Reston Lions Honor Bland Contest Winners
Winners of the James A. Bland Music Competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, were as follows: Vocal competition: Cecelia Steffen McKinley, first place; Nicole Marie Frank, second place; and Allison Gabrielle Engel, third place. Instrument competition: Gabrielle Li, first place; Jasper de Boor, second place; and Angela Anting Xu, third place.
Black History Month Celebrations
Local students learn about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans.
Fourth grade student Eli West crafted a poem this month that was modeled after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech.
Stalled Labor Market Slows County Budget
Proposed budget calls for no real estate tax rate increase, but average homeowner would pay $184 more.
Supervisor Jeff McKay pointed out an irony in County Executive Ed Long’s proposed $3.8 billion budget. Three planning positions would be eliminated from the budget even though Long suggested the county needs more efforts to raise revenue from commercial and industrial venues.
Super-Insulation Talk Attracts Homeowners in Reston
How to lower electric, gas and water bills?
The Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston was the venue for a well-attended presentation by Rich and Marian Taschler on proper home insulation and its mostly unknown benefits. The program was offered under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.
Oh Deer! What Can the Matter Be?
The county Park Authority used aerial infrared surveys via fixed-wing airplanes to count the number of deer inside parks and within a small distance in the surrounding neighborhoods on Feb. 6, 2014 and Dec. 27, 2013, according to the 2014 Annual Report on the Environment for Fairfax County.
Bradford C. Smith of Oak Hill Dies
Bradford C. Smith of Oak Hill passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 4, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Maria E. Smith and devoted father of Melina Smith and Silvana Smith.
Freezin' for a Reason at Lake Anne
Some flipped. Some jumped. Some flopped. Many yawped. Most shivered. And all 400 jumpers braved Lake Anne's 33 degree icy water Saturday, Feb. 7, to raise money for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for families with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Celebrating Valentine’s with Classical Ballet
On Feb. 13, at the Reston Community Center, Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) will be presenting “An Evening with Classical Ballet Theatre.” For the last 25 years, CBT has been educating and inspiring children through the art of classical ballet in Northern Virginia, thanks to the vision, commitment, and dedication of its founder and Executive Director, Cynthia Donavin.
Hand & Stone Opens in Reston
Affordable spa offers facials, massage, waxings with five-star service.
A new Hand & Stone Spa opened in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston off South Lakes Drive on Sunday, Feb. 1. Owned by Darielle Danver, 25, and her father Eric Danver, 52, of Medford, N.J., the franchise spa decorated in warm earth tones and ambient lighting in nine rooms specializes in facials, hot stone massages, skin peels, waxing, eyebrows, hand therapy, and hot towel foot treatments with scrubs and lotions, and more.
Nominations Open for Citizen of the Year
Reston Citizens Association has opened nominations for the 2014 Reston Citizen of the Year Award. The tradition of honoring the Reston Citizen of the Year began in 1976, and was reintroduced in 2008 as a way to spotlight the work of dedicated citizen volunteers and civic activists who work tirelessly behind the scenes, providing them the recognition and appreciation they have earned through their hard work and dedication to the Reston community.
Reston International Center Changes Hands
Reston International Center Acquired by American Real Estate Partners
American Real Estate Partners and Square Mile Capital Management LLC announced on Feb. 2 they acquired the Reston International Center, a 15-story building from JBG Companies.
Fairfax County Goes Public with Geer Documents
FCPD report confirms John Geer was shot while unarmed, hands raised.
Of the seven eyewitness accounts of the shooting death of John Geer, only one describes Geer quickly bringing his hands down to his waist. That was the perspective of PFC Adam Torres, the officer who shot Geer in the chest, killing him in the doorway of his home on Aug. 29, 2013.
GMU Students Rally to Lower Student Debt
Members of GMU Student Power Travel to Richmond to voice concern over rising debt.
Twelve students from George Mason University traveled to Richmond with the Virginia Student Power Network, rallying and calling for debt-free education, and for increased educational opportunities for undocumented students. Rodrigo Velasquez, a junior at Mason from Springfield and GMU Student Power’s organizer, was one of the 12 from Mason who also went to Richmond.
Lake Anne Proposal Deferred
New public hearing for apartment redevelopment set for Feb. 17.
The county Board of Supervisors hearing on the zoning for the future Lake Anne Crescent Apartments was deferred last week. Because of a problem with Lake Anne Development Partners LLC’s affidavit, the public hearing was moved to Feb. 17. “We will have a public hearing on the case,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. “I hope we have had enough thoroughness with the plan.”
Referendum for Land Purchase
A referendum for a parcel of land north of the Dulles Toll Road is being put forth by Reston Association. The parcel, owned by Tetra Properties, will be sold to Reston Association after a voting process that ends in May. “It seems to be a good way to get control of a property that, over time, can be subjected to a lot of pressure as the surrounding areas around it develop,” said Lake Anne-Tall Oaks Director Eve Thompson.