Woman Robbed at Gunpoint
<bt>A 61-year-old Reston woman was robbed at gunpoint last Wednesday night. At about 10 p.m. several residents in the 1900 block of Solaridge Court heard the woman screaming and called Fairfax County Police.
The woman had just gotten out of her car and noticed a man wearing a black ski mask was standing in her yard. After she screamed at him, he pointed his gun at her and pushed her onto the ground and stole her purse. She sustained minor injuries, but did not require hospitalization.
Police described the suspect as white, 6 feet 2 inches tall and about 185 pounds. He is believed to be in his late teens and was wearing a black jacket and black pants. If anyone has information about the incident or the suspect involved, they are urged to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777.
<sh>RA Seeks Metrorail Role
<bt>Reston Association's Board of Directors voted Thursday night to seek a greater voice on any future committees convened to plan development around the Wiehle Avenue Metrorail stop, which is scheduled to open in 2009.
RA will seek the assistance of Reston's representatives in the state legislature, as well as Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill). Though not task force currently exists, the plan approved Thursday would give Reston a seat at the table should one be formed.
Also, RA voted to endorse a transportation advisory committee's proposal to amend a Request for Proposal for the Wiehle stop's development, set to be released in February. Among the committee's proposed amendments would be a requirement for developers to include affordable housing.
<sh>Giving Circle Awards $23,900
<bt>The Giving Circle of HOPE, a Reston philanthropic organization formed last January, awarded nearly $24,000 in grants to local charities last Friday.
Among the recipients were Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services, Inc. (FACETS), Herndon-Reston FISH, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, the Herndon Free Clinic, and the Marjorie F. Hughes Fund for Children.
"All grant applications were wonderful organizations that do great work in the community," said Linda Strup, one of the Giving Circle's founders. "We wish we had the resources to fund them all, but hope to assist them in non-monetary ways as well."
So far, the Giving Circle's 64 members have performed 865 service hours on 12 major projects, raised $34,735 and dispersed $29,021.
<sh>Dog Adoption Event at Town Center
<bt>Dozens of regional dog rescue groups will participate in "Home 4 The Holidays," a major dog adoption event to be held at Reston Town Center on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will feature both mixed and purebred homeless dogs of all ages. Some of the groups slated to attend are the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Chocolate Chip Dalmatian Assistance League, English Springer Spaniel Rescue and Greyhound Welfare.
The goal of the event is to increase adoptions from animal shelters and pet rescue groups during the holiday season, when more families acquire pets than any other time each year.
This will be the first year the event will be held in Reston. For its first five years, the national Home 4 The Holidays campaign has found homes for nearly 300,000 pets.
<sh>Reston Calendar
<bt>Reston Association Board Administration Committee. Monday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at RA's Main Offices, 1930 Isaac Newton Sq.
Reston Association Planning & Zoning Meeting. Monday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at RA's Main Offices, 1930 Isaac Newton Sq.
Reston Community Center Board of Governors Meeting. Monday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at RCC-Hunters Woods.