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
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
Get ready for prom season — for free.
Reston Community Center will host its 14th annual Diva Central Prom Dress Giveaway on Saturday, April 23 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at RCC Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza).
RCC has been collecting gently used formal items from the community to stock for its annual shopping experience.
Diva Central is open to any current high school student who is in need of a prom dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. Everything is FREE. Limit one dress per person.
“Prom is becoming an increasingly expensive experience for high school students. We hope to lessen that financial burden by giving local teens the opportunity to create their entire prom look for free,” says RCC Leisure and Learning Director Eileen Boone. “We always receive beautiful dresses and accessory donations from the community; it feels good to know that these items will become a part of a cherished high school experience for so many young ladies in the Reston area.”
This year, with the help of Boston Properties and the generosity of the Reston community, Diva Central has collected several hundred dresses for the giveaway event. In addition to prom dresses in all colors, sizes and styles, volunteers will be on hand to help teens select shoes, jewelry, handbags and other accessories to complete their prom look.
RCC file photo
It’s nearly Easter, so its time to have some holiday fun.
Children ages 1 to 8 and their parents/caregivers are invited to Brown’s Chapel Park Saturday, March 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for Reston Community Center’s Eggnormous Egg Hunt.
Here’s what is in store: Carnival games, entertainment, moon bounces, prizes, and a strolling magician, as well as the main event, the egg hunt. The egg hunt starts at 10:30 a.m. sharp.
Brown’s Chapel Park is located off of Baron Cameron Avenue at 11300 Brown’s Chapel Rd.
The event is free. The rain date is Saturday, March 26.
Don’t forget to bring:
- A basket to carry your eggs
- A camera for all the photo ops
- A picnic to enjoy outdoors
Update: Rescue Reston says the event has been canceled.
Rescue Reston is holding a fundraiser to help boost its legal defense fund.
The group, which advocates for open space in Reston, is expecting the owners of Reston National Golf Course to file an appeal with the Virginia Supreme Court of the 2015 Fairfax Circuit Court ruling that vacated a previous decision regarding the golf course’s zoning.
Rescue Reston is raising money for the supreme court case, should the Virginia Supreme Court decide to hear it.
Rescue Reston’s fundraiser is Thursday March 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
Guests are invited to enjoy appetizers, beverages, and camaraderie while being led in painting a 16 x 20 painting of a weeping willow tree. Painting instruction will be provided by Pinot’s Pallete Dulles.
Refreshments include a slider bar by JJ Deli and wine, beer and soft drinks.
Admission is $70; $20 of the admission fee will be donated to the legal defense fund. Register online.
Have something to say about Reston Community Center’s future planning and programming?
The attend RCC’s Board of Governors Community Relations and Program/Policy Joint Committee Meeting Monday at RCC Hunters Woods at 6:30 p.m.
RCC’s Board of Governors is working on its 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, which will guide the center’s efforts for the next five years.
The public is invited to participate in a facilitated conversation to review and make recommendations. After considering all input, RCC Board and staff will present a revised Strategic Plan draft to the public on March 14.
Can’t make it? Residents of Small Tax District 5 are invited to send suggestions and comments to [email protected]. A copy of the Strategic Plan draft may also be requested through that address.
Summer may seem a long way off, but camp signup is not.
Reston Community Center is hosting its third annual Reston Camp Expo Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods.
There will be dozens of representatives there to show you a wide variety of summer opportunities in and near Reston. Admission is free.
In 2015, more than 500 community members visited the expo. This year’s expo will feature demonstrations and activities for kids.
Save the dates for Reston Community Center’s 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. The theme of celebration: Are We Keeping the Promise?
There will be music, family activities and special guest playwright/actress Anna Deavere Smith, who will deliver the keynote address at Monday’s community luncheon, as well as a Sunday night presentation From Rodney King to Michael Brown at RCC’s CenterStage.
Here is the full lineup of events. Some require advance registration or tickets.
Saturday, Jan. 16
Community Service Projects
9 a.m., Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Rd. All ages. Free.
RCC is partnering with Southgate Community Center, Reston Association, Cornerstones, and The Closet on community service projects. Indoor projects include making bag lunches for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, sorting and organizing items from The Closet and several other projects at Southgate Community Center. There will also be several outdoor projects such as cleaning up the natural areas, pathways, and hardscape surrounding the area, weather permitting.
Volunteer activities conclude around noon, at which point volunteers will gather to share a lunch that will be provided. Sorting donations is for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and younger are welcome to participate in the other projects, but they must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
To volunteer, please contact Ha Brock, Reston Association Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator, at 703-435-7986 or [email protected].
Reston Community Orchestra’s 10th Annual Memorial Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods, Free but donations appreciated
As part of the community’s annual tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the orchestra will be Remembering the Dream. The program features an array of composers from diverse backgrounds designed to reflect Dr. King’s belief in equality, freedom, and brotherhood. Reston singer Beverly Cosham and other solo artists, choruses and student groups will participate.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Voices of Inspiration
4:00 p.m. , Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Avenue
Voices of Inspiration a musical program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event is sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church and includes many Reston faith communities. Free and open to all ages.
Anna Deveare Smith: From Rodney King to Michael Brown
8 p.m., CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods, $25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston Purchase Tickets.
Smith has been listening to people across the country from all walks of life for the last several years, using Walt Whitman’s idea “to absorb America” as an inspiration. Using interviews she conducted following the aftermath of the first Rodney King trial in 1992, Ms. Smith offers an update to her Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 show with this exploration of race relations in America.
Monday, Jan. 18
MLK Keynote Address and Community Lunch
12 p.m., CenterStage & Community Room, RCC Hunters Woods
$5 Reston resident/$10 Non-Reston. Purchase Tickets.
Anna Deavere Smith’s Keynote Address will explore issues of race, identity and community in America. Join her to experience the intensity of recognition as she uses her artistic powers to prompt discussion, public debate and action in honor of Dr. King and his legacy.
Especially For Youth Activities
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods. 6-12 Years Old. Free, but registration required.
Register your school-age child (first through sixth grades) to participate in activities at RCC. Children will rotate through a series of activities including a performance, an age-appropriate video, and arts and crafts. All activities will be based on the history of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.
Photo: Anna Deavere Smith/Courtesy RCC
Reston’s Conservatory Ballet makes holiday magic come to life this weekend with its 43rd annual production of The Nutcracker.
Performances began Wednesday and will run through Sunday at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
Want to see the holiday classic performed by students? Here is what you need to know:
There are toddler matinees Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon. These shows are 90 minutes. Tickets: $22.00 for adults and $17.00 for youth (12 & under)
Full-Length matinee performances are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for youth (12 & under)
Full-Length Evening performances are Friday and Saturday at at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for youth (12 & under)
Tickets are available online or one hour before performance at RCC.
To purchase online, click the links below.
Friday, December 11th at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 12th at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 12th at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 12th at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13th at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13th at 3:30 p.m.
For additional ticket information, visit Conservatory Ballet’s website.
When a new version of Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston VA was shown to about 500 viewers at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods on Thursday, there were more than a few tears shed by audience members touched at seeing the final story of Reston founder Bob Simon, who died in September at age 101.
Director Rebekah Wingert-Jabi has been working on the documentary for nearly five years. A previous version was shown at RCC in April of 2014 during the celebration events of Simon’s 100th birthday and Reston’s 50th anniversary.
The newer version was shown at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville earlier this month. It will likely be screened again in Reston in April, as well as in future film festivals, said Wingert-Jabi.
Some major things have happened since the spring of 2014: Metro’s Silver Line finally opened (in July 2014), linking Reston — once considered “the end of nowhere,” as someone in the movie said — with downtown DC; the development in progress spurred by the transit system; and, of course, Simon’s death.
“We wanted to flesh out key moments in Reston,” Wingert-Jabi said of the revisions. “We wanted people to understand more of what happened in the years Simon wasn’t here (1967-92), about Mobil Land’s role in developing Reston Town Center.”
The final edit of the 70-minute film will make the movie more appealing to people less familiar with Reston. The previous version had many more original Restonians talking about the pioneer spirit in moving to Simon’s “new town” in the mid-60s. The point still gets across in the new version, but added is more historical and architectural context.
The film is big on historic photos and documents. There’s Simon and his sisters playing in Riverside Park in Manhattan and touring Europe, which served as the inspiration of his suburban community built around a town piazza. Read More
Reston Community Center Executive Director Leila Gordon and Reston-based Helios HR are among the recipients of Leadership Fairfax’s 2015 Northern Virginia Leadership Awards.
The awards are given yearly to talented community leaders that have had a significant impact on the Northern Virginia area through volunteerism and community engagement, says Leadership Fairfax President and CEO Karen Cleveland.
Gordon will be honored with this year’s Regional Leadership Award. Helios has earned the Corporate Leadership Award.
Other 2015 honorees:
- Trustee Leadership Award: Dr. Charles Thomas, Jr., Project Leader, LMI
- Nonprofit Leadership Award, Individual: Eileen Ellsworth, Community Foundation of Northern VA
- Nonprofit Leadership Award, Organization: The Child and Family Network Centers
- Educational Leadership Award: Jesse Kraft, Principal, Providence Elementary School
The award ceremony will take place Dec. 3, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Waterford Fair Oaks. Tickets can be purchased online at www.leadershipfairfax.org.
Photo: RCC’s Leila Gordon (right) with Reston founder Bob Simon in 2014
Ready to vote on Nov. 3? If not, come to a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters at Reston Community Center on Saturday.
The Hunter Mill Candidates Forum is at 2 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods.
Expected to appear is hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who is running unopposed, as well as school board candidates for the Hunter Mill seat.
Running for school board is Pat Hynes, the current FCPS board chair who is seeking re-election to a second term, and challenger Mark Wilkinson, and Oak Hill businessman.
The school board race is Reston’s only contested election this fall. State Sen. Janet Howell (D) and Del. Ken Plum (D) are also both running unopposed.
The entire FCPS school board is up for re-election in the Nov. 3 race. There are nine candidates running for three At-Large seats.
Hynes, of Reston, is a former lawyer and teacher who has served on the board since 2012.
“Maintaining Fairfax County Public Schools’ world-class reputation in the twenty-first century demands visionary leadership,” Hynes says on her website. “This community expects its schools to be the best. We are preparing our students for careers that do not yet exist. What we know for sure is that our graduates will have to be flexible, creative problem-solvers who collaborate well and have strong communication skills. We must continue to build a culture that innovates from the classroom, supports our world class educators and sets high expectations for every student.”
Wilkinson says on his website he is concerned about FCPS’ budget, class sizes, and other issues.
“I believe that the children of Fairfax County must come first with any decisions made by the school establishment, particularly the School Board,” says Wilkinson. “I am well suited to be an independent and non-partisan advocate for children and sound education.
“As a parent, I know that no one knows a child and his/her needs as well as a parent. I have been troubled by the appearance, the current Board has given, that it has a disregard for parent knowledge and involvement. There is no room for a “we know best” attitude from the School Board.”
See previous Reston Now Q-and-As with Pat Hynes and Mark Wilkinson.
Photos: Pat Hynes (top) and Mark Wilkinson (bottom).
Reston residents will finally get a chance to see Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA. The 72-minute documentary by Reston filmmaker Rebekah Wingert-Jabi will be shown to the public on Nov. 19 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
The screening is at 8 p.m. and will take place in both the CenterStage theater and the Community Room to accommodate as many people as possible.
Tickets are free and will be limited to four per person; they will be available from the CenterStage Box Office beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 4:00 p.m. Any tickets or seats not used at 7:45 p.m. on the evening of the screening will be released to people seeking tickets the evening of the event.
Director Wingert-Jabi will introduce the film with brief comments on the process of editing and preparing it for submissions to festivals as the film has undergone significant change since its VIP screening in April 2014.
Following the screening, everyone is invited to enjoy light refreshments in the Community Room and share their impressions of the movie and the legacy of Reston’s founder, Robert E. Simon.
The movie, which Wingert-Jabi has been working on for several years, will also make its film festival debut at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville next month. The movie explores founder Robert E. Simon’s quest to build a “new town” in the Virginia countryside, where people of different races and incomes could live side-by-side and how Reston developed into a groundbreaking community.
To obtain tickets, please visit the CenterStage Box Office during Box Office hours; or call the Box Office at 703-476-4500, and press “3”. For more information, please visit RCC’s website or the Reston Historic Trust’s website.
It’s that time of year: pumpkin patches, costume parties and other fall fun as Halloween approaches. Here is a look at some Reston-area events coming up in the next few days:
Thursday, Oct. 16
Fall Carnival Fun on the Farm and Boo-Stravaganza — Kids ages 3 to 8 and their families are invited to Frying Pan Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon) for games, rides and tasty fair food. Admission is FREE, but there is a fee for carnival attractions. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m.
Come to the Indoor Arena Barn dressed in your favorite costume for Boo-Stravaganza. Enjoy fun, games, a wagon ride, treats, and a small pumpkin. The cost is $10 per child for Boo-Stravaganza, and reservations are required.
The celebration for all ages continues at Frying Park Thursday through Sunday with Fall Carnival Fun:
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free parking and admission. Games, rides, and fair food. Rides take 3-5 tickets each. Regular ticket price is $1 each or 24 tickets for $20. Discount unlimited-ride passes available for use Thursday evening 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday afternoon 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Halloween Family Fun Day — Reston Community Center Hunters Woods is hosting this event for the whole family. Come dressed in your favorite costume, and enjoy performances by
- Peter McCory, a one-man band, 12:15 p.m.
- Bob Brown Puppets, 1:15 p.m. perform “Monster Madness”
Kids under 8 can try their skill at winning candy and prizes when they play carnival games until 2 p.m.
All children must be accompanied by an adult guardian (age 18 and older) throughout the day. The event is free.
Pumpkins in the Park Festival — Lake Fairfax Park is holding this event for all ages from 9 to 1 p.m. There will be activities for the whole family like a burlap sack slide, face painting, class demonstrations, carousel rides, food and outdoor fun. Tickets are $4.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed three Restonians to serve on the Reston Community Center Board of Governors.
Bill Bouie, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt, and Gerald Zavala, all incumbents seeking another three-year term on the board, earned the most votes in the RCC Preference Poll. The results of the poll, which closed Oct. 2, are then recommended to the supervisors.
The vote tallies:
- Karol Anderson: 277
- William G. (Bill) Bouie: 1,303
- Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt: 1,435
- Gerald Zavala: 1,421
Dr. Richard Titus, Ph.D., withdrew his name from consideration on Sept. 17.
Since voting began before his withdrawal, voters could still select his name; he received 644 votes via mailed or online ballots.
The League of Women Voters handles ballots dropped in ballot boxes at either RCC location. There were 121 of these ballots determined to be eligible; the League of Women voters did not tabulate eligible votes for Dr. Titus.
The Board of Governors guides planning, budgeting, programming and policy for the two Reston Community Centers.
The three-year terms for Bouie, Sechrest-Ehrhardt, and Zavala begin on Nov. 2.
Bouie has served on the RCC Board since 2003, and served as the Board Chair from 2006 to 2008. He is also the current Chair of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Initiative for Public Art – Reston (IPAR). He has been a top volunteer or leader for other organizations such as Reston Little League, Wolf Trap Associates Board of Directors, Reston Hospital Board of Trustees, and the Reston YMCA Board of Management.
Sechrest-Ehrhardt has served on the RCC Board since 2012. She is a professional social worker and diversity trainer. In addition to her experience as a former RCC employee, Lisa and her family have participated in numerous RCC programs as patrons. Her experiences as an educator and communicator have focused on celebrating diversity and engaging community members of all backgrounds.
Zavala has served on the RCC Board since 2012 and currently serves as its treasurer. Zavala is an eight-year resident of Reston. His experience includes work with the Fairfax County Park Foundation, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Cornerstones, Reston Soccer, and Leadership Fairfax.
