<b>RA: Summer’s Pool Usage</b>
The Reston Association released pool usage statistics for last summer. For open swim times, 181,846 visits were recorded at Reston’s 15 pools, an increase of 23 percent (34,500 visits) from last year. Glade Pool was most utilized with 29,268 visits, while Dogwood Pool was the least utilized with 2,812 visits. In its first full season after renovations, Glade Pool saw a jump from 6,068 visits in 2003 to 29,268 this year. Non-resident membership sales increased by $28,000 this year. A new program last year, the unlimited guest pass that costs $20, generated an estimated $40,000, while last year $18,900 was generated.
This year, Tall Oaks Pool and Shadowood Pool, which were recommended for closing last summer by an independent research firm (PROS Consulting), were the fifth and second least visited pools, respectively. Last year, they were the fourth and third least visited pools, respectively.
<b>Park Dedication at Reston Town Center</b>
KSI Services will present the Reston Town Square, an urban park at Market and Explorer Streets at Reston Town Center, to the Reston Urban Core Association on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The park represents the final public formal space envisioned for Reston Town Center. The celebration will include remarks by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill). A community block party will follow the program and include live music, entertainment and fireworks.
<b>RCC Holds Candidate Forum</b>
During two hours of answering questions, eight candidates vying for the four available seats on the Reston Community Center’s Board of Governors had a hard time distinguishing themselves on issues.
During most of the Candidate Forum held last Tuesday, Sept. 27, the candidates responded to five questions posed by the moderator, Bea Malone, president of the Friends of the Reston Community Center.
The questions, which were general in nature, resulted in numerous overlapping answers frequently agreed to by all the candidates. In the last 20 minutes, the candidates responded to three questions from the audience. The incumbent candidates are Ruth Overton and Fred Greenwald. The other candidates include Marry Buff, Karen Cleveland, Kevin B. Deasy, George C. Lawton, Peter von zur Muehlen and Cathy Vivona.
The nine-member Board of Governors is responsible for establishing the community center’s policies, gathering public input on programming and services, and providing fiscal oversight of the center’s budget.
Every year in October, Reston residents and businesses vote in a preference poll, endorsing three candidates. This past year two members resigned and only one of the positions was filled, so this year the poll will endorse four candidates. Those nominations are then sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for approval.
Walk-in balloting for this year’s preference poll will be held now through Oct. 14. Ballots for the walk-in voting is available at the Reston Community Centers at Hunters Woods and Lake Anne.
On Oct. 15, the community center will hold a Community Polling Day, when ballots will be available at the five village centers in Reston and at the Harris Teeter at the Spectrum.
Turnout for the poll the past two years has been about 1,300 people.
<b>Skateboarding Event Postponed</b>
The temporary skateboarding park for area youth coming to Reston has been postponed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will be the second skate park on wheels event hosted by Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) since May. The event, which will also be raising money for victims of Katrina, hopes to raise awareness of and interest in skateboarding in Reston. Participants are asked to bring a $1 donation and their own protective gear.
<b>Play Cards for the Nature House</b>
To raise money for the Nature House, the Friends of Reston will host a Texas Hold 'Em night at McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant at the Reston Town Center Oct. 18. The event, from 5 to 10 p.m., will offer tickets to games ranging from $50 to $1,000. Participants will be able to enjoy a seafood buffet and be eligible for a door prizes, including a trip to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Call 703-435-6510.
To date, the Friends of Reston have raised $825,000 for the Nature House, which will be a year-round educational building located at the Walker Nature Education Center.
<b>RCC Autumn Retreat</b>
The Reston Community Center will hold an Autumn at
Lake Anne Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The retreat features therapeutic activities designed to energize and inspire, including musical chi gong, yoga for energy, breathing exercises, body awareness, eating awareness, nutritional snack, deep relaxation and a lake walk. The fee for this class is $25 for people who live or work in Reston and $35 for all others. This class is targeted to adults age 18 and older. Call 703-476-4500.
<b>Historic Trust Needs Volunteers</b>
Volunteers are needed to help host homes that will be open to the public for the Reston Historic Trust’s fourth annual Reston House Tour on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Volunteers will each receive a free Reston House Tour ticket to enjoy the entire tour. Orientation provided. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to volunteer. Volunteer registration forms are available by e-mail. Contact Kathleen McKee, kmckee22@comcast.net. For more information visit www.restonmuseum.org or call the Reston Museum, 703-709-7700.
<b>Calendar</b>
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m., Reston Association Meeting with Cluster Officers on revisions of the proposed governing documents, Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive.
Monday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m., Reston Association’s Special Committee on Parks & Recreation Planning, Isaac Newton Square.
Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., Reston Association Board Meeting, Isaac Newton Square.