A Reston Retrospective
Stories and thoughts by Reston residents as the community turns 50.
Usually, when you ask a number of people to share their thoughts and opinions on any subject, you get as many different answers as the numbers polled. In asking a rather random selection of residents for their thoughts as Reston celebrates its 50th anniversary, coincidentally with the 100th birthday of founder Robert E. Simon, you do get some interestingly different perspectives, but you get an uncanny commonality in their musings, as well. Regardless of where in Reston our commentators reside, the descriptors of "community," "beauty," "amenities," "something for everyone," "a town for all ages," and "protect our core values" were mentioned by all – and more than once during each Reston retrospective conversation.
Reston Founder Turning 100, Reston Turns 50
Robert Simon drinks a martini daily and still thinks about Reston’s potential.
Reston is still Robert E. Simon’s town. The founder of Virginia’s first planned residential community is turning 100 - and the town named after him is celebrating its 50th anniversary - this month.
Classified Advertising March 26, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Fairfax County Hosts Students from Japan
23 students also visited Japan last summer.
Last summer, 23 students studying Japanese at Lake Braddock, Hayfield and South Lakes High Schools received a full scholarship to visit Japan for ten days as part of the KAKEHASHI Project, a cultural exchange program that aims to connect students from Japan and the U.S.
Goldfish Swim School Now Taking Pre-registration
A swim school that has turned a non-swimmer into a triathlete in 15 months is headed to Reston.
Final Days of Voting in RA Election
Election results will be released on April 8.
Eight candidates filed to run for open seats on the Reston Association Board of Directors this year. The Board of Directors determines the Reston Association’s goals and policies. The candidate for the Apartment Owners Representative position is Ellen A. Graves.
GRACE Opens Emerging Visions Exhibit
Art of local high school students on display.
At the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), a new exhibit has opened displaying the art of 62 students from three area high schools, Herndon, Oakton, and South Lakes. The exhibit, “Emerging Visions: Complexities” is the second exhibit GRACE is showing to celebrate Youth Art Month. The gallery is immersed with artwork including drawings, paintings, mixed media works and photography. “I am hoping to go to Rochester Institute of Technology,” said Ellie Hughes, a senior at Oakton High School who has a sculpture piece on display in the exhibit. Hughes also participated in the 2013 art exhibit held at GRACE for high school students. “I am mostly interested in photography,” said Hughes. “That’s her love,” said her father, Jim Hughes who was impressed with the quality of the art exhibit.
Reston Chorale Celebrates Founder Bob Simon
Reston and Bob Simon are celebrated at March 23 concert.
“It is wonderful to be here,” said composer Donald McCullough. “It was a really exciting experience because what Bob has created here is really quite astounding.” McCullough was at the South Lakes High School stage in Reston. He had been commissioned by the Reston Chorale to create a work that musically expresses what makes Reston a special place. On Sunday, March 23, the audience heard the premiere performance of McCullough’s “The Essential Life.”
Column: A Letter from Sandy Hook
On the fourteenth of each month, the anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, I join dozens of others at a vigil at the National Rifle Association headquarters to remind everyone of the need for sensible gun safety measures. After the most recent vigil, I got an email from Erin Nikitchyuk which I share with her permission to remind us of how we all need to be concerned about this issue.
Oak Hill Elementary Gets Energized By Einstein
Mark Spiegel presents Einstein Alive!
How do you get a cafeteria full of kids wildly engrossed in and energized about some pretty complex scientific subject matters? You call in Albert Einstein to explain and demonstrate - that’s how. OK. Not the Albert Einstein, of course. But Marc Spiegel’s performance of Einstein Alive! did the trick.
East All-Stars Beat West All-Stars in 10th Suburban Classic
McLean’s Prock named East MVP; South Lakes’ Jensen scores 22.
McLean's Cami Prock and South Lakes' Caitlin Jensen had big afternoons during the Suburban Classic.
Editorial: Challenging Budgets
Local Government should be able to access income taxes to give relief on real estate taxes.
Northern Virginia governments are facing shortfalls in the classic budget sense: projected revenues are less than last year’s expenditures plus increases in costs.
Another Milestone
March 30, 2014. My age 59 and a half (9/30/54 is my date of birth). The age at which money deposited into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can be withdrawn without incurring a 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Not that I’m retiring. I am remembering though when this cancer-centric life of mine began.
Virginia Bluebells: Native Spring Beauty
Carpets of bluebells coming soon to a park near you.
The Virginia Bluebells are coming. In early Spring, these native wildflowers will burst into bloom profusely throughout much of the Washington area. Botanically named Mertensia virginica, one of a number of species of Mertensia, Virginia Bluebells can be found in many moist, woodland areas, especially along streams and rivers. Depending on the weather, they first appear in early April as light pink buds, and then open into several shades of pink, blue and even white. In some areas along the local rivers they bloom in stunning profusion, creating a veritable carpet of color.
‘Carmen’ Comes to Area
Virginia Opera brings "Carmen" to Center for the Arts.
Virginia Opera, the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, will present Georges Bizet’s sultry tragedy about opera’s most famous femme fatale, "Carmen." The opera has enthralled audiences for more than a century and is one of the most popular. "Carmen" follows Don José and his ill-fated obsession with the alluring Carmen who tosses him aside for another man leading to jealous rage.
‘Goal Is To Spot Kids in Crisis’
Police, others take suicide prevention training.
Although there have been four recent incidents of teen suicides in Fairfax County, the Police Department has planned to offer Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training for its officers since October 2013.
Celebrating Inclusion
Board of Supervisors Names March Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month.
The Board of Supervisors has designated March "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month" in Fairfax County. Both those with disabilities and those without have their lives enriched when people with disabilities are fully included in the community. This special month seeks to help those with disabilities find ways to be involved in the community, and bring awareness to others of these engaged neighbors.
Reston Home Sales: February, 2014
In February 2014, 57 Reston homes sold between $970,000-$157,000.
Reston Home Sales: February, 2014
Nowruz Celebrated At Reston Town Center
Third annual Persian New Years festival brings thousands.
"This event is basically the Iranian New Year’s festival," said Ashkbous Talebi, who was assisting with a display representing the Ghashghaic tribe, from southern Iran. Both Talebi and his wife have attended the celebration of Nowruz at Reston Town Center since it was first hosted in March of 2012. The event was a day-long celebration, with the Pavilion serving as the presentation hub throughout the event.
First NOVA Makers Faire Held At Reston
Inaugural event brings visitors to explore hands on science and tech.
"This last week has been really intense, but we would say it was a success," said Brian Jacoby, a resident of Reston and founding member of NOVA Labs. Jacoby had just finished operations for the inaugural NOVA Makers Faire hosted at two locations, South Lakes Highs School and Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston. The event sold over 3,000 tickets, and more than 300 volunteers helped guide visitors to various displays related to technology and engineering.