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Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m. So before bedtime Saturday night, set back the time on all those clocks, watches and electronic devices one hour.

Brief: Police Launch @ArlingtonVaPD

The Arlington County Police Department has expanded its social media presence by joining Twitter. @ArlingtonVaPD will be a permanent tool for the department to share breaking news, stories, photos, crime tips and events.

Week in Reston

Ice Skating Season Begins

The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion officially opens for the 2013-2014 season with its annual fundraiser for the local non-profit organization, Reston Character Counts Coalition. On opening weekend, Nov. 2 and 3, the charity will receive 50 percent of skating rink proceeds. (Rain date: Nov. 9 and 10.) This benefit will help fund development programs offered by Reston Character Counts! Coalition, including the annual Essay and Poster Contest and sponsorship of Ethics Day at South Lakes High School. Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion weekend hours are Saturday, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Adult admission is $10, and for children under 12 and adults over 55, admission is $8. Skate rental is $5. The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion is located at 1800 Discovery Street, Reston, and will be open every day, including all holidays, until March. Schedules, fees, and more information are available on the skating hotline, 703-709-6300, and online at www.restontowncenter.com/skating.

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Potomac Youth of the Year, 2013

Marissa Michaels of Holton Arms and Matthew Schick of Landon named Potomac’s Youth of the Year.

Marissa Michaels of Holton Arms and Matthew Schick of Landon named Potomac’s Youth of the Year.

Brief: Board Promotes Public Safety Communications in Construction

The County Board unanimously adopted a resolution on Oct. 22 to advance new public safety technology in construction within Arlington County. In recent years, new construction materials have degraded the ability of public safety personnel to communicate with radios within buildings.

Reston Ice Skater Wins Regional Championships

Local figure skater Christina Cleveland topped the competition in the recent 2014 Regional Figure Skating Championships. A junior lady, Christie won both the short and the long programs in the championships, held in Louisville, Ky. The top four skaters in each division progress to the Sectional Championships, which will be held in East Lansing, Mich. in November. From there, the top four earn a spot in the 2014 US National Championships in Boston, Mass. This year, the national competition will also be the United States Olympic Trials for the Sochi Olympics in mid-winter. Christie is a junior at Herndon High School and skates under Rashid Kadyrkaev at the Ashburn Ice House. Her team of coaches helps her to succeed. She does stretching, cardio, ballet, strength training and trampoline, as well as her on-ice regimen, as her daily fitness activities.

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Going Green, All Year Long

As part of the second annual Green Apple Day of Service, Dianne Rose and her Hunters Woods Preschool students created the class's first recycling bin to be used for the entire school year.

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Reston Rotary Gives 3rd Graders Dictionaries

Sonia Castillo-Smith from the Rotary Club of Reston visits Aldrin Elementary. She presented dictionaries to all Aldrin third grade students on behalf of Rotary.

Commentary

Our Special Community

Recently I was asked to participate in a workshop for a group of leaders who were planning a future for their organization. Specifically I was asked to discuss the characteristics of our community of Reston. While I try to stay on top of trends and am out in the community on a daily basis, I learned a lot preparing for the presentation at the workshop.

Week in Herndon

Leaf Collection Begins in Herndon

Annual collection of leaves has begun in Herndon. Residents should rake leaves as close to the curb as possible without blocking storm drains, sidewalks or mailboxes and without impeding vehicular traffic. During leaf collection, grass clippings, shrub clippings and weeds must be placed in 30-gallon kraft, recyclable bags and should continue to be placed out only on your regular trash day. Following the scheduled fall collection, leaves must be placed in 30-gallon kraft recyclable bags and will be picked up on regular trash/yard waste collection days.

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John Burkarth Wins Special Olympics Gold Medal

John Burkarth of Herndon won his first national tournament and became the Virginia gold medallist in the Special Olympics 2013 held in Galloway, N.J., Oct. 18-20. Burkarth was tested in six different shot-making skills and scored 64-86-59 for a total score of 209, first place in the top division of the individual skills competition. Burkarth celebrated with medals, smiles and high fives at the end of the three-day Special Olympics North America Golf Invitational Tournament at the Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway. A field of 176 golfers from 23 programs representing the United States and Canada competed in one of five levels of competition—individual skills (Level I), 9- and 18-hole alternate shot team play (Levels II & III), and 9- and 18-hole individual stroke play (Levels IV & V).

Two Herndon Students in Children’s Show

The Alliance Theatre presents “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian the Crab and all the other characters from the popular story and movie are in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” And two Herndon students are among the featured actors.

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Burke History Day Revisited

Burke Historical Society President Jon Vrana hopes to make it an annual event once again.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, grey skies and light rain didn’t put a damper on the first Burke History Day since the 1990s. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a steady stream of visitors ventured into the large hall of the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department facility as costumed members of the Burke Historical Society revived a former community event—albeit with a few modifications.

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Above and Beyond

Four honored for volunteer service.

Volunteer Alexandria presented the 19th annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria Awards Oct. 25 in a tribute honoring the exceptional volunteer service of four individuals.

Oakton Women’s Club Supports Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna

Each year the Oakton Women’s Club hosts their fashion show in Oakton to raise money to support the local community. The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) was the recipient of the net proceeds for the 2013 fashion show and received a generous $1,000 donation. Pictured (from left) Jayne Young, office administrator of SCOV, and Linda Byrne, president of the Board Oakton Women’s Club. Centered is a photo of Jeanne Robertson, the headliner for SCOV’s annual fundraiser. Their event is already sold out with 1,000 attendees expected at the Oct. 27 event in Vienna. Founded in 1997, SCOV is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for adults (50-plus) to seek rewarding lives and to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. In 2012 SCOV provided services and programs to more than 3,000 older adults in the Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Merrifield and portions of Reston and Fairfax areas. In 2012 it was voted the Best Nonprofit of the Year (2012) by the Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce. In September, 2013 SCOV was selected the Charity of the Month by WTOP 103.5FM Radio.