Virginia Supreme Court Opens Access to Audio Recordings of Oral Arguments
Policy change overturns blackout instituted in 2008.
Members of the Virginia Supreme Court have a New Year’s Resolution — become more transparent.
Week in Reston
January 25 at 10 a.m. is the date to mark on your calendars. That is when the American Association of University Women of Reston and Herndon jointly with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) will offer a special presentation on human sex trafficking in our communities.
Reston Author Releases Third Book in ‘The Taker’ Trilogy
Alma Katsu speaks on her newest book, ‘The Descent,’ and beginning her second career as a writer.
Reston author Alma Katsu’s newest book, “The Descent,” published by Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books division, hit bookstore shelves on Jan. 7. The book is the third installment in “The Taker” trilogy, a series of paranormal fantasy novels set in both 19th century and modern New England.
Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws
State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.
As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.
Reston Shelter Hosts Homeless on Coldest Days
Large numbers of Reston’s homeless at risk of contracting severe frostbite or hypothermia from subzero wind chills sought refuge at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter this past week. On Jan. 7, temperatures dropped to a record low of three degrees, with wind chills as low as 10 degrees below zero, according to a National Weather Service advisory from that day. The official record low for Reston on Jan. 7 was previously set at 8 degrees in 1988. Frigid conditions caused many to pack into the shelter from Jan. 6 to Jan. 8 due to sub-freezing daytime temperatures.
A Warm Day at Lake Anne
Enjoying a warmer-than-usual winter weekend the Letteri family, of Reston, took these pictures at Lake Anne. In the first photo (from left) Paul, Joseph, 14, Aaron, 10, and Raba Letteri pose with the Bronze Bob, a statute of the Reston founder Bob Simon. In the second photo: Joseph, Aaron and Raba Letteri, and Fred the dog.
Historic Figures Come to Area Schools
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry impersonators visit Reston and Herndon elementary schools.
Two unlikely historical celebrities paid a visit to Fox Mill Elementary School students on Wednesday, Jan. 8, for a special assembly. When Principal Mie Devers announced that Thomas Jefferson would be a guest at their school that day, the cafeteria filled with sitting children began buzzing with excitement; at the mention of his friend, Patrick Henry, a large number of the sitting students shouted excitedly. Jefferson, played by Bill Barker, and Henry, played by Richard Schumann, arrived at the school cafeteria at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Henry arrived first. After he introduced himself, he spoke of his undying love for the state of Virginia, as well as his recent visit to his good friend George Mason at his “Academy” just up the road. Just as he began to disparage the highly federalized country of France as compared to the United States’ new republic, President Jefferson interrupted, “I beg your pardon!” as he stepped into the cafeteria.
Sen. Warner, Rep. Wolf Meet Reston Business Leaders
Cyber security, budget cuts and national debt levels discussed at a Tech Town Hall on Friday, Jan. 10.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-10) spoke at a Tech Town Hall in Reston on Friday, Jan. 10, about the impacts of sequestration and the recently passed budget deal on North Virginia’s information technology and government services industries. Many of Reston’s technology industry executives attended the morning event, which was co-hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and the Professional Services Council (PSC).
Obituary
Mae Balboni of Reston Dies
Mae Balboni died Jan. 8 in her home. Mae was a resident of Reston for 13 years. She is survived by her daughters Mary Balboni and husband Chuck Norris of Reston; Anita Balboni and partner Steve Cooke of Schwenksville, Pa.; Lynda DiPasquale and husband Philip of Collegeville, Pa.; Catherine Balboni of Hatfield, Pa.; and her sons Joseph M. Balboni and wife Tammy of Eagleville, Pa. and Anthony V. Balboni of Cinnaminson, N. J.; her sisters Jane Ricci of South Weymouth, Mass.; Dorothy Wilson and husband Jimmy of Allison Park, Pa.; her brother George Goolsby and partner Rosalee Wiswall of Peobody, Mass; her sister-in-law Beatrice Birt of McKinney, Texas; her brother-in-law Al Rusas of Long Beach, Calif. Local Virginia memorial service is Friday Jan. 17, at 5 p.m. at Adams Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon. Her final resting place will be in Norristown, Pa. on Saturday Jan. 25, at St Patrick Cemetery where she will be buried with her husband Joseph J. Balboni.
Independent Progressive
2014 More Interesting Than 2013
Apart from the Democrats’ sweep of Virginia’s top three executive branch jobs, 2013 wasn’t a very good year. Reston’s long-awaited rail service failed to make it to Wiehle Avenue on time. Not to be outdone, Supervisor Hudgins’ Task Force writing Phase One of the new Comprehensive/Master Plan for life with rail in Reston also failed to arrive on time—it was due for completion in 2010! And, the Reston Association Board veered off its tracks. It failed a test of its natural areas stewardship role in a deal so lacking in merit and transparency that most of RA’s own distinguished Environmental Advisory Committee resigned in protest.
Caroling at Talk Oaks
On Dec. 7, a group of families (Gregory, Hansing, Miller, and Roggeband), from the community visited the Assisted Living place at Talk Oaks in Reston for Caroling. In addition to the Caroling the kids presented individual pieces of music on piano, flute and violin. The seniors enjoyed it and they were happy to see so many smiling faces at the end of the Caroling/Concert.
Traditional Needlework Exhibit at Greater Reston Arts Center
Greater Reston Arts Center is pleased to present STITCH, a group exhibition examining the growing popularity of traditional needlework and its incorporation into diverse forms of contemporary art. The exhibition will run from Jan. 16 through March 1, at the gallery, located in Reston Town Center. Traditionally regarded as a craft or relegated to the category of “women’s work,” needlework—including stitching, embroidery, knitting, and crochet—has become an increasingly vital element in contemporary mixed-media compositions.
Sugar Plum Fairy From South Lakes
South Lakes Senior Rebecca Mattern captivates audiences.
For the past 41 years, Conservatory Ballet dancers have ushered in the holiday season with their annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. This year more than 125 Northern Virginia elementary, middle and high school students filled the Center Stage’s dressing rooms and wings, eagerly awaiting their cue to take the stage.
Reston Business Honored at Event in Centreville
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) has been open two years now, making a huge difference in the lives of the day laborers it serves. And on Saturday, Dec. 7, those involved in the center’s success celebrated its anniversary. The Centreville Immigration Forum is responsible for the center’s continuing operation, and during the ceremony, CIF President Alice Foltz presented framed certificates to several people, acknowledging their contributions to the CLRC.
The Reston Metro Lottery Issue
Real estate tips.
Not a week goes by that I don't have someone ask me what the impact of the Silver Line means for our local home prices in Reston. I hear things like "Should I wait for the Wiehle Metro Station to be completed before we sell?" or "How will the Metro effect my homes value when it opens?" These are all valid questions and deep down what I think they want me to tell them is that they’ve hit the Metro Lottery and their home’s value is going to spike, just like it did in 2005.