
Creating Art at Reston Town Center
Joyce Ann Drayton of the Children's Craft Shop in Centerville creates a work of art during the Reston Town Center Chalkfest.

Swim, Bike, Run: Reston’s 33rd Annual Triathlon
More than 500 compete in area event.
During the preceding week, Kelly Edwards of Waterford, Va., had been experiencing a strange feeling: butterflies in her stomach, but not the usual kind. They were “happy butterflies.”
Reston: Award-winning Silver Line Sculptor Kicks off IPAR Artist Talks Sept. 21
Award-winning sculptor Barbara Grygutis, who has created more than 75 large-scale public artworks across the United States and Canada, including the Silver Line’s Spring Hill metro station, will kick off the Initiative for Public Art-Reston’s (IPAR) Artist Talk Series on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Clifton: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program to hold tenth Polo Classic fundraiser
Once a week for the last seven years, César Dulanto of Lake Ridge, Va. has come to Clifton to trade his wheelchair for a saddle. Dulanto, 13, has been been wheelchair-bound since the age of two with cerebral palsy. He used to have difficulty just sitting up in a chair. And, he said, “I used to be so shy.”

Fairfax County: Supervisors to Vote on Independent Auditor Office
Board item reviewed by public safety committee
At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create an office of independent police auditor.

Fairfax County School Board Postpones Decision on New Sponsorship Policy
Fairfax County Public Schools are far from becoming a David Foster Wallace novel.
Fairfax Namesake School District in California Celebrated
While there can only be one Fairfax County Public Schools system, members of the FCPS board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors congratulated the namesake Fairfax School District in Bakersfield, Calif. on its 125th anniversary.
Suicide Prevention: Everyone’s Business
Letter to the Editor
On behalf of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN), I thank you for the Connection’s compassionate and informative editorial printed in observance of Suicide Prevention Week, titled Take One Action to Prevent Suicide.
What’s Permissible When Planning a Home Renovation?
Complete due diligence upfront to research any ordinances or restrictions that may affect the project.
Unfortunately, homeowners and contractors often forget important steps during this project feasibility phase, which sometimes leads to wasted time and money or abandoned projects. To ensure you sidestep those mistakes, start with this checklist to look into to help minimize setbacks while planning and executing your next renovation.

Vienna Sunroom Brings Light, Awards
Family entertainment suite, larger breakfast area, private second level decking among stand-out custom features
To Sanjay and Deepika Sardana, who have occupied a Colonial style-home in Vienna for 14 years, the great achievement of their new sunroom addition is how well it meets their requirements regarding views, available light and interior design.

Comfort Zone
Local furniture maker combines style and comfort
John W. Smith treks through a maze of sleek chairs and stately sofas in a large, sunlit showroom tucked in an industrial warehouse center in Fairfax. He pauses at a dining chair, upholstered in beige linen and framed with espresso hardwood.
Classified Advertising September 14, 2016
Read the latest ads here!
Reston Association Struggles
Independent Progressive
Although I don’t pay as much attention to the daily intrigues and workings of our Reston Association as I used to back when I was on their Board, there are times when RA actions spark my interest or concern. Recent tensions on the Board got my attention. A trend toward secrecy in decision-making and a weak ethics regimen are a greater cause for concern.

Reston: Jazzin’ It Up at Lake Anne
10th Annual Lake Anne Jazz Festival hits all the right notes.
After a full Jazz Week at Reston’s Lake Anne Plaza that featured live music in several of the local restaurants, merchant activities and even special film showings like “Lady Sings the Blues,” the 10th annual event finished off on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a Jazz Festival with an impressive lineup of talent on the outdoor stage.

Fairfax: Dead Man’s, Deputy’s Name Released in Inova Shooting
Police, sheriff investigations continue.
Jovany Martinez is the 29-year-old Hispanic man who died after being shot by a Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputy Monday night Aug. 15 outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Suicide Loss ‘Club’
Commentary
When I was 15 years old, I received my first “membership card” to suicide loss. I got the platinum membership card because not only was my loss to suicide, but it was also a parent.
Reston Letter: Tall Oaks: More Than Just a Village Center
Letter to the Editor
The Fairfax County Planning Commission clearly showed that unless a court tells them differently, they can dictate Reston’s future. Robert Simon’s vision, decades of planning and careful growth have now been taken over by Fairfax County. They know what’s best for Reston.
Reston Letter: Out-of-Scope Lighting
Letter to the Editor
I am writing to voice my concern, disappointment and disapproval for the installation of the out-of-scope lighting on Cross School Road by Sunrise Valley Elementary School. The lighting is not suitable for the size of the road and seems to be done without advisement and consult of the community. The lights are very large - highway size lights that, again, are out of scope for the nature of the road and residential community. In comparison - there are no lights on the far more traveled road - Sunrise Valley - that carries far more traffic through South Reston.
Letter: Does He Bite?
Letter to the Editor
Well, they're finally over! Suffering through the breathless NBC "coverage" of Olympic "sports," many of which few of us have ever heard of, involving Zika-virus and Rio-mugging avoidance tips, inane commentary, and tedious "up-close and personals" punctuated by the occasional showing of an actual event and immediate post-race interviews with "heroes" gasping for breath, I wondered about the origins of the ridiculous habit of winning athletes appearing to take a bite out of their medal before the cameras.

Reston Residents Oppose Apartment Redevelopment
180 residents sign petition opposing St. Johns development proposal in its current version.
St. Johns Wood is a sprawling campus of nine three-story buildings that house 250 apartments on about 14 acres of land nestled in the woods off Center Harbor Rd. in Reston - and that is exactly how some residents of the complex, and many of their neighbors in surrounding clusters of apartments, townhomes and single family dwellings would like to see it stay. A group about 35-strong made their opinions known at the Reston Association (RA) Governance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the RA offices.