Reston Community eNotices for April 2-10, 2010

Live
Reston Association Annual Members’ Meeting
Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 7 – 9 p.m.
Sheraton Reston Hotel
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive
RSVP to Luciano Mijares at 703-673-2035 or e-mail Luciano@reston.org
Deadline to register: Monday April 5, 2010
Here the reports on the state of the Association. Learn the results of the Board of Directors election. Come meet your neighbors. Refreshments will be served.

U.S. Census Help Available at Reston Association Headquarters
When you receive your U.S. Census 2010 in the mail, it’s important to take time to answer the 10 questions and return the form. If you need help or know anyone who may, the U.S. Census bureau will have folks on hand at Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square.

You can get free help on weekdays, through Monday April 19, 2010, from 2- 5 p.m. The Census is for everyone. For more information please call the Fairfax Local Census Office: 703-865-3040.

Armstrong Elementary School Storm Water Project Meeting
Thursday, April 8, 2010
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Armstrong Elementary School Cafeteria
11900 Lake Newport Rd., Reston, Virginia 20194

Fairfax County staff along with Bowman Consulting will present a conceptual design for the Armstrong Elementary School storm water retrofit. It includes reforestation to parts of the school property as well as vegetated swales and rain gardens. These measures will allow for greater water quality improvement and velocity control of storm water leaving the school property. The designs and more information are available at www.reston.org under Autumnwood Park Watershed. For questions please contact Nicki Foremsky, RA’s watershed supervisor at 703-435-6560 or nicki@reston.org.

Software AG Volunteers to Improve Reston Garden Plot Paths
Come support the team from Software AG, a Reston-based firm, as about 20 volunteers and RA staff make much needed improvements to the pathway at the Golf Course Island Garden plot area, making a safer walkway for 120 gardeners.

The project will take place on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. The rain date is Friday April 16, 2010. Volunteers will meet at the Golf Course Island Recreation Area – 11301 Links Dr.
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Nature News & Tips

Need woodchips? If you happen to see a pile of woodchips on RA property and would like them for your yard please help yourself. We have an abundance of them from all our recent storm damage. There is a pile near Hunters Woods pool, too. We also have overflowing bins at our maintenance facility so come and pick them up during normal business hours. If you have a pick-up truck and call in advance we could even schedule loading.

Reston Recycles “Adopt-A-Bin”
Would you like an eco-friendly and “Restonesque” way to remember someone special or honor a tennis player? Then Adopt-A-Recycling-Bin and have it placed at the Reston Association tennis court of your choice.

For the full $500 donation, you can have an engraved plaque on the front of the sturdy, recycling bin, which is made of 100 percent recycled plastic lumber.

Bin donations are tax-deductible by making your checks payable to the “Friends of Reston.” For more details about the Reston Recycles Adopt-A-Bin program, contact CSFstaff@reston.org or call 703-437-7658.

Have you seen a sign that says “Natural Area Inspections Coming?”
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. If you have any questions, please contact RA at 703-437-7658.

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.
Work
Reston Association Aquatics Department is NOW HIRING INSTRUCTORS
The Reston Association Aquatics Department is looking for instructors for our seasonal pools. American Red Cross certified Water Safety and Lifeguard Instructors can 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.

Play
Lake Life
Thursday, April 8
4 – 5 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by April 5
$4/child RA members, $6/child Non-members
For children ages 5-12 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or email enviroed@reston.org.

Lake life is lively in the spring. Look for tadpoles, water birds, baby insects and butterflies. Dip a net into Lake Audubon and search for turtles basking in the sun. Wear wading shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

Walker’s Rangers – Spring Sensations
Spring session includes 4 Mondays: April 19, 26, May 3, 10
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by April 14
$40/child RA members, $64/child Non-members
Ages: 5 – 8 years
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or email naturalist@reston.org.

Sign your child up for this hands-on nature club for kids. Complete a permission/emergency contact form on day one, and drop your child off at the new Nature House for an afternoon of exploration, learning and fun! Rangers enjoy nature walks, snacks, games and crafts. Let your child experience the great outdoors alongside a trained naturalist. Spring is a great time to discover the natural world with all of their senses.

7th Annual 5K Fund Run/Walk to Benefit Nature House
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 at the Nature Center: Friday, April 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 7 a.m.
$25/person prior to March 31, $30/person after March 31.
Register online at: www.active.com/running/reston-va/7th-annual-nature-house-5k-fund-run-2010
For more information, contact Larry Butler at lbutler@reston.org.

This year’s race returns to the nature center where the new Nature House is now open. See the facility that past runs helped to build. Help to support this wonderful new facility.

Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 24
1 – 5 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
No reservations required.
FREE
Come celebrate Earth Day at the Nature Center. Participate in special arbor activities in honor of Reston’s Tree City USA certification. Other activities will include live entertainment, green building tours, fishing activities, children’s crafts, canoe and kayak rentals, on-site home electronic recycling and a native plant sale.

Reston Founder’s Day at Lake Anne Village Center
Alex Garvin, noted urban planner, educator, and author will be guest speaker, presenting an illustrative talk about Lake Anne Village Center and James Rossant, its designer, who passed away last December.
Saturday, April 10, at 12 p.m. until approximately 2 p.m.
Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, Jo Ann Rose Gallery

Afterwards, all are welcome at Reston Museum for a reception and Mallowdrama birthday cake in celebration of the 96th birthday of Reston founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr.

Presented by Reston Historic Trust, with support from Reston Community Center.
Information: Reston Museum – 703-709-7700; restonmuseum@gmail.com; www.restonmuseum.org

Pet Fiesta – Exhibition and Pet Adoption
Saturday May 1, 2010, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Reston Town Center
Free.
All ages.
A celebration for pets and pet lovers! Includes a Tails on Trails dog walk; super pet adoption; pet contests, a Doghouse of Style fashion show, 80+ exhibitors of pet products, resources, organizations and rescue groups; and more! Presented by and benefiting GoodDogz.org. On-leash pets of all kinds are welcome. www.PetFiesta.org.
Get Involved
Covenants Committee Vacancy
One Member from the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District is 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 Covenants Committee, please forward a brief statement of interest and any pertinent qualifications by April 26, 2010, by fax (703) 435-9481, e-mail cate@reston.org or mail to Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston VA 20190 ATTN: Cate Fulkerson.

To volunteer for the following events, contact: Ha Brock, RA community outreach specialist, via e-mail habrock@reston.org or call 703-435-7986.

Volunteer for the Reston Community Weed Warriors Projects:
Remove fast growing invasive plants that harm the ecosystem in the Reston community.
All projects:
Time 10 a.m. – Noon
Please wear long sleeves and long pants if you are allergic to poison ivy. RA will provide tools, gloves, snacks and water.
Adults and youth ages 10 and up are welcome. With young volunteers adult chaperones are encouraged. This project fulfills community service requirements.

Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Old Trail Garlic Mustard
Celebrate Earth Day and help restore Reston’s natural areas by pulling Garlic Mustard. Garlic Mustard is a non-native, invasive plant that spreads by seed. Each plant can produce hundreds of seeds, spreading quickly into the natural and altering the soil chemistry. Help stop the spread by removing these plants before they go to seed. We will meet at the Glade Pool parking lot, located at the corner of Glade Drive and Soapstone Drive. We will follow the pathway into the woods and head towards Snakeden Stream behind the houses. Look for the RA truck on the pathway if you miss us at the parking lot. There is poison ivy at this site.

22nd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
Coordinated by the Alice Ferguson Foundation and Reston Association
All ages are invited
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9 a.m. – Noon, rain or shine. Only in extreme weather circumstances will this event be canceled.
Join thousands of volunteers in a multi-state effort as we do our part in cleaning up the Potomac Watershed. Reston Association is hosting several sites along Snakeden Branch, Colvin Run and The Glade all tributaries to the Potomac River. Come learn about our watersheds and see what interesting artifacts end up in our streams.
Please wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves. Come prepared to get a little wet and dirty. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

7th Annual 5K Fund Run/Walk and Earth Day Festival
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Location: Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, Va.
Earth Day is put on primarily to promote greater environmental awareness, and to allow our community a chance to focus upon the ways we can live in a more eco-friendly and sustainable fashion. Volunteer opportunities for this event include:

5K Fund Run/Walk
Volunteer Shift: 7:30 – 9 a.m.
Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and breakfast. We need at least 15 Race Marshals.
Race Marshal (7:30 a.m.) – Volunteers are positioned along the trail/pathway. Volunteers direct runners/walkers through the course, assist runners, and shout encouragement.
There is a mandatory volunteer orientation for Race Marshals on Friday, April 23 from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Walker Nature Education Center.

Earth Day Festival
Volunteer Shifts: 12:30 – 3 p.m. and 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Volunteers will be responsible for one 2.5 hours shift.
Volunteer Job: Hands-on nature activities, mascots, concessions and much more.