Reston People

Helping Hungry Kids in Reston

Reston-based group is in third year of providing weekend meals.

Three years ago, Sandy Amato and Connie Laurent-Roy began their quest to feed hungry children in the Reston area. They began simply, in Amato’s basement, making about 80 meals a week for some children at Dogwood Elementary School that qualified for free lunches. The meals are for children to eat on weekends, when they cannot get meals at school.

Column: Strengthening, Not Blocking, Health Care Law

I am one of millions of Americans waiting for the Affordable Care Act to be put into law so that I can have some relief from my troubles with our broken health care system. March 23 marked the two-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Above and Beyond

Firefighters honored for Reston rescue efforts.

The water was swiftly rising at the intersection of Reston's Stuart Mill Road and Birdfoot Lane as deadly flash flooding surged throughout Fairfax County on Sept. 8, 2011. Two vehicles stranded at the intersection were quickly swept out to a tree line 150 feet into the water with a family of three and a single driver still inside.

Column: Back to the Classroom

I am spending some more time back in the classroom recently. Last week I taught social studies to fourth graders at Lake Anne Elementary School. The students were courteous and well behaved, clearly eager to learn, and as diverse as the world around them.

Column: Class Warfare From the Top Down

Don’t know about you, but I am getting fed up picking up the paper nearly every day and reading of the latest efforts to weaken worker organizations, freeze pay, cut benefits, and downsize jobs across the economy. Corporate CEOs and Boards of Directors have been terrorizing workers for years. Now, politicians have their sights set on civil servants, especially down the road in Washington.

Heroes of Mount St. Helens

Reston resident writes about role of gophers.

Among the smallest of the animals that live on Mount St. Helens, the northern pocket gopher has been credited with aiding in the restoration of Mount St. Helens. "Gopher to the Rescue," a newly released book written by Reston resident Terry Jennings, examines the role of gophers in eco-system recovery following a volcanic eruption.

Column: Are We Still Slaves?

This Friday evening, April 6, Jews the world over will be celebrating the first night of Passover with a traditional meal called the "Seder." A ritual celebrated every year commemorating the Jewish people's exodus from Egypt 3,323 years ago.

All That Glitters

The Campagna Center’s annual Toast to Fashion fundraiser sparkles with fashion, food and fun.

With glittering displays of spring’s hottest fashion trends and most coveted accessories, the ballroom of the Belle Haven Country Club was transformed into a fashion-lover’s dream during the Campagna Center’s 13th annual Toast to Fashion on Thursday, March 22.

RCO Presents ‘Mostly Baroque’

Late Sunday, the Reston Community Orchestra pulled in a large and enthusiastic audience to the Reston Community Center.

Celebrating Nowruz in Reston

Community comes together to celebrate Persian New Year.

The Persian New Year was greeted by a day-long celebration at the Reston Town Center on Sunday. Folk musicians played traditional music in the Pavilion, adults ate, talked and shopped and children played everywhere.

The Reston Chorale Presents ‘Americana’

The Reston Chorale did two performances Saturday night at the Community Center, both to full capacity and very enthusiastic audiences. There was a complete blend of styles, progressing through time from the sweet and smooth work of Pre-Civil War Stephen Foster, down to the early rock and roll of Bill Haley and finally to the edginess of the contemporary group Owl City.

Following Birds to Nicaragua

Lake Anne teacher’s trip to Nicaragua makes learning "real."

Iconic birds, such as the ruby throated hummingbird, birds that bear the names of our cities, like the Baltimore oriole, and birds that are thought of as uniquely North American birds, such as numerous wrens and warblers, plus more than 150 other varieties of birds travel hundreds of miles every year to spend the winter on an island in Lake Nicaragua. From September to March these birds make their home in the tropical forests of Ometepe Island. In the spring they return to eastern United States to find mates and raise their young.

Real World Comes to South Lakes

More than 55 careers represented at Career Expo.

More than 55 careers were represented Monday, March 19 at South Lakes High’s Second Annual 10th Grade Career Expo. The careers represented ranged from electricians to Internet technology, said Elizabeth Vandenburg, South Lake’s PTSA community outreach representative.

Alcorn Named Citizen of the Year

Planning Commissioner recognized by Federation of Citizens Associations.

The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations named their Citizen of the Year Sunday, March 25, recognizing county Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn for more than a decade of service on the commission.

First Responders Recognized

34th Annual Valor Awards presented to police officers, firefighters.

The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce recognized 108 of the county’s first responders Wednesday, March 21 at the 24th annual Valor Awards. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue Department, as well as from the Towns of Herndon and Vienna, were given awards.

Reston Connection