Reston Community eNotices for April 16-24, 2010
Live
New Board Members and Officers Elected
Reston Association’s Board of Directors elected Kathleen Driscoll McKee as President. The Board also elected Paul Thomas, an At-large Director, to the position of Vice President and Director Joe Leighton as Secretary. Leighton is fresh from a win for a second three-year term.
Treasurer John Higgins was re-elected to another term for Reston Association.
The Board Officer elections come one night after the results of the Directors election were announced at the Annual Members’ Meeting on April 13th.
Ken Knueven won the three-way race for the Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District seat, formerly held by Robin Smyers, who concluded her final three-year term on the Board and having served as President for two years.
Mike Collins was elected to serve as the North Point Director, replacing Frank Lynch who finished his three-year term.
In the month long election 10 candidates ran for three open seats. The vote totals and additional information can be found on the RA Web site at www.reston.org.
2009 Individual and Corporate Volunteers Awards Announced
A Boy Scout earning his Eagle Scout badge received the 2009 Reston Association Volunteer of the Year Award. Two corporations shared the Corporate Business Sponsor recognition.
In the summer of 2009 Ian Rappaport, the winner of the Reston Association 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award donated 180 hours of free labor to the environmental resource field crew.
Then, to earn his Eagle Scout badge, Ian Rappaport decided to help the Reston Association environmental staff again. This time, the project was to restore a natural surface trail, which is widely used by commuters, dog walkers and residents in the Glade Stream Valley. Three other Boy Scouts working on their Eagle Scout projects were nominated for the award – Daniel Albamonte, Stephen Emerick and Allen Millman. (Read the full announcement.)
The Corporate/Business Sponsor Award was shared by two firms that supported both RA projects and the community. Accents by Design, a Reston-based interior design firm donated its consulting services to the interior of Nature House, which opened last year. Its interiors are environmentally friendly.
The second winner was The Thai Tennis Organization in America, or TTOA, which has partnered with Reston Association for the last seven years to promote tennis growth and education within the minority community. It introduces the sport to Asian cultures within the Washington, D.C. area. (Read the full announcement.)
Software AG Volunteers Improve Garden Plots
About 20 volunteers from Software AG, a Reston-based firm, spent Friday making improvements to the pathways at the Golf Course Island Garden Plots. Working with RA staff, the Software AG volunteers dug, moved and flattened soil, cut and positioned boards to make level pathways for the 120 community gardeners. The project helps save RA time and money, too.
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
LAST DAYS FOR U.S. Census Help at RA
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.
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.
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
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
USTA Men’s and Women’s 35 and 45 Age Division Tennis Tournament
Friday, April 23-25
Register online www.usta.com or call 703-435-6534.
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.
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.
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.
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, April 17, 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 areas 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.
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
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.
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