Students Present STEM Projects
Forward Future hosts summer program for 30 teens.
Thirty children from the Herndon and Reston areas presented a series of projects on Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Herndon United Methodist Church, a result of their summer with Forward Future, a local organization dedicated to youth mentoring.
Reston Rotary Funds Field Trips
Club pays for six schools to receive electronic field trips to Colonial Williamsburg.
The Reston Rotary Club announced the funding of electronic field trips for Dogwood, Forest Edge, Hunters Woods, Lake Anne, Terraset and Fox Mill Elementary schools this year. The trips are hosted by Colonial Williamsburg, and are a series of live internet events and television broadcasts.
Madeleine Steppel Finds Recipe for Success
Reston resident dines with president and first lady.
One night a few weeks ago, while she was at Camp Louise in Maryland, Madeleine Steppel, 9, of Reston headed to the administration building to wait for a call. Once she got to the building, known around camp as "the White House," the call came in: she had won a trip to the real White House for lunch with first lady Michelle Obama.
Herndon’s History on Display
Town’s rail history still major part of downtown.
Commander William L. Herndon, never actually set foot in the town that bears his name. The naval commander died 22 years before the town was founded, going down with his ship, the S.S. Central American, when it sank in Sept. 1957 off the coast of Cape Hatteras, loaded with three tons of gold.
Herndon Home to Many Popular Restaurants
More than 100 restaurants offer food from more than 30 cultures.
Herndon’s signature restaurant is, according to many locals, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern. Owner Jimmy Cirrito, a native of upstate New York, signed his lease on Veterans Day, 1996, and has been a fixture of the community ever since.
Strategic Plan Looks to Further Simon’s Ideals
Reston Association plans for new properties, service needs to 2016.
When Robert Simon used the proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall to buy almost 7,000 acres of Virginia farmland in March 1961, he founded a community with a plan. A place where residents could live, work and play in a variety of housing types with a variety of recreational opportunities. For the community’s first 50 years, those principals guided the community’s development and governance.
Finding Recreation in Reston
Trails, tennis, pools offer variety of opportunities.
As avid outdoorsman, Larry Butler says he spends his vacations getting as far away from civilization as possible. As the director of Parks and Recreation for the Reston Association, he knows places in Reston offer something similar.
Artists Pay Tribute to Margaret’s Garden
ArtSpace exhibit features inspiration from local gardener.
Almost 50 years ago, Margaret Thomas moved to Herndon, and after the death of her husband in 1974, she began using her five-acre farm to grow irises, selling them by the bunch for 75 cents each. Since then, the gardens surrounding her house became a haven for local artists and floral enthusiasts alike, open until sundown to anyone that wanted to take a look.
Reston Youth Cheer Kicks Off Season
Youth cheerleading group performs at competitions, RYC football games.
Reston Youth Cheer, an organization that allows girls to learn how to become cheerleaders, has kicked off their latest season, with summer practices beginning Tuesday, Aug. 7. The group, which features cheerleaders as young as kindergarten age, practices at Langston Hughes Middle School.
Triathletes Swim, Bike and Run in Reston
Second annual youth triathlon raises scholarship funds.
Two hundred and fifty children spent their Sunday morning swimming, biking and running around Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School on Aug. 12 as part of the second annual Reston Children’s Triathlon, hosted by the YMCA, Fairfax County, Reston and the Reston Association.
Obama Campaign Opens in Reston
Office will coordinate volunteers for Herndon, Reston area.
Dozens of volunteers and supporters for the campaign to re-elect Barack Obama opened the new Herndon-Reston office on Reston Parkway, Saturday, Aug. 4, one of six offices opened on the president’s 51st birthday in the Northern Virginia area.
Cindy’s Legacy Hosts Golf Clinic
Herndon Centennial holds fundraiser.
The Herndon Centennial Golf Course hosted a clinic to benefit Cindy’s Legacy, a local charity dedicated to supporting families of those diagnosed with cancer, which raised more than $1,000 Friday, Aug. 3.
Ned Devine’s Hosts Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament
Annual event will feature servicemembers, benefit wounded warrior charities.
Ned Devine’s Golfing Society will host their second annual golf tournament to benefit wounded warriors Sept. 22 at the Herndon Centennial Golf Course. The society, a 501(c)7, is based out of Ned Devine’s Irish Pub in Herndon.
Saying Farewell at Stonegate
Coordinator Jackie Phan made impression on residents of all ages.
In her three-plus years as community coordinator for Stonegate Community Center in Reston, Jackie Phan impacted almost every single resident of the nearby apartment complex. Young children remember that a blue jeep meant "Ms. Jackie" was in, and the adults enjoyed working with her. Edia Bruce interned with Phan for two years, and praised Phan’s leadership style.
VDOT Unveils EZ-Pass Flex
New transponder will allow HOV access to 495 Express Lanes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation unveiled the EZ-Pass Flex Wednesday, July 25 in Tysons Corner. The new pass will allow users of the 495 Express Lanes, which are scheduled to open at the end of this year, to switch between tolled and toll-free (for vehicles with more than three people) use.
‘Oliver!’ at Herndon High
Play features students from several local schools.
The Herndon High School Theatre Boosters will present "Oliver!" starting July 27, a summer show that will feature students from Herndon, South Lakes, Chantilly and Westfield High Schools. The production also received assistance from several local elementary and middle schools, as well as the Reston Community Players, the Alliance Theatre of Chantilly, Westfield Theatre and the Centreville Presbyterian Community Theatre.
Envisioning ‘After the Apocalypse’
Local novelist explores future of mankind.
In a career spent working in international development, Reston resident David Anderson has seen his fair share of exotic locales and the issues they face every day. And his years of work taught him something.
Turtle Recall Releases Debut Album
Local band consists of several South Lakes graduates.
It was the start of 2009 when South Lakes High School graduate John-Currie Hester made a resolution to his fellow South Lakes graduate Guido DeHoratiis: to start a band. Soon they recruited a few other South Lakes alumni to join up and they started playing covers at shows around the area.
Final Metro Span Laid in Tysons
Workers complete overhead bridges, move to laying track.
Workers from Bechtel Construction placed the final aerial span for Metrorail in Tysons Corner Tuesday morning, the last of 258 that will support trains as they make their way from Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue along Phase One of the Silver Line.
Songwriter Performs Hometown Show
A.J. Smith performs with band at Lake Anne.
A few months ago, AJ Smith, a junior at NYU got an email from a professor asking him to stop by his office. As a student studying Music Composition, the Herndon native thought it might be some news about his songwriting workshop.
Moore Promoted to Lieutenant
Twelve-year veteran will serve as assistant support services commander.
Herndon police officer James Moore was promoted to lieutenant Monday, July 16. The 12-year veteran of the force will assume duties as assistant support services commander, where he will supervise criminal investigations, public information and crime prevention.
Garden Grows at Cedar Point
Apartment complex is site of newest community garden plot.
Reston’s garden plots have always been one of the community’s most popular features, with one exception. Years ago, Cedar Ridge was the fifth garden plot created, but it never caught on in the community located next to Forest Edge Elementary School.
Feds Feed Families Kicks Off at USGS
Reps. Wolf, Connolly host opening of food bank support program.
Many local food banks go for an extra push around the holiday season, trying to help the area’s less fortunate make it through the end of the year with extra food, maybe even a few gifts. But that changes during the summer, with schools out and people on vacation, food banks can find their supplies dwindling, even when the demand does not.
Herndon Hosts July 4th Celebration
Live music, games, fireworks highlight events at Herndon Community Center.
The Herndon Community Center hosted its annual Fourth of July celebration last Wednesday, welcoming hundreds of local residents to the fields next to the community center for an afternoon and evening of live music and entertainment, followed by fireworks.
Herndon Environmental Network Hosts ‘Battle of Bottles’
Two neighborhoods to face off.
This month, two Herndon neighborhoods will be facing off in a "Battle of the Bottles," to see who can recycle more by weight. Hastings Hunt, located off Dranesville Road south of Leesburg Pike and McNair Farms Landbay2, located off Fox Mill Road, will do battle throughout July. The initiativ
Horse Attacked for Second Time
Lucinda, victim of earlier slashing, assaulted again over weekend.
Lucinda, a horse housed adjacent to Frying Pan Farm Park, was assaulted for the second time in the past three months sometime between the evening of Saturday, July 7 and the morning of Sunday, July 8.
Trust Presents Story of Lake Anne
Early Reston workers share experiences of town’s opening.
When Robert Simon sold Carnegie Hall in 1960 and bought the land that was to become Reston in March 1961, it was the first of many steps in the founding of the community that bears his initials. Over the next two years, Simon set about the massive task of laying out the guidelines of what he wanted Reston to be, and getting approval from Fairfax County.
LINK Provides Food, Hope
A Herndon-based nonprofit aims to deliver food to those in need.
In 1972, a group of churches in Sterling and eastern Loudoun County got together with the idea of providing food for the needy, with members storing donated food in their basement. Three years later, they made inroads into Fairfax County and it was eventually chartered as a nonprofit. Forty years later, the group consists of 17 member churches in Herndon, Sterling Chantilly and Potomac Falls and has provided tens of thousands of families with assistance.
LINK Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A Herndon-based nonprofit aims to deliver food to those in need.
In 1972, a group of churches in Sterling and eastern Loudoun County got together with the idea of providing food for the needy, with members storing donated food in their basement. Three years later, they made inroads into Fairfax County and it was eventually chartered as a nonprofit. Forty years later, the group consists of 17 member churches in Herndon, Sterling Chantilly and Potomac Falls and has provided tens of thousands of families with assistance.
Chamber Hands Out Awards, Names New Board
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosts annual awards luncheon.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce presented their annual Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) and welcomed their new board of directors Thursday, June 28 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. The chamber also celebrated its 30th anniversary, it was founded in 1982.
Express Care Teaches Essential Skills
Program aims to educate immigrants on health care, technology
In 1995, Naila Alam arrived to the United Stated from Pakistan to study hotel management. Soon she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that almost proved fatal, and with her husband back in Pakistan, she had only her sister to help her navigate through a foreign country’s health care, as well as maintaining her educational studies and working.
Retzer Takes Reins at South Lakes
Kim Retzer, South Lakes Class of 1989, named principal.
As a member of South Lakes High School’s Class of 1989 Kim Retzer (nee Brophy) planned on going to law school, majoring in Government and Politics at George Mason. But she began substitute teaching during college, leading to a long term substitute position while a teacher was on maternity leave.
Boy Charged in Frying Pan Slashings
Herndon boy, 17, charged in two animal attacks.
Fairfax County Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Herndon resident Saturday, June 23 for two slashing attacks on and adjacent to Frying Pan Farm Park.
Herndon Mayor Merkel, New Council Sworn In
2012-14 Herndon Town Council to take office July 1.
The 2012-14 Herndon Town Council, as well as newly elected Mayor Lisa Merkel were sworn in at the Herndon Municipal Center Thursday, June 21. Connie Hutchinson, Sheila Olem and Grace Wolf are returning members, joined by Dave Kirby and Charlie Waddell who return from previous terms on the council and Melissa Jonas, who previously served on the town’s Planning Commission.
Fighting Capital Punishment
Anti-death penalty advocates speak at St. John Neumann.
For most people, the death penalty is a concept that occasionally intersects their lives in the form of news reports about people from across the country. But for others, it is something that has taken someone away from them, or threatens to. St. John Neumann Catholic Church hosted a panel discussion of members of Journey to Hope, a group consisting of families of murder victims, as well as others who have been touched by the death penalty in America.
Herndon-Monroe Metro Station Design Revised
Public hearing held at Herndon High School.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority hosted a public hearing on design refinements to the Dulles Metrorail Phase Two Environmental Assessment Wednesday, June 13 at Herndon High School.
Local Dancer Headed to Miami
Grace Cho to spend summer at Miami City Ballet.
Grace Cho, 13, has been dancing since she was four years old. The Reston resident says dancing is how she likes to express herself.
Dominion Simulates Hurricane
Exercise allows Dominion Power to practice for severe storm events.
Dominion Power hosted a hurricane drill Wednesday, June 6, simulating the effects of fictional Hurricane Joseph and showing how they would manage such a storm. The Herndon headquarters serves about 900,000 customers.
Herndon’s Gardens on Display
Annual garden tour highlights creativity of local gardeners.
The Town of Herndon’s Cultivating Communities initiative will host their annual Garden Tour Sunday, June 24 from noon to 4 p.m. The tour will feature five different stops within the town borders, all representing a variety of approaches to suburban residential gardening.
Staying Safe This Summer
Neighborhood Resource Center hosts safety briefing.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department hosted a summer safety briefing Thursday, June 7 at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Herndon. Lt. Bill Vance of Station Four on Spring Street explained some of the more common summer safety hazards.
Volunteers Prep Townhouse
Long & Foster employees ready townhouse for occupation by family in need.
Members of the Long & Foster Reston office on Wiehle Avenue became handymen for the day, as almost a dozen employees gathered at a Reston townhouse owned by Reston Interfaith to prepare it for a family in need.
Reward Offered In Frying Pan Attacks
$7,500 offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.
The Fairfax County Park Authority announced a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons suspected of attacking animals at Frying Pan Farm Park sometime the night of May 26 or the morning of May 27. The slashing attacks left a chicken, a calf and two goats wounded.
Closet Begins Summer Shopping Days
Monthly Thursday evening hours allow more shopping opportunities.
The Closet, a nonprofit thrift shop in downtown Herndon, will open Thursday evenings once a month, to allow potential shoppers another chance to explore the various clothes, antiques, electronics and other appliances offered.
Herndon Celebrates 32nd Annual Festival
Tens of thousands flock to annual downtown event.
Out of all the rides, games, food, activities and vendors at this year’s Herndon Festival, Geoff Smith, 12, of Herndon, says one thing will stick out in his mind: a robot that can shoot baskets.
Reston Hosts Sprint Triathlon
Event raises money for Reston Interfaith.
Eight hundred swimmers, cyclists and runners showed up to do all three the morning of Sunday, June 3 at Lake Newport Pool and the surrounding roads for the sixth annual Reston Sprint Triathlon. The event was hosted by the Reston Association and the CORE Foundation, which assists nonprofit fundraising.
Animals Assaulted at Kidwell Barn
Weekend incident is similar to nearby April 26 stabbing of three horses.
Two goats, a calf and a chicken were assaulted at Kidwell Barn at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon sometime between 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26 and 7 a.m. Sunday, May 27. Staff at Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Park went to feed the animals the morning of Sunday, May 27 and found the animals, who were injured by an unknown assailant.
Herndon Remembers Fallen
Chestnut Grove hosts annual observance ceremony.
The Town of Herndon hosted its annual Memorial Day observance at Chestnut Grove Cemetery Monday, May 28. Members of the American Legion joined with local officials and dozens of residents to commemorate the lives given up for their country.
Beautifying Downtown Herndon
Artist Keith Naquin paints mural on NAPA Auto Parts building.
Since April, Keith Naquin has been hard at work on a brick wall. The artist was recently contracted by the Council for the Arts of Herndon to transform the rear of the NAPA Auto Parts building in downtown Herndon into a picturesque glimpse of rural life.
Reston Farmer’s Market Going Strong
Weekly market will be at Lake Anne until November.
Living in California, Tony Tanis saw the rise in popularity of kale chips. A vegan culinary school graduate, she knew the nutritional value of the chips, made of dried kale greens, but found that they could be a little pricey.
Making Reston into Reality
Historic Trust presents early planning of Reston.
Shortly after purchasing the land that would become Reston in March 1961, founder Robert Simon was on a plane back to New York City. The story he likes to tell is that’s where he grabbed a legal pad and began coming up with ideas for his new community, ideas based on his travels and life experiences.