Week in Reston
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Week in Reston

<hdr15>Week in Reston

<sh>Chamber Enlists Help of Search Firm

<bt>The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hired Carzo Associates, L.L.C. to lead the search for a new president and CEO to replace 11-year incumbent Tracey White. An internal search committee decided that a search firm was the next “key step” in the process, according to acting president Chuck Mills of Salera Capital Management.

Carzo Associates, a Reston-based firm, specializes in global executive and board search consulting, executive coaching, and human resource consulting.

The search firm will be responsible for the initial search and screening process, according to a press release. For more information about submitting resumes and the hiring process, visit the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce web site at www.restonchamber.org for information on.

According to the Chamber’s chair, Marion Myers, the finalists will be interviewed and selected by the Chamber’s internal committee.

The Chamber does not expect to have a new president in place before January of next year.

<sh>RCC: Looking for Candidates

<bt> The Reston Community Center is accepting candidate applications from residents of Small District 5 to run for a seat on the RCC Board of Governors. Board members set RCC policy, adopt the operating budget, attend monthly public meetings, chair committees and represent the center at community functions.

Candidates must be age 18 or older and reside in Small District 5. Candidacy registration will run from Sept. 1-18. The deadline for Statement of Candidacy forms is 8 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the RCC.

To learn more about the upcoming Preference Poll and obtain a Candidates Handbook and a Statement of Candidacy Form, visit: the RCC Hunters Woods on 2310 Colts Neck Road, the RCC Lake Anne at 1609-A Washington Plaza, or www.restoncommunitycenter.com/prefpoll.html.

For more information, directions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500, or 1-800-828-1120, or visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

<sh>‘Marriage Amendment’ Forum

<bt>A coalition of religious organizations called the Reston Ministerium will sponsor a public forum this month on the “marriage amendment” on the Virginia ballot in November.

The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, in Reston. The panel will be led by Del. Ken Plum (D-36), state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32), who have both campaigned against the amendment. Howell said, if passed, the amendment could put the health insurance and domestic violence protections of all unmarried couples at risk.

Others panelist will be Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, former Virginia assistant attorney general; Laura Robertson of Equality Virginia, a gay-rights advocacy group; and a representative of the Capital One Financial Corporation in McLean. Childcare will be provided.

The Rev. Debra Peevey, who has chaired the Reston Ministerium for the past eight years, has urged members of the religious community to get involved in what she calls a human rights issue.

Questions about the meeting may be directed to Kay Rodgers at 703-620-2344.

<sh>Boston Properties Begins South of Market

<bt> Boston Properties started construction of the South of Market development in Reston Town Center last April. As construction gets underway, NII Holdings, Inc., formerly known as Nextel International, a provider of mobile communications for business customers in Latin America, intends to move its corporate and international headquarters to the site. The company recently signed a 12-year lease for 50,000 square feet of space. NII will occupy the top two floors of one office building in the project.

The commercial and retail project will be located at the two blocks bordered by Market Street to the north, Explorer Street to the west, Bluemont Way to the south, and Library Street to the east. The project plan includes four buildings with over 860,000 square feet of office and retail space as well as new structured parking for 2,400 spaces. Phase I of the project, consisting of three buildings and 630,000 square feet of office and retail space, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008.

<sh>Reston Garden Club Reconvening

<bt>The Reston Garden Club plans to hold its first meeting of the year Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. Carol Hadlock, with the Bird Feeder, will present a slideshow on local birds and how to attract them with emphasis on landscaping and feeders. A brief meeting will follow the program, including refreshments and a time for socializing.

For questions, call Barbara Paolucci at 703-904-9379.

<sh>Submit Nomination for CHOICE Award

<bt>The Coalition for Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone is seeking nominations of developers and builders that get it right when it comes to accessible housing.

CHOICE is holding its first Accessible Design Award competition this year to honor exemplary multifamily residential projects and single family dwellings that meet and exceed accessible design requirements established by federal and state law.

CHOICE is a consumer-directed alliance of individuals, organizations and government agencies within the disability and affordable housing fields who are working together to develop affordable, accessible housing opportunities for Northern Virginians with all types of disabilities.

Nominations will be accepted for a developer, builder, architect, engineer or property manager who has created housing that enables people with disabilities to fully utilize all private and common living space and to participate in all aspects of the residential experience.

To download the nomination form and criteria, visit http://www.choicenova.org/current_events.htm. The deadline for nominations is September 4 at 5:00 p.m. Questions about the nomination process should be directed to Jeannie Cummins at 703-851-5257 or choicenova@comcast.net.

<sh>Save Date for Density Forum

<bt>The Reston Citizens Association and the Alliance of Reston Homeowners and Clusters are hosting a community forum on planning and zoning issues in Reston on Wednesday, Sept. 6., at the Lake Anne Community Center from 7-9:30 p.m.

RCA, which organized the forum, plans to include speakers from Fairfax County planning and zoning staff, who will present possible changes for Reston’s planned residential community zoning ordinance to the Board of Supervisors next month.

The forum is part of an effort to provide additional information about the issues surrounding any proposed changes in the ordinance.

At the forum, speakers will be asked to limit their comments to current problems, if any, in Reston’s current zoning ordinance; potential solutions for these problems; and steps to maximize community involvement in improving the zoning ordinance.

In addition, all speakers will be requested to disclose any personal financial interest in the positions they take.

<sh>RA District Meetings This Fall

<bt>The Reston Association will be host District Meetings this fall in each of the four voting districts: Lake Anne/Tall Oaks, Hunters Woods/Dogwood, South Lakes and North Point.

According to the Association, the purpose of the meetings is to reconnect with members, discuss topical issues, hear comments and answer member questions. Each district’s Board of Director will lead their respective meetings with a "Desserts & Discussion" theme.

For more information about the meetings, call 703-435-6514. Below are a list of the meeting dates and locations:

* Monday, Sept. 25, 7-9 p.m., Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Meeting at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, Director Robin Smyers.

* Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m., Hunters Woods District Meeting at Glade Room Wednesday, Director Barbara Aaron.

* Thursday, Oct. 12, 7-9 p.m., South Lakes District Meeting at Reston Sunset Hills Montessori School, Director Kathleen Driscoll McKee.

* Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m., North Point District Meeting Brown’s Chapel Park, Director Doug Bushée.