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 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.
Walk with the champs! The Reston Little League Opening Day Parade will be held on Saturday, April 14, 9:30 a.m., at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Watch the sea of colorful team shirts and caps parade down Market Street. Find out what's going on in local baseball at www.restonlittleleague.com.
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!
Come hear a collection of classical and contemporary works performed by the Student Symphonic Orchestra of Fairfax on Saturday, April 14, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. This event is free and something the whole family will enjoy!
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 band 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.
Walk MS 2012 will be held on Sunday, April 15, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Reston Town Center. This annual Walk is to increase awareness and support research to eliminate multiple sclerosis. Visit www.msandyou.org for more information about how you can help.
Play in a great golf tournament while making a difference! The 7th Annual Katelyn Hall Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, April 16, at Lansdowne Golf Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg, VA 20176, with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Golfers not already in a foursome will be matched with others to make up foursomes. Cost is $125 per player to benefit the Georgetown University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Katelyn Hall Foundation Golf Tournament was begun by Katelyn and her family to promote the advancement of family centered care and renovation of the NICU Family Support Center at Georgetown University Hospital. You might remember Katelyn as a "famous kid" who was the March of Dimes National Ambassador in 2009. She and her parents visited Delegate Plum in Richmond during the General Assembly session that year and also appeared on his local television program to talk about inreasing public awareness of prematurity and premature birth complications. Register for the tournament at www.khallfoundation.com/golftournament and also find out about sponsorship opportunities, a High Dollar Putting Contest prize, silent auction, and more. Or just donate to a great cause!
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.
Reston Town Center announces the eighth R4 Collection Day (Reduce. Re-use. Recycle. Reston.) on Wednesday, April 18, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in front of the Reston Town Center Pavilion, 11900 Market Street. Reston Town Center is partnering with a number of groups that will be on site to collect used items for recycling and re-use, including: Bikes for the World (bicycle, sedwing machine and hand tool collection); Reston Lions Club (eyeglasses, hearing aids); Secured Shred (document disposal on site); and Turtle Wings (computers and other electronics collection - removal and destruction of computer hard drives provided on site). To access the R4 unloading area on April 18, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. vehicles can enter Market Street off Presidents Street at the east end of Reston Town Center (near Ann Taylor). No fees are charged for this collection service. Complete information including a list of items accepted for collection is available at www.restontowncenter.com.
The United Christian Parish of Reston will hold an evening of remembrance and witness for the victims of Nazi Germany on Thursday, April 19, which is the 69th anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The program, open to all, will take place at 7:00 at the church, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. Kay Rodgers, a parish member and a seminarian at Wesley Theological Seminary, visited Poland and the camps of Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Treblinka, with a group from Wesley Seminary. She will narrate a slide show describing ghetto life, instances of resistance, and seeds of hope. Child care will be available.
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.
Reston Environmental Action (REACT) members welcome all to attend their board and committee meetings. Next opportunity is on Saturday, April 21, 4:00 p.m., at Vapiano at Reston Town Center (corner of Explorer and Market Streets, next to the Paper Source). Find out more about recycling, eco-friendly yard and garden care, energy efficiency, rain barrels, and more. Visit www.restonenvironmentalaction.org for REACT information. Contact Mary Brown at cernybrown@earthlink.net or 703.620.0151 with questions about membership.
Attend the Youth Sports Safety Summit on Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. More than 38 million children and adolescents in the U.S. participate in organized sports annually. It is estimated that about 3.5 million of those youth receive medical attention for sports related injuries. Many experts believe that approximately 50% of all these injuries are preventable. Attend the Summit to hear about health and safety policy development for youth sports leagues, concussion recognition and management in youth athletes, sports nutrition and the role of supplements, heat illness and environmental safety, and overuse injuries in adolescents. This event is free and open to youth sports league administrators, coaches, and parents. Pre-registration is required. For more informaiton, please contact Athletic Services at athleticservices@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.
The First Annual Puppy Prance Fun Walk and Canine Carnival to benefit the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Paws4People Foundation will be held on Saturday, April 28, at Lake Fairfax Park, Reston. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m.; Walk begins at 10:00 a.m. Bring your family and your best canine friend for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, vendors, food, and games for all.
Are you relatively new to your computer, or do you want a better understanding of the equipment and the basics of computing? If you are 55 years or older, this "Basic Computer skills" class is for you. It wil meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 17, 18, and 19, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost is $45/Reston resident, $90/non-resident. For more information or to register, contact Karen Brutsche, RCC's 55+ Program Director, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
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.
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. This event will honor Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, Mr. Knox Singleton of INOVA Health System, and Dr. Kenny Smith of the First Baptist Church in Vienna. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Music will be provided by acclaimed jazz artist Janine Gilbert-Carter. Black tie optional. Visit www.mlkculturalfoundation.org for details about the reception and dinner. This is an event you won't want to miss!
The National Safe Routes Center (www.saferoutesinfo.org) serves as the information clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program (SRTS). As part of their mission, the National Center offers a National Instructor training, and the newly trained students then give an informaitonal program to the community. A FREE program on Safe Routes to School will be held on Thursday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Herndon Municipal Center, Council Chambers, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon, with a field trip to Herndon Middle School at dismissal. Learn all about the benefits of biking and walking to school on safe routes in the community. Contact Diane Lambert, Project Manager, at dlambert@tooledesign.com or 703.254.4423 with questions or to register for the session.
The Virginia Ballet will be performing the full-length version of Swan Lake at the Ernst Theatre, Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, on Saturday, April 28 (2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.) and Sunday, April 29 (2:00 p.m.) Many children and youth from Northern Virginia, all wonderful dancers, will be in the corp, with some making their "professional" debut and others adding to their student experiences. Tickets are $20 for students and seniors, $30 for adults, available online at www.virginiaballetcompany.org, or by phone at 703.249.8227. Attendance guarantees a fine performance of classical ballet while supporting our local arts community. Swan Lake is an enchanting tale of love with mysterious chracters, dazzling dance sequences, and music by Tchaikovsky that has been enjoyed for generations. Swan Lake's themes of love, fear, deception, and perceived betrayal are current in today's artistic world. Virginia Ballet Company's pre-professional students are some of our area's best dancers -- don't miss Swan Lake!
Useful Services Exchange (USE), a time bank through which services are traded, will hold a "meet and greet" event for members and prospective members on Saturday, April 28, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. at the Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. All are invited to learn about USE, enjoy refreshments, and hear music by folksingers Karen and Rick Elliott. Membership in USE costs $10/year and is open to anyone -- teens to seniors - living or working in Reston/Herndon. For more information, see www.restonuse.org or call Marilyn Silvey at 703.860.5141.
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.
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.
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!
May 6 is "Stop Hunger Now" day at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. At the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. church services, the preacher will be Rev. Janice Rivero, formerly of Reston and now a United Methodist minister and staff member of Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the collection and distribution of food to needy people around the world. At 2:00 p.m., the public is invited to take part in a "Stop Hunger Now" meal packaging event at which a combination of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix is put into small packets that will be sent to crisis situations and feeding programs in many countries. "
Sign up for the 12th Annual Hopecam 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, May 6, 1890 Preston White Drive, Reston. Fee is $25 (10 for kids 12 and under). Register online at www.hopecam.org/ournews/events/hopecam-5k. This event will be professionally timed. Families are encouraged to participate; strollers are welcome! Hopecam connects hospitalized and homebound children undergoing long-term treatment with their teachers, classmates, family, and friends by providing laptops, high speed Internet, and web cameras. All services are provided free of charge to the families. Hopecam partners with area hospitals, social workers, and dozens of school districts in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Friends and Supporters of the Northern Virginia Training Center wil 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 information on this effort is at www.parentsandassociatesnvtc.com.
Reston Association's big 95-Family Community Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 12, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Rain date is May 13. Call 703.435.6577 for recorded weather related cancellations. This is a huge sale -- stop by and browse for bargains!
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, May 12, at South Lakes High School, Reston. Opening ceremony begins at 1:00 p.m. and will set the tone for the entire 19-hour, high-energy event. At Reston Relay, teams of people camp out at South Lakes HS and take turns walking or running around its track. Because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during this overnight event. Last year Reston Relay had over 800 participants who raised over $234,000 for the American Cancer Society. Visit the Relay -- it's great fun for the whole family -- and make a contribution at www.restonrelay.org.
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 p.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. 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 Fine Arts Festival that will illuminate the streets of Reston Town Center May 18-20.
The Annual FISH Fling will be held on Saturday, May 19. 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 hep fund the services Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. provide to some of our area's citizens in times of crisis. Watch here for upcoming details about the FISH Fling!
"Getting the Most Out of the Internet" is a class designed for people 55 years and older who are new uers of the Internet and have little or no experience. It will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 21-24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. Cost is $45/Reston resident, $90 non-resident. Students will learn to use a web browser and search engines, organize Internet fabvorites and set their homepage, understand basic computer security, send, receive, reply, and organize email, and send and save email attachments. Prerequisite is "Basic Computer Skills" taught April 17-19 (see item above). For more informaiton or to register, contact Karen Brutsche, RCC's 55+ Program Director, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Reston Community Center presents "Lifelong Leisure and Resource Expo" for citizens 55 and older on Tuesday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Free admission. The thirst for knowledge never ceases! Visit with exhibitors and attend short workshops to learn more about technology, home modifications, accessible design, nutrition and cooking, leisure and recreation activities, transitioning into retirement, encore career options, financial and estate planning, and much more. Resotn Hospital Center will also provide free health screenings. In honor of Older Americans Month, and in cooperation with the Reston for a Lifetime initiative, this event will educate and delight attendees!
Area resident Len Forkas will compete in the 3,000 mile bike race, Race Across America, on June 13. Len will bicycle 3,000 miles from San Diego to Annapolis and will be riding and fundraising for Hopecam, a non-profit organization he founded in 2003 that connects homebound children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses to their friends at school. To learn more about sponsorship and donation opportunities, visit Hopecam's "Race for Hope" website at www.hopecam.org/race-for-hope. To learn more about the work Hopecam is doing in Northern Virginia, visit www.hopecam.org.
