GoReston.com

Not sure who to vote for in the Reston Association board elections?  We would like to help.  Over the past year, the RA board meetings I have attended have been disappointing.  There appears to be a lack of professionalism, financial acumen, and communication skills with many members of the current board.  This became painfully clear during the whole recreation center debacle.  There are three seats up for election on the nine-member board this year: The Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District director, the North Point District director and one at-large seat.

North Point District Director

If you live in the north point area, the choice is clear.  Peter Greenberg is a good friend of mine, and I know he would make an excellent member of the board.  He is running for the North Point District Director.  Peter brings the exact professionalism, financial acumen and communication skills we need to to insure that the Reston tax monies are being spent wisely and that land owned by the Reston residents is not given away.  Here is what Peter had to say in his candidacy filing:

We face significant challenges in the coming years. Financial management, the threat of development of common-area lands and staggering increased density in and around Reston Association are the most pressing.

My approach to dealing with these issues is simple, focus on the Association’s mission statement: “To preserve and enhance the Reston community through outstanding leadership, service and stewardship of our resources.” I’ll emphasize the following: Financial management, and in particular, keeping dues in check. Customer service within the organization and outward toward the members. Preserving our common-area lands in perpetuity. Smart participation in the Fairfax County Master Planning process. It is not open season on Reston development.

The other two candidates are Michael Collins and Rengin Morro.  I have not met them.  If you have any comments about them, please add them here.

The Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Director

I had the opportunity to meet and hear Ken Knueven speak last night, and I have to say, I was impressed.  Ken is a good speaker, has corporate executive experience and, like Peter Greenberg, has a good grasp of the challenges facing Reston.  Here is what Ken had to say in his Candidacy notes:

Reston is one of the largest community associations in the country. Yet it is vitally important to remember that we, the residents, remain the stakeholders. We are the stewards of Reston’s future. The Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District faces significant challenges. Among them are open spaces, revitalization efforts, pool closures and the aging Lake Anne RELAC system.

For over 30 years I have been instrumental in the development, growth and leadership of global organizations, gaining a thorough understanding of how citizens, industry and governments can co-exist. I will focus on our community’s real needs, offering creative, viable and sustainable solutions.

Other candidates running for the position include Kevin Danaher and Guy Rando

The At-Large Seat

If you don’t live in the North Point or Lake Anne districts, then your only vote this year will be for the At-Large seat.  There are four candidates running for the at-large seat, including incumbent Joe Leighton, as well as Rod Koozmin, David Robinson and Patrick Shipp.  While I don’t know a lot about these candidates yet, I do know that Joe Leighton was one of the only board members to stand up against tearing down brown’s chapel park.  Joe certainly isn’t a yes man.  I am holding off judgment on who to vote for at this point though.  Although Joe is a good guy and has been a good RA board memember, I am not convinced that the rest of the board takes him seriously and am a little concerned with his communications style and it’s effectiveness.  Rod Koozmin appears to be an interesting candidate as well.

Other candidates include: David Robinson and Patrick Shipp

It will be interesting to see how the board changes over the next few years.  I would like to make an open invitation to any candidates as well as passionate Reston citizens.  If you are interested in becoming an editor on GoReston.com, register for an account and let me know and I will upgrade you to editor status so you can post your thoughts!

Live – Community News

2010 Board Candidates
This spring, Members of the Reston Association (RA) will elect three individuals to RA’s Board of Directors – one each from the North Point and Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Districts and one At-Large Director. Each will serve a three-year term. The Board of Directors determines the Association’s goals and policies, making a significant and lasting contribution to the community.

Ten Members of the Reston Association – David Robinson, Patrick Shipp, Joe Leighton, Rod Koozmin, Ken Knueven, Kevin Danaher, Guy L. Rando, Mike Collins, Rengin Morro, Ph.D. and Peter Greenberg have indicated their desire to serve the community by putting forward their names as candidates for election. Mr. Knueven, Mr. Danaher and Mr. Rando are running for the Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District seat. Mr. Collins, Dr. Morro and Mr. Peter Greenberg are running for the North Point District seat. Mr. Robinson, Mr. Shipp, Mr. Leighton and Mr. Koozmin are running for the At-Large seat.

PLEASE REMEMBER: IN ELECTIONS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OWNERS AND RENTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.

Members will have an opportunity to meet the candidates during a “Question & Answer Forum” scheduled for Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m. at the Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive.

Ballots will be mailed on March 5th with a return deadline of 5 p.m. on April 2nd. Members can vote either by mail or via the Internet.
For additional information, logon to Reston Association’s Web site www.reston.org.

Reston Master Plan Special Study Public Meeting
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010
9 a.m.
Langston Hughes Middle School Cafeteria
11401 Ridge Heights Road
The County has appointed a 25-member Task Force to oversee the Reston Master Plan Special Study (plus 25 alternates). The purpose of the study is to develop recommendations to amend the Reston Master Plan section of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. The first phase of the study is focusing on the three transit station areas in Reston: Herndon-Monroe, Wiehle Avenue, and Reston Parkway.
The focus of the February 27 meeting will be to provide information about conditions in the Herndon Monroe Transit Station area and to receive public input. There will be subsequent meetings on conditions in the Wiehle Avenue and Reston Parkway station areas.

Reston Association has set up a special section of our Web site, which provides updated information, links to the Fairfax County Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force Web site and a blog by RA Director Paul Thomas. He is RA’s representative to the task force. He encourages your comment through his blog, Planning for the Future.

Links
Reston Master Planning Special Study: http://www.reston.org/InsideRA/Governance/RestonMasterPlan/Default.aspx?qenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d&fqenc=53u%2fE3efMeW8RtXS4PnnHg%3d%3d
Planning for the Future
http://www.reston.org/PressRoom/RestonMasterPlanningThoughts/Default.aspx?qenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d&fqenc=53u%2fE3efMeWkuLz7%2fZUGaw%3d%3d

Newcomers’ Night
Thursday, March 11, 2010 – 7-9 p.m.
Reston Association
1930 Isaac Newton Square
Reston, VA 20190
Learn what living in Reston has to offer.
Whether you just moved to Reston or you have been here for some time, this is an opportunity to find out about the amenities, services and programs that are available to you through the Reston Association. Meet members of the RA Board and staff and find out about volunteer opportunities. Enjoy light refreshments and win a door prize just for coming.
RSVP to Ha Brock, community outreach specialist II at 703 435-7986 or e-mail to habrock@reston.org

RESCHEDULED: Covenants Committee Meeting
Due to the snowstorm of the past week, the Covenants Committee meeting for Feb. 17, 2010 has been rescheduled to March 17, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the main conference room, RA’s headquarters, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. If you have questions, please contact your Covenants Advisor. Here’s a link to help you to identify your Covenants Advisor. http://districts.reston.org/index.php.

DEADLINE EXTENDED:
CAI Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership Seminar
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Main Conference Room
This event is open to all Association Board Members of Cluster, Condo and Single –Family Detached homes.
$50 per participant, if you register by March 4, 2010
$60 per participant if you register by March 5, 2010 or after
$70 per participant for non-members
For a registration form or information contact Arlene Whittick at 703-435-6503 or Arlene@reston.org.

The Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership covers …
Legal foundation and organization of community associations, problem solving, maintenance, rules creation and enforcement, risk control insurance, finances, board meetings, and hiring professional management. The course covers pertinent information to new board members as well as an excellent review for the seasoned board member.

Share the Link: Support the Friends of Reston and Nature House
http://www.active.com/running/reston-va/7th-annual-nature-house-5k-fund-run-2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
8 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center
11450 Glade Drive
Deadline to register online
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.
Walk up registration:
Friday, April 23 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 7 a.m.

The 5k Fund Run is coming up and we want to invite as many people as possible to participate. So share the above link to the registration form with anyone who might be interested in walking or running.
This event raises funds for Friends of Reston and Nature House and its educational programs.

Work

Reston Association Aquatics Department is NOW HIRING.
The Reston Association Aquatics Department is looking for applicants to fill our seasonal positions at the pools. Positions include lifeguard (full-time, part-time, and substitute), water safety instructor, lifeguard instructor, water aerobics instructor and office staff.
Apply now at http://careers.reston.org/
If you have questions about required certifications for the positions please call Willa at 703-435-6532 or e-mail aquaticsinfo@reston.org.

RA Events Assistant Job open this summer
Check the RA Web site for details/application at http://careers.reston.org/
Work with the Events Specialist planning, implementing and evaluating a variety of events, for all ages throughout the Reston Community.
Employment dates: Mid May – Mid Aug.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at hr@reston.org or Ashleigh Soloff, events specialist at 703-435-6577 or via e-mail at ashleigh@reston.org if you have any questions.

Play

Fireside Fun
Friday, March 5
7 – 8 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by March 2.
$5/person RA members, $8/person non-members
All ages
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org.
Enjoy a hot drink and popcorn in front of Nature House’s very own fireplace. While enjoying the warm glow of the fire, make a decoration for your home. Sing some fun songs and enjoy fireside stories.

Dancing Wind
Monday, March 8
10 – 11 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by March 4.
$5/child RA members, $8/child Non-members
Ages: 18 – 35 months (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail enviroed@reston.org.
March is the windy month. Take a walk and feel the wind as it dances around you. Blow around like a gale and float like a breeze. Make a windsock so you can always tell when the wind is on the move.

Owl Pellet Pickin’s
Saturday, March 13
10: 30 – 11:30 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by March 10.
$5/individual RA members, $8/individual Non-members
All ages
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or email enviroed@reston.org.
Ever wonder how an owl eats its dinner? Learn how owls catch their prey and what an owl pellet is. Piece together the contents of an owl pellet for a hootin’ good time.

Get Involved

Design Review Board and Covenants Committee Vacancies
There are three vacancies on the DRB. Two design professionals (architect, land planner, or landscape architect) and one Lay Member are needed to serve three-year terms. The DRB interprets, administers, and renders decisions involving the design covenants in accordance with the Design Guidelines.

In addition, there are three vacancies on the Covenants Committee. One Member each from the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District and South Lakes District and one At-large Member are needed to serve a three-year term on the Covenants Committee. This Committee is responsible for administering the Use and Maintenance of Property Covenants and considers/determines cases concerning these areas.

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the Design Review Board or the Covenants Committee, please forward a brief statement of interest and any pertinent qualifications by March 15, 2010, by fax (703) 435-9481, email cate@reston.org or mail to Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston VA 20190 ATTN: Cate Fulkerson.

News and Events From Reston Historic Trust
Reston Museum & Shop – Regular Hours: Tuesday-Friday Noon- 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday Noon– 5 p.m.
Shop and information available 24 hours daily at www.restonmuseum.org.

Guided Tours of Reston History
Saturdays at Noon
Reston Museum
Lake Anne Village Center
1639 Washington Plaza
Free
All ages
703-709-7700
Learn about Reston’s early plans and the revolutionary concepts of the 1960s that have impacted the development of communities in America. The half-hour presentation includes an illustrative walking tour of Washington Plaza at historic Lake Anne.

Reston Historic Trust (RHT), a community-based non-profit organization, was founded in 1996 to sustain the unique history of the award-winning, innovative, planned community of Reston through the operation of Reston Museum and Shop, which opened to the public in 1997. Volunteer docents staff the museum. Reston Museum offers walking tours, community exhibits and archives, programs, commemorative bricks, and annual events such as Reston founders Day in April, and the Reston Home Tour in October. Reston Museum’s shop is the only source for Reston-ware such as t-shirts, mugs, and more. Funding support for operation of Reston Museum comes from public membership in the Reston Historic Trust, donations, grants, Reston Home Tour proceeds, and shop sales. Call 703-709-7700 or visit www.restonmuseum.org. Reston Museum and Shop, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190.

There are three vacancies on the DRB. Two design professionals (architect, land planner, or landscape architect); and one Lay Member are needed to serve three-year terms. The DRB interprets, administers, and renders decisions involving the design covenants in accordance with the Design Guidelines.

In addition, there are three vacancies on the Covenants Committee. One Member each from the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District and South Lakes District; and one At-large Member are needed to serve a three-year term on the Covenants Committee. This Committee is responsible for administering the Use and Maintenance of Property Covenants and considers/determines cases concerning these areas.

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the Design Review Board or the Covenants Committee, please forward a brief statement of interest and any pertinent qualifications by March 15, 2010, by fax (703) 435-9481, email cate@reston.org or mail to Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston VA 20190 ATTN: Cate Fulkerson.

I wanted to bring to everyone’s attention that the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force is having two very important meetings next week on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), transportation, and the first of the three Reston area TODs at Herndon-Monroe Metro Station.

The meeting is important because:

• The population growth in the three Reston area TODs could add anywhere from 20,000 to more than 60,000 people living in Reston depending on assumptions about family sizes and dwelling unit density.   Obviously, this kind of growth has implications for schools rolls, transportation, and a number of other factors.
• The number of jobs in high-rise office buildings could rise by some 80,000 to well over 100,000.  Again, this could have serious implications for traffic congestion.

It’s not all bad, this growth would support the moderate scale retail expected in these TOD areas plus more broadly add to and help Reston’s many businesses.

It is important to attend both meetings:

• Tuesday, February 23, 7PM, at the RCC-Lake Anne:  This will be an informational meeting on transportation, TOD, and the Herndon-Monroe Station area.  Speakers from the County as well as Montgomery and Arlington Counties and the Reston Metro Advisory Group (RMAG) will be making presentations.  For the full agenda, see http://reston2020.blogspot.com/2010/02/agenda-reston-master-plan-special-study.html
• Saturday, February 27, 9AM, location to be determined (probably SLHS or LHIS):  This will be a community meeting on the Herndon-Monroe Station according to the latest schedule.  In general, this will be an opportunity for people who are present to present their ideas, interests, and concerns through some mediated processes.  No agenda has been posted yet, but the meeting may also speak to general TOD and transportation issues.  I will update this post when the County provides additional information.

As always, I would encourage you to read the Reston 2020 blog where we try to post everything about the Reston planning effort as it becomes available.  An easy way to access information there on these topics is to look at the “Labels” section of the sidebar, basically a topical index of the items on the blog that links you to related posts on the blog.  You may also want to go to the County’s webpage on the Reston planning effort to check for information on these important topics.

In what many believe to be a short-sited attempt to collect sales taxes from large internet retailers, our Virginia Senators today passed SB660 which, if it becomes a law, would create a nexus for any company whose affiliates in the state are generating $10k in revenues. Once a nexus is created, the company would then be required to collect and pay sales taxes on all transactions in the state.

I call this a game of Whack-a-Mole, because my company has already received notices from these same large retailers that if the law passes in Virginia, they will drop their affiliate relationships in the state in order to avoid having to pay the taxes.

I wanted to share with you some of the correspondence that has gone back and forth with at least one senator:

From Senator Emmett Hangar:

Thank you for your message regarding Senate Bill 660. Simply put, this bill is a compliance issue and clearly not a new tax.

The legislation would close a loophole that is allowing some internet retailers to avoid collecting the required state sales and use tax at the point of sale, the same requirement that is placed on other internet and traditional store retailers today.

Besides making the law consistent and fair for all merchants, the legislation would remove the onerous responsibility on the consumer to remember to pay the required sales tax on all internet purchases at the end of each year.

It is entirely unfair to put traditional storefront retailers and other online retailers who are in compliance with current state law at a competitive disadvantage. This legislation gets at those few who are benefiting from a small loophole and costing Virginia millions in lost revenue.

Best wishes!

Emmett Hanger

Here is what I consider to be a very well thought out response from one of the Affiliate Marketers in Virginia:

Dear Senator Hanger,

I realize it is not a new tax but an attempt to collect sales and use tax via the retailer rather than the Virginia resident (which the Supreme Court has said can only be applied to companies with a physical presence in the state; I as an affiliate/publisher am not a physical presence for any of the companies that advertise with me). This bill will not close the current loophole for Internet retailers. As has been seen in other states already, the large online retailers will simply terminate their contracts with Virginia affiliates/publishers and continue to not collect and pay the Virginia Sales and Use tax. It is my belief that the impact statement that is being published with this bill is not taking into consideration the termination of those contracts and is erroneously including the income that will not be received from those large online retailers such as amazon.com who will pull out of the state rather than comply.

Below are just a sampling of the terminations that occurred in states with similar bills and the same is sure to happen in Virginia with the passage of this bill:

• Overstock Drops Affiliates in NC, RI, HI, and CA
• Amazon cuts Rhode Island, Hawaii Affiliates – Is California Next?
• Amazon Ends Affiliate Program For North Carolina
• Another Internet retailer cuts RI ties over tax

Ultimately, the bill hurts Virginia-based publishers (most of whom are small businesses without the big lobbies that typically weigh in on these issues) who *do* pay Virginia income tax and does not level the playing field for brick and mortar stores. This legislation will not “affect those few who are benefiting from a small loophole and costing Virginia millions in lost revenue” because once the Internet retailers terminate their Virginia affiliates, they still not be required to collect and pay sales and use tax. This law will hurt Virginia-based affiliates/publishers and no one else.

So the responsibility falls to us to help educated the lawmakers in our state.  Please reach out to your local senator and let them know that this bill just won’t generate revenues for the state, and will ultimately hurt thousands of small businesses in Virginia.

Live
Community News
• RESCHEDULED: Reston Association – Board/Committee Leadership Work Session on Reston Master Plan Special Study
• Special Board Meeting – Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
• RESCHEDULED: Freezin’ for a Reason – Take the Polar Dip
Work
• Special events assistant opening
• Camps openings
• Aquatics job openings
Play
• Early February Bird Walk
• Owl Moon
• Fireside Fables
• Organic Gardening Workshop
• Ice Skating at the Pavilion
Get Involved
• Fundraiser for Initiative for Public Art Reston’s First Project
LIVE
RESCHEDULED: SAT. FEB. 13, 2010 9 a.m.
Reston Association – Board/Committee Leadership Work Session
Reston Master Plan Special Study
Due to the anticipation of a large snowfall, the meeting will be rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at 9 a.m.
This workshop involves a discussion between the board and advisory committee leadership and is open to the public.
Meantime, Paul Thomas, RA’s representative to the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force wants your ideas about what Reston will look like in the future. So, he has launched an interactive blog, Planning for the Future. It’s on the RA Web site, www.reston.org. You can voice your ideas, keep up with the work of the task force and learn more about the ongoing project. Just go to the RA Web site and click on the “Master Plan Study” button on the home page. Read Director Thomas’s updates from the public meetings of the task force and share your thoughts.

Special RA Board of Directors Meeting
The Reston Association Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting at 7 p.m., on Monday, February 8, at Brown’s Chapel, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave, Reston, VA.
The purposes of the Special Meeting are to receive and take action as appropriate on a preliminary concept plan for an indoor tennis facility at Lake Newport Tennis Court Complex and to approve a letter to the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force regarding new residential developments in the area currently know as the Reston Center for Industry and Government (RCIG).

RESCHEDULED: FEB. 20, 2010:
Freezin’ for a Reason: Virginia Polar Dip— Help Larry Butler Raise $$
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, 2 p.m. Lake Anne Village Center
Reston Association is proud to support “Freezin’ for a Reason”. This annual fundraiser benefits Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Several families from Reston have benefitted from time at Camp Sunshine, which is located in Casco, Maine. There are several ways you can help. First, you can support Reston Association’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Larry Butler who will be taking the plunge into Lake Anne. Larry has set up a Web site to raise money.
http://www.freezinforareston.com/members/member.php?mem_id=746

Have you seen a sign that says “Natural Area Inspections Coming”?
View the sign here.
Every year, Reston Association’s environmental resource staff walks the common open space. The signs are now being used as temporary notification of the coming inspections. The sign asks that if your property adjoins RA natural areas please check for and remove any piles of debris, such as leaves, branches or grass clippings or structures that extend onto the Association property. This is in accordance with the Natural Area Guidelines.
Helpful Tips:
• RA property markers indicate the property line. Markers may be short concrete posts or grey recycled plastic lumber posts with a blue “RA, an “r.” or a small plaque with RA’s information.
• Debris or structures on RA property can result in a notice of violation for adjacent property owners. If you have any questions, please contact RA at 703-437-7658.

Reserve Study Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Reston Association 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Main Conference Room
Free
R.S.V.P. Arlene Whittick at 703-435-6503 or e-mail Arlene@reston.org.
Mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, a reserve study must be conducted at least once every five years to determine the amount of money needed to repair, restore, and refurbish the capital components of clusters and condos. Our presenters will share their expertise on the reserve study process and answer your questions.
Presenters: Thomas W. Larson, P.E., Principal, Facility Engineering Associates, P.C. David Slater, President, Forest Edge Cluster Representative from Criterium Engineering

CAI Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership Seminar
Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Main Conference Room
This event is open to all Cluster, Condo and Single –Family Detached Board Members
$50 per participant, if you register by February 18
$60 per participant if you register on February 19 or after
$70 per participant for non members
For a registration form or information contact Arlene Whittick at 703-435-6503 or Arlene@reston.org.

The Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership covers …
Legal foundation and organization of community associations, problem solving, maintenance, rules creation and enforcement, risk control insurance, finances, board meetings, and hiring professional management. The course covers pertinent information to new board members as well as an excellent review for the seasoned board member.

Work
Three Summer Job Openings
Check the RA Web site and click on “Inside RA”. Then scroll down to “Jobs at RA.”

RA Events Assistant Job Opening this Summer Work with the Events Specialist planning and implementing events for all ages. Employment dates: Mid May – Mid Aug.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org Ashleigh Soloff, Events Specialist at 703-435-6577 or via e-mail at Ashleigh@reston.org.

RA Camp Jobs—Work with kids in a fun environment. Great jobs for education, parks & recreation and science majors. Camp dates: June 24 – Aug.20, 2010 Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org Barb Beaver, camp program supervisor at 703-435-6567 or via e-mail at campadmin@reston.org. Jobs include directors, assistant directors, specialists, senior counselors and counselors. The pay range is $15.00 for directors to $8.50 for counselors.
Types of Camps: Nature Camps (3-5 & 6-8 years old). Hug-A-Tree (5-7 years old). Sportsters (6-8 years old). Day Camp (7-11 years old). Science Camp (8-12 years old). Teen Camp (11-14 years old), and Counselor in Training (14-16 years old.)

RA Aquatics Jobs—Positions include lifeguards, assistant pool managers, office assistant, maintenance staff, and program instructors.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org or Willa Whitacre, aquatics assistant at 703-435-6532 or via e-mail at aquaticsinfo@reston.org.

Play
Early February Bird Walk
Sunday, February 7, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive
No reservations required.
FREE
Adults
This walk will explore the upper Glade stream valley. We will meet at the Nature Center parking lot and walk down to the Glade Stream valley and continue upstream (west). Leader: Gavin Small.

Fireside Fables
Friday, February 12, 7 – 8 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by February 8.
$5/RA Members, $8/non-members
All ages
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail enviroed@reston.org. As the flames dance and the embers crackle, gather around the hearth for an evening with professional storyteller, Margaret Chatham. Listen as she weaves tales that will make your eyes widen, your belly laugh and your imagination soar. Enjoy a warm beverage and other tasty treats.

Organic Gardening Workshop
Thursday, February 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by February 22.
$5/person RA Members, $8/person non-members
Adults
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org
It’s time to start thinking about your garden plots. Join a master gardener for some great tips on organic gardening. Get the latest information from soil amendments to pest control. Soil testing kits will be available.

Ice Skating at the Pavilion
Through mid March 2010, Reston Town Center Public skating and skate rentals daily. Also available: private lessons, birthday parties and reservations for private and corporate parties. For information, rates and schedules call 703.709.6300 or visit www.restontowncenter.com

Get Involved Open Your Heart to Public Art in Reston Join the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) and Hunters Woods Elementary School PTA for some great, family-friendly fun, Monday, Feb. 15, 4 to 7 p.m., ice-skating at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Admission is $10 per person and includes the skates rental fee. The skate is open to the public, and proceeds from admission, hot chocolate and cookie sales will benefit IPAR’s first public art project—the creation of a permanent Reston underpass art work involving an artist-in-residence who will engage with students from Hunters Woods Elementary School, a Fairfax County magnet school for the arts and sciences. This first Public Art Project is launched by IPAR in collaboration with project co-sponsors, Reston Community Center and Reston Association. For more information about the fund-raising skate and IPAR, call 703-467-9797, e-mail info@publicartreston.org or visit www.publicartreston.org.

I don’t know about your subdivision, but in the past ours has often gotten forgotten for a while. Now that the Blizzard of 2010 has hit, our neighborhood is hunkering down for some serious plowed in time. We live off of Bishopsgate Way, right off of RT 7 / Leesburg Pike. RT 7 is a major road, that gets plowed quickly, and for some reason our neighborhood, right off this major road, often get’s forgotten. One of our friends, who lives deeper in Reston and not off a main road, has been able to get his car out, and drove by our neighborhood on RT 7 and said that there is a 10 ft wall of snow that has plowed us in. Here is where we live:

View Larger Map

Here is a video we took yesterday walking down Bishopsgate Way:

Yesterday we received the following press release from VDOT:

---

Release Contact:

Joan Morris
571-238-5030 (cell)
Joan.Morris@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Jennifer McCord
571-230-2926 (cell)
Jennifer.McCord@VDOT.Virginia.gov

WHAT ABOUT MY SUBDIVISION?
VDOT explains snow removal plan, urges patience as crews work neighborhoods

As crews work ’round the clock to keep main roads passable, the Virginia Department of Transportation asks northern Virginia residents to be patient over the coming days. Crews must concentrate on interstates and primary roads first, and will then begin to make inroads into subdivisions.

It will be Monday before crews begin to focus on subdivisions. It could take most of the week—especially with more snow expected Tuesday—to finish plowing neighborhoods in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

VDOT reminds residents of the following:

• The main, more heavily traveled roads in a subdivision will be plowed first, to be followed by low-volume roads and cul-de-sacs.

• Plows will make one or two trips to provide a path through neighborhood streets, but they will not clear to bare pavement or from curb to curb.

• Because chemicals are not used in subdivisions, roads will remain snowpacked and rutted after the plow has passed. Crews will put sand on hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction.

• If planning to shovel their driveways, residents should try to refrain from clearing the last few feet at the curb until your street is plowed, as plows may push snow back into driveways. It also helps to shovel to the right as you face the road.

• VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails.

• VDOT plow drivers have assigned routes that include each and every state-maintained road in northern Virginia.

• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency and need to leave your home.

If by Wednesday, residents have not seen a plow in their subdivision, they can call 703-383-VDOT or e-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with the location. Photos are also welcomed. Crews will be dispatched to treat missed spots and problem areas.

This is a cross-post from the Reston 2020 blog. The following is the summary of the paper.  The complete 13-page paper is available through the Reston 2020 blog.  The Comstock proposal, especially its transportation features, will be discussed at the next RA P&Z meeting, Monday, February 8, 7PM, in the RA HQ conference room.

Summary

This paper examines a few of the core principle ideas proposed by several Reston citizens groups and applies those principles to the first major new development proposal for Reston, the Comstock Wiehle Station Area proposal.  The results are discouraging, especially since this first development—even under the more limiting current Comprehensive Plan—falls far short of what Restonians believe is needed to maintain Reston’s high quality of life.

• The design is conventional and bland, like many other such commercial development blocks in the Washington area.  It is not innovative or world-class.
• The TOD mixed-use development of the site is entirely appropriate, but it appears to exceed its authorized FAR 2.5 density, probably in the range of FAR 4 to FAR 5 , when the nearly million square feet of above ground parking is counted.
• In no serious sense does the proposal meet the county’s requirement of 20% open space—much less Restonians’ demands for 25% or higher—other than pavement and parking lots along with an undeveloped ravine.  It does not meet Restonians’ needs for open space and natural areas.
• The transportation impact analysis shows that, even with full implementation of the required improvements and Comstock’s additional offers and traffic demand management (TDM) program, traffic will worsen at the corner of Wiehle and Sunset Hills.  This is inconsistent with Restonians’ needs for the concurrent or prior development of infrastructure to maintain or improve public services.
• Comstock limits its commitment to environmental sensitivity to meeting only LEED Silver or LEED Certified environmental standards in its development, and offers a financial arrangement as an alternative to meeting those requirements.  Restonians demand a minimum LEED Silver standard, and prefer going for the Gold.
• The proposal covers only the two blocks owned by Comstock.  The dozen other property owners in this quadrant near the Metro station could each propose their own isolated, incompatible development plan in the absence of a comprehensive approach to Reston planning.  As a planned community, Reston’s development and re-development planning should reflect a holistic approach to its impact on Reston’s quality of life.

We can hope the Reston Association P&Z Committee—which has limited authority in the approval process—and the County considers these shortcomings as the application moves through the review process.  Moreover, we can hope that the lessons from this development proposal will temper the drive for increasing density (FAR, DUAs, etc.) in Reston development; strengthen standards for infrastructure, open space, and sustainable development; and lead to a more thoughtful community-wide approach to development planning and implementation.  That hope rests in the hands of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force.

Reston’s citizens must work to see that their clear and consistent  principles are established and implemented.  Otherwise, the quality of life reflected in Reston’s innovative architecture, integration of extensive open space and natural areas, provision of park and recreational amenities, sensitivity to environmental impact, and other unique and attractive characteristics will erode block by block, development by development, neighborhood by neighborhood over the next generation.

The Reston 2020 Committee will be meeting tomorrow evening, Thursday, 2/4, at 7PM in the RA HQ conference room to discuss Reston planning issues.

Everyone is welcome to come and participate.  It is truly a public meeting.

The agenda is here: http://reston2020.blogspot.com/2010/02/agenda-reston-2020-meeting-thursday.html

I was recently interviewed by Rebecca Blacksmith on her Leaders Portfolio radio talk show.   The show will air live at 11am Feb 3rd on Washington DC’s business talk Radio 1260AM WWRC and is currently available online!  Take a listen and let me know what you think!