Style Meets Function
A local designer creates a stylish and functional master bathroom in an Alexandria home.
Once a modest room reserved for bathing, the bathroom has become a showcase for cutting-edge design and luxurious materials. One Alexandria family discovered this when they decided to remodel the long, narrow master bathroom in their colonial home. “Our old fixtures were wearing out,” said homeowner Pat Smith. “Also the bathroom layout was choppy and dark. There was plenty of square feet, but [the space] was inefficient.” The family hired Arlington designer Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling Inc. to transform the disjointed, utilitarian space into an oasis with a larger shower and additional areas for storage. “The client’s request for the bathroom remodel was a more open, connected plan,” said Mann. “Before the vanity space didn’t feel connected to the rest of the bathroom … and the [entire] space felt disconnected. The client wanted dual vanities … and a more modern feel.”
Week in Reston
Community Forum to Review Master Plan
With the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force work nearing completion, Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m., to review the draft language for the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. The plan will guide development around the three transit station areas in Reston through 2030. The meeting will be held at South Lakes High School, Lecture Hall, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston.
‘Rally for a Cause’ Tennis Tourney in Reston
Early morning clouds dispersed and the rain held off Sept. 21 and 22 for Reston’s “Rally for a Cause,” the second annual tennis tournament. Sixty five players, nearly double the number of players from the previous year, gathered at the Lake Newport tennis facility for men’s and women’s 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 singles and doubles draws. They brought their racquets, their wallets and their friends to combine the sport of tennis with charitable giving. The tournament sponsored three causes: USTA Serves/Wounded Warrior Curriculum, HEART (Have Everyone Access Tennis) and Cornerstones, which respectively support rehabilitation through tennis for injured or ill veterans, tennis scholarships for children and interfaith family services.
Oktoberfest Returns to Reston Town Center
Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor fall festival is Friday through Sunday, Oct. 11-13.
The beer and wine will be flowing at Oktoberfest Reston produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, www.OktoberfestReston.com, the largest fall festival in Northern Virginia drawing crowds of up to 85,000 over three days. This event features the best in fall brews with traditional Oktoberfest fare from area restaurants.
Memorial Service Set for William Jarvie Nicoson
A memorial service for William Jarvie Nicoson, lawyer and first director of the New Community Assistance Program, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston.
Negative Campaign
Candidates appear at minority business forum, attacking each other.
Local and statewide candidates for office appeared at an unprecedented forum in Northern Virginia last weekend, a collaboration of minority business groups of blacks, Hispanics and Asians. But as candidates arrived at the Annandale campus of the Northern Virginia Community College for a Sunday afternoon forum, voters realized that the tone of the campaign would remain unrelentingly negative. "All three of the Republican candidates are Tea Party right wing extremists," said Del. Ken Plum (D-36), who is running unopposed. "Look at their records and their stands on the issues." Plum attacked Cuccinelli's lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act as well as his investigation into a University of Virginia professor studying climate change. The longtime delegate also said the Republican attorney general candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-25) has a similar record, including a bill that would have required women to report abortions to police. Together with the candidate for lieutenant governor, Plum said, the ticket is Tea Party from top to bottom.
Commentary: The Battle to Insure Everyone
Last week saw the beginning of a federal government shut-down—at least a partial shut-down. Even the most ardent of the angry fringe element that subverted the Congressional legislative process to cause the partial shut-down seemed willing to admit that there were some “essential” services of government that needed to continue. To be able to use the words “essential” and “government” in the same sentence is a step forward for some people who severely criticize government for whatever it does or does not do and for whatever happens or does not happen. There is still a wide chasm to bridge between what is considered necessary for the government to do and what should be left to individuals. Health care is at that juncture. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land that has been passed by the Congress, signed by the president, reviewed and approved as constitutional by the Supreme Court, and was a key issue in a campaign in which the president was re-elected by more than five million votes. While some would argue with the details of the Affordable Care Act, it is clear that as a country we have taken a stand that each individual is entitled access to health insurance regardless of whether their employer provides it. A small but vocal minority in the Republican Party disagrees and has decided to block the ability of the federal government to pay its bills as they try to get their way on stopping a law they have been unable to overturn in 40 attempts.
Independent Progressive
Republican Shutdown—Shouldn’t We All Get a Turn?
As we walked our dog around the lake this morning, we encountered three Restonians in furlough mode—one with NASA, one a DoD contractor and one with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, all solid citizens doing work that is needed and broadly beneficial to us all.
Week in Herndon
Fatal Crash in Franklin Farm Area
Around 3:50 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, a 19-year-old driver of a 2012 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on McLearen Road, near Cobra Drive. For reasons unknown, the Honda drove off the road and then reentered the roadway heading west in the eastbound lanes of McLearen Road and struck a 2000 Honda Civic head-on, which was driven by 64-year-old Chris Reams of Sterling. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital where Mr. Reams died.
Running, Walking to Help Haitians
VIP 5K run/walk to be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at Lake Fairfax Park.
The Vanessa Pean Foundation is sponsoring the second annual VIP 5K run/walk in memory of Great Falls resident Vanessa Pean who died tragically in a car accident on Beach Mill Road Oct. 30, 2005 at age 16. Since 2005, the Vanessa Péan Foundation has been shaping the future of Haiti by providing scholarships to underprivileged children as well as critically needed basic services such as clean water. This 501c3 is dedicated to creating a better future for all Haitians through education and by addressing basic human needs. Over 322 scholarships have been provided and a clean spring water well now provides potable water for a town the size of Great Falls.
Great Falls Studios Explore Art’s Natural Habitat
Great Falls Studios releases book to celebrate 10th anniversary.
Great Falls Studios was founded 10 years ago by several artists who wanted to network. Now, it features more than 90 artists who work in almost every conceivable medium, and they work hard to promote arts events around the community.
Promoting Jewish Medical Awareness in Northern Virginia
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present a program on ethics, “Life in the Balance: Jewish Perspectives on Everyday Medical Dilemmas,” as part of the institute’s new six-session Fall 2013 course that will begin during the week of Oct. 27.
Potter’s Fire Opens in Herndon
A grand opening ceremony to be held on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Mike Faul’s business Potter’s Fire will be holding its grand opening this week in Herndon at 797-B Center Street. Previously, Faul had operated a marketing agency at this location. “My first exposure to ceramics was in junior high school, about 41 years ago,” said Faul.
Country Fair Comes to St. Francis
Annual event features games, quilt show.
As temperatures rose to near 90 degrees Saturday, Oct. 5 at the annual St. Francis Country Fair in Great Falls, many of the fair’s traditions were turned upside down.
Portrait Exhibit Opens at ArtSpace Herndon
Arts Council holds weeklong art celebration.
Art related activity in downtown Herndon is on a high as the Council for the Arts of Herndon has set up special activities and events to celebrate local artists and artwork. Events are being held at ArtSpace Herndon on 750 Center Street as well as local restaurants to highlight the opportunities to enjoy art in the town.
Boy Scouts Collect Bikes for the World
Herndon Boy Scout Troop 159 held a successful bike drive for Bikes for the World on Saturday, Sept. 28, collecting 87 used bikes, as well as accessories such as helmets. Bikes for the World is an Arlington-based charity that sends used bikes around the world to help children and adults needing reliable transportation to school, work and health care. Troop 159 collected the bikes on Sept. 28 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Herndon. The drive was conducted as the Eagle Scout service project for troop member Conor Mears, 16, of Reston. The scouts processed the bikes for shipping, provided donors with receipts, and loaded the bikes onto the trailer. The bikes will most likely be shipped to Barbados in a few weeks.
Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Presents Arts Center Plans
Equestrians, Turner Farm advocates question proposed center.
The Great Falls Foundation for the Arts presented their proposal for an arts center at Turner Farm Monday, Sept. 30 to the local equestrian community, neighbors and residents involved in the “Save the Farm” campaign.
ArtFest Comes to Central Park
Annual event features live art, juried show.
As a first time visitor to the annual MPAartfest, it didn’t take long for Andrea Dorsey and her sister Beverly to be impressed.
St. Thomas Pumpkin Patch Back in Business
St. Thomas Episcopal Church opens annual fall fundraiser.
The green lawn in front of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean had some orange added to it Saturday, Oct. 5, courtesy of a truckload of pumpkins and hundreds of student volunteers.
Suits and Sneakers Goes On
Annual awards relocated to McLean Community Center due to shutdown.
In the early afternoon hours of Tuesday, Oct. 1, Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce staff was busy setting up for the annual Suits and Sneakers event, to be held that evening at Claude Moore Colonial Farm.