
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.

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.

A Tribute to Bob Simon
Reston Community Orchestra Concert celebrates 100th birthday of Reston’s founder.
On Sunday, March 16, approximately 200 people went to Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods to an afternoon performance by the Reston Community Orchestra. The event was an early celebration of the 100th birthday of Reston founder Robert "Bob" Simon. Also attending the event were Delegate Ken Plum (D-36), state senator Janet Howell (D-32), and Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill).

Greater Washington Dance Center Brings a Fresh Perspective to Reston
Gretchen Vogelzang, founder and owner of the Greater Washington Dance Center (GWDC) in Reston will be the first to tell you that if you are looking for a studio where your child will be prepped to participate in elaborate performances for every season, then her place is probably not the one for you and yours.

‘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.

Valentine’s Weekend
Romantic events happening in the Fairfax County area.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day by heading off to one of these events this weekend.

Families Spend Snow Days Together
With Fairfax County Public School off for most of the week, residents skate at ice rink.
Reston residents seemed to enjoy some time off after Northern Virginia was hit with about six inches of snow on Tuesday, Jan. 21. With Fairfax County Public Schools and many offices closed from Tuesday to Thursday, Fairfax County residents were able to take a few days off to rest. Most stayed in on Tuesday, as roughly six inches of snow came down and covered the roads.

South Lakes Choral Department Presents Winter Concert
Reston students display their musical skills.
The Little Theatre in Reston’s South Lakes High School was packed the evening of Thursday, Dec. 19 as families and friends gathered to hear the music of the South Lakes Choral Department.

Blockbuster Musical Arrives at CenterStage
Reston Community Players present ‘Les Miserables.’
Megawatt electric energy filled the Reston Community Players (RCP) rehearsal hall. Cast members and technical crew were in the midst of the groundwork for the area community theater premiere of the multi Tony-Award winning musical "Les Misérables."

Diva Central Prom Dress Drive Begins Jan. 3
Items will be given away to Reston-area teens at March 8 prom dress giveaway event.
The 12th Annual Diva Central prom dress drive kicks off on Friday, Jan. 3, when Reston Community Center will begin collecting dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, shawls and other accessories for students in the greater Reston area. Donations are tax deductible and may be dropped off daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods facility through Friday, Feb. 7. All donations are appreciated but should be in good condition, no older than five-years-old (circa 2009), and should be dry cleaned before donation. If dry cleaning is not possible, please indicate at the time of drop-off. Dress donations will benefit students in Fairfax County and other surrounding areas.

Reston Chorale Brings Music to Reston Town Center
Despite winter weather Reston Chorale singers keep spirits bright.
On Saturday, Reston resident Ellen Torzilli joined 24 friends and fellow members of the Reston Chorale to sing at Promenade in Reston Town Center. There were afternoon shows outdoors on both Saturday and Sunday between the Mon Ami Gabi restaurant and Pitango Gelato.

Lopez Studios Inc. Sends Students To 2014 Junior Theater Festival
The famed "Thoroughly Modern Millie" once traveled to the Big Apple to explore the world outside her little town of Salinas and make her dreams come true. From Jan. 17-19 a group of 11 talented young performers from Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts Preparatory School will travel to Atlanta, Ga., to make their own dreams come true at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival and to portray the classic Broadway hit featuring Millie.

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion Donates $5,697.50 to Reston Character Counts! Coalition
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion raised a record-breaking donation of $5,697.50 for Reston Character Counts! Coalition during the rink’s opening weekend in early November.

Crowds Enjoy Reston Ice Rink
The Ice Skating Pavilion in Reston Town Center is a hot destination.
The temperature was holding pretty steady in the lower 30s, there was ice off the rink as well as on it, and the occasional snow flurry drifted about Reston Town Center on Saturday, but none of those potential obstacles kept the Ice Skating Pavilion from being plenty packed. Although there were a few skaters with obvious skills making the rounds, it seemed that the majority were more suited to the novice category, judging by the numbers of flailing arms, "derriere skaters" and the amount of time the staff spent helping would-be Apolo Ohnos and Ashley Wagners regain their skates and their balance. It was also pretty obvious that no matter what level of expertise each skater brought to the arena, everybody was having fun.