RESTON License Plate Contest
Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is holding a Reston License Plate Design Contest, tapping into the creative talents of local residents. The group is asking Reston residents to design a license plate, which will be offered by Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The winning design will embody the essence of living in the 40-year-old planned community. Deadline for submission designs is Nov. 30. Full details of the contest rules are available at: www.restoncitizensassociation.org/RestonLicense.htm
For those who can't design a plate, they can do their part by ordering one. The DMV requires a minimum of 350 pre-paid applicants to produce a specialized license plate. Residents interested in pre-ordering can complete the form at: http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/pdf/vsa10.pdf. Then send a check for the appropriate fee made out to “Reston Citizens Association” to: Reston Citizens Association, P.O. Box 2851, Reston, VA 20195. According to instructions from the DMV, RCA will hold all applications and checks until the special license creation process is complete and then forward one check to cover all the applications. To get more information, send an email to RCA-InfoLine@comcast.net or contact: Susan Merk at 703-437-4386 or John Fay at 703-481-0944.
RCC Community Picnic: Oct. 21
The Reston Community Center invites the public to its free annual Community Picnic on Oct. 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Hunters Woods Shopping Center. The picnic offers food, including barbecue chicken and hot dogs, music, performers and family entertainment.
The Center’s Community Voting Day is also on Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when residents and business owners can vote in six locations: Harris Teeter at Reston Spectrum Center, Hunters Woods Village Center, Lake Anne Village Center, North Point Village Center, South Lakes Village Center, and Tall Oaks Village Center.
For more information about the Community Picnic or the Preference Poll, call 703-476-4500 or 800-828-1120, or visit the web site at http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
MEET REACT
The Reston-based grassroots environmental nonprofit will hold its annual meeting next week on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.
Reston Environmental Action (REACT), whose mission is to promote the environmental and community health of Reston, organizes residents in projects to promotes environmentally sound lifestyle choices.
Board members will provide updates on REACT programs, including Reston Recycles!, a residential recycling program, Close the Loop, a buy-recycled program, and the Reducing Workplace Waste Program.
Claudia Thompson-Deahl, Reston Association’s environmental resource manager, will be a featured speaker.
Membership dues are $5 per year per person, but the meeting is free and all members of the public are invited. For more information, call 703-620-0151, or visit www.restonenvironmentalaction.org.
CLARIFICATION
In an article two weeks ago, a housing complex was referred to as “Northgate Square Apartments.” It should have said “Northgate Square Condominiums.”
LOOKING for the Best
Reston Interfaith and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce seek nominations for the 2007 Best of Reston awards. The annual awards honor businesses, organizations and individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to community service and improving the lives of others.
Eligible Best of Reston nominees may be businesses, organizations, or individuals that make extraordinary contributions of their time and resources to improve the quality of life in the Reston-Herndon area and the surrounding communities.
Nominees must demonstrate commitment to a project that has tangible results, recognize a need and show initiative to take on projects and causes that are outside the scope of their normal employment, and work selflessly without thought of recognition.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30. Nomination forms can be picked up in Reston from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce at 1763 Fountain Drive or from Reston Interfaith’s office at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210. Forms can also be downloaded from Reston Interfaith’s web site at www.restoninterfaith.org or from the Chamber’s web site at www.restonchamber.org. To obtain a form by mail, call Meredith Young at 571-323-9566. Nominations received after the Oct. 30 deadline will not be considered.
Winners of the 2007 Best of Reston Awards will be announced at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Jan. 11, 2007. They will be formally honored at the 16th Annual Best of Reston Gala on April 19, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Reston.
COMMUNITY Walk For The Homeless
Join Reston Interfaith in supporting people in need by participating in the Community Walk for the Homeless, Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m., in Reston. Registration is $15 for youth, ages 25 and younger, and $25 for adults. To register for the Community Walk for the Homeless or for more information, visit www.restoninterfaith.org or call Meredith Young at 571-323-9566.
Area residents, businesses and organizations are invited to walk in support of those who are homeless, the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, and Reston Interfaith’s other vital services that aid in homelessness prevention. The walk will begin at the shelter and continue to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church; walkers may participate in activities being held at St. Anne’s or return to the shelter to retrieve cars as needed. The Community Walk is a family-friendly, educational opportunity for children and adults to learn about homelessness in our community. Walkers are also needed to support Reston Interfaith in the regional Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall on Saturday, Nov. 18.
New this year, there will be several activities for youth and adults to encourage understanding of the needs and resources that exist locally and to brainstorm how we can strengthen our community. These age-appropriate, interactive activities will take place at St. Anne’s immediately following the community walk, starting at approximately 3-3:30 p.m., and are free and open to anyone. These educational activities will last approximately 45 minutes. Please indicate any plans to attend the educational activities when registering for the walk.
VOLUNTEER for VolunteerFest
Volunteer Fairfax is accepting volunteer registration for this year’s VolunteerFest on Saturday, Oct. 28. Hundreds of volunteers will contribute their time and energy to help 45 area nonprofits complete 57 projects for this county-wide
day of service, held in conjunction with national “Make a Difference Day.” In Reston, the following agencies need volunteers for projects.
* Fairfax County Department of Community & Recreation Services would like the help of volunteers to sort and pack coats and canned food donated by the community to help Reston area food and clothes banks.
* Reston Interfaith needs volunteers to lead a cake –walk, encourage children to decorate Halloween pumpkins, and help families navigate a hay maze during Autumn Adventure, a seasonally themed family event with all the proceeds directly benefiting Reston Interfaith.
* Reston Regional Library needs volunteers to do a fall clean up of library grounds and landscaping under supervision of grounds volunteer. Volunteers will shelve picture books in the children's department and spruce up library interior by cleaning shelves and other library furniture.
* National Wildlife Federation and the Great Falls Community Wildlife Habitat will be hosting, “Reading with Ranger Rick Habitat Day.” Volunteers will educate students about the importance of protecting our environment with wildlife literature, crafts, and habitat work.
Over the past 11 years, 14,060 volunteers have donated 43,920 volunteer hours through VolunteerFest.
For a listing of volunteer projects in other areas of Fairfax county, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org and click on “VolunteerFest 2006” in the dark blue bar on left hand side of the homepage. For questions, contact Erin Whyte at 703-246-3460 or ewhyte@volunteerfairfax.org.
YMCA’S Gala Tickets on Sale
Tickets are on sale for the 7th annual Community Gala held by the YMCA Fairfax County in Reston. The gala, themed “Celebrate the Stars! America’s Treasure,” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the facility off of Sunset Hills Road.
The evening, which starts at 6:30 p.m., features dinner and cocktails, live music, a live auction, and a silent auction. Proceeds from evening will go directly to children, families and individuals in Fairfax County who cannot afford to participate in YMCA programs or membership.
Individual tickets cost $100. Tables of 10 cost $1,000. For more information contact Christine A. Mohr, director of marketing and community relations at (703) 318- 5296 or cmohr@ymcawashdc.org.
NEWCOMERS Event Next Month
Residents new to Reston, and even those not so new, are invited to gathering to get to know the Reston Association. The Association is holding a newcomer’s night on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 7-9 p.m. at its headquarters at 1930 Isaac Newton Square. The event, which will offer light refreshments and door prizes, is an opportunity for members to learn more about RA and its available services, amenities and programs. To RSVP, contact Ha Brock, RA Volunteer Coordinator, at 703-435-7986.
FOOD Drive
The Reston Community Center is encouraging patrons, organizations and businesses to drop-off non-perishable food items from Nov. 1 through Nov. 23 at its facilities and other designated spots throughout the community. Donations will be distributed by Reston Interfaith to families in need during the Holiday Season and throughout the year. Items needed include canned meats and fish, peanut butter, rice, beans, and canned fruits and vegetables.
Organizations and business interested in hosting drop-off points may call the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce at 703-707-9045. To volunteer to sort donations on Thanksgiving Day, call Volunteer Program Coordinator Anna Dowdell at 703-390-6160.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive is co-sponsored by Reston Interfaith, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and the Reston Community Center. For more information, call 703-390-6160.
FALL for Lake Anne
Lake Anne Merchants Association will host Fall For Lake Anne, a seasonal, free family event on Saturday, Oct. 28, from noon until 4 p.m., at Lake Anne Village Center.
The event includes make-and-take crafts, games with TLC 4 Kids, storytelling at Reston’s Used Book Shop, and performances of magic and balloon-making. At 1 p.m., the Raptor Conservancy will feature a demonstration with live owls and hawks. Dogs in costume are welcome to enter a Best Costume contest. Face painting for children will also be available from 2-3 p.m. before Trick-or-Treating around the plaza from 3-4 p.m.
In the evening, adults are invited to a Halloween Party at the village center’s restaurants, which starts at 9 p.m. at Tavern on the Lake.
The event is held rain or shine. For more information, visit www.lakeanneplaza.com.
ENJOY an Autumn Adventure
The Living Scarecrows and a costume parade are a few of the highlights for Reston Town Center’s Autumn Adventure on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon – 4 p.m.
The family-fun event, held at the Pavilion, celebrates the change of season with horse-drawn hayrides, a hay maze, face painting, make-and-take crafts, and entertainment by Flumpa and the Living Scarecrows. Children are invited to participate in a costume parade and contest, and trick or treating at participating Reston Town Center retailers. Admission price for activities is $5.00 per child or $20.00 per family. Proceeds will benefit the programs of Reston Interfaith, nonprofit organization serving Northern Virginia. Autumn Adventure is supported in part by Premium Sponsor, Verizon.
VOLUNTEERS Needed at RCC
The Reston Community Center continues to look for volunteers for several projects:
* RCC Clubhouse Program at Terraset Elementary School
Tutors are needed to help children ages 7-11 on homework. Time shifts include following days: Mondays, 1-4 p.m.; Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.; and Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. For more information, contact Debbie Heron, youth programs director, at 703-390-6163 or Deborah.heron@fairfaxcounty.gov.
* Halloween Family Fun Day
On Saturday, Oct. 28 at RCC Hunters Woods, volunteers are needed for any two-hour segment of time from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Goody bags and pizza will be available after the event for volunteers, and t-shirts will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact Debbie Heron, youth programs director, at 703-390-6163 or Deborah.heron@fairfaxcounty.gov.
* Children’s Fall Flea Market
On Saturday, Nov. 18 at RCC Hunters Woods volunteers are needed for any segment of time from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Pizza will be provided to volunteers after the event. For more information, please contact Debbie Heron, youth programs director, at 703-390-6163 or Deborah.heron@fairfaxcounty.gov.
* Winter Break Fun Zone
Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 29 at RCC/Hunters Woods, volunteers are needed for any segment of time from 9 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Activities include games, field trips, cooking, photo lab, woodshop, swimming for 20 children and volunteers. For more information, please contact Debbie Heron, youth programs director, at 703-390-6163 or Deborah.heron@fairfaxcounty.gov.
JOIN the Holiday Parade
Organizers of the 16th annual Reston Holiday Parade is looking for parade participants. This year’s parade, with the theme of “Ring in the Season at Reston Town Center,” takes place Friday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Interested groups will have the opportunity to join 1.5-mile parade route with an assortment of Macy’s style balloons, musical groups, dancers, antique cars and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
For an entry form, contact Billie Nicolotti at 703-476-9377.