November 6, 2024

Neighbors,

Happy Wednesday everybody. I joined VolunteerFest on Monday. Now in its 29^th year, this annual event organized by Volunteer Fairfax brings together people interested in volunteering with organizations that need their help.

The event also celebrated Volunteer Fairfax’s 50^th anniversary, and I, along with several of my colleagues, presented a proclamation to recognize their many contributions over the decades.

The fair featured four service projects, including a cleanup of the wooded area known as Tysons Forest, a hidden gem that’s steps from the Spring Hill Metro Station.

About 30 volunteers — many who didn’t know about this green oasis until this week — and Tysons Forest Community Task Force Chair Jack Russell and his wife Susan cleared litter from the forest.

While VolunteerFest is over, there are many groups that still need your help. Find volunteer opportunities.

Talking to Tysons Forest Community Task Force Chair Jack Russell (below).

This week I also participated in a celebration of a new pedestrian bridge too.

Today, I attended the grand opening for Reston Town Center's new pedestrian bridge that's on the south side of Bluemont Way next to the Reston Transit Station. It spans the W&OD Trail, connecting the urban core of Reston Town Center to the Reston Town Center Metro Station. It was built by BXP, and this bridge is a big improvement that makes it easier for people to reach Town Center by foot and bike. It’s open for use now, so try it out.

Regards,

Walter

Watch this video about the new bridge.

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We still need donations of winter coats — and this Friday, Nov. 8 is the last day to give warm coats, hats, gloves and scarves to the Hunter Mill Winter Coat Closet.

Once again, we're partnering with nonprofit Cornerstones on this coat drive.

Donation Drop Off: Please take your donations to Cornerstones:

• 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston
• Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m

What to Donate:

• New or gently used winter coats for children and adults
• Coats and jackets with hoods in larger adult sizes (XL, XXL, XXXL) are especially needed
• ALL children’s sizes (newborn through teen)
• NEW (only) hats, gloves, mittens and scarves

Due to space limitations, please don’t donate other winter clothes like sweaters, snowsuits and boots.

Coat Distribution on Nov. 16: We’ll distribute coats on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center.

Join me for an afternoon learning how reducing light pollution can bring the stars back into view. Attend the Save the Night Event on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 3-6 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Register now.

Event Activities: When you attend, you will:

• Engage with astronomers
• Look through telescopes
• Learn how artificial light at night impacts humans, birds, insects and plants
• Listen to featured speakers: Alonso Abugattas, The Capital Naturalist and presenters with DarkSky International and Northern Virginia Bird Alliance

Save the Night Awareness Week: Following Sunday’s event, you can also participate in the Save the Night Awareness Week in Vienna from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2. You’ll find a banner over Maple Avenue during this week, and you can engage in many self-guided activities.

What You Can Do:

• Follow the five principles for responsible outdoor lighting.
• Participate in the Globe at Night program that invites citizen-scientists to submit their night sky brightness observations. (Check out a Fairfax County Library Light Pollution Monitoring Kit that includes a sky meter to report your readings.)
• Learn more about light pollution with books like The Darkness Manifesto available at the library.

In celebration of America Recycles Day, Fairfax County is holding a recycling event on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gerry Hyland Government Center.

Items Accepted: Bring your hard-to-recycle items:

• Textiles
• Glass bottles and jars
• Household batteries (single use and rechargable)
• Organics/food waste
• Small electronic waste or e-waste (no bigger than 24x24-inches). This includes computers, laptops, hard drives, toner and ink cartridges, cell and smart phones, power supplies, audio equipment, mice and keyboards.

Items Not Accepted:

• TVs
• Computer monitors
• Appliances
• Household hazardous waste like motor oil or paint

Land Use Update

Reston Planning and Zoning Meeting Nov. 18

This meeting will be held virtually on Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To attend by phone, call 571-429-5982 and enter conference ID 933 664 369#.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Meeting Nov. 19

This meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To attend by phone, call 571-429-5982 and enter conference ID 450 976 170#.

Agendas for both meetings are posted on the Hunter Mill District Land Use and Zoning webpage. For more information, email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Keeping Kids Safe Online Nov. 12

On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., join Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert, Police Chief Jim Morris, and Public Information Officer Juan Vazquez, as they discuss the dangers of certain social media apps and how predators use them to target and scam children and teenagers. Details.

Check Out Winter Recreation Events

Thumb through the Winter 2025 Parks and Recreation Program Guide now and find holiday events and activities like a "Big Screen at the Center" or a candle making workshop. Registration begins Monday, Nov. 4 for town residents and Tuesday, Nov. 12 for those outside town limits.

Tysons Teamsgiving & Trivia Night Nov. 7

Attend the Tysons Community Alliance’s inaugural Teamsgiving & Trivia Night on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5-8 p.m. at Pars Place. Enjoy a night of food, drinks and a friendly trivia competition. Even if you’re not a Tysons Teammate, you’re highly encouraged to come play, and you can join the program that night if you desire. Reserve your spot.

The Street Project Movie Screening Nov. 8

I also invite you to join safe street advocates for a free screening of “The Street Project” — an inspiring documentary about the global, citizen-led fight to make our streets safer. This movie will be shown on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center Auditorium. Registration requested but not required.

RTC Ice Skating Rink Opens Nov. 8

Reston Town Center’s Ice Rink returns this Friday, Nov. 8 (weather permitting) for a full day of open skating from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The rink will be open through March 9. The skate shop is stocked with skates ranging from toddler size 8 through men’s size 15, in both figure and hockey styles. Learn more and reserve tickets.

“A Hard Day’s Night.” A Beatles Celebration Nov. 8

Experience two dozen Beatles’ classic songs on Friday, Nov. 8 at Capital One Hall. The Classical Mystery Tour’s four musicians look and sound like The Beatles, and they’ll perform hits from the 1964 album “A Hard Day’s Night.” The Fairfax Symphony joins the group for the evening’s second half. Buy tickets.

“This Troubled Ground” Book Talk Nov. 9

Author Lt. Col. Les Carroll is an award-winning military and civilian journalist and acclaimed documentary filmmaker who served at the Air Force Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base. Join him for a talk and Q&A at Chantilly Regional Library on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 12:30-2 p.m. (This talk is sponsored by the Friends of the Herndon Fortnightly Library.) Registration required.

Jigsaw Puzzle & Lunch on Nov. 14

Challenge yourself with puzzles featuring beautiful, themed photos of Reston during Reston Association’s Puzzle Day on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Join for coffee, conversation, lunch and one of America's favorite pastimes. Details.

Holiday Kickoff at Tysons Corner Center Nov. 15

Celebrate the start of the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center. Enjoy Santa’s grand arrival, performances, complimentary s’mores and custom beverages and more – in the midst of the mall’s expanded Holiday Light Experience. Details.

AARP Social Security Benefits Seminar Nov. 19

If you’re ready to claim your Social Security benefits, join AARP’s virtual seminar on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. to help you make informed decisions. This webinar focuses on the implications of Social Security claiming decisions, and it will also cover how to secure your benefits. Register now.

“Fly Me to the Moon.” Senior Movie Day Nov. 20

In this rom-com, Scarlett Johansson, who plays a marketing director, and Channing Tatum, who portrays a NASA launch director, must plan a fake moon landing in case the Apollo 11 mission fails. Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter gives this film a 90% rating. This free screening on Nov. 20 is open to older adults 55-plus at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas at Reston Town Center. Coffee, donuts and OJ are provided. Details.