Commentary: Reflections on the Elections
“Oh, no!” many may exclaim at the idea of hearing any more about the elections. But I believe it is instructive for the future to consider what happened and why. As residents of a battleground state, Virginians were inundated with telephone calls, television ads and slick mailers. Interestingly, the guys who spent the most money did not win. Virginia is a state that had just a few years ago elected Republicans to its top three statewide offices, majorities in the House and Senate, and eight of its 11 congressional representatives. Yet President Obama won the state handily. And former Governor Tim Kaine won a seat in the U.S. Senate even though 30 million in outside dollars were spent against him. How can this happen? Some of my thoughts on the question follow.
Column: Elections 2012—Role of Big Bucks Going Forward
Happy post-election to you all. Before I return to our discussion of our flawed election process and the role of the big bucks, I want to congratulate a good friend and fellow Restonian. Aaron Williams recently resigned after three years as director of the Peace Corps, one of America’s finest organizations. When this Reston resident, a former PC Voluneer himself, took over the Corps, it faced some major issues.
Herndon, Reston Honor Veterans
American Legion hosts Veterans Day Observance.
“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Let us observe two full minutes of silence.” With those words, David Kirby, commander of Herndon-Reston American Legion Wayne M. Kidwell Post 184, opened the 2012 Veterans Day observance, addressing veterans, active duty members, town dignitaries and respectful citizens gathered on the green behind the Herndon Municipal Center. The commander was, of course, referring to 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918—the date and hour when hostilities on the Western Front of World War I officially came to an end. Originally celebrated as “Armistice Day” to remember those fallen in combat during that war, what we now call Veterans Day has evolved to honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and to thank all who have served and continue to do so.
LEAP Awards $5,000 to Homeowners
Marti Fucile and Eric Shor receive award to make home more energy efficient.
Living on Lake Audubon, Marti Fucile and her fiancé Eric Shor have learned to love their view of the lake. But as environmentally-friendly homeowners, they also know the reality that comes with the high ceilings and large windows in their townhouse.
Used Book Shop Offers Gift Ideas
Lake Anne shop has been "where books and people meet" for more than 30 years.
Whenever he comes to Lake Anne, Jeremy Thompson of Reston has a place he always stops. A place he calls an "increasing rarity" in today’s world.
Racing for Superheroes
Event benefits local nonprofit organizations.
From children wearing superhero capes to costume-clad adults to tots in strollers, participants took to the streets of Arlington last month to raise money for charity as part of the fourth annual Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K and One-Mile Fun Run.
Week in Reston
The Initiative for Public Art—Reston (IPAR) will celebrate another year of making art and culture a vibrant part of everyday life at its IPAR Annual Reception, Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. at Midtown, Reston Town Center.
Oakton Boys’, Girls’ Cross Country Advance to States
Madison’s Calem, Herndon’s Heuer earn all-region.
The Oakton cross country program qualified its boys' and girls' teams for the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.
Locals Join All-Star Line-up at Metro Cooking Show
Area specialty food entrepreneurs among the attractions at the 2012 Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.
When celebrity chefs and Food Network stars were in Washington last weekend for what has become a Super Bowl for foodies (Giada De Laurentiis, Jacques Pepin, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and The Chew’s Michael Symon and Carla Hall were just some of the famous faces), some area culinary enthusiasts joined them as well.
Using Smart Phone To Get Better Healthcare
New apps and websites designed to make medical visits more efficient.
When Susan Gallagher’s 5-year-old son had an allergic reaction to something he ate at a birthday party, the Reston mother knew she had to get him to an emergency room immediately.
Commentary: A Faithful Budget
This column is being written before the results of the election are known. Regardless of the outcome, however, the winners will face tough challenges. Growing numbers of persons unemployed and in poverty require consideration and response even as budgets get more difficult to balance.
LINK Needs Children’s Coats, Winter Clothes
Addressing hunger in the area.
LINK is seeking civic groups, churches, businesses and schools to partner with LINK to help provide food for needy families this year.
Letter: Morality and the Budget
Sister Marge Clark discussed "morality and the budget," and argued that "unmet needs" must be the starting point of building any budget [“Discussing Budget Morality,” Reston Connection, Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2012]. Sister Clark is exactly right that budgets and morality are intertwined, but she is precisely wrong on the problem and the solution.
Reston Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins
Reston Community Center, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith bring chance to serve.
Reston Community Center (RCC) kicked off their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Monday, Nov. 5, in partnership with Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 19, and volunteers will sort and deliver donations on Thanksgiving Day. The Food Drive was previously planned to begin on Nov. 1 and was delayed due to the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.