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Arts Council Awards Grants to Three Reston Groups
Greater Reston Arts Center, Public Art Reston, and Reston Community Players awarded grant funding.
Proposed Site Revisions for RTC North Plan
Curvilinear streets and parks in forested areas suggested.
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2023 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County
Twenty-seven individuals and groups work for peace.
Peace Awards
Fairfax County Budget Hearings
Comments favor funding for low-income and affordable housing, police and first responders pay increases, parks, and more.
Budget
Eric Knudsen Receives Glen Sjoblom Award
The award recognizes service contributions to the development of the Great Falls community.
The Executive Board of the Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) recognized Eric Knudsen on Saturday, May 15, as the recipient of its 2021 Glen Sjoblom Award for his “long-time, extensive and meritorious service to the community of Great Falls.” Local, regional, and state leaders attended the special program held at the Great Falls Village Centre Green. GFCA honored Knudsen, who tirelessly devoted himself for several decades to enhancing Great Falls through his work on local transportation, land use, and environmental matters. GFCA established the Glen Sjoblom Award to recognize its members who excel in serving their community. It is the organization’s only award for outstanding service. Current GFCA President Bill Canis said that without this kind of civic involvement and activism, the community Great Falls citizens and others know today would have withered away. “We are gathered to celebrate the people who are dedicated to that philosophy,” said Canis. Eric Knudsen is one of those people. Glen Sjoblom is the 2019 Award recipient. He put the award in the context of the long commitment of GFCA’s pioneering board members, those who served the community since the organization’s founding in 1968. According to the honoring resolution, Knudsen served on the GFCA board with a distinguished record for more than 15 years, including three years as president, three years as vice-president, and additional terms as chair of the Transportation and Land Use & Zoning Committee. AS PRESIDENT, Knudsen improved the efficiency and management of GFCA board proceedings, collaborating with past presidents to create GFCA’s first Policy & Procedures Manual that guides the organization. His prioritization of on-site visits to personally evaluate land use and transportation issues provided accurate perspectives and insights. The documented visits became a hallmark of GFCA’s work, validating issues the organization brings forward to the staff at Fairfax County and Commonwealth and developers. Knudsen launched ongoing investigative and mitigation efforts in the community to control stormwater runoff. He participated in a GFCA committee tasked with overseeing the cleanup of chemical spills in the center of Great Falls that threatened residents’ well water. It culminated in a program managed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Leading land use negotiations with the County and developers led to the rezoning of Brooks Farm and plans for a SunTrust Bank. According to the resolution, Knudsen became a “driving force for the establishment of the Great Falls Grange Foundation, serving as the GFCA representative in establishing that organization to preserve one of our community’s most important historical assets.” Knudsen also co-chaired the Transportation Committee. In collaboration with co-chair Joan Barnes, they worked to have the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revise its proposed plans for the intersection of Route 7 and Georgetown Pike, reducing congestion and ensuring greater safety. Knudsen initiated and managed negotiations with engineers and county staff to narrow Walker Road, facilitating pedestrian crossings in the commercial center. Knudsen’s interest in citizen input in the widening project of Route 7 between Reston Avenue and Tysons led to the Route 7 Working Group. This eight-year commitment advised VDOT and included participation by the McLean and Reston citizens associations. SPEAKERS at the May 15 award presentation praised Knudsen for his record of service. Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola (D-31) commended Knudsen for giving residents a voice by reaching out to them for verified consensus. She called these characteristics the hallmark of strong nonprofit organizations. GFCA Board member Gary Pan worked with Knudsen to establish the Great Falls Grange Foundation. He commended him for helping to breathe new life into the historic building and providing a new level of community involvement. “I have worked closely with Eric Knudsen on numerous transportation and land use projects over the years,” said Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville). “His leadership has improved life for residents of the Great Falls community. In 2011, I selected him to represent Dranesville as Lord Fairfax. He is a worthy recipient of the Glen Sjoblom Award for community service,” Foust said.
Coalition to Fairfax County: Reduce Number of Inmates
County responds to NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition initiative.
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Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund: Fall Tea 2022 40th Anniversary
Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund: Fall Tea 2022 40th Anniversary
Historic Districts Divide Residents
National Register of Historic Places staff weigh in with facts.
The fate of the federal Herndon Historic District, a 115-acre area listed in 1991 on the National Register of Historic Places, and the local Historic District Overlay (HDO) is generating public and councilmember comments leading up to the Herndon Town Council’s Strategic Planning Meeting on Thursday, July 13.
‘We Are All Kids at Heart’ in Herndon
Scaled-down train replicas lure viewers to the Herndon Holiday Model Train Show and Caboose/Depot Open House.
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Downtown Herndon Real Estate Focus of Closed Door Session
Possible sign of pending land sale for Downtown Redevelopment Project.
After the Herndon Town Council adopted its Continuity of Government Ordinance on March 24 which allowed it to operate during the state of emergency due to COVID-19 and do so in a streamlined manner, Council could not discuss and act on matters such as zoning, planning, development and the Heritage Preservation Review Board Handbook.
New Fire Station Opens in Herndon
Station built on historic site, 680 Spring Street, Town of Herndon.
Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines
Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes
December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.
Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations
County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing
The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.
Preserving and Improving Reston’s Hunters Woods Fellowship House
Long-term investment provides affordable housing.
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Fairfax County’s First Independent Police Auditor
Use of force policy, recommendations to FCPD, executive director vacancy on the Police Civilian Review Panel
Police Auditor
Candidate Connection: Candidates for Sheriff, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax
Candidates for Sheriff, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax
Election