October 30, 2024

Neighbors,

By popular demand and as first mentioned in my March 6, 2024 newsletter, here is a motivational update courtesy of Reston resident Ed Biggar.

At age 105, he routinely works out three days a week at the Reston YMCA where I ran into him again this past Sunday.

Not only is Ed likely the oldest Y member, but also he’s quite probably one of our oldest residents.

Ed was born in New York, and he moved to the D.C. area in 1935. He spent 35 years working at the Government Printing Office, retiring as planner in charge of in-house operations. Ed met his wife Lila at the GPO whom he was married to for 57 years, and he has three sons, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

These days his home is at Sunrise at Reston Town Center — but he was living independently in his condo until he was 104. Why did he decide to move? He was tired of making his own meals, he said.

While Ed doesn’t have a secret for his longevity, he’s a model for all of us for active, engaged living.

Today, he’s among the few who’ve reached his age, but the number of centenarians is projected to quadruple during the next 30 years, according to the Census Bureau.

If you know other centenarians or super-centenarians like Ed, please email my office. I’d love to meet these remarkable residents.

Regards,

Walter

Pickles Pick Up the Park

Congratulations to Girl Scout Troop 50126 for their W&OD Trail cleanup that I joined this past weekend. Known as the Pickles — these scouts who attend Wolftrap Elementary are working to earn their Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve.

To do so, these impressive 5th graders are acting to pick up and prevent trash in parks and public spaces, and they have gotten permission to post "no littering" signs in Waverly and Foxstone Parks too.

Holy Comforter Solar Panels

I attended the ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony this past Sunday for the Church of the Holy Comforter’s new solar project. This Episcopal church installed 325 solar panels that are expected to generate 216,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, producing all the electricity for the church’s current usage.

Rector Reverend Jon Strand said the project is a substantial step towards their shared parish and diocesan goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

This project was made possible thanks to Victor and Joan Brown and the Brown family, among many others.

The Church will receive $10,000 for this project through the county’s Energy Conservation Assistance Program.

This county grant program is open to faith communities, homeowners associations, nonprofits and other common-interest communities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the county will pay for 50% of energy upgrades up to $15,000.

Previously, Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna also took advantage of this county grant program.

Learn about other groups who successfully applied too.

Are you following me on Facebook and Instagram?

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day. Every polling place will be open that day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be able to vote.

Where to Vote: If you don’t know your polling place, look it up on the state’s online portal, or call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711.

Same Day Registration: If you are not registered to vote yet, you may complete a same day voter registration on Election Day, but you must go to the polling place for the precinct where you live.

To find your precinct and polling place, enter your address in the county's My Neighborhood application or call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711.

By state law, voters who register same day must vote a provisional ballot.

Return Your Mail-In Ballot: On Election Day, you may return your mail-in ballot at a drop box at any polling place, or the 24-hour secure, drop-off box available outside the Fairfax County Government Center.

If you plan to mail your ballot back, it must be postmarked on Nov. 5, and the Office of Elections must receive it by noon on Friday, Nov. 8.

The Fairfax County Circuit Court is warning residents about a recent, alarming surge in jury duty scams. Fraudsters are asking for payment to “reschedule” your supposedly missed jury duty or face arrest by sheriff’s deputies.

What to Know: The court will never ask for money or any type of fee when rescheduling jury duty. If you receive a suspicious call or email:

• Do Not Respond: Avoid providing personal information over the phone or by email. Do not click links or open attachments from unknown sources.
• Verify Communications: Contact the official Fairfax County court offices directly if you have doubts about your jury duty status. Fairfax Circuit Court’s Jury Department can be reached by calling 703-246-2292, TTY 711.
• Spread the Word: Share this information with friends, family and neighbors so they’re aware of these scams.

Other Scams: Be aware of other scams by con artists pretending to a Fairfax County Sheriff's deputy. You may be contacted by “Sgt. Brown” from the "civil services division,” “Lt. James Perry,” or “Sgt. Jack Walker,” among other fake names. These scammers will threaten you with arrest for your alleged failure to appear in court or pay a utility bill or taxes. Or, they will ask you for your personal information, like your address, or for a close family member whom they need to talk to urgently. Don’t fall for it!

There are two upcoming volunteer fairs where you can find and connect with nonprofit, human service and arts organizations that need your help.

I’ll be participating in VolunteerFest, and I hope you can join me for the Tysons Forest cleanup.

VolunteerFest in Tysons on Nov. 1

Come to The PARC at Tysons on Friday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll connect with organizations and service activities for pressing community needs — including environmental conservation, animal welfare, emergency preparedness and more. Enjoy live music, food trucks and games for all ages. Register now.

Participate in Service Projects: Following a 9:30 a.m. welcome ceremony, you’re invited to meet organizations that need your help or join service projects that start at 10 a.m.

One of these featured projects is a cleanup of the Tysons Forest that I’ll join with the Tysons Forest Task Force. We’ll depart from The PARC at 10 a.m. for the one-hour litter pick up.

Volunteers should expect to walk long distances, so please wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, close-toed shoes. Hiking boots are a good choice if you have them. Supplies for the clean-up will be provided, including gloves and trash pickers. Bring your own reusable water bottle if needed, and coffee and donuts will be available at the clean-up site.

Students who attend VolunteerFest will earn one hour of volunteer credit.

Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Pozez JCC trolley for local food pantries.

Venture into Volunteering Fair Nov. 3

If you’re an older adult seeking volunteer opportunities or new activities or connections, the Venture into Volunteer Fair is for you. Drop by Springfield Town Center on Sunday, Nov. 3 from noon to 4 p.m.

Meet representatives from over forty nonprofits, human service providers, arts groups and local government agencies that need your help.

Expo Topics: Held in conjunction with the Beacon 50+ Expo, the fair includes dozens of exhibitors — including government agencies, nonprofits, and local businesses — that will offer information on:

• Retirement communities
• Home remodeling
• Financial planning
• Healthcare
• Travel
• Fitness

Health Screenings & Vaccinations Offered: Get free health screenings for:

• Blood pressure
• Glaucoma
• Blood glucose
• Cholesterol 

Vaccinations also will be offered. Flu and Covid vaccines are free with a Medicare card or insurance and other vaccines may require a co-pay.

More Information: Email Volunteer Solutions or call 703-324-5406.

Watch this promo video for Venture into Volunteering Fair.

Tragically and unacceptably, six pedestrian fatalities occurred across the county during a two-week period this past month. As we recognize Pedestrian Safety Month in October, I encourage everyone to be aware about what we can all do to keep walkers, runners and bikers safe.

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.

Fairfax Families for Safe Streets, the Coalition for Smarter Growth and the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling are co-sponsoring this free event. 

Watch the trailer for this award-winning documentary.

Your Halloween pumpkin is scarier than you think. If you throw it in the trash, it will come back to haunt you in the form of methane emissions — a greenhouse gas that’s 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Of the 1.6 billion pounds of pumpkins grown in the U.S. last year, most are thrown in the trash — up to 80% according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. As they decompose in landfills, pumpkins — and other food waste — release greenhouse gases.

Compost Them During Pumpkin Palooza: Bring your pumpkins and other gourds to be composted by the county through Nov. 15 at:

• I-66 Transfer Station
• I-95 Landfill Complex

You can drop them off at either location during these times:

• Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday - Sunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Make sure all decorations, including glitter, paint and candle wax, have been removed to ensure pumpkins can be composted.

While free, public wi-fi has always been offered inside the county’s community centers, you can now get a signal in the parking lots at 20 of these centers, including the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate.

The county recently expanded this wi-fi access in celebration of Digital Inclusion Week earlier this month.

In addition, the Cathy Hudgins Center, along with other community centers, now offer more access to other technology, including:

• Makerbot Sketch 3D Printers and Circuit Makers available for use in-house
• Robotics Kits available for use in-house
• iPads available for use by participants

Don’t have a computer? Checkout a Chromebook and wi-fi hotspot from the Reston Regional Library, among other branches. (And, of course, free, public wi-fi is available at the libraries too.)

Free Starbucks Coffee with a Cop Nov. 6

Get a free coffee, latte, cappuccino or drink of your choice at the Barnes & Noble Café at The Spectrum on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 9 – 11 a.m. Bring your questions or concerns to police officers from the Reston District Station when you have Coffee with a Cop.

Child Car Seat Check at

Reston Hospital Nov. 7

Reston District Station police officers will help make sure your child’s car seat is properly and safely installed. Come to the Reston Hospital's "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Baby is Nice" Fall Maternity Open House on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4 -7 p.m. in the West Wing Lobby. You’ll also get to know the hospital’s labor and delivery and post-partum teams. Registration required.

Can’t make it on Nov. 7? Schedule a more convenient time for a car seat inspection at the Reston District Station.

Moon Over Buffalo

Come see the Vienna Theatre Company’s production of “Moon Over Buffalo.” It’s the tale of George and Charlotte Hay, two fading stars in the 1950s who seek one last shot at stardom where everything that could go wrong, does. The production runs through Nov. 3. Tickets are $16 each. Purchase them in person at the Vienna Community Center when open or buy tickets online.

Bowman House Pottery Show and Sale Nov. 2

Indulge your pottery passion and support local artisans on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bowman House, 211 Center Street, South (across from the Vienna Police Station). The sale features handmade pottery created by students and teachers. Cash or checks only. For more information, email Brandy Wyatt. Sale details.

Learn About Wicked Fairfax Oct. 30

Join author Cindy Bennett for a virtual talk as she recounts the wicked and wild side of Fairfax County. She will share stories from her book, including about the Bunnyman, Ebola, Cold War spies, and more. (If you can’t attend, read the book — there are copies at the Reston Library.) Registration required.

Halloween at The PARC Oct. 31

Get ready for a spooktacular fun time on Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m. at The PARC at Tysons! Bring your little goblins and ghouls for a festive evening filled with safe trick-or-treating, plus games, kids crafts, face painting and more! Capture all the fun with themed photo ops, and enjoy delicious food from the Vienna Inn Food Truck. Details

One-on-one Technology Help at Reston Library Nov. 1

Volunteers can answer questions and help with basic troubleshooting, such as setting up an email account or creating a Word document. From 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, one hour sessions are available on a walk-up basis or by registration. Call the library at 703-689-2700 and select option 4 to register. Details.

Be a Part of the Magic of Winterfest. Register Starting Nov. 1.

Reston Association’s popular Winterfest event returns for a second year on Dec. 5-7. Registration begins Nov. 1. Winterfest is full of food, live performances, a holiday lights display — and one of the event’s most magical features is the Enchanted Forest. Here, find nearly 100 holiday trees — each festively decorated by a sponsoring group or business. These trees are then donated to families in need. Help make the holiday’s more cheerful for a local family — reserve and decorate a tree for the Enchanted Forest.

Dementia Caregiver’s Conference Nov. 2

Attend the region’s largest conference for family and professional caregivers for people with dementia. Called “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving,” the event includes keynote speakers and breakout sessions. The $35 conference fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, snack, materials and a free copy of the book “The 36-Hour Day.” Details.

“Hamilton” Movie Screenings on Nov. 5

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, watch three free screenings of “Hamilton” at the Reston Community Center’s the CenterStage at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. The movie captured the original Broadway cast performing live at the Richard Rodgers Theater. Details.