Broadway Night at South Lakes
Hundreds of Broadway fans turned up at South Lakes High School on Thursday, Jan. 17, and Friday, Jan. 18, for a musical treat—students from South Lakes High School, two middle schools and eight elementary schools performed over two dozen classic numbers from musicals such as Guys & Dolls, Godspell, Grease, Les Miserables and South Pacific.
Lily Dunlap of Herndon Middle Wins Peace Poster Contest
Lily Dunlap, an eighth grade student at Herndon Middle School, won a competition sponsored by the Reston Lions Club.
Reston Lions Honor Music Competition Winners
Students win awards at the James A. Bland Music Scholarship competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center and held at the community center on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Taking the Plunge at Lake Anne
Hundreds participate in Polar Bear Dip to raise money for Camp Sunshine.
When Jean Young of Reston bundled up for her Saturday walk with her dog Seamus around Lake Anne Saturday, Feb. 2, she was worried her down jacket, long underwear, wool hat and gloves might not provide enough protection from the 30- degree weather. Little did she know she would be encountering more than 100 people wearing even less.
Family Raises Support Fighting Son's Rare Disease
Two hundred plus friends and family will descend on Santinis Restaurant in Herndon to raise support and awareness for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 5-9 p.m. One in 10 Americans is affected by a rare disease. John Gluck, of Herndon, is that one in 10 with a rare form of muscular dystrophy called congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). As a rare group of diseases causing muscle weakness at birth, CMD is under-recognized and under-diagnosed by physicians. Several defined genetic mutations cause muscles to break down faster than they can repair or grow. A child with CMD may have various neurological or physical impairments. Some children never gain the ability to walk, while others lose the ability as they grow older. There is no cure and no treatment to slow disease progression.
Herndon Reston Youth Softball Takes on New Commissioner
Veteran fastpitch softball player and coach Jordan Foster says she’s ready for the challenge of leading the Herndon Reston Youth Softball League as Commissioner Bob Thomas retires and a new slate of officers takes the helm. The growing girls' fastpitch softball league, serving players ages 6 to 18 in the greater Herndon-Reston area, will take on Foster to take the baton from Bob Thomas, who helped build a good name for the league.
Freezin’ For a Reason at Lake Anne
Area daredevils ready to freeze to help kids battling illnesses.
Individuals in crazy costumes and creative flair will take over Lake Anne Plaza in Reston once again for the 6th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, Feb. 2. The event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up—with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Last year’s event drew record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $76,000. Registered participants will take a chilly full plunge or a “Chicken Dip”—to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Charles ‘Dan’ McGuire, of Reston, Dies
Passionately Irish and passionately Virginian, Charles “Dan” McGuire lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 19. Thus, another of Reston's “Old Timers” has passed on. Dan was one of Reston's early residents who helped guide a growing Reston through his community activism. He served several terms on Reston Association's Board of Directors. He served a term as vice-president of the Reston Citizens Association.
Community Clothing Drive for Syrian Refugees Feb. 8-10
A community drive to collect used clothes and other items for Syrian children and women in refugee camps will be held Feb. 8-10 at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston.
History of African American Spirituals to Be Studied
A seven-session course on the history of African American spirituals and their impact on Christianity worldwide will begin Sunday, Feb. 3, at 9:30 a.m. at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. All are welcome.
Call for Nominations—2013 Helios Apollo Awards
Recognizing forward-thinking employers for outstanding employee development programs.
Helios HR, a human resources firm in Reston, announced a call for nominations for the 2013 Helios Apollo Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 15. Winners and finalists will be honored at the Helios Apollo Awards Ceremony at the McLean Hilton on May 29. This breakfast ceremony will recognize organizations for their outstanding commitment to employee development and engagement, specifically highlighting innovative, collaborative and agile programs.
The 'President's Own' of Vienna, Reston Play in 57th Inauguration
Tuba player Gunnery Sgt. Mark Thiele of Vienna, clarinetist Staff Sgt. Christopher Grant of Oakton and trumpeter/cornetist Staff Sgt. Robert Singer of Reston performed in the 57th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Monday, Jan. 21, as members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. This marks the Marine Band's 54th consecutive inaugural appearance.
A Chorus of Praise
Fairfax County mentors celebrated during National Mentor Month.
Can we get an “amen?” The joyful noise coming from the David R. Pinn Center in Fairfax on Saturday wasn’t a gospel revival, but it was just as inspiring and enlightening.
Nazi Commonwealth
Bipartisan team seeks compensation for victims of forced sterilization.
Nobody knows how many people are survivors of Virginia’s forced sterilization program, which targeted people with mental illness, mental retardation or epilepsy. But a bipartisan effort now under consideration in Richmond would hand each and every one of them a $50,000 check from the people of Virginia. According to one calculation, that could mean as much as $73 million.
Indoor Winter Fun with Children
Ideas for entertainment when Jack Frost appears.
Winter weather often means limited open air playtime for some children. “It is very important for children to get as much outdoor activity as possible, but there are times when it is not safe for them to be outside for an extended length of time, or any time at all, because it is too cold. ” said Shannon Melideo, chair of the Education Department at Marymount University in Arlington. “There are many other things that children can do besides sledding and ice skating.”