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• Register for the Tour de Hunter Mill on May 3
• In the Community
• Reston Farmers Market Opens Saturday
• Drug Take Back Day Saturday
• Attend Scam Jam April 30
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

Will you join me on Sunday, May 3 for the Tour de Hunter Mill? Not only will you roll through Vienna’s scenic, bike-friendly neighborhoods and green spaces on two wheels, but also you’ll get discounted admission to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens afterwards. Adults will save $3 on admission and children age 15-plus will get a $2 savings.

Volunteers needed: We also need volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, and as a thank you, volunteers will join the ride for free. Sign up to volunteer.

In the Community

On Saturday, I was honored to present the inaugural Lake Anne Good Neighbors Awards, founded by Radhika Murari owner of OmBaked.

Especially now, there’s nothing more important than to highlight the goodness we see in each other and build community by being good neighbors.

Congratulations to this year's recipient, Pat McIntyre, whose ongoing contributions make Lake Anne a better place. (Watch the video above to learn more about her recognition.)

Are you following me on Facebook and Instagram for more videos like the Lake Anne Good Neighbor Awards?

History Commission Conference: African American Cemeteries

I attended author, history and former county History Commissioner Mary Lipsey’s talk about African American cemeteries in Fairfax County. She delivered her fascinating presentation as part of the History Commission’s annual conference on Sunday.

I learned that there are 300 identified African American cemeteries in Fairfax County — 75% of which are family cemeteries. Many times, people would bury their family members on their own property. Unfortunately, many cemeteries for people who were enslaved have been lost over the years. Or, the cemetery is known but the graves are not currently marked.

In the Hunter Mill District, for example, we have the Carter Family Cemetery off Raglan Road Park, and in 2023, I introduced a motion to preserve this family and historical legacy. As a result, the Fairfax County Park Authority has been working to restore and protect this family plot.

Touring SPARC's Mobile Sensory Exploration Lab

I toured Specially Adapted Resource Centers’ innovative mobile sensory exploration lab. It’s tailored for individuals with disabilities to provide them with gentle music, soft lights, tactile surfaces and interactive wall where they can play 76 different games. This controlled multisensory room on two wheels supports clients with their emotional regulation and well-being and engages their five senses. (Watch the video as I explore the van.)

This specially designed and equipped van is also a mobile office for SPARC staff, offering Wi-Fi and a built-in desk.

A big thanks to SPARC’s CEO Debi Alexander and Program Director Kat Rader for showing me this wonderful resource for adults with disabilities!

With Debi Alexander (left) and Kat Rader (right) in front of the van

Inside the van with Kat Rader (left) and Debi Alexander (right)

What’s happening: The Reston Farmers Market returns to its normal location again this year, the Lake Anne of Reston Condo Association (LARCA) parking lot this Saturday, April 25, at 8 a.m. I’ll be there to help officially open the market, which is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority and will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through Nov. 21.

New vendors: You’ll see some new vendors at the market, including Bee’s Wing Farm, Black Sesame Rolls, Spellbook Cookies, and Spring House Farm. (View the full list of market vendors.)

Reminders: Before you come, remember to bring your own reusable shopping bags if you've got them or pick one up on-site through the market’s bag-share program. The county’s farmers markets eliminated single-use plastic bags last year, and vendors also use reusable or compostable alternatives.

Bring your food scraps too for composting, including meat, animal bones, and dairy items. (Yard waste not accepted). You’ll help protect the planet from climate change. When food waste is dumped into a landfill where it lacks oxygen to help it decompose, it slowly releases methane, a potent gas that causes global warming.

Are you following me on Instagram and Facebook for videos like the Reston Farmers Market grand reopening?

By safely disposing of your unused, unwanted or expired medications, you can help protect the environment, prevent accidental poisoning and prevent drug misuse especially as the opioid epidemic continues nationwide.

Drop off your unused prescription drugs on Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at these locations in Hunter Mill District:

• Reston Hospital Center, Pavillion II (drive-up and drop-off without getting out of your car)
• Reston District Police Station
• Town of Vienna Police Department

What’s accepted: Prescription and non-prescription pills, e-cigarettes and vaping devices with batteries removed, small liquid packs/pods for e-cigarettes and vaping devices, prescription ointments, and medications for pets.

What’s not accepted: Illegal drugs, pressurized canisters (inhalers/aerosol cans), needles, large sources of liquids, and non-prescription ointments and lotions.

Learn How to Protect Yourself From Scams. Join me at Scam Jam on April 30

What’s happening: Learn how to spot and stop two of the fastest-growing scams: romance-based investment schemes and cryptocurrency fraud. Attend Scam Jam on Thursday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. This annual event is hosted by AARP Virginia and Fairfax County’s Silver Shield Anti-Scam Program.

Tell me more: County, state and federal agencies will be available to answer your fraud and scam questions one-on-one.

Registration encouraged: While registration isn’t required, you’ll be provided with a free lunch if you register.

Attend Vienna’s Green Expo Tomorrow

Discover money-saving ideas and tips for sustainable living at Vienna’s Green Expo on Thursday, April 23, from 7-9 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. More than 40 local exhibitors will offer resources and information on sustainable practices, such as planting natives and eliminating invasives, raising chickens and keeping bees, composting, conserving water, and making homes more energy efficient. New this year is a visit from The Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington. They will provide information about EV ownership and offer a chance to see EV vehicles up close.

Celebrate Vienna's Arbor Day April 24 & 25

Celebrate Arbor Day with two chances to plant native trees:

• Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m.: Join dignitaries for the official ceremony at the Center Street batting cage at Waters Field (300 Center Street, South).
• Saturday, April 25, at 9 a.m.: Volunteer to plant more trees at the corner of Dominion Road, SE and Park Street, SE along the W&OD Trail.

Sign up for these events.

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📚Buy your next read at the Friends of the Reston Regional Library’s Big Spring Sale on April 22-26

🤣Laugh with “Last Ham Standing” improv show on April 24 at the NextStop Theatre.

🖼️Shop the ValeArts Spring Show and Sale on April 24-26 at the Historic Vale School House in Oakton.

🪄Watch magician Zak Mirz astound on April 24 at the McLean Community Center.

♻️Free paper shredding event on April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. John Nuemann in Reston.

📖Listen to authors Vincent Tirado and Andrew Jose White talk about their new gothic thriller on April 25 at Bards Alley in Vienna.

💊Drop off unwanted prescription drugs on April 25 at Reston Hospital Center during Prescription Drug Take Back Day

🍖Get ready for an explosion of flavor at the Taste of Vienna on April 25. (I'll be helping to pour beer.)

👚Shop Reston Association’s Community Yard Sale on April 25 at Halley Rise (12030 Sunrise Valley Drive).

🖍️Celebrate creativity and the planet at ChalkFest on April 25 at Reston Town Center Park.

🖼️Browse the Alexandra Art Show & Craft Spring Fair on April 25 at John Carlyle Square Park, Alexandria.

📖 Listen to author Jeffrey Dale Lofton discuss his novel “Red Clay Suzie” on April 25 at Falls Church Presbyterian Church.

🐿️Participate in the City Nature Challenge on April 25 at Walker Nature Center.

🎵Listen to acclaimed Irish tenor Mark Forrest perform a free concert on April 26 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Clifton.

🚗Take the free CarFit class on April 27 at Reston Hospital Center to learn how to enhance your comfort and safety in your vehicle.

🩲Donate to the Sticker Stop & Diaper Drop Off on April 28 at Vienna Presbyterian Church.

🍷Wine and Dine at Wolf Trap on April 29 with multi-course dishes and wine pairings.

🚨Join the Fairfax Scam Jam on April 30 at the Fairfax County Government Center to learn how to avoid romance, cryptocurrency and other scams.

🎻Violinist Miles Stiebel plays popular songs on April 30 at Reston Community Center.

🎭South Lakes High School Theatre Arts presents the musical “9 to 5” with performances starting April 30.

🍰Attend the South Lakes High School Jazz Desserts on May 1 at Reston Community Center.

🎤 Doo Wop Project sings tight harmonies on May 2 at the McLean Community Center.

⚛️ Learn why the Higgs Boson was called the God Particle on May 2 at the Reston Regional Library.

🎪Join the Spring Festival on May 2 at Walker Nature Center.

🚲Ride in the Tour de Hunter Mill on May 3 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

🎺 Cathedral Brass present “A Night at The Opera” on May 3 at the Vienna Presbyterian Church.

🎸 Rock with George Thorogood & The Destroyers on May 5 at Capital One Hall.

💃 Watch the Heart Beats, an uplifting dance and live music performance, on May 7-8 at Capital One Hall.

♻️Free paper shredding event on May 9 from 9-11 a.m. at Andrew Chapel UMC, Vienna.

🥁 Vienna Jamers present “The Big Jam 2026” on May 9 at Capital One Hall.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.