Hear keynote speaker Michael Cassidy, Commonwealth Institute President & CEO, speak about "Time to Invest in a Virginia that Works for Everyone" on Saturday, March 31, 9:00 to 11:15 am. at American Legion Post 180, 330 Center Street North, Vienna, VA. According to the Commonwealth Institute, 46.2 million people in the United States are struggling below the poverty line, and more than 16 million of those are children. All are welcome to attend this program. For more information contact John Horejsi at jhorejsi@cox.net or visit the SALT website at www.S-A-L-T.org. Event co-sponsors are Social Action Linking Together (SALT), Virginia Organizing, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errands-VA (CURE), and VA Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO).
Learn how people of all ages and abilities can get around Reston without driving at a Community Forum on Transportation sponsored by Reston for a Lifetime on Saturday, March 31, 9:00 a.m. to Noon, at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. Various organizations will be demonstrating services and sharing information including: Fastran, Metro Access, Fairfax Connector buses, Reston internal bus system, taxi discount programs, volunteer drivers from Shepherd Center and FISH, and much more. For more information, call Reston for a Lifetime at 703.672.1116 or visit www.restonforalifetime.org.
Registration opens Monday, April 2, at 8:30 a.m. for new lifeguards at swimming pools in Reston. Returning lifeguards can register for update classes now. Register online at www.reston.org or in person at Reston Association's Member Services desk at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Reston Association Aquatics is a proud provider of American Red Cross Health and Safety classes.
The Tuesday, April 3, meeting of the Reston Garden Club will be held at the Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, featuring Lynn Cohen of Merrifield Nursery in Gainesville, VA. Mrs. Cohen, who has a degree in horticulture from the University of Maryland, is in charge of the perennials and aquatics departments as well as a buyer and lecturer for the Nursery. She has forty years of experience in her field and wil present a program on "Composing Beautiful Container Gardens" with a special emphasis on year-round compositions. All are welcome. To learn more abut the RGC, visit www.therestongardenclub.org.
Attend a lecture, "Science or Soundbite? Shale Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Induced Earthquake," on Wednesday, April 4, 7:00 p.m., at the U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of injecting wells with water, sand, and chemicals at very high pressure. This process creates fractures in deeply buried rocks to allow for the extraction of oil and natural gas as well as geothermal energy. Why is this process in such wide use today? How does hydraulic fracturing affect water resources? And does hydraulic fracturing cause earthquakes? Join presenters Doug Duncan, Jim Campbell, and Bill Leith to learn the answers to these question and to learn about USGS research into the opportunities and impact associated with hydraulic fracturing. Visit www.usps.gov/public_lecture_series/docPLS_Flyer_April_2012.pdf.
Come to a free seminar, "Disabled and Proud," on Thursday, April 5, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost is free; registration required. Learn about the various civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities as well as the strategies to use in order to get the most out of the protections that they have to offer. Nearly 15 percent of the population has one form of a disability or another -- it isn't something to be ashamed of, and should not impact a person's ability to live comfortably at home, shop, dine out, travel, be gainfully employed, access public transportation, and enjoy socializing in community settings. Whether it is physical access for using a mobility device or a modification in the way a service is provided, utilizing these programs, services, and amenities isn't a nicety; it is a civil right! Contact Karen Brutsche to register or ask questions at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Join your Hunter Mill and Vienna neighbors, honored guests, and dignitaries for the unveiling of a State Historic Marker on Saturday, April 7, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Lawyers Road and Kedge Drive (parking on Kedge Drive only) to commemorate those who fought at this site on November 26, 1861. Significantly, this action was J.E.B. Stuart's first engagement against the Union cavalry in the American Civil War. The action in this skirmish was covered in Harpers Weekly in the December 21, 1861 paper as a "Skirmish Near Hunter's Mill." This event is being organized and hosted by the Hunter Mill Defense League. No rsvp is necessary - please join this unveiling.
Reston's Arbor Day will be observed on Monday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. to Noon, at Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. This event is for adults and children (kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult).
Reston Association's Annual Members' Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Reston Association's Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Learn about RA's accomplishments in 2011 and plans for 2012. Hear the results of the Board of Directors' Election. Meet your neighbors. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to annualmeeting@reston.org or call 703.435.6530.
The Potomac Watershed Roundtable meeting will be held on Friday, April 13 at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, in Conference Rooms 9-10. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. with registration and refreshments at 9:30 a.m. Meeting highlights include presentations about sustainability, energy efficiency and conservation, conservation corridors planning in Northern, and the "Get2Green" program that is a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the National Wildlife Federation's Eco Schools USA Program. RSVP to Nick Kokales at the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Ditrict at 703.324.1420 or nicholas.kokales@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please indicate in your RSVP that you will be attending the meeting and whether or not you would like to reserve a lunch. Cost of lunch is $10. To receive notifications about future Potomac Watershed Roundtable meetings directly, email or call Nick Kokales at the contacts above.
Don't miss the 2012 Empty Bowls Fundraiser hosted by The Giving Circle of HOPE on Friday, April 13, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon. All proceeds will go directly to Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food to needy people in Northern Virginia. For a minimum donation of $20, guests will choose a handcrafted pottery bowl and receive a simple supper of soup, bread, beverage, and dessert. The bowl is yours to keep to remind you that there are "empty bowls" in our community. Only 500 tickets will be sold this year, and they are available by sending a check ($20/ticket) payable to Food for Others and sent by April 9 to Giving Circle of HOPE, P.O. Box 8832, Reston, VA 20195. The tickets will be held at the door. For confirmation, an e-mail address must be included with payment. Many community groups partner in this event including food contributors Clyde's of Reston, Montmartre Cafe, Jasmine Cafe, Great Harvest Bread Company, Chantel's Bakery, Amphora Restaurant, and Stone's Cove Kitbar. Donors include Zumba Fitness with Vanessa, Cooking with Sandy, Russia House Restaurant, Reston Sport and Health, Olive Garden, Salon Nordine and Day Spa, Origins Thai Spa, and potters from Clay Connection, Bowman House, Clay Cafe, Herndon Community Center, and Reston Community Center. "Last year, the event was sold out and we raised almost $19,500 for hunger relief," said Linda Strup, president of the Giving Circle of HOPE, a Reston-based organization that promotes volunteerism and effective philanthropy. "This year the needs are even greater and we expect the response to be greater as well." For questions, including to find out after April 10 if tickets will be available at the door, call 703.665.9334.
Celebrate Reston's 9th annual Founder's Day presented by the Reston Historic Trust on Saturday, April 14, at Lake Anne Plaza. The festivities will begin at noon with a special performance by World View, a multicultural group of musically talented students from Park View High School in Sterling. The newly installed commemorative bricks will be dedicated on the Plaza, and then all attendees are invited to the Reston Museum for birthday cake to celebrate Reston's 48th and Reston founder Robert E. Simon's 98th birthdays. The 2nd Annual Amazing Founder's Day Hunt, this year titled, "Where in Reston is Bob Simon?" will begin at 1:30 p.m. Don't miss this amazing afternoon of celebration!
The Reston Community Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Dingwall Fleary will hold its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. This year's theme is "Caribbean Night" and will feature a silent auction and raffle. Resort Casual dress. RSVP by April 10 to 571.449.7095. This fun-filled fundraising night will enable the RCO to present free concerts and host summer workshps for young musicians. Many of these young students have returned as guest performers with the RCO. So escape to the tropics with an evening of music, food, and fun! Dance the night away to the big ban sounds of the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble and enjoy some island fare. Place the winning bid and one of the silent auction items could be yours, including a VIP night on the town in Reston and a weeklong stay in Florida. Advance purchase tickets are $60 individual/$80 couple or $70 individual/$90 per couple at the door. Donations are tax deductible with all proceeds to benefit the orchestra. Visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org or call 571.449.7095 to purchase tickets or to find out more about this event and RCO's other activities.
Learn more about the charges that appear on your cable bill and ways to challenge a charge that you think should not be there at a free seminar on Tuesday, April 17, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference Room 7. Find out what methods are available to lower the cost of your cable services.
Save the Date for the 9th Annual 5K Fund Run/Walk to benefit Nature House on Saturday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. at Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Adult fee is $25 prior to April 1, $30 regular. Children's fee is $15 prior to April 1, $20 regular. Register at www.active.com. The Fund Run/Walk is a community-based and sponsored event. Timing is by Reston Runners. Enjoy a rolling, scenic and mostly wooded course through Reston neighborhoods and parkland. Don't want to run or walk? Consider volunteering by contacting Ha Brock at ha@reston.org. Funds go to Friends of Reston, a 501(c)(3) organization, to benefit Nature House. Donations above and beyond the race entry fees are tax deductible.
Don't miss the annual Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala on April 21 at the McLean Hilton and sponsored by the Medical Care for Children Partnership. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available at www.mccpfoundation.org. Contact Margery Leveen Sher at MLSher@mccpfoundation.org with questions. There are thousands of children in our community who can't see a doctor or dentist when they need to. The Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala addresses these needs and others, so join in the fun while making a big difference to a child.
The Reston Chorale and Anazao Galleries invite you to a fabulous, one-day-only Art Show & Sale featuring artwork and jewelry from around the world on Sunday, April 22, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. You will be able to shop for paintings, prints from the Vatican Library, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, art glass, icons and jewelry from Russia, and antiques. Treasures such as limited editions from the Uffizi, the British Library, the National Gallery of Art, and the New York Botanical Gardens can be found among the collections for sale. Many items will be priced at less than $20 - there's something for every person and every budget. Enjoy musical selections of Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe played on traditional Russian folk instruments throughout the afternoon performed by the Washington Balalaika Society. A portion of the proceeds from this fundraiser benefits The Reston Chorale.
Fairfax Partnership for Youth, Inc. presents its third Bullying Prevention Symposium on Wednesday, April 25, at the James Lee Community Center Auditorium, 2855-A Annandale Road, Annandale. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.; panel discussion and presentations from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The symposium will provide an overview of key concepts in bullying prevention and intervention, a panel discussion on regional bullying prevention efforts, a Cyberbullying awareness and prevention presentation, a presentation on groups at higher risk for targeting, and more. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited; pre-register at www.fairfaxyouth.org. This is a free event. For more information contact Mary Beth Waite at Mary.Waite@FairfaxCounty.gov or 703.324.5535.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation's Annual Dream Maker's Gala will be held on Thursday, April 26, at the McLean Tysons Hilton Hotel in McLean. Visit www.mlkculturalfoundation.org for details about the reception and dinner. This is an event you won't want to miss!
The next Electric Sunday TV and Computer Recycling wil be held on Sunday, April 29, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, in Fairfax. For updates, cancellations, and notifications of this continuing event and others, call 703.324.5052.
Everyone is invited to the Spring Festival on Saturday, May 5 (rain or shine), 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. This event is free! Enjoy entertainment, live animals, fishing activities, crafts for kids, displays and information from environmental groups, and canoe and kayak rentals on Lake Audubon ($3 rental). If you would like to be a volunteer worker at the Spring Festival, contact Ha Brock at ha@reston.org or call 703.435.7986.
The 2012 Preservation Virginia Northern Virginia Branch Annual Meeting wil be held on Saturday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Avenue, Manassas. In honor of Preservation Month, Dr. Joan Zenzen, author of "Battling for Manassas," will discuss the preservation challenges at our local National Parks. This event is free. For more information, contact 703.431.2869 or nvb@preservationvirginia.org.
Friends and Supporters of the Northern Virginia Training Center will hold a FUNd Raising Event on Thursday, May 10, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring Street, Herndon (corner of Spring & Elden). Great prizes could be won by YOU at the big Raffle Drawing at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Legal Defense Fund to Preserve Virginia's Training Centers. If you can't attend the FUNd Raising Event on May 10 and want to donate, make your tax-deductible donation to Parents & Associates NVTC with a designation in the lower corner of the check to "TCAN" and mail it to: Ed Senft, c/o Parents and Associates TCAN, Suite 610, 19375 Cypress Ridge Terrace, Landsdowne, VA 20176. More info on this effort is at www.parentsandassociatesnvtc.com.
The Greater Reston Arts Center will host the Opening Night Party for the 21st Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival on Friday, May 18 6:30 to 10:00 pm. at the Town Center Pavilion at Reston Town Center. The Opening Night Party will highlight an opportunity for art lovers, sponsors, media, donors, and the public to meet artists and start the weekend with a bang featuring performance art, a silent auction, signature cocktails, and influential local business leaders. Visit www.restonarts.org and www.northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org for details about the Opening Night Party on May 18 and the wonderful Fine Arts Festival that will illuminate the streets of Reston Town Center May 18-20.
Save the date - Saturday, May 19 - for the Annual FISH Fling! FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) will once again host an evening of dinner and dancing along with one of the area's best silent auctions. Proceeds from this gala event help fund the services Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. provides to some of our area's citizens in times of crisis. Visit www.HerndonRestonFISH.org to learn more.
