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.
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.
‘What’s Better than Helping Someone Have a Home?’
Reston company’s employees help Habitat renovate a house.
Not everyone has the money to buy a home. But thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (HHNV) and some willing volunteers from a company in Reston, a family will be able to buy a house in Centreville at an affordable price. On a recent weekday, 15 people were hard at work renovating and repairing it to make it livable. Built in 1971, it’s a two-story, three-bedroom house.
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.
Painters Unite to Make Friday the 13th Someone’s Lucky Day
Friday, Dec. 13 was anything but unlucky for one Reston family, tenants in one of the 53 townhouses owned by Cornerstones Housing Corporation in Reston, Herndon and Centreville, that are rented at affordable rates to persons earning half or less than the area’s median income.
New Approach to Mental Health
Reforms in wake of tragedy involving state senator's son.
Advocates for mental health services have been calling for improved services and increased funding for years, although the issue has been pushed aside year after year.
Democrats Shut Out of Power in Senate
Even if Democrats win in two special elections, control over committees is unlikely.
Don't expect Democrats to take control over state Senate committees anytime soon, even if the party manages to hold both of the seats where special elections are now underway.
Library’s Beta Plan: Dead on Arrival
Supervisors endorse Library Board’s recommendations to increase funding, discard beta plan.
"You can assume that the BETA Plan is dead. I will make that motion tomorrow." In her email to a concerned library patron the night before the Board of Supervisors Nov. 19 meeting, Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large) put to rest speculation that the board would resuscitate the controversial beta plan aimed at streamlining the county’s library system.