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October 29, 2025

Neighbors,

You may have seen the creative, colorful sculpture Rise on top of the Lake Thoreau spillway in Reston.

Created by South Lakes High School students, it represents the many perspectives in Reston and our reach for new heights in progress, diversity, and innovation. However, it also stands as a testament to artist and South Lakes teacher Marco Rando’s contributions to the arts and our community. 

On Friday, ArtsFairfax recognized him among its 2025 Awards recipients, bestowing him with its Educator Award. This is a well-deserved honor, and I was proud to join the ceremony celebrating his remarkable contributions.

Marco developed the South Lakes STEAM Team, a collaborative program he founded with Public Art Reston and the Reston Association. This program guides students through the art and design process from concept to installation, culminating in the annual creation of a large-scale, sculpture on Lake Thoreau’s spillway.

Raised in Reston, Marco grew up surrounded by public art, and he said he only realized how it impacted his life when he began working with his students. Like the public artworks that influenced him in his youth, he said the STEAM Team projects help his students express their authentic voice and build a deeper sense of community.

As a founding board member of Public Art Reston, Marco has also produced major commissions of his own, including “Intent, The Wooden Horse,” a tribute to Gonzalo Fonseca’s Lake Anne sculpture

His creativity and leadership continue to inspire our students and enrich our community through the power of art.

Thank you, Marco, for all that you do! And, if you want to support him and the South Lakes STEAM Team, purchase their 2026 calendar. The proceeds go towards next year’s sculpture which I can’t wait to see.

Regards,

Walter

• Board of Supervisors Update
• Remembering Centenarian Ed Biggar
• Election Day is Nov. 4
• Join my Joint Education Town Hall on Nov. 17
• Wonder Food Hall Opening Oct. 30
• VolunteerFest Community Fair Nov. 4
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday Oct. 28. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Cox Charities Grant Awards Presented

At our meeting, Cox Charities presented $5,000 grants to seven local nonprofits, including Cornerstones for their efforts to fight hunger. (See photo above.) Thanks to the Cox employees who donated money for these grants, as well as help pick the nonprofits that were awarded money.

History Commission Presented its Annual Report

The Fairfax County History Commission submitted their annual report to the Board. Now in its 56^th year, the commission brings local history into public view, as well as works to preserve our history and historic sites. Commission Chair Gretchen Bulova highlighted several accomplishments, including the Black/African American Historical Marker Project.

Five markers have been installed, and the fifth and final marker honors Louise Archer, a teacher and principal for the only school for African Americans in Fairfax County that remained opened after integration.

Importantly, the commission has stepped up to maintain these markers as Bulova noted. (Read more about the marker unveiling ceremony last month where I delivered remarks.)

This past year, the commission also focused on preserving historic properties on the county’s inventory that could be threatened with possible demolition. This includes the Bowman Distillery in Reston. The building is listed in the county Inventory of Historic Sites, and it’s also on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places. I’ve also been working to try to preserve this distillery in conjunction with a proposed development in this area — stay tuned for that.



• Watch this video to learn more about the distillery

Massage Ordinance Public Hearing Authorized for Nov. 18

The Board authorized advertising a public hearing for November 18 on a new massage establishments ordinance. The proposed law will transfer regulatory authority from the Department of Cable and Consumer Services to the Health Department. If ultimately approved, the new ordinance would take effect on January 1, 2026

Proposed changes: The new ordinance would replace the existing one that hasn’t been updated in 25 years, and new provisions include the: elimination of a local permitting requirement for massage therapists; changes to the appeals process for permit revocations, suspensions, and denials; introduction of plan review for new and remodeled facilities; introduction of a variance process; updates to the health and sanitation standards; and prohibitions on controlled entry, sleeping quarters, employee use of alcohol or controlled substances, and sexually suggestive advertising.

Background: This new ordinance originated with Springfield District Supervisor Herrity’s motion that I co-sponsored along with Franconia District Supervisor Lusk in 2020. Due to concerns about illicit massage businesses, we asked the county executive to review possible changes to the ordinance that’s been unchanged since it was adopted a quarter century ago. The challenge we face is how to address illicit massage establishments without undermining or burdening the hundreds of massage therapists in Fairfax County that provide a much-needed service, many of whom are small businesses.

Remembering Reston Centenarian Ed Biggar

At Sunrise, he stayed physically active, taking walks both inside and outside. And, he would climb the three-story stairwell there, he told the Connection Newspapers in a profile about him this summer.

He also shared his advice for healthy aging with the paper: “You have to get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. But you have to do it right because if you do it wrong, you can wind up on the ground.”

I last saw Ed at the YMCA in August, when I pointed out that he would be 106-and-a-half. He said he wasn't sure celebrating half years made sense at 106, but he did make it more than halfway past 106.

Ed is survived by three sons, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and other family members. He will be deeply missed by me and many others, but his inspiration to stay active will live on.

What’s happening: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The election is for:

• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• House of Delegates (all members)
• Vienna Mayor and Town Council
• Public School Bond

Vote at your precinct: On Election Day, you must vote at the polling place for the precinct where you live. Please note that the North County Governmental Center is not a polling place on Election Day.

Not sure where to go? Check here before you head out:

• Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal
• Call the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776

Return your mail-in ballot: On Election Day, you may return your vote-by-mail ballot in the drop box at any polling place between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Or mail it back — but it must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and received by the Fairfax County Office of Elections by Friday, Nov. 7 at noon.

What’s happening: I’m holding a joint town hall meeting with Hunter Mill District School Board Member Melanie Meren on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center. This town hall will focus on education issues, including:

• Upcoming county and school budgets
• Safe routes to schools

This will be an open forum to discuss what’s on your mind about Fairfax County Public Schools, school funding, pedestrian improvements to help kids travel to and from school safely and more. Bring your questions, issues and concerns, and let’s talk.

Send questions: If you have questions in advance, you may submit them by email with the subject line "town hall.”

Learn more: For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact my office by email or call 703-478-0283, TTY 711.

What’s happening: Wonder Food Hall will hold its grand opening tomorrow, Oct. 30 at Plaza America, 11690 Plaza America Drive. The ribbon cutting begins at 4:30 p.m., and then at 5 p.m., the first 100 guests will enjoy exclusive gifts, live music, tarot card readings from Skye Marinda, and more. 

What’s Wonder: This food hall brings “fast fine” dining to Reston, and you can order food from multiple restaurants in a single order for either delivery, take out or dining in. Wonder’s Reston location offers food from 25 different eateries founded by Jose Andres, Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelsson and others. 

What’s happening: Find your next volunteer opportunity at VolunteerFest’s Community Fair on Nov. 3, and donate food for those in need. The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pozez JCC, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. (Note, you can’t volunteer to pack meals because the shifts are full.)   

Due to the venue’s security requirements, registration is required to attend the fair, although it’s not needed if you’re only donating food.

• Register now

Volunteer opportunities: More than 30 local nonprofit organizations, faith groups and government agencies will be at the fair. Learn about volunteer opportunities with them, as well as their donation needs. Groups include Hands on Harvests, Homestretch, Kids Give Back, English Empowerment Center, Northern Virginia Family Services, RSVP Northern Virginia, We Are Artistic and many more organizations.

Donate food: You may donate food even if you don’t attend the fair. Donations will benefit Food for Others. Drop-off non-perishable items in the trolley located in the first parking spot immediately past the building’s main entrance on the right. Here are some of the most requested items:

• 100% Fruit Juice
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Tomato Products
• Tomato Sauce
• Chili or Stew
• Canned Pasta Meals
• Canned Soup
• Boxed Cereal
• Mac & Cheese
• Canned Beans
• Dried Pasta
• Rice
• Maseca (Masa Harina)

Or donate money instead. (Every $10 donation will provide up to 40 meals.

Vienna-Carter Library to Begin Construction This Fall

What’s happening: The Fairfax County Public Library announced the construction timeline for the new Vienna-Carter Library located at 101 Maple Ave. East. Construction is anticipated to begin later this fall with the project expected to be completed in early 2028.

Costello Construction of Maryland was awarded the contract on September 18.

Project Timeline:

• Construction fencing, permits and preparation of the site is scheduled for late Fall 2025.
• Demolition of the current Patrick Henry Library building will begin in early 2026.
• Project completion is anticipated in early 2028.

Background: The existing Patrick Henry Library will be replaced with a state-of-the-art, approximately 19,000 square-foot, one-story facility. It will feature modern amenities, including a children’s reading area, study rooms, a staff workroom, flexible community spaces, an outdoor reading area and a 209-space, four-level parking structure at the existing site. (This garage will provide 125 spaces for library customers and staff, plus an additional 84 public spaces paid for by the Town of Vienna.) Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. The new library will incorporate Net Zero Energy design, a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and green materials promoting indoor air quality.

Town Council Opposes School Redistricting Plan

The Vienna Town Council passed a resolution on Oct. 27 opposing a proposed school redistricting plan (scenario 4) that would move nearly 100 students who live in the Northeast section of town from James Madison High School to George C. Marshall High School. The school board has been considering boundary changes throughout Fairfax County for the first time in nearly 40 years to alleviate crowding at some schools and to ensure equal access to programs.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and members of the Town Council are appealing to the school board to reconsider the boundary change that affects town residents because James Madison High School has historically been at the heart of the community as the hometown high school.

Southside Park Habitat Restoration Nov. 3

Participate in the habitat restoration on Monday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the entrance at Ware and Walker Streets. You’ll help remove invasive plants, install native plants, spread wood chips and prepare for future plant installations. Signing up in advance is appreciated but not required. To sign up or for more information, contact Jeremy Edwards by email or call 703-255-6336.

👻Join or watch Vienna's Halloween Parade tonight at 7 p.m. along Maple Avenue.

🎤 Zimbabwean a cappella quartet Nobuntu performs on Oct. 29 at Reston Community Center.

🍺 Enjoy A Taste of Fall on Oct. 29 at Tysons Pointe, offering music by Amadeus Concerts and beer from Settle Down Easy Brewing Company.

🍽️ Purchase Brunswick Stew on Nov. 1 from Herndon’s United Methodist Church.

🎼 Listen to soprano Elizabeth Bozhich present a Halloween-themed recital with narration on Oct. 30 at Reston Community Center.

🏠 Take the “Hamilton’s BFF and Frenemies” tour on Nov. 1 at Gadsbys Tavern.

💎 Find antiques and collectibles at the DC Big Flea show on Nov. 1-2 at the Dulles Expo Center.

🎞️ Watch a recorded performance of “Hamilton” filmed with the original cast on Nov. 4 at Reston Community Center.

💬 Join the Nov. 5 virtual talk “Tails of Valor: Animals in the U.S. Army,” hosted by the National Army Museum.

🚗 Take AARP’s CarFit class on Nov. 5 at Reston Hospital Center to learn enhance comfort, fit and safety in your car.

📖 Retired history professor Peter Henriques will discuss his book “George Washington: His Quest for Honor and Fame” on Nov. 5 at Little River United Church of Christ.

⛸️Lace up your skates for opening day of the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion on Nov. 7.

👩‍🏫 Take the “A Different Look at Conflict Resolution” workshop on Nov. 8 at Reston Regional Library.

🤣 Laugh out loud with comedians Aparna Nancheria and Kenice Mobley on Nov. 8 at Reston Community Center.

🧥Donate to the coat drive at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna on Nov. 9. 



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.