Crate and Barrel released a new sofa line that looks like it was designed by Robert Simon himself.
The “Reston Queen Trundle Sleeper Sofa” model sells for about $2,500 and was called out by the Restonian — a local blog — for having oddly similar features to that of the community.
Its blocky design fits buildings found around Reston and its price tag might remind homeowners of the high cost of living in the area — at least compared to the national average.
One commenter on Crate and Barrel’s Facebook page said that the design is a “ChaCh$ing – couch” while another said it was simply overpriced and they found better deals elsewhere.
The sofa sleeper comes in almost 10 colors, each of which are monotone shades of greys, browns and tans. When Reston residents take a walk around town, they’re likely to notice a similar color-scheme within their own community.
Though it appears that Crate and Barrel have removed some of the items from its website, The Restonian did a side-by-side comparison to other sectionals within the Reston Sofa family to that of buildings around town.
It is unclear if the sofa was actually modeled after the Reston community, but people are free to make up their own conspiracies about the design.
Photo via Crate and Barrel Facebook
Smoking in Bed Causes Reston Townhouse Fire — A townhouse fire on Wednesday night was caused by “smoking while in bed,” according to fire investigators. The fire happened on the 2300 block of Antiqua Court. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Robert Simon Jr. Children’s Center Marks 30 Years — “This month, The Robert E. Simon Jr. Children’s Center marks thirty years serving area families with high-quality childcare. Named for Reston’s founder, the nonprofit Simon Center provides families throughout Northern Virginia with a warm, responsive and caring environment for children to learn and grow.” [Reston Patch]
Census Begins on April 1 — A Census invitation is heading to your mailbox next month. [U.S. Census Bureau]
Local Students Earn Scholastic Art Awards — “The 2020 Regional Scholastic Art Awards program has recognized 372 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students in grades 7-12 with 571 awards including Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention awards, and American Visions Nominations.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Just a few days after Founder’s Day, CenterStage at Reston Community Center will have a free screening of a Reston filmmaker’s documentary on Bob Simon’s vision.
Director Rebekah Wingert’s 2015 documentary “Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA” chronicles Simon’s journey to creating his version of a suburban utopia.
Wingert grew up in Reston and returned to live there in the early 2000s.
The screening is set to start at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday (April 10).
“Another Way of Living” departs from Wingert’s other documentaries, which have focused on Palestinians.
Wingert’s latest production, “Naila and the Uprising,” tells the story of women fighting for freedom in Palestine. The documentary is part of the “Women, War and Peace II” series and is currently streaming on PBS.
Photo courtesy Reston Community CenterÂ
Reston founder Robert E. Simon was on Capitol Hill on Tuesday where the 99 year old — and the community — was honored with an America’s Best Intergenerational Communities Award.
The award was given by the MetLife Foundation and Generations United to four communities this year. The awards are designed to heighten awareness of the importance intergenerational solidarity plays in building strong, supportive communities.
“It takes a great deal of effort and forward thinking to create a community where members of every generation want to live,” says Donna Butts, executive director of the nonprofit Generations United. “Reston has worked to ensure its residents enjoy a vibrant, meaningful place to live, are treated with respect and care, and have ample opportunity to work together for the betterment of all.”
Reston’s application was jointly submitted by Reston Association, Reston Community Center and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, among others.
“Todays’ ceremony is just another wonderful example of Reston continuing to live up to Bob’s founding principles,” said RA president Ken Knueven. “Seeing young children and the [nearly] 100-year-old Bob Simon standing together says it all.”
An “intergenerational community” consists of individuals of all ages who are an integral part of the community, as “reflected in the families, structures, facilities and services that children, youth and older adults encounter in the community as well as in day-to-day interactions and relationships,” says Generations United, a coalition of more than 100 groups focused on improving lives of citizens of all ages.
What makes a quality intergenerational community?
“Partnerships between local government, older adult-living facilities, schools, after-school programs, businesses, local cultural and community organizations and services, families, older adults, youth and children are essential to be considered intergenerational,” says Generations United.
In it’s application, Reston pointed out that it is “intent on being age-intentional.”
Says Reston For a Lifetime:
“That means there are no senior centers. Instead, older adult programming is blended with those of children and youth at the Reston Community Center. There’s also the Robert E. Simon Children’s Center inside the Cameron Glen Care Center nursing home, where children and older residents interact daily, making the Care Center an intergenerational shared site.
The outcomes spring from the community’s intergenerational programming roots that run nearly five decades deep, when The Reston Association (formerly the Reston Homeowner’s Association) started in 1965, a year after real estate entrepreneur Robert E. Simon founded Reston.
Today, the Reston Association continues to uphold Simon’s belief that open spaces and outdoor recreational amenities serve as meeting grounds for people of all ages.”
The other award recipients are the communities of Maricopa County, AZ; City of Parkland, FL and Village of Shorewood, WI. Two other communities were named National Finalists: Miami Gardens, FL and Rye, NY.
The Reston group also received a congratulatory letter from Virginia Sen. Mark Warner on Tuesday.
“This honor recognizes Reston as an intergenerational community in which individuals of all ages are an integral and valued part of the setting,” wrote Warner. “This perspective is reflected in the families, structures, facilities and services that children, youth and older adults encounter in the community. … I commend all those who continue to help strengthen the Reston community and improve the lives of others.”
Photo of Reston founder Robert Simon at Tuesday’s ceremony by Ken Knueven.