<sh>Prison Fellowship Projects
Gets Initial County OK
<bt>The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved Monday night an out-of-turn plan amendment for redevelopment of the historic Arthur S. Demoss House in Reston, currently the location of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
Listed on the county's Inventory of Historic Sites, the Demoss House is one of the few remaining structures of the old Town of Wiehle, Reston's predecessor.
The plan amendment adds an option to permit residential use at the site, allowing the owner to convert existing and approved office space to condominiums or apartments. The historic house would be converted to a restaurant and inn. The project still cannot move forward, however, until the property is rezoned by the Board of Supervisors.
"In the midst of the New Town of Reston, it is very exciting to have the opportunity to consider preserving a treasure such as the Demoss House," said Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) in a statement.
<sh>Buff Appointed to RCC Board
<bt>Mary Buff was appointed to the Reston Community Board of Governors on Monday by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Buff will fill the vacancy on the board left by John Lovaas, who resigned because he disagreed with the direction of the board under its current leadership. Buff was the runner-up in the October preference poll, in which residents of Special Tax District No. 5 vote for board members.
<sh>Thanksgiving Food Drive Sets Record
<bt>Donations to Reston Community Center's Thanksgiving annual food drive were at an all-time high this year, with more than 25,000 pounds of food contributed for needy local families and individuals. The total amount of food donated represents a substantial increase over last year, when 20,000 pounds of food were collected for Reston Interfaith, which distributes the donations.
The number of volunteers who helped sort the contributions was also up this year, with 180 people sorting and packing the thousands of pounds of donations.
Last year, RCC's Thanksgiving food drive received an "Acts of Caring" award from the National Association of Counties and was called a model that should be replicated in other communities.
<sh>Online Holiday Sales Likely to
Top $15 Billion
<bt>Reston-based comScore Networks is projecting that online retail spending will exceed $15 billion during this year's holiday season.
That figure, according to a report released last week by the online tracking firm, represents a 23 to 26 percent increase over 2003.
Online sales during Thanksgiving week were particularly strong, with total Internet sales of $1.66 billion — a 36 percent increase over the previous year.
Online retail Web sites for Target, Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, Home Depot and Sears experienced increased Web traffic in recent weeks, representing increases over last year by as much as 78 percent.
<sh>'Race for the Kids' Raises $40,000
<bt>The 4th annual "Race for the Kids," held at Reston Town Center Friday, Nov. 26, raised more than $40,000 to purchase meals, transportation, eyeglasses, clothes and school supplies for local impoverished children.
The money raised from the one-mile race went to The Neediest Kids Inc., a Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization serving the seven school districts throughout the region.
More than 420 children participated in the race and ran alongside 2004 Olympian Alan Webb, a South Lakes High School graduate. For the second year in a row, Oakton High School won the high-school challenge, which awards a $500 prize to the school with the most participants and the fastest running times.
<sh>Students Urged to Enter Essay/Poetry Contest
<bt>All local high-school students and eighth graders are encouraged to participate in an essay and poetry contest in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students may enter by writing an essay, a poem or both in 300 words or less, based on one of the following themes:
* What person or event had the most influence in your life?
* Who has modeled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream in your life?
A panel of judges will determine the first and second place winners for each grade level, with first place winners receiving a $200 savings bond and second places winners receiving a $100 savings bond.
All entries must be typed and received before Friday, Dec. 31, by George K. Johnson, P.O. Box 2224, Reston, VA 20195.
The contest is sponsored by Reston's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Birthday Celebration Planning Committee and by Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
<sh>Reston Calendar
<bt>Reston Community Center's Community Relations Committee. Monday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., at RCC-Hunters Woods.
Reston Community Center's Program Policy Committee. Monday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m., at RCC-Hunters Woods.
Reston Association Board Meeting. Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m., at RA's Main Offices, 1930 Isaac Newton Sq.
Reston Community Center's Finance Committee. Monday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m., at RCC-Hunters Woods.
Reston Community Center's Preference Poll Committee. Monday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m., at RCC-Hunters Woods.