July 10, 2002
<lst>Send announcements to The Reston Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to go ahead with its plans to buy down the bus fare for Metrobus, Fairfax Connector, and Cue services in the Dulles Corridor using funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beginning Sunday, July 14 for a year following, free fares will be provided and transfers will be issued for free on Fairfax Connector Routes: 425, 427, 553, 574, 585, 922, 924, 926, 927, 929, 951 and 952. From Sunday, Nov. 25, 2002 through and including Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, free fares will be provided and transfers will be issued for free on Fairfax Connector Routes: 504, 505, 551, 552, 554, 556, 557, 605, 950 and 980 and RIBS 1,2,3 and 4. For further information, contact the Hunter Mill District Office at 703-478-0283.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is hosting a series of three public hearings July 29-31 to receive and consider comments, suggestions, and alternatives from the public on the draft environmental impact statement and proposed general plans for the Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project, which include bus rapid transit and Metrorail service in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. An open house is at 6 p.m. followed by the hearing at 7 p.m. The Monday hearing is at Spring Hill Elementary School, 8201 Lewinsville Road in McLean. The Tuesday meeting is at Langston Hughes Middle School, 11401 Ridge Heights Road in Reston. The Wednesday meeting is set for Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road in Ashburn.
In anticipation of the Public Hearings on the Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and General Plans, to be held July 29-31, the Project's Reston Information Center will offer extended hours, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the lower level of the Spectrum at Reston Town Center, 1846-C Spectrum Center Drive. The Draft EIS may also be viewed at Fairfax and Loudoun County libraries and community centers, as well as the Tysons Corner Project Information Center Kiosk, open Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Sunday, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and www.dullestransit.com.
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Dulles Chapter 1241, serving Sterling, Herndon, Reston and surrounding areas, celebrated 30 years of service at a luncheon and cake-cutting ceremony in Herndon on June 24. The local chapter, one of 1650 chapters nationwide, chartered by NARFE on June 21, 1972, with 16 members, now serves more than 625 voting members.
NARFE supports those who now and in the past have served the nation through their federal employment and is the only association dedicated to protecting the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their survivors. The NARFE Virginia Federation of Chapters is also the only local organization lobbying for these earned rights and benefits at the state level.
Past President Ross Panzera, past Secretaries Olive Panzera and Mary Klatt, and current chapter officers joined other members in recognizing the 30-year anniversary of Dulles Chapter 1241. The original charter was displayed for all to review.
RCC offers Adult Basic Sailing classes taught aboard the 19-foot "Flying Scott." The course material will cover rigging, the points of sail, navigational markers, right-of-way rules, man-overboard procedures, and plenty of mooring and docking drills. The student-to-instructor ratio is three to one. Call George Stevens at 703-768-0018 for more information about scheduling the sailing lessons. This course is limited to persons 18 years of age or older.
The Reston Triathlon Association is seeking volunteers for its 19th Annual Triathlon, to be held Sunday, Sept. 8 at South Lakes High School. The race begins at 7 a.m., beginning and ending at the Lake Audubon boat ramp on Twin Branches Road. Volunteers are needed for the run course, transition areas, bike course, swim
course, food service area, finish line and tear-down and clean-up on race day. Life guards, canoes and kayaks are especially needed. Also, help with set-up at the high school and at the lake on Friday and Saturday, immediately preceding race day, is also needed. E-mail to restontri@aol.com to obtain a volunteer form. For more information visit www.restontriathlon.org or contact Gretchen Roese, publicity chair at dainscourt@aol.com or 703-435-5116.
Entertainers from a wide variety of cultural traditions invited to perform at Reston's Multicultural Festival, which takes place 10 am to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Lake Anne Village Center. Musicians, dancers, storytellers, clowns and entertainers of all sorts from all of Northern Virginia's diverse cultures and races are invited to submit demo tapes, videos and press kits to the Multicultural Festival's entertainment committee. For further information, contact Haywood R. Hopson, Sr. at the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500.
Restonians invited to participate in this year’s annual Make-A-Wish Colony Triathlon set for Sept. 21, located in Bethany Beach, Del. The 2001 Make-A-Wish Colony Triathlon featured 12 competitors from Reston. This event, featuring a 1.5k ocean swim, 36k bike and 10k run benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, which is a non-profit organization fulfilling wishes of area children fighting life-threatening illnesses. For more information on this event or on the foundation visit, www.wish.org/midatlantic or call 301-962-6500.
The RCA invites all Reston residents to submit candidates for the RCA Community Service Award honoring those individuals who have selflessly given their time and effort in the pursuit of RCA's goals. RCA members believe that those living in Reston who have worked for the sake of the community without the prospect of financial gain, deserve special mention. The RCA Board of Directors will select the year's award recipient and will present the award at the July 13 Reston Festival. Send a completed nomination form to: The Reston Citizen's Association, P. O.. Box 2631, Reston, VA 20195. For more information, contact the RCA at 703-437-9465, or AWARD@restoncitizensassociation.org.
Amputee Support Group Of Northern Virginia, a support group for amputees, their families and friends, meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Gym Area, Women & Children's Center, First Floor, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. The next meeting is scheduled for July 2. The cost is free and parking is provided in the garage for all cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. For more information, contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120.
Reston Newcomers Club published a cookbook, "Home Cooking," with 345 recipes. Cost is $15. Call 703-476-6152.
The Reston Museum needs volunteers to work in the museum shop on Saturdays. No special skills required and scheduling is flexible. Call 703-709-7700 to volunteer.
Call Senior Employment Resources if you are at least 50 years old and looking for permanent work in Northern Virginia. 703-750-1936, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for an interview.
The YMCA in Reston offers Lamaze childbirth classes by a certified Lamaze instructor. A series of five classes are offered on Tuesday nights, 7-9 p.m. Call 703-631-4629 for a schedule and to register.
The 10-and-under Fairfax Fire birds girls softball team seeks players for the upcoming spring and summer tournament seasons. For information regarding location and times contact either Mark Morrison at 703-448-1985 or Mjmorri57@aol.com, or Paul Sbardella at 703-690-8925 or Rico4094@aol.com.
A Farmers' Market will be held every Saturday through Nov. 2 at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston from 8 a.m. to Noon The Farmers' Market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, cut flowers, potted plants, cider and honey. For more information, call 703-941-7987.
A new mutual-help support group for persons with depression or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and/or family members is forming in Reston. The group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7-9 p.m. Free attendance. For location or more information, call Traci at 703-433-1448, Paul at 703-981-2259 or Kathy at 540-751-0547.
The Reston Community Center sponsors a Teen Summer Employment Program to help match up teens ages 15 to 18 with the right employer, similar to an employment agency. RCC screens teens by reviewing resumes and conducting preliminary interviews and skills assessments and then matches teen candidates with summer jobs offered by local employers. To enter the program, teens must submit a resume and a completed program application to the RCC. For more information or to obtain a program application, contact Shauna Cole, Teen Program Director, Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500 or e-mail scole1@co.fairfax.va.us.
Nomination applications now available for the Northern Virginia Family Service CARE (Companies As Responsive Employers) Award, which recognizes Northern Virginia business that promote a positive work-life balance for employees. Submission deadline July 12. Applications evaluated by the Northern Virginia Family Service. CARE Award winners will be recognized at an awards breakfast to be held Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. Call 703- 533-2595 or e-mail aendres@nvfs.org for more information or to receive an application. The application can also be downloaded from the Northern Virginia Family Service web site at www.nvfs.org/care.htm.
Orphan Foundation of America, a Reston-based organization, provides scholarships and offers mentors to parentless teens leaving foster care. Currently, the foundation has over 500 applications that require personal attention. Passionate individuals needed to work on these and other crucial projects. Tasks include reviewing student and mentor applications, contacting applicants by mail, phone or e-mail, making files, etc. Volunteers are also critically needed, to help with development by researching foundations and organizations, preparing solicitation packets and other tasks. Call 571-203-0270 or e-mail help@orphan.org for more information.
Greater Reston Arts Center has started taking registrations for its
Summer Art Camp for Kids for children in first through sixth grade. The first session, which runs from July 8-12, will be "All About Me!" for rising first through third graders. The second session, which runs from July 15-19, will be "Learning to Look!" for rising first through third graders. The third session, which runs July 22-26, will be "Living Landscapes" for fourth through sixth graders. The fourth session, which runs July 29-Aug. 3, will be "Modern Art and Me!" for fourth through sixth graders. Class size is limited to 30 students per session. Cost: $130 per session for GRACE Members, $150 per session for non-members. For more information or to register call 703-471-9242.
Free conversational English classes for all levels offered at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston. Classes have been suspended for the summer. Registration for the next cycle of classes will begin in late September or early October. Call 703-471-5225.
The Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates adopted a Senate Joint Resolution commending the Reston Children's Center for its 35 years of service to the children and families of Reston. The Reston Children's Center was the first child care program in Reston to earn national accreditation. In 2001, the Reston Children's Center became the first school-age program in Reston, and the fourth in Virginia, to be accredited by the National School Age Child Care Alliance. Linda D. Selb, Executive Director of the Center, has been on staff 24 years and has seen a generation of children grow up.
The Northern Virginia Family Service needs foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service call 703-533-9727 or smcallister@nvfs.org.
Coaching classes for brides-to-be offered in the Merrifield/Gallows Road area to help manage pre-marital stress. The two-session group course is offered on the first of each summer month. Day and evening classes available. For more information, contact Carolyn R. Krol, LCSW at 202-669-3249.
The NOVA Career Development Network invites those seeking jobs or career transitions to participate in a weekly networking and job support group. The group meets Tuesday mornings from 10:45 a.m. to Noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston at 1625 Wiehle Ave. Call Roy Seabolt at 571-263-1430 or rseabolt@cox.net for more information or visit the web site at http://communitylink.allnva.com/groups/novacdn.