Local Scout Trains Eagle Eye on Community Pocket Park
Ethan McKnight of Reston needed a project to graduate to Eagle Scout in Troop 1577. His neighborhood pocket park needed some additional work to go along with the renovation-in-progress by the Fairfax County Park Authority. It seemed like a good fit to seventh-grader Ethan, so he got to work. First he had to get the sign-off from his troop leaders. Then came the more intimidating moment—contact with the Park Authority to explain his proposed project and get the necessary approvals. “It went really good,” said the young McKnight. “Mr. Brissey has been really amazing and helpful to work with,” he added, referring to Wayne Brissey, manager, Area 6 with the Park Operation Division. Once the project was outlined and approvals were secured, Ethan took to the streets around the park, soliciting donations of time, as well as money to make the plan come to life. He must have been pretty persuasive, because not only did he come up with the funds, but on Implementation Day he had gathered a small army of locals and a few other troop members to get the work done. Even Brissey was on hand to provide some supplies and assistance. “This is such a great win-win event,” said Brissey. “With our budget down 25 percent, we were able to put in the needed new equipment, do drainage improvements and work on the trees around the tot lot, but there just isn’t the money to work on the surrounding area.” So Evan’s crew got to digging, hauling, raking and mulching the outdoor exercise area. They even built handicap-accessible picnic tables from materials provided by the county. The workers stayed busy from 9 in the morning to late in the afternoon, but were kept refreshed by beverages and snacks provided by the McKnight family. The crew deemed themselves well satisfied with their efforts and with Ethan for getting the community ball rolling. —Andrea Worker
Multicultural Festival Comes to Reston
Annual multicultural festival held at Lake Anne.
Nearly 50 years ago, Robert Simon founded Reston with several goals, and one of them was diversity. For the past 12 years, the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association, Reston Community Center and Reston Association have hosted a tribute to that goal, the Reston Multicultural Festival.
Reston Sport & Health Renovates
Location kicks off new features after $1.5 million renovation.
Sport & Health Clubs celebrated a $1.5 million renovation to their Reston location with a ribbon cutting and casino night Thursday, Sept. 26. The renovation of the club, located at Isaac Newton Sqaure, stretched to almost every aspect of the facility.
Residential Studios Put on Hold
Supervisors establish committee, plan additional public outreach.
At the recommendation of Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24 deferred its Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposed residential studios (RSUs) amendment to conduct additional community outreach. The board also established a Planning Commission Residential Studios Committee.
Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.
New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty
Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.
McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit
Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.
Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness
Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.
Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.
Commentary
Where Is the Outrage?
Aaron Alexis exercised his constitutional right to bear arms when he carried his shotgun and pistols to work with him at the Washington Navy Yard where he proceeded to shoot 12 other people before the police shot him in what the Washington Post termed a “rampage.” The pattern is becoming all too familiar: You get ticked off at someone or something; you get yourself a really big gun that a lot of people are spending a lot of money and time to ensure you can purchase as easily as possible; you vent your anger by shooting a lot of people; and you get put out of your misery when the police shoot you. If it sounds like a familiar story line, it’s because you’ve heard it many times—Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Tucson, Aurora, Newtown, and now the Washington Navy Yard to name just a few of the sprees in recent years.
Farmers Market Takes Festival Holiday and Lake Anne Down
Independent Progressive
What a marvelous season 2013 has been at the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne! And there is much more to come after a one-day break for Multicultural Festival day this Saturday, Sept. 28.
Fall Comes to Reston
Multicultural Festival, Reston Home Tour highlight fall events.
This fall, several new features will come to two of Reston’s signature events. The Reston Multicultural Festival, which will take place at Lake Anne Saturday, Sept. 28, will begin with the annual naturalization ceremony.
Six Run for RCC Board
Six candidates seek three openings on Reston Community Center Governing Board.
Six candidates are currently running for three seats on the Reston Community Center’s Governing Board. A preference poll is currently being conducted through the first week in October.
Running, Walking for a Cause at Susco 8K
Annual Tim Susco 8K run, 2K walk comes to South Lakes.
Tim Susco, a 1999 graduate of South Lakes High School, was living his dream in the summer of 2007. He was working as a location scout for the NBC show “Heroes” when he suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away at the age of 25.
Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight
Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.
Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home
Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.
“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield