Helping Area Residents Sign Up for Health Insurance
More than 50 volunteers who are helping local residents sign up for health care insurance were recognized by state and local leadership last Saturday. To date, these Certified Application Counselors (CACs) have helped more than 500 individuals with the new Marketplace system, overcoming barriers of language, technology and understanding the new health care law. The volunteers were thanked for the commitment and service:
How to Fix I-66?
More lanes, bus rapid transit, rail, spot improvements proposed.
It’s said that nothing’s certain but death and taxes – but most of the time, traffic congestion on I-66 can be added to that list. So VDOT’s seeking input from the public on how best to alleviate it.
Debate Over School Budget Continues
Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.
Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.
Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations
Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.
While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.
Jim Moran: The $15 Million Congressman
During his years in Congress, Moran raised and spent about $1 million each campaign cycle.
One of the first things that happened after U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced he would not be running for reelection this year was that he cancelled a fundraising event.
Ted’s Bulletin To Open at Reston Town Center
Family-owned restaurant opens Jan. 30.
On Jan. 30, the restaurant Ted’s Bulletin at 11948 Market Street will open at 7 a.m. to the public. “Ted’s is going to be a favorite in Reston Town Center,” said waitress Rachel Dillon. “We can modify any food order, and we are very customer friendly. It is a family-based business,” said Dillon. The restaurant is at the location of the former Uno Chicago Grill, and it is the first in Virginia. Owners Mark and Ty Neal, also behind DC's Matchbox restaurants, named the restaurant after their father, a West Virginian who was the unofficial "cook of the neighborhood." The restaurant chain, known for their comfort food and homemade pop tarts, will open another site in Merrifield.
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.
Freezin’ for a Reason Returns Feb. 1
It’s time for the mid-winter tradition when hundreds of individuals dressed in crazy costumes will converge on Lake Anne Plaza in Reston for the 7th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, Feb. 1. The event will kick off at 1 p.m. with family-friendly activities and warm-up — with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Each year the event draws record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising more than $70,000. Registered participants will take a chilly full dive or a “Chicken Dip” to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
STITCH Art Exhibit Opens at Reston GRACE
New exhibit displays the art of needlework.
“I am really thrilled with the level of artists we were able to bring to this exhibition,” said Holly McCullough, executive director and curator of exhibitions at the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). “The work is such varied interpretations of needlework that it makes you rethink your preconceptions of what needlework is … the artists reverse our expectations of the medium.” The exhibit STITCH is a group exhibition of needlework and its incorporation into forms of contemporary art. On Thursday, Jan. 16, an opening reception at the GRACE art gallery was attended by many of the exhibiting artists. “Negative space often plays a role in my work,” said Pam Rogers, a resident of Bethesda, Md. “I make my paint out of soil in minerals in my art work … often I sew into the work, creating new planes, repairing embellishing the images.”
Winter Fun for All in Reston
Try these fun ideas for food, fun and entertainment around Reston during the colder months.
Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean resident have to stay indoors. Reston has much to offer for families during February and March, with everything from plays, musical performances and art workshops to new restaurants and wine tastings at Reston Town Center. Here are some ideas to get started:
’80s Day
Sponsored by the SCA, Lake Anne Elementary School.
Proposed Art in Silver Line Keeps Communities in Mind
Planned public art to be displayed at Silver Line station on Jan. 23.
WMATA Presents Proposals for Silver Line Public Art in Reston 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. The proposed display for the Wiehle–Reston East station will feature blue and orange mirrored panels of stained glass by New York artist David Wilson. The panels, designed with a relaxed feel, will appear around the walkways to the station over the Toll Road.
Into the Budget Fray
Bulova highlights accomplishments, challenges in annual address.
Despite the lingering impact of an anemic economy, and the regional ripple effects of federal sequestration, Fairfax County residents will see some concrete signs of progress this year.
Reston Residents March to Commemorate King’s Legacy
Community joins together in weekend of music, fun, and community service.
Reston resident Denver Lovett was part of the first March on Washington on Aug. 8, 1963, while he was a student at Howard University. He also attended the 20th, 30th, and 50th anniversaries of the event in Washington D.C. But this past Sunday, Jan. 19, Lovett had a chance to spend the day marching with his Reston neighbors for a half-mile beginning at Lake Anne Village Center to commemorate the historic day. “If you get a lot of individuals taking action and trying to change things rather than sitting around complaining about how bad things are, it can create a powerful movement for good,” said Lovett.
Commentary
Independent Progressive/Master Plan for Transit Station Areas — Outgunned
It never looked like a fair fight. In the fall of 2009, when Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins assembled her Task Force of 25 or so to prepare a Comprehensive (Master) Plan for the Dulles rail corridor, it was clear the community was at a disadvantage. A handful of Reston volunteers faced a phalanx of hired gun slingers, men (100 percent men!) representing commercial developers and their lawyers. The gunslingers were pros doing their jobs, unified in a clear sense of purpose — to maximize profit. Most had worked “community” task force gigs before and knew the county staff advising the Task Force. None lived in Reston.