Bulova: ‘This Will Be a Challenging Budget’
Fairfax County average homeowner will see tax bill increase $330 under County Executive’s proposed $7 billion budget.
Fairfax County Executive Edward Long, Jr. unveiled a $7 billion budget proposal Tuesday that reflects his "cautious and deliberative approach to budgeting," a result, Long said, of continuing uncertainty over federal spending and sluggish commercial tax revenues.
SingStrong for a Cause
Professional a cappella singers preform at South Lakes High School.
For three days at South Lakes High School in Reston, the music of the human voice was celebrated with the sixth annual SingStrong International Charity A Cappella Festival. This event featured five concerts, an auction, and over a dozen classes and coaching sessions from professional musicians.
Fathers Take Daughters to Dance
Fathers and daughters enjoy special night at Herndon Community Center.
The evening of Saturday, Feb. 1, Herndon Community Center was host to the 6th annual Father Daughter Dance at the gymnasium room. Operating the DJ table was Aaron Hahn, owner of Basement Media Productions. The focus of the event was dance to popular music. Songs ranging from “Cotton Eyed Joe” to “Gangnam Style” were broadcast during the night. Appetizers and drinks were also served.
Hollywood Comes to Fairfax
How to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph adoptable animals.
Animals at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter were given the celebrity treatment on Feb. 23 when a team from the non-profit Shelter Art Foundation taught shelter staff and volunteers how to use Hollywood-style portrait techniques to photograph their adoptable animals.
Giving Bianca a Second Chance
A Fairfax County Animal Shelter happy ending.
Bianca, a nine-year-old, female, German shepherd mix dog, had been living her life on the end of a chain in a rural part of Virginia. In late January, an unknown stray dog approached Bianca and attacked her. Bianca’s owner came outside and in an attempt to stop the attack he hit both dogs with a shovel, striking Bianca over the head and injuring her. Rather than pursue vet care, the owner drove Bianca to the local pound and surrendered her. For the next 36 hours, Bianca sat with no medical care, until a sympathetic staff person called the shelter’s rescue partner at the Highland County Humane Society in rural Virginia.
‘We Will Not Tolerate Unsafe Driving’
Police want motorists to get the message from their new cruiser.
There’s a new weapon in the Fairfax County Police Department’s arsenal, but this one has four tires and an engine. It’s a new cruiser covered with messages warning people not to drive impaired or distracted. It was unveiled on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Sully District Station, and the station’s commander, Capt. Ed O’Carroll, explained its significance.
Proposed Art in Silver Line Keeps Communities in Mind
Planned public art to be displayed at Silver Line station on Jan. 23.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has unveiled its plans for public art to be placed outside of metro stations built in Phase I and Phase II of the Silver Line project. Among the proposed projects are a colorful, light-reactive glass display outside of the Tysons Corner station by Philadelphia artist Ray King; a series of lighted metal and concrete columns at the Greensboro station by Iowa artist David Dahlquist; and a 30-foot tall, light-integrating metal work by Arizona artist Barbara Grygutis for the Spring Hill station.
RA Proposes Covenant Changes for RELAC Service
Lake Anne residents are divided over a proposed amendment.
Lake Anne residents may soon be required to fulfill additional requirement if they wish to switch their air conditioning service from the Lake-centered Reston Lake Anne Air Conditioning Corporation (RELAC) system to their own home units. Language in a new amendment proposed by the Reston Association requires that residents obtain recertification of their medical excuse from a doctor every year after requesting to switch. The change to Covenant 15, which sets standards for Lake Anne residents’ air conditioning usage, bars removal of RELAC equipment from homes if they are not first inspected by a RELAC-certified professional - something that current residents say does not exist.
Q&A with David Harris, Reston Association’s New Chief Financial Officer
Reston Association has hired longtime Northern Virginia resident and public accounting professional David Harris as their new chief financial officer. Harris took a few minutes on Friday afternoon to discuss his background and what his plans are for managing RA’s finances and information technology department as he settles into his new role.
Musical Escape Into Innocent Pleasures
Reston Community Players to present "Xanadu" at CenterStage.
"It is going to be a great over-the-top time," said Evie Korovesis, who is featured in the upcoming Reston Community Players' production of the musical comedy "Xanadu." It's about time for an escape into glitter, big hair, silver disco balls and roller skates. Laced up into their roller skates, the Reston Community Players (RCP) are deep into rehearsal working on pop tunes like "Evil Woman," "Have You Ever Been Mellow," "Strange Magic," “Suddenly” and “I’m Alive.”
Impasse in Richmond
Commentary
One essential step in successful negotiations is to anticipate what the other side needs or wants and attempt to come as close as possible to that position to arrive at a compromise. This process is followed effectively on a daily basis in businesses, families, and legislatures. While the rhetoric has been harsh from the Republican majority in the House of Delegates about not approving an expansion of Medicaid in the state, I understood their partisan and ideological stance but was confident that some middle ground, or as Governor McAuliffe calls it “common ground,” could be reached. My optimism is starting to wane.
Touring Artist Series Continues in Reston
Tickets still available for CenterStage performances in dance, music and theatre.
Reston Community Center (RCC) continues its 2013-2014 Professional Touring Artist Series at the CenterStage with an eclectic mix of musicians, dancers and theatre performers. RCC Arts and Events Director Paul Douglas Michnewicz says that his choices for his inaugural season were personal. He specifically chose many of these performers for their intriguing backgrounds and how that has inspired the work they present. “The personal stories and backgrounds of these artists are as fascinating and compelling as the performances they present on stage,” Michnewicz says of the season. “My hope is that audiences will personally connect with both the artists and the art they present.” In addition to the performances, Reston Community Center has announced the addition of the Parents Time Out Series. During select PTAS performances, parents will have the opportunity to sign up children ages 4-9 for activity-based childcare while they attend the performance. This option is available for Modern Moves (May 28) and Raul Midón (May 31).
Volunteers Needed to Help Older Adults
Meals on Wheels needs drivers in Fairfax. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Conference-Champion Seahawks Continue Second-Half Surge
South Lakes Beats West Potomac in Regional Tournament.
The South Lakes boys' basketball team will host Robinson tonight.
South Lakes Girls’ Basketball Captures Elusive Postseason Title
Seahawks win Conference 6, beat Lake Braddock at regionals.
The South Lakes girls' basketball team will host Centreville tonight.
Additional Delays Slow Handover of Silver Line to Metro
Performance issues and unmet safety testing requirements cited as reasons for the continued delay.
Phase I of the Silver Line is still not quite ready for final testing by Metro authorities, according to a Monday statement issued by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). With the handover of the Silver Line project to Metro authorities looming, Northern Virginia residents will have to be patient despite their readiness to hop on the train at new Tysons Corner and Reston Metro stations.
Trout Season To Begin At Reston Lake Fairfax
Passes for fishing available for purchase.
Fishermen who enjoy catching trout are invited to participate in the 2014 trout season Feb. 14 through May 4. Due to inclement weather, the county delayed the event for a week. "The county was trying to not encourage water activities when the lake was frozen over," said Lake Fairfax park employee Dustin Meyers. One thousand pounds of rainbow trout and 200 pounds of golden trout will soon be in the waters of Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. This 20-acre lake will be restocked five times during the spring season by Cast-a-line of Goshen, Va.
‘Divine Love’ on Display in Reston
Elizabeth Linares’ Photography display opens at Reston Center.
"My work has evolved over the years, but I like to portray light," said Elizabeth Linares. Linares hosted a reception at the Reston Center 2 Solo Exhibit location on Thursday, Feb. 6. Her photography exhibit, "Divine Love" will be on display at the Reston Center 2 until Feb. 27. "This exhibit shows the breadth and depth of Elizabeth’s work," said League of Reston Artists President Jim Schlett.
Board of Supervisors Approves Reston Master Plan
The Board’s Approval of the Revised Master Plan on Feb. 12 cleared the way for an expansive 50-year vision for Reston.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Comprehensive Reston Master Plan on Tuesday, Feb. 12, adopting the vision for Reston’s growth for the next 50 years. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) motioned for the Board to approve the revised plan’s vision for Reston with founder Bob Simon’s original 1962 goals in mind.
Capitol Steps Help Cornerstones
The 31st annual benefit performance and live auction raises $152,605 for affordable housing programs in Reston.
More than 600 Reston residents came out to the 31st Annual Capitol Steps Benefit Performance at the Hyatt Regency Reston to raise money for Cornerstones’ affordable housing programs. The event, held on Sunday, Feb. 16 and sponsored by Long and Foster Real Estate, raised a total of $152,605 for Cornerstones.