Commentary
Science Goes on Trial in Virginia
Not since the Scopes trial in Tennessee in 1925 has science been on trial as it has been in Virginia over the last few years. The Scopes trial was of course about Darwin’s theory of evolution. That trial concluded more than 85 years ago, but the debate goes on with fundamentalists who prefer the teaching of creationism over evolution in public schools. No amount of scientific evidence will convince those who read the Bible literally as to how humankind came to be on this earth. Likewise, in Virginia today there are those who deny that human behavior is jeopardizing God’s creation through climate change.
Classical Ballet Theatre Presents Master Classes
As part of its monthly Master Class series, Classical Ballet Theatre will present two Master Classes with former American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancers Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, two of the country’s most highly acclaimed dancers.
Editorial: Get a Flu Shot, Register to Vote
Getting a flu shot has never been easier.
Classified Advertising October 9, 2013
Read the lastest ads here!
Reston Runner Named Foxcroft Athlete of the Week
Foxcroft School senior Amy Edgemond has mastered the art of competitive running in a short time, winning races routinely since joining Foxcroft’s cross country team only a year ago. This year she may well be the best runner in the Delaney Athletic Conference.
Sophomores Lead South Lakes Volleyball Past Herndon
Caloyannides finishes with 18 kills for Seahawks.
South Lakes won its second best-of-five match of the season.
Runnymede Hosts NatureFest
Annual festival explores flora and fauna at local park.
The Friends of Runnymede Park and the Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department hosted the annual NatureFest Sunday, Oct. 6. The festival gave nature enthusiasts of all ages a chance to explore the diverse habitats within the park.
Reston Native David Bendernagel Releases Novel 'The End of the City'
“The End of the City” features South Lakes student protagonist.
Growing up in Reston, David Bendernagel said he always thought writing was cool. His interests ranged from the fantastical to the realistic, and with his first novel, “The End of the City,” he has found a way to explore both of those themes in an unorthodox, but interesting way.
Lighting the Night at Reston Town Center
Annual walk funds blood cancer research, family support.
“Ava B” will turn 5 years old early next year, and spent more than half of her young life dealing with leukemia. She was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2011 at age 2. Since then, she has undergone more than 20 months of chemotherapy, and seen her family and friends rally around her.
Decorating for Fall
Local designers offer suggestions for bringing the harvest into your home.
The colors of autumn are all around as pumpkins and squash fill produce stands and leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow before falling from their branches. Local designers and tastemakers are unveiling home accents that bring the warm hues of the season into the home. Whether using pillows, throws or flowers, adding the colors and textures of fall requires less effort than one might expect. “Emerald green, orange and turquoise are three of the biggest color trends we’re seeing,” said Marcus Browning of European Country Living in Old Town Alexandria. “Throws and pillows are a given, but you can also tie in traditional and modern accessories with rugs, stained glass lamps with modern or intricate designs.” Small trays provide a canvas for highlighting color and adding functionality to a room, says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Bethesda, Md. “Color and pattern are in right now,” she said. “I just purchased the C. Wonder (http://www.cwonder.com) navy and white chevron tray for my home. It adds a punch of color and freshness to a room. Preppy is back in a big way, too, offering lots of patterns.”
Week in Reston
Community Forum to Review Master Plan
With the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force work nearing completion, Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m., to review the draft language for the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. The plan will guide development around the three transit station areas in Reston through 2030. The meeting will be held at South Lakes High School, Lecture Hall, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston.
‘Rally for a Cause’ Tennis Tourney in Reston
Early morning clouds dispersed and the rain held off Sept. 21 and 22 for Reston’s “Rally for a Cause,” the second annual tennis tournament. Sixty five players, nearly double the number of players from the previous year, gathered at the Lake Newport tennis facility for men’s and women’s 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 singles and doubles draws. They brought their racquets, their wallets and their friends to combine the sport of tennis with charitable giving. The tournament sponsored three causes: USTA Serves/Wounded Warrior Curriculum, HEART (Have Everyone Access Tennis) and Cornerstones, which respectively support rehabilitation through tennis for injured or ill veterans, tennis scholarships for children and interfaith family services.
Oktoberfest Returns to Reston Town Center
Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor fall festival is Friday through Sunday, Oct. 11-13.
The beer and wine will be flowing at Oktoberfest Reston produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, www.OktoberfestReston.com, the largest fall festival in Northern Virginia drawing crowds of up to 85,000 over three days. This event features the best in fall brews with traditional Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants.
Memorial Service Set for William Jarvie Nicoson
A memorial service for William Jarvie Nicoson, lawyer and first director of the New Community Assistance Program, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston.
Negative Campaign
Candidates appear at minority business forum, attacking each other.
Local and statewide candidates for office appeared at an unprecedented forum in Northern Virginia last weekend, a collaboration of minority business groups of blacks, Hispanics and Asians. But as candidates arrived at the Annandale campus of the Northern Virginia Community College for a Sunday afternoon forum, voters realized that the tone of the campaign would remain unrelentingly negative. "All three of the Republican candidates are Tea Party right wing extremists," said Del. Ken Plum (D-36), who is running unopposed. "Look at their records and their stands on the issues." Plum attacked Cuccinelli's lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act as well as his investigation into a University of Virginia professor studying climate change. The longtime delegate also said the Republican attorney general candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-25) has a similar record, including a bill that would have required women to report abortions to police. Together with the candidate for lieutenant governor, Plum said, the ticket is Tea Party from top to bottom.
Commentary: The Battle to Insure Everyone
Last week saw the beginning of a federal government shut-down—at least a partial shut-down. Even the most ardent of the angry fringe element that subverted the Congressional legislative process to cause the partial shut-down seemed willing to admit that there were some “essential” services of government that needed to continue. To be able to use the words “essential” and “government” in the same sentence is a step forward for some people who severely criticize government for whatever it does or does not do and for whatever happens or does not happen. There is still a wide chasm to bridge between what is considered necessary for the government to do and what should be left to individuals. Health care is at that juncture. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land that has been passed by the Congress, signed by the president, reviewed and approved as constitutional by the Supreme Court, and was a key issue in a campaign in which the president was re-elected by more than five million votes. While some would argue with the details of the Affordable Care Act, it is clear that as a country we have taken a stand that each individual is entitled access to health insurance regardless of whether their employer provides it. A small but vocal minority in the Republican Party disagrees and has decided to block the ability of the federal government to pay its bills as they try to get their way on stopping a law they have been unable to overturn in 40 attempts.
Independent Progressive
Republican Shutdown—Shouldn’t We All Get a Turn?
As we walked our dog around the lake this morning, we encountered three Restonians in furlough mode—one with NASA, one a DoD contractor and one with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, all solid citizens doing work that is needed and broadly beneficial to us all.
Running, Walking to Help Haitians
VIP 5K run/walk to be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at Lake Fairfax Park.
The Vanessa Pean Foundation is sponsoring the second annual VIP 5K run/walk in memory of Great Falls resident Vanessa Pean who died tragically in a car accident on Beach Mill Road Oct. 30, 2005 at age 16. Since 2005, the Vanessa Péan Foundation has been shaping the future of Haiti by providing scholarships to underprivileged children as well as critically needed basic services such as clean water. This 501c3 is dedicated to creating a better future for all Haitians through education and by addressing basic human needs. Over 322 scholarships have been provided and a clean spring water well now provides potable water for a town the size of Great Falls.
Great Falls Studios Explore Art’s Natural Habitat
Great Falls Studios releases book to celebrate 10th anniversary.
Great Falls Studios was founded 10 years ago by several artists who wanted to network. Now, it features more than 90 artists who work in almost every conceivable medium, and they work hard to promote arts events around the community.
Promoting Jewish Medical Awareness in Northern Virginia
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present a program on ethics, “Life in the Balance: Jewish Perspectives on Everyday Medical Dilemmas,” as part of the institute’s new six-session Fall 2013 course that will begin during the week of Oct. 27.