ryder, who likes playing tug-of-war and snacking on cucumbers.
Here is what his owner, Ratha, says about him:
Ryder “Monkey” Bannon is the best four-legged companion we could have asked for. He’s our “baby”. We picked him out when he was a few weeks old and could barely open his eyes. He’s now 5 1/2 years old and has not changed one bit.
He loves soaking in the sun, chasing squirrels of his property, showing mail carriers who’s boss and playing catch and tug-of-war. His favorite snacks and treats include peanut butter which causes him to lick his lips every time we say those two words, ice-cream, pasta, and cucumbers. He takes after his papa.
Ryder is such a character. He’s captured the hearts of many children, puppies (especially the females), and even non-dog people. We can’t imagine our lives without him!
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
