Reston Community eNotices for April 24-30, 2010
Live
Summer Reston® Magazine Arrives
Where will you find information on the summer program designed to connect kids with activities in Reston, a trip to one of Reston’s most venerable restaurants along with the full calendars and registrations for summer sports, special events and volunteer opportunities? That and more are in the summer issue of Reston® magazine, due in RA member homes beginning April 26. Reston® is available to anyone in the community by stopping by RA Member Services, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston 8:30-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. – noon Saturdays through July. It’s also available online.
RA Headquarters is Moving
Coming at the end of July, Reston Association will be moving its headquarters to 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston 20191. Our phone number will be the same: 703-435-6530. Join us for an Open House, Thursday, September 23, 2010. Watch the Web site for details.
Stream Restoration Walk
May 8, 2010
9 a.m. to Noon
Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive
Join RA on a walk of the newly restored Snakeden Branch and Glade streams. Meet at the Walker Nature Education Center and be prepared to walk paved and natural surface trails to Lake Audubon, up to Soapstone, down to The Glade stream and back to Nature House. Please dress appropriately with hiking boots.
RSVP to Nicki@reston.org or 703-435-6560
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. Clean-up work following last winter’s storm damage has left RA with piles of woodchips. 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.
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
Tennis Lessons
Are in full swing for all ages. Register online at www.reston.org.
Reston Team Tennis Underway
Contact: Mary Conaway 703-435-6534.
This is a fun competitive league that plays every Wednesday and Thursday evening – April through October
Sunrise Valley Wetlands at Sunset
Thursday, April 29
7 – 8 p.m.
Sunrise Valley Wetlands – 12700 Sunrise Valley Drive Drive. Park on the west side of the ASG Software Solutions building.
Reservations required by April 26.
$4/person RA members, $6/person Non-members
All ages welcome
For reservations, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Sunrise Valley Wetlands. Bring a flashlight, binoculars or any other nature detective tool with you to explore your natural surroundings. This is a great time of year to experience the diversity of nature.
Community Yard Sale
Saturday, May 1, 2010 (Rain Date, Sunday, May 2)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Reston Association parking lot, 1930 Isaac Newton Square
Stop by to browse for great bargains at our 100 family community yard sale. This event is an opportunity to find great buys for a new home or college dorm. VENDOR SPACE IS SOLD OUT. Call 703-435-6577 for recorded information on weather related cancellations.
Puddle Jumpers
Saturday, May 1
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by April 28.
$4/RA members, $6/Non-members
All ages welcome.
For reservations, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail nature@reston.org.
Wildlife really gets hopping in springtime. Search for amphibians that lay their eggs in the early spring. Explore small vernal pools, which only contain water during part of the year, as well as Snakeden Branch stream and the shore of Lake Audubon. Learn about the life cycle of Reston’s frogs, toads and salamanders.
Curious Kids
Thursday, May 6
4 – 5 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by May 3.
$4/RA members, $6/Non-members
For children ages 5-12 years
For reservations, call (703) 476-9689 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org.
Grab a magnifying glass to view insects up close and binoculars to see birds from far away. What can you find basking on a rock, clinging to a leaf or leaping through the air? Learn how to be a wildlife watcher.
Bicycle Safety Rodeo
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Time: Ongoing from 1 – 4 p.m. (stop by anytime. Course takes 20 minutes to complete)
Location: Lake Newport Pool Facility, 11601 Lake Newport Road
FREE
Ages: five – twelve years
Join the Reston Association, State Farm Insurance Co., and The Reston Bicycle Club for our Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo. Children will complete 8 safety stations and earn their bicyclist’s license. Children must bring their own bicycles and helmets. No registration required. This program is cancelled in the event of rain. Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577 for more information or weather related cancellations. Bike Rodeo Volunteers staffed by Common Ground Child Care Center.
Washington Nationals Baseball Game Trip
Sunday, June 20, 2010
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bus pickup location: Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square
Fee: $30 RA members, $34 Non-members
Ages: All ages welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
It’s Father’s Day. Relax and enjoy door-to-door service us as we travel by chartered bus to cheer the Nats to victory over the Chicago White Sox. Registration form can be found on our web site at www.reston.org. Contact Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6577 for more information.
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, May 22, 2010 – Wainwright Garlic Mustard
We will battle Garlic Mustard, one of the many invasive exotic plants taking over the Wainwright natural area. Reston needs as many hands as possible to pull Garlic Mustard from the forest floor to help create space for native plants to grow. Meet at Wainwright Drive near the recreational field. Look for the RA truck. There is poison ivy at this site.
Get Volunteer Help with Invasive Species Infestations in Virginia’s Parks and Natural Areas
The Virginia Master Naturalists and the Virginia Native Plant Society invite organizations to plan volunteer events for the second annual statewide Invasive Plant Removal Day. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Virginia Master Naturalist Chapters, Virginia Native Plant Society Chapters, neighborhood organizations, local parks and recreation departments, non-profits, nature centers, state and national parks, and other community groups are all potential organizers for local events.
With the permission of the landowner, you can host an event and post it on our website by visiting www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/invasives to enter in information about the location, time, volunteer needs, and target species. Your event will be on the Invasive Plant Removal Day Web site and publicized statewide.
Join Reston Association in the State-wide Invasive Exotic Removal Day
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time: 9 a.m. – Noon
Location: Meet at Glade Pool parking lot at the corner of Glade and Soapstone Drives.
We will journey down the asphalt path heading towards Snakeden Branch, a recently restored stream. Our goal will be to remove as much Garlic Mustard as possible, by pulling the plant by the roots. To volunteer contact Ha Brock, RA community outreach specialist II, at habrock@reston.org or 703-435-7986.
In 2009, local organizations posted 41 invasive plant removal events across Virginia. More than 400 volunteers, including Master Naturalists, scouting and other youth groups, neighborhood associations, and other community volunteers, came to assist with the efforts. Together, they contributed more than 1300 hours of service and removed more than 250 bags of invasive plants. Their service plus addition in-kind donations are valued at more than $27,000.
Invasive species are non-native species that cause ecological or economic harm. They are widely recognized as a costly and leading threat to healthy ecosystems. They out-compete native species for the same resources, eventually harming trees, wildlife, and water quality. Invasive plants have taken a firm foothold in many parts of the state and everyone’s help is needed to reclaim our natural areas. The Virginia Invasive Plant Removal Day is an opportunity to engage our citizenry in these efforts.
Orientation Set for Invasive Plant Management Leaders
Lead volunteers are needed for the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) program. This project will allow the Park Authority to locate and remove extremely invasive plant species before they gain a significant foothold within the parks. This program is an essential component in restoring the native ecology. EDRR Orientation Expeditions to be held on May 20 and June 17, 2010 at two different locations.
During the orientations volunteers will learn how to lead, organize and manage a group of volunteers to conduct a systematic survey of designated parkland, identify targeted plant species, mark their location via hand-held GPS units and log data into an established website.
Space is limited to six volunteers per orientation session. For more information about the EDRR program, scheduled excursions or how to become involved, contact Kathy Frederick, IMA volunteer coordinator at 703-324-8681 or send an email to katherine.frederick@fairfaxcounty.gov. Information about the IMA program can also be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/ima.
MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS
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.
“Beautiful”: Virginia Women Artists and the Body at GRACE
Through June 11
Reston Town Center
The statewide Minds Wide Open program celebrates Virginia Women in the Arts. “Beautiful” features four Virginia artists: Elissa Farrow Savos, Elizabeth Menges, Victoria Gaitán, Bernis von zur Muehlen. 703.471.9242. restonarts.org
The Art of John Alvin at ArtInsights
Through May 31
Reston Town Center
Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Aladdin, Lion King, Little Mermaid and more represented in this worldwide exclusive. 703.478.0778. artinsights.com