People

Week in Reston

Commentary: Silver Line Access

Construction on the Silver Line, the extension of Metrorail in the Dulles corridor, will be completed for its first phase to Wiehle Avenue by August 2013. After extensive testing by its operator, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the line will start carrying passengers by December 2013. Reston riders will be able to go to Tysons, Arlington, downtown, or as far as Largo, Md.—without getting out of their seats. As exciting as the prospects are for mass transit into and out of our community, there is an understandable level of apprehension and concern about access to the rail line and its impact on the community.

Fastest Team Time

Potomac River Running snags third Marine Corps Marathon Fastest-team Plaque.

Potomac River Running Store of Reston received a championship plaque for a third consecutive year from the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Race Director Rick Nealis on Thursday, March 21.

A Journey of Discovery

Mary Jo Smrekar of Reston and Sue Ries Lamb of Alexandria facilitate The Women’s Collaborative.

“Join With Us in Discovery.” That’s the header on the invitation for the 2013 Women’s Collaborative, a “journey of discovery” that takes place in three four-day sessions at Meadowkirk Retreat and Conference Center in Middleburg. The first session takes place Thursday, May 30, through Sunday, June 2; the second takes place in August; and the last is in October.

Jewish-Muslim Passover Seder Commemoration

Local multi-religious celebrations and interfaith dialogue inspire communities nationwide.

With one foot in Fairfax County and the other in Loudoun, (yes, they needed permits from both counties during construction) the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling couldn’t have been a better choice of venue for an interfaith commemoration of Passover, the ancient Jewish holiday celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The building, with its cross-counties placement, symbolizes the bridge building that took place on Saturday, March 30, when members of the ADAMS Center co-sponsored a Passover Seder with the Washington Area Jews for Jewish-Muslim Understanding, led by Andrea Barron. Sitting side-by-side in the small meeting room were Jews and Muslims as well as Christian pastors from Falls Church and Reston.

Week in Herndon

A Richmond Report Card Presented

SALT hosts annual Richmond Wrap-up.

Asked how effectively the issues facing disadvantaged populations have been addressed by legislators in Richmond, Carla Peterson, director of Virginia Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE), said: “Not nearly enough. What has happened is that [Governor Bob] McDonnell has hired a person who is probably the most reformist person that I know of, in charge of corrections. [A person] who is making progress and not as much as we would like to see done, but it serves as a glimmer of hope. There are some [changes] taking place.”

Area Jazzercise Holds 'Dance for a Cure'

St. Mark ESL Offers Spring Language Program

The number one goal of most students of English as a Second Language is a universal one: to communicate. In particular, the adult students of St. Mark English as a Second Language (ESL) program want to be able to converse in English with their children, with their employers and with their neighbors.

Wolftrap Shines at NoVa Odyssey of the Mind

Fifth and sixth graders garner accolades at regional tournament.

Several teams from Wolftrap Elementary School competed at the NoVa North Odyssey of the Mind Region 9 Tournament, which took place at Oakton High School on Saturday, March 9.

VYS Patriots Black Win Platinum at Jefferson Cup

The Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) Patriots Black, an under-13 girls travel soccer team, competed in the 2013 Jefferson Cup tournament Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, in Richmond.

Marshall Road Elementary Raises Money to Support Veterans

Marshall Road Elementary School (MRES) is donating $532 as part of its project to support military veterans.

Pickleberry Pie Adopts Vienna Center for Disabled Students

If you’ve never witnessed the therapeutic power of music, you’ve never seen a Pickleberry Pie-sponsored live performance for hospitalized children or disabled students. Prominent professional performers—from musicians and storytellers to animals—bring their specialties to school or hospital centers or to the hospital rooms of children too sick to leave their beds. Pickleberry Pie, a national service organization with a large network in the D.C. area, funds the performances. Most participating performers hire out at reduced rates as a public service.

New Vienna Police Chief Settles in

James “Jim” Morris comes to Vienna from 24 years with Fairfax County Police.

Photo Contest Winners Announced

The Vienna Parks and Recreation Department has announced the winners of its 2013 amateur photography contest, held March 16 and 17 at the Vienna Community Center. There were 250 entries by 70 photographers.

The Connection